Keisuke and I arrived at the temple on time. It was time to go join our spouses. Our efforts did not go unrewarded. There were several people there. The mayor and the ever chivalrous Kenji Hinode were in attendance. So was the owner of the shop where Mio-sama and Hinata got their medicine. Yasu was right with him. There was also a couple of members from the refugee camp. There were even people from Gin City that had come here. This was a big showing. Lots of the side branch members came to watch. Goro, Rokuro and Goro were there to represent the main branch. They dragged their parents along. Yukiya and his wife did feel indebted to us for saving 3 of their sons. That was even more prestigous for our standing in the clan. Asahi, Rin and Hibiki were there, of course. The committee had arranged for a very young Shinto priest to preside over the ceremony. That was what we had delegated to Rokuro and Keisuke was helping near the end. An older, more experienced priest would have been better. A Shinto wedding starts with purifications, and the priest offering to the gods.
Hatsuka and Keisuke went first in the procession behind the new priest then it was her family. Next was Fuyumi and I. Her family followed us until we all got to the shrine to begin. That was when we were purified. The priest then offered up his prayers to all the gods. He was a bit shaky. I guess that he was not used to having such a large audience. Once that was done, the bride and groom pairs took three sips of sake from the small, medium, and large cups. It was just as I had researched before. Then the grooms were to read words of commitment to those gathered. As keisuke was in the first position, he had to go first. He was very sincere. He declared all his love for the lovely Hatsuka and swore to hold her above all other women. He said that he would be the one to protect her and give her the home and support she deserved. That was pretty powerful coming from him. And then it was time to let me speak. I cleared my throat and gave the basic wedding vows. It was enough for us. The ceremony ends with the symbolic offerings to all the gods. Many couples exchanged wedding rings.
