Theme Song: Stand by Rascal Flatts

Opening my eyes, I groaned in pain, as I tried to get my bearings. Shit, I'm waking up in pain to many times for my liking today. I clutched at my head, as it had apparently decided that it didn't want to play nice, before rearing back slightly in surprise, to glance at my hand. Seems that I'm back in human from. Glancing down at my right arm, I raised it hesitantly, before clenching my fist and flexing the muscle. My arm's healed too.

Movement from above startled me from my observation, and I shot up, cursing as my head collided with something hard. I frowned when I heard familiar laughter, and I glared through watering eyes towards the source, raising a shocked eyebrow when my gaze landed on the culprit.

'I-Ikkaku!' I stuttered, seeing his bandaged form squatting on the floor, sword in hand, 'What the hell happened!'. I rapidly scanned our surroundings, before realizing where we were. The Fourth Division.

I shot a glare at Ikkaku from my sickbed, he had still been laughing hysterically until tears ran down his face. Seeing my glare, he snorted, unimpressed, but still decided to answer my previous question.

'A Ryoka', the Eleventh Division member grudgingly explained, finally quieting down, 'bright orange hair, and strong' He gestured behind me, an amused glint in his eye, 'He even managed to do a number on the Captain'.

At the mention of his infamous Captain, I felt a sudden chill run up my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Turning my head, I slowly glanced over my shoulder, only to come face to face with a very broad bandaged chest. I felt my mouth go dry. Why is it that I almost always shit myself whenever Captain Zaraki's around? I should be used to it by now.

Swallowing, I let my gaze trail up until I reached his face. I felt my eyes widen slightly, the Captain currently had his usual manic grin on his face. Thankfully, the apprehension lessened slightly, when I caught sight of his small Lieutenant peering cheerfully over her giant Captain's shoulder. Though, it worries even more to think that there's a Ryoka powerful enough to put Zaraki in medical care.

Wait, bright orange hair..'

'You guys don't mean Ichigo Kurasaki, do you?' At their questioning expressions, I elaborated, 'I met two other Ryoka and was sort of taken along for the ride. They told me that they were looking for an orange-haired guy called Ichigo.'

'You don't mean me and Uryu, do you?', My mouth fell open in surprise when another small head popped up from behind Zaraki's other shoulder. Damm, this just gets weirder and weirder.

'O-Orihime', I choked out, eyes darting from the redhead to Ikkaku and the Captain, and back again. I frowned, unsure, when neither looked particularly surprised to see her there.

I huffed in disbelief, turning to Ikkaku, 'Don't tell me that you guys are on their side now?' A thought suddenly hit me, and I groaned, 'And Glasses better not be here too!' I growled in annoyance, frantically searching the room that all of us currently occupied. If he's here, I'm gonna shove that damm bow somewhere he'll never find it again.

I had a bone to pick with that Quincy brat, since he was the reason I was once again lying injured and out of action. When both Uryu and Orihime managed to get me defenseless, they took me with them on their search for their friend Ichigo.

Uryu had refused to allow Orihime to heal my broken leg, so I had ended up being carried by the busty girl. It wasn't an entirely…unpleasant experience, but it meant that I couldn't fight if we ran into trouble. Trouble for me more to the point, I wouldn't go as far as to help out any damm Ryoka.

Things went downhill from there, as our little trio was confronted by the Captain of the Twelfth Division, Captain Kurosutchi. That maniac actually tried to blow us up! I must have been knocked out by the blast, as the next thing I know, I wake up on a bed in the Fourth Division's Barracks.

'We'll aren't you perceptive', Ikkaku huffed, standing and shouldering his Zanpakuto. He pointed at Orihime. 'From what the girl has told us, there's more going on behind this execution than we thought.' He then flashed a devilish grin, 'So we're gonna crash it'.

So they suspect it too. It's just as that other Ryoka, Yoruichi said. Blinking in surprise at this revelation, I warily scanned the Eleventh Division members, who were all watching me expectantly, Orihime included. My eyes widened.

'You're not serious are you!?' I asked exasperatedly, 'you expect me to go along with this? There's no way we'd even be able to reach Sokyoku Hill! The whole of Seireitei is crawling with Soul Reapers!' I groaned, holding my head in frustration. Leaning back against the headboard, I rolled my eyes at their unrelenting stares.

