Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights go to Tite Kubo.

Author's Note: Phew, so many things to do in my life which tend to get in the way of my lone time with the computer, typing HitsuHina fan fictions. Gah...anyway, I managed to finish another chapter earlier than expected. Yay! Thank you AznInvasionGirl, Pieps XD, MoonLightView, KnowledgeandImagination, BLEACHISAWESOMEANDIMAWESOME XP, Samantha, Neko-cheung, ScienceAngel, feronia. wings, Amiru-chan for your reviews. They're greatly appreciated. As promised, here is the action packed chapter ten of The Greatest Treasure. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking."

The Greatest Treasure

Chapter Ten: The Real Story

Routines in the Hinamori Palace hasn't changed one bit since the princess' disappearance and that includes the abrupt recent news on the notorious thief, Aisu no Ryu. "General Aizen! Captain Ichimaru!" a guard exclaimed, barging into the throne room with a single card in his fingertips.

The two elite members of the Royal Guard turned around and waited for him to hand over the note to Aizen. After reading the note, he turned to the guard. "Where did the Saiyuki family found this?"

With a short nod of agreement, he replied, "One of them found it at their doorstep sir. It appears that Aisu no Ryu has given them advanced notice. He's going to steal the golden wall scroll tonight."

Suddenly, the General placed his thumb and index finger on his chin. His other hand is on his elbow. "Hn, now that's a problem."

"What's wrong General Aizen?"

"I'm afraid neither Captain Ichimaru nor myself will be able to lend a hand. Unfortunately, we have other important matters to attend," he explained.

"I see."

"Daijobou," Ichimaru interrupted. "We'll just leave it to Izuru and Hisagi to take care of the issue."

"I suppose it's a fair decision. Besides, they are the next highest in rank after us," Aizen said. "Alright, please ask them to come here. We would like to have a word with them."

"Yes sir!" the guard exclaimed before running out the room.

After a few minutes, Kira Izuru and Hisagi Shuhei have been summoned to the throne room. "You called for us Ichimaru-taicho, General Aizen?" Kira asked.

"Yes we have," Gin replied. "We want you two to lead a group of guards to the Saiyuki family manor and protect the golden wall scroll."

"We have to protect the golden wall scroll?" Hisagi asked before the realization hit him. "You mean Aisu no Ryu is planning to steal it tonight?"

The taller man nodded with agreement. "Bingo! You got that right."

"What about you and General Aizen? Are not you supposed to be on this mission as well?" Kira questioned.

"We were, but Central Chambers 46 would like a word with us," Ichimaru explained. "I don't think we'll be able to return on time and participate in the capture of the thief."

"I see."

Aizen merely smiled. "I know you two will handle the situation on your own. I have faith in you."

Glancing over at the pale blond haired knight, Gin asked, "What's wrong Izuru? Something seems to be bothering you."

Kira raised his head and hands out. Waving them back and forth, he replied, "Iie, I was just wondering...what happened to Abarai-kun?"

Hearing him say that reminded the other knight. Where has the red head been these days? It has been a few days ago since they last saw Renji. Aizen folded his arms and humbly replied, "Don't worry about him you two. I sent him out on an important mission. He'll be back soon. Sorry for not telling you sooner. The thought slipped my mind."

"Oh..."

"I hope that answers your question."

Kira nodded with agreement. "Yes sir. Thank you for letting us know."

Aizen smiled. "No problem."

The two knights bowed down to their superiors. "We shall take our leave General Aizen, Captain Ichimaru," Hisagi said.

The General simply nodded with agreement, granting them permission to leave the room.

"Bye bye!" Ichimaru waved good bye with his trademark smile. Once they were gone, the captain turned to his General. "Things could get troublesome if you continue to let Izuru and Hisagi do whatever they want."

"Don't worry about it so much, they're going to get caught sooner or later," Aizen replied. "It is guaranteed."

Ichimaru grinned. "Hn, how interesting..."

When Hitsugaya arrived in Seireitei late at night, he quickly hid in an alley, away from the public's view. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "I managed to get inside somehow," he whispered, reopening his eyes.

Taking a short peek, he noticed a few guards coming in his direction. The thief quickly concealed himself in darkness once more. He cursed under his breath. "Tch, there's heavier security this time."

