Darkness took hold of Toushiro as they passed through the gate. He remembered nothing of the journey across the silver sands or entering the castle. He only became vaguely aware of what was happening when Aizen lay him down, and he suddenly felt very cold. His eyes would not open but he was beginning to hear what was going on and the pain in his shoulder and back throbbed endlessly.
"What's the plan?" Gin's voice.
"Heal him, then I'll finish the hypnosis."
"What are you going to make him believe."
"I will erase all memories of soul reapers. I will erase the world of the living, the Soul Society, everything. He will be a child of Heuco Mundo and he will desire to protect it with his life, and protect me."
"As your servant?"
"As my son. I will tell him that he has an incredible power, and I will tell him stories of the evil other world of fire. Then he will discover his power of ice and he will ask me to let him fight. Eventually, I will say yes."
"How elaborate."
"It is necessary. My hypnosis can trick everything but the inner most part of you. I must keep him true to himself. He must think he is fighting for good, but he must not know the extent of his true power until he fights Yamamoto. He must believe he need's my protection and guidance, because he is only a child, and if I am his father, his loyalty and trust will be unwavering."
"Brilliant. Oh, I think he is awake."
Toushiro had begun to shiver from the cold and from the anger. "Monsters." he whispered and peeled open his eyes.
"That's not very nice." said Gin, leaning in. He put a hand on Toushiro's forehead. Toushiro tried to raise his arm to push Gin away but nothing happened. The shock appeared in his face.
"Yes, that's the power of Heuco Mundo. In your current state it is overpowering your soul." Gin sneered as he turned to Aizen. "He's as cold as ice– pardon the pun. He'll die if we don't act soon"
"Yes, get the healer immediately, and for now, put up a spiritual barrier." Aizen left and Toushiro was relieved to not have to feel his presence but Gin remained. The healer was sent for and the barrier raised. At once the young captain felt the heat returning to his body but some of the pains that had been numbed began to grow stronger. The healer came to his side and began stripping off his blood soaked robes. Captain Hitsugaya was brave, but Aizen's plan struck fear into him. He'd already experienced some of the power of his hypnosis, already lost some of his memories, he knew Aizen had the power to change him– to make him fight against his kin. But he could only do that if he was healed. As much pain as he was in, Toushiro resisted, now able to move within the barrier, he managed to shake the healer off of him. He crouched on his bed, breathing heavily, waiting for Gin, knowing he would come. The healer was a lowly arrancar, he should be able to deal with him, if he could just wound him even it would delay the process.
"So you'd rather die would you?" Gin dove at him but Toushiro rolled away. He knew he could not escape, just wound the healer.
"Hado #4: Byakurai!" the white light shot out, the healer cringed but then nothing. The light disappeared along with all of Toushiro's strength. Ichimaru had lowered the barrier and all of the evil spiritual pressure struck his weakened soul, bringing him to his knees.
"Oh Captain Hitsugaya, so brave, so defiant, but Aizen will fix that soon." He walked circles around Hitsugaya who was frozen in position barely able to breath and every muscle shaking in pain, cold, and to his shame, fear. "You will die if I don't raise the barrier again, this is the power of Heuco Mundo, you need me to survive."
"I don't want to survive if it means helping you."
"How difficult. Well if I can persuade you then I'll just have to make you." His icy hands wrapped around Toushiro's bare torso and lifted him to the bed. He lay him face down and positioned his wrists above his head, locking them there with a kido spell. Then he raised the barrier, and the healer reluctantly returned to work, sewing up his back. Shame and frustration filled Toushiro and he shut his eyes to the pain of it all. At some point the darkness came again and he knew no more.
