Chapter Two

- Fall's Apart-

I messed up more again when I tried

You spend all your money and I

And, Oh by the way

With all you did nothing has changed

So lie like a waste by the side

As everything just falls apart

'Cause everything just fell apart for me

-0-0-0-

For what seemed like hours Ichigo sat on the sofa in the living room with his face buried into his hands. The book was beside him and he had yet to look at the title. Aizen Sousuke was in his house tonight a severely wanted man and manipulator.

What did he do in a situation like this? Was there no one he could trust? He thought in horror. He raked his fingers through his hair and began to tug on the ends. Shit, shit, shit! He thought frantically. What the hell was his dad doing? What about Kisuke? What did he have to say about it? Why was this happening now? Why didn't anyone say anything before this shit happened? He growled dropped his hands, eyes narrowing. What did that man mean by his family being targeted? Why would they go out of their way to kill two innocent little girls? That was just sick on a whole new level.

If Yamamato was that crazy over authority than he could kill over dead, Ichigo thought seething.

Finally after enough aggravation from his thoughts he glanced over at the book before lifting it and turning it over. It was in perfect condition but it wasn't new. It was well-aged dark red leather with gold letters emblazoned across the front, 'Hollowfication'.

He opened the front to see that it was written by two familiar people. One, obviously Aizen Sousuke, and the other Urahara Kisuke.

He frowned. "What the fuck is going on?" he muttered aloud.

'Yo, King, stop it with the breakdown already? So, Aizen Sousuke and your pop go way back. That doesn't mean that either of them are evil.'

'So says you,' Ichigo said inwardly.

'For once I ain't tryin' to trick ya. If I thought we'd die around that man, I'd have warned your ass to stay back but I don't think that's the case. You have no personal ties to anyone but that Kuchiki Rukia and that tattooed pineapple so who cares if you betray the rest? The rest that want us dead.'

Ichigo mentally sighed and leaned back. 'They wouldn't accept this.'

'Actually, I think they would,' his hollow said quite honestly. 'Consider this; both of them grew up in the darker parts of Rukongai they remember how it was to be treated like dirt by higher ups. That pineapple more than the chick, but they both know. That chick hated to see her best friend belittled in such a way even if it was by her adoptive Nii-sama,' he snorted as he said the words.

'Stop trying to make sense!' Ichigo growled half-heartedly. 'I get your point and I ain't sayin' no I just need time to think.'

'Ask old man Zangetsu,' the hollow suggested quite sympathetically.

Ichigo gasped softly. That wasn't a bad idea actually but that meant going to Urahara's and asking for that cardboard homunculus that he used to achieve Bankai. His decision made Ichigo and grabbed his badge and pressed it to his chest.

His body fell flat on the floor as fast as Ichigo zoomed out the window.

It was raining but Ichigo had been so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't even noticed the thunder or lighting with everything that had happened within the last hour and a half. Ichigo decided not to tell Urahara about Aizen's visit just in case.

There was a light on in the shop even at this late hour which seemed fishy to Ichigo. He paused in front of the shop before raising his fist to knock only to have the door jerk open revealing the hat-and-clog wearing man in all his glory.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Kisuke said with a wide smile. "How are you doing?"

Ichigo didn't want to answer that right now so instead. "I need to use that cardboard thing to talk to Zangetsu?" It came out more of a statement than a question and it almost sounded rude but Ichigo could care less about decorum at the moment.

"Ooh?" Kisuke tilted his head. "Of course Kurosaki-kun, whatever it is you need." He stepped to the side and Ichigo walked through and for the first time a feeling of foreboding slivered deep in him. It was perhaps the first time that his trust for Kisuke was totally rocked and being alone with him was just as bothersome as being alone with Aizen.

Kisuke placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder and the boy jumped away quick as though he'd been stung.

"My, my in a precarious mood are we?"

Ichigo mumbled something that even he didn't know and crossed is arms over his chest. "The cardboard thing?" he reminded keeping his eyes away from Kisuke's shaded ones.

"Downstairs in my basement," Kisuke said clopping forward and lifting the trap door. "You'll find it on the right side and I'm sure you know how to use it."

"Yes," Ichigo murmured already taking the staircase two at a time.

The familiar underground came into Ichigo's view and found the cardboard invention standing up against a rock. He frowned for a moment wondering if Kisuke had expected it. He unraveled his Soul Sword gripping it tight before stalking over silently.

