Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

I am fucking tired. There's really no excuse except that I ended up having to help another company out on top of my full time position at my current company. And all I wanted to do each day after work was go to sleep. So I did. Mental health is important, and not getting any rest doesn't help even the smallest of issues. The other company hired more people so my workload is much less, and I'm still catching up on sleep. Yet...my full time position is getting a bit stressful because of the people. I just need everyone to chill...for real LOL.

Take care of yourselves guys!

And sorry for this super super long delay. Can't imagine how the other people feel following my other fic...sorry!

Track 32: Tidal Wave

Much to Gin's relief Aizen and his henchmen were not attending the Luxus/Rukia reunion concert, but he didn't appreciate the running around searching for the man. They have a warrant for God's sake, and he wanted to apprehend him now! Gin and Yoruichi decided to keep it quiet on telling the gang that they were highly suspicious of Aizen being in the area when there clearly wasn't any issues arising, oddly. No need to get everyone all riled up. While Gin and his squadron patrolled around the caravan that is going to take Luxus back to Kisuke's house he gets a call from Zaraki.

He got Aizen.

Zaraki had concluded that if the bastard wasn't in the office, or at the concert, he decided to try his nice fancy resident, which Aizen and Tousen were there. Zaraki explained that they seemed to have been anticipating their arrival to his mansion, and that didn't sit well with either of them. They got them though, and it was time to start processing them.

Gin motions Yoruichi over once he saw her and Luxus walking towards the SUV. "I've got some news for you."

Yoruichi raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Well, I got some news for you too, but you go first."

He then explains the details on what went down on Zaraki's end, and Yoruichi sighs in relief. "I'm glad this whole charade thing is over. What a year right?"

"Yeah, what a year for you. For me it's been way too long," Gin starts to feel the beginning of relief, and a slight weight off of his shoulders, but the job wasn't completed yet. He won't celebrate until the sentences were given out. "Wait a minute. What's the news you were going to tell me?"

"Rukia's pregnant, and that puts a new perspective on the situation if Aizen were to do anything," Yoruichi side glances at Gin before climbing into the SUV. "Obviously this is to be kept completely private."

Yoruichi shuts the door to the vehicle, and Gin watches it drives away. He shakes his head and chuckles because he believes Luxus will be the death of him someday, but they were the ones bringing everything to light that he's been investigating for years now. After a few more seconds of loitering, he calls his squad to pack it up and head to the station.

Two weeks after the big reunion concert and Aizen's arrest, the Gotei XIII buidling was deemed safe to return to normal operations. The obvious offices were still being guarded off with a police officer stationed at each one with caution tape for more emphsis, but it was no concern to the workers. The arrests did shed light on the ugly side of the industry, and this was sure to reveal more people involved with the embezzlement within the company. It certainly kept the press busy.

Luxus just got done recording sound bites for various radio stations, and were relaxing around one of the many lounging rooms.

Shuuhei's hand was slowly rubbing circles on his girlfriend's belly as he waited patiently for Ichigo to settle on a channel.

"My belly will be flat for a couple more months you know," Rukia says as she slaps his hand away.

"Keep telling yourself that, but it is already slightly pudgy," Shuuhei says, putting his hand back on her belly. "Besides, I'm sending my son some love."

Rukia gives Shuuhei a death stare. "Just tell me what you really think why don't you? And don't get your hopes up, you could be dealing with another me."

"Eh, I got a good hunch."

Rukia rolls her eyes and looks to her best friend for any logical input, but Renji's eyes were glued to his phone. He clearly hadn't been paying attention to anything going on in the room. Rukia was getting restless, and wanted to head home, but they were playing the waiting game with Yoruichi since she was still finalizing their schedule for the next few months. The plan was to do a mini tour of the major cities with their newly released album before Rukia's pregnancy becomes visible. Then they will take a break until they were ready to come back, and hoping the visual album will keep their fans busy. Luxus also plans to come back with another visual album, but with a solid storyline. Ichigo and Shuuhei already had started to plan it out, and they both seemed really enthusiastic about it.

Rukia was just happy that everything was becoming normal between them agani. No drama, and all fun with tons of work. The only drama she wanted to witness was the kind on her television shows. Even though that bubble will eventually burst because once the news got out that she was knocked up then the drama will start all over again, but there was time to figure out the kinks to it. Her and Shuuhei were debating on saying anything to the press at all. It was either waiting for an appropriate amount of time to come out and say it, or wait until a few weeks after the birth of their baby to announce it. Either way you put the situation, it was guaranteed to be one hundred percent filled with drama and scandal.

