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

Author's Note: It's about time for an update! Special thanks goes to my wonderful reviewers: KnowledgeandImagination, tlg, satomika, HyourinmaruIce (x2), applestoapples, becomeafan, anime16, MoonLightView, Yellow. Sunshineeh aka Yellow. Sunshin3h, sakurarules233, superattackpea, athfdrizzle, fdgvdstrt (x2), and bengara-koushi. Thank you to you all and everyone else who have been so patient with me over these past couple of weeks. Without any further delay, here is chapter twenty-two. Enjoy!

LEGEND

"Talking." "Thinking."

The Next Greatest Treasure

Chapter Twenty-Two: Respected Face-Offs

As the war at the boarder progressed, the number of casualties started to increase on both sides. A Royal Guard member let out an agonizing scream as he fell to the ground, clutching the injury on his side. Just as he is about to be cut down, Ichimaru and Princess Higashi, who are riding on a horse, came to the rescue and joined the party. "For those of you who are still able to move, some of you carry the injured to Unohana-san and the medical team!" Gin commanded.

"Yes sir!"

"Hold on tight princess."

With a flick of his reigns, the horse ran across the field, deep into enemy territory. As the captain's attention is on the Queen's loyal servant, the princess's eyes is on her mother. "Ichimaru-taicho, allow me to take care of the Queen," Ume said.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Very well then; do what you want."

He suddenly pulled on the reigns, commanding his horse to run faster towards Nagara Koji. Just as he is about to collide with the swordsman, Ichimaru jumped off his horse. While she is surprised by his actions, Ume struggled to keep things under control. She took hold of the reigns and pulled on it. In response, the horse changed direction and moved to the left. She glanced over her shoulder and watched the gray haired Royal Guard Captain clash blades with his opponent. "I wish you the best of luck, Ichimaru-taicho."

Noticing the Princess of the Higashi Region is planning to cross blades with her mother from a distance; Hinamori resumed her attention to Hitsugaya and said, "Toshiro, I'm going to help Ume."

Looking over his shoulder, he read the determined expression on the young princess's face. Soon, he gave her the nod of approval. He turned his attention to Shunsui and Jushiro. "Help me keep a close eye on her."

"Hai Hitsugaya," Ukitake replied.

"You got it," Kyoraku said.

With a nod, he turned to Momo and offered her. "Take the reigns; I'll get off from here."

"Alright then, be careful," she said.

With a short kiss on the lips, the white haired captain jumped on the horse and landed on the ground. Immediately, he is surrounded by many guards from the Higashi Region. He got into battle stance and patiently waited for one of them to make the first move. "You're dead!"

Hitsugaya place his sword diagonally on his back so that he can block the attack. Noticing others have come out, he quickly overpowered his first opponent with his strength before changing the grip on his weapon and start parrying the other attacks. With no time to waste, Hitsugaya put on his mouth mask on and pulled out a small dark sphere. He threw it on the ground. Once it made contact, a mysterious gas is expelled into the air. All of a sudden, the guards took a few steps back and shut their eyes. At the same time, their arms are covering their noses and mouth. They all started to cough. One of them asked, "What the hell is this gas?"

"S-Shit, he used tear gas on us."

Using the hilt of his blade and the power of his elbows and kicks, Toshiro began knocking his opponents out. From the corner of his eye, he noticed one particular guard holding his sword above his head and charging at him. Just as he swung his sword downwards, Hitsugaya evaded to the side and elbowed him in the back. As he is trying to regain his balance, the notorious thief of Rukongai arm hooked to his opponent's arms. Using it as support, Captain Hitsugaya leaned on his back so that both his legs are free. He kicked two guards that were trying to cut him down before doing a back roll on his first opponent. After landing on his feet safely, the young Royal Guard Captain swung his sword out, creating some distance in between.

At that moment, acupuncture needles were thrown in his direction. While the guards retreated, Hitsugaya swing his sword from side to side, knocking the small deadly weapons out of the way. From a nearby distance, he noticed Ichimaru is facing off against Koji. When he resumed his attention to the Higashi guards, they were all charging at him. Just as he is about to make his move, several people stepped in front and interfered with the battle. They were Rangiku and the Trio Knights. "Leave them to us Hitsugaya," the female swordsman said, blocking of their attacks with her sword. "You help Gin deal with Nagara."

"Hurry up and get going," Renji said, pushing a guard away after overpowering him.

"Abarai-kun's right," Kira agreed, knocking one down using the hilt of his sword. "In order to get recognition from the Seireitei people, you have to be the one who will defeat the Queen and her loyal servant."

He soon nodded with agreement. "Alright then, I'll leave things to you."

With that said, the young princess's fiance left the job of defeating the army his loyal and faithful allies. "Well, if we want him to succeed the throne as Rukongai's and Seireitei's ruler, we have to do our part," Matsumoto said.

"Yes, we must not let him down," Hisagi agreed as he is cutting down his opponent with his sword, "even if we have to lose our lives for his victory."

"That's right!"

