Ascension

by darklover

Set up to Ch 382. Amidst the raging Winter War, a Shinigami appears claiming to be Ichigo's daughter from the future. Is she telling the truth or is it merely a distraction orchestrated by Aizen? Hints of Ichi/Ruki & other pairings.

34. Chapter 34

Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo and Shueisha Inc. I merely own my original characters. No copyright infringement or financial gain intended. I write for the love of the Bleach verse and its characters.

Feedback: Reviews are welcome and encouraged, flames are not. Thank you to everyone who reads.

AN: Hello readers! I'm not sure if most of you have decided to take a break from the Bleach fandom, but I'd like to think you all were too busy to bother letting me know what you thought of the last chapter, but if you thought it was terrible, I do apologize. You'll have to bear with more action a bit longer. I know it's not my thing. I appreciate if you'll drop me a line when you have time. It's never too late to do it. Character profiles and artwork have been uploaded on my DeviantArt page for Masaki, Hitoshi, and Ran.

Some of you seem to believe Masaki's nightmares have been reflective of only 'reality' even though I have emphasized they are just nightmares and I warned you guys that what is 'real' and what is 'fictional' would eventually be revealed. This chapter references allusions that were made in the first dream with Hitoshi (Ch 16) and the one with Byakuya (Ch 23). For long time readers, the connection between this chapter and the previous chapters might be lost since you've probably forgotten what has happened in previous chapters. I would suggest re-reading those chapters.

---

A luminous glow engulfed Sōkyoku Hill, shimmering like a supernova amid the darkness shrouding the Seireitei. Daylight seemed to illuminate the crumbling city for a long moment, before the radiance dimmed, allowing darkness to return once more, though a golden radiance remained emanating from the top of the hill.

With a content smile, Aizen regarded the golden three-pronged ancient key inscribed with strange carvings and indentations, bearing an ebony handle covered in golden bands, shining brilliantly where Yamamoto had once lain. He stood a mere foot away from the handle, his right hand stretching towards it, his gaze reflecting the light. The dome shaped barrier and any traces of Yamamoto's blood had been dealt with before making the key, allowing him perfect access to the instrument he had forged.

As his hand drew nearer, he suddenly let it hang there, mere centimeters away before pulling it back slowly.

"Aizen," decreed an unusually solemn faced Shunsui, clutching Katen Kyōkotsu's Chinese scimitars in his hands. His gaudy women's kimono remarkably absent over his taichō's haori and Shihakushō accentuated his grave demeanor.

"Kyōraku-taichō," Aizen returned the greeting, turning slowly to regard him. "Have you come to try and avenge your beloved sensei? His spirit lives on in this key that I have created from his remains. Yamamoto embodied the history of the Soul Society, and even in death, he remains a historic relic. It's fitting, isn't it?" His lips curved into a cold smirk. "I can't say the same for you. I have no such use for you, though you will play a role in destroying your maker when I fuse your remains with the Hōgyoku."

Shunsui's eyelids fluttered closed.

"I see. You never intended to use Karakura, then?" he asked quietly, his grey eyes opening.

"It was my second option, but I always intended to avoid it, if possible. I didn't want to needlessly devastate my future kingdom any more than I had to. The Soul King designed the Jūreichi for slaughter, whether it be used as a means to enter the Royal Dimension, or as a failsafe if there was ever a need for Souls to be sacrificed for the restoration of the balance of Souls in the Soul Society. The spiritual richness of the Jūreichi will help counteract the effects of the destruction induced by the disruption of the balance while I deal with the Gotei 13 and then go to the Royal Dimension and become the new king and do away with the need for the balance. Of course, its effect will be minimal at best, but it's better than nothing."

"You sure put a lot of thought in your planning, didn't you?" A wry grin tugged at the corner of Shunsui's lips.

"Is that even a question? You're seeing the Seireitei disintegrating before your eyes."

Shunsui sighed. "You're putting it and all existence into a precarious state with your lofty ambitions, Aizen. It'll sure be a long, painful journey to recovery, but I don't think you'll have the displeasure of witnessing it."

Aizen chuckled. "How amusing. You have hope you'll defeat me."

"Of course, I do. My hope won't be extinguished unless I'm dead."

"I surmised as such, which is why I will be all too happy to strike you down."

Shunsui vanished as Aizen stepped forward and drew his sword.

Aizen's gaze calmly roved around the area. He Shunpoed away as a blade materialized behind him, out of the shadow cast from his backside thanks to the light hitting him. Appearing several feet away, he said, "You'll have to try better than that if you want to actually cut me."

"I suppose so," Shunsui agreed, before using Shunpo.

They traded blows. Shunsui sidestepped a side slash and released a whirlwind. Aizen evaded it.

Aizen twisted as he blocked a blade that rose of out a shadow at his side. He evaded the second one.

"Your tricks are useless if you see no shadows."

Shunsui blinked as he witnessed the light from the shining key expand, blinding him with an unbearable intensity. He reflexively shut his eyes, though he raised his twin blades to ward off the powerful beam. Even as he opened his eyes from behind the protection of his blades, he felt as though he was within the core of the sun itself. He saw nothing but yellow.

He inhaled sharply as his backside screamed.

He jabbed his elbow backward, twisting his arm as he attempted to turn around, but found that his abdomen now bled. He winced, gasping. He tumbled to the ground, still seeing nothing but a blinding glow.

"It's over, Kyōraku-taichō."

The Eight Division taichō steadied himself for the incoming blow, but instead heard a soft, polite voice that belied danger say, "I'm afraid I'm your opponent now, Aizen Sōsuke."

Shunsui could feel the hair covering his body stiffen. The aura surrounding his senpai emanated danger. It had been a long time since he had seen her fight on the frontlines, but the deadliness around her was unmistakable.

It was several moments before the illusion he was witnessing faded and he could see Unohana shielding him from Aizen's blow. Her haori was blowing ever so gently.

"Unohana-taichō, you've actually come to fight on the front lines. This is quite a surprise," Aizen said.

With a simple flick of her wrist, she brushed aside Kyōka Suigetsu.

"That is correct," she said, her usually serene gaze radiating a menacing glint. "You are mistaken if you thought I would remain in the Fourth Division when the sōtaichō has fallen. You know full well it's pointless. My abilities are not what is curing the infected. You avoided me last time, but this time I won't let you escape, Aizen Sōsuke."

"Your abilities are certainly useless to cure the infected, but I would think you would be concerned about all those falling around you," Aizen pointed out.

"It would be pointless to heal them only for them to die, if you win. The only way anyone will survive is if you are killed," Unohana rejoined calmly, before rushing forward.

Minazuki and Kyōka Suigetsu trembled violently as they collided. Aizen had barely had time to react.

Unohana was pressing her blade downward, pushing Kyōka Suigetsu down. When Aizen succeeded in retreating his blade away, he was forced to block once more.

"Your way with the blade is rather remarkable. I can see why you are the second strongest after Yamamoto, Unohana Retsu Yachiru," the former fifth division taichō said, as he blocked a barrage of rapid blows that seemed to rip through the air itself with killing intent.

"The swordswoman of the eight thousand flows," Aizen said, as he narrowly dodged a stroke meant to take his left eye. A thin line of blood glistened over his eyebrow.

"Yachiru is quite a name. I know all about your history. You were the original founder of the Eleventh, though in your day, it was merely meant for those who enjoyed Zanjutsu above all else. Things certainly changed after you were forced to become the Fourth Division taichō due to your medical expertise. The creation of the Kenpachi and the recruitment of battle hungry Shinigami made it a home for ruthless combatants."

Aizen Shunpoed out of the way of the attack that intended to hack him sideways, Unohana appeared almost immediately behind him when he reappeared a short distance away. The air hummed noisily as Minazuki's curved blade met a green shield, preventing it from cleaving Aizen's neck from behind.

"I didn't come here unprepared to battle. There's no way I'd allow myself to be felled by the most obvious point of vulnerability in any creature," Aizen told her, before vanishing and sneaking up behind her.

Without even turning around, Unohana deflected the attack meant to strike her back with a barrier.

"Neither will I, Aizen Sōsuke," she retorted softly, turning around and Shunpoeing quickly behind him, slashing his arm even as he defended against her blow.

He struggled to ward off the swift, powerful blows assailing him before he attacked her with a flurry of his own.

As he slid backwards, he pointed a finger at her thigh, even as he batted her blade away. "Hadō #4. Byakurai."

Ignoring the burning hole in her thigh, the Fourth Division taichō kept advancing.

A large Cero began to form behind her. As it hurtled towards her, Unohana calmly murmured, "Bakudō #81. Dankū."

There was a loud explosion as the Cero crashed into the invisible shield that had formed behind Unohana.

"What?" Aizen questioned in disbelief. "How could you have seen past my hypnosis? I didn't mean for you to see it."

Unohana's lips curved into a deadly smile.

He barely dodged her attack.

He kept eluding her strikes, keeping her at bay with barely contained efforts and shielding himself with Kidō.

As he deflected her blow with a light green barrier, he sent Hadō #54. Haien towards the forearm of her other arm. Flames engulfed her arm before she could nullify the attack. Her arm disappeared within seconds.

Putting distance between them, Aizen called out, "Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi."

As the black rectangular energy disappeared, he could see Unohana partly covered in streaks of crimson, her sword on the ground. She was breathing hard.

"You managed to deflect some of the damage with a barrier. Impressive. However, this is the end for you."

A crimson beam hummed behind her.

As red illuminated the area, Aizen watched as the energy suddenly burst away from Unohana and made a huge explosion as it crashed into Wonderweiss. The angry wails of his underling were swallowed quickly by the thunderous roar of the attack.

"Ukitake-taichō," he proclaimed, noticing the Thirteenth Division taichō as the smoke floated away. He stood behind Unohana, holding Sōgyo no Kotowari out in front of him.

"Aizen," Ukitake greeted solemnly, half turning his head, his expression uncharacteristically fierce.

"I think you might have met Wonderweiss before. I don't recall seeing you in Fake Karakura when I was freed from my sweltering imprisonment," Aizen said pleasantly, his lips quirked into a grin. He then glanced at his creation and said, "Wonderweiss, please finish them."

Wonderweiss hissed angrily. His Resurrection form had received quite some damage from Ukitake's attack though it was beginning to heal. He was taller with shoulders that resembled bony slabs that pointed upwards and wide hips. His Hollow hole was at the center of his body. Two hollow squares with lines sat above his hole and two other larger squares were inscribed in his hips. His eyes were covered by a mask that extended upwards, resembling a strange bulbous hat with three small horns adorning it.

"Go, Ukitake-taichō. Take care of him and join me to finish Aizen off," Unohana said softly, as she finished healing herself with her one hand and picked up her sword.

Ukitake darted toward Wonderweiss while Unohana flew towards Aizen.

Aizen swung his sword to parry her stroke.

"You managed to heal yourself considerably well with one arm," he noted. "I knew your healing abilities were prodigious, but this is quite remarkable. It's a pity you can't bring your arm back though."

"Even with one arm, you mustn't underestimate me, Aizen Sōsuke," she warned him, as she shoved his blade aside.

They battled, both earning wounds as they nicked at each other.

"Hadō #78. Zangerin," Unohana said, generating a powerful wave of energy from her blade.

Aizen deflected it with Dankū. Scars marred the ground with the residual energy blasts. The execution stand split apart as a stray beam struck it. Splintered wood coated the air.

Aizen sent out a restraining Kidō, capturing Unohana.

As he rushed towards her, he raised his blade and found it stopped by a long, ragged one.

"Tch. Can't believe you're in that state, Yachiru," Kenpachi said, glancing at Unohana out of the corner of his left eye, curiously devoid of his trademark eyepatch. Yachiru popped out from behind his shoulder, her sheathed Zanpakutō dangling from a cord in her right hand.

"What do you mean, Ken-chan? I'm fine," the little girl said with a giggle. "Those Hollows never stood a chance against you!"

"I wasn't talkin' to you," he muttered. "I was talkin' to your namesake!"

"Oh, you mean, Re-chan!" she said, glancing at the aforementioned woman.

"Here I was thinkin' you'd kill 'im before I got my chance to carve up his cowardly ass. Don't tell me he used his stupid hypnosis on you."

"Kenpachi Zaraki, I've never heard you speak highly of anyone. I honestly thought a beast such as yourself was incapable of it," Aizen said, looking amused.

"Well, I ain't much for words, but if you can handle my blade, then I've got no reason to badmouth you. Can't say the same for you," he said, pushing Aizen back with a mighty swing of his blade.

Metal hisses and groans as blades clash furiously against each other.

Moving like a whirlwind, Unohana blocks a stroke meant to slash her neck from the side. In the next instant, her blade has torn through the ligaments of Kenpachi Zaraki's forearm and blood gushes from a new gash appearing on his already heavily lacerated chest.

He drops with a hefty thud, his sword clattering against the ground. The trees towering over him drop loosened leaves over him.

He blinks away the blood dripping down into his right eye and stares at the crimson coated blade hanging above him. His hair is down and he is clothed in a ragged grey sleeveless kimono top.

