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

Chapter 20: My Final Battle

By the time I reach Central 46 on the other side of the Seireitei the sun is well and truly up. I pause on a wall at the edge of the compound to look around. There is another round inner wall in the middle of the compound. Inside it is a pool of water with a single bridge leading to a round building in the center of the pool. That, according to Wakana's memories, is the entrance to Central 46.

I squat down on the wall. I didn't think very much about what I was going to do once I got here and now that I'm here…to be honest I'm stumped. Central 46 is the most heavily guarded place in the entire Seireitei. It has alarms and an automatic locking system and I'm sure that if I tried to break in that the Captains would be on me before I even knew what happened. But there's something…wrong. It takes me a moment to notice it, but there aren't any guards posted outside the entrance. There's always supposed to be two guards right outside the door. Something's definitely wrong.

Frowning, I probe outwards, searching for any spiritual pressures. No good. The underground complex is surrounded by a layer of sekkiseki so I have no idea who is or isn't in there. Fine. I'll do this the old fashion way then. Sitting down on the wall I settle in to wait for something to happen.

…

It's approaching noon and I'm starting to doze off when I hear the sound of a door opening and a nearby spiritual pressure leaks into my consciousness. Startled into full wakefulness I scramble off the wall and into the shadows on the courtyard floor.

The sound of footsteps crossing the bridge from the entrance to Central 46 echoes unnaturally loudly in the silence. My muscles grow tense as I wait to catch a glimpse of whoever has come out. There is the sound of footsteps on stone and then my gust twists and my jaw locks together in hatred. It's Gin Ichimaru. And boy does he look smug.

He keeps walking, fully exiting the Central 46 compound. I follow him at a safe distance, moving from shadow to shadow and doing my best to keep my spiritual pressure hidden. Finally, some distance from Central 46, he pauses and glances left and right as if he's checking to make sure no one has seen him. And then he all but disappears, leaving just a little puff of dust where his feet once stood as he takes of in a lighting fast shunpo.

I hiss angrily through my teeth. Damn it! What the hell is he up to? There's no way I can keep up with him when he's doing a shunpo like that, so I wait until he's moved far enough away from me that he won't notice me if I use shunpo too.

I pause for a moment before I take off after him. The spiritual pressure of Kenpachi Zaraki, the Captain that Ichigo fought before, Kaname Tosen, and another spiritual pressure that I don't recognize but is easily at Captain level, flair against each other. Three Captains have begun a fight. It makes me uneasy. Seems like everything is really going to go nuts today. I take off in my own shunpo, tracking Ichimaru across the Seireitei and doing my best to ignore the powers clashing nearby.

I'm surprised when it turns out that Ichimaru's destination is Sokyoku Hill. It makes me nervous that he's so close to Ichigo, but he doesn't seem to be doing much of anything. Feeling exposed, I skulk in the dead trees that line the outside edges of the hill, but if Ichimaru notices me he doesn't show any sign. Instead he just stands towards the far end, by the cliff, staring up at the Sokyoku itself.

It's quiet, the wind rustling through the bare branches of the trees to ruffle Ichimaru's haori. I shift uncomfortably from foot to foot, wondering what he could possibly be doing here so long before Rukia's execution. It's then that I notice the massive flair of faintly familiar spiritual pressure. It takes me a minute to place, but when I do I can't help but gasp. It's Renji Abarai. And he's fighting none other than Byakuya Kuchiki.

He must be insane. He can't stand against an opponent like Byakuya. But he's definitely strong. Going by his spiritual pressure he's using bankai. I guess he didn't waste any of his training time this morning. Silently I root him on, turning back towards Ichimaru. I gasp again as I see Ichimaru approach the edge of the cliff and step off, vanishing from sight.

I sprint over to the edge of the cliff and look down. Rather than plunging to his death far below- which, if I'm being honest, I didn't actually think he'd done- he is just starting to cross the bridge the connects Sokyoku Hill to the Senzaikyu. At the far end Rukia and her four guards have just stepped onto the bridge.

Rukia…I could jump down there right now, take out the guards, and get her away. No. That's stupid. Ichimaru's still there. And Ichigo is preparing to save her and Renji is already fighting to save her. They can do it, I'm sure of it. I've got my own stuff to take care of. Guilt still sits heavily in my gut, however, as I watch Rukia step out onto the bridge.

I freeze on the edge of the cliff, uncertain. I can't just jump down there after Ichimaru because there's nowhere for me to hide. But what the hell is he up to? As I stand there, trying to figure out what to do Byakuya Kuchiki's spiritual pressure suddenly explodes as he releases his own bankai. It completely swallows Renji's spiritual pressure. Down below I hear Rukia suddenly scream, straining in Renji's direction, but the wind carries her words away so I can't hear what she's saying.

Momentarily distracted by the distant fight, I search for Renji's spiritual pressure as Byakuya's fades, straining my senses to their limits. Finally I find it. Renji is alive, but just barely. Breathing I silent sigh of relief I turn back to look down at the bridge and see that Ichimaru has reached Rukia and has paused to talk to her. They chat for just a minute and then Ichimaru walks up to Rukia, rests his hand briefly on her head, and continues on his way.

