Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach in any way! All copyrights go to Tite Kubo.
Author's Note: Gah, so many things to do; so little time to finish them. Oh well, that is why you have to plan things out and do them bit by bit before it's due. Anyway, special thanks goes to my reviewers: Maya-chan2007, becomeafan, AznInvasionGirl, icyangel27, tlg, MoonLightView, BLEACHISAWESOMEANDIMAWESOME XP, HeavensPheonix561, divprince, i-is-freak, KnowledgeandImagination, Samantha, chococat450, Pieps XD, Amiru-chan, WhitePrincessOfHope, The Sweet Peach, athfdrizzle (x2). Thanks for your support! So, now that Ichimaru has made his entrance into the main battle by turning against Aizen, how will he react? How will the rest of the battle go? Well, without any further adieu, here is chapter twenty-three. Enjoy!
LEGEND
"Talking." "Thinking."
The Greatest Treasure
Chapter Twenty-Three: The End
She couldn't believe her eyes. Hinamori could have sworn that Ichimaru Gin, Captain of the Royal Guard is working with Aizen. For some reason, he has pointed his sword against his throat. When she took a glimpse at her boyfriend, she noticed that the sudden events didn't seem to faze him at all. It appears that he knew this predicament is going to happen. Momo glanced back to see Aizen's frowning face and Ichimaru's grinning one. She is still comprehending what has just happened. "Ichimaru..."
"What's with the sudden act of betrayal, Gin?" the General of the Royal Guard asked.
"It's a long story Aizen," Ichimaru replied. "I don't want to spend the next hour or two explaining the whole situation. But if I had to say it in a few words, it would be I was only using you for my benefits. Thank you for taking care of me this whole time."
"Fine then; I suppose I'm going to have to deal with you as well."
Letting go of the princess, Momo ran away from the two swordsmen and hid behind one of the thick pillar walls. Holding onto the younger man's wrist, Aizen prevented Ichimaru from swinging his sword at him. Using his other elbow, he hit it against his gut. Luckily, Gin anticipated his move and used his other arm to block the attack. At that moment, from the corner of his eye, he noticed his first opponent is about to stab him from behind.
Aizen is about to escape until Ichimaru arm hooked around his neck to keep him in place. Thinking quickly, Aizen turned his body to the side, forcing Ichimaru to move with him. The gray haired captain is exposed to Toshiro. Noticing what he is trying to do, Hitsugaya twisted his wrist and changed the course of his sword swing. However, Aizen managed to have enough room to raise his sword and block the move. The two blades clashed against one another. "You're out numbered Aizen," Hitsugaya said.
"It is not quantity that matters, but the quality," the general replied.
Ichimaru broke free of Aizen's grasp and leaped back. Hitsugaya too created some distance between him and his opponent. The general stood in between the two swordsmen, carefully watching their every movement. Tension filled the air as they waited for the silence to break. Spectator and Princess Hinamori Momo anxiously watched the Royal Guards and the thief battle it out in this possible final showdown. "I have to play my part in this battle; I have to help out," she thought, looking around for something to use. "There has to be something I can do to change this fight's outcome. Come on Momo, think!"
He took a short glance to see what the Captain of the Royal Guard is doing. His eyes soon resumed to see his enemy. He has made his decision; Toshiro would be the first to make his move. He rush in on Sosuke tried to cut across his chest, but the general raised his sword and quickly slashed against his wrist. Hitsugaya stopped and dropped his sword on the ground. He winced in pain, holding his injury with his other hand. Blood is dripping out. Just as Aizen is about to strike him down, Ichimaru got in the way and started a sword battle against his superior.
As the two are exchanging sword swings with one another, Hitsugaya used this opportunity to tear a section of his right kimono sleeve. Using it as a bandage, he prevented further blood loss from happening. Aisu no Ryu glanced to the side to see Momo hiding behind the pillar. He let out a short sigh of relief. "She's safe; that's good to see."
Resuming his attention to the battle, he carefully watched Aizen and Ichimaru continue their battle on the other side of the room. The general and his subordinate are equal in battle skills and tactics. They are equally matched. Taking a short glance at his injured wrist, he hissed between his teeth.
"Shit, I can't use my right hand as efficiently anymore."
Putting his blade away in the sheath on his back, Hitsugaya closed his eyes for a moment. Letting out a deep breath, he raised his head once more and exhaled. He has to find some other way to defeat Aizen without putting too much pressure on his wrist. He opened his eyes again with a conclusion and a resolve. He unequipped his two pointed grappling hook from the side of his sash and held it in his hands.
Twirling it for a moment, he waited for the perfect timing. He then threw it around Aizen, entrapping the general in Toshiro's trap. He turned his attention to Hitsugaya and narrowed his dark brown eyes. From the other side, Ichimaru used this opportunity to cut him down. However, his opponent managed to break free and strike back. Little did they know, the floor below them has already started to crack due to the intensity of the match.
All of a sudden, Aizen pierced his sword through Ichimaru's gut. He then kicked him in the stomach. Not only the captain got pushed back to the side, but also had the sword impaled in him forcefully removed. Just as he regained possession of his grappling hook, Hitsugaya turned his attention to the downed swordsman and hissed between his teeth. He's the only one left Aizen has to deal with.
"Damn it..."
