I was gonna hold off on updating for a few days but couldn't resist.

I hope you like it!

Chapter 17: An Unlikely Ally

The announcement echoed around the Shrine, repeating over and over again in Kirara's head as she stared at the group in disbelief. She ignored the stinging of the bright light flooding in behind the masked messengers, too stunned to feel the pain.

"What...what did you say?" she managed to find her voice. It was cracked from disuse, and she was unable to hide her shock.

"Did you not hear?" the messenger sounded impatient. "Then I shall repeat the notice. Your date of execution has been changed once more, Ms. Kirara Yamada. The execution will take place tomorrow," he repeated. Kirara felt her legs go weak, and as they left, leaving her in the darkness once again, she fell to her knees, breathing erratically.

"Tomorrow...tomorrow..." tears stung at her eyes. "I haven't survived this long to go out now...dammit!" she let out a yell that bounced around the circular prison. "Ichigo...Shinji..." the tears escaped, rolling down her cheeks in fat droplets. "You better be ready," she whispered.

A shattering noise echoed through the training grounds as another of the swords littered around the training grounds broke in an exchange of blows between Ichigo and Zangetsu.

"Still no change in his Reiatsu...time is running out," Shinji frowned as he watched. Yoruichi didn't respond, deep in thought. Ichigo grabbed another, and the two continued to fight, Shinji shifted as a shiver ran down his spine. The entrance to the underground training area suddenly exploded, taking them all by surprise.

"I was wondering what you were doing, holed up in here," a voice called out. "That's your Zanpakuto's true form?" Zangetsu frowned at the interruption. A figure burst from the dust, and landed lightly nearby. "Secretly training for Bankai? That looks like fun..." the red-haired figure was revealed when the dust scattered, and Ichigo's eyes widened. "Let me train too," the man smirked, holding his released Zanpakuto over his shoulder.

"Renji!" Ichigo gasped. Renji's smirk grew, but was quickly wiped from his face when he was forced to use Zabimaru to block Shinji's sword. He grit his teeth at the force behind the blow, glaring at his attacker. He pushed back, only for Shinji to move suddenly and kick him in the stomach.

"Hey, Shinji!" Yoruichi shouted, but the blond ignored her, darting forwards and slamming his Zanpakuto against Renji's again. The other man glared back at him, shoving, but the lanky attacker was surprisingly strong. Renji moved to the side, letting Shinji's Zanpakuto fall where he had been standing. Moving to dodge each of the three blows Renji lashed out with, Shinji got in close, making sure to avoid the spikes on the blade, and punched him hard with his free hand. He then kicked him, and Renji sailed through the air with a grunt.

Following the red-haired invader along, Shinji continued his assault, swinging in a circle before his blade slammed against Renji's again. Renji's eyes narrowed as he recognised his attacker. He remembered him from his last fight with Ichigo, looking entirely disinterested in what was happening, but from somewhere else.

"Let me go!" she hauled a young boy with bright red hair tied back into the air. For a moment, the red hair reminded her of Kenjiro, but when she got a good look at the boy who was squirming in her grasp, she knew he definitely wasn't related to the Shirobara family. His kimono, grey and threadbare, was made from a scratchy material Kirara knew was only worn by those in the Rukon. He was definitely not related to the noble family.

"Care to explain why you're trying to pickpocket a Lieutenant of the Gotei 13?" she asked, making his eyes widen as she held him in the air by the wrist, keeping him off his feet.

"I didn't do anything! Let me go!" he yelled.

"Kid, if you don't stop, then someone's going to notice. And then I'm going to have to explain what happened, and neither of us want that, do we?" Kirara raised her eyebrow, and the boy reluctantly stopped, glaring at her. "Oh, that's a good look kid, but unfortunately it doesn't work on me," she chuckled.

"What are you gonna do? Arrest me? Beat me up? Shinigami don't bother with pickpockets y'know," the boy huffed, and Kirara set him down gently.

"They do if it's a Shinigami you're trying to steal from," Kirara pointed out. "But, luckily for you, I'm on a leave of absence until I recover from my injuries," the boy's eyes widened when he noticed the still red scar protruding from the top of her kimono. "Here," he frowned when she suddenly dropped a small bag into his hand.

"What?" he frowned.

"I can sense your Reiatsu. You're hungry, so eat," Kirara rolled her eyes, looking bored.

"I don't need-"

"My what? My pity? You were going to steal from me regardless, better I give it to you willingly kid," Kirara rolled her eyes again as he gaped up at her. "Just be careful out here. This place is crawling from the higher ups of the Gotei 13," she warned, and the boy stared at her for another few moments before turning and sprinting off.

That was it. Renji's eyes widened as he realised where he remembered the man from.

Running away from the strange woman claiming to be a Lieutenant of the Gotei 13, Renji clutched the money close to his chest, excited to share his treasure with Rukia and their friends. He couldn't resist in glancing back, and slowed as he saw a much taller man speaking with Kirara. His long blond hair looked odd, making him stand out even more. Renji then stopped, unable to stop his muscles locking in shock. The man was a Captain. His Haori was unmistakable. As he stared, the man glanced at him, meeting his alarmed gaze, before saying something to Kirara. He then flinched as Kirara grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked hard, making him grimace.

Breathing erratically in his fear, Renji turned and ran off, leaving Kirara to it.

"You..." Renji started as he returned his focus to the fight at hand. Scowling even more, he shoved Shinji back, and punched him hard across the face. "You were a Captain," he accused. Shinji's gaze darkened as he spat out blood, which started to trickle down his lip. The clashing of metal echoed through the air as the two continued fighting, before Renji was tossed into a rock.

"Renji!" Shinji glanced around in surprise as a much shorter Shinigami ran at him, with her Zanpakuto raised. He caught her wrist before she could land a blow, easily holding her off. Her big violet eyes narrowed in a threatening glare, and she raised her free hand. "Hado #33! Sokatsui!" she yelled.

The resulting explosion rocked the grounds, and when the dust cloud faded, the young woman's eyes widened as she gasped, realising it had missed entirely. Only the ends of Shinji's hair were slightly singed, and the furious look in his eyes made her pale.

"Rukia!" Renji roared when he saw her in Shinji's grasp. He ran at them, only for his attack to be stopped mid-swing by Yoruichi.

"Enough," Yoruichi growled. "All of you," she glanced to Shinji, who dropped Rukia's wrist with a scoff. "What are you doing here?" she demanded of Renji.

"Hell, no special reason. We're outta time. So I just wanted some place where I could concentrate on training," Renji shrugged.

"Out of time?" Ichigo repeated, frowning at him. "What do you mean?" he demanded. Renji was silent, aware of all the eyes on him.

"You mean the announcement earlier," Rukia realised. Renji nodded.

"They changed Kirara Yamada's time of execution," he announced.

"What?" Ichigo breathed as Shinji and Yoruichi stiffened.

"The new time is noon tomorrow," Renji announced. "Figured I'd let you know. Don't worry, I ain't gonna mess with your training," he turned away. "I've already mastered manifesting it. Only a little more until Bankai," he announced. He raised his Zanpakuto, and wind picked up, kicking up the dust. "I'm just gonna do my own thing," he told them as a massive baboon with a snake for a tail materialised beside him.

"Tomorrow...?" Yoruichi breathed, her voice shaky. "But...he'll never reach Bankai by then," she whispered, and grunted when a hand grabbed her by the collar, yanking her to the side.

"Don't you dare give up now," Shinji hissed at her, his grey eyes flashing gold again. Yoruichi's eyes widened and she pulled, trying to get free of his vice-like grip. Despite her usually calm exterior, she couldn't help but show her true fear at the thought of Shinji losing control. "Not after all the shit you've been saying since we got to this dammed place," he growled at her. Hearing the shattering of metal behind them, they looked around to see the sword in Ichigo's hand had broken.

"Are you just gonna quit, Yoruichi?" Ichigo asked, not turning around. "Weren't you the one who started me on this training? Then don't be the first one to give up!" he told her as she stared at him.

