Here's the epilogue. Thank you very much to those who reviewed. My co-author and I will be posting another new story soon. If you enjoyed this story don't forget to fave me! Thanks for reading! :) - Krystal

Epilogue

Rin knelt in the Kuchiki garden, just in front of the koi pond. It was evening. The sun was just beginning to dip in behind the hills and mountains barely visible in the distance. Within the pond, the giant fish dipped and twirled in a silent underwater dance. It was enchanting to watch, but the woman barely noticed. She had a thoughtful look on her face, instead.

"Don't be like this." Akuma suddenly manifested beside her. They had informed the shinigami that they would retain their forms for a while longer, so they were able to show up outside of their inner world at any time. Rin was still getting used to having the shadowy woman around.

"What do you care."

"You really don't trust him that much? It worked with the others, dumbass."

"That guy hates me. He'd probably destroy him forever just to be a spiteful bastard," Rin hissed bitterly.

"He's under orders. He could be arrested if he doesn't bring back Futago right," Akuma pointed out, sitting down beside her master. Both of them had been overjoyed when they learned that the scientist would be able to do that, but Rin was concerned that Kurotsuchi would do something wrong and leave her with one zanpakuto. "He'll be back before morning."

"Why are you here, anyways? Go fuck around with Senbonzakura. Don't you, like, have a crush on him or something because me and Byakuya are together?" Rin snapped, growing impatient with her zanpakuto spirit.

"Bullshit. That guy's a fucking ass. I do my best to avoid him," Akuma scoffed.

"Well, you aren't doing a very good job of it, then," Rin muttered sarcastically. "I saw you."

"What? You can't possibly know about that!" Flustered, Akuma snarled.

"I do now," She smirked.

"You bitch..."

"You're the one who told me," Rin pointed out. "And have you seen Aika and Hitsugaya's zanpakuto? There's definitely something going on if those two are... close." The shadowy woman couldn't help but giggle, embracing Rin's more mischievous side and forgetting that she was angry for a second.

"God, who hasn't seen those two? It's sickening. Their masters aren't all over each other. I can't walk the bloody gardens without coming across them cuddling." They were interrupted when they heard footsteps behind them. When they looked, they saw it was Byakuya. Akuma made a face, while Rin stood to meet him. He came to a halt before her and spoke,

"Rin, will you be attending the flower viewing tomorrow?" Rin moaned.

"I don't want to go to some stupid flower viewing."

"Matsumoto has offered to help you choose a kimono."

"Do you really want her to choose one without your input?"

"I am confident that the two of you will not choose anything too inappropriate."

"What? Are you saying that you're expecting me to choose something inappropriate?" Rin exclaimed, offended that he would suggest such a thing.

"Yes. Yes, I am."

"Fine. I'm picking something that says 'I'm with stupid' on it!" The woman snapped, folding her arms across her chest.

"You have just proven my point."

"Yeah, well, I'll- ...Shut up." Rin sighed. "I'm going. Akuma is, too."

"What?" The spirit yelled, outraged. "Like hell! Why the fuck do I have to go?" She demanded, jumping to her feet.

"If I'm going to be miserable, then so are you," Rin shot back.

"I will accompany you, Rina." The woman's eyes widened and she whipped around to look at the owner of the voice. It was Futago, his eyes glowing a happy purple. Rin immediately flung herself into his arms.

"Ha! I knew it. No deformities either," she murmured into his shoulder. She didn't notice the wary glare that her husband was giving the spirit, which was met by an impassive glance. Futago placed a hand on her back and half embraced her with his wings.

"You should learn to trust Kurotsuchi-san more. He-" He was cut off when Rin slammed her fist into his chin, scowling deeply. The spirit stumbled back, nursing his jaw and staring at his master.

"If you fucking die ever again you'll get worse than just that, you stupid bastard!" She yelled, pointing at him accusingly. "You're not supposed to die without my goddamn permission! Got that?" It took a second for her words to sink in. Finally, he stood straight, clicking his jaw back into place and testing it before speaking.

"Ah. Your blows are as strong as ever, Rina. I understand, though. It will not happen again. Unless, of course, it is in exchange for your life."

"Dumbass! I don't need you to protect me!" Rin yelled.

