A/N: It's finally here, for better or worse – the final chapter! Yes, my friends, this is the end of my story (but I'm sure I'll be back with another one someday soon, don't worry! LOL). I really do hope you've all enjoyed it so far, and I hope this ending doesn't disappoint!

Disclaimer: For the twentieth time: I do not own Bleach!

After Life

Epilogue – The Beginning

Everyone had tagged it 'The Wedding of the Century' (which Ichigo found just a little ridiculous), but even he had to admit, it was nothing if not elaborate. He was fairly certain that all of Soul Society had turned out for the event.

The news of Ichigo's and Orihime's engagement spread like wildfire as soon as Rukia found out (which was the following afternoon, when she went to visit Orihime), and within days it seemed nearly everyone had offered their congratulations. And for several months, in addition to their usual work, the couple found themselves inundated with wedding decisions. Neither had ever realized how much work really went in to planning a wedding.

But Ichigo had decided it was entirely worth every moment of frustration as soon as he laid his eyes on Orihime that day.

Although, in truth, he was pretty happy even before that moment. The day before the wedding, Ichigo had been in his office, talking with Izuru and trying to wrap up a few things before his time off, when the door slid open and a voice from the past greeted his ears. Of course, by the time the voice had registered, it had been followed up with a solid kick to his jaw.

Izuru, never having met Isshin (or any other Kurosaki), had immediately drawn his sword, prepared to defend his Captain. Fortunately, Ichigo regained his senses and called him off before a real fight could break out.

When they had gotten around to talking, Isshin informed his son that Juushirou Ukitake had thought it would be nice for Ichigo and Orihime to have a few more familiar faces at their wedding. So he, along with a few others, had appealed to the Head Captain, and Yamamoto had agreed to allow several guests from the World of the Living, if only for two days (the day before and the day of the wedding).

So Isshin, along with Yuzu and Karin, had called Uryuu, Chad, and Tatsuki, and the group had joined Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihouin. Shinji had also been invited, but had politely declined – it seemed he had absolutely no desire to return to Soul Society, even for a wedding.

Orihime had been overjoyed to see Tatsuki and the others, and they talked for hours as Tatsuki followed Orihime around while she completed her duties for the day.

To everyone's immense surprise, Byakuya allowed them to hold the ceremony – and the reception – at the Kuchiki family home. The gesture was considered much more elaborate when the other surprise guests arrived. Apparently, Yoruichi had spread the word, because the Shiba siblings, along with Jidanbo, were there to greet them as well.

The ceremony itself went without a hitch, and everyone agreed it was absolutely beautiful. And the reception was everything that they had hoped it would be, as they mingled with their friends.

Near the end of the reception, Yamamoto made an announcement that stunned the newlyweds: his gift to them was a one-week vacation to the World of the Living. They could use it whenever they wished, as it had no expiration date.

After the reception, the large gathering dispersed, many taking a moment to wish the couple well as they left. Their special guests, who were staying in some available rooms in Squad Three, walked with them to their barracks. They bid their friends and family goodnight, knowing that in the morning they would have to return to the World of the Living.

When they slipped into their house that night, as Ichigo secured the door, Orihime asked, "When do you want to use our vacation?"

Ichigo looked over at her, pausing before he said, "I dunno…but, I do kind of think we should save it. I mean, we could go back with everyone tomorrow if you want, but I was thinking it might be more meaningful if we wait until we haven't seen them for a while."

Orihime smiled and nodded. "I was thinking that, too. Maybe we could save it for, say, when your sisters graduate high school – or college – or something big like that. That would make it extra-special!"

"Yeah, it would," Ichigo agreed. Their eyes held for a long moment, and Ichigo stepped up to his new wife, letting one finger trail along the edge of her kimono. "I know I said you look beautiful in this," he began, his voice heavy, "but it's time you took it off."

Orihime giggled and replied, "I would, but, I can't." She turned around slowly as she added, "It's tied too tight…I'm going to have to find someone to help me take it off."

Ichigo moved behind her, and there was a sharp tug against her waist a moment before the obi fell to her feet. "All you had to do was ask," Ichigo rumbled, his lips beside her ear, as his hands curved around her waist.

"Mm, but this is much more fun," Orihime replied as she leaned into his chest. She let the moan slip from her lips as his hands slid inside her kimono and met with bare skin.

His lips descended on her throat and she gasped as he licked, nibbled, and suckled teasingly. When he released her neck a moment later, he spun her around quickly and mercilessly shoved her kimono off of her, letting the expensive material fall to the floor.

He reached for her undergarments, and she caught his wrist lightly, clucking her tongue as though she were scolding him. "It's your turn," she said. Then she trailed her fingers up his extended arm, over the sleeve of his own traditional kimono.

He stood still as she disrobed him effortlessly, letting his eyes rove over her smaller form. Her hair was still up, her hairpins (which she now wore purely as mementos) gathered on one side to hold her hair out of her face. The slight curl that her hair had been given was still holding, and the loose strands framed her face elegantly.

