Road to Redemption Chapter 32, a bleach fanfic

A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you're all having fun. Today we finally close out the mini 'Shizuka arc' in this fic. I know that what you all like best it's our Ulquihime fluff and honestly, that's my favorite thing to write as well, but I wanted to give both my OC baby and Chad some love in the fic. They're the secondary protagonists after all. Do not fret, the Ulquihime fluff will return next chapter in full force. As always I hope you enjoy and feel free to tell me your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 32: Finally Free

"Does this mean that until further notice you won't be carrying out any attacks?" Shukuro asked, his father's decision left him speechless.

"Correct. Anna's already training Riruka's shinigami friend, she specifically told us to stay put, but I am glad you're up to date as well. Means you've talked."

Tsukishima looked away from the monitor. "Yes, we talked a little and I do know she's sorry and that she wants to fix things..."

"Then what's the problem kiddo?"

"I'm still unsure of what to do. A part of me feels like it'd be wrong to forgive what she's done. Riruka betrayed you, she betrayed our plans! Can I really forgive that?"

He looked at his father, who silently listened. "Alright. I won't tell you to forgive Riruka if you don't feel so inclined. What I will tell you, however, is not to hold onto a grudge for me."

"What? I'm not doing that!"

"Yes, you are. C'mon Shukuro, you can't tell me that you don't want to be with Riruka just for this! You loved that girl since you were both kids and now you're going to give it all up because she opposed me? Sure, I was livid before but now that the human kids are not against us and that I've seen how far they're willing to go for what they believe... I think my anger has fully subsided. Riruka didn't walk away because she no longer loved us but rather because we were being unfair to people who didn't deserve it."

Shukuro considered it. While Moe had done his best to keep his spirits up, his friend couldn't heal the ache Riruka's absence left in his heart.

No one could ever heal that. He knew the pink-haired girl since childhood and loved her since. He felt her absence on the other side of the bed, her angry voice when things were misplaced, her smile whenever they were together, the afternoons they stayed on the couch eating doughnuts. He couldn't fathom not having those moments again, not when the taste of her lips still lingered on his.

"Alright. I shall speak with her, but as of now, I know her biggest concern is her roommate's safety. Please tell Anna to make sure that girl lives."

Ginjo smiled. "You don't need to worry about that my friend. I can assure you that Shizuka shall come back stronger than ever."

"C'mon! Move through it!" Anna shouted as she looked down at her sister.

Shizuka could feel her eyes on her, but she couldn't bring herself to move. Anna had used her Bankai to create a horrific thunderstorm. There was golden lighting everywhere, the clouds turned the once blue sky into pitch black, and the ground elicited thousands of sparks.

She knew Asami's zanpakuto was one of lightning but that was all she knew. It terrified her, to think that she'd have to withstand a storm.

"What are you afraid of?! He's the lighting but you're the tide!"

The tide, waves, water, rapids. Shizuka envisioned it all in her mind as she tightly held onto Joonome.

"Joonome no Kozui!"

The cold raindrops fell on her, she used them to try and put out the sparks to no avail, as the water could cover them, and cool them, but not put them out.

The light around her was warm but too hot to the touch. The small sparks burned her at the slightest contact.

'Damn it!' Shizuka tried to pour more rain, and even waves, but the electricity overwhelmed her and instead of darkening the sparks, they just made the water boil. She could only shield herself with bakudo from the overwhelming heat.

Anna stopped it all, and let herself stand on firm ground again. "My darling, you have power but you need more of it to finally break through the current."

"I know, but this is as far as my Bankai goes. Is there any way to make it stronger?"

"As a matter of fact, there is one. Bankais usually have multiple forms, the more spirit energy you gather, the more forms you unlock. If you gather more pressure then I'm sure you can unlock a new form. Your tide is strong enough to cover the sparks. We just need a little push to extinguish them."

"We only have one more day. I'm going to challenge Asami no matter what but do you think I have a chance?"

"Regardless of the outcome of your training. I do believe you have a good chance of beating him. Determination's what matters most, and you have enough of it to fight for your freedom."

