A/N: I will be skipping out the Soi Fon vs Yoruichi fight since it technically would be the same as canon, and it would be a waste of your guys' time to read a fight that has already happened in the anime and manga but with better descriptions.

Also for those wondering if Chiro and Toshiro are officially dating; no. But they are. Let me explain; neither has openly confessed to the other but did so through a physical show of affection (hug, kiss, etc). They are dating but have not made that statement known to anyone, keeping it a sort of wordless thing.

Sorry if it sounds stupid, its just hard to picture Toshiro confessing or Chiro for that matter, since she is too happy-go-lucky and childish.

Italics + ' = Thoughts (Etc. = 'What is that?')

Bold + '' = Inner Hollow/Secondary Spirit (Etc. = ''Fucking Quotation marks!'' He roared) (Or Zangetsu in Ichigo's case).

Italics + '' = Zanpakuto Spirit (Etc. = ''Do not hesitate, Ichigo'' Zangetsu said) (Quincy part of Zangetsu for Ichigo's case).

I DONT OWN BLEACH!

Chapter 16: Flames of War - Invasion ARC

She had no regrets, even as the stone blocks forced her arms into a slightly painful position. She was worried slightly when she tried to convince the commander to allow the Ryoka invaders free with their lives, but he said the Ryoka simply... disappeared. They attacked and defeated several captains, including a senior captain (which was a shock to others) but then they simply vanished without a trace.

But he did promise that if they were found that they would be free to go. Thank the gods.

The Sokyoku was released, a giant blazing phoenix of death. It looked me in the eyes with something else in those crimson orbs... mischievousness? Did it take pleasure in taking someone's life? Destroying their souls?

So it was a big surprise when the large bird faced away from her and to the captains and let out a loud, high-pitched screech. It opened its maw wide and breathed a wave of fire down at the captains and lieutenants, forcing them to Shunpo further back.

''What is the meaning of this?!'' Soi Fon bellowed with wide eyes, which widened further when the bird turned its head to the sky and screeched again before exploding in a burst of red particles, revealed a katana-like Zanpakuto. It had a red grip with yellow diamonds dotting down the middle, a black guard and a long silver blade. It floated for a minute before a person in a beige hood grabbed it, followed by five other figures that landed in front of me.

All at once the unknown players reached up an yanked off the hooded robes, making my eyes widen in surprise and horror. Ichigo, Sado, Ishida, Asami and a dark-skinned woman I didn't know. The last person shocked me the most however...

''Sode no Shirayuki?!'' I cry out in surprise and the woman turned to me with a warm smile.

''Hello, Rukia'' She smiled ''We're here to rescue you''.

''What have you done to the Sokyoku?!'' Soi Fon cried out in fury as she glared at me, not even noticing Yoruichi standing behind me.

''I am wielding her'' I reply calmly.

''First you invade us, then steal our-''.

''I didn't steal anything'' I counter with narrowed eyes at the petite captain ''The Sokyoku is a family heirloom that was confiscated by central 46 before my departure, as such I was the one stolen from''.

I turn my gaze across the captains; Yamamoto, Soi Fon, Byakuya, Komamura, Mayuri, Shunsui, Retsu and Jushiro. The last three will leave us alone hopefully, I already gave orders to the others. Chiro and Toshiro will be hiding with Inoue waiting on standby to heal any of us as required.

''Sensei'' I greet with the nod of a head to Yamamoto.

''Kohai'' He greeted and reached for his blade.

''You have your orders'' I say loudly to my allies behind me, they give a nod and burst into action. Soi Fon was suddenly tackled off the side of the hill by Yoruichi, much to everyone's surprise. Byakuya raised his blade just in time to block a heavy slash from Ichigo, Komamura crossed his arms in an X shape just in time to block a heavy strike from Sado and Mayuri had to use Shunpo to evade a volley of arrows. I turn back to Rukia and in a flash cut the stone blocks in half, letting Sode no Shirayuki catch her with ease.

