Last chapter. Its been an interesting ride. Enjoy.

Rukia watched the evening sky every night as the shadows changed the moons shape. She had read every book, every scroll, every myth and still no answers came to her. Urahara had even sent her a book of illegal kido spells that proved useless. What was threatening her was not a man but a feeling, one she wasn't sure she was able to overcome.

The dreams had not come to her since the night before she saw Mikaboshi. She didn't have any hope for defeating him, it was pointless to hope. Mikaboshi would take the throne and the world would be placed in chaos. Closing her eyes she took the time to just exist and enjoy the night air and fall asleep.

Byakuya had taken the time to engage in intense training, not knowing what else to do. All they had to rely on to fix the situation was the king, and he was working just as hard for a solution.

"Rukia."

"Sode no Shirayuki do you have a solution for me?"

"Yes you must do as Mikaboshi says and kill Byakuya-sama."

"What! You don't mean that. You cant mean that!"

"I do. How can one hope to fight a being that is not solid. If you bring him into our realm for real, you can fight him. Only you must betray Byakuya-sama. We are too weak to do otherwise my sweet."

"I can't kill him."

"You must kill him and draw his blood."

"I can't! I wont!"

"It's the only solution to save humanity and the world. The king will be able to defeat him, with your help of course. It's a decision you must make, everyone in existence or the man you love. It is sad my sweet but necessary." she said.

Rukia opened her eyes and noticed she was still outside and how strange Sode no Shirayuki' words were to her. The memory of the dream seemed foggy but she remember what Shirayuki had told her to do for the sake of everyone. It was a hard decision for her to try and make. Sode no Shirayuki had never lied to her before or given her bad advice. She seemed to know the workings of these beings, so Rukia took her solution into account.

Rukia kept herself isolated for the remaining days trying to make the best decision. None of this horror would ever seem to end in her life. It was year after year of heartache and now she would have to make the hardest decision of her life, all of humanity or Byakuya. She swore to protect when she became a Shinigami, all of her friends trusted her and loved her. She knew what Byakuya would tell her in that situation, he would say to kill him and defeat Mikaboshi at all costs.

She sat in her room not eating or seeing any visitors. The pain in her heart was becoming too much for her to bear. If she were to do it she would make sure Mikaboshi was defeated and then kill herself for the betrayal of the man she loves. 'Kill him, I have to kill Byakuya, is there no other way?' she thought over and over.

The evening that she would connect with Ama was hours away. A red velvet box had caught her eye. It was sitting on her bed and when she questioned the servants they did not know from whom it came.

Just holding the elongated box felt bad. Its aura was like that of an evil being she wanted to forget. There was no doubting who it was from. Her hand shook as she went to slowly and hesitantly lift the lid like a lion would jump out of it an devour her.

"So this is what he wants me to use to kill Byakuya." she ran her hand over the silver dagger feeling the magic that came off of it then noted the stone in the handle.

The stone itself seemed to seethe with evil and negativity. She didn't want it near her and without thinking she bent the prongs that held it on and freed the stone. Then remembering the snowflake obsidian around her neck she set the new stone in its place. It was a perfect fit and seemed fated to be there.

Rukia played with the dagger. There was a voice inside of her that kept telling her how bad Byakuya was, the voice only grew. She started entertaining the thought of killing him, then came to her senses. Everything kept telling her to kill him as the only solution. Even though she loved Byakuya there was still a hatred and resentment buried deeply within her and the stone she held made the feeling surface.

It was true there was no way to undo the darkness placed in the hearts of man by Mikaboshi. It touched everyone, and Rukia was no exception. The only thing to do was to fight him with everything he wasn't. But was the love still within her to use? She wasn't sure anymore.

"Rukia? I have been looking for you." Byakuya said

"I…" she didn't know what to do with the dagger so she hid it behind her back.

"What are you hiding?"

"What makes you think I'm hiding anything?" she said slipping the dagger in the back of her clothing.

"You have been distant the last few weeks. Do not worry I will handle Mikaboshi. I have a plan."

"I've just been thinking."

"I have been in contact with the king and he assures me he will find a way to neutralize the threat if we can hold him off long enough."

"Your so calm. How can you always be so calm?" she asked.