I watch Ichimaru walk towards the far end of the bridge, confused. What was that about? And then I hear Rukia scream- high, pained, and hopeless. The sound of her scream echoing makes me feel sick as I see Rukia drop to her knees. I don't know what he said, but I'm certain that Ichimaru is the cause of this. Hate twists my guts into knots as my hands tighten into fists impulsively. That bastard! Rukia's being escorted to her death and he's playing with her. I'm going to kill him!

I drop down off the edge of the cliff just as Ichimaru did. I pass by the ledge where the bridge connects, however, intending to cross at a lower level so I won't be spotted. Once I'm on the other side I work my way back up to the top and enter the maze of buildings that surround the Senzaikyu, still tracking Ichimaru's spiritual pressure. As I hunt him I feel the spiritual pressure of the other Captains arriving at the Sokyoku one by one. Silently I pray that Ichigo will hurry.

Finally I find Ichimaru again. I stop on the roof of a wall overlooking a large courtyard that Ichimaru is calmly crossing. Suddenly he pauses. "Don't you think it's about time we stopped playing cat and mouse?"

I freeze, every muscle in my body tense. With the way he just spoke he could have been talking to the empty air, but I know his words were directed at me. He knows I'm here. And has probably been aware of my presence since he left Central 46. Damn it. There goes the element of surprise.

"Well, even if you're not in a hurry I'm afraid I don't have very much time to play this little game anymore," Ichimaru continues, turning to face me, that hair-raising smirk stretched across his face.

I narrow my eyes at Ichimaru, unease making me feel jumpy. Abruptly an enormous spiritual power explodes behind me. Gasping, I turn and see a massive column of fire rising up above Sokyoku Hill. Rukia's execution has begun. There really isn't any more time to waste.

I turn back towards Ichimaru. His smirk has gotten wider. After a moment's hesitation- this is my final chance to run- I drop down to the ground below. I loudly let out a breath, willing the tension to leave my body. "You're right," I say, striding towards Ichimaru slowly. "We should get this over with."

"Oh good. I must say I'm a bit surprised though. I was expecting you to run back to Sokyoku Hill and try and rescue poor little Rukia."

Hot anger flashes through my veins. "I don't need to," I growl. "Ichigo will save her."

Ichimaru lets out a loud chuckle. "The ryoka boy? I know you're not Wakana Tsukino, but I thought that sharing her memories would have removed some of your foolish youthful optimism. Oh well. I suppose I get the pleasure of doing that."

Ichimaru's grin widens to such a proportion that it distorts his face as he suddenly charges forward, his zanpakuto glinting silver in the sun as he draws it. Shit he's fast! I draw Tennyo just in time to block and he locks his much shorter sword against mine, leaning against me with his greater height and weight.

"It isn't youthful optimism!" I shout, baring my teeth at Ichimaru in a snarl. "Ichigo will save her!"

Behind me I can feel the released Sokyoku gathering power for its single, annihilating strike. Come on Ichigo! You can make it in time! You have to! And then I feel it…his spiritual pressure exploding from the cave and flying towards the top of the hill. My lips curl into a smirk of their own accord and all my doubt and worry seem to disappear. Suddenly feeling much stronger, I push back against Ichimaru. I push him away, sending him skidding across the ground.

Ichimaru's grin falls a bit. Mine widens in response. And then Ichigo's spiritual pressure meets the Sokyoku's. Ichimaru's eyes snap upwards towards the top of Sokyoku Hill, surprise clear on his face. Ichigo has successfully stopped the Sokyoku's attack.

"I told you." Ichimaru's gaze lowers slowly again to my face all traces of amusement gone. "I told you Ichigo would save her. And guess what. If he can do that I'm pretty sure I can beat you."

I hold my arm straight out, Tennyo held out to the side. Gathering my spiritual pressure around me I let Tennyo's hilt go and she swings down in a slow arc. "Sing, Tennyo!" Confidence fills my chest as my spiritual pressure surrounds me and funnels through Tennyo, transforming her into her shikai form. Behind me I feel the power of the Sokyoku being extinguished by some other force. I get the feeling that shit is about to hit the fan.

The dust raised by my shikai release settles, allowing me to see Ichimaru again. My stomach shifts uneasily when I see that his grin has returned and I silently berate myself not to be afraid.

"Well that was certainly unexpected. Our plans will have to be adjusted a bit, but the end result won't change. There is one other thing that you're wrong about, Taylor Smithson." A chill runs up my spine as Ichimaru's grin widens again. "You won't be defeating me, and definitely not with just shikai."

Ichimaru shunpos forward again and I bring Tennyo up to block, the bell that dangles from the blade tinkling. We trade several blows until Ichimaru steps back, pulling his elbow back and raising his zanpakuto until the tip is pointing straight at me. Shit! I swing Tennyo hard and the bell lets out a discordant shriek. Ichimaru flinches away from the sound and I charge at him.

