Epilogue – 20 years later
"Hey Terri," called Ketu. He was standing in the doorway looking as if he was going somewhere, calling back into the house.
"Yes?" came two voices.
"Come on you two, I don't want to be late," he called back.
"Alright we're coming," the two voices called again. Ratiasu appeared by flash step next to Ketu wearing a vermillion soul reaper outfit and her scarf on with her necklace dangling out. Then Terri, their nineteen year old daughter appeared running down the stairs with a vivid red kimono on. Her full name was Terri Erika Zakura, named after Ratiasu's nickname and Haruka's nickname. She had sparkling silver hair just like her mum and similar characteristics and also love the colour vermilion. She hasn't gotten her zanpakto yet but she's planning to enter the academy next year.
"Hey dad, didn't we agree to call me Erika?" asked Terri.
"Yeah, well. To be honest I don't like middle names, and besides I was calling you both, so Terri's easier. And anyway why does it take so long for girls just to get ready to go out, it's not like we're going to a party or something."
"You just don't understand girls, dad. Well then come on let's go," sighed Terri pushing Ketu out the door. Ratiasu smiled at them.
A soul reaper flash stepped in front of Ketu. "Captain Zakura. Captain Kyoraku says the preparation for the senkaimon is complete."
"Thanks, tell him we'll be right there.
"Yes sir," he confirmed and left.
"Well then? Shouldn't we be going there straight away?" asked Terri.
"Not quite yet, I want to see someone before we leave," said Ketu with a smile.
"I have a pretty good idea who as well," said Ratiasu.
"Hey Erika, meet us at the senkaimon, we'll only be a second," said Ketu.
"Alright alright," agreed Terri. Ketu and Ratiasu flash stepped away. "I wanna learn flash step too," she moaned and walked off to the senkaimon.
"This is the twentieth anniversary of Usaitar's defeat isn't it?" asked Ratiasu.
"Yep, and we did as Rika told us, we enjoyed our life," agreed Ketu.
"Hello!" called an energetic voice from ahead of them. It was Crystal and she flash stepped to greet them.
"Hey Crystal you're looking energetic today," greeted Ketu. Behind Crystal came running a load of soul reapers and ran past them hurriedly. "Hey, what's happening?"
"Oh nothing much, just that a few more menos grande has appeared and squads nine and three have been asked to take 'em out."
"That's annoying isn't it, I thought Usaitar was the last of our problems, but no. Ever since he died the damage between the path way was quite big, so many hollows are escaping here."
"Not to worry though, I've got it under control. Mine and Raven's will take them out with ease. You just remember to say hi to Naomi and Zeo for me and Raven," said Crystal.
"Sure no problem, but be careful out there," said Ratiasu.
"Hey no worries, it's me."
"And that's exactly why we worry," said Raven behind her. "Come on we need to get a move on."
"Hey Rae, I was going to invite you to come with us this year, but it looks like you're a bit busy. Well good luck with the menos. We'll be going then."
Raven stared at Ketu uncomfortably at first but then he nodded at him and ran off after the other soul reapers from his and Crystal's squads.
"Has he finally acknowledged your existence?" asked Ratiasu with a shocked expression.
"That'd be a first," laughed Ketu.
"Oh don't worry Rae does actually think you're alright. At least that's what I think. Well anyway see you two later," she said running off after Raven, "Hey Rae wait up."
"What a cute couple," said Ratiasu.
"Not as cute as us," smiled Ketu. Ratiasu giggled. "Well come on then, let's not keep our daughter waiting." Ratiasu nodded and they both flash stepped away.
"Well well, if it isn't our lovely couple," said Shunsui as they arrived. "So, you all ready to leave? Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Of course, our minds have been made for a long time," said Ketu.
"What do you mean dad?" asked Terri.
"Don't worry, you'll see," said Ratiasu as the three of them stepped in to the senkaimon and into the real world.
It was around nine in the morning on a Saturday and there were barely anyone out and about. Ketu took out a map from his pocket and unfolded it out. "Now I just need to remember how to read a map," said Ketu turning the map around, upside down and studying it in many different ways.
