Author's Soundtrack:
Killing Strangers by Maryilyn Manson

Chapter Twenty Five

They were marched up the mountainside, surrounded by men called Guardians and their weapons. Ichigo eyed one of the swords that was uncomfortably close to his throat. He thought to snap at the man, but recalled Rukia's warning before they were escorted out of the villa.

"Complete obedience. Let Shinji handle this."

And yet their chancellor had done nothing so far. He'd watched grimly as the guardians rounded up his entourage and held them like hostages in his villa. He'd done nothing when they'd knocked Kensei out for trying to follow them. He'd said nothing to the rest of them as they were pushed out the door and escorted up the mountain. He led the line and was still silent. When was he going to handle it? When half of them had their heads rolling across the floor?

Ichigo glanced back at Ashido, Orihime, and Sado, each looking pensive and eyeing the Guardians as they walked. It was clear they were itching to escape, but were waiting for any sign from Shinji. Ahead of him, Rukia's back was razor straight, as if she was quite comfortable with all the swords pointed at her. The threat of a blade meant nothing to her now, and that worried him. She couldn't die, but that didn't mean she had to suffer the experience of death anymore.

At the top of the mountain was a pavilion, a large open space with seats lining three sides of the room. There were no walls, only an arched ceiling supported by scattered Grecian columns, giving chancellors unimpeded views of the island. But Ichigo could hardly appreciate the scenery when they were lined up in front of the chancellors for judgment. Ichigo expected more of them. Quick counting put their total at around 20, and nearly all of them were furious.

Old man Genryuusai spoke.

"Chancellor Shinji Hirako, Councilor Rukia Kuchiki, Agents Ashido Kano, Orihime Inoue, Sado Yasutura, and Ichigo Kurosaki, you are all charged with the high crime of infiltrating the Gathering and breaking one of our most valued laws. The penalty is death. How do you plead?"

"Fucking pissed off." Shinji stepped forward, his wide mouth downturned as he scowled at the chancellors. Some smirked and tried to hide behind clasped hands, but others gasped in shocked offense and murmured unhappily. "Oh shut up. I'm sick of you all cowering up here and ignoring the reality of threat we're facing. You're so busy enjoying your positions and bickering with one another, you haven't even realized that it's all being taken away from you."

Beside him, Rukia's head dropped with a disapproving shake. Orihime looked stunned and Ashido was having difficulty hiding his smile. Needless to say, this was not what Rukia had expected of Shinji. Ichigo, on the other hand, was more than pleased.

"Chancellor Hirako," one man began, standing as he glowered at Shinji, "you forget your place-"

"Oh shut it, Yue," Shinji snapped. "I've tried, for weeks, to get you all to listen to me when it comes to Sousuke Aizen, and most of you have chosen to ignore me either due to prideful disinterest or blissful ignorance. In that time, he has managed to manipulate, blackmail, and use us against one another."

"None of us would bother with a lowly criminal like Sousuke Aizen," a pale man sneered, his Russian accent thick.

"Wouldn't we?" Shinji challenged him with a knowing smile. The Russian glowered at Shinji's implication.

"Are you saying members of this Gathering are working with Aizen?" another chancellor spoke. Her skin was dark, her demeanor calm and intimidating. She measured Shinji's words and considered them seriously.

"I am, Chancellor Buhari."

"That is quite the allegation. Do you have any proof?"

"Are you actually considering this lunacy?" Yue slammed his hands on the table in frustration.

Shinji snapped. "For over a year I've attempted to get all of you to take the threat of Sousuke Aizen seriously. At every turn I was met with mockery or aggression. By ignoring him, you have exposed our weaknesses, our people, and risked everything we have worked for."

"If Chancellor Hirako has proof that we are being misled and used, I would like to hear it," Sullivan cut in, leveling a glare at Yue and forcing him into his seat.

Shinji stepped forward. The Guardians moved to stop him, but Genryuusai waved them away. As he approached the table, he tossed a few plastic bags to the chancellors. In them were the chips pulled from the rogue vampires.

"These chips were found surgically implanted into rogues who had been terrorizing at least four councils we are aware of. They were put there by Aizen as a way to track and execute the rogues when they risked revealing information about him or were no longer of any use. We are convinced one was even implanted into Chancellor Cordova's son, leading to the death of a human ambassador in Spain."

A chancellor was on his feet, spewing violently in Spanish at another chancellor - a broken looking man Ichigo immediately assumed was Cordova. Others stood and began shouting, defending and attacking.

A sharp, ear splitting whistle silenced them all.

"Chancellors," Shinji called for order. "We've fought amongst ourselves long enough. It's time we turned our full attention to the real threat. Aizen has outmaneuvered us and is now on the brink of successfully having us tear each other apart."

"He is but one man," Yue argued, seeming to find his voice again. "You overestimate his capabilities."

