A/N: Hello~!

I DO NOT OWN RWBY OR BLEACH

Arc 3: Arrancar Arc

Chapter 21: Resurgence

''Well at least we got home before midnight.''

Ruby Rose giggled lightly at her boyfriend's (and wasn't that a flustering concept?) dry remark, the two tiredly returning back to the Kurosaki residence. Yuzu and Karin were sound asleep despite the sounds of battle not an hour beforehand, probably due to the Kidō barrier Isshin put up. The Kurosaki patriarch himself was awake in the living room, nonchalantly watching TV and welcoming them home. Whether because of the battle or because the twins were asleep, he didn't do it as boisterously as normal... but he and Ichigo still got into a short spat regardless. Father-son bonding, she supposed.

They had retired to bed, but sleep was not forthcoming, not with the adrenaline slowly leaving their systems and leaving their nerves high-strung, their minds still in battle-mode. Incidentally both decided to sneak out onto the roof of the Kurosaki residence, leading to their current situation; laying against the cool tiled roof watching the moon and stars slowly shift across the midnight sky overhead. It was nice. Peaceful.

Resting her head on his arm, she hummed. ''Too bad Yuzu-chan was already asleep.''

''Yeah... shame goat-face wasn't.''

Stifling another giggle, she glanced towards him. ''Anything interesting happen since I was taken to The Vale?''

''Eh... aside from being trained by a bunch of weirdos, Geta-boshi included, nothing much.'' He shrugged lightly. ''Chad, Inoue, Ishida and I have been taking turns with any Hollows that show up - Inoue usually joins one of us as a support. What about you? Anything interesting happen?''

''Yep. Lots of stuff.'' She murmured, shooting him an amused look. ''Guess you aren't the only Shinigami-Hollow-Quincy hybrid anymore.''

It took him a moment to realise what she meant, but to his credit he only blinked owlishly. ''...seriously?''

''Mmhm.'' Ruby hummed. ''Okaa-san said the Rose lineage is a Quincy-Shinigami hybrid one , although pretty much nobody knows, for obvious reasons.''

''Huh.'' Ichigo muttered. ''Didn't see that coming. What're the chances of the only two triple-hybrids in all of Remnant meet?''

''Pretty low.'' She smiled lightly. ''So, what's the plan tomorrow?''

The taller teen shifted slightly as he looked at the sky thoughtfully. ''...well, I've still got school to go to, and I get out at around four. Plus I've got training to do after that. Aside from that, I got nothing else on.''

''And you've been doing that for a month now?''

''Yeah, why'd you ask?''

She puffed her cheeks out, poking him on the cheek. ''You need to get out more.''

''Wha- I go out plenty!'' He replied incredulously.

Ruby crossed her arms. ''School and training isn't all there is y'know. How many times have you just taken a walk, or going to an ice cream store, or anything else?''

''This is just an attempt to drag me to that ice cream store, isn't it?''

''Not at all.''

He rolled his brown eyes. ''Fine, we can go after I get out of school. On one condition.''

''Name it~''

''I wanna introduce you to some friends, the ones who help train me.'' Ichigo informed, his eyes drifting over the sky above. ''They're Shinigami-Hollow hybrids. Outcasts from The Vale because of something Aizen did. They can probably help you learn to use your Hollow powers, if you're having trouble.''

''Sure.'' She yawned as she rested her head on his chest, and they fell into a peaceful lull of silence.

Unintentionally they drifted off, and before either noticed, they had fallen asleep, breathing softly under the night sky.

Morning came and discounting their odd choice of sleeping location, everything was relieving 'normal'. Isshin was his typical goofy self and had suddenly taken to calling her his 'third daughter', resulting in an embarrassed Ichigo attempting to beat the daylights out of his old man. Yuzu and Karin greeted them with their usual smiles/deadpans before the twins headed off for school followed shortly by Ichigo himself, leaving Ruby to meet up with her allies and patrol the town as per usual.

