A/N: So it's Fiiinnallly here, the final chapter! I need you guys to tell me though, would you like a bonus chapter? Like a smutty one-shot type epilogue? Let me know with a message, or in a review ;) As always I hope you enjoy, happy reading!

It was a perfect day, warm and sunny, with a perfect breeze drifting past. And every time it did, he found his eyes traveling to the hem of her pink sundress, watching it flutter and lift, revealing more of her thighs to his sight. They were making their way through the streets of the Seireitei, her hand held firmly in his, their fingers laced together tightly. It was strange, no one looked twice or stared at them as they passed, no disapproving looks or words from a single soul, just smiles and hellos. It was truly a moment to take in and enjoy, and lost in his thoughts and observations he fell back a few steps from her, his eyes deciding to take in the view of her walking ahead of him with great interest.

"Come on silly! Quit being a slowpoke, we have to hurry!" She called, stopping and turning to face him. Grabbing his free hand in hers, she began to pull him along, walking backwards and giggling as she tugged him down the street. He was awestruck by her beauty, her smile making his heart skip a beat and a smile of his own forming.

"Where are we going?" He asked, laughing at her eagerness.

"It's a surprise!"

He was about to pull her to him and kiss her when they sky darkened quickly, the wind picking up and people scattering to get indoors. Before the two of them could do the same, a large funnel cloud dropped a vortex to the ground just feet from them. Instincts told him to get to the ground and cover her with his body, but he didn't get the chance. As soon as he moved her feet came off the ground and he found himself trying to keep her from being sucked into the tornado that was bearing down on them without mercy. She was screaming at him, but he couldn't hear her over the sound of buildings being ripped apart and thrown in all directions. Nevertheless he knew she was begging him not to let go of her, because it was the only thought that was running through his own head.

Dropping to his knees in an effort to pull her back down, he found he was being pulled along the ground, the knees of his pants tearing through and skin being grated off by the concrete underneath him. The pain wasn't enough to distract him from holding onto her, but he wondered if it was going to make a difference. At this rate, they would both end up in the swirling mass of debris and there was nothing they could do to stop it.

"Rangiku! I love you!" He shouted as loud as he could, hoping she would hear him.

He saw her smile, tears in her eyes, as she mouthed 'I love you too', and then she was ripped away from him, lost in the blackness that was now surrounding them. He felt his body being thrown in every direction possible before something quite large came rushing at him, colliding with his chest.

"No! Rangiku!" Bolting upright, her name dying on his lips as he took in his surroundings. It had felt so real, but he was glad to realize that it was just a dream. After being incapacitated for awhile, moving so suddenly sent what felt like an aftershock of pain through him. His whole body was sore and he felt drained.

Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he took a moment to re adjust to reality, realizing that he was awake and in control of his body again. He was so excited he turned to his bedside, expecting to see her smiling face and throw himself into her arms. Instead however, he came face to face with an unfamiliar doctor, who had a look of surprise on his face.

"Where is Rangiku?" He asked of the man.

"My apologies Kuchiki-sama, but I do not know who you speak of."

"The woman who has been at my side everyday. Tall, blonde...gorgeous blue eyes." A bit of wistfulness creeping into his voice at the thought of her.

"I'm sorry sir, but no one, except your sister, has visited with you since you were brought home." He replied.

He gave the man a perplexed look as a few of his elders entered the room. Their timing both perfect and awful, as usual.

"Oh, Byakuya-sama, it is good to see you awake again." His great aunt chirped, trying hard to sound happy, but failing miserably.

"Where is she?" He asked of her.

"I do not know whom you speak of." Doing her best to sound like she really was ignorant, but he knew better than that.

"Rangiku...where is she?" He asked again, nevertheless.

"Hmmm...oh, you mean the lieutenant that was hanging around you like a fly? We sent her away of course." Motioning with her hand as if it weren't important.

"You don't need to be wasting time on her, there are more important things, and better suited women to worry about than that one. She's got guts, I'll give her that though...threatening our lives like she did, but you can do far better." She said with a wry laugh.

"Did you just say she threatened you?" He was used to his aunts attitude and misguided attempts to make him find an eligible noble woman, but that statement had caught his attention.

"Oh yes, something about if you died and she didn't get to say goodbye, she threatened to cut off our heads...even went so far as to point her blade at us. Truly classless. Now, how are you feeling? Would you like the kitchen to make you something to eat?" She asked, trying to dismiss the conversation about Rangiku altogether.

"Well...she had every right to be upset with you...she is my intended after all." Though she didn't know that yet. Meh, details, his family didn't need to know everything anyways.

"Excuse me?!" His aunt asked in an indignant tone, as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard. He'd gladly repeat if for her, especially since he knew it would make her furious.

"You heard me...Rangiku is my intended. And there will be no discussion about it, I have already made up my mind." He replied, getting out of the bed and finding more suitable clothing to put on.

