A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry for the wait, but I am back and we are finally at the Fullbringers arc! Honestly, I love these guys and wish Kubo had done more with them, they were too good for all the hate. This Lil arc will have either 3 or 4 chapters and then we'll get to the Canon Bleach timeline. As always I hope you enjoy, feel free to vote and comment if you liked, and thanks for reading!

©Bleach and its characters don't belong to me. They belong to Tite Kubo and Shounen Jump. Only Hibiki, Mitsuru, Anna and Hanabira belong to me

Chapter 25: The Spark

Mitsuru was trying hard to keep himself calm. He never liked big crowds.

'It's okay. Just breathe.'

The entire 13th division was going to see him off before he left for Karakura.

"Now remember to be aware of your surroundings, be careful around spiritually aware humans and-"

"Jyushiro you're acting like a concerned parent. I'll be alright big brother. You mustn't need to worry."

"I'm sorry you know how I get. Just remember your mission."

"Yes."

The Soul Society might've given him the mission to infiltrate and get rid of the fullbringers, but Mitsuru gave himself a different mission.

'I shall protect them. There can't be another massacre again.'

"I don't ever want to see another calculus textbook for as long as I live!" Masaki groaned. "I'm 13, not a college grad!"

"Consider yourself lucky pretty lady. Trigonometry is far worse." Ginjo yawned. " I can't wait for graduation."

It was exam season at school and the two of them were exhausted. 'Good thing winter break is around the corner.'

"Can I stay with you and Hibiki for a while?"

"Sure, but don'tcha have plans with your parents? "

"Nah, just Quincy classes. I'd rather just skip those."

Ginjo was concerned for his friend. He knew she was a pureblood quincy, and that said blood placed a burden on her, but regardless he wanted to protect her from those burdens as if she was his little sister.

"Okay then, I'll tell Hibiki to set another plate."

"Thanks."

He took out his phone and began typing, just as he was halfway done with the text Ginjo heard a noise.

"Is it a hollow?" he asked Masaki.

"Yep, let's go get him!"

The pair headed in the direction of the noise only to find someone already taking on the hollow. A shinigami.

He had long black hair, pale skin, and brown eyes. The man quickly took on the hollow faster than they could intervene. Before leaving he smiled at them.

"For a second I thought he might strike at us," Masaki muttered. "I'm glad he's one of the good ones."

"I guess, let's just get home before my sister cusses us out."

No matter how much time had passed since Hibiki opened the nightclub he always stared in awe whenever he went in.

Even when it was closed the dancefloor and lounge area were both gorgeous, and he was especially fond of the bar, even if he wasn't old enough to drink.

"Took you both long enough to get here! I was getting worried." Hibiki protested.

The older woman was wearing her usual apron and a messy bun. From the flour on her face, Ginjo could tell she was making pizza.

"We ran into a hollow before getting here. The shinigami took care of it."

"That's good then. I get worried when you guys are the ones fighting. Dinner's almost ready."

He sat down with Masaki and waited for Hibiki to bring the food. "So, slacking off again Masski-chan?"

"You know it, sis! Honestly, I'm surprised they haven't kicked me out yet."

Ginjo frowned. "Is it really that bad?"

"Not really. I just don't like being treated like some sort of royal or anything like that. I just want to be a normal 13-year-old, you know? Not worry about bloodlines or powers."

"Well, whenever you want a breather you can stay with us. Although I'm sure having a bunch of international visitors on the daily isn't normal either."

Masaki laughed. "I'd love that actually. You train so many fullbringers from all over the world, I'm sure they're bound to have some great stories."

"Oh yeah, most of em are lovely people. Although I think everyone's favorite story is the one where Ginjo ate hot peppers for the first time. He looked like redskull."

Ginjo blushed. "Do you always have to bring that up?"

"Yes." Hibiki stuck her tongue out before getting another slice of pizza. "It was funny."