''Get her out of here'' I order the Zanpakuto spirit and she nodded, drawing her graceful blade and disappearing in a blur.

''We both knew this fight was inevitable'' I say down to my old sensei as I begin spinning the Zanpakuto in my hand.

''The Sokyoku'' He monologues looking at the spinning blade ''The second strongest fire-type Zanpakuto in history''.

''Next to Ryujin Jakka'' I comment ''But that doesn't mean it will be easy for you''.

He gave a gruff nod and disappeared in the blur of Shunpo, leaving the lieutenants to go after Sode no Shirayuki who had Rukia in her arms. Kyoraku and Ukitake disappeared after the commander with me in tow, I easily kept up with the commander and he led us a fair distance away to a small barren patch of land.

''I'll handle him'' I tell the two senior captains as I continue spinning Sokyoku in her sealed form.

''Are you sure, Asami-san?'' Jushiro asked.

''Mm'' I hum and they both disappear in a blur, still nearby but far enough away to not get involved ''Lets do this, Genryusai''.

He gave a barely perceptible nod ''Reduce all creation to ash, Ryujin Jakka!''.

''Turn them to ash, Sokyoku!'' I cry out as the spinning blade glowed a bright red, extending and transforming into a smaller version of the forced-Shikai that normally resided on the Sokyoku hill.

''And so begins the battle of the fire types'' Yamamoto said dryly.

''Making a joke, Yama-jii?'' I taunt and he scowled and disappeared in a blur, I swing the spear around just in time to block his blade with my spear. I push him back and slash at the air in front of me, sending a wave of fire down at him which he mimicked, making two waves of fire crash together in a beautiful eruption. I blur back just in time to avoid a slash from the elder man, sending another wave of fire at him and give chase.

He avoided the flames with ease and brought his blade up in time to block my own, I change the centre of my gravity and jerk the blunt end of the spear forwards and successfully hit him in the stomach. Sadly all it did was make him grunt and force me back, though I didn't give him much chance to breathe before bringing the Sokyoku down in an overhead slash. He blocked it with his own unfalteringly and suddenly pointed a hand at me, a bright blue flames licking his fingers.

''Hado #73: Sokatsui!'' He bellowed, the sapphire flames shooting out at me forcing me to mostly evade with a blurring movement. Some of the attack hit me and burned my arms slightly, I scowl and begin charging my Reiryoku into my fingertips, if he wants to play with Kido is fine by me.

I jerk out of the way of a wave of fire, dodging a slash at the same time before thrusting my hand out at him ''Hado #163: Tsuin Raikoho!''.

The large double-shot of Raikoho struck true, the force of the attack making him skid back long enough for me to slash at his chest before he blurred away. I tried repeating my previous action but it was blocked, a small nick on my cheek as my reward. I flare my Reiatsu as I try to overpower him, a fight of muscle and he was winning by a mile. I abruptly jerk back and disappear in a blur, appearing behind him.

''Jigoku no Sabaki!'' I cry and swing my blade, intense flames shooting out in a huge wave from the bladed point. (Tran: Hell's Judgement).

The large wave of dark red flames created a large wall that shot at the commander, who counter with a slash of Ryujin Jakka that reduced the power of the attack but did not prevent him from getting burned all over.

''Your getting old, Yama-jii'' I taunt and he grumbled something or another before firing off another Sokatsui which I dodge ''Release your Bankai, make this fight interesting''.

''I may have gotten old but I didn't get cocky'' He retorted.

''Yes you did'' I reply dryly before putting on a serious face ''Just because your Bankai is one of the strongest in existence is no excuse for not using it!''.

''Don't be foolish'' He said as he appeared at my side, attempting to slash at me but I block it.

''This fight is a perfect example! I have Hollow, Quincy and Shinigami powers yet I can hold you off with only the Shikai of my third blade!''.

He didn't say anything, so I did ''I came here to soul society for the head of Sosuke Aizen, while I would say I enjoy the challenge I must end this quickly; this is your last chance Genryusai, release your Bankai!''.

