my beta is on fire, I just finished this today and ChocoChibi sent it back so fast, it's amazing :D anyway, enjoy this minna ~3
bleach is not mine
It took a little while to get to the mansion and the four chatted as they walked. Toshiro and Sogyo both helped their partners up over the rusted gate before jumping over themselves. They could faintly hear music and the boys continued walking the girls around the house, until they finally came around the corner with shock, seeing the beautifully decorated backyard. The cherry petals falling endlessly from the sky made the girls stare in awe. A few people glanced their way but didn't move to greet them. Toshiro had gone back to his quiet self and leads the way, pulling Karin with him followed by Sogyo and Yuzu, through the crowd to find Jushiro leaning against a tree, listening to Shunsui telling a story excitedly. Retsu stood by Jushiro's side smiling as well, with a glass of wine in her hand. The three looked toward the approaching company, and Jushiro smiles welcomingly. "So the four finally turn up." The girls blush deeply, not aware that they were expected, and Sogyo smiles. "The other party is over. It was fun." Toshiro nods. "Is everyone here already?" Jushiro nods. "But not for long, it's just calmed down now." Retsu smiles. "You girls look wonderful. Welcome." Yuzu and Karin nod, blushing. "Thank you, ma'am." Jushiro looks around. "Why don't you four take a look around? You will know when anything is happening." Sogyo nods and happily pulls Yuzu along with him gently, and they investigate the party. Karin and Toshiro do the same before finding a nice place to talk.
Sogyo is curious about the willow tree, as is Yuzu so the pair wander of over with surprised awe, seeing the private ballroom the tree created. Sogyo looks around before offering Yuzu his hand and bowing. "It would be our greatest honour, if we could have this dance." Yuzu blushes bright red. "I...I can't do classical dance..." He smiles gently. "We will teach you." Yuzu nervously takes his hand and Sogyo lifts her hand, pulling her close and putting his hand on her waist, holding her gently but in a way he could lead the dance. She nervously put a hand on his arm and held his other hand tight. Sogyo then lifts her onto his feet and steps into a graceful waltz in time with the music. She blushes worse, burying her face in his chest, and he chuckles gently. "You should look to the side, you will look more lady-like." she blushes worse and does as told. She realised that the waltz seemed pretty easy and soon Sogyo placed her on the ground. "Now you try. Step back a little and then bring your feet together, step forward and then together, and repeat." He smiles encouragingly, and she bites her lip before stepping back. he keeps up with her flawlessly and soon she found herself waltzing. Sogyo lead her perfectly and the two spun gently under the willow tree. As the music slowed, they came to a stop and Sogyo let go of her hand, and brought his hand gently to her chin to lift her lips to his. He kissed her gently and she kissed back lovingly, bringing her hand to his shoulder.
Their moment was disturbed when another couple entered the makeshift ballroom. Momo was being led gently by Kira and they both instantly look apologetic. Sogyo waves it off with a blush. "It's fine, Hinamori fukutaicho, Kira fukutaicho..." Momo suddenly remembers Yuzu. "Oh, you're Kurosaki-san's sister, aren't you?" Yuzu blushes with a nod, and Hinamori comes over. "I barely recognised you... You look so pretty! You two are so cute together." She bows her head politely to Sogyo. "You look handsome too, Sogyo-kun." He blushes, going shy, and Kira approaches them. "It's really nice under here... Do you mind if we dance here too? If it's not interrupting…" Yuzu and Sogyo shake their heads and Yuzu smiles. "No, it's fine. Go ahead." Kira takes Momo's hand and smiles gratefully, before pulling her aside and stepping into a waltz with her. Yuzu blushes, looking at Sogyo, who takes her again in a waltz hold and they dance too. A few more couples joined them after that before everyone left. Sogyo led Yuzu outside where everyone was gathering and Jushiro stood in front of everyone, waiting patiently. Finally silence fell and he started speaking.
He cleared his throat and began with a smile. "Good evening, every one. I'm glad to see so many faces here. Welcome to the Officers' ball. It's been a few years since the last one and that is entirely my fault, my apologies. Now though we are here so I won't drag it on. Thirteenth division is in charge of this ball and I hope you're enjoying yourself. As most of you know, we are not just here to party though. The captains should know already, but I've got a few announcements. Firstly, the Shinigami Women's Association wishes me to award their 'hardest worker' award." He pulls out a card. "It goes to Nanao Ise fukutaicho." Nanao blushes and walks up to Jushiro, who hands her the card. Jushiro smiles. "Congratulations, Ise fukutaicho." She nods, accepting it gratefully. "Thank you, Ukitake-taicho." The crowd cheered for Nanao and she returned to her captain's side. Jushiro claps her on before continuing. "The next is from the Shinigami Men's Association. The hardest worker award goes to Renji Abarai." Renji grins and smugly walks up to receive his prize as the crowd claps and cheers. Jushiro went through the division's awards next and finally had given all the rewards out. The girls watched as the respective shinigami were rewarded with their prizes. They were however shocked when they were called up front.
Jushiro sighs. "And now, finally the business end of the night. Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki, please come forward to join me." They blush and walk up to him, nervously looking at the crowd. Jushiro looks down at them. "This one is in regard to our laws... But first, congratulations for graduating your schooling, it's a big achievement for anyone." They nod gratefully and he looks thoughtful before continuing. "Now, usually no one... but perhaps Ichigo-kun and his friends... knows nearly as much about Soul Society as you two do. It's been decided by the higher powers that you both may be given the chance to make your home in Soul Society." The girls instantly look shocked but amazed. "Why?" Jushiro smiles. "Soul Society is a funny place." Both girls look at the crowd and look for their partners who smiled encouragingly. The other captains smiled gently and the lieutenants clapped proudly. No one looked upset at this decision. Jushiro looks at the girls. "If you come to Soul Society, you will be joining your father." The girls look confused until Isshin joins them. He wore the same uniform as the captains and spoke himself. "I haven't been completely honest..." They look at him with shock and he continues. "I used to be a captain there. It wasn't easy, but I'm not anymore... Of course, my job is being your daddy now!" Jushiro smiles. "It's up to you girls now. If you want to come to soul society, you will have a place at the academy waiting for you, and of course the friends you have made will be there to support you. The only downside, you will have to leave your human life behind you… You won't remember them." The girls were thinking of saying yes but now they were unsure if they could let go of their human lives. Jushiro smiles gently. "You don't have to make your mind up tonight, or tomorrow. You don't need to accept the invitation at all, but this is the invitation granted to you by the Central 46, so take some time and decide what you want. For tonight though, enjoy the party with everyone here." Jushiro turns to the crowd. "To everyone else, have fun. And remember you all have work tomorrow." He smiles cheerfully and the crowd disperses, talking animatedly.
Yuzu and Karin share an unsure look and then look at Isshin. "Why didn't you tell us?" He smiles. "Because technically I deserted and I am a criminal." They look shocked. "What did you do?" He chuckles. "I saved your mom, and I couldn't be a Shinigami anymore... But I broke a law to do that. After that I fell in love with her and you guys came along, I never really wanted to go back. But if my little girls are going there, I'll follow you because I'm supposed to protect you. It's my job." They blush and find themselves tearing up a little, and they hug him tight. "We love you, dad... Even though you are an old geezer." He chuckles and hugs back. "Mom would be proud of you both, remember that." They smile and wipe their eyes. "Thanks dad." The girls then turn to their partners, with the option to be by their sides forever or to remain human. They weren't sure what they should do, but for now, they just wanted to be with them. For now they were human, they would enjoy that moment.