So I'm very, very close to finishing this story. I can't believe I forgot just how much Aizen likes to talk. It's insane how long he can monologue for.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 20: His Real Reason

The Captains and Lieutenants who had gathered for the execution stood in silence, stunned as the smoke cleared and they saw that the execution grounds had been destroyed. At the top, Ichigo stood with his Zanpakuto over his shoulder, and Kirara tucked under his arm.

"It'll work out this time," Ichigo murmured to Kirara, who hung limply as her body worked to regain the strength to move by herself. "I've come to save you, Kirara," he told her. She sighed, closing her eyes as she willed herself to stay strong.

"Don't think I'm going to thank you any time soon," she muttered. Ichigo grinned.

"Never expected it," he told her. Below, the Lieutenant of Squad 4 swallowed, pale.

"Th...the Sogyoku stands..." she breathed, unable to look away. Even those who had destroyed the Sogyoku stared in awe at the destruction. Byakuya's eyes narrowed as he looked up, meeting Ichigo's gaze. For a moment, there was silence, before Kirara cleared her throat.

"So...Ichigo," he glanced at her, humming slightly to indicate he'd heard her. "What's the plan now? We just gonna stay up here posing or...?"

"We're going to run," Ichigo's simple answer made her snort.

"You for real?" she arched an eyebrow at him, still hanging from his arm. "You think you can outrun them all?" she asked in disbelief. Ichigo rolled his eyes, losing his grin and regaining his usual scowl.

"Then I'll just cut through them all and then run," he shrugged. Despite everything, Kirara couldn't help but laugh.

"How is my life in the hands of such a man?" she questioned, shaking her head.

"I'm not just taking you," Kirara frowned. "Orihime, Uryu, even Chad came. Ganju, Hanataro and Natsuki. I'm going to save everyone that has helped," Ichigo declared as she looked back up at him. She tilted her head, sensing his power and resolve, and chuckled again.

"When did you get so strong...dumbass," she wondered. Hearing cries below, they looked down as the last of the Onmitsukido members who had been controlling the Sogyoku crashed to the ground.

"Took you long enough, Shinji," Ichigo rolled his eyes as Kirara stared at him with big eyes. Shinji rested his Zanpakuto over his shoulder.

"What? And deny you your flashy entrance?" Shinji grinned up at him from beside the fallen executioners.

"And of course you didn't listen to me either," Kirara complained, rolling her eyes.

"You sound surprised by that Princess. Like I was just gonna leave after coming this far," Shinji told her, and she frowned at him.

"Don't call me-" she stopped when Ichigo hoisted her into the air over his head. "Um...Ichigo?" she blinked. Shinji's grin dropped as he saw this. "Ichigo, what are you doing?" Kirara asked nervously, hoping he wasn't about to do what she thought he was.

"Hey...wait..." Shinji took a step back as well, paling.

"Take her!" Ichigo grinned, and hurled Kirara towards the man on the ground.

"You idiot!" Shinji cried right before Kirara collided with him, and the two skidded along the ground.

"You bastard! Were you trying to kill me?!" Kirara pushed herself up and yelled furiously at Ichigo.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Shinji shouted as well.

"Take her!" Ichigo repeated. Shinji's frown grew. "Don't just sit there! Hurry up and take her away!" he shouted down. "That's your job. Don't let go of her, even if you die," Ichigo told him. Shinji rolled his eyes.

"Telling me what to do like he's a damn leader all of a sudden," he got to his feet, lifting Kirara into his arms. She inhaled sharply as he did, trying not to feel insulted at the action.

"Wait..." she frowned, but he ignored her and started running, away from the Captains and Lieutenants who looked baffled by what had just happened.

"Who was that?" the large Lieutenant of Squad 2 frowned.

"Why are you so surprised, fools?!" Soi Fon yelled furiously. "Chase them!" she ordered. Yamamoto glanced to Sasakibe, and Unohana nodded to Isane. The three nodded, and ran after Shinji, who glanced around with an irritated expression. However, Ichigo materialised between the two sides, and the Lieutenants stopped.

"Don't get yourself killed, Ichigo! I'm still gonna kill you myself!" Kirara yelled as they left him to fight.

"You're still full of shit Kirara," Ichigo rolled his eyes, and turned his attention to the three Lieutenants.

"Is it...is it really okay to leave him behind?" Kirara asked quietly as Shinji kept running, passing the small forest and running down the steps by the side of the cliff.

"He'll be fine," Shinji's voice was just as quiet as he didn't slow his pace.

