Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or anyone or anything from Bleach. It's as simple as that. Everything else, however, is mine. :D

SPOLIER WARNING: If you aren't up to the point in canon where they show the Vizard's origin story DO NOT READ THIS CHAPTER. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone!

Chapter 16: The Truth, At Last

I close my eyes in order to keep the light from blinding me. After standing in the deep darkness of the room, the light is bright enough to hurt. Slowly I am able to open my eyes, but I'm still forced to squint against the brightness. So this is Central 46… As soon as I left the room where the captain's meeting was held I was blindfolded so I have no knowledge about Central 46 besides what I can see in this room. I do know that it was another long walk, however.

I am standing in the middle of a large room, with several tiers of risers surrounding me. There are several lights focused on the center of the room where I stand, throwing the rest of the chamber into shadow. I can just make out through the gloom that there is a multitude of paper screens set up on the risers with numbers printed on them, 46 in all.

A voice rings out from behind one of the screens and fills the room around me. "You, Taylor Smithson, have been brought here for questioning on the suspicion that you are Wakana Tsukino. You may only speak when you are asked to answer a question. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I answer quietly. As far as I can figure the best thing to do now is cooperate.

But…there's something…wrong here. I can feel spiritual pressure all around me. It's pervasive, filing every corner of the room. The spiritual pressure if familiar, something about it tugging at Wakana's memories, but with the overload my senses have been under for the past couple of days I can't identify it.

"Good," the voice says again. "We will proceed with the interrogation."

A new voice speaks this time. "Ms. Smithson is it true that you were present when Rukia Kuchiki was retrieved from the World of the Living and that you engaged Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Lieutenant Renji Abarai in combat in order to prevent her capture?"

"Yes." This isn't looking good.

"And in that confrontation is it true that you wielded the zanpakuto Tennyo, which effects an enemy's ability to fight by using sound?"

And there it is. The most damning and irrefutable evidence against me. "…Yes."

To room around me explodes into chatter as the second voice makes a satisfied noise. "There we have it then. I see no reason to further question whether or not this girl is Wakana Tsukino."

"But I'm not!" I shout in protest.

"Silence!" the first voice thunders at me loud enough to make me wince. "You do not have the right to speak out of turn!"

"But I'm really not her!" Do they really think I am just going to stand here quietly and let them sentence me without a fight? Wakana may have been the woman who gave me her powers, but I don't even know why there's a warrant out for her arrest! "I have no idea who this Tsukino person is! My name is Taylor Smithson and I'm human!"

The entire room is in an uproar around me, everyone shouting over each other trying to be heard. The spiritual pressure around me seems to have intensified and it's filling my brain with a constant buzz as my temples threaten a migraine.

"Hold on, hold on just a minute everyone." A voice behind me says loudly. Slowly the noise around me quiets. "Face me Ms. Smithson," this new voice commands. I turn towards it and find myself looking at another paper screen, this one with the character for 'five' written on it.

"Now, Ms. Smithson. Where did you get your zanpakuto?" the third voice asks in a manner that is clearly meant to be kindly.

"What do you mean?" I ask, unable to keep the defensiveness out of my tone.

There is a loud 'tsk' from behind me, but the third voice ignores it. "I mean did you manifest it on your own or did someone give it to you?"

Ah. This is a problem. What should I do? Cooperate? Right. The best thing to do is cooperate. "Someone gave it to me…" I admit begrudgingly.

"And who gave it to you?"

Now what do I do? Will I be in bigger trouble if I tell them it was Urahara? Will Urahara get in trouble? I find I have a hard time caring whether or not telling these people the truth will affect Urahara. After all it's his fault I'm in this mess. He was the one who gave me Tennyo without telling me all this other crap. I take a deep breath and prepare to throw Urahara under the bus. "…Kisuke Urahara."

The room around me explodes again. Everyone is shouting at each other, over each other. The noise only adds to the buzzing that the strange spiritual pressure is causing in my brain and I'm definitely developing a headache. I just want this to be over.

The third voice calls for silence again, and gradually calm settles. The third voice continues. "I see. So you were given the zanpakuto called Tennyo with no prior knowledge of what it was, correct?" I nod. "I have one final question then. Do you have any knowledge of Shinji Hirako and the seven others who were with him or any knowledge about their whereabouts?"

I frown as this third question throws me for a loop. Shinji Hirako…the name certainly sounds familiar, but I don't have the faintest clue who he is. "No," I reply wearily. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

The chatter that erupts around me this time is much quieter. "Very well," the third voice continues over the sound of the crowd. "What do you think?" The question this time is directed not at me, but at the room at large.

