Hello everyone, we're back with the moment you've all been waiting for! Why else would you be reading an IchigoxReader story if you weren't here for the romance? Well, the time has finally come. Make sure to check the second author's note at the end of the chapter for some goodies. Enjoy your special day!
"So what is it you're trying to say?" you ask Freya as her avatar stands across the desk from you.
The AI frowns. "It seems we were not as fortunate as I had initially thought. The file that contains VIRM's location is incomplete. A trojan horse had been hidden within as well, but I was able to contain it. Haven's systems, along with our location, are secure. The data was corrupted, however."
"Then we're back to square one," you state through knitted hands.
"Not quite," Freya waves her hand and rows of characters fill the space between you.
The text is composed of letters, numbers, and symbols arranged in a seemingly random order. What sticks out to you are the gaps in the code. A blank space where a letter would have completed a word, or several indicating an absent term. Even the phrases that are complete aren't intelligible, with the letters jumbled or garbled in static.
"This is what I've been able to recover so far," she explains. "VIRM was clever in its attempt to hide the virus and protect its location, but not clever enough. Given time I will be able to reconstruct the partial file downloaded from APE's database."
You nod. "Can you extrapolate where VIRM is from that alone?"
"I believe so," Freya says with a smile. She is about to continue when her head twitches to the side. "They are arriving, commander. If you wish to speak with her now it would be an excellent opportunity."
On the security feed, Argentea and the rest of Coral Squad march toward Haven.
You push off the desk. "I think it would be better if I waited. She probably wants a shower before talking to anyone."
You've hardly made it out the door when your communicator rings. You accept the call and put it to your ear. "Yes, love?"
"Freya says the scout team is back," Ichigo's voice echoes through the speaker. "Are you going to talk to Miku?"
Holding the receiver away you take a deep breath. "I think it would be polite to let Miku shower and eat before asking her to do something for us."
"That's really nice of you to say that," Ichigo commends you. "Do it while walking with her."
"Ichigo."
"Don't 'Ichigo' me, we need someone to fill that role in the wedding and she was your idea. The sooner Miku knows, the sooner she can begin practicing. Now I've got to go, we're working on the dress. Love you, bye."
Before you have the chance to respond, the line clicks off. "Alright then, I guess I'll just go..." you shake your head and take the hall leading toward the hangar.
Coral Squad arrives several minutes after you do. They aren't hard to spot, a returning team never is. Dirt and mud cake the feet and heels of the FranXX, while dents and dings show their hard-fought battles.
Argentea steps into her dock with Chlorophytum beside her. The other members of the recon team take their places as well and the pairs begin making their way down the catwalk. Mitsuru and Ikuno pass, offering curt nods which you return. As Zorome and Miku walk by, you stick out your arm and catch the redhead's.
Miku looks tired after her deployment but she puts on a smile. "Hey!"
You can't help but smile at her always cheerful attitude. "Hey yourself, you have a minute?"
"If you want to debrief, I can do it," Zorome steps up. "Let Miku take her shower and get something to eat."
"Were it my way that's exactly what we'd do," you tell him. "But this isn't about the mission." You motion for the pair to come closer. "Ichigo and I are getting married, and we want Miku to be part of the ceremony."
"But not me?" Zorome surmises, sounding hurt.
"Not exactly," you explain. "We aren't having a wedding like Zero Two and Hiro's. It's some style called Shinto. I won't pretend to know what it is or why she wants it, but she does. There aren't bridesmaids or groomsmen like the last one. If there were, I promise you'd be one."
Zorome nods. "I guess that makes sense. Sorry for assuming the worst."
"I understand, trust me," you reassure him.
"What is it you want me to do?" Miku asks. "If there aren't bridesmaids or a maid of honor, I don't know how I could help."
"Shinto weddings have a priest and priestess that preside over them. The priest does everything Freya did in Zero Two and Hiro's wedding. The priestess, or rather I think it was 'shrine maiden,' performs ceremonial dances to bless the couple and a few other things."
Miku looks ready to burst with excitement. "You want me to do it!?"
"I thought of you, yes," you tell her.
You are almost taken off your feet as Miku launches herself at you and pulls you into a tight hug. "Yes, yes, yes, of course, I'll do it!"