He was silent for a moment before he waved his sword, sending a wave of fire at me as a negative. I scowl, I didn't want to do it but time was short. If my informants are right Aizen will appear after the fight between Ichigo and Byakuya, then he will leave in a Negacion to the Espada. Genryusai likely thinks that the stunt Aizen pulled with his illusions was real, and not telling me.

Growling low in irritation, I flare my Reiatsu to its limits as the wind around me picked up in a storm. The sky above slowly darkened, storm clouds forming from the energy I was giving off and creating a firestorm. I lift the spear above my head and spin it rapidly with my fingers, both hands working rapidly to increase its speed to its maximum.

''Bankai!'' I cry out as flaming orange Reiatsu engulfed me in a pillar, my spear-like weapon slowly morphing. It retained its long black pole length but the bladed edge curved inwards into a scythe blade, red length with yellow and orange vein patterns decorating the monster. My modified Shinigami attire was replaced by a long red combat kimono, my black and white-trimmed arm warmers replaced with red and black but flowed off my hands slightly. The combat kimono had a black vest top that stopped just under my chest and left a diamond shape above it and exposing it slightly more than I would've liked, the sleeveless kimono started below the vest top in a blood red as it fell far past my feet as if was oversized.

''Goka Sokyoku'' I announce, slamming the bladed part of the scythe into the ground and sending a wave of fire as a demonstration. He simply raised his blade in preparation for the inevitable; with his Bankai it could've proved extremely troublesome and I had hoped to drag this fight out before I unleashed my Bankai but I wanted Aizen's head on a platter. No matter the costs.

The look in my old sensei's eyes showed all he wouldn't say, he knew without using his Bankai this fight would be entirely one-sided. It was one thing for a master combatant like myself to go against him, but any form of Bankai-class release against him practically ensured my victory if he refused to use his Bankai.

I blur in front of him, striking out with the blunt end as if it were a spear. He side stepped to the right on the attempt but fell into my trap, I jerk the blade to the left forcing the large scythe to swing down at him. He raised his blade and blocked it, but could do nothing as I strike him in the chest with my foot. He skidded up into the air and I soar towards him, swinging my scythe to meet his sword. He blocked the attack but I spin around and shoot the blunt end into his side, offsetting his balance just enough for me to get a quick slash into his chest. I blur behind him and land a second hit into his upper back, ducking under his blade and jabbing the blunt end into his wounded side.

He grunted in pain and disappeared in a blur with me tailing him, we were two blurs as we constantly used our high-speed techniques to move as fast as we could. Our minds in battle mode only registered the important things, such as when I landed a slash along his chest but when I also got one along my waist. I deflected his blade and landed a hit, he retorted by landing one on my side with a furious kick. I clear some distance as my blade thrums with killing intent, though it was unlikely I could kill this juggernaut.

''Kogi no arashi!'' I cry and slash downwards, sending not only a wave of fire but dozens of fireballs from the sky. He blurs out of the way of almost all of the attacks but one of the fireballs crashed into him full-force, sending him skidding through the air. I took the chance while I had it, building up a large amount of Reiryoku into the blade and slashing down at his exposed torso, the blade cleaving through him like butter. The heat from the blade cauterized the wound, a large deep gash stringing from his right shoulder to his left thigh.

''I'm sorry'' I whisper as Ryujin Jakka returned to its sealed state, the blade falling out of the mans hands as his body shot into the ground with all the force of a meteor.

''We'll take care of him'' Jushiro smiled as he appeared beside the defeat and unconscious man, I give a small nod and deactivate my Bankai and place it in a sheath on my back before taking off in a blur to find Ichigo.

(MEANWHILE)

''For a Quincy, your skill is admirable'' Mayuri sneered as he dodged another arrow ''Your arrows are pretty developed too, far more than most other Quincy I have dissected in the past''.