"It is interesting," the second voice says from behind me and I turn to look towards its source. "This certainly gives us many things to discuss. What say the rest of you?"

There is a general murmur of assent around me and the first voice speaks again. "Very well. Taylor Smithson, Central 46 will reserve judgment on your case pending further discussion. You are dismissed."

There is the sound of footsteps behind me, but before I can turn to look another blindfold is placed over my eyes. I allow myself to be led away, grateful to be out of that room of constant whispers and the enveloping spiritual pressure. A headache pounds away behind my eyes.

…

Taylor…open your eyes.

I'm dreaming. I know I am. But the voice is real.

Taylor…we need to talk. Open your eyes.

No. I don't want to. Leave me alone. Let me sleep.

Taylor…I'll explain everything. Please.

Really? You mean it? I'll finally have the answers to all the questions that have been plaguing me?

Yes. Just open your eyes…Taylor.

I open my eyes and immediately recognize where I am. My inner world. A rolling grass plain stretches endlessly around me. Above me the cool night sky is empty except for a single silvery comet tracing its way across the heavens. And in front of me a lone tree stands, it branches swaying gently in the breeze that ripples the grass that stands to my waist.

I walk towards the tree, knowing who I'll find waiting beneath it. Tennyo. She looks up at me, a gentle smile on her face, as I approach. My zanpakuto spirit takes the form of a beautiful woman, her dark hair is pulled back in an intricate knot and she has huge, silvery eyes. She wears a dramatic silver kimono with sleeves that brush the ground and a bright golden obi. The patterns of the constellations are embroidered in delicate gold thread across the kimono's surface.

"Taylor," Tennyo greets me. "It's good to see you again."

"Yea. Too bad it's not under better circumstances," I reply glumly.

"Indeed." Tennyo's tone is a bit sheepish.

"So you said you would explain everything?"

The smile falls from Tennyo's face and she looks apologetic. "Yes, I will. And I'm sorry that I didn't sooner."

I'm unable to help my curiosity and ask, "But why now? What changed?"

Tennyo's face becomes serious. "That meeting in Central 46. It's that man again…" I stare at Tennyo blankly. Suddenly she looks up at me, meeting my eyes with such intensity that I'm startled. "Aizen."

I can't help the gasp that name inspires. Why is he so frightening?

Tennyo looks away from me and sighs. She suddenly seems sad, causing her entire frame to droop. "It began over a hundred years ago…" she begins softly.

"In many ways the Soul Society was very different then than how it is now. Only four of the current captains were in those positions a hundred years ago."

I blink in surprise at this. Only four? "What happened?"

Tennyo smiles sadly. "That is the heart of the story. But perhaps I should begin a bit before that…"

I get a strange drowsy feeling as Tennyo begins to speak. The edges of my vision blur and I can feel myself drifting to the edge where my consciousness and Wakana's memories meet. Images begin to flash before my eyes.

"I was once the zanpakuto of a woman by the name of Wakana Tsukino. She was a kind woman and a hard worker. She made friends easily and believed in the good in everyone she met. You resemble her greatly, Taylor. She also had blonde hair and blue eyes."

"Really?" I ask in surprise, fingering a section of my hair. The brief image of a woman examining her reflection in a mirror flashes before my eyes. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and for a brief second I think she's me. But no…her face is rounder than mine and her nose is longer.

"Yes," Tennyo replies, smiling fondly in remembrance. "I believe that your blonde hair is somehow the result of her influence on your soul."

"Huh…" I mutter in reply. That's an interesting thought. At one time it probably would have comforted me to think that the blonde hair that's been such a source of problems for me wasn't really mine. But now I've grown to like my hair. It's a part of me and I don't want to think that it actually belongs to someone else.

Tennyo continues I pull myself from my musings to listen. "She became the Third-seat of Squad Five 110 years ago under Captain Shinji Hirako and the then Lieutenant Sosuke Aizen. Around that same time Kisuke Urahara became the Captain of Squad Twelve." More images flash before me. A man with long blonde hair and a sour frown. A younger Aizen. And a younger Urahara, a true, open smile on his face.

I am unable to stop myself from snorting. How the hell is Urahara important to this story?

Tennyo smiles indulgently at me. "Just be patient Taylor. Everything will make sense in due time. Wakana had gone to the Academy with Kisuke and as such they were friends. Wakana enjoyed her post as Third-seat. Captain Hirako was not terribly personable, but he respected his subordinates and Wakana was deeply loyal to him. She was also loyal to Lieutenant Aizen. He was pleasant and genial and Wakana liked him. She even admitted to having a crush on him for a while."

