Here I am again with another oneshot. I HAVE been working on the seventh chapter to What came After, but no real progress yet. Please have some patience with me ) Also, the charactes are slightly OOC in this.

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OoOo

“You look perfect, Misao..”

Her reflection smiled back at her, the image of her best friend, Kaoru, standing behind her. “Thank you,” Misao said quietly, pinning the last sparkling jewel into her ebony hair. Kaoru’s full lips curled upwards, sapphire eyes observing her friend with pride. It had been months into planning her wedding, the most expensive and formal decorations, services and setting money could buy. Kaoru and the others had been there all the way, so happy to finally see the woman marry someone she loved. Kaoru sighed, adjusting the pink strap of her gown and making the final changes to her hair, pulled into a French twist.

Misao eyes herself in the mirror, observing her flowing white gown, patting down the subtle curls, which drooped over her bare shoulders. The small headdress shimmered in the light, thrown in from nearby windows in yellow-gold brilliance. Her pale faced glowed with pride, rivaling the sunlight in its splendor. It was her wedding day, finally, after waiting for so long to happen. Her heart fluttered inside her chest, tickling sensations traveling up and down her back and into her stomach with happiness. Her sole dream had at last become a reality.

Finally..today she would wed Shinomori Aoshi.

It was long suspected that the two would marry, ever since their first meeting three years prior. Aoshi was the charming, rich gentleman, ready and willing to spoil her with gifts and vacations to exotic places. Misao had been flattered at first, thanking him for the extravagant gifts with a smile and pretty blush. Soon however, Aoshi’s charming and gentlemanly manners had begun to bore her – as did his constant shower of gifts, instead of communication and affection. Although he had tried to talk and offer her warmth, his busy life had swept her aside in phone calls and meetings. Misao knew he cared for her…but it was uncertain what kind of concern he meant.

Despite this, Misao’s lips uttered a breathy ‘yes’ the night he proposed to her. Friends, family, they were all pleased and excited to hear the news, congratulating the pair with clanking glasses and dinner. Misao had laughed through it all, masking her worry and uncertainty about her decision, about the upcoming wedding. For weeks she assumed a happy face and attitude, not letting those around her detect what she felt about it all.

Then she met someone. The meeting had taken place in a suit shop, Aoshi in the changing rooms as she boredly observed the formal clothing. Not paying attention, she had bumped into the shoulder of another man. Her apology had died in her throat as she lifted her emerald gaze into whirling cobalt eyes. The man chuckled warmly, shaking his head and apologizing for her. Misao could only stare mutely at him, somehow drawn to his carefree air and welcoming words. Aoshi was always so serious, so rigid, unlike the brown haired man who stood before her.

Aoshi had come out moments later, yet not before his fiancé had hastily scribbled her phone number onto the brunette’s calloused palm. He asked no questions of her nervousness, simply paid for the suit and took her to another fancy dinner. That night she lay in bed awake, mind scrolling the meeting over and over again until she fell asleep. It had been days later when he had called during a sunny afternoon, which found Misao alone in the large house. The two had talked for hours, discussing trivial matters with the air of lovesick teenagers, not as a woman to be wed and a man with secrets he would yet reveal.

The next week they had met again, in a casual bar not far from her shared home. More laughter, mingling with the drinks and flurry of activity around them. Somehow the night had ended in kisses and darkness, the two finding themselves in winging sheets come the morning after. Misao had felt guilty at first, especially when Aoshi came home with his usual news of the wedding plans. Soon however it had worn off, replaced by utter fascination and joy come her next meeting with her mysterious lover.

Yet, her wedding was never far behind.

And now it was there, in all its ugly glory. A small rap at the door brought Misao back to reality, face turning towards Megumi as she announced that everyone was ready. Indeed they are.. Misao’s mind responded, face smiling even so. Her heels tapped upon the marble floor as she and the others made their way to where the wedding was held. The perfume of dangling sakura floated in the air, the balmy sunlight shining down on the blushing grass from the blue sky above. Friends and family were gathered about in seats, grinning faces directed toward the bride as she walked down the isle of fallen petals. Okina had taken place beside her, yet he was hardly noticed as memories scrolled over her conscience.

“Is it still me?”

