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 reminder. Even though I try very hard to remain true to the storyline of the Bleach manga with my fanfics, it's not always possible. This chapter, as well as subsequent ones, are deviating from the original story as it appears in the manga. It's definitely well into AU land. As I said before, I created the plot for this fic 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.

Zaraki stood alone in the darkened cell listening to the sounds of combat echoing through castle far above him. The walls shook, raining small bits of stone down on him. The fighting must be getting closer, he thought, grinning hungrily. He was eager to join his comrades in the fray but first he needed to get back to Misa. He had to be sure she was safe before he let himself be distracted by the fighting. He paused, the random thought surprising even himself. Fighting was the love of his life, or so he had always believed. Still, somewhere along the way, Misaki had surpassed it.

"Damn." he muttered as a rush of reiatsu swept through the room and beyond. Zaraki recognized it. Ichigo was deep in the thick of battle. Zaraki wondered who his opponent was and how strong they might be. They'd need to be tough to beat that kid, he thought with a grin. He hoped Ichigo saved a few of the stronger ones for him. He didn't want the kid stealing all the fun before he got there, but it wouldn't long now. Misa was on her way. He could feel it deep inside him. She was coming and she was bringing his sword. Zaraki's grin sharpened. He wasn't sure how she had done it but she held his sword. He could feel the cold steel almost as if he himself held it. The bond between them was growing stronger by the day.

"Kenpachi?" he heard Misaki's voice call out. "I tried to hurry. There's fighting everywhere."

He heard the heavy door groan then it slowly began to move inward. He slipped his fingers around the edge as soon possible and pulled with all his strength. The door swung easily open. Misaki started into the small room but Zaraki forced her backwards, pushing his way out of the cell. He stood in the narrow hallway, breathing fresh air for the first time in days.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, eying the quickly drying blood stain that marred the white gown she wore.

"What?" she stammered. Misaki looked down at her dress in confusion before continuing, "No, it's Gin's blood...wait...how did you get free? How did you break the chains?"

"I got in a tussle with Little Boy Blue." he replied with a grin. "The chains couldn't take it."

"Grimmjow?" she squeaked, worry lacing her words. "Is he okay?"

Zaraki's expression darkened. He raised his shackled hands into the air and snapped, "Forget about him. Did you bring the key to these things or not?"

"I got it." she replied, producing a flat silver key from her pocket. "And this." she added, leaning his sword against the wall beside him. "Hold still and I'll try to get them off." she said, concentrating on the heavy stone shackles. She paused, looking up at him to ask, "What happened to Grimmjow? Did you kill him?"

"He took off with one his arrancar buddies." he explained. Zaraki felt torn between being irritated that she thought enough of the other man to ask about him and being flattered that she considered Zaraki capable enough to dispatch the hollow in his current condition.

The heavy lock turned suddenly. The shackles fell to the floor with a loud bang. Suddenly free, Zaraki reached out to cup Misa's face in his hands. He leaned down, kissing her deeply. He felt her grab hold of his arms, pulling him closer. Satisfied, he lifted his head to stare down into her eyes. That should make her forget about her blue-haired boyfriend for awhile, he thought with a grin.

"I've been wanting to do that since I got here." he spoke softly. She smiled up at him then wrapped her arms around his bare waist, hugging him tightly. Zaraki stroked her long, dark hair. It was worth it, he decided suddenly. All the pain and frustration was worth just being able to hold her again.

"I missed you." Misaki whispered. An explosion rocked the castle. It was closer than before. The building groaned as stone slid against stone but it stood firm.

"We gotta get you outta here." Zaraki declared, grabbing hold of his sword with one hand and her arm with the other.

"There's fighting everywhere." Misaki warned as he ran up the stairs, pulling her along behind him. He took the steps two at a time. Misaki struggled to keep up.

"Which way?" Zaraki paused to ask when they reached a corridor that ran left to right.

"I think left would be the fastest way out. I don't know my way around that well but..." Misaki explained, chewing on her lip. Zaraki opened his mouth to complain that she knew the place a damn sight better than he did, but the words froze on his lips. A sudden shift in the air stole his breath as Aizen's spiritual pressure pressed down on him. Aizen appeared behind Misaki and placed a hand on her shoulder. Even as Zaraki raised his sword to attack, she was gone.

"Son of a bitch!" he shouted, spinning around unsure which direction to go.

XXXXXXXX

"What the hell? Where am I?" Misaki cried out as the stone walls of Heuco Mundo disappeared in a sudden blur. Her vision cleared an instant later. She was standing in Aizen's throne room.

"You'll be safe here, Misaki." Aizen spoke from behind her. She spun around, only then realizing that he had his hand on her shoulder.

"I was safe where I was." she argued, looking around frantically for Zaraki but he was gone. "What did you do? Why did you bring me here?"

