Lovers Come Together

Chapter 5

Annual Shinigami Spring Festival Dance

(and this time it didn’t suck…..)





Yachiru hung back a little bit as the two women led the way to the Kuchiki estate where somehow they all still met up before heading out. Ichigo and Rukia would be here as well, expecting to attend due to their rank and heritage.



“Oh, stop moping, you are lovely.” Tatsuki grabbed Yachiru’s hand and dragged her even of the two girls.



Karin chuckled and patted Yachiru’s shoulder comfortably.



“Now remember, speechless does not mean he thinks you are ugly, it means that you are too beautiful for words and his brain is stunned.” Karin started.



“And stuttering means not enough blood is flowing to his brain, while it can be amusing and annoying, it is a sure sign you got his attention.” Tatsuki continued on.



“Kissing on a first date is acceptable, but if he pushes for more break his balls.” Karin continued.



“Unless the two of you have been dating longer than either of us know and have already shared your first kiss.” Tatsuki winked at her. “Than sex is totally okay at this point.



“But just remember not to do it where you are likely to be found, you use protection, and you are still home at a reasonable time so you otousan doesn’t go on a man hunt with the entire division.” Karin finished.



Yachiru felt her ears burning at the conversation.



“It’s also okay to feel nervous and uncertain your first dozen or so times.” Karin added after a moment.



“Can we talk about something else please?” Yachiru begged, her cheeks so red that it was a wonder she wasn’t lighting the path with them.



The two women chuckled, but dropped the subject as they arrived at the manor. They were admitted and shown to where the women were getting ready. Rukia greeted them warmly and Yachiru had to do a double take when she saw Isane was not only there, but wearing the Kimono she could swear Byakuya had been picking up at the store.



“Do you like it?” Isane asked softly, spinning slowly to let them see the expensive silk.



“It is wonderful Isane.” Unohana was quick to assure her, dressed in her own expensive Kimono.



“It’s so much more quiet without Rangiku.” Rukia sighed.



“Lilinette, stop tugging on the sleeve, you look fine.” Unohana brushed the arrancar’s hand from her nervous tugging.



“But what if…”



“No buts my dear. You do this every year and every year Hanataro-chan is just as stunned as usual. The time for nervousness is long past my dear.” Unohana reprimanded her softly.



Lilinette sighed and Yachiru felt relief to know she wasn’t the only one nervous about tonight, even if Lilinette didn’t really have a reason to be. She had been married to Hanataro for decades now, although the two still only had the one daughter.



“Isane-san, who are you going with?” Yachiru asked.



Isane blushed and mumbled a reply that Yachiru didn’t quite catch. Karin must have though for she raised an eye in surprise.



“How did that happen?” Karin asked surprised.



“I do not believe it is of concern.” Isane commented softly.



“Indeed.”



Everyone turned to see Byakuya at the door.



“It is time to depart.” He said.



Isane walked up to him, offered a small bow and fell into step beside him, the two heading out.



A nervous Lilinette and Hanataro were the next pair out, hands brushing as they followed the noble and his date. Unohana walked up to a half asleep looking Stark, brushing invisible dirt off from the collar of his own Kimono and stealing a kiss from him before heading out after ‘their eldest children.’



Toshiro was still standing next to a stunned Renji, the two men motionless and speechless.



“Well done ladies.” Tatsuki snickered softly before flowing past the two stunned men, following Rukia and Ichigo out.



“Is something wrong dear?” Karin asked innocently as she walked up to her fiancé, resting an innocent hand on his chest.



“Ah, no.” He blushed, offering her a small bow that she returned before they headed out, leaving Yachiru now alone with a stunned Renji.



She was as much stunned, for his black outfit with white snakes and monkeys was stunning on him.



“You look beautiful.” He finally managed to stammer.



“Thank you. You look good to.” She stammered back.