'B-but Kensei', my glare snapped to the right, in the direction of Orihime's voice, and the timid girl flinched back slightly. Sighing, I softened my gaze. After all, who could stay mad at those big eyes?

'What is it Orihime?', I asked her softly, ignoring the muffled snicker of Ikkaku who had caught on to my sudden softness, and kept my eyes on the young redhead.

'They've agreed to help me rescue Uryu', she explained, glancing at the two Eleventh Division members with appreciation, before turning back to me, 'You'll help us won't you?'

I stood, frowning down at my clenched hands from where I sat in my healing bed, debating my options. I can't believe I'm even considering this! What would the Captain say? But on the other hand, all the events that have occurred are too much of a coincidence. All evidence points towards this, but none of us can discover what it is. Isn't it a Soul Reaper's job to protect the Seireitei at all costs?

Another moment passed, and I made my decision. Yes, I nodded, this was what I needed to do. Straightening up, I flashed everyone a confident grin, green eyes flashing with determination. The other two wore identical maniacal grins, and even Orihime gave a hopeful smile.

'Ah, hell I'm up for it!', turning to Orihime, I gave her an amused smirk, 'so Glasses managed to get himself caught did he?' I snorted, before I paused, recalling something.

'Hey Ikkaku?' At his raised eyebrow, I continued, 'earlier, when I sat up, I hit something hard with my head. You have any idea what it was?'

I was taken by surprise when he suddenly burst into hysterical laughter once again, at my persistent questioning, he merely pointed at the foot of my bed, gasping and wheezing for breath.

Confused, I leant forward, peering over the edge of the bed I currently occupied, and proceeded to choke on my tongue. There, laying on the floor completely unconscious, was Yumichika of the Eleventh Division. Damm, I must have knocked him out cold.

Anyway, shaking my head, I wanted to get out of the Fourth Division Barracks as soon as possible. Standing, I grabbed my Zanpakuto from where it was propped up against the wall by the door, and shouldering it, turned to the others.

'Right', I began, my confident grin back on my face, ' I think we've wasted enough time here, don't ya think? The execution's not gonna stop itself!' I cut myself off, when I noticed how quiet everyone had gotten. Ikkaku had looked away, his eyes focused intently on the floorboards and posture stiff, and Zaraki had gotten a strange gleam in his eye. '..What?'

'You seem to have forgotten something Kensei' Zaraki growled, pointedly staring at my chest, Orihime had turned bright red, she almost resembled a tomato, and she also had glanced nervously away. What the hell is he on about? Glancing down, my eyes widened and I blushed, reaching quickly for the bed sheets in order to cover up my completely naked form. Shit! I forgot about the inconveniences of transforming! Well, this is embarrassing.

I glanced up franticly, attempting to stutter out an apology, when something soft smacked me in the face, blocking my vision. Pulling it away from my face, I stared down at it, it was a clean set of my uniform. I shot a sheepish glance towards a smirking Captain Zaraki.

'Put that on, Spitfire', he grumbled, standing and heading towards the door, 'we're heading out'.

'R-Right', I stuttered swallowing, before turning to rapidly dress myself, blushing further as his amused chuckled echoed around the room.

Theme Song: Hall of Fame by The Script

'So, what exactly is this great plan of yours? I didn't escape only to be captured again'

'You didn't escape asshole! They busted us out!'

I rolled my eyes at that comment, as our group sprinted through the streets of the Seireitei, heading towards the execution grounds. Uryu had done nothing but complain since we had broken him and the rest of his buddies out of the prison. They all looked pretty beat up.

And it seems Glasses makes enemies even with those within his own circle. Glancing back, I saw that he was currently in a heated argument with another stocky Ryoka, Ganju, I think his name was. Yumichika had claimed to know him, apparently they'd fought each other when the group first turned up. He didn't go into details.

I looked back up ahead in time to see Captain Zaraki, who had been leading the strange expedition, enter the main square just below the Senkaimon. He still had both Yachiru and Orihime on his back. Though, I frowned in confusion when the Eleventh Division Captain suddenly stopped, and we all slowed down as we reached him in the middle of the square.

'Captain what is it?' Both Ikkaku and Yumichika had moved forward to stand beside their Captain, who had tilted his head upwards, a small manic grin creeping onto his face. I shivered. I had learned from experience that when Captain Zaraki had that look on his face, it meant a bloodbath was on its way.

