Love In A Mug

Chapter 12

Chapter wedding

Naruto sat by the window of their hotel room looking out to the beach with a warm smile across his face.  It was early and the sun was just peeking over the horizon.  His honeymoon has been amazing and he was glad Themba had suggested Africa, his home country, for a great honeymoon trip.

So far they've enjoyed a sighting of wildlife having taken a safari ride seeing lions and a couple of elephants here and there. They even visited the Birds of Prey Santuary where they saw raptors, eagles, owls and other creatures in their natural habits.

Earlier in the week they visited Tala Game Reserve, Phezulu Culture Village and his favorite so far the Reptile Park. The city itself is immersed with the Zulu cultural foods and traditional dance. 

Today they were spending the day at Sani Pass and taking a Lesotho Private tour.   Tomorrow they would be flying to Kenya to spend the rest of their honeymoon at the Giraffe Manor.

They packed a to-go breakfast and met their tour guide in the lobby.  The gravel road they were driving on was higher and steeper than the others but they were assured that this pass offers the most exceptional views.  As the altitude increases, the road was becoming narrower and all signs of human habitation disappeared as they came face to face with the vast, desolate beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains.  At the end of their tour, they stopped and visited a Sotho village interacting with the local Sotho people learning about their culture, Naruto even getting his hair braided.

Their next visits found them exploring Ushaka Marine where they got to watch all kinds of sea creatures do amazing tricks.  Naruto was hesitant whenever their guide suggested that they participate in the shark dive where sharks circle a cage whilst others glide slowly past but he was determined to complete all activities provided by Ushaka Marine.  The few minutes that they were under water was terrifying and thrilling at the same time. 

Another activity they embarked upon was walking on the floor of an open ocean exhibit where they were able to gaze at colorful fish and sting rays swimming around them.

They ended their quest off the KZN coastline at Snorkel Lagoon floating above the splendid colorful corals beneath them.  The look of joy on Naruto's face on the ride back to their hotel was everything for Itachi. Naruto smiled at the memories that he would forever keep tucked away in his heart.  He couldn't believe that tomorrow they were leaving this beautiful place, but he was sure being surrounded by giraffes at the Giraffe Manor would be just as exciting.

Tired from the day, they decided to dine at the restaurant in the hotel.  Naruto was startled when Itachi shuffled into the room with a box.

He looked at his husband curiously.  "What is that?" He asked eyeing the way Itachi was all too excited about what he had in his hands.

Naruto still couldn't believe that this beautiful, insufferable, charming man is now his husband.

"It's for you." Itachi said as he placed the box on the bed and smiled warmly at the blues staring at him. 

"For me?" Naruto said in a soft tone while following Itachi's gestures to open it.

Naruto stood up from his spot and walked over to the box in question.  When he opened it he looked up at to Itachi with a raise brow. "Itachi, dear, why do you have a yukata with you?"

"Themba told me that today South Africans celebrate what is called Heritage day." 

Naruto's interest was peeked. "Heritage day?"

Itachi took the traditional outfit, laying it out on the bed smoothing it out. "Heritage Day is a South African public holiday celebrated once a year celebrated in September. On this day, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the widely context that belongs to all its people."