2/2

"I-I was just resting my eyes for a moment Captain!" Yushiro shouted in alarm, drool still dripping from the corner of his mouth.

Kishin just gave an amused grin. "Oi, I'm not the Captain."

"Eh? AH? Kishin?"

He waved his hand and walked inside. "Yo, Yushiro. Been awhile. Seems you're doing well."

Yushiro awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "Aha...ahem. What brings you here? Wait, are you here to play?" He gave an expectant look in his eyes.

Kishin just shook his head. "You really love to play don't you?"

Yushiro pouted and crossed his arms. "Figures. If you aren't here to play then you're going to ask another favor of me aren't you...how come I never get a reward huh?"

"Reward? Do you really want one?"

"Eh? I was just saying and grumbling but are you really going to consider giving me something?"

Kishin thought for a moment before smirking. "Sure, why not."

Yushiro's eyes perked up at his answer. "Really? What is it? What is it? When do I get it?"

A mischievous look flashed by in Kishin's eyes as he replied, "How would you like to see your sister?"

Yushiro immediately froze and turned serious. "Are you...being serious right now?"

Kishin took a seat on a chair nearby and crossed his legs relaxedly. "I am."

Yushiro gave a doubtful look. "Really? No one's seen or heard from my sister for over a hundred years."

Kishin smirked and played with a cat figurine on Yushiro's desk. "Sure no one has heard or seen her for over a hundred years...except for me."

"AH?!" Yushiro's eyes widened in shock. "Y-Y-You, do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I do. So? Do you want to see her or not?"

"I do I do!"

"Great. Then you'll do me a favor?"

"I will! What do you want?"

Kishin smirked in triumph. "For the next 30 days I need you to keep an eye on the western gate of Seireitei. Also, I need you to patrol the 1st district of western Rukongai at the same time."

Yushiro had a confused look on his face as he asked, "That's...it? I can do that in my sleep. What's the catch?"

Kishin put the cat figurine away and stood back up looking out the window. "Yushiro...do you trust me?"

Without question Yushiro immediately responded, "Duh. You're my good brother! Why else do you think I've done all these favors for you before?"

Kishin's lips curled into a smile as a warm feeling filled his chest. "Yushiro, sometime in the next 30 days there'll probably be some Ryoka that appear in Soul Society."

Yushiro slightly narrowed his eyes in understanding. "And these Ryoka will supposedly appear in the western district of Rukongai?"

Kishin nodded. "That's right."

Yushiro took a moment to contemplate what Kishin said, wondering how Kishin knew this, but he didn't pry and instead asked, "Then, is there something you wanted me to do with these Ryoka?"

"That's right. First, if something happens that would expose you then wait until the coast is clear for you to act. What I want you to do is to help those Ryoka into the Seireitei and bring them to the secret training ground beneath the Sokyoku hill."

"EHHH? You want me to HELP them infiltrate the Seireitei, not get rid of them? Isn't that equal to committing treason?"

Kishin just waved his hand in the air. "Here's where your reward comes in."

Yushiro cocked his head to the side. "I'm not following."

Kishin then pointed to the black cat figurine on the table. "Your sister Yoruichi. She'll be leading the group of Ryoka."

Yushiro flinched at his comment. "Y-You're sure?"

"I am." He replied with confidence.

Yushiro narrowed his eyes for a minute before his heart began to palpitate in excitement. "Heh...Hehehe-Hahaha! So big sister is coming back? Hahaha! Nice! Okay, I'm not sure exactly what's going on but if sis is gonna be among the Ryoka then something huge is going to go down. Alright, you can leave the west prefecture to me Kishin."

Kishin nodded in appreciation. "Thanks Yushiro."

Yushiro just gave a thumbs up and a wink. "Sure sure, by the way, is there anything else you need help with?"

Kishin thought about it for a moment running some simulations in his head before nodding. "Actually there is."

"What is it? Let me know and I'll get it done."

"Do you know how to activate and use the Shihoin Shield?"

Yushiro was a bit taken aback at the question, but he nodded. "I do, but the Shihoin clan isn't in possession of that item. We gave it away to Captain Ukitake as a gift."

"I know."

