Chapter 16 - Reveals & Betrayals

Byakuya's POV

"How is this even possible?"

My voice sounded like a whisper to my ears as I took in the current state of my opponent. Physically, he remained relatively the same, save for his eyes, which had switched from brown to piercing yellowish gold, the white sclera turning as black as a hollow's.

. . . A hollow?

"This is madness. . . This boy can't be part hollow!?"

"Looks like it…" Senbonzakura buts in, sounding as frustrated as I felt. "After all, parts of a hollow mask are forming on the left side of his face."

Not caring if he drew blood, the boy continues to hold on to my blade with an iron grip, laughing maniacally as he watched me struggle to pull it away, as if my efforts were a simple amusement to him.

I never liked being laughed at when I was younger.

The sentiment remains the same now.

"What's wrong Kuchiki?"

Great, even his voice is starting to sound more like a hollow.

"Scared of being beaten by someone like me?!"

Before I have a chance to react, he draws blood, slashing me across the chest with his zanpakuto. I jump back before he can strike me again, only to make myself more susceptible to a black version of his Getsuga Tenshou. I narrowly dodge it, letting the attack hit the dome behind me instead.

When I turned back around, the boy's Hollow mask was now covering the entire left side of his face.

"What are you, Ichigo Kurosaki?" I demand, readying my blade for his next strike. "Are you truly a shinigami? Or are you just a spirit giving in to the Hollow within you?!"

"You're really questioning who I am? I thought you were smarter than that!" He yells in return, smiling with psychotic glee. ". . . Just because I'm feeling nice, I'll tell you what I am point blank, just so you can understand it better. I'm a H-"

Cutting himself off, his free hand goes to his still forming mask. With a growl in his throat, he pulls the hand away, ripping the mask off with a yell that makes his frustration obvious.

It was sudden and shocking, to say the least.

"Sorry about that. My Inner Hollow just couldn't help himself."

"Inner Hollow?!" We chorus as he drops what remained of his mask to the ground. "So, he's not a full shinigami then?"

"Something must have happened that led him to be corrupted somehow," I say as the boy works to regain control of his breathing. "He may not be a shinigami in the usual sense, but at least he has shown that he can regain control of himself."

"Are we sure that's supposed to be a good thing?"

"Really Senbonzakura?"

"Sorry; couldn't help but ask."

"If you don't mind, I suggest we forget what just happened and continue this fight," He advises, readying his weapon.

"Master, with the wounds already dealt to your body in combination with the amount of power you've had to use already, you won't be able to last much longer in this battle."

"I figured as much Senbonzakura," I say as I hold him before me. ". . . I have no plans on letting this match drag out any more than it has to anyway. I don't believe the boy had any plans to do so either."

"So, Byakuya, what do you say?" The boy asks, daring to say my name so informally as a tired smirk appears on his face. "Shall we finish this?"

"We shall," I say, not acknowledging his lack of decorum as I feel his power build. ". . . I will end this with my next attack."

"We'll see about that!" He challenges, his eyes set with determination. "But first, let me ask you this. . . Why are you so determined to not save Rukia from her fate? You're her brother! Does that not mean anything to you . . . Out of everyone in this world, you should be the first one coming to her defense! Not abandoning her to the wolves!"

"He is not wrong, and we both know it master."

Of course, my zanpakuto would add his two cents here.

I didn't want to say anything, but Kurosaki was right, becoming another person in the long list of people who believe I should be doing something instead of letting the law have its way.

As her, admittedly adoptive, older brother, I should have been the first to come to Rukia's defense. I should have been arguing on her behalf from the very start, protecting her despite the heavy evidence against her, but the constraints of being both a captain and the lord of a great house have prevented me from acting like how an older brother should act. . .

. . . Like how a brother mustact.

The boy was right, I should have done something.

That doesn't mean I have to actually admit it to him. . . Not just yet.

"I will tell you why, Ichigo Kurosaki, but only if you can defeat me."