He finally managed to give her a stiff bow and the two of them headed out, both of them trying not to stare at the other while looking out the corner of their eyes. Once the awkwardness mostly wore off Yachiru found it rather empowering to have a man so enthralled by her without having to beat the shit out of him or because he was terrified of Kenpachi.



They arrived at the event, Tatsuki and Yumichika waiting for them by the entrance. They shared greetings before entering and finding their seats. As usual they would have to listen to Yamamoto drone on about their duties and other such crap no one really paid attention to.



Dinner was served and she found herself relaxing, listening in real interest as Renji went on about his own experiences learning about Zabimaru. She didn’t feel so foolish about her own work as he related all the trouble we went through to get Zabimaru.



Before the first course was even done she found herself completely relaxed, feeling as if this was just another meal they were sharing. By the last course she was finding herself relating to him all about her childish crush on Byakushi, much to his delight.



It was made all the more humorous because he was close to Byakuya and it certainly answered a lot of questions his former Taichou had about missing koi and hidden tunnels over the years.



Once dinner was completed the unseated officer tables were moved and with less reluctance then usual, Renji led Yachiru to the dance floor for all the Taichou were expected to do the first dance.



Surprisingly neither one of them was nervous, for they had both done this waltz several times in the past. Granted it did seem a bit warmer than usual and time seemed to be slowed down a bit.



At least until Yachiru accidentally stepped on his toe, breaking them both out of the trance they had ended up in to realize the floor was now crowded. Both shared a blush and Renji led her off the floor and over to where a table held multiple refreshments for their pleasure.



Yachiru felt her heart flutter as Renji pulled her across the floor, his large, calloused, hand enveloping her own. Briefly she wondered what that hand would feel like on some other part of her body other than her hand.



“I never realized how hot it was tonight.” She noted, using her free hand to fan herself a bit.



Glancing around while Renji procured them something to drink she could only gape in surprise when she spotted Tatsuki, and more importantly who she was flirting shamelessly with.



“What is it?” Renji asked when he turned around to hand her the drink and noticed her stunned look.



Following her gaze he spotted what had her stunned and couldn’t help but to chuckle while placing her drink in her hand.



“Now those two would be fitting for each other. She’s the only other woman I have ever seen pound Ichigo into the ground.” Renji smiled.



“But…But…” She stammered.



“Rukia always said there was someone for everyone. Who are we to judge?” He pointed out.



“Yeah I know. But Ikkaku of all people?” She gapped.



“They do sort of match each other.” Renji shrugged. “Besides, can you think of many other men here who would be able to stand up against her who aren’t already taken?”



“No.” She admitted after thinking about it for a moment. “Speaking of men taken, when the hell did Byakuya and Isane-san get together?” She asked.



Renji laughed at that one.



“Believe it or not, two months ago. He came down with the flue and was admitted to the fourth. Somehow they got talking and the next thing I know they are going out for dinner.”



“Oh? That still seems highly unlikely.” Yachiru frowned.



She could tell there was more to the story than that by the expression on Renji’s face, but she had a feeling that whatever it was it was private and she was not one to delve that deeply into others private lives.



They sat in companionable silence for several more minutes, just watching the others dance and talk and Yachiru’s eyes eventually fell upon Karin and Toshiro, who was looking a little flustered.



“Now this is going to be good.” She smirked aloud, bringing Renji’s attention to the couple as well.











“Yumi-chan, remind me to get Niichan to send up the most expensive make up in your colors because you have done it my boy, you have done it.” Karin thought in triumph.



The usually collected Toshiro had been stammering and tripping over his own two feet all night since he had laid his eyes upon her. He kept trying to get her home, no doubt to jump her the first chance he got, but she kept waylaying him.



She could almost see his frustration through his Kimono and he was trying the most outrageous plots to get her to leave the dull party behind. He was almost in the palm of her hand and ever so innocently she maneuvered him closer to where Ikkaku and Tatsuki seemed to be hitting it off rather well.



