A/N: Next chapter after this one will be the Epilogue.

Well, it's a short chapter but hopefully it'll tie up any loose ends.

Previously…

"Ichigo…" Rukia said softly her eyes sparkling, "I…love you too…" She said before leaning up to kiss him once more, the purple and blue petals swirled and danced around the two before sparkling and floating out the window, Rukia could swear she heard Rais' laughter when she broke apart the kiss.

Rukia closed her eyes, locating Renjis' soul ribbon with ease she took Ichigos' hand and grabbed hold of the red ribbon…and the floor disappeared from beneath the two…

Rukia opened her eyes to see Tatsuki and Renji standing with their arms crossed, the rest of the group was behind the two. Orihime was still wiping tears from her eyes, Uryu was smiling, and Hitsugaya and Matsumoto stood side-by-side Matsumoto had a grin on her face. Urahara was whispering to Yoruichi, and Rukia felt a wave of peace wash over her body. They were all safe…

Ichigo was safe…

She was safe…

"So Ichigo, you died then huh?" Renji said with a grin, Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ichigo said with a frown,

"Kurosaki, you were human this morning and now you are in your shinigami form…please do explain…" Urahara said with a smirk, Rukia gasped she hadn't even thought about that. Rai, the spirit girl, she killed Ichigo to bring out his shinigami form!

"It was a spirit…" Rukia explained Urahara lifted a hand signaling her not to continue he just nodded solemnly.

"Magic, got it." Urahara said causing Yoruichi to elbow him in the side.

"So, I guess that means Ichigo will have to go to soul society…" Yoruichi said with a cat-like grin, her yellow eyes sparkling.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Ichigo grumbled, his eyelids opening slowly to see raven hair sprawled out on his bare chest. That's right…yesterday we beat Leon, Urahara got Rukia and I…along with Renji and the other shinigami back to soul society. So…I'm dead now…I don't feel any different… Ichigo frowned but looked back down at Rukia who stirred in her sleep. Oh yeah…Rukia and I celebrated…Ichigo felt his cheeks burn so he focused his eyes on the ceiling.

Urahara said he'd explain to dad…and that he'd get to work on a gigai so Rukia and I can visit the living world…I guess, everything worked out.

Rukia lifted her head causing Ichigo to look down, "Morning." He said Rukia smiled and kissed his lips softly, "Morning." She echoed before rolling off him and climbing out of the warm bed.

"So…now what do we do?" Ichigo asked sitting up on his elbows.

"Whatever we want Ichigo, one thing ending leads to a new beginning." Rukia said, her words filled with wisdom as she tied on her robe.

"Mmm…" Ichigo said closing his eyes ready to fall back to sleep.

"Damnit Ichigo! This is no time to be sleeping!" Rukia scolded throwing the nearest object at his head, which happened to be her sandal.

"Why the hell not? You said we could do whatever we wanted!" Ichigo complained, Rukia growled; "Don't you remember anything last night? We have to go and see Captain Yamaoto!" Rukia said placing her hands on her hips.

"Now get dressed!" She ordered before exiting the room, Ichigo sighed and sat up. Yeah…everything will be alright…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-.

Renji bowed, "Thank you, Captain Yamaoto…" He said as he was handed the third divisions white cloak. "But…I must decline." Renji said looking up at his superior.

A slight mummer was heard around the court of pure souls, Yamaoto nodded and Renji swore he saw a knowing twinkle in his eyes.

Renji turned and handed over his vice-captain badge and the cloak he was just given moments before. Renji knew what he wanted, he turned on his heel and walked past the confused captains. He stopped and turned to Byakuya…

"Captain Kuchiki…"

"Abrai…." He replied with a curt nod.

"Goodbye...Byakuya." Renji said extending his hand, Byakuya took it and shook his hand lightly.

"Farewell, Renji…" Byakuya said with a smirk, he would have to find a new vice-captain but none could fill Renjis' foolish shoes. After all, who would be stupid enough to fight him?

Renji left the court of pure souls, his gigai was at Uraharas'…he was going to do what Kurosaki Isshin did. Leave Soul Society to live a life with a human…Renji had made his choice long ago.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.----.-.

"Uryu?" Orihime said looking at the said man who was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and looking at the newspaper.

"Yes Orihime?" He said looking up, taking a sip of coffee.

"I'm pregnant…" Orihime said softly, Uryu spit on his coffee causing it to get all over the newspaper he was reading. Orihime smiled as her husband stood up and embraced her, "We're having a baby…" Uryu whispered light stroking her hair, Orihime felt tears of joy fill her eyes.

A lot of people…didn't like the fact that after college Uryu and I got married. They said twenty was too young, they said we were foolish. Uryus' parents were not pleased, they threatened to disown him. But we've been together since the winter war…and…I don't think I could be happier…

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-

Isshin stood in front of Masakis' grave…smoking one cigarette even though today wasn't the anniversary of her death.

"Ichigo…it's complicated but he died…watch over him for me will you? He was madly in love with Rukia-Chan. Even our little Yuzu could tell! They are so beautiful Masaki…I know that you are proud of each and every one of our children. I just hope Ichigo gives us grandkids!" Isshin said with a chuckle, taking a drag of his cigarette.

"I know…I know you're here. I just wanted to say…I love you Masaki. You were the sun in our family and remain so. Now, Ichigo has another sun…Rukia-Chan is his guiding light and I couldn't be happier for him." Isshin said with a smile. He felt two arms wrap around his shoulders and he sighed with content.

I love you, Isshin. Take care of the girls…I'll always watch over you and the family.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.

Tatsuki sighed but smiled too, she finally did it. She had a dojo and people were already signing up…

"Hey, Tatsuki." Said a baritone voice from behind the said woman, Tatsuki spun around to see Chad with a suitcase in his hand.

