"Why did you turn down the Quincy King?" Urahara leaned casually against the wall of the dark chamber but kept his eyes fixed warily on the other man.

Sousuke Aizen sat, as he had for over a decade, strapped to a sturdy metal chair, bound head to toe. Urahara had removed his gag and uncovered his ears for the moment, but when the visit was over, he would once again be plunged into complete solitude.

"He wanted me to be his subordinate. You know that would never satisfy me." Aizen grinned. Urahara didn't buy it any more than he had expected him to. "You would not have come here if you didn't already know the answer."

"I figured you'd say that. That means I am almost surly right. I really wanted to be wrong this time." Urahara shook his head.

"Ah, but you and I are never wrong, are we? The fool Yhwach believed Ichigo wouldn't resort to using his Hollow side. He was wrong. That is what happens to great people who make mistakes. We're different. We both see more than just our corners of the game board. We see all the pieces. We don't make mistakes." Aizen locked eyes with the only man he considered his mental equal. "You have another question for me, don't you?"

"I do. But it seems pointless to ask. You already know the question, and I already know the answer. Just as you said, you and I do not make mistakes. I suppose it was wishful thinking that drove me here, seeking to be wrong."

"I'm afraid you'll have to go elsewhere if that is what you desire. It may set your mind at ease if you ask it aloud though."

"You just don't want your only company in years to leave yet." Urahara stepped forward to refasten the straps. Aizen sighed, but did not protest.

"The game isn't over yet, is it?" Urahara paused and asked quietly. Aizen grinned.

"No. Not yet."

The straps quickly blocked out all noise and light as his face was covered once again. Urahara resisted the urge to kick the chair over and leave the mad man on his side. It would serve only to give away his own frustration to the enemy. Instead, he satisfied himself by ensuring the straps were tightened as far as they would go.

Line -

"Are you sure about this?" Captain Commander Kyoraku asked. He knew the man was almost certainly right, but he hoped it might be a poorly chosen joke.

"I am. I did not take the time to address it at the time, but Aizen passed up the opportunity to take his freedom during the war. There is only one reason for that. It was part of his plan. Presumably, even his imprisonment was a part of his plan. The question becomes, what is his final goal? If he had joined the Quincy and turned on them, he could have easily destroyed the Soul King and taken his place as he originally claimed to desire. Instead, he chose to remain imprisoned. Why?" Urahara clenched and unclenched his fists at his sides as he quickly paced back and forth in front of the older shinigami.

"Something he could accomplish without leaving his cell..." Lieutenant Nanao Ise whispered to herself.

"No. Worse. Something he could only accomplish without leaving his cell." Urahara stopped and looked up at the Captain Commander. "Aizen is exactly where he wants to be. The war played out according to his predictions. Which means our current course is in the palm of his hand, as it has been for the better part of two centuries. We must act with caution and keep alert for his next move. And I think this should remain between us, for now. If this is not handled carefully, we risk missing something vital."

"I agree. For now, we will wait, and hope that whatever it is he is planning becomes clear before it is too late." Shunsui thought for a moment. "Give some thought to who you would recommend for a mission to counteract his activities, should it come to that. I will want your advice in that event. You are the only one who could beat Aizen at his own game."

"I have already thought on that, but I'll hold off my decision until that time comes."

Line -

"You can't be serious..." Uryu raised an eyebrow at his friend. Ichigo laughed.

"I am. Yuzu doesn't want to ever awaken her inner hollow, so she drew out her Quincy powers instead. She's the first Shinigami and Quincy hybrid in Soul Society. She needs someone to teach her. So, will you?"

"You know very well I can't refuse. Don't ask stupid questions." Uryu sighed and rolled his eyes. "She knows that Quincy don't have much in the way of healing techniques, doesn't she?"

"She does. She wants to be able to defend herself and those she heals. Although between my father, my sister, and myself, hopefully she will never have to be the one defending anyone."

"You can't be everywhere all the time. She's a wise girl. No idea where she gets that. Are you sure she isn't adopted?" Uryu smirked as Ichigo punched him lightly. "I'll teacher her all I know. Don't worry, Ichigo."

"I'm not worried. Thanks. How's Orihime doing?"

"She's doing very well. Her first weeks were hectic, but she's been much more relaxed since then. The benefits of an age of peace. Injuries are seldom and rarely severe."

"We can only hope it lasts." Ichigo looked over to his friend. "The Delta Division is already making a real difference. They let Grimmjow join my division a few days ago. He's my Fourth Seat now. He's a colossal ass, but he's strong, and surprisingly loyal."

