Chapter Text
February 2068
~~~~
“Hellooo, you in there?” Mako shouted as she rapped noisily on the door to Satsuki’s dressing room, “You decent?”. Not waiting for an answer, she barged in with a great bustling of her bridesmaid outfit. Satsuki was kneeling in front of a floor to ceiling mirror, carefully fitting an ornate headdress with rows of golden beads around the intricate and silky-smooth bun she’d tucked her hair into. She couldn’t turn her head much, but she beamed at Mako as she entered. “How ya doin’?” Mako asked softly, as though Satsuki’s temper was vulnerable to the slightest provocation.
“Mako!” Satsuki exclaimed “I’m doing well, very well. Just right now it’s nice being in here. You know, calming,” She held one of her hands flat in illustration. “I appreciate you keeping everyone out.”
“Oh I know, Nonon kept badgering me to let her see you, but I said, ‘You’ll get a chance before the ceremony, not like she’s going anywhere’. ‘Sides I think she’s having fun greeting the early arrivals to the reception.”
“There’s already early arrivals?” Satsuki sighed, “And here I hoped that moving from The Monument would make this less of a big event.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep ‘em out of your hair. You just stay focused – in a couple of hours you’re gonna be Mrs. Satsuki Matoi – AAH! I’m so excited for you!” Mako shouted as she flung herself around Satsuki. Satsuki chuckled to herself, thinking, then how do you expect I feel? as her whole chest rose as though it was going to explode. “Ooh, hey this is really silky,” Mako abruptly said, rubbing her hands and eventually her cheek on Satsuki’s kimono.
“Pardon me, Madam Princess, but if you would please wait one moment. Your curiosity shall shortly cause this incomplete ensemble to slip off the Royal Consort quite unbecomingly!” A short, portly man with a wide, lively face bustled in from a side room behind them. This was Satsuki’s fashion designer. Considering that her wedding outfit was meant to be a surprise to Ryuko (this was a break with tradition, but one Satsuki insisted on) hiring him was a necessity, they couldn’t just shift Ryuko’s life-fibers into a kimono even though Satsuki kept them on as her underclothes. Satsuki had done her research, as ever – he was one of the world’s most accomplished designers, and she’d heard Ryuko mention that she was a fan of his work on several occasions. He was more than capable of meeting Ryuko’s exacting and often gaudy standards. In his hands he had a small box of thin ties and belts. “I have just a few more pieces to attach, then you will be free to fondle and prod to your hearts content,” He hummed, setting right to work even as Mako leapt to the side.
“Oh! Hehe, sorry!” She giggled sheepishly. “Hey, um, by the way I did have something to ask you-.”
“Is it if I knew that Ryuko has a surprise planned for our honeymoon? Because yes, I’m aware. She was not able to slip by me this time,” Satsuki answered, back at work preparing her hair.
“Phew, that’s a relief! But how’d you know?” Mako said.
“Mako, please. When I see several hundred million yen disappear from my bank account, of course I investigate where it went. And when my accountant is being vague on the details and lacks a good alibi against his own embezzlement, then I have to conclude someone told him not to tell me. And besides all that, I did tell her she could pick the destination,” Satsuki explained.
“Oh, I see,” Mako said, feeling a little foolish. Satsuki was so clever of course she’d figured it out.
“I have a surprise for her too, don’t worry.”
“Really? What is it?”
Satsuki smiled smugly, “Oh, it’s not exactly something you can touch. But I have a feeling she’ll love it all the same.”
~~~~
Outside, Ryuko distracted herself from the momentous events about to befall her in a very different way – shadow boxing. She stood on the patio behind the main building of the Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto, the recently rebuilt historic shrine which she’d chosen as the new, more intimate and traditional location for her wedding. The building behind her and the guardrail between her and the tree lined pond might have been new, but the stones beneath her feet were worn smooth by generations of worshippers and sightseers. She bounded back and forth, sleeves flowing back and forth with punches only visible to the human eye as blurs.
To even further her focus she blasted music at a near deafening volume. An eclectic mix of power metal and pop music, anything was acceptable so long as it tore by at a maximum of tempo and noise. She insisted on wearing bulky over-ear headphones; anything else was unbearably tinny and artificial to her supersensitive ears (and even this top-of-the line model was only barely acceptable). So Ryuko used a weave of prehensile life-fibers to hold it in place and closed her eyes as she battled hordes of invisible enemies.
