Me: Sorry I updated so late. I had to study for 3 tests and 2 quizzes, write 2 essays and on top of that I had a concert to prepare for. So...yeah.

Sandira: SSKA doesn't own Bleach.

Tite Kubo: But I do~.

Me: Kubo-sensei! Why are you here?

Tite Kubo: ...

Me: ?

Tite Kubo: ...

Me: ?!

Tite Kubo: ...Trollin'.

Me: *head explodes*

Sandira: She doesn't own Harry Potter either. *looks around* Guess J. K. Rowling decided not to come and finish off SSKA.

12. Fire and Ice

~Rukia~

Rukia sized up her opponents as they sized her up.

She drew Sode no Shirayuki, feeling comfort in the blade's presence.

The female Espada, Mazumi Tachibana, responded in kind, drawing the slender katana sheathed at her side.

"Well, Rukia-taicho," Mazumi began easily, "I'll be your first opponent. You see Tokage-san here doesn't like ganging up on an opponent. You can trust him not to interfere in our little skirmish…unless, of course, you prove to be a nuisance."

"Hurry up, Mazumi," Sandira scolded, "Our mission is to scout out the power levels of the Shinigami that Felipe reported. This is one, and from Felipe's description I'd say at least one more."

"Why would the Soul Society send two or more Captains to Gense, Rukia-taicho?" Mazumi asked. "Could it be…they're more worried than they'd like to let on?"

Rukia snorted, "You wish, Espada. We have nothing to fear from a group of Winter War refugees."

Mazumi was quiet a moment, as if thinking over what Rukia had said. Then she disappeared with a dull, thumping sound.

'Sonído!'

Rukia whipped around and brought Sode no Shirayuki up to meet Mazumi's blade.

"You're fast, I'll give you that!" Mazumi crowed, raising a fist covered with orange light, "Bala!"

Rukia had no time to dodge the energy blast, and gasped as the wind was knocked out of her. She caught herself before she had fallen too far out of the sky, making a new platform of reishi, gasping for air.

"What's wrong? I was under the impression you captains were stronger than this!" Mazumi yelled.

"Kunrinsha yo. Chiniku no kamen, banshō, habataki, hito no na o kansu mono yo. Shinri to sessei, tsumi shirame yume no kabe ni wazuka ni tsume o tate yo! Hadō sanjuusan: Sōkatsui!" Rukia chanted, her voice steadily getting stronger.

She raised her hand and the blue fire of Sōkatsui raced at its target…to be met with the orange light of Mazumi's Cero.

The Cero quickly overpowered the Hadō, and blasted through, causing to Rukia to Shunpo out of the way.

Mazumi gazed at the Shinigami captain coolly. "Your move."

'Does she think this is a game?' Sode no Shirayuki asked, outraged.

"You're going to wish you hadn't let me have the next attack," Rukia warned, "Mai, Sode no Shirayuki!"

Rukia felt the blade grow colder in her hand, though not uncomfortably so, as it turned pure white. The guard changed to a pattern reminiscent of a snowflake. From the hilt, a very small chain connected to a white ribbon several times longer than the blade of her sword.

"Now I remember where I'd heard your name!" Sandira exclaimed, "So that's the most beautiful Shikai in all of Soul Society? What an honor to see it in battle."

'Mistress! Stab the reishi in the air and freeze it to use your Hakuren!'

Rukia obeyed. Using her freezing reiatsu to form a layer of ice onto the reishi platform she had gathered, she stabbed the ice four times.

"Tsugi no Mai, Hakuren!" Rukia yelled, sending a burst of white snow towards Mazumi.

The Arrancar watched calmly as the attack moved towards her, and made no move to dodge or evade the attack. The white snow consumed her, and the last Rukia saw of the Espada was the female's long, fiery hair. Suddenly, Rukia was reminded of Ichigo's orange hair. Where was he? He hadn't returned from Harry's hearing...

'Focus! This isn't over yet!' Sode no Shirayuki chided.

"Did you think such a pathetic attack would kill me, or are you truly that weak?" Mazumi's voice taunted.

Rukia didn't even bother to waste time by looking behind her. She shunpo'd forward quickly, flipping in midair to face Mazumi.

"Very good," Mazumi approved, smirking, "you got away from me again."

"Stop fooling around with me! Release your zanpakutō and let's finish this quickly!" Rukia demanded.

"Why would I do that? I'm having far too much fun," Mazumi said, smiling sadistically.

"I'll make you regret it," Rukia warned.

