Disclaimer - I do not own Bleach

Chapter Nineteen - Sizing up the Opponents

The voice that called out to them was a familiar and at the same time completely unwelcome one. Turning his attention to the blond woman that he had already faced once before Shiro narrowed his teal eyes, more than a little irritated with her arrival. Because he knew without a doubt that she was going to interfere with his self appointed task of returning Heikichi to the place where he belonged. Gripping Hyourinmaru he spoke, his tone calm despite everything. "Stand aside and allow us to pass. I have no reason to fight you."

Despite the fact that he was a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and she was an Arrancar, Shiro really had more important things on his mind. Plus there was the fact that no one from Soul Society even knew he was here so he was under no obligation to become involved in any unnecessary fights.

All he wanted to do was find Heikichi and knock some sense into him.

Gazing at the white haired youth as though thinking that he had lost his mind Solara couldn't help but laugh. It was utterly ludicrous that he actually seemed to expect for her to simply step aside and allow him to pass. Allow him to make his way toward the fortress where her lord was staying. "That is the stupidest thing that I've ever heard," the woman said, shaking her head as she gazed into Shiro's teal eyes. "I mean I realize that you're a Shinigami but damn… I thought you'd at least be a little smarter than that."

Shiro scoffed at her words, growing more impatient the longer that he was forced to wait. Increasing the pressure of his grip around the hilt of Hyourinmaru the teen narrowed his eyes. "I was giving you the opportunity to escape this place… but now the time for stupid and pointless conversation has ended."

"My but you're certainly an arrogant little thing," Solara said, a light shining in her eyes as she stared at the youth. This was her opportunity to prove to Lord Heikichi exactly how useful she was… and that with her strength and him as their leader they stood a real chance of bringing about an end to Soul Society once and for all. "Of course all that arrogance is going to do is ensure our victory."

"You can think that if you want," Shiro said, weary of the talk. "It won't change the outcome of this battle."

"In that respect you are one hundred percent correct." This said Solara gestured with her right hand and, within seconds, was surrounded by several other Arrancar. "Before I waste my time on you child you must prove that you are indeed worthy. If you can hold your own against my Fraccion then I will deem you a worthy adversary."

"Oh you've got to be kidding me," Kasumi said, holding up her bow as the other Arrancar arrived on the scene. Things just kept going from bad to worse and she wasn't exactly looking forward to the fight that was about to break out. Shiro had always been a magnet for trouble, for as long as she had known him, but this was definitely taking that to a whole new extreme.

For a moment Solara regarded Shiro's companion before shaking her head and making it clear that she didn't deem the girl much of a threat. And therefore completely unworthy of her attention. "Feel free to help him if that is your desire little girl… but it isn't going to make a difference."

"That's what you think," Kasumi said, narrowing her eyes at the Espada. She wasn't at all offended by the fact that she wasn't viewed as a threat… that would merely work to her advantage during the battle. Her training with her father had taught her not to take anything said in battle personally and to take full advantage of being underestimated. Far from being put off when her opponents didn't think much of her Kasumi actually preferred for that to be the case.

Because they never saw the blow that killed them coming.

"What's goin' on?" Masaki asked as she gazed up at the screen through large violet eyes. She didn't like the fact that her brother and his friend were currently surrounded by people who looked rather angry with them. Even at her young age the girl realized that this signaled trouble. Turning around she stared up at Heikichi with something of a pleading expression. As though waiting for him to stop the fight or at least do something to help Shiro. "They aren't going to hurt Nii-san are they?"

Heikichi's attention had been locked onto the screen, where his friend and rival was squaring off against Solara and her minions. It shifted however as he heard this soft and somewhat tremulous voice speaking to him. Gazing down he saw that Kurosaki's little sister was staring up at him through wide violet eyes.

"What are they doing?" Kaien asked, coming to stand beside his sister and taking her hand.

Hand in hand the twins stood, gazing up at Heikichi as though demanding an answer of him. They knew that the older boy was a friend of their brother's and thus wanted to know why he was just sitting around and allowing something like this to happen. It was true that they were young but this didn't make any sense to them.

Thinking fast Heikichi came up with what he hoped would be a satisfactory explanation for what was going on outside of Las Noches. "It's just a game little ones. You're Nii-san isn't in any real danger, I promise."

For a moment two sets of inquisitive eyes gazed up at Heikichi, as though attempting to detect a lie. But then the twins abruptly broke into smiles, their gazes shifting back up to the screen. "Okay!" they said in unison, completely believing the lie that Heikichi had told them.

Sighing in relief, grateful that they had accepted his lie so easily, Heikichi turned his attention back to the screen. The dark haired youth was well aware of the fact that his lie would be revealed soon enough but he would address that when it became an issue.

Until then he was content to watch the scene that was unfolding… anxious to see exactly how much Kurosaki's skills had increased.

"This is going to be a rather short lived battle," Solara said, her voice taunting as she stepped back and prepared to unleash her Fraccion on the pair of Shinigami who had dared come to Hueco Mundo. They would soon lament this error in judgment, if only for a little while. After that they would lament no more because they would be dead.

Ignoring the taunt both Shiro and Kasumi prepared for the impending attack.

Waving her hand dismissively Solara said, "Do with them as you please."

This was all the permission that the Fraccion required. Holding up their various weapons they all rushed forward, intent upon dispatching the pair of intruding Shinigami.

"Shall we?" Shiro said, his gaze going briefly to his companion, who nodded. "Let's shall."

A/N - End of another chapter and the battle is about to ensue. Hope that you enjoyed.