Ichimaru blocks, swiping my sword away, and leaps back, raising his own blade again. I swing Tennyo once more and this time the peal from the bell is high and sweet. Ichimaru's arms droop and he sways a bit on his feet. I leap forward and thrust my sword out, aiming for his neck. Whether he did it on purpose or if he just fell I'll never know, but Ichimaru suddenly drops towards the ground. He catches himself on his left hand and pushes off, spinning away from me. He lands, skidding back a bit, and raises his hand. "Hado number 33. Sokatsui."

"Damn it!" I hiss as blue spiritual pressure erupts from Ichimaru's hand. The blast is, of course, massive because he's a Captain and I'm barely fast enough to dodge out of the radius of the attack. Immediately Ichimaru charges again, taking advantage of my distraction with his kido. He's grinning widely, clearly certain that he's got me. Screw that!

"Take this!" I scream at him, slashing at him with Tennyo as he approaches me.

Ichimaru ducks my blade easily and his grin stretches to hideous proportions. He brings his sword up, aiming for my forehead. But despite all this my own mouth is curled in a smirk. This worked out exactly the way I wanted it to.

Tennyo's bell chimes, the sound jarring, just inches from Ichimaru's head. Ichimaru's grin twists into a grimace and he lets out a yell of pain as he loses control of his shunpo. I step to the side and allow him to fall and slide past me, his hands over his ears. My smirk widens into a grin of triumph. Just one quick swipe of my sword and I'll have taken care of one of the men on my hit list.

As I step forward, my grip tightening on Tennyo's hilt in anticipation, spiritual pressure explodes behind me causing me to freeze in place. It's Ichigo. And he's fighting Byakuya Kuchiki. I'm unable to stop the impulse to turn back towards Sokyoku Hill, worry making my stomach twist. Byakuya Kuchiki is one of the most powerful Captains in the Soul Society. Can Ichigo really handle this?

Of course he can. Damn it! It was inevitable that he was going to have to fight Byakuya again to save Rukia. And Ichigo's stronger now, I can feel it. He's holding up against Byakuya in shikai just fine! And then Byakuya's spiritual pressure sky rockets- he has released his bankai. Fear for Ichigo is cold in my chest as I feel sweat drip down the back of my neck.

"You really shouldn't take your eyes off the opponent in front of you."

I see a flash of white out the corner of my eye as Ichimaru's words reach my ears. My eyes wide with alarm, and anger at my stupid mistake burning in my blood, I turn, bringing Tennyo up to block as I do so. Ichimaru is already set in his stance, his zanpakuto pointed at me. He grins. "Skewer her, Shinso!"

Time slows down as I desperately try my muscles to move faster. I can see Ichimaru's zanpakuto extending towards me, its speed terrifying. I'm honestly not sure that I'm going to be able to block it in time…and if I don't I'm dead. This new realization revitalizes me and, as time speeds up again, I manage to bring Tennyo up to guard my face.

There is the horrible screech of steel against steel as I deflect Ichimaru's sword off to the side, the blade still extending. It was close though, my cheek now sporting a freely bleeding cut. I focus on Ichimaru's face and I'm surprised to see that he doesn't look any less pleased now that I've managed to block his attack. I don't understand why until I here a muffled tinkle as Tennyo's bell hits the ground. His attack cut the braided cord that attached the bell to Tennyo's blade. Shock races through me. He was aiming for the bell the whole time.

Ichimaru's zanpakuto retracts, quickly returning to its original size. He smiles smugly at me as he takes a step forward. I'm unable to stop myself from compulsively taking a step back. His smile widens. "I told you that you couldn't beat me with just your shikai." And then he leans forward into a shunpo, apparently planning on finishing me off up close and personal.

Something in me screams at me to run, but I ignore it. I will not turn my back to Ichimaru and die like a coward. I will fight him. I will defeat him! I'm not finished yet! Ichimaru's nearly upon me when I open my mouth and scream. "Bankai!"

…

Gin Ichimaru would have been lying if he'd said he wasn't surprised that the human girl carrying Wakana Tsukino's abilities could use bankai. He hadn't known that Wakana had acquired bankai. Gin skidded to a stop as the girl's spiritual pressure raged around him. It certainly wasn't the strongest spiritual pressure he had ever felt and it wasn't anywhere near as powerful as his, but he was still a bit impressed.

Suddenly something within the power in front of him fluctuated. Fast as lightning, something gold and silver flicked out of the whirling vortex in front of him. Gin leapt backwards, pushing spiritual pressure down into his feet to aid his speed, but he wasn't quite fast enough- the very end of the silver and gold thing just barely brushed his chest. A shockwave seemed to pass through Gin's body and his chest suddenly felt like it had been crushed. As Gin's feet collided with the ground and he skidded backwards he coughed. Gin looked on, amazed, as bright red blood sprayed in the air before his eyes.

Gin looked up towards the girl again, the spiritual pressure around her fading and revealing her bankai. Her appearance had changed slightly. Over her shihakusho she now wore a sleeveless, silver haori held closed by a golden sash tied around her waist with an intricate, off-center knot. Her zanpakuto now took the form of a whip, the body of it composed of braided gold and silver, looking just like a larger version of the string that had tied the little bell to the base of the blade in her shikai form.

