The Hero in the Mirror
By Spunky0ne
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A guilt-ridden Ichigo goes to visit Aizen in Muken after the traitor helps to save Soul Society from Ywach's treachery. An unplanned tryst ends up leaving a stunned Ichigo pregnant with Aizen's child. In desperation, Ichigo turns to Byakuya, who reveals to Ichigo that there is a way to protect the child, but the path for all of them could be perilous. And what will Aizen do when he learns that Ywach's dead body is now maintaining the balance of souls?...yaoi, mpreg Aizen/Ichigo, Byakuya/Renji, Kisuke/Tetsuya
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Chapter 1: A Day for Giving Thanks
(Happy morning after Thanksgiving to all recovering from the celebration and indulging in tasty leftovers! My deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to everyone reading and supporting my work. Love you all, Spunky)
Ichigo sat quietly at the head table of a huge banquet in Kuchiki Manor gardens, watching and listening as the captain commander, the Kuchiki family's head elder and several sages from Central 46 gave speeches conveying their gratitude for his efforts in the quincy war. He tried to let their words encourage him, to let the lights and the bright colors, the delicious foods and the presence of his friends cheer him, but through it all, the one person who was missing from the celebration refused to leave his mind.
Why can't I stop thinking about him? I try, but he keeps coming back into my thoughts. I know he was only helping us because we had a common enemy, but…they just threw him back in Muken without so much as a thank you. They go on and on about me, but they forget, I had help. I had lots of help. Ginjo and Tsukishima restored my powers when Ywach stole them. Aizen and Renji helped me in the battle, and Uryu shot the arrow that froze Ywach's powers for a moment, allowing me to make the killing strike. Uryu was pardoned and relations were opened up with the remaining quincies. Renji and I received the Seireitei's highest award. All of the taichos who fought in the war received awards too.
But Aizen…
"You are too much in your thoughts these days, Ichigo," Byakuya commented, from where he sat near the shinigami substitute, "Have you even heard the gratitude everyone is offering you?"
"Yeah, sorry," Ichigo said ruefully, "I do appreciate it. I just…"
"You're still thinking about him," Renji concluded.
Ichigo let out a soft, frustrated breath and looked down at the barely touched plate of food in front of him.
"I know it's stupid," he confessed, closing his eyes for a moment, "I know that he had selfish reasons for helping us, but remember that he didn't have to fight Ywach. He wasn't in danger of being killed. In fact, he gave up his immortality in the fight."
"Well, it was not so much giving it up as losing it unexpectedly," Byakuya corrected him, "It was not a truly noble act."
"Maybe not," Ichigo sighed, "but he didn't have to help me. He didn't have to fight Ywach at all. He could have just left it to us. He risked himself and he was badly injured and he gave up his immortality."
"That's true," Kisuke said, from where he sat on the other side of the table, "I'll be honest. I kind of feel like you do, although I know all too well that it's way too dangerous to consider letting Aizen go. He's just too much trouble. And if he ever got wind of the true situation up there, it could be bad."
"I don't know if it will make you feel any better," Kuchiki Tetsuya interjected gently, "but I have been with him, attending to his healing as an assistant to Urahara-san."
"Tetsuya's healing skills have been really pivotal in Aizen's care," Kisuke added, "His arm was saved and Tetsuya was able to restore his stomach and intestines completely."
"I was not able to fix the damage to the hogyoku," Tetsuya said regretfully.
"But, neither was Orihime," Kisuke reminded him, "And it is better that the hogyoku is gone. Aizen's enough trouble without it."
"Couldn't they at least have offered him a better cell than the one in Muken?" Ichigo complained, "He was only there because he was immortal."
"The Central 46 sages who survived the war felt that just allowing him to live, when we could now impose the penalty of death he should have been given for his crimes, is enough compensation for his service," Byakuya explained calmly, "I did argue, and our head elder concurred that they should have either offered him better living quarters or release him into a locked dimension in the precipice world."
"I even explained that I have some new techniques that would allow him to function in normal society, but would restrict his powers to defensive ones only," Kisuke added, "They didn't want to hear it. They're terrified of him. Remember how viciously he took the lives of the last council? Losing the hogyoku may make him mortal, but it's also going to make him determined to protect his life."
Ichigo stiffened slightly as another memory suddenly returned to him.
