Didn't mean to go so long between updates, but QCon was on and my friends were over so I've had nothing written or played in the last five days. Including Stormblood, which is a torture.

Anyways, I hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 19: An Unbreakable Resolution

Lifting her head, Kirara stopped abruptly, and the group escorting her stopped in surprise. She turned her head, scanning the view as her brow furrowed.

'That was that guy...Abarai. That massive Reiatsu was his and just...vanished...' she thought to herself. 'Kuchiki...he did it. But why? And what's with those other massive Reiatsu going nuts over there? Is everyone here just going crazy?' Kirara wondered, not moving as the group paused, unsure of what to do. 'But why did Abarai...' she stopped, hearing footsteps, and looked around. Her eyes widened, and she stiffened.

"Good morning. How are ya feeling, Kirara?" the silver haired man asked with a wide smile.

"You...Gin Ichimaru..." she realised. It had been a long time, and he'd grown a great deal, but she'd never forget the last time she saw him.

"That's no good. I get that it's been a long time, but ya should really show some respect," he scolded in a light tone, as if not offended in the slightest. "You're supposed to say 'Captain Gin Ichimaru," he corrected her. Kirara's eyes narrowed. "I remember ya bein' disrespectful, but still," he shrugged.

"Go to hell," she spat, and he chuckled.

"Glad to see you're not taking me too seriously," he laughed.

"Why are you here, Ichimaru?" Kirara demanded, unable to hide her hatred of the man who had been involved in what had happened a century before.

"Yeah, it's not like I have anything important to do," Ichimaru shrugged, still smiling. "I'm on a walk...to go tease someone a little," Kirara's eyes narrowed, and her fists clenched. "Such a dark look you're giving me, it's almost like you really are a dangerous criminal," he laughed, and glanced around. "It seems he isn't dead, that Abarai," Kirara couldn't help but follow his gaze. He was right. She could sense his weak pulse, but it was dwindling. "He'll die soon. Poor thing, and here he was just trying to save Kirara," Ichimaru remarked, and Kirara's eyes widened.

"What, why-"

"Seems the poor fellow felt he had a debt to pay, for the Lieutenant who saved his life so long ago," Kirara froze up again.

"No..." she whispered, tears stinging at her eyes. "I never...that idiot..." she stared at Ichimaru.

"He'll die soon regardless of his intentions. And the others...you're afraid they'll all die, no matter how desperately you want them to live," he continued on lightly, and looked at her again. "Shall I save everyone?" his offer made Kirara's eyes widen.

"C-Captain Ichimaru!" the escorts who had been silent couldn't help but exclaim. Kirara stared at him, not knowing what to say. It was an obvious ploy, designed to get her hopes up, but she was no fool. She knew just who he really was, and who he really followed. Her heart slammed against her chest, not knowing how to react.

"How about it?" Ichimaru ignored them. "If I felt like it, I could save everyone right now. You, Abarai, and the Ryoka?" he offered. "My former Captain too. It'd be a shame if you lost him too, after everything you've been through," his smirk grew, and the tears finally escaped, rolling down her cheeks.

"I'll kill you!" Kirara screamed, launching at him. She'd just reached him when the escorts were able to react, and electricity raced through her body. She stopped as her muscles locked in place; pain taking her total focus as she couldn't even scream. A whimper managed to escape her despite her locked muscles, which only made Ichimaru's smirk grow. After what felt like an hour to Kirara, the kido stopped and she collapsed to her knees, gasping in deep breaths of air.

"How funny, you're still a fighter," Ichimaru chuckled, his hand on his Zanpakuto handle. Kirara didn't look up, her breathing ragged as he walked past. "Bye-bye, Kirara. Let's meet next at Sogyoku," he called as he didn't look back, and the tears continued to run down Kirara's cheeks. However, as he vanished, laughter escaped the woman. The escorts looked to each other, worried.

