Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. All credit goes to Tite Kubo.


They were woken up the next morning by the sound of the birds chirping a cheerful melody outside their window.

Groggily, Karin opened her eyes; greeted by the peaceful, sleeping face of her lover. Smiling softly, she reached over to gently play with his soft hair; thinking back to the last time this had happened. He'd gone back to the Soul Society while she was asleep; and she'd woken up to cold sheets, an empty bed, and a broken heart. Back then, she'd felt like a piece of her had been taken away; now, seeing him lying there next to her, she felt complete again.

After only a few moments, a hand slid from under the covers, and came up to grab hers; intertwining their fingers. Toshiro opened his eyes, and smiled at her. "Good morning." he said; leaning in to give her a tender kiss.

On reflex, Karin withdrew her hand from his, and snaked her arms around his neck; pulling him closer, and mindlessly playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

He slid closer to her, and brought his now free hand to her waist; feeling her smooth skin under his calloused palm. After a few moments, they separated; dreamy and contented smiles on their faces.

Karin gently brushed a lock of white hair away from Toshiro's face so she could better see her favorite feature of his: his beautiful turquoise eyes. "Good morning." she replied; running her hands down the sides of his muscular arms. "So, how does it feel to know you're stuck with me for the rest of your life?" she asked; playfulness in her voice.

"Paradise." he replied; a hazy look in his half-lidded eyes as he leaned in; trailing kisses from her shoulder, up her neck, to just under her ear as his thumb ghosted over her side in small, smooth strokes.

Letting out a small moan, and fighting against her desire to stay in bed for another couple of hours, Karin pushed him off. "Toshiro, no; not now. We need to get up to say goodbye to Yuzu and Jinta, and you're not helping." she said weakly; struggling to find the willpower to get up.

Smirking back at her, he started gently tracing patterns on her stomach. "I'm not trying to help." he replied cheekily before leaning back in, and kissing her deeply.

She lost any remaining will to protest, and melted into the kiss; running her fingers through his thick white hair as he parted her lips with his tongue, and she pulled him closer.

Just as they thought they wouldn't be getting up for another hour or two, there was a knock on their door, causing both heads to snap to attention.

Looking up at Toshiro with a slightly panicked expression, Karin said, "Please tell me you locked the door."

Toshiro couldn't help finding her anxiety just a little amusing as he gave her a sarcastic look in response. "Who do you think you're talking to, Karin? Of course I did." he said; kissing her once more.

Relieved, Karin kissed him back before the knock came again. Sighing, and deciding to acknowledge they were awake, Toshiro hollered "Who is it?"; slight irritation in his voice.

From the other side of the door, Kisuke's eerily chipper voice hollered back. "Karin, Toshiro, Yuzu and Jinta are getting ready to go. Make yourselves decent, and come down to say goodbye!" he said; the couple hearing his sandals click back down the hallway once he was done delivering the message.

Embarrassed by the ex-captain's phrasing, but not surprised, they acknowledged defeat; Toshiro finding his shorts on the floor, and putting them on before heading to the bathroom to wash up and change.

Karin sighed; disappointed that they couldn't have a little more alone time. 'But,' she thought to herself, 'Now that he's here to stay, we'll have a whole lifetime together…and there will be plenty of alone time'. A Cheshire grin made its way onto her face as she sat up; one arm holding the bedsheet firmly in place around her chest while the other fished around on the floor for a proper covering.

Finding Toshiro's discarded t-shirt, she threw it on, got out of bed, and made her way over to the closet to pick out her outfit for the day. Just as Karin pulled out her favorite royal blue halter top and black mid-thigh shorts, Toshiro walked out of the bathroom; dressed in a white t-shirt that had two green bands running horizontally across the chest, and two just above the hem. He paired it with black shorts, and black and white sneakers; his signature teal scarf wrapped around his neck.

Karin looked him up and down; pleased with what she saw. "You look hot, as usual. I'm glad you found the scarf, too." she said playfully; giving him a wink. She'd worn it every day since he'd left, and she'd brought it with her to the wedding; leaving it hanging on the outside of the bathroom door. She was wondering if he'd see it there, and she was glad that he had.

Toshiro smirked back at her; walking up to her, and pulling her into his arms as she set her clothes down to drape her arms over his shoulders. "Thanks." he said; giving her a quick peck on the lips before leaning his forehead on hers; his eyes hazy. "You know, you're not helping my resolve to go downstairs and socialize by looking so damn good in my clothes." he said; leaning in to kiss her as she chuckled in response. When they separated, Karin backed up; relinquishing her hold on him as she picked up her garments once again. "I'm not trying to help." she replied; humor in her voice as she made her way over to the bathroom, and closed the door behind her. Toshiro just smirked as he watched her go; shaking his head slightly. 'Alright, then. Game on, Karin.' he thought; looking forward to her unspoken challenge.

