Squad 1 barracks - captains' meeting assembly hall.
Finishing her report of the reconstruction situation, Ise Nanao bowed down. Kyōraku Shunsui walked out to change places with her, "Well!" he said bringing both hands together in front of his chest whilst surveying all who were present.
"There's another piece of good news today"
"This is it…" Rukia thought to herself, quaking with nervousness, she balled up her fingers and breathed deeply.
"…now, please come forward and tell us from your own mouths"
Prompted by Kyōraku, the pair passed behind the line-up and stood side by side in front of the entrance of the assembly hall. As everyone's gaze settled on the pair, their throats went dry.
"Uhh, I…"
As Renji was about to continue talking, Rukia poked his side with her elbow. "Oh, I see" Renji murmured, clearing his throat with a single cough he started again.
(Note: it's impossible to translate to English, but here Renji used his normal pronoun 'Ore' which is very casual and rough, Rukia elbowed him to speak formally, he uses 'watakushi' in the following line which is a very formal pronoun along with other humble vocab)
"Right, I Abarai Renji along with Kuchiki Rukia, completed our nyuseki today!"
"We will both continue to proceed with our current professional duties as a married couple, so we appreciate your continued support and guidance from hereafter"
The two bowed at the same time, Kyōraku took out a party-popper that was concealed up his sleeve and pulled its strings. A dry crackling sound echoed through the room.
"Wow! Congratulations~! How about everyone else!? Aren't you all surprised?"
Kyōraku looked around at everyone's faces as the confetti fluttered about all over the place.
"…oh my, really? Everyone's not very surprised at all huh…?"
"It seems everyone already knew? That probably means those two didn't keep it hidden…I was also already aware of it because I heard it from Hinamori san."
"Whaaat…everyone already knew?…"
Soifon then spoke to a somewhat dejected Kyōraku.
"I have no interest in these matters but, it's only natural that I'd have information coming in"
"I heard from Izuru. Congratulations. If you need celebratory music for the ceremony, you can consult me at any time"
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi also known as 'Rose', gestured as if he was playing the violin.
"I-I received word of it from them both personally"
Isane hurriedly spoke presuming that they were making their statements in order of squad number.
"I heard about it from Momo. Congrats to you both! This one was in such high spirits saying how she was going to buy a brand new kimono for the first time in ages you know?"
Hirako pointed his thumb at Hinamori who was standing behind him. "Do you have to talk about me right now…!?" Hinamori said as her cheeks reddened.
"Both of them came to give me their greetings too, so I was also aware"
Iba continued the discussion, skipping over a silent Byakuya.
"I also knew. Congratulations…Rangiku has requested that I purchase a pearl hair accessory from the Human World before the ceremony, but is there any other person here who also needs something too?"
"Don't do business at the captain's meeting, Lisa! Shūhei is very eager to do a special feature in 'Seireitei Communication' on your marriage. But If you don't like the sound of that you can refuse him ahead of time right?"
Behind Kensei, Hisagi brought his hands together and prayed "please allow me to do it! I beg you…!"
"I also heard from those two first-hand… It's good you were able to complete the nyuseki successfully"
Hitsugaya had been concerned about whether or not such formalities would be completed without any problems, as he had heard from Rangiku that the far too troublesome process could appear to make both of them lose heart.
"I also knew. Since Ikkaku and Yumichika kept yapping on and on about it"
As he said that, Kenpachi picked at his ear with his pinky finger. Behind him, Ikkaku pursed his lips tightly with an expression that looked as if he wanted to say that he didn't kick upthat muchof a fuss.
"Of course I knew as well. I also know about the device that was gifted to them from Urahara…"
When Mayuri cast a glare in their direction, the pair broke out into a cold sweat and swiftly averted their eyes. "Oh my" Kyōraku said whilst shrugging his shoulders.
"If everyone already knew, then it would have been agreeable to just skip over this marriage announcement…but, I suppose we can't leave things as it is without discussing the ceremony properly"
"….ceremony?"
Together, they both tilted their heads.
"But we haven't made arrangements for the ceremony yet…"
"We were thinking about making arrangements for the ceremony after this, and then making an announcement again separately"
Hearing this, Kyōraku tilted his head this time.