"You idiot, Ichimaru...do you really think you can destroy my resolve?" Kirara's laughter grew. "What a fool," she sighed, pushing herself to her feet. She stumbled, but remained standing. Her hair curled a little from the shock, but she didn't show any weakness as, after a moment more of uncertainty, the escorts began leading her again.

Reaching Sogyoku Hill, Kirara looked around, still smiling confidently.

"It kinda felt good to get some of that rage out, even if it did hurt like hell," she commented quietly, looking out over the Seireitei as various Reiatsu continued to clash. It was all powerful, nothing less than Captains going all out against each other. She shook her head, still wondering just what was going on to have them fighting one another, instead of working together to stop the Ryoka who had invaded. "Fools. The lot of them," Kirara sighed as she was led up to the Sogyoku. She stood on the cold stone stand, with her restraints fused to the ground behind her.

"I shall begin the execution now," Yamamoto declared as he stood in front of her. His Lieutenant stood behind him, looking up at Kirara was an almost regretful expression. She smiled back softly, having always liked the man. She then glanced around at the few there, and gave a quiet laugh.

"What a turnout. I guess everyone was excited to see me go," she muttered sarcastically, seeing how few had actually turned out. She looked over at Byakuya as he approached, barely even acknowledging her as he lined up with the others.

"Kirara Yamada, do you have anything you would like to say?" Yamamoto asked her. Kirara snorted.

"To you idiots? Only that this place hasn't changed in the last 100 years. You're all still blind morons," she yawned widely.

"That girl...she has to be rude now?" the massive Lieutenant of Squad 2 muttered, looking insulted by Kirara's words. Soi Fon scowled.

"It seems she's not changed at all. Even now she's disrespectful and rude," she growled. As if hearing her, Kirara glanced at her and gave a pleasant smile that made the Captain of Squad 2 bristle. Oh yeah, a hundred years had not changed Kirara Yamada, and she was just as dislikeable for it.

The group of Ryoka, led byt Natsuki and Yachiru, stopped in surprise as there was a flash of Reiatsu, followed by a pillar of bright blue light that shot into the air.

"I wonder what that is," Orihime murmured, looking up at it.

"It's started," Natsuki scowled. "The execution started," the others looked at the woman in horror. She was glaring at the light as Yachiru looked curious.

"Then we need to hurry!" Uryu exclaimed.

"I'll go on ahead," Yachiru decided.

"Huh? Why?" Orihime gasped.

"I don't really care about the execution, but Ichi might go there. I have to help Ichi, you know?" Yachiru stood up, balancing easily on Natsuki's shoulders.

"Because the Captain respects him, huh?" Natsuki smiled in amusement. Yachiru nodded with a bright smile.

"Yeah! Ichi is Kenny's friend," she nodded.

"Go then, Yachiru, I'll lead these guys there," Natsuki smiled at her.

"Sure! I'll clean up the strong guys," Yachiru jumped down to the ground. "But...I'll save you some too," she told Natsuki, who grinned.

"Thanks," she nodded, and Yachiru sped off in a flash.

"She's fast..." Uryu gasped.

"That's crazy," Ganju gulped.

"Come on, Yachiru's clearing the way!" Natsuki started running again, and the others followed her, their eyes still on the blue light on the cliff above. They were so close.

"Very well. If that is what you chose as your final words, so be it," Yamamoto declared, indifferent. Kirara just smiled back at him.

"How kind of you, old man," she mocked. "So can we get this over with?" Kirara asked, looking away. The Onmitsukido who had escorted her to the execution moved over to the base of the massive Zanpakuto, and began to cast kidos.

"Is this really how she chooses to leave this place?" the grey haired Lieutenant of Squad 4 watched Kirara, who was looking up at the blade with a bored expression. "With an insult?" she whispered. She couldn't understand just how the woman was related to their Seventh Seat, the timid boy who'd risked everything to try and save her.

