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By the Stars Light

Chapter 11 The Greatest Challenge: Battle Against A Taicho

"What did Juuni-taicho say Hajime?" asked a female voice. Hajime looked across the room to Kagami sitting on the bed across from him.

"Hakanai-san?"

"Yeah Hajime you sure talk in your sleep." Hajime looked to see Ikkaku and Yumichika on adjoining beds in the room.

"It seems we're all are a little worse for the wear, but of course I came out beautifully." Commented Yumichika haughtily.

"Beautiful my ass." Laughed Ikkaku as he tore of Yumichika's wig revealing an afro. Hajime and Kagami burst into laughter.

"How the hell did that happen?" said Hajime holding back his laughter.

"Some ugly cretin threw a firework at me." He said replacing the wig. "So Hajime what happened to get you so beat up?" Hajime sat up in the bed grunting at the pain in his shoulder. "You alright?"

"Oh what this? This is nothing remember when I fought Kenpachi without his eye patch?"

"Oh yeah it's a good thing Mayuri was able use that serum of his to re-grow your arm." Said Ikkaku

"Yeah but I don't think I want to do that again, re-growing an arm hurts."

"Speaking of Kurotsuchi-taicho I was talking with Nemu-chan earlier." Quipped Kagami

"Oh how is she, she was pretty beat up when I saw her."

"Oh she's fine but what she was really worried about was that little cutie Hoshi."

"Why?"

"Cause he was fighting you, she said he was very nice and tried to help treat her wounds."

"Oh so he wasn't trying to take advantage of her?"

"Please that boy would probably blush to death if Matsumoto ever got a hold of him."

"Well it seems you have all recovered nicely." The group looked over to see the black coat clad Shinigami, the mood in the room suddenly dropped. "I have news to bring to you especially you Hakanai-san." He looked straight at her revealing the face beneath the hood a simple white mask with small slits for eyes as long as any could remember no had ever seen his true face.

"What is it?"

"This morning the body of Aizen Souske-taicho was found murdered impaled on a sword." The room grew deathly quiet.

"H…how? When?" asked a shaken Kagami on the verge of tears.

"He was found by Hinamori-fukutaicho, there are no suspects as of yet, but some suspect the ryoka."

Impossible! Hoshi's strong but he's not taicho level yet, and neither of his friends are either, but the orange haired one has great potential I'd say from what little I know of him he and Hoshi are on the same level constantly fluctuating back and forth between who is the strongest. Thought Hajime. But then again this is just too convenient just a day after I find out the supposed truth any way of asking Aizen directly was dashed, you can't talk to a dead man. Hajime was broken from his thoughts as Kagami broke down at the loss of her taicho.

"No it's not true." She sobbed. "Ai…Aizen-taicho is unbeatable. No Momo-chan, she must be crushed."

"Hinamori-fukutaicho is in custody for attacking Ichimaru-taicho." Said the hooded Shinigami. "She thought he did it." Hajime stood despite the pain in his shoulder.

"That is enough Sumizome-san! You have delivered your message as you can see Hakanai-san is distraught so leave!" roared Hajime. Sumizome laughed.

"I would not be so quick to order myself around Hajime. I am stronger than you think one does not become 3rd seat of first division on ambition alone, and don't think I didn't find that note when I brought you here. Until I know what you believe I've got my eye on you." And he turned and left the room. Hajime sighed that was close, what was he thinking trying to intimidate Sumizome Ryuk the master of fear and darkness he mentally shivered, he was too much like Nightmare Wing with that zanpakuto of his. Hajime picked up his swords and started to walk out of the door.

"Hey Ikkaku try and console Hakanai-san, I would but I have some business to take care of." Before walking out of the room.

"Hey wait Hajime I don't know how to do things like this." Shouted Ikkaku. "Damn it." He walked over to Kagami who was now sitting on her bed sobbing into her hands. Ikkaku sat next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Uh there, there." He said awkwardly which prompted her to cry harder. "A little help?"

"Poor Ikkaku, you simply have no tact when dealing with objects of exquisite beauty." He walked over to Kagami pulling out a handkerchief. "There now there's no need for tears Kagami-chan, a face as perfect as yours shouldn't be stained by tears." He handed her the handkerchief which she took.

"Thank you." She wiped her eyes. "You're right I shouldn't be crying I have to set an example for my division I'll have to lead them in the absence of Aizen-taicho and Momo-chan."

"That's right, but can I ask you something."

"Uh sure."

"What conditioner do you use; your hair is to die for."

"I'll tell you; but only if you tell me your moisturizer your skin is flawless."

"Deal."

"Just great another one." Sighed Ikkaku

Third Division

Ichimaru Gin was doing paperwork the bane of every taicho. His fukutaicho at another desk working as well.

"Hey wait you can't just…" called a voice from outside the office but was silenced by a grunt of pain. The doors flew open revealing Hajime.

"Ahh Hajime-kun what brings you here unannounced?" asked Gin in his usual sarcastic manner.

"We need to talk."