Shizuka felt like she still needed to train more, but for now, she would settle. "Alright then, I'll gather the documents tonight. The duel shall be on the 13th."

"Then this is where I leave you, tomorrow we'll have our last training session. After that, it's all up to you. My offer still stands however, I can take you with me."

Her sister's concern never failed to make her smile. "It means the world to me that you'd still take me away if I asked, but I'll have to decline. No matter what happens, I cannot abandon my friends."

Anna didn't say anything, but she smiled proudly before snapping her fingers and ending the dream sequence.

Shizuka awoke in her room. It was still dark out and the clock read 4 a.m.

'Time to get those documents.'

It was easy to sneak into the library. Anna had told her exactly where to look. The old book was in that spot, nobody had taken it out in years.

'Asami never had a taste for European literature...'

She looked through the yellow pages until she found a golden envelope, it was protected by kido, but it's protection faded once she grabbed it. 'Anna must've modified it for my DNA.'

She looked through the contents. Everything Anna had mentioned was there, and the papers all had the clan's seal. Except for one.

Shizuka took it out. It was a letter from her mother.

My dear baby Shizuka

I hope this information can serve you in a time of need. I'm almost certain that my days are numbered, and I won't be able to assist you, but maybe my voice can reach you from beyond the grave.

I always wanted children. My biggest dream was to be a mother and now it's come true. Our time has been very short, but it's also been the happiest of my life. I don't know what awaits you, with your father, or the family, but I do know you'll grow into a strong young lady and you'll face adversity head-on.

Anna and Sosuke have been very caring towards me, almost like my own kids. I hope you all love each other like siblings. Love's usually what saves us in dire circumstances. So please be a loving girl.

Do as you want and chase your freedom, because I'll be looking on, wherever I am, and I want to see you happy.

Don't believe any harsh words or insults for my fate. I chose to have you despite my health and I'd do it again. Because I love you so very much, more than my own life.

Be happy my little one, it's all I want for you.

With love,

Maya

Shizuka wiped away a tear and hugged the letter. "Thanks, Mom." she whispered as she walked away.

"Chad, listening to 'Incomplete' on loop is not a good way to deal with depression." Ichigo chided him as he turned off the radio.

"I know." Chad got up from the sofa and stretched. The past week had been full of uncertainty for all of them.

Nemu had told them all that Shizuka's wedding was scheduled for February 14th, and worst of all that her betrothed was Tokinada Tsunayashiro.

'I can't believe that not only is he left free but that he's allowed to remarry! What kind of sick monster kills his own wife and then tries to get another one that's half his age?!'

The rage was building up inside him, and for the first time in years, he wanted to fight as he did as a child. No restraint or pact, just him and his fists.

But that wouldn't help, because he had promised Shizuka that he would trust her and that he wouldn't put anyone, not even himself, in danger.

"I'm just worried. It's 12th already and Nemu hasn't gotten any new messages from Shizuka."

"Maybe her brother took away her communicator. There's still one more day, we need to trust Shizuka-san."

His friend was suffering too, ever since his powers disappeared Ichigo was struggling. No doubt he was feeling even more powerless now.

"Yes we do." he sighed defeated.

The pair heard a knock on the door. Chad went out to answer, the person knocking was a short lady with blonde hair and a kimono.

"Good evening. Are you Yasutora Sado?"

"Yes. And who may you be?"

"My name's Kitomi Fujiwara. I am Shizuka's sister-in-law, she's asked me to deliver this to you."

Kitomi handed him a paper and then left without another word. Chad began to read, fearing the worst.

"What happened?" Ichigo asked.

Chad smiled. "It appears the wedding rehearsal has been changed to a duel."

Ichigo grinned. "The starfish is going to drown him?"

"It seems so. There's one problem, the pass only allows for three of us to be present during the duel."

"Obviously one of them has to be you. You're the one she'll want to see most after the fight."

He hesitated, Chad wanted to see Shizuka again more than anything, but could he really be useful after she was done with such an ordeal.

Ichigo seemed to have sensed this, his friend just patted him on the back harshly. "C'mon Chad, you're madly in love with that girl and she feels the same. Seeing you there could be the difference between victory or failure."

