Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King or its characters.
"Omigosh, I can't believe this is it!" Tamao shouted gleefully as she helped Anna into her pure white wedding dress. Anna sat down, admiring proudly at her image.
"Yes, it truly is." Anna said softly.
"Are you nervous?" Pirika asked, as she had already gotten ready. Apparently, she was more worried than Anna was. She had awoken first out of the whole household and gotten ready in a jiffy. By the time everyone had awoken, Pirika was already to go. Dressed in fine blue silk, she looked simply heavenly. She had taken away her Ainu bandana for such an occasion and even put her hair in small buns.
"Anna-chan, aren't you nervous?" Pirika asked as she twiddled her fingers.
"To tell you the truth, I am." Anna admitted as she smiled. A knock on the door was heard. Pirika went to get it as Tamao and Jeanne did Anna's hair.
"Yes?" She said. It was Yoh, waiting anxiously.
"Hey, no sneak peeks." Pirika ordered Yoh and stepped out and shut the door.
"Aw…Pirika-chan! When is Anna done?" Yoh pleaded. Pirika shook her head.
"No, the groom cannot see the bride until we get to the church." Pirika ordered strictly. Yoh nodded, knowing it was pointless to argue with her.
"So, who's the best man?" Pirika asked as she walked down the hall.
"Ren." Yoh replied coolly. Pirika stopped and froze and then she slowly turned around, completely shocked.
"W-What?" Pirika exclaimed. Yoh smiled and went away. Pirika sank back on the wall for support. 'Hey, at least you'll get to dance with him, and then you'll get to talk, right? This is what you wanted. But how come you're so scared? Omigosh this is going too fast!' Pirika said as she felt her heart rushing like mad. She felt sick to her stomach and dizzy. But she knew one thing; she can't get out of this mess. She then heard the doorbell ring. She walked over to the front door and opened.
"Hi." She said but left the door. She wasn't feeling so well. She dragged her feet to the living room and held onto the couch for support. She shook her head, trying to breathe correctly let alone think. Hands clasped her shoulders.
"Pirika-chan, are you all right?" she heard Tamao say. She turned her head wearily and managed her best smile.
"Yeah." Pirika said.
"Well, Ren-kun is here. We're ready to go." Tamao informed her. Pirika's spine tingled with the mention of his name. Pirika nodded and took small breaths and walked outside. People were already waiting outside. There were two cars parked outside. Some of the boys, including Ren were waiting near their car. Pirika walked down the stairs calmly, purposely ignoring Ren's eye.
Ren turned his head and saw the Ainu walking down the stairs with her head down. He followed her with his eyes, at the same time taking in her magnificent beauty. But all the way to the car, she wouldn't lift up her head to acknowledge his presence. Anna came out with Tamao and Jeanne and quickly piled into the car, while the boys started into the other.
Pirika started the engine and turned to the back. Anna and Tamao sat quietly, yet she could tell that Anna was worried like crazy.
"Tamao-chan, did you pack the food?" Anna asked. Tamao nodded and checked the trunk just in case.
"Okay, ready to go?" Pirika asked. Anna took a deep breath and nodded. Tamao gave her thumbs up and Pirika pulled out of the driveway. The boys' car followed shortly. From the rear view mirror, Pirika could tell that Yoh was driving, but Ren was sitting at the passenger's seat. She stared at the mirror with pursed lips. What was she going to do? She kept on staring into his eyes, his golden yellow eyes that always did capture her.
"Pirika-chan?" She heard Tamao say in the back. She looked at the light and saw it was green.
"Oops. I guess I didn't get much sleep." Pirika said sheepishly, yet the girls knew the reason why she didn't get much sleep.
When they arrived at the church, they found Chocolove and the rest of the gang already there, eagerly waiting for the bride and groom. They parked their cars and Anna walked out. Yoh was by her side in a second, escorting her up the church steps. Lyserg, Milly, Chocolove, Faust and Ryo along with short little Manta waiting at the top of the steps.
