Disclaimer: The Iguro wedding takes bits and pieces from modern Western weddings, ancient Shinto customs, and modern-day Japanese traditions.
A Snake Decides to Love (6.)
Obanai and Mitsuri were married on a sunny day in a village close to the corps. The wedding was held outside and attended by the hashiras, Kanroji's family, the butterfly mansion girls, Kamado and his friends, and the survey crows.
Amane booked a marriage official who often married the Ubuyashiki clan members. The official was middle-aged and grouchy but patient. He explained any and every detail of the wedding the day before as well as during the ceremony.
Mitsuri had asked to be married in the morning because she couldn't wait to become his wife she had said. That memory filled him with gratitude.
The loveliest woman in the world wanted him. And he wanted her too.
True to her word, Master and his family didn't attend, but his crow did. Once the shock of the crow's demonic-like voice wore off, it recited a tender letter from the master.
"Iguro and Kanroji, I'm filled with emotion for your wedding. Knowing both of your stories, I'm happy you found each other, especially in this line of work. I know I could do nothing without my dear wife Amane. I fear I won't see your love flourish due to my health rapidly deteriorating, so I leave you with these words :
Iguro, cherish her. Be faithful. Acknowledge her dreams. Believe in her as she does for you, and I believe in you both. You're free now. Never to be caged again. Enjoy your love.
Kanroji, encourage him. Love him through his dark moments. Be a light. If he forgets himself, remind him of his goodness. Don't diminish yourself in any way. Keep learning and trying new things. You're more capable than you know.
I consider you all dear family, and I hope you feel the same love from all of us at the corps. To a joyful union!"
Obanai squeezed her hand at the altar.
The wedding kimono looked stunning on her. The thick fabric had a flower pattern and a butterfly pendant was tucked behind her ear. Bangs combed and hair braided into a bun made Mitsuri look so mature.
He was going to cry at their wedding, wasn't he? Obanai blinked rapidly as tears began to build.
The wedding official was speaking and he physically heard the words, but his mind was elsewhere. How long could their future realistically be? Would they die at twenty-five or earlier? Would it be from the mark or a demon attack? Could they be happy with only four to five years to spare?
His hair was combed back into a low ponytail, so he couldn't easily pull at his hair in frustration without undoing Kocho's hard work. She also might kill him for it.
Stop being so negative, he told himself.
The middle and end of their marriage and love could be worked out later. He was going to love her with all his might presently. He owed it to himself and their happiness. He wouldn't spend half their wedding dreading the what-ifs.
"Now, we'll pass the cups of sake to the groom and bride, then to the bride's mother and father."
They would exchange vows to each other, and her parents would drink as a symbol of the families uniting together. Obanai had no family to truly speak of, but Gyomei had volunteered (and Obanai thanked him profusely for his initiative because he wouldn't dare have asked) to act as his fatherly representative.
While the cups of wedding sake were poured at a low table at the altar in front of the modest audience, Obanai brushed his hand against Mitsuri's cheek. A light dash of pink colored his knuckles.
"Mitsu," he whispered. "Can I tell you a secret?"
She was staring forward adorably trying to focus on the official.
"I don't know can you, Obi?" She whispered back.
Where his burst of playful energy had come from he didn't know, but his heart felt lighter. He wasn't so naive to think nothing would go wrong, but he knew why it would be worth it to try.
"Oh yes, I can. More than anything I've done before."
His wrapped mouth hovered right by her ear.
"I love you, Mitsu!" Obanai told her softly as a cup was placed in his hands. The audience would be privy to their vows, but these words right now were just for her.
Her face changed into an expression of pure love. Such meaning and passion curved her eyebrows. A gasp parted her lips. Obanai found himself equally mesmerized by counting her eyelashes or the deep red lipstick spread across her mouth.
"I love you too, Obi! Since the very beginning, and now until the end." She curled their pinkie fingers together for a moment before releasing them. She took her cup into her hands.
As if warm honey had poured over his head, his heart pounded happily.
"Do we have the young couple's attention?" the man asked with a sour tone. His mustache couldn't hide the disapproving frown.
But Mother and Father Kanroji seemed amused and undisturbed seated next to Sanemi and Tengen. Her brother Hayao flirted to no avail with an uninterested Kanao who could only give a polite smile. Only a bit earlier Nezuko had thrown sakura blossoms gathered in a basket across the field. Many of their guests had pink petals stuck to their clothes or hidden away in their hair.
Obanai cleared his throat and rubbed his neck in a nervous tic. Kaburamura laid on a pillow on the front row next to the empty chair for Rengoku, leaving his neck bare. His hand drew down to play with the thick sleeve of his black wedding kimono.
How many times had the official called for them while they were lost in their own world?
"Y-yes, we're ready," he cleared his throat. Taking Mitsuri's hand in his, they knelt at the table, facing the audience.
"Wait, Obanai." She squeezed his wrist, risking a frantic look at him. "This room is filled with people who love and care for us ... And I don't want to force you to do anything you're uncomfortable with but..."
"Mitsuri, just ask."
"It would mean everything to me if I could see you unmask when you drink the sake and say our vows."
Her green eyes seemed to penetrate him deeply. Before he lost his nerve, he shimmied down his wrappings and took a sip of the sake.
One deep breath, then he pulled the wrappings down to underneath his neck. His hand trembled, but he held his sweet Mitsuri's gaze. He could have the courage to make himself vulnerable with her by his side.
