STOP ME WHEN YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH

Right, The War

The war is something Ichigo never took seriously until now - mostly because it was Aizen preaching about it. Now that it's here, in the sky, it's become quite real all of a sudden. Rukia grabs Ichigo by the arm, and flips him around to face his fracción and their human friends. It makes the mask fragments left by Shiro fly and crumble off his face. Rukia looks both scared and ready to fight. She looks dead and alive at the same time.

"Ichigo, please don't forget that Aizen just tried to kill you ten seconds ago. Please don't forget why we're here," she softly begs.

His heart aches. "I haven't forgotten. I don't think I can forget. We just need to keep up appearances for a little longer," he says under his breath.

"What is that?" Ryō points to the sky full of Shinigami.

"They are the Gotei 13. They're an army from the land of the dead. They're here to kill Lord Aizen," he explains. He then turns to his fracción. "Make sure they don't touch Lord Aizen. Our job is to make sure he makes the oken without interference."

"You can't be serious," Uryū hisses under his breath, sending a glare Aizen's way. The megalomaniac seems to be having a quiet conversation with Gin and Tousen.

"Did you not hear what I said about appearances? Follow my lead all the way," Ichigo mutters. "Inoue, Mizuiro, stay here and watch out for these guys. Protect them. Use your powers to your full advantage. Keigo, I want you to scout out Karakura Town. See if you can get a location on where the captains are."

"The captains?" Keigo furrows his eyebrows.

"Who else is leading this attack? They're going to be wearing a white haori coat with a black kanji number on the back. You can also feel their Reiatsu before you see them. They're going to be the most powerful Shinigami here, so I don't want you engaging them."

"Got it!" The three say at once.

Keigo murmurs something to his sister before flashing away. Mizuho gawks in surprise, along with the other six more normal girls.

"What just happened?" Mizuho demands.

"That's Keigo's power," Chad states like it's obvious.

"You all have powers?" Mahana quirks an eyebrow.

"Hell yeah. Check it," Tatsuki grins, flexing her hot metal skin.

"Whoa!"

"Uryū," Ichigo starts, ignoring the normal people. "I need you to stay here. Keep an eye on Lord Aizen. Any new developments are sent with Keigo to me. Otherwise, you're Inoue's and Mizuro's defense. When you're not watching Lord Aizen, you're watching them."

"On it."

"Tatsuki, Chad, you two are our heavy hitters. I need you out in the field with me. We need to cause as much damage and distraction as possible. However, no killing. Injure and murder are not the same thing."

"We got your back, Ichigo," Chad nods. Tatsuki copies the head nod.

"What about me?" Rukia asks, hands on her hips.

"You? You're my secret weapon, of course," Ichigo grins.

"Oh?" She quirks an eyebrow.

"When Keigo finds the captains, you are going to have him take you to them. Tell them everything that's happened in Hueco Mundo. Tell them that we are not the bad guys," he whispers into her ear. One can never be too careful.

"Why me?"

"Because you're one of them. If they'll listen to anyone, it's you."

She nods. "What should I do until then?"