17 Ways of Erase and Rewind
Disclaimer: Bleach does not belong to me. The songs at the beggining of each drabble are not mine either, a complete list of credits are in the A/N.
Special thanks to my Beta Chancewriter who makes my crazy ideas understandable and readable. You're THE best!
Warning: and the biggest of them all THIS CHAPTER IS FILLED WITH FLUFF! So expect love, fairies and a lot of pink hearts. Also, this story is up to date with manga 421: Deicide 23. A/N at the bottom, italics are for thoughts and some cursing but nothing major. Ahhh and last thing, the title of the chapter is the wedding march if you don't get my humming.
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Chapter 15: Tan tan tantan tan tan tantan
The Bride and Groom to do list
- I have no weapons to face you; I raise my hands, my hands into the air. All that I care is to love you, in body and soul like it was yesterday - Hiyori
- Standing by or waiting at your back door. All this time how could you not know that you belong with me - Shinji
It was Christmas Eve and like every year all the Vizards had gone out to the same restaurant they went to every December 24th, with the exception of the two who had just recently gotten engaged. Shinji had given a flunky excuse that included Hiyori and even when she was about to yell at him, a certain look in his eyes made her be quiet. So, when the warehouse was completely single-people-free the small girl asked for an explanation in her normal 'patient' tone.
"What in the hell Baldy! What is so important that you're making me lose a steak dinner?" And she glared at the cold pizza in front of her.
"Planning." He said simply with a toothy grin.
"Planning…?" Hiyori repeated in an automatic way, "…for what?"
Shinji shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Your birthday." He spat with sarcasm, but seeing she didn't really understand what he was trying to say, he replied in a more sincere way but with heavy annoyance. "Idiot! The wedding!"
"Ahhh… the wedding." She had forgotten completely because the only object that reminded her about it was on her neck being hidden under her blouse.
His annoyance hadn't been forgotten. "Did you eat a parrot or something 'cause yer only repeating everything I'm sayin'."
Hiyori lost her usual frown and stared at the ceiling. "Isn't planning supposed to be a job for the bride?" But she quickly recovered a more normal expression, grinning openly. "You're really becoming more like a woman every year."
"I am actually helping you. You should be grateful that I'm so diligent towards you, retard. If you prefer I would let everything be in yours, Lisa's and Mashiro's hands, be my guest." He replied watching the panic in her face. "Rangiku-san told you she wanted to help too, remember?"
She sat down at the bottom of the couch remembering the excited redhead Shinigami and sighed. "Let's get it over with Shinji. I don't want this to take us more than 5 minutes."
"Some bride you are." He sighed too. "Normal girls kill for these moments Hiyori."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Some girls kill because of these moments." She muttered. "What do you want exactly?" She grumbled. "And DO NOT start with your lovey-dovey stupidity."
He crawled onto where she was and stole a kiss from her lips before she could do anything. "You love my lovey-dovey crap, Hi-yo-ri," he kissed gently making her lean down against the couch and positioned himself over her. "5 more months and you're all mine." He whispered to her huskily and kissed her again, but this time in a deeper way.
Suddenly both of them started to be aware of the closeness from their bodies. Hiyori flushed beyond crimson. "Shinji…" And she couldn't avoid making it sound like a moan.
In a second, he was back on his previous seat and she was there lying against the couch gathering her thoughts and trying to recover her normal character and breathing.
"Do you agree then?" The tall Vizard asked her, acting like the kissing had never had happen. "5 months? A spring/summer wedding?"
Still feeling embarrassed she nodded while she sat down in the butterfly position she found so comfortable, but remembering something she couldn't keep her mouth quiet. "Your birthday is in May!"
"Mmhmm." He acknowledged scrapping something in a big white folder. "Your point being…?" And he looked at her and she became flushed again remembering why she wasn't looking at him in the first place.
"Do you want to us to get married on your birthday?"
"Well I haven't thought about it." He lied. Noticing her look of objection he replied, "Birthdays are not important unless you're a cheese. Weren't you the one who said that on your last birthday?"
"Well yeah, bu-"
"No buts. May 10th it is."
"Are you sure?" She asked with more concern in her voice that she would like to admit.
"Yes." His birthday had been chosen the day he had arrived to the Shinigami Academy, it wasn't really important, unlike hers that was the day they met, and their wedding will give the day the importance it deserved. "Next topic: guests."
"You and me."
"And…"
"That's it." She uttered proudly.
"You have to be kidding me." Shinji's voice was completely exasperated and Hiyori didn't quite understand his tone.
"No one else Hiyori? Not even the people who live with you?" And he raised an eyebrow.
"Okay. The guys."
"And…."
"Why don't you do the guest list, Shinji?" Today the idiot was being more impertinent than usual, "because apparently you already had a freaking list ready."
And he revealed to her surprise a piece of scrabbled paper.
"I was bluffing."
