Epilogue

Hitsugaya watched her go, his old eyes still able to follow her form even with shunpo as fast as hers.

Hitsugaya looked over at the people before him, at their bloodied clothes and mangled appearances. His eyes passed over the empty spaces between them. He couldn't heave the tired sigh that he wanted to. He turned to one of the men on his left.

"How is the Eight Division Captain, Captain Yamada?"

The man, usually very open and friendly, was much more subdued as he said, "Captain Kurosaki has not awakened yet. We have managed to heal the worst of her injuries. If she lives, I'm afraid, is a matter of her own choosing."

"And Captain Madarame?"

"He is recovered enough to attempt to escape our care to rejoin the fight," Yamada said, tired but somewhat amused. "We had to restrain him to ensure that his wounds were fully healed."

Hitsugaya nodded before turning back to the rest of the group.

"Captain Abarai, Arisawa, the city reinforcements will be under your care from now on. Captain Sarugaki and Sui-Feng will continue to monitor the Gargantuan. The rest of you, heal yourselves and prepare for the second wave of attack. Captain Kurosaki," Hitsugaya addressed a tall orange-blond man. "Stay back a minute."

The other captains all filed out of his office, leaving only him and the Tenth Division captain behind.

"Head Captain Hitsugaya," Kurosaki gave him a slight bow.

Hitsugaya studied the boy before him. Though the Kurosakis were all somewhat special, this one before him was doubly so. You see, Ichigo and his children had all lived long, fulfilling lives—a consequence of their hard-won peace all those years ago. When they had died and come to Soul Society, they came as old men, powerful, yes, but with a shortened lifespan no matter how you looked at it. His grandson, however, had died fairly young at forty-five. This boy standing before Hitsugaya was special in that he, Ichigo's great grand-son, had been born here in Soul Society.

Hitsugaya had watched the boy grow up. At some point, he had called him Uncle Tōshirō. Enough generations had passed that, though he still greatly resembled his legendary great-grandfather, his temperament had mellowed out, and he reminded Hitsugaya more of the old Captain Ukitake than of any of the Kurosakis.

"I want you and your squad to stay behind and guard Seireitei," Hitsugaya told the boy, not at all surprised when he immediately opened his mouth to protest.

"Listen to me," Hitsugaya interrupted him firmly. "We are going to need as much manpower on the frontlines as possible, but we cannot leave the city defenceless. If all else fails, it will be up to you to ensure the safety of Soul Society. I can only count on you."

"What about you, Head Captain?" the boy asked, eyeing Hitsugaya like he already knew the answer.

Calmly, Hitsugaya brushed his hand against the hilt of the sword secured to his hip. He had long grown tall enough that he could wear it there now, and his height actually made it cumbersome to wear it on his back like he used to in the olden days.

"I will meet the enemy myself," he said, quietly but firmly.

A myriad of emotions crossed the young boys face. He seemed to want to say something but in the end, he just fell silent.

"There's one more thing," Hitsugaya continued. "About your aunt."

Kurosaki made a weird smile, pained, chagrined and exasperated. "She's an idiot for what she did," he said.

"Perhaps," Hitsugaya agreed, "But she did buy us more time. In the event that I don't come back, Central 46 will more than likely have Karin replace me. You know how your aunt is. She doesn't like to sit around and do administrative work, which is unfortunately mostly what the Head Captain position entails. She would rather be out in the battlefield." Hitsugaya sighed. "As Head Captain, she cannot put her own life on the line so easily," he said, ignoring the way Kurosaki's eyebrow rose at that. "For the morality and future of the Gotei Thirteen, she must live as long as possible. I hope you will be her strength in this time, and be here to guide her on her new path."

"You're talking like you already know you won't be coming back," the boy said, jokingly, but without a smile in sight.

Hitsugaya looked away from him. "I am preparing myself for the worst." He jerked his chin toward the door. "Now go," he commanded. "Prepare yourself for the battle."

Kurosaki looked like he wanted to say more but he obediently bowed and left. Hitsugaya watched him go. How many of them did he fight? Hitsugaya tried to recall from the reports still sitting on his desk. Ten? Fifteen? And with nary a scratch on himself. The boy didn't even look tired.

Leaving Seireitei to him, Hitsugaya thought, was the best thing he could do.

With his captains and lieutenants recovering, Hitsugaya abandoned his office and made his way to the other side of Seireitei. There was a cherry blossom forest there, secluded and hidden away among the noble buildings, and among the vibrantly blossoming trees, stood a woman.

She had her back to him when he approached, white hair flowing down to the backs of her knees, white scarf wrapped around her neck and shoulders comfortably as she carefully arranged the flowers she had gathered in her hands. Though he had grown a great deal over the years, this couldn't be said to be the same for her. Now, he towered over her like most everyone else did, and when he walked up behind her, he had to bend a little to rest his chin on the top of her head. He wrapped his arms around her middle, looking down at them from above. They were thin and wrinkled. Hers were still smooth and soft. He had not aged as well as her, but she always said it was because he was always under stress and it took its toll on him.

He heard her chuckle but it turned into a brief but wracking coughing fit. She held onto his hands to steady herself until it subsided, squeezing reassuringly.