"I dare you to try," Mazumi reply, "and while you're at it: pay attention."

Mazumi's hand shot forward, where a fully-charged Cero rested. And Mazumi was only about ten meters away from Rukia.

'SHIT'

"CERO!"

Rukia didn't dodge. There wasn't time.

'Rukia-sama, First Dance! NOW!'

~Mazumi~

Mazumi smirked.

"So much for Captain-level Death God," Mazumi sneered.

"You fool. Pay closer attention." Sandira reprimanded her. Mazumi gave him a dirty look, but obeyed.

As the smoke from her Cero's impact dispersed, a mound of ice was where the female Death God had been.

"What...?"

The ice shattered, revealing the short, black-haired woman.

The Captain's violet eyes narrowed, "You wanna dance? Too bad that's my specialty."

"Very well then. You leave me no choice..." Mazumi growled softly, "Furea, Kasaineko."

~Rukia~

A whirlwind of orange and gold spiritual power engulfed the Espada. Rukia felt herself pushed back slightly. A hissing came from inside the torrent of power, and then a roar.

'Is she an animal-based Arrancar...?'

The orange glow faded away, revealing Mazumi's changed appearance.

Her feet were bare, and leggings made of red-brown fur started at her ankles and stopped just before her knees. A skirt of fur started at mid-thigh and disappeared under a white breastplate of samurai armor. Her outfit had no sleeves, but she had tufts of fur on her shoulders and cut-off sleeves of fur starting at her wrists and stopping just before her elbows. A cat's tail the same color as her hair twined between her legs. Rukia noticed that Mazumi's ears had become pointed and as the Arrancar smirked, she saw the woman's elongated canines.

"If I'm not wrong, your Shikai is elementally based in ice, right?" Mazumi questioned.

"And if it is?" Rukia challenged.

"Then you're done for," Mazumi hissed...and she burst into flames.

~Mad-Eye~

Moody growled to himself.

As a former Auror, he didn't want to trust these Shinigami, but as a former Auror he also knew not to trust appearances and stereotypes.

Legends and rumors were almost all of the knowledge they had on Shinigami, and while they were based in truth, Moody knew better to trust them explicitly.

For example, legends of werewolves depicted them as out-of-control monsters, bloodthirsty whether or not they were in wolf or human form. Contrary to that, Lupin was a generally kind-hearted person who genuinely cared for the well-being of his fellows and his charges.

Also, Moody was an excellent judge of character. All of the three Shinigami seemed to be, if not trustworthy, at the very least full of honor and loyal to their mission...whatever it may have been. That was, of course, aside from the first night when the Order had informed Harry and friends as much as they dared, and Ichigo's presence had seemed darker and more primal.

From what Dumbledore had explained, Shinigami sent souls to the afterlife and killed evil souls. And from the what Moody had gathered, the white-clothed figures he had seen (for he had been the Order member to make that report) were not Shinigami.

If they weren't Shinigami, what were they? Most likely they were the reason that the Shinigami had infiltrated the wizarding world: to get to the figures in white.

But he did suspect what the white figures were. From what Dumbledore had told him and the others, the description of a Hollow matched their descriptions all-too-well. Holes in their body and white masks, if not complete masks. Moody assumed they were some human-like subtype of Hollow.

When Rukia Kuchiki had appeared before him in Shinigami form, he had chosen to give her the benefit of the doubt, especially because she had had a slightly panicked look in here eyes. And some base instinct told him that he wasn't the cause of her panic. She was genuinely worried about something else.

~3PO~

Rukia brought her sword up in front of her. Sode no Shirayuki's white ribbon twirled and twisted around her, and she felt slightly comforted by the familiar sight of her sword's ribbon dancing.

But that didn't change the fact that Mazumi's zanpakutō was fire-based against her snow-based zanpakutō. Ice against fire was not a good match-up.

"Prepare to die, Shinigami-taicho! Hitsume!" Mazumi yelled. As she called out the name of her technique, the fire surrounding her gathered in her claws, burning white hot and creating small heat waves that Rukia could see from where she was.

With a burst of Sonído, Mazumi appeared right in front of Rukia. Slashing downwards with one of her hands, the fire created an arc and slammed into Sode no Shirayuki's blade.

'Dammit! Sode no Shirayuki, should I use Bankai and finish this quickly?'

'The time is not right.'

'Fine. I can hold out a little longer.'

Pouring in a small amount of reiatsu into Sode no Shirayuki, Rukia dispersed the fire with a small amount of snow and ice.

