Chapter 24:

"Do not move, Captain. Or should I call you Sosuke Aizen, the traitor of the Gotei 13?" Unohana said with a hint of malice in her tone. By her body language, Aizen could tell she wasn't here for a friendly chat and some tea. Behind her, her lieutenant Isane stood completely terrified. She shuddered in place before a slight movement caught her attention. Hitsugaya struggled to get to his knees with his body shaking violently.

-Moments Later-

Gin chuckled a bit before seeing Toshiro fully make it to his feet, albeit barely. He pulled out a long white scroll from seemingly nowhere before throwing it in the air and muttering an incantation The white paper wound itself around the duo before enclosing. Seconds later, it nor Aizen nor Ichimaru were anywhere to be seen or sensed.

After ensuring that they were infact alone, Unohana turned her attention towards the wounded boy. She felt bad for the child to have to had experienced this at such a young age. However, she felt more respect for him than anything else; she saw first-hand his endurance and felt the power of his bankai. "Hitsugaya-kun. I feel that movement isn't really what your body needs now." She said delicately.

Toshiro heard her words clearly but chose to ignore them. "H-he… must, d-die.." The boy managed to squeeze out before finally passing out from blood lost.

Retsu sighed. "Isane, can you send out the emergency broadcast to all captains? We have a major problem and this boy is in need of medical attention."

-Atop Sokyoku Hill-

Aizen chuckled coldly when he had finally retrieved the Hogyoku from the petit Kuchiki's body. Not a second went by before he heard a feral voice exclaim his name.

"Aizen!" Sajin all but howled. The fox-man brought down a powerful swing with both hands just about the 5th's Captain. Aizen's didn't seem to be paying attention but stunned everyone when he caught the animal's blade with his bare hand. With nothing but raw power, Aizen forced him back and put the Hogyoku away.

"Hado #90. Kurohitsugi." The man whispered ever so calmly. Sajin stood frozen for a second before a massive black coffin formed over his body, blocking him from view. Moments later, the coffin came down to reveal Sajin's body covered in lacerations and bruises. "Now then, who's next?" Aizen said scanning the area. The ryoka boy was there along with his friends whom was currently being subdued by Gin, a wounded Captain Kuchiki had just left the scene and his sister lay on the floor traumatized

Ichigo was the first to attack with Tensa Zangetsu still activated. He slashed at the former captain with all the power he had left but it proved futile as Aizen's response was to simply raise a finger. Ichigo's eyes widen at Aizen's indifference and could do little else as the man cut him down with one procise slash.

Renji, enraged at the sight, whipped Zabimaru towards the man. But this too proved to be useless as Aizen simply caught the sword in his palm. With a tug and a swing of Kyoka Suigetsu, Renji spurted blood and fell. Aizen appeared to be disappointed at Ichigo's power and solemnly shook his head. "I'm a bit saddened Kurosaki-kun. I thought you were stronger than that."

Ichigo couldn't respond. He just lay on the floor just where Aizen had cut him and stared into the sky with a listless gaze. "You ryoka have failed to meet my expectations." Aizen said as he raised his sword over Ichigo's head, fully intending to end the boy's life.

He brought the sword down swiftly but his eyes hardened when the blade met earth. Gin's eyes cracked open a bit in surprise and began to scan the area for the boy. He found him rather quickly at the side of Orihime being held up by another cloaked figure with tape covering their arms.

The cloak was high enough to cover the person's face completely save for those piercing red eyes. "Oh, hello Kita-kun. How nice of you to join us." Aizen spoke politely.

Gin felt a bit unease and excitement as Ash gently placed the boy down and turned his attention to the former Captain. It was at this moment that Soifon, Yoruichi, Unohana, Rangiku and the other captains came to the scene, including Yamamoto and his two students. Yoruichi to Ichigo's side and stood in front of him protectively. Akame looked at the intense gaze that Ash gave Aizen and felt a shiver.

"The entire Gotei? This day just keeps getting better." Aizen said finally taking off his glasses. "I noticed, Captain Arai, that your little brother isn't here." Akame's ears perked up. "Captain Unohana, how are his injuries? I shouldn't have hit him so hard." The man mocked.

Retsu's smile was replaced with a sharp glare. "Be careful everyone. You have been notified of his abilities."

Before anyone could do anything however, Akame lunged at the man with a glare to rival Yamamoto's. She swung her sword so quickly that it was barely visible to even the Captains. It met Aizen's flesh with a sickening sound and completely bisected the man. To the shorter woman's surprise, "Sosuke" shattered into nothing but thin air leaving only his glasses on the floor.

