This is a cute little chapter detailing Ichigo's stag do and the much awaited wedding :) It was quite difficult to write but hopefully it turned out okay.
I would like to add I have never been to a wedding and as such I have no idea what actually happens in terms of the ceremony... So I kind of made it up as I went along. Forgive me if I got it wrong :)
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and supported this story, there is going to be a third in the Stolen series which I will give you the title of the in next (and final) chapter.
Chapter Twenty-One: Spouse:
Ichigo was still in the dog house as far as Yamamoto was concerned; the Head Captain was annoyed beyond measure that the Hogyuku had been lost to Aizen Sousuke of all people. And right after Ichigo had assured them all that the artefact was safe with him.
Having concealed the truth of what had occurred from everyone, including Tensa and Shirosaki, Ichigo feared no repercussions from what he had done. In fact, besides having been royally told off by Yamamoto and scolded lightly by Stark for going to see Aizen alone, things were going very well.
It was now two months after Aizen's departure and the finally preparations had been made for Ichigo and Stark to be married. On top of that, the last of the damage had been repaired in both Seireitei and Rukongai and everyone was returning to their normal lives.
The wedding was scheduled for tomorrow, and as such Ichigo had been kidnapped from Division Five by Grimmjow and Rukia for his stag party. He had been reliably informed that Ishida and Byakuya had arranged his party so he wasn't too concerned about being tied to a building naked.
He was a little worried for Stark though as his stag do was being planned by Shinji, Love and Urahara. If his lover got plastered, stripped and tied to the highest tower in Seireitei for all to see... Ichigo would skin them all alive. Definitely. After he had stopped laughing. Maybe.
And thus, here they were in the Kuchiki mansion, there was music from the World of the Living playing and there was an abundance of disco lights. Knowing Ichigo's hidden fun loving side, Ishida and Byakuya had incorporated a disco theme with a chilled, relaxed atmosphere. Two things Ichigo had very much come to deserve.
Ichigo sipped his bottle beer, grateful for the change from sake. He was sat with Rukia, Chad, Ishida and his Goat-Face Dad, watching the other inhabitants dancing and enjoying themselves. He was a little surprised to see Byakuya was happily dancing quite provocatively with Renji. It actually made him giggle slightly to see the Kuchiki heir so relaxed and at ease; he was certain the elders wouldn't be happy.
"Are you enjoying yourself my son?" Isshin asked, sipping a can of lager.
"Yeah... Thanks guys. This is a great way to spend my last night of freedom." Ichigo replied with a smirk, "I wonder what Shinji planned for Stark."
"I think I overheard plans of going to that seedy strip club in outer Rukongai." Grimmjow said as he sat down beside them with Szayel on his lap.
"What?!" Ichigo half shrieked.
The blue haired panther cackled evilly and patted the strawberry on the back, "I'm joking, Kid, chill out! Stark would never let them take him somewhere like that."
"That was mean!" Rukia exclaimed, petting the large rabbit head that was sewed onto the front of her stone washed dungarees.
"I know, but his face was brilliant!" Grimmjow grinned and wound his arms around his pink haired lover's waist, "Nah in truth they're having a mass poker game at Urahara's shop. Nnoitra, Zommari, Urahara, Shinji, Love, Rose, Yoruichi, Soi-Fon, Mashiro, Kensei and Hiyori are with him. They were all looking forwards to it."
"Ah that's okay then. Yoruichi-san will keep them all in order. I'm not surprised Soi-Fon took the opportunity to go and visit her though." He smiled and looked back at the dancing shinigami, hollows and Vizards.
His dad had brought Yuzu and Karin with him to visit, they couldn't remember anything about what had happened with Tsukishima and he was glad about it, he didn't want them to remember.
However, his two siblings were having a great time and to his surprise Ulquiorra was very good with children and seemed to be having fun entertaining them. Grimmjow had already taken a few photos to blackmail him with later on.
On the dance floor, there was Byakuya and Renji as already mentioned; Lisa, Hacchigen, Ulquiorra, Yuzu, Karin, Gin and Kira, Hisagi, Hinamori, Isane, Nemu, Nanao and Kyoraku who dancing doing a very impressive waltz with Ukitake across the dance floor.
