Echoes ran through the silence, running through the darkness. There is a sense of spiritual pressure ranged through the chambers of Central 46. Nothing but the stenchful blood the abandoned, restricted barriers. All of its members were slaughtered like animals. Never before has this happened to the sacred grounds of the Soul Society. This however did not trouble of the lone presence to continue searching of his captain. "Toshiro, where are you?" Whispering a familiar just made him run faster. He was gone. His presence disappeared back at their barracks. He followed his spiritual pressure as soon as he left. Captain of Squad Ten, Toshiro Hitsugaya, has been gone all day. Toshiro and Hiraku Tadayoshi have built a strong bond of friendship for their time together. Through the events that have happened for the time of the execution, Toshiro has been more disturbed.

"Toshiro…." Hiraku once whispered underneath his breath. Running a bit more, he finally reached his destination, the residential district compound of the Central 46, Seijotokyorin. It is forbidden for entry to anyone, regardless of their military or civilian status. It is forbidden too for Hiraku to be here. But as he encountered, its members were slaughtered like animals. There was more Hiraku did not completely understand as to their death and the sudden disappearance of Toshiro's spiritual pressure. The hollowness of the facility proved there was no life within here. Frantically looking around, Hiraku stopped in front a flight of stairs.

"Oh what an unexpected guest." Hissing as the snake he was, Hiraku eyes glanced towards to see someone he was not in the mood to see. There was nothing but the untold betrayal behind that snake.

"Gin," Immediately his eyes furrowed with the sudden realization. "Were you the one who slaughtered the members?" This was more amusing to see how a Shinigami, such as Hiraku, was questioning him.

"Now Hiraku, what kind of greeting is that? I am here too for the same reason as you."

"Were you the one that killed them Gin!"

"No," Someone else had said in the clear close presence standing behind Hiraku. Hiraku stood for the familiar presence behind him. The laughter of amusement penetrated through the silence between the two males. "That would be of my fault."

Day followed day in the splendor of high manner, and Toshiro gradually mastered all the accounts, ledgers, and reports that had accumulated awaiting his return. The afternoon had spread its tender, soft mantle over the sky, and once again the special lights were lit and glowing in the following chase of the suspect. "It's no use running! Answer me, Izuru! Are you responsible for what happened back there?" Narrowing his eyes, Izuru, Lieutenant of Squad Three, peered over his shoulder.

"Instead of running after and questioning me, you should be more worried about Hiraku." Toshiro's body froze in the immense realization of what he said.

"What are you talking about, Hiraku—"

"He is not back at the Squad Ten barracks. He was behind you this whole time." The large tendency sweltering between them lapsed into silence. Toshiro regained the composure of sudden instinct. "Rangiku, can I leave this to you?"

"Just leave this to me." Moving back the unspeakable misconduct upon Central 46 it was impossible to catch the glimpse of her captain collapse right before her. It was shameful, no, pathetic for him not to sense Hiraku behind him all this time! Leaping from roof to roof, his lieutenant continued to chase after the other lieutenant.

"Hiraku…" Hiraku was more than a subordinate to Toshiro. For how he and Hiraku were best friends, both of them had a long history together. For Toshiro not to make Hiraku's presence to his acknowledgement, he ran faster back towards the Central 46 compound. Toshiro drew himself nearer closer and closer to the chambers. Heart racing, panting heavily, Toshiro's immediately ached from his ability to save his closest friend he has.

"Hiraku, where are you?" Toshiro could not feel Hiraku's spiritual pressure. But to immediately enter the pitch black corridor, he did not need to. Between Hiraku and Toshiro, the bond was strong to find the other.

"That was easy. Hiraku is really weak."

"He does hold his title quite well." Chuckling both of the older men were walking out of the vacant chamber. He was a nuisance to have come across them. Of course their plans would not be interrupted by a third seat officer. But still Hiraku is a nuisance. The echoes of a certain presence allowed both captains to stop right before walking down the stairs. There stood right before them the heavily panted captain of Squad Ten. In the moment of despair there stood the dismay of reality. "What is this? Captain Aizen, are you alive or is this some trick?" The cause of such disturbance entertained Aizen and Gin.

