Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach...no...never...

Author's Note: I just couldn't leave you guys like that...enjoy the epilogue and now it seriously is the end.

The Bridge Of Silence

+---+

"Thou bearest in Heaven at night,

And more I admire

Thy distant fire,

Than that colder, lowly light."

-Evening Star

+---

+Under The Stars+

+---+

Karakura Town-23 Years Earlier…

The breeze was gentle, soft and it smelled fresh from the sakura trees that which looked completely peaceful from afar. It could easily be mistaken for a postcard, a timeless moment captured in a photograph, but it was not so. Karin stared off into the horizon line at that particular spot, the one in which the world never seem to squeeze itself in, and the place that which she could allow herself to think freely.

Yesterday Toushiro had gone back to Soul Society, dealing with the aftermath of an almost fallen period for them hadn't gone well, but there was no helping it at all. Everyone was still on edge, completely trying to avoid that hollow feeling that seemed to continue growing into a burdening feeling to carry around. Her 18th birthday approached with each day, slowly bringing her closer to that complete adult life.

Despite that, there was no freedom at all due to how her life was split into two different worlds. There was no going back though, a fate turned completely off from its original path. She sighed, trying to come up with the best solution to the problem, trying hard to think of a better life outside of duties and honour, family and loyalty--none of that could count at the moment.

Where was her place at in both worlds? Being a daughter in one part, being a protector on the other--two completely different worlds that continue to clash against each other. Having them become so unbalance had led her to near destruction, to an empty place in the mind that scared her to think about. Going back to that hollow feeling, that raw emotion that was so chaotic and caused calamity as it walked forward.

The air wrapped itself around her, awakening her senses as she pulled out her phone and stared at the smiling couple in the background. A smile appeared in Karin's face, it was a tender moment that would always be retained as real no matter what. After all, Soul Society could no longer come between herself and Toushiro, now that they were both legal to do what they wanted.

"You never get tired of coming here, do you?" Toushiro appeared suddenly behind her, still in his shinigami form.

"Mm, it's a nice place to relax. What is it to you?" Karin replied, putting her hands on her hips as she gazed at him.

He said nothing in return, simply taking his seat on the railing and watching the horizon. It was melancholic as always, knowing that there was that back thought of having to leave her behind all the time. Feeling like a complete, utterly useless being that couldn't protect her from being hurt--it was hard to deal with that at once.

"I'm sorry," he spoke, looking at her and smiling only for her.

"What is there to be sorry about?" she watched him carefully, trying to really put her mind into thinking that he was really there.

"Leaving… for leaving you by yourself." Toushiro ran a hand thru his white locks, and getting off the railing. "It most be hard on you, always knowing seeing me leave…" He trailed off, finding it humanly impossible to express it in words.

She smirked at him, punching his shoulder lightly, but then wrapping her arms around him. "Don't worry, it is hard." Confessing would be better, a burden would only make one miserable. "As long as you come back, there's nothing to be completely sorry about at all."

Toushiro knew that their relationship was risky, almost impossible to have in the past after he had returned once the Winter War had been over. Kurosaki Karin had been there from the start, filling his world with a lot of unknown happiness, an addicting happiness for that matter. Seeing that smile, radiant and filled with life only made him want her.

Being away was always hard, a punishment almost for Toushiro to be away from that warmth that filled him. Living in a cold world had been enough, Karin was a ray of sunlight that only managed to reduce him into a mere man, one that needed a woman's love to find another purpose of living. That was nearly condemning enough, but just not good enough for him to crawl away from that at all because of how high induce he was on her.

No one made him feel that way, not even Hinamori, whom he had loved dearly for so long. She loved someone else though, thus leading her into a state of despair and misery altogether; it would be nearly impossible to be driven away from it. No, his feelings towards Karin were different and almost thrilling, with a hint of danger and fear along as well…

"I'll stay, but I can't guarantee that." He pulled her close, bending down to capture her lips…but pushing her away suddenly.

