Trial of Fire

Epilogue
Leadership

50 yrs later........

Kinomi smiled slightly as she looked out over the expanse that was the moonlit sand of Hueco Mundo from her balcony. There was no false doom or sun covering this castle, although there was a large room that sported such a marvel and somehow included a large swimming pool and a beautiful garden among other such things.

Behind her there was a polite cough and she turned to see none other then Ulquiorra standing there, waiting patiently for her to acknowledge him.

Nothing could have prepared her for when the three former espada had shown up to offer their services, although she suspected Szayel was only interested in getting a free lab and Nnoitra just wanted to spar endlessly with her brother, who’s heirro was a match for his own.

What Ulquoirra got out of this arrangement she had no clue, but he had shown up nonetheless with the other two and made one hell of a good retainer as well as being more than willing to fill her in on the unwritten laws of Hueco Mundo.

In many ways he was as much a teacher to her as Ukitake, Grimmjow, Kenpachi or Hisagi had been to her over the years of her life.

“Yes, what is it?” She asked.

“Reina-sama and Barbo-sama have just arrived from Los Vida.” He answered.

Kinomi smiled as she left her private room, Ulquiorra falling into step behind her. A smile covered her face as she walked passed the nursery, which was kept in the most secure location of the castle. A few of the children were playing happily and she paused to watch them before continuing on her path.

After stabilizing Las Tardes many of the woman and their children that had fallen prey to Aizen’s whims had somehow ended up here, no doubt to escape the torment their children suffered through daily back in Soul Society for being half breeds. Surprisingly one or two of the Shinigami posted here ended up falling for their hollow working buddies and as a result more kids started popping up.

“Somehow I doubt this is what Central 46 intended to happen.” Kinomi chuckled to herself. “Have the representatives from Las Noches or Los Dias arrived yet?” She asked.

“No. I am sure we will know when Grimmjow and Nel-sama arrive.”

Kinomi chuckled. Of course they would know. Ichigo was already here and nothing got between her Otousan and Otooji when a good fight was involved.

“And the representatives from Soul Society?”

“Scheduled to arrive in two hours.”

She nodded again.

“Kinomi-sama.” Hurón bowed as she entered the main chamber.

Her second retainer. While Ulquiorra dealt with all of the supplies and details of running Las Tardes, Hurón dealt with all the scheduling and dealing with the local hollows.

“Reina-chan, Barbo-kun.” Kinomi greeted her friends with a smile as she came down into the main foyer.

Her two friends stood before her, their own retainer and son standing behind them. Kinomi looked at Gin, pleased to note his hair was once again its proper silver and trimmed, a wide smile was on his face and a hint of light in his eyes as opposed to the dead life that had been in them fifty years ago after their battle with Akusesshou.

Barbo and Reina’s son also stood proper, and Kinomi spared a grin for the young boy before escorting her friends into one of the sitting rooms, tea being served to them as they caught up on what they had been up to over the last twenty years.

“You regret leaving the Kuchiki estate?” Kinomi asked in one break.

“No.” Reina admitted. “It is far more enjoyable to run my own estate.”

“I think you just enjoy ruling a palace as a queen.” Kinomi chuckled.

“Perhaps.” Reina admitted with a small smile and a sip of her tea.

Kinomi chuckled as they continued to catch up. Hurón entered an hour later to kneel before her and report that the representatives from Soul Society had arrived. Kinomi bade him to let them enter and rose to her feet to meet Yachiru in a big hug.

Yachiru was followed by Hitsugaya Fuyuzora, Kinomi nephew, son of Hitsugaya Toshiro and Hitsugaya Karin.

“Zora-kun.” Kinomi greeted him warmly.

“Hi, Obachan.” Zora greeted her before shuffling his feet nervously.

“How did you manage to get permission to come?” She asked.

“I asked Okaasan and she said I could come, even though Otousan looked about ready to object.” The six year old answered.

