I'm ending it a few chapters short. It's the ending that I had wanted in the first place but i had no heart to write the two chapters between the last one and this one. Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed.

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"Why'd we even bother, Yumi? No one is coming," Yachiru sighed dejectedly the next evening. Despite her sadness she looked absolutely beautiful. The dark blue satin really did go well with her pink hair though Yumichika would have never believed it without seeing it with his own eyes. Ishida was certainly going to get a very large thank you present. Rangiku's makeup also was just the perfect touch; she looked neither overdone nor too plain.

"Don't say that just give it time," Yumichika sighed. He was sure his preparations the day before would result in the coming of not just one but at least to options in suitors for his young princess. He had informed the ever gossiping Rangiku; Ishida Uryuu; the chatterbox Luppi; Ikkaku, who would do anything for him; Kuchiki Byakuya, who simply adored Yachiru; and in the morning he had told their Ken-chan of the predicament. If no one else showed up at least Ikkaku and Kenpachi were guaranteed. Yumichika had the feeling, however, that Yachiru did not want to go with either of them. Suddenly there was a knock at their door and Yumichika nearly yelped in excitement as he rushed to answer it.

"Yo," it was Ikkaku dressed in freshly pressed robes just as Yumichika had ordered and behind him was the captain who was dressed as he usually did except instead of having his hair in bell adorned spikes he was wearing it slicked back and down.

"What are you two doing here?" Yachiru, who was sitting atop a table, said closing her eyes and sticking her nose up in the air.

"Pshh," Ikkaku rolled his eyes as he stepped into the room.

"Where'd ya learn that lil' brat? Hanging around with Kuchiki?"

"I can hang around whoever I want, Ken-chan." Yachiru said, her eyes still closed.

"Oi, now wait just a minute, what'r ya doin wearing makeup Yachiru? Yumichika…" Kenpachi said.

"Ken-chan! It's the ball tonight if you didn't know and I'm old enough…"

"Ya ain't old enough and I know it's the ball. Ya want me to take ya or not?"

Yachiru seemed to think about it for a moment. Yumichika sighed. An all out war about make up, again. Hadn't he warned his captain about ruining the very special day for Yachiru? Thankfully before the father and daughter team could break into an argument there was another knock at the door. Ikkaku raised an eyebrow at Yumichika which he ignored.

"Ah! Hitsugaya Taicho."

"Um yeah," the captain, as handsome as could be, was dressed in gorgeous light blue robes and had his hair smoothed over to the sides. In his hand he held a bouquet of yellow daffodils. "I didn't want to go with roses," He explained when he saw that Yumichika's eyes had gone straight to the flowers, "because I didn't want to imply…"

"Shorty!" Kenpachi said turning toward his fellow captain, "you wanna take Yachiru out? What's yer intention little punk?"

"Huh? No it's not like that!" Hitsugaya noticing Kenpachi for the first time said, "Mats- Matsumoto said that Yachiru needed a date to the ball and she said it would be really nice if I asked and…"

"So yer saying she isn't good enough for you?" Kenpachi drew his zanpakuto as Yachiru watched on with interest.

"Yumichika," Ikkaku said in that tone he used when he recognized one of Yumichika's schemes coming together.

Yumichika simply smiled beautifully at his partner and said, "Why didn't you think of bringing flowers, Ikkaku?"

"Oi! I came here to ask Yachiru fukutaicho to the dance not to….An Arrancar!" Hitsugaya gasped and whirled around.

"Arran…yeah yer right. What's he doin here?" Kenpachi said seeing a babbling Arrancar waddling toward them. Yumichika grinned; Luppi really was a gabber. "It's got somethin' on his neck."

"It's a letter from Aizen," Byakuya, who had apparently shunpo'd in front of the Arrancar and snatched the letter from its neck, said as he stepped besides Kenpachi and Hitsugaya.

"Aizen," Hitsugaya said in distaste.

"Looking kinda hot there Kuchiki," Kenpachi licked his lips and grinned. Yumichika thought his captain was quite right. Byakuya was dressed in a fabulous black kimono with the out line of deep purple flowers etched throughout it. Yumichika was incredibly jealous and he threw a look to Ikkaku that said, 'why haven't you bought me something that looks like that.'

Byakuya cleared his throat ignoring Kenpachi's words and began to read the leader, "'Dearest Darlings, after hearing of dear Yachiru-chan's plight my generous heart couldn't help but bleed. I do recall her happily bouncing about the Seireitei in my days as a captain. To think that she was crying pains me deeply so I send to you one of my favorite Arrancar, Wonderwice, in hopes that he will be of use. Please send him back with care as Tousen is rather fond of him. Until next time. Love and Kisses, Aizen-King-of-The-America's-Soon-to-be-King-of-Everything-I-Will-Get-That-Key-!- Damn-You-Soul-Society-!-Sama! P.S. I heard that Gin's band is going to be playing the event. Do give him my love.'"

"He heard about Yachiru needing a date. I wonder how that happened." Ikkaku said accusingly. Yumichika simply shrugged and beckoned all of the guests into Yachiru's room except for Wonderwice who he simply had Hitsugaya tie up outside.

