Bleached

Chapter 10: Aizen's downfall

Disclaimer: If I owned Bleach, it would only have 500 chapters.

§ Shiba Mansion, two days after graduation §

After the graduation of Ichigo and Byakuya, the clans decided to celebrate that both their Heir Lords had graduated in record time. The Shibas, being the ones that had the stronger Heir, had decided to celebrate the occasion with a graduation party in both Byakuya's and Ichigo's honour. Every Kuchiki and Shiba was invited to the party, which is why Byakuya and Ichigo were sitting with Kaien, Ginrei, Kokouto, and Isshin while the party went on around them. Isshin, Kokouto and Kaien were drinking from their sake cups, while Ichigo and Byakuya were enjoying som tea along with Ginrei. Surprisingly Kaien didn't insist on Ichigo drinking, something about protecting his baby brother. Ichigo snorted in amusement. If only Kaien knew that his "baby brother" was a war veteran. Speaking of which, it seemed like this was the perfect oppurtunity to set his plans in motion. The Shiba Heir turned towards Isshin.

"Isshin-san?" he said in a hesitant tone, catching the attention of everyone present. Isshin sent Ichigo a curious look.

"What is it Ichigo? Why do you seem so hesitant?" the member of the Royal Guard asked. Ichigo fidgeted a bit, before he finally sighed, perplexing everyone assembled, especially Byakuya. Ichigo never fidgeted. Never.

"Could you please put up a barrier first, Kaien? I don't think it's suitable for everyone except you guys to hear." Kaien raised his eyebrows at Ichigo's strange request, but complied. Ichigo nodded in satisfaction when he felt that no one would hear them.

"I have some information that might be useful for you, Isshin-san. You see, I was wandering around Seiretei a couple of days ago, when I heard some voices, and detected som foul reiatsu. I admit, my curiosity got the best of me, and I hid my reaitsu-" here Ichigo was interrupted by Kaien.

"Wait, you can hide your reiatsu? I thought it was too much to control." Ichigo sent him an annoyed look.

"Yes, I can, because if I didn't have any control, I wouldn't be able to do any kind of kido. I just don't do it cause it's too much hassle, and because it tricks any enemy to think that I have control. Can I continue?" Hiding his reiatsu to the fullest to make the point clear, Ichigo contiued after Kaien nodded faintly.

"Good. As I was saying, I went closer to the voices. What I saw shocked me. There were two shinigami in front of me, both fukutaicho, judging by the badge, who were observing a hollow... eat a shinigami." Ichigo paused. letting it sink in.

"What?!"

"How?! Wait, don't answer that..."

"Who?"

The last question was asked by Ginrei, who had an unreadable look on his face. Ichigo looked uncomfortable, which was understandable.

"I didn't know who they were at the time, but I researched information about every fukutaicho in Seiretei. The men were Aizen Sousuke and Tousen Kaname." Silence enveloped the group. Kaien was stunned.

"A-Aizen? But he's so kind! And I don't know how that justice freak would have...justified such and as feeding a shinigami to a hollow." Kaien winced at the bad pun, but still looked at Ichigo disbelievingly. Ichigo rubbed his forehead.

"Look, I don't know these guys, so why would I accuse them of something they didn't do? Anyways, what I overheard was them going on about some 'Ouken' and some way to combine hollow and shinigami powers. Apparantly the poor guy was a failed 'experiment' they had tried to hollowfy. Believe what you want." Ichigo scowled and crossed his arms, watching the reactions through narrowed eyes. Finally Isshin answered.

"I believe that you are telling the truth, and if it's indeed as so, we are in big trouble. I will request an investigation as soom as I arrive in the Royal Realm." Ichigo nodded in acceptance. Kaien looked up from hands, which he'd been wringing since Ichigo expressed himself.

"I trust your judgement, Ichigo. I will tell Ukitake and Kyouraku taicho of this. They will probably help us in this investigation. Aizen and Tousen shall not go unpunished." Hearing that, Ichigo smiled, unknowingly bllinding many a female attending the party. Ginrei added his own two yen.

" I believe in you as well, Ichigo-san. After all, what possible reason could you have for lying?" Byakuya nodded at this expressing his agreeement, and Ichigo's smile dimmed just a fraction before turning back full-force. If only they knew.

