Minato didn't know why he held on to the girl as if his life depended on it. He held her so close she was pressed to his chest, and the girl's chest which was bleeding poured blood on his chest as well. She was strangely familiar, like he had known her all his life. He felt that feeling even before the battle began. The two of them landed on solid ground, and Minato's back roughly hit against a debris and he sidled sideways, to see if the girl was harmed from the fall. Minato cringed. She was dying. He found it extremely uncomfortable, and he began panicking. Was this sort of behavior normal for an Arrancar? He didn't think so. Misaki gasped and held on to the boy's body, and he could tell her life was leaving her. "Mina…to…" She repeated it like a mantra. He didn't know what to do. He hugged the girl and cried. Because he felt like it. "Damn, who are you girl? Why…is this so hard for me to-"Misaki gasped once more and Minato was wide eyed. "Because…you're my…brother…" She breathed. "Stop saying that…stop lying!" Minato said. "Why would I lie to you…when I'm dying brother? People…don't lie on their deathbeds…only you would…think that…" Minato cringed. "Our mother's promise…you…tried…I could…tell…" Misaki struggled to speak. She coughed out blood and Minato pulled her up and shook her slightly. "Please…stop Aizen…he's…evil…" Minato cried. His tears slid on Misaki's cheek, and she smiled. "Tell…Ichigo I…love him…I love…you…brother…" Misaki closed her eyes for the last time.

He closed his eyes. He believed her, he did. He couldn't remember her, and that was the truth. 'Why? Why can't I remember?' He thought to himself and cried on the dead girl's hair. Her heart stopped beating, so she really did die. He was ordered to kill her, yet, after doing so, why was he hurting? He closed his eyes as tight as he could and yelled. He held Misaki close to his body and yelled as loud as he could. He was in his Resurrección form and the green jewel in his chest began to glow. He held Misaki firmly against his chest, and the green jewel's glow surrounded them. His eyes were wide and then he saw darkness. All he could see was a small girl, whose hand he was holding, and a woman not too far away, with red hair and green eyes.

Minato hated parks. He always grunted, but since he could play football, he didn't mind. The park near his house wasn't big enough though. His sister, Misaki, the most loudest creature on the planet, loved parks and his mother always took them both to a park where Misaki would play in the swings, and Minato would push. He didn't really hate Misaki, he loved her. He had to love her. His mother, Mai, smiled at his face when he frowned. Misaki asked him to push the swing, again. Minato walked with her helplessly and Misaki held on to his arm. "It's not that far away, why are you holding my arm? Let go!" Minato yelled at his five year old sister. She turned to him with a smile, "Because I trust you big brother!" Minato's eyes widened. She says things like that, he just had to listen to her. She was the first thing meant for him to protect. He was her brother, and being elder to her, he had to protect her. Minato was an eight year old protector, and it was his duty. As Minato pushed the swing, he could see Misaki smile and laugh as she rose high in the air. "Higher brother!" Minato obeyed. But she looked back at him, and her arm slipped from the railing she was holding on to, and Misaki fell forward, face down and her arms began to bleed. Before Mai could step in to help her daughter up, Minato rushed toward his sister. Misaki was in tears, and Minato shushed her. "I'm sorry Misaki." Misaki stopped crying for a minute and turned to her brother. "I will never ever hurt you, again. I promise." Minato said, earnestly and wiped the tears off Misaki's face. Misaki sniffed and hugged her brother. Minato hugged back. 'I promise, I'll not let anything happen to you.'

Minato yelled. His head was hurting and things were filling his brain a little too fast for him to swallow. Misaki lay dead in his arms, and the jewel was still glowing. He remembered his promise to her, and he remembered who she was to him. He broke that promise, and killed her. Minato was so traumatized, he didn't know what to do. It was his fault she was dead. He needed to bring her back! He needed to. Somehow. Anyhow. He shut his eyes tightly screamed. The area where the gem once was, was hurting him now. Misaki's pale white face, was now slowly turning pink. Back to life.

