Chapter 44
An Ending
Part Two
"Ash!" Lilinette grinned and flung herself onto the youth's back. Her legs going around his waist and her arms around his neck. "Look over there!" she pointed to the carnival. "I wanna go on some rides!" to put emphasis on the word 'rides' she bounced on his back as though he were a horse.
"Ungh!" Ash grunted and tried to regain his balance. He turned his head around and glared as she bounced. "Why did you feel the need to jump on my back to tell me that?" he raised a brow and wriggled his back in an attempt to get her off him.
Lilinette smiled and bounced again. "I wanna go to the carnival!" she continued to bounce on his back.
Ash sighed and noticed an old couple watching them with large smiles on their faces. He resisted the urge to sigh again. He could only imagine what they must have looked like. He shook and tried to get her off his back again. Her legs clamped tighter around his waist and she rubbed her face against his cheek.
"Take me there, please Ash…?" she held him tighter and looked at him with pleading eyes.
Ash stopped and looked at the carnival. What was the harm? Sure they had an assignment due. But would it really be that bad go on a ride? "Fine." He acquiesced turning towards the carnival. "But we go on two rides and no more."
"Of course." Lilinette agreed. She did not however move from his back as they walked to the carnival.
Ash smiled in satisfaction at being able to convince her to only go on two rides.
X
"Ash I can see Tiana's house!" Lilinette pointed in the distance as they rode on the Ferris wheel.
Ash sent her a wryly smile and crossed his arms. "It's not as though you don't see it every day, you even fly over it all the time."
Lilinette sent him a dirty look. "You don't understand." She sighed and leaned her elbow on the side of their seat, then she rested her chin in her hand. "Watching it from here, seeing the sites from this chair… it's special." She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes, a red tinge taking her cheeks.
Ash frowned at her. The implications of her words were sinking in. He looked away and turned his gaze to the topic of their discussions. It wasn't a surprise that they could see Tiana's house. It was the only house that had smoke of an unusual colour coming out of the chimney.
"..I suppose it is nice to watch things from here…" he smiled softly. He leaned his head back against the chair and listened to Lilinette point to all of the different things she could see.
Lilinette glanced at him with a strange expression on her face. It was something that filled him with a strange feeling. The feeling was heavy and settled nicely in his stomach, it wasn't an unfamiliar feeling however. No he was well acquainted with it and he knew exactly why it was there. He smiled at her awkwardly and looked back at his Aunts house.
X
Lilinette grinned as she aimed the water gun at the clowns head. Ash watched the way she held the gun. She was perfect, her posture, her aim and the way she cradled the gun in her arms. It was all perfect, it was as though she had been using a gun her entire life, but Ash could not remember ever seeing her holding a gun.
"I want the dinosaur!" she narrowed her eyes the clown. Under her breath she counted to three then fired.
Ash smiled as he watched the stream of water shoot into the clowns mouth. His smiled turned into a grin as she raised her fist in the air and shouted in glee.
"Aww yeah!" she passed the gun to the man and took the toy dinosaur from him. Grinning she ran to Ash and thrust the green dinosaur in his face. "Look at him! How cute is he!?" she clutched the dinosaur to her chest and bounced around. She looked every bit the child she had been when they first met.
Ash smiled as he thought about when they first met. He could remember hating her with his whole being. Back then he would have down anything to be rid of her, but now… he shook his head, not wanting to think about it.
Lilinette stepped next to Ash and held the dinosaur out to him. Ash stared at her with a raised brow which caused her to sniff in amusement.
"I want you to have it." She smiled and pushed the stuffed toy into his chest.
Ash looked down at the doll with a furrowed brow. "Umm…" Ash was at a loss for words.
"Ash!" The pair jumped and looked over to see one of their classmates, Kimiko, running towards them. She bounced at Ash and latched onto his arm.
"What are you doing here?" she grinned, steeping herself in front of Lilinette while still holding onto Ash's arm.
Lilinette crossed her arms and glared hotly at the girl.
"Um… I'm hanging out with Lilinette…" Ash gave the girl a smile, completely unaware of what was going on between the two girls.
The girl at his arm looked over at Lilinette and scrunched her face at her. She then looked back at Ash with large eyes. "Ash.. come on… Lilinette's boring!" she tugged on his arm. "Come with me!" be began walking off while pulling on Ash's arm.
