"Sir, can you hear me?"

Kisuke opened his eyes wearily, his head pounding. The light of the sun blinding as he emerged from the darkness of unconsciousness, a distressingly familiar feeling. He sat up startled, looking around frantically, his mind racing to seek out a certain face or figure amongst the crowd. He breathed a sigh of relief as he didn't spot Sousuke anywhere. An ambulance was to his left, siren lights flashing and paramedics surrounding him, drawing the attention of inquisitive passers-by.

He had made it, he was free, but knowing Aizen...he wasn't going to stop until he had what he wanted. His attention was brought back to the paramedic in front of him. "Sir, do you know where you are? Do you remember your name? Please respond if you can hear me."
Kisuke was silent after what felt like a barrage of questions, he was still stunned that he had escaped. "Um..yeah I'm ok..." The response seemed pathetic but they were the only words that he could manage as he stared at the bandages now wrapped across his wounds. He tried to get up but his legs failed him, sending the burning pain searing across his body.

"We're going to take you to hospital, is there anyone we can call, a relative or a friend?" The paramedic was now assisting him to stand, his legs shaking.
"No, I'm sorry I told you I'm fine." He pulled away from the paramedic, a wall of concerned and curious by-standers blocking his path.

He pushed past them, he knew the shoten was the worst possible place to go, it was far too obvious. The double bluff was all he had as he slowly and agonizingly traveled towards help. The wounds losing their ferocity as the sensation had become a near numbing pain. He had to make it back, only there would he find solace. Continuing along the busy sidewalks he received various glances, people constantly staring as most of them presented looks of dismay. He briefly wondered what he looked like, draped in bandages and slightly torn clothes, dismissing that thought he travelled on. Just how far am I from the shoten? The thought echoing through his mind as he took pained steps.

Kisuke paused to check around the area, this was definitely Karakura Town, the area looked vaguely familiar... almost achingly familiar. He was so glad to be back. He glanced to the horizon, the sun was setting. An autumn breeze kicking up the dust around his feet. He needed some time, he needed to rest for a while before continuing. With a soft sigh he sat on a nearby bench. He watched the setting sun bleeding colours of intense flaming orange, bold crimson red and a dull undertone of pink into the sky, all mixed in with a beautiful golden glow and slight murky grey clouds. As the darkness of night slowly began engulfing the display, he decided it was time to push on. He thought of how great it would be to see Yoruichi and Tessai when he returned, he held the hope tight as he stepped up and started walking in the direction of the shoten, his home, a brief smile spreading across his face.

He continued gradually feeling more faint as he travelled, the daylight rapidly disappearing now, he watched intently as the shadows cast from trees appeared to creep across the street, a bright full moon rose over the city skyline, replacing the blazing golden sunlight with tainted yellow beams casting pale light over the city. An arrangement of stars supporting it, lighting up the night sky like crystals, chasing away the tormenting shadow. The night was just as busy as the day, the passing cars illuminating his path every now and again.

He was only a street away...that's when he heard a scream that pierced him. His soul, body and heart torn as the chilling cry echoed through the streets. "Yoruichi!" Her name spoken with great intensity and despair, he had never heard her scream like that...

Tears formed in his eyes as he swallowed back all of his own pain "I'm coming, please be ok, Yoruichi!" Quickly throwing off Benihime's sheath he shouted her release command as his knuckles drained of blood, going a pale ghostly white as he gripped tighter. All his emotions conflicting and brewing under the surface. He used shunpo instantly travelling as fast as he could, the tears didn't stream down his face, instead they were lost in the rush, carried off in the wind.

He rounded the corner, stirring up a gust of dying green leaves, before they even hit the ground he stopped, paralyzed. His blood frozen as he caught sight of two figures, his throat feeling like it was closing over, leaving him feeling suffocated, his tears near blinding him now. Before him stood Sousuke Aizen...grasping Yoruichi by the throat. Blood flowing down her arm, the silent sound of the crimson dripping, hitting the ground, tearing the very fabric of Kisuke's heart and mind...unleashing unspeakable rage, his eyes darkening as his reiatsu lashed out in a furious force, exploding near every lamp-post light in the street.

"What have you done you bastard!?" His words erupting in an unbalanced mix of agony and rage, his body now trembling from the intense barrage of emotions, his blood boiling but at the same time his heart aching. He rushed at Aizen, his face showing vehement hatred as his eyes reflected the sorrow and pain tormenting him within, tears fleeting down his face as he watched his blood soaked friend thrown aside, her body still motionless as it hit the ground.

"Sousuke!" A tsunami of emotions embodied in the cry, his speed increasing rapidly. He couldn't even feel any pain, none but the pain embedded in his heart, he hoped she was still breathing, that Tessai and the two children were alright. His reiatsu violently lashing out with a murderous intent...