Chapter 44: Lusca Stefan, Nemesis of Zero

(A/N: I told you I'd update again today. Here's to another exciting chapter of Soul Chess)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Code Geass

3rd Person pov

Kukaku and Isane had finally made it to the top. The time had come, Rukia was just a dash across the bridge away. "Let's see," Kukaku scratched her head. "How are we going to get this open?"

"We use this." Isane said holding up a strangely shaped key.

"Where did you get that?" Kukaku pointed to it.

"One of the men you knocked out earlier was carrying it. It's the key to the tower so I thought we should take it."

"Why would the Gotei make a key for this place and then give it to such incompetent guards?" Kukaku scratched her head. "Anyway go ahead and open the Senzaikyu. Once we get Rukia our mission is accomplished."

Isane inserted the key and the door opened, revealing Rukia. "Ku…Kukaku-sama…Kotetsu-fukutaicho?"

"Yo, how's it hanging Rukia? Ready to get the hell out of here?" Kukaku asked.

"I'm being acquitted?" Rukia asked.

"What are you nuts? We're breaking you out of here. Lelouch's orders." Kukaku said.

"The good news is I've got a plan set in motion to make sure you'll survive through this. Don't give up. Even if all seems lost do not give up hope, not until the very end."

"Quit standing around, come on." Kukaku grabbed Rukia by the collar.

"Gah!" Rukia gasped being suddenly grabbed.

Kukaku and Isane didn't take more than two steps outside the Senzaikyu when a large spiritual pressure bore down upon them.

What the…a captain? Kukaku thought.

No! We were so close! Isane thought and then wondered what would happen if she was caught. I can't let taicho see me like this!

The captain that showed up to stop them was Lusca Stefan, captain of squad two.

"I figured this was the objective." Stefan said walking down the bridge. "Aizen-taicho's death is just a decoy for the real objective. Crude, but efficient. I'm surprised at you Kukaku, how did you do it?"

"What are you talking about?" Kukaku asked.

"Aizen-taicho is dead?" Isane was flabbergasted.

They don't seem like they're playing dumb, could these be two separate events? Nevertheless, Shiba Kukaku was clearly identified as working with the Ryoka and it seems Kotetsu Isane has been coerced into things as well. Stefan thought to himself. "Whether you admit to Aizen-taicho's murder or not the fact remains that you, Shiba Kukaku, have been identified as defecting to the side of the Ryoka and it seems you've coerced Kotetsu Isane into joining you." Stefan put a hand on the handle of his sword. "Come quietly and admit to your transgressions. If you don't, I have no qualms about cutting you down and taking you in by force."

"Kotetsu-fukutaicho, take Rukia and go." Kukaku told her.

"Wha—but…" Isane didn't know what to do.

"As long as Rukia gets out safe," Kukaku said to her, "you know who can figure out the rest."

"U-Un." Isane made to escape, but Stefan was one step ahead of the women.

"Kendra!" the captain called.

The vice-captain headed Isane off and got right in her face, blade drawn. She missed slashing Isane and Rukia by mere centimeters. However she did manage to chip a piece of Isane's uniform off. "That's as far as you go. Return the prisoner at once." Kendra barked.

Kukaku and Isane could already see the hopeless situation they were in.

"So you put spirit energy in this and you can fly?" Lelouch asked Yoruichi.

"Pretty nifty huh?" she said. "Kisuke developed it himself. Think it'll come in handy for your plan?"

Lelouch nodded and set the object aside. "Yeah, all things considered this is exactly the kind of thing I need."

Ichigo was lying on his back, and had been listening to Lelouch and Yoruichi chat for quite a while now. He was about to ask what all this was for when all three of them felt a surge of reiatsu.

"What the heck is that?" Ichigo asked.

"It's coming from the Senzaikyu." Yoruichi said.

"Stefan." Lelouch stated.

"What?" Ichigo asked.

"You can tell?" Yoruichi wanted to know.

"I've been around the man for fifteen years at regularly scheduled captain's meetings. That's definitely Lusca Stefan-taicho's reiatsu."

Ichigo sprang to his feet. "Ichigo what do you think you're doing?" Yoruichi asked him.

"Lelouch, you said that Stefan's at the Senzaikyu right?" Ichigo asked.

"I did." Lelouch said.

Ichigo sprint towards the crate and grabbed the flying device. "Ichigo what do you think you're doing?" Yoruichi asked.

"He's going to go after Kukaku and Isane what do you think?" Lelouch asked.

"In his condition? You're a fool if you think you can do anything." Yoruichi told Ichigo.