Thankfully no more humanoid Grimm had arrived, but regular Grimm activity had surged - packs of Beowolves roamed around the walls by the dozen, Ursa clambered around randomly but determinedly, and Nevermore hovered in the far distance, occasionally pausing before continuing on their aimless flight. The sudden change in behaviour was bewildering and kept them all on edge, waiting for one of the humanoid Grimm to appear... but they didn't.

The Hollows had no such restraint, and several had appeared over the course of the day - markedly more than usual, but nothing major.

''...this is the place?''

Ice cream cone in hand, Ruby shot a flat look at the orange-haired teen, her free hand gesturing to the lacklustre warehouse that looked a few years away from collapsing. They stood at the edge of the industrial district, no other living beings within easily a hundred metres. The term 'ghost town' was quite applicable to the deserted workplace.

In response to her question, Ichigo just smirked lightly before walking up the warehouse and stopping several feet from it, placing his hand against empty air. For a moment nothing happened, before a huge cube-shaped orange barrier suddenly formed around the warehouse - said warehouse suddenly looking a lot cleaner and fresh, as if someone had given it a new coat of paint and done some repairs. With a single knock followed by three rapid knocks, a door-shaped hole formed in front of the teen.

''C'mon, let's not keep them waiting.'' Ichigo said smugly, thoroughly enjoying Ruby's dumbfounded look.

''Wha- how- when-'' She stumbled over her words, helplessly gesturing at the barrier in shock.

Rolling his eyes in amusement, he grabbed her hand and tugged her along. The inside of the building was a lot nicer; it still looked like a warehouse, but some renovating had been done to make it look a lot nicer. Bedrooms where they slept were over to one side; a metal staircase leading up to a bunch of rooms that used to be offices at one side of the room. A kitchen had been set up below them in what might've once been a conference room of sorts, though how they got the electricity he didn't know. Couches and tables were dotted about near the centre of the room and the occasional odd piece of furniture was dotted about, such as a rowing machine, a bookshelf or Kensei's punching bag.

''Yo, Shinji.'' Ichigo called out in greeting, nodding to the blond Visored that was casually sat on the couch. Hachi was sat in the corner of the room meditating, while Hiyori was somewhere in the kitchen; the rest of the Visored was absent. Uncommon, but not unusual.

''Ichigo.'' The blond replied lazily, flipping a page in his manga. ''I see you brought a friend.''

The teen didn't miss the half-questioning, half-distrustful tone he used. To be expected he supposed. Isolation does that to people.

''She's like me; Quincy-Shinigami-Hollow hybrid.'' Ichigo replied lightly, making Shinji take pause. ''I was wondering if we could train here, since the other Shinigami in the town will probably use Urahara-san's basement.''

He glanced at Ruby, and she nodded. ''Plus, she needs a bit of help with her Hollow powers too.''

''That so?'' Shinji remarked, turning his slanted gaze onto Ruby. ''Ya havin' any trouble with it?''

''Uh... not really?'' She tilted her head uncertainly. ''I mean she hasn't really tried to fight me and she's too lazy to really do anything else. I don't really even see her often in the first place.''

The blond man stared at her for a moment, before glancing at Ichigo, then sighed as one hand slapped over his face. ''Why can't Kisuke just send me tha' normal ones.''

''What defines a Shinigami-Hollow hybrid as normal?'' Ruby interjected dryly.

Shinji paused, before tilting his head slightly. ''Point. Fine, I'll give ya a crash course in Hollow abilities.''

''I'll be working on Ikkotsu.'' Ichigo notified the Visored leader, who just nodded lazily.

With a parting smirk at the shorter girl, the orange-haired teen vanished in a flicker of Idō, leaving Ruby alone with Shinji. Silence reigned for a few moments, before he spoke.

''So.'' Shinji began, lazily rising to his feet. ''How long can ya hold your mask?''

''...I can make a mask?''

Shinji sighed.

