Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Of Demons and Death ❯ Turn Back the Pendulum II ( Chapter 11 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Once again, I DO NOT and WILL NEVER own any part of Bleach or Inuyasha. I merely beg the forgiveness of the authors for twisting their characters and ideas to fit my sick needs.

NOTE: NO INUYASHA CHARACTERS WILL BE DEPICTED IN THIS WORK! I MERELY TOOK SEVERAL IDEAS TO SUPPLEMENT MY OWN!

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT FINISHED THE SOUL SOCIETY ARC AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN READING THE NEW CHAPTERS IN THE MANGA! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

I realized that I hadn't really explained Reijin's history and why she left so I figured this would be a good place to put it. Props to SweetYuya for pointing that out.

I decided to update this because of an episode of CSI I watched and it gave me an awesome new angle for the whole Aizen side of the story. Check out the CSI marathon this weekend on Spike.

----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------

Squinting as the sunlight peeked through my window, I groaned as I opened my eyes to see I had fallen asleep at my desk again. Going to sit up, I realized that my face was stuck to the piece of paperwork I had been working on and I pulled it off. Groaning again as I rubbed at the crick in my neck, I looked at the clock on my desk to see it was relatively early.

“What is that?” I asked myself as I noticed a piece of paper on my desk with my name on it.

I grabbed it and flipped it open to see Yoruichi's hurried handwriting.

Reijin,

Kisuke and Tessai have just been taken before the Central 46 for questioning. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR OFFICE!

Yoruichi

If I hadn't been awake before then, I was now. Checking to make sure Honorable Ruler was still at my hip, I crumpled the message in my hand and ran out the door. Not bothering to apologize to the people I pushed out of my way, I ran full blast towards the headquarters of the Central 46. Still wondering over why they would want to question the Captain, I finally reached my destination. I skidded to a halt as the guards barred the door, trying to catch my breath as I started pleading.

“Please, you gotta let me in there!” I said as I looked between the two guards. “My Captain is in there!”

“Urahara Kisuke and Tsukabishi Tessai are currently being questioned about their involvement in the incident that occurred last night.” stated the guard on the right as he sneered at me. “No one is allowed to enter at this time.”

“What incident!?” I asked as I went to grab the guard, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

“Please, explain.” said Aizen, not removing his hand from my shoulder as he walked up beside me.

“We were only told not to allow any intruders.” said the guard more respectfully and I resisted the urge to punch him. “Report back later if you wish to know more.”

“Thank you.” said Aizen before ushering me away from the guards, his customary polite smile on his face.

“I told you not to touch me, Pretty Boy.” I snapped as I slid out of his grasp. “Besides, what are you doing here?”

“Captain Shinji has yet to return from his mission to the Rukongai and I am a bit worried.” said Aizen, dropping his smile before sneaking a glance back at the guards. “I haven't been able to get anything out of the other Captains, but that may just be because they don't know anything themselves.”

“You still haven't answered my question.” I said, a little less coldly as I crossed my arms.

“I was on my way to see Captain Urahara as 3rd Seat Hiyori may have safely returned.” said Aizen and I felt my heart sink to my toes.

“Hiyori was involved?” I asked breathlessly as my arms dropped to my sides. “Where is she!?”

“If you have not spoken with her, then I guess she has yet to return.” said Aizen.

“What the hell was she doing!?” I nearly screeched as I grabbed the front of Aizen's uniform.

“Captain Urahara sent her out to gather evidence from the most recent disappearance out in the Rukongai. Captain Kensei and Lieutenant Mashiro had already been dispatched to the area to see if they could find whoever or whatever has been doing this.” said Aizen, eyeing my hand before looking me in the eye.

“Captain Kensei and Mashiro were sent out too!?” I asked as I looked away. “Who else was sent?”

“I do not know. What I do know I had to weasel out of Captain Kyoraku.” said Aizen and I released him.

“Where is Captain Kyoraku?” I asked desperately.

“I last saw him at the 8th Division.” admitted Aizen and I started running towards the 8th Division.

“Thank you!” I called over my shoulder, when I felt something rush past me.