"Eh? But, I was just told that the ceremony will be held in two weeks time"
"Eeeh!? By whom!?"
At Renji's enquiry, Kyōraku pointed to Byakuya and said "by captain Kuchiki." Byakuya's facial expression did not shift in the slightest, his eyes were cast down as he remained silent.
"I've arranged for you to have three days off around that time since it seems the two of you will need it to prepare"
"Hyu~! Nanao chan, you're so thoughtful~!"
"P-please wait a moment…! My heart still needs to gather itself…!"
Rukia clutched her heart firmly. She was unable to completely calm the palpitations in her chest.
"Captaaiiin! Why do you never consult us on these matters—!?"
The several people amongst those who happened to be present, who also knew about Byakuya's 'poor celebration skills' thought "looks like he's done it again~", whilst finding the scene amusing at the expense of the couple.
"Huh…you mean you both truly didn't know? Despite the fact that you're the bride and groom?"
The pair fiercely nodded many times over at Kyōraku's question, confirming what he had just said.
"Captain Kuchiki~ you should really Inform the people in question as one would expect, otherwise it's pointless you know~"
Responding to Kyōraku's mild chiding, Byakuya opened his mouth to speak in a somewhat astringent manner.
"…I also know from my own experience that the marriages of the four noble clans is a series of complicated procedures…"
It had taken as far as two months for the nyuseki with his late wife Hisana to be accepted, Gotei soldiers also had few days off back then compared to now.
"In addition to that, I could not possibly believe that you two oblivious ones…would be able to put in order the appropriate ceremony arrangements and such"
Watching as the pair who were at a loss for a response, sank into silence, Kyōraku laughed.
"Well to sum it up, what you mean is,'everything up till the nyuseki must have been very difficult, so please leave the bothersome ceremony preparations up to your big brother'am I right?"
"Truly quite the troublemaker aren't you"
Byakuya glared at Hirako's exasperating grin, "oh how scary!", he said whilst shrugging his shoulders.
"Nii-sama…truly…thank you very much…for everything!"
After Rukia had said that, the couple bowed low. Byakuya exhaled a small breath, "captain commander…please continue" he said urging on Kyōraku.
"I discussed it with captain Kuchiki not too long ago… it's not very often we get to see things like fellow vice captains getting married, so what this means is, expressly for the ceremony day, the end of work hours will move up to around two hours earlier. I suppose there will be many amongst the troops who would also like to attend."
"Whaa!? You'd do something like that for us!?"
Renji exclaimed in surprise, at the same time, Rangiku delightfully raised her voice "you mean it!? Hooraaay!"
"…Matsumoto"
At Hitsugaya's reprimanded, Rangiku half-heartedly apologised, "Yeees, sorrry!"
"Well even though it will be two hours earlier, the time of the ceremony will still be a little late but…I think an evening bride will undoubtedly be just as beautiful"
Kyōraku said this with a warm expression. Enveloped in a whole flood of emotions, Rukia bowed.
"Indeed, how peaceful this all is…if we are already done here then I will go back now"
Separating himself from the line, Mayuri heads towards the doors. Rukia and Renji hastily forked out left and right, clearing the path for him.
"Because your cute little Hachigō chan is waiting right~"
At Hirako's teasing, Mayuri suddenly stopped walking.
"O-ho…it seems you do not value your life…?"
As turned to look over his shoulder, his golden eyes were lit with murderous intent. Renji who was standing nearby instantly felt goosebumps on his back.
"Now now, don't quarrel~"
Kyōraku spoke as he clapped his hands.
"Although it's true that we will be breaking up this meeting now, captain Kurotsuchi will not kill captain Hirako! Okay?"
Kensei looking rather astounded mumbled "what sort of warning is that…"
Mayuri snorted with a *hmph, Akon followed as he left.
"Well then, I now declare this Gotei 13 captains' meeting session over. Thank you for coming"
Nanao's voice sternly proclaiming the captains' meeting over, echoed throughout, as for the couple, it was a captains meeting that the pair would never in their life be able to forget.