Chapter Eleven: A Wedding

The rest of the week was pretty busy, with my mother and sister arriving on Monday, Becky arriving on Thursday, and Rusty and Gwen both arriving on Friday. Between trips to the airport, shopping, dinners out, and wedding preparations, there was barely enough time to make sure the watches were ready for Saturday.

Sarah, my mother, and my sister had spent hours together; almost as much time as Ami, Hotaru, and my sister had spent. My sister's a nurse, so her tales of hospital life and the behavior of doctors who were full of themselves kept the attention of our two future MDs. When Becky arrived, Hotaru immediately took charge of her. I guess it helped that Hotaru had suffered from asthma before she became Sailor Saturn, so she was the only one other than me who could really understand what Becky was going through in Tokyo's smog.

All of my American friends were shocked by the difference in my appearance. I can't blame them. Now that I was at my fighting weight, I looked a lot different than I did when I was fat, out of shape, and in constant pain. Ami and I took everyone out to a restaurant Setsuna recommended for dinner on Friday night. We had to reserve a pretty large room in order to have room for everyone from Usagi's family to the American crew.

Usagi surprised all of us - especially her parents - by letting Serenity guide her actions all night. Ami, Minako, Setsuna, and I were kept busy translating for everyone else, while Mamoru pretended to not understand English in order to devote more attention to Usagi. Rusty and Fluorite hit it off pretty good, and Naru only had to gag Umino three or four times to shut him up when he started rambling on about things nobody else had any interest in, like the proper technique for preparing sea cucumber. He reminded me far too much of myself at his age. Or at my current age, for that matter. If I hadn't found Ami, I'd probably have been doomed to wandering through the rest of my life alienating people with my oblivious enthusiasm.

**You were destined to meet her.**

**Thanks, Setsuna. Was I thinking that loud?**

**Why don't you ask Ami?**

I looked down, into Ami's worried gaze, and lost myself in her love for a while. When we finally came up for air, Minako yelled out, "Do it again!" which had both of us sliding down in our seats in hopes of hiding behind the table.

Ami and I went separately to the shrine in the morning. Setsuna had insisted on taking Ami, so she could make the final adjustments on her gown, while I had to make sure all of our guests arrived safely. By the time we got to the shrine, even Sarah was out of breath from the climb. While they caught their breaths, I looked down the stairs and chuckled softly. I'd been coming up here so much, I'd forgotten how far it was.

A group of Americans was standing outside the doors of the shrine, talking with Grandfather. I hadn't realized he knew English. Then again, the way he was gesturing looked entirely too much like he was telling a story about how he'd kicked my butt around the dojo, so I led my guests over there in hopes of distracting him.

"Ah! And here's the lucky man! Come over here, Bill! A lovely young lady with a big key dropped these people off here just a few minutes ago."

I looked over the strangers, wondering what about them had inspired Setsuna to bring them here. One of them, a woman somewhere around Sarah's age, walked over and offered henu. I blinked in surprise and returned the greeting, with a respectful bow.

"Em hotep, Demon Hunter. I must admit, I was surprised to learn of your existence - and even more that it was one of our newest shemsu who held the position."

She smiled warmly and nodded toward the others. "I asked Lady Pluto to bring all of us who were in Chicago when she came to bring me for your wedding."

"W...welcome, Niswt. When I didn't hear from you after sending the announcement and invitation, I wasn't sure you'd be able to make it." I smiled and shook my head. "Actually, I was pretty sure you wouldn't. I should have known Pluto would take that in hand, too. She's been pretty busy, making sure this wedding goes off exactly as it should."

"So it seems. Come and meet the others." She turned and walked back to the group she'd been with, and I followed in stunned awe. The Niswt(AUS) had come all the way to Japan for my wedding...and Setsuna had thought her presence was important enough to bring her.

She introduced me to the others - all of the priests in the Temple, along with her personal scribe. I guess my awe was a little much to take, because after a minute, she turned to Grandfather with an amused smile.

"How do you usually deal with this situation?"