"What? Did…I do something wrong?" Obviously startled, she frowned at him in worry.

He chuckled, amusing for him of course. "Its just that…I'm still not on a gigai here."

She went wide eyed for a second, going to normal, then to a frown, and turning into a devious smile. The two broke out laughing, each allowing that warm feeling to surrender each other--a blissful happiness ran deep there. It was foreign for them obviously, a love that spread up higher then expected--nearly suffocating and blinding it became.

"Well, we'll fix that." Karin smiled, as he picked her up and shunpoed away from the area as the afternoon sun was becoming more blinding.

+---

They laid in the rooftop, being wrapped by a warm blanket so their naked bodies wouldn't get cold. They gazed intensely at the stars, each unwilling to break the long silence again. Toushiro pressed her tighter to him, wanting to actually know if she was really there, but it was all so true. Karin smiled at the notion, putting her head on his chest and inhale the natural musky smell that he let off. The breeze was still soft, colder under the moonlight that shone down on them.

"When will you return?" She broke the silence, finding it nearly impossible to continue with it.

"Not sure, there's nothing going on at the moment in Soul Society anyways." He answered, continuing to gaze up at the night sky. "There's still lots of things to do, now that the Royal Guard has been demanding answers. Its complicated, too complicated for its own good."

She traced the scar that was on his chest, unable to stop herself from wanting to hold him near her forever and never let him go. He was real, none of that crap that every single girl at school would always claim, but tomorrow he would come for sure to school. Faking a relationship would be nearly impossible, not in a place like Karakura High, where nothing was a secret anymore. Obviously, she would enjoy that--gloating around with Toushiro in her arms--enjoying the jealousy seeping into all the girl's eyes. There would be so much hate, loathing for a girl like her to have someone like Toushiro.

Every other guy could never level up to his calibre, no one would be good enough to replace his strength and such smooth act like him, because no one could ever do so even if they would try. She was lucky, that was for sure, to know that he was just as addicted to her as she was to him.

"Are you going to fake the act tomorrow at school?" Curious thing, love that is.

"Can't be helped, its not easy to let your guard down." The replies were always hard to understand, a hidden message always laid beyond his words.

"Well, they'll be asking you about Moscow. So, you'll most likely to come up with something good." She smiled, kissing his chest. "All the girls in class will be all over you."

"I don't care for them," he sighed simply, trying not to think about it. "They're useless girls, none of them thinking along the same lines as me. Hard to get pass them, really."

Karin knew that but she couldn't help it, to think that all the girls would flock to his side and watch him carefully. She was jealous of course, it wasn't some feeling that could be easily pushed away simply.

"I won't like it, you know that." There was a demanding tone, but that was the way Karin was.

"I'll only watch you, push them aside if I must." Obviously, he was enjoying the way that she had suddenly turned completely jealous like that. It was an utterly amusing thing. "I'll pay no mind to them at all, if that's what you want?" Toushiro sat up to, pulling his girlfriend close to her and kissing her softly. "Is that what you want?"

Karin wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss further. Though, he notice that she was being aggressive by the way she tugged on his hair tightly. His hand slipped to cup her face, to touch that soft pallid skin that glowed under the moonlight.

How could something so angelic like that be his?

Fifteen minutes later, they were both panting for air inside the room now. The apartment held no memory at all anymore, it was as if the person who had lived in it had never existed. The past was suddenly replaced, like using the memory modifier to make the rest of the world forget about the person--to erase everything about that person so no one would remember.

Hitsugaya started to think about it thoroughly, what would he do if Karin suddenly vanished from his mind? It was nearly unthinkable, a sad thing it would be for him to see because she was now a huge part of his whole existence. There was no secret there, nothing that could erase that at all because of some exodus conquest for this world. Departure, that always hurt to do.

"Toushiro." She spoke up, softly as she was being taken over by sleep.

"Yes?" He asked, wondering and worrying about what she wanted.

