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

Author's Note: Gah, blasted exams; it's sucking the life out of me! Let the exam (study) period be over already, argh! Anyway, thank you everyone for being so patient especially my wonderful reviewers: icyangel27, k a y - t h i, KnowledgeandImagination, satomika, applestoapples, HyourinmaruIce (x2), sakurarules233, superattackpea, and anime16. With no more delays, here is chapter nineteen of The Next Greatest Treasure. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking."

The Next Greatest Treasure

Chapter Nineteen: An All-Out Battle

"Everyone stay calm and listen to my instructions!" Matsumoto yelled out. "To ensure your safety, it is recommended that everyone take shelter somewhere in the center of Rukongai and Seireitei!"

People in Seireitei and Rukongai were scrambling into their homes, nearby stores, and pub shops. Word from inside the Hinamori Palace has been spread out to the land. An all-out battle is going to take place at the border to the Higashi Region. "Mama, what is going on?" one of the Rukongai children asked. "Why are there so many people from the palace walking through the streets?"

"Hurry up and come inside," his mother replied. "We need to pack our belongs and do what Rangiku and Gin tells us to do."

After repeating the announcement several more times, the strawberry orange haired woman let out a sigh and turned her attention to her companions. "That should do the trick," she said. "Hopefully, they'll co-operate with us."

"I'm certain the Rukongai people will listen to you because of your past relationship with them," Ichimaru pointed out. "However, the Seireitei people might need a little more convincing."

"That's what I'm worried about. Without Hinamori's help, I doubt they'll listen to a word I say."

Suddenly, Gin let out a grin. "Daijobou, I have already gotten someone else to do the job."

"Oh yeah, you must have asked Yoruichi-san and Urahara-san to do it."

"Correct."

"Yo, it looks like you guys are ready for battle," said a voice.

The Trio Knights, Matsumoto, and Captain Ichimaru turned their heads to see Shunsui and Jushiro join them on their respected horses. "Kyoraku-san, Ukitake-san, are you guys planning on joining us in the battlefield?" Rangiku asked.

"We'll do so once we finish our little mission," Kyoraku replied upon fixing the position of his straw hat.

"Little mission?" Kira questioned. "What is it?"

"You'll find out when we come back."

"Be careful out there, okay?" Ukitake said.

"We will," Renji answered.

"See you later."

"Bye," Rangiku replied.

Once they were gone, the Trio Knights huddled with one another. Renji asked, "Who exactly are they?"

"I have no idea," Hisagi replied.

"They're probably Hitsugaya-taicho's, Ichimaru-taicho's, and Matsumoto-san's allies from Rukongai," Kira suggested.

"Oh, now that makes perfect sense," Abarai said.

Matsumoto then turned to Gin, who just smiled the whole time. "You told those two to do something, didn't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Ran-chan," he replied.

She folded her arms over her chest. "You're so stingy."

"Ichimaru-taicho, we should quicken the pace," Kira suggested.

The two childhood friends looked up into the sky to see that sun has begun to set. "Hn, I suppose you're right about that, Izuru. Let's move on out!"

"Hai!" everyone exclaimed in unison.

After the door slowly opened, Hitsugaya peeked out to look back and forth. Seeing that there is no one in sight, he cautiously stepped out into the hallway. He looked to the left and then he look to the right. By the time he let out a relieved sigh, he turned around and ushered Hinamori to come out. "The coast is clear," he said.

She stayed close to his side while he was on the lookout for the Queen's loyal servant. After walking down the hallway for a few minutes, Hitsugaya stopped and leaned against the wall at the entrance to the top level of the castle. Suddenly, Momo asked, "Toshiro, do you smell something?"

Wondering what she is talking about, he closed his eyes and smelled the air. When he reopened them, he answered, "Yeah, it smells like something is burning."

Following where the burning air is coming from, they turned their heads to the side to find smoke elevating to the ceiling. The young lovers ran to the side of the hallway, took hold of the staircase rails and looked down. A large wildfire is spreading throughout the lower level of the Higashi Castle. Hitsugaya hissed between his teeth and let out a curse.

"Shit, that guy plans on taking us down with the castle."

"We have to get out of here quickly or else we're going to be trapped in here!" Momo exclaimed.

They took another look down and noticed that the fire is starting to spread to the upper level. They quickly put on their masks over their mouths and noses. "We have to go higher and find an escape route from there."

The Princess of Seireitei nodded with agreement. "Hai."

Hitsugaya and Hinamori ran through the hallway in search of the upper level staircase. By the time they found a spiral staircase, they began their race against the rising smoke and blazing fire. Just as he passed the midway point, Toshiro sensed danger ahead. In response, he stopped and leaned back to dodge the attack. He retaliated by swinging his sword toward his opponent.

When Momo finally caught up, she saw her boyfriend is involved in a sword fight with none other than Koji. "Toshiro..."