"But Ichigo, if you can't reach Bankai by tomorrow-"

"I told you! Don't talk about 'can't'," Ichigo interrupted her. He turned around, his eyes glowing with his resolve. "If tomorrow's the deadline..." he shattered the rest of the sword in his hand as his body began to glow. "We'll just finish it today!" he declared. Renji smirked, impressed.

"The idiot's right. Feel that Reiatsu," Shinji released his grip on Yoruichi's shirt. "You're not giving up on this," Shinji told her, turning and walking off.

"These people..." Rukia breathed, staring at Ichigo as his Reiatsu pulsed. "Renji, what is going on?" she demanded.

"Who's the midget?" Ichigo asked, his eyes on the young woman. Her violet eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Midget? I'll show you, stupid human!" she shouted at him.

"I'd like to see you try," Ichigo sneered back. Rukia went to argue, but Renji spoke.

"Why'd you follow me, Rukia?" he was walking away. "Go back to your Squad. I'm not dragging you into this mess," he told her. Rukia stared at him, aware of the resumed training behind her.

"Idiot!" Renji cried out, thrown forwards into a rock by Rukia's powerful kick. "I'm already in this mess, so don't you dare tell me just to go back!" she snarled at him. Renji groaned, wiping the blood from his face.

"Rukia-"

"I'm not leaving," the Shinigami told him stubbornly, folding her arms. "So you might as well tell me why we're here," she said. Renji glared at her, but she met his gaze evenly. Finally, he gave in with a groan.

"I'm here to complete my Bankai training," he told her.

"And the reason you're leaving the Ryoka to do the same?" Rukia asked him, her arms folded.

"Because I owe Kirara Yamada my life," Renji told her, turning away. Rukia blinked, staring at his back. She was taken aback, not having expected that answer. "You made me think about it. Really think about it. She saved me by giving me that money for food. And if it had been any other Shinigami that had caught me stealing from them..." he trailed off, both of them already knowing the answer. "I don't understand why she has to be executed," Rukia remembered their previous conversation.

"This is the same woman who gave you that money at the festival, when she caught you stealing," Rukia's voice was soft as she finally met his gaze. The uncertainty was still there.

"Y...yeah," Renji confirmed, his eyes not leaving hers.

"Then I don't get it," Rukia sighed, shaking her head. "Why should she be punished, when she's helped you, just like she helped that human?" she questioned.

"Rukia...I..." Renji sighed, and let his arms fall to his sides. "Knowing you, you would be stupid enough to help that human kid too. But I need to obey the Captain, and he's instructed for me to stop the Ryoka too. Especially if it's the same kid. I gotta go. Lieutenant's meeting," he turned away.

"Right..." Rukia sighed, staring at her feet. Renji clapped a hand to her shoulder, which made her entire body shake from the force.

"It'll work out Rukia, don't worry," he managed a grin, before turning and heading off.

"Renji..." she murmured, watching him. "Is all this really just for her?" she asked him.

"I concur," they looked around at Shinji, who was leaning against the cliffs around them. "You removed your Lieutenant's Insignia. I noticed that in your last fight against Ichigo," his voice was soft but accusing as he met Renji's gaze.

"My reasons to fight are my own, Ryoka," Renji told him coldly. Shinji arched an eyebrow.

"Renji!" Rukia hissed at him.

"Fine. Keep your reasons," Shinji shrugged, turning away. "But if you get in our way, I will cut you down myself," he warned, not looking around as he walked off. Renji glared at his back.

"I don't like that guy," he decided. Rukia hummed her agreement.

Yoruichi watched out of the corner of her eye, concerned. The flash of Shinji's Hollow trying to take control worried her. She had no idea just how much control Shinji or any of the Vizards had over their inner Hollows, and she didn't want to find out the hard way. They had to save Kirara, for even more reasons now.

Yoruichi just hoped Kirara's own Hollow wouldn't cause any problems either.

"Natsuki, stop!"

"Screw you, I'm going out there!" Natsuki shoved against Yumichika's grip as he stopped her from running out and doing something stupid.

"To get yourself killed?" Yumichika shoved her up against the wall. "Be patient. We're going to find Ichigo, and I guess saving your friend will come next," he told her. She glared at him, but didn't move.

