Wedding day(Not till sept 10th this is just prep)

The day to end all days was finally here and everything was being set up for such a grand moment. The weddings venue had been picked and all preparations were being made. There was a secret area much like the dragons ravine in Kumogakure's third district. They were complete opposites the dragons ravine had been used fro pure decay and death and Mortarion had used this secret area for growth and life to show the two could be one.

He had seen to the area himself constantly flooding it with varying plant life and animals while also pushing senju chakra through the grounds to unleash it's full potential. it had become his own habitat of sorts and for today only he was opening it to be viewed for the first time and he hoped that the woman that would be coming to give over her life would at least see this as a step in the right direction. After all this was his gift to her after the wedding was over.

The flowers were in full bloom and the spectacle of the different kinds that grew underneath the palm tree's and weeping willows added an array of beautiful colors. In the distance as he walked the cemented block trail deeper into his garden he noted the wildlife had flourished as the baby deer and other young animals were playing peacefully. The air was filled with birds that sang different tunes and as he made it to the center of his domain it opened up into a beautiful center that could easily sit the thousands of guests that would be coming today.

Mortarion had made sure he was in full control of his chakra when he entered this domain. He didn't want any of Epidemius's taint flowing into the zone, even one dead flower would spread decay and eventually turn this into what the ravine now was. The planers were doing a great job of adding to the natural beauty of the area by using more neutral colors for bows, table cloths, chairs and the like. Seat had been placed four days in advance and only those that needed to know knew where this place even was as he had locked it off from the outside world during his initial take over of Kumogakure.

Now however he could feel the massing of chakra signatures as the citizens of Kumo lined up outside of the area waiting to be let in to take their seats. the wedding wasn't for another eight hours yet they were already here to ensure they got the best seats. The elders were present as well bossing around the help and ensuring that tables were set and balloons were tied down to their various spots.

Mortarion walked the garden more to the tents he had set up for the two parites to change and prepare themselves for the day. He didn't know if Akihana had arrived yet and he didn't attempt to sense out her chakra, he was too busy ensuring this day didn't go wrong, the eldest adviser had mentioned something about this being a big day for women, yet the Kage didn't think it was that way for the woman he'd be marrying today yet he would still attempt to make it as good as he could.

Looking down at his hand he could slightly see it shaking as his nerves got the best of him for just a moment. He could feel the worry begin to set in the pit of his stomach as the finality hit him of this actually being real. Shaking his worry away he made his way to his tent to begin getting ready fro what would be a new start to a most interesting life.

"Naysan, why was Masato's family here?" The twelve year old asked innocently, her large brown eyes looking up at the beautifully made up face of her sister. Senritsu always looked beautiful, even when she had a frown on her face like she did now. Uncoiling her long blonde hair in front of the mirror, the older Akari looked at Akihana with an expression of boredom.

"They came to propose a match between myself and Jirou-san," her sister replied, the frown never leaving her face as more and more pins freed themselves off her hair. Akihana on her part knew what "propose a match" meant. She had been to enough "matchmaking proposals" with her lady mother to knew what came next.

"Are you going to marry Jirou-san? Will Masato be my brother?" the child asked excitedly, her own hair escaping from the neat ribbons her mother had twisted them into of their own accord. The younger Akari's thick blonde curls never comped as well as her sister's did.

"No," Senritsu replied flatly, reaching for a comb now that her wheat gold locks hung in a neat sheet over her slender shoulder. With the care of an artist working on a masterpiece, Akihana's sister began the process of brushing the mane she was so proud of. "Why would I marry that fat, old, bookworm? I would much prefer his older brother."

Her sister's words troubled the young ninja. Given she didn't know much and had only barely cleared her genin exam but she knew enough to know Jirou-san was a kind man. He gave her candies sometimes when he visited Father at the secretariat office. And even though it was his younger brother Masato that Akihana was on better terms with, she knew Jirou-san to be decent enough. "How can you marry his brother? He's already married. His wife is expecting a son soon." All expecting Akari mothers always expected sons, daughters were just an unfortunate coincident to be remedied at the next try.

