"Hurry, hurry," Yuzu called towards Ichigo and their dad as they were being forcefully dragged in the direction of the dressing room.

"Karin's done getting ready, come see her, quick."

"Hold on Yuzu," Issin yelled

"We're going, you don't need to drag us," her brother shouted, but it was already too late. The younger twin was already too fired up to care about the stumbling men behind her.

It was a miracle the three managed to get to the dressing room without any casualties. The noisy bickering that followed Yuzu, died down the minute they entered. Wide eyed and mouth agape, the men were stunned into silence as they saw the girl in front of them. Surely this wasn't the same girl that had lived with them for the last twenty-six years. She was too different.

So many thoughts were running through Ichigo's head. So many questions that had surfaced just from seeing his baby sister in her wedding dress. He was speechless, but he recomposed himself, though the confusion on his face was still very much there. Everything about this girl was Karin but at the same time it was like she was a complete stranger. The way her dress clung to her body then waterfalled down to the floor made her look so effortlessly beautiful. He wondered had her eyes ever looked so gentle before, not that any of them could remember, but right now all he could see in her eyes was that of a girl at her happiest moment in life just waiting to live more happy moments. He knew that any minute now his father would burst into tears.

"Do I look weird?" she asked to end the awkward silence.

Hearing her voice only made Isshin burst out in tears, in his usual Isshin manner.

"You look beautiful, dear," he sobbed between every word. 'When did his little girl grow up so fast?'

"Remember when you said you weren't ever going to get married and you'd stay by your daddy's side forever," Isshin exclaimed triumphantly as if it was his lifelong accomplishment to be the most important man in his daughter's eyes.

"Dad, I only said that I wouldn't get married. I don't remember ever saying that I would stay by your side forever." she answered with a smile.

"Your mom would have been really happy to see you get married, Karin. She would have been really proud of you"

"Thank you, Dad." she said while giving him a hug, then a kiss on the cheek.

"You'll make one hell of a bride" Rukia muttered under her breath as she watched the Kurosakis have their last talk with Karin before her wedding.

Rukia never thought she would approve of anyone for Karin except Toshiro. She remembered watching the pair converse multiple times and finding that there was more to that friendship than either of them were willing to admit. All those glances that those two spared each other when they thought no one was watching only confirmed her beliefs. Karin was so easy to read when it came to Toshiro. Rukia could recall how her face would light up every time Toshiro came to visit and how it would sadden every time he would leave. As for Toshiro, he may have been as cold as the weapon he wielded, but all those years spent living in the Kuchiki household has taught her a thing or two about deciphering emotions. She was certain Toshiro always had a soft spot for Karin.

"Where's Hitsugaya-taicho?" she asked his lieutenant next to her.

"He volunteered on a mission to eradicate a group of hollows that would become Arrancar."

"How convienent," Rukia said suspiciously

Turning back to look at the girl in the wedding dress, smiling radiantly as she talks to her family, Rukia knew exactly why Toshiro didn't want to come. With a knot in her stomach and a bittersweet smile displayed on her face, Rukia left the room.