Requiem for the Hollow Rose

by sreshtiyer

After witnessing the death of Pyrrha, white fills her vision and the Rose huntress finds herself in a desolate and bleak place. Confused, lost and still grieving the loss of her friend and her own helplessness, little does Ruby realize that was just the beginning of her arduous journey. Innocent to Mature Ruby. Rated M for psychologically disturbing themes (non-sexual).

22. Chapter 22: The battles conclude

Chapter 22: The battles conclude

The most surprising thing about Ichigo's training wasn't the fact that his Zanpakuto looked like a dreary old man with shades, or the fact that Zanpakuto even had such forms (though this was mostly Tatsuki). It was what came after. The orange haired soul reaper was already reluctant to hold his sword once more. Because unlike with Mayuri, he was now near his sisters and Tatsuki. But once the familiar visage of the old man manifested itself in front of him, he'd almost relaxed. His expectations were completely shattered when he heard what he said next.

"If you want to learn bankai, defeat the foe you failed to defeat in your last encounter" he said. And manifesting from his shadow was…..

White hair, white soul reaper attire, white skin. Everywhere they looked, they saw white. But his features looked identical to Ichigo. Except those eyes. Black sclera and yellow iris narrowed in a maniacal glare. His mouth curved into a sadistic smile. Slung over his shoulder was a photonegative version of the blade Ichigo was holding in his hand.

The effect was immediate. To Karin and Yuzu, they were stunned at how someone that looked exactly like their brother gave off airs of someone who definitely couldn't be their brother. The fact that something wearing the skin of their brother looked at them like that was unnerving.

"Wh…..what is….that….?" asked Yuzu, shivering. She was hanging onto Karin. Karin was sweating nervously as well. "Wh…what the hell…..?"

"O…oy….Ichigo…..say something!" asked Tatsuki.

No….thought Ichigo with a fearful expression. Not him again….

"You're looking pretty banged up, partner" he said, grinning.

"You…..why the hell are you here…?!" demanded Ichigo grimacing. "Oy, old man Zangetsu, what's the meaning of this?!"

"It is as I said, Ichigo. If you want to master bankai in such a short span of time, this is the only way. Face your inner self and make him submit. Only then are you qualified to learn bankai" said the old man.

"I'm actually glad we're doing this, partner. After being cooped up inside you all this time, I'm glad I finally get to come out and fight! So don't be dropping off too easy, partner!" he said, rushing at Ichigo. A move which he clumsily parried. A few more attacks from Bleachigo ended in a similar manner, some even leaving light wounds on Ichigo. Bleachigo scowled in annoyance.

"That was pathetic, even for you Ichigo. I wasn't even trying and you're already getting hurt?! You're just standing there shaking and pissing yourself! I finally get some freedom and this is what I get?! And you want to learn bankai while looking like that?! There's a limit to how pathetic you can get, Ichigo!" he shouted, sending him flying with a kick. "This is just boring. If you don't fight properly, I think I'll have much more fun with those two" he said with a twisted smile, looking towards Karin and Yuzu. The two shuddered, stepping back. Bleachigo rushed at them, swinging Zangetsu. His face, his ecstatic expression that looked exactly like Ichigo, it was too much. They simply couldn't do it, to defend themselves.

In that moment, in that exact moment, what nobody would notice until much, much later, was the fact that despite his abrupt declaration and unprovoked assault at his sisters, Bleachigo stopped, just for the briefest of moments, just inches away from the twins. His expression changed from sadistic pleasure to one of annoyance and helplessness, just for that brief moment.

Karin was still too shocked by the appearance of her brother's photonegative version being and acting in a way she could never imagine her brother being. All she could do was to clench her eyes tightly and shrink down within herself in helplessness. Tatsuki too had been shaken, for she was not one to lose composure that quickly. Even so, she felt as if she was looking at a side of her childhood friend she never knew. Yuzu however, was different. Yes, she flinched when this 'Ichigo' rushed at them so suddenly. But she never took her eyes off of him. And when he froze in place just for that instant, Yuzu hadn't missed it. Watching his expression change as it did, she could only feel pity for him. Her expression mirrored this, which only caused Bleachigo's expression to further aggravate.

For what none of them had realized, was the fact that though Ichigo had been influenced by the killer instinct and desire for battle that Bleachigo possessed, the opposite was also true. Any true hollow would've killed those closest to themselves the moment they turned from pluses to hollows. But what Ichigo's hollow version himself didn't realize then, was the fact that just as he had influenced Ichigo, he too, had been affected by his partner's desire to protect those that he held dear. Which was why regardless of what he said or how he was in battle, he couldn't physically bring himself to harm those that his instincts screamed at to protect. And that vexed him. He was drawn to them and yet, he could never reach them.

But before any of this could be realized by any of the occupants of the training room, his blade was blocked by another, the sound of their clashing ringing out throughout the entire underground chamber. Standing in front of them, panting and with a furious expression on his face, was the orange haired soul reaper.

"Looks like you can be motivated after all!" said hollow Ichigo, pressing his Zanpakuto against Ichigos. All of the confusion and helplessness from before had instantly vanished, his sadistic pleasure back full force.

"YOU BETTER LEAVE MY SISTERS ALONE!" he roared, pushing him back. Bleachigo only grinned in response. He then turned to his sisters. "Karin…..Yuzu…..I'll handle him. You guys focus on your training"

"Bu…but…!" started Yuzu.

"Go. Now." He said simply. Reluctantly they obliged.

"Come on. Leave your brother to his training. You girls need to focus too" urged Yoruichi.

"Ichigo…..you'd better explain things later!" demanded Tatsuki, before urging Karin and Yuzu to go with Yoruichi. Ichigo could only give a quick nod before he focused on parrying another hit from Bleachigo. This time however, his grip was firmer. Though the trio was placated for the time being, the expression Yuzu noticed on her brother's alter ego would still be on her mind.

---

Yoruichi wasn't kidding when she mentioned that their training would be hell. And that they wouldn't get a single moment's worth of rest. Because not only were they not fully healed yet, they were also being pushed beyond their limits while trying to fight through the pain. Not to mention, the fact that they would have only one day after their three-day training regimen was always there in the air to remind them of the gravity of the situation. Now, Yoruichi herself was only one person and so she couldn't spare enough time to train three people; namely Tatsuki, Karin and Yuzu. Knowing that they could train in their inner world, Yoruichi first focused on Karin and Yuzu, teaching them some basic kido spells. Mostly bakudo and a few handful hado spells. She admitted that she wasn't as skilled with Kido as their father or Kisuke, but for the time being, that in itself would keep them busy. And once she was done there, she went over to Tatsuki.

The two of them couldn't have been a better match. To Yoruichi, Tatsuki did remind her of Soi-Fon a lot, though Tatsuki was more upfront and wasn't so stiff in front of her as Soi-Fon was back in the day. The fact that Tatsuki fought using hand to hand skills meant that there was no better person to teach Tatsuki fighting skills.

The raven-haired teen too, found it oddly comfortable being around the flash master. Yoruichi taught her Shinigami hand to hand techniques, which she modified so a human like Tatsuki could use. She was surprised by her skill and ingenuity though would often fall prey to her 'teasing', causing her to lose focus now and then. But even so, she had never exhausted herself to this extent in her entire life. And this was just after one sparring session out of several throughout the day. She still had a long way to go. After all, she still had to fight using her flame powers.

---

Karin was back in the lush green plains of her inner world. The moonless sky looked just as beautiful as it did the first time she came here. However, something was different still. Incredibly so. The faint starry sky was still present, however this time, instead of the galaxy, illuminating her entire world was a sphere of black, with a glowing ring of light around the sphere's circumference and going around the sphere like a disc. Its light washed out nearly any light that the starry sky gave out. She knew at once what she was looking at.

"Looks real cool, doesn' it?" asked the familiar voice of Shingetsu, her silver hair practically glowing. Her red eyes were focused at the sphere. "It ain't the real thing though. Sorry to disappoint ya. I know how much you would've loved to see the real thing"

"Why is it…?"

"Why's it here?" she asked. "That thing represents your current state of mind right now. You've probably figured it out, but obviously that thing's a black hole. What was once an endless collection of stars that represented your hopes, potential and aspirations and infinite possibility is now that, a black hole, one of the greatest unknowns in the universe. You've always been interested in this stuff haven't you? After all, you want to become an astronaut someday ya?" she asked, looking at Karin. She could only turn away in embarrassment, as if that was something she didn't really talk about. "Come on, I'm you and you're me. Its no surprise I'd know about it, you don't need to act all embarrassed" she said. "But having said that, you should know what that represents. Humans always are fascinated by the unknown and yet, fear it just as greatly. After cherry blossom pin cushioned you, your determination to get back at him called out to your soul for the means to make that happen. To tap even further into your untapped abilities. But at the same time, your mind also grew just as reluctant to reach out to that power. You, who were always skeptical about such things. Who always denied that which you couldn't explain"

Karin listened to her in silence, only realizing how spot on she had been. Even when it came to seeing and acknowledging spirits, or having quincy powers somehow, or to soul reapers or to watching Yoruichi turning into a hot babe from a cat, disbelief had always been her first reaction. Never fascination.

"Tell me, are you really willing to reach out? Do you think you can? With your heart as uncertain as it is? As afraid as it is of facing cherry blossom again?" she asked, stepping back. "As uncertain as it is of me…?" she asked sadly.

"I…"

"I don't want to hear it, shorty. Actions over words. I refuse to teach you anything, as uncertain and scared as you are now. If I gave in to your requests, you'll only grow more unsure. And that would mean that thing's gonna grow bigger as well. And I would hate nothing more than that" she said sternly, pointing to the black hole. She then disappeared. Karin yelped, looking around for her.

"If you can overcome your fear and uncertainty, you'll be able to find me. Do that, and I'll teach you, spar with you, whatever you want. Otherwise, you can forget about it" said her ghostly voice.

---

Like her sister, Yuzu found herself within the lush wheat fields of her mindscape. And the sky looked just as beautiful as she remembered, but the moon was lit a blood red color.

"Yuzu…." Called out the familiar voice of Mangetsu.

"Mangetsu….." she acknowledged. "Why is the moon.."

"You've come so far" he said with pride. "I've been with you since you were born, watching over you all the way. You, the sweet and gentle girl, who wouldn't harm a single soul, found the courage and determination to fight, to raise her arms against other beings. When you fought against hollows, I felt uneasy. But your kindness never left you, despite the circumstances around you. And that made me feel better. Even when you reached here, to fight those that were like you, you held firm. During your fight with Ikkaku Madarame, I felt such pride. Your beliefs and your determination that you held so dear, I finally grew to respect them" he said.

"I….." she replied, looking to her side.

"But Yuzu" he said. "You've now reached a point where that alone won't be enough. It is now infinitely harder to hold on to your beliefs. Despite how much you may want to stray away from violence and bloodshed, your fight with Byakuya proved otherwise. And the moon above us reflects the same. Are you truly willing to fight on, even knowing that?" he asked. "Can you truly bring yourself to maim others such as you to do what's needed?"

"I….I have to…." She replied. "If not, then.."

"No Yuzu" he said, nodding his head. "Your answer must be one that brings no pain to your heart. Right now, its burning you on the inside, the fact that you may have to hurt and kill others to gain the strength you want. The fact that you may become like Byakuya Kuchiki if you chased after that power. A person who's capable of being determined enough to kill their own sister. And your determination is wavering, because you know you're perfectly capable of doing it too. I never want to see you in such a pained state. Nor do I want to see the light of the moon drowned out and stain the sky red" he said. He then slowly disappeared amongst the wheat stalks.

"When you reach the answer you're looking for, I will be visible to you again. Before you gain strength, before we go any further, I want to hear your answer once more, with your mind, body and soul in sync. Because otherwise, there wont be any point to gaining any strength if you lack the resolve and determination to use it. But worry not. I wont force you to choose. Even if you wish to stay as you are, I will fully respect that. But no matter what choice you make, I only want your decision to be one made with unwavering resolve"

During the time the siblings + Tatsuki were training, Toshiro Hitsugaya would discover the prison break orchestrated by Gin Ichimaru, fight with Momo and hear some disturbing facts from her.

The day passed by without much success from any side. Ichigo was only given a break because Yoruichi deemed it enough for the day. Bleachigo was about to rush at Yoruichi, but fortunately, he and the old man turned back into the humanoid shaped cardboard cutout before they could do anything. Karin and Yuzu were still deep in meditation within their inner worlds and Ichigo was dead tired from sparring with his bleached version the whole day. Yoruichi suggested the Tatsuki to have a dip at the recovery springs. She and Yoruichi then later joined in for a much needed relaxing dip at the warm waters.

"Hmm…..this lacks a little something. I know, why don't we throw him in as well!" suggested Yoruichi, grinning.

