Man, I'm like a jack-in-the-box that keeps randomly popping up! Haha. But I think all of you would like this post.

You can all thank Nobody for guilt-tripping me at midnight haha. Just kidding.

But I thought about it and realized that all of you deserve closure for all of your support. This is a word of warning though: I rushed this, because I don't have the time to make it perfect. I hope, at least, that it makes you all happy.

Without further ado, here is the...

-O-

Epilogue

"I can't go anywhere right now Grimmjow!"

"Make time," he growled, dragging an unwilling Sayuri down the streets towards the Soul Reaper Academy. "Remember what I did for you at the festival? That fake, almost kiss between us made Ulquiorra yours. So you owe me a big favor Sayuri."

Unfortunately, Sayuri could not argue with his logic.

Laughter followed after them. It was an odd sight after all: a young woman sprawled over a man's shoulder. But after years in the Soul Society, the neighborhood they resided in was completely used to the utter ruckus Grimmjow would make every other day or so.

"Can you put me down then?" There is no answer. "Do you want Ulquiorra to beat you up again? Put me down for Pete's sake!" Sayuri shrieked.

She could feel her lunch going up her throat. She wished she could claim that this never happened, but alas, this had been the third time this month that Grimmjow had thrown her over his shoulder. And the second time he did it, he had been caught red-handed by an incredibly infuriated Ulquiorra.

Grimmjow grumbled under his breath, probably remembering how critical his condition was after Ulquiorra had been done with him. Thankfully, Orihime lived nearby, so apart from bruised egos, everything ended well, all things considered.

Sayuri almost kissed the ground when she felt herself upright again. "What happened this time anyway?"

She had to speed walk, because a certain cat was still grasping her wrist. He mumbled something under his breath.

"What?" Sayuri asked, straining her ears. She swore that since Grimmjow became a human spirit, his voice got softer. It was creepy, according to Ichigo. Then again... Grimmjow was faced with a problem he knew not how to deal with. Violence will not solve this problem.

"I said someone confessed to her!" he practically growled.

"To Yuri?"

"Yes! To Yuri," he grumbled. "Yesterday, one guy in our class spoke to her after class."

"That's the third time this month since you both enrolled into the academy." This was the reason why Sayuri spent an uncomfortable amount of time on Grimmjow's shoulder. He always ran to her crying with a thirst for blood. He scared most of the academy guys, but there were a few that wouldn't get the hint. Besides, he couldn't just go waving his sword around and threatening execution to any guy that gets within fifty feet of Yuri.

Nope. He can't. To Grimmjow's misfortune, Yuri didn't like to hurt people.

"I know!" he said, irritated.

"So you eavesdropped..."

Though he was in front of her, Sayuri could clearly see the scarlet tips of his ears; it was so damn obvious, because he was so pale.

"I did not!" he exclaimed indignantly. "I just happened to walk by and hear."

"So you eavesdropped," Sayuri repeated monotonically.

"I-ah! Whatever. Yeah, I eavesdropped. But that's not the point. The point is-"

"-what you're going to do? Right?" Sayuri finished for him. "Well, you can't kill the guy, that's for sure."

There was a half second paused in his steps. And Sayuri knew that the was actually thinking about murdering the poor Romeo, and if not, then at least planning on castrating him.

"Then what am I supposed to do?" he asked, his pace finally slowing as they entered the academy grounds. His tone was uncharacteristically frustrated and... lost.

"You should-"

Sayuri never finished her sentence. As they passed the first building, Grimmjow suddenly picked her up and dumped her behind some thick bushes.

"A-Are you ser-"

Grimmjow shushed her, his attention concentrated in the pathways just beyond the bushes. She already knew what was happening without looking. Quietly, so as to make the least amount of rustling, Sayuri moved back some leaves to look at the scene before them.

A young woman adorned in the academy uniform was strolling towards them. She was beautiful. Her black hair cascaded down her shoulders in elegant waves. There was a gentle aura around her as she watched the world through her sparkling eyes-eyes that were uncannily similar to Sayuri's own eyes. She was Yuri.

