A/N: Hello everyone! We are at last, in the final battles. Thanks for your continuous support and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Leave me a comment if you like. Thanks for reading!

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

*Trigger Warning for: Mentions of gore, torture, abuse and attempted suicide

Chapter 36: Mors Misericordiae

This was the night he'd been waiting for his whole life.

Sosuke stood at the edge of a stone platform Anna had summoned. It was as if he stood in the middle of space, yet there was no need for a suit or a ship. The starry sky was simply an artificial creation, but expanded almost infinitely like everything and nothing at once.

"I thought you might be here." Anna whispered in his ear as she hugged him from behind.

"Hello, my queen. Are you ready?"

"Yes. The others are talking to Tsukishima and Riruka before we leave. They're also prepared, although Yukio-kun seems a little nervous."

"We'll all have to make sure to keep an eye on the child. Asami has contacted me this morning, he'll be the one guarding the vaults."

"He's still a sneaky one. I'm surprised he reached out to us so suddenly."

"It only natural, at one point we were all siblings. I'd like to think that connection still matters. Asami-kun must think so as well."

Anna took his hand and leaned on his shoulder. "When this is all over, I want to see them all again, properly this time."

Sosuke knew what his wife meant. There were so many people that they loved, who were still in the Soul Society. If they successfully took over, they would finally see them again.

'Not if, when. This time you'll win.' Kyoka Suigetsu spoke in his mind.

'You're far more supportive now, I wonder why that is.'

'Shut up Sosuke! I'm not letting you get locked up again.' The zanpakuto crossed her arms and pouted. 'Besides, it's not like my warnings would do any good, this is your goal, is it not?"

'It is.'

Sosuke turned around at the sound of footsteps. The fullbringer group joined them.

"We're ready."

Anna looked at him for confirmation. Sosuke nodded.

She gave each of the fullbringers a small key. "If the worst came to pass, this key will allow you to return here without the need for my portals. The dimension is built to last without me, you won't get trapped if I fall. Best of luck."

Hugs and words of encouragement were exchanged before the departure. Anna made three different portals. One for him, one for herself and one for Kugo.

"When you're done with your tasks we shall meet at the Senkaimon gate. Good luck everyone."

Anna gave one last hug to her friends, and then a deep kiss to Sosuke. 'See you soon.' she whispered in his ear.

Anna was the first to head to her portal, Yukio and Giriko would be joining her.

Once they disappeared, it was Kugo's turn, he offered his arm to Jackie and they walked away.

'Its just us now.'

'Yes. Let us end this once and for all.'

He walked towards the portal with his grip tight on Kyoka Suigetsu. This time, there was no room for error.


The sound coming from Shizuka's alarm was deafening. Everyone in the group had to cover their ears as they heard it. It was time.

Ulquiorra gripped his sword tightly. Orihime was holding onto Choco and Kukkapuro, they'd been given instructions to bring the hollow pups since they would be needed during the battle.

Shizuka would remain in the human world, along with Nemu. Last week a noticed had arrived that allowed the Squad 12 lieutenant to remain in Karakura until reinforcements were needed. That summed them both to the numbers of the Karakuraizer team.

Finally, Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad would be coming with them to Sereitei.

Shizuka took a breath and fired the portal gun. It showed an image of the Soul Society in the shape of a giant mirror.

"Good luck everyone. Please come back alive." Their friend gave them all a hug, and in Sado's case, a kiss.

"See you soon." Ichigo was the first to cross, then Chad and then Uryu.

Ulquiorra held on tightly to Orihime's hand, and gave her a kiss before the rushed through the portal.

They came out on a grassy field. A wall in front of them had the symbol of Squad 9.

"This is the Security division... We can dismantle the hollow snares from here."

"The alarms are ringing here too, it'll be hard to get in." Orihime seemed to be concentrating her energy in a plan.

"Do you have something in mind, woman?"

She smiled. "Oh yes. I think I do." Her eyes were glued to a nearby building. It was a uniform store. "It's not the first time I've snuck into the Soul Society."


"Captain we cannot do this! We will not leave you!"

Ukitake had to take a breath to keep calm. Kiyone and Sentaro had refused to leave, even when he ordered all of his Squad to evacuate the premises and take refuge in his mansion.