Akame expected to feel the cold sting of steel hitting flesh but after a very brief moment, nothing came. There was a silent gasp behind her and it made her shunpo forward on instinct. The sight she saw once she turned around shocked her more than anyone else.

Ash stood beside Aizen with a firm grip on his wrist. He had stopped the attack mere centimeters from his sister's head. "I see Kita-kun. You are far faster than the others." Aizen complemented, not even trying to hide his excitement. Ash just glared at him and kept the iron grip on his wrist.

Aizen used his other arm to throw a quick punch towards Ash's chest. The red eyed boy raised his forearm up to block the attack but grossly underestimated the power behind the fist. Ash's eyes widen for a moment as he slid back and tried to regain his balance. He narrowly side-stepped a strike Aizen had sent towards his left shoulder and shunpo-ed away to avoid a prod at the heart.

Ash reappeared a few feet away in a sprinting position and his head facing the floor, "Shunko." He whispered as he locked his eyes with the former Fifth Division captain. With his fire surrounding him and his sister safe, Ash smirked. It was time to show everyone just how fast he was. He slowly took off his cloak and threw it to the ground but vanished before it actually hit dirt. He appeared behind Gin and brought down a powerful axe kick.

Gin just barely avoided the attack but the impact from Ash's attack was tremendous enough to force everyone back a few inches. Tosen, whom had been silent that whole time, felt now it was time to attack. He attempted to unsheath his sword but only got half the blade out as Ash grabbed his right arm and forced it back down. "Tora no Tsume" Ash exclaimed and he held a fist behind him. His aura formed over the appendage in the shape of a claw, and with great speed, he attacked the blind man.

The explosion of black reiatsu was incredible and even Yamamoto had to crack a single eye open to ensure he didn't miss anything. A massive dust cloud and fire spread throughout the area and Yoruichi couldn't help but give a smirk as Akame looked at her with surprise and awe. 'Thata boy Ash!' Yoruichi thought for a moment as the dust settled. Ash's eyes widen to their limits as he saw what the blow connected too.

Aizen stood between him and Tosen with a face of awe and one palm extended to catch Ash's attack. He looked untouched aside from the slightly singed clothes and hand. "Rather impressive Kita-kun. But," Aizen paused and jumped back suddenly. Shinso shot through Ash's shoulder forced the boy forward quite a bit before coming to a stop mere inches away from Akame. The pained look in Ash's eyes temporarily stunned the woman, but the stunned expression quickly went to terror as Aizen shunpo-ed in front of Ash and blood splattered everywhere.

"I'm afraid my time here is up." Aizen continued with Ash's blood covering some of his clothes. A beam of light shot down around Aizen, Gin and Tosen and completely protected them from the outside world.

"I do want to know however, Kita-kun. Why didn't you use your Bankai? Hitsugaya-kun and Kurosaki-kun both used theirs and I'm sure you have one. So why not?" Aizen saw Ash's unconscious form on the floor in a puddle of his own blood and didn't expect a response. He didn't get one from anyone in the time it took for him and his partners to ascend into to the Garganta.

"Gotei 13." Yamamoto addressed. "We are now at war with a powerful adversary. We cannot let our guard down at any moment. Captain Unohana, take the injured and ryoka to the fourth division. It is my knowledge that one is already there."

Akame felt her stomach turn over but remained stones faced by Ash's side. "Yes Head Captain. The other ryoka's wounds were bad, but nothing life-threatening like this." She stated formally with the second half more directed at Akame than anyone else. She released Minazuki a few moments after that and Akama watched in silence as her brother was swallowed by the healing beast. With those words being spoken and the threat of war hanging over everyone's head, each captain and lieutenant shunpo-ed towards their respective divisions.

-The next day-

"So, Rukia. What did you want to talk to me about?" Ichigo questioned after they left Kukaku's home. They had been walking aimlessly for quite some time now and he felt the time was right for him to speak.

"Well…" The girl began playing with her fingers. "I just want to thank you for saving me and all. You didn't have too."

Ichigo noted her nervous body language and tilted his head slightly. "W-well, It wasn't just me." He cleared his throat. "And besides, I told you I was coming. You just didn't know I wasn't coming alone."

"Speaking of which, how did you manage to convince Ash and Toshiro to come? Hitsugaya isn't really the most friendly person around and Kita isn't really a fan of moving." She joked.

