Chapter Seventeen: The Final Countdown, Part Five: You Lone Flower

Kiyone took a fearful step back, one hand unconsciously being brought up to block any unprovoked attacks. Her body seemed to shiver with terror, almost as if Aizen's very presence was choking the very life out of her. The smirk that he had plastered to his face widened as he took a confident step forward.

This pattern happened again and again. She would take a step backwards, he would grow even more amused than he already was and take a step forwards. This continued again and again until Kiyone had nowhere else to go. Aizen's smirk then turned into a full out sneer when he pulled out his zanpakutoh. He took two quick steps forward, bringing his sword back. Kiyone shut her eyes and awaited the blow. She heard the sharp whistling noise of his zanpakutoh making its way towards her head and then…

She heard a sharp clang of steel against steel. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes. Her eyes widened when she saw that her captain had blocked the former fifth division Captain's blade with one of his own. Ukitake's reiatsu exuded hatred towards the traitorous illusion master, his jaw clenched and both zanpakutoh's already released into Shikai.

Aizen smirk did not waver, "So, Ukitake-san, it seems you are as overprotective of your subordinates as ever. Tell me, are you still upset about that whole hollow that I made killing your Vice Captain incident?" Aizen's expression became a mockery of pity, "I feel for you, I really do. So I decided while I was here I might as well kill Kiyone-san as we-"

He was interrupted by a terrifying roar that escaped Ukitake's throat. The Thirteenth Captain then launched a powerful attack at Sosuke, causing the traitor to leap backwards in order to dodge the assault. Once the smoke cleared, Kiyone could see that Aizen was shaking his head in disgust, "Really now, Jyuushirou, there's no need to be so rude. I was just trying to have a little fun, is all."

He then leaped at Ukitake, trying to slash him across the chest with his sword. Ukitake dodged to the side, his lower body had not moved at all except that his legs were spread wide, and his upper body was low to the ground at to the side. He then slashed his sword through Aizen, separating torso from body, before he thrust his sword behind him in order to block an attack by the real Aizen.

Aizen sneered at him and leapt back, before pointing his finger at Ukitake and saying, "Byakurai."

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Gin raced through Seiretei, occasionally pausing to stab and slash at the Shinigami that got in his way. He leapt over buildings and smashed through them, leading the many Soul Reapers on his tail on a merry chase. His smile kept growing and growing as he caused more and more mayhem throughout the walls.

Using shun-po, he sped across a wide open space before using a powerful flying side kick to break down the door to the main office building of the Third division. He sent out a Kidou spell, hoping to destroy even more Soul Reaper property. The spell was blocked by a straight hooked shaped sword, and his former Vice-Captain launched himself at his former commander.

Gin smiled at Kira, before using his superior strength to throw the blonde off his blade. He then flash stepped behind Izuru and pierced him with his Shinsou. The frail Vice-Captain fell to the ground, his sword clattering to the ground. Gin was about to leave his victim to his demise, when he saw that the sky had turned red. Snapping his neck to the sky, he saw a shadowy figure pointing a cero at him.

Reacting on instinct, Gin reached towards his forehead and pulled out his hollow mask. He put most of his power into his right arm, a white bone shield forming almost instantaneously as he did so. The frowning hollow mask he wore flashed as the cero made contact with his shield. He almost fell over due to the intense impact, but managed to barely stand on his feet.

He heard laughter from behind him and turned around quickly in order to discover the identity of his attacker. He cursed mentally when he saw who it was. It was the Quartus (Fourth) Vaizard Elder, Antonio Bortecelli. The semi-fat man smirked at the former third division captain, "It's been a while since I saw you last, Gin-chan. How have you been? Well no matter, it won't make a difference either way, for I will kill you now for betraying your Vaizard brethren." He took the lit cigar in his mouth and threw it into the air, "Burn out his eyes, Allettante Vampa." (Tempting Flame)

The cigar caught on fire, before it suddenly grew and landed in the Don's hands. He held in his hands his zanpakutoh. It was shaped into an elegant fencing blade, red rubies adorning the hilt. With a flourish, Antonio flicked his blade at the traitor, causing crimson crows of flame to come flying out in pursuit of their enemy.

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Kaname Tousen also was told to cause mayhem within Seiretei. He did his job well, although he took no joy from it like Gin did. As he leapt over yet another structure, he was knocked out of the sky by a flying kick to his abdomen.

Landing with a great crash, he skidded almost forty feet before he used one elbow to flip himself upright. He drew his zanpakutoh, using his perception to try and discover the identity of his attacker.

He could not see her, but he knew who she was. Before him stood Soi Fon, Second Division Captain. Tousen frowned, he did not recall her having such long hair. Nor did he recall her wearing such a heavy overcoat.

His thoughts were interrupted when she said, "Well if you won't attack me, Kaname, I guess I'll just have to…" she clapped her hands, then her right hand seemed to rip through the very air itself as it pulled out her mask. She put it on her face, her voice now distorted by another speaking at the same time, "Kill you!!"

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Aizen panted heavily atop the Sokyouku hill, using his reserves in order to fashion bandages out of his clothing. Who would have thought that soul society would have made something like that? He certainly hadn't, and so was caught off guard when the bomb had attached itself to his chest. The resulting explosion had contained as much power as the Sokyouku, although it only unleashed that area around him. The area had only a diameter of five feet, but the destruction within had been so awesome Sosuke had been forced to bring out his final card…

He heard someone sigh near him and turned his gaze to the person to his left. Kiyone stood there, her hands clasped behind her back. He growled at her, "What are you sighing for?"

She smiled at him, "I'm sighing because I'm trying to figure out how the great Sosuke could have fallen so low as to have been hit by that obvious trap."

His eyebrow ticked in annoyance, "Shut it, Nonus Patricius. (Ninth Noble) I'm not in the mood for your idiocies today."

Kiyone was about to retort when a presence flashed in behind her. She turned her head and smirked, "Ah, Ichigo-sama, took you long enough. I've been waiting forever. So what do we do now."

Ichigo walked over to Sosuke, who was on one knee, unable to get up. Ichigo offered a hand to the former Fifth division captain. Sosuke grasped it and was assisted in standing up.

Once they were both on two feet, Ichigo gazed at Sosuke. He then gave a deep laugh, before giving the man a bear hug, "It's good to see you again, Uncle Sosuke!"

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TBC- - - - - - -