Title: Three Parts Dead
Chapter: Preparation
Rating: PG-13 | T
Pairing/Character/s: Various, ByaRen, ZabiSen
Word Count: 16,058
Warning/s: Spoilers. Language.
Summary: Senbonzakura and Zabimaru wrap up the engagement party and the morning of the wedding finally rolls around.
A/N: Dressing people up and stressing people out! Wahoo! This isn't a traditional anything wedding. Even though Seireitei seems to be influenced by Meiji era Japan, I think there's enough time between then and now and enough actually differences shown in the series that its safe to say some practises changed. Thus even allowing for gay marriage and then allowing for us to do whatever we want with the wedding. ;)

Chapter 13: Preparation
"For one human being to love another; that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.”
- Rainer Maria Rilke

The conversation - the first of its kind Senbonzakura had had in ages - began somewhere around white, traversed black and got lost somewhere amidst grey. This was, of course, expected and planned for by both parties, the ever swirling torrent of words attempting to catch or hook the other, but each slipping away time and again. Fujikujaku proved to be a person of intelligence and opinion capable of remaining uncaught for quite the extended period of time. And when caught, gave a respectful and even fun acquiesce before the topic artfully changed.

It was not a challenge of words, or a test of understanding, but a conversation in which both participants acknowledged and respected the strengths and weaknesses of the other and participated for the enjoyment of it. There were few breaks - once when Byakuya left and Senbonzakura checked to see if he was needed, another when Yumichika came to check up on them and deliver a rather nice blend of herbal tea, and a few regarding mostly drunk members of the division which ended in them swearing they'd seen ghosts... no, really! So when the slight shift of reiatsu vaguely brushed their senses, neither sword spirit immediately reacted. It was a small disturbance in a sea of battling energies, only noticeable for a short spike and then gone once more. Senbonzakura paused, rather, to take a sip of the now cooled tea left for them, eyes drifting thoughtfully along the other spirit's bright garments.

Senbonzakura's pause was interrupted by another, lower simmer of energy that could easily be recognized as being forcibly restrained by the bearer. If said reiatsu was not restrained at the time, the gods only knew know how forceful and harsh it would have reacted against the overall peaceful lull in the room that it entered. The reiatsu did, however, coil about Senbonzakura's, hot as it pulled insistently against the other spirit's energy before withdrawing and seeming to focus on whatever was holding it back.

Luckily for Zabimaru, breaking past the seal Renji had placed upon him was a relatively easy task when the redhead was fast asleep. With an inward growl, the nue snapped the barrier, angrily vowing to get revenge on his charge, despite not knowing when or how. Once free, however, Zabimaru focused on the task at hand, all but whipping out his reiatsu with far greater accuracy and coiling it tightly about Senbonzakura's in an obviously irritated gesture before managing to manifest in the very room the other zanpakutou was present in.

"'S a little late to be out, don't ya think?" the nue flatly queried, sparing Fujikujaku a necessary, polite nod in greeting before fixing his gaze upon Senbonzakura from the wall he leaned upon.

Blue eyes narrowed slightly, yet their owner held no other visible reaction to the nue's presence, his reiatsu an undisturbed pool folded in on itself and remaining as such. "If one was alone, perhaps." Another visual distortion seemed to shift shadows diagonally from his form before settling once more.

Senbonzakura's deep gaze shifted to Zabimaru, wondering at the clear agitation in the other's stance and words, let alone the harshly coiled energy. "Am I needed elsewhere?" he asked simply, placing his cup down before him.

Forcing himself to acknowledge the other spirit, Zabimaru turned clearly annoyed mahogany eyes raked across Fujikujaku's form. "I wasn't askin' you," the nue replied curtly before quickly glancing back to Senbonzakura. The gaze soften somewhat, seeming more exasperated than annoyed. "I jus' would've appreciated havin' ya around," the zanpakutou finally said. "It's not exactly pleasant bein' locked up in yer shinigami's head for the past - oh, let's see, entire evenin'?"

"Perhaps you should not have upset him, then," Fujikujaku, quite logically, though unhelpfully pointed out.

The nue's stare snapped back to the other zanpakutou, eyes flashing from warm brown to molten gold, primal and unrestrained as his reiatsu rippled dangerously. "Shut the fuck up. I wasn't talkin' to you, was I?"

"Whether you intended to or not, I am still present and participating in a discussion you not on interrupted, but also seek to end," the spirit replied without batting a lash.

Senbonzakura quickly rose to his feet, laying a hand on Zabimaru's shoulder. "You're right, it has gotten late," he cut in, attempting to draw the other zanpakutou's attention. "I should turn in. Please excuse me, Fujikujaku; I will request that we be able to speak again."

A small smile tugged at Fujiku's lips as he nodded. "I will look forward to it." He disappeared into shadows moments later, the remnants drifting about like smoke before fully dissipating.

If it had been anyone but Senbonzakura's hand that touched him then, it probably would have been scorched by the heated flare of reiatsu that coiled about the nue's form. Because it was Senbonzakura, however, Zabimaru quickly reacted and dragged all remnants of heat inward, not wishing to harm the other spirit in the slightest. "...Why the hell," Zabimaru ground out, shutting his eyes to regain a firmer grip on his temper, "or really... how the hell could you sit in a fuckin' room with that bastard and ignore me all night?!" The nue whirled, dislodging Senbonzakura's hand and glaring at him as he gave up fully restraining his anger. "Or does it make perfect sense to abandon me when I'm fucking locked up and alone and having to listen to those two lovebirds go at it?"

Pulling his hand the rest of the way back, Senbonzakura felt the familiar coil of guilt wind around inside him. "I was not aware you were being restrained until moments ago," he stated quietly, casting his eyes downward. "So far as I was aware, you simply did not wish to join us, nor did you appear to have any complaints, given that all I had was a lack of reaction on your behalf. I apologize... I should have been more aware of how my actions would affect you. It was not my will or intentions to abandon you, Zabimaru; I hope you can understand that."

Clamping his jaw shut, the nue shut his eyes again and drew in a slow breath. Yeah, he wanted Sen to apologize, but not to practically wilt. Just - fuck. Another deep breath seemed to restrain the still-sizzling temper, and when Zabimaru's eyes opened again, they had returned to their normal deep brown hue. "...Byakuya noticed I was about to have a fit," Zabimaru mumbled, "so I guess I thought you would've, too. But... s'fine, whatever." Dragging his pride back forcefully, the zanpakutou forced himself to relent, unwilling to see Senbonzakura look even remotely upset. "Sorry for getting so pissed off, then. Two've ya were just talkin', anyway..."

The sanguine gaze lifting once more, Senbonzakura regarded his companion for a long moment before replying. "Had I not been otherwise distracted, it is conceivable that I would have noticed... but I feel as though I have done you a disservice with my apology." He frowned slightly, seemingly searching for a way to express what he thought just then. "Zabimaru, I am not going to forsake what you have given me. It is likely that there will be times with Kuchiki-sama which I cannot, will not, and do not want to avoid, but in all other ways, I have aligned myself with you alone… And you are more than entitled to your own feelings, especially regarding me - do not think I expect nor want you to set them aside merely because I have taken responsibility for what fault was truly mine alone. If you have negative feelings, I would prefer to address, and hopefully replace them, rather than repressing or ignoring them."

"I said 's fine," Zabimaru quickly replied, tone still slightly clipped no matter how he tried to smooth it. "You already got to hear my 'negative feelings' and I don't want ta keep yellin' at ya... so just forget it." The zanpakutou sighed, glancing away as he rubbed the back of his head, ruffling his hair slightly in inward frustration. "...Let's just leave, we can steal a spare room 'round the estate or somethin' so we don't wake Byakuya 'n' Renji up." Perhaps Senbonzakura wouldn't, but he knew with the state his reiatsu was at the moment, he would wake more than just Renji up.

Laying a hand gently on the side of Zabimaru's face, Sen moved closer and brought their lips together in an affectionate kiss. "We can leave, then," he breathed as he pulled away, smiling faintly at the other zanpakutou. Interweaving their fingers together, he stayed close, content to let Zabimaru lead where ever and however.

Zabimaru wondered how in the hell Senbonzakura could have such an immense affect upon him. He felt as if his mood had completely flip-flopped, anger fading and transforming into that overwhelming feeling of infatuation he always felt around the other zanpakutou. The fierce possessiveness was still there, however, and Zabimaru could not help but pull Senbonzakura back, flush against him, grasping his chin with his free hand as he kissed him thoroughly, staking his claim right then and there.

Sen’s free hand flew up instinctively, catching the edge of his companion's shoulder, and then curling tightly against the firm muscle as he was kissed. Deep red lips parted instantly, allowing the motion, soft tongue even encouraging it. Sanguine eyes fluttered shut as a gentle tremor swept Senbonzakura's form. He knew what the action really meant and responded in kind, leaning against the other spirit and relinquishing all control to him. He could feel the warmth surround and engulf him, and welcomed it. This was for him and that in itself was enough to make him yield to the other sword.

The nue's approval was apparent in the gradual settling of his reiatsu, and accompanied by a low rumble against the kiss as it was deepened almost roughly. Zabimaru slid both arms about the other spirit, drawing him close even as he eventually broke from the kiss, panting, eyes lidded and regarding Senbonzakura heatedly. You're -mine- the nue wanted to say, just to make it as clear as crystal, but settled instead for a firm kiss to a pale throat and a soft, possessive growl. "Now we can leave," he muttered.

A gentle curl of energy brushed against Zabimaru's, a soft sigh escaping Senbonzakura at the touch to his throat. His chest heaved slightly as he tried to catch his breath, but he remained otherwise still and pliant against the other spirit. "As you wish," he nearly whispered a light smile on his lips as he laid his head against Zabi's shoulder. The sword spirit didn't need to speak his sentiments just then, Senbonzakura could feel it almost as well as his own charge's emotions. It felt good.

Relaxing somewhat, Zabimaru untangled himself from Senbonzakura after pressing a light kiss on the side of the spirit's mouth. "To the estate, then... Same room as last time." Giving the other zanpakutou a lighter, almost playful grin, his form dissipated, the bundled reiatsu darting from the room as a sharp gust of wind on its way to the Kuchiki manor.

