A/N: Hey everyone! This is the last chapter of Chasing the Moon! Exciting. Before we get to the chapter itself, I just want to make some brief announcements. Once this is posted, the story will be marked complete, but please don't take this story off your alerts list just yet. Just like I did with Phases, when I get the sequel up (there WILL be a sequel), I will post the update on this fic so you all can see it. There will be a Trials update before the sequel gets posted, since it's been way too long on that front.
There was some kind of long delay glitch between you guys writing your reviews and FF posting them, but I saw them all on my email. Some of you reviewed twice trying to get them through, so don't worry. I got them. Thanks!
Kris, I replied to your review at the end of this chapter, so as not to spoil the ending. Read this chapter, and then read the reply (or read the reply first, your call. It's spoilery, but you have been warned).
Thank you so much for reading. It's been a wild ride, and I'm really proud and happy to get to the end of it with all of you! So, without further ado, or interruptions by me, the ending of Chasing the Moon!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. At all.
Chapter 54: And last
The sun beat down on the practice yard, shining with a heat and radiance that spoke of an early summer. A group of shinigami stood in two lines in the Sixth Division's courtyard, a few of them letting out battle cries as the lines came together and came apart again. Wooden swords clacked against each other and a few people let out yelps as swords found fingers or wrists, but for the most part, the shinigami returned to their starting position, moving into the next phase of the drill routine.
"You're doing well, Kawamoto-san!" Yuzu called from the shade of the veranda. "Keep it up!"
In front of her, Kawamoto Sakako squeaked as her opponent came at her with a downward slash, managing to step backwards and block it. Her sword wavered as she fought to get it under control, sliding it alongside his and transitioning into the next movement.
"They're all improving," said Shiyougi, standing next to her. He wiped at his brow with the cloth draped over his shoulder, pausing to take a swig from the water bottle in his hand. "That's good."
Yuzu nodded. "With any luck, we can make officers out of some of them before the new recruits join us from the Academy."
Shiyougi glanced at her, smiling. "You're not doing too badly yourself, fukutaicho. You really had me on the ropes this morning."
Yuzu's smile faded slightly, her hand going down to rest on top of Jungetsu's hilt. It had been five days since she had first come back from the Shattered World, and this morning had been the first time she had felt anything from Jungetsu. Even then, it had only been a trickle of reiatsu. She didn't even want to think about attempting shikai just yet, let alone bankai. It shouldn't have bothered her—in fact, she should have been glad that her zanpakuto was recovering, no matter how slowly—but each time she placed her hand on her sword and felt the emptiness there, it reminded her of the conversation in her inner world.
She had spent most of her time since then trying to drown it out, throwing herself back in the business of running a Division, of organizing spars and training sessions, of making plans to attend officer interviews and going over the list of potential recruits another ten or twenty times. But it wasn't enough. Until this whole business was long over, it probably would never be enough.
Two days…she realized, looking up at the sky.
The wedding would be in two days.
She shook her head, putting the thought out of her mind and taking a drink of water. Her muscles burned from the spar she had just had with Shiyougi and her shihakusho clung to her skin in the heat, reminding her of who she was and why she was here. She had the Sixth, and she had decades and centuries ahead of her for her heart to heal. It was enough, more than she could have asked for.
"Fukutaicho?" asked Shiyougi, noticing her silence. "Is everything okay?"
"It's fine, Shiyougi-san," said Yuzu, turning her eyes back towards the drilling shinigami. "Everything's fine."
Shiyougi's eyes moved past the group, landing on something beyond them. He frowned. "What's that boy doing here?" he asked.
Yuzu looked. A young boy in a yukata was chasing a brown and white cat across the Division grounds, looking like he was trying very hard not to be seen. As she watched, he came to a stop and looked around, his eyes widening as he noticed the drilling shinigami, and he quickly jumped behind a bush.