He didn't hesitate he plunged the sword into the hard of the object and it began to glow before black settled in rearranging the shape of the cardboard homunculus and as Ichigo remembered Zangetsu appeared before him, his black tattered cloak ripping in a nonexistent breeze.

"Ichigo," Zangetsu bowed his head, "I sense fear and distress," he said grimly.

Ichigo sagged down on a rock and placed his sword into the ground and leaned on it for support. "Yah, you could say that, I need another opinion, an incorruptible one."

Zangetsu stood before him, his expression never changing as he tilted forward. "Tell me Ichigo," he said wistfully. "Let me ease the confusion for you."

Ichigo pressed his palms to his forehead, he stared at the dusty ground and with a monotonous voice he explained everything to Zangetsu from beginning to end even if he did already know most of the Soul Society's part.

"Your heart is deeply troubled I see," Zangetsu said quietly after a long period of silence between the two of them. "It's raining in your soul again," he said gravely. "Whatever you decide your true friends will follow you. Those who turn on you were never your friend to begin with."

Zangetsu's scarred hand reached out and cupped Ichigo's cheek tenderly causing the teen to raise his head and stare into black soul-filled eyes. "You never have to fear, Ichigo; I will be right by your side no matter what you choose. Your family is precious and dear you hold them close and if they are threatened you must take steps to defend them lest the rain continues and we both slowly begin to drown in its depths."

"In other words follow my family," Ichigo answered feeling a bit of strength pour into him from the words. "Even if it's troubling at first I should follow them and never let them out of my sight."

Zangetsu inclined his head. "I am blessed with an intelligent soulful shinigami. I am pleased. If you feel anymore troubled you may call upon me at any time. I am part of your soul and I will forever be your guide."

A small twister of black consumed Zangetsu kicking up the dirt around them and the soul spirit disappeared and the cardboard homunculus tipped over onto its back.

Time seemed to stand still for Ichigo or so it felt. He sat on that oversized boulder staring at his sword for how long he did not know but he did feel a strange sort of relief wash over him at speaking with Zangetsu.

Ichigo finally stood and he swayed feeling intoxicated by everything. He closed his eyes briefly before picking up Zangetsu and strapping him to his back. "Guess I gotta do what I gotta do, eh?"

'Exactly right, King-o.'

"Shut up you," Ichigo said out loud. "You know you're only getting your way because of my family if they weren't in on this I'd tell you and him both to fuck off."

'Yah, yah,' his Hollow snickered.

"Bastard," Ichigo hissed heading back up.

"Why Kurosaki-kun that's not very nice to call me you know," said Kisuke when Ichigo appeared.

The man was sitting on top of one of his boxes, leg crossed over his knee, and he was fluttering his fan in his face.

"I wasn't talking to you directly but as it states you too are a bastard," he practically spat.

Kisuke chuckled softly. "You are terribly adorable when you're angry, Ichigo," he said dropping the honorific.

"You are an ass," Ichigo said crossing his arms over his chest.

"No I'm not an ass but I can show you a fine one if you want…"

"Would you stop perving on my son?"

Ichigo practically jumped when he saw his dad stroll through the room hands in pockets and his dark eyes watching him carefully.

"I can't Isshin-kun! He's so cute when he's angry, so much like you."

"Shut up!" the two Kurosaki's growled at the same time and this only got a snicker from Kisuke.

Ichigo scowled then and felt like visibly sulking. He felt as though he were being cornered. The only thing on his mind was.

"Where're my sisters?"

"Ryuuken has them for a while."

"Who?" Ichigo asked narrowing his eyes.

"Ishida," Isshin answered.

"… Uryuu's father? That ass?!" he demanded harshly.

"He's not that bad!" Kisuke insisted.

"To hell he is!" Ichigo snapped. "He made his son live a horrible life all because of money," he said darkly. "Why the hell would you leave my sisters with him?!"

"They're safe Ichigo," Isshin insisted staring fully at his son. "Ryuuken has a very soft spot for young children, especially little girls."

"That isn't very encouraging old man!" Ichigo hissed as his cheeks flared. "Sounds like a pedophile!"

Kisuke muffled his laugh as Isshin grumbled. "I didn't mean it like that." His eyes widened as his hands went up in defense mode. Ichigo was worse than super active overprotective father mode. He should have known his son wouldn't take this lightly.