"What are ya waitin' for? Kill me!" he demands, after several moments.

Unohana pulls away her blade and lowers it, letting the blood trickle onto the floor. Her haori and her Shihakushō have minor tears.

"Do you wish to die? Is that you why attacked a taichō of the Gotei 13?"

"As if…I wanted to kill you…." he says, glaring at her. "I wanted to fight someone who was a real challenge…Already got through most of the bastards around this mountaintop."

"You are certainly strong. It has been quite some time since I engaged in a battle this"—a pleased smile crosses her lips— "enjoyable, but I'm afraid your skills with the sword are unpolished regardless of your power. There's no way you could beat me at your level. Perhaps, if you learned how to channel your Reiryoku properly, there might be a chance you could beat me with raw power. You certainly have an enormous amount and have the potential to overwhelm me someday. I see you managed to create a Zanpakutō. Impressive. You have the power to be a Shinigami. You should consider using your power to benefit the world rather than utilizing it for mindless violence."

"Me? A Shinigami? Yeah right. I ain't interested in running around slayin' Hollows. I just want to fight."

"You would have the opportunity to fight stronger opponents that would help you grow. Fighting Souls in Rukongai will not help you. You and I can fight again, if you wish."

"Tch. Does that mean you aren't gonna kill me?"

"As taichō of the Fourth Division, the medical force of the Gotei 13, I'm not supposed to raise my blade to kill unless absolutely necessary. My blade was made to heal actually."

"Heal?" He sneered. "Someone like you is built to kill. I've never faced anyone like you," he admitted.

Unohana smiled faintly. "I could kill most opponents with my blade, but I have no interest in ending lives. I prefer preserving them, though I do not deny I have a deep fondness for crossing blades. I was once the leader of the Eleventh Division, which I founded for the purpose of nurturing Zanjutsu based fighters. Since I left, it has become a home for the toughest, most brutal Shinigami. I believe this division could suit you. The taichō of this division is called Kenpachi, it is the title bestowed to the strongest Shinigami in a generation."

"Perhaps, you could earn it by taking on the Eleventh Division taichō whenever you feel ready to take him on and join the Gotei 13," Unohana said, after a brief pause. "If you keep engaging in meaningless fights, I fear the Gotei 13 will catch wind of you and decide to eliminate you. The Central 46 does not tolerate anyone who has Reiryoku and is wreaking havoc in the Soul Society. I would hate for someone with your abilities to lose their life in such a manner. I hope that by allowing you to live, you will consider my proposition. Otherwise, I might have to finish you off in order to take responsibility for my misjudgment."

With a fiendish grin, Kenpachi lunged at Aizen again and again. Yachiru had hopped off his back and was by Unohana's side, who was preparing to join the Eleventh Division taichō.

Kenpachi's blade fractured the ground as Aizen dodged it and slashed at him from behind.

With the roar of a lion, Kenpachi twisted around and slashed at Aizen's afterimage.

Aizen stood several feet beyond them. His sword reflecting for a moment the light of the key that sat in the distance.

Unohana attacked him from behind, but Aizen blocked it with Kidō.

Raising his sword, he blocked Kenpachi's sword once more.

The swords grated on each other.

The auras surrounding them and their owners snapped and popped dangerously.

"You think you can beat me with pure, unrestrained power?" Aizen questioned with a slight edge of derision.

"Tch. What kind of question is that? You're the one who's afraid to actually fight without trickin' people."

Kenpachi continued to drive his blade against Aizen's, his yellow aura pulsing and growing stronger. His eager smirk widening as Aizen retreated and Unohana's blade suddenly appeared at Aizen's side. The former Fifth Division taichō vanished.

The clamor of blasts and explosions thrummed in the air as Ukitake fought against Wonderweiss in the distance, towards the far end of the cliff. Glancing at his opponents with his unperturbed gaze, Aizen said, "How foolish. Raw power means nothing to me."

Kenpachi and Unohana came at him at once, each attacking from a different angle. Aizen averted the ragged blade but was slashed vertically by the Nodachi blade. Kenpachi swooped in a moment later, his Zanpakutō tearing through Aizen's left arm. Aizen gritted his teeth as his body sagged and he fell on his knees, bleeding profusely. His right arm clutching his Zanpakutō fell as Unohana cut it off.

"You look like you can die just by standing next to me." Kenpachi grinned, his Reiatsu pulsing around him.

Aizen's form trembled slightly, and Kenpachi smirked as he allowed his Reiatsu to surround Aizen.

Without warning, blood splayed from Kenpachi's backside. With a heavy thud, his body collapsed onto the ground.

Unohana also crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from her back and chest.

"Sheer power alone isn't alone to defeat me, Zaraki Kenpachi," Aizen said, appearing in front of Unohana and Kenpachi without the injuries they had inflicted. "It felt real, didn't it? But you merely cut through an illusion."

"What the hell? How'd you do it?" Kenpachi demanded, attempting to move, but his body remained low to the ground.

"You won't be getting up anymore. I've incapacitated the both of you."

"Ken-chan!" Yachiru cried out. She stood beside the Kyōraku, whom she had moved during the fighting beside the key Aizen had forged.

"Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō," Aizen said, pointing a finger at Yachiru. "Be a darling and stay still, Yachiru-chan. I won't be killing you or your dear Ken-chan just yet."

"Reversing the hypnosis was a nice tactic, Unohana-taichō," Aizen said, reverting his gaze upon the fallen Fourth Division taichō. "I must commend you for attempting to give the Gotei 13 an advantage with the use of Inoue Orihime's power, but alas, it is negligible. You failed to cut me down even when you weren't under the power of my hypnosis. You should have killed me on the first strike if you didn't want me to put you under my hypnosis again. As soon as I realized what you'd done, your end was ensured. How many times have you not looked at my blade in battle? You should know that as a Bankai capable individual, I can use my Shikai without even uttering its release. Your attempt to stop me has ended in failure."

"What the hell are you talkin' about? It ain't over yet," Kenpachi said, prepping himself to get up.

"You really don't understand the meaning of that word, do you, Zaraki Kenpachi? I will teach you exactly what it means since you're failing to grasp that my power is beyond yours."

Raising his hand, Aizen fired a Kidō that cut through the crimson beam unexpectedly hovering above him.

"Abarai Renji, I'm pleased that you have managed to attain Bankai, but I fear it is far too immature to be of any use against me," Aizen said, smiling serenely, as he released a Shakkahō and disrupted the gigantic skeletal snake wielded by the red haired fukutaichō.

He then used Dankū to block the cluster of pink blades rushing him from behind. He rapidly fired Byakurai at Renji and tore apart his right shoulder. Hihiō Zabimaru collapsed with a heavy thud. Aizen then turned around to part another incoming swarm of blossom shaped blades with Sōkatsui.

"Kuchiki Byakuya, the 28th head of the illustrious Kuchiki Clan. You have come to try and restore the order your ancestors and those of the other Great Noble Clans have been charged with by the Soul King, haven't you?" Aizen sighed, blocking another barrage of Senbonzakura with Dankū. "You are so proud of your clan's heritage, of its role in the foundation of the Soul Society. Your pride could never allow you to see how my revolution will actually bring about justice to everyone not just the aristocracy of the Seireitei."

"What I fail to see is how your actions will result in justice for anyone, Aizen Sōsuke. You are disrupting the peace of the Soul Society and destroying the natural balance of the world. It is my duty as a taichō of the Gotei 13 to protect and maintain it. It is something you obviously never took seriously," Byakuya retorted, eying the man with cold disdain.

"You are mistaken, Kuchiki Byakuya. I'm not disrupting the peace; I'm bringing it to actual fruition unlike the illusion you and the others like to maintain. Outside the Seireitei, there is much violence and inequality courtesy of your esteemed ruler, the Soul King. In the beginning, that so-called god created the Soul Society and the Five Great Noble Clans: the Kuchiki Clan, the Shihōin Clan, the Miyazaki Clan, the Shimizu Clan, and the Shiba Clan and bequeathed upon them the role of guiding the spirits of the dead and distinct abilities that set them apart from anyone else as well as distinct roles for the formation of the Soul Society.

"The Kuchiki Clan was charged with compiling and protecting the Soul Society's history while the Shihōin Clan were chosen as the guardians of the tools bestowed by the gods, well in actuality, the Soul King, granting them the title of defenders of the realm, making them in charge of protecting the Soul Society. The Miyazaki Clan and Shimizu Clan were charged with the formation of judicial and legislative entities respectively. The Shiba Clan was chosen as the royal celebrant and the holder of the Royal Canon that allows access to the Royal Dimension. I almost considered using it myself, but I decided that such a measure wouldn't be as useful as the one I selected." Aizen smirked.

Byakuya merely narrowed his eyes.

"As you well know from these clans sprouted other clans and thus the aristocracy was born. Each clan trained its own members for their Shinigami duties until Yamamoto came along and founded an academy that accepted both Rukongai Souls as well as noble born Souls, since there were actually Souls like him that were developing Reiryoku in Rukongai much to the disappointment of the nobility. His power and commitment to the Seireitei were so great that Central 46 conceded to forming the Gotei 13, a more uniform and systematized organization for the management of Souls. If it weren't for him, I probably would have wasted away my potential.

"I daresay that the fact that the commoner Souls began to develop Reiryoku was almost like a sign that the Soul King has been wanting an actual revolution. It was foolish of that wretched being to allow newly entered Souls and even Humans to gain spiritual awareness if they would pose a problem to the balance of the world. I'm merely reaping the fruits of its labor.

"Unlike you, I intend to bring peace and genuine justice to the Soul Society by altering the so called natural balance decreed by the Soul King with the help of the Hōgyoku, which is capable of erasing the natural boundaries set forth by the Soul King, but I must first cleanse this world of the old order though."

"How is that you know so much about all the clans, including the Shiba Clan's former role and the Soul King's true nature?"

Aizen looked pleased at Byakuya's understanding.

"In order to plan for the overthrow of the Soul Society, I had to thoroughly understand its social and political structures and I had no choice but to infiltrate the clans to glean their secrets with the help of my Zanpakutō. The Kuchiki Records were quite helpful in my research. Your family has kept quite a lengthy and thorough record of the Soul Society's origins.

"If anything, learning about how the Soul King merely gave the nobility the authority in this world and over the dead made want to have the throne for myself even more. The Soul King granted the Noble families power and responsibility to guide the dead to the afterlife yet for what purpose? To lead them to a life just as they lived in the World of the Living. In my new world, there won't be a need for nobility or Shinigami. Life and death will become meaningless."

"You say my pride blinds me but it is your pride that blinds you. You seek the throne out of greed and ambition rather than justice. Attempting to change the natural way of things isn't just or merciful as you're attempting to paint it."

"Oh, but it just so happens that my ambition can coincide with justice unlike that of the noble families." Aizen smirked. "It's the reason Kaname Tōsen was willing to join me. It's a real shame he perished before he could see my rise to power. He would have gladly enjoyed wreaking havoc amongst the nobility just as much as he was glad that I had slaughtered the Central 46. It is in his honor that I will slaughter them after I'm done with the Gotei 13. You see, Kaname lost a dear friend to a Shinigami that was absolved from his crime due to his noble status. All the nobility, even those outside the Great Noble clans, have a certain pull over the Central 46, and you know it. The Four Great Noble Clans are the ones with the most clout and you are quite a rare sort to actually not want to sway the Central 46 to change their rulings even if you are from the Kuchiki Clan, which likes to act like they are above such things. I'm quite sure you know how they have acted in the past to clear any wrongdoings of their family members."

He paused for a moment. "It was rather admirable that you did not question the execution order that I had commanded for your adoptive sister until my treachery was revealed. About half a century ago, I recall you attempting to change the natural order of things by marrying a commoner. It was quite a scandal, wasn't it? To allow your precious, pure line to be tainted by a lowly Soul. I suppose her death taught you that you mustn't attempt to change the natural order of things. You did become rather more aloof after it from what I recall…trying to be more of a true Kuchiki…"

Slate grey eyes became stony.

"Tell me, Kuchiki Byakuya, did you really think that your clan bent to your will due to your leadership? Did you really believe you could get away with marrying Hisana-san? On the surface, I suppose it might seem like you had managed to obtain your goal, but didn't you ever consider the possibility the clan might attempt to kill her? Surely, you were aware of all the political warfare clans are prone to. My research yielded the same conclusion for all of them, even the Kuchiki Clan." His eyes shone with a taunting, knowing gleam.

"What are you saying?" Byakuya demanded, furrowing his eyebrows slightly.

Aizen's devious smirk widened. "Kuchiki Byakuya, I think by now you must have heard from Kurosaki Isshin what happened to his clan twenty years ago. It took me years to arrive at that particular prototype, which was the closest to what I was seeking. Formulating the right virus was quite an endeavor. Half a century ago, I created a prototype that differed greatly from the one that I used on the Kurosaki Clan. It was rather slow to act and it weakened the individual considerably. I wanted to test it out and I happened to hear the Kuchiki elders were looking for a way to dispose of an unwelcome addition to their home without raising suspicions from you lest they incur your wrath. It was rather fortuitous for both parties when the sample proved to be useful and it merely seemed like Hisana-san had caught something in Rukongai."