I remember how I reacted when I first learned he had slaughtered the Central 46 sages and judges…but…in that moment when Ywach forced me to stab the king, he shared a vision with me. I wonder if it was the truth. I wonder why he showed me. But, what I saw was those same sages and judges ordering Aizen's death when he was only a child. They said he was too powerful. He escaped them, then, and he used Kyoka Suigetsu to conceal his true identity. He grew up with no one ever knowing.
But his family…
What Central 46 did to them, just killing them like they did, for no reason other than to punish him…
It doesn't make slaughtering them all right, but I know what I would do if someone did that to my family.
The truth is, Aizen is evil, but he's evil because they were evil to him. He's so dangerous now, maybe they don't have a choice but to keep him in Muken. I don't know. I just don't know what to think anymore.
"Ichigo," Byakuya said, touching his arm and bringing him out of his reverie, "are you all right?"
"You seemed to zone out for a second there, buddy," Renjij said in a concerned tone.
"This is bothering you that much?" Tetsuya asked in a sympathetic tone, "You know, if you wish it, I could take you with me when I go to give him his next medical treatment."
"I don't know if that would be such a good idea," Kisuke said, shaking his head.
"It could reassure Ichigo that he is not being mistreated," Tetsuya argued, "No one is allowed to harm him in any way. I sense for traces of any invasive or damaging reiatsu every time I attend to his healing."
Ichigo frowned.
"Can I ask you something a little personal?" he inquired of the younger Kuchiki, "Aren't you Byakuya's bodyguard? But now you're at Central 46, healing Aizen?"
"In addition to being a capable protector," Byakuya explained, "Tetsuya possesses strong healing powers."
"I was not allowed to accept a post in the Gotei 13, because the elders felt that it might divide my loyalties."
"Which is total bullshit and they know it," Kisuke said dryly.
"They balked at allowing a person of mixed blood act as my protector," Byakuya said, frowning, "so they expected Tetsuya to choose between an officer's position in the fourth division and protecting me."
"I have never been sorry," Tetsuya said firmly, "I made the right decision."
"You should never have had to make a decision like that," Byakuya said firmly.
"Well, as most of the ranking healers in Squad Four were too intimidated by him or just hated him too much, Tetsuya was the obvious choice to heal Aizen," Kisuke reasoned, "So, he's getting to use his healing powers now, and Aizen is getting the best possible care."
"So, you say that if I want to, you will take me to see him?" Ichigo asked.
Byakuya and Kisuke exchanged disapproving glances
"Well," said Kisuke, "as the team's leader in Aizen's care, I recommend against it, but if you think that's what you need to give you some kinda peace, I'm with Tetsuya on letting you come with us. In fact, when this shindig is over, Tetsuya and I will be going over. You can tag along then, if you're so determined."
"Thanks," Ichigo said, brightening slightly, "I appreciate that. Thanks to both of you."
He found that, afterwards, the heavy weight he had felt seemed to lighten, and he considered carefully what he might say to the traitor.
I wonder if I'll be able to talk to him alone or if we'll be watched the whole time. He's really dangerous, so we'll probably be monitored.
He managed a few more bites of his food as the last of the speakers finished, then he left the table to go to his guest room to change. Despite knowing to expect the arrival of the attendant Byakuya had assigned to him, he couldn't help blushing as the young man bowed respectfully, then removed his clothing.
"Thanks Akio," he said, smiling at the younger, green-eyed youth.
"Oh, it's no trouble, Ichigo-san," Akio replied, smiling back at him, "It is an honor to attend the hero of Soul society and Byakuya-sama's friend."
"Not to be rude, but it feels a little weird to me, being treated like I'm important. Back home, I'm just a high school kid."
"Ah, but here, in Soul Society, we know the lengths that you have gone to for the purpose of protecting, not just Soul Society, but all of the worlds."
All that, and I'm noble too, Ichigo mused inwardly, Not that anyone here knows yet. I haven't told anyone. Dad left it to me to decide what gets said, when and where. I just don't know if I should tell anyone. I've seen the hard choices that Byakuya has to make, being a clan leader, and Dad already told me that if I choose to say something, I will be made the Shiba heir. And if I'm made the heir, then our house could be reinstated as a great clan. Either choice, saying something or staying quiet, has its pros and cons. I don't know.
I don't know what I'll do.