Turning around I saw the guards that had previously been standing at their post were now lying on the ground in a heap.

“What the hell!?” I shouted as I ran over to the guards and peered into the now open door.

“What was that?” asked Aizen as he ran up behind me.

“Hey, who did this!?” I asked as I shook the guard that had sneered at me, but his head simply lolled back and forth. “Shit.”

Just I stood up and prepared to run into the building, something rushed past me again. I turned just in time to see Captain and Commander Tessai being carried by a masked Yoruichi, but before I could really grasp at what was going on they were gone.

“Did you see who it was?” asked Aizen as he finished propping the other guard against the building.

“No.” I lied as I dropped the guard I was supporting. “But I'm sure as hell gonna find out.”

Slipping into flash step I followed Yoruichi to the only place I knew she would take the Captain at a time like this. While Yoruichi had taught me a few things over the years about flash step, I knew I held no chance of catching up to her even with her handicapped as she was.

It took me a few minutes to reach Captain's hideout underneath the Sokyoku, having to alternate between running and flash step exhausting me greatly. As I stood inside the doors catching my breath, I could faintly hear them talking inside the training area. When I had recovered enough, I hurried to where they were to see the three of them standing there and what I could only guess were the officers that had been sent to the Rukongai.

“Reijin!” said the Captain in surprise, my gasp of horror alerting them to my presence. “What are you doing here!?”

“What happened to them?” I asked as I pointed at Captain Shinji, a mummy-like Hollow mask covering his face. “What the hell happened last night!?”

“I don't have time to explain.” said the Captain, a strained look on his face. “You just need to leave and go back to the 12th Division.”

“Not until you tell me what happened last night!” I screamed angrily.

“You're acting like a child.” scolded Yoruichi harshly as she glared at me. “Your Captain has given you an order.”

“Fuck the order.” I spat, my body shaking in anger. “I want to know what's going on here!”

“We are leaving Soul Society.” said Captain quietly as he looked over at me.

“What?” I asked, almost convinced I heard him wrong.

“Or, should I say, we are escaping from Soul Society.” said Captain as a sad smile pulled at his lips.

“Why?” I asked as I stumbled towards him. “Why are you leaving?”

“The Central 46 has blamed Tessai and me for what occurred last night.” said Captain as he looked over at the eight officers who were simply lying next to each other. “I attempted to save them using the hogyoku, but it doesn't seem to have worked.”

“How did they get that way?” I asked as my eyes landed on Hiyori, the eyes in her mask blank.

“I don't know.” said Captain as he turned to them. “But we are taking them with us to the human world and hopefully we can find a way to save them.”

“I'm coming with you!” I said as I grabbed the sleeve of Captain's coat.

“No.” said Captain quietly as he removed my hand.

“Why not?” I asked as my hand just dropped back to my side.

“You still have a future here.” said Captain.

“I don't care. I still want to come!” I shouted, begging.

“My decision is final.” said Captain firmly. “Once I have constructed gigais for the three of us we will depart.”

Looking around for someone to help me, Yoruichi merely shook her head and Tessai looked away without saying anything. Clenching my fist so hard my nails drew blood, I glared at Captain.

“At least tell me who did this.” I said through gritted teeth.

“No.” said Captain without looking at me.

“Why not?” I asked.

“For your protection.” he said simply as he turned around. “If I told you who did this you would go out and attempt to avenge what has happened, but you are not strong enough yet. I will not send you to your death.”

Feeling the tears beginning to well up, I turned around and started walking towards the door.

“Fine then. Leave for all I care.” I said, my voice starting to crack as I tried to push the tears back.

“I'm truly sorry.” said Captain as I felt his arms wrap around me. “I can only ask that you forgive me.”

I couldn't help but smile through my tears as I said, “How could I not?”

“Thank you.” said Captain before letting go. “Be careful. Soul Society is no longer safe.”

---

“What are you going to do?” asked Aizen as he looked over at me, my eyes never leaving the floor. “Are you going to assume Captaincy of the 12th Division?”

“No.” I said quietly. “I don't want it.”

“Then what will you do?” asked Aizen and I put my head in my hands.

