Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Translator's note: A quick refresher on some subtleties in honorifics, at least as used in this story. The -no-kimi suffix is best understood as "Your Majesty", and is considered a very, very high form of honorific. In the Bleach universe, it would only be used for the four Heads of House. The honorific -dono is used for generic nobility or other stations of honor. The -sama honorific is greater than -dono and can sometimes imply a more personal level of respect. (Servants, for example, will always address masters using -sama rather than -dono.) The regular suffix -san could be used for anyone. -kun, -chan, -tan and the modern -rin tend to be cutesy, personal and/or affectionate.
Nanao surveyed the young princess before her. She knew her in more casual circumstances - after all, she was technically Nanao's cousin twice removed - but in a professional capacity, Nanao was starting with a clean slate of first impressions.
Banzo Sarashina was a breathtakingly beautiful woman. She had the traditional straight, feathery platinum blonde hair of the Banzo bloodline, but unlike her mother, she let it hang loose down to the small of her back. She had highly angular features: narrow slanted eyes that shimmered a majestic silvery blue, a oval face that ended in a sharp chin, and her telltale elfin ears that stuck out to an almost arrowheaded point.
Despite the fact that Nanao continued to wear a shinigami shihakusho underneath her blue haori, the Kido Corps did not use the same uniform as the Gotei 13. Banzo-san had completely bypassed uniforms altogether, save for a blue cape that was customary among the Kido Corps elite. Underneath it, she wore a simple white medieval-era dress, the kind with a lace corset underneath her modest bosom. Altogether, Sarashina had a lithe and slender build, which only contributed to the constant comparison to the mythological elvish race. Her zanpakutou - a small, ornate silver and pewter stilletto with a red garnet in the crossguard - was tucked into her white cloth belt without a sheath.
Unlike her mother's more casual, laid-back presence, Banzo Sarashina was a dignified, elegant lady; with a certain respect for her noble position. Unlike her jovial older heartthrob of a brother Vojiro, Sarashina was a serious woman; although she was known to be approachable and relatively social. She had good rapport with Rukia-san's like-minded lieutenant, Shiba Kanchi, although she tended to be more reserved in her emotions. Like Nanao, she had a beautiful voice (but mezzo as opposed to Nanao's alto). She was not as well known for it, however, since it lacked the power, finesse, and range of Lieutenant Kuchiki Hisako; with which Banzo-san had a supposedly respectful-yet-impersonal relationship with.
First impressions were important, Nanao knew. And to be honest, Sarashina looked more like an ivory-tower daughter of fortune than a soldier with grit and gut. But first impressions could be deceiving. Banzo Sarashina was the second child of Banzo Ichihime - and Nanao knew Banzo Taicho well enough to know that there was no way Sarashina-san would be a naive, shielded simpleton. The children of Banzo Ichihime were not raised to be fools that knew nothing of a hard life.
Nanao had been impressed with Sarashina's file. It wasn't surprising; she was a descendant of the Four Houses and thus possessed great reiatsu by mere genetics. Even so, she had done well in the Kido Corps, like most members of the Banzo Clan. Ichihime had been the exception; historically, the Royal House of Banzo had many of its members in elite positions of the Kido Corps. Sarashina's grandfather and great grandfather had been Major Generals of the Kido Corps prior to Nanao's assassination of Banzo Tanabi.
Offhand, Nanao wondered what Sarashina would have thought about that if she knew.
Banzo Sarashina's file indicated that she had exceptional talent in medical kido. She had originally done a stint in the 4th division, but had been recommended to transfer to the Kido Corps from Captain Kotetsu Isane. Sarashina had been in the Kido Corps for the past fifty or so years; eventually reaching the position of 8th seat. There, her file indicated a total mastery of bakudo all the way up into the level 90s, including advanced kido chaining, wordless casting, and even kido fusion - something beyond the reach of 95% of kido practitioners. Even Rukia-san's kido fusion skills were very limited. More impressive was that Sarashina had actually studied Nanao's field of bahudo, and had mastered up to the level 30s. It was an accomplishment that only a very limited number of Kido Corps members had achieved. The previous lieutenant, Fuwu Yashitori, had barely been able to cast the level 20 bahudo spells, and only under great duress.
Banzo's hado skill was not as impressive. Sarashina's file noted that she was strong through the level 60s and needed incantations for the 70s, and was not prepared to use level 80 hado spells in battle. Her file noted that she was able to successfully cast a hado #88 with an incantation in training, although Nanao had seen it. It wasn't very potent. Considering Sarashina's zanpakutou, however, it was easy to dismiss Sarashina's hado deficiencies. If Nanao had a sigma zanpakutou like Sarashina did, she wouldn't need that kind of hado firepower either.
Nanao noticed that the Banzo princess had been still this entire time. I see she has patience, Nanao thought.
A notable virtue, Nanao's zanpakutou Saya commented.
"Banzo Sarashina-dono," Nanao began.
The elvish princess bowed respectfully. "Ise Shosho."
"Your application to the elite extermination squad, Death Last Standing, was rejected," Nanao stated factually.
"Yes," Sarashina admitted softly.
"Death isn't something that's pretty, is it."
"...No."
"It takes a certain kind of person who can deliver it. That's why you weren't accepted, isn't it? Is that why they didn't let you in?"
Sarashina closed her eyes, afraid to look at her superior. "...I was not told why," she replied, "but it is likely the reason."
"Why? You're a soldier, aren't you? How could you refuse to kill someone?"
Sarashina knew that this was the end of the road for her. It was obvious she wasn't going to get the job, so she might as well be forthcoming. "I don't know that I am capable of that sacrifice."
Sacrifice? "And where did you get that credo, Banzo-kun?" Nanao shot at her, deliberately jabbing her with a derogatory suffix just to see how she reacted. "Who taught you that killing another is a sacrifice?"
"No one," Sarashina stated firmly, although also a touch shamefully. "But my mother always said that living is far harder than dying. It seems to be a logical extension of that principle."
" 'Living is far harder than dying'? Is that what you said?"
"That is my mother's wisdom," Sarashina insisted, not daring to suggest she was wise enough to derive such a principle on her own. "And I have yet to find it incorrect."
Nanao smiled. Banzo Ichihime was a very wise woman, perhaps one of the wisest ever known. "Then forget about Death Last Standing. A conscience is far more valuable. You'll work for me instead, Lieutenant Banzo, because I want a conscience next to me. Otherwise, I won't have one."
~The nomination of Princess Banzo Sarashina to Lieutenant of the Kido Corps, many years into the future
"No, Mom - I really did bang my head on the ceiling this morning. I'm not joking."
~Yamada Makane, son of Yamada Hanataro and Kotetsu Isane
Hikaru sat quietly with Tokine-san. Tokine-san didn't talk much, but Hikaru had always found a kindred spirit in the 4th division returnee, and Hikaru often invited her for tea. Tokine-san was the only other native sign-language speaker in Hikaru's extended social circle. They were both deep lovers of music, and without doubt, both were very misunderstood people who didn't even understand themselves most of the time. Like Hikaru, Tokine-san had also suffered the loss of a loved one to the natural differences of aging between humans and shinigami; and Hikaru sought her comfort.
[How do you live?] Hikaru asked.
[The pain is still fresh in your heart, Hikaru-kun. It will fade.]
Hikaru sighed. The -kun suffix just reinforced the messy confusion that so often burdened the young shinigami. [What was it like when your husband died, Shihoin-sama?]
[Insufferable,] Toki signed. [Unbearable. It was the third time I lost a man I loved, but he was the only one with whom I had loved in both mind and body, and the only one who loved me more than I loved him. Like you, I could not imagine living.]
[Does it still hurt?]
"No," Toki said, and Hikaru knew that when Tokine-san chose to speak in the spoken word, it was with an intensity of meaning and emphasis. [Because he gave me three children, all of whom carry his legacy of kindness. Who support me the way he did, who are prime examples of how we wish for the generation after us to surpass us. And that is how I live on - because unlike Kaseira-kun or Trevor-kun, Kyon-kun still lives with me. In his children. In our children. He is still with me.]
Hikaru understood the implication, even if it didn't feel right - for many reasons. [Telling me that I am my father does not make me feel better.]
[Time is the only treatment for grief, Hikaru-kun. But your father made every effort to spend time with you, and he had to cross dimensions to do it. He was, by my measure, the best father he could be. And you were clearly influenced by him. You can only celebrate the fact that this is clear: as much as you miss him, he loved you far more than you will ever understand. And you should take some solace from that.]
[Perhaps,] Hikaru replied, frustrated nonetheless. [Thank you for talking with me, Shihoin-sama.]
"Yes."
~The early teenage years of Kuchiki Hikaru, struggling to cope with the passing of Kurosaki Ichigo
Nanao darted inside, a pit of discomfort swollen in her chest.
"Everything okay?" Ukitake asked her.
Nanao's demeanor tightened. "Banzo Fukutaicho is here."
"So we can get started, then, right?"
"...I, um, think she needs a moment."
Kiyone caught up to them. "Well? What's taking so long? Nee-chan is getting anxious."
"It seems that we are waiting for Banzo-dono," her husband explained.
"Is she here yet?"
"She's outside," Nanao offered. "But-"
"No, no buts!" Kiyone insisted. "This is my sister's wedding! She's gonna get her ass in here or I'm going to beat it with a stick!"
"Wait, Kiyone-san -"
"Kiyone!"
But Kiyone, who occasionally still endured bouts of impulsivity, had already charged out the front door of the meeting hall.
"This is not going to end well," Nanao muttered, facepalming.
Ukitake chuckled. When his wife made up her mind, that was it. There was no turning back. "I don't know. Kiyone has always been good at smacking people around. You never know."
Nanao gave him a cold, gloomy stare. "Like I said: this is not going to end well."
-:-
"Oi, Banzo Fukutaicho!" Kiyone shouted as she came out into the courtyard. "You ready yet?"
Ichihime's face fell. Wonderful. Fucking wonderful. They sent out the pushy one.
Kiyone was upon her in a quick flash step. She meant business. "Oi, c'mon - Nee-chan is getting anxious - oh, who's your guest?"
Ichihime sighed. This was terrible timing. "Kotetsu Fukutaicho, this is Nikayui Adame-dono."
Adame looked at Ichihime sideways while he gave a polite bow. "Pleased to meet you."
Aw crap, Ichihime grumbled to herself. That was rude. I should have introduced him as my fiance.
You're on a roll, aren't you? Shiji interjected.