Grandfather reached into his robes and pulled out something, which he passed to the Niswt(AUS). Once she had it in her hand, she turned to face me with a mischievous grin and cut loose with the entire contents of Grandfather's pocket Super Soaker. As I sputtered in surprise, she laughed.

"All I deserve is your respect," she explained. "Save your awe for Netjer." She looked me over and chuckled. "I think you might need to go change. You're a little wet."

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She laughed warmly and left me to figure out what I was going to do now. I was glad I'd let Setsuna provide my tux. It felt like MacManusite, so I wasn't worried about damage to it from the water, but it was still a shock. You just don't think of the leader of your faith doing something like that.

When my guests had caught their breath, they moved toward the shrine and introduced themselves to the others there, so that by the time the Japanese guests arrived, the Americans all at least knew who each other were. Grandfather kept laughing softly as he watched me, before finally coming over to swat me between the shoulders.

"You didn't know they were coming, did you?" he chuckled, as if this was a surprise he'd put over on me. "We've been working on this for a few weeks now, with the help of Sailor Pluto. The Lady's a damned good priestess. If I were sixty years younger...."

I laughed and tossed a playful punch his direction. "That's never stopped you before, old man. Why let it stop you now?"

"And have Rei flash-fry me on your wedding day? Do I look stupid?" He laughed and winked. "Of course, after the wedding could be a different matter entirely."

I noticed, as people gathered, that Mamoru was, like all the Senshi, among the missing. I wondered if Setsuna had made a special outfit for him, too. Grandfather and the Niswt(AUS) stood together as Yuuichiro herded people together. I noticed the Senshi's parents were looking around worriedly. It was time for the wedding to begin, and none of them were there yet.

Grandfather cleared his throat to begin speaking, then fell silent as I noticed the shadows gathering near the stairs from the street. When the shadows cleared, they were all standing there. My heart caught joyfully as my gaze fell on the woman who owned my heart. She was wearing a sapphire blue evening gown with spaghetti straps and a princess bodice, with a matching ribbon choker. On her forehead, the sigil of Mercury glowed in the same sapphire blue as her gown. When I was finally able to tear my gaze from her, I saw that they were all, except for Usagi and Chibi-Usa, wearing the same style of gown, but in different colors: Minako wore topaz yellow, Rei wore ruby red, Makoto wore emerald green, Hotaru wore purple, Haruka wore amber, Michiru wore aquamarine, and Setsuna wore a red so dark it seemed almost black. Usagi and Chibi-Usa both wore strapless gowns with bodices designed to look as if they were wrapped in a chain of full moons; Usagi's was in white, and Chibi-Usa's was in pink. All of them had their sigils glowing on their foreheads as they escorted Ami to my side.

"They are beautiful, aren't they?" Mamoru's voice asked from my side. I glanced toward him, and barely restrained a gasp of surprise. He was wearing his royal armor. I'd forgotten, in my rapt contemplation of Ami's beauty, just how good looking he was. As the Senshi reached the front and parted, leaving Ami standing beside me, Usagi moved to stand in front of Grandfather and the Niswt, extending a hand toward Mamoru. He stepped forward to take his place at her side, and she looked over the crowd, every inch Princess Serenity.

"We are gathered to celebrate the joining of Lady Mercury and her beloved consort, the Demon Hunter. It is our wish that they find happiness and love in each other, and that their union be long and fruitful. Ami, Bill, stand forth."

We looked at each other and stepped forward. Ami seemed to have been expecting this, so I followed her lead. When we reached the place before Endymion and Serenity, Ami sank to her knees, with me beside her. Serenity placed her hands on our heads, and Endymion covered hers with his as she spoke.

"We bless this union, in the name of the Earth and the Moon. May your joy be as eternal as the stars and your love light your hearts as the sun lights the sky. We call upon all present to witness this union and join in the blessing of our hearts."

