Esmeralda was part of the festivities along with her friends. They all hung together since they didn't know anyone except Sosuke and King Bradley. The group of friends was introduced to the Hellsing Family. Bradley (60) introduced his wife Amelia (59) and their three sons: Miyabi (36), and Fitzroy (33), along with his wife Riza (31) and Kain (28). Vlad (58) introduced his wife Lisa (48) and their only child and son Adrian (25), who was with his fiancee Greta (23). Gol D Rogers (53) introduced his wife, Rouge (40), and their only son and child, Ace (20). Then, there was Issa (48).
Issa was a bit complex in Esmeralda's view. Issa is married to a wonderful woman Akasha (36), who only has one daughter, Moka (17), with Issa. Issa was quite the womanizer in his youth. He has four daughters in total. Akua (20), Kahlua (18), Moka (17) and then Kokoa (16). Issa got a one-night stand pregnant, which resulted in Akua; the mother died in childbirth, so Issa took in his daughter, whom he loved dearly. He then met a woman named Gyokuro, a famous Egyptian-British model. They married and had Kahlua, but Gyokuro's temperament was getting too much on Issa. He met Akasha; she didn't know he was married. Issa fell in love and kept meeting Akasha secretly, which resulted in Moka. During that time, Gyokuro was pregnant and found out about the affair. Issa wanted the divorce, but Gyokuro was adamant that she would never divorce him, but he found ways and annulled the marriage. She went off with Kahlua.
Akasha was enraged when she found out and threatened to leave, but Issa convinced her that he loved her. He would change his ways and do what she wanted. It took time, and eventually married. Meanwhile, Issa found out about Kokoa's birth and fought for custody of his two daughters. It was a long process, but in the end, they both got 50/50. He still has issues with Gyokuro, but he did his best to raise his daughters; Akasha became a stepmother, and she loved and cared for the girls.
Esmeralda wanted to let out a sigh. "I thought I had problems."
"So Esmeralda, how did you learn how to dance? You were so awesome that I was jealous!" squealed Kahlua.
"My mother taught me many things about her culture before she died. My mother also loved dancing; I inherited her love for dancing."
"Is it true you're a street dancer?" asked Kokoa.
Esmeralda nodded her head.
"Don't you have your dance studio? Why do you have to dance in the street?" asked Kokoa. Issa gave a hard pat on his daughter's back and gave her a warning glare. The young teen looked away.
"It's no problem, Mr. Issa. I can't afford a studio. I help my dad out since he's the only family I have left. I have other family members, but they either don't know about my existence or care."
Then, John put an arm around her shoulder. "Yeah, but you also have us, Esme. We're your family too!"
"Yes, that's true."
Then, Ace stepped forward. "You must have gone through a lot, but I like that it hasn't got you down."
Esmeralda blushed. "I guess so, and I haven't thought about it like that. Ace, right?"
"Yup, that's me. You seem to get a lot of popularity with your dancing."
Esmeralda began to talk more with Ace, and everyone noticed. Music began to play. "Ah, such lovely music reminds me of when we were all younger. I think you all should go and dance!" said Bradley.
/lL-mcKChOIw
Adrian, Greta, Fitzroy, and Riza agreed as they went to the dance floor. The rest seemed to be a little uninterested or were embarrassed that they didn't have dance partners. Bradley then motioned Ace and Esmeralda together. He had a smile on his face. However, the two young adults felt something off in the elder's smile. It was almost like a threat, saying, "You both better do as I say or else."
The young generation sweatdropped. Gol D Roger laughed. "Good idea. Ace, you hardly have fun at these kinds of events. At least dance with the young lady and make her feel more welcome. You both are close in age."
Ace glared at his father.
"I-I don't want to make Ace feel uncomfortable." Gol D and Bradley motioned the two to the dancefloor. Making John lose his grip as he watched Ace and Esmeralda face to face. Ace motioned out his right hand, and Esmeralda got a hold of it. The two began to dance.
Sosuke watched as the two danced, and he was silent. Vlad noticed as he went to his nephew. "Ask her to dance, Sosuke. You may not admit it but feel something for the young woman."
"Uncle, I'm just helping her out."
Vlad let out a chuckle as he watched the people dancing. "You were like us, Sosuke. My brothers and I didn't have a good upbringing. Our grandfather Arthur did try his best to raise us after our mother, Integra, died. However, we used our issues as an excuse to do what he did. However, our wives helped and showed us what love truly means." Vlad looked at his nephew. "We don't want you to be like us when we were young. We want you to be happy and not deny what you feel, or you will lose yourself and her." Vlad gave Sosuke a soft pat on the shoulder to go to his wife, Lisa. The couple went to the dance floor too. Sosuke walked off to get some space, but he saw someone familiar.
"Hello Sosuke."
"Evening Jugram."
...
Yhwach was in the festivities, talking to many of the guests. He was getting rather impatient as he wanted to see Esmeralda. However, he had to be professional to get more allies since the festivities were business. Once he managed to be free, he looked everywhere, and that was when he saw her.
She wasn't alone. Metztli was dancing with his nephew Ace. His eyes were bewildered. "What is going on?" Yhwach then noticed his brothers dancing with their wives. "They are trying to get in my way."
"Anything interesting, Yhwach?" asked a feminine voice. He looked to his right side and saw the woman he loathed, his wife.
"Unohana."
Unohana had her long black hair tied in a bun under an elegant blue cap. She wore an elegant white and blue Victorian-era dress. Her breasts were plump and partially exposed from the top. She had a smile on her face. Yhwach and all who knew her knew that her smile was a disguise. Unohana looked to where Yhwach was looking at. She saw Esmeralda dancing with Ace.