Smile growing slightly at Zabimaru's carefree attitude, Senbonzakura could only follow along, whisking himself back to the estate alongside the other sword spirit. Instinctively, it felt completely natural, but realistically, the concept of even moving separately of his charge was still a little strange to him. Nonetheless, he reformed within the requested room, feeling lighter now that Zabimaru was smiling again.

Zabimaru reformed behind his lover only moments later and quickly snagged an arm about his waist from behind. His lips pressed to the edge of Senbonzakura's ear, ghosting over the sensitive skin. "You'll get used to it... movin' around on your own, that is," the nue quietly reassured, having sensed the spirit's discomfort.

Senbonzakura dropped his hands to the arm looped around him, enjoying the closeness between them. "You've done so often?" he murmured curiously, tilting his head to the side and then leaning it back against Zabimaru's shoulder, hoping for a glance at the sword's profile.

A quiet chuckle brushed past Senbonzakura's ear, accompanied by a soft kiss on the side of his neck. "I used to." His fingers absently grazed the spirit's hip through the silk of his kimono as he savored the feel of Senbonzakura against him. "Before Renji got involved with Byakuya."

"How strange... what for?" Sen couldn't help his curiosity and really didn't want to besides. Zabimaru's touch was warm and appreciative and the chance to learn more about him was too good to pass up. He lifted his right arm, curling it behind him and laying his hand on the back of Zabi's neck.

Arching an eyebrow, the nue gently turned Senbonzakura in his arms so that he was facing him. "'M not sure you'd appreciate the reasons," Zabimaru said with a grin, tracing an errant thumb along the line of the spirit's jaw. "But since yer so curious... it was 'cause Renji used to - well... guess the nicest way to put it is sleep around... a lot. He’d always shoo me off somewhere else, so I wouldn't be locked up listenin' ta that for hours, so that's how I got so used ta it... Y' might not wanna repeat this to Byakuya, by th' way."

Senbonzakura frowned slightly from the information given, turning his face against Zabi's hand thoughtfully. "That seems like the sort of thing one should tell the person they are in love with," he answered finally and then added, "although it does explain his aptitude." Darkened red eyes rose to catch brown ones. "How many have you been with?"

At that, Zabimaru couldn't help but snicker. "Aptitude... Sure." Calloused fingertips skidded gently against the spirit's cheek as Zabimaru willed himself not to glance away at the question. "...A few," he admitted, and then added on a second thought, "Though nothing that I’ve really taken seriously, I guess."

Sen's brow furrowed delicately once more. "You... and others... manifested and convened at your own discretion?" He wasn't sure which part was harder to understand; that the shinigami in question had no problem with this or that their zanpakutou would even risk such a thing. "That seems inordinately dangerous," he answered, still frowning as he attempted to wrap his mind around the concept.

His smile turning a bit nervous, Zabimaru gave a small shrug and absently rubbed the back of his neck. "...Well, yeah, we did. But I wouldn't call it dangerous, our shinigami knew and everything, for the most part, so it was relatively safe..." The nue paused, and then looked thoughtful. "'Till Shinsou showed up, anyway. Irritating bastard always liked messing with Wabisuke's head..."

Despite his best efforts, Sen's reaction was clear in the widening of his eyes and the tensing of his muscles, as if he was actively keeping himself from moving away. "... If you form bonds with others, you have the duty to protect them as well, Zabimaru; how could any of you expect to remain unbiasedly beside your charge with such bonds? What's more, how could you not say anything when one you have befriended... or otherwise... is being hurt?" His jaw clamped shut, then, tense as he sorted through his reaction once more.

Blinking in confusion, the nue slowly frowned at Senbonzakura's reaction. "'Kura - calm down. You're really overanalyzin' this. Sorry if I'm bein' blunt, but fucking around and forming bonds is a totally different thing. Yeah, I slept around a bit in the past, but it doesn't change anythin'. Wabisuke's still only focusin' on Izuru, and I'm still only focusin' on Renji." Zabimaru sighed and shook his head. "Hell, the only reason I'd step in and help you in a fight is if I knew you and Byakuya were both dyin' and unable ta do anything else, and even that'd be with Renji's permission. Otherwise, I'd stay the hell away - you and yer noble's pride... well, 'nough said. And if it came right down to it... I wouldn't be with y'like this right now, if Renji didn't allow it. I'm not stupid, 'Kura. I'm not gonna forsake my bond with 'im like that."

"... I am very glad to hear that," the other spirit managed levelly. He turned away, trying to let his mind clear a bit, which seemed to be quite a task around Zabimaru. "I have been unclear, I'm afraid. You seemed concerned over Wabisuke - this was the source of my argument, not that you owed such bonds to each person you have been with." Senbonzakura closed his eyes for a moment, calming himself. "... I feel hypocritical in saying this, but I do not think that it is the same for myself and Kuchiki-sama. In such a situation as that, if reversed, there would be no need for permission. I apologize that I cannot guard your honor, then, as you and he would ours."

"Che, 'Suke can take care of 'imself. Always has, it's jus' friendly concern on my part, nothin' else to worry about." Zabimaru found himself sighing again, and absently, he rested his hand against a slim shoulder, gently rubbing. "And yeah, well... I'm not surprised. Sorry if this rubs ya the wrong way, but... your Kuchiki-sama never really seems to give a damn about Renji's pride."

Feeling calmer now, Senbonzakura turned back towards Zabimaru, opening his eyes once more, a faint smile on his lips. "I am aware. It is... one of the few things I will not bring up with him. It is up to Abarai to correct this if he so wishes."

"Oh, he will. At least, I'll make 'em before he kills himself by swallowin' back so damned much." Slipping an arm back around his lover, Zabimaru drew Senbonzakura close, pressing his lips affectionately to his forehead. "Let's settle down in bed... It really is gettin' late."

"Sorry I was out for so long..." Sen answered, his reiatsu coiling around them in response to the show of affection. "Would you mind it if I were to speak with Fujikujaku again?"

"It's okay," the zanpakutou assured him as he guided Senbonzakura to the bed, sitting down and drawing him down next to him. He hesitated at the question, but then shrugged and simply relented. "Y' seem to enjoy his company, so... I don't really mind. I don't wanna ruin a friendship and all... He's just..." Zabimaru shivered slightly. "I don't know; he freaks me out. Just be careful with 'im, okay? And as long as he doesn't do anything weird... I promise I won't flip out on him again," he added.

Settling in next to Zabimaru, Senbonzakura leaned against the other spirit, soaking himself in his lover's presence. "He is darker than most," he replied quietly, "but I sense no danger from him. Nevertheless, you have my word that I will be cautious with regards to keeping his company." He paused for a moment, and then laid his hand on the other's chest, shifting to look at him. "... When I said that I aligned myself with you... I meant to be completely and wholly with you alone. I want you to know, that it is my intention to remain... loyally and exclusively yours."

Smiling softly at the other spirit's words, Zabimaru lifted his hand, resting it against Senbonzakura's. "...Thank you." The hand was lifted and drawn to the nue's lips, where it was kissed with surprising tenderness. "Both your word and loyalty is appreciated," he murmured as he slowly laid back and pulled his lover with him and into a strong embrace.

~~

Though sunlight barely dared to filter through his bedroom windows at such an early hour, Byakuya still found himself wincing at the sparse lighting. A headache pounded harshly in his temples, only to intensify when he sat up. If it were any other day, he would have simply flopped back down and slept until noon against Renji's side, but especially today, he could not.

With a heavy sigh, the noble carefully slid out of bed, doing his best not to wake his lover that was still curled beside him. An absent, affectionate brush of his hand against Renji's cheek was the only touch he allowed before he turned away from the bed and made his way to quickly wash up and dress. A simple kimono did the job for the time being, and Byakuya only ran a comb through his hair, not bothering with the kenseikan. At this early hour, few would be up and about, and besides, his family would insist they be redone in a variance of style later.

As he still struggled with dizziness, a reeling stomach, and an aching head, the noble picked his way across the room to his closet, where he withdrew something carefully wrapped in plain white silk and tied with a similar ribbon. A part of his mind urged him to wait, to do this after the wedding in case he could not resolve what he intended... but in the end, Byakuya knew there would be few occasions after this that he would feel a similar courage. If he were to confront a problem fifty years in the making, he needed to do it now, when the confidence remained. With that, the noble spared his fiancé a last, affectionate glance before quietly leaving the room and slipping down the empty hallway, traversing several doors down before knocking on one in particular.

Rukia sat up with a start, blinking blearily at the dimly lit room, tired mind attempting to provide a reason for such an abrupt wakening. She ran a hand through her hair and yawned, stretching as she spared a glance through partially opened shades. It was still quite early; before most of the servants even got up, if she had to guess, but it seemed as though she was up now, and there was no fighting it. As she turned to clamber out of bed, a curl of reiatsu filtered through her sleep dulled senses.

She stopped, barely standing, and tensely took a slow breath.

A tentative second check revealed that she was sensing who she thought she was sensing, and sent her diving into her closet. If he was here, it most likely meant a knock had been what woke her up, and if he was awake and wanting her attention, it meant he fully expected her to be up and dressed. Grabbing the nearest decent looking kimono and obi, she threw it on as fast as she could, wary of how long she left the man at her door, while simultaneously trying to be quiet and resisting the urge to call out and tell him she'd be a moment. It was far too rude and given that he was outside her door in person she wasn't certain she could even get away with that. Without time for a proper combing, she dragged her hands through her hair, tightened the obi and spun it around, checking all the folds in rapid succession before finally and silently darting to the door.

It slid open soundlessly. "G-good morning, Nii-sama," she greeted, eyes down and head slightly bent as she tried to cover up the slightly breathless quality her voice had acquired from the rampant dressing and her own distressed ponderings.

Inwardly, Byakuya was quite surprised Rukia was up and dressed; though, upon closer inspection, the girl was far too out of breath and in possession of an all-over ruffled demeanor to simply have been lounging about. Her waking and dressing had obviously been rushed as soon as he had appeared. A twinge of regret for already stressing Rukia spread through him, and Byakuya absently wished he could have confronted this later in the day. Unfortunately, speaking to her early, before his family all but pounced upon him, was a necessity.

"Good morning, Rukia," the noble returned quietly, the slight nod of his head an acknowledgement. "Forgive me for disturbing you at this hour, but may I come in? I would... like to speak to you in private."

