Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Las Noches; Szayelapporo's Lab

Szayelapporo walked into his lab, a happy smile on his face. His experiment with Barragan's minions had gone well. He knew it was the right choice to have Barragan volunteer his men instead of sacrificing his own Fraccións. True, all six of the Number Two Espada's men had all perished but to Szayelapporo that was the price of progress.

He approached the Reishi amplifier. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Opening it, a swarm of microscopic insects flew out and dove into a small containment unit at the base of the amplifier, feeding the machine information on Ichigo's spirit energy and pressure. Before he confronted Kisuke and Yoruichi, the scientist had quietly released the insects to monitor Ichigo as he battled Barragan to gain more samples of his spirit energy as well as analyze Barragan's men as they battled. "There. Now to make adjustments…"

Punching new calculations into his computers, Szayelapporo watched as the volatile black and energy inside the amplifier began to slowly stabilize. "Perfect. As I suspected, there's no way that an Arrancar that is not on the level of the Espadas could sustain such energy. But now that I've stabilized the Substitute's spirit energy…" Szayelapporo smirked. "The Espadas should have no problem integrating it fully. With this, they can enhance their Resurección. " Satisfied, he turned away from the machine.

He was more interested in what lay on his dissection table.

Lying unconscious on the white stone table was Yoruichi Shihoin. The dark-skinned woman had been taken out of the stone cube and laid on the table, put to sleep by the stasis. In addition, Szayelapporo had her stripped naked, not wanting to let pesky clothing get in the way with experimentation. "This day turned out even better than I hoped." He gestured for one of his servants to bring him a tray of dissection tools. "True, I was unable to acquire Kisuke Urahara but I can merely obtain him during the final invasion. To think I have a captain-level Soul Reaper at my disposal. Oh the possibilities." He grabbed a wicked looking instrument and stood over the unconscious Yoruichi with a malicious smile. "It's time to see what makes you tick."

And with that, Szayelapporo went to work. The Fraccións looked on quietly, the labs quiet quickly replaced by the sound of screaming…

Meanwhile…
Karakura Town

Ichigo rushed to put himself between the captains and the fallen Halibel, still lying on the ground with a hand over her wounded stomach from where Aizen's stabbed her. "Captain Unohana, I-"

"No," the woman adamantly said, her eyes brokering no argument. "The time for talk is over, Ichigo. The truth has become clear to all of us. We cannot allow you to join Aizen."

"I'm not on Aizen's side!" Ichigo insisted. "Can't you see that he's just playing you?"

"Can't you see that you've been played the whole time?" Soi-Fon shot back. "I knew that you were in league with him and now here's the proof!"

"I-"

"Enough, Ichigo," said Unohana. "You can say what you want, but the fact is made clear. At best you are Aizen's puppet. He has steered you your entire life in order to make you his servant. At worst you're a weapon forged by both Aizen and Halibel meant to strike at the heart of the Soul Society. Look at all you've done so far. In such a tiny amount of time you've managed to defeat Third-Seat Madarame, Lieutenant Abarai, Captain Zaraki and Captain Kuchiki. Then you obtained the power of a Hollow from your mentor and have now defeated one of Aizen's top men. If we allow you to become even more powerful, you could become something worse than even Aizen. And now that he is in possession of your baby, you have no choice but to do as he commands. I'm sorry, Ichigo." Unohana drew Minazuki. "But even if you haven't made your choice, Aizen has made it for you."

Soi-Fon, Omaeda and Isane all drew their swords. Renji looked at his captain but Byakuya oddly remained as still as a statue, his expression unreadable while he merely kept a hand on his sheathed hilt. Toshiro, meanwhile, was hesitant to draw his sword. It was clear that he was conflicted about everything now that the truth had been revealed.

Halibel struggled to her feet, the bleeding stopped thanks to her regeneration. "Don't bother, Ichigo. They were never going to let us live. For all their talk of honor, they planned to murder us as soon as Aizen was dealt with. That's why they didn't even bother to help you fight Barragan." She pointed a blood-stained finger over at the desolation that her former comrade caused. "You willingly let Barragan murder a portion of this town. And you would have let him do more in the hopes that he and Ichigo would kill each other." She looked at the Soul Reapers with nothing but disgust. "And you call me a monster."

Soi-Fon narrowed her eyes. "I thought I warned you that next time you insulted us…" The assassin disappeared from sight. Ichigo whirled around in horror to see Soi-Fon behind Halibel, her Shikai already released and aimed at his mentor. "It'll be the last!" Aiming her stinger at Halibel's back, Soi-Fon stabbed at her. Her attack came to a screeching halt though when a golden wall suddenly appeared behind Halibel, protecting her from Soi-Fon. "What the?"

All eyes turned around to see Orihime Inoue and Rukia Kuchiki nearby, an opened Senkaimon behind them. "Ichigo! Halibel! Are you okay?" Orihime shouted before her eyes widened in horror when she saw Halibel's wound. "You're hurt!"

Ichigo slashed at Soi-Fon's head. The captain somersaulted over Ichigo's blade and landed next to her lieutenant. "What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, her eyes staring daggers at Rukia.

