ok, so this ch is my fault... "Looks guilty" I had massive writing issues but thats ok, I've got the next ch, so read up 3... And please don't hate me... My beta however was amazing... Just so everyone knows, I sent this too her before bed and it was in my inbox the next morning! So hugs to my beta :D
bleach is not mine
The graduates' dance was held in a hall in the school. It was dim lit with fairy lights and the lights from the announcement podium. Balloons and banners decorated the walls saying happy graduation and congratulations. There were now only teens in the hall apart from Sogyo and Toshiro, who both were obviously not, but no one could tell anyway. The student president was pushed up to the mic and she was laughing before she stopped and took a breath to start her speech. "Guess what guys! We made it!" She smiles brightly. "And we are shining bright today. This is the time to party and have fun. But I don't know about you guys, but I have work tomorrow..." She sighs. "Unfortunately we have to look after ourselves now. We will be working and dying... But guys, you have to promise to remember today, because this is the start. This is the day we start to pave our own lives and be who we want, and work towards our goals. When we meet again there will be a hundred thousand new stories to tell, but don't forget your friends. We all worked together to get here, so let's all live it up together! At least until we are told to move off... Have a good day!" She smiles and with that the music started blaring and the lights started flashing. The room came alive in cheers and then the room danced to the music. Karin pulled Toshiro with her to a side and started dancing with him. Yuzu happily dragged Sogyo with her and soon started dancing. Evidently he hasn't done much modern dancing but it was easy to dance to the heavy beat of the club music and both pairs were soon in the eyes of the crowd. Toshiro then separated from Karin seeing he had the space and paused before breaking into a very modern dance. He was better then he let on and he soon started a shuffle circle, and other dancers started dancing, and Toshiro, who was actually smiling and having fun, pushed Karin into the circle and she blushes before pulling out her own moves. Fair to say she impressed everyone. Sogyo was then pushed into the circle with a blush and for a second looks stumped before he dropped his own surprisingly good moves. He obviously wasn't as old fashioned as originally thought and he had the crowd going as much as everyone else, and so it fell to Yuzu. She soon fell into the rhythm and shuffled expertly having learned it in her spare time. The next few people went in and then Karin dragged Yuzu in and gave her nod before both girls started dancing in sync, flaunting their moves proudly. More girls joined them and them the boys felt the need to start a dance war. Of course the soul reapers were dragged in and it was soon evident that the boys just couldn't cut it compared to the girls who stumped the boys with their ravishing forms.
Before they knew it, the party was over, Toshiro and Sogyo led the girls away and it was afternoon now so they made their way to the mansion.
Rukia and her company returned to the mansion but didn't enter, taking the path around the huge building to the back instead. A number of souls were putting up fairy lights and steamers. Shunsui looked up to the approaching company and greets them with a cheeky smile. He had just finished arranging flowers in the aged pagoda, and fairy lights already hung from the roof. "Welcome back, handsome." Jushiro smiles back. "You know, I always thought you were more feminine than masculine..." Shunsui raises an eyebrow. "Really?" Jushiro was still in his gigai. "Well, you've done a pretty good job with the flowers... Anyone would think you're a bride on her wedding day." Shunsui looks stumped for a second and then laughs. "Alright, you win that round." Jushiro chuckles and nudges him. "Thanks for the help." Shunsui smiles. "With the promise of a party, who could resist?" Shunsui steps back and admires his work. The pagoda rose off the ground slightly, the wood wasn't exactly a hundred years old but it was well aged and moss had grown on it in places. The fairy lights lit the pagoda gently in white light and the flowers made it a perfect place for a romantic moment and/or dance. Rukia lookes impressed and Ichigo slightly surprised. He turns to Rukia questioningly. "Um… Kyouraku-san... He..." Rukia shakes her head. "No, he isn't normal." Ichigo bites his lip with a nod. "Alright..." She then takes his hand and drags him under the pagoda and wraps her arms around his waist. He holds her close and kisses her forehead before they step into a slow waltz.