Her stomach grumbles causing her to outwardly groan. "Being in the second trimester is easier so far, but I'm constantly hungry."

"This is where your cravings emerge, and you won't be satisfied until you get what you want," Renji tears his eyes from his phone, grinning at Rukia.

A plus side from her pregnancy was the reconnection with Renji. She missed her friend and glad that he's been helping her out giving advice when needed. It truly shows how much growth Renji has been through, it honestly blew her mind. Although, he still has his moments.

"Well, I'm craving something broth-like and sweet, and it's still too hot out for soup," Rukia gets up to leave. "Going to the cafeteria. You guys want anything?"

"You want me to come along?" Ichigo asks, turning around to look.

Rukia declines Ichigo's invitation to tag along citing for him to just relax. Shuuhei slaps her ass when she walks away from him, and she slaps him lightly right on the back of his head. "That is how I got in this condition. Hands off the merchandise."

Rukia made her way down to the cafeteria, and was deciding on risking it all for a bowl of tempura noodles despite the weather, but there were cold noodles too. But even imagining eating cold noodles made her stomach seem unsatisfied, and let's not ignore the fact she was very specific about something broth-like. Wait a minute. There was also bulgogi. Grapes and cheese sounded just as delicious as everything else, but did she really want anything broth-like now?

She took a deep breath and decided that she is well within her rights to get a cup of fruit with cubed cheese, a medium size order of tempura noodles with everything on top, an order of bulgogi, and green tea with a chocolate bar on the side! That Orihime chick would be proud of her. She was about to start her order with the first vendor when she heard her name.

[-]

Gin's eyes frowned at the answers Aizen was giving him and Zaraki during the interrogation. It's been a couple weeks, and the two detectives were gathering evidence from a very cooperative Aizen, and he was giving everything they need to take to court, and yet...

There was something nagging in the back of Gin's head. Call it intuition or whatever you want, but there was something in the air that he could not shake off. There were also a couple of answers Aizen responded to that made him pause in thought, and the sentence structure of how Aizen spoke was just a little off. Was he being paranoid? It was subtle, and Gin was tired, so that could be the problem. But was it really?

Red herrings were causing Gin doubt on closing this up completely and quickly. First, was the glossing over, or just non-verbally acknowledging how in-depth Aizen was. It surprised him how nonchalant Aizen appeared when he walked into the interrogation room as a detective, and not as one his accomplices. If anything, Aizen would have at least been jabbing at him with eloquent low blows to his character, but so far that hasn't happened yet.

Second warning, there were obvious glaring holes in most of the confessions Aizen willingly gave them. When Gin questioned him with detailed accounts Aizen simply replied with, "You were there for that. You ought to know he rest."

Problem was he didn't always know the rest of a few stories Aizen was confessing because he wasn't always there! Was Aizen purposefully playing mind games? Still? This will make the task more arduous when aligning his own testimonials against Aizen's. It was making Gin question his own sanity, and there was the problem of what could or could not be used in court. Liability won't fly in the courtroom without hard evidence to convince the jurors that all of this wasn't some long drown out rumor. And he wasn't confident about winning a trail against the mastermind of manipulation. Gin wasn't dumb, and Aizen definitely has a way of getting under people's skin and become enamored by him. It certainly was a gift, but a deadly one to any who tries to oppose him.

Last but not least, it wasn't a solid observation, but Aizen's mannerisms were not all there. The man was confident, not blasé, as he was displaying now. The man was calm and poised, the man in front of him was fidgeting. Gin couldn't recall a time when Aizen ever even touched his own chin let alone scratch at his wrist. The man carried a gleam in his eyes even when he wasn't in the midst of a devious plan — but this man — could not be the Aizen he knew. Gin concluded that his mind was cracking, and he needed a break before he lost it all to the void. He needed to purge these thoughts out his head so he excused himself and Zaraki then they both went to the observation room.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but he's obviously getting everything out for a plea deal," Zaraki surmises. "Doesn't sit well with me to give him the easy road."

"We never even offered him anything, and he's willingly saying all this stuff," Gin reminds his partner.

"You think he's lying? Aizen can act his ass off you know."

Gin agrees, biting his bottom lip in thought. "I'm aware of that, but something is not right with that man."

"You know him better than anyone else. You think he snapped? Or are you the one cracking?" Zaraki asks eyeing Gin closely.