Minato gasped. He swore he heard it. A heartbeat. Her heartbeat. He lay her on the ground next to him, and he lay beside her. "Misaki…" He said, his voice a whisper. Misaki's chest wound closed and her stomach would healed as well. The blood stains on her clothes remained, but that didn't matter. He saw her nose wriggle because of the dust that surrounded her, and he looked at her face. The face he was meant to protect. He was her brother, and he's save her, no matter what. He pressed the girl toward him and the jewel glowed once more, and Minato winced in pain. He didn't know what was happening to him, but whatever it was, she was getting better. Misaki slowly opened her eyes and saw her brother, now staring at her face. His entire jaw was covered with a mask, and his eyes had that soft expression in them. His hands were snaked around her protectively, and she swore he was crying. "Minato?" Her voice was healthier now. "Thank goodness." Misaki's eyes widened as his mask crumpled away, revealing his entire face. He looked the same. It was her brother. Misaki smiled happily and hugged him as tight as she could. Minato scowled. Misaki pulled away and got up, but Minato lay there, unmoving, his eyes glued to her own. "Minato?" She was afraid why he wasn't moving. His arms started to fade into dust and Misaki yelled. She quickly caught hold of him and said, "Celer curatio." Fast healing. He was still fading away. "So this is the price I gotta pay. Ah well, I don't mind. As long as you're safe." Minato said and Misaki wailed. "No! I'll-I'll save you, I promise!" Minato chuckled. "Misaki, don't make promises you can't keep." Misaki cried. She didn't know what to do. "Mother always told me wherever Magic was found, Misery followed." Misaki cried. "It's alright, Misaki. Don't cry." Misaki didn't listen. "At least I can be with mother, this way." Misaki hugged her brother and she felt his hand rest on her back. "I love you, Misaki. Take care of yourself, and if that Ichigo boy hurts you, tell him I'll see him in hell." Minato chuckled. "Tell dad I love him…tell Shinji I said hey. And Kisuke…tell him he's a good guy…" Minato chocked and Misaki flinched. "Goodbye…Misaki." And what remained was dust. Misaki swallowed hard, and saw that in the place where her brother once was, there was a green jewel, shining radiantly. Misaki picked it up, and fell unconscious, out of exhaustion.

Ichigo watched the Captain's lose. They seemed helpless in front of Aizen. After Toshiro's outburst, it ended within a snap of a finger. Ichigo could tell Misaki was alive, but her brother wasn't. As much as he wanted to go over there, he was needed here. He was caught in a catch 22 situation, and he didn't know what to do. Aizen was just too strong. "I won't kill you." Aizen spoke. "You're strong enough that those wounds won't even cause you unconsciousness. So watch. Prostrate yourselves helplessly. And watch the battle." Aizen said. But fire surrounded him, and he immediately knew who was behind it. "So you've finally come out of the fray. But you're too late. You're the only captain in the thirteen Court Guard Squads who can fight. Once I defeat you, the entire thirteen Court Guard Squads will be destroyed. You lost your chance, you needn't waste your time now." Aizen spoke to the head captain. Ichigo knew the Old Captain was strong enough to at least hold off Aizen so he swiftly ducked downwards and headed in the direction of Misaki. He saw the girl, unconscious, and Ichigo picked her up. "Misaki! Misaki!" He shook her and she didn't wake. He carried her, and noticed she was holding on a green jewel and took her to where Captain Unohana was. "Captain…please…heal her…" Ichigo begged and Retsu stood there, her gaze on the girl, unwavering. "Alright, you should go, Ichigo. I'll take care of her." Ichigo nodded, and kissed Misaki's forehead. 'Please…be safe.' And went away.

Retsu studied the girl. She was just asleep, but her wounds were healed and her health was stable. But Unohana could swear that this girl was stabbed twice in his torso. And the Arrancar she was fighting…she called him brother, did she not? "Mr. Ushoda, the Arrancar that Miss Otonashi was fighting. Who was he?" Hachi grimaced and sighed. "It was her brother. Misaki came here on the sole purpose of saving her brother from Aizen, but things did not go as planned for her." Retsu thought for a minute before saying. "Her brother's hollowfication was incomplete." Hachi was surprised. "What do you mean, Captain?" Retsu smiled sadly. "This girl died when her brother stabbed her in her heart. But, it seems to me that he saved her life, by giving up his own." Retsu's gaze fell on the jewel Misaki was clutching on to. Hachi gasped. "Is that even possible?" "I didn't think it was up until now, Mr. Ushoda. These two siblings must really love each other. It pains my heart to know what happened to them." Retsu closed her eyes. "Till the very end, he struggled to save his sister, and now, he did."

