Tito Kubo owns Bleach, the characters and the copyright. I have respectfully borrowed them for this story. I do, however, own my own characters and ideas.

I wanted to preface this chapter with a little warning. I try very hard to remain true to the storyline of the Bleach manga with my fanfics. It's not always possible but I do my best to interweave my story and characters into the main storyline but Unseen Soul has been gradually deviating from the manga and starting with this chapter, it's going to take a big jump into AU land. I apologize. I originally plotted out this story long before the manga had reached the beginning of the Winter War or the epic fight for Karakura Town. I considered changing my plot but decided to stay with it in it's original form. I hope you'll like it.

Misaki hurried away from the cell, leaving Grimmjow and Zaraki alone. She could only hope that Grimmjow would keep his word. She would never forgive him if anything happened to Zaraki. With a ragged sigh, she pushed the image of Grimmjow's pain-filled eyes from her mind. She didn't have a lot of time. If Orihime was right, then the Ichigo and the shinigami were about to attack the castle. She had to get the key to Zaraki's shackles and free him before the shinigami from the Soul Society made their presence known. She didn't expect Aizen to welcome them with open arms.

She found herself standing outside Ichimaru's quarters. She had learned the location of the man's room from Grimmjow sometime ago so that she could avoid it. She would have preferred to never see the silver-haired man again but she needed something that she was sure he had. She just wasn't sure to how to go about checking his room. It would be easier if she could do it undetected but she had no way of knowing whether he was inside or not. She could simply knock. If he was there, though, he would answer. Misaki grimaced at the thought of having to deal with him again.

"Oh well." she whispered. "It's worth it."

"What is?" Ichimaru asked teasingly. Misaki jumped. He was standing behind her, grinning. She had no idea how long he had been there, watching her.

"Gin!" she cried out in surprise. His grin widened.

"Whatcha up to, Misaki-chan? Were you coming to pay me a visit?" he said, stepping closer.

"I...I..." she faltered. Dammit, she thought angrily, why can't I be good at lying. She struggled to think up an excuse but none came. She could feel her cheeks flush hotly. He wasgoing to know that she was up to no good, she realized frantically.

"It ain't nothin' to be ashamed of, my dear. No one needs to know." he said slickly as he stepped unbearably close to her and reached out, tilting her face up to his. "I've been waiting for you."

"What?" she whispered, stunned by his words. He dropped his hand, reaching past her to open the door to his chamber.

"I knew you'd come lookin' for me eventually. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist my charm. Grimmjow might be an interesting diversion but he's not fit for you in the long run. Come in, my dear."

He stepped back, motioning for her to enter his quarters. She nodded numbly. He thought she had come to offer herself to him, she realized slowly. The thought turned her stomach but maybe, she considered, she might be able to use it to her advantage. He followed her in, locking the door behind them.

"Wow. Your room's a lot bigger than mine." she noted quietly as she took in the spacious bedroom. A large western bed dominated one side of the room. A tall armoire and dresser sat on the opposite wall. At the far end of the room, a small sitting area had been set up with two arm chairs, a lamp and a small end table. Misaki's gaze swept the large room then snapped back to the ornately carved dresser. The top was stacked with books and small curios. At the back of the dresser, leaning against the wall was a long curved sword. It was Kenpachi's. There was no mistaking the white cotton wrapped sheath or diamond shaped tsuba. She walked directly over to the tall dresser, her eyes on the sword.

"That's one of the benefits of being your father's right hand man. He takes care of me." Ichimaru said as he walked over to the bed. He frowned when Misaki moved over to the dresser instead.

The sword rested in the center of the large dresser top, leaning back against the wall. She reached out for it then hesitated, remembering Gin stood behind her. She noticed a small framed photograph sitting next to the sword. Misaki stared at the smiling face of a woman that looked oddly familiar. It took her a moment to place the face but then she suddenly remembered. It was Rangiku Matsumoto, one of the shinigami she had come to know in the human world.

The red-haired beauty was smiling happily in the photograph, dressed in a her black and white shinigami uniform. In her hand she held a sake cup, raising it proudly in the air as she posed for the picture. Her green eyes glittered happily. She looked much happier than Misaki remembered her being when they had met.

"Who is this?" she asked innocently, raising the photograph up for him to see. Gin shrugged, walking over to the table. Misaki immediately stepped back. She didn't like to be too close to the man. Something about him made her skin crawl.

