Author's Note: Here it is! The last chapter! Of course the epilogue will still be posted and that will be a two chapter thing so it's not completely over yet. Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Bleach'.
The gun shots seemed to echo around her. The wound on her arm was burning, but she pushed it aside as she continued to fire her gun. Her eyes were narrowed at the brother of Ichigo Kurosaki, Hichigo, his statement from before making her want to wipe the smug look on his pale and grinning face.
Get over ya childhood crush…
Ru fired back when a bullet gazed her cheek, some of her own blood running down onto her neck. She knew Hichigo would win, but she got what she wanted. She was a factor in the ending of Aizen's gang. That was all she really wanted. Through the smoke, Ru tried to examine the abandoned and destroyed hallway to see any signs of Hichigo. She stepped out of the sharp corner she was hiding behind, only to freeze when a hand wrapped around her neck from behind and cold steel touched her side.
"I won." A voice hissed.
Ru felt her gun being torn away from her grasp, but she merely smirked and remained still. Her eyes were unreadable, her smirk just there to help her deal with what was to come. She raised her head, looking at Hichigo from the corner of her eye. He had his grin on as usual, but Ru could see something in his eyes. Something she rarely saw in his eyes.
"Yeah, ya win. Wha'cha gonna do now, Hichi? Kill meh? Do it, I did what I wanted ta do. So, if ya got the balls, pull the trigga'." Ru said.
"Che, I ain't into ruin good things. Ya gonna hafta forgive meh fer this, 'cause I ain't gonna say sorry or try ta make it up ta ya."
Ru bit back as much of her howl of pain as she could. Only cursing and cringing from the burning pain on her side. Her vision began to blacken around the edges, her body feeling heavy as if weight was being pressed against her. She felt Hichigo's grip on her tighten only once before she fell unconscious. Hichigo allowed Ru to go limp in his arms, looking down at the bullet wound on her side.
He was positive that she would not die from the wound, just pass out from the blood lost. Carrying her to the wall, he leaned her against the wall in a sitting position. His eyes stared at her face for a moment before he grinned and cupped her face.
"We ain't neva gonna be over fer good, Ru. I'll come back fer ya when I want ta come back ta ya. See ya… soon if I survive tonight."
He pressed his lips against her forehead, lingering there for a moment before getting to his feet. He stared at Ru for a moment before turning his head to the side when he heard footsteps. Taking one last glance at the woman on the floor, Hichigo grabbed his gun and walked away from the ruble.
Blood gushed from the wound on her shoulder, yet she continued to fight. Her teeth were gritted, not wanting to release the short cry when her body was pressed violently against the wall. The sunglasses on her face were practically ripped away from her face and thrown to the side.
"I hate when ya hide ya eyes from meh."
Birdie opened her eyes and glared at Gin. His hand was wrapped around her neck, tightening slowly to show her that he was in charge. His smile was still there, but his eyes were opened to reveal his bright blue eyes. Green and blue clashed for a moment before green turned away from the piercing blue eyes.
"I hide them for a reason." Birdie hissed, groaning when something dug into the wound on her shoulder.
"Why are ya doin' this?"
"Hmm, not all too sure how to answer that, Gin. But, since you already think I'm crazy, I'll tell you."
Birdie pressed her legs against Gin's, making him back away and allowing her to grab her weapon. Her eyes stared down the bloody weapon before she looked up to stare at Gin.
"Ya know I saved ya from a family that didn't even want ya. So, why are ya tryin' ta leave meh?" Gin said, tilting his head to the side.
"I did have one person that I considered family. He once told me that people who kill are weak and should die painfully. Yeah, you saved me from a broken home, but you made me into something that he hated. It's kinda funny. The day after my first kill, he died by a drunk driver. So, if I ever want to make him happy again, I have to leave this place. If that means leavin' you, the man who has become my whole world, so be it."
