The Forgotten Child
Just an epilogue, for those that are curious to what happened after! Sorry for the long wait! Had a wrestling tourny to attend!
Epilogue: The New Beginning
Three months had passed since Rin had returned to Soul Society and many changes had already happened. It was not long after Rin arrived, two days approximately, that Yamamoto Genryuusai had asked of what Company she had wanted to join in, her choice. "What about Eiko?" Rin asked as she looked at the names of each Company and Captain that was in charge.
"A regular soul cannot be in the Gotei Thirteen," he explained, "she has no hint of a Reiatsu. Therefore, she cannot be allowed to join."
"Trust me," Rin grinned, "Eiko has one. It's just extremely low, if she were to stay and follow me in Soul Society, it would surely return."
And sure enough it had. After a week of joining Eleventh Company, Eiko soon regained her lost spiritual powers and was able to continue her place as a Shinigami. Her sword, Fuji Hanafubuki, was soon formed to a zanpakutou. No physical changes, her request. "So as not to forget all that has happened in our old lives," she had explained. "Rin gave me this, that's why I followed her to Eleventh Company."
Byakuya was a bit disappointed that his daughter had joined Eleventh Company instead of Sixth, but Kenpachi was thrilled. From the moment he had seen Rin's movements and Eiko's speed, he had been more than happy to have them into his company. He had asked Rin how she was able to get a zanpakutou before she had entered Soul Society and she explained. She told of Kiichi and how she had met him, how he had died and given his zanpakutou to her as a keepsake. To this Kenpachi told her of his old subordinate. "Ah!! Akaichi Kiichi?! You don't say! It's a shame he died, but when he gave you that, did he tell you of anything else?"
"No, nothing, Zaraki Taichou." Rin replied, "Why do you ask?"
"Because that bastard was Fourth Seat in my Company!!" Zaraki boasted, "Akaichi, right?! Yup! That's him alright! Go Kou, it's no wonder why he would give such a brilliant piece to you and not have it buried with him. That'd be a waste!"
"Kii-kun?" Yachiru had asked as she popped up from her Taichou's shoulder, "He was the best friend of Ken chan! You should've seen how the both of them would really go at it!"
"Huh? Zaraki Taichou and Kiichi san?" Rin asked in disbelief, "I never knew he was that good."
"We once asked if he wanted to take Madarame Ikkaku's place as Third Seat but he refused!" Kenpachi continued, "The guy was too modest and humble, he should've taken it. He and Ikkaku would always have pointless squabbles!" To this Kenpachi grinned and patted Rin's head as if she were a little child like Yachiru, "Take good care of it, 'kay? That's gonna be a reminder of Kiichi while he's gone."
"Let's make her Fourth Seat, Ken chan!" Yachiru suggested, "The same as Kiichi! If she was able to handle Kuchiki Rukia's attacks and survive through her blizzard, she's gotta be tough!"
Rin soon became Fourth Seat while Eiko had become Sixth. The both of them would always spar against their favorite partners, Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika. A way to sharpen their skills and keep their seats for all of them. It was only once a month that Rin would test her skills out against Zaraki, no holding back. Yachiru would always cheer for Kenpachi while Eiko cheered for Rin. Eleventh Company soon became another home for both Rin and Eiko.
Rukia then introduced them to the Shinigami's Women Association and to both of their surprise; their own Lieutenant was the head of the organization. Eiko and Rin were more than delighted to participate in the activities of the association such as taking pictures for the Women's Association calendar, Best Male Shinigami of Soul Society and other events. Though, whenever it came to Best Male Shinigami, Eiko would prefer Harunobu Ogidou of Fourth Company over Rin's choice of her father. Meeting the other female members was exciting as well, though Rin personally disliked it whenever Matsumoto Rangiku would treat her as a child. The most embarrassing for Eiko was when she had overheard by Matsumoto and Kotetsu Isane that Tetsuzaemon Iba, Lieutenant of Ninth Company had somewhat of a crush on her and had paired the two together so that he was able to confess his love. Thankfully for Eiko, Ogidou had already confessed his affection to her and she happily accepted.
Rin soon shared her obsession for Chappy bunny along with Rukia when she was first introduced to a doll of it. "I simply love it!" she had squealed when they were out and around the Seireitei. Rukia also showed her the uses of gigai's and had told her about the adventures she had shared with a human named Kurosaki Ichigo.
"He is a really interesting person," she said, "I hope you and him meet one day."
Rin smiled and hoped as well that she would too. Gazing up into the sky, Rin couldn't help but imagine that perhaps both her mother and Kiichi were smiling down on her. Happy that she had found peace in her heart. "Hey Rukia," Rin spoke as she continued to gaze, "is there by any chance that perhaps I could visit the Rukongai?"
"Of course you can," Rukia replied as she sat next to her, "only on Sunday's though. But it should be enough."
Not too long after she had heard this, Rin immediately went to her mother's grave. She would spend hours talking with her as if she were alive, telling her all that she did. Byakuya was pleased with this and allowed Rin to visit the graves everyday. Though she wasn't allowed to go to the Rukongai everyday, she was content with Sunday's. Finally, one day, walking along District Eighty by herself, Rin then traveled through the forest and went to Kiichi's grave. Smiling from ear to ear, Rin then looked happily upon the grave of her deceased love. "Hey Kiichi san," she began, "I have more news to tell you what I have done lately…."
Not too long, it is an epilogue after all. Well, hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading! R&R!!! Oh, and be sure to check dA for my drawings of Rin! I'll soon be putting up Eiko and Kiichi as well as their swords too!! And if all goes well, I'll do some sort of sequel or a story just for Eiko.