"Congratulations Yoh!" Lyserg said first and shook his friend's hand. Yoh thanked him and also congratulated his friend also on his wedding. Everyone walked into the massive church. Guests were already arriving. Pirika opened up the trunk and grabbed her shawl. She walked to catch up with the others, purposely ignoring Ren, who had been waiting for her. Ren felt his heart drop, but followed after her and the others.
As soon as most of the invited guests had arrived and the time has come, Anna and her bridesmaids all walked out of the dressing room, all pretty and nervous. Anna returned quickly to her eager husband-to be as everyone paired up with their respectable partners. Pirika watched as Tamao and her brother happily linked arms, as they exchanged happy smiles. She felt so out of place as everyone happily partnered up with their counterparts. She stood there all alone, turning around and smiling polite smiles to everyone she had made contact with. Pirika searched the room for her own partner, though not very happy about it. She wanted to get through this as quickly as possible. Ren leaned on a table away from the bustling crowd, but watching Pirika carefully. Her features were so naïve, so childish, yet he loved them. He loved her angelic innocence and freedom only a child could muster, only Pirika could muster. Only his Pirika could have.
"Hello Pirika-chan. Did you find your partner yet?" Jeanne said to Pirika as she stumbled upon her.
"No, but I know who he is. Have you seen Ren-kun?" Pirika asked. Jeanne shook her head.
"Who's your partner?" Pirika asked out of curiosity.
"Hao-kun. Out of all the men, I have to be stuck with him." Jeanne said with a grin.
"Well, there aren't a lot of men to choose from. Onii-chan is already taken by Tamao-chan; Lyserg-kun is already taken by Milly-chan; Ryo-kun and Chocolove already were assigned partners from who knows where; and obviously Yoh-kun is taken by Anna-chan." Pirika stated as she pointed out everyone.
"Well, what about Ren-kun? He's not taken by anyone yet." Jeanne asked. Pirika thought about this carefully, unsure of how to answer this.
"True, but I don't know. It's all Anna-chan's and Yoh-kun's doings."
Pirika said, searching around the room. Jeanne said her good-bye as she saw Hao gesturing to her.
Pirika found who she was looking for, and immediately got a tingling in her spine as soon as she spotted his warm fiery eyes staring directly at her. She instantly dropped the gaze, feeling the warmth come upon her cheeks. 'Don't you dare forget what he said to you four years ago, along with what he had to say when he stole your first kiss. Don't you dare, Pirika, because if you do, you're doomed for eternity.' She pepped herself as she walked through the crowd. 'But don't you remember what you said the other day? You know how much you love him and still love him; don't deny what your heart says. If this denial continues, you'll probably miss your chance…' Pirika argued as she felt she had a devil and angel situation on her shoulders. She bit her lip, knowing all too well that the angel was correct.
Ren was all too busy in his own thoughts about Pirika, but soon felt eyes on him. He looked up and realized her eyes were on him. He saw her drop her eyes and made her way towards him. The ceremony was about to begin. He straightened himself.
"Hey." Pirika said quietly. Ren looked at her.
"Are you ready?" He asked. She nodded slightly. He went around by her side and grabbed her arm.
"Then let's go. Everyone's starting to line up." Ren stated. Pirika nodded. They got in their positions, between Horo Horo and Tamao and Yoh and Anna. Ren slipped her arm through his arm, linking the two. Ren suddenly felt Pirika's uneasiness, and he tried his best to calm her. But what was on Pirika's mind was not that the two were linking arms, everyone was doing that. She frowned as she saw Tamao, who was in front of her, look back at the two and whispered to her brother, who frowned but nodded. Pirika had also heard Anna, who was behind her, say her name a couple of times.
"Do you get the feeling that they partnered us up?" Pirika said quietly to Ren.
"Yes, but I'm just fine with you as my partner." Ren said coolly, deserving a blush from Pirika. She remained silent, eagerly waiting for the organ to start playing.