"You're right, but then, who would be the other two?"

"I think I know who should go."

Her heartbeat felt like it was going to smother her. Shizuka tried to even her breathing and posture. Her hands were shaking, and a part of her wanted to back out.

'No, I've come too far to back out now. This what I've trained for.'

Her worries slightly subsided when she saw Orihime. Her friend was dressed in a pink kimono and had done her hair up traditional style.

Shizuka immediately ran in for a hug. Only a couple of days had passed but she felt like it had been a small eternity without Orihime's gentle hugs.

"I'm so glad you're here."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Chad and Ulquiorra are already seated, we'll be cheering you on."

"That's all I need."

She returned to the dueling ring, where she waited for her sibling along with the Central's judges.

She knew those men didn't like her but had no choice other than to deem the documents she gave them as legitimate.

'If it were up to you Asami would be the clan's head and I'd be charged off to that fiend. Too bad you won't be getting that today.'

Asami walked into the arena, enraged. He directly walked towards Shizuka and the judges "What the hell did you do this time?!"

"I brought some very important documents to the authorities." She said in a chirpy voice.

Her cheeky smile seemed to make her brother even madder, so he turned towards the judges. "Why have I been summoned?"

"Your sister has brought us some alarming evidence, Lord Fujiwara. It seems she's the firstborn twin, not you."

"That's impossible! My father listed me as the firstborn child!"

"I'm afraid that certificate isn't valid, only the one with the house seal and with your mother's signature is valid. Lord Akito turned in yours after Maya had passed. This new evidence is the official birth certificate."

Asami went from enraged to slightly worried. "So what happens now?"

"Given that you've led the family for years now and that you're the one trained for the role we've decided to give you a chance to keep your post, that is if you can beat your sister in a duel."

'Just as planned.' Shizuka grinned. Her brother glared at her then addressed the judges again.

"What if I refuse?"

"You'll lose your position and your sister immediately becomes the new head of the family."

She knew he'd fight. He was like her, if there was a chance Asami would take it.

"Very well, I shall win this duel and prove I am indeed worthy of my position."

Asami turned towards Shizuka with absolute contempt. "Once we're done with this little game, I'll take care of your little friends."

Shizuka raised an eyebrow. "Oh sweetie, don't let them hear you say that." She pointed behind her, where there was a glass wall that shielded the seats of the audience. Ulquiorra, Orihime, and Chad, all waved at Asami with cheeky smiles.

"The rules of the duel are simple. Anything is allowed from zanjutsu to kido to hakuda. The area of combat is this circle from the floor to the ceiling. This is a sudden death match, whoever is knocked out cold first loses the match. Participants are not allowed to have help from the audience or attendees until the match concludes. Good luck to you both."

Shizuka silently scanned the area before the match began. The area was a big circle where the two could fight. A few feet over them were the seats of the audience, protected by a thick layer of glass. It made the fighting area look like a cylinder. She could see her friends, her clan members, the captains, and even the Tsunayashiro clan. She simply glared at Tokinada.

'You can wipe that grin off your stupid face cuz I'm not going to marry you.'

Asami was already in his stance, looking furious. She felt a part of her heart breaking but numbed the pain away.

'It doesn't matter. What you feel, what you say, it doesn't matter. This is what he has led us to. I don't want to hurt him, we've both been hurt enough, but if he's what stands between me and my freedom then I shall fight.'

The judge stepped away, leaving them both alone in the arena. They could both hear his voice through the speakers.

"3...2...1... Fight!"

Shizuka's pulse rose as she ran towards Asami. He was ready to strike first, so she used a bakudo to block the strike.

He was strong, her small glass barrier had a crack just from that strike. Shizuka closed her eyes and when the barrier broke she charged.

Asami's form was impeccable, he knew when to block and when to attack. Zanjutsu wouldn't be enough to defeat him, she had predicted as much.

'What if I can't beat him?! What if this was a lost cause from the beginning?'