One she worked through a basic progression of punches, wearing down his defenses, developing an opening, exploiting it with a gut punch and a finishing blow to the head. Then another one behind her – him she stunned with a high kick to the face, then snaked her foot behind him and with a twist of her body dropped him to the ground, where a quick succession of punches to the head finished him off. And then yet another, and maybe this one has a sword, brandishing it above his head as he leaps, so Ryuko meets him with a rising punch and then quickly slides her hand to guide his wrists to the ground. Only he manages to keep his grip and is back up and moving in an instant. In her imagination Ryuko could play at fighting enemies that demanded the full extent of her speed, and for a while it was just them and her and the cobblestones.
And a small, slight built woman rounding the corner behind her.
Ryuko hastily skidded to a stop, dropping her headphones to rest on her neck and opening her eyes just in time to see Haruka rounding the corner towards her.
Ah crap, Ryuko thought as Haruka, just as meek looking as ever with her perpetually tired eyes, briefly blanched with terror but then pieced her courage together and approached Ryuko. When I told her she could write an article about the wedding, I didn’t really think about what that meant. But be chill Ryuko, lots of people have to see their ex-girlfriends around and most of them make it work fine. Besides, compared to last time I saw her this’ll be a friendly chat basically no matter what.
“Betcha didn’t expect to find me out here, huh?” Ryuko asked, hoping that Haruka didn’t notice her shadowboxing and coolly strolling over to the railing by the pond and leaning on it.
“No… I was told you were in your dressing room with Mako,” Haruka said.
“Oh, Mako is everywhere today. I just wanted some fresh air,” Ryuko said, motioning in what she hoped was a friendly way for Haruka to join her. Haruka still looked like she thought Ryuko might kill her at any minute, the sheer terror of their last encounter hadn’t fully worn off. Which it why it was more impressive to Ryuko that she mimicked her casual leaning posture even despite the determined set of her face. “Everything okay?” Ryuko asked.
“Huh? Oh, y-yes. Er, I wanted to thank you actually, for letting me write an article about your wedding.”
“Well, you have kinda become the reporter with the inside scoop on all our lives, what was I gonna do?” Ryuko said, and then worried that sounded a little too begrudging said, “Do other journalists and paparazzi types ever getting pissed off about that? Y’know, say you get favoritism cuz we used to date?”
Haruka answered hesitantly, “Yes, quite a lot actually. I just tell them ‘no, it’s actually because Rei almost dropped a giant monster on me and broke my bike and she felt bad.’”
Ryuko blinked, “Uh, is that a joke or…”
“Well yes, but it also did really happen,” Haruka answered, and Ryuko cracked a smile and felt the tension give way just a little.
“I didn’t know you rode, by the way. What kinda bike was it?” She asked, thinking back fondly to the time when she’d first taught Haruka to ride a motorcycle.
“Oh, that old one was just a crappy old moped I got used,” Haruka said. “I bought a new one though. It’s a Yamaha-Tori.”
Ryuko’s response was enthusiastic, “Ooh! Is it the new Razor model?”
“Yup! Here, I’ve got a picture,” Haruka smiled as she whipped out her phone and began scrolling. In no time at all they were deep in geeking out, briefly and blissfully unaware of the impending wedding and the brutal waves of nervous anticipation that had been driving Ryuko crazy all morning. I guess we did date for a good long while, Ryuko thought, even if that was a bad idea we couldn’t have done it if we didn’t get along. Eventually Haruku asked, “Do you still have Osu?”
“Oh yeah, she’s still in peak condition. Especially considering I’m too busy to ride ‘er most days,” Ryuko grumbled.
“That’s right I heard you were at the southern front last week,” Haruka said thoughtfully, “They said on the news that you and Satsuki slaughtered the entire enemy army on the bridge in Nanjing, is that true?”
“No! God no!” Ryuko was emphatic, “I’d never do something like that. No, we lured them out and then Tsumugu and Aikuro bombed their camp and stole their food reserves, and as soon as they saw that the rank and file guys who weren’t true believers handed their leaders over to us. Freakin’ journos, they’re always trying to overdramatize everything.”
“Well it isn’t entirely their fault though, is it? I mean, they’re stuck where its safe in your camp, right?” Haruka asked.
“Sure but – ohhh no, you’re seriously bringing that up now? How many ways can I say, ‘no fucking way’ to you?” Ryuko soured as she saw where Haruka was going with this.
“Well why not? It’s a win-win. You want reporters in the combat zone who won’t sensationalize anything, I want to push my work to the next level -,” Haruka, suddenly animated, pushed on.
“- What, is the whole ‘meek maiden’ thing just an act for you? Don’t tell me you came over just to ask about this,” Ryuko said, wheeling on Haruka in exasperation, but the wind got taken out of that when Haruka cringed back in fright. It wasn’t just an act, but more that she’d forgotten herself in their lively conversation. Forgotten to be afraid of Ryuko, how could she be?