§ After the party, Ichigo's chambers §

Ichigo sighed in relief as he closed the door to his rather large room when the party finally ended. Apparantly being a Heir automaticallly gave you a 100 by 100 room. At first he was uncomfortable living in such a big room, but he quickly adapted, as with all things he did. He was feeling a bit guilty for manipulating his friends in such a manner, but at the same time he was determined to erase Aizen in such fashion that killing him would seem like a good feat. Now that he'd fed his family and friends another bullshit story, he was sure it would happen sooner rather than later. He just wished he could tell them the truth instead of hiding behind carefully planned lies. Suddenly his thought process was cut off by an irate Shiro.

"Oh, shut up, King. Sometimes lying the best way out. And this will make life mush easier if they knew that you killed Aizen with a reason, and not just out of jealousy of some sort. Small sacrifices, and all that." the zanpakouto said irritably, fed up with his 'King's' moping. Yhwach chipped in.

"I agree with Shiro. But you must be ready for the reprecussions Aizen's death may bring to the timeline. You might never be born, as Isshin wouldn't have to fight a hollow named 'White', and there may never be arrancars, except for Starrk, as he is a natural one, and there might never be vizards, except yourself. Not to mention the Quincy war." the old man stated, reminding Ichigo of the consequences. The orange haired smiled wryly.

'I'm okay with that. After all, whenever did the consequenses bother me?' he answered, knowing that Yhwach was right, and accepting what might become of the timeline. If Karin and Yuzu were never born, they could never die. Ichigo didn't want his sisters to be born i a war-torn world, where death was only the beginning of suffering. The small grunts from his inner world alerted him that Shiro and Yhwach agreed.

§ Two months later, Captain meeting §

The soutaicho of the Gotei 13 looked over the assembled Captains grimly. In order, they were Yorouichi Shihoin, "Rose" Roujouro Otorobashi, Retsu Unohona, Hirako Shinji, Kuchiki Ginrei, Aikawa Love, Kyouraku Shunsui, Kensei Mugurama, Kenpachi Zaraki, Kisuke Urahara, and one healthier looking Ukitake Juushiro. Unfortunately the 10th Division captain had just retired after a couple of centuries of service. Something about familial matters. But the soutaicho felt that spot would soon be filled by a certain orange haired Shiba. Oh, Yamamoto knew of the Shiba, his zanpakouto had told him a lot about the infant. To be so powerful that he managed to be a fukutaicho at such a young age was almost unnatural, in fact, it was unnatural, but the soutaicho didn't doubt young Shiba's loyalty. The reason being that he'd reported such important news. News that may have sounded prepousterous at first, but were just as true as the infant had said.

Yamamoto remembered when his two most prized students had came to him for the first time informing him of Aizen Sousuke's betrayal. Understandably he was disturbed and sceptical, but he'd never seen Shunsui so serious (and probably never see him like that ever again). So he'd ordered an investigation. And the discoveries were terrifying, as they were revolting. Using live shinigami and infecting them with hollow reiatsu...for the first time in millennia, the soutaicho shivered. What made it worse that Yamamoto had almost considered preparing Aizen as the future Captain Commander.

His cool temparent would keep things in check, and his power could be cultivated to be stronger than that of Yamamoto, and his now revealed to be fake kindness would motivate everyone to be better shinigamis, like Juushiro's kindness motivated the 13th division. It was no secret in the Seiretei that the white haired Captain's division was filled with the strongest, most loyal, and most creative shinigami the Gotei 13 boasted. But now, with this revelation, that plan was down the drain. Yamamoto shook his head, re-focusing to the meeting, where he was met with concerned and alarmed gazes. Ah. It seemed he had spaced out, he thought with a wry smile. Then he sighed, and rubbed his forehead.

"I am getting too old for this." the strongest shinigami of the Gotei 13 muttered, alarming his subordinates further. Even Shunsui straightened up from his usual slouched seating pose. Yamamoto steeled himself.

"Captain of Gotei, we have a traitor in our midst." A silence shush fell over the room, before disbelieving mutters spread over most of the Captain's faces, though some reacted with solemn understanding. Namely Kuchiki Ginrei, Shunsui, Juushiro, and surprisingly, Retsu. Yamamoto held up a hand, silencing the room once again.

"Two months ago, it was reported by the newly instated fukutaico of the Sixth squad Shiba Ichigo that he'd seen some of his fellow fukutaichos doing something that is by all means considered treason. One Tousen Kaname, and one Aizen Sousuke, had apparantly been watching a shinigami being eaten by a hollow. When Ichigo went nearer, he heard them talking about experinments which could breach the barrier between shinigami and hollow." Gasps erupted in the room, before they were replaced with disgust and disbelief. Yamamoto observed them before silencinng them again.

"I can understand your scepticism, a newly graduated 31 -year old making tales. Nevertheless, we had nothing to lose if we investigated the matter. Which we did." Yamamoto paused, letting it sink in. The Captains waited with bated breaths.

"It seems like young fukutaicho was correct in his observations. Our spy reported that Aizen does have his own labratory where he ahs brought several hollow and shinigamis and experimented on both of the races. And that Tousen also accompanies him from time to time." The room had settled in silent shock, rather like Yamamoto had. The soutaicho decided to conclude his monologue.

"The C46 have been reported to, and they have ordered the execution of Aizen Sousuke and Tousen Kaname by the Soukyo as soon as they are cathced. But we have to face Aizen Sousuke together. We don't know if both he and Tousen have been hiding their strength to avoid attention. As we may be facing Captain-level shinigami, all Captains present must work together to see to it that he doesn't escape."A solemn silence enveloped the room.

"Oh, and Ginrei?" the Kuchiki clan head snapped his head up, surprised at being adressed. Yamamoto smirked under his beard.

"Bring your fukutaicho. After all, he was the one to discover the treason." Gettin a nod in return, Yamamoto walked in the direction of the 5th division barracks, with the rest of the Captains following his lead.

This was going to be interesting.

§ Two hours later §

Ichigo looked around him grimly. Two hours ago, the entire Gotei 13's Captains had cornered Aizen and Tousen, forcing himto reveal himself. As Ichigo had predicted, Tousen had fallen quickly at the hands of his taicho, Aikawa Love. Apparantly he'd been mad at not recognizing the traitor, and annoyed "justice" mentality. Ichigo winced. If there was anything Love hated, it was self-entitled idiots. Speaking of which, Aizen was smirking coldly. And he had reason to. The bastard has released his shikai and had tricked the Captains to fight each other. Ichigo sighed irritably, preparing himself for acting.

"STOP!" The fukutaicho shouted at the top of his lungs, surprising everyboy into stopping. Ichigo arranged his face into confusion.

"Why are you guys attacking each other?! Aizen's there! Let's get him before he escapes!" the Captain all blinked, looking as confused as Ichigo poortrayed himself to be. From the corner of his eyes, Ichigo could see AIzen frown before it was covered with his usual I-am-so-cool-and-evil-bow-to-me mask.

"Ah, it seems like you can see through my illusions, Shiba." the brown haired man said in his usual I-am-, ok you get it. Yamamoto frowned.

"Illusions? How is this possible? Your zanpakouto is a water based one, if I remember correctly." the old man demanded an answer. Aizen looked amused.

"Since you asked so nicely, I will deign to answer. You see, Kyouka Suigetsu is an illusion based zanpakouto. It's illusions are so strong that they cover all five of your senses It is one of the reasons why you've never discovered my...escapades in the last two centuries. I am quite curious as to how you managed to do that, but oh well. What I am more curious about, however, is how a boy like you can see through them. Care to explain, Shiba?" Aizen turned towards Ichigo, who smirked. The Captains all stepped back, including Yamamoto, sensing a battle that they obviously could not be a part of. After all, if all your senses were cut off, how could you battle someone you couldn't see, hear, smell, sense, and consequently touch? Ichigo seemed to be their last hope.

"Since you asked so sincerely," Ichigo mocked, making Aizen twitch. "I don't know. Maybe because I am stronger than you." This time, Aizen sneered.

"I don't see how you could be stronger than me. You might be a prodigy child, but a child nonetheless." Ichigo snorted at the retort. Typical villains, all high and mighty. And as they say, how the mighty fall. Raising his reaitsu to the max without releasing shikai, Ichigo smirked at Aizen's slightly widened eyes.

"Wanna bet, traitor?" That was all the warning Aizen received before Ichigo was in him, slashing, stabbing, dodging at lightening speed, pushing him back. Caught totally by surprise, Aizen shunpoed away, creating distance to get some breathing space. It appeared as if he'd misjudged the "child". A flicker of rage appeared in his eyes. Aizen Sousuke did not misjudge. The kid was going down. Aizen prepared himself, flaring his reiatsu easily dwarfing Ichigo's and many of the captains' bankais as the traitor was in shikai. Ichigo knew what was coming, and prepared himself.

