The next morning felt almost too peaceful. For many, it didn't feel victorious, it didn't feel over. After two years of playing hide and seek with the Dark Master, this just felt like more waiting until a new fight erupted. Everyone had returned to their homes, all of the Kurosaki Family allowed to go to the Soul Society with the others to spend some time there with close friends and maybe a bit of paranoia to make sure nothing else was going to happen. They didn't let it stop them from starting their celebrations. For some it was genuine relief to have the war be over, for others it was a way to forget the losses and the lingering tremors left behind from the awful fights.
It was a similar attitude in the Soul King's Realm, though while the nobles were quick to praise their king and pass the drinks, Toshiro himself didn't feel like participating and instead went straight to the Greenleaf Family to offer his condolences. They welcomed him gladly and invited him to join them in their mourning ceremony. Feeling he owed it not only to Ralӕn but Ruala as well, and definitely not wanting to go back to the other nobles, he accepted and spent his day with them.
The day after that was a more official celebration, but Toshiro had another excuse to avoid it. The leading generals of the different Soul Societies that had come to his aid in the initial fights had each come alone to meet with him and offer their congratulations. Knowing they had taken heavy losses of their own, Toshiro made sure they were all compensated and thanked them profusely for their aid and service. He also convinced them to accept an alliance with the dragons as Japan's branch had already done so. The number in Japan had practically doubled after the war ended and the drakes were eager to look elsewhere. Intrigued, the generals accepted and allowed a few dragons each to return home with them to try things out.
By the third day, things really were looking up for the better, and now that the reality that his enemy was well and truly dead was finally setting in, Toshiro was starting to feel more willing to celebrate. The problem now was he didn't really feel like celebrating with the noble families who hid like cowards in his palace, but rather with the people who fought at his side to the end. Those people just happened to be in Soul Society and he no longer had a good excuse to keep going there other than emotional attachment, and he couldn't keep holding on to such an obvious bias.
"We could bring them back here." Sylfie offered as he sat within her home for another day. She was a lot less energetic than usual, voice quiet and not veering into any of her random topic changes as she once did.
"That still presents me as biased." Toshiro replied with a sigh.
"It's where you grew up. As long as you don't let it divert your attention from your duties or try to slide in policies that only benefit them than most of us won't care." She paused and thought about it for a moment. "Well, some of them might care, but again as long as you're not spending most of your time there and giving them special treatment with your political power they can't come after you, just make nasty gossip. Visits as friends shouldn't be too big an offense."
"I did pick a Royal Guard from there."
"Oh that's not new, all of the current Royal Guards are Japanese." Sylfie chuckled lightly. "Your father and grandfather were also a bit more impressed with their work than the other societies, at this point the nobles have just accepted that the Hitsugaya Family has a bit too much pride for their country."
"I suppose that's true." Toshiro hadn't even thought about the fact that all of the Royal Guards were Japanese, other than perhaps Ruala who was part of the family his mother belonged to. He couldn't recall if there were other Royal Guards chosen from other countries by Soul Kings of long ago. It hadn't been that important for his studies. "Still, if my family is already known for being biased I probably shouldn't continue it."
"How about this then; you're inviting the people who fought in the war with you to celebrate their loyalty and accomplishments in defending the great Soul King."
"That sounds disgustingly pretentious."
"But it works?" She raised a single eyebrow at him and waited for his response.
He didn't particularly like how it was worded, but if he thought like a noble than it made perfect sense. He had done something similar for the other societies after all, and those in Japan were the ones to stick by him through the end, not only rescuing him from Kamai but defeat the remaining Demon Lords on their own and holding off the Dark Master from obliterating the Royal Families. They had the most hand in the fight, so offering them a special invitation to celebrate in his realm shouldn't be too far-fetched an idea. In fact, the nobles should welcome their protectors openly. He hoped at least…
"Alright, we'll do it your way." He said to his aunt. "Would you like to host again or should I keep it to the palace?"
"Perhaps this time you can make good use of all that space on your floor." Sylfie replied vaguely, a thin smile on her face. In response, a worried frown crossed Toshiro's face, knowing Sylfie didn't easily turn down an excuse to sing and dance. At least he had given her the option, he didn't want to push her too far so soon.
"Feel free to join us when you're comfortable." He offered to her.
