Author's Notes: Hey there everyone! It's... been a while. Sorry bout that. Anyway, this chapter is again longer than my usual 1500 or so, so look forward to reading it. There will be some surprises, and some... not surprising things happening here. As per usual: Bleach isn't owned by me, but by Tite Kubo and Sheuisha/Shounen Jump.

The Sereitei - on the Senzaikyū Bridge

"That's quite enough… now why don't we just calm down and take a mome-"

"Outta the way old guy. Otherwise you'll be in the firing line!" Ichigo growled at the white haired newcomer.

Old…guy…?

"Captain Ukitake, I appreciate the assistance, but I will deal with this fool."

Byakuya…

Ukitake recognised that his junior was itching to take down this child. Much like how he used to grow incensed as a boy, from even the smallest of infractions. Still…

"You, youngster… get out of here now. Take your comrades and go. I will not ask again."

Byakuya's eyes widened at the words. Why would Ukitake let this Ryōka go? It was against the Head Captain's orders! The law!

"Captain Ukitake…!"

Jūshiro signaled for Byakuya to stop – shaking his head.

"I won't say again youngster. Take your comrades and go, but Rukia stays!"

Ichigo was about to protest, until…

Gh! I can… barely…

The white haired Captain released his spiritual power, and the sheer force was crushing. This is… worse than that Kenpachi! The hybrid's breath was immediately taken from him, as he struggled to stand.

Ichigo's stance eventually buckled, as he looked up into the eyes of this Ukitake, and what he saw was sorrow, regret and… a promise. One he felt meant that he'd keep Rukia safe.

"…fine…huff…huff… I'll take my friends and go!" Ukitake closed his eyes and smiled kindly at the response. As he relented on his spiritual exertion.

"Hmmm… see that you do."

Ichigo picked up Ganju and called over to Hanatarō to join them. The small Soul Reaper was shaking from Ukitake's spiritual pressure.

"… Hanatarō?"

The kid (well he looked like one), was barely cognizant as Ichigo ran back over to him and shook him out of his stupor.

"Hanatarō! We need to go now!"

This finally snapped the small Soul Reaper from his daze, as he shook the remnants of the crushing pressure off himself. He slowly rose to follow Ichigo, gingerly walking over to him.

Ichigo, looked back to Rukia, "we'll be back for you Rukia. I promise!"

And with that Ichigo jumped off the bridge, with Hanatarō hesitant to comply, but realising he had no choice right now.

Oh boy!

The young medic Soul Reaper, grabbed the railing and leaped off the bridge as well.

Rukia stood up and looked over the railing to see the quickly receding forms of her friends.

You… fool…

Rukia collapsed in a heap as Ukitake ran over to her – checking her condition.

Don't worry Rukia… I will get to the bottom of this mess.

Masaki vs. Tōshiro

"I think I will be more than enough to stop you."

Masaki's eyes narrowed at the declaration from the young looking Soul Reaper. Well… Soul Reaper Captain – as he wore a haori (Captain's coat). She instinctively tensed as her hands traced her utility belt, ready to grab seele schneider for melee and/or ranged combat.

"So… Third Seat Akon was correct, you are a human woman, and a powerful one at that. And seeing as I saw projectiles flying from your subordinate's hands, and that unusual high-speed movement of yours… I can hazard a guess and say, you're both Quincy."

An anxious sweat drop trickled down her face. So… they know. This is the worst case scenario.

Now Masaki regretted dealing with that evil man, the way she did. She could've just incapacitated him and maybe they would've let it slide that she was a Quincy. Now… she had killed a member of their military, and with that, has basically declared war. And not just any kind of war… a renewal of their (Soul Reaper and Quincy) centuries old grudge.

"No need to answer, it's clear as day. I do have to wonder… with only a few of you, why you would cause so much trouble?" Tōshiro coolly questioned.

Masaki scoffed, "trouble? I never sought trouble. Our goal is to rescue Rukia, but… I could not allow the evil of that man to continue unabated!"

Her reiatsu flared as she quickly drew from her reiryokū (spiritual energy), to emphasise her point.

"Evil? While Mayuri was unnerving… he was by no means evil." He didn't really sound convinced of his own statement, since he knew the scientist-Captain, was sketchy at best. He'd heard the rumours, the whispers of some of his deeds. Yet… he was still a Captain of the Court Guards. As such…

"Then you do not know the atrocities he committed. Ask that Lieutenant of his – she knows what he did!" Masaki's tone grew colder, almost matching the chilled reiatsu of her opponent. An opponent, who was immediately wary, of the power emanating from the Quincy woman.