With no warning whatsoever, Gin appeared and grabbed Ichigo's hand, "Wha' fun is it if tha' reason fer this lovely party ain't gonna dance? Ne, Ichi~berry!"
"Wha'?!"
Ichigo was hauled to his feet and dragged towards the dancing, "Noooooo! I have two left feet! Nooooo!" he handed his beer to someone before one of his hands was clasped in Gin's and the fox's other arm went around his waist.
"Lies, Ichi~berry! I know you dance the tango!"
"What? How do you know that?" he looked back towards his seated friends and saw Ishida smirking darkly, "Oh you are so dead tomorrow!"
"Now now, Kurosaki." The younger Quincy called back, "I am the one who designed your wedding kimono and cake; you have to be nice to me."
"Ugh."
Seeing no way out of it, Ichigo allowed himself to be twirled around the floor in an impressive tango by Gin, he would never ever admit that it was actually quite fun though. He would smite down anyone who suggested it too...
Several drinks later, Ichigo was quite happy to dance of his own accord; he even had a twirl around with Byakuya of all people. But it was getting near to three in the morning and considering he had to be up at six to get ready, Ichigo really needed to get some sleep or he was going to look like a baboon's backside in the morning. And as Renji so 'delicately' said: "No one wants to marry a baboon's backside... Just ask Zabimaru if you don't believe me."
Byakuya and the Kuchiki servants had cleared the guests out, those who were not staying overnight that is. Ichigo, Ishida, Ryuken and his Dad stumbled up the staircase to the room they were sharing. Yuzu and Karin were sharing with Inoue and Chad was staying with Grimmjow and Szayel for the night.
Falling onto his bed, Ichigo was asleep before he had even had a chance to get undressed.
The next morning, he was woken by several of the Kuchiki servants and boy did he have a headache. He didn't usually drink but last night people had continued to pile alcohol down his neck in order to make him lighten up.
"Aww... Damn my head hurts."
"Do not worry Kurosaki-taichou, we have already prepared the perfect remedy for a hangover." One of the servants said cheerfully, "If you would please proceed to the bathroom and wash; the remedy will be waiting for you when you come back out. And then we will help you to dress in your kimono, sir."
Ichigo nodded dumbly as the servant spoke, rubbing his forehead and running a hand through his hair; he staggered out of bed and plodded into the bathroom hunched over slightly from tiredness and his throbbing headache.
Sinking into the steaming, jasmine scented water in the bathtub, Ichigo let out a sigh, his head feeling stuffy but not as bad as before. He soaked for a good half an hour, letting his stresses and strains drain out of him as he relaxed completely in the water, submerging himself up to his chin.
Finally forcing himself to remember he did have a busy day ahead of him, Ichigo set about washing himself so he was nice and clean for his soon to be husband to take advantage of after the wedding. The mere thought set shudders up his spine and a pleasant tingle in his loins.
Sighing happily as he thought about it he wondered if his mother would be proud of him, he hoped so; he wished that she could see him today.
He swallowed a little thickly before shaking his head at such sad thoughts. He washed his hair and clambered out of the bathtub and wrapped a warm fluffy towel around himself.
He pulled the plug and watched as the water drained away; then patted his skin dry and looked at himself in the full body mirror in the corner. He sighed at his reflection and stepped closer, taking a more in depth look.
Ever since accessing the Final Getsuga Tenshou there had been small changes in his appearance. His complexion was clearer, his eyes a little darker and wiser looking. Every so often he was sure he saw a flash of that blood redness which had come with the awesome and surreal power of his Zanpakto's greatest technique. Not only his eyes and complexion, his muscles were more defined, his body more toned and stronger looking; his reiatsu was spiky to the senses and it was more macabre; sinfully menacing when he got angry or was too distracted.
Re-entering the bedroom he saw that the other occupants had already gone and were undoubtedly getting ready as well. He jumped slightly as one of the servants from before returned holding a glass of sickly green liquid.