The girl now met Gin's eyes steadily, her own eyes composed and hard. "Tennyo Utau." The girl's confidence was carried as clearly through the air as her voice. Gin frowned a bit. She really shouldn't be getting so cocky.

"I take it you didn't know that Wakana had achieved bankai shortly before Aizen created the Vizards," the girl continued.

"No I didn't," Gin replied conversationally. "It's quite an interesting form that your bankai has taken isn't it? A bell to a whip?" On the one hand Gin was honestly curious. On the other he was fishing for information. One didn't become a Captain by jumping into battle without analyzing your opponent's abilities first.

"It isn't that surprising is it?" Suddenly the girl smirked. "Don't tell me that you didn't know that sound is just vibrations in the air?" Gin's response was to shrug nonchalantly as his mind whirled, already figuring out what the girl's bankai was. "In shikai I can use sound to distract and disturb an opponent. With Tennyo Utau I simply take that concept one step further, literally harnessing the power of the vibrations created by sound."

Yes, that made sense, Gin thought. That would explain the strange sensation he had experience when she had hit him with her attack. The intense vibration was what had caused the damage.

As if she was reading his mind the girl smirked again. "You really got pretty lucky before. If I'd hit you with anything more than just Tennyo Utau's tip, well…" As the girl trailed off she casually flicked her wrist, sending the whip into motion. It twisted up into the air and then connected with the ground with a crack as loud as a thunderclap. Nothing happened for a moment and then the ground began to shake, as if there was an earthquake. There was a tremendous cracking noise and suddenly the ground spilt, an enormous fissure appearing from the point where the girl's zanpakuto met the ground and running all the way to wall that surrounded the plaza, causing it to collapse in a cloud of dust.

Gin gazed at the crack in the ground contemplatively. It was a rather impressive ability, he would admit. But… "It's still not enough to beat me," Gin said, turning back to the girl, his smirk once again in place.

The girl's eyes narrowed, her expression clouded with hate and anger. "We'll just have to see about," she replied defiantly. Behind her, on Sokyoku Hill, the spiritual pressure of the orange-haired ryoka boy exploded in what was unmistakably bankai.

…

Ichigo's bankai has given me hope. Even though I'd never felt it before I'd known instantly what it was. He was fighting against Byakuya on even footing. He could win. And if he can win, then so can I.

My fight with Ichimaru is not going in my favor, however. As much power as my bankai gives me a whip is not very useful for blocking a sword's piercing attacks. So every time Ichimaru has shot his sword at me I've been forced to dodge. I'm not mortally wounded or anything, but I'm pretty cut up at this point. As there's the toll that bankai takes on my spiritual pressure. I haven't been training with it long enough to maintain it for long periods of time and I'm starting to get tired. And the more tired I am the more likely it is that I won't be quite fast enough to dodge one of Ichimaru's attacks.

Not that I haven't been doing some damage. The plaza that we've been fighting in and the buildings surrounding it are pretty much destroyed. And I've gotten Ichimaru nearly as many times as he's gotten me. I've managed to hit him on the chest again, his back, his arms, and I got his right leg real good. That definitely did some damage because he's slowed down a lot now. But everything is still a matter of time and at this point I'm running out.

I land after dodging Ichimaru's latest attack, panting hard. Despite his injuries Ichimaru's expression hasn't changed: he isn't even breathing hard. And it only makes me hate him more. Allowing my emotions to fuel me, I yell and charge again flicking my zanapakuto out towards Ichimaru. He dodges my first strike and my second, the ground cracking and grumbling beneath his feet. Still in the air from one of his jumps Ichimaru attacks, his zanpakuto extending towards me, light flashing off its blade. I duck underneath and throw myself forward, desperate to land another hit. Ichimaru withdraws his zanpakuto, lands, and prepares to shoot it again. And then…

We both freeze. A massive surge of power erupts from the top of Sokyoku Hill, so dense and dark that its gives me chills. Ichimaru and I both turn to look, our fight forgotten. A massive column of black spiritual pressure lined with red whirls above the hill. It feels familiar. Horribly familiar. But it can't be that. It doesn't make any sense!

"Everything's going according to Captain's Aizen plan it seems."

I turn a glare on Ichimaru, something about his words unsettling me. "What're you talking about?" I growl at him.

"The ryoka boy, of course," Ichimaru replies, motioning towards Sokyoku Hill. "He has Hollowfied just as Captain Aizen said he would."

Shock freezes me in place for a moment, but rage quickly burns it away. "You're lying!" I scream, suddenly furious. I blindly lash out with Tennyo Utau, but Ichimaru easily avoids it.

"What're you getting so upset about?" Ichimaru chuckles while I fume. "I'm sure you recognize it just as I do."