Ash went still and glared at the girl. "I'm sorry, Kimiko, but I am busy. Perhaps another time?" he added trying to be nice.
Kimiko furrowed her brow and let go of Ash. She glanced at Lilinette with an expression that was dark. Lilinette returned the look and Ash found himself taking a step back from the energy that was passing between the two women. He knew that if it came down to it that Lilinette would win in a fight between the two but he had a feeling that Kimoko would put up a fair fight… until Lilinette actually tried… then Kimiko would probably die. He frowned and watched the two, he was sure that if he had a knife he would be able to use it to cut the air between the two.
Finally, and much to Ash's relief, Kimiko huffed and turned away. She took a few steps before she inclined her head towards him.
"If you ever want to spend time with a real lady and not a boy dressed as a girl, give me a call." She walked away.
Ash put his arm out to grab Lilinette as the girl charged at Kimiko. He held onto her as she flailed her arms and legs. As she yelled obscenities at the other girls back Ash found his lips twitching. When her flailing got too much and he had to lift her up over his shoulder he let out a snigger. When one of her kicks hit him in the ribs and caused the two of them to fall to the ground with her atop his chest, he flung his head back and broke out into rumbustious laughter.
Lilinette froze and looked down at him. She stiffened as his arms wrapped around her and she tried to push herself up only to have him hold on tighter.
"Are you okay…?" she looked at him fearfully. This was truly frightening. Ash didn't laugh like this, sure he laughed, but she couldn't remember the last time, if ever, she had seen this.
"It's just…" he laughed. "You, your reactions… I love it!" he laughter began to die down and he let out sighs as he began to calm down. He patted her on the head and nuzzled his face into her shoulder.
"Ash…?" Lilinette's cheeks went red as he tightened his grip.
"I love you…" his words were but a whisper.
Lilinette's eyes went wide.
XXX
Grimmjow grunted as he sliced his sword through a hollow. Looking behind him he yelled. "Behind you Ichi!"
Ichigo turned and killed the hollow behind him. He jumped onto a nearby roof as another lunged at him. "Just die already!"
"We will kill her!" A hollow shouted as it and three others lunged at Ichigo. Ichigo leaped forward and sliced the three. He groaned and looked over at Grimmjow who was on Tiana's roof killing hollows.
"They're never fucking ending!" Grimmjow groaned.
"At least we're not bored tonight!" Ichigo retorted jumping towards them.
Grimmjow laughed and dodged an attack. "As if we could be fucking bored between the girls and your nut job fucking father!" He sliced through another six hollows.
Ichigo hacked through a larger hollow. "Don't complain you love it!" he then proceeded to take out the last few hollows. "They're finally starting to lessen. After five years they're starting to give up."
"Well they're getting their asses kicked." Grimmjow replied.
"How did things go tonight?" Ichigo and Grimmjow looked down from Tiana's roof to see Stark looking up at them.
"You could have fucking helped." Grimmjow glared jumping down from the roof with Ichigo.
"You had fun" Stark replied. "They seem to be giving up, especially since Aizen is set to be executed."
Ichigo scratched his head. "There's no point in killing her when Aizen's about to die. It was him they wanted wasn't it?"
Stark nodded. "Coffee anyone?"
XXX
Emilla knocked on the door to Tiana's house. It was Thursday. Thursday was the day where she would meet Stark and Tiana for coffee, she hadn't heard from her sister this week however, so she wasn't sure that their meeting was on today but she was turning up anyway. Tiana was known for not contacting people.
She looked at the door and frowned, Tiana was taking her time to answer the door. Perhaps her assumption was correct? Perhaps tea wasn't happening today?
Lost in her thoughts she jumped as the door opened she looked up to see Stark standing in the doorway. She smiled at him and stepped into the house as he stepped to the side and allowed her to.
"Tiana's not here is she?" She asked turning to him as he closed the door behind her.
Stark shook his head and the pair walked into the kitchen. Emilla went straight to the kettle and started to boil some water. While she waited for the kettle to boil she turned to Stark who was moving to sit in his usual spot.
"No she's not." He said answering her question. "She's with Szayel."
