I am very sorry, School got a hold of me and wouldn't let go. But now I am proud to present Closure. Identity's final chapter. This thing is monster, 17 pages, over 9,500 words. Consider it my apology for neglecting you for two months. This is my first completed story, out side of my oneshot.

Ayleia

Hirako Shinji and Sarugaki Hiyori are the luckiest vizard in the universe.

They have been together for over two hundred years, and presence of vizard powers or not they are indeed strong. In truth they knew each other in their lifetime, and were even childhood friends. They grew closer as they grew older and through the good times and the bad, they were always there for each other.

Born as neighbors in their lifetime, they played together as children. When they grew up Shinji and his brother joined the military and Hiyori took over her family business. The times that they would see each other were scarce, but they managed to maintain their slightly-more-that-friendship relationship. Eventually, due to unexpected circumstances, Shinji departed unwillingly to another land. Only, returning once, it was to his great shock that Hiyori and his brother abandoned everything to follow him.

He will owe them forever for that.

In the new place they made their home, the lived happily. Hiyori did her best to adapt her family business to this place. Shinji and his brother become scientists, blowing up beakers in the basement, much to Hiyori's distaste. (They built a lab in the backyard after Shinji nearly burned down the house for a third time.)

It is not long after, perhaps two years later that they died together. It was a complete accident. They had been walking home from the diner for a late dinner together, the three of them. An out-of-control car came around a sharp turn and struck them from behind. Shinji and Hiyori died instantly, yet Shinji's brother lived in intensive care for two weeks before succumbing to his injuries, resulting in separation of the three of them.

In Soul Society Hiyori and Shinji woke up next to each other, and although they had been sent to the 34th district, they were found by a passing shinigami and sent to soul society within the week. They excelled in the shinigami academy, Shinji more than Hiyori thanks to the training of their lifetimes. They finished the academy in six years, all the while looking for Shinji's brother.

Shinji chose fifth division to enter, and was promoted to captain over a manner of fifty years. Entering twelfth, Hiyori hoped to work again with the skills of her lifetime and her family business, and she worked her way up to lieutenant a little after Shinji attained captainship.

Twenty years later Shinji stepped in front of Hiyori to protect her from Kensei. It was over, they knew. There would be no further way to search for Shinji's brother. Years later, they once again stood with the shinigami, now fighting against the monster tat had turned them into vizard into the first place.

Perhaps they had a chance of finding him again.

Hiyori scowled, her bright bronze eyes narrowed in distaste. Damn! This was not supposed to happen. Why the hell did the king show up? She glanced at the other vizards that were standing on the sand dune with her, having pulled back with the appearance of the king. They were only a couple hundred feet away but could still see everything that was happening.

Glancing around at the other vizard and taking in Lisa's confused and oddly fearful face and Kensei's intense focus, Hiyori was disrupted from her observing by two quick shunpou to her left. Glancing that way she saw the suddenly appeared Urahara-taichou and Shihouin-taichou muttering softly to Shinji with worried looks on their faces. Scoffing, Hiyori turned her attention back to the battlefield.

Hiyori returned her attention to the idiot shinigami and stupid arrencar just in time to see a small brown haired girl pull away from the pack of shinigami and approach the king's men. Hiyori's head cocked in a curious gesture and she called out to the others "Hey, this ain't good!"

The attention of the other vizard (and two exiled shinigami) was immediately diverted to the figure of the small girl as she walked past the others to approach the 21 figures on the field. For a moment her face turned to they could see it and. Rose spoke, "Fifth Lieutenant, Hinamori Momo... what are you doing?" Urahara flinched and his reiatsu honed, his eyes narrowing.

They watched intently as the girl tentatively approached the far left side of the 21 line. She paused for a moment before her hand reached out to grasp the loose sleeve of a brown haired boy she spoke but they could not hear what was said from such a great distance, but evidently she did not received what she was looking for because her remaining hand slowly reached out to attach itself to the sleeve of a tall black haired man standing next to the boy.

Urahara's reiatsu flared and Hiyori spun to see his face contort into a mask of realization and hope but immediately crumple into one of despair afterwards. Her eyes narrowing, Hiyori started to ask what was wrong but was interrupted by a furious snarl ripping itself from the throat of her former taichou and a quick shunpou mixed with the booming laugh of the king.

Hiyori spun back to the scene that her former captain had gone to intervene in, quickly taking in the scene. She winced as the Hinamori cried out when the brown haired boy pulled his sword out of her side and raised it above her head to give the killing blow. As the sword swung it downwards its path was interrupted with a metallic clang as Benihime blocked the slash meant for the smaller fukutaichou. With almost inhuman strength Urahara-taichou pushed the boy back before grasping the fifth division officer around the waist and shunpouing back to his spot next to Shihouin-taichou.

All was silent for a moment as the stationary shinigami and arrencar froze in disbelief, but up on the hill Hiyori watched with confusion as Hinamori lifted her head up to gaze with confusion at Urahara-taichou her eyes narrowed and a bloody hand came up to trace the air above his face, her mouth suddenly dropped open and a slightly hopeful whisper dropped out, "...Fai?"
Her eyes began to water "Is it really you?" her raised hand suddenly clutching to his shoulder desperately.

Hiyori could visibly see her captains face shatter in relief and his grip on her tighten, the smaller girl getting pulled tight to the former captain of the twelfths chest. "Yes, Sakura-chan." his grip tightened as if she would slip through his fingers at any moment. "Forgive me" he murmured into her hair, "For not retrieving you sooner. I did... I thought... I had believed that you were this world's Sakura, and not the girl I once knew."

