Epilogue

Naori flipped through pages and pages of Soul Society's best fashion catalogs. She pondered through most of the tops, thought through some dresses, and stopped on a lot of shoes. But even so, without Matsumoto, this was a bit hard. It was no rumor that Naori was a dead stick when it came to fashion.

Naori peered up from reading to look at her diligent captain. "Captain Hitsugaya, have you figured out what to give to Masaki for her birthday?"

"A written guide of my method to achieve Bankai." Hitsugaya replied, not even looking up from his paperwork.

Well...that was a good gift. Masaki has been excelling so much in her training, that if she was anything like her father, she would master Bankai in two days. And Hitsugaya figured that out a long time ago. Even Naori admitted that he knew how to gift another female while she was stuck.

She flash stepped over to his desk. "Captain Hitsugaya. What do you suggest I give a twenty five year old for her birthday?"

"Something that is not clothes."

Naori frowned. She was so tempted to swipe all the papers off his desk, but she wasn't that mean...unlike him.

"She's still just a child. She'll love anything you give her." Hitsugaya added on.

True. Even though Masaki was turning twenty five, she looked like she was seven. And she acted like a seven year old too! But, like the World of the Living, kids want to grow up so fast! Naori was someone who preferred taking things slow.

Naori waited for another response, but it seemed like Hitsugaya was done talking with her. That was no help! What a jerk! "You know...Masaki is still hung up about her godparents getting together. Maybe we can..."

"Just give her money! Everyone loves money!"

Jackpot!

"Thanks for your help!"

OoOoO

"Hitsugaya-kun..." Naori asked one day when the couple was lounging around, bored together in their Japanese style backyard. "What would our kids look like?"

Hitsugaya glanced weirdly at her. "You realize that is impossible."

Of course she knew! Bringing forth life in the afterlife? It was like dividing with zero! It would create a paradox and the world would implode! But still, they would never get the chance, so she was obviously curious. Naori pouted and played around the cloth on his arm. "I'm just saying hypothetically..."

Hypothetically huh? Hitsugaya ran his hand through his spiky white hair when a thought came up. "Well, one thing for sure, it won't have my hair. It draws too much attention."

"Then he won't have my eyes." Naori smiled. "I like the color of your eyes better. It pairs so naturally with my hair."

"He? Why a boy?"

"So I don't have to worry about dressing our child! Girls can get so prickly about fashion." Naori clicked her tongue, remembering the agonizing pain Rukia went through when her daughter discovered the term: designer.

"Yeah, but he'll still look like a clown." Hitsugaya smirked, but that only landed a small jab to his side from his wife.

"Shut up. It's only hypothetical. It's not like it's actually going to happen." Naori began to stand up, but she felt his hand wrap around her wrist. What did he want now?

He gave her one of his rare smiles. "It's not like we can't try."

OoOoO

"One! Two! One! Two!" Hinamori chanted as she watched her students practice their stances for kido summoning. But, she noticed, off to the side, one first year student was merely sitting around and watching the others.

"Masaki-chan? Why are you not practicing with your classmates?" Hinamori asked as she knelt beside her.

"I don't release kido like that. It offsets everything."

"Then how do you do it?"

Masaki quickly stood up straight. She only held her confident stance and raised two fingers in front of her. It made her look so cool…composed, and...aloof… "Bang. Like that!"

Hinamori sweat dropped. "Byakuya taught you that, didn't he?"

OoOoO

"So Mom...Dad..." Masaki nervously asked one time during dinner. "I met this really cute guy and he invited me to spar with him...so...can I?"

"Honey, is this someone we know?" Rukia asked while exchanging shifty gazes with Ichigo.

"I don't know, maybe."

"What does he look like? How are his school credentials? Is he in the same school? Which classes? Who are his parents? What's his name?" Ichigo suddenly rattled off.

"Dad!"

"Ichigo. That's going a little overboard." Rukia calmly replied, touching her husband's arm to calm him down.

