Disclaimer: Not mine.

Official Sequel to Cold November Rain

Fiction Title: Twilight Fading

Pairing: Yoruichi/Ichigo

Chapter: 5-Fake Out

Rating: T

Summary: It has been ten whole years since Ichigo had last seen her. When she suddenly returns, things are not what they seem to be. Their child is no where to be found, Kukaku is still MIA and Aizen has returned. With an army of Vizards known as the Espada, Aizen's plans are to destroy Soul Society and take over both realms. His vision, to bring together ten Vasto Lordes. Just how does Yoruichi fit into this? And what sort of surprises await Ichigo and his friends.

Authors Note's: I haven't seen/read Bleach in years, so from here on out, we're winging it. If you have a problem with that, then don't read any further.

My apologies that I have not updated in so long. Inspiration just isn't with me anymore.

I'm well aware this is a short update. I was merely testing the waters from having not written Bleach in so long. The next update will be much larger, as it doesn't involve the tedious inclusion of several characters, and focuses mainly on Yoruichi's fate in the Gotei, as well as her relationship with Ichigo, and where they now stand.

Starrk's cold gray eyes surveyed the newly transformed false Espada. His interest sparked by the unnatural spiritual pressure the shunshin exerted, seemingly at different intervals. Unable to get an exact read on the out put of power she could manage, he began the fight without hesitation. The sharp blue cero erupted from the center of his chest, it's speed rivaling a flash step.

He wasn't expecting the blow to make contact.

Yoruichi was quick to deflect the blast, just as he had thought. As she thrust up her weapon, the blade absorbed the power, sucking it in. She watched as his eyes narrowed in curiosity, the fact that she had made him question his abilities for even a second amused her, but she wasn't going to give in to arrogance at a time like this. Starrk was among Aizen's best men. He was powerful - defeating him, even in her current form, was not an assurance.

There was always the chance for a surprise, and to underestimate a man of his rank and stature, well that would just be stupid.

The metal blade clinked as she drew it upwards, red oculars narrowing catlike. Just as she began to thrust the weapon down, she disappeared.

Ichigo felt the sweat fall down the back of his neck, disappearing into his shinigami robes. Where had she gone?

Even Starrk registered momentary shock, and then the anxiety set in. His body turned, Yoruichi's form directly behind his own. She loosed the power she had captured with her blade, following through with the swing.

The blue cero tore through Starrk's left arm, ripping the limb from the body and spilling the blood upon the ground. With a hiss, he moved away, clutching the rapidly bleeding stump, face contorted. He had miscalculated. Frankly, so had she.

"Should I give you time to regenerate, or do you want to call for Lilynette? I'm sure she's around here somewhere." Making a show to inspect the surrounding area, Yoruichi tipped her head from side to side. This fight was over, and they both knew it.

He had not come here to destroy them. He had come to fetch Aizen his answers. Yoruichi was not on their side, and she had just broken their ten year long alliance. The treaty between Soul Society and Las Noches was now null. The reality of this would set in later, of course, her entire reason for abandoning Ichigo was now for nothing.

Expelling a breath, the armor she donned cracked, and began to evaporate. Her golden irises returned, hair falling down her back as her clothes went from black armor to white cloth. In a single step she stood beside Ichigo. The strawberry haired shinigami blinked as he straightened, but his hold on his bankai remained. What was she thinking? He couldn't wrap his head around it.

Around just how much she had changed, while still retaining the qualities he loved most.

"Aizen will kill you, in time." Starrk commented. Without further exchange, the dimensions ripped to form a portal beside his figure, and he casually stepped through, disappearing from sight.

As the silence filled the air, and the wind turned up the rubble from the short fight, Ichigo finally relaxed his posture. His eyes shifted to Yoruichi as her voice spilled out and into the stale atmosphere.

"I believe I owe you more than just a simplified explanation, Ichigo."

She wasn't looking at him, but he read her nervousness, her sorrow, and shared them both. Stepping forward, he returned to his normal state, hands lifting and fingers curling around her upper arms. Leaning his head into her violet hair, his eyes fell shut.

To his dismay, she didn't lean into his touch, into his embrace. She remained motionless, letting the wind catch their clothes, seeking solace in the fleeting caress.

Why…?

Why was she rejecting him?

Despite himself, his digits tightened, biting into her flesh. Still, she did not yell. She did not blink. She did nothing. What was going through that mysterious mind of hers? What sort of plans did she have? Would she give him the explanation he deserved, or one fabricated to cover the truth?

Most importantly, would it be enough?

Scowling, Ichigo let go of her form, preparing to question her disquiet when the shunshin pivoted, catching him off guard with her distraught gaze. The depth there took his breath, he just didn't understand the secrets she hid, nor the figurative chasm that had opened between them, separating them and their hearts.

"ICHIGO!" Urahara's voice rang out. He ran towards them, a hand a top his head to hold on his striped hat. Behind him, Sui-feng and Ukitake approached. "Are you two alright?" the concerned male questioned, his eyes only briefly meeting Yoruichi's.

And to think, they had been such good friends…

Kisuke...

"Just what do you think you're still doing here, you traitor!" Sui-feng shouted, fists clenched. Yoruichi hadn't even considered the young woman's ire until now. This would make the second time she had abandoned her former partner. Ukitake remained quiet, his eyes closed and head bowed.

"Yeah, we're fine." Ichigo answered for them, turning towards the threesome. "How about everyone else? I felt some crazy spiritual pressures spiking in the first district."

"We have many casualties," Ukitake spoke up, looking off towards Soul Society, and the walls that divided the Gotei. "Toshiro is currently being treated at the fourth, his injuries are severe, but he managed to subdue one of the Espada. His lieutenant is in similar shape; they're both unconscious. Renji and Rukia are also being treated for minor injuries, Byakuya almost lost his head. The other squads managed to avoid any encounters, which is odd considering the attacks. They were almost too random, sloppy even."

"He was just testing you." Yoruichi began, "He wants you to know how powerful his minions are, that was the purpose of this fight. Ichigo and I were held up with a total of three, one fled. I'm assuming that's the one Hitsugaya faced." She thought she had felt Tier's spiritual pressure fluctuate after it had disappeared from the field. "We have forty eight hours until he strikes again."

"You seem to know the inner workings well," Sui-feng snarled, crossing her arms.

Yoruichi gave the woman a subdued smile. "Which makes me a valuable asset to you and the thirteen."

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