Yushiro scratched the side of his cheek. "That item-" he stopped mid-sentence as realization struck him causing him to stare at Kishin with an incredulous look in his eyes. "You...you're planning to destroy the Sokyoku? And the Ryoka...big sister...you guys are trying to stop the execution of Hinamori Momo?"

Kishin grinned in amusement wondering when Yushiro was going to put the pieces together. "That's right. We're going to stop the execution of Hinamori Momo."

"Ehhhh? What...is going on?"

"Even if I tried to explain you probably wouldn't get it. You'd only have more questions. Instead, ask your sister about it when you see her."

Yushiro had a complicated look in his eyes for several long moments before letting out a confused sigh. "Paaaaah...I don't get it."

Kishin just shook his head. "See what I mean? Instead of trying to think things through, just follow my plan."

"Okay. Since you say that big sis is gonna be there then I'll ask her about it when I see her." A giant grin appeared on Yushiro's face as he thought about being reunited with his elder sister again after being separated for so long.

"Alright calm down. Don't get all giddy just yet. And keep everything a secret."

Yushiro refocused and the aura around him became serious. "Roger. I am still the Head of the Shihoin clan as well as the leader of the Punishment Force. Keeping secrets is a specialty of mine. So let me just make sure I got this right. You want me to patrol and keep an eye out for the Ryoka and big sis in the west precinct of Seireitei and Rukongai for the next 30 days and help prepare the Shihoin Shield to destroy the Sokyoku before Hinamori is executed."

Kishin nodded. "That's right."

Yushiro gave Kishin an awkward look as he then asked, "But...it'll require myself and one other of the Captain class to unleash the full power of the Shihoin Shield to destroy the Sokyoku."

Kishin just smirked. "Don't worry about that. The unsealing of the Sokyoku requires the Kido Corps to take action. No doubt Kinji will be present. I'll have him join you on that front."

"Ehhh? Okay…but what about Hinamori afterwards?"

"Don't worry about that. I'm going to talk to Toshiro. One of the main reasons I'm doing all of this is because I know he won't sit still and let her be executed. Once you and Kinji destroy the Sokyoku I'll have Toshiro and Kinji take her and protect her. You help out on that front. With the three of you together then Hinamori should be well protected."

"Okay...but won't we all be hunted down by the Gotei 13 and be labeled as criminals and traitors? Where will we go? And...my clan...and what about the Captain Commander?"

Kishin gave an encouraging pat on Yushiro's shoulder. "Don't worry about all of that. Yushiro, listen to me and listen well. There are things happening in the shadows that have blinded the entire Gotei 13. These things will come to light very soon. In the aftermath of the entire ordeal no one will be faulted or blamed for the actions that they have taken. At least we won't. Just trust me on this. It's also the reason why your sister will be making an appearance here in such a long time. You don't have to worry about negative consequences."

Yushiro gave another suspicious glance at Kishin, but in the end he trusted this brother of his so he simply nodded and saluted him. "Then I'll put my faith in you brother!"

Kishin nodded in appreciation. "I'm counting on you Yushiro."

Without exchanging anymore words he blurred out of the office and left the 2nd division grounds heading straight for the 10th division.

Haaah...what a pain. With Yushiro's help then Ichigo should be able to infiltrate the Seireitei much easier, however the question is how strong he'll be at the time. If things go well then they won't use Kukaku's canon to force their way into the Seireitei. Now then...how exactly will you react...Aizen…

Fwish!

He soon appeared above the roof of the 10th division Captain's building and found Toshiro restlessly pacing back and forth just outside. A look of panic and stress was plastered all over his face easily giving away what he was thinking. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice Kishin's presence.

Plop!

The sound of his loud entrance as he dropped down to the floor resounded in the air, but even then Toshiro didn't take notice.

"Oi." Kishin attempted to get Toshiro's attention, however Toshiro simply frowned to himself, gripping tighter and tighter onto the wooden railing nearby.

"Oi!" Kishin tried again, but once more he received no reply. In the end he walked right behind Toshiro and whacked him on the head.

BAM!

"AH!" Toshiro yelped out in shock. "K-Kishin?!" He replied completely flustered.

"Yo. Pay attention will ya? Others will think you're plotting something in the dark."

Toshiro immediately froze up at Kishin's comment.

"Heh. Guess I hit the nail on the head huh?" Kishin said nonchalantly.

