Garganta & Gikongan Wedding
The following day, Byakuya, Michiko, Rukia and Renji went to the real world. Byakuya and Michiko's journey was known in their respective divisions, while Rukia and Renji left secretly as Byakuya advised them to. They left at dawn while Byakuya and Michiko left in the afternoon.
As Byakuya and Michiko stepped out of the Gates, they were greeted by Urahara along with Yoruichi.
"Konnichiwa Byakuya-sama, Michiko-sama. Welcome back." Urahara greeted the couple. Michiko smiled at the cheery former 12th Division Captain and greeted him in return.
"Urahara-san, where is Rukia and Renji?" Byakuya asked
"They're in the training area, come I have tea and rice cakes prepared. You must relax first before we tackle business, ne?" Urahara cheerfully said
As they were having tea in the living room, they discussed about Orihime's abduction and how Rukia and Renji would travel to Hueco Mundo. They also discussed Urahara's capability of opening the Garganta and on the progress he was making to enable shinigamis to cross over without lessening the power of their reiatsus. While Tessai was pouring another serving of tea for Byakuya, Urahara asked him a question.
"Byakuya-sama, for how long would you be staying here in the human world?" Urahara asked.
"Two… three days the most. Why do you ask?" Byakuya wondered
"Ano… I am just wondering that since you and Michiko are here if we could proceed with the marriage of your soul candies…" Urahara shyly commented
"I think that could be arranged. Can they get married tomorrow after we send Rukia and Renji to their journey?" Byakuya asked
"Hai, hai! That could be facilitated the soonest." Smiled the former 12th Division captain.
While Byakuya and Urahara discussed other concerns about Seireitei, Yoruichi glanced at Michiko who smiled at her and gestured for them to leave the two men who were seriously discussing the latest invention of the current 12th Division Captain.
As Yoruichi stepped out of the store, Michiko followed her silently and both ended up at the store's rooftop, enjoying the early evening sky. Yoruichi sat her usual Indian-style, while Michiko languidly stretched and hugged her knees, her chin resting on top.
"Ne, Michiko-san… you still haven't told Bya-boo about your pregnancy, am I correct?" Yoruichi stated simply, as Michiko's eyes widen in surprise.
"Ahh…Yes Yoruichi-sama, I haven't told him yet… I wanted to surprise him on his birthday…" Michiko said, her eyes sparkling with happiness with the thought of their child growing in her womb.
"I know Bya-boo would be delighted once you tell him… and I'm happy for you both" Yoruichi said, smiling at her
"Arigato Yoruichi-sama… I am very happy… to have met him, known him… love him. Honestly, at first he was like an enigma to me… I never thought that I would fall in love with him… and him to me, after all the things that happened in my life" Michiko confessed
"Why would you feel unworthy of him? He may be the strongest of all Kuchiki clan leaders… the famous captain of Gotei 13… hmm…what else… ahh… dreamboat of most women in Seireitei, but knowing Bya-boo, he is very simple at heart… I guess you know that by now." Yoruichi said while studying Michiko's expression
"Yes… I do" Michiko answered
"For the longest time I knew him, it is only now that I get to see him express his feelings openly. It was you who made him feel… as inreally feel. Like his forefathers before him, he has perfected the art of being apathetic, its expected of him, being a Kuchiki. And when you came into his life, you are the fresh breath of air that he badly needs, though I would not wonder if he denies it, knowing him…. you made Bya-boo live again, especially after loosing Hisana-sama. And for that I thank you" Yoruichi said, smiling warmly
"But Yoruichi-sama, you too used to be a clan head, and being one of the four noble families, you are unique from them." Michiko stated
"Yes I am unique… it seems that my being too individualistic is also one of the main reasons why I am no longer head of my clan… But I have no regrets, I did what I must and am happy of the outcome. And I'm happy too for you and little Byakuya" Yoruichi answered casually.
Michiko chuckled as she heard Yoruichi referred her husband like a little boy, she looked at her and replied chuckling, "You still regard him as a little boy though he is no longer one… "
"Araa, I stand corrected --- Bya-boo is now a daddy" Yoruichi said and they both burst out laughing
The following day, at Urahara's underground training area…
"Rukia, like I told you previously, I was ordered by Yamamoto Soutaichou to retrieve you at that time and nothing more. You and the others returned to Seireitei and whatever happens to you afterwards is no longer my concern… You may do as you wish." Byakuya said while Urahara was preparing the opening of the Garganta
"Arigato Nii-sama, Onē-sama… thank you for having confidence in me" Rukia said as she looked at her brother and sister-in-law. Since her brother is sending her off not as a family member but as a captain of Gotei 13, Rukia observed proper protocol and bowed in respect to her brother and sister-in-law who is also a seated officer. Renji who would also be going with Rukia followed suit.
"Always be vigilant, the two of you. You may never know what lies ahead. And as for Kurosaki, Hueco Mundo is no place for that gaki to be playing around." Byakuya said as they stepped into the portal that would lead them to Hueco Mundo.
