AN: Thank you: Rukes, Murasaki Ice Rain, Shadow Pain, BleachedBlueCat, Denidene, StarPrincess, and Aizawa Ayumu! I really loved your comments and I am honored! (I really loved how pissed off some of you were at Ichigo. Poor guy, maybe I'll write a story to make it up to him like I did for Renji.)
To answer one of the questions in the reviews – there are a few reasons it is rated M. I suppose I should warn you now. There will be a lemon (or two) and things will get pretty dark So, M it will stay. If you're not into those kinds of things but I have already snared you with this story, I can put in warnings if you care to skip those parts.
Here is another area where I change the time line and things around a bit from the anime. While Soul Society had their battle with the Espada, the Vizards did not show up, nor was there a fake town. Sorry, but I'm trying to simplify things as my outline is pretty long as it is… Thank you for your understanding and patience.
On with the show, shall we?
Chapter 3
Lab…Lab…LAB! What have I done? What the FUCK have I DONE? Desperately, Ichigo tries to fight against the binding spell, trying to get free.
"Kurosaki-kun…" Inoue stands beside him, arms out stretched, not sure if she should touch him. Not sure if she could help him get free.
"Try as you might, you're not going to break free from your bindings. You are strong, but you're not strong enough." Aizen said as he stood in front of Ichigo.
Face red and breathing heavily, Ichigo asked, "Wh-what are you going to do to…with Rukia?"
"You made your choice. What I do to her is my business. She is no longer your concern." He replied with a grin.
"If you hurt her…" Ichigo couldn't finish as his whole body shook with rage. Aizen's eyes shifted to Inoue.
"Kurosaki-kun, maybe you should…" But the look on his face made her stop mid sentence. She knew she wasn't going to get through to him. I wonder if he was this mad when I left with Ulquiorra.
Aizen let out a soft laugh. "If I hurt her?" He laughed again, "Don't you think you hurt her enough already, Ichigo-kun? I already told you, she is no longer your concern and neither is what I choose to do to her." His eyes narrowed, "For now, I'm going to let you go. I don't want you interfering with things here." Turning to the throne, he continued, "Momo, open the Garganta and have some guards escort Orihime and her friends home." Turning back, he leaned in next to Ichigo's ear, "Don't think I'm going to forget you. I will be back for you, soon."
Two male and one female Arrancar stepped up from the back of the room. One of the males held the bodies of Chad and Renji while the female held Ishida. The other male took Ichigo's chain and went through the gate with Inoue holding onto Ichigo's arm. Ichigo was still struggling to no avail. "Now, Hitsugaya-kun, I guess that leaves you." Aizen said as they were pushed further and further down the path.
When they reached the other end, Inoue was surprised to see the gate open up high above Urahara's shop. The Arrancar tossed the bodies to the ground, released the spell and gave Ichigo a shove. Inoue, still holding onto his arm went sailing with him. The gate sealed. Yoruichi was the first one out of the shop with Urahara right behind her. She ran from one body to the next assessing the situation quickly. Staying by Ishida's side she looked at Inoue.
"Orihime? Can you help him?" She asked. Inoue looked over at her, looked at Ichigo and gave a small nod. She reluctantly let go of Ichigo's arm, stood up and went to kneel beside Ishida.
Urahara pulled something from his sleeve and unlocked the collar from Ichigo's neck. He shielded his eyes as he waited for the blast of pent up reiatsu to dissipate. He gave him a solemn look. "Where's Kuchiki-san?"
"Yes, where is my sister," said Byakuya from the entrance of the shop.
"Now, Hitsugaya-kun, I guess that leaves you." Aizen said. Another female Arrancar stepped into the room.
"Lord Aizen," she said as she bowed deeply in front of him.
"What is it?"
"There's a problem in the lab that needs your attention." She replied not moving from her respectful position.
"Very well," he replied and turned towards Hitsugaya, "Momo, why don't you keep this one entertained while I'm gone. I'm sure there are a few things you both would like to catch up on."
"Yes, thank you, Aizen-sama," Momo replied as Aizen left with the Arrancar. Hitsugaya was about to open his mouth when Momo cut him off. "You must really hate me by now, but there are some things I need to tell you, Shiro-chan." She said quietly.
"It's Hitsugaya-taicho." He replied, with anger in his voice.
"Of course it is, Shiro-chan. Let me start by telling you that I'm not under his ability. I used to be, when this all started, but now, I'm here because I want to be. I love him." Hitsugaya glared at her.
"You've got to be kidding me. Momo, can't you see he's just using you?" he started.
"No! No, he's not. At first he was, but when everyone was watching over me, telling me how weak I was, he came to me and told me I was strong. He believed in me when everyone else thought I lost my mind…including you."
"I never-"
"Then why can't you accept the fact that I am here? Why do you still feel that I lost my mind and need to be rescued? I don't need to be rescued. I don't want to be rescued. I'm here because I want to be here."
"What you're doing is treason!"
"I don't care. Aizen loves me and will protect me as best as he can."
"He's going to use you until there's nothing left, why can't you see that!"
"Maybe for the same reason you can't let me go."
"Let you go? You're my best friend; I swore to protect you…"
"I told you, I don't need your protection anymore."
"I'm not giving up, Momo. He's got you hypnotized, he's using you, damn it he's the ENEMY!"
"My, my, such harsh words," Gin said walking into the room. "There was an…accident, in the lab. You're gonna be put back for a while until we clean things up a bit."
Kuchiki, Hitsugaya thought as he was led back to his room.
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