"Do shut up, Hana-chan," her sister snapped, clearly not appreciating the many questions her little sister had on the subject of marriage. But the young Genin had one last query before she could leave her naysan alone for the night.

"Will i have to get married too some day?" the child posed, unsure how she felt about the idea. It might be fun to go live in another house, one where she didn't have to wake up quite so early in the morning and follow so many rules. Though if marrying meant being away from her grandfather, than she brown eyed child would simply refuse.

In lieu of an answer, a slight chuckle of amusement escaped her sister, the newly minted jounin dropping her hairbrush in mirth at the proposition and confusing Akihana even more. When Senritsu had managed to control her laughter, she turned to look her sister right in the eye. "Who would ever want to marry you?"


Being a bride, as it turned out, came with a set of instructions, and the blonde had failed on the very first one. She had been instructed to get at least eight hours of sleep prior to the ceremony but try as she might, the medic was unable to. In the end, the kunoichi in her who had cultivated following instructions as a way of life had simply curled up in bed, her eyes closed in a meditative stance. Akihana didn't know why they needed her to have slept but she hoped lying very still with her eyes closed for eight hours was close enough not to invoke anyone's ire.

At nine sharp, the designer of her wedding gown had appeared at the door of her penthouse apartment, a cheerful smile on her face. The smile had vanished when she'd taken in the bride to be. Forcing the medic to eat some breakfast was another failed endevour as even the smell of food triggered a kind of nausea the kunoichi hadn't experienced since she'd been pregnant with Arata. To the seamstress's credit, she had tried. Cereal, fruit, yogurt, even chocolate but Akihana had only managed a small gulp of tea before running to the bathroom for fear of expelling it in front of her visitor and escort for the day.

Akihana had returned from the bathroom only to see the seamstress shaking her head in dismay at the lack of beauty products on Akihana's dressing table. "Luckily I came prepared," she assured, patting her rather large duffel bag. Any other person would have been offended by the gesture that she required this many products to look presentable but Akihana simply shook her head. At ten thirty, they left the apartment quietly, joined by two guards. And then two more as they neared the main village area. The blonde wasn't sure where they were headed, she hadn't even looked at the invitation card though she knew they were beautiful, if the gossip around town was to be believed. She only knew they were close by when the roar of cheers jarred her from her thoughts. Bundled in her white cloak and hidden from view by the wall of guard that escorted her, Akihana only heard the crowd, unable to see them. She did however feel the warmth of the sun that, perhaps for the first time since her arrival in Kumogakure no Sato, was shining down brilliantly upon the village.

No stars in sight.

"Make way for Her Ladyship," someone called out ahead, making the blonde realize that their small party was literally threading their way through a crowd. how any villagers were here? Certainly too many to count. The last time she had seen Kumo this crowded, this abuzz with anticipation and excitement, this alive, was before Youka... Somehow, life had returned to the village even if temporarily. She could hear children shrieking in the distance, trying to get a look at her, she could hear chants of "Long Live The Raikage" and "Long Live The First Lady" and mostly, she could make out a sound her mind refused to believe in.

The chirping of birds.

It was happening again. too numbed by what Kumo had become the medic was slowly slipping into the past where birds sang, where the sun shone, where people laughed and cheered as she passed by. This wasn't real, this Kumo was long gone along with all her friends, along with the old Akihana. The blonde closed her eyes tight, shaking her head to dispel the sound and the warmth that surrounded her. She needed her wits about her, she couldn't walk down the aisle as though under a self induced genjutsu. No, Youka deserved better than that.

"Oy, someone get that baby deer out of the way!"

"Oh for heaven's sake, it's not doing any harm," the seamstress beside her replied, bending down to retrieve the tiny creature that had somehow pushed its way into their small circle. "Aww, its so cute," she smiled, handing the creature to Akihana who took it on autopilot, almost unable to recognize it for what it was. The creature nuzzled against her shoulder softly before wriggling out of her loose grasp and disappearing once more.