Anger and realization clouded Byakuya's gaze.

"You bastard!" he spat. "You will pay for all your crimes."

He raised his Zanpakutō forward and said, "Scatter, Senbonzakura."

The steel blade melted into thousands of sakura hued petals, and they surrounded Aizen instantaneously, swarming over him and piercing him from every angle.

The scene barely did anything to soothe the terrible burning sensation piercing Byakuya's chest. It had been a long time since he had felt such painful agony in his heart. He had long closed it off since he had lost the only woman who had ever touched his heart. Aizen dying a thousand deaths could never atone for what he had lost….

"Byakuya-sama," called out a soft, feminine voice.

His heart stilled at the familiarity of it.

"Hisana," Byakuya murmured, eyes widening in surprise at the image of his late wife appearing before him.

She was clothed in a light pink kimono littered with sakura petals. Her violet gaze was on his. They shone with a vivacity he hadn't seen since their first year of marriage…. Her beautiful raven hair gleamed with a lovely, healthy sheen… even her skin radiated nicely…

His heart clenched at the sight. How many times had he wished he could see her outside his imagination?

He forced himself to shut his eyes.

"You aren't real," he stated, partly in an effort to help himself believe it and to warn Aizen he was on to his trickery.

He had known it would be dangerous to face Aizen, but he never imagined he would use Hisana against him let alone be her indirect killer. Before he could shift his sword, he felt the lightweight touch of soft fingers brushing against his knuckles. He froze for just a second, and he soon felt the entire weight of her hand against him. It was warm. He couldn't help but inhale the familiar scent of sakura blossoms as he felt her warm body surrounding him….

How long had it been since he had felt her touch? It was a tantalizing mockery of what he had once had…. No matter how real it felt, it wasn't his wife…. He had already lost her long ago…

He resisted the urge to groan as his tendons cried out in agony, as he felt himself reeling forward from the attack that had slashed his legs. He could see Aizen appearing several feet away, his blood on his blade.

"You shouldn't have let your pride blind you, Kuchiki Byakuya," Aizen mock chided. "It was arrogant of you to think you could defeat the Kuchiki Clan or me with your meager abilities. Do not worry, I will do what you couldn't, and I will also be gracious enough to reunite you with your late wife."

Byakuya glowered at Aizen.

A crackling mass of lightning struck the area where Aizen stood.

The electrical energy sizzled out a few moments later.

Aizen emerged from the smoke unharmed.

"Such amazing power," he noted, staring at the white-haired man glaring at him. "You are certainly one of the strongest taichō despite your underlying affliction. I suppose it was too much to hope Wonderweiss could take you out by neutralizing your Zanpakutō."

"Of course it was. I've been taichō for over two centuries. Losing my Zanpakutō would not make me lose to someone like that poor child you constructed for your selfish ambitions."

"Spare me your hypocrisy, Ukitake. You, like the rest of the Gotei 13, are selfish for defending your right to power. However, I'm not as selfish as you to maintain this pointless age-old system of life and death when I have the power to change it."

"What you are saying is blasphemy, Aizen. You are not a god to change things."

"It is blasphemy to follow that worthless god that created this world. I told you before, I will be filling the vacancy of the throne in heaven."

"I'm afraid that won't be happening, Aizen," Jūshirō said, his eyes shone with grim determination. The tips of his blades sparked with energy.

In the next instant, Ukitake's blade whickered over Aizen. The ground where Aizen had been standing exploded. Ukitake didn't give Aizen a chance to move as he was by his side the moment he reappeared behind him, ensnaring him a white cloth.

The white cloth whipped about around them for a moment as they landed where Ukitake had previously been battling Wonderweiss before it retracted and vanished.

"You should be more concerned about yourself rather than your precious colleagues. Their death is imminent," Aizen said.

Ukitake narrowed his eyes.

There was a flash as an immense ball of lightning surged towards Aizen.

---

Devastation and ruin flashed before his eyes as he sped across the Seireitei, plowing through countless torrents of billowing smoke. Disgust swelled in his chest and belly igniting the anger already nestled there. That bastard needed to pay…for this and everything he had ever done…

Hyōrinmaru hummed in his hands as he willed it to form ice to freeze the raging fires consuming the edifices of the Seireitei. He could not afford to use his Tensō Jūrin technique while in Bankai lest he threaten the lives of the Shinigami struggling to survive. He didn't trust himself at the moment, and he didn't want to undo the electrical storm the late Chōjirō Sasakibe had formulated for the benefit of the Seireitei.

He couldn't believe he was gone along with the sōtaichō. Both were like unmovable boulders that remained steadfast despite the weathering of the years…It was inconceivable to think they were gone…

Yet he knew it was the truth.

Aizen's luminous blaze earlier indicated that had been the case.

He would have been the first taichō to die if Hinamori hadn't found him.

He had barely survived. He would have probably still been bed ridden if Inoue Orihime hadn't helped restore his health. Although he had received the medicine formulated by the Twelfth Division, the damage to his body had been considerable and he was certain he wouldn't have been able to fight if he had waited for the medicine to heal him. He had been extremely fortunate that the young woman had attended to him. He would have hated to have been unable to join the fight in the Seireitei's direst need…

He felt bad that it had been too late for her friend though. While the boy would have a chance at an afterlife, he knew Inoue Orihime was understandably still hurting from the loss.

He didn't even want to think that death was the fate that had awaited Hinamori if he hadn't been the one to drink the tea…In all honesty, he would have been glad to have died in her place, but he was relieved that he was alive to battle in the fight for the Seireitei…

Especially now that the handicap that Aizen had inflicted upon him had been removed thanks to Unohana-taichō's judiciousness about Inoue Orihime's abilities and even Aizen's powers. He knew Unohana-taichō was one of the wisest taichō and the second most powerful taichō in the Gotei 13, but he never quite fathomed how her intellect and observations could prove so vital against Aizen.

That smug bastard had underestimated her. He probably thought inundating the Fourth Division with sick Shinigami would keep her preoccupied and prevent her from helping in other ways, or even entering the battlefield. As taichō of the Fourth Division, a division whose primary mission was to heal, she was only allowed to engage in battle under the grimmest circumstances, and this war certainly qualified. He was glad she had been astute enough to realize that Inoue Orihime's abilities could be useful against Aizen. They needed all the help they could get to defeat him once and for all. He had evaded capture and defeat too many times.

Knowing Unohana had rushed ahead with her lightning fast Shunpo to deal with Aizen helped lessen his impatience slightly at having to put out these fires as he made his way towards the First Division. Nevertheless, he was working as quickly as possible. He wanted to assist in battle if necessary. Aizen was as elusive as his abilities. He wasn't naïve enough to believe that it would be easy to defeat him even if they weren't under the influence of his hypnosis. Aizen was powerful in his own right, and he could put them under his spell again.

He zipped across the Seireitei, flitting about like an ice bearing hummingbird, as he raced towards the First Division.

He was almost near it when his ears heard ice shattering. Teal eyes widened as he realized his left wing had been punctured. His eyes narrowed as they zeroed in on the culprit.

His mouth became a tight line.

"Ichimaru!" he growled low in his throat.

The silver haired man stood atop the rubble that had once made up the First Division quarters of the sōtaichō. His lips were curved into a sly smirk, his gaze hidden as usual. His right hand casually held his short bladed Zanpakutō.

Tōshirō tightened his grip around his Hyōrinmaru as he made a slashing movement and hurled ice at the former Third Division taichō.

He dodged it. Tōshirō frowned as his other wing suddenly fractured, spraying the air with ice fragments. He barely darted out of the way of another attack. His right sleeve was torn and he could feel the sting of a cut forming on his shoulder.

"You shoulda stayed in bed, Shirō-chan. There's no point in gettin' up only to be cut down," Gin said playfully.

So he does know what Aizen's men did to me…Just goes to show that they had been communicating with Aizen…

Unohana-taichō had briefed him about her thoughts about how he had been drugged with the tainted tea. The concept of Aizen hiding his allies within the Gotei 13 was something that the Gotei 13 had been worried about but the Onmitsukidō, the specialists in interrogation and threat detection, had asserted they had found no evidence of them. They like the Gotei 13 had never considered how Aizen's hypnotic abilities could affect much more than a person's five senses. Unohana's deductions fit with what he had surmised about Kyōka Suigetsu's effect on Hinamori.

Tōshirō reformed his broken wings with fresh ice and instinctively shielded himself with them as he found himself flying backwards from the brute force of the blow directed at him. Ice particles floated all around him. His chest throbbed.

He crashed against concrete.

He coughed and as he glanced down he saw the front of his Shihakushō, just below the sash holding his Zanpakutō, sliced by a sideways slash. Blood glistened along its wake.

Disregarding his wound, he stumbled onto his feet. Surprise glimmered in his eyes as he noticed that Zaraki Kenpachi had just barreled through the rubble on his far-right hand side, like a high-speed bullet train intent on getting to its destination.

He watched as Kenpachi reflexively stopped Gin's lightning fast strike. The ground beneath him groaned as he slid across its surface.

Kenpachi barely darted out of the way of the second attack. Concrete pieces speckled the air.

Grimacing, Tōshirō took flight and flung ice in the trajectory of Gin's practically invisible blade. The velocity of the blade was unlike anything he had ever seen. He knew the lanky man's Zanpakutō was a pain to deal with due to its far-reaching abilities, but he had never seen it move this fast.

He must be serious this time around, Tōshirō thought as he gathered that Gin was likely intent on striking them all down, to prevent them from reaching Aizen.

In retrospect, Gin had not been too serious about killing him when they first fought in the Third Division during the Ryoka invasion as well as their second battle in Fake Karakura. This time though, Tōshirō knew he wasn't playing around. He could sense Kyōraku and Unohana upon Sōkyoku Hill. Their speed was, of course, not something Ichimaru Gin could stop. He was a powerful Shinigami, but he wasn't at the level of the oldest taichō of the Seireitei.

Ice shattered as Gin's blade carved through it, but Tōshirō was already generating another wave of heavier ice.

"Go, Zaraki! I'll take care of him!" the Tenth Division taichō yelled.

Zaraki stared at him for a fraction of a second. "Suit yourself. I didn't come for him anyway."

Ice flowed from his tail and as he swung it, he was already generating a series of icicles on his shoulders, which impaled the air with cold precision and headed towards Gin. As Gin whipped around his blade to keep cutting the icy daggers that kept reforming even as he cut them, Kenpachi lumbered away, his gaze upon the hill.

Tōshirō launched a crescent shaped ice formation behind Gin preventing him from striking Kenpachi. He did his best to curb the rapid attacks rushing towards him, but within moments, he found his body covered with lacerations. His ice could not halt the destructive force of the blade. He had the distinct impression the silver haired man had been playing around with his prey and was now intending to sink his fangs.

His footing faltered and he realized his legs had been cut. His knees touched the ground.

"So disappointin', Shirō-chan. I was much stronger than this at your age."

Tōshirō glared at him.

"Or maybe it's just 'cause you've been weakened a bit by the lil' bug that hit ya," Gin mused. "Oh well. Either way, it's time for ya to take a good, long nap. You've been nosyin' around enough as it is. Ya need ta learn to mind yer own business. It woulda kept ya and Hinamori-kun out of trouble if ya had."

Teal eyes widened. Tōshirō could feel the incoming force of the blade ripping through the air to get him. He could not hope to dodge it.

He stared at the heavy cloud of ash that now filled his vision.

He watched it begin to crumble into nothing.

Shock filled him.

He had never seen anything quite like it…the ash particles had been completely destroyed. He was certain that that would have happen to him too if Gin's blade had reached him.

"That's enough, Gin," said a solemn Rangiku. She was standing several feet away on Tōshirō's left hand side. Her Shihakushō and face denoted signs of battle. Ash hung around her. She moved her hilt slightly and the ash followed her movement, as her cerulean gaze stared down at the former Third Division taichō.

Gin stared at her, his lips upturning just the slightest bit. "Rangiku."

---

Gritting his teeth, Ichigo pushed aside the blade bearing down upon his slim, ebony blade. He watched as Nel landed neatly on her feet across from him, her cold gaze emitting an undeniable desire to tear him apart.

Ichigo knew Nel was strong. He had seen it himself when he had witnessed her fight against Nnoitra. He had been impressed then but now that he was facing her, he found her incredibly scary. Her speed and strength were amazing. Killing intent lurked behind every blow she directed at him. There was no denying it. She wanted him dead.

Upon escaping her icy imprisonment, she had expressed outrage at having felt the collapse of her comrades, Dondochakka and Bawabawa, before attacking him.

He tried to use their deaths as a means to tell her that he didn't want to do the same thing to her. Although he knew Rukia was right to a certain extent, there was a part of him that couldn't quite grasp the concept of Nel wanting him dead, even if it should be natural for her to feel that way. He couldn't help but try to figure out why she had wanted him dead when she had protected him before. Nel had merely explained she had forgotten who she was and had intended to kill him herself once she had finished off Nnoitra in order to regain her Espada status, but with her reversal to her child form and his subsequent departure to rescue Orihime, she hadn't been able to act as she had wanted. And she now wanted to finish the job.

It wasn't what he wanted to hear…A part of him felt as though deep down Nel had been changed with becoming an Arrancar…. She wasn't just a vicious, killing machine like an ordinary Hollow…but it seemed like his instincts had been wrong….

He rolled backwards, barely evading the sideways blow that had nicked the fabric covering his abdomen.

"Some no mai, Tsukishiro!"

The distinct sound of ice forming pierced the air. As he pulled himself into a crouch, he saw ice fragments swirl about as Nel kicked at the ice tower attempting to freeze her. She whirled around, firing a Cero at Rukia's second attack. Mist and ice cloaked the area.

Seeing an opening, Ichigo leapt to his feet, raised Zangetsu and released a wave of Reiryoku towards Nel's exposed back. Through the lingering mist and smoke generated by his and Rukia's attacks, he could see that Nel hadn't been too fazed by his Getsuga Tenshō.

He fired another one as she glided towards him.

She calmly opened her mouth and swallowed it, as though she were merely enjoying a meal.

His eyes widened slightly. He had forgotten about her special technique. Apparently, it didn't just apply to Cero. He needed to be more careful then.

He swiftly evaded the enormous blast issued from her mouth several moments later.

Smoke billowed merging with the cold haze already clouding the area.

He touched down on the ice encrusted floor across from the blast site.

"My Getsuga Tenshō barely hurt her. She's capable of swallowing it and combining it with her Cero. It's a special technique of hers, which I've seen her use to swallow Cero." Ichigo quickly relayed to Rukia his observations, as she appeared at his side.

"I see. There must be a limit to the amount of Reiryoku she can absorb. Now's not the time to hold back on your Reiryoku, Ichigo," she said, giving him a meaningful look.

He frowned, but nodded, knowing she was right.

He could not afford to underestimate Nel. They needed to end this fight as quickly as possible and head to Sōkyoku Hill. The blinding, sunlight glow that had illuminated the Seireitei earlier suggested Aizen had continued with his plans unimpeded with the death of the sōtaichō. He knew the other taichō were currently battling him, but he wasn't sure how long they could last due to Aizen's hypnosis.

"Hadō #31. Shakkahō," Rukia cried, shooting a burst of red Reiryoku at the approaching Arrancar.

Nel deflected it effortlessly with her blade.

Focusing as much Reiryoku as he could into his Zanpakutō, Ichigo flung the swirling, crescent shaped blast he generated at the teal haired woman.

She swung her blade and started to partly split it as a glacial wave slammed her from behind. Crimson energy sparkled amidst the haze and a loud, crackling thundered.

"You're annoying," Nel declared in a soft, dangerous voice, as she burst past the icy remains floating all around her and charged towards Rukia. "You need to stop interfering. I personally have nothing against you, but I need to end your life."

Rukia defended against the blows aimed at her as Nel attacked her. She stumbled as she faltered under a strong parry and was soon falling backwards as a kick glanced over head.

"Rukia!" Ichigo shouted.

Rukia could feel a dull throbbing forming on her temple all the way to the back of her head. Even if the kick hadn't quite made a full connection, it had still been powerful. Disregarding her aches, she rolled to side, feeling the powerful presence of the blade intending to cut her, strike the ground with a nasty hiss. She Shunpoed away as the Arrancar woman redirected her blade towards her.

Nel turned and released a Cero to counter the Getsuga Tenshō hurtling towards her.

She clashed her blade against Ichigo's as he appeared before her.

With a determined scowl, he drew his brows as he poured more Reiryoku into Zangetsu and fired it away, even as their blades clashed again and again.

Nel flew back as the energy overwhelmed her.

"Hadō #73: Sōren Sōkatsui!" He heard Rukia say as she unleashed a potent torrent of blue energy upon the fallen Espada.

Blue and black energy sizzled.

Upon its diminishment, Nel stood there, catching her breath slightly. The damage she had received was minimal.

Ichigo frowned, debating whether he should Hollowfy. He didn't want to bring out his mask against Nel, but it seemed he had no choice. Nel had been on the verge of defeating Nnoitra when he couldn't. Her power was supposed to be higher than Ulquiorra, whom his Hollow had defeated. Rukia by her own admission had barely edged out the Ninth Espada. Their combined attacks were minimally damaging Nel. While he knew his physical stamina had improved in his base form, it was truly his Hollow's abilities that had grown.

An electrical rope encircled Nel before she could move.

The ground beneath her glowed and an icy tower punctured the air.

Reiatsu shattered the ice once more.

"Damn," Ichigo muttered, as Nel emerged, unharmed.

Raising his hand over his face, he made a pulling a motion and his Hollow mask appeared.

"Getsuga Tenshō!" he cried, launching a massive burst of Reiryoku at Nel.

She opened her mouth, allowing part of it to enter her, even as she generated a Cero with her hand to divert the other remnants of the blast.

Bracing himself, he unleashed another Getsuga to counter the regurgitated energy heading towards him.

The air vibrated as a powerful collision ensued.

The swirling energy eventually simmered down.

Noticeable weariness now marked Nel's visage and body. She was breathing hard.

"Is this all you got, Kurosaki Ichigo?" she demanded. "This is rather disappointing…I'm surprised you managed to defeat Ulquiorra. No matter. Out of respect for you as a warrior, I will kill you with my true form."

She held her blade horizontally in front of her and said, "Praise, Gamuza."

A powerful mass of Reiryoku enveloped her and revealed within moments a centaur like form with an ebony horse tail. The horns of her mask were now longer and curvier. White pads came across from her shoulders to her neck. White elbow guards shielded her elbows while a dark cloth covered her forearms and white gauntlets covered her hands. She now held a large, white double edged lance.

She began to throw it behind her shoulder in preparation to launch it.

Thinking back to how fast and strong that lance had been when it had impaled Nnoitra, Ichigo summoned another Getsuga Tenshō just as ice covered Nel's lower body.

Unfortunately, Nel didn't seem to take too much damage from his attack, or at least not as much as he wanted so she could be stopped. It would definitely take a lot more from him and Rukia to wear her down.

"Hadō #73: Sōren Sōkatsui!" Rukia called out once more.

Nel twisted her large weapon to the side, repelling the blast with a thunderous clap. Rukia barely shielded herself with some ice as she was thrown back by the impact of her repelled technique.

Ichigo gritted his teeth.

"Getsuga Tenshō!" he yelled, flinging a massive wave of Reiryoku at Nel.

She seemed to be keeping it at bay with one end of her weapon, but he could tell it was harder for her to do so.

He slipped into Shunpo, flinging another Getsuga Tenshō from behind.

He hurried over to Rukia, who was already stumbling to her feet. The icy floor did little to help her stability. He thought of offering her help, but she managed to stand still. Her Shihakushō now sported new tears. Her right cheek glistened with a red line and the vestiges of a bruise.

"I'm fine," she uttered before he could even say anything.

Her violet gaze was fixed upon the black energy mass that was threatening to combust, as both of her hands embraced Sode no Shirayuki's white hilt. He followed her line of sight, knowing that they had to be prepared for their move. His hands adjusted their grip on his own black hilt.

"Was that… enough?" she wondered softly, watching as the energy seemed to enclose its target.

With his mask, she couldn't see his lips twist into a deeper frown. He narrowed his eyes, knowing that this fight still wasn't over.

Energy suddenly burst in every direction.

Rukia found herself flying backwards at a startling speed.

She was vaguely aware of crashing into something that wasn't as hard as she expected.

"Are you alright?" she heard a distorted version of Ichigo's voice ask.

"A-Ah," she replied, realizing Ichigo had caught her.

He soon settled her upon the debris laden ground that was further away from where the fight had been taking place. Nel, who looked weakened but determined to fight, was already galloping towards them.

"Getsuga Tenshō!"

His technique scarred the ground but Nel managed to sidestep it.

He released another wave of Reiryoku.

"We need to keep her from using her lance. She broke Nnoitra's Zanpakutō with it," Ichigo said solemnly.

Rukia glanced at him. "I had already figured as much."

He and Rukia used Shunpo.

Ichigo was partly releasing a Getsuga Tenshō as he slashed at Nel. She spun her lance to the side, her Reiatsu flaring around it to stave off his attack. She nimbly dodged the dark energy that he was pushing out from his sword. Ichigo barely stopped the pointed end threatening to drill a hole into his back.

He gritted his teeth as he fought off the heavy lance grinding against his daitō.

His blade flew back and Nel was already jabbing at him with the other end in one swift motion. He halted it but was soon forced to evade a series of jabs and thrusts that made him break a sweat. He groaned as Nel slammed her lance into his gut and sent him reeling backwards.

As she prepared to impale Ichigo, ice covered her arms and lance.

The ground beneath her began to glow and ice erupted from it.

Ichigo Shunpoed away.

He hurled another attack to help prevent Nel from escaping.

For several minutes, Ichigo and Rukia continued to combine their attacks, not allowing Nel the opportunity to attack them directly with the full extent of her power.

As Rukia dodged Nel's attack, her senses alerted her to a familiar presence suddenly flaring up in the distance. It was Masaki. She was surprised that she was within the Gotei 13's domain after all. The upsurge of her Reiatsu could only mean she was fighting an opponent that warranted it. She knew most Hollows and Arrancar were likely not a real threat to her. Dread began to fill her heart as she stretched out her spiritual sense and found that the other surging Reiatsu belonged to Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.

"Ichigo, I can sense Masaki needs help!" she cried out a few moments later, as he slashed at Nel with his black energy wave. She could feel that Masaki was struggling with Grimmjow. If he used his Resurrección, she feared she would be overwhelmed.

"Go! I'll deal with her," Rukia added.

"But, Rukia," he protested, amber eyes glistening with conflict.

"Don't worry, Ichigo. I won't die here," she said, giving him a meaningful look. "Go and help, Masaki. She can't die here."

Ichigo nodded.

Hurry, Ichigo! You must help her! Masaki, our daughter, can't die…

He vanished just as Nel recovered from his attack.

Rukia braced herself for a moment, before hurrying forward.

Even with the damage she had been dealt thus far, the Arrancar woman seemed incredibly resilient.

She dodged her incoming stroke and the next.

Rukia jumped back as the woman twisted her lance at her.

She dodged yet again.

And again.

But the lance soon thumped her hard in the back and she collapsed.

She used Shunpo to harrowingly escape the deadly thrust that impaled the ground where she had lain, but in the next moment, she traveled through the air, blood spilling from her lips and she found herself lying on the floor. Blinking, she saw through her hazy vision Nel threatening to hurl her Zanpakutō at her.

Wincing, she scrambled to get her bearings, pain ripping throughout her body. The air crackled with the vibrations of the energy pulsing around the javelin like weapon speeding towards her.

Damn it…c'mon, I have to get up…

The deadly weapon seemed to be gaining more speed while her body sluggishly responded to her urgent pleas to allow her to stand.

Her heart was beating a mile a minute…her legs were barely holding her up….

The lance was drawing closer at such an astounding speed.

The swirling energy around it was already making her feel like collapsing again…

Her hands gripped Sode no Shirayuki harder.

She just knew Hakuren would hardly stop that attack…and that she would still get stabbed…

Damn it…I can't die…I need to defeat her no matter what…

Rukia gritted her teeth, bracing herself for the inevitable collision.

She needed to focus as much energy as she could to harden the ice as much as she could so she could lessen the blow. During her training with Ichigo, she had managed to freeze his Getsuga Tenshō when she deepened her concentration on Hakuren.

Sode no Shirayuki, please…she silently pleaded as she furrowed her brows as she gathered her energy, drawing as much as she could from deep within her.

The ice poured out from her blade, but the lance was barely slowed down.

Rukia continued to generate more ice, her expression determined.

'Do you trust me to protect you, Rukia-sama?'

Rukia stared at the white blade in her grasp.

It was glowing.

"Of course," she murmured without hesitation.

And then she suddenly felt as though Sode no Shirayuki was embracing from her behind as frost formed on her hands and forearm and coated her blade.

"Daiyon no mai, Hakua," her lips murmured the words without conscious thought, and she was temporarily blinded as glaring white struck her vision. A deep cold enveloped her and she began to feel her teeth clatter. The depth of the cold was unlike anything she had ever generated. It had been a long time since the cold had affected her. It was usually like this when she learned a new technique.

As her eyes adjusted to her surroundings, she realized she was encased in a dense layer of ice.

'Rukia-sama, this technique is your defensive technique…Hakua encloses you in a multilayered ice wall that is difficult to penetrate for your opponents…'

Rukia's eyes widened slightly as she felt shaking around her, but the solid white wall around her seemed firm.

'So she can't reach me as long as I'm here?'

'At the very least it will take her some time to break down the top layers,' Sode no Shirayuki said.

'I see. I'm deeply grateful that you have shared this technique with me, Sode no Shirayuki."

'And I'm grateful you have faith in me and yourself, Rukia-sama.'

---

Chipped ice crystals scattered onto the ground as Nel hauled her sword out from the large crystalline ice structure that had erupted just before her sword reached its target.