He stood quietly as Akio finished dressing, then thanked the youth and flash stepped out to the gardens. He sensed Kisuke and Tetsuya were near the koi pond and headed there, rounding a corner, then sliding to a stop as he realized that the two men he sought were not just waiting for him, but were embracing.
What the…?
Kisuke smiled at his blushing younger friend and bowed his head slightly to capture Tetsuya's smiling lips in a slow, gentle kiss.
I didn't know those two were…
"You shouldn't do that here," Tetsuya whispered.
Ichigo ducked behind a bush as Tetsuya looked around, then back at Kisuke.
"I still haven't told Byakuya-sama we are intimate."
"You think he'll be angry?" Kisuke asked, "I mean, I know he has mixed feelings about me."
"You and I both know that you and Yoruichi-san took great pleasure in teasing him to the ends of his wits when he was a boy," Tetsuya chided him, "I will just need some time to convince him."
"Well, I hope you do that soon," Kisuke sighed, "You know this assignment at Central 46 won't last forever, and you don't come to the living world very often."
"I know," Tetsuya said, giving the elder man a guilty look, "I am sorry it is taking a long time for me to get up the courage to ask for his blessing. Maybe you should just…"
Kisuke smiled kindly and stopped Tetsuya's words with a long, passionate kiss. Tetsuya gazed at him silently, his blue eyes troubled.
"You listen to me," Kisuke said firmly, "I haven't had a lover since…"
He paused and looked around carefully, then lowered his voice.
"I haven't had a lover since Aizen put one over on me to gain access to my research. I didn't ever want to fall in love again. One of the drawbacks of having learned to always have a plan is that I always look at and plan for the worst that can happen. That kept me from getting involved with anyone for a long time."
"I know," Tetsuya whispered, curving a soft palm around his face, then kissing his lips tenderly, "I feel so fortunate that we finally met in person…and that…unlike everyone else, you noticed me, you acknowledged me…you let me close to you."
"Cause I know I can trust you," Kisuke said, turning his head to kiss the fingertips that caressed his cheek, "Tetsuya, whatever happens, whatever Byakuya thinks or what decision he makes about giving his blessing to this, I am going to love you. Nothing's gonna change that."
"And nothing will change how I feel about you," Tetsuya whispered back.
Ichigo waited until the two had kissed several more times, then turned to look up into the blue sky together. He stepped around the corner, pretending not to notice the way the two sidled carefully away from each other.
"Hey Ichigo," Kisuke greeted him casually, "You ready?"
"Yeah," Ichigo answered, "and Kisuke, thanks for doing this. I know you didn't really want to, but I do need to talk to him. At least, to get a few things off my chest."
"Sure," Kiuske said, nodding as Tetsuya whistled softly and the three heard approaching hoofbeats.
A moment later, Tetsuya's tall, handsome black Arabian stallion flash stepped into view and came to a stop in front of them.
"Would you like to ride with me, Ichigo-san?" Tetsuya asked, hopping up, onto the horse's back and extending a hand.
"Ah, don't you wanna ride with Kisuke?" Ichigo inquired.
He wanted immediately to kick himself for giving himself away, but Tetsuya only kept smiling politely and seemed not to notice.
"It's fine," Kisuke chuckled, "I like giving ol' fourlegs, here, a run for his money."
"Arashi enjoys the competition as well," Tetsuya laughed, helping Ichigo onto the horse's back.
Ichigo started to answer, but was stopped as Arashi charged forward. He couldn't help but lose a measure of his melancholy as the graceful stallion sped across the distance, angling around trees at dizzying speeds, leaping over hedges and staying just ahead of Kisuke, who flash stepped after them, holding one hand to his green striped hat. They reached the entry gates to Central 46 in a dead heat and the horse skidded to a halt, prancing and blowing out an equine raspberry at the grinning shopkeeper.
"I believe that was a tie, fourlegs," Kiuske snickered, "And next time, I don't think you'll be so lucky.
Arashi waited as Tetsuya and Ichigo dismounted, then he darted away and swiftly disappeared. Tetsuya and Kisuke led Ichigo to the guard station at the entry doors and the three paused as a guard with quiet brown eyes and short-cropped brown hair approached them.
"Urahara Kisuke and Kuchiki Tetsuya," Kisuke announced, "And we've brought Kurosaki Ichigo with us as an added attendant."
"Very well," the guard said, nodding, "Proceed, sirs."