"Yah?" Ichigo challenged. "How the hell did you mean it then? The son of a bitch practically abandoned his only son," he spat in disgust, "hell, they'd be better off in the hands of Aizen!" Isshin arched an eyebrow and Kisuke snickered as Ichigo forcefully slapped himself on the forehead. "I did not just fucking say that!" Now, he was furious, how could he possibly have said that? And out loud?

"I think I heard you," Isshin taunted.

"I did too!" Kisuke quipped.

"You both are bastards," Ichigo said factually. "One, you kept all this shit from me, and two, now you're making me choose between you guys and my friends!" He remembered what Zangetsu said but he'd rather not test those friendships especially certain ones that he'd truly made.

"We're not asking that, Soul Society isn't your friend, Ichigo," Isshin said.

"But Rukia is," Ichigo reminded, "and so is Renji."

'Don't you remember what I said King-o?'

Ichigo rolled his eyes inwardly at the Hollow, ignoring his input. "It's not easy to forgive someone who tried to kill you."

"Renji-kun tried to kill you and not once but twice," Kisuke reminded.

Ichigo grunted and stared at a poster on the far back wall. He decided not to comment on that. Ichigo really wished that he could wake up tomorrow and it was all a dream. One horrible nightmare that didn't seem to end. It would be a nice thought.

"If your friends got wind of what they were going to be planning in Soul Society then they would think very differently about their choices and the laws that were established long ago."

"I admit," Ichigo muttered. "That perhaps the death of room 46 was for the best. If there are people like Kuchiki Byakuya who do nothing but follow the rules to a T no matter how nasty and wrong it is…" he trailed off not finishing. "I just don't like having to make this choice."

"I'm sorry Ichigo," Isshin said earnestly.

"Yah, yah too late to apologize," Ichigo said raking a hand through his hair. "You knew about Aizen coming to talk tonight right?"

Isshin and Kisuke both nodded.

Ichigo bit down on his lip. "I'm going home and if my sisters aren't in bed in two hours I'm going to royally kick your ass," he said sharply.

Isshin winced. "Sometimes, I wonder who the dad really is…" He trailed off as he watched his son leave the shop.

Kisuke burst out laughing and snapped his fan shut. "If you're the son do you have a curfew?"

Isshin gulped. "I hope not!"

"Want to stay a while then?" he asked mischievously.

"I have to get my girls," Isshin said cringing, "I'd hate to see what Ichigo will actually do to me if I don't return them."

"Ah, you're no fun," Kisuke pouted.

-0-0-0-

"Onii-chan!"

It was the next morning and like hell did Ichigo sleep. He was hardly aware of Yuzu's small little arms going around his waist as she stood on her toes to hug him tight.

"Morning Yuz," Ichigo muttered avoiding his father's concerned stare.

Karin handed him a plate of toast with strawberry jam. "You don't look so good Ichi-nii, long night without us?" she teased with a smirk.

Ichigo snorted. "Yah, I had a blast," he said somewhat sarcastically.

Isshin whistled. "Well son if it was that dull next time you can come with us!" he said in his idiot voice.

Ichigo's eyes narrowed as he now realized how utterly fake he sounded. "Would have been peachy had I actually been alone," he muttered sitting across from his father as Yuzu stood by his side. Her doleful eyes peered up at him innocently.

"I tried to save you pizza but dad ate it all," she said in a huff.

"I was hungry!"

"It's alright; I didn't expect anything in return with that goat's appetite."

"I'm sitting right here…"

"Sadly enough," Karin muttered getting an indignant sniff from their father.

Karin was the only one to notice the odd tension between the two, she sat with Ichigo and her eyes kept moving from one to the other.

Ichigo wasn't surprised that she picked everything up; she was the most like him while Yuzu naivety kept her from seeing the reality. Ichigo was glad for her naïve nature and he hoped she never lost it.

Last night Ichigo had decided that the first person he would talk to would be Chad. Above everyone he had ever known he held Chad in the highest regard. After breakfast he stepped out of the house into the warm early September weather.

Chad's apartment was about nine blocks away and was the closest to Urahara shop coincidently. He paused outside the door and sighed before tapping gently on it.

Ichigo smirked when Chad opened the door; his huge, muscled frame was taller than the doorway itself.

"Ichigo?" Chad said expressionlessly.

"Hey Chad," Ichigo said thrusting his hands into his pockets. He entered the apartment as Chad stepped back.

"You don't look so good Ichigo," Chad observed scanning his best friend.

"Hard night," Ichigo said as Chad closed the door behind him. "Boy what a hard night," he repeated and collapsed on the dark brown sofa. He bowed his head; his hands were connected like he was in prayer.