"I-uh...I don't know what you're talking about." Toshiro attempted to act normally, however he failed miserably.

Kishin just smirked and gripped Toshiro by the collar, dragging him into the building.

"O-Oi!" Toshiro remarked confusedly and semi-nervously.

Kishin just walked over to a chair and took a seat before motioning for Toshiro to take one as well which he soon did.

"Look. I know what you're thinking."

"Y-You do?"

"You're planning to break Hinamori out when she's transferred to the Senzaikyu aren't you?"

Again Toshiro froze up in place having no good answer, so instead he remained silent.

"Thought so."

Toshiro clenched his hands into fists clearly frustrated and stressed. "Kishin, don't try to stop me. I know that I-"

"I'm not going to stop you."

Toshiro frowned and stood up as he shouted, "If you stop me I-EH?" He paused as he just realized what Kishin said to him. "You-uhhh...did you say that you WON'T stop me?"

Kishin smirked at Toshiro's bewildered expression. "That's right. I'm not going to stop you."

Toshiro felt completely lost and sat back down in confusion. "Ummm…"

Kishin just waved his hand and continued, "I'm not going to stop you. Since you're going to do something reckless anyways I'm going to help you."

Once more Toshiro felt completely lost and confused. He cocked his head to the side and asked suspiciously, "You're...going to help me? Like...help me FREE Hinamori?"

"That's right."

"Errr...but…"

"No but's."

"But-"

"I said no but's."

"BUT KISHIN! YOU will get into huge trouble for this and you'll be hunted by the Gotei 13 and-"

"Haaaah…" Kishin let out a long stressful sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance at the entire ordeal. "Look. You don't even have a plan. I do."

Toshiro narrowed his eyes in curiosity. "You do? Wait...you have that look about you. What's going on?"

A mischievous grin found its way to Kishin's lips as he replied, "There are bigger things happening in Soul Society. Just listen."

He then proceeded to repeat the parts of destroying the Sokyoku that he discussed with Yushiro to Toshiro. After he was done Toshiro furrowed his brow in contemplation. After a while he returned his attention to Kishin and asked, "I suppose...this plan would work. But after the Sokyoku is destroyed and I have Hinamori, what'll happen to us? The Captain Commander isn't going to let this go."

Kishin nodded. "I know. That's why I'm enlisting help."

"Eh? Help? From who?"

Kishin frowned as a somewhat helpless look shone in his eyes, but in the end he leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling deep in thought. "Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyoraku."

"Eh? Are you sure? Will they actually help us?"

"I don't know. It's asking a lot, but if I explain the situation to them then I think there's a good chance that they'll help."

Toshiro fidgeted in his seat feeling unsure, but he didn't have any better plans or any plans at all really so he could only grit his teeth and accept. "Where should I go after I take Hinamori?"

"Head to the secret training ground beneath the Sokyoku Hill and wait for me. If I don't show up within an hour then head to my office and activate the Senkaimon to escape to the World of the Living. Look for someone named Urahara Kisuke. Yushiro and Kinji will be your backup."

…

Silence.

After Kishin finished explaining his plan neither of them spoke for several long minutes. Toshiro felt conflicted because he knew that his rash decision in wanting to save Hinamori was going to implicate Kishin, Yushiro, and Kinji. Not only that but Kishin was going to ask Jushiro and Shunsui to help as well. The entire ordeal would involve many many party's and would throw the entirety of Soul Society into chaos.

Kishin smirked and knew exactly what Toshiro was thinking so he stood up and placed an encouraging hand on Toshiro's shoulder. "Look, don't think too much about it. I told Yushiro this already. Our plan and actions won't implicate anyone in the end."

Toshiro looked up clearly confused and bewildered. "What do you mean our actions won't implicate anyone?"

Kishin walked towards the door resting his hand on the handle. "Don't you find it strange?"

"Find what strange?"

"Don't you find it strange that Rukia's sentence was only 6 months of house arrest when she went missing for 2 months in the World of the Living along with Hinamori? Sure she's part of the Great Noble Clans, but when did Captain Kuchiki make a direct appeal to Central 46 to lighten her sentence?"