"Do you imagine our lives in the future?" She asked, feeling childish at that. Of course there wouldn't be a good future, a captain with a half-human girl seemed utterly foolish.

There was no lying in it, obviously he couldn't picture a future without her being part of it. Dreams, reality, memories--all of that had been filled with only Karin. So, of course, it was obvious that there needed to be a future that which she would be in.

"I have, yes. Almost damn impossible not to, it's a good picture." He mused, trying to remember his last dream of him and a family. "Kids…that's been in so many of my dreams."

Karin chuckled softly, stirring as she fixed herself in the pillow comfortably. "Really? That's strange, never thought of myself as a motherly person at all. It doesn't suit me, try again."

"Alright, a place in which we can be together without being judged."

"Ah, I like that better. It seems something that looks promising, but not kids."

"You mean to tell me you wouldn't want any?" Suddenly, Hitsugaya felt offended.

"Don't get your panties in a bunch Toushiro, its simply something I'm not looking forward to." She explained, getting a frown on her face. "Maybe in a few years, like say…when I'm 30 or something."

That made him laugh again, it was hard to laugh without having her amusing comments around. Karin was always serious about life changing decisions, but never the one to fully take responsibility for such inquisitive answers at all. Avoiding confrontation, that seemed more like her.

"That can't be prevented, simply because you just want for it to never happen." He explained, after regaining back his composure.

"Turning 19 and with children, no thanks." She was now wide awake. "Young parenting doesn't seem appealing in any level, for the love of shinigamis, my brother was a young parent. Though, he's great with people and such, despite his off appearance. Family life is suited for him, not someone like me."

Sure, there were dreams that she had yet to accomplish in her life, but family wasn't something that looked so bright into her future at all. It was something that existed only for other people, those who had a better and less complicated life, without danger and any of the sort. The perfect life, that was the word for it, a picturesque and painted life that only seemed to exist in colours--all her life remained black and white.

He, on the other hand, felt that a life like that would eventually come to him. Actually, there was no doubt that he could handle that parenting life, because of how life suddenly had a different perspective to it. Almost like a clear sky, cloudless and filled with so many chances of how life would be tomorrow. Endless possibilities existed entirely there, that was for sure.

"What would you know? Maybe there's a chance that it would work out, whatever the outcome." He stared down at her, gazing deep into her eyes to show the truth. "Life is a risk itself, one that only comes once until you die. For myself, I can only hope that something such as a family exist, but only you can make it true."

"Aw, that's cute." She kissed him, and ran her hand on his hair. "Tell you what though. I've dreamed about it once, but only once. A small boy just like you in my arms, smiling happily with us. Living in Soul Society, peacefully and graced with good things in life."

"You aren't the only one that has, trust me." He pulled her close, and closed his eyes. "Come on, lets sleep. Tomorrow I have to deal with those girls at school, and need to think of a good story regarding Moscow."

"You're not getting out of it easily, but I'll like to see what you come up with." She grinned, before closing her eyes.

The night sky turned darker, rain clouds moved in and rain began to pour down upon Karakura. The lullaby it produced succumbed them to sleep, softly and melodic it seemed tonight. The moon was still shinning down, the rain was simply soft and misty. The wind gently scurrying around, wrapping itself around the sakura trees and taking the petals with it as it continued to move around. A beautiful night it was.

---+

Present…

The couple watched the two twin boys sleeping, their chests rising up and down softly as they were already in a deep slumber. It seemed like a miracle that they had survived, everything in their lives was like a miracle that each day brought them closer. Karin smiled contently, she wrapped her arm around Toushiro's waist as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and the two walked out of the room.

"Who would've thought that I would have twins." She commented, as they walked out to the porch to enjoy the breeze of the early spring day.

"No one, I assume." He replied, taking his seat and pulling his wife into his lap. "Though, I am content knowing that they're here with us."