"Many years of practice. I can assure you my façade is not always a reflection of what I am feeling."

"I kind of want to be alone until tonight."

"If that is what you wish Rukia. I will see you in the garden at our usual time for the connection. The king is sure Mikaboshi will make his move tonight. I will protect you."

"I know you will but who will protect you?"

"Do not worry about me. I have things to prepare. And Rukia I…" she was already gone to be alone with her fate.

"…I love you." he said to no one loosing his chance yet again.

Night came upon them like liquid black poured onto the sky. Rukia waited knowing Mikaboshi would come soon to meet her and watch as she killed her brother.

The sky was bright with stars as the moon was in it's darkest phase. Rukia stood under the Sakura that she normally connected to Ama under. Mikaboshi was the first to meet her there. Reaching out for her she had disappeared when Byakuya shunpoed her to another spot.

"You hide so much anger from the world. Head of the Kuchiki clan. I can sense it within you." Mikaboshi said.

"Your attempts to turn me are pointless. My heart is closed." Byakuya said.

"Is it Shinigami? I already live in your heart. You can close others out but not me. How did it feel when Hisana took other men to your marital bed?"

"Do not mention her name."

"Everything she did to Rukia, you allowed. You can not deny that."

"I take full responsibility for my mistakes." Byakuya' eyes were darkening.

"Do you remember the day you stole your sisters innocence and broke your marriage vows? Such shame you continue to bring upon your family. You claim to love her but you continue to hurt her. You're a bad person. You fear the darkness within you. There's no hiding it any longer. The darkness comes from the oblivion of your soul."

"Byakuya don't listen to him!" Rukia yelled.

"My sweet Rukia I will make this easier for you." he said taking possession of Byakuya' corrupted body.

He lifted Senbonzakura and it slammed down beside her. He struggled against the pain in his own heart but the negative feelings were imbedded so deeply that Mikaboshi was able to control him enough.

Rukia was getting tired of dodging the attacks. She thought about the dagger she was given but instead drew her own sword to block the attacks. Byakuya was too strong for her to do more then keep from dying and he was still holding back as best as he could.

"What will you do Rukia? Now is your chance to kill him. You haven't a choice or you will die. There are only a few moments left to decide. This is what you have always wanted. Take your revenge."

"I can't do it."

"Sure you can. It will be so easy. It will make everything so easy." her eyes went from violet to brown slowly turning.

She continued to struggle with the desire to fight him back with all of her strength and kill him. But she managed to just continue dodging the attacks. Mikaboshi' words were growing inside of her, she knew she could not hold on much longer.

"Rukia!" Renji yelled throwing Byakuya back, and he did his best to stay down and fight Mikaboshi' control. Then Renji charged Mikaboshi and distracted him long enough for Byakuya to start winning the fight going on in his body.

"I haven't time for interruptions." he said hitting Renji with multiple black liquid spikes.

"Renji!" she yelled.

"I swore to protect you with my life Rukia." Renji said.

"Renji stop don't get up!" she ran to his side.

"Shut up Rukia. I'll distract him long enough to stop him from reaching the other realm."

"How did you know? We weren't supposed to tell anyone."

"He trusts me. When it comes to you, he trusts me. Seems he knew he wouldn't be able to protect you by himself. Never thought I'd see the day he'd ask me for help. I new then it was bad." he got up blood pouring from his body.

"She's coming. I can feel it like a light about to reach me." Rukia said.

"Rukia. It is time." Mikaboshi said and Rukia went to where he was standing over Byakuya. Byakuya was struggling on the ground with his own self loathing.

Light started streaming down from the sky.

"You must kill him now." Mikaboshi said as he watched the light connect with Rukia.

Renji ran him through with all of the strength of his sword. Mikaboshi turned to him and ran his arm right through Renji' heart. It had been just long enough.

The light running through Rukia began lessening and she raised the dagger knowing her decision was the right one and plunged it through Mikaboshi' back as soon as the light was about to stop. He fell onto his knees hovering over Renji' limp body.

"All he has done to you…all they have done to you…and you still betray me for them? It was supposed to be different this time. Your anger…your hatred…all of your misery, fear, and pain…" Mikaboshi said, black liquid running out of him.