Rukia bristled from the look her older brother was giving her. "Rukia. What are you doing here? You were given no order to come here."

Taking a deep breath, Rukia plucked up her courage to answer. "Captain Ukitake told us the truth. He told us that Head-Captain Yamamoto planned to dispose of Ichigo and Halibel once the threat of Aizen has been dealt with. We came as soon as we heard that Aizen had infiltrated the World of the Living."

"Where's Asahi? Is she okay?" Orihime asked, running over to Halibel. "Sōten Kisshun! I Reject!" She put her barrier around Halibel and began to heal her injury.

"Asahi…" A tear threatened to spill from Halibel's eye. "Aizen. He…he took our baby."

Orihime's face turned white and she gasped. "Oh no!"

"That's…not all…" Halibel admitted. "Aizen…he…he was behind everything."

"What are you talking about?"

Renji spoke up, walking past the stoic Byakuya. "We just heard it from the horse's mouth. Aizen has been behind everything that's happened to Ichigo. He even manipulated Halibel into training him. He…" Renji clenched his teeth while looking at Ichigo with conflicted eyes. "Aizen's been using him from the start. Rukia…he planned all along for you to give your powers to Ichigo. He planned for me and Captain Kuchiki to find you. He even planned on Ichigo beating that Espada."

"That…that can't be true!" denied Rukia, running up to Ichigo. "There's no way that Aizen could have planned for all of this."

"It's true," Byakuya said, finally breaking his silence. "All of the facts line up. Ichigo has been in Aizen's palm his entire life. Whether he admits it or not." His face turned stern as he stepped forward. "Rukia, stand aside. Ichigo is a clear and present danger to the Soul Society. With Asahi Kurosaki in Aizen's possession, Ichigo has no choice but to do what he says. Which means we must take action before Aizen gives Ichigo even more power."

Ichigo, Orihime and Halibel looked at Rukia, wondering if she would step aside or join the fray on behalf of her brother. "Rukia…" Orihime murmured, thinking about all the time they've spent together. "Ichigo is innocent. Asahi is innocent. They don't deserve this."

"Deserves got nothing to do with it," fired back Soi-Fon. "You were not targeted for disposal, girl. If you want it to keep it that way, you'll step aside and let us end this."

Ichigo gripped Zangetsu tightly as he put himself between Soi-Fon and Orihime. "You won't be hurting anyone today!"

Toshiro stepped forward. "Orihime. Rukia. This doesn't involve the two of you. Please," he looked at the girls with begging eyes. "Step aside. For your own sakes."

Rukia looked at the ground, conflicted about everything that was happening. Orihime, on the other hand, was far more resolute. "I won't let you hurt Ichigo or Halibel."

"What can you do? You're just a scrawny little girl," mocked Soi-Fon. She took a step threateningly towards the two orange-heads and held up Suzumebachi's stinger. "If you want to die alongside your friends, so be it. I'll bury you all in the same grave."

Then a blue arrow suddenly embedded itself in her hand.

"What?!" Soi-Fon staggered backwards as blood spilled from her wounded palm.

"First you decide to kill Ichigo when it suits you. Then you sit back and watch an Arrancar murder innocent people indiscriminately without care. Now you're threatening a girl just for standing up to you." Uryu Ishida walked up from behind Halibel and Ichigo, dressed in his Quincy outfit. "And just when I thought I couldn't hate you people more."

"Uryu!" Ichigo, Orihime and Rukia gasped. "But…I thought…" Ichigo started.

"My father helped me regain my powers. Sorry I'm late." Uryu gave his friend a sympathetic smile. "I heard everything. Aizen has the baby. What are you still doing here?"

"What?"

Uryu's bespectacled eyes glanced over at Halibel. "You can open a Garganta, right? Then go after her!"

"Why do you care?" Halibel questioned. While Uryu did have a point, Halibel was dubious about the Quincy's intentions. "I am a Hollow and Ichigo is a Soul Reaper. Why would a Quincy help us?"

The young man looked away but Orihime could see a small smile on his face. "Ichigo is only a Substitute. You're an Arrancar. And Asahi is human. I promised my father I would never ally myself with the Soul Reapers. The three of you don't qualify."

"Ah. Loophole. Got it."

Unohana, however, was not just going to stand there and allow this. "And what makes you think we are going to let you escape?" She raised a hand to unleash her Kidō spell at the group. But as she started a chant, a shadow loomed over her.

"ENOUGH!"

The captain jumped back as Isshin Kurosaki came down on her. The ground shook as he landed with a heavy thud. His eyes glared intently at his former comrades, all but Toshiro shocked to see him in the flesh despite being told about Ichigo's parentage.

"Hello, Captain Shiba. A shame we meet again after all these years in such circumstances."

"Long time no see, Captain Unohana. Sorry if I'm a little grumpy but having my granddaughter being abducted by that bastard and learning you plan on killing my son and his girlfriend has put me in a bit of a mood."

