Rukia's POV
"Proving that you aren't Kaien, if I could clear that up, I would be able to cut you down without mercy," I said as I held up my sword in a defensive position.
The Espada held no expression. He was only two small skulls in a red-colored tube. The sight of him made me sick to my stomach. It was a hideous monstrosity.
"Am I hearing this right?" he asked. "It sounded like you said you could win against me if you showed no mercy," Aarieno repeated.
His tone was arrogant but in an inhuman way. One skull spoke in a high pitched tone that aggravated my already unsteady nerves. The other skull spoke in a lower voice that sent a wave of fear through me. His inhumanity and my inability to relate to him only made him a monster to me.
I could relate to another human-looking creature. I could sense his emotions and reason with him. But this creature could not be reasoned with. He was using the appearance of my vice-captain to kill me.
"That's what I said," I answered with a tone I hoped conveyed confidence.
The Espada suddenly moved past me and went back into the shadows. "Don't underestimate me. It's certainly true that I can't use my powers in sunlight but if there are any shadows at all, I can use my powers," he reminded me.
"As much as I please," he added as he recreated the face of Kaien.
Watching the flesh wrap around his tubed head to form Kaien's kind face was sickening to me. "Among the Espada, I am the only Gillian," he said.
"So what?" I asked pretending to not be interested.
"I was able to join the Espada because out of all the Arrancar, I have infinite evolutionary potential," he said excitedly.
Kaien then showed me his left arm and then revealed its true purpose. It transformed into an open mouth with tentacles. "My Glotoneria has the ability to devour a dead Hollow and acquire its abilities and reiatsu," he explained.
It all made sense to me then. This…thing had devoured the Hollow that had merged with Kaien and now part of Kaien was inside this monster. I hadn't been able to save Kaien. He had died and now his body was being used by this Espada. His death by my hands had not ended his suffering.
"This is the end. I shall show you that which is an Espada sword release," Kaien said as he held up his sword.
"Consume Glotoneria," he said as he released his sword.
There was an explosion of energy before me. Kaien began to rise in the air. A huge mountain of tentacles, mouths, and Hollow flesh lay before me; Kaien was at the top. His body was merged halfway into the Hollow collection. The mountain of Hollows towered above me. I would never be able to defeat the Espada with my own power alone.
Flashes of images went through my head but the most noticeable one for me was Ichigo's smile and his confident expression, the same expression Kaien used to have. As Kaien had, Ichigo had taught me to acknowledge what was important in life.
I can let you go Kaien. I have met someone who will carry on your flame. He is who I admire and look up to now. For decades, I have mourned your death but God has graced me with another. Indeed, two of a kind can exist in the universe.
"Is that fear I see. How appropriate!" Kaien laughed.
Is my expression of fear? Do I fear my own death or do I fear what it will mean if I die? My life is not important, but my life is important to others. It's important for my unborn child, Ichigo, Renji, and the others.
"From this time on, consider this fight as a fight against an army of over 30,000 Hollows!" Kaien said victoriously.
Was that a lot of Hollows? My mind is now slipping as Kaien's voice is now foreign to me. I can see through the eyes of a child. I feel confusion and anger within me. Why is this man threatening me? Why is he here? Let's try something new.
"Bankai," I spoke.
It didn't make sense to me. It was almost funny if not for the charging mass of Hollows. The jaws were snapping and the tentacles were swinging toward me. This wasn't the time to be funny.
A rush of spiritual energy went through me causing my body to shake. A blinding white light flowed around me; my dark robes became pure white. The cloak Renji had given me had disintegrated along with my shoes. My clothes became ruffled by the force of the wind.
My sword glowed brightly and then grew while still in my hand. Icy mist swirled around it as it grew to five feet in length. My sword's tip morphed into a crystal arrangement, like an ice crystal. At the end of the spear was a sharp point.
My mind faded away into the abyss of spiritual energy that was overwhelming. Confidence filled me as this enemy was no longer a threat. I could sleep now and have rest.
End Rukia's POV
The aura around Rukia faded away revealing her new form. Kaien gave a look of confusion and wonder as she lifted her new weapon. Her hair and the irises of her eyes were violet, her pupils were slits. Her skin was deathly pale and she now held an expressionless demeanor.
The humanity of Rukia, her fear, surprise, and even hopeful expressions were gone. Kaien could no longer read Rukia's emotions. She was a totally different fighter.