They passed through, into the lobby of the compound, where they walked forward, then down a long hallway that ended in a second guard post. Their identities were checked again, then they boarded a lift that carried them down to the lowest level. They were stopped at a final guard post, where the guard provided them three keys, then waved them on. Ichigo felt a chill as another guard unlocked and opened the door that led into Aizen's cell, and the icy air and dread darkness wrapped around them.
This place is horrible, and it's full of people who have committed horrible crimes.
He flinched inwardly as he felt the questing touch of Aizen's powerful reiatsu, even before he became visible in the blackness ahead of them. Kisuke stopped at a small console, short of where Aizen was restrained and he inserted the three keys, removing restraints on Aizen's head, arms and torso, but leaving the bindings on his legs, so that he was still attached to the white, reiatsu restraining chair.
The traitor's brown eyes studied Kisuke and Tetsuya for a moment, then came to rest on Ichigo.
"Well," he said, smirking very slightly, "that's a face I wasn't expecting to see. Ichigo, what brings you?"
Kisuke gave Ichigo a look of warning.
"He's just here observing today," the shopkeeper said off-handedly, "Go on, Tetsuya. You can approach him now."
"What? He's going to go near him?" Ichigo objected.
"I have to if I am to continue his healing," Tetsuya reminded him.
"Oh, right. Of course," Ichigo said sheepishly, "I don't know what I was thinking. I was only worried he might hurt you."
"I will not hurt Tetsuya," Aizen said calmly, "Even hardened criminals like me know the value of a talented healer. Come, Tetsuya. That place on my midsection was bothering me quite a bit last night."
"I will take care of it," Tetsuya said, moving forward and sitting in a smaller chair beside Aizen's.
As Kisuke's head bowed and he worked silently at the monitor, Aizen's gaze met Ichigo's and the traitor smiled warmly.
"How have you been, Ichigo?" he asked, "It was rather nice seeing you before, despite the circumstances. I don't expect you were as happy to see me."
"I told you then. I saw you using Kyoka Suigetsu to protect me from Ywach's sight and I went with it, because we both wanted the same thing. It wasn't personal, and it didn't mean that…"
"Of course not," Aizen agreed calmly, I just wanted to express my appreciation of your abilities, and your company. It is too quiet and chilly here for my tastes."
"You probably should have thought about that before you killed those men in the meeting chamber here," Ichigo answered, trying to sound unaffected, "although considering…"
He froze mid-sentence at the little glimmer of curiosity that rose in Aizen's eyes at his words. He stared at the traitor, uncertain if he should continue.
It suddenly struck him that it seemed as though Tetsuya and Kiuske hadn't heard their exchange. Aizen noticed his confusion and his smile widened.
"It's not your imagination," Aizen laughed softly, "We have privacy."
"You're using your power on them?" Ichigo mused, looking from Tetsuya to Kisuke and back at Aizen, "You're able to do that?"
"Don't be alarmed," Aizen assured him, "I can't escape without the rest of the keys. I won't hurt Kisuke or Tetsuya. I rather enjoy their company. I won't hurt you either. I sense that you came here with a purpose. Why did you want to see me, Ichigo?"
"Ah," Ichigo began, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, "I'm not sure, exactly. I wanted to be sure they weren't hurting you?"
"You wanted more than that," Aizen prompted him, "Your eyes look haunted, Ichigo. Something is weighing heavily on your heart. Please, come closer."
He wasn't sure why his feet obeyed when his heart still felt conflicted. But he moved to stand in front of Aizen and didn't even flinch when the traitor's hand extended and touched his face, lightly.
"You are very troubled," Aizen concluded, stroking his cheek, "It has something to do with me. Will you tell me?"
Ichigo stared back at him anxiously.
"I…I don't know," Ichigo replied, his chest suddenly feeling oddly breathless, "I just…okay, look, I know."
"You know what?" Aizen asked, frowning, "What is it that you know that is causing you such distress?"
"Why do you care?" Ichigo countered, "You're my enemy."
"Am I?" Aizen asked sedately, "I wonder about that. Unlike the time when you defeated me, you aren't looking at me like an enemy, Ichigo. You are looking at me with something much more alarming. I would say that you are looking at me with pity. I don't need your pity. I did exactly what they said I did. I murdered that roomful of men, and I would do it again."
"Yeah, I know," Ichigo whispered in an almost breathless voice, "But I also know the truth about why."