Chapter 12- Justice in the West

Gin practically skipped beside Aizen. Happy to be free. His silver tail swishing back and forth. Grimmjow just behind rolling his big blue eyes.

"Ya are so amazin' Aizen-sama~" sang the fox. "Killen the witch. Freein us all,"

The dark haired man nodded. Smiling a bit. They reentered the castle. And Aizen's first order of business was to gather all those that had served under the witch.

They gathered around curious and weary of the dark haired man.

Aizen stood on a few boxes Gin had found and looked down at all of them. He raised his hands. "I grant upon you of the West, your freedom." There was a small gasp from everyone. "However. I must insist you help me save my two companions that were trapped in the ice, of that boy."

There was no objection what so ever. The girl with bells, Tobiume, set off with a few others that had served under the witch. They were gone for almost half a day, having to thaw the giant ice dragon. And free Ulquiorra and Tousen. The two missing companions were then returned to the castle.

At last they were all reunited. And Ulquiorra and Tousen were eager to hear how Aizen had defeated the witch.

"Aizen-sama truly is a great and powerful wizard" Ulquiorra said softly, bowing low to the brunette.

"Now that the witch is defeated, we should not delay." He held out the white cloth with the blue ribbons. The item that had been in the witch's hair. "We need to take this back to the wizard, and he can grant our requests."

Gin's smile strained a bit, but it didn't fade.

"Will you just leave us, without instating new rule?" asked one. He wore a mask and had long black hair.

Aizen turned his dark eyes to them. "I do not plan to stay and rule all of you."

"But we cannot let them remain leaderless," Ulquiorra said softly, his green eyes looking at all of those that had served under the witch.

"Perhaps we can find em a new ruler, or one of them can be a new ruler," Gin said.

Aizen nodded a thought coming to him "Your new ruler. What would you expect from them?"

"We wish to be treated equally. Someone who will serve with honor and not tyranny. Justice is what we are looking for." the girl with the bells proclaimed. A cheer was heard after her words.

Justice.

The blind man was the first thing that came to mind when that word was spoke. Aizen nodded turning his gaze to Tousen.

"Kaname. When we return from the wizard and you regain your sight, would you rule over the lands of the West, and all that reside in it?"

Tousen stiffened at Aizen's words. "Aizen-sama, you would have me..?"

"Would you do it?" Aizen questioned once more.

The blind man bowed low before the brunette. "It would be a great honor, Aizen-sama."

With a slight nod, Aizen gestured to Tousen. "When he returns, he shall rule with justice. This I can promise you."

The freed souls cheered happily. They gave treasures to the leaving companions as a token of gratitude. Gold collars for Gin and Grimmjow. A lime green walking stick for Ulquiorra, and a silver visor for Tousen, many jewels embedded within it. Wishing for his return to come quickly.

Aizen smiled attaching the golden collar around Gin's neck when the girl with the bells came before him, a gift for him as well.

"We know not what to give someone of your status." she said softly.

He smiled, "I don't need anything." he assured the girl.

She shook her head. "Please take this." She held out a small black ball. Quite a bit larger then a marble and fit in the palm of her hand. "Take it as a token of our gratitude,"

He nodded not questioning it. He glanced at the black ball carefully it seemed like a universe was inside it. Like almost everything he touched in this world, this came with it's own memories as well. He held a frightened girl by a red collar. His hand imbedded in her chest. His own hand scaly and green.

He shook his head, removing the image from his head. He thanked her quietly and pocketed it carefully. Not sure if it could be useful for anything in the near future.

The companions themselves, left in high spirits heading East. Back to the Emerald City where all their wishes would be fulfilled. But the journey back was a lot longer then they had expected.

"Eventually we will find the Emerald City again," Ulquiorra said, a tiny hint of determination in his voice.

But many days later they didn't seem to be any closer. Aizen sat on the ground tired and a little put out. Here at the home stretch of their journey and they were lost. He pulled out the white cloth that he had taken from the Witch of the east and twirled the blue ribbons around his finger. They were so close…

Gin curled up next to Aizen watching him play with the hair piece. It was then he noticed something written on the inside of the cloth. His eyes narrowed slightly as he peered at the words.

"Strangle to death, Anaconda, Devour Leona, Thrust Cierva," he said the words in the hat under his breath.

The last word had just left his lips when three females appeared in front of them in a flash.

"Haaaay," said the one in the center. Short dark hair to her shoulders and two different colored eyes. "The old hag is gone,"

The other two girls stood just behind her, one had dark skin and hair, the other with ivory skin and long dark hair. Her hand over her moth watching the companions.

The girl in the middle sighed. "So here's the deal. We serve the owner of that hair piece. That seems to be you, four eyes. So what is your wish?"

Aizen stood, brushing himself off a bit. This was quite convenient. "We wish to go to the Emerald City. You will take us there.

The girls exchanged looks, shrugging. "As you wish," sighed the girl in the middle. "But, let me tell you how this works. You get three wishes. One from each of us. This will be your first wish."

The brunette man nodded. "Very well."

"Sun-Sun, transform and let's get this over with."

The slender pale girl nodded. "Strangle to death, Anaconda!" With that her legs formed into a long snake tail. "Get on my tail, and hold on tight. We leave for the Emerald City."

It was tricky, but they managed to get everyone on, with Grimmjow on the long snake tail. And in a flash they were back off to the emerald city. The girls ran at great speeds. Mostly in the air it seemed, feet hitting the ground for only seconds.

"This is quite a trick you girls can perform. Moving at such high speeds." Aizen said, more to himself.

The dark skinned girl laughed. "This is called Sonido. It allows us to travel at great speeds."

Sonido…. More fluttering memories came at this word.

But he didn't have long to ponder it. The girls had arrived at the emerald city, dropping them off at the front gates.

"Remember!" Said the leader. "You only have two more wishes." And in a flash the girls were gone.

Aizen glanced behind him at the emerald city. He was that much closer to going back home.

"Let's go." he said knocking on the gate to be let in.