“I heard Dion-kun is down in Hinamori’s garden.” Kinomi commented. “Why don’t you head on down to see him? I believe Azul-chan should be here shortly.” She smiled slyly.

Zora was quickly out the door, almost running over the last person to have entered, Hisagi-fukutaichou of the 9th.
Kinomi shared a quick hug with her former teacher and even paused to run her fingers down the sheath of his Zanpakuto and say a greeting to Kazeshini.

“He says hi.” Hisagi commented.

“Say hi for me.” Kyattsuai commanded.

“Kyattsuai returns the greeting.” She smiled.

“So who are we waiting on?” Yachiru demanded.

“The representatives from Los Dias haven’t arrived yet, but knowing them they should be here shortly.”

“If they can get Galgo out of bed on time you mean.” Taka chuckled.

Kinomi and the others joined them in the laugh.

“And we are still waiting on Grimm-ji and Nel-chan from Las Noches” Kinomi answered.

Kinomi frowned as the loud sound of Kyattsuai purring suddenly started to echo rather loudly in her mind.

“?” She sent.

“Oh, sorry.” Kyattsuai sent back rather distantly, and then the purring phased out until it was gone, but she got the feeling that Kyattsuai had just blocked her out, not stopped.

“Strange.” She thought, then just shrugged it off.

The door opened and she looked up to see Ulquiorra enter, shortly before the feeling of two powerful reiatsu’s clashing reached their senses.

“I take it the representatives from Las Noches are here.” She smiled.

“Hai, Kinomi-sama.” He answered.

“Please tell me they are at least outside.”

“I will make sure of it.” He assured her before bowing his way out.

“Oh, Grimm-chan and Ichi-chan are fighting.” Yachiru cheered before disappearing in a flash of Shunpo to go watch the fight.

“Shall we?” Kinomi gestured for the now open door.

“Cold day in hell before I miss watching that.” Taka declared, chasing after Yachiru with a Sonido.

“I will decline for now. Hurón-san, will you please do the honors of escorting my family to our quarters.” Reina requested of the Vasto Lorde retainer.

“It would be my pleasure.” He bowed, leading her and her family away.

“You are dismissed for now Gin.” Reina waved him off.

He bowed with a smile and followed the rest of them to watch the fight between Grimmjow and Ichigo.



“Kurosaki-kun, Grimmjow-san.” Orihime sighed as she patched the two men up.

The rest of the representatives had arrived by the time the two men were done ripping each other to shreds.
When it had come time for their human friends and family to pass over, Ichigo had gone to do the Konso. They had reappeared in Soul Society at the prime of their lives with their powers still intact, at least in most cases.

Rumour had it that Ikkaku-taichou had taken an interest in the fiery Tatsuki, who was now a seated officer in the 6th, and Kinomi couldn’t wait to get Yachiru alone to learn more about how that was going as well as the rumored growing relation ship between her friend and the taichou of the 5th.

Being over here news was slow to travel. Little Hanabi was already three by the time she had learned Yourichi and Kisuke had a daughter who apparently loved to visit Karin and run circles around Kurotsuchi-tiachou.

Ishida had never arrived after his Konso, apparently jumping right back into the circle of life. Urahara figured it was because there were so few quincy souls left that he had quickly been tossed back into the circle to help bring back the warriors.

They had looked for his soul and eventually found it in a rather excitable boy who was almost the exact opposite of what Ishida had been before. Since he was reborn he had none of his memories so they stayed away, checking up only on occasion to make sure all was fine with him.

It had hurt Orihime a bit, but she got over it quickly after they found out how happy he was in his next life and she had all of her friends here. Kinomi still wasn’t exactly sure how Orihime had ended up at Las Tardes, but shortly after crossing over she had shown up here and here she remained, working with Hinamori and Szayel on the plant project and running the medical clinic.

Karin, like Ichigo, shed her mortal body in a sense and her soul embraced the Shinigami part of her heritage. She was happily married to Toshiro now and took Matsumoto’s place as his Fukutaichou. So far Zora-kun was an only child but they were apparently trying for more.