"What?! No way!" replied Tatsuki before she could even think. "He's a guy! Have some tact!"

"Yeah, so?" asked Yoruichi in a casual manner. "He's fast asleep, he wont know a thing. Even if he was really awake, I hardly doubt he'd have the guts to actually look" he said. "And besides, the two of you have practically known each other your whole lives noe? I'm sure you must've atleast bathed together right?"

"Don't make it sound as if it's the most obvious thing in the world!" she said with clenched teeth "And besides, if you're so interested in having him here, why don't I leave and you can keep him here all you want!" said Tatsuki.

"Aww, but I thought you'd want him to be here~~" she cooed "After all, you were all like-" she said, making some waving motions all over her body.

"STOP! STAAAAPP!" interrupted Tatsuki fiercely in an effort to prevent herself from being reminded of her embarrassing dream. "I thought we agreed not to talk about it again!"

"Well, I never! I'd remember if I ever made such a boring promise" she said innocently.

"Hey! Come on now, that was like an hour ago! You've doing this on purpose aren't you?" asked Tatsuki on the verge of giving up.

"Fu fu fu, and yet, it never seems to get old!" she said gleefully. "I know! Why don't I show you that" she said naughtily. "After all, I did promise to show you the ropes. Soi-Fon was no fun at all in that sense but I'm sure you'll be worth it!"

And a terrified Tatsuki watched as Yoruichi approached inched closer to her while her naughty smile grew wider and wider.

She was expecting something entirely different, and yet, all she felt was her head resting between Yoruichi's breasts as she pulled Tatsuki into an embrace.

"Feeling better?" asked Yoruichi. Tatsuki gasped.

"You've been worried about those two, haven't you? And Ichigo? Especially after his 'negative' version came out" asked Yoruichi. "Throughout the entire day, I could see it on your face plain as day"

"Ho….how did you….?" Asked a surprised Tatsuki.

"Fu fu fu, I have to say, at times like that, you really do remind me of Ruby" said Yoruichi chuckling. "But you know, you shouldn't try to be her. She's she and you're you. Sure, its not too bad to look up to her. She's a wonderful girl. But you shouldn't try to become like her. She's different and you're different and the two of you are wonderful at different things. I can tell the four of you are trying to fill in the gap left by her absence. Those siblings did it by looking up to Rukia and you as they did their big sister. You're trying to do it by trying to catch up to the person you look up to the most. Both as a way of filling up the void she left behind and also as a way of becoming what she was to them" said Yoruichi.

Tatsuki looked down in a downcast manner, unable to say anything back. How could she know all that just by knowing her for a few days? If anything, she was barely an acquaintance if at all. So then how? She asked herself. Why did she feel so…..comfortable around her? It was like those times she was with Ruby. Perhaps a naughtier and livelier version of her. But the homely feeling that Ruby gave her was the same.

"Don't worry about them" assured Yoruichi. "They're much, much stronger than you give them credit for. And they have reliable people to look after them. Even those that may not be around at the moment" she said. "It might seem a bit overwhelming now, being thrust into a world completely different from the one you've lived in for the last 15 years. But everything will be alright" she said.

It was such a simple thing. That last sentence wasn't even something out of the ordinary. But when Yoruichi simply said 'Everything will be alright', she grimaced and gave in to the comforting embrace, all the tension draining from her body. Yoruichi simply rubbed her head.

"Thank you" she breathed out.

"There's no need for thanks for such a small thing. If anything, I'm the one that's happy to get the chance to fulfil my promise to her. To look after you four if she was ever not around. But if you insist…" said Yoruichi with a sleazy voice, her naughty tone back in full force "Why don't we continue from where we left off..?"

And though Tatsuki completely lost any little innocence she had that night as Yoruichi 'showed her the ropes', the memory of that night would be one that she would fondly remember from time to time.

---

Karin and Yuzu were still deep in meditation. But they were getting light scratches here and there. Which indicated to Yoruichi that the two of them were now engaged with their Zanpakuto spirits. Ichigo continued his fight against his other half, the battle now going with much more intensity.

"No good, partner. You still aren't even using Zangetsu properly, let along trying to beat me to achieve bankai. At this rate, even a hundred years would be wasted on you!" grinned Hichigo maniacally, throwing Zangetsu like a dart using the cloth wrap. At this point, Ichigo was so used to that attack that he dodged it unconsciously, as he did many of the other wild attacks that came his way. Yes, his other self was definitely much better at using Zangetsu. But at the same time, he was a lot better at avoiding attacks. Heck, at some point during their bout, he'd learnt he could use flash step at will. He also realized that he could release a huge crescent wave of reiatsu from his Zanpakuto at times, but unlike the flash step, he couldn't pull it off whenever he wanted. Most times he could do it, but he was just on the verge of figuring it out. But to his dismay, his hollow self could do it every single time. Which of course meant that he now needed to avoid those wild attacks of Hichigo delivered at the speeds of his own flash step. He was only being saved by the fact that he was slowly growing familiar with his photonegative self's attacks which meant he could react to his attacks a bit faster than he anticipated.

On the other end, Tatsuki had made tremendous progress in just a day, a feat that surprised the flash master to say the least. She wasn't even a soul reaper and yet, she was learning at an amazing rate. The knack Tatsuki had for martial arts and battle was surreal. Already, Tatsuki could had learnt to increase the number of fireballs she could launch from her fists before she ran empty. Not to mention, using them in a variety of different ways. She could cloak her fists in her flames, increasing her attack power. By punching the ground during that time, she could send a trailing line of flames in front of her. And if she wanted to, she found she could also remotely make her fire blasts explode after sending it.

"I have to say, I'm impressed. She's far surpassed the potential Soi-Fon showed me when we first started. If she can do this much as a human, I can only imagine how powerful she would be as a soul reaper. Perhaps….given enough time, at some point she might be able to learn Shunko, even though she's just a human. A fire elemental Shunko….now THAT would be something to see" thought Yoruichi to herself.

Their training didn't progress much longer however, for it was interrupted by none other than Renji Abarai.

"Renji…..how the hell did you get here?!" asked Ichigo surprised.

"With your spirit energy leaking out as it is, you'd have to be an idiot to not notice" he said. "But you don't need to look so on guard. I'm not here to fight you. In fact, I've decided I'm going to rescue Rukia. Which is why, I came here for my own Bankai training" he said. He then looked over to the twins still in meditation with their Zanpakuto and naturally, he didn't miss the menacingly smiling visage of Ichigo's negative.

"Heh, it's that weakling with whom you had so much trouble. If it were me back then, I'd have finished the fight a long time back" he snarled.

"Don't tell me…..that's your Zanpakuto…" asked Renji, annoyed and startled.

"Heck no! He's just a pain in the ass whom I have to beat in order to reach bankai. My Zanpakuto spirit is that one!" said Ichigo defensively, pointing to the old man with a tattered cloak and dark shades.

Naturally Renji was confused. Normally, the only way to achieve Bankai would be to make your Zanpakuto spirit submit. There were no exceptions he knew of. So then why was Ichigo fighting this…thing that felt so much like a hollow? Not to mention, it was this thing that was holding Zangetsu, not the middle aged man with dark shades. If he was really Ichigo's Zanpakuto, shouldn't he be the one that held Zangetsu? Asked Renji to himself.

But he had no time to waste on such trivial matters. After all, he needed to work on his bankai as well.

"Well, I don't really get it but whatever. I need to work on bankai as well. I couldnt be wasting anymore time just idling around in jail. I have a ton of questions and I heard some insane rumors when I was in jail. But now that her execution date's been changed, I'll put all that aside for now" he said.

"Wait…..what the hell do you mean that the execution date was changed?!" asked Ichigo.

"You haven't heard?" asked Renji in a serious tone. "Her execution is now scheduled to be at noon tomorrow" he said, utterly shocking those present. Yoruichi was the one that was most worried.

"Noon tomorrow….?! That's way too short! No doubt Ichigo has made tremendous progress in his training but still, to achieve bankai by noon tomorrow…..?! There's no way he…!" her thoughts trailed off.

"Heh, so the bitch is going to be killed off tomorrow? Good riddance I say! I never really understood taking this much trouble to go after one weak little soul reaper without any pow-" Hichigo stopped his sentence midway when he noticed his partner's spiritual pressure spike to levels far above what he was radiating when the two started fighting.

"Noon tomorrow you say….fine" said Ichigo in a low tone. "If that's the case, then it just means I just have to kick your ass by then and reach bankai!" he declared, pointing his sword at Hichigo.

"I don't care what happens to that broad, you're still dreaming if you think you can beat me like that, partner!" said Hichigo, challenging Ichigo in a similar manner.

"Well, looks like you have a plan then" said Renji smiling, going away to focus on his own training. Yoruichi however, was still unconvinced. Ichigo's reiatsu was still spiking but she knew that alone wouldn't be enough. But what changed her mind later on, was his eyes. Eyes that contained a glint that instantly changed her opinion of him in mere moments. Though it seemed highly unlikely, Yoruichi somehow knew that he would manage to pull it off somehow. And so, she resumed her own training with Tatsuki.

---

It was by the end of this day that Rangiku and Toshiro ran into someone they never expected to see in a million years. At first, they hardly recognized him. It was to be expected. Shinigami in the soul society rarely show any signs of aging even after living for decades. Though individual appearances can vary depending on a variety of factors (such as the head captain looking significantly older compared to a thousand years ago yet Unohana looking the same in the same span of time), a general rule of thumb was the Shinigami appearances were generally unchanging.

"Cap….captain…..Shiba…..!" stammered Toshiro wild eyed. The youngest captain of the Gotei 13 and one even regarded as a prodigy, he was rarely one to lose composure. And yet, even he was mumbling and trembling upon seeing the face of his old captain, for a variety of reasons.

"Yo, Toshiro" called out Isshin casually. "So you became the captain after me huh? Well, no surprise there really" he said with a sheepish grin.

"I…wh….you…" mumbled Rangiku as she struggled to get words out.

"What are you….doing here….?...Where were….?" Asked Toshiro.

"Heh, you're still stuck as a lieutenant I see. Still slacking off all time? Poor Toshiro, I pity him" he said sighing. "The only thing that's changed is your boobs. Seriously, how big are they gonna get?" he asked sheepishly "Not that I'm complaining for the free view. Ack dammit, no, no, no! I only have eyes for my Masaki!" he cried comically, taking out a picture of her from his sleeve.

"Wh…! That's the first thing you have to say?!" protested Rangiku. "You're still as perverted as they come!"

"Tell me about it, Captain. After you disappeared, I've been left to deal with her incompetence" he said deadpanned.

"Aww not you too captain~~" cooed Rangiku.

"Anyways captain Shiba, that's besides the point! What are you even doing here?!" he asked. "Where have you been in the last 20 years?!"

"Why don't we talk along the way?" he suggested. "I'm sure you guys have a lot of things to ask. But there are far more important things to discuss now. We can have a nice long talk after that" he said in a serious tone.

"What do you mean?" asked Rangiku, the playfulness gone from her voice. It wasn't often that her ex captain was serious. But when he was, things usually were grave indeed.

"Heard Aizen's dead" said Isshin.

"Yeah, he was found a couple of days back stabbed by his own zanpakuto" informed Toshiro. "But what does that have to do with you, captain Shiba?"

"Alright, I know you're calling me that, but I'm not your captain anymore. Therefore, just call me Isshin. And as for Aizen, let's just say that when I heard something so outrageous as him getting killed, I just had to come and see for myself. Because none of you have any idea how dangerous he really is. And I'll admit, I fell for it too" he said.

"Dangerous….? What do you…?" asked Rangiku.

"First Momo and then you….looks like there's something fishy going on with him after all….we WERE just about to seek an audience with Central 46 for the same reason" said Toshiro.

"Looks like I made the right choice then. Perfect. Let's go together. I want you two to tell me everything that's happened regarding Aizen" said Isshin. "As I mentioned, it's better we talk along the way. Central 46 is quite a bit away. And then I can tell you what I've discovered about him"

---

The following day, a series of simultaneous events would take place one after the other all while the Kurosaki siblings remained blissfully unaware. It was the day of the execution for one. All the captains and lieutenants were setting out to gather in the Sokyouku stand to witness the execution. But the various squad captains were split up and some were incapacitated. So it was understandable that some would not make it. Not to mention, news was not travelling fast enough around the squads. So many in fact, had no idea that powerful intruders such as Isshin and Yoruichi were still out there somewhere.

