Epilogue: Fading Out

Isshin Shiba awoke with a splitting headache. Every other part of his body was aching as well for that matter. He sat up in his bed, rubbing his head painfully. Then he looked up and saw Kaien Shiba, Kukkaku Shiba sitting around him.

'What happened?'

'Last I heard,' said Kaien, 'Captain Aizen went berserk. it was after you accidentally helped the villain achieve his plans.'

'Right, right, I remember now.' said Isshin. 'It's always the quiet ones.'

'So this Aizen guy,' said Kukkaku, 'is he a psycho or what?' There was something else in her tone.

'Eh,' Isshin, 'no. I mean mostly he just does his work and is nice to people. He's friends with the Kuchiki's though. I'm going to have to get back at him for this, though.'

'Yeah, seems kind of excessive.' said Kaien.

'I don't think you'll have to.' said Kukkaku. 'Last I heard Captain Unohana had a chat with him. Apparently, he's going to have to apologize to you as soon as you wake up. He actually tried to say no.'

'Well I'm awake now.' said Isshin 'Almost feel sorry for the poor bastard now. Unohana can be scary when she insists on something.'

The door opened, and Unohana entered with Aizen trailing behind her. He looked like a man feeling embarrassed about his conduct. Isshin sat up. 'Hey doc, thanks for fixing me up. To what do I owe the pleasure?' He waved to Aizen.

Something flashed across Aizen's eyes. Didn't he normally wear glasses?

'Captain Aizen has something which he has thought long and hard about, and means to say.' said Unohana, looking at him.

Aizen stepped forward and seemed to be straining to speak. 'I'm… sorry.' His face became impassive like a mask. 'I apologize.' Then he looked angry. 'I'm sorry you were stupid enough to fall right into Muramasa's trap when I had the situation under control! I'm sorry Byakuya may lose his wife, as well as his grandfather this week. All because of your idiotic recklessness! And I most certainly am sorry that I didn't leave you to bleed out in a ditch!' He looked to Unohana, whose eyes had widened. 'There is a very old saying: It's the thought that counts.'

And he walked out in disgust.

Unohana looked up, and something told Isshin she was displeased with him. 'Byakuya Kuchiki's wife was severely injured by Kouga Kuchiki during his rampage. Ginrei Kuchiki is dead by Kouga's hand. Aizen and he were close.'

Isshin suddenly had the feeling he had fucked up big time. '…Well, shit.'

'Why didn't we hear about this?' asked Kukkaku. 'A clan head-'

'Captain-Commander Yamamoto choose to keep the matter under wraps. At least until the situation has calmed down a bit.' said Unohana. 'I'd ask you to forgive Aizen.' Her gaze hardened. 'And to be more careful in the future.'

Isshin suddenly felt a whole lot more guilty.

Rangiku lay in bed, clutching her sword to her like a mother its scared child. Gin approached and saw how wide Rangiku's eyes were. She recoiled and tried to scramble away as Gin approached. She was scared of him. Rangiku had never been scared of him.

His smile faded and his eyes opened. 'Rangiku, it's me.'

Rangiku stared at him, wild-eyed like a doe facing a snake. Then she threw herself around him and began to sob openly. Gin held her tight. 'What happened?' he asked. 'Tell me.'

'They tortured her…' said Rangiku, 'they tortured Heineko, I… I can remember everything they did to her. I can't sleep at night Gin; I keep seeing, his face. His smile.'

'Whose?' asked Gin.

'Mayuri Kuroschutchi.' she sobbed. 'He hurt her, he hurt her so much and… and he enjoyed it…'

'Calm down Rangiku,' said Gin, 'calm down. I'll kill him myself, don't you worry. Don't you worry one bit? It may take me a while, but I'll kill him.'

'Thank you Gin…' she gasped.

They weren't empty words. He would kill Mayuri Kuroschutchi. The man had been known as the terror of the Rukongaif before he was locked up. He just had to find the time and method.

No one hurt Rangiku and lived.

When Kouga Kuchiki awoke the agony he felt was numbed somewhat. He was still in constant pain, however, he could function. Arising slowly from a mat, he looked around. He was within an underground cave. His armor was placed to one side. On the far side of it was a brown-haired woman of some beauty working with chemicals.

'What is the meaning of this?' He asked as he stood. 'Who are you?'

'Calm down,' she said, turning to him. 'I'm not your enemy. I'm Ran Tao.'

Kouga considered the name. 'Right, the one who got the department of research and development shut down for treason. Why did you save me?'

'Do I need a reason to help someone in pain?' she asked. 'I managed to create a drug to dull the pain which that soul reaper inflicted on you. But the sensation will return in time.'

'Great,' said Kouga, looking at his hand, 'this chemical… can you make more of it?'

'Yes.' said Ran Tao. 'However, if you try to start a fight with the Soul Reapers at this point you will lose.'

'I'll be the judge of that.' said Kouga.

'You already tried being the judge of that.' said Ran Tao. 'You really should go into hiding, whoever you are.'

'My name,' said Kouga 'is Kouga.'

His reputation proceeded him. Her face went pale, and she stepped back a pace. 'You… you are the one who killed all those villagers…'

'I didn't do anything the soul reapers didn't do.' scoffed Kouga.

'And that somehow makes what you did right?' asked Ran Tao.

'Why not?' asked Kouga. 'The strong are the ones who define what right and wrong. Order is created by power. With my power, I am going to become King of a new world.'

