"Don't look so scared," Renji laughed as he lit a cigarette.
"I'm NOT scared," Rukia immediately retorted, "But why are we breaking into the Espada's place?"
"Well, while they're away doing business with King, we've got our own little mission to take care of," Renji went to work picking the lock on the door, "Shiro stressed that we can't screw this up... something about sending a message..."
The door opened with a click and the two were inside, looking around. Carefully, Rukia stepped around everything while using her flashlight to observe, her mind racing as she tried to slow her breathing. She had never done anything like this before, but she was desperate to get her brother's approval—even if that meant sinking to his level.
Suddenly, the lights came on, and Rukia froze.
"Ah, that's better," Renji walked past his partner with a fairly big suitcase.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Rukia tried to yell while whispering.
"What? It was dark," The red-head defended himself.
Peering out the window, Rukia continued, "But we don't want to get caught..."
Renji just ignored her and headed straight to a computer with several monitors. The computer was on but locked; he connected a flash drive and almost immediately the computer was hacked.
"I'm in," Renji laughed before noticing the dark rooms adjacent to the lounge that they were in.
"So what're we doing? Just copying their files?" Rukia propped on the desk, watching as her partner went to work, surprised that he could work the computer at all.
"Pretty much," Renji yawned, leaning back in the chair, "Hey, go check their rooms for anything interesting that we can pawn or the that King might want or whatever."
There was a sigh from Rukia as she left the room with much more confidence this time. She went from room to room, taking little things here and there. After spending several minutes pillaging, she heard Renji call out that he was done.
"One more room," Rukia yelled out to her partner as she hit the light switch. Then she hit it again. And again. And again, still no light.
"Hmm," Rukia pulled out her flashlight, knowing that the best kept secrets are in the darkest places. Shining her light around the room, she cringed at the sight of all the masks on the wall, "Creepy..."
On a nearby table there was one photograph laying there by itself. Upon closer inspection, she found that it was a picture of Kaien, the officer leading the takedown of the Family and Rukia's old partner from before she left to help the very people she use to bust. Remembering all the good times whit him, she lingered over the photo for several moments.
"Done yet?" Renji called out from the other side of the place.
Turning to yell back, Rukia barely managed to get out "yeah" before the door suddenly closed; everything went dark. Something lunged from the back of the room at the petite gangster. A hand wrapped around her mouth, preventing any cries for help while another hand that was gloved felt for her gun. She immediately started kicking and writhing to get free, but the gloved hand retracted only to come back with a switchblade.
"The Family sent you, huh?" A voice hissed as the knife pressed against Rukia's throat to make itself known, "How much would you be missed? Hmm?"
Her thoughts were a mess as she prayed for her partner to come through the door, but then a door could be heard opening on the other side of the building. Renji called out, "I'll wait for you outside."
Rukia's eyes widened in fear as she heard the door shut.
"So much for friends, huh?" The voice chuckled. Slowly, the knife gently traced her neck as the shadow continued, "God! I could have so much fun with a body like yours~"
Rukia couldn't help but flinch as she felt a tongue slide up her neck.
The knife tightened as whoever continued, "Lemme show you what it means to fuck with the Espada!"
"Rukia!" Renji kicked the door open, blinding the Espada. With a well placed head-butt, Rukia freed herself, twisting around immediately with gun drawn. Before he could retaliate, the two gangsters blew him away. They didn't stop firing until both their guns were empty. The body fell back into the shadows, and a trail of blood creeped out from where the Espada fell.
"Bastard..." Renji flicked his cigarette at the body.
"Let's just get out of here," Rukia turned to leave, shaking a little. Putting an arm over her Renji tried to still her or at least to let her know he was there.
The two stopped in the lounge once again. Watching her partner start to open the suitcase from before, Rukia bit her thumb, "Thanks."
"Don't mention it," He smiled before the suitcase beeped. The bomb's timer started, but the took took their time leaving.
"Aaroniero's not answering," Harribel closed her cell phone.
"Assholes are playing us!" Nnoitra clenched his fist.
"We don't know that for sure," Starrk's eyes didn't leave his phone, "All we know is that they will come for us and... everyone else... if we run."
"I'm not too keen on the idea of just walking in there, you know," Barragan rubbed his forehead.
Szayel laughed as he parked the van across the street from an abandoned warehouse, "Now's the time to choose, ladies and gentlemen."
"I want to see King," Grimmjow stated. No one said anything as they tried to choose their words wisely for a response. After a long pause, Grimmjow opened the van door and jumped out, "Later."
"What's your plan?" Szayel smirked.
"I just want to see him," The blue-haired Espada began walking towards the warehouse.
"The son of a bitch wants to be King," Barragan half laughed.
Starrk jumped out of the van but stopped at the sight of everyone staring at him, "I have a better chance this way..."
"You mean Lilinette has a better chance," Harribel corrected with a warm smile. Starrk only turned and followed Grimmjow. Watching the two Espada walk towards the warehouse, Harribel made up her mind as she jumped out, "For the girls, I suppose."