“No! No, I swear,” She held up her hands, and when Ryuko relented she said, “I just take this really seriously.”
“Really. I figured, y’know, in light of recent events… things you’ve learned…”
Haruka shook her head vigorously, “No, no not at all. It doesn’t matter, you’re still the most influential person to history maybe ever, and I will be your biographer.”
“And it doesn’t bother you, being here today? Y’know, who I’m marrying? There really isn’t a part of you that’s just thinking about how it should be you?” Ryuko asked. In ordinary circumstances, I think the response to expect would be something like ‘get over yourself, you aren’t that big a deal’.
“I always knew you and I weren’t going to last,” Haruka answered with a shrug. “I thought I told you that.”
“Oh yeah, you did pick out that Satsuki and I had, like, something going on all the way back then, didn’t you?” Ryuko said, not thrilled to recall that uncomfortable evening.
And Haruka nodded quietly and said, “Um, if I may, I’ve been wondering. Why didn’t you go with her right then? Why, i-if that were true, did you spend almost a year dating Rei?”
Because I’m an idiot. Ryuko scratched her head and said, “Ahh, well, if I’m being honest… I didn’t really see that you were right. I didn’t see it in Satsuki because – well you know why – but also because I thought we just had a bond because of all the shit we went through together, and I was just being a little bit of a perv. And when she finally did tell me I was already with Rei, so we both knew I couldn’t return her feelings. She just did it because she felt guilty, she didn’t think I’d… y’know, feel the same way. And also because I’m an idiot.” She smiled self-consciously and said, “I like to think it would be sweet if not for the whole… other side.”
“Yeah…” Haruka said absently, hastily typing that out on her phone, “That is kinda sweet. You don’t mind if I use that, do you? With the sensitive parts out, obviously. I think readers would appreciate a full narrative of your relationship.”
“Sure, might as well,” Ryuko said. Haruka nodded, happy to at least get that out of the conversation. “Well, uh, I’ll see you at the reception I guess.”
“Yes. Or er, probably a bit sooner since I’ll be helping with the pictures after the ceremony is over.”
“Ah, cool,” Ryuko said, and then just as Haruka turned to walk away, “Hey, one last thing. I know this is probably the worst time imaginable to, y’know, relitigate our whole relationship. But it’s fucked up that when I broke up with you, I made it like you had done something wrong. That was a total bitch move on my part, and I’m sorry – bad timing or not I had to apologize.”
That caught Haruka off guard, but she smiled more warmly than she had the entire time because that – totally blunt and unguarded, tripping over herself in a misguided effort to do the right thing – was a pitch perfect Ryuko move. She said, “Yeah, it is a pretty bad time. But it’s okay, really.”
“You sure? I think the appropriate reaction to that would be to call me an asshole, or a bitch, or a cunt, or something more creative,” Ryuko said.
“Yeah, probably,” Haruka shrugged, “But that’s not how I feel. And besides, it’s your wedding day. You’ve got other stuff to worry about than me,” And to Ryuko’s utter shock, she scurried up and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Wha – hey!” Ryuko protested, but Haruka was already backing away.
“Go on, have fun! The happier you are the more readers I get!” Haruka joked, and then took her exit back the way she came.
Huh, she really is a remarkable girl, Ryuko thought, still not entirely sure if Haruka had been messing with her the whole time or if they really had patched up some kind of friendship in the span of fifteen minutes, funny I’m only realizing that now.
But she was also right, Ryuko did have bigger things to worry about today, and reminiscing on past girlfriends only reminded her that – holy shit – by the end of today she’d be married. It was almost scary how happy that made her, how happy she was going to be. And yet every time she looked at the clock the seconds dragged by so slowly. How was it she could spend years in the spirit world with Senketsu like it was nothing but just a couple more hours made her want to pull her hair and shout “don’t make me wait, not now that I’m so close!” She’d actually considered going someplace quiet and popping over to the other side, letting her inert body wait out the time while she and Senketsu chatted. Only problem was that Mako might need her for something. So all she could do was pace around the shrine and try in vain to distract herself.
However, as she began her pacing, she came upon another great distraction: Aikuro. He too was seeking sanctuary from the rush of activity going on inside the main hall where the first stage of the ceremony would be held, and he waved when he saw her coming and cut off the conversation he was having with Nekketsu. She – in direct opposition to Aikuro – was probably the quietest of the kamui and most content with letting him do the talking, but Ryuko could feel from her aura that she was captured by the spirit of the day, thrilled to be witnessing her creator’s union with her one true love. But also self-aware enough to know that Aikuro thought that was way too sappy and that he had a point.