My only reaction to that is 'ew'.

"A hundred years ago…things began to happen. There were disappearances in the Rukon District. People were dying and leaving just their undamaged clothes behind without any signs of a struggle. People were literally disappearing without a trace. And then…a team of Soul Reapers who were sent to investigate the other disappearances vanished…"

There is a long pause and I take the opportunity to process everything I've just heard. I'm not sure what to make of all of it. But, Wakana's memories have definitely strengthened. I remember everything that Tennyo's told me as if I was the one living it. As if I have become Wakana through her memories.

I look, expectant, at Tennyo, waiting for her to continue. "Wakana's memories have become yours?" she asks me quietly. I nod. "I see. That will make things easier. What happens next is the most important part of this story. When those first group of Soul Reapers disappeared a special task force made up of officers from the Squad Nine was dispatched to investigate…"

I blink rapidly trying to clear my vision as everything begins to swirl and distort. I haven't actually entered a memory since I came to the Soul Society, but if this event is as important as Tennyo says this memory must be very powerful. I stop fighting and allow myself to fall into the vision.

…

CLAK CLAK CLAK!

Wakana Tsukino jumped as the sound of the alarm echoed through the Seireitei. Wakana listened carefully as the emergency was shouted.

"Captain Muguruma's and Lieutenant Kuna's spiritual pressures have disappeared?" she murmured quietly to herself. "Weren't they investigating those disappearances in the Rukon District?" Wakana asked, turning to the man sitting across the desk from her.

Understanding sparked in Kisuke Urahara's eyes and he leapt to his feet and raced out his office with a cry of "Hiyori!"

"Wait! Kisuke!" Wakana called after him, also rising to her feet, but it was too late. The sound of his footsteps had already faded. Wakana flopped back down into her chair. "I come to have a nice cup of tea with an old friend and then he just runs off…" she sighed. Wakana turned her head as the summons of an emergency Captain's meeting was announced.

Wakana slumped lower into her chair. "I should probably go back to Squad Five…" she murmured to herself. Her lower lip jutted out petulantly. "But I'm more likely to hear what happened from Kisuke than Captain Hirako…"

"Yes, I think I'll stay." Wakana declared to the air as she picked up her teacup again. She really should have gone back to her own Squad but…there was something sinister in the air tonight.

…

Wakana sat bolt upright at the sound of footsteps approaching Kisuke's office. The door slid open to reveal the man himself looking frighteningly downcast. "Kisuke?" Wakana asked, her voice concerned.

"Oh, Wakana…" Kisuke replied dully. "You're still here."

Wakana watched, apprehensive as he walked around to his chair and sat down. "Kisuke…what happened?" Wakana asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

"It's like the announcement said. Captain Muguruma and Lieutenant Kuna have disappeared. Yamamoto sent a group out to investigate. Hiyori's out there too…" The last part was said as a guilty whisper.

Wakana watched her old friend mournfully. "Kisuke…"

"You should probably head back to your Squad," Kisuke interrupted suddenly. "Captain Hirako was on of the people sent out to investigate. They probably need you over there."

Wakana watched Kisuke for a moment longer. She wanted to stay, but it was clear that nothing she would be able to say would console him. "Alright Kisuke…" she said quietly as she headed towards the door. "I'll see you later."

Wakana crossed the Seireitei with quick shunpo steps. What she had learned had definitely not assuaged her fears. Something strange was happening tonight…

As Wakana landed silently outside the Squad Five compound she noticed a shadowy figure leaping away over the wall. Wakana frowned, curious, and then followed.

She chased the dark figure for nearly a mile as it moved from shadow to shadow until a beam of moonlight illuminated whom it was. "Lieutenant Aizen!" Wakana couldn't stop herself from gasping.

Aizen paused on a rooftop and looked over his shoulder. Deciding that there was no one there after all he faced forward and continued on. Wakana peeked out from behind the wall that she had hidden behind. Where was he going? Wakana had no idea, but the urge to follow him was strong. Silently she leapt out from behind the wall and followed Aizen, careful to maintain enough distance from him to not be noticed.

…

Wakana lost Aizen at some point in the Rukon District, but she had continued on though she didn't know what was propelling her. Eventually she came to a forest and slowed to a walk, making her way carefully through the trees. Suddenly she could feel several spiritual pressures in the distance one of which she recognized as her captain's. He and the other Soul Reapers were fighting something that had a strange, frightening spiritual pressure.

