Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. I do however own all of the OC's in the story, unless stated otherwise.
WARNING: SOME ADULT THEMES ARE USED IN THIS CHAPTER.
AN: And here it is, the final chapter. Its been an amazing journey and I can't wait to start up my next fic. I'm kind of sad that my first story is going to end, but I'm absolutely ecstatic about my next fic. That reminds me, if you haven't voted yet on the poll on my profile page, please do so. I will write a sequel if I can get 10 yeses in the next 2 weeks. I dropped the MLP poll because I didn't realize only one poll would show up on my profile page. I'm so happy for all of those who viewed my story! It means so much to me to see so many people enjoying it! This chapter will be a bit off from normal, you'll understand how when you read it. I'm just opening it up for the possible sequel. If the sequel is to come, it will be next on my list of stories on my profile page.
Thanks especially to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and/or followed the story!
Welcome to the end of A Walk with your Heart.
...
Chapter 15: Riri and Shiro
It was hot. Very hot. How it got to be like this is still beyond you. Isn't this supposed to be the afterlife? Shouldn't it be nice? Captain Hitsugaya must be freezing his room right now.
Your training for the past week had gone uninterrupted. No soul reaper bothered you. Shi no Dansu wouldn't talk to you. That sarcastic voice that you had grow used to had faded away. On days like this one, you missed your hollow. Granted, you didn't like her at first, but you had grown attached to her. She might have been annoying at times, but she was still apart of you, of your soul.
You stop your swinging and seal your zanpakuto, satisfied with today's training. Walking back to the barracks, you take a seat in the cafeteria and grab something to eat. You have worked up quite an appetite from your workout.
"Excuse me, sir?"
You turn around and find a small group of soul reapers standing before you. Four of them to be exact.
"Yeah?"
"Are you by chance Hiroto Arinori?"
"I am. Who are you guys?" They vow swiftly to you.
"Sir, we do not have a seat ranking. None of us are above rank 21."
"That's not what I asked." They look at you, slightly confused. "I don't judge a person on their looks, where they came from, or even what seat they are. All I care about is personality and likableness. So far you seem to be pretty cool, but drop the sir. My name is not sir, it is Hiroto."
"Yes si- Hiroto."
"I don't believe I caught your names, what are they?"
"My name is Adachi Gihei. This here is Tamaki Tadasu. This is Gima Shuzo. Last is Saki Kuwahara."
Adachi was tall and lean. He had dark blue hair, not unlike Soi Fon's, that was cropped short. His eyes were a teal color.
Tamaki was a bit shorter than Adachi was and a bit more on the muscular side. He had black hair that swept across his face, covering his blue eyes.
Gima was the shortest of the group and looked just as lean as Adachi. He had dark red hair that was also cropped short and brown eyes.
Finally Saki, the only girl in the group, was roughly the same height as Tamaki. She had long black hair that was pulled into a single ponytail, but allowed her bangs to hang forward just coming short of her eyes. Her eyes were a dark green. She also sported a small blush on her cheeks. Not another one...
"You introduced yourselves, it is only fair that I do the same." You stand up from your seat and face the group. "I am Hiroto Arinori. Now I assume that you wanted to ask me something?"
"Yes she does." Adachi spoke again. He must be the leader of their little group. "Saki?"
Saki steps forward and shuffled nervously on her feet. If she is going to ask you what you think she will, you're going to hate yourself for another rejection.
"Sir... Hiroto... I really like you... I... I would be honored if you would give me the chance to become your sparring partner."
Her face has lit up beyond all recognition. That is all she wants? To spar with you?
"You say that you like me."
"Y-yes."
"You do know that I am supposed to be getting married in a couple of months, right?"
"Yes."
"Just sparring, nothing else."
"Yes."
"Okay. I'm cool with having a partner. I will be harsh and unforgiving though. Training should, and will, be taken seriously."
"Understood. Thank you very much. At what time should we begin training?"