"This matter is not up for discussion Kiyone-san! You both must leave! I'm not letting anyone else take a fall for my sake, so you two better be out of here before I turn around otherwise I will use force!"

He could hear the doors closing, followed by utter silence. 'Finally, they're all gone.'

Ukitake poured two cups of tea and sat down behind the small table. It was only a matter of time before Kugo arrived.

He glanced at the pictures on the wall. One of Hanabira and one Mitsuru.

"I'm sorry I didn't do well by you when you were alive. Things could be different.

Sorry Hana, maybe Aizen wouldn't have gone down this road if I had managed to save you... It should be you leading the squad. It really should be."

Her smile wouldn't change, it was only a picture after all, that hurt him all the more.

Mitsuru's picture was even worse, the two of them were together in it, hugging and smiling. He remembered being slightly drunk that night, and their sisters teased them to get a photo. Mitsuru didn't remember the incident but insisted they kept the picture.

"What would you say right now? Would you be happy that I'm finally getting what I deserve?"

He stared into the faded brown of his brother's gaze and already knew the answer.

"I suppose that's fair. I didn't stop the purge. I didn't protect you as an older brother should... Hibiki perished alongside you, but Kugo it's still alive.

He was still so young when everything came crashing down. I hoped he wouldn't get himself into trouble, but I suppose that doesn't make a difference. They would've come for him all the same. Because I didn't do anything..."

His thoughts drifted to Ichigo. The present substitute shinigami. 'Technically, he's not anymore...'

He didn't want to give Ichigo the pass. The kid had risked his neck to come save Kuchiki, that was all. What ill will could he have possibly had?! Yet in the end he had relented and done as he was told, putting Kurosaki at risk.

'If I have the time. I shall apologize to him.' but Jyuushiro doubted there would be time for apologies. As every tick of the clock was a second less of life. He felt their presence nearby.

"Alas, this is it.'


"That simpleton is going to get a mouthful from me when she arrives!"

Anna frowned as sneaked through the wooden bars of the ceiling. Mayuri was talking to himself as he organized the laboratory. The mere sight of him made Anna feel disgusted.

She was scanning the lab for equipment to use. There was an examination table with belts and restraints, she assumed it was the one he used to 'experiment' on his test subjects.

'Damn sicko. But I guess this will be fitting. She waited for Yukio's signal, it came rather fast. A blue light coming from under the door of the laboratory. It meant the area was secured.

With her elemental camouflage on, she dropped silently to the floor. The lack of noise was to her advantage. Anna was meticulous in her steps, knowing how much of a risk Kurotsuchi could be.

She waited until he was in front of the table, then she pounced.

The Captain didn't have any time to stop her or to alert anyone. Anna quickly restrained him both in the arms and legs. Then she revealed herself to him.

"You! Here I was expecting the wits of Aizen and I have to deal with his inferior underling."

Anna rolled her eyes. "I care little what you want or what you think of me. Although the reason I'm the one here, it's because Sosuke doesn't like to get his hands dirty with scum like you."

Anna put on some gloves and began taking out what she would use. There was a wide assortment to chose from, which made it all the more adequate for the occasion. Her usually sweet smile was replaced with one of malicious glee.'

'Burning chemicals, insects, poisons and every cutting tool I could possibly want...This man didn't just cut them open, he pushed them to madness until death.'

"Giriko-kun! Can you come in please?"

The older fullbringer stepped into the room, his step as elegant as always as he paid little mind to the man she had restrained on the examination table.

"Yes, Lady Anna, What can I do for you?"

Anna began loading up a syringe with sensitivity heightener. She tapped it a few times and then addressed her companion.

"If you may, I'd like you to use your fullbring for time dilatation. One minute for us would feel like a day to our 'opponent' Mayuri."

"I can do as you say. Just tell me when."

She nodded and finally walked back to the table. Kurotsuchi was still defiant, but he more than anyone knew that nobody could be freed from those restraints without any help.

"Ah, Mayuri-Kun. It almost seems like yesterday when we first met. Do you recall? When Kisuke took me to the maggots nest and made introductions. We loathed each other, more so when he expressed his intent to free you.

I urged him not to, but that son of a bitch always ignored my advice. And lookie now at the mess that you've made!