I don't want to admit. I really don't! But I know he's right. That's definitely Ichigo's spiritual pressure and it's definitely Hollowfied. I feel sick to my stomach at the thought of Ichigo having to suffer through what Wakana and the rest of the Vizards went through. My rage and hate has nearly blinded me now. I look down at my hands. They're shaking. Blood drips between the fingers of the hand that doesn't grasp Tennyo Utau's hilt.

"Wh…What did you do?" I scream at Ichimaru, my voice cracking. I charge him, swinging my zanpakuto wildly. He disappears and I pause, uncertain.

"I didn't do anything." The words are hissed into my ear. And then white-hot pain explodes from my side as Ichimaru's zanpakuto slices into me.

I stumble away from him, whipping Tennyo Utau back over my shoulder. I'm not even close to hitting him. Pain slices through my right shoulder and I drop my zanpakuto as I collapse to me knees, blood dripping down my arm as I grasp my injured shoulder.

Up on Sokyoku Hill Ichigo's Hollow spiritual pressure fades. Relief fills me, making me feel weak. He managed to control it. For now. Ichigo's spiritual pressure surges again, now clashing full on with Byakuya's. It seems that the final showdown of their fight has come.

I look back over my shoulder at the sound of Ichimaru's scuffing footsteps. "It seems that things are wrapping up up there. I think it's about time we did the same. I did have fun playing though, Taylor Smithson."

Fear courses through me, but rather than giving me strength it freezes me to the ground. Just like before, right after I escaped, I feel like I'm trapped in a snake's gaze. But this time there isn't anyone who's going to save me- everyone is busy in their own fight. This time the snake will strike.

Ichimaru raises his zanpakuto until it is level with his chin. His eyes crack open a bit as his grin widens and their pale blue pierces my soul with terror. "Bank-!"

Ichimaru suddenly cocks his head to the side, as if he's listening to some distant sound that only he can hear. He then promptly lowers his zanpakuto and sheathes it. I'm frozen with shock as he walks past me. "I'm afraid my time is up. We'll have to finish this another time," he says almost affectionately, patting my head as he walks past. And then he disappears and a little puff of dust is the only evidence that he was ever here.

Relief, stress, and exhaustion take over me all at once when I realize that Ichimaru has really left. I collapse forward, my vision black before I even hit the ground.

…

When I come to it doesn't seem like much time has passed. There are still fights raging all over the Seireitei, but it seems like Ichigo's fight with Byakuya on Sokyoku Hill is over. I can't tell who won from here. But it seems like Byakuya let Ichigo go at least. Orihime, Chad, Uryuu, and the spiritual pressure that I still don't recognize are all there. That makes me feel better. I know he's safe surrounded by our friends.

Grimacing, I sit up, the wounds in my side and shoulder protesting. They're still bleeding sluggishly. Feeling out of it I raise my one good hand and activate a simple healing kido spell, stopping the bleeding from my wounds. The effort leaves me gasping. Clearly I've used up practically all of my spiritual pressure. I guess it's pretty lucky that Ichimaru ran off when he did or else I'd probably be dead now.

Wondering where he went I search for his spiritual pressure. I can't find it anywhere and I've got the sneaking suspicion that he's back in Central 46. That must be where they're basing their operations out of. Meaning that Aizen must be there too.

With effort I manage to stand, though my legs are still shaky. Looking around I spot Tennyo lying where I dropped her, back in her sealed state again. Geez that really was a close call. I was well and truly out if Tennyo resealed herself.

I reach down and pick her up, apologizing softly for getting my ass kicked as I sheathe her. I can feel her forgiveness in my mind, though there is a steely edge to it. She's not ready to give up. And neither am I. At least my will isn't. As I take a step forward I stumble a bit. I'm not even sure I can use shunpo right now, I'm so drained. But…I can't just give up now! Gritting my teeth I take another step, forcing my body to move. I will find Ichimaru and Aizen and Tosen, and I will stop them!

I've only taken two more steps in the direction of Central 46 when the sudden arrival of multiple spiritual pressures on Sokyoku Hill stops me in my tracks. Kaname Tosen. Gin Ichimaru. Sosuke Aizen…I knew he wasn't dead. And strangest of all I can sense Renji and Rukia as well. What the hell is going on? And then a voice speaking from the air in front of me tells me everything that I need to hear. "This is Squad 4 Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu with an urgent message. This is an emergency report from Captain Unohana about the traitor in our midst."*

I'm frozen as I listen to the woman speak. Anger slowly builds inside me fueling my hate. So Aizen has finally moved and the rest of the Soul Society finally knows that he is a traitor. It's about fucking time. What he's up to though and what it has to do with Rukia I still don't know. But as the 4th Squad's Lieutenant stops speaking I decide that I'm going to find out. I turn and shunpo towards Sokyoku Hill.

It's a struggle. I've used up so much energy that I can barely use shunpo at all. Up on the hill I feel Renji release his shikai. He's fighting Aizen. And then I feel Ichigo arrive, his bankai weakened from what it was when he was fighting Byakuya. I push myself harder. It feels like my lungs are on fire. My legs are jelly. I hit the bridge. Ichigo and Renji's spiritual pressures rise. They're fighting together. I'm flying up towards the top of Sokyoku Hill now, using the last of my spiritual pressure reserves.

