Sayuri's decision to marry Ryuu could have been met with opposition had she not cleared it to her people before that she didn't believe in ranks separating them. They were surprised that she had chosen him to be her husband because as far as they knew, only the male leaders had ended up marrying and starting a family. Nuriko hadn't gotten married but had to bear an heir for which she chose a man she might never have to see again.

But for Sayuri, the case was different.

She chose to marry the man she loved without caring that it would go against tradition. All she knew was that life was short for them even more so as they were constantly in jeopardy.

So it was better that she made the most out of it, choosing to spend it with the man she loved by her side both as her husband and the second in command of her clan.

A simple ceremony was held in the Kyoto temple and only a select few from their clan attended as they did not want to draw much attention to themselves. The rest stayed at the base to make sure that it was secure and that their enemies wouldn't use that moment to strike at them.

Sayuri was wearing a traditional white kimono that brides wore and holding a bouquet of snapdragons. She looked ethereally beautiful despite the simple attire, light rouge dusted on her cheeks and lips while her long brown hair were held in an updo adorned with bright orange and red flower pins.

She would have wanted more than anything for her father and brother to be there too but it couldn't be managed on such short notice. So she decided to send them an email and some pictures later.

As she was brought out to the altar, Ryuu was already there and the priest from the temple was waiting to join their hands in the bond of marriage.

Ryuu too looked striking in his white kimono with a traditional black robe and sash. His hair had been cut to shoulder length and pulled back with a clip. He held his hand out for her that she took as they stood before the priest together, the official ceremony beginning.

An offering to the gods was made and then the bride and groom were asked to drink sake from the nuptial cups. After that, the vows were exchanged and both Sayuri and Ryuu were pronounced husband and wife.

Ichiro Haga and his wife were there to give them their blessing as the elders of their clan and they wished them to always be together and stay as each other's support. 

After the ceremony, they had to leave the temple and it was decided that all of them would go back to the base except for the newlywed couple who will be staying in Kyoto. A lodge had been arranged for them to stay in and spend some time together before returning to their duties. 

Sayuri had told Ichiro that it wasn't necessary but he replied that it was tradition and she had already broken enough rules for her to end up breaking that one too. So she did not protest further and after the ceremony, Ryuu took her to the lodge.

It was located in a secure spot and the clan had made sure that both their leader and her husband would be safe there. Sayuri felt debted to them for all that kindness but her people wanted her to know that they genuinely cared for her, just like she sincerely cared for them.

Ryuu took the key out and unlocked the door, holding it open for Sayuri to step inside first. The lodge was old but well kept with a small garden and simple furniture.

She was examining the place in curiosity so Ryuu spoke up, "this place belonged to my parents. They lived here before the Sasuke clan had to stay confined to the base."

"Oh," she turned to look at him, realizing that he would have a deep connection to that place and perhaps it was him who had suggested that they should stay there for some time, "did you live here too?"

"For a short time, yes. I was born here," he replied, "I don't remember much but all I know is those days were peaceful... Happy... I wanted this to be the first place I would take you to as my wife, it's the first home I have had."

"That's sweet," she smiled, putting the bouquet of snapdragons into a vase that was placed on the table, "it feels like home to me too."

He took her hand in his and showed her around the lodge, telling her about the memories he still had associated with the place. He had been quite young when the Ishikawas had to move into the base as Sota had to take command after Nuriko's murder but all that he remembered from back then, he told her.

She noticed the gentle look on his face, his eyes that were glistening with a nostalgic expression rather than just sadness. Perhaps Ryuu was slowly starting to accept that everything in life happened for a reason. He was meant to lose his parents in that way but he wasn't all alone.

He had Sayuri. And as she had said so herself, she would always be there for him.

That thought was in itself quite comforting and put all the other worries to rest. They might have a lot to face ahead of them but as long as they were together, they could brave through it all.

He brought her to the bedroom in the end after showing her every single place. He let her open the door herself and stood by the threshold, letting her walk in to look at everything on her own. 

Sayuri turned to see him standing there, a smile breaking out on her face as she spoke, "why are you standing outside? Come in."

She noticed that his eyes held a very loving look and a gentle smile was playing upon his lips. Seeing him as such made her ask him what he was thinking.

"It still feels like a dream," he spoke up, "and I don't want to wake up."

"Even if you wake up I will be right beside you," her arms gently encircled his neck as she looked up into his brown eyes, "this is our reality, Ryuu, no longer just a dream."

He nodded, his hand tenderly caressing her cheek, taking in how happy and beautiful she looked. He still couldn't believe that beautiful and courageous warrior was his wife now, his to spend the rest of their lives with.

And that night he did not want to think about what lay ahead of them in the future. He just wanted to be with her, to love her and to cherish her presence.

Sayuri smiled as he bent down and connected their lips together. She felt right where she belonged, held in his loving embrace and engulfed in his comforting warmth.

He closed the door and scooped her up in his arms, making a light laugh escape her as he lowered her onto the bed. She didn't let him pull apart, her hands fastening onto the lapels of his robe, pulling him down with her.

"Do you know how long it took me to get dressed?" She jokingly remarked, feeling his hands undo her sash, "this kimono has three layers."

"I can help you get out of these," he replied, his lips touching her cheek delicately, "mine has five by the way."

"Goodness," she laughed, "what were these people thinking, letting us spend the entire night occupied in getting out of these layers?"

"It's not that hard," he replied, peeling off the white silk, "see."

Her cheeks shaded crimson as he removed his own robe and discarded the rest of the layers easily. The scars on his body were still prominent but to her, they didn't matter.

She grabbed his shoulders, bringing him down as she kissed him, eyes falling shut as he deepened the moment.

They abandoned all their worries for that night, losing themselves in the sense of being close to each other. They didn't know when they would get the chance to be together once they got back to the base as a lot of responsibility awaited them, so they intended to make the most of that night they had with each other.

***