You tortured every Quincy you could get your hands on, you created a living daughter, only to cast on her the most horrific abuse that you could muster, and your recruits...well I would rather not get into that. What kind of sick man kills the people that work so hard for him just for shits and giggles.?! You disgust me."

"You think you're any better? It takes almost a hundred thousand souls to make a Hogyoku, and you killed all of them just because he asked you to."

Anna laughed almost hysterically. "Wow that's a dumb comparison you make there, Mayuri-Kun.

I won't deny that I killed those people, I took those souls and their power to Sosuke so we could further our goals.

But here's a teeeeny difference. I didn't torture them to death. A clean stab and it was all over. There were only two souls I disposed of in a more gruesome matter. They were a rapist and Akito-Sama."

Mayuri seemed surprised to hear the second confession. It was likely the shinigami didn't know, nor suspected she was the one who killed Akito Fujiwara.

"Surprised aren't ya? It shouldn't have been hard to see I would've killed that man. He was abusive to all of us, a greedy glutton, he lusted after his daughter and physically assaulted his other child." She made a fake gasp and looked directly into Mayuri's eyes. "Kinda like you! You've done everything and more than my two torture victims combined. So just imagine the shit that I'm gonna put you through!" Anna walked towards the table, she gripped Mayuri's chin so tightly that her nails dug into the painted skin. "We are not the same you and I. You torture and hurt for pleasure. I merely do what I have to, to make this world a little less rotten."

She injected him with the liquid, making sure every single drop entered the body.

"Today however, it's a special occasion. Because I'm taking a page from your book.

By the time I'm done with you. You'll wish you have the energy to scream."

Mayuri chuckled. "You think this little scheme of yours would work? My Squad will break down the doors any minute now."

"Ummm nope! They aren't going to even bother showing up."

Anna went over to the surveillance monitors of the lab. She found the broadcast button and pushed it.

"Hello Squad 12! This is Anna Maria speaking. I'm currently in the main laboratory having a lil' catching up with your Captain!

So, I would really appreciate it if you kept the fuck away from here. Just do me that small favor and I swear I won't hurt anyone else in the division. Heck, you'll even be free of the sentient assortment of depravity you address as your Captain. Anyone who attempts to come through these doors will be swiftly disposed of. Understood? Good. Now, please go take a nice nappy or go back to your rooms instead of roaming around the division. Thanks!"

She dropped the button and her previously chirpy voice. "The area we are in is under the control Yukio Hans Vorarlberna. You probably know what his fullbring can do, Mayuri. Nobody will get in here unless the kid allows it. And believe me, he won't allow it.

As for you, I'm giving back what you did to my dear friend Szayel. Your torment will last longer in your mind, but for us it shall be a swift moment of vengeful bliss."

Anna nodded towards Giriko, who activated his fullbring.

"Time tells no lies." He said, there was a dark green aura that covered Mayuri, and then disappeared.

"Thank you, my friend, that was most useful. Now if you could just hand me the small saw on the table, I can get started.


They came upon the very entrance of Squad 13. Kugo led the way, he still remembered the roads as if he had been there just yesterday. Nothing had changed.

"It's so quiet. I thought we'd be ambushed." Jackie was still holding onto his arm, silently scanning her surroundings.

Kugo noticed it too, they were almost at the lakehouse, yet he could only hear the crickets chirping and the koi in the water.

'He knew I was coming here. He must've sent his division away.'

The old wooden door was the same, save for a few spots where the wood was worn out. He knew Ukitake was behind it.

Jackie placed her hand on his face, softly making him look towards her.

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No my love. This is a side of my I rather you do not see."

Jackie stayed outside as he opened the door and walked into the candlelit room.

Ukitake was sitting perfectly still by the small table.

"I was waiting for you." He said

Kugo walked towards him, sitting down on the other side of the table. Ukitake passed him a cup of tea, it was still warm.

"I thought you might want a drink before we proceed."

"No thank you."

The refusal didn't seem to bother Ukitake as he drank from his own cup. "Well then, what are you waiting for? I thought you would've cut me down by now."

Kugo glared at him. "I'm not as bloodthirsty as the ones you sent after me." He placed his sword by his side, deciding that he wouldn't need it. "What I want from you are honest answers. I believe you owe me at least that much."

"Very well, what question do you have for me?"

"The one that you refused to answer twenty years ago. Why? Why do you always go against what you truly want?"