"We all cope with our impending deaths in our own way," she looked at Unohana, who had just arrived. Isane looked around at her in surprise, not having sensed her approach. Unohana watched Kirara sadly. "It is unfortunate that she would have such an end..." she murmured softly.

Blue lights shone around Kirara, before the binding around her wrists disintegrated and three stone cubes rose around her, lifting her arms up before raising her into the sky. She took a quiet breath as she was lifted high up, to the top of the Sogyoku, facing the halberd. A wind picked up, before the massive Zanpakuto burst into flames. Kirara watched, her expression fascinated as the fire took shape.

"So...this is the Sogyoku's true form," she murmured, watching the massive bird. Its wingspan filled the sky and blazed with heat. After a moment, she chuckled. "What a way to go out. I wonder...if this way would kill her too," Kirara met the bird's gaze. "It would be nice to have some peace, after a century of her in my head," she chuckled, and the bird pulled back a little, before flying towards her. Kirara closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh.

'What? After all that, you're giving up, Princess?' the voice asked, surprisingly soft. Kirara didn't respond, wondering if this really was her end after all. However, when the attack never came, her brow furrowed, and she opened her eyes. They widened, and she was unable to hide her sharp inhalation as she stared.

"What's with you? Giving up Kirara?" Ichigo asked, grinning down at her. He wore a beige cape with a familiar crest swinging from it, and blocked the Sogyoku's attack with his Zanpakuto behind him. "Well?" he asked when she didn't reply. Kirara then sighed heavily.

"You idiot!" his grin dropped in surprise at her shout.

"Huh?" he stared at her, and Kirara started to laugh. To her frustration, tears started to fall again.

"What took you so long?" she demanded. Ichigo's grin returned.

"Looks like you've accepted I don't care what you think," he commented.

"Well it's either that or have that thing turn me to dust," Kirara shrugged as best she could. Ichigo nodded, before stumbling as the Sogyoku pulled back. It shrieked, and flapped its fiery wings. "Uh, though you might want to move, there's no way you can block that thing a second time," she glanced to it.

"Just shut up and watch, idiot," Ichigo rolled his eyes and turned away from her.

"Shut up and watch?" Kirara repeated. "You're a total dumbass!" she exclaimed. Ichigo ignored her, and pushed towards it, but before he could reach it, long ropes suddenly wrapped around the bird, restraining it. The end of the rope hit the ground below, wedging itself. "What?" Kirara looked down, and her eyes widened. "Captain Ukitake?" she saw the white-haired Captain standing with his two Third Seats. Kyoraku then landed at the other, holding it in place as his Lieutenant stood beside him. Ukitake then slammed down the shield he carried, and Kirara's eyes widened as she saw the crest. "The Shihoin Crest? What are they..." before anyone could move, the two powerful Captains used their power, and blue light filled the rope, destroying the halberd. "They destroyed the Sogyoku? Why?" she frowned in disbelief.

"I don't know what's going on, but if that's the case then I'll..." Ichigo leapt backwards, landing on the execution ground holding Kirara in place.

"Ichigo?" she looked up at him as he started swinging his Zanpakuto with the fabric wrapped around it.

"I told you already, just shut up and watch," he told her, his eyes glowing blue. Kirara sighed heavily.

"Don't tell me..." she groaned, realising what he was trying to do. "Well...looks like Ichigo's the one who's gonna kill me," she muttered, and Ichigo stabbed his blade into the pillar he stood on. It lit up blue, and an explosion rocked the surrounding area, covering them in a cloud of dust.

"Honestly, you never shut up, Kirara. Telling me that I shouldn't save you, or to leave you behind," Kirara was silent as Ichigo spoke. "Telling me that you'd kill me yourself, if I came after you," he scoffed. "Like I'd really do that, after that night!" he said softly.

