SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 8 out, this is Chapter 9 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairings: Ishida/Hasu, minor pairing Hitsugaya/Karin

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Chapter 9: Shinigami vs. Shinigami! The Uncontrollable Power

"Jidanbō!" Ichigo's group hurried over to the fallen Gatekeeper.

"The gate's open." Renji gasped.

"What's with that setup?" Ishida gaped at the massive lever that was used to pry the gate open.

"Kariya!" Ichigo growled.

Said Bount leader then turned and fired a blast of wind at the lever that held the gate open, destroying it.

"Damn it, they got away." Hitsugaya cursed.

"Ichigo." Renji returned with Hitsugaya and Matsumoto. "It's no good. It's just like I thought. It'll take some time to get all the gates opened again."

"Then, we have no much choice." Hasu looked up at the newly-healed Jidanbō. "Jidanbō, I apologize for asking you to do this while you're still injured, but could you please open the gate?"

"If that's Tula-sama's order." Jidanbō nodded. "Wait a second."

"Let's go!" Ichigo led the group in once Jidanbō lifted the gate.

"Inoue, hurry up." Ishida chided, seeing Inoue stop before the gate.

"Kurosaki, I'm staying here." Inoue stated. "I have to heal Jidanbō. Kurōdo, you go with everyone." removing the sling-bag she had used as Kurōdo's body, she flung the Mod Soul through the gate. "Jidanbō, you can let go now."

"Inoue decided to stay behind." Ichigo reminded the Mod Soul. "Respect her feelings. Besides, there's a reason that she sent you with us. Ririn, how's the Bount's Reiatsu?"

"I can't feel it right now." Ririn replied. "I wonder if they're hiding it."

"I see." Ichigo noted. "But they had a goal when they came here. There's no way they are going to keep their Reiatsu hidden forever. You guys are the best at picking on their Reiatsu when that time comes. We need your power. Kurōdo, we're counting on you."

"Understood." Kurōdo relented. "If that's how things are, then I will have faith in Orihime and put all of my mental and spiritual energy into finding those Bount."

"Go look for them." Hitsugaya gave the order. "For the time being, capturing those Bounts come first."

"Captain." Matsumoto let the incoming Hell Monarch Butterfly land on her hand when the others split off. "To the Gotei 13, following Code 9, all Captains are needed for emergency support. A Captains' meeting will begin momentarily."

"Tula-sama, please allow me to escort you to the Captain-Commander's meeting room." Hitsugaya requested.

Elsewhere in the Squad 2 compound...

"At a time like this.." Suì-Fēng cursed when one of her subordinates brought the message. "I want you to break into groups and continue the search." she ordered. "That's all we can do until we actually run into them. Should you find them, do not immediately initiate an attack. Inform the other groups and wait for support. Dismissed."

"Yes, madam!" the troops vanished in an unison Shunpo.

"Hey, you guys are the guards, aren't you?" Mabashi met a group of Squad 2 members.

"You bastard." the group leader glared. "Are you one of those ryoka?"

"Ryoka?" Mabashi echoed. "Who knows? More importantly, you guys are supposed to strong, right? You wanna play? Zeige Dich, Ritz." he summoned his Doll. "Ritz, go." he had his Doll multiply and sent them into the bodies of the Onmitsukidō to possess them.

In the Captain-Commander's meeting room...

"Where is the 13rd Squad Captain, Ukitake Jūshirō?" Yamamoto noticed there was one Captain missing.

"He's asleep." Kyoraku replied. "It seems he isn't feeling well again."

"2nd Squad Captain." Yamamoto turned to Suì-Fēng. "What is the status of the guard?"

"All the guards have already taken up their posts in Seireitei." Suì-Fēng reported.

"So then, compared to the guard Squads, I wonder what the 10th Squad Captain has been up too all this time?" Mayuri mocked. "I heard that he was supposed to annihilate the ryoka. But it looks like he has allowed the ryoka to infiltrate Seireitei, doesn't it? I'm amazed that you can so shamelessly show your face here."

"I won't make any excuses." Hitsugaya admitted. "It's all my responsibility."

"Well, that's done is done." Kyoraku chided. "Now, we just need to consider our next move."

"Captain Kuchiki, I've heard that you went up against this Kariya person." Komamura looked down at his fellow Captain. "I've heard that he is their leader. I would like you to give us all the information you have on him."