"Of course." She nodded. "Oh! You can let the dragons know they're welcome to rest here in the forest as long as they don't touch any of the animals here, any feeding and they'll have to go down to the wilds like usual. This is a sanctuary after all, but I'm sure it will be more comfortable than tight palace walls."
"I'll let them know, thank you."
Plan in mind, Toshiro left to let Sylfie have some time to herself and went over to Kirio's kingdom first. She would be more open to a party in the palace than the others and she might enjoy getting to make a huge feast.
"Well now, that's a wonderful idea!" Sure enough, after hearing his explanation the chef looked fired up and ready to go. "Lady Greenleaf certainly knows how to get around the whims of the nobles, so if she came up with it there won't be a problem! I'll prepare a full course right away!"
"Thank you." Toshiro was relieved she didn't need much convincing.
Senjumaru was naturally the hardest to convince, but Ichibe and Oetsu both ended up following their king to gang up on her, agreeing with Sylfie's point of view that the warriors who helped them guard the palace deserve a feast in their honor. She conceded fairly quickly after that and even offered to be the one who went to invite them.
"Oh right, I almost forgot!" Oetsu's sudden outburst confused his fellow guards but he ignored them and ushered Toshiro off to the side. "Here, that little surprise you requested me to make yesterday. Sounds like tonight will be a good opportunity to use it."
With a wink the swordsmith passed over a small, inconspicuous box out of sight of the other guards. A bit of color flushing to his cheeks, Toshiro was quick to hide it in a pocket.
"I didn't think you'd finish it so quickly; I haven't prepared anything…" He admitted.
"The spontaneous ones are the best kind, there's no time to waste!"
"Waste on what?" Senjumaru demanded, suspicious of whatever the two men were whispering.
"Yes, we'd be delighted to know what secrets you two are sharing." Ichibe added on, looking pointedly at Oetsu. The smith just flashed the two a grin and kept his mouth shut.
"It's fine, you can tell them, I was going back to my room anyway." Though grateful that Oetsu was willing to keep it secret, Toshiro had no intention of keeping them in the dark… he just didn't really want to be present.
"Try not to talk to the mirror too much when practicing, it makes things awkward."
"Sh-shut it!" Face now a lot more red, Toshiro made a quick retreat back to his dragon to head back to the palace. Myndrӕl teased him as well out of their hearing range but still gave his partner a ride back home.
"Humans have such strange traditions." The Ice-Water dragon commented as they landed back on Toshiro's floor. "Almost as strange as birds."
"I'd rather not be compared to a bird, thanks." Toshiro grumbled. "You're the most bird-like between the two of us."
"But I didn't need to flash any feathers or collect rocks." The dragon chuckled. "Dragons just know."
"Yes, well, this is just… how it is. I'm sure she feels the same way I just want to make it official."
"I guess the gift is more to show others?"
"Usually that's the point of it, yes."
"I hope she likes it then." Myndrӕl settled down on the platform, lifting up his head in thought. "I wonder if I should get something for Dyrilӕn then, just to match."
"I doubt she's as curious about human tradition as you are, but I can try to help if you want to attempt it."
"Perhaps." The dragon purred. "For now we best get ready for tonight."
In agreement, Toshiro hurried off to his room while Myndrӕl took off back to the Nest to see the other dragons for ideas.
As it turned out, he was not as ready for that night as he thought. Oetsu's words echoing in his head, the king suddenly found himself more nervous than anything he had done before. He'd been thrown into so many situations he didn't know how to handle and managed them just fine, and while the burden of the throne was a heavy one he'd learned to carry it just fine. This, however, was a new responsibility he had no preparation for. What was he supposed to say? Was everyone supposed to be watching? The thought made his stomach turn.
"This would be a nice time to have father around." He sighed heavily, head hung low.
There was a knock at his door. Curious, he invited them in and found several of Senjumaru's top seamstresses stepping through his door.
"We've been asked to save you, Your Majesty." They said with coy smiles and a low bow.
He blinked once, confused.
"Save me?"
"Your normal attire would never do to impress a lady, Your Majesty, there's a lot of work to be done before tonight."
A feeling of discomfort creeped up his back. Just what was Senjumaru's reaction to his plans to cause something like this? They began to approach him with determined expressions and he couldn't help taking a few steps back.
"Now hold on-" He tried to argue but was quickly cut off as the girls surrounded him.
