A/N: Just a bit of warning. If you're the sentimental type, you may need some tissues. Herein lays the actual wedding ceremony. I also included a bit of actual Buddhist wedding vows. They're quite nice.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Bleach characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Tite Kubo et al.
The Kurosaki Affair
Walking Down the Aisle
Ichigo's groomsmen were in various states of readiness by the time he arrived at the hotel. He'd been ushered to a room for their use by Chad, the tall man assuring him that there was a suit to take the place of the monstrosity his dad had tried to sneak out under his nose. Thanking his best friend didn't feel enough but it was all he had at the moment. One day soon he'd have to think of something nice to do for the guy.
Isshin was still whining about his "haute couture" suit which had been left in a crumpled mess on his bedroom floor by Byakuya. Why the captain hadn't incinerated it on sight was still up for debate, but the Soul Prince had a feeling that honor was being left to Nanao Ise. Renji had had to take several deep breaths after looking at the thing, and Ichigo was still wondering why his mother had even allowed his dad to appear in public in it in the first place.
"So the groom has arrived," Ishida remarked, giving his friend a smirk. "I will have you know that the incident with that hideous piece of cloth your father called clothing caused quite the commotion upstairs."
"Is she mad?" Ichigo asked, toeing off his shoes and reaching for the garment bag with his name on the hanger.
"Depends on which she you are referring to. If you mean your bride, no, although it did disturb her. If you are referring to our fearless general, yes, she was quite miffed. They are all of the opinion that it needs to be disposed of permanently. Preferably by fire." The Quincy shoved the suit he'd acquired for Isshin in the older man's face and went back to getting ready.
"Wear it without a word of complaint. Member of the royal family or no, if Ise-san finds out that you objected, she'll kido you into some horrible situation that you can't get out of," his son advised Isshin when the ex-captain went to protest.
"I remember little Nanao. She was so serious as a child and when I was a captain, she never seemed to smile much."
Yumichika's phone rang and the flamboyant Shinigami answered it without hesitation. "Hello, Lieutenant Ise. Your humble assistant is at the ready should you need him."
"Which of you idiots called me 'little' just now? If I find out my captain escaped the Soul Society and crashed this party, I'm going to be severely angry." The lieutenant's words were loud enough that the entire room heard her, and the poor fifth seat had to hold the phone away from his ear so that he could keep his hearing.
"How the heck did she know someone…?" Ichigo trailed off when he heard a heavy thud on the other end of the line.
"Ah, my dear lady, I assure you nothing of the kind has happened. I've received no reports that Captain Kyoraku is anywhere but where he should be—at his desk. I will report that most of us are about finished dressing and will be ready to scout the garden for any last-minute souls that need help." Yumichika sighed in relief when that seemed to placate her, and he bade her a cheerful goodbye before tucking the phone away. Only afterward did he realize that he'd never answered her first question. Hoping that she'd forget, Yumichika gave himself one last look in the mirror before pronouncing himself ready.
"Ikkaku, since you are bound to be bored waiting around, will you join Captain Hitsugaya in scouting the grounds? Kojima and Asano, you are left greeting the guests as they arrive. Please be aware that the oldest of Kuchiki elders will be attending the ceremony and they don't like to be addressed by anything but the most formal of speech." Keigo and Mizuiro nodded and left to go do what they'd been assigned. "Captain Kuchiki, may assume that you will be joining those two once you are finished preparing?"
Byakuya stood in front of one of the full-length mirrors adjusting his tie. "You may. Until I am informed that Rukia is ready to be walked down the aisle, I will be greeting guests and soothing feathers that those two humans have ruffled. Try as they will, my elders will not like being seated so far back."
"Guess they shouldn't have been such asses to Rukia then," Ichigo commented while Ishida helped him put his suit jacket on. "Other than the incident, were the girls in a good mood?"
"Girls?" Yumichika questioned indignantly. "There are ladies upstairs, not girls. You will see their stunning good looks shortly. Exquisite gowns, elegant hairstyles and just a touch of make-up to highlight their best features."
Ichigo looked at his friend, wondering if there was an open bottle of alcohol somewhere. "Don't mind him, Kurosaki. Ayasegawa is still sighing over the dresses I created for the bride and her attendants." Ishida pushed the other man into a chair and yanked a comb through orange hair. He was determined to get it to mind its manners for one afternoon.
"Hey," Ichigo protested when the comb snagged.