"Don't worry, my grandmother says it's good luck to have woodland creatures bless you on your wedding day. She was very concerned when there weren't any creatures left in Kumo. But I guess I can finally get married now." The seamstress was a nice woman, nice enough to keep talking even when Akihana was too stunned to reply.

"You mean... this is all real?" she asked hesitantly, golden eyes finally looking around and through the gaps in their guard formation. Soft springy grass lay beneath her feet, the sound of chirping birds rang throughout, a soft breeze caressed the edges of her cloak and... For the first time, she could make out the scent of flowers.

"Of course it's real," the seamstress laughed, making the kunoichi wish she knew the other woman's name. She would have liked to thank her companion by name. "The Raikage must have gone to a lot of trouble to create all this for you, you must have made quite an impression."

"I- it appears so."

The small party finally reached the tent, the guards bustling the two women into the large structure before resuming their post outside it, but what the blonde had expect to be a mere tent was a full dressing facility complete with a refrigerator and microwave in case they got hungry or thirsty. To one side, a full length mirror glowed with bright lights, denoting the area where they would be working. Her gown - Akihana did not know which one the seamstress had finally chosen - hung in an opaque cover to one side, a box of shoes resting underneath it. She had no idea how long it would take to make her presentable but judging by all the comforts provided in the tent, it could take a while.

"Well, lets take off that cloak and see what we're working with," the seamstress encouraged. Her dark blue eyes grew wide in surprise however when the kunoichi let the white material fall to the ground, revealing the simple dress she wore underneath. Her eyes however were only for Akihana's forehead.

'What's that?" she asked, pointing to the small golden crystal on the bride's head. "And how quickly can we get rid of it?"

As the days preparations had come to a end he found himself fully dressed in a customary tux as was permitted for the occasion.  many had entered his room to speak to him about what was expected of him and what tasks had been completed. he now sat in a chair opposite the door closest to a window where he could view the world around him moving on its own accord. no one close to him was here to ease his mind, everyone that he had deemed worthy of his time had either perished or simply drifted into the nether.

It was at this time that he found his left hand moving without his permission, a table next to him housed a book that had somehow found it's way to his office. There was no note attached to it just simply a book titled How To Be A Ninja. A small smile of melancholy crept over his face once he read the name of the author. His time here was not being used in any other way and he allowed himself the reprieve reading gave him.

The more he read from the chapter his eyes slightly glossed over as they turned slightly red and tears slid down his cheek. Each word he read felt as if it was personally written to him. The conviction that every sentence carried with it made him long for the days once more that the three of them would sit and talk. His two friends if they allowed him to call them that were all the happiness he had. Echo had been like an older brother to Mortarion, seeing him for the promise he had as not only a weapon but also a skilled mind. There weren't many that took Tau as humans based on their natural affinity for stealing hearts for their own gain. It was a name he used to wear proudly and even enjoyed the solitude it gave him. Echo had shown him that he could make a difference in the world as long as he was true to himself. The now Raikage had repayed his mentor by attacking the male and playing a role in his demise.

Closing the book and allowing it to rest in his lap he smiled while looking up at the sky or the tent per say. His mind warped and suddenly he found himself laughing before he spoke.

"I'm such a fool aren't I, Echo? We've both come from very interesting backgrounds, kindred spirts I would say. Why are you not here, you were invincible...we were invincible yet you and Maku both have left me to my own devices."

Mortarion's voice cracked and his anger seeped into the earth around him, once more his decaying aura seeped from his body as his emotions shifted from understanding to pain and hatred.

"I've been alone for so long and when I had you both I felt just a modicum of my own sanity. I know it's childish of me to blame you for what I've done, but you left me during transition when I needed you the most, and then Maku fell as well. You were both my safety nets."

His voice calmed and his chakra fell to its normal levels while his voice took back it's relative suttle tones.

"I'll do it, for the both of you, I'll turn this world into what it should be. You'll have to forgive me for the methods I will employ as I am a man of singular motive and movements. I will be just what is needed, nothing too forceful, and nothing too soft. If you couldn't make the world change through you changing, I will force the change by bringing it all to its knees...I promise."