"I have to. I can't let them get hurt because of me." Ichigo said.

"If anyone's going to get hurt it'll be for my sake. This is my plan of which you are a part of Ichigo." Lelouch told him.

"And what happens to your plan if they die?" Ichigo asked.

Lelouch turned to the side. "Go then. You will find out just how foolish this assault is." He said.

"Lelouch are you nuts?" Yoruichi was appalled.

"Thanks Lelouch." Ichigo said and took off.

"I can't believe you just let him do that." Yoruichi said.

"The situation is well under control." Lelouch said and revealed his wristband. "Watashi wa Lelouch vi Britannia, Fantomu Zero!" Lelouch transformed into his Zero outfit. "Bakudo 26: Kyokko!" Lelouch vanished from sight. "Wish me luck." He said and began to head out. "Get things set up in the meantime. When I bring Ichigo's half destroyed body back here I don't want any delays."

"Can do." Yoruichi stated.

Lelouch took off after Ichigo.

On the Senzaikyu Bridge Stefan held his blade at the ready to Kukaku. "You have until the count of three to draw your blade or surrender. If you don't surrender or make a move, I will. One," Kukaku stood perfectly still, "Two," Kendra readied her blade to attack Isane, "Three." Stefan went and attacked Kukaku, but someone else got in his way first and deflected his blade.

"I'll thank you not to go about attacking my sister, Lusca-taicho."

"Kaien!" Kukaku was surprised to see him.

"Kaien-dono!" Rukia was ecstatic.

"Shiba Kaien, I understand your desire to protect your sister, but surely you understand the trouble she has caused."

"That may be, but I'm not about to let someone else apprehend her. Please sir, allow me to deal with my own sister." Kaien told him with a glare.

"Kaien I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm not backing down. Besides we're winning, let's just take Rukia and go." she said. She then realized just how loudly she had foolishly said that. "Oops."

"Yeah, I'll say oops!" Kaien jeered.

"On the same side are we?" Stefan asked.

"Uhhh…" Kukaku didn't know how to respond.

Stefan sighed. "I had hoped that it would not come to such things. With the collapse of the Shihoin family I had hoped that the Shibas cold remain strong. I didn't realize that the corruption of the Kurosaki house ran all the way up to the top of the family." Stefan took a leap back. "I had hoped to avoid this, but you two don't give me much choice." He swung his blade and rotated it in a semi-circle before swinging again. "Bare your fangs. Yaju Kokuo!" (Beast King) Orange spiritual power outburst from around Stefan. A pair of golden chains with lion head shaped pendants attached themselves to the end of his weapon. The handle and guard of Stefan's Zanpakuto became the same color as the chains. The blade was curved slightly towards the tip and extended off a few more inches. His sword's guard became shaped like a crown with horns curling towards the blade. In a flash he disappeared. Blood poured from Kaien's shoulder as 8 different lacerations appeared in that area. Kukaku dropped to the ground with a slash across her waist and back.

Rukia became frightened at watching Kaien and Kukaku both get cut down so easily. The swiftness so sudden no one sees it coming. Lusca-taicho is already fast to begin with and Yaju Kokuo only furthers his ability allowing him to tear through opponents with lighting fast reflexes speeds and combos. Most opponents never see him coming.

Kaien clutched his injured shoulder. "So this is the power of the fabled 'Stefan the Lion' is it?" Kaien asked. "You strike with bestial frenzy, but never lose your sense of honor. You are the king of blade work."

"It impresses me that you can remain standing after being hit by one of my katas." Stefan said swinging his blade. "Especially since that was an eight hit kata."

Ah of course, I'd nearly forgotten that part. Rukia remembered. Lusca-taicho's Zanpakuto gets stronger with each consecutive hit in an attack. In exchange for increasing his speed and endurance Lusca-taicho sacrifices the lethality of his strikes, but each consecutive hit gets exponentially more painful and lethal. She looked at the fallen Kukaku. Kukaku-sama must really be in pain. After Kaien-dono took eight hits she took hits nine and ten.

"Shall we continue, Shiba Kaien?" Stefan asked him.

Kaien looked at the captain with a determined gaze. Rukia was right there. If he could just run, grab her and go then everything would be all right. But no, Stefan was too fast for that. He'd never make it. Not with the surging pain in his shoulder. He'd never get him, Isane, Rukia and Kukaku all out of her together. It just wasn't possible

And then, the light of hope arrived. It came in the form of an orange haired, bandaged Soul Reaper with a dragon wing around his arm. Ichigo went soaring into the air from beneath the bridge.