“Well, if it isn’t the lady of the hour? I guess even you can’t take Mako after a certain point, huh?” He asked.
Ryuko shook her head and sat down next to him on the steps of a smaller sub-building. “Nah, it ain’t her, it’s all this damn waiting. Oh hey, you’ll never guess who I just saw.”
“Your ex?”
“How did you –,”
“Oh, she just passed by and said hi and took a quote from me for her article. It’s better having just her than all the paparazzi you usually draw,” He said, leaning back in his usual relaxed way.
“Ahh, there’ll be plenty of them when we go down to the city park for the reception,” Ryuko said, motioning out over Kyoto’s skyline stretching before them. The ancient cultural capital of precolonial Japan was like many others a city under refurbishment after both the dilapidation of the Kiryuin reign and the battles of the Tri-City Raid Trip and Life-Fiber War. But now, enhanced by the sun of an early warm spell and the new buds forming on the trees, it was beginning to regain some of its former splendor.
When the decision to switch the wedding from mass public spectacle to something more private was made, going as traditional as possible with it was the obvious next step. This was about as traditional as it could get, and the more Ryuko thought about that the more she liked it. This was much more… grounded. Here they could get married not as a queen and her consort, but as two people, in a way passed down and developed over countless generations.
“Hmm. So you say you’re sick of the waiting?” Aikuro asked.
“Oh my god, don’t get me started,” She groaned, “It’s like, you ever have one of those where you’re looking forward to something so much you can’t even think about what comes after? That’s me with this and the honeymoon. It’s like this – this huge wall I’m about to slam into and I thought it would get better now that it’s almost here, but it definitely did not. It’s just ugh, I can’t deal with it anymore!”
Aikuro, not especially bothered, laughed and said, “You’ve got the jitters, what did you expect? You aren’t the first, and you won’t be the last either, if that makes you feel any better. I mean, you and Satsuki have had a whole story going on together since basically the moment you met each other, I probably know that better than anyone. And now this is the culmination of it. At least that’s how society generally has you think about marriage.”
“I can tell you don’t agree,” Ryuko said.
“No, I don’t,” Aikuro said, “I don’t think it’s for me. But even besides that, I mean come on you’re twenty-two. I seriously hope you don’t see this as the end point.”
“No, no definitely not! It’s more like, whatever happens after this I don’t need to worry about, because it’ll work out fine. So, what do you think, you’ve probably gone to a few weddings, what do they usually do get through the wait?”
“Well, get ready and stuff. Which, by the way you’re looking a little less dolled up than I was expecting,” Aikuro gestured to Ryuko’s clothes, which were still in their casual form.
“What, this? Oh, no I can make the switch right away,” Ryuko snapped her fingers and with a modest glow her clothes immediately shifted into a traditional wedding kimono and outer cloak, shimmering white with red highlights and patterns of flowing lines.
“Riiight, so I guess getting ready’s not really gonna work for ya,” Aikuro concluded with a chuckle.
Ryuko shifted back to her casual form and said, “No… man I do kinda wish we’d gone Tsumugu and Kinue’s route and just gone down to the courthouse and then had a little low-key party at the house.”
“Nah, I don’t really buy that. That wouldn’t be right for you and definitely not for Satsuki.”
“Heh, yeah you’re right. She’d kill me if after all this time we didn’t make a big deal out of it,” Ryuko laughed fondly.
When Aikuro spoke again he said, “So I heard for Mako you’re planning something big for the honeymoon. Care to let me in on the secret?”
“Wha – in your dreams!” Ryuko exclaimed.
“Oho, well from that response I can infer…” Aikuro raised an eyebrow with a mocking grin.
“Oh-my-god fuck right the hell off you weirdo!” Was Ryuko’s response, “I swear, of all the pervs I know you’re the worst.”
[You should really try to work on that, you know]
“No, not the worst, just the most consistent,” Aikuro laughed, “I know my brand, what can I say?”
Harassing jokes or not, they still sat there talking for nearly two hours more until finally, at long last, it was time.
“Well,” Aikuro said as he stood, “It’s your big moment. I hope you’re not like, nervous or anything, your job in this isn’t that hard at least compared to Mako’s. And, uh, thanks for including me in the private ceremony even though I’m not really a member of your immediate family.”
“Dude,” Ryuko was suddenly very serious, “You are. Hell, I wouldn’t even be here without you. In fact, um, thanks for kinda introducing me to Satsuki, in a way.”