"Isn't that one of the captain's servants?" asked Shiyougi. "What's he doing out here?"
Yuzu smiled. "I'll get him," she said, walking towards the gate. "Take care of things here, Shiyougi-san."
It hadn't taken Yuzu long to find Nozomu, and within a few minutes, she had managed to coax the embarrassed-looking boy out from under a bush, Mikado brushing up against her ankles. He now sat with his legs hanging over the side of the veranda, his face flushed and an embarrassed scowl on his face as he held Mikado with both hands. Yuzu took a seat next to him, a smile on her face, and he scooted away from her, his flush deepening.
"So, Nozomu-kun," she said. "What brings you out here? Doesn't Maki-san have things she needs you to do this morning?"
Nozomu jumped at her words, even though her tone remained light and conversational. He turned towards her, still holding the cat. "S'not like I was trying to get away!" he said. "But this guy got loose, so I went out looking for him. Besides, it's not like there's anything interesting going on. Everyone's still freaking out about this stupid wedding."
Wedding.
Yuzu's smile faltered as Nozomu mentioned the event, but she managed to keep it on her face, glancing away so that the boy wouldn't notice. She draped one hand loosely over her knee, watching as a pair of butterflies investigated a cluster of flowers. "That means they'll need you there, doesn't it?" she asked. "Since everyone's so busy?"
"Whatever," said Nozomu. "I don't get what the big deal is. She's not even nice! I wish you were marrying him instead."
Yuzu nearly choked. She coughed and spluttered, nearly falling off her seat. When she recovered enough to breathe, she turned towards him, her face flushed. "Why—why would you say that, Nozomu-kun?" she asked.
Nozomu's flush darkened, and he looked away, kicking at the air with one leg. "It's not just me! Everyone says so. The maids all think you'll be a better Lady."
Yuzu felt her face turn redder, all the heat rising to her cheeks. "Well, I—I—I'm not—." Her eyes narrowed as she realized something, and she turned sharply towards him. "Wait a minute, Nozomu-kun. Are you gossiping about this wedding?"
"See?" said Nozomu, his eyes wide as he twisted around to look back at her. Mikado mewled in protest at his rapid movement, struggling to get free. "That's exactly what the Lady would say!"
"W-Well, I'm not going to be the Lady. Azami-dono is, so you need to treat her with respect!" said Yuzu, folding her arms in what she hoped was indignation, not the embarrassment she was feeling. Her face was still flushed, her cheeks puffed out slightly as she turned towards him. "A-And anyway! Maki-san and the others need your help. You shouldn't leave them alone!"
"Fine," said Nozomu, sliding out of his seat. He kept his hold on Mikado, still scowling as he walked towards the gate. "I still think you should be the new Lady, though."
Nozomu walked away, dragging his feet as he took Mikado out of the Division. Yuzu watched him go, her heart pounding.
The day before the wedding, Yuzu came to the startling realization that she didn't have anything to wear. In the sixteen years that she had spent in Soul Society, a good majority of it had been spent wearing her shihakusho, and none of the kimonos or yukatas that she liked to wear to festivals and on her days off were even remotely formal enough to wear to a noble lord's wedding. After thinking about it for a while, she decided on the kimono she had worn to Ichigo and Rukia's wedding, a violet long-sleeved furisode, with white patterns that looked like the silhouettes of flowering vines. It had been a gift from her grandfather, and while she had already worn it to one wedding at the Kuchiki Manor, she didn't think anyone would care if she wore it again.
She stood in front of the large, full-length mirror in front of her, carefully tugging the cloth of the kimono into place. Since Masa and his parents were also going, they had suggested that she dress for the wedding at the Ankoujin Manor rather than walk all the way from the Sixth in her formal attire, and Yuzu had gratefully agreed. Being at the Manor also gave her the opportunity to get some advice from Reiko, Seishin's wife, who had been instrumental in helping her know what to do during Rukia's wedding.
