As promised, the Epilogue. I know, you all probably hate me for taking so long to post something so short, but I really didn't know what else had to happen in this story other than the promised Ichiruki. That and I've been having a hard time with real life.

So, that's that, all the ends I wanted to tie here are tied, and this story is going to be finished. Hope you have enjoyed this, and hope you take the time to read this last little tidbit!

Epilogue

The day had been bright, and the air filled with the faint scent of spring flowers. The cherry and plum blossoms were in full bloom, and the bride and groom hadn't looked so happy in a long while.

"It's not like it made much difference, whether or not they went through this pomp," Renji spoke, shrugging as he observed his captain and his wife receiving the congratulations from all their well wishers. Byakuya looked as impassive as usual, though Renji though he could determine a glint in his eye that he had never seen before. Hisana was gentle and demure, but a smile graced her lips constantly.

"The Kuchiki are obsessed with ceremony," Rukia said beside him, shrugging. There was a strange, almost longing look in her eyes.

"Hmp," Ichigo crossed his arms. He glanced at Rukia from the corner of his eyes. "So, I'm guessing you aren't going to be going to Karakura on regular patrol anymore, huh?"

She sighed sadly. "No, not really. I have lieutenant duties to do."

It was stupid, Ichigo thought, to feel glum about that. After all, Rukia deserved her chance to reach for her ambitions. He should be happy for her. He was happy for her, but his heart felt so heavy at the thought of her staying behind.

"You're going back soon, aren't you?"

"Yeah," he said softly. "Summer is almost over."

Renji frowned slightly. Both Rukia and Ichigo were looking at the ground, playing with their shihakushou. His throat felt slightly dry. "I... need to use the washroom."

He walked away, sighing slightly. "Should have known this was coming."

The two he left behind didn't say anything for a little while. Then, Rukia sighed. "I see." She bit her lip for a moment, then blurted out, "Will you come and see me some time?"

"I don't exactly know how to open senkaimons, you know," Ichigo said dryly.

"Ah, yes, I forgot. In the end, you are still incompetent as a shinigami, strawberry," she smirked at him, a little of her usual attitude seeping back into her words.

Ichigo bristled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing," she grinned at him, and then moved away from the food.

Ichigo watched her go, frowning slightly. Why was everything so confusing? "What should I do?"

"Carpe Diem," a voice suddenly whispered into his ear

"GAH!" he jumped away and whirled around to find Matsumoto grinning at him. She wasn't flushed, so it meant that she was still sober.

"Matsumoto, I don't think that's quite the issue here," Toushirou said from behind Ichigo, making him jump again. Matsumoto rolled her eyes. "Whatever taichou. I'm sure he gets my point."

"What's with you tenth division people appearing out of nowhere?!" he grumbled. Matusmoto laughed and winked.

"Come on, Ichigo-kun, you know you want to. You let her go once... twice... are you really going to do it a third time?"

He just stared blankly at her. Matsumoto sighed. "Life as a shinigami might seem long, but we are warriors. Even though it might seem peaceful now, tomorrow might bring another battle, and people could die. Since that is the case, why not seize the chance while you have it? You wouldn't want to regret never telling her you love her."

He spluttered slightly, feeling his cheeks go red, and then turned to Toushirou, hoping for some sanity. The small captain gave him a measured look, his turquoise eyes probing. Then, slowly, he nodded. 'I have to agree with Matsumoto's wisdom here."

With that, he walked away. Ichigo frowned slightly, and then looked over at Rukia, who was talking to Hinamori Momo. He glanced back at Matsumoto, who winked and made a shooing motion at him.

He took a deep breath and steeled himself. Then he marched over to Rukia. "Rukia, I want to talk to you!"

Rukia turned and blinked. "Um, okay, talk."

"No, I mean... somewhere private."

He tried to ignore the way Momo's eyes lit up and a smile began to creep across her face. He just crossed his arms and waited. Rukia looked up at him, a little confused, but nodded. "Okay... sorry, Momo-chan," she added to Momo.

Momo just grinned and waved it off. "I need to find Shiro-chan anyways. See you!"

She moved away, waving. Rukia turned and looked at Ichigo expectantly. He jerked his arm toward a private corner of the garden. They made their way there, hidden slightly behind a grove of bamboo.

"What's on your mind?"

Ichigo sucked in another deep breath. Why was this so hard? He'd almost rather face another Arrancar.

"Rukia, I... I want you to teach me how to open senkaimons. And... I want you to ask Ukitake if you can still come to the world of the living from time to time."

She frowned. "Umm... okay, I suppose I can. Why?"

