A/N: I don't own Bleach. That belongs to Tite Kubo, Shueisha/Studio Pierrot

Chapter 16: Their respective...perspectives?

/Shiba Estate – Masaki's Training Area

Masaki was thoroughly impressed by the progress Uryū was making. She didn't think he'd be able to adjust his fighting style – from long range to short range. Whatever fencing lessons Ryū and Kanae took him to, clearly paid off. Most Quincy focused primarily on long to mid-range fighting techniques, with the shortest ranged attacks reserved for spells like Gritz and Volk and traps like Sprenger. Uryū had told her that he did have knowledge of those spells, but hadn't perfected their use for real battle scenarios. It didn't help that he had to train himself as a Quincy – since his father was adamant to not teach him anything.

The boy was still a little unsettled by the info dump his Aunt gave him, concerning some of their people's more unsavoury practices. However, Masaki reassured him that the Quincy honour and pride he respects so much is what their people were. Some of their practices were archaic, but they were a strong and proud people. No one was perfect, and that was the same for the Quincy.

Uryū had to agree. His Aunt was right. Despite their flaws, the Quincy were a good people. With that, he gained renewed vigour to continue his training.

For the short time they had left.

/Shiba Estate – upper floors – empty room

Ganju was busy reading over a scroll. A particular scroll that detailed the necessary instructions to control the trajectory of the reishūkaku sphere once launched from the Flower Crane Cannon. He'd spend the next day or two getting the incantation down to a tee, otherwise they'd have problems when they hit the Seireitei's sekkiseki barrier. From what he could remember about it, his sister uses a strong incantation to launch the cannon – some type of fire based kidō. That was after their retainers elevated the cannon's launch platform. From there he'd have to recite the proper incantation to control the sphere's velocity and direction. That incantation was the one he was practising at this point.

When they discussed this with Aunt Masaki, she said that process reminded her of how in the Human World, people launched space ships into space i.e. Outside of the planet. Ganju couldn't quite believe it, since to his knowledge only four realms existed in all of creation. However his sister nodded her affirmation, clearly interested in how the human's have harnessed fire, metal and technology to travel outside of their planet. From that point on, Ganju didn't really listen to the conversation; most of it going over his head.

/Shiba Estate – separate training area

Chad and Orihime decided to get some extra training down. They roughly divided up the training room between them, using some dress dividers as physical barriers. Chad...didn't believe this was really going to cut it. So, he asked the Shiba retainers if they had a sturdy barrier or wall to reduce disturbances. He figured Orihime's training wouldn't be too destructive, but...his definitely would be.

"Why yes we do!" The retainers scurried away, and then brought with them a set of rock solid walls, by which they positioned to divide up the training room. Orihime was thoroughly impressed by the gusto of the two men. She clapped in appreciation of their work, and with Chad thanked the retainers.

"You are most welcome. Fare thee well!"

Chad realised that his raw power was impressive, but he needed to stop being so...direct with his attacks. 'Speaking of direct...maybe to honour Abuelo I can call my energy fist attack El Directo? I think he'd like that...hmmm.' The gentle giant of a young man, smiled to himself. From that point on, he'd call his attack 'El Directo' to honour his grandfather.

/Human World – Urahara Shop

'The plan(s) is coming to fruition. Very soon Aizen, I will pay you back for what you've done. You caught me unawares all those years ago, but now that I know...'

Kisuke Urahara, arguably the smartest man in all the realms, was busy monitoring the situation at the Shiba Estate. With Yoruichi as his eyes and ears, he was even more confident in his plans to out Aizen as a traitor and to stop him attaining his Hōgyoku. He knew Aizen had a somewhat incomplete version, and desired his one to feed into his own. He found that rather pedestrian, as he was pretty sure it would be better to feed Aizen's Hōgyoku to his own (if he wanted to). To the man with countless plans, the Hōgyoku was merely a tool to bait out the real prize.

The key to his plan was the boy – Ichigo Kurosaki. A young man born naturally as a fusion between the major races, and the closest to the Soul King (Reiō) in constitution. He had exceptional potential, and if trained properly, could in theory rival the power the Soul King had eons ago. His training just a few days prior with the boy, showed how explosive his growth rate was. In ten days, he brought the boy to the level of a lieutenant (possibly higher). Kisuke knew he could, but even he was amazed by his growth over the course of those days. Still...it was rough going, and he was almost consumed by that pesky hollow that used to reside in his mother.

Speaking of Mrs. Kurosaki...

She was another piece in the equation to factor in. Her Echt lineage already bolstered her impressive skill set, but from what little he's gotten from Yoruichi – she's even more powerful than when she saved Captain Shiba. Also, she was willing to train Ichigo in the Quincy arts – something he couldn't possibly do.

'Whatever plans Aizen has now, will come undone, and by the looks of it, he won't know what will hit him till it's too late...'

Dipping his green-white striped cap, the 'humble shop-keeper' smiled.

/Soul Society – Central 46 Chambers

Sōsuke Aizen had been planning for this, for over a century. None of these lesser beings could comprehend his mind. The only one that could...

[...]

Regardless, his plan was in motion and all the pieces were in place. The human boy, Ichigo Kurosaki (and associates) would arrive to try and 'rescue' their friend Rukia Kuchiki. Oh, he'd let them get close enough, then pluck Rukia from them – either through the Sōkyoku halberd burning her away, or through the (quick) extraction of the Hōgyoku through 'his' method.

"Come along...Gin, Kaname."

"Right, Captain Aizen."

"Yes sir."

A sinister smile coloured his face – contrasting his gentlemanly facade. Aizen walked down the hallway. The other two, also Captain's of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads followed. The light from the opening, cast a dark shadow behind them.

End of Chapter Notes: This chapter sets up nicely for their rescue mission and the players involved. Note how Kisuke here has changed his plans. Also note how Aizen has not.