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Only one more full chapter to go.


The nine remaining Captains of the Gotie 13 filed into the meeting hall. Ukitake took his place in front of the group.

"Good afternoon, everyone." Ukitake greeted them warmly. "As you can probably guess by those absent," he motioned to empty spaces where Soifon and Yoruichi normally stood. "The reason that I have gathered you all here is so we can discuss Yoruichi's impending marriage to Soifon."

All they could do was discuss. As it was noble marriage, none of them had the power to interfere. The only person who really needed to contemplate on the matter was Ukitake, who had to decide whether he was going to recognize the union.

There were two main types of marriages in the Sereitei. The most common were those preformed by the Fourth Division. These carried with them all the legal trappings of marriage and could not be ignored by the Gotie 13.

The second type of marriage was those preformed outside the Gotie 13, such as noble weddings. As nobles had no official authority over the Gotie 13, and vice versa, it was up to the Captain-Commander to decide whether the union would be recognized within the walls of the Sereitei.

The reason Ukitake decided to gather the rest of the Captains was due to the peculiar nature of the marriage in question. It was better to have the voice their opinions in an official setting than to let tempers simmer.

"Hmph." Byakuya scoffed. "I would hardly call the farce that they are planning a wedding."

That's a great way to start the meeting, Ukitake sighed as he ran a tired hand over his face. If he had access to a wall, we would have started pounding his head against it.

"There were those who said the same about you and Hisana." Unohana defended.

"I agree with Kuchiki-taicho." Komamura interjected. "This isn't right! This may not even be legal. It certainly isn't natural!"

"I concur," Mayuri spoke. "What is the point of copulation if procreation is not possible? This whole situation is highly…abnormal."

"Great," Renji rolled his eyes. "We're getting a lecture on what's normal from a giant talking dog and a goo man."

"What did you say!" Komamura barked. The only thing keeping him from lunging at Renji, who looked terrified, was Hisagi. It was a largely symbolic gesture, given their relative sizes.

"People, people," Shunsui raised his hands, motioning for everyone to stop. "We live in a dangerous world, where life can be snatched away at any moment. Can't we just be happy that two people found happiness in each other and let them enjoy it?"

"What type of precedent dose this set?" Byakua retorted, unmoved.

"If we allow them to go through with this," Komamura growled. "Then others like them will demand the same privilege."

"There's nothing to allow," Hitsugaya spoke. "The most we can do is tell them that we don't approve. This is a noble affair; we have no authority over it."

"Still, Soifon and Yoruichi seem to respect this institution. If the majority expresses their displeasure, I'm sure they would honor our wishes." Hisagi said calmly.

"What right do we have to interfere?" Unohana asked.

"What right do they have to upset the natural order of things?" Mayuri countered. The discussion degraded quickly from there. The fact that two of their comrades would soon be married to each other was lost under the shouting matches.

"Hehe," Kenpachi laughed. The room fell silent.

"Care to share?" Shunsui asked.

"It's just funny to me how far up your own asses all of your heads are." Kenpachi sneered.

Ukitake realized at that moment that it sometimes takes a madman to put things in perspective. The people arguing over "morality" and "decency" didn't actually care about who they were arguing about. It was just another political proxy battle.

Ukitake also realized at that moment just how much he hated his new job.


Yoruichi stepped out of the Senkaimon and onto the streets of Karakura. It took her a moment to get her bearings, but she quickly oriented herself and started making her way towards the town's premier candy shop.

It was always a bit surreal, walking the streets of the World of the Living while in spirit form. Most didn't even realize she was there, but a few glanced awkwardly in her direction.

Yoruichi passed a few patrolling Shinigami on her way and retuned their salutes. Even though there hadn't been a major incident in Karakura since the War, the Gotie 13 still hadn't stepped down their presence. They were taking a "better safe than sorry" approach.

Yoruichi turned the corner and spotted Urahara Shoten. Outside, Ururu and Jinta were playing while Tessai swept.

"Yoruichi?" Tessai asked in disbelief as he looked up from his work.