"Hey, hey," Zorome pulls Miku away. His cheeks are red and he instinctively leaves his hands wrapped around her waist.
"Zorome!" she chastises him. Turning to face the young man she easily reads his jealousy. Miku plants a kiss on his cheek. "Better?"
The blonde boy grumbles something you are unable to make out. At the same time, you ruffle Miku's hair and begin to walk away.
"Thanks sis, come find me when you're ready and we can talk about it more."
"Will do!" she shouts. Miku pulls Zorome along headed for their suite. "Come on, let's go take a shower."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"You look beautiful."
Ikuno's words are genuine if not somewhat painful to her as she assists Ichigo in fitting her wedding dress. The first love is one that never truly fades, and seeing the former object of her affection like this is a bit more than she's comfortable with. Ichigo had asked her for help though, and Ikuno wouldn't deny her friend.
"Beautiful" isn't the only word to describe Ichigo in the dress. The words "breathtaking," "gorgeous," and "radiant" all occur to Ikuno as she stares at the garment. Because Ichigo had wanted a different style of wedding than Zero Two, naturally, the wedding dress itself had been subject to change. For her Shinto wedding, she decided to wear a series of traditional Japanese robes called a shiromuku.
The pure white dress consists of quite a few pieces, much more than Zero Two's had. The base of the garment was two layers, made of one white under- and over-robe worn on top of one another. A very thick sash called an obi lays over these robes, reaching over her midsection and tying off behind her back. Over her heart, attached to the over-robe, lay two thick tassels tied together in a flowery knot.
On top of all this went a white kimono, which deviated from tradition by having two thin red stripes along the inside of the thick fabric. It was long, flowing, and had a very simple design unlike most. However, it was nonetheless stunning. And to complete the look, to top it all off was the headdress, a white hood with a bright red inside.
"Does it fit me right?" Ichigo asks, doing a twirl in front of the mirror. "It feels a little loose in the chest."
"I believe it is supposed to," Naomi tells Ichigo. In her remaining hand she holds a photograph of a young woman, who the dress had formerly belonged to. "If it's too uncomfortable we can make some adjustments. Well, Ikuno or Nana can, I don't have any hands to lend if you know what I mean. I'm not sure where I misplaced it."
Ichigo and Ikuno laugh at the joke, but only after Naomi gives her own little chuckle. Being one-handed had never been a problem for her and proved to be just as insignificant now.
"Do you think the two of you will get married?" Ichigo asks, looking over her shoulder at Ikuno and Naomi.
Naomi places her hand over Ikuno's. She directs a soft smile to her partner. "It would be nice, but I don't know that we really need to. We both know how the other feels." Naomi's partner blushes and uses adjusting her glasses as an excuse to hide her face.
The visage of Ichigo in the mirror shifts as her fingertips brush against her cheek. "(Y/N) said something like that. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic, but I wanted to have that experience. Walking down the aisle surrounded by family and friends. Must be all of those books I found in the library rubbing off on me."
"I think it is wonderful, either way," Naomi says with a smile before changing the subject. "Did someone get married on the beach in one of the books?"
Ichigo shakes her head. "No, it was always at a shrine, but we haven't found one in Haven. The beach was (Y/N)'s idea." She stares out the window looking wistfully at the sand and sea below. "This beach is where I finally broke down and let him in. It was the day we really became partners. He told me he wanted to get married where it all began."
"Ichigo, you're crying," Ikuno offers her a handkerchief.
The girl wipes a tear away from her emerald eyes. "I'm sorry, I was just remembering how things were. I was terrible to him, but he stayed by me just the same. Now we lead the rebellion and have the girls. Things were so much simpler back then."
"Did he love you from the start?" Naomi asks, her head resting in her hand while hanging onto Ichigo's every word.
"I don't think so," Ichigo giggles. "I'm sure I knew first. He almost died protecting me and I kissed him. I used to think that was the most intimate thing two people could do together, how naïve."
Ichigo blushes, realizing she's admitted to having had sex. Ikuno and Naomi reply with looks that seem to say, "We already knew." For a brief moment she wonders if they had as well, but quickly banishes the thought. It wasn't her place to ask.
