Bleach: The Alternate Tale

by blackout2010

We all know that Ichigo Kurosaki was a human who became a Shinigami, but what would happen if he was always a Shinigami when the events of bleach happened, perhaps an altered story. Very minor crossover with Sakura Wars. A/U A/T. Contains incest in later parts.

41. Skies of Karakura: The clash

Author's gratitude:

Hello readers, reviewers, guests and others. I'd like to take this moment and thank-you all for reading up to this point. It's been a long rollercoaster but we've finally reached the climax between Ichigo and Aizen. I hope you enjoy and please leave me your thoughts, they help more than you know.

This boss battle was greatly inspired by 'The clash' by Sound factory Carolina from Blazblue crisis reversed.

(Author's response to the unknown reviews)

To unknown reviewer known only as: Guest from chapter 40.

'Utterly boring.'

…

…

Okay…Don't really know what to think. Either I did a really bad job to have you go through 40 chapters to elicit that kind of reaction, or you have preference issue, or impossibly high standards. That's really the only nice way I can justify how you'd feel this way. I personally prefer to believe in the best in people, but what can I do.

(Author's response to unknown review end.)

"Greatness is a journey that begins with the impossible and turns into the unforgettable. Greatness is never given, it's earned. So, you work harder, dream bigger, and chase, capture and conquer history. To become a Legend, and Legends live forever."

Quoted from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson & John Cena - WWE Superstars

(Pre fic banter)

Blackout2010: Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girl. It's time for our main event.

Everyone: Yeah!

Blackout2010: This bout sponsored by Ocasio industries will be 12 rounds, each 3 minutes a piece, now without further ado let us introduce our contenders. (gestures to right)

Blackout2010: In the red corner, standing at 5 feet 11 inches wearing all black, representing the Shinigami forces. He's put captain's in their place, destroyed Arrancars and is a Vizard extraordinary. He is the son of the legendary miracle worker and son of the ultimate survivor, he is Ichigo "Getsuga Tensho" Kurosakiiii!

(Applaud)

Soifon: You can do it Ichigo good luck! Woohoo!

Senna: You got this Ichigo! Remember your training!

Masaki: Good luck, son! I'm rooting for you!

Blackout2010: (gestures to left) and in the blue corner, rising up from the ashes of destitution and carving his own destiny, standing at 6 foot 1 inch and representing his own forces proudly. He is the one that named himself the name all his enemies fear, the one the Hogyoku bows down to, dressed in all white and representing Aizen's revolutionary forces, he is the one, the only, Sosuke "The transcendent" Aiiizeeeen!

(Applaud)

Rudborrn: Wooo! Time to take the glasses off Sosuke!

Barragan: Keep your guard up, Mijo!

Loly/Menoly: Oooh, Aizen, your so fine, your so fine, you blow their minds, hey Aizen (clap, clap) Hey Aizen!

Blackout2010: Okay, both combatants, please meet in the center of the ring.

Isshin: Get him a body bag!

Blackout2010: (ahem), Okay, I want a nice dirty fight. I want to see explosions, hallucinations, wrestling moves, tossing people into stuff, trash talk, taunting, and if possible some blood. Are the rules understood?

Aizen: You do realize that was more a list of demands right?

Ichigo: You know this is just pretend, right?

Blackout2010 (ignoring): Okay, go back to your corners and I want you coming out swinging.

Aizen/Ichigo: Sigh…

Blackout2010: Alright, get it ON!

---

Chapter 41: Skies of Karakura: Clash between the god-forged Reaper and the ultimate Conqueror

"Aizen…" the orange haired reaper muttered coldly, as he raised his sword up, pointing it at him threateningly. "I know what you did. Why?"

Sosuke for his part was actually more surprised that he hadn't just tried to kill him right off the bat. Although, he could tell that any answer he gave wouldn't have really mattered in dissuading the man into the inevitable brawl. "Do you want the truth Ichigo?" he asked quizzically, "It's not pleasant."

Ichigo didn't say a word; instead, the dark blade flared alive with the burning hot energy of a Getsuga Tenshō, which Aizen took as his answer.

Talk or die.

Taking in a deep breath to properly organize his thoughts, Aizen placed his hands in his pockets and looked at the man, and spoke in a calm serious tone. "She would have destroyed me." He answered, giving him the crux reason. When Ichigo's eyes narrowed, the man continued, "Your mother would never have stood for my actions, even if I was right. She wouldn't risk the lives of others on my ideals unless I could prove my righteousness." The man closed his eyes and shook his head, "I knew that I couldn't. My friends and my convictions are all that I have."

"So you killed her." The man snarled as he stepped forward menacingly, blade behind turned to point back into the gargantua he'd left earlier. "But why!? Why did you do that to her!? It wasn't enough to take her life, you enslaved her soul too!?"

Sosuke sighed defeatedly, "Kurosaki-san…" the man looked away and paused for a second before sighing again and looking back. "Ichigo, there are no pretty words that I can tell you that will change what I did. I enslaved her and used her powers for my own. If…if there were a way that I could proceed without ever having to disturb her, I swear to you, I would have. What I did to your mother will haunt me for the rest of my life." The man swallowed the lump in his throat, "By taking her life, I became responsible for it. Yes, as I'm sure you've figured out, I lied to you back when I approached you about joining my army…however if you had just joined me then…(sigh)… truly, ignorance is bliss."

"Ignorance is bliss?" the man returned hatefully, "Is that all you got to say? How many people's lives have you destroyed!? Mom, Shinjiro, Subaru, Soifon, Hanataro, Ganju, Yoruichi, Senna! You think people's lives are little numbers and designs to be factored into your plans!?"

"Not at all, Ichigo." Aizen replied, "I do admit, I have done reprehensible deeds, maybe even more than what was actually necessary."

"Like turning Subaru and Shinjiro into monsters?"

The man touched his chest, which had a small glowing gem nestled in it. "That was to test out if infusion with the Hogyoku was possible, but I admit to punishing them as well for their deception."

"All the people in Seireitei who died in your little betrayal?"

"My initial escape plan wasn't nearly as bloody. Your arrival forced my hand however."

"You got an answer for everything don't you?" Kurosaki spat vehemently.

Aizen shook his head, "No, if I did, this wouldn't be happening." He extended his left hand beside him, gesturing to the open air. "You would be standing beside me, helping me end the tyranny of the spirit king." He replied with a solemn frown. "I started my journey for my own selfish reasons of personal glory, to 'be something more' as a friend once told me, but as I grew older and learned I began to see the world for what it was."

Letting his eyes trail over the body of Ichigo, he felt a clutching sadness at seeing the man so closely resemble his mother. Still, he would preserve. "I have reached two conclusions thus far regarding the spirit king and the throne of heaven."

"And what's that?"

"My first conclusion is the more hopeful of the two. And that is the throne of god is empty. There is no ruler on high."

That response took Ichigo by surprise. "No ruler…?" He questioned.

Sosuke nodded, "Yes, we've only heard about the spirit king's existence in passing, but no one has ever seen the being in recent memory. For all that we know, the king could be long dead, in which I ask why should we not put someone on the throne? Think: If god was alive and knew the disasters that fell upon people, not just the Hollows, or the Human, or the Shinigami, everyone. If god could prevent it, why then should we not make a new king to protect mankind!?"

"And what's your other theory?" Ichigo asked, understanding but not entirely swayed by his reasoning, especially since it was the 'optimistic' standpoint.

The traitor's face became stony, his eyes hardening at the thoughts in his head. "The second? Simple. The current ruler of heaven is alive and is weak. The spirit king remains silent and uncaring in the world he is charged with overseeing. If that is the case, I refuse it." He muttered hotly, his voice becoming more agitated, "I have lived a slave's life Ichigo. I refuse to go back to it. I will cast down a king as unworthy as that."

"Even if that's the case, you aren't worthy either."

Aizen's eyes widened when he heard those words. Letting the sinking clarity of them fall into his mind, he gave his full attention to the man who muttered them. "What do you mean?"

The grip on Ichigo's blade increased as his heart raced with adrenaline pulsing through his veins. The words had left his mouth before he realized it, but he knew deep down that was how he felt. The memories of his dead friends and those who had been hurt by Aizen manipulations rang in his head, compelling him onward. "The ruler of heaven should be someone with the people in his heart. Not some glory seeker," lowering Tensa Zangetsu, Ichigo glanced at his side, where Shinjiro's Masamune was tied around his waist. "And not someone living for retribution."

Shifting slightly, he traced his blade over the horizon, where the damaged city was being destroyed more by the clashing battles. "You're just trying to pretty up and justify your actions Aizen! You'd sacrifice the lives of thousands of individuals, if it brought you closer to your goal, how does that make you any different from the spirit king, sacrificing people's lives for his own desire!?"

Sosuke's expression for the briefest of moments was quizzical, all prior traces of anger lost as he merely observed Ichigo. Finally, after a few seconds, he did the strangest thing of all.

He smiled.

"I don't particularly care whether or not I am the one to ascend to the throne, so long as it results in an improvement." He replied, a refreshed smile on his face, as he clarified his goals. Lifting his palm up, he gestured to Ichigo. "I would clear open a path for you to rule, if you felt yourself a better ruler."

Turning away, he glanced at the Hogyoku in his chest and felt the gem pulse with the same warmth of kindredship he felt with his friends. Yes, perhaps, if only things had been different…

Glancing back at Ichigo, Sosuke said, "Though you do not say anything; that look in your eyes." His smile widened, when Ichigo narrowed his, "Let's me know, you believe me."

"I think you have a point Aizen. I even think you make a compelling argument." Ichigo countered, as he raised Tensa Zangetsu up, gripping it with both of his hands; ready to do battle against his greatest foe yet. "But that's not going to stop me from kicking your ass. Not for what you've done against the spirit king, but for humanity. For the people, I swore to protect."

Sighing heavily, Aizen knew that the time for talk was over. Ichigo had decided his path and he would respect it as he cut him down. "A pity." He replied sadly, as he raised Kyoka Suigetsu up, the blade pointing vertically. "I can see you have Shinjiro's Zanpaktou with you." Aizen identified for Ichigo, "Certainly came prepared for battle. However, just because my Shikai will not work, my Bankai-"

"Won't make a difference." Ichigo interrupted, "Use whatever you want, Aizen. I'm going to stop you."

'You've got her fire, Ichigo.' "Very well. Bankai: Omoide no hōru, Kyoka Suigetsu. (Hall of memories, water flower reflected moon) (0)."

Ichigo watched grimly as the very atmosphere around them warped and changed. Extending behind Aizen and creeping around them, the city and sky were covered by a blank white substance, covering further and further until a large dome like structure surrounded the two of them.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Ichigo took his eyes of Aizen to glance back at Masamune, 'Let's hope this work, Shinjiro.' Scrunching his face up, his hollow mask covered his face entirely as he readied himself. 'You too Zangetsu. We can't fail here.'

'Of course, Ichigo.' The old man in the sword replied as he hovered behind his master's back, his own blade at the ready.

"Let us see, if you can overcome yourself." Aizen taunted, as the white void surrounding them began to grow brighter and brighter. "Begin."

The white light suddenly flashed with such intensity, that Ichigo had to shut his eyes, lest he blind himself. Once the pounding light began to ebb away, Ichigo removed his arm out of the way, and found himself somewhere else entirely.

Gone was the white world he and Aizen had been in, replaced instead by a teeming forest. He could hear the sounds of the branches rustling in the wind and birds in the distance; he glanced around his immediate area, expectant of attack, but saw nothing. The Vizard for a brief moment felt his heart sink, hoping that he wasn't hypnotized, since this was all just one big hunch for him.

"Ichigo?" a familiar voice called from behind him.

Wheeling around, sword poised to defend himself, the young lieutenant had to stop himself from locking up from surprise.

Standing with an unassuming look on his face, was Shinjiro Taiga. The young samurai was wearing his Shinigami uniform, unlike the white Hakama he'd last seen him in, but what struck him the most was around his hips was his weapon.

"Shinjiro?" the man questioned, his voice changed by the powers his mask granted him.

His actions gave an unexpected response.

The man took a fearful step back as his hand held the scabbard of his sword, while his dominant hand grabbed hold of the hilt. "So it's true." He muttered sadly, just barely loud enough for Ichigo to hear him. The man let out a depressed sigh as he pulled out his weapon, the prior anger he felt towards the man lost at seeing his pitiful state. "I heard you betrayed Soul Society- Shaolin, to kill the spirit king."

Ichigo tilted his head curiously, the man's words, now the scenery when he thought about it. It all seemed familiar. 'Wait did he say betray Soul Society…?' the epiphany finally came to him. This Shinjiro, it was from before. Before he entered the Soul Society to clear his name, 'But he's acting so different…and why can't I move…?'

Trying to budge his arms produced no result, even his voice failed to mutter a word to dissuade the Shinigami.

Shinjiro just looked him over sadly, "I don't even know if you can understand me. You've given yourself to Hollows." The man closed his eyes and shook his despondently, "I thought Subaru and I could believe again." Pulling out his weapon, he took his stance as he prepared to destroy his former friend. "I'll ease your pain my friend…Shaolin will never know…"

The man's Muramasa took over the blade as he lunged forward with his weapon. It was in that instant that Ichigo felt his body able to move. Using his superior speed, Ichigo moved Zangetsu to intercept.

The blades clanged against one another, but what surprised Ichigo the most, was the sheer force behind Shinjiro's strike. He felt the ground beneath him, get pushed down from the attack. "What the hell!?" he said to himself, as he pushed Shinjiro back.

The samurai landed on the ground feet skidding against the dirt. While he held a battle ready face, Ichigo did see hints of confusion. "What the hell did he say?" Shinjiro whispered to himself, before shaking it off and concentrating. "Doesn't matter."

'Shinjiro can't-' Ichigo stopped himself before he fell for the trick before his eyes. Now he understood what was going on. This enemy was the Shinjiro from back then, the one he fought in his past. They had fought each other to the death, only stopping when Ichigo incapacitated the samurai enough to force him to listen. But, this time, this time it was different. He wondered something for the longest time since Aizen's Bankai took him in, and that was wondering where the man was. He didn't sense anyone else, only Shinjiro's spiritual energy, which meant…

If you don't have the heart to kill your friends, the ones you love, how do you expect to kill someone who has nothing to lose and qualms in exploiting your weaknesses?

'So he's wearing your faces…' Ichigo concluded it only made sense. Kyoka Suigetsu controlled all five senses; he knew that. So it's Bankai took it a step further by controlling reality as the opponent knew it, or in this case, the memories of prior battles.

"Hrrrragh!" the samurai yelled as he brought his sword around ready to cleave the monster hollow in half.

Slash!

Shinjiro's eyes widened as he felt a throbbing pain all across his chest, blood flying off from imperceptible strike that collided into him. Shinjiro stumbled forward a bit, as the Hollow in front of him disappeared.

Clutching his chest, the samurai let out a ragged breath, as he looked behind him, unable to see Ichigo had went but able to feel him 'He's fast!'. Bringing his weapon around, he barely had a chance to block the strike from behind. "Damn!" Taiga cursed as he felt the weight against his blade disappear.

Looking around furiously, he caught barest hints and traces of Ichigo wisping around in a threatening circle. "Cornered." Shinjiro muttered, "Well, then let see you handle this! Show them his humanity, Masamune!"

