Okay, now that I am at one story, I can finish up this one before starting on the others…. . I am looking at completing this story very soon so that I can start a new project… I do not own Bleach, cause if I did… ooooooooo boy! ha ha ha ha ha!
Historically, Japanese wedding ceremonies were performed in Shinto Shrines. Many of Japan's wedding sites, therefore, provide shrines for couples who want to follow Japanese wedding traditions. In this case, the Kuchki manor was set up to resemble this Shrine and opened up for the 13 court guard squads' captains and lieutenants, and some outsiders. Rukia paced anxiously in her room for Yoruichi and the dressing maids to start preparing her. She could see a few people showing up and grew even more anxious.
"Ugh… I hate being nervous…" she growled to herself.
"Then don't be…" Yoruichi's voice suddenly appeared.
The two little old ladies came in and began working on Rukia's kimono and her make up.
They painted her pure white from head to toe, visibly declaring her maiden status to the gods. She was then put in a white kimono and an elaborate headpiece, covered with many ornaments, to invite good luck to the happy couple. A white hood is attached to the kimono, which she will wear like a veil. She looked in the mirror and smiled…
"Wow…" she breathed.
"What's wrong, Rukia?" Yoruichi asked, coming from behind her.
Rukia shook her head and looked down, "I didn't think I would be this scared…"
Yoruichi smiled and patted her head, "You have nothing to worry about… you will do great..."
Rukia smiled and looked back up to the mirror and took a deep breath. She turned to Yoruichi and grinned, "Let's do this…"
Byakuya waited anxiously at the altar with the priest. He stood dressed in his wedding kimono, which is a combination of a montsuki kimono and a short haori overcoat with pleated hakama pants. Montsuki kimonos are used for ceremonies and special occasions which bears the family crest on both the front and back of the kimono. The kimono is full length and is tucked into the hakama pants. A matching haori overcoat is then worn over the kimono to complete the attire. His hands shook slightly as he started to become nervous. His eyes scanned over at the faces of their guests and he had to sigh inwardly.
"Rukia… any day now…" he said in his mind.
With in a matter of seconds from saying that, his eyes locked on the beautiful sight before him. She looked like a geisha, only dressed in white. Her eyes seemed to stand out more by her kimono and he felt his heart start a slower rhythm. She locked her eyes on him in his ceremonial wedding kimono and blushed. Deep inside she still couldn't believe she was about to marry him. Each step she took seemed like and eternity to get there.
Finally at his side, she took his hand and smiled. The priest opened his book and raised his hands, indicating for them to kneel. While they exchanged their wedding vows, their families and friends face each other, instead of the couple getting married. The sharing of sake is one of the oldest traditional Japanese wedding ceremonial customs, dating back to the 8th century. The sharing or toast of sake symbolizes a formal bond between the bride and groom.
The exquisite miniature sized sake set consists of three flat cups escalating in size. Starting with the smallest of the three cups, he leads by taking three sips and then Rukia. They then proceeded to the middle size and then to the large. At the conclusion of the sake toast ceremony, both families drank a cup of sake to signify not only the union of the bride and groom but the unity of two families. This beautiful custom is called San San Ku Do, which means "three sets of three sips equals nine".
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For the wedding reception, the new bride changed into a red kimono and again later into a western-style gown. The wedding party and invited guests engaged in games, skits and karaoke during the wedding reception. Guests were expected to offer the couple goshugi - money - in a festive envelope either before or after the wedding ceremony, but being a Kuchki wedding, money gifts were not accepted.
Rukia sat in the garden bench as the party went on. She looked down at her finger and smiled at the wedding ring slipped on her finger earlier.
"That diamond doesn't compare to how beautiful you looked tonight…" a low, husky voice said.
Rukia smiled and closed her eyes, "Yeah, but my husband has no idea what he got himself into…"
Byakuya slipped in the spot next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Oh is that so?"
Rukia smiled as he placed a kiss on her head, "So now that we are married, what's to come?"
He looked off into the pond and sighed. He knew she wanted to go back and try out singing at the open mic night, but he was afraid that she might end up becoming the next big thing. If that were to happen, she would probably never want to come back to the Soul Society again. In the living world, there was suffering, sickness, pain and he just wasn't ready to go through that. Not when they could have a life time together and never worry about dying. In his heart however, he wanted her to be happy and try something out that she might be good at, even if that meant living back in Karukura Town again.
"Whatever you desire…" he finally answered.
Rukia looked over at him and smiled again, "You're afraid aren't you?"
He was slightly stunned by her picking up on his thoughts. Byakuya leaned over and kissed her nose.
"We haven't even been married more than a day and you've already figured me out."
"Well, I have been around you long enough to know you better than anyone else." she boasted.
Byakuya chuckled lightly and nodded, "Even better than her…"
She blushed and looked back at the pond, "I just want to try it out…" she changed the subject, "Just to see if I am actually capable of becoming something."
He decided not to reply. Giving a nod, he brought his other arm over and around her and pulled her into a gentle embrace. Rukia smiled and closed her eyes. The night sky was clear and full of stars, with a gentle breeze that swept through every now and then. Rukia took a deep breath and opened her eyes. The moon was full and almost a pale yellow; the clouds hid in the distance far away leaving only the stars to shine. They could hear the wedding party begin to die down and decided it was time to go back in before everyone started to look for them. As they made their way back, Byakuya slowed his steps and pulled Rukia closer to him.
"What's wrong?" she asked quietly.
He gestured his head in the direction up ahead, to a figure sitting on the porch. It was Renji.
"Hey, Renji!" Rukia called as she walked up to him.
He looked up at her, still dressed in her evening kimono and sighed.
"Hey…"
Rukia wasn't satisfied with his answer and slugged him on his shoulder playfully.
"What's eatin' you?" she quizzed.
Byakuya smiled at her for having such a big heart, "I'll leave you two alone…" he said and walked off.
Renji made a face as he walked away, and Rukia noticed.
"Is it because I chose him?"
"No… I'm happy for you, Rukia. I really am. You're officially in now, and that means that you won't have anytime for your friends…that you won't have anytime for…"
"For you?" she interrupted.
Renji looked at her with a lump in his throat and tears threatening to spill.
"Well, yeah that too…I thought we would be friends forever…" he said, trying to hide the sadness within.
Rukia chuckled and patted him on the back, "Look, just because I married him doesn't mean I can't be your friend… We'll always be friends, you know that."
Renji turned his head and gave her a serious look, "You just don't get it do you?"
Before she could say anything else, Renji stood up and shunpoed away. Byakuya returned just in time to see Rukia sigh and shake her head.
"What's wrong?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Renji just isn't taking this well… I tried to explain it to him, but I don't think he gets it." she said.
Byakuya smiled at her concern for her friend and kissed the top of her head, "Let's go inside before the Elders leave."
Rukia walked along side him but took one last look in the direction Renji ran off in.
"I hope you will understand one day." she said quietly.
Ok, so sorry for the late/crappy update. I'm about to start my divorce process from my ex, I'm also in the last two months or weeks should I say of fall semester, and my boss is being a … well you know… I plan to finish this one up soon, and Start a new project…