Standing from his chair once more he straightened his jacket before heading for the door leading towards the walkway where this entire even would begin to unfold. His steps were direct and without hesitation anymore, he wiped his eyes for the last time and stepped into the light.

"Watch me you two..."

The hours spent transforming her from an average kunoichi to a vision of bridal perfection were spent with Akihana having her eyes completely closed, focusing on the small crystalline dot on her forehead that had been the cause of some duress on Kanako's - she had caught the name amongst urgent orders and hurried reprimands - part. The medic hadn't paid attention, time flying by in a rush of fabric and intricate jewelry. She could barely feel the shake of her seamstress' head close to her own as she rejected accessory after accessory on the grounds that it would clash with the small crystal. Akihana didn't know what she finally settled for, never having opened her eyes once, not until instructed to.

Even as Kanako did the dozens of tiny buttons that closed her dress from the back, Akihana dared not lift her golden lashes to look at herself in the mirror, afraid of the woman who would be looking back. As the chief designer and a combination of aides attacked her hair, tweeting it this way and that and muttering disapprovingly, Akihana simply let her chakra gather. She couldn't help them with this, the best she could do was stay out of their way.

"Kanako-nay, we have fifteen minutes," someone peeked in from the tent flap, sending the seamstress into more of a hurry. The messenger however was not spared, instructed to make himself useful and pick out some white roses from the abundance of flowers growing everywhere. The blonde didn't ask how or why, simply complied as she heard the crowd outside gathering to a still.

"Sayuri-chan, we need five more minutes," Kanako instructed, shredding the white flowers between her fingers and sprinkling the remains artfully on the bride's made up golden hair. She had used the flowers as much as she could, even incorporating it into the bouquet, to make it seem more at home.

"Can't, Lord Raikage is already there. The elders are coming to escort Lady Akihana down the aisle in a minute."

A frown appeared on Kanako's face but it was fleeting and replaced by two other aides motioning for Akihana to step into her heels. The same aides fussed with the train of her dress as Kanako made sure no part of Akihana's ensemble was out of place, handing her the newly furbished bouquet to hold. She barely had time to wish the young bride good luck before Akihana was swept out of the tent and on to the arm of an old man she vaguely knew as someone who sat in on Kumogakure's council meetings and who was performing the duty of giving her away today.

A hush fell over the crowd as the music began every person, animal and tree in this new environ, holding it's breath as the bride appeared for the first time in public eye that day, her simple frame adorned in yards and yards of white fabric left to hug her torso securely and flow freely past her waistline and down to the ground, her train adorned with hundreds and hundreds of tiny pearls that made up the mermaid style gown. True to form, Kanako had picked up on Akihana's discomfort with revealing gowns so instead of choosing something with inappropriate cuts, she had gone for elegance and panache, completing the look with a crown of flowers resting atop the medic's head and giving her a more natural look.

Gown:

Hair:

Escorted by the elder, Akihana made her way down the aisle her steps slow and calculated enough so she wouldn't trip. Her eyes however reminded downcast, unwilling to look up through her thin gossamer veil at the person supposedly waiting at the end. Afraid both of what she would see and what her golden gaze would betray. The walk seemed to last an eternity - another great journey that had led her to this day - but eventually it did come to an end, the elder guiding her to stand beside Youka and gently passing her hand into his.

"Good luck, my dears," he whispered to both of them before stepping aside and for the first time, Akihana raised her eyes to the man beside her, wondering if she could borrow some of his strength for the occasion or if it would be too much to ask.

The young kage stood at the pristine altar with both hands clasping each other. His breath slowed while he attempted to gather the strength to face this woman. There was nothing that he had found inside of him that he was afraid of yet this moment brought him to his metaphorical knees. The music played and he knew she was walking down the aisle at this time, the birds chirping mixed perfectly with the melody, he hoped she liked what he had put together for her.

Allowing himself to look up from the altar and past the chairs, waves of people, and designs he saw her. Even now she never betrayed her simplicity, the gown was beautiful and only added to her design without taking away from anything else. It was their dinner all over again, except this time there was no hidden agenda and he smiled honestly in her direction though he knew she would never see.