Rukia whirled her new weapon as if it were light and then pointed it at Kaien. "You call that a Bankai," he scoffed.
"How small, how pitiful," Kaien said.
Rukia made no reply and gave no indication she had heard Kaien's words. "Are you death?" Kaien sneered.
Rukia again gave no reply. "Experience the power of over 30,000 thousand Hollows," Kaien said and then pointed his trident at Rukia.
Rukia looked up and watched as a powerful beam of light sliced the darkness. Rukia raised her spear and sent her own discharge. The two beams hit in the center causing the room to light up.
Kaien grunted in effort as he tried to overpower Rukia. "This is isn't possible," he said as he began to lose ground.
The ground underneath Rukia's bare feet cracked open from the intense pressure. "You can't win! I am an Espada," Kaien shouted.
"Is this it?" Rukia asked.
Kaien gave her a horrified look as she overpowered him. Rukia's beam pushed his own attack back on him. Kaien dodged at the last second but it blasted a hole in the ceiling. Rukia looked upon Kaien with emotionless eyes; his right shoulder was bloodied and a part of his Hollow mass was bleeding and torn.
"Damn you," Kaien hissed.
Rukia pointed her spear at the Hollow mass and sent a high powered beam into one of Hollow's mouths. There was an explosion as Hollow guts went flying in all directions. Kaien fell to the ground as green Hollow blood splattered around him.
"Bitch," Kaien spat angrily.
Kaien picked up his trident and charged Rukia. Their two blades clashed with equal force, but it didn't seem Rukia gave any effort. Kaien worked desperately to slash at her but she blocked all of his attacks.
Finally, Rukia's spear morphed forming two red-colored scythe blades. They came down on his trident slicing it in half. Rukia then spun around and sliced deep into Kaien's chest with her scythe blade.
"How is she able to do this?" Kaien wondered.
Kaien reflected on what Rukia had said before. "Pregnant?" he wondered.
"I understand now. If I destroy the pregnancy, your power will disappear. You will be just like before, a mediocre Shinigami," Kaien told her.
Kaien charged with the jagged edge of his broke trident and tried to spear Rukia through. Rukia side stepped him and clutched his shoulder. Kaien was pushed down to his knees by Rukia's grip.
"Let go of me," Kaien demanded.
Rukia kept Kaien still with her left hand and then lower her scythe blade to his neck. "You can't do this. I am Kaien remember?" Kaien said panicked.
"Who?" Rukia asked confused.
"Are you fucking with me?" Kaien screamed.
Rukia gave Kaien a curious look. "You look familiar," she said as she felt his face.
"Ichigo?" she wondered.
Kaien nodded. "Yeah, that's me," Kaien lied.
Rukia frowned as she felt his black hair. Suddenly Kaien's face began to melt away revealing the liquid-filled tube underneath. Kaien cried out in pain as his mask melted away. His voice became inhuman.
Rukia backed away from Aaroniero and then swung her scythe down. Aaroniero's tubed head was sliced off and then broke on the floor. The two heads began to scream in agony as the red fluid washed away.
Rukia squat down and observed the two screaming skulls. "You deceived me," Rukia accused.
"You bitch!" the high pitched skull screamed.
Rukia smiled amused and then picked up one of the skulls. "Aizen said we would never feel pain ever again. We're in terrible pain! Aizen said…," one of the skulls screamed.
Rukia crushed one of the skulls with her bare hand; the shattered pieces of bone fell to the ground. The other skull continued to scream and then went silent.
Rukia took up her scythe blade and walked down the dark hall.
Grimmjow found Orihime and forced her down the halls toward Ichigo's fading reiatsu. He easily overwhelmed two Arrancar who tried to stop him.
"Where are we going?" Orihime asked panicked.
"You are going to heal Ichigo," Grimmjow told her.
Grimmjow led Orihime over to a defeated Ichigo; a hole was punched into his chest. "Heal him. I want him to be at his best when I fight him," Grimmjow told Orihime.
"I don't want to heal him if you're just going to hurt him," Orihime protested.
"Listen, Ulquiorra will be back and when he does he will finish the job he started. Now heal him," Grimmjow barked.
Orihime hesitantly healed Ichigo of his wounds while Grimmjow waited patiently.