Eventually Wakana came to a clearing, which she paused on the edge of. In the middle of the clearing she could make of the form of Captain Hirako, Kisuke's Lieutenant Hiyori under one of his arms, as well as Captains Love Aikawa and Rojuro Otoribashi, Lieutenant Lisa Yadomaru, and the Lieutenant of the Kido Corps Hachigen Ushoda.

And they were fighting… "Captain Muguruma!" Wakana gasped in horror, recognizing the '69' tattoo on his stomach. It was him, but it was not him. There was a white mask like a Hollow's over his face and his spiritual pressure felt like a Hollow's too.

Wakana watched in horror as her captain and the others fought with Muguruma and his lieutenant, who had also appeared wearing a Hollow mask. Their strength was incredible and no matter what the other Captains tried they couldn't seem to subdue them.

Finally Hachigen used a high level bakudo and managed to restrain Muguruma and Kuna. Wakana, who had watched the entire fight in mute horror felt sure that it was finally over. Suddenly there was a burst of spiritual pressure from Hiyori. A white mask appeared on her face and the horn on it dealt a vicious slash to Hirako's side.

Wakana backed away as Hiyori stood on her own and let out a feral roar. She should get help, Wakana thought, terrified. She had to go get help! But she paused as a strange darkness swiftly shrouded the clearing. When the darkness finally lifted she was horrified to see that all the Soul Reapers had been cut down by the lone figure still standing in the clearing. Transfixed Wakana watched as Kaname Tosen, an officer from Squad Nine that she vaguely recognized, remove his goggles and mask.

Wakana gasped and covered her mouth in shock. Tosen had done this? He had betrayed Muguruma? She heard her Captain asking the same questions, but it wasn't Tosen that answered. "He didn't betray him. He is loyal. He just loyally followed my orders, that's all."*

Wakana would recognize that smooth, cultured voice anywhere. "Lieutenant Aizen…?" she gasped quietly, unable to believe her eyes as Aizen entered the clearing followed by Gin Ichimaru, Squad Five's young Fourth-seat.

Wakana watched, frozen, as Aizen confronted Hirako. As Hirako told Aizen that he had always been suspicious of him and watched him closely. As Aizen agreed that this was true and that this was why he had been able to deceive Hirako using his zanpakuto. Wakana just couldn't wrap her head around it. Aizen had done this? Aizen had betrayed not only their captain, but their Squad and all of Soul Society? Quiet, but kind Lieutenant Aizen? Why? She didn't understand!

"Aizen!" Hirako stood suddenly and drew his sword, intent to attack in every line of his body. He was stopped, however, as a thick white substance suddenly exploded from his mouth and eye.

Wakana watched, terrified, as Hirako swayed where he stood, the white substance quickly congealing to form a mask over the left side of his face. Suddenly the same white substance exploded from the faces of the other Soul Reapers lying on the ground.

Hirako turned back to Aizen. "What is this?"* he screamed.

"As we thought. It looks like an agitated state accelerates the Hollowfication,"* Aizen commented calmly.

"Hollowfication? What is that supposed to mean?"*

"You don't need to know."*

Wakana backed away as Hirako began to scream. Hollowfication? Turning Soul Reapers into Hollows? Help…she should go get help, she though numbly. But she just couldn't make herself turn and leave. Terror had her rooted to the ground.

Suddenly Hiyori moved, flashing towards Aizen. Tosen stepped in between them and quickly cut her down. "Hiyori!" Hirako cried, charging forwards, his sword clashing with Tosen's. They began to fight and it was quickly clear that Hirako could still overpower Tosen easily. In fact it seemed as though Hirako was even stronger than before.

Finally Hirako knocked Tosen into the ground, hard. As he emerged from the rubble Hirako began to shake and abruptly he coughed, sending more of the strange white substance creeping down his body.

"I suppose it's time to end it, Captain Hirako." Aizen said, stepping forward as he unsheathed his sword. "In the end, remember one thing. Betrayal you can see is trivial. What is truly frightening is betrayal you cannot see, Captain Hirako."* Aizen raised his sword high into the air, the moonlight glinting off the blade. "Goodbye. You people were wonderful test subjects."*

"Stop!"

Wakana hadn't been able to take it anymore. She should have run, she should have gone for help. But she couldn't leave her captain at the mercy of her…of her traitorous lieutenant. It was painful for her to even think it, despite what she had just witnessed.

"Please, Lieutenant Aizen stop!" Wakana cried as she stumbled into the clearing.