She drew a seele schneider from her belt, brandishing the blade and directing it at her opponent.

In response, Uryū drew one of his own, activating the energy blade and raising it into a defensive stance. His opponent, the Lieutenant, drew her own blade from its sheath.

Nothing could be heard, besides the humming of the energy blades (of the Quincy), an occasional breeze, and slight movements from the would-be combatants. Each set of combatants, eyed each other cautiously.

Tōshiro and Masaki knew that if either one of them triumphed, their respective subordinate would be swiftly captured and/or defeated.

Uryū was focused on his goal of defeating this Lieutenant. While she may dress scandalously, he could tell by her posture and reiatsu, that she was a threat. One he could not take lightly. Especially with her likely greater proficiency in melee combat. I will be at a disadvantage. Yet… I cannot back down. Not with Aunt Masaki in danger too.

Rangiku on the other hand was a little disappointed that she'd have to hurt this boy (he was cute… for a kid that is). And while her Captain looked like a kid… he was merely an adult in a child's body. Being that he was decades older than this boy she was now facing. It was sad… but it had to be done. They invaded the Seireitei, so must face the consequences.

…

Masaki gave Uryū a signal and the young Quincy, swiftly moved away from her immediate vicinity, shooting some arrows at his target, while sliding away from the area. The signal (as the two Quincy had discussed), was for Uryū to retreat to a safe distance. Of course it couldn't be used in the last battle, due to mitigating circumstances. Now though? It needed to be done, especially given the calibre of their opponents.

"After him Rangiku!"

"Sir!"

She took chase after the young Quincy, deftly dodging his volley of arrows. She was rather surprised by their speed and the boy's accuracy (given she easily dodged his last volley a while back).

As for Uryū, he slipped and slided using his hirenkyakū. Utilising the nimbleness of the technique to make it tricky for the Lieutenant to gain ground on him, while he was firing off arrows. Though, he wasn't exactly aiming to take her out with these attacks, he still made sure they were accurate and would hurt if they connected.

After sensing he was far enough away from his Aunt's own battlefield, Uryū stopped and floated in place, waiting for his opponent to catch up.

A few moments later; Rangiku did.

"…I see, you were merely luring me away. Smart, but also stupid, since I can now fight at full strength!"

She exerted her spiritual pressure, hoping to intimidate the kid into at least being off-guard. However, she was surprised that he stood his ground.

"…so this is a Lieutenant's reiatsu. I see. You're strong, but… you'll need much more than this."

The Quincy boy took a stance, Seele Schneider in hand, before disappearing out of Rangiku's sight.

…

Look at Uryū… I'm so proud.

Masaki's senses focused in on her nephew's battle. Against a seasoned Lieutenant, he was holding his own, and even… outclassing her at some points.

Captain Hitsugaya could also sense this battle. And he was not happy. He thought Rangiku was slacking… yet, that wasn't quite true. The boy had skill, and was keeping his Lieutenant on the ropes.

I guess I have no choice but to win here. Then I can help Rangiku.

Ukitake and Byakuya

"Why did you let them escape? We could've ended their invasion of the Seireitei and punished them for Captain Kurotsuchi's…!"

Ukitake raised his hand to silence his fellow captain.

"Honour dictates that I could not allow those, who would try and rescue my subordinate, to be killed right here." Declared Ukitake.

"That is treason then." Byakuya narrowed his eyes and calmly placed his palm around his blade. He was unsure if he could actually take on Ukitake – irrespective of the man's sickly state. However, orders were orders.

Ukitake sighed, "I see you are still quick to action boy. But know this… I merely let them go out of courtesy. Not just for what they tried to do, but because…" The white-haired Captain looked around the bridge connecting the Senzaikyū, to the guard station, "…this area was far too enclosed for a battle. And I am sure you would not have been able to avoid collateral damage." Ukitake looked down to Rukia, and then back to his co-worker.

Byakuya wrinkled at the insinuation, but then realised; he was right. Rukia would not have been safe.

It still pained him... having to forcefuly arrest his sister, for a crime that seemed rather trivial. 'Transferrence of Soul Reaper powers?' Even when he heard the charges, he thought them minor. Yet for some reason, C46 had deigned it to be a crime punishable by death! He could not allow that to happen... yet...

A few moments of silence, and Byakuya spun around, and walked off the bridge. "Fine... but I will find that boy and end him. He who has caused such discord in the Seireitei... he must be punished for his transgressions."

Ukitake traced Byakuya walking off the bridge and around the buildings (he did not go through the massive hole created by that boy). He sighed once the Squad Six Captain was far enough from the Senzaikyū.