"I rescued you. You should stay here. There's a hidden chamber under the throne. I'll show you. If the fighting draws too close, hide there. The stone should hide your spiritual pressure completely. I don't believe they'd harm you, but just in case..." he explained calmly as he walked over to the base of the throne. He touched the edge of the third step and a door slid open to reveal a space beneath the stairs.

"I'm not going in there and I didn't need to be rescued." Misaki declared defiantly. Aizen turned, a puzzled look on his handsome face.

"I assure you, it's perfectly safe."

"I was safe where I was." she repeated, turning away from him and starting towards the door. She stopped short as the wall behind her shook violently. The wall exploded suddenly, spraying rock and debris all around her as Zaraki burst into the room, sword drawn.

"Captain Zaraki, your persistence is unexpected." Aizen said quietly, undisturbed by the man's sudden appearance.

"I came a long way for that woman. I ain't leaving without her." he growled at Aizen.

"You must be mistaken, Captain Zaraki. This is my daughter. She will remain by my side." Aizen replied quietly.

"You might've screwed her mother but you sure as hell ain't never been a father to her." Zaraki countered, jerking Misaki forward and away from Aizen. Aizen remained calm despite the sudden turn of events.

Quietly, he spoke directly to Misaki, "Step away from this man. He is one of the shinigami that have come to kill you and I."

"Kenpachi would never hurt me." she declared loudly. Aizen's eyebrows furrowed into a frown for a brief moment then his usual serene expression returned.

"You are acquainted with Captain Zaraki?" he asked her in a low, measured tone.

"Of course she knows me. I told you that I came here after her. You deaf or something?" Zaraki snapped.

"My hearing is perfect, Kenpachi. I have merely misjudged you, as well as my daughter. I was simply operating under the false impression that you had been captured. I take it you surrendered to my arrancar, then?"

"It seemed like the easiest way to get here at the time." Zaraki explained with a grin.

"And now you propose to fight me...over my own daughter? You can barely stand. You are no match for me on a good day, my old friend. And this is hardly a good day for you."

"I ain't your friend." Zaraki growled in a low, threatening tone. "I never was. Never did trust you. Couldn't figure out why everybody thought you were so fucking great. It always felt like you were laughing at us behind that Goody Two Shoes attitude of yours. Turns out I was right. And let me tell you, I hate to be laughed at."

"So, you risked your life to rescue Misaki...from me?" Aizen asked, sounding as if the idea was too ridiculous for words.

"She doesn't belong here. You're killing her forcing her to stay in this world." Zaraki growled.

"Just what are your intentions towards my daughter, Kenpachi?" he asked quietly. The question seemed to surprise Zaraki.

"That ain't none of your damn business." Zaraki replied gruffly as he glanced down at Misaki.

"I beg to differ. She is my daughter. My flesh and blood. What kind of father would I be to allow her to be with someone," he paused, his face drawing up distastefully before he continued, "...someone like you? No. I will not permit my bloodline to be sullied by Rukongai filth."

"You calling me filth?" Zaraki growled, tightening his grip on his sword.

"I am warning you that Misaki will remain here...with me. And that all of your efforts have been in vain."

"I'm not leaving here without her."

"Then you shall never leave Heuco Mundo."

"You think you can stop me?" Zaraki asked with a deadly grin as he grip tightened on his sword.

"Be careful, Kenpachi. His zanpakuto..." Misaki started but never completed her warning as Zaraki lunged forward, attacking Aizen. His sword cut harmlessly through the empty air. Aizen wasn't where he appeared to be standing. Zaraki barely had time to register this fact before Aizen's blade cut stabbed him from behind. Misaki cried out as the sword stabbed cleanly through Zaraki's torso, exiting his chest.

"Bastard!" Zaraki growled spinning around to confront the man even as the sword was being withdrawn from his body.

"He's not there." Misaki shouted, seeing the shimmering illusion of her father standing behind him. She looked to his right, where Aizen and his zanpakuto spirit actually stood. She saw Aizen slash out with his weapon. The blade cut cleanly to the bone, tearing a wide gash in Zaraki's right upper arm. It was only the tall man's fast reflexes that kept Aizen from severing the limb completely.

"Kurohitsugi 90." Aizen spoke quietly. Misaki watched in horror as a purplish-black ball of energy formed momentarily above the fingers of his left hand then crackled away, taking the shape of a black box of spiritual energy above Zaraki. It crashed down, completely enveloping the man.

"No!" Misaki screamed as the spear of powerful spiritual energy pierced the box violently. The box evaporated, revealing a bloodied Zaraki. He staggered slightly from his sudden wounds then his head snapped to the right. His blade had moved ahead of his gaze, striking out at Aizen. Misaki realized the man was gone again, leaving only an illusion of himself. Once again, Zaraki's blow hit only air.

"Clever." he laughed, looking around for his opponent. Misaki saw an illusion of her father appear in front of Zaraki as the real man dropped down behind him, sword raised. Zaraki lunged forward.

