Chapter 41: Ichigo Vs Kaien: The Rematch

(A/N: Ah, I love the weekends. I really do. Here's to more Soul Chess)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Code Geass

3rd Person pov

Shisato, as the only undefeated senior officer that was not Kenpachi or Yachiru, declared the position her squad was in, but things weren't going as well as she had hoped.

"Will you morons listen to me?" She shouted. "These invaders took out two of our best officers. If they can do that they'll cut down you maggots in seconds. The only people who should be out there searching for them are the captain, the vice-captain, and me. Everyone else should stay put."

"Like hell! We'll avenge Madarame and Ayasegawa!" one of the squad eleven members stated.

"Yeah!" the others chanted.

"Gah! You're all too thickheaded for your own good." Shisato shouted.

"Hey! If we take Aloman together we can get past her and go hunting." Someone in the back suggested. The other members of squad eleven seemed to be keen on this idea.

"Oh, so you wanna play rough do you boys?" she asked. "Well, I'm game." She drew out her Zanpakuto. "Fight! Tataki no Senshi!" Shisato emerged in her blue tinted battle garb. "Bring it on!" She declared fiercely.

Ten minutes later all of the lower ranked officers (15th-20th seats) and unseated division members were out cold on the ground. The 6th-10th seat officers had enough brains to understand Shisato's point. The 11th-14th seats only needed a glare to know to back off. Shisato snapped her fingers. "Raisuke."

Raisuke Denryu, 7th seat of Squad Eleven, squatted down to receive orders. "Yes ma'am!"

"Go and send word to Kotetsu-fukutaicho that we've had a little mishap in our division." She said.

"Right away Aloman-san!" Raisuke shunpoed away.

Shisato sighed and bowed her head. "I need a transfer."

With the fourth division tied up, Lelouch took it upon himself to bring a status update the vice-captains

"Here's the latest situation report." He spoke to the lieutenants. "Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika have both been pulled from the frontlines and are undergoing treatment as we speak. To prevent further damage to her squad Aloman Shisato ushered a cease and desist order on the Ryoka from her squad except for herself, Captain Zaraki and Vice-captain Kusajishi. However, before that was done damage had already been done to the division. Also many officers didn't take kindly being told they couldn't fight and challenged Aloman-san's authority. A full evaluation of the squad has been sent underway, but until further notice squad eleven is off the front lines entirely."

All of the vice-captains were shocked. "What? The entire squad?" Izuru questioned.

"Oh no, that's horrible." Momo stated.

"Idiots." Kendra scoffed.

"They're just Ryoka, how could they be so strong?" Shuhei questioned. He, and everyone else that had been part of the phantoms, knew that Lelouch had kindled the 'invasion' of the Ryoka to rescue Rukia. However, none of them thought that they had the ability to take out a couple of senior officers and a regiment of division 11 members.

"There's more," Lelouch continued, "As of two hours ago at approximately eleven hundred twenty five this morning, Ikkanzaka Jirobo was found burned to cinders. The cause of such damage has yet to be identified, but the damage was definitely caused by the Ryoka."

"You gotta be kidding me!" Iba declared.

"First Jidanbo and now his brother. This is getting serious." Rangiku stated.

"To continued," Lelouch went on, "intelligence has been able to gather and identify all of the Ryoka."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Nanao asked. "Lay it on us then."

"They are travelling in three groups. The first group consists of a quincy and a large human. Both these individuals seem to be plowing towards the center of the Seireitei. They've managed to take out several members of Kyoraku-taicho's squad and my own. The second group is a trio: two humans and the third has been positively identified as former Onmitsukido Executive Militia Commander Soifon."

"Soifon is invading us?" Kendra questioned. She could hardly believe her ears.

"It gets worse. The final group consists of two Soul Reapers: an individual with a sword as long as his body and citrus orange hair and the other person has been properly identified as Shiba Kukaku."

"Kukaku's defected?" Nanao questioned.

"That's how it appears. I've sent Hitsugaya Toshiro to deal with them, but I don't know if he'll head them off in time." Lelouch said that, but in reality he had only sent Hitsugaya to keep a watchful eye on the pair. Since Shisato was unable to join up with them he decided Hitsugaya would be better suited as it would look like the young Soul Reaper was doing his job if he interfered. "We also have reports that both individuals are headed this way. That's all I have to report. Good day." Lelouch walked out. The vice-captains were left to talk amongst themselves.

