"The Execution"

Sorry for the very long wait. I've deleted and redone this chapter a few times to try and write this. Please enjoy and review!

(Ken's point of view...)

"What incrediable spiritual pressure! It just keeps getting heavier and stronger the closer we get to the top." Ganju said as we ran up the steps.

I was able to sense Ichigo was fighting Byakuya Kuchiki and the battle was quite fierce.

After that night when Byakuya stole away Daisuke, I would never be able to forget that man's face or what his energy felt like.

"What do you think, Uryu? Is it Ichigo's pressure?" Ganju asked my cousin.

"I think it is, but I can't tell for sure." Uryu told him.

"If it is, we'll know in a second." Chad panted.

Soon enough, we all arrived tot he top of the hill and were met with a forest where we were able to fell the two clashing energies lashing out in waves in front of us.

"We're at the top." Chad said.

We all stared at the bare trees in front of us which blocked our path and stopped us from moving any further.

"Damn. A dead end." Ganju said as he stared at the trees.

"We can't see a thing from here." Uryu said.

"This is bad. How are we going to get to Ichigo now?" I questioned as I peered further into the forest.

"I can still sense Ichigo. No matter how much his spiritual pressure may have changed, there's no mistaking the scent of it. This can't be anyone but Ichigo. I just know it." Orihime declared.

I stared at the girl beside me, watching the look on her face as her grey eyes focussed on the forest in front of us where we could feel Ichigo fighting.

With the way Orihime constantly speaks about the Soul Reaper, I can't help but feel like she may be in love with Ichigo.

"That's strange. I don't sense Rukia at all. I sure hope that doesn't mean that she's already been executed." Chad spoke up making Uryu look at him.

"Well, that's because she already escaped." A familiar voice spoke up.

Stunned, we all stared up into the tree in front of us and found a certain pink demon sitting on a branch.

"Ah, Yachiru!" Orihime gasped.

"Lieutenet! You're back!" Maki said.

"Hi guys! Hi, Maki Maki!" Yachiru greeted us all.

"How lovely. My old nickname." Maki muttered.

What on earth is this man still doing here?

"What do you mean? If Ichigo was able to help Rukia escape, why would he still be figthing?" Chad asked.

"I think he's fighting someone powerful. Just freeing her is not enough if you know the enemy is going to come after her. Ichigo knows that in order to truely save Rukia, he has to thoroughly defeat his enemy. He has to make them completely give up on the idea of executing her. That's why Ichigo is still fighting. He's putting everything on the line with this one battle." Uryu explained.

All of us remained silent as we listened to Uryu speak and I couldn't help but feel a great amount of respect towards my DNA partner's cousin.

It was obvious that Tai wasn't the one Daisuke had gained her desire to never quit from; it was Ichigo.

"What the hell? What is wrong with you people anyway?" Maki spoke up.

Turning to him, we saw that the man was staring at us as if we were all insane.

"Why should Rukia's fate mean anything to you? You hardly even know her and yet you're risking your lives to save her!" Maki exclaimed.

This man never ceases to anger me with every word that comes fourth from his mouth.

"Rukia is our friend. Why wouldn't we save her?" Uryu shot back.

"In fact, she's more than just a friend. Rukia's import to us because she's important to Ichigo and Daisuke." Orihime said.

Those words stunned me because she was right.

Even though I had slowly started to become friends with Rukia, the reason why I wanted to save her was because the woman was important to Daisuke.

The two had somehow bonded with each other, I could tell from watching the way they stood together.

But as for Ichigo and Rukia; their bond was just like the one between the Digidestineds and their DNA partners.

"Orihime, what?" Uryu asked softly.

"Think about it. It's Rukia who changed everything. Rukia has changed ichigo's life." Orihime said.

"And in doing so, it changed all of ours as well. That's what makes her special to all of us. So, if you have a problem with it, then shut up and get the hell out of here." I said as I turned to glare at Maki.

He became silent after that much to my great relief.

Just then, a sudden blast of spiritual energy sruged towards us making everyone cry out at the dangerous force.

Yachiru cried out as she fell out of the tree, startled from the white light that shone around us.

Worried and forgetting that she was much older and stronger than I am, I quickly rushed forward and caught the little girl in a princess carry.

"Thanks, Plum!" She chirped up at me before jumping out of my arms.

"You're welcome." I told her.

Another dangerous blast flashed in front of us and it made me feel a bit worried.

"Where did that spiritual pressure come from?" Chad asked.

"It must be Ichigo and the Captain he's fighting." I spoke up.

"I think that we should move a little farther awa, Orihime. There isn't very much we can do here." Uryu told the girl.

"I appreciate that, Uryu, but I'll stay. I want to be close to Ichigo." Orihime smiled softly.

She knew that with her limited power that she wouldn't be able to help Ichigo against Byakuya, she would only get in the way and that thought hurt her.

The only thing she could do was stand back where she could silently pray for his safety and well being.

(Daisuke's point of view...)

My teeth were clenched so hard that I was sure that my gums were going to bleed sooner or later.