"Behind you." Misaki screamed. Zaraki reacted faster than she would have thought possible, swinging his sword back to block the blow he couldn't see coming. Aizen's head turned towards Misaki. A woman stepped out from behind him. It was his zanpakuto's spirit.

"I told you the whelp could see me." the woman spoke bitterly as she tossed her rainbow colored hair over her shoulder.

"Misaki, I want only the best for you. You don't belong in the Soul Society. Do you foolishly believe they will welcome you home with open arms? Do you see it as some sort of sanctuary? They will never accept you. They will never trust you. To them, you will be seen as an extension of me. My flesh and blood. My daughter. You will forever carry my legacy. They will all grow to hate you, even Captain Zaraki will eventually turn on you."

"You're wrong." Misaki cried out.

"Don't listen to him." Zaraki called out, turning slowly in a wide circle. "Just tell me where the hell he is." Misaki realized that Aizen had disappeared from sight again.

"He's behind you...moving to your right." she said, watching her father closely.

"You can see me. Interesting." Aizen commented quietly as Zaraki's sword crashed down towards him. He blocked it, stepping backwards and disappearing briefly only to reappear beside Misaki. "Regardless, I can't let you go. I can't risk letting Yamamoto use you against me. Besides, I gave you life. You belong to me. You belong with me and with me, you will always remain."

"No!" Misaki screamed as his arm encircled her waist. She summoned all of her strength, pushing against him. Her spiritual pressure exploded suddenly, forming a barrier between herself and Aizen. "Let me go." she shouted. Her words seemed to ignite the spiritual pressure gathered between them. It exploded in a splintering rain of green reiatsu that sent Aizen flying backwards into the stone. He slammed hard against the wall, leaving a wide cratered hole where his body had struck.

"I underestimated you, Misaki." he spoke quietly, immediately on his feet.

"Are you hurt?" Zaraki demanded, at her side in a flash.

"No, but you can't fight him. You can't see him. It's his zanpakuto..." she explained.

"I know all about his zanpakuto. It creates illusions. How come you can see him?" he asked, looking slowly around the room.

"I don't know but I can. He's gone again. I can't see him."

"Can you feel him?" Zaraki asked.

"Huh?"

"Can you sense his spiritual pressure? I ain't any good at it. I thought maybe you'd be better..."

"Look out!" Misaki screamed as Aizen appeared in front of them. His sword swept up, slicing through Zaraki's chest and her arm.

"Son of a bitch." Zaraki growled, striking out but he was already gone. Zaraki panted, turning quickly. Misaki held her injured arm close to her body as she realized how much damage Aizen had already done to Zaraki. He was soaked in blood. It covered his chest and back. Small cuts littered his face and hands. Even his arms were coated in red. She didn't know how much more he could take.

An illusion of Aizen came at Zaraki behind. She spun around, catching movement out of the corner of her eye. She laid her hand on Zaraki's back, forcing her soul into him. She heard his sharp intake of breath as her presence flooded through him. Misaki felt the instant connection between their souls. She knew he could feel, sense and see all that she could.

"Gotcha." Zaraki whispered, turning to his left, catching Aizen's blade in his hand while driving his own sword deep into the other man's belly. Aizen's eyes widened momentarily in surprise then he flash-stepped backwards, trailing blood.

"You have to kill the girl." the spirit of his sword screamed. Misaki felt Aizen's gaze on her then he was gone again. She turned, her hand still on Zaraki's back, searching for the man. Deep, searing pain filled her senses as Aizen appeared briefly beside her, his sword cleaving a gash from her right hip up to her shoulder. She screamed, dropping to her knees. Blood rushed from the large wound.

"Bastard!" Zaraki growled, his sword swinging over her head at the space where Aizen had been only a moment before. Misaki grit her teeth against the pain, trying to focus on Kenpachi. She saw Aizen reappear in front of him. She grabbed Zaraki's leg, touching skin through the tatters of his hakama. Aizen swung his sword forward, aiming for Zaraki's neck.

"No!" Misaki screamed. Zaraki leaned back, trying to avoid the strike. He couldn't dodge completely as the tip of the sword raked across his face, cutting through his eyes and into hairline.

Zaraki staggered backwards, blood streaming down his cheeks. With a maniacal grin on his face, he announced,

"Thanks, Sosuke. That oughta help me quite a bit."

Yes, I'm back! I deeply apologize to everyone who's been following this story. I realize the delay has been incredible but I assure that neither myself, nor the story is dead. I have been focusing my spare time and energy on my original writing rather than fanfiction. I am proud to say that I have completed a novel and am working on a sequel as well as several short stories. Despite this, my love for Bleach and Bleach fanfiction remains unchanged. I intend to complete this story and write more. So, there is more to come. I would love to know what you think of this chapter so, as always, reviews are always welcome. Thank you for your continued patience and for taking the time to read my story. And if you're so inclined, thanks in advance for reviewing it.