Chapter 21: Two Steps Back

Shinji pulled Kirara closer to his chest as he continued running, and when he turned a corner, he stopped abruptly as they came face-to-face with a small group of Shinigami.

"Hey..." one man frowned when he saw them. "Isn't that the criminal?" he looked at Kirara, who still wore the collar around her neck. The group drew their Zanpakuto quickly, all facing the two. A pink-haired woman who seemed vaguely familiar to Kirara moved into a fighting stance, standing in front of them.

"Surrender now," she ordered, clearly the highest ranking one there, but her voice trembled with uncertainty. With a grumble, Shinji set Kirara down on her feet, looking irritated.

"Stay back," he told her. Kirara shrugged and moved away from him as he drew his sword. "Honestly. This isn't worth the effort," Shinji complained, and flickered out of view. He reappeared amidst the group, who let out startled yelps as they turned to him quickly. The first Shinigami got his shoulder to their gut, and were tossed aside.

Kirara folded her arms, watching him intently. As he punched a man and slammed him to the ground, Kirara sidestepped to avoid the woman grabbing for her.

"If you're going for a sneak attack, at least have the decency to mask your Reiatsu," Kirara told her, not even looking at the third seat. "I might be a little sensitive to it right now due to my time in that damn tower, but I'm not completely useless," she muttered as the girl stared at her with big purple.

"Time in the tower...so you are that criminal," something flashed in her eyes, and she suddenly lunged at Kirara with her sword.

She was horrified when Kirara dodged her blow and caught her wrist. Her scream echoed through the streets as her Zanpakuto clattered to the ground. She stumbled away from Kirara, clutching her broken wrist to her chest.

"I just said I wasn't useless," Kirara faced her, looking unimpressed. "So don't come at me with such obvious moves," she warned her.

"Who are you?" Asuka whispered. She let out a cry as Kirara's open palm connected with her stomach, and she hit the wall. As she slid to the ground, Kirara put a hand to her head.

"Be careful. Using her power is risky, you know that," Shinji chided as he reached her side. The officers groaned from the ground, most unconscious while the rest headed that way.

"I'm not a damsel in distress, Hirako. I'll do what it takes to get us out of here," Kirara replied, and he moved closer, lifting her into his arms again.

"Just don't go too far. I came here to save you, not deal with your sadistic other side," he told her, and Kirara rolled her eyes.

"My knight in shining armour," she muttered sarcastically, and Shinji grinned.

"Exactly," he agreed, and Kirara couldn't help but smile in amusement. She leaned into his chest, and felt his heart-rate quicken. She hid her smile and pretended not to see the warmth blooming across his cheeks at her actions.

"Where are we going anyway?" she asked as he continued to run.

"For now, Yoruichi's old hiding spot," Shinji told her.

"Oh, in the side of the cliff?" he looked down in surprise. She gave him a droll stare. "I was her Lieutenant, remember? I know the place, we trained there a lot," she pointed out.

"Right. Once the others get back, we'll head for the wall. I imagine Yoruichi has some plan in mind," Shinji explained.

"Decent plan," Kirara allowed. "Let's hope that can at least go a little more stealthy than-" she stopped talking at the same time Shinji stopped running, both tensing as they came face-to-face with a man they recognised.

"Kaname..." Shinji muttered, eyes narrow as he thought back to his last encounter with the blind Shinigami. The one responsible for cutting down not only Kensei and Mashiro, but then also the rest of the Vizards.

The 9th Division Captain didn't speak, throwing a hand out. A white ribbon flew from it, surrounding himself, Shinji and Kirara in a dome, before Shinji could react. They felt the world shift, making Shinji stumble slightly, and when the ribbon receded, Kirara took a quiet breath.

"Sogyoku..." she whispered, seeing the destroyed execution stands. The place was badly damaged, not only from Ichigo destroying the stand, but also from his fight with Byakuya. Her heart sank at the sight.

"But why here?" Shinji questioned in a quiet voice.