"Just... just because!"

"Just because isn't a reason, strawberry!"

"Gah, you're so annoying!" Ichigo said. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm himself. He looked down back into Rukia's expectant face. Her violet eyes glinted slightly, as if she was amused, though he could still detect confusion there. They were so beautiful, and he wished he would be able to see them always.

"Because I love you, midget."

He saw her eyes widen in shock, and her mouth fell open. She didn't say anything for several long seconds. He felt his cheeks grow red, and a weight seemed to drop into his stomach. The words began to sound stupid. He was stupid. He shouldn't have listened to Matsumoto. Now Rukia was going to get all awkward and stop wanting to see him and-

"Ichigo?"

-he would be alone, and he would miss her every day-

"Ichigo!"

"What?" he said, jolted out of his shock.

She smiled, and the smile made his breath catch in his throat. He had never seen such joy flare across her face, and for a moment, her smile was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. She reached out up and touched his cheek, leaning her head to one side shyly.

"I... love you too, strawberry."

This time it was Ichigo's turn to be shocked. His mouth fell open and Rukia blushed a little but laughed. That laugh made the words sink in and a huge smile spread across his face. He couldn't help gathering her into his arms and spin her around, laughing as well.

She let out a squeak at suddenly being lifted, but laughed a little with him. When he put her down again, they looked down into each other's eyes. Suddenly, the world fell away and Ichigo just acted on instinct. He leant down and kissed her.

He sensed her shock, but then she kissed him back. It was the most glorious feeling in the world, and he didn't want it to end. Not even if Byakuya was be standing just behind him with Senbonzakura drawn.

They pulled apart, and Rukia smiled again. "Thank you, Ichigo."

He smiled too. "Anytime, Rukia."

"They're so adorable!" Momo said, clapping her hands together. Toushirou nodded from beside her, watching Rukia and Ichigo sitting together on a bench, talking, their hands held together. Ukitake and Kyouraku were keeping Byakuya sufficiently distracted, and he hadn't really witnessed the two's kiss. Toushirou mentally wished Ichigo luck surviving Byakuya when the elder shinigami found out.

"This is a night for celebrations," Momo said, glancing up at the setting sun. They were sitting on the roof of one of Byakuya's many buildings, getting away from all the noise for the moment. The shinigami (aka Matsumoto) were using the wedding as an excuse for another party, which was getting into full swing.

"Do you remember all the days we used to spend sitting on baa-san's porch and watching the sunset like this?"

"Of course," Toushirou said. "Those were among the happiest days of my life."

Momo glanced back at him. "Do you regret any of this then? Do you sometimes wish that none of this had ever happened and we lived our lives out in Junrian?"

He didn't answer for a moment, staring at the sun. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Yes, I used to."

"Used to?"

He glanced at her, his lips turning up in a smile. "I don't regret it anymore. We may have gone through lots of hardship, none of which I want a repeat of, but it has made me truly cherish life and all the people in it. For that I'm grateful. Being a shinigami... well, it doesn't seem so bad anymore. Somewhere along the line I've accepted it as my fate, and now I wouldn't trade it for anything. "

Momo smiled widely. "I agree."

She leant against him, and he took her hand in his. "You know what else?"

"What?"

"I think these days have been my happiest yet. With you by my side, I think I'm ready to face anything. So I will not regret choosing this path anymore."

He turned his face slightly and brushed his lips against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.

Toushirou was the first to pull away, but he still held her close. "I love you, Momo," he whispered against her lips.

"I love you too."

They leant back, hands clasped together, and watched as the first stars began to light across the sky.

Their world was at peace at last, and everyone hoped it would last for a long time to come.

AND, the end. Really, the end this time. Well... ish. Okay, it's not the end. I'm not ready to let this world go yet! But... I'm not really sure if Clash in the Heavens will be written any time soon, since I still have Heavenly Blade to finish. After that, I plan to do a rewrite of Final Battles, but as a separate story. That one will start from the Soul Society Arc (which in my opinion is the best arc and the height of Kubo's storytelling and Bleach's attraction), all the way to the end of the Winter War, and will have some events altered from my original idea in Final Battles. Well, more information on that when Heavenly Blade finally gets finished ^_^''' Because of this rewrite though, I might go back and make some changes here, but I don't think I will completely rewrite this one. Just edit, maybe change one or two events.

Thank you so much for reading, for all the people who reviewed, favourited, and/or put this on alert. It really meant so much to me, and I thank you for having enough interest to read this story to the end. I hope you wouldn't mind leaving me one last review here, for this final epilogue. Thank you!