Ukitake winced at the question. He took a breath and spoke again. "Because if I don't, I shall perish.

When I was a toddler, I got infected with a terrible respiratory disease. Had it not been for my parents' actions I would've died back then. They took me to the Soul Palace and begged the king to save me, which he did, but the price of his salvation was a heavy one.

I was bound to the will and desires of the king, from that the day onwards I was one of his 'right-hand men'. Whatever order he gave me I had to follow, or the power he used to heal me would be taken away, and I would die in mere minutes.

When Hana was executed I attempted to disobey, if only slightly. My words didn't move the judges, and after the execution ended I fell into a week-long coma full for nightmares. Upon waking it was clear what would happen if dared step out of line again."

"Is that why you didn't stand with Mitsuru?"

"Partly. I disagreed with the purge ever since we were told about it, but it was an order from the king himself. I didn't have any say in the matter.

Mitsuru was chosen for the mission and I knew he would disobey the moment he was able to, which is what he did. I tried to persuade him in hopes that the shinigami's eyes would turn away from him. Perhaps if he wasn't being spied on, he could save you.

But my little brother was never one for subtlety, and so he pressed on and so did the pressure for the purge to be put in effect.

I wanted to help him, truly I did, yet my duties held me back. At the time my other brothers had yet to learn how to rule over the clan if I was to perish, my sisters were unwed and without betrothals, and the division didn't have a suitable replacement given that Kaien had recently passed.

I couldn't risk death, not at that moment. Not even for you all."

Ukitake finished his cup of tea and concluded his story. "I've lived with the guilt of Hana's death for 194 years, and with the guilt of Mitsuru's death for 20 years. These mistakes still haunt me, and I am truly sorry.

But I know that does not remedy the damage, that does not bring back your sister or your friends, that does not erase the time you spent hiding from the shinigami authority and that does not erase the wrong that I continue to do, because of my cowardice.

I am so very sorry, Kugo, like you cannot begin to imagine."

It was pitiful really, to have a man of noble barren here on his knees asking for forgiveness. But what else could he do?

Kugo reflected, he had seen how painful and debilitating Ukitake's illness was, it made sense for the man to obey if only for the smallest amount of relief. Aizen himself had told him that physical pain was something that Ukitake was familiar with now.

His lungs must've been bound by the cords of that wretched king, he could imagine the fiend pulling at the strings if Ukitake showed any hesitation. Yes, a small part of him understood.

"Death would be a mercy if I were to grant it. Unfortunately for you, Captain Jyuushiro Ukitake, I am not nor will I ever be a merciful man."

As his hands reached for the papers in his pocket he could feel Mitsuru's spirit trying to hold him back, and he could hear Hibiki's anguished sobs echoing in his mind.

'I do love you, but I am not like you...' he said to them both, and they were forever silenced.

Kugo passed the papers to Ukitake. The man took them and began to read. "What's this?"

"Autopsy reports Anna made from Hanabira's bone and blood.

The findings suggest she was pregnant before being killed. Two baby girls, they were obviously yours."

He saw the light be snuffed out of the man's eyes as soon as the last syllable left his lips.

"No...No you're lying!"

"I am not. Show the papers to Unohana she could confirm the information for you."

Ukitake grabbed him by the collar of his jacket. He was weeping by then. "Hana wasn't...she couldn't have been! She would've told me!"

"She did not know, the fetuses were small, about three months."

"No! No you're lying! You're fucking lying about this!"

"What good would it do me to lie? This is a woman Sosuke worships after all, lying about her would get me killed if he found out. Aizen personally gave me this.

He said it would be more painful than simply killing you."

Ukitake clutched his chest, his pulse had risen rapidly. The man had trouble breathing, but he knew it wasn't the cure that was eating at him. It was the helplessness.

"I bet you're having a different opinion now, aren't you Captain?" Kugo's voice was venomously mocking. He didn't care to correct it, instead, he relished it. "One simple step would've saved your beloved and your daughters, had you undone the spell that made it impossible for Aizen and Anna to rescue her, it is possible your desired family would've lived. They would have been hiding in Hueco Mundo, perhaps, but they would've been alive.

And now that we are in the cusp of our victory, you would've been reunited with them. Your lady, and your children."

