Chapter 23: The Path to the Heart
Author notes:
So the poll is finally coming to a close, only one person being a clear winner besides forming a Harem, which won outright. Momo is going to be the first one in since she was the girl with the most votes. As for the rest, we had a very large tie. Rangiku, Soi Fon, Yoruichi, and Rukia all tied. So I'm gonna take my hand at doing more than 3 like I originally thought. Whoever will be next after Momo will stay a secret though.
The next few days were a whirlwind for Link, who found himself dragged from one responsibility to the next with hardly a moment to himself. Byakuya had proven relentless in ensuring that Link was prepared for his new role, overseeing everything from the signing of official documents to fittings for ceremonial attire. Link had met with two of the noble families already, each meeting reinforcing the weight of the role he was about to take on.
The last meeting had been particularly unsettling. The Tsunayashiro clan head, Tokinada, exuded an air that put Link on edge. While the man's words were carefully chosen and his demeanor outwardly cordial, there was something beneath the surface that felt… wrong. Link had learned to trust his instincts, honed from countless battles and encounters, and they screamed at him that Tokinada was dangerous. But with the meeting strictly formal, there had been no opportunity to act on his suspicions.
Now, he was on his way to the Shihōin estate, the last stop before his diplomatic rounds were complete. Byakuya walked beside him, as composed as ever, detailing the finer points of etiquette when dealing with the Shihōin family.
"You will be meeting Yoruichi's younger brother, Yūshirō, the current head of the Shihōin clan," Byakuya explained. "Though young, he holds his position with the same dignity as any seasoned leader. Be respectful, but do not mistake his cheerfulness for simplicity. The Shihōin are among the oldest and most prestigious families, and their approval is critical to your acceptance as a noble head."
Link nodded, taking in the advice, though his thoughts drifted to Yoruichi. He hadn't seen her in days, but the idea of meeting her brother made him wonder how she'd react to his new role.
As they approached the estate, Link felt a sudden breeze sweep past him. Before he could react, a blur of motion appeared, and Yoruichi materialized out of nowhere.
"Well, well," she said with a mischievous grin, crossing her arms as she blocked their path. "Look who's here, all dressed up and playing the nobleman."
Link barely had time to respond before Yoruichi grabbed his arm and started pulling him away.
"Yoruichi," Byakuya called out, his tone exasperated but resigned, "where are you taking him?"
"I've got this covered, cousin," Yoruichi replied with a wave over her shoulder. "No need for you to babysit him here. I'll make sure he meets Yūshirō and doesn't cause too much trouble."
Byakuya sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just ensure he makes a good impression." Without another word, he continued toward the estate, leaving Link in Yoruichi's hands.
Link stumbled slightly as Yoruichi led him off the main path, her grip firm but playful. "You've been looking far too serious lately, Hero," she teased. "A little time with me will help loosen you up before you meet Yūshirō. Trust me, you'll need it."
Link chuckled despite himself. "And what exactly do you have planned, Yoruichi?"
She gave him a sly smile. "Oh, nothing too drastic. Just a little 'Shihōin-style' preparation. You'll thank me later."
With that, she led him deeper into the Shihōin estate grounds, the playful glint in her eyes making it clear that whatever was coming, it was going to be anything but ordinary.
Unbeknownst to both Link and Byakuya, the formal meeting with Yūshirō was unnecessary—Yoruichi had already spoken to her brother and secured his approval for Link. She knew Yūshirō trusted her judgment implicitly, and she had ensured he saw Link's qualities as a worthy addition to the noble class.
Leading Link into one of the private rooms of the Shihōin estate, Yoruichi closed the door behind them with a decisive click. She turned to Link, who looked both curious and exhausted.
"Alright, Hero," she said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "You've been running around like a headless chicken for days now. Time to loosen up."
Before Link could respond, Yoruichi gently pushed him onto a large, plush bed. He blinked in surprise but was too worn out to protest as she crossed her arms.
"Lie down," she ordered, her tone teasing yet firm. "You're wound tighter than a bowstring. I'm not letting you leave this house until you've relaxed properly."
Not fully processing her words, Link nodded wearily and lay back, the soft mattress beneath him already easing some of his tension. Yoruichi approached, her grin softening into something more genuine as she began removing the formal layers of his noble clothing.
"Hey, what—" Link started, but Yoruichi cut him off with a laugh.
"Relax, Hero. You've been through worse than this, haven't you?" she teased.
Link, too tired to argue, allowed her to continue, his face burning with a faint blush. Once he was down to his undershirt, Yoruichi began pressing her hands against his shoulders, kneading into the tight knots she found there.
As her skilled hands worked on his back and shoulders, Link let out an involuntary groan of relief. The stress and tension that had built up from days of running around began melting away with every press of her palms and fingers.
"See? Told you this would help," Yoruichi said softly, her tone losing some of its teasing edge. She could feel just how much strain Link had been carrying, and it only made her more determined to help him relax.
Link didn't reply, too lost in the calming sensation. His body slowly went limp under her care, his breathing evening out as exhaustion finally caught up with him. Before Yoruichi realized it, Link had drifted off to sleep.
She paused, looking down at his peaceful expression. For all his strength and resolve, Link carried a weight that even she couldn't fully understand. Yoruichi couldn't help but smile as she pulled a blanket over him.
"Rest up, Hero," she murmured quietly. "You've earned it."
With that, she settled into a nearby chair, prepared to stay by his side until he woke.
