Aizen's Frightening Plan

It took a moment before Ichigo was able to stand up on his own, but Kein was over exhausted as she plopped over on her back as the Vizards around her looked at her in concern.

"Kein! Are you alright?" Mashiro asked. Panting rather heavily she replied, "Y-Yeah. I'm fine...just...c-completely drained. Feels like I-I'm gonna faint."

Suddenly she heard footsteps come up towards her as she found herself engulfed in a spiky haired shadow. "Looks like you got your ass kicked. Care to fill me in?"

Ichigo asked in banter as Kein chuckled and smiled up at him. "You're one to talk Mr. I-took-an-hour-to-control-my-Inner-Hollow. While you were bouncing around in your inner world, in the physical world I was fighting your monstrous Hollow form...your real Inner Hollow. Looks completely different than what I saw moments ago."

Ichigo grinned nervously as he asked, "Moments ago?"

"I wanted to give you as much time as possible to control your Hollow so I decided to jump in the barrier and fight your Hollow form, but during our fight I used Rei de Seikatsu to see into your soul for 5 seconds. In doing so I was able to take in probably 50% of what was going on with your fight with your Inner Hollow and I got to see him for the first time. He's the spitting image of you in black and white. He didn't give you a name, but I decided to call him Shirosaki, or in short just Shiro. Makes sense, don't cha think?"

"Wait, so you were able to see everything within 5 seconds?"

"Yeah, but I was also saw…all those doubts of yours."

Ichigo gasped slightly as she sat up again.

"Everything Shiro told you is true and its exactly something I probably would have told you myself, but I think you needed to hear those words from Shiro and not me. However, despite how much I agree with him, there is something I want to express to you that I don't think anyone else will. Consider it advice from one guardian to another."

Before continuing, she slowly stood up upon her feet, nearly falling over from dizziness, but she wanted to stand at the same eye level as Ichigo as her metaphorical way of expressing the importance of what she was about to say. Ichigo looked at her intently as she smiled gently at him.

"You and I share the exact same purpose. We are both protectors...both guardians, but the difference between you and me is, I am a guardian who lives to fight. I live for the thrill of battle and crushing my enemies, even though I don't believe in killing them, but you? You are a guardian who lives to protect and there's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with it at all. You may not have the same fighting desires as I do, but every warrior, every fighter needs a reason to fight. You want to protect those around you; that's a reason. I refuse to become a victim or let others become a victim; that's a reason. Most of all? Warriors fight because they want to fight...that's a reason. Instinct is nothing without desires and desires are nothing without instinct to fuel them. So again I say, that even though you don't desire to fight like I do, you still desire to fight even if it's just to protect your friends and don't you ever forget that resolve. But above anything else, do not fear or forget the instinct that fuels that drive. If you ignore the instinct or refuse to tap into it, then you'll die like a dog. Shiro is your instinct, Ichigo, so please...don't ignore him, instead use his powers the way they are meant to be used, not in protection of just your friends or your pride, but in protection of yourself and him. He is a part of you just as much as you are a part of him."

Ichigo was gazing upon her solemnly as he took to heart everything she said to him as she seemed to be the only one that ever leveled on the same mentality not only sympathetically and respectfully, but empathically. He smiled gently back at her as he took a few steps forward and then embraced her with one arm, his other hand holding Zangetsu. She gasped slightly as this was the first time that he had ever hugged her in the same way that she would embrace him. His warmth was strong and caring as Kein blushed slightly from the notion.

"Thank you Kein, for everything. I think…I understand what you're saying now so please...don't ever stop telling me your thoughts."

-Karakura Town-

Inoue was walking home alone from school as she couldn't help but to keep thinking about Kein and Ichigo, knowing they were away and training. When she concentrated, she could sense both their reiatsus and could feel that they were strongly lit so in that regard it brought her a small comfort to at least know that they were okay.

"Oh, its good to see you back home Orihime," a voice interrupted her thought as she looked behind her to see a familiar face.

"Thanks! It's good to be home Ms. Shimura!" She smiled brightly in polite reply.

"I've been meaning to ask you something. It's about your two young friends, the ones that have been visiting? Now I don't mean to pry, but are you sure they are alright?" Of course she was in reference to Hitsugaya and Matsumoto.

"Uhh...sure why do you ask?"