"Ha, I'm the one that carried them for 7 months." There was sarcasm there, but he simply grunted in response. "They grow up fast, don't they?"

"Mm, they become troublesome with age." He grinned, as they sat down and leaned against each other.

There was so much underlying happiness, an engorging feeling that only continued to grow stronger with time. A bond so deep, so tightly held together with silver chains of Fate that only wanted to keep that bond closer. With time, no one would ever know what would happen at all.

"What do you think of family now?" He had been curious for the longest time, still remembering the comments that his wife had made long ago regarding children.

"Nothing, I'm simply happy knowing that we're here and everything is fine around." She answered her husband, interlocking her hand with his. "I like it better this way, instead of that lonely thing that seemed unfitting even for me."

Karin had realized it only a few years back, when Yuri had been born. She knew then that life would never be the same, a child brought unknown feelings that those without children would never be able to understand. It was a good thing though, different perspectives of the world became more clearer and more meaningful, as time continued to move on.

"I can see that, it makes sense." He agreed, watching the sunset and carefully letting his guard down.

It was easier now, showing the warmth side in a place where it belonged, to express feelings with someone else who was reserved about them. She smiled, watching the sinking sun on the horizon line watching the beautiful golden and indigo colours of the sun as it disappeared.

"It should, or else there would be some major ass kicking tonight." She grinned wickedly, trying not to bring herself to cause much trouble at all. "Besides, I assume it does make sense."

There hadn't been anything going on with Soul Society, simple duties were being carried out as in the past without worrying about other attacks. In reality, there were a few shinigami that had been sent to Hueco Mundo to keep an eye on it, along with Nel, and it seemed that things were clearing up for the better. There were a few more things that had been investigated, but it was nothing that anyone would worry about for the time being.

Soul Society was moving to a peaceful period, a time that which would bring forth prosperity for everyone now, and no longer worrying about looking behind themselves. Tomorrow though, everyone in the Kurosaki noble household was preparing for the nuptials of Ichigo and Rukia--their anniversary that was to be celebrated with another wedding. No one knew the reason why they were doing it, Karin didn't care at all as long as she wasn't being dragged into that nonsense stuff. Though, she was happy knowing that they were doing great together after all of that miserable time that they had spent a few years back.

She was content with how things had turned out for her brother, knowing that he was happy and going about his life without feeling miserable, and slowly moving away from those painful memories that seemed to have hunt him. After the birth of Tadashi and Yoshiro, she seemed to be more cheerful and happy about things around her, something that still felt shocking.

Toushiro had mentioned the fact that she had changed, smiling and not showing much bitterness anymore. Perhaps it was, perhaps it was not; frankly it wouldn't matter how anyone would view his wife at all because he would love her all the same.

He smiled, as they continued to stare at the sunset and playing with the silver band on his finger, and embracing the consuming silence. The place, the time, and everything that surrounded him fit perfectly well with whatever picture he had seen in a dream so long ago. That dream, it had been so illusive and unknown, but it had turned true now.

The present was what mattered, though some of that past could easily be remembered despite the pain and sorrow that which had taken place back then. He remembered those dreams, the one with a family and children that were painted vividly in colour, and now they had come true. Everything was still like a dream, though not like he would eventually wake up from it, or that Toushiro would allow himself from waking up.

"You know," she spoke up suddenly, grabbing his hands and looking straight into his eyes.

"What?" He was curious now, but confused at the grin that it was growing in her face.

"Remember that time in which I told you that I had dreamed about a family, once?" Karin asked, trying hard to recall that dream herself. It wasn't really clear in her mind, though it was still there somewhere.

"I might, something about you dreaming about it once, and only once." Toushiro recalled, remembering the night that which they spent all night together after he had returned, but then having a terrible morning the following day. "I didn't particularly liked the following morning, Moscow."

She laughed loudly, remembering that made up story about her husband going to Moscow. "I remember that the girl from class 3-A was trying hard to figure out the truth, not that anyone would actually guess." Yeah, that had been some great morning back then. "Well, this is some of what I sort of had a dream about. Though, it had been almost completely a human life. Kind of confusing thinking about it now, but back then it hadn't been."