I land on top of the hill just in time to see Aizen catch the blade of Ichigo's zanpakuto with his fingers. Blood explodes from Ichigo's torso. My eyes go impossibly wide as I try to force myself to believe that what I've just witness didn't actually happen. As Ichigo collapses to the ground Aizen disappears, his shunpo so fast that I can't follow it with my eyes. He reappears behind Renji as a fountain of blood explodes from Renji's back. My hate grows until it threatens to choke me.

"AIZEN!"

Aizen pauses in his advance, sword drawn, towards Rukia. I glare at him as fiercely as I can, suddenly breathless from my scream.

"Another interruption? Gin I thought you said that you'd taken care of her."

"I'm sorry Captain Aizen," Gin replies. He actually sounds faintly apologetic. "I was just about to finish her off when you called me and I figured it was more important to get back to Central 46 than to kill her. I never thought that she would have recovered quickly enough to come here."

"Would you like me to take care of her Captain Aizen?" Tosen asks from beside Gin, his hand going to the hilt of his sword.

"No, Kaname it's alright. In some ways I find it fitting for her, someone with the memories of that day, to be here." Aizen turns towards me fully, and takes a couple steps forward. "So, Taylor Smithson. Now that you're here what are you going to do?"

"Kill you of course." I spit the words at him, so angry that it's an effort for me to speak normally and not scream.

"Is that so? I don't think that'd be very wise. It looks like you're barely able to stand."

"Please Taylor! Don't! Just run! Run away!" Rukia yells at me from behind Aizen. She is pale and shaking. Every few seconds her eyes flicker fearfully towards Ichigo and Renji lying prone on the ground in pools of their own blood.

"Like hell," I snort in reply.

"You can't Taylor!" Rukia cries desperately. "He's too strong! He-!"

"Shut up!" I shout at Rukia, my temper finally snapping. "I'm not about to let him get away with it again!"

"That was rather harsh," Aizen chastises me genially. "She's only concerned for your safety."

"Like I need you to tell me that!" I snap at him. "I can't let you get away with this again! All those people you hurt last time, all the lives you ruined…Never again! I swore to myself that I wouldn't let it happen again!"

At that Aizen smirks. "I'm afraid you're too late then. My plan was set into motion a long time ago and it's far too late to stop it now."

I narrow my eyes at Aizen. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

"In fact everything actually revolves around your friend Rukia here. Or, more accurately, what is hidden inside her." Rukia flinches again at Aizen's words, looking down at her own body as if she's never seen it before.

I can understand how she feels. Astonishment has left me speechless for a moment. "What're you talking about?"

Aizen's smirk gets wider. "Kisuke Urahara's ultimate invention, though I doubt he would call it that. He hid it inside of Rukia's soul. If you have Wakana's memories then I'm sure you know what he used to try and treat Wakana and the others after my experiments."

It takes me a moment to figure it out, but when I do I don't feel like I understand it any better. "The Hogyoku?"

"Exactly." Aizen seems pleased that I knew the correct answer.

"But why do you want that? It doesn't work. Urahara's treatment failed."

"That's because he didn't know how to use it properly. I do. Now, if you'll excuse me…" Aizen turns away from me and starts walking towards Rukia again, who is now frozen in place by Aizen's spiritual pressure.

My mind whirls. It doesn't make any sense. It doesn't make any sense! What the hell does he want with the Hogyoku? How is it even in Rukia in the first place? Did he set everything up just so that it would come to this? Rukia getting executed on Sokyoku Hill? How?

"Don't touch her!" Aizen keeps walking, ignoring me like the fly I am to him. Rage suddenly consumes me and I move at a speed that I didn't realize I was capable of anymore, stopping between Aizen and Rukia. Aizen raises an eyebrow at me. "I said don't touch her," I growl at him, drawing my sword.

Aizen smiles at me like an indulgent parent who is slowly losing patience with their child. "I'm surprised that you have so much spiritual pressure left. But you don't honestly think you can beat me in your condition do you? This is your only chance. Move out of my way or I'm going to kill you."

I can't take this anymore. All the lies, the manipulation. Everyone and everything that I've ever cared about is in danger because of him. I want to kill Aizen, to destroy him. I'd do anything to be able to do it. And so I listen to the voice that I've been hearing inside my mind on and off since I started training with Tennyo's bankai. It's gotten a lot louder now that so much my spiritual pressure has been used up.

Taylor…Let me kill him. Let me kill him.

Can you really do it?

Oh yes. I can. Just let me do it.

I don't know if I can really trust that voice, but I've run out of options. So, I let go. A new spiritual pressure explodes around me.

…

Ichigo was in pain. It clouded his mind, making it difficult for him to focus. But he did have one completely clear and coherent thought. He didn't want Taylor to fight Aizen.