"It's been a while, my former Captain," Shinji looked around sharply at the soft, almost friendly voice. His grip on Kirara tightened almost painfully as he stared at the man responsible for their exile. Ichimaru followed behind him, smiling his creepy smile.

"Sosuke..." he murmured. Aizen smiled back; his usual pleasant smile that only served to put both even further on edge.

"It's good to see you too," he chuckled. "Now, I'll have to ask you to leave Kirara," he requested. Kirara's breath caught, and Shinji pulled her closer to him.

"You're more insane than I thought, if you believe I'll do that," he commented, still keeping his voice level.

"And he was already pretty messed up to begin with," Kirara spoke up. Aizen's amused smile grew in response.

"You two are as amusing as ever. I see a century away has not allowed you to think rationally, where she is involved, Captain Hirako," he taunted in a casual voice, as if commenting on the weather. Shinji bristled, but took a breath as Kirara touched his arm. They both blinked as they felt a presence in their minds, as a link was formed throughout the Seireitei.

'Those of Captain, Lieutenant, or Deputy-Captain status in the Gotei 13, as well as all of the Ryoka, this is the 4th Squad Lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu. This is an emergency. This is an emergency message from the 4th Squad Captain, Retsu Unohana, and I. Everything that I am about to tell you is true,' they listened to the message curiously.

Natsuki fell to her knees, breathing heavily.

"Captain...Aizen? No, he can't be..." she whispered, staring at nothing in particular. "He's hurt Lieutenant Hinamori...and Captain Hitsugaya?" Natsuki questioned as Orihime went to her side.

"What was that all about?" Ganju frowned, a pinky in his ear as they rang. "Traitor Captains?" he questioned.

"Was that true, just now?" Ichigo asked, glancing to Natsuki. His arm was slung over Ganju, who helped to support him.

"Yeah, it could be one of the enemy's traps," Ganju nodded.

"No. It seems like it was the truth," Uryu frowned. The others glanced to him. "Can't you feel it, Kurosaki? The Reiatsu that has appeared above us," he pointed out. Natsuki snapped out of her stunned stupor as she realised it at the same time.

"Kirara!" both she and Ichigo gasped.

"So," Shinji met Aizen's gaze. "Seems you've been revealed. Is this when you admit your grand scheme? You seem to be stepping out of the shadows at last," he commented in a light voice.

"Oh, Hirako," Aizen chuckled. "I fail to see why I need explain my plans to you," he shook his head. "A puppeteer need not explain to a puppet, should he? Why must I explain to a dead man?" Shinji's body tensed at the mockery, but Kirara's grip on his arm kept his head level. "Now, I will ask you again. Please, put Kirara down," he requested again. Shinji sighed. He looked down at her, and she nodded, making him grin slightly.

"You want her?" he asked, setting her down and pushing her behind him. "Then let's go, Sosuke," Shinji challenged as he drew his Zanpakuto. "You're not getting her," he vowed. Aizen's expression changed to something far more menacing. However, as he went to move, Shinji moved his blade to block the tip of Ichimaru's as it shot at him. The force pushed him back, and Kirara put her hands to his back to stop him.

"Sorry, I can't resist stepping in," the silver-haired Captain smiled. "I'd like to try against someone like him," he told Aizen.

"Of course," Aizen nodded, indicating for Ichimaru to go ahead. The other Captain's smile grew, and he flickered out of view. He appeared in front of Shinji, his sword swinging down, and Shinji blocked.

"Fine," he hissed. He pushed forwards, fighting Ichimaru in a fierce stand-off as Kirara backed up. His foot connected with Ichimaru's stomach, throwing him back.

Kirara watched helplessly, cursing her lack of power. She was completely useless in a real fight.

'You don't have to be, Princess,' her Hollow purred as Ichimaru narrowly missed slicing Shinji across the chest. 'Just surrender completely to me, just for a few minutes. I'll crush them!' she declared, cackling. Kirara didn't respond. Instead, her gaze darted to Aizen as he approached her.

"How unfortunate, that it came to this," he commented, though he was still smiling in that eerie fashion; calculating and scheming. Kirara backed away, trying to hide her fear. "But neither of you are a match for me. So you should just give in, and surrender what you hide," Kirara felt a coldness settle in the pit of her stomach at his words.