"No need to be shy, my lord, this is for your own good." The lead seamstress smirked at him. He felt completely powerless. He, the powerful Soul King, who defeated the horrific monster Kamai Dethmaiyn, could do nothing against them.
From the dragon island, Myndrӕl looked towards the palace in confusion, wondering why he felt so much distress from his partner. There couldn't be any danger, right? Was he that nervous about the party?
In the Soul Society, Senjumaru was quick to find the newer Royal Guard and his family amongst their friends, most of whom were the people being invited anyway, making her task quite easy.
"In honor of your services and your bravery against all odds to defend the Soul King and Royal Families, those of you who participated are hereby welcomed to a celebration feast in the palace." With a courteous bow of her head to present her respect to the king's orders, Senjumaru made the invite short and quick. She had something else she wanted to do here, her eyes glancing briefly in Karin's direction. Excitement fluttered in her chest; it had been so long since she got to perform her skills like this. The extra arms that usually rested quietly at her back gave a slight shudder, making a few of the Reapers nervous.
"Like these guys need any more reason to drink." Ichigo replied causally as he mentioned to the group of people red-faced and wide-eyed in excitement, clearly well inebriated already. Among them, Rangiku seemed quick to get her feet back, cheering for more sake.
"For real, they've been at it all day." Karin laughed. She hadn't seemed to notice Senjumaru's sly glance, just enjoying company with her friends and family. "Also I didn't think Toshiro would be one to host a party."
"He's probably just lonely." A slightly buzzed Yoruichi sneered as she raised her cup. "But hey, anything to try that famous food the Royal Guard Hikifune makes!"
"Wait, if it's at the palace, shouldn't we change?" Yuzu spoke up in surprise as she realized this was not the same casual visits Toshiro always made to Soul Society when he had time. This was a formal invite by a royal, and friend or not, the Soul Reaper uniforms and every day human clothes probably wouldn't suffice.
"Absolutely." Senjumaru confirmed, glad for the easy shift to the topic she wanted. "You will be guests of the Soul King, this is your chance to represent Japan at its finest and as the warriors who saved this world."
"Then it's time to go shopping!" Rangiku turned to Momo, Nanao and Yoruichi excitedly.
"Unnecessary." Senjumaru's comment caught their attention and confusion passed around the room. Her arms moved smoothly around her and were each quickly holding a tool for sewing. "I came personally to ensure everyone has proper attire, not only to best represent yourselves but to ensure you are fitted with items to protect you in the realm since I am aware some of you were having trouble before."
Karin patted Yuzu's back as she laughed nervously. Since Orihime had been the one to wear the special necklace to protect her while she healed Toshiro, Yuzu had to be constantly checked on by Unohana to make sure she wasn't getting overstressed, and the length of the fight was almost too much. Yuzu still felt semi-responsible for the losses they took since Unohana had to keep stepping away to help her and it was all her siblings could do to convince her she did more good together with Shimmer than any minor distractions would have harmed.
"All of us?" Shuhei looked baffled.
"An easy task for one such as myself." The eager gaze on the guardian's face made some of them nervous, glancing warily at the armed… well, arms. "Only the best will do, after all, and I am the best."
Through the doors behind her, an entourage of her assistants stepped through, each holding a stack of extremely expensive looking fabrics of various colors and patterns.
"Whoa, wait, we can't afford anything like that!" Renji paled, fairly certain even one of those rolls would cost more than twenty years of his salary.
"You might be getting hand-tailored outfits but you will not be keeping them, so do your best not to ruin them." Senjumaru warned. "Should I get one back stained or ripped, consider yourself in my debt from then on."
"I don't want that kind of responsibility!"
"Think of this as an incentive to behave." Her wicked smile made them shudder.
Despite some of their protests, she did not budge on being their personal seamstress for the event and they were forced to accept her terms of loaning the outfits. Those who still refused on other excuses – Kenpachi for one she did not trust with her fabric, and the Kuchiki family were capable of supplying their own formal wear as nobles – she eventually released and ignored. Ichigo was another who got to escape her attention after she told him he was required to remain in the uniform of a Royal Guard so that the Royal Families knew who he was.
Once Senjumaru was able to pull aside Karin and Yuzu – she wanted just Karin but Yuzu was so nervous the seamstress was convinced to dress them together – she slowed down in her work. Some of the others didn't even take her ten minutes, but her arms were not as quick to sew as she spoke quietly to the twins.
