Suzuhime would be led outside, the dusk beginning to set in around the outside portion of the village. The dojo located in the perfect spot to escape the diamond storm. Suzu gently grasped her brother's arm until they would stop. A loud rumbling sound being heard from a single direction. And then followed by an army of carriages. Suzuhime looked bewildered for a moment, wondering why so many were arriving at once. People piling out of their carriages, usually with red hair, or green eyes, both, or some variation of the two, but there of course were some that lacked either. And then there were their 'little' experiments accompanying the parade of mad scientists. However, they weren't mad. Yamazaki were just very dedicated to their craft of course!
"I'm sure they were essential for the others Iori."
She couldn't help but respond in her shocked state. Her mouth slightly agape from the unusual surprise. Shaking her shock off as the group surged forward to say their greetings to the patriarch, the youngest and only daughter, and of course the patriarch's precious daughter. Suzuhime could quickly feel herself smiling widely as she continued to hear the words being showered upon her. Meeting many clan members she remembered seeing, and some she did not. It made her wonder how many of them had to come from other countries just to be here. Suzuhime thanking each one gratefully until the chattering stopped in disturbing synchronization. Suzuhime noticed a carriage a little bigger than the others, and it seemed that's where the others divided themselves from. Separating away from the two walking figures like Moses and the Red Sea. Suzuhime returned to her state of shock when she saw an aged gray head peak out from above the crowd, and soon after she saw the stern face of her mother Ryoko.
His stitched skin, trademark cigarette, large glasses, lab-coat and bleak turtle neck. And the most trademark of her father's appearance would certainly be the large black bolt that stuck out of either side of his head. Susumu was very tall of course, either taller or as tall as his own son. Despite his rough appearance, Susumu was still considered quite handsome even at his age. Susumu enjoyed messing around a lot, which could make one question just how successful he was as a scientist. Often making even their stern and straightforward mother giggle in the middle of important matters. Much to her chagrin. He was the main influence in Suzuhime's life, thus labeling Suzuhime as a 'daddy's girl.'
And of course her mother was at her father's side. They were very much inseparable as a couple. The few times Suzu could remember they've fought, they would make up directly after. Ryoko was easily classified as unkempt beauty. With even a bloodshot pupil and permanent bags under her eyes, and of course her long unkempt brunette hair. She was dressed for business as always. But when you put all of those features together, combined with that fact that she was actually a bit buxom. Ryoko was pretty easy for the eyes if you could ignore her perpetual state of seriousness. One could easily see were Suzuhime got most of her looks from, Suzuhime however taking a bit more care of herself then her mother. And now that she was to become the next matriarch of the Toraono, she had an army of servants to assist her.
The looks on their faces somewhat disheartened Suzuhime. Ryoko looked like she didn't want to be here, and Susumu of course looked interested in everything. He sure did like dissecting things... but that was besides the point. Suzuhime could feel her heart catch in her throat as they advanced closer to herself, Iori, and Chizuru. Of course they would give some affection to Chizuru. One does not simply see Chizuru and not love her. Suzuhime could feel her breathing become erratic when Ryoko turned to her. Her father began to say the typical things a father would say before his daughter's wedding. Until her mother cut him off mid sentence and pulled Suzuhime into a motherly embrace. Suzuhime could feel her emotions breaking down at the gesture. Her 'swollen tongue' had been holding back her immense emotions. These feelings finally spilling forth as she returned the hug with her mother eagerly. Suzuhime cried profusely into her mother's clothes, hugging her tightly as if she never wanted to let go. Her father soon joining the two women, having to bend down slightly to hug Suzuhime on a more comfortable level. Suzuhime still cried never ending tears of joy. Feeling a soft hand reach from behind her hood and began stroking her head lovingly. Susumu lightly dragging his fingers across her face like he did when Suzu was just a little girl. The two of them speaking sweet words to her. Such a moment was rare. It was unheard of enough to for Ryoko to be showing blatant and physical affection. But for the two of them at the same time? That was as rare as it got. And Suzuhime was the fortunate soul to have it happen too.
For minutes her parent's embraced her tightly while she cried until her eyes hurt. She apologized for ever doubting their love for her. For speaking so poorly of them without listening to their reason. For being ungrateful for all the years she spent with them. All the emotions of having never seen her parents for seven years spilling out in the span of a few minutes. Suzuhime would pull away from her parents. Susumu moving to stand next to Ryoko and put his arm around Ryoko's shoulder. Both of them speaking at the same time.
"We're proud of you Suzuhime. And never forget that we love you."
Suzuhime wiped away the tears forming from the words. Clenching her teeth tightly to keep herself from wailing more. Nodding her head rapidly in understanding as she choked out the words.
"I know... I know..."
Sniffing and wiping away her tears with her hands, she took a deep breath. Turning to Iori and kissing him on the cheek. And giving him a quick hug as well.
"Thank you Iori... this is... the best thing you could have ever done for me. And that includes repairing my limbs."
She would break away and practically skip over to her parents again, planting kisses on both of them before she turned to the crowd of Yamazaki.
"On behalf of the Toraono clan, I welcome you all to... well. My wedding! Please enjoy yourselves, and I only ask one thing from all of you. The Toraono are very religious and spiritual, so please try not to offend that. Now please enjoy the night!"
Suzuhime would snap her fingers and two of her
crimson guardians would open the large doors. The large crowd surging forward to join the wedding party. Suzuhime sporting a wide smile on her face, looking over at her parents, to see them both still with happy expressions on their faces...
Suzuhime was still skeptical about the whole spiritual premise of the clan she was marrying into, but dare she say... she felt blessed to have been born Yamazaki. Flaw and all.
