Rukia's Execution

Rukia's Execution is an event taking place during the Ryoka Invasion, in which Rukia Kuchiki faces execution by Sōkyoku for her crime of transferring her Shinigami powers to Ichigo Kurosaki.

Prelude
Following her arrest in the Human World, Rukia was brought back to Soul Society, where she was sentenced to death by the Central 46. Following this sentence she was detained in the Senzaikyū. Her four Human friends, Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado set out on a bold rescue attempt, lead by Yoruichi Shihōin. They were later joined by Ganju Shiba and Hanatarō Yamada. The attempt caused much chaos within Seireitei, but most of the intruders were apprehended and detained. Yoruichi takes Ichigo to a secret location where she introduces a training program to help him become strong enough to save Rukia within three days, however, during his second day they learn that Rukia's execution date was moved up unto the noon of the following day, August 6th.

In the morning of the execution Rukia is taken by her executioners out of the Senzaikyū to the long walk to the Sōkyoku Hill. While on the bridge she suddenly senses the Reiryoku of Renji Abarai disappearing and realizes he was defeated by someone of enormous Reiryoku. She is then surprised by the appearance of Gin Ichimaru. Ichimaru conducts small conversation with Rukia, as if they had just met on a Seireitei street. During this talk Rukia remembers how the captain always gave her an uneasy feeling whenever he was around her. Gin brings her back to reality by telling her he thinks Renji is still alive and Rukia understands that he is correct. However, he says Renji would probably die for having tried to rescue her. Rukia accuses Gin of lying, refusing to believe Renji would do such a thing. Gin then asks her if she is afraid of dying and offers to free her and her friends. He allows Rukia a moment of renewed hope before crushing it by saying he was merely joking. With this simple but cruel trick, Gin manages to shatter Rukia's resolve to go peacefully towards her end. As he walks away Gin smiles evilly to himself as he hears Rukia's anguished cry.

Countdown to the End
As she arrives at the execution sight on Sōkyoku Hill, Rukia is placed on a platform underneath the gallows. Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto orders the beginning of the Ceremony. Captain Suì-Fēng of the 2nd Division tells her lieutenant,Marechiyo Ōmaeda the attendance is very poor, as only the captains and lieutenants of the 2nd, 4th and 8th Divisions have arrived. The absence of the injured captains of the 11th and 12th Divisions was to be expected but none of the others have any excuse. She is taken aback a bit by the arrival of Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of the 6th Division and Rukia's adoptive older brother. Rukia herself looks into Byakuya's eyes, but he turns his eyes away from her.

The captain-commander asks Rukia if has any last words. Rukia has but one thing to say. She requests that her friends would be allowed to return safely to their homes in the Human World. The captain-commander assures her request will be granted by the following morning. Rukia thanks Yamamoto, but 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu finds the deception cruel, knowing full well none of the Ryoka will be allowed to live. Her captain, Retsu Unohana corrects her, saying it was in fact kindness of the captain-commander that will allow Rukia to pass on in peace. Yamamoto gives the command to release the seal of the Sōkyoku. As the executioners begin the release sequence of the Sōkyoku, Rukia notices she has regained the resolve she lost after her encounter with Ichimaru. She wonders if it was Yamamoto's response to her request that soothed her spirit or Byakuya's conduct when he arrived at the sight. She looks at her brother and thanks him in her heart.

Rukia watches as three squares appear on platform she is standing on, one directly on front of her and one on each side. The squares begin to rise, revealing three cubic blocks that detach from the platform. Rukia's bonds are removed and the two blocks on her sides climb to the height of her shoulders and her hands are locked straight up to the sides of her body. The middle block stops at her heels, keeping them in place. Held by the three blocks, Rukia makes her way to the head of the gallows. The lieutenant of the 8th Division, Nanao Ise seems quite upset at the sight of this. Her captain, Shunsui Kyōraku asks her to cheer up or he will be saddened as well. Nanao apologizes, saying she didn't mean to expose her emotions. Before the astonished eyes of the top officers of the Gotei 13, the huge pole of the Sōkyoku ignites into flames. All look on as the huge halberd changes its shape into that of a gigantic flaming bird of prey, towering over the tall gallows. Yamamoto marks that the bird's name is Kikōō, the true form of the Sōkyoku's blade. Once it pierces one's body, the capital punishment is enforced.

