Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach

Prologue

Sosuke Aizen stared at the flames in satisfaction as he sat atop his war horse. The whole Karakura Palace was engulfed in it. Giant billowing clouds of smoke rose up to blend into the cold, night sky as life after life within the castle was destroyed. By the time the sun rose, there would be nothing left for the rebels to find. Without the Inoue Clan and their realm to protect them, the Fifth Column was as good as destroyed. It was another kingdom that would be annexed into Hueco Mundo.

"What are your orders, Sir?" the senior captain, Kaname Tosen, asked with a solute. Though the man was blind, his militant history was very impressive. Aizen knew from personal experience that aside from strategies and his ability to command troops, Tosen was also exceptionally skilled with his sword.

"Withdraw the archers and create a perimeter around the castle," Aizen began. It wouldn't do if any of the local populace learned that he had orchestrated the fire. It would only create more sympathizers for the rebellion to recruit.

"Keep the townsfolk away."

Nodding Tosen saluted and turned to issue orders.

"Oh and captain if you happen to find any survivors," Aizen gestured towards the castle.

"kill them immediately."

Smirking to himself, Aizen watched the dark skinned man retreat. If everything went his way, the Inoue clan would become martyrs for his cause. Soon the people would turn on the Fifth Column and the very people the Inoues had secretly supported and fought to protect would be eliminated. Aizen found it deliciously ironic.

"Lord Aizen," a new voice called. Frowning, the King of Hueco Mundo turned and raised an eyebrow when his most trusted advisor, Gin Ichimaru, threw one of Aizen's head generals unceremoniously at his feet.

"Gin, what is the meaning of this?" Aizen asked, studying his general - Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez's swollen eye and bloodied lip. The chains about his wrists were exceptionally thick, but due to the man's impressive physique, they were necessary to prevent his escape. The once tall and proud man was covered in blood and ash and Aizen noted that his uniform was torn in places. There was something very wrong with what he was seeing. Grimmjow was suppose to remain behind and protect Los Noches along with Stark and Rureaux.

Turning his gaze sharply back to Gin, Aizen's frown deepened. Aside from himself, there were only two other people who could have authorized the general's participation.

"I wasn't aware that you and Tosen had planned to bring Grimmjow on this campaign," he started in a dangerous tone. Without his expressed permission, such things could be considered treason.

Smiling innocently, Gin waved his hands in a silly gestured.

"Oh no, no. You see we didn't plan to bring him. I guess someone just wanted to take the initiative. We caught him in the castle trying to lead a group of rebels out, " the pale, grinning man explained. Gin's smile was so large that his eyes were obscured behind a constant squint. Aizen valued the man for his personal genius and sly maneuvers in and off the battlefield. He was a snake.

Cocking his head slightly, Aizen turned back to look down at his general.

"How interesting. Do you have anything to say in your defense Grimmjow?"

The general in question began to breath heavier as he stared hatefully up at Gin before turning his icy blue eyes on the King of Hueco Mundo. There was something terribly destructive behind that gaze. Aizen mused at the waste of potential and talent.

"Long live the Fifth Column," he spat before Gin suddenly withdrew his own blade and pressed it into Grimmjow's neck.

"You really should learn to be silent," the man smiled wickedly. Aizen waved him off.

"Take him back to the barracks for now. Keep him under guard," he began. Gin's smile faltered slightly.

"I didn't realize you were so fond of mercy." Gin's words were clearly a question and Aizen had to silently agree. He couldn't remember the last time that he had pardoned anyone. It simply wasn't in his nature...

"Once we return to Los Noches have him marked and sent to the dungeons until he can be properly dealt with." At his words, the general began to curse and struggle again, so much so that Gin had to summon two additional soldiers to subdue him as he was dragged off. Grimmjow was very powerful.

He had too much potential and talent to waste.

"Lord Aizen!" a new voice cried. It was desperate and shrilly but the feminine ring in it was what caught Aizen's attention. Startling his horse, the beast turned slightly just as a young woman threw herself down at the king's feet. Behind her, Captain Tosen and another soldier followed at an urgent run.

Aizen noted her brown hair and how the light from the fire caused it to burn red. She was a young thing with a somewhat curvaceous frame, from what he could see as she prostrated before him. He thought she seemed vaguely familiar to him.

"Lord Aizen, Uncle, please help! My family is trapped inside!" the girl begged as she rose to her knees. she couldn't have been more than sixteen. Her pink dress was stained with cinders and her cheeks marred with dirt, but despite the filth she was decidedly pretty. It was only when Aizen saw her grey eyes that he recognized her as his oldest brother's great granddaughter, Orihime Inoue.

So, one of the royals had escaped. Aizen's grip on the reign of his horse tightened as he fought to reign in his temper. He could not properly inherit the Inoue Kingdom if one of the royals survived. Kaname would need to be reprimanded for letting one escape. The blind captain in question was slowly sneaking up behind the princess as the girl continued to beg Aizen for assistance.

"Please, my brother was right behind me. I just saw him. Send some of your soldiers in to rescue him. I think the castle is under attack," Orihime explained urgently as she hurriedly rose to her feet. Tears flooded her eyes and in a moment of amusement, Aizen felt the tension leave him. She was very pretty when she cried. Her grief made her beautiful.

Smiling down to her, Aizen forced his eyes to soften.

"Of course my dear. We're here to help," he told her gently. Orihime visibly brightened at his words and smiled through her tears. Aizen watched in amusement as the princess's expression froze when Kaname struck her over the head with the blunt side of his blade. Dispassionately, the King of Hueco Mundo watched as the princess collapsed into the grass.

"Take her to the medical tent and have her cleaned up. Keep her sedated until after we reach Los Noches," he told Kaname sharply with a cold gleam in his eye.

Perhaps she too would be of some use to him.