"Huh, loyal and a colossal ass? I can't imagine why they put him in your division. You're nothing alike at all!" Uryu grinned. "What about Starrk and Lilynette?"

"Lilynette is a junior member of the Thirteenth Division and taking part time classes in the Academy. Starrk is... adjusting. He spends most of his time either sleeping or avoiding the Academy. Ukitake says everything will be alright though. I trust him."

"He's a good man and a good captain." Uryu glanced toward the Thirteenth Division. "I was wrong about a lot of things, as far as Shinigami go... I should have listened better when my grandfather taught me."

"Yeah, well, everyone knows you're a stubborn idiot sometimes."

"Must be why we get along so well."

Line -

Omeada was busily cowering behind a large outcropping of rocks. Of all the places he could be spending his day, why did it have to be in a giant underground room with two terrifying women and two even more terrifying children?

"Almost had her that time! Nice job Kaien! Now, try it again, only this time with the weights!" Yoruichi Shihoin called out to her pupil. He flashed to a pile of equipment and strapped two thin strips of fabric to his legs. The fabric stretched out to cover him from ankle to mid thigh, then increased in weight until it was a struggle for most Shinigami to stand. She turned her attention to the other student. "Kirio! It's your turn to take a break! Hit the hot spring!"

Kirio Hirako, who had been running a long set of exercises, gratefully abandoned the task and ran for the refreshing water. Soifon took only an instant to catch her breath before flash stepping back in to the chase with the black haired boy.

"Good, but you have to be better if you want to catch my Little Bee! There are only two people in Soul Society faster than her, and you aren't one of them yet!" Yoruichi watched as the boy sped across the terrain as gracefully as he had unburdened, and only a small amount slower. Kisuke had warned her that he would learn at a rate she would be hard pressed to keep up with.

She had agreed to the training without any thought, but in only three days, he was almost ready to take her on himself. The girl, on the other hand, was learning at a far more reasonable pace. She seemed frustrated that she could not keep up with her friend, but also seemed to accept that he was always going to have an edge she did not.

"Yes!" Kaien shouted in triumph as his fingers lunged forward and yanked the strip of silk from the ninja's waist. "I did it!" He came to a stop and held his fist aloft, the soft material dangling as proof that he had accomplished his task. Yoruichi sighed. It was time for her to show him he still had at least a day or two before he was a real master.

"Good job, Kaien. Now, your next challenge. Take it from me." He blinked as the silk vanished from his fingers and seemed to appear at her waist. "Your father is the only person in history to match me. Can you rise to that level?"

Line -

"No, try it again." Grimmjow growled. This was insulting. He was a former Espada, not a babysitter! Kaien Kurosaki concentrated, and finally, a small ball of red energy appeared in the palm of his hand. Almost as soon as it appeared, it exploded, sending the boy and the Arrancar flying to the ground several yards away. "Damn it! You have to keep concentrating after you make the stupid thing!"

"Ha... Sorry..." Kaien pushed himself off the ground and grinned at the blue haired man. "I'm not so great with Kidou either..."

"Cero isn't Kidou! Forget Kidou! Don't give a thought to whether Kidou is easy or hard, or if you failed or succeeded there! It doesn't matter. Right now, this is all that matters. You aren't practicing something like Kidou. You are learning Cero!" Grimmjow fired a small Cero into the ground a few feet away from them, leaving a deep crater. "Do it right this time!"

Kaien nodded and began to concentrate, but a shark smack to the back of the head brought his attention back to the Arrancar. "What?"

"Stop thinking! A Hollow acts on instinct, and Cero is a Hollow power! You can't think so much. Just do it!"

Kaien frowned. That didn't make any sense. He wiped his mind, and glanced at the crater, then pointed at it and shoved outward with his riatsu. To his surprise, a blast of red energy doubled the size of the hole in an instant.

"There! Just like that!" Grimmjow grinned. Maybe babysitting wasn't so bad.

Line -

"I've known about you since the day you were born." Aizen had said those words to Ichigo years before. It had been clear from the start that the orange haired hero was a vital player in this game, but what exactly his roll was meant to be remained unclear.

"When were you under the impression that I wasn't using Kyoka Suigetsu?" They had all been fooled... Urahara sat up and dashed out of the room. He headed directly for the First Division.

"Urahara? What are you doing here this late?" Nanao yawned as she opened the door. When she saw the panic on the calm man's face, she stepped aside and followed him to her captain's room.