The same old geezer who had spent these past months stabbing him in the side with a cane was the one to also walk her down the aisle. As far as fathers went he was glad that it was the elder, he was the closest thing that the kage had to someone that understood him now. All of Kumogakure was here to witness this event yet not one noise was made for the amount of people present. Was it out of fear of him or awe of her, he couldn't find the answer.

She finally made it down the aisle and into his domain where they were joined by hands. He could feel the slight shaking coming from her and he squeezed her hand gently to allow her to place her fears on him. He looked down at her just as her eyes searched for his, they made contact and he again smiled and nodded slightly hoping that his small gestures would be enough to reassure her.

As they stood at the altar a priest began their introductions and the normal process of things. Everything flowed smoothly and for the most part Mortarion blocked out what was being said and only cared for the woman that was in front of him at the time. He was brought back to reality when he was asked to repeat the vows after the male. The kage shook his head before speaking and taking both of his soon to be bride's hands in his.

"I should honestly stick with the normal vows, but nothing about this is normal. The things you have done, and the different emotions you have shown me resonate within me. After I lost those close to me I never thought I would feel complete once again or some semblance of it. Your strength and convictions have been the backing I've needed to also show my own convictions and bring out my true self. I will do the best I can to provide to you what you have shown me and I promise I will always be by yourside as an equal, never in front of you or behind you. Should you need me as a shield I will march in front of you, but I know you are a capable person. I will never belittle you by assuming to know you need my protection, we will be two  people but of one accord and mind."

He turned his head away from her for just a moment to hide his shame for spouting something so unbecoming of him. It was what was on his hearts but nonetheless it still came off very weak and undefended to him, all feelings he was still attempting to get used to.

The moment his hand squeezed hers lightly, strength and energy blossomed somewhere inside her, energy to look up and return his smile half bashfully half in gratitude. His chakra was not new to her but now it felt.. safe somehow. It was the same feeling as the jutsu he had taught her weeks ago, the chakra orb bursting inside her and ruminating her from within. Only, this time there was no jutsu, leaving Akihana to conclude that it was just the Raikage's presence achieving the effect on her. The small crystal on her forehead shone a brilliant gold to symbolize the flood of energy flaring up inside her before it dimmed and they turned to the priest who began his rite of marriage.

The words were both familiar and new to the blonde as she stood, her fingers gripping Youka's hand more and more with every sentence, drawing the strength to stand and listen, to stand by his side without being a burden or an embarrassment, to finish what she came here to do and make him see what he too was capable of. He had never been a monster to her but over the course of getting to know him, he had become a man, one who felt the same things everyone else did, and one whom she would stand beside from here on.

As he turned to her, going off script, the kunoichi's golden eyebrows rose in surprise, her lips parting slightly in a soft sound as he reached for her other hand and professed his own vows to her. He spoke of strength and conviction, and he spoke of respect and mutual equality. He also spoke of protecting her should she need it, something that touched Akihana more than she could rightly express.

The blonde however had not prepared vows, she doubted she would have remembered them anyway had she tried. Closing her topaz eyes briefly, she wondered what she should say. She had a thousand things to tell him and not enough time to say them all. But perhaps after today, there would be enough time.

Eventually she settled - as she always did - on the truth.

"I don't truly understand what it means to be someone's wife but I want to be a good one to you. I came here expecting a big change in my life and I can only thank fate that the change brought with it someone I could stand beside and be proud of doing so. I've always done my best to believe in people and today..." she paused, drawing a breath and averting her gaze from his, unsure if she would be able to continue if she continued to do so while looking straight into his eyes. "And today I would like to give you all the faith and belief I have in me. All my strength, conviction and faith is for you and I promise to stand beside you and never cease to have faith in all you do."

Eyes still averted, her grip on his hands strengthened, this time offering him support as he had her earlier. "I also promise that you will never feel incomplete again."

Her words stuck to him and he held them as absolute with each one she spoke. Their exchanging of words and the impact they carried shook him to his core. His mind placed her words next to that of only two others that had ever been considered "close". With the last words spoke the priest returned to his speeches and odes on the natural process of love and life.