Whether Lelouch knew it or not, Aizen had been listening in from the other door. How odd, why would he give the Ryoka's location? Surely he understands my objective. If the Ryoka are captured he loses. What are you up to Lamperouge Lelouch?

"Hmm, Captain Aizen." Kaien noticed him. The other vice-captains turned to see him.

"Ah, Captain Aizen, what are you doing here?" Momo asked him.

"I just happened to drop by. I wanted to see how everyone was doing in this time of crisis." He told them.

"The situation is bad sir." Shuhei reported.

"So I heard." Aizen stated and then looked at Kaien. "Shiba-fukutaicho, might I talk with you in private?" he asked.

"Ah, sure." He said.

What's that about? Momo wondered to herself.

"Momo." Hisana called to her and waved her over. The two women met on the balcony to talk.

"Hisana what is it?" Momo asked.

"We're going to the department of research and development." Hisana told her.

"What? Why?" Momo asked.

"I'll explain on the way, let's move." Hisana told her. While the two vice-captains headed of, Aizen talked with Kaien.

"So what'd you want to talk about sir?" Kaien asked.

"Kaien, would it be accurate to say you are fairly close to the prisoner, Kuchiki Rukia?" Aizen asked.

"Of course it would. Rukia is my subordinate. I've trained her ever since Lelouch was transferred to the 12th Division as its Deputy Department Head. Heck the only person closer to her than me would be Hisana, but not by much." Kaien answered. What's Aizen's angle. Lelouch had somewhat convinced the phantoms, over the course of time, especially with the recording from the Atrumier incident, that Aizen was a shady individual. However, Aizen never stopped showing a friendly face and a smile all the time and his professionalism had never waned once. Many began to believe that Aizen, like Lelouch, had his reasons. As Lelouch was never able to reveal to them Aizen's entire plot only Hisana and Susanna remained permanently suspicious of Aizen.

"Then I'll cut right to the chase." Aizen stated. "In your personal opinion, does Rukia deserve to die?"

"How can you ask that? Of course not. She's a good soldier that made a bad decision." Kaien said with growing animosity.

"Then I pose another query." Aizen stated. "Would you allow another individual to rescue Rukia?"

"Huh?" Kaien was confused.

"I have a hunch that the Soul Reaper with orange hair, the substitute that Rukia created, somehow regained his Soul Reaper powers and aims to rescue Rukia as if paying off a debt to a friend." Aizen responded.

"That…makes sense, actually." Kaien agreed.

"Then would you allow him to do so. Chaos is slowly sweeping through the Soul Society. Would you allow Rukia to be rescued by another? You were unable to save Miyako from Metastacia. Would you allow Rukia to meet the same fate? You have known Rukia for more than three decades. What does your pride say to that?"

Kaien realized what Aizen was saying and agreed with his logic. "No…I won't let her die…but what should I do?"

"I know where you can start." Aizen said. "You should remove your competition from your path."

Kaien could only agree with Aizen's logic. "I understand." Lelouch…sorry, but if anyone is going to rescue Rukia and stop her execution it's going to be me. "I should be going sir." Kaien said and left.

All according to plan. Aizen thought, smiling.

Ichigo and Kukaku were finally reaching the base of the center of the Seireitei. All they would have to do now is rush up a flight of stairs, run through some streets, dash up another flight of stairs and then they'd be able to reach the Senzaikyu before the day's end. However, as they ran, the air grew thick with fog. It wasn't until they were only meters away from the stairs that it cleared. As they approached the stairs though, they heard footsteps. Kaien began walking down them and he didn't look like he was in the friendliest of moods. Not that Ichigo or Kukaku could see that from the distance between them.

"Kaien." Kukaku stated.

"Hey there Kukaku, Ichigo." he said as he continued to walk down the stairs while the conversation went on.

"What's up Kaien, did you get some new orders?" Ichigo asked, figuring Kaien had to have been told to come meet them here.

"Not exactly." Kaien said seriously and drew out his sword. "Kurosaki Ichigo! I challenge you to a fight!"

"Say what?" Ichigo shouted.

"Kaien what the hell?" Kukaku shouted.

"Rukia is my subordinate. I've trained her and helped her for thirty years. She was the only person I could count on to be there for me after Miyako died. And I was the only person she could count on whenever she and her sister would be at ends. Our bond goes farther than yours Ichigo. I'm the one who's going to rescue Rukia and to make sure of that." He swung his sword. "I'm eliminating the competition."

"Kaien are you daft?" Kukaku shouted.

"I will not allow anyone, but me to rescue Rukia. On my honor and pride that is what I have decided." Kaien stated as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "It certainly surprised me that you were able to get your powers back. It surprised me even more than you beat Jidanbo and Madarame Ikkaku or was that you sis?" There was a pause. "Either way it doesn't matter."

"We're all on the same team here Kaien." Kukaku said with a stern gaze. "If you want to be the one Rukia thanks after all this then…"

"But that's just it, she won't thank me, not if Ichigo's involved. He'll be the one that gets all the glory and benefits if this keeps up. I care too much about Rukia for that. I will be the one to save her and that is final." Kaien stated.

"Let us at least help you, you dumbass!" Kukaku shouted, clenching her fist.

"Shut up Kukaku!" Kaien yelled.

Oh crap. Ichigo took several steps away from the Shiba woman. There were three things you never said to Kukaku unless you wanted to be in a world of pain. First you never said no to the woman. Second you never tried to talk to her like she was just some gal you could easily get in bed with. Third, and final, you never ever told her to shut up or any variation of that.

Kukaku gave a death glare to her old brother. "Ichigo."

"Y-yeah." Ichigo responded.

"Kick his ass." Kukaku stated.

"What? Me?" Ichigo thought for sure he was about to see some bloodshed between the siblings.

"This is between the two of you after all. Give him hell." Kukaku said with a sneer.

Ichigo put his game face on. "You got it." He turned towards Kaien. "You want to face me so badly then bring it. I'll beat you down so hard you'll stay down for a week."

"That's a pretty big boast. Let's see you back it up." Kaien said and charged at Ichigo. The teen blocked with his cleaver blade. Ichigo slid his blade along Kaien's and broke out of the weapon lock and then tried to sweep at a lower angle. Kaien saw this, jumped, used the flat end of Ichigo's blade to propel him into the air and made to swipe at his neck. Ichigo dashed forward to avoid being cut, but Kaien managed to nick him at the back left side of his neck. "You've improved." Kaien noted. He got to his feet and turned around. He and Ichigo leapt into the air and clashed swords. The impact dropped them both to the ground and created a shockwave. Kukaku covered her eyes from the dust flying up.

Dammit these two idiots! Kukaku said to herself.

Ichigo and Kaien swept away from each other in opposite directions pivoted and swung. Ichigo swept down low and Kaien came from on high.

"You've gotten stronger Ichigo. I can tell. Was this from beating Ikkaku or Jidanbo?" Kaien asked.

"Neither." Ichigo said. "I fought against Urahara Kisuke for five days straight after first gaining my powers. I've also got my Zanpakuto if you haven't noticed."

"Yeah I was wondering about that." Kaien said. "Kind of a weird shape, gotta say, but tell me have you learned what it can do?"

"Yeah it's gonna kick your ass." Ichigo said and charged his reiryoku and ran forward and actually began pushing Kaien back.

What the…I can't stop him! Kaien said and then got pinned against the stone wall by the stairs with Ichigo bearing down on him. He pushed back to try and fling the young Soul Reaper off him. Dammit Kaien you can't be getting rusty in your old age. He chuckled to himself. He tightened his gaze and flexed his muscles and then with great power pushed Ichigo off him. He panted momentarily. "Not bad, you've definitely improved, but it won't matter. Ichigo, do you really think you're better than me?"

"It doesn't matter what I think. All I care about it rescuing Rukia and stopping her execution." Ichigo stated.

"You know you'd do right well in the eleventh division." Kaien said and stuck his pinky in his ear. "Your brain is about as empty as your wallet I'll bet." He flung the ear wax to the side and put both hands on his blade, readying himself for the next bout. "Even if by some fluke of fate you were to defeat me, I am only a vice-captain. Captains will wipe the floor with you."

"And what about you? You're a vice-captain as well."

"I am a vice-captain with close to captain class spiritual power. I can hold my own. You, however, are just a substitute Soul Reaper. You obtained your power off of Rukia and somehow managed to regain them and even obtain a true Zanpakuto." Kaien stated. "Still, you have no chance of success.

"Wrong Kaien. If I give up there's no chance of success. However, if I try, even if the odds are against me there's still a chance." Ichigo charged back at Kaien who dodged to the side. Ichigo took out a chunk of the wall with his strike.

"I am not wrong. I asked you what your Zanpakuto's powers were, but you haven't exhibited even a single ability from it. Allow me to show you what the true bond between a Soul Reaper and his Zanpakuto is like." Kaien began to spin his sword. "Rankle the seas and skies, Nejibana!" Kaien whipped out his trident. He got right in Ichigo's space.

When did he get so fast?

With an upward strike he walloped Ichigo into the air and then brought him back down on the ground with a thud. He thrust his spear forward sending out a surging wave of water, carrying Ichigo like a piece of plastic along stormy waves and sent him barreling right into a building.

Kukaku looked at the kid get flung there and just smoked on her pipe without a care. She figured Ichigo would get back up. Whether he did or not though she was ready to jump in and show Kaien a thing or two now that he'd blown of a little bit of steam.

"You probably can't understand why you couldn't stop my attack. Am I right Ichigo?" Kaien asked. "You probably don't know this so let me tell you some valuable information. Captains and Vice-Captains that go to the world of the living have special seals placed upon them that bring down their power to a fifth of its maximum. This is done in order to prevent our reiatsu from negatively influencing the world of the living. No matter how much stronger you've gotten unless you managed to increase your power by a factor of six you can't hope to beat me."

"Will you shut up already?" Ichigo asked, getting back up. His head was bleeding a bit from the collision with the wall, but he was shrugging it off like it was nothing. "True Power? Six times as strong? You think that's going to stop me?" Ichigo stepped out of the rubble. "And if that was your best shot then this fight is as good as won cause that barely hurt at all."

He's starting to get up again. Good. Kaien readied Nejibana again. "Let's go! Round Two!"

"Hey need a bandage Ichigo?" Kukaku asked him looking at his bleeding forehead.

"I'm fine, thanks for the concern though." Ichigo said.

Idiot. I'm offering to patch up your wound don't be so thick headed. Kukaku blinked and thought for an instant she saw two Kaien's rather than Kaien and Ichigo. She grunted. Jeez I must be losing it, comparing Ichigo to Kaien in terms of how they act.

Kaien and Ichigo stared each other down, but Ichigo was in worse shape than he originally thought. "If you're not gonna make the first move then let me." Kaien increased the speed of his spin high above his head. "Daitan'na gama!" (Sweeping Typha. A Typha is a cattail) Kaien lashed out his weapon in front of him and stopped spinning it. The water launched off his Zanpakuto like a spinning disc and went straight for Ichigo like a wheel that had popped off an automobile. Ichigo dodged to the side barely dodging the attack as it collided with the ground. I am the one who will rescue Rukia. Kaien thought to himself. He struck at Ichigo with another attack like the last one. I will protect her. Ichigo dodged to the side, but Kaien got right on top of him and swung up at an angle creating a high rising wave. Ichigo got sent high into the air and got brought down on the roof of the building he had just been thrown through. I swore to myself that I would never fail someone again. Kaien sent out a cone of water. Ichigo blocked. I failed Miyako, he thought about Metastacia, I failed Isshin, he thought about how the man was banished, and I failed Kukaku, he remembered the day Kukaku was taken from the Shiba manor by Onmitsukido to be thrown in jail, I won't fail Rukia! "Koto Yukinohana!" Kaien ripped into Ichigo's shoulder sideswiped him and then sideswiped him again.

Ichigo got battered along the ground and collapsed on it. He got up though, but he was having a hard time standing.

Kaien noticed this and continued to whip Nejibana high around his head. "Look at you. You can't even stand up to the destructive and magnificent power of Nejibana. And you think you have what it takes to take on a captain? That's the most irrational logic I've ever heard Ichigo. Hisana has the capabilities to become a captain. She took you down before you could even blink. Her own captain, her husband, Kuchiki Byakuya is much stronger than that. And then there's Captain Lusca Stefan whose swordsmanship is the top of the Gotei only second to that of the Head Captain himself. And for that matter also there's Captain Zaraki Kenpachi who is one of the strongest captains. There is no possible way for you to beat any of them or even stand a chance at beating them if you can't even beat me. Got it?" Kaien spun Nejibana at a faster pace. He surged the water forward, spun a complete 360 and then called the water back doubling the amount of liquid along the length of his blade. "Ajisai dai kozui!" (Hydrangea Deluge) Kaien spun his trident with both his hands out in front of him like a windmill sending out a stream of water so large that the radius was about 4/5 the size of a cero, but it was twice as dangerous and Kukaku knew it. The pipe dropped from her mouth at seeing Kaien unleashing his most lethal attack. Ajisai dai kozui, once it had captured its target, ruthlessly tossed them around inside the whirlpool, flooding the lungs of the individual and crushing them with Kaien's spiritual pressure. The sensation was like being trapped in a vortex: unable to break free or even have control over your own muscles.

Kukaku could not believe Kaien would use such an attack on Ichigo. Somewhere in her heart she knew that he was family. "Stop it Kaien! You'll kill him!" she shouted. "You would murder your own cousin?"

The word reverberated in Kaien's ear: 'cousin'. Ichigo was his cousin, a member of his family. He stopped the attack. Killing went too far. Kaien wouldn't kill Ichigo. Beat him to a pulp and have him captured? Yeah that was fine, but Kaien refused to murder a member of his own family with his own two hands, extended or otherwise. Ichigo dropped to the ground, soaked to the bone, coughing and gagging. He looked at Kaien. "You…spared me?"

"Kukaku reminded me of something." He said. If Ichigo doesn't know about our connection it's probably best if I don't say anything for now. He thought of Isshin. It's not my place to tell your son about his heritage, not without your consent. "I won't kill you, but I'm not about to let you continue either. I will still be the one to rescue Rukia. So let's go." Kaien took three steps back and readied Nejibana. "Round Three!"

Ichigo charged forward with Zangetsu. Kaien sent out a wave of water. Ichigo dodged to the side. Kaien twirled again and sent out another wave. Ichigo dodged that one two. Hey…I'm only noticing it now, but…Kaien has to stop in between every attack to prepare the next one. Ichigo recalled his training with Urahara.

"Okay so remember this. The stronger the attack the more limitations there will be put on the number of the attacks. It's like how a revolver can be fired six times and a missile only once. It's the same with how the number of consecutive attacks is always predetermined. It doesn't have to be the same number each time the crucial element is the maximum number of attacks, especially in a prolonged battle. That is when your enemy will be forced to use the maximum number of attacks. If you can determine the maximum number of attacks you'll know when he's vulnerable. Remember the key thing for you to keep track of is the last of his consecutive attacks. Wait for the moment between the set of a consecutive attack cycle. At that point your enemy will be completely vulnerable."

And here's something else I've noticed. Ichigo thought to himself as he dodged the next strike. For every strike Kaien makes, his longer charged attacks have more power behind them. That might just be the key to my victory.

Ichigo struck dodged to the side as Kaien attacked him with another waved. He watched Kaien retract his trident to prepare more water. First he charges. Ichigo closed the gap between him and Kaien forcing Kaien to sidestep and then swiped his trident to create the wave spike. Ichigo dodged. Then he strikes. He watched Kaien draw back his sword. And then he pulls back. He watched Kaien carefully. As the nimble vice-captain drew back his weapon, Ichigo came in roaring like a man gone mad and made to strike Kaien right along the waist. Kaien saw this and thrust out his trident and speared Ichigo right in the shoulder.

"That was a nice tactic just now. In fact I didn't even thing you'd come in with enough speed to get me in that narrow window of opportunity between my attacks. Nejibana's quite peculiar isn't she?" Kaien said and withdrew his spear from Ichigo before bashing him in the side of the head with the lower end of it, knocking him away a bit. Kaien began twirling his Zanpakuto. "I have to stop and prepare in between every attack. If I get my opponent though, that's no problem. The timing in between my strikes provides for quite the variation of consecutive hits and combos. However, if my opponent dodges then it's up to my reflexes to keep me out of harm's way." Kaien switched hands. "I gotta commend you for actually being able to mount an attack in between my strikes. Most folks can't even pull that much off. However, you still have a lot to learn. You're weaker than me Ichigo." Kaien's reiatsu surged. "Face reality." He attacked Ichigo with another wave.

Kukaku was still watching the battle, pipe back in her mouth. She saw Ichigo take a nasty hit. Yeah that's gonna sting come morning. She thought to herself about the battle before her. Something didn't make sense. Ichigo had grown considerably more powerful since his initial battle with Kaien. He would've had to. Urahara Kisuke never would've let him slack off. Not on a five day consecutive training session. His skill had grown powerful enough so that he could beat a third seat. And Ichigo had beaten Kaien once before when Kaien was at one fifth of his power. Kaien had said that Ichigo had suddenly overpowered him at one point. If he was that strong then why wasn't he close to being that strong now? It doesn't make sense. Kukaku said to herself.

Ichigo was now on his knees as the sun began to set on the battlefield. He was drenched in water from Kaien's Shikai. Kaien had beaten him down ruthlessly, but still he wasn't going to give up.

"Come on Ichigo. What's the matter with you?" Kaien asked, tapping Nejibana to his shoulder. "You were much more impressive when we fought back in Karakura Town. All of a sudden you got really strong and overpowered me. Your resolve was high, but right now there's senseless fear inside you. True, fear can lead to evolution in some cases. Captain Tosen himself believes the fear of one's own power makes them stronger and hardens their resolve. However, right now you're exhibiting senseless fear. You're afraid to die and you're afraid you'll let Rukia down. I will never be like that." Kaien slammed the cone tipped pommel of Nejibana into the ground. "I have a firm resolve and it shows in my attacks. True, I don't want to kill you. I decided that already, but I know how to attack to subdue rather than attack to kill. Where is your resolve Ichigo? Show me the power you showed me when I first took Rukia back. That was your true strength. Bring it out. Challenge me!"

Kaien's words penetrated into Ichigo's ears and the teen slowly let them sink in. Urahara's words from another training session came back to his mind. Ichigo closed his eyes and relived the memory: the memory of his true power.

"I'm going to keep pushing you and pushing you until you can use that attack at will?"

"Kind of a weird shape, but tell me have you learned what it can do?"

The power of my Zanpakuto…that attack...

"It seems your friend here has finally come out to play."

…my true power. Ichigo rose to his feet. He opened his eyes and they flared a light blue. "You want to see my strength from before?" Ichigo asked with a foreboding tone. "Well here it is. This is…my resolve." Ichigo's reiatsu flared up and exploded outward.

This is it. This is what I've been waiting for! Kaien was excited to see Ichigo finally awake. Ichigo hadn't moved yet so Kaien took the time to take in the sensation and study it. Hold up…this is different from last time. Last time he was just waving out his spirit energy at random…this time it's far more controlled and it's definitely stronger. In a flash Ichigo disappeared and came at Kaien from above. Kaien leapt back and dodged as Ichigo came down. Immediately he began spinning Nejibana. Ichigo came in from the side. Kaien blocked with Nejibana still spinning. He felt his trident chip. He leapt back and thrust forward what little water was left.

When you counter don't let him cut you. Ichigo ran at Kaien to attack. Kaien thrust forward with his spear and Ichigo dodged to the side. Kaien escaped with Shunpo just enough to stay close, but far enough so that he could charge up Nejibana. Ichigo stopped and ran at him. When you protect someone, he thought of Rukia, you don't let them die. Kaien let his wave rip towards Ichigo. The teen actually parried it completely rather than dodging and swung his sword to disperse the wave. Kaien was stunned. He started to spin Nejibana.

He's become much stronger now. He can handle it this time. Kaien said and sent out a wave and called it back.

"When you attack, you kill!" Ichigo shouted and held up his blade.

Kaien prepared all the water he could. "Ajisai dai kozui!" The whirlpool extended.

"Take this Kaien!" Ichigo swung his sword and a bright blue energy beam exploded from his sword.

Kukaku's mouth dropped open when she saw that. For a split second her mind pasted Isshin's figure over Ichigo's. He is his son after all. Now her mind knew it as well as her heart.

Ichigo's attack ripped straight through Kaien's attack, dealing a large amount of damage. However, Kaien remained standing. He was not down yet. Ichigo had just brought out his true strength and Kaien was ready to fight against it. The proportion is stronger than before oh this oughta be real fun. Kaien twirled his weapon high above his head with immense speed. "Daitan'na Gama!" The water disc went sailing through the air. Ichigo saw it and with lazy eyes picked up his sword with both hands. Hold on now…he's not actually thinking of…

BLOOSH!

Ichigo cut right through Kaien's water disc and looked at Kaien with that same intimidating scowl he was fond of. "Kaien." Ichigo spoke calmly. "You say you want to save Rukia, but you let pride consume you and your honor and want to protect her makes you believe that you are some kind of chosen one."

"Hmm?" Kaien listened to what was coming out of Ichigo's mouth.

