Chapter 1

Naoto let out a ragged breath as she looked in the mirror. Her nerves were through the roof. She had no idea why she would be this nervous. She had been dating Kanji for four years now, and engaged for two. Certainly this wasn't that big of a change, so why did she feel like her insides were churning? She looked away from the mirror. That was definitely making it worse. She knew that she looked good, but not really quite like herself. Maybe letting Rise-san apply her makeup was a mistake. And yet… it certainly went well with today's outfit.

Naoto had chosen it herself. She wanted a say in what she looked like today. It was important - maybe even vital - that it was her choice. So she looked at a million different patterns and fabrics before asking Tatsumi-san to make her exactly what she wanted. She turned back to the mirror with a sigh. The satin, strapless gown plunged moderately, but not too low. The rest of the dress tapered down her slim legs, with long slits up the sides. There would be no all white tradition for her, because she wasn't that kind of girl. She had chosen a buttery, cream color instead. She had swapped her usual necklace, Kanji's old bullet, for the sapphire he had given her for their last anniversary. It complemented her blue-grey eyes nicely. It was the only piece of jewelry she wore today. In a half hour, she would have her rings. That was all Naoto needed.

She blushed a little when she remembered the underclothes Rise-san had forced her to wear. A cream colored lace bra and panties. To Naoto's objection, she also insisted that she keep one tradition, and slipped a deep blue lace garter up her leg. She was never going to understand the ridiculous, uncomfortable things females felt the need to wear for "tradition". She did however choose the tallest pair of heels she could manage to walk on. Kanji was so tall. She thought it would make the whole "kiss the bride" part a little bit easier if she wasn't as incredibly short in comparison. The shoes were dark blue. It was apparent that Rise-san had chosen the garter to match them. Naoto blushed again thinking about it. This was going to be an incredibly embarrassing display.

There was a soft knock, and Yukiko-san poked her head in. "Are you ready, Naoto-kun?" she asked. Naoto looked at her and then back at the mirror. She took a deep breath.

"Yes. Yes, I'm ready." She grabbed her bouquet, and tucked a blue lily behind her ear. She followed her friend out into the hallway, where Rise-san and Chie-san were waiting. The other girls were all dressed in shorter, light blue satin dresses. Naoto hesitated a little in the doorway, feeling a bit lightheaded.

"Hey, Naoto-kun," Chie encouraged. "We should get going. Kanji-kun is waiting for you down there. You don't want to be late!" Naoto nodded. Chie-san was right. She wouldn't keep Kanji waiting. He had to be at least as nervous as she was.

"In that case," Naoto said, "we should hurry." The other girls smiled and giggled.

"Don't worry, Naoto-kun. Kanji isn't going anywhere without you," Rise reassured her.