Rukia forced her broken body of the ground as she saw the bodies of countless other Shinigami scattered around Karakura Town. The Winter War had gone badly for them. Aizen's Espada had been an even match for the captains of the Gotei Thirteen, his Numeros had decimated the regular members of the thirteen guard companies. Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto was battling with Aizen and the sheer pressure of reiatsu released by the two veritable gods had rendered the majority of both sides unable to move.

"You really believe that you can kill me with just that?" asked Aizen unfazed at the Captain-Commander's last attack.

"You have already fallen into my trap. Ennetsu Jigoku!" roared Yamamoto as ten pillars of fire exploded into existence, surrounding both the Captain-Commander and Aizen.

"So you let your subordinates get wounded so you could do this? You're a crafty old man," said Aizen with a smirk.

"So what if I am? You and I will die together in the flames of hell," said Yamamoto with the authority of a god itself. "Dying to exterminate great evil, know that this is the spirit of the Gotei Thirteen."

"Oi, not even you should so callously use the flames of Hell. They are not yours to command," came a familiar voice as the flames of Ennestu Jigoku were extinguished.

Rukia turned to see Ichigo stepping out of Garganta with six other men behind him. Ichigo had changed since she last saw him. His black hakama was now blood red. A mane of fire like fur wrapped around his neck down to the V of his hakama. His once unkempt orange hair now hung to his waist as it whipped about in the wind. The whites of his eyes were now permanently blackened and his brown eyes burned bright gold.

A black haired arrancar with green tear marks that streaked down his face and a samurai helmet-like mask remnant knelt next to Ichigo while a blue haired arrancar with a feral grin and a mask remnant stuck to the side of his cheek stood behind Ichigo. Next to him were two other arrancar, who Rukia recognized as Dordonii and Gantenbainne from Ichigo's description of them and standing next to Ichigo was a man wearing an extremely tattered white Shinigami uniform with an equally tattered black mantle that went down to his ankles. He had waist length black hair blew around him as his golden eyes twinkled against his black sclera. A single scar ran from the top of his right eye straight down to half an inch before his mouth. Rukia saw what she thought were tattoos of what a Dragon, a Tiger, a Phoenix, and a Turtle on the visible parts of his chest.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, what is the meaning of this?" asked Yamamoto with narrowed eyes.

"Did you not hear me. I told you not to so callously use powers that are not yours. Gantenbainne, Dordonii attend to my family and Mr. Urahara," said Ichigo, his eyes never leaving Aizen and Yamamoto as the two bowed and departed.

"Ulquiorra, please see if you can convince Coyote Starrk and Tia Harribel to join me. If not, eliminate them. Grimmjow I leave the remaining Espada to you. Do as you like. Musashi, this is not an order, but a request. Please… take care of Kuchiki Rukia and Kuchiki Byakuya." Ulquiorra bowed and head off while Grimmjow laughed and headed towards the nearest Espada. Musashi merely smiled before flash stepping next to Rukia and helping her up.

"We need to step back. If Ichigo releases here, not even the Gotei Thirteen's barrier will prevent Karakura Town from being wiped off the face of Earth," said Musashi as he tried to get Rukia to leave.

"Please, let me stay. I haven't seen him in over three months. He is my friend, I can't just leave," pleaded Rukia. Musashi smiled.

"You haven't told him yet have you?" he asked. Rukia merely looked down. "Rukia I've been alive since the beginning of the Soul Society. Trust me when I say that life is fleeting. Life is short. Life is harsh. Life is unfair. But life can also be beautiful, exhilarating, and above all, life can be the greatest thing in the world. It is what you make of it. Strive for whatever you wish and die without any regrets. Now if you wish to stay then I must counteract the reiatsu that they are about to release. Umu touhou waga tamashii, Hantei no Amatsu Kouryu." (Deliver me from sin, Judgement of the Heavenly Yellow Dragon)

As Musashi drew his zanpakuto, he released most of his current reiatsu as he single handedly stabilized and fortified the barrier around Karakura Town. Rukia quickly realized that Musashi's reiatsu was unimaginably vast. Even the Captain-Commander, Aizen and Ichigo's spiritual pressures were dwarfed by Musashi's.

"Now then I believe that you and I have unfinished business Sosuke Aizen," said Ichigo as stepped forward leaving footprints of white hot fire in the air behind him.

"Here we are. The three of us are as close to equals in any of the worlds. Is it not an interesting occasion? Me, the god of Hueco Mundo, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei Thirteen, and lastly Kurosaki Ichigo, the Emperor of Hell," said Aizen with a smile as he looked at his two peers.