"Hitsume!" the cry came from behind her.

Rukia's eyes widened as she whipped around. A wall of fire slammed into her, causing her to scream in pain as it burned her.

"Are you finished ALREADY, Rukia-taicho?" Mazumi sneered.

"Not...not even close," Rukia panted, lifting her zanpakutō.

A ripping sound came from behind her.

"Well...well...it looks like you need some help, don't you?" Grimmjow asked, stepping out from the Garganta.

"Mazumi! We're leaving now," Sandira yelled.

His Pesquisa told him that the new arrival was not a good person to pick a fight with. He was still certain he would win...his pride wouldn't let him admit anything else. But he and Mazumi would undoubtedly suffer injuries, and they'd destroy a good portion of London. Right now, they were supposed to be more-or-less incognito, and blowing up buildings wouldn't help their cause.

"No! Not until I kill this Shinigami!" Mazumi hissed back.

Sandira cursed under his breath. This was why Barragan-sama had sent him to accompany Mazumi: more often than not, she got way too involved in her fights.

"I said now," he repeated, putting some reiatsu behind the command.

She continued to ignore him.

And none of them had noticed Rukia gathering all of her strength for a final, one-hit kill.

"Hyōga Seiran," she said, unleashing the powerful Hadō. The moment she released her Kidō, she merged it with her Hakuren.

"Tsugi no Mai, Hakuren!"

The two ice-based attacks slammed into Mazumi, leaving her frozen.

Before she could melt the ice, Rukia purposely shattered it, leaving multiple cuts and lacerations all over Mazumi.

"YOU BITCH!" Mazumi screeched.

"Pay more attention!" Rukia yelled back.

"Rukia-chan, do you mind if I step in now?" Grimmjow called down lazily, "Ichigo wouldn't appreciate if I let his girl get sliced up and fried."

Rukia turned scarlet. "I'M NOT ICHIGO'S GIRL!"

"Sure you ain't," Grimmjow replied. He disappeared with a Sonído that made Mazumi's look like a snail's pace.

"And you, Espada or not, are not worth my time." He said smirking, releasing a turquoise Bala in Mazumi's face.

The Novena didn't even have time to curse colorfully.

Sandira decided it was time intervene before the new arrival killed her.

"THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU IGNORE ME, MAZUMI YOU BAKA!" he yelled as he kicked Grimmjow in the head.

"OW! FUCK, WHO THE HELL DID THAT?" Grimmjow yelled, whipping around.

"Sandira Tokage, Sexta Espada," Sandira growled.

"Funny. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, and I'm the Sexta Espada."

"The one from the Winter War?...Didn't you get your ass kicked or something by Nnoitra-sama?"

"THAT BASTARD! WHAT DID HE TELL YOU!?"

"It doesn't matter, I'll kick your ass either way."

"Huh, that's a funny joke. Let's hear another one."

"Fuck you!"

"No thanks, I don't swing that way."

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT AND YOU KNOW IT!"

~Back With Mazumi & Rukia~

Mazumi picked herself up to be met with the white point of a sword.

"Move and I'll kill you. You're no longer in any condition to fight." Rukia said.

Mazumi snorted, "You obviously don't know the first thing about me. I won't stop fighting until I've won or died."

"You're going to answer a few questions I have," Rukia demanded.

"No."

"Why are you after the Masked Army?" Rukia continued, ignoring the Arrancar.

"...Are you stupid?"

Rukia frowned, and fished in her shihakusho for something. "Found it!"

Before Mazumi could blink, Rukia had drawn a French mustache on her.

"My face!"

"It washes off," Rukia said, "Anyway, answer the question."

"What was the point of that!?"

"You insulted me," Rukia said.

"You're a bitch!"

"You're rude."

"You're being childish!"

"Just answer the question!"

"We want the Masked Army to fight for us, and that's all I'll say," Mazumi snapped.

"Next question..." Rukia paused when she realized she didn't have a next question. Not for lack of curiosity, but because she didn't have enough information to form a question that could betray some vital information.

There was an explosion above them, and the two females looked up to see Sandira and Grimmjow yelling at each other while firing off Cero and Bala.

"You said you don't stop fighting until you either win or die?" Rukia questioned suddenly.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Gomenasai, Tachibana-san. I'd rather not do this, but I can't let you win and I don't want to snub your pride...or your morals, however different they are from my own."

'Be strong, Rukia-sama. Kill her now or let her pride suffer.'

Mazumi seemed to understand what Rukia meant, "Do it."