"It seems I underestimated you, child. But you can never equal me. "Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy! Boil forth and deny! Grow numb and flicker! Disrupt sleep! Crawling queen of iron! Eternally self-destructing doll of mud! Unite! Repulse! Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness!" Hado #90: Kurohitsugi!" A resounding "NO!" was heard as Ichigo was enveloped in a black box. It seemed as if Shiba Kaien had found about their little rendezvous. Kaien looked as if he wanted to crush Aizen in the most painful way possible, but was denied the oppurtunity by three Captains who held him back.

"Well, that was it, it se-" Aizen's impending obligatory I-am-an-evil-villain-hear-me-brag-while-you-suffer- monologue was suddenly as Ichigo's reiatsu skyrocketed within the black box. Kaien looked hopeful.

"Tear the heavens asunder, Zangetsu!" As the black box exploded into tiny pieces, Ichigo appeared, holdin two zanpakouto. His reiatsu was easily on par with Aizen. His hair fluttering in the air together with his slightly different shihakousho, looking like the true definition of deadly beauty. Yorouichi was nursing a nose-bleed. Ichigo smiled mockingly.

"Surprised?" Again, that was all the warning Aizen had before Ichigo was suddenly in front of him, beside him, behind him. The brown haired man felt as if he was fightin g several foes at once, that was the nature of Shiba Ichigo's speed. Aizen was barely keeping up , and once again shunpoed away from his foe. The traitor felt a stinging sensation on the left side of his body. Impossible! The child had somehow managed to cut him! Aizen was truly angered now. Ichigo looked at the fuming panting man a couple of meters away amusedly.

"You know, a man once told me that if you run away from your opponent, you're clearly the weaker one. Just surrender, Aizen, and you might die an easy death by the Soukyoko's power." the orange haired man voiced, further irking Aizen.

"Well, that man was a fool! And I will never surrender! Witness the true wastness of my power! Bankai: Kyouka Suigetsu!" Aizen's katana was suddenly replaced by a bigger one, and his wounds closed. His reiatsu was now so high that it surpassed that that of Yamamoto's bankai. All the Captains except Yamamoto, Shunsui, and Unohona kissed the ground. Ichigo sighed, as if bored.

"Very well then. No more playing. I shall let you sense a smidge of my true power as well." the prodigy smirked as he rose into the air. Aizen narrowed his eyes in scepticism.

"Don't joke, child, there is no way you ca be stro-" He was cut off by Ichigo's rising reiatsu. Aizen was shocked at how there coul be someone who was as strong as himself.

"Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu." a calm voice intoned. An explosion of black reiatsu enveloped the whole of Seiretei. The reiatsu rose to insufferable levels before i completely disappeared. Yamamoto's eyes widened. The child was a god! A true transcendant! The soutaicho almost pitied Aizen. Almost. As the black reiatsu cleared, they saw Ichigo holding a...pitch-black bow? Was that his zanpakouto? Meanwhile Aizen was a little scared. He was a genius, and he could tell why the orange haired man's reiatsu had seemingly disappeared. He prepared himself to summon a hollow to open a garganta so he could escape. Ichigo watched his enemy and torturer looking for an escape. A strung an arrow. He could only fire one of these at the height of his shinigami powers. If he'd activated his Vollstanding, he'd had an unlimited amount of arrows, but that was his quincy powers. His arrow could however destroy souls. Which was why he'd used this particular bankai form of Zangetsu. The orange haired man thought of his sisters, his father, his friends, and let go of the arrow.

"Heilig Pfeil." he whispered quietly, so quietly only he heard it. Aizen had no time to react before the arrow pierced him. He screamed. Ichigo looked at the painful death of the murderer of his sisters. He'd avenged them. 200 years before they were born.

He felt so tired.

Suddenly he was embraced by his brother. Kaien. He hugged him back tentatively. Ichigo had never done well with physical contact, except in fights. He hesitantly patted Kaien's back, noticing he wad taller than his older brother. Huh. He must've grown. Abruptly someone cleared their throat. Ichigo turned around.

"Soutaichou." he bowed, though it wasn't one of a subordinate to a superior, but one from someone who respects another as an equal. Yamamoto pierced Ichigo with a soul-searing look, before he bowed back, surprising everyone.

"Shiba Ichigo, you have my gratitude and respect for what you did today, and for the warrior you are. Now, go rest, I have to explain to Central why there isn't a traitor to execute." With that, the formerly strongest shinigami shunpoed away, leaving a perplexed audience Captains and Kaien blinked several times before shrugging, and after congratulating Ichigo they too went away, excluding Kaien, Unohona, Ukitake and Kyouraku. Ichigo looked at them in silent curiousity, wondering why they stayed.