Here it is, my friends. After two long years, my first fanfiction comes to an end. I want to thank all of you reading for putting up with my few and far between updates, and I want to deeply thank those who have reviewed: Oceanee, Xionluna, Aeducan, HinaFilipina18, NOT-ATIVE, Buzybees, famartin, KendoGirl95, Punky Brewster1, yoyogigi125, Ghille Dhu, SmOrOnPwNs, JenJenJen13, EaglefootMoonflightVipertail , ChibiLady, Sanz0girl, Yucchan YunYun, Rosiexxxxxx, eli, TErock95, war90, Lilly, Emerald Tsukino, EmeraldHeart12, madman42, Meggels, Esmeia, Mary Lou, rook, shin-shin-to, moonlightrurouni, and Jenlol1. Reviews mean a lot to any author, and I've always felt amazing after getting them-the fact that I've got so many, with 79, floors me. So, once again, thank you all :) And here, my friends, is the final installment-enjoy.

Byakuya's Schemes: Chapter 14

Byakuya was at his office early today, at a loss for what to do, and unable to really sleep. He had a vague idea of something new he could do-but, as he halfheartedly wrote it on a scratch slip of paper, he couldn't help but notice that, while doing it, he felt...weird. Maybe it was the many failures he had experienced, or perhaps it was the fact that the effects of his actions were catching up to him. For the first time, his hope was dwindling. He dearly wished to see Renji and Rukia finally have the ability to be together, but it just seemed as if they were too star-crossed for their own good. And that was not to mention what had come of his doing. He had inconvenienced Ukitake and Shunsui, caused pain and fear for both Renji and Rukia, and just made a big mess of things...he couldn't help but feel guilty...

Byakuya's pen stopped in mid-loop, his eyes narrowing. This was not going as planned at all-nothing was working out the way he had wanted it to. It was so frustrating, so irritating...he was trying so hard to make it work, to do this for the ones he cared about, but everything had just turned into a huge blunder. He looked up at the clock, pondering his situation as he noticed that it was about time for Renji to report in.

As he looked back down to his new plan of action, Byakuya's ears picked up the noise of two voices outside his office, making him wonder who in the world was accompanying his lieutenant. A moment later, there was a knock, and he replied with an affirmative statement, telling the visitors that they could enter as he discreetly covered the paper he had been writing on with his arm. A moment later, the door to his office opened up, and he nearly lost his calm, collected appearance as he saw that it was Rukia who had been with Renji.

"Nii-sama, I apologize for us interrupting your work," was the first thing that came out of her mouth, "But Renji and I need to talk to you about something important." Her eyes were downcast, like she was very nervous, and Renji was in a similar state. It took all of Byakuya's willpower for him to resist the widening of his eyes, as a dot of hope arose within him.

"Nii-sama, we humbly ask that-"

"-Taicho, please allow me Rukia's hand in marriage!" cut in the redhead, interrupting his beloved as he knelt on the floor, his forehead touching the ground. Rukia's head snapped in his direction, her eyes going big, and Byakuya couldn't help but think how what his lieutenant had just done was so excruciatingly in-character.

"I love Rukia so much, taicho," continued Renji, as Rukia stayed silent, still shocked from his outburst. "The biggest blessing in my life is the fact that she returns my feelings, and I swear to you that I will always protect her with everything I have, as long as I live and breath. Please, taicho, allow our union!" For a moment, Byakuya's sense of time froze. It felt surreal, what he was seeing, and he hoped dearly that it wasn't a cruel, cruel dream. This thing he had been trying to accomplish for so long...it was finally happening, and when he fully realized the reality of it, Byakuya couldn't help the rush of joy and happiness he felt. But before he could reply to Renji's request, Rukia assumed the same position he had taken and gave her own speech.

