"Look, Masaki-san!" Orihime exclaimed delightedly. "My kimono!"
"It looks nice, Orihime-kun," Masaki remarked, studying the intricate floral design. "Is this the one the priestess designed?"
Orihime nodded shyly. "She said she hoped I'd be able to wear it at a special event."
"A wedding's definitely a special event. The blue suits you, too."
"Thanks. I'm excited. Kind of nervous, though." She looked down. "I...want to be a good partner for Ichigo-kun."
Masaki put her hands on Orihime's shoulders. "You will be. Don't worry about that." A faint smile came to her face. "I never thought I'd get to meet my future daughter-in-law."
"Yume-san! Yamada-san!" Yuiko exclaimed. "We were just finishing up here."
"Mind if we take a look around?" Seinousuke wondered. "It's just a few days now."
"Sounds good. Why don't I go over the program with you?" She scanned the room until she found her fiance. "Katsuhiko-kun! Can you come here for a minute?" she called.
Soon both couples were together in the lobby. Yuiko introduced the two men and led the small group to a table. The men studied each other knowingly. Then Katsuhiko spoke up. "Why don't I go over the program with Yamada-san?" he suggested. "I'm sure you and Lady Yume have some catching up to do. Why don't you show her around?"
Once the women were out of earshot, Katsuhiko pulled out a copy of the program and of Aizen's letter. "Don't know if you've seen this or not, but Hikifune-san brought some materials from Master Aizen." He pointed to some items on the program. "Lady Yume's not supposed to know about this. Can you help me keep the secret?"
"Your secret's safe here," Seinousuke nodded. "She's definitely going to be surprised."
"Well...she's an important part of our history here in Rukongai #15 Northeast." He pulled out a recent issue of Soul Society Monthly, the premier culture magazine in the more affluent districts. "See that?" he asked, pointing to a caption on the front cover, which featured a photo of the Minamoto-Yamada family.
"I remember that interview," Seinousuke chuckled. "Ringo didn't know why all the strangers were there with cameras, so she was hissing at them the whole time."
Katsuhiko cleared his throat and nodded toward the women. "So that's the general order of things, Yamada-san. You don't have to worry about a thing."
"Good to know." He reached out to shake the young man's hand. "Ichigo's group is probably waiting for us, so we should get going."
"Sei-kun!" Yume enthused. "Yuiko-kun...Katsuhiko-kun...work hard. Like...white and blue. Everything...beautiful."
"We're glad you like it, Yume-san," Yuiko blushed. She looked from husband to wife. "Can we ask you to come a bit early? We're expecting a big turnout, and we want to be sure you get good seats."
"We...come early. Not like...sit in back."
"What did you pick out, Ichigo-kun?" Orihime wondered as the group left the clothing shop.
"Not a whole lot, just some changes of clothes." He glanced toward the assembly hall, where Yume and Seinousuke were coming out arm in arm. "Guess we're just in time."
"Hello again, lovely lady!" the Hollow called. "Did you miss me?"
"White Ichigo...silly."
"Do you think we could stop by the bookstore?" Masaki interjected. "I haven't been there yet."
"Like that. Visit...other shops...too."
"You want to see how your Aunt Mitsuko's doing?" her husband suggested.
"We go there...first?"
Soon the group was at Aunt Mitsuko's cozy cottage on the outskirts of Rukongai #15 Northeast. Tentatively Ichigo tapped at the door. "Mitsuko-san, you here?"
The door opened, and the old woman studied everyone with curiosity and delight. "Chiaki! Look who came to visit!" She showed everyone inside and invited the group to sit down. "We were just making some tea." Weakly she started limping toward the kitchen.
"Tea sounds good," Orihime answered for the group.
Noticing Aunt Mitsuko's hobble, Seinousuke instructed her to sit in an easy chair. "Your knee acting up again?"
"I think it's getting worse," the old woman admitted.
"It's swollen." Closing his black eyes, he rested his hands over her knee and began a high-level healing technique. "Remember what I told you before. Arthritis is treatable, not curable. I'm going to put in an order for a special herb blend at the apothecary. Just make an herb tea with it and drink some every day."
"Thanks, Yamada."
Soon Chiaki brought the tea and sat down with everyone else. "Everyone's excited about this celebration on Saturday," she mentioned conversationally. "I see letters at the post office all the time asking for information."
"You think there'd be room for us?" Ichigo wondered. "That's all the people at the clothes shop were talking about."
"You...sit with me...Sei-kun...at guest table," Yume told him.
Masaki cleared her throat. "I'd...like to go too," she smiled. "You all...helped me reunite with my son—and my future daughter-in-law."
Aunt Mitsuko's eyes widened. "So you three are family, huh? We're glad we could help." She gave the Hollow a motherly smile. "You're part of Ichigo's family too, aren't you?"
Unusually, the Hollow was at a loss for words. Finally, Masaki spoke up. "He's...an important part of Ichigo."
"I see." Then the elderly woman's face brightened. "I don't suppose you all would like a taste of apple tart, would you?" She clasped Yume's hands in her own. "I don't know if Master Sousuke ever told you this, but that was our tradition every winter. We'd make homemade apple tart and watch the snow fall."