The first highlight of the day would be Renji's confrontation with Byakuya. After having learnt Bankai first, he went on ahead, leaving the Kurosaki siblings and Yoruichi Shihouin to follow after later. Personally, he felt he had to do something to make up for letting Rukia's fate get to where it was at the moment. Byakuya had mostly recovered after his confrontation with Isshin Kurosaki. Though he had filed in a report of the day's happenings, he had no idea how many actually received the report. Renji wanted to use the fact that his captain was injured and also the fact that he would likely underestimate him. It worked initially, with Renji being able to retaliate against Byakuya and keeping up with him. At what he thought was the right time, he released his bankai, Hihio Zabimaru. His jagged sword transformed into a giant segmented snake like zanpakuto linked together by reishi. But it was all for naught, for his bankai's giant size limited his mobility and maneuverability while Byakuya still hadn't even used his bankai. With a simple kido spell, he immobilized Renji and then unleased his own bankai, Senbonzankua Kageyoshi, which was a more voluminous version of his shikai. Being immobilized, Renji had no way of avoiding the inrush of deadly bladed sakura petals as they literally smothered him. The number of cuts and slices her received on his body after they passed were so numerous that his body was dyed the same color as his hair. As Byakuya turned to leave towards the execution stand, Renji made one last ditch effort to stab Byakuya through sheer willpower, but only managed to make contact with his shoulder blade with no visible wound on him. However, Byakuya was impressed enough to pay respects to him before going his way. Renji would later be found by squad 4 personal and be sent to intensive care.

In the barracks of squad 11, Kenpachi Zaraki was brimming with excitement, despite his loss against Isshin Kurosaki. His injuries be damned, he wasn't going to be down in bed all day when so many interesting fighters amongst the intruders were still about. Heck, the fact of the matter was, they seemed much more interesting than the dreary captains who wouldn't let him do as he pleased. And so, an idea came to his mind, one which his squad mates weren't too keen on when he voiced it to them.

"Heh, I think it'll be much more interesting to support the intruders. Maybe then I'll get to fight those captains who never lift a finger!" he declared with a grin. Naturally he was advised against it, but those fell on deaf ears. Yachiru was as excited as he was and Ikkaku and Yumichika, who had also recovered, natural decided to support their captain.

"I wonder if I'll get to fight Karin this time!" he said with a grin.

And so, on his way to find the best place with all the action, he stumbled upon the cell in which three of the intruders were kept. Namely Orihime, Chad and Uryu. At first, he was going to kill them because they weren't nearly worth it, but then he realized they would be his key to the other intruders. And so, he 'insisted' that they come along. Although Uryu was really skeptical at first, he was practically dragged along by the pink haired lieutenant of squad 11.

It was comical at best at first, with Orihime and Yachiru arguing over who got to direct the hulking captain of squad 11 and the rest of their group. While the others tried to convince the pink haired lieutenant to go along with Orihime, all they got were nicknames from her. It wouldn't be long however before the group was ambushed by two captains and their lieutenants. Kaname Tosen and Sajin Komamura along with Hisagi Shuhei and Iba Tetsuzaimon. Yumichika and Ikkaku offered to help their captain with the unavoidable conflict, but Zaraki simply scoffed at them, declaring that he would take on all four of them at once, asking the rest to beat it and head towards the execution grounds.

But naturally, being part of squad 11 meant that there were some you simply didn't do. And one of those was to run away from a fight. Therefore, Ikkaku and Yumichika proudly stood their ground, saying they would never do something as cowardly as running away. The bald Shinigami took on Iba while Yumichika engaged with Hisagi. Kenpachi on the other hand, looked forward to his fight with the two captains while Yachiru continued to guide Orihime, Chad and Uryu towards the execution grounds.

The only victor in all of their battles would be Yumichika, with the other two battles ending up in a draw.

---

In the execution stand, things were relatively calm. However, it was also practically empty. Not many of the summoned captains were present, a fact that Captain of squad 2, Soi-Fon herself wondered. Rukia had been held up high atop the execution stand. The Sokyouku, the execution blade composed of a million zanpakuto, had been primed after being unsealed. Before being strung up, Yamamoto made her an empty promise of sparing the rest of the intruders if she chose to accept her fate without question. Something that brought peace to her heart before the inevitable. The participants overlooking were; The head captain and his lieutenant Chojiro, Sof-Fon and her lieutenant Omaeda, Unohana and her lieutenant Isane, Byakuya (who Soi-Fon was surprised to see considering that it was his sister being executed) and Kyouraku and Nanao. The rest of the officers were either wounded, didn't care, or were doing something else, theorized Soi-Fon.

The execution was beginning, with the Sokyouku now alight, changing into the shape of a gigantic bird of fire. A bird that promised her death. But Rukia's heart was calm, knowing that Ichigo, Karin and Yuzu and the others would be spared. She continued to watch the bird approach closer and closer. She closed her eyes and waited for release. The last thing she saw, was the Kurosaki sibling's faces.

She waited and waited. She could still feel the intense heat generated by the bird. But the heat didn't get any stronger. In fact, it felt a lot cooler than when the Sokyouku was first unsealed. She slowly opened her eyes. Standing in front of her, blocking the Sokyouku from her field of vision, were two figures, their backs exposed to her. The blazing light from the bird made it hard for her to see any distinct figures but she could tell from their hairstyles who it was that was standing in front of her. Because that glowing blue energy shield blocking the bird's beak could only belong to one person.

"Yo, Ruki-nee!" called out Karin's voice, a small satisfied smile on her face. Rukia could only gasp upon hearing their voice.

"Glad we made it in time!" said Yuzu, still holding off the bird with Mangetsu.

Rukia had no idea what to say or think at this point. She had accepted her fate and the head captain even promised to spare them if she chose to accept her judgement without fighting back. So then why? Why did these people come after her, nearly getting killed, only to save her like this?! Why would they throw away their lives time and time again for someone like her!

"Why….." she whimpered. "You IDIOTS! Why would you come back after my brother nearly killed you?! Isnt it enough?! I had no regrets! If you had let me die, then you could have gone back to where you belong safely! Why would you…why would you even let me die in peace!?" she roared.

"You're the one that's an idiot, Ruki-nee" said Karin disappointed. "Not only did you not consider our feelings if you simply went ahead and got yourself killed like this, you're actually convinced they would simply let us live and go back home after all the ruckus we caused. Sometimes you're too naïve for your own good, Ruki-nee"

"Wh…?!"

"And besides" said Yuzu. "We already lost Onee-chan and mom without even being able to do anything. We couldn't let the same thing happen again"

"Yeah, what she said" agreed Karin.

"They….they stopped the spear!" exclaimed Soi-Fon. "The same spear which has the power of a million zanpakuto! Who in the world are they?!"

Unohana and Isane watched, surprised. Some like the head captain and Byakuya maintained a straight face, but it was easy to tell they were undeniably surprised by the sudden intrusion.

"Nanao, do we know anything about which squad they belong to?" asked Kyoraku.

"I'm afraid not, Captain. We're yet to receive any reports from any of the other squads. But…..someone capable of that would certainly not be unnoticed. We would've known them if they were part of the Gotei 13. They must be part of the intruders" she informed. Kyoraku lowered his hat.

"So in the end, the day is saved by a couple of kids while the grown ups stand by watching this play out. How ironic" he said to himself.

The bird retreated back, preparing to attack.

"Look out! It's planning to attack again! Move! You wont be able to block a second hit!" shouted Rukia, but the twins stood where they were.

"Chillax, Ruki-nee. You've been helping Ichi-nii and us all this time. So this time, why don't you allow us to show you our cool side" she grinned. She then looked at Yuzu and nodded. The wheat haired twin nodded back.

Right then, Ukitake and his two subordinates joined in the crowd below. Ukitake was about to make his move, planning to destroy the Sokyouku and save Rukia. However, something happened that would leave their mouth open agape for all to see.

As the phoenix approached Yuzu and Karin, Karin switched over for Yuzu, readying her Zanpakuto. She raised Shingetsu, the sword glowing with red reishi. At the same time, he eyes, arms and body were lit with red reishi veins. This included her Zanpakuto. And with one sweeping downward stroke, she swung down.

"Getsuga Tenshou"

A massive crescent red wave split the bird in two, following which the bird was shredded to pieces, the fiery bits raining down on the others. While that happened, Yuzu went over to Rukia, standing atop the stand. She gripped Mangetsu, and the energy shield disappeared, leaving only the circular ring.

"Yarigata Mangetsu" (Lit. - Mangetsu Spear Form)

Blue reishi emanated from the ring, with one end shaping itself like the tip of a spear while the other end formed a long handle made with reishi. She then thrust the spear right into the stand. The stand glowed brightly, before there was an explosion that sent vibration, debris and smoke all around them.

When the smoke and debris cleared, they saw that the stand had been destroyed. There was also no sign of the Sokyouku and standing atop one of the broken pieces were the intruders, supporting Rukia on each side.

"So? Think we still need to be looked after?" asked Karin.

Rukia stood speechless, supported by two souls she considered naught but children. When did the two of them become so capable? These two, who were only a tenth as old as she was, already stood over her with such confidence and presence.

"You're right" she said with a smile. "I hadn't realized, the two of you had grown up so much. Though I have no right to say it, I'm proud to watch you two like this, considering where you were before"

Down below however, the story was different.

"They…they destroyed the stand….and the Sokyouku….?!" Exclaimed Soi-Fon once more. Her lieutenant was the same.

"Who…..are these children….?!" Exclaimed Unohana inwardly. The head captain was visibly surprised this time. Byakuya still remained stone faced, but this time, it was because he knew exactly whom he was looking at.

Even Kyouraku was stunned. The playful expression on his face was gone.

"I see…..in the end, it's only fitting that they are the ones that save her life" said Ukitake looking down. "And its no surprise that they're capable of such a thing. They ARE his children after all"

"What's this?! Captain Ukitake, you know them?!" asked Soi-Fon.

"Yeah. They are-"

"Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki, daughters of Isshin Shiba, the ex-captain of the 10th squad of the Gotei 13 who disappeared 20 years ago" said Byakuya, completing the sentence for Ukitake.

There was a shocked silence after he said that. This of course told him that the reports he'd made clearly hadn't reached any of the officers present, including the head captain.

"Isshin….Shiba…?!" said Soi-Fon shocked.

"Captain Shiba had….children….?!" exclaimed Isane.

"Those are…..his children….." repeated Unohana to herself. "…..In the end, she's once again saved by the Shiba Clan…"

"Whoa whoa whoa….you're telling me….THAT Isshin had children…..My, who would've thought that lazy ass would become a father!" said Kyoraku animated. "I've to congratulate him when I see him next! Such cuties they are too!"

"Captain, that's hardly what we should be!" started Nanao, but the head captain's booming voice cut across all that were present.

"Jushiro, why did you not make a report of this earlier!" he boomed, tapping his cane. "And you too Captain Kuchiki! I am disappointed that someone of your stature failed at something so simple!"

Just then, a messenger arrived at the scene.

"Reporting to all captains and lieutenants! This is a joint report from Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Captain Jushiro Ukitake! The captain of the 6th squad has made contact and engaged with four of the intruders at the prisoner's tower! One of them is the ex-captain of squad 10, Isshin Shiba! The other intruders were Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki, his children, along with a human intruder! They were also accompanied by Hanataro Yamada, the 7th seat of squad 4!" he shouted out. "Captain Kurotsuchi has also engaged with an intruder with orange hair and a giant Zanpakuto whose whereabouts are unknown!"

"YOU FOOL! HOW DARE YOU MAKE SUCH DELAYS WHEN REPORTING SUCH IMPORTANT INFORMATION!" boomed Yamamoto, sending the poor messenger scurrying backwards. "THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! For the transgression of impeding the execution of the convicted, all squad captains and lieutenants are to immediately capture and execute the intruders before any further damage is caused!" he said, tapping his cane in the ground once more.

"Uwaaah, looks like we became famous Yuzu" said Karin deadpanned.

"This might be a bit tricky…" she agreed.

"What now…?" asked Rukia. "How do you two plan on getting out of here? And…..where's Ichigo..?" she asked.

"Don't worry Ruki-nee. Why would we come here if we didn't know this is how it would be? We rushed first because Ichi-nii needed some more time to finish his training. Of course we aren't planning to fight all of them. That would be plain suicide. But we don't really need to now do we? We just need to stall them long enough to get out of here"

"We still haven't figured out how that's going to work out though. They're all captains after all" admitted Yuzu. "But, we saw they were getting started and so we had no choice but to rush in before we had a plan. Oh, there's onii-chan and onee-chan!" said Yuzu, pointing down.

Two more presences arrived at the scene. One was an orange haired soul reaper with a giant cleaver of a Zanpakuto strapped to his back. The other was a raven haired girl with a costume of sorts.

"Who are those two?!" exclaimed Omaeda.

"That one…..she's a human…!" said Isane, noting the spiritual pressure. "Wait…that means!"

"It's the intruders!" alerted Soi-Fon. "That orange hair and the Zanpakuto, he's the one from Kurotsuchi's reports!"