As Yoruichi sat in the chair near the bed, her head eventually drooped, and she dozed off. Her breathing became soft and steady, her usual energetic demeanor now replaced by peaceful stillness. Hours passed until the door to the room creaked open, and Yūshirō quietly stepped inside.
He glanced at his sister, shook his head with an amused sigh, then turned to wake Link. He gently tapped the sleeping Hero on the shoulder, causing Link to stir and open his eyes groggily.
Link blinked several times, his vision blurry as he tried to make sense of the younger man standing before him. His first thought was that Yūshirō was a younger version of Yoruichi.
"Did I... somehow go back in time again?" Link muttered in confusion.
Yūshirō chuckled heartily, shaking his head. "No, no, not at all. I'm Yoruichi's younger brother, Yūshirō Shihōin. Nice to finally meet you properly, Link!"
Link, still groggy, rubbed his eyes and sat up. Without fully thinking, he responded casually, treating Yūshirō with the same informal tone he would with a close friend.
"Oh, right. Good to meet you," Link said, stifling a yawn.
This caught Yūshirō off guard, but instead of being offended, he grinned. "I like you already, Hero. You don't treat me like some stuck-up noble. It's refreshing."
Link stretched, still trying to wake up fully. "I guess I'm not great with all the formal stuff. Too much running around and saving the world to focus on that."
Yūshirō laughed again, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I can see why my sister likes you. You're easygoing but solid where it counts."
At this, Link raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Likes me?"
"She's got big plans, you know. She wants to work with you more, build a connection," Yūshirō said with a knowing smirk. Then, leaning in slightly, he added, "And between you and me, she's secretly hoping to marry you—and maybe bring Soi Fon along for the ride."
Link's face turned crimson, his mind struggling to process the implication. "W-Wait, marry? Both of them?"
Yūshirō stood, clearly enjoying Link's reaction. "You've got your hands full, Hero. But hey, if you make her happy, that's all I care about."
As he made his way to the door, he turned back one last time. "Oh, and do whatever you want with her. Just make sure you marry her, alright?"
Link's blush deepened as Yūshirō left, closing the door behind him. Turning his gaze back to Yoruichi, Link noticed her shifting slightly in her chair, her robe falling just enough to expose more of her smooth, sun-kissed skin. The moonlight streaming through the window highlighted her serene expression, making her look more beautiful than ever.
Link's heart raced as he quickly averted his eyes, trying to banish the thoughts swirling in his head. He wasn't ready for this kind of pressure—or the growing feelings he couldn't quite name.
As the night went on, Link lay awake, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts swirling like an endless storm. The future loomed ahead, filled with uncertainty. Would Yoruichi be a part of it? Soi Fon? Or one of the other incredible women he'd grown close to? But no matter how much he pondered, his thoughts always circled back to one person: Momo.
He knew in his heart he loved her. She brought him peace in a way no one else did. He wanted her to be his first wife, but the pressure of his new responsibilities weighed heavily on him. How was he supposed to ask her? Was there a specific tradition in this world? Was he already running out of time? The questions ate at him, leaving him restless.
Eventually, he decided to wake up Yoruichi. Maybe she could help him figure this out. He walked over to where she slept, her peaceful expression lit by the soft moonlight streaming through the window. Gently, he shook her shoulder.
Yoruichi stirred, her golden eyes slowly fluttering open as she glanced at the window to gauge the time. "You're waking me up at this hour?" she muttered, her voice still thick with sleep. Then, a sly grin crept across her face. "Let me guess—you woke me up for some late-night fun?"
Link's face turned a deep shade of red as he fumbled for a response. "N-No! Not tonight! M-Maybe…another night."
His words hung in the air for a moment before he realized what he'd just implied. His blush deepened as Yoruichi sat up, a chuckle escaping her lips.
"Oh, Hero, you really know how to flatter a girl," she teased, though there was a faint blush on her own cheeks now. "Alright, alright, if it's not that, what do you need?"
Link hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I… I need your advice. It's about Momo. I—" He paused, his throat suddenly dry.
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Go on," she urged, her voice softer now.
"I want to ask her to be my first wife," Link admitted, his words coming out in a rush. "She's always in my thoughts, and I can't imagine my future without her. But…I don't know how to do it. I don't know what's expected here, and I'm running out of time. What if I mess it up?"
Yoruichi's teasing smile softened into something more genuine as she leaned back, crossing her arms. "So, the great Hero is nervous about confessing his feelings, huh?" she said, her tone gentle. "Well, first of all, Momo isn't the kind of girl who cares about grand gestures or traditions. She'll see right through that. What she cares about is you."
Link looked at her, his anxiety still written all over his face.
"Just speak from your heart," Yoruichi continued. "Tell her what you just told me. If she loves you—and I'm pretty sure she does—then she'll understand. She'll give you all the time you need to figure things out together."
Link let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "You really think so?"
Yoruichi grinned again, though this time it was softer. "Of course. And hey, if she says no—which she won't—you know I'm always here. I'm not exactly subtle about wanting to be part of your future either." She winked, but there was a sincerity in her eyes that caught Link off guard.
Link laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Thanks, Yoruichi. I mean it."
"Anytime," she said, leaning back against the bed. "Now go get some rest. You've got a big confession to make soon, and you'll need all the energy you can get."
As Link settled back into his thoughts, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. For the first time in days, he felt like he knew what to do.