Someone from the crowd gave a loud gasp and the wince from the marriage officiator at his scars wasn't lost on him. But neither was the loud clapping from Hayao or the pleased expression of his soon-to-be wife. She was so touched.
Obanai took another sip of his cup and then exchanged it with her, taking her cup to drink from. She closed her eyes drinking the leftover liquid in one long sip.
The officiator nodded his head in approval. When he saw their cups were empty, a set of two new ones were brought out. They were instructed to take smaller sips to leave room for Kanroji's parents and Gyomei to finish off.
Father and Mother Kanroji sipped from the cup so reverently it brought a tear to Obanai's eye. It slipped out from the corner and traveled down the path of one of his scars before settling in a puddle at his chin.
To his surprise, Mitsuri had a stream of tears running down her face and a serene smile. Already the tears had washed away the intensity of her powdered pink blush.
"No crying, Mitsu."
"You first, Obi!" she teased, wiping the trail of his tear away with her thumb.
"Ahem," the official coughed, punctuating his annoyance. "As I was saying, you may now exchange the vows and rings."
He felt for the ring in his kimono sleeves, then paled. His mouth felt dry. Mitsuri albeit happy was expectantly looking at him.
"Uh…"
"Give me a break, 'Nai! You left the rings with me, remember?" Sanemi yelled from his seat.
To anyone else, his best friend seemed rude and uneven-tempered, and he was, but Obanai knew he was anxious for the wedding to be complete with no complications. It was the reason why he trusted him with something so precious until the time of the ceremony.
After an awkward jog into the crowd, Obanai carried the two rings firmly in his palm.
"Iguro Obanai, your vows. Though I remind you the hour I've been booked for is almost up."
"Wow," Tengen drawled loudly. "Where did you guys find this guy?"
Kamado frowned at the tactless comment. He placed his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice. "Forget that! Take your time, Iguro! Tell her how you feel."
Obanai's eye only twitched two times. He was proud of himself. Besides, Kamado wouldn't be able to take her away from him now. Despite it all, the boy was upright, not a homewrecker.
Readjusting his attention brought Obanai to her light green eyes. He held her hands in his. His geta were higher than normal, which put him at the same height as Mitsuri.
"T-there are so many things I could say, Mitsuri. I could go into about how you made me feel normal. How you asked me for directions brightened my day so much. It's embarrassing, really. How much I've replayed that day in my head. Thinking how much lonelier and sadder I'd be without you. You'll never be lost again with me by your side. But you're the one that found me – the Obanai that looked forward to another day because it meant you were in it. I … I." His voice cracked as he slid the ring onto her finger. "I love you so infinitely. Thank you for badgering me to give us a chance and not let my fears cloud my mind. I'm still scared, but I'm ready to try."
Had he ever talked this much in front of anyone? More importantly, he had just borne his soul, but it felt right.
She gave a loud hiccup. "Obi..Oba—Obanai! I'm just so happy!"
Mitsuri sniffled into her sleeve.
"Six minutes remaining unless you'd like to book for another hour." They couldn't even afford him now without the master's benevolence.
Obanai tried to mentally beckon Kaburamura to bite the officiator, but he only hissed from his comfy spot on the pillow. Even Mitsuri frowned.
"ANYWAY, I know some people are upset by true love, but they have to deal with it!" Mitsuri said pointedly.
"Five minutes and 45 seconds."
"Okay… okay! Obanai, I always thought you were so cool and super amazing with your sword fighting. But you can't imagine my surprise at how sweet you were. You helped me so many times, and I think even you knew the point where I started pretending to still be lost. You showed me such kindness, and you treated me like I was precious. I've felt like an outcast too, sometimes. So many men have looked at me physically but shied away from me emotionally and mentally. You, Obi. You saw all of me, and it didn't deter you. I don't have to hide my strength from you. You make me stronger!"
He loved her.
He loved her so much.
He was overwhelmed with love.
"Obanai, you're so smart that I knew all you needed was a push! Thank you for protecting me, and I promise to protect you too! No matter how long we have together I asked Kamisama for more time. If we only have five years here, we'll have more in our next life. Then, I'll give you 100 babies!"
"Mitsuri," he choked out, half-laughing and half-trying not to begin weeping.
"3 minutes and counting," the man said, but his eyes were misty. He pulled out a handkerchief from his sleeve to dab at his eyes.
"Here!" Mitsuri put the ring on his finger.
"Iguro Obanai and Kanroji Mitsuri, do you lastly promise to love each other for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always?"
"YES!" They said in unison.
"Then, you may now kiss the bride."
In the background, he could hear Sanemi sniffling, squeals from the butterfly girls, and Zenitsu and Kamado full-on crying.
The pull toward each other was magnetic. He cupped her face in his hands. Ghosted a kiss over her lips before kissing her firmly.
"…"
How had he gotten so lucky? Obanai and Mitsuri Iguro for now until forever.
"Ahem, that's enough now. 1 minute remaining."
They were positively thrilled when they pulled apart. His lovely beautiful wife!
"Now, let's eat!" Inosuke, to his credit, remained quiet but bored throughout the ceremony, now couldn't be contained. The catering the master arranged smelled strongly after such a long ceremony.
Obanai pecked her lips again.
"How does that sound, wife?"
"That sounds just fine, husband." She beamed at him, hooking her elbow with his. "Lead the way!"