"Well I wasn't spying, but I couldn't help but notice them carrying something odd into your place." Rather puzzled, Orihime quickly went inside her home to find Matsumoto and Hitsugaya inside one of the main rooms and standing in front of what appeared to be a very large and strange looking tv that was completely full of black static.

"Wo...that's really cool. No, I mean not cool! What's going on? I mean, what is it Toshiro?"

Suddenly the screen became clear as a person could be seen on the other side. "Oh I'm sorry, thank you for waiting. You've reached the call center of the Department of Research and Development."

"Tell them Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain of Squad Ten is calling."

"Yes sir, he's expecting your call." The screen suddenly changed to another image as Captain Commander Yamamoto could be seen. Orihime gasped slightly as she reacted, "It's the Head Captain."

"I must commend you for taking care of this so quickly, Captain Hitsugaya. The recent development made it imperative that we established this emergency channel as soon as possible as we have discovered Sosuke Aizen's true objective!"

"That's what this is about? So you've found out what Aizen's been after?" "Hmm, we have indeed."

Orihime nervously interrupted, "You know what? It sounds like you guys are discussing important Shinigami stuff so I'll just go outside okay?"

"Wait a moment," Yamamoto commanded. "Unfortunately the matter I'm about to discuss concerns you Humans as well. You should hear what I have to say." Orihime nervously replied, "Yes sir."

"As you know, Sosuke Aizen disappeared months ago. And since then we have launched an extensive investigation. We've had teams scouring the Squad 5 Captain's room where Aizen lived in the underground assembly hall of Central 46, the Seijouto Kyorin, where he hid himself after his feigned death. And even the Daireishio Archive where after countless hours of sifting through all the data Captain Ukitake discovered something."

The information Captain Aizen was looking at, what was it?"

"The Ouken."

Hitsugaya gasped as Orihime asked, "Um, what exactly is an Ouken?" Matsumoto stepped in and replied, "The literal translation is The Royal Key. You may not have known, but the Soul Society has a Royal Family. We do have a king, but he had placed Central 46 in charge of governing the Soul Society and the Royal Family choose never to get involved. Neither the Captain or myself. None of us have actually seen the Royal Family in person."

"Indeed, our King is called the Rael or Soul King. Not only is he revered, he is also an important symbolic figure in the Soul Society. The Royal Palace is located in a completely separate dimension and is guarded by its own private force, an elite group known as the Royal Security Guard. And the Ouken is the key that opens the gate to the dimension where the Royal Palace is."

"If that's true and Aizen is after the key that means he wants to—"

"...murder the King. I'm afraid we must assume that is his motive. However, I believe there is a more immediate threat."

"Is there any information in the book that Aizen could have been looking at that could lead him to the location of the Ouken?" Hitsugaya asked.

"Not exactly. The location of the Ouken is a secret that has been passed down from one Head Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to the next for generations. There has never been nor ever shall be a written record of its whereabouts. The document Aizen was looking at dealt not with the key's location, but the creation of the Ouken. He now possesses the knowledge with which to create the Royal Key. The materials required to create an Ouken are 100,000 souls and a Juureichi one spirit mile in diameter. A Juureichi is an enriched spirit zone found in the world of the living. It's location changes over time. Because it's so spiritually charged, it's an area where spirits are drawn to."

Orihime began to feel a knot in her stomach as a bad feeling was resting heavily upon the air.

"Perhaps you understand now that the Juuerichi that Aizen is after is Karakura Town!"

A chill went up her spine as Yamamoto continued, "I realize 100,000 souls and a Juureichi with a radius of one spirit mile may seem like abstract concepts and be difficult for you to visualize so I'll put it in more concrete terms. If Aizen is able to follow the instructions with which he now possesses and he succeeds in completing the Ouken, Karakura Town, the land on which it stands and every person living there will be carved out of this world and erased from existence!"

"No...that's not possible! But...isn't there anything you can do? Isn't there some way to stop him?"

Orihime was nearly on the brink of tears as she slightly hunched over, her fists and her eyes clenched tightly closed, but the Head Captain reassured her, "We will find a way. The Thirteen Court Guard Squads were created for this very purpose. Thankfully we still have a little time to work with. According to Captain Kurotsuchi's report, the Hougyoku remains in a dormant state for a period of time. And after being released from its seal there is nothing Aizen can do to change that. We believe it will take four months to fully awaken. Aizen will be unable to assemble his forces until the Hougyoku is fully awakened. Only then can he make his move. This winter we shall fight! Until then we must hone our skills and not rest until we are prepared for battle!"