Despite this, I still stepped forward, scanning the area for any danger. Immediately, I felt overwhelmed by four powerful Spiritual Pressures, one of which I knew very well. My eyes widened in dismay, and I felt my breath hitch. Why? Why did he have to be here!

Bracing myself, I watched as the four figures flash stepped into the clearing. Seventh Division Captain Komamura and his Lieutenant, along with Ninth Division Captain Tosen….and his Lieutenant. Shuuhei..

I couldn't look away as my close friend made his way to the side of his Captain, holding his confused glare as he did so. I tried conveying my thoughts through my green eyes, mentally pleading with him to understand. My heart sank as Shuuhei's expression became cold and distant as he looked to Captain Tosen for orders. Damm, he's not Shuuhei anymore! He's become Lieutenant Hisagi.

'Kenpachi, what is the meaning of this?' I glanced up to see that Captain Komamura had stepped forward, that helmet of his masking his face and muffling his growl. He continued, fury laced in his words, 'Have you finally lost your mind completely!'.

Kenpachi, for all the world, looked as relaxed as if it was a day on the beach. Raising a mocking eyebrow, he brought his Zanpakuto down from his shoulder, holding it lazily in front of him. 'So what if I have?' He drawled back, a manic smirk on his scarred face, 'If you plan to get in my way, I'll have no problem in cutting you down'.

The whole of our group gasped in surprise when the Eleventh Division Captain suddenly turned to us, glaring menacingly. Orihime, who had been placed on the ground next to Glasses, let out a small whimper. 'All of you get lost', turning back, I could see the manic smirk forming into an even more maniacal smile, I held my breath in anticipation, This is my fight, and I wanna have a little fun before we move on'.

At that comment, Captain Tosen bristled with barely suppressed rage, his Spiritual Pressure taking on a murderous tint. 'Do you really believe, he began, with forced calm. Whoa! Very passive aggressive there! He continued, 'that you could take use all on, our Lieutenants included? You really are arrogant'.

Hell, this'll be a walk in the park for me!' Zaraki retorted, with a smug smirk on his face, taking on an offensive stance, 'So what if I'm arrogant?' Without taking his eyes of the enemy, Captain Zaraki growled back at us, 'Go on and get going you idiots! You should know that I don't want any of you in my way. This is my fight'. Both Ikkaku and Yumichika, who were still standing at their Captain's side, had exchanged uncertain glances, but at their Captain's insistence, nodded obediently and made their way over to us.

'You heard the Captain', Ikkaku ordered gruffly, 'let's get moving!'. Even though it was short, I still caught his shared glance with Yumichika, and quietly raised an eyebrow. What are those two planning? Shaking my head, I gestured to the rest of the group to continue heading towards the Senkaimon. Following after them, the two Eleventh Division members at my side, I could only hope that we would make it in time. Rukia, it seems that we've all greatly misjudged you.

After a while of running down empty streets, I noticed that both Ikkaku and Yumichika had started falling behind. Panting slightly, I slowed down with them, letting the Ryoka race on ahead. I planned to figure out what was wrong. If their planning to do what I think their planning, then there's no way I'm being left out of this fight!

'Oi Ikkaku!', They froze, turning to glare back at me from where they had been trying to sneak off, eyes narrowed. They reared back slightly in surprise on seeing my fiery expression. 'You're planning to go back and help out aren't ya?' At their cautious nods, I grinned, blowing a few brown strands of hair out of my face as I did so. 'Well what are ya waiting for?'

Sprinting back the way we came, I glanced back chuckling at their stupefied expressions, 'If ya stand there any longer, you're gonna miss out on the whole fight!'. Calling back to them seemed to have jolted them out of their surprise, as they came to their senses, racing after me, matching devious grins on their faces.

Our trio appeared to have arrived just as the real battle got started, as both Tosen and Komamura had just set their Lieutenants on Zaraki. All three of us raced to intercept them, the two Eleventh Division members holding off the Seventh Division Lieutenant, while I had Shuuhei. Shit.

Gulping, I steeled myself to glare up at my old friend, and almost flinched at the shocked and slightly hurt expression on his face. Our Zanpakuto had locked together, both of us hesitant whether to make the next move.

