A year after the end of the war and as the Seireitei was finally starting to look 'normal' again, Aoi organised with Rukia an outing for Byakuya and her to take him away from his work. They wouldn't be able to stay for too long in the real world, just a couple of days, but it would be enough for him to experience something without anyone watching. Byakuya was reluctant at first but went along with it since it seemed so important to her. She had arranged for a horse back riding session during which he would be able to shoot with daikyu. Byakuya greatly enjoyed the session especially since he got to show off as Aoi had opted to shoot but not ride. This had been a known activity to Byakuya but unfortunately it was the only one.

In the afternoon they visited a mall and she had explained their schedule. They would be going to the arcade to show him 'the games'. Then they would go for a movie, which unfortunately for him was a romantic one as their other option was a horror one and she couldn't watch them and they would end their evening in the restaurant before returning to their hotel. Aoi rushed into the arcade pulling a reluctant Byakuya behind her. She showed him how to play one or two games and left him to play her favourite ones. Byakuya tried to play one but when he got the message 'You lose. Game over," he abandoned it and watched her instead. She started playing and he smiled at her passionate clicking of the buttons. She played a few games while Byakuya sat at one of the tables and ordered refreshments, ignoring the interested stares and gestures from a group of young women nearby until Aoi came back and presented him with a small teddy bear. "I won this! Here, take it," she said and passed him the doll. "Am I not a bit too old for that?" he said, holding the doll elegantly. The ladies of the other table had now turned to stare at the exchange until Aoi said "Are you telling me I married an old man?" He smiled at her and placed the doll on top of the table in a sitting position. They drank their bubbled tea and left for the movies.

Byakuya did not like the cinema. After all these times they had watched a movie together he had been under the impression that they would be at a room alone or at least that the room would have compartments. Instead he sat between Aoi and another man feeling uncomfortable and wondering how and why she liked to do that to herself. If Aoi saw his discomfort she did not say anything. After the end of the movie, which, according to Byakuya, had too many inappropriate scenes, they went to dine in a restaurant on the same block of buildings. They ate while discussing quietly and she told him that the next day they would just go for a walk before returning to Soul Society.

"Where is the teddy?" she asked him as they entered their room and he passed her a plastic bag he had gotten from the convenience store while she was waiting in line for their snacks at the cinema.

"You don't like it?" she asked and he shook his head, "Do I look like a child?" he asked, somewhat irritated with her insistence.

Aoi grabbed the small bear and said "No, but I daresay, you look like a father…" but because he didn't react she altered her voice to sound deeper "Hai! Watashi wa Byakuya-sama no shison o mamorimasu," she said and waited for his reaction.

The moment he realised what she was trying to tell him he rushed to her and sang to his knees, bringing his hands over her stomach. He took three deep breaths and then turned to look at her, the excitement in his eyes was evident and she could not help but smile at how young his face looked when he was grinning.

Two years after the birth of their son, Yasahiro, Rukia married Renji and moved to his house. The four would meet once a week for dinner, changing the location between the mansion and Renji's house. Less than a year after their marriage, Rukia got pregnant with a daughter and Renji couldn't be happier, especially seeing his red mane on Rukia's face.

Ten years after the war, Rukia was appointed captain of the thirteenth squad, while her daughter, Ichika along with Yasahiro had entered the Academy as Shinigami apprentices. The moment Rukia with her family departed for the world of the living to meet with Ichigo and the rest of their friends, Byakuya and Aoi were announcing to Yasahiro the coming of a sibling, a sister named Aiko. At 8 years of age, the young Kuchiki jumped up and down with happiness. While Ichika was getting into fights, he was more reserved, a characteristic that his father adored and Byakuya had given his all to his son's uprising. Luckily, Aoi was also there to mediate the rigidness of the Kuchiki family, telling everyone that a child should behave like a child and challenging anyone to oppose her. Byakuya was stressed at first but when no one opposed or tried to correct her, he relaxed as well realising that the family had long accepted her as part of them.

THE END.

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Hai! Watashi wa Byakuya-sama no shison o mamorimasu: Yes! I will protect your son, Byakuya sama!

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