Shut up before I put you on a roll with ketchup and mustard and feed you to a demon, Ichihime retorted.
That was a lame comeback, Hime-sama.
Yeah, well I'm obviously not at the top of my game right now. And you're not helping.
Do I ever help?
Shut. UP!
Kiyone was now shaking Ichihime's arm. "C'mon already! Let's go! They are going to call you in and then the wedding procession can begin! What are you waiting for?"
"Kotetsu Fukutaicho, could you give us a minute?" Ichihime grumbled.
"Oh, don't worry, you look fine," Kiyone misinterpreted, and started dragging her by the hand. "C'mon, let's go!"
Ichihime looked back at Adame in order to show him that she was rolling her eyes. He sighed and followed as Ichihime was dragged by the blonde giant into the main building.
-:-
The pair of trumpets by the ceremonial garden entrance blared, catching the attention of the guests. Afterwards, the doorman made his announcement.
"All rise!"
The audience stood from their placemats and faced the door.
"Presenting the Esteemed Head of House, Princess Banzo Fukutaicho-no-kimi, and her escort, the Honorable Sir Nikayui-sama!"
The crowd bowed politely as an extremely awkward Ichihime slowly walked down the isle to the front of the room. She could hear the 'oohs' and 'aahs' and gasps of admiration. Had Ichihime been able to pay attention to them, she would have seen the guests admiring her new bangles and their matching sheath, but she was in another world. Adame was next to her, but she dared not look at him. Her head was humbly looking down to the floor; embarrassed and full of shame. In most circumstances, she would be agitated about such fanfare, but instead, she was agitated with herself and with Adame. What a time for a fight, she muttered to herself. How come he's making such a big deal out of nothing?
He's not making a big deal out of nothing, Shiji answered her, and you know it.
How could you say that, Shiji! That's awful! What, do you think I'm wrong? Do you think I'm wrong because I believe that Shorty-senpai is free to love anyone she wants, to call anyone she wants her family? For Kami's sake, she's married to a human, calls Glasses-senpai her sister, and she herself is not even a Kuchiki by birth! What does it matter? Do you think I'm wrong? Do you think I should protest her decision?
Of course not, Shiji answered strongly, sparing no ounce of disgust with his master's accusation. Of course I agree with you that she should be entitled to adopt and love whomever she likes. But you aren't a nobody, Hime-sama; you're a Head of House, and like it or not, you are the last known living member of the Royal Banzo Bloodline. What if you were to do the same? What if you adopted? Would you sacrifice one of the greatest veins of shinigami power that exist in Soul Society? The only reason you even considered approaching the Nikayui family is because you yourself acknowledge that you have a responsibility to your noble duties. You can't pretend like it's irrelevant to you, because it isn't.
Ichihime couldn't believe it, but her eyes began to tear as she and Adame took their place at a set of chairs that were set up for them on the left side at the front. Opposite, on the right, sat Shihoin Tokine (whom Ichihime had not yet met in person) and an oddly dressed man. They were the only four individuals seated in chairs; everyone else was on traditional Japanese floor mats in neat rows in the ceremonial gardens.
You know I'm right, Shiji added. And I know you know it, because you haven't told me to shut up yet.
Resigned to silence in the face of rebuke, Ichihime was too angry and ashamed to even look at Adame. Instead, she kept her focus trained on the isle where the wedding processional would continue.
-:-
"Presenting the Groom, Yamada Hanataro-sama, escorted by his father, Former Lieutenant Yamada Seinosuke-sama, and brother-in-law-to-be Captain Ukitake Jushiro-dono!" the doorman called.
Ichihime watched with great interest (partially because it was the first time she had been witness to a commoner's wedding ceremony, and partially because that way she wouldn't have to look at Adame) as the tiny man was escorted by his much taller father and the Gotei 13 captain. Seinosuke was carrying a lit candle, and when they arrived at the podium where Unohana Taicho was waiting, Seinosuke lit a small torch on the left.
Hanataro was, for a change, rather handsome. He was wearing a traditional royal blue kimono, and his hair was neatly cut. He was a touch nervous, as he fidgeted with his fingers a bit - but his smile was dignified and eager. His zanpakutou hung at his side and its scabbard was laced in gold chain, similar to the upper noble style that Adame was wearing (although Ichihime knew Adame's katana was simply ceremonial). Hanataro was rather regal and gave off no aura of bumbling klutzitude that he normally carried - in fact, he looked princely, which was admittedly hard to pull off for him.
"Presenting the Bride, Lieutenant Kotetsu Isane-sama, escorted by her sister, Lieutenant Ukitake-Kotetsu Kiyone-sama, and close friend of the bride, Major General Ise Nanao-dono!"
Isane emerged from the doorway (she needed to bend over to get through), with Nanao on her left and Kiyone on her right. Like Seinosuke, Kiyone was carrying a candle as the bride's next of kin. Nanao's lilac kimono was rather modest, and while she had let her hair down, she was still in glasses. Kiyone had, not surprisingly, gone for the blonde bombshell look; with her hair curled and an almost-subtle-but-not-quite-subtle-enough display of tightly-packed cleavage.
But, Ichihime had to admit, Isane outdid them both.