The very air around him morphed as the nullification field took over and with it, he got a clear view of Ichigo stepping towards him, the mask over his face shattering instantaneously. Raising his blade up, Shinjiro swung upward to return the prior strike back at his former kohai.

Seeing the attack come at him, Ichigo leaned over to one side, narrowly dodging the attack as his left hand reached for the sword strapped to his side. Touching the weapon, the air once again shifted as his own nullification field became more dominant. "It's over!" Ichigo muttered, as his black blade became incased in the dark energy of a moon fang. "Getsugaaaa!" Shinjiro's eyes widened fearfully, as he saw some kind of energy attack, one he knew impossible, used at point blank range. "Tenshō!"

Bringing his sword around, the moon fang flicked off the blade and slammed into the samurai full force, engulfing him in a sea of darkness. The Vizard watched as the strike shot back, destroying part of the forest behind the samurai. Turning away, the man felt a hint of regret creep into his heart.

He knew without a doubt that this was just an illusion, but the way it played out, the way Shinjiro had acted. It was almost scary how real it was, for the briefest of moments, he did wonder if he really was fighting against the samurai. "I'm sorry…" he apologized reflexively

Ridding himself of the thoughts, he tried to concentrate on what might come next, but found himself moderately surprised when he felt Shinjiro's spiritual energy flare outward, as it did, the scenery around them changed. Warping from vibrant forest area into a dusty vacant desert area.

Giving a cursory glance around just to be sure, he looked up and saw a half moon hanging in the air. "Hueco…mundo?" Looking back to where the samurai had been, he saw the man leaning against his Zanpaktou as a crutch as a familiar white fragmentation began to form around his face.

"Alright! I underestimated you! But I won't lose!" he yelled voice morphing as the fragmentation took over.

"Tch." Bringing his weapon back around to defend himself against the more empowered version of Shinjiro, he held his stance, but was surprised by what the man did next.

Instead of coming at him, he sheathed his sword in his sheath, while his spiritual energy around him began to warp, rising higher, growing stronger. "Bankai!" he yelled

'Bankai!?' Ichigo reeled, eyes widening at the incomprehensible situation. He knew Shinjiro didn't know Bankai, and even if he did, he never used it in their duel in Hueco Mundo. 'Wait…I forgot it's Aizen. Shinjiro might not know Bankai, but Aizen does…'

The desert air around Shinjiro encircled around the samurai as he began to transform. Not wasting anytime, Ichigo flashstepped in to close the distance, before whatever monstrosity could come out next.

Swinging the blade with all his might, he saw the blade stop as a piercing ring echoed through the air, the blades metal hitting against something hard. As the wind surrounding Shinjiro died down, the Shinigami got a good look at what stopped the attack.

His weapon was pressed against a reinforced chest plate. Shinjiro's entire body was covered in a dense suit of red samurai armor, while his Hollow mask took the shape of a war kabuto, the dog's snout becoming a facemask concealing his face. Behind the man's back was a large rusted and blood stained polearm. The man's visage sent a chill down Ichigo's spine, Shinjiro's general air resembling a war-geared ensemble pieced together from a corpse-littered battlefield. "Akuma no heiki-ko, Juuchi Fuyu (Devil armory, 10,000 winters) (1)!

Raising his armored hand up, he grabbed hold of the naginata extending over his shoulder, and swiped it around.

Seeing the attack coming, Ichigo flash stepped a safe distance back, but as he landed, he was buffeted by a blast of wind, no doubt from the force behind the originating attack. 'Holy shit, this guy isn't playing around!'

Stabbing his spear into the dirt, the weapon glowed a brilliant white before morphing into a different weapon, a large bow. Bringing his hand to the string, he pulled back as arrow magically appeared in the string. Releasing his grip on the bow, the arrow whistled forward at incredible speed, forcing Ichigo to jump to the side to avoid being hit by the attack.

The wind pressure behind the attack, slammed into Ichigo though and knocked him back, giving him clear view of the destruction the attack would have done to him as it collided into a tower in the distance and shattered it completely.

Planting his hand against the sand to push himself back into a righted position, Ichigo grit his teeth at the kind of enemy he was playing with. Still, he wouldn't falter, every enemy had a weakness, he just had to find it. Charging up a Getsuga Tenshō, since he figured that the increased bulk might have hampered his mobility, Ichigo began to charge towards the imposing warrior.

Seeing the Shinigami come at him, Shinjiro recalled his bow and opted for a more…modern weapon. With another change of light, the ancient long bow transformed into a blood spattered Tanegashima musket. Raising the weapon up to shoulder height, he steadied his aim and arm as best as he could, lining up a shot directly for Ichigo's head. He knew that the man had no clue what firearms were and would die the moment it made contact with him given his increased spiritual energy.

Pulling back the trigger, the bullet of the weapon shot out to the incoming Shinigami at blinding speed, going directly towards his eyes.

Ichigo, as he moved in, saw the man's weapon morph into something he had never seen before, as he raised it up and pointed it towards him. His heightened senses in Bankai form let him see Shinjiro's finger pull something in slow motion, before a bright light flared from the hole at the end of the long weapon, suddenly his left peripheral was blocked by some kind of steel ball about to collide into him.

Jerking his head to the side, the bullet grazed his cheek as he tumbled over to avoid the strike. 'Too close! If that's the way he wants to play it.' As he circled in midair, he raised his sword with a flick of his wrist and launched his own projectile to the samurai, the dark energy slash contorted mid-air as it arched towards it's target.

A surprised gasp escaping Shinjiro's lips, he braced his arms in front of him to take the attack, knowing that he was far too slow to try avoiding such an attack. Pain immediately shot through Shinjiro's body as the black bolt collided against his body, the armor doing very little in protecting him from energy-like attack.

Ichigo felt a twinge of a smirk on his face when he saw the armored warrior fall to his knees in apparent pain. 'I see. His armor can stop physical attacks no problem, but if they aren't, it's almost no different than hitting him directly.'

"In that case," he muttered, as his blade once again flared alive with the energy of another moon fang. Pushing himself off the sand, he raised his weapon overhead to unleash another volley, the black moon fang arching once again to the fallen soldier.

Moving his arms out of the way, as a labored breath escaped through his mask, Shinjiro saw another moon fang baring down on him, ready to finish the job. "Oh no you don't!" he yelled, as he reached for the sword at his side.

Pulling the katana from the sheath, the man's red battle armor exploded off his body, replaced instead by a white kamishimo cloth armor. The sword in his hand had a radiant white glow shining off it's edge as it pointed directly ahead towards the oncoming moon fang. Ichigo watched in disbelief as his attack collided into air, dissipating into a black mist that hovered around the samurai's body.

Shinjiro smirked confidently, as he raised his sword up overhead, "Shinseina buki, nyūsatsu-te. (Sacred weapon, tender hands) (2)!" When the blade reached it's zenith, the dark matter swirling around him condescended into his blade, as he began lowering it back in Ichigo's direction. "Getsuga Tenshō!"

The samurai's moon fang shot out at incredible speed, the same as Ichigo's, but Ichigo didn't bother moving like he normally would have, as he removed his hand from his weapon and pulled Masamune slightly out of it's sheath, the steel barely visible. The Getsuga slammed into the barrier granted by the negation field, but as the dark energy parted from the strike, Ichigo got a face full of the samurai lunging towards him, blade at the ready.

Caught in the awkward stance, Ichigo tried feebly to block the strike. The blow easily knocked away the Vizard's arm out of the way, as the samurai brought his blade around to continue with his assault.

Steeling himself for the pain, Ichigo brought his left hand around and caught the blade before it could gain enough momentum to do some real damage. Wincing slightly from the pain shooting through his hand, as the blood spilled onto the sand, the young man pulled hard on the weapon, drawing more blood, but pulling the samurai out of his stance.

Rearing back slightly, Ichigo slammed his forehead into Shinjiro's face, sending the samurai stumbling backwards, bleeding from his busted lips. Ichigo smirked at the opening he created, 'So in this form, he a quicker and can absorb energy attacks, but he's vulnerable to physical attacks. Better end this now then.'

Swinging his weapon around with all the strength, he could muster in his current form. He was stunned when Shinjiro's form reverted back to his armored shell, his blade colliding into the side of the helmet and reverberating intensely as it recoiled back.

No longer needing to protect his face, Shinjiro grabbed hold of the blade and with his newfound strength, lifted both blade and owner up off the ground and slammed them over his shoulder, the desert floor beneath Ichigo cracking from the force of the blow.

Changing back into the armorless state, Shinjiro flipped the blade around and stabbed downward, returning the slash to the head with one of his own.

Rolling out of the way, Ichigo barely dodged the tip as it pierced the sand. Pushing himself up, the reaper decided to play it safe and flashstep away from him now that he was out of Shinjiro's nullification field.

Pulling his blade out with a quick yank, the samurai flash stepped in pursuit of his adversary. As Ichigo put his back foot behind him to stead himself post momentum, Shinjiro appeared in front of the man, blade once again poised to run him through.

Jumping forward, since he had no time to lose, Tensa Zangetsu clashed and scrapped against the holy sword pressed against it. 'Shit! He's not even giving me a chance to breath!'

"Grrrahh!" the samurai roared, as his body was once again encased in armor, the full might of Shinjiro being brought to the forefront, forcing Ichigo to remove one of his hands from the hilt and press it against the back of his blade just to maintain some kind of defense.

"Egghh!" the Vizard strained under the increased pressure. 'Damn! He can just switch whenever he wants!?' he cursed angrily, remembering how Shinjiro's other weapon shattered any spiritual energy he could conjure up no sweat, while this one just laughed in the face of whatever physical offense he tried to mount. 'How the hell am I supposed to wi-'

An image of Shinjiro switching between the modes in slow motion popped into Ichigo mind. The man swapping defensively almost in response to what he was doing, rather than using it aggressively. As the memories faded, replaced by one of Shinjiro holding his sheathed blade in front of him, in an obvious counterattack stance, realization came over Ichigo.

With this new found clarity, Ichigo braced himself, his eyes looking over the red samurai pushing against him, committing every detail into memory. Feeling the pulse of pure adrenaline shooting through his body, he spared the briefest of glance at the sword at his hip, before exhaling deeply.

Pushing his foot back, the man jumped backwards, as he let his strength falter. As he anticipated, Shinjiro staggered forward, not expecting the sudden release in pressure. When Ichigo's foot pressed against the sand, less than five feet away, he steeled himself as the samurai's armor disappeared, as the ex-third seat charged forward to press the advantage.

Gritting his teeth, Ichigo removed his left hand from the blade, supporting the entirety of it's weight with his right hand, as it wabbled slightly, barely containing the trepidation of it's wielder.

Seeing that the man wasn't going to move despite his sloppy stance that he'd broken once before, Shinjiro dawned his devil Bankai once more as he slashed forward with katana, determined to end his former friend and all his warped ambitions.

'Now!' Ichigo screamed in his mind, as his free hand reached back and grabbed hold of Masamune, ripping the sword out of it's sheath. Letting his hand lose for the briefest of seconds, the blade turned upward as he grabbed it in midair, the white steel coated with a black energy.

Seeing the attack that he was about to run into, Shinjiro immediately swapped back into his energy absorbent form to stop what appeared to be a Getsuga on the other blade.

Shinjiro watched in slowed horror, as the energy on the blade didn't dissipate like it should have, instead the energy hardened even further as Ichigo leaned towards him, second blade pulled back just slight enough to be lunged forward…

'Almost like…'

"AKUMETSU (Purge-evil)!" Ichigo roared the name of his senpai's technique.

The world around the two of them seemly faded into a void of white, before Shinjiro's body shook violently as a piercing streak of black penetrate through him. Then another heavy blow struck, and another, and another and another.

Ichigo could only watch in muted horror at what he did, watching Shinjiro's body being eviscerated with each invisible blade strike.

So…this is the end…

The Vizard's eyes widened when he heard Shinjiro's voice in his head.

To turn your back on everything you love…is this the price of power?

Was this…his thoughts?

I believed in you Ichigo…I thought…I thought that maybe…we could make a better world…together…

Closing his eyes, the younger man took a step back and turned away, swiping his Masamune to the side as time began to flow once more. "I'm sorry…" he apologized.

Blood erupted from Shinjiro's body as stumbled past Ichigo's back. For a fleeting moment, the man turned his head, only seeing his friend truly commit himself to his cause…a cause of selfish power. As he fell down to the sand below, bloodied and dying, he caught a glance of the weapon in Ichigo's left.

"…my…sword…?" Shinjiro gasped, puzzled and confused. Why would he have his sword? His was with him; after all, he was using it. It didn't make any sense…nothing made any sense to him anymore.

A loud whirling noise echoed over the dunes as the world around Ichigo became rittled with crack-like lines. Then with a loud crash, the desert world around shattered, reverting back to the white void Ichigo and Aizen had been standing in, before Aizen had done something to him.

That was when Ichigo spotted Aizen less than ten feet from him, reeling back, most likely from the force of shattering his illusion. Not wasting anytime, Ichigo put the emotions running through him to the side and charged after Sosuke.

The man slashed his blade wildly at the traitor, the latter's chest getting clipped as he tried to push himself back to recompose himself. "Eat this!" Ichigo yelled as, he swung his weapon back around firing off a Getsuga at the man.

Stretching his hand in front of him, Aizen furrowed his brow in concentration. "El escudo (The shield)."

In front of the man, a thin green wall of light sprang forth intercepting the moon fang, as Sosuke's arm recoiled back a bit from the strain put on him. Once the attack was fully dissipated, the spell caster made a circular motion with his hand, casting another spell. "Hado 58. Tenran (Orchid Sky)."

From the small circle he made in the air, a concentrated tornado of wind shot out, heading straight for the other reaper. Ichigo didin't even looked fazed, as he disappeared in a burst of speed, reappearing barely inches away from Aizen's face blade arching upward.

As quickly as he could, he moved his hand over to Ichigo and without invocation launched a Byakurai at his body. The spell pierced the man's chest, but it didn't stop the man's sword from cutting into his side faintly.

Wincing in pain, from the shallow cut due to his killing blow, Aizen guard was caught down, when the body of the man disappeared before his eyes. 'What? An illusion!? But how?'

Feeling the disturbance of spiritual pressure behind him, Aizen turned around to see Ichigo gripping the ground behind him as he lunged forward, blade poised to take his head off.

Ichigo thrusted his blade forward, Zanpaktou inching closer and closer with Aizen unable to do anything when his blade connected with empty air.

"What!?" Ichigo exclaimed as the man disappeared in front of him. Looking around fervently, he felt his heart sink when he found himself standing on a rooftop under a darkened sky. Dropping his arms back to his side, Ichigo sighed audibly, "Fuck. I'm doing this again."

Turning behind him to get a better look at his surroundings, he took notice that he was in Karakura town, albeit suddenly night now. 'I guess I only have a little bit of time to get to him once the illusion shatters, before he can use another one. Am I serious gonna have to plan on how I'm going to kill him WHILE I'm fighting!?' "This is going to be annoy-"

The man paused when he felt a powerful spiritual energy above him. Looking up into the sky, he saw hovering in the air was the Espada that called himself Grimmjow. The cocky man had his hands in his pockets, as he slowly descended, an arrogant smirk on his face. "Well, lookie what I've got here. You actually live up to the hype that I was sensing."

Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows, in confusion. This wasn't how it went when he met up with Grimmjow, he recalled him trying to strangle Shinjiro and…

Taking his eyes off the man for a second, he took a glance at where Shinjiro had been standing and found himself alone. 'I see. These are based on memories of the people I fought. But it changes based on circumstances…'

Ignoring Grimmjow's taunting, he closed his eyes and considered the circumstances. 'Aizen's Shinjiro still fought me even when my mask was shattered and could see my face. I guess, I can't reason with them into not fighting. It's just a scare tactic to make me hesitate against fighting them.'

"Damn you…" Ichigo cursed Aizen.

Unfortunately for him, Grimmjow heard it and took it as a sign of disrespect. "Me maldita, eh? You think your hot shit because you've got a little power?" The man spat out some saliva from his mouth as jutted his thumb against his chest. "I'll show you what happens when you try to look down on the king!"

Pulling his hands from his pocket, the Espada dive bombed down, fist careened back to destroy the man.

Jumping away at the last second, the man was startled to see, the arrancar's strike level the rooftop of Senna's home. The building shook for a few seconds, before collapsing down into a pile of debris. 'Great.' The younger man thought to himself, noting a definite increase in Grimmjow's striking power.

Still…

Sliding to a halt in the air, Ichigo threw his hand forward, to grab the kick from the Sonidoing man just as it was about to strike his face. Clenching the cloth, he turned and tossed Grimmjow down the street.

Steeling himself from the throw, Grimmjow was flung hard behind the blasted Shinigami. As the wind ruffled the back of the man from the force of the throw, the blue haired warrior increased the spiritual energy of his lower extremity to re-balance his equilibrium.

By the time, he righted himself and came to a halt; the Shinigami in front of him had all but disappeared from where he had been. "What the?" he whispered confusedly, before loudly roaring, "Estás Huyend-"

The man's voice was silenced, when the back of Ichigo's fist slammed into the man's jaw. Launching him head first into the building that he had stopped adjacent to.

The Soul reaper looked at the collapsing building falling on top of the Arrancar, with disdain. "I thought as much, this place is deserted. Can't even feel the spiritual energy of the barrier from before." A confident smirk wormed it's way on to Ichigo' lips as he turned to the building, taking his stance as a swordsman. 'I don't have to worry about casualties, but better keep an eye out; no idea what tricks are up his sleeves.'

From behind the cloud of smoke, Ichigo heard the voice of Grimmjow call out something before a surging blue light came streaking towards him. Jumping to the side, the man narrowly avoided the powerful beam of light that he recognized as a different colored cero.

He didn't get much chance to contemplate the strange attack, before he felt a powerful punch sink into his stomach. Jaw widening from having the wind knocked out of him, he couldn't do anything when the 6th sword jumped up ramming his knee into his jaw, forcing it shut as his head snapped backwards.

As his head reared back, the Vizard briefly saw the vicious Arrancar open both his hands up, twin red light powering up ominously. "oh, fuck." He groaned as he raised his forearm up protectively.

Grimmjow watched in satisfaction as the two cero blasted into the stunned Shinigami's body, launching him down to the street below, blowing up a sizable hole into the ground. Taking a second to catch his breath, the man wiped his forehead, before spitting out some blood from his mouth. "huff…huff…not bad punto." A feral smirk coiled on the man's lips, "Pero, soy numero uno, comprende?"

The man's boast fell along with his smile when he saw at the epicenter of the crater was the man he knew should have been dead from the attack. "Guess he's not a total piece of shit." His face grew angry at remembering the dismissive attitude he had earlier. "Good, I wasn't done fucking you up yet."

The man then took off, launching himself straight down to finish the job.

Ichigo placed his hand against his forehead, feeling the blood running down it, before giving a small shake to clear the cobwebs. 'Okay, that kinda hurt.' He eyed the burn mark on the back of his right arm, 'I can't keep getting hit like that, I gotta fight smarter, I don't know much further I have to go.'

Feeling Grimmjow's spiritual energy dive bombing towards him, he launched a quick Getsuga Tenshō upwards, using the small window of opportunity granted him, when the Espada swirled out of the way to avoid it, by jumping backwards out of the hole and down the street.

The Espada's fist collided with the street, sending cracks up and down it, but he didn't stop his charge, merely instead swiveled in the direction Ichigo retreated down and shot towards him, once again ready to take him out.

Seeing the Espada quickly changing direction, Ichigo slammed Tensa Zangetsu into the ground to slow his backpedaling skid. Once he fully came to a halt, he released his grip on his weapon and lunged forward. The two fist connected, sending a shock wave of energy that shattered the windows of the nearby buildings. Grimmjow's body hitched back from the sudden stop that Ichigo's strike provided, but he wouldn't be deterred. Using his momentary backpedal, he sprang forward and launched a hard kick to the man.

Using his superior speed, Ichigo retracted his right arm back and shifted his body to catch the kick with his left hand, the blow sending a throbbing sense of pain into it, but providing an ample grapple point for the Onimitsukido soldier. Grabbing a fist full of the espada's legging, the man gave a forceful yank.

Grimmjow's body was pulled forward briefly, before the man's head and the rest of his body was sent stumbling backwards, when the bastard Shinigami slammed his elbow into the man's nose.

Grimmjow's body hitched back from the sudden stop that Ichigo provided, as his footing slipped backward, the young Vizard took advantage of the opening. The panther's front row spectacle to the night sky was interrupted when he felt a powerful blow collide with the left side of his face, giving him a brief look of the human architecture before another balled first came at him striking him hard against his other cheek.

Ichigo felt a primal surge of adrenaline when he saw the look of pain on Grimmjow's face when he thrusted his fist into the man's stomach, exacting retribution for his earlier cheap shot. Shuffling forward, he swung with his left landing another body blow against the defenseless Espada. As he moved forward to continue his assault, the blue haired man surprised him by slamming both his fists into his shoulder, knocking him down against the ground.

Grabbing hold of the man's Hakama, the Espada reared his leg back and drove his knee into the man's body forcefully. Hearing the chocked gasp escape the man's throat, he reared back and slammed his knee again into his diaphragm.

Watching the blood escape his mouth from another chocked gasp, Ichigo gritted his teeth trying to ignore the pain as he wrapped his arms around the hollow's waist and buckled back, lifting him up and over his shoulder

Gritting his teeth despite the blow, Ichigo's hand scrambled against the ground, lightly flecking it as he shoulder tackled the man, wrapping his arms around his waist, before bucking backward, tossing the man over his shoulder into a slam.

Going with the momentum as best as he could, Grimmjow was able to roll on his shoulder and avoid most of the damage, as he readjusted his gaze, he just barely flash stepped out of the way to avoid the palm strike aimed at his throat. Reappearing behind the Shinigami, he slammed his foot into the man's back sending him skidding and tumbling down the street, as the desert king fell to his knees in pain, pushed to his absolute limits.

Going end over end, before rolling on his side, the young Vizard of Soul Society skidded to a halt, near to his discarded blade. "Ughh…" the man groaned as he pushed himself up, hand reflexively reaching up to cover one of his eyes, as his labored breath spilled form his mouth.

He…was a bit messed up.

"Healing kido 20:" he paused to spit out some blood from his mouth as he wiped his busted lip with his thumb. "Diarama."

A soothing yellow light emanated from the hand pressed against his head, the magic incantation healing up the cuts and bruises he'd sustained, clearing his vision to better see his opponent on his knees, not fairing much better he presumed. 'I see, so they are still limited by their abilities.' Ichigo thought to himself, as he moved his glowing hand away from his face and towards his heart and chest area. 'That means if I can figure them out. I can recover a bit during each fight, that way I don't get too banged up.'

"Guess, I better count myself luck, he's a reckless hollow." The man mused amicably, as he felt his fatigue and wounds begin to ebb away. 'Still Aizen is watching this I think. He's bound to catch on to my plan eventually.'

True to his thoughts, Grimmjow seemed to work through his own pain long enough to see that he was up to something. "Is that all you got, motherfucker!?" the man roared, using sheer willpower to get back to his feet. "My bitch Luppi hits harder than your pansy ass, Shinigami shit!"

The man slowly started to walk forward, a slow intimidating stride at first, before it became a brisk run then into a berserkish charge.

Taking a brief glance at the hand emanating healing kido into his chest, a thought occurred to him. If Arrancar were part Shinigami, then what if he…?

Dismissing the healing light he placed a hand against his Masamune, as he grabbed hold of his other Zanpaktou and waited expectantly. When the man finally got into range, lunging at him to take his head off, Ichigo pulled the Masamune blade out of it's sheath for the briefest of seconds before disappearing in a burst of Bankai speed.

The 6th Espada watched as his defiant prey vanished before his eyes at speed he couldn't even conceive possible, before he felt a sharp jarring pain in his chest, as if he'd been run through the entire length of a sword, his blood staining his clothing and running down his back. He took a few staggered steps forward and then collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest, where he felt a small but noticeable hole. Giving a few sputtering coughs and labored breaths, he looked over his shoulder where he saw the motherfucker standing impudently, his dark blade held at his side, as blood –HIS blood- fell off the tip nonchalantly. "Wha…what did you do to me, asshole!?"

"It's a flashstep technique called Senka (flash blossom) (3). It's mainly used to permenantly disable traitorous Shinigami." He lifted tensa Zangetsu up just a bit to get the man's attention. "By slashing the Saketsu (4) and Hakusui (5) points in your chest with a Zanpaktou, a person can disrupt the flow of spiritual energy throughout your body." Narrowing his eyes coolly, he continued, "I don't know if it would work on you entirely, since you were a Hollow that gained Shinigami powers, but I do know it did work on me, so the principle should be the same."

"Did that other sword do that?" Grimmjow asked, having remembered he saw the man grab it briefly.

"No, but that did cut off all your spiritual energy briefly. I didn't want to risk you shrugging it off and continuing." The man's Bankai sword flared alive with the black energy of a Getsuga, "Not that it matters now. It's over for you Grimmjow."

It's over for you Grimmjow.

The man's word echoed deep into the near powerless espada's mind. The arrogant smug tone of the fucker mocking him for his weakness. No, he wasn't going to take it. If he thought he was done with just this, he had another thing coming. "Think you got all my spiritual energy eh?" Grimmjow cackled as he ripped out his Zanpaktou. "Too bad, eh! My Shinigami powers are also sealed inside here too!"

"No!" Ichigo gasped in surprise, having not even considered the possibility that his weapon might have held spiritual energy in it too. He tried to move forward to stop him, but by then it was far too late.

"Grind!" the man roared as his body was covered in a vortex of wind, the air backlashing around forcing Ichigo to cover his face with his forearm. "Pantera!"

The swirling air around him was pierced by a single bright light shooting straight up into the air; a loud feral howl echoing the ascendant light, the man emerged from the cyclone of spiritual energy in his animalistic form. His hair had grown tremendously, reaching down to his legs, most of his flesh and all of his clothing was gone replaced by a sleek but rigid armor like substance, except for his hands and feet which were black paws and claws respectively.

Jet blue eyes zeroed in on the black Shinigami as a guttural snarl roared from the Espada's throat.

"Shit!" Ichigo cursed as he ran at the monster, jumping high into the air, coming down both hands on his weapon.

With a wicked grin, the panther king back flipped quickly, easily avoiding the blow before jumping high up into the air giving him plenty of leverage to unleash his ultimate technique. As the shinigami's eyes turned skyward to keep his eye on his target, the king slashed the air with his claws, long blue slash marks appeared over his claws, following his movement.

Ichigo stared at the attack dumbfounded, 'That's not good…' gritting his teeth, he concentrated on pouring his spiritual energy into his blade for an appropriate response.

"This is the power of the king, asshole!" the Espada roared as he brought his arms back, ready to skewer him with his attack. "Fall into hell! Desgarron!"

The blue claws shot out of the man's arm as he thrusted them forward. Ichigo paid no mind to it, as he glanced at his sword, the black energies of his Getsuga Tenshō turning red as Shingetsu began taking over. Once he felt the familiar energy reach to a point he felt confident with, he shot his eyes upward and slashed wildly with his sword.

The annihilating strike eeked out of the blade colliding against the espada's ultimate attack, ripping it in half mere feet above it's master body. As the blue streaks of light split in half, Ichigo saw the Espada diving headlong towards him, using his attack as a protect shield for anything he might have tried.

Too bad, it wasn't going to work.

Whipping his blade back around, the man yelled out the signature name of the moon fang as the black energy from before coated the sword, the same way it had the night he took Grimmjow's arm. "Getsuga! TENSHŌ!"

The black energy fluxed off the weapon, shooting straight ahead, as it had done before. Consuming the skyline and the man charging at him, but this time, this time there would be no shield to limit it, no falling spiritual field to suppress it, and nothing to stop it.

The wave of energy howled over the rooftops, enveloping the sky, blotting out all the stars in the sky with it's power. As his eyes caught sight of the cracking lines of the shattering illusion around him, once again he heard the words of the victim in his ears.

I don't get it…

I fought hard…survived to this point…

How could that bastard beat me…?

Turning away, he raised his hand up over his face calling up his Hollow mask, readying himself for when the illusion completely shattered to let him have another go at Aizen.

His eyes flinching, as he faintly heard the man's voice before it slipped into nothingness.

What's wrong with trying to live?

The dark city surrounding the masked Vizard shattered around him like glass, releasing him back into the white dome shaped void.

Hearing a pained grunt to his right, the Shinigami whipped his free hand in that direction, a black cero quick to form in his hands. The moment his eyes locked on the staggered form of Aizen, he unleashed the doom blast.

Sosuke gritted his teeth from the mental and physical strain of the illusion shattering, some of the pain being transferred to him. As the dark burst of energy threatened to collide into him, he raised his hand in front of him and concentrated the spiritual energy that he could. "El escudo (the shield)"

A see-through green shield fabricated into existence between Aizen and the black beam. The attack colliding against the glass shield sending cracks all along it, as the blow splintered off the sides harmlessly around him.

Feeling the strain as the wall tried to hold itself up; Aizen placed both hands against the shield fortifying it to the best of his abilities, worry evident on his face at the power the man still had within him.

As the last of the cero faded off, Aizen got a brief glance at the empty void in front of him before he felt a sharp pain collide into the side of his head. A gasp of pain escaped the mastermind's throat as he was pushed sideways by the strike, giving him a glance of Ichigo hanging in the air beside him, his leg -the offending limb- outstretched in a high kick.

The masked slit's of the Vizard mask, narrowed on Sosuke, as the creature lightly tossed his black sword upward in a small arch. Touching back down with his foot, Ichigo used his gained momentum and slammed his now free hand into the traitor's gut, the man coughing out blood and saliva from the sheer force behind the strike.

Shuffling forward, the man slammed his left into the man's cheek, before coming back around with his right. Sliding his foot around, he struck the man's sternum with the back of his elbow, before jumping up, planting his foot firmly into Aizen's face before kicking him away with all the force his enhanced form could muster.

As the traitor was shot away, Ichigo paid no mind, instead focusing his eyes on his blade that was coming back down. Grabbing hold of the sword, it flared alive with the violent energies of a Moon fang as he flipped his body over. "DIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!" he yelled launching the attack at his defenseless foe, going for the coup-de-grace.

