SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 1 out, this is Chapter 2 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Chapter 2: The Approaching Breath of Death, the King Who Rules Over Death!

"What is this?" Halibel looked up at the darkened sky.

"Tensō Jūrin," Hitsugaya supplied. "It's one of Hyōrinmaru's basic abilities. It also happens to be its most powerful. My powers are still developing. I know that better than anyone. That's why I didn't want to use this power in my Bankai form. No actually, I couldn't, because I wasn't sure that I'd be able to control the aim of my attack. But now that the ice flowers behind me have substantially withered away, it seems that my concern eventually turned into a needless anxiety. Tell me your name, Espada."

"Tres Espada, Tia Halibel." Halibel answered.

"10th Squad Captain, Hitsugaya Tōshirō." Hitsugaya responded. "Let's go." with a roar, he expanded a massive amount of Reiatsu. "Hyōten Hyakkasō!" he called out his attack, sending a blast of Reiatsu up, opening a hole in the clouds as snow began to fall.

"Cascada!" Halibel fired off a water blast in an attempt to slow down the wave of snow. Her eyes then widened as the water started to freeze, before shattering into multiple ice shards as the flood of snow overwhelmed her attack. "Hirvi..." she was stopped in mid-attack cry when the descending ice shards bloomed into ice flowers on her Zanpakutō. One by one, similar ice flowers then bloomed on her feet, wrists and arms. "What is this?" Halibel noticed the blossoming flowers on her body.

"Hyōten Hyakkasō," Hitsugaya started. " "Anything that snow touches will instantly freeze into a flower-like shape. When a hundred flowers bloom, your life will come to an end." he declared, the rapidly blossoming flowers piled up into an ice tower and sealed Halibel within the ice. "It's a shame," he turned back. "That you failed to avenge your subordinates."

"Damn that Halibel..." Baraggan scoffed, seeing the ice tower in the distance. "Defeated by such a weak opponent." turning back to his opponents, he swung his ax at the attacking Suì-Fēng, the 2nd Squad Captain dodging to avoid getting hit by the energy wave. Using Shunpo, she moved down to Baraggan's face, foot outstretched to kick him, the Second Espada merely moving back to dodge the kick.

"What's that with that old man?" Ōmaeda wondered, Suì-Fēng moving back to his side. "He has the speed to dodge your attacks on top with all that monstrous power? I'm no match for that."

"Don't worry, Ōmaeda." Suì-Fēng assured. "I'm not expecting you to do anything useful. Just stay there and watch." what was that just now? She wondered. Shall I test it? She mused, her mind already conjuring up possible theories. Charging towards Baraggan, she used Shunpo to reappeared behind his head, leg outstretched to land a kick on Baraggan's head. It happened again. When I get within striking distance, the speed of my kick suddenly slows down.

Baraggan grabbed onto Suì-Fēng's foot and swung her down to the roof below.

"Captain!" Ōmaeda hurried over.

"Don't get flustered." Suì-Fēng barked. "I'm fine." although, it's not as though my are slowed because my Reiatsu is being suppressed. My movements themselves are slowing down. Is he controlling gravity? Or does he have the ability to directly influence my muscles or my motor coordination?

"Can't figure it out?" Baraggan taunted. "You must be bewildered because you can't decide the nature of my power. Remember I said that each Espada signifies an aspect of death? It is each Espada's beliefs, their reason of existence, and at times, it relates to their abilities. The aspect of death I signify is 'aging'. Aging means 'time'. The largest and most absolute power of death that stands in the way of all things that exist. See?" he reached out a hand and touched Suì-Fēng's shoulder blade. "If I touch you with intent like this," he continued, both Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda split up with Shunpo. "That alone is enough to cause your bones to age."

It's broken. Suì-Fēng realized, spotting her lifeless arm. "That can't be."

"You can't comprehend it." Baraggan droned. "That's how death is. And from here on, until this battle ends, your mind will be unable to comprehend anything that is about to occur."

"What?" Suì-Fēng gasped, when suddenly, Baraggan was in front of her, ax raised.

"Are you ready to die now?" Baraggan inquired. "Imprudence." he snorted, Ōmaeda's Gegetsuburi was tossed at him and he blocked the spiked ball with his ax, and allowing Suì-Fēng to Shunpo off.

"Don't think the Captain is your only opponent, bastard." Ōmaeda retorted.

"Such brave words from a Lieutenant," Baraggan praised. "But they don't sound very convincing."

"Shut up!" Ōmaeda fumed. "Captain, let me take care of your backside support." he moved in beside Suì-Fēng. I'll show you; after all, I'm the Lieutenant of Squad 2."

"I see," Suì-Fēng noted. "Then I have a plan." if I recall... that was what he said. Then if we attack him in a manner he can't touch us or fix his aim, we may have a chance of winning. "Ōmaeda, I want you on my six. But make certain not to get in my way. Go." she sent Ōmaeda in first.

