I finally found my way out of Hueco Mundo and got back to the Garganta. When I stepped through and got back to Urahara's training ground, Urahara was ironically waiting for me. Usually he doesn't. I felt Byakuya lean into me and my heart leapt with happiness, knowing that that simple movement meant that he was starting to trust me.

Urahara was looking in my direction and he made a face that was a mix of confusion and worry, although the worry was brief and his features took on a more pleasant look.

"By your lack of speech, something must have happened." he said softly.

"That's putting it lightly. He was used as nothing but a ragdoll that they could do whatever they wanted to to. I didn't get the whole list but I'm pretty sure beating, whipping, and experimentation was high on it. I'm worried about what's in his stomach, though. A crazy pink haired Arrancar said that he did experiments and stuff on Byakuya and now he's actually with child. I don't really know how true that is but he looks pretty… well.. uh…"

Urahara tapped his fingers on his cane and then turned around, motioning me to follow him.

"First thing's first, we need to get him to Squad 4 immediately. I can try to clean him up as best as I can, but someone will have to open the way into the Soul Society. Maybe you can call Rukia and she can open up a pathway for you."

"Right…"

"In the meantime, you may keep Byakuya here for safe keeping. From what you're describing, I assume he's rather fragile even in his odd state?"

"Yeah, he's practically skin and bones except for the stomach… I'm sure he's mentally screwed up too… Urahara, I've never see him like this before."

"Do you think anyone has? He is the heir to the Kuchiki Clan, do you think he wouldn't be if he were weak? Besides, you've fought him plenty of times and you know him well. It would take a lot to mess him up."

I looked down at Byakuya as he stayed leaned onto my chest, looking as if he were listening to my heartbeat.

"How did they break you?" I whispered, mostly to myself but kind of to Byakuya too.

Urahara was right and although I wasn't the best of friends with him, I knew Byakuya almost as well as I knew Renji and Rukia. Getting him to this level, at almost comatose level, would take a lot of patience on the captive's part and a lot of mental scraping and tearing in order for Byakuya Kuchiki to just stop.

We got out of the underground training center and Urahara directed me to the back of the shop, where a small room was located with a small bed.

"Put him on the bed. I will have Tessai help me with him if you want to try and contact Rukia to open a pathway for you."

"I guess so…"

I was afraid to leave him and as I tried to put him down, he did the first sign of any life left in him and grabbed my shihakusho. I looked at him but he wasn't going to look at me.

"Byakuya, I need you to let go. You're safe now. You're in Urahara's shop in the World of the Living. I'm about to call Rukia to open a pathway to get back to the Soul Society… Do you remember Rukia?" No response. "You have to let go, Byakuya."

As I tried to sit him down again, he began to shake uncontrollably and gripped my shihakusho tighter. I sighed as Tessai came in.

"I thought you were to call Rukia-san." He asked.

"I'm trying but Byakuya won't let go of me. He's scared." I said, although it was the weirdest thing I think I'd ever said in my life.

Byakuya, scared?

Tessai moved and came in front of me, holding out his hands.

"Here, hand him to me and I will take care of him."

I held Byakuya out and Tessai grabbed a hold of him. Suddenly Byakuya came to life and screamed, flailing out of our hands and crumbling to the floor like a heap of flour. He curled into the best ball he could (considering his stomach) and shook like a leaf. Now I really didn't want to leave him.

"You go call Rukia-san, I'll handle the young lord."

I was hesitant but I left to go call Rukia.


+Urahara+

I could hear Ichigo leaving the shop and I walked into the bedroom where Tessai was.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"He is hyperventilating and shaking from fear." He said softly and I could tell he was very worried.

"Let me try…" I said, feeling my way to them, using my cane as a guide.

I finally got to Byakuya and knelt down.

"Am I looking at his face?"

"Yes."

"Okay… Byakuya? Byakuya, look at me for a few seconds, alright?"

"He peeked at you."

"Do you remember me? I'm Urahara…"

"He said he doesn't remember you."

"That doesn't surprise me. I'm a friend of Ichigo's and your sister. I'm here to help you, just like Ichigo. He entrusted you to me because he trusts me and knows I'll take care of you. I know you're scared but I promise, we just want to clean you up and let you rest."

I reach out and touch him, hoping it's close to a shoulder. Until Rukia got here and opened a pathway, Byakuya was stuck at my shop with minimal personal space. I can't blame him though… having someone in your face all the time yelling and screaming or whatever.

"Tessai is going to put you in the bed. I trust him and all he's doing is lifting you up. Nothing more."

I nodded for Tessai to do it and I didn't hear anything so I assume it went well.

"He's in the bed."

"Start cleaning him up, we've got a lot of looking to do."

As Tessai left, I went to a drawer across the room and opened up the jewelry box. All my essentials were there and I felt for the small syringe. I could hear Tessai coming back with someone behind him.

"Tessai, please be my eyes."

"What do you need?"

"Which is the… you know…"

Tessai was quiet. "How about I do it? Although you're quite happy with yourself and you're able to do many things but this is not one of them."

Tessai plucks the syringe from me and a few minutes later he hands it back. I smile and walk over to Byakuya.

As I run my hands up Byakuya's body, I can tell he is looking away from me but still shaking. Once I get to his neck, I use my other hand to stick him with it. I could feel him jump when I gave him the shot. I put the empty syringe on the table and tried to comfort him as best as I could as he drifted off into a slumber.

"Is he out?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now we can do what we want but make it quick."


what now, urahara? hasn't he gone through enough without you knocking him out? but what for?

and what will squad 4 say when they get him? all up in the air...