Tōshirō waited until it had passed, having long learned that there was not much he could do besides hold her.

"You are too busy to be here playing with me, Tōshirō."

"I wanted to see you," he said honestly.

"How is Karin?" she asked.

"She'll be fine," he said confidently. "No one has as much willpower to live as she does."

She tilted her head to look up at him, that stray lock of now-white hair ever present between her eyes. "I took Sode no Shirayuki out this morning," she said softly. "It felt just like the old times."

"Rukia…"

"The children are suffering, Tōshirō," she said quietly, smiling. She turned back to the trees in front of her, resting a palm against one trunk. "How fortunate were we to have lived in times so peaceful that I was able to just retire?" she mused out loud.

"You almost died," he reminded her.

"Yes, but that used to happen to a lot of people before," she said. "Captain Ukitake remained a captain for as long as he did while being as sick as he was because we just couldn't afford to replace him. Me, I was able to just go as easily as I wanted."

"It's not your fault," he told her quietly.

"I know," she said, looking up at the flowers overhead. "I just want our children to have that kind of peace, too."

And Hitsugaya wanted to tell her no, he wanted her to stay here, where she was safe, where she could live a little longer. But he watched the way her eyes trailed over the cherry blossom trees with a profound serenity and he knew, even if she stayed behind and survived, he would be cursing her to live the few short years of the rest of her life without him. And they needed people like her, he knew all too well, if they wanted to really stand a chance, he and the rest of the captains wouldn't be enough. They needed her power, too.

Hitsugaya let go of her, stepping back. "Hiyori and Soi-Fong are monitoring the Gargantuan," he said. "As soon as there's any movement, the Twelfth and Second Division will know."

Rukia turned to face him, and since he was now talking to her in his Head Captain voice, she nodded brusquely. "Alright," she said, serious. "I'll be listening out for the order."

"Good," he said.

For a moment, they just looked at each other. Then Rukia smiled and reached up, kissing him lightly.

"You can go," she said. "I'll see you at home later, alright?"

Silently, he nodded, looking over her one last time, at her smile, at the dimple in her left cheek, at her eyes, and then he left.

When he was gone, Rukia turned back to the small forest. She had grown these trees herself. They were a few hundred years old now. Since she had stepped down from her captaincy she had spent most of her time here, caring for them.

"I'm glad I could see you bloom one last time," she said quietly. "Nii-sama…thank you."

Rukia made her way to the Sixth Division office with slow, measured steps, white scarf fluttering behind her. The few Shinigami that were still about immediately gave way, bowing respectfully. Rukia smiled kindly at them but she didn't stop to chat like she normally would. Instead, she walked right up to the captain's office and let herself in.

Inside were the two men she had loved the most in her life.

"Captain Kuchiki, Captain Hitsugaya," she greeted, overly formal, and with not a small amount of mockery.

"Mother…" Captain Kuchiki sighed, "I already told you, you don't have to do that anymore."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just trying to listen to what my sons said about embarrassing them while they're at work," she said sarcastically.

The two men exchanged a glance.

For brothers, they didn't look much alike. The older one, Hakuya, had long dark hair that he tied up in a half ponytail and was tall and lanky. As Captain of the Sixth Division, he had inherited Byakuya's gilded haori, though some modifications had been made to the garment over time. Byakuya had never remarried and never had any children of his own, so when he had been born Rukia, Tōshirō and Byakuya had agreed to allow him to take the Kuchiki family name so that he could fill the role of heir.

The younger son, Seishiro, had inherited his father's hair and mother's stature, and resembled his father when Tōshirō had been younger, though he was still taller than Rukia herself. He had been Rukia's lieutenant and had directly succeeded her as captain of the Thirteenth Division.

She looked around the office. "Where's Lieutenant Abarai?"

"Aunt Yuzu had to drag her to the Fourth Division," Hakuya said, frowning deeply. "That idiot, she ran after Aunt Karin when she decided to—" he stopped, running a hand down his face and sighing.

"What brings you here, mother?" Seishiro asked, hoping to change the subject. Despite how much he looked like his father, he had more of Rukia's personality. Hakuya was more like the Uncle Byakuya he had grown up closely under.

Carefully, Rukia unwound the scarf at her neck, folding it neatly before walking over to her first son and laying it gently in his arms.

Both men's eyes widened. Seishiro jumped to his feet. "Mother, you can't be seriously thinking—?"

"Don't be rash," Hakuya cut him off, looking at his mother with serious eyes. "What would father think?"

"Your father already knows," she said gently, causing both brothers to fall silent. If their father had approved, then there was nothing they could do.

Rukia smiled at them, reaching forward to pat her elder son's shoulder (which was all she could reach) and ruffling her younger son's hair.

"You must live long and live well, understood?" she told them, voice scolding.

"Yes, mother," they said in unison, like they were little boys again and not grown men.

Rukia nodded, pleased. She opened her mouth the say more but was immediately interrupted by the blaring of the emergency alarm.

"Damn," the Sixth Division captain swore, throwing the scarf hastily over his shoulders and moving out from behind his desk. "I thought we would have more time."