Emilla nodded and took two mugs out of the cupboard. She then proceeded to put the instant coffee in each of the mugs. At the sound of the kettle she poured the water into the mugs.
"Here." She said passing a mug to Stark who proceeded to drink.
Emilla sat across from Stark and took a sip of her drink. "So.." she said softly.
Stark closed his eyes and smelled his coffee. "It is wonderful that Tiana bought some caffeinated coffee." He sounded almost peaceful as he took another sip of his drink.
"Actually that was me. Tiana kicked up a stink when she saw it." She smiled at the memory.
Stark narrowed his eyes as though thinking about something. "Is that what she was shouting about on Monday?" he let out a laugh at the memory.
Emilla opened her mouth to say something but paused as the telephone began to ring. She looked at Stark who didn't seem to want to move to answer the phone. "Are you…?" she paused as she watched Keiko walk into the room and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
There was a silence as Keiko listened to whomever was on the phone. Stark took a swig of his drink. Emilla also took a sip of her drink while flipping through one of the magazines on the table. She reached for a pen to do some of the crosswords.
"He did what!?" Keiko shrieked into the phone.
Stark and Emilla ceased their activities and eyed Keiko as she clenched her fists.
"Do you mean to tell me that my son, a boy of five punched a ten year old in the face and knocked them out?" there was an almost sarcastic tone to it. Stark could not blame her. The boy was the least violent person he had ever encountered, he was even more peaceful than his father.
Keiko made displeased humming sounds as the person on the other end spoke. "I see." Keiko finally said. "Fine I will come and get him." She hung the phone and let out a sad sigh.
"What happened?" Emilla asked kindly.
Keiko grabbed Stark's drink and drank the whole mug in one swig. "Apparently my son hit an older boy in the face and knocked them out at school today, I have to go and pick him up."
Stark looked mournfully at his empty mug before standing up. "I'll drive you."
Keiko looked from Emilla to Stark. "Aren't you two having your weekly tea?"
"It's okay dear. Go." Emilla rose. "I have some shopping to do anyway." With that said she said her goodbyes and left.
While Keiko and Stark went to the front yard to get Tiana's little red car from the garage Keiko piped. "Do you even know how to drive?"
XXX
Tiana and Szayel walked through the portal and into their living room. "Keiko!" She yelled excitedly running through the house. "Keiko!"
"I do not think she is home." Szayel said calmly.
Tiana sighed. "And I had such good news…" she then shrugged and walked towards the kitchen. "Oh well it can wait…" she went to the fridge. "Cheese…cheese… blue cheese… don't people know how to stock my fridge?"
Szayel let out a chuckle. "Leave the blue, its part of a test." He headed to the kitchen.
"A test for what?" Tiana replied closing the refrigerator. "to see if you can bring it to life? 'cause you look pretty close."
Szayel chuckled and shook his head. He opened his mouth to reply only to be interrupted by the sound of erratic banging on the front door. Tiana raised a brow and walked towards the front door with Szayel following behind her. Opening the door she glared at the person behind it. "What do you want?"
"Where is my wife?" Atagra demanded returning the glare.
"Do I look like I know?" she replied crossing her arms and leaning against the door frame.
"Just tell me where she is."
"What did I just say…?" she asked slowly as though he were a child.
"You fucking-" then he did something unbelievable. He back handed her.
Tiana clutched her aching cheek. Her mouth hanging open in shock. He had actually hit her. She was in such a state of shock she didn't know what to say or do. Before she even had a chance to react Atagra was being dragged off by Szayel.
"Wha.." she turned to watch Atagra who was clawing at the hand around his neck while Szayel dragged him down to the lab.
"….what just happened…?" she gaped.
XXX
Stark and Keiko walked down the hallway towards the principles office where her son was waiting. Their feet echoed through the halls, the only other sounds were the faint voices of the teachers teaching in their classrooms.
Stark was oddly reminded of Los Noches as the walked. The school was quite and pristine with a cold starkness. It was almost identical to the white halls he had to walk down whenever he had to go somewhere. He had a faint idea that Aizen would have liked this building.
"Are you okay?" At the sound of her voice Stark glanced down at Keiko. "You're staring at the walls strangely…"
"Just thinking of another time." He replied as they turned into another hallway. They continued to walk in silence until they stopped at a large wooden door with a plaque that had the word 'Principle' engraved on it.