"I just want to know the guy before he runs off with my daughter."

"Dad! It's just sparring!"

"Masaki, just give his name so we can be sure." Rukia said.

"Umm...well...his name is... Kenpachi..."

Rukia's smile quickly turned upside down while Ichigo freaked out. "No! No! No! Absolutely not! Forget it! No! Never in your lifetime! Just no!"

OoOoO

"This is so cute! This is so cute! This is so cute! I need a picture." A preteen Masaki squealed as she excitedly jumped on her seat.

But quickly, Matsumoto and Hinamori pulled her down back behind their newspapers.

"Keep it down!" Matsumoto hushed, "You don't want them to see us during their romantic dinner date."

"This is so rare! They're actually going on a real date! And on Valentine's Day too!" Hinamori giggled. "We need lots of pictures of this!"

Naori awkwardly whistled from across Hitsugaya at a small round table. Both were really just sitting there, not really eating their dinner. Well...she was just sitting there. She was waiting for confirmation from her captain who was playing on his phone.

"So...are the 'star-crossed' hollows here yet?"

"Nope."

Naori glanced over at three conspicuously dressed females with large newspapers obscuring their faces. She sweat dropped at the sight. Didn't one of them mention to Matsumoto that this was a stake out?

Hitsugaya also followed her sights and spotted the triplet stalkers. And then, he suddenly heard a beep come up from his phone. "You know, we can just leave and let them deal with it."

Naori shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

"Huh?" Hinamori glanced back at them. "Where did they go? They were just there a second ago!"

Matsumoto jumped. "Oh shit! A hollow! Two hollows! Come on Hinamori! We gotta move! Move! Move!"

OoOoO

Once per every month, Rukia and Ichigo would ask Renji to babysit Masaki for a week while they went on a mission trip or occasionally, a vacation.

Renji still hasn't figured out why there was always a specific date each month. He also didn't understand why Masaki was always so pissed to see him.

OoOoO

"Uncle Shiro! Unlce Shiro! Show me your bankai!" Masaki jumped up and down on his desk, prompting him to groan, pinch the bridge of his nose, and immediately removing her from his vicinities.

"No. It's too dangerous for a child like you, especially since you haven't even mastered Shikai."

"But-But I need to learn how to activate Bankai properly! That's what Uncle Byakuya is quizzing me on tomorrow!" Masaki begged, "Please! I promise I'll make a kido shield!"

Hitsugaya rolled his eyes and patted the child's head, "Look, I can only release Bankai at my limited form around you. If not, I could easily kill you with my spiritual pressure alone." She started to cry. "But I can demonstrate how not to release Bankai!"

Masaki tilted her head. "How?"

Suddenly, a door slid open and her favorite aunt entered. "Captain Hitsugaya. I'm back." She looked up only to see his Shikai Hyourinmaru launching ice daggers at her. "Ah! Captain! What are you doing?"

"Ban-"

"Oh! So you want to play that way? Fine! Bankai!" The young woman flew up into the sky, exploded like a firework for about a minute, and then came back done with a set of razor-like golden wings that resembled jets. And she was glowing. Her zanpakuto changed into pointy talon-like nails on each finger and she wore a dangling tassel on each wrist.

"Uncle Shiro?" Masaki peered up. "Why did you make her release Amatsu Denbakuto?"

Naori stared, dumbfounded. "Was this some sort of test?"

"As you can see, Masaki, the key to Bankai is to contain and control your spiritual pressure. You don't want to be like Naori here, who foolishly let almost half her spiritual pressure spill away."

OoOoO

Ring! Ring! Ring!

"Hello?" A high pitched tone rang out.

"Masaki-chan! Why don't you visit more often? Things get lonely here!" Matsumoto whined.