"So saving Kirara is only a side-thought now, since the Captain is interested?" she snapped at him. Her anger was blazing and she was ready to fight him if she could get the chance.

"You're a complete idiot. You realise that trying to stop the execution the way you did could be seen as treason against the Gotei 13, don't you?" Yumichika asked her quietly. "Do you think that this Yamada would want you to do that?" he challenged. Her eyes widened at his question.

"I..." Natsuki stopped, thinking of how Kirara had begged her to leave with Hanataro before they were caught. "But I can't just let her be killed like this," she whispered.

"And we won't. But running out there and getting yourself killed will help nobody, especially not your friend," Yumichika pointed out.

"I hate that you're right," Natsuki sighed irritably.

"But it happens so often, you must be used to it by now," Yumichika told her simply, and Natsuki couldn't help but laugh.

"You're delusional," she told him, shaking her head before looking up at him again. It was then that she realised that she was still pinned to the wall, and he was very close to her. His purple eyes widened as he realised it too, but something in him stopped him from immediately letting go. "Yumi..." Natsuki's voice was very quiet, watching him as she felt her heart beating hard against her chest. Neither moved, not quite sure what to do or say, before Natsuki swallowed and opened her mouth to speak. "I-"

"Natsuki?" there was a knock as the timid voice called in, and Yumichika's grip on her wrists immediately dropped as he stepped back, and Orihime peered in. "Are...are you okay?" she asked nervously. Neither spoke for a moment, and something unspoken passed between the pair. Yumichika then turned, flicking his hair from his face.

"Simply ensuring that this idiot didn't run off and mess with the Captain's plans," he told Orihime, who blinked rapidly, not seeming to realise what she had interrupted.

"Heaven forbid," Natsuki rolled her eyes and folded her arms with a mutter, remaining leaning against the wall. "I'm going to stop the execution, Yumi," she warned him. He stopped in the doorway.

"Just remember, suicide missions aren't very beautiful," the man replied, and walked back without looking back at her. The fourth seat stuck her tongue out at him stubbornly.

"You really care for Kirara, don't you?" Orihime smiled. Natsuki shrugged.

"Squad 11 prides itself on fighting, nothing else. We're not the warm and fuzzy type, but..." Natsuki shrugged, turning to the window. "She's been my best friend since we were kids. She's always had my back. So I'm going to have hers," she vowed. "And Ichigo will be there tomorrow, so we'll have to be too," Orihime's smile grew at the mention of the boy.

"Yeah!" she nodded.

"Try and get some sleep, Orihime. It's going to be a busy day tomorrow," Natsuki patted her shoulder as she passed her. Instead of returning to her own quarters, Natsuki turned to walk down to the training room. She needed to beat something up, and there were plenty of willing victims.

Night had fallen once again, and Kirara was leaning against the wall, humming to herself. Her voice echoed off the walls, echoing a nostalgic tune around the tower.

Taking a breath, Kirara paused, glancing out the window. In the light of the moon, as well as lanterns around the Seireitei, she could see Sogyoku Hill. If it wasn't to be the place of her death in the morning, it might have looked beautiful. She gave a soft smile.

"Well, I guess they had to leave it to the last minute for a nice flashy escape," Kirara mused in a quite voice, and her smile grew. She was done feeling sorry for herself. In the time she'd been a prisoner, she'd raged and cried and given up several times, but she was done with that now. She had faith in Ichigo and her friends. While Kirara had never wanted them to risk saving her, she was happy they did. And there was too much at stake for her to just give up and embrace her fate now.

Kirara's hands closed into fists as her eyes shimmered with her resolve. She was a Vizard. She'd defied her fate already by forcing her Hollow into submission. She'd gone through too much – survived through too much – to quit now. Aizen had told her that she'd died that night a century ago, but she knew his game by now. To get in her head and let her destroy herself. He wouldn't shatter her resolve again.

Kirara laughed quietly to herself, and she slid to the ground, angling her head to continue looking out the window. "I'll show you just how much of a shell I am, you rat bastard," she vowed quietly.

I hope you like it!

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