"Hikari Matsuri" translates to "Light Festival".

Welcome to the first chapter of my newest multi-chapter fic! The plot surrounding this story is a celebration held for the completion of the rebuilding in Soul Society, as well as some new characters who have supposedly taken up the missing spots in the Gotei 13!

Enjoy this tale of happiness and celebration after a full year of war!

(This takes place after Aizen has been defeated and all his subordinates arrested or killed.)

Day 0: Preparation

Rukia stretched and yawned, somewhat bored. She sat on the porch step of the Kuchiki Manor, enjoying the fresh air and relaxing. Since Aizen had been defeated, and Soul Society completely rebuilt, there had been less and less to do until the best entertainment became watching grass die and doing paperwork.

Ichigo stood beside her, shading his eyes from the sun with his arm. Rukia had invited him over so there would be at least something to do.

He as well was maybe even literally going insane from having nothing to do. Her orange haired companion had grown taller and leaner, and it became tougher to look him in the eye. This made his shorter ally a little edgy.

Orihime had abandoned her feelings for Ichigo a little while into the war. She had confessed with no luck, but immediately went back to being her usual ray of sunshine after a pep talk with Tatsuki. Ishida had taken a liking to her and they were moving slowly but surely. It made Rukia happy when Orihime was okay with Ichigo's decision. At least she wasn't depressed and was actually enjoying her time with her friends again.

Of course, there had been a short term denial and sadness, but that was normal with the situation.

The girl was currently in the Squad 4 Barracks helping out with random tasks to free her mind of her own boredom.

Chad had returned to the real world and had been taking care of the hollows there. Ichigo, Orihime, and Ishida wanted to spend time in Soul Society, and therefore stayed.

Rukia was here anyway. Bonus.

And in other parts of Soul Society, Nanao Ise was slamming a hardcover book with about 2000 pages onto her Captain, the drunkard Kyoraku Shunsui.

"Baka! You were supposed to finish that stack of paperwork 3 weeks ago!" she fumed, continuously hitting him.

He only grinned at her slightly and replied, "I was busy."

Nanao frowned. "Drinking again? You need to do your work before you laze around, Taichou."

He patted her head, which didn't really help at all. "Nanao-chan, don't worry about it."

She growled and hit him again. "I really need a more on-task Captain. Maybe then I would actually get some work done around here."

Kyoraku chuckled. "You're not getting out of my sight. Silly Nanao-chan!"

Nanao frowned and walked away. "I need to deliver something to Kuchiki Rukia-san real quick. You better be working when I get back."

Kyoraku waved his hand in acknowledgement and fell asleep.

Nanao growled again and stomped off.

Kuchiki Byakuya stood in his office, glaring down at his new pet. The puppy had been given by a member of another noble clan, and therefore he had to accept it. But that wasn't the worst part. The dog, officially named Pochi by Rukia, was a Shiba Inu that began to get in the way of his peaceful relaxation time. Whether it be an "accident" or loud barking, the pup always found a way to disturb him. It made him want to shoot it down with Senbonzakura, but even he was more dignified than that.

"Pochi, Byakuya-san is busy right now." He attempted.

The dog looked up at him, sniffed his bookcase, and padded around the room, squeaking when he found something interesting, like a piece of lint.

Byakuya sighed and stood there, watching his dog Pochi.

Ichigo plopped himself down on the porch. Rukia looked up at the sudden movement. He grinned. "I hear they're planning a celebration for the victory and the completion of rebuilding Soul Society. Sounds like fun, huh?"

Rukia nodded. "This was originally planned right before the war began, but we didn't know how long it would last, so we held it off and changed it to an end of the war celebration. I'm not sure when it is, though."

Her friend still smiled. "Oh, but I do."

Rukia looked surprised. "Really? How did you find out?"

Ichigo chuckled. "I helped plan it."

She obtained a curious glance. "I see."

Ichigo stretched and breathed in deeply. "It's nice to have some time to relax."

Rukia nodded and smiled softly, looking at the sky.

Suddenly, Nanao Ise rushed over to the two. "I need to speak with you, Kuchiki-san! It's urgent!"

Rukia got up and followed her, but not before pecking Ichigo on the cheek. He winked to show that he knew she was going, and Rukia turned back to the Vice Captain when they were out of sight.

Nanao smiled. "How's Ichigo?"

Rukia blushed and looked away. "He's fine."

Nanao rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that. All of Soul Society knows you two are lovebirds, and that Ichigo's grandfather, His Majesty of Soul Society, has you set up for an engagement. He's your fiancé."

Rukia stared at her, then at the glittering ring on her finger. "How did you know that?"

Nanao winked. "I have my ways. Now, on to the part I came for."

She pulled out a gold box about the size of her hand, and gave it to Rukia.

"Don't open this until I say so directly to you. Let no one know you have it."

"Because?" Rukia asked, confused.

Nanao didn't respond, only waved and rushed away. Rukia took a seat by Ichigo again.

"All of Soul Society knows." Rukia quickly slipped the box into her kimono and looked at Ichigo, waiting for his response.

He only ruffled her hair. "No problem. They were bound to find out eventually."

She nodded, her face a light pink. Ichigo contentedly looked into the distance. Rukia smiled and followed his example, keeping the secret of the box until Nanao came to tell her otherwise.

Meanwhile, Yachiru was grinning and pulling fireworks out of a box.

"This is going to be fun!"