Sakura wasn't listening, too busy focusing on the feeling of Fai's reiatsu and storing it in her memory as 'beloved person'. At his words her head came up her brow cocked on confusion, "What are you talking about, Fai? You saved me before... Syaoran, could cut me anymore then a shallow cut." stumbling over the name she looked towards him in innocent confusion.

To Hiyori's surprise Urahara-taichou's face softened and the first genuine smile that she had ever seen appeared on his face. He leaned downwards and whispered a few things Hiyori couldn't hear in Hinamori's ear. In response, the girl nodded and smiled. Urahara gently placed her on the ground, her arms wrapped around his elbow and that same arm wrapped around Hinamori's waist, to keep her from falling. Then he turned to face the Vizard, his face grim. Taking a deep breath, he began to speak. "That shouldn't have happened. Hinamori-san, no, Sakura-chan shouldn't have been hurt by Syaoran-kun."

Shihouin-taichou's brow furrowed, "What are you talking about Kisuke?" her hands went to her hips and her tone took on a dangerous edge. "You'd better not be keeping things from me again. You know how well that turned out the last time."

Distracted from his statement and a bitter smile springing to his lips, Urahara-taichou locked eyes with his longtime friend and once-captain, "Yoruichi, you don't even know my name." His tone was laced with pain and regret, "I never wanted you to know my past, but this… this necessitates it. Hate me all you want, but I never meant to hurt you, believe me. For so long you have been such a good friend, I was afraid you would regret helping me that night, and never forgive me."

Her face going blank at this statement, Shihouin-taichou's eyes lowered to the ground. "You are my friend Kisuke – no…"

Urahara-taichou's voice was low and apprehension was visible in his tensed shoulders, "Fai. My name is Fai de Fluorite."

"Fai," Shihouin-taichou continued, "No matter what you've kept from me, you are still my friend. I could never let you be stripped of your powers and banished. But –" She blurred and there was a loud smack, and a second later Hiyori watched with no small amount of glee as Urahara-taichou, no, Fluorite-taichou was knocked off of Hinamori and fell backwards from the force of the slap dealt to him by the furious former captain of the second division. Reappearing again, her tone again laced with fury, "– But, after this you and I are going to sit down and have a nice long talk about your penchant for secrets, got it?" She snapped, Shihouin-taichou took a small step forward, and she reached out her hand to Urahara who took it and stood up, a small smile on his face. Nodding in assent he made his way back to Hinamori, who took the proffered elbow again.

Shinji sighed, "Not that this isn't important but the king is still here, now, Kis– Fai, what were you saying about something not supposed to have happened?" Hiyori rolled her eyes, the idiots.

"Ah!" Fluorite-taichou exclaimed, "yes, Syaoran-kun. There is no way that Syaoran-kun would hurt Sakura-chan of his own free will!" he exclaimed brightly, "Even if he attempted to, Kuro-pyon would have stopped him." He glanced at the black haired man standing next to the brown haired boy with a look in his eye that Hiyori couldn't identity "nor would either of them wear such a gaudy, shiny, green pendant that matches the king's jewel."

All eyes snapped to the king's pendant which was still being held in his hand, visible power swirling around it.

"So" Shinji clarified, "The king is controlling the people."

Urahara nodded gravely, but then his eyes snapped to something behind Mashiro's head and he paled.

Her mouth opening in disbelief Hiyori prepared to utterly smash Shinji and Urahara's statements as preposterous when a firestorm of reiatsu shot up into the sky. Whirling, the blonde vizard glanced for the source and her eyes met the sight of a livid, glowing, eighth division fukutaichou.

Power was streaming out of her tainting the air around her a heady purple, and it wasn't even normal shinigami, vizard, arrencar, or hollow reiatsu she was emitting but a completely different type in a completely different class, it seemed almost – pure.

"Oh Kami, no." was whispered behind her and confused, Hiyori glanced over at Lisa who had turned a shade of white that she had never before seen on the older woman. Then noticing something else, Hiyori's eyes narrowed; the power that was emanating from the fukutaichou was being slightly mirrored by Lisa. In the vizard the power was trickling out, but by the way that Lisa's palms were bleeding from the damage her clenched fists were causing, she guessed that her sempai had no control over the release.

Aggravated at the invisible threat, Kensei took a step towards his sometimes-lover. His hands gripped Lisa's to keep her from damaging her soon-to-be-necessary sword wielding hands. He looked her straight in the eye and murmured in a tone not usually heard from the sober former captain of the ninth division, "Lisa, Calm down. What's wrong?"

Her usually brown eyes flickered between purple and blue as they locked onto Kensei's amber pair like a lifeline. "She's going to kill Him for the wound He has caused her." Her voice was oddly echoed by another, younger and fiercer. "He hid Them from her and is controlling Them now, refusing Them Their free will and forcing Them to fight; she will kill him for it. She is furious. He has always been the only one able to keep her in ultimate check but even He will not stop her now. She is going to kill Him."

Kensei looked over his shoulder at a knowing Urahara and a confused Shinji, worried at his nakama's response. Steeling his shoulders he murmured an even quieter question "Who is going to die, Lisa, and who will kill him?"

Lisa's flickering eyes closed softly and her body shuddered in pain, "Kagome is going to kill the King."

"What?" Shinji breathed, "How… How would she know that they are being controlled? We only found out a few moments ago?"

Lisa's eyes had finally settled on an indigo shade, and her voice turned even more two toned. "She heard… no, I knew so she knew. We have a connection. It is an old one, and a small one, but we are connected nonetheless." One hand pressed to her chest. "It is nothing to be worried about though, it only occurs when we are in sight of each other and feel the same emotions, nothing could happen when we are in separate worlds." She looked up and her eyes met with each of the others. Then her eyes turned to Ise Nanao. Eyes closing once again, she drew her hands from Kensei's and shunpoued.