Concerned, Chad rushed to get drinks and placed one in front of him. "Tell me everything."

"I got a visit last night," he began, "Aizen Sousuke."

Chad's eyes went wide it was the only visible expression of shock. "I take it he didn't hurt you," he surmised reaching up and grabbing Ichigo's shoulders. "Look at me!" he said shaking his best friend's shoulder.

Ichigo gasped and gazed up at the usually kind spoken Mexican. "N-no, he didn't hurt me."

Chad's eyes narrowed as if suspicious before clearing again. "I'm sorry Ichigo," he released him and sat back down, "tell me everything."

Ichigo nodded and sipped his orange soda. "It seems that my dad is not exactly the idiot that I always thought he was and Urahara Kisuke is not exactly Mr. Innocent not that he ever was the perverted asshole…" And from there Ichigo told him everything without leaving a scrap of information out.

For Chad's part he remained quiet and still listening to every word Ichigo had to say from start to finish.

"Ichigo whatever you decide I'm following you and no one else," he said unconsciously gripping his gold coin around his neck. "I made that promise years ago and I stand by that."

Ichigo truly smiled one of the firsts in a good long while. "Arigato, Chad. I don't think I have a choice."

"We don't really know Aizen or Soul Society. We shouldn't look at either of them as allies or enemies until we have facts from both sides."

Ichigo sighed and nodded. "Yah, you're right."

"But if what you say is true then we cannot side with Soul Society while it is in the hands of those who would murder innocent children," he said strongly.

"I know."

"It's Kuchiki Rukia that bothers you isn't it?" Chad asked.

"Yeh, I'd hate to betray her."

"But you will."

"It's my family and if Soul Society try and harm them they will have one pissed off substitute shinigami on their asses. I will destroy that place from the inside out," he said steely.

"I will echo your words Ichigo," Chad said sincerely. "Never worry about my loyalty and I know whatever decision you make will be the right one."

"I hope so, Chad." He went quiet and then he looked up. "Would you help me keep an eye on my sisters to and from school? That's when they're most vulnerable by themselves."

"You don't even have to ask, Ichigo. I already planned to follow them."

Ichigo didn't leave Chad's till later that night. They had pizza and watched a really dumb movie that made no sense but it was a nice breather. Ichigo felt a small boulder rise up off his shoulder; if anything at least he had one friend.

Monday morning Ichigo met Chad and the two walked with his sisters to school. Yuzu was delighted while Karin looked at him suspiciously.

"Ichi-nii…"

"Shh." Ichigo nudged her. He jerked his head toward Yuzu and Karin immediately caught on.

"You better tell me Ichi-nii," Karin said softly.

"I will," Ichigo said grimly.

They managed to get Yuzu to go on into the school with Chad following behind her. When she was gone Ichigo sank down on the footpath leading to the primary school and Karin sat in front of him, her legs crossed.

"Karin, we are all in danger right now. We may be leaving soon, how soon I do not know all the details but I won't leave you or Yuzu alone for two seconds."

"Is that why we were at that snobby bastard's house last night?" she asked frowning.

Ichigo sighed and nodded. "Yes. The Ishida's can do see spirits too."

"Those monsters…"

"Hollows," Ichigo explained. "They are souls trapped in a monster's body. I'll tell you more later."

"You wear black robes and you have a sword. I've watched you Ichi-nii. What are you?"

"Shinigami."

"Sh-shinigami?" Karin breathed out the word and tiled her head and then nodded. "I - I can see that. Does dad know?"

"Dad was one."

Her eyes widened.

"I know… to know the idiot was actually a shinigami shocked the hell out of me."

"That goat-face liar!" Karin declared crossly.

Ichigo snorted. "Yeh, you can kick him when he gets home. Don't tell Yuzu."

"I know that stupid," Karin scowled.

The warning bell could be heard from outside, Chad had already met back up with them a big black shadow suffocating them completely.

"I'll go now," Karin said getting up and staring at the big guy. "See ya, big man!"

"Ichigo's little sister."

"It's Karin, big-man!"

"It's Sado or Chad, Karin-chan."

"Ai!" She rushed off and Ichigo didn't move until she was in the building.

"Let's go Chad, we're late."

"Nothing new."

Ichigo noticed Ishida was looking unusually pale when the two walked into the classroom. He exchanged looks with the Quincy.