"That sounds nice," Masaki remarked, giving her son a loving smile. "Ichigo always wanted hot chocolate with marshmallows when we were snowed in."
Over tea and apple tart, old and new friends shared memories and plans for both their own futures and the future of Soul Society. "When's your wedding?" Chiaki blurted, staring Ichigo in the eye. "You're not going to keep this girl waiting forever, are you?"
"Chiaki!" Aunt Mitsuko exclaimed reprovingly. "You know how young people are."
The Hollow smirked before chiming in, "You even make the demon look like a nice person."
"Uh, white Ichigo..." the 'demon' retorted, cracking his knuckles. "I'm a perfect gentleman to Yume," he sniffed, putting an arm around his wife.
"White Ichigo...Sei-kun...good friends," Yume smiled brightly. "Sei-kun...I...help them...find wedding clothes."
Food and conversation finished, the visitors got up to leave. "We'd like it if Masaki spent the rest of the week with us," Aunt Mitsuko invited, a twinkle in her eye.
"Guess we'll see you later, then," Ichigo answered tentatively.
"We're going back to town," Seinousuke added. "I'm going to order the herb blend today." With that, the group said their goodbyes and left for town.
"There are only a few more days until this winter gathering," Aizen pondered aloud over his afternoon tea.
"Yuiko-kun and Katsuhiko-kun said they were looking forward to using what you sent. I didn't know you had all that," Hikifune answered.
"There is one last thing I need you to do before Saturday."
"Sousuke-kun?"
"You will understand soon enough."
"So where are we supposed to stay the rest of the week?" the Hollow demanded during the walk. "I'm not spending another night in that bookstore."
"You weren't out all night," Ichigo sighed.
Orihime glanced wistfully at Yume. "Lady Yume...?"
"Sei-kun...we let them stay...at temple?"
Her husband studied the younger couple. "I don't mind if you stay. Just don't leave a mess."
Saturday came, and Rukongai #15 Northeast visitors and residents alike were excitedly preparing for the winter celebration. No one except the planning committee was sure what to expect, but the colorful fliers had piqued the interest of all who saw them.
"Do we need to leave so early?" Seinousuke groused, helping Yume dress.
"Sei-kun!" She knelt down to pet Ringo, who had begun rubbing up against her leg. "Want...avoid crowd."
"You don't like crowds either, do you?" her husband remarked. "I hope this goes well."
"Everyone...work hard. Everyone...excited."
"I know, love. It's just..."
"Not worry. We...have...good time too."
Her husband pecked her on the cheek before freshening up and changing clothes. Soon he emerged from the closet, ready to go. "Guess we should get going, then."
Petting Ringo once again, Yume grasped her husband's hand and went with him to meet Ichigo's group in the temple lobby. Soon the small group was on its way to the town center.
"The line's already out the door," Ichigo observed. "The event's not for another hour."
"I see a lot of strange people here," Orihime added. "Yamada-san, do you know who they are?"
Seinousuke scanned the long line of attendees. "Love, do those people look familiar to you? They're not from the academy."
"Sei-kun...you see...guys with cameras?" Yume pointed to a group of men in plaid jackets. "They come...to autumn festival...scare Ringo."
"So they're a mystery to all of us, huh?" her husband responded, shaking his head. "Where'd they all come from, anyway?"
"Yume-san! Yamada-san!" Yuiko called from the doorway. Waving her arm, she beckoned Yume's group to the front of the line. "Put these on," she instructed, handing them each a lanyard with "Honored Guest" on the attached badge.
"Nostalgic, huh, love?" Seinousuke murmured to Yume.
"I don't think anyone's going to complain, but..." Yuiko's voice trailed off. "Come on in. I'll show you to your table."
"We even have place cards," Orihime remarked as the group sat down.
"Got room for us?" a voice called from behind. The group turned to see Masaki, flanked by Chiaki and Aunt Mitsuko.
The Hollow surveyed the table, which seated eight. "Looks like it. Although..." A devious gleam came to his eye as he reached to move Yume's place card next to his. "That's more like it. You just move right on over here, lovely lady."
"Uh, white Ichigo?" The 'demon' began cracking his knuckles. The others laughed at this exchange while helping the elderly Aunt Mitsuko into a chair.
"Glad...you come...Aunt Mitsuko...Chiaki-san...Masaki-san," Yume interjected. "Like...beautiful outfits."
Masaki blushed. "These ladies insisted on taking me to the clothing shop today for a special outfit." She had a twinkle in her eye as she studied Orihime and Ichigo.
Finally it was time for the festivities to begin. Katsuhiko cleared his throat. "Good evening, everyone. If you'll take your seats, we'll get started." Once the crowd was quiet, he continued. "I'm Etsuo Katsuhiko, general manager of the Golden Leaf bookstore. This is my fiancée, Yasuda Yuiko." He motioned to Yuiko, who was seated next to a table on stage. "On behalf of His Supreme Excellency the Soul King, Her Excellency the Queen Mother, and His Grace the Prince Consort, we hope you enjoy tonight's activities. First up is a slideshow of photos showing a history of our district. Lights, please?" He nodded to Yuiko, who turned out the lights.