"I know." And he ignored her glare as he started to read. "The 6 Vizards, Urahara's shop personnel, Ichigo and company, the 13 Captains and the 13 Liutene-
"Shinigamis!" The anger could be heard in her voice.
"No, the Japanese navy. Of course idiot! Which other Captains you know? Drop the scowling Hiyori, one of them saved your life. And probably not even half would be able to come anyway. Now we need to talk about the location."
The girl stood up in front of him and bent a little grabbing both of his knees to be face to face with the sitting Vizard. "I don't care. I'm sorry I tried and a couple of wedding stuff is as much as I can stand for the day. You want a location, okay sure, do it wherever you want… JUST don't go too girly." And she nodded and started to walk away, but he stopped her.
"Are you going to leave me alone at Christmas?" His lecherous tone showed not only in his voice but also in his face.
"It's Christmas Eve. And you're welcome to come train with me." Motioning the place she was headed before he stopped her. "But your little friend is not." And she pointed at the wedding folder.
He chuckled. "We're training and then deciding on budget and food."
Hiyori was getting more annoyed by the minute about the chores she had to do for this wedding. "I thought it better Baldy. Here's your ring. I don't want to get married anymore."
"Sooooooo sorry. There are no returns, Missy. You're marring me that's it; end of story." And he passed his arms around her waist pulling her closer and walking together to the underground training facility.
"There still some things you have to do for yourself." He said in a serious tone.
"I know."
"I'll give you the list I did for you when we come back up." And a dirty look was aimed at Shinji.
"I made a mistake. You're not a woman, you're groomzilla."
He only chuckled.
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A Fluffy dress for a not so fluffy girl
- And I'm yelling at a bridesmaid somewhere back inside a room wearing a gown shaped like a pastry. This is surely not what I thought it would be - Hiyori
Number one on the list Shinji had given her was the thing she dreaded the most: the stinking wedding dress. The blonde thought that a white pair of pants and a white shirt will do, after all that was what the Baldy will be wearing, right? Why can't she do the same?
However she still remembered when she went vocal with the idea of wearing what she wanted for HER wedding. The reactions were different but mainly in same line. Shinji gave a look that most have learned could kill a man, well in this case a short female Vizard, who had accepted marrying him. Lisa open widely her eyes and hit herself with her porn. And Mashiro squealed a 'Noooooo' before starting a fairy tale speech. But the worst was when she, stupidly, told Matsumoto Rangiku during one of her visits to the real world. The beautiful orange haired Shinigami grabbed her by shoulders and shook her like a ragged doll.
"Hiyori-chan are you insane? The wedding day of a girl, Shinigami or Human," Hiyori gave a glare to remind her, she wasn't a Shinigami or a human, "or even a Vizard," the 10th squad lieutenant went on, "is the most special day in her life, so a proper dress is what everyone needs". There was a hint of solemnity in her voice while she talked and looked at the little girl.
So after Hiyori accompanied, though not very willingly, Rangiku in her Shinigami duties in the real world, the full-breasted it woman took the little girl to the warehouse where the Vizards lived.
"Hirako Shinji." Rangiku entered the place without saying the proper greetings, dragging Hiyori to the warehouse by her sweater, and even before Shinji could muster a very friendly hello the Shinigami spoke again. "Have you heard what she is planning on wearing to your wedding?" She said pointing to Hiyori and letting go of her.
"Yep." Shinji said bored returning to the magazine he was reading before the two women walked in.
"And…." The Fukutaichou moved her hand indicating he needed to go on talking.
"I already told her I'm not marrying her in boy's clothes." Shinji reminded Hiyori, while the future bride flushed and crossed her arms in her chest.
"Like I care what you think, Baldy!" She shouted.
"But as you can see she is not changing her mind, the stubborn little monkey" Hiyori threw a sandal at his face and he dodged it. Completely furious, she launched herself on the top of Shinji pulling his hair, hitting, and biting everything she could while he pinched her cheeks.
"Men… always hopeless when it comes to girls." Rangiku said sighing and staring towards the couch where Shinji and Hiyori were in full battle. Lisa looked up from her magazine and followed the scene with interest in her eyes.
"Shinji's credit card is in his wallet on the table." Lisa said to Rangiku faking disinterest.
"Perfect!" the lieutenant squealed, grabbed Hiyori from Shinji's embrace, and took the entire wallet in the way out, dragging the pigtail girl again from her sweater. "A safety measure, Hiyori-chan." she assured.
"Mashiro!" Lisa screamed closing her XXX rated magazine. "We're going bridal dress shopping, hurry up."
At the sound of Lisa's announcement Mashiro was not the only one to look questioningly at the girl dressed in school girl outfit.
"Dress shopping? Who else is getting married?" Love wondered "Because if you're implying that Hiyori, our Hiyori, would wear a dress you have to be kidding." He commented with a chuckle.
