*Warning Spoilers* I recently realized that not everyone keeps up with the manga or watches the anime in sub so not everyone is caught up. I do some foreshadowing to future events but I'm trying to not be too obvious so if you're not caught up, you may find yourself going "WTF?". You've been warned.

Devil You Know. Chapter 3- Threshold

Previously

The Hollow grinned wickedly and step in closer to Ichigo so their bodies would touch. "This will hurt at first but after, we will be a force no one will be able to resist."

Ichigo's breath caught in his throat and before he had time to think the Hollow crushed him in an embrace, wrapping its arms around him. His Hollow found the tender spot in Ichigo's neck and sank its teeth deeply in the exposed flesh. The scream that erupted from Ichigo echoed not only through his inner world but in the living world as well.

Now

- Ichigo's Inner World -

Ichigo screamed has his Hollow dug his teeth deeper into the curve of his neck. The bite was indeed painful but the true agony came from the burning sensation which immediately started radiating from it. He felt as if his soul had just been dipped in acid and the crushing force of the Hollow's arms around him was like rubbing salt in raw flesh. "Fight back Ichigo, da only way ta stop yer pain is ta complete da process! Bite back ya bitch!" Ichigo could barely make out what he was being told while he fought against the pain. He wanted it to end so badly and he was willing to do anything to make it stop.

Ichigo didn't try to stop his screaming instead he gathered all his will into the one action he hoped would prove true and bit onto his Hollow's shoulder, his screaming muffled by the Hollow's pierced flesh. The pain started to ebb back but only slightly. Desperate to hasten the process Ichigo bit down harder with every ounce of strength he could summon, he felt the bones in the Hollow's shoulder grinding against his teeth but he didn't care. The pain was almost gone now, he was no longer blinded by it and his tortured screams had stopped giving way to the Hollow's psychotic laughter.

The pain was finally gone but Ichigo's body shook freely, he slump down on his hands and knees spitting out blood and bits of flesh. Glancing up at the cackling Hollow he started to fear what he had just done. "Oh no, none a dat , we're almost done." A sadistic grin appeared on the Hollow's face as he reached down to wrench Ichigo back to his feet.

"No more King and Horse, no more doubt, no more fear!" Ichigo's Hollow reached his right hand out, locking his yellow and black eyes on golden brown ones. "Now, how 'bout we become an Emperor?" Ichigo's eyes opened wide as the Hollow reached out and thrust its marble white hand into his chest and squeezed his heart.

Ichigo blinked numbly, looking down at the appendage invading his body. The crazy Hollow's laugh ringing out in his inner world. "What-" His vision blurred and mind began to be filled with images, some he recognized others were foreign, they poured faster into his mind so that after a few moments he could no longer make out the difference between them.

He felt no pain, only confusion at first but that was quickly dissipating among the new emotions that had started to accompany each new image. Ichigo soon realised these were his Hollow's memories; all their struggles for dominance, the exhilaration of gaining control, the blood lust but also the despair of being locked away, of being chained down forced to watch the world go by without it ever knowing of your existence.

Ichigo could still hear the Hollow's maniacal laugh so he opened his eyes wanting to tell it to shut the hell up but he saw nothing. The laugh echoed everywhere but there was no one else around. Ichigo eyes filled with tears has he realised he was the one laughing that horrible laugh. He fell to his knees and wrapping his arms around his torso, he laughed until there was no breath left in him and finally blacked out, overwhelmed by his new emotions and memories.

-Vizard Warehouse, Underground Training Facility-

Urahara stood behind Lisa watching Ichigo closely, observing the subtle changes his soul form had already undertaken. The teens once tanned complexion was several shades lighter, his hair was close to an inch longer and was liberally streaked with white. As startling has those changes were, Urahara knew the most obvious change would be Ichigo's eyes, the intense brown would be forever gone making way for black scleras and bright yellow irises. Lisa and Hachigen shifted wearily when the teen rustled around slightly but the tremor that shook him was gone as soon as it had appeared.

"How long has it been since he started?" The ex-Taicho broke the silence, his voice was soft but obviously pained.

"1 hour and 35 minutes, approximately." Hachigen answered. "His injuries were severe; he had a significant amount of reiatsu from the Arrancar he fought mixed in with his own. However, I did not need to heal him; it seems he can already use his instant regeneration." Hachigen knew revealing all the information he possessed would make it easier for Urahara to properly assess the situation.

"Thank you Hachi-san. Now I'll be going in the barrier with Ichigo, no matter what happens, you will not interfere." Kisuke looked at both Vizards, the carefree mask gone from his features. Once both nodded that they understood, Urahara turned around and made his way to Ichigo sleeping form.

Urahara quietly crouched down next to his pupil deep in thought. Ichigo's reiatsu had not only increased significantly but it had also become very stable. The power that would now be at the teen's disposal was unfathomable particularly for someone so young but that could also be his undoing. There was a good reason the Vizards had been in hiding for so long and now it would more than likely apply to Ichigo as well. They could try to hide his increased abilities and the changes in his appearance but who knew what changes to his personality would come from this.