This time, since it was the actual head of the clan who was getting married, the ceremony was going to be more elaborate, although Reiko had made a point of mentioning that Byakuya had already had one ceremony, and she had enjoyed that one much more, regardless of what "old Ginrei" had to say about it. Yuzu had simply smiled at that, not sure what to say.
She was standing in front of the mirror, tugging at the ends of her short hair and wondering whether or not she should make another attempt at growing it out when the door slid open, Seishin stepping in. Yuzu jumped, turning towards him. He was already dressed for the ceremony, in a formal kimono embroidered in five places with the Ankoujin crest. In one hand, he held a scroll, the wax seal broken.
"Sei-jisama!" said Yuzu, turning towards him.
Seishin smiled at her, gesturing at her kimono. "It's pretty," he said, "but the colors are all wrong. A lady of the Ankoujin typically wears blue."
"But I'm not—," Yuzu began.
"Aren't you?" Seishin held the scroll in his hand out to her. She took it with trembling fingers, unrolling it carefully. The seal was one she had seen a few times before, Ryushin's personal crest. Yuzu stared at the words for the longest time, their meaning refusing to sink in. Seishin smiled, watching her for a few moments before speaking.
"Do you know what a writ of acknowledgment is?" he asked.
Yuzu shook her head.
"It's a document usually issued for relatives off the female line—a sister's son, or a daughter's daughter—that sort of thing. Someone related by blood who doesn't happen to share the family name. It acknowledges that person as a relative of the clan, a minor noble under the clan's protection. My father originally had this drafted for your brother, but he refused. In the days leading up to his death, he transferred it to you."
"But why?" asked Yuzu, stunned. "Why would Ojii-sama…?"
"My father never told you this," Seishin said. "But a few weeks ago, while you were still in the Fourth Division from Inuzuri, he went to see Byakuya on your behalf."
Yuzu stared. "On my—on my behalf?" she repeated, incredulous.
Seishin nodded. "He'd noticed that you had feelings for him and that he seemed to be protective of you, and he knew that Byakuya's clan was going to persuade him to wed again, so he went with the purpose of arranging a betrothal. Byakuya refused."
Yuzu lowered her eyes to the ground, still holding Ryushin's writ. "That…doesn't surprise me, ji-sama," she said.
"But, Yuzu, I didn't tell you why he refused," said Seishin, his smile growing secretive. Yuzu looked up at him. "He said that you were young, and that you didn't know yet what you wanted. He said that if you knew how desperate his situation was, you would agree whether or not you actually wanted to, because, and I quote, 'that is the kind of person she is'. And he said that you didn't deserve that, to be tied down by obligation to someone so full of regret. He said that he understood what it was like to be tied down by duty, and it was not something he would wish on anyone, especially not you. He didn't refuse for his own sake, Yuzu. He refused because he thought he was protecting you. But he thought wrong."
Yuzu stared at Seishin, her eyes wide with the weight of that revelation. Her heart sped up, its pace quickening. Then, it began to slow again as cold realization crept across her mind, accompanied by disappointment. She looked away.
"That doesn't change anything," she said. "He's still getting married today."
"Maybe it won't change anything." Seishin took a step forward, placing a hand on her shoulder and making her look up. "But we are not a family known for its ability to bow out gracefully. And at the very least, we can show those Kuchikis what they're missing. Go find Reiko. She has a kimono you can wear, one with our family's crests."
The Kuchiki Manor was more packed than Yuzu had ever seen it, flooded with guests and dignitaries from many of the various noble houses in Soul Society. It wasn't just members of the Kuchiki and Nishimori Clans, but other noble houses that Yuzu had never heard of, and a few that she had almost forgotten were part of the nobility, like Ukitake, Kyoraku, and Kira. She caught sight of the Omaedas—Omaeda-fukutaicho's family really did all resemble him, except for one sister—standing around and commenting on the decorations in loud voices. Soifon too had been glimpsed moving through the crowd, peering under tables and around curtains as though she was looking for someone. It didn't take long to realize that she was looking for Shihouin Yoruichi, but from the sound of the gossip going through the reception hall, the former head of the Shihouin Clan had yet to make an appearance. Renji had also been invited for his prior connection to Byakuya, and he shifted uneasily in his formal clothes, looking even less at ease than he had during Ichigo and Rukia's wedding.