She thrust it once more into the ice, cracking it, and continued to break down the ice.

Annoyance began to creep up on her as she realized that it was proving to be time consuming. She had wanted to end this Shinigami's life and hurry after Ichigo. Ichigo was supposed to hers, not Grimmjow's.

Drawing her lance away from the ice enclosure, she opened her mouth and allowed a Cero to form.

Ice splattered as a steaming hole was carved into the ice.

Nel resumed striking the ice with her weapon, realizing that she had nearly reached the layer where her prey lurked. She thrust her weapon harder and faster, ignoring the thick ice chunks pelting her with her motions.

As she felt her weapon get caught in the ice, she leaned forward intending to yank it once more, when she saw a flash of white shoot out and strike her clavicle. She could feel blood seeping from the wound even as ice began to frost over her. And then she fell backwards as red Reiryoku struck her mask. Teeth flew.

Nel groaned and began to tremble as her body convulsed. She was surrounded by a white haze and then she was no longer an adult but a child.

Rukia stood over her with her extended blade. It was slowly reverting back to its original length as she peered at the groggy child. She lowered her blade as though intending to strike Nel.

Her blade hovered over the Arrancar.

"I-I can't kill a child even if she's an Arrancar," she murmured.

It seems now I'm the one unable to kill, Ichigo, she mused, thinking back to what she had told Ichigo earlier.

She began to feel the ice-covered floor beneath her shake as the sound of ice breaking sounded. The mist around her parted as a giant boar carrying some kind of large tube on its back skidded and slammed into the remnants of her ice dome. Its rider landed close to Rukia.

Rukia's eyes widened with recognition. "G-Ganju-san?"

"Oh, Rukia-chan, it's you! I thought I sensed someone familiar," Ganju said as he stood up, his feet sliding slightly on the ice.

"Careful, Ganju-san."

"Don't worry…I got this…Oi, Bonnie-chan, are you okay?" he queried, glancing at his giant boar, who was still lying down.

He received a piercing glare in response.

"Oi, it's not my fault...there was ice on the floor," he muttered. "We needed to get to Ichigo …Oi, where's Ichigo?" he wondered, glancing around.

"He had to leave to help out…a friend…What are you doing here?"

"Nee-san sent me here to help…The Shiba Clan can't let the Soul Society fall at the hands of that maniac…Aizen…Urahara-san filled us in on everything. He's around somewhere along with Yoruichi-san and the big guy."

"I see," she murmured, looking reassured with this information.

"Oh, looky here, I never thought Arrancar could be so small. That Aizen guy is really crazy, making kid Arrancars," he said, noticing the fallen Nel. "I managed to knock some Arrancars with the great miniature Kūkaku cannon along with a whole shitload of Hollows," he added, puffing out his chest.

Rukia glanced at the device strapped to Bonnie.

"Well, aren't you go finish her off? We need to get out of here and get to Ichigo."

Rukia sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "I can't kill her…"

"But why not? She's the enemy!"

"I know, but while she's under this child form, I can't strike her down. She was an adult, but cracking her mask has changed her to this form."

Ganju stared at her for a moment. "You really are a strange Shinigami…just like Ichigo…I can see why he didn't want to let you die…You're actually one of the better Shinigami out there…that has honor…"

There was a beat.

"You wouldn't have resorted to stabbing my brother if you could have avoided it, huh?" Ganju said in a low voice.

Rukia's eyes widened. "O-Of course not…I—"

"Sorry. I know you suffered too. Like I told you when you had dinner at my place, I stopped blaming you when my sister confirmed the explanation you had given to me about my brother's death when I asked you about it when you thanked me for helping in your rescue. I realized then that it wasn't how I thought it was since my sister had never given me the full details. Unfortunately, she has a bad habit of keeping me in the dark about stuff I should know," he muttered the last part to himself, annoyance glimmering in his eyes.

Rukia stared at him for a moment, wondering if he was aware of his connection to Ichigo.

"Well, anyway, we should get going. That's quite a powerful Reiatsu out there."

Rukia creased her eyebrows. "We should. Would you mind if your boar carried this Arrancar? I'll bind her with Kidō. I can't just let her remain here."

"Are you nuts?' Ganju gaped at her.

"Don't worry, I will finish her if need be, but for now she's a prisoner of war."

Ganju pursed his lips. "I'm not sure I like that idea, and I don't think Bonnie-chan will like it either, but I guess we can try. You better be prepared to kill her if she acts up."

Rukia nodded.

---

Hollows screeched as they were sliced away by the glistening ice shards that had suddenly materialized. Masaki swung her blade, splitting the head of a large Hollow before her. More Hollows appeared and they were soon swallowed by the mist issuing from her blade and destroyed before they even knew what cut them. Mist continuously swirled all around her even as she struck down the last of the Hollows attacking her. She took a moment to regain her breath.

"Kurosaki-san." Someone called out to her from behind.

Masaki closed her eyes, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Damn it," she cursed under her breath, her grip tightening around the white wrapping with purple lozenges covering the hilt of her Zanpakutō.

"Kurosaki-san." She heard a breathless voice call out to her again.

Opening her eyes, Masaki slowly turned around.

"Are you alright, Kurosaki-san?" Izuru inquired, taking in her battle worn appearance, as he walked through the lingering mist surrounding her. He held the released form of Wabisuke in his right hand and he looked somewhat harried. "It was you who fought that fire Arrancar, wasn't it? I had sensed it, but I was busy myself, and when I realized that you were fighting it, I decided not to intervene and concentrate on other Hollows."

"I'm fine. And it was me that fought that Arrancar," she replied quietly, a fleeting look of unease glittering in her eyes for an instant.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Izuru queried, staring at her.

"I am. I know I look like crap, but I'm uninjured."

"I'm surprised to see you here, Kurosaki-san," Izuru admitted after a moment. "I…didn't expect you to be fighting on the front lines—"

"Don't insult me. I'm a fukutaichō just like you. I may not tolerate alcohol well, but a mere hangover isn't something that would hinder me in battle."

"I-I didn't mean to insult you, Kurosaki-san. I honestly didn't expect you to be on the front lines regardless of your physical condition since this technically isn't your war. I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise that you have been forced to fight since the circumstances have made it so that everyone in the Seireitei is in danger. However, I never expected to see you here in the Third Division. I'm genuinely grateful for your assistance all the same."

"Forgive me…Kira-fukutaichō. I'm a bit tense. That probably sounded harsher than I meant it," Masaki said, lowering her gaze. "I didn't expect to find myself here either, but since the invasion started I got stuck here, and I'm just doing what I can to help, even if this isn't my war. I always…knew it would…come to this…"

There was a beat.

"About last night…I must have said a lot of nonsense, please…just forget it…if you remember any of it…"

Izuru stared at her. "Kurosaki-san, don't worry, you didn't drink too much to make a fool out of yourself. I don't blame you for thinking you might have had since you did drink Genshu. Even one drink can make you feel terrible if you aren't accustomed to it."

Surprise glimmered in violet eyes. "Genshu? No wonder…" she muttered to herself.

"Even I don't really have the stomach for it beyond one cup. Matsumoto-san, on the other hand, has quite a high tolerance for it. It was too bad that she didn't have a lighter sake. Well, actually, she shouldn't have insisted for you, or anyone of us to have a drink, but she's so persistent. It's hard to say no to her."

"I've never had Genshu before. My tolerance of sake in general is rather low, so I'm fairly certain I must have said ridiculous things drinking that, even if I didn't drink as much as I thought I had. I appreciate your polite attempt to say otherwise, but there's no need to deny it. Please, just forget it. You can't believe anything I might have said."

"Kurosaki-san, Abarai-kun took you away before you said too much."

Ferocious roars punctured the air. Masaki and Izuru exchanged a wary look, as they stepped forward, swords at the ready. Hurrying past smashed buildings, they soon encountered a flash of crimson. They leapt out of its way as concrete pieces sprayed the air.

With a vertical slash, Masaki split apart the Hollow attacking them.

Bursts of red Reiryoku suddenly streaked their surroundings.

Izuru Shunpoed towards the new arrivals, touching them with his Zanpakutō as he brushed past them, and they dropped like sacks filled with heavy stones. He swiftly destroyed them.

Another wave of Hollows, including a horde of Menos Grande, loomed behind the crumpled mass of buildings on their left-hand side. Shinigami were scrambling to avoid the fierce wave of Cero pounding the ground.

A heavy cloud of fog left Hyōketsu Kiri's translucent blade as Masaki rushed to help. It surrounded the Menos Grande and the Hollows that were flying about and the scarlet flashes ceased momentarily as confusion seemed to overtake the creatures.

"Mugen Hyōhen!" Masaki shouted, before shattering the mask of a nearby Hollow that was outside the range of her fog.

Masaki flew towards the Hollows that had evaded her attack, Izuru following in her wake.

Even as Hollows fell, more continued to arrive.

Izuru wondered if these creatures were being drawn to them due to the lack of available meals. His stomach squirmed with unease at the thought. He hoped it was simply their high Reiryoku that was attracting them. As he performed a horizontal beheading, he heard a familiar male voice shout at him.

"Kira, duck!" Lowering his head, Izuru heard the deadly whistle of Kazeshini flying overhead and the sick crunch of its contact with its victim.

"Hisagi-san!" Izuru greeted.

"Are you alright, Kira?" Shūhei queried as he killed another Hollow.

"Yes. What about you, Hisagi-san?" Kira said, noticing how his Shihakushō was in a shabby state like his.

"Yeah. But, you felt what happened to the sōtaichō, didn't you?" Shūhei said solemnly, as he swung one of his scythe like blades forward, ripping through four Hollows in the distance.

Izuru nodded, his expression growing somber, as he struck out his blade against the snarling creature appearing at his side.

"We need to head towards Sōkyoku Hill and help the taichō. We can't let Aizen win."

"Right." Izuru nodded. "Who is that guy?" he asked, noticing an unfamiliar Shinigami with an unusual coat attacking the Menos Grande that had just arrived.

"He's an ally of sorts," Shūhei explained. "Name's Kanō Ashido. He just came from Hueco Mundo. Claims he's been stationed there a century by accident and was a part of the Ninth Division under Muguruma-taichō over a century ago."

"W-What? Hisagi-san, are you sure we can trust him?" Izuru wondered, suspicion and alarm flashing in his cobalt gaze.

"He hasn't given me a reason not to…yet…He's proven to be helpful so far, but I'm wary all the same. Be on your guard, Kira."

The blonde man nodded.

"Wait a minute, what's Kurosaki doing here?"

"I'm not sure why she ended up here, but she's been helping me."

"I see."

Multiple Cero seared through the mist cloaking Masaki, and as she backflipped to dodge a blast, she saw a flicker of crimson out of the corner of her eye. Two crimson blasts swirled and buzzed above her as they formed from two different Menos Grandes.

Frowning, she yelled, "Tsumetaikiri no Tate!" as mist flowed in front of her and solidified into a shield reminiscent of a thin layer of ice.

A heavy rumbling filled the air as the Cero crashed into the icy wall and partly rebounded.

Mist already floated around her as she spun around. She stilled as she noticed halfway through her turn a figure clothed in a shaggy coat covered with Hollow masks. The Cero that had been aimed at her had been diverted by a mass of whirling air and had struck its creator. The man turned to glance at her. His hair was reddish brown and spiky, and it partly fanned over his emotionless grey eyes. In his hands, he clutched a long staff like weapon with a pointed tip adorned with golden rings.

She stared at him with slightly widened eyes.

"Are you alright?"

Masaki nodded, as she turned around and directed her fog to finish off her foes.

"I'm Kanō Ashido. And you?" he said, as she turned around.

"Kurosaki Masaki," she replied.

"So, you're the Seventh Division fukutaichō," he said, taking note of the armband attached to her left shoulder. "I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with the current Gotei 13. I have been away for a while. Hisagi-fukutaichō has been bringing me up to speed with the current situation."

"I see. Well, I'm one of them," she corrected.

"One of them?"

"It's complicated, Kanō-san. I'd rather not explain it. We need to focus on the Hollows," Masaki said, dispersing mist from her translucent blade at the remaining creatures rushing them.

He nodded, as he leapt forward, swinging his staff and releasing tornadoes.

The four Shinigami eventually fought back to back, finishing the last batch of monsters. The two current fukutaichō, future fukutaichō, and newcomer stood in the middle of the wrecked landscape.

"C'mon, we have to keep going towards the First Division. The taichō seem to be struggling," Shūhei said, breathing hard.

"I can't believe Aizen is that strong," Izuru said.

"It's his hypnosis that is giving him an edge," Shūhei said, his eyes narrowed.

"I don't think that's all there is to it. Kurosaki Ichigo was unable to defeat him in Fake Karakura even though he wasn't under its influence."

"It would've been a different story if the taichō had been able to help him."

Izuru pursed his lips, looking uncertain.

Shūhei moved, Izuru and Ashido following suit. Masaki remained still.

"Kurosaki-fukutaichō?" Ashido turned around to look at Masaki. "Aren't you coming?"