A few moments later, Ulquiorra discovered that Orihime was missing and then retraced his steps back to where he had fought Ichigo. To his surprise, he found Orihime and Grimmjow around the wounded Ichigo.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ulquiorra asked.
Grimmjow said nothing. "No answer? You have committed treason against Aizen. This is unforgivable," Ulquiorra said.
Grimmjow continued to say nothing hoping that Orihime's healing powers would speed up. But even he knew, she would need more time.
"You're afraid of me. That's why you won't fight me," Grimmjow boasted.
"Do you intend to fight me, Grimmjow?" Ulquiorra questioned.
"Damn straight," Grimmjow challenged.
"Your arrogance has shortened your life, Grimmjow. What a waste," Ulquiorra commented.
"Stop talking and start fighting!" Grimmjow charged Ulquiorra.
Orihime watched as the two Arrancar dueled in the air. Grimmjow placed a small cube in Ulquiorra's Hollow hole. "Damn," Ulquiorra muttered.
A box of pure energy encased Ulquiorra trapping him temporarily. "That should keep him for a few hours," Grimmjow remarked.
Ichigo got back to his feet but still required some more healing. "Heal Grimjow's arm," he requested.
"I don't need your pity," Grimmjow spat. His right arm was severely burned from one of Ulquiorra's cero attacks.
"It's not for you. When I beat you, I don't want you to say you couldn't win because you were injured," Ichigo said.
"Fair enough," Grimmjow smirked and then allowed Orihime to heal him.
A string of battles were fought across Hueco Mundo. The invading force was fighting just to survive. Grimmjow and Ichigo were in a bitter struggle for supremacy, Ishida and Renji were at the mercy of Szayel, and now Rukia faced a greater foe.
"May I ask who you are?" a baritone voice asked from amongst the shadows.
Rukia looked for the sound of the voice. A large figure revealed himself, an Espada. He was dark-skinned, his Hollow bones were multiple protrusions on his forehead, and he had a bone necklace around his neck.
"We have no name," Rukia replied.
"Is that so? I am the 7th Espada, Zomari," Zomari introduced.
"Are we your enemy?" Rukia wondered.
"Indeed," Zomari replied.
Rukia held up her spear to indicate she would defend herself. "I have received orders to bring you before Aizen," Zomari told her.
"Will you resist?" Zomari asked.
"We intend to meet with Aizen but only to kill him," Rukia replied.
"I see. You are arrogant to believe you could ever hurt Aizen. Though it would be a pity if Aizen were inconvenienced," Zomari said.
Rukia stared at the Espada with cold violet eyes. "Will you scream like the other one? Will you beg for the pain to stop?" Rukia asked.
"Do not compare me to Aaroniero. You will find me a much worthier adversary," Zomari told her.
"More worthy? In the end, your screams of pain are all the same," Rukia said looking down. Flashes of Yammy, Luppi, and Aaroniero flashed through her mind, all the Espada she had fought before.
"It is unfortunate you were given Aaroniero as an opponent. His defeat has given you overconfidence in your abilities. I remind you that I am the seventh Espada," Zomari told her.
"Tenth, ninth, seventh, sixth, it's all the same," Rukia listed off.
"You will find it is futile to resist," Zomari said with a more serious tone.
Zomari suddenly phased next to Rukia and took out his sword. Zomari slashed down on Rukia but her image also faded. Zomari eyed Rukia's movements and tried to keep up. A bored-looking Rukia simply phased away as Zomari sliced down on her.
Suddenly, two Zomari clones appeared and slashed down on her at the same time. Rukia calmly deflected the blows with her staff and phased away. Zomari concentrated on meeting Rukia's speed and created more clones of himself.
Rukia jumped away from the clones and blasted one of them with her finger. An electrical surge sliced through a clone. The clones disappeared with only the original remaining. Rukia was unharmed and seemingly unfazed by the Espada's fast speed.
"Gemeros Sonido. Among the Espada, my sonido is the fastest," Zomari revealed.
Rukia suddenly phased faster than the eye could see. Her spear's tip was at Zomari's throat before he realized what had happened. "Is that all?" she asked.
Zomari jumped back stunned by his opponent's speed. Rukia declined to follow him as he escaped. "I can see that you have impressive speed. Do not become too prideful, Shinigami," Zomari told her.
