Those who gathered to witness the execution are amazed to see Ichigo and Rukia perched near the top of one of remaining pillars.

"The... the execution block of the Dual Terminus..." Isane gasps.

"He freaking smashed it...!!" Sentarou shouts.

Omaeda panics, "...Wha... What the hell is he!?"

High above them, Ichigo has his sword, Zangetsu, resting over his shoulder and Rukia's small frame tucked under his arm. His eyes meets the cold gaze of Kuchiki Byakuya.

"...I... Ichigo..." Rukia's quiet voice pulls his attention away from Byakuya, "I need to ask... what are you going to do now...?" She looks down, "There's no way we can disappear right in front of everyone..."

"We'll run away," Ichigo says.

"Tha... that's impossible! You're going up against captains!!" she snaps at him, "There's no way we can make a clean break..."

"So I'll take them all down and then we'll escape," Ichigo shrugs. "It's not just you. There's Orihime and Ishida, and even Chad is coming. Ganju and Hanatarou too." His eyes take on a look of self-assured determination. "I'm going to rescue everyone who has helped me out and bring them with us."

Rukia sees the confident grin on his lips and thinks, From the look in his eyes, from his words, it feels like Ichigo's strength is flowing from him. She looks away with a soft smile, You've gotten strong, haven't you... Ichigo...

A crash and a loud yelp of pain heard from below catches their attention. "What... what's that...!?" Rukia ask as they look in the direction of the grunts and screams.

The last of the ceremonial guards collapse in agony as their attacker stands among them ready for battle.

"...It's you... RENJI!!!" Rukia shouts.

Abarai Renji looks up in surprise. "RUKIA!!!" he shouts back.

Ichigo notices Renji's concern and suddenly comes up with a brilliant idea.

"Thank goodness! You're alive, Renji!" a wave of relief washes over Rukia, "Thank -"

"RENJI!" Ichigo interrupts by lifting Rukia over his head by the belt of her robe.

For a moment, Rukia hangs suspended from Ichigo's hand without a clue of what is going on, "Hm?"

"AH!?" Renji's jaw drops in utter disbelief as Ichigo rears his arm back as if preparing to throw a fast ball.

"Hey... hey, Ichigo!?" Rukia starts to panic, "What are you trying to do, you jerk!?"

"Hold up, hey..." Renji's eyes widen in horror. "...You can't be..."

Ichigo shouts "CATCH!!!" with a devious smile as he throws Rukia right off the pillar.

"KYAAAAAAAA!!!" Rukia goes rocketing to the ground head first.

"YOU FREAKING IDIOT!!!!" Renji shouts at Ichigo right before Rukia crashes into his outstretched arms. The collision sends them tumbling back several yards. "...bah..." one of them groan.

"YOU MORON!!" Rukia springs to her feet in rage when she recovers. "ICHIGO, YOU BASTARD!!!"

Renji springs up right beside her, just as incredibly pissed at Ichigo as she is, "What if I had dropped her, you ass!!!"

"Take her and go!!!" Ichigo yells down at them.

"Wha..." Despite his confusion, Renji reacts to Ichigo's orders by grabbing Rukia around the waist.

"Quit goofing off!! Hurry up, take her and go!!" Ichigo orders Renji. He swings Zangetsu out for emphasis and settles it back over his shoulder. "It's your job! Even if it kills you, don't let her go!!"

Renji doesn't need to be told twice. This is what he came for, after all. He hefts her into his arms bridal style and takes off. "Re... Renji!!" Rukia yelps, but he ignores her as he concentrates on getting away from there.

Byakuya watches them leave and Ichigo grins in satisfaction.

"Ah..." Isane gasps. Standing beside her, Omaeda seems just as shocked and dumbfounded by Renji's sudden betrayal, "Abarai...!"

"What are you loafing around for, you incompetent fools!?" Captain Soi Fong shouts at Omaeda. "Go after him!!! All of the Vice Captains!!!"

Vice Captain of the 1st Division, a blond man with pupil-less eyes, silently turns to his superior for permission. Captain-General Genryuusai inclines his head and his subordinate takes off.

Isane turns to her Captain, desperate to know what she should do.

4th Captain Unohana closes her eyes solemnly, "Please go." Isane turns and leaves.

The three Vice Captains sprint after Renji, but Ichigo appears in front of them without warning. They skid to a stop as Ichigo spins Zangetsu and stabs it into the ground.

"You're in the way!!!" Omaeda threatens him, but Ichigo doesn't even bother to listen.

"Run at him!! 'Itegumo'!!!" (1) Isane's blade transforms by spreading out into three blades connected at the hilt.

"Wear him down!! 'Gonryoumaru'!!!" (2) 1st Vice Captain's sword turns into a European-style fencing blade. (3)

"Crush 'im to death!! 'Gegetsuburi'!!!" (4) Omaeda hefts the large spiked mace in his hands.

Without hesitation, Ichigo crushes the mace and lodges his fist in Omaeda's stomach with enough force to send the larger man flying backwards. Then Ichigo grabs the 1st Vice Captain's sword arm and takes him down with a single powerful uppercut.

It can't be, Isane watches in disbelief as Ichigo rushes at her. He's not even using his Zanpaku sword -

In the space of an instant, Ichigo defeats all three Vice Captains and they fall back, unconscious. In the space of that same instant, he turns, snatches up Zangetsu and blocks Byakuya's attack.

With their swords locked in battle, Byakuya almost seems to smile.

"...I thought I told you I can see you," Ichigo grits his teeth and grins fiercely, "Kuchiki Byakuya!"


(1) Itegumo = "Icy Cloud"
(2) Gonryoumaru = the first part means "harsh spirit" and maru is a particular name ending for males.
(3) Okay... I might as well admit it. I don't remember this guy's name. He's made so few appearances that it's hard to keep in mind... I'm not even sure if his name was announced or not... was it?
(4)Gegetsuburi = "Five Forms"

Notes:
-Wow... how many times did I use exclamation marks this chapter? How many!!?!! XP
-Ichigo is so strange... chucking his damsel in distress off high places is so like him and so unlike any other hero. Go him, for being so unpredictable like that.
-If you wish I were a better descriptive writer, no worries - so do I. If anyone could offer me advice, I'd be very willing to hear it. ^_^

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