Ichigo used his Getsuga Tenshou on Aizen after Old Captain used the forbidden Hado spell. Ichigo saw that Aizen was standing a few feet away from him, the clothes in front of his torso torn. "It's not over yet." Ichigo used another Getsuga, and dashed toward Aizen and attacked him with his sword, and to his surprise, Aizen deflected with his own sword. Aizen chuckled and Ichigo frowned through his mask. "What's so funny?" Ichigo asked. "You failed to kill me, Ichigo Kurosaki." Aizen said. "That was the last time you'd find me open." Aizen finished. "It's enough, I wounded you." Aizen chuckled darkly. "Wounded?" His gash on the chest began to close. "You call this wounded?" Ichigo's eyes widened and he thought to himself, 'High speed regeneration?' "This isn't high speed regeneration. You really think I would stoop so low as to hollowfy myself?" Aizen asked. "This is instinctive defense of its master." Aizen said. "What do you mean?" Ichigo asked. Aizen tore the clothing from his chest, revealing a purple orb embedded on his center torso. "That is the Hogyoku." Ichigo's eyes widened. Aizen brushed off the reiatsu from his shoulder and said, "So this is your reiatsu? It's wonderful. You've come a long way. Just as I expected." Ichigo's eyes widened. "What?" "You met Rukia Kuchiki. And after your battle with Uryu Ishida, you awoke your powers of a Soul Reaper. After your battle with Renji Abarai, you knew the powers of your Zanpakuto. And your battle with Kenpachi Zaraki, gave you a hold on your Bankai. And then with your battle with Byakuya Kuchiki, you began to hollowfy. And when you assaulted Misaki Otonashi, you began to despise your hollow form and began wishing to suppress it. And after your fight with Grimmjow you mastered your hollow form. And after your battle with Ulquiorra, you just got stronger. Ichigo Kurosaki, every battle you've fought has been played on the palm of my hand."

Ichigo was dumbfounded. "Every battle I've fought…has been played on…your hand?" He questioned. "What the hell? What do you mean?" No answer. "I said, what do you mean?" Ichigo yelled this time. Aizen's gaze turned dark, and held his finger upward. "Don't. Don't yell, Ichigo Kurosaki." Ichigo shut up and gazed at the man questioningly. "It shouldn't come as a surprise. It's just when I realized that you were the very thing I'd been searching for, I just helped you grow. That's all I'm saying." Ichigo couldn't believe it. "Didn't you think it's strange?" Aizen asked. "You were attacked by a hollow by just having met Rukia Kuchiki despite having never seen a hollow before in your life. And that a Menos Grande should appear for that bait the Quincys use for lesser hollows? Or just when you'd grown used to your Soul reaper powers, Rukia Kuchiki would conveniently be found and reported to the Soul Society, when her reiatsu hadn't been noticed all that time before? Or when Renji Abarai, Kenpachi Zaraki, Byakuya Kuchiki all fought you when your powers rivaled theirs? Did you not notice it to be strange?" Aizen asked, and Ichigo's eyes widened. "Did you think all those meetings were destiny? That Mage girl shifted to Karakura town, because her father got a sudden transfer just when she was bored of her previous home? Or that her mother fell ill just one night before her death? Did you think all those attacks were coincidences?" Aizen asked. "Did you think your victories were due to your own efforts?" Ichigo dashed forward to attack the man.