The boy grits his teeth, but silently nods as he continues to gather his power. I follow suit, building up my reiatsu before condensing it all into my sword. Appearing white in color, wing like protrusions jut out on either side of me, solidifying until Senbonzakura was pure white in my hands, becoming his strongest form, Shūkei: Hakuteiken.

Kurosaki's own spiritual pressure swirls around him, becoming a black mass of energy that was a visible opposite to my own. With no other prompting, we move to strike, neither of us having enough energy to use shunpo, too focused on maintaining our attack forms to even try it.

The closer we moved toward each other, the more our power seemed to crackle against each other, and when we finally crossed blades, all I could see is white.


T ~ P ~ O ~ S ~ L

Minata's POV

"This power. . ." I whisper in amazement as the two reaitsus combine, filling the area with such energy that it was making goosebumps rise along my skin.

". . . Is absolutely crazy!" Mizukiri finishes for me, crying out as we shade our eyes from all the light.

When the light finally dissipates, all we could see is smoke and dust, hiding the two combatants from our view. When we could finally see Kurosaki and Byakuya, they were standing about 20 feet away from each other, both breathing heavy as they kept their backs to each other.

We weren't able to see how bad Kurosaki looked, but from our angle, Byakuya's blood was flowing heavily from a wound that stretched down his torso.

"They're both still standing!?" Kiri exclaims, amazed by the fortitude that the two men showed. "After such powerful attacks, how are they still on their feet?"

"I honestly don't know how they're doing this Kiri," I say as blood suddenly spews from a wound that appeared to come from Kurosaki's shoulder. "They're tenacious, I'll give them that, but after that last attack, neither of them are in the right condition to continue this battle . . . It's over."

"But still… Who won?!"

That was a question yet to be answered. With their spiritual pressure being so low, plus the numerous wounds that they've dealt to each other, I would consider them tied at the moment. However, both looked like they were about to keel over any second.

At this point, whoever stays up the longest is going to win.

"I have a duty to keep."

"Come again?!" I hear my zanpakuto say as I come out of my thoughts; all eyes now on Byakuya as he turns to face Kurosaki, finally breaking the silence between the two.

"A duty?" Ichigo asks, grimacing as he turns his body to face Byakuya better.

"I am the Captain of the Sixth Division, and the head of one of the Four Great Noble Houses, a group of families that wield great influence within the Soul Society. . . Both roles hold a level of responsibility that I must adhere to, rules that I cannot break for the sake of upholding the sanctity of this realm. . ." Byakuya explains, his tone somber as he kept his gaze leveled. "I am beholden to the whims of the society I was born into. I have been taught to abide by its rules for as long as I can remember, and I have made vows that I cannot personally break as a result of past actions. . . And then Rukia's arrest happened, and I found myself at a crossroads that I couldn't break myself away from."

"So. . . that's it huh? You grow up being a poster boy for following this society's rules, and the one time those same rules endanger the life of your one sibling, you can't bring yourself to break them because it would go against all that you learned and promised?!"

"Well, that's a succinct way of putting it. . ." Kiri mumbles, saying nothing else as we wait for the conversation to continue, Kurosaki's tone being surprisingly mild despite what he just said.

"Hmm, after hearing all that, I can see how this has been difficult for you. On one hand, you would be going against what you've always known, but on the other hand, this is freaking Rukia we are talking about!"

"A society can't be what it is without its rules, but not all rules are justifiable!" Kurosaki exclaims, holding his sword tightly. "Rukia's only crime was helping me protect my family, my friends, and my hometown. That's all she ever did, all she planned to do, but under the damn system you love to abide by so much, she would lose her life! Your sister would die just because she was being a decent person!?"

"Damn, Kurosaki is really letting Byakuya have it," I say as I turn my gaze on the other man's silent form. "And he's just taking it."

"Can you blame him after hearing all this?" Kiri asks, shaking her head. "To be honest, Byakuya needed to hear this. Plus, some of the current laws that Soul Society has on its books really are too harsh to be really considered justifiable, don't you think?"

"Unfortunately, many of them aren't going to be easy to change either. . ." I add, now really frustrated with how our legal system worked.