For the next four days, that routine began. Ichigo continued his schedule while Ruby joined him once he got out of school; patrolling during the time before that. However she found herself wandering aimlessly for a good portion of that time, due to one unsettling fact.

Hollow activity had all but become zero.

Not a single Hollow, weak or strong, had appeared even remotely close to Karakura - in fact, nobody had sensed a Hollow at all. It was like all Hollows had universally decided going to Remnant wasn't a good idea anymore. Grimm activity, on the other hand, had spiked dramatically, and Pyrrha had even seen a Goliath in the distance, staring ominously from afar. Most of the stronger or wiser Grimm species didn't go near the town itself, but they just... watched. It was creepy how passive they had become, yet seemingly acutely aware. Of what, none of them knew.

Ruby sighed silently, her feet carrying her away from the Visored warehouse, Ichigo having decided to stay a little longer to speak with Shinji about something. It probably had something to do with Aizen, they assumed. Whether he was killing, enslaving or allying with Hollows it didn't matter - he probably had a hand in it somehow. Still, none of them were complaining - less work after all - but it was certainly unsettling.

Abruptly she froze as an odd sensation washed over her, not unlike a wave of nausea. One hand fell to her Zanpakutō in preparation for a fight, but no foe showed themselves. For a few long moments nothing happened, leaving her to think she may be coming down with something, before a figure walked into view.

The figure was a tall, lanky man with shaggy brown hair. His pale skin almost looked grey in the evening sun, his eyes were surrounded by dark purple ovals that highlighted his turquoise irises. He wore a long white robe-esque coat with a lilac fur trim, with a purple ascot scarf around his neck with a prominent ruby brooch attached to it. His fingernails were inhumanly long, making a soft clinking sound whenever they tapped each other, and a pair of purple manacles on his wrists. A wide sash with a purple line through it was also present on his waist.

''Who are you?'' Ruby asked immediately, her hand resting on her blade but making no move to draw it immediately. She sensed no hostility... in fact she felt nothing from the unknown man. Absolutely nothing.

It was creepy.

''Muramasa.'' The person introduced politely, but his eyes were not on hers, but instead her sheathed Zanpakutō. ''I find myself curious. You remain where you lay, yet hold the power to leave and fix your issues yourself. Why do you not?''

''Uh... what now?'' Ruby blinked owlishly, befuddled.

Muramasa continued however. ''The storm remains even after so long. Why do you tolerate it? Why not abolish the clouds and seek the sun you so desire? I can give you that chance. All I ask is your compliance.''

Thoroughly confused by the (possibly insane) man's words, she made to respond only to feeling the nausea increase. Her vision swirled around her like she was in a washing machine, and she fell, only to not hit the ground - instead, she... fell again? The disorienting spinning motion made her eyes screw shut as her brain tried and failed to make sense of what was up and down, and nearly ten seconds of nausea later it abruptly ended. Which resulted in her fall face-first into the dirt at her feet.

''Ugh...'' She groaned, blinking blearily for several long moments, before unsteadily looking up.

All nausea suddenly became much more unimportant when she found a sole silver eye staring back at her.

''Bara-chan?''

Ketsukei Bara stared down at her with an worryingly unreadable expression, but her words were directed at Muramasa. ''Very well.''

Muramasa smiled. ''Excellent. We shall return to our comrades then.''

''Bara-chan?'' Ruby asked again, groggily pushing herself up slightly, but her Zanpakutō paid her no heed. With a flick of the wrist Muramasa, much to her alarm, created a grey mouth-like portal. A Garganta. ''Bar-''

She was cut off as her Zanpakutō vanished from view only for something to strike the back of her head, and consciousness left her.

''You're kidding, Geta-boshi.''

''I wish I was, Kurosaki-san. But what I say is true - the majority of the Zanpakutō in Karakura have seemed to have been 'freed' from their Shinigami, my dear Benihime-chan included.''

''What about the Visored?''