Their swords clashed and Aizen's smirk never died. He touched Ichigo's blade and smirked wider. "Don't disappoint me. You're stronger than this." Ichigo went a few feet backwards. "Are my words so unbelievable?" Aizen asked. "OF course they are!" "But it's the truth." "Liar!" Ichigo yelled. "Are you saying those battles were you're doing? You planned it all? How can anyone believe that? You said it yourself! You said you only found Rukia after she'd been missing down on earth! Now you're saying you knew about me since I met Rukia? It doesn't make sense!" "Aren't you funny?" Ichigo's eyes widened. "You say I'm lying now. But you believe what I said back then?" Ichigo didn't want to listen to Aizen anymore. "I'm not surprised. I pity you. There are no lies or truths in this world. There are only grim facts and yet, everyone in this world acknowledges as truth only what is convenient for them. They have no other way of living but for the powerless who compromise the majority of this world's population inconvenient facts that affirm their very existence are their only truth. Do you know the entire truth?" Ichigo was angry. He frowned hard. "Do you really think I didn't know the location of the Hogyoku a hundred years ago?" Aizen asked. "Then tell me one thing. You said, I was the one you'd been searching for. How the hell did you know that?" Ichigo spat. "I knew it from the beginning." "That doesn't answer me." Ichigo growled. "I said, I knew it from the beginning." Aizen turned to look at Ichigo and said, "I knew about you since you were born." Ichigo was wide eyed. "You were special from the moment you were born. After all you are human and-"A gush of air stopped Aizen from talking and there came, Isshin Kurosaki. "You've said too much, Aizen." Ichigo's eyes were wide. "D-Dad?"

Misaki woke up when she felt another spiritual pressure in the Fake town. "You should rest, Miss Otonashi." Misaki's head hurt and she felt something in her palm, the green jewel. 'Minato…' she thought to herself and looked to the battle. Her eyes widened. "Ichigo's d-dad?" She said. Hachi nodded. "Hachi? Ichigo's dad is a-""Yes, Misaki. Ichigo Kurosaki's father is a Soul Reaper. Ichigo is only half human." Misaki's eyes widened. She looked for Ichigo and she couldn't find him. "Where is he?" "He's fighting Captain Ichimaru." Retsu said. Misaki looked down and bit her lip. Her gaze turned to Hiyori and Misaki sighed. "I'm so sorry, Hachi. I've been absolutely useless here…" Misaki said. "You astound me Misaki." Misaki looked up to see Retsu smiling softly at her. "You defeated an Espada. You saved Mr. Ushoda's life. You fought another Arrancar and made him realize the truth about himself. You are probably the bravest Human I have ever seen." Misaki smiled softly. "Don't call yourself useless when you have been one of the biggest help in this battlefield." Unohana said. There was another blast and Misaki turned to see Ichigo and his father side by side and Aizen looked shocked. There was red light shooting through his chest and Misaki identified it to be-"Kisuke!" Misaki smiled. 'If he's here then, this battle will end soon.'

Kisuke and Aizen began fighting and Kisuke used Kido all the time. Misaki was awed. She never thought Kisuke was so strong. He looked so out of the ordinary. 'Kisuke…' She thought to herself as she witnessed the battle. But just then, Aizen appeared behind him and sliced him. "No!" Misaki yelled and Retsu pulled her back. Just then, Aizen's wrists began glowing and he was immersed in a blast. But he came out, but he didn't look like Aizen at all. His face was covered completely with a white mask like appendage and no part of his body seemed…human. The fight prolonged and then Yoruichi Shihoin kicked him from above. "Yoruichi…" Misaki remembered. But that kick didn't work, and Yoruichi got out of the area and landed right next to Kisuke. And Aizen seemed unharmed. The fight between the three of them and Aizen continued and Ichigo just watched. Misaki was glad he was safe and then she turned to see the white haired Soul Reaper looking at her direction. Misaki gasped. She swore she could see him looking a little sad. But she brushed it off. Then the white haired captain used his Shikai at Ichigo.

Misaki looked to the battle and saw that the three of them had lost. Misaki's eyes widened. 'Not even those three can beat him?' She was terrified. 'What can we do now? He's so strong…it's unnatural'. Aizen went to the white haired Soul Reaper and the two left. Misaki looked down and she saw Rangiku. She was running to somewhere. 'Rangiku? Where is she going?' Misaki frowned and jumped down. Rangiku was startled but then Misaki muttered, "Tergiversatio vitus." Rangiku was covered in a blue blob of energy and her eyes widened. "Where are you going lieutenant?" Misaki's gaze was hard and determined. Before Rangiku could say anything, "Take me with you Rangiku, please." And that was what Rangiku did.

A/N: Okay guys, this story is almost at its end. Please tell me what you think of it so far? Loving the reviews! :3