"Hey," Yoruichi waved sheepishly. They exchanged pleasantries for a few moments.

"It's good to see you again." Yoruichi smiled. "Where Kiuske?"

"Urahara is in his workshop." Tessai rested his broom on the wall. "I'll go get him."

"That won't be necessary." Yoruichi smiled devilishly. Silently, Yoruichi crept into the Shoten. Without making a sound, she opened the door to Urahara's workshop. Staring down the dimly lit stare case, she inhaled deeply.

"KIUSKE! GET OUT HERE!" Yoruichi yelled as loudly as she could. Her hail was followed by the sound of breaking glass and falling objects. Then there was a loud bang followed by several shrill screams and the sound of more things being knocked over. Eventually, the commotion died and Urahara emerged from the shadows.

"I don't know whether I should hug you or punch you." Urahara greeted his old friend.

"Why you would want to punch this pretty face?" Yoruichi drew an invisible circle around her head.

"I was in the middle of something very delicate," Urahara held up his right sleeve, which was singed and charred, "And combustible."

"You can just brush that off." Yoruichi patted the fabric, but Urahara screamed and pulled his hand back.

"Watch it! There's burnt skin underneath." Urahara retrieved the first aid kit and rubbed the burn with ointment, wrapping it with gauzes.

"So, what brings you here?" Urahara asked.

"I need a reason to visit you?" Yoruichi sounded hurt.

"You're Miss Big-and-important-Captain now, I can't be too careful." Urahara took a seat at the tea table and poured them some tea. "So, how's life as a Captain again?"

"A lot easier than I remember it." Yoruichi sipped the beverage. "I don't have a lieutenant yet, but things are a lot less stressful when you only have one Division to keep track of."

"I have to say," Urahara leaned back on his hand, but quickly sat back up when he realized he leaned on his newly burnt arm. "I didn't really expect to see you again anytime soon, with work and Soifon and all…"

"Kuiske," Yoruichi chided, "Soi may be my fiancée, but you're my best friend. I'll always make time for you, you know that."

"I know," Urahara fanned himself, "but it's nice to hear every once in a while." Then, Urahara realized what Yoruichi just said. "Wait, fiancée!" Yoruichi smiled and nodded, raising her left hand so he could see the ring.

"Is this the real deal or one of those pretend marriages that gay couples do for symbolic and sentimental value?" Urahara asked.

"It real." Yoruichi explained the situation to Urahara.

"Now I know I should hug you!" Urahara lunged towards her, but stopped mid way. "I can still hug you, right?"

"Why wouldn't you be able to?" Yoruichi asked.

"The last thing I want is a pissed off Soifon after me." Urahara looked around the room, as if she were present.

"Then it will be our secret." Urahara pulled Yoruichi into a vice like hug, picking her up and swinging her around, all the while squealing in delight.

"Honestly, you're such a girl sometimes." Yoruichi said as he put her down.

"I'm just man enough to be in touch with my feminine side." Urahara fanned himself.

"Suuuure." Yoruichi said sarcastically as they both retook their seats.

"Marriage, huh." Urahara said solemnly. "Who'da thunk it?"

"I know." Yoruichi ran her thumb over the metal band, as it to reaffirm that it was real.

"Is there some day that I should set aside or are us commoners not allowed to noble weddings?" Urahara asked.

"It's two months from Thursday." Yoruichi replied. "And of course you're invited."

"Great, wouldn't miss it for the world." As much as it would pain Urahara to see the woman he loved get married to someone that wasn't him, he would be remiss of him to miss his best friend's wedding.


Soifon walked down the hallway towards the monthly Shinigami Women's Association meeting. It was the first meeting since her and Yoruichi's engagement, so she wasn't quite sure what she should expect. Cautiously, Soifon opened the door and stepped over the threshold.

"OhmygodohmygodohmygodohmyGOD!" The wind was knocked out of Soifon's lungs by a crushing hung from a very excited Rangiku Matsumoto.

"Would you put her down?" Nanao scolded.