"I am determined to get this mess presentable."
"It won't stay," the groom muttered. He'd tried to get his hair to lay differently but spikes seemed to be its default style and any attempts to make it do something different ended in failure. His mother had assured him it was fine and that Rukia would probably appreciate some normality to the day. Ishida debated arguing back but a knock on the door stopped him from making any further comment. Isshin opened the door, allowing Teineina-san to enter.
"Oh, my, look at this group. Very handsome," she complimented. She smiled shyly at Byakuya who tried to ignore her admiration. When he couldn't avoid looking at her any longer, he nodded a greeting before calling to Renji.
The red-haired lieutenant had been getting dressed silently, just enjoying a moment to himself. "Sir?"
"We must be going. Please join Madarame and Hitsugaya. Make sure they have no need of assistance."
"Sure…" Wondering why he was being ordered to leave, Renji followed his captain out of the room, watching the older man's back closely. "Sir, why…?
"I detest being the object of her interest. We must make sure all is well. I do not wish my sister's day to have any problems."
"You mean, other than an entire unknown group of spiritually enhanced people wanting to hurt us crashing the party?"
"Indeed."
"I can't help you keep away from Teineina-san, but I'll do my best with making sure everything runs smoothly." Renji went looking for the other Shinigami, noting absently the crowd that was beginning to gather. Some of them he vaguely recognized, other people were just unknown faces in the crowd. He dodged hotel employees, almost ran into a couple of guests that had somehow made their way into the venue area and a caterer or two who seemed to be lost.
By the time he found Ikkaku and Hitsugaya, Renji was a little lost himself. The garden was a mass of greenery and flowers, water features dotting the landscape and flowing throughout. "Yo, Ikkaku!" he called, hailing the other man who was arguing with a spirit. Hitsugaya stood nearby, his sword gripped tightly in his hand, a stark contrast to the formal wear he'd been forced to dress in.
"Hey, Renji. Maybe you can convince this spirit to move on. Seems she wandered in here last night and likes it. Won't let me send her to the Soul Society."
Great, now we have a wandering soul. This is just what we don't want. "Look, Miss, ah, how do I put this…?" Renji looked at the captain, noticing the other man's twitching brow. He was going to blow any minute. "We're Shinigami, miss, and it's our job to make sure souls like you get to go somewhere safe. It's not safe for you here in the Living World anymore."
"But it's so peaceful here," the soul sighed.
"Hn, right now. Give it another ten minutes and I assure you the entire wedding party will change that." Toushiro nudged Renji out of the way. "If we leave you to wander, something might hurt you and we'd all feel horrible if we couldn't get to you in time."
Both of the adjuncts stared at their superior in surprise. When had he done a one-eighty? "Captain?" Ikkaku asked hesitantly.
"Look, none of us are under any illusions; we all know that something screwy is going to happen during this wedding. I'd rather it not be a Hollow coming and destroying the venue or going after the hapless humans that are swarming around. And since some of the Kuchiki elders insisted on showing up now, we might as well have put up a banner telling them that there was a spiritual power buffet."
The soul watched and listened with interest as they talked. "I really wish I could see the wedding. All those flowers are especially pretty today."
"Ah, no, you don't. If you knew the two getting married, you'd flee now. They're magnets for trouble." Toushiro looked more aggravated the longer he talked and Ikkaku was nodding his head as if in total agreement.
"Very well, I'll let you perform this konso thing you were talking about. Please pass on my congratulations," the soul said, hoping at least she'd get a smile out of one of the young men in front of her.
"Certainly, miss," Renji answered, watching as the captain gently touched the female's head. Glancing at the watch he'd fashioned on his wrist, he grimaced and looked at the others. "We gotta go. I think we're supposed to be lined up somewhere right now."
Toushiro looked at his own watch, for once grateful for the human invention. "From the distinctly perturbed quality of Ise's reiatsu, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that place would be at the altar." He could feel the pressure all the way in the far corner of the garden where they stood and knew it was the lieutenant's way of getting their attention.
"Why are we doing this again?" Ikkaku asked, following the other two at a sedate pace.
"Because, apparently, we're Kurosaki's friends," the captain leading the way said.
"Remind me to say no the next time he asks for a favor."
"Will do."
Nanao glanced out the large windows, seeing the relatively empty space in front of the altar where there should have been several men, including the groom. "I told you the men would cause an issue," she muttered to the wedding planner beside her.
