AN: Thank you all for being patient for my last chapter! I am updating a little early because… well, I want to. Any comments to… comment on? The last chapter was confusing? Let's see (of course I probably don't find it confusing but I wrote it)… well, it's Hisana reflecting on how she used to have a terrible habit of mentally filling in the things she didn't know about Byakuya to the point she'd forget it wasn't actually true. Hopefully that helps… I'm glad I got a bit of a laugh from the last chapter – it was intended to both have a certain important (for Hisana anyway) and be light-hearted. The veranda line was something I thought of and couldn't resist putting in. It's always a great compliment when I'm told that this could fit into canon. My job is done! Okay, better get on – this chapter is the big day! Chapter twenty-eight, theme twenty-seven (just missed each other, ah well)!

PS – Quick edit – there weren't many weddings in Seireitei.

27. Overflow

"Are you ready?" one of the attendants asked, motioning to the door.

Hisana bit her lip, then grinned.

"Of course."

The only thing that was making her uncomfortable was all the expensive clothes and ornaments she wore. Her kimono was pure white with intricate designs throughout the material. And her hair ornaments were large and beautifully crafted, sitting comfortably in her hair that had been put up by a couple of the friendlier Kuchiki household servants. She was used to wearing her hair down, so it being styled like this was completely bizarre to her. And heavy. Much heavier than she would have liked. Being weighed down made her think of the twitchy urge deep inside her that wanted to run.

She was itching to get the ordeal over and done with, but at the same time couldn't wait to lay eyes on Byakuya.

"This way, madam," one of the servants said, opening the door.

Hisana stood and slowly made her way out. There was only one Shinto shrine in Seireitei, as weddings weren't very common. A massive fuss was being made over one of the heads of the noble families getting married and many people wanted to attend, but Byakuya had quickly put his foot down on it. Courtesy forced him to invite the head of the noble families that remained, and Byakuya's senpai had been so excited by the prospect of a wedding that Byakuya had commented that he'd lose a mentor if he wasn't invited. Hisana took that and translated it as not wishing to disappoint his senpai, because she knew he had a good heart, even if he didn't always go about things the right way. A few other people had been invited whose names failed Hisana's memory. In short, she knew nobody who was attending, save her fiancé.

The walk to the shrine wasn't far, and she was surrounded by attendants, making sure she was still well presented every two steps. Hisana was getting increasingly nervous as she approached the sanctuary. Even though people weren't invited, there were still a fair number gathered outside, chatting and watching. Hisana lowered her head and was now rather glad she had a shield of attendants.

"Please make way!" one matronly attendant barked, clearing the way through.

Finally, they were there. Hisana lifted her head. The sanctuary was simply beautiful. Flowers lined the smooth path. She took in the sight with a smile and entered the shrine.

All the faces, save one, were unfamiliar. She was too caught up with looking at her very soon to be husband to take any faces in.

It was the first time she'd seen Byakuya set foot outside of the Kuchiki residence without his hair ornament – his kenseikan, she corrected herself – and he looked nervous. Of course, he could have been nervous because he was getting married, yet still Hisana had a sneaking feeling it was to do with his lack of kenseikan. She'd have to ask him later.

Her heart was pounding in her ears and her stomach was filled with butterflies. She felt like she was thinking in a rather clichéd manner, but it was all that came to her mind. She was too hot in the kimono. Hisana wanted to jump and throw her arms around Byakuya, but it wouldn't exactly be smiled upon, or possible in her current outfit.

Her antsy behaviour must have been evident, for the matronly attendant gave her one last close look and said, "You are definitely all right?"

Hisana nodded with a delirious looking smile and the attendant swept away.

She stepped up to where Byakuya was standing and shared a conspiratorial look.

"How's it going?" she asked him, feeling full of energy. She felt like she should be running about in joy, not cooped up in this Shinto shrine, wedding or no.

Byakuya had that look she was so familiar with – a face that to a casual observer was neither happy or sad, but to someone who had known him for as long as she had had come to discern the light in his eyes, the slight curve of his lips that signalled a restrained happiness.

'Even today, he is putting on a face,' she thought a little sadly to herself. She put it to one side and instead paid attention to what he said.

"I can hardly believe today is here. I'm glad so few are attending," he said, turning to glance at the small gathering.

"I'm guessing you saw outside, then?"

He nodded.

"Very glad."

The ceremony inside the shrine was short, but intense. Hisana wished she could have held Byakuya's hand, but kept still, listening, speaking when required and trying to keep up her own mask of decorum.

The ceremony of 'san-san-kudo', of exchanging drinks of sake was brief, as neither had relatives with which to share their drinks. It made Hisana think of Rukia and her heart was touched briefly with a splinter of sadness.

'I wish I could share this joy with her.'

Soon music was played and Hisana sat beside Byakuya, allowing herself to get caught up in the ceremony to wash away her thoughts of Rukia. She still searched, and that would have to be enough until she found her.

More sake was served and Hisana was beginning to feel light headed, so refrained from anymore drink. She wanted to be relatively sober for her wedding night.

She struggled to conceal her grin and Byakuya watched her curiously.

"Something you want to share?" he questioned and she hastily shook her head, her hand clamped to her mouth.

Finally, the last part of the ceremony began; the offering of twigs to the shrine's sacred tree for the gods. It was very quiet as the guests watched on as the couple placed their small branches to the tree.

'Thank you for giving me this opportunity to love this man. I hope this wedding will bring happiness. I… don't know what else to thank you for. But, thank you.'

She straightened and gave Byakuya a small smile before reaching out for his hand.

'I think even at our wedding, if I kissed him in public, he'd die,' she thought with a mental smirk.

The feelings inside of her were consuming her, choking her. She wanted to tear off her kimono and get into something she could move in and run through the Kuchiki grounds, laughing like a manic.

There was no wedding reception. Hisana knew no-one to invite, and Byakuya had no interest in such an affair. So with much blurred thanking for the guests attendance, they were left alone.

"Where to now, Byakuya?" she asked, picking at her wedding kimono. Wherever they went, she hoped a change of clothes came with it. He gave her a secretive look that made her give him a smile of barely contained elation.

"Will you follow me?" he asked her, extending a hand to her.

She shook her head, rolling her eyes.

"Why wouldn't I, you idiot? I love you, and I just married you. I don't do that for all the boys, you know," she informed him with an exasperated sigh, taking hold of his hand.

He inclined his head slightly, then straightened and headed out the side entrance of the Shinto shrine.

They walked together, managing to avoid the people milling outside the main entrance. She linked arms with him, wondering where they were heading to, when Byakuya suddenly swept her up and stole around a corner.

"What?" she whispered near his ear, peering in the direction he was gazing with narrowed eyes.

"A small group are trying to follow us," he answered, distracted.

Hisana sighed.

"Is this what it's going to be like from now on?" she asked, adjusting her arms so they hooked comfortably around his neck.

"I'll make sure people are aware of my displeasure," he muttered before turning to look at his wife.

"Do you mind if I use shun-po to get to our destination?"

Hisana shrugged, then began to frown.

"Wait, wasn't it what you used before that dinner to get us back to the house? And the time I broke my arm?"

Byakuya gave a small smile and Hisana narrowed her eyes.

"It was! That was distinctly not a lot of fun."

"I have no idea what it feels like for someone else," he said with a faint smile and Hisana huffed, lightly smacking the back of his head.

"Well that wasn't much help at the time!"

Hisana had a sneaking suspicion that Byakuya knew perfectly well what it was like for people who weren't him. Just as she was about to tell him what she believed, Byakuya looked alert.

"We're out of options," he stated.

Hisana suddenly saw the world flash by in a blur before finding herself outside of a beautiful old house. Before she had time to appreciate the building, she became aware of how sick she felt.

"Put me down," she said. Byakuya complied and Hisana hunched up, convincing herself she wasn't going to throw up.

"Are you all right?"

Hisana pulled herself together and straightened.

"I'm… okay. Just… never do that again. At least not with me on board."

He nodded.

"Very well. Now, the retreat…" he motioned to the building and Hisana began taking in the detail again.

"So this is a retreat. It's so beautiful…"

Before she had time to comment further, Byakuya had swept her up again and began marching into the house, giving the man waiting eagerly inside a curt nod before heading to the room he had bought out for the night. Even he had his duties to continue attending, wedding or no. And Hisana had said every day seemed like some bizarre honeymoon anyway.

"Not as beautiful as you," he murmured, his breath caressing her neck tantalisingly.

"Oh…" was all Hisana could say, her mind quickly shutting down all coherent thought.

The rest of the day would be theirs, even if tomorrow wasn't.