The colossal lieutenant was wearing a very plain, simple, traditional red bride's kimono. A traditional wide scarlet obi matched the look, with Isane's long zanpakutou bound laterally through the knot in the classic feminine style. Isane's silvery-lavenderish hair was pinned up in luscious red roses, and her two long strands of wrapped hair had been rethreaded in red and gold and were crossed in the front. What was surprising was that it had to be the first time Ichihime had ever seen Isane wear makeup - most of it was subtle save for a dark red lipstick. It was a very traditional outfit, but Isane wore it exceptionally well. Her beaming smile was so bright that Ichihime wished she had sunglasses - cliche, but the only way Ichihime could do justice to describe the bride's excitement.
She's so beautiful, Ichihime thought.
Because today, she thinks she is, Shiji commented. And because she believes it to be, then the world makes it so.
That's some pretty high-falutin' commentary from you, Ichihime sassed.
Hey, I'm just like you. I'm not dumb, I just look like it, he sassed back.
Oh shut up.
Kiyone lit the other torch on the podium, and Hanataro then took Isane's hand. Both of them looked elated. The two bridesmaids and two groomsmen then circled around the happy couple, and then they stood off to the side.
Unohana spoke. "With the blessings of the Ancients, we summon guests to celebrate. We end two journeys and begin one. With the blessings of the Ancients, we invite the blessings of all others."
"By the Ancients, I bless you with happiness," Seinosuke said from the side.
"By the Ancients, I bless you with joy," Kiyone continued.
"By the Ancients, I bless you with harmony," Jushiro said.
"By the Ancients, I bless you with peace," Nanao added.
"With the blessings of the Ancients, we bless you with each other," Unohana continued.
Hanataro withdrew his Hisagomaru and held it out with two hands for Isane to take. "With this, my soul is yours."
Isane gracefully took it from him in her left hand, and in her right, removed Itegumo from the back of her waist. Carefully passing Hanataro her zanpakutou, she placed his katana in the sheath on her back. "I may only take what I can give," she recited in turn as he carefully placed Itegumo in Hisagomaru's scabbard, trying as hard as he could not to fumble it. Itegumo was quite a few inches longer than Hisagomaru, so it stuck out a bit. Isane thought it was cute, and couldn't keep a quiet giggle from escaping.
Hanataro reached his palm forward, and Isane intertwined her fingers in it before he spoke. "In sword and steel, I take you as my wife."
"In blade and bone, I take you as my husband."
Unohana smiled cheerily. "With the blessings of the Ancients, may you be united for all time."
The crowd began to sing the matrimonial cant as the tiny Yamada Hanataro ascended a not-so-small stepstool that his father brought out, just so that he could kiss his brand new wife at her eye level. It was embarassing, but Hanataro was used to being embarassed when it came to just about everything. Kiyone (whose voice was terrible) and Nanao (whose voice was magnificent) stood at Isane's side in their matching kimonos and joined the cant at its reiteration of the chorus. Jushiro and Yamada Seinosuke, Hanataro's father and Unohana's former vice captain, stood behind the groom and joined in as well, although thankfully not too loudly.
Ichihime risked a glance at Adame. He didn't seem to catch it; it appeared that he been studiously focusing his attention on the ceremony. Ichihime wondered if he would ever understand what it was like to hold another's zanpakutou like that. As a shinigami, Ichihime understood the significance of trading zanpakutou. It was to hand someone the most intimate and personal part of you, and ask them to love you for who you were; to cherish even the person's shortcomings and to know that each of you accepted the other as you were. That you loved them. That they loved you. That your souls communicated soul-to-soul; that they were intrinsically bound. The fact that their swords even let another hold them was telling about how comfortable they felt with each other. It may have been a commoner's custom, but Ichihime found it just as deep and inspiring and wondrous as the many noble marriages she had attended, including the ultra-high-class affairs of the three Four Houses weddings of the past decade; Shorty-senpai, Taicho-sama and Yoruichi-obasama.
You think I'm going to be lonely just because he doesn't have a manifested soulcore, don't you, Shiji commented.
Ichihime choked a bit on her own tears. She didn't know why she was crying, but she was just overcome with confusing emotion and didn't know what to think anymore. I'm sorry, Shiji. I don't know how any of this works.
Shiji didn't have a response for that. Ichihime wasn't encouraged by his unexpected speechlessness.
The cant finished, and Unohana gestured off to her left. Ichihime followed the call of attention to the other yellow-kimonoed woman in attendance, who pulled out a small silver tanto with a wooden handle. Ichihime was too far away to hear anything but could see her mumble something, and the tanto seemed to disappear into the palm of her hand.
The tiny Shihoin Tokine (who seemed to be very stiff and nonemotive) waved her arm in a circular arc. To everyone's surprise, hundreds of roses burst forth from the earth of the ceremonial gardens, blanketing the open space with a sea of pinks and reds and whites and yellows. It was a stunning floral display - Ichihime was duly impressed.
Well, that's one way to keep the florist expenses down, Shiji laughed.
The guests in attendance were impressed by the sudden and beautiful flora, and a few began to applaud among their numerous notes of cooing admiration. When Ichihime started clapping, she did not realize that they were looking to her for a cue; and suddenly the applause grew strong and loud.
Oh brother, Ichihime muttered mentally. C'mon, guys, you don't need my permission to clap. Sheesh. I get that you're all deferring to my honor, but c'mon, let's not be stupid here.
She didn't look, but she could hear Adame clapping next to her. Ichihime wondered if it was only because of her, or if he would have done so otherwise.
