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.

35. Chapter 35

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. Your support is very much appreciated.

AN: This chapter could never be good enough, but I finally managed to get it to a somewhat decent form. I wish I could do better. I haven't straight out said that character deaths are imminent though I've implied them. For those that need a warning that they're imminent, this chapter has them.

---

Ichigo took a moment to inhale a breath as he forced himself to tear away his gaze from Masaki's motionless body. He could hear the faint rattling of Tensa Zangetsu's chain and he suddenly realized his arm was trembling. He tightened his grasp over its black hilt laced over red, steeling himself for what he knew he had to do.

His father's words had only been a reaffirmation of what he knew he'd probably have to do.

With Nel's announcement that Grimmjow was out to get him, he had figured he would have to fight him eventually unless a taichō found him first. However, he never imagined it would be under these circumstances…Damn it…Had he finished him back in Hueco Mundo, he never would have had the opportunity to hurt Masaki or anyone else for that matter…He wouldn't be wasting time fighting him when he could be headed towards Aizen to help end this senseless war….

Lightning was flashing over Sōkyoku Hill. He could see it from his position, could sense it was the Thirteenth Division taichō battling Aizen.

Within moments, he was staring down at Grimmjow. The flames his father had created were still burning behind the Arrancar. The light and shadows cast from their fiery glow made Grimmjow's visage seem like that of a hellish beast as a pleased look stole across his face upon noticing his presence. Ichigo could see remnants of Masaki's blood glistening on his face and his arm.

Ichigo felt his throat constrict.

That blood wouldn't have been there if he had been able to arrive sooner…

He had tried to Shunpo as fast as possible, evading Hollows whenever possible, feeling what Rukia had been sensing that Masaki was struggling…To his surprise, however, he had begun to sense Grimmjow's presence lowering. Disbelief had flooded him yet at the same time it had helped repress the anxiety nipping at him.

He was certain he must have slowed down some upon feeling that Masaki had been safe, that she had defeated Grimmjow…

He sure as hell hadn't expected the sudden resurgence of his Reiatsu…or for Masaki to be the one on the brink of death…

He had no idea how Grimmjow had managed to survive, but like a damn cat, he had cheated death once again.

Despite his dismissiveness towards Masaki, Ichigo could tell the Arrancar was still reeling from his encounter with her. The rapid rise and fall of his chest not only accentuated his beastly appearance but proved he had exerted himself to defeat her.

"Are you finally ready to fight, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Grimmjow demanded, anticipation gleaming in his azure gaze. "This time I will take your life just like I took your sister's," he promised, a smug smirk forming on his lips.

Disgust and anger shone in amber eyes.

"You bastard," Ichigo snapped. "The only one who's dying here is you."

Grimmjow snickered. "Big words, Kurosaki. You got lucky last time, but your luck has run out. I will crush you like the insignificant piece of trash that you are. You never should have left me alive. I didn't need your pity. I'm going to enjoy making you regret it."

"It wasn't pity," Ichigo muttered, feeling anger swell inside his chest at himself.

In part, it had been, but it had also been fear…fear to become a monster like Grimmjow and the other Arrancar…He had let fear cloud his judgement when he shouldn't have…. Fear wouldn't allow him to protect...he had failed to see this…had forgotten what it truly meant to be a Shinigami just like Rukia had said…

He had taken the job of a substitute Shinigami to spare others the pain he had suffered, but instead it seemed his inaction had caused much destruction tonight. He never considered the full ramifications of what it would mean to keep Grimmjow alive or any of the others he had faced…. To think that he had offered Grimmjow a blank voucher for limitless fights. It had been incredibly foolish and naïve of him. He could see that now.

"Was it a pathetic sense of honor, then? Whatever. I never needed none of that shit. Our fight was meant to be one to the death, you should have done it."

"You're right," Ichigo agreed solemnly. "The only reason I spared you from Nnoitra is because I can't stand anyone getting cut down without a fair fight, but I should have spared you that by cutting you down myself. That would have been the fairest thing."

Grimmjow sneered. "Tch. Battle isn't about being fair, it's about winning! Nnoitra understood this even if he was a bastard for getting in between our fight. You shouldn't give a damn about your opponent. Your sister didn't, and I sure as hell didn't give a damn about dealing the final blow to her. I'm going to enjoy killing all your precious little friends after I get rid of you."

"That won't be happening. I'm not letting you hurt anyone anymore," Ichigo vowed in a low voice, his expression fierce.

"You can try to stop me, but this time I am going to be the king," Grimmjow said, holding out his Zanpakutō in front of him, his right-hand hovering above it as though he was intending to scratch it.

"W-Wait, stop! We can't fight here."

"They're as good as dead as well as every Shinigami around. There's no point in trying to protect any of them. Can't you see this whole place is going to hell?"

Ichigo pursed his lips. He hated how Grimmjow had a point, but he couldn't risk his father, Masaki, or anyone else getting hurt due to their fight.

Lightning streaked across the somber sky above him. He stared at it for a second before he quickly said, "If you want to fight me, then follow me."

He leapt into the air, flying upwards.

"Fine," Grimmjow muttered, taking to the sky and following the orange haired Shinigami.

Ichigo hurried towards the dark clouds straight above them. As he drew closer, he began to feel the electrical sting generated by them. He ignored it, even as the intensity increased. He could see that Grimmjow was also being affected though like him, he was stubbornly disregarding it.

Ichigo ground his teeth, as the electrical pulses struck him again and again, pushing himself to go higher into the atmosphere. Higher than he had ever dared to go before.

"Grind, Pantera!" Grimmjow shouted and the sparks striking him vanished under a white cloud that brushed aside the sullen clouds that had been surrounding them.

Ichigo continued upward, watching as Grimmjow, now in his Resurrección and fully healed, chased after him.

"Getsuga Tenshō!" Ichigo shouted, flinging an ebony energy wave at the feline speeding towards him.

Grimmjow released a Cero, cutting through the attack.

"What are you waiting for? Bring out your mask!"

"My mask? I thought you wanted to fight me at my full power." Ichigo's lips twitched into a slight smirk.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Grimmjow demanded, his blue gaze reflecting a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "I heard from Aizen you somehow managed to beat Ulquiorra. You barely beat me and you sure as hell weren't a match for Nnoitra from what I saw. Did you manage to gain some new power while fighting him? Is that how you managed to beat him?"

"I guess you can say that," Ichigo allowed. "It wasn't under my control then, but now it is. I wasn't planning on using it against you, but I guess I have no choice. Allow me to show you my true power."

Ichigo closed his eyes for a moment. His aura began to pulse as his mask materialized without him using his hand to draw it out. Dark energy enshrouded him, throbbing with a powerful intensity as he said softly, "Tensa Zangetsu, Colmillo Lunar."

Grimmjow struck out an arm to shield himself from the intensity of the Reiatsu radiating across the sky from Ichigo.

"What the hell…" he murmured as he stared in disbelief at the newly transformed Ichigo once the Reiatsu surrounding him calmed down.

The mask he had been familiar with had changed. It now covered Ichigo's entire face and two large, forward facing horns, resembling antelope horns protruded from his forehead. Its markings now were four spike like marks. Two of them curved over Ichigo's forehead while the others curved over his cheekbones and chin, joining with the marks skimming his now white skeletal like neck. Red tufts of hair sprouted from above the neckline of his Shihakushō. The same tufts sprouted from his wrists and even his legs from what he could see. Ichigo's orange spikes had lengthened into long, straight hair. A white hand gripped the black blade.

The aura surrounding him felt overwhelmingly like a Hollow, like an Espada…the traces of Shinigami Reiryoku were nearly imperceptible.

Grimmjow felt as though he was gazing at a Shinigami who had completely Hollowfied. He found the sight bizarre and unnatural. A Shinigami as a Hollow…It was ridiculous and downright disgusting but the power emanating from this strange creature was undeniable, and it beckoned for him to crush it…

"Heh. You've become a real Hollow…Not sure how you did it, but I guess the mask gave you a little taste, and you couldn't help but want a Hollow's full power. I guess I can't blame you for wanting the power since you barely managed to beat me last time. But I'm going to show you that even this power isn't enough to stop me. I could have killed Ulquiorra no problem."

"You've got it all wrong, Grimmjow. I never wanted this power, but it's always been a part of me since I chose to become a Shinigami. If I had embraced it sooner, you wouldn't be standing here. I have no problem now to show you that our power was never the same to begin with."

Grimmjow glowered at him. "You've got some nerve, Kurosaki. There's no way in hell that your power is superior to mine, even if you somehow managed to get Hollow powers…You aren't even a real Shinigami from what Aizen said…I suppose that's why you're willing to cheat your way—"

"Cheat? I wouldn't be talking if I were you. You're a Hollow with Shinigami powers, aren't you? Didn't Aizen give you those powers? I've trained to use both my Shinigami and Hollow powers that were born within me. You once asked me what I am. I'll tell you now while you're still standing. I am a Visored, a Shinigami with Hollow powers."

"I've never given a damn what you are…Contrary to what you may think, I've always been strong, I never needed a Shinigami's power. It was Aizen who needed my power. I joined him, so I could crush Shinigami bastards like you. I've consumed thousands of Hollows you could only hope to kill. I'll gladly add your body to the count."

Grimmjow snarled, releasing a massive roar that triggered the air around him to vibrate.

Ichigo, however, remained motionless. His Shihakushō, his hair, and the red tufts surrounding his wrists and feet barely stirred.

Surprise and approval glimmered for a moment in Grimmjow's eyes. He narrowed them before he slipped into Sonído.

Appearing behind Ichigo, he twisted around, thrusting his leg viciously towards him.

Annoyance rippled his countenance as his foot tore through air rather than flesh.

Within seconds, he dodged a blow that endangered his left shoulder. Intending to strike Ichigo with his claws, he lunged. Blood oozed from his shoulder and he grimaced as he felt his backside burn.

How in the hell did he move so fast…Wait, a minute that was Sonído…

Almost as soon as the thought formed in his mind, he instinctively bent his elbow back, allowing it to shoot out dark green jagged darts to fend off the incoming blow he could barely sense.

His nose quivered in anticipation of smelling Ichigo's blood. At such a close range, there was no way he could block or dodge all of them. They would follow him until they pierced his flesh. He whirled around, eager to pounce on Ichigo's wounded form.

To his dismay, his ears crackled with the clamor of the destruction of his projectiles.

He stared disbelievingly at the specks of dust his weapons had been reduced to.

He couldn't understand how they could have been destroyed. The orange haired bastard hadn't even used Getsuga Tenshō…Had he really been that fast to have evaded them all and to have destroyed them with just his blade?

He lithely bent backwards, narrowly dodging a strike that could have taken his nose. He allowed his body to do a full roll. He jerked his head to the side. The pointed tip of his right ear floated in the air alongside the rivulet of blood trailing in its wake

He immediately distanced himself from Ichigo.