Unohana eyed the young woman specifically. The older woman had to admit that Metztli was quite the beauty. Since her husband was looking at her, the older woman felt disgusted that Yhwach would hold an interest in a young woman. She and Yhwach hate each other with an all-consuming passion. Unohana and Yhwach's marriage was arranged by both their fathers to make their companies even more powerful.
The couple never had feelings toward one another. Unohana had a long-time lover, Kenpachi, who had known one another since they were children. She wanted to marry him, but her father, Genryusai Yamamoto, threatened to kill him if she didn't marry Yhwach. Unohana was his only child. She knew and witnessed much of her father's illegal activities to better the family business, even if it meant killing.
In the end, she and Yhwach married.
Yhwach already had Masaki, Sosuke, and Jugram from two women. Unohana knew that Yhwach would never be faithful, and Yhwach knew that she had a lover. He didn't care if she and Kenpachi met one another. However, the married couple had to have children to inherit their family business. They had two sons, Starrk and Tsukishima.
Since they completed their duty, the two went off to live their own lives. Unfortunately, they could never divorce. Their fathers made sure to combine their finances. Also, each family business depended on one another, so there would be repercussions if divorce happened.
Even though Unohana hated Yhwach, she was close with her brothers-in-law since they treated her respectfully. She was surprised that Bradley informed her of Yhwach's interest' in the young woman. Frankly, Unohana didn't care about Yhwach's escapades. She was told that Esmeralda was only eighteen. Unohana didn't care, but seeing Esmeralda made her rethink her opinions.
Esmeralda still had a child-like face. She was different from upper-class young women, who held a superiority complex, but by observing Esmeralda, Unohoana felt warmth from her. "I saw her performance from afar. I must say she has quite the talent."
Yhwach ignored her comment.
"She is also a beauty. A beauty that many men would like to get a hold of."
The older man slowly glared at Unohana, who kept looking straight ahead. "You think that a beautiful young lady will bow to you? I know you're used to getting away with many women. That one is different. I can sense goodness in her." Unohana gave her husband her full attention. "I also know that she will never want you. It's best for you and everyone that you don't pursue her." With that, Unohana went on her way.
Yhwach made his hands into fists. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw his other two sons entering the festivities and his grandchildren. Yuzu saw him, waved, and ran toward him. His anger went away as he saw Yuzu's happy face. He smiled as he walked to his granddaughter. He extended his hands as Yuzu ran and jumped into his hands. "Grandpa, you're here! I missed you!"
"Yuzu, my little gum drop. I missed you too. You're growing up so fast." Yhwach smiled as Yuzu kissed him on the cheek. He saw Ichigo and Karin walk up to him, giving him nothing more than a nod. His other two sons did the same and left for the festivities.
Yuzu then took out a picture. "I drew you and me, grandpa. This picture is for you."
Yhwach got a hold of the picture. "You're drawing is becoming better, my gumdrop." As Yuzu talked, he would glance at Esmeralda, who kept dancing with Ace.
...
Esmeralda had to admit that Ace was a good dancer. He admitted that he doesn't like to, but his mother insisted he learns. She also learned that he had no interest in working in the business like his father. Ace was more interested in marine life and protecting the sea inhabitants. He was studying to become a biologist and one day make an organization. His parents supported his endeavors.
"You are fortunate to have supportive parents, Ace."
"Yeah, I guess you can say that."
"I do mean it. I mean, I imagine many children of the rich don't get much support from their parents to be better people and make something out of themselves. Well, it goes for everyone in general." Ace gave her a twirl.
"Does your pops support you?"
"In a sense, he does, but he feels it's his responsibility to take care of me, even though I'm grown. My father is quite a prideful man. It's frustrating that he is taking so much of the burden."
Ace sighed. "What about your ma? What does she think of it?"
"My mother died a while back. If she were alive, she would be angry but also sad. I know she would have talked sense to him."
"I guess you do what you do for your pa."
Esmeralda nodded. "Yeah, my papa is my everything." The song finished, and the two applauded the musicians. Then, Bradley arrived. "Did you two have a good dance?"
Ace did a slight huff. "Sure, uncle. Like we had a choice."
Bradley kept his smile while patting Ace, but the pats were rough. "You were always a party pooper, nephew. You should live a little."
Ace sweatdropped as his uncle gave him a look.
Bradley then looked at Esmeralda. "I would like the next dance, Miss Metztli. If you would let me?"
"O-of course Mr. Bradley."
Bradley then extended his hand out, and Esmeralda took hold of it. The two walked to the dance floor.
/vNwlGOrpLHc
The song was a bit faster; to Esmeralda's surprise, Bradley was quite a dancer. He was pretty quick as he danced to the beat of the music. Esmeralda was struggling a bit to keep up with him; Bradley noticed. "Too fast for you?" he chuckled.
"I'm not used to these songs."
"Oh, come now, you have experience dancing that you can't keep up with an old man."
Esmeralda blushed. "You may be old, but you are more experienced than I am! I know I'm young, but I'm still learning!" The young woman realized that she had raised her voice and what she had said. Her face became redder. "I'm sorry!"
Bradley laughed as he gave Esmeralda double turns and kept up with the faster pace. "Mr. Bradley!" When the song ended, Esmeralda was sweating a bit. Her heart was pounding rapidly. Bradley noticed as he let out another laugh. "Would you like to go again?"
"N-No, thank you! I had a wonderful dance, Mr. Bradley!"
"Well, you should-" Bradley was interrupted as a figure was in front of them.
It was Yhwach. He had both hands behind his back but extended out his left hand. "May I have the next dance?