Moving on from that thought, Ichigo is ready to take the conversation in a different direction when the door to the room opens. Two excitable young girls rush in, followed by the redheaded former Caretaker of Plantation 13.
"Ichigo!" Asuna shouts. "You look so pretty!"
The bride-to-be kneels to receive her children. "Awh, so do you!"
Knowing the girls and their differing needs, she takes Asada's hand while Asuna begins interrogating Naomi about the folds in her uniform's sleeve. "Do you like your dress?"
"Miss Nana said it made me look older," she whispers. "I don't want to be older though. I want to stay here with you and (Y/N) forever."
"Oh sweetie," Ichigo pulls her into a tight hug. "She didn't mean anything bad by it. Nana just wanted you to know she thought the dress made you look pretty."
"That's right dear," Nana consoles the child. "You are so very cute in it that I didn't know what to say."
Asada nods. "Do you think I look pretty, Miss Ikuno?"
The violet-haired woman had been completely unready for the question. "I… um… yes," she stammers.
"What is it that makes me pretty?" the youth asks, starting her own conversation with the very uncomfortable elder.
As she walks away Nana pulls Ichigo aside.
"How does the dress fit?" she asks.
"It is a little roomy," Ichigo admits. She shows Nana the picture of the dress's former owner. The girl is several inches taller and probably twenty pounds heavier.
The older woman takes a tape from her sewing basket and slides it around Ichigo's waist. She fumbles with it for fifteen or so seconds before deciding. "I'll take it in about two inches at the waist. That should leave you enough room at the hips but make it look less baggy."
She then moves further up to Ichigo's bust. "Don't hold your breath, or it will be wrong, and you'll suffocate during the wedding. Don't puff yourself out either."
Ichigo groans and readies herself for Nana's barrage of questions and measurements. It had taken her several hours to complete Zero Two's dress and Ichigo's was even more complex. She is pulled several inches to the side in a sudden jolt caused by Nana and nearly falls. The caretaker gives her a half smile in apology. This was going to be a long afternoon.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The sun sets over the horizon, casting its fleeting rays of warmth upon the wedding party gathered on the beach. Unlike the wedding that had taken place a week ago, it is a small affair. Members of Squad 13, Nana, Hachi, along with Kana, Kyo, and Naomi comprise the guest list. Asuna and Asada are also in attendance. Even Kokoro had managed to make it, though she is to leave the next morning.
Size is not the only thing setting the two ceremonies apart. The only piece of decoration, as it were, is a simple wooden altar. Atop the altar are three cups of increasing size, an ornate wooden box, a plate of fruit, and a bundle of wheat.
The procession begins with Miku and Hachi, serving as the shrine maiden and priest. Your redheaded younger sister wears long crimson pantaloons reaching to her ankles, a white kimono tucked in at the waist, stockings of the same color visible on her feet, oaken sandals, and her hair tied back in a single long ponytail with a white ribbon. Hachi has adorned a vermillion kimono and a ceremonial cloth hat bearing the shape of an upward facing triangle.
Unlike a Christian ceremony, in a Shinto wedding the bride and groom traverse the aisle together. You and Ichigo follow Miku and Hachi on their path to the altar. A small red ribbon connects you to your bride, tied between your left pinky and Ichigo's right. You are dressed in a lavish black kimono, the opposite of Ichigo's white.
As you walk side-by-side with your bride, it would be impossible for you to not watch her as the both of you make your way across the beach. The front of her face is alit with the golden-orange rays of the setting sun, bathing her in a powerful glow. Her serene expression is accompanied by a smile that widens as she catches you looking at her. You have no need for words and instead simply gaze into the other's eyes lovingly.
The guests make up the final leg of the train and fan out in a semicircle surrounding the altar. You and Ichigo are seated before the wooden dais in the traditional style, with your legs tucked beneath you. The shrine maiden and priest assume their positions to the left and right of the altar, facing you and the guests.
With everyone in their proper position, the ceremony begins in earnest.
Rather than long speeches or the singing of hymns, a Shinto ceremony centers around the ritual purification of the couple and the exchange of sake. It is a communion of the gods, meant to bind the souls of two together. This begins with Hachi calling to the resident spirits for their presence and blessing.