"Yeiiiii! Shopping!" The green haired girl said as she jumped next to Lisa who was practically at the door, and ignored the rest of the Vizards.
"Okay I get it… but did Rangiku-san have to take my entire wallet?" Shinji asked with a sad expression. "Something tells me I should get a job to pay for this day."
Hachi laughed at Shinji's words while the leader dedicated him a glare.
The bridal shop wasn't far away from where the warehouse was, so the four girls got there relatively fast. Hiyori had to admit that she was scared for her safety. Give her a Hollow, an Arrancar, 5 Espadas and 2 Aizens, she had no problem, but please don't give her a weirdly cheery sales woman who started looking at her with dreamy expression. After 5 floors of useless crap, Rangiku had chosen 21 dresses for Hiyori and had shoved her into a dressing room.
"These dresses look like they were made by freaking fairies!" She complained audibly through the thin curtain, "Do all women who buy them have a princess complex or something?" her comment hit a nerve with a couple of blushing brides who were trying dresses. The women were now throwing Hiyori dirty looks, so taking advantage of the situation Rangiku opened the dressing room revealing the Vizard first outfit that barely let her walk because of the big material on her skirt.
Lisa and Mashiro gave Hiyori a look and both said at the same time, "No."
"Okay," And the cheery redhead smiled. "The next one Hiyori-chan."
The bride to be scowled and grunted and entered to try another dress. She tried one in an A cut, one with long sleeves, another one with lace in the skirt, and 16 more than didn't really fit it her at all. The last one she had on was one with extra puffing in the skirt, so Mashiro looking at her voiced something like, "You look like a wedding cake." And Hiyori started the screaming of a lifetime.
That happened until Lisa appeared saying, "Try this one." And she threw the dress at her arms.
The funny thing was that it had been one of the simpler dresses in the whole store and had molded to her body like a glove; it wasn't even too long and complemented her small waist, hips and breast. It was just the perfect wedding dress.
"You see Hiyori-chan, I told you that a good wedding dress does wonders on a bride." Rangiku told her while Hiyori stared at herself in the mirror.
"Mmmm… I still prefer pants."
Lisa narrowed her blue eyes. "You like it. Don't pretend otherwise."
"Okay this one it is." Matsumoto announced in a cheery voice, "Let's pay for it and keep shopping!"
"WHAT?" Hiyori couldn't believe she wasn't out of the wedding shopping yet, and to make her even madder she saw that Lisa had a list like the one the imbecile Shinji had given to her.
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Honeymooners
- I'm only up when you're not down. Don't wanna fly if you're still on the ground. It's like no matter what I do. Well you drive me crazy half the time; the other half I'm only trying to let you know that what I feel is true, and I'm only me when I'm with you.- Shinji
Old and recent events had given him every reason to not try to surprise Hiyori anymore, she was just not the kind of girl that reacted as expected to gifts or proposals, and Shinji narrowed his eyes remembering the way he asked her to marry him.
Very fitting, but not exactly what I had in mind he thought eyeing the 20 pamphlets he had spread on his bed.
The freaking honeymoon was his job. He had assigned it to himself when he had done the 'to do' list, but now evaluating all the possible destinations he couldn't avoid thinking that he should call the girl and ask her where she wanted to go.
I mean, it's not like I don't know where I want to take her, Paris would be lovely this time of year, but Hiyori may put some 'but' saying it's too cliché or corny He thought while he put aside that flyer.
Mexico? No, she is not a beach person. Italy? Mmmm she does like museums but not sure about how much she would enjoy looking at paintings. A cruise? She would probably get sea sick and punch me while she pukes her head out.
Shinji disarrayed his beautiful hair while disposing of almost all the destinations he had predicted and threw himself unceremoniously on his bed closing his eyes and letting his imagination travel, looking at the small girl smiling next to the Eiffel tower, then fighting for his half-assed French in one of the cafes in Champs Elysées and her scolding him for wanting to go to the Moulin Rouge. Without his control, his mouth had become a smile all while he daydreamed.
"What are you thinking about that you're smiling so broadly, pervert?" A girl cuddling on his chest made him open his eyes, but he didn't change his expression. In what moment had she come into the room? Was he so deep into his daydreaming that he didn't notice her?
"Do you really want to know?" He said putting a hand on the top of her head,
"Mmm, no." She said changing her mind. "What's with the mess on the floor?"
"Honeymoon business." And he put a finger in his ear showing a bored look.
Hiyori only looked at him with expectant eyes "And…"
"And what?"
"Where are we going?"
He sent her a glare. After all it was her fault he wasn't going where he wanted to go because she would hate it. "For how I'm seeing things…Soul Society."
The girl gave him a punch in the ribs and sat. "Are you that unimaginative or just plain out cheap?"
"You don't have to hit me! You idiot shrimp!" But he noticed she had one flyer in her hand.