"If that's what honor is then I'm not that honorable. I'm not a superhero. I can't win all of my battles all on my own. Besides, even the greatest of heroes have sidekicks," an image of Tatsuki flashed through the teen's mind, "friends," Chad and Uryu flashed through his mind, "and comrades." Orihime, Soifon, Lelouch, Kukaku and Yoruichi all flashed into his head. "I don't fight alone with my pride. I fight with my friends." Ichigo held up his sword again. "Even if they are not alongside me in the heat of the fight, they are within me," Ichigo raised his volume, "In my soul!" Another powerful shockwave went blasting towards Kaien. Kaien prepared a defense as quickly as he could, but there was a problem.

My arm feels heavy. It's like I'm twirling a two ton weight. In the end he wound up taking the blast head on.

"Kaien!" Kukaku ran towards her brother to make sure that in Ichigo's tirade he didn't cause her brother to expire.

Kaien dropped to his knees. A large gash was along his left shoulder and more than that he felt like his entire body was screaming out in pain. That was, He looked at the advancing teen, Ichigo's true power. A smile crept upon Kaien's face.

"They are within me, in my soul!"

Kaien began to fall forward onto the ground. I was wrong to think that I could protect Rukia by myself. Stupid, stupid thing to do. Now the only thing she'll remember is that I almost let her die by attempting to defeat the one man who can truly save. Rukia flashed through his mind. Rukia…I promise you…I'll make up for it…somehow. Kaien hit the ground.

Or so he thought. "You have to be," Kaien heard Kukaku's voice, "the biggest idiot I know." Kaien opened his eyes. His sister was crouched down on one knee in front of him, keeping him from hitting the ground. His battered body was resting on her shoulder. Her arms were holding him up, one on his shoulder and on his left arm.

"Hey, you're head on straight again?" Ichigo asked walking up to Kaien.

Kaien snorted. "I'll be just fine once the fourth division finds me."

"Don't worry, I sent out a hell butterfly to Kotetsu-fukutaicho to ask her to come alone."

"Ah, good old Isane." Kaien laughed only to cough and blood to pour from his mouth again. He looked up at Ichigo. "That power you showed before…that's the power you need if you want to save Rukia."

"So now you believe in me?" Ichigo asked.

"You beat me didn't you?" Kaien laughed. Ichigo was not amused. "But yeah, I think you've got a fighting chance. You'll need to get stronger, a lot stronger, if you want to rescue her." Kaien shifted his weight. "Kukaku, help me stand." He requested. His sister obliged. Kaien stuck his fist out towards Ichigo. "You said that…your friends are always inside your soul and that…it gives you power. If that's the case…then allow me to fight within you as well. Even if I am not on the final battlefield with you…I will be fighting within your soul…helping you…to save…Rukia."

Ichigo looked at Kaien with a kind gaze and gripped Kaien's fist with his hand. "I accept your help." Ichigo told him.

"Thanks." Kaien smiled and passed out.

"Kaien!" Kukaku worried for her older brother.

Ichigo looked over the sky. The sun was low over the horizon.

"Things might get dangerous tonight." Kukaku said as she lay Kaien gently out on the ground. "Once Kotetsu-fukutaicho gets here we should find some shelter and rest." She stood next to Ichigo. "The patrols will double their efforts at night to try and catch us in our sleep."

"No, we can keep moving." Ichigo said and took a step forward only for Kukaku to deliver a blow to the back of his neck. Ichigo collapsed upon the ground and fell unconscious.

"When are you going to learn that when I give an order, you follow it?" she asked with a small grin on her face.

"Kukaku-san!" Isane appeared and dashed towards the Shiba woman.

"About time you showed up." Kukaku told Isane. "Heal these two idiots. I'm going to keep watch."

"Ah, right." Isane said and dragged Kaien and Ichigo behind some rubble in order to work.

Kukaku watched the setting sun and felt the reiatsu of the others. You guys are going to have an advantage tonight. You'll be able to move while we rest. "Be careful."

And although she said that she had no idea just how careful the other residents of Karakura Town needed to be.

To be continued…

(A/N: Ahhhh. That felt gooooood. Not nearly as good as finishing the Soul Society arc, but it felt good nonetheless. Yes you read that right, I wrote the material for the end of the Soul Society arc and even a bunch of material for after it. I'm telling you right now that nothing felt more awesome than what I did for the end of the SS arc or, in Soul Chess terms, the Eye of the Storm arc. It makes me giddy just thinking about it and makes me want to get there already lol. However, there's still a lot of ground to cover. Anyway, that's all for now folks see you next time.)