"You're all just gonna get killed," Nnoitra warned.
"Well, I guess I'm off," Barragan laughed loudly as he stepped out to follow the rest.
There was a sigh as Szayel pushed his glasses up, "Insanity is a bitch." Leaving the keys in the ignition, the scientist followed his companions.
Nnoitra watched the last of his partners walk away, and it wasn't long before he threw his hands in the air, "Goddammit all. We just better get revenge at some point..."
"Oh, we will," Szayel immediately responded.
Upon getting closer to the building, the Espada noticed the ground had been drawn on with chalk. It was a path of yellow bricks with a message on the side that read "FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD!" The path led straight to the opened door of the building; carefully, the group entered. They were told that there wouldn't be any trouble, but one didn't believe much that was said in their line of work. Inside, everything was too dark to see, and outside, the moon and streetlights did little to help the group see.
A single light came on, illuminating one little cone in the huge warehouse. Under it were two people tied to chairs with their mouths taped. As they closed in, the Espada could make out who they were: Aizen and Tousen.
"It's about time," A familiar voice spoke. Gin stood up from where he was sitting behind the other two.
"Gin? Did they get you too?" Barragan looked around in paranoia.
"You could say that," Gin laughed, "Though it was years before I met any of you."
"You bastard!" Grimmjow spat out.
"Hey, hey," The silver haired gangster held up his hands as if innocent, "Let's not resort to name callin', eh? Besides, knowin' that should be a relief..."
"The hell do you mean by that?" Grimmjow demanded.
"Means they didn't kill him, so they probably won't kill us," Starrk stated, crossing his arms to hide his sigh.
"BINGO!" Another voice cried out from the shadows. The door to the outside slammed shut and the place was enveloped in darkness just before the whole building lit up. After they're eyes adjusted to the light, the Espada took note of all the goons surrounding them with guns ready to fire at a moment's notice. Several feet behind Gin stood three other guys, and behind them was a black limo of all things.
"Don't fret," Gin spoke before stepping to the side.
The middle guy, an albino with long hair, stepped forward, stopping just behind the two tied up. He grinned wickedly as he propped on Aizen's head, "What a lively bunch of fresh meat. Well... not the complete collection I see... There's not a prize for collectin' all ten is there?"
"I want to see King," Grimmjow glared.
Shiro laughed, "How'd ya know I ain't him?"
"You're no King," Grimmjow's eyes didn't move. Shiro gritted his teeth at the response. The Espada continued, "You're his brother, right? Shiro?"
The grin returned, "Someone's done their homework. Tell me, did ya do yer homework on Kenpachi?"
"We didn't know at the time. We were just hired to—" Nnoitra hissed before being cut off.
"None of tha' matters!" Shiro yelled out as he shot up, both hands pulling on Aizen's hair. "The point is tha' ya took out a very valuable resource! One tha' needs to be replaced..."
Walking off, away from Aizen and Tousen, Shiro untucked the 9mm from the front of his pants. After a short pause, he snickered and tossed the gun to Gin.
"We do have a lil problem though," Shiro licked his lips, "Uryu, if ya would."
"Matthew 6:24: 'No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon,'" Uryu spoke calmly.
"Ya get tha' picture?" Shiro gripped Aizen's shoulder tightly as Gin took his place to execute the former leader of the Espada.
The Espada looked at Shiro then at the terrified Aizen then between each other and just shrugged.
This caught Shiro off guard, "That's cold... even for me, but I guess the people have spoken! Do it, Gin." The assassin raised the gun to fire.
But then the limousine's door opened.
Everyone turned to look on instinct. A figure stepped slowly out of the car, and Gin lowered his gun. It was like everyone was watching every step, every sway of the black with red fur coat, every breath made. Upon reaching the others, he ran his fingers through his orange hair and gestured for the gun.
"Ichigo," Grimmjow smirked.
"Grimmjow," King replied.
"Sir, you don't have to—"Gin was interrupted by another gesture.
"Nah, I think the Espada would like to see their new employer at least," Taking the gun from Gin and sticking the barrel against the back of Aizen's head, he continued, "Any last words of wisdom, curses, wishes, regrets, etc, etc?"
Aizen mumbled furiously in vain behind the duct tape.
"Poetic," King stated coldly before pulling the trigger.
Everyone but Grimmjow looked away. Ichigo glared at the Espada to see if he got the message.
"Welcome to the Family," King spoke as he turned to walk away.
"I don't understand," Rangiku whined while re-reading the note, "This is the right time and place, and all we got is this guy?"
Tousen sat quietly, bandage over his eyes.
"It is strange," Hitsugaya spoke while sipping on his coffee and eyeing Aizen's body as it was inspected.
"It seems that the Family found some new recruits," Kaien crossed his arms and let out an exhausted breath, "It'll be near impossible to take them down now with this kind of support."
Finishing his coffee, Hitsugaya turned to leave, "I will take them down."