Summoning crimson energy in the palm of his right hand, he fired it in the direction of Ichigo.

The energy simmered slightly.

And then it dissipated as a black crescent outlined in crimson pelted through it.

Grimmjow quickly charged another Cero.

And even as he watched it clash against Ichigo's attack, he readied another one.

With remarkable ease, Ichigo swung his blade and dispersed the deadly energy.

"You've improved," Grimmjow acknowledged. "But let's see you handle my Gran Rey Cero while in my Resurrección."

Now that he was in his Resurrección state, he didn't need to mix his blood with his blade to release his Gran Rey Cero, the energy merely formed from the palm of both of his hands that he outstretched before him.

"GRAN REY CERO!"

Blue energy swirled aggressively, flaring and expanding rapidly, as it bathed the world with its dazzling glow.

"Double Crescente Lunar Cero!" Ichigo shouted.

Black energy with a crimson outline crackled and formed from his horns, congealing and flaring into two pulsing crescents joined at the middle.

One half of the crescent collided against the pulsing band of azure energy.

Ebony and azure energy roared against each other.

And then the atmosphere trembled with tremendous force as the two Ceros disappeared in a massive explosion.

---

The thick scent of blood inundated his nose. Though its metallic pungency was familiar, it had been quite some time since he had seen so much of it. With his brows twisted in concentration, Isshin worked hurriedly to restore the drained reserves of his future granddaughter's Reiryoku, so that he could then precede to heal the horrendous, gaping hole marring her abdomen.

A lesser Shinigami would have been dead upon impact, but he was glad she had the Kurosaki fortitude to still be clinging to life, even if she had lost consciousness. Of course, if he hadn't arrived the moment he did, she wouldn't have lasted all that much longer. He was relieved he had been able to make it. He didn't want to lose any family members if he could help it.

Prior to arriving here, he had been doing his best to fight off Hollows as well as provide first aid. He knew with the Fourth Division occupied, the Gotei 13 needed all the help they could get to keep their forces going. It was insane how much damage had been done in so little time thanks to the large numbers of Hollows raining down upon the Seireitei.

He wasn't a stranger to war. It had just been a long time since he had been in one. Two hundred years to be exact. He hadn't liked it then and he sure as hell didn't like it now…He hated such senseless violence.

A youthful Isshin clad in a worn standard Shinigami uniform with a bag strapped across his back with the Fourth Division insignia huddles around a fallen Shinigami, whose ashen face is screwed up in pain. Blood coats his temple as well as his entire front.

"Hang in there. You'll be right as rain soon," Isshin says, as he places his hands over the Shinigami's wounds. His brows wrinkle in concentration.

Isshin's face is clean shaven and his body is lean similar to Ichigo's, making him seem like a younger, dark haired version of Ichigo. His hair, however, is not as spiky.

The onerous sound of battle rumbles in the background as Isshin heals the man. The brush surrounding them shivers and trembles.

"You should be fine now. Let me give you an extra energy boost," Isshin says, as he whips out a small candy from his supply bag and pops it into the Shinigami man's mouth. His face brightens after a few moments. Isshin then pulls the man up to his feet.

"Thanks," the man grunts. "I'm going to need it to kill that damn Quincy…I'll let him have it this time around…"

"Don't let your guard down," Isshin warns him, clapping a hand on his shoulder for a moment.

"I won't," the man promises, before leaving.

With an alert expression, Isshin continues, wandering through a forest that reverberates with the sound of battle and yells. He spots several pallid Shinigami bodies soaked in blood and riddled with holes near the base of a tree. Above them hangs another dead Shinigami, who is pinned to the trunk of the tree.

A morose look crosses Isshin's face for a moment, before he freezes, hearing an indistinct crackling. His left hand goes to his Zanpakutō as his gaze sweeps over the area. He waits a few moments, before drawing his blade and pressing forward, wariness lining his face.

After walking for a few minutes, he comes to a halt, cocking his head to the side and furrowing his brows. Passing a bush, he spots the fallen form of a Shinigami. He hurries over and bends down to check the man's pulse.

He closes his eyes for a second, sighing heavily.

Glancing beyond the man, he realizes with a start that there is another body. It's a Quincy. And kneeled beside it is a young child Quincy. He can see the little boy is trembling.

Isshin slowly approaches the boy.

The boy turns out around, startled. Tear tracks cover his cheeks. Blood stains his uniform.

"Shinigami." He looks alarmed and angry at the same time.

He quickly begins to generate a small bow.

"Whoa, hold on!" Isshin shouts, but the young Quincy fires a small round of arrows.

Isshin blocks them and quickly uses Shunpo to appear behind the boy. "Stop it! I don't to hurt you. Placing two fingers in front of the boy's face, he releases a white burst of energy that stuns the boy.

He puts away his sword as the little boy is paralyzed.

"Easy," Isshin says gently, as he kneels in front of the boy. "I don't want to hurt you. I'm from the Fourth Division, a healing division…not a fighting one…I can tell you're hurt…I just want to help…I'm sorry about him." Isshin nodded towards the deceased Quincy.

Green Reiryoku appears in his hands as he reaches out and begins to treat the boy's injuries.

"I am Kurosaki Isshin. What's your name kid?"

The little boy remains silent. Grey eyes narrow in suspicion.

"Oh c'mon, now, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm treating you, aren't I?"

"W-Why? W-Why are you doing this? You're a Shinigami—"

"Look, Quincy or not, you're just a kid…I can't stand kids getting hurt. This war isn't your fault…or mine…. My job is to heal…and I'm healing you…" Isshin explains in a matter of fact tone, as he continues healing him.

Dark grey eyes widen slightly as they study him.

"I am Ishida Sōken," he murmurs, after a few moments, as he watches his injuries vanish.

"Nice name. Sōken-kun, make sure you stay out of the fighting. I don't want you to get hurt anymore. I think both you and I have lost too many friends. Stay safe."

"C'mon, Ichigo," Isshin muttered, glancing at the illuminated sky for a second.

The pulsing blue and black energy overtaking the sky, reverberated and thundered, as it dissolved the clouds, making it seem as though the heavens were being torn apart.

The powerful auras above felt as though two Hollows were fighting each other, but Isshin could detect that one of them was in fact his son. It almost felt surreal to think that it really was his son and not a Hollow that had taken his Soul. This was the first time he was fully sensing his son's Hollow side. He never imagined it would feel this all-consuming.

He'd never really known what to expect about his son's dual nature.

Even, Urahara, wasn't sure exactly what it would mean.

No one in the history of the Soul Society had ever possessed both Hollow and Shinigami powers by natural means as Urahara had explained. Since his birth, Urahara had labeled Ichigo a natural hybrid of a Soul and a Human, the first being of such a heritage. He hadn't thought much about it, thinking that his son's humanity would cancel out his spiritual ancestry even if he hadn't lost his Reiryoku. He soon found out that his genes were unaffected by his power loss and had affected his son. He hardly imagined his son would be a hybrid beyond his heritages.

Urahara had filled him on Ichigo's Visored status shortly after the latter had returned from the Soul Society. The shopkeeper had admitted he had inklings Ichigo might have inadvertently undergone Hollowfication upon obtaining his own dormant Shinigami powers, and that Yoruichi's observations in the Soul Society had confirmed them. Knowing Ichigo would need help to get his Hollow under control, Urahara tipped the Visored about him, which is why they made contact him with him as soon as he returned to school.

Both he and Urahara had merely acted as though they hadn't seen each other in a while in front of Kon when he had saved the latter from Grand Fisher. What Urahara had really meant by his comment was that he hadn't seen his Shinigami form in a while. And he recited the spiel about the Visoreds' being criminals who illegally acquired Hollow powers (a rumor he'd heard) to avoid revealing their real history to Kon. They had kept their conversation as coded as possible in front of the Mod Soul so that he wouldn't reveal anything noteworthy to Ichigo in case he didn't take heed to Urahara's warning.

The raw power of his son's Reiatsu surpassed that of even the most powerful Shinigami, and he could see why Hollowfication appealed to Aizen. It truly seemed to extend a Shinigami's powers into unthreaded territory.

---

The ground rocked beneath his feet. Stone splattered everywhere, ploughing through the soot tinged air. His ears crackled with their deafening descent as he zigzagged through the stony rain.

Crimson blazes stung his vision.

He averted the brunt of them.

A new tear marred his once pristine cape.

He fired a volley of arrows.

Some of them were consumed by Cero while others impaled the ground.

A Hollow resembling a boar suddenly appeared before him and he let loose a series of arrows that pinned the creature into a half-demolished wall. He leapt back, avoiding more bursts of red-hot energy. He released another round of arrows to keep the creatures at bay.

They continued forward.

With a grimace, he summoned Reishi from the nearest collapsed buildings and hurled it towards his aggressors. He succeeded in knocking some off their feet while others simply looked miffed. A searing violet discharge sent some of them tumbling to the ground.

And then there was a dazzling orange flare that streaked through the area.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

The Hollows, one by one, vanished.

"Sorry, it took a bit long to catch up to you, Ishida-kun," Orihime said, her voice breathless.

"Not to worry, Inoue-san. What matters is that you managed to purify those Hollows back there as well as these." Uryū offered her a small smile as he turned around to regard her. Pesche was standing near her.

"I know, but we shouldn't be apart for too long. It's what those Hollows want. We have to stick together so that we can make it to Sōkyoku Hill."

He nodded in agreement, marveling at the quiet but firm determination layered underneath her concerned gaze. He never imagined she would find the resolve to strike down an enemy, but her commitment to help and protect in any way she could was truly remarkable. With the loss of Minami and her apparent willingness to use Koten Zanshun, he had no choice but to ask for her assistance.

"Inoue-san, now that the sōtaichō is gone, I think most of the fukutaichō and taichō will be headed towards Sōkyoku Hill. We should head there as well so you can finish your mission."

"Okay, Ishida-kun," she agreed, her visage still stricken. "Let me just heal Pesche-san."

"Wait a second, Inoue-san. There's going to be a lot of Hollows on the way, and I'm afraid if I kill them, I will only help make the situation worse. You said your powers were Shinigami based. If that's the case, then I doubt Koten Zanshun would destroy the Hollows."

Orihime stared at him, surprised

"I know you don't like to hurt anyone much less try to kill them. I don't really believe in unnecessary bloodshed either. It's something my grandfather was very adamant about. As a Quincy, I fight to protect Humans from Hollows, but in reality, I am destroying those Souls rather than purifying them like Shinigami can." He paused. "I realize it might be too much of you to ask for your help in this way based on my hunch, but knowing you, I sincerely doubt you could possess powers that would harm Hollows. You wouldn't be killing them, you would be negating their existence as Hollows and allowing them to pass on like normal Souls."

There was a moment of silence.

"I don't mind doing if it means I can protect my friends," she admitted quietly. "It's why I've been training…Now that M-Minami-san"—she swallowed—"is gone you're going to need my help…I don't think we can make it to Sōkyoku Hill otherwise even if my powers harm Hollows. I'll check just in case though…"

She reached out to touch her hairpins. "Shun'ō-kun," she called out.