The other standing on the hill glanced around slightly panicked as they searched for her reiatsu, "There! Next to Ise!" Rose cried, and the ten moved. They had a duty to one another, to protect and stand by one another no matter what, as no one else cared. Shihouin-taichou reached Kyoraku and Ukitake first, just in time to see Lisa walk over to Nanao and lean over to whisper something in her ear. The current fukutaichou of eighth nodded, still encased in her purple power and her hands raised but whatever they were planning was interrupted by another bout of dark laughter from the king.

"Ah!" The King rumbled, his voice tainted with sinister mirth. "I understand now, so that is why I could not collect your soul, Higurashi, the one that I wanted above all" His eyes closed in pleasure, "A pet miko." Kyoraku and Ukitake bristled at the insinuation, "No, the pet miko. You Higurashi Kagome are stronger than any other miko in history." Leering, he glanced a Lisa again. "Pity you had pass on separately though, and damn that hag for bringing you back. In this case the reincarnation is much better then the original, eh, Kikyo."

"Reincarnation?" Kyoraku murmured glancing at his current and former fukutaichou, "Impossible, they are separate beings"

"No." Kagome murmured, "It is the truth. I am her reincarnation."

His eyes widening, Ukitake took a step forward, "But how is that possible! Reincarnations are of the same soul. It is impossible for two to be standing next to each other."

"I don't have a complete soul," Kagome responded her eyes still fixed on the king and those standing in front of him, "Around fifteen percent of it is in Kikyo."

Lisa nodded, confirming the statement, "I was brought back using a portion of Kagome's soul, and we survived on what we had until we came to Seireitei, where the rest was filled in with the ambient spirit particles everywhere." Suddenly her head snapped back to Kagome, "We don't have time for this" she hissed, "Give it to me, now, and then go! Save them!"

Her attention brought back to the matter at hand, Kagome nodded, and her hands came up to the tiny chain around neck. She pulled it over her head and handed the Shikon-no-tama to Kikyo who immediately hung it around her own neck, and turned her body to protect the precious burden she was carrying. "Go!" the elder woman commanded her reincarnation.

Freed of the jewel that she had to be careful of even while fighting, Kagome's stance as she walked forward was much less defensive then normal. Kagome walked until she came parallel with Aizen, and then turned to look at the traitor. "Aizen Sosuke," she intoned, "I am going to free my nakama, do you have a problem with that?"

"No." was the succinct reply she received, "However of those twenty-one, you will not harm anyone at all, even if they do attack."

Kagome's eyes flashed in knowledge, and she smiled bitterly, "Very well, Truce then, until this is solved."

"Ah." Aizen accepted, then sighed, and as Kagome approached the King, the nexus of power around her being sucked into her skin in preparation for battle, his eyes flashed to the leader of the twenty-one standing there, "…L…" he murmured, hands clenching into fists, "I'm so close, just wait a little bit longer."

Kagome drew her unsealed sword, and pointed it towards the king. "King Enma. I am going to kill you and free my nakama." Enma's guards tensed and they prepared for what would most defiantly be a powerful onslaught when Kagome was interrupted before she could spring.

"No!" came the defiant shout, head snapping to the origination of the sound, Kagome's eyes narrowed when she was met with those of Renji.

Her tone guarded and strict Kagome spoke, "Do you have a problem with what I plan to do, Renji? Do not think that our past will save you from my blade if you interfere."

Renji snorted, "The only thing I have a problem with is the fact that, you get to kill the king. My nakama are there too; Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, even Kuronue. Youko is there too…" he rubbed his head, "So that's where he went." Renji murmured absently, "Nanao – no – Kagome. I know that your friends are there too, I know the legends." He glanced at the stoic warriors, "Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, Miroku, Sango, and Kouga; the strongest of the shard hunters and jewel protectors. But…" he sighed "At least let me fight at your side."

Kagome opened her mouth to respond when another voice cut through the air. "In Konoha, we always worked together in fights, it more efficient. Besides, Kakashi-sensei, Ero-sennin, Garra, Sai, and Yamato-sensei are there."

Her head snapped to the origin, "Komamura-taichou" she acknowledged. Glancing at the people on either side of him she groaned, knowing the battle of participation pointless, "Fine. Watch out for the guards –"

"– SDF." Renji cut in.

"The SDF," Kagome continued, "and don't let him order our nakama to attack, if possible keep him from speaking. Alright?" She was answered by nods and murmurs of assent. "Don't die." She finished, and then summoned up her power once more. "Let's go."

And they sprang.

They reached the king in les then five seconds, but the SDF were upon them in three. A tallish one with brown hair tried to hit Kagome, but with a backhand swipe she knocked him to the ground. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the Shichinintai leap up to take a member of the SDF, looking to the left she also witnessed the Primera Espada, his fraccion, and Zaraki-taichou taking a few SDF as well. "So just the five of us" she murmured, glancing at her companions. They reached the king and each drew back their weapons trying to harm or destroy a part of his large body. As long as the SDF were kept busy, they were good, as Enma couldn't fight on his own.

It was difficult, as the five of them were up a much larger foe, and had multiple objectives. They moved to keep him from making the fatal order, as they wouldn't fight their nakama, tried keep him from retreating into the King's realm, and they were trying to get the large iridescent green jewel from him. However after a few moments the inability of Enma's fighting prowess showed itself and he left a few large openings through his clumsy hand-to-hand moves.

Kagome took advantage of one of these openings and jumped onto his left arm that was holding the jewel. With a quick swipe of her sword she cut halfway through his large wrist. With a roar of pain the king dropped the jewel. Smirking in triumph Kagome moved to get off of the kings arm but was snatched up but Enma's still functioning right hand. Held in the crushing grip it was all she could do to get one arm out and point a shaking hand at the falling jewel. A blast of power shot from her hand and hit the jewel.