"Do I?" Shinji studied Yue and the man squirmed. "Aizen is responsible for the torture and murder of the Fumiko family, nearly wiping out their entire line. As a foreigner, he worked his way on to the Japanese Council. Using mercenaries, he used his insider knowledge to locate and destroy several, well protected, Harvest Chambers within the span of a week. He colluded with my predecessor, turning him against his own people. He created an army of newborn vampires, stuck perpetually in the Rage, and used them in an attempt to wipe my council off the face of the map. He has captured, tortured, and destroyed the lives of some of the highest ranking members of our councils, and has still managed to elude notice or capture. Do you think I'm still overestimating him?"

Shinji now stood at the edge of the table separating him and Yue, his eyes angled down his nose as he challenged the argumentative chancellor.

"Tell me, Chancellor Yue," Shinji wondered quietly. "How long has it been since Aizen turned you to his side?"

Yue was on his feet again, his face inches for Shinji's. "How dare you? Ours was one of the first councils to join with Chancellor Genryuusai. We have been here since the very beginning, and you would dare accuse me of betraying him and everyone else?"

"Was it after he took your daughter?"

The man's eyes widened briefly, his mouth falling open. "How do you-"

"Has he provided evidence she's still alive?"

The look of utter fear and grief turned Ichigo's disgust with Yue to sympathy. Just like Cordova, his family was used against him. Aizen had taken something precious and twisted their love to his advantage.

"None of us are out of his reach," Shinji addressed the room, leaving Yue to wallow in his sorrow. "We must put aside our attachments and our differences, and work together to find Aizen and put a stop to him before it becomes impossible."

"You speak of the rumors that he is a true immortal," the Russian chancellor scoffed. "Ridiculous."

"Is it?"

Ichigo felt something in his gut twist viciously. Beside him, Rukia stiffened, her breath shaky. Silently, Ichigo prayed Shinji wasn't planning on giving them an example. Rukia was only supposed to provide a testimony.

"We recently discovered that Aizen, through extreme experimentation, has created a type of pill that allows the user temporary immunity from death. All death. For a period of time, the user cannot be killed by any means."

The room was silent, the chancellors caught between disbelief and curiosity.

"How did you happen upon this discovery?" Buhari asked, clearly doubtful.

Shinji motioned to Orihime and Ashido. "These agents, from two separate councils, witnessed the capabilities of these pills for themselves during the rescue of Councilor Kuchiki."

"Is it true?" Buhari asked, sighing heavily when both agents nodded.

"But how?" another chancellor demanded, a disturbing gleam of curiosity in his eyes.

Ichigo watched Shinji. This was the moment. This was when Shinji would declare it was Rukia who was the source. They would demand proof, and despite everything she had been through, the number of deaths she suffered, she would show them without hesitation. Like an animal in a circus, she would perform for them. She would give up everything if it meant putting an end to Aizen.

He wouldn't allow it.

"Shinji," Ichigo warned with a threatening growl. Rukia put a hand on his arm and gave a small shake of her head. He couldn't see her eyes, hidden by her hair as it fell in front of her face, but he could feel her the quiver of her hand. It wasn't necessary. The chancellors were wavering. There were few who still hesitated, but not enough to warrant putting Rukia on display, to put a target on her back.

"Your greed is showing, Chancellor Awolo," Shiji quipped with a sneer. "We're not sure how Aizen was capable of creating this pill. The facility where he kept his records was destroyed after he fled, leaving nothing but ash."

Ichigo could have kissed him, would have kissed him, but the Guardians had yet to lower their swords.

"It does not matter," Genryuusai stated. "It is clear that Sousuke Aizen will continue to pose a threat to our way of life. Although I disapprove of your flagrant rule-breaking, Chancellor Hirako, this time you and yours shall be forgiven."

The tension in the air was lifted. There were those who were still unhappy with the outcome, but the majority were now focused on their new enemy. Ichigo took a deep, calming breath and looked at Rukia. Her smile was weak, but he knew she was relieved. Taking her hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze. Now, they could get down to business.

"Save your revelries for another time," Genryuusai chided, quieting the chatter. "There is much to be discussed. Chancellor's shall remain. The rest of you are dismissed."

And just like that, the swords were withdrawn and they were shown out of the pavilion and down the mountain path.

"That was. . . much easier than I anticipated," Orihime observed thoughtfully.

"That's what you call easy?" Ichigo asked, baffled.

"The Guardians and the chancellors used a great amount of restraint," Rukia explained. "They could have had us killed on sight. Instead, we were brought to them for a final hearing."

"It's a good thing we had Chancellors Genryuusai and Sullivan on our side," Ashido remarked. "They likely used their positions to convince the others they needed to at least hear us out before execution."

"Which likely wasn't difficult, given many of the chancellor's propensity for drama," Orihime concluded.

"We wanted them to listen and take Aizen seriously," Rukia concluded, "and now they're doing it."

"It'll take them awhile to determine a course of action," Orihime continued. "They're still politicians after all. It'll give Aizen more time to make his next move. Maybe we should continue with our plan to work independently?"

Ashido nodded in agreement. "Seems like the best course."

"We have no idea where he's gone," Rukia reminded them.