*WHIZZ!* *WHIZZ!*

Two blurs could be heard as the twins flash stepped from the broken stand and to Ichigo.

"Glad the two of you are safe and made it" said Tatsuki, petting the twins.

"Tsuki-nee, that's embarrassing" said Karin, looking away.

"I….ichigo…" murmured Rukia slowly.

"Yo" he greeted her casually. "God job, Yuzu, Karin. Thanks for holding them off. We'll take it from here. The two of you get her out of here" he said.

"Onii-chan, don't joke like that! They're all captains! Even you wont be able to!" she protested.

"If anything, we should stay here and clear a path and then leave together!" said Karin.

"Hmm, the girls do have a point" said Tatsuki. "They're already glaring daggers at us, I think it'll be difficult to make out escape"

"Urgh, fine! We don't have time to argue anyways. But the two of you stay back. Tatsuki, take care of them. I'll handle the frontal-"

"WHAT ARE YOU FOOLS WAITING FOR?! AFTER THEM! ALL LIEUTENANTS AFTER THEM!" roared Yamamoto. And with that, Isane, Chojiro, Omaeda and Nanao all rushed after the siblings and Tatsuki.

"Bite, Gonryoumaru!" said Chojiro and his zanpakuto transformed into a rapier.

"Now run, Itegumo!" said Isane, making her zanpakuto transform into a three-pronged sai weapon.

Nanao simply rushed forward, readying a kido spell.

"Crush them, Gegetsuburi!" said Omaeda barely, before the orange haired soul reaper punched straight through him, crushing his chained spike mace along the way.

Karin rushed at Chojiro, swinging at him with Shingetsu. The red veined triangle blade made a loud clang as Chojiro tried to hold on but was still sent flying from the force of her blade.

Isane swung at Yuzu, but her blade was stopped by her skin, as if she was striking at a steel wall.

"Bakudo #30, Shitotsu Sansen!" she chanted and three triangular arrowheads of yellow reishi pinned Isane to the ground. Not matter how much she tried, she couldn't free herself.

"I….I cant undo her Kido….!" She exclaimed internally.

Yes. This was the answer the two of them had arrived at. Karin simply found the resolve to accept her powers, out of necessity to catch up to her brother and Tatsuki, both of whom she looked up to, who were trying just as hard as she was.

As for Yuzu, she had chosen hers as well. Regardless of what anyone told her, she continued to believe in her principles. She would protect, shield those around her with her power. A zanpakuto that matched her own beliefs, Mangetsu. She would not kill anyone. She would always continue to seek the way of a pacifist. And so, the strength of her resolve led her to her answer.

As for Nanao, she pointed her palm at Tatsuki, chanting, Hado #30, Shakkahou!. The red orb of explosive reishi sped towards the raven haired human, but she only smirked in response, punching towards the incoming projectile. An immense blast of fire that easily overshadowed her puny red blast. She then rushed at Nanao, cloaking her fists with fiery reiatsu. She made quick work of her superior hand to hand skills, something that Nanao didn't quite excel in.

Rushing at them however, even before the lieutenants finished falling, was Byakuya Kuchiki, drawing his sword and heading towards Karin and Yuzu. Ichigo however, intercepted his blade first.

"You wont touch them again, Byakuya" growled Ichigo, locking blades with him. "This time, I'll be your opponent, both to pay you back for hurting my sisters and her, and also to settle out score from back then"

"Well? Shunsui? Jushiro? What are you two waiting for? Your lieutenants have fallen, go and apprehend the perpetrators!" urged Yamamoto. But Jushiro instead turned towards his teacher with a serious expression.

"Master Yamamoto, please just listen to my request. I heard about some disturbing things from Rukia, I believe this execution is carried out unfairly" he said.

"Hmm?! What's this?! Jushiro, you would dare speak back?! Do not tell me you plan to disobey a direct order!" he barked.

"Master please! I just need you to listen once!" he pleaded. But Yamomoto's eyes spoke otherwise.

"Jushiro, this is your final warning! Go and apprehend them! And this time, I order you to execute Rukia now that the Sokyouku has been destroyed!" he ordered sternly.

But Ukitake didn't budge. He stood firm, adamant against his master.

"Well, looks like we're on the same page then! Why don't we go somewhere less conspicuous, eh Jushiro?" called out Kyoraku, holding him and flash stepping out of the way. "I'll leave my lieutenant to you, Captain" he said to Unohana before disappearing.

As they sped past Yamamoto and down towards the base of the hill, Ukitake protested against leaving his two subordinates all by themselves but Kyoraku insisted that they were better off this way. The collateral damage would be lesser, he told Ukitake. Naturally, a disappointed Yamamoto followed after the duo.

"And just what the hell were you two doing all this time?!" barked Soi-Fon, striking Ukitake's third and fourth seats black and blue. She stepped on Kiyone, intending to put her to death. But just then, a figure sped at her, tackling her and the two of them fell off the other side of the cliff. The figure removed the hood covering her face, revealing to her the face of her old master, Yoruichi Shihouin.

"Yo…Yoruichi..!" exclaimed Soi-Fon as the two continued to disappear in the cover of trees below.

Unohana took those that were injured inside her Zanpakuto, Minazuki for recovery. Though, Isane wasn't really injured, she simply needed to be freed from Yuzu's kido.

The hill was now practically silent. The only active participants were Ichigo, Byakuya, Karin and Yuzu.

"Karin! Yuzu! Ichigo! I don't know what the heck just happened but we couldn't ask for a better chance than this! We should move now!" insisted Tatsuki.

"You guys go" replied the orange haired soul reaper. "I'll follow after soon. Don't worry about me. I was a bit concerned initially, since there were so many others to deal with. But thanks to Yoruichi and that guy, its only him. And as I said, I still have a score to settle with him"

"But..!" said Karin.

"Go!" shouted Ichigo, "Don't worry…..I don't plan on losing to this guy. Not after what he did"

"…Alright Onii-chan" conceded Yuzu. "Let's go meet up at our place first. Then we can find dad and the others and get out of here". Karin and Tatsuki nodded, running away from the hill and towards the stairs going down.

"Why do you persist on this foolishness, Ichigo Kurosaki? Even as a progeny of the Shiba clan, you cannot possibly hope to stand against all of the Gotei 13" said Byakuya.

"First off, I don't give a rat's ass about the being a oh so noble Shiba clan member. All I care about is saving Rukia and protecting my friends and family from people like you! The question I should be asking is why the hell aren't you doing the same?! How the hell could you push for your own sister's execution?!" demanded Ichigo.

"Hmph. Even if I took the time to explain the intricacies behind my principles, it would be a waste of time to one that cannot possibly understand it. After all, I shall execute you now and then execute her myself" he promised. Ichigo pushed harder against Byakuya's sword.

"Over my dead body, Byakuya!" he said.

---

Momo had no idea why she was going along with this man. One second, she was fighting her childhood friend and now she was walking along with one of the very few people she actually despised in the Soul Society. Gin Ichimaru said nothing save for the fact that he had some important news regarding captain Aizen.

After reading his letter, she had no choice but to look for him. How could she not? But it was evident that Aizen was dead serious about keeping her away from him because no matter what she did, she couldn't locate her captain's spiritual pressure at all. After being woken up by Gin, whom she immediately backed away from, the mysterious snake eyed captain only asked her to calm down, mentioning to her that he was there to deliver some important news regarding captain Aizen. They had been walking for what felt like hours. But she knew this route. This was the way to the underground assembly hall of Central 46. Why were they going here of all places? Wasn't it forbidden to enter there without an audience from the Central 46? And from the route Gin was taking her through, she could tell that this was not the normal entrance to the structure.

"Just a little bit further now, I promise you wont regret it" said Gin with his ever-present unsettling smile. Momo merely glared at him but pressed on regardless. Soon, they were in a big open space with many square pillars supporting the massive room. Beneath each pillar was a platform with an open door. But that wasn't what mattered to her. Because within one of the pillars, was the figure of her captain, standing and smiling at her.

"Ca….captain Aizen..you're really alive…" she said tearfully, going towards him.

"Momo….I see that you got my letter. However…." He started. Momo rushed forward, grabbing his captain's cloak, to make sure he was really there.

"It really is me, Momo. This is no illusion" he assured her gently. "I explained it all in my letter, didn't I?"

"Yeah I know, captain. I just….I just…." She mumbled, tearing up. "I just wanted to hold you once more like this. I simply couldn't forgive myself after seeing you dead. And after reading your letter, that feeling only grew even more. I couldn't forgive the Soul Society for what they did to you"

"I'm a lucky man to have a subordinate like you Momo. However, you must know that I'm planning to leave the Soul Society" he said.

"Yeah, and this time captain, I won't leave your side! Please, let me come with you!" she insisted. "I….I know I'm not very powerful. I'm nowhere near your level, Captain. But please, I just don't want to lose you ever again!" she said.

"Momo….I really appreciate that. However, as I said, coming with me would mean closing off the promising path that you have for you here. Not to mention abandoning your friends here. Are you really ok with that? I don't want to force you" he said. But Momo remained firm. Aizen sighed.

"In that case, I think it would be better you know everything. I can understand if you feel I'm being unfair in labelling the Gotei 13. But if you're planning to come with me, then, I want to ask you the same question I asked earlier after you know everything" he said. "Come with me" he called her, and Momo followed along. They went towards the exit of the room, through many stairs until they reached a large chamber with many terraced steps with a round of chairs around them. This was the main audience chamber of Central 46. But…..

"No…..no way…Central 46….they've all been…." Stammered Momo, her hands over her mouth.

"I'm the one who killed them" said Aizen in a voice that was uncharacteristically cold of him. It took a moment for her to even register his words. She blinked multiple times, before looking wide eyed at her captain. His expression…..was ice cold.

"Ca…..captain….Aizen…..?" she called out slowly.

"I'm the one who did this" he said again, straight to her face.

"Bu….wh…..why….its a lie…right….?"

"No lies. I told you, didn't I? If you want to come with me, then you should know. The captain Aizen you know was simply mask for me to remain hidden. This….is what I am. But, can you really blame me?" he asked.

"Wh…what do you…."

"I have mentioned it in my letter have I not? The Soul reapers are not as noble as you think. And at the heart of that corruption, is Central 46. And so, I massacred them. Because before you start labeling me, it's only fair you know what the organization known as the Gotei 13 really is" he explained. "Come now, Momo, have you really not thought about it? An intelligent girl like you? Do not disappoint me"

"I…..I have…." She agreed.

"Yes you have. But in any case, I will tell you. None of the Soul Reapers are noble by any means. They belie a persona that would put even the vilest hollows to shame. Let's take the Captain Commander. He, who's known as the strongest and oldest of us all. But did you also know that the number of souls he's killed far surpasses a million? Back in the days of the quincy war 1000 years ago, his sword has slain a whole race nearly to the point of extinction. Along with him is Captain Unohana"

"Captain…Unohana? But she's…!"

"Many here wouldn't know it of course. But her current gentle persona is but a mask to hide her demonic past. Back then, she was known as the strongest kenpachi, the monster of the soul society who would leave mountains of bodies wherever she went. A demon that only thrived on carnage and bloodshed for her own amusement. Not so different from the criminal that Kenpachi Zaraki is. In fact, you could say that the two have a shared history which really is the case"

"No…..no way…..that captain Unohana is…" said Momo in disbelief.

"Want more proof? Then let's talk about those that you know and yet turned a blind eye too. The soul society's attempt to make corpses fight using artificial souls and then destroying said sentient souls simply because they thought it was 'immoral', Project Spearhead. The captain of the 6th division, Byakuya Kuchiki, is a man from a so called noble house that wants to execute his own sister without feeling any remorse whatsoever. All because the law demands it. Believe me when I say this, but if the law demanded that he carry out a genocide, do you really believe he wouldn't do it? Or, take captain Tosen's case as I already mentioned. Deprived of justice that he so rightly deserved. And these people here were the ones that denied him that. Then, you have the captain of the 7th division, Sajin Komamura, the closest confidant of Tosen. Despite all this happening, he turned a blind eye to the perils of his own friend. Captain Kyoraku is a lazy slob who chases after women. Hardly a fitting role for someone meant to be a 'peacekeeper of the afterlife'. His closest confidant, Jushiro, wears the persona of someone who is a pacifist and believes in it firmly. And yet, even he is no better off. He was the one who came up with the system of monitoring substitute soul reapers using the substitute soul reaper badges and eliminating them if needed, all without telling them anything and pretending to be their ally. And then…you have captain of squad 12. The crimes Mayuri Kurotsuchi has committed has no equal. That alone is enough for one to leave this place"

"Yeah….I know…..he's…" she said with distaste.

