Bonding Over Big Swords

Written by Shaun Garin

Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. Mahou Sensei Negima is owned by Ken Akamatsu.

Sword 11

"They make a lovely couple."

"They sure do. And it's a beautiful day for a wedding too. Clear skies, sunny, birds singing and I think there's a pack of doves everywhere too."

"Oh yeah. She looks lovely in that western-style dress. I'm glad we talked her into it."

"Yeah. While a kimono looks cute on her, it doesn't suit her style."

"Really? I thought it made her look really elegant."

"Aw well, I suppose it's time to make a toast."

The sharp rap of forks on the silverware brought attention to the person at the head table who stood up and cleared his throat. "Dear gathered friends, family and subsequent people who I have yet to meet, it's time for me to make the obligatory Best Man's speech."

The hollers and whoops of the assembled guests reached the table and the groom blushed horribly.

"I had the distinct fortune to be the groom's friend for about three years now, and I have to say it's been a wild ride. While the pairing is to say the least, unorthodox," to this, the Best Man earned chuckles from the crowd, "there is a very good chance of things working out for the entire time our favourite couple will be here. I'm certain there's a hundred embarrassing speeches any one of us can give, but for now we'll figure a tale of the Groom's first encounter with me."

People shared grins, knowing what was coming up soon.

"The Groom and I met three years ago when the blushing bride goaded the groom into fighting me, see who was stronger. Needless to say, it was a draw and we ended up nearly separating each others heads from our shoulders."

A wave of laughter rose across the ranks and the Best Man coughed. "I'm not good at telling stories but I'll tell ya all one thing; the bride is deadlier than the groom. Honest. The damage she can do to your body is just ENORMOUS. I think I'm not completely put back together properly still."

Kurosaki Ichigo raised his glass and everyone did the same as he proclaimed, "A toast, to Mister and Mrs, or shall I say Mrs and Mrs Konoemon Setsuna and Konoemon Konoka!"

"CHEERS!" roared the people and everyone drank.

Ichigo grinned, sitting down in his place next to Setsuna who was burning brilliant red. "You just HAD to say stuff like that, didn't you?" moaned Setsuna, burying her face in her hands.

"Well at least I didn't talk about the time you and Konoka were found covered in slime," remarked Ichigo, prompting a moan from Setsuna. "Or about the time that you two were caught sneaking chocolate from Nodoka's stash and were thought to be having sex in a closet…" Setsuna moaned again. "Or perhaps the time that you two were found in the mud, naked."

"If I recall, that was YOUR doing," pointed out Asuna helpfully. "Kenpachi helped with that."

"Right," said Ichigo, thumping a fist into an open hand. "Kenpachi wanted to know about mud wrestling."

Setsuna felt like she wanted to slink under the nearest rock and die of embarrassment as Konoka laid a comforting lace-covered hand on her shoulder and patted her, cooing "Poor Secchan."

"Well there they go on their honeymoon," said Ichigo, waving as the crowd saw off the married couple after the feast had ended and countless pictures were taken. All of their classmates had returned for the wedding of Setsuna and Konoka and many of them still remained, having found lodging on the campus for the time being. "You think they'll be okay?"

"Let's hope so," grinned Asuna, still clad in her pale pink bridesmaid dress. It somehow managed not to clash with her red hair. "Your place or mine?"

"Meh, better be mine," said Ichigo, shrugging. "I think Negi and Nodoka want some privacy tonight."

"Yeah. Hard to believe that they're waiting two more years before their wedding hits," said Asuna. "But then again, Negi's what, eighteen or nineteen? Nodoka's patient however mind you and Negi's still dealing with adult related issues."

"Puberty must have been hell on the kid," smirked Ichigo as the pair headed back to his place. Fishing out his keys, Ichigo opened the door and ushered Asuna inside.

"Geez Ichigo, didn't you clean in here?" asked Asuna as she slipped her heels off and wiggled her toes into Ichigo's nice soft carpet. The house was filled with the remnants of a big party and Ichigo rubbed his face, embarrassed.

"It took a lot of convincing to hold a Bachelor Party for Setsuna, and then it got out of hand," replied Ichigo. "I think she got drunk and table-danced over there."

"Explains the shattered lamp," said Asuna. "Well, I guess it's getting late. Your bed or mine?"

Ichigo smirked. "Very funny. We'll do the whole Ricky and Lucy thing tonight. Go ahead and take Rukia's bed; she's not here to use it anyhow."

"Yeah. Odd couple that, your dad and Rukia," remarked Asuna and Ichigo made a face.

"I'm just glad that the old man actually dropped the whole idiot thing, although seeing him and Rukia together can be annoying at times." Ichigo sighed theatrically and added, "At least Karin and Yuzuu are in normal relationships now more than ever, but I think Karin's having trouble dealing with a mom that borrows Yuzuu's clothing all the time."

"Well they're about the same age, if you discount the whole half a millennia apart thing," pointed out Asuna. She yawned and managed a "Good night" before heading upstairs.

"Night," said Ichigo as he shed his jacket and set about cleaning up the house. No one liked stepping on broken shards of pottery or what not when coming down to get a glass of water. Ichigo still limped a little after the morning's party.

Best get those photos from Renji, thought Ichigo to himself as he plugged in the vacuum and flicked it on.