"That's an old friend of mine." he replied. The photograph was set among an assortment of trinkets, along with the sword. A vice captain's insignia from Division Five, a carefully folded white captain's coat and a strange looking, flat metal bar were just a few of the items.

"She's beautiful." Misaki noted. "She's a shinigami, like you used to be?"

"Yes, we were friends...once." he said in an uncharacteristically soft voice. He took the photograph from her, staring down at it silently for a moment.

"Did you love her?" she asked, the question spilling from her mouth without forethought.

"My, but you are the curious one." he laughed easily as he returned the photograph to the dresser top. "Are you jealous, Misaki-chan? Don't you worry your pretty little head. She's ancient history. I'm all yours now."

He reached out with both hands to cup her face. She deftly turned away, focusing her attention on the other items atop the dresser. She needed to keep things light and casual until she figured out a way to get the sword out of the room without him seeing.

"What's this?" she asked as she picked up the small metal bar and turning it over in her hand. One side was smooth but the other was grooved with deeply etched notches of varying depths. Strange, she thought.

"That," he said quickly, snatching it out of her hand, "is nothing important."

He smiled smoothly as he slipped the piece of metal in the pocket of his hakama. Misaki frowned. What could it be, she wondered. Gin took several steps away from the dresser as he said,

"Why don't we sit down on the bed. I think we'd be more comfortable there."

"What about the sword? Is it yours?" she asked, turning back towards the table, her eyes irresistibly drawn back to the blade. It was a part of Zaraki. She could feel it calling out to her.

"No, it's not mine. You could call it a trophy of war." Gin said smugly as he walked over and picked up the weapon. He unsheathed the long sword. The blade glittered dangerously in the light despite the worn, ragged edge. Unable to resist, Misaki reached out, running her fingertips over the rough blade.

"War trophy, my ass." growled a low, dangerous voice. Misaki jumped at the sound. She turned to find a large, black wolf standing next to her. It was larger than any wolf she had ever seen, standing nearly waist high beside her. She stared at the mangy looking creature in shock. Where had it come from? Why was it in Ichimaru's quarters? And how could it be speaking to her? The thoughts tumbled rapidly through her confused brain. She realized the thing was watching her every move through not two but one eye. One bright, golden eye. The other eye was flat and lifeless with a long, jagged scar running across it from high on it's head reaching down below it's mouth.

"Like he knows shit about war. He's spent most of his life hidin' behind Aizen's fuckin' coat tails."

"...tell a lot about a man by the condition of his blade..." Gin was speaking but Misaki was only half aware of what he was saying. He seemed completely unaware of the strange wolf-like creature. Could it have wandered in from the desert outside, she wondered. If so, why didn't Gin see it as well. It didn't make any sense. She looked back at the creature nervously. A wild savage air surrounded the canine. She felt that it not only might pounce at any moment but it's attack would prove deadly. Still, she wanted to reach out and touch it. Despite the danger, she was drawn to large beast.

Misaki noticed the animal's dark, matted fur was marked with numerous rough scars. Battle scars, she thought absently. It looked like the wolf had survived many bloody fights. The creature held her eye, staring back at her through it lone clear eye. Something in it's golden eye seemed familiar to her. As she raised the sword, it's sharp teeth curled back into a sharp, hungry grin.

"Zaraki." she whispered faintly, recognizing the grin. The wolf had to be the spirit of Zaraki's zanpakuto.

"Did you say something, my dear?" Gin asked, stepping closer. The only thing keeping his body from touching hers was Zaraki's sword. Her head spun around, panicked that he might have heard her.

"I said, 'It's heavy.'" she covered quickly. Gin laughed, taking the sword from her and sliding it back into it's scabbard. He returned it to the dresser behind her, stepping back so that he could draw his own sword.

"It's trash. Here, hold this one. This is a true weapon." he said slickly, handing his sword to her, handle first. She saw the wolf's ears flatten as it barred it's sharp white teeth, growling at Gin.

"I'll show him what a real weapon can do." the animal snarled dangerously, "I'll rip that fuckin' grin right off his ugly face."

"Thank you." Misaki murmured, accepting the sword from him with a smile. The feral creature reminded her a lot Zaraki.

"This one's a quality blade." Gin said lovingly as he raised the tip of the sword for emphasis. Low, throaty growl sounded from the beast beside her. She could feel the hatred rolling off it in heavy black waves. It wanted Gin dead.