"Chad! Hey! How are you?" Tatsuki said with a smile, she never really got to know the gentle giant.

"I'm going back to Okinawa…I wish I could have been more help…but" Chad said frowning, Tatsuki grinned and pat the large man on the shoulder.

"It's alright! Urahara told us…" She said trying to encourage Chad that it wasn't his fault that he wasn't a big help during the whole Leon madness that happened only yesterday.

His grandfathers' spirit…the night after Ichigos' birthday…it showed up at the hotel Chad was currently staying at. His grandfather was close to becoming a hollow…so Chad had to search high and low for another shinigami to cleanse his grandfathers' soul. He knew that Ichigo and Rukia were busy and didn't want to bother them…but in the end, his grandfather was put to rest…

"Goodbye Tatsuki…if you see Ichigo…tell him I said hello." Chad said before turning around to leave, Tatsuki raised an eyebrow…that's a weird message for someone to pass on. Tatsuki watched the floral pink shirt disappear around a corner and she smiled again, looking up into the blue sky as three birds flew by chirping happily.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Yuzu smiled looking out the window of the Kurosaki household. Uruu, Jinta and Karin were outside playing baseball. The three of them looked so different as time went by…Uruu now wore her black hair down and often beat up Jinta when he made fun of her. Karin currently had the said red-haired boy in a headlock while Uruu was rolling on the grass laughing.

Yuzu smiled taking the cookies out of the oven…it'll be a while for these to cool, I should go outside…She thought before taking off the pink apron and running outside to join her friends and sister.

Karin grinned at her twin, "Glad you could join us Yuzu!" She said letting Jinta go.

"Can we play some ball now?" Uruu said standing up and brushing off her pink skirt and white tank top. Karin grinned and turned her baseball hat backwards, picking up the catchers glove from the ground.

"Yuzu, you bat first!" Karin said walking to the place they called outfield, which was near the fence.

"Okay!" Yuzu said skipping and picking up the wooden bat in the process, Jinta grinned on the pitchers mound.

"I'll go easy on ya…" He said with a smirk, Yuzu smiled and brought the bat backwards.

"Whatever…" She said smiling.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Kurosaki Ichigo…" Yamaoto said looking at the orange-haired man standing in front of him.

"You fought countless enemies…you came to soul society to save Kuchiki Rukia, that is when we first witnessed your drive and your strength. Kurosaki Ichigo…I declare you the new Captain of the fifth squad!" Yamaoto said handing Ichigo the white cloak.

Rukia smiled standing next to her brother, it was an honor to be allowed in the court of pure souls if not at Captain or Vice-Captain ranking. Although Utitake had hinted that Rukia should be the new vice-captain of the thirteenth division she never was offered the job. She figured it was because her brother did not want Rukia to get hurt, that's why after all she was placed in a low seat.

"Kuchiki Rukia…step forward please." Yamaoto said and Rukia did so, walking up to stand at Ichigos' side.

"A Captain is nothing without his Vice-Captain…Kuchiki Rukia…I declare you the new vice-captain of the fifth squad…" He said holding out the vice captain badge to her. Rukia gasped but took it with grace, Ichigo nudged her side when she returned to stand next to him.

"You are dismissed." Yamaoto said leaving, the other Captains, with praise and words of encouragement greeted Ichigo and Rukia. Rukia saw out of the corner of her eye, Byakuya, smiling if only slightly. Her eyes looked over at Ichigo who was grinning while Kenpachi explained that now they could duel all they wanted.

"I told you…I promised I'd give them a happy ending! Hehe, you shouldn't doubt me Edward!"

"Rai…"

"What?"

"Shut up…"

"You're not nice…"

A/N: Wow, I just kinda was just typing ideas down and this is what came out. Ho hum…please review! Time for shout outs!!!

These are people that review each chapter…and who have been reviewing since day one!

Darkkyubi – You've reviewed every chapter and sometimes…you'd freak out and act like a child in a candy story with your reviews, but they always made my day to see you go all spazz so…thank you. Shirou Hana – Your reviews are always so kind and heart-warming…and long. I'm proud to say that I've read some of your work and keep at it! Even if you get writers block…just type and write stuff down and eventually something will pop into your head.

Thank you.

Rin Utari – Rin, you've reviewed from chapter one. Offering me advice and constructive criticism. Thanks for everything…

Marieilla – Sometimes your reviews will be only a few words but that's all it takes…you caught up to all the chapters in a matter of few days and reviewed each and every chapter. Now that's what I call commitment! Thank you.

Sierra – Your reviews didn't always make sense but I thank you for them because you took the time to write them. My reviewers are the people that keep me writing and keep me motivated. Thank you.

-AnGeLiCaNiMeKiTtY- - You have also reviewed since day one, and on chapter 15… I think that was the loveliest review I got. You really made me think, and you think about your review before you send it, it really makes my day to know that people take time to say such kind words. Thank you.

Kerstin Irish Lanuza – You should get a fan fiction account so I can reply to you. Kerstin you were one of my faithful reviewers that reviewed every chapter what else can I say? Thank you.

SerenityxAngel. – You were so kind in your reviews! I could tell you really enjoyed my story and that's what makes authors happy. You reviewed like every chapter and I'll admit it some of your reviews were fan-girly but that's not a bad thing! I just would always get a mental image of a chibi jumping up and down when I read your reviews…anyway. Thank you.


Bella68 – You reviews were so encouraging!! You were the very first to review on the last chapter, like two seconds after I submitted it. I was like "Wow." I felt so loved, I wish I could say more to express my gratitude…Thank you.

And of course there are many more! But, these nine really reviewed like every chapter and stayed with me through the whole story. I do love all my reviewers But I couldn't list them all on here.

To every single reviewer: Thank You.