After about fifteen minutes, Karin emerged from the bathroom; dressed, and ready to say goodbye to her sister and brother-in-law. Her hair was in a high ponytail, and she'd applied some light makeup. On her feet were black low-heel ankle-strap sandals; and she finished the look with her necklace, and, now, engagement ring.

Toshiro couldn't help the pride he felt at seeing the ring on her finger, and knowing that she was officially his now; not able to figure out how he'd gotten so lucky, but grateful that he had.

Smiling at her, he offered her his hand. "You look beautiful, as usual." he said; a slight smirk forming on his face.

Karin smirked back before taking his hand, and giving him a peck on the cheek. "Thanks." she replied as he opened their door, and they made their way downstairs; hand in hand.

Once they got downstairs, they made their way outside, where everyone was beginning to form a line to say goodbye to the newlyweds. They got in line, and waited, as one by one, people gave their congratulations, and said their farewells to the couple.

Gradually, they made their way to the front, and Karin wrapped her twin in a big hug. Yuzu was crying, but Karin knew that was just because she was sad to leave everyone for a whole month; Karin knew her sister was happy, so she wasn't concerned about the tears. "I'm gonna miss you so much, Yu, but I know you'll have a great time." she said; pulling away from her sister. "Enjoy yourself, and bring back lots of pictures. I expect some entertaining stories when you get back." she finished; a smirk on her face.

Yuzu smiled through her tears at her twin; the one who'd always been her support and encouragement throughout the years. "I'll miss you too, Karin; but I'm happy to know you won't be alone while I'm gone." she said; wiping off her cheeks as she gave Toshiro a big smile.

He gave her a small smile and nod in reply as she focused her attention back on her sister. "I'm so grateful for everything you've been to me, Karin. I don't know where I'd be now if I didn't have you as my sister. You've always been there for me, and you've always been the one who's given me strength. Thank you…for everything." She said; tears once again forming in her eyes as she embraced her sister once more.

After releasing Karin, Yuzu turned towards Toshiro; gesturing for him to come closer.

The white-haired man obliged, and walked over to Yuzu, who gave him a hug as well. "Take good care of her while I'm gone, Toshiro. I'm counting on you." she said; releasing him.

Toshiro smiled back at the brown-haired twin as he took Karin's hand; intertwining their fingers. "I will, Yuzu; I promise." he said; looking over at Karin with an affectionate smile.

Karin looked back at him, mirroring his smile, and Yuzu stood by with a satisfied look on her face. 'Congratulations, Karin. I'm so happy for you.' she thought as she watched the two of them; taking Jinta's hand in hers.

Returning their attention back to the newlyweds, they told them to have a wonderful time on their honeymoon; Karin warning Jinta that if he ever made her sister unhappy, she'd cut him open, and dangle his guts in front of his face while he was still alive.

After the new husband was sufficiently intimidated, they said goodbye, and let the next people in line have their turn. As they walked away from the new Mr. and Mrs. Hanakari, Toshiro spotted the Shinigami that had been invited to the wedding; Rukia, Renji, and Ichika among them. 'They must be getting ready to leave; they're all out of their gigai.' he thought; surprisingly a little melancholy that he wouldn't be seeing any of them for potentially several decades. 'If they can't make it to the wedding, that is.' he thought to himself. They were the last vestiges of his old life, and he was sad to let them go, in a way.

Feeling a slight squeeze of his hand, and looking back at Karin, his sadness left him immediately. 'Yes, I'll miss them, but this is where I belong right now.' he thought; returning the reassuring smile she was giving him with one of his own.

Gently pulling his fiancé in their direction, he approached the group of Shinigami.

Shunsui, noticing the pair coming towards them in the distance, waved his hand in the air. "Ah, Captain Hitsugaya, there you are! We wanted to say goodbye before we left." he said; all the other Shinigami turning towards the approaching couple.

When Toshiro and Karin got to the group of Shinigami, Rangiku ran over to him; enveloping him in a big hug. "I'm really gonna miss you, captain." she said; her voice cracking slightly with emotion.

Realizing she was fighting tears, Toshiro decided to drop his usual icy exterior, and hug her back. "I'll miss you too, Matsumoto. Look after the division for me; I know you'll do a great job as captain." he said as she let him go.

