Chapter 23: Yes! Happy endings do exist. Just.. takes a while.

(Epilogue)

It's been a year since Orihime had died, losing her human life, and becoming a soul reaper. Apparently Hatchi was right. Her powers are her zanpakuto. She didn't have to join the Soul Academy for everything she already knew. Central 46 didn't order her to do so, for the fact that Head Captain Shunsui Kyoraku ordered her to be trained by the best kido masters in the Sereiti.

Mom Hinamori trained her defensive, and with the help of Isane Kotetsu helped with healing kido as well. Then Nanao Ise trained her offensive Kido and within the first two months, Orihime was a master at kido. Her teachers were proud for how quick of a study she was. She learned flashstep by the second best flashstep soul reaper. Byakuya was honored to do it.

When Orihime found out that Byakuya was the one who sealed her memories away, she forced Izuru to take her to see him, she went right up to the very quiet captain and hugged him tight. Crying in happiness into his shoulder. The captain didn't know what to do, but he tried to console her. Whispering to her. "I had to Orihime-san. You helped me figure out how to be a good big brother to my sister. To prepare to be an uncle to my niece. You are family to me as well. I couldn't lose you too."

To say she was shocked was an understatement, but her only words before she left was, soft but true. "I always knew you weren't as cold as everyone thought you were Byakuya Kuchiki. Thank you for all that you've done for me."

Izuru got back to work. He was so proud of his girl. She remembered everyone. He sits at his desk at this moment while his girl is at work, at the fourth division. She had become the third seat of the healing divison. Captain Kotetsu was only to happy to have Orihime their, with lieutant Yamada Hanataro, helping Orihime know her way around. She'd be a pro in no time.

Now a year has gone by. Orihime and Izuru had been courting all this time. She works constantly, whether at the division or helping the sick people in Rukonagi. Izuru helps as well.

Izuru groans and drops his head right on his desk, groaning softly. In his hands on his desk is an engagement ring for his girl. He sighs. "I got no ideas how to tell her. To ask her. I am so hopeless."

Izuru couldn't believe who he asked to meet him here. The girl who started all of this. So he decided he really did hit rock bottom.

"Izuru-san? I was told you wanted to see me, is everything okay?" Momo's soft voice speaks up at the door.

Izuru nods and waves her in. "Yes Momo, everything is well, as good as to be expected. Please close the door. This is private."

Momo nods and smiles at her friend. "What's up? You seem happy but worried, what did you do?"

Izuru says nothing and looks down, as he sits up better. When he does, she notices the ring.

"A ring?" She questions. Then her eyes go huge. "A RING! Oh Kami you are gonna propose to Orihime-chan!"

Izuru tries to quiet her. But she continues.. "That is so great Izuru, she'll love it!"

Momo grabs the ring before he can stop her and she looks it over. "It's beautiful, so when are you gonna propose to her?"

Izuru sighs, standing up, stretching and plucking the ring from her fingers. "I don't know how too. I don't know if it should just be honest, romantic, or what? That's why I asked you to come over."

Momo smiles. "She's a simple kinda girl. In the best of ways. Cook her favorite meal. Take her on a a midnight walk if you wish. Then just ask her alright? Simplicity is the best at times."

Izuru nods and watches her friend leave, waving.

The next night. Orihime is dressed in a nice kimono. Izuru is dressed in a man's kimono, of dark blue to match his eyes. She can't stop staring at him. She smiles as he takes her hand and leads her out of their home. He takes her down to a nicer little pub in the Sereiti. They sit and before Orihime can even order, the waitress let's her know, that her meal was already taken care of. When Orihime looks at Izuru, he just smiles and shrugs. "Apparently someone knows you really well."

Orihime smirks and laughs. "I see. Just a simple someone huh?"

She takes his hand. She giggles at his mischievous look. "Okay Izuru what is up?"

He grins and shakes his head. "I did nothing."

Orihime smiles and soon their food shows up. They eat silently as Izuru silently recites his proposal in his head. When they finish eating he leads her out after paying. They start to go for a walk, the stars and moon out. Orihime looks at the sky. It's a little cold so he puts his extra Hyori over her shoulders, since a lite snow is drizzingly down. She smiles over at him. She just enjoys the moment with her love.

She stops as she hears music playing, she looks over and sees Rangiku and Shuuhei. Shuuhei waves as he goes back to playing music. He calls out. "Nice night play music eh? Orhime-chan?"

Orihime giggles and nods. "Yes Shuuhei-san"

As they walk, Captains and lieutants of the fifth, tenth, ninth, third divison Captain. Eigth division Captain Lisa Yadomaru was outside standing with Captain Rose. Plus Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Renji and new Captain of the eleventh division Rukia Kuchiki was standing their. Orihime sees everyone, she looks at Izuru.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Izuru laughs. "Nope"

Izuru drops down to both knees and looks up into her eyes, he whispers. "Orihime. My love. Princess. I love you so much. Loved you over eleven years ago. You have turned my life upside down, inside out. I can't tell what is what without you. I can't think straight with you at times. I mean that in a good way. You are my world. My life. My angel. My demon.. " Here he smiles michievously, causing her to blush. "You are an amazing woman, and all I am trying to say, what I am hoping to be able to get out is, I love you. I love and want to have my dreams come true, which is to have you as my wife. Will you marry me Orihime Inoue?"

Orihime shocked to her core, she looks up and sees her brother Sora standing their. Her eyes go huge she whispers. "Sora nii-san?"

Izuru smiles. "No man. No man with any form of honor would have fogotten to ask the woman he loves' family member."

Orihime smiles and giggles. "That's why everyone was covering for you? Well Rangiku, Shuuhei-san, Renji-kun, and Rose-san?"

Izuru laughs and nods. "They just knew I wanted to find your brother."

"Orihime...I hate to rush you but..I kinda need to know. Will.. um..?" He shivers and his hakamas are getting soaked in the snow.

Orihime nods and whispers, tears in her eyes. "Yes! Absolutely I'll marry you. Oh Izuru I love you so much."

He slips the ring on her left hand, on that left ring finger. He leaps up and swoops in and kisses her. As if no one else is around, though in the back ground he could hear all of their friends cheering. Orihime kisses him fiercely, and wraps her arms around him, she whispers.

"This is the end of our romantic story yes?"

Izuru nods and laughs. "No baby, it's the beginning of our Happily ever after."