Yuzu had not inherited the Shinigami part of their mixed souls, and Ichigo and Karin went to do her Konso together. She was now an assistant at the 4th. Their father had returned as an instructor at Shinoreijutsuin after Yuzu had passed over, for there was nothing to tie him down in the living world any longer and whatever event had placed him there had apparently been forgiving.

Once everything had become stabilized and set up in Las Tardes search parties had gone out in search of the other two palaces. Both had been deserted and after a long meeting they had divided up to run each place and the equipment required to monitor Hueco Mundo’s stability.

Reina, Barbo, Akata and Gin had taken Los Vida. Zan, Leon, Galgo, Nnoitra and Nemu from the 12th, to run and monitor the equipment, had taken Los Dias. Las Noches remained under Grimmjow and Nel’s command with another representative from the 12th, Akon she was sure, to run the monitoring equipment.

Las Tardes had become a city unto itself over the years under her command. Now it was full of the women who had suffered at Aizen’s decree and the children they had been forced to bear who were ostracized from pretty much anything in Soul Society due to their mixed heritage.

In fact only the HMK’s ever went to, let alone completed, Shinoreijutsuin. So when the Garganta had been opened to shuttle through the equipment most of the women came through with their children and some of their mates for those that had them.

Of the parents of the HMK’s themselves only Matsumoto and Ggio dropped their duties and came here, mostly because Ggio insisted on following Reina. That caused a bit of dived when Reina went to one city while Leon went to another.

In the end the two became ‘couriers,’ traveling between the four cities to deliver messages and supplies. It had been Reina’s idea and she had informed Ggio she no longer required his services and he was free to do what he willed, like worry about his own family for starters.

Another rumour had it Ggio had taken the time to get to know his own son a bit better, no doubt under the ever watchful eye of his wife and for once in his life Leon wasn't feeling like a third wheel in his own family.

As for the rest of their parents, they remained at their post and their jobs with the exception of Kinomi’s own parents, who had become the representatives for the ‘earth forces’ stationed permanently in the living world with her father officially accepting the position as fukutaichou of the 13th under Ukitake-taichou.

Ever since people like Chad, Orihime and Tatsuki had started shown up Urahara had found more and more humans with strange gifts and had been working with them to form a sort of Substitute Shinigami Squad, with Ichigo and Rukia acting as their leaders.

Most were just mystics, sensitive to spirits and able to find them. They were very helpful in locating spirits to help send on their way and locating problem hollows and even some other nasty creatures that had previously been under the Shinigami radar.

Finally the two men were put back together again and Kinomi broke out of her musings as they all retired to the meeting hall to give and collect their reports. Of course Reina had insisted it be done to proper protocol ages ago and somehow, even after she took over her own palace, the procedure had remained.

Kinomi sat in the throne of Las Tardes, Szayel standing to her left with Taka to her right. Azucena, Hinamori and Hurón were already seated at their places at the large table as Ulquiorra announced each group of representatives.

It was rather silly to be doing this, but tradition had become tradition and for those standing silently to the sides who wished to witness the official meeting it was an impressive display.

“Announcing the representatives from Las Noches, Neliel Tu Odershvank-sama, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques-sama,” a slight tick most would not have noticed unless they knew him very well accompanied that name and title, “and their daughter Azul Kyattsuai Jeagerjaques.”

The three waltzed into the room, Grimmjow tossing her a half salute with a wide grin while a pregnant Neliel and their daughter Azul just waved happily before Azul bowed her way out to go find something more exciting then watching the adults talk (which would no doubt involve Zora, Dion and trouble).

"Szayel had better have locked his lab doors this time. The last time Azul-chan and Dion-kun got in there it took four weeks to air the stench out of Las Tardes." She thought.

“Announcing the representative from the living world, Kurosaki Rukia-san and Kurosaki Ichigo-fukutaichou of the 13th.”