"But-"

"He's stopping them from chasing us, so we can get away," Kirara looked up at him, hearing the irritation in his voice. He didn't like it any more than she did. "Besides, the only one he really has to worry about is Kuchiki. Ukitake and Kyoraku will have to face the old man for their interference, and Yoruichi has Soi Fon handled," he pointed out. Kirara was silent, thinking about it and feeling for their clashing Reiatsu.

"He's crazy...to do all this..." Shinji glanced down as Kirara spoke quietly, looking out over the Seireitei.

"He doesn't resent you, y'know," Shinji told her, making her frown. "For giving him Shinigami powers. You saved his life," Shinji looked ahead again when Kirara remained silent. "He said so himself. He owes you his life. More than once. You protected him from Kuchiki and Abarai. You saved his family," he pointed out. "You carry such guilt over everything, you think everyone is going to fault you for making a mistake," Shinji let out a heavy sigh. "The others don't. They think you're an idiot, but they don't hate you. They wanted to come here, break you out too, but a big party would only have gotten us caught. Just let us help you," he spoke softly. Kirara still didn't speak, and after a moment, she reached out and gripped his shirt.

"You damn...hypocrite," Kirara mumbled, her voice shaky as she turned her head to hide her face. Shinji gave a small chuckle. She wasn't wrong.

A pillar of light rocketed to the sky as powerful Reiatsu blazed, forcing the group of Ryoka led by Natsuki to stop.

"That's Ichigo," Orihime breathed.

"He's the only one who could fight irresponsibly like that," Uryu rolled his eyes. Natsuki whistled.

"That's some power he's got going on. It's only been a few days," she chuckled.

"Really. If he didn't fight seriously like that, he could have made an escape," Ganju rolled his eyes. Natsuki turned and arched an eyebrow at him.

"I take it back, you'd suck as a member of Squad 11," she told him. "Besides, Ichigo has reason to stay and fight. Captain Kuchiki is up there," Natsuki looked up at the light as it blazed, making the sky around it seem to darken. "That man nearly killed him. He has something to prove," Natsuki murmured, before shaking her head. "Come on, let's go before we miss everything!" she called, starting to run again.

"Right!" Orihime nodded, and they followed the 4th seat. However, before they'd gotten very far, the Reiatsu blazed even higher, and seemed to explode along with the light, causing dust to kick up at the top of Sogyoku Hill.

"Ichigo..." Natsuki breathed, but they kept moving, racing towards the stairs.

"It looks like this is the entrance to the execution grounds," Chad commented, finally speaking. Natsuki glanced to him idly, having been unsure if the massive Ryoka actually spoke.

"Wow, it's high!" Orihime exclaimed, eyes wide.

"We're climbing that?" Ganji complained, not looking as awestruck.

"Up there is where Yamada..." Uryu trailed off hesitantly. While it didn't seem as if the execution had been completed, they couldn't sense their friend.

"Ichigo," Chad muttered. "Let's go!"

"Wait," they looked at Natsuki. "You guys felt that Reiatsu. Both of them. You know that by going up there, there will be a fight. It's not going to be easy," she warned them. They looked around at her as she watched them.

"Thanks for worrying about us," Orihime smiled. "But we have to go," she told the taller woman.

"Right. Because we're friends," Uryu nodded, adjusting his glasses to try and hide his awkwardness over such a declaration.

"That's right."

"Yeah," Ganju and Chad nodded. Natsuki tilted her head. "Sorry for dragging you along until now. You can stay here," she arched an eyebrow at Chad's words, not sure what to say.

"Yeah, I guess this is goodbye Natsuki," Orihime smiled.

"Yeah! Later, Natsuki!" Ganju grinned, raising a hand.

"Sorry for everything, Natsuki," Uryu bowed respectfully.

"Hey hey hey!" Natsuki exclaimed, stopping the Ryoka as they went to leave. She stared at them, and started laughing. "You guys are insane," she wrapped her arms around her waist, doubled over with laughter. After a moment, she calmed down. "And you're idiots. Whether I'm the Lieutenant or Fourth Seat, I'm Squad 11. I live for fighting. And I already decided that I was going to save Kirara with you idiots. So I'm going with you, dumbasses!" she exclaimed, and they grinned.

"Fine, then let's go!" Ganju exclaimed, and they started running up the stairs.

"Man, this Reiatsu!" Ganju complained as the group sprinted up the stairs, having been doing so for a while. "The closer we get to the summit, the bigger and heavier it becomes," he groaned. "Is this really Ichigo's Reiatsu?" he wondered.