"Oh? Do you really know, Momo? Because his 'research' is hardly ever known by anyone. But I happened across some of the many things he's done. Here's what some of his 'subjects' looked like after he was done with them. These were the quincy that surrendered after they were beaten in the war. They should have been treated like war prisoners. And yet, this was their fate. The number of quincy he has experimented on, numbers at 2661. He's also experimented on various soul reapers, many of whom where his own department members" said Aizen, throwing some photos at her. She looked at the first one. Instantly, she felt bile rise up her throat. She covered her mouth forcefully in reflex. Gin smiled wider, taking the photos and showing them one after another to her.

The carnage. The blood. The vivisected body parts of various men, women and even children. Some were soul reapers, some were quincy. Many were not even human looking and yet, she could tell that they had been at one point. But none of the faces looked anything resembling peaceful. They were all agonized, tortured and begging for release. Many of them were missing parts. Many only had less than half a body. Again and again, Gin showed them one after another, and Momo couldn't look away. Rage, anger and uncharacteristic hatred were building up in her, feelings that she had never experienced in her life. She couldn't hold it in. She threw up, violently and in tears. This continued for a full minute as she struggled to even pick herself up. She was coughing, crying and yet, her face was twisted in rage.

"This…..is the Gotei 13" said Aizen. "Now do you think my actions have been justified? None of the other captains, including Toshiro, thought about opposing this. The only ones who stood by me were Gin here and Tosen. And that's why, they are leaving the soul society with me. I will rise above the soul reapers to heights far beyond what they can comprehend. Just know that you still have the chance to walk away from all this. Central 46 is no longer present to threaten you though you are allied with me"

"No….." said Momo in a low tone.

"What's that..?"

"No….I will never go back to such a foul, disgusting place ever again!" she said angrily. "Please Captain Aizen. Take me away with you!" she asked with a determined look.

"Are you sure Momo? Even though I'm no longer the man you looked up to?" he asked her. "Even though I'm a murderer?"

"Yes. In fact, my respect for you has only increased ever more, captain…no Lord Aizen! Please" she said, getting down on her knees, offering her sword to him. "From this day forth, I pledge my undying loyalty to you, wherever, whenever. Though I may not be competent, I will give it my best to support you in whatever you do. Because I know that you alone have the resolve and strength to do that which is right" she said. "I can…..no longer trust them. Only you have revealed the truth and opened my eyes, Lord Aizen. Please, allow me to repay you, though I am not worth it". Aizen and Gin smiled.

"Arise, Momo. I am happy to have you as my subordinate. I am sure that you will be a valuable subordinate" he said, offering her up. He then offered her his kerchief to wipe her mouth. "From this day forth, you shall be with me, Gin and Tosen in what we do"

"Thank you, Lord Aizen" she said, bowing.

"With that out of the way, why don't you greet our 'guest'? Your first task as my reborn subordinate. Show me the depth of your loyalty" he said. Approaching them, was the captain of the 10th squad, Toshiro Hitsugaya.

---

After meeting with Isshin, the three of them proceeded towards central 46. On their way there, Toshiro told Isshin everything he knew of Captain Aizen, up until the point he was found murdered. Deciding that investigation Central 46 really was the only way, they quickened their pace. Upon arriving there, they saw that the entrance was already open.

"That doesn't look too good" said Isshin. "But wait….this smell…blood!" he said. The three of them entered, only to see all of the members brutally massacred.

"What…..the…..hell…?!" exclaimed Isshin. "They've all been…!"

"How in the world did this…..who did this?!" asked Toshiro.

"Damn…..they look like they were killed many days ago! The blood has dried up so much, there's no way this happened recently. Some are even starting to.."

"Then….who's been giving orders to the Gotei 13?!" asked Toshiro. "More importantly at what point did…"

He was interrupted in his train of thought when the three of them noticed Izuru peaking his head from the entrance, looking down on them.

"I see…..so this is what's been going on" he said, and without saying anything else, he left.

"Dammit…..he's getting away!" exclaimed Toshiro, rushing after him.

"Wait!" called out Isshin. "Rangiku, you go after him. No point in all of us going. We still need to find out what the hell happened here" He suggested. And so, the orange haired beauty did as she was suggested. After the two of them watched her leave, Toshiro sensed a very familiar spiritual pressure.

"This spiritual pressure…..Momo!" he exclaimed, rushing ahead.

"Wait, Toshiro! Don't just rush in, we still have no idea who!" called out Isshin, but then he sensed another presence approaching Central 46 just nearby.

---

Ichigo's fight with Byakuya had gone smoothly at first. Ichigo's flash step gave him an edge at countering Byakuya's speed and his new technique, which his old man Zanpakuto spirit had named 'Getsuga Tenshou' easily blew away Byakuya's Senbonzakura in one attack. It even inflicted good damage on Byakuya. But that was when he released his own bankai, admitting that he underestimated Ichigo thinking he was a mere human. But he also cursed his own foolishness in forgetting that Ichigo was a progeny of the Shiba clan. He promised he would no longer make that mistake.

At first, Ichigo was confident he could handle his bankai. Naturally it hadn't worked. Having no choice, he surprised the heck out of Byakuya by releasing his own bankai, Tensa Zangetsu. His reiatsu had been enormous. Byakuya however, was not surprised. As expected of the Shiba clan, he thought. But when the dust cleared, there was only disappointment in his voice. Because the only thing different about Ichigo, was that his blade was a lot smaller, looking more akin to a regular sealed Zanpakuto and his soul reaper coat had changed.

He berated him for spitting on things that the soul reapers held sacred. The same as Isshin had done. The next second, Tensa Zangetsu was at his throat. Ichigo closed in the gap so fast, that Byakuya hadn't even seen it. Ichigo then retorted, saying that he had no desire to understand one who would kill their own sister in cold blood for honor. Being an elder sibling himself, he promised Byakuya that he had no intention of ever understanding such honor and didn't need it.

Their battle continued. Ichigo overwhelmed Byakuya using his immense speed, while Byakuya struggled to keep up. But that gap was growing shorter and shorter and soon, the tables were turned. Byakuya had the upper hand with him blasting a hole through his shoulder using a hado spell. Ichigo couldn't move his body at all. Byakuya then explained, saying that he was only human and the immense power of his Shiba blood was too much for a weak human to handle. He'd worn himself out under the immense strain of his bankai. But Byakuya commended him for pushing him that far and promised to make things quick. He grabbed his sword, bringing it down on him. Just then, 'Ichigo' grabbed his sword, utterly throwing off Byakuya. His voice changed, and a white mask was forming over his face.

"That's impossible…..who or what are you?!" asked Byakuya

"You don't need to know that when you're going to be dead soon!" declared 'Ichigo' before making quick, successive slashes at the 6th division captain, sending him back with many gashes over his body. He didn't stop there. He continued to slash and slash and slash, while laughing maniacally.

Ichigo watched in shock as the scenario with Mayuri repeated again. The same satisfaction. The same righteous feeling as he continued to hack away at Byakuya, all while pictures of his own sisters and Tatsuki flashed through his mind.

Stop….. he called out. But it made no difference. His hollow still continued with the carnage, even releasing black getsuga tenshous at Byakuya. The fact that Byakuya was still standing was surprising. Because his limbs looked like they could come right off at any second with how much they were bleeding.

You…..I defeated you back then…..! Go away…I don't need your help…! Disappear!

Finally, he regained control over his body and was able to pry his mask away.

"You fool! What are you doing!? Don't you see?! I'm only doing what you want to do! I'm going to kill him, just like you wanted to! If you leave it to me, you'll win! I'm even going out of my way to teach you how to use your bankai!"

"I don't need you to interfere! I'll take care of him on my own!" argued Ichigo back from within his own body. And after a hard struggle, his mask was off. Ichigo breathed hard, struggling to maintain ground. After a few quick breaths, he regained his posture. The crushing pressure on him from his bankai was no longer present.

But Byakuya was already done. Standing was all he could do. He knew, that he was beat.

"Ichigo Kurosaki….I don't know what that thing was. However, with this, it's my defeat" he said.

"Why….." he asked. "Why would you kill her? Your own sister? Is your honor really worth all that much?!" he asked him.

"Tell me…..if the law dictates that I must follow the rules, should I make an exception for a criminal just because she happens to be my sister? The law should apply to all in a fair manner. If we who set the rules don't follow them, how can we expect others to do the same?" he asked.

"Then tell me Byakuya. If the same law asks you to commit mass genocide simply because those in power ask you to, will you willingly and proudly carry out the same simply because the law said so? What happens if someone frames an innocent person for a crime they didn't commit but the law states that the innocent be executed? Do you think that's justified? If it so happens that it happened with Rukia, do you think you could follow the law even knowing that?" asked Ichigo.

"It's easy to criticize others when you haven't experienced the way things work here" he said. "Tell me this. What do you propose instead?"

"As if you even need to ask. Anyone with a brain will tell you that. If you think something isn't morally right, that's when we need to really fight the law and ask if the law is really delivering justice or not" he said. Byakuya listened surprised when the revelation of that answer hit him. He realized that he had been fighting the wrong person the entire time and that his real enemy from the start had always been the system here.

"Ichigo Kurosaki…..I thank you. I will no longer pursue Rukia" he said before flash stepping out of there. Ichigo too, gave in to his injuries and gave in to the darkness encroaching him before his mind blanked out unconscious. He would then be found by Uryu, Orihime and Chad. After being healed by Orihime, the four of them minus Yachiru (who disappeared sometime after they were closing in on the hill) made their way down towards the base.

---

"Aizen…..Momo….Ichimaru…." exclaimed Toshiro upon arriving at the scene. "What's going on here….?!" He asked.

"Well hello, Captain Hitsugaya" said Aizen calmly.

"Aizen….why are you…" he asked. "And Momo….."

"Well, go on then, Momo" said Aizen. Momo only looked down for an instant before drawing her Zanpakuto and then rushing at Toshiro. A bewildered Toshiro could only draw his own blade out of reflex and block the incoming hit.

"Momo! What the hell has come over you?! Why are you attacking me?!" he asked.

"Shut up!" she roared, completely throwing off Hitsugaya. Never, in all his life, had he seen her lose it like that. "Captain Aizen told me everything! I can't believe you didn't tell me all that in all the time I've known you! I trusted you!" she roared, locking blades with him again.

"Momo….what the hell are you talking about?! What did Aizen tell you?! Why the hell is Ichimaru here? And why is he alive?! Let's calm down and talk about it!" he said.

"I've heard enough! Lord Aizen is the one that opened my eyes to everything. I'm no longer staying here. If I stayed here…you'll only continue lying to me!" she said.

"Momo…! When have I ever…?!" he asked. "And Lord…?! Why are you calling him that…?!"

"She's now my loyal subordinate, Captain Hitsugaya. All I did was simply reveal the evils of the soul society to her. As you know, many attempts at my life were made so I had to fake my death. I simply told Momo everything that you didn't tell her, Captain Hitsugaya" he said calmly.

"Aizen…..you dare…!" he growled. "Why?! You were never like this, so then why?!"

"Hmph, even now, you still want to keep her out of the dark. Let me tell you something Captain Hitsugaya. The Aizen you knew never existed. It was simply a farce for me to continue with my objective. I simply told Momo that and she was more than happy to side with me" he said. "When she realized all the things you've been keeping from her, its only natural this would be the outcome"

"I see….in that case, I have no reason to hesitate. I'll just take care of you and then bring Momo back to her senses!" he said, raising his sword. "Bankai, Daiguren Hyourinmaru!" Icy scales covered his arms, with blue, ice petals floating behind his back. He also had reptilian winds. Toshiro then charged towards Aizen, stabbing him straight at his chest.

"Lo…lord Aizen…!" screamed Momo in worry. But just as he did that, the figure of Aizen disappeared, as if he never existed there at all.

"Huh…?" cried out Toshiro.

*SCHICK!*

"Poor Toshiro. I rather like seeing ice at this time, even though this isn't the season" said Aizen's voice from behind him. Toshiro could only turn barely before a huge slash ran across him, sending him down in a single strike. His sword returned to normal.

"Wha….what was that….?!" Asked Momo.

"Are you displeased that I tried to kill him, Momo?" asked Aizen.

"N..no Lord Aizen…he's the one who tried to kill you first…" she said.

"You really are too good for your own good Momo. But worry not. I haven't killed him. I see no reason to" he assured. "However, being my subordinate, you must steel yourself. I rather liked the resolve and determination you showed while facing off against him. But you still have ways to go" he said.

"I…I deeply apologize Lord Aizen. I won't happen again!" she promised.

"I see….so this is where you've been, Captain Aizen…..No, after what I've seen, I should refer to you as high traitor, Sosuke Aizen" said a feminine voice.

"Oh hello there, Captain Unohana. Lieutenant Isane. I see you've brought along Captain Shiba as well. Long time no see. I never thought I'd see your face again" said Aizen casually.