''They're fine, I assume. Nobody can find their warehouse unless they actively 'know' of the barrier, and it will only appear if Hachi wills it. This Muramasa fellow couldn't have known about it in the first place.''

''Chad and Inoue? What about their spirits?''

''No, they're fine as well. My guess is that Muramasa overlooked them for whatever reasons - perhaps he was unaware of them, or maybe he did not consider them worthwhile. It could be anything really.''

''Hm... what about my dad? Tessai-san and Yoruichi-san?''

''Your father doesn't have enough Reiryoku to wield his Zanpakutō - his Zanpakutō spirit, likewise, would most likely not have a physical form to materialise. Tessai-san and Yoruichi-san were both out on errands to Kyoto and Osaka respectively, and when they returned they confirmed their Zanpakutō spirits were still with them.''

''Well, that's good at least... but that means I'm probably the only damn person here who still has their spirit.''

Ruby let out a low groan as she stirred back to consciousness, the faint voices of Urahara and Ichigo waking her up. Dimly she noted she was in the Shoten - one of the back rooms most likely - and had a bandage wrapped around her head, but was otherwise fine. She was laying on a futon, with Urahara at her right side and Ichigo at her left, both looking grimly serious. Well, Ichigo was. Urahara was his normal cheerfully annoying self.

''Oh? It seems our little patient is awake. Tessai-san~!'' Urahara cheerfully called out, making her wince from the volume. ''Bring some fresh bandages would you?''

''On it boss!'' Came the call from deeper in the store.

''Ichigo?'' Ruby muttered groggily, turning to look at him as he helped her sit up. ''What happened...?''

The teen had a scowl on his face, but she could see the worry in his eyes. ''I found you unconscious after your Reiatsu practically vanished, so I brought you here. Apparently something similar happened to the other Shinigami stationed here too.''

''Do you recall anything, Rose-san?'' Urahara asked pointedly, Tessai entering the room a moment later with fresh bandages. She didn't complain as he sat down behind her and the bandages began to unwind, instead responding to the shopkeepers question.

''I remember feeling sick, and then a man called Muramasa introduced himself and spoke to... me?'' She ended with an uncertain lilt to her tone. ''I think he was speaking to me... or maybe my Zanpakutō... I'm not sure. But then Bara-chan manifested, and left through a Garganta with him.''

Urahara hummed, tapping his chin with his closed fan thoughtfully. ''Hm, that does line up with the stories from the other Shinigami present, and my own experience. It seems like it could be an Arrancar - a Hollow who has broken their mask and attained Shinigami powers - but when he approached me he was most certainly Shinigami in origin. I find it more likely he was a rogue Zanpakutō spirit.''

Ichigo blinked. ''...Zanpakutō spirits can go rogue?''

''Mmhm. Upon their wielders death, a sufficiently strong Zanpakutō can manifest for a short period of time. Depending on their abilities, they may be able to sustain themselves indefinitely on the Reishi in the air, or through similar means.'' Urahara informed musingly. ''Though that doesn't explain the usage of Garganta, and a Zanpakutō consuming Hollows is incredibly unlikely... but then again, not impossible.''

Ruby grimaced as Tessai carefully applied a fresh wrap of bandages to her head. ''Great. First Aizen, then humanoid Grimm, now a rogue Zanpakutō that... steals spirits? What's next, an army of Quincy?''

''I wouldn't jinx us.'' Urahara smiled mysteriously, snapping open his fan.

''So what're we gonna do? Whatever this Muramasa has planned clearly isn't good for the rest of us.'' Ichigo questioned seriously, earning another hum from the shopkeeper.

''Indeed.'' The shopkeeper agreed. ''I plan on contacting The Vale shortly; I've already sent a message ahead to Summer, so I trust she'll gather the Captains promptly. They'll also likely recall the stationed Shinigami team, considering without their Zanpakutō spirits they are severely inhibited. Should the humanoid Grimm return in that time they will undoubtedly be outmatched.''

The words 'and die' were left unsaid, but not unnoticed.