"Ichigo!" Uryu shouted, barely conscious as he bled out from the wounds inflicted by the red-haired Shinigami that had introduced himself as Renji Abarai. Ichigo had fallen to his knees, suffering from his own wounds that Renji had dealt. The Lieutenant rolled his eyes, resting his Zanpakuto over his shoulder.

"Who are you, kid?" Renji asked, confused. "There weren't supposed to be any Shinigami around these parts. Unless you're the reason for that Menos appearing," he commented.

"You...know about that?" Ichigo grunted, getting to his feet again. Blood splashed the ground around him, and he struggled to hold up his massive Zanpakuto.

"Whatcha think we're doing here?" Renji frowned at him. "Tell me, who are you?" he repeated.

"Ichigo Kurosake, I'm a substitute Shinigami," Ichigo declared, glaring at the man. Renji arched an eyebrow.

"Substitute?" he repeated, and gave a small laugh. "So you're a human who stole Shinigami powers," Renji realised. Ichigo raised his sword a little higher. "Then I'll just kill you and be done with this stupid mission," he decided, and rushed at Ichigo. The orange-haired boy's eyes widened in horror, but before Renji could land a blow, another figure appeared behind him. He looked around, his own eyes growing wide as the new arrival spun, kicking him hard.

Renji slammed into the wall hard enough to break it, and sunk to the ground. He coughed up blood, and looked up at the woman as she landed. His laboured breathing caught as she arched an eyebrow at him.

"I'll ask you just this once. Leave these two alone," Kirara requested, recognising the Shinigami on the ground, just as he recognised her. Renji stared up at her. He remembered her from the Soul Society, when he was a young boy, not long after he'd met Rukia. They'd gone to the Captain-Commander's birthday festival that welcomed everyone, Shinigami or not, with the intention to steal as much as they could. He'd been caught, by a woman claiming to be a Lieutenant, recovering from an injury.

"How..." he breathed as she kept a fighting stance he recognised. She was trained in Hakuda.

"Kirara...what are you doing?" Ichigo demanded.

"You shouldn't have come here, Ichigo," Kirara sighed, not looking at him. "You're no match for trained Shinigami. You'll be killed on the spot," she warned him, her voice resigned. Ichigo didn't know what to say.

"Kirara Yamada," she glanced to the other figure, who hadn't spoken until now. He watched her with a bored expression, but his grey eyes couldn't hide everything. "Former Shinigami and Onmitsukido. Believed dead a century ago," he listed.

"Byakuya Kuchiki. You've grown," Kirara commented, sounding bored.

"You're the one who gave your powers away," Byakuya didn't react to her words.

"Guilty," Kirara shrugged. The man narrowed his eyes.

"We will be taking you in," he told her.

"Bring it," she challenged. Renji pushed himself up and launched at her with a roar, swinging his Zanpakuto. Kirara dodged it, and kicked him again, but Renji caught her ankle this time and swung her, slamming her into the wall.

"Kirara!" Ichigo yelled.

"Stay back dammit!" he stopped at her raised voice. "I'll kill you myself Ichigo, I swear," Kirara warned in a growl as she pushed back up, blood pouring from a head wound. She grit her teeth, trying to hide her fear. She was too weak to take the two on. But she couldn't run, not while Ichigo and Uryu were injured.

Renji grabbed at her again, but Kirara dodged, slamming her elbow into his gut. Renji choked, doubling over, and she spun again, kicking him into the air. She moved with him, appearing behind him and kicking him in the back. Renji slammed to the ground as Ichigo and Uryu stared at her.

"She's so fast..." Uryu breathed, not able to keep up with Kirara's movements. Renji pushed himself back up, but Kirara punched him across his jaw and kicked him while he was down. She raised her leg in an axe-kick, only to be suddenly slammed into the wall hard. She whimpered, sinking to the ground.

"To think I would need to step in against trash like this," Byakuya sighed as Renji shook a little from the pain of his injuries. "You can come quietly, Kirara Yamada, or I will kill you," he warned. Kirara looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with fire and hatred.

