The Finale Chapter 1, a bleach fanfic

Summary: This fanfic is centered on Bleach's Final Arc manga. I hope that the most have read the Final Arc of Bleach, if not-you sure are to be spoiled. The fanfic will have the manga contents; as well as my own perspective. Angst/War/Romance [Ichigo K., Kuchiki, R.] [Kuchiki, B. Shihoin,Y.]

The Finale

Chapter 1: Reflections of a War

The Wandenreich

The place was unrecognizable to the noble captain of the 6th division. In fact, it was no longer the Seireitei but was replaced with the Wandenreich. The Wandenreich was nothing more than bland white structures bound to each other. Rubble was everywhere and made walking impassable in some areas. The noble captain wondered how things could have changed so quickly and how things could have gotten to be like this.

{Flashback}

There were visual signs everywhere that something amiss was going on. The tear between the world of the living and the Soul Society to the surmountable disappearance of Hollows. Not only that Lt. Kira had suspicion about Rukongia citizens missing. The Quincies had declared war and their first kill was Vice-Captain Sasakibe. Captain Kurotsuchi had mentioned something about bankais being sealed or stolen, but was silenced by the former Captain Commander. Byakuya surmised that it was pertinent information that should have been passed on to everyone-maybe things would have turned out differently if they had known not to use their bankais.

Byakuya reflected back on his fight with As Nodt and seeing his Lt. and sister sprawled out on the ground, circling the drain of death. He thought about how he could have been so weak against an enemy; any enemy who had trampled on his pride-it was unforgivable. Byakuya was brought back to reality as he saw the results of his thoughts.

{End of Flashback}

Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of the 6th division; along with his sister Rukia Kuchiki walked along the pile of rubbish, passing deceased bodies of Shinigamis. It was a horrific scene as bodies were strewed everywhere; some with decapitated body parts and others with gaping wounds. Even when previous enemies had ventured into the Seireitei, the aftermath was never this horrible. So many lives had been taken, Lt. Kira, Vice-Captain Sasakibe, and the Captain Commander, General Genryusai Shigikuni Yamamoto.

Byakuya mused to himself, that he would have also died at the hands of the enemy, if it had not been for the Royal Guards intervention. These Quincies had no sense of honor; they had no sense of guilt, remorse, or shame. Byakuya still held sadness that he wasn't able to protect Society; however, he vowed never to be in that position again where he couldn't protect the Soul Society, his squad, and mostly his pride. Byakuya had learned a valuable lesson in all of this; the fact that he had to humble himself to ask the very person he thought he would never have to ask to save the Soul Society-Ichigo Kurosaki. He also learned that he would not fear death; he had known what fear was.

Rukia communicated to Byakuya that Kensei and Rose were being treated by Isane in some empty building. It was sad to know that the Soul Society had no place to treat the wounded. Byakuya and Rukia continued scouting the area when a noise made Byakuya turned his head towards the direction where Isane was at.

'No, that cannot be that crazed Captain Zaraki of the 11th division,' Byakuya thought to himself. He was about to go investigate, but something else grabbed his attention. He looked further ahead a bit and noticed something white lying on the ground that the wind was blowing back and forth. He sensed it was a person, but their spiritual pressure was barely noticeable. Motioning for Rukia to follow him; he caught the glimpse of Toshiro and Rangiku. Byakuya arrived to where their motionless bodies were and noticed a man about 6 3' standing to the left side of Toshiro with his arms crossed. Byakuya was having difficulty of identifying the unknown person. However, the unknown person had a familiarity about themself. Rukia on the other hand, knew exactly who it was.

"Who might you be?" Byakuya asked, cutting his eyes towards unknown person wearing a Shinigami uniform with a tethered haori hanging off the left shoulder.

"I'm sure Rukia knows exactly who I am." The Soul Reaper replied as his eyes met with Rukia's.

"Byakuya this is Ichigo's father, Isshin Kurosaki." Rukia nervously replied. She couldn't believe that Ichigo's father was in Soul Society. There were a lot of questions going through her mind right now. Since when was he a Soul Reaper; even though it would make sense and explain how Ichigo was able to break free of her Kido spell when she first met him. How did he even manage to get in to Soul Society? Wasn't this the Wandenreich now?