Don't be an idiot, Shiji whined. He's clapping because he's impressed, not because you are.
It's a little late, Ichihime sighed back to him. I'm already an idiot today.
Can I get that in writing?
Shut up, you yellow-bellied oni.
Hey, what's wrong with having a yellow belly? I think the color suits me.
Not now, Shiji. Not now. Anytime but now, okay?
Fine, he muttered.
-:-
In order to control the costs of the wedding, Nanao had figured that an elaborate buffet-style reception would appear more grand and cost less than a traditional meal-per-person event of the same formality. For most small commoner weddings, this wasn't such a big deal. In this case, though, Nanao had paid extra attention to detail to make sure that she squeezed every last ounce of fancy that she could, given that there were several upper-class nobles in attendance. (Well, technically, her father Kyoraku Shunsui was an upper-class noble, but he didn't count.)
Ichihime was impressed with the display - but more importantly, it had everything she loved. Ichihime preferred simple food - although she had grown up on the richest, most lavish food that her father could find to be served, the truth was that Ichihime could do just swell with a bowl of rice and soy sauce. One time, someone in her division had her try a bowl of macaroni and cheese, and it was one of the most wonderful things Ichihime had ever consumed. The collection of items at the buffet were aimed at providing for a commoner's sensibilities - sushi, tempura, onigiri, steak bits, marinated chicken, pasta with herbs, bacon-roasted potatoes, salads of all types. None of that weird "fried dragon's eye served in sweatbread cream" or "goose liver patte with flying-fish caviar soaked in steamed lizard claws" or "calamari marinated in a blend of exotic mountain goat milk on a bed of peeled diamond locust legs" or other insanities that were supposedly called delicacies.
Unfortunately, Ichihime and Adame still weren't talking. He was being polite and sociable to anyone who came by, and he stood next to her as they surveyed the food, but beyond that, it was uncomfortable.
Ichihime tried to break the ice with something that was mundane but civil. "Shall we get something to eat?"
"Sure," he said, although not with his usual charm and enthusiasm.
Ichihime was surprised when, after a moment, he politely passed her a small plate of rice tempura - remembering that it was her favorite. "Aw, thanks," she said sweetly, trying to be nice and make up for her nasty behavior. He returned a charming smile but said nothing as he continued to pick out a few items.
Ichihime added a series of items to her plate (mainly some chicken, pasta, and artichoke hearts), and met up with Adame. She studied his plate and found that he had some of the marinated meat and bacon dumplings.
"How's the food?" she asked, trying to make small talk.
"Quite good," he answered, swallowing. "These dumplings are rather tasty."
Ichihime smiled and sighed uneasily. "I... could use some fresh air. Would you mind getting me some wine and meeting me outside?"
He put his fork down on his plate and paused. "Red or white?"
"You're so thoughtful," she said nicely, perhaps overdoing it with the cloying overture but trying hard to make amends. "White."
"I'll meet you in the gardens," he answered, not coldly but not with his regular warmth, and Ichihime turned to head back outside; trying to collect herself.
On the way, however, she was accosted by her uncle and his guest. "Hime-chan! You look so beautiful today."
"Arigato, Shunsui-ojisama," she bowed politely. Kyoraku was her elder and she always treated him respectfully, no matter how much she hated it when he called her that. 'Hime-sama' was annoying but she would suffer it - in fact, it was probably the only time she tolerated that overblown -sama honorific from anyone other than her servant staff, where it was unavoidable - but the -chan just grated her. She hadn't been -chan to anybody in over a hundred years, save for Yachiru since it couldn't be helped. "Nice to see you, Rantao Fukutaicho."
Her fellow lieutenant nodded. "...What did you think of the ceremony?" she asked cautiously. Her previous exposure to the Banzo princess had been a bit... rough around the edges.
"I found it very inspiring," Ichihime replied, her formality in place. "I have never seen anything like it before - was it, ah, a typical ceremony?" For commoners, I mean. Although I can't say that because it would be rude.
Rantao understood the hidden question. Socially awkard, yes; idiot, no. "It's one of the many variations, yes," she answered demurely.
"Where's your guest, Hime-chan?" Kyoraku snuck in. "I was hoping I could get to have a drink with the young fellow."
Uh, no. The last thing I need is for Uncle Shun to start playing 20 Questions. "He is braving the lines by the bar, I believe."
"Oh I'm sure if you went over there they would let you cut through," Shunsui shrugged. "Head of House and all," he teased, knowing full well how much Ichihime hated to flaunt her position of royalty.
Oh give me a break, Ichihime thought. You know I hate that kind of shit. "I came to celebrate the bride and groom's union, not to interfere with the celebrations of those around me," she answered pointedly but politely, knowing full well that Shunsui was poking fun at her.
Shunsui laughed, turning to Rantao, who seemed very out of place in the presence of the majestic princess in her formalwear. "That's Hime-chan for you. Always pretending like she's one of the gang."
"Thank you for saying hello, Shunsui-ojisama. Nice to see you again, Rantao Fukutaicho," Ichihime said politely, sounding totally unlike herself. Her princess speech was always on hyperdrive when she was in the presence of her uncle. She was anxious to get outside (so she could stop acting like a saccharine, sugary porcelain doll) and wait for Adame so that they could talk. "If you'll please excuse me, I need some fresh air."