"Kill him. Stab him now with his own blade. Cut his black heart out. It's what the fuckin' coward deserves." the wolf growled dangerously. Her gaze snapped back to it. Akuro. That was his name. She could feel it echoing in her soul.

Misaki stared down at Akuro, unable to tear her gaze away. It was obvious the wolf was bloodthirsty as it's master. She looked back at Zaraki's sword then at the wolf. He was bound to the sword. Each were a part of Zaraki's soul. It had to be killing them to be separated from each other like this.

"Is something wrong, my love? You look...disturbed." Gin whispered, stepping close to her again as he brushed a strand of hair back behind her ear.

"No." she said, feeling panicked by the sudden closeness of his presence. He seemed to closing in on her, smothering her.

"You know Misaki," Gin continued in a low, teasing whisper, "It's only a matter of time."

"What do you mean?" she said quickly, trying to step backwards but she collided with the dresser. The action only served to bounce her back against Gin. He caught her, his hand lingering at her waist. Misaki leaned back away from him. The sensation of suffocation grew worse the closer he got. It felt as if his very presence was coiling up her legs and wrapping itself around her waist and chest.

"Think about it." he practically purred, leaning in to whisper directly into her ear. "Your father wants to continue his blood line. He'll be expecting you to bear a child eventually. A grandson to carry on his name. He'll never let an arrancar soil you. He wouldn't want his blood tainted with such trash. That leaves me and Kaname. And let's be honest, that really only leaves me."

The man was insane, Misaki thought frantically. She needed to do something to distract him. She had to get away from him. The closer he got, the more trapped she felt. A strange hissing seemed to accompany his words. Something was very wrong. Misaki turned her face so that she could see him. Their faces were almost touching as she quickly asked,

"What about the girl in the picture? She has to be important to you. Hers is the only photograph you have here. Who is she?"

Gin drew back slightly, eying her coldly. Misaki felt a rush of fresh air wash over. It had worked. She had hit a raw nerve.

"I told you. She's ancient history." he snapped. He reached out to adjust the high collar of her jacket as he added smoothly, " She's from another life that's long gone. My life's here now. With you."

As he spoke, his fingers brushed the soft flesh of her throat. Misaki heard the hissing sound again as he leaned forward to kiss her. She saw a flash of silver over his shoulder as he leaned down. She immediately drew back as she felt something cold slid across the tops of her feet.

"What's wrong, my dear?" he asked with a false smile of concern. Misaki was stared at Gin as a giant serpent rose up slowly behind him. Frozen with fear, she watched as the large, flattened snake's head weaved hypnotically over Gin's right shoulder.

It hissed, a long, black tongue flying out. Stricken and unable to move, Misaki couldn't tear her eyes away as the thing uncoiled itself from around Gin's legs and waist to inch forward towards her. Colored a luminescent, whitish silver, it blended in with Gin's arrancar robes. Deep, burgundy colored markings dotted it's pale exterior. The eyes of the snake were narrow and squinted, it almost appeared blind as the head slid forward over his shoulder, moving closer to her.

"So pretty...so deliciously pretty." the creature hissed as it brushed against her hair. She flinched backwards, unable to stop herself.

"Don't look in it's eyes." Akuro growled in a low gravely voice. "One look can kill you. His zanpakuto is a coward's weapon. Let's him strike from a distance."

"Misaki-chan?" Gin chimed cheerfully, turning his head slightly as he considered her. Her stomach lurched as the snake imitated the movement exactly, watching her closely.

"Want to taste her." the snake hiss, it's tongue flicked out near her cheek. Misaki opened her mouth to speak but only a faint squeak sounded as the huge snake began coiling itself around her legs. Gin leaned closer to ask,

"Are you alright?"

She raised her hand to stop him as the snake rasped,

"She looks like her mother." the snake hissed. "Shall we kill her, too?"

Misaki felt the room grow cold. Images from her fractured childhood memories rushed forward. She saw her mother again, leaving her to hidden in their ramshackle home to confront a stranger outside. She raised her eyes to Gin's. It was him she saw that night. A younger, smaller version of the man who stood before her but the hair, the grin, were unmistakable. She could see the contempt in his young face as he drew his sword before she had time to react. A flash of silver cut through the dim night. Gin's blade flew out, extending at an impossible speed. With a flick of his wrist, he cut her down. Blood sprayed wildly. Her mother fell before her eyes once more.