Aizen lowered his sword. "Ah Third-seat Tsukino. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to hide in the woods all night."

"Tsukino!" Hirako gasped. "What are you doing here? Get the hell away!" Apparently shouting was too much for him, however, as he quickly doubled over, coughs racking his body.

"Captain Hirako!" Wakana cried. Then the horror and terror of the night began to coalesce, turning to hurt and anger. Why? Why did this have to happen?, she thought as she looked around at all the other Soul Reapers prone on the ground. How had this happened?

"Aizen!" Wakana screamed, turning to him with tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "Why did you do this? Why did you betray us?"

"Betray?" Aizen replied coolly, pushing his glasses up his nose. "This is not betrayal. I'm simply furthering my research."

"You're research?" Wakana nearly choked on the words, as the rage they inspired coursed through her body. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

"It's quite simple, actually, Third-seat Tsukino. I have a goal. And in order to reach it I will do anything and everything necessary." The threat was clear in Aizen's voice. "This was but one of many steps."

Wakana was so furious that she was shaking. There was no goal, nothing, that could possibly excuse what Aizen had done here tonight. "That may be how you feel Aizen…" Wakana said softly, her eyes focused on the ground. She then lifted her head and met his gaze with her own and shouted, "But you're a traitor and I'll stop you here and now!"

"Don't Tsukino!" Hirako shouted, but she ignored her captain. Wakana drew her sword and charged. Tosen quickly leapt in front of Aizen and they exchanged blows, the clearing ringing with the sound of steel on steel.

Wakana and Tosen sprang apart. "Don't take me lightly Tosen!" she shouted. "Sing, Tennyo!" Spiritual pressure exploded around her as her zanpakuto released into its shikai state.

Wakana charged forward again and swung her zanpakuto, the bell at the base of blade letting out a horrible jarring tone that echoed through the air. Tosen, being blind, had better than average hearing and collapsed to the ground, writhing, with his hands clasped over his ears.

Wakana jumped over him and charged towards Aizen. He raised his blade and their zanpakuto's met. They clashed several times until they came to a standstill, Wakana straining against Aizen.

Aizen smirked condescendingly at Wakana. "Do you really think you can defeat me Third-seat Tsukino? I haven't even had to move my feet yet."

Wakana looked down and ground her teeth together. Aizen was right. Wakana suddenly leapt away. "It will take more than that to beat you," she admitted grudgingly. Wakana took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment.

"Oh?" Aizen said lightly. "This could be interesting."

Wakana's eyes snapped open again and she leapt straight up into the air. "Ban-!" Before she could finish the word there was the horrible sound of steel piercing flesh and she was skewered through her ribcage by an impossibly long zanpakuto.

Aizen looked back at the boy behind him in mild surprise. "Sorry, Lieutenant Aizen," Ichimaru said, not sounding the least bit apologetic. "I thought that perhaps it would better if we finished things up here."

"That's alright Gin," Aizen replied turning back to watch Wakana fall as Ichimaru withdrew his sword.

"Tsukino!" Hirako shouted as Wakana struggled to her feet.

"I must say you are far more persistent than I expected," Aizen commented.

"Shut up." Wakana spat. She coughed, blood spraying from her mouth. Wakana drew in a deep breath to cough again and suddenly she couldn't breath. She collapsed to her knees, as the world seemed to shake around her.

She managed to draw in a breath and cough, but instead of blood spilling from her mouth there was the thick, white substance that had affected her captain and the other Soul Reapers. It was happening to her too? She was going to…to be Hollowfied?

"I suppose it would be kinder to put you out of your misery now. I doubt you will survive the Hollowfication process." Wakana looked up and saw Aizen standing before her, his blade raised high in the air. "Good bye Third-seat Tsukino." Pain suddenly exploded inside her chest and she could her captain screaming a curse behind her. As Wakana opened her mouth to scream she saw a dark figure out of the corner of her eye.

The dark figure flew towards Aizen and there was the sound of steel clashing. The figure, draped in a dark coat and hood, landed some distance away and Aizen turned to face him. The edges of Wakana's vision were going dark as she collapsed to the ground, but she still turned her face towards the figure.

It was…Kisuke.

...

I open my eyes to find myself seated and leaning against the tree. I look up and see Tennyo watching me with a worried expression. "You're awake," she says, relieved.

"What happened?" I ask, as I sit up. Geez, I'm stiff all over.

"You collapsed. You entered Wakana's memories?"

I nod slowly. "Yea…" That particular memory was one I could probably have done without. "It ended when Urahara showed up. What happened afterwards?"