"No trick, this is really me Toshiro. Excuse me for a minute." Aizen leered over his shoulder. The captain of Squad Five, Sosuke Aizen was murdered! Everyone witnessed his death by their own eyes! "Gin, he's returned sooner than we expected. I hope you have an explanation."

"Sorry sir, Izuru must have not been able to keep him occupied." They would not dare hurt Hiraku. Izuru was told so.

"What's going on here? What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing really, we were just discussing the final points of strategy." To turn his head back to the young prodigy clearly made him realize this was more than entertainment. This was more fascinating than the action taken upon Hiraku. "The breaking down of an enemy's fighting power to be specific."

"Enemy, I see." From left to right, all was shown of the hollow chamber. Veering once back at the empty shell that once was Captain Aizen, the presence he was once chasing became stronger than before. "Tell me where Hiraku is!"

"That's a good question." Silence, there was only silence. The darkness once shrouded around Toshiro in the corridors were shown as well behind Gin and Aizen. Widening his eyes, the speed piercing through the two captains, Toshiro heeded in nothingness. Nothing, that was all Toshiro could feel staring at his best friend. His eyes and lifeless body lay silently.

"Hiraku….no." An emotion ran through his body as the hidden rage inside him grew.

"Found him; guess I shouldn't have let him lying around. I apologize; I really didn't want to surprise you this way. No, I should've chopped him into pieces and hidden them where you can never find him." Toshiro clenched the hand of an empty soul, unbarring to shed the blood to the one who had shed Hiraku's blood! There were no words to convince Toshiro hold back the pit of rage within him.

"…..Bankai." Ice was rather beautiful to glow the enchanting gloss through the shards immediately flowing through the atmosphere. To capture those betrayers was not concrete for they were able to jump away from the ice tundra surrounding the demolished tower. Standing the wings of a dragon about slaughter Aizen stood the impure captain, ready to take the life of a man who spilled Hiraku's blood. "Now Aizen, you've talked enough, time to die." Intimidating, but still smiled by the child's threat.

"You shouldn't be making strong remarks. It only makes you look weak."

The fragrance of blood, so familiar. Flesh torn in half awoke the unconscious Shinigami. Squinting, he slowly began to open his eyes. Where was he? What was the aroma stench from? Was it from his blood? Hiraku slid his body on his stomach and immediately began to steady himself using his arms. Aizen is alive! Did the Soul Society mistake his death? Did Hiraku hear wrong? No, he didn't. He was unable to witness it. But throughout the Soul Society, Aizen was murdered. Hiraku staggered, but arose to his feet. That was really Aizen! But if that was him, why did he stab Hiraku through his stomach? "Why Aizen?" To mutter his name under his breath was cold as the ice surrounding him. The immediate, lingering remembrance had awakened Hiraku fully for what was surrounding him! Ice barricaded him as if someone was protecting him…

A gasp escaped his lips. The spiritual pressure took him from what the importance of his presence in Central 46 was for! "Toshiro!" Hiraku yelled the name, pleading Toshiro will respond for what were still empty chambers. He tightened his fists from hearing no response. "Toshiro—"Surrounding the beautiful ice stained the blood of the innocent.

Blood…death.

Hesitatingly Hiraku turned around. The source of the odor lay before him. Hiraku walked over to him, unbearable to continue further. Closing to the male, Hiraku halted when his feet splashed on the pool of blood. Staring on the life, Toshirro showed what was left of him. Toshiro's right shoulder was nearly torn in half by a few strands. The surrounding ice was melting drop by drop.

Presenting himself after running through the corridor stood before Hiraku another subordinate. He too stood in disbelief. Toshiro was defeated?

"No, Captain Hitsugaya…" His body tensed in the sudden change of the atmosphere. For all, this lethal spiritual pressure would have killed those standing before him. However…

"We are leaving." His voice beheld malevolence that was held in the spiritual pressure, melting the ice away.

Aizen will die.