Tessai finished wrapping her new bandages, collecting the red-stained ones and carrying them away to dispose of them. The sight brought another question to her mind. ''What's with the bandages anyway?''

''You had a mild head injury.'' Urahara replied lightly, pointing his fan at her. ''Nothing serious, but there was some bleeding from the back of your head. It's mostly healed at this point; though I wouldn't advise walking about too much for an hour or two. Definitely no fighting for the remainder of the day.''

Ruby frowned worriedly. ''So what am I supposed to do about Bara-chan? Just... just leave her?''

''I doubt anything significant, or at least significant to your Zanpakutō, will happen within a day. Whatever Muramasa has planned, he will likely not expend all his pieces at once.'' Urahara replied with the same carefree tone. ''She will be fine, so they're no need to worry.''

''As to how we can retrieve our wayward spirits... well, that's another matter entirely.'' The man finished with a shrug, rising to his feet and ducking out of the room. The sounds of connecting wires and a computer booting up hummed in the background.

''Hey.'' Ichigo's voice drew her silver gaze. ''You alright?''

Ruby smiled, before her expression faltered. ''...as well as I can be, I guess. It feels... weird, not having Bara-chan in my soul. Like I'm missing something. It's uncomfortable, like I'm hungry or have an itch I can't reach.''

''Didn't you have to manifest her to get Bankai?''

''Mm, but that was different. It was... willing. We both knew she was manifested and the reason for it. Even the times afterwards I manifested her, we both knew the reason. But now it feels... wrong, like it was a forced manifestation. I don't feel any drain on my Reiryoku, so something else must be providing the energy to keep her manifested. Still, it just feels weird - in a bad way, that is.''

Ichigo hummed, covertly steering the conversation away from the morose topic. ''So, looks like you got Bankai first.''

Ruby perked up, a smile lighting up her face. ''Mmhm! So now we're probably equal and tag-team. Team Red Strawberry? Team Rose Protector? Team...''

As the petite hybrid thoughtfully went through a list of 'team names' (most of them involving 'strawberry'), he could only roll his eyes in exasperated amusement.

In the other room, Urahara stood before a large monitor, gradually booting up as it connected to the one now stationed in the meeting hall of the Captains - as per Ozpin's oh-so-helpful 'suggestion'. A suggestion that originated from Summer, which in turn originated from Urahara. Ozpin was the most trusted of the three, hence why he was the one to offer the idea in the first place, while Summer was the one who got the message via Urahara, thus making the whole communication process much easier.

As he slid the door to the hallway shut for privacy, the shopkeeper could only muse on what was to come. Aizen would make his move, of course, and The Vale would come out victorious. It was highly unlikely, even with the Hogyoku in his possession - and wasn't that going to be difficult to explain - that Aizen would be able to trump not only Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, but also Ozpin Yamamoto, Summer Rose, and the Royal Guard. To think such a possibility existed was laughable.

No, what his thoughts lingered on was what came after that. He and Summer were friends, but he had no doubts she was unpredictable. She may not have the super-intelligence and tactical mastery that someone such as himself had, or the ability to lay out contingency plan after contingency plan, but what she did have was charisma and an unsettling ability to simply know things she shouldn't. He vividly remembered the day she showed up in his underground training area, smiling serenely even as she looked at the incapacitated hollowfied Visored. He hadn't told anyone aside from Yoruichi and Tessai about that place, but somehow she knew. When he asked her about it, she had only smiled back and replied:

''I always know, Kisuke. Nothing is hidden from my gaze.''

To this day he didn't fully know what she meant by that - whether it was metaphorical or literal - although he had a few theories. He knew she wasn't a bad person, but he also knew she was good friends, dare he say best friends with Aizen. There was no way to predict what she would do, especially if it came down to her, Ozpin or Yamamoto to fight the traitorous Captain.