Aikuro laughed out loud at that, “Hah! You know if after your first big fight someone told me you’d wind up getting married someday, I honestly might have said ‘yeah, that tracks’.”
~~~~
The time had finally come. As was customary, they would approach the alter together and so would meet in the hallway between their dressing rooms and proceed flanked by a small party of their immediate family. Satsuki had finally finished preparing herself and was quite satisfied with the outcome. The delicate white kimono and cloak with all its intricate layers only highlighted the boldness of her eyes and hair, only drew the eye to the graceful beauty of her every movement. This, she decided, was probably the best she’d ever looked. Like a princess. She couldn’t wait until Ryuko saw her, almost as much as she couldn’t wait to see Ryuko, even half a day’s absence was painful.
I hope this is how she thinks of me, Satsuki though, Oh who am I kidding, of course the first thing that pops into her head has to be me wearing Junketsu. Well, at least I can add this to her repertoire. She was consumed by a foolish, immature kind of elation, and she wasn’t afraid to feel it. Satsuki Matoi. My wife, Ryuko. The words kept rolling around in her mind, giving her a little thrill each time. She was so preoccupied by the thought that she was a little surprised when the door opened a Soroi quickly stepped in.
“Soroi!” She beamed at him, and of course he smiled tenderly back, clasping his hands together in satisfaction.
“Satsuki, are you ready?”
“Very.”
“Well, I must say you look lovely,” Soroi gave her a hug and then held her at arm’s length to admire her with more than a little pride.
“Thank you. I was just thinking in fact that this was the most conventionally beautiful I’ve ever made myself look.”
“I hardly think you need rely on convention,” He said, turning to examine the scattered papers laying out the ritual script for the proceedings. “And have you fully memorized the prayers, vows, other lines?”
“Yes,” She said with a little eye roll, “Believe me, when it comes to liturgical accuracy I am not the one you should be concerned about.”
“She’s a very lucky woman,” Soroi said, then went on with a sigh, “Although I must admit, I feel a little sad. I think it’s clear that you really will no longer require my services.”
Satsuki hum chuckled, “Maybe. I might keep you around anyway though. And who knows, I may have reason to reinstate when you have some grandkids to babysit.”
“Grandkids! You mean –,” Soroi was lost for words, but really he didn’t need to say anything. “I see. I… always hoped you saw me that way.”
“Soroi-,” Whatever more Satsuki might have said was cut off as she became choked up and. “Oh dear,” She murmured as she felt herself tearing up. But as she reached for a tissue Soroi was swifter with a handkerchief.
“Here, you’ll smudge you makeup if you do it yourself,” He said, and for a brief silent moment Satsuki allowed her father-in-all-but-name to wipe a few happy tears away. Then there was a knock at the door. “Ah, they’re ready.”
Satsuki barely had time to process what was happening as she positioned herself right in front of the door and in perfect sync both it and the door to Ryuko’s dressing room – right across the hall – swung open. And there she was.
In retrospect maybe Ryuko and Satsuki were becoming a little too dependent on each other, because seeing each other in a normal situation after being apart all morning would already have been a huge relief. But this? It was transporting. This still, vibrantly colored hall lit in a fuzzy and multicolored glow was a magical place, a celestial plane so far above the everyday.
Ryuko audibly gulped as they stepped forward and took each other’s hands, so struck and intimidated by her beauty, by the realization that she’s mine. Satsuki had only her well honed composure to thank for not doing the same.
“Uh, hey,” Ryuko said softly, distracted from the task at hand by staring into Satsuki’s eyes.
Satsuki grinned and whispered, “You’re not supposed to talk at this part.”
“Oup!” Ryuko squeaked in embarrassment, and gave Satsuki’s hand a squeeze as they turned, with Barazo and Sukuyo behind Ryuko and Soroi behind Satsuki, and as one approached the altar.
~~~~
This ritual was a solemn affair, sacred in spirit if open to some modification in form and was only attended by a select few. That being their immediate families, such as they were. On Ryuko’s side there sat Tsumugu and Aoi, Aikuro, and Mataro, and as they approached Barazo and Sukuyo took their seats next to their son with wet eyes. On the other side, Satsuki’s former elites were arrayed and Soroi took his seat with Ira, Uzu, Houka and Shiro.
The altar itself was resplendent with gilt wood carvings, the lanterns with their prayers for luck and plenty scrawled across them, delicate inlaid porcelain statues, and more than a few origami cranes folded from silver-lined parchment. At it, along with the modestly dressed kannushi priest, were Mako and Nonon, wearing matching bridesmaids’ outfits (or in Nonon’s case the outer layer over Saiban).