This spiritual pressure, it's the level of a captain. Stefan looked up at Ichigo.

"Ichigo." Rukia saw her friend high up in the air.

Ichigo landed right on the ground.

That's…the substitute Soul Reaper. Kendra noted. He matched the reports: orange hair and a sword as long as his body.

Ichigo looked at Kaien. "Yo, Kaien! Need some help?" Ichigo asked.

Tch, even if Kukaku hadn't goofed earlier, Ichigo would've blown my cover now anyway. "You're late kid, what took you so long?" Kaien said with a big grin. He's at least captain class. The two of us, might stand a chance if we're lucky.

Ichigo looked at Isane who hadn't moved from her spot. Kendra hadn't opened an attack on her just yet since Isane hadn't made to escape. She could easily be subdued if need be, but so far Kendra hadn't seen the need to take Isane down. Defection or not Unohana would rip Kendra to pieces for harming her fukutaicho. "You okay Isane-san?" Ichigo asked her.

"I-I'm fine Kurosaki-san." Isane said.

Kurosaki? Both Stefan and Kendra thought at the same time.

Ichigo looked at Rukia. "Hey, I'm here to get you out of here." He told her. Rukia looked at Ichigo with heartwarming eyes like she was about to cry. "Wh-what kind of look is that?" he asked her. "I've come here to save you. You could at least try to act like you're happy."

"Why did you come here? Are you stupid? Look at you, you're all cut up. Do you think it makes me happy seeing you like that?" Rukia asked with rapid fire questions.

"Hey at least he's dedicated. You can at least thank him for coming all this way." Kaien told her.

Rukia didn't respond.

"Some other time Rukia," Ichigo told her, "You can yell at me all you want to about my coming here, but first let's get you out of here."

"Ichigo." Rukia called his name.

"What? Don't tell me you'd think I'd give up after I came all this way." He said and faced forward towards Stefan.

"It's just—"

"Cause I won't." Ichigo interrupted Rukia. "Don't even ask me. I came here to save you and that's what I'm gonna do." He turned to look at her. "Oh and from now on I'm ignoring all your opinions. You're coming with me whether you want to or not dammit." He pointed at her with his index finger. "You got that? I'm the rescuer here. You just keep quiet."

Rukia got perturbed. "Wha-what'd you say? Who do you think you are ordering me around like that? I don't like it when nii-sama does it so I sure as hell don't want to hear it from you. More importantly the rescuer isn't supposed to ignore the rescuee!"

"Yeah? And what kind of rescuee complains about the rescue?" Ichigo asked her. "Why don't you just go tremble in fear and cry out 'save me! Save me!' like you're supposed to?"

"I can't believe you're just standing there." Kaien said to Stefan.

"Why not?" He shrugged. "I can cut them down after their little routine is over. Life's too short not to enjoy some good old slapstick."

"I do not need to be saved!" Rukia shouted. "And I do not tremble!"

Ichigo stuck his tongue out at her a while sticking his thumb against his cheekbone and erratically waving his fingers, much to the Kuchiki girl's chagrin. He stopped and the two realized how neither had changed a bit.

"You haven't changed a bit." Rukia said calmly. "What's the use? I might as well save my breath since you don't listen to anything I say."

"Well what do you expect?" Ichigo asked, hands on his hips. "All you ever do is worry about me and scold me. Maybe you should try worrying about yourself for a change."

"Ichigo." Rukia was speechless.

"Don't you worry." He grinned. "I'm not dying today. Fact is. I've gotten a lot stronger while you were away."

"Finished?" Stefan asked.

"You bet." Ichigo said seriously and unsheathed his sword. "Hey, Kaien! What's say we work together?" he asked.

"Sounds good to me." Kaien said. He whipped out his sword. "Rankle the seas and skies, Nejibana!" I'll only have the use of my left arm with the wound in my right shoulder. Not that it should make much difference. I can only use about half of my techniques efficiently in this restricted range anyway. "Daitan'na Gama!" Kaien sent the powerful disc of water at Stefan.

"Hmph." Stefan swung his sword from a downward position and swept it up across the air, sending out an orange ball of energy with his sword and cancelled Kaien's attack. Ichigo came up from behind him and attacked with his sword Stefan blocked with his by turning his wrist. He didn't even bother looking at Ichigo. "Nice, strength kid." He told Ichigo with a grin. "However, you're skill could use with some work. Hah!" Using the same kata he used on Kukaku he slashed Ichigo across the chest and then once at the back. However, thanks to Kaien, the consecutive hit counter had been reset, so the damage Ichigo received wasn't that terrible, but it was pretty bad with the wounds he had already received. Stefan whacked Ichigo in the back of the head with his pommel and sent Ichigo sliding along the ground on his chest.