Rangiku smiled back at him; her eyes watery. "I'll do my best. Do you have any final advice for me?" she asked as she wiped away the stray tear that had fallen down her cheek.

Toshiro smiled back at her; putting a hand on her shoulder. "It might surprise you to hear this, but no, I don't. You know everything you need to, Rangiku; I've got nothing left to pass on to you. Just follow your instincts, use good judgement, and stay true to your convictions; that's all you have to do." he finished; his pride in her evident on his face.

Letting the tears fall freely now, Rangiku gave him one more big hug before letting him go, and turning to Karin; the young Kurosaki sibling smiling fondly at her. Rangiku smiled back; giving Karin a hug as well. "Take good care of him, Karin; love him, and make him happy. Do that, and I'll love you forever." she said; pulling away from the young woman to look her in the eyes.

Karin nodded in response. "I will, Rangiku; I promise. He'll be in good hands until we're both back in Soul Society to stay." she said; giving the now former lieutenant a sincere smile.

Rangiku nodded in satisfaction; letting the other Shinigami say goodbye to the former 10th division captain one by one. When Rukia, Renji, and Ichika came up to them, Karin gave them a puzzled look. "I thought you guys were staying for a few more days? What changed?" she asked; confused. Renji looked over at Rukia, who explained. "We'll be back later today. We just need to return to Soul Society to attend Rangiku's promotion to captain." she said with a smile.

Karin nodded in understanding as the Abarai family said goodbye, and made their way over to the open senkaimon behind them; leaving only Shunsui, Rangiku, and Shuhei left.

Toshiro walked up to the 9th division lieutenant; a serious look on his face as he extended his hand out in an invitation for a handshake. Surprised, but pleased, Shuhei took the captain up on the offer, and the two young men shook hands; a silent understanding being established between them. Toshiro locked eyes with the lieutenant; his grip on the man's hand tightening ever so slightly. "I'm counting on you to look after her, Hisagi. Don't let me down." he said; a challenge in his eyes.

Shuhei nodded; accepting the challenge from the former captain. "I'll protect her with my life, and cherish her every day; I promise. She's in good hands." he replied; both young men releasing their grip on the other as their hands fell back down to their sides.

Turning back to his lieutenant, Toshiro gave her a tender smile. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, Rangiku. I'm grateful; more than you know. You were there for me when no one else was, and you've been the big sister and mother I never had. You've been a wonderful partner, and I owe you more than I can ever repay." he said; walking up to her, and giving her one more hug goodbye. Rangiku squeezed him tightly in response; soaking in every word, before letting go of the young man whom she'd found as a little bratty boy back in Rukongai decades ago. "You've repaid me a thousand times over already, captain. It's been a privilege to serve with you…and watch you grow up." she replied; ruffling his hair before Shuhei came over to take her hand.

Putting an arm around Karin's waist, Toshiro watched his lieutenant and her new boyfriend make their way over to the senkaimon. Before getting in, Rangiku turned around quickly to face them; a Cheshire grin on her face. "By the way, captain; I expect to see some mini Karins and Toshiros in the near future. I wanna be an aunt, so you better get on it! Bring them for a visit!" she said; chuckling to herself as she watched the pair's faces redden like tomatoes on a window sill.

Giving them a playful wink, she hopped into the senkaimon. "By captain! By Karin!" she hollered as Shuhei jumped in after her; leaving just Shunsui behind.

Adopting a cheeky smirk, the Head Captain gestured behind him with a tilt of his head. "Should I inform her you've already started the process?" he asked; enjoying the incredibly comedic embarrassment the pair was portraying.

With a beat red face, Toshiro glared at his former superior. "Don't start rumors you can't confirm, Kyoraku." he said in a threatening tone.

Shunsui cocked his head; his smirk growing. "Who says I can't confirm it?" he said; looking over at Karin, and tapping the junction between the side of his neck and his right shoulder.

Karin's eyes widened as her hand came up to her neck; feeling a portion of the mark she thought her halter top would cover up. "Dammit!" she whispered; fidgeting with the strap around her neck so it would fully conceal the spot.

Enjoying himself, Shunsui looked next at the glaring former captain. "And Toshiro, you might want to adjust your scarf a bit so it covers the back of your neck better; I could see the fingernail marks from several feet away." he finished; having quite a bit of fun as he watched the usually stoic ice captain's face adopt an expression of slight panic as he hastily shifted his scarf around.

Letting out a muffled chuckle, Shunsui walked up to the disgruntled white-haired man; extending his arm, and offering a handshake. "So long, Toshiro. Take care of yourself, and enjoy your time here. I'll look forward to seeing you back in Soul Society when you're ready." he said; his typical laid-back smile on his face.