Gulping slightly, "What is that?" he asked.
"Your hangover remedy, Sir." He replied.
"Ugh I was hoping you weren't going to say that..." he replied.
The servant chuckled lightly, "It does not taste as bad as it looks, Kurosaki-taichou."
"I'll take your word for it." He replied, taking the glass from him and looking it over before he drank it.
He was pleasantly surprised by the taste of grapes, apples and an after taste peppermint. He finished the contents quickly and handed the glass back, "My... That is nice!" he said as he licked his lips.
"Do not judge something merely by its appearance, if I may be so bold to suggest."
"Haha I guess you are right there..." he nodded, "Well, thank you. I feel much better knowing that I won't have a hangover for my wedding."
"It was no problem, Kurosaki-taichou. An old Kuchiki recipe, perhaps Kuchiki Byakuya-sama will give it to you."
"Thanks I'll ask him sometime." He smiled.
"Very well. I must leave you know to administer these to several other of out guests. Another will arrive in a few moments to help dress you as you are not used to wearing kimonos."
"Okay, thank you." He said again and watched him leave.
He sat on the bed and dried himself off while he waited, towel drying his hair and braiding it in the usual place; he pulled on a pair of underwear so that he wouldn't be entirely bear when they came to help him dress. He looked up suddenly as two servants who looked like identical twins entered the room carrying his kimono and zanpakto.
Standing up and watching as Zangetsu was set on the bed he closed his eyes as he was clad layer by layer in intricate material. He watched curiously at the colour of the kimono, it was almost white but looking closer it actually appeared as though it was a very pale shade of green. He smiled slightly and lifted his arms as the obi, of the same colour, was wound around his waist and tied in a delicate bow on his back.
The two servants stepped back to admire their handiwork before one of them took the brain which hung from behind Ichigo's right ear and tied two silver bells around the end.
Slipping on a pair of sandals, Ichigo was ready; he slipped his zanpakto onto his back and brushed himself down once more and sucked in a breath to steady his nerves.
Goodness knows why he was nervous at all, this was what he wanted. Without question, he wanted to marry Stark.
He looked at the identical twins and smiled nervously, "So... Am I good to get going?"
"Indeed you are. If you would proceed to the entrance hall, your best man will be waiting for you. The others will have progressed to the place of the ceremony already."
"Okay, thank you for your assistance." He inclined his head to them both before flash-stepping towards the foyer.
Since news of their engagement had been leaked by a not so reliable source (that source being Renji) Ichigo had found himself subjected to questions pertaining to his position in the relationship; in simple terms, sneaky bastards like Shinji, Hisagi and Matsumoto had been asking which one of them was the woman in the relationship; that is to say in very crude terms, which one of them received the cock up their ass.
Not overly pleased by this level of questioning concerning his sex life, Ichigo had shooed them away over and over again until losing his temper three weeks ago and barking his truthful answer that it was he who bottomed in the bedroom.
That, of course, had caused massive amusement among the people it had later been gossiped to and gave Ichigo an even bigger headache than what he already had. On the plus side, he did find out why Hisagi had been asking and he felt a little bad about snapping at him after the fuku-taichou spoke to him.
In private, Hisagi had confided that he was in a steady going relationship with another man and they had so far been unable to determine which of them was supposed to top the other. Feeling a little awkward by the whole conversation, Ichigo had finally simply suggested that they try it both ways if they were that uncertain and it might be clearer after that; or they might simply assume either position from now until judgement day.
The next day he had seen a very flushed looking Kira and had swiftly worked out the object of Hisagi's desires. And he had been able to deduce from the limp they both seemed to be ailed from, that Hisagi had taken his advice. That had made him giggle and had made his own embarrassment pale in comparison.
However, the reason for Ichigo's recollection of this particular event was that both he and Stark had chosen a best man because they were both men.
Originally not intended on having bridesmaids, but in the end the bridesmaids seemed to decide that they were doing the job and that was that. So that meant that Yuzu; Karin; Rukia and Yachiru had been plotting and making plans on their matching dresses and such like.