"Thanks for coming with me Stark." Keiko knocked on the door.
The door opened and her son's teacher opened the door. The woman adjusted her glasses. "Miss Nezia." She gestured for them to walk into the room. Her eyes narrowed at Stark. "Mr…?"
"Stark." He replied following after Keiko.
The room consisted of white walls with certificates framed across them. A large window with a thick wooden desk in front of it. Sitting at the desk was an old balding man with glasses. In front of the desk was two chairs. Sat at one of the chairs was Keiko's son with head down looking at his feet.
"Miss Nezia please take a seat." Keiko took the chair next to her son. Stark leaned against the wall beside the boy.
Keiko looked at the Principle as he adjusted the papers on the desk in front of him. She was suddenly was taken back to when she was in school. She had only been in trouble a handful of times but the feeling of being in trouble never changed. She adjusted nervously in her seat and glanced at her son who was still looking at his feet.
"Now Miss Nezia, I have called you here because your son, young Mister Nezia has assaulted another student." The Principle looked up at Keiko. "The older boy now suffers a concussion and a broken nose. And young Mister Nezia refuses to tell us why he acted in such a way."
Keiko looked from her son to the Principle. "Are you sure it was him?" she gestured to her son. "He is so young, how could he hurt an older child like that?"
"Not only do we have a vast selection of witnesses," The teacher who was standing behind Keiko interjected. "Your son also admitted to his actions."
Keiko leaned over and touched her son's hands. "What happened sweetheart..?" the boy turned his head away from her. "Sweetie…"
When he didn't respond the Principle continued to talk to Keiko about what they were going to do in regards to her sons punishment. While Keiko listened Stark kneeled down to the boy and placed a hand on his head.
"Hey kid, do you want to tell me what happened?"
Suddenly the boy lunged at Stark, his little arms wrapping around the older mans waist. The sounds of sobs emerged as he buried his face into Starks chest. Stark adjusted his position so that he could hold the child easier.
Keiko and the teachers stopped their discussion and gaped at the sight. Keiko felt her chest tighten with what could only be called jealousy and sadness.
Patting the boys head he again asked him what had happened. In response the boy lifted his head to Starks ear and proceeded to whisper something into his ear. Keiko strained to hear, but alas heard nothing. After a few moments the boy let out a sniff and buried his head into Starks shoulder. Stark then rose from the ground, holding the boy and turned his attention to the Principle.
"Punish him as you will, however, perhaps you should ask the other boy just what he said to provoke." With that said he left the room with the child. Leaving Keiko to deal with the teachers.
X
The drive home was a silent one. The child sat in the back staring at the houses they drove past. Stark drove and Keiko looked down at her hands. Why had her son chosen to talk to Stark about what had happened and not her. Sure the man was kind of an Uncle to him, but she was his mother. There wasn't anything he didn't tell her. As the car pulled into the driveway Keiko reached for her seatbelt. She had every intention of going inside and making herself a hot cup of tea to calm herself.
"Wait." She stilled at the sound of Starks voice. "Tell your mum why you hit the boy."
"He… wouldn't stop…" Came the soft reply.
"Stop what sweetheart?" Keiko asked leaning over the seat.
The boy trembled. "H-He… was calling you a…" he looked up, his copper eyes filled with tears. Keiko felt her heart break. "…a w-whore…because I don't have a d-daddy…"
Keiko climbed over the chair and into the passenger chair beside him. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close. "It's okay honey…" she closed her eyes and thought of Jushiro, wishing now, more than ever that he could be there. "It's okay…"
X
When the three of them finally entered the house they were greeted with the sight of Tiana and Szayel looking oddly pleased with themselves while they watched television.
"Oh you're back!" Keiko smiled weakly in a greeting.
"Aunty Tiana! Uncle Szayel!" her son ran at the pair.
Tiana gave the boy a hug before she leapt at Keiko. "My darling you are coming with us!"
"Coming where?" Keiko asked stunned.
"Trust me you'll have a blast." Leone chimed Keiko nearly jumped Leone had been silent for several days now and while she had enjoyed the peace it was a little lonely. As she went to ask where Leone had been she stopped as Lilinette and Ash walked in from the kitchen. Smiling Lilinette clicked her fingers and a portal opened behind her.