Not in a great mood from the teasing, but also not wanting to offend his superior, Toshiro extended his own arm; shaking hands with the Head Captain. "Thank you, Shunsui…for everything. I'm truly grateful. I'll keep in touch with updates when something important comes up." he replied; a tiny smile making its way onto his face despite his annoyance with the older man.

Nodding to the now former 10th division captain, he looked next at Karin. "Look after him, Karin, and enjoy your time together. I wish you both nothing but the best. If you can, try to find time to visit Soul Society at some point in the future. We'd love to see you, and get an update on your life." he said; smiling at the young woman.

Karin gave a small smile back. "I will; and thank you, Head Captain. This wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for you, Rangiku, and Jushiro; I don't know how to repay you for everything you've all done for us." she replied; gratitude evident on her face.

Shunsui's smile increased slightly. "You owe us nothing, Karin. Just enjoy your life together, and that will be repayment enough." he said; watching her take Toshiro's hand.

Karin kept her gaze on him; nodding in response. "We will, and we'll make sure to plan a visit when we can."

Satisfied with how everything had played out, and happy for the young couple, Shunsui smiled once more at them before turning to walk over to the senkaimon; tipping his bamboo hat to the pair before jumping through, and the gateway disappearing completely.

With Toshiro's last link from Soul Society now gone, the reality of his new life started to sink in. While he knew there were things and people he would miss, he was looking forward to starting this new chapter in his life. Looking down at Karin, who was looking up at him, he gave her a warm smile; squeezing her hand. "So, are you ready to start our new life?" he asked; genuine happiness in his eyes.

Karin smiled back at him; reaching up to give him a gentle kiss. "I'm more than ready." she replied; her gaze locking with his.

Sharing one more kiss, they turned, and began walking back to the mansion; where Ichigo, Orihime, Kazui, and Isshin were all chatting animatedly with Kisuke, Tessai, and Ururu now that most of the guests had gone home.

Glancing around at the people he'd come to consider family, Toshiro felt a new gratitude for life, and the bonds he'd formed here. 'This is my family now.' he thought to himself; smiling unconsciously as he watched the scene before him.

Feeling Karin give his arm a slight pull, he refocused his attention; only to find Kazui standing before him with all the adults watching.

Toshiro bent down to the young boy's height, giving him a small smile. "Hey there, Kazui. What's up?" he asked; watching the boy look down nervously at his shoes.

It took a moment for Kazui to bring his gaze back to the older man's face; but when he did, he gave Toshiro a shy smile. "Since you're gonna marry Auntie Karin, would it be okay if I called you Uncle Toshiro?" he asked; uncertainty in his voice.

Toshiro's smile grew as he nodded in response. "Yeah, of course you can." he replied; opening his arms up in anticipation of the child's response.

Kazui's face lit up; and, just as Toshiro had predicted, he gave the white-haired man a big hug. "Yay! Thanks, Uncle Toshiro!" he said, before releasing the former captain, and running off to play with the few children who were still at the mansion.

Smiling as he watched the boy go, Toshiro stood back up; seeing Ichigo approach him next.

Raising an inquisitive eyebrow in silent questioning, he watched as the substitute extended his hand; catching Toshiro off guard. Ichigo gave him a small smile. "Listen, Toshiro, I know I've been over-protective of Karin lately, and I'm sorry about my outbursts yesterday. I just couldn't stop thinking about how devastated she was when you left, and those memories brought out the worst in me. Yes, she's my little sister, and I wanna keep her safe from people and things that would hurt her; it's what big brothers are supposed to do. I know that won't be happening again, though, and I'm trying to accept the fact that protecting her isn't my job anymore; it's yours. Just make her happy, and treat her well. Do that, and I promise I'll back off. We'll be brothers-in-law soon enough, anyway; so, whaddya say…truce?" he asked; waiting for the former captain's answer.

Toshiro studied the elder Kurosaki for a moment; surprised yet pleased by the substitute's words, before donning a small smile of his own, taking the offered hand, and shaking it. "Truce." he replied.

Everyone looked on at the scene between the two men with pleased smiles on their faces; happy to finally have an end to the quarreling.

Karin walked up to her brother, and gave him an appreciative hug. "Thanks, Ichi." She said; giving him a squeeze before letting him go; a big smile on her face.

Ichigo smiled back at her; putting a hand on her shoulder. "I'll always have your back when you need me, Karin; but I know you're in good hands now." he said; glancing back at Toshiro.