Kaien leapt over Ichigo's fallen body and attempted to attack Stefan using a particularly arduous technique given he only had one arm to work with "Koto Yukinohana!" Fighting through the pain Kaien prepared to use his combinative technique. He slashed Stefan with the water, but just as Ichigo had done once before, the green haired captain dodged the initial strike and blocked Kaien's second strike.

"I commend you for being able to fight this well with those kinds of wounds Shiba-fukutaicho," Stefan told him, "But if you think you can take me on, you're only fooling yourself." Stefan slashed Kaien up the side of his torso. "Hado 32: Okasen!" The yellow fire flash sent Kaien sailing away. Ichigo got back up and charged straight back at Stefan with a battle cry. Stefan parried Ichigo's strike with ease and then stabbed him in the chest. With momentum he then pivoted his foot and flung Ichigo towards Rukia as he drew the sword out of him, creating a nice gash along the kid's right pectoral.

Ichigo managed to remain standing. This guy is on a whole different level than Kenpachi. Kenpachi just wildly swung his sword around. This guy has perfect form and skill. He knows his way with a sword. Against Kenpachi I was able to at least connect with him, but I'm parried at every turn here. I can't give up though, Rukia's counting on me!

Kaien got back up, ready to fight again.

"It's sad when the enemy keeps getting up despite the fact that they should know that they have no means of victory." Stefan said.

"We will never give up." Kaien panted.

"Pity." Stefan said. He disappeared in an instant. Kaien soon found eight blows delivered to his other shoulder followed by a sweeping horizontal across his chest. The amount of pain surging through his body was unbearable and he collapsed onto the ground. Before Ichigo knew what happened Stefan was behind him and used the same technique he used to fell Kukaku before using the same orange energy ball he used to counter Kaien's water disc. Ichigo went sailing towards Kaien. Both were conscious, but neither could hope to do much at this point.

"Well, fancy meeting you here." Kaien chuckled.

Ichigo was not amused by Kaien making light of their predicament.

"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you." Stefan stood over them. "This is the end for you. Hiyah!" He sent another ball of orange energy towards them.

"Bakudo 81: Danku!"

Standing before Ichigo and Kaien, wearing a green cape, a slimmed Shihakusho and a helmet was Zero.

"That's…" Rukia had to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

"Zero…that's Zero!" Isane cried out.

Kendra grit her teeth. She still hadn't forgotten the humiliation Zero had brought upon her and her captain so many times. "Zero!" She charged right at him, head on. Zero drew his sword and parried her completely. What?

Zero held up his hand. "Hado 33: Sokatsui!" The blast was enormous, captain level. Kendra went flying back and hit her head against the Senzaikyu's walls.

"Zero, so I was right, you are involved in all of this." Stefan stated, readying his sword. "Tell me, did you murder Aizen-taicho?" Zero didn't answer. "Was it you who wished the rescue of Kuchiki Rukia?" Zero still didn't answer. "You're normally awfully chatty Zero, why so quiet today?"

"There are things, Lusca Stefan, that you are not quite yet aware of yet, but all will be revealed in due time. I am taking the boy, Kurosaki Ichigo with me." Zero stated.

"You think I'll simply let you walk on by." Stefan stated.

"Actually I do." Zero stated.

In the next moment Unohana appeared at the opposite end of the bridge of the Senzaikyu. No one expected that, except perhaps for Zero. "Unohana-taicho."

"Zero?" Even she was surprised to see the vigilante out in the open.

"Unohana Retsu, of what do you make of this situation?" Zero asked.

Unohana looked at Zero and at Stefan and saw the captain's Zanpakuto release. She saw Kaien, Rukia, Isane, Kendra, the Ryoka, and Kukaku and began to create a situation in her mind. "I would venture that Kukaku-san coerced Isane to help her with whatever reasons she has for breaking into the Senzaikyu. Lusca-taicho and Otamachi-fukutaicho attempted to stop them both. Shiba-fukutaicho stopped Lusca-taicho from harming his sister and the Ryoka appeared and attempted to help save Kuchiki Rukia and all three were cut down. You arrived shortly after that and disabled Otamachi-fukutaicho."

Stefan was amazed, but all the while found it believable that Unohana could piece together the situation all on her own. Zero figured that she would.