"I see. I didn't know Ichigo's father was a Soul Reaper; how did that happen?" Byakuya suspiciously asked; as he refocused his attention back on Isshin. "I also see that you have a tethered white haori hanging off your shoulder, were you perhaps a captain of the Gotei 13?"

"It's a very long story and I don't have time to tell it right now. I really shouldn't be here. I only came here because Urahara asked me to help take care of the injured; so, if you will excuse me, I need to get these two to where I can treat them properly." Isshin said as he bent down and grabbed both Toshiro and Rangiku; while turning back to face Byakuya.

"I do believe that you are from the Shiba Clan, am I correct in my assessment?" Byakuya asked. "You're the former captain of the 10th division, Shiba Isshin."

Rukia mimicked her brother's words as she stood there in awe. How did she miss all the clues of Ichigo being a Shiba? Questions were racing in her mind, but she knew presently that she would have to wait before any of them would be answered.

"Like I said, I need to leave, excuse me." Isshin said as he started to flash-step off, but Byakuya stopped him.

"I have no interest why the former captain of the Gotei 13 is parading around here; however, if you think that you can help with the injured, then I would appreciate your help." Byakuya said.

Urahara surely was going to owe him one; as Isshin had no intentions of being weighed down with the responsibility of the injured. However, he just couldn't turn his back on those who needed help, either. "Alright, what is that you need me to do?" Isshin cautiously asked.

"How did you get here? As it was told to me, the Seireitei and the Wandenreich switched; so there shouldn't be any way to get from here to the world of the living."

"You are correct, there isn't. I came through HM with Urahara's help; and I must be getting back so he can open the portal to get back to the world of the living."

"Well, how did you get from HM to here?" Byakuya asked as he held his hand up to his chin.

"I came through the 12th division, and it is there where Urahara opened a portal to HM. And from HM, I use a Garganta to get back to the world of the living. I suggest we get a move on; being in one spot will only get us noticed. I say we all head to the 12th division and we can make plans from there."

12th Division

The 12th division personnel were running around trying to keep tabs on what was going on. Captain Kurotsuchi was yelling orders while Lt. Kurotsuchi followed him around religiously. Urahara was over at the computer monitor watching the events unfold in what is now called the Wandenreich; when he sensed the presence of various spiritual pressures.

"Aw, what do we have here? Hello Captain Kuchiki and Lt. Kuchiki. I am surprised to see you two here." Urahara said as he glared over at Isshin.

"Sorry, I was trying to get these two here (Toshiro and Rangiku) when they suddenly appeared." Isshin said apologetically.

"Oh, I see. Well tell me Captain Kuchiki, what can I do for you today?" Urahara asked as he turned his attention back to the computer screen.

"Since Shiba Isshin came to get Captain Toshiro and his Lt.; I thought it would be a great idea if he would handle the other wounded personnel as well. I mean we don't have the equipment or the means to treat the wounded."

Cough, cough. Urahara was surprised that Byakuya figured out that Isshin was a Shiba. "I could help you with your medical situation captain; however, under one condition."

"What condition is that?" questioned Byakuya.

"That you don't mention that Isshin Shiba was here." Urahara matter-of-factly stated.

"How can I do that when the personnel would be in the world of the living? How would I explain to the Captain Commander where they are?" Byakuya questioned.

"Just tell him, that I made the arrangements for the personnel to be treated. That should take care of any questions that he may have, at this time. I'll handle things in here; and we can then transport the wounded from here to HM and from HM to the world of the living."

"I sense someone is fighting where Isane is presently. If I see any wounded personnel, I'll have Isane and Rukia sent here. We must be off, come Rukia." Byakuya commanded; leaving Urahara starring at Isshin.

"That was a close call." Urahara said as he turned to face Isshin.

"I do apologize; I didn't expect to see them." Isshin replied.

"You know, eventually, you will need to come clean about this. I don't expect for this to go well if you prolong this any further."

"Yeah, I know. But you know I have my daughters to think about; they are not like Ichigo."

"Well, at least not one of your daughters is like Ichigo."

"You mean Karin. I guess that is true but you know what I meant. I better get on my way; all I need now is for the Captain Commander to appear." Isshin said as he once again grabbed Toshiro and Rangiku.

"Speaking of the Captain Commander." Urahara said as both Isshin and Urahara turned around and stared in the face of Shunsui.