Summary: New Years day brings new luck and promises, for Takaba, it brings some sense of compromise and the strength to move on. The photographer thought it was funny how his life played out as he perched on a balcony, taking pictures of a bride about to be married to the man he loved, Asami.

Author's Note: Okay, so I'm a little late! So what! I hope you like this kind of angsty shot between Akihito and Asami,

Snap.

He snapped another picture. The resolution was outstanding and the image itself was remarkable. A beautiful pond with with lily petals made the image seem like it belonged in a fantasy world. Of course, it would take some editing, or something of the sort, but regardless, Takaba was pleased with his work.

Takaba snapped another picture of the people around, all dressed in either kimono's, dresses, suits or tuxedos. Takaba himself was dressed in a fine tuxedo, one more fitting for a man his age. He admired that, as he looked at his reflection in the pond below. Takaba stood on a small red bridge, arching over the pond.

He had perhaps taken a hundred pictures of that pond, literally. It was so beautiful, so captivating despite the fact that it was the most overlooked thing there. People walked over that bridge, hand in hand, not even giving it a second glance, Takaba simply felt bad for this body of water and believed its beauty needed to be preserved, so why not take pictures of it?

The young photographer let the camera fall and dangle around his neck as he reached into the pocket of his tuxedo to retrieve is phone. Upon touching the glass screen, his eyes skimmed over the date and once again, he was reminded his reason for being in such a fancy garden at that moment.

A wedding.

Not just any wedding.

Asami Ryuichi's wedding.

It was New Years and it wasn't uncommon for two lovers to be married on such a special day. Still, Takaba found it funny how it all played out. Takaba would be starting his New Year, taking pictures of the man he loved at his wedding, marrying another.

Did it hurt Takaba?

He'd be lying if he said it didn't, but it didn't completely break him inside. He had expected it, for months now, a couple of years actually. So many things had happened between the two that Takaba just had to well...expect it. The lies, the yelling, the arguments...the woman, and then finally the unexpected pregnancy.

That pregnancy... The thought of it made Takaba forget things momentarily, no matter where he was. He would just stand there, swaying back and forth, remembering his exact location, at that exact time when he figured out. This woman had forced her way into Takaba and Asami's life, all for politics, and Asami allowed it. She and Asami had gone behind Takaba's back, and when their deed was done, when that woman had officially been the carrier of Asami's child, Takaba had vanished without a trace.

So yes, it hurt him, it hurt him a lot, knowing how worthless he was to Asami, knowing how this woman had a God given gift to produce Asami's heir, and he didn't. But it didn't ruin him inside, at all. He knew he'd have to move on eventually and destroying himself over a man with a child was unforgivable.

"The wedding is about to start, kid." A tall man walked over to Takaba and tugged on the sleeve of his tux. Takaba recognized him as the man who had hired him for this in the first place, the father of the bride. Perhaps this was some sick trick she and her father planned, to break Takaba's pride or to rub some salt in his two year wound. But he agreed, and did so without complaint. This would serve as some sort of closure for him, seeing the family there together, seeing Asami and the bride, Keiko was her name, joined in holy union. He would see their son, he would see the two of them kiss and it would be over.

Takaba silently made his way across the bridge and into the church.

He saw him.

Light brown hair, golden eyes, fitted tux, as godlike as ever.

Snap.

Takaba took multiple pictures and as usual, he admired every bit of them. Asami was always picture perfect, no flaws whatsoever. That was something Takaba would miss about Asami, it would be nearly impossible to find someone so flawless. Said person didn't even have to look like Asami, they just had to have that sense of godliness about them.

Snap.

The bride looked snobby, as she did two years ago. Of course, Takaba wouldn't deny her beauty, which is probably why she was an option for Asami. She was thinner than she was, a couple of years ago as well. The skimpy wedding dress fit wonderfully on her, exposing her curves, her chest. She was covered in pounds of makeup, making her look like a porcelain doll. She was a beauty on the outside, but nothing but a an endless abyss of hate on the inside. Takaba didn't have much to say about her.

Snap.

How could Takaba ever bring himself to hate someone or something as pure as the young boy sitting on the lap of a relative? He was almost two or three...Takaba couldn't remember at the moment. All he could focus on is how much he resembled Asami, how beautiful he was. He felt a great amount of pity and agony for the boy. His soul, at that moment was so clean so pure, but with the influence around him, with the crowd he'd be forced to mingle with, his plate would surely be stained soon enough.

Snap.

The church was beautiful, it was large as well.

He had only been a photographer for three weddings, the most recent one was Momohara Ai Chan's wedding. Strangely, her groom was Mitsugo Onada, there were a lot of strange factors that led up to their relationship, but nevertheless, they were married and Takaba was there to take pictures. That wedding was roughly a month ago and unlike this one, he really enjoyed it.

Two years before that, when Takaba was first free of Asami, he had the pleasure of taking pictures at another person's wedding. Through a strange turn of events, events which he was glad to be a part of, he ended up being the photographer for Feilong at his wedding. That poor man needed someone who would take care of him, and despite the fact that his spouse was Asami's older brother, he was an amazing man. Even at the wedding, Takaba felt himself getting a little jealous. If only he knew Dr. Ryusuke Asami instead of Ryuichi Asami, things would be so different.