The emerald shimmered from the expulsion of power but all the blast actually did was sent the jewel flying into the median some twenty meters away. The king laughed and his hand tightened, a cry of agony slipped past Kagome lips as her ribs squeezed. "Stupid girl!" Enma cried, "Your miko powers are on the same wavelength as mine, you can never break the jewel with something such as that."

Pain swarmed over Kagome. Her chest was on fire, and she felt her internal organs compressing inside her, there was a ringing in her ears over whelming all her thoughts, but one stray cry pierced the agony.

"I don't know what's happening here Renji, but I won't protect a king who tortures women. GETSUGA TENSHO!"

Then there was blessed relief. The pressure had stopped, and she lay limply in the king's hand. Then from the corner of her eye she saw a green pillar of light shooting into the sky, she raised her head up through the lingering pain and watched as the king's jewel cracked slowly but surely, a few moments passed and there was a large cracking noise and the emerald shattered. Looking down over the king's hand Kagome watched as the twenty-one warriors moved of their free will, smiling softly her strength gave out and her head fell against the king's hand, then there was a snarl of rage from the king, and she fell.

No, that was incorrect. She was released in the hope she would fall to her death. Pity, her arms and legs didn't seem to be responding to her commands and the world had taken on a dreamlike quality. She could see the ground now and it was rushing up to meet her, oh look, there was Inuyasha, he looked so upset! Kagome wondered what had happened to make him so mad. Inuyasha caught her in his arms and they landed on the ground. "Hey" he murmured his low voice rumbling the chest she was leaning on. "Kagome, you okay?"

The little miko smiled, and one hand came up to trace his fuzzy left ear with a trembling finger, "My breathing is a little off but nothings broken, so other than that and a few bruises, I'm better then I've been in been in five hundred years." The smile, on her face was soft and clear, contented and beautiful. Tears fell from her eyes and she her smile widened. "I'm happy, for the first time in five hundred years I am so absolutely happy."

There were two shunpou in front of her and Kagome looked up to see Kyoraku-taichou and Ukitake-taichou. Looking between them her smiled widened, and she laid her head back against Inuyasha's chest. Shunsui's eyes flashed and Jushiro's brows narrowed. Inuyasha looked between them and then down at Kagome. His eyes weighed them and the power they were emitting, and for one long moment the eldest captains thought that he would spring away taking the little fukutaichou away from them forever. But the minute passed and Inuyasha gave a small snort, shifted and stood, he gently handed Kagome to Jushiro, who stood the closest to him.

He then turned to face the other Shard Hunters who were standing a little while away from the four. With one hand he ripped the cloak from his neck revealing a black shirt and pants, and a ratty sword strapped to his waist. He took a step forward, and then looked over his shoulder. "Keep her out of the fight." He rumbled. "Kagome'll try to be stupid and she'll just get'n the way." Then he smirked, his eyes flashing red. "And you'd better protect her. If Kagome gets hurt while you're with her there'll be hell to pay." With that parting sentence he turned back to the others and began to walk away.

"Wait!' Kagome cried, "Don't go Inuyasha!" she struggled against Jushiro who let her stand, but kept firm hands around her waist, holding her tightly against his chest. She looked at the others, "Sango! Miroku! Kouga! Sesshoumaru! Please, don't leave again! I… I… I can't… not again! Please, where are you going?"

Sango turned to Kagome, smiling gently "Were going to finish this Kagome, then we'll come back and the two of us can have a nice long soak in the hot springs, ok?"

Kagome sagged against Jushiro, relieved. She nodded, "Hurry, ok?" the elder taijya nodded and the group walked towards the king.

"SYAORAN!" confused, said brown haired boy turned to see the source of the exclamation and his eyes widened as he saw Sakura waving enthusiastically at him from the approaching Fai's arms. The mage was heading towards them with a bright smile on his face. Syaoran looked up at the usually stoic Kurogane roll his eyes and step forward, trying to hide his eagerness to see the missing half of their group. Tentatively, Syaoran followed his hands clenched into nervous fists.

Kurogane reached the other two first and placed one hand on Sakura's back and the other on Fai's shoulder. He spoke softly to them, his harsh voice cool and comforting. After he could dawdle no more Syaoran stepped up next to Fai, Kurogane, and Sakura. He glanced once more at the blood from the-love-of-his-life-and-death on his hands and steeled himself for the hurt looks that Sakura would give him. Therefore he was understandably surprised when Sakura threw herself out of Fai's arms and into his, wrapping her small arms around his neck and burying her face in the collar of his shirt. "I missed you so much, Syaoran!" she wailed her hands pulling herself closer to him.

Syaoran flinched and with trembling hands, he pushed her away from him. "No." he commanded softly, his hart breaking with every word he intoned. "Stay away from me Sakura; you might be in danger if King Enma gets a hold of me again. I already hurt you on–"

For a second time that day Syaoran was completely surprised when the next thing that he received from Sakura was a sharp slap across the face. "Repeat after me" she snarled, her eyes alight with annoyance.

"W-What?" Syaoran squawked one of his hands flying to his injured cheek, surprised at Sakura's intensity.

"Repeat after me" Sakura recurred, and waited for Syaoran's acceptance, it was given, tentatively with a slight nod from the taken-aback boy. "Not my fault."

Blinking, Syaoran tilted his head in confusion, "I can't say that, Saku – OW!" he jumped back his injured foot aching where Sakura had stomped on it.

"Say it Syaoran!" Sakura hissed, "It wasn't your fault, not really, you were simply a puppet in the hand of the king." Her hands came up to grip his shoulders, and she peered into Syaoran's eyes, her jade orbs making out all the self hatred the archeologist was swimming in. "Please Syaoran, please!"