"And just what do you, who have not been seen for twenty years, desire now?" Unohana asked.

"I am here to take the Ryoka back with me. He is essential to my plan. I believe you can handle your own individuals." Zero stated.

Lelouch…you're abandoning us? No…no this is the right decision. Kaien thought to himself. Zero would never be allowed to take Rukia. What Lelouch is doing now is risky, but all the while the best idea. He attempts to cut our losses and prepare Ichigo to interrupt the use of the Sokyoku. I should report back to the captain once I'm healed and discuss more in depth with him our plan to prevent Rukia's execution.

"Unohana-taicho, you can't honestly desire to pass up this opportunity to capture Zero. Surely you don't buy the story that Kurosaki Isshin had switched with Zero that day twenty years ago do you?" Stefan asked.

What? Ichgio heard that loud and clear.

"Of course I don't," Unohana stated, "All the same though…in retrospect, Zero seemed to know how things were. Surely you remember that we later discovered that Zero's actions were never without merit."

"But—" Stefan began to protest.

Unohana ignored him. "Zero, you do know what is going on here, more than any of us do, don't you?"

"Of course he does! He's the cause!" Stefan shouted.

"Lusca-taicho, do not forget that you are merely the officer of the law. Trust me to do my job as the officer of psych. What has occurred, using Aizen's murder to free Kuchiki Rukia is not Zero's usual M.O. In fact, I believe you are here to help us find Aizen-taicho's killer, ne?"

"That and more." Zero replied. "If you would be so kind as to speak to the Head Captain for me, tell him that I have chosen to work alone in the interest of the Gotei, that I will find Aizen's killer and expose him."

"I can." Unohana stated.

"Unohana-taicho you can't be serious! Zero is a criminal!" Stefan shouted. "He attacked my vice-captain."

"In self-defense." Zero made a point.

"Do not make me repeat myself Lusca-taicho." Unohana said with a serious tone. "Zero is not the current threat." She smiled. "Understand."

Stefan closed his eyes, still keeping his stoic outlook. "Hai." He swung his sword, sealing it into sealed form and then sheathed the blade.

"You had best move quickly." Unohana told Zero.

"I know." Zero picked up Ichigo by the neck. "You're coming with me." He grabbed Ichigo's flying device and took off with him. He brought the teen safely back to the hideout. "So now that you've had a chance to taste the power of a captain, what do you think?" he asked Ichigo.

"Ugh." Ichigo groaned.

"Yoruichi," Zero said and took off his helmet, revealing his normal persona as Lelouch, "Patch his fresh wounds."

"No problem." She said. "You really are a moron Ichigo, you know that." Ichigo just growled. He had several questions for Lelouch when he woke up.

"Surely you don't buy the story that Kurosaki Isshin had switched with Zero that day twenty years ago do you?"

My dad…worked with Lelouch…he was a Soul Reaper? How come…I never knew? Ichigo began to black out and fell unconscious while Yoruichi began to heal him.

Night had fallen by the time he woke up.

"Hey, feeling better?" Yoruichi asked him.

"Ugh." Ichigo groaned.

"He obtained fresh wounds on top of wounds he already sustained how do you think he's feeling?" Lelouch asked rhetorically. He was back in his captain garb.

"Lelouch," Ichigo sat up, "what did he mean?"

"What did who mean?" Lelouch wanted to know.

"Stefan said something about…my father…he said something about him being here twenty years ago." Ichigo said. Ichigo got to his feet. "What do you know? Tell me what you know! Why wasn't I told from the start?"

"What difference would it have made?" Lelouch asked. "It would not change your mission nor would it have changed your chances of success. It was also not my place to say. If your father wanted you to know, he probably would've told you before he left."

"Tell me what you know. I have a right to know." Ichigo scowled.

"I suppose that's true given the circumstances. Why don't we have a little chat and I'll tell you about it." Lelouch told him.

While Lelouch told Ichigo about his father's history, Tatsuki, Orihime and Soifon had been travelling through the Seireitei, using some of Soifon's properly taught stealth tactics to avoid being seen. Orihime had suggested walking around in Soul Reaper uniforms, but Soifon said she had too recognizable of a face. Older members of the Gotei would recognize her.

Still they had managed to avoid being seen regardless and now that night had fallen they were getting closer to the Senzaikyu. As they neared Squad Twelve's territory, they came across a familiar face to Soifon. It was a young girl with green hair in a ponytail and gold hoop earrings.

"Naomi." Soifon called out to her.

"Hey, we saw her when Lelouch first came before us." Tatuski said.

"Who is she?" Orihime asked.

Soifon knew how Naomi loved to get riled up. "Go ahead and tell them soldier." She said.

"Ma'am! Miss Former Executive Militia Commander Soifon Ma'am! I'm the 5th seat of the Second Division in charge of the Reverse Counter Force, Libra Naomi! Glad to answer ma'am!" Naomi saluted.

"Lelouch have orders for you?" Soifon asked.

"He asked me to keep an eye on patrols. He told me the path you were taking so I've tried to divert some of the higher ranking officers." Naomi returned. "However, there's trouble up ahead. Kurotsuchi-taicho has set up an ambush squad. If you follow me you can avoid it."

"Thanks, let's follow Naomi girls." Soifon stated. Tatsuki and Orihime nodded.

Back at the hideout, Lelouch was finishing up telling Ichigo what he could about Isshin. He told Ichigo about the phantoms and their purpose and how twenty years ago, during what should've been the phantoms final mission, Ichigo's dad set himself up as a martyr and left the Soul Society. Lelouch told Ichigo how he had served under Isshin as his vice-captain during the time Ichigo's dad was captain.

"Why did he never tell me any of this?" Ichigo asked.

"Would you have believed him if he did? I hear you got on Rukia's case when you first found out about this. Not to mention your father lost all of his spiritual power to save the phantoms and me. Besides if that hadn't happened you wouldn't exist and I wouldn't have this chance to take down my greatest enemy." Lelouch stated.

"Greatest enemy?" Ichigo questioned.

"You don't need to know about that." Lelouch told Ichigo. "Forget I said anything. What you need to focus on is having the power to stand up to a captain, only then will you be able to have a chance at saving Rukia. You experienced a captain's power yourself. Surely you realize you'll need this special training if you want to be able to defeat one."

"Tell me how." Ichigo said.

"Follow me." Lelouch waved Ichigo and led him down to the hideout's basement. Once there, he explained to Ichigo about Bankai.

"But I don't have ten years!"

"We know Ichigo." Yoruichi told him. "Relax though. We're going to use a special method to allow you to learn Bankai in only three days."

"Your Bankai will still be immature compared to many other captains, but…I have a hunch that it'll be more than enough if I know Urahara-san well enough." Lelouch told Ichigo.

"You know Urahara-san?" Ichigo asked.

"Of course." Lelouch said. "Remember 'UK'?" he asked. He figured Ichigo would've had to have heard the code name.

"So you said that all captains, except Kenpachi, have Bankai right? If that's the case why aren't you using yours to save Rukia?" Ichigo asked.

"Me, a single captain, go up against the entire Gotei to rescue one girl? Even I don't have that strength. No, my role will come soon enough. Besides, I can't use my Bankai yet. I was lucky that I managed to get Captain Tosen to be the one to first observe it. As he's blind I was able to make it into the captain level without needing a confirmation of being able to use Bankai by obtaining six recommendations and three approvals. If I'm going to use my Bankai when the time is right and that's why I need you." Lelouch told Ichigo. "This entire scenario over the past couple of days has been one big chess game and you are a very important piece. You must play your role properly and that role means stopping Rukia's execution."

"So it's like Kukaku said, we're all just pawns in your grand master plans." Ichigo scowled.

"Ichigo," Yoruichi spoke up to defend Lelouch, "Lelouch is a very brilliant tactician and commander. I would not be standing her right now if not for him. Your father gave everything he could to help him. Kaien and Hisana are both alive thanks to Lelouch's efforts."

"I can be very cynical when I need to, but it's out of necessity. Ichigo, what would you do when there is an evil you cannot defeat by just means? Do you stain your hands with evil to destroy evil, or do you remain steadfastly just and righteous even if it means surrendering to evil?" Lelouch asked.

"It's obvious, evil is destroyed. It's for the greater good." Ichigo responded.

"Exactly and that's what I have done for years. That is the purpose of Zero. I cannot help Rukia with my Bankai, but I can help Rukia with my brain and by helping you and directly others so that she may be saved." Lelouch extended his hand out to Ichigo. "If you place your faith in me and your own skill and determination she will be saved."

Ichigo took a deep breath. "All right, let's do this."

As Ichigo began his Bankai training, Soifon, Orihime, and Tatsuki, followed Naomi around Mayuri's ambush. They ran together, but as they did, unbeknownst to them they set off Mayuri's backup plan. Naomi stepped on an infrared laser that ran across the ground and an explosion began to form as she ran forward. Thankfully her training as a member of squad two saved her. Any other division focused training and she would've been screwed.