"Come, Kiku-san, before Hime-chan's food gets cold waiting for her to eat it," Kyoraku suggested, catching Ichihime's desire to be left alone. "Besides, I want you to taste the dumplings."
"Yes, try the dumplings," Ichihime encouraged. "I've heard that they are delicious."
They made their niceties and Ichihime finally made it outside. The ceremonial gardens were beautiful, and a few others had come out to enjoy the fresh air. Thankfully, it was considerably less crowded as most were still hitting the buffet. Ichihime meandered a bit, trying to enjoy the clean air and the wonderful scent of roses. She was thinking about what to say to Adame when she was approached by the other House representative at the wedding.
Accosted at every turn, aren't we? Shiji teased. You're so popular today.
And you've got a gas-powered turbine attached to your motormouth.
Hey, it's your fault I'm so snarky today.
You're snarky every day. Today, you're just annoying.
Tsk, tsk. Play nice now!
Whatever. Just shut up!
[It is my honor to meet the Head of Banzo House,] Toki signed, bowing her head slightly. [I am Shihoin Toyuki Tokine, and this here is Kyon.] The man next to her in the odd attire bowed as well, although he appeared to be less accustomed to the gesture and did it rather rigidly.
[Nice to meet you,] Ichihime signed back. [I was unaware that you were deaf.]
[I am not,] she replied, her face as still as steel as but her hands conveying a humorous smile. [It is simply my preferred language.]
Ichihime smiled warmly. "Would you mind, then, if I prefer my native Japanese?"
[Kyon only speaks English or Greek. And to be honest, his English sounds more like Greek to me.]
Ichihime laughed. For the sake of Kyon, she pointed to herself. "Banzo Ichihime."
"It is a great honor," he supplied in his native tongue, bowing again. Because she was a shinigami, Ichihime instantly understood it; but she wondered if she had ever actually heard Greek before.
[It sure can be awkward having companions who lack the gift of tongues.]
Ichihime laughed, and decided sign language was the only polite way to respond. [I never thought of it, but my fiance is not a shinigami, either; so I suppose you may be correct. His lack of familiarity with the inner workings of the Gotei 13 certainly seems to be a source of confusion rather often.] Come to think of it, I wonder if Adame knows any languages besides Japanese.
"I am honored that you have come to greet me," Ichihime said, switching into English for Kyon's benefit. Her English was distinctly Scottish with a speckled flavor of Norwegian and a hint of Irish. Ichihime was positive that it was as equally as impossible for Kyon to understand as her more normative Japanese. "I have not had the opportunity to properly welcome you until now, Shihoin-dono. How are you adjusting to Soul Society? I know that you have been away for a very long time."
[It has been extremely difficult and exceedingly stressful,] the robotic woman replied, her emotion conveyed only on her hands and body gestures and nowhere on her face. [I am not used to being around so many people, and after six centuries of isolation, I have discovered that I lack any sense of social etiquette. I am not used to conversing so much and feel overwhelmed. I would rather be in my room with Kyon and my music. I am surprised that I am even talking to you now. It is very unlike me. But Unohana Taicho ordered me to be social, and so I am following her command. It is a very difficult order but I am trying. She says it is good for me. I cannot understand how, but Kyon agrees.]
Ichihime found her straight, blunt, factual, no-bull self-assessment remarkably suprising. Usually people weren't that frank with you. Given what she had seen in the past few moments, it was... unsurprising that a military order was the only reason she was engaged in discussion. Shihoin Toyuki Tokine was very clearly not a normal individual. "I am sorry to hear that it has been hard," she returned kindly in English. "Have you at least found it easy to return to your House?"
[Even that has been difficult,] she answered. [It is nothing like I remember it. I do not know any of the servants, and I miss my father. But Yoruichi-sama and Urahara-sama are very kind to me, and their daughter Zari-chan is very playful. Her romping inspires me with hope that life here will hold promise for me. I have never been around small children before. I was always the youngest when I grew up in my father's House.]
Kyon spoke up, sensing a pause in the conversation. "Toki-san was just recalling how she knew your ancestors."
That had Ichihime's attention. "Really?"
[I knew the ones who were shinigami. Are any of them still alive?]
Ichihime thought of her grandfather Jirobu, who was likely still alive in the Royal Guard; but it was not prudent to discuss such details in public. "Unfortunately, I regret to state that I am the last known living member of my House."
[I remember Hibaku-dono in particular.]
"My great grandmother?"
[She was in the Kido Corps.]
"Most of my family has been in the Kido Corps," Ichihime remarked. "I could have been as well, but I decided to join the Gotei 13 instead." Absentmindedly, Ichihime added in sign language, [My kido is decent, but probably not good enough to even be accepted into the Kido Corps anymore. I'm sure I would have been quite talented if I had followed my father's desire to enlist in his division.]
[Do you regret your decision?]
Ichihime laughed. "Not one bit."
Kyon was clearly confused by the missing link in the conversation, so Ichihime rebooted with another line of discussion for his sake. "Shihoin-dono, did you like the ceremony?"
[Yes,] she answered, her hand moving appropriately while the rest of her was completely still. [I am thinking it would be nice to use myself.]
Ichihime smiled politely. [Are the two of you getting married?] she asked, using sign language in order to be discreet.
[Yes,] she answered. [But Kyon doesn't know that yet,] she explained, her gestures humorous but her face as stiff as always.
Ichihime guffawed loudly, attracting the attention of some guests from afar, who had come out to admire the gardens and escape the throngs still crowding the buffet. The Banzo princess caught herself and reigned herself in. [When does he find out?] she signed with a smile.
[Whenever I can finally overcome the sensory overload of touching him. Men are very hairy beings, did you know? I do not yet know how I am expected to sire children when it involves the act of him inserting his penis into my vagina. The last time I was married, it was to a gay man - it was very convenient. At least until his mother murdered him, anyway.]
Ichihime couged in an attempt to provide cover for her gagging and choking. Okay, that was way too much information. Lack of social etiquette? Check the box, honey, you qualify. [Ah, well, may I say that you may not wish to repeat that too often,] Ichihime suggested as gently as possible.
[Socially inappropriate?]
[...Just a bit.]
[Thank you,] Toki signed. Ichihime noticed that not only did her fellow House Noble not emote, but she did not blink, either. Ichihime found it unsettling, despite the fact that the woman's hand-based communication was rather warm. [You are nice. Most people just let me make a fool of myself. They think that I am incapable of being embarrassed just because I do not show it.]
Ichihime noted that little piece of wisdom, and bowed her head graciously to accept the compliment. [Perhaps you should simply tell others that you are waiting until you are more acclimated here.]
[That is a good suggestion.]
Kyon politely interrupted. "Toki, do you want more to eat?"
She cocked her head in a curious fashion. "Yes," she answered.
"Dumplings?"
"Yes."
"Onigiri?"
"...No."
"Anything else?"
"Yes."
"Hmmm... Chicken?"
"Yes."
"Okay - is that all?"
"Yes."
Kyon looked awkward.
"Go on with him," Ichihime encouraged in Japanese. "He enjoys your company; spend some time with him."
Toki cocked her head at Ichihime. [But I do not like it in there. It is too noisy for me.]
Ichihime bowed her head gently. She found herself speaking Gaelic of all things, just so that no one else present would be privvy to her comments. "We all have to learn to live with things that we don't like," she said gently, careful to implicate herself as an equal recipient of her advice.
Toki stared at her. After a moment or two of seemingly void spaciness, she replied a simple "Yes." With a tiny bow that was abrupt but yet still polute, Toki turned away from Ichihime, and Kyon escorted her back towards the hall.
Ichihime looked around for Adame, but could not see him, and began to feel anxious. Did he ditch her? Did she ruin everything? But even before Shiji could interject with some spunky remark about her paranoia, a glass of white wine was suddenly presented to her from behind, startling her. Adame had apparently taken a circuitous route so that he could sneak up on her. "Ah - thanks," she said, catching her breath.
He sat down next to her, and they sat quietly for a minute. Ichihime noticed that he did not have his own glass of wine.
Ichihime sighed, diving right in. She couldn't bear with it any longer. "Adame-kun, I'm sorry."
"I know," he said with a smile, and he took her hand. "Me too."
"I explode sometimes. It's wrong of me."
"I cry sometimes," he quipped. "It's sissy of me."
She laughed. Ichihime loved his sense of humor. He was so handsome when he smiled - his boyish face and casual hair, his deep burgundy kimono and a stud-and-chained ceremonial katana at his side held in place by a silk embroidered sash. He was so dashing.
Returning to a more serious tone, she continued apologizing. "I said a lot of mean things. I didn't mean to be such a bitch."
So much for the princess speech, eh, Hime-sama?
Suck rancid meat, you bat-winged demon wannabe. Can't you shut the fuck up for five goddamned minutes?
Alright, alright, don't get your panties in a bunch, Hime-sama.
My panties have nothing to do with it!
Sure, sure, Shiji laughed. Whatever you say.
SHUT UP!
"I'm sorry I upset you," Adame replied. "It's clear that this is something important to you."
Ichihime looked at him, desperately wishing he could read her mind so that he could understand. She so badly wanted him to understand; to see inside and feel what she felt. "Listen - maybe it's hard for you to understand, but Kuchiki-dono is my senpai. It was Ise-senpai and Kuchiki-sama who nominated and recommended me to become a lieutenant. I owe them both a lot, and I look up to Kuchiki-sama. She is an extraordinary rolemodel. Kuchiki-senpai is an incredibly accomplished shinigami; proud, intelligent, wise, personable and elegant - and everything I wish I was."
"You are," Adame corrected.
Ichihime smiled at him warmly before continuing. "Over the past ten years, I have wanted nothing more than to be half the woman she is. And although we aren't exceptionally close - not like she and Ise-senpai are - I am very, very, very lucky to be able to call her a friend. She is my friend, Adame-kun - a friend I really care about. It wasn't something that Kuchiki-senpai ever talked about, but I know for sure that she was really hurting inside for a long time. She wanted a child, Adame-kun - it was the only thing she ever seemed to want. Adopted or not adopted, I don't care. I just want her to be happy. I really, really want her to be happy. That's all."
"I understand," he acknowledged. "I should have been more open-minded. It shouldn't have bothered me. I should know that what she did is not a reflection on how you feel about me."
"And I also want you to be happy," Ichihime continued. "I honestly think that I lost my temper because you wouldn't talk to me openly and earnestly about what was bothering you. I had to pry it out of you, and for the life of me, I couldn't understand why you wouldn't just talk to me. You always talk to me. You're the only one who ever really listens to me, the real me; the me I am and not the me I should be. All I wanted was for you to talk to me. Really."
