I am very sorry for not updating yesterday like I was supposed to, I had a surprise birthday party to go to. And last Monday too, I'm sorry about tht. I rlly needed to think about I was going to do this upcoming battle. Aaaaaaaaaaaannnndd... I DID :)

Toshiro's glower lingered over Aizen's face. The calm smile that spread across his enemy's mouth brought an odd sensation into the soul reaper's chest. He had expected the hatred. Hatred so strong he knew he wouldn't be able to control himself. But he didn't care about that. If anything, he wanted to forget his restraints. He wanted to let loose on Aizen, to bring out his full power, no matter if it was brought on by hatred and rage.

Those feelings of animosity were ever-present, but what surprised Toshiro is that his heart didn't begin to beat faster, it didn't pump adrenaline into his head, and his vision didn't blur with hatred. What came with mild surprise to the boy as that he felt totally and completely calm. It was an eerie state of composure that kept Toshiro from tearing Aizen limb from limb then and there. He was going to get his revenge. Momo would be safe, and he would be free to destroy Aizen as he pleased. He tasted a bitter sweet sensation in his mouth as he imagined his own dominance.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, a warning may have sounded, trying to bring him back into reality. It tried to tell him to remember caution, that his enemy had already defeated him easily once, and that this venture was only going to lead to more pain. Whatever attempted to remind him of rationality, however, only got brushed aside thoughtlessly. Toshiro didn't listen, nor did he care. He was much too far beyond listening to reason.

As the tension in the area was almost visible, Ichigo took a slow step forward, his hand heading towards his zanpaktou.

"I'm joining in, too."

Toshiro finally tore his eyes away from Aizen to settle on Ichigo. The teal crystals were dull with a strange calm that filled his being. That look almost scared Ichigo.

"No." Toshiro's voice was quiet though it was mingled with an air of authority. "This battle is for me and Gin. Stay out of it."

The teenage soul reaper paused. The dangerous look on the young prodigy's face told him interfering would probably lead to extreme measures. But still, did Toshiro stand a chance against Aizen? Ichigo had fought the man once before, and the overall attempt was pathetically unsuccessful. Was Toshiro any better off?

But the icy blue aura that had begun to emanate from Toshiro was so strong Ichigo didn't know if even he could defeat it.

"Fine then." Ichigo consented bitterly, his eyes narrowed. "But you better not get yourself killed."

Ichigo turned and looked at Uryu and Momo, who both looked as though they wished to stay. Doing his best to express to them that leaving would be the absolute best option without saying a word, he shunpoed away and breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed that they followed as well.

In truth, it took almost all Ichigo's willpower to pull himself away from the impending battle.

Toshiro has been through enough. At this point he deserves to take out his revenge. Ichigo thought as he searched for the rest of the rescue party. He's strong, and Ichimaru is with him. They'll be alright.

He had gotten some distance from Toshiro and Aizen when Uryu came up beside him. The Quincy's blue eyes were focused intently at him as he sped onward in pace with Ichigo

"Are you sure that was the right thing to do?"

Ichigo gazed ahead of him, his eyes firm.

"I hope so."

Uryu settled, knowing he would get nowhere by pressing any further doubts. He understood how Ichigo wanted to protect Toshiro, but also wanted the boy to be happy, and at the moment, destroying Aizen by any means possible was the only thing that would bring Toshiro to any feeling close enough to happiness. But it was problematic, as he also knew that the Soul Society would not approve of their actions, leaving Toshiro with Aizen, but that fact didn't matter to either of them. It was what it was, and now they had to focus on finding everyone else.

A small rustle by a pile of collapsed rock turned both Ichigo and Uryu's heads. They came to a stop, waiting for whatever it was to emerge.

Ichigo gave a start as he saw a strawberry blonde struggling against a large pile of wall.

"Rangiku!" He jumped forward and pushed away the rubble.

"Thanks." The woman responded after a huff. Getting to her feet, she took a long look around. "The building just collapsed and... I guess I got separated... I don't know where everyone else is..."

She caught sight of Momo and her eyes brightened. However, the words in her mouth were cut off by the call of a group of people behind her. Turning, she and the others noticed Ukitake, Hisagi, Chad, and Orihime advancing through the rubble towards them. Fragments of rock and dust covered parts of their robes.

"Rangiku! Ichigo!" Orihime came running ahead of the others to their side. "What happened? Is everything alright? Where's Toshiro?"

Ichigo hesitated before answering her last question. If told everyone of Toshiro's position, their actions may not be as in favor of the young soul reaper as Ichigo's. However, Ichigo decided, if a big battle was about to begin, they had a right to know what was going to occur.

"His with Aizen." He spoke with a sigh as everyone else's eyes widened. "Ichimaru's there too, and they're about to fight."

"But then-!" Ukitake's eyes were wide with emotion when he cut himself short. After a moment, his voice came slowly. "He doesn't want us to interfere, does he?"

Ichigo merely shook his head in agreement.

There was a solemn silence for a while, during which Rangiku stared deplorably at the rubble below her feet. Clasping her hands together, her heart ached with the knowledge of what the two men closest to her were going through. More than anything, she wanted to help. However, she also understood their situation. If she were to attempt to aid them, she would only be an obstacle. Aat that point, she was useless, and she knew it. All she was capable of doing was to offer her support from a distance in any way she could, and that was what she intended to do.

Ichigo looked over the quiet faces of everyone present before he finally noticed something was amiss.

"Hey, what happened to Byakuya?"

Toshiro's hand tightened around the grip of his zanpaktou, and his eyes narrowed even further in a dangerous glare.

"I said, get out of the way."

Byakuya Kuchiki stood firm, his zanpaktou drawn, in between Toshiro and Aizen who where several yards apart. Moments ago, the captain had appeared there, and now he would not allow Toshiro to pass without struggle. While Aizen waited with mock patience behind the captain, Toshiro was beginning to feel his spiritual pressure fluctuating.

The only blood he truly desired to have on his hands was that belonging to Aizen. He didn't need Byakuya in the way.

"I will not allow you to attack this traitor." Came Byakuya's response, his eyes set and ready to restrain Toshiro if necessary.

"Move."

"I will not. If you act rashly, I will take extreme measures to stop you."

It wouldn't have been hard for Toshiro to guess what the captain had been ordered to do, but only if he took the time to think about it. What mattered to him was that Byakuya was standing in between him and his greatest hatred.

The boy took a step forward, Hyourinmaru coming into a more battle-ready position.

"Move."

The captain refused.

A clang of metal against metal resounded throughout the area and Toshiro's eyes widened mildly as a blur of white flashed by him. The next second, Byakuya was struggling to hold back to freshly drawn zanpaktou and was backed further away, staring into the eyes of the captain of squad thirteen.

"Toshiro!" Ukitake yelled, though still unfamiliar with using the soul reaper's first name. "I'll handle this."

Toshiro gave him a long stare before expressing a simple nod of gratitude. He didn't understand why Ukitake would go against whatever the Soul Society had issued, but that still was something his mind didn't linger on. His eyes turned once more to Aizen as the two captains vanished, taking their battle elsewhere.

With a sigh, Aizen gazed back at both Toshiro and Gin.

"Are you pitiful insects finally done squabbling?"

I have such a bad headache... but I'm surprised I actually got myself to update! I really need something to draw tho... I've barely draw at all in the past two weeks, SUGGETIONS APPRECIATED!

I'm exhausted, so i'm gonna go sleep. Please make these slow and miserable days of waiting for summer better and review me!