"Not every rule and law is created correctly, not even the ones you abide by, so, let me ask you this, Byakuya Kuchiki, are you still going to stand in my way and abide by what your rules say? Or are you going to step aside and concede that not all your laws are what they're cracked up to be?!"

"Yeah, Byakuya, what will you do?" I think to myself as we await his answer. His face was like solid stone, but his eyes were contemplative, serving as the only hint that he was honestly thinking over his opponent's words.

The silence was almost suffocating as we awaited his answer, but eventually, after how many minutes had passed, he finally speaks.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, despite having your powers for just a short time, you have battled well to get to this point," The captain admits, recalling Senbonzakura to his default form as the spirit's body appears next to him. "I no longer have enough power to continue this fight against you. . . You have won, and I will no longer pursue Rukia's execution."

"Did we hear him right?" Mizukiri loudly gasps as we watch the two walk away, leaving Kurosaki stunned in place. "Did he just concede defeat?!"

"Your hearing is just as good as mine," I say as we watch the two approach us. "What we heard is correct. Byakuya conceded the win to Kurosaki, and Rukia is safe from his blade, at the very least. . . This has truly been quite a day."

"Indeed it is," She says as the men come within reaching distance. "Are you alright Captain Kuchiki?"

"I have been better," He slowly says as he walks past us, not bothering to stop. "We should be on our way, Third Seat Fukudome. . . After all, I'm sure you have much to report to the Captain Commander."

"Well, that's the truth, but I believe he's still busy with Captain Kyoraku and Captain Ukitake at the moment, so I still have time," I say as we follow after them as a multitude of questions build up within me. "Right now, I believe a visit to the Fourth Division will do you some good."

"A visit to the Fourth is warranted. . ." He agrees, visibly wincing as he snuck a look down at his cut up torso. I'm sure his famous pride is the one thing stopping him from expressing how pained he truly felt right now. ". . . I'm sure you have questions for me."

"I have enough . . ." I admit. "After all that - your inner struggle with Rukia's arrest, the stopped execution, the intense battle between you and Kurosaki - you decide to no longer stand in the way. . . Why now? What changed your mind?"

"Well, after hearing what the boy had to say, isn't it obvious?" He asks in return. "Rukia's fate was dictated by the laws that make our society what it is. Kurosaki decided to fight against such rules for the sake of his friend, and I was simply an obstacle in his way."

"An obstacle that probably encapsulates the laws of the Soul Society better than anyone not named the Captain Commander," I add, watching his lips twitch slightly at my words, though his eyes told a different story. ". . . There's something else?"

"Mina, did you notice that Kurosaki looked very similar to a certain someone?"

"How could I not? He looks so much like Kaien that it's practically uncanny. It was like we were looking at his younger, orange-haired twin."

"How do you suppose that is possible?"

"Maybe the Shibas still have some living relatives in the Human World . . . Who knows?" I reply, feeling Byakuya's lack of presence at my side before I actually see it.

The sudden flare of his reiatsu back at the battlefield alerts me to where he had gone, and without prompting, I shunpo after him, just as multiple familiar reiatsus hit my radar, including one that . . . that . . .

. . . Wait a minute, this reiatsu should be no more.

Dead and buried, and yet, I can feel it, alive and well.

How is this even possible?

How is Captain Aizen alive?

When Mizukiri and I returned to the battlefield, we were in for a shocking sight.

Byakuya was holding Rukia close to his right side, his left being impaled by Captain Ichimaru's Shinso, despite his other hand holding onto the blade to keep it from going any deeper. A few feet away from them were Captain Komamura, Lieutenant Abarai, and Kurosaki, all immobilized on the ground due to their various injuries. Komamura was already down for the count, but the other two were still wide awake, looking on in shock as Captain Aizen watched his fellow captains in what could only be described as mild interest.

Again, how the hell is Captain Aizen even alive?

He was pinned high onto a wall by his own zanpakuto for fuck's sake!