"I'm not too picky. Just come by my house when you want to spar. If I'm not there or I don't answer then I'm busy, but after Soi has the baby, I will be free whenever."
He face glows even more at the 'come by my house' comment.
"What about the rest of you?"
Gima speaks out this time. "We all train together. Saki doesn't quite fit in with the kind of training we do, so she proposed getting a different partner."
"I see. Well, in any case, I can't spar today, but starting tomorrow, and when you are ready, I will be waiting."
"Of course." Saki bows quickly, still sporting her blush, and leaves with the rest of her group. Interesting bunch of people.
...
"Kami I'm tired." You stretch widely as you lay in your bed, thinking about two girls. Obviously Soi Fon comes to mind. You were going to visit her tomorrow. Captain Unohana? Requested that age forego her duties for now and stay in the 4th division until the baby was born.
What is unusual is that you are thinking about Saki. She is very pretty, and she was very polite when you first met, but you wouldn't do anything to mess up your relationship with Soi Fon. Still, you find it odd that you are thinking about her at all.
Pushing your thoughts aside, you roll over and try to get some sleep, when out of nowhere you hear a knocking at your door. This better be good.
You groan and drag yourself to your feet and shuffle downstairs to the front door. Opening it, you are surprised to find...
"Saki?"
"I'm so very sorry to bother you at such a late hour. I... I couldn't talk to my friends about it..."
"Come in. Just sit on the couch, I'll go make some tea." You let a visibly shaken Saki inside before closing the door. You make your way to the kitchen and put some water in a kettle, placing it on the stove. You then join Saki on the couch, waiting for the water to boil.
"What's wrong Saki?"
"I've done something terrible Hiroto." She covers her face with her hands and starts to shake.
"Shh, calm down. What did you do?"
"I... I cheated."
"Cheated? On who?"
"On Adachi. He is so kind and a great guy, but I did it anyways."
"Who did you cheat on him with?"
"...You..." You didn't see that coming. How?...When?...
"How did you manage that? I don't remember doing anything inappropriate with you, and the last time I was drunk was when I first became a soul reaper. I stopped drinking after that night."
"I... I thought about you... and doing things with you..."
"As long as you don't do anything to act on it, that's not cheating."
"But I did!" She uncovers her face and looks up at you, slightly embarrassed. "I've done things. After we talked, I ran off and... you know... in my shower. I couldn't help myself. Just looking at you, even thinking about you makes my body get all hot. Even just sitting here with you I can feel myself growing hotter... Hiroto, I want you so bad. I need you."
You give her a look crossed between confusion and uncomfortableness. "Saki, I'm flattered. However, I do have a fiance. If I didn't, things might be different, I mean you are very pretty and a nice girl from what I can tell."
"I'm just so ashamed that I did that..."
"Hey, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Like I said, I'm flattered that you think of me like that, but I can't return your feelings."
She turns away and stares at the floor, her breath has become uneven and shaky. "What... what they don't know... won't hurt them..."
She barely speaks in a whisper and sits, frozen, awaiting your response.
"No Saki. I can't do that to Soi Fon, and you can't do that to Adachi."
"But-"
"No. If you ask me this again, I will not be your sparring partner. I do well enough on my own. I'm only doing this for your sake."
She looks ashamed once again. You feel bad that you made her feel that way, but you won't cheat on Soi Fon. "Can... can we be friends?..."
You smile at her, causing a deeper blush to erupt across her face. "Of course. I'm okay with being friends."
"Thank you Hiroto!" She throws herself at you latching her arms around your chest and burying her face in it. You awkwardly pat her head and she pulls away to look up into your face. "Hiroto, this means a lot to me. Thank you."
"Anytime. Now, will you be okay going home?"
"Maybe... I live at the barracks, so it's only twenty minutes away."
"...Come on." You heave a sigh and grab her hand, pulling her to her feet. She blushes again at the contact, but says nothing about it.
"Where are you taking me?"