Shizuka shook her head. She had worked for this and wouldn't let herself be beaten so easily. 'I either win, or I die. There's no other option.'

"If you had listed to me from the beginning we wouldn't be doing this. What are you hoping to get out of this Shizuka?!"

She growled. "What I am hoping to get?! Some goddamned peace for myself! I don't want to be that silent girl who followed your orders without complaint, hoping that one day the real you would come back to me! I don't want to live with one foot on the grave and the other kneeling down in submission! I want to be free!

Shizuka charged again. This time Asami gripped his sword in a different manner. "Destroy, Denki-kin!"

His zanpakuto turned into two silver sai swords. He pointed one of them at Shizuka, and the blade turned gold.

Shizuka knew what was coming, she avoided the lighting strike, it only managed to damage her shoulder slightly. She ignored the pain, raising her zanpakuto and using her shikai. "Weep, Joonome!"

The strong current of water came down onto her brother, he was blinded by the rapids and Shizuka used that as a chance to attack.

"Hakudo Number 73, Soren Sokatsui!"

The pale blue flames made their way towards Asami, he quickly put up a barrier to block them.

While her brother was busy with the kido Shizuka flash stepped behind him and delivered a swift kick to the back of his neck.

It was strong enough to blow him away for a few meters but not to knock him out.

'Guess his head is too thick.' Shizuka tried to figure out what to do next, but a ball of flames knocked her a few feet away.

The burns stung and made it hard for her to stand. 'Damn, he's good with kido too.'

Her brother flash stepped in front of her, he stood over her ready to drive both swords into her.

Shizuka quickly rolled away. She managed to stand and put up a barrier.

'I'll have to face him in close combat. If that fails then I'll need to use Bankai...and here I was hoping it wouldn't come to this.'

She put down the barrier and ran towards Asami. He seemed to know what she was going to do and prepared himself.

Throwing a punch didn't work, as Asami blocked it well, she gripped her zanpakuto with her other hand and managed to cut his cheek.

The blood spilled onto the floor, Asami hissed as he touched his wound. Shizuka was about to attack him, but her brother quickly recovered and kicked her in the face.

That threw her off balance quickly, and she was sure her nose was badly broken.

'Forget it, get up!'

As Asami recuperated from the wound Shizuka used healing kido to try and soothe her bruised body.

She noticed Asami hadn't used healing kido at all during their match, which was strange given that he was a better healer than a fighter. Then she remembered the audience above them.

'Of course, I'm not the only one hiding what I want.' All those years where he would yearn to join Squad 4 only to end up in Squad 1 at their father's insistence. 'He's been dead for decades but his shadow remains.'

No doubt her sibling would try to win without showing his mastery of healing arts, after all, that was considered a feminine technique.

'If he doesn't use healing kido soon I can just exhaust him.'

"Weep, Joonome!" The water poured around her, slowly covering the floor, Shizuka waved her zanpakuto around to guide the water tendrils at her sibling.

Asami was overwhelmed, so he used his own power to try and get to her. The lightning traveled through the water and would've struck her had it not been for her barriers.

Asami took notice of it, his eyes darkened and he raised his swords above his head. With a whispered prayer he spoke the words that she hoped wouldn't be heard during the duel "Bankai, Denki-kin no Arashi!"

'He does have a Bankai after all...' Shizuka froze for a moment. Asami's said swords remained the same but they were drawing I'm current, charging for a bigger blast.

'What to do? What to do?...' Taking a hit from Asami's Bankai was a risk, she was already tired and bruised, another hit could make her lose all she had worked for.

Shizuka decided to block, high-level kido wasn't her specialty but she hoped her shields were good enough to withstand a single attack. Once she knew what she was up against, she would work a plan around that.

"Bakudo #81 Danku!"

She was surrounded by a glass box when Asami's Bankai fully took effect. Shizuka almost didn't believe it.

It was exactly as Anna had predicted, a golden lightning storm took place, lighting strikes covered the area and they seemed to be just as harsh as the ones from her training.

'Okay, I've seen this before, if I can sneak through the spaces between the strikes, and get his swords soaked in cold water then his Bankai will weaken.'