Rukia gave no reply but simply watched as Zomari began to morph and change. "Brujeria," he said as he released his sword.
Within an instant, Zomari's body had changed radically. Everything to the waist down was locked inside a muscular sack featuring many large eyes. The structure resembled a pumpkin. Zomari's upper body featured dozens of yellow-colored eyes, a bony structure shielded his neck, and black marks appeared on his chin and eyes.
"Each eye has the ability of sovereignty. I can control any object my eyes lay upon. It is deplorable that you have not realized the significance of this," Zomari grinned.
Rukia aimed her staff at the Espada but suddenly stopped moving. A mark appeared on her forehead making it impossible for her to move her body. "If I mark the head, I can control the entire body," Zomari said victoriously.
Rukia's hair returned to black and her eyes went back to blue; her robes went back to a Shinigami black and her spear dissolved into her Shinigami sword.
"You will now come with me," Zomari told her.
Zomari floated above the ground while still maintaining his released form. Rukia was compelled to walk with him to Aizen's chambers. As she walked, Rukia found her own mind returning to the battle against Aaroniero. It had seemed a dream. Had she really killed an Espada single-handedly? What could Aizen want with her?
Zomari floated into the main chambers and then went back to his normal form. "I am not allowed to be in my released form while inside Aizen's chambers. However, do not think you can escape my grasp," Zomari told her.
Rukia was forced to move forward as Zomari's eyes in his hands directed her. Aizen suddenly revealed himself on his throne. "Greetings, Kuchiki Rukia," he said pleased.
Zomari bowed before Aizen and then forced Rukia to do the same. "All praises to Aizen," Zomari said humbly.
"You may release your hold now," Aizen allowed.
The mark on Rukia's forehead was instantly removed. "What do you ask of me, Aizen?" Zomari asked.
"I sense we have more intruders," Aizen considered.
"More intruders?" Zomari wondered alarmed.
"Yes, how interesting. They are captains. Captain Mayuri, Captain Unohana, Captain Kenpachi, and…Captain Byakuya," Aizen sensed.
Rukia gasped as she heard her brother's name said. "The Shinigami will be attracted to Rukia's reiatsu. Go back to where you found Rukia and wait for any Shinigami that may cross you," Aizen ordered.
"As you command," Zomari said loyally and walked off.
Aizen then turned to Rukia. "You cannot blame him. His loyalty to me is quite understandable," Aizen smiled.
Rukia reached for her sword as if to defend herself. Aizen ignored Rukia's threatening gesture and walked over to a tall cylinder. Activating it, the Hogyoku was revealed.
"I know that you must be having some trouble adapting to the pregnancy Rukia. I can help you control your powers," Aizen said as he took the small orb.
"What do you want from me?" Rukia asked.
"In truth, you were what I always wanted. I made Soul Society believe that Orihime was my goal. But I never needed her. It was a ruse to trap Shinigami captains in Hueco Mundo," Aizen revealed.
Rukia stared at Aizen in horror as she realized her mistake. "Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. You merely wanted to save a friend. Would you be willing to take her place if you could?" Aizen asked.
"Yes," Rukia answered truthfully.
Aizen nodded sympathetically. "You are one of the few Shinigami I respect," Aizen told her.
Aizen moved closer to Rukia and forced her to remain still by his reiatsu alone. Rukia found herself paralyzed as Aizen walked closer to her with the Hogyoku in hand.
"There is a power within you that can be awakened. I can help you control it," Aizen said.
"I just want peace," Rukia said.
"You cannot have peace without power," Aizen circled her.
"I can give you safe haven from the Shinigami. I can allow you to keep your child," Aizen tempted.
"Why would you do that?" Rukia asked as she struggled to form words.
"Curiosity," Aizen said simply.
"Imagine what could be done if Espada could conceive," Aizen envisioned.
Rukia gave a horrified expression as she realized the implications of what Aizen was saying. "I won't help you," she stuttered.
"I am disappointed but not surprised. Where do your loyalties lie? With Soul Society?" Aizen asked.
"To my heart," Rukia replied.
Aizen nodded thoughtfully. "As do I," Aizen agreed.
Rukia gave Aizen a disbelieving expression. "The war between Shinigami and Arrancar will soon be over and I will be the World's new King," Aizen told her. "Then there will be true justice and peace."