Wakana sighs, deep sadness in her eyes. As she begins to speak images once again flash before my eyes.

"Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, who was then the Commander of the Kido Corps, managed to stop Aizen that night, but unfortunately he escaped before they could capture him and his accomplices. Using several illegal kido techniques Tessai transported Wakana and the rest of the Soul Reapers who had been affected by Aizen's Hollowfication back to Squad Twelve. Kisuke was wracked with guilt, so he attempted to treat the Hollowfication with an object that he had been developing called the Hogyoku. The treatment was unsuccessful."

"The next morning Kisuke and Tessai were arrested and charged with conducting the Hollowfication experiments. Aizen had accused them of his deeds and with all the Hollowfied Soul Reapers in the Twelve Squad barracks and Kisuke's reputation for experimentation there was little he could do to prove his innocence. Wakana and the rest of Aizen's test subjects were sentenced to death because Central 46 was afraid that they wouldn't be able to control themselves. During Kisuke's and Tessai's interrogation before Central 46 Yoruichi Shihoin broke in and rescued them. She brought both of them and all the Hollowfied Soul Reapers to a secret area where Kisuke and Yoruichi had trained as youngsters. There Kisuke decided that he was going to create gigais for everyone and use them to escape into the World of the Living. Kisuke's plan was successful and everyone has been living in the World of the Living since then. The Hollowfied Soul Reapers, who named themselves the Vizards, are still wanted by the Soul Society, which is why you were captured when you were mistaken for Wakana."

I am quiet for a long time as I think everything over. Tennyo's story explains a lot of things. And it seems that Wakana's memories are mine now. I can reminisce through them as easily as my own. But there's till one big, gaping hole.

"But why did Wakana give me her powers?"

Tennyo sighs yet again. I briefly wonder how much she's suffered through all of this.

"At the beginning the Vizards were all united. They only had each other and without each other's help they would have been overcome by the Hollows that were created within them and lose themselves. One by one they all gained control of their Hollows. All except for Wakana. As far as I can tell she was the most heavily affected by everything that had happened. She changed… She became very bitter and angry, lashing out at those around her and blaming them for what had happened. She was unwilling to come to terms with the fact that a Hollow now existed within her soul. All the other Vizards tried to convince that she needed to learn how to control her Hollow, especially Shinji Hirako, but she ignored them. I think that she hoped that if she just disregarded the Hollow growing within her soul that it would disappear. Eventually Wakana got in a very bad fight with Shinji, one that nearly came to blows, and she left the Vizards."

"She began to wander, traveling all over the World of the Living in an attempt to ignore her Hollow. But, slowly it got stronger, and Wakana began to lose control over her body to it for short stretches of time. Wakana began to lose control for longer stretches about ten years before you were born. Finally a year before your birth she went to Kisuke and gave him her zanpakuto, my physical form. She told him that it was too dangerous for her to carry it anymore and he agreed to hold onto it until she returned. My soul left her zanpakuto and it remained as an ordinary sword until Kisuke gave it to you."

"And then one night she came upon your mother passed out drunk on a park bench. She was pregnant with you and near her time to give birth…but you were so weak. You had managed to survive somehow throughout the pregnancy and just a few hours from birth Wakana could feel your life slipping away. Wakana was also on the verge of losing against her Hollow for good and being devoured. So she decided that she would sacrifice her life for yours. She gave you all of her energy and saved your life, giving up her own in the process. However, and while I'm certain that she didn't mean to, she also transferred all of her Soul Reaper powers to you and with them her memories. Her powers lay dormant inside you until five years ago when you were nearly killed in that car crash. You were so desperate to live that you reached deep inside yourself and woke me. I saved your life and your mother's and my powers have been slowly growing ever since. When you came to Karakura you were exposed to Ichigo Kurosaki's constantly leaking spiritual pressure. My powers grew exponentially within you in response."

I blink in surprise as Tennyo abruptly stops speaking. It seems that it's the end of her story…and it sure is a lot to wrap my head around. Somehow I don't feel so uncomfortable with having Wakana's memories knowing that she saved my life. That she sacrificed her life for mine. That's a debt that I don't know how I'll ever repay…

"Now I expect you'll want to know what all this has to do with your questioning in Central 46 today?"

I feel a bit embarrassed because, to be honest, I'd completely forgotten about that. Tennyo can read me like an open book though. "It's alright," she assures me with a kind smile. "What I've told you is certainly overwhelming. But as for Central 46...Aizen is up to something again." Her voice at the end is cold enough to raise the hairs on the back of my neck.