'So', Shuuhei broke the tense silence, pressing forward, testing my strength, 'you've sided with the Invaders? And here I thought your loyalty was unquestionable.' He shot me an accusatory glare, grey eyes flashing with such a look of betrayal that it almost made me choke on my own breath. Surging forward, Shuuhei attempted to overpower me with his force, but I had leapt back out of his reach, sword raised.

'Shuuhei', I barked, watching my old friend warily as he attempted to find an opening in my defense, 'will ya listen to me for a second here! You know me! I'd never do something this drastic without a good reason!'. I gazed at him in exasperation, willing for him to back down and listen.

Around us, Zaraki was locked in combat with both Tosen and Komamura, the latter had already resorted to his Bankai. The amount of destruction was great; the buildings were hardly distinguishable among the rubble. Ikkaku, Yumichika and the other Lieutenant were nowhere to be found. They probably took their fight elsewhere and relocated. I knew I would have.

Observing the chaos around us, I turned back to Shuuhei, only to find him gone. Confused and wary, I got back into a fighting stance. I knew this as one of Shuuhei's attacks. Disappearing and attacking from the shadows. I had been the victim of this attack many times during our spars, so I could predict his next move.

A breeze to the right, I whipped round, bringing my sword up to block the oncoming blow, only for Tayosei to meet thin air. Wha-? My eyes widened in surprise when I felt a cool blade at my bandaged throat, held by the figure standing behind me.

Turning my head slightly, I eyeballed a serious Shuuhei, before giving him a small grin, 'You've improved a lot since we last sparred. You were more than two steps ahead of me this time, the Ninth Division must be doing you good'.

The sword at my throat shook slightly, making a small patch of blood stain my bandages. I ignored it, and instead somberly observed as my dear friend's professional façade crumbled. His head was bowed so his hair had covered his eyes, and his shoulders were shaking.

Hesitantly, I reached forward with one hand, while slowly pushing his Zanpakuto away from my throat. Gently grasping his chin, I raised his head so that grey eyes met green. I frowned at Shuuhei's conflicted expression, confused.

'Why?' He whispered, and I felt my eyes burn at the agony in his voice, 'Why does it have to be you? You know that to uphold the Soul Society I have to follow orders. You're my closest-If they ask me to kill you I don't know what I'd- I..'

I cut him off by pulling him into a tight hug his head resting on my shoulder as he shuddered, attempting to control his cries; I didn't care if the situation didn't call for it, my dearest friend was hurting, and I was the cause of it. I hated that. I had promised you hadn't I? That I'd always have your back. Ever since that night.. and here I am breaking that promise.

Pulling back, I stared at Shuuhei, making sure that he had recovered from his near hysteria. Thankfully, no one had seen their exchange, Shuuhei hated for people to witness his weaknesses. 'Shuuhei', I began, waiting for him to focus on me, 'we're going to stop this execution, Shuuhei'.

'What!' At his shocked gaze, I hurried to explain, and his expression turned from shocked to surprise and then to anger. 'So, what you're saying is that your group suspects a conspiracy that's being covered up by Rukia Kuchiki's execution?' A look of fierce determination had overtaken his features, as well as a dangerous glint in his eyes.

'Yeah', I nodded. We had relocated to a safer spot on the roof of one of the buildings, in order to avoid getting injured in the Captains' battles. 'And what's more is-'

I froze, when I felt a sudden surge of powerful Spiritual Pressure coming from the direction of Central 46, and dread filled me when I recognized it to be the distressed Pressure of Captain Hitsugaya. Captain!

Glancing sharply at Shuuhei, I saw that he had sensed it as well, as he stared knowingly back at me, giving me a sharp nod.

'Go', He commanded, turning his back to me, and towards the clearing we had just come from, Shuuhei glanced back to give one last remark, 'I'll handle things here, Kensei. If what you say is true, then your Captain needs you by his side. I know how close you two are.' With that, I watched him jump off the tiled roof, and flash-step in the direction his Captain was still fighting. Leaving me wondering, if Shuuhei knew more then he let on.

Shaking myself out of those thoughts, I rapidly headed in the direction of Central 46, where my Captain currently resided. What he was doing there I didn't know. He must be appealing to the Council Members. But why? What has he found out?

I leapt from rooftop to rooftop, putting on as much speed as possible. It was already dusk, and the sun was just beginning to disappear behind the distant hills. Ignoring the beauty of it all, my mind was focused on one thing and one thing only.

Toshiro, please be safe. Don't do anything rash, I'm on my way.