Syaoran looked down at Sakura and sighed, he could never deny her anything that she wanted. "It's not my fault." He murmured, acquiescing to his princess's request. "I would not willingly harm you, I was forced too, and therefore it is not my fault." Sakura smiled brilliantly at him and once more threw her hands around his neck, and this time Syaoran hugged her back.

"She's changed," Kurogane remarked a few feet away from the reunion of his younger charges. He then turned to Fai, taking in the bucket hat, loose haori, and sword held in Fai's hand. "So have you, Fai." He completed, eyes fading in loneliness. "I guess you can't expect people to stay the same after more than a century apar –"

His sentence was interrupted by Fai abruptly sheathing his sword and throwing himself forward, much as Sakura has done, and wrapping his lean arms around Kurogane's waist with a loud cry of "I missed you too, Kuro-pin!"

There was a slight pause, then "Damn mage! Get the hell off of me!"

Kurama threw one last glance at the seething King, and seeing that the Shikon Hunters were approaching, he threw a shout at Komamura-taichou to withdraw. The four did, Team 7 to the left and Kurama himself to the right, and they watched with apprehension as the five legends stood in front of the king. With an unseen and unheard signal they moved and the king roared in pain.

"Amazing, isn't it?" A cool voice sounded from behind him.

Turning, Kurama was met with the sight of his old nakama and tenant. His face splitting into a wide grin, he ran-walked towards them and eagerly received the one-armed hug that Yusuke offered. Turning from the embrace he threw a cheeky grin at the rest. "Yo."

Youko looked him up and down, "Tattoos." He muttered, golden eyes flashing with exasperated affection "You look like a thug, Suuichi."

Kurama sighed, "So? I can get away with more when I look like this." His head tilted, "Oh, it's not Suuichi anymore, and I guess I can't be Kurama either, so, call me Renji."

"Renji." Hiei muttered, slightly wide-eyed at the change in Renji's attitude and looks.

Smiling widely, mischief in his manner, Renji turned to his old friend, "Hey Hiei, good to see you. Yeah, it's Renji. Full name Abarai Renji, Lieutenant of the Sixth Division –" he paused and rolled his eyes "– and member of the Fifteenth Division, I suppose. I follow Kuchiki Byakuya-taichou, and work with Ichigo."

"Never a leader, eh Kur…Renji?" Kuwabara snorted.

Renji threw an exasperated look at his tall nakama, "I missed you too, Kuwabara." Then he smiled and turned to the one member of the group that he had never actually spoken too. He held his and out to Kuronue and grinned, "Nice to meet you, Kuronue, I heard a lot about you from Youko."

The bat youkai nodded "I, too, have heard about you from Youko, especially about your strength of will."

They shook hands, "Nah," Renji snorted, "Most of that was his fault for being so demanding in the back of my head, I had to grow a backbone to tell him, 'no, I'm not going to feed my first grade teacher to a carnivorous plant just because she put us in a timeout.'"

A smile broke out on Kuronue's face and he released a low chuckle, "That sounds just like him –" he looked next to him where Youko stood, who leered back, shamelessly. "– He always had to be the one in charge."

Youko's grin widened, and he leaned over to whisper in Kuronue's ear, the bat squirmed and hissed something back, face coloring. Yusuke groaned, and Kuwabara looked away, fidgeting. Hiei just offered up an 'hn' at Youko's blatant perversion.

Rolling his eyes at the display, Renji turned when the sound of shunpou sounded behind him. Looking, he was met with the sight of an annoyed Kuchiki-taichou. The others, who stopped to see who had appeared, started to smirk when they noticed the newcomers' aggravated expression and Renji's apologetic stance.

"Abarai." Byakuya stated, his tone laced with irritation, "I would like to know just what exactly you think you are doing."

"Ah, taichou…. Erm." Renji rubbed the back of his head sheepishly trying to ignore the snickers from the peanut gallery. Finally he sighed and with a sigh he switched into 'Perfect Suuichi Mode' "I was trying to ascertain the situation regarding the control of the kings pendant, including; lasting damage of the psyche, the difficulty in reestablishing control of ones own body, and the presence of memory loss." Almost automatically he tilted his head, widened his eyes and gave Kuchiki-taichou a soft smile, "I apologize if I disobeyed you. Forgive me?"

Byakuya flushed, for some reason, his eyes were drawn to that smile and… and… gah! He gave a jerky nod and turned to shunpou away, but a hand caught his shoulder, "Wait, Kuchiki-taichou, there are some people I'd like you to meet."

"Aren't you going to run back to Aizen, Gin?" The harsh accusation whipped across the solitary sand dune, occupied only by two former lovers. "The king is –" Rangiku turned around in the Kido created box that kept her from leaving to regard the progression of the fight, and seeing that the king was bleeding heavily from the wound inflicted upon him by the Jewel Hunters, "– on his last legs and will die soon. Nanao took care of you dream, eh? Stop playing, kill me and just go." Her hand pressed against her left shoulder, which was bleeding heavily after being pierced by Shinso. Turning further, then Rangiku's eyes fixed on three men standing on the battlefield below, "Luffy, Sanji, Zoro…" she trailed off, "Finish it or let me go Gin. You can't keep me here forever."

"You know, this isn't the fist time I betrayed my people, Rangiku." Gin remarked glancing down with dull eyes at the events. "I was a shinobi and I betrayed my village."

Rangiku snorted, and refused to look at him. "Why am I not surprised?"

Smiling cynically, Gin walked over to the Kido containment box and glanced down to where Rangiku was looking. "So, those three? They're your old nakama." Rangiku refused to answer. And Gin sighed, "You're lucky you know. You had friends in your lifetime, and you get them back now. The only person I got back was Orochimaru, and I don't know whether to be happy or sad that he's destroyed." At his sides his fists clenched and he turned his head away from the tenth division fukutaichou. "I know I made a mistake Ran-chan, I know, but I can't change things now. It's too late. Much, much too late."