He quickly ran up to the taller man and threw his weapon once more. However, Aizen caught it with his bare hand by the chain part. Pulling the chain, he forced Aisu no Ryu to come close to the General of the Royal Guard. The next thing Toshiro knew, he got slashed across the chest and then got chained up around his neck by his own weapon. Falling to the ground, Aizen walked up to the young thief and stepped on his chest. Hitsugaya let out a scream of pain. "It's futile Hitsugaya-kun," he said. "Stop resisting."
"There is...no way I'm going to do that," Hitsugaya weakly replied.
Aizen frowned and then pulled the chain towards himself. Toshiro gasped for breath as it suddenly became difficult to breathe. With his hands on the chain around his neck, he tried to break free.
"Toshiro!"
Without any warning, a few daggers were thrown towards Aizen. Raising his sword out in front of him, he blocked against the attack. At the same time, Hitsugaya glimpsed to the side to see the princess nearby. Just by seeing a dagger in her hand, he knew she is the one who has helped him escape from death by using the weapons he used earlier in the battle. He is amazed that she's able to successfully throw something at close to pin point accuracy. However, know is not the time to be admiring her.
Upon knowing that, Hitsugaya took this chance and rolled over to the side, pulling the chain and sending Aizen to the ground as well. Using this opportunity, he removed the chain around his neck and put it around the general's instead. Picking up his sword that he dropped from the side, he pointed the tip towards his face and said, "The moment has finally arrived when the people of Rukongai and Seireitei will be free of your control. It's over Aizen."
A grin appeared on his face. Without any warning, Aizen grabbed the chain with his bare hand and pulled it. The hook part ended up hitting the back of Toshiro's foot, causing the thief to trip. The situation is soon reversed once more. This time, Aizen won't let the young white haired thief get away. He had a hand on his neck, threatening to strangle him to death while the other is in possession of his sword. He is ready to cut the boy down if he dares to retaliate. "Sayonara Hitsugaya-kun."
Just as he is about to stab Toshiro, the ground below them suddenly broke. Hitsugaya let out a short yell before he instinctively grabbed onto the ledge with a single hand. As for Aizen, things weren't so great for him. Aisu no Ryu struggled to hang on. Because he is using his right hand to grip onto the ledge, the young thief only has so much time left before he loses his grip and falls onto the ground ten feet below.
When he is about to let go, his hand soon gripped onto another one. He looked up to see the princess, struggling with her dear life to save her boyfriend. "Momo..."
"I won't let you go," Hinamori said. "You just have to hang on tight."
Placing both hands on his, she did her best to pull him out. However, her strength isn't enough. He's too heavy for her to lift. They could feel each other's grip on one another quickly loosening. "Momo!"
"Don't say anything Toshiro! I said I won't let you go! I don't want to loose you!"
Just as their connection with one another is about to break off, a few more hands reached out and gave her some assistance. She turned her head to the side to see the rest of her companions and allies giving her a helping hand. "Rangiku-san, Kira-kun, Hisagi-san, Abarai-kun...Ichimaru-taicho."
With nods of agreement from them, the six allies used their strength to save their almost fallen companion back onto the main floor of the throne room safe and sound. Hitsugaya panted a few times before he let out a sigh of relief. The others did the same. "Is...Is everyone alright?" Kira asked.
"Yeah, we managed to survive somehow," Hisagi replied. "Good thing our injuries are not that serious."
"Toshiro, are you alright?" Momo questioned.
He soon laid down on his side and gave his girlfriend a faint smile. "I'll live..."
She smiled back, content that her boyfriend is safe and alive.
Matsumoto stood up and began taking a look at the hole in the ground below. The strawberry orange haired woman asked, "That's odd; where's Aizen?"
Ichimaru walked and stood right next to her, looking for him as well. "Hn, oh look," he said, pointing towards a particular direction with his finger. "There he is."
When the others checked it out, Momo quickly covered her face with her hands and let out a scream. While a few appeared unfazed at all, others gave surprised or disgusted looks on their faces. Renji is the first to say something about it. "Ou..."
"Wh-What a sight that is," Izuru commented.
There in the middle of the floor below stood General Aizen Sosuke of the Royal Guard being hanged by Toshiro's grappling hook which is around his neck. "I suppose he deserves that," Hisagi concluded.
Ichimaru suddenly grinned with amusement. He said, "How interesting; there is so much blood pouring out of that dead body."
Renji stared at the older male. "Oi..."
"It's over; this fight's over," Kira said with sudden realization and disbelief. "We won the battle."
"Y-You're right," Shuhei said, turning to the pale blond haired knight. "We beat him."
"Yay! We won! We prevented Aizen from gaining power!" Matsumoto cheerfully exclaimed.
Hitsugaya sat up from his resting spot and let out a sigh of relief. After long hours of struggle, Aizen is dead and unable to succeed in his plan to take over Seireitei and Rukongai. Peace has finally been restored to the land. Glancing over at the Princess of Seireitei, his eyes made contact with hers. "Momo..."
She smiled. "It's all over."
He simply nodded with agreement and gave her a soft smile. "Yeah, it is."
References
Aisu no Ryu - Ice Dragon; Hitsugaya's codename as the notorious thief, Sayonara - Good Bye (formal), Taicho - Captain
Author's Note: The End. No, I'm just kidding. xP The story's not done yet. There is two more chapters to go before the fan fiction is complete. (What?! Now, that's unfortunate...) Yay, Aizen's dead! It's time to celebrate! *throws HitsuHina handmade plushes into the air* Please review! Thanks.