"So Byakuyshi wants to take me to the ball?" Yachiru said once everyone was inside.

"If you are in need of a date, I'd be happy to oblige. These are for you, Yachiru chan." He bowed to her and brandished a bouquet of pink lilies.

"Oh so pretty!" She exclaimed snatching the lilies from her beloved Byakushi's hand.

"Oi, Kuchiki, you can oblige me in my sleeping quarters tonight if ya want," Kenpachi said suddenly.

"So crude," Byakuya sighed.

"I know. He's just like that!" Yachiru spat toward her father figure.

"Why don' ya just go wash off yer face ya don't wanna look like a slut like Matsumoto,"

"Oi! That's my fukutaicho…"

A knock at the door made the group start. Yumichika frowned. There was Kenpachi, Ikka, Byakuya, Toshiro, and an Arrancar… that was everyone he had tricked into showing up so who the hell was at the door?!

"Nice outfit," Ikkaku said when he opened the door for the new comer.

"Well taicho said…" Renji, wearing a rather gaudy looking red-satin suit, began as he stepped inside.

"I only mentioned it Renji. I didn't imply that you should come." Byakuya said simply. Yumichika snickered to himself the Kuchiki heir was just as devious as he was.

"What-ever," Renji blushed, turned abruptly, yanked open the door, and barged out leaving the door slightly open.

"Wahhahaaaaaaaaa," someone outside screamed. Yumichika frowned hoping that Renji had not hurt Wonderwice; the Arrancar was on loan after all.

"What the…sorry kid," Renji could be heard saying, "she's already taken."

"Huh?" a short sad-faced boy peaked into the room full of people and blanched. "Oh!"

Yumichika's eyes widened. Another unplanned suitor. He wondered if Kuchiki Taicho had planned this one as well!

"Hanataro-san!" Yachiru gasped jumping down from the table for the first time since the guests began arriving, "What-what are you doing here?"

"I…I," he stuttered, "I- was wondering if anyone…if you….but obviously…so… I'll just…go" He sighed dejectedly and turned towards the door. That's when Yumichika noticed he was holding a small bouquet of red roses in his shaking hand. How sweet! Yumichika immediately liked the boy. Red roses; that was the way to do it!

"W-wait!" Yachiru said so loudly that most of the men in the room jumped. Kenpachi's eyes bulged in surprise.

"Um. Yes, Yachiru-chan?" Hanataro stopped under the threshold of the door. The entire room was in silence watching the exchange.

"I mean, you came here to," she paused and it was the first time in his life that Yumichika saw his fukutaicho seem unsure of herself. He clasped a hand to his mouth. Had Yachiru wanted this boy the entire time? Yumichika felt so foolish suddenly. Yachiru didn't want to simply go to the ball so she could be a princess for the night but she wanted to go with the person she viewed as her prince. "What-what did you want exactly?"

"I just…I'm so stupid, of course you have a date already…" Hanataro ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm not really committed to anyone," she said hurriedly causing Ikkaku to make an odd chocking noise that everyone just ignored.

"um…"

"Did you come here to ask me to be your princess?" Yachiru clasped her hands together hopefully. Yumichika could see Kenpachi eyeing the kid suspiciously and prayed to kami-sama that his captain did not ruin the moment for the girl.

The boy blushed harder than before and seemed very interested in his shoes, "Um, yes, but I understand…"

"I'd love to." She said with such pure honesty that Yumichika was very surprised Kenpachi remained standing…Or not. Kenpachi taicho-a greenish tinge in his face- suddenly collapsed against Kuchiki.

"Don't worry about him," Yumichika said hurriedly rushing towards Yachiru and Hanataro. He didn't know what his taicho would do when he woke up but surly he wouldn't do anything if they were at the dance for Unohana taicho was sure to be there. "Why don't you two go have fun at the ball!"

"But what about everyone else?"

"Don't worry about it," Yumi waved it off.

"But everyone is dressed up and they did it for me. I mean, it's not like I don't appreciate it," she frowned, thinking, "wait, I know! You can go with Baldy, Yumi. Ken-chan and Bya-kun can go together- when Ken-chan wakes up, and Toshiro can take Wonderwice!"

"Wh-what?!" Hitsugaya gasped.

"You'll take Wonderwice, won't you? It would be so nice if you did." she grinned.

"Erm, yeah I guess." Hitsugaya sighed. How did he let Matsumoto talk him into these things? And why couldn't he say no to the eleventh squad fukutaicho?

"Thanks Yumi, Thanks everyone for coming but there's really only one person I wanted to take me to the dance and he's here now." She clasped Hanataro's hand, "Okay, I better see ya guys there!" she giggled and dashed away with the forth squad boy.

Yumichika knew if any one of them didn't show up they'd have to deal with her wrath. Oh well, he had kind of wanted to go anyway and he had no doubt his captain would love some time with Byakuya. His schemes were always successful. He was a genius! A beautiful genius. He held out his arm for Ikkaku. "Let's go, ne love?"

The End.