"Momo Hinamori, is this the path you truly wish to take? Despite knowing what he's done?" asked Unohana.

"How dare you accuse my captain like that, Captain Unohana? You have no right to call him that after what you've done!" she retorted.

"And just what do you mean by that?" asked Unohana cautiously.

"Its alright, Momo. Let me take over" said Aizen, and Momo backed away with a bow.

"Isnt that…..your childhood friend…?" asked Isshin "I thought the two of you were close, so then why would you be with the guy that nearly killed him?"

"He's no friend of mine. Not after hiding things from me like that" she said coldly.

"Aizen…what the hell did you do? Although, I'm pretty sure I have a good idea" said Isshin, keeping his hand on his Zanpakuto.

"I have to say, your arrival here is well within my expectations, Captain Unohana. I knew you'd figure out. Though, I never thought you'd meet her along the way, Isshin Shiba" said Aizen.

"It wasn't really that hard to figure out. After you faked your death with that corpse doll, all you needed to do was to find a place to stay in complete isolation for your plans. This place is perfect in that sense. It's off limits to everyone. That was what you planned atleast wasn't it?" she asked.

"Not quite. I'll give you a B for figuring that much on your own. You Isshin, should've caught up to me much quicker after what happened 20 years ago. I'm quite disappointed. Regardless, there were two mistakes in your analysis. One, I'm not here to hide. I have no need to. And two" he said, "This isn't a corpse doll"

Isshin, Isane and Unohana exclaimed widely. In his hand, hanging limp, was an exact replica of his own self. Something that wasn't there till that point. Nobody had taken their eyes off of him and yet, it just magically appeared.

"What in the …..?!" exclaimed Isshin.

"When did he?!" asked Isane.

"When did I what? Have this in my arm? I've always had it. It's been right here, right in front of your eyes. You simply couldn't see it. Because I didn't allow it" he explained.

"The hell do you mean…?!" asked Isshin.

"You'll understand soon enough. I'm going to release my Zanpakuto now. Shatter, Kyoukasuigetsu"

And with that command, the body in his hand literally shattered, revealing his Zanpakuto in its place.

"No fucking way.,…!" exclaimed Isshin.

"This is my Zanpakuto, Kyoukasuigetsu. Its power is perfect hypnosis. It can completely and freely control a person's five senses. Anyone under its spell will be unable to break free. And all I need to do to activate it is show them my shikai" he said. There was dead silence after he made that declaration. Isane argued that it was impossible for its power to change and that Aizen himself had explained it to all the lieutenants for that very purpose.

"Amazing…Lord Aizen really is amazing!" said Momo in a voice full of wonder.

"Dammit, so that's what it was!" cursed Isshin. "That was just for him to get us all under its influence!"

"Indeed, with matters like these you're quick to catch on, Isshin" said Aizen. "However it doesn't work on those that cant see it. Which means"

"…..No!" said Unohana. She realized it. In all of the Gotei 13, there was only one man that fit that description.

"You're right. Kaname has always been my subordinate" he explained.

---

Back with Karin, Rukia, Yuzu and Tatsuki, right as they were making their way towards Yoruichi's hideout, they found their path blocked by another soul reaper with braided purple hair and dark skin with goggles. Before any of them could make a move, the soul reaper threw what appeared to be a long piece of cloth which spiraled around them. The next instant, Karin, Tatsuki, Yuzu and Rukia found themselves back at the top of Sokyouku Hill.

---

At that moment, Gin was doing the same, enclosing himself, Aizen and Momo within the spiraling cloth.

"Goodbye, Captain Unohana. I don't ever want to see you again. Though…..I must say, its too bad she isn't here. She would've loved to see you again. But at the same time, I'm glad she isn't. As for you Isshin I'm sure we'll see each other sometime. You really are a bad parent, leaving your children all by themselves" he said with a smile. Isane rushed forward, but before her, Isshin flash stepped towards Aizen. He swung his sword without thinking, only focusing on cutting him down before he escaped. However, the three of them were already gone.

"DAMMIT!" cussed Isshin. "I can't believe we let them get away! And…."

"Captain Shiba, let's not panic!" said Unohana. "I know you're worried about your children but we wont get anywhere when we don't know where they are"

"Tch, you're right. Toshiro's been injured pretty badly as well. I'll leave him up to you. I'll locate Aizen and pursue him. Isane" he called out.

"Ye…yes, captain Shiba?"

"Use Bakudo 77 to convey everything you've learnt from Aizen to everyone. And I mean, everyone" he said.

"Y…yes sir!"

"Alright, here goes. Bakudo #58, Kakushitsuijaku!" he said, drawing a black circle on the ground. Several numbers flashed by, until her had a set of coordinates.

"This is…..the Sokyouku Hill!" he said exclaiming. "Dammit, I think I can make it if I make a run for it! I'll leave the rest to you!" he said, flash stepping out of the underground assembly hall.

---

Throughout the soul society, the voice of Isane Kotetsu could be heard explaining the events that transpired in the underground assembly hall. The betrayal of Gin Ichimaru, Aizen Sosuke, Momo Hinamori and Kaname Tosen, as well as Toshiro Hitsugaya's near fatal injury and Aizen's terrifying ability. All the battles that were still ongoing halted while the squad members were still trying to digest the information they heard.

Back in the Sokyouku Hill, Karin, Yuzu, Tatsuki and Rukia were equally stunned when they saw three figures appear out of thin air, not to mention the Shinigami that had seemingly transported them there.

"Whos….?!" Asked Tatsuki.

"Well then. Why don't you leave Rukia there, Karin? Yuzu?" said the captain wearing glasses.

"Cap…captain Aizen…" exclaimed Rukia.

"Wait, you mean that's…"

"Aizen…?" said Yuzu. The two of them tightened their grip on Rukia, coming in front of her protectively.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" asked Aizen. "I believe I made myself clear the first time. Leave Rukia Kuchiki right there"

"You can forget about it! You think we'll just do as you say?!" questioned Karin.

"I see. What a shame, I was hoping to settle this without using violent means. But then again, you ARE here to rescue her on his orders. It would make sense that you would try to defend her till you drop dead" said Aizen, drawing his sword and approaching them.

"Girls, he's comin-"

*WHIZZ*

"!"

*WHIZZ* *SCHLICK!*

She hadn't even finished speaking her sentence. Even Karin and Yuzu hadn't even seen him move. One second, he was in front of them and in the other, he was right behind them. They could feel a sharp pain across their bodies, a warm, wet sensation spreading across. When the looked down, they could see a bright red stain spreading slowly, and a giant gash across Karin's abdomen, Yuzu's chest and a diagonal slash across Tatsuki's body could be seen.

"N….no….Karin…Yuzu…..Tatsuki…" whimpered Rukia.

"Dam….mit…" gnashed Karin, barely holding on.

"Ho….how di…d he…..get past my…..blut…." said Yuzu. Even in that condition, they were still standing in front of Rukia protectively.

"How interesting…your blut is certainly impressive, Yuzu. And your tenacity is certainly something too, Karin. Though I controlled my strength to a great degree, surviving that commends praise" he said. "However, that simply means I need to strike harder. This time, blut wont save you" he said, raising he sword.

He brought down his sword once more, however this time, it was blocked by an obsidian blade.

"O….Onii-chan…."

"You…..HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO MY SISTERS!" roared Ichigo, parrying Aizen's sword. "Yuzu…Karin….are you guys…!"

"Just barely holding on, honestly…" said Karin. "But we can still protect Rukia…!" The rest of Ichigo's group arrived at the scene too, namely Chad, Uryu and Orihime. However, Gin stopped them using his spiritual pressure.

"Sorry captain Aizen, I didn't think you would need help so I let the kid get by" apologized Gin.

"It's fine, Gin. Since this is the end anyways, might as well wrap things up once and for all" he said.

"Is that…" asked Ichigo.

"Yeah…..that's Aizen…" said Karin. "But…" she looked back at Tatsuki. Her condition was not looking good.

Ichigo snarled, focusing his attention at Aizen once more. "Karin…Yuzu….can you to get away with Rukia and Tatsuki in your condition…?"

"We can protect her, Onii-chan. But….."

"Yeah. It's useless to run. Not with that guy, two captains and a lieutenant right in front of us" added Karin.

"….damnmit, fine. I'll distract him, and you guys keep him from harm. I get the feeling the old man should be here soon" said Ichigo.

"Wait Ichi-nii!" said Karin. "I'll come with you. Yuzu is better defensively, I can support you better" she suggested. Ichigo nodded his head. "Fine, let's do it then. I attack first, and then you follow up after me"

Ichigo rushed forward, readying his obsidian blade. Karin poured reishi in her blade, and the handle extended until it became a long lance with the triangle blade forming its head.

"Morigata Shingetsu!" she chanted. (Lit. Lance form Shingetsu). Then, forming an arrow, she used Shingetsu as an enormous arrow, and launched it straight at Aizen. Ichigo then slashed at Aizen's throat.

*CLAAANG!* *CLAAANG!*

There was dead silence as Ichigo and Karin watched flabbergasted as Aizen simultaneously caught their blades with his bare hands. Ichigo's Tensa Zangetsu with one finger and Karin's Shingetsu in another.

*SCHICK!*

Pain erupted across Ichigo's midriff, an attack too fast to even see sliced through him.

"Hmm….I didn't strike deep enough it would seem. That attack didn't cut you all the way through. Although, you wont be moving anytime soon" he said, dropping Ichigo like a limp bag.

*WHIZZ*

*WHIZZ!*

In what could only be described as an instant, he was behind Karin, a spurt of blood following from her body. She grimaced, in confusion and shock, falling helplessly. Aizen dropped Shingetsu near her. He then proceeded towards Yuzu and Rukia.

"N….no…..stay away..!" said Yuzu, holding Mangetsu over Rukia.

"Please…..no more…..just run…!" begged Rukia.

*WHIZZ!*

Another spurt of blood, this time, Yuzu's blood splashing on Rukia giver her close proximity. The reishi from Mangetsu disappeared, leaving only the ring handle loosely held in her arms.

"Stand up…Rukia" commanded Aizen. "Hmm…it would appear you've gone limp from shock and fear"

"Guh…ah….huragh….." gasped Ichigo, grounded and unable to even more.

"I see….still conscious. You really should lie still. Your spine and body are barely connected. Still, you've all done your jobs wonderfully. I'm quite pleased" said Aizen.

"Wh….what do you…?!"

Aizen then proceeded explain everything the events that happened since the invasion began and how everything was according to his plans. Them entering with Isshin and Yoruichi, using the West Rukon district and breaking in via the Spirit Cannon of their cousin, Kukaku. And how that it was all for Kisuke to retrieve Rukia and the Hogyouku sealed within her body. He then went on to explain as Ichigo and Rukia listened in shock about how soul reapers have four categories of fighting, namely Swordsmanship, Kido, Hand-to-Hand combat and Flash Step. And how there was a limit to how much growth a soul reaper can experience in each of these 4 groups before hitting a wall. A wall that could be climbed by breaking the barrier between two opposing existences such as Hollow and Soul reaper. One becoming the other. Ichigo was instantly reminded of his hollow self. Momo listened with rapt attention. And how the Hogyouku, which was Kisuke Urahara's way of breaking that boundary was sealed within Rukia after he deemed it too dangerous. In a gigai specifically meant for that purpose. And how he did it knowing that Rukia would lose her powers and gradually revert to being human. And how everything that he did, all the effort he went through to send Ichigo and the others was all an effort solely for his own sake to retrieve the Hogyouku. Just then, a presence interrupted them.

"O…..old man….!" Gasped Ichigo. But there was something strange. Isshin…..was simply looking around. Though he looked right at Aizen and Ichigo, it was as if he didn't even notice them.

"Wh….what's going on…?! HEY! Old man! Where the hell are you looking?!"

"Didn't you hear about the power of my Kyoukasuigetsu? Any who come under its influence cannot escape its grasp. Right now, he cant even see us. Or hear us. All that he sees is an empty hill. So no matter how much you scream or shout or even make contact with him, he will never be able to realize until I dispel the illusion" said Aizen. Soon after, another captain, the one with the face of a dog appeared, also looking around confused.

"Sajin…" said Tosen.

"Hmm….maybe I should take him out. It's getting too crowded here. But any reishi attack would give away my position to those too close by, like that one" said Aizen, looking at Isshin who was now going towards the stairs leading down. "Oh well, for another time then. That simply means I need to cut him down the usual way". Aizen the brought down his sword, and a huge gash brought down the sturdy captain in a single hit, completely unaware of what even hit him. In fact, he didn't even flinch.

"How scary….while being Kyoukasuigetsu's influence, he didn't even feel the blade pierce his flesh" said Gin.