"Give it here dad, let me have a look," demanded Terri and grabbed the map off him.
"Hey I was reading that," moaned Ketu.
Terri studied the map for a few minutes, "this way," she said pointing to her left.
"Alright. Let's go," said Ratiasu. They followed Terri all the way whilst she read the map and lead them.
Terri held one hand up and they stopped, "we're here," she said as they arrived in a residential area full of semi-detached housing. "Which number did they say?"
"Fifteen I believe it was," said Ketu looking around at the houses and finding number fifteen. "Here we are." He rang the bell and waited.
"Hold on a second, I'll be right there," called a voice from inside the house. The door opened and Haodong stepped out in his gigai with some weird clothes. "Sorry about the delay, we stayed up a little late last night watching something and well Hikari decided to sleep in."
"No worries, we're late as well. You know, if you guys didn't move house every two years it'd be much fast to find you," complained Ketu.
"Hey don't look at me, it's Hikari who keeps wanting a change of scenery."
"You know, I'm actually very surprised that you two still have soul reaper powers even though you've stayed in the real world for quite some time now."
"Well the research department developed this gigai that let us keep our soul reaper powers no matter how long we stay in the world of the living. It's just in case if they need back up in the real world. By the way, have they found a replacement for captain of squad five yet?" asked Haodong.
"Not yet, no one can match up to Hikari's standards just yet, but they are still looking. They also haven't found a replacement for head captain. And soon they're going to have more replacements to look for," explained Ketu.
"Shame really isn't it?" sighed Haodong.
"Ah well never mind," said Ratiasu.
"What is dad? What're you guys talking about?" asked Terri looking up at Ketu.
"You'll find out," said Ratiasu patting Terri on her head.
"I'm ready," came Hikari's voice from inside the house as she came flying into the hall in her soul reaper outfit with her haori.
"Hey Kari. Should you really be wearing that? You quit squad five seventeen years ago," asked Ketu.
"Well, I've got to look like I was back then right?" she said smiling and walking out.
"Yeah I suppose, let's get going then no time to waste now."
"Enjoy yourself then don't go for too long," said Haodong giving Hikari a hug.
"I'll be back soon. You really should come sometime, you did contribute to our victory," said Hikari.
"Nah, I'm alright, see you guys later."
Everyone flash stepped away and Haodong closed the door.
They arrived on a large street full of shops. No one looked at them, they were invisible to normal people.
"Same place wasn't it?" asked Ratiasu.
"Yep, this way. I'm amazed on how forgetful you can be," said Hikari. "At least your daughter makes up for your forgetfulness," she said winking at Terri.
As they walked past a small café someone who looked exactly like Matthew Richardson was sitting outside slowly enjoying a cup of coffee. He blinked suddenly his eyes changed to snake eyes, he blinked again and they were back to normal. He finished up his coffee and stood up. "My arm aches dammit," he thought stretching his arms and then he walks off and disappears.
Ketu and the rest arrived at their destination just at the end of a large street where no one went and met Naomi and Zeo.
"Well look who's here, you took a long time," said Zeo grumpily.
"Don't mind him, he's just in a bad mood as always," said Naomi.
"I can see that," said Ketu.
"Well come on then, I'm not going to keep the gate over forever, if you don't go now I'm closing the gate," said Zeo who was keeping open the gate to Hueco Mundo for them.
"Alright, calm down. Let's go. You sure you're not coming Nai?" asked Ketu.
"I'm alright, besides I gotta report back to squad twelve later anyway. Well I guess this is it, for a while at least," she said. "See ya later."
Ketu nodded and jumped back into Hueco Mundo followed by everyone else.
After Zeo closed up the gate he asked, "This is it? What was that about?"
"You'll see, when they announce the new captains," said Naomi. Zeo shrugged and him and Naomi went back to soul society.
Ketu, Terri, Ratiasu and Hikari have arrived back at the resting place of Haruka and Usaitar. The great pyramid that stood here before is now just a pile of rubble and the barren land has now turned into a large meadow.
In the middle of the giant meadow was a gravestone, all of them walked up to it. On the gravestone was the words, 'Haruka Rose, the greatest soul reaper and friend.'