"I'll help you reach the First Division, but I'm planning on concentrating on the Hollows around the area. There's still too many out there. My Zanpakutō is suited for mass extermination. Your help should be more than enough to deal with Aizen," she replied, glancing at Izuru and Shūhei.

"I see. Well, I could help you too. My Zanpakutō is also suited for mass extermination," Ashido said.

"That isn't necessary."

"But—"

"Kanō, if she wants go on her own, let her be. I'd rather you come with Kira and me."

The Shinigami Shunpoed away, encountering more Hollows as they made their way towards the First Division.

Spinning Kazeshini around, Shūhei mowed through Hollows occupying the rooftop of a half-demolished building. He could see Ashido thirty feet behind him fighting alongside Kira. Masaki was on a rooftop to his left, meticulously cutting through Hollows with her Zanpakutō as well as the mist issuing from it.

A contemplative look crept on his face for a moment. The desire to know the truth regarding Kanō had been nagging at him since he realized he could get the answer from Masaki. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to fight near her to even attempt to ask her. She had warned them to steer clear of her mist since she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't hurt them in the heat of battle. The mist hanging around her was beginning to fade as it consumed her enemies under an icy assault. She was already moving onto her next target and more creatures were swooping towards her from behind.

He leapt up onto the rooftop, appearing behind Masaki and slicing through the Hollows that were outside the reach of her mist. He glanced at her over his shoulder and he saw her give him a quick nod in thanks, before she turned around and began to move away.

"Wait, Kurosaki, there's something I have to ask you," he said quietly.

He caught a glimpse of her back stiffening.

"What is it?" she said tersely, keeping her back to him.

"It's about the future Ninth Division taichō."

"What about him?"

"It is Kanō?

"Why does it matter?"

"I need to know if he's the traitor. I can't let the Ninth Division be betrayed again if I can help it."

Violet eyes glittered with surprise. Masaki's knuckles gleamed white as her grasp tightened around her hilt.

"Kurosaki…is he the traitor?"

"He's not a traitor," Masaki said, shutting her eyes. "You can trust him with your life. I trust him with mine, even now. He's not in line with Aizen if that's what you're thinking. His loyalty is unquestionable. There's no other Shinigami that has singlehandedly fought as long as he has in the name of the Gotei 13."

"Then, please tell me the name of the traitor."

"There's no traitor. I'm sorry. I can't really drink, so you shouldn't have believed that. The Ninth Division is led by a taichō that is loyal to the Gotei 13."

Shūhei furrowed his brow.

"Kurosaki, don't lie…don't protect him. What's happening right now, it's all because of corrupt Shinigami. I can't let the Ninth Division be led by someone who's corrupt again. This is your chance to change things—"

"It isn't…I can't change something that's never happened."

Violet eyes reopened. "I wouldn't protect a traitor to the Gotei 13 if it were the case. What I'm saying is the truth. Do you want me to swear on my pride as a Shinigami? I'm sorry you took what I said seriously, Hisagi-fukutaichō. I don't remember what I said, but it must have been a poor attempt of a joke…I've been told I have a terrible sense of humor."

"It wasn't a bad joke. I've been around drunk people long enough to know when they're airing out their true feelings…You were serious…and upset…when you were discussing how he was a traitor just like Tōsen-taichō."

"My feelings…may have been true," she allowed after a moment, her jaw clenching, her gaze hardening, "but not my words. Look, I just don't…like him…Surely, there's a taichō you don't like among the Gotei 13? Perhaps… Kurotsuchi-taichō?"

"I see. Come to think of it, you were rather keen on badmouthing the Ninth Division taichō. I guess I did misunderstand," Shūhei said, relief glittering in his gaze.

"Tsumetaikiri no Tate!" Masaki shouted, as Hyōketsu Kiri's mist rose above them and froze, forming a shield to hold off the Cero targeting them.

Both Shinigami vanished.

Masaki appeared in front of the Hollow that had attacked them, decapitating it, eyes flashing with relief. She moved on to another incoming horde, leaving Shūhei to fend off the other Hollows.

The four Shinigami continued battling Hollows as they made their way towards the First Division, which seemed so close yet so far due to the obstacles that were slowing them down. The ground trembled as a Cero struck the ground with tremendous force. Shūhei, who had been engrossed in dispatching an elephant like Hollow, barely evaded it. The creature howled as it disintegrated into Reishi.

Amidst the swirling vapor issuing from the blast site, he saw a light blue haired figure clothed in a white outfit, hovering above it. His stance was casual but his smirk denoted sinister intent. His body pulsed with an ominous Reiatsu that seemed to wilt away the smoke into nothing, that seemed to make the very ground rattle and crumble.

"Tch. Can't believe I missed," Grimmjow said, as he almost instantaneously appeared in front of Shūhei, his leg lashing out and striking his abdomen.

Shūhei flew back, blood spewing from his lips.

Upon landing on the ground, he crossed his pinwheel shaped blades to block the incoming kick. He felt some pressure before Grimmjow spun in midair, snap kicking him with his other leg, and he was shoved away. As he slipped out of his roll in midair, he threw one of his blades at the blue haired Arrancar.

Grimmjow dodged it and punched the second one, attempting to reach him.

Shūhei flung it away to the right to avoid being impaled by his own weapon while he jerked back the first blade, attempting to catch Grimmjow off-guard by striking him from behind. The Arrancar dodged and Shūhei leapt higher into the sky, pulling back the chains of his kusarigama as they carved through the area where he had been moments before.

Shūhei grunted, feeling as though lead had hit his backside. He rotated in midair several times, blood flowing from his lips. He gasped as he found himself yet again at the mercy of the Arrancar's blows.

Grimmjow suddenly paused for a moment as he spun around to deflect the red energy attacking him from behind.

"Another fukutaichō, eh?" he said, glancing at Iba Tetsuzaemon. The wound in his left pectoral was healed, but his Shihakushō was still torn up. "You're making my job easy."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tetsuzaemon said, as he shot another Shakkahō from his hand and took a swipe at Grimmjow's back as he materialized behind him. The protrusion of his blade rammed into Grimmjow's back and simply drifted over its surface, unable to pierce the fabric and flesh there.

Tetsuzaemon flipped in midair as Grimmjow whirled around and kicked the blade away.

"It means that all you useless fodder will get killed by me." Grimmjow bared his fangs. "The sooner I get rid of you, the sooner I can kill the Shinigami I want to kill the most."

Before Tetsuzaemon could react, Grimmjow smashed his fist into his face, breaking his sunglasses and nose. Blood scurried down the Seventh Division fukutaichō's broken nose.

Blue lightning struck Grimmjow's back.

The feline Arrancar turned around noticing that Shūhei was attacking him once more. He looked unsteady on his feet.

Grimmjow slipped into Sonído and just as he appeared before Shūhei, he was hit by a strong current of air. He fought it off and was hit by another swirling current even as another Kidō blast was launched at him.

Unhurt, he rushed towards his opponents. He dodged a whirlwind. The rattling of chains signaled he had been caught.

Grimmjow grabbed Kazeshini's chains which were curled around his left arm and yanked them forward. He rammed his arm through Shūhei's abdomen. Blood gushed out.

A hundred feet away, Masaki turned as she finished killing a Hollow and watched as Grimmjow tossed him aside like a rag doll. There was a nasty thud as he fell. Blood rapidly drenched the area

Horrified, Masaki gasped. "Shūhei!"

Masaki cried out as a Hollow slashed her from behind due to her momentary distraction. A tear marred her worn shitagi. Dodging a second blow, she rolled forward, swiftly directing her mist towards it and the other Hollows surrounding her, even as she rotated. "Mugen Hyōhen!" she said as she pulled herself to her feet.

Ashido fought Grimmjow in tandem with Tetsuzaemon, who had rejoined the battle, as Masaki hurried to finish the remaining Hollows. Izuru was still stuck in a battle of his own with a cluster of Hollows.

Masaki jammed her sword into the gaping mouth that had intercepted her path, tearing the creature apart with a frustrated growl.

She continued onward, her mist enveloping her opponents and shredding them into Reishi. The fight against Grimmjow had moved away from Shuhei's fallen form and noticing that Hollows were approaching Shūhei, she released a mist cloud over him that quickly formed a dome shaped ice barrier. One of the creatures raced towards it but it was soon consumed by the ice crystals emerging from the second cloud of mist that had encompassed it and the others even as Masaki hacked away at her own foes.

Breathing hard, Masaki finally reached the barrier she had created and it melted away as she put a hand to it, reforming into mist for an instant as she slipped through and then solidifying into ice once more as she kneeled beside Shūhei, whose eyes were closed. His face sported many purpling bruises. Kazeshini, which had returned to its sealed form, lay next to his right hand. Blood from his cut abdomen coated it.

Masaki pursed her lips as she stared at his injuries. Her brow furrowed.

My Kaidō is useless for this level of injuries…Damn it…But I can't just let him die…He's not supposed to die…

She lowered her sword to the ground beside her right thigh and extended her right arm. Her fingers hovered over his abdominal wound, vestiges of green light tentatively forming upon them.

"Hisagi-san," Izuru cried breathlessly as he appeared on the other side of Shūhei behind her barrier. "Let me heal him, Kurosaki-san. I was a member of the Fourth Division."

"Heal him then. I'll help the others," Masaki said, relief flooding her countenance, as she reached out to her sword with her right hand and allowed him entry. She squeezed her hilt and she curled her left hand into a fist as she rose, her eyes upon Shūhei.

Izuru quickly settled down beside Shūhei and began to release green Reiryoku from his fingertips as he started healing him.

Masaki slipped out of the barrier she had created, and it reformed as soon as she stood on the other side. She walked away several paces.

"Don't you dare die, Hisagi Shūhei…If anyone gets to kill you, it's me," Masaki whispered under her breath, her expression forlorn, as she disappeared.

Catching sight of Tetsuzaemon's bloodied form sailing through the air, Masaki yelled, "Iba-fukutaichō!"

Within moments, Masaki was slinging his arm over her neck as she propped him over her back.

"Kurosaki," he groaned as he regarded her through half lidded eyes.

"Don't speak. You're going to be fine," she said hastily, as she hurried away and settled him behind Izuru, who was still tending to Shūhei.

She disappeared once more.

When she reached the area where Ashido was holding off Grimmjow, Masaki watched as he struggled to defend against Grimmjow's blade and was shot down by a Cero.

"No! Ashido-san!" Masaki cried, watching as the man collapsed, his coat sizzling with smoke.

"Bakudō 61: Rikujōkōrō," she said, pointing a finger at Grimmjow while she released a thick, massive cloud of fog from her Zanpakutō.

She appeared beside Ashido's fallen form and hoisted him over her back and Shunpoed away quickly. She wordlessly dropped him on the ground as carefully as she could and hurriedly unleashed an orange barrier around Izuru and the wounded Shinigami.

"No matter what heal them. I won't let him come near you," Masaki told Izuru, her expression grave yet resolute.

He looked up and gave a tight nod, watching as she disappeared within the depths of the white veil surrounding them.

"Kurosaki-san," Izuru murmured, furrowing his brow in concern.

When Masaki arrived at the scene where she had left Grimmjow, she found him free of his restraints.

"So, you're the only one left, eh?" Grimmjow pointed out, his blue gaze eying her. "That hair…that Reiatsu…You're related to Kurosaki Ichigo, aren't you? What are you, his sister or something?"

"What's it to you?" Masaki said after a moment.

Grimmjow grinned. "I'm Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. Didn't your brother tell you about me?

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez?" Masaki echoed.

"Yeah, don't tell me he never told you about how I kicked his ass a couple of times…the last time we fought he almost had me…but this time I'm going to show him who's the real winner. I've been looking for him. Where the hell is he?"

"No idea. I'm not his keeper," Masaki said coolly.

"Tch. He's bound to show up if his sister is in danger, isn't he? The bastard has a thing for saving his pathetic friends."

Masaki narrowed her eyes. "Don't make such assumptions. I don't need his protection. If he shows up, it'll be because he wants to settle things between you and him once and for all. I don't like to get involved in his affairs, but if need be, I will."

This is my father's battle…He has to show up…because he's supposed to…I don't have to kill him…I just have to keep him busy…so that the others will get healed…

She prepared her battle stance, a reminiscent gleam appearing in her gaze.

A younger Masaki, resembling a preadolescent girl, waltzes into a room, dressed in a marine blue silk kimono patterned with white flowers and a white obi sash. Her hair is pinned up into a bun.

"Wow, Tou-san, looks like you're almost done," she says, as she eyes the small stack of paperwork remaining on the desk where her father is working at. There are several pictures at the right corner of the table.

A large, heavy tapestry with a gold embroidered emblem of an elegant crescent moon with a small star nestled along its bottom curve from which sprouted magnificent reeds that followed the curves of the half-moon hangs behind him. Bookcases flank either side of the tapestry. Mounted on the wall to the right of Ichigo is the large form of Zangetsu. Beneath it rests a sealed and sheathed Sode no Shirayuki.