A moment of silence fell over them. They were completely alone now, Stark leaving when he got bored. Blood was sprinkled on the floor, most of it Birdie's blood. Gin stared at her, his smile gone and a confused look on his pale face. His grin returned and he dropped his weapon to the ground.
"Ain't that some deep stuff? Do ya hate meh fer turnin' ya into a killer?"
"No, hard to hate only man in my life."
Another silence fell. It was interrupted when footsteps neared and finally stopped. Gin looked over his shoulder to see Grimmjow standing behind him, his hands in his pockets and his eyes staring back at him. Gin chuckled before looking back to Birdie to see her raising her hand in a defensive position. Gin walked back to stand in front of her and only wrapped an hand around the wrist that held her blade.
"I ain't the only man in ya life. I'm not gonna kill ya. Can't do it. So, go off 'nd live the life ya always wanted, Birdie. Just rememba' my face, 'cause I'll come back fer ya when ya least expect it."
His finger wiped away some blood from her face, licking it off in front of her before walking out of the room. Birdie watched after him, narrowing her gaze before taking a few steps forward.
"Hey! You bet-"
"Don't worry about them, Birdie. I ain't gonna hurt any of your friends. Like I've told ya before, I've always preferred to work alone."
Then, Gin was completely out of sight. Birdie watched on in the direction he had disappeared to. She gnawed at her lower lip before looking over at the hand that was grabbing her shoulder. Her sunglasses were presented to her by Grimmjow, his face completely serious. She grabbed the lens and placed them back on to hide her eyes.
"Let's go." Grimmjow muttered.
"I have to go check on someone first. After that… I'll go with you."
Birdie kept pressing pressure against her wound on her shoulder as she made her way down the hall the group had run out of. Finally, she found the person she was looking for. Her eyes narrowed, anger hidden behind her glasses as she kneeled beside Ru. Birdie noticed how unmoving Ru seemed and she sighed before shaking her head.
"Damn… I was hopin' on getting' my hands on ya lens, jeeves."
Birdie opened her eyes and stared at Ru, who was staring back at her with a weak grin. The two friends remained silent before chuckling weakly. Ru looked at the blood running down Birdie's arm and chuckled before shaking her head slowly.
"Damn, ya got fucked up." Ru snickered.
"You're one to talk. Ready to leave this shit-hole?" Birdie asked, extending her hand. Ru looked at the invitation before accepting the helping hand and getting to her feet.
"Guess I made a damn good choice on pickin' ya ta have my back." Ru commented, earning a low scoff from Birdie.
"I'm the only one that wouldn't have stab you in the back for little things. C'mon, I'm getting sick of bein' here."
"Heard Grimmy has a thing fer ya. He comin' along wit' us?"
"He's the only one that can drive us anywhere at the moment. So yeah, he's coming."
"What about fox-face?"
"… Heh, to be honest; I don't have a clue what's going to happen to him. And Hichigo?"
"That fuckin' albino… Ya can say the same thing about him. Though, I gots a gut feelin' those two will come back in our lives sooner or lata'.
Rukia and Tia watched as Ichigo and Aizen walked closer to one another. Both men had smirks on their face and weapons in their grasp. Ichigo twirled the black katana in his hand when Aizen was a good few feet away. Aizen cocked an eyebrow at Ichigo and looked by to the orange-haired man with a soft chuckle.
"Kurosaki, I've been waiting for this day to come. The day I end your life. Do you have any last words?" Aizen said, a sharp blade coming from his sleeve. Ichigo looked at his own eyes in the refection in the blade before looking back to Aizen.
"No, because I don't plan to die."
"Ichigo!"
Rukia watched when the steel of Ichigo and Aizen's blade collided. She tried to run toward the fighting pair, but was stopped by the hand that gripped her shoulder. Her blue eyes stared at Tia's eyes and she growled before yanking at the grip.
"Let me go!" Rukia shouted, looking back when the clashing sounds of blades grew a bit nearer.