"What about that Nel chick?" Ashido asked. "She knew where you were last time because of their insider. Maybe they'll help us again?"

"Speak and ye shall receive, assholes!"

Grimmjow sauntered up the path, his arms extended as he grinned wildly, like he was the second coming. Nelliel walked quietly beside him. The guardians who were following the others hurried to surround them.

"This is cute," Grimmjow remarked, his smile falling slightly as the point of a sword hovered dangerously close to his neck.

"What are you doing here?" Rukia asked in shock, quick to order the guardians to lower their weapons. They did so with great hesitation.

"How did you get here?" Was what Ashido wanted to know, eyeing Grimmjow suspiciously.

"This place isn't as secret as those raggedy old douche bags like to think it is," Grimmjow sneered with condescension. "The world has changed, but they've been so busy fighting one another they forgot about how fucking obnoxious humans can be."

"You're talking about satellites," Ichigo surmised.

"Give the kid a fucking prize."

"We're aware of satellites," Ashido countered. "That's why we have contracts and agreements with those who own them."

"I never figured you for an air head, red." Grimmjow grinned as Ashido snarled. "You think you're the only ones with connections and coin and," his grin widened dramatically displaying his long canines, "leverage?"

"Shit." Rukia and Ashido pieced together something simultaneously and turned to race back to the pavilion. A body fell from the sky, crumpling on impact and spraying the ground with blood. Another dropped, but this one landed on her feet. When she stood, her pale eyes watched them hungrily.

"Aizen's newborns," Rukia hissed as three more landed in front of them.

Above, a plane flew overhead. Bodies jumped from the sides and back, falling to the island without a thought or care. They were scattered, landing in various places around the island, but a heavy concentration of them arrived near the pavilion, blocking the pathway leading to it. Many destroyed their legs, or bodies entirely, but all of them were anxious for a fight.

"Didn't think to mention the ambush sooner?" Ashido growled at Grimmjow, who simply shrugged. His eyes lazily tracked a nearby newborn, struggling as it ambled to its broken feet.

"Didn't think you'd take so long to catch on."

"I suggest you focus on breaking through to reach your chancellors," Nelliel offered. She pulled a short sword from a sheath behind her back and cut through one of the rushing newborns with ease. "Our contact was able to get out one last message before they went silent. Aizen plans on ending the battle with the councils tonight."

They were outnumbered, 3 to 1. A thick wall of newborns barred the way, but they were just mindless fighters. The challenge they presented was minuscule. Ichigo just had to remember that they weren't people anymore. They weren't like Yuzu and Karin. These people stopped being human a long time ago. Now they were soldiers, trapped in a madman's war, forced to carry out his orders until death claimed them. There was no negotiating. No sympathising. They were weapons, and that was it.

But getting through them was more difficult than he anticipated. They weren't entirely mindless. They moved as if they could strategize. They dodged and parried, flanked and combined attacks. But it wasn't enough to stop Rukia and Ashido as they swept through a wave of newborns like a tidal wave. Orihime, Sado, and Ichigo focused on those that remained, while Nelliel and Grimmjow made sure they weren't flanked.

"Go!" Ashido shouted when they made a break in the line. Rukia and Orihime rushed through it, hurrying to the pavilion. The others were close behind.

It wasn't far, not at full speed.

They were there in seconds.

It wasn't enough.

Those open walls gave them a perfect view of the slaughtered chancellors before they even passed through the doorway. There was so much blood. So many limbs and pieces scattered across the pavilion. Most hadn't moved from their seats, draped across their chairs and the table as they bled out. Some managed to get up, only to be cut down where they stood. It was difficult to tell if there were any survivors.

Given the deafening silence, Ichigo had his doubts.

And in the middle of it all, blood soaked clothes and spattered skin, a grisly sneer on his lips, stood Aizen.

AN: I'm so sorry it's been so long since my last update! I've been going through some personal stuff and it's taken a while for me to find my drive to finish this chapter. It didn't help that I ended up re-writing the whole thing twice. Hopefully you all enjoyed the final product. I'm pretty happy with where it ended up.

A few of you were concerned about this story going on too long. I didn't want to rush things. There are a lot of pieces that needed to come together, and those take time. I promise, I'm not drawing it out to draw it out. That being said, there are only a handful of chapters left. I'm estimating between 2-4, as I don't have them completely written out (thanks to some characters demanding their own chapters - lookin' at you Ashido).

I wanted to share some news with you all and have been waiting for the right time to bring it up. Except I have no idea when that would be, so I figured I'd just throw it out there.

For a while I thought about rewriting For Blood as it's own novel, separate from the Bleach universe; however, with the over abundance of vampires novels I wasn't sure it would really be worth it. BUT! I was thinking about making it into a webtoon. I think the action could be really fun graphically. Would you guys be interested in reading it at all? Are you vampired out? Be honest. I can take it. Sort of… XD.

Anyways, thanks to everyone for reading this story, favorting it and following it! A special thanks to NieveDrop, IchiRuki 4vr (Welcome back!), Gin, manusxmachina (welcome!), and guests!