He sighed. "That was my fault."
Trying to be cutesy, she playfully knocked him softly on his head like she was knocking on a door. "Bonehead move, Adame-kun," she teased.
He laughed. "I suppose so."
"Can we try this over? This afternoon started off so wonderfully," Ichihime pleaded, sounding surprisingly like a starry-eyed teenager. "I don't want a stupid fight to ruin it."
He put his arm around her and gave her an affectionate squeeze accompanied by a smile that set her heart aflutter. "Yes, please, let's start over. How about from here: Will you marry me?"
"Yes, Adame-kun," she laughed, wrapped up in his wiles; and she kissed him. He really was her Prince Charming.
-:-
"Hey," Hisagi said as he approached Nanao with a glass of red wine. "Great job on the wedding."
"Thanks," she answered, taking it from him. "I'm amazed I pulled it off, considering what else was going on."
"Sshh," he teased. "You don't want anyone suspecting you of anything."
"Oh shah," she teased. Shuuhei looked handsome in his dark green yukata. "I'm just glad I can finally relax for a change. Because after this, I have the Session for Aristocracy to worry about."
"I can't believe Yoruchi-san dragged you into that," he chuckled.
"I seemed to get dragged into all kinds of things," Nanao muttered.
A mischievous gleam formed in Hisagi's eye as a demonically sly smile began to form. "Well, I could always drag you into something else..."
"Oh no," she teased. "No, no, no - you know my answer," she warned while giggling - clearly a sign of the alcohol's influence.
"Even if I got down on one knee in front of all these people?"
Ise eye's widened to accompany her giggling grin in a 'you better not or I'll kill you' gesture. "No amount of wedding spirit is going to get me to say yes," she whispered quietly, not wanting anyone to hear what she was saying.
"Aw, c'mon, Nan-chan," he prodded teasingly. "You're still hung up on that 'institutional enslavement' thing? As if I was the one in charge in our relationship?" he laughed.
"Hey! Hold it, wait-!" - but Nanao could not get a word in edgewise because Hisagi was tickling her waist; and she couldn't stop laughing.
"One of these days," he mockingly threatened her.
"Never," she flirted back, sticking her tongue out at him.
"We'll see," Hisagi teased, and tickled her some more before Nanao smacked him on the arm.
"Something to share?" Kyouraku asked casually, surprising them from behind.
Nanao's face was red - from the tickling, of course. "No, Papa," she stated definitively. "How about you?"
Now it was Rantao's turn to blush, but Shunsui wasn't fazed. "Well, as a matter of fact, I was thinking about how weddings are so wonderful. It would be nice to have a wedding in the family, wouldn't it?"
The eyes and mouths of Nanao, Shuuhei, and Kiku all spread wide open in embarrassed shock. He really wasn't bringing this up, was he?
Shunsui smiled lazily, belying the fact that he was poking fun at all of them. "I'm sure it won't be long before Hime-chan and her escort come to ask her cousin Nanao-chan to plan their wedding, too."
Damn you, you lazy, good-for-nothing ass, Nanao thought humorously. I'm going to get you for that little prank.
-:-
Nakatsu's eyes never left their target.
Patience.
Patience.
That was all that mattered.
Patience.
They would wait for three hours if needed. It was all about patience.
It wasn't like they would easily lose sight of his target. Woman in a bright yellow kimono. There were only two, and both were part of his assignment.
Yes, patience.
-:-
Meanwhile
Q looked out at the workbench. Things were proceeding remarkably well: he had cut off the hilt wrappings, unstitched the leather wrapping around the handle, and had started on removing the rivets that were holding the wooden handle extensions to the remaining tang of the sword blade. He had gotten the first one out after quite a lot of effort, but he had figured out how to do it slightly more efficiently after the second one; and was working on the third rivet at the moment. Surprisingly, the sword had six rivets in the handle; he had expected only three or four, so this was taking longer than he expected. No matter. He would keep at it.
Once he had the rivets out, he could pop off the wooden castings over the tang, unless they were glued on (in which case, he would need to chisel them off). After he did that, he could proceed to the o-ring that was used to buttresss the crossguard and see how he could separate it from the tang. It would likely require a blowtorch to de-weld it, given his luck at taking this one apart. Then he would finally have the blade's core exposed, and he could take the final readings and, assuming she didn't croak on him, finally try an extraction.
"How are you doing over there?" Q asked. "You can't pass out on me," he cautioned, poking her ribs with the pencil he was using to take down notes. "I won't be able to get good data that way."
Momo didn't react. She couldn't react. Being poked with a pencil was a stimulus far too low on the threshhold for her brain to register the sensation. It was insignificant by comparison to the screaming, searing, gut-creeping, bone-rattling pain that was burning and churning in her, roasting her alive in its skittery, skin-crawling agony. And that was nothing compared to the violation - the cruel and harrowing violation; the penetration of her soulcore and its secrets, the invasion of her most sacred self; the breaching of her mind and the grimy, tainted encroachment of his hands and thoughts in the deepest depths of the intimate sanctum of her soul.
It was no wonder that Sasakibe died. No one would want to live after this, anyway.
Reviews please! You know I crave them. Next chapter: The hunter and the hunted.