So this is the last installment of For the Musically Inclined. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed, favorited or read my story. I really hope that you have enjoyed this story thus far and will like this last chapter. On a side note, I still don't own Bleach or any of the songs that I have used in the writing of this story. So without further ado..

~Maximum Ride 000

I set out on a narrow way many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

He moved slowly through the halls of his division, it was late and most of the division members had gone home, leaving no one to interrupt his reminiscing. It had been a long time since he had become captain. He'd had quite the provocative career at the beginning but had never found anyone who really caught his attention. He had all but given up on the thought of love, even a hopeless romantic like himself had a breaking point, and then he had met her. She was so small, so young, but she was so incredibly smart and dedicated. He was thrilled to discover that the young shinigami was a new recruit being placed in his division. He kept an eye on her, but didn't step in to help her fix any problems she came across, as a shinigami she would have to learn to solve her own problems and fight her own battles sooner or later, and the sooner she learned the better. The first time he had spoken to her alone was the night that Lisa had failed to return from that fateful mission. She had shown up at the office carrying a book that she and Lisa usually read together. She seemed very surprised that Lisa wasn't there. He couldn't bring himself to tell her about the reason for Lisa's absence. Instead he offered to read to her in place of Lisa. She immediately tried to decline his offer claiming that she couldn't bother a captain with something as childish as story time. He gave her his most charming smile and quickly persuaded her otherwise, she sat quietly next to him as he read the story she had brought. He only got about half way through the knight in shining armor rescuing the princess when he noticed that she was asleep. He gently placed her on the couch in the office and leaned up against the wall as he settled in for the night.

The next day the word was official, the eighth division vice captain was MIA, presumed dead. He had taken it hard, the whole division had. Nothing was getting done, the whole division was at a standstill. Shunsui couldn't bring himself to set foot in the division, he'd just bide his time in the division courtyard. One night he had noticed a light in the division offices long after everyone should have gone home. His curiosity piqued, he made his way up to the offices. He was surprised to find his little Nanao-chan working diligently by candle light. He had never seen someone work so hard on such tedious paperwork. He left quickly, before she noticed his presence, but returned the next night, and the night after simply to watch her work. A week later he promoted her to the position of vice captain. She was a perfect match for him, a fact that became increasingly more obvious as time went on.

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart they were like Northern Stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God bless the broken road

That led me straight to you

Some days, he mused, she was his very reason for living. Sure he'd had lovers before, but he had never been so deeply in love with someone as he was with Nanao. She treated him like a human being, not some god like creature like the other shinigami had a tendency to do. He wasn't entirely sure what would have happened in his life if he hadn't met her, but he was willing to bet that his life right now was much better than it would have been without her. He continued on his way to their mutual office.

I think about the years I spent just passing through

I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Nanao sighed as she shifted the most recently completed piece of paperwork away from her. She stared at the flickering light of the candle that illuminated her desk allowing her thoughts to wander away from the task at hand. Shunsui, the man that had become such a huge part of her life. She remembered the first time she had met him formally, so many years ago. He had seemed so silly then, always spouting love poetry and commenting on the weather or the newest flavor of sake he had discovered. At the time she had wondered how vice captain Lisa managed to put up with him. Of course, it was only after her death that Nanao had begun to see the other side of Shunsui, the caring, intelligent, philosophical, and understanding side. Many years had passed since then and the pair's relationship had grown, though never beyond the level of close friendship, despite Nanao's desire for more. Even so, Nanao always felt that there was something more to their relationship, something just below the surface. It was like he was always waiting for her, willingly of course, waiting for her to decide that she was ready to take the next step.

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart they were like Northern Stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

He was always so clam and patient when it came to her. Sure, he proclaimed his love for her on a regular bases (in a loud and flamboyant manner), but he never actually pushed anything on her unless she made it very clear that she was okay with it. He was so different from the people she had dated in the past who had simply gone through the paces of being in a relationship before tossing her aside. He made it feel as though he wanted this for her sake too, not just for his. Her eyes shot up to the office doorway when she heard a soft noise. She barely suppressed a gasp of surprise when she recognized the form of her captain, leaning against the office door. He smiled gently at her barely suppressed surprise.

Now I'm just rolling home

Into my lover's arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

"What are you doing here so late Nanao?" he questioned softly, his tone one of curiosity instead of reprimand.

She dropped her eyes back to the paperwork she had thus far neglected, "I was just trying to finish up this paperwork before tomorrow", she answered easily. He moved forward, farther into the office, but she kept her eyes firmly on the pile of papers in front of her. He paused at his desk, pulling something; she couldn't see what, from one of the drawers before he stopped at her desk. He sat down next to her, sitting as close as possible without sitting on her. He pulled half of the paperwork pile towards him, producing the pen he had taken from his desk. He gave her a heart melting smile before he intertwined their hands, placing them softly in his lap. He began to fill out the forms in front of him, not in the usual scribbled manner that he usually did that forced her to have to redo them later, but in a serious manner. She smiled at the rare display of diligence and squeezed his hand just a little tighter as she leaned into his strong form. He placed a gentle kiss on the side of her head before returning to the paperwork. She, too, turned back to the paperwork as the candle flickered gently, a luminous guardian that watched over the caring scene between the two perfectly matched eighth division leaders.

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

Well, there you have it. I do hope you enjoyed it. Thank you all for reading and reviewing. Please feel free to check out my other stories and drop me a review of this chapter to let me know what you think. Until next time,

~Maximum Ride 000