Finally, I'm back with a new chapter!

I'm REALLY sorry for the delay – my exams are approaching and it's really hard to find some time for sleep, not to mention writing... But anyway – the new piece is here, slightly shorter than usual, also perhaps not to fascinating either... However, I hope you'll enjoy it as you've enjoyed the previous ones.

The feedback I received so far was amazing! YOU guys are amazing! Keep it up!

-s.

"Kurosaki-kun! Kurosaki-kun!"

Ichigo was going into the grocery when he heard Orihime's call. He looked around to see his friend running towards him, a handful of books and other magazines about weddings in her arms. She finally reached him and stopped with her hand on her knee, panting slightly. It looked as if she had been running a couple of blocks to get to him.

"Finally, I found you!" she smiled still breathing heavily. "I sensed your reiatsu. How is Karin?"

"She's good, I think. You were looking for me?"

They entered the shop and Ichigo took out the list prepared for him by Yuzu. Orihime nodded her head.

"Yes, Kurosaki-kun, we are going to see the tailor tomorrow. You should come."

Oh, yes, Ichigo remembered suddenly. He couldn't believe that he's actually forgotten about the meeting for the last fitting of the suit for Orihime and Ishida's wedding. They were getting married in a month and Ichigo was asked to be Ishida's best man.

"Sure, Orihime," Ichigo assured. "I'll be there."

"That's perfect, Kurosaki-kun. We're meeting at my place tomorrow at 10 and going together from there... Oi, I must go to see Tatsuki yet. Goodbye, Kurosaki-kun!"

And with that she was off. Ichigo stared after her in awe. How did she find strength to go through the whole wedding craze was beyond him. Ishida was a lot cooler about it than his future wife and secretly Ichigo was glad about that.

He and Orihime were dating for few months now. Normally, Ichigo would think that the sudden marriage idea wasn't smart after such a short period of time but still they didn't fall into 'normal' category. Admittedly, after Aizen's defeat there seemed to be no new dangers or enemies round the corner but form their experience, they knew better not to jinx that. So that was partially why did they decide to hook up as soon as possible to avoid any potential interruptions on the future.

Ichigo sighed when his thoughts drifted from one couple to another. He still had a promise to fulfil, the one about him talking Byakuya into welcoming Renji into his family. Personally, Ichigo didn't see any problems in that but Byakuya was Byakuya with his unhealthy attitude to the clan's pride and the other shit. He just hoped that Ichigo's innate charm would be enough to get him round to the idea.

Ichigo sighed and looked around. While thinking he managed to get back home and was just entering the living room. Yuzu jumped out of the couch and ran towards him. Ichigo watched his little sister with worry. She seemed perfectly ok with her smiles and sunny disposition but he knew better than that. She missed Karin and their separation hurt her. Yuzu was the only member of their family who could not enter Soul Society to see Karin. He wished he could just take her with him, or get Karin to the world of living, but he knew it was impossible. For the time being, at least.

He was going to get back to Soul Society in a few days' time. But first, he had to catch up with the school work. He's missed out on so many classes that he really hoped for some kind of miracle. And his teacher's good mood.

Plus, as he has already promised, he had to take care of the wedding's preparations. The wedding was planned to take place a week after their graduation day. Orihime was as excited as it was expected from her; Ichigo was the first person the two of them informed abut the engagement. That was also when Ishida asked him to be his best man.

"Is everything fine, Onii-chan?"

Ichigo murmured something incomprehensible and smiled.

"Everything's ok, Yuzu. Just Orihime being Orihime about her wedding."

The girl nodded and went to the kitchen to make the dinner, while the boy headed to his bedroom to get some sleep.

"Turn left. Good, now right. Try to sway your hips a bit..."

"Are you crazy, Inoue?"

"No, please, Tatsuki-kun... Fine. Show me the back."

"Is that ok?"

"Maybe it's a little bit too long... Are you sure you wouldn't prefer something above the knee?"

"NO, Inoue, I'm fine with the length."

"Just asking." Orihime sighed. "Kurosaki-kun, are you ready?"

Ichigo murmured something incoherently and emerged from the changing room to stand by Tatsuki in front of the mirror. He was wearing a black suit with a bow tie and Tatsuki was dressed in a lavender silk dress on a thin straps. He didn't have much time to admire the more womanly side of his childhood friend, because it was his turn to fall prey to Orihime's attention.

Ishida, who was observing the show with a smirk on his face, asked:

"Kurosaki, you will be coming alone, right?"

Ichigo threw him a glance.

"Yeah. One Kuchiki is enough to spoil the fun at the wedding."

"Oh, sorry to hear that," Orihime chipped in. "Don't worry, Kurosaki-kun, I'll make sure you won't get the chance to miss Kuchiki-san too much during the wedding reception."

This time, it was Tatsuki's chance to interrupt the conversation. She made a 'huh?' sound and raised an eyebrow.

"You're dating, Rukia? Why am I the last to hear about it?"

Ichigo simply shook his head.

"No, I'm dating her brother, Byakuya."

He didn't see the point in hiding it from her.

"And why am I the last to know about that?! And, wait a second. If it's Rukia's brother, then isn't he a Soul Reaper as well?"

"A captain, to be precise," Ishida answered for Ichigo.

"So he lives in Soul Society? And he visits you on the weekends or what?"

Ichigo looked at Tatsuki with a frown. Why was she so persistent about Byakuya?

"No, I visit him mostly. I don't think he has ever came to the World of Living besides the periods of war."

"Maybe it's better that he won't be here for the wedding," Ishida smirked. "He would spoil everybody's moods with his poker face."

"Don't say so, Ishida-kun!" Orihime called.

Ichigo only shuddered and spoke:

"He's actually right, Inoue. Byakuya is an ass to other people so why would I want them to interact with him? I've enough of his behaviour most of the time. And you must remember that I'm sleeping with him."

"And you talk about it so carelessly?" Tatsuki's voice was full of wonder. "If this Byakuya guy is so frustrating, then why would you even put up with him?"

"Because I love him. Do I really need another reason?"