''My skill far surpasses yours'' I taunt back, he growls and attempts to slash my arm with his Shikai but I use Hirenkyaku to evade. I fire a hail of arrows but he merely evades them in turn, though I have a lot more tricks up my sleeve. I focus the energy on my arrow as I back off, forcing the mad scientist to follow.

''Donnerschlag!'' I beckon and release the arrow, it shot out with unmatched speed and pierced through his chest, making his eyes widen in shock. I don't give a moments delay and fire another, piercing his shoulder and making the arm go slack.

''Insolent brat'' Mayuri sneered ''So you do have some tricks up your sleeve, Quincy... ones that I have never seen in all 3,157 specimens''.

I don't reply, rather resorting to summoning an arrow but not pulling on the string behind it, instead slashing upwards with it and then across, making a cross of floating Reishi. Mayuri watched with interest as he injected himself, slowly healing his wounds as he watched the cross flash and vanish. A large pentacle formed at his feet, gravity weighing him down with ten times the force it previously had. A large Quincy cross made entirely of Reishi formed behind him, casting a long shadow from its 25ft plus height.

''Licht Gottes...'' I call ''...erste hymne''. (Tran: Light of god... first hymn).

The pentacle around his feet glowed a blinding blue and before he could react he was engulfed in a beam of pure Reishi, it last for a quarter of a minute before it dissipated into particles. Mayuri Kurotsuchi was nothing more than a burned corpse, very much alive but horribly injured. Good enough for now.

''Be thankful I was ordered to let you live, Captain Kurotsuchi'' I state as I turn and begin walking away.

''I will get you for this, brat!'' He coughed out angrily.

''No, you wont'' I retort calmly as I disappear in a burst of Hirenkyaku towards Ichigo.

'It was a good thing he didn't release his Bankai, I likely would've had to use more advanced skills'.

(MEANWHILE)

''The nature of your abilities are unique, Sado-san'' Komamura stated.

''Thank you, Komamura-san'' I reply, both arms active ''Will you now release your Bankai, knowing my speed and power is currently superior''.

''I am afraid I must'' He nodded respectfully ''Perhaps if we meet again on a place not a battlefield, we could be friends''.

I nod in approval of his statement, as the two of them were similar in many cases.

''Bankai!'' He bellowed as a large armoured samurai formed behind him, easily a hundred feet tall ''Kokujo Tengen Myo!''.

Steeling myself, I charge up my defensive arm with my Reiryoku and thrust my hand forward ''El Directo!''.

The blast of condensed energy shot out and struck the giant in the chest, making it flinch but nothing more. It raised its large weapon and swung down at me, I buzz away with Sonido and begin drawing in energy into my attacking arm, since my El Directo would be ineffective.

'Time is running out, Aizen will be appearing soon and I have my orders... this ends now'.

''I'm sorry, Komamura-san'' I say and buzz in front of the giants chest plate and ram my palm into it ''La Muerte!''.

My palm smashes into the giant, energy thrumming in the air like a gunshot until a loud hissing scream echoed through the air as an almost translucent skull appeared behind the giant and in turn Komamura. I buzz back to ground level just in time to watch the Bankai fade away and the large man fall to the ground and make an explosion of dust, like a shooting star.

''You weren't fully healed, Captain'' I say to myself ''I ended it with a single attack, much like with Kyoraku-san... no, he faked it and let himself be hit...''.

Cutting my musings short I turn and begin treading to the Sokyoku hill where Ichigo was.

(Full fight with Ichigo :D)

Everyone disappeared and took a captain with them as we were told, Asami taking the elder commander with her. I brought a heavy slash down on Byakuya and he barely managed to stop the attack from meeting flesh and Shunpo'ed back slightly. In that short span of time the hill became abandoned, save Inoue and the two kids hiding in the distance.

''Ichigo Kurosaki'' He hissed.

''Byakuya Kuchiki'' I reply calmly ''Why do you stand in our way of rescuing Rukia, your sister?''.

''She broke the law and must be punished'' He stated coldly ''It seems you have yet to lose your powers, it was foolish for you to approach me in battle''.