"Oh my, my, Soul Reapers cooperating with Ryoka, how unexpected." Mayuri and Nemu showed up on the higher ground level the group was at.

"Who's this guy?" Tatsuki asked. "He looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie."

"He is known as Kurotsuchi Mayuri," Naomi said, "The captain of Squad 12."

Tatsuki prepared to fight. "Don't even think about it Arisawa. Remember what Lelouch said, I'm the only one who should engage a captain."

"He's got a partner though. I'll take care of her." Tatsuki said.

"Oh dear, oh dear." Mayuri said. "There's no reason to grow hostile. I'd like to fight to if it can be avoided."

"Good, step aside then." Tatsuki told him.

"Now hold on, I didn't say you'd be getting by so easily." Mayuri said. "I'll let all of you go by, I'll even pretend not to know about Libra Naomi's defection, but for that," He pointed to Orihime, "I want her in exchange."

Tatsuki exploded into anger. "How dare you even ask that!" Tatsuki ran forward in rage with a flaming fist.

"Arisawa no!" Soifon warned.

"Claw out, Ashisogi Jizou." Mayuri released his sword and stabbed Tatsuki right through the stomach.

"Tatsuki-chan!"

Mayuri pulled his sword out of Tatsuki and she dropped to the ground. She tried to get up, but found she couldn't. My body…I can't move. And even worse…I can barely breathe.

"I see you're already feeling the effects of my Zanpakuto. It's called Ashisogi Jizou it paralyzes the limbs of whomever it cuts, but unlike tranquilizers." Mayuri drew back his sword. "Pain receptors are still intact!" He stabbed forward.

"Koten Zanshun, I reject!" Orihime sent Tsubaki straight at Mayuri, cleaving his arm right off from the shoulder.

What? Mayuri was caught by surprise.

"Santen Kisshun, I reject!" Orihime brought Tatsuki to her location using the Shield as a glider. Hang on Tatsuki-chan. "Soten Kisshun, I reject!" She began to heal her friend.

"Yes, yes." Mayuri cackled. "That is the kind of power I am after. The kind of power I witnessed the other day after you healed that other girl when she was injured by Ikkanzaka Jirobo's Tsunzakigarasu."

He's been tracking us for that long? How? Orihime wondered

"It should come as no surprise really." Mayuri said and proceeded to inject his shoulder with a regenerative serum. Naomi nearly lost her lunch. "I know all about the techniques that the Onmitsukido are taught in order to carefully travel undetected. Through such studies I know quite easily how to follow such individuals myself without being noticed. And I knew you were employing such tactics because it's been obvious for quite a while that the former Executive Militia Captain herself was in on this charade."

"Kurotsuchi…Mayuri." Soifon spoke with venom in her voice as her reiatsu rose to new limits. "Do you know…what I'm going to do you for harming my student?" She raised her head up as her spiritual pressure exploded and shouted. "Do you?"

Orihime and Naomi screamed in fright as Soifon's reiatsu sent gravel and dust kicking everyone as she became angry to a level neither Orihime, nor Tatsuki if she wasn't teetering on the edge of death's door, had ever seen before, sending her into an unstoppable rage.

"My, oh my. Your reiatsu is quite impressive. In fact I'd say it's captain class." Mayuri deducted as he picked up his Zanpakuto.

"You're damn straight it is." Soifon stated. "In the one hundred years I haven't shown my face do you think I haven't honed my skills. Kurotsuchi Mayuri, for the action of harming Arisawa," Soifon's vest began to seep off of her back. "I'll kill you! Shunko!" Soifon flew into a fierce frenzy and attacked Mayuri faster than he could blink smashing him straight in the stomach. Mayuri went flying with a hole punched into his gut. Soifon did not let up. With her immense speed she got right behind the twisted captain as he flew in her general direction. "Hado 73: Soren Sokatsui!" Soifon fired off the powerful kido with only a single arm. Mayuri was smashed by the attack.

"Whoa, she's pissed." Naomi noted.

"Nemu, I could use some help here!" Mayuri called only to get picked up and thrown to the ground one story down by Soifon. Nemu didn't know what to do. Lelouch had told her to stay out of any fighting, but Mayuri was her captain and was asking her to fight. However, she knew that Soifon was on the warpath. If she interfered she'd be dragged into it. Mayuri was basically asking her to enter a losing battle for his sake.

"Try to have a little more self-respect for yourself."