Shizuka paid attention to the patterns in between lighting strikes, she got out of her barrier seconds before Asami shattered it.

Her perfectly timed escape served as a good distraction for Asami, while he was busy trying to spot her, she got ready to attack. 'Now here comes the hard part.'

Her spirit energy had always been strong, now that Anna had pushed her to the brink, that quantity increased by sevenfold.

Shizuka took a breath before began jumping onto the walls like a platform videogame, she had timed her jumps on par with the lightning strikes, they took her higher and higher until she almost reached the top of the cylinder. Then she charged.

As Shizuka fell, she used her Bankai to cover the lighting in water, then froze them. The display was rather pretty, but Shizuka didn't have time to admire it, just as she was about to strike Asami, his swords were the one's frozen.

He was panicking and she knew it. 'Just one more hit and it'll all be over.'

Shizuka was confident this would end as planned, but her sibling wouldn't go down so easily.

"Hado #91, Senju Koten Taiho."

Mere seconds were the difference between painful injuries and safety. As the pink lights of the Kido spell came closer she used a defense kido to counter it. "Ryubi no Jomon!"

The white barrier lasted just enough for her to reach the ground, but by the time she did, her ice had shattered and Asami's Bankai was once again in effect.

Shizuka noticed the lighting was dimmed, and not as strong as before. 'The water did affect it but didn't extinguish it. It's time to end this.

Her mind drifted back to her lessons when Joonome spoke to her and tested her abilities.

The blue-haired mermaid spirit smiled when Shizuka won the battle. "You're ready, Shizuka-san. With your increase of spirit energy, I shall grant you a new power, the final form of your Bankai."

With her hands clasped around Joonome's hilt, Shizuka began the incantation. "Joonome no Kozui, Ningyo no Keisei!"

A blue glow covered her from head to toe, it was cold yet comforting. 'This is it, what I've worked for so long. Nobody will be able to stop me now.' She felt the change within her power, and within her body, her silver eyes didn't break away from the gaze of her brother. 'I'm going to win.'

Shizuka's legs were changed into a blue mermaid tail, and her shinigami uniform into a short teal dress with curly frills at the end.

Her body wasn't the only thing that changed but also the area around her, as the dueling ring was quickly submerged in cold water.

Asami used a kido to breathe, but she had no need to, as her Bankai allowed her to breathe underwater.

She swam towards him, with her sword in hand. The water resistance made it difficult for Asami to move, but Shizuka did it like it was second nature. With her zanpakuto in hand, she proceeded to unleash every trick she'd ever learned. From Anna, from Gin, from Rose, even the techniques Kira thought her were vital for her nearing victory.

Her cuts were shallow, but they all drew blood. Asami's silvery eyes were darkening, yet he struggled to regain his advantage.

He tried to used kido, but couldn't speak out the incantations, then tried to use hakuda, but his martial arts form wasn't accustomed to water resistance. All he had left was his sword, and it was clear all its strength was gone.

"It's over, I won."

Shizuka read Asami's lips "No, it's not over yet!"

He tried one last time to use his Bankai. The golden sparks charged at the top of both sai's, and headed towards her. This time Shizuka didn't block them, but rather she reflected them back at Asami.

That was enough to knock him out.

Shizuka evaporated the water around them, then she held onto an unconscious Asami and placed him gently on the ground. Her Bankai had been pushed to the brink, so her mermaid form faded away, leaving her with the dress. but not the tail.

The entire world was silent to her, Shizuka felt as if she was about to faint with only two words echoing in her mind. "I'm free."

She turned to the side to see Kitomi. The blonde woman checked her husband's pulse, she smiled and gave a thumbs up.

'Good, he's alive.'

Shizuka managed to hear her name being called out. She was officially the winner.

"Congrats darling. I'm almost certain what will be your first order but we do need to make it official."

"Yes. I order the immediate annulment of my arranged marriage."

With the happiest smile she'd seen the girl give, Kitomi wrote down what Shizuka has told her, pressing the family seal onto the document.

"There's one more thing," Shizuka told her.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I want to abdicate the position of head of the family in your favor."