Doom fell from the sky and broke across a pair of slight shoulders. "Of course..." Rukia stepped aside to allow him entrance, closing the door afterwards and taking a moment to steel herself before turning around. She was quite aware of the gaze pinned to her and took care to shuffle delicately after him towards the floor cushions in the middle of the room. She'd never quite gotten the whole demure at home while proud in public bit down, and felt increasingly aware of it the longer she remained in the same room as her adopted brother. That she was alone with him was all the more unsettling, but she did her best to hide it.

The girl's generally unsettled bearing did not go unnoticed and inwardly, Byakuya sighed. That he could affect his adopted sister in such a negative manner was enough to further unsettle him, though he managed to affectively cloak the brief display of emotion by turning his head aside as he sunk gracefully into a simple seiza onto one of the cushions. The package he held was placed to the side as his hands folded into his lap, the source of all his tension relocating there as his fingers twisted about each other. "Please," Byakuya murmured as he waited for the girl to take a seat as well, keeping his voice low for his own pounding head's sake, "relax. I carry no ill intentions this morning."

Rukia's gaze snapped up at the murmured words, more than surprised by them. "I didn't - what did you want to talk about?" she amended, suddenly noticing the way Byakuya seemed... smaller almost. Actually, right now he reminded her heavily of the way Renji got after a good long brood. The curious resemblance allowed her to relax a little and observe the nuances in both his dress - the kenseikan was gone, and he was wearing a plain kimono - and his demeanor. She tried not to get her hopes up or too emotionally invested in what he might say, but right then, he appeared the same as he had the day he'd saved her.

A slow breath collected the nobleman's thoughts enough for him to focus and answer her question affectively. "An apology," he responded after a moment of pause, "that has been long overdue. And seeing as today is fully intended to be a happy one, I cannot possibly accomplish that without fully apologizing... to you, Rukia." Blue-grey eyes lifted, meeting Rukia's own, all the while struggling not to waver. For some reason, this was as hard, if not harder, as speaking to Renji on more in depth matters was. "You were given an explanation for my actions... but the past fifty years are still fully unaccounted for and I..." Byakuya drew in another slow breath before bowing his head slightly in a brief, but clear admission of guilt and lapse of pride. "...I must ask for your forgiveness."

Rukia's mind came to a complete, screeching halt. It was a miracle she didn't simply short circuit and collapse then and there. Subtly, she slipped her right hand over the left and pinched the skin. Okay, not a dream. That left her with... absolutely no idea how to deal with the situation at hand. Byakuya was apologizing. To her. No, not just that, it wasn't so simple. She sat in shocked silence, trying to let her mind wrap around the concept. The original apology had never sunk in enough to receive a response, and now he was asking for forgiveness.

Perhaps, she realized suddenly, her lack of response was part of the reason it'd been nearly six years since his last attempt to set things right. Taking a slow, deep breath, Rukia decided to, for once, follow her instinct with the man before her and ever so gently placed her hand on his folded pair. "Thank you, Nii-sama..." she whispered, feeling some stir of emotion build and blinked back the tears that wanted to come. He was really trying. "... It's... it's going to be okay."

Expecting anything but thanks - rejection, anger, something, anything but this... Byakuya could not help the feeling of intense relief that washed over him. His eyes briefly slid shut as he sighed deeply, the movement sending a slight shudder down his spine as some of the tension held in his hands dissipated beneath his sister's accepting touch.

"Please... Do not thank me," Byakuya managed, slowly moving his hands to lightly grasp the one offered by Rukia. "I have done nothing worthy of thanks. I must thank you, however... and commend you, as your grace is far greater than mine in this matter. Thank you... for being as accepting as you are."

"... Please don't take this the wrong way, Nii-sama, but you're starting to scare me." Not scared of him, though, scared for him. Rukia slid closer, adding her other hand to their entwined ones. She didn't stop to let herself think out of fear of losing her resolve. "I... wanted to thank you for saying what you have... I meant it. It... It means a lot to me," she explained quietly, trying not to be too worried about their closeness or exactly whose hands she was holding. It was softer than she was used to, but the feeling of mutual bonds was there and she used it to navigate the waters Byakuya had tried so hard just to find.

A bit surprised by the comment, Byakuya blinked, raising his eyes finally. "...I assure you that I am fine," the noble finally responded, understanding the nature of her concern. His fingers curled about hers almost protectively as he caught her eyes, his own clearly reflecting relief and a much calmer state of mind. "And I am glad that my words are helpful. Again, I thank you for your understanding."

The noble then paused slightly before slowly withdrawing his touch, his hands reaching for the silk-wrapped package at his side. "There is, however, one other thing I would like to bring up... and that is the fact you were never appropriately introduced to this family. Legally, with all the paperwork, of course, but... not on the level of personal tradition that should have been present. My apathy is to blame and I would like to remedy that now." Keeping Rukia's gaze, Byakuya slid the package into her hands, explaining quietly before she could unwrap the silk, "This was my mother's, from when she was younger, and was passed to her from her own mother and generations before her. Seeing as my mother did not have a daughter, obviously this kimono's value as an heirloom would have been destroyed... had you not come along." Byakuya briefly shut his eyes before continuing, "At my wedding today, I would be honored if you would wear this and sit by my side at the dinner ceremony. I am sure that my mother would have been honored to pass this to you as she would have if you were her own daughter."

Rendered speechless by the gesture, Rukia could only look down at the gift now in her hands. Carefully, as if in a daze, she set the package on the floor in front of her and with slow, deft movements, unwound it from the silk wrapping. Her hands stilled on the top of the box within, small and fragile against the darkly polished wood. Once assured her movements would be steady, she carefully removed the lid, eyes widening as she set it aside, and peered at the contents.

"This is... gorgeous..." Absently, her hand came up to lie on the fine material within, straying along the intricate designs and handiwork far beyond anything as yet placed in her closet. It was entrancing. "I... you're sure... you're sure you want to give this to me?" Wide eyes rose to Byakuya's own, lost and a little overwhelmed.

"I would not have come in here at this ungodly hour if I were not sure," Byakuya stated gently, trying his best to lighten the heavy atmosphere about them. "And I am sure it is what my mother would have wanted as well." A slim hand was lightly placed on top of one of Rukia's own as the noble met her eyes. "I want you by my side as a member of the Kuchiki family today, but above all, as my sister. Wearing this will only solidify that in the eyes of my... our family. Will you give me that honor?"

Rukia couldn't help the small smile that crossed her lips at Byakuya's initial response and found she wasn't so frightened of it slipping through. Renji really seemed to have pulled a number on the noble before her - she couldn't even imagine having this kind of discussion just a few years earlier. "I'd love to, Nii-sama," she answered finally, her hand curling slightly beneath his. ".. I never got to congratulate you, did I?" Rukia laughed softly, still have nervous, and daringly leaned to deliver a very light, even timid kiss on the cheek. She pulled away blushing, but smiling at him. "Congratulations, Nii-sama... I think you'll make each other happy." Or kill each other, she added mentally.

The noble allowed a tiny smile before compulsively wrapping an arm about her and pulling her close in an affectionate hug. He breathed slowly, forcibly calming his nerves as he gently held the girl and tried not to think that the only other time that they had been this physically close was when he had saved her from Ichimaru's blade. "Thank you," he murmured before loosening his hold, a soft kiss pressed to her forehead as he withdrew his arm from her. "And he does make me happy... when he isn't driving me mad," Byakuya added bemusedly.

More at ease than she'd ever been with him, Rukia's answer was immediate and given with a smile usually safeguarded from her brother. "Well, if he's driving you mad, he's probably doing something right," she teased and then warmly added, "although, I think that works both ways, Nii-sama. I... didn't really get to speak with him, but ... he gets this look on his face now - it's been a long time since I've seen it. ... I'm glad you could return it to him, Nii-sama."

Relaxing a fraction more, Byakuya's smile widened faintly. "I am very glad as well. However..." The noble gracefully climbed to his feet, stretching a hand down to gently ruffle the girl's hair. "...I really must get going, and make sure Renji is out of bed. The servants are undoubtedly awake by now and searching for me."

Rukia looked up, turning to follow Byakuya with her eyes as he left the room. "I'll see you later then... and thank you, again. Enjoy yourself, Nii-sama."

"I will... Thank you, Rukia," he returned with relative ease before slipping out of the room and sliding the door behind him. A content sigh fell past his lips as he turned and walked down the hallway, thankful there were no servants crawling all over him... yet, anyway. Quietly, he opened the door to his bedroom, not wishing to disturb Renji if he was not awake yet.

"Byakuya!" Renji sounded far too relieved to see the noble than he should have been.

"Good morning, Kuchiki-sama~" Another group of voices harmonized.

"I hope all is well, we were a little worried to find that you had already left your chambers," an older woman greeted with a smile as she approached the head of the house. "We already began-"

"Will you tell them to back off already?" Renji cut in, pulling his robe back from one of the male servants who was looking slightly put out that the redhead wasn't cooperating with the removal of clothing. Practically backed into a corner, Renji cast a pleading gaze across the room, desperate for some help with the overly strange situation.

The older woman's facial expression twitched slightly as she regarded the lack of progress made with the dysfunctional groom. "... Perhaps Kuchiki-sama could ... calm his fiancé so we may continue?"

Blinking slightly, the situation took a second to register in Byakuya's mind before he settled back with a slow, rather amused smirk. "Renji, honestly. Let them continue; you do need to look nice for the wedding ceremonies." Turning his gaze back to the woman, he spared her a small shrug. "Excuse my absence, Manami. I was speaking with Rukia and lost track of time... I take it Tsukiko and her assistants will be by soon to aide me?"

Taking Byakuya's word as permission to continue, another male servant quickly grasped Renji by the arm and all but hauled him back from the corner he tried to curl himself into. "Really, Abarai-san, you have to be ready for the morning ceremonies in only a couple of hours!"

Gladdened to find the head of the family still had some sense, even if his fiancé was... reluctant, Manami relaxed a bit and politely drew Byakuya farther into the room. "Of course; it was only a matter of finding where you were... they should be along momentarily. Please, have a seat - would you like some tea?"

