Shippoman: Thank you all for your continued reading. I apologize ahead of time for how much shorter this chapter is than previous, but I couldn't think of a better cut off. Enjoy.

Chapter 26:

"Let's roll."

Those two words were all that was spoken as the Vizard set out from their warehouse to the massive barrier set up around the area of Karakura where the soul reapers had prepared for Aizen's arrival. Kensei glanced around at his comrades, knowing chances were high that all would be injured and some may lose their lives. This may be the last time he saw any of them, but that didn't matter. He faced forward, eyes set as he focused on the task at hand. So long as Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tousen paid for everything they'd done it'd be worth it.

In moments they arrived at the edge of the barrier, finding it to be quite sturdy. "Are you kidding me?" Hiyori shouted in anger. "They had to put someway for others to get in. How else do they plan on getting reinforcements when they get beaten?"

"Shut up, Hiyori," Shinji sighed. "They probably did, but a barrier like this takes a lot of people to keep it stable." He walked up to the edge of the barrier and reached out to touch it.

"Actually, only four." Everyone turned as an older soul reaper appeared, his silver hair and white jinbaori signaling who he was.

"Chojiro, it's been awhile," Shinji greeted.

"What do you mean only four?" Love asked curiously.

"It's a barrier that has four points that hold it up. We have one soul reaper at each to maintain the barrier as well as stakes that contain spritual energy." After his explanation, he looked over each of them, one hand resting firmly on his sword. "What brings you here?"

"Tch, is that really your question?" Kensei asked derisively. "Should be obvious, even to you."

"You plan to assist us?"

"Don't get the wrong idea, we're not here to help you soul reapers," Hiyori spat.

"If you want to call us allies, that's fine," Shinji said, cutting across anything else Hiyori had to say. "We just want to destroy Aizen, nothing more."

Kensei wasn't sure if the lieutenant was going to let them in or not. Regardless, they were going to enter the battle, even if it meant fighting him off as well. Eventually, Lieutenant Sasakibe nodded and stepped up to the barrier, producing a small object before opening small space, just large enough for the Vizard to enter one at a time.

"Even if you are not an ally, your assistance with this battle will be greatly appreciated," he said, gesturing for them to enter. "We cannot afford to turn away any who wish for the same result as us."

Shinji smirked at this and Kensei followed him inside. Once past the barrier, the group immediately set out for the center of the spiritual energy that was fluctuating from battle. When they arrived, the noticed garganta open with two hollows stepping out. One that appeared to be a child and a massive monster. The child moved, downing one of the captains that were still fighting before the ball of flames was devoured, revealing the man they came to kill.

"There he is," Kensei thought, feeling his blood boil just at the sight of the three traitors. "Now, for all of us who were hurt by that asshole, for my squad 9, and for Yukiko...I'm going to rip you to shreds."

The group shunpoed into the fray as Shinji announced their arrival, Kensei took some pleasure in the looks of shock from the soul reapers still in battle and those who were recovering. Unsurprising, the head captain remembered them, as did a few others. That didn't matter to him, though, there was only one thing on his mind.

"So, is there anyone you guys want to say hello to?" Shinji asked, keeping his attention on the three traitors. "Now's your chance."

Kensei almost rolled his eyes at the question, listening to the answers of his comrades. Like him, they didn't feel a need or a desire. "Tch, there's no one here that's worth it," he muttered. He watched Lisa take off, probably to go see her old captain, and Shinji went to have a word with the old man. He waited, patiently for his comrades to finish, once they'd returned he fixed his gloves prepping to rush in to crush the opponents before him.

Then suddenly, the child hollow released a yell causing the monstrous one to open a massive mouth, releasing a herd of Gillian. He smirked, pulling his mask on as they all set out to destroy each and every one of them. Kensei took great pleasure in obliterating one by pummeling into its face over and over until it shattered, then pulled his combat knife from his boot and buried it into one that came from behind him.

With that done, he glanced around at the rest of his comrades, not surprised they all were able to take out multiple Gillian on their own. Though Love's ripping one in half with his bare hands did irk him slightly. Regardless, he and Mashiro continued destroying the Gillian while the rest went to join the fight against the remaining arrancar. He had some fun destroying the Gillian, though Mashiro's complaints were getting on his nerves. She even went so far as to yell at him for killing one she "had her eyes on". But, him being focused on other things, he was able to stay calm and let her have the massive one that released the Gillian in the first place.

Of course she easily destroyed it and moved onto the kid next to it, all without removing her mask. He knew under normal circumstances she could keep it on longer than the rest of them, but that was without fighting at the level she was now. "Hey, Mashiro. Make sure you take your mask off then put it back on," he called out. "You don't want to run out of time."

Of course she had to argue the point, telling him how much she could normally go. He knew her limit was hours beyond the rest of them, but she'd never spent that entire time fighting such a high level opponent. An hour, maybe two, but not the full 15. Still, he couldn't argue that she was probably fine, so he shrugged and let her continue fighting the last of Aizen's army.

Aizen...

Kensei glanced away from the battle going on before him to look at the man standing so confidently before his comrades. It was such a contrast between them. Aizen, standing without a scratch on him, looking down at his opponents as if they were beneath him. He wanted to destroy that confident bastard, break him for every person he cared about that was toyed with. There was no way he'd lose to him.

As he thought this over, he heard Mashiro say in surprise that her time had run out and turned just in time to see her get punched across the fake city. Quick as a flash, he dashed in front of her, blocking a second blow as he picked her up in his free arm. Then he sent the kid flying and moved to a building top to lie her down.

Kensei looked over her bruised face feeling irritation fill him over her not listening and as well as over the fact his long time partner had been injured. She started speaking and he barely registered her words, answering her question with an insult. Then he turned his attention to the Arrancar kid. He was going to finish this quickly and then go kill Aizen. He was going to end this now.