Aizen held out the Hogyoku next to Rukia's body. Aizen's hand glowed as he activated the Hogyoku. Rukia felt an intense light as the Hogyoku's rays intensified.
There was a powerful flash of light that shook the room. Rukia emerged as before as she was now back to her second form. Aizen watched with interest as Rukia transformed before him. Placing the Hogyoku back in its proper place, Aizen considered Rukia.
Rukia looked around as if she had seen the room for the first time. "Do you know who I am?" Aizen asked.
"Yes, we know who you are," Rukia replied.
"I have awakened your powers, permanently. You no longer need to fear anything anymore," Aizen told her.
"Not even you?" Rukia asked.
Aizen smirked amused. "There is no need to fear me. The Shinigami are the ones you should hate," Aizen reminded her.
A view screen suddenly appeared. Captain Mayuri was on the screen. He was grinning as he had just defeated Szayel. A beaten Renji, Ishida, and Nemu were in the background. The body of Szayel was still standing even as a sword had pierced his heart.
Another screen showed Captain Unohana and Vice-Captain Isane. "Should we help them?" Isane asked her Captain referring to Chad and the Arrancar.
"No," she said softly.
"They may still be a threat to our mission. But we can ease their suffering," Unohana allowed.
Vice-Captain Isane nodded and then took out her sword. Rukia watched with a cold expression as the screens showed Kenpachi battling Nnoitro and another screen showed Captain Byakuya defeating Zomari.
"Your brother is quite skilled," Aizen noted.
"He's not my brother. Not by blood," Rukia replied.
Aizen smiled at the comment. "What would you like to do to Captain Mayuri and Captain Unohana?" Aizen asked.
"I would like to freeze their blood," Rukia replied.
Zomari hid in his armored shell and yet he was leaking blood profusely. Captain Byakuya's attack was effective in neutralizing the fifty eyes Zomari possessed. Still, the Espada had survived. He emerged from his shell a bloody mess; all of his eyes bled.
"This act is unforgivable!" Zomari raged.
Zomari immediately targeted Byakuya's body with his remaining eyes. "Danku," Byakuya said, as he created a barrier. Zomari's mark slammed up against the barrier but couldn't go beyond it.
"I figured your ability is similar to kido. It seems my hypothesis was spot on," Byakuya predicted.
"You son of a bitch!" Zomari screamed, while he futilely tried to break the barrier.
Rukia suddenly phased onto the scene behind Zomari. The Espada smiled believing Rukia to be his savior. "Aizen has sent you to save me," Zomari said happily.
Byakuya considered Rukia and her new form. She was radically different from before. He continued to ready himself for anything that may occur. Rukia whirled her Shikai in an intimidating fashion and then slashed through Zomari like butter.
"You tried to control us like we were a doll," Rukia said coldly.
Zomari felt his life force leave him as blood sprayed from his chest. "Long live Aizen. Live long and prosper, live long and…," Zomari shouted his praises.
Rukia suddenly sliced off his head ending his speech. His body began to evaporate into nothingness. Rukia then turned to Byakuya. "Thank you," Byakuya said for ending the Arrancar's babbling.
"Why are you here?" Rukia asked Byakuya as they walked side by side.
"I received orders from the commander to retrieve you, Renji, and the Ryoku," Byakuya began.
Rukia said nothing after a while. "Your skills have improved greatly," Byakuya remarked. He could not help but notice her new appearance.
"We now have control over our power," Rukia said.
Byakuya didn't think much of Rukia's use of "we." It was a common noble trait. "I sympathize with your plight, but I cannot defy the commander. Not in these times," Byakuya told her.
"Though it seems you are now in control of your reiatsu. You should be able to hide from Soul Society's sensors," Byakuya said.
"We no longer need to hide," Rukia corrected.
Byakuya gave Rukia a concerned look. "What do you intend to do now?" Byakuya asked.
"We plan to kill Captain Mayuri and Captain Unohana," Rukia said simply.
Byakuya froze in his tracks and he reached for his sword. "You act surprised," Rukia noted.
"I cannot allow you to kill seated officers of the Gotei 13," Byakuya said sternly.
"They wanted to kill us, experiment on us. They deserve to die," Rukia told him.
"That, I cannot say. But the order must be preserved," Byakuya said softly.
"You are either with us or against us, Brother," Rukia said.