Indeed the only member of their little family not in attendance was Rei – not for her benefit or the happy couple’s, but for everyone else’s since though they had largely forgiven her it still would’ve felt a little weird. Not that she minded, she was happy to keep watch over the hordes of well wishers waiting at the reception – and yeah, it woulda been a little weird.
The whole thing was a blur for both Ryuko and Satsuki. They said the prayers, tilted their heads so Mako and Nonon could place the rosary necklaces around them, and before they knew it their bridesmaids were presenting them with the san-san-kudo sake. Three cups of increasing size from which they each sipped three times. This was one of the most important rites in the entire ceremony but Satsuki found herself struggling not to laugh when Ryuko raised her eyes to make a goofy little “bottoms up!” face so swiftly that nobody but her even noticed it. It felt like no time at all had passed, even though in reality the prayers had drawn on for nearly an hour of careful choreography.
But that was only the first phase, and before the second there came the procession. The Fushimini Inari was more than just a single shrine, its complex dotted a wooded mountainside on the east border of Kyoto. Paths lined with thousands of torii gates wound up between the trees to the inner shrine, the true inner sanctum of its worship. In a solemn, peacefully focused procession with the priest at the head, Ryuko and Satsuki right behind, and the rest trailing in pairs, they ascended with occasional pauses for further prayers – stages in the journey. The brilliant orange of the Torii, the green speckles of budding leaves, the patchy blue of the sky, and the eclectic shades of the kamui were bursts of color amidst a clean, surreally grey landscape.
And the aura from the kamui was so powerful. An invisibly roaring pyre, feeding off itself. Ryuko promised herself she wouldn’t cry from feeling how they’d put all their misgivings aside for her, and now with unanimity knew that yes, this was the way things should be. But it was hard. They washed over her so powerfully she had to believe that even the humans could feel it too. Satsuki certainly seemed to.
When at last they crested the peak of Inari, it was to arrive in the dense forest of statues of worship mounds around Ichinomine, the highest point in the complex. Stone and carvings packed together, walls to a maze. Some so old and moss encrusted their text had long since faded, others freshly cut and donated just in time for this ceremony. This was what had so captured Satsuki when Mako had shown her the list of possible venues. There was something here, something old, a power that didn’t need a name, accumulated over the centuries. This place was beloved by the Earth.
The building in the center had been enlarged for the refurbishment, but the central awning still lay within, and it was there that the final vows were exchanged. Like the earlier prayers these were traditional, formalized, and differed from their western counterpart. Not a series of questions asked by the priest and answered with a simple “yes”, but oaths sworn by them both,
Satsuki began,
“This woman who I marry,
No matter health or fortune,
I will love, respect, console, and support in all things,
Until death, with total fidelity,
So I swear.”
And then Ryuko, summoning the words with a deep breath,
“This woman who I marry,
No matter health or fortune,
I will love, respect, console, and support in all things,
Always and forever, with total fidelity,
So I swear.”
And as she finished her lines, the realization smacked her dead in the face. That was it! With those simple words, she’d bound herself to Satsuki forever.
Well, almost, there was just one last ritual. The exchange of clothing. And this was one of the reasons Ryuko was really glad they went with a traditional Shinto wedding. Western wedding dresses would just… not suit either of them, for obvious reason. But this, the symbolic presentation of new garments, it was perfect for her.
Plus, it was just fun. Why not showboat a little?
In a truly traditional wedding, this would take the form of a kimono from groom to bride. But with two brides, someone had to take the lead. So Satsuki undid the belts of her cloak and kimono, leaving only a short shirt and underwear created from Ryuko’s life-fibers (not like anyone there hadn’t seen her wear much less). And Ryuko stepped up and starting from her neck wove her hands around Satsuki’s body in fluid graceful motions, drawing a new form in the air around her with tiny flickers of her fingers. A perfect recreation of the dress she’d made for her coronation, with its brilliant, flowing blues and patches of red like flower petals in a stream.
Satsuki shivered and, she couldn’t stay so serious anymore, laughed ticklishly at the sensation. She didn’t know if she’d ever get over how magical that felt. Not that there was any reason to.
And now Ryuko’s. This was much simpler; all Satsuki did was lift her cloak off Ryuko’s shoulders and swing it off of her. And in the mere moment it passed between her and their modest audience it consumed itself and vanished into her hands, and behind it Ryuko’s clothes stretched in glowing lines to become her royal garb. And now they regarded each other, with huge, unbridled grins.
“And now, in the sight of the gods, I pronounce you wedded.”
