Not for the first time, Tousen sighed. "Aizen-sama, I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with Ichimaru here," he coughed. "It's been only two weeks since we have defected from the thirteen court guard squads. Thus, this plan to kidnap and brainwash the Gotei captains is far too risky, not to mention foolish…"

"Dear me, you seem to be much more touchy in this than I have expected, Tousen," Gin interrupted with a smirk. "Aizen-taichou, if ya would consider, the main force of the soul society and our biggest threat ahead is the Gotei 13. So, without them, the soul society's as good as… POOF! "

"Enough of that, I understand… Gin," Aizen drawled. "So basically, you're suggesting that we –

"Brainwash a couple of captains, and use them to create havoc amongst the other captains. Ya see, with Gotei 13 in its disorganized state, the soul society would be ours without even having to create your ridiculous King's Key… or whatever it is – " Gin sang.

"ICHIMARU, how dare you interrupt the beautiful flow of words from Aizen-sama's delicate lips?! Such insubordination must never be tolerated! I shall risk all my justice right here and now to kil –

Gin choked.

Aizen coughed. "That's enough Kaname, I believe we've already heard enough about your definition on juridification –

"It's justice, not juridification! I –

"Dear dear, it seems to me that Tousen here is equally guilty of insubordination as I am," Gin taunted with a leer, "Yer don't wanna 'interrupt the beautiful flow of words from Aizen-sama's delicate lips' do ya?" he smirked.

"Silence! I'm afraid that this is getting us nowhere," Aizen snapped. "Fine, I hereby approve of Gin's strategy to tackle the Gotei 13. First things first, Szayel Aporro…"

"At your service, Aizen-sama," Szayel Aporro knelt down on the palace floor as he was summoned.

" As you have heard, you are now under my direct order to connote a potion which can manipulate a soul's memory and motive to suit my desires. You have thirty-nine hours, twenty eight minutes and exactly five seconds from now to come up with that potion." Aizen continued, "Should you fail, I shall demote you from espada rank immediately and exile you to the living world. Are we clear? "

"Yes, Aizen-sama. Do not worry, I shall cough it up in no time." Szayel Aporro smiled. Unknowingly, he was already starting to curse that twisted and grotesque idiot Aizen in his mind. "So much for being an espada," he thought. Unwillingly, he curled his lips into a smile at 'Aizen-sama'.

"Good, now get to work," Aizen smiled down at the eighth espada, "As a last reminder, you have exactly thirty-nine hours, twenty six minutes and thirty-one seconds from now till your demotion. Meeting dismissed."

"Now, let us begin with today's meeting," Yamamoto sou-taichou's voice rang throughout the hall.

"The soul society is greatly threatened by the defection of three captains. I urge all captains to be on their guard at all times and prepare your squads for battle anytime. Such treason will not be tolerated –

"Oi, Yama-jii, enough already, we get the picture," Shunsui snorted and adjusted his hat. "So basically, we'll just have track down and murder those three to save your aged face, right?"

"Kyoraku!" Ukitake and Komamura yelled in unison.

"Kyoraku-taichou, kindly do not forget where you are," Unohona-taichou smiled sweetly. "Please do not forget that, as long as you are in this hall, your life is at risk in our hands."

"My word, I was almost certain that he was asleep under that straw hat of his. What a surprise, I'll say," Kurotsuchi Mayuri added, indifferent like always.

"Just shut up Kurotsuchi, you're annoying," Hitsugaya Toushiro muttered under his breath. This was stupid, really stupid. Instead of quarrelling like this, their time would be better invested on paperwork. The young captain thought of his lieutenant and groaned.

"Yeah, ya heard the boy, shut up idiot," Zaraki Kenpachi scowled at him.

"…Your opinion was not requested, Bell-Boy," Kurotsuchi scorned distastefully.

Ukitake Jushiro sighed as the reiatsu surrounding him slowly heated. It reminded him of the sou-taichou's ryujin jakka from that other day. From opposite line, Kuchiki Byakuya caught his eye and shot him a meaningful look. Ukitake sighed yet again. This wasn't the first time that the young noble had displayed unwillingness to take action. No choice then, he'll just have to step in.

"…Kurotsuchi, Zaraki, Toushiro, please control your anger," Ukitake started pleasantly, "As captains, this behaviour is highly inappropriate –

"Why the hell am I being dragged into this?!" Hitsugaya muttered, "Blame those old geezers if you will."

"Soi Fon taichou, how have the search teams for Aizen been faring?" Komamura inquired, ignoring the glaring daggers to his left.

"So far little progress has been made. However, we have confirmed that Aizen has indeed retreated to Hueco Mundo." Soi Fon replied shortly.

"THIS IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION!" Yamamoto thundered, ramming his cane against the barrack's floor.

"OUCH!"

Being the shortest of the captains, Hitsugaya had abruptly lost his balance by the effect of Yamamoto's cane and was thrown abruptly off his feet to the floor.

"What's your problem boy? Can't you even stand quietly?" Kenpachi growled. "Get up quickly, you're really embarrassing to watch!"

"Hey that's not my faul –

"You should have enough sense to shut up, boy," Kurotsuchi added with a glare.

"Get in line, Toushiro," Shunsui said, pulling his haori. "Ignore them, they're not worth it."

Yamamoto cleared his throat. "To all captains, be on your guard at all times. It is highly likely that Aizen will take his revenge on us soon. Prepare for the worst! Meeting dismissed."

"Aizen-sama, as you have requested," Szayel Aporro gleamed, "Highly concentrated bleach powder diluted with an inkling of lime juice. Just one drop of this potion onto the subject's skin and … presto! The subject's inner memory and mind's desire could be manipulated as you wished."

"Good, your work is done here. You may go," Aizen drawled, obviously bored.

"It seems that your plan to get rid of dear Szayel has failed again, Aizen-taichou," Gin remarked as the espada's footsteps grew fainter.

"No worries, it's only a matter of time," Aizen lips curled into an ugly smile. "Gin, as this was your idea from the start, I shall leave the task of manipulating the Gotei captains to you. The choice of targets will be up to you. Kaname, be ready to assist Gin if necessary."

"Yes, my lord," Tousen bowed.

"Hehe, this will be fun, won't it Tousen?" Gin smiled, "For a change, you get to listen to my orders. Please remember that 'insubordination must never be tolerated', will ya?" Smirking, he left the hall.

"You insolent –

"Enough Kaname, you know how Gin is," Aizen stated pleasantly. "Give me frequent reports on both your progresses, won't you?"

"Yes sir, I'm sorry sir," Tousen replied.

"Go on then, it isn't nice to keep Gin waiting," Aizen examined his fingertips. "Let the games begin," he breathed.