She glanced back and notices the fire is quickly catching up. She ran up the stairs as fast as she could. Just as she was about to crash into Hitsugaya and Nagara, she panted her hands on their heads and did a midair hand stance. After that, she flipped and landed on the other side safely on her feet. "You're not getting away!" Nagara exclaimed at her.

Just as he was about to run after the peach girl, Hitsugaya got in his way by continuing to clash blades with him. "I won't let you lay a hand on Momo," he said.

Koji let out a grin. "Sorry lover boy, but I have a date with her."

Angered, Toshiro pushed him back causing him to lose his balance. Without any moment to think about it, he kicked him in the stomach. As a result, he fell and rolled down a few stairs before Hitsugaya caught up with his lover, who is on top of the stairs and taking a look at the other side of the door. "Momo, what's wrong? Why haven't you ran ahead of me?"

Turning to the white haired captain, she replied, "Toshiro, the upper level is caught on fire too!"

"What?" He took a quick peek through the door before he quickly pulled back. Suddenly, he kicked against the door, cursing, "Damn it, we have nowhere else to run without us having to do something crazy."

He turned around and noticed that the Queen's loyal servant is not following them anymore. "Where's Nagara?"

"He either got burnt to death or found a way to escape from this place," Hitsugaya replied. "I'm guessing that he did option number two."

"Well, the only other escape route is through the window."

They turned their attention to the closed window next to them. Toshiro let out a defeated sigh. "Once this is all over, I need a vacation."

Momo giggled. "We will have one when we go on our honeymoon."

With one look at the peach girl, he cracked a smile. "Yeah, you're right about that."

She nodded with agreement. "Hai."

Toshiro took off his sheath for a moment so that he can take off his cloak. Once he put his sheath back on his back, he put his sword back where it belongs. Once Momo put away her sword, she threw several kunais at the window, breaking the glass. After that, she walked to her boyfriend's side and wrapped her arms around his waist. With his free arm wrapped around hers, the young lovers looked at one another and gave each other a kiss. "Ready?"

"Yes."

They suddenly heard a fiery crack. They glanced back to see that the wildfire is moments away from burning them. With no time to waste, Toshiro and Momo ran towards the window and jumped out. Seconds later, the fire in the castle exploded.

Meanwhile, Koji was looking out in the distance at the burning structure. As his horse is wagging its tail and eating grass, the loyal servant of the Higashi Region's ruler let out a smirk. "There is no way for them to escape from there," he said. "They're long gone with the wind now."

Koji then pulled on the reins of his horse and flicked it. He commanded the animal to turn around and run towards the western direction.

"It's time for me to join the war."

"Captain Ichimaru, everyone is in position and are ready to engage into combat at any moment!" said one of the guards.

"Alright, please stand by," Gin replied.

"Hai!"

Once he is gone, Kira commanded his horse to stand next to his captain's. "How are the others doing, Izuru?"

"Abarai-kun are ready for your signal," the Trio Knight said. "As for Hisagi-san and Matsumoto-san, they have just arrived at their assigned destination. They are getting into position."

"Just in the nick of time; the army has finally arrived."

At the horizon on the east, the guards from the Higashi Region appeared. At the end of them is Queen Kyoko. "Surrender yourselves, people of Seireitei and Rukongai!"

"Never!" Ichimaru exclaimed. "This is Princess Hinamori's kingdom! We won't go down without a fight! We won't let you step foot into our land!"

"So be it." The Higashi Region's ruler drew her sword out from her sheath and yelled out, "Kill every single person who opposes us!"

At the same time, Gin drew his sword out. Lifting it high above his head, he gave the signal to his assigned group of guards to attack first. "There's his signal," Abarai exclaimed as he drew his sword. "Let's fight!"

"Yes sir!" the subordinates exclaimed.

As the first group of Seireitei's Royal Guard run into combat, the second group of guards are keeping a close eye on the battle. "The war has finally started," Rangiku said.

Hisagi nodded with agreement. "Yeah..."

The strawberry orange haired woman looked over at the eastern horizon and let out a sigh.

"I can understand why you're worried about Hitsugaya-taicho and Hinamori, but we have to focus on the battle."

"Hisagi-san, Ichimaru-taicho has given the next signal!" exclaimed one of their subordinates.

"Alright, let's move on out!"

"Hai!"

After letting out another sigh, Matsumoto regained her composure. Commanding her horse to take the lead of the group, she drew her sword out and called out, "Charge!"

With that said, the second group of Royal Guards joined with the first group into battle.

References

Daijobou - It's Alright, Taicho - Captain, Hai - Yes

Author's Note: Oh dear, war has already started at the border of Rukongai. What is going to happen next? Are Toshiro and Momo going to be alright? Find out in my next update. In the meantime, please review! Thanks.