"I know what everyone has done, but I can't live in the past or dwell in these feelings. I used to fear them, hide them, but now I realize they aren't just weaknesses but strengths too. They don't control me anymore. It's time for you to go back to where you belong."

Multiple lights had begun streaming down unto Mikaboshi from the sky. Winged humanoid like beings rode each light. Each created a ball of energy and thrust them at Mikaboshi who had turned fully to black liquid, seeping into the ground. One spoke in an unknown language and a large golden seal appeared and burned its image into the ground sealing him back into the nothingness.

"Rukia?" Byakuya said back to normal.

"Renji, Renji!" she shook his body.

"Rukia?" Byakuya questioned. "What happened?"

"He's not moving!"

"I will get help. Keep him still." Byakuya said rushing to get word to the 4th.

"Renji!"

"R…Rukia."

"You idiot why? Why would you help me?"

"I don't care if were not blood Rukia. You've always been my family. I.." he cringed in pain.

"Don't move. Help is on the way."

"I think it's too late for that."

"Don't say that please. I need you Renji you're my best friend, my brother."

"Your going to be fine without me Ru. Please come closer there's something I need you to do for me." he whispered into her ear and she placed a chaste kiss on his lips as his eyes closed for the last time.

"Renji! God no Renji!" she cried with his uniform clenched tightly between her fists as the sky opened up and it began to rain.

She felt two arms surround her and pull her away as Unohana examined the body and shook her head.

"There must be something you can do?" Byakuya said holding onto Rukia tightly while she wept.

"I'm so very sorry. He was such a good man." Unohana said mournfully.

"Kido. A special technique. We can get the girl from the living world. He must not die."

"I'm afraid it is already too late for that. He is gone."

"…There are a few others who would like to say a few words about the deceased. Kuchiki-Taicho if you please."

"Abarai Renji was my lieutenant for only a few years. It was a choice I never regretted. He was never the easiest man to work with. Very hot headed and careless with administrative work. But what he lacked there he more then made up for in determination, loyalty, and heroism. I can not say we were close friends but I came to respect him for his strength and inability to never give up in light of the worst cirumstances. He was like family to my…Rukia and on countless occasions put himself in harms way to protect her where I should have. He knew with whom his priorities and loyalties laid and for that he was a better man then I. It is no mystery that so many have chosen to speak today. Filling his position will be difficult as he has left a legacy of impossibly filled expectations for his successor."

"Miss Kuchiki."

"We were just kids when we met. We relied on each other to survive. We bonded with every year that passed. No one can tell me that family is made only through blood. I know it isn't true because Renji was my brother, my best friend, and my protector. There were so many years we were apart but I never stopped loving him once. It wasn't fair what happened to his wife…he didn't deserve to die and not for someone like me…I know he died doing what he did best but I….I can't…I just can't. Oh god Renji why?" she broke down. Byakuya took her off of the podium and back to her set where she cried on his shoulder as the memorial service continued.

Rukia lamented the loss of her friend, the woe and cataclysms now too common for her. It was her brothers arms she found waiting for her now whenever she needed him, to offer her comfort. Byakuya blamed himself for involving Renji in the first place and not being strong enough to have protected Rukia on his own. He had lost someone who was slowly becoming a friend and found yet another way to bring Rukia misery, not to mention leaving a child without a parent.

Rukia went home that day after she had tried to give the eulogy for her most loyal friend. She started wondering how there could be any tears left within her. Then she compared her years of tears and found many of them too superficial to compare to what she was now feeling. Her sisters taunting didn't matter compared to the loss of Renji.

There was really one other time when she lost someone who had meant so much to her. But unlike the death of Kaien this was like losing a limb, Renji had long been a part of herself and she never realized how she took him for granted thinking he would always be there.

A servant summoned her to the front room where a woman carrying Renji' child was standing. Byakuya had joined Rukia, now not wanting to leave her for a moment. The woman did her best to silence the child then addressed her.

"Miss Kuchiki you were the only one listed as next of kin." a woman from administration said handing the child to Rukia then leaving.

"We can not keep a child." Byakuya said.

"You said a while back you wanted to make things up to me. It is my duty, yours as well. He was your lieutenant." Rukia said taking the child and holding him close.

