Enjoying a small glass of iced tea, he lent on a shaded railing his porch roof had to offer.
Almost as if it had become spring over night, Renji watched the wind toss the leaves of the surrounding forest with tired eyes. There were more flowers placed on his property than he did recall as the sun beat down a summer quality heat.
"How was the hearing?"
Renji looked to Tessai who stood a few feet away, holding a water tray. It had been a question he was saving for the right time all morning.
"You could say it went well. The man received a prison sentence, along with two of his accomplices," Renji took another sip and stood straight, "I've been meaning to talk with Orihime about since she decided not to come. How has she been holding up?"
"The princess is well," Tessai formed a giant smile beneath is thick mustache, "They are having lunch at the moment. I'm quite certain her mind is on other things."
Earning a laugh from Renji, Tessai was about to leave when a lone car rolled towards the estate. Its engine giving away its arrival as both men detected it move closer on the driveway.
"It appears there's a car here, Sir."
Tessai explained to the pair once he arrived at the back patio, "Were you expecting someone?"
The couple looked to each other.
Orihime set down her bread as Ichigo's face turned perplexed. She watched him instantly rise from his chair to pace towards the patios ledge though it was useless. Removing her napkin she placed it on the table with her lips pursed open attempting to speak. Before she could say a word Ichigo had already ran for the front door with Tessai following close behind.
Orihime sighed.
When the men left the patio she gazed down at her engagement ring. It was something she swore she could do all day if she hadn't been so busy, rubbing it thoughtfully as she smiled. She was beginning to realize how little a time she had left.
"Oh- Okay-"
Orihime looked up to see Ichigo panting, his hand stuck inside his hair, "We need to, um-"
Orihime's eyes widened slightly and she rose from her seat, "Ichigo, what's the matter?"
"Well, er-," Orihime had never seen him so nervous. An unwanted laugh huffed from his throat and he placed his palms on her shoulders, "My father has made an unexpected arrival."
Ichigo watched her eyes flicker.
She was nervous, yet excited, "Really? Meet your father? Right now?"
Orihime looked down, over every aspect of her dress, her hair, and even her own skin. She wasn't too please with what she saw, disapproving of the outfit she chose to wear for the occasion.
"Orihime," Ichigo waited till she looked at him directly, "You look beautiful. You have nothing to worry over," His lips pulled in to a smirk, "It's my father I'm worried about."
Orihime laughed slightly, hoping her blush would subside, "Worried about your father?"
Suddenly they both heard Renji call out loudly as he appeared. "Uh well, Er!"
"Ichigo, my boy!"
Isshin ran passed Renji instantly when spotting his son. He appeared charming and joyous, till he noticed Orihime standing flushed next to Ichigo.
Nervously she looked to her fiance for support, when in fact it appeared he was going to need it for himself.
"Oh my," The kings eyes ran over them both as they stood together, then back to Orihime, "And who is this lovely lady?"
"Father," Ichigo took a step forward to attract his attention, asserting himself to continue as everyone became silent, "You sent me here to find a bride, and I have been successful in finding the perfect woman."
Orihime gasped slightly when the King caught eyes with her after hearing Ichigo's words.
"Father, this is my fiance, Orihime. Princess Inoue."
Isshin's mouth popped open as his eyes went blank, everyone quickly assuming that he might explode.
"O-ri-hi-me," He uttered name over, looking at Masaki's ring on her finger;
Then exploded.
"Impossible! Such an extremely beautiful girl falling for my son? You never told me you had even proposed," Isshin bickered towards Ichigo and made his way to grab Orihime's hand, "It's an honor to meet you dear! I don't see any reason why my son would keep this quiet. Please forgive his rudeness! An amazing woman like yourself deserves better! He should be happy he's so lucky!"
Orihime blushed not knowing what to say, looking to Ichigo who had his face covered by his palm.
"I-It's nice to meet y-you."
Isshin smiled at her again.
"And Renji, you knew about this," Isshin startled the group with his question and slightly infuriated tone as he twisted on his heels, pointing. Renji stared disorganized at the man as he got closer and padded his shoulder, "Well! No matter, I must inform his sisters! They will be so excited to hear that we had come all this way for something!"
As the King paced off the three were left standing, confused.
Ichigo sighed, "I- I am, so sorry."
Bornholm, Denmark
March 14th
The Lord Adalrick is commanded to invite you,
Lady Anne Inoue
To the marriage of His Royal Highness the Prince Ichigo of Karakura,
with,
Princess Orihime of Denmark.
At Mogeltonder, Sonderjutland
on Saturday, 30th of March, 6:00pm.
Riruka wrapped her arms tightly around herself as she leaned against the door, "How does it fit?"
I huffed with my hands on my belly as Tatsuki neatly pulled on the back strings of my corset.