"What is it, Orihime?"

"C-Can I purify Hollows?"

"What kind of question is that, Inoue-san? Of course, we can! We can reverse the Soul from a Hollow to a normal Plus."

Orihime looked relieved.

"What is it, Inoue-san?"

Uryū snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing Pesche's solemn voice. The Arrancar hadn't reverted to the goofy version he had known even with Orihime's reversal of Aizen's hypnosis on him. That version seemed to have been a façade as he had gathered.

The only constant was that his main worry was Nel. Pesche had wanted to take Orihime to her to undo what Aizen had done to her, but with a sudden attack by Hollows and the sudden distress and loss of Nel's presence, Uryū convinced him to join their ranks instead.

Asking for the help of an Arrancar was something he seriously hadn't expected to do once again, but he knew he might as well take advantage of anyone who was against Aizen.

Aizen was the reason Nel was even in the Soul Society; The Shinigami couldn't help but do their duty.

"T-That Reiatsu…It was Kurosaki-kun."

Grey eyes were glued to the dark sky above. Clouds no longer covered it. A powerful blast had sent them scattering.

"Are you sure? It feels like a Hollow," Pesche noted.

"I know, but it's him…He's…"

"He's Hollowfied," Uryū finished for her, his expression solemn.

Orihime wrinkled her brows and bit her lip. "H-He's in that form again,"

Uryū pursed his lips. "He is…Don't worry, Inoue-san. Kurosaki said he got his Hollow under control. We have to trust that he did. If not, we will help him get back to his old self."

"You're right, Ishida-kun."

---

He could feel the blood scurrying down his face, could feel it coating his chest and abdomen. Crimson burst from his mouth and drifted, joining the vermillion liquid flecking the air. Grimmjow shifted, wincing as pain shot through his mangled form. The white armor protecting his abdomen was cracked. The right side had fallen off and shattered into oblivion. His vision was hazy, but he was vaguely aware he was floating in midair, his back tilted backwards.

He wasn't entirely sure if he had instinctively managed to keep himself airborne or if it was the residual Reiryoku from the blast that was cushioning him.

"It's over, Grimmjow," Ichigo warbled quietly.

Azure eyes snapped forward, drilling into the Shinigami-Hollow being that was hovering a short distance away. His image flickered in and out of focus.

"B-Bastard," Grimmjow rasped, clenching his clawed hands into fists. "It ain't over…"

"It is. You used your ultimate technique to try to block the attack when your Cero failed, didn't you? Otherwise, you'd be dead."

"Damn you, Kurosaki, I'm not dead yet." Grimmjow unclenched his hands and leaned forward, pieces of his abdomen scattered. He wavered in the air, dropping a foot or two, before he steadied himself.

Golden eyes regarded him with slight disbelief.

While he admired Grimmjow's determination, which in some ways mirrored his own, he still found it difficult to believe he still wanted to fight. He had barely survived his Cero…He was in no condition to fight. He had to give Grimmjow's stamina credit though.

'He's right, you know, he ain't dead yet. What are you waitin' for? Finish him.'

Ichigo inwardly frowned.

'Shut up, I know.'

Had his Hollow been in control, he knew Grimmjow would have been killed instantly by his Cero. It was unfortunate he hadn't been able to do that…He just wasn't at his level yet…He had learned to use his abilities, but he still wasn't as skilled or as strong as his Hollow…He still had so much to learn…

He tightened his grip over Tensa Zangetsu.

He had to finish what he had started.

Uneasiness filled his stomach at the thought of killing his debilitated opponent. It just didn't seem right…

No, this isn't killing…this is purifying like Rukia said…

He stepped forward.

As he charged towards him, he could see blue energy forming in Grimmjow's right claw.

Ichigo blocked the Cero, and in the swirling explosion, he lost sight of Grimmjow.

A moment later, Ichigo felt pain shoot up his wrist.

Ichigo recoiled but found that the movement increased the pain.

The sharp noise of grinding teeth filled his ears.

Disbelief rammed into him for half a second as the realization he could no longer felt his fingers hit him.

Through the clearing haze, he caught sight of his bloodied hand grasping his blade, sailing through the air.

And then he felt Grimmjow's fangs tearing through the sleeve of his Shihakushō, nipping and gnawing at his arm. Specks of his own flesh slapped his face as Grimmjow crunched on his arm like a deranged, ravenous animal.

He tried to pull away but Grimmjow's fingers clawed through the blood-soaked fabric shielding his chest and held on. He could feel Grimmjow's other hand pummeling into his side.

His blows were stronger than he expected.

It was as if the feline Arrancar had regained his energy thanks to the ingestion of his arm.

He wondered if a Hollow's metabolism was really that quick…

They struggled, turning over.

Crack.

Grimmjow tore apart one of his horns with his teeth as he tugged at the other one with a free hand.

"You"—he chomped on Ichigo's horn —"act like you're a Hollow, but you aren't!"

"An Arrancar may look Human and may possess reason unlike regular Hollows but it doesn't change what they are at the core. You aren't like them, Ichigo. You may possess Hollow powers but at the core you're Human—no, you're no longer Human, you're a Soul. A Soul with Hollow powers."

"I'm not," Ichigo agreed softly, his eyes flashing.

His right arm reformed in an instant with his fingers outstretched.

Grimmjow continued to attack him, breaking his mask, oblivious to the black blade hurtling towards Ichigo's hand from below.

There was an appalling crunch as Tensa Zangetsu pierced flesh.

Grimmjow stiffened for a moment, releasing a startled grunt.

The sharp edge of Tensa Zangetsu jutted out of his heart.

"I told you, I'm a Visored."

Azure eyes gaped at Ichigo.

Amber eyes merely looked at him.

Grimmjow's head bobbed downward.

"So long, Grimmjow."

Amber eyes solemnly watched as the fierce warrior began to decompose.

---

Rangiku's thudding heart skipped a beat for a fraction of a second upon hearing her name from Gin's lips before it thundered again. The adrenaline pumping through her seemed to be increasing as she watched the slight upturning of his lips upon pronouncing her name fade almost immediately as he added in a somewhat disappointed, disapproving tone, "You shouldn't have come. Your taichō is as good as dead, ya know."

"He's not dead yet, and I won't let him die," Rangiku retorted, her crystalline gaze piercing him.

Happiness had flooded her upon sensing her taichō out on the battlefield, but it had soon turned to dread when she sensed him fighting Gin once more, sensed him struggling…

She had scarcely managed to arrive on time to protect her taichō. He would have been reduced to nothing like Haineko's ash if she hadn't intercepted Gin's attack. She was not familiar with the technique in the slightest, but it was obviously meant for dealing the final blow. She was fortunate the destruction of her ash did not mean her Zanpakutō was damaged and that she could always generate more as long her Reiryoku level was high enough. Otherwise, she'd be sword-less.

She didn't want to battle her childhood friend, but it seemed unavoidable. He had tried to take her taichō's life.

"Why?" Her voice rang out as her fingers dug into Haineko's hilt. "Why are you doing this, Gin? Why are you following someone like Aizen? How could you have betrayed Kira for him? How could you even consider killing Hitsugaya-taichō for him?"

Gin stared at her. "It's nothin' personal. I don't even want to kill your taichō—"

"Then don't."

"That ain't an option."

"It is…You can stop this right now if you chose to."

"It's not up to me, it's up to you," he said, a grin creeping up his face. "I'd be willin' to spare yer lives if you'd be willing to join Aizen. Aizen wouldn't mind havin' some Shinigami in his new kingdom. He just wants to get rid of the ones that won't follow him."

"That's not funny, Gin," Rangiku said, unamused. "You know we can't do that."

Gin's grin faded, and he sighed. "That's a shame, Rangiku. Yer pretty face could really brighten up the place."

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Gin," she chided. "You became a Shinigami to have a better life and look at what you're doing, destroying the place that gave it to you…"

"I became a Shinigami to change things and that's what I'm doing," Gin corrected, flashing her a cheeky grin. "Aizen is workin' to make this world a better place, but he first has to get rid of the old order to bring in the new one."

"What makes you think his new world will be better?" Tōshirō said.

Out of the corner of her right eye, Rangiku noticed Tōshirō standing on wobbly feet. Blood dripped from his wounded legs onto the pavement. "Hitsugaya-taichō, stay still. Let me handle him."

"I'm fine, Matsumoto," he muttered, as he struggled to stay upright.

"No need to act so tough, Hitsugaya-taichō. I made sure ya weren't gonna move again."

"Damn you, Ichimaru."

Tōshirō glared at him even as he caught himself from falling by driving his sword into the ground and using it as a support.

Rangiku's profile suddenly obstructed his view of Gin. A wall of ash shielded them from the traitor. Her posture was stiff and alert. She hadn't relaxed in the slightest.

Gin, on the other hand, had relaxed his grip slightly on his sword when he had seen her. However, that didn't make Tōshirō feel any better. The spineless bastard could strike in a millisecond.

"Hitsugaya-taichō, heal yourself if you can," Rangiku said in a low, serious voice. "As your fukutaichō, I will do all I can to protect you."

"Don't let your guard down," Tōshirō said.

"I know."

Rangiku took a step forward and raised her voice.

"Answer his question, Gin. I'd like to know what makes you think his new world will be better."

"Plenty of things," Gin said, grinning.

"Like what?" Rangiku pressed. "He's destroying everything. How could you want to live in a world like that?"

Gin waved a finger at her. "Not at all…that's just what the Gotei 13 has been thinkin' but Aizen-taichō will be rebuildin' everythin'…He's figured out a way to keep the universe intact courtesy of the Hōgyoku… They'll be no more sufferin' or poverty in his world after he gets rid of the Soul King…"

"Of course, there won't be…They'll be nothing left," Rangiku pointed out bitterly.

"Nothing left of the way things were, but they'll be a new world," Gin contended. "A peaceful one…without discrimination or injustice. Don't tell me that's a bad thing. Life in the Seireitei has been better than life in the Rukongai, but it hasn't been easy, has it? Rukongai commoners like you and me weren't welcomed with open arms."

"It wasn't easy, but we achieved our goal of joining the Gotei 13."

"So, what if we did? It didn't change what we are. Nothing can ever change that. I think you realized that ages ago. Bein' a taichō or fukutaichō still ain't good enough for the likes of nobles. We'll always be beneath 'em."

A younger Rangiku with a pink scarf around her neck and a fukutaichō armband is walking down a street. She suddenly stops as she overhears some male voices on the other side of a wall. She leans in to hear better.