The white-haired man nodded once in reply as Ichigo focused his attention back on his sister. Adopting a slightly puzzled expression, he studied her closely; causing Karin to give him an amused but curious look. "What's the matter, Ichi?" she asked; waiting for him to reply.

Ichigo cocked his head slightly, looking confused. "What's on your neck, Karin? It's kinda covered by your shirt, but it looks like a pretty big bruise or something." he said; trying to get a closer look.

Eyes widening slightly, Karin brought her hand up to cover the mark; cursing in her head. Thinking fast, she plastered on a nonchalant smile. "Oh, it's nothing. I got bit by a deer fly, is all." she said; waving it off.

Ichigo gave her a somewhat suspicious look, but seemed to accept the explanation…until he turned around to walk over to his wife; seeing a knowing smirk on his father's and Kisuke's faces. Stopping in his tracks, he listened closely to Toshiro and Karin as his sister made her way back over to her fiancé; his suspicions now on high alert.

Excusing themselves on the pretext of wanting to explore more of the mansion to see what Kisuke had designed and built, Karin grabbed Toshiro's hand, and they both started walking back towards the house.

Believing they were out of earshot, Toshiro glanced over at her; a smirk on his face. "So, I'm an insect now?" he asked cheekily; his eyes filled with humor.

Karin squeezed his hand; giving him a smirk back. "Well, since you both bite pretty hard, I thought it was a fitting comparison." she replied; a cocky look on her face, and playfulness in her voice.

Toshiro smiled playfully in return; glancing down at her. "You weren't complaining about it last night." he said with a self-satisfied look on his face.

Karin blushed, elbowed him in the ribs, and was about to retort, when they felt Ichigo's reiatsu spike. Not a moment later, as they were turning around to confirm their fears, they heard shouting that would raise the dead.

"TOSHIROOOO! GET BACK HERE, YOU BASTARD! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU-HEY!" Ichigo hollered before falling to the ground as he struggled against the kido restraints Kisuke had just put on him.

'Perfect…' Toshiro thought sarcastically; dread settling into the pit of his stomach. 'Now we've got to deal with this…so much for that truce.'

Looking first at each other, and then at the eldest Kurosaki sibling struggling to break free from his bindings, Karin and Toshiro's minds started thinking of all the possible ways to handle the situation until Kisuke walked over to the substitute, and injected something into his neck.

Instantly, Ichigo relaxed; falling into the same comatose state he'd been put into last night.

Giving the eccentric ex-captain an incredulous look, Karin and Toshiro raised questioning eyebrows. Smiling back at them, the shopkeeper shrugged his shoulders in response. "It was the easiest option. Would you have rather dealt with him boiling mad, and in a blind rage?" he asked; already knowing their answer.

Sighing in defeat, they shook their heads in confirmation before Karin replied. "Thanks, Kisuke. We owe you one." she said; a small smile on her face.

The ex-captain gave them a nod, before adopting a cheeky grin. "Anytime, Karin. Now, you kids run along, and have fun…but not too much fun." he said; his signature fan covering his face once more.

Blushing slightly, Toshiro and Karin both shot him a glare before turning back around, and continuing on their way back to the mansion.

Looking over at her fiancé, Karin adopted a mischievous smile. "Wanna test out Urahara's underground training room?" she asked; her eyes shining with excitement.

Smirking back at her, Toshiro gave her a challenging look. "Sure…if you think you can beat me this time." he replied; before breaking out into a run back to the house.

Surprised, Karin ran after him. "Hey, Toshiro! No fair; wait up!" she said; a smile on her face, and her eyes shining.

As Isshin, who had been observing the entire time, watched his daughter run off after his former third seat, a large smile made its way onto his face. They reminded him of long-gone days from his own past, and it brought great joy to his heart to see all of his children finding their own way in life. Ichigo was happily married with a son of his own, Yuzu just married the man she loves, and Karin found a life companion in a boy whom he had helped train and raise; now a young man he considered a son. 'Masaki, you'd be so proud of our children. I wish you could be here to see this, but I know your spirit is in all of them. Thank you for giving them to me.' he thought as he watched his daughter and future son-in-law make their way into the mansion, and disappear out of sight.

Turning his attention to Kisuke, who'd sidled up next to him while he'd been lost in thought, he gave the ex-captain a satisfied look. "I think the future looks bright, Kisuke. What about you?" he asked; curiosity in his eyes.

The eccentric shopkeeper put his fan away, and looked back at the Kurosaki patriarch; a serene look on his face. "I think you're right, Isshin." he replied; smiling. The future did look bright, and he had a feeling that things would only get better with time.