(2 years later)
"You look cute."
Kida turned her attention to Kurama, blushing a bit. The skirt swished against her knees.
"Keiko brought it. I couldn't say no," she said.
Kurama smiled, hugging Kida's shoulders. Kurama admired her skirt in the mirror.
"You almost look normal. Except for the hair," he said.
Kida gently caught a strand of her light blue hair.
"Let's dye it black!" she said, thinking of Hiei.
Kurama eyed her until he finally smiled.
"Alright," he said.
He kissed her cheek.
"I'll buy you some."
(Present)
Kimari stood in front of the swings, silent, waiting for the girl there to raise her head. Slowly, the black hair rustled and the head lifted.
"Welcome back, Kida."
Kimari grinned.
"Hello Yami," she greeted.
Kimari sat on the swing next to Yami.
"Why are you here?" she asked, pushing herself on the swing.
"Watching the world go to hell," Yami replied.
Kimari sighed.
"Soon, it will be your turn to step up," she said.
Yami glanced at her with the eye not behind the eye patch.
"I look forward to it."
Kimari closed her eyes.
"Even as we speak, everything is being set in motion."
The sounds of battle echoed over them. Kimari sighed and stopped her swing.
"You know what sucks?" she asked, looking at Yami.
"That I have to supply the soundtrack to this battle," she said, standing.
Yami just watched her as Kimari walked a few feet from her.
"Are you ready to rock, Karakura Town?" she yelled.
She laughed.
"You're insane," Yami declared.
Kimari looked back at her.
"I know," she admitted.
She reached up, yanking off the black wig and dropping it as her light blue hair tumbled forward.
"I'm surprised it lasted so long," Yami remarked as the wig hit the dirt.
Kimari shook out her hair and headed towards the battle.
"Well, here I come," she mumbled.
Yami shuffled behind her before Kimari felt feathers brush her arms. Tears escaped her eyes.
"Forgive me, Byakuya, I could not take the ice away from you heart entirely," she whispered.
Yami's arms wrapped around her.
"Sing," she whispered.
Kimari rested her hand on Yami's.
"Tatta hitosu kawaranai mono zutto egaiteta yume ima no jibun ha dou utsuru no ano koro no chiisana hitomi ni nee miagete konna ni hiroi yozora dakara sou sugu ni wakaru you ni seiippai kagayaku kara hayaku FULL MOON wo sagashite let's sing a song itsudemo issho kimi no tame ima no watashi ni dekiru subete day by day kyou made on unmei ashita kara no kibou kono mune ni dakae let's sing a song itsudemo issho kimi to nara tsurai koto nori koerareru yo more and more motto motto motto chikazukitai ima koko ni ite kurete many thanks for you"
Byakuya froze when he heard Kimari's voice.
"Kimari?" he asked, lifting his head.
He could practically see Kimari standing before him. She smiled at him, her light blue hair floating around her. That added to his surprise.
"You may be rid of us Espada," she said. "But you still must deal with the Forbidden Children."
Kimari looked over her shoulder.
"Take care of Yami," she said.
"Wait," Byakuya said.
"No time," Kimari said.
She looked back at him.
"I have to help Kurasaki-san."
And just like that, Kimari was gone.
(After the battle and stuff)
"So, she's gone, huh?" Rangiku inquired.
Renji nodded, staring at the sun. Rangiku sighed.
"How is Captain Kuchiki?" she asked.
Renji was silent for a heartbeat.
"He's like he's always been."
'As was expected,' Rangiku mentally remarked.
"But-" Renji said.
"But?" Rangiku asked.
"He's been looking for something called a Forbidden Child and some chick name Yami," Renji said.
"Yami?" Rangiku asked.
Yami stared out at the water, allowing the sea breeze to whip her hair against her face. She lifted her arms over the water, Kimari's Hollow remains in her fingers. She stared at it sadly.
"Kida, I thank you for your help," she whispered, one stray tear falling down her cheek.
Her hands trembled as she recalled dragging Kimari's stone cold body up the stairs of Genkai's temple only to have the body fade to dust as soon as Kurama had opened the door. The Hollow remains were all that remained. Yami smiled and dropped her last connection to Kimari in the water. The remains sunk immediately. Slowly, Yami removed the eye patch, revealing her blue eye.
"Let the games begin," she said.