"A coupla' hours is more than enough time ta' get ready by myself," Renji muttered, but let himself be dragged along since it seemed Byakuya fully intended to have him stripped, painted and brushed by complete strangers. The fact that this did not strike anyone as weird was mind boggling. Apparently, noble houses could have hang ups over a woman showing too much skin in public but had absolutely no issues with throwing a bunch of servants together and playing gang-doll with their highest ranked members. "This really isn't needed," he grumbled again.

Seating himself primly on a near-by couch, the noble nodded. "Tea would be nice." Blue eyes slid to Renji, clearly amused as the redhead struggled every step of the way. "If you would stop swatting them away every chance you have, Renji, it would go by much more quickly," Byakuya pointed out mildly.

"But it is needed, Abarai-san! You really couldn't prepare yourself for such an important event as this - " After situating Renji on the side of the room where the servants had previously laid out their supplies, another servant, this one a young woman, proceeded with another attempt to remove the vice captain's robe.

Auburn eyes shot a hot glare across the room at Byakuya's commentary. Renji once more jerked out of the grasp of whomever it was attempting to strip him again - frankly, he didn't really care who was doing it at this point, it just needed to stop. "I don't see why the fuck I have ta' be stripped," he growled.

Shaking her head in slight exasperation Manami moved to the other end of the room, retrieving a tray of hot water and dried tea leaves, returning shortly and setting it on the low table beside the couch. With the care and ease of age, she quickly mixed the fresh ingredients together and passed the cup on to the noble. The door sliding partially open drew her attention, and then a smile as she recognized the three women who entered afterword. "Tsukiko! Ah, sorry to send you about, it seems Kuchiki-sama arrived shortly after you left."

The middle aged woman returned the smile and all but floated into the room, moving closer to Byakuya as she did. "So long as he is here now, that is all I care about. Thank you for watching over things here, Manami-san." She turned to the noble then, bowing in greeting, as her two assistants did synchronously behind her. "Good morning, Kuchiki-sama. We can begin whenever you are ready."

After taking a delicate sip of his tea, the nobleman frowned at Renji as he caught the glare and met it with a glance of disapproval. "Renji - please. Mind your language and the level of your voice... I have a headache." Otherwise leaving explanations to the nature of any activities to the servants, Byakuya looked back to Tsukiko and after another small sip of tea, set the cup down and carefully rose. "Good morning, Tsukiko. My apologies for not being present earlier, but I am more than ready for you to begin now."

"Abarai-san~" the young woman sighed, turning a pleading gaze up at the redhead. "Please, just cooperate! We have to make sure everything fits properly..."

"And no, you can't do that yourself," one of the male servants cut in, reaching for Renji's sash before he could protest, undoing it and tugging it away from the robe.

"You should," the redhead muttered angrily, but nevertheless relented to the combined forces of Byakuya's will and the servant's pleading gaze. Who was he to stop the inevitable? If Byakuya didn't mind letting perfect strangers see him naked, he sure as hell didn't care. ...It just would have been a lot less awkward if he knew they were trying to cop a feel, instead of this sinking suspicion in the back of his head.

Tsukiko followed Byakuya's gaze for a moment, giving Renji a rather bemused once over before returning to the task at hand. With a quick gesture to the women with her, she moved in front of the noble as the two set up off to his side. A pair of nearly black eyes critically observed the noble, the woman obviously taking stock in her head. "Kuchiki-sama, have you been training more, recently? You seem to have a bit more muscle than I recall..." she pondered absently, stepping out of his immediate cone of vision to take a more thorough assessment.

Satisfied that Renji was, at least, allowing them to continue, the servant quickly disposed of the redhead's robe. "I hardly expected you would be this tall," he murmured, eyes absently tracing what he had to work with before turning away and retrieving the silk wedding hakama first. "You should be glad that Kuchiki-sama could give us accurate measurements to have these things tailored beforehand, Abarai-san," the servant advised. "Now, if you would just step into these -”

"Stop badgering him, Arata!" the female servant sighed before pulling up a tall, wooden stool and seating herself upon it behind the redhead and absently running a brush through Renji's hair. "You really have such fine hair, Abarai-san," the girl murmured in clear admiration.

More or less ignoring the eyes tracing up and down his form, Byakuya gave a slight shrug in answer. "Not that much more." He shot a dark look in Renji's direction as the comment, but said nothing else, and simply watched in scarcely veiled amusement as the servants continued to tug and prod at his unwilling fiancé.

Renji managed to keep the roll of his eyes subtle enough to go unnoticed, but the sigh was rather prominent. Rather than comment on Arata's obvious appreciative looks, he instead acknowledged the woman being surprisingly gentle with his hair. "I'm sure you've worked with nicer," he murmured and then glanced over at the man who'd previously stripped him and quite flatly inquired as to how he was supposed to slip into anything with "that woman" brushing his hair out.

Tsukiko paid the servants fondling Byakuya's fiancé a sideways glance as she carefully stroked the noble's hair, testing its quality. "Your hair has grown a bit as well, I am of the mind to keep it this long, but if you wish, I will trim it," she announced, laying the strands back down as she completed her circle about the man. "And you have a bit more color than usual... It's quite faint, but fills out nicely. I have some powder if you'd prefer paler, however. Other than that, I cannot see a change in our usual arrangement, unless you had something you'd like to suggest, of course."

"No, really," the girl sighed, as she carefully parted his hair and began to brush a section of it until it shone, "it really is beauti-”

"Ume," Arata interrupted crossly, "stop for a moment so he can get these on, will you?"

"Sorry!" Ume blushed, dropping her hands and the brush with them to her lap. "My apologies, Abarai-san!"

"If you believe that all is suitable, then I see no reason for a change, even in what you have noted... Unless you think my family will disapprove of my hair - they have given me a few strange looks in that direction as of late," the noble noted dryly, his amused glance shifting to Tsukiko.

"All the more reason to keep it long," Tsukiko answered without batting an eye. "Though if they really think anything of it, it should be nothing more than the stately quality of it. Natural beauty isn't something that should be confined, and usually defies boundaries anyway..." A smile crossed her lips as she observed him once more. "If we're not changing anything, though, then we should get you dressed before we attend the details."

"It shall remain long, then," Byakuya replied with a small smirk, and then nodded to the second statement. His hand dropped to the sash of his kimono, carefully undoing the knot. "Everything should still be in my closet, unless you have retrieved it already."

"Ya' don't have ta-" Renji sighed and twisted in his seat, getting both Arata and Ume in his vision. "Don't be like that. Both of you; it's fine." He stood up, peering at the cloth in Arata's hands for the first time since the attack began. Touching the material a little hesitantly, a slight frown crossed his features as he watched the dark green silk shift under his fingers. He stilled then, attention seemingly lost on the fabric.

"Of course," Tsukiko smiled, gesturing for her assistance to bring forward all three pieces and the proper under kimono in traditional white.

"Anou... Abarai-san, is something wrong?" Ume ventured, clutching the hair brush in front of her as if she were trying to hide behind it.

Shedding the kimono he currently wore, Byakuya stretched carefully, seemingly unperturbed by the fact that several pairs of eyes were on him now and not exactly in a professional way. "Do you still approve, Tsukiko, even without the kimono?" the noble almost teased as he arched an elegant eyebrow in her direction.

"What?" Renji's head jerked up, auburn eyes glancing over at Ume before he straightened somewhat self consciously. "Oh, I- it's nothing, it's just... really nice."

"Ume!" Manami's voice split the lull of silence. "Be more respectful, child. You are speaking to Kuchiki-sama's betrothed, be mindful," she chided over the bowls of multi colored liquids and powders alike.

Thoroughly embarrassed, Ume ducked her head as a dark blush highlighted her cheekbones. "M-my apologies, Abarai-sama," she quickly stammered, keeping her eyes down.

As he mumbled something pertaining to 'stupid girls', Arata shifted through the clothing, retrieving the plain under kimono. "Here - make yourself useful, Ume, and help him into this."

"Even more so without the kimono... Kuchiki-sama," Tsukiko answered with a wry smirk, directing her aides with short gestures. One, younger girl carefully opened the white under-kimono, moving behind Byakuya with the other woman to gently slip it on the noble's form. "Sometimes I feel I am doing the world a true disservice, you know," she sighed out, watching the entire project with a critical eye.

"Is that so?" Byakuya smirked toward the woman, amusement clear in his eyes as he passively extended his arms to make it easier for the women dressing him to slip the kimono on. "And why is that, Tsukiko?"

Renji nearly choked at the change in address. "You... you really don't have ta'," he stammered, shifting uncomfortably, “Abarai-san was fine-"

"Don't be ridiculous, Abarai-sama," Manami interrupted pointedly. "You should be expecting such forms of address from this day on. You are as Kuchiki-sama to us."

Renji turned away from the servants, looking back towards the noble pleadingly. "Byakuya," he cut in, catching Tsukiko's gaze for the interruption, and not really caring at the overly appreciative glance received for his troubles. He really didn't know exactly what he could say on the matter other than it was really, really unsettling and he wanted it to stop.

The noble blinked, glancing up at Renji and frowning slightly. The redhead's discomfort was in plain view, but Byakuya resisted asking Manami and the rest of them to back off. Renji would have to get used to it... and he did try and warn him, after all. "You will get used to it," Byakuya assured him gently, a filament of his reiatsu curling outward out Renji's to soothe him when he was currently too preoccupied to.

Taking the under kimono, Ume kept her gaze downcast as she shifted closer to Renji. "Please, Abarai-sama - we really do need to get you dressed..."

Curling a bit of reiatsu back over what was extended towards him; Renji closed his eyes and turned around, nodding to Ume. "Well, better get goin' then," he murmured, opening his eyes enough to throw an apologetic glance her way. He really didn't want her getting in trouble because of him.

Her smirk becoming a might warmer, Tsukiko turned back to monitor the progress made on Byakuya's garments. Having never met the man's intended before this day, she'd been rather reserved on her opinion of the marriage. After what happened the last time... she couldn't help being protective of the noble. Watching that interaction, however, stilled any remaining worries. Tsukiko knew not to think much of being able to see and feel what the majority of the house could not, but she did take advantage of such senses when she could, as she did now to fully understand what had passed between them. And as she stepped forward to properly flatten a crease and tie the kimono in place, she remained silently grateful that Byakuya himself was so used to the relative numbness of the estate to not bother being subtle with the movements of his reiatsu.