In the midst of all of that crowd, Yuzu felt more than a little overwhelmed. Her appearance with Masaryu and Seishin had caused some stir—she was now dressed in a pale blue and silver kimono, five Ankoujin crests embroidered into the front and back of her obi. Shortly after entering the reception hall, Seishin had taken Masa aside to converse with an old relative, leaving Yuzu with Ankoujin Reiko. Her aunt had taken the liberty of bringing Yuzu to meet some of her friends and their daughters, but after introductions were made, the other noblewomen set to talking over her, plunging back into the a conversation they had already started in a way that made her head spin. She had excused herself as politely as she could and had slipped out of the reception hall, finding a quiet hallway to stop and catch her breath.
Yuzu leaned against the wall, wishing that she had Jungetsu at her side. There hadn't been any way to wear the sword with her kimono, and anyway, if she had, it would only have served to further set her apart, but it still felt like a loss to not have the spirit there.
She tugged at the fabric of her kimono, wondering what she was doing here. It wasn't as if there was any point in her playing at being noble. Nothing she did would stop this wedding, and she was happy with the way she was before, with just being a shinigami. She was tempted to go back into the reception hall and tell her uncle she was going home, but she decided against it. Doing that would embarrass not only Byakuya, who invited her, but her uncle and his family, who had gone through the trouble of bringing her here. Yuzu took a deep breath, deciding to go back and find her brother and Rukia. At least she could stay with them until this was over, and no one would judge her for it.
She had gone a few feet down the hallway before she caught the sound of voices, raised in an argument. Yuzu tensed, coming to a stop as she listened to the sounds. She couldn't quite hear what they were saying, but it was a male voice she couldn't recognize, and…was that Azami? She took a deep breath, and then, decision made, she started off in the direction of the argument, walking farther away from the reception hall. She had just about reached it when the man broke off abruptly in mid-sentence, and just as she rounded the corner towards the room the discussion was happening in, a man stormed past her, his face pulled into a scowl. Yuzu stared after him as he passed. He was older, with graying hair and crests on his kimono that she didn't recognize, but there was no mistaking his resemblance to Azami.
Nor was there any mistaking Azami herself.
She stood in the center of an empty room, hugging her arms close to herself. Her eyes were trained on the floor, and she was dressed in a deep green kimono. That in itself gave Yuzu pause, with the wedding so close, shouldn't she already be wearing her wedding clothes? Before Yuzu could stop to consider that or even approach her, Azami's head snapped up, her eyes landing on Yuzu. They narrowed in challenge, as if she was daring Yuzu to ask her about what had happened. Before Yuzu could say anything, Azami's eyes moved over her kimono, taking in the Ankoujin crests.
"So, they've made a princess out of you?" asked Azami, her voice hard. "More salt to rub into the wound?"
"A-Azami-dono…" Yuzu stared at her, eyes wide. "I don't know what you mean—."
"Save it," said Azami, holding up a hand and making a quick, impatient gesture. "There isn't any time for that nonsense." She strode forward, and Yuzu took an involuntary step back as Azami reached out, grabbing her by the wrist. She squeaked as she found herself being dragged through a corridor, Azami in the lead.
"Azami-dono!" said Yuzu, stumbling as she hurried to catch up, one hand lifting the skirt of her kimono so she could move. "What—what are you doing?"
"Something very stupid," said Azami, never slowing as she rounded another corner. "It seems all the rage in Seireitei these days. Now, shut up."