"I do not care that she is not a noblewoman. I am already aware that the relationship is not allowed by clan laws, but again, I do not care. My personal life is just that, so you would do well to keep yourselves out of it. You cannot stop me, even if you try, so do not waste your time." Moving behind the byōbu in the corner of the room to change.

"You can't be serious! We would never allow that, especially after your first marriage to a commoner resulted in no children. Your grandfather will have much to say about this." As if that would make him cower in fear and change his tune.

"He may say what he likes, it will not change my mind. I will not explain myself or my choice, it would fall on deaf ears even if I did. And if I hear you speak of my first marriage in such a manner again, there will be consequences." He warned, emerging fully dressed and sitting himself on the edge of the bed to put on his tabi and sandals. He tried to convey to her with his eyes to let it go and leave, but either she didn't see it, or she was challenging him.

"Byakuya-sama, you need to marry a respectable woman, one who has the proper training and etiquette to represent the Kuchiki name. Even just seeing that woman would be enough for other clans with eligible daughters to overlook you in their miai's. With all due respect...you need to work on this...penchant, you have...for,well...whores is the first word that comes to mind. Streetra-" He cut her off before she could continue, stepping to her until they were toe to toe, looking down into her eyes as he spoke. If he weren't vehemently against raising his hands to a woman, he might have smacked her for the words she dared to speak.

"If you dare call Rangiku or Hisana a whore again, I will have your tongue ripped from your mouth. Run to my grandfather with this if you wish, but I am the head of this house and I will love who I see fit, no matter what you or any of the others have to say about it." He growled out. She looked thoroughly intimidated at his words and physical proximity.

"Now, if you will excuse me. I am leaving. Tell the cooks to have dinner for two ready in my quarters when I return." Stepping away from her and towards the door. He had no interest in continuing a pointless conversation.

"Where are you going? You need to rest...come back here! This isn't over!" She shouted after him as he made his way to the front door of the mansion.

He didn't bother to answer her, if she stopped to think for a moment, she would know where he was going. He couldn't help the small smile that formed on his mouth at the thought of how furious his aunt must be, watching him ignore her as he walked away. Telling her how things were going to be, and putting her in her place had felt good. It was long overdue, never again would he let his family rule him like they had for the last 50 years.

"Matsumoto, do you have those files for squad 2 done? I'd really like to get them sent over soon. Matsumoto? Hello, earth to Matsumoto!" Toshiro called from his desk.

The sound of her name being called snapped her out of her daze. She'd zoned out while staring at the report in front of her, her own inner monologue going on a rant in her head. Her thoughts and inner voice just couldn't seem to be quiet lately.

"I'm sorry captain, I spaced out for a minute there. What did you need?" Forcing herself to focus her attention on him.

"You've been doing that a lot. I know I said that I needed you back as soon as possible, but are you sure you should be working right now? Honestly, I was expecting you to take a few days once you were released from the infirmary." He said with concern and confusion.

"I'd rather not be at home going stir crazy with boredom. I'm fine, I promise. There's just a lot on my mind and it wanders sometimes. Did you say squad 2? I think I've got those over here." Reaching for a pile of finished reports.

"Thank you. I'll have these delivered immediately. Unless you feel like taking the walk over there. I've heard a walk can be good when you've got a lot on your mind." He suggested, attempting to sound nonchalant, as if he wasn't telling her to do it.

"Actually, that sounds like a good idea captain. Maybe the fresh air will help me clear my head a bit." Getting up and preparing to head out of the office.

She'd told Toshiro what Byakuya's family had said to and about her, as well as how they forbid her from seeing him. So they didn't need to talk about what she was spacing out over, he understood what she was wrestling with. He was right though, she should have taken some time before returning to work. She couldn't sleep at night thanks to nightmares, not to mention the stress and worry over Byakuya, so she was mostly running on fumes. But still, she needed something to distract her from her thoughts.

It had been three days since they'd taken him home and she hadn't heard a peep about his well being from anyone. But she had planned and plotted ways to break in to the Kuchiki manor to see him. She'd even entertained just breaking the front door down and forcing her way in, but quickly realized that it would get her into far more trouble than she could afford.

Besides, she didn't want to make things between his family and herself anymore tense than she had back in that infirmary room. She still felt bad about how she'd handled that particular situation, but she couldn't help herself, they pushed all of her buttons in a single sentence. Honestly, she'd held herself back, she could have told them just what she really thought of them. Instead, she stopped herself, realizing she'd already made things harder for Byakuya and that continuing to insult and threaten them would only make it worse. As it was, they would probably try to forbid him from ever seeing her again, but she hoped that he would anyways.