Sosuke's body slammed against the walls of his bankai's arena, bouncing off it lightly. His eyes straining at the pain wracking his body, while getting a front row seat to the moon fang arcing straight at him. He made a move to raise his arm up to at least provide some measure of protection, until he saw his Zanpaktou's edge glow with light. The man breathed a sigh of relief as the world around them shattered into another illusion.

The smile Ichigo had under his mask crumbled into a heartbroken look of desperation as the world around changed into a woodland area, his attack, the piercer of heavens no longer finding it's original target, instead crashing into the teeming flora around him.

Falling to his knees, Ichigo pounded his hand against the ground as a large guttural cry of frustration echoed through the woods. "Goddamn it!" he cursed, 'I was right there. Just a second sooner!' Slamming his hand into the dirt again, he hung his head low. "One fucking second!"

"Ummm…Ichigo I know you weren't ready for it…but it's only flash tag. No need to take it out on the forest." The cool voice of Subaru said from behind him, apparently oblivious to his transformed state.

Sighing to himself, since he knew who his next opponent was, Ichigo stood up and looked back, his body slowly locking up as it did.

Seeing the masked visage of her friend, the woman's visible change in expression came as a bit of a surprise. Gone was the presumed bemused smile, replaced by a heart-stopping shock and then gaping horror. "I-ichigo!?" she called out breathlessly, her hand reflexively cupping over her mouth to hide her ill-suppressed distress.

Steadying her nerves, she moved her hand away from her mouth and took in a deep breath before calling out to him again. "Ichigo…? Is that you? Or just a hollow…?" she asked carefully trying not to set it off, but keep her other hand on her Zanpaktou…just in case.

Turning around fully, giving the woman a clear view at the mask covering his entire face, he made a motion to speak, the words ringing loudly in his mind, but unable to budge from his throat. The inner hope that he had, at the realization that maybe he could deescalate the situation, if the circumstances behind each encounter in his memory allowed or could be altered it, crumbled like dust.

Seeing the lack of response from the creature, caused Subaru to sigh heavily, her shoulders slumping as her gaze fell to her feet, disappointment clear in them. "Did Aizen do this to you?" she asked somberly, "Just like when he framed Urahara and Yoruichi?"

The woman lowered her head, shaking it despondently as she pulled out her Zanpaktou from it's sheath. When she looked back at him, Ichigo was surprised to see the woman crying tears for him. He felt his heart clench, having remembered what Shinjiro and Subaru had gone through for him, even if they didn't show it, it seemed that the horrible burden they were holding was always just a small push from destroying them.

'Damn you Aizen!' the man cursed, as he knew what he'd have to do now.

"Lament your fate and change the outcome…" the woman cooed softly as wiped the tears from her eyes. This was the least she could do for him. Once he was…laid to rest, she'd find Shaolin and tell her everything. She swore to protect the both of them and it was her fault for not keeping a better eye on Ichigo that this was allowed to happen. Aizen had to be stopped before she lost anyone else. "Norn (fate chronicler)." Leveling a determined look, she inhaled softly before exhaling.

"Ichigo…" she called out to him, hoping that maybe some small part of him could hear him. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Bracing her stance, she brought her knife around in front of her. "All I can do for you now, is set your soul free…before Shaolin sees what's happened to you." With a small shake of her head, four glowing arrows appeared around her. "I'm sorry." She apologized.

Feeling the hold on his body release, Ichigo jumped back from his spot as the arrows hovering behind her shot forward, slamming into the ground and tearing up the earth.

As his feet came back down against the ground, he disappeared in a flashstep, utilizing his speed granted from his Bankai.

Reappearing behind the woman, he lunged forward, the woman only having enough time to look back at him with a stunned look on her face, unable to believe that he managed to get the drop on her. As his blade surged forward to her chest, the girl raised her knife up and Ichigo felt a small distortion in the air, rippling over his arm and body.

The woman's weapon gleamed softly, before he watched as the woman quickly sidestepped the outstretched sword, letting him pass by her harmlessly, before flipping the knife from a reverse grip to standard, and lunging at his neck, aiming for his jugular.

Subaru watched as her attack connected with nothing but air, as the man despite having sped herself up and him entering her field of effect, rolled out of the way, before disappearing from her line of sight. The woman stood in the center of the clearing, looking left to right trying to make him out, before closing her eyes and trying to feel for his spiritual pressure and to her dread, could not feel it at all.

"What the hell is going…?" Subaru whispered to herself, very afraid by the powers this hollowfied Ichigo possessed. Glancing at her weapon, she swallowed the lump in her throat. 'Even Norn did no good. I think the only way to win this is as an assassin.'

Steeling herself, she suppressed her spiritual pressure, before disappearing into the trees. The game of deadly flash tag taking the meaning to a completely different level.

(Ichigo)

Hiding in the canopies above the other assassin, Ichigo watched as Subaru eased her posture back to neutral; her eyes likely focused on her Zanpaktou.

The orange-haired Shinigami exhaled slowly as he spared a glance to Shinjiro's Zanpaktou at his hip. 'So she can still use her abilities as long as Masamune is sheathed.' Pulling the blade from it's resting spot just a hair, the man noticed there was a small change in the atmosphere around him. "I get it now. While it's put away, it can only affect small scale things directed at me, it has to be out to create the negation field." Glancing back down again, he saw that Subaru was gone. 'This might be a problem. These memory enemies are lot tougher than the originals, and I've never actually fought using Shinjiro's weapon. I don't know how close I have to be to negate her weapon either.'

The man barely suppressed a shudder, when he recalled her telling him what her weapon did back in Kukaku's home if the near practical demonstration she provided wasn't enough to show how dangerous getting close to her could be for enemies.

"I need to thi-" the man's thought were cut off and he heard a distortion of air to his right. Glancing over in the direction, he barely managed to lift his hand up and catch the Anken that nearly embedded itself in his skull. 'Shit!' he swore, startled by the sudden attack.

Feeling the faint pulse of spiritual energy, Ichigo looked above his position to see more impaling arrows flying in to the branch he stood on. Casting the throwing knife out of his cut hand, he jumped off the branch as the kido spells slammed into the tree, bisecting it cleanly. 'Her spells are certainly enhanced!'

As the man floated in air, trying to pin point where the next blow would come from a memory from his training days at the second squad, echoed in his mind.

(Flashback)

In the second squad training grounds, Ichigo was trying to call whatever reservoir of strength he had left just to push himself back to his feet. On the other side of the training circle, the ice queen of Seireitei glared at him disdainfully, before sighing to herself and placing her hands on her hips. "That's enough. You're done, sloppy Kurosaki."

The man panted to himself as he collapsed back to his knees, almost thankfully. Deep down he really wanted to protest, but his body was aching all over, Soifon-Taichō most definitely made sure to keep her promise that his first day would be his ONLY easy day. "That was pathetic by the way."

Of course, that didn't mean he would take it lying down. "Screw…you…" the man huffed out, forgoing any sense of formality and respect he would have shown.

The captain's brow rose momentarily. For a brief moment, he wondered if she was going to enact some further punishment of some kind, but instead she chose to walk over to him and heal his wounds. "Don't think you're getting off easy for that worm." She whispered frigidly into his ear.

The man's glare didn't faze her, before he looked away muttering a soft apology. Though he didn't see it, a satisfied smirk graced her lips. "Anyway, that was pathetic Ichigo."

"You said that already." He replied, letting the healing reiatsu wash over his body.

"It's called: reiterating to reinforce my point." She countered, as she moved her hands away, refusing to heal him any further. If he had time to sass, he had time to train. "Ichigo, you are Onimitsukido now, do you know what that means?"

"It's the special forces unit." He answered

The petite woman nodded, "Correct. That means you are supposed to be the best of the best. You are held to a higher standard and losing is not part of that standard."

'Excuse me, Captain bitch-ninja. Why don't you go and fight someone stronger than you like the Sotaichō; let me know how that goes.' He said inwardly, knowing such a response would get him a hospital stay or worse. "Is it really fair to hold me to that standard, when my enemy outclasses me?"

To his relief, the woman's neutral expression broke back into a small cocky smirk, as she held her hand back up to heal him again. "At least you understand your place."

'Someone's humble…' Ichigo thought dryly.

'King, let me take over and I'll make her humble, if you know what I mean!' the voice of Hichigo hooped, eager to pay her body back…with interest.

"Still…" she continued, unaware of the man's inner commentary. "You're fighting wrong."

The man rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, I know. Over-reliance on Zanpaktou this. Not enough spiritual control that. Need more foot work here. Too much kido there. I get the idea."

"No, you don't." she scolded lightly, though a little relieved that he was listening to her advice and improving; instead of, squandering her precious time spent away from training for her fight against 'Her'. "You are Onimitsukido now. An assassin. Do you know what that means? It means that you need to stop fighting like a soldier and start fighting like an assassin."

When the man shot her a curious glance to signal he was listening, she continued. "When it comes to fighting enemies Ichigo, especially those that far outclass you, you need to take advantage of everything around you." She looked away from his face and tapped the blade of his Zanpaktou, "You've been attacking me head on in a fight." She then looked back at him, "And look where it got you. If I had been an enemy, you'd be dead; instead of being healed."

The trainee let out a low hum as he glanced back at his sword, spotting his weary image in the blades reflection. Pushing herself back to her feet, the woman looked down on the man and decided to call it an end to the training tonight. He was at least able to grasp something more important than gaining raw power or control. "Kurosaki." She called to him. When he turned his attention to him, she spoke to him in a practiced tone, one of the mottos she learned and lived by during her time as an assassin. "Assassin don't fight fair. Whether it's by sneak attacks, blind sides, binding spells, disarming, deceit, whatever it takes, use everything at your disposal to come out ahead. Save your honor-bound fighting for an enemy you can at least contend with normally."

Pushing himself off the ground, towering over the woman, he looked at her thoughtfully before muttering. "Assassins don't fight fair, huh?"

The woman nodded.

In the next second, Ichigo thrusted his arm out, his fist shooting forward and catching…her Haori. The man looked puzzled for the briefest of seconds, before he felt a blade pressed against the back of his neck. Looking behind him, he saw the woman holding her Zanpaktou against him, a bemused smirk on her face. "Good. It seems your learning, sloppy Kurosaki." She taunted, hand reaching out for the Haori he just so happened to be holding for her.

(Flashback end)

Twisting in mid-air, the man called up a moon fang and launched it forward. As soon as he released it, he felt a smirk on his face when he saw Subaru diving towards him mid-air caught completely off guard. The woman used her Zanpaktou to turn her body to just barely dodge the attack, but was forced to forgo the sneak attack she had set up in the first place.

Falling down to the floor below, Ichigo grabbed hold of one of the branches extending outward, and circled the full length before landing on top of it, cleanly. Knowing that he was likely still visible, he disappeared in a flashstep and reappeared on another tree, covered in dense foliage. "Looks like I guessed right." He congratulated himself, remembering that Subaru, as an assassin, much like him, received most of her combat training with Soifon, which meant fighting underhanded was her natural element

'I've got to take advantage of her.' He thought to himself, 'But how? A straight up fight doesn't help me, especially in this kind of environment.'

It was in that moment, facing that conundrum that he had his epiphany, the memory of Subaru showing him her Zanpaktou's abilities.

Rather practical. You can avoid most hits, if they aren't aware of your Zanpaktou ability, while using the scientific equation of force equals mass times acceleration to increase the power of your own. Ichigo muttered impressed.

Correct. The woman gave him a sideways smile, before admitting. However, I can't keep this up forever, since I'm limited to my own perseverance and energy levels, and I am nowhere near as strong as you or Shinjiro, nor am I built for a fight.

'Of course. All of these illusions might have their strengths enhanced, but they are still copies of Originals, and I know their weaknesses.' The man then did something he never really would have considered against a trained killer. He forewent cover and dropped down to the forest floor below, releasing his spiritual pressure for the entire world to feel. Reigning his power back in, he felt for the sign of any disturbances.

'Subaru might be able to drop other combatants in a single blow, but she can't take a hit and more importantly…' sensing the woman's approach, he feigned letting his guard down. Touching his sword against the ground, he waited patiently, before bringing his left hand up and rubbing the back of his neck and then jerking his head forward, as if he sneezed.

Then he felt it.

Tilting his right arm just slightly, he caught the reflection behind him. The spy diving down towards him, Norn in one hand and an Anken in another, swooping down to stab him in the neck.

The woman felt her blades drive into both of the man's jugulars in his neck, as her weight came fully upon the man. Her grim apologetic expression giving way to confusion, when she felt the solidity of his body vanish beneath her, his body disappearing in a flicker of air. "W-what?" she muttered bewilderedly, as she started to fall the rest of the way down to the ground. 'How can he perform such a long lasting Cicada? When did he get the speed to do it even faster than me!?'

A sharp pain in her ribs and lungs answered her questions as a piercing scream echoing from her throat. Dropping Norn from her hands, she turned her head to look down, and clutched the black blade Ichigo had that was currently sticking through her body. "No…no…no…(cough)" the woman lowered her head, tightening the pressure of the blade, a feeble attempt to prevent him from ripping it out of her and bleeding her out.

From behind, Ichigo watched numbly as the woman coughed more blood, the glob of liquids falling down to the earth below. Exhaling tiredly, he raised his left hand, taking a moment to steady it, before clasping the back of the woman's neck.

Subaru went ram rod straight, mind forgetting about the blade in her and reaching behind her to deal with the hand on her neck. "I..ichigo! Stop! It's…me!" she plead, begging for mercy.

Closing his eyes, the man gave a quick jerk with his wrists and her blubbering ceased. The only sound he heard after the sickening crack was the falling of her arms back down to her side limply.

Pulling his hand back, he started at it silently. This one felt different, he realized. The other times when he fought, the circumstances behind it was recognition that there was no other way to proceed, or that it was an enemy trying to take his life. But…but this one, this Subaru was from when they played flash tag with Yachiru…she was actually just trying to help him the only way she knew how…and he killed her in cold blood.

Shaolin…Shinjiro… the echoes of the spies' voice whispered in his ears. Run!

"This Bankai is a complete nightmare made real." The man whispered to himself, as the world around him began to return back into a white void, the girl impaled on his sword breaking into ether. 'I wonder what it must be like to be hypnotized and forced to face this. Could anyone retain their sanity?'

Feeling a slight displacement of spiritual energy, Ichigo looked over his shoulder to see Aizen lunging forward with Kyoka Suigetsu, taking advantage of his distraction.

Backpedaling to the side, Kurosaki tried to ignore the pain of the sword's edge biting into his bicep as he pulled back. "Hado #57:" Aizen muttered as he lifted his hand mere inches from the wounded Shinigami's face. "Daichi Tenryo."

The Vizard felt a strong pulse blast him in the face, shooting his body backwards through the sky end over end. As the man tumbled through the sky, Aizen bent his hand forward, his middle and index finger pointed straight at the man. "Hado #44: Jugeki Byakurai."

A narrow concentrated ball of red energy formulated, before firing at the man aiming for a killing blow.

Still falling backwards, Ichigo scraped his hand against the air to slow down his descent. As he re-adjusted his sights back to his enemy, he was forced to jump to the side, as an incoming beam of light was heading straight for him. Jumping to the side, he hissed audibly when the burning beam smashed into his side, his mask breaking from the shattering of concentration.

Hearing the distinctive whistling of more beams raining down towards him, Ichigo raised his free hand up as a purple flame burst into existence. "Hado #54: Haien."