"I just saw them a few moments ago. They were all dressed, and none seemed to be in any distress." Teineina-san looked over her shoulder, hoping to see the bride's brother or the best man.
"Stay here," Nanao ordered, belatedly realizing that the woman wasn't one of her subordinates. "I have a feeling I know what's happening." Looking at her friends, she nodded once at the assembled group and marched to the room that the men had been using to prepare. Without knocking she entered, knowing she'd find no one in a state of undress.
Chad and Ishida stood next to Ichigo trying to convince the groom that Rukia had not changed her mind at the last second while Isshin looked on with a grin. "Ah," she murmured to herself before speaking.
"Ise-san, is it time?" Chad asked, a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"It is passed time that you were up front. Kurosaki-taicho, please escort your wife to her seat and take your own. Gentleman, gather yourselves."
"Rukia didn't change her mind?" the prince looked at her imploringly.
"She is eagerly awaiting the processional music. However, if she finds out that there was a delay, she may react rather like her usual self and we do not want winter in summer, thank you."
"Right, don't know what came over me," Ichigo said, rising to his feet. "Thanks, Ise-san."
"This is my job. Where are the others?"
"Last minute konso," Ishida supplied, straightening his jacket one last time. Chad and he followed the others out of the room, pausing a moment to look out the large windows. Keigo and Mizuiro were taking their places in front of the altar while Byakuya was waiting at the end of the aisle for his sister.
"For the best. I will see you soon, gentlemen." Without looking to see if they went out, she returned to her compatriots and smiled at the group. "Are we ready, ladies?"
"As we'll ever be," Rangiku answered. "We didn't exactly practice."
"After the dinner last night, the bride and groom looked a little worn out, so I didn't ask for a rehearsal like I had scheduled," Teineina-san responded. "Where's the flower girl?" she asked, looking around for the pink haired child that had surprised her.
"Ah, she's already outside, waiting eagerly for her moment. Don't worry, she has a soft spot for Kuchiki, so she'll stay where she's put until it's time." Rangiku grinned at the woman's frown. The human had really taken a shine to the stoic captain.
"Very well, ladies. If you'll follow me," the wedding planner said and went outside. They followed in order of height, letting Momo be last so that no one would obstruct the audience's view of Rukia. When they were behind Yachiru, they urged her forward and watched as she delightedly scattered flowers from one end of the carpet to the other.
"At least it's not blood," Rangiku muttered before following after the child. Yumichika had taken his roll seriously, putting a hand on his lieutenant's shoulder so that she wouldn't move from her spot up front.
"True," Nanao whispered and noticed that there were a few men still missing from their spots. Growing aggravated, she sent out her pressure through the garden, happy when the three missing Shinigami seemed to hot-foot it towards where they were supposed to be standing. By the time she got to the altar, Madarame, Abarai, and Hitsugaya had slid into place, looking no worse for wear.
Orihime and Tatsuki followed the two lieutenants, the latter still feeling like she was a large cupcake but content that Rukia had been happy with Ishida's handiwork on all their dresses. She smiled at those gathered and looked toward the end where Rukia was getting ready to be escorted by her brother.
The twins and Momo took their places, each smiling happily and watching with interest as Toushiro did a double take when he saw Karin and Momo in their gowns. Yuzu wasn't sure who he favored but it was nice to see a guy awestruck when it came to a pretty woman's transformation. Maybe she'd tease him about it later. Turning her attention to her brother, she had to laugh at his dumbfounded expression.
Ichigo stared at Rukia and knew instinctively that he looked like an idiot. As short as she was, the dress on her was perfect. The white draped her frame snugly, a small band of violet catching her around the waist to add a pop of color to the otherwise monochromatic look. There were no sleeves, but the long white gloves she wore added a touch of elegance to the outfit. The fabric itself contained a pattern and there was a light bit of sparkle that danced in the sunlight. If he had to guess, there were either butterflies or snowflakes floating around her. In her hair sat a crown, glittering ice on a hot day that was not melting at all. To the untrained eye it would look like diamonds, but he knew that her sword had gifted her with a symbol of her station. Similar pieces graced her neck and ears, a true wonder to behold.
"Might want to close that mouth, Kurosaki," Ishida said. "The priest is looking rather amused."
The orange haired daiko clamped his mouth shut and glanced at the priest who he hadn't even noticed until then. "Sorry," he choked before turning his attention back to his bride.