She reached a large sliding door, throwing it open with an impatient flick of her hand and pulling Yuzu into the room. Yuzu nearly crashed into her as she came to a sudden stop, her eyes widening as she realized where she was. In front of her stood a half-circle of people who could only be the Kuchiki elders, along with Byakuya, already dressed in his wedding attire. From the looks of things, they had been having a discussion of their own before this interruption, and were now watching them. Byakuya's expression was actually very close to open shock, his eyes were wide as he looked over his shoulder at them. Azami tightened her grip on Yuzu's arm, and Yuzu winced as she felt nails dig into her skin. The other woman drew herself up straighter, her eyes fixed on the elders.
"I can't go through with this marriage!" she said.
Her words sent ripples of surprise through the elders—they started murmuring among themselves in shocked voices. Only Byakuya remained silent, still watching Azami, his face still frozen in surprise.
"A-Azami-dono!" one of the elders said. "What do you mean?"
"What I said!" said Azami, pointing at Byakuya. "This man is a disgrace, perfectly unsuitable to be a husband of any kind. He's cold, impersonal, detached, aloof—he cares more about his Division than he ever did about me, and he has an ego the size of a small mountain and the conversational skills of one to boot. Not to mention, he's a terrible kisser! Honestly, I think I could do better."
"But the Kuchiki Clan must have a Lady, Azami-dono," one of the elders said, staring at her.
"Yes," said another elder. "You agreed—."
"Well, lucky for you…" Azami began. Yuzu's eyes widened as she was suddenly yanked forward, and she stumbled as Azami stepped behind her, placing a hand on her back and shoving her towards the elders. "…I think she actually likes that."
She took two steps before she could catch her footing, and when she did she was standing almost next to Byakuya, staring up at the elders with wide eyes. Silence fell over the room, so loud that Yuzu was certain everyone could hear her heart beating. She straightened up and resisted the urge to fiddle with her kimono, suddenly wanting nothing more than to hide behind Azami as every eye in the room was suddenly on her.
"Her?" one of the elders asked, scoffing. "The Lord of the Kuchiki Clan will not marry another commoner."
"She's the niece of Ankoujin Seishin-dono, though…" another one said. "This has merit."
"She's the daughter of an exile and defector," said another elder. "Hardly legitimate, unless we count bastards within our ranks now."
"But those crests…" said one of the others. "She may indeed be legitimate."
"Another betrothal, perhaps…we'd have to cancel this wedding. It wouldn't do to not have Ankoujin-dono's support…"
"Well, if the girl agrees…"
Yuzu shifted uncomfortably at being talked over like she wasn't there, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Byakuya glanced at her, and then as if noticing her discomfort, seemed to break out of his trance, turning towards the elders.
"You cannot seriously expect something like this to be decided immediately," he said, his voice sharp.
"Kuchiki-dono, with all due respect, with the way you have handled this issue, this matter is out of your hands…"
"We can have another contract drawn up immediately—assuming, of course, that Azami-dono is serious about breaking off the first one…"
"Ankoujin-dono is already on the grounds. There will not be a better time to see this matter settled."
"You have not even asked Kurosaki for her opinion—," said Byakuya, taking a step forward.
"Someone send a messenger for Ankoujin-dono."
"You have no right to ignore me, or to make these decisions—," said Byakuya.
Yuzu swallowed, feeling her throat tighten. Panic welled up inside of her from the pace at which things were going, and the way they were all looking at her. She resisted the urge to grab at the fabric of her kimono as they continued to talk, feeling them all talking over her, as though she wasn't even there. Only Byakuya glanced at her, his attempts to halt the elders becoming sharper and more heated with each rebuff.
"Her brother is here as well. Should he be called to speak for her?"
"Rukia-dono's husband? He is a commoner; his word is not binding."
Yuzu looked up, those words seeming to jerk her awake. Her eyes hardened as she straightened up. Byakuya stepped forward, apparently having had enough. "Kurosaki can—," he began.
