Ardent

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Chapter 3: The Wedding

The three women immediately went to work, pulling clothes out of a closet and brushes from a dresser. They all chatted with one another, knowing who was to do what and in what order. Hisoka remained motionless. He wanted to kick, scream, do whatever, just as long as he had some sort of movement. But nothing came to him, no blinking, flexing his fingers; he couldn't even attempt to talk. Unhappily, all Hisoka could do was sit there as the women talk incessantly and stroking his cheek, squealing in delight about how soft his skin and hair was. One of the women started to brush his hair as another one started to give a manicure.

“Oh your hands are so delicate!” she squealed in a high pitched voice. ”Don't worry your hands are already so pretty this won't take long at all!”

Hisoka stared blankly.

The third woman laid out the wedding clothes: pure silk white pants and a flimsy white button up shirt that's seemingly translucent. After the other two were done grooming him, they left him up on his feet so the third woman could put his clothes on. With incredible gentleness, she pulled the silk pants up until it rested around his hips, then buttoned up the loose shirt within seconds. She motioned to the other women to seat him on the bench that sat in front of a mirror. Kneeling before Hisoka, she produced a pair of satin hermes sandals and place them on his feet as if he were Cinderella.

“There!” the third woman proclaimed. “You have to be the loveliest bride I have ever seen. You are fortunate, indeed. To be able to marry such a man as Lord Muraki.

Inside Hisoka shuddered. He doesn't feel fortunate at all. He wanted to go home.


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The ceremony hall lit up with hundreds of candles that casted a haunted glow. Calla lilies interweaved between the pillars of candles throughout the room. The deep blood red carpet led up to the alter filled with white roses. The burning scent of lilies and roses filled Hisoka's nostrils as he stood at the doorway. He had regained his own will but he could feel that Muraki still had the power to control him, if deemed necessary. He noticed that only three other men were here: Muraki, who was dressed in black, the priest and a long, dark haired man in a richly colored kimono. Against his will, he slowly made his way up to the alter. Muraki held his hand out to Hisoka as he came closer. The boy placed his hand into Muraki's and he enclosed it tightly. They stood in front of the priest while the dark haired man stayed off to the side.

The priest began, “Will you, as the witness to this blessed event, please state your name out loud?”

Hisoka blinked before realizing that the priest was referring to the unknown man.

The man bowed. “My name is Oriya. I am here to serve as a witness to Kazutaka Muraki's wedding.”

The priest nodded and turned back to the couple. “Now we may proceed with the ceremony. Kazutaka, please place your hand over your bride's.”

Muraki dropped his tight grip and moved his hand over Hisoka's.

“Do you, Kazutaka, take Hisoka to be your wife?” the priest asked.

Hisoka felt chilled by Muraki's hand even thought it was barely touching his. He kept wanting to look back at the door in hopes that his father would break through and rescue him. He should of figured out where he was by now, shouldn't he? Why aren't you here, father? He faintly heard the priest continuing along with the speech and then he heard Muraki.

“I do.”

The priest turned to Hisoka. “Do you, Hisoka, promise to love, serve and obey your lord and master, Kazutaka? Do you promise to care for him, his children, and his needs? You will be faithful to Kazutaka only. You will not visit the bed of anyone else but your lord. Your life is his and his only. Do you understand this?”

Hisoka felt something break instead of him. This is his life, he has no other. He opened his mouth, there was no force needed for this.

“I do,” Hisoka whispered.

“May I have the ring?” the priest asked.

Oriya handed the ring to the priest.

“I bless this ring,” the priest chanted before he gave it to Muraki.

The ring, like Muraki's hand, felt cold as it was slid onto Hisoka's long, slender finger.

“This ring symbolizes the eternal bond between his lordship and his bride. May you forever have blessed days.”

Muraki pulled Hisoka into an impassioned embrace and kissed him. Hisoka made no attempt of resisting, instead he pliantly kissed back.


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After the ceremony Hisoka was taken to Muraki's bed chamber by the third woman. She helped him out of his clothes and dressed him in a soft blue translucent yukata. Hisoka blushed.

“I--isn't there another yukata I can wear?”

The woman chuckled. ”I'm afraid not, sweetie. This is a standard wedding night yukata in his Lordship's kingdom.”

Hisoka began to shake as he tied the sash tightly around his waist.

The woman gently took Hisoka's shaking hands into her own.

“It will be alright. His Lordship will take care of you just as long as you do as he says. And please don't be afraid of what will happen tonight. The Master is a sensualist and passion runs in his blood.”

“Okay,” Hisoka whispered even though he wasn't entirely sure what she was talking about. His father planned on explaining what happened between a husband and wife when his own wedding drew nearer.

“Here,” the woman handed him a frosted glass. “This nectar will help calm your nerves.”

Hisoka accepted it gratefully and took a sip. It tasted like the nectar of honeysuckle that he enjoyed so much as a child. Eagerly, he drank the rest.

“When the Master comes in, you need to be on the bed,” she started to explain.

Hisoka then took a look around the room. It was large, bigger than any bed room he seen. Thick carpeting covered the entire room and there were grand french doors that led out to the out to the balcony. There were other doors that lead, presumably to the closet and bathroom. The walls had paintings of erotic figures of classical mythology and Arabian style decor. But the most impressive site of the room was the massive canopy bed covered in white. The canopy poles ran straight up to the ceiling. Thick, white gauzy curtains covered the bed, forming a cocoon. Despite the thickness, the material was so fine that it appeared like mist was surrounding the bed. An ivory satin comforter covered the mattress as well as several satin pillows. When Hisoka drew closer to the bed he noticed that the bed was lathered in white rose petals with a flush of pink at the tips.

Muraki must love roses, Hisoka idly thought.

“Come along, dear,” the woman helped Hisoka up onto the bed.

“Should I lay down or sit up?” Hisoka asked nervously.

She giggled. “Sit up so the Master can see you when he comes in.”

Before leaving the room she lit up a couple of rose scented candles. Hisoka heard the door locking.

Obviously Muraki had no faith that he'll stay in the room. Hisoka glanced around the bed. With this bed so large and the curtains encompassing it, he felt like he was in another room. There was a large mirror on the wall and he had to wonder why Muraki needed a mirror overlooking his bed. Looking up he noticed there was a painting on the ceiling similar to the mythological ones on the bedroom walls. This painting had rosy cheek erotes surrounding a pair of nude lovers. Hisoka quickly looked away, feeling apprehensive but anxious for Muraki to arrive. He was dreading it but at the same time he wanted to get over this feeling.

Hisoka's heart rate shot up as he heard the door unlocking. Muraki stepped into the room and smiled brightly at his bride.

“My new love,” he said softly as he approached the bed.

End of Chapter 3

Sorry for ending it there but have no worries, folks. The next chapter will be dedicated entirely to the love scene.