"Captain Commander Kyoraku! We've been fooled! From the very beginning!" Urahara kicked the wall. "Aizen used his absolute hypnosis on Ichigo when he was a child! Of course he wouldn't leave something so vital to chance!"

"Then... We have no way of knowing what parts of the Winter War actually happened and what was illusion... We may not even have the real Aizen imprisoned..." Shunsui opened the door and allowed the two inside. "What can we do, though? We all witnessed his release... None of our senses are reliable..."

"No, even Aizen has limits. I do believe he is imprisoned. He is cleaver and would only use his ability in ways he could maintain indefinitely. If I had to guess, I would say there was a single instant during the war that he made us perceive differently. Narrowing down what it could be, however, will be a challenge." Urahara had calmed slightly. "We have to tell Ichigo though. Not only does he have a right to know that he may have been tricked, but he may be able to help us find what was changed."

"I do not like it, but I can't disagree. Aizen has proven his intentions will not be slowed by the deaths of a few enemies or allies. Nanao, go to the Eighth and fetch Ichigo. Urahara, you should bring Kurotsuchi as well. We need every great mind we can find to unravel Aizen's plan." Shunsui rested his hat on his head and stood. Urahara held up a hand.

"I have given some thought to this... I believe in order to defeat Aizen, we must change our strategy entirely. It has been a game of chess that has lasted centuries. He is a master that I am not sure even I can best. Certainly not without horrible losses. But if we change the game to poker without telling him, we may have a chance." Urahara grinned.

"What did you have in mind?"

Line -

Aizen breathed deeply and plunged in to his inner world. It was a mesmerizing place. A labyrinth of mirrors. Walls, floor, and ceiling. All at odd angles. From any single place in the maze, you could see every other location. But only the greatest minds could follow the twisting threads of reflection.

"Kyoka Suigetsu. It is nearly time." Aizen waited for a moment, then turned. An elegant woman in a dark cloak had appeared. She was not reflected in the mirrors.

"Sousuke. I wondered if you might not change your mind, after speaking to Kisuke Urahara." The woman sat on a protrusion from the floor that had been all but invisible before. "The subject is almost ready. Shall we move on to the penultimate phase?"

"Yes. You know your part. Go, and remember, we do not make mistakes, but neither does Kisuke Urahara. He will see the plan before the end, and he will put his considerable mental resources in to stopping us."

"He will fail. We have come too far for him to stop us now. It will not be long before we stand at the very top. Even the Soul King will not be able to challenge us." Kyoka Suigetsu vanished, manifesting into the outside world of Soul Society and leaving her master alone in his mind.

The Arrancar started it all. Hollows who had become part Shinigami. Next he preformed his test on the Visored, proving a Shinigami could become part Hollow. He went on to perfect the Arrancar, while Urahara had done his work in perfecting the Visored. Then it came time for the next test. Quincy hybrids. The real question, was if it was possible to create a Quincy and Hollow hybrid. He hoped, with the Hogyoku, that he could reconcile their contradictory natures. Ichigo had briefly merged with both his inner Hollow and inner Quincy, but his Shinigami nature polluted the results.

Now, his test was nearly complete. A pure Quincy and Hollow Hybrid. A Kudoso. He would test it in fire by sending it against Soul Society. He could count on Urahara to find its flaws, and Kyoka Suigetsu would be watching and recording the results for him all the while.

However, it was only a matter of time before they realized that his Zanpakuto had not been destroyed by the Hogyoku. When that time came, he would move to the final phase.

Line -

"No. No way! You can't use them to fight Aizen!" Ichigo shouted. His father was at his side, glaring daggers at his friend. Urahara was guiltily avoiding his gaze.

"This is the best chance we have, Ichigo. Isshin, surely you know I would not suggest this if I didn't believe they could do it!" Urahara said.

"And you must have known I would never have approved, or you would have come to me first!" Isshin growled. "You plan to send my daughters to fight the most dangerous criminal Soul Society has ever faced? It took you and Ichigo to finally bring him down before, and over a decade to realize he played you all like puppets!"

"And not just my sisters, but my son as well?! How many wars do we have to fight before you stop turning to our family for all of your solutions! You have the Gotei 13, the Arrancar, and the Quincy on your side! Why do you need the few of us who haven't already killed?" Ichigo demanded.

