A/N: I'm not gonna lie, this is kind of bittersweet. This is the last chapter in this story. I know a lot of you probably wish that I would just keep on with this story forever, but unfortunately, all things must come to an end. Enjoy.

-o-

Yoruichi stood before the grave that she had dug for Lycaon, the wolf pack sitting behind her, patiently awaiting her command. She offered several prayers for the man she loved, knowing full-well that she would never see him again. That thought alone had depressed her to no end, and she tried to avoid thinking it. She failed miserably. She placed a hand on the stone that marked Lycaon's final resting place, smiling sadly.

"Looks like it's time for me to go," she said quietly. "I promise I'll come back." She turned around and began walking away, the wolves following her lead. She stopped for a minute, not looking back. "Goodbye, Puppy-Dog." With that, she and the wolves left the site. She was unable to fight off the single tear that trailed off of her eye.

-o-

Byakuya and Aphrodite had spent the night together, as they did on the night of the post-war celebration. They were now enjoying breakfast together, talking about their eventual wedding. They had agreed that they get married in about five months, which gave them plenty of time to plan ahead. After a few minutes, Byakuya pointed something out.

"One of us will have to move," he said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"Oh, yeah," Aphrodite replied. She put a finger to her chin. "I hadn't thought about that. I guess I was too excited about the wedding to think about much else. I guess I'll move in with you, Byakuya."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course!" She gave him one those big smiles of hers that he loved to see so much. "There's not really much for me here except attend boring old meetings, so I don't mind. Besides, I don't care where I am, as long as you're there." She leaned up against him with a loving smile. She suddenly perked up then. "Oh! If we ever have kids, what would we name them?"

Byakuya gave her a slightly confused look. "Don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself?"

The goddess shrugged, still smiling. "What can I say? I like to plan ahead."

Byakuya actually chuckled at that. "I suppose it couldn't hurt." They spent their time together, talking about their future together, until it was time for Byakuya to leave. They left the hall together, with Aphrodite refusing to let go of her fiancé's arm.

-o-

Ichigo and Orihime sat under a tree near the Senkaimon-like gate that would send them back home. They had spent most of their time together, mostly just enjoying being near one another. Ichigo had his arm around Orihime's shoulder, and Orihime leaned up against the orange-haired boy that she loved so much. At first, she couldn't believe that he actually returned her feelings. The fact that he sent death glares to anybody who tried to get an eyeful of her, and the fact that he seemed to always get angry whenever he found out that somebody was hitting on her hadn't really registered to her as him loving her. She had always thought that he was just being protective of a friend, sort of like how Tatsuki had always acted as her self-appointed bodyguard.

"I wish every day could be like this," she said with a happy sigh. "It's so peaceful. And the sky looks so pretty."

"Yeah," Ichigo agreed with a small smile. "If only more people thought that way. The world would definitely be a better place."

She perked up and gave him one of those looks that told him that she was going to explain something Orihime-style. "But, Ichigo, if everybody thought that way, there would be no real creativity in the world! And without creativity, people will get really, really bored and-"

"All right, all right," he said with a chuckle. He thought that it was kind of cute how she would sometimes get carried away with her explanations. "I get it. It was just a thought." With that, they sat in delightful silence again. At least until that quiet was interrupted.

"Ichigo! Orihime!" called Rukia's voice. "Come on, you guys! It's time to go!"

"Okay!" Orihime called back to small Soul Reaper. "We'll be there in a minute!" She returned her attention to Ichigo. "Let's get going, Ichigo. We don't want to keep the others waiting."

"Right." And with that, they headed off.

-o-

At the Senkaimon that would take them home, they were reunited with Perseus. The Greek hero explained that he was to take everyone back through the gateway, as he had when they first came to Olympus.

"Hey, where were you and those other guys during the battle?" Ichigo inquired.