"When a member of authority orders something that goes against everything you stand for it is okay for you to question authority and sometimes act against it."

Nemu remembered Lelouch's words and believed that this was the time to act on them. She stood still and watched.

Meanwhile Soifon was totally ripping Mayuri apart. After he had hit the ground she landed down on him and smacked him and put her fist through the hole she had already created in his body. With her fist through his stomach Soifon then flung Mayuri like a kunai and sent him sailing into the nearby overpass. She followed up and went after him. Mayuri swung at her leg as she came forward, but Soifon rose higher into the air than his swing used the flat end of his blade as a fulcrum and then turned and kicked Mayuri right in the head sending him flying. Soifon wasn't even bothering with her Zanpakuto. Suzumebachi was too good for Mayuri. As he went flying into the nearby garden, he used a tree branch to steady himself. "Damn you! Ban—"

"Fuck you!" Soifon shouted and decked Mayuri right in the face. "Don't you ever," she beat him with a left hook, "Harm," she slugged him with a right, "my," she punched him with a straight arm with her right fist, "students!" she uppercut Mayuri right in the jaw and the twisted scientist went and hit the ground, unconscious.

Soifon let go over her anger and powered down. Nemu showed up.

"Get him out of my sight." She said to Nemu. Nemu moved slowly, not knowing if Soifon might turn on her any moment. "Quickly, before I change my mind." That was all the incentive Nemu needed to go and get her captain and bring him back to their division.

Sneering and taking a deep breath, Soifon returned to where Tatsuki was being healed.

"How is she?" She asked Orihime.

"She's starting to come together, her wound has closed up." Orihime told her.

Soifon seemed to breathe easy at hearing that. "That's good."

"So now what?" Naomi asked.

"We move again at dawn." Soifon stated. "Obviously."

"Why bother?" Naomi said. "With your speed you can reach the Senzaikyu no problem. You'd be there in less than an hour."

"It'll take longer than that." Soifon said. "I wasted too much energy on this moron." She said.

"Sensei." Tatsuki spoke up.

"Ah, Tatsuki-chan." Orihime was happy her friend was coming to.

"What is it Arisawa?" Soifon asked.

"Go and…save Rukia." Tatsuki told her. "We'll be fine here."

"All right." Soifon nodded. "I'll be back." She started to walk down the road. "Don't go anywhere unless you hear from me, or one of the others, got it?" she asked.

"We'll be right here waiting for you commander." Naomi said. Soifon began to walk away. "Oh, uh commander." Naomi called to her.

Soifon looked over her shoulder.

"You were really cool." Naomi complimented.

Soifon grinned and then began to head off before she realized something. "Ah, almost forgot." She went and picked up her Zanpakuto which had fallen to the ground when her vest came apart. She took the string that was tied around the scabbard and used that to fasten her Zanpakuto to the back of her waist. "See ya." Soifon began to head off. She took things slow and began to head off into the night until daybreak began to creep over the horizon. She began to feel fatigued.

"Be careful when using Shunko when your heart and mind are not set. Rage can only tire you out quicker."

It was for the best Yoruichi-sama. Soifon thought and approached the stairs on the western side of the inner sanctum of the Seireitei. There she came face to face with an individual she did not recognize. He had black hair in a crazy style and his Zanpakuto was already drawn, resting on his shoulder. Who is this man? He has captain class spiritual pressure.

"I am sorry." The man spoke to Soifon, "But this is as far as you go."

He's coming. Soifon prepared a defense, but watched as the man's sword transformed without the need to call it out. He can call his Shikai without calling its name. The next thing Soifon knew there was a flash of red light and then the next thing she knew her adversary's blade had pierced through her abdomen. She gagged as the blade was drawn from her and she collapsed upon the ground. The man sealed his Shikai and put away his sword.

"Not bad. A little sloppy, but you got the job done." A crafty voice spoke. "You sure we shouldn't just kill her?" Gin asked.

"Fourth division wants all the Ryoka brought to them and incarcerated to investigate Aizen-sensei's murder, you know that." The black haired man said to the crafty voice. "Gin."

"My so informal, though I must say you've become quite the skilled warrior." The third division captain stepped out of the shadows. "I didn't even see you strike, 3rd seat of Squad 5, Atrumier Talbumosuke."

To be continued…

(A/N: Next time on Soul Chess: Orihime and Tatsuki will learn of their sensei's fate, but not all hope will be lost. Night will fall for the final time and daybreak will rise and once that happens you will be hanging on the edge of your seat when the Eye of the Storm arc continues.)