Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
Here's the link for the wedding album again: Take out all the spaces after pasting it.
http: / /w w w .facebook .com / albu m. php ? aid=2639& id=10000223 5125900& l=b48f5a7d90
A/N: I know it's spring break and all, but can I have some reviews? Please review. More fluffies here for ya. Need motivation for the next step. Winter War and some.
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Chapter 24
Grand
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A contradiction of two worlds. Fire and ice intermingling in this perfect night. Here in the private gardens of Captain Toushiro Hitsugaya and his bride, Momo. The grass and trees grew vibrant and lush while the rest of Soul Society is blanketed in snow.
Lanterns lined the trees. The strands of decorative crystals dangling from the branches bending the light, casting the whole garden in it's soft dream-like glow. There were about thirty round tables draped in white, nicely arranged around the large square dancefloor/stage (also in white) under the grove of sakura trees. Bonsais as the centerpieces bearing orchids and little lanterns to light up each table.
T & M brocaded in gold on the back of each silk-draped chair and even the cloth napkins lavishly embossed with the same initials. Everyone is dressed in their finest.
Indeed, this is a grand occassion.
Rangiku had already left through the veranda, attending to the 200 and something guests. While 5th and 10th division officers were seen flash stepping, serving the drinks and food. Reminding herself to thank them later.
Her hair now free and wavy from the chignon, the flower tucked behind her ear along with her long bangs. Momo was looking out the window; peeking through the white curtains and trying to decipher all of what is going on outside. She saw some of the children from Unohana's Rukongai orphanage. Their giggles could be heard; as they chased each other around the trees and in between the mingling crowd. Dressed in their colorful kimonos, complementing the beautiful scene before her.
She felt cool lips graze her shoulder... his arms slowly came around from behind her waist.
"Hm...Toushiro." Hinamori smiled and closed her eyes, leaning her head slightly to the side against his. The music lilting in the background... They stayed unmoving for awhile.
"Teach me how to dance. I've forgotten." He said against her ear, a smile on his lips.
"Shiro-chan...I always forced you to dance with me on my birthdays back when we lived with Oba-saan. How can you forget?"
"You always had me stand on a rock."
She laughed. "Fine. It goes something like this-" Momo turned around but was a little taken aback by the proximity of their faces.
"Oh. Hi..."
"Hi."
"Oi, you two! They're waiting. First dance, remember? And we're running behind schedule." Matsumoto head peeked through the doors, her face flushed from running around. She abruptly left again, leaving the veranda doors open.
The droning sound of chatter as well as the music slowly came to a stop. Hitsugaya came out first to descend the steps and held out his hand for Momo to join him. They were both surprised when his lieutenant got on the mic,
"Ladies and gentlemen. Mr. and Mrs. Hitsugaya's first dance as husband and wife!" Then it was followed by applause and whistles. She was gesturing for them to come in the center of the floor.
Hinamori was still looking around, trying to grasp everything in; her mouth open. "It's so beautiful..."
"Matsumoto never tones anything down, you know that." Toushiro said, already leading her to the dance floor. The music started, it was the waltz.
"I didn't know you waltzed, taicho." Hinamori was very surprised.
He was expertly leading her. She wasn't the only one surprised. Matsumoto almost sprayed out the sake in her mouth, as most of the ladies in the audience were watching the couple. Wishing...
Ichigo and Renji were looking at each other after seeing Rukia and Orihime's dreamy expressions. Like hell we could pull that shit off. Suddenly engrossed in eating their food.
"There's plenty of things you don't know about me..."
"Yeah, that you're a good liar, for one."
He laughed. "I learned it so I can dance with you every year baka, but you always insisted I should be taller. So I couldn't really...show it off until now." He smirked, then shrugged.
"Mou. I'm sorry, Shiro-chan."
"Oi, don't apologize Momo. Although you're not bad yourself, wife."
"Well, thank you, husband." She giggled. He kissed her hand as the dance ended, held it until they sat on their table.
"Oh Toushiro, can we go around and check everything out?" She beamed.
"Of course. But finish your food first."
"Hai." He chuckled as she gulped down her remaining food.
"Slow down Momo."
"Okay, I'm done. Let's go!" Already grabbing his hand. They went over all the tables, welcoming and thanking each guest. "Thank you. Your monetary gifts will go to the orphanage, for the little people like this one here. What's your name?" Momo was holding one of the little boys.