If Summer joined Aizen to fight the two strongest Shinigami... he wasn't sure of the outcome. He still recalled the final day of the Civil War, when he had felt her Bankai from across The Vale. The sheer all-piercing fear that had raced up his spine for a reason he could not fathom left quite the impression. It was silent but oh-so-deadly. The battle hadn't lasted for a full minute after she released it, and with it marked the end of the war. Sure, he knew Yamamoto and Ozpin were powerful, and their abilities were largely unknown... but there was something about Summer that always made him take a double-take, made him wonder 'what if'. Where an outcome seemed all but impossible, she somehow made it eerily possible.

Perhaps she...? No. Such a notion was silly.

Urahara shook his head, turning his attention to the computer as it finished connecting, and a picture formed to reveal the Captains Hall - and with it, all of the Captains stood in two neat lines, their gazes on his face. He inwards smiled at seeing shock on more than a few faces - he assumed they weren't informed he was he one they would be talking to. Or perhaps they were surprised by his appearance, or some other reason. He didn't know; he wasn't a mind-reader.

''Hello, Head Captain, Captains.'' He tipped his hat in greeting, plastering on a cheerful smile.

''Kisuke Urahara.'' Head Captain Yamamoto greeted gruffly, looking quite impassive, unlike his Captains who were mixed between amused, bewildered and uncertain. ''You have a situation involving some of our Lieutenants and Third Seats?''

''Quick to the point as usual, Head Captain.'' Urahara smiled jovially, prompting Yamamoto to open his closed eyes at the veiled jab. Evidently he did not miss the subtle jab at his exile all those years ago. ''But yes, we do. It seems some man by the name of Muramasa arrived and 'stole' their Zanpakutō spirits from them, thus leaving them weakened and incapable of performing Bankai should they need to.''

''Muramasa?'' Byakuya Kuchiki spoke up, eyes narrowed dangerously. ''Are you certain that is the name of the individual?''

''Mmhm. Quite the creepy character. He'd give Ichimaru-san a run for his money.'' The shopkeeper replied lightly, earning a quiet chuckle from Kyoraku. ''You know him, Kuchiki-san?''

''...indeed.'' The Kuchiki head replied stoically, continuing when it became apparent the other Captains desired more information. ''He was the Zanpakutō of my nephew, Kōga Kuchiki. He took part in the Civil War two-hundred years ago, allying with The Vale's side, until he was caught indiscriminately killing Shinigami of both sides. After evading capture, he was later imprisoned within a seal designed by my grandfather and the Head Captain. How his Zanpakutō has survived this long I do not know.''

All eyes shifted to the Head Captain, who sighed. ''Kōga Kuchiki; former Third Seat of the Pink Division during the Civil War. While only at the level of a Third Seat, his Reiryoku reserves far outstripped even his Captain, Ginrei Kuchiki. Given several centuries of experience, it is not unfathomable his reserves would match even my own.''

Urahara hummed thoughtfully at this information, watching from under the brim of his hat as the Captains mulled over this information. To have such vast Reiryoku reserves that even the Captain Commander acknowledged their size... it was a troubling piece of information. Of course, while large reserves were impressive, if the individual lacked the fighting skill to actually wield them to their maximum capability then it didn't mean a whole lot - it just meant they were a lot more durable.

''What of Kōga Kuchiki? He is sealed, is he not? If he has remained like that for two centuries, how is his Zanpakutō not only free, but has been for two hundred years?'' The newly-appointed Captain of the White Division, Toshiro Hitsugaya, asked.

'An interesting question.' Urahara silently remarked. The concept of a rogue Zanpakutō living for over a year after their wielders death was ludicrous, but two hundred years? Downright impossible. Then again, Kōga wasn't dead...

''It is possible he had some outside help... or the seal is weakening.'' Yamamoto intoned. ''As for Muramasa, we do not know when or where he will resurface, and with the power of three Lieutenant-class fighters and two Third Seat-class spirits, he is nothing short of a dangerous threat.''

