SailorStar9: This is Chapter 12 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Uryū and Ichigo: (Sitting peacefully onstage)

Ichimaru: (Pops in from above and ignites a bomb onstage)

(Smoke clears to reveal disheveled Uryū and Ichigo)

Chapter 12: Aizen Assassinated! The Darkness which Approaches


"Captain Aizen!" Hinamori took a few steps froward before sinking to her knees and screaming in horror.

"What's all this racket so early in the morning?" Ichimaru asked, arriving on scene. "This is a terrible situation, isn't it?"

"So it was you!?" Hinamori snapped. Her hand on the tilt of her Zanpakutō, she charged at Ichimaru, only be be blocked off by Kira. "Kira... why?" she stammered.

"I'm the Lieutenant of the 3rd Squad." Kira stated. "No matter what the reason, I cannot allow anyone to raise a sword against my Captain."

"Please... get out of my way, Kira." Hinamori requested, seeing Ichimaru stride off.

"I cannot." Kira stood his ground.

"Move!" Hinamori barked. "Get out of my way!"

"No!" Kira insisted.

"Can't you hear me?" Hinamori ordered. "I said to move!"

"Can't you hear me say 'no'?" Kira snapped.

"Snap, Tobiume!" Hinamori activated her Shikai.

"Releasing your Zanpakutō in a place like this..." Kira hissed. "How thoughtless. Do you realize what you are doing? Do not confuse public matters with private, Lieutenant Hinamori! I see..." he muttered dodging a fireball from an enraged Hinamori. "Then I have no choice. I shall dispose you as an enemy. Raise Your Head, Wabisuke." he countered by releasing his Shikai as well.

"Don't either of you move." Hitsugaya warned, blocking off Kira's blade. "Arrest the both of them. Hinamori!" he scolded. "Is this any time to be clashing swords with each other? Shouldn't your first priority be to lower Captain Aizen down from there? I will make the report of the Captain-Commander. Put these two under detention. Take them away."

"Sorry, Captain of the 10th Squad." Ichimaru turned to Hitsugaya. "That you had to waste your time on one of mine."

"Ichimaru..." Hitsugaya voiced. "You were about to kill Hinamori, weren't you?"

"Now..." Ichimaru noted. "What are you talking about?"

"I'll tell you this now..." Hitsugaya warned. "If you allow any of Hinamori's blood to spill, I will kill you."

"That's scary..." Ichimaru was unfazed. "I'd better keep a close eye on her to make sure no bad guy gets to her."


Elsewhere...

Suddenly, Sado awoke inside a warehouse, as Hasu stirred from the side when they heard a noise outside and rustling at the door.

Sado summoned his armor, just as Hasu kicked off her boots, both warriors preparing to fight, just as the doors broke open.

"Hell Boots, Level One." Hasu summoned her weapons, the blood-red bangles around her ankles took form of thigh-high stiletto boots with kneepads. "Activate!" at that command, flaps at the back of both of her heels unfurled, revealing two Hell Butterfly shapes at her heels. "Waltz: Misty-Wind!" she stirred up a destructive tornado with a whirling kick, the hurricane merging with Hotaru's energy attack and beating the group of Shinigamis to the ground.

"Where is the 'Shrine of Penitence'?" Sado asked a fallen Shinigami. "When we asked the last guy where Kuchiki Rukia was, he just said that and fainted. Tell us."

"It's that way..." the Shinigami pointed. "The white-tower type thing way over there."

"I see." Sado released him. "Thanks." and the trio took off.

"Showing your back to the enemy, what a fool!" the Shinigami picked up his blade and charged at the turned pair.

"Dankū!" Hasu's 'Splitting Void' shield was instantly erected.

"I am sorry!" the Shinigami apologized profusely, having sensed Tula's immense Spirit Pressure.

"Don't come at us anymore." Tula warned and the duo went their way.


Nearby...

"They're here." Nanao reported. "It's the Ryoka. It looks like they've broken through the guardhouse. Captain Kyōraku."

"What, they're here already?" Kyōraku sighed. "Oh well, guess I'll head out, then."

"Are you really going?" Nanao was skeptical. "It's just two Ryoka. I'm your assistant, but I should be more than enough."

"Listen, Nanao." Kyōraku cut her off. "It's Yama-jii's orders, after all. He doesn't want anyone thinking we're still having problems with the Ryoka. Grownups hate losing face, you know. Besides, it would be awful if my Nanao went out to fight and end up being injured."

"Since when am I 'your Nanao'?" Nanao deathpanned.


Meanwhile...

Both Ichigo and Sado's groups were heading towards the tower.

Ichigo's group was in the lead as they headed hastily to the shrine, and Hanatarō's energy pill finally seemed to have kicked in as he beat them to the top of the stairs.

The pathway ahead was empty and the three dashed off. Suddenly they were stopped by an extremely powerful Spiritual Pressure.


SailorStar9: In the next chapter, the 10th division lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku, gives Hinamori a letter from Aizen, which discloses the true identity of his murderer. Meanwhile, Ichigo begins to fight Zaraki. However, Zaraki's spiritual energy is so great that Ichigo cannot even attack him. Now that's done, read and review.