"You may kiss the bride." These five simple words brought Takaba back into reality as with swift anticipation, he brought his camera to his face and positioned it perfectly. Through his lense, he saw the obvious hesitation in Asami's eyes, in Keiko's eyes as they stared at each other, lacking the love they needed to make their relationship work, but regardless, it had to be done, and without much time to waste, their lips softly pressed against each others.

Snap.

The camera captured the moment until finally, they released. All at once, they broke free and hand in hand, made their walk down the aisle.

From behind Takaba, as he stood in the balcony, the trumpets blaired.

He always thought trumpets to be the loudest instruments in band, the best as well. In high school, he was second best at trumpet in both marching and concert band. Though, he didn't play a lot during marching season when it came junior year, he became head drum major. In college, it was pretty much the same, though he was the best trumpet player.

They played a familiar song, Trumpet Voluntary it was called.

Takaba remembered playing that when it came graduation time, and nearly crying like a baby when his band played it for his senior high school graduation. Good times those were, good times.

As the church cleared out, and the instruments silenced themselves, Takaba headed down the balcony and outside. There were so many people, standing talking. He didn't even want to search for the bride and the groom, that would be a horror in itself. Still, somethings just couldn't be avoided, as Asami was a tall man.

Perhaps his eyes caught Takaba's first, the way they always did, captivating him, but the young photographer stopped when he was sure that despite the vast amount of people, Asami was making eye contact with him. For a second, Takaba felt his heart clench but for his own good, ripped his eyes from Asami's. It was over, wasn't it? He didn't need to fall back into the same routine he did two years ago.

He smiled, and wiped tears from his eyes , that he knew , couldn't be avoided. He fought his way through the crowd of people, accidentally bumping into a person...holding a baby.

"Sorry." He said, not wishing for this relative to see him crying.

"It's fine." The man, around his age said, looking at Takaba with concern. "Are you alright?"

Takaba stared at him, feeling another pain in his gut as he realized who this man was holding. "Is that Ryuichi's son?" Takaba didn't feel strange calling him by his first name,there had to be about a hundred Asami's in this place, this man standing in front of him being one.

"Yeah, he's my cousin." The boy said, not caring about the way Takaba addressed his uncle. "My name is Yamaha." He spoke, blinking his golden eyes. "What's yours?"

"Um...Takaba, Takaba Akihito." A silence ensued.

"Can you take a picture of my cousin and I, Takaba-kun?" He smiled. "You're the photographer, I didn't see you."

"Oh, yeah um..."

Snap.

Another quick picture. "I'll mail it to_"

"Don't worry, you can keep it...um...Happy New Years Takaba-kun."

"Happy New Years...Asami_"

"Yamaha, is fine."

"Okay, Happy New Years Yamaha." Takaba bowed slightly. "Good bye."

"If you want to," He grabbed the photographer's arm before he left. "There's a bar not to far from here, maybe we can meet up later today and_"

"I have plans tonight, but thank you anyway." He pulled his arm away before Yamaha could say another word, and without much thought, ran off of the church property.

It was New Years, and Takaba couldn't spend the day moping around, he couldn't spend his life moping around. No more Asami, that was it, and that was his resolution. To live for himself, and not for anyone else, to forget Asami as he was nothing but a distant memory. Asami had forgotten him right? The moments they shared together were times long past, times Takaba did not wish to reflect on.

It sounded reasonable, and if he was feeling better in the near future, perhaps he would find that Yamaha dude, and the boys could share a drink or two.

But that was in the future. As for now, Takaba had business with his friends, and that was simply getting drunk on a whole different level.

As he walked into the street, he heard the music playing from stores and restaurants. It was a starnge tune that was common in America.

Takaba didn't know the words, so he only hummed it.

Short breakdown:

Asami had an affair with another woman , which involved her ( the daughter of a politician) getting preggers. Takaba left. Two years later, Keiko and Asami, are married, Takaba takes pictures, runs off to go get drunk and have a hell of a time with his friends.

I used my recurring OC in here, Dr. Ryusuke Asami, Asami's older brother by five years and in most of my stories it is implied that he is either in an intimate relationship or married to Feilong. Yamaha Asami...hm...he kind of had a 'lil crush on Aki. Should I make him a recurring character? IDK, you guys tell me what you think!

As for this story, it is realistic, or my realistic take, and I hope you all realize that Takaba and Asami do not have a healthy relationship! I mean, it can become one, but there are too many negative factors, the biggest one being, ASAMI RAPED TAKABA TO BEGIN WITH! That is not healthy, and for a while, he continues to do so.

I'm not going to rant, but their relationship is ruining Takaba. With the proper steps, it can be fixed and they can become that loving couple, but Asami needs so straighten up first.

Anyway, I wuv you guys! Pwees review!

And I don't own the finder series. :iconsadface: