Chapter 39: Lelouch Vs Aizen: The Final Game Starts

(A/N: Finally we get to the good stuff. I have been waiting for this moment and am really excited for this chapter. No more boring rehash of the Agent of the Shinigami arc. The real meat and the neo Soul Society arc start now)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Code Geass

3rd Person pov

It had been two months since Rukia had been assigned her post in Karakura Town, one more month than she should have been. In that time Rukia had realized that she had grown far too soft. Ichigo and the others were becoming a liability and her professionalism was waning considerably. So, that evening, while Ichigo was doing his homework, she tied Kon up, without Ichigo's knowledge, and left without a word.

The moon was high up in the sky as Rukia ran through the streets. Images in her mind about all the good times she had with Ichigo, Tatsuki, Uryu, Soifon, Orihime and Chad flashed through her mind, but Rukia knew it was not meant to be. She was a Soul Reaper, not a teenage girl, no matter how much she wanted to enjoy the life of a normal human or at least one where she was out of her noble home, it was not where she belonged. She belonged home with her nee-san and her nii-sama, she realized that now. She had it all, a family that loved her and she had thrown it away. And for what? Childish pride? She cursed herself as a fool. Rukia ran down the street and curled up into a ball and began to cry.

"Nee-san." She sobbed. "Kaien-dono. Nii-sama."

A hand placed itself on Rukia's shoulder. "Hey, what are you doing all the way out here?" It was Tatsuki.

Rukia jerked her arm away from the teen. She was done with her friends. This was not a life meant for her. Surely they understood that.

One Week Ago

"What do you mean Rukia has to go back?" Ichigo roared. Soifon had assembled him, Tatsuki, Chad, Uryu, Rukia and Orihime to discuss Rukia's predicament.

"It's as I said. Creating a Substitute Soul Reaper is a felony by the Soul Society. Right now the only reason someone hasn't been sent after Rukia is because my friend, Lamperouge Lelouch, is keeping it a secret for personal reasons. However, things are going to get back to the Soul Society whether he reveals what he knows or not." Soifon explained. "Rukia will be taken back and she will be formally punished for her crimes. At that time," she pointed at Ichigo, "You need to find somewhere to hide. My house would be preferable. That is, if you care about your life."

"No way! Nuh uh!" Tatsuki shouted. "Let them come and let them try to take Rukia back! She belongs here with us! Rukia is our friend!" There was a pause and no change in demeanor from Soifon. "Right?"

"I…am your friend, Tatsuki. I'm a friend to all of you." Rukia said, head bowed. "But this is not the life I should be living. I belong in the Soul Society. No matter how much I want to be, I'm not a normal teenage girl."

Ichigo tapped her at the back of her head with a chop. "What are you doing moping?" he asked. "Not a normal teenage girl? Whoever said you were? You're a Soul Reaper, you belong in the Soul Society."

"Ichigo!" Tatsuki was appalled that he could say something so heartless.

"But, you're also our friend and you are also a part of us. I'm not about to stand by and let judgment be bared down upon you for a crime that shouldn't be a crime. You had no other choice. If you want to go back to the Soul Society then go back, but…I won't let you go back until they agree to let you stay there peacefully. I won't resolve you to your fate without a fight!"

Present Day

The things Ichigo had said that day had been comforting to Rukia at the time, but as the week went by, Rukia found his words less comforting and more like the empty promise of a naïve child. What could he…what could any of them possibly do against the full brunt of the Gotei's forces? Soifon had said it herself, Ichigo's power was no better than the strength of a 10th seat, and his lack of experience made it impossible for him to be qualified to be anything higher than 14th. Of course stopping a menos as he did would've qualified him for 12th seat no problem.

"Rukia, what's wrong? Talk to me will you?" Tatsuki insisted.

"Leave me alone." Rukia said to her.

Tatsuki sighed and then Rukia to her feet by her collar before head-butting her. Rukia dropped to the ground and began rubbing her sore temple. "Just what the heck's gotten into you? Did what Ichigo say last week mean nothing to you?"

Rukia looked up at Tatsuki.

"Ichigo meant what he said. We're not giving you up without a fight." Tatsuki said.

"If you try to fight you'll be killed." Rukia warned.

Early on this may have frightened Tatsuki very easily. Half a month ago she might've treated this as some sort of game, but now she knew exactly what to say and how to respond to that very real truth. "Do you think that'll make me, or Ichigo afraid to fight for you?" Rukia listened intently. "Sensei told me that the pride of a Soul Reaper means to fight for what you believe it with all your heart and with all your strength, even if it means dying. I don't plan to throw my life away needlessly, but if a lethal blow should pierce my chest to help you…to help Ichigo help you, then so be it. That is my resolve."

"How touching." Tatsuki and Rukia both heard the voice call out to their little exchange. They turned to see a man that looked a lot like Ichigo. The difference between him in the teen though was that the man had Tatsuki's hair color. "Making friends with the locals, eh Rukia?" he asked her.

"Kaien-dono!" Rukia was surprised to see him.

Kaien rubbed his head, "You know I know you hate being a noble and all Rukia, but that's no reason to go committing one of the greatest crimes in the book."

"Th-that's not true." Rukia thought maybe she could talk her way out of it. "I-I'm just in Gigai. I haven't done anything wrong."

"Rukia, are you seriously going to try and lie to your own lieutenant?" Kaien asked. "Even if I didn't know about what happened I can sense it from here. You don't have your powers anymore. You know I had high hopes for you, Rukia. I thought maybe you could live up to your family's name despite only being adopted. You were the greatest thing I had other than Miyako." Kaien looked melancholy. "We're very disappointed in you, aren't we Hisana-san?"

Rukia's head turned to see Hisana standing behind her and Tatsuki. "Nee-san."

Talk about a family resemblance. Tatsuki thought it was uncanny how Rukia and Hisana looked almost identical. The only notable difference between them was that Hisana was several inches taller.

"Nee-san!" with tears in her eyes Rukia ran towards her sister. With a smile Hisana welcomed Rukia into her arms. Rukia sobbed and she sobbed into her sister's comforting arms, apologizing profusely. Hisana just let her cry.

"Gomene, Imouto." Hisana apologized. Rukia wondered what Hisana was apologizing for only for Hisana to nod towards Kaien and for him to draw out his sword.

"Kaien…dono?" Rukia was confused.

"Sorry, about this Rukia, but you know the rules, no witnesses, no memoirs, and above all the transferee has to go too." Kaien said.

"Wait a minute! Don't hurt Tatsuki! Please! Leave them all out of this!" Rukia pleaded, trying to struggle out of her nee-san's embrace. "Let go nee-san!"

"Rukia, even if you wanted to help, what could you possibly do. We don't have a choice in the matter. I'm sorry." Hisana told her. "These are the consequences of your actions."

"If you're looking for a fight then bring it on." Tatsuki said and goaded Kaien to come forward. The vice-captain struck towards Tatsuki. She dodged to the side and planted a firm forward kick into his arm. Kaien slid back and came back at Tatsuki with another swing. If he was at full strength the fight would've been over in seconds, but the reduction in power created a more level playing field. Tatsuki leapt over Kaien's strike and delivered a backhand swing to his back only for Kaien to slash her deep in the wrist. The surging pain hurt worse than when Numb Chandler had struck her. Tatsuki clutched her bleeding wrist and retreated back. She looked at all the blood on her glove and then back at Kaien.

"Huh, a little shallow I guess. That should've taken out your entire hand." Kaien said looking at the blood on his sword. He shook it off.

Tatsuki prepared to enter round two. She took her uninjured hand and imbued it with spiritual power. She charged towards Kaien and made to strike. "Kaso—"

"You're slow." Kaien said and with his blade struck Tatsuki straight across the abdomen, cutting deep into her body. Blood poured from Tatsuki's mouth. As she was not a soul, the wound was much more severe than it would've been to another target.

Kaien put his blade away and looked at Hisana. "Well, that's taken care of, which way to the Substitute?"

Hisana merely pointed. Kaien turned around to see Ichigo. His face was framed shadow somewhat by the branches from a nearby tree. All that could be seen clearly was a tuft of his orange hair. Kaien and Hisana were uninformed of the nature of their target. Their orders came in clear: Kuchiki Rukia was to be brought back and detained for the crime of fabricating a Substitute Soul Reaper. Aforementioned Substitute Soul Reaper was to be killed on the spot.

"Well, you sure saved us some time by voluntarily coming out here." Kaien said to the black clad swordsman. "What's your name, Substitute?"

Ichigo stepped out of the shadows and spoke with the utmost clarity accenting his usual dark and brooding attitude. "I am Kurosaki Ichigo."

Hisana and Kaien both turned wide eyed at seeing Ichigo and hearing his name. Kaien could see the resemblance between himself and the person before him and the name only served to further his belief that the person before him was Isshin's son. Even were that not the case, Ichigo was rather tall and manly for his age, but his boyish face gave him away. Kaien and Hisana didn't know if they had it in them to kill a kid. Add that to the fact that he was Isshin's son and things were really a mess. Still there was always plan B: beat Ichigo down and destroy his Soul Chain and Soul Sleep. Erasing his memory would be pointless. His spiritual power, what little he would have left, would deflect the erasure.

Still, son of a former Soul Reaper, and comrade, or not, they still had to keep their professionalism about them. Hisana had a right mind to discuss this with Lelouch, see if he knew anything.

"I got say, looking at you would be like looking in a mirror if my hair were that color." Kaien said, tapping his sword against his shoulder.

"That's my line." Ichigo responded.

"I…chi…go." Tatsuki crawled forward to her friend and put a hand on his foot. Ichigo knelt down in front of her.

"Don't worry, I'm here now. Things are going to be okay." He told Tatsuki.

Tatsuki smiled as she lay on the ground. You big dumbass…what took you so long? She passed out on the ground.

Ichigo got back to his feet and looked at Kaien. He was furious at the damage he had done to Tatsuki, but he was doing his best to keep his rage internal. "Let me tell you something Mr. Soul Reaper. I take great pride in the lives of my friends." His volume rose steadily as his face became a mask of tranquil rage while his spiritual power built. "Anyone who so much as lays a scratch on them, answers to me!"

"Ichigo, don't!" Rukia shouted. "They're orders are to kill you! Don't do it! Why aren't you hiding like you were told to do?"

"Shut up Rukia!" Ichigo shouted. "If I hide then all that does is resolve you to your fate. I told you I wasn't giving you up without a fight. If I hide then I've given up on you and there's no chance that you'll be safe, but if I try, even if the odds are stacked against me, then I have chance!"

Kaien and Hisana were both shocked and amused at hearing one of Lelouch's favorite philosophies come out of Ichigo's mouth. Kaien believed that this just gave the situation all the more reason that this should be a duel of honor and not just some death of a random Substitute Soul Reaper. "You got spunk Kurosaki Ichigo, we of the Gotei admire that kind of perseverance you're showing. It's too bad things gotta be like this. You'd make a good soldier."

"I'm truly flattered." Ichigo responded. "So tell me, Mr. Soul Reaper, what's your name?"

"My name is Shiba Kaien, vice-captain of the 13th Division of the Gotei 13." He pointed across his body and over his shoulder at Hisana. "And that dame over there is Kuchiki Hisana, older sister of Kuchiki Rukia and vice-captain of the sixth division."

"It's more like her twin almost." Ichigo commented seeing how strong of a resemblance Hisana and Rukia shared.

"Hisana-san, stand back, this could get messy." Kaien told her.

"Hai," Hisana, with Rukia firmly in her arms Shunpoed to another nearby location. She and Rukia could observe the fight, but far out enough that they wouldn't be caught in the entanglement of Ichigo and Kaien's reiatsu. Ichigo could even still see the pair from his position. However, he had lost sight of Hisana when she first disappeared.

How did she move so fast? He wondered.

"I see, you're such an amateur you don't even know the basics." Kaien sighed at Ichigo's marvel at seeing such a simple flash step. "What Hisana-san did is called Shunpo. It's a technique that Soul Reapers use to move at speeds close to and faster than sound. If you had been a student at the academy you'd already know such basic stuff. But enough talk." Kaien took a stance. "I have my orders and you want to protect Rukia."

"Fine by me." Ichigo readied his sword.

"Before we begin, I just want to ask one question. What's your father's name?" Kaien asked.

"And what would it matter to a Soul Reaper who the father of a mere human was?" Ichigo asked back.

Kaien sighed. Yeah, he's definitely Isshin's son all right. Great. He thought that last word sarcastically. "Never mind. Forget I said anything." Kaien flared his spiritual power. "Let's do this!" He rushed straight at Ichigo. The teen blocked with his overly large sword, but Kaien's strength allowed him to push Ichigo back.

He's too strong, I can't break away.

"What's wrong, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Kaien taunted. "Am I too strong for you to fight back?"

Ichigo grit his teeth at the notion of being taunted, dug his feet into the ground and with a fierce war cry pushed up and knocked away Kaien's blade before swinging forward. Kaien jumped back and Ichigo missed.

"Oh, so you do have some skill after all. That's good. Things would've been boring if a simple slash of my sword was all it took." Kaien readied his sword again. "Let's go! Round two!" Ichigo and Kaien charged at each other and began exchanging blows. Sparks flew as their swords clanged against one another.

"Ichigo!" Rukia called out to the orange haired teen in worry.

"Relax. We're not going to kill him." Hisana stated.

"Nee-san?" Rukia looked up at her sister's face.

"Even you should've figured it out by now." Hisana said as Kaien and Ichigo engaged in another weapons lock. "That boy is Kurosaki Isshin's son. He has to be. Kaien would never kill a family member, nor would I the child of a former comrade. However, we still must then take his spiritual power. That is the only other alternative the Soul Society will allow. Of course if Ichigo inflicts a serious wound upon Kaien, that changes things."

Ichigo. Rukia worried.

Ichigo and Kaien both continued to clash. For a substitute, Kaien thought to himself, He's sure got a lot of raw spirit energy. I mean honestly, that's one big blade.

Kaien and Ichigo engaged in another weapons lock. "I gotta say, for a doppelganger you're really strong."

"Who are you calling doppelganger?" Kaien asked. "I'm at least ten times older than you are kid. If anything," Kaien turned his blade down and away from Ichigo's and created an opening, whereby he slashed up at an angle and cut Ichigo up across his torso, "you're the doppelganger!" Kaien struck forward with both hands on his sword to deliver a more decisive blow to Ichigo, but the teen sidestepped the strike just in the nick of time to avoid being hit. Kaien took a sweeping strike at Ichigo, but the teen blocked with the flat side of his blade and then leapt back to get out of Kaien's range. Kaien didn't let up though and took farther to the offensive, rushing at Ichigo run him through his stomach, which would end the fight. Ichigo saw him coming. He had enough time to react. He stepped to the side and swung his sword like a bat. Kaien saw this and side stepped, but Ichigo's blade was big enough that he managed get Kaien right at the left side of his abdomen. Blood dripped from the wound and onto the gorund. Kaien clutched the open cut and looked at the blood on his hands. "Not bad, you actually put a scratch on me. Still, this is child's play. Shall we skip to the main event Ichigo?"

"Huh? Main event?" Ichigo was confused.

"Come on, surely you have more power than this. You deflected a menos, or so the reports say." Kaien stated. "To do that, then you've got to know the name of that big blade."

"All Zanpakuto have the ability to change shape and grant their wielders power."

"What Naomi said is true, Kurosaki. Each Zanpakuto comes with a name. They are a part of our souls."

But, Naomi also said…

"As a mere substitute it would be impossible for you to obtain such power."

"Oh that's right I forgot. You're a substitute Soul Reaper. That means you don't have the ability to learn your Zanpakuto's name so long as you continue to draw your source from Rukia's spirit energy." Kaien rubbed his head. "Oh well, guess there's nothing I can do about that." He shrugged. He held out his sword by his side. "Still, if you can force a menos to retreat then surely you can make this interesting." Kaien said and began to twirl his Zanpakuto. "Rankle the seas and skies, Nejibana!" Kaien released his Zanpakuto, and the silver trident emerged. "What do you think, eh Ichigo?" Kaien asked. "Pretty impressive, huh?"

Ichigo smiled with a sneer. "Well if you're trying to become the king of Atlantis you wouldn't be out of place."

"Oh, haha." Kaien said sarcastically bobbing his head from side to side with each fake laugh. He then readied his weapon. "Mock Nejibana all you want, but you won't be laughing soon." Kaien began spinning the trident around his wrist as water surged around his Zanpakuto and the surrounding area. "Here I go, Kurosaki Ichigo." Kaien charged. He sent a wave of water towards Ichigo, nailing the slow moving Soul Reaper right in the chest. As Ichigo was knocked up into the air water came crashing down from on high and smacked him right back down on the ground. Rukia and Hisana could actually hear bones crack as Ichigo made contact with the ground. Kaien stopped spinning his weapon. "Aw c'mon, don't tell me that finished you?"

Ichigo got up, grunting. "Of course not. It just took me by surprise, that's all."

"Good," Kaien pointed his weapon at Ichigo. "Ready to go again?"

"Of course." Ichigo said and charged at Kaien. Kaien sent another sweeping strike at Ichigo. The teen sidestepped the wave only to notice another one coming at around at his flank. Ichigo flipped over backwards and used his sword as a fulcrum to propel himself over the wave before leaping high into the air and coming striking down towards Kaien, but another wave blocked his path. Ichigo bent backwards and retreated to the ground, away from Kaien, but a straight shot whip of water nailed him right in the center of his chest and sent him sailing into a tree. Damn it. That's one nasty weapon. Ichigo said as he made to get back up. The trident spins using Kaien's wrist as an axis and using the air around it creates a spinning wheel of water. Kaien releases this water and uses it in a manner that's similar to crushing his target like they're a surfer being wiped out by a wave. Ichigo's analysis had come from some well-founded guess work. Kaien's first attack had nailed him pretty badly and that's how Ichigo felt the sensation of being down the shore. When he engaged Kaien the second time, he figured the rest out from watching Kaien spin his Zanpakuto. Now that I know that, Ichigo thought to himself as he completely rose to his feet, I can fight a little more well-informed. I need to be careful though. Kaien's probably a lot more dangerous up close than he is from far away. Out here the attacks are like waves coming down upon you, but up close, judging from motion and speed, I'd wager getting hit would be like getting caught in a whirlpool. Ichigo readied his sword. Let's try this again. He rushed back at Kaien.

"Coming in for more? If I were an instructor, I'd give you an A for your determination Ichigo, but determination does not win battles." Kaien said. He took a ninety degree turn to one side and increased the speed of his spin.

Rukia gasped she knew what Kaien was doing.

"Koto Yukinohana!" (Surging Galanthus. A galanthus is a type of flower also called a snowdrop).

As Ichigo came in Kaien brought his weapon around and twirled it into Ichigo's torso. He drew back his weapon and used a powerful wave to send Ichigo spiraling away to the side and then spun in a complete three sixty and sent another powerful wave at Ichigo, pushing him farther away as the teen clattered along the ground, almost straight into the street.

Kaien sighed, realizing that that had to be the end of it. He sighed and planted Nejibana's tip into the ground. "Sorry kid, but that's just the way things work."

"Quit standing around and finish the job." Hisana told Kaien.

"Yeah, yeah I hear you." Kaien said and walked over to Ichigo to pierce his Soul Chain. "Sorry, 'bout this kid, but rules are rules."

"No! Kaien-dono! Stop!" Rukia shouted. She broke free from her sister's grasp and ran towards Kaien.

"Rukia!" Hisana called after her sister. Ugh, she's being reckless again.

Rukia grabbed hold of Kaien's arm. "Don't do it Kaien-dono! Please stop! I'll go back quietly, but please, let Ichigo live."

"Rukia, you know the rules. I gotta take away his spiritual power." Kaien told her.

"Ichigo would never…he's a good person. Please Kaien-dono, I'm begging you! Let's just go! Leave Ichigo alone, you already won!"

Ichigo, drenched from the water of Nejibana, coughed.

"He's coming to. I gotta keep him down." Kaien said, but Rukia head steadfast to his arm, giving him the puppy dog eyes. "Rukia, don't make this harder than it is." Rukia didn't stop her actions, causing her and Kaien to stare at each other momentarily.

"You know for an attack that's supposed to simulate getting ruthlessly beat up by a wave, I've been hit by worse." Ichigo said and began to get up.

"Ichigo." Rukia was surprised that Ichigo had the strength to speak, let alone stand. She also noticed that his spirit energy was slowly rising.

What's going on? Where's all this spirit energy coming from? Kaien wondered.

"Hey Rukia." Ichigo said as he rose to his feet. "What's all this about Kaien's already won? It's not over till it's over and as long as I can fight." Ichigo lifted up his head showing a fierce confidence the likes of which neither he nor Kaien had seen before. "It sure as hell ain't over!"

"I don't know what sort of game you're playing Ichigo, but if you think—" Before Kaien could finish Ichigo was already behind him and Kaien had a nice little wound in his shoulder.

"I'm not playing any sort of game. This is real and I'm not bluffing. I don't know what's going on right now, but I like it. I feel strong and my wounds, cracked bones and bruises aren't bothering me at all. So come on, fight me!"

Kaien broke out into a wide grin. "Rukia, go back to your sister."

"Kaien…dono?" Rukia was confused.

"It seems like your friend here has finally come out to play. I don't want you getting dragged into the fight." Kaien stated.

Before Rukia could respond, Hisana came and grabbed her and brought her back to their original spot. "This is the final round." Hisana said, having a stronger grip on Rukia than she did before so that Rukia couldn't run away like last time. "If that boy goes down this time he'd better say his prayers because he is not getting up again."

Ichigo. Rukia worried.

"All right Ichigo, let's do this one more time. Have at it!" Kaien declared.

"Don't mind if I do." Ichigo said and charged forward, Kaien barely saw him move and Ichigo was in his personal space before he could ready a proper defensive measure. Kaien jumped back to dodge.

Since when did he get so fast? Kaien wondered. No matter, I can still overpower him. "Koto Yukinohana!" Kaien sent the barreling whirlpool strike towards Ichigo as he came in. Ichigo was right in the attacks blind spot so Kaien couldn't see Ichigo on the other side of the water through the waves. However, when Kaien turned to follow up the attack his trident was bashed away by Ichigo's sword. How did he…Kaien didn't have time to finish his thought as Ichigo ran the length of his blade up Kaien's torso.

"I don't what's going on, but the execution of your attack was slower this time. I managed to stop myself just before I got inside your range." Ichigo stated. "I also noticed that your attack has a blind spot so to deceive you I stayed just inside it and waited for the follow up strike, giving me my opening. Kaien, this is my victory!"

His reiatsu is increasing further, but how? Kaien wondered.

Ichigo swung down with all of his might to land a decisive blow upon Kaien, but his blade was stopped before it got even halfway. There was a whip wrapped around the tip of Ichigo's sword the whip ran over Kaien's head and across the area to where Hisana was standing where she held it in her hand. "That's enough, Kaien." Hisana stated. "I'm tagging in."

Nee-san released her Zanpakuto without calling it out. Rukia had no idea her sister's progression with Bankai had reached that stage.

Hisana gripped the handle of her whip tighter and pulled. She dragged Ichigo's Zanpakuto right out of his hand and lashed the weapon onto the ground with such force that she snapped the blade right off.

Hisana then sealed her Zanpakuto and held up her blade. "This is the end, farewell." She said to Ichigo.

"Nee-san, don't!"

STAB! STAB!

Ichigo felt Hisana's blade plunge twice into his back. What just happened? She broke my Zanpakuto like it was made of plastic…and then she got right in my defense…I couldn't do anything to stop her. Dammit. Ichigo collapsed upon the ground.

"Ichigo!" Rukia called out and ran towards him.

Kaien stopped her. "It's over Rukia." He said.

"Indeed," Hisana said putting away her sword. "Kaien you need to stop playing around. You were holding back before Kurosaki gained his second wind, why?"

"I wanted to face the Kurosaki Ichigo that deflected the menos grande from the report, until he got that second wind, I could tell I wasn't facing the same person." Kaien said. "It wouldn't have felt right to me taking him out when he wasn't at his full strength."

"You and your pride." Hisana snorted. "I swear that's going to get you killed one of these days if you don't keep it in check." She turned around, away from Ichigo. "Open the Senkaimon and let's get going."

"Is he…"

"Dead. If not now, then soon. I could've held back if all he did was fight Kaien, but showing the capability to overpower him, even with the Gentei Kaijo is the type of person the Soul Society would never accept to be allowed to wander free." She looked at Kaien. "Sorry, but duty comes first."

"Yeah, well trying saying that when it's your family who's in danger." Kaien said as he got his sword out. He opened the Senkaimon.

As Hisana made to take her first step, Ichigo suddenly grabbed her ankle. "He's dead? Try saying that when your family is in danger? I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't talk about me like I'm deaf or not even here."

He can still move. Kaien was more shocked than Hisana.

"Let go, Kurosaki Ichigo." Hisana said with the same callous demeanor her husband would use.

"Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you, why don't you try looking at me when you speak?" Ichigo said.

Hisana looked over her shoulder and looked at Ichigo with a single eye before she tightened her gaze. "I—" Hisana started calmly only for Rukia to ruthlessly kick Ichigo's wrist.

"She said let go, you big idiot!" Rukia shouted. Ichigo looked at Rukia like a man who had just watched his best friend shoot his dog. "You…you are just a lowly human how dare you even think about touching my nee-san with your filthy hands, let alone actually place them on her." Rukia's words had a strong venom and disgust in them. She turned away from Ichigo. "Let's go, nee-san. I'm ready to accept my punishment for the sins I have committed."

"Rukia, wait! You can't go!" Ichigo grunted from the ground. Kaien stood in front of him while Hisana led Rukia away.

"It's over Ichigo. That's it. Just because you try does not mean you'll succeed. Be thankful you have your life, for now anyway, but those wounds will take their full course eventually." He flexed his arm and put his other hand on his bicep away. "For what it's worth though, I actually got a good work out, so thanks." He began to walk into the Senkaimon. "If by some fluke of fate you do manage to wind up living through this, do me a favor. Grow up happy, live life as you want it and quit scowling all the time. It's not as intimidating as you think it is." Kaien was now fully inside the light of the Senkaimon. "See ya." He waved. The gate closed.

17 days later

Ichigo and his friends had their objective spread out for them clear as day. They would train for 10 days, relax for 7, and then spend 13 trying to rescue Rukia. Ichigo had trained with Urahara Kisuke, Orihime and Chad had been trained and instructed by the little black cat, Yoruichi. Tatsuki trained with her trusted sensei, Fong Shaolin and Uryu trained with his grandpa. Today was the last day for them all to relax. Tonight they would all soon be called by Urahara so that they could go into the Soul Society.

Speaking of the Soul Society, things were proceeding as normal. The Gotei 13 was completely oblivious to the fact that there was any sort of problem going on. In his office, Lelouch sat at his desk with some afternoon tea, trying to remain as tranquil as possible. He couldn't look the least bit on edge, despite the fact that he knew most of what was to come.

"Taicho." Rangiku said walking into Lelouch's office. "I have that report you wanted." She put the reports on her captain's desk. Lelouch looked it over with a serious stare the likes of which Rangiku hadn't seen on Lelouch's face in the longest time, but had seen it a lot lately ever since he became captain. "Sir is everything all right?" she asked.

"Everything's just fine Rangiku, you can go back to work now." Lelouch told her.

"Why are you being so grumpy lately?" She smiled and put her index fingers by her dimples. "You gotta learn to smile once in a while. All that frowning is just going to create wrinkles when you start getting older."

"Please leave me alone." Lelouch shrugged off. "I know you mean well…but right now I just want to be left alone." He said.

Rangiku sighed. She couldn't figure her captain out. She had tried everything she could think of except...

"Don't even." Lelouch said, practically reading her mind. "I'm not in the mood so don't try it. Please Rangiku." His eyes became solemn. "I really just want to be alone right now."

Rangiku sighed. "Well, okay if you're sure." She walked out of her captain's office and closed the door.

Meanwhile Hisana had gotten up that morning to check on her sister. She could hear arguing coming from the end of the corridor where Rukia was in holding. She walked in to see her division's recently appointed 4th seat, Abarai Renji, arguing with Rukia over what appeared to be his eyebrows. Renji got so mad he stormed off.

"Whatever. If you wind up dead, don't expect me to grieve at your funeral." Renji grumbled as he walked off.

"How are you holding up?" Hisana asked. Rukia didn't answer. "You haven't been eating, or so I've heard."

"I'm not hungry." Rukia said depressingly.

"Rukia you need to eat." Hisana said.

"Why? So I can look good for the inmates in prison? Or so I can look well on my execution date?" Rukia shot back.

"No! That's not what I meant at all!" Hisana told her, pained.

"You don't have to act nice, nee-san. I know what I did was wrong. I'm going to die aren't I?" Rukia asked.

"No, no you won't." Hisana opened the cell door with her key and ran over to her sister and hugged her tightly. "I would never let that happen to you." Rukia didn't budge an inch. "Your nii-sama, and Kaien as well, they're both pleading for your life."

"And why aren't you there?" Rukia asked, getting snappy.

"I'm here because I'm your sister." Hisana told her.

Now Rukia's resolve began to waver.

"I love you Rukia. These last two months without you have let me think. Rukia I want to start over with you. I want to be the best sister I can be for you, but you have to let me help you. You have to want to be a part of this family." Hisana told her sister.

"Are you trying to make me cry?" Rukia asked fighting back tears.

"There's nothing wrong with crying. If you need to cry, I'm right here. Stain me with your tears. If you are frightened, I'm right here. Cling to me with your fingers. All these years I've told you how much I love you, but I don't think I ever showed how much I care. Spending time with you, being kind to you, treating you like one of the family, that's not what I should be doing. As your big sister, I should be at your side, caring for you, coming to you when you need me, instead of forcing myself upon you. I am here when you need me and when you are troubled or sad. All I've done these last fifty two years is push you away. So now I want to start over and be the big sister I should've been from the start."

"Nee-san." Rukia's resolve shattered and she turned over and clutched her sister as tighty as she could and she cried. She cried so purely and so brokenhearted that Hisana could tell that Rukia understood her and that all of her tears were tears of apology for all the times Rukia had been difficult. Hisana knew that Rukia was truly sorry. She too cried as well, not to the broken hearted wounded animal sounding extent Rukia was, but Hisana herself was sorry. She was sorry that it took Rukia being arrested to bring them so close.

Karakura Town

It was late at night, Ichigo and his friends had been summoned by the twisted shopkeeper, Urahara Kisuke so that they could enter his artificial Senkaimon in order to enter the Soul Society. They had all gathered together, but they weren't acting like they were about to head into a so called suicide mission.

"Just what kind of twisted freak contacts people by throwing blood bomb into the middle of their bedroom and then mocks them for having no sense of humor if it looks like the scene from a crime drama?" Tatsuki raged.

"Tone in down a thousand decibels, will you?" Uryu asked. "You're going to wake up the whole neighborhood."

Tatsuki furiously rubbed her head. "Grrr, this whole thing just pisses me off you know."

Ichigo put a calming hand on her shoulder. "Relax. We're all in this together so just cool it okay?"

Tatsuki folded her arms. "It just irritates me about all this. You said that one woman was Rukia's sister right? Why would she do something like this?"

"I don't think Rukia's sister is a bad person." Chad stated. "But…professionalism tends to overstep family bonds, especially in the military and in the legal system."

"Now that's just stupid." Ichigo stated.

"No, it's how the Soul Society is." Everyone's heads turned at hearing the familiar feminine voice that had just spoken.

"Sensei, you're coming with us too?" Tatsuki asked.

"Of course," Soifon said with a slight grin, "I know the Soul Society well. Someone's got to be your guide or you kids would be lost quicker than a Britannian tourist."

"All right, with sensei on our side, saving Rukia should be a piece of cake." Tatsuki pumped her fist.

"Soifon isn't the only one going with you." A masculine voice said. Everyone turned their heads as a small black cat walked in front of the Urahara shop. "I'm going to."

"Did that cat just talk?" Both Tatsuki and Ichigo were bugging out.

"Yoruichi-sama!" Soifon ran over to Yoruichi and scooped the small black cat up into her arms.

"Huh? Yoruichi you and sensei know each other?" Orihime asked.

"Of course, Soifon is my caretaker." She winked at the former executive commander. "Right, Soifon?"

Soifon put Yoruichi down and cleared her throat. "Ah, yes, I've taken care of Yoruichi…neko ever since…he was a kitten." Yoruichi made it perfectly clear to Soifon that she didn't want her true nature exposed, not yet anyway.

Uryu pushed in his glasses. "Talking cats aside, just out of curiosity Yoruichi, why are you calling Fong-sensei 'Soifon' is that a nickname or something?"

"It's just a nickname." Urahara lied. The kids could learn the details about who they were working with after they got back home, assuming they got back in one piece. "I call Soifon, Soifon all the time right Soifon?"

"All right knock it off you twisted store manager and take us downstairs." Soifon snapped.

"As you wish, follow me." Urahara said opening the door to the inside of his shop.

Soul Society

Back at the Soul Society, Hisana and Rukia were wrapping up their little bonding moment when Byakuya walked into the containment room and delivered the worst possible news to Hisana.

"Executed? What the hell do you mean executed? I thought you and Kaien were appealing so that wouldn't happen?" Hisana lost her cool.

"We did, it did nothing to change the decision. That is the law decided." Byakuya spoke.

"Then try again!" Hisana shouted. "I won't resign Rukia to her fate!" She ran out of the room. "I won't!" Hisana ran from her division as fast as her legs could carry her. She knew who she could talk to for help. If she talked to Lelouch things could definitely be set right. After all her former sensei had once been offered a position in the Central 46, perhaps he'd have more pull than her husband and Rukia's lieutenant. She arrived in 10th Division and made a beeline for Lelouch's office. She banged on the door. "Sensei! Open up! I need to speak to you right away."

Lelouch poked his head out from the nearby room. "Hisana my office is over here your banging on a storage closet."

Hisana realized then how much her panic had caused her to lose her professionalism.

"If you want to speak with me come inside." Lelouch told her. Hisana entered and shut the door behind her. Lelouch sat down at his desk. Hisana stood nearby.

"Lelouch, Byakuya-sama just declared that Rukia is going to be executed." Hisana stated.

"And, what do you want me to do about it?" Lelouch said as he took a sip of his tea.

"What do you think I want you to do? Talk to the Central Forty Six! Appeal Rukia's case! Do something! You can do anything! You're the genius captain of the Soul Society!" Hisana stressed.

"Talking would be fruitless. The Central Forty Six has made up their minds. It would just be a waste of time." Lelouch stated.

"I don't believe this." Hisana shook her head. "Rukia is my sister! Your student! Isn't there anything you can do?"

"If you're so concerned about her why bring her back in the first place?" Lelouch asked.

"Kaien and I were just following orders." Hisana brought her hands up by her face. "I didn't know—"

"Why did you attack the substitute despite your sister's protests?" Hisana was surprised that Lelouch had spoken to her sister. "Yes, I spoke to Rukia. I like to get all sides of the story. Still, I hear he looks a lot like Kaien, is this true?" Lelouch hadn't been able to get Ichigo's name from Rukia. She was afraid that if she spoke it, even to Lelouch, that if Ichigo was somehow still alive, that the next thing she knew that there would be an execution team sent out to kill him and erase his existence from society. She refused to take that chance, but she told Lelouch what she could.

Hisana didn't answer Lelouch's query. Instead she said. "What's happened to you, Lelouch? Where's the Lamperouge Lelouch that led us in battle? Where is—"

"Don't say it!" Lelouch spoke acrimoniously. "Zero is dead and he'll stay dead!"

Angered, Hisana slapped her former sensei across the face. Lelouch put his hand by his cheek. "How can you do this?" Hisana said, tears in her eyes. "I trusted you and in the end all you care about is yourself and your own ambitions. If that's the way it's going to be then I'll save Rukia without your help." Hisana stormed out of Lelouch's office.

Angry people tend to only think of one path. Had Hisana been thinking clearly she had the option to goad me into helping her, but…I am trying Hisana. Rukia will not be executed…but I can't let you know my plan…not this time. This time…I work alone.

Lelouch was fortunate he took the foresight to have his office reconstructed to be soundproof, because after a few moments of silence his old wristband began beeping from inside his memoir box. "Silver to Zero! Silver to Zero! Come in Zero!"

Outside in the Rukongai, Ichigo and his friends were in a little bit of a predicament. Ichimaru Gin had knocked Ichigo clear outside the Soul Society's gate and it had shut them out. After a strategy meeting, inside a building the group had rented out for privacy, Soifon got to her feet and pulled out a silver wristband.

"We'll get inside with this!" she declared.

"And just how is a crummy wristband going to get us into the Seireitei?" Ichigo asked. This only prompted Soifon to whack him over the head.

"If you'd shut your mouth and open your ears I can explain." She told him. "Now then, this wristband was given to me by a very close friend of mine."

"Are you talking about Rukia's sensei? What was that guy's name…Lamper…something…?"

"Lamperouge Lelouch." Ishida said with no problem even though he had only heard the man's name said once.

"Spot on." Soifon said.

"So what's up with the wristband?" Tatsuki asked.

"Gather round everyone, it's time for a story." Yoruichi said and as everyone sat around in a circle, Yoruichi made herself comfortable in Ichigo's lap.

"Rukia told you right, about the secret organization?" Soifon asked Ichigo.

"She mentioned it once or twice." Ichigo said.

"Well, that organization was led by Lamperouge Lelouch. The man is an absolute genius and strategist. Fifteen years ago he finally qualified as a captain in the Gotei 13. Five years before that, after a tragic defeat, Lelouch disbanded the organization, but let us keep our wristbands as parting gifts. He told us that one day we would reunite and on that day we would take action on our final mission. I'm hoping that today is that day."

"But if this organization was so secretive couldn't you get your friend in trouble by contacting him?" Uryu asked.

"If I know Lelouch well enough he'd probably be in his office right about now. Lelouch is a very cautious person. He's always ready for the unexpected. So no matter where he is. I'm sure he'll respond." Soifon called into Lelouch declaring both their codenames. The gang watched from the sidelines.

"Do you think this'll work?" Tatsuki asked.

"It's sensei. It better work." Ichigo said.

"Zero, I know you're demoralized, but this is the chance we've been waiting for." Soifon said, still trying to get a response." There was no answer. She sighed. "If you still won't listen to me, I have a message from UK. He says 'All circumstances are green'. He said you would know what that means." There was no answer and no response. Soifon sighed, feeling let down. Yoruichi hopped off Ichigo's lap and walked over to the former executive commander.

"It's all right, you gave it your best shot. We'll just have to—"

"This is Zero! What's your position Silver?"

Ichigo and his friends huddled around Soifon as she spoke back to him with the biggest grin on her face. For twenty years she hadn't heard Lelouch's voice in such a manner and it brought her great joy to hear it again. "Zero I'm here with Gold. We need to get into the Seireitei."

A few seconds passed before there was a response. "I see, so that was you at the gate." Another pause. "Listen to me very carefully, go away from the gate and head for Ground Z. Wait for my signal."

"What signal?" Soifon asked.

"You'll know it when it happens."

Back at his division Lelouch let his arm hang down at his side as he held his communicator at his side. He looked at the ceiling and smiled deviously with his other hand over his face. For more than fifteen years I've been waiting to hear those words Urahara. All this time I thought I would have to do all of this alone. I was a fool. Lelouch dropped his hand at his side and began fiddling with his wristband with a serious look on his face. Aizen, I know what you're planning now. I know what this execution is all about, what your plans are for Kurosaki Ichigo, and what your goals are. The final game has just begun and this is my opening move.

Lelouch held up his wristband again and sent out a transmission to all of the wristbands. Naomi, Izuru, Isane, Momo, Hisana, Susanna, Renji, Ryou, Tosen, Shuhei, Rangiku, Hitsugaya, Kukaku, Shisato, Nemu, Kaien and Vera all heard their communicators beep. Lelouch waited until each one was listening and then spoke a speech he had waited for over a decade to deliver. "This is a message to all phantoms. This message will only be repeated once so listen closely. The day we have waited for has arrived. I am asking all operable phatoms and member to meet me at Ground Z after nightfall. Everything we worked for was for this moment. I will see you at day's end. The final game has arrived."

In the streets of the Seireitei, Hisana clutched her wristband to her chest. "I knew you'd come through Lelouch."

That Evening

With Soifon having led everyone to the fabled "Ground Z" a campfire was set up to prevent everyone from catching cold. "Ground Z" as she, and all the other phantoms, and as Vera had been told by Lelouch in private about the significance of the wristband and her codename as Fantomu Mahogani, (Mahogany) knew that "Ground Z" was the location of Lelouch's still undiscovered tunnel that led underneath the ground and into the Soul Society.

Ichigo and the others had been waiting for a really long time and the orange haired teen was starting to lose patience as he sat around the fire. "Sure is quiet out here. Is this Zero guy really going to show?" he asked.

"Oh he'll show all right." Yoruichi stated, looking out over the horizon. "You can be certain of that."

The gang sat around for another fifteen minutes when all of a sudden the ground began to shake and fireworks shot into the air. The ground suddenly burst open and several Soul Reapers burst out of the ground like a mob. In the center of the mob a pillar rose and Lelouch, clad in his Zero uniform, stood, holding his Zanpakuto out at his side. "When all hope is lost and there is no one left to fight. When the law punishes the innocent and protects the corrupt. One individual will rise to the occasion to fight for true justice. That individual is me. I am the protector of the weak and bane of the strong. I am the noble demon to counter the corrupted angel. I am the Black Void! I am the Mind of Steel! I am the Just Phantom! With my own two hands I shall purge the light of corruption of this world with the light of redemption and divinity. I am Zero!" More fireworks, courtesy of Kukaku exploded around the cloaked figure.

"Flashy as always I see." Yoruichi commented. Soifon just grinned, ecstatic to see her old friend back in action. She could tell that he was really getting into things. All of Lelouch's other followers were not in costume, Lelouch hadn't asked them to be. The phantoms were disbanded, but they were still his allies and he needed their help. Zero, however, would live on in Lelouch's heart forever. It was as much a part of him as Eien Tamashi. This was obvious by his Bankai's name.

Lelouch leapt off the pillar and landed down on the ground. He took off his helmet and let it clatter along the ground, but still stood in the rest of his outfit. "So, this is the ragtag team Urahara-san got together are they?" Lelouch asked Soifon.

"This is what I've got. They're going to save Rukia." Soifon stated.

Ichigo noticed Hisana and Kaien straight away. "Wh-what the hell are you doing here?"

Hisana stepped up in front of Lelouch in order to speak to Ichigo with the same meticulous tone Rukia would use. "Rukia is my sister and I love her. I want to save her just as badly as you do it seems. I congratulate you on being able to not only survive but to get back your Soul Reaper powers. I heard about what happened at the gate, not bad for an amateur."

Like sister, like sister eh? Ichigo thought to himself.

"Well Zero or Lelouch…whatever you want us to call you right now," Hitsugaya spoke up, "You called us all the way out here. What's the plan?"

"The plan," Lelouch said as he went back for his helmet, "Is that the vast majority of you are going to go about your business and pretend as if you know nothing." He put his helmet back on. "I need one volunteer to go with Ichigo and his group and act as a decoy invasion force. The rest of you will follow my orders as they come, is that clear?"

"Yes sir!" Everyone saluted.

"They all follow him so willingly." Ichigo stated.

"That's the power of a strong leader." Yoruichi spoke up. "Lelouch has the hard earned trust of everyone here. These soldiers would give up their life it meant properly following Lelouch's orders."

"I'm volunteering!" A hardened female voice suddenly spoke out. Everyone parted to let Kukaku have her space.

"Sis, are you sure about this?" Kaien asked. "You're in enough trouble already from your prison term, any more and—"

"Zip it Kaien." Kukaku told him. "That's the whole reason I'm volunteering. The rest of you all have good names to uphold. I'm an ex-con with a big chip on my shoulder, or rather that's how the Central Forty Six and the Gotei are gonna view it when I go in guns hot, primed for action. Also, I have a deep connection to Soifon and Yoruichi here. I might still be rotting in prison if not for Lelouch here. Volunteering is the least I can do."

"Any objections?" Lelouch asked. A few glares sent from Kukaku towards Momo, Susanna and Nemu and the whole group was silent. "Then it's settled. Tomorrow at dawn Kukaku will go with Soifon's group and 'invade' the Seireitei to rescue Rukia, the rest of you will act on my orders as if nothing is wrong. Is everyone clear on the plan?"

"Yes sir!" Lelouch's allies saluted.

"Then that's that then. Fantomu no Jasutisu, move out!"

To be continued…

(A/N: Finally done. Man that took forever. So yeah, things are about to get pretty crazy come next chapter, but to sort out my notes, and do proper research, this might be a few days. I am hoping that you all will be satisfied by this kick ass chapter till then. I will actually admit that I shed a few tears doing that scene with Rukia in the beginning and her heartwarming moment with Hisana and I absolutely LOVED doing Lelouch's little speech with him being Zero at the end there. I feel accomplished. I feel charged. I feel elated. And I'm hungry. I'm gonna go get dinner. Bye everyone! Oh before I go, total coincidence, but awesome symbolism. The 10th Division's insignia, the daffodil, symbolizes Mystery and Egoism, two qualities that fit Lelouch perfectly. I will say right now that this was not planned lol. Anyway that's it. I need food. Goodbye!)