A/N: Happy New Years! I wanted this chapter up sooner but I had a case of writer's block. This chapter wasn't suppose to happen until much later, like after the Winter War. But I changed my mind. Next chapter will be the wedding. This chapter, Takehiko and Yohei, Midori's brothers, are introduced. Unfortunately, they weren't characterized full out. Maybe I'll do a better job in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 20--Wedding Prep:
"She's what?!" Shinichi exclaimed, getting onto his feet immediately. Kagami, still sitting, stared in horror at the couple before them. Suddenly she tugged on her husband's sleeve.
"I can see the extra weight," she said quietly, her blue eyes on her daughter's stomach.
"I haven't put on that much," Midori insisted, now anxiously glancing down at herself.
Shinichi turned and pointed at Shuuhei. "This is all your fault!"
Shuuhei, for once, couldn't defend himself against that claim. If it wasn't for him, Midori wouldn't be pregnant. His fiancée had mentioned that maybe they should tell her parents later but he had wanted to get it over with. Now, staring at her father's livid face and her mother's horrified one, he should have been more patient.
"Illegitimate children?! I knew this would happen!"
"Maybe no one will find out," Kagami said. "We can easily move up the wedding. It's only been a month right?"
Midori nodded slowly.
Kagami sighed and looked at her husband, a bit more composed. "We'll move up the wedding and when the baby's born eight months later, we'll say it's just premature. That happens, right, Shinichi?"
"Do you know how much money that will cost? To change the date? Recalling invitations---!"
"Is not changing it worth the embarrassment?"
"It's really not that bad," Midori interrupted. A glance at their faces and she knew that Shuuhei should have saved the wonderful news for later. Or until her parents figured it out in the next four months or so. Either way would have been better than this.
"You may not care about our family name but we do," Kagami said. "It's bad enough that you're marrying him. Now you drop this upon us?"
"What will the new date be?" Shuuhei asked, making sure the Ono family haven't forgotten his presence.
Shinichi looked at Kagami and then at his daughter. Then his brown eyes landed on his future son-in-law. "No later than two weeks from today."
"But that's too soon," Shuuhei said. "The Gotei Thirteen is still preparing for the Winter War."
"It's not my fault my daughter's pregnant," Shinichi interrupted. "But I have to pay the price because of your impatience. I knew nothing good was going to come out of this!"
"We'll have to start the preparations soon," Kagami said. "Last minute invitations, wedding dresses, decorations. Who else knows about this?"
"Only a few members of the Gotei Thirteen," Midori answered.
"I hope that's all," Shinichi said. "No member of nobility can know about this."
"And that's the story, Rangiku," Midori said, walking through the Rukongai. "My mother want's to take me dress shopping today."
"So you want me to come," Matsumoto said with a grin.
"You've met my mother before, right?"
"Yeah, of course. When she was talking about street scum and if Shuuhei had touched you in ways that unmarried women should not be touched."
"Please don't remind me," Midori pleaded, remembering how embarrassing that had been.
"So why are we here?" Rangiku asked, realizing there were walking through the residential part of town. "I thought that bridal shop was in another direction."
Midori stopped in front of a house and knocked. "I'm bringing an old friend with us."
The door opened and out stepped Aya.
Kagami was waiting inside the boutique when her daughter came through the door, followed by two other women. She recognized the bustier one but the one with the glasses she did not. Kagami stared at her daughter, wondering if she should complain. She decided not to and put on her greatest façade. "Mimi-chan," she greeted, standing up and giving her only daughter a hug. "Who are your friends?"
"I'm Rangiku."
"Aya. I use to go to the Academy with Midori-chan. Unfortunately, I never bothered becoming a soul reaper."
"She would have been great," Midori piped up.
Aya shook her head, smiling. "Nah. I never had the determination the others did."
Rangiku looked around the store and spotted the rack she was looking for. She grabbed Midori by the shoulder and turned the woman around. "We're definitely getting some lingerie!"
Kagami flinched. Surprising, Midori had the same reaction.
"No!" Midori said, horrified by the idea.
"You can't be selfish," Aya said. "You have to consider Shuuhei's feelings."
Midori looked at her friend. Leave it to her to make this sound like an honorable thing.
"We have to get something that will make Shuuhei aroused but easy to rip off in a hurry. Something that won't slow down their performance."
"Yes," Aya said in agreement, though slightly red due to Rangiku's words. "Maybe something he can untie or even unhook without a problem."
"Maybe rip off with his teeth?"