This Aizen guy was a monster. His spiritual pressure was terrifying. And he had cut down Ichigo and Renji like they were nothing. The man's strength went beyond monstrous. So when Taylor had appeared all Ichigo wanted to do was stop her from fighting. Her shihakusho was covered in blood and she looked exhausted. Clearly she'd already been in a tough fight. She wasn't ready to face Aizen. And yet, Ichigo couldn't say anything.

It was too important to her. He hadn't understood what they were talking about with the past and the Hogyoku, but Ichigo was now certain that Aizen was the man that Taylor had been training so hard to beat in the secret cavern beneath Sokyoku Hill. Aizen was the connection between Taylor and the woman who's powers she held. Fighting Aizen was something that Taylor, and Taylor alone, had to do. He understood that, but he didn't like it. He stayed silent all the same.

Rukia stared up at Taylor's back in horror. She couldn't face Aizen. Rukia could tell by the tension in Taylor's back she was exhausted. It was amazing that she had even been able to move as fast as she had when she blocked Aizen's path.

In the back of Rukia's head she could hear her Captain's words. That there were two kinds of fights: those for life and those for honor. And Rukia knew, somehow, that this fight for Taylor was about honor. But, this was a fight that Taylor couldn't win. Rukia had let it slide when Ichigo had fought Grand Fisher. But she couldn't do it now. She couldn't sit by and say nothing again when someone she cared about was facing certain death.

"Please," Rukia whispered, her voice shaky, her eyes filling with tears. "Please, don't do this Taylor."

"Rukia…" Something in Rukia flinched when she heard Taylor's voice. There was something…wrong…with it. "Stop worrying about it." Rukia gasped as Taylor glanced back over her shoulder at her. Black was slowly crawling across the whites of Taylor's eyes, her once blue irises now bright gold.

Taylor faced forward again and spiritual pressure exploded from her, blowing Rukia backwards. As Rukia propped herself up on her arm, using her other arm to protect her face from the wind, she felt the wrongness again. This wasn't Taylor's spiritual pressure. It was something else. Black, lined with gold whirled high above Rukia's head.

Aizen blinked in surprise as he felt the transformation taking place in front of him. "I wasn't expecting that. Wakana's Hollow powers were passed along as well. Did you sense this when you were fighting her before Gin?" Aizen asked, looking back at his subordinate.

His grin gone, Gin shook his head. "No. Not a hint of it." Aizen turned back towards the human girl in front of him, intrigued by what would come of this new development.

Taylor's exploding spiritual pressure registered somewhere deep inside Ichigo as he watched the black energy swirl. It felt eerily familiar. It was like what had happened when he had fought Byakuya. But he didn't even understand what had happened to him. What did it mean for Taylor?

Ichigo watched with trepidation as the swirling energy began to calm. Taylor was slowly revealed, her hair flying in all directions. She stood hunched over, her arms hanging strangely in front of her at awkward angles and her sword dragging along the ground.

"Let's see what you can do then." Ichigo didn't need to see Aizen's face to know he was smirking.

Taylor suddenly threw back her head, her hair flaring out behind her. What Ichigo saw next made his breath catch in his throat as a primal fear shot through his limbs. Her face was now covered by a white mask. It was shaped vaguely like a human skull, but its teeth were too large. There was a golden starburst over the left eye of the mask and at the top, going around the back of Taylor's head, a halo like piece sat crookedly. Ichigo could just barely see Taylor's eyes through the mask and they looked completely inhuman. The whites of her eyes had turned black and her irises were now gold.

As if in answer to Aizen's challenge the mouth on the mask cracked open and Taylor let out a roar that sounded so much like a Hollow's that it raised the hairs on the back of Ichigo's neck. He didn't understand what had happened to her, but somehow Ichigo knew that it wasn't Taylor under that mask. And whatever it was definitely wasn't human. Suddenly she disappeared and attacked Aizen, her sword clashing violently against his.

"Very powerful," Aizen observed. "Good."

And then they were off, trading lightning fast blows across the top of Sokyoku Hill. It was clear that Taylor wasn't in control anymore. Her strikes were random and wild, and she attacked without thought for her own safety. But what she lacked in control she made up for in power. Earth cracked and split whenever Taylor's blade met Aizen's and it was clear that she was standing up to him, if not overpowering him.

Aizen would admit that he was impressed. He had never really gotten a good chance to test the power of a Hollowfied Soul Reaper and he was pleased that even his failed experiment had turned out so well. It was especially pleasing since the human girl was not the one who had been Hollowfied. She was fighting with powers that she had acquired second hand.

But he quickly grew bored of fighting her. After all a failed experiment like the Vizards would never be able to match him in power. Deciding that it was time to finish things- he could feel the other Captains and officers approaching and he needed to get the Hogyoku before they arrived- he began to push her harder. The Hollowfied girl didn't like it. Her strikes grew even wilder and he could hear bestial snarling from behind the mask.

They clashed swords for a final time before Aizen swiped her away. The girl landed and paused, clearly deciding what to do. "That's enough of that I think," Aizen said, holding his zanpakuto out in front of him. "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."

The girl roared again, enraged, and charged. She sliced downward, aiming for Aizen's neck. But her sword slipped right through him. Behind the mask Aizen saw the girl's eyes widen in confusion. He smiled to himself in satisfaction as he smoothly slid his blade into her chest.

