Exiled

Love:

Three Months Later:

Kariuzu stood on the edge of a cliff, she felt the wind blowing past her, as she stood there. She could feel the slight chill from the air with the closing in one winter. She looked back at her new home before she looked back at the setting sun. She felt the peace of her new land, the silence of the world here. But her heart was heavy, Ichigo had told her the Shinji had requested a leave of absence. And disappeared into the World of the Living. Only his lieutenant had spoken to him, but that was all. She apparently didn't know where he was, according to Toshiro. She grumbled to herself. She didn't blame him for not telling her he was leaving, after there last conversation all those months ago. She hadn't given him much to work with. She just knew she couldn't keep breaking her own heart for him. She had loved him for so long, and missed him, ached for him. She still did, her heart seemed to feel empty without him. But she couldn't force herself.

"Damnit, Shinji." She muttered, turning back to her house and making the walk back, with a heavy heart. She walked into the empty house and sighed. Until the presence made itself known, and she could feel how he seemed to completely fill the rooms with his very presence. She ran into her front room and found him, standing next to a window, staring out at the sunset. He wore regular clothes, not his soul reaper robes. His hands were in his pockets as he leaned with his shoulder against the wall. From where he stood he would've been able to watch her walking back.

"What are you doing?" She asked, finally breaking the torturous silence. Her voice seemed to echo in the empty halls of her home.

"I came to apologize to you." His voice still sounded so sad. He finally turned and looked at her. His eyes seemed to hold the weight of the world, but he still looked better then he had.

"For what?" She asked, sitting in one of her chairs, and he strolled forward, sitting on the edge of the table that was placed in front of her.

"For how I treated you when you returned. For how much blame I put on you. For how I let my own problems with everything affect you and your life." He explained, his voice soft. "I've never been very good at loving myself, even when I was younger, and I looked to you to fill that by loving me. I realized how you must've felt, if I couldn't love myself, how could I possibly love you the way you deserved." He explained and he sighed, leaning back on the table.

"I know some of the things I said, and the way I behaved was so out of line," he added, "I'm disgusted with myself and my behavior, I put so much pressure on you, and it wasn't fair."

"I-uh" she shuddered out, unsure of what she should say.

"You don't have to say anything, Kariuzu." He began, and he knelt down in front of her, touch her cheek as he caressed her cheek. "I know you need time, and I will give you that. But I love you so much." He finished, and he leaned forward pressing his lips to hers gently and standing. 

His slender frame passing by her with ease as she stared at the spot he had previously sat. She wasn't sure how to react or how to respond, she could hear his footsteps as they closed in on the door, even heard the slight squeak as the door opened, but she couldn't move. What was she supposed to say, or do? What should she do? Should she stop him? Should she let him leave? She was used to being without him, but she had missed him. She was used to feeling alone. If she was going to do something, she needed to do it now. But she heard the quiet click of her door as it shut, and it spurred her. She jumped from her seat and ran to her door, flinging it open, but she couldn't see him. He had vanished from her land and she was alone again. She sank to the floor of her porch and sighed, glancing at the watch on her arm and scrambled up, rushing upstairs to change into her new outfit as she hurried out and flash stepped to her brother's. 

She arrived with the others, the yard had been decorated beautifully, but flowers and ribbon, she looked on in awe, it was remarkable how everyone had decorated this house so quickly. She walked up the pathway and could see all the others, dressed remarkably as they mingled waiting for showtime. She went forward and up the stairs, where she knocked gently on the door. 

"Come in." Her voice was light and a little shaky. Kariuzu walked in and saw a magnificent sight in front of her. Karin was dressed lightly, her dress was off white, and long, flowing past her legs and hugging her curves. Her raven black hair was pinned up, a few strands falling in her face.

"Oh, Karin you look beautiful," Kariuzu said, looking at her beautiful niece as Yuzu stepped forward, adding a stunning white lily to her hair. 

"Toshiro is going to be stunned." Yuzu clapped with a big smile. 

"I can't believe you are getting married!" Kariuzu smiled, as she stepped fully into the room, shutting the door.

"I can't believe it either," Karin muttered as she wrung her hands in front of her. Kariuzu chuckled as she came forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. 

"Don't worry about anything, Karin. Toshiro loves you." Kariuzu supplied. 

"Does he?" Karin muttered. 

"Of course he does, silly." Yuzu said looking stunned.

"I've seen the look he gives you, Karin. He loves you." Kariuzu added. 

"And I mean you guys have been together for so long, it's about time you get married." Yuzu continued. 

"How long have you guys been together?"

"We met when I was 11, in the World of the Living. And we were best friends, even as I grew up. I was in a car accident when I was 35 and was sent straight here thanks to Ichigo. And we just came back together. So we've been dating for 13 years." Karin surmised. 

"That is a long time." Kariuzu laughed as a knock sounded. 

"Karin, Yuzu, its time. Everyone is already waiting." The voice sounded through the door. 

"Look like its showtime. I'm gonna head down." She touched Karin's shoulder again and smiled at her, "Everything is going to be perfect." Kariuzu squeezed her shoulder before heading out the door and rushing to the backyard, where she took her seat, beside Ichigo. Toshiro stood at the archway, dressed in a nice black suit, he too was wringing his hands with nerves.

--

The ceremony went without a hitch, and Toshiro had gotten teary eyes as Karin walked to him, and they had declared their love before all of them, while Shunsui declared them wed. It had been beautiful and Isshin had sobbed loudly, as he thanks his late wife for the blessing of his beautiful daughter and his old student for the beautiful marriage. Kariuzu had smiled beautifully for it all. But her heart was still playing with her, aching for Shinji as she sat so still. The party afterward was rambunctious, filled with laughter and sake. Rangiku had danced lovingly with Shuhei and Yuzu with Jinta. Isshin had held his sister as they danced with the others. Ichigo had brazenly kissed his wife deeply as they danced. And Ikkaku had unwittingly announced to everyone he was in love with Yumichika who had blushed violently as their captain Zaraki had laughed and slapped them both on the back. But Kariuzu simply missed Shinji. She had never thought of marriage as such a peaceful and gorgeous thing, she'd never even considered even getting married, even with Shinji. All those years ago, when they were in perfect sync, it had never crossed her mind. She had never seen a reason in marriage at that time. 

She sighed as she walked slowly back to her home, the party finally coming to an end. Isshin had offered her the spare room, but she had refused and walked home. Enjoying the night breeze and the wonderful crescent moon and stars lighting her way. She decided to avoid her home, and walked back to her favorite spot on the edge of the cliff, taking a seat, her legs stretched out in front of her. She regretted not stopping Shinji in time. She regretted not kissing him harder. She regretted making him feel so guilty when she knew he was angry and hurt by her absence. She laid back looking at the sky, with a defeated sigh, letting her eyes close.