"Is that so. So, did it turn out better?" He brought his hand up, to caress her face.

"Mm…stop it. You're going to drive me insane." She put her hand on his, feeling it warm against her touch and welcoming. "Of course, never expected for me to have four children by this age--well if I were human still. Though, its more complete compare to my dream."

He smiled only for her, only the one special smile that which no one would see at all unless they would catch them by accident. She kissed him, pulling him close to her as they fell back against the floor. The night sky was now hanging above them like a curtain, the stars splashed across it to create that perfect scenery in only a dream.

If such dream actually existed, perhaps someone else could easily gain such dream as well. Though, a dream was sometimes only meant to stay a dream, mainly when such dream hadn't been thought about too much or even wanted. That was what had happen to Karin, never dreaming in her life about love, marriage, and family at all. Having being a teenager with a rough personality, rough exterior--no one would've thought about her becoming a family figure at all. In the end, the dream that which she had back then actually had come true, but with a whole lot more to it.

"I love you." She kissed him, as they laid in bed together.

The sun was coming from the horizon, another morning was to begin soon.

"I love you as well. I don't feel like going to work." He grumbled, pulling his wife closer to him and closing his eyes.

"Ha, never thought that the Hitsugaya Toushiro would actually want to miss work." She chuckled softly, but felt the same way.

"I have to put up with Miya, not something I'm looking forward to." Toushiro grimaced at mentioning that name, because it was nearly impossible to deal with the three year old girl.

"True, who would've thought that Kuchiki-taichou would re-marry." Karin opened her eyes, but her smile was still tugging on her lips. "Besides, Mika-san seems to have changed him, now that he smiles more often."

He nodded in response, reminding himself about the time that which he had seen the usual stoic man smiling softly at his daughter, who looked like him in some sense, but had the same spunky attitude as her mother. That was nice though, knowing that someone else could gain some happiness in time even if it came slowly. Much like the rest of the family friends, but they would find their own thing in time and with their own freedom.

"Kaa-chan, Tou-chan!!" Tadashi and Yoshiro entered the room. Matching smiles as the white haired twins jumped into the bed with their parents. "Good morning!"

Toushiro was knocked out of breath, as Tadashi jumped on top of him, but he smiled at his son nonetheless. Yoshiro snuggled besides Karin, smelling her hair and smiling widely as he hugged her tightly, but also stretching out his small arm for Toushiro to take.

"Energetic bunch, aren't they?" She chuckled softly.

"Wouldn't trade them for anything." He smiled at her, kissing Tadashi's head.

The sun was raising on the horizon, shinning brightly against the greenery scene around. The cloudless sky looked soothing for a long day, the cool breeze dancing across Soul Society as the Hitsugaya household had gotten loud with the arrival of the elder children, Tatsuya and Yuri, who picked up their younger brothers and spun the around. It was a picturesque life, and a greater future that would continue on…

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How was that? I just wanted to give something to you guys for the reviews and the positive stuff that you said. It really made me proud knowing that this story was successful. My thanks still go out for happygirl24, Tsukihime nee, Watermelon Princess, Kida Ookami, and Moon Of Jupiter (who reviewed all of my chapters after I finished it). Well, this was my present to all of you. Hopefully it wasn't so sappy or anything, seeing that I've been dealing with a lot of drama, pressure, and all other stuff. So, yeah. I took a break and wrote this just for the lot of you. Thank you so much, and I promise that my next story will come out as soon as I feel great about the first chapter, storyline, and all the other good stuff. I've already done deleted 5 drafts 'cos I'm not content with the stuff I'm working on, though there's some inspiration floating around. Though, the title for it will be Red Moon Winter. No summary is available at the moment, plotline and everything is on the works. Thanks, and hoped you enjoyed this little epilogue.