The Queen of the Higashi Region is fighting against a group of Royal Guards where she heard the sound of a neighing horse. By the time she turned her body to the side, her princess daughter jumped off her running horse and clashed blades with her mother. Kyoko's eyes narrowed at her. "Ume..."

"I will defeat you and stop this war from happening any longer," she said.

"We'll see about that."

With that said, the mother and daughter began exchanging sword swings with one another. They tried to cut one another at different angles. However, they managed to anticipate each other's moves and dodge them. "Even if you're able to win this battle, you will have no place to go back to."

"It's fine with me," Ume said before swinging her sword downwards.

At that moment, the Queen parried against her attack and pushed her aside. Just as she is regaining her balance, Kyoko raised her sword up into the air. While she tried to cut her blood relative down, she realized she couldn't move. As a matter of fact, her arm is held back by a string of rope and a single kunai which is tied at one end. She turned her head to the side and noticed the culprit is none other than the Princess of Seireitei. "Hinamori Momo..."

"I won't let you hurt Ume," she said, pulling on the other end of the rope to prevent her aunt from causing any harm to her cousin.

"Momo-chan..." Princess Higashi thought.

"Do you really think you have what it takes to defeat me?" Queen Kyoko asked.

"No, I don't think I have a chance at defeating you," Momo answered. "However, with Ume's help, I'm sure we can."

"Don't get too cocky!" she exclaimed. She then grabbed onto the rope and began pulling back. The princess and the Queen are caught in a battle of arm strength where their power are evenly matched with one another. "Give up!"

"Never!"

With a loud yell, Princess Higashi swung her sword in between her mother and cousin and cut the rope. Immediately, the sides were pulled back. While the Queen regains her balance, Momo used the opportunity to do a backwards hand stand on the horse's back. Using her arm power, she jumped off her ride and landed on the ground safely on her two feet. She took a moment to get into her fighting pose. At the same time, Ume took a step back and raised her sword out in front. After a moment of silence, the three fighters charged at one another, starting another showdown.

Momo's sword is the first to make contact with Kyoko's before the two females began their round of sword swings, leaving Ume to plan out the next attack. Once she noticed an opening, she joined the battle. However, the Queen anticipated the move and evaded to the side. She began attacking her. After carefully reading her movements, Ume narrowly dodged her assault.

Knowing that this battle is not in her favour, the Queen drew out a short sword from the sheath on her left side. After temporarily ceasing her attack, she let out a grin for the girls to see. "I suggest you two to be extra careful from now on."

The two princesses made frustrated looks on their faces. Hinamori asked, "Is that what I think it is?"

Higashi nodded. "Yes, that sword's blade is covered with poison."

Blades continued to clash against one another as Gin and Koji tried to dominate one another in their battle of sword skills and technique. The two finally stopped when they are caught in a tight deadlock. "Just as expected of Seireitei's Royal Guard Captain, you're one formidable opponent," Nagara commented.

"Thank you, but flattery doesn't get you anywhere," Ichimaru replied with a grin. "I will make sure you drown in your pool of blood on the ground once our battle is over."

"My my, are you still bitter about that time? Do you remember; it is back then when you assumed that I tried to kill your friend with poisonous acupuncture needles?"

Suddenly, Gin's face changed expressions into one of a serious type. Noticing him, Koji let out a grin.

"What's wrong, Ichimaru? Did I just pushed your butto-"

Without any warning, the gray haired teenager swung his sword across his left arm, managing to cut him successfully. At that moment, blood came gushing out, causing the black haired loyal servant to wince in pain. He placed his hand over his injury and glared at the older teenager. "Sorry Nagara-kun, my hand just slipped. What did you just say a while ago?"

His eyes narrowed. "You bastard..."

"Anyway, shall we continue this fight or you're going to run away with your tail in between your legs?"

Nagara took a moment to stop the blood flow leaking on his arm by tearing one side of his sleeve and using it as a bandage. Once he is done, he assumed battle position. "What do you think?"

Ichimaru grinned. "Good decision; now, let's continue this fight."

All of a sudden, a small shower of shurikens is thrown in their direction. While Koji evaded the surprise assault, Gin stood still and waited. He knows that the attack is not meant to aim at him. Once the attack ceased, they got to see the culprit responsible for throw all those shurikens.

"It is just as I expected; your aiming is as sharp as ever, Hitsugaya-kun."

"I should say the same thing about you," Toshiro replied while resting his sword on one side of his shoulder. "You sure have a lot of confidence thinking that I wasn't going to aim at you, Ichimaru."

"I have that much confidence because I know what you're thinking in situations like this."

The white haired captain just hissed between his teeth before focusing his attention to the black haired servant of the Queen. He held his sword out and got into battle position. "You're dealing with the both of us now, Nagara."

In response to his words, Koji let out a smirk. Quickly, he drew out several acupuncture needles and held them between his fingers while his other hand is holding his sword. "I can't wait to cut you both down."

Gin assumed battle position. He said, "My my, didn't your folks ever tell you to not carry dangerous weapons?"

"Sorry Ichimaru, but I'm afraid they didn't."

"Now that's unfortunate; I guess I have to teach you a few things about that."

