Disclaimers, etc.: see chapter one
Opening Theme: TBA
Ending Theme: TBA

Chapter 3 written 10/16/2022

Bleach: Cross
Princess on Vacation
by Eugena

Rated M

Chapter Three: Something to Your Liking

天国的白雪公主

KARAKURA TOWN - CLOTHING STORE

"Remind me again why he's with us?" Kiyone asked, pointing to Shinjiro of the fifth division.

The members of the Shinigami Women's Association, Shirahime, and Yoruichi browsed different bathing suits of a human clothing store. Shinjiro Kita held Raiko's hand as they looked.

Sierra led Daichi, Raiko's twin brother, around with her arm around his shoulder. Momo looked through the bathing suits but kept looking over at Sierra and Daichi.

"He's Raiko's father," Isane reminded Kiyone.

"Yes, I know, but isn't this just for the girls?"

"Don't be so insensitive, sister. It's hard for Raiko to maintain her physical form like this. Even if she is half god."

"I'm not -. Can't she just go around with Daichi? They are tied together. She doesn't need Shinjiro here."

"She wants her dad here, sister."

"Now, now, girls," Retsu said. "Be nice to the princess' children."

"I'm not the one who -," Isane began.

"Isane, how will you be a father to a new child if you can't properly act as father to her existing children?" Retsu asked.

Isane stood still, her mouth open.

Across the aisle, listening in, Nanao thought that was one thing she had in the bag. She walked up to Shinjiro.

"Hey, Shinjiro," she greeted, "good to see you coming here with Raiko."

"Well, of course," he said. "What sort of father would I be if I didn't?"

"Well," she said, looking over to Daichi, "speaking of that, where's Yumi?"

"Trying to keep Urahara at his home. He's so very sensitive someone's going to come pick up his daughters. Keeps saying something about Shiro making babies at his house."

Nanao gasped. "Seriously?"

"He's probably overreacting," Shinjiro said.

"You should give mama another baby, papa," Raiko said.

Shinjiro turned red.

"It would make her happy," Raiko said. "And I want another brother or sister. Or both!"

"Well," he said, "we'll see about getting you one. At the next family dinner."

"What?" Nanao asked.

"I heard that!" Yoruichi exclaimed, coming over with Soi Fon. Lafiel trailed behind, holding up bathing suits.

"Uh, Lady Yoruichi," Soi Fon began, "this may not be the best time, but Shinjiro is here, maybe we should discuss - ?"

"Oh, oh my, Raiko," Yoruichi began, "is my little granddaughter growing up? Do you need to talk about that time of the - ."

"Her marriage, Lady Yoruichi," Soi Fon interrupted.

"Yes," Nanao agreed. "I actually wanted to discuss that with you, Kita."

"Did Hanataro ask you to marry him?" Yoruichi asked. "You're too young!"

"Why would Hana do that when he likes me?" Yachiru asked, coming over to them and holding up a polka dot bikini. "She means the marriage Dad Shiroyuki arranged."

"Say what now?" Yoruichi yelled.

Retsu Unohana left the sisters and found the princess looking through bathing suits. Shirahime glanced over at Daichi, still watching him, Sierra, and a very jealous Momo browsing.

Retsu brushed her leg against Shirahime's.

"Oh, hey." Shirahime greeted, looking at her briefly. "Find anything to your liking?"

Retsu looked her over. "Absolutely."

Shirahime looked to her excitedly. "Really? Let's see it."

"Maybe in a bit. What have you found?"

Shirahime held up a blue bikini with a small sun printed in the upper right. She held it against her body.

Retsu lifted a brow.

She held up a brown bikini next.

"No," Retsu said. "I think you'll look better in this one,"

Retsu held up the bikini she'd been hiding. It was yellow.

Shirahime squinted as Retsu turned it slowly. A very small thread connected the very small cups in the front. Her face turned bright red as she looked at the bottoms once turned around - a thong.

"I can't - I can't possibly wear that one."

"You're right," Retsu agreed. "I thought maybe this one instead."

She held up a lacy black number next.

"Um," Shirahime began, "I'm not sure how to tell you this. That's not a swimsuit, that's actually -."

"Aijou!" Yoruichi shouted as she came over. The others followed behind her. Her shouting attracted the rest of the group, and they came over as well. "What's this I hear about -? Hang on, what is that?" She looked at the lacy black number.

"Judging by how long you and Urahara have been together," Unohana began, "surely you know?"

"But why is my aijou looking at that?" Yoruichi asked.

Momo wanted to faint. Rangiku clapped her hands. Rukia turned red.

"You've got great taste, Unohana Taicho!" Rangiku exclaimed. "I should take a picture of this and send it to my Ken-bear."

"Wearing something like this to swim in?" Shirahime asked.

Rangiku snapped a picture. Nemu took a quick one before many noticed.

"I should just wear nothing at all," Shirahime said.

"What a wonderful idea!" Retsu exclaimed.

Rangiku finished typing in her emojis and sent the text message with picture.

Nemu hastily sent her own text message.

Isane and Nanao practically fell over. Sierra started laughing. Momo looked at her, annoyed. Daichi looked confused. Raiko looked hopeful at Shinjiro when she saw his red face.

"Oh my gods, Kisuke!" Yoruichi shouted. She grabbed Rangiku's phone and forwarded it to Urahara.

Yoruichi snatched the clothes from Shirahime. (If there was enough of it to be called clothes.)

"Now, aijou, we'll discuss Raiko's marriage later. But right now, a sensible bathing suit for you!" She looked to another rack. "Yes, this one!" She pulled out a very conservative one piece. "How lovely on my aijou!" She looked to Lafiel. She held the suit up to Lafiel. "Also lovely on you, little daughter. Perhaps a different color?"

The phone dinged in Yoruichi's hand. She looked at the screen.

"I'm not sure Hitsugaya was amused, Rangiku," she said.

"Taicho?" Rangiku asked. "No, I sent this to Ken-bear." She took the phone. "Oops. Oh well, sweet dreams for Shiro."

"Wasn't he mad?" Isane asked.

"Oh, no," Rangiku said. "That's definitely not what he sent back."

Matsumoto's phone rang.

"Taicho!" she greeted. "Is it everything you hoped for? Except she's not wearing it yet? Maybe I could convince her to model -."

"Why is my daughter holding that?" Nearly everyone could hear Kisuke's voice.

"It's for you," Rangiku said as she handed it to Yoruichi.

"Maybe I should put it on!" Lafiel exclaimed as she took the clothes from Yoruichi.

"No, no, Lafiel," Kisuke said, his voice still loud. "A sensible one piece for each of you!"

"But you like to look at high school girls in bikinis," Lafiel said.

"Okay, one, that is not a bikini. Do you know what that is? And two, you're not in high school. And three, I'd better not be seeing any of my daughters wearing that. Are you getting the grandchildren into that?"

"Certainly not!" Lafiel objected. "At least not Yachiru and Raiko. Nemu's different, but at their age - ."

"No, Kisuke," Yoruichi called, "just setting a wedding for Raiko."

"What?" he exclaimed. "Yumi and I are coming over. Right now. Just you all wait."

"Bring the kids," Shirahime said, referring to Ururu and Jinta.

"Hime-sama," Yumi called, "can I stop being in the doghouse? I'm so lonely at nights. I'll buy that for you, and you can wear it for me tonight."

"Certainly not!" Kisuke exclaimed. "Keep your pants on!"

Elsewhere, a certain current twelfth division taicho spit out his tea.

谢谢你们的阅读。