"I can speak for myself."
At the sound of her voice, all conversation stilled, the huddle of elders pausing to look at her as if they only now realized that she was standing there. She took a deep breath, meeting their stares head-on, and fighting down a fresh wave of panic. If she could face Kyoka Suigetsu, she could face this, she told herself. She wasn't going to run and hide anymore.
"And?" one of the elders asked. "Would you agree to this match?"
Yuzu paused to glance at Byakuya. He turned towards her, his eyes meeting hers. "Kurosaki," he said. "You should feel no pressure to agree—."
"I would," said Yuzu, turning her eyes back towards the elders.
"Then if Kuchiki-dono agrees and Ankoujin-dono raises no objections, the matter is settled," said an elder, turning to one of the others. "We can have a contract drawn up within the hour. And someone will have to send the guests home—with apologies…"
In the chaos that followed, Yuzu remembered only a few things—Seishin being ushered into a room, Azami quietly leaving, servants darting in and out, and a piece of paper being laid out in front of her. Byakuya hesitated only a moment, pausing to glance at her before picking up the offered brush and writing his name.
Yuzu picked up the brush and signed, and remembered not hesitating at all.
Ichigo stood in the reception hall with a cup in his hands, a scowl on his face as he looked over at the crowd that surrounded them. He tugged the layers of his formal attire, his scowl deepening as he looked over at Rukia.
"Why do we have to wear these things?" he asked. "It doesn't make any sense."
"Stop complaining," said Rukia, taking a sip of the drink in her hand. Her own outfit consisted of several elaborate layers, with the Kuchiki Clan's crest displayed in several places. "You're the one who decided to marry me. If I have to suffer in this, then so do you."
Ichigo's brows rose as he looked back at her, his eyes falling on the cup in her hand. "Oi," he said. "Should you really be drinking right now?"
The look she gave him was practically murderous. "It's juice," she said. "Honestly, Ichigo, how irresponsible do you think I am?"
"Alright, sorry," said Ichigo, turning away from her. "I just wish they'd get this over with already. It's not like this is the first time he's gotten married."
Rukia sighed, but before she could respond, a servant appeared at her arm.
"My lady," he said, leaning over to whisper in her ear. Rukia's eyes widened, and she choked, spitting out her juice in a stream that splattered all over Ichigo's formal haori, making him jump and turn back towards her.
"Hey!"
The hour that followed the chaos with the elders was marked by a deep, almost surreal silence. As soon as the papers were signed and the guests were asked to leave, Byakuya had ushered her out of the room and into the relative peace of the gardens, in front of the koi pond. This wing of the manor was immediately opposite the one in which the wedding was supposed to have been held, and from this side of the manor, it almost seemed as if the wedding wasn't there at all, and that the place was as empty as it always had been. Yuzu stood at the banks of the koi pond, watching the fish play in the water, still in a daze.
A part of her couldn't believe what had just happened, and she felt like it would take a long time before it would sink in. She felt equal parts giddy, scared, and confused, and it seemed like the only way she could express her feelings was to stand there in silence, her eyes on the glassy surface of the water. Byakuya stood next to her, still dressed in the outfit he should have been married in, and for a while he didn't speak as well, as though he had been caught up in the same wave of contradictory emotions, and was still waiting for the dust to settle.
They had been there a few moments when he looked up to speak. "There is…no need to rush into things," he said. "A betrothal can last for quite some time before anything needs to be done about it." He didn't add that the clan, in a fit of impatience, had written a time limit of a year into the contract. Yuzu had been able to read that for herself. He seemed almost awkward, unsure as he spoke, and she would have found that endearing if she wasn't struggling with the same emotions herself.
She wanted to say something intelligent in response to that, but all that came out was. "…Mm."