Her mother and father walked in, her father strutting while her mother retained the noble bearing she had been raised with at the Kuchiki manner. They took their places at the table, Grimmjow and Ichigo placed at opposite ends of their wives from each other.

“Announcing the representatives from Soul Society, Kusajishi Yachiru-fukutaichou of the 11th and Hisagi Shuuhei-fukutaichou of the 9th.”

Yachiru bounded into the room full of the energy she never did lose, followed by the more refined entrance of Hisagi. Kyattsuai was purring in her mind again until Kinomi asked her to tone it down a bit. Kyattsuai pouted, but did drop the sound a bit at least.

Zora didn’t bother coming in, but did toss a wave her way from the door before Azul pulled him away. Kinomi caught a waft of pink hair and golden eyes she knew belonged to Dion, who had apparently been waiting in the hall for his friends. Hinamori frowned at her youngest son before just sighing and tossing his father a frustrated glance as if it was his fault their son hadn't stayed where he had been told.

“Announcing the representatives from Los Vida, Kuchiki Reina Ruizenban-sama, Kuchiki Barbo Halibel-sama, their son Kuchiki Rio Halibel, and Kotetsu Akataiyou-san, head of research.”

The four of them walked in with all the bearings of a Noble Family, although Akata hung back a little bit. Like Grimmjow’s daughter Rio excused himself after the introduction, only instead of a ‘later Kinomi-bachan’ it was a ‘please excuse my presence from this important meeting, but I fear I have little to contribute at this time.’ Totally his mothers boy all right.

“Announcing the representatives from Los Dias, Comillo Zangetsu Jeagerjaques-sama,” another small twitch at the name, “Leon Vega-san, Kyuusoku Galgo-san, and Kurotsuchi Nemu-fukutaichou of the 12th.”

Once everyone was seated the meeting began. Nemu took the notes as most of them would be heading for Kurotsuchi-taichou’s desk anyway, at least in regards to the stabilizing of the realm, which was going very slowly.

Szayel and Hinamori reported that the effort to grow food here was going splendidly and the new crop the two had come up with seemed to draw even more of the spiritual energy out of the air than the last crop and as such was so rich spiritual energy that the hollows in the city were able to consume it to satisfy their hunger.

Their were talks of spreading the newest batch of seeds to some of the small villages that had slowly reformed as well as being able to stabilize the few Adjucas who had escaped Akusesshou’s purging.

The poor beast were caught in a rather nasty snag where they were required to eat each other to not only continue to evolve, but to stop from devolving, but there were so few left that even if they picked one of them to eat all the others he would still run out of food and eventually devolve.

Most, the ones closest to or at their peeks, arrived at Las Noches or Las Tardes to deliberately have their masks broken, or eaten as is the common hollow term, to save themselves from such a horrible fate, for once they regressed back to a mindless menos they could never become an adjucas again.

The crops Hinamori and Szayel had come up with over the years were able to sustain the adjucas at their current level, Rata being the prime example and resident test subject. Best of all the current batch of crops seemed to be able to raise his levels, all be it far slower then had he consumed another adjucas but it was a start and helped to at least stabilize the adjucas who had a long way to go before reaching their peeks.


Kinomi stood atop the highest tower point of Las Tardes after the long meeting, once more looking out over the moon lit desert sands. The meeting and dinner and all other such social requirements had been met and fulfilled.
Everyone had retired to their chambers for the evening to get some rest, but her mind was still swirling over the meeting. A side effect of finding herself in command and ruler of a whole city.

“I never thought I would become a ruler. Technically I out rank Byakuya-ji now.” She chuckled to herself.

In the hollow world the one who sat on the throne was king, or in her case queen, of their region. So now a quarter of Hueco Mundo was ruled by a shinigami, one highly respected by the denizens. Few had dared to challenge her for her right to rule and those few were once more apart of the circle of life.

Kyattsuai seemed to be vibrating in her mind again and she sighed in frustration. The zanpakuto had been doing it all day since Hisagi, or more accurately Kazeshini, had arrived.

