Epilogue
The day after the battle the captain held a meeting, the damage to the Seireitei was immense, the headquarters of both the Third and Fifth Divisions were in ruins, and so many soul reapers had been killed or wounded, that now they were below half strength. Captain Ichigo Kurosaki was at the meeting in spite of his injuries, his father Isshin was also present to announce his decision regarding the captaincy of the Ninth division. Rukia was also included in the meeting, her conduct during the recent battle had lead the captains to forgo the trials and award her the captaincy of the Fifth Division earlier that morning. Rukia now stood proudly in her place among her fellow captains, her white captain's haori ran down to her ankles, and a white silk scarf that her brother had personal placed on her neck gave her a regal appearance that was not diminished at all by her small stature.
"Isshin Kurosaki, have you made your decision?" Yamamoto's deep authoritative voice questioned.
" Yes, I have." Isshin said.
"Then make it known to the captain's council." Yamamoto said.
"I have decided to decline the captaincy of the Ninth Division and remain in retirement." Isshin said, everyone except Ichigo, Rukia, and Hitsugaya were in shock, they had been told that morning what he had decided to do with his afterlife. Isshin would be building a new clinic in the First District of Rukongai, and he and Masaki would run it, he had seen enough battles and after the attack the day before he was sure that he was done fighting, now he would devote his time to healing.
Sixth Division Offices, Seireitei, Soul Society.
Ichigo and Rukia were at her brother's offices, both of their divisions were almost completely destroyed by the attack, they were busy filing the paperwork for both divisions. Rukia was still trying to get used to being called captain Kurosaki, and anytime someone called her name she wondered if they wanted her or her husband. The two captain Kurosakis decided to take a break and go out to the garden. Ichigo put his arms around Rukia's tiny frame, she felt a sudden peacefulness in her husband's arms, she knew that this battle was just the beginning of a new war, and this one may well be longer and harder then the winter war had been. Rukia closed her eyes and Ichigo leaned down to her ear.
"I love you captain Rukia Kurosaki." he whispered in her ear, she turned in his arms, their lips met, and the world disappeared around them. They both knew what was coming, but they also knew that they would face it together just as they always had.
Urahara's Shop, Karakura, The Living World.
Kisuke Urahara sat in his shop, he and Yoruichi had made it to the Soul Society too late to engage in the battle, but they had helped with the wounded and the rebuilding. Urahara was concerned , he knew that the Arrancar that lead the attack had escaped, and that he was not the same Arrancar that was leading from Los Noches. The war was far from over, it had just begun and they had better spend their time preparing for what was sure to be a long hard fight.
Los Noches, Hueco Mundo.
The lone Arrancar sat on the throne in Las Noches, his army had failed to capture the Kurosaki girls and kill their brother, however, they had destroyed over half of the buildings in the Seireitei and had reduced the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to half strength. All in all he was pleased with the outcome of the battle, he knew his army needed more time before he could conquer the Soul Society, so his revenge would just have to wait until then, no matter he had waited over three years for revenge.
"Just a matter of time, and I will have my revenge Karin Kurosaki." He said as he sat reading the reports from his spies in the Soul Society.
Nel Tu stood outside of Las Noches, she was waiting for her lover Grimjoww to return from his scouting mission in the great fortress, this new leader was far more dangerous then Aizen had ever been, and his army was growing by the day. Nel had no doubt that a war like none they had seen before was coming, and she and the free Espada would have to face off against their own kind to avoid the destruction that would befall both Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society. Grimjoww came toward her looking unhappy as ever.
"It's worse then we thought, he only sent a small part of his army, and most of them returned." He said.
"We need to tell Kisuke about this." she said as she opened a garganta to the living world.
Fourth Division Medical Facilities, Seireitei, Soul Society.
Toshiro Hitsugaya was nervous as he walked into Karin's room at the Fourth Division, she had been badly hurt by the cero blast and she would have to stay at the Fourth for at least another week. He noticed that her family was there, her brother and Rukia were setting on the couch their hands joined, and Yuzu was setting beside Karin's bed talking with her. Karin was setting propped up on pillows, she smiled as he entered the room.
"Hey Tosh." she said still smiling at him, he smiled back at the love of his life.
"Hey Rin, how are you feeling?" He ask as his nerves started making him feel a bit sick.
"Better thanks to you." she said taking his hand and interlocking their fingers.
"Hey I need to talk to you about something." he said as his nerves cleared and were replaced by confidence, this was Karin, his beloved girlfriend of nine years, she was his other half, he knew that she was the one, the only one for him.
"Ok, what's up?" she ask happily. Toshiro bent down on one knee in front of her whole family, her father, mother, brother, sister and sister-in-law. Karin realized what he was doing and she felt her breath hitch as tears started in her eyes, he opened a box that held the most beautiful ring she had ever seen, it was a band that was engraved with snowflakes, and a larger one held a beautiful diamond.
"Karin Kurosaki, you are the love of my life, the last nine years with you have been the best of my hundred and fifteen year existence, I can't imagine living without you. Karin will you marry me." He ask, finally he had proposed and now he was nervous again as he waited for her answer.
"Yes." she said in a whisper her voice breaking as her emotions got the better of her, tears of joy ran down her face as she kissed him, and he placed the engagement ring on her finger. Isshin and Masaki smiled at each other and Rukia snuggled up to Ichigo who looked like was very happy for his little sister. Yuzu smiled but a little sadness was in her eyes as her thoughts turned to Ryu, she wished she could find his soul, maybe someday she thought.
Later that night after her family left, Unohana allowed him to stay with Karin, he held her in his arms as she snuggled up to him in her bed. They both knew that there would be struggles ahead, but they were ready as long as they were together, they could take on anything together. Their's was an unbreakable bond, forged in fire, strengthened with unconditional love, and built on mutual respect and understanding. Toshiro smiled at Karin's warmth as she snuggled closer to him, it had been a hard road, but now that they were together it had been worth it.
"I love you Karin." he whispered to his fiancé as she started falling asleep in his arms.
"I love you to Tosh." she said in a sleep laced voice, Karin Hitsugaya has a nice sound to it, was her last thought before sleep took her.
Author's Note
Well that's it, this has been a fun journey and I thank you all for coming with me on it. I have already started writing the sequel to this story titled "A New Life and a New Threat. I look forward to writing it and I hope you all enjoy it as well. I wanted to thank everyone for their reviews, support, and suggestions, I never would have finished it without your support.