"Oh, sorry." Rangiku released Soifon, who took a few deep breaths. "I'm sooooo happy for you!" Rangiku smiled, her hands clasped, bouncing from one foot to the other.

"Uhh…thanks." Soifon responded awkwardly. She looked around and found that she had beaten Yoruichi to the meeting, for once.

"So, when's the big day?" Rangiku asked excitedly.

"August 24." Soifon answered. "And your all invited." As much as Soifon hated to admit it, the Women's assosiaction was the only group of people she would venture to call her friends.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to get away from the work my Captain should be doing." Nanao replied.

"I would be honored to attended." Unohana smiled warmly from her seat.

"So soon!" Rangiku asked. "That's not enough time to plan you a bachelorette party!"

"A what?" Soifon asked intrepidly.

"You know, your last hurrah before you settle down." Matsumoto took a seat. "But how do you throw a bachelorette party for a lesbian?"

"I'd imagine the same way you would for a heterosexual woman." Nanao answered, uninformed on the practice.

"That's what I was thinking at first, but we can't do strippers like normal." Rangiku lamented.

"S…strippers?" Soifon asked, mortified.

"If we got you a girl stripper, you'd be the only one having a good time, the rest of us would have to sit around awkwardly. If we got a guy stripper, we'd be leaving you out. If we got both, then we'd be with the guy while you were with the girl, and a bachelorette party is supposed to be a bonding experience." Rangiku huffed.

"So don't get her a stripper." Nanao replied pragmatically.

"But it's not a bachelorette party without a stripper, or strippers." Rangiku's head snapped to the door, where Yoruichi was entering. Faster than Soifon had ever seen the woman move before, she sprung on the caramel skinned Goddess.

"OhmygodohmygodohmygodohmyGOD!" Rangiku squealed as Soifon sighed and shook her head.


"Ya dumb broad!" Kukaku shouted at Yoruichi as she entered the room. "You waited all this time to come and see me?"

"I'm a Captain again, I don't exactly have a ton of free time." Yoruichi half-lied as she took a seat across from her old friend. The truth was that visiting Kukaku was always an ordeal of some sorts.

"So, to what do I owe this honor?" Kukaku laughed as she drank her sake. She didn't offer Yoruichi any. Yoruichi had made her drinking policy very clear with Kukaku after the last time they drank together.

"Well," Yoruichi searched for the words. "I'm getting married pretty soon, and I want you to be there."

"Married!" Kukaku spat out her sake. "To who!"

"Soi, who else do you think?" Yoruichi asked.

"You can do that now?" Kukaku refilled her glass.

"The Fons are making an exception for Soi." Yoruichi explained. "So, will you be there?"

"Ehhh," Kukaku cringed.

"What do you mean ehh?" Yoruichi asked, slightly perturb.

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that." Kukaku replied.

"Comfortable with what?" Yoruichi asked, getting more irritated by the minute.

"Seeing two women get married." Kukaku answered matter-of-factly.

"Are you serious?" Yoruichi asked in disbelief. "You joked to me about me being gay before I even had a chance to tell you!" Yoruichi growled, referring to the night that led to Soifon being relieved of her duty for a brief period of time.

"That was different." Kukaku defended.

"How? I wasn't any less gay then!" Yoruichi put her hands on her hips.

"But I didn't have to see it then." Kukaku replied.

"You've got to be kidding me." Yoruichi shock her head. "I went to Kaien's funeral for you and you won't go to my wedding because it makes you uncomfortable?"

"How dare you compare Kaien's death to this!" Kukaku pointed angrily. "That was a completely different situation…"

"Damn right it was different!" Yoruichi cut Kukaku off. "There were people looking for me then, trying to kill me, and I still made it there because I knew you needed me." Yoruichi stood up. "You know what? Forget it…." Yoruichi stormed out of the room.

Kukaku sat in silence for a few moments, watching the liquid in the cup that she was holding slosh back and forth as she swirled the tiny cup. Then, she hurled the clay cup as the wall, screaming as she did.