"I have a spare room. Just get some sleep. It will help clear your head."
"Are you sure that's okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine." You drag her upstairs to the spare room. "My room is across the hall, so if you need anything just knock."
"Thank you..."
"No problem. Goodnight Saki."
"Goodnight Hiroto." You leave her and open the door to your room. Closing it behind you, you stretch yet again, and fall on your bed.
...
"Hiroto." You open your eyes and yawn. That was a peaceful sleep. "Hiroto." You turn your head and see Saki standing next to the bed.
"Good morning Saki." She gives you a blush. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. Thank you for letting me stay here."
"No problem."
"Do you think we could start our training today?"
"Yeah. Meet me at the training grounds in half an hour."
"Okay." She leaves the room, leaving you to change and eat breakfast. You set out for the training grounds after you finished.
Arriving at the barracks, you find some of the division members whispering and pointing at you. Ignoring them, you continue to the training grounds. You find Saki already there and a few other division members in the stands.
"I'm ready Hiroto."
"Good, then let's begin." You draw your zanpakuto and set yourself into a stance. You are about to take a step forward when a messenger appears before you.
"Mr. Arinori, Captain Unohana sent me to get you. Captain Fon is having her baby." Your eyes widen and you sheathe your zanpakuto.
"This will have to wait until later Saki. I have to go to Soi." You flash step for the 4th division as fast as you can.
...
This has been the longest wait if your life. You were standing outside of the room where Soi Fon was having her baby with Yoruichi. You kept pacing back and forth, both nervous and excited about what was happening beyond that door.
"Just relax Hiroto, everything will be fine. Captain Unohana wouldn't let anything hurt Soi or the baby."
"I know, but I can't help it. I'm going to be a dad. This child has their life in my hands. It's a lot to take in."
"You will be a great dad, and Soi will be a great mom, so stop your worrying. Besides, Aunt Yoruichi will be here."
"Yeah, that's a comforting thought." You roll your eyes at her and continue pacing. She just chuckles at you. Moments later, Captain Unohana exits the room with a smile on her face.
"Hiroto."
"Yes Captain Unohana."
"Everything is fine. Captain Fon is perfectly healthy, as well as your daughter."
"It's a girl!"
"Yes. Congratulations." You make your way past Captain Unohana and see Soi Fon laying on the cot with a bundle in her arms.
"Hiroto." She looks at you with a smile on her face. "She is so adorable." You smile back and make your way to her side. Her has silver hair just like yours and her eyes match Soi Fon's. "Have you thought of a name?"
You look over at Soi Fon. "No. I want you to name her."
"... Riri."
"It suits her. She is just like a flower."
You look at the baby girl in Soi Fon's arms and smile. Life was perfect.
...
-Four Years Later-
"Daddy!"
"What is it now Riri?"
"Mommy won't stop tickling me!" The little girl hides behind your legs and Soi enters the room with a grin on her face.
"Come on Soi, give the girl a break."
"But..."
"No buts, give her a break." She pouts at you, but turns and walks away anyways.
"Thanks daddy!"
"No problem kiddo. Go play outside for a while."
"Okay!" With a smile on her face, she runs outside to go have fun. You can't help but smile at that. It seems that not too long ago you were concerned about finding a girlfriend. Now you have a wife and kid. You are grateful that Riri will have someone to grow up with though. Ichigo and Rukia had a baby as well. A little boy named Shiro. Lieutenant Matsumoto had a lot of fun with that. She claimed that she now had two little Shiro's in her life.
You just hope that he can keep his hands to himself. Riri is not for messing with. She is your baby girl after all, and she always will be...
"Daddy?" Riri walked back inside the kitchen and looked up at you.
"I thought I told you to go play outside."
"But Shiro is here with Ichigo and Rukia.
"Why are they here?"
"They said they needed to talk to you."