"Excuse me Sakuya-dono I know you and taicho are friends but you can't just barge in here."

"Shut it Kira. The note Gin the note Hoshi gave you." Hajime noticed Gin tense slightly his face showing a sense of seriousness of course to anyone else Gin's face looked unchanged but Hajime had learned how to read him long ago.

"Kira could you go to 4th division I believe some members are being treated there."

"Yes taicho." Said Kira taking the hint and leaving closing the door behind him.

"So Hajime you got one too what did yours say?"

"Cut the crap Gin, you know what it said, why else would I be here."

"So what do you plan on doing about it."

"I want to speak with Aizen-taicho."

"Didn't you here he's dead."

"Don't even bother Gin. I want to hear his side of the story to find the truth and give you the benefit of the doubt. I will not make a decision till I have heard his reasons. Tell him I shall speak with him in three days time tell me where and I shall meet you. We've been friends a long time Gin I hope you are on the right side. I do not want to fight you." With that Hajime turned and walked out of the office. Gin just sat there he saw a shape form from the shadows on the wall and formed into the form of Sumizome Ryuk.

"What will you do Ichimaru?" asked Ryuk

"I'll just have to trust Hajime for now."

"Fine just remember you can never trust Quincy scum like him." He said before melting back into the shadows.

2nd Division

Hajime walked through the halls of his division his conversation with Gin was interesting, he had confirmed that Aizen was alive but that was all, and if his fears were confirmed he would have to stop them and right now he was no match for Aizen. He walked to the wall and opened the door to the private training room and walked down the stairs.

"Hello Hajime." Hajime looked to see Soifon standing in the room.

"What are you doing here taicho?"

"I had heard you left the 4th division so I figured you would show up here eventually. So you're going to train."

"Yes now please I mean no disrespect but you should leave."

"You don't want me to help you, we used to train together all the time."

"We used to be a lot of things Lin." Soifon felt something tug at her heart Hajime hasn't called her Lin since she became a taicho.

"Hajime?"

"I'm sorry but I must do this alone."

"What are you trying to do?" a vicious wind swirled and now sitting on Hajime's shoulder was a pure white falcon. She knew what it was Hajime had described him before. "Hayabusa?" she stood aghast but composed herself. "I understand." She said quietly before leaving Hajime alone.

With Hoshi

Hoshi opened his eyes to a dark haired Shinigami leaning over him. He reacted instinctively pushing him away.

"Ahh I'm sorry." The Shinigami bowed. "I shouldn't have frightened you." Hoshi sat up he noticed his wounds were bandaged and some were healed.

"Did you do this?"

"Yes, I'm sorry it's not a good job I was so rushed."

"No it's a really good job thank you um?"

"Yamada Hanataro."

"Thank you Yamada-san, I'm Juuni Hoshi."

"Oh yes I know Ichigo-san told me."

"Ichigo?"

"Yo Hoshi your awake" he looked to see Ichigo and Ganju.

"Yeah I'm awake." He stood up slowly. "So let's get going; Rukia's not going to save herself."

"Shouldn't you heal up some more?"

"Nah I'm good, so let's go."

Outside

The group was running on the path, Hoshi was on edge he felt a foreboding the calm before the storm.

It's too quiet something big is coming. Thought Hoshi. The storm hit suddenly in the form of an immense reiatsu almost inhuman.

"Hey you the one?" Hoshi turned toward the pulse a large man with spiked hair and an eye patch. A taicho by the look of him. "You the one who beat Ikkaku?"

"Yeah I beat him; what about it." Said Ichigo, the man smiled.

"Good." Before anyone could react the lashed out Ichigo who only just pulled out Zangetsu in time.

"Ichigo!" Hoshi reached for his sword. But stopped when something jumped onto his shoulder.

"Don't interrupt Ken-chan's fight." Quipped a pink haired girl on his shoulder. "Hi I'm Yachiru what's your name?"

"Hoshi."

"You're the one who beat Windy-chan! I'm going to call you Starry-chan."

"Yeah it was nice talking to you but Ichigo needs my help."

"Don't interfere!" roared the man. "All fights are meant to be one on one."

"Hoshi get out of here, I'll hold him off if we both die then there was no point to this." Shouted Ichigo. Hoshi nodded and as soon as Yachiru jumped off his shoulder he, Hanataro and Ganju ran off to the tower.

"You think he'll be alright?" asked Ganju

"I hope so." Replied Hoshi unfortunately the fates were not smiling on him when they got to the base of the tower he sensed another presence not as intense but still strong taicho level for sure. The others felt it too. "Guys run I'll hold him off." They nodded and ran up the steps. Hoshi pulled out his sword. "Shine forth your radiance, Hisuitaiso." The sword released. He could feel him coming closer there was a chill in the air Hoshi was sure he could see his breath. His opponent flash stepped several feet in front of him. Hoshi looked shocked he was just a kid.

"This is where you stop Ryoka." He said.

"Who are you?"

"Taicho of division 10, Hitsugaya Toshiro."


Well another chapter down, who will win when dragons clash?