"No need, my boy, no need. A beautiful lady shines like the sun on her day. Perfectly understandable. Shall we begin?"
"Please do," Nanao answered for the groom. Preferably before something happened.
The music began to play and Byakuya sedately brought Rukia to him. They stopped just short of the altar and the captain looked at Ichigo with all the severity that he could muster. "Ichigo Kurosaki, you have stood by her side through much since you met and even when I could not aid her, you championed her cause. You held her heart gently, healing it when all others wanted to crush it beneath their feet. I trust now that the day has come to make her your wife, you will pledge to do so for eternity and never waver in your vow."
"Yes, sir," Ichigo answered, taking Rukia's hand and pulling her up beside him. She was already blinking back tears, her brother's words hitting close.
"Very well," Byakuya returned and looked at the priest. "Continue," he ordered before taking his place in the only empty chair left. A picture of Hisana had been placed in a chair next to his, a symbol of the one who'd brought them together.
"Hey," Ichigo whispered softly, a smile curving the edges of his mouth. "Look who went and got all pretty."
"I'm always pretty, jerk."
"Yeah…"
The priest cleared his throat and began speaking, a sparkle in his eyes as he began a short introduction of the two in front of him. When one of the groomsmen had called looking for an officiant, the priest had gotten a long and detailed story of the journey of the man and woman pledging themselves to each other. He'd known then that he hadn't been told all of the truth and he wondered briefly if they would have confided in him had they actually sought council before saying vows. Normally he would have turned down such a rush ceremony but the doctor to whom he'd spoken h that they'd been through trials no mortal man could fathom unless they'd been witness to everything, so the priest had agreed. "Now then, I'm told you have your own vows?"
"We do, sir," Rukia answered, turning towards Orihime who handed her a small paper. Ichigo pulled something from his suit pocket and cleared his throat. "Ichigo, I wish I could say it was love at first sight, but we know that wouldn't be true. Our first real meeting was not auspicious. Nor was our second, come to think of it but little by little, day by day, you became someone who meant more to me than my life. When I thought that I would die, I assured myself that I had no regrets, but I was wrong. You taught me what it meant to live a normal life, to laugh, and enjoy the simple pleasures that this world has to give. Without you, I would not have understood what it meant to truly live and I will love you for the rest of my days just for your compassion.
"You are both stoic and poetic, healer and warrior. A king as easily as a commoner and that is what makes you the right man for me. A hero who wants no accolades, a friend who would walk through hell for those he cared for. I know in my heart that though we may one day have the memories of our life now erased, my soul will still find yours, lifetime after lifetime."
She could feel the tears gathering at her eyes and Rukia was thankful that her fellow lieutenants had insisted on waterproof make-up. Ichigo was staring at her in stunned silence, the piece of paper with his vows on it hanging limply from one hand. Some of her bridesmaids were sniffling into handkerchiefs while the men looked completely embarrassed to have been present for such soul-felt words.
"Ah, hell, midget, I can't beat that." Ichigo tossed his speech to the ground, making a mental note to pick it up later. "Okay, here goes. You call me poetic, but I need to borrow the words of the Bard to be romantic. When we met, I wasn't far from the delinquent my teachers thought me. As the years dragged on after Mom was killed, I became a far cry from the son she was raising. A part of me was drowning and if you hadn't shown up, I don't think I'd be here today. I could say something sappy about you making the rain in my soul stop, or being a ray of light in the darkness, but it wouldn't do you justice. You taught me to be that hero, that warrior. I am now someone who can be a healer but if you hadn't come into my life, I would be something far less noble.
"You say that I taught you how to laugh, but you did the same for me. As a teen, I had forgotten true happiness and I thank you for bringing it back to me. There will never be a day, a time, when you are not first in my heart. Whatever choices I may have to make in the future, you will always be guiding me to do what is right. Lifetime after lifetime, for eternity."
A great deal of the audience was crying, his mother weeping openly on his father's shoulder. The older Kurosaki was patting her hand ineffectually as he blinked his own tears away. Ichigo briefly glanced at his sisters and smiled when he saw that Yuzu was borrowing a Quincy handkerchief and Karin was looking uncomfortable with his words. He hadn't been expecting her to be openly weeping but the look in her eye said that she was close to shedding a few tears.