"You especially must have the perfect pattern." This was something Senjumaru was muttering more to herself as her arms measured up Karin's sizes.
"What do you mean 'me especially'?" Karin grumbled, unsuccessfully swatting an arm aside only for it to smack her back. She did not try again but she scowled fiercely at it.
"Is it because our brother's one of you?" Yuzu questioned, sitting to the side for now as she waited for Karin's turn to be over.
"Not only that but your father accepted the terms for returning to the Royal Families. There is only one other Royal Family from Japan and they will not take your return lightly with your brother being chosen as a Royal Guard. Jealousy is poisonous in politics."
"Sounds about right." Karin rolled her eyes, clearly not interested.
"As such we must show them your best side for your official debut as a member of the Royal Family." Senjumaru took a softer tone as one of her arms grabbed the roll of fiery red fabric. "Not to pressure you, my lady, but you are one of the warriors who fought the Demon Lords as well as the woman the Soul King has chosen to stand beside him, so you in particular will find yourself under a lot of scrutiny considering all of these things."
"So we're dating, that shouldn't mean anything." Karin's face flushed. People judging her over being a warrior in a noble family she could ignore as her brother did, but being looked at as the Soul King's human girlfriend was a bit more unsettling.
"My lady, your date is the Soul King." Senjumaru reminded her. "Your human nature aside, that alone will get everyone's attention, even if you had been one of them your whole life rather than just recently."
The conversation cut off for now as Senjumaru's normal arms whisked the young woman around to face a mirror. Karin hadn't even noticed any fitting taking place but suddenly she was seeing herself dressed in brilliant reds and golds. The main kimono over top had a shimmering pattern of flower shaped flames spotted across the fabric, the layers underneath various colors of white and gold. When did she get so many layers stacked on? The obi was a soft gold tied neatly at the back with the ends allowed to trail to show how they faded to white, appearing like a soft candle flame.
"How did you…" Karin was left baffled by the speed of the dressing and the beauty of the kimono. It didn't even feel as heavy as she thought having actual layers would be. In the Living World, most kimonos were just stitched to look layered without being as stifling, but these were the real deal, and yet the fabric was so light she felt like she could run in it. Remembering Senjumaru's warning about payments, she dared not test that.
"Wow!" Yuzu definitely didn't seem nervous anymore as she squealed over her sister's dress. "Oh Miss Shutara you're amazing."
"Of course I am." Senjumaru huffed, though there was a hint of a smile at her lips. It was nice to hear genuine praise from a light-hearted soul like Yuzu.
"Your date better watch out, all the boys will be all over you Karin." Yuzu teasingly poked her sister's shoulder. Scowling and red-faced, Karin turned away from her.
"I will allow your friends to deal with your hair and make-up while I dress your sister." Senjumaru gently shooed Karin away from the mirror to let Yuzu stand there.
"Oh, I was going to wait for Yuzu."
"Very well, this won't take long. Let's see…"
With just a few extra minutes, Yuzu was soon dressed in a kimono similar in style to Karin's but a soft white that almost made her seem to glow, flowers of forest green patterned onto it. The colors almost matched her dragon Shimmer perfectly, and as Yuzu shifted around to look at herself in the mirror the fabric did indeed seem to glimmer into different lights much like Shimmer's scales did. The layers beneath were subtle pinks to bring out that color of innocence. Yuzu fell in love immediately.
"Now who's the one that's going to have boys all over her?" Karin snickered, Yuzu flushing red. "Don't worry, if Miss Shutara is doing this for all of us it won't just be us. And Ichigo will be with us I'm sure."
"I have no doubts." Senjumaru chuckled. "Now move along, there's a few more still waiting."
Careful not to let any fabric touch the floor, the Kurosaki twins stepped out to look for Rangiku and Rukia, who had promised to help with hair before they got dragged away by the Royal Guard. Karin was not looking forward to having her hair messed with, but Rukia promised she had learned how to do proper noble hairstyles and was excited to teach them.
"So how do you think we'll get up to the palace without messing these up?" Yuzu wondered aloud as she admired her flowing sleeves.
Considering their only options were the dragons or the Tenchuren, Karin couldn't help but look a bit concerned as well. The dragons were faster and less cramped, but it was like choosing to ride a motorcycle over fitting into a van.
"They'll figure it out…" She hoped...