Disclaimer: Kubo Tite-sensei owns Bleach. All music belongs to the respective owners. The iPod belongs to Apple. And all these things own me.

Author's Note: Please, please forgive the religious references in this chapter if you're not a Christian, but God has given me such an awesome opportunity to honor Him with my writing that I had to do it! Anyway. Enjoy this chapter!

Mizuki walked the halls, her iPod blaring NEWS's song "weeeek". She sang along, though so quietly and quickly that no one could hear her or see her lips moving.

"Woman."

When Mizuki ignored him, Ulquiorra grabbed her shoulder, jerking her backwards.

"Woman."

"What?" Mizuki turned around, only to see him and remember her, Akemi and Sakura's quick round of "Who Would You Do?", and blushed slightly.

"Sakura-sama requests your presence." he stated, turning around.

"Hey, emo kid."

"My name, Woman, is Ulquiorra."

"Yeah, well, I have a name too, but you never call me by that."

"Mizuki." he said softly, with such an odd look in his usually unfeeling green eyes that she looked away.

"Anyways. Ulquiorra." she began, turning again to stare him in the face. "When did Sakura-chan become a deity? Last time I checked, it wasn't, 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Aizen and Sakura'."

"You, woman, will address our Lord as 'Aizen-sama'," he snapped, "and your Sakura-sama is his new woman. So, that is your answer."

Mizuki sighed. "Whatever." She turned around to face him before heading in the direction of Sakura's room. "And just so you know, Ulquiorra," she said, putting extra emphasis on his name, "Sakura-chan would hate it if you people thought she was one of your deities. She's very religious, even though I don't get it."

"Taiyou-chan!" Sakura sang, tossing her arms around her friend.

"Ne, you do realize that those crazy Espada regard you as like, their God or something?"

"What?!"

"Or, you could put it Ulquiorra's terms and call you the 'girlfriend of God'." Mizuki said, smirking.

Sakura pouted slightly. "I'll have to ask Sousuke about it..."

"Ask me about what?" They heard Aizen purr from behind them.

Mizuki pointed slowly at him. "How long... has he... been in there... with you?!"

Sakura giggled. "Relax, Taiyou-chan. We were just having some tea."

"Yeah, right, like hell you were..."

Sakura picked up her tea and sipped it.

"Oh. Maybe you were..."

Sakura raised her eyebrows. "Mm-hm." she said.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about...?" Mizuki said, stepping in to the room.

"Mizuki-san," Aizen said, the sound of his voice making her skin crawl, "we were having a debate over whether or not to transform you-"

"And I thought you should be able to decide for yourself." Sakura finished.

Mizuki crossed her arms. "I have no interest in giving him-" she glared reproachfully at Aizen, "-my soul for this selfish, egotistical, lying, hypotrical bigot." she said firmly.

Sakura's mouth hung open slightly.

"You did not just call him a-"

"Do I need to call him that again?!"

"Mizuki-san. Do you enjoy having a warm bed to sleep in?"

Aizen's threat quieted her.

"Then we have an understanding. Although," he added, smirking, "I like your attitude."

"Say that again and I'll-"

"Taiyou-chan!"

The look in Sakura's eyes silenced her.

"Now, then." Aizen said smoothly. "Why don't we get down to business...?"

Mizuki stood alone in the desert, her fate decided.

In a two to one vote, she was remaining a human.

That's a good thing... right? I should be happy... right? Although, if Sakura's religion is the right one, I'm going straight to hell in a handbasket... Mizuki turned her face towards the sky, closing her grey eyes and basking in the light of the moon.

What kind of God would send someone straight to hell in a handbasket, anyway? Especially if He loves His people so much? she wondered angrily. Why don't I get to be as well-off as other people? Why do I get sent straight to hell in a handbasket, just because I want a little proof here?!

Mizuki-san.

Mizuki's eyes snapped open; she glanced around, nervous.

What the fu-?!

Watch your language. the voice cut her off, You do not honor Me when you speak such foul words.

Mizuki turned around again, angry.

"Just who in the hell do you think you are?!" she yelled aloud.

I am the Life, the Way, and the Truth. I am the God of Abraham, the God of the Jews, the God who created you and who your friends live to serve.

No. WAY.

Nakamura Mizuki, I am giving you a gift. Just as I have gifted Suzuki Sakura and Tanaka Akemi, you will honor me every time you use this gift.

A dark green light covered Mizuki's hands.

"What the... hell...?!" she cried out as an old, battle-worn katana appeared in her hands.

Use that sword. Use it well.

Mizuki stared up at the sky as she slid the sword through her sash, so that it rested against her left hip.

Wait till I tell Sakura-chan about this one...

Sakura's room was empty. Mizuki turned and walked out, leaving the door open, and sprinted down the hall.

If she's with who I think she's with, I swear to God, I'm gonna kill him.

She burst through Aizen's door.

"Alright, I don't care what the hell you've got going on, but-!"

Sakura's battlecry cut her off. Mizuki turned towards the balcony to Aizen and Sakura, sparring with real swords this time.

"You're mine!" The tiny girl yelled as she lunged through the air.

Mizuki smiled and ran out on to the balcony.

"Taiyou-chan!" Sakura cried, sheathing her sword and running towards her friend.

"You're not gonna believe this," Mizuki said quickly, "but I think your God just spoke to me."

"What?! No way!" Sakura smirked victoriously. "And you're the one who said you were looking for some proof! D'you believe in Him now?!"

"I guess..." Mizuki grumbled.

"So? What did He say?!"

"Something about... giving me a gift or something..."

"Let's see it, then!" Sakura cried excitedly.

"Okay..." Mizuki closed her eyes and placed her hands straight out in front of her, right over left. A green light quickly appeared in the center of her left palm, and grew the harder she focused. Finally she released it, and a bolt of light struck the side of Aizen's balcony, causing part of the edge to crumble.

All stared at her.

"Taiyou-chan... that. Was. AMAZING!" Sakura yelled, throwing her arms around her friend.

"You're tellin' me..." the other girl replied, awestruck.

Aizen smirked.

"Gin."

"What'd you learn today, Aizen-sama?" Gin asked in a singsong voice.

"The Mizuki girl has some sort of power... it looks like a form of kidou, but the energy is completely different... it's much stronger... almost inhuman... to think that someone would be capable of that..."

"Gonna use Hougyoku anyway?"

Aizen sighed sadly. "Unfortunately, no. Mizuki-san objected, as well as Sakura."

Ulquiorra listened intently at the door. He was used to that; he'd just listened to Mizuki singing in the shower, grateful that Sakura was with Akemi. They would find it fairly odd that he had his ear pressed against the door, with their best friend naked on the other side.

The Fourth Espada stood. How odd they were... these feelings he harbored towards the blonde girl with the attitude...