"Fascinating," This is just the beginning, the beginning of true power. The brilliance took Aizen's very existence. The Hogyoku, capable of dissolving the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollows absorbs the desires of those around it and manifest them into reality truly made it to be feared. Smiling upon its presence, Aizen placed the orb inside his robe and grabbed Rukia's collar. "It's too bad. But I just don't have the use for you anymore." The Ryoka, the intruders, watched helplessly from afar. The captains and lieutenants stood afar as well. This was the time to capture the traitor who many had mourned over. "Gin, kill her." This was it, Rukia's last moment. Unsheathing his zanpaktou, Gin pointed his blade towards Rukia. "Well if I must…shoot to kill, Shinso." Glowing white as the clouds, the blade extended at a high speed ready to impale Rukia Kuchiki, sister of Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Closer and closer the blade would penetrate its victim.

That was it. Blood burst in the air like an explosion. Gin and the audience of the 13 Court Guard Squads could not take another breath for what was displayed. A scream sliced through the tensity of the situation. Gin's blade missed. An arm flew to the ground, covered by the spilt blood. His muscles, veins were sliced through like paper. There was no situation when no one could have seen one to slice Aizen's right arm off! Aizen clutched the bloody shoulder, trying to calm himself down. Aizen is feared, dangerous! Who could possibly injure him severely? Ichigo Kurosaki, a Ryoka, stared breathlessly on the figure holding Rukia in his arm.

"Aki—Akihiko?" A smile was shown when the utterly terrified girl said his name. He gently placed her on the ground. "Just stay here for a bit, alright Rukia? This will be over soon." He slowly stood up. Aizen whipped around, gripping his zanpaktou. But with another, Aizen stumbled back. His other arm fell with the other. Once again, Aizen screamed in pain. But the pain was covering what was fear to have another existence slice his arms off! To stance taking a life, blades were to swing to the side and penetrate where this bastard's heart would be!

"Next is your heart Aizen!" Hiraku stated, insinuating a merciless kill. Eyes narrowed nothing but inhumane death penetrated through Aizen. More than a third seat, Hiraku inside lithered something none other. Once drawing the blade closer to take the life of their victim, light sliced open the sky high above. Both Hiraku and Akihiko dodged the intensity of the light captured the self-broken man facing death. Everyone, from high above, grazed their attention to monsters of another species. Hiraku stood a still, watching the traitors of Aizen, Tousen, and Gin lifting high above to be captured by Menos Grande.

"Menos Grande, how many are there?" Questioned by the audience watching what a moment not to forget, Hiraku and Akihiko just continued to watch the one who spilled Toshiro's blood is now bleeding heavily. On his knees, Aizen glared what was to be vengeance.

"You've joined with the Menos. Why would you want to do that?" Captain of Squad Thirteen, Jushiro Ukitake, demanded as the Menos Grande drew closer one of them. Panting and panting was what escaped Aizen's mouth. His energy was drawing further away from the blood loss. "I need to keep reaching higher."

"Have you become that corrupted?"

"You're blinded by your self-righteous. From the beginning, nobody stood at the top. Either you or me. But soon that unattainable vacancy will be filled. From now on, I alone will become stronger than the Creators themselves." Hiraku narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Goodbye Soul Reapers and goodbye…Hiraku." Aizen smirked. "I seem to have under estimated you. You are very amusing." Hiraku clutched his sword tighter than before. The insult could mean less to him. The meaning that he and Akihiko were only able to slice his arms off meant that he was not able to protect Toshiro. The seal closed at last. Hiraku lowered his head, sheathing back his sword.

Moonlit shadows was filling the hollowed recovery room. What was Toshiro doing there? Hiraku took a deep breath continue to stare on Toshiro. Due to the severity of his injury, he was in need of critical attention. Hiraku turned away from Toshiro in deep slumber. According to Squad Four, he would be able to return tomorrow. But as of now, he just needed rest.

"Hiraku," He yieled. "Before you go, can you talk to him for a minute. He's waiting, he's waiting for someone closer to him than I am to talk to him just for a while." Clutching his fists, Hiraku's silence Captain Unohana's request dared more of lurking reasons for his distance. He couldn't…

Hiraku lifted his head up, looking forward. "Unfortunately right now I don't have anything to say to him." The dark eyes of another captain widened a bit. Behind the voice of their savior, cracked mentioning about Toshiro.

"Right now?"

"…If you will excuse me."