"For what I hear," and she turned showing him the Paris pamphlet, "France is lovely this time of year." It was like that voice didn't really belong to her.
Shinji got really close putting one hand on her forehead and one on his own, checking for her temperature. "Are you okay? Are you feverish? Normally, I would have thought you would hate the idea of visiting France."
She punched his left arm this time. "OF COURSE I'M OKAY!" And she readjusted her red blouse that had gone a bit up from the force of the blow. "This is your wedding too, and I know how much you want to go to Paris, and it's not like I care where we are going." She finished raising the last part.
That was his Hiyori. The girl that never ceased to amaze him while he thought he had her completely figured out, that one was one of the main reasons why he loved her as much as he did, even when that same characteristic would get him in trouble some times. He got closer for a second and planted a small kiss on her lips.
"Paris it is."
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Urahara's post offices
- Give me attention I need it now, too much distance to measure it out, out loud. No one is as lucky as us. We're not at the end but oh, we already won. - Shinji
- I'm not used to it, but I can learn it's nothing to it. I've never been happier, never been happier. – Hiyori
"Don't you think we are lucky Hiyori?" He asked writing the last name on an envelope with his delicate calligraphy.
She growled in response and shoved the invitation in the aforementioned envelop.
Shinji ignored her and dropped himself onto the floor. "I think it's quite handy the fact that Kisuke has a mail service to Soul Society. It saved us the trouble of going to deliver the invitations in person."
"What I can't believe is that he is actually charging us for it, the cheap bastard." She said giving the hat wearing man next to her a hateful look.
"My, my Hiyori-san a penniless shop owner has to make a living. Imagine if I didn't charge any of my friends for my services, I would be even poorer." He said in a hurtful tone.
She had kept the same type of expression. "I stand by my word you're a cheap bastard. We should disinvite you. I can bet that you have more money than all of us together."
Urahara Kisuke only smiled.
Shinji got up from the floor. "So when would they be in Soul Society?"
"Probably by tomorrow morning and the RSVP will get to you in 3 – 5 days depending on when the people there decide to reply." And a sassy grin decorated the inventor's face. "I may be expensive, but I'm worth it."
Hiyori rolled her eyes. "Let's go Hage Shinji or sure I'll disinvite him if he keeps the cocky comments." And the girl started to leave the shop.
Urahara got up and accompanied Shinji to the door. "I am actually surprised she let you invite so many people Hirako-san."
"I know, it amazed me too." He said seriously. "I think is because of the time she expended in the 4th Squad she remembered a little of h-"
"ARE YOU COMING IDIOT OR DO I HAVE TO DRAG YOU BY YOUR WOMAN HAIR?" Hiyori yelled from the corner.
Both men laughed, but the Vizard was the one who spoke.
"My blushing bride waits for me. Later Kisuke."
Urahara watched the scene where the two blondes shouted at each other and later walked home and sighed noticing a black cat that was sitting on the sidewalk.
"I'm glad those two are having their happy ending after everything that happened."
And the feline responded. "Some people would say that this wedding is actually overdue. They should have gotten married a long time ago."
The man snickered "You're only saying that because you wanted to win the bet that was on when we lived in Soul Society Yoruichi-san."
The cat grinned and licked one of her fury legs "Other people would say that we should imitate their example." And this time Urahara used his fan to shadow the flush on his cheeks, but didn't answer.
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Customary retribution
- We stood the test of time living the promise of our vow. In my life, I can see that you were made for me. And the love that I have saved with this ring, I'm giving you my all – Hiyori
- If I never knew you I'd be safe but half as real never knowing I could feel a love so strong and true. I'm so grateful to you I'd have lived my whole life through lost forever, if I never knew you - Shinji
The most visible thing about Hiyori was her outrageous expression.
"What do you mean by another ring?"
"It's the tradition." Shinji said sitting next to her on his bed keeping his calm, unlike her.
"Fuck tradition!"
"Hiyori." He scolded her. "The bride and the groom exchange rings in the ceremony, that's the way it works."
She scowled again. "And how many are you planning to put in my hand at the end of this thing you imbecile?"
He smiled. "This is the last one. I promise." And he bent to kiss her forehead. "I'm explaining this to you, so you can come with me to choose them, and to try it on. I don't want misunderstandings like last time."
Hiyori got close to him putting her hands on his thigh to support her weight. "Ok. But this is the last thing, right? I double checked the stupid list and this is the last thing."
It amused him how serious she was talking. "Yes Hiyori is the last one until the actual date. When is your dress being delivered?"
"None of you business." And she moved her head to the side, so he took the opportunity to speak close to her ear.
"You're right I'm not supposed to see it until the ceremony. I bet you look very pretty in it." Her scarlet cheeks didn't go unnoticed by Shinji. "Have I told you how much I enjoy making you flush?" And his hand had drawn her chin to lock his eyes with hers.