"He's alive!?" Mizukiri cries out, voicing our shared disbelief. "Captain Aizen is alive?! How is this even possible?"

"How is this even possible, you say?" The man asks as he turns our way, a small smile playing on his lips as he looks at us with an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't properly place. "Your question makes clear that you assumed that I had died for real. . . My dears, that has never been the case."

"This is unbelievable! You were alive all this time," I say as I outstretched my hand, calling Mizukiri to my hand. She silently obeys, reverting into her sword form, the katana's violet hilt and teardrop shaped guard feeling familiar in my palm. ". . . You must have faked your own death."

"And you say it with such confidence," He says, his smile growing minutely bigger. "Let me ask you this: did you ever believe that I had been killed in the first place?"

"Your death was certainly shocking, but some details didn't add up," I admit, focusing my thoughts. "Your body being found pinned to the top of a tower was indeed a macabre display, but I felt that there was some sort of purpose to it all . . . Almost as if whoever did you in wanted your body to be found."

That day was a somber one within the Seireitei. Dealing with the invading ryokas was already taxing enough, but coupled with the sudden death of Captain Aizen, well, it added another layer to all the trouble.

It was especially troubling for Hinamori. She is his lieutenant, and she ended up discovering his remains first.

She hasn't been her usually eager, cheery self since.

"It could have easily been an outside enemy wanting to make a point," He suggests, and his tone was so assuring and charismatic, I felt like I could believe him.

Then I took a glance around at our surroundings and realized that I really need to take his words with a grain of salt.

"It could have, but you're a captain," I say in return. "It tends to be quite difficult to kill one of you guys in general, especially in a way that doesn't draw the attention of anyone nearby . . . I could have looked past this if your body was found in the Rukongai's outskirts, but deep in the heart of the Seireitei? You must understand my reservations."

"I did mention that having your body shown so publicly in the Seireitei wouldn't be completely convincing to everyone, Captain." Gin admits, never flinching as he continued to keep his blade impaled in my best friend's body.

"Indeed you did Gin. At the very least, I expected Captain Unohana to be the first to believe that my dead body was a fake, and she did. . . I never expected anyone else to suspect that it could all be a ruse," Aizen calmly explained as he looked between myself and the man with the fox-like grin. "Then again, your point about dying in the middle of the Soul Society is a good one, Third Seat Fukudome. Your perception of reiatsu is much better than most, but you appeared so distracted with Captain Kuchiki's personal struggles that you didn't seem to notice things either."

"Hmm, looks like you didn't know me as well as you thought you did," I mumble, my words not getting even a hint of a reaction from the man this time around. "Since you've been playing dead, is it wrong for me to say that you've had an active hand in some of the troubles that've been plaguing our world recently?"

"You wouldn't be wrong to make such an assumption. It's very perceptive of you, to be honest . . . If only things were different. I would have certainly liked having a woman of your many talents on my side."

Aizen may be speaking with a smile, but it was disarming and cold. He may be saying these things to flatter me, but in truth, he would rather have his blade plunged right through my heart right about now.

"Unfortunately, I do have a plan that I want to keep to," He adds, looking directly at the sword in my hand. "Now my dear, do you really think you can honestly face us by yourself? Three captains against a third seat is hardly a fair match."

"Three captains?" I ask, just as I feel the new presence coming up on my right. Turning my head, I couldn't help my shock as Captain Tousen stepped forward, his expression emotionless.

"You too Captain Tousen?" I ask as he continues to walk toward Aizen.

I had served under him during my short time in the Ninth, barely interacting with the man as I got used to the division. However, he was a solid captain, a teacher to his men and a strong advocate for justice, preaching the values of it whenever he could. . . Probably too much if you asked some people.

And now he goes all against what he's stood for . . . "But why?! Why take Aizen's side?!"

"For justice . . ."

It's all that he says to me as he continues on, and my respect for him becomes as nonexistent as his eyesight.

"You should stand down Lady Mina. It would be a travesty if we had to kill you now," Gin suggests as he finally pulls his blade from Byakuya's side, sending his blood splattering to the ground as the blade itself retracted back into its default form.

"BROTHER!" Rukia screams as the man falls to his knees, breathing heavily as she supported him as best as she could. "Are you alright brother?!"

The sight of him so weakened and injured was pulling at my insides, and I wanted to go and help him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not when we were surrounded by so many enemies.

"I will be fine Rukia," He assures her, catching his breath before moving his gaze firmly on to me, a stare that was practically piercing my soul. ". . . But Third Seat Fukudome, you must stand down!"

"Did he just say what I think he just said?!" I hear Mizukiri wail in my head, ignoring the pleased look that crossed Aizen's face as he snuck a look Byakuya's way. "Does he not see the situation that we're in right now!?"

"Oh, Captain Kuchiki, it seems that you're just full of surprises today," Aizen teases, sounding practically gleeful as he glared at the bloody man. "You concede defeat to the invading ryoka, you save your sister from certain death at the hands of my subordinate's blade, and now you're trying to convince your oldest friend to not leap into certain death. . . Looks like you're not the stoic stalwart that you tend to appear as after all."

Byakuya's eyes were glaring with hatred as he looked up at the brunette, but I was too distracted by his earlier stare to focus on it for long.

When he looked at me, there were so many emotions swimming in those gray eyes of his. There was sadness, regret, and even a tiny bit of fear there, but there was something else, something that tugged directly at my heart.

He didn't want me to fight these men, and not because he saw me as an inferior combatant against three powerful opponents. He didn't want to see me get hurt though . . .

"He doesn't want to lose you master. . ."

"Doesn't want . . . to lose me?" Mizukiri's words were a shock to my system, and when I looked up, Byakuya's eyes had slid back to me, his bloody gaze hard, but they held a silent plea within them, as if he were imploring me to stay back. ". . . Maybe you're right old friend."

"Regardless of Captain Kuchiki's suddenly soft heart, he was right in ordering you to stand," I hear Aizen say, looking up to see him smiling at me. "You may be a woman, a gifted woman at that, but I will not hesitate to cut you down like the others if you stand in the way of my plans."

"Then you'll just have to kill all of us then, because we plan to stop you."

Their reiatsu gives them away, but Yoruichi and Captain Soi Fon's sudden appearance is a welcome one, both women restraining Aizen, keeping mind to point their weapons - in Yoruichi's case, her fists - at his weak spots as soon as he makes a move.

Their appearance wasn't the only one that grabbed my attention. Most of the other lieutenants and captains had returned or arrived on the scene, including the Captain Commander, who's fiery reiatsu was simply kissing the surface of his well-known restraint, ready to break free if the older man willed it. Both Gin and Tousen were similarly restrained, but the look on Aizen's face told me that all was not lost for them, not just yet.

"Yoruichi Shihoin, it's been a while since you graced the Soul Society with your presence," Aizen greets her with a complimenting smile, one that never reaches his eyes as he looks down at the dark-skinned woman.

"Well, it's been a while since I visited, and not a moment too soon," She snidely bites back; Soi Fon ready to pierce the man with Suzemebachi if he even tries to flinch. "You and your cronies aren't going anywhere!"

"Presumptuous aren't we?" He asks confidently, his smile looking more genuine as a crack appears in the sky. "I'd suggest you rethink that."

"Yo-SOI-FON MOVE!

The two leap away before Aizen gets bathed by a pillar of light that stretches out from the crack, which now has a horde of Menos Grande poking out from it. Two similar pillars emerge to cover Gin and Tousen, separating them from the rest of us.

Some leaped to attack, but the Captain Commander called them to stop, his tone brokering no room for arguing.

"The three of them are covered in the Negacion, the separate world the Menos Grande use to rescue their own. They are virtually untouchable within those pillars." The Captain Commander helpfully explains as he walks up to my side.

"Why Aizen?!" Ukitake calls out. "Why would you betray us?!"