He uncharacteristically runs his hand through his silver hair. "I'm fully aware of that too, and I'm still standing," he says calmly although he actually did feel like his world was slightly tilted because this was indeed becoming madness. "You do realize that what I've reported for years, months, and weeks that some of the things that he has said do not corroborate with what that man is confessing. He could potentially have this case thrown out before we even get to the trial. And what does that make me look like?"

Zaraki starts to tick off common sayings with his fingers. "A lying snake.

Double-crosser.

Mentally unstable..."

Gin stood silently as his inner composure slowly started to slip away. With all the years he's been on the force, plus the decade under Aizen, he felt backed up against the wall. The finish line was right in front of him, in sight, and within hands reach. He couldn't mess this up now, in fact he would not mess this up, but—

"Kenpachi."

Zaraki raises an eyebrow at the name change, and the serious tone Gin was using. The sly smile that usually adorns his face was wiped away.

"I am at the edge, and I have witnessed enough under this man. And I'm certain whoever is in that room cannot be Aizen," Gin confesses pointing at the other room. "That is an imposter."

Zaraki stands silently for a while staring at Gin who stared right back at him unwavering. His face slowly cracks into a smile that grew bigger showing his canines. "You crazy son-of-a-bitch. Can't believe I'm entertaining this theory. Go on."

"I don't know what my next move is," Gin admits slowly letting his breath out, relieved that Zaraki was still willing to stick with him.

"Maybe we need to go back to your reports. There must be something he doesn't know," Zaraki suggests. "As in one-on-one moments, or anything he entrusted only for you to know."

"Too risky. Any meetings or conversations alone are detrimental," Gin rubs his forehead in thought.

"What about the fall out between Luxus and Rukia —"

"Rukia."

"What about her?"

"He wouldn't know that she's pregnant," Gins sly smirk returns to full force.

Zaraki can feel himself getting more excited about the situation. "Let's trip this prick up, and if you're right about all this then this is one conspiracy I don't want to miss out on. You ready?"

Gin nods with that infamous smile plastered on his face as Zaraki opens the door.

[-]

"Hey! Um..." Rukia was drawing a blank on the woman in front of her, but she's seen her before somewhere.

"Hinamori Momo — Momo," she stutters out. "I worked for Mr. Aizen."

Rukia was slowly connecting her memory together, but she could barely remember ever interacting with Momo. The poor woman in front of her was just standing there fidgeting in her spot. "Yes, right! Well, how are you doing with everything going on?"

"I'm so glad you asked! People suspect that I knew about the embezzlement, and that's not true at all," Momo blurted out loudly garnering attention from other patrons using the cafeteria.

Rukia shrugs it off. "I wouldn't take it personally if I were you. You're as much of a victim as I am. We were all just pawns in his schemes."

Momo shook her head fervently. "I just don't believe it at all. It's hard to see Mr. Aizen in that light."

"What do you mean?" Rukia asks with a slight hardness in her voice. Was this Momo chick right in the head? It was obvious that Aizen and Tousen were behind a lot of fall out artists within the company, and they only kept a select few that would bring in high volume of money without it being suspicious of them taking a good chunk of it. Also, Nel already gave her confession that Aizen was the one that had put the order to hurt Rukia. Where does this Momo person get off thinking that this sick man had absolutely nothing to do with any of it?

Momo glances around the cafeteria noticing that people were still stealing glances at her and whispering. It was no secret about her blatant, and very public crush on Aizen. Some would say it was borderline obsessive, and some would say that him and Momo were having a sexual affair, so of course there were speculation of her involvement with the schemes.

"I mean I'm innocent in all of this, I swear, but I still don't think Mr. Aizen was capable of every single mishap," Momo tries to explain herself, but it was causing anger to rise up in Rukia.

Rukia holds up her hand. "Let me stop you right there because I can't wrap my head around the fact that you're still vouching for this sick man. I got to go."

Stomach be damned, since now it was repulsed and protesting against everything substantial for the body. Mood swings were evil. Going back to the elevators she pulled out her phone, and texted Shuuhei what was happening.

"You need to hear him out!"

Sighing and rolling her eyes, Rukia turns around to Momo, "And you followed me — wait, hear him out?!"

"He wants to talk to you," Momo frantically pulls her cell out, texting rapidly.

Rukia laughs and shakes her head. This elevator sure couldn't come along any faster could it? "I honestly don't care what he has to say from prison."

"He's here," Momo bounces on her feet.

Looking at the small woman with little emotion showing, Rukia reguarded those two words carefully because that statement was loaded. Yet, why couldn't her heart stop pumping rapidly? "I don't think you understand what you're implying. Get away from me Momo," Rukia says calmly and steadily much to her surprise.