"Let them in." Riri nods and turns around to walk out of the kitchen. You can hear the sound of a door opening and some small chatter. A minute later Riri comes back with Shiro and the others. Ichigo gives you a small wave, looking grim, and Rukia smiles.
"Hello Hiroto!"
"Hey Rukia. Hey Ichigo."
"Have you heard yet?"
"Heard what?"
"I guess not. Apparently while out on patrol on Karakura Town, a group stumbled upon an unconscious girl. She is a soul reaper too. She was brought back this morning."
You give Ichigo a discreet look, silently asking a question. He nods at you. You mentally sigh. They got Yuyu.
...
The three of you had gone to the living area and talked some more, letting Riri and Shiro play outside. It was nice to see that are having fun together, but this news about Yuyu was very important. Rukia leans forward to talk in a hushed voice.
"We came over as soon as we heard about it. From what I know from the SWA, Yuyu was a long lost childhood friend until recently."
"Yeah, she was. Do you have any idea why she is here?"
"There are three reasons I can think of, only one of them is good. First, she could be here to be placed into a division. Second, she could have been brought back to be imprisoned and questioned about her recent arrancar ally. Lastly is execution for betrayal."
"Sounds like the same thing that happened to me."
"Also, the Head Captain requests that you be present for the proceedings tomorrow at noon. He wanted us to inform you when we came here."
You sigh outwardly. "I figured as much."
"Hey, is it just me, or are Shiro and Riri holding hands?" Ichigo was turned around and looking out the window. You raise your head and look out the window and see both of the children sitting and holding hands.
You advert your gaze to the couple in front of you. "Shiro better not try anything."
"Geez Hiroto, they are 4 years old. What are they going to do at that age?" Ichigo laughs at you and you give him a mock glare.
Suddenly the front door bursts open and two very giggly children run into the room, one of them jumps at Ichigo and the other jumps at you.
"Daddy, can I go play with Shiro at his house?" You glance at Rukia with a questioning look.
"As long as Rukia and Ichigo says it is okay."
"We were about to leave anyways. You can come over and play with Shiro." Rukia gives Riri a smile, to which she responds with a large grin.
"Yay! Come on Shiro!" She hops off your lap and runs towards the door with Shiro in tow.
"Wait you two!" Ichigo runs after them leaving you and Rukia sitting alone while the latter laughs.
"Kids." You nod in agreement. "Well I'd better make sure the two of them don't get in trouble."
"Don't you mean three? I'm sure Ichigo is a handful."
Rukia laughs again at you. "I dis include Ichigo. Riri is always so polite and she does as she is told. I don't have to worry about her. See ya Hiroto."
"Later Rukia." She leaves, in pursuit after the three troublemakers. You smile. It's nice. No great evil trying to overthrow the soul society. No one plotting to kill you. Its just so very peaceful. You lean back and sigh, ready to nap the day away, when you hear a knocking at your door. Now who is here?
You get up and shuffle to the door. Opening it, you are surprised to find Captain Kuchiki standing there.
"Captain Kuchiki! This is a surprise! Please come in!" You quickly bow and move to the side, letting him in.
"I shall only be a moment. Do you remember my offer from some time ago?"
"Yes sir. You offered me the lieutenant spot of your division."
"I come to make the same offer to you."
"Sir? Don't you have a lieutenant?"
"She will be transferring due to her unorthodox workplace habits."
"Sir?"
"She insists on having her desk filled with framed photos of myself and proclaims her love for me daily."
"Oh... sir I appreciate the offer, but once again I must decline."
"For the same reasons?"
"Yes sir."
"I do believe that you now have a new family, one that is must more important. You won't be taken away from this one by accepting my offer."
"Sir I..."
"I await your answer. I'll give you the rest of today to decide." He turns to leave before stopping at the door. "Hiroto. Love will not be dissolved with something like a division change. The bonds will always be there. I will not prohibit you from being with your friends, so long as it doesn't affect your work. I am giving you the chance to rise up to a better place. You will be able to support your family better and you will still have time for them. You are the only one I can find who is an acceptable candidate for this position. I will not think different of you if you decline again, but this is my last offer." He walks away after finishing his speech, leaving you to think.