Sighing bitterly, Rangiku finally made the decision. She then turned to face the former captain of third division "Gin…" she swallowed. "My name was Nami, and I was a member of the Straw-Hat Pirates." She smiled fondly at the memory "Yo, ho, haul together, and all that. I was 'Cat Burglar Nami' and I had a bounty of 16,000,000 Beli."

Gin sighed, "Why are you telling me this Ran-chan?" he looked back towards her with a sad smile on his face, "It has nothing to do with me."

"Shut up and listen, idiot." Rangiku snapped, and then sighed. "When I first joined the Straw-Hat Pirates the only reason I did so was to make money, I sailed with them for a while, before I abandoned and betrayed them. I stole the Going Merry and their treasure."

Gin's head snapped up and he focused on the face of his hilltop-companion. "…and?" he murmured, intrigued despite himself.

Rangiku's smile turned joyful. "I was forgiven. They hunted me down and demanded that I be their navigator, even though I had betrayed them, Luffy wouldn't accept anyone else." Her eyes softened "I forgive you, Gin." She held out her hand "It's nice to meet you; I'm Nami, Shinigami-Pirate extraordinaire."

Breath catching in his throat, Gin reached out a hand and negated the kido field. Taking Rangiku's smaller hand in his, he inclined his head. "Yakushi Kabuto, Shinigami-Shinobi" His face flushed, and he looked away "Your captains going to be looking for you." He muttered, "Go."

"Nah," Rangiku, replied shaking her head. "One of the espada injured him badly. He was brought to Unohana-taichou while we were fighting, didn't you see? He should still be unconscious."

Gin opened his mouth to reply but they were interrupted by a shout from the bottom of the sand dune and both shinigami looked down to see Rangiku's lifetime nakama quickly climbing the hill, two waving enthusiastically. Gin looked down at Rangiku once more, pulled her close and buried his head in the crook of her neck for a long moment. Then he pulled away, "Gotta be going now Ran-chan. Sayonara." He pulled up his power for a flash step and began to move when –.

"No!" Rangiku cried, her hands latching onto the back of his haori. "Don't go. Please." She then took a deep breath, a conspiratorial look on her face. "Gin, what do you know about ships?"

"1,500 yen on five minutes"

"Not betting, three"

"2,000 yen on two."

Sakura tilted her head, regarding the king once more, "No bet, but I agree with Naruto, two minutes. He's not going to last that much longer with them on him, Ino-pig, no way is it gonna be five."

Shikamaru sighed, and scratched his head. Pity he couldn't just fall asleep right now, the battle was over, the king was going to die in either five, three, or two minutes, so why was he still even awake? "Mendoukusai" he muttered, continuing to watch out for any other threats that might hurt his nakama.

There was a laugh from behind him, "Still the responsible one, eh Shikamaru?"

The man in question turned to see Kakashi-taichou, Yamato-taichou, Jiraya-sama, the Godaime Kazekage, and Sai approaching, still wearing those odd cloaks. Giving a short bow he cleared his throat to get the attention of Ino, Naruto-sama, Sasuke, and Sakura. The four turned, and immediately smiles broke out on three faces, Sasuke just 'hn-ed' and looked away.

"Sensei! Sai! Taichou!" Sakura gave a shout and ran forward throwing her arms around Kakashi's middle; the elder nin smiled and returned the embrace. Sakura then turned and threw her arms around Sai's neck. Receiving an awkward embrace in return she let Sai go, and turned to the third missing member of team seven and for a third time, threw her arms around Yamato, who smiled and placed a hand on the top of her head. Then, turning to Garra and Jiraya she gave them each a bow and an overjoyed smile. The other members of Team Seven and Ino approached, happy to be back together once more.

Naruto smiled, waving so excitedly that his captain's haori rustled noisily. Glancing between his teachers and his friends he exhaled, trying to control the grin on his face. Finally succeeding, he looked up and simply smiled. "Okaeri." He spoke, deep and powerfully, as if commanding them to never leave again. Kakashi looked dumbfounded by the meaning behind the simple statement, while Sai and Yamato simply returned a "Tadaima." Gaara inclined his head, and a small smile spread across his lips.

Ino waved gleefully at the newcomers, and then glanced over her shoulder to see Zabuza-san where had gone. She gave a general sweep of the surrounding area for his chakra and found him talking with the eleventh division members as they dealt with a few SDF.

Sasuke trailed behind, then swallowed and looked up at Kakashi, his expression apprehensive of the reaction he would receive. The teacher sighed, and even through his ever-present mask his expression softened. Kakashi took a step forward a placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "The six of us are finally together again Sasuke. I am… happy that you are here."

Yamato took a step forward and inclined his head, "I am sure that the six of us will work well together, Sasuke."

Sai threw out one of his fake smiles and tilted his head to the left. "It is nice to meet you, Uchiha. Let us work together nicely."

At this last statement Naruto rolled his eyes and clasped the two dark-haired shinobi on the shoulders. "This is an order from the Rokudaime Hokage; No fighting."

The younger shinobi mouth twitched into an annoyed smile, "Like hell you were ever the Hokage, Naruto."

"Oy! What does that mean bastard? I was too the Hokage."

Clad only in black, a man stood, watching the King's demise at the hands of old legends. He sighed once, and ran his hand through his unruly black hair. Adjusting his cloak with one hand he moved it so it fell more naturally down his lanky, muscular frame. One hand came to rest comfortably on his sword hilt as he felt the presence of another soul approach him.