The elevator dings and the doors open. Rukia blinks staring at the pale face man, unconsciously taking a step back.

"Rukia."

"Ulquiorra," she swallows her nervousness down and wears her Kuchiki mask. This was no mere coincidence, and all her senses was on fire. "You know what? I completely forgot to get my food from the cafeteria."

"Aw, you don't want to hang out with us anymore like the good ol' days?" Nnoitra asks coming from behind. His wounds from the fight with Grimmjow, and the defensive strikes from Nelliel were finally healed but the scars were still there. A forever reminder of his dirty hands.

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him closely. "Aren't you supposed to be in jail?"

"My friend here posted my bond."

"Justice at its finest."

Ulquoirra kept the doors to the elevator open. "Weren't you going up?"

"I still need to go grab my food."

The man in front of her paused for a minute assessing Rukia. "Don't make this any harder than this need to be. You know what's going on, and there's no way to escape."

'Do I?' Fighting against all her senses she steps in with Momo, and Nnoitra following in behind her. The ride was short, but the walk down the hallways were long. They reached an office tucked in the corner with glass serving as the wall, that was kind of comforting. The room was large enough for a conference meeting with floor to ceiling windows. The only exit was the entrance, never mind this was not comforting in the slightest.

"If this is some sick intimidation trick it worked," Rukia speaks up, but refusing to go into the conference room. What are these people trying to do? Get more charges racked up on them? "But I'm not going in that office."

Nnoitra quickly traps Rukia against the glass wall. "If you won't get in there, I will force you in myself." He grabs a lock of hair, and twists it around his finger. "I always wondered why Grimmjow obsessed over you."

Rukia grits her teeth and slaps his hand away. "Don't touch me."

That causes Nnoitra's twisted smile to appear. Grabbing a fist full of her long hair he gets directly in her face, yanking her closer. "Well maybe I can see it now. You're the spunky type."

Momo was halfway in the office looking worried as Ulquiorra observes with an indifferent attitude. "Aizen doesn't want any of us touching her," he says sternly.

"A little bit won't hurt."

"I agree it won't, but we don't want to anger anyone too soon," a silky voice, but a voice Rukia thought she never had to hear again.

Momo gasps in happiness as Rukia felt as if the air left the building.

[-]

Shuuhei jumped up off the couch from his spot with a loud shout, almost damn close to a roar.

Ichigo flinched from being scared. "Dude, what the fuck is your problem?!"

"It's Aizen!"

"What are you talking about?" Ichigo asks getting up and going to his friend's side. Looking down he saw Shuuhei hold his phone out for him to read. It took a moment for his eyes to scan through the texts message that was grouped in with Yoruichi and Byakuya, but it appears that Gin believes the person in custody is an imposter.

"Where is Rukia?" Ichigo asks.

Just then Shuuhei's phone was vibrating with text messages from his girlfriend talking about Aizen's possessive secretary Momo.

"I don't like that," Renji says as he heads to the door. "Let's go get Rukia now."

As the men were going down the elevator Rukia was already going up, and being led into the glass office where she sat far away on the other end, away from Aizen. Her phone was lying dead center of the long table, where it was vibrating from texts and phone calls. 'Too late guys. They got me.'

[-]

Gin braces himself as Zaraki sped the car to their destination. Their plan worked, and the imposter fessed up. The two quickly put a plan together, yet Gin wasn't very confident about the team they wrestled up. Mostly comprised of Zaraki's squad, they all went through the plan once, and Gin prayed that everything will work out for the best.

Zaraki slams on the breaks, slightly turning the wheel and stopping the car haphazardly in front of the Gotei building. Gin glances over at him with an eyebrow raised, and his eyes open in silent shock. "Surprised that we are here in one piece."

Getting out of the car, Gin could hear a couple more cars screech to a stop, but he wasn't focused on them or their lack of parking skills. Tilting his head back, glancing way up the building he could feel his stomach lurch. If his hunch was correct the real Aizen was in there somewhere.

"You sure your other people will be ready?" Gin asked.

"Yachiru and Makizo will be fine and in position. Want to take a guess on which floor we might find the bastard on before they do?"

"Forty-six?"

Zaraki rolls his eyes and enters the building directing his small team to split while keeping some on the first floor.

"Excuse me, but is there something wrong?" One of the receptionists asks as the squad infiltrates the building. One of the officers steps up to explain the situation as everyone else goes through the protocol of evacuating the building floor by floor.