Ichigo finally came to a stop in the foyer and watched Renji come out of the kitchen in a green kimono which was just a few shades darker than his own; holding a glass of the same green liquid he too had drunk in his hands.
"You up to your best man duties?" the strawberry asked his friend with a smirk.
"Course." The redhead replied, glugging several large mouthfuls of the special remedy, "You ready to do your wifely duties?"
Glaring, Ichigo retorted, "Like what? Sitting at home doing the cooking and having babies? Please I am a man Renji." He sniffed indignantly.
"Aww you sound almost sad about that!"
"Ugh shut up you fiend." Ichigo groaned, "Besides... You just wait until its your turn. I know what position you favour Renji."
"Ehhhh?!" Renji went the same colour as his hair.
"Yep, Byakuya was pretty drunk last night after all. He was willing to divulge anything."
"Take that back you little shit!"
"Nope!"
"If it wasn't your wedding day I'd sock you."
"Bah! You could try!"
"You little shit."
"Like you're any better."
They grinned at each other and ended their brotherly banter with a high five before Renji handed his glass to a passing servant and checked the time, "Alright we have about quarter of an hour before we have to make our way over so... Just relax."
"Relax... Right... Got it." Ichigo fiddled with his sleeves and cleared his throat, "You got the rings?"
"I have the one you are going to give Stark yes. Stark's best man has yours."
"Ah of course... I remember."
"Ichigo? You do want to do this right?"
He blinked, "Of course... I'm just nervous."
The redhead smiled and rested a hand on his shoulder, "If it is what you want then you have nothing to worry about. It's just Stark right? You want to spend the rest of your life with him done you?"
"Yes I do." He nodded confidently, "Thanks for the prep talk Renji."
"No problem." He replied.
Here was a moment of silence between them before Ichigo looked back at Renji, "So... How are things with Byakuya? Are the two of you doing okay?"
"Huh? Oh yeah! Yeah it's all good. Better than good in fact." He chuckled, "He is much more open in his personality and his thoughts now, even while we are in public."
"Oh yeah I saw that last night while he was dancing with you. That was quite a spectacle."
Blushing slightly in response to the statement but chuckled, "Indeed, however he was so plastered he doesn't remember any of it..."
"Aww pity!"
"Yeah not so much for him though, I don't think he would cope with the embarrassment."
"Bless."
They arrived at the top of a pathway lined by rose bushes that were blooming with red roses; at the end of the pathway were rows of white seats with people seated in them waiting patiently; the pathway was covered by a ruby red rug.
Ichigo took a breath as the Head Captain, who was conducting the service, saw them and the slow beat music started to play. He felt Renji's hand on the middle of his back supportively and he shot his best man a thankful smile before they walked down the aisle together.
His heart fluttered as he saw Stark stood at the front of the chairs; he was surprised to discover that Stark had chosen Grimmjow as his best man but after a moment's thought he figured that there was no one better for the job. Grimmjow had really grown up since leaving Aizen's command. The panther was still mischievous and a little git when he wanted to be, but he had become a reliable; loveable rouge who was friendly as hell but rough around the edges. Even Yuzu and Karin loved him!
Coming to a stop beside Stark he shot the man a huge grin, watching the brunette appraise his kimono with a sweeping gaze. He shuddered slightly before reaching over and taking his hand as they stood in front of Yamamoto together with their best men either side of them.
Their zanpakto were taken from them and laid at their feet side by side as the Head Captain became to speak, addressing the guests, the bridesmaids, the best men and the two who were to be married.
"And we are gathered here today to see the joining of these two souls in matrimony. Before we begin I must ask if there is anyone present who has any lawful reason as to why these two men cannot be married."
There was a moment of stretched silence, Ichigo was relieved when no one spoke; at his stag do Gin had threatened to shout out just to make them all panic but it seemed that the silver haired fox had thought better of it. Thankfully.
Yamamoto took the silence as a positive and continued to speak, "Then you will turn and face each other, and bear the essence of your souls to each other." He commanded.