“The only thing I can do. Go back to the 5th Division.” I said as I picked my head back up and looked over at him. “Mayuri will be happy. He finally gets complete control over the Division and the Institution just like Captain promised.”

---

“What do you want?” I asked listlessly as I continued to look off the bridge.

“It's been four months.” said Aizen as he walked up beside me. “You need to move on.”

“Somebody framed my Captain. I can't just move on.” I snapped angrily as I glared at Aizen.

“Forgive me.” said Aizen as he looked away. “I wish you'd reconsider.”

“I don't want a seated position. I already made that perfectly clear.” I said as I looked away, a little ashamed I had lost my temper.

“It's not that.” said Aizen and I looked over at him again. “I wish you would let me take you out.”

“If I say yes to one date, will you stop hounding me?” I asked as I propped my elbow up on the railing.

“I haven't been hounding you.” said Aizen, that annoying confused look on his face. “I only asked you a few times.”

“Yes, well, I consider that hounding.” I said. “What time?”

“How does 7:00 in front of the Division headquarters sound?” asked Aizen, a smile back on his face.

“Fine.”

---

“This is for you.”

“A present?” I asked tiredly as I took the wrapped box from Aizen. “It's only the second time you've taken me out.”

“Well, I saw it and thought of you.” said Aizen sheepishly as I started to unwrap it.

My breath caught in my throat as I took out a beautiful hairpin, my eyes darting up to Aizen's face. A smile crossed his face as I tried to find my voice and when I finally did I asked, “Why?”

“I saw it and thought of you.” repeated Aizen.

“I can't take this.” I said as I tried to hand it back to him but he put his hands under the table.

“I insist.” said Aizen.

---

“You wanted to see me?” I asked as I stepped into Aizen's office.

“There has been a report of a Hollow in the area of the 5th District.” said Aizen as he looked up from the paper he was reading. “I volunteered you to go out and deal with it.”

“Why me?” I asked.

“You need to get out of the Seireitei. Go out and deal with the Hollow and take a little vacation. You need it.” said Aizen with a smile.

“Okay…” I said, turning to leave but Aizen stopped me.

“You know I got you that pin so could wear it in your hair, not hang it from your belt.” said Aizen as he pointed to the hairpin.

“Fine.” I said as I plucked it from my belt and put my hair up. “Happy now?”

“Very.”

---

I slipped through the foliage as I approached the area the Hollow had last been seen. From what I had gleaned from the villagers the Hollow had appeared, done some damage, and left. No deaths, which was rather odd. Normal Hollows killed as many people as they could for food before escaping back into the protection of Hueco Mundo.

Sensing a sudden flux of reiatsu I slipped into flash step and dodged the attack that had been aimed at me. When I slipped back out I whirled around to see a Hollow crouched there, though something about it was off. I drew Honorable Ruler as I slowly circled it, the giant monstrosity letting out a guttural laugh.

“What's wrong shinigami?” asked the Hollow mockingly. “Why don't you attack me?”

“Judge fairly, Honorable Ruler.” I muttered quickly, Honorable Ruler disappearing and reappearing as clawed sheathes over my hands.

“You think shikai will be enough to stop me!?” shouted the Hollow as its head shot forward.

I dodged the attack by jumping in the air and then slashed at the Hollow's exposed neck with my claws. Jumping back as the Hollow drew its neck back in, I noticed it seemed to be almost unfazed by Honorable Ruler's poison. Allowing Honorable Ruler to slip away, I held out my hand as he reformed himself as a replica of his sealed form.

“Remember, the bigger the weapon the more energy it takes to keep it together!” said Honorable Ruler as I gripped the sword tightly.

“I know.” I whispered back as I charged again.

This time the Hollow lashed out with its front legs, sharp spikes erupting along their lengths as they shot towards me. Quickly evading them, I swung down and managed to severe one, the amputated lump of flesh twitching as it struck the ground.

“Nice try shinigami.” said the Hollow as it held out the stump that was left of its arm.

I whirled around in time to see the discarded arm fly towards me, dodging the majority of the blow. Hissing in pain as I clutched at the gash on my left arm, I watched in horror as the stump began to reattach itself to its owner.