"I beg to differ." Futago chuckled. "But if you so wish to see it that way, then who am I to stop you?" Not that he would be able to stop her, anyways.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Do not worry yourself over it. Back to the matter at hand, we were discussing a flower viewing?" He quickly changed the subject. He clasped his hands behind his back and shifted his weight.

"I'm not going." Akuma pouted, folding her arms across her chest. Rin elbowed her lightly, grinning.

"Senbonzakura's gonna be there~!" She sang, grinning widely. Byakuya frowned, wondering if he should leave and let the three discuss it themselves. Akuma's eyes flashed red briefly.

"Shut your face! I'd never go because of him! He's just as boring as Kuchiki is!" She didn't seem to care that the man was standing right there, looking like he wanted to say something about it.

"Fine. Futago will have him all to himself. I'm sure he won't mind."

"Rina, I do not wish-" Futago began, his eyes widening in slight surprise.

"What?" Akuma snarled, glaring at her master and trembling with rage and jealousy. She was clearly torn between pride and her own wishes. However, the latter finally won over. She looked away, her eyes closing.

"Very well. Since you are so insistent, I'll come. But only 'cause you want me to!" She added quickly.

"I'm sure." Rin rolled her eyes. She then grabbed Byakuya's wrist and began dragging him to the mansion.

"I'm hungry, we should have lunch." The man sighed, pulling himself free and following on his own. The two zanpakuto spirits tagged along, speaking to one another in low tones.

"Must you have your zanpakuto accompany us?" Byakuya whispered so the spirits couldn't hear.

"I don't mind Futago being there, and I can't let Akuma get away with having fun without me. Just think of me bringing her for Senbonzakura!" She added in hushed tone. She didn't seem to notice Byakuya's dislike towards the male spirit. Either that, or she just didn't acknowledge it. Making a decision, Byakuya decided not to press the issue.

"I see. What would you like for lunch?"

"Anything edible that isn't sweet. Taste really isn't an issue, otherwise."

"Very well."

"Oi, is there gonna be sake at this viewing?"

"No."

"What?"

Rin stood with her arms folded across her chest, scowling deeply. She was standing beneath a cherry blossom tree, watching as the members of Squad 6 crowded around their Captain. Beside her, Futago rested a hand on her shoulder and bent to speak into her ear.

"You look beautiful, Rina... But you should smile. Then you would look even more so," he whispered. "I am sure Byakuya-sama will appreciate it, as well."

"I don't want or need to smile." Though she did blush from the compliment. Her hair was done up with an intricate hairpiece that matched her flowered kimono, which matched her eyes. Her hands rested in the opposite, baggy sleeves. Around her waist was an obi. Rangiku had helped her with all of it, though Rin had made sure to be as difficult as possible. For once, she was without her zanpakuto. At least in their sword forms.

"While that may be true, it would still look nice," he pressed. "Even Akuma is enjoying herself. You should, as well." His shadowy partner was lying in one of the trees, looking content for once. And, whenever she thought no one was looking, she would even sneak glances at Senbonzakura, who was accompanying his master at the moment.

"I'll enjoy myself when Byakuya lets someone bring sake to this bore of a party," she said with a roll of her eyes. She then muttered to herself: "Good thing Rangiku promised to bring some later..."

"What?" Futago asked.

"Nothing," she snapped.

"Do not try and hide things from me, Rina. I am able to read your thoughts, or have you forgotten?"

"Yeah? Well, you better stop, then. Else I'll give you something real nice to read, Futago," she said warningly. The spirit pulled away from her, saying nothing.

"Hello, Rin."

"Gaaah! I told you not to do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Rin jumped at the sudden appearance of Aika. She had her hair done up in a traditional fashion. Her kimono, surprisingly, was not purple, of any shade. It was an iridescent blue with an obi in a darker shade. It was embroidered with kirin.

"If we could only be so lucky," came the wry reply from her escort, Hitsugaya Toshiro. He was wearing dark grey hakama, sky blue kosode with a white shitagi underneath, and a light grey haori.

"Shut up, Hitsugaya. Who invited you, anyway?" The angry woman complained. He only rolled his eyes. Aika sidled up to the taller woman. She slipped her a bottle of alcohol.

"Rangiku said to say hi. She's going to be a little late."

"Good! This party is now gonna start getting good!" Rin left the two short Captains, throwing a wave over her shoulder. She had some punch to spike.