"You're a complete ass, you hear me." She said not being able to put the right tone to the threatening words she had voiced.
"Come here and show me how much an ass you think I am." And he closed the space between them with some kind of desperation. After a couple of minutes she broke the kiss and sat on the bed smirking.
Since when is the little brat is the one unaffected by this he thought trying to recover his usual demeanor.
"So," Hiyori's grin was even bigger than before as she looked at Shinji's attempts to act normal "What do you have in mind about the crappy rings?"
"Now you are interested about the rings?" He narrowed his eyes.
And she stuck her tongue at him "That was for the flush comment, idiot."
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The birds and the bees
- Let me tell you about the bids and the bees, when he would look into your big brown eyes it's so very plain to see that's the time you learned about the facts of life starting from A to Z. – Lisa
Are you nervous about the sex?" Lisa asked out of the blue.
"No." The blonde replied, but she had spat the water she was drinking in Mashiro's face.
"Why would she be nervous?" Rangiku inquired "Is not like you have never don-," But looking at the expression on the 3 Vizards' and Nanao's blushed cheeks she laughed. "Hiyori are you a virgin?"
For some reason Rangiku's tone had made Hiyori feel embarrassed about it when that had never happened before. "Yy-ye-yes." She said stuttering.
"Why?" Matsumoto blinked incredulously. "I mean, you and Shinji have been together, what? 100 years?"
The blonde girl nodded feeling her temperature rise, but the older redhead went on. "And don't you guys sleep together like every night?"
Hiyori nodded again.
"And you haven't done IT?"
This time she denied it with her head.
"Are you sure he is not gay?"
Hiyori's eyes opened wide "No!" feeling some kind of overprotection over Shinji. She could call him any name, but only her, so she tried to talk, to retaliate, but just couldn't find the words to explain. Lisa, seeing the predicament of the girl she had always felt sisterly affection for, tried to make it clear.
"It had always been known to all of us that Hiyori wanted to wait until marriage. It was her dream to be a virgin bride."
Nanao smiled maybe the warmest smile she had even gestured. "I think that is very sweet Hiyori-san, and the fact that he respected your decision is even sweeter."
The tenderness in the words of the current 8th Division Lieutenant didn't make Hiyori feel any better.
Rangiku adopted a curious expression while she scratched her chin "So, that means that Shinji is also a virgin?"
Lisa, Mashiro and Hiyori laughed hysterically, and regained her composure. The three girls denied it.
"You didn't know him before the Winter War." Lisa said, reopening the magazine to look for a certain page, "He flirted with anything that had a pulse, and he was even worse before they got together when we lived in Soul Society." And she re-closed her magazine. "But we are moving away from what I wanted to talk about." Lisa focused on Hiyori. "Do you have any questions?"
The girl bit her lower lip with her overgrown fang. She was starting to relax again when Lisa's question took her off guard. "No."
"Are you sure?" Lisa pushed. "There is nothing to be self-conscious about. Sex is something natural and we have all done it with good and bad partners, so our experience can help. I can also lend you some magazines to guide you." Lisa finished her speech with pride.
Hiyori wanted to put both hands in her ears and run from that place as fast as she can, but she only massaged her temple.
Rangiku gave a wide smile "I would have to agree with Lisa. For example maybe we could show you good spots to-," and the rest of the words of the woman got drawn in Hiyori's embarrassment, her entire face was red as her neck and ears. The worst part was that she did know how everything work, her being a virgin didn't make her blind, deaf or dumb, and she had heard funny noises coming from Lisa's and Mashiro's bedrooms and also she had studied anatomy, so sex wasn't anything uncommon for her.
However, for the next hour she heard terms she didn't know exist like 'Russian Roulette' and 'Fish in a barrel' and the whole act of making love was explained step by step and with extremely graphic images courtesy of Lisa's magazines.
"Do you have any doubts? You have been extremely quiet Hiyori-chan." Rangiku asked proud of the lecture they had given the inexperienced Vizard in front of them.
The girl had lost the red color on her face that had decorated her face in the beginning of the talk and now she was white as paper. "No, I promise you I don't have any doubts left." Thinking it truthfully and after all this eccentric sex she had been introduced to she was planning to delay sex with Shinji maybe 200 or 300 years more.
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- Let me tell ya 'bout the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees, and the moon up above, and a thing called 'Love' - Rose
"Are you nervous about the sex?" Rose asked out of the blue.
"No." The blonde replied giving a lewd expression that in a second he tried to conceal. "It's not like we haven't done anything." And seeing how the topic was drawing more attention from his fellow male Vizards, he stopped talking.
Love crossed his arms and put a couple of finger in his chin. "I think you having sex with Hiyori is like you taking advantage of my little sister. I don't want to know it and I certainly don't want you to hurt her. Are you planning on abusing of Hiyori's innocence Shinji?"
