SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 9 out, this is Chapter 10 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 10: Desperate Struggle with Aizen! Hirako, Shikai!

"What a fierce look." Aizen remarked to the Vizards. "Your eyes look as if they've come back to life for the first time in a hundred years, Hirako Shinji. Do you hate me? Then, come at me. I shall make an exception for you and fight you with my sword." he revealed Kyōka Suigetsu.

"Frost-sama." Hirako voiced, moving in between Guardian Frost and Aizen. "Sorry to ask you for this in this situation, but please allow me to head the attack. I'll try to wear him down enough for you and Ichigo to take him on."

"'Enough for you and Ichigo to take him on'?" Aizen echoed, amused. "You trust that body quite a lot, don't you?"

"It's something you can't understand." Hirako retorted. "Not someone who can't even trust his own comrades."

"Believing is the same as relying." Aizen shrugged. "That is something the weak do. We have no need for that."

"That's pretty rich coming from a guy with that many henchmen." Hirako shot back. "You used your silver tongue to trick your subordinates into trusting you."

"No," Aizen corrected. "I've never told my subordinates to trust me. I told them to follow me, but I never told them to trust me. I always told them to never trust anyone, including me. But sadly, there aren't any who are strong enough to do that. Al creatures are unable to survive unless they trust and obey someone who is better than who they are. To escape that pressure, those who are better than others search for their superiors. Those who are superior, search for even stronger individuals they can believe in. Thus, the King of everything is born. Thus, the God of everything is born. Don't believe me yet, Hirako Shinji. I'm going to take my time and show you which God you should believe in."

"You finally drew your sword." Hirako noted, Aizen pulling out Kyōka Suigetsu. "You sure like to take your time. Are you scared? It's not use trying to ignore me. No matter how strong you are, you must still have your doubts. You said it yourself a hundred years ago: I never opened up to you, I never gave you any information, and I never tried to get too close to you. That's why, you don't know what my Zanpakutō's power is."

"Do you think I can't do anything unless I know it's power?" Aizen mocked.

"Who knows?" Hirako shrugged. "But I already know that your Zanpakutō controls your opponent's senses."

"Are you saying that's at my disadvantage?" Aizen questioned.

"No, I'm not." Hirako corrected. "Let me tell you this, Aizen. If you think your Kyōka Suigetsu is the only Zanpakutō that can completely control one's senses, you've gravely mistaken. Collapse: Sakanade." he activated his Shikai.

"Your sword has an interesting shape." Aizen noted, Hirako was twirling his Zanpakutō around his finger.

"Nice, isn't it?" Hirako grinned. "You can't borrow it, though."

"But, I don't sense anything different." Aizen pointed out. "Perhaps I misheard what you said about controlling one's senses."

"What are you talking about?" Hirako droned. "Things are already different. Oh my, what is this?" he grinned as a pink fog slowly covered the battlefield. "Do you smell something good? It's too late to hold your breath. Welcome to the inverted world. This is the power of Sakanade. It reverses your opponent's sense of direction. It's like a trap in a puzzle game. Isn't it amusing? Then again, you probably don't play video games."

"This certainly is interesting." Aizen smirked. "Everything is reversed. Up and down, left and right. And even front and back." he turned to meet the charging Hirako. "Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

"It seems you didn't notice." Hirako grinned, having slashed Aizen on his right arm. "Up and down, left and right, and front and back are reversed. And the direction you're facing and the direction which you're being attacked from is also reversed. Up and down, left and right, front and back, the direction from which you're taking damage. Can you really fight while reversing all of that inside your head? It's impossible. No one can do that. Whether you're a Shinigami, an Espada or a human, the sense you use the most is sight. You fight using visual information. But Sakanade makes it impossible to fight based on sight. Even if you're able to react, it's impossible to control your reflexes. Unfortunately, the stronger you are and the more used to battle you are, the more your body will react to the things you see in battle. I'm over here!" he dodged Aizen's retaliation strikes. "What's wrong, Aizen? I'm getting the better of you. I've got you!" he swung down Sakanade, the strike drawing blood from Aizen's right thigh. "Not bad, Aizen. Even though everything is reversed, you managed to dodge my double and triple bluffed attack. You're really impressive. But, it ends here."

"Lethe River," Guardian Frost came from above, the 'Moment of Truth' scythe was already brimming with the power of the Lethe River. "Obliviate!" the curved blade struck Kyōka Suigetsu; the Zanpakutō blade shimmering a pale white as a result of the attack, before returning to normal.

Just then, Ichigo entered the fight via the Garganta, Tensa Zangetsu drawn and ready to attack Aizen from the back.

Omake: Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book

Hirako: (Shocked at Ichigo's entrance) Ichigo! What super perfect timing! No, wait a second... (Imagines Ichigo waiting for the perfect timing for his dramatic entrance) Damn it! Ichigo, I'll get you for this, you bastard!

Ichigo: (Pauses in mid-stance, utterly confused)

SailorStar9: In the next chapter, Ichigo, failing to wound Aizen, is easily overwhelmed yet remains alive. As Aizen starts questioning Ichigo's purpose for fighting him, Komamura calms him and tells him to not fall for his ruse. All of the Shinigami and Vizards then join in to protect the two siblings from witnessing Aizen's Shikai, to enable them to finish Aizen off. However, after Hitsugaya charges in, Aizen provokes him to attack with all his hatred. Aizen mocks that he had tempted Hinamori into stealing the Phoenix Heart and if the hatred had disappeared because of Suzaku's Avatar, and Hitsugaya furiously attacks him. Hitsugaya releases his Bankai as the other Shinigami join him.

Now that's done, read and review.