On command, the flames shoot forth in a large conical pattern, striking against the beams of light, and, while not stopping them, slowed them down considerably.

Waiting just a few seconds to make sure that Aizen was giving his full attention to the spell war between them. Ichigo closed his hand cutting off the spell and disappearing in a whirlwind of speed.

Reappearing on Aizen's right hand side about twenty feet away, Ichigo called up another spell as, Aizen turned to regard him. "Bakudo #24 Hoippurasshu hainawa (whiplash crawling rope)"

Emerging into existence next was a transparent golden light that he clasped in his hand. Rearing his arm back, he slung it forward, the binding kido wrapping around the man's leg, and with a quick yank, dragged him off his feet and closer to Ichigo.

Aizen seeing the man lunge at him, placed a hand behind him and activated the weakest kido, Sho and pushed himself right back onto his feet as he raised his sword up overhead.

Both men struck at the same time, slashing each other diagonally across the chest, their blood spill from their wounds and down to the city below them.

As Aizen clutched his chest, trying to numb the pain, as Ichigo staggered backwards, his momentum cut off by the surprise attack. The mastermind raised his blade up and once again, the world began to change.

Falling backwards, Ichigo felt something solid under his feet before, the rest of his body collided against the rock hard ground. Closing his eyes tightly, a groan of pain escaped his lips. "Fuck! That hurt."

Turning over on to his belly, he pushed his body up and clutched the scar on his chest, a pain filled grunt echoing from his throat. He was about to activate some healing kido to dull the pain when he heard the sound of footsteps coming at him from behind.

Removing his hand from his chest and placing it against the ground. He kicked forward with his legs, rolling forward as a steel blade coated in a pink light crashed into the ground, followed by a human body.

Landing on his feet, Ichigo jumped forward, turning around mid-air to face his latest adversary. His eyes got a full view of Captain Byakuya Kuchiki kneeling down, blade implanted into the earth, while all around them several hundred blades hung ominously in the air. "So you're next…" Ichigo muttered exhaustedly, teeth chattering anxiously. 'At least it's not another Arrancar…' He silently thanked, as he raised his blade up defensively for what felt like the hundredth time.

"How unfortunate. I thought that I would have ended your petty resistance with that last strike." The nobleman taunted in his cool smooth voice, pulling his blade from the ground. Ichigo nearly groaned when he saw that the 6th captain was mostly uninjured save for the wounded left arm and slash mark across his chest, the wounds he had received prior to using this version of his Bankai. "Still," the man continued, seemingly ignorant to the man's observing demeanor, "This is battle is over. You never had a chance of saving Rukia or your friends." Ichigo scowled at that, as his anger began to beat back, remembering that in this battle Kuchiki was the murderer for Hanataro and Ganju, "Die, you worthless scum."

The man disappeared in a flash step before reappearing in front of Ichigo. Swinging his sword to block the attack, the blades of both reapers collided against one another, the loud clanging of metal echoing over the battlefield. In his wearier state, Ichigo had to put his left hand against the upper part of his blade to maintain enough pressure to stop the man from running him through.

Byakuya's eyes narrowed, seemingly catching on to this chink in his defense, before surprising the man by jumping back half a step, Senbonzakura leaving his hands. Ichigo's body, now no longer fighting against a pressure, leaned forward, thrown off by the strange tactic, until he saw blade scatter into petals and shoot directly at him, nailing him in his exposed chest.

The tiny blades knocked the man clear off his feet, to Byakuya's satisfaction as he raised a hand above his head, calling the attention of several swords from the surrounding blade arena. With a downward flick of the rest, a few long sword launched themselves towards the downed reaper, eager to turn him into a bloody pincushion and end the rebellion he led against their master.

Having the wind knocked out of him, Ichigo barely managed to see the swords flying in from all direction set to skewer him. Sliding his left arm up against the ground, he gripped the hilt of Masamune and pulled it just enough to get the blade out of the sheath.

The seven swords hovering dangerously above his chest stopped in midair before scattering apart into tiny little petal, floating harmlessly around him. The man gave a loud sigh of relief as he pushed himself up, allowing Masamune to slide back into it's sheath, while Byakuya looked on stunned, no doubt wondering how he managed to sever his connection to his blades and dissipate them effortlessly.

Getting back to his feet, he placed his left hand against his chest and activated his healing kido once again, to relieve some of the pain he was really starting to feel now. As he expected, Byakuya saw what he did and immediately called another sword to his side, before charging at him, jumping high into the air as he did so.

Ichigo stood there lankly, his other arm wielding Tensa Zangetsu at his side as he waited patiently for his opportunity. As the man came down attempting to cut him in half, he side stepped out of the way, and slammed his sword into the nobleman's chest. The man's face was clear with shock momentarily, before his eyes became heavy and he slumped over dead.

'Wheeeew…that was surprisingly easy.' Ichigo thought to himself, wiping sweat of his brow and forehead.

Blinking his eyes, he saw that the body on his weapon disappeared, leaving behind a Haori. 'A cicada!?' the man realized with alarm, no what exactly was going to happen next. Turning around quickly, he swung with his sword wildly, barely managing to clip the thrust of Byakuya, who appeared as he had before, unimpaled and still very much alive.

Taking a step back as Byakuya slid past; Ichigo removed the Haori stuck on his sword and threw it at Byakuya, attempting to blind him as he charged up a Byakurai spell. The lightning kido blasted a whole through the cloak, but it collided into another version of itself provided by the Kuchiki, both parties seemingly having the same idea.

As the cloth fell out of the way completely, Ichigo returned his hand back to the hilt of his sword, as he stared down the enemy reaper that cloaked his body in sakura petals. 'Damn. He's using his Zanpaktou as a shield and if that wasn't bad enough, he knows how to do the Cicada.' The man bared his teeth, frustrated with the situation. 'Did Aizen learn how to do it by watching me? Or did Byakuya always know how to do it?'

"Damn, there isn't enough to go on." He cursed as the man extended his hand towards him, the cloud of death swooping in towards him. Turning around he started running away, putting distance between him and the sakura petals. 'How am I supposed to hit him, if he can dodge at point blank?' the man struggled with as he let lose a moon fang at a clot of petals trying to crush him from above, as he continued moving around the blade arena, trying to figure out his conundrum.

This move is only for those I have sworn to kill by my own hand.

Hearing the words, that Byakuya had muttered to him in their original battle; lit the lightbulb in the Vizard's head. If these enemies had their strengths and weaknesses of their counterparts then that meant they could not only be defeated the same way, but prodded to take certain actions. Ichigo's eyes lit up remembering that white angel form of his that he defeated with his sneak attack. "Yeah, that's it." The man said to himself, a small smile on his face as he skidded to a halt, turning his attention to the impassive captain that raised his hand up in the air, calling more sakura petals to his side.

"Hey Byakuya!" the man called out, relaxing stance as he scrounged up the cockiest smile available. "I thought you said you were going to cut me down personally!" Lifting his sword up, he pointed it at him, tauntingly. "What's wrong? Afraid that I'll cut off a little more than your hair? Or is the so-called Noble captain of the 6th scared to get his hands dirty?"

Ichigo waited with baited breath as the man remained stock-still. Withheld breath, he watched the sakura petals hanging in the air above Byakuya and the trail line following not too far behind him, stop in their tracks. The regal captain finally took the bait when he spoke with clear disgust in his tone. "Me? Afraid of you? What a preposterous notion. All that blood loss seems to be affecting your thinking capabilities."

Ichigo shrugged nonchalantly, knowing that clear disrespect pissed off the high-strung by the book types like Shaolin and Byakuya. "Come on, Byakuya, give me a break. We both know you are an underhanded liar with that fake promise of killing me yourself. Just be honest for once and admit that for all your captainship and powers, you've been getting your ass whooped by me."

Widening his stance, Ichigo began to consolidate his power, the arm holding Tensa Zangetsu raised parallel to his shoulder as dark power began to radiate around him and along the edge of his sword. "Tell you what: Why don't you prove your honor to me, if you actually have it; I'm going to hit you with this head on, no tricks, no deceit." Raising his left hand up, he clutched it into a tight fist, spreading the vortex out and gathering spiritual energy from the all around him. "So get ready rich boy, cause this commoner is gonna take your bitch ass pride in a fair fight!"

Now it was the moment of truth.

Ichigo waited as he continued to gather his energy up…

And waited…

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cloud of sakura petals began to retreat towards Byakuya Kuchiki. The man eyeing him with palpable disgust as the petal swords began to glow white and engulf the blade in his hand and around his shoulder blades. "Such a shame." The man sneered hatefully, a twisted smile on his face. "I'm only going to enjoy killing you once."

'Let's just hope I don't give you that satisfaction.' Ichigo gulped to himself as the skyline became clear, no longer under the domain of oppressive arena's influence. Giving a quick glance behind him, he saw that his back was about thirty yards away from the cliff area, with the execution stand to his left and the stairwell leading up to his right. Closing his eyes tightly, he took in a deep breath as he continued to channel all the energy he could to the sword and warp, before Byakuya struck.

As the last petal entered into his weapon, the full splendor of white emperor sword reached, Byakuya eyed the man carefully. He had a distinct feeling that he shouldn't entirely trust the man's words. 'He must have some kind of sneak attack planned, it's the only reason he'd try to goad me into a frontal assault.' "How transparent your plan is. I won't use all of my power in the first strike, but it'll still be enough to destroy you." Raising his head up, he called out to the orange haired reaper. "Prepare for Oblivion."

And then he flew towards him, sword at the ready.

Ichigo opened his eyes as the man came towards him, absorbing power as he kept his eyes locked firmly on him, muscles not moving an inch from their position. Once the man was about ten feet from him, Ichigo threw his clenched fist away to the side, the black vortex disappearing in an instant and sinking into his sword.

Seeing that the man attack had gone into his weapon, Byakuya thrusted his weapon forward, shooting a brilliant light of energy from it. The blast from his strike blew away a good portion of the cliff in front of him, covering the area in a screen of dust and debris.

Keeping his wary thoughts from before, Byakuya looked behind him with the remnant energy of his emperor sword and saw nothing, no distortions in spiritual pressure or energy. Turning his attention back to the cliff in front of him, he saw only a large gaping crater that dropped into a grand view of the skyline over the forest. 'It seems I underestimated him. The scum did have a modicum of honor.' Sheathing his sword, the man breathed a sigh of relief. "No matter. The rebellion is over. We may procee-" the man's words were suddenly lodged in his throat when he felt the man's spiritual pressure coming from…

'In front!?' Raising his head up, he saw the black clad reaper, hanging in the air surging forward towards Sokyoku hill, behind him the very air warping into a blended distortion of itself. Byakuya was about to drop his sword, when he saw it.

Coming through the portal, trailing the man's sword was a concentrated line of black and red energy a mile long. As the man orange haired traitor swung the sword, Byakuya closed his resigning himself to the inevitable.

(Ichigo)

Emerging from the portal, high above the tree line across Sokyoku hill, Ichigo swung his massively empowered sword, using all the spiritual pressure gathered from the enriched Soul Society, transforming the normally small but deadly blade into a singular wave of death. Swinging his sword, since he wasn't sure it if would last any longer than normal, the man watched as it passed over the execution ground for the briefest of seconds before the entire ground was shattered into reishi particles, the entire upper half of the plateau levelled completely.

As he hung in the air, panting for breath, he again as with all the adversaries, heard the man in his ear.

Rukia…how I wish I had the strength…the courage to protect you…and the world you and Hisana loved…

"I guess he was too scared to tell her how he really felt." Ichigo muttered to himself as the world around him began to warp once again. "I wonder if he secretly felt guilty about Hanataro and Ganju too…"

Feeling solid ground form under his feet, the reaper stumbled forward unexpectedly, crashing into the dirt. "Ugghh…damn it." He cursed, not expecting there to be land under his feet. Pushing himself up, his heart stopped when he found himself in a woodland area. 'What!? No way!' Looking around frantically, he felt his jaw drop and nearly sank to his knees in despair. 'Where the hell is the white world!? Where's Aizen!?'

The man let his head hang as a frustrated groan escaped him, "Maybe it's that bastard's Bankai. Maybe the longer it stays out, the more it can make you fight." Closing his eyes, he let out another exhausted sigh, "Son of a bitch, I don't think I'm gonna last any longer, if I have to start fighting two and three people before getting a shot at him."

Raising his hand to his chest to activate some light healing, he took another breath in before respiring, once again turning to regard his surroundings. 'If I don't stop him after this, I'm not stopping him at all.'

"So you show yourself at last…" Ichigo's heart stopped cold, as the familiar voice from behind him called out. "Ichigo."

'Oh, god no…' the man prayed to himself, hoping being hope that when he turned around, he wouldn't see who he knew would be up on the wooden bridge above him.

Turning his head, he saw the short Chinese captain gazing down at him in perfect health, her braids swaying in the wind, a controlled disdainful look on her face. "Shaolin…" he muttered, the same words spilling from his mouth.

The woman crossed her arms as she tilted her head to the side a bit, giving him a clear once over. "You look like shit. Bleeding all over, covered in wounds." She scoffed lightly, "Well, not like you don't deserve it."

Ichigo opened his mouth about to speak but stopped himself. Eyes fixed firmly on her and her posture; she raised a brow expectantly, when he looked away to the ground, closing his eyes to steel himself, since it was the only way to survive this.

Soifon scoffed again, "Well, at least you recognize your superiors. Are you going to sur-"

"You're not real." Ichigo cut her off.

Soifon's eyes widened slowly, as she straightened her posture right back up, after hear that. "What did you say?" she asked, more confused than offended. 'What the hell does that mean?' the woman asked herself, genuinely dreading what the answer could be.

"I said: You're not real." He reiterated, silently apologizing to Shaolin, since he was about to take advantage of the emotionally wounded version of her, in the worst possible way. "You don't mean anything to me." Leveling her an apathetic stare, he finished by shaking his head and saying, "You aren't the woman, I fell in love with."

As soon as those words left his mouth, the reaper immediately regretted ever saying them.

The twin-banded captain's mouth hung open as her eyes watered up, threatening to spill tears. She took half a step back, her head shaking from side to side, as if willing herself to believe that she didn't hear what she had. Gone was the cold façade of the captain, the fierce mask of hatred that she wore when she confronted him, the sarcastic smirk of belittlement, standing before him now was the vulnerable Shaolin beneath it all; the one who cried to him, yelling at him that she was still in love with him, even after everything she believed he did.

He could hear her fragile heart shattering into a million pieces. This blow to her more devastating than when Yoruichi disappeared.

And this time it wasn't because of Aizen.

No, this time, he actually did it.

Closing her eyes tightly to will the mistiness away, the woman took in a deep breath as she tried to speak in as controlled tone as possible. "V-very well." She said, voice wavering as she bared her teeth, trying to lose herself more in cold indifference or volatile anger than the well of sadness her heart had become. "I should have known better than to trust something as weak as the human heart." She spat hatefully.

Pulling out her sword from it's sheath attached to her hip, the weapon shrank down into stinger form as she assumed her battle stance. "In the name of Soul Society, I, captain Soifon of squad two, end your life, Ichigo Kurosaki!"

Taking a step forward, she jumped off her perch, diving straight for the man she once adored, filled with hate. Ichigo watched the woman come at him, as he flipped his sword over, stabbing it into the ground. Widening his stance, he braced himself as the woman thrusted her stinger forward.

