Hello, my wonderful readers. Sorry that this took so long to update. It seems like I can barely keep my mind on writing these days... Anyway, here is the final part of Little Firefly. I hope that you have had as much enjoyment reading this story as I have writing it. I have more planned as far as this series goes, so please stay tuned.

Disclaimer: I only own Tsoa and the extra character featured in this chapter. The rest of this is the Bleach universe, the mastermind/ owner of which is Tite Kubo.

Epilogue

Tsoa awoke a few days later, finding herself nestled in welcoming warmth. Her mouth lifted slightly in a contented smile as she pulled herself closer. She heard a pleased groan escape him and let out a soft giggle.

"Good morning, Okami-taicho." she said playfully. She heard a chuckle escape from him.

"That will be enough of that, my playful little firefly." he replied as he tucked her head into his chest as a form of embrace. He took in the sight of her tousled hair and the feel of the small, springy coils between his fingers. It was different seeing her without her bandana to hold them back, watching them fall to her face like that and thus casting her light eyes in shadow. He looked down to find her staring back up at him, a contented look on her face. He reached down and caressed her back lightly, noting how much Tsoa seemed to enjoy that. With that, she switched positions, letting her sprawl on top of him as they became eye-level. He allowed himself to take in her scent, one of earth and lemongrass.

"What be it?" she asked.

"How is it possible that a monster like me deserves someone as beautiful as you, Tsoa Kawagari?"

"That be enough of that, Captain. You be not a monster, you be a man. More importantly, you be the man that I love." Any protest he was about to make was stopped as she leaned down to kiss him. He responded hesitantly at first, but then went with it. Sajin wasn't sure what exactly the Kawagari girl had awoken in him, but it was something primal… something Sajin feared more than anything. Tsoa was so small. If Sajin lost his control, even for a second, he could end up hurting her- badly. He would never forgive himself if something like that happened. Tsoa's eyes met his and she could tell that he was scared. With a knowing smile, she leaned down and kissed him assuredly. "We be not having to do any of that unless you be wantin' to, Captain." she whispered. Sajin's eyes filled with apprehension, but he pushed it off and pulled the girl close.

"How is it," he began, "that you seem to know what exactly I'm thinking?"

"Because you be about to say something before I spoke up." she said. Sajin looked at her. She grinned and pushed herself so that she was rather awkwardly straddling him. She then held up her hand, palm outward. At first, he wasn't sure what she was getting at. "I be able to see the future through touch. Through that connection, I be able to see your relatively close future."

"A gift?" Sajin presumed.

"Yes." she answered with a nod. "A gift from those who have passed before me." she replied.

Sajin smiled at her and obliged her request, gently laying his hand against hers. Her eyes fluttered for a few moments. For a second, Sajin thought he should be worried, but then Tsoa opened her eyes once more.

"You be wantin' to mind Iba. He be wantin' to go out drinkin' again, and I be feared that he hurt himself." she said with a wry smile. He chuckled.

"I suppose, then that I'll have to keep him from going out and finding trouble, then, won't I?" he asked. Tsoa gave a contented smile.

The news that Shinji Hirako had been placed in the hospital had captured Tsoa's interest. She vaguely remembered her grandmother mentioning the Captain and his reading. He had been extremely skeptical of the whole process, but became incredibly interested in the results. Apparently, he had been told of the betrayal that he would indeed endure. He had indeed suffered in darkness and despair, as had those who endured the same fate. She wasn't sure, though, if he had found what he had been looking for- the light that her grandmother had mentioned all those years ago. She decided to see for herself if it had indeed been true.

The sun began to set on this day as she walked through the Fourth Division barracks. It was odd- over the time she had been here, she had quite gotten used to hospitals. She still squirmed at the idea of being a patient, but she could live with it. Isane Kotetsu had become one of her trusted friends, as there had been more than one occasion when the Lieutenant had been asked to keep her company on those long days when Sajin had a mission to do. At first, Isane had thought Tsoa's request to see Shinji Hirako strange, but finally complied, pointing her down the right way.

"I told ya," the Visored growled, facing away from the door, "I'll get up in my own damn time!" Tsoa couldn't help but smile.

"I be not askin' ya to get up, Shinji Hirako." she replied. Shinji, obviously more than a little confused, turned and looked at the girl.

"Ya don't look like a Fourth Division-er." he said, an eyebrow raised.

"I be thinkin' not," she quipped. "I may have gotten used to hospitals, but that be not meaning that I be ever wantin' to work in one."

"And you are?" he asked. The girl smiled.

"I be Tsoa Kawagari." she said proudly. Shinji's eyes widened at her declaration.