"Can you believe it someone like Matsumoto Rangiku made it to fukutaichō? The Tenth Division has been in shambles ever since Kurosaki-taichō was killed…it's a pity I wasn't chosen…If Hitsugaya-taichō didn't look like a kid, I'd almost be willing to say she slept with him for the job…That's the only thing someone with her assets is qualified for…"

The man chuckles. "I almost wouldn't mind being under her command if she weren't from Rukongai…I'd almost consider taking her for a mistress, but I wouldn't want to debase myself with her filth…"

Rangiku curls her hands into fists. "Bastards. I bet I could kick their asses with my bare hands. Sons of—"

"You shouldn't sully your pretty mouth with such foul language, Rangiku," chides a voice behind her.

Rangiku looks startled as she glances behind her. "Gin? What are you doing here?"

"Just out for a walk," Gin says breezily. His arms are crossed over his chest, his hands hidden by the sleeves of his Shihakushō. A sleeveless white haori hangs over his Shihakushō.

"It's Ichimaru-taichō, ya know. Just because you made it to fukutaichō, don't mean we're on even status, ya know."

"Sorry, Ichimaru-taichō…"

"I was just teasin' ya. Nobody's around, ya know. No need for formalities between old friends."

Rangiku gazes at him. "You don't change, do you? You're always teasing me."

Gin smiles. "Why would I change? Bein' a taichō don't mean I gotta be boring. It's fun to tease ya. Yer probably the only one who can stand it without wantin' to kill me."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that. You definitely make me want to kill you sometimes," Rangiku retorts, giving him a look. "You're lucky, I haven't managed to wring your neck for all the stupid stuff you do."

"Better be careful now. Ya wouldn't want to lose yer position, now would ya?" Gin points out. "Bein' a fukutaichō ain't no laughing matter, ya know."

Rangiku raises an eyebrow. "Tch. I doubt you saw it that way…"

"Made it to taichō, didn't I?" he says airily. He pauses for a moment. "You know, Rangiku, you shouldn't care what those imbeciles said. To them, you and I, will be always be Rukongai trash no matter what. Don't matter what we do, we can't change that…"

"I know," she murmurs.

"Keep your chin up," he says, extending his arm out and lifting her chin up with a long finger for a moment. "You just gotta keep doin' what you're doin' and prove 'em you're worth it."

He drew his finger away. "Isn't that what you told me when those nobles put me down for beatin' em at the Academy?"

"I suppose I should take my own advice." She smiles. "You know, if it weren't for me, you probably would have been kicked out."

"Perhaps," he agrees, smiling.

"So what? I don't care about that. I thought you didn't either," Rangiku said.

"I don't care about bein' a noble, but I'd rather be at the top for once."

"At the top?" Rangiku echoed, looking disturbed. "How can you say that, Gin? How could you be willing to kill everyone to be at the top? What has Aizen done to you?"

"Whatcha mean? Aizen-taichō hasn't done anythin' to me."

"He must have used his Zanpakutō or something, because the Gin I knew wouldn't ever consider such a thing. You never would have killed to obtain power."

His lips curled. "Aizen-taichō don't like to use his Zanpakutō if he can help it. He didn't need it to convince me to join him."

"I don't believe it."

Gin gave her a pitying look and shook his head. "Ah, Rangiku, can you honestly you know me well? Haven't I always run off on my own?"

Rangiku frowned slightly. "You would, but—"

"I never once told ya where I'd go or what I was up to. Sometimes, I'd bring somethin' to eat, but ya never really knew what I did to get it, or what I had been doin' the whole time while I was away. Ya always wanted to assume the best, but ya never really knew who I was. I never allowed ya to find out. Growin' up haven't people always told ya not to trust me? I don't think I ever told ya to trust me yet ya always defended me against all those who would say otherwise."

"Because it wasn't true what they would say…You weren't a terrible kid. You saved my life."

"And, so what if I did?" he said, grinning broadly. "Did ya think I did it outta the kindness of my heart? I only let ya live because I realized ya were like me. I figured I could use someone like ya by my side."

Rangiku gaped at him. "W-What?"

"Growin' up in Rukongai by yourself ain't easy. Those who survive usually have someone else to help 'em. I tried ta live with others, but kids and adults never could stand me for long because I was different from them. I realized that the only one who could stand me was probably someone that was like me, and I was right. Though, of course, I couldn't always stand bein' near ya. Needed time on my own."

He paused for a moment. "That's the only reason I picked ya up. I think ya always knew we weren't really friends. I never got close to ya. It's ya who got attached."

A faint blush blossomed on Rangiku's cheeks as she continued to stare at Gin in disbelief.

"Y-You're lying," Rangiku said, looking unconvinced. "I know you always struggled to get along with others, that you couldn't really trust anyone, but you've always been there for me. Even though you'd run off, you always came back. I know you didn't really need me. I know you could have taken care of yourself. You always did. You wouldn't have done that if you didn't consider me a friend. I'm probably the only friend you've ever had, which is why I don't understand why you'd be willing to throw that and everything else away for Aizen."

"Yer probably the only person I could call a friend next to Kira, but he's really just a subordinate. But Aizen-taichō well that's different. He was the first person to see my potential for what it was."

"What do you mean? Everyone noticed your potential. You were a prodigy at the Academy, and you were even given a high-ranking seated position upon graduation."

"Noticed it maybe, but it wasn't always respected."

"I know, but you still proved you were Shinigami material."

"I proved I was better than most Shinigami actually, even if they were nobility. What was the point of havin' all this power and not puttin' it to use is somethin' I started thinkin' once I joined the Gotei 13. Aizen-taichō understood this, and he alone has helped me realize my full potential unlike the teachers in the Academy, or anyone else in the Gotei 13. I never wanted to just be a Gotei 13 taichō under Central 46's rule."

"If this is really how you've always felt, then I guess maybe I never knew you." Her expression was forlorn.

"'Fraid not." Gin smirked.

Ash swiftly encircled him. His smirk morphed into an amused smile. The particles swirled around him from all sides, edging closer and closer. He heard the faintest sound of ripping fabric as the tail end of his flapping haori was shredded.

"Shoot to kill, Shinsō." He whipped around his extended blade and easily brushed aside the sharp particles. Within moments, more ash clustered around him, but he effortlessly cut through it.

He leapt back, avoiding a sizzling Kidō blast.

Ash enveloped him once more. He danced from side to side, deflecting it from various angles.

He dodged a Shakkahō blast and parried away the other ones with his sword.

Smoke covered the area.

"Huh?" Gin cocked his head to the side. "Don't me tell you've gone and left. Is this your way at gettin' back at me for all those times I left ya?"

He casually walked a few steps forward.

He stiffened, suddenly feeling pressure against his torso and arms.

He glanced down but didn't see anything.

He tried moving his arms but found them unmovable. His blade barely twitched with the movement.

A soft rustling reached his ears.

Ash floated all around him below his neck.

"Ah, there you are," Gin said, lifting his face to glance at Rangiku, who was standing a few feet away. "I thought maybe you'd given up and gone to take care of lil' Hitsugaya-kun."

"I'm not like you. I don't run away," Rangiku retorted. "I know you're stronger than me. I knew I had to find a way to catch you off guard."

"So, you hid yourself and your Kidō with Bakudō #26. Kyokkō. How crafty. You always were more than just a pretty face. You sure caught me off guard. I can't even move my sword." He beamed at her.

Rangiku glared at him. "What the hell is a matter with you? With one flick of my wrist, I can kill you. I never imagined the day would come where I would draw my sword against you. You were always more than just a fox face to me despite what people said."

Gin's smile regressed into a slight frown. "I am more than that."

"If that were true, you wouldn't be by Aizen's side."

"There's nothin' wrong with it. Aizen is gonna change the world for the better unlike Central 46, who would have gladly let you die in Rukongai if you didn't have any Reiryoku to serve their cause. Why would you kill me for them?"

"Stop." Rangiku's voice was firm. "Stop trying to defend what you're doing…"

"Fine. Go ahead and kill me," Gin said, jutting out his chin and baring his neck, as though to give her ash a better target. "It'll change nothing though. It's already too late."

"No, it isn't…"

Gin chuckled. "Don't delude yourself, Rangiku. There ain't no turnin' back. The Gotei 13's on the brink of extinction and the world's becomin' unbalanced. Aizen's the only one who can save it now."

"That's not true," Rangiku said quietly. She took a deep breath, her gaze gleaming with a solemn resignation as she began to swing her sword. "I'm sorry you won't be able to see the balance being restored, Gin."

Haineko's ash hissed as it scratched at the air an inch from Gin's neck and body.

Rangiku grimaced as she tried pushing her ash forward.

And then she found herself falling backwards as her ash was sent scattering.

Damn him…He was only toying with me…Rangiku thought as she rolled to the side and attempted to get up.

His cool shadow fell over her just as she managed to sit up. She flicked Haineko's handle to the side and let out a small gasp as she suddenly felt a sudden grazing against her knuckles. Fresh blood dribbled down her hand.

"And I'm sorry things have to be this way, Rangiku."

She looked up and saw his short sword pointed at her.

His expression was unreadable.

An involuntary shiver ran down her spine.

She knew most people found Gin rather off-putting, but she had never really felt fear around him.

Until now.

"As an old friend, I tried to give ya a chance to change yer mind, but ya too stubborn." His lips upturned into a rueful smile.

Rangiku let out a pained gasp as his blade punctured her neck. She landed on the ground without even seeing his attack.

A flash of light struck Gin's left shoulder. He twisted to the side to avoid another beam headed for his right shoulder.

He Shunpoed away as a flurry of beams rained down.

"Get away from her, you fiend!" Nanao shouted, as she raced towards Rangiku.

Her pinned hair was messy and her face sported cuts.

"What's this? The Eighth Division fukutaichō is not by her taichō's side?"

"I would have thought the same of you. Aizen seems to be on the verge of defeat."

Gin stood still for a second, a fleeting look of surprise sweeping through his face.

And then he was gone.

"Rangiku-san!" Nanao fell to her knees besides the blonde woman. "Rangiku-san!"

With shaking hands, Nanao tried to stop the blood flowing from Rangiku's wound.

I thought I could save you, Gin, but I was wrong. I'm glad I could at least protect Hitsugaya-taichō…You're wrong in thinking that as a Shinigami we can't make a difference…I saved Hitsugaya-taichō just like you saved me…I'm sorry my friendship was not enough…

---

Rukia's eardrums echoed with the flamboyant roar of the cannon fired by her companion. She scarcely heard the angry growl of her opponent as she slit his stomach with a smooth stroke. She quickly transported herself several feet ahead in the space cleared by Ganju. Her feet lightly tapped the ground before she slipped into Shunpo once more.

The heavy Reiatsu emanating from the sky was dissipating.

Her senses told her that Ichigo had triumphed.

While she was glad, she could only hope Masaki was okay as well…

She had felt Masaki's Reiatsu diminish but she had done her best to draw her mind from assuming the worst.

She had hoped it was merely her senses being jammed by the Hollows ravaging the Soul Society. She knew Ichigo must have been slowed by them, but she didn't think it had been too much…He had been wearing his mask after all….

