A/N: uh-oh. It's the thirteenth chapter. Thirteen is an unlucky number. That means that nothing good will happen. Or will it? Maybe something good will happen, but it will only get worse from then on. Hmm...Anyways, so many reviews. Here are the Review Responses:

skylark dragonstar: Oh, sorry it was short. I was kind of in a hurry to post it up so I could post this one up. Anyways...Yep, you heard me right. Sentenced to death for surviving the first time. And those of who guessed Kusaka as the new Tenth Squad Captain were right. So congrats! And you will see...

Dragon Silhouette: Actually, I did have the Sougyouku in mind, so when I said hanged, I meant executed. Although, your idea of 'hanged' is actually pretty awesome. For the first reason for being executed: You will find out later on in the story. *evil laugh, then...cough, cough* A-hem. Sorry. I just love suspense. ^^

550: Yes, he does. But he doesn't get his zanpaktou yet. Sorry. T^T

Bleach Hui: You are probably the only one who understands why Aizen is doing all of this to Toushirou out of all Shinigami. Because of it, here, have a cookie. And yes, Rukia does have a role in this story. Not as dominant as Toushirou and Ichigo's, but she does have a significant role. And good luck on your exams.

ExorcistWhite: You are the only one who caught Kusaka's line there. You may have a cookie too. I love that line, though. It's one of my favorites out of the entire story. A-hem. Sorry. Ranting again, aren't I? Anyways, yes, Kusaka does still care for his friend. Well, Toushirou and his past Shinigami self are the same people, not a reincarnate or something like that. He was born into the World of the Living, but his physical body wasn't created by Urahara. It was created by gathered reishi to be perfectly honest.

Shiro Neko: You will find out later on in the story.

Hiira: Thank you. I'm glad you like it.

Tirugat: Lol! I love enthusiastic reviewers! ^^

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, even though I wish I did.

~13~13~13~13~

Chapter 13: Divide and Conquer

Ichigo was furious. Enough said.

"What?! You mean...Toushirou's going to die?!"

"That's right, Carrot Top. The poor kid has a death sentence," Kuukaku said.

"How...?!" Ichigo was furious and speechless at the same time. Nothing was coming out the way he wanted it.

"Kurosaki, calm down," Uryuu told him.

Ichigo's head snapped toward the Quincy.

"And you're not worried?!" The carrot top retorted.

"Of course I am," Uryuu said, pushing up his glasses with his index finger. "I'm just not openly showing it like you are."

Ichigo scoffed.

"Anyways," Orihime interrupted, "Shiba-san, will you help us?"

Kuukaku paused, pretending thinking about it.

"Let me think...no."

"WHAT?!"

The busty woman then laughed out loud.

"Ha ha! Gotcha! Of course I'll help you! In my opinion, that kid never deserved to die..."

Ichigo's smile appeared.

"And I'll show you how you'll enter the Soul Society. Ganju!"

"Yes Ma'am!" A man came running in. "Yes, Onee-sama?"

"Show them the cannonball."

Pause.

"Cannonball?"

Toushirou, now an official prisoner of Soul Society, was moved from the Division Six prison to someplace. He didn't know where. They put a cloth over his head and he was unable to see where he was going. Not even looking down helped. It only made it worse.

Now, Toushirou was in a large tower that had named the Shi-Shinro. When he looked out of the small window it had, he could tell that he was up high. Whoever, wanted to come see him, they would have to be very fit Shinigami.

He just couldn't get over it. When he first came here, he didn't want to leave. That and the fact that he never wanted to see Ichigo ever again. He was too mad at him to care.

But now that he found out about his death sentence, he wanted to leave. He never wanted to come here. Most of all, he wanted Ichigo here.

No one was there with him. Not that he cared.

Either way, a teardrop rolled down his cheek.

And another one.

And then a third one.

Soon, he was crying.

"Ichigo..."

"Toushirou...?"

They had indeed entered the Soul Society...in a cannonball.

They entered the atmosphere alright, but as soon as the entered, the cannonball broke and the group all went their separate ways.

Chad and Yoruichi were by themselves. Uryuu had caught Orihime. Finally, Ichigo and Ganju also somehow ended up together.

Ichigo and Ganju were falling, but Ganju said a spell and the ground below them turned the sand.

Ichigo and Ganju were about to walk away.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" A bald Shinigami spoke up from behind them.

Ganju gulped loudly.

"Ichigo...I think we should run..."

"No way! I'm not running. You can run, but I'm not. I've got a brother to save."

Ganju hesitated. After a long pause, Ichigo finally put his hand on his sword hilt, the bald man doing the same. Ganju took off, but the baldie's feathered friend had gone after him.

"Say..." the bald man said, "What's your name?"

"Kurosaki Ichigo, I'm here to save my brother from being executed by the likes of you..."

"B-Brother?" Ichigo nodded. "So that kid is your little brother. Honestly, I don't see the point in executing him. He doesn't deserve to die. He deserves him. Anyways, I'm Madarame Ikkaku. I say that two males who had the same first name initial be friends. What do you say?"

Ichigo cracked a small smile, looking down at the ground.

"You and him are close, aren't you?" Ikkaku asked.

Ichigo looked back up at the bald man in front of him. On Ichigo's face was a sad smile. He closed his eyes and slowly nodded. He then reached into his shihakusho and pulled out the charm bracelet. He closed his fist tightly around it and put it back.

"I will not fail. If you get in my way..." Ichigo snapped up at Ikkaku with a death glare. "I will kill you."

Ikkaku smiled. "I knew I sensed some fighting spirit in you. I was just testing it out there."

There was a pause.

"Go."

"Huh?" Ichigo was confused. Ikkaku was not pulling his sword out.

"I said go. Go find your brother. Don't tell anyone I told you this, but I heard that he's at the Division Six barracks, at least, that's where he should be now if they haven't already moved him."

Ichigo could not speak.

"Why are you doing this? And where do I go?"

"Go northwest from here. And I'm just doing you and the kid a favor. Good luck, Carrot Top. You'll need it. There are some brutal Shinigami out there."

"Thanks." Ichigo gave Ikkaku a smirk and shunpo'd off.

Toushirou's white head whipped around. Had Ichigo heard him? On his face was a hopeful look.

No. Standing in the doorway was a silhouette that looked nothing like Ichigo. The hair pattern was all wrong.

His smile fell.

"Who...are you...?"

The figure stepped out into the light.

"I guessed it's true after all. You really do have amnesia. I'm rather disappointed actually."

"But who are you?"

The man had black hair, styled in a bun-like hairstyle, and blue eyes. He also had on a Captain's haori, the same that Kuchiki-taichou had on.

"I'm Kusaka Soujirou, Captain of the Tenth Division, and your best friend from the Academy..."

~13~13~13~13~

A/N: I apologize if it seems too short. And I'm sorry if it seems late. Anyways, review, please!