“What the hell are you?” I asked as the Hollow tested its newly reattached arm.

“I was a Hollow.” said the Hollow as its head slowly looked back up at me. “But Aizen turned me into something else.”

“Aizen?” I asked in disbelief. “And I'm the Queen of Soul Society.”

“You dare mock me?” growled the Hollow lowly, its head weaving from side to side. “Or is it you shinigami are too ignorant to see the obvious?”

“And how long has this supposedly gone on?” I asked, the pain in my arm starting to disappear as the adrenaline kicked in.

“Years.” hissed the Hollow, sounding extremely pleased with himself.

“Really.” I said, my heart rate starting to pick back up.

“Yes.” said the Hollow simply, his eyes never leaving me. “He has been experimenting on us for years.”

“Years?” I asked again, my blood running cold.

“You can ask him yourself.” said the Hollow as spikes sprouted out of its back. “I've been ordered to take you to Las Noches for safekeeping.”

“Like hell you will.” I spat angrily as I charged.

I charged at it, sidestepping its next attack, and drove Honorable Ruler deep into its back. Twisting the blade to cause more damage, I held on tightly as the Hollow reared in pain. Once it had stopped I tugged Honorable Ruler out before driving it back in at the base of the skull.

“Bitch!” shrieked the Hollow as it tried to remove me.

“Tell me, is Aizen responsible for the disappearances of souls in Soul Society!?” I asked, clinging tightly to Honorable Ruler as the Hollow tried to grab me and pull me off.

“Go to hell!” shrieked the Hollow and I twisted Honorable Ruler.

“How the hell did you know I was the one you were supposed to take to Las Noches!?” I asked, trying a different angle.

“The hairpin!” shrieked the Hollow as it thrashed about. “That fucking hairpin!”

My insides turned to lead as the true intention of Aizen's gift hit me. It was a marker, a red flag that told anyone who knew just who I was. I jerked Honorable Ruler out of the Hollow again before driving him straight down through the mask, the Hollow disappearing into nothingness as I jumped off of it. Sheathing Honorable Ruler, I fell to my knees and dug my fingers into the ground as I mentally screamed at myself.

“You fucking idiot! You fucking trusted Aizen! FUCK!”

I beat the ground with my fist, but I stopped when the wound in my arm began to throb painfully. Sitting up, I pulled my spare obi out of the pouch Captain had given me and bandaged up my arm. The pain dulled somewhat, but I found it a little worrying that red was already starting to bloom on the top of the bandage.

“What are we going to do now?” asked Honorable Ruler. “Surely Aizen will realize something went wrong when he goes to this Las Noches and finds you aren't there.”

“We're going to kill him.” I said as I ripped the hairpin out of my hair and threw it away.

“He's too strong, even for us.” said Honorable Ruler, trying to show me sense.

“Then we'll have to kill him while we still have the element of surprise.” I said as I stood up. “To avenge Captain and all the others Aizen framed.”

“How are we going to explain that to the rest of the Captains!?” asked Honorable Ruler. “You can't just go around killing people, especially Captains!”

“We'll just have to explain ourselves to Yamamoto. Hopefully he'll believe us.” I said as I walked over to the hairpin and picked it back up. “He has to.”

---

I slowly made my way through the crawlspace of Aizen's quarters, careful to keep my reiatsu as repressed as I could. Pressing my ear against the screen, I could hear the son of a bitch talking to Ichimaru.

“Do you think you can trust that Hollow to bring her to Las Noches?” asked Ichimaru and I could feel my blood boil. He was in on this as well?

“I have no doubts.” said Aizen.

“How long are we going to keep this up?” asked Ichimaru.

“Until I have uncovered the method of creating the hogyoku.” said Aizen and I could detect a note of anger in his voice. “Kisuke managed to steal it before escaping to the human world and all of his research has been locked away in the Chambers of the Central 46.”

“Why do you even need it?” asked Ichimaru.

“It is the perfect way to destroy the barrier between shinigami and Hollow.” said Aizen. “With it, I will be able to create an army of Arrancar.”

