THIS MARRIED LIFE
CHAPTER SIX: The Yui-no
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I am so sorry it took me so long to update but once again, my updates would be slower than my usual update rate because of assignments and upcoming exams.
Author's Notes:
Yui-no: Engagement. Once both families agreed to marriage, both families would meet at a formal gathering on an "auspicious" day in the Japanese almanac. Since Hitsugaya and Hinamori don't have families, families are replaced with friends. The function is carried out a little differently.
Katsuo-bushi: Dried bonito (a highly valued preserved food ingredient that is used to make soup stock). It is a traditional Yui-no gift to wish the couple a lasting marriage.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of Bleach, anime or manga. Some of the arguments between Ichigo and Rukia were derived from a video made by Decorgal.
"What are you saying Momo?" Hitsugaya looked at her intently, the hurt evident in his eyes. Hinamori drew a breath, and forced herself to go on.
"I can't do this anymore, I can't marry you Hitsugaya."
Hitsugaya remained deceptively calm but a thousand thoughts were running through his head.
"Why?" His voice came out deceivingly smooth, not an ounce of fear or the slightest tremor could be detected in his words.
"Because I'm in love with Kaemon," the confession hit Hitsugaya like a thousand knives and the pain that overwhelmed him was not a blade less.
Hitsugaya's eyes flung open, and he bolted upright in his bed. He peered around in the darkness before realising that he was in his room.
"It was just a dream," he said breathlessly, relief flooded through him. He slapped a hand on his forehead and dropped back down onto the futon. A small chuckle escaped his lips. This is what they probably call pre-marital fears.
"Momo-chan, you look absolutely stunning!" exclaimed Rukia, "good work Rangiku." Matsumoto gleamed proudly at her work of art.
Good work indeed, Hinamori thought silently as she examined her reflection in the mirror. She could hardly believe that the figure staring back at her was herself. The kimono she wore was peach pink silk covered with a design of various flowers. And her hair, she had originally styled it in her usual bun using the gorgeous bun cover Hitsugaya had given her for their first date but Matsumoto had taken one glance at it and took it off, bent on creating a more elaborate hairstyle for this once in a lifetime occasion.
/ "No, no, Momo!" she had exclaimed before guiding Hinamori by the shoulders towards the nearest chair and forcing her to sit on it. In less then a second, Hinamori's hair was undone and Matsumoto was busy twisting it this way and that. The end product had her gaping in disbelief at the transformation of her hair. When she had finally stopped gazing at it, she had promptly turned to Matsumoto and appointed her as her designated hairdresser for her wedding. /
Hinamori took a full turn in front of the mirror and breathed in deeply. A loud knock on the door sounded throughout the room and Hinamori looked quizzically at Matsumoto, who shrugged and moved to open the door. Hinamori stayed in her bedroom while Rukia helped her straighten out the creases in her kimono.
Rangiku slid open the door and gasped.
"Taichou! You're not supposed to be here, what are you doing here!" she whispered brashly before attempting to push him further out the door. Hitsugaya folded his arms and looked at her with a slightly amused expression that also reminded her that 'I am your captain'.
"I want to take her there," he stated coolly, giving her a quick look that told her not to argue with him as he brushed past her casually before his stunned vice-captain could utter another word. Matsumoto sighed exasperatedly and followed her captain.
"Oh, don't forget these," Rukia passed the folding fan and kerchief to her. Hinamori thanked her and tucked the folding fan into her obi; she couldn't believe she nearly forgot. The folding fan was a significant item in occasions such as this – it implied happiness and thus was believed to bring happiness into the future. She placed the kerchief in her right sleeve and examined herself in the mirror once more.
"Momo," On hearing her fiancé's voice, Hinamori spun around so abruptly that if it wasn't for Hitsugaya's fast reflexes, she would have been sprawled across the floor.
Rukia muttered an "I'll see you guys there" before quickly exiting the room, dragging Matsumoto, who was leaning against the door frame, with her despite the orange-haired shinigami's protest.
Hitsugaya helped Hinamori regain her stability, and then he eyed her up and down. A rosy pink coloured Hinamori's cheek when she saw the look Hitsugaya was giving her and she quickly looked away, trying hard to recompose her calm manner.
"Hitsugaya, what are you doing here?" She asked, her eyes were still bouncing off the walls in the room. Hitsugaya chuckled lightly, seeing Hinamori in such a flustered state was both adorable and amusing. He stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug before letting ago. Hinamori looked up at him curiously, worry clouded her eyes and facial expression. She lifted her hand and placed it on his face, Hitsugaya placed his hand on top of her and leaned into it.
"Is something wrong?" she asked gently, Hitsugaya brought her hand down but didn't let it go, he shook his head and gave her a small smile for reassurance.
"It's nothing, just had a bad dream last night," He gave her a half smile that never failed to make her knees weak.
"What did you dream about?" she asked, curiosity rising in her. It was she who was always having bad dreams, the reversal of the situation was just too sweet to pass up.
Hitsugaya remained silent for a moment and gave her a look. He knew she was enjoying this reversal and decided to appease her, after all, him having a 'nightmare' was quite a rare situation. Nonetheless, it was utterly embarrassing for him to confess the contents of his so called nightmare. He took a deep breath in. The things that women make you do, he muttered inwardly before replying.
"In the dream," he started, Hinamori looked at him and urged him to continue, "You left me for Kaemon." Momo's eyes widened, and then her body shook as she tried to suppress her laughter. Hitsugaya frowned.
"What are you laughing at Momo?" Hitsugaya asked, seeing no humour in his disturbing dream.
"It's just that," Hinamori tried to stifle another laugh, "the idea is just absolutely ridiculous!" She laughed heartily again. A moment later she regained posture and threaded her arm through Hitsugaya's.
"Let's go," she led them towards the door but began laughing again just as they reached it. Hitsugaya couldn't help but be affected by her laughter, a smile appeared on his face.
"Stop it," he responded lamely.
"Hai, hai, Shiro-chan," Hinamori complied light-heartedly. Hitsugaya mentally slapped his forehead, this woman was going to be the end of him one day.
The couple sat facing their guest as the guest presented the soon-to-be-married couple with the Yui-no gifts.
Matsumoto presented the most important gift to the bride-to-be – an obi. The obi was a symbol of female virtue. Rukia then presented the most important gift to the groom-to-be – a hakama, which symbolised fidelity. After the two main gifts were given to the future bride and groom, nine other gifts followed. These included an abalone shell to express sincere wishes, katsuo-bushi and a dried cuttlefish to wish the couple a long, lasting marriage, a fan opened from end to end to wish for happiness and a better future, and hemp to symbolise strong family ties.
The most ironic present of all was given by Shunsui. The irony lied not in the actual gift given, but in the choice of gift Shunsui decided to give the soon-to-be married couple. He had presented the couple with sake casks, which are meant to symbolise a pledge for obedience and gentleness in marriage. However, instead of putting money in a sake cask like many do as a traditional Yui-no gift, he placed sake in the casks instead, thereby defeating the purpose of the sake casks as a gift and its symbol. Nonetheless Hinamori accepted it with a cheerful smile and placed it alongside the other gifts.
The couple and their guest then sat down for a formal dinner.
"Oi, Ichigo, Rukia," called out Renji, "shouldn't you two give the couple some advice since you are like married?" Rukia jumped to it.
"Well, Momo, it's important for you to understand that men take forever to do something. You ask them nicely to do something – they won't do it, you ask them a little less nicely – they still won't do it. The only time when they actually do it is when you get a little angry and yell about it," she warned in a serious tone. The other women, including Yachiru, nodded in agreement.
"Hey!" protested Ichigo, "that's not true Hinamori, don't listen to my wife," he defended on behalf of his gender before turning to Hitsugaya.
"Nag, nag, nag, nag, nag. Is it a gene that women are born with?"
"Ichigo!" Rukia warned sternly before turning her attention to Hinamori.
"And don't expect men to ever admit they are wrong. Why is it that men can never admit it when they're wrong? They know we are always right and they always end up apologising in the end anyway," Rukia asked in genuine confusion. Ichigo turned to Hitsugaya at once.
"The most important thing any married man can ever learn is to shut up and say sorry. It doesn't matter how right you are and how wrong she is, believe me man, it's not worth it." Rukia stared at Ichigo in disbelief, and then looked at Hinamori.
"See what I mean? Men live in constant denial!"
"It's not the men," Ichigo argued defensively, "it's because women live in their own world with their own rules and even their own language!" His line of argument seemed to trigger something in his memory because he suddenly jerked upwards and snapped his fingers.
"The most important skill a man needs to master is not bankai," he began. Hitsugaya looked slightly confused.
"It's not?" he asked.
"No, my friend, the most important skill a man needs to acquire is the skill to decipher what a woman says and what she really means. Take "that's okay" for instance. This is one of the most dangerous things a woman can say to a man. See, in a dictionary it is defined as "agreeable, acceptable, satisfactory, or good" but put it in a negative situation and it becomes "I am going to think long and hard before deciding how and when to punish you.""