"Bring it on."

The two battlers charged at one another with fierce yells. Before long, their blades clashed into one another which soon followed by a series of swings at different angles. While the Queen's loyal servant is busy with the older captain, Hitsugaya carefully watched Nagara's movements. After predicting his next movements, Toshiro interfered with the showdown by throwing his ranged weapons at different places.

Noticing the young captain's attack, Gin narrowly evaded the attacks and caught one of the shurikens with his bare hand. Immediately, he threw it towards Koji's face. As he is dodging Hitsugaya's assaults, he noticed Gin's attack coming right at him. Though he successfully evaded it, he still got injured. A cut appeared on the side of his cheek, causing some blood to drip down.

As Toshiro stood next to Gin's side, they watched Nagara wiped the blood out with his wrist. Quickly, he threw his ranged weapons towards them. Calmly, the two captains of the Royal Guard knocked them away using their swords. At that moment, Koji charged at the two swordsmen and started a spree of sword swings. "There is no point in continuing this battle," Hitsugaya said. "Admit defeat and surrender to us!"

"There is no way I'm going to do that!" Nagara exclaimed. "I'm not allowing you brats of the lower-class defeat me, a high-class man of great prestige and intelligence!"

"Prestige and intelligence?" Ichimaru asked. "I think those titles of yours have led you astray."

"Shut up!" Just as he swung his sword at them, Hitsugaya quickly parried against the attack. Using this opportunity, Gin elbowed him in the gut. Immediately, Koji winced in pain, clutched his stomach, and took a few steps back. After struggling to look up at them, he said, "I...won't be...defeated."

"Because we are Rukongai brats, we understand what it feels like to live under harsh conditions which are governed by the upper class. We are not corrupted like most of you are."

Nagara bit the bottom of his lip and growled at Hitsugaya and Ichimaru.

All of a sudden, they heard a scream. Immediately, heads turned to where the voice is coming from only to find out that one of their allies have been taken down. "Yare yare, that's not a good sign."

Using this moment of vulnerability, Koji charged at the two captains. Just as he is about to stab one of them, the other swordsman blocked the attack with his sword. As they are fighting for dominance, Hitsugaya took a quick glance to see what is happening on the side. "Damn it, Queen Higashi managed to cut Princess Higashi down," he thought. "Kyoraku and Ukitake can't assist them because they are keeping the guards from interfering with the battle. It is only a matter of time before Momo is cut down too."

With a vertical swing of his sword, Ichimaru broke the deadlock and separated the two swordsmen. Then, he swung his sword to the side, trying to cut Koji. He immediately blocked the attack with his sword. "Hitsugaya-kun, you go help Hinamori-chan."

After one look at the gray haired captain, he nodded with agreement. He quickly retreated and ran to assist his girlfriend.

"Now that we're alone again, let's continue this battle," Gin said.

Koji grinned. "Yes, I feel the same way."

Without any warning, he threw some dirt into his eyes, causing the older teenager to take a few steps back. While he is recovering, Nagara kicked him in the gut and backed him against a tree. Just as he is about to cut him down, his blade soon made contact with something else. When his vision cleared up, Ichimaru realized that his childhood friend just saved him. "Ran-chan..."

"Are you alright, Gin?" she asked, trying to keep the Queen's servant from making his attack successful.

He grinned. "What do you think?"

"So, you're alive," Nagara said.

"Yes, you're going to pay for trying to kill me with your poisonous needle weapons," Matsumoto replied.

"We'll see about that."

"Ume!" Hinamori exclaimed, calling out to the injured princess, who just got stabbed in the abdomen. "Are you alright?"

Sensing that an attack is coming at her, she resumed her attention to the front and blocked it with her sword. "In no time, you will suffer the same faith as her," Kyoko said.

"I'm not going to let that happen!"

All of a sudden, the Queen swung her short sword toward Momo's stomach. Aware of the dangers of being cut by it, Hinamori took a step back and evaded the attack. However, the Higashi Region's ruler won't let her get away. Kyoko dash forward, closing the distance between them. She changed the grip on her poisonous sword and swung it towards the princess's face. However, the peach girl managed to dodge it by ducking down. Unfortunately, she isn't able to evade her next move. Kyoko changed the grip on her other sword and elbowed her in the gut.

As Momo is gasping for air, Kyoko prepared the finishing move on the Princess of Seireitei. Just as she is about to cut her down, Hitsugaya jumped over Hinamori and kicked his opponent's sword back, knocking her off balance. Once she regained her footing, she raised her head and saw the white haired teenager with his sword held out in front of him and his princess. Her eyes narrowed dangerously at him. "Hitsugaya Toshiro..."

"Toshiro..." Hinamori said.

"Are you alright, Momo?" he asked.

"I think so."

"Good; now, let's defeat her...together."

She then nodded with agreement and got into battle position, prepared for the final showdown. "Hai."

References

Taicho - Captain, Hai - Yes

Author's Note: Holy snappers, things are getting very tense! What is going to happen next? Well, you know what to do: please review! There's only three chapters to go before this story is finished! Thanks.