"Not for me. I will never eat anything spicy again." He complained.

Masaki giggled. "I wish I could've seen it."

"Not you too Masa! I'm never going to hear the end of this."

"No, you're not." Hibiki smiled.

Ginjo sighed and gave up, fighting with his sister was fun but draining. 'Maybe all siblings do this...'

After dinner, he began to wash the dishes alongside Hibiki. His sister was absentmindedly scrubbing the suds away.

"Something on your mind sis?"

"Oh, it's nothing much. I'm just concerned about the new arrival, she was supposed to show up in the afternoon."

"Maybe her flight got delayed, we should call."

Hibiki nodded and headed for the phone. Back in the living room, Masaki was sitting on the sofa setting up the Atari 2600.

"I'm going to win this time!" She told him.

"With your aim? Forget it, little lady, I'm taking victory this time too!"

Just as he was about to grab his controller he felt a slight rumble on the floorboards.

"An earthquake?!"

"No, a hollow." Hibiki came out of the kitchen looking worried."This one's big."

"We'll all go together."

Mitsuru was not sure how to feel. 'I didn't think I would spend my afternoon being dangled by the mouth of a hollow.' On the one hand, he finally confirmed this hollow wasn't a real one but an artificial experiment. More so, it was made by the woman he'd studied extensively.

On the other hand, he really wished it wasn't winning the fight, or that the kido barrier he placed to protect humans could fall down at any moment.

'Just how can I take him down? The records only speak of the creation of the hollow, not their weakness.'

The hollow looked like a giant turtle but had longer legs and a grey mouthless mask for a face. He'd tried to throw kido spells at the hollow, but the shell and mask were unbreakable, not even his zanpakuto was able to make a dent in it.

"Hey! Need a hand?" Mitsuru heard a soft voice calling out to him. Three humans had broken through the kido barrier. Two of them he recognized, they were the two students he'd seen a few hours prior. The other was a young woman with black and yellow hair and pale skin.

From their spirit pressure levels, he could tell they were not human. 'Probably fullbringers' He thought.

"I'd appreciate the assistance. Careful with the hollow, his mask and shell won't crack."

"Got it!"

He observed as the woman used her fullbring to get the hollow to spit him out.

"Iron fist!" Her arms turned into metal and she punched the hollow. As the creature growled in pain he set himself free.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Ma'am? Darling, I'm not an old lady. Name's Hibiki Ginjo, at your service."

He shook the woman's hand. "Mitsuru Ukitake, nice to meet you."

He could see the other two humans heading towards the hollow. The boy had a sword and the girl wasn't a fullbringer but a Quincy. She had good aim for what he could observe. The pair was attacking the hollow's legs

"Is it okay to allow the children to fight."

Hibiki chuckled. "Oh, Ukitake-San those two are not mere children. They'll do fine."

The shinigami had told them that the hollows head and shell couldn't be destroyed. Masaki used her arrows to weaken its legs. It was working so far.

'Now, if we cut them off we can immobilize the thing.'

Ginjo ran towards the hollow, cutting his legs one by one. Once he had finally been subdued, they could figure out where to strike.

"Its eyes. They could be a weak spot." Hibiki told him. "Mitsuru, can we try that?"

"Honestly, I didn't consider going for the eyes. We can try, but someone must distract the hollow."

Hibiki nodded. "You and Ginjo take care of the eyes. Masaki, cover my back."

The trio nodded and followed Hibiki's orders. Ginjo rushed towards the hollow, gripping his sword tightly. The shinigami seemed to be heading towards the hollow's right eye. So he went towards the left. They struck at the same time, leaving the hollow with two empty sockets.

'That's done.' he thought, but the hollow did not disappear.

From the empty dark sockets, he could see a blue glow building up. Ginjo froze in place, he knew he had to move but he couldn't.

Just as the hollow was about to fire, the shinigami pushed him aside, shielding him from the blast.

