I do realize that I'm a horrible person for posting this intead of working on WOY, but the plot bunnies were attacking my brain fluids. I was compelled.

I do not own Bleach or any of the characters.

Enjoy!

~.~.~.~.~

Aizen was all about planning. He would set a plan that included everything, down to the last person's actions, no matter how insignificant. It was how he had remained in Soul Society for so long undiscovered.

How he had fooled even his own captain, and then stuck the figurative knife in his back, then got Central 46 to blame Kisuke himself.

He had even known that Shihoin Yoruichi would rescue him and Aizen's Vaizard experiments as well.

He had been planning his defection of Soul Society for years, decades even.

He had forced Kisuke's hand in putting the Hyougokyu into the Kuchiki chit, knowing Kisuke would feel threatened by Aizen's movements and have to hide the thing quickly.

Then he had whispered in the ears of some Central 46 member's ears, and quickly had them calling for Kuchiki's execution.

Kurosaki Ichigo was the variable in his plans.

He had not expected the boy to become so fond of Kuchiki. Fond enough to rip his way into the very heart of Soul Society itself. Fond enough to risk his life every second he remained in Sereitei. Fond enough to pluck her right off the gallows stand, fighting through a slew of ranked officers on the way.

Then Kurosaki had finagled his way into Hueco Mundo to save his friend Orihime. He had decimated Aizen's Espada, along with the Shinigami captains that followed him through.

Aizen hated variables.

And yet, Aizen was always underestimating Isshin's son. Ichigo seemed capable to pull strength from nowhere after Aizen thought his reserves were long exhausted. The boy was willing to go to such lengths to keep those precious to him safe.

Aizen was always underestimating Kurosaki Ichigo, because Aizen himself had never had anyone he cared about more than himself. People were expendable to him.

So Aizen kept on underestimating Ichigo.

And didn't stop until that slim black blade pierced his heart.