Toshiro furrowed his brow in thought. "Then...are you saying that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

Kishin smirked at Toshiro's quick thinking. "When I went missing for just a day Central 46 was ready to exile me. An extreme punishment, but it wasn't death. As for Hinamori, her crime was overstaying her time in Karakura Town and also turning a Human into a Shinigami. While it is known as a serious crime, her crimes do not warrant death by way of the Sokyoku."

Toshiro frowned in seriousness as he thought about it. "That's...That's true...then what's going on here?"

"Toshiro, when is the Sokyoku usually supposed to be used?"

"That's...it's used on the most dangerous and nefarious criminals that are at the very least Captain level in strength."

"That's right, but what about Hinamori? She's only at the Lieutenant level in strength and can easily be disposed of. There's no need to use the Sokyoku to execute her. Think back to the Vanishing Soul's Incident. You've heard about it before right?"

"I have. Didn't the previous 12th division Captain get exiled for Hollowfication experimentation?"

"That's right. Isn't that considered an even more dangerous crime than Hinamori's transfer of her powers to a Human? After all, during the Vanishing Soul's Case six Captains, four Lieutenants, and the Commander of the Kido Corps were implicated. That's a loss of nearly half the entirety of the Gotei 13's military force. You'd think that the perpetrators would have been sentenced to death by execution of the Sokyoku, but they weren't."

Toshiro frowned and frowned even more. "Then...what is going on here?"

"Toshiro, I'm telling you this so you don't have to think too much about the consequences of what we're doing. Just focus on the plan we have to save Hinamori. Everything else will naturally fall into place."

Toshiro stared at Kishin's back in wonderment. "You know something about this don't you?"

"I do."

Toshiro slightly flinched as he wasn't expecting Kishin to actually admit to knowing. "Is there a reason why you aren't telling me the whole story?"

Kishin just shrugged his shoulders. "Even if you knew there would be nothing you can do. Instead it would only serve to distract you from the goal you should be focusing on."

"How can you already know that I won't be able to help?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

Toshiro nodded. "Give it to me straight."

"Alright. Don't take it the wrong way Toshiro, but the truth is you aren't strong enough to make a difference."

"Wha-" Toshiro started, however he stopped himself from finishing his sentence and stared ashamedly at Kishin's back. "Am I...really not strong enough to help share the burden with you...Kishin."

Kishin simply nodded his head. "Sorry. You aren't strong enough."

Toshiro clenched his hands into fists feeling completely powerless. "Is the enemy that strong?"

"Aside from the Captain Commander, there isn't any other Captain that stands a chance."

Toshiro widened his eyes at the claim that Kishin just made. "How can that be?"

"You don't have to be so surprised. Just focus on the plan. Saving Hinamori is your top priority. Leave everything else to play out as it should. Just trust me on this."

Toshiro took in a deep breath to calm his nerves before giving Kishin a complicated look. "I...I trust you, Kishin. But how do you know about what's really happening?"

"Call it luck, or maybe I was unlucky. Either way I found out so let's leave it at that. Like I said, you'll only get distracted and get your priorities mixed up. When you aren't aptly prepared to know something then knowing too much is worse than knowing nothing. Just leave it to me."

In the end Toshiro nodded in defeat. Although he truly wanted to know what was going on, after hearing that he was completely useless in facing such a hidden danger he decided that he'd focus on doing what he can like Kishin suggested. And that was focusing on protecting and saving Hinamori. The sound of the door opening and closing could be heard as Kishin started his trek back towards the 13th division.

Now to try and convince Captain Ukitake.

"Eh?" He paused and turned his head to his left just as he stepped outside the 10th division grounds. "Kinji?"

Kinji also paused and leaned on his cane noting Kishin's presence. "Yo, did you just come back from comforting Toshiro?"

Kishin smirked and nodded. "Let me guess, you're here for the same thing?"

"Haha, was it that easy to guess? I know he's agonizing right now about Hinamori's situation." Kinji's eyes then turned serious as he made a quick tapping motion with his cane on the ground immediately erecting a transparent Kido barrier around the two of them.

Kishin raised his eyebrow and took a moment to look around. "A barrier to prevent others from listening in. Seems you have something to say."

Kinji sighed as he looked inside the 10th division, particularly at the building designating the Captain's quarters. "C'mon Kishin, you and I both know what Toshiro is like. Don't tell me that you haven't figured out that Toshiro's going to do something reckless?"

"Oh? So you figured that as well?"