There was only one thing Jyuushiro Ukitake had craved more than anything and that was a nuclear family of his own. 'I had it, at one point I had it with Hanabira and Sosuke but...but it just shattered. I let it shatter.' It was so horribly painful to know that he could've kept it.

His Hanabira, his Sosuke, his two daughters, even Anna would've joined them in time as Sosuke's wife. That was now impossible, the papers only represented the life he wanted and would never have. 'You're now nothing but a puppet, you always were. Maybe if you died for them, they would be here! Maybe your legacy has been dead before you even knew it!'

The heartache was unbelievable, he could barely hear Kugo speaking.

"You feel that? Don't you? It's what I went through when your fucking division members dropped a building on my sister, and I had to put a sword through her to end her misery! It's what I felt when your brother's hand went still in mine! It's what I feel every night as I walk through Naruki's streets and see blood everywhere! So many fathers like you wept for their missing wives and children, whose only sin was being born with a little more power than what this charade of an organization allowed!

You can grovel all you want, say all the empty words you can muster and none of it will ever be enough to make me forgive you!

We all have choices, and I tell you I would rather die choosing what's right, than live more than a thousand years like you.

Farewell, Jyuushiro. Perhaps this lesson might serve you well in time."

He was about to walk away but felt the Captain's hand on his shoulder. It was such a weak and trembling touch it made Kugo smile all the wider.

"Kill me, just end it already. I cannot...I cannot live knowing this."

Kugo turned around, his gaze icy cold and face in a twisted smirk. He grabbed Ukitake's swords from the floor and gave them to him.

"Do it yourself and die with the little honor you did so much to keep."

With that, he left, having finally gotten his desired revenge.


"That was absolutely revolting," Giriko told her as they stepped out of the lab.

Anna chuckled as she chuckled her bloody gloves into a trashcan. "Oh yes, I normally wouldn't so something so...messy, but that man deserves all of this and more."

"I concur. The very few minutes spent with him were quite unpleasant. To think this man could torture so many at his will with no repercussions. It's vile."

"The only thing I could do was hear you both in there, so I get the feeling he got repercussions now." Yukio winced. "Those screams were not pretty. I'll mute everything next time."

"Don't worry sport. I'm not planning on repeating this anytime soon."

Uryu heard everything from his hiding spot. He didn't want to know just what had happened inside that laboratory.

"Cata, you're back! How was it little one?" Anna chirped.

Uryu could see her picking up a small doll from the floor, she was similar to Kon.

"I have everything we could need in terms of information. My mission was a complete success!"

"Excellent! Our work here is done! I'm sending you both back to the pocket dimension. My next target is a mere nobleman, I won't require assistance in this mission."

"You sure?" Yukio asked, with worry.

"Yes, sweetie. This one is just a small fry that thinks he's important. I won't even need to kill him." Anna ruffled the boy's hair and kissed him on the forehead. "Sosuke and I will call you when we are finished."

"If that is all you require from us then we are both happy to have served you well. Goodspeed, lady Anna. I pray we see each other shortly."

Giriko kissed her hand, and afterward, Anna hugged him.

"Thank you, old friend. We'll meet again soon."

The plushie kissed Anna's cheek and then was given to Giriko, Anna also gave them a box she had been holding onto.

"What's this?" Giriko seemed concerned about it's contents.

"A Lil' something I need to work on. Keep it in the lab's cooler when you arrive. I shall proceed once this ordeal ends."

Giriko, Yukio, and Cata soon disappeared through a portal. Anna was left alone in the hall and she turned towards where he was.

"Come out already sweetie. I won't bite."

"You could've fooled me. That attire of yours says otherwise."

Anna looked down at her blood-covered clothes and shrugged. "I made a mess, I don't regret it though. It was well deserved.

Now, you can do as you like, the division is empty anyway. Hopefully, I shall see you soon, there's much that must be done to compensate for the shinigami's damage to the Quincy. I intend to do well by you once we take over."

Before he could ask anything Anna teleported away. He was left there in silence.

"Ishida-kun!"

A familiar voice called his name, Uryu saw Nemu running towards him.

"3rd seat Akon has called for my deployment. I'm assuming she was here."

"She just left. I don't know how bad things get behind those doors."

"There is only one way to know for sure."

They opened the doors to the laboratory at the same time. Uryu almost vomited upon scanning the vicinity.