As they were watching Rukia and Renji enter the portal, Michiko held her husband's hand and felt his hand clasped hers tightly. "They'll be alright hanata…" Michiko whispered to him and he looked at her, his expression somber though his eyes spoke volumes of his feelings of gratitude that his wife was at his side.
Seeing them enter the portal, Urahara closed it and leapt from the high rock he was standing. "Ne, all done. They will be okay Kuchiki-sama no need to worry."
Urahara, Tessai, Yoruichi, Byakuya and Michiko then proceeded upstairs to prepare for the wedding of the Gikongan and as they closed the door, Jinta informed them that the monk who would officiate the wedding was already waiting for them in the receiving room, along with their Gigais.
The wedding ceremony was simple, yet a solemn one. Exactly just the way Byakuya would have wanted since he felt that it was proper that his and Michiko's Gigais should be wed officially. During the ceremony, Byakuya and Michiko kept on glancing at each other, though he was able to maintain his usual stoic self, his eyes spoke volumes of his feelings towards his wife. As the monk told the newly married couple that they may kiss, Byakuya looked at his wife lovingly and smiled, to which Michiko smiled back and kissed her husband not caring that there were other people present.
"Hanata…" Byakuya whispered as he looked at his wife tenderly. Michiko smiled at him and caressed his face.
Byakuya's Gigai, who was named Shin with his wife Ayesa went to the couple and bowed in respect, in which Byakuya and Michiko bowed in return.
"Domo arigato gozaimasu Byakuya-sama, Michiko-sama for giving us your blessing to be married. We are truly grateful." Shin timidly said to the couple
"Dōitshimashite…" Byakuya replied simply then added "I expect though that both of you would observe proper behavior especially when you inhabit our gigais… no more unruly behavior especially when we are on a mission, do I make myself clear?"
"Uhh…ermm…ano…. Byakuya-sama, that night at the club, when you and Michiko-sama left us ---" Shin said, his face turning to crimson red
"What about that night at the club? When we were done with our mission and came back to return to our gigais we found you and Ayesa in a compromising act, you cannot deny that" Byakuya stated
It was then that both Byakuya and Michiko noticed that their Gigais were both blushing profusely, as if they were about to tell them something they have no idea about. This time it was Michiko who spoke.
"What about that night, Shin? If there's something you have to tell us, then please do so. You may be our soul candies but since we are your principals you need to tell us." Michiko said
"Milady, when you left us at the bar to chase after the hollows, we only acted out of instinct by means of the essence that you left us… " Ayesa replied
Upon hearing Ayesa's statement, it was Byakuya and Michiko's turn to blush and it was then that the couple looked at Urahara who was hiding his expression behind his fan. Byakuya glared at him and said "Urahara – can you please explain this to us" his tone was getting icier as he said every single word
"Errmmm… ano, its my latest innovation with the soul candies, Byakuya-sama. Ahh its best…. Errrr… " Urahara stammered
"Urahara-san, can you please tell us plainly? In layman's term, since I too am puzzled. " Michiko said, holding tightly to her husband's hand since she felt that Byakuya was already controlling his temper
"My latest invention with the soul candies which I gave you and Byakuya-sama is that they would inherit whatever essences or feelings that you have once you left your Gigais in order for them to be able to continue being "you" or as your proxy while you are in your Shinigami form" Urahara said, his face breaking to a grin
"And why did we find them making out at the club?" Michiko asked
"Michiko-sama, like I said, they are just acting out whatever essences you and Byakuya-sama left in your gigais…" Urahara replied, stifling a chuckle "they are dependent on their principal's feelings and would act out what they feel… in that case –"
"
Its alright, we understand it clearly" Byakuya cut in, in his usual stoic demeanor.
"I guess Kisuke overdid it… a bit, on the emotions department that your soul candies just acted the way they did" Yoruichi stated, and smiled at Michiko who was blushing all the more at what she and her husband learned about their soul candies.
Byakuya's expression was unreadable, if they only knew how giddy and happy he felt, discovering that his wife was also attracted to him as he was to her, and it was through their Gigais that initiated their secret feelings for each other. Still he maintained his usual icy bearing, his mind was racing, remembering his and Michiko's first meeting, their first mission together and it gave him a heady glow.
His musing was cut short when he felt the gentle nudge from his wife. Tenderly he looked at her and was surprised that she was still blushing. He gently stroked his forefinger on her hand as he held her, and as Urahara informed them on the location where they would celebrate their Gigais' wedding, he smiled gently at his wife.
Byakuya and Michiko who were in their shinigami form chose to stay behind as Urahara, Yoruichi, Shin and Ayesa left for the club to celebrate. They were in Urahara's living room when an idea came to him.
"Hanata… " Byakuya softly called his wife
"Hmn?... What is it my love?" Michiko softly asked, as she was being cuddled by her husband, her hand languidly resting on his muscular chest.
"How about if we gatecrash a party at this well known club?" He asked mischievously, his eyes gleaming in excitement.
"I thought you'd never asked" chuckled Michiko as she stood up excitedly.
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author's note: hope you enjoy this chapter... it started quite short but i kept on editing and made some revisions and some scenes were added... i hope you like it. comments are most welcome... happy new year to all!!!