"Obviously. How long have we known Toshiro? If I couldn't predict that much then I'm pretty much a failure as a friend don't you think?"

"Then what are you going to do about it? Try to convince him otherwise?"

Kinji just gave a look that said that Kishin was underestimating him.

"What?" Kishin amusedly asked.

Kinji just shook his head. "And how long do you think I've known you for? Obviously you already told Toshiro something."

"Hahaha, so you guessed that much huh? And?"

"And?! Don't beat around the bush Kishin. Just give it to me straight. What is your plan?"

"My plan? What makes you think I have a plan?"

"Oi oi, how dumb do you think I am? It's you of all people."

"Heh, alright fine. I was going to visit you sooner or later to tell you about it anyways. Good timing."

"Coincidence. So? What is the plan?"

Kishin took a moment to glance back within the 10th division grounds before he proceeded to tell Kinji about destroying the Sokyoku and protecting Hinamori. Kinji took a few moments to think the details over before nodding his head in approval. "That...should actually work. I can coordinate the timing of unsealing the Sokyoku with Yushiro's preparation of the Shihoin Shield. That should buy Yushiro enough time to complete the preparation and arrive right when I finish releasing the Sokyoku. It can be destroyed right after."

"Great. Then I'll leave that part to the both of you. You know how to activate the Senkaimon in my office so if things go south, take Toshiro and Hinamori and go to the World of the Living."

"Alright, but what about you? What'll you be doing during the rest of the time?"

Kishin narrowed his eyes as his expression became serious. "Kinji, I'm going to tell you something that I haven't yet told anyone else."

Kinji noted the atmosphere around Kishin become a bit heavy so he furrowed his brow and nodded. "Alright, I'm all ears."

"Remember when I asked you for advice on creating an original Kido spell that can counter illusions?"

"Yeah, I do. What about it?"

"Haven't you been wondering the reason why I was so specific?"

Kinji slightly frowned. "What's going on? Don't tell me that there's some sort of illusion that the Gotei 13's been placed under?"

Kishin smirked at Kinji's quick wittedness. "Ehhh, not bad. That's right. You've all been put under a spell."

Kinji's eyes immediately widened in shock. "Wait what?! I was just throwing that out there as a joke. Explain thoroughly."

"It's Captain Aizen. He's not the man that you all believe him to be. I reckon at some point he showed you the power of his Zanpakuto correct?"

"Y-Yeah...that's right. During our academy days he once substituted for our Zanjutsu instructor who happened to be busy that day. Captain Aizen taught us about communicating with our Zanpakuto and what the release of a Shikai looks like."

"Oh? So that's how it went."

Kinji noted that there was more to Kishin's words so he quickly questioned, "Exactly what is going on here?"

"Alright, listen well and keep it a secret Kinji. Aizen is the one behind everything happening in Soul Society. Even as far back as the Vanishing Souls Incident to right now and the execution of Hinamori. The power of Aizen's Zanpakuto isn't whatever he told you it was. Its true power is the power of complete hypnosis. The moment you see his Zanpakuto's release is the moment you fall victim to its power. It has the power to control all 5 senses of anyone who has seen its release. What makes it so deadly is that you only need to see the release once. After that you'll fall victim to its power every time Aizen utilizes his Shikai."

...

For a good long while Kinji took in the information that Kishin just gave him. He didn't move or speak or do anything, but with every passing moment his eyes would become wider and wider and wider turning from confusion to shock to seriousness to a bit of fear as he realized just how much power Aizen held over the entirety of the Gotei 13. He hesitantly stared Kishin in the eyes and asked, "I-If what you say is true then Central 46 and the orders they are giving a-"

Kishin simply nodded. "Naturally Central 46 has been disposed of. The one issuing the orders is Aizen."

"But why? Why would he do all of this? What's his goal? What does he want?"

"He wants the Hogyoku."

"Eh? Hogyoku? What's that?"

"It's too much of a bother to explain. What I can tell you is that it's currently implanted within Hinamori and Aizen needs the Sokyoku to destroy Hinamori's complete being in order to extract the Hogyoku from within her. That's why this is happening."

