A/n: Because I think that even evil overlords have some form of entertainment.

Disclaimer: One day I will be a big selling author but for now….no such luck.

The Game of Kings

Aizen loved chess. His favorite pieces were his pawns. They were expendable, reliable, and predictable in their movements and they always stayed alive until the very end. In time to win.

Often he would play with Gin, Tousen or the more civilized of his espada. It was a game of wit that he felt kept him sharp and ready to stayhis allotted three steps ahead of the shinigami.

He always won.

Tousen was surprisingly good at the game; he had amazing moves and strategic talent.

But Aizen was always better.

Gin had little patience for the game but was better than Tousen, he was an offensive player than waged mind games. He didn't like the game but every once in a while he would entertain his master.

And still Aizen would always win.

Barragan was also good, but he was too proud and didn't lose gracefully. This annoyed him, because his subordinate had come thinking he would be the victor.

Aizen crushed him soundly, teaching him his place.

Helibel was his favorite opponent; she was cold quiet and analytical. She was smart, always a step or two ahead. When she played she had the cool detachment of a militia strategist. The only movement she'd make was a shift of her eyeslids as she blinked and the twitch of her hand to move her pieces. She was as much a statue, as much a beautiful wood carving as the pieces she moved with a stroke like gesture of long, dark fingers.

He'd never managed to win against her. It was always a tie.

He had finally found an equal.

Eventually he came to wonder what else her mindful intelligence extended to.

And a relationship was born.

Slowly their little games of chess extended into talks that lasted hours. He would talk and she would listen and every once in a while she would offer input.

They sipped jasmine tea and played their game; they spoke of their peers, their subordinates, the war, shinigami.

They never liked each other.

Their strange afternoon relationship of castles, knights and tea turned to talks born of interest in the enigma and the anomaly that was the other. It was a curiosity, an inquiry they were both willing to make.

"Check mate."

That was until he knew he was better and mourned their overly civil rivalry.

Because he was not a coward, because he missed the fight, and because he did not fear an equal.

Because he had somehow come to enjoy having a peer, a battle he actually had to fight. Because he enjoyed the challenge.

And he found that the game of kings no longer held any appeal for him.

So the afternoon games of chess, tea and talk became a think of the past.

Until she challenged him to a rematch and won.

[It used to be that his favorite pieces had been the pawns, that had changed.

It was now the queen.

And so the king had finally fallen, Aizen had lost.]

A/N: Review, you know you loved it!