"Above, eh?" Baraggan mused, arm reaching out to touch Ōmaeda who had used Shunpo to reappear above him and he stretched his arm out, Ōmaeda then moving out of harm's way. "Behind me... no, that's a trick. You're below. Did you think I wouldn't figure out that you're using your Lieutenant as a decoy as you, Captain, can aim for a finishing blow?" he looked down at Suì-Fēng who was charging him from below, his ax arm was raised. As Suì-Fēng neared him, he swung his weapon down, only to hit an after-image.

Ōmaeda then moved in from behind, Gegetsuburi in hand. Recalling what Baraggan's ability was, he flustered and fled back.

"You fool!" Suì-Fēng snapped.

"How pathetic." Baraggan mocked, a hand already resting on Suì-Fēng's shoulder and smacked the 2nd Squad Captain down to a nearby roof. "You boldly used your Lieutenant to deliver the final attack. I see, that was quite a fine idea. However, it seems he wasn't quite ready to go all the way. If he had been willing to die trying, he might have had a chance."

"Go," Suì-Fēng spat. "Run with everything you've got." and headed up to face off against Baraggan once more. Her kick missing Baraggan entirely, she was forced on the ground, running through a back alley. Reappearing right below Baraggan, she moved up, leg raised to take the Espada's back.

Baraggan shifted, dodging the kick and Suì-Fēng landed on a building.

Baraggan then reached out to grab Suì-Fēng on the neck, the shorter Captain moving to the opposite building to avoid his touch.

The fight renewed, Suì-Fēng moving to the air and try to take Baraggan on, the Espada using his ax to block out her kick and sending her crashing onto a roof. "Is that for you, Captain?" the Espada questioned. Raising his ax, he was about to finish Suì-Fēng off when Ōmaeda moved in with Gegetsuburi, the spiked ball blocking off the ax.

"You fool!" Suì-Fēng barked, seeing Ōmaeda was charging at Baraggan straight on. "Don't be so reckless."

Ōmaeda ducked under Baraggan's outstretched arm and swung Gegetsuburi, Baraggan using Sonido to avoid the strike.

"So, you came inside my range." Baraggan noted. "It would seem both of you are prepared to die. Then, it's about time I put an end to this circus. Rot, Arrogante." he activated his Resurrección.

"What is that form?" Suì-Fēng gawked.

Stepping forward, the building underneath Baraggan's feet rotted away.

"His footstep is rotting and crumbling away the rooftop." Suì-Fēng realized.

"I told you earlier," Baraggan reminded. "I signify aging. All things near me age and die off."

"What are you doing?" Suì-Fēng barked, seeing Ōmaeda rush in to attack Baraggan. "Run, Ōmaeda. Damn it." she cursed and leapt after her subordinate. "You fool!" she snapped, kicking Ōmaeda off. "You're no match for him."

"Neither are you, Captain." Baraggan stated. "Suffer the Dying Breath, Respira." he let loose a flood of purplish-black miasma that instantly rotted the surrounding buildings.

Realizing things were dire, Suì-Fēng immediately retreated from the out-flowing miasma, only to realize too late that the miasma had caught up with her, touching the fingertips of her left hand and resulting in her flesh being melted away, leaving only the bones. "Ōmaeda!" Suì-Fēng shouted, calling her Lieutenant to her side. "Cut off my arm! Hurry! Do you want me to get killed?"

Moving into action, Ōmaeda jumped towards Suì-Fēng's outstretched arm, cutting off the degenerating limb with a single strike.

"How amusing." Baraggan mocked. "It seems even Shinigami are afraid of death."

Omake: Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book

Kira: (Utterly impressed) Captain Hitsugaya's Hyōten Hyakkasō was awesome. It's freezing... (Shivers)

Ichimaru: (Warming his hands by the fire circle he and the other two former Captain were enclosed in) Whew, it's nice and cozy in here, thanks to a certain Captain-Commander surrounding us with flames.

Tōsen: (Serves Aizen tea) Aizen-sama, your tea is ready.

Ichimaru: (Walks over) Mind pouring me a cup, too?

Yamamoto: (Fuming inwardly) Damn you, Hitsugaya Tōshirō!

SailorStar9: In the next chapter, Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda find themselves in a bad situation against Baraggan's Respira. They cannot even counterattack Respira because they cannot get anywhere near it. Then, Suì-Fēng goes off somewhere, leaving Ōmaeda to fight Baraggan alone. Ōmaeda tries to buy time with various ideas but finds himself impotent against Baraggan. Just when Ōmaeda is backed into a corner, Suì-Fēng arrives, having released her Bankai. She then fires a missile at Baraggan which leads to a massive explosion.

Now that's done, read and review.