"He is a man with the ability to manipulate wind." Byakuya reported.

"Wind?" Suì-Fēng echoed.

"He can manipulate Reishi, giving him the ability to use powerful healing techniques." Byakuya continued.

"Who do you think you are, changing the subject on me?" Mayuri retorted. "I said that we should question where the 10 Squad Captain's responsibility in this matter lies."

"We knew all about it." Kyoraku sang. "About that Quincy item. The Bount were able to come here because someone from Squad 12 gave it to him. Or so they say. Didn't you fall into their trap as well? You really ought to consider how others might feel, you know."

"Enough!" Tula barked before the argument could escalate. "We do not have the time to squabble. Head out now! All ranked officers of the Gotei 13 are to disperse throughout Seireitei and kill the ryoka as soon as they are found."

"A crushing victory over these ryoka is the most desirable outcome." Yamamoto took over. "As such, each Squad is to act independently of the others. As for the 10th Squad Captain, I am removing him from his operational command position. You are requested to report quickly at all times. That is all." he dismissed the Captains.

Meanwhile...

Another group of Onmitsukidō had met up with Mabashi. "You're a ryoka, aren't you?" thee group reached for their Zanpakutō.

"Why do you have such a scary look on your face?" Mabashi chided. "Ritz!" he summoned his multiple Dolls that had been hiding in plain sight.

"Here I go!" the Ritz wormed their way into the Shinigami's bodies.

"Let's move on to the next group, Ritz." Mabashi told his Doll.

In the Squad 2 barracks...

"Report!" one of the Onmitsukidō reported back to Suì-Fēng. "It seems that Groups 2 and 3 have contact with the ryoka."

"Were they able to apprehend them? Suì-Fēng questioned.

"We lost communication with them, so we don't know the result." the scout answered.

"This is troublesome." Suì-Fēng muttered. "Send this message: the groups are to gather in northern Seireitei. I'll head out soon. Groups 2 and 3, report in." she ordered, once meeting up with her Squad members.

"Group 2 reporting in." the group leader stepped forward. "The ryoka we were trying to apprehend got away."

"Group 3 reporting in." the group leader stepped up. "There was an encounter with the ryoka in area 5. We were unable to apprehend them."

"What are you doing?" Suì-Fēng demanded. "We're in a state of emergency. What are we going to do if the guards are incapable of working properly at a time like this?"

Hidden behind a building, Mabashi watched the proceedings in the shadows. "Ritz, it's about time.".

"Reorganize your formations." Suì-Fēng ordered. "Groups 1 and 2 are to transfer to the western wall. Groups 3 and 4 are to go to the eastern wall and head towards Central." her orders given, she proceeded to walk off.

"Do it." Mabashi gave the order.

As if on cue, one of the Group 2 members threw a Bitto vessel at Suì-Fēng's shoulder.

"Who did it?" Suì-Fēng demanded, her eyes spotting the culprit.

"Captain!" the others hurried to their leader's side as some of the Group 2 members held down the culprit.

"What is this?" Suì-Fēng winced. "What did you do?"

Omake: Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide

Ikkaku: (Standing in the middle of a fire) Damn! Where the hell are those ryoka? And here I was, thinking that I'd not appeared in the show in a while and this is what I get. Goddamn, it's hot! (Swings his Zanpakutō around) These flames are gonna turn me into ashes. Where the hell are you, ryoka? Come on out! I, Madarame Ikkaku, will take you all on! (Runs into the fire)

In reality...

Yachiru holds a fan-shaped mirror and reflecting sunlight on Ikkaku's head.

Ikkaku: (Sleeping) Hot. It's hot.

SailorStar9: In the next chapter, the Bitto incapacitates Suì-Fēng with a poison, and Ritz uses the controlled Shinigami to cause chaos throughout Seireitei by turning them against other Shinigami, including 7th Squad Captain Komamura and9th Squad Lieutenant Hisagi, who manage to knock many of the infected Shinigami unconscious. Meanwhile, Suì-Fēng attempts to fight Mabashi, and hits him once with her Shikai, leaving a mark on his chest. She collapses from the poison, and Mabashi attempts to use Ritz to control her. Suì-Fēng then quickly strikes Mabashi in the chest to deal a fatal blow, revealing that her Zanpakutō allows her to counteract poisons. Elsewhere, Mayuri confronts Sawatari. Now that's done, read and review.