Now that that's over. Best to tend to Rukia here...

He hoisted her up into a bridal carry, her lithe form unconscious in his arms.

Rukia...

A rowdy set of voices roused him from his thoughts.

"Captain! We have even more trouble!"

Momo...

Mrhm... where... am...?

A short-statured Soul Reaper, wearing her hair in a bun (tied up by a pale blue cloth), awoke groggily from a restless sleep. She had been having bad dreams as of late. Especially as she saw the discontent among her fellow Lieutenants and Captains. Made even worse, by her old friend Renji being wounded by a Ryōka and the former Squad Twelve Captain having been murdered by another Ryōka. One who was also (apparently) a Quincy.

This soul reaper, was a young Lieutenant by the name of Momo Hinamori. She was the second-in-command of Squad Five, under Captain Sosuke Aizen.

Momo rubbed her eyes of sleep, and yawned. Before promptly getting up and tidying herself for the days duties. While the Seireitei was on alert, she was allowed a few hours of rest (Captain Aizen specifically asked for it).

She adored Captain Aizen. The man was her role model and (if she were completely honest), she had a slight crush on the man. Well... slight might be an understatement. Most of those who knew Momo, knew the young woman worshipped the ground Captain Aizen graced his feet on. Rangiku teased her for it, but could understand a one-sided crush like hers, "a young woman like you should cherish these youthful emotions, while they're new and exciting. But... don't let those feelings define you." Momo always got the feeling Rangiku was speaking from experience. And if the sad, longing looks the buxom reaper gave towards a certain silver-haired, slit-eyed Captain, was anything to go by – she knew.

Yes… my duty as a Lieutenant comes first. However…

Momo pulled herself together and got ready for duty.

Part way through her routine, she noticed a… letter on her desk. Looking over the letterhead, she saw it was from…

Captain Aizen!

To my faithful Lieutenant, Momo,

I am writing this as insurance for the worst possible outcome.

I have caught wind of an insidious plot, at the heart of the Thirteen Court Guards.

At first I thought it was the machinations of your old friend, Captain Tōshiro Hitsugaya, but now I am not so sure…

This plot concerns the execution of Rukia Kuchiki and the means of her execution – by way of the Sōkyoku Halberd. A terrifyingly powerful artifact from the earliest days of the Soul Society.

I know that who so ever gains this artifact, will have the power to directly threaten the Soul Society.

Is it the Quincy, seeking revenge against us? No, I do not think so. We have reports of two Quincy in the Ryōka group. That is hardly a viable revenge plot.

And while the Ryōka are being scapegoated for their unruly behavior, this "traitor" will be able to operate in the shadows. Weaving through the chaos caused by the Ryōka.

I have a sinking suspicion that… no I cannot think such things. He has been so loyal, yet…

Do not fear dearest Momo, I will see this sorted.

Captain Sōsuke Aizen.

'Captain… Aizen.' Momo, couldn't feel any prouder of her Captain. The man is a paragon of the virtues of Soul Society and the Court Guards – diligent, duty driven, powerful, humble and kind. Okay… that last one might be something she sees in him, but still. The point stands.

Momo, slipped the letter inside her shihakūsho and made her way out to the court yard, and towards the central area of the Court Guards. While flash stepping to her post, she felt a sharp spike in a very familiar spiritual pressure.

That spiritual pressure…!

The young lieutenant made a u-turn towards the pressure, desperate to catch up to her Captain. She landed at a thoroughfare between two squad barracks. A wide open space that is shared between barracks (for a range of purposes).

Unfortunately for her the sight that greeted her, was more visceral than a brutal hollow attack. Her warrior instincts kicked in, as she swiftly examined the scene in front of her. The amount of blood… even some innards spread across the floors and walls… and her Captain…

"CAPTAIN AIZEN!"

End of Chapter Notes: So what does everyone think of this Chapter? I'm extending the length of my chapters to (technically) get through this arc a little quicker (story wise, not posting wise). And,,, yeah, I'm gonna put Momo in the deep end (just like in canon). In fact, it's probably going to be so much worse. Aizen knew he couldn't scapegoat Tōshiro like he would've in canon, so decided on using visceral imagery to prompt Momo into impulsive action. As for Squad Ten, that fight will intensify.

What I liked about this chapter was the discussion between Ukitake and Byakuya. Instead of the brutally cold Byakuya we get (until the end of the arc of course), this Byakuya is deeply conflicted, and is using cold violence and logic to mask his insecurities. See all those nice butterfly effect instances? Look forward to more.