"You'll find out." The blonde grinned.
XXX
Shunsui and Nanao walked towards Jushiro who was overseeing the progress of the latest members of his squad. Shunsui leaned over to Nanao so that no others could hear him.
"How should we go about this?"
Adjusting her glasses Nanao replied. "Ask him to come with you?"
"No Nanao-Chan I need to tell him something, where am I taking him?"
"Captain this is hardly my job, but perhaps tell him you are taking him for some tea?"
Shunsui smiled. "You are so clever Nanao-Chan!" he reached out to give her hug only to find himself being beaten with a book. "Nanao…" he whined. He sighed as Nanao gestured for him to go to Jushiro. Shunsui turned to go only to be stuck with the sight of Gin and Jushiro walking towards them.
"Hello Shunsui, Nanao!" Jushiro said with smile.
Gin who was standing behind Jushiro allowed his trademark smile to widen. His blue eyes opened and he nodded at the pair. Shunsui assumed that Gin had figured a solution to his little problem. From the smug look on the Captain's face, Shunsui assumed he was right.
"Gin and I are going to get some tea, would you perhaps care to join us?" From behind Gin closed his eyes and nodded.
"Let's skip the tea and go straight to the sake!" Shunsui grinned wrapping an arm around Jushiro's shoulders causing the pale man to let out a chuckle. Jushiro seemed to be in good spirits today, this was good in Shunsui's opinion. The man needed to smile more.
X
"Why am I blindfolded?" the question was unknowingly asked by two people at the same time.
"Just follow us." Was the reply the two people received.
"Seriously this is ridiculous. Take this thing off my face! I want to see where I'm walking!" Keiko grumbled as Lilinette and Tiana each clutched one of her arms and practically dragged her. She wished she knew where she was going. Before they had thrown her into the portal they had blind folded her, she had struggled but Leone had forcibly frozen her body so she had no choice.
"Where are we Uncle Ash?" Came the voice of her son from behind her.
"Ash has never been here before, so he wouldn't know. And I can't tell you yet." Came Tiana's reply.
"Aww…" the boy replied.
X
"W-What is t-this!?" Jushiro shrieked as he struggled against a rope that was wrapped around his body. On his trip to get 'tea' while he was walking suddenly Yoruichi and Urahara had jumped from seemingly nowhere and had blindfolded and tied him up. He supposed he should be grateful that he wasn't gagged…
"It's for your own good." Gin sounded entirely too happy for his own good.
A growl was the only reply they received from Jushiro.
"One day you'll look back on this glorious day and buy us a drink!" Shunsui sang and again they received a growl in response.
"I have never seen you this… aggressive Captain Ukitake." Nanao replied before whispering. "This is amusing…" Jushiro struggled again causing Yoruichi and Urahara to let out a laugh.
X
'What is going on!?' Keiko called out to Leone as she was dragged along.
'You'll see.' Came the almost smug reply.
'Would you tell me? How is this healthy!?' when she received nothing but laughter in response she sighed. 'Is my son alright?'
'He's fine, he's riding on Stark's shoulders.' Leone smiled. Keiko sighed at least her son was happy. She trudged along blindly while being led by Lilinette and Tiana. After what seemed like an eternity she tripped over her feet as Tiana and Lilinette suddenly stopped.
'Why have we stopped?' she asked Leone, only to receive no response. She did however hear whispering from people around her what they were saying however she could not tell.
She felt herself being dragged over a little and her position being turned around. Someone's hand touched the blindfold on her head and whispered into her ear. "I'm going to take this off."
Suddenly she was blinking as light touched her eyes. Her hands rose to her eyes as she rubbed them. They were sensitive from being blindfolded for so long. Suddenly she heard a gasp which caused her to move her hands from her face. Her heart stopped.
There. Standing there in front of her. Just a few feet in front of her was him. The one she had been thinking of for so many years. The person she had her heart had ached for, for so long…
"Jushiro…" she breathed, her eyes wide.
Her stomach felt heavy and her feet moved of their own accord. Heading towards him she broke into a run. He too, charged towards her. Nothing else mattered, the courtyard they were in, the Captains and Vice Captains surrounding him, their friends… none of it mattered, the only thing that mattered were each other.