Kitomi's eyes widened. "Me? But I'm not a Fujiwara."

"Perhaps not by blood, but you are a Fujiwara by marriage, and we both know Hidone-kun is far too young to lead. You're the only person I trust enough for this. It was never my intention to stay here. My home is elsewhere."

Kitomi's eyes were watery. Shizuka knew how much leading meant to her sister. She went in for a soft hug that was quickly reciprocated.

"Lady Fujiwara. For the process, you've just requested you need the affirmation of three Captains. Otherwise, you cannot abdicate in favor of your sister-in-law."

The judge's voice from the speaker threatened to ruin her joyous moment, yet it was quickly silenced as she saw Captain Otoribashi, Captain Hitsugaya and Captain Ukitake raise their hand in favor of the motion.

"Thank you." she mouthed to them, too tired to properly speak.

The doors to the battle arena opened and she could see her human friends waiting for her with a smile. Even Ulquiorra who often kept his expression neutral was smiling with undeniable glee.

"Go on. They're waiting." Kitomi told her as she softly broke their hug.

Shizuka ran towards them, a trail of happy tears spilled from her eyes. By the time she reached them, she tackled the group. They didn't mind.

The group hug was warm and full of affection. She could hear Orihime slightly sob, Ulquiorra ruffled her hair and Chad as holding onto her without intentions of letting go.

"I did it! I'm free!" Shizuka told them between giggles and tears. "Let's go home!" she said before falling asleep in their arms, without a single worry for once.

"How is she?" Riruka asked.

"She'll be okay. She's just exhausted." Nemu responded.

Orihime moved Shizuka's curls away from her sleeping face. The shinigami girl was exhausted from her battle, so Orihime healed her and her brother before they went back to the human world.

"Good. I was starting to get worried something bad happened. Thank the stars it's finally over." Riruka sighed as Nemu patted her back.

Yes. At last, the stress of losing Shizuka was off their shoulders. "I don't know why we were so worried. She won the fight all on her own. I'm so proud!" Orihime perked up.

Riruka smiled. "Me too. Seems like things are finally turning around for us."

Orihime thought about it. Since the year began so much had happened. The passing of her boss, the ownership of her own bakery, the arrival of Nemu-san, and now Shizuka's freedom. 'Two months just went by in the blink of an eye.'

There was something else however, something Orihime desperately needed to do.

"Riruka-san, Nemu-san, I need your help with something. It's very important."

"I'm at your service," Nemu told her.

"You can count on me too. What is it that you need?" Riruka

"I'm going to tell Ulquiorra I love him."

Orihime had taken a while with the girls, but Ulquiorra didn't mind. He knew how tiresome this ordeal had been to them all.

"It's best we get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's a big day for both of us."

"Yeah." Orihime rubbed her eyes almost falling asleep standing up. "Good night, dear."

"Goodnight, woman."

She chuckled drowsily as she laid her head on the pillows. Choco and Kukkapuro were asleep on the doggy bed, leaving him fully alone.

Ulquiorra had planned this for a while now. The attire they would wear, and the business part of the evening was set, but there was just one thing he had yet to plan.

'How can I tell her? What would make that moment perfect?"

He'd wanted to tell Orihime he loved her since he first understood the feeling, but the right moment hadn't arrived. Now that they'd be at peace and one of Orihime's dreams was about to come true, he figured it was the perfect moment.

Ulquiorra picked up the book Orihime had given him for Christmas, he had filled many more pages and planned to fill many more, but tomorrow it would serve a different purpose.

'I should sleep. It's important for everything to look well.'

He got into the bed, and almost immediately Orihime cuddled up to him. 'This is becoming a habit.' he thought but didn't mind it.

He looked at her sleeping face one last time before falling asleep himself.

"We should go home. We have to be ready for the bakery reopening tomorrow." Uryu yawned.

"Yeah, maybe Shizuka won't wake up until tomorrow," Chad told him.

"Don't speak too soon handsome."

The pair turned around to see Shizuka and Nemu stepping out the window and onto the roof.