"Tomayo Ugani. You're very pretty." The boy said, handing her a flower.
"Well, thank you Tomayo. You be a good boy, okay?" She said kissing him on the cheek, then setting him down. The couple now headed towards a boisterous group huddling over a table by the side entrance of the garden.
"What the hell?" Hitsugaya couldn't hold in the expletive as he saw a large black and white picture of him and Momo framed, propped up on an easel. In the photograph, they were leaning on a tree and she was looking at the camera, while he was looking at her; a silly smile on his face. He looked shorter too. When was this taken?
"Awww...look at this one!" Isane pointed out.
"I think this one is my favorite."
"I took that picture of Peachy-chan and Whitey-chan, and they didn't even know it."
"He looks so cute. He always does."
"How did he get so tall, so fast?"
"Whitey-chan actually is good looking if he smiles more often, what do you think Hairy?"
"I agree." Grunted Sado; albeit a little awkwardly.
"Heh! He'll be smiling more often now..." Gutter-minded Renji had to comment.
"Ugh. Renji, must you open your mouth?" Rukia elbowed him in the stomach.
"Ha...kawaii!" Orihime blurted, pointing at one of the pictures.
"Geez. Inoue, he's just kissing her forehead." Ichigo said rolling his eyes.
Fucking hell. There's more than one picture? I have to get out of here. Finding reprieve when he saw Ukitake-taicho waving at him from his table.
"Ahaha! Shiro-chan, Rangiku-san made a photo album of us. It's beautiful, come look!...Shiro-chan?" Momo immediately forgetting her missing husband as she was asked an onslaught of questions about the pictures.
Toushiro was actually thankful to be away from her for a second. So that he can observe Momo (although people would correctly describe the captain as ogling his wife that entire night) without making her feel uncomfortable.
She's breathtaking. From the moment he saw her come out to walk the aisle, his heart wouldn't stop skipping a beat. When their eyes met, it was the only vow he needed. She is his vow. The purpose to live. Life is meaningless otherwise. He had known that but it just wasn't so clear, so incandescently put forth in front of him like today. He had to shake off these deep thoughts, keep it lighthearted as this whole day should entail. Watching her now laugh and dance with his almost drunk lieutenant on the stage.
He was in a conversation with Ishida and Kisuke, thankful that the subject actually had his interest piqued. He was about to argue a point when the female vocalist interrupted the flow of classical music. She was holding a guitar.
"The young bride would like to dedicate this song to her husband. It's called "He is love" (by Parachute), my acoustic version. So captain, please join your wife in the dancefloor." She had a nice smooth, and velvety voice to her.
Hinamori was alone in the middle of the stage. She looked uncomfortable, yet determined to get another dance with Toushiro. He excused himself from the other men and flash-stepped to get to her. Right when the singer strung the first note on her guitar.
"I'm sorry to interrupt Shiro-chan. This might be a corny song, but it's one of my favorites. Oh. And we should dance to it much closer...like this."
"The bride also asked for other couples to join if they so choose...come on, don't be shy." Added the singer.
He smiled, twirled her once gracefully before embracing her in their dance. Unaware of other people starting to also dance around them. Foreheads touching, he closed his eyes as he listened to the words.
I've been beaten down, I've been kicked around,
But he takes it all for me.
And I lost my faith, In my darkest days, But he makes me want to believe.
They call him love, love, love, love, love. He is love. He's all I need.
Well I had my ways, They were all in vain, And he waited patiently.
It was all the same,
All my pride and shame, And he put me on my feet.
He is love, and he is all I need.
And when that world slows down, And when those stars burn out, here, Oh he'll be there.
Yes he'll be there. He is love, and he is all I need. He's all I need.
Hitsugaya opened his eyes, his heart warmed while he watched Momo, her eyes still closed. Not caring if there were other people surrounding them, he stopped to hold her face. And kissed her, lingeringly so, even after when the song ended. Lost in their own world.
"Ahem...ahem! Taicho, may I have this next dance? Renji is first in your huge queue Momo-chan." Rangiku pointed over her shoulder with her thumb, then swept her captain away.
"Oi, Hitsugaya-fukutaicho. May I have the honor? And I have to say, you look beautiful tonight." Renji exaggeratedly bowed.
Still somewhat reeling from the kiss, "Thank you. You're such a charmer Abarai-kun, even charmed Kuchiki-taicho's heart I see."