"Mitsuru!" Hibiki was about to intervene, but the hollow attacked her too.

Masaki managed to catch Hibiki before she hit the ground. "She's out cold, maybe I can shoot him?"

"No...It won't work." He noticed that despite being injured the shinigami could still speak. "This type of hollow is immune to Quincy arrows. Only kido or a zanpakuto might work, but he needs to be weakened further."

Masaki bit her lip. "You're too wounded to fight. Can't we call another shinigami?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I'm the only shinigami in the area." Mitsuru's face lit up, he had an idea but couldn't tell if they would agree. "Unless one of you wants to take my powers."

"I'll do it." Ginjo didn't hesitate.

Both Masaki and Mitsuru turned to look at him. "Kugo, you can't be serious."

He smirked at Masaki's mention of his first name. She never called him that unless she was scared.

"Don't worry little lady. I won't get myself wrecked."

He turned towards Mitsuru. "I shall take on your power if you'll allow me."

The shinigami nodded. He stood up, despite his weak stance Mistusu lifted up his zanpakuto. "Very well then. What it's your name, young man?"

"Kugo Ginjo."

"Kugo Ginjo, from now on you shall be a substitute shinigami."

He felt Mistusu stab him with the zanpakuto, and the surge of power that came with it. His veins felt like liquid fire and it took him a moment to regain his breath.

'Let's do this.'

He rushed towards the hollow and realized that it would likely try to fire another cero.

With the limited time he had, there was not much he could do, so he concentrated on bashing on the hollow's mask with his sword.

Given that now it was both a fullbring and a zanpakuto, his sword caused more damage, it only took a few slashes to break half of the hollow's mask.

There was a glow in the remaining half of the mask. Ginjo knew what would happen and prepared to run. The blast didn't come, instead, he could see Mistusu firing a strong kido spell to break the other half of the mask. Now that it was weakened, the kido tore it apart.

"It's over."

Masaki waited silently with only the ticking of the clock for company. The hospital air was cold and smelled like baby wipes. She hated it. 'When I become a doctor, I'll just get my own office.' she thought.

Ryuuken came out the door, he gestured for her to walk with him.

"They're all stable, Ms. Ginjo might have a slight concussion upon waking but I have informed her brother. Ukitake-San is severely burned and it will take a while for him to heal. As for Kugo he's in good health, only has a few scratches."

"Thanks, Ryuuken. I owe you."

"You don't need to thank me. Just be careful around them."

Masaki rolled her eyes. "For the last time, we just went to take down a hollow. This one was a little tougher than usual and we ran into some complications."

"That's no excuse! What if you had gotten hurt? Masski it's our duty to look after you."

"Yeah yeah, you and every other quincy clan can't let the princess get bent! I'm sick of it, I'm sick of all of these stupid protocols and coddling! Don't worry I won't get myself killed, but you're crazy if you think I'm giving up on my friends! Thanks for what you did, but I'm going to leave now. Send the bill to me when you're done."

She left before Ryuuken could say anything else. The walk to her house was quick, Masaki didn't even realize she was running until she got through the door.

It was always the same whenever she arrived late. By now she had the sermons memorized and answered accordingly. After dinner was over she went up to her room. It was raining again. Masaki sat on her bed hugging the pillow, she always hated the waiting.

Eventually, her phone rang. She grabbed it from the bedside table and answered immediately. "Ginjo?"

"Hello little lady. You done with the usual run around?"

She giggled. "Yes, they didn't talk much today. How's everyone?"

"We're all okay. Hibiki almost strangled Mitsuru when she woke up but we're okay."

"Wait what?"

Ginjo laughed. "I shouldn't find it so funny but you know how Hibiki can be."

"Honestly I don't blame her. I'm worried about you. Being a shinigami and a fullbringer, that might bring some trouble."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure to handle this responsibly. Gotta run, the new member of the fullbringers arrives today, I have to pick her up. See you at school little lady."