She felt a presence behind her and turned to see the shinigami behind her, having just reached the roof. Ever since their assignment here Hisagi and Yachiru had been the representatives to come get their reports. Yachiru because she wanted to see the two other chicks in the 11th, for technically Kinomi and Taka still held the 4th and 3rd seats despite their assignments being way out here. Hisagi she wasn’t sure what brought him out here.

“It’s because Kazeshini doesn’t give him a moments rest until he agrees.” Kyattsuai answered her unspoken question.

“Ah. Seems a bit mean to me.”

"Payback never is pretty." Kyyatsuai pointed out.

Kinomi couldn't find an argument for that one.

Apparently Zanpakuto could have relationships as well she had slowly been learning, and neither one had been happy with the separation.

“Hisagi-fukutaichou.” She acknowledged once he had approached her.

“Kinomi-san.” He greeted. “My apologies for disturbing you.”

“No need. I got a feeling the one who should really be apologising is Kazeshini.” She smiled softly.

He seemed surprised by her deduction, but gave a nod of his head.

“Spar. Please?” Kyattsuai purr-pleaded in her mind.

“Spoiled cat.” Kinomi chuckled at her zanpakuto.

“Well, neither one of us will get any rest if we don’t give them what they want and as usual I enjoy our work outs.”

He nodded in agreement before taking a few steps back and drawing Kazeshini. Kinomi smiled and drew Kyattsuai in one hand and her sheath with the other, missing ‘tera but content to fight this way as Ikakku had taught her so long ago.

“Hitonomi, Kyattsuai.”

“Kare, Kazeshini.”

They had duelled and trained together for a long time, so Kinomi was more than ready for when one of the twin bladed kusarigama came spinning towards her, the chain stretched out behind it.

She batted it aside with Kyattsuai, a feeling of elation rushing through her as her Zanpakuto resonated with Hisagi’s, something she was use to as it had been happening since she was still a student and he a rather unwilling instructor at Yumi-taichou’s command.

A look of surprise flashed across his face, but he recovered quickly and was able to bring the 2nd twin bladed kusarigama around to parry her counter. Again she felt the flash of glee coming from Kazeshini as the blades cross.
He jumped back, giving them some distance and stared at his Zanpakuto. Kinomi paused, realizing something was up.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“Nothing.” He denied, getting into his stance again.

Shrugging, she followed suit and they continued to spar. Through out the duel he seemed disturbed, but otherwise was no longer distracted by whatever it was that had him confused.

Each time Kyattsuai clashed with Kazeshini she felt the others Zanpakuto’s joy at being used and acknowledged as the weapon of pure beauty he was, and Kinomi thought the Zanpakuto’s Shikai form was pure beauty.

Like death defined Kazeshini was built for highly skilled combat and Hisagi was very skilled in the use of the complicated weapon. Kazeshini was now a far cry from the depressed blade she remembered back the first time their blades had resonated.

She wondered what his spirit form looked like, but it was exceptionally rude to ask such a thing and the only glimpses she had ever gotten from the blade was a set of intense yellow eyes that reminded her of an eagle ready to stoop on its prey.

Hisagi was not like Kenpachi-taichou or Ikakku-taichou, so the sparing match had remained such and when they worked themselves through to the point their Zanpakuto’s were happily sated, they were out of breath but not a bloody mess.
They rested as they regained their breath, Hisagi looking at Kazeshini in confusion, and Kinomi was pleased to note the Zanapakuto was still in Shikai form, another marked difference from the earlier days when he was quick to reseal his Zanpakuto as soon as he could.

“Something wrong?” She asked again.

“Perhaps.” He admitted.

“I think he is confused about kyoumei.” Kyattsuai chuckled in her mind.

“?” She sent back.

“Kazeshini’s wielder is still adjusting to trusting him completely, so this is the first time we have played that his mental defences were down enough to catch the vibrations. He is confused.” Kyattsuai explained, a soft purring in her voice.