"Ichi- Kurosaki," Ishida mumbled as Ichigo sank down into the free seat next to him.

Chad sat behind Ichigo.

"Yah?" Ichigo said.

"I know," Ishida hissed between his teeth.

Ichigo swallowed. "Yah? What of it?"

"Whatever you decide," Ishida said simply.

His eyes widened a bit and he shifted in his seat and pretended to be careless and casual. "My family-"

"Will be safe," Ishida promised quietly. "My father may be a prick but he will never allow a Soul Reaper to harm an innocent."

"Ishida-kun, Kurosaki-kun is there something you'd like to share with the class?" Their Sensei called out suddenly getting everyone's attention.

"No ma'am," Ichigo answered crisply.

"Nothing of importance Sensei," Ishida said politely.

"Then please refrain from personal conversation while in my classroom!" she chastised sharply.

"Of course," Ishida and Ichigo answered at the same time.

Once lunch arrived the three of them sat outside together in a small ring. Keigo and Mizuiro were bugging Inoue, Tatsuki, and the other girls after Ichigo insisted that they wanted to eat by themselves for the day.

Inoue had looked hurt but that was one person he was not going to tell about this. Ishida and Chad understood fully. One she would not understand and for another she'd get herself hurt or worse killed and none of them wanted that. She needed to simply be normal it was what was best for her.

"My father told me all about the plans and the past, all about his affiliation with your father, Kurosaki, Urahara, and Aizen. I have to say from an intelligent stand point Aizen does make sense," he stated boldly.

Ichigo closed his eyes but didn't deny it. Ishida and Chad had the least amount of ties with Soul Society. They may have slightly befriended Rukia but it wasn't enough to make either of them feel terrible. Only Ichigo had a tie to her and Renji by proxy.

"Did he tell you about my late night visitor?" Ichigo whispered.

"Yes, he told me everything. Your father was afraid of you when he came to get your sisters."

"You were there?" Ichigo asked with relief.

Ishida nodded. "Yeah, you don't trust my father do you?" he asked with a smirk.

"Hell no!" Ichigo snapped. "Those are my little sisters and I don't trust very many people with them in the first place."

Ishida was highly amused. "Yeah, I think I recall your father saying something about you would kick his ass if your sisters weren't home and in bed." He flicked his glasses up his nose like he always did.

"Exactly right," Ichigo confirmed. "I'm not too pleased with this idea at all."

His feelings remained the same throughout the week. He kept going back and forth refusing to believe any of it to becoming determined and resolved only to turn back around on that determination.

His head was all messed up and he wondered who the hell was trying to brainwash him. He didn't know if it was Soul Society or Aizen but one of them was doing it and he was sadly leaning toward Soul Society.

'You're torturing yourself again King-o,' his Hollow crept up through the floorboards of his soul.

Ichigo rolled his eyes to the sky. 'That's because I don't know who to trust. Ishida and Chad are fine with it, they have no ties, Ishida was born with a hatred for shinigami and Chad - well-'

'The big lug will do anything for you. Useful he is…'

'I know and shut up! Stop talking about him like he's a tool.'

'Sorry, sorry King-o,' the Hollow said sarcastically.

Ichigo was heading back home just as the skies began to grow dark with a purple sort of glow. He peered up into the skies and couldn't help but feel an ominous pressure weighing heavily against his conscious mind.

Instinctively, Ichigo began to pick up the pace back toward his house. When he entered he sighed heavily when he saw his father dozing off on the couch with the TV going on his usual late night programs.

Ichigo nudged his foot waking the man.

"Hn? Ichigo!" Isshin sat up and beamed.

Ichigo sighed with relief. "Are Karin and Yuzu here?" he asked in concern.

"Aah? Of course! Why wouldn't they be? They're tucked in their beds!" he said cheerfully.

Ichigo nodded. "Alright, good night dad."

"Hey don't sweat it, Ichigo! Everything's going to be alright, trust me," Isshin said with a perky smile once more.

"Right…" Ichigo wanted to believe it but couldn't wrap his mind around it.

For good measure Ichigo cracked the room to Karin and Yuzu's bedroom and stepped through. He peered over at each one, his hand touching Yuzu's head gently and brushing the light brown hair out of the way. She was so innocent and peaceful when sleeping. Ichigo couldn't imagine someone ever hurting her.

They would have to literally have no soul.

He turned to Karin and pulled back the cover briefly and gave a real smile. In her sleep was the only time she looked truly like the eleven-year-old that she should be.