Licking my lips, I shifted so that I was positioned above Aizen so I could drop down on him and hopefully kill him before he knew anything was going on. I drew Honorable Ruler as quietly as I could and gripped him tightly with both hands. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and let myself drop from the ceiling. I couldn't help but feel a sick pride as Honorable Ruler went right through Aizen's skull, killing him instantly. Turning around I ripped Honorable Ruler from Aizen's corpse before attacking Ichimaru. I quickly cut off his hand as he went to draw his zanpakuto before slitting his throat, his eyes wide as he felt to the floor in a pool of his own blood. I could feel my blood rush through my veins as I stared at the dead bodies before me, surprised that it went as well as it did.

“Did you enjoy that?”

I whirled around to see Aizen and Ichimaru standing there, both looking extremely pleased with themselves.

“What the hell?” I asked as I slowly took a few steps back. “How did you do that?”

“That is the ability of my Kyoka Suigetsu.” said Aizen, his zanpakuto in hand. “To control the five senses of anyone that sees it. That is, after all, how I created my alibi for the night that I experimented on Captain Shinji and the others.”

I felt the bile rise in the back of my throat as the rest of the pieces fell into place. Taking a deep breath to calm myself like Yoruichi had taught me, I slowly shifted so that I was closer to the door.

“Why did you that?” I asked, trying to gain more time to think.

“My earlier tests showed I needed a rather strong soul in order for it to survive the Hollowification process.” said Aizen as he moved over to where his fake corpse had been. “It was rather simple to draw them out once I had Captain Kensei and Lieutenant Mashiro.”

“You're sick.” I said angrily.

“You're entitled to your opinion.” said Aizen as he fully turned to me. “But you will no longer think of me as `sick' when I have become god.”

“God?” I asked and a smile lit up Aizen's face.

“Do you know why Kisuke was promoted to the Captain of the 12th Division? It was because the old Captain was accepted into the Zero Division, the Royal Guard if you will. I plan to kill the king of Soul Society and take his place, essentially becoming god in the process.”

“And what makes you think I'm going to go along with all of this?” I asked as I scanned the room for more possible escape routes.

“I know everything about you.” said Aizen as he cocked his head to the side.

“How is that?” I asked, swallowing hard.

“I've been watching you for some time now.” said Aizen casually and couldn't help but let out a little laugh.

“I've been in your Division for how long? It wouldn't have been that hard to watch me.” I laughed and in the back of my mind I could hear myself screaming that I shouldn't be making too much fun of the psychopath with the powerful zanpakuto.

“No, no, no, no…” said Aizen with a little chuckle of his own, his tone sobering me up. “I've been watching you for quite a long time. Ever since you entered the Gotei 13, in fact.”

“Why?” I asked, wiping the sweat on my free hand on my pant leg.

“I don't really know why.” said Aizen as he looked away and I caught a note of confusion in his eyes, but his mask was almost immediately back in place. “But none of that matters anymore.”

“Why is that?” I asked as I took a small step towards the door.

“Because you're not leaving here.” said Aizen with an even bigger smile, the one that he often used to charm others though now it only made me sick.

Throwing all caution to the wind, I dashed for the door. Not bothering to open it, I threw my weight against it and busted it off its hinges before running into the street. The entire right side of my body was screaming in agony and I knew it would be one solid bruise come morning. I could hear someone in pursuit and I looked over my shoulder to see it was Ichimaru.

“It's no use!” he called out in that snakelike voice of his.

“Fuck off!” I shouted as I slipped into flash step in an attempt to get away.

As I slipped back out, I looked behind me to see Ichimaru follow suit and reappear next to me.

“Nice try.” he said as he quickly drew his zanpakuto and slashed out at me.

I caught the blow on my bracer, wincing as my arm cried out in pain from being smashed into a wooden door. Lashing out with my free arm, I managed to catch Ichimaru on the side of the head and send him flying. I stumbled forward and managed to pick up a run when I felt something heavy hit the side of my head. Feeling myself drifting dangerously close to unconsciousness, I looked up to see someone dressed in a Special Forces uniform.

“I demand to know what is going on here.” said Soifon angrily.

