"...Why," Kuchiki Byakuya asks as his blade puts pressure on Ichigo. "Why is it that you... try countless times to save Rukia...!"

"...That's what I want to ask you," Ichigo's eyes narrow. "You are Rukia's elder brother, aren't you. Why don't you wish to save her!"

Byakuya pauses, unable to answer at first. "...What a pathetic question. The answer to that is not for the likes of you to know. You are incapable of understanding," Byakuya's eyes narrow in scorn, "This seems to be an empty dialogue. Let's go."

Their spiritual auras collide violently as they struggle to break the standstill. When they finally slip away from each other, they skid back several feet.

"...I no longer have any other path to take," Byakuya says. "Kurosaki Ichigo, I will kill you. Then, Rukia shall be executed; by my own hands this time."

"... I won't let you do that," Ichigo grabs the Shihouin family symbol that holds the cape around his neck and pulls it off. "That's why I came here."

Byakuya is not amused. Neither of them bother to say more as they begin the true battle.

(Intro page - Ichigo looking off to the side with his hand on the hilt of Zangetsu. Hot.)

Isane lies face down on the ground, unconscious. Kiyone rushes toward her yelling, "Sister!!"

"Wait, hey Kiyone!" Sentarou follows her. "Captain Kuchiki is in a battle! If you try to get to close, you'll get caught u... ugh..." Soi Fong suddenly appears beside him. Her spiritual aura alone is enough to knock him right off the ground and several feet into the air.

Kiyone looks over her shoulder and meets Soi Fong's emotionless eyes. She is next.

"Wait, Soi Fong!!!" Captain Ukitake shouts in panic when he sees his subordinates in danger.

The Captain-General of the 13 Divisions materializes before them. The old man plants his walking stick in front of Ukitake and Captain Kyouraku Shunsui to stop them. "Lord Genryuusai...!" Ukitake gasps.

"A Vice Captain took the criminal and escaped. If he is killed for switching sides, another can take his place. We can easily capture him later," Genryuusai informs them coldly. "However, you two are the ones I cannot forgive. You have both done something which you should not have done as captains. It is not as if you two were unaware of what those actions meant." (1)

Shunsui tips his straw hat forward at a jaunty angle and slaps a hand on Ukitake's shoulder, "Alright! That leaves us with no choice!! Let's get the heck out of here for now, Ukitake~!!!"

"Wha..." Before Ukitake can protest, Shunsui yanks him over the edge of the cliff and they make their escape.

Genryuusai eyes crack open to watch their descent as he mutters, "...Shunsui..."

"Please wait, Kyouraku!" Ukitake beseeches him, "My people are still up there!"

"Calm down. Just try and see if you can take on Old Man Yama in a place like that. Doing that will get everyone caught up in it and killed," Shunsui warns him. "It'll be okay if it's just the two of us. Don't you feel it? There's one more ally of ours who is about to arrive."

Within the shadowy crevice of the cliff face, an indistinct figure waits.

On the cliff above, Kiyone slams to the ground and Soi Fong plants her foot on her chest as the poor girl gasps for breath, "Ugh... hurk..."

"...Such a servile fool," Soi Fong spares Kiyone a look of scorn. "Your actions are a betrayal that you should be ashamed of; you've forgotten your pride for the Thirteen Divisions. But fear not. You will no longer make a spectacle of yourself." Her eyes begin to pale with killing intent, "I shall bury you soon enough."

Soi Fong barely has time to look up when a newcomer rushes at her without warning and tackles her off the cliff.

Kiyone sees the two figures dissappear over the edge, well aware that she just barely escaped death.

"Kugh... Unhand me!!" Soi Fong snaps. As they plunge to the earth, she struggles against her masked opponent and angrily demands, "What the hell are you!!"

"...Good Grief... Quit fussing," Soi Fong's attacker mutters while reaching for the pale cloth wrapped around as a mask."You're as impatient as you ever were."

Soi Fong's eyes widen in shock and disbelief, "It's you...!" The attacker pulls off the cloth to reveal a dark feline face that Soi Fong can easily recognize. "Yoruichi...!!!"

"...Long time, no see," Yoruichi grins as a sphere of raw energy forms in her free hand, "Soi Fong."

The ground explodes when they crash into the forest below.


(1) I claim no responsibility over that double negative. Take it up with Genryuusai... if you dare.

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