"Oh! I love to, but I have training usually on the weekends. I have to get up when the sun rises and tend to the Kuchiki gardens. Afterwards, I have more memorizing and analysis of Kuchiki history. After, I have calligraphy, tea ceremony, and ancient dance classes I have to attend. After that, I start sparring with Uncle Byakuya. Then, I have to practice kido for two hours. Then, I have to work on my zanpakuto forms for another two hours. After, I train my flash stepping and I have a daily time limit race. Then, I have to go to my parent's office and help them out. By the time I'm done with all that, you'll be out of the office."

Matsumoto gaped into the phone. Wow. Byakuya was not kidding when he wanted to step things up a bit. And Masaki was just going along with the flow! She can't be serious!

"Matsumoto..." Hitsugaya stalked behind his lazy lieutenant. "Are you trying to use Masaki as a way to skip work?"

"Umm! Ah!"

"It sounds like Uncle Shiro is there! Gotta go!"

"MATSUMOTO!"

OoOoO

"Uncle Byakuya! Mom and Dad are waiting outside for me. I'm going to get dressed soon. You must wear your finest robes!" Masaki said one day as the tentative preteen rushed out from the training hall.

"The ceremony does not even begin till late afternoon. Therefore, you don't have an excuse to leave training early." Byakuya coldly replied while he kido blocked the door.

Masaki pouted, "But Uncle Byakuya! It's my godparents that are getting married! I want to look my best for them."

"They are not Kuchiki and therefore, none of my concern." Byakuya strictly stated.

"But Uncle, they took care of me when I was a baby. Auntie Nao babysat me when she was banished. Uncle Shiro accepted me when he saw me again. They mean so much to me!" Masaki whined. "You have to let me go! I'll make it up later! And I'll keep extra tabs on Mom and Dad for you." She coyly said the last part.

Byakuya glanced outside the door where his sister and brother-in-law were patiently waiting and were oddly close without fighting. "Go!"

"Yay! Thank you Uncle!" Masaki squealed in glee and hugged her beloved uncle. She began to sprint out the door, not before saying, "Make sure you come as well!"

Byakuya merely sighed. He could give his gratitude and congratulations once in a while. Now...where did his formal robes go?

OoOoO

"I'm so happy! The New Year fireworks and festival! I can't wait to see everybody tonight!" Masaki happily cheered as she jumped off her mother's arms.

"Masaki dear! Please be careful!" Rukia called out to her little daughter as she ran off to have some adventures. But she was not worried. Instead, she smiled and nestled herself comfortably against her husband's arms. "She's growing up fast. Ichigo."

"Nah. She is just her hyper little self again." Ichigo smirked back and hugged Rukia. "How about we have our own fun near her?"

"Fine by me."

Masaki ran past the large festival of the Fifth and passed by the Sixth Division. She spotted her uncle trying to teach his lieutenant the art of calligraphy. Masaki giggled. They looked so funny! But even so, she loved her uncles. Even when she was scared of them or when she hated them, she loved them nonetheless.

"Masaki-chan? What on earth are you doing here?" A powerful woman asked with a kind smile.

"Hello Captain Unohana!" Masaki respectfully bowed down to the prestigious captain.

Unohana chuckled and ruffled the little child's hair. "Are you visiting some people before the grand fireworks? Make sure you visit Naori Hibana too!"

"I most absolutely will!" Masaki bowed again before the woman left. She liked that person, even when she asked a lot about Naori. She suspected that those two women had some sort of connection that she was not aware about, but that was their business, not hers.

Masaki bolted down the divisions until she stopped when two women she recognized were approaching her.

"Why! It's Masaki-chan!" Matsumoto squealed and swooped in to hug the little child.

Hinamori smiled and she patted the girl's head. "Have you been practicing your forms?"

"Yes! Very diligently!" Masaki reached out to hug her tutor.

Matsumoto gently placed the little tyke back onto the floor. "Well, Hinamori and I are going to head over to the main festival before the fireworks. You're welcomed to join us."