"We are no equals. You are evil and as such must be exterminated!" retorted Yamamoto as he held Ryujin Jakka before him.

"You do not seem to understand Aizen. Combined me and my Naito are the strongest force in the four worlds. Musashi alone is stronger than both the Gotei Thirteen and your Espada. Gantenbainne and Dordonii are a match for two maybe even three Captain's by themselves. Ulquiorra and Grimmjow could decimate half the Gotei Thirteen alone. And I, I can crush the world if I so choose," declared Ichigo.

"I can't wait to crush him. Let's show him what we gained in Hell Ichigo," said Shiro with a maniacal grin.

"Be careful Ichigo you must not be too confident else he exploits it," cautioned Zangetsu

"Shall we begin?" asked Ichigo. "The victor will truly have earned the right to be called God."

"Are you ready to show they your new form… Mugetsu?" asked Ichigo. (Moonless Sky)

"I am. Let them gaze upon true power and true despair. Let them feel our wrath Ichigo," said Mugetsu and Shiro at the same time.

"Tenrai, demo-nisshu, bukakkou, midarini, deru, Mugetsu!" chanted Ichigo as Mugetsu materialized around him. (Divine, devilish, formless, without reason, come forth, Moonless Sky!)

Mugetsu took the form of eight pitch black orbs that hovered in a circle behind rising to a foot above his head and reaching as low as his ankles. A ninth orb materialized in his open palm and hovered around his hand as he lowered it back to his side. All of the shadows in Ichigo vicinity seemed to congregate towards him creating a veritable pitch black sky around the location he stood at.

As soon as Ichigo released his shikai his reiatsu wildly spiked up to rival that of Musashi's. Aizen and Yamamoto both unconsciously took a step back as pure power radiated off Ichigo's bodies in waves as he looked up at both of them and smirked.

Yamamoto had lived for two thousand years. He had not managed to live that long without learning a few things. In a battle trust either your mind or your instincts. Don't try to utilize both, it will only get you killed. In those rare moments that both your instinct and mind tell you the same thing obey if you wish to live. In that moment the Captain-Commander's mind and instinct were telling him one fact. Run.

"What is that?" asked Rukia.

"That has no name. It is power, despair, wrath, pride, evil, good, divine, demonic. It is all these things and more. It is the power he obtained by conquering Hell. He is Hell, and he has come to collect the debts he is owed," replied Musashi, the smile leaving his face.

"Bansho issai kaijin to nasse, Ryujin Jakka!" roared Yamamoto as fire erupted into glorious existence around him, the flames pushed back the shadow surrounding Ichigo as the barrier separating them from the real Karakura Town started to fracture. Musashi started to concentrate as he focused on dampening the reiatsu that would be released in the coming fight.

"Come Aizen let's see what you can do," taunted Ichigo as motioned for Aizen to attack him.

"You have grown much stronger Kurosaki Ichigo, but much more arrogant as well, you haven't even realized I've already killed you," said Aizen as he faded from existence and Ichigo looked down to see a zanpakuto spearing him through the chest from behind.

"D-damn you…," cursed Ichigo through gritted teeth as he fell from the sky to Rukia's horrified screams.

"Now it is just us," said Aizen with a smile as Yamamoto raised his flames into a protective shield around himself.

"Is that what you thought? That I would die that simply? It is you that has grown arrogant Aizen," retorted Ichigo as he stepped out of the shadow Aizen cast on a nearby building. Rukia quickly looked at the Ichigo that had fallen from Aizen's attack and saw the body dissipate into wispy shadows.

"Sennen no Yami!" whispered Ichigo as he looked up at both Yamamoto and Aizen before he gathered all of the shadows within a thousand feet to his location before letting it explode outward in a shockwave that both Aizen and Yamamoto dodged. The shadows then started to spin around their location trapping all three within a sphere of spinning darkness.

"One thousand years of darkness. Ichigo uses it when he wants to end the fight quickly. His Bankai has changed since he absorbed the powers of Hell. He likes to keep it a secret," explained Musashi with a smile as Rukia looked towards him in askance. A shockwave of hollow reiatsu from a couple miles to their left had Musashi chuckling. It seems like Grimmjow had grown tired of playing with is prey.

"What is this?" asked Yamamoto as he looked around, his flames casting even more shadows on the walls of the sphere.

"It seems as if Kurosaki-kun wishes to finish us off," noted Aizen with indifference as he surveyed his surroundings with keen interest.