Urahara sighed quietly. Why Ichigo? Why would you choose such thing? Urahara knew the teen could be prone to rash decisions, he had no fear of the unknown especially if it meant he had a better chance of protecting those he cared about, consequences to himself be damned. Only two of the other Vizards had even been offered this deal and both had refused, the risk was too great. Urahara's hand reached out into Ichigo's Shihakusho to retrieve the Combat Pass hidden there, he knew its true purpose and though he had accepted it's necessity before, he could no longer do that. It saddened Urahara to think that Soul Society would turn its back on its savior after all he had endured but until the ex-Taicho could actually speak to Ichigo and find out exactly what changes had taken place, this was the only choice.

"It ain't nice to steal Urahara-san." Urahara winced inwardly at the distinct distortion in Ichigo's voice, black and gold eyes narrowed burning into the blond man.

"I'm sorry Kurosaki-san but it is... A necessary evil." Urahara smiled knowingly at his choice of words waiting for Ichigo's reaction.

"Um? Is that so?" Ichigo sat up and stretch his arms out wide before reaching a searching hand to the left side of neck, it was still tender and there was a scar present but he was grateful it had healed. He looked around taking in his surroundings; Urahara was seated in front of him, eyes hidden in the shadow of his ever present bucket hat.

Both were inside a very strong Kido barrier, they must know what we've done and they're afraid, good! Ichigo shook his head, feeling like it was wrapped in cotton. What? No, not good, damn it. The young Vizard got this feet, dusting himself off, he noticed his mentor do the same but always keeping his eyes on him. He felt his face form his familiar scowl.

"We won't hurt you." The look he received from Urahara made Ichigo think back on his words. "I won't hurt you, sorry but it's been a heck of ride. How long have I been out for?" He spoke carefully this time but his mind was still a jumble and it was hard to focus on any one thing. He was sure he was the same person he'd always been but now with a little extra, he felt a sort of elation. It was a wonderful feeling but he didn't like the way Urahara was looking at him, it was distracting and he felt that if he had had hackles they would be up now.

"Almost 2 hours." Urahara answered him casually.

"Is that all? Who patched me up? I feel great." Ichigo tried to smile, looking beyond the barrier he spotted Hachi and Lisa wearily observing his exchange with Urahara.

"No one healed you; you did that all on your own. Kurosaki-san, do you understand what it is you've done?" Urahara asked quietly.

Ichigo's eyes narrowed in irritation. "I did what I had to, like I always do, Urahara-san." He looked down had his hand and flexed his fingers, he noticed the color of his skin had changed to a somewhat lighter shade. He also began to notice other changes like his hair was hanging further down in front of his eyes then it should. The teen sighed and ran fingers through his hair. "You know I hate it when you do that, get to the damn point will ya!" Ichigo snapped.

Urahara opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by shouting coming from behind him. Turning around he saw Rukia running down the stairs, heading straight for them with Shinji following lazily behind. "Follow me Ichigo but please, stay calm." It was stated calmly but Ichigo did not miss the implied threat.

Urahara headed towards the edge of the barrier and pulled out his fan, it was risky but the best way to gauge Ichigo's new temperament would be to expose him to the kind of situation he would likely encounter from now on. "Hachi-san, if you could let us pass please, I believe Kuchiki-chan would like to have a word Kurosaki-san." The large man pink haired man nodded and dissipated the barrier without a word, letting Urahara and Ichigo walk out unhindered, meanwhile Lisa quietly stepped in behind Ichigo ready to act should things turn sour.

Lisa's action didn't escape Ichigo's notice, nor did the meaning of it. He turned his gaze behind him, taking her in, wondering how he could have ignored her alluring appearance in the past. The serious look on her face, much like his ever present scowl, hardened her feminine features, her body was long and lithe and her school girl outfit didn't leave much to the imagination. Ichigo's thoughts became further distracted when her remembered the girl was quite the pervert, sure she claimed she was simply curious but he knew it was a cover. He felt a rush of excitement when he noticed her composure falter briefly as she realised he was leering at her. He grinned widely, "Always watching aren't you." Ichigo whispered before turning his attention back to the approaching duo.

"Ichigo!" Rukia ran towards her friend, she couldn't believe how grateful she felt to see him walking. She hadn't been sure what to expect after Shinji's vague explanation, all she had cared about was that Ichigo was alive. Her heart beat hard in her chest as she came closer. Urahara was walking towards her accompanied by a very large man with short pink hair and a pink mustache but she focused on Ichigo who was walking behind the blond man. His head was turned away from her and he seemed to be talking to someone behind him only she couldn't hear what had been said.

Rukia gasped loudly at Ichigo's new appearance as he turned his face, the longer orange hair peppered liberally with white, the black and yellow eyes but what was most frightening of all was the unfamiliar grin etched across his features which turned her blood to ice. "Ichigo! What have they done to you?" She cried out, stopping dead in her tracks only a few feet from him.

"Hi Rukia, nice to see you too." Ichigo chimed, looking questioningly into round violet eyes.

XXXXXX

TBC

AN2: I hope everyone understands whats going on. Yes Ichigo is gonna be a little OOC but that's because of the merger with his Hollow self. They're basically the same person -edited oct.2013