End of Days

Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters belong to Kubo Tite. Any OCs belong to me.

Author's Note: The long awaited epilogue is here! Due to work and finals, this took a little longer to get typed up. But better late than never. I hopeit covers all my loose ends. Enjoy!

10 Years Later

In the years following Aizen's defeat, the remaining Shinigami forces rebuilt the Seireitei as well as the Gotei13. Byakuya had become the acting soutaichou, taking charge of the restoration. After taking over the 12th Division, Nemu and Urahara combined their skills to find a way to undo Giselle's zombification on the surviving zombie Shinigami. To honour those who had lost their lives, a memorial was constructed on Soukyoku Hill; their fallen Quincy and Arrancar allies were also immortalized on the memorial. Orihime, Ichigo, and Karin had decided to permanently reside in Soul Society along with the surviving Visoreds.

In the tenth year following Aizen's defeat, Seireitei was once again thriving though the ranks of the Gotei 13 were still greatly reduced. Even with the Shin'ou Academy operational and producing new Shinigami, the Gotei 13 was nowhere near where it had been before the Quincy invasion. Ichigo watched as the new recruits carefully as they entered the academy; he was looking for a very specific person.

"It's been a decade Ichigo," Rukia pointed out as she joined Ichigo in his visit to the academy.

Ichigo just shrugged. Shinji had told Ichigo that Chad's soul had been sent to Soul Society and Ichigo wasn't going to give up on finding his best friend again.

Rukia just shook her head at her husband. "We'll see Sado-kun again when the time is right," she reassured him.

Ichigo reached over and ruffled Rukia's hair. "I know but it feels wrong not to look for him," he told her. Even though they were husband and wife, the way Ichigo showed his affection for Rukia hadn't changed.

"Yo Ichigo, Rukia!" Renji called as he approached his friends, his haori draped casually over his shoulder.

"Shouldn't you be wearing that thing, Renji?" Rukia demanded, motioning to the haori.

"It's dirty again," Renji replied with a shrug. The red head had taken over as the 6th Division taichou after Rukia had refused the position. She had opted to remain the fukutaichou of the 13th Division.

"You know Nii-sama's going to scold you again, right?" Rukia pointed out.

"It's not my fault it's a pain in the ass!" protested Renji. "You agree, don't you Ichigo?"

"He does have a point. These things do get in the way sometimes," agreed Ichigo as he motioned to his own haori.

"You guys are idiots," Rukia told them.

"And you're stuck with us," pointed out Renji.

Rukia just shook her head at Renji. "Actually I have to leave to meet Orihime. We have a meeting to get to," she informed her long-time friend.

"Better get going before Ise-taichou and Kusajishi-taichou come looking for you," Renji said, dismissing her with a wave. He earned a kick to the shin before the tiny woman left.

"Tell Inoue I think she's doing a great job as fukutaichou!" Ichigo called after his wife.

"Looking for Sado?" Renji asked when Rukia was gone. Ichigo nodded and Renji placed a hand on his fellow taichou's shoulder. "You'll find him when the time is right," the 6th Division taichou said sagely.

Ichigo narrowed his eyes at Renji. "You were eavesdropping again, weren't you?"

"You two just talk really loud," Renji replied.

Isane frowned as she bandaged Ikkaku's arm yet again. "If you actually practiced kidou more you wouldn't injure yourself so much when you use it," she scolded gently.

Ikkaku scowled at her as he sat and let her tend to his wounds. "It's not my fault! Yumichika provoked me," the bald Shinigami grumbled. He had a sneaking suspicion that Yumichika and Yachiru were conspiring against him in order to keep him injured. They were undoubtedly trying to meddle in his love life at the expense of his health.

"You could tell them 'no' once in a while," Isane pointed out softly. "It's not like you need an excuse to visit me, you know."

Ikkaku's entire head went red. "Tell them that!"

"I have," Isane replied as she finished wrapping his arm. "Apparently our relationship isn't moving fast enough for them."