"We have a lot of floor to cover as discreetly and quickly as possible," Zaraki sighs as they wait for a certain partner of his to contact him.

"Gin!" Shuuhei shouts as him, and the rest of Luxus, rush up to the two detectives. "Rukia was supposed to be in the cafeteria," he says between breathing in air. "She's not there...we don't know where she's at...she won't pick up her phone."

"We can track her phone to make sure she's still in the vicinity," Gin says calming down Shuuhei while looking over to Zaraki who was already making a call on his cell.

"I've got Lisa on the line, give me Rukia's cell number." After a few tense minutes being on hold they finally got their answer that at least they know that Rukia's cell was still in the building.

Renji frowns while trying to stay calm. "We need to tear this building to the ground."

"I need you guys to stay out of this," Gin says firmly. "This is now turning into a completely different situation."

"Like what?" Ichigo asks. "Like kidnapping?"

There was a low whistle then a familiar voice spoke up. "What have you guys gotten yourselves into now?"

Ichigo groans and rolls his eyes. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Grimmjow crosses his arms over his chest. "Not too happy to see me huh? But I could ask the same questions about all the commotion happening here. Was there a fire or something?"

"Does it look like the building is burning jackass?" Ichigo asks, definitely not amused about seeing an old rival. "Rukia is in trouble!"

Grimmjow stood there in silence then sighs as the realization clicks. "So, this must not be a coincidence then that I got a text from Rukia asking me to come here." He shakes his head in disappoint, and continues walking past the group of men further into the building.

"Where are you going?" Gin asks.

"To finish this sick game," Grimmjow replies.

"Do you even know where to go?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," Grimmjow responds holding his cell phone. "Sit tight. I'll bring her back."

"Not by yourself," Shuuhei chimes in. "I'm coming with you."

Grimmjow shakes his head. "I don't think so. Unlike you, I know what I'm walking into. Don't have time to make sure you're holding up your own in all of this. You have no idea what game you've been playing."

"Well, I do," Gin steps forward as his phone vibrates with a message. "And speaking of the devil himself. Looks like we both need to finish the game," he turns to look at the rest of the gang. "Stay put if you know what's good for you. Byakuya and Yoruichi should be here soon too. No more people in this building, understand?"

Shuuhei didn't like this plan at all, but he knew him and the rest would just be in danger and get in the way of the operation. It didn't help the feeling of being helpless, and the amount of his worry grew. The person he loves is in danger. The person he loves that is carrying their bundle of life is in danger. And the people off to bring her back consisted of an ex-lover, an undercover cop with a side kick. Not him.

Ichigo scoffs and shakes his head. "Are we going or not?"

Resolution settled into the pits of their stomachs, and burned as adrenaline. They looked to each other, and all was spoken with their expressions. Keeping out of the scanning eyes of the heavily guarded cops, they managed to maneuver to one of the staircase doors. After silently slipping inside, Renji glanced up at the staircases to check for any more cops. Luckily for them people were beginning to emerge from the floors up above from evacuation. They blended in with the commotion, sticking to laying back a few floors down, and advancing when more people descended. The idea was to keep tailing the cops until they found the right floor.

During one of the brief quiet moments Ichigo brings up a valid concern. "We have no clue what we're walking into."

"Too late to chicken out now," Renji points out.

Ichigo shakes his head. "That's not my train of thought. We have to be smart here. The cops have their weapons drawn, and ready. You think that Aizen just sat around in money, and not doing any other shady deals in other form of illegal activities?"

"Are you suggesting that this man is not only dangerous, but armed?" Shuuhei asks, not wanting to believe his ears. He barely wanted to believe this preposterous position they were in currently. He sighs, "You're not wrong, but obviously we have nothing like that in our catalog."

"All I'm saying is let us be careful. We need to be smarter than that bitch," Ichigo reasons. "We need to get Rukia back, but let's be safe about it."

Renji nods his head. "I'm sure we'll think of something if it really comes down to that."

The three quickly went silent as a door a couple of floors above them slammed open, and in a matter of seconds worried workers rushed past them with barely a glance.

"Let's keep moving," Shuuhei commands, and they continue their trek up the stairs feeling the height weighing down on them everytime they cleared a floor.

'Just stay safe for me Rukia. Please let them keep her safe.'

A/N: I will end it right here! Sucks that it's a couple pages shorter than I would have liked, but rather put something out than keep leaving this fic...unfinished. Not too long before it's done though. Whew!