"Oh, kami of the forest and sea, please join us and grant your blessings to this man and this woman as they embark upon the journey of matrimony. Watch over and guide them in the days to come."
As he finishes, a breeze rustles the stalks of wheat and the waves lap at the shore, a blessing seemingly granted. Hachi appears pleased by nature's assistance and he continues. "The spirits smile upon this union."
Miku takes her suzu, a wand with bells and a silken streamer, and then begins to dance behind the altar. This dance, a kagura, is performed to bless the sake before the ceremony begins in full. She twirls the suzu in long, sweeping strokes, with a gentle flute and the waves acting as her music. Being in the sand, Miku's steps are traced as she paints an intricate design with her dance.
After the kagura is completed and the sake suitably blessed, the former defense commander reaches for the bottle waiting on the altar. Miku sets the suzu down and takes up the smallest of the three cups placed orderly on the altar. She holds it for Hachi as he pours in a splash of the clear liquid.
Miku offers the small cup to you. You take it gingerly and sip some of the alcohol inside before handing it to Ichigo. The drink's exact taste is hard to place, but it has a nutty or fruity flavor. Ichigo takes a sip, passes it back to you, and you finish the cup before returning it to Miku. Hachi fills it a second time and it is then offered to Ichigo. She takes the first sip this time, before you and then her put it to your lips again and drink. The cup is filled a third and final time before being given to you. After it's passed to Ichigo and back to you again, Miku sets it to the side.
This completes the first step of the san-san-kudo, or "three three nine times." This particular ritual is the focus of the ceremony, where the bride and groom take three sips of sake three times, for a total of nine. The cups are downed in thirds, with each successive third being consumed by the other person. As the different cups are used, each is meant to represent something special in the Shinto tradition. The smallest and first cup represents the heavens, and honors the ancestors of the bride and groom.
Keeping with the alternating passes, the second cup is first offered to Ichigo to drink. You start the second pour and Ichigo begins with the third. Miku exchanges the cup for the last and largest, which is much bigger than the first. Hachi explains that the second cup had symbolized the earth and the couple's steadfast vow to remain together and care for one another as long as they live.
By the time you are handed the third cup, you are beginning to wonder if this wasn't a bit too much alcohol. A glance at the bottle as Hachi pours for Ichigo reveals that not even an eighth has been consumed. Still, Ichigo was not the largest of girls, and to memory she hasn't drank in large quantities.
When you bring the first of the pours of the final cup to your lips, you take an extra large drink of the sake before passing it to Ichigo. She has very little to sip on her turn, and when it returns to you there is little more than a few droplets remaining. You mime taking a sip to finish the cup and give it to Miku. The remaining two cups in the ritual are also almost entirely consumed by you, hoping to limit Ichigo's alcohol levels.
Once the last cup has been offered to Miku, Hachi returns both the cup and sake to the altar. He addresses the audience and confers that it had represented humanity, and the couple's acceptance of their own. In addition, he offers a prayer for the couple's fertility.
Now that the san-san-kudo ritual has been completed, it is time for the vows. Hachi gestures to the both of you and takes a step back. The floor is yours. You turn to face Ichigo, holding her hands in your own, and give them a little rub.
"I never expected much out of my life. The Replacement Division does that to you. It was so long ago that I thought I'd be satisfied to just one day find a partner of my own and live in a plantation. That changed the day I met you. That day I realized what it truly meant to be partners. To share in all things equally, both the joys and the sorrows."
"I know that in their vows people usually ask for their partner to stay by them in sickness and in health, through the good times and the bad… but I don't need to. We've lived them and you're still right here. Today we might be getting married, but nothing will really change between us. I've been yours since the day I arrived at Plantation 13, and I pray that I'm allowed to stay by your side until I draw my last breath. I love you, Ichigo, and that love will only grow more each day. That seed has been planted and you've cared for it, all I ask is that you continue to for the rest of our lives."
Ichigo blinks through tears and squeezes your hands. She then recites her own vow.