"Yamamoto-dono, I have no quarrel with Soul Society. I wish for peace between our respective factions, If you wish to settle our difference peacefully I will not raise my sword against you," came Ichigo's voice from somewhere within the shadow.

"The Gotei 13 exists for one purpose. To protect the balance of souls between Hueco Mundo, the Soul Society, and the human world. As long as you do not wish to upset the balance of souls, the Soul Society does not consider you a threat," said Yamamoto gruffly.

"You think you can finish me off Kurosaki Ichigo? Very well let us see how this will end. Bankai, Mugen Kyoka Suigetsu," said Aizen with a smile. (Infinite Mirror Flower, Flowing Moon)

"I see you Kurosaki Ichigo. You cannot hide from me," said Aizen as he struck at Ichigo. Ichigo surprised that Aizen could see him, barely had enough time to sidestep the attack.

"What's wrong? Mugetsu should have completely hidden me from anyone within the sphere. No one should be able to find me within this dimension," thought Ichigo as he quickly jumped away from Aizen.

"You are confused are you not?" came Aizen's smug voice from behind Ichigo as he swung downwards.

"Bastard!" shouted Ichigo as he clutched his right shoulder.

"Be careful Ichigo. His spiritual pressure is dense enough to cut through your own right now," advised Mugetsu.

"I wish I was in Bankai, my Perfect Sense would've helped," muttered Ichigo.

"You can't rely on Bankai as a crutch partner. We would stop growing stronger," said Shiro darkly as he watched Aizen through Ichigo's eyes.

"You still haven't figured it out yet have you?" asked Aizen as he continued to push Ichigo around.

"Come forth he who holds the keys to creation, the mysteries of death and life, the man at the edge of the world, be absolved souls of the damned. Hisan Kage rensa no Kami Zetsumei!" shouted Ichigo as the sphere collapsed in on itself with the focal point being Aizen. The shadows were drawn in with the force of a black hole completely crushing Aizen. (Flying Shadow Chain of Divine Death)

"That was one of your strongest attacks in Shikai form. Are you sure that was wise?" asked Mugetsu.

"He was already in Bankai form. Against someone like him, I must use my strongest attacks," replied Ichigo.

"Impressive." Ichigo froze at the voice. "That could have killed me had I not already activated my Bankai. Have you figured it out yet?"

"That's a nasty power he has there," said Musashi as his eyes narrowed.

"You figured it out?" responded Rukia with surprise. Musashi nodded. I had an inkling the moment I felt Aizen's Reiatsu survive Ichigo's attack without dropping a bit. Most shinigami would have died instantly. None of the Espada that I know of could have survived it. Even I would have had to use my best defensive technique to survive and I would have been drained of a decent amount of my reiatsu to survive. I suspect Aizen's Bankai allows him to nullify the offensive skills of other zanpakuto," said Musashi seriously, his eyes narrowing as he glanced up at Ichigo, Aizen and Yamamoto.

"Kurosaki Ichigo. I have observed you and Aizen exchange blows. I believe that Aizen's Bankai is nullifying your Zanpakuto's attacks," said Yamamoto. To demonstrate his point, he sent a large burst of fire towards Aizen and watched as it dissipate as it got closer to him. Aizen simply smiled.

"You are not the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 for nothing Yamamoto-sama. You are correct. My Bankai allows me to nullify the offensive capabilities of other Zanpakuto. Now then Kurosaki Ichigo, what now will you do?" asked Aizen as he turned to look at Ichigo.

"Then I guess I'll just have to use Bankai. This is a pain. I didn't want to show it off here but I guess that I have no choice," said Ichigo as he scratched his head. "Musashi please drop the barrier. It will no longer be necessary."

"You're going to use you that are you?" said Musashi with a smile as he let the barrier he was holding back Ichigo's reiatsu with drop.

Rukia felt an immediate weight fall upon her. It couldn't even be called reiatsu. It was like an ocean weight on top her from the sky. It was so immense, so dense that it was hard for her to even breathe. She glanced over at Musashi and saw that he seemed to be unfazed by the monstrous amount of reiatsu pouring out from Aizen, Ichigo and Yamamoto.

"He's beyond even this you know. He's only lowering his strength so Aizen and Yamamoto can feel how strong he is. He's in an entire other dimension of evolution," said Musashi before returning his attention to the fight above them.

"Are you ready Lucifer?"

"I am always ready Ichigo," responded a deep, noble voice.

"Shiro, Mugetsu it's time to show the world the power of the Emperor of Hueco Mundo and the Nine Hells. Our power."

"We are with you Ichigo, we are ready."