"Because Aizen has no grip on them. They are the only ones with your potential who have not seen Aizen's shikai." Shunsui Kyoraku defended the scientists proposal. "We do not want to see them harmed. But we have to think about more than just them. We have to stop Aizen or millions could die. Yuzu, Karin, and Kaien might be our only hope to stopping whatever plan Aizen has."

"I'll do it." Karin said quietly. She stepped up beside her father and brother. "I'll fight."

"No! Karin, don't!" Ichigo tried to step in front of her, but she pushed past him.

"This is my choice, Ichigo. You protected me all my life. I want to be able to protect people now. Besides, I think I may have an edge in this that Aizen won't see coming." Karin grinned confidently at her brother. "I reached manifestation. I'll be able to achieve Bankai soon."

"You've already reached manifestation?" Ichigo asked, surprised. She nodded. "Toshiro's been training you personally, hasn't he?" Another nod, this time with a small blush. Ichigo sighed and nodded. "It's a family thing, I guess. We all want to protect. I can't stop you... But please, be careful. Don't throw your life away for this."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. But Yuzu isn't a fighter. She's a healer." She turned her glare on Urahara and the Captain Commander. "Leave her out of this."

"She is the only one of you who has trained her Quincy powers. The more variety in your powers, the better." Urahara said calmly. "Yuzu Kurosaki, it is your choice."

"I... I don't... I don't know if I am strong enough... I have only been training with Uryu for a month..." The gentle woman was uncomfortably standing off to the side, nearly overwhelmed by the immense assembled riatsu in the room.

"I would not feel comfortable sending her against Aizen at this point, Captain Commander. She is naturally talented and she is learning quickly, but she lacks power and speed to back up her skill. Maybe in five years, but right now, I'm afraid she would be a greater benefit to Soul Society as a healer than a soldier." Uryu reported. Ichigo leaned forward and whispered to him.

"Thanks, Uryu."

"I see. And Kaien?" Shunsui turned to the boy who now stood at the equivalent of a thirteen year old boy.

"Absolutely not. He is still a student in the Academy! He is a child! He has not even achieved Shikai yet! He still has to fight to keep his Hollowfication under control!" Ichigo roared at the man.

"I would say, there would be little benefit to sending a healer and a child when Karin is more than capable on her own. In fact, their presence would be more likely to serve as a distraction to those who care about them." Toshiro Hitsugaya spoke up for the first time, meeting the eyes of his former captain and his adoptive older brother. "I understand that a variety of viewpoints and styles would be a benefit, but the detriments seem to outweigh them in this case."

"I agree with Hitsugaya. I can not see sending the other two as anything more than a suicide mission." Byakuya added.

"I am always against sending children into battle." Ukitake said pointedly to his friend.

"Alright, alright. Karin Kurosaki has agreed to undertake this mission alone, and we are all agreed that she is the most capable on her own. Third Seat Kurosaki, you will report to the Delta Division immediately after this meeting to learn the details of your assignment as we know them at this point." Shunsui called out. "This meeting is over."

Karin smiled appreciatively at her captain, then turned to leave. She was stopped by her family.

"You don't have to do this, Karin..." Ichigo put a hand on her shoulder.

"Say the word and I'll kick Kisuke's ass all the way through the Rukongai for this!" Isshin proclaimed.

"Sis... I'll come with you, if you need me. I may not be able to fight, but I can heal you..." Yuzu hugged her.

"I'll be fine! Don't worry, guys. Let me be the one to protect you all this time." Karin returned the hug, then embraced her father and brother as well. "I have to go. We still don't know when I will be needed for this mission anyway."

Line -

Ryuya walked out into the sunlight for the first time in years. The strange woman had taken him to the underground compound when he was little more than a child. Now, he was finally able to see the sky. Although, he wondered if it even really counted as himself anymore. He reached up and felt the chest plate under his clothes that covered a hole where his heart should be.

"You know what is required of you. After you complete your task, you are free." Kyoka Suigetsu gestured to the hole in the sky being held open by two Arrancar. "Free Sousuke Aizen from prison. Kill anyone who gets in your way. Once you cut his bonds and place this in to his hands, you are free. You can fight your way out, surrender and tell them everything, or die where you stand. It is up to you."

"All I have to do is get in, untie this guy, and give him a sword?"

"Yes." Kyoka Suigetsu smiled to herself. "Just that."

Ryuya nodded and stepped into the Garganta and off toward Soul Society.