Hiyori's innocence my ass! If he only knew that sometimes I have to be the mature one and put an end to her making out session he wouldn't be saying that he thought giving a defiant look towards Love.
"Che, whatever."
"I'll have to agree," Kensei said in his usual tone, "Maybe we should have a man to man talk with you Shinji, just so you know what will happen if you hurt her."
"It's not like I'm planning a one night stand with her. I'm marring the little runt!" He got up from the couch and headed in direction of his room or maybe hers. "So stop this stupid chat!" And he opened the door to find a very pale Hiyori being surrounded by Lisa, Mashiro, Rangiku and Ise Nanao.
"The hell?"
All the women were smiling, but Hiyori had a pleading expression, so maybe she just had a sex talk on her own with them. Smirking and drowning a chuckle in a cuff he decided to 'save' his future bride or his sex life would never begin again.
"Excuse me ladies," and he entered the room and grabbed Hiyori by her wrist. "My future wife and I have important business to attend." And he led her to the street.
Hiyori threw herself into his arms chucking him. "Thank you Shinji, you have no idea of the horrors they put me through."
"There, there." It would have seemed that he had saved her from a Hollow or Aizen himself. "How about lunch?"
She nodded docilely.
And while they started to walk to the usual restaurant he couldn't avoid his curiosity "So exactly from what did I save you?"
Remembering some parts of the chat she flushed and scowled. "None of your business idiot." Hiyori muttered, all her docility forgotten.
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Two on a roof
- And sometimes we don't say a thing; just listen to the crickets sing. Everything I need is right here by my side. And I don't wanna live without you.- Shinji
- And I don't try to hide my tears, my secrets or my deepest fears. Through it all nobody gets me like you do. And you know everything about me. You say that you can't live without me. - Hiyori
"If any of them catches you here Shinji, you're dead meat" She said looking at her fingernails on the top of Urahara's shop.
It hadn't been hard to find her. By this time she would need to clear her head, so she would be in the tallest available place, and she was going to sleep at the shop, so she should be on the rooftop, as simple as that.
"Why?" He asked puzzled, taking a seat next to her.
"Apparently it's bad luck to see the bride the night before the wedding." She spat.
He chuckled. "Everything is bad luck in a wedding."
"You tell that to the crazy self-imposed bridesmaids downstairs. I already said that this was stupid, but they didn't care."
"Why?" He turned his face to look at her. "Did you want to see me?"
She gave him a sideways glance when she replied. "Don't flatter yourself asshole; I wanted to sleep in my bed."
"You never sleep in your bed, midget." He readjusted his position to look at the stars. "You've always crawled into mine."
She didn't answer. Instead both Vizards let the silence dance between them. It wasn't awkward or tense, it was just nice, the sound of the crickets, the lights of the stars, the wind of May on their faces and good company that didn't need words to fill each moment. After a while Shinji broke it off.
"Do you regret this Hiyori?" He didn't look at her; instead he hid his eyes behind his bangs.
"No,"
"Not marrying me idiot. I already know you love me." And he grinned because some years ago she would have screeched saying how she would never love a lewd Baldy like him, "The big wedding."
It took her more time to answer than the first time. "No. Do you?"
And he understood that the question was actually the one she had answered first. She was checking if he was getting cold feet. "Of course not. I love you and I have wanted this since we were living in Soul Society, but you didn't look that willing."
He was expecting a sandal to the face or an insult instead he received only silence, so he turned to look at her. The night wasn't as dark as a normal night without moon, but it wasn't completely clear because the stars could only light a little.
"I'm sorry." She whispered and he saw that a couple of tears were rolling down her cheeks. "I know it's my fault and I know that I made you wait too much time." She smiled while crying in his direction. "I am truly sorry Shinji."
He felt his heart tug listening to her words and he got closer to her pulling into an embrace. "Idiot your eyes are going to get all puffy for tomorrow." And he caressed her back and the back of her head. "I love you. I would have waited another 200 years if you need them. You don't have to apologize for it." He raised her face and gave her a trail of kisses beginning from her forehead and ending with her lips. When he stopped his affectionate touch she growled in protest. "Enough for tonight, after all it's bad luck." And Shinji chuckled.
"Now you care about the bad luck?" She said while pushing him away. The ex-Captain only smiled at his future bride and remembering something he changed the entire mood of the conversation.
"Did you ask Kisuke abou-"
She interrupted him crossing her hands over her chest. "Yes I did. The baby cried when I asked."
Shinji showed a tender smile. "And what did he say?"
"Something idiotic like 'it would be an honor' I don't really remember. He agreed, end of story."
"HIYORI!" An angry yell from Lisa made Shinji's veins freeze. "It's getting late. It's time for the bride to go to bed."
She rolled her eyes "You see I told you they will kill you; that's their mood right now."
"I was leaving anyway. It is late." Shinji said stretching and checking for the hour on his black wrist watch. It was 12:02.