"How am I to explain this to the family? You do not know what I went through to adopt you."

"You wont have to adopt him or anything. I'll take care of him. They wont have to have anything to do with him. He wont be able to put a claim on anything so there's nothing for them to worry about. He'll just be under the protection of the household."

"This is a big decision. Do you think yourself capable of raising a child?"

"I've acted as his mother this long and It will be easer for him to be with me then a stranger. I've never asked you for anything, but I want this child. You never even have to see him. I can keep him with the servants." she said looking at the baby and smiling.

"No." he said.

"What? Why?" she thought for sure he would agree and she was becoming angry.

"The child will be my charge. I will take responsibility." he said shocking her.

"Byakuya! Are you serious?"

"He will not be a legitimate heir and will keep his fathers name so it will not matter. Besides the house has more then ample space for children."

"Do you mean it?" she said excitedly.

"We shall talk more later. See to his needs until we can find a proper nursemaid. The cook should be able to assist us for now, she has had many of her own." he said.

"But we don't need a nursemaid I can take care of him."

"Rukia you have your duties at your division and this household, as do I. Assistance will be beneficial. Now go, there is something I have been meaning to discuss with you for a long time. I can not in good conscious put it off any longer. When you are done join me outside."

They parted. Rukia had a child to take care of and luckly the cook was indeed helpful and delegated a group of servants to set up a room for the child and get the necessary supplies.

"So what's so important that you wanted to talk about?" Rukia said finding Byakuya outside.

"It will be a lovely sunset. Stay and watch it with me." he said, she nodded sitting closely to him. Neither spoke for a long time only looked at the sky.

Then he finally broke the long silence. "Even after all of these years I am unsure how to go about this discussion. I regretted not having this talk with you the day I finished with Hisana. I often wonder how things would have changed if I did. It seems fate already had things planned and you were meant for more then I thought I could give you. I still wonder how you can not harbor ill will toward me."

"What do you mean? You don't have to apologize again. I'm over things. I choose not to hate anyone, not even Hisana. I was young and I wish I knew better, I wish I was stronger inside to have gone on my own but I couldn't leave you. I know that now. I had to be with you no matter what the cost, even if you were just my brother. In a way I understood. I was just as distant as you were. I'm just glad you're here to help me through all of this now. You know how close Renji and I were. It's pointless to live in the past when there's still a future to live."

"You never cease to amaze me Rukia."

"Just stop making me sound like a saint. I'm far from it."

"It is not what I wish to tell you although I can not seem to apologize enough for all of our years together and I know how close you were to Renji. I will be here for you from now on no matter what the situation. I promise on my honor and my life." he looked up to the sky trying to find the courage to tell her.

"Whatever you want to say, go ahead. You can tell me anything." she said placing a hand on his shoulder. He turned to her and placed his arm around her pulling her close.

"You have been the center of my universe for so long. You have not known how I have watched you and have lost countless nights of sleep thinking about you."

"I've only thought about you too. I never wanted anyone else. Not even Kaien-dono. I knew I would always think about you, that he wouldn't be able to touch me the same way or make me feel the same things."

"There is more. A very long time ago, before I met Hisana… I was patrolling the seventy eighth district."

"That's where you met her. I know she mentioned it to me."

"I remember the day so clearly. It was a Tuesday in the southern market. Even the air, it was the smell of dirt and cooking pork. The most beautiful girl I had ever seen with huge violet eyes wearing a tattered brown kimono was standing between a barrel of apples and a large water urn. Even the sky seemed a brighter blue. My heart stopped and the happiest future flashed before me."

"Ne-san said she met you near the river?"

"Questions later Rukia. The girl I saw had the most beautiful smile and a loud laugh. The smile had the same effect on a tall red haired boy that it did me. I never spoke to her. But for a moment our eyes locked and then she was gone. I searched for her everywhere. The moment I saw her I knew I would never want anyone else. I wanted to marry her, make love to her, have her bear my children, give her everything that I had and was."

"But that's not what she told me. Why would she lie about how you met?"

"That is because it was not Hisana. Do you remember that moment?"