"I'm waiting Kurosaki Ichigo. Where is your vaunted Bankai?" asked Aizen.

"… Bankai…" whispered Ichigo quietly as the entire sky turned black. The shadows within the range of the sky seemed darker, thicker, more tangible and… alive. An explosion of darkness exploded outward from Ichigo' location.

Ichigo's bankai retained his previous shihakuso (ankle-length coat) with red lining that flared out to ragged ends. He also retained the flame like mane from his hakama except it was now real hellfire. Ichigo's zanpakuto was still black as night but it seemed far less substantial as if it was made entirely out of shadows. The crossguard was still in the shape of the manji for 'ban' but it was now far more jagged. The blade itself was much more curved with three protrusions on the blunt side of the sword closer to the tip. The eight orbs of black shadows from his shikai were still hovering behind Ichigo. Tufts of hellfire burned around Ichigo's wrists and ankles as well.

"Enma Mugetsu," declared Ichigo as he glared at Aizen. (Ruler of Hell, Moonless Sky)

"How quaint Kurosaki Ichigo. Where is this power you speak of? Your reiatsu has completely vanished. I expected more from you," said Aizen with a smile.

"Why can't I feel his reiatsu anymore?" asked Rukia.

"He has transcended your ability to sense him. Much in the same way a two dimensional being cannot comprehend a three dimensional one, you can no longer comprehend his ability. I can sense his strength right now because I exist in the same dimension as he does and I can assure you, if you could sense his strength it would drive you insane. Your mind is not capable of comprehending the amount of power he wields. That is the strength of Kurosaki Ichigo. That is the man who rules all dimensions," said Musashi as he glanced up at Ichigo.

"Let us end this Aizen. One Attack, one strike," said Ichigo as crouched in an Iaido stance.

"Very well. Let us see who is truly stronger," said Aizen as he too settled into an Iaido stance.

"Musashi-san I can no longer feel Aizen. Has he…?"

"Yes Rukia. The two of them now stand in a dimension completely different than the one you stand in. Aizen is approaching Ichigo's level of power with the aid of the Hogyoku, Ichigo has not revealed his trump card but I suspect he will not need to. Aizen is strong but he is nowhere near Ichigo. The difference between them is night and day."

Ichigo leapt forward as he seemed to fuse with the shadow surrounding until he was just a streak of darkness heading towards Aizen. Aizen leapt forward confident in his bankai's ability to dispel Ichigo's zanpakuto, the two met and separated in less than a second as they stopped facing opposite directions.

"You thought that your Bankai's ability would protect you. It is powerful I admit, but it doesn't stop everything. I simply swung at you your arrogance cost you the fight Aizen," said Ichigo as he turned to look down at a kneeling Aizen who clutched at his stomach, glaring up at Ichigo.

"D-damn you! Why do you not take power for yourself? You have the strength to rule all the worlds! Where is your ambition?" demanded Aizen.

"Tell me Aizen, do you think yourself above those you rule?" asked Ichigo. Aizen nodded. "Then a throne does not suit you. You miss the point of ruling. Those in power have a duty, an obligation to those who serve them. If you think yourself above that, then you will never truly rule. Goodbye Aizen Sousuke," said Ichigo as he watched Aizen fade into dust.

Ichigo closed his eyes as he looked up at the blackened sky, as he released his bankai his sword faded into shadow as the sky returned to its normal color. He shihakusho faded until it was the blood red it had been before bankai. The eight shadowy orbs disappeared into nothingness as he looked back down. Aizen was dead, but this was just the beginning. There would be more battles to fight, more wars, but for now at least there would be peace.

"Rukia… I'm back," said Ichigo as he flash stepped next to her.

'Idiot!" shouted Rukia as she kick Ichigo in the shin, elbowed him in the stomach and slapped him.

"Ow! Stop that midget!" yelled Ichigo as he attempted to fend off her attacks.

"Don't ever leave me like that again," whispered Rukia as she buried herself in his chest.

"I'm sorry, but I won't leave you again," said Ichigo softly as Rukia looked up into his eyes with her violet ones before nodding.

I'm really sorry it took me this long to write this chapter but I've just been distracted by a lot of things. You might have noticed I completely skipped how Ichigo conquered Hell, that will be revealed in flashbacks later on in the story. I want to keep Hell a very mysterious place and felt that slowly revealing it, instead of several chapters specifically dedicated to it would keep the mystique better. I will try to update more frequently but rest assured that even if there isn't another update in six months I am dedicated to finishing this story and it will be finished no matter what.