Yumichika was watching the couple in clear amusement and she could see the calculating look in his eye, which became all the more enlightened as she ever so slowly worked Toshiro over to the group.



Across the way she noticed Yachiru and Renji had also seemed to catch on that something was going on and with a grin on her face Yachiru brought them into range while still maintaining such a distance that they could hear what was about to happen while still being outside of the radar.



“Look, Toshi-kun, do you really want to go home already?” Karin suddenly asked, forcing back the grin that wanted to light her face as she noticed the other players were all listening intently.



“You usually don’t like staying this late anyway.” He commented, seemingly oblivious to anything but the woman in front of him.



“True, but I would hardly be much of a friend if I ditched Tatsuki-chan after she hasn’t even been here for a week.” Karin pointed out with a forced frown, trying to radiate displeasure that he was suggesting she abandon her good friend.



“She seems to be getting along just fine.” He pointed out.



Karin kept her gaze on him, doing her best to radiate displeasure.



“Look, I promise to make it up to you.”



She frowned for real this time, catching the haunted look in his eyes. He was actually very uncomfortable being in this large crowd. She wrestled with her conscious a bit, for it was the most opportune chance she was going to get to get him to agree to anything, but at the same time it was rather unbecoming of her to take advantage of such a vulnerability.



“Well, you can go on home than, I am going to spend the evening with Tatsuki-chan just like I promised I would. You wouldn’t want me to break my promise would you?” She asked innocently.



That made her conscious feel better. She was offering him an out, even thought she knew he would never leave her side.



“Look, I promise I will do anything you want, but can we please leave?” He asked.



“Anything?” She asked a bit louder, drawing every ones attention now, though he was beyond the point of noticing.



“Yes, anything, can we please just leave?”



“So if we leave, you promise you will marry me on August 12th, no arguments, no backing out?”



“Whatever you want.” He agreed.



She smirked in triumph and it took a moment for it to register in his brain, a look of shock quickly over coming his features.



“Wait, I mean…”



“August 12, got it.” Yumichika noted.



“I’ll be by to help you pick out a dress.” Tatsuki smirked.



“Can I be a flower girl?” Yachiru asked.



“Wait, this is…’



“Are you going back on your word?” Karin asked, the barest hint of tears starting on the corner of her eyes. “You don’t want to marry me?” She asked.



“That’s not what I mean.” He shouted. “Of course I want you. It’s just. I………. Augest 12th is fine.” He sighed.



“Oh Toshi-kun.” She pulled him into a hug and lavished kisses all over his face and neck. “Let’s get out of this joint, we got plans to make.” She pulled him away. “Of course plans can always wait, there are other things we can do first.” She smiled mischievously at him.



His brain seemed to kick back in and he smiled back, eagerly following her back to their house. The door was barely closed when he had her pinned to a wall, mouth attacking her and hands moving quickly to shed them both of their clothing.















Yachiru sat with her legs dangling over the side of one of the buildings, leaning against Renji’s shoulder as they watched the others dancing below. Near the back she could see where the 12th was almost done preparing the fireworks, a small child ducking between them and barking orders in her best ‘Kurotsuchi’ voice.



Yachiru wasn’t sure if she should be highly amused or feel pity for the poor men. Eventually everything seemed to be worked out and a single flare launched up to draw everyone’s attention shortly before the rest were launched in sequence, lighting up the night sky and the sparks falling back to earth like so many flower petals that for a moment they could have been mistaking for Byakuya’s Senbonzakura.



She sighed in contentment and before she knew it Yachiru was drifting off. She never noticed when her escort gently picked her up and returned her to her own division and bed, leaving behind nothing more than a single flower on her dresser.















When Tatsuki saw something she wanted, she went for it. Back in the living world most men were intimidated by a woman that could kill them six ways with a spoon, and she knew nine.