Fights had broken out all over the Sereitei and spirit energies were clashing all around the place and it was giving me a massive migraine.

And then, I felt a rush of new energy that had me stunned and whipped around to stare at where the hill was located.

Toshiro was staring over at the Sokyoku hill as well as the blue glow shone for miles.

"The execution! Come on, let's go." Toshiro commanded to me and his lieutenant.

"Yes, sir." Rangiku said as she followed him and then I followed as well as I tried to calm down my raging headache.

As we walked off, I could have sworn I felt someone spying on us and as I turned to see who it was, I found no one there which confused me.

"Hey, Daisuke, are you all right?" Rangiku called making me look over at her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said as I started walking after her and Toshiro.

Hopefully we'll be able to figure out just what is going on with this entire mess before anyone gets killed.

As we started running, I sensed chaos erupt all over the Sereitei and tried to force back the multitude of energies that seemed to be trying to suffocate me.

The Sokyoku had been destroyed, Ichigo and Byakuya were now battling, Jushiro and Shunsui were fighting against Yamamoto and various others were turning against each other.

Thankfully, Renji was running away with Rukia to safety while Ken, Uryu, Orihime, Chad and Gangu were somewhere safe.

Just then, an explosion was seen from Sokyoku hill from where me, Rangiku and Toshiro were running and the strawberry blonde glanced over at the hill curiously.

"Is that the Ryoka?" Rangiku asked.

"Considering the location and the intensity of the spiritual pressure, who else could it be?" Toshiro quipped.

"This place has gone to hell." I commented.

"It's gotten to the point where the only way to take control of the situation is by making a direct appeal to our superiors." Toshiro said.

"If that's your plan. Do you mean to tell them about the incident with Captain Aizen as well?" Rangiku asked.

"Yes, only I intend to tell them what really happened. Let's hurry. Keep up, Motomiya." Toshiro turned back at me.

"Shut up and move!" I snapped as my eyes narrowed and I flash stepped up onto the roof tops and took off towards the central.

"Ugh, that girl..." Toshiro muttered as he and Rangiku jumped after me.

All these energies lashing around is not only making my head hurt, but it's pissing me off too.

Why is everyone fighting and acting like a bunch of idiotic children?

Just then, my mental tirade was stopped when a familiar energy shot through me at an increasing amount.

Toshiro and Rangiku both tensed up beside me as they sensed it as well as an explosion of power was released on the hill.

"Ichigo..." I whispered.

He had just reached Bankai.

"Damn, that guy doesn't like to waste time does he?" Kiseki commented.

You better kick that psycho bastard's ass, Ichigo.

He needs some serious sense pounded into his head and if I can't do it, then you better be able to with your new power.

Finally, we arrived at the front gates of central 46 and stood in front of them.

"There should be someone guarding the front gate, but I don't see anyone." Rangiku said as she glanced around.

"Yeah, it's odd." Toshiro agreed.

"When was the last time anyone came here?" I asked suspiciously.

Something was very wrong here.

"I'm not sure." Toshiro answered as he reached out and easily pushed the door open which surprised us all.

The doors swung open to reveal the large pond in the center of the yard and a bridge was built in the center that led to the building that was short and round shaped.

"No guards and the door's unlocked. I've got a really bad feeling about this." I said as I stepped through the gates.

The three of us made our way across the bridge and Toshiro held his hand up over the door.

"The place is deserted." Rangiku commented when we couldn't sense anyone.

"Someone's here because it's locked from the inside." Toshiro informed.

He gave me and Rangiku a look and the tall woman stepped back obediently and I reluctantly stepped back as well, curious to see what would happen.

"You must open this door immediately! This is a matter of utmost importance! My name is Captain Hitsugaya of squad 10!" he called.

Blades then appeared as they shot out of the wall and barricaded the door, blocking it from Toshiro, Rangiku and I to keep us out.

"What the hell is this?" I asked in disbelief.

"Someone's activated the emergency defense lock." Rangiku stated.

"Yes, it gets stranger every minute. I wonder what's going on." Toshiro held his chin in thought.

"Any ideas now, Frosty?" I crossed my arms with an annoyed frown on my face.

The white haired male twitched as he turned to glare at me and I simply grinned smugly at him.

"What did you just call me?" he muttered.

"Frosty. You know, because Hyourinmaru is an ice dragon. Get it?" I asked.

Rangiku held a dainty hand over her mouth to hold in her giggles as Toshiro twitched in anger at the nickname I had bestowed him.

"Annoying little vixen..." He grumbled under his breath.

"You're being feisty." Rangiku smiled.

"Well, sorry, but all this fighting is driving me crazy. It feels like everyone is releasing their spirit energies all over the place. I'm gonna need some strong pain killers for the migraine I'm getting." I sighed.

"I guess being a sensor isn't as glamorous as you'd think it to be." Rangiku commented with a comforting smile.

"Nope. Can we find a way in, please? I want to figure out what the hell is going on here and if we have to break the doors down to do it, then allow me to oblige." I narrowed my eyes.