He turned and crept out of the room and closed the door. A shiver climbed its way up his back as he brushed through his room to see the curtains rippling and the wind strong and assaulting.

He kicked off his shoes and began to take his black long sleeved shirt off when someone's presence caused him to stand still, fingers tucked under the edge of his shirt.

"Who the hell is it?" he demanded coldly abandoning his shirt and taking out his badge.

It was the precise moment that he spoke when he felt his body freeze in place. He gasped; he couldn't move at all. Shit, shit, shit! He growled in his mind when out of nowhere he felt as though his body went light and the room became strange, distorting itself slightly.

"What the fuck?!" Ichigo hissed straining to move his hand. If he could just get out of his gigai everything would be okay.

"Shh," whispered a shadow that brushed across his body. He couldn't look behind him but the shadow was massive and the quiet whisper was familiar--but who? A warm, hard chest pressed right into his back and then white sleeved arms curled around his waist. The intruder leaned in and nuzzled Ichigo's neck and had the teen been able to move he would have shivered. "I promised never to harm a hair on your head."

"Aizen!"

"Shh," Aizen whispered again, "Ichigo-kun, you must remain absolutely silent and still. I don't want to have to force you into silence."

"What the fuck are you doing to me?!"

"They're coming. Now, let's stand in the hall and wait for them. I cannot let you leave; otherwise your confusion will forever remain. Your mistrust will haunt you. I apologize in advance for what you may be shown tonight."

Ichigo's heart raced, he could feel the stomach bile rise up in him and then it came: a shocking double flare of reiatsu pooled out and suffocated the entire silence, bathing the whole thing in a foreboding darkness.

Aizen's arms around his waist guided him out into the hall and the two pressed up against the wall and it was then that a horror filled nightmare began. In his mind he could feel Karin and her thoughts; whether it was real or not didn't matter. Ichigo knew her; he knew all of her reactions. A good brother always knew their little sisters:

Karin jerked awake and pressed a hand against her chest. Her shoulders were heaving and sweat was dripping down her face. Something was wrong, she could feel it; it was… evil. Her dark eyes narrowed as she peered around the room, trying to see into the shadows.

What was this feeling?

Her hand clenched into a fist, bunching up the front of her pajamas. It was dark in the room, not even the moonlight came through the window. It was like she'd been trapped in a room that had no windows or doors.

Danger! The word screamed through her mind, making her flinch at the sheer volume of the cry.

She bit her lip and pushed her comforter off to the side. All she had to do was make it down the hall to Ichi-nii's room and he'd make everything all right. She padded across the room, but stopped with her hand on the doorknob. Something was really wrong.

She needed to get Ichi-nii, but first, she had to take care of Yuzu. Karin walked across the room and very lightly shook Yuzu.

"Sleepy," Yuzu mumbled before rolling over.

"Psst, Yuzu, wake up," Karin hissed softly.

"Karin? What's—" Her words were cut off when Karin placed one hand firmly over her lips.

"Hide under your bed," Karin said very quietly.

"What?" Yuzu asked softly, after she pulled Karin's hand away from her face. Karin could only be glad that her eyes had finally adjusted to the lack of light in the room.

"Get under your bed and stay there," Karin ordered. Yuzu opened her mouth to object and ask more questions, but quickly silenced herself when Karin placed that hand back over her mouth and said, "Just do it!"

Yuzu nodded once, waited for the hand to be removed, and then slid onto the floor and crawled under her bed.

Karin grabbed the stuffed lion that her brother called 'Kon' and hissed in its ear, "Protect her," before throwing it under the bed to her sister. Her brother didn't talk to stuffed animals, so there must be something special about it.

She took a deep breath and walked back over to the door, curling her shaking fingers around it once again. "Don't move until Ichi-nii comes to get you. Don't come out for me, or dad, only Ichi-nii." She didn't wait for a reply, simply turned the doorknob and slid the door open, sliding out and then shutting it silently behind her.

Danger! Violence! Pain!

Ichi-nii can fix this. Ichi-nii will keep us safe, she whispered in her mind, fighting the instinct to curl up in a ball and hide somewhere. Her brother might vanish sometimes, but she knew he was home tonight, and he'd never let anyone hurt them.

Her hand had just wrapped around the door to her brother's bedroom when she heard the voices.

"Interesting, boy, where are you hiding?" one voice asked softly.

Karin's ears strained to hear the conversation.

"I know he's here," a deeper, but still feminine voice replied. "He hasn't left the house since he got home."

