Chapter 7-

That night after a long day of planning, Yuki was in her room and the others were in their rooms near hers. She was surprised that Head Captain Yamamoto had not ridiculed her for bringing her friends here without telling him. However given the situation I think she knew he would understand. She sat on her bed and stared out at the night sky through her window. Suddenly there was a knock at her door. She got up and answered it. Uryû then came into her room.

"Everything okay Uryû," Yuki asked.

"I thought I felt an unusual spiritual pressure coming from your room," Uryû replied, "So I came to check on you."

"Well, no one is here, so you can leave now."

"Oh, okay."

Uryû walked out into the hall and began to walk back to his room. Yuki closed the door and turned back to face her window. However, what she saw was not a view of the night sky. Instead it was a view of a pink haired man in her room.

"So you are the one my colleagues have been having trouble capturing," The man stated.

"Listen Szayelaporro Grantz," Yuki replied, "This isn't going to end well for you, so why don't you just turn around and leave now."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. My orders are to capture you and so I shall."

"Well, good luck with that."

Yuki took advantage of where she stood. She quickly ran out the door and began to run down the hall. She kept looking back to see if Szayelaporro was chasing after her. Sure enough, he was. Yuki began to think about her strategy.

"I know," Yuki thought.

She suddenly stopped and made a sharp right turn. AS she ran down the hall she kept her eyes on the numbers on the doors. She was running to Uryû's room. If she ran there, she knew she could beat Szayelaporro. However, Yuki suddenly changed her mind and began to run toward the western wall. As she ran in the cool night air, she drew her Zanpaku-to. Once she reached the wall she stopped running. Szayelaporro stopped only feet behind her. She turned to face him.

"So tired of running," Szayelaporro asked.

"No," Yuki replied, "I just had to get you right where I wanted you."

"And that would be where exactly?"

"A wide open area where I can fully release my Zanpaku-to. Rise from the Ashes, Furuifiinikkusu (Ancient Phoenix)!"

"How predictable. You see I have already analyzed your Shikai state. In other words, it is useless to use it against me."

"Bankai."

The Phoenix fully appeared and levitated Yuki high in the sky. However, instead of turning into its pure white form, the Phoenix was half white and half black. Again, Yuki was transformed into her Bankai uniform, but this time it was all black with a silver crest of the Phoenix across her chest. The Phoenix was now a bird of pure black flame, which burned darker and hotter than any other flame. The veins around Yuki's eyes began to turn black as well. She smiled a devious smile as she hovered right in front of Szayelaporro.

"What's the matter," Yuki asked in a distorted voice, "Have you not analyzed my Bankai? NO!"

Yuki landed and stumbled backwards, with her hands on her head.

"Get out of my head," Yuki stated, "No, you fool... Can't you see? If I help you, you can finally put an end to these espadas. That's not what I want. All I want is for you to LEAVE!"

In a bright flash of light, Yuki's Bankai uniform transformed back into its white form. The Phoenix followed and also transformed back into its white flame. Szayelaporro looked upon Yuki with a look of utter confusion.

"Sorry about that," Yuki apologized, "Now, where were we?"

"I was just about to defeat you," Szayelaporro replied.

"OH really," Gin stated.

Szayelaporro turned behind him to see the gray haired captain. Gin held onto his foxy grin, Szayelaporro turned back to Yuki.

"This isn't over Yuki," Szayelaporro stated as he disappeared.

Gin walked over to Yuki, who was now back in her pajamas.

"Are you okay," Gin asked.

"I'm fine," Yuki replied, "You know, I could have taken him myself."

"I know, but I felt your spiritual pressure and I assumed you were in danger."

"What do you mean?"

"I can tell when you are distressed or when you show emotion, by your spiritual pressure. It is unlike any other I have ever felt. You spiritual pressure changes so drastically from captain class to . . ."

"To what?"

"Nothing. Sorry that was just a little bit of rambling."

"Well, I might go back to my room and get some sleep."

"Take this."

Gin took off the Haori he was wearing over his sleeping attire (A.N. - PJ's just doesn't sound right when you're talking about Gin!) and put it around Yuki's shoulders. She did not reply with words, but with a smile. The two of them walked back to the main complex together.

The next morning, Yuki awoke to the sound of birds singing outside her window. She got dressed in her uniform and went out into the hallway. She casually walked to Gin's room. However, when she arrived, she saw that his door was closed. She knocked on the door, but he did not answer. She walked away and found Jûshirô walking toward the captain's meeting room.

"Jûshirô," Yuki called, "What's going on?"

"Ah, there you are Yuki," Jûshirô replied, "We've been out looking for you. The head captain needs to speak with you."

Yuki followed Jûshirô to the captains' meeting room. As soon as she entered, the doors closed. The only other people in the room were Gin and Yamamoto.

"What is going on Gin," Yuki asked.

"The head captain wants to speak with you," Gin replied.

"Yes, it is of the utmost importance," Yamamoto stated, "We have decided to promote you."

"Promote me," Yuki asked, "To what?"

"A captain," Gin replied.

"No," Yuki stated, "Seriously?"

"Technically, joint captain of squad three," Yamamoto replied, "Do you accept the decision?"

"yes, I do," Yuki stated, "thank you."

"Come on joint captain Okayama," Gin replied, "let's go for a walk."

Gin and Yuki exited the captain's meeting room and began to walk around the complex. Yuki did not speak, because she was still in shock over becoming a joint captain of squad three. She looked up at the grinning Gin, who did not speak either.

"I take it that I have you to thank for my sudden promotion," Yuki commented.

"How did you know," Gin asked.

"It was kind of obvious. You were the first captain to recommend me for the position of assistant captain. So, I assumed that this was your doing as well."

"And you assume correctly. It's just with all of these attackers suddenly raining down upon you; I wanted you to be near me so I can protect you."

"Gin, I want to tell you something."

"Yes Yuki?"

"I . . . I . . . AIZEN!"

Yuki froze where she stood as she looked upon the eastern holy wall. At the top of the wall was Aizen, who was dead. She ran to the wall followed by Gin. Momo and other Soul Reapers were already at the scene. As soon as Momo saw Gin, she drew her Zanpaku-to and charged toward him.

"YOU DID THIS," She shouted as she ran toward him.

Acting on instinct, Yuki took her sword, which was still in the sheath and blocked her sword. Momo looked at her with tear stained eyes.

"Yuki why did you block my sword," Momo asked.

"I am joint captain of squad three now," Yuki replied, "and no one draws a sword against my partner. Also, that body up there is a fake."

"what do you mean," Momo asked.

"Listen my father was a detective, I can spot a fake body from a mile away. That's not the real Aizen."

"Please, find him for me."

"I will."

Yuki walked away from them alone.