"I see. So that's why we're destroying the Sokyoku, but if what you say is true and Aizen has everyone under his hypnosis then how exactly are we to counter him? ...Eh? Wait, your Kido spell. Don't tell me...you knew. You knew all this time about Aizen and his powers. The-Then you were creating a spell to specifically counter his Zanpakuto's ability. Were you able to do it?"

Kishin awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. "I'm close, but it's not quite ready. Remember when I told you about Kido spells in the 100's not being impossible?"

"I do. Wait, don't tell me that the spell you're making to counter Aizen is a Kido spell that falls within the 100's?"

Kishin simply nodded. "It is...so you can imagine how difficult it is to complete it, but once it's done then I'm 100% confident that even if I fall under the power of his Shikai, I'll still be able to fight him without being influenced by his complete hypnosis."

"Eh? How? Exactly what kind of spell is it? And how did you surpass the limit of level 99?"

"Aizen's power deals with controlling the 5 senses, however spiritually aware beings possess not only 5 senses, but 6. My spell has to do with that. As for the matter of surpassing the limits of level 99, I simply combined and stabilized the force of a different source of power with my Shinigami powers and treated those two energy sources as one complete whole, it can break the limits and barriers that hold back the soul of a Shinigami."

"What? Combining and stabilizing two different energy sources as one to eliminate the barrier of a Shinigami's soul? Like wha-!" Kinji stopped himself from finishing his sentence as he carefully studied Kishin's frame. "Kishin, have you...are you...but wait...it can't b-"

Kishin just waved his hand in the air. "It happened a long time ago. I'll tell you in detail about what exactly happened another time. For now lets focus on saving Hinamori. Can I count on you to do your part?"

Kinji had a complicated look on his face, but in the end he sighed and closed his eyes nodding in defeat. "I got it. You can count on me." He then gave Kishin a concerned look as he asked, "Are you...are you alright though? You don't feel negative side effects?"

"C'mon Kinji. Who do you think you're talking to?" He gave one last look at Kinji and winked before dashing off into the distance.

It wasn't long before he arrived back in the 13th division grounds pacing outside Jushiro's room. Just as he was about to knock on the door he was interrupted by the sound of Jushiro's voice. "Shin-chan, it's okay. You can just come in."

Kishin stood in place for a second gathering his final thoughts before opening the door and walking inside. "Captain, how are you feeling today?"

Jushiro just smiled and poured two cups of tea. "I'm feeling much better today. Here, have a seat."

"Thanks Captain." Kishin made himself comfortable and took a sip of his tea.

The two of them sat in peaceful silence for a while before Jushiro broke the ice. "It seems Rukia is doing well. I went to see her not too long ago."

Kishin grinned as he wondered what Rukia was currently doing. "Captain, thanks for fighting over keeping jurisdiction of her punishment."

Jushiro just waved his hand relaxedly. "No no, don't thank me. It is as it should be. I don't want Rukia to suffer either. It's better if she remains here in the 13th division for her 6 month probation. That said, it's unfortunate that I was unable to be of any help for Hinamori's situation." Jushiro then noticed the look on Kishin's face as if he wanted to say something so he ventured to ask, "Shin-chan, there's something you want to tell me right?"

Kishin didn't hide it and simply nodded. "Actually Captain, I'm sure you're aware of Toshiro's close relationship with Hinamori right?"

Jushiro furrowed his brow and hesitantly asked, "Is...Hitsugaya-kun planning to do something?"

"He is."

"Haaaah...I thought it might come to this, though I had sort of hoped that he wouldn't act."

"Captain, what if I told you that I decided to help him?"

"EHHHHH?!" Jushiro's eyes widened in shock. "A-Are you really?"

Kishin gave a toothy grin. "I am."

Jushiro was a bit tongue-tied and couldn't form coherent sentences for several minutes at Kishin's confirmation of rebelling. Finally Jushiro was able to reign in his shocked state and took a long sip on his tea before refocusing his attention on Kishin. A serious expression was worn on his face.

"Shin-chan...you do realize what you're saying and doing right?"

Kishin simply nodded. "I am. That is why I'm here."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"Captain...not only am I going to help Toshiro free Hinamori, I'm here to make unreasonable requests of you."

Now Jushiro was completely baffled. One, he never expected Kishin to tell him straight up that Toshiro was going to rebel. Two, he never imagined that Kishin would also choose to rebel. And three, he never imagined that Kishin would not only tell him all of this, but also request his involvement. Jushiro set his tea cup down and sighed.