Once the educational slideshow was finished, Yuiko turned the lights back on. "So as you can see, Rukongai #15 Northeast has come a long way since the Minamoto brothers came. And we're still growing!"
"You're right," her fiancé agreed. "I'm sure everyone's already noticed the construction going on across the way from the bookstore. We're hoping the bed and breakfast will be done by the end of next year. It's an exciting time here." He waved a hand at the table next to Yuiko's chair. "I'm sure many of you have noticed the items on this table. Throughout the night, we'll be drawing numbers to give these items away to someone here tonight."
"What do you say we do a drawing right now?" Yuiko grinned.
"Great idea. I think we could use some help with this one. Come on out," he called to someone in back.
"So good to see everyone here!" Hikifune gushed as she took her place on stage. "Let's do this one first," she suggested, picking up a framed watercolor painting. "Start with a bang."
"Ooh, yeah!" Yuiko responded approvingly. "Why don't you tell us about this?"
"Ah, yes. This is a painting of the community garden. Sousuke-kun...the Soul King...did this while he was snowed in a while ago. He always enjoyed the apple tree. As you can see, he signed this right here." She pointed to a corner.
Katsuhiko cut in. "Everyone's program should have a handwritten number in the upper left corner. If we call your number, you win."
"That'd look nice in our bedroom," Orihime whispered wistfully.
Ichigo nodded wordlessly as he studied the painting. They didn't even have a house yet, let alone a bedroom. Still, he admired Orihime's optimism.
"And the winner of this painting is number...15," Yuiko announced.
"Hey, Ichigo, aren't you number 15?" the Hollow wondered.
"We got this after all!" Orihime squealed as Ichigo made his way to collect the painting.
"That was a surprise," Hikifune laughed. "Enjoy, Ichigo-kun!"
"Hope everyone's having a good time," Katsuhiko remarked. "There's lots more to come. Did everyone get refreshments?" He studied the attendees and smiled at the young children eating cookies. "Big thanks to everyone who donated or made something for everyone."
The evening progressed with more drawings, a video greeting from the editors of Soul Society Monthly, and an impromptu karaoke session. To end the festivities, Yuiko turned out the lights and announced, "We have one more video before we call it a night. His Supreme Excellency, the Soul King, said to tell everyone that he regrets not being here with us. So he did the next best thing." On her cue, Katsuhiko turned on the video.
"Good evening, everyone," Aizen's soft baritone emanated from the speakers. "It is my distinct privilege to participate in these festivities. Soul Society has made great progress in the past decade, rebuilding homes and lives. Rukongai #15 Northeast, with its ethic of hard work and community pride, is a stellar example of what can be accomplished when everyone unites behind a common cause. Although there is still much to be done, there is also much planned. Thus, I hope that the people of this district will continue to support my mother, her husband, and the Royal Court as we all strive to protect and improve Soul Society."
With that, the lights came on, and Katsuhiko thanked the attendees. As guests and visitors made their way to the door, Yume and her group stayed seated and began discussing recent events and admiring Ichigo's new watercolor painting. "Now all you have to do is find somewhere to hang that," the Hollow jibed. "And what am I supposed to do with this?" he complained, holding up a copy of Seinousuke's photo book. "Who wants to look at HIM all day?"
"Uh, white Ichigo?" the 'demon' retorted. "Let Yume take it off your hands," he smirked.
"White Ichigo silly," Yume giggled, taking the book and kissing her husband on the cheek.
"So how did you like our celebration, Masaki-san?" Aunt Mitsuko asked genially.
"It was really nice," Masaki smiled. "I can hardly wait to get into Mrs. Yasuda's cupcakes."
"What'll do you now?" Chiaki cut in.
"Masaki-san...Ichigo...Orihime...stay at temple...another week," Yume invited.
"We have to get back to Karakura Town soon," Orihime mused reluctantly.
"I have an idea for you, Masaki-san," Aunt Mitsuko remarked, seeming to be lost in thought. "Stay with us a while," she invited.
"Guess we should get going," Seinousuke cut in, stifling a yawn. "It's already after dark."
"Yeah, 'demon,' the lovely lady needs her rest," the Hollow informed him earnestly.
"I'm turning out the lights now," Katsuhiko called out. "Night, everyone."
"This was a good night, wasn't it?" Ichigo commented in a rare moment of nostalgia. And indeed, his group slept well that night. After breakfast the next morning, Ichigo, Orihime, and the Hollow carried their bags out to the temple lobby.
"Thanks for everything, Yamada-san...Lady Yume," Orihime smiled, shaking their hands. "We'll let you know how the wedding goes."
"Good...see everyone," Yume responded warmly. "Travel...safely." After all the goodbyes were said, the youngsters left to return home.
"Quiet again," Seinousuke sighed contentedly, watching his breath in the cold winter air. "Now, back to that cuddling."