Misao looked up at the sudden, quiet words. “What?” She whispered, sitting up upon the bed, a damp sheet twisted over her bare chest with a pale hand. The man before her sighed, nimble frame outlined by the twilight outside the large window. Her glittering jade eyes trailed over the large tattoo upon his smooth back, a viscous red and black dragon baring its teeth; the symbol of his Yakuza clan, the Juppongatana. Soujiro turned to her slowly, concern written over his sharp features. “I’m the one you think of when I touch you..?” His hand brushed over her rosy cheek, lips upturning as her hand closed over his.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

Soujiro’s flashing eyes stared at her momentarily, words falling from his lips before he could stop them. “Because you’re engaged to someone else.” Her expression softened to mild sadness, her other hand coming behind his head as he leant over her. For moments they simply lay there, staring mutely at each other in the dim lighting, muffled sounds of the outside world filtering inside the walls. Misao took a steady breath before she spoke, voice flowing with honesty.

“Just because I’m engaged to him, Soujiro, that doesn’t mean I love him.”

Through the gloom she saw his full lips smile. “Good,” He whispered, catching her mouth with his as she pulled him closer.

The dull sound of an organ drifted into her ears, dissolving her cherished memory. Snappy green eyes flickered upwards, searching the swarm of faces in search for his. He said he would be there; he said he would come and take her away, just as they’d planned weeks ago. However, no matter how long her eyes searched the face of Seta Soujiro was nowhere to be found…they finally settled on Aoshi with a gleam of doubt. He was a handsome man, dressed in a formal black suit…but his lips remained unsmiling, his eyes a fathomless void of ice. Was he as unhappy as she about the wedding?

Misao paused as the organ faded out, Okina stepping aside as Aoshi took his place. Unbeknownst to him, her face drooped to her bouquet in sadness and fear as the priest began. A slice of wind hushed over the flowers, the distant hum of motorcycle engines flying with it. Misao’s head jerked upwards, lips parting in a silent gasp. The Juppongatana drove motorcycles, the same sound growing closer and closer…and passed by in a rush of droning engines.

Her hands clutched desperately at the flowers, droplets of clear sweat gathering at her slim brow. Where was he? Misao looked nervously over one shoulder, frantically surveying the people and marble building behind her. Confused, smiling faces stared back. Her lower lip latched between her teeth, dark head snapping back hastily. Her breath had suddenly become labored, lungs restricted against the laced corset as she tried to breath. Maybe Soujiro had lied…maybe he truly didn’t love her, maybe she was just another notch under his belt…

There wasn’t time for Misao’s anger to boil, for a sudden pattern of pops in the air alerted everyone’s attention.

A tall, large figure in red rushed into the area, a large gun pointed to the sky as he shouted something through the haze of shocked cries. The bride’s face instantly brightened, recognizing the lanky figure of Chou, the feminine body of Kamatari blocking the entrance, the deadly scythe held in her gloved hands. A large pair of arms suddenly enveloped Aoshi before he could react, the bulky form of Anji shadowing her awed face.

A pale hand seized her by the arm, a slender finger pressing onto her opened lips. Another arm went under her legs, a sudden cry renting her throat as she was launched into the air, gloved hands locking behind the man’s neck tightly. Misao couldn’t hear the crowd’s gasp of shock as she found herself behind a stone wall, glazed eyes staring wide into snappy sapphire ones. “Soujiro!” The woman gasped, hearing his friendly laughter in response. Her hair was swept behind her as he ran ahead, face burying itself into his chest as the world passed by in blotted colors.

“Thought I wouldn’t come?” the man asked as they came to a halt, quickly placing her on the vehicle before taking a seat ahead. Misao only grasped his mid-section in response, watching as he ripped off the prosthetic mask with a shocked grin. It was all coming together..Soujiro had been there, the motorcycles she heard were passing by for a better escape, the other members provided a distraction so they could get away…”Of course not!” She replied, laughing as the engine hummed and the wheels screeched against the asphalt, cars rolling by as they went.

More fond laughter. “Your face said otherwise..”

Her hand hit him in the back lightly. Her rosy cheek rested against his shoulder, smiling eyes observing him silently. In the distance the familiar buzz of more motorcycles followed behind, mingling with the afternoon sun as they steadily left behind the lively city of Tokyo. A pleased sigh floated between Soujiro’s parted lips, eyes fixed on the road ahead as he spoke to her. “It worked out well, didn’t it?” he asked, smiling as her lips briefly grazed his jaw in affirmation. “We’ll have to let everyone know then,” the brunette man continued, hand momentarily sliding into his ebony suit to pull out a gleaming pistol. Misao smiled and tightened her grip, eyelashes closing over greatful jade eyes.

The sound of gunshots rang into the air as the couple sped off into their new lives.