The BLTS Archive - Will You, Part 1
Fifth in the Cherry Blossom Suite
by Artemis (ArtemisOK@aol.com)

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Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom own Star Trek. No infringement
intended,  no money being made.

Acknowledgement:  Thanks to Amy for the Beta and
encouragement.

Author's Note: Will write for feedback.

Archive: My place.

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Hikaru was nervous.  He rubbed his hands on his pants and
approached Lt. Uhura as she sat alone at lunch.  He had
waited almost the entire lunch period for Mr. Scott to leave
so he could talk to her.

"Lieutenant?"  He smiled tightly at her.

Amusement danced in her eyes.  "I was wondering when you
were going to come over here.  Sit down, Sulu.  What can I
do for you?"

He pulled out a chair.  The sound seemed extraordinarily
loud.  He winced.  He managed to sit down without incident
and sighed.  Inwardly, Ny sighed too.  The closer his
wedding date became, the more nervous and accident-prone
Sulu became.

"Lieutenant. Uhura . . . Uhura, uh, ma'am."  Ny smiled over
the edge of her coffee cup and waited patiently for Sulu to
say his piece.  "Janice and I would be honored if you would
be one of the Nakodo in our wedding ceremony," he finished
in a rush and waited expectantly.

"Well, I don't know," she said with mock somberness.  He
looked  crestfallen.  "Hik, I thought we were friends.  Why
aren't you calling by my first name?"

"Nyota, this is a formal request for you to take an
important place in a formal ceremony."  As he spoke these
words, he realized that he was taking this a bit too
seriously and laughed self- consciously.  "Will you?"

"I don't even know what a 'Nakado' is," Uhura explained.

"Ah, yes."  He took a sip of tea and launched into his 
explanation.  "An old fashioned Japanese wedding is usually
attended only by close relatives, in addition, of course, to
the couple to be united and the Nakodo, the go-betweens,
match-makers."  He paused and sighed.  "The Go-betweens are
often selected for ceremonial purposes from among elderly
couples  that are known and that are close to the families
that are to be  united in marriage."  He waited for Ny to
explode.  She did not.  She merely motioned for him to
continue.  "Not that you are old, but really you did help
bring Janice and I together. . . "

Ny nodded her acknowledgement. "Before I say yes, what is
entailed?  Do I get to wear a gorgeous kimono?

"Second question, first: Yes, you get to wear a gorgeous
kimono.  I  see you in red silk, probably with something
with lucky cranes on  it.  As to what you do, you and
Captain Kirk. . . " Sulu began.

"The Captain, has he agreed to this?" Uhura asked.

"I haven't asked him yet.  I just barely managed to work up
the nerve to ask you."  He shrugged.

"You do know that Scotty and I are in a relationship.  I
wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea if I went to your
wedding with the Captain.  And besides, I wouldn't want
anyone to think that Captain James T. Kirk was
'fraternizing' with  his crew," she said lightly.

"I know you'd rather be paired with Mr. Scott.  Don't worry,
'Uncle Scotty' will be there," Sulu assured her.

"'Uncle Scotty' had been keeping a close watch on his
niece's fiancé since she left."  As Uhura took a sip of
coffee, her eyes danced.

Sulu nodded.  "And Janice wants him to be on her side of the
wedding party.  Besides, I'm really hoping that the Captain
will read the groom's oath of fidelity, as the male Nakodo
sometimes does.  He has a terrific speaking voice."  Hik
rushed the last part.

But not so fast that Uhura didn't catch it.  "Uh, huh, James
T. Kirk expounding on martial fidelity.  I would pay to hear
that speech.  So what else do I do, besides try to keep a
straight face?"

"Drink sake when the Mikos, the bride's maids, offer it to
you."

"Sake at the wedding?"

"Yes, and champagne at the reception."

---

0730, the next day Sulu caught up with the Captain on their
way to the bridge.

"Sir."

"Yes, Lieutenant." Kirk fought to keep the smile from his
lips.

"Janice and I were wondering if you would consent to be one
of the Nakodos at our wedding?" Sulu said in a nervous rush. 
He paused for breath.

"I'd be honored, on one condition. . . " Kirk put on hand on
Sulu's arm.

"Yes, sir?"

"You have to read the fidelity oath yourself."  The smile
escaped and danced across Kirk's nimble lips.

"Aye, sir.  I was really hope. . . Wait, you know what a
Nakodo is?"  Sulu's eyes were wide in disbelief.

"Lieutenant, you don't get to be a starship captain without
doing your homework.  Especially for an important event like
this one."  Jim chuckled.  "Now when and where do I go to
get fitted for my formal kimono?"  Kirk wondered to himself
if he should tell Mr. Sulu that Miss Uhura had filled him in
last evening.  //Naw, why spoil my image as omnipresent?//

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The End