Byakuya took a breath before turning towards her, facing her for what seemed like the first time since the meeting with the elders. "Kurosaki," he said. "I want to…apologize. That is not how things should have been done."
"It's okay," said Yuzu, turning towards him. "I'm alright with it, taicho, really I am. I'm just a little…overwhelmed, that's all."
Byakuya paused, as if something in her words had thrown him off. He glanced down at the ground, then back up at her, as if he wasn't sure what to say. Yuzu watched him, realizing that she had never seen him like this before. He seemed almost…shy.
She suppressed a giggle. "…Taicho?" she asked, frowning with concern.
"Kurosaki…" Byakuya took a deep breath, looking back at her. "Given the circumstances, a more informal form of address might be appropriate."
Yuzu stared at him, feeling the heat rise to her face. She inhaled slowly, watching him. "Then…" she began. "…Byakuya?"
His eyes widened at the sound of his name, and Yuzu felt her heartbeat quicken. She kept her eyes on his, though, resisting the urge to look away. She wondered if he was expecting something else, something more informal than 'taicho', but less informal than dropping an honorific entirely. But after a while, he seemed to relax, meeting her eyes.
"That…would be acceptable," he said, a smile tugging at his lips. "…Yuzu."
Warmth flooded her at the sound of her name, but also at the sight of that smile. She didn't think she had ever seen Byakuya smile before, and certainly not like that. It was a small smile, but it softened his features and his eyes as he looked at her, and suddenly she knew that it would be this, out of everything that had happened today, that she would remember forever.
But like all moments, the smile faded away, shattered by the sound of conversation coming from guests exiting the Manor. Byakuya turned towards it, frowning as his eyes moved over the Manor walls. Yuzu knew what he was thinking. In the garden, here, there might have been peace, but sooner or later, they would have to go outside, and outside there would be questions, and rumors, and people who were against this. If she had her way, she would stay in here forever, but she knew they couldn't do that.
"We have to face them sometime…" she said.
"Yes," said Byakuya, looking back at her. "So we do."
Without another word, the two of them made their way towards the gate, one of the gate guards pushing it open. Byakuya stepped out first—
—and was met with Ichigo's fist to his face. He fell back, sprawling onto the pavement as both Yuzu and Rukia shot forward, each of them grabbing hold of one of Ichigo's arms.
"Ichigo!" shouted Rukia.
"Ichi-nii!"
Byakuya sat on the ground, staring up at his brother in law. He raised a hand to his face, his fingertips pressing against the area where Ichigo had struck him. "…Kurosaki Ichigo…" he said. "…You need to find a better way to greet me."
"Shut up!" said Ichigo, glowering at him. "When I said 'break things off with Azami before starting something with Yuzu', I didn't mean on the same day!"
"Ichi-nii…" Yuzu began, turning towards him. She looked over her shoulder and realized that Karin and Isshin were standing there, Karin still dressed in her shihakusho and watching her with wide eyes. Isshin was grinning, as if he had expected this.
Byakuya rubbed at his jaw, sitting up. He glanced from Yuzu to Rukia and back to Ichigo again. "Kurosaki Ichigo…" he began.
"And that's another thing," said Ichigo. He pulled his arm out of Rukia's hold, running it through his hair and scowling. "If we're going to be family…again, you could stop it with this 'Kurosaki Ichigo, Kurosaki Ichigo' crap. Just call me Ichigo." He held his hand out towards Byakuya. "Everyone does."
"…Ichigo, then," said Byakuya, hesitating for a moment before accepting his hand. He got back up to his feet. "I would allow you to use a more informal address, but it's not as if you have ever needed permission."
Ichigo snorted at that, and Yuzu took that to mean it was safe to release him. She took a step back as he turned towards her, his eyes narrowed. "Oi, Yuzu," he said. "Are you okay with this?"
"Y-Yes," Yuzu said, meeting her brother's eyes. She straightened up. "I am."