"See you."

Masski hung up feeling slightly drained. She slowly drifted to sleep with trapping of the rain on her window.

'Everything is going to be fine.'

If glares could kill, Ms. Hibiki would have killed him twice over.

"How many times must I apologize?"

She just turned her head away "Just know if something happens to my little brother I will stab you Ukitake-San!"

He sighed. "Hibiki-san, I am sure your brother will be fine. Don't you trust in his abilities?"

"I do, but that doesn't mean I won't get worried."

Mitsuru got out of his hospital bed, and kneeled in front of Hibiki's. "Hibiki-san, I swear to you that I shall keep Kugo safe, even if it costs me my life."

She calmed down and smiled. "Get up you silly shinigami. I wouldn't want that to happen either."

Now that there was peace in their room he could think about what to do. Passing his powers to Kugo, might buy him time but he needed to prove that fullbringers deserved to live in peace. How the hell would he accomplish that?

"Hey Mitsuru, do you have a place to stay?"

"No, I'm afraid I didn't have time to sort that out."

"Then you can stay with me and Kugo!"

"Goodness, you want to keep an eye on me Ms. Hibiki?"

"Don't flatter yourself. I'm just being nice."

"Right. I shall take you up on that offer. Thank you so much."

This was the opportunity he was looking for. What better way to save the fullbringers, than to live with their leader.

The airport was full, he wasn't sure how he'd find Jaqueline in such a big crowd.

Hibiki had described her to him, which helped narrow down who he was looking for. Eventually, he came across a girl who matched the description.

She didn't have long hair, but rather short and straightened. For a moment he doubted it was her, no one coming from so far would pack so little. Nevertheless, he walked towards her.

"Jaqueline Tristan?"

"Yes?"

"I am Kugo Ginjo. Hibiki was unable to come pick you up, I came here in her place."

She smiled. "Oh, It's nice to meet you. I'm Jaqueline, but you can call me Jackie. Is Hibiki-san alright?"

"She's alright, just had a small injury. I'll carry your things if you like."

"Thanks."

They walked back to Ginjo's car in silence. Jackie seemed to be nervous ever since she arrived.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, sorry. I'm still on edge from the flight. I had to leave Colombia in a hurry, there was a cartel after me."

"I see. I hope you don't mind me asking, what did you do for a living back at your home county?"

"I worked many jobs, never stayed too long in one place. My family...they were dealing in the back market. A rival group killed them all when I was a child, but I was not home when it happened, and the killers weren't aware of my existence. Until now."

"Sorry to hear about your family, but don't worry. You'll be safe here, I am sure my sister will begin your training soon."

"I'm looking forward to it. Will you help me gets stronger as well?"

"Of course. It will give me an excuse to spend more time with you."

Jackie blushed at that comment and started laughing. "You're very forward Ginjo-kun."

He waited until everyone had fallen asleep. Ginjo had brought in the new recruit and Hibiki had gone to sleep the moment they got back from the hospital.

The garden was empty, only the dim glow of the fireflies accompanied him. Mitsuru set down the blue pendant in front of him. He knew well who it belonged to, and why it was incrusted into the artificial hollow.

He'd waited all afternoon for a response, but Anna was as silent as a grave.

"I just need to speak with you. Not for me, not to reprimand you. I'm doing this for them. Please Anna-san. I need your help." he pleaded at the

"Then you should've just told me."

He turned around abruptly. There she was, just as his brother had once described her. Black hair, blue eyes and lab clothes.

"Anna-san? Is it really you?"

"In the flesh as you can see. Well now Mitsuru-kun, you've grown into a handsome young lad, I last saw you as a toddler so long ago. It's likely you don't remember."

"I'm afraid not. I only remembered you reading to me when I was a baby. It's the only memory I have of you before...that event."