"I…..I cant believe that a battle between two captains…could end that quickly…" thought Ichigo stunned to himself. The difference in their levels was blatantly obvious. And the effects of Kyoukasuigetsu even more so.

Aizen then continued his explanation about how he began his own plans after their invasion, using it as a diversion while he murdered the Central 46 to achieve his plans and locate the information needed to remove the Hogyouku implanted within Rukia in the event that the execution failed. Since it was Kisuke Urahara that invented the method of implanting an object within a soul. He then pulled out a small tube, which released many fumes. Green, bark like spikes appeared around them and Aizen's hands turned green with bark like features. He then stabbed right into Rukia, lifting her up in the air. A bewildered Ichigo watched as a hole opened in Rukia's abdomen as Aizen pulled out a tiny orb. The hole then closed up.

"No permanent damage done" he said. "What a wonderful technique. I really wish I had known this earlier. I wouldn't have gone through all the trouble of getting you executed. But now that I have this, I have no more use for you. Momo, kill her" ordered Aizen.

"….Yes, Lord Aizen" she said, approaching forward. But another presence interrupted them. A feminine voice coming from up above.

"Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle! Hado 63#, Raikouhou!" she chanted and a huge bolt of lightning crashed down on Aizen's position.

"K…..Kukaku..!" exclaimed Ichigo. Descending on them was Kukaku Shiba while perched on the shoulder of a giant Shinigami. Indeed, while those in the seireitei had all been at some point shown his Kyoukasuigetsu's shikai release, Kukaku Shiba, had never been inside. Until now.

"Oh well, we have what we need and it's time anyways. So there's no need to hide anymore" said Aizen. The illusion was dispelled.

That Raikouhou was enough of a beacon to tell those looking around that something was happening at the Sokyouku hill. First up was Isshin, then Yoruichi and Soi-Fon who then cornered Aizen. And then Byakuya, who, despite his weak condition, still made it up there went over to Rukia protectively. And then it was the rest of the officers, like Unohana, Isane, the head captain, Chojiro, Ukitake, Kyoraku, Nanao, Iba and so on. Rangiku caught Gin, while Hisagi cornered Tosen. Izuru cornered Momo.

"Sosuke Aizen! Your plans end here!" said Yamamoto.

"Captain Aizen, how could you…" said Ukitake.

"If you move even a single bit" said Yoruichi.

"Your head's coming off" added Soi-Fon.

"Give it up Aizen. You're not going anywhere. Not after what you did to my daughters and my idiot son" said Isshin, stepping forward. There was silence throughout the hill as a stalemate seemingly kept things in place.

What they didn't realize however, was the fact that some of them were VERY surprised by the actions of the rest of the soul reapers. Namely Kukaku, Uryu, Orihime, Chad and Ichigo. Because right now, to their eyes, the soul reapers were simply pointing their eyes at thin air.

The image of Aizen smiled.

"And just what's so funny?" asked Yoruichi. "You're already within our grasps"

"How presumptuous of you to think that it was really me standing here" said Aizen. The entire scenery shattered. The images of Aizen, Tosen, Momo and Gin simply vanished, as if they never existed.

"What the hell have you guys been doing?! He's right here!" roared Kukaku, firing off another Raikouhou at a direction completely opposite of where they were looking. When they saw, they could see that the four figures were completely enveloped in yellow pillar of light, and the ground beneath them was rising up.

"No…..dammit he tricked us again…!" roared Isshin.

"When did he…?!" exclaimed Ukitake.

"That's what I've been shouting all this time?! What the hell were you guys looking at?!" bellowed Kukaku.

"Wait…what's that…..?!" Exclaimed Hisagi. They could see that there was an opening in the sky and the light that they were enveloped in was actually originating from there as well. And withing that gaping hole, they could see the distinctive hands of the Gillians, their titanic masks peering at them from above.

"Impossible….it's the Gillians!" exclaimed Soi-Fon.

"But wait….what's that…?!" alerted Rangiku, looking beyond the Gillians. In the void, there was a glowing slit far bigger than any of the Gillians.

"Oh no you don't!" said Hisagi, rushing forward.

"Hold it!" called Yamamoto. "That light is called Negacion, a protective barrier used by the Gillians to isolate and protect their comrades. It completely separates those inside from those on the outside. The moment they were in that light, they became completely impossible to reach"

"Kaname! So that's it then?! You would betray your own?! Didn't you join the soul reapers to avenge your friend?! What happened to your justice?!" asked Komamura.

"Your words sicken me, Sajin. Not once, did I get the justice that she deserved. Instead, I watched the soul reapers only stray further from that path. My actions are only for justice. And Lord Aizen's path is of justice. Therefore, I go where he goes" he said.

"So, you've joined with the Menos, Aizen?! Have you really fallen that far?!" demanded Ukitake.

"You soul reapers should really stop sounding so self-righteous. From the beginning, I never planned to be bound by your hypocrisy. The warped view you have of hollows and yourselves is the heights of that. I simply must reach new heights. A place where no one has ever reached" he replied, removing his glasses and slicking back his hair. "I will reach that place. Goodbye soul reapers. And goodbye, intruders. I must say, you, of all those present here, were far more commendable and admirable than the soul reapers. Especially you, Ichigo Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki. I must admit, you three have been quite admirable. I really look forward to meeting you two again. However, I'll be talking her with me" he said, showing Yuzu's limp unconscious body to them.

"Wh…no…YUZU!" roared Ichigo. Dammit…..get up…..I have to move….! I need to move….! MOVEEE!

"Oh no….when did he get Yuzu..!?" exclaimed Yoruichi.

"Aizen, just how much will you-!" Ukitake stopped mid sentence as they all felt a spiking reiatsu that dwarfed many of the captains present there.

"Wait no, Isshin, hold on!" warned Kyoraku.

"GETSUGAAAA-!"

"No, Captain Shiba, calm yourself! if you use your Getsuga Tenshou at this range, you'll-" warned Unohana.

"TENSHOU-!"

"Bakudo #81, Danku!" chanted Yamamoto and Unohana collectively. The blast ripped through and made contact with the yellow pillar where Aizen was, creating an enormous explosion that easily dwarfed the entirety of the Sokyouku Hill. The attack was nothing like Karin and Ichigo's. It was far, far superior and if not for the Danku spell used by Yamamoto and Unohana, the splash damage would have killed all captains and lieutenants save for Yamamoto, Kyoraku, Unohana, Ukitake, Yoruichi and Isshin himself, especially considering that many were grievously wounded.

"What a splendid attack. If that had hit me when I was outside, I truly shudder to think what would have happened. But unfortunately for you, this is where we part ways" said Aizen.

Kyoraku and Ukitake were subduing Isshin from charging ahead.

"You…GIVE BACK YUZU….!" Roared Ichigo, somehow forcing himself to lift himself up. ...Please….you can save her right..?! I beg you, I'll do anything! Just let me move! PLEASE!

But no matter what the orange haired soul reaper did, his inner voice wouldn't respond to him.

"If you want to save her, come and find me, Ichigo Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki. I'll be waiting for the two of you in Hueco Mundo" he said, disappearing into the void.

---

After that, things were grim at best. Many of the lieutenants and captains gave in to their injuries, now that the tension had passed. Especially Byakuya. Before being taken away, he revealed to Rukia about how her older sister was actually his wife, meaning that Byakuya was her brother in law. And how breaking the law back then had led to serious repercussions both for himself and her. Which is why he swore an oath never to break the law ever again. But when the events surrounding Rukia happened, he was torn apart. He thanked Ichigo for opening his eyes.

But the orange haired soul reaper was inconsolable. He wouldn't have it. He didn't care about the whispers and talks around him. All he saw, was that he was left there in the dirt, powerless and helpless as his sister was snatched away from him. Though Tatsuki tried her best to console him, Orihime tried her best to comfort him, nothing mattered to him. But then again, Tatsuki herself was too shocked and too upset to talk to anyone. If anything, she was looking at Ichigo for her own comfort.

Karin…felt torn apart. It was as if a part of her had died. And all while she was completely helpless and unconscious.

That evening, a captain's meeting was held to address many of the issues they needed to address with the intruders present. Those assembled were the head captain, Unohana, Kyoraku, Ukitake, Soi-Fon and Komamura and even Byakuya, still in bandages. With them were Isshin and Yoruichi.

"Isshin Shiba, Yoruichi Shihouin, I never expected I would see you two back here again after being exiled from the soul society" boomed the head captain. "Much less as intruders who would invade the soul society"

" 'Invade' huh…?" scoffed Isshin. "That's a pretty strong word you're using there"

"Isshin Shiba, mind your tone! That's the head captain you're talking to!" warned Soi-Fon.

"Oh yeah? Then what do you call Aizen's whole shtick?" retorted Isshin.

"Isshin….I understand you're upset that he abducted your daughter but" started Ukitake.

"But what?! This whole fiasco was done so we could rescue her! Someone who was on death row because Aizen planned it all and you lot fell for it hook line and sinker! The very reason we were even here in the first place! If that hadn't happened, we wouldn't be here and my daughter would still be with me!" roared Isshin.

"I admit…..we all fell for it" said Unohana. "Not only did we lose our 5th division captain, but we lost the 3rd division and 9th division captain as well, not to mention the 5th division lieutenant. Aizen Sosuke's capabilities were completely overlooked and underestimated. But given the circumstances, even you cannot completely blame us? If you had approached us from the beginning, we could have worked out something"

"You know, that simply shows how messed up the system here is. This is the 3rd time you lot have fallen for his theatrics. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, or thrice, shame on me" said Isshin.

"Now what do you mean by that?" asked Komamura.

"Aizen…was the one that was carrying out the hollowfication experiments on the expelled Shinigami for which Kisuke was framed. The very same reason I left with him" said Yoruichi.

"What….?!" Exclaimed Ukitake.

"You're serious…?!" asked Kyoraku.

"That cannot be…" said Yamamoto.

"That's not all. He was the reason I had to leave as well. He was the one that released that hollow that attacked Naruki City. In fact, that was no hollow. It was an arrancar he created from Shinigami souls and a vasto lorde soul" added Isshin.

"But that's….!" said Soi-Fon bewildered.

"You mean…..he's been doing this….for that long…..?!" asked Unohana.

"Given his Kyoukasuigetsu…..it doesn't seem all that impossible" said Kyoraku. "But then, why didn't you return, Isshin? Surely if you had simply explained it all to us..?"

"You think he would simply let me? While Aizen was still here? And besides, when my wife fell prey to that arrancar, I simply couldn't come back here"

"Your…..wife…?" asked Byakuya. "You were married, Isshin Shiba?"

"Yeah. I met her during the time I was in Naruki City. In fact, she was the one that attacked you for hurting Yuzu and Karin, cherry blossom" said Isshin.

"Wait….you mean she's here?" asked Ukitake.

"Yeah, but I have no idea where in the Rukon. But that's a story for another time. What matters now, is that he outsmarted everyone, got the Hogyouku and my daughter's been abducted by him. I don't care what you plan on doing now, but I'm not sitting by idly" he said.

"The Hogyouku…wasn't it that forbidden object that Kisuke Urahara created? One that could break the boundaries of Hollow and Soul reapers?" asked Yamamoto.

"But if he has been conducting hollowfication experiments from over a 100 years ago then…" theorized Unohana.

"Yeah. It could be that he plans to use the Hogyouku for creating an army in Hueco Mundo to invade soul society. Actually, I'm fairly certain that's his plan. It was something that Kisuke predicted long back" said Yoruichi.

"No…..he was already this capable by himself….if he were to invade the soul society as it is now…" said Unohana concerned.

"Then we might as well be sitting ducks" said Kyouraku, completing her sentence.

"And that is why I cannot allow the two of you to return back to the world of the living" said Yamamoto. "Two ex captains from the noble houses. Especially you, Isshin. Your abilities are much needed during times of crisis like these" he said.

"And that's exactly the reason why I didn't return in 20 years. Because I knew I would never get back to my normal life with my family if I ever came back" he replied.

"It matters not!"

"You forget, I'm no longer a part of the Gotei 13 or the Shiba clan. What happens here is of no concern to me" he replied.

"Now now, let's calm down" said Kyoraku. "Isshin, first off, congratulations on getting hitched! Who would've thought Mr. Lazy Ass would be the first to get married and have kids!" said Kyoraku with a congratulatory smile.

"Kyoraku, this is hardly the time to!"

"But Isshin, wouldn't it be beneficial for you to stay here? If you team up with us, you can train your kids to be stronger than they are now. Your son, from what I hear, is already stronger than Byakuya here"

"That was just a fluke" said Byakuya stone faced.

"Well, sure but let's say he's at the level of a captain. Your daughter is bound to be that strong too, no doubt. Training the two of them here in a place filled with reishi while we already plan on retaliating against Aizen….dont you think that works better in your favour?" suggested Kyoraku.

