- Wow, didn't expect to be posting so soon… This is actually not my first Bleach fanfic, but I haven't gotten around to typing it up in my pc (I'm quite fond of writing, but sadly they remain unfinished stories in my old notebooks), so this particular fic would have to do… Thanks for those who cared to review! Hope this chapter is up to your expectations too…
- To star133: you're right… the age 15 IS ridiculously young… But I've seen this movie, and it says that in some Asian countries, it's allowed to marry at that age, provided they have parents' consent on both sides… And, don't worry… There's a reason why I made it that way (ridiculously young, I mean)…
- Scarlett Letter & Niham: thank you for pointing out my mistakes... I appreciate it! :D
Disclaimer: Bleach ain't mine.
THESE SOLEMN VOWS WE MAKE
The Kuchiki manor was uncharacteristically bursting with activities. It was really no wonder, as it rarely held such an important occasion such as today. Normally, the only sounds you'd hear are the opening of the huge front double doors and the scrape of western furnishings as the servants kept the ridiculously huge house in all its impressive glory. Even then, the sounds were muffled by the rich carpet, as if the dead Kuchiki ancestors would turn in their graves if a loud enough sound ever disturbed the dignified peace.
Perhaps now, those spirits were wildly protesting in their resting grounds.
As mentioned earlier, today was a special day. The kitchen staffs were systematically preparing, cooking and placing dishes of exquisite cuisine on the two long oak tables, buffet style. Meanwhile, the security staffs were making their rounds while a variety of classy cars silently cruised their way through the gate and round the driveway.
Kuchiki Byakuya parted the red velvet curtains in his study and settled back into his chair to observe the proceedings below. He adjusted his tie and fiddled with his lapel for a moment before he gave a barely audible sigh.
There was a bit of commotion downstairs, and he could easily pick out the cause. He took deep, calming breaths while he watched the obscenity, err, scene before him. The orange-haired boy was loudly arguing with his father over some matter he couldn't quite make out from the distance. He almost cringed. Rukia – his beloved sister –was going to marry this…kid?
...
Ichigo had a murderous look on his face. Not that it could be distinguished easily from his usual scowl. He kept recalling what his deranged father had confided in him earlier that morning.
"I know that you are inexperienced, but you must not let it show, son!"
He closed his eyes in frustration. "Gee, dad. Please. Just go ahead and shout it to the world what a virgin I am," he bit out sarcastically.
Isshin had an unbelievably wide grin on his face. "Oh, but in just a few hours, you won't be!"
He snapped. He angled his arm a bit, and then hit his idiot of a father smack in the back of his head. "Shut up, idiot dad!"
Rivers of tears seemingly flowed from his eyes. "Oh, Masaki!" he cried out. (At this, he whipped out a good-sized poster of her suspended running form.) "Our son is finally about to join the land of adulthood! I pray that his bride would be satisfied and give us lots of little blessings!"
They were gaining disapproving glares from the rich people around them, and so Ichigo struggled with his temper and satisfied himself by pulling his tie off and wrapping it around his father's shameless mouth.
That shut him up for about ten more seconds.
So now he found himself sitting stiffly on this small cushion seat in the middle of what he could only describe as the 'ceremony room'. In dark amusement, he thought that this room could probably fit his entire house, including the clinic, in it and still have space to spare. That was how filthy rich the Kuchikis were.
The room wasn't nearly filled, despite the fact that he'd seen a lot of cars parked on the grounds of the estate. The fifty or so people dressed in their formal attire, probably brought their own means of transportation without even coupling up or crowding a single vehicle. He glanced behind him at his own family. They had arrived in their old family van earlier, and though they were also dressed formally, one could easily point out that they were hugely out of place here. No matter, he thought. These rich bastards could whine and disapprove all they want, but they weren't the ones about to be married at 15.
He pulled back a sleeve and checked his watch. Damn. What's taking so long? He just wanted to get it done and over with.
Then, as if on cue, the huge double doors slid open, and a small procession found their way in.
Everyone in the room quieted down. Even Isshin seemed to understand that he had to behave for once.
Ichigo found his interest piqued, in spite of his earlier reluctance. Well, who could blame him? It wasn't everyday a man finds himself wedded, after all.
A man with long, white hair and a kindly, handsome face walked in first, wearing white robes with black petal-like patterns on it. He wore an elaborate headdress that Ichigo only saw on books, the type worn by emperors in the ancient days. He took his spot in front of Ichigo, and as his grey eyes met his amber ones, gave him a reassuring smile. He nodded, feeling himself relax for the first time that day.
He turned his attention back to the procession. Two elders walked in, one sporting a single eye-patch, the other leaning on a wooden staff. Okay, so the one with the staff was considerably older, he amended. He had a white beard that reached the floor, and he kept his white robe draped on his shoulders over his black sports coat. The eye-patch guy, on the other hand, had a quirky hair style, inky black in color and hardened to thick spikes on the ends. He had on a neat-looking suit, surprisingly, despite his huge size.