Ume smiled shyly before she carefully slipped the kimono around Renji's shoulders. "If you could just lift your arms, please -” she murmured, glancing back up to make sure Manami was no longer glaring at her, and silently relieved to see that Tsukiko had turned away once again. Honestly - did she have to so openly stare? The thought made the girl blush once again and she quickly dropped her gaze.

A bit relieved that Ume seemed to have recovered even if he hadn't really, Renji raised his arms as asked and tried to relax. His eyes trailed back to the colorful garment Arata still held, nearly disbelieving in their stare. It was only now beginning to settle on him, the concept of marriage. It was... heavy.

The noble’s reiatsu automatically coiled about Renji's, locking in place as its steady thrum settled against the warmth of the redhead's and Byakuya carefully regarded the woman in front of him. His voice dropped, low enough only for her to hear. "I take it you approve?" he queried, a small smirk noting the subtle lack of informality in the question.

"Wholeheartedly," Tsukiko replied just as quietly, sliding her gaze up enough to catch Byakuya's in a subtle manner. "I have missed seeing that smile," she added, tightening the knot at his waist. "Even with the kimono." The light tease drifted between them as she stepped back and admired her work. "Asaya, the kimono," she ordered only a bit louder. The younger girl drifted over to retrieve said article of clothing.

"Good," the noble replied, his smirk softening. He straightened automatically beneath her gaze, allowing her to make sure everything was in place as he kept his voice low. "But, please, do me the favor of not trying to educate him in dressing me as you did with Hisana... He, no doubt, will be even less adept."

Sliding the kimono on the rest of the way, Ume quickly moved around to straighten it, smoothing any wrinkles before tying it securely. Taking the hakama offered, she hesitated as she noticed how nervous Renji seemed. "Are you sure you're all right, Abarai-sama?" she asked, keeping her voice low as to not attract Arata's attention as he busied himself with smoothing the haori.

"Ume!" Arata's growl made her start and peer at him, wide-eyed. "You're taking too long - let me take over."

Backing away apologetically, Ume surrendered the clothing she held and retrieved the brush again, quietly waiting until Arata was finished to begin her task.

Renji beat down the urge be violent, followed shortly by the urge to swear, and lastly, the urge to massage his temples. "I don't care how fast or slow ya go, so long as it gets done," he managed civilly, moving as they adjusted him, and then pausing to see how Arata intended to handle this.

Brushing past the other servant, Arata carefully unfolded the hakama, smoothing the material before opening them and holding them that way at a relatively low height. "If you would just step into these, Abarai-sama," he instructed, glancing up at the redhead.

This, the redhead decided as he stepped carefully into the hakama, ever cautious of the expensive material, was definitely something that would have gone a far cry quicker on his own. He didn't doubt for a minute that he had more experience removing and tying hakama than Arata did, at least.

With obvious care, Arata pulled the hakama up, taking his time in tucking in the kimono before tying the hakama. After re-smoothing the kimono, straightening it, and making sure the hakama was in place as well, he stepped back and swept his eyes up the redhead's form with an absent nod of approval. "Ume; the haori."

The girl quickly moved to retrieve the clothing; passing it to Arata and helping the boy slip it onto Renji's form. "This color really suits you, Abarai-sama," Ume noted absently, only to blanch and fall silent again beneath the dark look Arata passed to her.

An amused smile cracked Renji's lips as the two servants slipped the final piece of clothing on him. "Thank you, Ume," the redhead answered with a faint smile.

"To be expected," Manami interjected, now closer to the group as she set out various bowls and grooming instruments on the table beside Renji. "After all, it was tailored to Kuchiki-sama's exact specifications."

"That explains the color," Renji laughed, glancing down at himself. "What do you think, Arata? I could use the opinion of a man I'm not marrying," he prodded lightly.

The servant, despite himself, flushed at the sudden acknowledgement. "I ... It... you look very nice, Abarai-sama," the boy stuttered, taken off-guard and blushing as deeply as Ume had been moments before.

A soft chuckle escaped Tsukiko as she directed the application of the montsuki kimono. Yes, this ‘Abarai’ was most certainly good for Byakuya. "Please excuse my selfish nature, Kuchiki-sama, but I cannot help being gladdened by such words. It would seem, however, that he is at least apt in the removal of your kenseikan," she added with a pointed glance at where the five ornamental hairpieces had ended up the night before - on the nightstand beside the bed rather than their usual position on the vanity.

"Of course you would notice that," Byakuya murmured dryly, eyes drifting to the kenseikan, the movement suddenly reminding him of the headache that had settled nearly at the bridge of his nose. "After we are done with this, I think I am going to need some feverfew tea..."

"Of course, Kuchiki-sama," Tsukiko replied with a slight frown, and then, after a second glance, bit back an amused smirk. "Ah, perhaps I will add something to it to ensure your good health this day." That was quite a surprise. She'd never known the noble to drink, let alone to the point of a hangover. She couldn't help worrying if it had been one earned in relaxation or depression, though. Given today's scheduled events, it really could have been either. She said nothing, but her eyes conveyed the thoughts clearly. "A little higher, Asaya. Kumiko, the left side should come down a bit more." Her hands instantly moved to balance the adjustments, creasing and straightening almost by instinct.

A small smirk found its way across the noble's features once more. "I would appreciate that, Tsukiko." Briefly studying the woman, Tsukiko's concern did not go without note and the captain offhandedly murmured, "Engagement parties are - luckily, for my head - not something I can attend often."

Tsukiko smiled at the lightly given explanation and nodded. "Perhaps for the better," she added sagely and stepped back to observe her work. "Kumiko - hakama." Taking the aforementioned clothing, she carefully spread the top open, handing the backside to Asaya and gesturing for Byakuya to step in.

Biting back a laugh, Ume smiled gently at Renji and moved behind him once more as she pulled herself up onto her stool. "Would it be easier for you, Manami-san, if I worked on his hair before or after you did your work?"

"After; I won't be able to work with all that hair around his face; pull it back," Manami instructed, grabbing Renji's wrists firmly and directing him to a chair.

"... What work?" Renji's eyes immediately flew to the as yet unused bowls beside him, a sinking feeling creeping down his spine.

"Oh don't be silly," the older woman laughed, sliding her hand under the man's chin and using it to move his face this way and that. "Arata put that towel around his shoulders and chest. Hm, I suppose those tattoos are permanent, aren't they?" She murmured with a thoughtful frown.

"I- what? Yes, they're permanent!" Renji scowled at her.

"Very well then, we'll just have to apply more powder - you have a very hard skin tone to much, you know. Quite rare."

Auburn eyes widened, shock and perhaps a bit of indignant fear showing then. "Byakuya!" He tried again, twisting out of her hands and back towards his captain in desperation.

The noble delicately stepped into the hakama, mindful of his movements as to not damage the material. He sighed at the call of his name once again, his attention drifting back to Renji with an eyebrow slowly rising as he observed the scene. "Manami, please; leave his tattoos alone, at least."

Sighing lightly, Manami relented and sat back. "That certainly makes things harder to work with, then..."

Just as he was beginning to relax once more, the curl of familiar reiatsu caught Renji's attention, drawing it towards the center of the room. The moment he looked, two simultaneous dispersals of energy revealed their zanpakutou manifesting from wherever it was they had gone off to. "Long time no see," the redhead drawled before his head was forcibly turned back towards Manami for inspection.

Senbonzakura took a moment to take in the situation before gliding towards Byakuya, giving the servants a wide berth to continue unhindered. "Good morning, Kuchiki-sama," he murmured, smiling softly, and then nodded to the woman currently tying the noble's hakama, "and to you, Tsukiko-san."

The woman gave the zanpakutou a brilliant smile, extremely happy to see the beautiful sword spirit. "Senbonzakura - it's been far too long since we last met; are you staying for the ceremony?"

"... Given permission, I would be honored to attend," the spirit replied, calm sanguine eyes shifting back to his charge.

"I am sure you can manage with your ability, Manami," Byakuya returned easily, sneaking in a compliment as well to hopefully make Renji's life slightly easier as he turned his eyes to Senbonzakura, a faint smile on his lips. "Good morning, Senbonzakura. And, of course - I would be honored to have you present." He smirked slightly at Tsukiko. "That does mean, however, more work for you..." The subtle tip of his head in Senbonzakura's direction all but said 'he is getting dressed up and is going to like it because you are doing it.'

Giving Senbonzakura his space with Byakuya, Zabimaru drifted from the scene, casually draping himself in a chair that was relatively close to Renji but still out of the way. As he watched Arata carefully arrange a towel about Renji's shoulders and chest, and the way Ume swept back all of Renji's hair to keep it out of the way... the zanpakutou could scarcely keep back a laugh, and thus, didn't try to. "This is something I never thought I'd see," the nue grinned, catching Renji's eyes as his own sparkled with mirth. "You're actually lettin' 'em paint you, Renji?"

"As little as possible," Renji ground out, a warning in his voice. "And unless ya want similar treatment, you'll keep yer trap shut," he hissed, sending a glare towards Zabimaru. The last thing he needed just then was the sword's smart ass teasing.

"We'll see about that," Manami muttered, placing a small amount of green goop on her hands, rubbing them together and then spreading it over the redhead's face. "Close your eyes," she advised.

"Oh, I couldn't impose-" Senbonzakura began, but was sharply cut off.

"Nonsense!" Tsukiko announced, stepping back to receive the haori from one of her assistants. "Dressing you up for the ceremony is hardly an imposition, Senbonzakura, you should know that. I can scarcely believe my luck, in fact," she continued, grinning at the sword spirit as she slipped the haori on to Byakuya's shoulders, adjusting it with Kumiko's aid until it hung perfectly.

Finding himself once again outnumbered when it came to his own treatment, Sen could on acquiesce with a bow. "Then it would seem I am in your capable hands, Tsukiko-san."

"Wonderful!" Tsukiko beamed, stepped back again and nodded to herself, gesturing for Byakuya to take a seat at the vanity. "Please have a seat, Kuchiki-sama. Asaya, retrieve the kenseikan - there's polish in the second basket I brought."