"Are you okay coming out here like this? You were pretty injured before." He told her.

"It's fine. Orihime-chan healed me properly. I just needed a turbo nap to recharge."

Shizuka sat beside him and Nemu. Both girls were smiling brightly. "The night looks perfect." Shizuka mused.

"It does." Uryu pointed towards a particularly shiny group of stars. "You can even see the Galaxy's far away now that there isn't any more rain."

'No more rain.' Chad considered the meaning behind the words as he felt Shizuka cuddling close to him. He wrapped one of his arms around her and pulled her closer.

They all wanted to say the same but were unsure if they should. Thankfully Shizuka broke the silence. "It's okay. I still can't believe it either...Many years ago I gave up. After all Asami did and said I marked myself as dead.

But all of you made me want to live again, to fight against him and what he'd do. And now I'm free. I'm free because you believed in me."

They all smiled, touched by the words. Chad, in particular, was dazzled by the newfound glow in Shizuka's gaze.

"We have someone else to free, however,"

They all looked at Nemu, who was surprised. "Me? But I...It's not the same. You can't challenge him to a duel, he's different."

"Maybe. But you deserve to be free too, and I will fight for you just as I fought for myself. We all love you. Right guys?"

"Of course. You're part of the Karakura Squad now. And we'll protect you." Chad told her.

"I've already promised to help you Nemu-san and I won't go back on that promise." Uryu finished.

Nemu was touched by their responses. She smiled and thanked them, but there was still some sadness behind her smile.

'Just what happened with her?' Chad knew things weren't going well with their new shinigami friend. Uryu, in particular, seemed very concerned. He was aware these worries weren't unfounded yet he didn't think things would be this severe.

"Uh, I think I need to go back home. Nemu will you escort me out?" Uryu muttered.

Nemu winked seemingly catching a hidden meaning within his words. "Yes, come with me."

They left him and Shizuka alone on the roof. Before leaving Uryu grinned at him, Chad simply shook his head. 'Those two...They planned this.'

Shizuka was still close to him, her head was on his shoulder and she hadn't moved since she first arrived.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I didn't tell you before leaving... A part of me wasn't sure if I would be able to come back alive. Had I not found out about the duel or had I lost...well I would've just drowned after the wedding."

He shivered, knowing what she meant. "That's okay. This whole ordeal hasn't been easy, for either of us. I'm just happy you're here to stay now."

"I still think that I owe you a proper confession."

He cupped her face in his hands, Shizuka places hers over his, softly caressing them. "Then tell me."

"You know I admire you, not just for your strength and your sweetness but also for the little moments. Every single second spent with you is bliss to me.

I may not be as calm or strong as you, but if you'll have me then I want to be with you. I want to make you happy, to grow stronger with you, to love you...

I love you Yasutora Sado."

He bent down to kiss her. There was no rush this time and no tears to bitter the taste of her lips. Shizuka was sweet but her kisses were far rougher than he thought they'd be. There was longing in them, and while Chad found it hard to admit, he'd been wanting this too.

They let go after a while. Shizuka's porcelain face was beet red, it was kinda cute.

Chad smiled. "I love you too, Shizuka Fujiwara, and I promise to be here for your new life until the rest of our days."

They stayed cuddling on the roof for a little while longer. Shizuka soon fell asleep, so he was going to put her in her bed and leave, but then felt her hand holding onto his wrist.

"You can sleep here with me. The bed's big enough."

"That's a risque proposal, lady Shizuka." He joked

Shizuka chuckled. "I merely mentioned sleep, you're the one having lewd thoughts my handsome gentleman."

"On the contrary, I would prefer to cuddle you like my own personal plushie. That is if you're not intimidated by it."

"Intimidated? I love being held by you. It's comforting."

Chad smiled and climbed up to the bed with Shizuka. She felt fragile in his arms, despite being anything but. He'd seen her fight and win, yet he'd also seen her weep and smile. He hoped to see other sides to her in the future.

The war wasn't over yet. As Sosuke and the others had yet to attack, but no matter what happened he was confident they would enjoy their future together.

'All that's left to do now, it's survive the war.'