Most Hollows would not have stood a chance…

Now that she was finally nearing Ichigo's location uncertainty and dread were invading her thoughts once more, especially since she had felt her brother, Renji, and even her taichō seem to be in distress….

It seemed like every Shinigami was falling…

For all she knew, Masaki, her brother, Renji, and Ukitake-taichō were dead…

Without Ganju's aid, she probably would have fallen due to the overwhelming number of Hollows. After fighting Nel, she felt as though her energy had deflated due to the new technique. However, her determination and will, along with sheer adrenaline, had propelled her forward…

Regardless of what awaited her, she needed to stay alive…

Darting out of the range of a Cero blast, she quickly raised her sword to unleash a wave of ice at the creature who had threatened to harm her.

Up ahead she spotted the Ninth, Third, and Seventh Division fukutaichō along with an unfamiliar man engaged in combat with a horde of Hollows. The Ninth and Seventh Division fukutaichō and the unknown Shinigami looked rather worse for wear, but they were fighting the best they could. Beyond the battle, she spotted a familiar figure.

It was Ichigo's father.

Her pulse quickened.

He was kneeling. His kosode was missing and his haori, which was normally attached to his shoulder, was pooled neared his right leg along with the Kurosaki Clan ornament. She knew he was treating someone. And she knew who it was.

"Kurosaki-san," she murmured breathlessly, as she appeared behind Isshin.

"Rukia-chan," he greeted though he remained with his back turned.

"Is she—"

"She'll be fine eventually. She nearly used up her Reiryoku and it has physically taken a toll on her. She needs to rest."

Isshin moved off to the side and Rukia saw Masaki's horribly wan visage streaked with blood and ash. Isshin's outer robe covered her motionless form.

Rukia swallowed hard.

She barely believed Masaki was alive. She almost looked like a corpse…

"Oyaji!" An un-Hollowfied Ichigo called out, as he dropped down nearby. "How—"

"She'll live if Aizen gets defeated. You two better get a move on."

Ichigo's lips tightened.

"He's right, Ichigo. Let's go."

"Are you okay, Rukia?" Ichigo glanced at her.

She nodded, noticing the flicker of relief in his gaze though concern and unease still shone.

"Oyaji should probably heal you. Fighting Nel wasn't easy and Aizen will be even harder. We'll stand a better chance if you have your energy restored."

Rukia understood then that his worry pertained to what was to come. Yet despite that, she saw a steely determination in them. His eyes were not the eyes she had seen back in Hueco Mundo.

The top part of his kimono was shredded and blood tainted his hakama, but she could see no wound marks.

"Good idea, Son." Isshin gestured to Rukia. "C'mere, Rukia-chan."

Rukia took a step forward when she heard the distinct sound of hooves clacking against the ground behind her.

"G-Ganju? What are you doing here?" Ichigo demanded, surprised, as the Rukongai denizen slipped off the worn looking boar carrying a cannon on its back. Faint wisps of smoke issued from the cannon.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I came to fight!"

"But why? You aren't a Shinigami."

"Damn right, I ain't one, but I am a Shiba, and that gives me more right to be here than a Shinigami. Believe it or not, my ancestors hailed from the Shiba Clan, one of the Great Noble Families, that founded the Soul Society. I could care less that I come from nobility but I ain't gonna let the Soul Society fall if I could help it."

There was a beat. "'Sides, I got a bone to pick with Aizen." His gaze darkened. "He's the Shinigami who killed my brother."

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly as he glanced at Rukia, who jerked her head in confirmation to the query in his gaze. "I told him…If he's going to be involved, it's only fair that he knows that the Hollow who killed his brother was created by Aizen."

"That bastard," Isshin spat, his eyes narrowed. "No wonder that Hollow had such unusual abilities…"

"Don't worry, Oji-san, I will avenge my brother's death," Ganju vowed, his expression resolute. His eyebrows slightly rose as he quickly added, "Wait a minute, Oji-san, how do you even know about the Hollow that killed my brother? Did you know him?"

"Ganju, it's okay. Ichigo knows the truth. There's no need to pretend you didn't mean Oji-san in the familial sense."

"Speak for yourself, Oyaji, I'd rather him keep pretending we aren't related."

Ganju's eyebrows twitched. "Why you…You should be honored to be related to me! You're the embarrassment…with that dandelion hair!"

"Have you seen your face?"

"It's better than yours!"

The ground rumbled.

They looked around for the source of the shaking but didn't see a Hollow wreaking havoc.

"Seems like that might have been an earthquake," Isshin said. "I think the Soul Society is starting to unravel."

---

Earth crumbled and sprayed the air as it was zapped by a continuous electrical assault.

Jūshirō narrowed his eyes as he observed Aizen's silhouette still standing amidst the dust laden air. His white uniform bore traces of scorch marks. There were parts of it that were torn, and he was breathing fast, but Aizen still had the air that he wasn't defeated yet. As a former taichō of the Gotei 13, Jūshirō knew Aizen was strong, but he hadn't expected him to be this resilient. He had been hoping he would have finally caught him off guard with the last attack. Aizen was barely managing to evade the full blast of his attacks.

This battle was lasting longer than he wanted. He knew Aizen intended to use his Zanpakutō, but he wouldn't give him the chance. He allowed his Reiryoku to fill his blades once more. Sōgyo no Kotowari was a Zanpakutō that specialized in energy manipulation. Its special ability was to absorb and return an opponent's energy attacks, but its general ability was to harness his Reiryoku into an electrical attack. Against Stark he had only relied on the absorption and reflective abilities, which were its defensive capabilities, but against Aizen he was using its offensive powers.

"You're really keen on defeating me, aren't you? I'm surprised you haven't collapsed with the way you're exerting yourself, Ukitake. Yamamoto has always talked highly of your strength and endurance, but I thought it had been dropping these last couple of decades. Isn't that why you lost your fukutaichō?"

"If you are waiting to capitalize on a moment of weakness, then I'm afraid you're wasting your time," Ukitake replied, frowning severely. "It's always been random. Not that that matters anymore. My body no longer suffers from the illness that has plagued me since childhood."

The shield protecting Aizen's back suddenly shattered as a wave of energy burst from Sōgyo no Kotowari. Aizen barely skirted out of the course of the blow.

Light crackled before Aizen.

He halted and spun around. He groaned as lightning struck his right foot. Smoke swirled from it and he stumbled. His sword clattered to the ground as a small bolt hit the hand clutching it.

A pair of blades swooped below his neck as he dropped down to one knee.

"It's over, Aizen," Jūshirō said, his expression grim.

"You would think you'd have a far happier look on your face, Ukitake. You're about to kill the man who took the life of your beloved mentor."

"Killing you won't bring him, or the others who have perished back. I cannot take joy in doing such a thing. Genryūsai-sensei only sought to preserve justice, and—" Ukitake groaned as he felt something pierce his back.

He hastily pulled his swords away from Aizen and blocked the following attacks with ease.

"Ichimaru Gin," Jūshirō said, glaring at the newcomer.

"Took you long enough, Gin," Aizen said, as he grabbed his sword, dug it into the ground, and began to use it as a crutch to stand up.

"Sorry, Aizen-taichō, was a bit preoccupied," Gin said sheepishly, as he continued attacking Jūshirō.

Jūshirō blocked with one sword and released a lightning bolt with the other.

Gin narrowly darted out of the way.

Even as he took to the air, he swung his sword out.

"Damn, you're good," Gin muttered, as he watched his first attack get blocked and the second one get evaded.

Jūshirō whirled around without missing a beat to send lightning bolts behind himself to negate Aizen's Kidō. He Shunpoed out of the path of Gin's whizzing blade.

Jūshirō continued to fend off Gin's blade and Aizen's Kidō.

Seeing that Gin's blade was proving to be troublesome, he quickly generated an electrical field behind him to ward off Aizen. He twisted in midair, narrowly avoiding the long reaching blade. Crackling filled his ears as he heard it touch his electrical field.

He grimaced, feeling sharp pain on his right shoulder. He lowered his right arm and then he felt his knees give way beneath him. He scrambled to get up, ignoring his wounds.

Black spiritual fabric wound itself within moments around his torso, pinning him to the ground with iron shafts. His ears echoed with their rumbling.

As quickly as he could, he began to raise his Reiatsu to try and fight off the Kin spell Aizen had ensnared him with. He was surprised Aizen was even capable of using such a high ranking Bakudō, but he hoped it was an unpolished one.

The dust filling the air crumbled away and the ground beneath him hummed. The fabric binding him fidgeted and stirred underneath the force of his pulsing aura. He could feel the spell's strength wavering slightly and he continued fighting against it.

The binding force against his back and arms slackened somewhat.

He heard the faint snapping of some of the fabric disintegrating from the sheer force of his Reiatsu.

And then, his face twisted in anguish.

Raw, throbbing pain stabbed at him.

He couldn't help but shut his eyes.

He wasn't sure where it was coming from. All he knew was that it was gripping his body all at once. He'd never felt anything quite like it…not even under the duress of the bouts from his illness that sometimes left him bedridden.

"That was quite a remarkable performance, Ukitake. Worthy of the praise bestowed upon you by your sensei. I'm aware that you are no longer under Kyōka Suigetsu's control. The element of surprise was taken from you as soon as Unohana-taichō failed to kill me. However, not even you will stand in my way, Ukitake. Your power is nothing compared to the Hōgyoku."

The agonizing pain suddenly dissipated, leaving him breathless. Jūshirō cracked open his eyes to look up at Aizen, who was standing before him, smugness radiating from his features. To his surprise, his charred leg was healed. His right hand clutched a thin, long chain that had obviously been hidden inside his robes. A purplish gem dangled from the bottom of the chain. Gin stood a short distance away, nursing his burned right hand.

"So…that's…the… Hōgyoku," he surmised as he breathed heavily.

"Incredible, isn't it?" Reverence gleamed in Aizen's gaze. "This tiny orb has the capability to dissolve any barriers found in nature, not just those between Shinigami and Hollows. I could have easily enhanced the physical limitations of your body just like I undid the damage you dealt me now that the Hōgyoku has fully awakened. Inoue Orihime wasn't needed in the slightest for such a thing. Though, I suppose you'd rather die than join me, correct?"

At Jūshirō's glare, Aizen continued, "Not to worry. I'd much rather use your power to ensure actual justice and tranquility is finally realized when I destroy the barriers imposed by the Soul King."

"Y-You're delusional."

"Oh, I'm perfectly lucid. It is you who needs to see the light."

The gem pulsed, illuminating the world with a brilliant light.

Ukitake grunted and yelled as he shuddered underneath its power.

Through narrowed eyes, Ukitake thought he saw a beam of light cut through the Hōgyoku's glow and felt as though the pain had subsided. And then a millisecond later, the light shattered. He groaned as pain swept through him and then he lay limp, breathing hard.

A box suddenly encased Aizen's right hand. The Hōgyoku pulsed and shattered it. Aizen then felt a slight tug at his hand. His right eye gazed at the yellow rope latched onto his right hand. He felt another tug and he ducked as a curved, spade shaped blade swept over his head.