Needless to say it was a relief to meet a guy who wasn’t terrified of that fact, but rather intrigued and wanting to see all nine ways while offering to show her a tenth. Oh yes, despite his rather abrasive appearance Tatsuki quickly found herself growing interested in Yumi-taichou’s friend.



In fact shortly after Karin’s epic display of corning Toshiro to finally setting a date, she took his offer to retreat to a near by training field for the rest of the evening so she could show him all of the neat designs built into her dress.



Tatsuki got the impression that he was actually impressed by the design and her own skills as opposed to just saying he was to try and worm his way into her skirt. Oh she could tell there was definite desire there, but he was genuinely interested in what she had to say and could do.



She had never figured she would be into shaved men, but his entire demeanour was such that she didn’t even notice the lack of hair.



“So you know Asano-chan than?” She asked as they sat together on a bench facing each other, a position that would have been impossible if not for the slit sides.



“Yeah, we stayed at his house during the winter war.” Ikkaku answered.



“You wouldn’t be the one his sister was crushing over all those years ago, would you?” She asked with a laugh, which only grew when she noticed the sour expression on his face.



“Yumichika still doesn’t let me live that down.” He growled.



“Well, teenage girls are strange, there has never been any denying that.” She chuckled.



“So you have known Ichigo for a while than?” He asked.



“Since he was old enough to walk. He was such a mommies boy before his mother passed on.”



Before she knew it he knew her entire life story, all 40 some years of it. It made her realize just how old she was, although for some reason that Urahara had once explained had to do with her high levels of reiatsu she had aged so slowly she appeared only in her mid to late twenties.



“So what about you?” She asked. “What made you want to become a shinigami and a taichou at that?” She asked.



She listened with interest as he spoke about his days with Yumichika out in the 49th district and how he had met Kenpachi and Yachiru.



“Oh this is definitely a man I think I could bring myself to like.” She thought.



“So, now that we know everything about each other, and you have had a chance to rest up after that display, how about you show me personally what you can do?” He challenged with a grin.



“Definitely a man I could get to like.” She grinned. “I thought you would never ask. Rules?”



“How about the first to land a killing blow wins?” He offered, jumping up to grab one of the practice blades on the weapons rack.



“You’re on. Just remember, I taught Zan-kun and Pantera-chan half of what they know?” She smirked as she ignored the practice blades in favour of two smaller, dagger sized sticks.



“That is what I am counting on. Pantera-chan was a little hell cat. I can’t wait to see what you can do. Just don’t cry if you get beat.”



“Bring it.” Tatsuki taunted, falling into a defensive stance.



He charged at her almost immediately, and with the grace of a dancer she slipped to the side, parried his weapon with one stick while smacking him smartly across the ribs with the second.



He didn’t even winch at the pain and let out a great laugh of delight.



“One for me.” She smirked. “Had this been a real dagger you heart would be pumping blood all over the sand. Come on, I was expecting a better challenge than this from a Taichou.” She taunted.



“That was just stage one to see if you were any good and not all bark.” He smirked, readying his weapon again.



This time he didn’t charge at her so recklessly. He still charged but this time his footing was right and he twisted to the side to dodge her second dagger while the first parried his sword.



They exchanged strikes several times before he danced back and over to the weapon rack to replace his sword with a pole arm. He was definitely skilled with it, she would give him that much, but against her duel daggers it was rather defenceless.



He seemed to realize that quickly as well as she weaved in and around the weapon and had they been using real blades instead of wood his arms and legs would have been sliced to ribbons.



He changed the staff out for two swords, and this time she found herself in trouble. He was definitely skilled with the weapons and the longer reach put her at a distinct disadvantage.



She changed her own daggers out for a pair of sai’s. Once more she felt herself gaining the advantage as the pronged weapons permitted her to tie up his blades and rip them from his hands, leaving them both weapons less.



Weaponless was fine for her, she charged right in, fist leading the way followed by a sweeping kick that knocked him to the ground and a another kick to the face that kept him down.