"Well, they don't hate you. In fact, they think you're a good friend and I told them I wouldn't flip out if they dated my sisters. Which was, in fact, a lie." Ichigo shrugged. "They're honestly pretty sappy when it comes to those two. Like how they came here and risked life and limb just to have a chance to be with them."

A blush crept onto Rukia's cheeks. "Like what you did?"

The second those words left her lips, Ichigo immediately regretted everything. He took on his usual in an attempt to hide the ever growing blush on his own cheeks. "Um. Anyways, are you coming back to the Human World?"

"Oh, yeah. That's kinda what I came here to talk to you about. I'm not going back with you." Rukia said carefully.

Ichigo looked a bit disappointed by the news. His scowl was replaced with a calm, disheartened look but said nothing. "Soul Society is my home and I can't just leave."

"Yeah, no. I understand. But promise me you'll visit. Okay?" He left no room for a denial anyways. Before Rukia could respond however, Ichigo began to move closer to her. His body appeared calm but his mind was in a storm. He cursed Toshiro's name to all Hell for somehow talking him into this. He got a few inches away from the petit girl and leaned in much to her surprise.

"Um. Ichigo what are you doing?" Rukia's face was blood red and her body froze. Ichigo's face came centimeters from hers before the boy smirked. Her embarrassment was the most entertaining thing he's seen since he got here. Ichigo gave the girl a quick peck on the forehead before turning away and shunpo-ing away as if his life depended on it leaving Rukia fuming in annoyance.

-At the northern Gate-

"Okay, is everyone ready?" Yoruichi asked cheerfully. She gazed upon the tired group with amusement. Orihime and Uryu had bags under their eyes but they seemed wide awake, Chad's eyes weren't visible, Ichigo was fully wrapped in bandages and somehow fully awake alongside Toshiro and Ash was still asleep with him laying all his bodyweight on Toshiro's side. The white haired boy had his own injuries but they didn't need anything more than some kido-infused wrapping and some rest.

Once they entered the Senkaimon, Toshiro picked Ash up as he knew he wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. After all they've went through he felt Ash deserved a long sleep. The fight against Aizen had been yesterday and they weren't supposed to be moving around but thanks to Unohana's tremendous efforts and Orihime's healing, they were back up and around albeit sorely. Toshiro noted the blush on Ichigo's face and the look of uncertainty and wanted to smirk. It looked a lot like some red-eyed guy currently passed out on his shoulders.

The walk through the Dangai was pretty uneventful as they went through at a fast pace. Everyone simply just wanted to go home. They arrived back to Urahara's shop mere minutes later and all just flopped down. Since Toshiro still held Ash on his shoulders, the red-eyed boy landed on the wooden floor with a thud but still didn't wake up.

Yoruichi had gotten used to the idea that the boy was a heavy sleeper so she paid him no heed. She noticed the incredulous looks and laughed. "Hey, stop staring. My student has been through a lot, the most the guy deserves is to sleep."

Ash's gigai just walked up to the boy's body and fell on top of him to give him back his human form. The boy coughed up the gigai pill but somehow remained asleep.

Toshiro rolled his eyes at this and picked him up harshly. "Okay, guys. We're done here. If you need us, you know where we live but please for the love of everything that's holy, don't need us. Get up boy!" Toshiro suddenly exclaimed, much to everyone's surprise.

Ash made no sudden movements however, just calmly opened his eyes. "Damn it Shiro." He groggily stood up and scowled at the world before him. "I hate all of you." His voice sounding raspy.

"Ah, shush. Stop being grumpy. You'll sleep when we get home." Toshiro responded sounding more like a parent than a brother. Ash just grumbled darkly to himself and they made they're way out of the compound.

-Kisuke and Yoruichi-

"Um, Kisuke. We have a problem." Yoruichi suddenly said in a serious tone.

Kisuke normally would disregard her but judging by what they just found out about Aizen and his intentions, jesting now would be foolish. "Hmm?"

"I gave the boys the pills."

The man's eyes hardened in a rare scowl. His face stoned and his mind ran at a million miles a second. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "Did they show any side effects?"

"Only Ash. His reiatsu is… different. Like beyond wild. I swear it looks like even he has problems keeping it in check. As for the other two, I saw nothing out of the ordinary."

"I see, and from what I understand, they all have Bankai. Did they all use it?" The man asked in genuine interest and slight concern.