"It's very nostalgic to see you again, L." came the call from behind the detective.

L Lawliet did not turn as Yagami Light walked up to his side. He only inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"It's been a long time, since I killed you." Light spoke, also watching the fight against the king. "I have missed you. It was not as interesting to rebel against the shinigami as they were completely oblivious to my actions."

"Kira." Accused L, as slight amount of exasperated warmth in his tone.

Light smirked and inclined his head. "Yes, L?"

Now, L turned to face Light. His eyes were as baggy as ever and there was a slight hint of bitter amusement in them. Meeting the eyes of his onetime-friend he frowned. "Why are you here Light, I have nothing to do with your quest to rule the afterlife. Shouldn't you be taking advantage of this lull in activity to gather your forces?"

Shrugging, Light turned to see the king fall to his knees, his impact shaking the ground even where they stood. "I lied." He explained. "I wanted to go to the king's realm, but not to kill the king. I don't really care about that." He turned back to lock eyes with L. "I wanted the Tome of Spirits, I don't even know if it is real, but a master list of all souls and their current locations was what I wanted more than anything in the world."

The detective's head tilted to the left, "Why?" he questioned not understanding Lights goal. "It exists, I've seen it in the Gold Archives, but why would you want something like that, Light? Who would you care enough about to start a war to find?"

"You." Light replied, blatantly.

The detective flinched and reeled back at the force of the statement, "What!" he sputtered, "Why would you want to find me?"

"I was bored, I wanted to play chess and everyone else was easy to win against." Light shrugged. "I don't have a set with me now, but I really want to have a game with you soon."

"You were bored?" L repeated, "The last time you were bored you used the Death Note to murder criminals, now you start a war?"

Light nodded. "Yes. I figured that hiding my identity would only cause more problems and I wouldn't get a chance to get the Tome in all the chaos. Oh, I also didn't kill people this time I used the hogyoku to make hollows stronger."

Despite himself, L smirked at the statement, and then frowned at his own reaction. "And your minions, they would have expected you to take over the throne?"

"I would have, after I had found you, L." Light sighed then in a smaller voice, he continued, "Yes, I killed you, L. I had to win our ultimate game. But… but then, I… I missed you." His voice cracked, "Your stupid sweets, that damn typing at three a.m. when I'm trying to sleep, hell, even those annoying Kira percentages. Yes L, I killed you, but you were my friend." He turned away from L, "Yes, I know you hate me for killing you, but back then winning the game was more important to me." His voice caught again, and in almost a whisper he finished. "I'm sorry, L." Light smiled bitterly, his hands tightening into fists. Turning he began to walk away when his forearm was caught by his companion.

"I won." L corrected.

Lights head tilted and he turned to face the detective, "What? I killed you, I won."

L shook his head. "Near, Mello, and Matt killed you. You did not get to start your world empire, thus I won in the end."

"L" Light growled, "You were dead, after you died our game ended and a new one with those three began."

L tilted his head to the side, "Rematch" he proposed, a bit of eagerness somewhat hidden in his eyes. "Not to the death this time though."

His eyes widening, Light smirked, "Come back to Hueco Mundo with me. I'll give you half my remaining forces."

L placed his thumb to his lips. "War games with hollows?" he chewed on the thumb, trying to make a decision. "Fine, but I don't want your forces; I want unlimited access to the hogyoku and a chance to make my own military."

Eager to get the one person that had been both his most mortal enemy, yet the person who had understood him the best back on his side, Light agreed. "Fine. But only six months, that's all the time that I had."

The two reached out and shook hands. The agreement was firm. Light smirked in anticipation, turning; he raised his power to roaring levels. All arrencar turned to face Aizen, who smiled at them with that bland fatherly beam and spoke, his reiatsu caring his voice to the ears of his followers. "Everyone lets go home. We have achieved all we can here." Looking at Halibel, Zommari, and Nnoitra, Light gave a 'come hither' motion with his hand. In a moment the three espada appeared before him. "Make sure they return." He ordered with a cursory glance over the battlefield. "No more fighting."

Halibel bowed her head, and then hesitated, "Milord, what of… Stark? What of Grimmjow and Ulquiorra?"

Aizen turned and searched the battlefield for his errant subordinates. Stark and Ulquiorra were standing with Komamura, and by the way that they had denied him earlier, he doubted that they would be joining him anytime soon. Grimmjow, however, was bantering with that damned substitute and annoying Byakuya, who wanted nothing more that to continue the fight that the king and then Kurosaki had stopped. Light also doubted that Grimmjow would be accompanying him back to Las Noches, as he seemed to be quite at home with the fifteenth division. His mouth twisted in dislike but there was little he could do at the moment, so turning his attention back to Halibel, he snapped "Leave them! I have no use for their disloyalties." At her accommodating nod, Light swept into shunpou, headed for Las Noches followed closely by L.

Within 10 minutes, the field was empty of the loyal arrencar.

Kagome watched from Jushiro's arms as the king was finally brought down. Inuyasha let loose one more Wind Scar and jumped back, joining the other Jewel Hunters a safe distance away from the action. Sesshoumaru, alone, stood before the king and with one last haunting downswing of Bakusaiga the king gave a final cry and dissolved in a swirl of broken up sprit particles. The adrenaline that had been rushing through Kagome's body and the tension and fear that her friends would die again finally rushed out of her and Kagome slumped in the 13 division taichou's arms, letting Ukitake Jushiro support her. The Jewel Hunters slowly made their way over to the three shinigami and there was a rush of good feelings as Kagome pulled herself out of Jushiro's arms and began welcoming her long-lost friends.

After the cycle of greetings and introductions were over, Sesshoumaru turned to Kagome; "Where is the Jewel?" his piercing eyes hovered over her exposed, unadorned nape.