Grabbing hold of Shaolin's wrist with his left, he yanked her in closer, putting his right hand against her stomach before flipping her over his shoulder into a nearby tree.

The assassin caught off guard by his burst of speed, quickly corrected herself mid-air, landing against the bark with her feet before jumping back off it, ready to re-engage.

Narrowing his eyes, Kurosaki twisted slightly as he jumped into the air, slamming his foot into the woman's ribs as she came back around. The man felt a small wince pulse through his body, as the woman was sent crashing to the ground, rolling from side to side by the force behind his strike. As she slowed herself down, clutching her side, she sneered hatefully, letting her anger power her as she got back to her feet, re-assuming her stance.

If Ichigo didn't feel like a monster before, he was about to now. "I found Yoruichi." He called out to her suddenly. The short captain's head nudged up just a bit, eyes widened, before returning them back to narrow slits, she was listening, even if she didn't show it.

"She's dead." He lied callously, "Been that way since the night you thought she betrayed you."

'Yoruichi…is dead?' the woman asked herself, shaken on the inside. She was about to ask how, when she remembered who she was talking to. 'No, it's just a trick. He's trying to rile me up.' "Don't you dare lie to me Ichigo; we both know you aren't good at it." She spat, as she widened her stance about to re-engage when once again Ichigo answered her.

"It's true because I killed her murderer: Kisuke Urahara."

Shaolin immediately froze up in her stance at the mentioning of the other traitor. During that small window of opportunity, Ichigo flashstepped over and launched a punch at her, which she only barely managed to catch. Leaning in closer, since if he didn't it would dispel the doubt he was placing on her, he whispered. "Kisuke killed her to shift some of the attention away from him, so he could escape Soul Society. The only reason Soul Society never found her body was because he took it with him."

Shifting the caught hand to the side, he threw off the distracted block and struck the woman in her exposed chest; knocking her off her feet and into the tree, she sprang board from earlier.

Soifon clutched her torso as she placed her other hand against the tree behind her, to strengthen her stance. 'He hits a lot harder…maybe…maybe he did kill Kisuke.' She thought to herself, 'But why would Kisuke kill Yoruichi? They were friends…did he really do that just to save his own skin?'

"If that's true…" she muttered, a horrifying realization dawning on her at what that meant for her.

Seeing the look of terror and horror on her face, he kept pressing her, closer and closer to the mental edge. "It's the truth. He tried to use it as a threat against me when I found him." He forced a mirthful scoff, as he eased his posture back, feigning a cocky air. "I guess that means your entire life had been waste till now." The woman flinched under the tongue-lashing, while Ichigo sighed on the inside; since he knew, what he said next was going to break her in half.

"You've been chasing after the ghost of your mentor, cursing her name when she was actually innocent all along. If she saw you now…" he paused, not for dramatic effect, but to etch the look on her face at what she knew was coming, a look he never wanted to see ever again. "What would she say?"

"Yoruichi-sama…" the woman chocked out, long held back tears falling from her face. She could hear it-hell she could see it. She could see her mentor, looking at her arms crossed, a pitying frown on her face, trying not to cry at the betrayal that she –SHAOLIN- had done to her. No matter what words she could think, promises or apologies she sputtered, they all fell far, far short of what she did to the flash goddess's stare.

She was evil…

She knew it now…

She didn't deserve happiness…

She deserved this humiliation…

She deserved it a hundred fold…

She should be spat upon, cursed at, reviled…

She deserved every vile thing that might happen to her…and she should just be grateful it happened in the first place…

It would just be the start of a proper atonement…

…

…but it still wouldn't be enough.

…not for her.

Not for a goddess.

Pushing her weary body of the tree, she stood perfectly still with her head hung low, her hair obscuring her eyes. She cast a small look at Suzumebachi, her own twisted reflection sneering at her in contempt, delighting in the tears and pain she felt. It was in that moment that she knew what she had to do.

Ichigo watched as the woman snapped her fingers and in an instant was flanked by several demure copies of herself. Each one, bowing their head in penitence, silently heeding the originals command.

'She only calls up the clones to gain an advantage against a target or to use a distraction for her Bankai…' Ichigo admitted to himself, knowing exactly how she thought.

That was until he saw the other Soifons step forward while the original ran off. As she did, the clones lifted their head up and greeted Ichigo with a dull soulless look, the only thing that let really know they were indeed alive was the tears falling down their faces.

Ichigo forced himself to look away, swallowing down the regret he felt. '…given her current mental stability, I think I know why she created these clones.'

"You're trying to punish yourself." He muttered as his hollow mask began to form over his face as the clones ran towards him, weapons at the ready and silent as the grave.

(Shaolin)

'I'm sorry.' Shaolin apologized to Yoruichi as she continued running blindly through the forest. Every step she took, every thought she had, an act to humiliate herself, to earn her forgiveness. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry!' the woman continued to cry as she finely finished putting the distance between herself and the clones.

Turning around, she raised her weapon up and was about to mutter the words Bankai, when she paused. 'Do I even have the right to use this? I don't deserve to be a Shinigami, I don't deserve to be a human being!?' she lowered her head, eyes clenched tightly, before she started shaking in disagreement. "No, this isn't for my sake. It's for hers. I deserve to die."

With a newfound resolution, she activated her Bankai. The once tiny needle gauntlet expanding exponentially transforming into the monstrosity she once located…which she now considered represented her. Peering down the scope, she saw Ichigo his back turned to her as he fought off some clones with his blade that he retrieved.

But she didn't care. That wasn't her target…no, it was the people around him. Pulling the trigger, the missile shot off the launch pad as the entirety of her shattered into pieces, but it meant nothing to her.

She merely collapsed to her knees, crying her eyes out.

(Ichigo)

Ichigo blocked another attack from the clones before shoving them back. That's when he felt the huge spike in the original's spiritual pressure. Turning on his heel, he immediately ran in the direction Soifon had went, he wasn't surprised at all when the clones in the clearing stopped moving, not bothering to give chase. They just waited there for what was inevitably coming.

Closing his eyes, feeling the tears begin to fall from beneath his mask, he concentrated all his energy into his feet, desperate to clear the blast zone and reach his final target.

Before Ichigo knew it, he found himself standing before the devastated woman. Behind him, the missile went off destroying the portion of the forest that they had been in earlier. Taking a moment to regard to eruption of energy, the Vizard felt his heart sink. 'That explosion was nothing compared to what I just did to her soul.' Turning back around, at the silently shaking woman, he steeled himself, since there was only one way this could end. 'I'm sorry Shaolin. Forgive me.'

Grabbing her by the throat, he slowly lifted her up off the ground. The woman didn't bother resisting or protesting, in fact, she didn't even seem to register what was going, completely and utterly lost in her loathing.

Using the last of his mask's power, he formed a cero in his hand and fired.

The man stood there for a solid minute as the woman's body fell out of his grip back unto the ground, the quivering and crying finally ended. The mask hiding his face shattered as he turned his shaking hand, regarding the blood on it…her blood. Then like all the others before her, he heard it, her voice.

I'm evil.

"No, you're not." He corrected gently, as he closed his eyes, unable to stop the tears any longer.

I…did so many horrible things.

"No, you didn't." he repeated again, fist closing tight enough to draw blood.

I curse an innocent woman, "She forgave you." I loved an evil man "I loved you too." and I loved every minute of it. "You deserved happiness."

I'm a monster.

"You're human."

Ichigo…why didn't you lie to me?

"I did and I never should have."

I was better off without the truth…

"You always wanted the truth."

I would have believed anything you said.

"You wouldn't have been happy then."

Done anything you wanted…if it made this pain stop.

"You didn't have to do anything. Just be you."

…maybe…I should have been a hollow…

"I would have loved you the same."

I wouldn't need a heart then.

"Then I'd give you mine." He whispered, opening his eyes to find himself returning back to the white void. The man tilted his head back staring upward to the top of the dome, beside himself. "Aizen…" he muttered, though he was sure the man could hear him. Taking a step back, he turned around, a hate-filled snarl on his face as tears continued falling down his face. "I will END YOU!"

Sosuke didn't even have time to react, before he felt the man's fist slam into his face. As his head recoiled back, blood spewing from his mouth. The enraged Shinigami grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and rammed his knee into the man's gut. "You think you're tough, huh!? Huh!?" he yelled hatefully before slamming his forehead into Aizen's skull. "Fuck you!" he swore as he let the man go, only to kick the man stomach, sending him flying back, giving him just enough time to follow it up with a dead on Getsuga Tenshō.

A painful shout echoed from Aizen's lips as the burning saber struck him cleanly in the chest, his body flying all the way back and slamming into boundary of his Bankai. Gasping as he bounced back to his feet, he hardened his resolve and his stance as the bloodthirst Shinigami came charging at him, sword ready to cleave him in half.

As Kurosaki came in, sword raised high, Aizen took a step forward as well, swinging his blade in tandem. The two swords collided against one another, sending a shockwave of energy rippling the entire dome, the only thing louder than the thunderclap was the resulting shatter of metal.

The berserkish Ichigo watched before his eyes as the blade of Tensa Zangetsu finally gave out, the surest sign that Ichigo had finally hit his limit. 'No…not like this!' removing his left hand from his sword, mid-follow through he grabbed hold of Masamune and pulled the blade out, determined to finish this. Stabbing the blade forward, aiming for Aizen's head, he put everything he had left into to it.

Swish!

"Ahhh…uhhh…" a choked whisper was heard by Ichigo's ears. Looking down the edge of his blade, he saw that it had failed to hit Aizen. It was then he felt a throbbing pain in his abdomen and some blood in his mouth. Forcing his gaze downward, he saw Kyoka Suigetsu sticking through his lower ribcage and possibly out the back of him. The man gasped as his body slumped forward, his hand still holding his broken sword landing on Aizen's chest, where the Hogyoku lay ingrained.

'No…' the man closed his eyes, calling up any reserve of strength he had left. With a renewed resolve to win, he sent he everything he had into his left arm and made another attempt to thrust the sword into him.

Aizen seeing it coming counter by simply thrusting forward with his still embedded sword.

Ichigo attempt died instantly as he coughed a violent spray of blood and saliva, his other hand falling against Aizen's chest as well, the strength finally leaving the reaper to his adversary's mercy. "No…" he wheezed, the negating Masamune falling through his powerless fingers, as his vision started to grow blurry. 'No. No! NO!'

"Your journey ends here." The blood soaked man whispered pityingly, deeply affected by greatest adversaries final stand.

'No! Move damn it! Move!'

"You would have changed this world had you come with me."

'I…can't lose! Too many…are counting…on me!'

Placing his hand on, Ichigo's Hakama, he pulled back his sword and whispered into his ear. "Farewell, Mr. Kurosaki." And then dropped him.

Aizen watched quietly as the man fell, his clothing shifting back from their stylized gi back into the standard Shinigami Hakama, the truest sign that his enemy was no more.

(Ichigo)

Falling through the air, Ichigo continued his descent, all strength having left his body. He felt cold; he felt alone, he felt like he had let everyone down. "Damn it." He cried, tears falling from his face, 'I'm sorry…'

How long are you going to lie there?

Ichigo opened his eyes and felt himself lying on the ground of some kind. He tried to move, even speak, but he couldn't muster the strength for that. The voice though did sound familiar…

That's not nice Ganju-san! Ichigo-san was fighting really hard you know!

"Ganju…Hanataro?" he muttered, unable to see their face, but suddenly feeling much more relaxed, 'Is this the other side…?'

You are always buttering him up. The exasperated Rukongai resident countered, before looking back at the downed reaper. Anyway, doesn't matter, that's not what I'm here for. I just wanted to tell you something, man. When the reaper didn't response, he smiled his usual goofy smile as he flexed his arm. Just wanted to say thanks. You got me to believe in reapers again.

Yeah, I wanted to thank-you too Ichigo-san! The young combat medic piped up. You showed me what it was like to be a real Hero! I wanted to be just like you, a person that always stands up for what they believe in! So please, Ichigo-san, stand up. I believe in you!

"Guys…" he whispered as he began to regain feeling back in his arms, ever so slightly.

Oh? So this is where you were? Damn kid, you look like crap! A loud boisterous voice called out to him.

That's not very nice, Kukaku-san. He needs help, not criticism. The voice of Isane chided.

Kukaku rubbed the side of her head, sheepishly, since she did have a rough expression of love. Alright, alright. She replied as she squatted down, next to Ichigo, hand ruffling his hair gently. Hey kid. Looks like you're in a tough spot. She replied in a warm sisterly tone, You really need to stop going it alone sometimes. I thought I told ya, if you need anything just talk to me. I'll always be in your corner.

She's right. Isane chimed in also taking place beside Kukaku. Sure, a lot of people are counting on you, but you need to be willing to count them back. I told you, the fourth division believes in you, we're behind you 100%.

And that goes double for the Shiba clan, kiddo. The firecracker said as she stood back up, ready to take a step back. So get up and show that Aizen bastard the biggest ass whooping this side of Soul Society!

'Thank-you…' the orange haired man said to himself, as his body started shake an overwhelming sense of happiness and gratitude filling his being.

I'm sorry. I don't believe I lost to someone who couldn't uphold their ideals. The condescending voice of Byakuya chided

N-niisama! Rukia squeaked back. We're supposed to be helping.

I am helping. He replied back before turning to Ichigo, coughing to himself and speaking in a much softer tone. Mr. Kurosaki, though I hold you in very low regards when it comes to following the law. There is one thing about you that I must admit gave me pause. You taught me something important that I had long over looked. He turned and placed a hand on Rukia's head, a sad smile on his face. You taught me to protect what was important. On behalf of both of us, you have the Kuchiki…no…my eternal gratitude.

Seeing the smile on Rukia's face, the man blushed as he turned away. Now stand up and beat that traitor. I will not tolerate failure in someone I consider an equal.

"Oh, screw you…" the man replied, a mirthful smile on his face as he began to clench his hands together feeling his strength returning bit by bit.

Oh my, Ichigo-kun, perhaps I should have come with you after all.

"Unohana…" he acknowledged, able to turn his head just a bit and see her feet.

It wouldn't have made much of a difference. In my experience, most of you Shinigami types tend to come out of battles pretty badly. The voice of Uryu piped up beside the captain. When he received, a dissonant smile, the young teenager quickly adusted his glasses and looked away, A-anyway. I said most Shinigami. Ichigo is different. He… the man levelled him an even stare. He saved my life, he said that even if I was a Quincy, my life was still of equal value as any other. So, for that, and that alone, I proclaim you the only Shinigami to earn the respect and protection of the Quincy. So please don't give up.

Mmmmhmmm. Unohana chuckled to herself, turning away from Uryu to Ichigo. Hear that Ichigo? You've single handedly ended a century long grudge. So winning one battle should be even easier right? Come on, you can get up. If you're scared, I'll stay by your side and walk you through it. Step-by-step.

As the two stepped away, Ichigo began to feel a source of heat on his back, as the world began to become more vibrant in color.

Ichigo-sama!? A loud voice shrieked in surprise.

Calm down, Cirucci. The voice of Giant devil, Yasotora, asked, He's been through a lot. We can't just yell at him when he's like this.

O-oh? S-si, I apologize. The reprimanded swallow shrinked back a bit. My apologies Ichigo-sama. I didn't mean to inconvenience you, but I was concerned about you. The both of us were.

Yeah, we saw you fighting. You were really going all out there, but it seems you've stumbled and need help getting up. said Chad, We want to be the ones to do it. You are our guide to the world of peace you see, we'll be your shield to make sure you get there.

Si! So please Ichigo-sama, for the souls of not just Hollows, but everyone! Please get up! Tú eres el único que puede hacerlo!

The pair took a step back and as they did, Ichigo brought his hands closer together, trying to find the strength to push himself up, but his concentration was broken when he heard the last person he expected yelling at him!

Yo king! What the FUCK was that!? The voice of his inner hollow yelled at him. You were doing great! You were doing fine! When you snapped there at the end and started wailing on captain 'Can't touch this' I was happy; when you still tried to stab his ass after breaking me against his weapon I had a raging hard on! But then what the FUCK!? You got stabbed!? You got killed!? What the hell is this bullshit King!?

Ichigo groaned despondently, but he couldn't fight off the smile on his face under the abrasive words of his inner darkness. "Oh shut up…I don't see you doing any better!"

Don't give me that king! I would have gouged out his eyes and skull-fucked him by now! The hot-blooded hollow roared back, before pointing beyond Ichigo. Now you are going to listen to me and listen damn well! You are going to get your sword, you are going to mount my back and we are going back into that battle so you can slap some serious Aizen-shit, do you comprehend me, motherfucker!?

Despite himself, Ichigo started laughing as he weakly nodded his head. Seemingly satiating his darker half, the next pair appeared before him.

My…you've seen better days. The voice of Subaru spoke neutrally.

No kidding, Su-chan. The frazzled samurai replied, scratching his hair, perplexed.

"You're commentary is appreciated." The man replied, a contented smile on his face.

The pair laughed gently. Glad to see your wit is still intact. The spy added, before looking at her husband and nodding together. Ichigo…we…want to thank-you.

"Thank me?"

Yeah, Shinjiro replied, a small smile on his face. You gave us hope, even when we doubted you.

The woman clutched her arm defensively, We're sorry for everything we put you through. We never meant to hurt you or cause you trouble.

Yeah, we're really sorry Kohai…but you were the only one…the only friend we could burden with our troubles. Shinjiro nodded his head, as he kneeled down and patted him on the shoulder. But we're ready to help you burden your load, just like you did with ours.

So please, Ichigo-sama, please don't give up. We'll follow you into hell itself for you.

"Thanks…" the man muttered as the pair stepped away, replaced this time by another surprise pair.

Holy crap son! You look like you got hit by a car, jumped by some gangbanger hyped on crack and had a dog piss on you! Just your face could make manhole covers explode! Isshin exclaimed, freaking out over what put his son in this condition.

Isshin-chan! That's our son you're talking about! Masaki pouted at the obscene description of their son. The woman shook her head dismissively, before regarding her precious strawberry-chan. Hey Honey, I'm sorry you saw that.

From behind Isshin gasped that he was being brushed off by his precious Ma-chan and secluded himself to a corner, the mother and son pair laughing at his antics.

Stroking his hair gently, the miracle worker, cooed into his ear. Ichigo, my precious son. You've grown into a wonderful man. You affected the lives of so many people, made them change for the better. You're my little hero and will always be in my heart. So please, won't you stand up and fight, not for me, but for the world.

Coming back from his self-imposed exile, Isshin shot his son a winning smirk. Son, I know I wasn't much of a father for you and I know that… he spared a glance at his wife, who nodded sadly, that its our fault that so much has happened to you. But I want to say, you are truly an outstanding man, and it doesn't matter if it's this life or the next. I will always be proud of you. So keep on fighting son. You'll never disappoint us.

Ichigo entire body shook as he felt tears of happiness spill from his eyes now. "Thank-you." He whispered softly to them, his head touching back down against the ground.

As his parents started to walk away, another pair of legs appeared in front of him.

Hey Ichigo. The voice of Senna replied sheepishly, as she kneeled down, her hand wiping away the tears in his eyes, before pressing her lips against his forehead. Don't cry. Come on, you're supposed to be invincible. Mmm, and well, if you aren't then that's okay, it just makes you human.

"Senna…" he breathed out.

The girl laughed gently, That's my name, don't wear it out Ichigo-kun! Growing serious, she gently stroked his hair affectionately,

Ichigo, I learned a lot by coming with you. I learned who I am…where I come from and who I want to be. All of that brought me here to you. I'm Senna, a girl from Soul Society, raised in the human world, one of the last hopes to stop Aizen, and most importantly completely in love with you. The girl chucked at the last one, before standing back up. Come on, Ichigo-kun. I'm willing to be your partner in this fight. So let's stop Aizen together.

"Love you too…" he muttered, a red blush on his face, as he closed his eyes, momentarily oblivious to his final visitor.

Yojimbo… the voice of Shaolin cooed as she placed her hand against his cheek affectionately. No…just Ichigo. I like that name better.

"Shaolin…"

The woman surprised him by lifting his body up just enough to envelope him in a hug. I saw you out there. You did your best.

"I still lost…"

No, not if you don't wish it. She corrected him. Pulling back just enough for him to see her contented face. Ichigo, tell me. Do you want to fight?

The man looked at her for the longest time, before closing his eyes and shaking his head negatively, "No, I want to win."

If it was possible, the woman smiled even more. Leaning in she kissed her husband on the lips, before resting her forehead against his. I thought you might say something like that. Pulling away, she stood up to her full height and extended out her hand, Come on. Get up. The man I love can at least do that.

Finding the sudden strength in his limbs and body, he reached out and sure enough was able to reach back to a vertical base, towering over diminutive woman. His eyes washed over the collection of people standing in a crowd behind the captain, various collections of individuals from all over all connected with the same purpose: Him.

Ichigo. The woman before him whispered, I told you once. Whatever path you choose, I will follow it. You've chosen a world of peace, a place that we can raise our children in, that all the races may one day be at peace with one another. She took a step back and gestured to the people behind her. We've all gathered behind you, because we believe in you Ichigo. Turning back to him, she raised her hand up revealing his Tensa Zangetsu, though not in shattered fragments but again as one blade.

Taking hold of the blade, Ichigo stared at the black edge that held his reflection. He was about to thank her, when he noticed her pointing slyly at something below his hand.

Following it down the blade, he saw the chain that hung from the rest of his blade, following it down to the end he saw something attached to the last link in the chain and gasped.

"That…" he whispered, eyes widening by what he saw.

He fought alone, but you carry the hearts and dreams of everyone here Ichigo-kun. That why it responded. Shaolin informed him, taking a step back and gesturing behind him. You were there for us; you were our strength in our hour of need. Please…let us be yours. Show us the way to the world you want to protect.

Dumbfounded by the sheer overwhelming support and emotion he felt, Ichigo glanced back at the sword in his hand before looking towards his friends and peers.

With a resolute nod, he turned around, facing into the light that was the sun setting over the horizon, as he did so, his clothing started to morph. The upper portion of his Hakama burned away in a consuming black reiatsu, replaced by grey bandages that wrapped around his shoulders and face, while the sword in his hand was engulfed in a black fire, his eyes morphing from chocolate brown to hollowfied Gold. "Follow me!" their fearless leader roared, heading straight towards the dawn of a new tomorrow.

(Aizen)

Having watched his adversary fall away, he was about to sheath his sword and dispel his Bankai, when he felt it. An all-consuming spiritual pressure erupted out of nowhere, strong enough to make not only him but also his entire Bankai quake and quiver. 'W-what is this!?' the man screamed in his mind, just barely able to even breath properly in the wake of this power. If he was startled before, Aizen was borderline terrified when he felt and confirmed that it was indeed Ichigo's spiritual energy. "I-impossible!" he cried in disbelief, sweat pouring down his face from the sheer intensity of the force pressing against him.

His mouth hung open when what he deemed impossible reappeared in his line of sight. However, he looked considerably different now, wrapped in bandages and having his entire right shoulder wreathed in black flames, the man's vibrant orange hair and smooth black sword were just enough to identify him.

Aizen just stared at the man, no manner of words coming to him. He just watched, gaping at him, as the dark reaper reigned in the spiritual pressure that threatened to crush the conqueror. With the weight lifted off his body, he managed to utter the one word that told everything to him. "H-how?" the man asked, teeth chattering in dread. For a brief moment, he actively wondered if he was afraid and this time he only wished he was right.

He was not afraid…he felt absolute hopelessness.

The silently reaper just stared at the traitor-king impassively, seemingly reading the man's emotions more than his words. Turning his head away, he glanced at his sword, before slowly raising it overhead, as he did so a pillar of black energy shot skyward.

Sosuke was confused by the man's gesture, before he saw something glistening within the black inferno. He stared hard, harder than he ever had before and when he saw it, his eyes darted down to his chest.

Attached to the end of hilt, wrapped in several tight links was the Hogyoku.

When he looked where the Hogyoku had been, implanted on his chest, he saw nothing but a small hole, the flesh underneath, exposed. 'But how!?' the man wondered.

He got his answer when he remembered seeing the dying Ichigo place the hand gripping his shattered sword on his chest.

"The Hogyoku chose him…? Over me?" he whispered, baffled by this turn of events. When he looked back up, to ask him how—or why, the words died in his throat at what he saw. Standing behind the reaper were people, translucent people.

A small crowd of people was standing resolutely behind the reaper. Some of the people he recognized as fellow reapers, some of them he guessed must have come from Rukongai based on their clothes, and some he didn't even know at all. But, they all shared one similar purpose: Ichigo.

Aizen's mouthed parted as before his eyes another person appeared beside Ichigo. It was a young man with messy brown hair and a ratty green kimono; he was clutching a small hand-held letter in one palm while his other was balled into a fist; his expression just as angry and determined as his fellow brethren.

As the sword in Ichigo's hand came down, Aizen closed his eyes acceptingly. "Even I chose you over me?"

From outside the white dome, the fighting Shinigami and Arrancar gave pause when they felt the incredible spike in spiritual energy. Without warning, the sky erupted into a blast of black energy, the white sphere created by Aizen splitting in half as the dark energy raced forward, blotting out the skyline and creating a dark haze that even the stars overhead could be visible seen.

Both sides were scared out of their wits. The Arrancar were wondering who the hell was capable of such a powerful reiatsu signature, while the Shinigami were wondering what the hell was actually going on in Aizen's Bankai.

(Ichigo)

Floating down safely to the streets below of the ruined city, the new master of the Hogyoku touched down against the jagged street, barely a few feet of what remained of Aizen's body.

"It's over." The dying man gasped out, the once handsome man reduced to a head and torso, his blood spilling out from any wounds that weren't burned shut.

"That it is." The reaper replied walking closer to him.

"I accept the results." He acceded as he closed his eyes, trying to conserve his energy as he made his final request. "Konso me." When he received silence as his answer, he explained. "Ichigo, I will not let the ideals I stand for be twisted and made into a mockery by Soul Society…"

Pulling the wrappings over his mouth down, the younger man frowned sadly. "You know what will happen if I do that." He informed as he glanced at his weapon, "It would be more humane to kill you myself."

Sosuke coughed up some blood, but Ichigo faintly heard the signs of a chuckle. "You're too kind." The man opened his eyes, focusing on the reaper's face. "Just like your mother." Ichigo's scowl hardened a bit, which the man had expected; he was her killer; after all, but, he wasn't trying to antagonize him…not this time. "Ichigo, I apologize for everything I've ever done to you and anyone else in this world." The man spoke with utter sincerity, before shaking his head, just ever so slightly. "But words alone don't begin atonement, actions do."

The black-clad Shinigami took in a breath and held it, eyes closed as he thought things over, before exhaling slightly, a troubled look on his face. "I understand." He said before leaning down and placing the hilt of Tensa Zangetsu and touching it against the man's forehead. "Konso." He muttered

From further up ahead a loud scraping and eruption of earth was heard. Raising his gaze up, he saw the skeletal gates of hell emerge out of the ground, the shadow of it, towering over both men. With a loud creak and small brush of wind, the doors opened inwardly, a world of pain and torment unimaginable extending as far as the man could see.

Slowly, the remnants of Aizen's body began to float upward, hovering about shoulder height. The bloody torso turned slightly, so that the head could better address the man it could barely see before. "Do me one more favor, Ichigo…" he asked, pausing to wait until, Ichigo bowed his head just a bit, to indicate that he was listening. Crossing the threshold into hell, the traitor smiled gratefully, "Please…save this world."

The cold look on Ichigo's face, turned just briefly into a serene smile. "I will." He promised.

And then just like that the doors slammed shut, trapping each men on separate ends of eternity. The skeletal doors then began to vanish into a storm of black reishi particles, once it was fully gone; the hope of Soul Society looked upward to the starlit sky above his smile growing wider by the seconds.

"We did it!" he exclaimed before falling backwards, the world around him fading to black.

---

(Post fic banter)

Blackout2010: 7…8…9…10! Knock out!

Crowd: Wooooo!

Blackout2010: Aaaand the winner, in the 10th round by Knock-out, Ichigo Kuroooosaaaakiiiiii!

Soifon/Senna: YEEEAH!

Masaki: Congratulations, Honey! That was great!

Shinjiro: Excellent work, Master!

[crowd around Ichigo]

Aizen: (Sigh…it's not easy playing the villain.) [turns head to see friends]

Gin: Well, I think you did pretty good.

Barragan: Si! Very close!

Aizen: Thanks guys. [gets to feet] (sigh) Well, gotta give it up to him, he beat me fair and square.

Rudborrn: Maybe there might be a part 2 someday…

Aizen: (claps hands) I doubt it. But for now, I need to rest. Let's go get some tea.

Blackout2010: Well, till next chapter everyone, Blackout2010 out!

Hichigo: Hichigo cameo greater than the entire storyline!

(Guide post to the soul)

0. Aizen's Bankai: Hall of memories, water flower reflected moon was the Bankai I created for him that pushed past what I thought were the logical conclusion of manipulating the senses. After the five senses all that would be left is how a person accepts reality. The Bankai forces the enemy trapped within it to fight enhanced versions of enemies they had defeated prior, those under kyoka Suigetsu hypnosis will be affected even greater by it's power as it blurs the line between reality and fantasy. While Aizen cannot attack directly, while the illusions are in effect, he can neither be hurt either; however pain sustained by the illusions is partially transferred over to his body. The Bankai is capable of also inflicting damage to an enemies psyche both for the fact that it forces them to fight a seemingly innumerable onslaught of enemies, but can stir the emotions felt from when the memories took place as well as actions taken by the afflicted. The Bankai also makes all individuals even before Aizen. For the strongest of spirits would have to face more enemies (due to having fought on the battlefield longer to attain such power) while the weaker enemies will fight less; however either outcome still benefits Aizen as it weakens his foes all the same. The only ones with a legitament 'chance' of winning would be to be an incredibly powerful foe that has not fought in many if any battles at all.

1. The sword "10,000 winters" (Juuchi Fuyu) is one of the famous blades created by actual swordsmith Muramasa. Created in a bet between him and Masamune, to see who was the better smith. It was regarded as a fine blade for cutting through anything, however it was considered less than Masamune's because it killed needlessly.

Shinjiro's Devil armory, 10,000 winter. Grants him a heavy bloody encrusted suit of red samurai armor as well as a variety of weaponry to choose from, including Naginata, a gun, bow and arrow, as well as Katana, each weapon retains the mark system of the Muramasa blade and each act deals a different type of blow if it connects with a grey mark.

2. The sword "Tender hands" (Yawaraka-Te) is one of the famous blades created by actual swordsmith Masamune. Created in a bet to see which of the smiths was better, both men created a blade and one at a time, placed it in a flowing stream. Muramasa's sword cut down everything that flowed down it's way fish, leaves, even the water itself, leaving behind a trail of blood. When it came time for Masamune, he placed his sword in and waited. His weapon stood still, barely penetrating the water, and when leaves or fish would come by, it would brush them off without harming them. When a judge compared the two swords, he declared Muramasa's blade to be a fine sword, but stated that Masamune's blade was superior because it did not take life without provocation.

Shinjiro's Sacred path, tender hands. Grants him a lighter armor and allows him to absorb energy attacks and direct it back at his enemy, still retains the spiritual nullification ability of Masamune

3. Senka (flash blossom) was the technique Byakuya used against Ichigo in their encounter in Karakura town before the rescue Rukia arc. It involves the user striking at the Saketsu and Hakusui points of an enemy and disable their ability to properly generate spiritual energy.

4. Saketsu: The chain of binding, also known as the chain of fate.

5. Hakusui: The soul sleep. This acts like an internal transmitter for spiritual energy, helping to boost it's power.

(Author's thoughts on Kyoka Suigetsu)

This is more just my personal thoughts on the blade itself after experimenting with it in writing. It's actually...a fairly weak weapon, speaking in terms of power. I would even rate it lower than Kira Izuru's Shikai. Consider: Kyokya Suigetsu does give you a tactical advantage...but it doesn't have offensive (or defensive) capabilities on it's own. It can't fire off high density beam attacks (Zangetsu), can't kill in two hits (Suzume), doesn't give you a second weapon (Katen), doesn't bestow elemental power (Ryujin/Hyo), doesn't give you redirective powers (Sogyo), can't cause immobilization of an enemy (Wabisuke), doesn't heal and counterattack (Hisagomaru). It really doesn't do anything to boost your offense or defense capability, speaking in terms of up front potential.

I think the reason the weapon is so god damn broken isn't because of what it does, rather it's because of the user. In order to fully bring out the power of Kyoka Suigetsu, one need to be a creative thinker and have keen insights. Think about, the only person who I see even using the weapon a little bit more than as a hunk of metal would be Soifon, and that's because she's an assassin. Even then, I only see her using it to allow her to get the drop on the enemy, not cause her enemies to attack one another and kill each other. Hell, even in a fight, I'd expect someone whose getting attack by two people to think: 'I need to get them off me somehow' Not: 'I can manipulate them to kill one another for me.' I mean yes, sure, there are probably people out there that are saying I would have thought of that, but my point is, that for a good majority, I think we'd have to sit down and really think to ourselves what could we REALLY do with the weapon if we put our minds to it.

That's why I think it's really weak. Because on it's own, it pales in comparison, but when it put with the right person, it becomes a game changer.

Moving on to my thoughts about the Bankai. I'm gonna be flat out. This was probably the least busted thing I could have created. Seriously, in fact, I was holding back in Ichigo's favor of what could have happened (also a relief to me, fighting is hard.) He did not fight Grand Fisher (and Arrancar Masaki), he did not fight Giant Devil, he did not fight Gin Ichimaru, he did not fight Jidanbo, he did not fight Omaeda, he did not fight screamer, he did not fight Hollowfied-Senna,and he did not fight Bull Hichigo.

Again, I want to stress. What you saw in this chapter, just the Bankai possibility for Aizen, was being tame (and held back as I stated above). That weapon was not designed for a story like Bleach or maybe any story at all. It is an absolutely broken monstrosity...provided it's in the right hands. Anyway, down below is just a short hope you enjoy thing for you. Later, blackout2010 out!

---

The following (semi-)Omake was created by me being generally bored and watching way too much ERB. So in honor of it, I decide to give it a shot (as best as I could given the medium). Please read and enjoy.

(Shingami rap battle of Soul Society!)

Soi! Fon!

VS

Seeennna

Begin!

Soifon: When I begin a battle, I stay on the attack. The assassin posed to kill, Senna, no point in fighting back. Suzumebachi needs two strikes, but with you just one. Rapping against me proves: You're really dumb.

Soifon: Inoue and Kuchiki fused into the 'coveted' Shinenju; too bad Kubo and Aizen didn't have a need for you.

Soifon: Think you're on my level? Your head needs a medic. I'm the captain of squad two, you couldn't live to see the credits.

Soifon: Saw your wardrobe when I stayed with you, did you take dressing cues from those doujinshi too? You wear a skirt just to show your ass; Noblewoman's advice: Girly, try to show some class.

Soifon: This is just round 2, from the fight we once had. Leaving you beneath my heels like: are you mad? But what can I expect from you? Everyone knows! You're just a little Miko being trained by a Ho.

Senna: Dissing on my movie? That's funny coming from an old maid! If you had a movie, you wouldn't slot as 'Girl needing to be laid'.

Senna: My fans would take offense, but they don't listen to skanks. Head 2nd place tramp jealous that all her insults are blanks. Your flatter than a board, even Chizuru won't spare a glance, while I'm a bodacious oppai delving deep into romance.

Senna: The reason men hate you and chat away behind your back; you order them to do everything, what are you handicap?

Senna: But accept my apology, since I don't want to make you cry. The truth stinging you harder than when Yoruichi left your life.

Soifon: Isn't that funny? Talking about being a woman with conviction. Last I checked, Ichigo saved your ass, you're trippin'. I overcame real hardships and sorrow, your life is a fan-service joke bigger than Hanataro.

Soifon: With one arm, I beat the Segundo Espada, you lost to some old schmo. Your 'skills' blow harder than the winds of your Zanpaktou. From Sensei to Gakusai, I got you completely outranked. Cause, when push comes to shove, we both know you love being spanked.

Senna: Sorry did you say something? I couldn't hear you over my laughter. Why don't you let the student school the Master?

Senna: You're a pint-sized princess exiled from her homeland. Didn't know what to do when she fell in love with a man. Oh and let the record stand: Ichigo saved you from making babies in Omaeda's clan.

Senna: You meditate on your knees, 'Mrs. Kurosaki.' You really should stop daydreaming about licking carpets and drinking Kuro's saki. So I think we're done here, I get the last laugh, because I just knocked Honey-bee flat on her ass.

WHO WON!?

You decide!

SHINIGAMI! RAP BATTLES OF SOUL SOCIETY!

(Explaining the lyrics of the battle)

In keeping with the spirit of ERB. Below is the meaning behind each person's bars. (Explanation under each verse)

Soifon

Verse 1: When I begin a battle, I stay on the attack. The assassin posed to kill, Senna, no point in fighting back. Suzumebachi needs two strikes, but with you just one. Rapping against me proves: You're really dumb.

Soifon opens by stating how Senna doesn't know who she's messing with and that instead of needing two blows to take her out (a reference to her infamous Shikai ability and in each rapper getting 2 sets) she'd only really need one to do the job.

Verse 2: Inoue and Kuchiki fused into the 'coveted' Shinenju; too bad Kubo and Aizen didn't have a need for you.

Soifon then states how some fan viewed Senna as a mary-sue character (hence coveted, since most Mary-sues are awe-inspiring/exalted by other characters unnecessarily), since she diminished the roles of Rukia and Orihime, even taking bits and pieces of their personalities (referencing Senna role as the Shinenju, which was a collections of memories belonging to others). She then follows up by saying that both Tite Kubo and Sosuke Aizen did not had any plans set aside for her in the bigger plot of bleach, thusly Senna and the movie could be written off as just a 'filler' for the 'real' events of bleach.

Verse 3: Think you're on my level? Your head needs a medic. I'm the captain of squad two, you couldn't live to see the credits.

Soifon again demeans Senna's intelligence by suggesting she must have brain damage or amnesia for forgotten just who she was dealing with and thinking about taking on. She then pokes fun at the fact that at the end of Senna's movie, she fades into nothing, while Soifon lives on to appear in future bleach titles.

Verse 4: Saw your wardrobe when I stayed with you, did you take dressing cues from those doujinshi too? You wear a skirt just to show your ass; Noblewoman's advice: Girly, try to show some class.

Soifon makes fun of the fact that Senna has the porn books (Hentai Doujinshi) she bought, due to Mirokumaru's influence and wonders if she dresses the way she did in the human world because of them (because school girls are an eroge target base, while Senna is a high school student). She then provides an example, using Senna's skirt and then explains the differences between them. The first difference is that she addresses herself as a Noblewoman, showing the differences in modesty, and that Senna is dressing base even for a peasant. The second difference she refers to herself as a 'Woman' and calls Senna a 'girly' which means she's chiding her from the stand point of an adult to a little kid based on how she dresses and presumably conducts herself, thusly Senna should cover herself up, if she wants Soifon and other adults to take her seriously, which was a big point about Senna's character development, growing up and learning her place in the world and who she was in it.

Verse 5: This is just round 2, from the fight we once had. Leaving you beneath my heels like: are you mad? But what can I expect from you? Everyone knows! You're just a little Miko being trained by a Ho.

Soifon references the small scuffle they had in the fic (chapter 24), where she beat her and took her under her wing, making passing references to how Senna felt frustrated about herself for not being able to do anything (in her opinion) and for being defeated almost nonchalantly. Soifon then points out Senna being trained by her Zanpaktou Mirokumaru; however, since her Hollow inhabits the same body as Mirokumaru, it's not wrong to say, the perverted Hollow is Senna's instructor when Soifon isn't around. Thusly, Senna is being trained by a whore and is insinuated to be one herself.

Senna

Verse 1: Dissing on my movie? That's funny coming from an old maid! If you had a movie, you wouldn't slot as 'Girl needing to be laid'.

Senna takes a jab back at Soifon's comment about her movie, stating that IF Soifon had her own movie, not only would she not be a main character, but she wouldn't even make the cut as a faceless extra. She also makes a jab at Soifon's general portrayal as being prudish and a hard-ass, implying she's so tightly wound up because she can't blow off steam. She finally makes a jab back at the age gap between the two of them, calling Shaolin an old maid (an old crone/older unmarried woman of marriageable age).

Verse 2: My fans would take offense, but they don't listen to skanks. Head 2nd place tramp jealous that all her insults are blanks. Your flatter than a board, even Chizuru won't spare a glance, while I'm a bodacious oppai delving deep into romance.

Senna then moves on to retort how some fan dislike her by stating that she has got plenty more that adore and admire her and wouldn't be bother listening to naysayers. She then puts down Shaolin's insults by saying that they are pathetic, calling them Blanks, as in worthless bullets/salvo [it is also a pun based on the main enemies in Memories of Nobody, which Senna destroyed/shrugged off in mass]. She then provides in- (canon)-universe example by saying that even the horny Chizuru wouldn't bother groping her, due to Soifon's lacking body and sex appeal in comparison to Senna (and most other women in Bleach]. She also makes fun of Soifon's position of being second squad captain by calling her a second place tramp, it could also be a reference to being Yoruichi's lapdog (hence 2nd place to Yoruichi's 1st).

Verse 3: The reason men hate you and chat away behind your back; you order them to do everything, what are you handicap?

Senna then talks about Soifon's harsh relationship between both male characters (in canon) and her subordinates. Treating them beneath her and ordering them around. She also makes fun of Soifon's seemingly inability to get anything done on her own (mostly in canon and partially in fic), relying on her men (Subaru, Ichigo, Onimitsukido) and just barking orders without helping.

Verse 4: But accept my apology, since I don't want to make you cry. The truth stinging you harder than when Yoruichi left your life.

Senna then makes a reference to Soifon's seemingly emotional-instability, since she (over 100 years old) acts more like an emotional teenager than Senna (18). And 'apologizes' for the insults she hurled, since they'd make her cry harder than when Yoruichi left her life (a time where she was devastated and when she cried after reuniting with her in canon) She also makes a passing reference back to Soifon's earlier line about 'needing one strike' from Suzumebachi, using the word sting and apologizing after the first verse, to show, she (in her opinion) defeated her easily.

Soifon 2

Verse 1: Isn't that funny? Talking about being a woman with conviction. Last I checked, Ichigo saved your ass, you're trippin'. I overcame real hardships and sorrow, your entire life is a fan-service joke bigger than Hanataro.

Soifon immediately rebuttals the instability comment by pointing out how she overcame trials and hardships greater than Senna, she then even says that it took Ichigo saving Senna in her moment of weakness (in her movie), and how given Senna's general ability in fic, she's less a main character and more a huge joke designed to lose her clothes and be put in compromising positions (varies throughout fic).

Verse 2: With one arm, I beat the Segundo Espada, you lost to some old schmo. Your 'skills' blow harder than the winds of your Zanpaktou. From Sensei to Gakusai, I got you completely outranked. Cause, when push comes to shove, we both know you love being spanked.

Soifon then points out how she defeated an Espada with a single arm, while Senna lost to the main villain of her movie, who is leagues below the enemies Soifon fights. She then uses her position as Sensei to tell her that not only is Senna outranked (both in their relationship between each other, but in official rank. Soifon a captain, while Senna is basically a nameless soldier). She then goes to point out how Senna likes to be beat. This refers to both Senna's win-loss record, which holds more defeat then wins, but it more pointedly refers to the sexual nature of the fact, Senna awakened a Masochistic side when her hollow came about. This means that getting defeated lyrically (in the rap), in battle (in fic), and in the bedroom (3-way relationship) only serves to sexually excite her because she likes to be dominated by another.

Senna 2

Verse 1: Sorry did you say something? I couldn't hear you over my laughter. Why don't you let the student school the Master?

Senna blows off Soifon's lines by saying her rapping was so bad, it just made her laugh. She then retorts Soifon's use of her position by saying she's going to beat her.

Verse 2: You're a pint-sized princess exiled from her homeland. Didn't know what to do when she fell in love with a man. Oh and let the record stand: Ichigo saved you from making babies in Omaeda's clan.

Senna then makes fun of Soifon's position in the fic, her exile from the Fon family, one of the hardships she overcame, which leads into her making fun of how Soifon didn't know how to feel emotionally when she was falling in love with Ichigo [constantly at war with her desires and position], unlike Senna [who dived headlong into love after it was pointed out]. She then rebuttals the line about needing Ichigo to save her by pointing out Ichigo did save Shaolin from being married into the Omaeda clan during chapters 9 and 26.

Verse 3: You meditate on your knees, 'Mrs. Kurosaki.' You really should stop daydreaming about licking carpets and drinking Kuro's saki. So I think we're done here, I got the last laugh, because I just knocked Honey-bee flat on her ass.

Senna then makes fun of Shaolin meditating in the seitza position [sitting on ones knees], by implying she sits in that position to practice giving fellatio to men and cunnilingus to women. (Drinking [Ichigo] Kurosaki's "saki" (semen) and being a 'carpet-licker' [slang for lesbian and reference to Soifon sexual tension with Yoruichi in canon]) She then pronounces herself the winner by belittling Soifon's lack of sex appeal and mocking her name [Honey-bee is a common stage name for a stripper/prostitute, (it also could be a term of endearment between couples typically to the woman, which might reference how Senna considers herself dominate in their relationship triangle,) it lastly also mocks her name deriving from Suzumebachi, which is a vicious hornet, while a honey-bee is generally harmless].