"Yah right! That'll be the day." Not even three minutes passed when Renji was tapped on the shoulder. "What Izuru?"
"Move out of the way, it's my turn."
"Kira-kun! Mou..." Hinamori held Kira's face with both hands, touching the cut under his eyebrow.
"Momo-san, he's looking at us... stop fretting over me! I just wanted to dance with you."
"I'm really sorry about last night, Kira-kun. I was just surprised that's all."
"I'm the one who should apologize. It was my fault."
"If you wanted a kiss, you could have just asked baka." She jokingly rolled her eyes.
Now she tells me. But...it won't hurt to try.
"Can I have a kiss then, Momo-san?" I'll just ask the soutaicho to thaw me out later.
She laughed and tip-toed to kiss him on his bandaged brow. "There."
That was worth a try. He grinned and danced with her a little while longer.
"Thank you, for making my night. Congratulations again, now if you don't mind... I had to cut in front of Omaeda's turn and he wasn't too happy."
Meanwhile Toushiro was dancing with Yourichi. "Oi, Hitsugaya-taicho. She's not going anywhere. Focus. Your reiatsu is making my teeth chatter."
"Oh. Sorry Yourichi-san."
...
"How's your toes, Ikkaku-kun?" Hinamori asked the man as they 'swayed' to the music. Ichigo and a blushing Inoue danced pass them, Rukia giving the orange-haired couple a thumbs up while she tried to teach Renji how to waltz.
"Eh...it's fine. Kurosutchi-taicho had them replaced. But you know what?"
"What?"
"I'd lose five more toes just so I can see him apologize again."
She had to tilt her head up to laugh. Ikkaku was taken aback at how melodious and carefree it sounded. The quiet and almost timid Hinamori have grown up to be this beautiful and vibrant woman...
A hand firmly grasped his shoulder from behind, "Not thinking of kidnapping her again, Madarame?" Hitsugaya's lips slanted along with a cocked brow.
"Heh! Maybe if you leave her unattended like this..." Ikkaku winked and bowed at Momo. She bowed back.
"Hello, my Shiro-chan." Easily slipping into his arms once the other man disappeared. Toushiro kissed the top of her head. He had changed into his white captain haori but the all-black groom's suit still underneath it. Hyourinmarou now clasped behind his back.
"Are you done captivating all the men in here?"
She laughed. "You're being ridiculous, Shiro-chan."
She really has no idea...
"I also have a corny song, just for you. This hands-down will beat yours in the category." He smiled that crooked smile and looked up at the clouded skies, as she did the same. His cool reiatsu emanating, engulfing them both for a minute. The clouds parted, revealing the stars. Compelling the crowd to utter some "oohs" and "aahs".
Toushiro chuckled when Hinamori moved her lips to silently say, "Show off." He gently unraveled her with his arms but pulled her back so fast that surprised Momo, causing her to burst out laughing; making him also laugh in turn. The crowd watched them in curiosity.
"Another request...this is called "Starlight" (by Matt Wertz)." Said the male vocalist with his guitar. Who also had a beautiful voice Hinamori thought. Toushiro held her close, holding both her hands over his heart; his other hand on her waist while they swayed to the song, oblivious to the guests who were all now observing the endearing scene.
Fallin' asleep
To the sound of stars
Shooting 'round the moon
But I can't watch them fly tonight, baby
I'm too busy watchin' you.
I guess your smile is the sun's way
Of lighting up what's dark
So shine, shine, shine for me baby
It only takes a spark
And there's nothing under these bright stars
That could bring this night to ruin
So hold on tightly to me baby
Because tonight's gonna end too soon...
"Shiro-chan. It's lovely...thank you." She was about to say something else when it dawned on her. Why did he change clothes?
"You're going somewhere?"
"Yes."
Oh I see, this was his way of saying goodbye. Mou...another mission. We are in the midst of preparing for an upcoming war. But a mission on their wedding day? Ugh. Just our luck.
"Everyone...it's cake time!" Rangiku interruptedly announced over the song. Yachiru and Orihime can be heard squealing in delight. It didn't make Hinamori feel any better though, her pout couldn't be contained when she looked up back at him.
"And you're coming with me, Momo."
"Huh?"
"They call it a 'honeymoon'. Go change, I'll meet you by the cake. And don't bother packing, Matsumoto did that for you already. We're leaving in an hour."
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A/N: REVIEWS PLEEEEEASE!