He and his brother rushed out the door, not even remembering to say goodbye to their mother. Rukia stayed behind so she could look at their backs for a little longer as they left. She took one last lingering look around the office before following them.

"Careful, your face will freeze like that."

Hitsugaya relaxed his stance and sheathed Hyorinmaru before he turned around.

"Even Mom won't be able to find you handsome," the lilting voice continued.

"At our age, physical appearance isn't that important, Miaki," he replied dryly.

The young girl gave him a laugh, walking over to him. "You only say that because Mom is still beautiful."

Hitsugaya gave her an exasperated look but didn't deny it. Hitsugaya didn't play favourites with his children, and he loved them all equally. But while they all occupied a special place in his heart, the place where Miaki lived felt very tender to him.

His sons had been born with only a decade between them and while Hitsugaya hadn't been unprepared, he hadn't exactly been prepared either. The learning curve for fatherhood was steep and it was fortunate that he had had people like Kyoraku and Byakuya around. But by the time his daughter had been born, he was basically a professional.

Ichigo had once told him that his sons were clearly momma's boys—a human phrase Hitsugaya's logical brain hadn't been able to understand (it had clearly taken both Rukia and him to make them). But when Ichigo had later dubbed the toddler Miaki who sat in his lap serenely while Hitsugaya did paperwork a daddy's girl, Hitsugaya had completely understood.

It helped that she was the spitting image of Rukia, except for her white hair, and of all of his children, she had been the only one to inherit Rukia's large violet eyes.

"Where's Matsumoto?" he asked her.

"Avoiding you," she said lightly. She threaded her arm, lieutenant's armband somewhat carelessly displayed, through his and began to lead him away from the arena he had been training in. "She said something about some paperwork she forgot. You know, the usual."

Hitsugaya eyed her from the side. "Why aren't you with Kurosaki?"

"He's visiting with Aunt Karin," she said and then sighed. "He told me what you said," her hold on him tightened. "They're probably arguing about it right now. If I went, I'd be forced to take a side."

"That's true," Hitsugaya agreed.

"Dad, are you—" Miaki stopped and turned to look at him.

"You're so quick to call me dead already," he scolded lightly. Her tense face didn't relax.

"It's not just you, it's Mom too, and Haku-chan, and Sei-chan," she protested. "Meanwhile I'm supposed to stay behind here and do nothing."

"You're not doing nothing," Hitsugaya told her calmly. "We'll all fight better knowing that it's you who's relying on us. There's no better motivation for me, your mother and your brothers."

Miaki didn't look at all touched by this. "I want to be out there fighting with you," she insisted.

"You can fight with us without being right by our side," Hitsugaya said calmly but firmly. "And you'll have your own fights to worry about here."

For the longest time Hitsugaya had carried around some resentment for Byakuya and how he had restricted Rukia when she had first joined the Gotei Thirteen. But then Miaki had been born and Hitsugaya had found that that resentment had steadily faded away.

The girl still looked like she wanted to argue but a loud blaring siren interrupted her. Hitsugaya straightened immediately.

"Get to your station," he ordered her.

Miaki's gaze lingered over him for a moment longer before she nodded and took off. Hitsugaya watched her go, his old eyes still able to follow her form even with shunpo as fast as hers.

He brushed his hand against his hilt.

It's time, Hyorinmaru.

The dragon gave him a soft growl of acknowledgement. Reassured, and with the siren ringing in his ears, Hitsugaya took off.

Fin

A bittersweet conclusion.

The time that has passed is meant to be ambiguous, and our beloved canon characters haven't necessarily died, or died violently. Maybe they, like Rukia, retired and then died naturally. Maybe their luck just wasn't on their side one day while facing some threat. Maybe they've moved on to other things. Maybe they faked their death by pretending to become God's right hand or something and is living peacefully somewhere, occasionally visited in secret by his loved ones, including a curly haired head captain who has been waiting literal centuries to find the right opportunity to kiss him. I dunno. Maybe.

A note about Japanese names:

As far as I understand, married couples must share the same name, but while the wife can take the husband's name, the husband can also take the wife's name. It all depends on whose family register the children will be listed on, and so usually ends up being the family which will be most beneficial to the future children. This is why when Koga married into the Kuchiki family, he took the Kuchiki name.

Hakuya takes his mother's name to succeed her as head of the clan. The other siblings take Hitsugaya's name, because Hitsugaya is too proud to have children and then not have any of them bear his name. Does this mean they got married and she became Mrs Hitsugaya? I dunno. Make of this what you will.

Naming kiddos to have a connection to other people is hard when you don't know Japanese but I tried—

Hakuya 白夜 – uses the 白 character from Byakuya

Seishiro 征志郎 – uses the 郎 character from Tōshirō and Juushiro

Miaki 己菊 – uses the 菊 character from Rangiku

I named them better than Harry Potter named his children, at least.

Special thank you to everyone who reviewed/commented (including the anons I couldn't answer directly), liked/favourited, those who followed along, bookmarked, etc. etc., but really anyone who took the time to read my little story in this corner of the internet.

Thank you.

I'm gonna cry over finals now.

That's all folks!