A priest stood on the right side of the altar before us and on his left was his female a.s.sistant, behind us were the three well-behaved little rice b.a.l.l.s, several bureaucrats, and all of Kaname's relatives. After the priest announced that it was time for the san-san-kudo[3] ceremony, the ritual representing the joys and sorrows we will be sharing as an officially married couple, the female a.s.sistant poured sake on a small cup then respectfully handed it to Kaname. Kaname drank from the cup then offered the rest to me. The second pouring went to me first then to Kaname while the final pouring was a repeat of the first one.

"It is now time for the exchange of vows," the priest said.

Upon hearing his words, Kaname turned to face me. I did the same.

"You look amazing, I'm so lucky[4]," he said, making me and almost everyone in the room blush.

I lowered my eyes demurely, trying to hide the glint of delight and shyness in them, but he gently grabbed my chin to make me look him in the eyes. He then grabbed my left hand with his free one.

"Today, and everyday, I promise to love you and only you," he said, starting his vow. "Hinata, my beloved wife, you came into my life like a falling star in broad daylight. You have blessed me with things I never knew I needed in my life. My heart's secret wishes were answered by you. In return, I vow to make you the happiest woman in all of j.a.pan. I will love and cherish you with my entire being. I will guard your heart fiercely and won't let anyone hurt you. Lastly, I swear to be the only man in your life and father all your children."

I almost choked when I heard the last few words he uttered. This man! He would always take every opportunity to announce his… Oh, never mind!

After he successfully slipped the wedding band on my finger, I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes and cleared my throat.

While slowly sliding the matching ring on his finger, I replied in a slightly shaky voice, "Kaname, my one great love, I'll always love you and our children. We have gone through so much together that I know nothing can break us. You are my partner, my life, my better half… Forever and always, I will love you with all of me."

With a smile, Kaname lowered his head to mine. We sealed our vows with a kiss that started as chaste but ended with the both of us trying to catch our breaths, leaving everyone in the room feeling awkward and embarra.s.sed save for our children.

"Mama and papa made chu[5]!" Miyako squealed, her hands on her pink and chubby cheeks. Her smiling brothers were doing the same thing while giggling.

When the ritual drinking of sake and exchange of vows were done, I changed into a deep red kosode decorated with plum blossoms presented by Kaname. Taneyuki-san then announced that I was now the official wife and would, from now on, be addressed as Lady Kiris.h.i.+ma. Everyone congratulated and brought us gifts; even the little rice b.a.l.l.s, which completely surprised both me and Kaname. Apparently, they asked their G.o.dmother Mami, who couldn't come, for help because they wanted to express their happiness in the fact that "papa and mama will be together forever."

"Nee-chan!" a vaguely familiar-looking girl greeted me. "Congratulations on your marriage to Kaname-sama."

"Thank you," I said while accepting her gift.

"You don't remember me anymore?" the young girl pouted prettily.

I turned to look at my husband for hints. I just couldn't remember who she was. Smilingly, he whispered something to my ear that made my eyes widen.

"Yuuki?" I looked at the girl incredulously. "You're little Yuuki?"

"Hai, hai!" she confirmed in a cute voice. "It is me, nee-chan. It's been a while, neh?"

"Yes," I nodded, still a bit shocked. "You've grown!"

She giggled. "And you've gotten even prettier!"

I blushed. "Thank you."

"There you are, you brat!" Shouta said while flicking his sister's ear. "Father and mother have been looking for you!"

"Nii-chan, that hurt!" Yuuki looked at him with a sharp gaze. "This is why you're still unmarried, you're mean and bad-tempered!"

"Hey, what did you say!?"

Yuuki stuck her tongue out at him and stomped away angrily without answering him. Kaname chuckled at the two siblings.

"It looks like their relations.h.i.+p isn't as close as it was before," I muttered with a frown.

"It's all because of Shouta. His singlehood has altered his personality and Yuuki uses it as a counterattack."

"Is that so?"

"I know that face. Don't even think about it."

"I wasn't even planning anything."

"Hah, as if you could hide anything from me. Don't worry about him, I've already asked Arimsan to casually introduce Shouta to a couple of women. They're all daughters of notable men, I'm certain he'll meet a suitable match for himself soon."

"Congratulations on your marriage, Lord and Lady Kiris.h.i.+ma," a man in blue and gold kimono carrying an ornate box approached us, interrupting our conversation.

"Tsuma, this is Musas.h.i.+-san," Kaname introduced me to the bearded man. "He is a well-known swordsman and one of my mentors when I was growing up."

~~~

"Are you happy, Lady Kiris.h.i.+ma?" Kaname whispered in my ear when we were finally alone.

Although I should transfer to the room Mami vacated, I decided to stay in my old room as it contained many memories.

I turned to face him and, while wrapping my arms around his waist, replied, "Very happy."

"I'm glad," he said before giving me a quick peck on the lips. "Have I told you that you look especially lovely today?"

"Yes, this is probably the thousandth time," I said happily.

"You look very lovely, I think I'm falling for you all over again," he whispered as the back of his hand caressed my cheek.

"You look extremely striking yourself," I sighed, completely bewitched by his handsomeness. I loved seeing him in his uniform but his attire today made him even more gorgeous, the aura he emitted could make any male model doubt their charm.

"Really?"

"Really," I a.s.sured him. "I'm so lucky."

Seeing his eyes darken, I knew what was coming. When he captured my lips in a searing kiss, I felt all the tiredness I was feeling vanish. I kissed him back with equal fervor while my hands fervently searched for his sash. Once I found it, I expertly untied it with one hand while the other one slipped inside his robe to touch his skin.

"Ravenous, aren't we?" he teased as soon as our lips parted.

"Tonight, I shall show you what ravenous means," I told him before pulling him to the waiting futon. "I will be the one taking charge tonight. No buts."

"I'm already looking forward to it, my lovely wife."

-------------------------------------------------

[1] Basic j.a.panese robe.

[2] Formal kimono worn by brides or during stage performances.

[3] Sake-sharing tradition during s.h.i.+nto weddings.

[4] Had to quote Prince Harry, hehe.

[5] Onomatopoeia for kiss.