In the years following Aizen's defeat, Isane and Ikkaku had remained training partners and friends; they were comfortable with each other. Isane had gone to Ikkaku when she found out Kiyone was dead and he had grieved with Isane despite not knowing Kiyone well. At the same time, Isane had stood by Ikkaku and supported his decisions, including his decision to not become a taichou. Ikkaku was determined to stay in the 11th Division not matter the cost.

"It's none of their business," grumbled Ikkaku as he examined his bandaged arm.

"I think it's sweet that they care so much," Isane said as she sat down next to Ikkaku. She smiled when he reached over and took her hand in his.

"Keh," Ikkaku continued to grumble.

Isane gave his hand a squeeze. She was quite content being "an old married couple without the benefits" with Ikkaku as Yachiru liked to phrase it. Neither Isane nor Ikkaku was the greatest with intimate relationships.

"I just don't want them to make you think I don't want you that way," he admitted quietly, his face still red as he looked anywhere but at Isane.

The silver haired 4th Division taichou leaned over and kissed the 11th Division's fukutaichou on the cheek. "Don't worry, I know you do."

Hitsugaya sat at his desk, writing up a report. It was a familiar activity in an office that had been made to mirror his old one, right down to the couch Matsumoto used to lounge on. The only thing really different about the office was the fukutaichou. Orihime's work ethic was considerably different. It had surprised Hitsugaya how quickly Orihime had gone through her training to become a Shinigami. Her position had been promised to her if she remained in Soul Society as a Shinigami thanks to her role in Aizen's defeat; she had adjusted to her new life quite well. For Hitsugaya, it was a nice change of pace.

Of course, Matusmoto's presence could still be found in the office. Orihime kept pictures of the friends she had left behind, including pictures of Gin and Ran. Orihime had left the two children in the care of Hotaru before becoming a Shinigami. Hitsugaya found it ironic in a way; Matusmoto's had watched him grow up and now he was watching her grow.

"Toushirou, are you still writing that report?" asked Orihime as she entered the 10th Division office.

Hitsugaya looked up from his desk as his girlfriend and fukutaichou entered the room. "I'm almost done," he answered.

Orihime set a neatly wrapped package on his desk. She smiled cheerfully as he gave her a curious look. "It's watermelon for you," she announced, proud of herself. She had managed to surprise him for once.

Hitsugaya set his pen down and unwrapped the container of watermelon eagerly. "Thank you," he said quickly.

"Rukia-chan is going to be here soon. We're going to the Association meeting together," Orihime reminded him as he dug into the watermelon happily.

Hitsugaya looked up at her. "Oh yeah, that's today isn't it?" he mused between bites.

Orihime nodded. "Which means it's your day to run the training drills. Which meant you needed a snack," she further explained.

The white haired man nodded. "I remember," he assured her. He rose from his desk, his melon half eaten, and pulled Orihime close. He kissed her gently, making her smile.

"I'll see you after the meeting," she said softly before kissing him again. His kiss tasted like watermelon, making Orihime smile more.

"Have fun," he murmured before releasing her from his embrace. A moment later, Rukia was at the door and the two women were on their way.

It had been ten years since Byakuya had been able to return to Karakura. Since becoming the soutaichou of the Gotei 13, he had been unable to do anything but work. He was finally able to take a break, though; his newly appointed fukutaichou had been insistent that he do so. That was how Byakuya found himself in front of a small house in Karakura, not far from the new Urahara Shouten. He had opted to go without a gigai just in case no one was home. As he approached the house, however, he was passed by a group of preteens, two girls and two familiar looking boys.

"Seriously, Shunsui, do you and Juushirou have to tag along?" complained one of the girls, golden haired and annoyed looking.

"Someone has to make sure you and the adorable Hisana-chan get here safely!" the boy named Shunsui proclaimed impishly, his shaggy brown hair waving as he walked. The second boy had hair a few shades lighter than his friend.

The golden haired girl rolled her eyes as she unknowingly passed Byakuya. Walking next to her was a black haired girl Byakuya would have known anywhere. Hisana was the spitting image of her older sister.

"It's okay Emi-chan. I don't mind if Shun-chan and Shirou-chan come too," the dark haired twelve-year-old told her friend, blushing as she glanced at the dark haired boy.