"I will fulfill my obligation. I will not kill you, but I will not allow you to pass," Byakuya told her.
Within a few moments, Byakuya lay on the ground devastated, and bleeding profusely. Scattered metal fragments were spread out on the ground. "Impossible," he grunted.
Rukia lifted her scythe blade as if to slay him but stopped herself. "We won't kill you, Brother, but you are still dangerous," Rukia said.
She pointed her scythe blade's tip at Byakuya and froze him in a giant piece of ice. Hanatarou suddenly showed up and met up with Rukia. "Rukia!" he said excitedly.
Rukia gave Hanatarou a confused glance. "You look a little different, but you seem okay," Hanatarou said joyfully.
Rukia smiled at the 4th Division member. "Can you tell me where Captain Unohana is?" Rukia asked.
Hanatarou led Rukia to Captain Unohana and Vice-Captain Isane and was seemingly oblivious to Captain Byakuya's condition. Rukia was now on a large sandy plane. The bodies of Chad and his Arrancar opponent were nearby.
"There she is," Hanatarou pointed out.
"Thank you," Rukia said and then knocked out the boy with a quick stroke of her left hand.
Captain Unohana gave a look of concern and shock as Hanatarou fell to the ground with a thud. "What have you done?" Isane asked angrily.
Captain Unohana simply stared as Isane activated her Shikai and charged Rukia. Rukia readied her staff and pointed the tip at Isane. The staff suddenly blasted a hole through Isane's chest dropping her.
"We won't let you destroy us," Rukia told the captain.
"This is your answer? Violence?" Captain Unohana asked.
"You lied to us," Rukia accused.
Captain Unohana nodded. "I'm sorry Rukia. I had my duty to perform."
"It's not forgivable," Rukia said angrily.
"We can discuss this later. There are wounded to care for," Captain Unohana said referring to her vice-captain and Hanatarou.
Rukia considered the suggestion and then looked over the bodies of the Arrancar and Chad. Captain Unohana sighed as she realized what she would find. Rukia looked over the body of Chad. There was a sword wound through his chest. He was dead.
Gantenbainne was still alive but barely. Rukia knelt down next to him. "What happened here?" Rukia asked.
"He fought Nnoitro, the fifth Espada. Telsa, his Fraccion, stabbed him through. I tried to warn him," Gantenbainne said weakly.
"Did the Shinigami captain try to heal him?" Rukia asked softly.
The Arrancar shook his head. "He was an honorable fighter. It was a pleasure to be his opponent," Gantenbainne said.
Rukia nodded. "I will end your suffering," Rukia said.
Gantenbainne gave her a grateful look until Rukia raised her index finger to his forehead. A sudden shot went through his head killing him. Rukia stood up and stirred up the wind. Captain Unohana and an injured Vice-Captain Isane watched as the wind pushed the sand over Chad's body.
"He was a Ryoku," Captain Unohana said softly.
Rukia continued to have her back turned to the Captain and stared at the sand as it completely covered Chad's body. "Let them die," Rukia muttered.
"What did you say?" Captain Unohana asked suspiciously.
Rukia turned toward the captain and walked towards her. "Let them die," she said sternly.
Rukia glared at the captain. The wind picked up around her blowing sand away from her. Rukia rushed Captain Unohana with her staff and clashed violently with Unohana's sword. Unohana's body gave off a green aura as she used all her strength to keep Rukia at bay.
Isane did her part. She took out a scroll and quickly wrote a seal. Rukia eyed her suspiciously and then kicked Unohana away. Isane worked quickly to fill in the seal and then activated a communication to the other Captains.
Rukia punched her hard to the throat making her unable to speak. Isane clutched her throat and vainly tried to defend herself. Rukia pointed an index finger at her and sent an electrical shock through Isane's shoulder. Rukia whirled her blade blasting Isane with a powerful wind.
Unohana outflanked Rukia and tried to activate the seal. Rukia blocked her with her staff and swiped at the captain. "We don't have to be enemies," Unohana told her.
"You tried to separate us," Rukia accused.
Unohana gave Rukia a confused look but then expertly twirled Rukia's staff out of her hands. She grabbed ahold of Rukia's shoulders. "You are Rukia, nothing more," she told her.
Unhana powered up a green kido in her hand and aimed for her abdomen. "Let me help you," she requested.