Unable to keep back his laughter, Zabimaru sunk back into his chair, very nearly cracking up as he completely disregarded the redhead's words. "Never knew you'd clean up this nicely," the zanpakutou continued his smirk still present though Renji's eyes were shut. "Or let 'em make ya this pretty..."

A pair of curious eyes peered at the zanpakutou from across Renji. "...Are you Abarai-sama's zanpakutou?" Ume asked in awe, only assuming as such due to the nue's simultaneous appearance with Senbonzakura.

Reining in his laughter briefly, Zabimaru spared the girl a friendly smile. "Yeah - Zabimaru's the name." He couldn't help but snicker. "Abarai-'sama'... oh, that's classic."

Unable to resist a quiet chuckle at Tsukiko's eagerness, Byakuya followed her cue and moved to take a seat with inherent refinement. "Please, relax until then, Senbonzakura," he suggested, nodding in the direction of a near-by chair. He couldn't help but listen in on the conversation Zabimaru was now participating in with some amusement, but decided to keep his comments to himself for the moment. Renji could surely deal with the spirit himself, and in a far more effective manner.

"It's a sad day when servants give shinigami more respect than their zanpakutou," Manami murmured distastefully and pulled her hands back.

"Hey, Arata, was it?" Renji asked, opening his eyes and sliding them to the right to catch the man in question. "Ya think you could find somethin' for Zabimaru?" He suggested vindictively.

Manami retrieved a bowl of off white powder and brush from the table beside her, applying a thin dusting to Renji's face and neck. "You intend for him to receive similar treatment?"

"You bet. If he's comin', he has to look good too, eh? Think you can clean him up at all?" Renji answered with a grin.

Manami's gaze slide sideways for a moment before she nodded, and swapped the brush for a piece of cloth, dabbing excess powder from his face. "It won't be easy, but I think it's manageable," she replied with a smirk.

"Good," the redhead answered, tossing Zabimaru a smug grin.

The nue blinked, taken off guard and scowling. "Are you kiddin' me? I'm not -"

"This way, Zabimaru-san," Arata interrupted cheerily, grasping the zanpakutou's arm and hauling him forward with the same strength he had used upon Renji earlier. "If you are to attend the wedding, you must be appropriately dressed and -"

"I'll get 'appropriately dressed', but I can handle it myself!" Zabimaru protested, drawing back quickly and sending a rather frantic glance in Senbonzakura's direction. "'Kura!"

Senbonzakura moved to the offered seat, casting his attention momentarily across the room after Byakuya's and couldn't help the amused smirk that turned his lips. He didn't mind the concept at all - just didn't want too big of a fuss - Zabimaru on the other hand... The sword spirit repressed a laugh and turned twinkling eyes back to his charge.

"Is that a smile?" Tsukiko teased gently, inwardly amazed at the drastic change between the sword spirit she had met so very long ago and the one now stifling amusement not so far from her.

Before Senbonzakura could properly respond, however, Zabimaru's distressed call for help crossed the room. Red eyes blinked innocently at the other zanpakutou. "I would not go against Abarai-san's instructions, Zabimaru," he answered demurely. "It would be rude to disallow them their jobs, as well," here, the smile came through all the way, warm and openly affectionate, "I am sure you will look very handsome when they are through."

"Arata?" Tsukiko called out as the man made to search out proper clothes for Zabimaru. "While you're up, would you find that red kimono with the crane designs? The one in special storage?" She glanced over her shoulder, finishing the pony tail of Byakuya's hair without looking and waiting for a visible response before continuing.

"But..." the nue tried helplessly to protest, knees weak by the time Senbonzakura finished speaking. He glanced away, relenting to the spirit's words and that damnable smile of his that was practically making him melt. Zabimaru had enough bearings left, however, to shoot Renji a glare before being dragged off to be fitted properly, or whatever it was the kid pulling him muttered.

"Yes, Tsukiko-san," Arata called over his shoulder, pulling Zabimaru with him from the room and down the hallway to one of the spare closets.

Turning back to the task at hand, Tsukiko moved to her usual spot in front of the noble and opened a small container of white cream. Rubbing a bit on her fingers, she began to rub it in to Byakuya's skin with gentle, but firm strokes. "So, that must be interesting," she murmured only loud enough for him to hear.

"You have no idea," the noble returned, shutting his eyes half-way as he relaxed beneath her touch. "Though I am quite amused that Senbonzakura has managed to wrap him around his little finger in only a few days time..." The latter statement was spoken a bit louder, enough for Senbonzakura to hear, and perhaps Renji if he were paying some semblance of attention.

Renji turned from the glare of his retreating zanpakutou, smug grin still in place as Manami finished whatever it was she'd done to his skin. "So... what exactly are you doin'?" He wished he had a reflective surface just then.

"Not much," Manami answered with a sigh that clearly showed she would have liked to have done more. "So far we've just evened out your skin tone - which you didn't really need - and added a coat of powder to keep you fresh throughout the day. I'm just going to add some kohl to your eyes-"

"Whoa, what? Are you-?"

"No I am not kidding, Abarai-sama." The older woman interrupted, picking up said instrument and putting her free hand around his eye, pulling the skin tight. "Don't move."

"So I noticed," Tsukiko hummed, dropping her hands to Byakuya's neck and adding a bit more to the massaging touch to make sure the noble relaxed. She cast a glance back at the sword spirit near them to show she fully expected an answer from him.

Senbonzakura blushed and looked down at his carefully folded hands. "I assure you... it's mutual," he managed quietly.

Chuckling warmly, Tsukiko sat back, wiping her hands on a piece of cloth and picking up a brush dusted in white powder. "That's sweet... the four of you together," she sighed wistfully, lightly spreading the powdery substance across Byakuya's face in long, sure strokes.

Trying his best not to laugh as he heard Renji's protests, Byakuya settled back comfortably, allowing Tsukiko the relaxed but straight stance she needed to work. "Manami, be kind, please," he called across the room, forcibly restraining a chuckle. "And I am glad you find it 'sweet', Tsukiko... Zabimaru and I are still resolving a few issues-" The noble paused as he heard Zabimaru's protests even from down the hallway... and couldn't help but allow a satisfied smirk. Renji had outdone himself this time in encouraging his zanpakutou's 'torture.'

"Of course, Kuchiki-sama, I wouldn't be anything but," the older woman answered, creating a thick, yet subtle outline on the very edge of Renji's eyelids with the careful precision of a practiced motion. Renji, on the other hand, wasn't nearly as comfortable with having someone prodding around his eye, and as such remained perfectly and tensely still until Manami eventually pulled back to inspect her handiwork. With a nod of approval, she stood and began restacking her things for Zabimaru. "He's all yours, Ume-san."

"Thank you, Manami-san," the girl happily responded, coaxing Renji to sit up a bit more as she undid his hair from the ponytail she had pulled it into. "Manami-san really did do a good job, Abarai-sama," Ume earnestly assured as she ran her fingers through his thick hair, carefully massaging his scalp where the hair had been pulled taunt.

Another, amused chuckle escaped Tsukiko's lips and she didn't bother to stop it. "Kumiko, would you retrieve my personal tea collection, some hot water and a cup for Kuchiki-sama?" When the girl murmured a soft affirmation and rose to do just that, Tsukiko returned her full attention to her task at hand. With practiced care, she selected another, very thin brush and swirled it in a black, ink like substance. Placing a steadying hand beneath Byakuya's chin, she leaned in close, raising the brush to the man's eyes and very cautiously applying the liquid to the noble's eye lashes.

"If yer sure..." the redhead mumbled, his eyes falling shut as he leaned back into the surprisingly relaxing touch. "... Nothin' too fancy, promise?" He cracked open an eye, trying to cast a glance her way.

Automatically, the noble half-lidded his eyes and breathed shallowly, remaining perfectly still as if it were second nature. Underneath Tsukiko's care, he found it difficult not to relax too much, however; the ease that came with associating with a person for one's entire life was rather hard to ignore.

"I promise..." Finger-combing the hair from the redhead's face, Ume picked up her brush again and began the process of completely eliminating any tangles. "I honestly think it will look best if we leave it down completely, Abarai-sama... I'll just have to keep some of it out of your face..."

"It never ceases to amaze me, you know," Tsukiko murmured as she pulled back, observing her handiwork, "how little of my attention you need." The way she spoke was simple and affectionate, making the comment no more than truth, rather than mere flattery. "I was almost sad to find out you hadn't chosen a wife," she admitted with a light smile, "but I think I'll manage if I get to see Senbonzakura a bit more often." Dark eyes glanced at the sword spirit in question before returning to the task of finding the kohl stick. Recovering it, she leaned forward again, adding a line of emphasis along the bottom eyelids only.

Renji frowned slightly, but Ume's earnest voice and the knowledge that Byakuya preferred to see his hair down caused him to relent easily to her suggestion. "If ya' think you can... I can't ever get it ta stay outta the way if it's not tied back," he admitted quietly.

A small smile tugged at the noble's lips as he patiently waited for the slide of kohl against skin to cease before speaking, lest he jar the motion of her hand. "I am sure you will see Senbonzakura quite frequently now... and I would promise that you could still have Renji as company, but I am afraid I promised him previously that today would be one of only a few that he would be submitted to, as he calls it, 'torture.'"

"It'll stay... for the most part, at least," Ume decided, and after a few minutes of careful brushing, had managed to settle the long crimson mane into something rather orderly, considering its usual uncooperative nature. Several strands continued to fall forward, however, and the girl quickly remedied this by reaching for a bottle of oil and pouring a small amount into her hands. Gathering all of Renji's hair back, she evenly spread the oil throughout, giving the already brilliant red hair a bright sheen in the light of the room. The moisture also allowed her to smooth back those few unruly strands that remained, at least for the moment.

Circling around the redhead, Ume clasped her hands together in satisfaction. "You really look fantastic, Abarai-sama! Anou, let me get you a mirror-” With that, the girl dashed to rummage through the piles of supplies Manami had brought.

"Oh now, I'm not that bad..." Tsukiko mock pouted, settling back once more and setting the kohl down beside the rest of her implements. "But his kind of beauty really shouldn't be augmented that much anyway," she added thoughtfully, and stood once more, walking around behind Byakuya to release his hair again. "Senbonzakura? Could you hand me that brush?"

"Of course." Moving with natural grace, the zanpakutou stood and plucked the object in question from the vanity, passing it gently to the woman.