The healing process here was nothing like the abilities of the fourth squad. The pain of his wounds still throbbed at full force and he could feel the roughness of where his skin had been sewn back with dark spiritual energy. It would leave terrible scars. He did feel a bit stronger though and the barrier kept him warmer. His wrists had been freed, he tried sitting up. It was painful. He had been redressed in white robes like those of the others in Heuco Mundo, but not so flamboyant, more like a child's. He remembered Aizen's plans and shuddered. His original plan was still the only one he had, and as unpleasant as it was, he shouldn't waste time. He would kill himself before he could be used to hurt his friends. If only he had Hyorinmaru, then the job would be easy, and they could go together.
"I'm sorry, old friend." His shoulder had only been wrapped, not sewn, presumably so Aizen could finish his work. So, without further hesitation, he tore of the bandages and threw himself against the wall. The pain was immense but he successfully split it open again. With this done he stepped out of his barrier and waited for the end. The cold hit him immediately, then the darkness of the horrible world flooded him. He would not lose his nerve, he would let himself die, but surrounded by this worlds spirits suddenly he felt afraid. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, determined to die with pride.
"Tsk Tsk." The voice was new, but Toshiro knew him by his description immediately. Grimjow– the Espada that so hated Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Hado 33: Sohkatsui!" Toshiro raised his hand against Grimjow but in a quick flash step the arancar had him.
"Your tricks won't work. But if you have this much energy I think its time to start your transforation." At this Toshiro found the last of his reserves. He struggled against Grimjow with all his might, but it was not enough.
"Get Aizen will you." he called out beyond the cell. "Its time." Grimjow had him pinned against the wall. He had only one choice. He slammed his head back as hard as he could, hoping it would be enough. Just before things went dark he heard the arancar curse.
When he opened his eyes he was very disappointed to find himself still alive. He was too strong to die, but not strong enough to kill himself, pathetic. He was not in his cell. He was not even in a barrier, but he found no trouble in breathing. In fact, he felt the wounds in his back were healed, with the exception of the scars, and his head didn't even hurt. What was going on? Toushiro sat up and the motion made him dizzy. He was weak.
"Eat, please." It was Aizen. He was holding out a bowl of some mushy substance. Toushiro refused, even though hunger burned inside him. "No need to be rude."
"How did you heal me?"
"Nothing special. You did most the work, we just made sure you couldn't damage yourself anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"You've been asleep for many days. I simply got the healer to lay a spell on you."
"Damn you." Toushiro knotted his fingers together, trying to suppress his frustration. He couldn't win.
"You really should eat. You haven't for quite some time."
"If you don't remember, I've been trying to kill myself, eating won't help me in that."
"Very well. I guess its time." And suddenly there were hands on him, pinning him to the table. And Gin entered and in his arms was Hyorinmaru. For an instant his heart leapt to see his sword again, but it was torture not being able to hold it. To his surprise they lay it at his side.
"What are you doing?"
"Well, Hyornimaru must share in your transformation, otherwise, he'll give me away when you meet him again."
"No..." But no amount of struggling would change his fate. Aizen stood over him and his was the only face Toushiro could see. The blade slid into his shoulder again, not so deep this time, but he still couldn't stop the scream. Then the black energy. And one by one they drifted away. There was Ichigo, no, just an orange haired human boy, now nothing at all. Then the children in his childhood, then his training days, the Sereite, the other captains, Rukia, Renji, Momo, no, please don't take her– wait who is that girl with the white bonnet and the sweet smile? Oh then there is Rangiku, he struggled, he wept, but then she had no name. My lieutenant! My friend! She has golden hair, I think I knew her at one point. Who is that woman? Then nothing. A black void. Hyorinmaru calling a name, his name? An ice dragon before him, who is it? Now it is a sword, how strange, now nothing. Now a man, with a gentle face, and glasses and a white robe. Father. And Uncle Gin, always smiling, and Grimjow, with the blue-silver hair he always tried to imitate, always looking out for him. And Tousen, his father's dear friend, blind but strong and wise. And the silver sands beyond the palace, dangerous for just a boy but fun to sneak down to the dessert and play in secret, if only for a few moments. How he loved Heuco Mundo, how he would always protect his home.