Rukia flipped kicking Unohana away. Rukia shot toward Unohana and punched her hard to cheek. Unohana fell to the ground stunned. Isane once more tried to activate the seal in the air.
Rukia activated a spell, binding her hands together with electrical energy and pulled Isane toward her. Rukia then punched Isane hard to the gut and then kicked her hard. Isane flew through the air from the impact and hit a red pillar, one of many in the desert sands.
Rukia's staff pulled out of the sand and came back to her hands. Rukia aimed her staff at Isane and fired. A cold beam shot toward Isane forming ice crystals as it went through the air. The ice crystals accelerated and then pinned Isane to the pillar. Rukia went for another shot to finish her off when Hanatarou pulled on her robes.
"Please stop this, Rukia!" he pleaded.
Rukia smiled warmly at the boy. She affectionately patted his head with her palm. "Hanatarou, get away from her!" Unohana shouted at him.
Rukia turned on Hanatarou in an instant freezing him into an ice statue. Rukia then swiped at Hanatarou shattering his body into thousands of ice pieces. What was left of Hanatarou flew off into the wind.
Unohana charged Rukia with her sword. Her wounds had healed. Rukia sliced Unohana's arm with her scythe blade. Unohana sliced Rukia's cheek open. Rukia sliced open Unohana's shoulder but the captain scored a hit on Rukia's leg.
The two fighters backed away. Unohana's sword glowed green and then healed all of her injuries. Rukia's reiatsu healed all of her wounds within an instant. Unohana called out her sword's name.
"Minazuki"
Rukia watched, as a large one-eyed manta ray suddenly appeared from Unohana's sword. "Swallow her whole," Unohana ordered.
The beast obeyed without hesitation devouring Rukia whole. Unohana panted in effort and then walked over to the seal. The Minazuki suddenly exploded from a blue flame; animal guts went flying in all directions. The gore on Rukia evaporated off her clothes.
Unohana put her hands together and fired at Rukia. The green kido beam sliced through the air toward Rukia, but she blocked it with one hand. The sand picked up and blew away from Rukia as she continued to block the high-intensity beam.
Rukia gave a cry of effort and deflected the beam up. The beam shot up and exploded a pillar nearby. "Rikujōkōrō" Rukia shouted.
Yellow beams slammed into Unohana keeping her in place. Unohana resisted with difficulty against the beams, as Rukia walked towards her. Rukia approached Unohana and then looked over her shoulder at Isane.
Isane was still struggling with the ice crystals. Rukia raised her palm and showered her with beams of light. Isane cried out in pain, as the beams struck her body slicing open several wounds. After an intense barrage, the pillar supporting Isane collapsed.
"You…monster," Unohana said tearfully.
"Is there anything you wish to say?" Rukia asked; the same question she was asked before her execution.
"If you respect life. If you love life, you won't do this," Unohana said as tears fell from her eyes.
Rukia gave Unohana a blank stare and then suddenly punched through her chest. Unohana gagged as Rukia reached her heart and froze it. Rukia withdrew her hand. The blood evaporated from her hand.
Unohana hung her head. The yellow beams disappeared allowing her to fall to the ground. An army of Arrancar troops, the Exequias appeared after the battle had finished. Captain Rudobōn cautiously approached Rukia.
"I would be honored if you led us," Rudobōn said and knelt before Rukia.
Rukia said nothing and then turned to the captain. Suddenly, she swiped his head off with her scythe blade. She then turned to the other Arrancar. "Run," she instructed.
Immediately, they ran as fast as they could. Rukia increased power to her staff and blasted the small army with a wave of cold frost. The army slowed down and then became completely still. Rukia whirled her blade at them. The winds sliced through the Arrancar shattering them.
Rukia walked away towards Captain Mayuri.
Meanwhile, Kenpachi sliced Nnoitro nearly in half with a powerful swing of his sword. Nnoitro gurgled on his own blood and died while still standing. He then fell to the ground and bled out on the sand. A wounded and exhausted Kenpachi walked back to the others.
"Could you heal me?" Kenpachi asked of Orihime.
Orihime nodded, and walked towards Kenpachi but was suddenly scooped up by Stark, an Espada. "Orihime!" Ichigo shouted as he rushed Stark.
"Sorry, I don't have time to play," Stark apologized and disappeared right before Kenpachi and Ichigo sliced at him.