"To say that I met you at the darkest point in my life would be an understatement. When you arrived at Plantation 13, I had pushed away everyone I'd ever known and was wallowing in a hole of doubt so deep that I couldn't see the sky. But then through that darkness a hand reached out, wanting to pull me from that place. I slapped it away, not wanting pity from someone else. It came back. You came back. You refused to leave me like that, even after I mistreated you, ignored you, hurt you."
Ichigo smiles brightly.
"Since that day, my life has been more fulfilling than I ever thought possible. The love you have shown me has allowed me to become my best self. You encourage me and go along with my crazy ideas, all of them. That doesn't even mention the girls. I wanted to adopt Asuna and Asada from the moment I saw them, give them the home only we could… and you never hesitated. From this day forward, officially, your path is my path, your desires mine, and your heart… my home."
The both of you resist similar urges to wrap the other in bear hugs after hearing the other's vows. Everyone else picks up the slack, as there is a cheer from the assembled guests. It is accompanied by a toast of sake by the audience and yourselves. The only ones exempt are Kokoro and the twins, the former due to her pregnancy and the latter for their age.
Once the toast has been made, Hachi places a branch of the Japanese evergreen on the altar as an offering for the spirits called to observe the ceremony. Likewise, you produce a cutting from within the folds of your kimono. After transferring it from your right hand to your left Ichigo gingerly wraps her hand over yours, leaving the red string connecting the two of you on the back of her hand. Together you place the sprig on the altar as your offering.
Since the beginning of the ceremony, the rings had been held in an ornate wooden box located on the altar. At this time, Hachi removes the cover to the box and offers a blessing.
"May Izanami and Izanagi watch over and keep Ichigo and (Y/N). May they bring harmony to your marriage. We pray for your continued happiness and prosperity. We ask that Izanami grants you fertility and cares for your children, born and otherwise."
Hachi presents the box and you take Ichigo's ring from inside. Wordlessly you slip the band on her finger. Ichigo stares at it as though it is the most precious thing she has ever received.
Ichigo follows your example, placing the simple silver ring on your finger. The ring itself is almost weightless, but the feelings it conveys are much stronger. Ichigo's love and commitment, and her beating heart... you can feel them all through this small piece of steel.
Hachi utters a final phrase to end the ceremony. "The bride and groom have become one."
With the ceremony complete the only thing left is to kiss the bride, something you've been waiting far too long to do. Ichigo must feel the same as she meets you halfway. Her lips brush against yours and an electrifying feeling shoots through you. A tongue invades your mouth fighting for supremacy but quickly withdraws, just serving to rile you up further.
The kiss lasts for only a few seconds before you break. It is much more restrained than it could have been, but the wedding wasn't the place for the true passion the two of you feel. You feel content that your emotions had been conveyed, and later once you were alone could the passion be allowed to run wild.
The two of you turn towards your audience and clasp your hands tied by the ribbon together before raising them to the air. A cheer erupts from all your gathered friends, and both you and Ichigo are unable to keep the smiles off your lips and the laughter from leaving your throats.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The reception followed shortly after the wedding, leaving just enough time for Ichigo and yourself to slip into a more comfortable set of kimono. Following tradition the red string remains tied between your fingers, ensuring that you would be together for the entire night. This leaves Asuna and Asada to wander amongst the guests and entertain themselves as you and Ichigo host the event.
The girls eat, spend time playing in the sand, and talk to the party goers bit by bit, but a soiree isn't exactly their idea of fun. Atop all their boredom there is a single curiosity, a blonde woman in attendance who looks unlike anyone else. This woman smiles warmly at all who approach and makes conversation with them, but no one seems to stay for long. What makes her different? The large bump in her midsection that sticks from her otherwise elegant dress and how she lovingly caresses it.
"What do you think is wrong with her?" Asuna asks her sister. The pair have been staring for several minutes now and have yet to come up with an explanation. "Did she swallow a beach ball?"
Asada shakes her head. "I don't think anything is wrong with her. Nobody else seems to think so."
"Why is she so huge then?" the more excitable twin demands. "I could eat a whole cake and not be that big."
"You're fat already," Asada mumbles.
"I am not!" the blonde girl shouts, forgetting she had eaten three slices of the wedding cake to her sister's half a slice.
"Pardon me," a voice interrupts the girls before they can devolve any further. "You two shouldn't fight. You are sisters, after all. You should be each other's biggest supporters."