Following closely behind the two was a bubbly-looking girl with pink hair that rivaled his orange top in brightness. Well, that was one fight he would gladly be defeated in, if he had any choice. The kid held a basket tucked under one arm, and she was jubilantly throwing pink petals every which way. One such petal flew in his direction, and he had to blow it off with a deep breath when it landed on his hair.
His gaze skipped through the line and found itself inexplicably drawn to his bride. Strains of soft music reached his ears, and he idly wondered where the musicians were hidden.
At first, he could only make out the white veil that hid her face. As she got closer, he started to notice the rest of her attire. She was also wearing a headpiece like the priest, but decidedly more feminine. It had those gold pins that protruded artfully around her head, holding the veil in place. She had on an expensive-looking white silk kimono, with a light blue obi and gold-embroidered patterns on the edges.
After what felt like an hour, she finally, slowly, took her place by his side, and sat elegantly on the cushion seat prepared for her. Her face was still quite hidden to him, so he had no choice but to stare at her for only a moment more before he finally turned his attention to the priest.
The ceremony lasted for about half an hour, and while he had done his best to answer as required (he had been given a sort of manual so that he could reply in an appropriate manner during the whole thing), he couldn't help but feel like an actor in a play. He didn't like that his own wedding felt so impersonal to him, so he decided to 'improvise' at the last part.
When the head of ceremonies asked for their final vows, instead of just following the script and answering directly, Ichigo turned towards his bride and took a deep breath. He could hear slight murmurs in the background, but he did not let it faze him.
He pulled at her hand, gently, so as to gain her attention. He could almost see her questioning gaze behind the veil. Before he lost his courage, he plunged on.
"Rukia", he began in a strong, clear voice, surprising even himself. Her name on his lips felt almost natural too him, and so he continued with the same calm that he didn't know he could still possess, given the circumstances. "I swear to protect you and your honor, to be your strength and your pillar, to hold you in high regard, and to stay faithful 'till the end of time." He held his breath for a moment, for as he uttered those words, he swore not only to her, but to his soul as well.
Silence. And then, as if the Hands of Time finally decided to move again, she bowed her head and gripped tighter on his hand. He felt himself breathe again.
Her head once more rose to face him, and with her other hand, she parted the veil. Her violet orbs met his, and for a moment he felt like a spirit, floating and pulled in by her stare.
"Ichigo", she said in a manner that echoed his earlier calm tone. "I vow to be the moon that reflects your rays to shine light when you find yourself shrouded in darkness, to be your roof and shelter from the storm, to be the ground that steadies you, and to be your voice of reason. I promise to support you and uphold these vows, for as long as the sun dawns and breaks in the sky."
He was speechless, and grateful that she followed his lead, so he no longer felt like a fool when he realized the weight of what he had done earlier. And as she uttered her vows, he felt an unfamiliar sensation settle in his heart.
Moments later, the priest struck a bell, and the ceremony was over.
He hesitated for a moment, before he gave a chaste peck on her right cheek. He couldn't quite look at her eyes for a while after that.
He was now officially a married man.
...
Byakuya was not an emotional person. Well, he kept his emotions in check and maintained his aloof exterior. But he was driven almost to the edge when the offensive boy veered from the traditional vows and began sprouting his own vows, and he was loath to admit that they were quite agreeable words, even better than the original ones. Hell would freeze over before he'd ever admit it.
Luckily, his sister soon followed and committed the same transgression; as if by doing so, she had also expressed her protest. He almost wondered if they had planned it earlier. But it was impossible, he knew Rukia. And at that moment, he felt a certain pride that she had stood up to him, but still held him in respect by doing nothing more.
He just couldn't say the same thing for the boy. And if Kurosaki Ichigo were ever to break those vows he made to his sister, he'd soon find himself breaking certain parts of his body.
...
Isshin could feel tears start to form behind his eyes. He wasn't a complete fool as most people believed him to be. He actually had in him a very serious nature (yes, as hard as it may seem to believe).
The vows that his beloved son had spoken earlier reminded him of his own vows to Masaki once upon a time, and he was sure that his son meant every word of it. Now, he beheld his newly-acquired daughter, and he felt content. He saw her smile at his daughters, and he could tell that she was a good girl by the way she treated them. She was neither snotty nor elitist, even when she grew up in apparent wealth. Then, he saw his son, and even though his face was turned away, he noticed that his posture always bent slightly, barely noticeably even by Isshin, towards her.
Filled with such fatherly emotions, he hid them behind his usual idiotic mask. As he took picture after picture of the happy occasion, peace settled and took root in his heart.
Yes,he thought with a content sigh, all was right in the world that day.
A/N: You might notice that this chapter hardly contains any dialogues, mostly musings/thoughts by some of the key figures in the story. This is intentional, as I wanted to emphasize the vows. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, and look forward to the next one. I'm really doing my best here.