They couldn’t countain themselves anymore. “Haha!” Ryuko burst as she leapt at Satsuki and wasted not a moment at all in kissing her. Of course, if she thought Satsuki wouldn’t take advantage of the imbalance caused by her feminine leg kick she was badly mistaken, and abandoning all modesty she wrapped her arms around Ryuko and leaned, dipping her down so far that she engaged a tiny bit of her levitation to keep herself level. And they could just do this! Hell, they were being applauded for it!
“WOOOHOOO!” Mako shouted and then, realizing that wasn’t appropriate in a holy place, ran out onto the porch and tried again “WOOHOOOOOO!!!”
“Mako, what are you – hey!” Ryuko exclaimed as she and Satsuki were hoisted triumphant on the shoulders of a whole scrum – from Ira to Mataro, everyone with enough shoulder width and a good enough back to help. Sukuyo, Soroi, and Nonon could only follow as they tore out into the open air, all shouting and laughing at once, only to skid to a halt.
“Okay, on my mark, ready?” Aikuro asked, and when they all nodded, “Three, two, one, hup!”
And as one they hurled the happy couple high into the air with a great, cathartic cheer (a solid half of which was just from finally finishing the ceremony and seeing Mako’s final little joke to fruition). They spun at a surprising height, hanging in the air just long enough to realized they were going down, and with a deft move Ryuko manage to catch Satsuki and slam down to the ground, perfectly poised.
“You guys are insane!” She laughed, and then after another deep kiss from Satsuki settled her down and added her own voice to the jubilation, “WOOOOO!”
And to everyone’s surprise, Satsuki shouted nearly as loud, “WOOOOOOO!” Such a sheer, unbridled noise even Ryuko couldn’t have expected, but how could Satsuki stop herself? The cool, clear air in her lungs couldn’t be denied. She squeezed Ryuko’s hand and said, “Doesn’t it feel wonderful, Ryuko? Don’t you feel free?”
“Yeah. I know exactly what you mean Sats.” Ryuko was used to the tired old joke of marriage as a “ball and chain”, a cold hard certainty weighing you down, limiting what you could be. But it didn’t feel like that at all. Now there could be no more worrying, no more fear that something could come between them. And with that a great weight was lifting, setting their hearts to soar refreshed into the winter sky. Together, there was nothing they couldn’t do.
Senketsu, I have so much to tell you, Ryuko thought. But a part of her couldn’t help but feel a fearsome satisfaction, knowing that Ragyo, still trapped within her, had witnessed all of that. Everything she could have wanted, if only she weren’t broken. I win, always and forever.
~~~~
The reception, of course, had spun out of all scope and proportion. The wisdom of choosing a day which was already a national holiday was that the crowds of people out enjoying the unseasonable warmth weren’t unexpected, and they weren’t exactly whipped into a frenzy by Ryuko’s presence. Indeed, the corded velvet rope that had been used to block off their reserved pavilion went largely unmolested even though it would’ve been easy to jump. People kept a respectful distance, and of course they did. Leave the happy couple to their jubilations.
And they were jubiliant. Presiding over the guest of honor table they looked every bit queens on their throne. And the presiding came easier than usual – Ryuko usually got a little worn out after the fiftieth or so dignitary, but not today. Everybody was a new friend, everybody had something interesting to say. But then it wasn’t like the entire party was just about lining up to speak to them, and the general fesitivities – dancing, drinking, feasting – all went on into the early evening and would continue well beyond.
“So,” Aikuro started, sliding into his seat at the guest of honor table with a refill of Satsuki’s favorite eel sashimi (well, almost her favorite, the best kind still banned due to their endangerment). “Here’s something I’ve been wondering about. Which do you think is what happened – did Satsuki kind of Satsuki-ize Ryuko? Or did Ryuko Ryuko-ize Satsuki.”
“Huh, well that’s simple,” Tsumugu said, “Satsuki’s had much more influence. I mean look at her,” He pointed to Ryuko, who conversing in nearly fluent Chinese with a newly appointed governor from the mainland conquests. “When I met Ryuko, she was a rebel without a cause. Everyone was her enemy if they even looked at her funny and she skated by on luck and strength. Now look. Satsuki showed her that she can be much more than that.”
“What? No, no way. Huh - Oh, thanks sweetie,” Ira said between efforts to dab steak sauce off his chin from the place Mako was pointing to. “Just ask yourself this, could you ever have pictured Satsuki yelling ‘woohoo’ like that? I didn’t even know her voice had that… er…”
“Register?” Nonon grunted.
“Yes, register, right,” Ira said, “I think that alone seals it for me.”
