Ch 26 Revelations

The sun shone a deep red when it rose above the horizon; a new day has begun. Haze from the fires that still scattered the remnants of Karakura Town made the usual yellow sun looked ominous and un-inviting. Still holding onto Rangiku, Amagi looked from Rukia to Uryuu, than to Shunsui, Urahara, Yoruichi and than to Hisagi as well as Kira. He noted the anger in Ichigo's eyes, as well as the fear in Orihime's. Amagi felt guilty when he realized the rest of them; Renji, Byakuya, Kenpachi, Hitsugaya, and now Chad were wounded severely and were slowly recovering. Something about Urahara's demeanor was off and Amagi knew some idea was racing though his head. Amagi acted upon it before Kisuke Urahara's imagination got the better of him.

"You know Urahara, I can just save you the head-ache and tell you what happened," Amagi joked, smiling calmly at him.

"Yes, please I do believe this invites a rather thorough explanation," Uryuu butted in, his interest had immediately been peaked by the possibilities.

"First things first," Amagi looked back at Rangiku, and she smiled up at him, "I am sorry I put everyone through this. I am especially sorry for losing control for a while there and nearly killed Kenpachi and Byakuya, they did not deserve what I did to them. They were only following out their orders. I do not blame them if they hate me. Just let them know that ok? Orihime, please forgive me, I did not mean to scare you like I did; you are such a kind person and did not deserve that. Ichigo, take care of her better, trust me on this, it is absolutely horrible and devastating loosing someone that means so much to you like that." Their expressions said it all; shock and bewilderment, that the man who was just trying to kill them hours before is now apologizing to them.

"Also, Yoruichi," Amagi continued, "you will always be a sister to me, no matter what, ok?" She smiled and nodded. Rukia did not know how to interpret what was happening, she was still trying to get over the fact that he tried to kill her Hisagi and Kira. They two stood in bewilderment.

"Amagi Mitsuko," Captain-Commander Yamamato said as his lieutenant helped him to his feet, "somehow you contacted me and informed me of what was happening. Why did you do that as well as why did you do what you did?" Amagi ever so slightly nodded to Rangiku and she took a step back and crossed her arms across her chest.

"Well," Amagi could not help but hide the sorrow that showed as he spoke, "the why I did what I did is complicated and would require a long sad, depressing history. Not sure anyone would really want to hear it. But I informed you because you are the only one who could have held up against Aku for as long as you did. He has become a power hungry monster and it has gotten to his head, I knew with your past with him, he would put all his focus and attention on you and not on anyone else."

"I see," Yamamato said before whispering to Chojiro and the two began to walk away.

"Before you go," Amagi called out, "I am sorry for what happened those many decades ago."

"Those crimes that you were suspected and sentenced for," Yamamato said harshly, "are no longer valid." He once again turned but this time the door to the Seireitei appeared in front of him. It slide open and he disappeared into it. Amagi was shocked, the thought of having all charges suddenly gone was too much to fathom.

"Please, tell us what happened to you," Yoruichi said softly, the look of anticipation fueled the desire to know the truth, "why did you lose control?"

"I met someone," Amagi began, recalling every moment he spent with Nia, "she was practically the only reason why I teamed up with Aku, if I had not fallen for her the moment I laid eyes on her, I probably would have just returned here."

"What was she like?" Rangiku thought aloud, she tried to stop herself but it was too late.

"To be honest, she was a lot like you Rangiku," Amagi said smiling, "strong, beautiful, and intelligent, as well as head strong. Oh, and I cannot forget stubborn." Amagi remembered when he confessed his feelings to Nia, and how she asked what about her that made him fall for her. He gave her the best answer he could, and to his surprise she felt the same way. Rangiku felt a wave of jealousy about this woman that had Amagi's heart, but than shook it off in remembrance that she too had found another in his absence, but she could not help but feel somewhat jealous.

"Would be nice if I could meet her," Rangiku muttered, but wish she had not because of the look he gave her; it was a mix of sorrow and anger.

"Sadly, it is not possible," Amagi noted quietly, lowering his gaze down to the rubble at his feet. The many years of not being able to express his emotions finally took its toll. He let the tears building up behind his eyes go and felt them run down his checks and drip off his chin. They felt bad, but only Urahara moved closer to comfort him.

"Let me guess," Urahara said bitterly, "Aku and Toshino did not like how close you had gotten with her and decided to double cross you by taking her away from you." Amagi nodded, which caused some startled remarks from some of the Shinigami.

"Do you mean…" Orihime started to say but was cut off by Amagi, "Yes they killed her in front of me after Toshino knocked me unconscious, than turned around and blamed her death on my incompetence. It was not until after you defeated me Ichigo that I was able to see the truth and break out of their trance they had me in."

"So what are you planning to do now Amagi?" Rangiku asked, she wanted to comfort him but thought it would be best if she did not.

"There is only one logical thing for me to do," Amagi snarled between gritted teeth, he regained his composure and was looking over his shoulder at a figure that just stood up out of the rubble, "to kill Aku and Toshino and set everything right." Yoruichi noticed what he was looking at but did not have enough time to say anything before Amagi spoke again.

"I know this is not the real Karakura Town, so I won't be holding out any, so I want everyone to leave and take refuge in the Seireitei."

"Don't you think you will need some help though? I mean, Yamamato was not able to defeat Aku." Captain Shunsui questioned Amagi's demand.

"No, these two will deal with me and me alone," Amagi's reiatsu began to rise sharply. As it did the wind changed direction and began to gain momentum, "I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of me, ok? So please, I think it would be best that you take Kenpachi and the other wounded now. Be quick about it too. I will see everyone again soon." He gave them no warning before he was instantly gone. In his wake was a massive outburst of pressure causing them to be pushed outward.

"Be careful Amagi," Rangiku spoke so softly no one else heard her.

"Well by the looks of it, I think he is right," Shunsui said replacing his straw hat on his head, "things will get pretty hairy fairly quick."

"Yes he is right," Urahara agreed.

"Ah damn! I missed the fight!" Kenpachi shouted as he appeared next to them caring a still unconscious Byakuya over his right shoulder. Renji was directly behind him caring Hitsugaya. Though getting close to being fully healed, they still were heavily bandaged and surprisingly enough ,they were able to move without problems. Everyone gathered as a large door appeared in front of them. It slid open and a bright light shown through. One by one they entered the door. Ichigo hoisted Chad's limp body over his shoulder and took a step through the gate, leaving Orihime as the last person there.

"I may not be able to forget it, but I do forgive you for what you did, and I do believe everyone else does as well, so please, for the sake of the girl and for every one else, beat them." Her final words she spoke before she entered the gate were fierce and blunt, she did not care if Amagi heard them or not, she felt better saying them aloud. As she stepped through the gate, it silently slid shut behind her and vanished.

"Toshino," Amagi said sharply as he materialized behind him," I cannot allow for either you or Aku to live, so it ends here."