"Hey Rika we're back, and this time we brought our daughter along," said Ketu.
"Hi aunt Haruka," said Terri.
"She's a cute girl don't you think Rika?" asked Ketu.
"Ket, maybe that's not the sort of questions that's appropriate," scolded Ratiasu.
"Sorry."
"Hey Rika, sorry I wasn't there to bid you farewell. But, I hope you're happy up there," said Hikari tears flooding out.
"Come on Kari, we don't want to go through this every time we visit," said Ratiasu patting her on the back.
"If you can't cry when you want to how can you smile when you want to?" said Ketu looking up at the dark skies.
"If you're wondering, Hidoragon's fine along with your necklace, safely stored as always you can rest easy," said Ratiasu.
Ratiasu turned to Ketu, and he nodded. "Y'know Haruka, we've been thinking long and hard about what you've side. You said for us two to enjoy our lives and have some peace, but that doesn't happen in soul society. There's never going to be peace in soul society. Today is the twentieth anniversary of your going away. And this is going to be the last time we visit you."
Ratiasu nodded, "We thank you for everything Rika, and we will follow your advice and live a peaceful, happy life." Ratiasu and Ketu drew out their sword and Ketu pulled out an old fashioned key from his pocket.
They both gave their swords to Terri with the key. "Here, these are yours now."
"What? What do you mean dad? Mom?" asked Terri.
"You're old enough to take care of yourself now aren't you?" asked Ketu.
"Yeah, of course."
"That's good, then that means we can leave and have nothing to fear. If you have any problems ask Hikari, she'll sort them out for ya," said Ketu.
"Wait, what do you mean? Don't tell me you're doing what I think you're doing," cried Terri tears starting to form in her eyes.
"We're leaving the soul reaper life and going to be live peacefully, that way we'll truly be happy. Don't come after us, because you know you can't even if you tried."
"I wish you the best," said Hikari giving them both a hug.
"I'll miss you Kari," said Ratiasu.
"Me too," agreed Ketu.
"Don't worry about us, we'll be fine, just enjoy your new peaceful life. It's what you've wanted for a long time now."
"It is. Terri, look after Doragon sumiyaka and Kaze doragon for us. And of course Hidoragon. Those swords are now yours to use and they will only listen to you. You have now by soul society law, legally inherited the three blades. Keep Haruka's necklace locked up though, we don't want that to fall into the wrong hands," said Ketu.
"Do well in your studies and make us proud, one day we promise we'll come back and visit," said Ratiasu.
"Wait, please, this is all too sudden. Do you really have to leave?" cried Terri.
"Please don't cry, you look much prettier with a smile," said Ketu.
Ratiasu held onto Ketu's hand and they walked away. A gate to the human world opened.
"Wait, please wait," wept Terri.
"I'm sorry, but you're a grown woman now, find the things you want to do and make the friends you want to make. We can't stand in your way forever," said Ketu. He walked through the gate with Ratiasu and disappeared.
Terri cried hard as they left. Hikari patted her on the shoulder. Terri screamed, "No, why now? I need you."
Ratiasu's voice called out, "You don't need us anymore. Enjoy your life Terri, that's the only thing we wish for you.
Then Ketu's voice said, "Our era has passed Terri. But your era has just begun. Make us proud to call you our daughter," and all was silent once more.
To Be Continued…
(This is how the years divide up - 19 in the human world where time flows slower for Terri to grow up and just a year in soul society where Ratiasu and Ketu started Terri off in the academy)
As I said I won't be doing the sequel, but I may do a sequel after the sequel, anyway, I've entrusted the story to a good friend of mine, his name on the site is Elemental Hero Raeven he will start posting on Saturdays I believe. If ur wondering y I'm not writing, it's becos I want to take a break after writing for a year, so I'll be seeing you, hope u enjoyed this and thx for all the support
If there's anything about my fanfiction u don't get or want to know, send me a message and I'll reply asap
This is not good-bye, it's until we meet again.
Update: I have learnt that the sequel is called 'Evolution of Evil'