"Why would I want to help her?" Asuna turns to the newcomer before freezing. It is the beach ball woman. The girl stumbles over her words before falling silent. Likewise, Asada's shyness has kicked in and she chooses to play with her uneaten cake to avoid making eye contact with the woman.
"Because she's your sister," the woman replies, smiling and folding her hands beside her face. "If she were to disappear tomorrow, would you be alright knowing that you two fought the last time you saw each other?"
"Well…" Asuna glances at her sister, only to find her staring back.
The silver-haired twin reaches out and grabs the blonde's hand, intertwining their fingers. "I'm sorry, sister. If you want the rest of my cake, you can have it."
"I'm sorry too," the lively one says. "I'll eat the cake, but only if you don't want to."
A clap can be heard and then the still unknown woman's voice, saying, "Much better!"
"Now that that's taken care of, did you two want to ask me something?" beach ball asks of the girls. "I noticed you looking at me and it isn't polite to stare."
"We are talking about your belly," Asuna admits. "It's so big, I said you must have eaten a beach ball."
The woman covers her face as she giggles. "No, dear, I haven't eaten a beach ball. I don't think it would be very tasty. Rubber is really tough and not at all good for you."
A chair is pulled from around the table. "Do you mind if I sit with you?"
Asada shakes her head and Asuna offers no resistance.
"Thank you," the blonde lady seats herself, placing both her hands below her stomach in a supporting manner. "My name is Kokoro, what are yours?"
"Ko-ko-ro," the girls repeat, familiarizing themselves with the word. "Your name means heart!" Asada proclaims.
"It does," Kokoro smiles. "You're a very smart girl!"
"I listen to everything people say and read lots of books," the silver-haired twin says in a rare show of pride. "That's how I got so smart!"
The larger blonde nods. "You should be proud of yourself." She turns to Asuna. "And what are you good at?"
"I can run really fast, swim, and I can do eight pushups without stopping!" she declares.
"Eight?" Kokoro covers her mouth in shock. "My goodness, that's so many. I could only ever do ten before." This is, of course, a lie. All parasites were kept in peak physical condition, and Kokoro was at one point capable of at least 30. But they didn't need to know that.
"Can you not anymore?" Asuna asks, tilting her head to the side.
"I'm afraid not," she answers. "It would be hard with my belly like it is. I wouldn't be able to move at all before it touched the ground."
Asada quizzically observes her. "Why is your belly like that? How did it get that big if you didn't eat something?"
Kokoro motions her over. "Why don't you come feel? It's not spongy like a beach ball."
Asada looks at her sister and then back to Kokoro.
"You can both do it," the woman says with a warm smile.
With their hands still intertwined the twins make their way around the table. Both hesitate when they reach out to place a hand on Kokoro's stomach. The woman guides each of their hands to rest on the bulge.
Asuna and Asada gasp in awe as they run their hands over the protrusion and are surprised by the warmth. "It really is you! You aren't hiding something under your dress!"
"Did you think I was?" Kokoro chuckles.
"I didn't know," Asuna whispers trying to hold back her excitement. "You said you didn't eat a beach ball so I thought you stuffed it under your shirt."
Suddenly Kokoro takes a sharp breath. At the same time Asada feels something move beneath her hand. "What was that!?" she cries.
"Hmm…" Kokoro gathers herself. "I think Hayasaka was saying hello."
"What? Where?!" the twins look around excitedly, trying to find the new child to play with.
"She's in here," Kokoro tells them, patting her stomach.
"In… there?"
Kokoro nods. "Mhmm, Hayasaka is a baby but she hasn't been born yet. She's my little girl." The blonde affectionately rubs the bulge.
"That makes you her mommy," Asuna states. "Where is her daddy? Is he here?" Despite surveying the crowd she finds no one else she is unfamiliar with.
A wistful smile crosses the expectant mother's face. "Her daddy isn't here. He's someplace far away. But I'll tell her all about what a wonderful person he was."
Asuna and Asada may not have known this man, but they can tell from the gentle woman's words he had been extraordinary, someone like their stand-in father. The girls wrap Kokoro in a hug, though it ends up as their arms outstretched against her belly. Without hesitation Kokoro leans into them and returns it with soft tears running down her cheeks.