She'd been so lost in her thoughts, it was as if she'd blinked and suddenly she was entering through the gates of the second division, her body moving through the Seireitei on auto pilot. Straightening her shoulders, she took a deep breath before entering. The second division was not the place to be caught daydreaming or not paying attention to your surroundings. It was a squad of assassins after all, and while she respected the squad and it's captain, it made her uneasy to be surrounded by them. One wrong move and she could end up wrongfully imprisoned in the maggots nest.

Dropping off the paperwork to captain Fon, she got out of there as quickly as she could. The woman wasn't one for small talk, and when it came to work she was quick and precise, not wasting a moment or a breath. Exiting back out into the sunshine, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, taking a moment to notice her surroundings. Things were beginning to green up, leaves and blooms of flowers springing up everywhere she looked. She'd been so lost in her own head on the way there that she'd missed it all, but she would be sure to take it all in on the way back to the office.

Not two steps into her journey back however, a hell butterfly showed up announcing a meeting with all captains and lieutenants within the hour. So much for napping on the couch for a bit this afternoon. She was closer to the 1st than her own division at the moment, so she might as well just head there, Toshiro would catch up. And he was right, taking a walk was a good idea. It had helped her work out some of her thoughts, and the fresh air was making her feel better as well.

She was almost to the first division when she heard a familiar voice calling out her name. Turning, she saw the raven hair and bright violet eyes of the younger Kuchiki. Even though they weren't related by blood, it was amazing how much she looked like him.

"Rangiku-San! Wait up!" She called, jogging to catch up.

"Hello Rukia, it's good to see you."

"Likewise. I knew you were released from the 4th, but I didn't know you'd returned to work already. Are you sure you're not pushing yourself?" Concern crossing her features.

"I'm still a little sore, but otherwise fine. Toshiro won't let me do anything too extraneous until he thinks I'm alright." She said, smiling at her friends concern.

"Good. Actually, I'm glad you arrived early for the meeting as well. There's something I want to ask you." Fidgeting with her hands as she spoke.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Why did you stop coming to see my brother? I thought that you didn't want him to be alone." Those wide eyes looking up at her with hurt.

"Oh Rukia honey, I would be there if I could, believe me...but...your elders said that I had to stay away." The thought alone enough to make her ball her hands into fists at her side. She really hated not being with him, particularly over something so petty.

"They what?! Why didn't you come to me?" Her surprise only lasting momentarily, she knew what the elders were about.

"It's not your problem...I didn't want to drag you into a mess. I have no choice but to wait for him to wake." Resignation coloring her tone. She'd thought about talking to Rukia, of course she had, but it didn't seem right to put her in the middle of the matter.

"Don't give me that crap. It's obvious that you care about my brother...I don't know how, why, or what there is between you, but I know it's something. And I for one am excited at the thought of my brother finding happiness and companionship again. He damn well deserves it. So after this meeting you are going to go home with me and I'll take you to see him. The elders can't stop me, if they even dared to try.." She said with determination and a bit of spite.

"Rukia...I don't...I mean I...thank you. Just thank you." Taking a deep breath to avoid getting emotional. She couldn't wait to see him, to let him know that she never wanted to leave him.

"Of course." She said with a bright smile.

Before they could continue their conversation other people began to file into the room, including her captain. He didn't bother coming over to talk to her, choosing instead to be anti social as usual and taking his place for the meeting, even though there was still time until it started. Looking around though, she realized that they were only missing a few people, some of whom were still incapacitated of course, so this would probably get an early start. That was good, she couldn't wait for it to be over. Speaking of, she should make sure it was alright with her captain to skip out on the rest of the day.

"Captain...after the meeting, would it be alright if I didn't come back to the office? Rukia said she'd take me to see him." She asked quietly, so only he could hear her.

"Of course, that would be fine Matsumoto. Take tomorrow off too, please just rest. I'll handle the office."

"Thank you." She whispered, taking her place at his side. With any luck, if she helped him set an example, others would get in place and they could get it over with. She hated meetings normally, but at that moment, with the chance to see Byakuya in sight, she absolutely loathed it.

The fates decided to torture her a little more though when the lieutenant of squad 1 entered and announced the head captain would be a little late. Everyone broke formation and groups formed again, people chatting in the downtime. When in Rome she supposed, joining Rukia, Renji, Kira and Shuhei. It was a little awkward, as she hadn't seen Shuhei since she told him she couldn't see him, but they both handled it like professionals.

"I'm glad to see you're alright Rangiku, how are you feeling?" He asked in that shy demeanor he had.

"Thank you Shuhei, I've got a ways to go, but I'm feeling much better."

"Well, it's good to see you back Ran-chan." Renji chimed in.

The sound of the large wooden double doors being opened at the entrance of the meeting hall pulled everyone's attention in that direction. Everyone was already there, so who the hell could it be? When her gaze landed on the culprit she thought she might faint right there, her knees going weak and her breath catching in her throat. Relief washed over her in waves and she had to stop herself from running to him.