Kagome started, and then glanced over to where the center of the field was. "Kikyo has it." She murmured, her eyes landing on the older woman. "Do you want me to go get it?" she asked, turning back to Sesshoumaru.

"Yes." he replied, succinctly. "I also wish to speak to the other commanders of this military." Beginning to walk to the center of the field, he glanced over his shoulder, "Come, miko." He ordered.

Oblivious to Shunsui's annoyed gaze and Jushiro's disgruntled stare at the back of the taiyoukai's head, Kagome turned to follow the forever-lord of the west. "Of course, Sesshoumaru." Grinning at the hilarity of the situation, the other Jewel Hunters followed.

Hiyori watched with apprehension as the soul that had killed the king approached, followed closely by the Lady Miko, (she truly did deserve that title now, Hiyori thought.) She stood with the other vizard, a few fukutaichou and some others who, as if responding to an unheard signal, had converge on the center of the field near the vizard; Shinobi, Pirates, Tantei, and miscellaneous others. Even Gin stood a little further away, talking sedately with Zoro, as the shinigami, reacting to the retreat of Aizen and his forces prepared to leave the barren deserts of Hueco Mundo.

When the Jewel Hunters reached the groups, the shinigami captains broke away from the pack to join the growing number of captains who were having a meeting ten meters away. The taiyoukai regarded the beings standing there, and after a moment waved Kagome forward, who walked up to Lisa, who still stood next to Kensei. Carefully the older miko unclasped the Shikon-no-tama from around her neck and handed it to her reincarnation.

A little further away at the captain's whispered discussion, the twelve broke apart and Jushiro took the lead as they walked over to the group. "I've been promoted." He murmured, glancing to where the soutaichou's body was being attended to by his division. "I am now, by unanimous vote the new captain-commander of soul society. I have decided that all nakama, even arrencar, shall be welcomed into soul society, if they can be vouched for by a shinigami of lieutenant level or higher, next –" Jushiro paused, then squared his shoulders and sheathed his swords, sealing them again. A ripple passed through the crowed as his example was followed by others, who shifted out of shikai mode and bankai mode (and a few shifts out of resurrection form.) "– next we –"

Suddenly there was a cry as Komamura shifted down from his bankai form. Glancing down at himself in amazement "Human, I'm… human" he murmured. Yachiru also gave a cry of pleasant surprise at the discovery that her age change was permanent.

"It was the kings doing." Youko explained, running a hand through his silver hair. "He couldn't get a hold of your souls, or deemed you too much trouble or unworthy to be in his army, and thus decided a shift in your nature would be enough to keep you suppressed." Talking and murmurs spread across the group as this point and that of the king's death were brought up again.

Suddenly a sharp increase of killer intent snapped across the group, who silenced and immediately reached for their swords. "Silence." Sesshoumaru growled. "Hold. Listen." He strode forward, into the middle of the group and all eyes followed him warily, "There are others" he murmured, "others still locked up in the king's dungeons." He paused, and then his voice lowered. "Rin." He hissed, his eyes briefly flaring red.

Hiyori started. Ever since the appearance of the 21 figures she had hoped that one of them would be Shinji's brother, yet at the unveiling, he hadn't appeared. Perhaps… sharing a glance with Shinji she noted the same hope in his eyes. Quickly, she turned to the taiyoukai, "I'll go to the king's realm!" she pronounced firmly. There was a sudden noise as others declared their intent to go rescue the king's prisoners.

"Silence!" Jushiro shouted, his harsh tone stopping the cacophony. He sighed, and then turned to Sesshoumaru, "Are there many others?" he asked wearily.

"Yes." Came the succinct reply.

Rubbing his temples, the soutaichou thought for a moment. "The vizard will go." He finally pronounced. "Vizard power had the greatest effect against the king's jewel. However, they will need a guide."

"We'll guide." Came the immediate answer. Yusuke approached, followed by the other Tantei walked forward to where the vizard were, throwing a cheeky grin at Hiyori. "We gotta get Keiko, Botan, Yukina Shizuru, and Grandma out anyway. Plus I gotta help Koenma get the throne under control."

"I, as well, would like to accompany them, Ukitake-soutaichou-sama." Renji added, walking up next to his old nakama. "I was a Tantei before I died, and I'd like to work with my old friends a little."

Jushiro nodded, "Fine," he accepted. "Byakuya, you will accompany them and lead the party." He added turning to the sixth division taichou who nodded, accepting the position. "Meanwhile the rest of our party will return to soul society. After rescuing the prisoners you will proceed immediately there where a meeting will be decided upon what to do regarding non-shinigami." He added, eyeing Gin, resolving to throw him in prison until everything could be figured out. "You will depart immediately."

The rescue group bowed, and immediately started across the sands of Hueco Mundo. Lisa glanced over her shoulder at Inuyasha who inclined his head in greeting, then turned to Kensei and a genuine smile broke over her face as she eyed her sometimes-lover "Will you be looking for anyone, Kensei?" she asked, curious.

"Nope." The silver-headed vizard responded. "Yuuki and Kaname are still alive and happy together."

"Ah, what about you, Rose?" Lisa proposed to the vizard on her other side.

"Kyoko." He replied grimly, glancing down at the blood on his hand, and then his fists clenched in determination, his long blonde hair waving in the wind.

Further ahead, Hiyori and Shinji exchanged glances and their resolve rose again. "We'll find him this time, Ed." Hiyori murmured, her bright blue eyes shining in anticipation.

"Yeah, Winry. We will." Edward Elric responded. "Come on!" he shouted to the others, "They're waiting for us!"

Fin.

If you don't know who everyone is, a list can be found on my livejournal which shares the same username as this account. Thanks again for reading, Adayleia.