'You won't be king of anything like this.' said Ran Tao. 'You can't build an empire on blood and slaughter.'

Kouga considered what had happened. He'd gotten worn down. He hadn't been at his full power when he'd fought that soul reaper. Whoever he was, he'd caught Kouga after having to fight through four separate captains. Even if he hadn't realized it, Kouga had been exhausted.

More than anything Kouga needed minions to prevent himself from getting worn down. And he needed to keep the pain at bay as well. 'Tell me,' he said, 'you sacrificed your powers to save the Bounts. Where can I find them?'

'That?' asked Ran Tao. 'I… I don't know. They are somewhere in the world of the living. But you don't need to concern yourself. Right now you need to disappear until the heat dies down. In a dozen years, the soul reapers will stop looking for you.'

Kouga considered that. 'Yes, perhaps you are right. However, the world of the living seems a safer place to hide than here.'

'Good luck getting there.' said Ran Tao. 'The soul reapers control the only gates-'

'I know who controls the gates between the worlds.' said Kouga. 'And I will seek one out in time. For now, I will master fighting with this pain. Once I have conquered this pain, I will seek out the Bounts.'

'You are welcome to stay here.' said Ran Tao, looking more than a little afraid. 'The other villagers would take fright at your reputation, and in any case, I'm the only one who knows how to make the drug.'

She was trying to make herself useful. Good. Kouga would pay back the soul reapers yet.

Ginrei Kuchiki was buried with full honors and a week of mourning was declared by the Central Forty Six. Byakuya Kuchiki saw to his grandfathers funeral. A week later he was declared the head of the Kuchiki clan. He was appointed captain of the 6th division after demonstrating his bankai. Years passed, and the Rukongai continued to get better.

Byakuya threw himself into improving it and improving himself. He was soon known as among the most powerful of the captains and also the most beloved. Yet he made few public appearances. Aside from commanding his squad rarely interacted.

Rukia had kept up with events as she worked during her time in the soul reaper academy. And, having refused her sisters offer all that time ago, she wondered what might have been. One day as she made her way back to her room, she found Byakuya Kuchiki waiting for her.

'Lord Kuchiki,' said Rukia, 'I wasn't expecting you. To what do I owe the honor?'

Byakuya remained as stoic and distant to appearances as she remembered him before. Yet there was something very different about him. He seemed distracted. 'Hisana is dying.'

'What?' said Rukia. 'I… I'm sorry I…'

'The wounds inflicted on her by Kouga are killing her.' said Byakuya.

Kouga? Rukia had heard someone by that name had attacked the Kuchiki residence. 'Is… is there anything I can do?'

'Hisana has requested to see you.' said Byakuya. 'I would be grateful if you came.'

'I… of course.' said Rukia. 'I'll come right away.'

'Thank you.' said Byakuya.

Rukia went with Byakuya and was led out of the academy and into the Seretei proper. They were led through the winding streets and finally came to the Squad 6 building. There a door was slid aside, and Byakuya came forward to kneel by the bedside of Hisana. His face was stony and silent like a mask.

'I have brought her.' he said.

Hisana looked up. 'I… I can't see… Please, come forward.'

Rukia came forward and looked at her sisters face. And as she did so she wondered what might have been if she had accepted that offer years ago. Her friends had not long survived after it. But Renji had died in one way or another, for even now the Rukongai was a dangerous place. Now her last living blood relative was dying too. Hisana reached out, and Rukia took her hand.

'You…' Hisana gasped, 'you were right to reject me… I don't deserve to be called your older sister.' Rukia had no idea how to respond. How could she?

'Please, save your strength.' said Byakuya.

'Hisana,' said Rukia, 'you shouldn't blame yourself. I… I've already forgiven you.'

'It doesn't matter.' said Hisana. 'I can't forgive myself. Rukia, I won't live much longer. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…' Her eyes faded, and her breath fell off. She looked to Byakuya. 'Byakuya… I… thank you. I love… I love you…' She rested against the pillow and then breathed her last.

'Hisana…' said Byakuya, 'Hisana!'

In that moment Byakuya Kuchiki leaned forward and wept bitterly. Rukia watched and realized that he had known Hisana better than she had ever known. She might have known her, but she'd chosen not to. She didn't belong here. knew she didn't belong here, and she turned to leave. At first, she thought he would not stop her. Then he looked up.

'Rukia,' he said, 'once before I offered you a place in my clan. That offer remains open. If… if it is your will, I would gladly adopt you as my sister. It would put Hisana's ghost at ease, at least.'

'I…' Rukia paused, 'give me some time to think about it.'

'Of course.' he said, eyes distant. 'I will have someone escort you back to the academy.'

His mask returned and he stood up straight, wiping away the remnants of his tears. Rukia departed that place. Why had he asked her again? What had she done to deserve it?

He deserved better than to be saddled with her.

Byakuya Kuchiki was the most famous of all the soul reapers. His will alone had turned the Rukongai from a hell to a place where joy and happiness could be found. Because of him, the thugs had been driven out, the hollow attacks were far less deadly. Because of him, so much good had been accomplished.

It was a shame then that he was the loneliest man in the world.

Authors Note:

And I think this is a good place to end this fic. I considered going through everything leading up to Ichigo's section of the story. But I decided that that would be too complicated. I wanted to advance the plot, and things are more or less set up now.