Matsumoto and Hitsugaya nodded as they stated in unison, "Yes sir!"

"Now as for you Orihime Inoue, since Aizen's objective is the world of the living the area may be too large for us to handle by ourselves. We will need the world of the living to gather its strength as well. Go. I want you to inform Ichigo Kurosaki of this matter."

"Yes sir," Orihime agreed with a nod as she hurried out the door to find Ichigo and Kein to alert them of this devastating matter as Matsumoto went to inform Ikkaku and the others. During the course of this meeting and Kein and Ichigo's training, Chad and Renji were also honing their skills in the Underground Training Facility buried beneath the ground as they were under the careful watch of Urahara. Fighting against Renji's Bankai would surely advance Chad to the next level, but it also gave Renji a chance to practice more at his Bankai. Ishida as well was training with his father to gain back his Quincy powers under the agreement that he would not meddle within the affairs of Shinigamis.

After Hachi had healed both Kein and Ichigo, Hiyori started them under a rigorous training routine of constantly bringing out their Hollow masks to hone them into keeping the masks out longer. Ichigo's mask suddenly disappeared as Hiyori gave him a sudden kick to the jaw. Spinning quickly around she then met Kein's attack with a painful kick to the gut as Kein was forced backwards, skidding along the ground as her mask too disappeared.

"I told you guys not to release your Hollow forms without permission!" She yelled as she started running at Ichigo.

"WHAT ARE YOU STUPID? I would have been in trouble if I hadn't used it then!"

"Shut UP! Dumbass!"

She then kicked him again as he went tumbling backwards into another random boulder. "Going until you're in trouble is what training is all about!"

"What did you say?"

"If you want to fool around then QUIT!"

Kein needed a moment to recover as she was holding on her mask longer than Ichigo was, but in turn was draining her energy faster. Love and Rojuro were sitting together on a rock, munching on lunch as they watched the three fighting in the distance.

"They're getting along swimmingly," Rojuro stated sarcastically.

"Mmm, yeah."

"Faster Ichigo! If Kein can do it, then you have no excuse! Now, AGAIN!" Hiyori yelled.

"Shut up! I know what to do," he retorted as he dug his foot into the ground and held up a hand to his face as his Hollow Mask began to appear. Hiyori then quickly came at Ichigo with a strong kick as he flew up an arm to block it as he complained in a Hollowfied voice, "That hurts!"

"Your first move after you put on your mask is too slow! If the fight was decided by the first blow..." she continued to kick at his arm, getting a hit upon his chin again as he went flying backwards "...you'd be done for!"

Kein suddenly came up behind Hiyori after releasing her mask again as Hiyori was quick to turn around and counter her punch, but Kein grasp upon Hiyori's foot to get the upper hand. However, Hiyori still had her other foot free as she twisted her body and kicked Kein upside the head as the blue haired devil was shot into a boulder nearby. "You're still too slow Marasuna!"

"Their retention times are increasing...very quickly," Hachi commented as he was sitting next to Shinji.

"Well it's not a simple thing..."

"…four seconds for Ichigo and eight seconds for Kein—"

"...only!"

"Hey, why is it that you guys are making the carrot top and candy cane go through all this?" Mashiro asked in a child like manner, using her usual nicknames for Ichigo and Kein.

"Its practice so that they can maintain their Hollow form for long periods of time. You did it too," Kensei explained.

"Oh, no I didn't."

What? You liar!" Kensei replied in irritation, but Shinji interrupted and reminded him, "No its true! Mashiro was able to Hollowfy for over 15 hours from the very start. So she's the only one that didn't have to go through all the training."

"Is that how it was? I've forgotten all about it."

"See, Kensei you big grouch?" She bantered as she took a finger and pulled down one of her lower eyelids while sticking her tongue out. "You're such a jerk!"

"Hey shut up!"

"Now...now..." Hachi interrupted, but then he suddenly looked off in the distance towards the facility entrance with a concerned expression. "What's the matter Hachi?" Shinji asked in a low tone as Hachi replied, "There's a problem. Someone just slipped through my force field and entered the building." His answer put all the Vizards on edge as Love questioned, "A Shinigami?"