Deathberry Returns
Rukia realizes she's not afraid of dying. Instead she is thankful for all the good she's had in her life: Her childhood friends, her adoption by Byakuya, the guidance of Kaien and the Ryoka's rescue attempt. She thanks all these in her heart and bids farewell to them. The great bird moves in for the kill. The entire gallows is engulfed in its flames. Rukia shuts her eyes, expecting not to open them again, but when death is delayed she does open them and is astonished by what she sees. Ichigo is standing in the air, slightly above her, blocking the bird's attack with his Zanpakutō. To Ichigo's complete surprise, Rukia responds in anger. She tells him he won't be able to defeat Byakuya and will therefore die for sure this time. Since has already resigned to her fate, she urges him to go away.

Down on the ground, Suì-Fēng struggles to understand how Ichigo could possibly stop the Sōkyoku, which has the power equivalent to one-million Zanpakutō and wonders who he is. Kyōraku asks his lieutenant if Ichigo is one of the Ryoka, and she confirms it, saying he fits the description. Kyōraku remarks that the one who arrived on time is an outsider. The great bird calls in anger, alarming Ichigo. He turns to it and sees it has backed up for another attack. Ichigo is pleased to see it and challenges the released blade to come again. Rukia warns him he will never survive a second attack. Ichigo ignores her and prepares for the attack, but to everyone's surprise a rope is suddenly wrapped around the bird's neck. The rope is held by none other than Rukia's commanding officer, Captain Jūshirō Ukitake of the 13th Division accompanied by his two third seats, Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu.

The other end of the rope reaches the ground and is grabbed by Kyōraku, accompanied by Ise. Kyōraku berates his friend for his late arrival. Ukitake replies that the breaking of the seal took longer than expected, but now everything is prepared. With this he presents a large shield connected to the rope holding the bird. Suì-Fēng recognizes it as the Shihōin Shield and realizes the captains are trying to destroy the Sōkyoku. She orders Ōmaeda to stop them, but there is not much the vulgar lieutenant can do against two captains. And indeed, the captains release a surge of energy from the shield up the rope. When the surge reaches the bird it disappears and the pole broken in half falls to the ground while the blade shatters into thousands of pieces.

Having been rid of the immediate threat, Ichigo lands on the top of the gallows and informs Rukia he intends to destroy it. She tries to stop him but he tells her to just keep quiet and watch. He stabs the top beam with such force that a large section of its middle disintegrates, as does the platform underneath, all the way down to the bottom of the cliff beneath the gallows. Ichigo says he's fed up with hearing Rukia telling him to leave her and run away, holding her under her arm like a child, he reminds her this is the second time he's come to her rescue. Rukia calls him an idiot and tells him she won't thank him for this.

Down on the ground everyone looks in awe at the demolished gallows, wondering who Ichigo is to possess such power. Byakuya in particular looks upon him with dismay. Rukia asks Ichigo what he intends to do now. Ichigo says he intends to run but Rukia tells him they couldn't possibly outrun the captains they are surrounded by. Ichigo replies that in that case he will defeat the captains beforehand. He informs her that Orihime, Uryū and Chad will also need help as will Hanatarō, Ganju and anyone else who lent them a hand, will all be rescued and taken back to the Human World. Rukia senses how Ichigo's words and the look in his eyes fills her up with strength. Right then they hear a short scuffle on the ground and when they look they see Renji, who has taken out the executioners. Ichigo calls Renji's name and lifts Rukia through the air and despite the objections of both Rukia and Renji he hurls Rukia straight to Renji, who manages to catch her before being thrown back by the impact.

As they recover, both Rukia and Renji protest Ichigo's recklessness. However, Ichigo ignores them and tells Renji to take Rukia and run away. His roll will be to not let go of Rukia even if he should die. Without hesitation Renji turns and runs away. The other lieutenants, shock by the betrayal of one of their peers stare after him in confusion, until Suì-Fēng shakes them by ordering all of them after Renji. Ōmaeda sets out immediately. Isane and 1st Division lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe receive their respective captains permission before going. However the three run into an unexpected obstacle in the form of Ichigo, who lodges his sword into the ground, blocking their path. The three lieutenants release their Shikai, but the unarmed Ichigo bests them all in a matter of seconds and still has time to block an oncoming attack by Byakuya.

Aftermath
The attendees of the execution break into three separate battles. Ichigo fights Byakuya, Yamamoto takes on Kyōraku and Ukitake while Yoruichi Shihōin steps in to fight Suì-Fēng. Renji keeps running with Rukia until he encounters an interference which will change the face of Soul Society forever.