Hitsugaya looked at Rukia's seething form and turned back to Ichigo.
"Are you sure it's okay for you to be saying this now, in front of her?" He asked. Ichigo looked at his wife and backed away a little. He leaned towards Hitsugaya and continued his lessons.
"Women are fickle, you already know that, but married women are just utterly erratic," he said in a low tone. Unfortunately, Rukia heard.
"That's it Ichigo!" A balled fist shot out and Ichigo doubled over. "Let's take this outside!"
"Was that really necessary!" he barked back, "and lady, we are in the middle of an engagement party, we can't just get up and leave to have a fight outside! Where's your common sense woman?"
Everyone glanced from Ichigo to Rukia and back to Ichigo again as the couple continued their little verbal fight. Hinamori caught Hitsugaya's eye contact and giggled. Married life was sure interesting it seemed.
"Alright, alright! I'm sorry," Ichigo practically vomited the words out. Rukia crossed her arms and waved a hand dismissively at him.
"It's okay," she replied. Ichigo shuddered at her response.
When dinner finished, the couple bid farewell to the guest before leaving the restaurant themselves.
Hitsugaya walked Hinamori to the door of her room.
"Ne Hitsugaya, do you think we'll ever end up like Rukia and Ichigo?" Hitsugaya chuckled softly as he thought of the two.
"I hope not," he replied. Hinamori smiled and added, "They're a little odd but it's obvious they care a lot about each other." They held eye contact for a moment before Hinamori turned to slide the door open. Hitsugaya caught her wrist and twirled her around to face him again. He brought his face down and kissed her passionately.
"Shiro-chan," she uttered breathlessly when they broke apart. Hitsugaya smiled a half-smile.
"You could invite me in you know," he suggested.
"So you could beat me in another pillow fight? By all means," Hinamori slid open her door gestured towards her room, "You're welcome." Hitsugaya smirked and was about to walk in when a shinigami landed behind them. Hitsugaya and Hinamori quickly turned to face the intruder.
"Sorry to interrupt, Hitsugaya-taichou, Hinamori-fukutaichou, but there has been a situation at the tenth division headquarters that needs immediate attention."
"What? Now?"
"Yes sir," the messenger confirmed. Hitsugaya frowned and dismissed the messenger. He turned back to face Hinamori.
"I'll be right back. If I'm not back in twenty minutes then don't wait up for me," he told her. Hinamori nodded. She watched him leave until she couldn't see him anymore. Then she went into her room and slid the door close. She was about to switch the lights on when she sensed movement in her room. She quickly switched the lights on and turned around.
"Who's there?" she asked, her voice firm. She moved to her sleeping quarters. A tall figure stood in the middle of the room, seemingly lost in his thoughts.
"Kaemon-kun?" Hinamori glanced around the room before returning her eyes to Kaemon. "What are you doing in my room?" He didn't seem to hear her as he didn't turn to face her, instead, he seemed to be concentrating on a blank spot in the wall. Hinamori stared quizzically at his back and tried again.
"Kaemon-kun," she called out. Kaemon turned abruptly to face her. A look of pure horror crossed Hinamori's face as she realised what was staring back at her. The hollow that possessed Kaemon was a Vastorode – the strongest kind of Menos. A gasp escaped her mouth and she stumbled backwards, Vastorodes are stronger than captains.
She glanced desperately around the room and, to her utter dismay, found that she could not reach her zanpakuto without passing the demon-Kaemon.
The Vastorode slowly advanced on her, each step he took forward, Hinamori took a step backward until she was backed up against the wall with the Vastorode only a few feet away from her. He had stopped advancing on her and was now observing her in gleeful amusement.
Thoughts ran through her mind wildly but she calculated that she could escape the bedroom before he caught up with her. But even if she escaped her bedroom, what would she do then?
Hitsugaya! She thought panicked, Hitsugaya would arrive any moment. She couldn't let him face a Vastorode again, especially when the host held some contempt against him. It didn't take a genius for anyone to realise that Kaemon disliked Hitsugaya.
Hinamori made up her mind; she needed to lure it away from here as far as possible. And if the Menos was after her, then that just made the whole situation easier.
Hinamori closed her eyes for a brief moment then ran as fast as she could away from the Vastorode, away from Hitsugaya and away from Soul Society. She had never been more grateful for Hitsugaya forcing her to learn shunpo then she was now as she lifted her heavy kimono and ran as fast as it allowed her to. What she was going to do when she had successfully lured the Vastorode away, she will think of later.
End of Chapter Six
Once again, sorry for my slow update but assignments and exam preperations have kept me from doing so earlier.
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