Kish yawned and stretched the soreness from his muscles, he had fallen asleep on the veranda and had paid for it. He settled down with a sigh, trying to snuggle with Anzu...but his arms closed around nothing. Slightly panicked he looked around wildly, his expression desperate. Only when he heard the sound of light feminine laughter did he sprint down the stairs, only to find Anzu sitting contently at the table eating breakfast as his mother chatted animatedly with her.

"Oh my goodness, you're going to look so pretty in your unitation dress." she said dreamily.

"Unitation dress?" Anzu said as she took another bite of her breakfast.

"Oh yes, it's tradition for the woman to wear a beautiful white dress made especially for the occasion by her mother."

Anzu's eyes widened at her words, and she looked down at her food crestfallen, her ears drooping.

"Oh dear...where are my manners." Nerin said with a frown. "How about this, since your mother isn't around how about I make your unitation dress?"

Anzu's eyes became huge. "Really? You would do that?"

She smiled. "Of course dear, I've always wanted a daughter...I'd be happy to do it."

Kish chose that moment to step into view.

"Oh good morning Kish." Anzu said, smiling warmly at him.

He felt that painful tug in his chest, he needed to be united...and soon. It was becoming hard to bear.

"I know that look...your father always looks the same way when he needs me." Nerin said. She looked at Anzu. "What do you say we get started on your dress...the sooner the better I always say."

Anzu nodded.

Oh my goodness Anzu...you do have the loveliest figure." Nerin said as she took Anzu's measurements. She smiled in delight. "I'm going to have beautiful grandchildren."

"Grandchildren?" Anzu asked...her eyes wide. She had never really thought about it before...since she was so young.

Nerin giggled. "Oh yes, babies are so darling...so tiny they are. I trust my son will want many children...I see the way he looks at you." she said with a smirk as she stroked Anzu's fox ear. "I must say though...I am curious as to what they'll look like with such a unique mother."

Anzu blinked at the mention of Kish. "Speaking of Kish...where did he go?"

"Umon is getting him ready...just as I am you."

"You mean the father's make the outfits for their sons too?"

"Mhmm."

Kish sighed as his father fastened this fabric and that around his form.

"So, Kish, how many children do you plan on having."

Kish sighed...why did his parents always have to be so nosy. "Eight or nine...maybe more"

Umon nodded. "She looks like a sturdy enough girl. I'll bet you're excited to bed her."

"FATHER!" Kish barked, horrified.

Umon chuckled. "Don't play innocent with me...I'm not blind. You practically drool over her. Even you don't admit it, I know for a fact that you are looking forward to tonight."

Kish rolled his eyes. "Who wouldn't?"

Umon smiled, amused by his son.

"Are you nervous about tonight?" Nerin asked out of nowhere.

"Tonight? What's tonight?" Anzu asked, confused.

"What do you mean what's tonight? Silly girl, tonight you're going to be bedded by my son."

Anzu stared at her, her dark eyes the size of saucers.

Nerin was confused by her expression. "What is that look for? I thought..." her eyes widened at the realization. "Oh...you're not from here. It's part of the tradition to make the unification dress the same day as the unition ceremony."

Anzu swallowed nervously.

"How do these ceremonies work?"

"Well, you walk through the town with your chosen, your clothes informing everyone that you are to be united. They will congratulate you, wish you luck. You will retire to his room, have a nice meal...and then he will pull this here ribbon." she said, indicating the silver ribbon that was wrapped around her form, the piece of fabric that kept the dress together. "And you will be his for the night. When you emerge in the morning you will be officially recognized as united. It really is very romantic." she said with a sigh.

By the time Nerin finished talking, her cheeks were burning. "A-And all that's gonna happen tonight?"

"Mhmm. And then after that, you and Kish will find your own home and start your family. Which, if Kish has his way...will be quite large."

"H-How large?"

"Well...I would say five or six at least."

"That many?"

"I'm not sure...maybe he'll even want more." Nerin said with a smile. "Umon had wanted only one, he had said that he didn't want to share me with a large amount of children. But I think Kish will be the type to want as many children as he can get."

"What makes you think that."

Nerin giggled. "Just a feeling." She smiled. "Now let's finish getting you ready. No time to waste."

Anzu sighed. "No kidding. You found out about my agreeing to be his chosen just this morning."

"Well of course, this is a very serious matter. The sooner the better." she said with a wide smile.

Anzu sighed again. "What have I got myself into?" she thought. Sure...she loved Kish...but she was still so young...not to mention everything was going s ofast. If it didn't have such a strong effect on his health...she probably would have been happy to wait. She sighed once again as she looked into the mirror for the first time. Her brown eyes became enormous. W-Was that really her?

She didn't recognize the reflection as her for a moment...her dress fell so that it only just brushed the ground, the silky white fabric seemed to swirl around her body, over on shoulder and back again. It was gracefully held in place by a pretty silver ribbon and accented by pearly beads. She wore silver bracelets and anklets. And her hair...even though it was short, was pulled up on one side and held in place with a beautiful white flower...she had never seen anything like it. "I-Is that me?"

"Yes, and when Kish sees you in this he'll be a lost man."

Kish sighed as his father finally finished with his attire. He looked in the mirror and he puffed up in pride...he looked pretty dang good if he did say so himself. He wore loose black pants that were wrapped in dark red fabric around his hips. He also wore a simple black vest that went to about the bottom of his rib-cage, leaving most of his torso bare. The garment was embroidered with red silk and he had a red flower fastened to the fabric over the right side of his chest. His hair was left down, without the standard wrapping around the hair on either side of his head.

Just then Nerin came into the room, her face lighting up in delight at the sight of her son. "My oh my, don't you look handsome."

Kish's eyes lit up at the sight of his mother. "Is she ready?" he asked anxiously, walking towards the door.

"Yes, she's a bit nervous so be sure to be gentle with her." Nerin said with a smile and a wink.

With that Kish flashed out of the room and towards his chosen, his gold eyes bright with excitement. When he reached the room where she was he skidded to a halt, his eyes wide.

Anzu turned to look at him, smiling sweetly. "How do I look?"

He was before her in an instant and seized her mouth in a kiss. Before pulling back and smiling at her and taking her hand...thus leading her out into the city...and so the ceremony began.