"The boutique owner's here," Kagami interrupted. Her face was as red as Midori's but for a different reason. While Midori was blushing out of embarrassment, Kagami was blushing out of horror. Seriously. Was this all what these ladies thought about? How Shuuhei would remove lingerie off her daughter? The idea was an abomination. There was no way she was going to purchase lingerie and give it to her daughter. She would not condone that sort of behavior.
A man stepped out from the back room of the shop. His shiny, jet black hair was long and shaped his face. It made his green eyes stand out even more. As he moved forward with an unnatural grace, the back of his brightly colored haori swept out. He held his clipboard in one hand and a pen daintily in the other. He was checking off items before he noticed he had customers.
"Kagami!" The man flamboyantly exclaimed, rushing forth. He kissed the woman on each cheek and stood back. His green eyes landed on Midori. "This must be your daughter! The resemblance is striking although," he added, studying her attire, "she lacks your obvious grace. Who are the other two?"
Aya and Rangiku were searching through the racks of lingerie.
"Her friends, Yoshio," Kagami replied. "Ignore them. Focus on my daughter. I want an original, one of a kind garment."
"Traditional or Modern like in the human world?" The man asked, taking out his measuring tape. He grabbed Midori's arm and measured the length. Then he recorded it on his trusty clipboard.
"It's going to be a traditional wedding," Kagami replied.
"Make it modern, Kagami-sama," Aya said, picking up a ridiculous outfit.
"Yeah," Rangiku replied. "Modern weddings have the garter. Imagine Shuuhei searching for it under your dress, Midori."
"Shut up," Midori muttered, her face getting redder. How would that look to her parents? Not only that, Kyouraku and Zaraki would get a kick out of it, the former throwing some innuendos their way.
Yoshio frowned at Midori's hip measurements. "How did you ever get a fiancé is beyond me."
"He loves her ass," Rangiku responded with a grin before ducking behind the rack.
Midori looked at her mother and saw the expression of disgust. Please don't let her mention any of this to Otou-san.
Yoshio grinned. "Ah. So your fiancé is a pervert?"
"He's a gentleman," Aya corrected, able to see the Kagami's expression.
"Despite the 69 tattoo," Rangiku laughed.
The man looked at Midori with a smile. "He likes the 69, I take it."
"What is this 69?" Kagami asked, not seeing the amusement Rangiku and the man seemed to be taking in it. Sixty-nine after all was nothing more than a number, right?
"It's a notorious sex position!" The man exclaimed before diving into the explicit details.
Kagami went from shocked to horrified to pure furious. Her blue eyes landed accusingly on her daughter. "Don't tell me that's what---!"
"We've never done that," Midori protested, matching the perfect shade of a tomato. "And that's not even why he has the tattoo! It means something completely different! Can we please get back to the wedding dress?!"
"A white dress you want?" He asked as he recorded all the measurements down on paper.
"I don't know," Kagami said, her eyes on her daughter. "White means purity for a good reason."
Midori sighed. "How about a mix wedding? Modern and Traditional together?"
"That's not a bad idea," Aya chirped. "I like the bouquet throwing part."
"The best of both worlds, hm?" Yoshio commented, writing something down on the clipboard. "So you want decorations on the shiromuku, Kagami?"
"Maybe some silver trimmings and when I say silver, I mean real silver."
"I thought it was suppose to be plain," Midori said.
"Plain is for the poor, Mimi-chan," Kagami said. "You've obviously forgotten the life of a noble."
"And the uchikake?" Yoshio prompted.
Kagami looked at the man. "It will be red of course with intricate swans and lotus flowers and---!"
"Marigolds and irises and birds-of-paradises and daffodils and yarrows," Matsumoto added.
"Those are some good flowers," Aya agreed, removing a lingerie set from the rack, studying it and putting it back.
"Whatever they said," Kagami finalized. "All in gold and when I say gold, I mean real gold. Add some white in the red, carmine red, to give something like a haze effect if you know what I mean. The uchikake should be made of your best material."
"The finest silk, right?" Yoshio nodded to himself and wrote that down. "It will be exquisite. Anything else, Kagami?"
"No, Yoshio." The older woman looked at Aya and Matsumoto. "We're leaving."
"Hold on," Matsumoto said. "We have to pay for this lingerie. Midori, Shuuhei's going to love it."
The women walked through the Rukongai, heading for a restaurant for lunch. Once inside the wealthy atmosphere, Kagami looked around before spotting their table. Already there were Shinichi, Shuuhei, and two unfamiliar men. One of them, who had long silky brown hair and blue eyes, looked up. "Nee-chan!" He waved enthusiastically at Midori.