"Hitsugaya and Kurosaki used theirs. I didn't see the former's but I know lots of people felt it. As for Kita…once again, he seemed scared to use it. Those pills really fucked up his power."

Kisuke sighed. "We have to watch him and at the very least, those were the last three pills in existence. How'd they perform in combat?"

Yoruichi took on a smile at the question and proceeded to tell Kisuke about the power of their pupils.

-Ash and Toshiro-

"Toshriooooo, I thought we were headed home." Ash whined. Toshiro looked at his brother in disgust.

"Are you whining again?!"

"We're going to the Kurosaki's huh?" Ash's expression suddenly switched from tired and grouchy to his usual friendly disposition and the shy expression he'd developed whenever he faced Yuzu. Toshiro wanted to smirk at the boy. Ash was only slightly younger than he was but he acted like such a child when he was sleepy.

They got to the Kurosaki house in record time and hastily knocked on the door. There was a brief pause before they heard the voice of Isshin and the front door open slowly.

Isshin's heart sank when he saw the boys and was extremely tempted to close the door and run far, far away. He let them come inside and wisely backed away.

Upon entering the Kurosaki home, they were met by Ichigo's demonic glare directed at the stairs. Toshiro followed his gaze until it came along two to two people who weren't supposed to be there.

Kagawa and Jinta sat there, face looking both shocked and terrified and mouth hanging agape. "Hello, Kita and Hitsugaya." Kagawa said with a disgusting smirk. Ash felt his anger sky-rocket but remained expressionless for the time being.

"Why are you here?" Ichigo ground out as Isshin fully left the scene. Karin had told him about those two trouble makers and Ichigo had seen first hand of what Jinta would go through to be with Yuzu.

"Didn't you hear? We're here for our dates."

Those words left Kagawa's lips and the room's atmosphere shifted drastically. Ash's body shook slightly in anger and his reiatsu spiked. His reiatsu spiked so high that even Toshiro had to admit that it was becoming harder the stand this close to the boy and not be overwhelmed. "Care to explain, Hotaru?" Ash ground out through teeth gritted so tightly, it looked like they were about to shatter.

"Ash, calm down." Toshiro tried to soothe but got nothing but a sharp glare as a reply.

"No Shiro, I want to know because it's always these fuckers whenever we leave to do something. And I'm really growing tired of it." The killing intent was dropping off the boy's every word and action.

Suddenly, the Kurosaki sisters calm down the stairs and Ash's reiatsu completely ceased. Karin looked very angry and Yuzu looked slightly sick but that changed when they noticed the three extra people in the room.

"Ichi-nii, Ash-kun, Toshiro-kun!" Yuzu exclaimed with joy. She ran to hug her older brother with Karin right on her heels. Her happiness quickly faded away as she realized fully what situation they were in. As if Karin's knew what she was thinking, both twins eyes snapped open and across the room to the angry brother standing in place.

"H-hey guys. Um, I can explain what's going on." Karin said sheepishly. Ichigo too, finally realized the situation they were in and turned to stare at Kagawa and Jinta as if mourning them. "Well, you see, the school kinda had an impromptu dance and we didn't want to go but they just kinda showed up." Toshiro thought it was a lie at first but then noted that the girls were in fact dressed casually, and calmed himself down.

Not so much for Ash though. "Kagawa… Jinta…" Ichigo said somberly. "I fully recommend you run now. The past few days hasn't really been the best for me and it's damn sure hasn't been Ash's best. So, if you'd kindly…" Ichigo trailed off and hoped that they got the hint.

Jinta looked as though he was about to protest before Ash shot him a glare so cold and unforgiving, even Yuzu felt a chill run down her spine. With no more words being spoken, Kawaga and Jinta reluctantly left the building but no before trying and failing to bump Ash on the way out.

'I don't think those boys realize just how close to death they were.' Toshiro thought to himself.

"I'm sorry you had to see that Yu-chan." Ash tried to apologize but Karin's laughter caught him off guard.

"My God, Ash. Over-protective much. I understand you love her and all but damn, you even scared me and I have my ice block next to me." She said, ruffling Toshiro's hair; something he would normally object too but only gave her palm a quick peck to make her pull away, blushing madly.

Ash actually pouted and gave Yuzu a kiss on the forehead. 'It's almost sad that you don't love me as much as I love you.'

A/N: Those pills had some kind of effect on Ash, but what happened? Be sure to review, and see you next time.