"Nii-sama, I trust Renji with my life, and he trusts me with his. We have held strong feelings towards each other since childhood, and we humbly ask that you will please give us your blessing for a marriage." Her plea was much calmer than Renji's, as expected, and Byakuya had to use every ounce of restraint in his body to resist jumping out of his chair and performing a happy dance. Instead, he closed his eyes for a moment to gather himself, and then reopened them as he began speaking.

"Renji, Rukia," he said to them, as they remained bowing on the floor, "Rise.'' They did so, standing up in unison and looking straight at the older shinigami, confidence and hope shining in the eyes of both.

"I have known you both for many years," began Byakuya. "I've watched you grow in skill and as shinigamis, and both of you have reached great heights and made huge strides in both areas. I have observed how you act towards one another, and how close and protective you are with and of each other. I believe the things both of you have told me, and I am confident that you both are completely serious about being with each other. As I have knowledge of the position you two are in, I am in no place to deny your request. I give you my blessing to become married, and I offer the Kuchiki manor as a site for the ceremony." The young shinigamis smiled, their faces brightening up as both thanked him profusely. Byakuya even allowed a small smile to crack his mask of emotionlessness, though his insides were much, much more joyful that what he was showing. This was indeed a great day...

...That was, until he remembered the things he had done to get Renji and Rukia to this point. Byakuya once again felt guilt flood him, and even while observing their blissful faces, he knew he had to tell them about the schemes. He owed it to the both of them to inform them of the things he done, to inform them of why they had gone through so much recently.

And just as he was about to open up his mouth and spill the beans, another knock sounded on the door. All three shinigamis present directed their attention to the noise, and Byakuya gave the okay for the person to come in.

"It seems like I've missed a party with how happy you all look," said Ukitake as he entered the office, smiling his normal smile. Before anyone could reply, he continued, "I just came here looking for Rukia." He directed his attention towards said woman. "Not to be a bother, but is there any way you could come back to the division? There's some extra paperwork that needs to be attended to and I could use some help." Rukia bowed to him immediately, turning very serious though she still hid a smile.

"Of course, taicho. I apologize for not reporting earlier." She headed for the door, before Ukitake stopped her.

"Why don't you let Abarai-san walk you?" he asked, and both Renji and Rukia's eyes widened. Ukitake added, "As long as it's fine with Kuchiki-taicho." Said captain nodded, and the two young shinigami departed, both smiling at each other.

As soon as the door closed, leaving the two captains alone together, the older said, "I suspected this would happen after Shunsui told me about the eavesdropping he did when he found you three in Rukongai." The white-haired man wore a knowing smile, and Byakuya sighed.

"I was about to tell them about my plans before you arrived," admitted the younger, looking down at his papers though he retained a mostly cold appearance. Ukitake frowned.

"...Are you sure you should do that?" he asked. Byakuya looked up at the other man, surprised. "Although I usually prefer honesty in every situation," continued Ukitake, "I think that, for this, it would be better of you to withhold that information from them." Byakuya's brow crinkled.

"Why?"

"Although I don't agree with everything you have done, telling them would only cause them both more stress and confusion than they need, especially right now. At the moment, I think...that they would not completely understand the purity of your intentions, and that they would misunderstand your efforts. It's better to let the dust settle and forget about it, at least for now. Let them be happy, and let their impression of you be unsullied." Ukitake's smile reappeared, and his statement made Byakuya think for a moment.

Maybe it was better to let it be, he decided. It would be better to simply allow Renji and Rukia to be happy together, rather than drop something like this on them, something that would make them question everything that was happening. They were together, and that was what mattered. Byakuya's feeling of joy spiked again, and he found himself happier than he had been in a long, long time.

Love had prevailed, and Byakuya could forever hang up his scheming hat...

...Unless, of course, his nieces and nephews ever had romantic issues.

END

Whelp, that was all she wrote-I wrote, that is. 2 years, 14 chapters, 79+ reviews, and a lot of writer's block. Once again, I thank you all for your support-it means more than you can ever know :) Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo, and all reviews and comments are loved and appreciated.