Arms wide open Keiko flung herself into his chest. His arms in turn clutched her tightly to his chest. Closing her eyes she inhaled the scent of tea that was him. That smell, she shivered as memories came flooding back, as feelings of nostalgia took her. Jushiro buried his face into her hair and inhaled. It had been far too long since he had held her like this.
"Are you real…?" Keiko eventually whispered, turning her face to look at him. His copper eyes locked with hers.
He nodded and smiled, his smile was almost weak as his lips trembled. "I think so.."
She raised a hand to his cheek, her fingers trembled as she touched him. "How…?"
Jushiro placed his forehead against hers. "I do not care, you are here." His lips hovered atop hers. "That is all that matters…" his lips touched hers. Tears rolled down Keiko's eyes as she flung her arms around his neck and returned the kiss with vigor.
While the couple embraced a figure walked towards them. Slowly he raised his delicate hands and began to clap. Following him the others began to clap, some cheered and others cat called while laughing.
X
"Yay!" Yachiru cheered jumping on Kenpachi's shoulders. Kenpachi grinned at the girl and let out a cheer. He was joined by Ikkaku and Yumichika who were grinning like idiots while clapping.
"Will they be together forever now?" Yachiru asked Kenpachi.
Kenpachi paused for a brief moment before answering. "So long as old man Yamamoto keeps his feelings to himself they should be fine." The pair glanced over to the dark corner of the courtyard where the General stood stoically watching the display.
X
Gin clapped happily and looked over at Rangiku with a warm smile. "It is nice we could do this for them, no?"
Rangiku nodded in return and touched his shoulder. "It is, now that they can be happy maybe my Captain can be back to what he was." She glanced at Hitsugaya. "He has been very off since the whole thing started, I think he misses the candy." She added with a grin which caused Hitsugaya to cringe mid clap.
Gin chuckled. He couldn't agree more.
X
A young boy walked over to Grimmjow and Ichigo who were standing with their daughters and cheering. The boy pulled on Grimmjow's sleeve until he had gained the attention of the older man. When Grimmjow leaned down the boy spoke.
"Uncle Grimmjow, who is that kissing mummy?"
His words pierced through Keiko's happiness induced stupor and forced her into halting the kiss. Jushiro pulled back and looked at her inquisitively. Shakily Keiko stood up and gestured for Jushiro to do the same. When he was standing Keiko took his hand and said.
"There is someone I want you to meet." She turned her head and shouted out to her son. "Sosuke! Come here please?" the courtyard stilled as the little boy slowly walked over to them.
Shunsui who was watching from beside Gin felt a grip on his hand tighten painfully as Nanao gasped and clutched her chest. "Is that…?" he heard her breathe.
Tension was thick as the boy walked over to the couple and when he finally reached them Jushiro felt his heart constrict. Was that who he thought it was…? Keiko took the hand of the young boy with her free hand and looked up at Jushiro.
"Jushiro, this is your son… Sosuke…" her voice was loud but shaky all the same.
Jushiro felt his heart skip a beat. He knelt down to the boy who was looking at him with wide eyes. Eyes that were his own. He reached out and touched the boys cheek. Sosuke didn't flinch but remained frozen.
"Hello… I'm your dad…" Jushiro felt his eyes sting as he spoke.
The boy was silent for the longest time. Even when Keiko knelt down to nudge him to speak did he remain silent. At first Jushiro thought that the boy was going to reject him but eventually the boy did speak and it both warmed and broke his heart at the same time.
"Mummy always said how much she loved you and how much you loved us… is it true?"
"I never stopped loving you both…" Jushiro replied honestly smiling at the boy, his son.
Again the boy was quiet for some time before he slowly raised his arms for his parents to hug him. Which they did. In fact they embraced him so tightly that Sosuke thought that he was going to be crushed. He found, however, that he did not mind this, if he was going to be crushed he was glad it was going to be this way...
In the arms of his parents…
…he smiled and clutched them tightly…
A/N: There will be one more chapter and then the story is complete, it's a little sad when I think about it…
Umm I apologise for my hiatus but all I can say is that life changes when you have a baby.