''Your arrogance will be...'' I say and blur behind him, blade slashing into his stomach ''...your end, Byakuya''.

His eyes were wide, which was expected since my sealed blade looked exactly like the one I got from Rukia's powers. I pull the blade out of his stomach and stumbled and blurred a few dozen feet ahead, a look of surprise plastered onto his face.

''Do you still stand in my way, Byakuya?'' I ask.

He grunted and held his blade to his chest ''Scatter, Senbonzakura''.

His blade disintegrated into hundreds of small cherry blossom petals, in an instant they flew at me like a storm. I flare my Reiatsu slightly and put extra energy into Blut Vene before zooming into the storm, pain splintered across my body but I successfully burst through the pink flurry of blades, much to the older mans surprise. I extend a hand out as it glowed with blue flames, much to the other mans ever-mounting surprise.

''Hado #33: Sokatsui'' I call calmly and the blue flames shot out, exploding on contact with the Kuchiki and burning his torso but not much worse.

''How?'' He panted slightly ''When I retrieved Rukia, your Reiatsu was on par with maybe a fifth seat and you lacked any control... now I can barely detect it because you're suppressing it''.

''I had a little help'' I say calmly, blurring away from some petals.

''Asami Urahara'' He growled ''I should've known, she has a price on her head and must be executed for her crimes against the soul society, like Rukia''.

A wave of anger washed over me, the fact he is saying that my mentor should be killed making me tense. It wasn't my anger either, it was my hollows.

''Let me kill this fucker'' He growled out furiously.

'No... I'll beat some sense into his thick head first'.

''I see'' I growl, making him flinch ever so slightly at my abrupt change from calm to angry ''If it falls to me to make you see common sense, so be it''.

He narrowed his eyes but the widened upon my Reiatsu flaring ''Pierce the Heavens, Zangetsu!''.

My surroundings are obscured for the briefest of moments as my blade splits into two, the large Khyber blade and the short trench knife. My surrounds return, though the area around me was roughened up from my release. Without any more words I blur in front of the man and bring the Khyber sword down on him, he barely avoided getting cut in half and sent the petals after me again.

''Tsk'' I hiss in annoyance and swing the larger blade ''Getsuga Tenshou''.

The energy attack shot forth and collided with the swarm of pink, destroying dozens and making a shockwave that spread them out. Not wasting a second I bolt through the opening and duck under a slash he attempted, lashing out with the smaller Zangetsu and cutting into his side.

''Do you know the purpose of an older sibling?'' I ask the wounded man.

He narrowed his eyes at me but didn't reply.

''Its to protect the siblings that come after us, blood related or not. We pave the way for the future generations so that they don't have to suffer what we did, we go to war and risk our lives just so that they can live happily regardless if it costs us our existence...'' I say in a calm philosophical tone ''...but for an older sibling to not only fail this duty, but to make them suffer more than they should is beyond unacceptable!''.

I was dimly aware my voice was rising and the Kuchiki was listening with widened eyes ''You gave Rukia a place in the Kuchiki family, yet she was more isolated than ever in her whole life. Her friends? They can rarely speak to her because of their duties. Her best friend Renji? He's been distancing himself because of her noble status and his workload. Her family? She may as well have been in an empty house for all the attention she got''.

Then I said something I probably shouldn't have said, but it needed to be ''What would Hisana think?''.

He tensed up, a flurry of emotions in his eyes before his entire face turned red with anger ''Silence!''.

His voice was nothing short of a yell, in a single fluid motion he reformed his blade and tipped it upside down. He let go of the blade and it fell slowly, sinking into the ground like it was slush water.

''Bankai'' He spat with venom as hundreds of large blades in two rows formed behind him before shattering into more fucking petals ''Senbonzakura Kageyoshi''.

''Oh boy'' I sigh as I begin charging my blades ''Your arrogance is unending''.