"Captain Shiba!" Toshiro froze on the spot when he received the glare Isshin gave him. He felt even guiltier. Isshin had trusted him. He'd let Toshiro and Rangiku stay in his own home and yet all Toshiro had to repay him was treachery. "What are you doing here? Where's Rangiku?"

"Rangiku was badly hurt so I treated her injuries and left her behind a barrier. What the hell does it look like? Protecting my family!" Isshin roared back. He turned his head to address the group behind him. "What are you waiting for? Aizen has Asahi! Don't just stand there. Get and get her back!"

"Dad…"

"Ichigo, I heard everything. Aizen has been behind everything. So what?" Isshin turned to face his son and stared intently at him. "So what if he's been the one pulling the strings. All you need to do is cut them and be free of him. All his ranting means is that you've beaten everything he's thrown at you. You and Halibel can defeat him together. I know it." He drew Engetsu and took a stance before the captains. "Now go!"

Byakuya calmly kept a hand on his zanpakuto hilt as he stared at Isshin. "Captain Shiba. While I'll acknowledge you are a formidable opponent, do you really believe you can defeat all of us by yourself?"

"Not by himself."

Chad and the Tres Bestia arrived and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Isshin. "Ichigo, go and save your little girl."

"Chad!"

The young man transformed his arms. "We will hold them here. Go and rescue Asahi."

Halibel felt torn. On the one hand she needed to go save her daughter. But she couldn't just let her Fraccións remain behind to potential death by the Soul Reapers. "Apacci. Mila Rose. Sung-Sun…"

"Please, Master Halibel, go and rescue your child," Mila Rose answered. "We will be waiting for your safe return."

"As if we're gonna die at the hands of these stupid Soul Reapers!" Apacci grinned.

"I'd wager you'll be the first to die."

"SHUT UP, SUNG-SUN!"

Halibel bit her lip behind her mask. Was this right? To sacrifice her most trusted subordinates for the chance to save her daughter. 'Sacrifice…' She closed her eyes and could feel a sensation start to bubble within her, one she'd felt before during her ruminations. This time, however, it was stronger, like it was waiting just beneath the surface before bursting forth. 'Nothing in this world is gained without sacrifice.'

Ichigo and Orihime both noticed the shift in Halibel's spiritual pressure. "Halibel?" Ichigo murmured, wondering what was happening to his mentor.

The woman finally opened her eyes and he saw determination in her emerald gaze. "Let's go. Apacci. Mila Rose. Sung-Sun. Don't die on me. Chad, Isshin…thank you."

"Mind if I tag along?"

Once more everyone was startled when a new face joined the party. Kisuke landed next to the party, his face more grave than usual. "The enemy nabbed Yoruichi."

Everyone gasped, most of all Soi-Fon. "You let the enemy kidnap Lady Yoruichi!" she roared, her anger boiling over.

"Talk later. Rescue now."

"Agreed," Halibel nodded. She waved a hand and opened a Garganta. "Let's go everyone." The group all headed into the void after her, all save for one.

"Rukia!" Renji shouted when he saw his friend about to leave. "Where are you going?!"

"I'm going to help Ichigo!" Rukia announced defiantly.

"If you go, then-"

"You'll what? Execute me again?" Rukia shouted back, making Renji flinch. She turned her brother and put on a brave face. She knew she was committing open insubordination and rebellion but she knew in her heart who needed her help the most. "Brother…I'm sorry. But Ichigo needs me. I owe it to him."

Brother and sister said nothing. If Byakuya disapproved of his actions then he didn't show it on his face. He simply closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly. Rukia knew that was as close to acknowledgement as she'd get from her stoic brother. "Thank you!" she whispered before disappearing into the portal behind, the black void slamming shut.

"Looks like it's just you and us," Isshin said.

Renji looked over to his captain. Renji had his sword out but Byakuya had yet to draw his blade. "Captain?" Byakuya remained silent as he observed the situation.

Soi-Fon was red with fury. It was a miracle that she didn't spontaneously combust. "You realize that all you did was ensure you die in your son's place." She took up another stance and readied for a fight. "After everything you and your son have done, If any harm comes to Lady Yoruichi, I'll make sure those two other brats of yours die by inches."

Isshin's eyes flared with an anger that only a father could have. "Lay one hand on my daughters and you won't have hands anymore. I always thought you were an icy bitch. Now I can see you're a vindictive one too. My son had nothing to do with Yoruichi being abducted." His eyes darted to Toshiro. "And what about you, Captain Hitsugaya? Are you really just going to stand there and do nothing?"

"I…" Toshiro stared at the ground, feeling like he was being split into two. Yet the part of him that was a Soul Reaper won out in the end and knew he was going to have to take a side. "Captain…no, Isshin Kurosaki…" Taking a deep breath, Toshiro drew his sword. "You are under arrest for abandoning your post and dereliction of duty. Surrender now or face the consequences."

"Toshiro, I am your consequence." Isshin pulled his sword back while Chad released his arms and the Tres Bestia readied their weapons for a fight. The two Squad Ten captains both released their Shikai at once.

"Burn: Engetsu!"

"Reign over the frosted heavens: Hyorinmaru!"

To be continued