"I'm worried about you. You've gone all pale and funny looking." he snapped.

"Misa..." Gin's words cried out then were cut off sharply as she stabbed his own sword deep into his chest. Gin's narrow eyes widened slightly as he stared down at the red stain spreading across the front of his white jacket. He raised his eyes to hers questioningly.

"Why?" he whispered, trying to pull the blade free. With a grimace, Misaki shoved it deeper, twisting the blade as it went. The huge snake fell to the floor, thrashing wildly. It's strange hiss became an ear piercing, high pitched squeal.

"You killed my mother. You murdered her," she said through clenched teeth as she twisted the blade again, scraping against bone, "in cold blood, you bastard."

"That was a long time ago, Misaki-chan." he started with a faint grin as he grabbed the dresser top to support himself. Misaki felt no mercy for the man. She felt only cold hatred. He would pay for he had done to her mother, to her. He had stolen away her life.

"Kill him." Akuro growled loudly. "Kill him now!"

Misaki jerked his sword free, raising it to deliver a killing blow. A loud explosion rocked the castle, giving her pause. Gin collapsed to his knees, pressing a hand to his chest.

"I was only doing what your father ordered, Misaki-chan." he said softly, his head down.

"You did what you wanted. I felt it inside you. You wanted her dead. You hated her. I could see it on your face. You enjoyed killing her." Misaki said in a low icy tone. Gin stared up at her, surprise on his pale face.

"You sound just like your father when he's angry." he marveled. Misaki's hands shook. No, she thought wildly. She wasn't like Aizen. She couldn't be.

"No, you're wrong." she whispered, unable to bring the sword down for the final blow.

"It doesn't matter now. They've finally come. Those explosions are my dear old friends coming to kill me." he grunted, pushing himself up slowly. "I believe I'll need my sword, my dear."

"I'll leave you to them then." she said coldly as she tossed his sword across the room then turned and grabbed Zaraki's from the dresser behind her.

"You're gutless and weak!" Akuro snapped viciously. "You shoulda finished him while you had the chance."

"I have to get Zaraki out." Misaki cried out. "He's more important than this asshole."

"What?" Gin snapped, glaring at her.

"Then get the damn key, shithead." Akuro growled, his lone eye glaring at her. "You had it in your hand and you gave it to him"

"What?" Misaki whispered, stopping in the doorway. The metal bar. An image of the grooves cut into it flashed in her head. It had to be the key.

Misaki ran back to where Gin was leaning heavily against the dresser. Blood was running down the front of his once white jacket and beginning to puddle on the floor beneath him. He caught her wrist when she tried to slip her hand into his pocket.

"What do you know of Zaraki?" he snapped, his face twisted darkly.

"I know that he'd kill you if he were standing here instead of me. Consider yourself lucky that he's still locked up." she replied coldly. She lunged forward, driving her knee into up into his crotch as hard as she could. She twisted her hand free of his loosened grasp as he cried out in pain, doubling over again. Misaki quickly retrieved the key from his pocket. She backed away from him, holding Zaraki's sheathed sword out warily.

"You helped him. I should have known. That reiatsu that flew out of him. I knew I had felt it before but I couldn't place it. How...how did you..." Gin struggled to speak even as she moved for the door.

"You're an evil son of a bitch, Gin. I know what you did to him. And I know how much you liked it. I hope you burn in hell for everything you've done." she spat out the words, pausing in the doorway. Several repetitive blasts sounded, shaking everything in the room. The fighting was getting closer, she thought.

"They're not here to save you, Misaki-chan. You'll burn with the rest of us. Aizen's bastard love child has no place in Yamamoto's Sereitei." he taunted her.

"Quit yer yapping and take the sword to Kenpachi!" Akuro growled, snapping it's sharp teeth threateningly at her as he chased her out of the room. She jumped away from the bloodthirsty animal. With one last look at Gin, she ran from the room. The wolf was right. She had run out of time.

I know I've been very lax with my updates lately due to my work on my original fiction but two chapters in a week! (Three if you count the Kenpachi Roll!lol) Feels like old times. I really would love to know what you think of the chapter but especially what your thoughts are on Gin and Zaraki's zanpakuto spirits. So please consider reviewing. As always, thank you for taking the time to read my stuff. It means a lot. :)