"Don't hesitate to mention it. I've long gotten over it, even if the scars remain. However, I'm quite certain you didn't call me just to catch up. You have been talking to the sapphire pendant for a while now. What is it that you want from me?"

He told her everything, what was being brewed for the fullbringers and what would happen to them if his plan didn't work.

Anna had her eyes closed, she gently rubbed the bridge of her nose. "After all these years, all the failed attempts and people killed, and they keep it up like it's nothing?! I can't believe nothing has changed. Are the other Squads aware?"

"No. This duty falls on Squad 13 solely. If we are to stop it, I was hoping you could help. I've read your zanpakuto is quite useful."

She grinned. "Oh, child you don't know the half of it. I shall help you. Keep the pendant and use it to call me, should you need me. Take care, and please be safe."

"Before you go, can you offer me any advice?"

"Don't trust Jyushiro."

"I still feel like we're in trouble, are we in trouble?" Ginjo asked.

"For the third time Ginjo-kun, we're not in trouble. My brother is just going to tell us how to proceed in our situation."

Ginjo had woken up the next morning still processing what had happened during the previous day. Mitsuru informed him that they would have to go to the Soul Society due to the power transfer. He'd been restless since they arrived.

Finally, somebody else arrived at the office. It was a man very similar to Mitsuru, but his hair was white instead of black.

"Hello, you must be Kugo. I am Captain Jyushiro Ukitake. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too Captain."

"There's no need to be so nervous. I was just talking to my superiors. Given that yesterday's actions were performed in a state of emergency nobody will be punished. I will, however, have to ask you to perform shinigami duties until you can return Mitsuru's powers to him."

"Yes sir! I shall do as instructed."

Ukitake smiled. "Very well then. Before you go I would like to give you this."

The captain handed him a small wooden device. It looked like a plaque and had a strange insignia in it.

"It's a Soul Reapers' pass. It identifies you as a substitute shinigami. It can also be used to alert you of nearby hollows."

"Thank you. Sorry for all the trouble."

"No trouble at all Ginjo-kun."

Both he and Mitsuru stood up, but only he was walking away. "Mitsuru?"

"Go on ahead. I must speak with my brother."

He nodded and left the office, giving the two privacy. From where he stood he could see the lake around Squad 13, it was full of koi and water lilies.

"Glasses! I want cookies."

"Captain Ukitake shall give you cookies, now please refrain from pulling my hair, lieutenant Kasujishi."

A man with glasses was heading towards the office. He was carrying a pink haired little girl. From the armband the girl had Ginjo could tell she was lieutenant. The man had a white captain's coat and glasses.

"Excuse me, do you know if captain Ukitake it's in the office?" The captain asked him.

"He's talking to his brother. I think they'll be done soon."

The man nodded and put the little girl down.

"Will Ukki get upset again?" The little girl asked.

"He is not upset, lieutenant. He's just worried for his brother safety."

Ginjo felt slight guilt when he heard that. Mitsuru had just put himself in a more vulnerable position by helping him. 'Maybe this wasn't such a good idea'

"Hey, are you ok mister?"

The little girl must've noticed his change in mood. "I'm fine, little one. I'm just worried for Mitsuru-kun as well."

"Miso-kun will be fine. He's a nerd like glasses!"

The Captain chuckled. "I don't know if I qualify as a nerd lieutenant Kusajishi." He looked and Ginjo "I don't believe we've met before, I'm Sosuke Aizen."

"Out of all the possible things that I was expecting. I didn't think you would mess up on the first day."

That stung. Mitsuru knew his brother was not like this, that whenever he was enraged he didn't think about what he was saying, but he still lowered his head in shame.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to save them."

Jyushiro sighed. "I know... I got you time, but it is limited. Three years at most. Train him and then complete your mission. The fullbringer population is growing, and the Central's patience is dwindling. Don't fail Mitsuru."

"...Why must they die? They're humans."

"I don't make the rules."