"To go where no other shinigami has dared to go before . . . Goodbye, my former allies," He calls to us as he ascends upward, along with Tousen and Gin. As he moves upward, he discards his glasses and slicks back his hair, his new looks adding to his sinister demeanor. "The next time you will see me will be up in the heavens, taking my rightful place among the gods."

"Well, isn't he humble . . ." Mizukiri trails off as I put her back in her sheath, watching as the three men disappear into the mass of Menos Grande before the crack shuts behind them.

Soonenough, members of the 4th Division appeared all around us, tending to the injured without hesitation while Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu went to work on the most serious cases. When I turned my head, the Captain Commander was silently staring at me, his face, as usual, unreadable.

"Captain Commander, I . . ."

"Though I still expect your formal report as soon as possible, you do not have to say anything to me now Third Seat Fukudome," He says, cutting me off as he looked to where Byakuya was being tended to by Captain Unohana herself. "Aizen has shown his hand, and now we must prepare for the next phase of this ongoing conflict . . . You can go to him if you want, but let him know that I will want a word with him once he's up to it before you head back to the barracks."

"Um, yes sir. Thank you captain," I say as he walked toward where Captain Kyoraku and Captain Ukitake were talking amongst themselves.

"Hm, it sounds like Captain Kuchiki may be in a little trouble with the Captain Commander," Mizukiri muses as I started moving to my wounded friend.

"I'm not sure if he's really in trouble. . . To me, it sounds like Captain Commander Yamamoto simply wants to know his side of the story."

When we reached Byakuya's side, Captain Unohana and one of her subordinates were busy tending to the wounds on his torso as Rukia and Senbonzakura sat vigil on his other side. His expression was solemnly contemplative, and it was still there when he looked up at me.

"Captain Commander Yamamoto wants a word with you once you're able." I say, figuring it was best to get the official business out of the way first.

"Since he's not even unconscious, I don't see it being too much of an issue," Captain Unohana helpfully says. "He could even approach him now if he wanted to, as long as he kept his reiatsu to a minimum that is."

"I'll let him know once I leave," I say as I nod at the older woman. "I figured I'd see how Captain Kuchiki was doing before I head back to the First."

"Captain Unohana says I will make a full recovery, though I must admit, knowing that I have to talk to the Captain Commander soon is not something I'm eager to do," He says as he looks up at me. "He does not give me much time to collect my thoughts."

"I'm sure you'll be just fine Captain Kuchiki, as long as you don't unnecessarily push yourself that is," She suggests, keeping focus on the treatment she was administering.

With everything being handled here, I figure it was best to make my escape, but before I could go, Senbonzakura's sudden flare of reiatsu grabs my attention before I could even turn my head.

"Is there a problem Senbonzakura?" Mizukiri asked for me as we both looked at the mask wearing warrior.

"My master has something to tell you Lady Mina!" He says, blunt in his delivery as he pointed at said man.

Apparently, Byakuya didn't approve of his words, sending his zanpakuto a nasty glare - well, nasty for him that is - that even Rukia was shocked by. Senbonzakura didn't look bothered by it, turning to face his master with, likely, a placid look under his mask. "I don't regret what I said. You can't hide your feelings from me, and we both know what they are in regard to Mina."

"In regard to me?" I ask as Rukia and Unohana's subordinate share matching looks of disbelief, their eyes so wide they look a little like owls. Captain Unohana, on the other hand, looked slightly amused by this development.

As for Byakuya, his face was its usual stoic mask, but his eyes were definitely not amused. Senbonzakura likely decided to speak out on his own, a decision that he definitely doesn't appreciate. Whatever he has to say to me, it's likely not something he wants to say out in public, so, to make things easier for him, I decided to give him a way out.

"I see. . . Well, whatever he has to say to me, I'm sure it can wait till we're in a more private setting," I suggest, and the quick look the man sends my way hints that my assumption was right. "For now, I shall bid you all a good day."

Whatever Byakuya has to say to me can wait, for now, but something tells me that whatever he has to say to me next will be life changing for the both of us.

Hopefully, it's life changing in a good way.

A/N: Leave a comment if you like!