Serenity and Endymion lifted their hands, and Serenity's crystal floated between them - followed a moment later by a gold crystal that had come from Endymion. The two crystals glowed, bathing us in their light, and Ami and I suddenly felt every part of each other, from her love for Zoisite in the Moon Kingdom to her devotion to me in this life. I felt her pain at never living in any place long enough to have friends as a child - she was surprised to feel the same pain in my heart - I felt her love for Serenity and the other Senshi, I felt the pleasure she gained in learning and discovery...there was no part of her I did not know, and no part of me she did not know. Mindless of anyone else, we embraced, drawn together by the union of our hearts.

"OK, Grandfather, they're all yours." That sounded more like our Usagi. Ami and I unwillingly drew apart so we could face Grandfather and the Niswt(AUS), as Usagi and Mamoru withdrew to the company of the Senshi. There was utter silence, until the shrine bell began to toll. Rei reacted first, jumping to the highest place available and looking around for an enemy, while Minako, Makoto, and Ami moved to surround Usagi protectively.

"No need for all the excitement on my account," an oddly musical voice said from a nearby tree. The voice's owner leapt to the ground and strolled toward Usagi with a playful smile as all nine of its tails lashed. I blinked and counted again. Yes, the kitsune had nine tails.

"Grandfather, am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?"

"Only if you're seeing a kitsune."

"But nine tails? The only one who rates that...of course. It's for Usagi."

"Who else would it be for? None of the rest of us rate that much rank."

"Except the Niswt, Ankh, Udja, Seneb, but a kitsune wouldn't know her."

Grandfather and I looked at each other and smiled in agreement. The kitsune, meanwhile, bowed to Usagi.

"Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion. We are pleased to see you have chosen to return to us. Accept our greetings and welcome. Will you be ascending to your rightful places soon?"

Setsuna, who hadn't moved while the Inner Senshi had leapt to Usagi's defense, stepped forward with a secretive smile.

"You know, m'lady, that it is not for us to give times and days. I can, however, assure you that our Prince and Princess will be ascending to their thrones within your lifetime."

"We live a very long time, Lady Pluto. I remember the reigns of their parents, and sincerely hope it is not that long before they take their places again."

I started to laugh softly, then covered my mouth so I wouldn't offend anyone. I just thought it was funny, a kitsune lecturing Setsuna on the passage of time. Setsuna smiled and stepped back to let our Princess take over.

"We will be ascending sooner than that." Usagi smiled, doing her best to maintain her dignity, but obviously as amused as I was. "Perhaps, since you have made such a long journey, you wish to remain and witness the joining of Lady Mercury and her beloved? As the first wedding of our court, it is a special occasion for us all."

"Yuuichiro better have laid in a good supply of sake," I murmured, just loud enough for Grandfather to hear. He chuckled softly and nodded.

"Pluto recommended on Monday that we triple our planned order," he murmured in reply.

"That makes it sound like they drink like leprechauns," I chuckled.

The kitsune considered for a moment, then bowed to Usagi and Mamoru and moved to join the assembly, taking a position behind Ami's mother and mine. They both looked a little nervous at having such a powerful spirit so close to them, but kept their composure. Then again, they - along with everyone other than the Senshi - looked more than a little rattled by a lot of things.

The Senshi returned to their places, as Ami returned to my side and we both faced Grandfather and the Niswt(AUS).

The actual ceremony, while not as impressive as the royal blessing, was just as important to us. By the time Grandfather and the Niswt(AUS) were through, we had no doubt that we were married. The surging mass of humanity that swept forward to congratulate us as we turned to face them was almost as frightening as a wave of enemy soldiers - maybe more so, since we had to face them as our friends and family.

I kept glancing toward the kitsune, wondering when the excitement would begin, when Setsuna swept up to embrace us both.

"You don't have to worry, Bill. She won't cause any trouble in Serenity's court."

"Was I that obvious?"

"As obvious as the 'Kick Me' sign on your back."

I jumped in surprise and tried to reach around to feel for the sign, only to have Ami giggle and Setsuna smile: the closest she allowed herself to come to laughter.