"Well I was going to visit some other people first…"

"Oh Masaki-chan! They're probably at the main festival once the Division celebrations are done!" Matsumoto said.

Masaki thought only for a second. "Okay! I'll come with you!"

And they spent their time together playing games and eating treats. Masaki greatly enjoyed her time with her two aunts. Hinamori, even though she did not like her at first, she was one of the best tutors ever! Masaki learned so much from her! And Matsumoto was one of her best friends! Masaki could tell that this woman accepted her for everything. There was no bad bone in this person, even when she was trying to get out of work!

Finally, the main fireworks were about to start! Everybody gathered on their rooftops and on high hills and balconies. They all wore their summer yukata or fancy kimono's. But the captain's decided to remain in their uniform. Masaki headed up to a rooftop along with Hinamori and Matsumoto.

"Ah! Ichigo! Rukia!" Matsumoto waved to them.

Hinamori brought little Masaki to her parents. "We baby sat her for a while."

"It's a good thing you did." Byakuya said when he and Renji arrived.

"Hey Masaki! Matsumoto! Hinamori! Rukia! Rukia's sorry excuse for a husband!" Renji happily greeted and he ignored Ichigo's retorts. "I guess you're all here to watch the fireworks. This is the best spot in the whole Seireitei."

"It's about to start Renji! Why don't you sit down?" Matsumoto slapped her comrade down.

"By the way, where's Shiro-chan and Naori-chan?" Hinamori peered around. "I haven't spotted them at all today."

"Maybe they just want to be alone." Matsumot smirked, nudging people around her.

"Or maybe I just got back from my mission." A light, feminine voice said behind Matsumoto. She quickly turned around to see the young girl with her hair pulled up into a messy bun. She wore a green kimono with a blanket wrapped over her shoulders.

Next to her was their captain. He was not pleased. "I was cooped up in the office doing your dirty work, Matsumoto."

"Hehe…Captain…it's nice of you to finally get some fresh air!" Matsumoto stammered, but Captain Hitsugaya was not amused.

"You're starting your new year finishing paperwork. Got that?"

"Ah…yes captain."

Hitsugaya sighed and glanced back at the sky. "It's starting."

"Wow!" Masaki gleamed as she gazed at the brilliant sky. The black night lit up miraculously, turning this dark night in day. Each firework was splendid! Some sparkled! Some split off into miniature fireworks! Each was a different color! Blue, red, yellow, pink, white, purple, and green, and all the colors in between! All were shown! Some even made glowing pictures in the sky like hearts, flags, stars, circles, and rectangles. She seen fireworks before; but this was something else!

Masaki glanced back at her friends and family. Renji, Hinamori, and Matsumoto were all joking around. Byakuya was serious as he admired the explosions in the sky. Rukia and Ichigo bickered over their daughter, which was probably about some festival game.

The last people Masaki saw were her Auntie Nao and Uncle Shiro. Hitsugaya stood a few feet from Naori and they both gazed on at the sky. Masaki gave a small smile to those two. Since they arrived together, they must have met up before coming. Out of everyone in Soul Society, save for her parents, these two people were the longest she had known. They had taken care of her when she was a baby. Naori took care of her growing up. And they both watched her grow accustomed to the afterlife. Masaki connected well with her godparents. She loved them both very much.

She peeked once again. Hitsugaya snuck a look at Naori and she glanced back too. She cracked a small smile at him as she turned her gaze back to the sky. He even gave her a rare smile and did the same.

And Masaki knew they loved each other as well.

And that is the official end of this series! I hope you all loved it as much as I did. And you get to see what Naori's Bankai is! If you have trouble picturing it, imagine Soifon's Shikai except slightly shorter and it's on all ten of her fingers. You also get to see more of what happened to the cast after Adult's Game. Not much has changed really. Haha! I'm glad for all of you that stuck till the end!And I hope you will on further stories! Thank you forever!

~KyraX