The Conclusion Part 1

Ichigo and Rukia stood dumbfounded in front of Byakuya Kuchiki as the Senkaimon finally closed. Despite being at the dead of night, the two still recognised the Squad 6 Captain.

"Byakuya?" Ichigo said, breaking the silence.

"Brother..." Rukia pondered. Suddenly, Byakuya drew on his Zanpakuto, greatly alerting the two.

"Rukia." Byakuya began. "Please step aside from Ichigo." Rukia gasped.

"What are you intending to do?"

"This boy has trampled on my pride for far too long now." Byakuya explained. "Killing him will be the perfect measure to apiece it."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ichigo yelled. "What did I do to upset you this time?" Byakuya pointed his Zanpakuto towards Ichigo.

"You violated my sister." There was silence then, with the two lovers gobsmacked by this statement.

"How did you know?" Ichigo finally said.

"I bore witness to it. That is why you must die." Rukia still stood in front of Ichigo, doing whatever possible action to stop Byakuya.

"Brother, this is madness!" Rukia yelled.

"What is madness, sister, is you having the gall to let a human child do such sickening acts with you."

"I did so on my own accord because I love Ichigo!" That statement made both Ichigo and Rukia blush heavily.

"I do not care of your feelings for Ichigo Kurosaki. You have shamed the Kuchiki clan with your actions. For this, he must die. Be thankful it is not you that will be killed."

"Wait..." Ichigo said. "It was you! You were the one behind all the plots to split me and Rukia up, weren't you!" Rukia gasped.

"I was the one that approved the plots of the baboons looking to separate you as much as I." Byakuya explained. "Rukia's drawings? The human child knowing of your love? Rukia's poisoning? Rukia's attacker? Lieutenant Kusajishi's horribly prepared temptation? And everything thereafter were all prepared and approved by me." Ichigo and Rukia's faces were of horror. They would never have guessed in a million years Byakuya would be capable of such brutal methods. Ichigo's fists clenched harder than they ever have before.

"Why would you put your sister through this much hardships!" Ichigo bellowed at the top of his lungs. "She's had her treasured possessions burned, she's been poisoned, on the brink of being raped and kidnapped, all to get her as far away from me?"

"That is correct."

"What have we ever done to you to? We were enjoying our time together before you began interfering!"

"And if I hadn't, then who knows what kind of brutality you would have befell on Rukia." Byakuya raised his sword to release his Shikai. "If you will not step aside, Rukia, then I shall merely slice Ichigo Kurosaki from behind." But before Byakuya could summon his thousand blossom blades, a vast Spiritual Pressure engulfed all three, so much so, Rukia was on the verge of caving in. "Wh-What?"

"This Spiritual Pressure!" Rukia identified. Ichigo looked behind Byakuya to see Head Captain Yamamoto, standing in all his might.

Back at the World of the Living, the temporary alliance between Ichigo and Rukia's defenders and the Movement were just about finished defeating the Hollows that invaded shortly after the two left for the Soul Society. With four Captains and countless high-ranked officers, the Hollows were quickly laid to rest.

"That was easier than planned." Kisuke heaved.

"Such a small attack wave is nothing compared to my strength." Mayuri commented to his former higher-rank. Toshiro eyed Kenpachi carefully; now that the Hollows were defeated, he could launch for them at any second.

"Don't get so uptight, kid." Kenpachi growled, making Toshiro flinch. "I've had my fair share of fun from those Hollows. And since you let Ichigo get away, it's pointless going after him." Some of the fighters against the Hollows sustained a few injuries, Toshiro began to notice.

"I'll call Squad 4 for some medical assistance, then." Toshiro replied.

Back in the Soul Society, not only were Ichigo and Rukia surprised by the Head Captain's appearance, but Byakuya also. The Head-Captain briefly surveyed the situation: Byakuya was holding his Zanpakuto for his Shikai release, and Rukia was standing between her brother and her lover, trying to protect the latter.

"My, this is quite the scene." Yamamoto joked.

"Gramps...?" Ichigo breathed, trying to get his breath back from the high Spiritual Pressure he was trying to resist. Rukia however was too shaken to even speak.

"Head-Captain..." Byakuya spoke.

"Is this what I think it is, Captain Kuchiki?" Asked Yamamoto. "You, had enough with the Substitute Soul Reapers affairs with your sister, that you intend to kill the Substitute Soul Reaper in question?"

"That is true."

"And have I, or have I not, stated that if you went further with your plots, you will be severely punished?"

"That is also true."

"Do you have any justifications for your actions?"

"This is personal, Head-Captain."

"I do not mind personal errands, Captain Kuchiki, but to kill one of your own? If not, kill a human, the one race we try to protect from the forces of evil."

"I do not care what he is, all I care about is killing Ichigo Kurosaki. The one who is putting my clan to shame." The Head Captain gave a sigh.

"There is no stopping you?"

"Not even if the Soul Society were split in two." The Head-Captain turned his attention to Ichigo and Rukia.

"This whole affair would end if I simply ordered you two to cease your relationship immediately." Ichigo grunted in shock.

"No way, gramps!" Ichigo retorted. "I'd rather die than be apart from Rukia!"

"And therin lies the rub." Yamamoto replied. "One wants something and the other desires the opposite...Very well. If mere words will not sway the both of you, then combat will. Ichigo and Byakuya shall fight here and now, to decide this, once and for all. If Ichigo should emerge the victor, then he and Rukia Kuchiki shall stay together of their own free will. But if Byakuya should win this fight, then Ichigo will end all ties with her." Ichigo was a little stunned by this, but nodded in approval.

"Ichigo, don't..." Rukia weakly said, still weary from Yamamoto's immense Spiritual Pressure. But nonetheless, Ichigo helped her to the side of the Senkaimon pathway.

"It'll be okay, Rukia..." Ichigo said gently. "I'll show Byakuya just how much you mean to me!" Before Ichigo could reach for his hiltless sword, Rukia grouped Ichigo to a hug and kiss.

"Please don't die..." Rukia whispered as she released her grip. Ichigo turned to his opponent, Byakuya Kuchiki, drawing on his Zanpakuto and preparing for the final showdown.

"I don't plan to..."