The tiny ex-Shinigami got up only to sit down in Shinji's lap and steal a very deep kiss. When she detached her lips from his she whispered, "Happy Birthday Hirako-san." And got up to leave, but he stopped her.
"Hey! You cannot just do that and leave me" He complained. "After all it is my birthday."
She moved her caught arm out of his reach and continued her way downstairs. "See you tomorrow Baldy, don't be late because I won't wait for you." And she disappeared into the Urahara's shop.
"RETARD!" He yelled at the retreating girl. "Like I would be late for my own wedding."
"SHINJI IS THAT YOU?" Lisa had caught his voice in the night.
"Uh-oh." And the blond shunpoed to the warehouse as fast as he could or Hiyori would be a widow before she was a bride.
.
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A long walk down the aisle
- Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to lose and it's you and me and all of the people and I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you - Shinji
Staring at his reflection in the mirror he swallowed hard. His hands were shaking again, just like the day of the proposal. Shit. He hated not being able to control himself, or at least to fake control because right about now the other male Vizards were starting to notice he was nervous.
"Getting cold feet?" Love inquired "Because we can still call off the wedding. Hiyori does deserve a bette-," But Shinji's 'If-you-continue-with-the-same-crap-I'll-murder-you' look made the man shut up.
Hachi sighed. "He's not getting cold feet, Shinji is just nervous." He said directing a fatherly look at the de facto leader. "It's normal to feel that way, there is nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, right." And he straightened his white vest for the 100th time. "Let's go." But what he really wanted to say was 'let's just get over with this, so I can start breathing again'.
All the male Vizards went down the stairs of the Urahara's shop in direction of the underground training grounds and to Shinji's surprise it didn't look like the place they had built for facing their hollows.
Kisuke had put a white tent decorated with a couple of sun flowers and in the middle a red carpet that lead where he was supposed to be standing up. At the sides of the carpet were white chairs that had been filled with guest by this time. Shinji swallowed hard again and felt the knot of his tie get tighter.
He was beyond nervous and for these times the only thing that worked was the tiny little pest he called Hiyori, but she wouldn't be there until 15 more minutes if he was lucky. He took a deep breath and put a foot after the other walking on the red carpet and watched the smiling guest stare at him. Next time he would listen to her; guest: Hirako Shinji and Sarugaki Hiyori, that's it.
.
- Tell me please, 'cause I have to know I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow, and you make me talk, and you make me feel, and you make me show what I'm trying to conceal. If I trust in you, would you let me down? Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you? Could you feel the same way too? - Hiyori
She knew today was her wedding day, none had to tell her a thing about it, but while she checked her reflection in the full length mirror in front of her, Sarugaki Hiyori couldn't help but frown. REALLY frown. Frown at the white DRESS she was wearing, no, at the white dress people had made her wear. This wasn't her idea; not at all. She would kill for a pair of pants right about now.
Damn double gender standard she voiced in her head while she checked her reflection again and again. 'This' was not her, the girl who was in the mirror was definitely not her and the fact that this reflection had her freckles, her hands, her eyes and HER scowl made her even angrier.
"Ha! You look so pretty" A voice in her mind commented sarcastically "Shut up psycho bitch, don't meddle in anything today." She reprimanded her Hollow mentally. "You see… you are so cold toward me little princess, I was only being supportive." Hiyori rolled her eyes and shut the channels of communication with her evil part, the last thing she needed were *nice* compliments from her Hollow.
She examined her dress for the last time, a simple white dress tight on the waist and hips with no tulle to make it fluffy, slightly Grecian in design and V cleavage that showed her perfect cream skin. Her hair was up in half messy pony tail that ended up with curls and two white ribbons next to her forehead as decoration; make-up on her face and the engagement ring on her finger.
Hiyori made a side glance to her shoulder where a beautiful Shinigami was eyeing her too. "You look so pretty Hiyori!"
She faked a smile that for the other people looked more like a grin.
"You do." And Rangiku used her tender voice to continue talking while she adjusted the folds in the white dress. "It must have been really nice, to have someone who loves you so much over the years and who felt the need of protecting you from anything and didn't leave you."
Hiyori was catching the real meaning behind the words the 10th Division Shinigami. "You should take care of Shinji, men like him are hard to find." And the girl pretended she hadn't seen the tear falling from the woman eye.
The door opened and a crowed of girls entered, making it impossible for Hiyori to talk to the other woman about her recent advice.
"Let's review if we have everything. Should we?" Rangiku said in her normal excited voice and Lisa, Mashiro, Nanao, Yoruichi, Ururu, Rukia and Inoue made similar gestures.
"So something new?" Rangiku asked.
"The dress and the ribbons." Mashiro answered really happy.
"Something blue?"
"The sapphire earrings!" Orihime squealed thrilled, referring to two small dots in Hiyori's ears.