While they were still in the world of the living, Hitamura became like a vacation city for spirits of the Soul Society. It was incredibly safe because of the two Espadas that made it their home. While slaving away at Urahara's shop, Grimmjow met her when she came to ask for directions. She had apparently gotten separated from her friends.

Sayuri had been helping out that day. If there was such a thing as love at first sight in the afterlife, it was their meeting. They both recognized each other right away. But to Yuri, Grimmjow was known as Noritaka, which made everyone in the shop double over in laughter. Noritaka meant "respect for the law," and no one thought it fit him. It was safe to assume that their first meeting had been ruined.

There is silence, a rather odd word to associate with Grimmjow.

"What should I do?" Sayuri heard him whisper.

Like a sister comforting their younger sibling, Sayuri patted his back. He fought hollows, arrancars, and soul reaper captains, but he had no fear in battle. This... This was Grimmjow's weakness. This was what he feared most. And Sayuri was the only one who knew.

"Confess, Grimm..." she whispered.

"But-" He never lifted his eyes from Yuri.

Sayuri told him the words he needed to hear. "Don't be afraid Grimm. You two are meant for each other."

Grimmjow still wouldn't budge from his spot, so Sayuri did the next logical thing.

She pushed him.

Awkwardly, he stumbled into the pathway just as Yuri arrived.

"Nori-ah-Grimmjow... um... good morning," she greeted. She was blushing, but Grimmjow was too busy panicking to notice.

"Good morning," he mumbled, scratching he back of his neck. The most confident and egotistical Espada had been reduced to nothing more than a blubbering idiot in front of the girl he likes. "Ah, you can call me Noritaka. You don't have to force yourself to change how you call me."

"A-Are you sure?"

"Y-Yeah..."

"Ok then, Noritaka," she said. "Um, so what are you doing at school so early?"

Suddenly, Grimmjow found the ground more interesting even though all he wanted to do was look at her face. Sayuri silently cheered him on.

"I..." He swallowed hard. "I came to see you."

Yuri's face was a deep shade of carmine now. She tucked one tendril of her hair behind her ear. "O-Oh? Do you need something?"

He scratched the back of his neck again. His nerves looked as if they were about to explode. An internal debate raged on in his mind. But when he saw the guy who had confessed to her yesterday approaching, he steeled himself and blurted out, "I like you."

It took a few precious and long moments for his words to sink in. When they did, Yuri smiled in a way that made Grimmjow's heart drum faster.

"I like you, too."

Just like that, Sayuri was freed from her duty of hanging down Grimmjow's shoulder. Sneaking out of the bushes, Sayuri headed for the exit of the academy. She was euphoric for her friend, but her happiness didn't rival Grimmjow's. After decades of being haunted and protected by the very eyes he couldn't forget, he finally found the very reason why he couldn't forget them in the first place.

Today was a special day, but Grimmjow's happiness made it more extraordinary.

She sauntered down the streets back the way they came. She needed to get home. Orihime would be arriving soon to help her. However, at one of the cross streets, she bumped into a couple.

It was Shin and Lilan.

"Oh, aren't you two just the cutest thing," Sayuri gushed purposefully. As expected, the two blushed instantaneously. And Shin pulled Lilan away as fast as he could. "I expect an invitation to the wedding!" Sayuri shouted after them.

She didn't tease them often, but when she did, it was because she honestly saw them as the cutest couple. Lilan was shy and kind; add that to Shin's over-protectiveness made them a harmonious couple that balanced each other out.

Humming to herself, Sayuri arrived at her home. When she opened her personal living room, she was greeted with the sight of Orihime playing with a young boy with bright orange hair. The boy walked over Sayuri, Orihime trailing behind him in case he fell.

"Hi Ichiro!" Sayuri said, leaning down and extending her arms open to welcome the boy. "How's my little warrior?"

Ichiro giggled in her arms, and it was the most adorable laugh. He had his father's trimmed face and his mother's eyes. Once he had grown, he would undoubtedly be a lady killer.