"I didn't bring work with me today. I was just reviewing some financial stuff. Can't believe your mother's investment in Chappy is still doing well," Ichigo says, staring at the sheet in front of him. He is clad in his Shihakushō with a white haori.

"Why wouldn't it be? Chappy is amazing."

Ichigo stares at her, looking conflicted, as though he doesn't want to burst her delusions. "Never mind."

"Since you're almost done, you should come with Kaa-san and me to the play with Byakuya-oji-sama," Masaki suggests.

"I think I'll pass." Ichigo smiles. "I'd probably fall asleep anyway. You should enjoy yourselves though."

"Suit yourself, Tou-san, but you're missing out. It's not a boring story in the slightest. There's gonna be plenty of action." Masaki grins.

"That's not what I meant. I really am tired. It's been a long week. I'm sure you'll fill me in on all the details tomorrow."

"Of course!"

Masaki watches her father work for a few moments, before she steps closer to his desk. She bites her lip.

"Tou-san, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

Masaki hesitates. "You remember, those stories that you used to tell me when I was little about Chappy and the Grim Kitty?"

"Of course, how could I forget them? You could never get enough of those stories. They're the reason you finally accepted me as your father."

Masaki drops her gaze. "I'm sorry…. I didn't accept you sooner, Tou-san."

"It's not your fault, don't worry about it."

"I still feel bad…I didn't mean to hurt you…"

"I know you didn't. I know it was tough for you to adjust being with us…again…since you didn't remember us…" Ichigo says gently, his gaze growing somber. "I get it that it was easier for you to grow attached to your mother first…I mean, it's only natural…She had spent most of the time with you when you were a baby."

"But you said it yourself, I didn't remember either of you. I don't really remember why...it was harder for me to get used to you…I think maybe it was because I never knew what a father was until you brought me here. I only had Aya-baa-chan and my brothers…"

"I think you sort of resented me for changing your life, but that doesn't matter anymore. That's in the past. Back to your question. Why did you bring up those stories?"

"Well, I was wondering if the Grim Kitty was based on somebody you used to know."

Ichigo freezes and stares at her. "W-Why would you think that?" he asks, after a moment.

Masaki fidgets. "Well, the other day when Oji-sama was giving me history lessons, I was reading about the Espada in the Kuchiki history records"—Ichigo frowns slightly— "I saw there was one that was called Grim something and he was described as being catlike. I read that you killed him…so that's why I thought you maybe based the Grim Kitty off him."

"I see. I did base him off…Grimmjow…It's easier to come up with characters based on people you know..."

There was silence.

"Tou-san…was he really strong? Is that why you couldn't kill him on the first try?"

"He was…" Ichigo murmurs, his gaze is faraway. "That was part of the reason…anyway, I finally managed to kill him at the end of the war."

"I just have a hard time imagining you struggling, Tou-san. You're so…strong…Aren't you considered one of the strongest taichō?"

"I wasn't a taichō back then, just a Substitute Shinigami, and I wasn't as strong as I am now. If I were to fight him today, I'd beat him easily," Ichigo says, the faraway look fading.

"Masaki, where are you?" A woman's voice calls out.

"In Tou-san's office, Kaa-san!"

"We have to leave now, or else we'll be late," Rukia says, stepping into the room. She is wearing a plum kimono with lilac flowers and she is clutching a matching purse. Her hair is pinned up.

"Okay, Kaa-san!"

"Ja ne, Tou-san," Masaki says as she rushes over to Ichigo and kisses his cheek before going over to Rukia.

"Alright, let's go."

"Oi, aren't you forgetting something, Rukia?"

"Forgetting what?" Rukia says, raising an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure I'm ready to leave."

"Oi, don't I get a goodbye kiss from you, too?"

Rukia stares at him for a moment. "That isn't necessary for me to leave."

Ichigo scowls. "You're a terrible wife, you know."

"Says the terrible husband who doesn't bother to accompany his wife and child on a family outing."

"What? You said I didn't have to go. I told you I was tired..."

"A good husband would make the effort."

"I've done it in the past...I thought you said this wasn't a big deal."

"It just goes to show how much you know," Rukia said, looking slightly miffed.

"If you wanted me to go, you should've said something..."Ichigo mutters, looking annoyed. "I'll go if you don't mind being late..."

"That isn't necessary," Rukia says, breaking out into a grin. "You can just stay home and mull over how terrible you've been."

Ichigo glares at her, exasperated.

The mist surrounding Grimmjow suddenly enclosed him in a barrage of tiny, piercing ice crystals as Masaki whispered, "Mugen Hyōhen."

He let out a laugh. "Is this supposed to hurt?" he demanded once the attack subsided. He stared at his forearm, seeing faint nicks on his skin.

Part of the lingering mist enclosed him and he was pierced once more. This time, the tiny bloody pinpricks peppering his body had grown more visible.

"You might have increased the Reiryoku that you were putting into your attack, but something like this can't kill me," he warned her, as he charged towards her.

Their blades clashed with a deafening clang.

He bore down on her blade, grinning as his cold blue gaze regarded her own frigid gaze. Her face still contained faint traces of soot across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.

She shifted her blade slightly to contend with his overbearing pressure.

She pulled back her blade as his threatened to overwhelm hers.

Swinging her blade to the side, she stopped his next blow.

Sparks flew as their blades met.

Masaki defended herself against his vicious strokes.

She twisted to the side as his blade grazed her right shoulder, snipping the fabric of her shitagi.

She ducked his kick and slashed at his other leg. He vanished just as the blade reached his flesh.

Their blades connected once more as Masaki attacked him.

He parried her blows and whirling around upon disrupting her stroke, he swung his free fist towards her abdomen. His smirk expanded as he saw her eyes widen and saw blood coat his arm. A second later, surprise flashed in his gaze as he jerked his head back upon feeling his backside prickle with a stinging, icy coolness.

The image of Masaki faded. He spun around, catching a flash of orange out of his peripheral vision.

Masaki was standing a few feet away, unharmed, her Zanpakutō in her hands. Her expression stoic.

Grimmjow grinned. She had managed to give him a shallow cut on his back.

"Not bad. You aren't as slow as the others," he noted, giving her an approving grin. "Even though you hold the same rank as them, you aren't at their level."

"I'm not," she agreed solemnly.

"Are you like your brother? Do you have a mask?" he wondered, excitement flaring his eyes.

"Can't you see I'm wearing it?" she retorted coolly.

"That's not what I meant," he said, understanding that she was referring to her blackened face. "I'm talking about the one that makes him Hollow like. Did you make yourself like that too?"

"You shouldn't compare me to him. Our upbringing has been different. We're at different levels power and skill wise. Our fighting styles are also different."

"I take it you don't have one. Well, whatever. Let's see what you're made of then, Shinigami."

Grimmjow charged towards her.

Masaki twisted her blade to the side to parry his blow. She deflected the flurry of potent blows he delivered next. He stuck out his leg to kick her and was surprised to find mist rushing around it and freezing there into a solid icy barrier.

His movement was halted momentarily allowing her to put distance between them. The shield shattered as his foot rammed it.

A flurry of ice shards peppered him, but he shrugged off the attack and hurtled towards Masaki.

His blade went through air as she disappeared at the last second. He felt a slight tingle in his stomach and before he knew it, he had instinctively spun around to halt the slanted blade aimed at his back with his left arm. He flung away her blade and she flew backwards.

He didn't have to glance at his abdomen to know she had managed to cut him. He couldn't believe she had been that fast. She obviously knew more than one trick just like Zommari Rureaux had been keen to use.

Charging a Cero in his right hand, he hurled it towards even as she was still traveling through the air. Masaki managed to get her body upright as the crimson beam loomed a few feet away.

"Bakudō #81. Dankū!"

"Tsumetaikiri no Tate!"

A heavy rumbling shook the air.

Smoke billowed intermingling with the lingering mist in the area.

With her head bent, Masaki was propped against the remains of a wall. She was breathing hard. Blood dripped from a cut on her forehead. The debris covering her tumbled as she shifted her head upwards.

Damn him…I barely shielded myself…He's incredibly strong…It's amazing that my father defeated him at his current skill level…I remember him saying it was his Hollow that had given me an edge in his early battles, that it was his reason for surviving along with his determination…back when he admitted he had one after I had seen him when he was teaching me how to reach my inner world…

I don't have that as my trump card…The only trump card I have is Hyōketsu Kiri's true power…but I can't use it to its full extent...I can't kill him…This is my father's battle…I have no choice but to use it like I would in training…I hope Kurosaki-san shows up soon…

Grimmjow appeared before her and as he swung his sword at her, she vanished.

He spun around to hold off her blade once more with his own.

A large mist cloud oozed from her blade and Grimmjow felt the pressure of her blade leave his own. The thickness of the fog surrounding him prevented him from seeing anything. He couldn't even feel her presence, but there was something about this fog that irked him…If he were a weaker Hollow, he might have felt something akin to dread, but he just felt irritation…As if something like this could scare him…

A portion of the fog assailed him once more as it transformed into ice shards that were more highly concentrated. New fog almost immediately reformed.

"Bakudō #63. Sajō Sabaku."

A thick, yellow energy rope coiled itself around Grimmjow's torso and arms.

"Not this shit again…" he muttered. He hated Kidō.

"Hadō #73. Sōren Sōkatsui."

He growled as powerful blue energy struck him. He panted as the attack stopped. Hail ravaged him again even as he fought against his bindings.

"Hadō #63. Raikōhō!"

A strong electrical current hit him.

Smoke intermingled with the fog.

With a blaze of Reiatsu, he freed himself shortly afterwards, irritation gleaming in his eyes. His clothes and body had a somewhat scorched look about them. The damage wasn't something to be worried about, but it was more than he had been dealt with thus far.

Crimson energy swirled around the palm of his hand.

"Hadō #73. Sōren Sōkatsui."

Blue energy disrupted his Cero from forming completely.

Spinning on his heel, he brushed away Masaki's stroke.

She came at him again.

As they exchanged blows, Grimmjow could see traces of Kurosaki Ichigo's style within her handling of her strange blade that almost seemed to blend in with the mist it generated, but there was an undeniable finesse and cool elegance about them that was entirely her own. She exuded skill whereas Kurosaki Ichigo had exuded raw strength.

He found it surprising and frustrating how she kept evading and defending against his kicks and jabs thanks to her agility, fog, blade, and Kidō. And even when they did connect, they weren't as damaging as he had expected. It almost seemed like his attacks were merely glancing blows, even when he kept trying to put more of his strength in them. She was fast, but she couldn't possibly be that much faster than him, could she? It was almost as if she was one step ahead of him.

He knew Kurosaki Ichigo wasn't an official Shinigami, but did official Shinigami training really make that much of a difference? The pathetic bastard hadn't been able to do much without the use of his mask. He honestly never understood why Aizen was even interested in someone like him. He was absolute trash. He didn't give a damn if he somehow managed to survive thus far. He would be the one to finally put him out of his misery. Kurosaki Ichigo would rue the day he had allowed him to live.

He would first have to put his sister out of commission though.

Two swarms of hail pounded him from either side as he kicked out and forced Masaki to retreat. It was pissing him off how it was like she was fighting with multiple blades.

He fired a Cero from his sword-less hand at Masaki even as he shifted his finger around his blade to fire another Cero at one of the ice clusters pelting him from his right.

Surprise and anger shone in his eyes.

That Reiatsu just now was Nelliel's…Damn…that bitch must have found him!

Nel had been adamant that she would kill Ichigo rather than him.

He could not let that happen. Ichigo was supposed to be his.

With fury coursing through his veins, he sped across the area, appearing behind Masaki, who was still reeling from fending off his Cero. With a harsh kick to her back, he sent her crashing into the ground below.

Masaki peeled her head back away from the smashed stone with a low moan as she worked to get her bearings again. Blood spurted from her mouth as coughs broke through her throat. Blood flowed from a scratch that now marred her right cheek and it stained her bangs that had rested against it.

He caught me off-guard…I couldn't slow the power behind that attack…

Grimmjow was striding towards her.

"I don't have time to play around anymore. I'm going to end you and then I'm going to end your brother."

Masaki narrowed her eyes slightly.

I can't believe my father hasn't shown up…. He should be here… What has changed? Damn it…He's still fighting with someone else….

As she staggered to her feet, Grimmjow suddenly stood before her.

His hand whipped out towards her even as her mist spread around her reflexively, but he managed to pluck the obsidian butterfly key dangling from her neck that had flounced away from the confines of her shitagi as she fought. He heard a crackling noise as he yanked it away from her and he lost sight of her.

Masaki appeared several feet in front of him.

She was gazing in disbelief and horror at the spot where the necklace she had worn had rested.

"You bastard!" she cried out angrily, her Reiatsu surging around her.

He chuckled, happy that her composed façade had snapped. He hated how she had seemed unperturbed. Her eyes now burned with a mixture of anger and pain.

"Tch. Don't tell me that little trinket of yours was special? Was it something your brother gave you? Whoops, sorry," he said, flashing her an unapologetic grin.

"T-That's not it…Y-You have no idea what you've done," Masaki said, glaring at him fiercely.

"Well, it's the least of your worries. I'm going to crush you just like I crushed your stupid necklace."

