Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the story line itself. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading.

So anyone who read this when it came out knows I haven't updated in over seven years. And that's about how long it's been since I've read the manga or watched the anime, if not longer, so my knowledge is way out of date, obviously. But I never forgot this fanfic, and the whole 'Finding Nemo' sequel reminded me of its unfinished state, so in honor of 'Finding Dory,' here is a short chapter to finish it off. Sorry for the wait and the hopefully not too abrupt ending.

Epilogue

"And so I told your grandmother and father that I would be very happy to be adopted by them if they were sure that they wanted me, and that is how I became your aunt instead of just your primary caregiver when your parents weren't available. So really I have you to thank for the fact that I have a family now, since I might never have had the opportunity to have a family otherwise. And family is the most important thing in this world, which is one of the few things your parents will always agree about."

Watching Ai process her words, the five year old looking just like her mother as she did so, Nemu was fairly sure that her long and detailed explanation had sufficiently distracted the girl from her original question, which had been where the baby currently in her mother's stomach had come from.

Not that she couldn't have explained the reproductive process to her niece, she had more scientific knowledge than both of Ai's parents put together after all, but both Nanao san and her brother had made it clear that the process of telling a child about where babies came from was a rite of passage that parents had to deal with rather than aunts.

Which made no sense to Nemu, honestly, since Shunsui san had looked quite green at the very idea of having such a talk with his precious baby girl. Nanao san hadn't exactly looked thrilled at the idea either, but when Nemu had assured them that she wouldn't mind taking on the responsibility of explaining the reproductive process to Ai her sister in law had insisted that they would take care of it. And had elbowed Shunsui san really hard in the side when it looked like he might argue with her.

Being more adapt at reading between the lines that she had once been, Nemu knew that at the end of the day that even after all this time of having a family and being around people a great deal saner than her creator, there was still much she didn't understand when it came to social customs and how to function in a 'normal' society. Or as normal as is ever got in Soul Society, which wasn't normal at all according to several people who Nemu considered reliable sources.

"Aunt Nemu, I'm glad we have you in our family."

The now familiar ache bloomed in Nemu's chest, the sweet pain of it something she'd had to get used to feeling over the years as she discovered what it was to be loved and wanted. To have people who felt their lives were better for having her in it even if she was odd.

"I am glad to have you in my family too."

Stroking the girl's head as Ai hugged her legs, Nemu smiled down at her, remembering just how interesting and rather funny it had been, the day the little girl had come into the world.

Many people still teased Shunsui san quite a bit about him fainting dead away into Nemu's arms when Nanao san had informed them that no, they weren't going home now that the paperwork was done for the day because she was in labor and had been for a couple of hours now.

That her sister in law had waited until all the work was done before going to the hospital was also something many people had commented upon afterwards, and they had all given Nemu very weird looks when she'd stated that it made complete sense to her, since Nanao san wouldn't have been able to concentrate on having the baby if she'd been distracted by thoughts of unfinished paperwork.

Not that there would be a repeat of that, most likely, since as a direct result of the 'unusual' things that had happened during the first birth Shunsui san had promised not to faint this time if Nanao san promised to tell him the moment that she felt the first contraction.

And at least Shunsui san had regained consciousness ten minutes before Ai had come into the world, since in between his tears and inane ramblings the captain had made it clear that he'd have never forgiven himself if he hadn't been there to see his daughter born, and was very sorry that he hadn't been around earlier to hold his Nanao chan's hand and comfort her.

Neither Nemu nor Nanao san mentioned that they both thought it for the best that the overly emotional man hadn't been around earlier to get in their way. Or that Captain Unohana had agreed that it was probably for the best too.

"Aunt Nemu, you still haven't told me how my sister or brother got in my mommy's tummy."

Ah, her diversion tact had been unsuccessful after all. "I'm sorry, but your parents have forbidden me to explain that to you." She could say she'd tried to divert the girl's interest at least. And she liked to be honest with her niece as it was.

Ai gave her an intelligent look. "Its cause you told me all that stuff about how human bodies decompose when I asked you about it. Isn't it?"

"That might have been a factor, yes."

Sighing in a put upon manner, Ai shook her head and Nemu did the same.

)

As Ai was determined to learn how her future sibling had come into being, and all attempts to distract her with others things hadn't worked, the little girl had been promised that she'd get the information she wanted after dinner, when coincidentally Nemu already had plans to watch some movies with her best friend. She and Toshiro san often got together for movie nights since no one close to them appreciated their taste in films. Not that they mind that, since that just meant that they could enjoy each other's company and the movie without people screaming in their ears and hiding behind them.

And Matsumoto san was very grateful her captain had someone else to watch the movies with.

Leaving the house after the last meal of the day, Nemu walked only a short distance before a change in air signaled the arrival of a familiar figure, Nemu automatically smiling in greeting at Captain Ukitake, who smiled back, his cheeks going pink. That tended to happen to him a lot when she was around recently, though Nemu wasn't entirely sure why.

"Captain." Nemu bowed politely, her brother's best friend returning the gesture and greeting before explaining that he'd just stopped by to see how Nanao san was doing and say hello to all of them.

"We are all doing well except for my brother, who is not feeling well at the moment."

The thirteenth division captain's eyebrows furrowed as he asked what was wrong with his friend.

"Apparently he does not like the idea of explaining where babies come from to Ai. That's what they are doing now while I'm out."

All the color drained out of Ukitake's face, only to come back in a rush so that the man's usually pale face was completely red. Red enough that Nemu hurried over to place a hand on his shoulder and ask if he was alright, eyes scanning him for signs of injury.

"Fine. I'll come by tomorrow instead."

Not sure she should believe him, especially since he'd wheezed the words out in such a weird tone of voice, Nemu announced that she'd help him back to his house herself. Her movie night could wait. And to make sure he understood she meant what she was saying Nemu slid her arm through his in a tight grip meant to subtly remind him that physically she could kick his ass. Not that she ever would. She liked him very much.

"I don't want to interrupt your date with Shiro chan."

Nemu cocked her head to the side. "Toshiro san and I are not dating. Though we understand that our friendship is often misconstrued that way, as many believe that men and women can't just be close friends. A hypothesis I don't understand or agree with. I am not dating anyone."

"Oh. Really?"

"Yes. Why would I lie about that?"

The stuttered explanation he gave was as garbled as Shunsui san's was when he talked about her dating eventually, but Nemu caught enough of his words to understand that he was apologizing her for suggesting that she was lying. He hadn't meant it that way, he'd just been surprised.

"I did not take offense. I know you wouldn't say mean things to me. You're too kind to do that."

That made the captain stutter some more.

And then he surprised her by asking, if maybe, just maybe, she'd care to go out with him for dinner in the near future.

"Just the two of us?" Nemu asked carefully, just to confirm that she wasn't misunderstanding him. Especially since her best friend's lieutenant had given her many romance novels and copies of women's magazines to read over the years, so she knew that an invitation of the sort Ukitake had given her was usually intended to be perceived as a request for a date. Unless she was misconstruing his query in some manner, which was entirely possible too.

But Ukitake nodded bashfully, the way he shuffled one of his sandaled feet making Nemu smile for reasons she couldn't quite understand.

"I would like that very much. Yes."

Captain Ukitake looked both shocked and very happy. "Thank you."

"I will look forward to it."

And arm in arm the two continued to stroll down the street together as Nemu walked Ukitake home, Nemu pleased to think that her bond with the captain would deepen and grow from now on.

She always loved finding new family, especially since she'd found herself.

The End