"I see you failed Arrancars have managed to enter the Soul Society after all," Aizen said as he fired a Byakurai at a masked Rose and slipped out of the grasp of his Zanpakutō. "Your appearance is meaningless."

He could see Gin engaged in combat with Kensei and Mashiro.

"Tch. Don't count as out just yet, Aizen," Shinji said, grinning mischievously as he began to twirl his already released Zanpakutō. "Ya think ya know everythin', don't cha? Heard from your old pal Kaname that ya thought we've been doin' whatever Kisuke says. Newsflash, we've been waitin' to kill ya. He didn't have to ask."

Aizen chuckled. "Oh, Hirako Shinji, you underestimate Urahara Kisuke's cunningness. You may think you're acting out of your free will, but you are merely falling in step with Urahara's plans. Not that it matters to me. Sarugaki Hiyori was rather easy to eliminate. I don't think any of you will pose any more problems than she did," Aizen said calmly, observing the pink mist floating around the area with mild interest.

Shinji glowered at him. "She's exactly the reason why we won't fail."

"How peculiar. I would have thought you would be glad to be rid of her. You never did get along after all, yet you seemed particularly upset when she was sliced apart. I didn't think you were capable of expressing any other emotion besides annoyance towards her. Don't tell me you actually bonded during your exile."

"Someone like you wouldn't understand," Shinji said in a low voice, his expression dark.

"I suppose such things are beyond my comprehension," Aizen agreed. "Emotions or attachments of any sort are useless. I've never had any need for them."

"It's too bad. That's what's gonna be your downfall," Shinji said with a broad grin, as he suddenly drifted upside down.

"I doubt it."

Aizen Shunpoed to the right, dodging Lisa's large spade shaped blade. His eyes widened as his left arm flew away in a torrent of blood.

"Are you still doubting now?" Lisa quipped, as she spun her blade for another strike.

He distanced himself from her and eluded Rose's rope only to find it pulling on his other damaged foot. He raised his sword to block the large spiked weapon coming towards him but found himself stumbling forward as blood sprayed from his back. A yellow chain encircled his body.

"You don't look so hot now," Love noted.

"He certainly looks as though he needs a pick me up," Rose chimed in.

"Indeed," Hacchi agreed.

Appearing upside down before Aizen as he collapsed onto the ground, Shinji said, "You were sayin'?" He grinned. "If ya though yer Zanpakutō was the only one capable of affectin' a person's senses. Guess again. My Zanpakutō, Sakanade, is capable of distortin' yer senses. Up and down, left and right as well as forward and backward are all reversed. Even yer eyesight and location of injuries gets inverted. There's no way ya could've ever countered this technique unless I allowed ya to."

Aizen glanced up at him, his lips curving into a slight smirk.

"What an impressive Zanpakutō. I'm honored you have finally shown it to me. You never did allow me the honor of a fight with Shikai."

"'Course not. I wasn't stupid enough to let ya in on all my abilities. I knew ya wanted to know, but I knew I couldn't allow ya to. 'Sides you never were capable of handlin' my sealed blade, anyway."

Shinji turned upright and dropped down in front of him, his fingers flexing around his sword's handle.

"Your way with the sword was always impressive."

"Thanks. You should be happy then that it's my sword that's gonna do ya in."

Shinji shifted his stance and raised his sword.

"I suppose if I had to die by anyone's sword, yours would be the one I wouldn't mind."

"Glad to hear it." Shinji grinned, as he began to lower his sword. "This is for…Hiyori! And everyone else you've hurt."

A stream of scarlet burst into the air.

"It's over," Shinji murmured, his eyes on Aizen's decapitated form. He raised his gaze to look at Lisa, Love, Rose, and Hacchi.

Relief and satisfaction were reflected in their gazes.

And then he could no longer see their gazes.

Shinji looked stricken as he noticed all his comrades struck down, blood flowing copiously from their prone bodies.

"What the hell? How?"

Shinji collapsed onto the ground.

A shadow fell over him.

Spitting out blood, he looked up. Disbelief clouded his face. "I-Impossible…you can't be alive…"

"Honestly, Hirako, did you really think it would be that easy? Whether I knew your abilities or not has never mattered. All of you have been under my hypnosis."

"But, you didn't release your Zanpakutō."

"That's irrelevant. Once you've been subjected to it, even once, you are always under its influence. I activated it as soon as you arrived on the scene. Your deaths have always been mine, but I wanted to at least grant you the illusion of revenge that you obviously waited so long for."

"You bastard." Disgust colored Shinji's face.

Aizen merely smiled as he took out the Hōgyoku. "I trust this is a familiar sight to you. You were once subjected to the Hōgyoku, were you not?"

Shinji narrowed his eyes.

"If it weren't for it, you and the others would have surely died due to your unstable Hollowfication. You owe your life to this little gem," Aizen mused, as he placed it on the palm of his hand. "It is only right that your life be extinguished by it."

"What are you…"

Aizen turned around and extended the chain in front of him. The Hōgyoku started to glow. Its glistening rays shot forward and struck Rose, Love, Lisa, and Hacchi. Anguished yells erupted from their mouths as they winced and grimaced under the power overcoming them.

"No!" Shinji fought to get up, but his body fell back.

He watched horrified as Rose's body dissolved into Reishi, then Hacchi's, then Love's, and finally Lisa's. The glowing particles swirled towards the Hōgyoku, entering it.

"Damn you, Aizen!" Shinji curled his left hand into a fist and pounded the ground.

"It is you who has been damned from the very beginning," Aizen retorted. "You've been living to get revenge, and now that it is out of reach, I'm granting you the peace you deserve. I warned you, did I not? Your attachment was worthless. I will eventually end your misery, but for now, I'd rather let you witness the beginning of a new era."

Shinji glowered at him.

Aizen's smirk only deepened.

The ground began to quake beneath their feet.

"And so it has begun," Aizen noted, as he stared at the cloudless sky above him.

---

World of the Living- Karakura Town

A relentless rattling brought her into consciousness. Rubbing her eyes, Tatsuki pulled herself from the ground where she had been lying.

"Why did I fall asleep on the floor?" she muttered to herself, as she stared at her made bed, which was shaking as well as the rest of the furniture in the room. She was wearing her normal clothing rather than pajamas.

"Wait, a minute, is this an earthquake?" She covered her head as she waited for the shaking to subside.

She jumped to her feet and pulled open her bedroom door and stood there.

"Okaa-san! Otou-san?" she called out but received no reply.

She walked into the hallway when there was a harsh, ominous creaking. She glanced up warily at the roof and then tried to run as the dust and debris clouded the air.

She groaned as a wooden slab slammed onto her head and knocked her out.

---

Leaping back, Gin evaded the lime green Cero that burned the ground where he had been standing. The left sleeve of his Shihakushō was torn off and cuts now adorned his hakama.

Not bothering to turn around, he angled his sword backwards.

"Damn it."

His grin widened slightly at hearing his attacker's curse.

He Shunpoed away as a fist came at him from behind.

Gin reappeared several feet away.

Kensei, sporting a chipped hockey mask, slashed at the air with his knife sword.

Large, powerful air currents ripped through the air.

BAM.

They dissolved as something swept through them.

Blood oozed profusely from Kensei's shoulder.

"Take this!" shouted Mashiro behind Gin.

Gin swung his sword, splitting the Ceros apart.

"Why you…" Mashiro trailed off, as her mask snapped and watched with horrified eyes as the lower half of her right leg floated away.

"I thought you were gonna avenge the lil' blonde pipsqueak. Comin' at me with just yer masks just ain't good enough. Snappin' Hollow masks is a piece of cake for someone like me."

Sensing an attack, Gin turned around and cut through Kensei's abdomen and other shoulder.

Kensei fell to the ground. Disbelief glimmered in his previously hardened eyes.

What the hell? The others…? They can't be…

"No, it can't be!" Mashiro gasped, looking shocked.

"Oh? Looks like your comrades went bye bye." Gin gave them an amused grin. "Not to worry, I'll make sure ya join 'em. It's the least I could do since ya got rid of dear ol' Tōsen-san."

Gin glanced from one Visored to the other.

"Who wants to go first?"

"There's no need to decide. Both can go at the same time just like the others," Aizen said, appearing behind Gin.

"Bastard," growled Kensei.

The Hōgyoku glowed.

The light began to spiral towards Mashiro and Kensei at exactly the same time when a blur swept past them, carrying them.

The Hōgyoku's luminosity faded as Aizen looked around for his victims.

He stiffened for a moment, eyes flashing with shock.

"Aizen-taichō," Gin said, readying his sword as he watched blood scurry down Aizen's backside though he could see no attacker.

Aizen grimaced as the audible sound of bone breaking resounded.

Shinsō shot through the air.

Narrowed eyes twisted into surprise as the long reaching blade was returned toward him.

"I cannot allow you to interfere," proclaimed Kurotsuchi Nemu, as she appeared before Gin, her right arm whirling dangerously.

Gin raised his retracted blade to hold off the high-speed drill appendage, humming above his face.

Sparks flew between his blade and the drill.

"What a surprise. I wasn't expectin' to see ya," Gin said conversationally.

Nemu merely increased her pressure against his blade and forced him back.

"Oh, my. How scary," Gin commented as he began to dodge unnaturally fast, sharp kicks as well as her whirring arm. "Never knew the Twelfth Division fukutaichō had such skill…" he added, as he blocked her blows with his sword. "I always thought ya was just a lab assistant."

"It is my main duty to assist Mayuri-sama as he sees fit," Nemu said matter-of-factly, as she harrowingly averted his sudden thrust and landed on top of his short blade. Her right puffed sleeve was torn.

Spinning around, she kicked at Gin, who received a slight nick on his cheek, as he twisted his head to the side to avoid her attack. He quickly lifted his sword, disrupting Nemu's balance. She catapulted over his head and quickly spun around to continue attacking him.

"You sure ain't a normal Shinigami. Figures that's why Kurotsuchi-san wanted to make his own fukutaichō."

As they fought, Aizen greeted the eccentric Twelfth Division taichō that had suddenly appeared out of thin air. Dark goggles covered his eyes. Blood dripped from his Zanpakutō.

"Kurotsuchi Mayuri, I didn't expect you to be on the front lines. I would think you would have much more pressing matters to attend to."

"If you are referring to the collapse of the World of the Living, I've left that up to Akon and the others. Not that there is much that can be done. As I am sure you are perfectly aware of, we don't have enough forces to perform Konsō to try realigning the balance. And even if we did, the Hollows here would surely consume their souls rendering the effort pointless. The most effective means of attempting to restore the balance begins with your elimination."

"You usually have a rather keen sense of analysis, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, but I'm afraid this time, your deduction is incorrect."

