Okay, everybody. Here's the next chapter and I hope you like it. Enjoy.

Chapter 13—Reunion of the Fallen

The darkness of the night outside did nothing to hide the silhouette of the figure against a full, ominous moon. Jin's breath hitched sharply as the memory of betrayal played itself through his mind once more.

"It's you," Jin growled. "You're still alive after all this time, aren't you?"

"Come now, brother," the voice replied. "You don't seem happy to see me, Jin. How unfortunate that I came all this way just to visit you."

"After you stabbed me in the back, why should I care?" Jin countered. "And you're pretty bold to come here with Sajin beside me. There's no way you can handle one captain, let alone two."

"Sajin isn't a problem," Atsuya Narukami replied. "Take a look."

Atsuya snapped his fingers and the lights came on. At first, it was too much for Jin's vision to handle at once, but he was soon able to see clearly enough to notice that Atsuya wasn't alone. Another person, a pale-skinned, skinny youth with azure hair stood by Komamura's bed, the blade of a sword poised right at Sajin's neck.

"Call out for him," Atsuya stated, just as Jin's mouth began to move, "and my apprentice will slit his throat. The dog's not my concern. I've already used my Kido to keep him from hearing this conversation. I want you, Jin."

"Why are you here, Atsuya?" Jin growled, looking back at his brother. Somehow, the fact that Atsuya still wore his shihakusho, in exactly the same way he had before, with no sleeves and a blue hooded shirt beneath. His dark-brown hair was longer than Jin had remembered, falling halfway down Atsuya's back. Atsuya's zanpakuto was by his side, not drawn, but with his hand ready to un-sheath it at a moment's notice.

"That's quite a way to speak to me, especially after I'd gotten you to the position of captain," Atsuya scoffed.

"I earned this spot!"

"Did you really think that Kensei is worthy of his 'promotion' to the Royal Guard?" Atsuya laughed. "A few false facts about the rather ordinary captain and you've been promoted."

"How did you—?

"You ask too many questions," Atsuya said, his humor evaporating quickly. "I came to ask you to join me. I've found a secret, hidden by Central 46 and Captain Yamamoto. There's power hidden within the Seireitei, and as we speak, I'm searching for it with my followers."

"What kind of power?"

"The power that darkness can bring."

"You mean evil power."

"Is it evil or simply misunderstood? When people who fear a certain thing give it a term, they call it 'dark', but simply put 'dark' is not the same as 'evil'," Atsuya noted. "This power can give me what I need to rule the Seireitei!"

Jin laughed, and Atsuya's blade was drawn. The sound of the blade scraping against its sheath stopped Jin's laughter. "You're foolish if you believe you can conquer the Seireitei. Sosuke Aizen tried and failed."

"Sosuke Aizen lacked what I seek. The Hogyoku is weak compared to the Yami."

"Of course you haven't. The Yami has always been hidden away since it's been realized by the Soul King that it's far too much for one Soul Reaper to have. Even when they divided it, it's power still outclassed Genryusai Yamamoto's own."

"Impossible."

"I remember when you used to say nothing was impossible," Atsuya noted. "What happened? Did you lose your sense of wonder when you became Captain?"

"It's my duty to stop you here," Jin growled. "Atsuya, I can't let you—"

"Yashan, if he moves, kill the mutt."

Yashan nodded, putting the sword closer to Komamura's neck. A small speck of blood appeared.

"Here's your options, Jin. You can either join me or die," Atsuya offered. "I'd prefer not to kill you."

"You didn't mind before," Jin noted.

"Things change, brother," Atsuya said calmly. "Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected to take certain duties onboard if you join with me. My followers will each have a part of the Yami to keep for themselves, naturally. I reward my faithful."

"I won't—"

"Don't answer me now," Atsuya said. "I want an answer soon, but not now. Relax and heal. And tell Sajin that he should be a bit more wary next time. Yashan, come. We've work to do."

"Yes, Lord Atsuya."

Yashan moved away from Sajin and touched Atsuya's shoulder. Atsuya winked at Jin and snapped his fingers. There was a small flash of light and Atsuya vanished. Jin took one breath, two breaths, three breaths, before jumping off the bed—a sharp pain surged through his body from the action—and moving to Komamura. He shook Komamura awake. Komamura open his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"You're bleeding, Sajin," Jin gasped, putting his finger at Sajin's neck. The wound wasn't deep, but it was noticeable.

Komamura winced slightly. "I'm fine. Just go get a healer."

"Right," Jin said, starting to move out of the room. In the back of his mind, he thought only of Atsuya, those cold eyes that hadn't changed.

And in the back of his mind, he wanted a piece of the power that Atsuya spoke of.

He wanted part of the Yami for himself...

Okay, everybody. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy.