The rope cables restraining the spear of the Dual Terminus fly free of their ground anchors. The spiritual power swells as the execution begins.

(Intro page: Color picture of Orihime, Ishida, Chad, Keigo, Mizuiro, Tatsuki, Ichigo, and Rukia in their school uniforms. I bet they're running from an enraged Kagine-sensei again. It's hilarious how Mizuiro is making poor Keigo carry him. XD)

"Look! The Dual Terminus...!" Shinigami watch it in amazement, "It's been released...!"

The cables unwind from around the spear, straighten, and plunge into the ground. The spear stands tall and unfettered. Rukia gazes up at it as the turbulent waves across the surface of her heart start to settle and smooth out.

Little by little, the calm is returning to me... even to my heart that Ichimaru shook up earlier... she thinks, This could be due to the Captain-General's promise to me. Or it could be thanks to my Honored Brother. He completely abandoned me just as I was trying to awkwardly cling onto life with a shaken heart.

She looks over at the line of Captains and Vice Captains. Her elder brother stands there with his eyes closed. "...Thank you so much... Honored Brother..." she says sincerely.

Three squares form at her feet; two at either side and one in front. She looks down at them as they form cubes that rise from the ground. The bonds around Rukia's wrists deteriorate as a cube on either side of her compel her arms to spread out and the one in front binds her feet by an invisible force. The three cubes lift her up and her feet begin to leave the platform.

Vice Captain Ise Nanao watches in fear and concern as Rukia's body rises to the top pillar of the execution stand.

"Nanao-chan, don't look so upset," Captain Shunsui scolds her gently. "You'll make me sad too."

"...Upset..." She looks away. "I don't appear to be..."

When Rukia's crucified form reaches the top pillar, the spear reacts. Energy spins around it violently into a whirlwind as it dislodges itself from the earth.

Vice Captain Omaeda steps back in fear, "Huh... What the!? What's going on here!?"

The spear falls forward, making slow arc toward the stand. The wind grows as intense as the violent flame embracing it.

"The spear..." Soi Fong says in amazement.

"It's engulfed in flames..." Isane murmurs as the spear vanishes within the fire. "It's shape is changing...!"

Shunsui tips his straw hat up to get a better look, "...This is quite a surprise..."

It is a phoenix. It's wings of flame spread out to swallow the sky. It bows its avian head to Rukia and closes its eyes.

"Lord Kikou," the Captain-General explains. "The true form of the spear of the Dual Terminus is the ultimate executioner. By piercing the criminal, it shall end the execution." The Captains, including Byakuya, look up to witness this rare event. However, Shunsui tips his hat over his eyes again.

Rukia hangs suspended in the Dual Terminus as memories flash across her mind, I have no fear. I've lived well. I met Renji and the others, I was taken in by my Honored Brother, I was led by Lord Kaien, and I was saved by Ichigo. She recalls Ichigo, bloody and determined, soaked in the June rain that night he met his mother's killer.

Lord Kikou opens its mournful eyes and flies toward her. This isn't hard on me. I am not sad. I have no regrets, she raises her head, I will not leave my heart behind. (1)

She thinks of Renji, Thank you.

She thinks of Ukitake and the 13th Division, Thank you.

She thinks of all those who came to save her, Thank you.

She thinks of her Honored Brother, Thank you.

She thinks of Ichigo... and a tear trails down her cheek, Farewell.

Lord Kikou charges forward. Rukia closes her eyes. Everything is lost in an explosion of light.

There is a moment of grim stillness... the cloud of dust clears... Rukia opens her eyes and they widen in disbelief and complete amazement.

Ichigo is there, standing in front of her as if they were not actually several dozen feet above the ground. He holds Zangetsu behind him to keep the executioner, Lord Kikou, at bay and he's wearing a long, flowing cloak over his bandaged arms and chest. He even has a strip of bandage over his cheek.

He looks down at her with a supremely confident grin, "Hey."


(1) "I will not leave my heart behind" may seem to have some romantic connotations in English, but it basically has the same meaning as the previous line: "I have no regrets."

Note:
-As usual, let me know of any mistakes. I have a terrible head cold right now, so I wouldn't be surprised if I missed anything...
-What can I say? I've been expecting this moment to come for a long time, but I always figured that he would come bursting out of the ground or something (silly me!).
-Rukia's speech was especially beautiful... I cried when I first read this chapter - it's definitely one of my many favorites. ^_^

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