In the next instant, his fist sailed towards her face. To his chagrin, his fist abruptly halted mere inches from her nose. Violet eyes regarded him with an icy ferocity. Grimmjow tried to move it, but it remained still, even as he tried to move his other hand, he could feel it stiffening, becoming unresponsive. He felt as though an invisible barrier was keeping him from moving, or as if he had lost control of his own body. His legs uselessly remained unmoving even though he was trying like hell to move.

He began to release Reiatsu.

Gripping her Zanpakutō with both of her hands, Masaki took several steps back from him.

The Reiatsu whipping around Grimmjow continued to pulse. His mask remnants twitched as he tried to move his mouth, but the other side of his jaw slowly ceased moving. His growl died as his tongue ceased its movement. His eyes, however, remained moving, glaring at her.

Damn him, he's fighting it…

Masaki closed her eyes, gritting her teeth.

Her forehead creased as she furrowed her brows.

Grimmjow's right eye slowly ceased moving but his Reiatsu continued to pulse.

More fog flowed from her blade and enveloped him.

Masaki held her hilt tighter and she bit her lip.

His left eye eventually froze.

I've nearly frozen his entire body, but he has so much Reiryoku…I'm struggling to freeze it all…and he's still fighting me…Damn it…Freezing taichō class opponents is always a pain, but this is similar to training with Tou-san…Ugh…

Her breathing grew ragged.

Her grimace deepened.

Blood seeped from her lips.

Hyōketsu Kiri, please lend me your strength…You wanted me to kill to change my past, but I can't… I can't be that selfish…that cruel…to kill someone who has yet to do me any wrong…Now I have no choice but to change the past…I must kill this Arrancar…I must protect the others for the sake of the Gotei 13…

Lavender light illuminated her sword and her body as she continued breathing heavily. Her knees trembled beneath her.

The Reiatsu around Grimmjow waned slightly.

It began to diminish even more as Masaki sank to her knees.

She bowed her head, her eyes shut tight. The thin strands that normally dangled over her eyes hung straight down. Sweat coated her bloody forehead and drifted down her nose. Her chin length bangs were pasted to her cheeks due to the blood and sweat.

I-I think that's it…

Masaki's shoulders slumped and she fell forward, her right hand maintaining ahold of her Zanpakutō's hilt. She loosened her hold momentarily.

She continued breathing heavily.

The ground beneath her quivered several moments later.

Violet eyes snapped open.

It can't be! He's not dead…Damn it…Did I make a miscalculation? I thought I had frozen all his Reiryoku…Did my headache affect my judgement? Fighting made it come back and the mental strain of using my Shikai has been making it worse…Shit…I have to move…but my body won't respond…I've nearly used up all my Reiryoku…

Masaki's fingers twitched as they attempted to grasp Hyōketsu Kiri's hilt.

The Reiatsu that was now beginning to flare and pulse kept her down on the ground.

I don't even have enough to really stand up to his Reiatsu…but I can't give up…I have to get up…

Her fingers found their way around her sword's hilt.

She tried to move it, but the strong burst of Reiatsu made her halt for a moment.

Damn, his Reiatsu is still as strong as ever…He really must be beyond my control…or I must have used more Reiryoku than I thought prior to this battle…The minute needed to ensure complete death wasn't up…I haven't worried about that in ages…Not since I've grown strong enough to defeat most opponents with or without it…Nowadays if I do decide to use it, I usually allow my subordinates or colleagues to destroy the Hollows themselves…I don't like to use it for my own sake…I don't like to win like that if I can help it…

When I first used this technique and nearly killed Toshi...I had been relieved to discover this technique could be reversed within a certain timeframe…but now…it's the opposite…Damn it…

As the surging Reiatsu calmed down, Masaki tried to move her body, but it remained limp. She glanced up to see Grimmjow peering down at her.

"Nice try, Shinigami. Don't know what the hell that was, but you've obviously put yourself to the limit trying to kill me. Farewell, Kurosaki's sister."

With a broad, sadistic smirk, Grimmjow lowered his arm and roughly grabbed Masaki's head. There was a crunching noise and bits of white scattered around her head as Grimmjow's palm smashed her hair pin. He lifted her head and her upper body and, laughing, he jammed his fist through her torso.

Masaki gasped and blood spilled from her mouth, recoating her already bloody lips.

He dumped her unceremoniously onto the ground, letting her lie in the pool of her own blood.

Half lidded violet eyes gazed at Hyōketsu Kiri, which had reverted to its sealed state. Its bright, translucent blade was now a dull silver and its elegant diamond shaped guard with hollow panes was now a rectangular, bronze guard with diamond etchings encircling the area where the blade protruded from. Its hilt wrapping had gone from white with purple diamonds to royal purple with bronze diamonds.

Damn it…Sorry, Hyōketsu Kiri...I just wasn't strong enough…I'm sorry I failed to survive…I guess it was too much to hope for when greater Shinigami than me have fallen…I guess what I feared is becoming a reality…I won't be going back…

She tried to move her hand towards her sword.

"You have nothing to fear or worry about anymore. My future lies solely with the Gotei 13, as it always has, as it always will."

"Are you saying that—"

"I'm saying what you've been waiting to hear. I changed my mind and I just thought you would like to know so you can be at ease now. Feel free to pass on the message to Kuchiki-taichō if you see him."

"What made you change your mind?"

"I have nothing else to say to you regarding that matter. I'm still not talking to you, I will only speak to you if it concerns the Gotei 13, Kurosaki-taichō."

"But,Masaki!"

"Please, Kurosaki-taichō, do not make a scene. I don't have time for this…I have an errand to run for my taichō."

"Wait, Masaki!"

Those were my last words to my father…I was still too upset with him…My pride and stubbornness wouldn't allow me to admit complete defeat… wouldn't allow me to admit he was right after all… I hated that my instincts had been wrong…I had let my guard down…I had fallen for the feint…and now…I can't ever ask for forgiveness…for my impertinence…

I'm sorry, Kaa-san…It seems like I'm dying alone since no one here has my heart…but you and Tou-san do have it…And Karin-nee-san…Yuzu-oba-san and Hanatarō-oji-san…Hana-chan and Kyō-kun…and…Jii-san…

Byakuya-oji-sama…my apologies…it seems I am still destroying the family without meaning to…

Abarai-taichō…it was an honor…and privilege…I'm sorry I failed you in my last assignment…though I know you could care less, but I do….

Hitoshi and Ran…thank you for your friendship…

Her lips twisted slightly into a tiny smile. Masaki's lids drooped a little.

"MASAKI!" roared a voice.

T-That sounded like Tou-san…

Ichigo dropped to his knees beside Masaki, his mask disintegrating. He slowly turned her body towards him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and propping her against his leg. Wet vermillion was quickly tinting his Shihakushō.

"Masaki, hang on!" he cried, desperation clouding his features, as his eyes raked over the gaping hole exposed by her torn shitagi.

"F-For-gi-ve m-me…T-T-ou-s-san," Masaki whispered, the words struggling to leave her crimson stained lips, as she gazed at the blurry form embracing her. Her bleary vision wavered from the anguished, shorthaired Ichigo peering down at her to the angry, older Ichigo with longer bangs over his nose and spikes that extended to his neck.

"Masaki, don't—" Ichigo cried out, watching as the young woman's eyelids fluttered closed.

Horror flashed across disbelieving amber eyes.

This couldn't be happening…His future daughter couldn't be dead…This wasn't her war…she wasn't supposed to be here…A child wasn't supposed to die before their parents…

As he stared at her bloodied, wan face, he felt bile begin to rise up his throat, he felt his mind drift to when he was nine years old, awaking to his cold, blood-stained mother…The blood coating him now was hot and wet…and incredibly slick…

"She's gone. Drop her corpse and avenge her. It's all you can do now," Grimmjow jabbed, malice etched across his voice. "The bitch nearly had me…but there was no way I was going to die by the likes of her! She didn't want to give up your location, you know. Guess, she didn't want her sibling to end up killed. Don't let her sacrifice go to waste!"

When Ichigo failed to stir, his gaze still locked on the young woman in his arms, Grimmjow let out a frustrated growl as he stomped over.

"C'mon, Kurosaki Ichigo, get up and avenge her!"

As he extended a hand, a large curtain of fire barreled through.

Ichigo was vaguely aware of its heat…the chill cooling his body felt much stronger…

Ichigo stirred when he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder.

"Let me see her, Son," said a firm but gentle voice. "I'll tend to her. Just make sure you end his miserable existence."

Almost reluctantly, Ichigo settled Masaki back down on the ground as Isshin dropped to his knees beside her, his expression solemn as his eyes swept over Masaki's ensanguined form.

---

Quick Glossary:

Reiatsu- Spiritual pressure

Reiryoku- spiritual energy/power

Senpai- elder

Nodachi- traditional Japanese long curved sword used by the samurai; normally carried in the back or by hand.

Daitō- long sword that is either katana style (as in Ichigo's blade) or tachi style (Isshin's blade)

Genshu- undiluted sake that has an alcohol level of 18-20%

Mugen Hyōhen- Infinite Ice Shards

Tsumetaikiri no Tate- Icy Mist Shield

Kusarigama- chain sickle

Shitagi- white undergarment worn under the kosode, black outer robe

Ja ne- see you

Tou-san- dad

Kaa-mom

Nee-san-older sister

oba-aunt

Oji- uncle

Jii-grandfather/old man

obi- belt worn with a kimono or yukata

Daiyon no mai, Hakua- Fourth Dance, White Wall

AN: (For those that are willing to read my notes):

Did anyone want Masaki to win, or an Ichigo/Masaki team up? When I was researching how to avoid a Mary Sue/Gary Stu, I think there was a rule to avoid the OC to kill a canon character, so I decided Grimmjow would be the best one to take her out. However, I hope you can understand the subtlety of her true strength. It was especially hinted at with her sparring session with Future Ichigo. With the flashbacks, I was trying to build credibility for her level. I also wanted to demonstrate she isn't like Ichigo or Rukia (I will rant about Ichigo's power/skill level next chapter). She's been a training-holic since her academy days. Anyway, I've been doing my absolute best to not make her a Mary Sue. I actually feel restrained to a certain extent because of it. Not that I want to make her overpowered. I dislike exaggeration.

As a bit of a Ken/Unohana shipper, I had long since subscribed to the fanon theory that Unohana must be the woman that Kenpachi admired. Her stats demonstrated it and her special skill is kendo. I always thought she might be the inspiration for Kenpachi to join the Gotei 13 so that's why I wrote that. She is known to go to the Rukongai mountains to pick herbs (I always liked to think she likes to train there too). I never liked the idea that she seemed to be playing the archetype of the female samurai that knows how to fight, but shouldn't or isn't allowed to fight. I was waiting for the day she would be allowed to fight. I always imagined it would play out in a very crucial moment. At any rate, I stuck with the archetype Kubo initially presented. To a certain extent, the 11th Division bit was influenced by canon revelations, but at the same time I had already been familiar with this idea thanks to other fans.

I was initially happy Unohana was meeting my expectations about her abilities in what Kubo wrote for canon, but by the end of her fight with Kenpachi, I was sorely disappointed. I hated that she was slaughtered for the sake of the empowerment of an already powered up character. It was stupid and unfair. I don't think it was even necessary to give her a dark past to try to make her edgy. Fans, who were aware of her stats, just wanted to see her bad-assery with her blade. Unohana's stats are actually lower than Aizen's.

Per Chapter 140, Shinigami who have learned Bankai can bypass the release command for Shikai. Aizen in chapter 371 was shown to show his blade to Baraggan without saying the release command. That was enough to trigger the hypnosis. When Aizen said the command, he allowed Baraggan to witness what he had done to his subjects.

I chose the other clan names based on meaning. Miyazaki means Shrine Cape ( I was thinking of courthouse gatherings). And Shimizu means Pure Water. I was thinking about the purity of the law and how law purifies society.

I always thought it was funny how the Kuchiki Clan, who is such a prestigious family, has such a terrible meaning behind their name (Rotting Wood). I guess now you can see why lol

I felt the need to clarify why Yamamoto founded the Academy 2,100 years ago since humans have been around in existence for a lot longer than that. Yamamoto was credited as the founder of the Academy and Gotei 13 in the Souls data book, so in this instance Kubo did not alter data for the last arc info he revealed. I see the final arc in general as mostly a rewrite of the series rather than an actual explanation of things. That is the main reason I cannot accept it as canon along with the LSS arc.

Ashido was using Mirokumaru, the Zanpakutō Senna used in the Bleach Movie: Memories of Nobody. I had thought of him using an earth based Zanpakutō but I thought it would suit him to have a wind related Zanpakutō like other Ninth Division members.

According to the Masked book, Shirafune allows Rukia to alter the length of the blade, not just reform it.

I begrudgingly used the fact that the Shiba Clan's cannon can launch people into the Royal Dimension from the last arc. I had figured saying their sand magic abilities were related to their special status as being one of the former great clans, but I hadn't originally planned that portion.

9-13-21 Edited the end of the flashback scene. I was never satisfied with its end.