"Kawagari… but…" he began, stammering for a moment. "B-but I had been told that you all had died…"

"You be ill-informed." she replied. "I be the last surviving member of the Kawagari clan."

Shinji looked at her. "Ya look just like the matriarch… If I had to guess, I'd say granddaughter." Tsoa nodded. "If nothing else it's the eyes."

"What happened to you?" she asked. Shinji fell silent for a moment.

"Those Arrancar bastards took Raine," he began. The way he looked at the window almost made Tsoa believe that he had forgotten that she was even in the room. "they wanted to completely Hollowfy her, make her into one of them because of her Zanpakuto. I was too focused on trying to take out the leader that I didn't see her close in on me… She was controlling Raine." Tsoa could sense the anger within him, threatening to spill out. "I can't imagine what Raine can be thinking about right now… probably that it's all her fault."

"And… is it?" Tsoa asked.

"Of course not!" Shinji nearly shouted. "Raine may be stubborn, and half of the time I really wish that she wouldn't be so self-sacrificial, but this isn't her fault, none of it!" Tsoa smiled at this information.

"You love her?" she asked.

"I would die for Raine." Shinji replied determinedly. Tsoa nodded in understanding.

"Then I t appears that my Gran'mama be right. You have indeed found the light that heals." she stated. She held out her hand to him. Shinji looked at it dumbly, not sure of what she was trying to do. "I can tell your future for you, if that be what you wish." she offered. Shinji smiled and allowed his hand to join with Tsoa's. The room was quiet for a while, and for a second, Shinji noticed that her brow furrowed before she opened her eyes once more. She was silent, and he sat waiting for a moment.

"Well?" he asked. Tsoa looked to him and smiled. "What did you see?"

"I foresaw… a very happy beginning for you two." she said.

"That's not all, that can't be it." Shinji said. Tsoa was silent for a moment.

"… That be true; there be more… but I be not sure how I be tellin' ya…" she said quietly.

"The truth may be a nice start." he replied.

"The day… the day that you fear most… I foresee it happening." Shinji's eyes widened.

"That can't be right," Shinji insisted. "We just locked him up! He can't…!" His lips tightened, but the fear was shown in his face, in his eyes. "When…?"

"I cannot tell, Hirako-san. These visions do not tell exactly when it will happen, only that it will. If I be wagerin' a guess, however… six months. And…"

"What else?" Shinji asked.

"He will be after your light."

For a moment Shinji didn't say anything. Then, he laughed morosely. "It figures; he could never keep his hands off of stuff that wasn't his. He'll only get her over my dead carcass."

Tsoa turned away from Shinji. "I be sorry that I be havin' no other better news to tell you." she said.

"No," he insisted. "Yer doin' me a favor. I'd rather hear it from you than someone else, Tsoa." She turned at the use of her name.

"I be doin' everything in my power to prevent this from happening, Hirako-san." she promised.

"Wait until I can get Raine away from here, please." Shinji said. "I don't want her to worry. Poor darlin's got enough to worry her right now." Tsoa's brow furrowed, but she nodded all the same. Then, at the same time, they both felt the spiritual pressure approach. Tsoa smiled over at Shinji.

"Until next time, Hirako-san." she said. She gave a slight nod and then leapt out the window.

Tsoa watched as the young woman with the Visoreds bid everyone good-bye and then leapt onto Shinji Hirako's back. Without another word, they were gone. Tsoa greeted Sajin and the two made their way back to the Seventh Division barracks.

"Things will be much different around here, yes?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Indeed." Sajin replied. "You, after all, must begin your training."

"Training?" Tsoa asked, stopping in mid stride.

"Kido training and proper training for your Bankai with Byakuya Kuchiki." Sajin replied. Tsoa's eyes widened, but after a moment, she nodded. "Head-Captain Yamamoto has determined that- given some training- you could become a Captain in a very short time."

"It be soundin' like a difficult job…" she began quietly. "Be you believin' I'm ready?" she asked. Sajin nodded.

"I do." he said confidently. Tsoa grinned at him. The two turned, however, when an Omnitsukido member appeared before them.

"Third Seat Tsoa Kawagari, Head-Captain Yamamoto orders that you report to the First Division barracks, immediately." he announced. Tsoa knew it would come to this and her gaze returned to Sajin.

"I will go with you." he said. With that, the two of them took off, both willing to face the future and all its darkness at each other's side.

Ta-da! That's it, my wonderful readers! As I said at the beginning of the chapter, I hope that you have enjoyed reading Little Firefly. If anyone has any requests for Sajin/Tsoa oneshots, I will be happy to write them. Please let me know. Until next time, my dear readers, I bid you all adieu.