“It seems that the Hollow Reijin-san was sent to exterminate managed to poison her with some form of hallucinogen. She attacked us and we were merely trying to calm her down enough to take her to see Captain Unohana.” said Aizen, his voice a little strained.

“Commander, what are your orders?” asked a man.

“Take her straight to Captain Unohana.” said Soifon crisply.

“Yes, Commander.” said several men and I shut my eyes.

I couldn't help but laugh to myself at the fact that Soifon actually saved me as I fell into unconsciousness.

---

“Hirameki Reijin, explain yourself.” boomed Yamamoto as I stood before all the Captains and Lieutenants.

I winced as I stood there. The entire right side of my body was a mass of blue, purple, and green and hurt like hell.

“If I may, Captain-General.” said Aizen as he stepped forward. “I believe Reijin-san was exposed to a highly potent hallucinogen and is in no way responsible for her actions.”

“A valid point, Captain Aizen, but may I remind you that Captain Unohana found no traces of anything in Hirameki's blood.” said Yamamoto as he gestured to Captain Unohana.

Aizen silently stepped back and all attention returned to me.

“Explain yourself.” boomed Yamamoto again.

“Last night I was sent to fight a Hollow that was terrorizing the villagers of the 5th District. During the fight I managed to learn that Aizen Sosuke was responsible for the Hollowification of Captain Shinji and the others as well as experimenting on Hollows.” I said calmly and the entire room erupted.

“Silence!” boomed Yamamoto as he banged his staff against the floor. When he had regained control he said, “If you recall Hirameki, Captain Aizen had many witnesses who verified his location on that night, including Captain Kyoraku.”

“His zanpakuto, it hypnotizes anyone who sees it!” I shouted in desperation.

“Captain Aizen has demonstrated the ability of his zanpakuto many times and it has never been shown to hypnotize.” boomed Yamamoto.

“That's just it!” I cried. “He can make you see whatever he wants you to see!”

“Where is your proof?” asked Mayuri, a smug smile on his face. “Did it ever occur to you that this Hollow lied?”

“It wasn't a normal Hollow!” I shouted in my defense. “It was different than anything I have ever seen before!”

“A perfect excuse since you destroyed this `Hollow'.” said Mayuri and I felt my anger rise. He had nothing to do with Aizen. He was just destroying me for his own personal satisfaction.

“That is enough, Captain Kurotsuchi.” boomed Yamamoto. “Hirameki Reijin, you are to be sent to the Central 46 for further questioning.”

---

“We find you guilty of attempting to assassinate Captain Aizen Sosuke and his Lieutenant, Ichimaru Gin.” boomed the head of the Central 46. “And we sentence you to execution at the Sokyoku thirty days from now.”

“What!?” I asked. “But he framed Captain…!”

“Silence. We will not allow you to slander the name of Captain Aizen.” boomed the head as the doors opened and my guards reappeared. “You will be held at the White Tower until the day of your execution.”

---

I watched the sun set from the window in my room as I scratched a fifteenth mark into the wall to mark the passage of another day. Turning around at the sound of the door opening, I watched as my caretaker brought in my dinner and set it on the floor in front of me.

“Thank you.” I said as I took a drink of water.

The caretaker nodded before walking out, the sound of the door shutting and the key grating in the lock the only signs he had left. I ate in silence, ignoring the staleness of the bread as I slowly chewed it. It didn't take me very long to finish the meager portion they had given me and I put the tray beside the door like I usually did. Resting against the wall again I felt a weird sense of peace. True, I was going to die in fifteen days, but it didn't really bother me as much as I thought it would.

I was safe here. Aizen couldn't get in without anyone knowing and once I was incinerated at the Sokyoku I was out of reach forever. Closing my eyes, I let myself drift off until I heard a loud crash out in the hallway. Looking outside told me it was fully dark out and I covered my head as another loud crash sent the door and wall of my cell flying. When the dust had cleared I looked up to see Aizen and Ichimaru standing there, their zanpakutos covered with blood.

“Hello, Reijin-chan.” said Aizen cheerfully as he stepped into what remained of my cell and I noticed Ichimaru was carrying my things in his free hand. “I hope your stay here hasn't been too dull.”