He didn't reply verbally but simply stormed me with thousands of blades while leaving some left to guard him, I raise both blades slightly above my head in an X formation as they glowed with Reiatsu.

''Getsuga Jujisho'' I call and with a downward swipe I send a cross-shaped Getsuga into the storm. It exploded on impact and destroyed almost all of the petals or at least disrupted them and left him wide open, before he could repair his defences I slam my mask on and blur behind him. With the smaller Quincy Zangetsu I fire off a precise Heilig Pfeil and hit the nerves in his free arm and making it go limp, I drop the large Khyber knife into the ground and with deadly speed reach out and use my now free hand to grip his wrist that held his Zanpakuto.

''I'm sorry'' I whisper as I tighten my grip on his wrist and drop my trench knife, using my hand to charge a Cero, he turn his head slightly so I could see his eyes; full of acceptance and regret. I lock eyes with him for the briefest moment before closing my own.

''Cero''.

The beam makes a loud thrumming sound as it tore through his abdomen, it carried on for easily a mile before exploding in a brilliant flash of red. His Zanpakuto flashes back into its sealed form and his remaining petals disintegrated, his grip went slack and his body slouched. With extreme care I lay him on the rocky ground, morbidly observing the huge hole in his stomach, his skin paling and his eyes slowly losing their life. My mask crumbled away and my blade returns to its sealed state.

In a quick moment of decisiveness I scoop him up and despite my hollowfied Zanpakuto's protests, I blur over to where Inoue was hiding off and gently place him on the ground beside her, where she looked wide-eyed at him.

''Heal him, Inoue-san'' I ask gently, she gives a shaken nod as she summoned her fairies and got to work, his barely-conscious mind not even registering it.

''A-Are you sure, Kurosaki-kun?'' She asked.

''Mm'' I hum and leave without another word, disappearing to the area of the fight like Asami ordered me to.

''Whipped'' He hollow joked, though his tone was... less snarky and more forced.

'She's the leader of the invasion force, of course I have to follow orders since she knows more than I do'.

His hollow didn't respond for an odd reason, though through his 'training' with his hollow did he have any sense of instinct, thus saving his life when he avoided a long white blade that was aimed for his head. He spun around to find only two of three traitors; Sosuke Aizen and Gin Ichimaru.

''Why hello there, Kurosaki-san'' Aizen smiled unnervingly, in the background a surprised Shirayuki suddenly appeared with Kaname Tosen. She was cut in several places but otherwise refused to let her wielder go. Aizen took one step closer to the woman when he was suddenly swarmed with a flurry of arrows, making him take a step back. Ishida, Chad and Asami all landed beside Shirayuki, Ishida forcing Tosen back to a safe distance.

''Ishida, Sado, Shirayuki'' Asami said in a tone that said she was very angry, as shown by how she was glaring at Aizen ''Stay back, this is our fight not yours''.

Before any other words could be exchanged Chiro blurred in and grabbed the surprised Gin by the front of his Haori and disappearing with him, Toshiro appeared out of nowhere as well and grabbed Tosen before leaving without any words. Aizen looked only mildly surprise but it was gone quickly, smiling as everyone else beside me retreated further back to Inoue.

''Your time is running thin, Aizen'' She growled ''We will kill you and avenge our mothers for what you did, then Perdida is next''.

Adrenaline rushed through me as I wordlessly activated my Shikai and she did too, though more vocally.

''Shine, Tsuki no Megami''.

''Strike from the Heavens, Denki Sukai!''. (Tran: Electrical Sky).

I silently marvel at her second Zanpakuto, which had turned into a sort of spear. Its shaft was a golden yellow and had several bronze-orange lines travelling along it from the blunt end to the jagged lightning-styled bladed tip. She spun it above her and slammed the blunt end into the ground beside her, making it crack the earth and send sparks off from the bladed tip.

''Get ready, Aizen'' She said as she fell into a stance and I mimicked it, ready to kill the man who indirectly killed Kaa-san.

Aizen calmly drew his blade ''Oh I am''.