"Do you know what that man would do to you if you interfere? He will not hesitate to kill you." Tia replied, pulling Rukia back in time. Tia hissed when Aizen's blade merely nicked her side, but was able to push Rukia in time to allow Ichigo to continue his battle with Aizen.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ichigo hissed, his blade keeping Aizen's blade still. Aizen chuckled smoothly, his glance going back to the girls before looking back at Ichigo.
"I am going to kill Kuchiki right in front of you. And I'm going to make you watch as I do." Aizen said.
Ichigo felt pain in his midsection after a loud banging sound echoed around them. His hazel eyes turned to the gun Aizen had hidden before glaring at the cheating man. Aizen smirked arrogantly before bring his blade and slicing Ichigo across the legs, immobilizing him for the moment. Ichigo fell to the ground, cursing himself and burning holes into the back of Aizen's head as the brown haired man stepped away and began to walk toward the two women. Tia kept Rukia hidden behind her before lunging toward him when he came to close.
"Too slow, my love."
"Tia!"
Blood erupted from Tia's lips when a blade protruded from her back crudely. Her green eyes seemed shaken by the blade before her body was thrown to the side. She fell on her side like a rag doll, her body seemingly limp on the cold grassy floor. Rukia wanted to run toward the woman, but was stopped when she felt a tip from a blade poke gently at her neck. Her indigo eyes glared at Aizen, who only smirked at her before turning when he heard Ichigo call him out.
"I will kill this woman, the woman you care so much about, right in front of you." Aizen said, before turning his gaze back to Rukia.
She had stepped away from the power-hungry man, her eyes looking at the two people on the floor before looking back to Aizen. He swung his blade once in her direction, missing by mere inches. His next shot had Rukia toppling over to the ground while holding her bleeding arm. Rukia held back the tears in her eyes, the pain throbbing almost heatedly. Her eyes looked away from the sickening blood to see Aizen taking a step closer to her. Before he could raise his blade, Rukia felt a large body cover her own and block the on-coming attack.
Ichigo stared defiantly at Aizen, his black blade clashing with Aizen's silver one. The smile on Aizen's face had disappeared, annoyance visible in his gaze as he narrowed them. Rukia could see Ichigo struggling to keep the blade away, but his blood lost was making it hard for him to keep his strength. Aizen noticed this, and his smile returned in full force.
"Kurosaki, you were weak from the beginning. I will be victorious here tonight and the blood of all who disobey will be shed. I am like God! I will commend the disobedient to de-"
Shots echoed around them and Ichigo felt hot blood spill onto his face. He closed his eyes to shield them from the crimson rain and opened them to see that the blood was coming from Aizen's mouth. Aizen stared at the bullet holes in his chest, one hand shakily touching his chest before he turned around to find the source of it all. Tia had a one hand covering her mouth, the other struggling to keep the gun up and pointed at the man.
Rukia looked over and gasped to see Tia trying to get to her feet, only to feel the wrath of Aizen. Rukia could not hold back the scream that echoed around them, when Aizen charged the tanned woman and speared her with his own blade. Tia seemed to be numbed to the pain, for she did nothing, but stare blankly at Aizen while he glared down at her. Some of his blood fell onto her arm, eventually reaching her hand.
Then, Tia felt Aizen's blood on her chest when a black blade was shoved into his chest, stabbing hers in the process. Ichigo stood behind the two, sending an apologetic look at Tia before twisting the blade. Aizen threw his head back, a guttural groan escaping his lips before Ichigo violently tore the blade from their bodies. Ichigo grabbed Aizen's body, as to not allow him to fall on top of the dying Tia, before shoving him off to the side.
Rukia ran toward Tia, placing a hand over her cheek before looking into her dying eyes.
"Live free, child… Die… free… For me… and… Neliel…"
Tears ran down Tia's face, but they did not belong to her. Rukia did not realize she was crying until she noticed the stains on Tia's bloody face. Rukia closed her eyes and hung her head low, thanking the woman for saving her. Neliel's last words replaying in her mind.
Live and die for me… Rukia.
She felt arms surround her body and she looked over her shoulder to see Ichigo staring down at her.
"Let's go." Ichigo whispered.
The couple stared at the fallen woman on the floor one more time before walking away from the blood-shed and driving away.
Gin stared down at the dead body of Aizen, secretly sadden that he was not the one that had ended the brunette's life. His smile returned when he heard footsteps and he turned to see Hichigo walking up to him. Both men remained smiling, both hiding the secret of what they had done.
"I'd piss on Aizen if I had ta take a piss… Gin, ya got anythin' ta drink on ya? Maybe I can drink sumthin' so I can take a leak." Hichigo laughed, breaking the silence.
"Can't say I do. What now?" Gin asked, looking up in time to see Hichigo shrug.
"Can't run a dead army, can I? 'Nd King made it out alive 'nd I ain't gotta a clue where he's hidin' now. I'm thinkin' of goin' off 'nd making my own group. Wanna join? Ya can be my right-hand man." Hichigo said, kicking Aizen's dead body slowly.
"No thanks. I work betta' alone. Thanks though. I guess this is bai-bai fer us." Gin said, extending his hand to the other male. Hichigo looked at Gin's pale hand before grinning and gripping it in a tight hold.
"No, this is just the beginnin'. See ya around."
"Sir, you need to hold still."
Uryuu finally gave up after Ichigo had firmly stated that he was perfectly fine. His wounds would not hold him back from what he needed to do. He walked out of Uryuu's office and walked toward the room he knew she was in. Opening it, he saw Rukia staring down at two pieces of jewelry. Her eyes looked over at him and she smiled before getting to her feet.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah, let's go."
The couple stood amongst the gang they had been with for years. Renji and Rangiku stood beside the couple, a loud girl in Rangiku's arms that seemed to be happily cooing to herself. Ichigo took a step forward on the stand, wearing nothing, but a black trench coat and baggy black pants with his chest bound. He raised his hand, silencing the relentless chattering before putting his hand down.
"I've called you all here for one reason. I, Ichigo Kurosaki, am leaving the organization and setting you all free. You all may now do whatever the hell you want with your lives. Continue doing living this lifestyle, or moving on from this gang. My spot is free to any of you that wish to have. Take care of this group well. I am now leaving."
Rangiku and Renji stared wide-eyed and speechless, the other members doing the same before bowing their heads respectfully at Ichigo's decision. Rukia smiled weakly at Ichigo, covering the scar on her chest with one of her hands. She looked over at Rangiku, to see the big-breasted woman whispering into Renji's ear before nodding and allowing the red-head to step toward Ichigo.
"I'll take over in your place, Ichigo. This organization will be safe wit' me." Renji said, extending his hand toward Ichigo.
With a firm hand shake, Ichigo nodded once at Renji and released his hand. He stepped away from the red-head as he began his speech, taking Rukia's hands and leading her out to the car that held all their things. Rukia felt with every step she took, the chains were loosening and loosening until they were no more. Ichigo and her were finally normal people, free from the dangers of the underground world.
Rukia looked over her shoulder as Ichigo started the car, her indigo eyes staring at the place that was her cell and home at one point. In her mind, she saw an image of a young Nel standing in front of her. A large and sincere smile was on Neliel's face, one hand elegantly waving Rukia goodbye.
Rukia only smiled, meekly reaching out to touch the vision, only to have it disappear the moment her hand should have touched Neliel's face.
Sad to see this one go, but all things must come to an end. The epilogues are completed, but I will not place them up just yet. You all must give me five hundred cookies! Ha, just kidding. They will be placed up next week. Bai-Bai and thank you all who reviewed, favorite, and stayed on this fic from the beginning.
Special thanks to-
Pamianime-For doing an amazing fanart of this fic.
AnastaciaChaCha-For supporting and being one of the biggest fan of this fic.
DeviantHollow23-For correcting an error in this fic when I couldn't and allowing me to use her OC in this fic.
Thanks to everyone else and I will see you all soon!