Nevertheless, it seemed that he was headed straight for her. There was no way though, not with so many people around. Then she realized that she was standing between his sister and his lieutenant, he would be coming to talk to them. Yes, that made sense.

"Captain!"

"Brother!"

They shouted in unison as he got closer. Her gaze met his and she realized that he was indeed staring at her, completely ignoring the others around them, and she found herself rooted to the spot, unable to look away. Even at that distance, there was so much in his eyes, so much emotion, and she felt tears come to her eyes as he got closer.

Once he was off the grounds of the Kuchiki manor he took a moment to just breath in the fresh air and get his bearings. He was still weak, especially after being in a bed for a significant amount of time, and he needed to use as little energy as possible in finding her. The obvious first place to look would be in the office of the tenth division, or her barracks there. He decided to try the barracks first to no avail, so he moved onto the office she shared with her captain.

No one was there, but he did notice a Hell butterfly still lingering. It was carrying an announcement for a meeting. Perfect, he knew where she'd be, now if only he could get there before it started. He didn't want to wait any longer than he had to, to see her, to hold her, to tell her everything.

He moved as fast as he dared in his condition, only one goal in mind, driving him to reach his destination. When the doors to the meeting hall were finally in sight, he paused for only a moment to catch his breath and ponder if he was interrupting the meeting. So be it if he was, this couldn't wait any longer.

Throwing the doors open, his eyes searched her out, landing on her almost immediately. He watched as she recognized him and her whole body trembled for a moment, tears rushing to her eyes and a relieved smile forming on her face. He could hear people saying things and calling his name, but it was all a blur, his focus only on the woman in front of him, she was his goal. He was steps from her when she called out to him.

"Byakuya, you're alright! I have so much to tell you..." She exclaimed, trailing off as he pulled her into his arms, his lips cutting off anything else she might have tried to say. He kissed her like a man dying of thirst, her lips the water he desperately craved, one hand in her hair, the other holding her against him. She stiffened in surprise for a moment before relaxing, her hands gripping the fabric across his chest, pulling him closer to her and returning the kiss with equal passion.

"I heard you...every word you said." Pulling back and looking into her eyes, watching as tears spilled past her lids. He was vaguely aware of the fact that the whole room was staring at them, the silence so deafening you could probably hear the proverbial pin drop.

"Wow..." She said, sounding and looking a little dazed. She came back to herself a moment later.

"Oh, you heard me...but...what are you doing?" Nodding to all the people in the room with them.

"This is it Rangiku...no more running, no more pretending...no more...hiding. This is what I want, you and I, and I don't care what anyone has to say about it. I wish to make you my intended." Using his thumbs to wipe her tears away.

"Byakuya..." Covering her mouth with her hand, trying to hide the smile and blush that was taking over her face.

"But what about your family? They told me I'm not allowed at the manor..."

"Don't worry about them. I have already informed them that you are my intended and that I will not be persuaded otherwise. They shouldn't give you any trouble, and if they do I will handle it swiftly. I want you to be comfortable in my home, after all I wish to make you my lady someday."

He thought she might pass out, her legs began to tremble, her knees literally going weak, and she leaned more of her weight on him, so he held her tighter. It hadn't been his intention to make her swoon, but he really liked the way it looked on her.

"I don't know what to say...I can't believe you'd do that for me..."

"Worry about that later dear. For now, the two of you should probably get out of here before the head captain gets this meeting started." Captain Unohana interjected, that peaceful, almost scary smile on her face. Rukia and Renji echoed her sentiments, and none of the others seemed to object.

"Come home with me. I want to hold you tonight." Leaning in and speaking quietly.

"I'd like that." Pressing a chaste kiss to his lips.

Without hesitation he picked her up into his arms, disappearing before another word could be said. He held her to him as tightly as he could, without hurting her, while he made his way back to his home. There was so much he wanted to tell her, but with her in his arms, clinging tightly to him, none of it really seemed to matter anymore. And when they finally made it to their destination, he placed her on her feet, but neither of them pulled away.

She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed, burying her face into his chest.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry Byakuya." She whispered, sniffling between tears.

"I'm sorry too love...I'm sorry too." Kissing the top of her head and running his fingers through her hair.

"Let's forget it and move forward. We are here, together, and that is all that matters right now."

"Yeah...you're right. There's no point in looking back."

"Good. Now come, I've had dinner prepared. And when we're done I want you in my arms." Leading her by the hand through his private quarters to the dining space.

They ate side by side in relative silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable, and when they finished he led her to his room. As soon as they were in the bed, snuggled up close to one another, all the things they needed to say finally spilled out. He didn't think he'd ever rested so peacefully as he did with her next to him, and he looked forward to having her with him for as long as the fates would allow.