"As I said, I have no intention of being-"

"You don't need to join us. We could simply have an alliance" said Kyoraku.

"Captain Kyoraku, that's not" started Byakuya.

"Sure, 'That isn't how we do things'. But…didn't we learn enough from Aizen? Didn't all this happen simply because of the way we did things?" he asked. There was silence.

"That's why, this is the time to start doing things differently. What this whole situation has taught us, is that even we need to look back and see where we goofed up. So that something like this never happens again"

"You have a point, Shunsui. Continue" urged Yamamoto.

"In any case, now that Central 46 is dead and we know that Kisuke never betrayed us, or cat lady here or lazy ass here" he said. "Having an alliance with them is an invaluable option. It matters not if they are here or in the World of the Living. As long as we can work together to stop Aizen. How about this Isshin? You help us out, and we help you get little Yuzu-chan back. It works in both of our favours. Not only would you be going against Aizen's forces, we would also be getting back little Yuzu-chan, a potentially powerful ally"

"That makes sense" said Ukitake. "Naturally, we will offer any aid we can. But if you want to come back to us Isshin, Lady Yoruichi, we are more than happy"

"Why don't you think about it? It'll take us a week to open the Senkaimon back to the World of the Living. I suspect that you have a few things you want to talk about with Kisuke as well, considering it was him that implanted the Hogyouku in Rukia. Treat your wounds. Rest your mind and attend to Ichigo and Karin. Show them around, pacify them, do whatever it takes in this week. Then, you can make a decision" suggested Kyoraku.

"…..Fine, but let me be clear in saying that I'm still not that interested in coming back. I rather liked my family being the way it was, back in our home in Karakura Town. It was the wish of my wife as well" said Isshin. "And Kisuke already knows how to open a Garganta to go to Hueco Mundo. I don't need anything here. But…I'll consider it" he said.

"Great!" said Kyoraku, clapping his hands. "Now that that's settled, I say we take our minds off a few things as well? I'd say we all deserve it don't we?" he suggested. And after that the head captain called for the meeting to be dismissed.

---

Rukia felt terrible throughout the entire time. While Isshin and Yoruichi left to attend the captain's meeting, she felt that she had to do something to pacify the Kurosaki siblings and Tatsuki. And so, she first took them to squad 10, in hopes that meeting with their father's closest subordinates would help calm them down.

"Ara~~so you're captain Shiba's kids! How cute!" cooed Rangiku, hugging the two of them. The two were engulfed in her breasts. But the siblings were still as depressed as they were since Aizen's escape.

"Rangiku…" called out Toshiro, and he nodded his head. Her expression stooped.

"I know a lot has happened to you kids today. I'm sure things will work out in the end. After all, Captain Shiba may not be the most perfect guy but he really gets things done when it counts" she said.

"…oh yeah…? Then why didn't he save her today….?" Asked Karin weakly.

"….."

"I'm sorry…I just want to be alone…." Said Ichigo. Tatsuki then urged the two of the to go after her. Rukia went along.

"Sorry…..I don't think they mean it. But thank you" said Tatsuki with a small bow before leaving. Rangiku and Toshiro watched them leave with melancholy looks.

"Captain….do you think they'll be…?" she asked.

"I'm sure…..captain has never failed in such matters…." Said Toshiro. "We can only continue doing our best…..yeah…" he said.

Rangiku raised her eyes. How could she forget? That day, his own childhood friend had turned traitor and deserted them all. He too was in no better condition as those siblings.

"Yeah….you're right" she replied. "I wonder if Captain Shiba plans to come back to us"

---

Several other attempts were made by Rukia, such as her taking them to the squad 11 barracks, squad 13 barracks squad 6 barracks and so on. And at each place, the soul reapers tried their best to get the three of them to cheer up. Ikkaku and Yumichika tried to goad them into a fight but that only ended in failure after Zaraki started chasing them. Even Yachiru was surprised that her cheery antics weren't enough to do anything. Ukitake, after he was back from the captain's meeting, tried treating the kids to tea, saying that it was the least he could do to soothe their pain. Kyoraku tried in his own way to do the same, with Nanao scorning him almost at every step. It did help the siblings, if only lightly. At the end of it, they did manage to get a weak smile out for the efforts Kyoraku put in.

At the end of the day, Rukia as back at the place she was reluctant to go to, but knew that this would be a place the siblings would find most comfortable. When she reached there, Kukaku and Ganju were waiting for them, along with Isshin.

"Dad…." Called out Karin. Kukaku came forward, hugging them on each side.

"Stay here for the night" she said simply. "There's dinner made"

"I…"

"Sorry…I think I'll pass"

*Whack!*

"Nope, wrong answer. The correct answer is 'Yes, I'd love to, big-sis'" she said.

"Hey, what the hell do you-!"

*WHACK!*

"Cut it out!"

*WHACK* *WHACK!*

"Yuzu's just been kidnapped and you want us to stay and have dinner?!" retorted Ichigo "Just who do you think you are?!"

"Ichigo! That's really-!" said Isshin sharply.

*SLAAAP!* *SLAAAP!*

The loud noise rang crisply across the open field as Ichigo's and Karin's cheeks stung with pain. So much so that even Ganju winced at the scene.

"Who the hell do you think I am?! Your family, what else?! Or was it just me that thought that way?!" she said sharply. Ichigo and Karin felt ashamed. "You think I'm not upset? At my own little cousin being abducted while you guys were out there fighting for your lives and I stayed here like a coward?! You think you're the only ones who know what it feels like to lose family? Well?!" she demanded the two of them. Their heads sunk even lower. "You think…..I wanted to lose another after Kaien…?!" she asked, moving in closer to them and hugging them. Ganju and Isshin moved in, comforting her. How could they have been so disrespectful? Here she was, not even a seasoned fighter, trying all she could to do her best to make them feel better and they acted no better than children.

"I….I'm sorry…." Said Karin.

"Idiots…." She rasped back.

"Yeah….dinner sounds great…..thanks, Kukaku" said Ichigo. Ganju, Rukia and Isshin sighed in relief.

Dinner that night at Kukaku's place was lively. Mostly because though Kukaku and Ganju put up a strong front, after 8 pegs down, they were the ones bailing on Ichigo and Karin. Kukaku was clinging onto them, bawling out words of regret and self blame while Ganju simply bawled his eyes out at loosing the one sibling that actually called him nii-chan. And it was Ichigo and Karin who had to console them instead. But even so, it did help them feel a lot better at the end of the day. And while they passed out, from exhaustion, being drunk and being drained out mentally, Isshin made his way to the 1st Rukon district, in search of Masaki.

He looked and looked. But no matter what he did, he couldn't find her. Maybe she wasn't really in the 1st Rukon. Or maybe she was keeping herself hidden on purpose. Though he searched for her during the entire week, he found no trace of her. But the Rukon district was also huge. There was only so much he could do. And so, thinking that it was also part of his punishment for being so incompetent, he gave up.

"I guess...this is my punishment for not being as good as she was. But...I dont think I can face her anyways, after letting Yuzu slip from my grasp" he thought to himself.

---

Elsewhere, a woman with light brown eyes reaching down to her mid back tied in a ponytail and soft brown eyes watched her husband pass by with a melancholy expression.

"I'm so…so sorry…darling…." She told herself. "I only ever wanted you, Ichigo, Karin and Yuzu to move on after my passing. I never, ever wanted you to agonize over me ever again. But when they were in danger and you weren't around, I simply had to act. And now, thinking that they would be safe with you around, I did nothing. Even though, as a mother, my first priority has always been to keep our little darlings safe. I failed….as a mother. All I ever wished for was for you to move on. But I was so focused on that, that I failed as a parent. I no longer have any right to care for them or the courage to face you after what I did. I'm so sorry…I don't deserve forgiveness or your love…..I'm so, so sorry…" she continued telling herself.

---

The week had passed and the Senkaimon had been opened. Ichigo and his group prepared to leave. By the end of the week, Ichigo, Karin and Tatsuki had calmed down a lot more. Isshin and Yoruichi promised that they would never simply leave Yuzu alone. Kyoraku convinced them even more by suggesting that since Aizen took her hostage as a means of inviting Ichigo and Karin to Hueco Mundo, she would likely be safe.

And so, they all said their goodbyes, with Isshin and Yoruichi returning along with Ichigo. Rukia decided that she would stay back, since that would be the best way for her to recover her powers. A fact that the kurosaki siblings were ok with since all they wanted in the end, was for her to be happy. They decided that they would go back to Karakura town after all, but would no longer hold it against the soul society. Once again they sped through the dangai, holding on for dear life until they were rescued by Urahara and his group. Isshin and Ichigo had many words to say to the shopkeeper who then apologized for involving them in his mess. But he did highlight the fact that since his name wasn't cleared yet, he couldn't openly act to recover the Hogyouku. But as compensation, he promised them that after they were ready after training, they would be able to go to Hueco Mundo since the garganta was already ready.

Isshin, Tessai, Kisuke and Yoruichi looked at each other, digesting the implications of that. The fact that, fate was driving them towards Hueco Mundo. The place where Yuzu was and more importantly, the same place where their big sister was. They only hoped, that wherever Yuzu was till then, Ruby got to her first until the time they were prepared enough to rescure her.

---

Didn't expect that, now did you? As you saw, many events are altered compared to canon. For one, Yuzu's now in Hueco Mundo with Aizen. You know what that means. And so is Momo. Always felt that was wasted potential.

No, Morigata Shingetsu and Yarigata Mangetsu aren't bankais. They are simply alternate forms/attacks of their shikai. Just like how Benihime, Urahara's zanpakuto has different attacks. Like Hibari Benehime or Hiyasobi Benehime. They haven't reached bankai. All they learnt, was better mastery of their shikai.

Yes, Masaki can remember. Because souls do retain their memories. It's hollows that lose them. Its just that….since souls live for decades in the soul society, they slowly lose memories over that long time, with old memories replaced by new ones. Just like any other normal person if they lived for so long. But here, she's only been dead for 6 years. You don't simply forget your own family in that short of a time period.

Whew, this was another super long chapter! So, the soul society arc finally concludes! I really, seriously burned myself out with this one, hope it was satisfactory! I know, I can do better, but I really tried. But in any case, finally, we get started on the arrancar arc! But the next chapter will actually focus on the 6 year time gap and what Ruby was doing in Hueco Mundo. But in any case, I really look forward to the next part myself since we're going back to Ruby!

---

Response to reviews:

Lucian Naruto: Yeah indeed. Hoh boy, if Ruby ever found out…..

Greer123: Perhaps. Time will tell. But you can expect it.

Argorok: Thanks a lot as usual!

Rairi Valelira: Thanks and same to you to!

Mobian: Thanks! Yeah, and now that part is nearer than ever.

The-Killer40513: Yes indeed. But souls crossover to the soul society after they die, if they have no regrets holding them down. When she died, Masaki died with a smile and no regrets. So yeah, her being there isn't really a problem.

Spartastic 4: Well, regarding the other characters of RWBY, hoh boy. You'll know next chapter what's been going on there. And thanks a lot!

firewyrm2: In the arrancar arc, there is a good possibility that can happen.

Misaka Phenex: True. But something even more surprising happened.

ccl1995: Yeah. And there are many other things with the soul society that needed to be addressed I felt. Just as Aizen did and Kyoraku acknowledged in the end.

Yeah you're right. But I just thought it should be like this in my fic. I have something planned for it after all. And thanks!

Momentei: No, souls do retain their memories. It's hollows that lose them. Its just that….since souls live for decades in the soul society, they slowly lose memories over that long time, with old memories replaced by new ones. Imagine if you were a hundred years old. You wouldn't really remember people from that long back now would you? Its the same thing.

Battlesny: Yeah exactly. As said by Aizen, his crimes have no equal, even amongst the crimes of many others in the soul society.

Zifryt: Yeah she does. As I mentioned in another comment, souls do retain their memories. It's hollows that lose them. Its just that….since souls live for decades in the soul society, they slowly lose memories over that long time, with old memories replaced by new ones. But yeah, they could just stick her in a gigai and though she would still no be alive, they could live as a normal family. But that's not what Masaki wants.

AnimeA55Kicker: Ahaha true…but yeah, sh*t just escalated to other levels with Aizen kidnapping her instead.

Skyway920: Well, she already can use it….kinda? I mean, the thing is, aura and semblances don't exist in this world. However, they were still abilities of her soul. That's why, in this world, they translated to something similar. Aura = Reiatsu, and her super fast semblance translating to her immense speed. You'll see more of this during her resurreccion, which is very similar to a semblance.

NEGATARO: Thanks! Glad you feel that way and thanks a lot for the support!

RandomBleachFan: Thanks! That really was the idea. That's why a lot of events are really different from canon.