Byakuya narrowed his eyes as he trailed behind them, invisible to all four of them. It made him feel both sad and relieved to know Hisana was sheltered from his world. Byakuya stopped walking as Hisana reached and opened the door of the house, allowing her friends to enter before her.

"Haku, move!" he heard Hisana yell as she disappeared into the house.
"You move, Squirt!"
Byakuya blinked as a group of teenagers exited the house, three of them – Kohaku, Gin, and Ran - staring right at him. He had not expected that.

"What the hell is up with these damn ghosts?" the dark haired fifteen-year-old Kohaku asked loudly, meeting Byakuya's gaze.

The unfamiliar teen in the group raised an eyebrow at Kohaku. "That was random," she commented as she brushed a piece of long, black hair out of her face.

Kohaku turned to look at her. "You know me, Rin. I'm an odd one," Kohaku told her. He shot Byakuya one last angry glare as he led the others away from the house. Gin waved as he walked by Byakuya, his other arm around Ran's waist.

Byakuya nodded at Gin and Ran before approaching the open door of the house; he assumed Kohaku had left it open on purpose. Byakuya had only just crossed the threshold when Hotaru appeared in front of him.

Hotaru looked startled for a moment before a huge smile appeared on her face. "I wondered what all that talk of ghosts was about," she said with a chuckle as she approached Byakuya.

Byakuya couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked the same as the day he had left her, right down to the rainbow coloured streaks in her hair. As she drew closer, however, Byakuya frowned; Hotaru was waddling slightly as she walked. She looked a little rounder than he remembered.

"Let's go for a walk so we don't disturb Hisana," Hotaru suggested, noticing Byakuya's frown.

"Of course," he agreed and offered Hotaru his arm. The two of them began to walk towards the Urahara Shouten.

"I heard you're the top Shinigami now," the human woman said, making small talk. "Kurosaki-san said it's a big responsibility."

Byakuya nodded. "Yes. We have been rebuilding the Seireitei over the last decade."

"I understand. We've been doing the same here," Hotaru informed him.

The Shinigami man just looked down at his former flame. He was tempted to poke her protruding stomach to see if it was real. He had known that the possibility of Hotaru meeting someone else existed but the reality of the situation still stunned him. "You look well," he told her.

"You mean fat," corrected Hotaru. She wrinkled her nose at him before laughing. "Another month or so to go," she added, patting her stomach with her free hand.

Byakuya smiled despite feeling a tiny bit jealous. "Congratulations," he added, trying hard not to sound disappointed.

"It's been ten years," Hotaru murmured as though she sensed Byakuya's disappointment. She stopped walking and turned to face Byakuya. "I missed you. I still miss you. I just…." She trailed off with a shrug. "It is what it is."

Byakuya sighed softly. He knew life never went as planned but he had hoped for once they would anyway. "Tell me everything I have missed," he insisted.

Hotaru obliged. "Kurosaki-san and Ishida-san opened a clinic together. I work as their receptionist and sometimes as Ishida-san's secretary since he lost a hand in the war," she began. "One day a patient came in while I was there. He kept coming back after he wasn't a patient anymore. I'm surprised Tadashi- the former patient - didn't run screaming when he found out I was raising four kids alone."

"And Tadashi is you…?" Byakuya asked curiously.

"Husband," Hotaru replied gently. She smiled fondly at Byakuya. "He is a good man and he has always been good to the kids."

Byakuya returned the look before embracing Hotaru. "I am glad you are happy."

When Byakuya returned to Soul Society, he made his way to the 8th Division with a present for Nanao, the Division's new taichou, from Hotaru. Nanao was also a mother-to-be and Hotaru had sent Byakuya back to Soul Society with a remedy to help lessen Nanao's morning sickness. The soutaichou arrived just as the Women's' Association meeting was ending.

"Whatcha doin' here, Kuchiki-soutaichou?"

Byakuya looked up as he was approached by Shinji and the other male Visoreds. "Ah, I've come to bring something to Ise-taichou," he answered the blond man's question.

Shinji nodded. "We came for Lisa and Mashiro," Shinji stated, attempting to make small talk. If Byakuya hadn't taken the role of soutaichou, the position would have likely fallen to Shinji. The blond haired Visored was relieved it hadn't come to that; he really didn't want the responsibility.