Midori grinned and dashed over. "Takehiko!"
Aya and Matsumoto stared in confusion.
"That's her favorite brother," Kagami explained as she walked over. Aya and Matsumoto, having no other choice, followed right behind. All four women sat down at the table, Midori on Shuuhei's right snuggling close to him, Kagami next to her husband, Aya next to Midori, and Matsumoto between Aya and Takehiko.
Aya looked around the table. Her eyes landed on Shinichi, who was no doubt the father. He was scowling and she supposed that was the usual. Then she studied Takehiko and the other brother Yohei. Both were incredibly handsome, Yohei with his blonde hair and Takehiko with his brown. Takehiko looked more like Shinichi while Yohei looked more like Kagami. Midori was the only child who had components from both parents. Now seeing the Ono family together, the picture was perfect.
As the appetizers were passed out, Takehiko started a conversation. "Nee-chan, I was very worried when father told me you were getting married to someone of the Rukongai. But then I saw him in person and I must say he is absolutely delicious. The muscles, the body, and the tattoos only add to the hotness. I never knew you had such good taste in men!"
"She has good taste in friends, too," Yohei added, his eyes on Aya and Matsumoto. It didn't take long for them to stray to Rangiku's chest.
"Hey, womanizer," Midori suddenly said. Yohei looked at his sister. "I suggest that you look at your food."
"I'm no womanizer," Yohei said. "I'm a pimpin' bachelor."
"What's the difference?" Midori muttered. "Both sound like bad things anyway."
"What would you know?" Yohei responded. He glanced at his soon to be brother-in-law. "So, Hisagi, you are going to have a bachelor's party, right? To celebrate your last night as an unmarried man?"
Shuuhei shrugged. "Izuru, Renji, and Ikkaku want to plan one."
"Really?" Rangiku said. "Me and Nanao want to plan a bachelorette party for Midori."
"What is the purpose of these bachelor parties?" Shinichi asked.
Aya smiled at a memory. "It would be nice if Yoshio-san was here. He would give you a thorough explanation."
At this Rangiku laughed. "A very thorough explanation."
Finally, waiters came with the main courses balanced perfectly on their arms. They dropped one in front of each person. Shuuhei took a whiff and was almost mesmerized by the smell. The steak laced in lemon zest and sprinkled garlic looked delicious and knowing that this was a five-star restaurant they were in, he was certain that it tasted delicious as well.
"I can have some, right?" Midori asked, drawing his attention to him.
"You have to share your marinated chicken first," Shuuhei said.
Takehiko sighed. "Nee-chan, how did you ever find a man like him?"
"Too bad I don't do bachelorette parties," Yohei said, bringing the conversation back to his business. His eyes landed on his brother. "You would have found the perfect man there. I only do bachelor parties. Speaking of them . . ."He reached into his pocket and whipped out a card. He passed it across the table to Shuuhei. "Give this to your friends who's planning your party. They might need my services."
The fukutaichou raised an eyebrow. "Services?"
"Yohei owns a red light district," Takehiko said before sighing heavily. "I only own a winery."
"You own a winery, Takehiko?" Rangiku's eyes lit up instantly. "Is there a chance you'll become interested in women again?"
Rangiku's mind was on the idea of an endless supply of wine; Midori's was on something completely different.
"You're kidding me," Midori said as her eyes landed on her parents. "You let Yohei own a whorehouse but you wouldn't let me marry Shuuhei?"
"Please, nee-chan," Yohei said, adjusting his collar. "Red light district sounds more professional. And unlike your engagement, my business venture was a beneficial one. Some of my highest paying customers are nobles. Even you're not so blind to see the advantages. And don't see why you're complaining. You're marrying the man, are you not?"
"That's not the point," she muttered.
"Yohei's right," Aya said. She leaned in closer to the blonde and whispered, "Even if he's a little lustful."
"Just call him a womanizer," Midori whispered. "No need to water it down."
"You don't have to whisper," Yohei said, his eyes on Aya. "If you're attracted to me, admit it."
"She's not," Midori said. "And neither is Rangiku."
"Speak for yourself," Rangiku said with a half-serious expression.
Midori rolled her eyes. If it's not the wine, it's the money.
After everyone was done with their foods, the desserts were served. Some ordered cake while others ordered the ice cream with some rum poured over it. Unfortunately, Shuuhei and her parents forced Midori to get the double chocolate cake. They insisted that rum wasn't good for a pregnant woman.
"Not even a little bit?" Midori asked Shuuhei.