"Oh, I doubt it." Mayuri chuckled. "Your overconfidence is rather baffling, Aizen Sōsuke. Contrary to what you believe, the end of the universe is still not at hand and neither is your victory."

"You talk as if you are capable of defeating me. What an erroneous miscalculation on your part."

"Erroneous, you say? Hardly. I'm afraid it is you that has made quite a few miscalculations." He flashed him a gold toothed smile. "I've just paralyzed your spinal cord with Ashisogi Jizō. You're incapable of movement."

He came closer. "Your sword is useless. And taking the Hōgyoku will be easier than pushing a button."

He reached out to Aizen's clenched fist, which held the Hōgyoku.

A bright glow engulfed Aizen in an instant.

Mayuri merely stared, seemingly unaffected by the brightness thanks to his goggles.

"What is this? The Hōgyoku is still working?"

"Of course, it is. Lack of movement is irrelevant when it is still in my possession."

He flexed the hand holding the sword and he displayed the glittering Hōgyoku.

Before Mayuri could move, he was immersed in the Hōgyoku's light.

Mayuri yelled as he convulsed.

"I am the most effective means of restoring the balance. Forgive me for not allowing you the opportunity to witness it, but I really must go."

Within moments, he was gone.

"Mayuri-sama!" Nemu murmured as she narrowly avoided Shinsō's wide strike.

And, then, in the next instant, she gasped as blood gushed from her abdomen and she crumpled to the ground.

"Not bad for a wannabe Shinigami." Gin leered above her.

"Gin, let us go. We don't have much time to spare," Aizen said.

The ground crackled as five iron rods punctured the ground around Gin, holding him captive.

Ice gripped Aizen's legs before he could move.

Aizen glanced down, amusement flickering in his gaze.

"Hitsugaya-taichō, your resilience is rather remarkable, but I'm afraid your recovery has been for nothing."

As he turned his torso around, he caught sight of the glacial glower directed at him.

Tōshirō swung his blade, letting loose another wave of ice that was meant to cover both Aizen and Gin.

The air crackled as ice fragments floated in every direction thanks to a bright beam lasering through the ice formation.

"I would have thought you would have realized after our last encounter that your abilities are useless against me. Even more so now that the Hōgyoku is under my command." Aizen proudly displayed the glowing orb. "I commend you for wanting to die a warrior's death rather than in your sick bed."

"That's what I was thinkin' too," Gin said. He had been freed from his imprisonment.

"Neither you or that bastard have any idea what it means to be a warrior, you're nothing but cowards," Toshiro spat in a barely restrained voice, eyes blazing.

Magenta light beams struck Aizen and Gin from behind.

Gin swiftly batted them aside with his blade and pierced Nanao.

"Ise!" Tōshirō shouted, as he watched her crumple to the ground.

"Hitsugaya-taichō, I can't say I've ever held any interest in being a mere soldier, so dying like one has never been my intention. However, I have no trouble fulfilling your wish."

Smiling, Aizen took a step forward but found that he could not inch further. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Gin seemed unable to move as well.

"What's this?" he murmured in wonder.

He laid a hand upon something solid. Closing his eyes for a moment, he furrowed his brows slightly.

He tried to move his shoulders but found that they wouldn't budge.

He stared as the entrapment holding him in place appeared around him.

"I see." He smiled. "This is a lovely bit of Kidō, Hinamori-kun. I'm happy to see you haven't lost your touch."

Momo appeared several feet in front of him a few moments later, giving him a piercing glare.

"A-As if you really care…" she said in a trembling, angry voice. "Y-You tried to kill me…Y-You tried to kill Hitsugaya-kun…Rangiku-san is…gone because of you!"

"You're in pain, Hinamori-kun," Aizen noted, his tone soft. "My apologies. It was never my intention to hurt you."

She looked at him for a moment, looking troubled, and drew in a deep breath. "Liar!"

"As your taichō, haven't I always tried to spare you pain if it could be avoided?"

"I-It was all an act!"

"Not at all…I've always cared about your wellbeing, Hinamori-kun. It's the reason I tried to spare you the pain you're feeling now."

"If you really cared, you wouldn't have betrayed me or the Soul Society!" Momo gave him a fierce glare. "All you've ever cared about is this…isn't it? This senseless destruction…"

"Hinamori-kun, I'm afraid you're misunderstanding what I'm doing. You've always desired peace, haven't you? This destruction will help bring about peace and equality that the Gotei 13 have never been capable of doing. Revolutions are never easy. They take sacrifice."

"The only thing I've ever misunderstood is you," Momo said bitterly.

Ice pillars unexpectedly sprang up all around Aizen and Gin, surrounding them.

"Sayonara, Aizen." Momo said, looking away as the ice pillars drew closer to her former taichō and his ally.

Momo and Tōshirō watched as the ice converged into a solid ice mass.

"Hinamori," Tōshirō whispered, watching as she looked upset.

And then the air reverberated loudly as ice particles blasted through the air. Tōshirō grabbed Momo, pulled her into his arms, and shielded her with his ice wings against the bombardment of icicles. To his surprise, his ice wings shattered. He felt her stiffen and heard her cry out. He could see crimson shooting out from her chest.

"Hina—"

The words died in his throat as his chest burned.

He landed on the ground hard with Momo in his arms. Her blood covered his arms and he could feel his own blood spilling from his chest.

A triumphant Aizen looked down upon them, Kyōka Suigetsu in hand, gleaming with their blood. "Hinamori-kun, I have no ill will towards you. I'll allow you the chance to see my new world. Perhaps, if after you see it you are willing to join me…I'll allow you a place in it as well as Hitsugaya-kun."

"I-I'd rather die," Momo said, grimacing.

"I do hope you'll change your mind. I'd rather not shed any more blood so unnecessarily," Aizen said, before vanishing.

"Damn it," Tashiro grunted.

"I'm sorry, Hitsugaya-kun," Momo murmured. "I'm sorry I couldn't do better…"

"Hitsugaya-kun, please! Y-You can't just go up against him…" Momo said, as she placed a hand on his shoulder to halt him, but he shrugged off her hand, as he marched forward, his expression livid.

"She's right, Hitsugaya-taichō. We need a plan. Kyōraku-taichō and the others have already fallen," Nanao pointed out tersely.

Tōshirō held his Zanpakutō with a vice like grip as he halted.

"What do you propose?" he asked stiffly.

Nanao pursed her lips, as she pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose with a bloodied hand. "We have to find a way to unarm him. Attacking him directly would be pointless if we don't do that."

"Ise-san is right. The only way to do that would be to stop him from attacking," Momo agreed, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "I…I might know of a way…I mean, I've been trying to prepare something in case…"

"What is it, Hinamori?" Tōshirō wondered.

"It'll probably only hold him off temporarily, at best, but I think I have a Kidō barrier that can seal him. It's the only thing I thought of that I could use against him…"

"You did your best, Hinamori," he reassured her. "My attack should have been stronger. Damn that Hōgyoku…It's the only reason he beat us…"

"He's going to win now."

"Don't say that, Hinamori. He will be beaten…He has to be…"

"But how?"

"Never mind that. Try to heal yourself, Hinamori," Toshiro urged. "I'd heal you, but you know my healing Kidō is nowhere near as good as yours."

Had he been more skilled, he could have been able to heal himself in time to assist Matsumoto in battle. Hinamori had been the one to finish healing him. He couldn't bear the thought of losing another one of his friends if the Soul Society could survive Aizen's attack.

---

Aizen and Gin reappeared atop the Sōkyoku near the King's Key. Standing before it with her hands poised over her hilt and scabbard was Yachiru. Her normally jovial face was solemn. Kyōraku was no longer beside the key. He lay beside the other fallen soldiers, Byakuya, Renji, Unohana, and Kenpachi.

"I see you managed to escape the Kidō I bound you with."

With a swift movement, she freed her Zanpakutō.

"Amuse me, Meimeiken," Yachiru said, and pink Reiatsu surrounded her.

Yachiru now resembled a twelve-year-old girl. Her pink hair was now just past her shoulders. Her Shihakushō torn due to her growth exposed her midriff. In her hand was her pink hilt with the flower shaped guard, but the blade was gone.

"Looky there, someone looks all grown up." Gin grinned.

"Indeed. What a pity it will be short-lived."

Glaring at Aizen, Yachiru swung her hilt.

Even as he Shunpoed toward her, blood oozed from his chest. Shock glimmered in his gaze.

As he appeared before her, she made a slashing movement and blood began to seep from his right wrist. Kyōka Suigetsu fell to the ground.

"You have no idea how I am attacking you," she said, her voice was remarkably dead serious, and it sounded like a much older version. "My Zanpakutō is my imagination. I can cut whatever I wish by swinging the hilt and thinking where I want to cut. There's no way to counter this technique."

"I don't need to counter it." The air began to suddenly quiver and Yachiru struggled to keep her balance.

She grimaced as she stumbled underneath the increasing pressure weighing her down.

She fell backwards, unable to sustain the Reiatsu bearing down on her.

"An interesting technique but it's useless against someone who possesses stronger Reiatsu than yours."

Aizen towered above her.

She glared back at him, as she fought to stand up.

The ground beneath them began to quiver.

Aizen placidly turned around to intercept the expanse of yellow Reiatsu cutting through the terrain with the Hōgyoku. There was a loud hiss as the energy dissipated and eddied into the clear gem.

"Get away from her you bastard!" Kenpachi demanded, his menacing aura thrashing around his prone body in another attempt to attack Aizen. His colleagues grimaced.

"No need to waste your energy, Kenpachi Zaraki." Aizen once again captured the energy as it lashed out at him.

"I believe I told you earlier that your power is useless against mine. I know it's a concept beyond your comprehension, but, here, let me show you exactly what I mean."

The Hōgyoku pulsated and emitted a flash of light.

Kenpachi dug his fingers into the ground as he let out an angry growl.

"Son of—"

"Ken-chan!" Yachiru cried.

"Stay back!"

Kenpachi grimaced and thrashed as his legs disintegrated.

"KEN-CHAN! NO!" Yachiru's Reiatsu began to crack the ground as tears pooled at the corners of her eyes.

Aizen, unperturbed by Yachiru's continued spiritual assault, turned around only when Kenpachi was fully dissolved.

"I would have thought you would have learned from your late father figure that Reiatsu cannot contend against the power of the Hōgyoku."

He gave her a rather pitying look.

"You will join your precious Ken-chan after I return from my ascension as king."

His body glowed for a moment and his wounds sealed.

He picked up his sword, turned, and signaled for Gin to join him, as he headed for the King's Key.

---

The sky sizzled as golden streaks of light coursed through it, intersecting and forming an elaborately formed Senkaimon from which a large key protruded.

Uryū and Orihime glanced at the bright constellation like image in the sky.

"Damn it," Uryū cursed.

"It can't be…" Orihime murmured, looking troubled. "We're too late…"

Pesche narrowed his eyes. "Someone's just arrived to stop him…We should hurry…"

"We have to try and get up there…We can't let him leave…" Uryū agreed.