"Miss Kokoro," Asada says. "I think that Hayasaka will be very lucky that you are her mommy."
"That's very sweet of you to say," Kokoro dries a tear. "I hope she grows up to be strong and beautiful like you girls."
Asuna flexes her muscles. "We're pretty cool, aren't we?"
Kokoro smiles and casts her gaze out over the sea. She also notices that the reception is drawing to a close and that the bride and groom are nowhere to be found.
"Isn't it getting past your bedtime?" she asks the twins, still rubbing Hayasaka's home.
"(Y/N) and Ichigo said we could stay up because of the wedding!" Asuna pronounces.
Asada seems to be feeling the effects of the late hour a bit more. "Sister, I think we should go to bed. I'm tired."
"We can't go back by ourselves," Asuna tells her.
"Perhaps I could go with you," Kokoro offers. "I wouldn't mind putting two cute young ladies like yourselves to bed. I could even read you a story."
"I want to stay up though," the blonde twin whines.
Asada takes her hand, "Sister, we are going to bed." She turns to the pregnant woman seated before her. "Would you take us home, Miss Kokoro?"
Kokoro stands. "Of course, but please, call me just Kokoro, or Aunt Kokoro if you must."
The girls fall in step beside Kokoro, taking each of her hands as they traverse the stone steps connecting the beach to the village of Haven.
"Aunt Kokoro?"
"Yes?" she looks down at Asada.
"Did you not drink the sake because of Hayasaka?" she asks.
Kokoro nods. "That's right. Alcohol isn't good for a baby or their mother."
"Ichigo said we couldn't have any because we were too young," Asuna grumbles. "I just wanted to see what it tastes like. Everyone else got to."
The flaxen haired woman stifles a laugh. "I'm sure when you get older they will let you. Especially if you get married."
"Did you get married, Aunt Kokoro?" Asada inquires.
"Not officially," Kokoro answers. "But Hayasaka's father and I both told each other how we felt."
Asuna presses further. "Will it be hard for Hayasaka to grow up without him?"
"I think it will be difficult for her at times," the child's mother says honestly. "Growing up without a daddy isn't what I wanted for her. So, I'll just have to show her even more love to make up for it."
"Do you think we could be her older sisters?" the first twin asks.
Kokoro freezes, pulling the girls to an abrupt halt. "I'm sorry dear, what did you ask?"
Asada parrots Asuna. "She asked if we could be Hayasaka's older sisters."
For the second time tonight Kokoro fights back the urge to cry. "I think she would like that very much."
"Wahoo!" Asuna cheers. "We can play house, and dress up, and I can braid her hair. Did I tell you (Y/N) is terrible at doing my hair? The braid always falls out after ten minutes."
The girls continue picking out things that their foster father isn't good at for the remainder of the journey. Kokoro laughs at the apparently many things tonight's groom doesn't do correctly, but she can easily see the love behind the twins' words.
Soon they arrive at the manner and Asuna diligently leads Kokoro to their room. The girls change into their nightgowns and climb into bed after Asada has selected a book. Kokoro seats herself on the silver-haired twin's bed and prepares to read, but much to her surprise Asada lays her head across Kokoro's lap.
Kokoro runs her fingers through the girl's long silky hair as she reads until each of them has fallen asleep. She closes the fairytale and sets it on the nightstand between the beds. A part of her wants to lay back in the bed with Asada and hold the child close after the conversation she's had with them this evening, but she decides better of the idea and lets herself out instead. Before she leaves she plants a kiss on each of their foreheads and watches them from the door.
Kokoro rubs the bulge in her stomach holding her unborn daughter. "I hope you are as wonderful as they are," she whispers.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The reception was tiring. It's not that you didn't appreciate everyone coming or the work that had been put in to pull the event off, but hosting it was such a monumental task that there was hardly a moment to breathe. Something always needed doing or someone wanted to talk to you or Ichigo, and because of the string it meant the other had to come along.