The room looked like the dreaded end of a Lovecraftian story. Puddles of blood pooled on the examination table and on the floor. The pain of the wall was peeled, likely due to heat, Anna likely made the place burn down for Kurotsuchi only. He could also see a variety of poisonous bugs crawling around the floor and walls, and the cabinet of chemicals had been emptied. What chilled him the most was the array of tools covered in blood and traces of skin. Anna had put them all back on their tray as if nothing was wrong, yet he could tell she used them all on Mayuri.

He looked back at Nemu, the young girl's eyes were filled with tears. Uryu was at a loss of what to say.

"Nemu I'm so-"

"He's gone forever..." The words escaped her in a whisper. " I'm free. I'm free at last!"

Nemu jumped into this arms for a tight hug, he almost fell backward trying to support them both.

"Yes, you are. There's is no more torment."

"What do I do now? This is something I never expected to attain."

"You can do whatever you want."

"Then I want to make sure the overthrow is successful."

"Let us go then, and finally break all the chains."


Sneaking around with the Soul reaper uniforms worked like a charm. Everyone was too nervous to question them, or even recognize them. The control panel was in the next room.

Orihime peeked through the space on the door. Only Lieutenant Hisagi was there.

'This is bad. How are we going to get past him?'

Just as she was pondering what to do, Ulquiorra walked into the room completely silent.

'What is he doing?!' Orihime bit her lip in an effort to keep quiet.

Ulquiorra didn't make a noise as hit the lieutenant in the back of the neck, promptly knocking him out cold.

"Wha? How did you do that so quickly?"

"Living a few centuries with Grimmjow and Nnoitra will make you want to learn all possible knockout techniques." He answered. "He shall be alright, save for a slight headache upon awakening. We must hurry, before we're summoned to the Soul Realm."

Orihime nodded, quickly getting to work. The computer was far more complex than the ones in the human world. It would be impossible for her to figure out what to do in time.

To her surprise, Kukkapuro jumped on the keyboard and pointed at the screens. One of them showed a camera looking over Las Noches. There was a number on the edge of the screen Cam #042

'Of course, Kukkapuro is a tracker! He knows what details to look for.'

"Oh Kukkapuro you're brilliant! I'll just disconnect the snares on the Hueco Mundo cameras. Now, where is the disconnect button?"

Choco began to bark, Ulquiorra picked up the pup and took her to the keyboard. She proceeded to point at the buttons with her paws.

"Hmm no wonder Anna kept you all around. Aside from cute assets to Cerberus, you all have useful traits."

Ulquiorra's praise made the pups wag their tails with joy. Orihime petted them both gently before taking care of their mission. In a matter of minutes all snares were deactivated.

"It's done! Now, what else should we take care of?"

"If my senses still serve me well, it's likely Lord Aizen is nearing Squad 1."

"He's going to fight the Head Captain..." Orihime concluded. "Maybe we should offer some assistance, don't you think?"

"Yes, my dear. It's only fair."

With the pups assistance, she found the security settings for the offices in Squad 1.

'I wouldn't have done this, if you hadn't betrayed them. You thought me a monster once and left me for dead. That deeply hurt, but I forgave you.

Hurting my friends, however, cannot go unpunished.

"This is for all you have put us through." Orihime pulled the lever with no remorse, the 1st Squad was now fully unprotected.

"Let's go, the gate will be opened soon."

Ulquiorra nodded and wrapped his arms around her as they walked away, as if to calm the rage that she felt.

"I'm okay. You're with me. It's almost over." she told him.

"Perhaps, but I stand by you until the end and beyond. You know that."

"Yes, as I follow the same vow."

Orihime kissed him softly as the left the Squad 9 office behind. The time had come for them to head towards the Soul Palace.


Ichigo rushed through the roads as fast a could, Chad was quickly following.

The silence of the 13th division was frightening for them both. Chad suspected Ukitake might've evacuated everyone before his confrontation. He prayed it was not too late.

The lakehouse was equally silent. They got to the door and almost tore it down with their force.

Ichigo was the first to react. He didn't need to see much to know what was going on. The candles, the calligraphy poem and the placement of the swords.

He lounged towards him and held him in a hug. "Jyuushiro please don't."

