Tell Me What the Rain Knows

Chapter 6

What do you really expect on your wedding day?

To hear church bells belt it out at your awakening?

To see doves sail over the balcony as you look out?

For flower petals to greet the rise and fall of your steps?

It wasn't just the freak rainstorm that left a bitter taste in the air. That I could've dealt with.

The sound of raised male voices shook in beat with the splattering rain outside. I felt hot tears sting my tear ducts and then rain down my cheeks.

Mr. Sohma, who owned a fine share of space on Kyo's personal blacklist, had stopped by to give us his respects on our wedding day. At least, that's the etiquette most future in-laws practice.

"All that you're doing is upsetting Tohru! This is her wedding day! I know you're a low son-of-a-bitch but-"

A fork of lightening split the sky in two. The crash and crackle of thunder soon followed.

"I can't believe I had to hear about this from the 'inside'! My only son can't even drop a line to the father he made a widower! You don't deserve to be happy!"

I could see the muscles in Kyo's back coil and tense and knew he was almost to his breaking point. I had to do something before it broke out into fists and blood.

But what?

I hurried behind Kyo and grabbed the bend of his elbow.

He whipped around at my touch.

Intense anger brimmed in his orange eyes, making them appear like dual pools of lava.

"Mr. Sohma, Kyo and I are really busy. Today's the day and we're sorry if you feel offended. We don't want any trouble. If you have a problem with wedding invitations please take it up with our head planner. "

"I don't have a problem with your wedding planner. I have a problem with my piece of shit son that can't even extend an invitation to his-"

Before Kyo could fire back, I wedged between 2 generations of Sohma's.

"Mr. Sohma, please, come back to talk to Kyo tomorrow. But not on our wedding day."

Kyo's father looked at me like I'd spoken for the first time.

"Don't act like he's the innocent one, girl. You're marrying a murderer."

He and Kyo exchanged a glare and the father of the man I loved gave our front door a frame-shaking slam.

If this was the intro to my wedding day, I could wait for the climax.

Tears rained down my cheeks and not even the pair of strong arms around me could desist their flow.

Just as the wet tracks met with chin, Kyo's warm lips fervently kissed them away.

"I'm so sorry. If I'd known that bastard was going to show up I would have had our things packed and we'd stay at Shishou's… I never expected…. Not today…"

This was life. Not everything was perfect nor did I expect it to be. I knew there'd be a conflict between them someday; I just hadn't known it'd be during the turning point of my life. Some considered this to even be the best day of a girl's life.

But I refused to pity myself. Kyo was the real victim here. He needed comfort, not me.

I turned in his arms until his height overwhelmed my vision, and standing up on tiptoe, kissed the softness of his lips, still wet with my tears. I felt a flood of strength and determination stream through me.

"You deserve to be happy… Don't let anything get in the way of that." My voice cracked but did not waver in tone or meaning.

Kyo's answering smile was all I saw before I was smothered against his chest.

**

I was determined to expel the morning's clash from my mind and instead relish in the undeniable joy of the day.

We would be husband and wife soon and there was nothing I wanted more. Mom's warning voice coursed through my mind, 'Never leave a day to spoil, Tohru…' I'd make sure that this day was spent in nothing less than happiness and complete bliss.

Ayame had reserved the swankiest church I'd ever seen. Complete with high ceilinged arcs, delicately crafted pews, and flowers to emphasize every inch of the place, it was a sight to behold and marvel. Ayame, as usual, had gone over the top.

But it was fine by me since this church and I had a history.

I'd seen this church's pristine steeple from car view time and time again driving home from work. Its white summit nested in the darkness of night, as the trees furrowed along the tree line bristled together, as though they were sighing at the beauty of the night. The stars overhead created a network of twinkling nights only adding to its allure. Would those same shadows, casted, cause this rise out of me next week? Would memories of this day fade in and out as I passed it, for now on?

Admittedly, I'd never stepped foot inside of this church. I'd only admired it from afar. But from what I saw I knew it'd take me decades to pay them back. The immaculate everything had me thinking a lifetime term might be in order.

*

There I was. Clad in the dress Mine had prepared over a regiment of 2 weeks.

The dress, no the masterpiece, fit me like a glove and helped bring out what little curves I had. The waist foamed out into smooth ruffles and made a soft swish noise as I admired the frontwards and backwards view. Aside from tripping over it once, I moved in it like it was a part of me.

The sequin belt Mine had affixed to the waist of the dress at the last second brought out a lot of the dresses highlights and blended them to a perpetual elegance. Not a seam could be spotted. Gifted seamstresses can do that.

I couldn't have worn a prettier dress.

My hair had, too, come out flawless.

The updo Uo had put my hair in was made up of a complicated array of tresses and little braids. I couldn't even imagine how long she'd hit the books for beauty school to achieve the ease she styled hair with.

Hana applied my makeup and although she usually did hers in earth tones she proved to be a wiz at natural looks, as well. She carried the inspired look of an artist on her face as she doused my cheeks in blush and powder. Not even a sneezing fit could diminish her enthusiasm.

When at last I saw myself in the mirror I had to do a double take. And then a triple take.

I looked beautiful.

I drew a gloved hand to my face, as if to prove that the perfect girl in the mirror was real and made of flesh and bone.

Hana's hand quickly snatched it up.

"You'll mess up your makeup…"

I had to fight to not tear up and cry. Hana's efforts would not be wasted.

The combination of the dress, hair and makeup overwhelmed me into wordlessness. I was excited and frightened to see Kyo's reaction. Would it look like a different person to him too?

The mascara Hana had applied made my eyelashes frame my eyes like fine black lace. My hair, usually pulled back or left down, nested on top of my skull as a masterpiece would a velvet draped pedestal.

Transformation seemed too light of a word to describe it.

Hanajima placed a hand on my shoulder.

"So, what do you think Tohru?"

"It's… it's…"

"Yeah, we kick ass. Orange top's gonna flip."

I didn't even have time to breathe before Mine stepped in and gave me five.

For some reason the nervousness hit five fold.

"So, did you pack any lingerie for the honey moon?"

I looked up at Uo with all of the confusion in the world.

"Lin… Lingerie?"

"Good, Uo. We're prepared."

They exchanged knowing looks as Hana went to the site of a huddle of bags.

"I can't worry about… what that is. I'm going to walk down the aisle in less than 5 minutes and…"

"I hope you took the tags off, Hana." Uo prompted.

"Already taken care of."

The wealth of bags in Hana's arms were of the expensive sort that you save for future occasions. I could only imagine what they ordained.

"Here, Tohru. Take a look."

I shakingly took the bag from Hana, ogling it like a bad omen.

The piece of fabric I took out was more ribbon than cotton in texture and covered less than a bikini.

"Is this… for wearing?"

"No, it's for eating." Uo insisted while Hana giggled.

By the time I could look more puzzled a soft knock and 'it's time' sounded from the door.

This was it.

***

A/N- No, I haven't abandoned this story, nor will I ever. I'm having too much fun with it. Sorry for the lack of updates after I promised I'd speed them up not delay them more. Senior year AP courses are to blame. But I'll try and keep the updates at a more steady rate. But, to the story. We can all foreshadow that a wedding ceremony will take place amidst the next chapter. And quite possibly a honeymoon. Can't say much on here but I hope that it's the most intriguing chapter I've written yet because it's the one I've been the most excited about. Thank you, my loyal readers, for sticking with this story even though its author is a bit of a slow updater.

And just for the record, the church in this chapter is based off of a real place I used to pass by a lot that inspired me.

-Kyo