''Correction, Head Captain.'' Urahara smiled cheekily, interrupting the man. ''Include one Captain-class spirit in there too. Benihime-chan is quite dangerous, you know.''

In the back of his mind he smiled grimly at seeing the troubled looks surface on the faces of several Captains, while Summer merely frowned deeper and Kyoraku tipped his sakkat down further. Both had been there during his test for being a Captain, and he'd like to think his Bankai left a memorable impression.

''...then not even Captains are exempt from Muramasa's grasp.'' Byakuya muttered lowly, but still audibly. ''Head Captain, what should we-''

He was interrupted as the room shook, causing the projector screen to shake and fizzle around the edges dangerously. After a few seconds the shaking subsided, only for much more frequent, smaller tremors to shake the screen.

''...well, it looks like Muramasa has made his move.'' Kyoraku drawled dryly.

Summer quirked a smile at him. ''Quite.''

The Captain Commander tapped his cane on the ground. ''All Captains, return to your Divisions and defend The Vale! Dismissed!''

Within a few seconds all individuals minus Summer and Yamamoto had left the room, the two looking up at the camera; at him.

''Kisuke, what happens if a Zanpakutō is defeated? The last thing we need is for them to be destroyed or some fate akin to that.'' Summer asked pointedly.

''I'm afraid I don't know; I never anticipated a long-sealed Third Seat would make a reappearance, nor that his Zanpakutō would be this influential.'' Urahara admitted truthfully. ''However, since Zanpakutō spirits are originally born from ones soul, if the wielder defeats them or 'subjugates' them, then it is likely they will be returned to them. Or at least cease hostilities, depending on the nature of the spirit.''

''...and if someone other than the wielder defeats them?''

''That is what I am worried about, Captain Commander, and why I'm coming to The Vale to repossess my precious Benihime-chan.''

Chaos erupted across the central point of The Vale, as Shinigami ran to and from the odd-dressed individuals who sowed destruction through their ranks.

Muramasa hummed quietly as he wandered down one of the various streets, sensing the spirits he liberated freely destroying parts of The Vale as per the orders he gave. None killed any Shinigami intentionally, but that was fine with him; he only ordered them to cause chaos, not slaughter. That, and doing so might bring down the wrath of the Captain Commander himself, and that would be troubling to deal with so early.

At his left stood the stoic form of Ketsukei Bara, cloak blowing about as she flicked her wrist, unleashing arcs of crimson energy that destroyed the buildings around them gradually. Though he did note with some amusement she purposely avoided destroying a sweet shop; evidently she held some of the same desires as her wielder.

To his right was an elegant woman in a regal but revealing crimson dress, with pale ivory skin a skinny figure. Her black hair was done up in a pair of looped braids, with ornaments holding them in place, giving her a noble princess look - benefitting of someone named 'crimson princess'. Her ruby-painted lips were curled into a vicious smile as she swiped her sword lazily back and forth, sending out similar arcs of crimson energy that screeched through the air, slamming with much more destructive power against the buildings around them. Either she was putting more effort into destroying things than Ketsukei Bara was, or she was simply strong enough to exert more power, given she was the spirit of a former Captain.

''Come now, Ketsukei-san, put some effort into it.'' Benihime admonished lightly, a haughty smile crossing her lips as she directed her gaze to the other red spirit.

Ketsukei merely shot her an aloof stare. ''I would rather not cause unneeded destruction that would inhibit my wielder in future. Unlike you, I actually hold love for The Vale.''

''I wonder how long that 'love' would last when they cast your wielder aside for being a hybrid, hm?''

Ketsukei glared this time. ''Cease your incessant babbling, crimson princess.''

''Babbling? I'm afraid I don't do such a thing.'' Benihime replied loftily.

''Ladies.'' Muramasa interrupted politely. ''I don't think we should leave our guest waiting, no?''

Benihime huffed. ''No, I suppose not.''

Ketsukei said nothing; her silver gaze already looking forwards at the Captain who stood before them.