There was a barely audible sigh. "I have no liking for this task, but Yamamoto-taichou has decided this is for the safety of Soul Society. I'll never be able to tell you to your face, boy, but I want you to know, your family's death is not without purpose."

Karin bit her lip in horror. Family's death… where was Ichi-nii?

"Yoruichi-sama?" the second voice asked.

"Let's do it," the first replied.

Karin didn't even have a chance to run and hide. A moment later, the door shot open and two figures rushed out of the room. She cried out as a dark hand curled around her throat and lifted her into the air, slamming her against the wall. She beat her hands against the woman's shoulders and kicked her legs, but that didn't gain her freedom.

"Traitorous shinigami," she choked out. She felt blackness creeping into her vision as she was deprived of oxygen.

"Yoruichi-sama?" Soi Fon asked.

"Get rid of the girl, then we'll kill Isshin together. He wasn't a taichou for nothing," she ordered.

"Hai," Soi Fon said and she hurried down the hallway.

"No!" Karin screamed. "Stay away from Yuzu!" Her throat burned as the fingers around her neck tightened. She coughed violently, and then gasped in pain as she was dropped to the floor, landing on her ankle at such an angle that it broke and fractured through her skin. She clutched it tightly as tears streamed down her face. Where was her Ichi-nii?

She glanced up as the sound of fighting reached her ears, and saw her dad trading blows with the woman who'd been strangling her. How did they know each other? What was going on? Why was this happening? Her brother was a shinigami too! Weren't they comrades? Hadn't he helped them fight?

As she watched them punching and kicking each other, she remembered the one who'd snuck off. "Yuzu," she whispered through her bruised throat.

Karin valiantly ignored the throbbing pain in her ankle that echoed throughout her body as she crawled down the hallway. She had to get there and save Yuzu. Something had happened to Ichi-nii, and her dad was fighting, so she had to fight too. It was her job to protect Yuzu.

She whimpered softly and had to pause in her crawling as white spots took over her vision. The pain in her ankle was getting worse and she was leaving behind a trail of blood. The agony finally took over, and she couldn't fight it anymore. Her mouth opened and she threw up everything she'd eaten for dinner. The action aggravated her already damaged throat and she found herself gasping for air.

Why wasn't Ichi-nii helping? He was there; she could feel it! But at the same time, he wasn't there! What the hell was wrong?

Danger! Pain! Blood! Death!

Karin kept crawling forward, ignoring the sounds of fighting that were echoing behind her. All that mattered was saving Yuzu. That's what Ichi-nii would have done if he'd been able to help. She didn't want to disappoint him.

"Hold still!" a voice yelled, and she crawled into the bedroom to see the shinigami tearing Kon to shreds. Now there was nothing to protect Yuzu.

"Ichi-nii, help us," she whispered brokenly. The words were so quiet that not even Yuzu or the attacker heard them. She wrapped one hand around her throat and took a deep breath. No matter how much this hurt, she had to do it. He'd save them. "Ichi-nii, help us!" she screamed loudly. The scream sent her into a coughing fit, and blood splattered out on the floor.

"Still alive?" the voice asked tauntingly. "I'll have to fix that then." A hand flew up and a piercing pain shot through her chest. "Sting, Suzumebachi."

Karin fell back against the floor, arms curled around her chest. It hurt. It hurt so much. Where was Ichi-nii? Why wasn't he here? "Ichi-nii," she sobbed brokenly over and over again. She could only stare helplessly as that arm flew at her once more.

"Stop!" a soft voice called and Yuzu threw herself in front of the attack. She cried out when the blade pierced her and fell back on top of her sister, making Karin cough up even more blood and whimper in agony. "Please stop!" Yuzu begged.

"Yamamoto-taichou's orders must be fulfilled," she said in a monotone voice before swinging her hand forward once more. Suzumebachi pierced the exact same place once more, and Kurosaki Yuzu tumbled off to the side dead.

Karin stared down at her sister in horror. No. She shook her head. It couldn't be true, it couldn't! "I told you to stay under the bed," she whispered wetly. "Why… Ichi-nii, why won't you save us? Why can't you save us, Ichi-nii?"

A quiet sound of feet brushing across the floor drew her attention. She turned her head to the side, a smile on her face. It had to be Ichi-nii, coming to save her, coming to save Yuz—it was the shinigami, the other shinigami. No! Dad! Yuzu!

"Are you all right, Yoruichi-sama?" Soi Fon asked.