The Captain seemed to be in a state of shock. Chad didn't see any bruises or scars on his body, so he concluded something else might've set it off. He carefully looked around the room as Ichigo tried to soothe the Captain. He found what he was looking for a top a small table. It was a sheet with statistics and vitals for Hanabira Aizen, and one of them was surely enough to turn the Captain into a wreck.

3 months pregnant at the time of execution, two fetuses, presumably female.

Ichigo hadn't seen anyone with those eyes, not since he stared at his reflection the night Masaki died.

"Ukitake, what happened?" He asked, still holding onto the Captain."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I put you through so much Ichigo. The pass, the lies, the fact that I didn't do anything when you lost your powers, I'm so sorry."

"Ukitake I don't care about all that! It's in the past, we're all fine! I know you weren't the only person behind the whole ordeal, it's okay."

His words seemed to be doing the trick, and Ukitake was calming down.

'Just what did Ginjo do?'

"Ichigo, here."

Chad handed him a document, he read it in full and have it back. "It's that what he told you?"

The Captain nodded. "I couldn't save them. I didn't stop it and now..."

"Hey, there's was nothing you could've done."

"I should've tried harder! And I should've tried harder to save the fullbringers!"

"Ukitake, listen to me! These things were beyond your control!

Did Hanabira ever reprimand you for failing to save her?! Did your sibling ever voiced hatred towards you?!"

"No, they didn't voice anything like that. Nor did they show it."

"Then you need to believe in them. What they told you, their opinions and their words are the only ones that matter.

I can understand you feeling guilty, but that it's not good for you, or for their memory. If you want to make amends live, live and help fix things. Please, I know your family would want you to stay alive and happy!"

"Captain, I cannot speak in behalf of all fullbringers but I speak for myself and for my friends, and we do not blame you for what happened. It was a shock to discover and an event that mustn't be repeated, but you were not the orchestrator of it, it was the King. He's the one that must pay, not you."

Their words had calmed Ukitake down considerably. Chad went over to the phone and pressed down on number four, his call was immediately answered.

"This is lieutenant Kotetsu speaking, state your squad and emergency."

"I am speaking from Squad 13, Captain Ukitake requires medical assistance as soon as possible. Thank you."

He hung up without another word. Ichigo gave him a thumbs up, but the Captain seemed concerned.

"Sado-San, Kurosaki- San you two aren't authorized to be here, maybe it's best that they don't find you."

"We're not leaving you Jyuushiro." Ichigo told him.

"You could be arrested."

"Captain, it's okay. I know that even if they arrest us, we won't be kept in for long."

Chad was confident things would change very soon. 'The rest it's up to them.'


He knew the old man would be waiting for him there.

Sokyoku hill was enveloped in darkness, the wooden pillars were still broken from Kurosaki's antics months ago. 'And now I shall make sure the disappear completely'

Sosuke waited for Yamamoto to address him. The old man seemed to be reflecting. "When your mother died, she made us promise not to kill you. I honored said promise, but now I know that was a mistake.'

He scoffed. "We both know your honor isn't worth a thing. Mother likely said so because she knew some of the other Captains might hold you accountable."

"Promises made to the dead are never kept. I'm sure she asked you not to ruin your life and yet you've ruined so many, and ended plenty of others."

"Actually, she told me to chose the road I wanted." He unsheathed Kyoka Suigetsu, looking at her glowing form before continuing. "I'm happy with my choice."

"If this is what you chose then we have nothing else to discuss. You're looking to destroy the Soul Society. It's my duty as head captain to punish you."

"I believe you're mistake Yamamoto. I don't want to destroy this Society, I plan to reshape it. To undo all of the mistakes you and your nobles have made throughout the centuries.

This Society is an oligarchy in which the people you claim to protect are slaughtered the moment they don't fit your reductionist molds. You've let the rich demand all they want and denied justice to many for their sake. One of your captains slaughtered recruits and abused his daughter and that went unpunished until today. You care not for balance, peace nor justice. Your aim is always profit and control.

You do not strike me as a man that started out that way, and there are some who been given mercy and favor from you. Nevertheless, those glimpses of your character are drowned by the man who follows the orders of a tyrannical King without any questioning.

Genryusai Shigekuni Yamoto, I now pass judgment on you, as you did with many others. The sentence remains the same however.

You are hereby sentenced to death."

Sosuke rushed towards the Captain and their blades clashed.

"Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."