"Like hell you'll get what you want this time, Sosuke," Kirara warned, and he laughed again.

"You're so naïve, Kirara," he told her softly. "You say that as if I haven't already," Aizen continued to approach her. Shinji intercepted, but was forced to move as Ichimaru followed, grinning wickedly as he forced Shinji to focus on him, rather than Aizen and Kirara.

When another large figure came into view, Aizen stopped as his path was blocked. "Oh, Abarai. You finally made it," he smiled.

"Captain...Aizen..." Renji growled, a mix of rage and disbelief.

"I have to ask you, Abarai. Please move aside," Aizen requested, still maintaining his casual tone. It made Kirara sick to her stomach to hear.

"You idiot, get out of here," Kirara grabbed at his arm. "He'll kill you, just run," she pleaded, but he shoved her back.

"Be quiet," he snapped at her. "I want to know why. Why did you kill Hinamori?!" he demanded furiously. Aizen gave a small laugh.

"She couldn't live without me. That's how I trained her," Kirara stared at him as Aizen admitted this in amusement. "Don't you think killing her was out of pity?" he asked. Renji inhaled sharply, stunned by the heartless words of the man who had been one of the kindest and most patient men he'd known. "But it's true, that I didn't want to deal with her. That's why I went through the slight effort of trying to get Kira and Hitsugaya to kill her. But it didn't go very well. So, I had no choice but to kill her," he shrugged.

"Manipulating everyone to your plans as always, Sosuke. You're one sick bastard," Kirara hissed. Aizen just smiled at her.

"Yourself included, Kirara," he told her, and she glared back, her fists shaking.

"You're no longer the Captain Aizen that I knew," Renji hissed, shaking his head. "I don't know what your reasons are, but I won't hand over Kirara, even if it kills me!" he vowed, shoving Kirara behind him.

"I am no longer the Sosuke Aizen that you knew? Unfortunately, that was all an illusion, Abarai. Just ask Kirara. She knows all about it. That that Sosuke Aizen that you knew, didn't exist from the start," Renji's eyes widened, and he glanced around at Kirara. She just looked away, shame in her eyes. "Do you really plan to give up your life for a stranger? Because of an assumed debt?" Aizen continued to prod. "I'm sure she thought nothing of giving an orphaned boy a couple of coins. Do you really feel like you need to sacrifice yourself for her?" he pressed. Renji let out a growl.

"I pay my debts, you bastard! Howl, Zabimaru!" he swung his sword. It grew as his Reiatsu flared, flying towards Aizen.

"Shikai?" Aizen raised his sword and blocked it. "You're still injured from your fight with Captain Kuchiki. It won't be effective with your body like that," he deflected the weapon. Renji let out a snarl and swung again, only for it to be stopped by Aizen's hand this time. "Out of you, Hinamori and Kira, you were the most dangerous, after all," Aizen commented as Renji stared in horror. He pulled, ripping Renji's sword apart, before blood burst from a wound up Renji's back. He fell to his knees as Aizen stood in front of him, blood dripping from his sword.

"No..." Kirara whispered, staring. She'd not even registered Aizen's movements. He was so fast.

"I was sure. When I first met the three of you, I was certain that I could use you," Renji breathed heavily. "That's why I had the three of you immediately join the 5th Squad when you joined the Gotei 13. And I made the two that seemed useful, become my and Gin's subordinates. I sent you, who seemed dangerous, to a different squad. It seems my intuition was correct. This is the end," he declared softly.

"Renji!" they glanced around as Rukia reached them, her sword drawn. "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!" a cold air picked up around them. "Some no Mai, Tsukishiro!" ice burst up around Aizen at Rukia's command, surrounding him. There was less than a second of silence, before the ice shattered, leaving him unharmed. "Impossible!" Rukia gasped.