Jushiro smiled at the two lovebirds but didn't interrupt them and looks around. There was a table that was cleared for food and drinks and Shunsui had obviously put his touch there as well. The souls had also finished putting up their decorations so the trees were lit gently and nicely decorated. Shunsui then looks at Jushiro "Why didn't you tell me there was a willow tree back there?" He points behind him, a big looming tree in the distance behind him. Jushiro looks clueless for a second but nods. "I forgot... It's been years since I've actually seen everything here." Shunsui looks thoughtful. "Alright, I'll let you off. Wait here a second." Jushiro looks confused as he flash steps away, and suddenly the tree in the distance glows gently, forming a path lit by lanterns. Jushiro follows it curiously. The leaves of the willow tree hung low to the ground and much like a curtain, hiding everything. Jushiro slipped through the leaves and looked surprised. Shunsui had carefully attached fairy lights to the branches and under the tree was lit almost like a ballroom but the light was dim so there was still a sense of privacy. Shunsui stands beside him. "What do you think?" Jushiro nods. "This tops it." Shunsui chuckles. "I know how to throw a party, what can I say?" Jushiro nods in agreement. "I think this will do..." Shunsui smiles. "So how long have we got?" Jushiro looks thoughtful. "An hour, give or take... When is everyone going to be here?" Shunsui looks thoughtful. "In about half an hour. Hey, did you find out if Retsu is coming or not?" Jushiro frowns. "She said she was busy... But she always is, so I wasn't really surprised." He smiles gently, though obviously disappointed. "What of your partner?" Shunsui nods. "Same story. Though Nanao-chan is always making excuses." Jushiro chuckles. "Maybe you scared her off?" Shunsui chuckles. "Highly likely, you know my luck." Jushiro looks thoughtful. "What about music, you said you had that?" Shunsui nods. "They will also be here in about half." Jushiro looks grateful. "Thanks, really." Shunsui shrugs. "I didn't want to see you at the mercy of either your fukutaicho or Retsu. Both of them would never let you go. Nanao-chan however thinks I should work more..." Jushiro smiles. "I agree occasionally... And I guess I owe you one." Shunsui waves him off. "Whatever. Come have a drink with me, just one to be sure." Jushiro nods. "Alright." Shunsui smiles. "Good." Jushiro and Shunsui then walks into the mansion through the back door, leaving the souls to handle the rest.
In about half an hour, the gate to Seireitei opened and several guests came through to the human world. Among those were musicians who started to set up under a tree. There were also a few shinigami and some faces that only Shunsui and Jushiro would recognise. Among the shinigami, Retsu in her gigai was dressed in human attire, as was Nanao beside her, their hair done extravagantly. Rangiku was not far behind. Hinamori, Isane and her sister were just a few other ladies that came. Among the males, Renji, followed by Byakuya and numerous other well dressed males came for the party. Truthfully, this was a formal gathering held every now and then, the Officers' Ball as some liked to call it. It was open to most shinigami but was popular for the captains and lieutenants as it leveled the playing field for a night per say. This event was always held in the real world and was secured by a mix of several divisions that provided a guard for the party. The high density of reiatsu often drew in the hollow so a guard was necessary.
Retsu quietly followed Jushiro's reiatsu inside. She had intended on surprising him and she hadn't seen him outside yet. From past experiences, the ball was always very extravagant, so she wanted to share it with her sweetheart. She soon found the room that the two men were in and knocked gently. Jushiro answered. "Come in." He sitting on the bed with a cup in his hand, and Shunsui sat on the chair beside him with his own cup. Jushiro looks surprised to see her and puts his cup down before approaching her and pulling her into a hug. "Retsu..." She smiles, hugging him back tight. She had missed him. "Is that sake I smell?" He nods. "My first, if you're curious. Do you mind?" She looks thoughtful before pulling him down to kiss him gently. "Not as long as you take it easy." He kisses back lovingly before smiling. "I always do." Shunsui stands. "Well since you're both occupied…" Retsu looks at him. "Don't make yourself sick tonight. I'm off duty." She smiles sweetly, though Shunsui feels the threat. "I'll behave... Promise." Jushiro watches, amused, before Shunsui slips out, leaving the two. Retsu looks up at Jushiro with a sigh. "He is a worry... Will it be happening tonight?" Jushiro looks thoughtful. "I doubt it. Most likely tomorrow morning." She nods. "Should I be here?" Jushiro nods. "It might be good... Plus, it gives us an excuse to relax together." Retsu smiles gently. "Then I suppose tonight we are coming out? Not that it's much of a secret now anyway." He nods. "I'm a little nervous..." She kisses him and squeezes him gently. "Don't be, it's not good for you." He chuckles lightly. "I know... But I'm a bit shy..." She looks amused. "Shy isn't the word. Selectively social I think describes you." He smiles. "Perhaps." She takes his hand and then goes to open the door, only to be stopped by Jushiro who then kisses her lovingly. "I love you." She blushes kissing back, surprised by the gentle force. It made her lose her focus for a moment. "Are you afraid I would leave?" He shakes his head. "I haven't told you I loved you today. Simple as that." She giggles. "You are shocking." He smiles innocently. "I'm old fashioned. There's a difference." She nods. "I love you too, and it's kind of cute..." She blushes but quickly falls out of it. "Let's go, taicho." He nods and follows her faithfully, and they soon join the party. The musicians had started playing classical music as well as traditional Japanese types as well. Most people were socialising but some people had started dancing together in tune to the music. Byakuya had stolen Rukia for a graceful dance. It seemed he had also assisted in decorating. Senbonzakura had been released, and fell gently from the sky to just above people's heads before disappearing. It gave the party the finishing touches, looking lovely in the lighting. It was now that they expected the young girls to show up with their partners.