"Something borrowed?" Matsumoto said tilting her head, and before any of the women could act like idiots Hiyori pointed to her neck where a thin necklace - that normally hung in the cleavage of Rangiku - was located. Rangiku smiled in approval.
"So, the only missing thing is something old."
Lisa raised her hand like she was actually in school. "I actually have a very good suggestion on that matter," and Hiyori trembled with fear, but Lisa looked at the girl with reassurance. "You're going to like my suggestion Hiyori."
.
.
He just couldn't stand still for one more minute. If Hiyori didn't arrive in exactly 37 seconds, he was going to bail on the wedding. Well no, he was going to go get her and a loop, anything was better than enduring this nervousness, but the noise of the guests, the positioning of the bridesmaids and Urahara's Kisuke figure at the end of the carpet made him turn.
There she was.
A tiny blonde girl from the Rukongai he had saved once from a Hollow, which actually she was trying to fight. A girl he had seen grown from a student to a Lieutenant in virtually no time, a prodigy with terrible temper the teachers of the Shinigami Academy called her. A Shinigami that had made him forget the rules of the Gotei 13 and other women. The victim of an experiment that had made him thought of a way to battle their inner Hollow, just to see her rest again. The Vizard that had voiced her feelings to Aizen and had been careless enough to act on her emotions, making him for a couple of hours the most miserable being that had walked the Earth because he thought he would lose her, really lose her.
Sarugaki Hiyori was entering the improvised chapel with her arm linked with Urahara Kisuke, the closest thing the girl had to a father, and just the amazing sight of her made him forget any sign of nervousness or trembling limbs. But something made him chuckle and divert his eyes to Lisa's who motioned with one finger the need to talk, so the bridesmaid got close enough so he could whisper:
"Is she wearing her red sandals?" Shinji's puzzled expression was also a picture of amusement.
"Be thankful she is wearing a dress and also we needed something old." And she returned to her place.
Sarugaki Hiyori. She loved her name. She liked it so much that she had worn the kanji to her name on her sweatshirt for a long time. Too bad that this would be the last time she would be called that Shinji though looking at her walking down the aisle.
From the moment she would say yes in exactly 10 minutes she will be Hirako Hiyori. It sounded better, it sounded like his Hiyori. Hirako Hiyori. Yes it was much, much better. It was perfect.
Urahara was in front of Shinji; he whispered something to the girl and hugged her tightly.
So her eyes now only belonged to him. Only him. God she looks so happy he thought.
"What are you staring at Baldy?" She said position herself next to Shinji who had his mouth opened a couple of inches. It wasn't the first time she had asked him that question and he always answered the same. 'At your ugly face' or maybe any other silly names they normally exchanged.
But this time his answer took her by surprise.
"The angel that gave me the privilege of sharing her life with me."
She flushed but smiled. Hiyori would hit him when the thing was over. Calling her a sappy name in front of everybody.
The nerve of that Baldy.
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A/N: I don't even know what to write here. Yes the power of fluff had taken over my fingers and wrote this chapter. Honestly? I can't even stop smiling at my own work.
Shinji didn't give her anything here. Both exchanged their souls (yes I can't stop the fluff I warned you!)
Erase and Rewind? Nothing. They have learnt to take in the bad and made them stronger.
The thing is how in the hell I'm going to finish this story topping this?
Chapter 17 is going to be interesting (sarcasm BTW). 16 is already written.
Hiyori's wedding dress is inspired by the dress Serena Van Der Woodsen wore in the first episode of season 2 of Gossip Girl. You can write "Serena white oscar de la renta dress" on google images to see it.
About the songs, well most of them are from Taylor Swift (I just got the CD and I'm obsess) but here is a complete list: Bride & the groom to do list.- Hands in the air (manos al aire is in spanish) by Nelly Furtado & You belong with me by Taylor Swift / A fluffy dress for a not so fluffy girl.- Speak Now by Taylor Swift / Honeymonners.- I'm only me when I'm with you by Taylor Swift / Urahara's Post Offices.- Where the lines overlap by Paramore /Customary Retribution.- This ring by T. Carter & If I never knew you by Jon Secada /The birds and the bees.- The birds and the bees by Dean Martin / Two on a roof.- I'm only me when I'm with you by Taylor Swift / A long walk down the aisle.- You and me by Lifehouse & The name of the game by Amanda Seyfried and Stellan Skasgard.
That's it
Luv
Kate
P.S. I'm giving away free buckets to storage the honey from this chapter in your fridge, so if you want one just let me know
P.S.2 I think this story is causing problems, real ones. My mom and my boyfriend don't know why I keep researching engagement rings, wedding to do list, tips for the wedding night and phases on the life of a baby, they probably think I'm pregnant or about to run away with some guy. Oh well… I'll do it if he is Shinji or Ichigo, Chrono or Ed Elric.