"No. The barrier I placed up around this location is a technique I devised on my own when I became a Vizard. It can't be broken by a Shinigami's kidou."

"Then who is it? Are you suggesting that it's a Vizard like us?" Kensei asked in impatient frustration.

"I really don't know. The thing that puzzles me the most is that they didn't get in by destroying the barrier, rather they just simply slipped right through it. A Vizard certainly wouldn't be able to do something like that, not at all."

"You're right, then what the hell is it?" They all watched the entrance to the facility as they waited for the presence to show itself. "Here it comes." And upon the stairs stepped down a girl with brownish orange hair and in a school uniform. "A Human?"

"Uh...hi...there. Excuse me...uh...anyone know where the restroom is? Just kidding! Ha, ha, ha." Kensei barked out in irritation, "Say what?"

"She said she was just kidding Kensei. It's a joke, don't get mad," Lisa explained as Love joined in, "Well I wouldn't kid around if I were in her situation."

Orihime was laughing nervously as her attention was suddenly drawn by a nearby cloud of debri as a voice shouted, "What are you doing Ichigo?" The orange haired Shinigami was lieing upon the ground beside Kein as both their masks were gone again as he barked, "Damn!"

"Ichigo, Kein, it's you!"

The two looked up as Ichigo helped Kein to her feet as the two questioned in unison, "O-Orihime?" Using this time to take a small break, Orihime explained to Kein and Ichigo everything that the Head Captain had explained to them.

"I see, so that's what's going on," Ichigo replied after she had finished her report to them.

"Aizen..." Kein stated his name softly almost in rumors and guilt as the temptation to join his side was still there within her heart. Orihime was glad to see that both were okay as Kein caught notice of Orihime staring at Ichigo. She smiled, finding the moment rather cute.

"Hm, what are you staring at?" Ichigo asked as Orihime nervously replied "Huh? Oh nothing. I was just thinking that both of you don't seem very surprised by all of this."

"Well I don't know about you two, but I've known Aizen a lot longer than both of you and I guess it just seems like something he would do. He always talked about how things around Soul Society need to change so that little tid bit isn't a surprise at all. I also already knew about the Hougyoku and to an extent of what Aizen wanted to do, but 100,000 souls?"

"I'm surprised alright, but just not sure how to act," Ichigo added as he placed his chin between his thumb and index finger. "After hearing about this Royal Key I don't think its quite sunken in yet." Ichigo however then stood up in a proud stance as he said, "Wipe that worried look off your face Orihime. It'll be okay. I'll stop Aizen I promise."

He lifted a hand as he looked upon it and clenched its fist. "I know I can still get stronger, I can really feel it now. I appreciate you giving me the heads up. Thanks a lot." He thanked her as he gave one last glance at her, but Kein suddenly got up and drop kicked Ichigo in the stomach.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE going to stop Aizen?"

Ichigo tumbled backwards as he barked, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?"

"You're SUPPOSED to be under the mindset that WE'LL stop Aizen TOGETHER...YOU STUPID CARROT TOP! That's the point of being friends isn't it?"

"WHAT? STOP CALLING ME CARROT top you bit—" suddenly being dropped kicked again to the gut as Kein kicked him away.

"I'll stop calling you a salad topping as soon as you stop acting like top dog! I'm the one that's strongest here! You can't even hold your little Hollow mask for more than 4 seconds and yet you stand there and say you're going to defeat Aizen? HA! DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!" She bantered in playful insults as the two began to pound upon each other.

"What? What kind of logic IS THAT? You can only hold your mask for 4 seconds longer! BIG DEAL you blueberry candy cane!"

"WHAT? Oh great now Mashiro has you calling me that!"

"Well if the glove fits—" as the two began to fight, Orihime could only look at Ichigo in a hint of sadness as she thought to herself, "Oh Ichigo. He can't really process what I told him because he's so busy training with Kein and getting stronger. It doesn't matter what Aizen is planning. Ichigo knows exactly what he has to do. He's not afraid. Yes, he really is getting stronger and it doesn't feel heavy or scary like before, but it also doesn't feel nice. It's such a strange feeling." And soon after she quickly left the facility.