Who you felt most sorry for were Asuna and Asada. Your adoptive daughters had only gotten to say a few words to you at the beginning of the reception, before the cake had been cut. Each of them was really excited about being an "official" family, but it hardly felt that way due to the small amount of time you'd spent with them. You are able to justify it by assuring yourself that family time could be arranged in the days to come. Besides, they seemed to be having a nice talk with Kokoro, though the concern they'd say something rude without knowing was still present.
After what feels like, and is, several hours, the reception begins to die down. Good times were had by all who attended and jokes made about who was to tie the knot next, your personal bet being Miku and Zorome. By the time it was all over the active duty members of Squad 13 had reminisced quite a bit. The memories only seemed to strengthen the collective resolve that APE must fall.
Near the end of the cleanup you pull Ichigo aside. She offers token resistance before allowing herself to be dragged away. Hiro and Zorome see the two of you slipping off. The first nods understandingly at your desire for some time alone while his opposite flashes a goofy grin and a thumbs up.
Once you've gotten Ichigo away from everyone else, you cover her eyes using your hands and lead her down the beach.
"Where are we going?" she asks.
"You'll see," you answer with building excitement.
"(Y/N)," your bride whines.
"We're almost there," you coax her. "Just another minute."
Ichigo huffs. "This had better be good."
You remove your hands from Ichigo's face. She says nothing, however. You step around her and find that she's holding her eyes closed.
"Uh, love, you can open your eyes now."
The blue-haired woman covers her mouth in awe at what she finds. Tucked in an alcove on the far side of the beach is a small tide pool. The water glistens in the moonlight as several fish stranded by the low tide swim just beneath the shallow surface. Its surface reflects the stars as well, turning it from water to looking as if it was filled with a spoonful of the heavens.
"This is incredible," Ichigo whispers.
You kiss the top of her head. "I thought you'd like it."
Taking her hand, you guide Ichigo to a slab of rock on the rim of the pool. You seat yourself and lean against the worn rock face behind. Ichigo sits between your legs and reaches for her shoes.
"What are you doing?" you chuckle.
Ichigo's emerald eyes gleam. "I'm putting my feet in the water."
With a nod you place a hand on each of Ichigo's shoulders. She leans back as the tension in her shoulders is released by your thumbs digging into the muscle beneath her shoulder blades.
"Ohh, you… you have… no, no idea… how good that feels," she purrs.
"I've got enough," you say, kissing the back of her head. "You spent all day on your feet after planning the wedding and drank a little more than you're used to tonight. I figured you could use a bit of pampering."
Ichigo lays her head against your chest, craning her neck to look up at you. "I can handle it better than you think. I'm not even tipsy."
You move from working your partner's shoulders to her lower back.
"I think that has a lot more to do with me than you're giving me credit for. Who drank all the sake during the wedding?"
"I…" Ichigo groans as you push through a knot. "I had some."
"Yeah, some," you joke. "If I hadn't drank most of it from the last cups you'd be a wreck right now."
Ichigo lifts one of her feet out of the pool and stares at it. "Thank you. I don't think I could have handled it if we split the sake evenly. Being drunk in front of the girls would have been really embarrassing and something I'd rather not have to experience."
You plant a soft kiss on her lips. "Don't I always take care of you?"
Ichigo lovingly returns the kiss. "It's one of the reasons I keep you around."
Your heart races as much tonight as it had the first time the two of you kissed in Delphinium. "Only one?"
Ichigo is about to answer when a bright light draws both of your attention. Across the vast night sky, a streak of white cuts through the night.
"Look," Ichigo points out the phenomenon. "It's a shooting star!"
You poke her side. "You know what they say, make a wish!"
Ichigo allows her body to go limp and drapes herself over you.
"I wish that we can stay together forever."
That was a long time coming, but it's finally happened! I appreciate your sticking around this long and let me tell you that we aren't done yet. Now for the goodies. First, Spaze has made some nice renders of Ichigo's wedding Kimono for everyone to enjoy. Use the link below while remembering to add in dot and com in place of the brackets.
Link: imgur[]/a/GGuu1MV
Second, Spaze also prepared a companion piece for this chapter. You can think of it as a bonus to commemorate the special occasion. Follow the link below to read for yourself. Please note that these parentheses need to be replaced with dot NET because it is another story on this site.
Link: fanfiction()/s/13591180/1/DITF-Insurrection-Side-Stories