a/n: Hello people! This is the epilogue of my fanfic. I wasn't suppose to write an epilogue anymore, but I wanted to seal the story once and for all. Anyway, I thank God for giving me the time and creativity to write this fic, the people who took time reading this fic. Thank my beta for her patience, and to you who read up to the epilogue. Domo arigato gozaimasu! I'm also planning to write another fic. (Slightly ichigo-centric about 10-15 chapters) Please look out for that one! Without further ado, I give you the epilogue!

Wait! Disclaimer: Even up to now, I still don't own Bleach.

Forget Me Not:

There wasn't even a story worth telling in the first place.

There was no final surrender, no change of heart, no too late apologies or even heart warming speeches, and any crap like that. There were no twists or turns, nor climaxes. The story ends as anyone would expect it. Ichigo Kurosaki collapsed in the arms of his vice-captain Rukia Kuchiki. They both returned to Soul Society. The rest of the reinforcements stayed in Hueco Mundo to clean up the mess. Nothing unexpected happened. Ichigo was taken to the fourth squad to recuperate. There he rested for a couple of days.

As expected, Ichigo Kurosaki was awarded for his saving Soul Society. Nothing much happened; a short thank you speech, an exchange of smiles, and a short tribute. All was well and happy. Byakuya Kuchiki sat unmoved in a corner. Kyoraku laughed with the other ladies in the celebration. All the shinigamis were much what they were predicted to do, expect for Rangiku Matsumoto who left the party early. Nobody knew where she went.

There was only one unanswered question left. What happened to Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki? On the night of the celebration, Ichigo knew he had to answer his vice-captain's doubts sooner or later. He decided that it should be now. He gathered all his remaining strength and approached his vice captain sitting in one corner of the room. He signalled the woman to follow him outside. There was no turning back now.

Rukia Kuchiki found the hero outside underneath the stars. Why did he call her out there? Well, that why she followed him right? To find out what he wanted. They stood both stood there silent, neither saying a single word, until the lieutenant broke the silence.

"Are you making advancement in order to woo your commanding officer?" she said loving the boy's reaction. "If you have nothing to say pertinent, then I should be going back to the celebration." The boy made no reply. Rukia sighed and decided to make her way back. She was just wasting her time.

"Wait," Ichigo finally said stopping Rukia dead on her tracks. "Aren't going to ask?"

"I told you," she replied. "It's not my business, but if you're going to tell me I'm willing to listen. Until then, I won't force you." She smiled. "Let us go back to inside." She continued walking, but this time the boy grabbed her by the hand. Rukia reluctantly stayed. "Fine, but only for a while."

"When I first entered the Thirteen Squads of Pour Souls, I did not expect much from myself." He began. "I mean sure, I got decent grades from the academy. I even got sent to the office for beating up a couple of punks. But, I did not expect myself to go out of my way slashing the most powerful hollow. I mean, I know I'm not really who I think I am. But, ma'am, I want to know? Who was I to you?" He paused. He itched for an answer.

Rukia smiled. "You are who you are. The way I see you cannot change. And no matter how hard I try to see you in a different way. You are still the boy told me my drawings sucked; the only person that called me a midget that I should go play death god somewhere else, the only person that had the guts to tell me to shut up, and of course, the very person that took me out of darkness. Yes, that is who you are to me. Cheesy? Yes, but you asked for it."

"Really?" he replied. "Then, I have no regrets."

"Then, I should go back."

"Rukia," Ichigo called out again before she slid open the door. Rukia turned around. Ichigo smiled and said, "I told you so." He smirked and joined Rukia to go inside. Rukia smiled back. And the rest was of course, history.