"We aren't there just yet," Tatsuki grumbled towards the waiting women and children.
"I can't wait to see," Yuzu giggled towards her sister, covering her mouth with excitement as Karin patiently waited without saying a word, "I can't wait for my own wedding day!"
Ever since we had entered the change room I tried avoiding the mirror in front of me. The thoughts I had right before my wedding made me so nervous that I was afraid to look. I was about to see what I looked like on my wedding day.
I took a quick swallow as Tatsuki forced me out door. Gripping the front of the dress tightly in order to keep from stepping on it as Tatsuki carefully followed behind me. When I lifted my head I noticed everyone gawking at me and became flustered.
"Wow. It looks amazing on you," Riruka poked her chin as she stared.
Karin uttered quietly to herself, "It does fit you."
"It's perfect," Yuzu cheered, running to the large mirror at the other side of the room. I smiled when she encouraged me to join her, still shy, "Come Orihime! Take a look!"
I carefully poked my head through the mirror, advancing slowly as I took in my own reflection.
The dress had a long train that nearly appeared antique with it's patterned lace. It was pure white with a sweet heart neckline and mesh sleeves that wrapped firmly over my skin. "Oh wow."
"I admit it, you look stunning princess," Tatsuki remarked as she collected her hands in front of her.
It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, had ever worn.
My eyes widened, "I can't wear this!"
"Wha-," Tatsuki dropped her arms and every ones arguable mouths popped open, "Why?"
"This dress is beautiful! I'm going to wreck it, or rip it, or-"
I fidgeted with it's sleeves as I gawked at myself.
"Listen, Orihime," Tatsuki held a brave demeanor, "You have to relax. This is a very important day. I know it is stressful but you just have to have faith that everything will be okay."
"It will be alright, Orihime. I promise."
When Yuzu smiled up to me I could feel myself calm down; brimming happily at the young girl, my new sister.
"Thank you. Alright, let's do this!"
"Wait-," Karin rose her brows in worry, "What about something blue and borrowed?"
It was true I hadn't fully crossed off the list to my ensemble.
"Something new is this dress. Something borrowed is my hair piece," I pointed and dug through my hair, "I also have Sora's pins."
Tatsuki bit her lip, "What's left?"
I walked to grab my bouquet proudly.
"Riruka, I'm using this as something blue," I showed her the small chain she gave me tucked inside the flowers and her face lit up, "My brothers pins will be something old. I figured it should be at my wedding since it appears to have real luck. I also bet that it will bring luck to whom ever catches it."
"That is so sweet, Orihime," Riruka turned excitable.
"Well now, is that everything," I chuckled and faced the four of them as they all nodded towards me with wide smiles, "Well then, I think I'm ready!"
.
.
Ichigo kissed my cheek. Everything was orange and bright.
He kissed forehead. Music started to play.
"Are you happy?"
We danced in the silence.
"Of course I am. Everything is perfect."
He pulled me close and I shut my eyes.
It all went dark; so dark.
"I'm alone."
.
.
"It's hard not having family show up to your wedding."
I looked down at my dress feathering out near my feet, holding on to Ichigo's shoulders covered by his tux.
"We are your family."
Ichigo's smile was hard to see in the dark.
'We are your family,' Another voice spoke again.
"Ichigo."
I began whimpering on him as light appeared through a distant door over his shoulder.
I held him tighter to me.
"I-Ichigo," I trembled and soon started to cry out, "Ichigo, there's a man."
"Ichigo!"
He wouldn't turn.
.
He wouldn't turn around.
.
.
"Orihime."
I could hear Ichigo's voice ordering me to awaken, "Orihime!"
My eyes were tearing up but I could finally see his face. I swerved on my side to face him directly, wrapping myself tightly against his burning skin.
"Orihime," His voice was firm aside his tired state, "You were screaming. What's wrong?"
I pulled from him only to see his face. I had never felt so afraid of the dark as I lay there.
"I had a-," I tried to breath, to stop shaking, "I had a dream."
He forced my head under his chin and wrapped his arms around me, placing a kiss on the top of my head.
"Really," He questioned, roughly rubbing my back to sooth me as he exhaled, "What was it about?"
"It was, about our wedding," I sniffled, dancing my fingers over his chest, "Nobody was there and it was dark. My aunt had not showed up again and-"
"Orihime," Ichigo moved the bangs from my face, "It was only a dream."
I moved higher when he smiled at me, receiving a small kiss. Playing with his hair I rubbed the side of his face, thinking about how much he meant to me as he kissed me again. I loved my husband.
"You're right."
One chapter left and suddenly I decide to make things confusing again..!?
Hmm... Well how else am I supposed to keep myself interested? haha. That being said, I've finally made up my mind on how this story is going to end so I hope to have the last chapter posted soon.