"Thank you for helping me out today," Sayuri said to Orihime.

The siren shook her head. "I don't mind at all. It is your special day, and Ichiro had been wanting to see you."

Ichiro still cuddled in her arms, Sayuri sat in front of the dresser she had brought into this room for today. Orihime began combing through her hair.

"Is Yoruichi not coming?"

"She's on a date," Orihime stated with a smile.

"A date!?" Sayuri repeated. "Finally! How long has it been? Nearly half a century of infatuation with neither making a move."

"I think Yoruichi got sick of waiting and made the move." Orihime began to twirl half of Sayuri's hair into a bun.

"I wish them the best of luck, but they don't really need it," Sayuri said. Her attention focused on Ichiro, who was now dozing off. "When did Ichigo say they'll be back, anyway?"

"They'll be back in a few hours. There was an early meeting in the Seireitei," the orange-haired female answered.

And so, the next few hours was spent giggling about various topics, particularly about the recent events that transpired. Love was in the air, and it was contagious.

Just as Orihime finished tying the black obi around Sayuri's waist, the wooden doors slid open causing both women to jolt up. They both breathed a sigh of relief when they saw who it was. Orihime strolled forward to give her greeting.

"How did it go?" she asked, hugging him.

"Torture," Ichigo murmured, hugging her back. "Everyone was arguing." This had the effect of making both women laugh. He glanced at Sayuri. "We'll go now. He should be here soon; Kenpachi had pulled him aside to discuss sparring."

Sayuri giggled. "He probably isn't happy about that. Captain Zaraki has been pestering him for a spar since he graduated from the Soul Reaper Academy." She handed a sleeping Ichiro to Orihime. "Thank you Orihime."

"Anytime, Sai."

The couple left. As Sayuri was putting away the combs and spare ornaments into her dresser, she felt arms wrap around her from behind. Lips touched the back of her neck. The feel of them was welcoming.

"Welcome home, Ulquiorra." She held onto the hands holding her securely, molding herself to his lean form.

"I'm home," he murmured. She loved that sound. She twisted her body around to face him. "You look beautiful."

That was the plan. The blue kimono was meant to accent her eyes. She wanted to look her best for him today.

She knew she was blushing; the heat racing up her face could not be denied. Those eyes that had once been so empty were now bursting with barely detectable emotion. But she saw them easily, because they were for her.

"Thank you," she said meekly.

He loosened his hold on her. "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Together, they exited the gates connecting the Soul Society with the human world. A meadow filled with blooming lilies met their sights. Hand in hand, they strolled to the cherry blossom tree, its rosy flowers cascading over them like gentle rain.

Ulquiorra spread the blanket, while Sayuri set the basket to the side. They lay there beside each, hands clasped, staring up at the sunlight seeping through the trees.

"Hey, Ulquiorra?"

She turned to face him, and he did the same. Some sunlight struck his eyes, making them more vibrant and colorful. Patiently, he waited for her to continue. Sayuri lifted her free hand and traced the jade path running down his cheeks. His eyes fluttered to a close at the soft contact.

"I'm pregnant."

His eyes snapped open and focused on her. She met his gaze fearlessly, searching for any glimmer that might allow her to read his thoughts. And he allowed her to see his emotions. Euphoria and love dominated in the midst of his ethereal pools.

A rare smile graced his lips. "How long?"

"Two months," she answered with a grin. She didn't have to ask if he was happy about it.

He embraced her. Steadily and gently, he held her. Then, hovering over her, he leaned down to capture the lips that were only for him. It was slow but full of passion, communicating everything without the need for words.

Afterwards, he pressed his forehead against hers. "I love you."

"I love you," Sayuri whispered. "Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary."

Sayuri's heart was beating rapidly. Placing her palm against his chest, she realized that his heart was beating in pace with hers.

He was the night. And she was his moon. Because without her, he would have only been darkness-a void without a heart. But together, they were perfect-complete.