Ichigo turned to face Stark and the brunette turned to his strawberry. Without any hesitation they let their reiatsu entwine together and their inner souls appeared beside them; Shiro and Tensa beside Ichigo and a small girl with bright green hair beside Stark.
"Do you, Tensa Zangetsu, Shirosaki Hichigo and Lillinette Los Lobos permit your souls to be merged together?"
"We do." They replied.
"Then may we have the rings?" he addressed the best men who quickly stepped forwards.
Grimmjow rested a sapphire blue opaque ring on Yamamoto's sermon book; Renji set down a black ring which had swirls of red in it on the other side of the book and then they stepped back again and grinned at each other: they had had the job of finding or making the rings; they had been sure to match the colours to the reiatsu of the person giving the ring.
That is to say, Stark's blue ring would be given to Ichigo; Ichigo's black and red ring would be given to Stark.
Casting an eye over the rings in appreciation Yamamoto set his book down on the tall plinth before him and handed the black ring to Ichigo, "If you would slid the ring onto Coyote Stark's finger and repeat the vows you have written." He instructed.
Ichigo gulped and hoped he didn't get tongue tied as he slotted the ring onto Stark ring finger, "With this ring I pledge myself to you, and with all the strength I can offer guarantee to be loyal and faithful to you from this day to the end of time, for as long as we both shall live; I will love and cherish you and look after you should you befall a sickness and I will love you for the rest of my life. With this ring, I do swear." He beamed as he finished without going wrong and looked up at his lover's smoky blue eyes, seeing pride and love nestled in their depths.
Yamamoto turned to Stark and handed him the sapphire blue ring, "If you would place this ring on Kurosaki Ichigo's finger and repeat the vows you have constructed."
Stark nodded and turned back to Ichigo, sliding the band onto his ring finger, "With this ring I give you everything I have; my love, my strength, my protection and my possessions. I swear from this day to honour you, defend you and treasure you with all that I am. I will look after you if you fall sick or are wounded in battle and I will stay with you until the day I die. I will stay truthful and faithful to you; on this ring, I do swear." Stark smiled hugely at him and they both felt like grinning idiots.
"You have given each other these rings as a symbol of you love and have exchanged vows in the presence of these here witnesses. And by the power I hold as a Captain of the Goeti Thirteen I pronounce you to be married." Yamamoto opened his eyes slightly, "Congratulations; you may kiss."
Not wasting a moment, Stark half yanked Ichigo towards him and crushed their lips together; receiving several wolf whistles from the crowd. Ichigo didn't care; he melted into his lover... No, his husband's arms and returned the kiss.
Grimmjow prodded them both, "Hey save it for the honeymoon love birds!" he laughed.
Ichigo prised himself away and blushed furiously, but he released a heartbreaking smile and gripped Stark's hand, linking their fingers before he looked at their friends who had gathered so willingly to see them marry.
Their zanpakto were presented back to them and they sheathed them on their persons before moving with the crowd to the after party.
It was a good three hours later, after dancing; eating; mingling; dancing with his sisters (and his dad – that had not been his idea either –) and receiving wedding gifts from their friends, that they were finally allowed to go and get changed ready for their trip to the World of the Living where they would spend their month long honeymoon together in blissful comfort.
They arrived at the Senkaimon in jeans; shirts and trainers with a suitcase packed each and their zanpakto with them; they gave a parting wave to their friends and companions before heading through the Senkaimon together, hand in hand.
"You happy, Ai?" Stark asked as they headed through the precipice world together.
"Are you kidding?" he replied, "I have never been happier. You?"
"I feel the same." They shared a brief kiss, "Of course I will be even happier when we get around to consummating our marriage."
"Damn you read my mind." Ichigo smirked and they both broke into a shunpo and sonido.
A/N: This is the end of this very mushy, cute chapter haha. I hope it didn't make you squirm too much with the fluffy content.
I am sad to say there is only one chapter to go after this one, but then on the plus side the third instalment can begin! I hope you will continue to read the series and I hope you continue to enjoy it :) I really love writing it and it makes me very happy to know that you like it and enjoy it ^_^