When they were once again wearing even amounts of clothing, she danced her fingertips along his muscular chest and leaned in, pressing a kiss to his jaw. His control snapped at the simple gesture, and he planted his hands firmly on her hips, hauling her off of her feet. She squealed and wrapped her arms and legs around him automatically. When she realized what he'd done (and that he'd done it on purpose, of course), she laughed softly and pressed a kiss to his neck.

"Feeling impatient, Mr. Kurosaki?" she murmured teasingly as he moved forward.

"You'll be lucky if we make it to the bedroom before sunrise, Mrs. Kurosaki," Ichigo growled beside her ear.

Orihime held him tighter, pressing her breasts against his chest, as she breathed, "Say that again, Ichigo."

Her back met the wall a moment later and Ichigo pressed a hot kiss to the skin beneath her ear before he replied, "Like the sound of that, do you?"

"If you let me down, I could show you," Orihime offered, her hands curled over his strong shoulders as her legs tightened just a little around his hips.

"Later," he ground out, curving one arm around her waist and sliding the other down to her remaining article of clothing. "I'm not letting you down until I've had my way with you."

Orihime fidgeted slightly against him, grinding deliberately over his arousal and murmuring, "I need you, Ichigo…"

There was a tearing sound, and a slight pressure against one of her hips, and she was bare, covered only by the hot body that was pinning her to the wall. But she wasn't satisfied being underdressed, so even as his lips claimed hers, she adjusted her legs and used her feet to awkwardly remove the clothing that separated them.

His tongue plunged past her lips as his free hand lifted to massage one of her breasts. She moaned into his kiss, the fingers of one hand curling again in his hair, and her legs locked once more behind him. Since he really was feeling impatient, as his tongue reacquainted itself with her mouth, he released her breast to grasp her hip, and he plunged into her with one strong thrust.

Orihime gasped against his lips, tightening her hold on him as he began thrusting into her. She wasn't surprised at his eagerness – he'd had a familiar, hungry look in his eyes since they had said their vows – and she wasn't at all complaining. When she was being honest with herself, she could easily admit that she enjoyed making him lose control, like he was right then.

And she absolutely loved the way he made it up to her, without fail, every time.

So she let go, tearing her lips from his, and gasping his name as he plunged into her over and over again. She was already so close, and judging from the increased intensity of his thrusts, he wasn't too far off himself.

Ichigo lowered his head as he ravaged her, licking and sucking his way down her throat, until he found the junction between her neck and shoulder. He ran his tongue over the spot he'd found, and then, as he thrust into her again, he bit down – hard enough to mark the skin, but not break it – and she screamed out his name, her own hips thrusting back against his. With two more quick, hard thrusts, he buried himself fully within her and found his own release.

The intensity of it nearly made his knees buckle, but he managed to stay standing, holding her tight as their orgasms rocked through them.

As his body settled – slightly – he ran his tongue soothingly over the bite at her collar. "God, I love you," Ichigo groaned as he lifted his head.

"Not as much as I love you," Orihime replied breathlessly, her body having gone limp in his arms.

Ichigo couldn't help but smirk as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "We'll just have to see about that," he rumbled.

He stepped back then, withdrawing from her gently as her legs fell from his hips. He heard her whimper faintly at the loss, but before she could move or say anything, he adjusted his hold on her and swept her into his arms. Holding his new wife bridal-style, he grinned down at her and turned toward their bedroom.

Now that he had taken the edge off of his desire, he would be able to slow down a little and worship her properly. And that was exactly what he intended to do.

Saying goodbye to their friends and family had been only slightly easier than it had before. At least this time they were absolutely sure that they'd all see each other again.

Once the gates to the senkaimon were properly sealed, and all traces of their guests had vanished, Ichigo took a deep breath and turned his head to the side to smile at Orihime. "Are you ready to go?"

Squeezing the hand that was wrapped around hers, Orihime returned the smile and said, "Definitely."

"Running off for your honeymoon, huh?" Renji teased from several feet away, where he stood with Rukia, Izuru, Rangiku, Juushirou, and Shunsui.

Rolling his eyes, Ichigo turned a mock-glare to his friend. "That's the plan, yeah."

"Then we'll see you in a week," Rukia declared easily. "Try not to have too much fun."

"Tch," Ichigo scoffed.

Shunsui tossed a set of keys to Ichigo and grinned, saying, "You might need those. And don't worry, I made sure it got cleaned and re-stocked just the other day. You should have everything you need to shut yourselves away for the week."

Ichigo tried not to cringe as he easily slipped the keys into the inner pocket of his shihakushou. "Thanks, Shunsui." With a final nod at the group, he turned to go, Orihime's hand still held securely in his.

As she moved to follow her husband, Orihime called back, "Thanks again, everyone! We'll see you guys next week!"

Shunsui's vacation house was huge, and, as was characteristic of the flamboyant Captain, elaborately decorated. As he had promised, the house was isolated, nestled in the forest off of the Northern end of the Second Rukon District, and a slim stream ran along the far end of the large backyard.