The Sōkyoku was within several hundred feet but hundreds of Hollows stood in their way.

Uryū raised his spirit weapon and shot arrows at the creatures swooping down, now that they had noticed their arrival.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Orihime send Tsubaki flying. He struck through five Hollows, but more pressed on. Pursing his lips, he sent out a large blast of arrows and began to control Reishi with his free hand, attempting to use it as a barrier.

He heard Orihime shriek.

"Inoue-san," he grunted, as he was sent crashing onto the ground.

He scrambled to get back on his feet, but a Hollow was roaring above him. His foul breath nearly made him choke. Claws descended upon him. He turned. He shifted and prepared to fire arrows. He really had no choice but to kill him.

And then his racing heart stilled as he saw a laser fast arrow fly past him, piercing the creature in the hide of his neck and carrying him several feet away into his fellow Hollows. Hundreds of arrows struck the ground, preventing the rest of the hungry mass from advancing.

And then without warning a pale blue light enveloped them.

"What the…that's some kind of force field," Uryū murmured, noticing how the light had turned into a large pentagon shaped barrier.

"You really are clueless about the ways of the Quincy," said a disapproving voice. "Käfig is the strongest barrier designed by Ishida Sōken."

Sapphire eyes widened.

He never thought he'd see the day when his father would dress up in the white uniform of the Quincy yet there was he was. His cape, longer than his own, flowed elegantly over a refined white suit.

"R-Ryūken…what are you doing here?"

"That's my line. I thought I told you never to get involved with the Shinigami again." Cold sapphire eyes glared at him.

Uryū frowned slightly. "I'm not…I came here to protect Karakura. How did you leave it?"

"It's inconsequential."

"Ishida-kun," Orihime called out to him, as she and Pesche approached him. A cut grazed her cheek, but she seemed fine. Pesche looked more worn down.

"You keep strange company," Ryūken noted.

His gaze was fixed upon the new horde of Hollows heading their way.

"Go, Uryū. I'll take care of those Hollows."

"B-But, Ryūken—"

"Don't argue. You aren't equipped for fighting defensively against Hollows. If you truly want to protect Karakura and the World of the Living, then go and defeat that former Shinigami. Show him and those Shinigami that the pride of the Quincy still lives and that we won't allow the World of the Living to fall."

Uryū stared at him, dumbfounded.

"What are you waiting for? Go!"

The Quincy teenager looked uneasy for a moment, then gestured for Orihime and Pesche to leave. They followed him, hurrying towards Sōkyoku Hill.

"Ishida-kun, that was…"

"My father."

"He's incredible. I can see where you get it from…"

Uryū stared at her. "My father has never shown me any of his Quincy abilities. He's always hated being a Quincy…It was my grandfather who trained me."

"I see, but the talent obviously runs in the family."

"Not according to my father." The words slipped out of Uryū's mouth before he could help himself.

"What?"

"He's always said I don't have the talent. He never wanted me to become a Quincy."

"Oh, really? Well, I'm glad he's changed his mind."

Is that what this means? I have no idea…Inoue-san…All I know is that we can't let Aizen win…

---

Aizen watched with anticipation as the Ōken slipped into the invisible keylock and began to unlock the hidden gateway he had dreamed of opening. He drew his Zanpakutō from its scabbard as the gate formed above him in the sky. Gin stood a little off to the side, head tilted up in wonder as he gazed at the gate.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Aizen shifted his head slightly and out of the corner of his eye spotted Sui-Feng. The stinger blade of her Shikai poised a mere millimeter from his back where a Hōmonka had formed.

"There's no escaping this time, traitor," Sui-Feng said, smiling coldly, as she pierced his back for a second time.

Aizen looked stunned.

There was a snapping noise.

"Shihōin Yoruichi," Aizen said, surprised, as he watched her appear with the Hōgyoku in her hand.

"You won't be needing this anymore," Yoruichi said.

Grimacing as his body began to deteriorate, Aizen said, "I suppose it's about time the Onmitsukidō did their job."

Sui-Feng glared at him as she watched his body fade away with a sardonic smile.

And then her eyes widened as blood poured from her chest.

"Sui-Feng!" Yoruichi cried, as Sui Feng fell to her knees, her weaponless hand, clutching at her wound.

"Y-Yoruichi-sama," the Second Division taichō murmured, as she gazed at her former commander. "Forgive me." She lost her balance and fell on her side.

"You'll pay for this Ichimaru," Yoruichi vowed, giving the former third taichō a deadly glare.

He merely grinned like a Cheshire cat.

She bounded towards him.

As she swung a fist at him, she let out a pained gasp.

Disbelief glittering in her eyes, she fell to the ground at Gin's feet.

"But he didn't even use his sword…How the hell did I get attacked?"

"Shihōin Yoruichi, it seems you have forgotten to watch your back just like your apprentice."

"Aizen?" she queried, shocked.

He appeared before her next to Gin.

"I see you've improved your Shunpo," Yoruichi observed, eyes narrowed.

Aizen grinned. "I'm afraid it's still not as good as yours…or shall I say was…You certainly won't ever use it again."

"Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō!" cried a deep masculine voice.

"Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō!" cried a higher pitched male voice.

Yoruichi watched as Bakudō #63. Sajō Sabaku Kidō hit Gin and Aizen simultaneously followed by a barrier.

"Kisuke, Tessai," Yoruichi greeted the two men who had appeared.

Kisuke appeared beside Yoruichi. "Are you alright, Yoruichi-san?"

"I..I am…but Sui Feng…isn't…"she replied, her voice quivering with slight emotion.

"I'm sorry, Yoruichi-san." He inclined his head.

"Take your damn thing…" She raised the hand with the Hōgyoku. "Tessai, come here and heal me…I want to be the one who puts an end to him…I was the former Corps Commander of the Executive Militia…It's only right that I end him…like I should have done a long time ago…" Golden eyes regarded Kisuke with a pointed look.

"As you wish, Yoruichi-san," Kisuke said, giving her an apologetic smile.

"Urahara Kisuke…It's been a while…I was beginning to think you'd never show," Aizen said.

"My apologies, Aizen-san, but you've kept us quite preoccupied."

"Not occupied enough, apparently. You managed to stop me at the nick of time although not before letting the Soul Society be on the brink of destruction. You took quite a calculated risk when you decided to hand me the Hōgyoku. I presume you thought the Gotei 13 would stop me during the execution, but they didn't and now look where you've left the Seireitei. You really should have acted sooner, Urahara Kisuke."

"Perhaps," Kisuke agreed solemnly, as he lowered his hat slightly over his eyes and bent down to retrieve the Hōgyoku from Yoruichi.

He stared at the small orb resting on the palm of his right hand as a grim-faced Tessai began looking over Yoruichi.

"You made such a foolish mistake letting it go. You could have ruled the universe instead of just settling for the meager existence of an exiled Shinigami."

Kisuke furrowed his brows as he continued staring at the object he had created long ago.

Pop.

It shattered like glass.

And then Kisuke groaned as he realized a blade now protruded from his chest.

"How?" he said, as he stared at Aizen and Gin who were still encapsulated in the Kidō.

And then the image dissolved away to reveal no one standing in the barrier.

"Urahara Kisuke, I'm afraid all your plans to stop me have failed," Aizen said, as he removed his blade from within Kisuke.

Kisuke fell forward, catching sight of a bloody Tessai lying over Yoruichi.

"How foolish of you to hand me the Hōgyoku," Aizen said, as he stood before him several moments later with the Hōgyoku hanging around his neck. "Your plans might have worked had I not been prepared as well as I had been. You really should have just kept to your original plan of hiding the Hōgyoku. You have my gratitude for your aid."

Kisuke lowered his gaze.

"I will grant you, along with your precious companions, the chance to witness my ascension to the throne."

"You didn't use Shunpo, you used your Shikai," Yoruichi stated, glaring at Aizen from beneath Tessai.

"Slow on the uptake, aren't you? I triggered it as soon as I sensed Sui Feng's attack. It was clever of you to try and end the battle as fast as possible, but I've come too far to lose to the likes of you."

Smirking, Aizen waved at Gin, who immediately joined him.

"We really must be going. You should savor the last moments of the world as it is."

Aizen and Gin entered the Royal Realm Gate and vanished with a click.

---

Quick Glossary:

Colmillo Lunar- Spanish for Lunar Fang

Doble Crescente Lunar- Spanish for Double Lunar Crescent

Kosode-black outer robe of the Shinigami uniform

Shitagi- white inner robe of the Shinigami uniform

Otou-san- father

Okaa-san- mother

Käfig- German for cage

Hōmonka- butterfly shaped stamp produced by Sui Feng's sword

Meimeiken- Japanese for Invisible Blade

AN: Bleach as everyone knows it has inconsistent power levels. To what extent is debatable. There are different ways to view any given fight. With that being said, I don't believe Ichigo should be compared to the other characters.

Ichigo as the main character has managed to overcome difficult odds to survive his battles leading many to view him as such a strong character. He is undoubtedly a strong character in mind as well as body. However, I think many fans fail to admit that Ichigo barely edges out his opponents. Barely winning doesn't cut it as being the strongest ever in my book yet there are many fans who laud Ichigo as this. Unfortunately, even Kubo, attempted to make him seem bigger than he really was in the last two arcs in the manga. Ichigo from the beginning has played the role of the strong but unskilled guy (same as Kenpachi). However, I wouldn't dare say Ichigo is superior to Kenpachi just because he "won" against him. I think Kenpachi was caught off guard and that's it. There's no need to overanalyze anything beyond that in my opinion. Per Bleach Wikia, the battle result is considered a draw, but the victory is given to Ichigo by Kenpachi. Ichigo's survival has been tied to his Hollow, not to his own abilities. His mask saved his life in that instance and against Renji and all other subsequent battles. Kubo essentially presented that Ichigo is nothing without his Hollow powers. I think Kubo was initially thinking this was the best way to prevent Ichigo from being overpowered and that's why Ichigo wasonly able to overcome his opponents with his Hollow powers.

Kubo made Ichigo grow too powerful too quickly. Based on what he had initially established, it seemed Ichigo's growth was tied to his Hollow and noble lineage. Those are the only two legitimate reasons to justify his strength. Kubo ended up making Ichigo a Gary Stu with his final arc though by retconning the origin of his Hollow powers in order to make Ichigo more connected to the new villain. Anyway, I digress. I don't think Ichigo is capable of defeating anyone without his Hollow so that is why he can't be the strongest in my eyes. Let's be real, Ichigo won because he is the main character, but it doesn't mean he was stronger than any of his opponents. It's a pity Kubo didn't focus on winning battles by strategy rather than a sudden power up.

I'm not sure why it's a misconception that Ukitake always get sick during battle. It is implied that it is random.

Kubo said in an interview in the Blades book that he was never sure what he was going to do with Gin. I, too, struggled to figure it out. I just can't help but feel he was meant to be a villain.