I got to my feet, careful to hide the small rock concealed in my hand as Aizen approached.

“What else do you want?” I asked, swallowing hard as he stopped a few feet from me.

“Why you, of course. Why else would I have gone through all this trouble?” asked Aizen. “Now come along before more people show up.”

“No.” I said firmly. “You sick son of a bitch.”

“As I told you before, you're entitled to your opinion.” said Aizen as he reached up to stroke my cheek but I moved away. “But that doesn't mean I won't get what I want.”

“Go to hell.” I said as I smashed the rock into the side of his face, knocking him down.

Jumping over him, I grabbed his zanpakuto and managed to catch Ichimaru off-guard. I punched Ichimaru in the face with the hilt before grabbing my things and running off down the hallway. About halfway down I realized I was still carrying Aizen's zanpakuto and I quickly chucked it out the nearest window.

I ran for about five minutes before stopping and slipping into my uniform, Honorable Ruler's weight comforting against my hip. I peeked around the corner to see a group of shinigami run past, the alarm continuing to blast. When they were gone I ran in the opposite direction towards the nearest gate, which happened to be the west.

“Nice try.” said Aizen as he stepped out into the street, a small line of blood trickling down his face.

Without thinking I slipped into flash step and slipped out behind him, not expecting to feel a white hot pain in my side when I did so. My hands clenched around the blade that was buried in my right side, Aizen laughing as he turned and walked towards me.

“You're so predictable, Reijin-chan.” said Aizen as Ichimaru appeared out of the shadows, his zanpakuto shortening as he approached me.

“Fuck…” I hissed under my breath as I tried to pull the sword out, but it wouldn't budge.

“You've lost.” said Aizen as my left hand closed around Honorable Ruler. “Now give up.”

“No.” I said as I ripped Honorable Ruler from his sheathe and went straight into shikai.

I grabbed Ichimaru's zanpakuto with my hands and snapped the blade in two, the poison from Honorable Ruler weakening the blade. Pulling out the remaining blade, I threw it at Aizen before slipping into flash step and dashing for the gate.

“Oh shit.” I muttered as I collapsed, the lack of blood making my vision blurry. “Shit…”

I looked up at the sound of footsteps to see Tousen walking towards me, his zanpakuto unsheathed.

“You gotta help me.” I said quickly before looking behind me. “Aizen and Ichimaru are back there and they're trying to…”

I trailed off as he continued to approach, an unreadable look on his face. He stopped when he was right in front of me.

“Those who defy Aizen-sama must be punished.” said Tousen as he raised his zanpakuto.

“You gotta be fucking kidding me.” I wheezed as my wound twinged in pain.

Ready to give up, I looked up to see the West Gate still open. Gathering the rest of my strength, I surged to my feet and pushed Tousen away before running towards the gate as fast as I could.

“Don't close the gate!” I screamed as I watched Tousen get back on his feet. “Don't close the gate!” Jidanbou looked back at me as he held the gate open, and I rolled under it before screaming, “Drop it!”

The gate shut with a bang, and I breathed a sigh of relief at my momentary victory before dragging myself to my feet. It wouldn't take them very long to reopen the gate, and when they did I wouldn't stand a chance in my current state. I sheathed Honorable Ruler before pulling an item out of my pouch, something that Captain had given to me for safekeeping days before he left. He said it could possibly open a temporary gate to Hueco Mundo, but it was untested and possibly dangerous.

“Work!” I said desperately as I opened it.

A large rip appeared in the air in front of me, opening up to reveal an endless desert. I stumbled through the gate, the rip immediately closing as soon as I was through and I collapsed onto the cool sand.

---

My eyes snapped open and I found myself still on the bed in Yachiru's office, Ryuujin floating next to me.

“What did you dream about?” she asked as I sat up.

“Everything.” I said as I looked over at her. “And how fitting, considering what we're going to do.”

“Yes.” said Ryuujin, her Hollow mask curving in a wicked smile.

----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------

And there you have it folks, a rather hurried history of Reijin. Hopefully this will keep you happy until I get back.

I hope you like the update. I also managed to catch a few mistakes I made so those have also been fixed. Hopefully the next chapter will follow soon.