"Well now, wasn't that something," the priest murmured and had to clear his throat. "If the best man would be so kind as to give over the rings, we will have the couple make one last vow before I pronounce them man and wife." Chad gave the man the rings, and he marveled at the intricate patterns in the gold before asking for the couple's hands.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, and Rukia Kuchiki, do you pledge to help each other develop each other's hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration, and wisdom as you age and undergo the various ups and downs of life and transform them into the path of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity?" The priest placed the rings on their fingers, having sensed their slight amusement at the word 'patience.'
"We do," they echoed.
"Good! I now pronounce you husband and wife," the older man said and beamed at the couple. "To those gathered together, I now introduce Mr. and Mrs. Ichigo Kurosaki." He blinked in absentminded astonishment when instead of turning to the crowd, Ichigo pulled Rukia closer and kissed her firmly on the lips. "Oh, my. Yes, yes, can't forget the kiss. Keep it child friendly, there is one present."
"Oh, I don't care," Yachiru told the priest. "Kenny said there'd be a lot of that today. Ichii can't keep his hands off his midget, he said."
"What in the world are you teaching her?" Ichigo demanded, glaring at Yumichika.
"Yachiru, that's not at all lady-like," the fifth seat admonished. "My apologies, Ichigo. I leave her unattended and the brutes in my squad just gab anything. My captain isn't exactly clean-mouthed, either. Come along, dear, you have to lead everyone back down the aisle."
Yachiru opened her mouth to demand he call her lieutenant like he normally did but remembered that there were still humans present. She'd have to punish him later. "More flowers?" she asked, looking at her basket. There didn't appear to be any left.
"Nah, just go on ahead. We're going to take a walk around the garden so why don't you lead us?" Ichigo said, offering his arm to Rukia.
"Sure you can keep up?"
"This isn't a race, Yachiru," Rukia warned, knowing it would fall on deaf ears. It did and they watched as she flew towards the end of the aisle, stopping only when someone snagged her by the back of her dress.
"Shall we stroll, my princess?" Ichigo asked, touching her crown lightly.
"Please. I wish to get some pictures with the wedding party, Nii-sama, and your parents." They were abreast with Byakuya and the elder Kurosakis when Rukia remembered the priest. "Oh, we have to thank him," she reminded her husband and dragged Ichigo back towards where the priest was saying a prayer.
"Ow, dammit, Rukia! You're not allowed to wear those heals again."
"Relax. Didn't we just pledge patience?"
"Yeah, but that might not happen until we're like Gramps' age."
Rukia would have retorted but she'd caught the priest's attention and he smiled at them in greeting. "I wished to convey my utmost thanks. I'm sorry we contacted you with so little time to spare."
"Ah, your thanks are all that is necessary, child. The words you spoke to each other today reached deep and were so moving that it would have been my loss should I have said no. normally I would have asked to council you a bit, but your friend told me of some of your trials and I know that this marriage will remain steadfast. I see by the flower arrangements that you have a lot you wished to convey to each other and your witnesses. I thank you for allowing me to be your officiant and I wish you a long and happy life together."
"Thank you," Ichigo said and they bowed together before leaving the priest to talk with Teineina-san. "Can we walk among the flowers now?"
"We can. I want to go over the next phase of our plan."
"The 'Catch the Bad Guy' plan or the 'How Not to Annoy the Elders' plan?"
"The first one. I've pretty much given up hope that the second would be successful. Did you see how one of them practically pulled Yachiru's dress apart?"
"Yeah, kind of surprised she didn't retaliate."
"I'm plotting," a new voice said, catching Ichigo's attention. A small hand tugged on his free hand and he looked down at the young girl. "Wanna help?" she asked. "Kenny said I couldn't let anything happen to this dress until the day was over, so it'll have to wait until then."
"Sure, we'll think of something."
"I knew I could count on you, Ichii. You'll be a cool king. So much better than the one we have now. He never shows his face and sticks us with that stupid Central 46."
"Ah, yeah…" Better not let it out that there wasn't a Soul King currently. They'd done a good job hiding it until now, no sense on letting the cat of the bag just yet.
"Alright, let's get this party started," Yachiru stated. "I want to hurt some bad guys."
"I would suggest stealth, but she is the lieutenant from the Eleventh," Nanao said, coming up behind them. "Is everyone here?" she asked, looking at the assembled crowd. "Good, now let's go over our plan…"
It was time to spring the trap.