"How about a taste without the rum?" He asked, taking a small scoop without any rum.
"How about with it?"
"Without it," Shuuhei said, holding out his spoon. On it was some vanilla ice cream. Midori, giving up, accepted the morsel. Shinichi, who was sitting next to the groom, let out a small grunt. Apparently, he did not like his daughter using the same spoon as Shuuhei.
"Hisagi-san," Kagami spoke up. "We were thinking of building a house for you and my daughter on the estate."
"Next to your mansion?" Shuuhei didn't mind that they were willing to build a house for them. However, he did not want to live in such close quarters.
"Of course not," Shinichi said. "There's plenty of space. Our estate is bigger than even the Kuchiki's."
"That's an exaggeration, Otou-san," Takehiko said.
"Just as big."
Yohei sighed. "That's still an exaggeration."
Shinichi gritted his teeth. "What I'm saying is that our estate is big enough that you won't be in our way and we won't be in yours. You can ask Yohei and Takehiko. They live on the estate but in separate mansions in the east and the west. It will be a nice accommodation for you."
"We're okay," Midori said. "We'll manage with what we have."
"Is it big enough for the baby?" Kagami asked.
"How did I forget I'm going to have a nephew?" Yohei said with a smirk.
"It's going to be a niece," Takehiko stated.
"Guys are so much better than girls in the long run," Yohei said. "Midori is the prime example. It's a rarity when irresistible women, such as Aya-san and Rangiku-san, are born."
"Does it matter?" Midori intervened, slightly irritated that her brother was still hitting on her friends.
"Sort of," Yohei admitted after chewing it over some cake. "I am betting on it."
Midori gave him a fake smile and went back to looking annoyed. They're already trying to make money off this child. Geez. Next thing, they'll want to get it involved in their businesses. No way in hell my child will come near that red light district. No way in hell.
"The offer is still up," Kagami said.
"We'll think about it," Shuuhei said.
"A winery, a red light district," Aya listed outside the restaurant. Dessert had finished ten minutes ago and now the groups had already parted separate ways. Shinichi, Kagami, Takehiko, and Yohei headed for the estate. Aya was heading to her house but decided to walk with the others. Shuuhei, Midori, and Rangiku were heading in the same direction as her. Aya smiled. "You never mentioned any of this."
"Well I didn't know," Midori said. "My brothers left the mansion when I was little. I saw them off and on but I had no idea what was going on in their lives."
"Your family is interesting nonetheless," Aya commented with a grin. "I can't wait to see what the rest of your friends are like."
"You don't want to," Midori muttered. They stopped at intersection.
"Well, I got to go," Aya said with a wave, heading down her street. "Bye, Midori-chan, Hisagi-san, Rangiku-san!"
"Bye," Midori said, watching her friend leave. Suddenly Midori felt an arm wrap around her waist and bring her against a warm body. "So you want a stripper, huh?" The woman asked, her eyebrows already quirked.
"Renji and Ikkaku do," Shuuhei replied.
"It's not that big of a deal," Matsumoto said, reading the expression on her friend's face. "You're going to have one of those strippers that pops out of a cake."
"I don't want one!" Midori protested.
"You want a firefighter instead?"
"No. I don't need to see another man naked. Shuuhei's enough."
"It's not always like that," Rangiku said. "We can stop at the underwear."
"Just stop," Midori said shaking her head. She looked at Shuuhei. She was not letting him off the hook yet. "Do you want one?"
"I don't think so," Shuuhei said slowly. Midori gave him a dirty look and he grinned sheepishly. "We shouldn't worry about this now. It isn't until another two weeks."
"Fine."
Shuuhei looked at the plastic bag Rangiku had been holding. Now that he thought about it, she had been carrying it since she had entered the restaurant. "What's in the bag?"
Rangiku lifted it up. "Oh, this? Midori's sexy lingerie set. It's for your wedding night."
Shuuhei looked at Midori. "It was her idea," his fiancée muttered.
"You're going to love it," Rangiku claimed. "It accentuates the best parts of her."
Shuuhei raised an eyebrow, curious what sort of lingerie Rangiku had purchased for his soon-to-be wife. He wondered if Midori would even bother putting it on. Wedding day. So much weight was attached to the phrase and it made him slightly anxious. Marriage was going to be one hell of a milestone, that he knew. Now that he thought about the upcoming wedding and the future that would involve the baby, two weeks seemed longer than necessary just to hear the name "Hisagi Midori".
A/N: Thanks to cheeky half-demon, I'llxBexUrxEnigma2010, and Foca for reviewing. Till later.