A few more guards passed by, not noticing his presence nearby. Hitsugaya placed his right hand on the hilt of his blade from behind and drew his long sword out. "Oh well...it's not like I haven't dealt with this situation before."

He crept to the edge of the wall, looking over to see if someone's coming. "Let's see how they fair when they spot me. Will they be able to protect the golden wall scroll from my filthy little hands? We'll find out..." Hitsugaya said as he jumped out of his hiding spot and appeared in the presence of two guards.

"He's here! Aisu no Ryu has been spo--" one of the guards said before he was elbowed in the stomach by the thief.

Knocking the guard aside, Hitsugaya parried against his other opponent's sword slash using his own. Their blades crossed several times more, leaving both wielders in a tight deadlock. Applying more force, Aisu no Ryu began pushing his opponent back. The guard grunted with frustration. "You won't win!" he exclaimed, throwing a wide swing.

Hitsugaya sensed his opportunity and immediately ducked under the sword. Running up to his opponent, the boy placed both hands on the hilt of his blade and thrust it forward. The guard barely managed to avoid the assault. However, he was not able to anticipate the thief's next move. He spun his body around and used its momentum to strike from the side. He groaned in pain and soon dropped to the ground.

Putting down his battle stance, Hitsugaya stood next to the two defeated guards. Looking over to see the Saiyuki family manor, he said, "Two down; plenty more to go..."

Aisu no Ryu ran deeper into enemy territory and met up with more guards. A few of them, turned out to be quite the skilled opponents. However, they are still no match for him. He knocked out yet another guard onto the ground. During this time around, Hitsugaya found himself to be somewhat exhausted. He kissed between his teeth. "Tch, they're more persistent this time around," he commented, wiping some sweat off his forehead with his sleeve. "At this rate, I'm going to collapse from tiredness before I reach there. I better start outrunning them."

Hitsugaya ran towards yet another group of guards. Using this opportunity, he jumped on their shoulders and used them to leap onto the roof. Taking out an exploding tagged kunai from his sash, he threw it near the roof's peak. A few seconds later, an explosion occurred, sending the people around and below into great panic.

He threw three more kunais with exploding tags elsewhere on the ground below. This is his chance to take what he came here for. Using the hole created by the explosion, Hitsugaya jumped into the household and dash through the halls. Just as people noticed his presence, three more explosions occurred. They were once again sent down on their knees with their hands covering their heads. None of them wanted to get hurt.

By the time he arrived at the destined room, Hitsugaya saw the golden wall scroll hanged on the wall. He looked back hearing footsteps coming closer. Time is running out. He immediately snatched the scroll, rolled it up, and tied it together to his sash. When reinforcements have finally arrived, Aisu no Ryu is already at the door, ready to make his getaway. "There he is!"

Hitsugaya put his sword back in its sheath. He turned to them, cleared his throat and said in a different voice, "Come and catch me if you can!"

With that, he ran out the door while the guards tailed behind. Running into the yard, the guards stopped and looked around. They have suddenly lost track of the thief. While they are searching, Hitsugaya turned out to be back on the roof, waiting for them to notice. "Idiots...can't they use their brains for once?" he wondered.

All of a sudden, he felt the presence of two additional people on the roof. He grinned under his mask and turned around to see the two elite members of the Royal Guard, Kira and Hisagi. "You're under arrest Aisu no Ryu," the short haired knight declared.

They drew their swords out and held it up in front of the thief. Hitsugaya turned to the side with a hand placed on his hip. "Hisagi Shuhei and Kira Izuru, two of the three Trio Knights of Seireitei," he said. "Hn, it seems like the third knight still hasn't returned to his usual duties. How expected..."

Kira lowered his sword and asked, "What do you know about Abarai-kun?"

Hisagi placed an arm in Kira's way. Turning to the younger knight, he said, "Kira, don't be psyched by his words. He's obviously only saying that we can put our guard down. After that, he would use that moment to get away."

"I met him three nights ago," Hitsugaya replied. "He was in prison at the dungeon tower."

"What, in prison?" Hisagi asked, shocking both knights.

"Why would he be there?" Kira asked.

