So, I finished editing this a lot sooner than I thought I would. I decided to put it up early so that I have some time to really focus on other stuff I'm writing. This story was a lot more fun to write than I thought it would be. Writing Reiko was really tough, especially for me since she's pretty much my exact opposite. I was nervous about how readers would react to her, but you guys seemed to love and embrace her fiery personality and coarse language, so yay for me! I've gotten amazing reviews throughout the entire course of this story that were really helpful in the writing process. So, I must thank everyone who has ever reviewed my story: PirateZoro-san, TheBeginingsEnd, Kumani Arentoi, bleachXonepieceXfangurlX1025, XxMichyBabyxX, NeverShoutRawr, Psycho's Pet, and CrazyHalf-Blood31. Thanks guys! I'm sure you're all as sad as I am that this is, indeed, the very last chapter of Don't Let Me Get Me. I hope you guys enjoy it, and for once, you don't have to deal with Reiko's obscene language.

Ichigo could freely go to and from Hueco Mundo. He always got Urahara's help with the travelling. He had only started going after the war ended, and went quite often. Nobody ever asked him why. They all knew it was a sensitive subject for him. After all, how would you feel is you had accidentally and inadvertently killed a girl who had once been your closest friend? Probably pretty bad, I'm guessing.

After what happened, Ichigo made a marker and a makeshift grave for Reiko. He went almost every day to visit. He made a similar grave for Grimmjow, right next to hers. He knew she'd like that. Whenever Ichigo went to visit, he brought a flower with him. He never took the same one twice. For this particular visit, one that would very likely be his last, he had brought a vibrant red rose. It was her favorite flower. He had asked her why once, and she said it reminded her of her mother. It was a beautiful thing, but covered in thorns.

Ichigo walked to her grave and sat down in front of it.

"Reiko, I know you're probably tired of hearing this, but I have to keep saying it. I feel horrible for what I did to you… I…I miss you, Reiko. I didn't think it would hurt this much. I know you can't hear a damn thing I'm saying. You were probably already reborn by now. I don't give a damn, I gotta tell you something. Reiko, I love-"

He found he couldn't finish his sentence. He was too choked up. Tears that he hadn't noticed were flowing from his eyes. They fell and stained the white sands.

"I love you, Reiko. I'm so sorry for the way I acted toward you. I'm so sorry I killed you…"

Ichigo set the rose down on the grave and wiped his eyes. He sighed and leaned back.

"You'd probably call me a bitch for crying around you…"

Ichigo looked around.

"It's so quiet here since the war ended. I'd get freaked out if I stayed too long. You'd probably like it. You always liked it when it was quiet. Well, you did when we were kids. You always called it "Reiki's thinking time". I never understood why you called yourself Reiki. It never made sense to me. You always tried to make me call you Reiki, too… You were so bizarre when we were younger. Then, everything happened, and… I miss the old you, but I fell in love with the girl you turned into. You were so…independent and fiery…and I killed you…"

Ichigo rubbed his eyes and sighed again.

"I wonder how pissed off Grimmjow would get if he heard me saying that I love you? He'd probably kill me. I actually kinda miss him, too. He was just as crazy as you. I guess it's not surprising you fell for him."

Ichigo ran a hand through his bright orange hair.

"We had some good times, huh?"

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"Ichi! Ichi! Look what Reiki found!"

Ichigo turned around and saw his green-haired best friend. Her blue eyes were sparkling and she had a dazzling smile on her face.

"What is it, Reiko?"

She pulled a red rose from behind her back.

"Isn't it pretty, Ichi?"

Ichigo nodded. It was a beautiful rose. The petals were a deep red and there was an intoxicating scent coming from it.

"It's like Reiki's mommy!"

Ichigo looked puzzled.

"What do you mean, Reiko?"

"Well…it's pretty like Reiki's mommy, but it's got thorns that can hurt you just like Reiki's mommy."

"What do you mean?"

"Reiki means, roses are pretty, but the thorns can hurt Reiki. Reiki's mommy is pretty, but she can hurt Reiki, too."

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"Sorry, Ichi, Reiki can't go play today. Mommy says if Reiki doesn't do good on the test, Reiki will get in trouble. Reiki doesn't want her mommy to be mad at her…"

"It's okay, Reiko, you can come over tomorrow."

Reiko smiled and hugged her friend.

"Thanks, Ichi! Reiki has to go or mommy will be mad… Bye, Ichi!"

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Ichigo waited outside of the school building for Reiko. The two always walked home together because they lived so close to each other. Ichigo looked over at her and saw a bruise on her wrist, shaped like a hand.

"Hey, Reiko, what's that on your wrist?"

Reiko's eyes became panicked and she covered her wrist.

"What are you talking about, Ichi? Reiki doesn't have anything on her wrist! You're so silly sometimes!"

She let out a forced laugh, one that Ichigo would never believe.

"Tell me, Reiko."

"It's no big deal, Ichi. Reiki's mommy got mad at her. That's it."

"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

Reiko nodded, but she didn't look truthful. Ichigo knew he would never hear the truth about her home life.

"Ichi, can Reiki come over today?"

"Of course."

She looked up at him with a smile that shone with gratefulness.

"Thanks, Ichi."

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Ichigo didn't talk to her much after that. Her parents had died not too long after that day. Whenever he tried to talk to her, she would yell and scream at him. It pained him to see a girl who had once been so full of happiness, now broken and bitter. He never did find out how she really lived with her parents. She had always told him that everything was fine and everyone got along great. After seeing that bruise, he had noticed others and began wondering if she was really as happy as she said she was.

"I guess the old you died with your parents and Rin, huh? You lived a rough life, Reiko, but you kicked a lot of ass."

Ichigo stood and stared down at the grave.

"This is the last time I'll be here. I can't keep coming here and hurting myself like this. I miss you. I love you…Reiki…"