"You mean that spiritual pressure I felt there?" Now that I have Wakana's memories I'm able to recognize it. Tennyo nods. "What does that mean though? There was definitely something wrong…" I murmur to myself.

"Do you remember what the power of Aizen's zanpakuto is?" Tennyo asks me quietly.

I dive into Wakana's memories and quickly find the answer. "Kyoka Suigetsu. Complete hypnosis."

Tennyo nods gravely. "Yes."

Slowly the dots begin to connect in my mind. "So he was using his zanpakuto in Central 46? That's why it felt like his spiritual pressure was everywhere?"

"I believe so."

"But why?"

"I'm afraid that I don't know the answer to that. But I'm certain that everything that has happened to the people around you recently is no accident.

My gaze snaps to Tennyo's as surprise and something akin to dread runs through me. "You mean Rukia getting arrested?"

"Yes," Tennyo replies grimly. "But I believe it runs even deeper than that. Aizen is incredibly clever and very manipulative. I think that he had something to do with Ichigo acquiring his powers."

Shock jolts through me and leaves anger behind. That bastard Aizen has been messing with Ichigo? "So what do we do?"

Tennyo is more solemn than I've ever seen her. "We must stop him."

It takes a moment for that to sink in. I find myself unable to make eye contact. Tennyo wants me stop an evil mastermind? One that outsmarted Urahara? I can't do that. I mean I'm locked in jail! But still…I agree that Aizen's up to something. Using his zanpakuto in Central 46 is just way too suspicious. And I doubt anyone else is watching him. I'm sure Aizen's clever enough to make sure that everyone in the Seireitei trusts him before making another move.

Lives have been destroyed by him. Wakana's. I owe her for my life. All the other Vizards. I don't know them…I've never even seen them before. But somehow, through Wakana's memories, I feel like I know them and that they deserve my help too. And then there's Ichigo and Rukia. Everything that's happened in the World of the Living…

It was Aizen. He cannot be allowed to continue. And the only one who can stop him is me.

I look up at Tennyo again and meet her eyes with as much conviction as I can muster. I'm scared- terrified actually- but there's no way in hell I'm going to let Aizen move again. "Let's do it."

Tennyo's smiles back me, eagerness and vengeance in her eyes.

…The next day…

Renji was clutching the bar of Rukia's cell so hard so that he was certain his hand was going to break as he listened to his captain emotionlessly tell Rukia that Central 46 had sentenced her to death. Renji couldn't believe it. He had the sudden feeling that he was falling off the face of the Earth.

Byakuya watched Rukia's back for a moment longer, but she neither said anything nor moved. With regret and guilt heavy in his heart he turned away, certain that he would not see her again until her execution. Instead he walked over to the cell of Taylor Smithson.

Byakuya was rather surprised as she met his eye steadily. She had not uttered word about Rukia's sentence. "As for you Taylor Smithson, Central 46 has found you innocent of the charges brought against you. It is believed that at some point Wakana Tsukino managed to transfer her powers to you, allowing you to wield her zanpakuto."

Surprise flickered briefly in Taylor's eyes, but it quickly disappeared beneath cold shrewdness. "However, Central 46 cannot allow you to return to the World of the Living while Tsukino's powers are intact. You will be taken to Squad Twelve where they will remove Tsukino's powers from you. You will then be returned to the World of the Living as an ordinary human."

Byakuya turned back towards Renji. "Escort Smithson to Squad Twelve, Renji."

"Y-yes sir," Renji answered, but if he was honest he had hardly heard what his captain had said. Byakuya then swept from the room leaving a tense silence behind him.

**"Hey! Don't be sad! They could still change their minds!" Renji tried his best to sound upbeat, but it was difficult to keep his voice steady as he turned towards Rukia.

"I'm not sad," Rukia replied quietly.

"Don't lie! Your obviously disconsolate!" Renji shouted, suddenly angry, as he kicked the bars of Rukia's cell. "Hey! Eyes over here!"

Rukia was quite for a moment and then, "That ruling came from Central 46. It can't be overturned. But it's all right. I knew this was going to happen from the beginning. There's no use…" Rukia stopped midsentence sounding choked.

"Rukia…" Renji didn't know what to say.

"Gotcha!" Rukia suddenly turned around a big smile on her face. Renji watched with growing consternation as Rukia teased him and threatened to escape.

Renji suddenly got angry again. Didn't Rukia realize how serious this was? "I could care less about you and your problems!" Renji shouted as he snapped. "Just sit here and rot! I can't wait for your execution!" He then stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.