Even though his plan is working, Aisu no Ryu might as well let them know about Renji. Besides, they are close friends. "He told me of Aizen's plan to take the throne."

"General Aizen is planning to take the throne?" Hisagi asked.

"Why would he do such a thing?" Kira questioned.

"According to Renji, he wants power and domination over the kingdom. Captain Ichimaru is working with him too. I made a promise with Abarai to look after your princess," Aisu no Ryu replied. The two knights looked at one another. It's hard to believe what the thief is telling them. "However, there is something else that is bothering me; why would Aizen take the trouble to put up bounty and reward posters of me and the princess?"

He glanced at them and knew they are thinking about it. With a faint smile on his face, Hitsugaya turned his back against them and shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway, it's up to you to believe my words or not, but I'll tell you one thing..."

The thief began walking towards the edge of the roof. "Anyway, whatever choice you make here and now, it will determine the outcome of the future. Will you save your friend from prison or continue to pursue me in hope of capturing me, Kira and Hisagi?"

He stopped and waited for a moment. After a few minutes of silence, Hitsugaya is determined that they're not going to go after him. Showing a grin on his face, he jumped off the roof and ran into the depths of darkness. Once again, he is going home safe and sound.

Kira turned to Hisagi. He asked, "Is it okay to let him go?"

Raising his head up, the Trio Knight replied, "There are other opportunities to capture him. There is no doubt that another chance will come by. Right now, we need to confirm what he said is correct."

The younger knight nodded with agreement. "Hai, let's go find Abarai-kun."

After relieving the guards from their duties, Kira and Hisagi quickly made their way to the dungeon tower. "What if what Aisu no Ryu said is correct?" the younger knight asked.

"Then it confirms that the General and our Captain have been lying to us," Hisagi replied. "It also confirms that they're plotting to take over the throne."

Kira nodded with agreement. Just as they are about to enter the tower, the older knight suddenly felt a presence following them. When he turned around, Hisagi is immediately stabbed in the stomach. He coughed out blood and looked down on his injury. He noticed the familiar sword impaled into his body. Raising his head up to see the culprit's face, he slowly mouthed his name. "A-Ai...zen."

With a smile, the General withdrew his sword, causing more blood to gush out of the knight's body. He soon fell to the ground, unconscious. Kira, who witnessed the whole scene, froze. "A-Aizen..."

The man turned to the pale blond haired knight. "I'm afraid I can't let you both save Abarai-kun..."

He quickly drew his sword out and took a step back. His eyes are kept close to the older man. "So it is true; Aisu no Ryu has been telling the truth...about you, Ichimaru, and Abarai-kun."

Aizen raised an eyebrow with sudden interest. "Really, Aisu no Ryu knows what is going on around here too? In that case, it's all the more reason to deal with you Kira-kun."

Before he knew it, Ichimaru Gin appeared at his side. His eyes widened with surprise. "I-Ichimaru!"

"Gomen nesai Izuru; no hard feelings, okay?" he said with his trademark grin on his face. The next thing that happened Ichimaru cut across Kira's chest with his sword, sending a line of blood to spray out. As he watches his subordinate collapse onto the ground, he drew back his sword back into its sheath and turned to Aizen. "That was fun while it lasted."

"I suppose so Gin," Aizen replied. "Please do call a few guards here and tell them to the infirmary. The nurses and doctors need to tend to their injuries. After that, they need to be thrown in jail along with Abarai-kun."

"As you wish General Aizen, but what are you going to do about Aisu no Ryu?" Gin asked. "He knows about the plan too."

A smile appeared on his face. "Now is the time to lure him out."

References

Aisu no Ryu - Ice Dragon; Hitsugaya's codename as the notorious thief, Daijobou - It's Alright, Taicho - Captain, Iie - No, Hai - Yes, Gomen nesai - I'm Sorry

Author's Note: Sugoi, Aisu no Ryu is so bad-ass in this chapter! So cool! Yay, but oh snap! First, Renji has been captured and now, Kira and Hisagi! However, that's not the end of it; Aizen's coming after Hitsugaya next! Gah, the tension is building like crazy! What the hay is going to happen next?! There's only one way: sit back and wait for my next update. (CoughcoughThisWeekcoughCough) Sorry...ahem, in the meantime, please review! Thanks!