"You...." I stalked toward Setsuna with the intention of introducing her to the nearest pool of water. She smiled and let me catch her, then gave me a happy kiss - still with all the passion of a sister, though. I gave up. How could I possibly stay mad at her? Especially with my beloved beside her, laughing at the look on my face. Besides, that was the first time I'd ever heard her tease...anyone. And she trusted me enough to do it to me. How could I resist?

I swatted her bottom gently, bringing an "Oh" of surprise, and moved to embrace my bride.

"Have we been captured by everyone yet?"

"Everyone who's going to before dinner," Ami said firmly. "Come on."

As we worked our way through the crowd toward the dojo, which had been redone to serve as our reception hall, I noticed Ami was no more eager to run into her mother than I was to run into mine. Those questions were some I really didn't want to answer just yet - especially when I saw how those Senshi who had living parents were being besieged by questions, tears, and other expressions of dismay. I imagined how much more difficult it would be if they'd shown up in their fighting uniforms.

Once we were in the reception hall, Setsuna vanished, then returned with my gifts for the Senshi. The three of us placed them at the head table, marking the seats of the intended recipients. Sapphire blue roses marked Ami's mother's seat, and blood red roses marked my mother's. Ami and I took our seats and occupied each other with loving revelations of our hearts while we waited for the rest to arrive.

Serenity looked around the reception and smiled as we waited for her to announce the dinner. Ami and I may have been the bride and groom, but she was still our Princess. Everyone had finally found their seats, and she stood to speak.

"Now that our beloved friends are one, we celebrate their union with them." She paused, and Usagi finished with "Let's eat!"

All of the Senshi laughed, as did the Tsukinos. If there was one thing we all knew far too well, it was Usagi's appetite.

Dinner began with a seaweed salad that I enjoyed far too much for my own good - in fact, I think I'm the only one who enjoyed it as much as Haruka did. After that, it proceeded through course after course of the favorite foods of every one of us, with little sandwiches to nibble on while the heavier courses were being distributed, curried squash (I didn't remember mentioning my love for that to anyone - it must have been Setsuna's doing), unagi on soba, salmon and mackerel sashimi, fugu (that surprised me, in a crowd this size), and some American dishes like lasagna, ribs, mac and cheese, and (of course) all the tea, wine, cider, or sake you could drink.

When dessert finally came around, only those of us who had an appetite like Usagi's or had experience with royal feasts were able to think about it without turning slightly green. We had cherry pie, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla ice cream, and the wedding cake.

The cake was definitely one of Makoto's creations. It was a work of art, with nine tiers, each decorated with the colors and sigils of one of the Senshi, except for the bottom layer, which was decorated with the colors and sigils of both the Prince and Princess, and the top layer, which had both Ami's and mine. The love that had gone into creating that cake brought tears to both our eyes, and we embraced Makoto, creating a Jupiter sandwich. She blushed beautifully, which only encouraged us.

The kitsune actually helped with the cake, using her power to separate the tiers without damage after we'd cut the ceremonial first slice. Ami and I agreed we'd have to find a way to show her our thanks. While the cake was being distributed, Usagi announced it was time for the presents, which meant it was time for me to speak. As soon as Usagi sat down, I stood.

"Before we open our gifts, Ami and I would like our Prince and Princess, and the rest of their court, to open the gifts we placed at their seats. This is our way of saying thank you for the love you've shown us."

As I sat, the gifts were opened, and they all began laughing - probably at the idea of me giving them watches, with my notoriously vague time sense.

**Let me know when they're all wearing them, Setsuna?**

**Of course.**

Ami and I snuggled while the others looked delightedly at their watches. Chibi-Usa looked at us with an awed expression in her eyes and leaned over to whisper to us.

"How did you know about these? I always wished I had one when I was growing up, because all the Senshi had them. Do they work like the watches I remember?"

"Only one way to find out, Sprout. Gonna put it on?" I smiled warmly at her, but refused to offer any hints. Chibi-Usa quickly strapped her watch on and gazed at it hopefully.