"We fought a few hordes of monsters, and when the enemy retreated, we had to ensure that the civilians were safe. Not everybody here at Olympus is a god or a legendary hero, you know." Ichigo nodded, accepting the explanation. Perseus then clapped his hands, getting everybody's attention. "Well, folks, I hope you enjoyed your stay. Aside from the blood-thirsty monsters, traitorous gods, and psychotic Titans trying to kill you, I can only assume that it was a very relaxing and enlightening trip!" Everyone sweat-dropped at that.

He makes it sound like we were here on vacation, Ichigo thought snidely.

Perseus went over to the gateway and chanted a few lines in Greek. "Ánoigma, pýli̱ tou chília monopátia!" When he spoke, the arching gates were filled with golden energy and became the portal that take them back to the human world. Perseus scratched the back of his head. "I've never been one for long goodbyes, so I'll just take my leave now. I guess I'll see guys some other time." With that, he left them.

One at a time, they went through the gate, with Yoruichi going through with the wolf pack, then Renji, then Byakuya, then Rukia, and so on. Eventually, only Ichigo and Orihime were left. Ichigo looked over to his girlfriend, took her hand in his, and said, "You ready, Orihime?"

"Yep!" she said with a cheerful smile. "Let's go home. I bet Tatsuki and the others are worried sick about us."

"I'll bet." At that last statement, they went through the gate together, leaving Olympus behind.

-o-

Stripped of rank, title, and power, and then banished from Olympus. Ares didn't think things could possibly get any worse for him. He was currently in some dingy old apartment in one of the less friendly neighborhoods of New York City, drinking himself into a coma. Barely two days, and the floor around him was already littered with empty bottles and beer cans.

He kept cursing out loud, not caring if his idiotic neighbors heard him, and caring even less when somebody threatened to call the cops if he didn't shut up. That bastard mortal, Keenpacky or whatever, was the one he blamed for his misfortune.

"Damn Soul Reaper," he muttered as he took yet another swig of alcohol. "I swear I'll kill him. I'll kill him dead."

"How disgraceful," said a smooth, whispering voice. It was like nails on a chalkboard. Ares didn't have to look to see who it was. He already knew. He could never forget the chill in the air that followed the newcomer. "Has the God of War truly depraved himself to the point where he is no longer fit to be called a god?"

"Watch what you say, skinny," Ares replied. "I'm still strong enough to beat you senseless. Besides, haven't you heard? I'm not the God of War anymore. I'm just some hopeless drunk named Aaron Smith now."

"Well, Mr. Smith," the newcomer said in a taunting tone. "I think you will be very pleased to hear that this has yet to end."

"Yeah, yeah," Ares said, waving his hand dismissively. "Judging by the fact that the world hasn't spontaneously combusted, I'm guessing your boss hasn't found his kid yet."

"My master knows where the child is. It is simply too soon to jump into anything just yet. My lord would be most displeased if we were to ruin his plans. You do remember your part, do you not?"

"I remember." Ares stood and stretched himself, letting a few cracking noises be heard. He turned to face the second man in his apartment. An unnaturally tall and thin man, wearing a black business suit. His arms were held behind his back. His most disturbing feature, however, was his lack of features.

"Very good of you." Had he been anyone else, the man would've grinned then. Everything was going exactly as his master had planned. All they needed now was time.

-o-

A/N: Ominous ending! Before anyone asks, yes, I'm planning on a sequel. I have no idea when it's coming, though, so please just be patient.

I want to thank everybody who read this story, and I want to give special thanks to:

Devil's-Butterfly-Maid, who reviewed literally every chapter in this story

Somerlia, for her funny reviews and good questions that made me feel smart

BladeOfThePoet, for just being awesome and checking out this story when I asked him to

Now then, before I leave you, I have one final announcement: I present to you folks a challenge! Take Bleach and mash it up with any type of mythology. It can more Greek myths, Egyptian, Norse, anything you can think of. If you wish to accept this challenge, then go ahead and PM me when you have your first chapter out, and I'll leave a review! This is Lord Lycaon signing off and saying, "Stay cool, my readers!"