Disclaimer: Bleach does not belong to me.

Chapter 2: The Wedding

It seems that everything is fast paced. A few weeks ago, he got engaged to a girl he doesn't know. Yes, she's indeed a beauty but he does not know anything about her besides the fact that she's rich. And now, he's getting married. Wow!

Everything seems surreal. Who would have thought that within a month – or probably less – everything will be settled? On the first week, he got engaged with one of the daughters of Kurosaki. The second and third week were used in preparing for the momentous wedding. The fourth week is to check if everything's ok and today, he's getting married. Gee how fast paced is that?

According to his father, it's normal to be nervous on his wedding day. He may be nervous but it's not because he's about to get married. His nervousness is caused by the fact that he does not know how to face his love, Momo.

Toushirou is in deep thought that is why he never realizes that there is someone knocking on the door.

knock knock

No response.

knock knock

Still no response.

knock knock

"Shirou-chan… it's me."

Upon hearing her voice, Toushirou came to his senses. Finally, he's conscious of what's happening in reality because Momo called him. How he loved her soft voice calling him "Shirou-chan". Indeed it's a pet name, but he does not care. It is Momo we're talking about.

knock knock

"Shirou-chan, are you in there?"

Dang! He forgot that she's waiting for him. Just by hearing her voice he seems to reach the 7th heaven.

He opened the door and saw his beloved. He wanted to hug her as tight as he can but he decided not to. If he does that, their separation would be more fatal. So he decides to act normal.

"Come in."

Momo followed in. Her usual cheery atmosphere is gone. Her expression is blank but her eyes are swollen. It's as if she had cried buckets of tears before she went to see him.

"Shirou-chan"

"Momo"

They said in unison. Both are shocked and do not know what to do. Indeed, the atmosphere is eerie. To clear the atmosphere, Toshirou decided to play brave and he tried to start a conversation.

"So, what's up?"

"…"

By hearing his voice, all her defenses came down. She came to greet him beforehand but now that she heard his voice, she cannot do it. It's as if she's willing to do the impossible just to hear the same voice over and over.

Momo tried to respond but she failed. Also, tears came running down her cheeks. She definitely cannot greet him. Moreover, she's not ready to part ways with him. She cannot accept the fact that he's getting married with some woman. She loved this man with all her might and it's hard to accept the fact that fate played with them and they cannot end up together.

Toshirou is startled. He does not know what to do. The last thing he wanted to see in his lifetime is a crying Momo. And the only thing he can do right now is to offer his pair of strong arms and let her cry onto him.

Momo cried with her heart out. While Toshirou, on the other hand, is comforting her by never letting her go.

"I only belong in your arms Shirou-chan."

"…"

"I… I… I came here to greet you but I just can't do it. I'm sorry." Momo paused and hugged Toushirou and on his chest she whispered, "I love you Toushirou… and I will always will."

She looked up at him and grins. Then she said, "I hope that we can be like this… forever."

Though Toshirou is shocked from what he heard, he smiled sweetly and said, "Yes. I want to be like this – with you – forever."

The two spent the remaining time in each others' arms. Unfortunately, they have to separate when they heard a knock.

knock knock

"Toshirou it's me. The wedding will start in 10 minutes."

After saying those words, the man left.

Toshirou and Momo untangled themselves from each other. The final moment has come. The moment wherein Toshirou and his wife will promise that they will love each other eternally. The moment wherein they will promise that they will be together for better or for worse. The moment wherein two strangers will become one in the eyes of God.

"Go…"

Toshirou just nodded in response and left the room. He does not have enough courage to face her now.

There are about 500 guests on the wedding. Only the closest friends of both families are invited besides the relatives. The two families agreed that it's best to keep the wedding in private. Though that's the case, a lot of money has been spent on this wedding. The whole church is decorated with pink and white flowers. There are rumors that the flowers were import from foreign countries. Also, the wedding gown is worth fortune. The entourage is designed and made by a famous designer. Though the family of the bride does not wish to discuss the details about the wedding, it is obvious that they've spent a lot on this.

Everybody rose when the bride entered the church. She's indeed a beauty. She's smiling but her eyes seem sad. No matter how gorgeous she looks, it still cannot hide the fact that her heart is not into this. And as she gracefully walks to the altar to meet the man waiting for him, she tries not to cry. She doesn't want to ruin this moment… for her family.

Their eyes met and so are their hands. And they walk to the altar together.

While the wedding ceremony is going one, the soon-to-be married couple is thinking of different things. Toshirou first thought of Karin – admiring how beautiful she looks today. Though he had only seen her a couple of times already, she never fails to amaze and fascinate him with her beauty.

Karin, on the other hand, is in deep thought though it's as if she's listening intently to what the priest is saying. She obviously does not want this. She wants to get married to the man she loves, though there's no man that she's in live with right now. But she knew for sure that the right time will come for her to find her man. Unfortunately, she cannot find him now since she's bound to be with this guy for eternity. She admits that he's handsome but she doesn't want to get married to a man who's only handsome. She wants to marry a man whom she's deeply in love with…

And now is the time for the wedding pledge.

"Karin Kurosaki, do you take Toshirou Hitsugaya to be your wedded husband, and in the presence of these witnesses do you vow that you will do everything in your power to make your love for him a growing part of your life? Will you stand by him in sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, and will you shun all others and keep yourself to him alone as long as you both shall live?"

"Yes father, I do."

"Toshirou Hitsugara, do you take Karin Kurosaki to be your wedded wife, and in the presence of these witnesses do you vow that you will do everything in your power to make your love for him a growing part of your life? Will you stand by him in sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, and will you shun all others and keep yourself to her alone as long as you both shall live?"

"Yes father, I do".

The witnesses of the Kurosaki-Hitsugaya wedding are asked to take a seat while the bride and the groom are going to exchange their wedding vows.

"I love you Toshirou as I love no other.

All that I am I share with you. I take you to be my husband through health and sickness, through plenty and want, through joy and sorrow, now and forever."

"I, Toshirou Hitsugaya, take you, Karin Kurosaki, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death do us part."

After their exchange of wedding vows, the two exchange rings and the candle has been lit. And finally, the pronouncement of their wedding.

"Now that Karin Kurosaki and Toshirou Hitsugaya have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged, I now pronounce them husband and wife."

"You may now kiss the bride."

Their lips met while the crowd are clapping their hands.

I still have the same plot in mind but I decided to re-write the story.

Reviews and criticisms are much appreciated.