**Is this what you were asking about, Sprout?**

Chibi-Usa squealed happily and jumped up to throw her arms around us.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" She could talk just as fast as Usagi when she was excited, but it was easy to understand what she was trying to say. All we had to do was listen to her heart.

**Everyone is ready.**

**Thanks, Setsuna.**

I thought of talking with all the Senshi at once.

**Now that you all have your watches on, I'll let Chibi-Usa explain why she's so excited. Just think of talking to everyone at once, Sprout.**

Images flowed over us, of the King and Queen wearing their watches, and of the Senshi wearing them, and Chibi-Usa wishing she had one just like them because they could use them as communicators, and the watches all had personalities of their own and would sometimes talk to her just like Luna and Artemis...her excitement made it a little difficult to keep up with the flow, but we managed, somehow.

The Senshi jumped with surprise when I made first contact, except for Setsuna, who simply smiled and nodded. Once the initial surprise was over, the questions and explanations flowed over the watches. Edgar was the only one who'd awakened so far, but they all had the potential. Each one had an induction pickup woven into the band, and was powered by a hyperspatial energy tap. If the communications system worked as I hoped, it would keep them connected no matter where they were, since it worked by sending its signals through hyperspace, where the usual radio signal problems didn't exist.

"So are you all gonna sit there looking at each other, or do we get to see presents?" Grandfather demanded, bringing us - blushing - back to the real world, with another connection that bound us all together.

Ami and I laughed together and cleared a space in front of our seats for the delivery of the gifts. Thank goodness this crowd knew one or the other, or both, of us well enough that we weren't saddled with six toasters, four blenders, and three coffee pots. For nearly half an hour, every time we thought we'd reached the end of the gifts, Minako or Makoto had come running up with another armload. After a while, Ami and I started looking worried. It wasn't until we both recognized the same item as something we'd already received that we caught on to what was going on, though.

"MAKOTO! MINAKO!" Ami stood, her sigil flaring as she glared at the duo, who were laughing hysterically.

"You should see yourself!" Makoto laughed.

"It's priceless!" Minako agreed.

Then Usagi began giggling, moments before throwing her head back with one of her room-clearing laughs.

"You should have seen the two of you! You looked as if you were afraid you'd have to send out thank-you notes to half the world! Good job, guys."

"You put them up to this?" Ami growled dangerously as she turned toward Usagi.

"Yup! Wasn't it fun?" Usagi not only was not repentant, she looked proud of herself. Then she stuck an envelope in Ami's hand and grinned. "This one's from all of us."

"How can you stay mad at her?" Ami sighed, taking the envelope and hugging Usagi. "It's just not possible."

When Ami opened the envelope, she gasped and dropped the papers that came out of it. I scooped them up out of her lap and blinked in surprise. They'd gotten together and bought first class passage on an around the world cruise for us. We would leave the first day of June, and return in September. A note from Usagi, tucked in among the tickets, schedules, and other stuff, said "No studying allowed on this cruise. That means you, Ami! Don't make me have to make it a royal command."

I read the note and laughed, then handed it to Ami. She turned a beautiful shade of pink and tried to hide behind the papers as I chuckled and hugged her gently. While I was hugging Ami, I noticed Usagi was rising to her feet. She looked lovingly at us, then looked over the crowd.

"Since our hosts are too overcome to speak, I'll explain for them. They just received first class tickets for a cruise around the world. It is our wish that they use this time to get to know each other better, without the stress of our regular lives to distract them. It is also our wish that they use this time to observe the state of the world, so they may report to us on their return. We are informed that there will be no threats to Tokyo requiring Lady Mercury's intervention while she is on this cruise, and the few needs we have for a Demon Hunter will be served by our friend Smis-Dw."

Usagi pointed to the back of the room, where a woman who looked a lot like Grace Jones stood with a smile, offered henu, then returned to her seat with the Niswt's(AUS) group. Haruka and Michiru gasped in surprise, then looked up at Usagi in unison.

