What Sets us Apart

Chapter Thirteen: The Finale

Author's Note: Hmmm…one more chapter for this story, and then after that it's all done! I hope you enjoy this chapter.

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Rain clouds hovered over the broken kingdom. Blood was smothered on the floor, and Inori slowly heaved himself up. His eyes twinkled with frustration as the droplets of water repeatedly drooped on his eyes. He grumbled in pain as he finally got up to see what had happened.

"You can do it…" A voice whispered softly, he stared at violet eyes. They were shimmering with happiness, but a hint of pain reflected in the dull shine of her eyes. Unohana was covering him up with her body, she was protecting him from Ulquiorra who seemed to be heavily damaged as well. "…I'm sorry." She whispered and finally closed her eyes. Her breath was shortening, and he could feel something inside him crumble. But what crumbled?

Rukia and Ichigo stared at horror as they found the body hang over and become limp. Inori realized what had happened. She had died. His…mother…yes his mother.

Cringing at the thought, he sniffed and wiped his eyes. He found Ulquiorra with an atrocious smile. "What's wrong?" He answered stiffly with that grin. Inori grabbed the sword that Unohana had given him and dashed towards the man in front of him. "…You haven't learned your lesson, have you?" He whispered in a dangerous tone and a shield surrounded him.

"D-Don't do it!" A voice shrilled behind the man.

Ichigo's eyes widened and found Rukia shouting at her son. "R-Rukia?" He replied with amazement. Had she remembered?

The woman stared at him with tears in her eyes. Something was troubling her. "I see." Ichigo murmured and got up from his spot. Inori was about to get hurt once more, but something…happened.

His eyes opened to see a sword disrupt Ulquiorra's barrier, Inori's eyes widened to see his father right in front of him. Tears flew from his eyes, and as he wiped them he murmured gratitude to his father. "Hurry up and beat the hell out of him!" Ichigo shouted and caused a small dent on the shield. Ulquiorra's eyes widened with surprise.

"A-Alright." The boy shouted with courage. He clenched onto his katana and entered the now opened barrier. Ulquiorra was preparing for another art, but someone had caused him to stop. It was…Rukia.

"What are you doing!?" Ulquiorra shouted in anger, the woman he had loved so much, no…her sister was interfering with his plans. She tightly grasped onto his pale arms and murmured a chant that only the Kuchiki clan knew. Inori gazed at his mother, who was performing a strange art.

As Byakuya gazed at his sister, he finally knew what she was doing. "…Night Fall." He whispered and bowed his head down.

"What's nightfall?" Hitsugaya crossed his arms and gazed at Rukia who had finally finished her chant.

A small black barrier was covering Ulquiorra and Rukia together. Ichigo and Inori stared at it with confusion. After a couple of seconds Rukia appeared unhurt while Ulquiorra lay on the floor barely breathing. "Please…finish him off…" A gentle voice replied. Who was it?

In response to the request, Inori took his sword and thrust it on Ulquiorra's stomach. Immediately the man's body formed into sand. He was…gone. "Thank you.." The same voice whispered with a little hurt.

Byakuya's eyes widened. It was her. It was his wife! "…Hisana!?" He shouted with desperation. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry for everything." She murmured from the heavens. " I love you." And after that sentence she spoke no more.

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At first it was an angry yell, but later on Ichigo and Rukia were found hugging each other. "Yes. I remember…" Rukia sobbed as she clenched onto his figure. A smile formed on his lips and he slowly tilted her head, their lips met…finally after these malicious events. "I love you." Rukia whispered with a small smile.

They heard a thump and found Ishida sprawled on the floor. "ISHIDA!" Ichigo shouted and running towards him. Rukia stood still, her eyes wavering with fear. Inori stood beside his mother with the same thoughts.

"Don't worry…I'm fine." Ishida whispered with a drowsy voice. His eyes wandered to the stairs as he heard light footsteps walking towards him. "O-Orihime?" He replied gazing at her. "Your not supposed to be standing!" He got up and raced towards her.

"I-I'm fine." She whispered with small tears. "And…I'm sorry!" She cried hugging him. Ishida sighed with relief and embraced her gently.

"Don't be." He murmured.

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"What a horrible mess!" Yoruichi replied. "What are we going to do with them being alive and all?" She said with sarcasm.

"Kill them again, I guess?" Urahara laughed jokingly. Yoruichi rolled her eyes.

"Let's just leave this be…just for them." She whispered. "We'll have to tell all the other kingdoms that the revival thing was a hoax…and after that Inori will have to rule the land, after all…it's his job." She pondered. "Since Ichigo and Rukia have to pretend to be dead…I guess that's all right."

"Nah. Let's just think about that later." Urahara advised.

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Hitsugaya sighed with relief. Everything was done and over. He quickly turned around and was about to leave.

"Where are you going?" Ichigo asked with a smile.

"Going back to give some information to Ukitake-sama." Hitsugaya muttered with a grin. He saluted Ichigo and was about to go.

"Why don't you invite Ukitake and yourself to a feast in about a month?" Ichigo asked with Rukia's permission.

"That'd be nice."

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"Renji. Matsumoto. Let's go." Byakuya replied with his cold voice. Matsumoto smiled kindly. Renji grunted.

"What was that Abarai?" Byakuya asked with a little anger.

"YESSIR!" Renji shouted with fake enthusiasm. Matsumoto laughed and sheathed her sword.

"Matsumoto?" Byakuya replied as Renji raced out of the gates. She stared at him.

"Yes?"

"When things finally settle down…I was wondering if you'd…" He certainly wasn't new to these kind of situations, however…it had been so long since he last said these words. "Would you…come and visit Hisana's grave." He muttered with embarrassment. Matsumoto smiled and nodded.

"And maybe after that we can get married!" Matsumoto laughed jokingly.

"Let's." Byakuya replied.

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After the soldiers were perfectly healed, everyone returned to their respective locations.

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THREE YEARS LATER

Inori stood in front of Unohana's grave and smiled. "Are you smiling, Okaa-san?" He asked as he washed the grave. After that he placed some roses in front of it. Kneeling down he prayed.

"HURRY UP!" A voice shouted, he stared and found Karin jabbing her finger at him. "The feast's just started and YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE not here!" She replied. "A kingdom can't eat with it's king."

"Yeah." Inori murmured. "I'm coming."

Thank you…mother…for everything you've taught me. He replied to himself.