Chapter 1 – Preparations

"Wait wait! These would look way better on her!" squealed the blue haired Ainu, holding the pair of pearl earrings to the blond girl's ear. What do you think Tamao?" she asked. "Hmm, yes. They look much better than the other ones." said Tamao. "Okay then, Anna, put these on!" she said. She could barely stand in one place. Anna wondered what she would be like at her own wedding… "Fine" she complied and took the earring from her. She had to agree, they did look better. She frowned slightly as she gazed at the mirror. All of this seemed too much. Why did I ever agree to let Pirika and Tamao dress me? She thought in disdain. She had wanted a simple white dress, but they had gotten her…this; a shimmering white floor-length gown that was tight on the top, and flared out at her waist. It seemed to emanate a sort of pearly glow. It was pretty, sure. But she hadn't wanted them to go to so much trouble. The two girls seemed more excited than she was about her own wedding. "Now, what about her hair?" asked Pirika thoughtfully. Catching Anna's glare in the mirror, Tamao immediately backtracked. "Maybe we should let Ms. Anna decide…" she said. Anna huffed. "Can't I just leave it like this?" she asked catching one of her blond tresses and rubbing it between her fingers. "Well, I guess you could…" said Pirika somberly. Though she was too excited to stay sad, so she immediately found something else to do. "Okay then, makeup!" she said with a smirk. Anna sighed. There was nothing she could do about that… Pirika would kill her if she didn't oblige. Not that she could, but she didn't want to ruin the mood. So she reluctantly sank down into the low chair and closed her eyes. The two eager bridesmaids immediately ran to her and started to work. Anna just sat still. She had gone to her happy place. In her happy place, the whole wedding ceremony was over and done with. And they were alone. Just Yoh and her… Anna Asakura she thought fondly. It sounded so right, like it was meant to be. She snapped back into reality when she felt a brush on her eyelids. "Could you please not go overboard and turn me into a Barbie doll?" she said icily. "Oh don't worry Ms. Anna, will keep in natural." promised Tamao. "She won't be a Miss for long!" Pirika sang happily. Anna could almost see the smile on her face, even though her eyes were closed. "You better." she muttered under her breath. Tamao heard her and giggled. "What's so funny?" snapped Anna. "Oh nothing…" she sighed and refocused on the makeup. Anna sighed as well.

Suddenly, the door opened behind her. Now who could this be? she thought, and her unsaid question was immediately answered. "How my beautiful sister-in-law doing?" said a velvety voice. "Hao!" Anna's eyes flew open and she would have jumped up if it weren't for Pirika and Tamao's restraining hands. "Glad to see me sis-in-law?" he smirked. "What the hell are you doing here?" Anna growled through her teeth.

"Don't worry dear Anna, I'm not here to crash you wedding, Yoh invited me…"

"Yoh?" Anna said in disbelief.

"Yes Yoh, why so shocked?"

"Oh I don't know, because the last time I saw you, you were trying to kill us all!" Anna snapped sarcastically.

"Don't worry Anna, that was the past, and I've decided t bury it. It's all behind us now, I'm merely here to support my brother."

"Hmp" Anna said as she relaxed back into the chair. "That better be true Asakura" she snarled.

"Don't worry Anna, it is. Besides, Mari and Macchi would never let me do anything… hmm… bad. They respect Yoh too much."

"Mari and Macchi? As in the two goth girls that, Oh that's right! TRIED TO KILL US?" Anna said skeptically.

"But you never intended to hurt them, and spared their life, so they respect you both…"

"Hmph, what about the third little witch?"

"Oh, Kanna left with the others, we never heard of her again…"

Anna nodded and turned away. "I'll believe you for now, Hao." She said and looked at Pirika and Tamao. They nodded too and returned to her makeup, as Hao slipped away.

"Isn't it weird That Yoh-kun would invite Hao?" asked Tamao. Anna could tell she was worried. She was too.

"Yeah, it is. But he must have his reasons" she replied. Pirika didn't seem worried at all. She was too preoccupied with the work.

About half an hour had passed since the girls had started her makeup session. Anna has started to get really annoyed. "Isn't this enoght already?" she said through her teeth.

"Just one – more – touch" Pirika said as she and Tamao finished up. "Okay Ms. Anna. Open your eyes!" said Tamao excitedly. Anna slowly raised her eyelids. She gasped. "I-is it… t-too much?" asked Pirika. Anna suddenly smiled. "No it's perfect..." Her voice was… warm? Both girls stared at her in shock. "What?" she said. Her voice was colder now. They two girls smiled. They hurridly threw on their dresse and did their hair. Anna helped them get ready, to an extent. Her head was already spinning. There was only little time left now. She would be a misses in a matter of minutes.

A head poked in the room.

"Ladies, are you ready yet?"

"Almost master Mikihisa!" yelled Pirika from the other side of the room.

"Well, you better hurry up, the ceremony's about to start."

Pirika appeared from behind a couch, jumping up and down while trying to get her shoe on. Tamao and Anna were waiting at the door. Master Mikihisa held his arm out to Anna, and she placed her hand on it.

"Are you ready Anna?" he asked.

Anna just nodded, took a deep breath, and walked out the door.