"We have another surprise for you," Usagi continued. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present SILK!"

My jaw dropped in surprise. I didn't know they were still together, but when the curtain around the corner of the room was pulled back, it really was them. Sure, they're a bit too rocking for the average wedding, but then again, this wasn't the average wedding.

**You'd better get over there, Bill. They're waiting for you to sing their first song with them.**

**They are? Which one?**

**You'll know.**

Great. Now Usagi was being mysterious. I kissed Ami and slipped out of my seat to join the band on stage. Once I was there with them, I realized how they'd managed to get SILK. Setsuna had brought them. Kinuko looked as young as she had when she'd played Priss. And just as sexy, too.

**I heard that.**

**Well...Want to see her through my eyes?**

**All right, she is sexy.**

**But not as sexy as you are, Angel.**

**Mmm...you know just the right things to say.**

**Only because they're true.**

The music began, and I had to stifle a laugh. This song was definitely not their usual style, but if they were willing to play it for me, I could definitely make it a gift to my Ami. I took the microphone, looked directly at her, let my love fill my voice, and sang "Forever In Your Eyes." By the end of the song, I was standing in front of her, holding her hand as her eyes filled with joyful tears to match the tears of joy in my own.

The band moved on to their usual music, and people began mingling. As expected, Haruka and Michiru headed straight for their former lover, while Ami moved into my arms and sighed happily.

**I'm so glad I understand English, beloved.**

**So am I. Setsuna must have had fun convincing them to play that song.**

**She's certainly doing her best to make this perfect for us. I'm starting to worry.**

**Worry?**

**What it is that requires us to love each other so much in order to face it.**

**Does it have to be anything that dramatic?**

**She's never done anything in the past just for the sake of love or kindness. There's always been some world-shaking crisis behind everything she's ever done for us.**

**If there is, we'll face it when it comes. Together. With our love and faith in each other to sustain us.**

I led her to the dance floor, intending to distract her by learning just how well she could move in that gown of hers. By the time we'd gone half way across the room, though, her mother, mine, and my American friends had found each other and were descending on us with serious intent.

**What I wouldn't give for a nice simple demon to slay right about now...**

**Or a youma. Anything but facing them!**

Ami and I smiled and hugged each other, in perfect agreement over the dire threat we were about to face.

"Remember our first night in this house?" I asked as we stepped out of the limousine that had brought us home sometime around 3am. The party was still going strong at the shrine, but we'd decided we wanted to be alone. The limo had been waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and the chauffeur had informed us that he had a message for us, the wording of which was, "It's your destiny. Now shut up and get in the car."

"Mmm-hmmm...," Ami purred happily and snuggled close to me. "It was one of the happiest times of my life."

"Then you'll remember teasing me about this!" I laughed and scooped her up so I could carry her into the house. "Open the door, David."

The front door swung open as we approached, so I could carry Ami across the threshold without having to stop and open it. She giggled and nodded, snuggling closer as I carried her. Since she'd teased me about practicing for our wedding night, I'd carried her across the threshold every chance I got, and she'd happily repeated the joke every time I'd done it.

The door swung shut behind us, and I lowered her to her feet so I could concentrate on kissing her. Her arms snaked around my neck and held me close as we kissed, releasing each other only when our hearts were beating fast enough to make us breathless.

"Your mother looked so lost!" Ami giggled when we finally regained our ability to speak. "And I'd thought the interrogations I'd gotten from her and Sarah over the last week were bad."

"Your mother looked as if she were having a little trouble accepting it, too." I hugged her gently. "Of course, it's not every day you get to learn your daughter is princess of an entire planet."

"Not that it matters now - at least, not until we reclaim it." Ami murmured, then grinned. "That'll be when? Next week?"

She batted her eyes at me in that look of innocent love that melted my heart every time. I laughed happily and returned to our previous activity, losing myself in her kiss.

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Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi, and all terms, names, etc. associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. I make no claim to them and this work of fanfiction should not be seen as making a claim.