Tsukiko's smiled broadened as she watched the movement, taking the brush as her eyes wandered blatantly across the sword spirit's pale form. "I'm almost afraid that kimono will fit you too well - no one should be taking the attention away from the main couple, after all." The brush began moving easily through silken black hair as the spirit's white skin tinted pastel pink once more, red eyes glancing to the side embarrassedly.

"Please don't say such things, Tsukiko-san; I couldn't possibly draw one's eyes from Kuchiki-sama for such reasons." He was flattered; really, it wasn't a matter of disbelief in her words, but rather honest disagreement.

Manami glanced up from her reorganization when Ume began sifting through her stuff for something the girl wasn't going to find. "Here, Ume," she directed, holding out the mirror the girl was no doubt looking for.

"'Not that bad'? I am inclined to disagree," Byakuya teased, carefully shutting his eyes as he relaxed beneath the brushing of his hair. "Senbonzakura, Tsukiko has a viable point... but I would not worry over it, with Zabimaru attached at your hip, I am sure all present will readily focus upon Renji and I."

"Very funny, Kuchiki," Zabimaru cut in as he was pulled back into the room, sending a half-hearted glower in Byakuya's direction. Dressed head to toe in black silk, the nue tried his best not to look extremely uncomfortable or otherwise take out an act of violence upon Renji for encouraging this.

"At least you are remotely presentable now," the noble drawled, eyeing the zanpakutou out of the corner of his eye with surprising approval. He would clean up almost as nicely as Renji, after all. "Perhaps you can work on him next, Manami?"

Grumbling something about argumentative swords, Arata guided Zabimaru to the couch next to Renji before going to place the kimono he had retrieved in Tsukiko's general vicinity. Turning back to Renji, where Ume had skittered back to him with the mirror, the servant couldn't help but let his eyes linger. "...You... really do look nice, Abarai-sama," he managed.

"... Thank you, Arata," Renji answered, unused to having so many people repeatedly claiming he looked good and at the same time hoping that Byakuya at least agreed with them. If the noble approved, he could put up with quite a bit. Raising the mirror to get a good view, the redhead couldn't help the shocked look that overcame him. He looked... well, not completely different, but definitely... polished. This was a new feeling. "Well... looks like you've all still got jobs," he announced, unsure of exactly he should have said and thus choosing to joke.

Manami rolled her eyes at his declaration, but held the smug smirk from his initial reaction. She, at least, knew she'd done a good job with him. "Well come on," she prodded the zanpakutou near her, "you're next, hon."

Senbonzakura's gaze drifted and clung to Zabimaru the moment he walked through the door, passed momentarily down to the kimono placed near him and then immediately back to the other zanpakutou as if riveted. Zabimaru looked really good and all he'd done so far was change clothes. Sen looked skeptically down at the kimono again.

Having watched the entire reaction, Tsukiko could only smirk at the sword spirit. "Asaya, why don't you help Senbonzakura with that kimono, hm?" With a silent nod, the woman set the now completely polished kenseikan on a low table beside Tsukiko and then moved to Senbonzakura's side, beginning the long process of pulling back the spirit's hair so they could actually work around it.

Resisting the urge to whine, Zabimaru instead sighed and relented to her prodding - mostly with Senbonzakura in mind. That didn't mean he couldn't grumble, especially after a glance at Renji... though his charge did really clean up nicely, but he refrained from commenting due to already sensing the uncomfortable tint to Renji's mind. Just because Renji looked like that didn't mean he wanted to, though.

His own smirk mirroring Tsukiko's at his zanpakutou's reaction, Byakuya said nothing regarding it as his gaze slid to Renji and remained fixed there. A 'polished' Renji was certainly different, but nevertheless, quite pleasing to the eye... to the point he could not pull his own gaze away for quite some time. Instead of blatantly speaking his approval, however, the noble artfully caught the redhead's eye, the gentle purr of his reiatsu against his and the soft smile he offered more of an admittance than mere words.

Renji brushed his own reiatsu back against the noble's and relaxed for the first time that morning. He really didn't look too dolled up, and Byakuya obviously approved, so he supposed he could live with this new him for at least the rest of the day. Lowering the mirror, he turned to watch Zabimaru's run through, idly wondering if he'd had a similar look of resigned terror when he'd first sat down.

Manami tucked Zabimaru's hair back into a pony tail before taking a seat in front of him. With a sigh, she resorted to the same green substance previously employed on Renji's skin and began to rub it in to the zanpakutou's. Not easy at all.

Shutting his eyes, the zanpakutou really had to resist squirming beneath the touch. The thought of being completely painted up like some doll lingered in his mind and he had to suck in a slow, calming breath at that. "What the hell is all this for, anyway?" Zabimaru muttered, exasperated already and reminded of why he thought nobles and all their nonsense were completely a waste of time.

Byakuya slowly relaxed a bit further as he felt Renji do the same. As long as his fiancé was at ease, he would be, as well. "I am surprised Manami's patience has lasted this long," he lowly commented to Tsukiko.

"You're sure it's lasting?" Tsukiko answered immediately, setting the brush aside in order to coat her hands in freshly scented oil and rake her fingers through his hair.

"On a zanpakutou? No idea," Manami answered, pulling her hands away after the last bit was rubbed in. "Normally, it refreshes the skin, maintaining a clean, smooth complexion throughout the day, so hopefully that's what'll do for you."

Byakuya smirked, shutting his eyes and tipping his head back into her hands as he stretched carefully. "I was being optimistic."

"Great," Zabimaru muttered, shutting his eyes to affectively pretend that he wasn't here. If this weren't Renji's damned wedding, he would have taken off by now. "So, in other words, this is a complete waste of time."

Manami opened her mouth to respond, but Renji cut in before anything actually came out. "It's fine, Manami. Please don't waste any more of yer stuff on him." He smiled faintly, and glanced up at Ume, "Why don't you just brush his hair out? I'm sure he'd like that."

"... If you're certain, Abarai-sama," Manami murmured, glancing back at him.

Renji's smile slipped to a smirk and he nodded. "Really - I was just messing with him anyway."

Tsukiko laughed softly, bending her fingers to massage along the scalp as she finished with the oil. That done, she wiped her hands on the nearby cloth, and picked up a comb, carefully pulling apart the hair on the right side of Byakuya's head until the correct part formed. Once separated, she dropped the comb to the table and began the slow, methodical process of interweaving the starkly white bands into deeply black hair.

Immediately, an extremely grateful pair of brown eyes slid in Renji's direction. Relief radiated from the zanpakutou in waves and Zabimaru almost contemplated hugging him... if that wasn't just awkward and he wouldn't have gotten yelled at for mussing their clothes.

Ume blinked, her attention shifting to Zabimaru. "All right..." Sliding over to the spirit, she managed a shy smile before beginning the task of untangling and brushing the dark hair; though, surprisingly, it was much easier to work with than Renji's.

His eyes remained shut, relaxed beneath the woman's care to the point that his headache started to thankfully wan. Tsukiko's presence, on today of all days, was quite possibly the most necessary thing, outside of Renji's. "Am I getting that tea after this?" Byakuya absently murmured, half-lulled by the familiar, and somehow calming movements of his hair.

"Of course, Kuchiki-sama, Kumiko has already begun making it," Tsukiko soothed. The last section of the kenseikan now firmly in place, she retrieved her brush one final time and carefully stroked the length of Byakuya's hair until it shone. "Perfect," she sighed, admiring her work. "You've outdone yourself this time..."

Kumiko, who had snuck in during the chaos of Zabimaru's return, delicately poured hot water over the mix of leaves and herbs she didn't rightly understand, mixing the concoction as she waited for the correct moment to pass it to the noble.

"Aw, c'mon, you'd just look weird all dolled up," Renji verbally replied to his zanpakutou's silent wave of thanks, glancing over to make sure everything was all right. Ume, at least, seemed to making sense of Zabimaru's unruly mop. That girl really had no idea how good she was at her job; the redhead never thought much of letting someone else do his hair, but he had to admit that when Ume did his... it'd felt really nice. Soothing, even... no wonder Byakuya enjoyed being petted and stroked so much, he thought idly.

The noble opened his eyes then, immediately glancing into the mirror and nodding carefully in approval. "I suppose I have no choice but to keep you around for another year, then, Tsukiko," Byakuya teased, "because yet again, you have done a wonderful job." Accepting the tea passed in his direction, he took a delicate sip, taking his time to allow the herbs to do their work on the headache that still tried to drill a hole into his skull.

"You really have such fine hair as well, Zabimaru," Ume murmured as she managed to brush the previously uncooperative mess completely free of tangles, and even somewhat back from the spirit's face. A bit of oil was added to her hands before she carefully raked them through the ebony strands, fingertips massaging along his scalp.

Zabimaru decided not to respond to whatever the hell Renji was saying... oh, hell, he seriously doubted he actually could with what that girl was doing at the same time. All but purring, the zanpakutou sunk back into her hands slightly, noting that this must be why Renji let them harass him all morning.

Beaming at the praise not matter how it was given, Tsukiko called across the room, "Ne, Abarai-sama, do I have your approval as well?"

"Eh?" Renji glanced back towards the woman who stood beside his fiancé. "Approve of wha-" his tongue stilled and then stopped working all together. Auburn eyes widened and locked on the noble, staring openly. Manami leaned over and tapped his chin shut with a smirk.

"... I'll take that as a 'yes'," Tsukiko grinned smugly, one hand on her hip as she observed the reaction. "Your ability to capture attention hasn't dulled at all," she laughed, patting Byakuya's shoulder once before turning to search out her next target.

”So I noticed," the noble drawled lowly, lifting his eyes from his tea to catch Renji's. A smirk slowly made its way across his face once more as he found himself unable to not enjoy Renji's reaction. He turned his head, still basking in the clear approval of his fiancé as he addressed Tsukiko once more, "Would you prefer if I moved so you could have this space for Senbonzakura?"

"As you please, Kuchiki-sama," Tsukiko answered easily, pulling Senbonzakura gently out of the corner he and Asaya had confined themselves to while changing. "That kimono looks gorgeous on you~" she announced, drawing the zanpakutou into the light and gently making small adjustments.

