Journey's End

Levi walked into Toushiro's office feeling groggy and not well. The young captain noticed instantly.

Toushiro: "Are you alright, Levi? You don't look well."

Levi: "I didn't sleep well last night."

Toushiro: "Why not?"

Levi: "... I kept thinking of home... My home..."

Rangiku: "Sounds like homesickness has finally hit. I figured he'd get here at some point."

Vegeta: "Says the woman who mopes and groans after only a few days away from home."

Rangiku, holding a small bottle, tossed said bottle at the saiyan and hit him square on the forehead! Vegeta fell back and moaned, obviously feeling it. Toushiro and Levi just shook their heads. Since they found him, Levi has watched this man get hit many times for simple little words. This was now the 8th time. It really wasn't his month. While Vegeta picked himself up, Levi sat down on the sofa at the other end of the saiyan prince. He had to admit that he was feeling a little sick from being away from home after so long. It's hard to believe that he's been here for 3 months now. Everyone's taken good care of him and been so kind. They saved his life, gave him food and a bed when they had no idea who he was or where he was from. That kind of kindness was rare in his world. But still he had to go home. He had to see if there was still a way to save humanity... If there was any left to be saved.

Levi: "I just hope that there's still a home to return to."

Toushiro: "I'm sure there is. You said it yourself that humanity was living behind these great walls and that you had a boy with the power to become a Titan on your side."

Levi: "Yeah but Eren's Titan ability has mixed receptions. Some people see him as hope, that a Titan on their side was fighting for them. Others see him as a monster that they just want to dissect and exterminate. The only reason he was released and given a chance was because of me. It was my job to keep an eye on him, to give those people the reassurance that he wouldn't go rogue or anything. But since I've been gone... Who knows what's happened to him."

Vegeta: "Bloody cowards... Fearing a boy who has offered to use his unusual power to aid humanity all because they do not understand or are just reluctant to look at the possibilities is fucking disgusting!"

Rangiku: "I have to agree. Those kind of people are the worst. Too blinded by fear or misunderstanding to even listen to the possibilities, those are the real monsters."

Toushiro: "At least there are a few good strong people on the other side right?"

Levi: "There are but... None of them have the reputation I do. People often refer to me as "Humanity's Strongest Soldier". That and my record of Titan kills is what made it possible for Eren to be released in the first place."

Rangiku: "Ok that could be a problem."

Toushiro: "Still if your commander is as good of a negotiator as you say he is, Levi, there is still a good chance Eren's ok."

Levi: "I hope so. But I still fear for humanity. To this day we still don't know where Titans come from. Hange has some theories but we haven't proved or disproved them yet, even her theory that Titans were once humans. And of course there's also the issue with the need for more territory. Even before the territory behind Wall Maria was lost, there was already a bit of a food crisis. I fear soon that we'll all be at war with each other over food."

There was a short pause in the room. When it broke, Vegeta put down a huge ultimatum.

Vegeta: "Y'know... Worst case scenario... You can always move the remaining human population into our world, Levi."

Levi silently gasped to himself as the meaning of those words sunk in. Was that an option?! Levi glanced at Toushiro.

Toushiro: "Vegeta's got a good point there. You said it yourself that you don't know where the Titans come from. Even if you got rid of the current ones, more could appear. And of course there's the whole food shortage issue. We've got plenty of food and means of making it, plenty of room, and if Titans do appear well... We've got Vegeta! Trust me when I say he's taken down things even BIGGER than those T-Rex's before. It just might be better for you to just move everyone over into this world."

Levi: "Would your Head-Captain allow that?!"

Yamamoto: "Of course I would!"

Levi turned around and saw the Head-Captain standing right there! The old man walked and stood next to Toushiro's desk while the young captain worked.

Yamamoto: "You've proven to be quite a gift to us, Levi. And I can say with certainty that many would be sad to see you gone for good."

And then Yamamoto opened his eyes and cast a gleaming stare at Toushiro.

Yamamoto: "And something tells me that a certain captain of mine would end up doing it anyway even if I said no..."

Toushiro looked up from taking a drink and gave his commander a big toothy apologetic grin. Yamamoto then cast the stare onto Vegeta.

Yamamoto: "It wouldn't be the first time..."

Vegeta: "Ah heh heh... eh..."

Levi just gazed back and forth from Toushiro to Vegeta and back again. He's heard from Gin that Captain Toushiro Hitsugaya has developed a 'unique' reputation for disobeying the Head-Captain. It was amazing to think that the same person who had saved his life often disobeyed his commander. But then again...

Gin: "Although he disobeys the Head-Captain from time to time, it's never out of disrespect or anything like that. It's usually to help someone or do something he knows in his heart needs to be done. He went to great lengths to help Vegeta, me, and many others too, all while knowing fully well the consequences. He has a kind heart and is always willing to help those in need out however he can. When you think about that... Then Captain Hitsugaya's probably, by far, the strongest and bravest person in the whole Seireitei. When the time comes for him to take command, I personally will gladly follow him without question."

Looking at the young captain, Levi believed everything. Just then, Yamamoto approached the soldier.

Yamamoto: "Levi. Hitsugaya tells me that you are a captain of your own squad back in your world."

Levi: "Yes. I am. What's this got to do with anything?"