"Fine," Yoruichi replied. "Nothing that won't heal soon. I took care of him; he's weak in that gigai."

Karin stared up at them in horror. This had to be a nightmare. It just had to. One of those Hollow things Ichi-nii had told her about was messing with her dreams. Yeah, that was it. Yuzu and her idiot dad were just fine, and Ichi-nii was asleep in his room. This was only a nightmare.

"Get it over with so we can find the boy and finish this," Yoruichi ordered. A flash of regret appeared in her eyes, but she quickly pushed it aside.

"Why?" Karin asked softly, staring at the woman in the doorway. This wasn't real, but if it were, why was this happening?

"Because you exist," Yoruichi replied softly.

Karin's eyes widened and tears fell to mix with the blood and remnants of vomit. "Why don't you save us, Ichi-nii?" She watched as that arm swung forward, aiming for the burning spot on her chest. "Don't you love us, Ichi-nii?"

Her dead body fell to the floor of the room, but her words seemed unusually loud in the silence as they echoed brokenly from room to room.

Ichigo gagged against Aizen's hand that had flown to his mouth. Every negative emotion that could possibly cross his mind did and he was sure he would wind up getting sick. Karin! Karin! Karin! No, no, no! Yuzu! Fuck, please no! He was trembling and he had no control over the tears that trailed down his eyes.

"What's done is done," Soi Fon said apathetically.

Yoruichi peered around. "No sign of Ichigo."

"He'll turn up and then we'll get him. Perhaps in an alleyway when he has his gigai," Soi Fon said staring disinterestedly at the dead little girls. "Should we send their souls?"

"No, this has to look like a human murder, especially from Kisuke's point of view," Yoruichi said sharply.

Soi Fon hissed. "That great bastard, what does he have to do with it?"

Yoruichi stared at Soi Fon sadly. "Kisuke loves Kurosaki Isshin."

The smaller girl gasped. "No!"

"Let's go Soi Fon. Ichigo's reiatsu is gone. Wherever he is, it isn't here," she said and patted the girl on the head. "Oh, and good job," she said with a smile.

Soi Fon blushed and bowed her head. "Arigato, Yoruichi-sama."

He was nine the last time he'd cried. Not even when his mother died did he cry. Everything he felt was broken, his heart was ripped and severed into tiny little fragments and they tumbled from his chest to the floor. He felt as though he were swimming before drowning. He hung limply no longer trying to move, his eyes on Yuzu and Karin alternatively. They were innocent and when he was finally able to drag his eyes toward the two women who were scouring the house for him, his eyes flashed red and every sorrowful emotion turned into a vicious rage that Ichigo had never felt before. His Hollow was pulsating, screaming to tear, rip, and kill. It was demanding to be let loose, literally beating on his soul. He was shaking even against the bonds.

The rage in Ichigo thumped and brewed hotter until it was nearly explosive. No! No! Ichigo snarled still trying to fight the bonds but having no luck. The tears were still raining down his eyes but the brown hue in them no longer existed--it was red and lethal.

For the first time Aizen was actually worried. He had expected every single scenario coming and going into this plan, he always did. He knew that Ichigo would suffer trauma and he knew that the Hollow side of him would claw its way out. The pain Ichigo was receiving was not something Aizen had actually wanted him to feel.

The boy was literally trembling to death in his arms. The spell Aizen had put Ichigo under was actually an illusion to make him believe he couldn't move, when in reality he had all his motor skills intact. Aizen wouldn't attempt a Kidoh spell knowing how Ichigo's state would become. From pain to blind rage, Aizen had to suffer with Ichigo and he truly wished that this was not necessary.

He clutched Ichigo closer, gently nuzzling his neck, but the teen was way too delirious to feel it. When the women were long gone, one of Aizen's hands left Ichigo's waist and slipped into his pocket and deftly pulled out a small needle with clear fluid in it. He flicked the protection cap as Ichigo's anger dissolved back into one of pain. He could feel Ichigo's body reacting and he knew the boy would get sick on him any minute.

Quickly, he stabbed the traumatized shinigami in the neck and watched with a pained expression as Ichigo's body sagged heavily into him.

"I'm sorry," Aizen whispered honestly, "I will make it up to you." He stroked Ichigo's tearful cheek before turning his back on the bloody scene in front of him and left.

I cracked my head and broke my

I cracked my head and broke my

I cracked my head and broke my heart

Falls Apart - Hurt