"Okay then," said Ichigo, scratching the back of his neck. He sighed. "I guess I'm going to have to be okay with this too."
"Yuzu, what the hell?" asked Karin, still staring at her.
Yuzu smiled sheepishly at Karin. "Sorry, Karin-chan," she said. "I guess things got…um…a little out of hand."
"A little?" asked Karin, looking between her and Byakuya. "A little?!"
"Maybe we should talk somewhere else," said Rukia, looking around. A few of the wedding guests had begun to gather around, watching them. "We're attracting some attention here."
"Fine," said Ichigo, taking a breath. "We can go inside." He glanced up at the sky, still scowling. "Wonder what Mom would say if she were here…" he muttered.
"Would she even be able to see us?" asked Karin, folding her arms. "We're all spirits, remember?"
"Well, she was a Quincy," said Isshin, casually.
Karin and Ichigo turned towards him, eyes wide and mouths open. Isshin quickly turned around, still grinning. "Whoops, gotta go!" he said, raising his hand. "Forgot something at the clinic. Be right back!"
"Oh, no you don't!" said Karin, chasing after him.
"You can't just drop something like that and walk away!" shouted Ichigo.
"Ohhh..." said Yuzu, her eyes widening in realization.
Karin and Ichigo immediately turned towards her.
"Stop looking like that makes sense!" they said in unison, pointing at her.
Throughout this exchange, Byakuya stared, watching as Karin and Ichigo tackled Isshin to the ground, all while Yuzu stood there, looking as though she wasn't certain whether or not to get them to stop. He glanced at Rukia, wondering for a second what he had just gotten himself into.
"…They're…a lively group, aren't they, nii-sama?" asked Rukia, giving him a strained smile.
"Hm," Byakuya said in reply, watching as Ichigo and Karin chased their father off through the streets. In that moment, Yuzu looked back at him, giving him a bright smile.
At the sight of that smile, Byakuya thought this might be worth it after all.
THE END
A/N: And now you know why there has to be a sequel for the fluff.
In the end, Chasing was the story of the relationship between a captain and his vice-captain, so there could be only one ending song that would fit. Yup, you guessed it. My pick for "ending credits song" for Chasing the Moon is Houkiboshi by Younha, the third ending of Bleach. English translation available online, and yes, it's Yuzu's POV. (Some of you may recognize part of that song as inspiration for a certain Inuzuri scene).
Kris, one thing you have to remember about Azami is that she's not a free agent, she's a noblewoman with parents and clan heads and all sorts of pressure telling her that she has to push through with this marriage, whether or not she actually wants to. So, although she wasn't a POV character and I couldn't show her struggle, her conversation with Rukia actually did help her summon up the courage to do what she did, in defiance of her own family. It was still hard for her, and it carried some repercussions that may be tied up in the sequel.
Omake
"Wait?" said Ichigo, staring at Urahara with wide eyes. "You knew about this whole Quincy thing? You knew the whole time?!"
"Well, of course I did, Kurosaki-san," said Urahara, grinning from behind his fan. "After all, I was the one that gave your father his gigai."
"What other secrets do you know and aren't telling us?!" asked Karin.
"Well…" said Urahara. "You're related to Ishida."
Ichigo's eyes widened. "No way!" he said.
"You were born with your inner Hollow," said Urahara, still smiling.
"You're kidding."
"It was Aizen's plan the whole time."
"Now, you're just making stuff up," said Ichigo.
"Yoruichi-san and I are a couple."
Silence fell. Karin scowled at Urahara, stepping forward. "Oi, sandal hat guy," she said. "That's not a secret. Anyone with half a brain could have picked that up!"
Ichigo was staring at Urahara, frozen in shock with his mouth open. Karin paused, turning to look at him. "Not helping your case, Ichi-nii!" she said.
On her other side, Byakuya was staring at Urahara, his eyes wide as well. Karin turned towards him, staring at him.
"Not you too!" she said.