"I had considered using you in my plan, Rukia Kuchiki. I knew exactly what would happen if I had you assigned to Karakura Town," both Rukia and Kirara's eyes widened at his words. "But, I felt this would be much better. There was much more confidence in Kirara, than in you. And much fewer would question a severe punishment for an exile, than an adopted noble," Aizen admitted with a smile.

"No, stop!" Kirara cried, before someone else shot between Rukia and Aizen. Byakuya crashed to the ground in the most ungraceful manner, bleeding profusely from a gaping wound across his stomach.

"Brother..." Rukia was by his side in an instant, tears in her eyes as he took a shuddering breath.

"How unfortunate, Captain Kuchiki. But worry not, she won't suffer long," Rukia let out a cry, before Aizen's swinging blade was blocked by one that was completely black.

"Ichigo..." Kirara murmured, on her knees at this point, struggling to think of what to do. Nearby, Shinji and Ichimaru continued their fierce fight, both sporting cuts as Shinji pushed Ichimaru back.

"Hey, midget, did you and Abarai get tired, walking here?" Ichigo mocked.

"You bastard..." Rukia glared at him through her tears.

"I mean, you're on the ground, did you get tired taking a scenic route?" he asked, making her face flush red.

"Shut up," she hissed at him, not getting on with the boy any better than the last few days. Kirara watched them in surprise, tilting her head. It would have been amusing, were it not for the circumstances.

"Sorry," Ichimaru called from the sidelines as he pushed Shinji back. "I thought I shouldn't get involved there, so I let the kids through from the side," he told his Captain.

"It's okay," Aizen told him. "No real difference between wiping off one piece of dust, or two. There's no difference that the eyes can see," he commented idly. Ichigo turned his attention to him fully.

"That guy's Aizen?" he asked.

"Yeah..." Renji spoke as he pushed himself back up.

"Do you have enough strength to escape?" Ichigo asked him.

"I do, but I'm going to fight," Renji decided, standing beside Ichigo as the two watched Aizen. "Even you should recognise that running is pointless," he pointed out. "I won't say that we have to defeat him, we just have to make it so that somehow he can't move while we get away from here," Renji told him carefully.

"There's no helping it," Ichigo gave a small laugh.

"No, you don't understand, he's way too powerful for you two," Kirara told them, knowing exactly what would happen if they attacked the man.

"You're always saying that, Kirara," Ichigo rolled his eyes. Kirara bit back a cry at his stubbornness. "I thought you and Shinji were leaving? Or did you get bored?" he asked, seeing Shinji fighting Ichimaru nearby. Their Reiatsu continued to collide, making the air heavy with power. "No matter. We'll deal with this. Let's try our united front," Ichigo called to Renji, who nodded. He ran a small distance away, lifting his broken sword.

"I can only use this technique once. But if this attack hits, the enemy will definitely be left open," smoke started to pour from the broken Zanpakuto. "Please take that opening," Renji breathed.

"Got it," Ichigo nodded. Kirara looked from to the other, and Renji slammed the broken blade to the ground. The fragments that had been scattered around Aizen began to glow red, and lifted into the air.

"Higa Zekkou!" they slammed into Aizen as Tosen watched, and Ichigo raced at Aizen, swinging his blade.

They froze as Aizen blocked Ichigo's Zanpakuto with one finger. Ichigo inhaled sharply, and as Aizen curled his finger around the blade, blood exploded from Ichigo's waist.

"Ichigo!" Kirara cried, her horror flooding her.

"Oh my..." Aizen murmured as Ichigo slumped, barely able to stand as he held onto his sword. "I tried to cut him in half at the waist. So it was too shallow?" he wondered, letting Ichigo go. The boy collapsed to the ground, and Aizen vanished, reappearing behind Renji. He cut through the man, who fell too, and Aizen continued to approach Kirara. She breathed heavily, staring at the two fallen. They'd tried to protect her, and paid the price. She closed her eyes as they stung.

"Fine, Sosuke," her fists clenched and she opened her eyes. "Let's go," she declared.

Just two chapters left to go! I've been working on the proper sequel to Shadowed Heart, so I should hopefully be able to start posting it soon after finishing this story!

Hope you liked it!

Please review!