…

It was strange giving the voice control. I could still see everything that was happening, could still feel my muscles move and my breath flow past my lips. But, somehow, I had taken a back seat within my own mind. I knew everything that was going on, but I was no longer the one controlling it.

But I could feel the power of it. Whoever, whatever that voice is she is incredibly powerful. She attacked Aizen without a second thought and kept up with him. I got caught up in it…the power. I liked the feeling of strength it gave me. It made me kind of bloodthirsty. I couldn't wait to see Aizen's blood staining the ground. I was getting swallowed by the power.

And then it was over. I feel the sword slide into my chest. The pain is acute. The mask that covered my face cracks and shatters and I am in control again. I cough and the iron taste of blood fills my mouth. I sag against the hilt of Aizen's sword, the strength to stand on my own fading. "H-how?" I manage to gasp, raising my gaze to see Aizen smirking smugly down at me.

"It is the power of my zanpakuto. I call it Complete Hypnosis. Most effective don't you think?"

I stare blankly at him for a moment and then everything clicks. How he was able to fake his own death and hide out in Central 46. How he was able to kill all of Central 46- which he did according to the 4th's Lieutenant- and no one knew. How he was able to trick Shinji Hirako and Wakana until the end of that fateful night.

"You bastard," I hiss, somehow finding the strength to lift my sword arm. It's pointless I'm sure, but maybe if I can just nick a major vein or something…

I cry out as I feel the second sword enter my back, exiting just below Aizen's sword. Inside my head I hear Tennyo and the other voice screaming in pain. I cough again, more violently this time, and my blood stains the ground. All my strength leaves me and my knees buckle. The only thing holding me up now is the two swords through my chest. I manage to move my head enough to look back over my shoulder. The other man who has stabbed me is Gin Ichimaru. I think I might hate him more than Aizen.

"I don't think that was necessary Gin," Aizen says.

Ichimaru shrugs. "You can never be too careful, Captain Aizen."

"I appreciate the sentiment, but I doubt there's any chance she'll survive. In any case there's something I need to finish."

Aizen and Ichimaru both pull their swords out at the same time, sending more agony shooting through my chest. I immediately collapse to the ground, my blood spreading out around me. My vision is starting to go fuzzy and my hearing is fading. I want to move. I want to get up and fight again. But I can't. I can't move even the smallest muscle. In fact I think I'm dying. Is this really the end for me? ...Dying sucks.

The fuzzy edges of my vision are being taken over by quickly encroaching black. Even as my consciousness fades something catches my eye. A flash of orange. I blink, refocusing my eyes, and see that it is Ichigo's hair. He's lying maybe twenty feet away from me, desperately trying to prop himself up on his arms. He really shouldn't do that. He's going to make his injuries worse

Now that I'm focusing on him I can hear his voice too. He's calling my name over and over again, begging me to stay conscious. I think there might even be tears in the corners of his eyes. Wow…he's going to cry over me? He must really…love me…or something. Thinking back to our kiss in the cave though…maybe I already knew that.

I'm sorry Ichigo. I've tried. I really have. But I can't stay awake anymore. Good…bye…

"TAYLOR!"

Author's Note:

Chapter 20 and the final, climatic battles. Yay! And it ended with a cliffhanger. Not yay! In any case I hope you enjoyed it. It took me a while to get into writing this chapter, but I like the way it turned out. And if you don't really get everything that happened at the end don't worry…everything will be explained and wrapped up in the next chapter. The FINAL chapter. That's weird to think about…

So I actually debated for a really long time about whether or not I wanted to make Taylor a Vizard. In the end I decided that yes, I would. And this will come into play later down the line. I think I mentioned at some point that Tennyo is supposed to mean something along the lines of 'celestial angel'. According to Google Translate utau means 'singing', so Tennyo Utau is supposed to be 'singing celestial angel'. Whether it's accurate or not I have no idea (my Japanese isn't that good yet) but I think it sounds cool.

Citations:

*English language version, Episode 61, by Viz.

Nine reviews? Not too shabby! THANK YOU SO MUCH to Shaybo27, Shannyrox101, Queen-of-Twilights, Sora'struelover, Oiten, bored411, bleach fan no 1, LadyAmazon, and Daisylovesyou! I have to say that there are quite a few readers out there who are making freakishly accurate guesses as to what will happen in the future of this story (coughcough Shannyrox101 cough) or people who have guessed what I was originally considering doing (coughcough Shaybo27 cough). And all I have to say is that you'll just have to wait and see if you're right or not!

And I'm sorry that it took me so long to get this chapter up. My training thing has picked up a lot recently in out-of-class work, plus I'm applying to jobs and doing other time-consuming things. Also I started another story that I'm pretty much in love with and its been taking up a lot of my attention. It's a Hetalia story so if you like Hetalia then you should check it out. And if you don't then fear not! I will finish this story and keep updating, but it may just take me a little longer.

Thanks for reading!

imagination junkie