"Even I'm not sure about that," Uryu admitted.

"Oh, it's Ichigo alright," Natsuki grinned, her eyes flashing with her excitement.

"It's the summit! We've reached the top!" Chad called. They froze, when they reached the top and stared at the trees in front of them.

"Ichigo's on the other side of this," Natsuki murmured.

"Yes. No matter how large the Reiatsu becomes, the core scent hasn't changed," Orihime commented, and she gave a small smile. "It couldn't be anyone other than Ichigo," she told them.

"Strange," Chad murmured. The others glanced to him. "Yamada's Reiatsu isn't there. Isn't she being executed up ahead?" he asked.

"That girl's already escaped," they looked up at Yachiru, who was sitting in a tree over their heads.

"Lieutenant!" Natsuki exclaimed, smiling at the little girl.

"Hi, bun-bun!" she waved brightly back.

"What do you mean, Kirara's already escaped?" Chad asked her, finally registering what the little girl had said. "If she has, why is Ichigo still fighting?" he asked, confused.

"It means that the opponent isn't easy," Uryu glanced to him. "If he just let Yamada escape, then he would come to capture her again," he explained.

"He's right," Natsuki frowned. "The only way to really save Kirara, is to fight Captain Kuchiki and crush his resolve to kill her. Ichigo's putting everything he has into the fight," she explained. Uryu nodded to confirm his thoughts. "What is Kirara to you?" they looked at Natsuki when she frowned at them. "Why are you all going so damn far to save her?" she questioned.

"We told you. Because we're companions," Uryu rolled his eyes.

"We're not just companions," Orhime didn't look around as the Quincy glanced at her in surprise. "Kirara is a special person to Ichigo," she explained. "After all, Kirara is the person who changed Ichigo's world," she smiled softly, thinking back to when Ichigo had first become a Shinigami.

"I see," Natsuki nodded.

"What about you? Why are you doing all this to help her?" Chad asked her, turning the question back on Natsuki. She blinked up at him. "You're a Shinigami, you have much more to lose than we do as Ryoka," he pointed out. Natsuki was silent for a moment, and glanced away.

"Kirara was the first person who was ever kind to me. She stood up to bullies who tormented me mercilessly when we were kids," Natsuki thought back to herself and Kirara as children, when the much scruffier girl would frequently beat up much larger kids who tried to pick on her friend. "I never got to do the same. I was never able to have her back. She surpassed me in every way, becoming a Shinigami before me and joining the Onmitsukido, becoming a Lieutenant and Corps Commander," Natsuki looked back up, her eyes shimmering white. "She's my best friend and I'll be dammed if I'm going to let her be stubborn enough to push me away when she needs me!" her own Reiatsu spiked less than a second before blinding white light filled the area, along with Reiatsu so heavy it even knocked Yachiru out of a tree. She landed on Natsuki's shoulders and jumped down, laughing right before the light shone again.

"What is this Reiatsu?" Chad wondered.

"Orihime, we should back away a bit," Uryu suggested. "Even if we stay here, we can't-"

"Thank you, Uryu. But sorry," Orihime's voice shook a little as the light continued to flash. "I want to stay here," she insisted, despite the obvious reaction to the heavy power filling the air. Natsuki sighed, understanding. If they tried to help, they'd only be in the way. And Ichigo was much like many she knew and cared for. He'd not appreciate the interference. But she could see how hard it was for Orihime to hold back. All they could do was wait.

"Don't lose, Ichigo..." Uryu whispered, unaware he was voicing his thoughts aloud.

Kirara's head lifted sharply, her eyes widening.

"I know..." Shinji's voice was low; his eyes narrowed.

"We need to go back," Kirara couldn't ignore it. The dark, pulsing Reiatsu that had suddenly spiked was one she knew too well.

"And do what? Forget it, Kirara," Shinji's voice was commanding, and Kirara bristled at it.

"How? How can I forget that? When he's just like us? What the hell happened to him, Shinji?" she demanded, her voice shaking with fury and fear. "How can you leave him there with that man with something like that?" she questioned, staring up at him.

"Because he's there fighting to save you, you damn idiot," she stopped at Shinji's furious hiss. "Let us do that first, before we focus on another problem," Kirara looked away, her own guilt returning. Only a few moments later, the Reiatsu spiked again, before turning normal again. Neither spoke, and Kirara took a breath.

As Byakuya vanished, defeated, Ichigo let out a powerful scream, letting go of his anger, before stopping as the world started to spin. He grunted, and fell backwards, slamming right into Orihime's head. He hit the ground, crying out and clutching his head as Orihime cried out an apology.