Shunsui Kyoraku only smiled however. ''No, please continue... though I'd prefer it if you stopped destroying my home.''

As if in reply, Benihime released another crimson arc, collapsing a nearby building.

''That's rather mean.'' Kyoraku pouted, only to pause when he realised he couldn't move.

Muramasa smiled, holding his hand out and briefly revealing his spiritual threads, which were entwined around Kyoraku's form. While simply incapacitating a wielder with nausea was much more simpler and subtle, he would rather use his threads for any Captain-tier opponents, just to be sure.

As if it was second nature, his words slid off his silver tongue, directed at the spirit. ''Let's play a game, shall we?''

That was all it took apparently, as two spirits materialised in front of Kyoraku in a flash of purple light. The elder one was a tall, voluptuous woman with violet hair done in twin corkscrew pigtails and a red ribbon around her neck. Her right eye was covered by a black eyepatch while her left was turquoise, and she wore an indigo cape with an imprint of a skull with two blades across it, and a long dark dress underneath it with a low neckline. On her head was an odd looking golden bone headdress.

The shorter of the two also had violet hair and a turquoise eye, but her hair was chin-length and slanted so only her right eye was visible, and with a skull emblem decorating her hair. She wore a black skin-tight top that covered her face - minus her right eye - arms and neck. Over it she wore a purple-red hip-length coat with a purple sash at the middle, alongside a pair of matching shorts and knee-length socks.

''Katen Kyōkotsu.'' Kyoraku remarked, looking rather unsurprised. ''Well... that's unfortunate.''

''Quite.'' The taller half, Katen, remarked flatly.

The younger half said nothing but followed after the older half as they walked to Muramasa's side.

''Ketsukei.'' Muramasa spoke, directing his words to the cloak-clad spirit. ''Guide our new comrades back to the base, will you?''

With a wave of the hand he created a Garganta, and silently Ketsukei hopped in, followed by the two purple-haired spirits, and the portal closed.

''Hm... so, what now?'' Kyoraku asked lightly, completely unfazed despite still being unable to move. ''I don't think I need to say my colleagues won't be as... passive as I am, you know. They won't give you a chance to take their Zanpakutō.''

Muramasa raised a brow. ''So you willingly let your spirits be liberated?''

''Of course.'' The Captain replied with a smile. ''Getting out would do some good for them. Plus, when all is said and done we can make up and have a nice drink under the cherry blossoms. Maybe I'll get some flowers as an apology.''

''...you are a very odd man, Shunsui Kyoraku.'' Muramasa replied, staring uncertainly at the senior Captain. He was rather calm, all things said.

''So I've been told.''

''To answer your question however, what happens next shall mark the end of the Shinigami, and the reign of the Zanpakutō.'' Muramasa proclaimed with a smile. ''With the allegiance of the majority of the upper echelons Zanpakutō, we shall overthrow the Shinigami. Quite simple, really.''

''So you plan on gaining the allegiance of our Zanpakutō?''

Muramasa chuckled.

''I already have.''

On cue, a cacophony of explosions shook The Vale.

A/N: So, Muramasa's here.

The Zanpakutō Rebellion was probably my favourite filler arc, mostly because it gave physical forms for the Zanpakutō so writers didn't have to make up their appearance - it was already pseudo-canon. Well, Kyoraku's is 100% canon since Katen Kyōkotsu appeared in the Thousand Year Blood War arc. Regardless, this arc won't end the same way as canon, and there is a reason for its inclusion. It'll also give a chance to show off some more Zanpakutō releases, and the other Lieutenants/Third Seats that haven't appeared yet.

This was mostly a filler chapter to set the break between the Grimm invasion and now the Zanpakutō rebellion, hence its shorter nature (only 6k words compared to the last two chapter's 7k). That and I didn't have as much time this week, and likely won't for the rest of December (Christmas and all), although I will try and make the Thursday deadline, but the chapters might be shorter as a result. It all just depends on how much time I get to write.

That said, till next time~!