Sode no Shirayuki's white blade was stained with the red of lifeblood.

~3PO~

Rukia watched as the two Sexta Espada fought...verbally and physically.

'They're well-matched in insults and vulgarity.' Sode no Shirayuki commented, her disgust obvious.

"Sandira Tokage, you partner is dead! If you value your soul, leave now!" Rukia called out.

Sandira's head whipped around towards Rukia, "You killed Mazumi?"

Surprisingly, Grimmjow didn't attack Sandira when the made himself vulnerable like this.

"Yes," Rukia said stiffly.

'That's the second Espada I've killed.'

Sandira adopted a Kuchiki-face. Stoic and emotionless, he said, "Then I have no other reason to be here, taicho."

He turned around to Grimmjow, "We'll fight again, but right now I have a report to make. I hope you'll excuse me."

The green-haired Sexta disappeared into a Garganta seconds after opening it.

When the Garganta closed, Grimmjow scowled, "Is he bi-polar or something? One moment he's screaming insults and being immature, and the next he's cold and professional. And what's more, the bastard ran away from our fight."

"Grimmjow, you're bleeding," Rukia informed him gesturing to his forearm.

The first Sexta looked at his arm in surprise, "Didn't even feel it. Huh, guess the new number six isn't so bad after all."

"Do you need me to heal you?" Rukia asked politely. She wanted to show her gratitude to him for saving her.

"What? Look, girly, maybe Ichigo needs to get healed every five seconds, but I'll take it like a man." Grimmjow said, frowning at her.

Rukia tried not to point out that Ichigo kicked his ass...that probably would not be warmly received.

"I can't take you back to Grimmauld Place...what should I do with you?"

Grimmjow waved her off, "I'll sleep outside. When you see Ichigo, tell him to come find me."

Rukia frowned at the Espada, but nodded. "I have to go now. If I leave Chappy alone too long, the young wizards will get suspicious...not that they aren't already..." she added under her breath.

Sonído: Spanish for Sound

Sode no Shirayuki: Sleeve of White Snow (Rukia's zanpakutō)

Kunrinsha yo. Chiniku no kamen, banshō, habataki, hito no na o kansu mono yo. Shinri to sessei, tsumi shirame yume no kabe ni wazuka ni tsume o tate yo!: Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Upon this wall of sinless dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!

Hadō sanjuusan, Sōkatsui: Way of Destruction 33, Blue Fire, Crash Down

Mai: Dance

Shikai: First Release

Tsugi no Mai: Second Dance

Hakuren: White Ripple

Bala: Spanish for Bullet

Furea, Kasaineko: Flare, Fire Cat

Hitsume: Fire Claws

Bankai: Final Release

Hyōga Seiran: Glacier Vapor Storm

Mazumi: YOU KILLED ME, YOU BITCH!

Me: I didn't! Rukia-chan did.

Rukia: If Mazumi is dead, why is she alive here?

Me: I brought her back to life...because I AM KAMI!

Sandira: No, you aren't.

Me: ...San-san...TT . TT

Grisia: I would've ripped his little head off, too. And two Espada would pose a problem…but Sandira doesn't like ganging up on peoples….

phoenixyfriend: It's a pun on Las Noches. I am very aware that it is grammatically incorrect.

killroy225: Not Yoruichi, but close.

Byakusharinnegan: You were at the Hueco Mundo arc and you're at the latest update!? Dayum…Lol about Aizen. Or the Hōgyoku was trollin' him.

o-WinterQueen-o: Pretty much the whole Order. I'm not answering your other questions for now.

Guest: It's a pun on Las Noches. I am very aware that it is grammatically incorrect. You don't have to apologize.

Sypher14: I'm not going to answer your question, but I will say that Dumbledore and Mad-Eye aren't going to tell the Golden Three.

Scaehime-KingofKing's Daughter: Nothing fazes Peeves. If anyone should look out…it's actually probably Ichigo, because he can't blow his cover.

kitty-ally-93: But Ichi won't kill the messenger…I hope.

Myrna Maeve: Look up "Final Form Aizen" into Google Images. And…I'll consider it. ;)

Cloudedguardian: I have a very sketchy idea for the ghosts. I'm probably just gonna wing it.

ultima-owner: What you did there…I SEE IT.

Isangtao: Thanks for the suggestion. Will do.

thingofmyth: They FINALLY go to Hogwarts next chappy. *Rukia appears*

Rukia: Chappy? Where!?

Me: Not again… TT . TT