Of Kings And Pawns

“Checkmate, Again, Sosuke. Looks like you can’t get a break, hun?” the devious captain of the twelfth division smirked as his knight captured the king.

“Maybe, Kisuke or is the king just a pawn in a much bigger game?” the underling of the fifth division questioned trying to distract the captain.

Urahara scoffed, “There is only one game. Not even you or I can change the rules we play by, that’s how it works.” He said seeing Aizen’s feeble attempts to fool him.

“Now, if you don’t mind Sosuke-kun, I have paperwork to do. If I leave it alone too long, I’m afraid of what Hiyori might do to me.” The captain said leaving the underling to his thoughts.

“You may not be able to change the rules senpai, but I will. Mark these words, the king is just another pawn.”

(oXo)

Urahara stood in Karakura Town the Espada and Arrancar surrounding the Shinigami’s attempts to keep them from enter the Soul Society.

The bodies from both sides lay cluttered in the streets, but Kisuke had eyes for only a few.

The orange hair stood out stark against the normal colors, like brown and black. His knight, Ichigo, had fallen, a piece of the game that he had hoped would still be standing when the game was finished.

Purple hair was there too, huddled over another one. He could see it, she Yoruichi, his queen had fallen as well, protecting Ururu, the child she had always regarded as a daughter.

Anger boiled in his veins, as Benihime sang a death song for the blonde Espada he had just cut threw.

Looking around he saw the smaller games of chess playing around him, Ukitake thinking about sacrificing himself to save Shunsui, or should he continue his fight.

Isshin had one too, mourn the loss of his son, or allow his rage to help him finish his fight.

All tough decisions, all they had to make for themselves, ones that would help or hinder his own plans.  

“Looking for someone, senpai?” he heard the mocking voice of Aizen asking.
“You!” Kisuke bellowed, throwing himself at him. “Was it you who killed them?” he asked while Benihime lusted for Sosuke’s blood.

“Who? Your valiant knight or your lovely queen?” he asked a smirk growing on his face.

Kisuke growled, “You should have listened to me more often, senpai, it was our games of chess that really got me thinking. If it wasn’t for you, I still would have followed the one set of rules, set before us.” Aizen alleged.

“The King will always be a pawn, while others are working behind him plotting his own demise. The king himself will never know of course, he has too much on his mind, thinking ahead, trying to stay ahead of the others. All that though will spiral downwards, leading him and all of his pawns to death.”

Urahara gasped in horror, all his time, all his efforts, all of that was used by Aizen to complete his own plans. Sinking to his knees, Kisuke realized that all of his life, he the manipulator, was being played like a puppet.

“How nice of you to bow before your new king, pawn. Too bad your queen wasn’t here to see this. It’s my turn now, senpai. You’ve played your last game, too bad you didn’t win.”

“Checkmate…” he finished as his sword swung down

(Fin)