Renji leaned against the door outside, feeling empty. Escape? Idiot!, he thought fiercely. You're getting the ultimate punishment, the worst!...Ultimate punishment…

Renji watched as his captain walked away. He was Rukia's brother… Will you really allow this to happen Captain Kuchiki?**

As if Renji's thoughts had magically alerted him Byakuya paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Aren't you forgetting something Renji?"

Renji started, chagrined. "Y-yes sir! Sorry sir!" Byakuya held Renji's gaze for a moment longer before turning and moving away.

Renji reentered the cellblock. He completely ignored Rukia and she completely ignored him as he went over to Taylor's cell and unlocked it. "C'mon," Renji ordered gruffly as he opened the door. Without a word Taylor obeyed and followed him out of the cellblock.

It was a while before Renji's preoccupation broke enough to notice that Taylor hadn't spoken a word to him yet. He glanced over his shoulder at her and saw that she looked deep in thought. That was different…in fact she seemed completely different today. "You're being awfully quiet," Renji accused.

Taylor started, clearly not paying much attention to him. "Am I?" she asked vaguely. Renji scowled at her. Suddenly Taylor's eyes refocused on him and she smirked deviously. "What?" she drawled. "Don't tell me your going to miss me, pineapple-head?"

Renji's entire body twitched. "Like hell!" He turned away from her and picked up his pace, eager to get this errand over with. Behind him Taylor sniggered.

They walked for a while longer until Taylor spoke again. "Don't worry about Rukia." Renji was so taken aback that he stopped midstride swiveling around to stare at her. "She'll be fine," Taylor continued wearing a confident smirk this time.

Renji stared blankly at Taylor before turning away again. How could she be so…sure?

…In the World of the Living…one week later…

Explosions lit the sky as Ichigo's father, sisters, and Keigo cheered. It was finally the fireworks festival and with his training with Urahara over he was glad that he got this last chance to enjoy his summer break with the people he cared about. Another firework exploded in the sky and everyone around him cheered. It was almost perfect…

Except that Taylor wasn't there. Ichigo's chest ached as he thought if her. It was hard to believe that it'd been only ten days since she and Rukia had been taken. It felt like it had been so much longer… Ichigo found that he missed Taylor terribly. It was silly, really that he missed her some much, Ichigo thought somewhat embarrassed even within the confines of his own mind. She had managed to work her way deeper into his heart than he'd ever realized.

Ichigo laid back on the riverbank and idly thought about what the festival would have been like if Taylor was there. Dealing with his delinquent father and tipsy sisters might not have seemed like such a chore. And could've made of move on her. Held her hand maybe. Tried that old 'stretch-and-then-put-your-arm-around-her-shoulders' trick. Maybe he even would have tried to kiss her. Just the thought made the color rise in Ichigo's face.

He sighed wistfully. Taylor may not have been there, but Ichigo wasn't about to waste the last ten days. He had worked his ass off and he was ready. In one week he was going to go to the Soul Society and rescue Taylor and Rukia. He would bring her back, Ichigo vowed silently to himself as another firework, this one bright gold, exploded overhead.

Author's Note:

So here, at last, is the explanation for pretty much everything. I spent a lot of time working on the flashback and Tennyo's explanation so I hoped everyone liked it. And if you didn't…well you should probably just stop reading this story now. This is how I've worked my plot into canon and I'm going to run with it from this point on.

Actually originally (like way back in the summer of 2007 when I started this story) I was going to have Wakana be the Captain of Squad Five with Aizen as her Lieutenant that would do something awful and then pin her for it. Apparently I'm on the same brain wavelength as Tite Kubo :). But since we already know whom the captain of Squad Five was when Aizen was Lieutenant I decided to make Wakana Third-seat and bump Ichimaru down a spot. I have to say I'm happy with the way I've worked everything into canon.

Citations:

*Japanese language with English subtitles, Episode 211, by Hulu. (I used the episode for this because I don't own the manga volume that it's in)

Between the **English language, Vol. 8, Ch. 65., by Viz.- includes all the dialogue and Renji's italicized thoughts.

Eight reviews! Thank you Shannyrox101, bleach fan no 1, MikaBee2434LOVE, Shaybo27, ShatterTheHeavens, indescribable music, and bored 411 for being awesome and reviewing! You guys are the reason I update!

I just realized this but…this story is almost over! I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be because it will depend on how I divide stuff up, but we're getting really close to the end here. Scary thoughts!

Thanks for reading!

imagination junkie