"Then kill me," she challenged, flitting out of view. However, the moment she reappeared behind Byakuya, he'd slammed her against the ground again.

"Kirara!" they looked around at Ichigo as he roared. His Reiatsu skyrocketed, and blue light surrounded him.

"Ichigo, no-" Kirara started, but it was too late. Byakuya reappeared behind Ichigo, not seeming to move. Ichigo had frozen, brown eyes wide, before blood burst from a wound on his back. He stumbled, falling forwards, before Byakuya's sword pierced him right through his chest. Ichigo collapsed to the ground, his Zanpakuto broken. "Ichigo!" Kirara screamed, pushing herself up and running towards him. However, before she reached him, Renji grabbed her wrists and pinned them behind her back, forcing her down to her knees.

"Enough, the kid is dead," he snarled at her.

"Then kill me too! I won't...I won't go back there!" Kirara yelled at him.

"Enough nonsense. We're returning to the Soul Society," Byakuya turned away from Ichigo. However, the boy's hand suddenly caught his leg, making the man stop and look down, irritated.

"He's dead?" Ichigo lifted his head. "Don't get ahead of yourself," he smirked.

"I see...let go of me," Byakuya told him, his voice indifferent.

"I can't hear you...look at me when you talk," Ichigo smirked at him. Renji and Kirara stared, shocked.

"He's still alive?" Renji breathed, his grip on Kirara slackening.

"I see you don't much want to keep that arm," Byakuya turned to him. Kirara's eyes widened, and the next thing Ichigo knew, she was kicking his hand away.

"What...what are you doing, Kirara?!" Ichigo demanded, staring up at him.

"Shut up, you damn stupid human," Kirara whispered, her eyes closed. "You're in over your head, so stay down there where you belong!" she yelled at him. Ichigo didn't reply, stunned as Kirara turned away. "I'll return with you. I will atone for my crimes. No point in bothering with such a fool," she told Byakuya, her head bowed.

"Wait...dammit..." Ichigo tried to move, but his body wouldn't respond. "What are you saying? Dammit, Kirara!" he yelled, only for Renji to slam his foot down on his head.

"You just don't know when to give up. Quit squirming. Just lie there and die quietly," he told the boy, blood running down his face from his fight with Kirara.

"He'll die eventually, no point in wasting time. Let's go," Kirara didn't look at Ichigo, walking away.

"Wait, Kirara!" Ichigo yelled, refusing to listen. "What kinda joke is this!? Look at me, dammit!" he demanded desperately. Kirara didn't turn around. "Hey!" Ichigo roared, trying to get up.

"Just stay down, you fucking idiot!" he froze at Kirara's roar matching his own. "Don't you dare get up. Don't you dare try and move from that damn spot," her voice shook, and she glanced around at him, her blue eyes filling with tears. "If you try and come after me, I'll kill you myself," she warned him. Ichigo stared as the rain started to pour around them, and Kirara turned away.

"Very well. I won't deal a finishing blow," Byakuya decided. "With my two attacks, I have completely shattered the soul's two fatal areas. The Chain Link and Soul Sleep. That boy will probably die in under an hour," he spoke, and Kirara bit back her sob. "Even if he lives, all his power will be gone. He won't be left with a shred of Reiatsu, let alone Shinigami powers," Byakuya announced. "Renji," the Lieutenant stood.

"Yes," he walked past the two still standing, and used his Zanpakuto to open a gate. Kirara closed her eyes as the familiar wooden doors opened, revealing a bright light and three Hell Butterflies. He walked through first, and Byakuya followed, with Kirara behind him, her hands shaking. As she reached the door, she took a breath.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered, the tears falling as the door closed behind her, leaving Ichigo and Uryu alone in the rain.

Been meaning to have a flashback of how Kirara ended up back in the Soul Society, so here you go! Let me know what you think!

Please review!