"Kuchiki-taichou, you're back?"

Byakuya turned back to the 8th Division's office door and came face-to-face with his fukutaichou a petite woman with short, dark red hair and emerald green eyes. "Yes. My trip to Karakura was short," he informed the woman.

"Went back to see that girl finally, huh?" Shinji asked.

"Yes. I was curious to see how she was faring with us out of Karakura," Byakuya informed Shinji. He wasn't sure why he was even giving the Visored any answers; his personal life was no concern of Shinji's. He didn't want his fukutaichou to think he was involved with Hotaru, though. He turned back to the petite woman. "Will you join me for lunch today, Mio?" he asked her, surprising everyone.

The woman blushed but nodded. "Of course," she replied softly.

"Thank you," Byakuya said as he led her away from the gaping Visoreds.

Yuzu sat down on a big, comfy armchair after a long day of being on her feet. Even though she was due any day, she was still very active in the training of other Quincies. After the war had ended, she and Uryuu had married and their first child, Kanae, had been born shortly after. The three of them had eventually travelled to Germany together to keep their promise to Eberhard. In the end, they had decided to move to Germany permanently. With Ryuuken's help, Uryuu and Yuzu were able to buy Eberhard's old home for their own, successfully keeping the land in Quincy hands. They began to train more Quincies there, creating a haven for them. For Yuzu, it was everything she had ever wanted – a home and a family.

"Mama! We have company!" announced Kanae as she skipped into the den her mother was in. Yuzu held in a groan as she tried to get back up quickly.

"Just stay seated! It's no one special!" came Bazz-B's voice from outside the den door. He entered the den a moment later with another little girl on her shoulders.

"Look Mama, I'm bigger than Kanae!" the girl giggled.

"I can see that, Masaki-chan! Welcome back Bazz-B," Yuzu said.

"What are you feeding these kids? They're almost as big as you," Bazz-B teased as he set Masaki down. The two Ishida girls made faces at Bazz-B before running out of the den. Neither of them resembled the woman they were named after; Kanae looked more like Yuzu and Masaki looked more like Uryuu.

"They're just growing up," Yuzu replied. "Kanae is nine now and Masaki is five."

"Wow. So the other brat must be, what, three? Damn," Bazz-B said with surprise. He hadn't seen Yuzu and Uryuu since the last time Yuzu had a baby.

Yuzu nodded. "He's out with Uryuu."

Bazz-B nodded and made himself comfortable on a chair across from Yuzu. Since Uryuu and Yuzu had begun training Quincies, Bazz-B had alternated between training recruits and locating them. "You need to stop poppin' them out already. You know I can't stand that husband of yours," Bazz-B said gruffly.

Yuzu just smiled; she knew his words weren't entirely true. "I'm sure this will be the last one," she replied.

"What's the last one?" asked Uryuu as he entered the room, his son Souken in his arms.

"Baby number four," Bazz-B replied, rolling his eyes.

"Maybe," Uryuu responded.

"Welcome home," Yuzu greeted her husband.

"Thanks," Uryuu replied as he set his son down. Souken immediately ran over to Yuzu.

"Shit, does he ever look like his uncle," Bazz-B commented.

"Kurosaki had the same reaction," Uryuu said.

"Better to look like him than you," Bazz-B said, purposely trying to annoy Uryuu.

Uryuu glowered at Bazz-B. "You're lucky my son is here," he growled.

Bazz-B just grinned at Uryuu. "Still not scared of you," he stated before he called Souken over. "Let's go get your sisters and do something fun!" he told the toddler before disappearing from the den.

"I really can't stand that guy," Uryuu sighed as he approached Yuzu. He leaned down and kissed her lovingly.

"You two work well together," Yuzu pointed out to her husband after returning his kiss. She took one of his hands and placed it on her bulging belly. The two of them shared a smile as they felt the baby kicking and moving in Yuzu's womb. "I love you, Ishida Uryuu," she told him, placing her hand over his.

Uryuu smiled adoringly at his wife. "I love you, too, Ishida Yuzu."