"You, that was you! I remember that moment. It was just a glimpse a second but I remember your eyes, those grey eyes. I was busy running after stealing some of those apples that I had put it at the back of my mind and forgot. I figured it was just a silly feeling because someone like you would never take interest in someone like me."

"It was not long after I met Hisana. I thought she was you. It was my childish notions that put me into a marriage with her. I never thought there would be two who looked so alike. When she told me she had a sister I still did not consider their would be such a strong resemblance until the day I saw you at the academy. You were laughing with Abarai, just as you had been the day I first saw you. It was a mistake that cost me any chance of happiness. Had I not married her we both would have been spared all of that misery. I would have met you anyway when inspecting the cadets. I would have had a chance to win you but it was too late."

"All of this time…the moment you saw me…all of these years."

"I have not finished. It may be too late for any chance of you reciprocating my feelings. You could not have forgotten the day I took your innocence by force. I should haven taken better care of you instead of forcing myself on you. I have no excuse for loosing control like that."

"I keep telling you, you didn't force me."

"I remember how you protested."

"I did but do you remember that I didn't struggle? I had so many feelings for you, so many things I kept to myself…I wanted to as much as you did….The way I felt when I was with you…when I'm with you…when you make love to me…I…I don't know. I just don't want to be with anyone else. It wouldn't seem right. You're the other half of my heart and I can't be parted from you, even if your with someone else."

"Rukia for all the guilt I have lived with, the misery…it felt real…it was the only thing that felt real… what I felt with you that day when we were first together has been the only truth, only sanity I had through the years. It has been so difficult to be this far from you for so long, knowing I could never have you. That you were the only one that could ever make me feel whole and sane. Then when we made love a few weeks ago…It was so much more then carnal pleasure. I felt my heart beat again, I felt meaning in this existence. Rukia I want you by my side for the rest of my life. I can not be without you anymore. There is no point without you. Things keep getting in the way but I will do anything to have your love, anything. I swore it once in another life that I would love you for eternity and my vow will never be broken."

"How do you remember that? I remembered that vow in a dream I had the other night."

"I wonder if we shared the same dream?"

"Well we were standing together in a beautiful garden, you were holding me. We had made the decision to make the first child from our powers and then become human so we could be together. You told me that you would love me for all eternity and that somehow you would find me again after we died. We gave up paradise to be together. I couldn't bare the idea of loving anyone else or being without you and I still can't."

"I have no regrets in doing so, I will not give you up for anything. Paradise is where you are, it is not a place. I do however regret all the years I did not try to be with you. I was so foolish. Is it too late to start over?"

"I think we should…start over…Pleased to meet you I'm Kuchiki Rukia."

"Kuchiki Byakuya, the pleasure is mine to be in the presence of such a lovely young woman."

"So Byakuya Kuchiki tell me about yourself."

"Well you see I saw this violet eyed girl once and you resemble her a great deal, It has taken me a lifetime to win her heart and I'm afraid I have made the wrong impression. She may not wish to love me back."

"I couldn't imagine that, I'm sure you've always had her heart and her love."

"There is a child I have been charged with and I believe he needs a loving set of parents. I wonder if I were to ask her would she consent to being my wife?"

"I think she would take that offer."

"Then I will not let us lose anymore time we can marry with a simple signature later tonight."

"It may be premature but it's a good thing you asked me because I think maybe we soon might have more then one child to take care of." she smiled and his eyes grew wide.

"We have made a child? Rukia what can I say…" he lifted her chin and his expression changed to a soft and relieved smile.

"I think so, Ama somehow helped me feel it's presence." .

"Rukia. I can not believe you are going to give me an heir. Rukia I do not mean to seem insensitive on the day of my lieutenant's memorial but this…you have agreed to marry me and you are carrying my child…I can not help but be happy and hopeful. This is more then I deserve. I feel so relieved."

"I think he would have wanted us to be happy. If were happy his son will be too so it's our duty to be happy from now on."

"Then we shall." he latched his lips onto hers enjoying the joyous moment.

Many years continued to pass between them. Life is never perfectly happy. But the two remembered that as long as they had each other, they could get through anything life had to throw at them. And when the day would come that they would have to be separated again, they knew that they would find one another somewhere some day, because they once promised their love for eternity.