He saw it that glimmer of hope. Maybe he'd listen. Maybe he would join him. "Then let's break the rules."

"No. That would only lead to death."

He noticed Jyushiro looking at the picture in his desk. The one of a pretty girl with brown curls and silver eyes.

"You fear he might take away your life, but it seems to me he took it long ago."

"Mitsuru, don't start."

"Is it worth it? Living in this sickly state and letting him control all your actions."

"Death wouldn't do me any favors. I'm the head of the clan if I die that's another problem, not to mention the squad."

"You could have tried to save her."

"And then what?! Die after the Soul King takes away the powers keeping me alive? Even if I survived there was nowhere to escape to. We would have both been killed! My betrayal could have caused our family to fall into ruin! I'm not happy with the way things have turned out, but at the very least there is peace. I cannot throw that away, and neither should you. Complete your mission, or else they will kill you!"

"Then I die with no regrets."

"They're back!"

Masaki was helping Hibiki and Jackie train when she spotted the boys coming back. Mitsuru didn't look too pleased and just headed inside.

"He needs some time alone. Sibling trouble." Ginjo told them.

"I'll talk to him in a while. What about you? Shaken up?"

"No. I made new acquaintances and will have to take a few classes at the Soul Reapers' academy, it was a pleasant experience. I just hope Mitsuru recovers soon."

"Don't worry, I'll make us all some yummy steak for dinner that might help cheer him up. Take a breather, girls. I'll go cook."

"She never stops, doesn't she?" Masaki asked.

"Nope, she does not. She's been that way since our folks died." Ginjo stared at the targets far off in the yard, they were all destroyed.

"I'm guessing that was your work, right ladies?"

"Jackie kicked the targets until they were nothing but rubble. I say our girlie here's a keeper." Masaki told him.

Jackie blushed at the compliment. " You're too kind, but thank you."

The stayed like that for a while just laying on the grass talking about silly things. Eventually, Masaki saw rain clouds coming close.

"Looks like it'll rain again soon." She thought.

"You look like someone just kicked a puppy. Do you want to talk?"

Hibiki had walked into the kitchen and began taking out ingredients. Mitsuru sat by the window staring outside, it was likely she had caught onto his mood. "I just had a fight with my brother. Nothing major, if anything I think I pissed him off first."

Hibiki stared at him silently for a moment before walking towards him. "I've had fights with Kugo too, but they don't get me as down as you pal."

"Maybe you're just emotionally stronger."

"I don't know, you handled that whole mess yesterday very well. Even with my glaring."

He laughed at that. Hibiki seemed proud that he had smiled.

"If you feel this badly then apologize to your sibling when you meet again. I won't ask any questions about the died, but seeing how you're a calm type of person I'm going to bet you're in the right."

"You clearly haven't met Jyushiro-nii. The man is very chill, I just hit a nerve that I shouldn't have."

Hibiki nodded. "Help me make dinner and I'll cheer you up."

Mitsuru was skeptical but complied anyway. The two prepared the meal quite expertly. After it was ready she insisted on taking it somewhere else.

"Just follow me." Hibiki led him through a hall which ended on a white door. When she opened it, they arrived at a nightclub. "You can place the plates on the table. I called a few friends over so we can all have dinner before opening time."

He was amazed at how lovely the placed looked. It was organized but comfy, and the lights probably looked better once they were on and accompanied by music.

"What do you call this place?"

"Xcution."

Sosuke was almost falling asleep in his desk. He still had many variables to complete before beginning the project.

"You're going to fall asleep on the chair again my Lord."

He chuckled when he felt Anna wrapping a blanket around him.

"Thank you milady. I'm still unsure of how to proceed."

"You'll be fine. I looked over the plans, they might be tricky, but they'll work."

He nodded. "Did you get what you were looking for?"

"Oh yes, I've collected quite a bit of pressure already, but I found something better."

"Oh? What might that be?"

"New allies."