I have decided not to make you wait long for the epilogue. Well that's what I should say, but the real reason for the hasty update is that I'm so sad to end this story that I want to get the grief over with fast. So, here we are, the Final Installment to Separate Worlds.

"Rukia. Rukia, wake up," Ichigo's quiet voice whispered, tickling the Queen's ear.

"Five more minutes, Ichigo, pplleeaassee," Rukia whined.

"No, you need to get up." Rukia gave an exasperated sigh, and sat up in the bed, rubbing her eyes.

"May I ask what is so urgent, my king?" Rukia opened her eyes when she felt a pressure on her legs.

She looked into her lap to see a tray with milk, waffles, a little orange juice, and her favorite, cream of wheat with strawberries in it. Rukia smiled up at Ichigo who put a spoon into the cream of wheat for her. Ichigo kissed her softly on the cheek.

"Happy anniversary, Rukia," Ichigo said. Then, he picked up the spoon, scooped up some cream of wheat, made sure there was a strawberry in the spoon, and fed it to Rukia. Rukia giggled as she chewed the food. When she swallowed, she wrapped her arms around Ichigo's neck and hugged him tightly.

"Happy anniversary, strawberry." Rukia took the spoon from Ichigo, and began to eat the rest of her breakfast in bed.

"Can you believe it's been nine years since we got married?"

"Time does pass so quickly, doesn't it? Oh, and happy 25th birthday, Ichigo."

"Thanks, midget," Ichigo smirked, patting the top of Rukia's head.

"Shut up, idiot!" Rukia yelled, throwing the spoon at Ichigo's head.

"Hey! That hurt you litt-" Ichigo stopped short when he heard the door creak open.

Through the door came the four-year-old prince, Daisuke Kurosaki. Daisuke was Ichigo and Rukia's son, and only child so far. Daisuke had spiky hair that looked just like his dad's, but it was black. He had amber eyes as well. Daisuke yawned as he walked up to his parents' bed. He tried to pull himself up, but he wasn't quite tall enough, so Ichigo gave him a little tug. Once up, Daisuke curled up in his father's lap.

"Mommy, daddy, why're you up so early," the boy yawned again.

"Today is the day mommy and daddy got married, and we were telling each other how much we love each other," Ichigo explained.

"Really? 'Cuz it sounded like you were yelling." Rukia put her hand to her mouth to suppress a laugh.

"Haha, yea I guess we were a little loud. Did we wake you up?" Daisuke shook his head. "Then why are you up so early?"

"Today is your birthday, and I wanted to give you the present I got for you," Ichigo smiled as Daisuke ran back to his room, and returned with a box, holding it like his life depended on it remaining safe.

"Thank you, Daisuke. What is it?" Ichigo asked.

"You have to open it to find out," Daisuke grinned.

Ichigo untied the purple string from the red box, and lifted the lid. He looked inside and giggled a little, biting the bottom corner of his lip.

"Aunt Yuzu helped me make it. We made it a Momo's Bakery, so you couldn't sneak in and see it," Daisuke said, proud of the master plan he had completed.

"What is it, Ichigo?" Rukia smiled.

Ichigo put his hand in the box, and retrieved the gift. When Rukia saw it, she burst out laughing. What Ichigo was holding was a giant piece of chocolate, carved in the shape of a strawberry. It was covered with red icing, dotted with white icing, and had a fake green leaf at the thicker end. On top was a plastic crown, and, in blue icing, Happy Birthday Dad was written across the entire thing. Ichigo and Rukia laughed their heads off for a few minutes, while Daisuke sat there confused at what they were laughing at. When his parents calmed down, Daisuke looked at his father.

"Well aren't you going to eat it?" Daisuke frowned. It was definitely the frown his father had given him, but with all the coldness of a Kuchiki glare in it.

"Of course I am!" Ichigo said as he took a bite from the Royal strawberry. It was definitely Yuzu's homemade chocolate.

Daisuke smiled again. He had his father's smile too, which made Rukia so happy. When Ichigo was finished, Daisuke hugged his father and mother, and then merrily skipped out of the room. Ichigo smiled and shook his head. That kid, he thought.

"Any other special plans?" Rukia asked, bringing Ichigo back to reality.

"Hm? Oh yea, I almost forgot," Ichigo ran out the door, and came back with a box of his own. The box was white with an orange string. "Here you are, my queen."

"Why thank you, my king," Rukia giggled as she opened the box. She looked inside, and gasped as she picked up the gift. In her hands was a silver tiara; embedded with diamonds, and the largest amethyst she'd ever seen in the center. Tears welled up in Rukia's eyes as she wrapped her arms as far around Ichigo as she could. Ichigo rubbed the back of her head softly.

"I remembered that every queen had always made their own crown a few days ago, but you hadn't, so I made one for you," Ichigo said softly.

"I-it's the m-most beautiful crown I've ever seen, I-Ichigo. But now my gift looks meager in comparison," Rukia sobbed.

"I promise that no matter what the gift is, I will never be disappointed. As long as I have you, I'll be happy."

Rukia went into her wardrobe and pulled out a sword from its depths. The sword had a black blade, and a guard that looked like a swastika. The hilt was made of ebony with rubies inlaid in it, and there was a chain hanging off of the end. Rukia looked down as she handed it to Ichigo. Ichigo was amazed; this was the lightest, most well balanced sword he'd ever held. He made a few swift strikes with it; it felt almost as the sword was a part of him, like an extension of his soul. Ichigo looked down at Rukia, who wouldn't make eye contact. He wrapped his free arm around her, holding the blade in his right hand.

"Rukia, this is an amazing gift. Thank you," Ichigo whispered. Rukia saw the sincerity in her husband's eyes, and smiled back at him.

"You're welcome, Ichigo."

The King and the Queen lived for a long time afterwards. Their love for one another never withered, but instead fortified with time. Their son, and eventually their daughter, Eri Kurosaki, grew up to lead happy lives as well. Ichigo and Rukia went down in Karakura's history as two of the greatest and kindest rulers ever to assume the throne. The story of their love and how they met was retold to every child for centuries. Their tale was even known by people from worlds completely separate of their own.

Ado, farewell, goodbye, I'll miss you all. That's the end of Ichigo and Rukia's story. Well, this interpretation of their story. Many more fics are out there to read. Read and Review! And thank you to all who have faithfully read this entire tale!