Line -

"What is he?" Ikkaku asked allowed as he blocked yet another light arrow carrying the riatsu of a Hollow. "Yumichika! Tatsuki! Three point arc! Mizuho! Get to the Captain Commander and tell him to make sure Aizen is secure! Aramaki! Get to the Delta Division and alert Urahara! I smell Aizen's hand in this!"

"Yes Captain!" the four officers shouted in unison, moving to follow his orders.

"So, what the hell are you?! An Arrancar gone rogue?!" Ikkaku stepped forward cautiously, Yumi and Tatsuki on either side of him, but several steps back.

"I'm a Kudoso! A Quincy who has undergone Hollowfication! I am the only one of my kind, and I am here to unleash hell! My name is Ryuya!" The man fired another arrow but it was cut from the air by the bald captain.

"I am Kenpachi Ikkaku Madarame! I am the captain of the Eleventh Division! I'm the luckiest man in the Gotei 13, and I am going to kill you here and now!" Ikkaku spun his Zanpakuto. "Grow, Hozukimaru!"

"Split and Deviate, Ruri'iro Kujaku!" Yumichika grinned as his blade curved and divided into its true form.

"Strike Back, Handoju!" Tatsuki's blade extended from the handle in both directions, while the hilt changed to enclose her hand fully.

The three powerful warriors charged the new enemy without hesitation as their comrades rushed to alert the rest of Soul Society.

When help finally arrived, Ikkaku was the only one standing, and the enemy was no where to be seen. The bald man was knelt beside his best friend, carefully applying medicine from his sword hilt to several deep cuts. A few feet away, Tatsuki was struggling to get to her feet, using her Zanpakuto as a crutch.

"Where did he go, Captain?!" Aramaki came to his comrades and helped Tatsuki to her feet as Mizuho moved to help Ikkaku lift Yumichika.

"Toward the First Division. Hurry. He was carrying Aizen's Zanpakuto, and he knew how to use it."

Line -

"Thank you for your services, Ryuya." Aizen stretched and lifted his Zanpakuto experimentally. It had been so long since he had held it, he just wanted to enjoy the weight in his hand for a few moments. "You're dismissed. I suggest you get out of here before they get here, or you will probably die. But then, that is up to you now."

Aizen looked back at the chair that had been his home for the last decades. One blast of Kidou reduced it to ash.

Outside, the First Division had evacuated, and Ichigo stood in his full Vasto Lorde form. Shunsui Kyoraku suggested that as a last resort, the prison could be obliterated and rebuilt, if it meant containing Aizen.

"Ah, I see you've all come to welcome me back in to the free world. I do appreciate it, really. I haven't had many visitors lately. But I have some important business I must be getting to. You've validated my final experiment. I have no need to kill you all, but I will if you stand in my way." Aizen raised his sword. "Shatter, Kyo-"

"Bankai! Reiji Shinkiro!" Karin Kurosaki flash stepped from the crowd and crossed blades with Aizen before he could complete his release. "You won't be hypnotizing anyone today."

"Oh? And a child like you will stop me? It is no great feat to see that you don't have even a fraction of your brother's power. I expected better." Aizen pushed her blade back and then lunged at her chest, his blade sliding cleanly through the joint of her shoulder. She cried out and stumbled back.

Then she vanished. Aizen's eyes widened as he felt a sharp pain in his own shoulder. The girl was standing there, his sword resting harmlessly on her shoulder and her own blade through his arm.

"What is this?" He swung again, but again, she wasn't there.

"You thought you were the only one with an illusion type Zanpakuto? Ha! They told me you were smart!" Karin rushed toward him. His blade came up to block her, but instead he met empty air as her strike pierced his leg from the side. "And that is only the start." She drew back and pointed the tip of her blade at the confused man. "My mirage doesn't stop with your senses. The wounds you see me inflicting are real to you, even if not to the world, Aizen. I can kill you without ever coming into arms reach."

"Perhaps I gave you too little credit... But there are still things you have not mastered. Such as releasing your Zanpakuto silently." Aizen grinned and dissolved before her.

"No! I had him!" Karin roared as she rushed to the spot he had just occupied. There was no trace of him ever standing there. "I failed..."

"No, you did amazingly, Karin." Her captain was by her side. "We'll find him. Urahara and Kurotsuchi are already working on it."

"He hypnotized me, Toshiro! I could have killed you! Or Yuzu! Or Dad!" She turned to him and hugged him tightly. "I can't be the one to fight him again..."

"I understand... Then it is time to see what your nephew is capable of when necessity calls..." Toshiro looked over her head at Ichigo and Rukia. They shared a sad glance, then nodded.