...
"Of course you should accept his offer! Are you crazy!" Soi Fon is currently sitting on your bed as you change into your sleeping clothes. "It's wonderful that you are being promoted!"
"I can't just leave the 11th division though Soi. This is my family. I've been here since the beginning. I can't just leave."
"Hiroto, I understand that you want to stay, but this is a great opportunity. You will be part of the 26 that are considered the best soul reapers alive. You shouldn't take this lightly."
"I'm not taking it lightly, I just don't want to leave my friends."
"Hiroto. What do you want to do? Do you really want to turn away Byakuya's offer again? I'm with you no matter what you choose, but remember that Riri and I won't leave. Friends come and go, but we will always be here."
"Yeah, I know..." You get into the bed and curl up next to Soi Fon. "Goodnight Soi."
"Goodnight Hiroto."
...
It has come to my attention that a soul reaper has been spotted in the soul society. She was then brought in for questioning. Bring forward the girl." The Head Captains voice booms across the 1st division hall. You are standing behind Captain Kuchiki fiddling with your lieutenants badge. Yeah, you took the job.
Honestly the only real difference is dealing with nicer people and more paperwork. All in all its not a bad job. Captain Kuchiki is pretty strict on a more than a few things however. Kami forbid you ever chew bubble gum loudly again.
You had decided to wrap the lieutenants badge around your neck. It was the most comfortable and a very easily visible position.
You look towards the doors which had been opened and had three figures walking through.
The first was Yuyu, her hands are bound in chains and she is being dragged along. The other two wore masks and were dragging Yuyu. They stopped before the Head Captain and the two guards left the room with a bow.
"You are the girl?"
"Yes sir."
"What is your name?"
"Yuyu Fujimoto."
"Very well. Yuyu Fujimoto, do you know why you were brought back here? Do you know why you wear those chains?"
"I left the soul society against my will, so because you guys are so nice to people who have been brainwashed, you drug me back here and threatened to kill me... sir." You roll your eyes at Yuyu. Why does she insist on doing something like that?
"You were brainwashed? Do you have any proof?"
"Everyone who was at the first fight with Vacio in the world of the living would know and can couch for me."
"I see. Those that participated in that fight, please step forward." You, along with Soi Fon step forward. "Is what she says true?"
"Sir, what I saw was undoubtedly some form of mind control. Once he had left her to die, the spell broke."
"Sir, the same can be said for me. She was under a spell of some kind."
"Very well. Captain Fon, who else was present for the battle?"
"Former captain of the 2nd division, Lady Yoruichi Shihoin, former captain of the 12th division, Kisuke Urahara, substitute soul reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki, and former captain of the 5th division, Shinji Hirako."
A few people looked sad at the mention of the late captain. "Very good then. I will have the others contacted for verification. Until then, you will be placed in a 2nd division holding cell. You are dismissed." He bangs his cane against the floor. The two guards file back in and lead Yuyu away to the 2nd division. You follow your captain back to his office.
"This needs to be delivered to the Head Captain." He hands you a small stack of papers before pulling an envelope out of his hakama. "I want you to give this to Captain Unohana." You bod and take the envelope from your captain. "The rest of the paperwork is finished so you may take the day off after you deliver these items."
You nod gratefully at the captain and take off to perform your given duties.
Your first stop was the Head Captain, or rather his lieutenant.
"Good afternoon Lieutenant Sasakibe." You walk up to the older man, handing him the stack of papers as he nods and smiles at you. "This is from Captain Kuchiki. He said they were for the Head Captain."
"I'll make sure he gets them."
"Thank you. Have a good day."
"Same to you." You wave back to him as you flash step towards the 4th division.
Arriving in the same manner as at the 1st division, you search for Captain Unohana before finding a random squad member.