“What, seriously?” Uzu said lazily, “Nah, they ain’t different at all. It’s just Satsuki has more chances to goof off and Ryuko more to be serious. Right Nonon?”
“Yeah I guess,” Nonon said, just as unenthusiastically.
“No no, that’s totally it,” Mako said.
And Uzu just motioned at her and said, “See? Take it from her then.”
“Yeah uh, what’s up with you guys, by the way?” Aikuro asked, “You seem dead beat.”
It was true, almost the moment the wedding ceremony was over both Uzu and Nonon had slumped so much they lost about half their height. And the dark circles under their eyes were hard to miss.
“War”
“War,” They answered simultaneously, then Nonon said, “What’d you expect?” Since the Christmas Day attack, Nonon had been driving the troops hard through some densely fortified territory. In for a penny, in for a pound, she would not stop now until they enemy was crushed. The toll of that strategy was obvious though.
A burst of new energy was added as Shiro and Houka returned from the bar laden with a other round of drinks. “The king of beer has returned!” Shiro declared in a strident tone.
“No way you’re the ‘king of beer’!” Mako protested, “More like… the jester of hard seltzer – phehehehe!”
Shiro was unfazed and said, “Oh let me dream for one night. So, what’re we talking about?”
“We were just discussing the dynamics of our fearless leaders’ marriage,” Tsumugu informed him, “And who we think influenced the other more."
“Oho! Now that’s a question! There’s a couple factors to consider and – oh shit! Satsuki's talking to some of the guys from the research complex right now!”
“Shiro, restain yourself,” Houka said in mostly sardonic warning.
“Yeah, I know, but they’re gonna shit themselves when they hear!” And almost as soon as he’d unloaded the drinks he was off again.
“Huh, he’s in a good mood,” Uzu commented, and then, “Holy shit! He’s in a good mood!” He’d suddenly realized what that meant.
Houka nodded with a smile and an eye roll, “About. damn. time. Reminds me, we’ve been working on some new dance moves I haven’t had a chance to show you,” He said to Nonon, before noticing her exhausted state, “Er, if you’re up for it.”
“Huh? Oh, sure, sure,” She murmured.
At the head of the table, the stream of well wishers had died down and had resulted, as ever, in a huge pile of gifts. It was time for dinner, so their guests were occupied, but neither of them felt particularly hungry.
“Hey Sats,” Ryuko said softly, “That’s a pretty nice wide-open field over there. Would be a shame if someone put several hundred sword-slashes in it.”
“Ryuko!” Satsuki, just a bit tispsy, gasped loudly, “You can’t seriously be challenging me to a duel on our wedding night! The impropriety of it!”
“What? C’mon, be improper with me then! It’s our night, who’s gonna stop us?”
“O-o-oh! Wait!” Mako shouted, leaping to her feet. “Wait just a minute! You should maybe open the present from me and Ira first.”
Not wasting a second, Ryuko did. Buried at the bottom of the pile was a huge metal case with a surprisingly cutesy tag on it. She cracked it open.
Swords. Dozens, no, more than a hundred of them. Katanas, No Dachi, western longswords, every conceivable form.
“Tada!” Mako shouted.
“Compliments of the Gamagoori family,” Ira said proudly. Ryuko took one, tested the edge. The alloy was shockingly strong and lacking in flexibility. The purpose was clear. These were practice weapons for superhumans.
“Ohohoho, maaaaaan,” Ryuko chuckled to herself, before producing a katana from the pile and offering it to Satsuki hilt first. “Satsuki, may I have this dance?”
Satsuki grinned, so much so that several onlookers gasped because they could see teeth!
“It would be my pleasure.”
By the time Shiro returned from bragging to the other scientists about the completion of his human hybrid project, the music was punctuated by the slamming noises as two bolts of light, one red and one blue, tore across the field at speeds only Houka with his kamui enhanced senses could keep up with. The brilliant lights that were Ryuko and Satsuki had gathered many onlookers, though not a single one could fully comprehend the speed at which they fought.
“I really can’t believe this,” Nonon groaned, “It’s so… typical. Their wedding night and this is what they want to do with it?”
“You kidding?” Shiro chortled, “This is great! Dinner and a show! Hey, I call fighting the winner!”
In the end, Ryuko won that bout. She beat Shiro too (to be fair he was a bit drunk). Eventually though Uzu got a little sick of her gloating and demonstrated why he was considered the greatest swordsman in the world. And the swiftly lost his winning streak when he and Nonon bailed out of sheer exhaustion.
In the end, alcohol tolerance alone lead to Aikuro being declared the last man standing sometime well after midnight.