Mortarion again found himself drifting from the mortal realm as the words dragged and sloshed through his ears. When his eyes opened once more he found himself in the inner forest of the bijuu's realm. The giant snake like creature turned to face it's patron before returning to its cauldron while speaking.

"What are you doing you fool, don't forget, I can feel your emotions. You're wavering ever so slightly from the task at hand. Don't let your feelings that you think you have for this creature sway you from what you set out to do."

Mortarion found himself now standing besides the cauldron, the infections toxins bubbling inside. The smell intoxicating his senses and raising the hairs on his arms. His true nature showing itself once more as he responded to the demon inside him.

"Nothing has changed Epidemius, I am still myself and we shall continue down the path. I am merely understanding my true self and all that it entails. I am very much myself, I've just recently learned that I can be what is needed of me and still retain my image."

With his words he faded back to the real world still clasping Akihana's hands in his own. The last words that he heard from the priest were that they were man and wife and something about a kiss. His eyes turned to the woman in front of him with a more shocked face than anything, he never thought of the fact of having to do anything of that nature.

"What do I do?"

He whispered to her softly under the guise of embarrassment.

As Youka drifted off into his bijuu realm unbeknownst to Akihana, the blonde listened to every bit of the priest's speech attentively. More than the obedient child in her who had been taught to pay attention when grown ups spoke, the medic had been taught of how sacred the ritual of marriage was. As a child, it had been drilled into her that her sole purpose was to further the clan's lineage via means of a civil union beforer the Gods and while those ideals were left far behind now, it no less took away from the gravity of the situation she now found herself in. She had meant each word se had spoke, she truly wanted to be a good wife, and that began with paying attention now.

Letting the droning speeches wash over her, the medic did her best to take the words to heart. Some she could justly obey while others garnered clarifications. in the end, she supposed she would have to rely on the man beside her to tell her where she erred, since he would be the first to know. Perhaps that was what all this was about? Trusting the other person to assure you wouldn't stray from our path. If that was her duty than so be it, it was on she would perform to the best of her abilities.

As the priest pronounced them man and wife, a look of confusion passed down to her from the Raikage, one that was mirrored almost exactly by her own golden gaze. Traditionally, this symbolized the end of the ceremony, or so she had always been told. No wedding she had ever attended had one party asking the other what to do.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to," she whispered back, a slow blush creeping up her face as the question finally registered and - with a feeling of dread inside her - Akihana realized the entire venue had gone quiet, waiting for their next move. It seemed she wasn't the only one who hadn't ever been to a wedding with this kind of protocol. Lowering her gaze from his, Akihana would simply allow things to transpire as he wished before the ceremony would be concluded.

A huge round of applause broke out over the audience as the two finally turned away from the priest to greet the citizens of Kumogakure as one, the pink and orange sunset glowing over the couple and framing the scene in its soft light. In the distance, Akihana could make out fireflies starting to emerge as the program smoothed into dinner and dancing and rest of the event planned so meticulously over the past few months. Now, the kunoichi could finally appreciate the effort that went into putting this whole wedding together.

The blonde had no idea what the future held, but right now, despite the velvety night sky, it looked bright.

There were stars in Kumogakure no Sato again.

He took her words into consideration before moving both of his hands to the sides of her head where he tilted it up just slightly. As he leaned downwards he graced her forehead with a light kiss before pulling back and turning with her to the crowd of citizens. the applause and cheering was deafening as he saw happiness in the eyes of all the villagers in attendance.

Gripping her hands as they began walking back down the aisle towards the area where reception would take place he leaned in to speak with her.

"I hope you like this area of untouched purity, I made it and had it prepared for you as a gift for this day. If ever you feel overwhelmed or simply need to clear your mind you can come here."

His mind was already thinking on what else to do from here and what the future would hold for the both of them. For the briefest of moments her warning to him came back clearly and he pondered on how true it would prove to be. For now though, they had each other and there was a celebration to be had on this day.

(Potential exit)

(Exit Akihana)

TWC: 3, 315

Claiming 1, 777 towards CR
Giving the rest to charity <3