"Excuse me, could you point me in the direction of Captain Unohana's office?" The man pointed down the hallway.
"Take a left at the end of the hall. It's the 2nd door on your right after that sir."
"Thank you." You quickly make your way to the captains office door and knock. "Captain Unohana?"
"Come in." You open the door and see Captain Unohana sitting behind her desk, drinking tea from one of her special tea cups. "Oh, what a pleasant surprise, please come in Hiroto. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"No thank you Captain Unohana. I actually just came to deliver this to you." You pull out the envelope and hand it to her. "It's from Captain Kuchiki." She hesitates slightly when you say your captains name but otherwise take the envelope.
"Thank you Hiroto. Are you sure you wouldn't like a cup of tea?"
"Perhaps tomorrow. I have the rest of the day off and I must visit Yuyu and then head home to Soi."
"Ahh, to be young and in love. Unfortunately, I'm past the dating age."
"Oh Captain you couldn't be year over 25." You five her a playful wink. She smiles at you.
"So kind. If Captain Fon hadn't already taken you, I'm sure I'd snatch you up in a minute."
"I'm flattered, Captain. I must be going now. Have a nice day." You smile and wave as you leave.
"Remember tea tomorrow. At three."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." You call back to the captain as she reminds you about tea time tomorrow. Now, it is time to talk to Yuyu.
...
"I told you, I got really tired after killing a bunch of hollows so I went to take a nap under a tree. When I woke up, I had these chains wrapped around my hands and some soul reapers were pulling me towards a Senkaimon. It's not like I planned to be caught."
You sigh at Yuyu and lean back in your chair. "Really? You know for a fact that the soul society doesn't like it when a soul reaper goes 'rouge' which is exactly what you are, willing or not. I thought that you might have had enough common sense to not fall asleep where anyone with spiritual awareness could see you."
"Like I said, I was tired. It's not fault that protecting souls is physically taxing."
"But it is your fault that you fell asleep under the tree."
"Details. Anyway, how have you been?"
"Good." You are slightly put off by her nonchalant attitude towards being held prisoner. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. You know Soi Fon stopped by earlier?"
"I would hope so. She is the captain of the 2nd division. You are, technically speaking, her prisoner."
"Cool." The conversation went nowhere from there.
"Okay then, I have to go pick up Riri. I'll see you when your 'fate' is decided." You chuckle lightly at your own joke and make to leave before being stopped by Yuyu.
"Who is Riri?"
"My daughter." Yuyu didn't respond. She kept quiet and let you finish your walk.
...
"Daddy!"
"Hey there kiddo. Did you have fun with grumpy old Ichigo?" Ichigo glares at you.
"Hey, I'm not old! I'm only 19!"
"Rukia, doesn't that make you a cradle robber?" Ichigo's glare turns into a laugh and Rukia tales her turn at glaring.
"Yeah, I had lots of fun! Ichigo gave me piggyback rides!" You look up at Ichigo who was mumbling something about unfair use of puppy dog eyes.
"Well I'm Glad you had fun. Let's go home now. Mommy is making dinner."
"Okay! Bye Rukia. Bye Ichigo. Bye Shiro."
...
"After the input of the other three people involved in the first Vacio incident, I have decided to release Yuyu Fujimoto. She will be tested in a weeks time for division placement. You are all dismissed." The loud bang of the Head Captain's cane granted leave of everyone and Yuyu's freedom.
You walk over to Soi Fon. "So what should we do now?" The soul society was at rest, Yuyu was free, and you didn't have to worry about anymore unexpected surprises.
'Don't count on it.'
You look around, confused as to what you just heard. That... that was... no it couldn't have been. You wave off the thought and return your gaze to Soi Fon who gives you a smile.
"How about a walk."
You smile at her. Maybe there will be some unexpected surprises. Even your heart wants a walk.
"Sounds great." She smiles back, grabbing your hand as she does. You both stroll out of the 1st division, happy at what life had given you. Another walk with your heart.