Sen blushed, glancing over at Byakuya. "Is it all right...?" He asked quietly, his reiatsu curling about his charge.

Byakuya rose from his seat, mostly with the intention of moving closer to Renji and giving the redhead a better view. He paused; however, as Tsukiko drew Senbonzakura out of hiding, his eyes flickering back to his zanpakutou and widening in clear approval. "More than 'all right'," Byakuya assured him, the coil of his own reiatsu about Senbonzakura's a warm and gentle caress. "Beautiful."

Once Ume was done, Zabimaru's eyes drifted across the room and caught sight of Senbonzakura. Freezing in place, the nue scarcely saw anything in the room save for his lover right then as he continued to stare and openly admire the other spirit.

"I - thank you, Kuchiki-sama," Senbonzakura answered, eyes raised now to show the man before him how much he appreciated the compliment. Sensing other appreciative gazes, however, he looked to the side, extremely pleased to find Zabimaru's warm eyes all but riveted to his form. His reiatsu dropped and purred contently, brushing gently against the others' in a still shy, but obviously pleased manner.

"Well then, I think I might just take that seat, if you don't mind," Tsukiko finally broke the stunned silence, carefully guiding Senbonzakura in that direction. "I intend on having this particular flower in full bloom for the ceremonies." She smiled, thinking how fortunate she was to be privy to such an event.

"I am sure he will blossom in your capable hands," Byakuya sincerely replied before making his way across the room, unconcerned with the clearly admiring gazes of the servants cast in his direction, but quite content to bask beneath Renji's. Primly seating himself in a chair near the redhead's, he took another sip of the tea he had brought with him, inwardly thanking Tsukiko for whatever else she had thrown into this concoction, as it made his headache quick to fade. More or less content, the noble uncurled his reiatsu from Senbonzakura's and twined it about Renji, allowing the energy to settle into a low, rumbling purr.

Immediately, Zabimaru's reiatsu wrapped about the other spirit's, warm and affectionate and quite content to lavish him in approval. If that wasn't 'full bloom' as Tsukiko mentioned... then Zabimaru knew it would be a long, long day.

Renji's own reiatsu instinctively surrounded the noble in an obviously possessive gesture, warm and nearly aching in appreciation. He'd always thought Byakuya was beautiful - there was no denying that - but Tsukiko really made him shine. Every good thing about him had been accented perfectly. Renji wanted nothing more just then than to run his fingers through the fine black hair, and kiss flawlessly pale lips until the noble's eyes all but drowned in emotion... he wasn't sure how long he'd be able to keep from doing just that.

"Please have a seat," Tsukiko instructed, guiding Senbonzakura to the chair recently vacated by Byakuya and pulling up her own across from him.

The sword spirit followed her lead, sitting exactly as his charge had in his place. Zabimaru's clearly appreciative reiatsu warmed him to an easy relaxation. A light tug at his hair directed his attention momentarily behind him at one of the servants seemingly standing by with brush in hand. "You needn't worry about that," he instructed kindly, "it doesn't tangle."

"Mmm, I wish I had hair like that," Tsukiko chuckled, gently directing Senbonzakura to turn forward once more. "And you have so much of it too - it's just begging for a hairpiece. Kumiko, I believe we have one for this kimono, correct?"

"Ah, yes, I'll fetch it," the girl replied, standing and bowing before quickly dashing off.

"Asaya, hold his hair back for me? Thank you." Tsukiko returned to her previous work, picking up a pencil with a dark red tip. "Just relax and remain still..." she murmured, carefully drawing the tip along Sen's lips.

Settling into the possessive reiatsu with an almost audible purr, Byakuya slid his gaze to Renji, easily holding auburn with blue in obvious affection before dropping his eyes again and finishing the tea he held. The warmth of Renji's reiatsu around him combined with the soothing herbs had all but diminished his headache and any other ailments to nothing. Absently, he wondered how long Renji would last today, as the ache and desire filtering through reiatsu was quite apparent. Regardless, he was content to not react to either, knowing it was, at the very least, keeping his fiancé on his toes.

Taking visible measures to settle his reaction, Renji took a long, deep breath and sat back, exhaling it. Twelve more hours, he told himself, tops. Twelve more hours he had to stare without touching; twelve more hours until they were properly married, and could continue on with their own vices.

... Fuck.

Resisting the urge to outright smirk, Byakuya instead remained perfectly poised and focused his gaze on Tsukiko and Senbonzakura. Really, it was a crime Senbonzakura rarely had reason to submit to such attentions - then again, Byakuya wryly thought as he felt Zabimaru in quite the similar state as Renji, perhaps it was for the best.

Finishing Senbonzakura's lips with a slight flourish of a darkly painted brush, Tsukiko selected another, small brush and dipped it in black, raising it to the zanpakutou's already brilliant lashes and applying the color. "Have you ever dressed up before?" she asked idly, finishing both eyes and then searching out the kohl.

"I have not," Senbonzakura answered quietly, and then stilled once more, eyes open as he relented to the woman's ministrations.

"That might be best... too often, and I doubt Abarai-sama would be able to fight properly, hm?" She answered, pulling back once the kohl marking was done, and giving him a once over. After a second thought, she picked up another brush of pink and ever so carefully accented the sword spirit's eyelids.

"... You exaggerate, Tsukiko-san," Senbonzakura answered quietly, but nevertheless glanced in Zabimaru's direction, allowing his head to be turned as needed at the hands of whoever it was behind him now.

The brief glance in his direction was enough to make Zabimaru forcibly restrain himself. Fuck. Tsukiko was certainly not exaggerating. There was no way he was going to last the twelve hours that Renji was predicting. No. Fucking. Way. The zanpakutou heaved out a long sigh and shut his eyes as he leaned back. He briefly brushed the back of Renji's mind, all but whining about how absolutely unfair all of this was.

Right then, Renji couldn't agree more. At least Zabimaru wouldn't be forced to endure all the platitudes after the ceremonies. With a sigh, he returned to staring at his lover, figuring if he was going to be tortured, he might as well make it good.

"We're just going to use the middle part," Tsukiko explained, helping Asaya select only the sides of Senbonzakura’s long hair and move it back towards the crown of his head. "Is that too heavy for you?"

"Not at all," the sword spirit murmured, seemingly thoughtful as the women drew his hair into an intricately designed, red and gold hairpiece. "It hardly weighs anything," he added by way of explanation.

"Ah, that makes sense now; I always wondered how you could bare such long, thick hair, but if it doesn't really weigh you down..." the older woman answered, carefully adjusting the massive amounts of hair so that the fan like objects sat upright, and firmly pinned it in place with two decorative hair sticks, adding to the few shimmering gems dangling down from the adornment and spotting the spirit's white hair with color. She stepped back a moment, watching the entire hairdo with care before nodding and straightening. "Finished."

Senbonzakura blinked slightly, thinking it would take longer. "Already?"

"Yes." Tsukiko stepped back into his line of sight and offered her hand. "Come, I'll show you the full length mirror," she offered with a smile. Finding himself rather curious at the prospect, the zanpakutou nodded ever so slightly and laid his hand in hers, rising to his feet. Tsukiko moved slowly, careful of the spirit's adjusting center of gravity and then pulled her hand away when they reached the mirror.

Senbonzakura stilled, observing himself at an angle that allowed viewing of his hair as well. His eyes travelled through the mirror to Tsukiko's; stunned amazement, as well as thanks completely visible as he stood otherwise speechless.

Zabimaru's initial response in an inward 'oh, god' before sinking further back into his seat with a bitten back groan. Just... fuck. It was bad enough that Senbonzakura looked so damned good no matter what, but when the attempt was made to really accentuate his beauty... Honestly, it took everything the nue had right then to resist jumping up and dragging the gorgeous spirit out of the room with him.

"You have truly outdone yourself, Tsukiko," Byakuya murmured, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room as he rose and approached his zanpakutou. He stood behind Senbonzakura, lightly placing his hands on his shoulders as he allowed silent approval tinted with admiration to be visible in his eyes as he caught the spirit's by way of mirror.

Byakuya's hands on his shoulders and the gentle weight of the noble's reiatsu as it curled about him would have been enough, but locking gazes with his charge caused a pleased thrill to echo through him. The sword spirit turned slightly, attempting to match their eyes without the mirror and offering the man a soft smile. His own appearance as well as his actions reflected directly upon the noble, and it was the knowledge that the correlation would be overwhelmingly positive that made him truly glow.

Renji merely sent his zanpakutou a strangely happily resigned face that quite clearly communicated "we're doomed".

Zabimaru could only nod and keep his eyes shut. Really, if he looked one more time in Senbonzakura's direction, it would be the end of him.

Byakuya returned the smile gently, allowing a last admiring glance over the spirit's form before withdrawing and shifting his gaze to Manami. "The morning ceremonies should begin shortly, correct?"

 

 

 

 

 

OMAKE

~
Gali: 16:29:27
    (*totally visualizing byakuya just sitting there and letting servants file his nails for him while Renji squawks and squirms and gets his hair thoroughly brushed and fawned upon for once* ....rofl, I agree, Zabi would be like 'not sticking around for that~')

Kira: 16:33:37
    ( XD;; "GET THEM OFF ;-;"

    "Why?"

    "... *whimper*"

    "*priss to the extreme* You look good, Renji, let them work."

    "... --; *gets pretty for Byakuya because he's whipped like that*" )

Kira: 01:44:29
    (I figure we're both on the same wavelength still, but ... Renji = hair down? :x )

Gali: 01:44:47
    (oh, indeed >D it'll drive him crazy all day long, too. poor guy.)

Kira: 01:45:46
    (Renji: ::begins to push it out of his eyes::

    Byakuya: Stop.

    Renji: ::freezes instinctively::

    Byakuya: Don't touch it.

    Renji: But~ ::whine::

    Byakuya: No.

    Renji: ... ;-; )

Gali: 16:33:00
    (Byakuya and Senbonzakura are going to walk into the room and EVERYONE is going to swoon. not to discredit Renji and Zabimaru, but you know what i mean >>;)

Gali: 16:33:38
    (Ichigo is going to be questioning his sexuality as he finds himself openly gawking at Bya and Sen; I imagine... rofl... poor guy)

Kira: 16:34:13
    (OMG, that's THE BEST XD Renji's so going to tease him about it)