Yamamoto: "As you are fully aware, we are doing everything in our power to find a way to send you home. However, as I am sure you've been told, there is no guarantee that we will succeed."

Levi: "I am aware of that and I thank you all for being honest with me. I'm just trying to stay positive."

Yamamoto: "That is good to hear. But there is something I would like to discuss with you about that."

Levi looked at Toushiro who shrugged. Even Vegeta and Rangiku shrugged. Neither of them knew what the old man had in mind.

Yamamoto: "If, and I mean IF, we cannot send you home, would you be willing to stay here with us?"

Levi: "Of course. You've all been so kind to me, how could I not?"

Yamamoto: "So here is what I really want to ask... If we cannot send you home... Would you be willing to take command of Squad 9?"

Levi silently gasped while Toushiro, Rangiku, and Vegeta blinked with shock! Squad 9 was one of the two squads in need of a captain, and since Gin said he'll eventually return, Squad 3's position was pretty much on permanent hold! Was Yamamoto really asking him to become Squad 9's captain in the event they can't send him home?!

Levi: "Y-You want me... To become the captain of that squad?!"

Yamamoto: "Did I stutter? You have all the skills and qualifications already. You would make a fine addition to our ranks."

Vegeta: "Huh... Sly old man, that's why you were asking Toushiro all those questions last week!"

A sly smile lifted that long beard and mustache and a chuckle was heard.

Yamamoto: "So what do you say?"

Levi: "... I... I don't know..."

Yamamoto: "Well think about it. You know where to find me when you decide."

At that moment, Toushiro's office phone rang. The young captain answered it.

Toushiro: "Hello? (Pause) Oh, Gin, what's up? (Long pause) Really?! W-Well that's great news! Yamamoto's here in my office as we speak, I'll tell them both now! (Pause) Thanks, we'll see you soon. Be sure to tell the others on that side, I'll notify everyone on this side. (Very short pause) Ok then, bye."

Toushiro hung up and looked at Levi. The look in his eyes was both sad and overjoyed.

Levi: "What is it?"

Toushiro: "... *Sighs* Gin just told me that Bulma's finished the Vortex machine and the test run was a success!..."

Vegeta and Rangiku gasped quietly with joy while Yamamoto smiled delightfully as Levi's eyes slowly began widening as the meaning of those words sank in.

Levi: "Y... Y-You mean?..."

Toushiro: "... You're going home..."

The next morning... The whole 13 Court Guard Squads, the Z-Fighters and their families, and Ichigo and his friends... Everyone who has met Levi and grown to know him were all standing atop Sokyoku Hill with the soldier from another world. They've all come to say goodbye. While Bulma and Gin set up the equipment, everyone else said their goodbyes.

Goku: "It was great getting to know you, Levi."

Levi: "Thanks, Goku. You too."

Renji: "Don't go easy on those Titans, ok?!"

Levi: "I never do."

Yoruichi: "We all wish you luck and hope for the best."

Levi: "Thank you."

Uryu came up and gave Levi something. It was a new outfit. It was similar to his old one but a medium-dark red color and it split into a set of wings that stretched down most of his leg length. It looked like a cross of his old jacket and a haori. The Wings of Freedom symbols were still there where they've always been. There were even some forearm braces, leather gloves, and much lighter yet stronger boots.

Uryu: "I made these for you. Looks more fitting for a man of your status."

Ukitake: "We all asked Uryu to make those specifically for you so you'll always remember us, Levi."

Kyoraku: "This could be the last time we ever see each other after all! Didn't want ya to go home empty handed."

Honored, Levi took off his old jacket and boots before putting his new ones on. He was impressed with Uryu's work. And now he had something more to help him remember this world and its inhabitants than just memories.

Levi: "Thank you, I'll cherish this as best I can."

Gin came up and handed him his ODM Gear. After strapping it on, Levi filled the fuel canisters and restocked his scabbard with the blades Gin made for him. But these blades were different. They were made of a tougher yet light metal.

Gin: "These blades will last much longer than your previous ones. Also, I have this."

Gin pulled a capsule out of his pocket and gave it to Levi.

Gin: "I made a few more fuel tanks for you and filled them with fuel as well a few more blades. I put them all in this storage capsule incase you run out in the heat of battle."

Levi looked at the capsule and put it in his jacket's front pocket. That was going to come in handy. Finally Bulma was ready.

Bulma: "Ok, here we go!"

Bulma turned on the device and a vortex similar to the one that had brought him here in the beginning opened. He looked at it with a mixture of happiness and sadness. He was happy to be going home, but at the same he was going to miss everyone. Especially two in particular. Levi turned around and faced Toushiro and Vegeta, the two who have been with him from the very beginning.

Toushiro: "So this is it, huh? You're going home."

Levi: "Yeah... Toushiro... Vegeta... I just want thank you for everything. It's because of you two that I'm still even here."

Vegeta: "It was our pleasure."

Bulma: "We'll all miss you, Levi. Good luck and we pray for your success."

Levi: "Thank you, everyone."

Everyone watched as Levi prepared to enter the portal. Before he did, Toushiro had one last thing to say to him.

Toushiro: "No matter where or when you are or what's going on, if you call to him, Levi... He will come to your aid without hesitation... And so will we."

Levi was unsure of what the young captain meant but he still took it to heart. He looked back one last time and waved farewell... Before dashing into the vortex and heading home.