Orihime fell in love with it instantly, and her wide-eyed, exuberant reaction was all Ichigo needed to decide that taking Shunsui up on his offer had been the right choice.

They explored the house and the surrounding area, finding that it had indeed been recently stocked with plenty of food and other supplies.

Laughing happily, Orihime grabbed Ichigo's hand and tugged him down the few steps that led to the backyard. "I want to lie in the grass and stare at the sky! Come watch the clouds with me, Ichi!"

Chuckling faintly, Ichigo allowed her to lead him into the center of the still-blooming field. "Alright, alright," he replied.

Orihime released his hand and promptly sat down, patting the grass beside her with a smile. Ichigo wasted no time settling himself beside her, and he stretched out onto his back, one arm behind his head for support. With his other arm he pulled Orihime to him, and she immediately snuggled against him, using his shoulder for a pillow and angling her head to watch the sky. His arm curved around her waist, and she laced her fingers with his over her abdomen.

They stayed like that for nearly an hour, watching the clouds gather in the sky. Orihime occasionally pointed to one, declaring it looked like something that, half the time, he just couldn't see. But after a while the clouds began overtaking the blue, and the air became chilled as the breeze kicked in.

When Orihime shivered, just slightly, as another breeze blew over them, Ichigo decided they'd done enough cloud-watching. "It's getting cold, Hime," he said softly. "Why don't we go in?"

"Yeah, alright," Orihime murmured. "But does that mean I have to get up?"

A crooked grin curved his lips and Ichigo replied, "Not necessarily."

Orihime giggled against him and rolled enough to look into his eyes. "I have a better idea," she said, her gray eyes dancing mischievously. "Maybe we should figure out if that tub really is big enough for two?"

On the third morning of their seven-day honeymoon, Ichigo woke to find his arms empty. But as his eyes adjusted, he saw his wife standing before the wall of windows. She was wrapped in her yukata, though he could tell she hadn't actually tied it, and her hair hung loose around her.

Quietly, he rolled to his feet and slipped his arms through the sleeves of his own yukata – more to combat the chill in the air than anything – before padding softly over to her. As he stepped up behind her, he saw what had captured her attention. Soft, white flakes fell slowly from the sky; the ground was already covered in a thin layer of white as well.

Her voice barely a whisper, Orihime said, "Something about the snow is just so…peaceful."

"It is nice," Ichigo agreed, wrapping his arms around her stomach and gently tugging her backwards into his chest. "It's gonna get cold, though."

"Mhm," Orihime hummed as her eyes drifted shut and she inhaled a deep, slow breath. They had been married now for four full days, and yet something about this moment seemed to be securing that reality to her heart.

Their wedding had been so surreal that, while it really had sunk in, she had somehow still managed to feel like she was living in a dream. So, she figured, if it sunk in during the wedding, then that means that now it's finally settled. She smiled softly and let herself relax a little into Ichigo's embrace.

"Orihime Kurosaki," she murmured softly, eyes still closed.

"Why are you saying your own name?" Ichigo asked, his lips twitching faintly. He seemed to already know the answer to his question.

Orihime blinked, her eyes re-focusing, and she flushed. "Heh, um, because I like it?"

His arms tightened briefly around her as he whispered, "I do, too." Leaning down, then, he pressed a lingering kiss to the nape of her neck before he added, "Come back to bed, Hime."

A smile in her voice that matched the one on her face, Orihime asked, "Are you offering to keep me warm?"

"Something like that," Ichigo murmured beside her ear.

Orihime turned in his embrace and reached up, cupping his face in her hands and pulling his lips to hers for a sweet kiss. Their lips moved together, heads slightly tilted, and as one of his hands threaded through her long, auburn hair, the other began gently rubbing the small of her back.

He pulled back a minute later and let his forehead rest against hers as they stared silently into each other's eyes. Gray met brown and faint, tender smiles curved two sets of lips as slender arms coiled around strong shoulders.

Outside, the snow continued to fall softly, slowly covering the surrounding forest in white. It was the last snow of the season, and would give way to a beautiful spring, full of flowers of all colors – full of life.

Ichigo and Orihime would return to the vacation home, bringing along their daughter and son, to celebrate their daughter's tenth birthday. This time they would come, as well, with Renji and Rukia Abarai, and their six year-old son. Ichigo would give their daughter – their first-born – a necklace that had once belonged to a grandmother she would never know.

And while Renji and Rukia took the three children exploring through the surrounding forest, Ichigo and Orihime would make love in the large master bedroom, just as they did that morning – slow, and gentle, like the snow that still fell on the other side of the window. Because, at that moment, they weren't in any rush to see their future.

At that moment, all they knew was each other; and that was all either of them needed.

The End

A/N: I'm not sure I've ever written an ending quite like this…but I hope it came out the way it sounded in my head! And now I'd like to take a moment to say thank you to all of my reviewers – you guys are amazing, and your words of encouragement and praise never failed to brighten my day! I hope each and every one of you enjoyed the conclusion of this story! Now, if you would, please, be so kind as to give me one more review? LOL Thanks again for reading, reviewing, alerting, and favoriting (which should be a word)!