This couldn't be happening. How could one captain be capable of holding off so many past and current captains and lieutenants? Ichigo couldn't believe his eyes as he watched Shinji swing his sword, coming to a halt as he was once again blocked, before his opponent flash stepped away. Despite his inability to understand why, it was clear this was exactly what was happening. Move after move, attack after attack, each and every one of them was being dodged or blocked.

Rose, Love, Lisa, Soi fon and her lieutenant, Toushiro, Komamura, Shunsui, and Shinji. All were fighting Aizen at once and not one was landing a blow all so he would be capable of finding an opening to strike. Ichigo felt a shiver run through his body as he watched the one sided battle continue. No one's attack seemed to be getting through at all, and every once in awhile he'd lose sight of Aizen.

Then, it happened. They were suddenly no longer fighting Aizen. Instead, a female soul reaper was being bombarded by their attacks. Again Ichigo couldn't fathom how this was possible. Soi fon rushed forward, striking just to the side of the girl who seemed to be standing in confusion in the center of all the carnage. A pillar of ice erupted to her side which she barely avoided. Then a sword of shadow shot out and she tried to move away from the pillar. Finally, Shinji spun his sword around causing the girl's eyes to widen as she was stabbed through by Toushiro. But, why? Why were they...?

"Looks like we finally did it," Shinji sighed, resting his blade against his shoulder. "You can rest easy now, Hiyori, Yukiko. It's over."

Shinji's words shook Ichigo as he tried to figure out what he'd just seen and where their enemy had gone. Eventually the dam of confusion broke and he shouted, "What the hell are you guys doing?"

At his exclamation, Shinji and the rest looked back at Hitsugaya who only just realized who his sword was piercing. He slowly lowered to the top of a roof while the rest looked around for the real Azizen. "When did he...?" the blonde demanded. "When could he have...?"

Finally, Ichigo located the traitor walking away from Iba and Kira, and he was sure the rest had noticed him as well. Although, now he had no idea what they actually saw. Moments later, the pair fell and Toushiro shouted as he charged the ex-captain. Ichigo tightened his hold on his sword as he realized they were in serious trouble.

Unsurprising, the ice wielding captain was cut down, his left arm having been cut clean off his body. Not knowing what he could do, he watched as Shinji and the rest tried to charge him as well. He'd never admit it, but he feared they'd all be cut down just the same.

Then just as Shinji was about to make contact with Aizen, a wall of wind appeared between them. Ichigo blinked as he felt a familiar spirit energy wash over him. "Ume?" he murmured in surprise. Hadn't she been taken back to soul society when Orihime was taken?

The teen watched as Yukiko suddenly appeared behind Aizen. What was more surprising was the fact her sword was sheathed and she didn't seem to be planning on attacking him. She met Aizen's gaze without any wavering, any fear, or hatred.

"Yukiko! What are you doing here?" Shinji shouted at her.

At his shout, she squeaked and moved farther behind Aizen as if she was hiding. Moments later, she poke her head out from behind him and glared at the blonde. "D-Don't you dare lay a finger on Sousuke!" she shouted.

This froze everyone present and Ichigo felt his heart stop. She'd called him by his first name...what did that mean?

"Are you getting in my way, Yukiko?" Aizen asked slowly, glancing back at her.

She immediately shook her head vehemently and bowed fully to him. "I'd never dream of it!" she said just loudly enough for them to hear. Then she slowly looked up at him from her posture of humility. "I know they could never hope to be as strong as you, Sousuke. But they should never think themselves worthy enough to fight you directly. You shouldn't have to sully your sword on their blood."

"What?" Shinji demanded.

Ichigo could understand Shinji's confusion. What was she saying? What had happened since the last time he'd seen her at the Vizard compound? Was she...actually praising him? If so, maybe he could get to her like before. "Ume! What are you doing?" he called out.

She turned her eyes on him and glared before sticking her tongue out at him. "That's not my name," she said, balling her hands into fists. "And don't talk to me like we're friends or something."

"It...didn't work," Ichigo muttered under his breath. "No way."

No one seemed willing to move as Aizen turned his attention to Yukiko, touching her cheek to move her face toward his. "Are you claiming they might be able to harm me?" he asked.

A soft smile came her lips as she stared up at him in seeming admiration. "No. There isn't a soul reaper alive that could harm you," she said gently. "I'm sorry if I interfered. I just know how terrible these people can be. I...I became afraid for a moment. Please forgive me." Her eyes began to water just a little at this and Aizen brushed the forming tears off her eyes.

"I see. You have every reason to fear them," he said gently. "You don't have to worry, I'll end your nightmares here." He bent forward the slightest bit, his face moving toward hers.

"Yukiko...don't listen to him!" Shinji shouted desperately. "Yukiko!"

She didn't seem to hear him as she closed her eyes, a smile on her lips as she allowed him to move her. "S-Sousuke..."

Shippoman: Well crap, looks like Yukiko's last ditch effort failed. She's fallen to Aizen's training and is now completely his. How will this change the tide of the battle? What will Kensei think? Is there no way to fix this? Stay tuned to find out and please remember to R&R. :D

I'm sorry if the layout of this chapter is bit jumpier than usual. I was having some issues trying to figure out where to write this part from because the anime and manga did show us quite a bit. I also noticed there was so much going on that there wasn't much of a gap for Yukiko to make an appearance, so I took a few liberties. Oh well... Hope you enjoyed and are looking forward to the final chapter or two to this story. Please let me know if you want me to have her deal with any other aspects of Bleach. The quincy arc, or any of the filler arcs. Thanks again!