"Haaaah…" He stared at Kishin for a good long while noting the confident and unwavering look in his eyes.

Shin-chan...Shiro-chan...what should I do…

Kishin noted the conflicted look in Jushiro's eyes so he smiled and said, "Captain Ukitake, at least hear me out."

Jushiro raised his eyebrow questioningly and nodded in defeat. "Alright. I'll at least hear you out."

And so Kishin proceeded to tell Jushiro most of what he told Yushiro and Toshiro leaving out the bit about the Ryoka. After he finished recounting what he discussed with the others, Jushiro frowned and rubbed the bottom of his chin deep in contemplation. "This...so using the Shihoin Shield...that would definitely work. And with Yushiro being the current Shihoin clan Head he would be able to prep the power of the Shield better than I could. And you have a point. Hinamori's situation does seem strange. Even though Central 46 is a bit unreasonable, to go even this far to execute Hinamori, a previous Lieutenant and now 4th ranked officer of the 13th division by way of the Sokyoku is overly excessive. Why go through the trouble of unsealing the Sokyoku for her?"

Kishin nodded. "Will you help Captain?"

Jushiro closed his eyes and thought about the entire situation for several long minutes. His brows wrinkled and his face scrunched up, but in the end he let out a defeated sigh. "Haaaah...I can't just let you handle this on your own Shin-chan. And things do seem to be quite suspicious. Alright, I'll talk to Kyoraku. If things proceed as you planned then Kyoraku and I will do our best to stall Genryuusai-sensei."

Kishin beamed at Jushiro's verbal confirmation in joining his endeavor. "Thanks Captain. I'm sorry to have sprung this on you so suddenly."

"No no, what you said makes perfect sense. Or rather, the events happening in Seireitei right now don't make much sense. There isn't much justification in the way things are panning out for Hinamori's case. Don't worry Shin-chan, you can count on me. Besides, while it was incredibly short, it remains a fact that Hinamori is still considered a member of the 13th division."

"Then I'll have to trouble you Captain."

"Mn."

Kishin respectfully saluted Jushiro once more before he took his leave. The moment he stepped back outside he took in a deep breath of much needed fresh air.

Haaaah...things are in place. Aizen...the question now is, how will you respond? If you thought I was just going to sit on the sidelines and do absolutely nothing then I'm sorry to disappoint.

He smirked to himself and headed back to his living quarters. As he opened the door the smell of something savory filled the air in the room. He immediately began to salivate while his stomach let out a growl. He followed the trail of smoke to the kitchen and happily grinned seeing Rukia cooking some lunch. Without warning he snuck up behind her and wrapped her in his arms.

"Ah! Kishin? Baka! I'm in the middle of-"

Smooch!

He immediately cut her off with a passionate kiss before he broke away licking his lips in satisfaction. "Mmmm…you taste good senpai."

Rukia blushed and stomped on his foot.

"Ow!" He yelped in shock.

Rukia just huffed and returned her attention to cooking. "B-Baka! You're distracting me."

"I don't mind." He playfully responded.

Rukia just gave him an incredulous look. "But I do! It's hard enough not to burn anything when I'm not distracted."

Kishin took note that nothing was burnt and was greatly impressed. "You're right...nothing is actually burnt...how?"

A thick vein popped off on her forehead as she pointed the spoon in her hands at him. "Hmpf! I've practiced!" A smile soon formed on her lips as she gave him a proud triumphant look. "Since I'm going to be here for the next 6 months I figured I should do at least this much…do you not like it?"

Kishin immediately shook his head and hugged her from behind. "No...I love it."

MISC.

Alright, so Kishin's gearing up to face Aizen. Next chapter Kishin and Ichigo will meet. I wonder how that meeting will go...will Kishin be able to prevent Aizen from taking Hinamori. What exactly is the power of Kishin's Kido Spell that'll help him counter Kyoka Suigetsu? Does Kishin have any other Kido Spells in the 100's that he's created? What is the true nature of Kido Spells in the 100's? Will Rukia really be safe the rest of the arc now that she's returned? Hmmm...a little bit of answers, many more questions to be answered.

Well, next chapter should be quite interesting to see. How will Ichigo react to seeing Kishin...