The tenth squad captain sighed as he released the tension he felt from the annoyance I had given him and from the strange situation we were facing.

"Unfortunately, you're right. But do you really think your zanpaktou can cut through the doors?" He asked me.

"Well, we're soon gonna find out." I said as I pulled Kiseki from my sheath.

"But Captain, she can't!" Rangiku protested.

"We don't have much of a choice. There are no other access points that I am aware of, so we have no other choice but to break through the front gate." Toshiro reasoned.

Toshiro and Rangiku stood away from me as I pushed a bit of spirit energy into my blade and it glowed pink.

Swinging my sword down, I watched as Kiseki slashed through the blades and cracks appeared in the door as it broke apart.

"Captain, you just allowed Daisuke to break through the sealed door of Central 46! Are you insane?!" Rangiku gasped.

I guess she didn't think I'd actually be able to do it.

Never underestimate a teenage girl who is severly pissed off.

"And the alarm hasn't gone off. Breaking down the door should surely have activated the alarm, but it didn't. And where are the guards who are always posted here? Something is wrong. Someone must have killed them and then dragged their corpses away. And then once they got inside, they must have resealed the door and deactivated the alarm behind them." Toshiro explained.

"Obviously they meant to keep things quiet." Rangiku said.

"Yeah, but for how long? When was this done and how did no one notice that something strange was going on? Something fishy is going on here and I don't like it." I stated with a glare.

"Come on, let's go." Toshiro said as he walked inside.

Rangiku walked in afterwards and then I followed after the woman, glancing around curiously when I felt the clashing spiritual energies being muted by the building.

It was a great relief to my growing migraine now that my sensory powers had been dulled by the building and I could relax now that I don't have to feel everyone fighting for their lives.

(Ken's point of view...)

Something strange was going on with Ichigo's spirit energy.

One second it felt like his power was going down, and then suddenly it shot up at an icreasing amount and it felt dark; tainted.

The feeling frightened me and it made Kaiser try to break through, but I bit down hard on my tongue to concentrate on keeping him down and filled my mind with thoughts of Daisuke, Sam, Wormmon, and V-Mon.

When the fight between Ichigo and Byakuya was over, we all rushed off to meet with our wounded friend when we suddenly heard him scream.

We arrived in time to find him alone and he was about to fall, but Orihime rushed forward to catch him, only for the orangette to land painfully on her head and he fell to the ground in surprise.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ichigo!" Orihime laughed loudly and nervously.

"Oh, my head!" Ichigo mumbled as he held his head in pain.

"I didn't mean to sneak up on you like that and I'm sorry I have such a hard head! I was just trying to catch you!" Orihime said.

"Orihime? Uryu, Chad, Gangu, Ken. It's good to see you all. I'm glad you're okay." Ichigo smiled as he rolled onto his back.

"We're not exactly okay, but then again, compared to you, I guess we really shouldn't be complaining." Uryu said as he fixed his glasses.

"Orihime, are you injured?" Ichigo looked at the girl who was kneeling in front of him.

"Huh? Yes. I mean, oh no, I'm not hurt at all! I'm totally fine. I wasn't of any use to anyone, so I didn't get involved at all actually!Uryu and Ken protected me. Mr. Kenpachi gave me a piggyback! I wasn't hurt at all! I was never really in any danger, though it's nice of you to ask." Orihime assured.

Her arms were moving around as she spoke and she had a forced smile on her face as she explained this to the male who was covered in wounds and blood.

"But, mostly I was just worried about you the whole time we were separated, Ichigo. I'm so sorry that I couldn't do anything to protect you. I'm just so glad that you're alright. Thank you for surviving. Thank you for everything you did." Orihime said as she tried to fight back her tears.

The way Orihime was talking, it reminded me far to much of how I feel every time I watch Daisuke go into battle.

I always feel so useless and weak when I watch Daisuke throw herself into danger, and I hate having to just stand back and pray for her to come back to me safely.

In a way, Orihime and I have something in common.

We both have a special person in our lives who we can't protect, but want to desperately be there for no matter what.

"Thank you, Orihime." Ichigo said.

Glancing back over to us, he then frowned.

"Where's Daisuke?" He asked seriously.

Everyone became silent as they avoided eye contact with the teenager who then groaned in pain as he tried to sit up.

"Where is she? Answer me!" Ichigo demanded as his eyes flashed yellow for a second.

Sighing, I looked the orangette in the eye and felt sympathy for the despaired look that was shining in Ichigo's eyes as he stared up at me.

"We don't know." I answered.

It was a good thing that he is already injured or else we would all suffer greatly for not knowing the location of his cousin.

But still, it was a question that all of us were wondering.

Where was Daisuke?

(Daisuke's point of view...)

Running forward down into the building, Toshiro led Rangiku and I down a hallway that would lead to what I assumed to be the room where the members of central 46 were.

Seconds later, we entered the conference room at last and froze at the horrible sight that was alid out before us.

"No way! What is this? What happened here?" Toshiro questioned.

To be continued...