She wasn’t the least be worried she was hurting him. His own reiatsu acted like a sort of body armour and while she was connecting, he might as well have been wearing plate armour for the damage she was doing.



He grabbed her ankle and dragged her to the ground as well, resulting in a wrestling match where she gave as good as she got. She was beyond pleased that he was not holding back in the least, something most men had problems with.



In the end he had her pinned under him with a hand wrapped around her throat while she held one of the reclaimed sai’s to his own throat, ending the duel in a stalemate that was arguably in her favour.



Her weapon would go through his throat faster than she would run our of air from strangulation. It had been so long since someone had been able to dominate her that before she even knew what she was doing she had tossed the wooden practice blade aside and was tarring his cloths off, a favour he was all too quick to return.



Only about half the cloths made it off before he was in her, taking her quickly and setting a pace she hadn’t had the pleasure of ridding in a very long time. She let out pleasured moans that matched his own and her hands clawed at what was left of his uniform, trying to find some form of purchase amongst the mind blown pleasure.



It had been so long she had almost forgotten what being filled to the max felt like. With the pace being set neither one of them lasted long and almost two minutes after the start they were both laying on the sandy arena floor, panting for breath, soaked in sweat, and reeking of sex.



“Not bad.” She grunted. “Been a while since anyone has been able to ride me like that.”



“Not so bad yourself. Can’t think of the last time a woman’s been able to keep up with me, sparring or otherwise.”



“That a challenge?” She growled playfully.



“Better believe it.” He smirked at her.



“Well than, let’s see just how much stamina you got boy.” She smirked at him, pouncing on top of him and attacking his nipples with her mouth to bring him back up.



He growled and tried to roll her under him, but she preserved and held him down, impaling herself once he was fully up and ridding him as hard as he had ridden her. The rest of the night was spent trying to decide who could dominate who the longest and best.











Toshiro barely had Karin through the door before he was peeling the layers of her Kimono off, although he wasn’t moving at a frantic pace. As always he moved slowly with her, as if afraid he was going to hurt her or vice versa. As usual she didn’t mind in the least, letting him set the pace and tilting her head to the side to give him better access to her neck.



She worked most of his cloths off of him, leaving only the inner layer. He picked her up, taking her by surprise and carried her to their room, depositing her on the bed on her back.



She sighed contently and looked up at him, green eyes meeting hers with a warmth and a bit of fear. She smiled and sat up enough to grab his hand and pull him down beside her.



She landed beside her and shot her a look of surprise before she moved and caught his lips with her own, kissing him gently and softly and pulling him on top of her. He returned the gestures after a moments hesitation, and to her surprise got more bold than he had ever gotten before, pressing against her and getting more frantic in his movements.



It was a very pleasant surprise and she was definitely not going to complain or stop him. It had taken years to get him this bold and she was going to take advantage of it. Before long they were both completely naked and so entwined that it was impossible to tell where one of them ended and the other started.



His hands and mouth were all over her and without any warning he was suddenly in her as well, setting a frantic pace that just had her mewing in pleasure at the friction. She clawed at the bed, still maintaining enough of a fraction of a brain to spare his body.



His voice suddenly started to wash over her as he called her name, and she responded with his own nickname, which ended in a howl as the most pleasant and mind shattering experience of her life rushed over her.



He came right behind her. Never before had she felt so full and sated as she slowly regained her wits and he rolled off of her to lay panting in the bed beside her. She snuggled against him and with only the barest hints of hesitation his arms wrapped around her.



“I love you.” She whispered.



“Me to.” He responded almost immediately.



She smiled and turned to kiss him softly before snuggling back down against him.



“I want a big wedding you know.” She declared, laughing softly as he stiffened in horror behind her.







/ hug all. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, the scene where Karin corners Toshiro to finally set a date was hard to write and still feels un epic.



Thank you everyone for the reviews.