"Orihime? Chad? Uryu? Ganju? Even Natsuki?" Ichigo looked up at the group standing there. "Everyone's okay," he grinned, rolling onto his back. "Thank goodness," he sighed.

"Although we aren't okay, it's just that compared to how badly you're beaten up, everyone else looks uninjured," Uryu commented.

"How about Orihime? Are you injured?" he asked, looking at the young woman kneeling beside him.

"Huh? M-me?!" she jolted, surprised by his question. Natsuki blinked, and covered her mouth to hide her amused giggle. "I'm totally fine! Even though I wasn't any help at all, Uryu protected me! And Captain Zarakii gave me piggy-back rides! And Natsuki helped me too! So, I wasn't...I wasn't in any danger," Orihime smiled, but it wavered. "I just...I just worried about you the whole time," she admitted, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ichigo, that I couldn't protect you," her voice shook. "Thank you, Ichigo, for being alive. I'm happy that you're alright," she whispered, tears falling.

"Thank you, Orihime," Ichigo spoke softly.

"Geez, what's with the downer all of a sudden?" Orihime cried out as Natsuki fell over her shoulders. "Come on, we better get moving again, before someone else finds us," she grinned. Orihime sniffed, wiping her tears on the sleeve of the robes she wore.

The silence continued between Kirara and Shinji as he ran through the Seireitei. The Captain-Commander's Reiatsu blazing had caused panic, so their path was almost completely clear.

"Hey," Kirara suddenly spoke. "Stop for a minute," she told him. He frowned, not stopping.

"What? Why? If we do-"

"Put me down!" Kirara started to struggle in his grasp furiously, pushing at his face.

"Stop, you idiot! I'll-" Shinji tripped, and the two tumbled to the ground with cries. "What the hell Kirara?! What's your problem?" he demanded, pushing himself to sit up. Irritated with her sudden behaviour, he opened his eyes and went to speak, only to freeze as he found her straddling him, very close to his face.

"Why?" she whispered, staring at him. "What did you come here?" Kirara demanded. Her close proximity made it hard for him to think. After the events at the Tower, Shinji had been unable to rein in his feelings towards her. His stubborn, reckless Princess, who did everything she could to protect those she cared about, she messed with his head and it drove him nuts.

Kirara pushed herself to her feet. "Why would you come back here? Why are you doing this, when you know what's happening to Ichigo?" she questioned, backing away and pressing up against the wall.

"Why?" Shinji repeated, almost as if he wasn't sure she'd asked such a question. He stood as well, dusting himself off. He stared at her for a long moment, before giving a heavy sigh. He approached her slowly, and she watched his movements silently, clutching her hands over her chest. "I want to say it's because I'd do the same for any of the other Vizards. I want to say because of Kisuke's request. I want to say it's because I wanted to beat the shit out of you for being so stupid the last few months," he said, resting a hand on the wall beside her head. "But..." he sighed again, using his free hand to touch her face. His thumb brushed the scar on her chin, and Kirara swallowed, not breaking his gaze. "I'm done lying. To myself, and to everyone else," Shinji leaned closer, his hand sliding up her cheek and angling her head up as her skin tingled where he touched her. Kirara's heart slammed against her ribs as she unconsciously wet her lips, her eyes darting to his mouth and back up. "I came back here for you, Kirara. And I'm not leaving without you," he pulled her in before Kirara could think of anything to say, and his lips met hers in a soft kiss.

Kirara responded to the kiss, hesitantly resting her hands on his chest, before he pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her. It remained a gentle kiss, as they took the moment to get lost in each other. After that moment, Shinji pulled away, not letting go, and he grinned down at her as she went red. Kirara glanced away, suddenly shy, but he guided her face back to his. "So stop questioning why I came back to this damn place. I've made myself perfectly damn clear," he said firmly.

"Fine," Kirara's uncertain look changed to her more stubborn one that was far more familiar to Shinji. "I won't," she then sighed, and smiled softly, making his own grin fade very slightly as he went a little red. "I think you're crazy, but...I'm glad you did," she reached up to put her hands on his face. Kirara pushed up on the balls of her feet and kissed him again. His grip on her tightened, but she sighed and drew back. "We should keep moving," she whispered, not moving far back, and couldn't stop her startled gasp as he suddenly lifted her into his arms.

"Finally, you learn," he teased, and started to run again.

I love my fools. I really do.

Let me know what you think!

Please review!