“Oh.” She said out loud, chuckling lightly and drawing her companions attention. “This is the first time you have felt it?”

The look he sent her silently asked her to explain more.

“When our Zanpakuto clashed, you could feel a bit of what Kyattsuai was feeling, couldn’t you?”

“Yes.” He admitted, surprise in his voice.

“I got use to it a long time ago.”

“You what?” He asked shocked.

“Remember way back when Yumi-taichou made you spar with me to help me learn how to duel wield, and I made that comment about how sad Kazeshini seemed?”

“Yes.” He admitted slowly.

“I knew how Kazeshini felt because of kyoumei. Otousan told me about kyoumei since Zangetsu has resonated with both Kenpachi-taichou’s zanpakuto and Hyourinmaru he knew all about it.

“Anyway, Kazeshini and Kyattsuai have been resonating since that duel, so I got use to getting flashes from him. He seems a lot happier now then he was back then.” She smiled.

He looked at his blades again, than got up and held one of the twin bladed kusarigama towards her. Understanding what he wanted she tapped Kyattsuai against the offered kusarigama.

There was a flash of feeling, contentment she figured, as the blades tapped each other. He looked from his blade to her in surprise. Before more could be said however the full force of Taka’s reiatsu slammed against hers.

It was not a battle ready reiatsu as would have been normal had she been in combat or training, but one full of so much panic and loss that Kinomi found herself flashing through he halls of Las Tardes with her Shunpo before she even realized she had moved.

In the main meeting room was Taka, a look of pure horror on her face. Galgo looked shocked and the other HMK’s had various looks of disbelief on their faces. The rest of her troops came bursting into the room as well and all eyes focused on the one person who should not have been in Hueco Mundo.

“Soi Fon-taichou.” Kinomi acknowledged, dimly aware of Hisagi appearing beside her as his own Shunpo caught up to her. “What do we owe the honor of your visit?”

“This evening the 4th division was attacked.” Soi Fon answered.

Kinomi felt a twinge of fear in her gut. Who would want to attack the medical division?

“Ukitake-taichou was admitted at the time and sharing a room with Rinascita when the attack occurred.”

“Are they alright?” Kinomi quickly asked, worried for her best friends sister and her old teacher; the man who always had a kind smile for them and candy somewhere on his person he would foster off on them without taking no for an answer.

“Stark was also there, but it appeared he was unable to be unsealed before the assault and is also injured.” Soi Fon continued. “When the others arrived he was unconscious and there were no signs of Ukitake-taichou or Rinascita. Stark just came to a few hours ago and told us….”

“They were taken through the Jigoku no Monko.” Taka interrupted, tears threatening to spill at the thought of her little sister being dragged to Hell.

Kinomi felt her heart stop at the statement.





That is the end, there is no more, at least of this fic. I have a waiver here that firmly states I am in no way, shape, and or form evil and that this is a perfectly Hollywood acceptable end to a story......

I have yet to name part 3, I am thinking of calling it Jigoku no Monko, where Kinomi and a select team will go through the gate and into hell to rescue Rina-chan and Uktiake. Part 3 will predominately feature Kinomi, Hisagi and Ukitake as the main POV's. It is not yet complete, almost, but not yet and I would like to complete it before posting so it may take a few days or a week to see it go up.

Can anyone guess who the father of Hinamori's youngest son, Dion, is?

The request fic, still dubbed as B2.5, is in the works and well be posted once I am finished it. I tried to fit as many of your request in as I could that worked with what I got going with this universe. It will mainly feature the cannon characters. So far it mostly focuses on Karin and Yachiru's POV and will be posted once I am done so look forward to that.


I would love to give huge hugs to
Kazes
7dragons7
animeiangelsisters
MOF&F

for all your support and correspondences through out the story.

I would also like to thank everyone who took the time to review and hope to see you all for part 2.5 and 3 once they are posted.