Everyone within the Seireitei felt it simultaneously. The captains and Vizards froze mid-clash, and stared towards the 1st division barracks in terror. Those under Hirako's power stared in the opposite direction.
Aizen's reiatsu echoed off the walls of the reishi-built buildings. He was making it clear: he was free once more.
Genryūsai drew his blade once more, and immediately released his flames.
"Kurosaki Ichigo. You have made a very, very grave error," Genryūsai rumbled. "This time, even our debt to you won't protect you from our justice."
"Your justice," Aizen scoffed, "couldn't even contain a single shinigami."
"Do not dare to call yourself a shinigami," Genryūsai said, shifting his glare to Aizen. "You are a monster, nothing more, nothing less. And soon, you will be ashes. What can you do without your zanpakuto, I wonder?"
Aizen laughed. "Oh, you are so foolish, Genryūsai Yamamoto. How can you forget the basics of the zanpakuto?"
Both Ichigo and Genryūsai watched in amazement as Kyōka Suigetsu, Aizen's sense-controlling zanpakuto, materialized in his hand.
"A zanpakuto," Aizen explained patronizingly, "only disappears when its owner dies, and will continue to regenerate as long as its owner lives. Perhaps you have grown too senile?"
"Silence!" Genryūsai shot his flames forward, but it was too late.
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu." Aizen and Ichigo disappeared from Genryūsai's vision.
Genryūsai ground his teeth, and sent his reiatsu soaring across the Seireitei to where the captains were. The message was clear: do not let them escape.
"Let me go!" Ichigo swung his sword at Aizen, who had dragged him all the way to the hole in the Shakonmaku.
"What a friendly way of treating your rescuer!" Aizen exclaimed as he dodge the blade.
Ichigo was panting, strained from everything that had happened. "I want to make it very clear that you are not my ally," Ichigo seethed. "I just need to use you for a while, and then I'm putting you right back in prison."
"Not being honest with ourselves, are we?" Aizen sniggered, and then looked back. "It appears we have company."
The hollows, having sensed fresh blood close to the hole, were making a beeline towards Ichigo and Aizen. Their cries scratched against Ichigo's ears.
Aizen stepped forward. "I must have been confined for a very long time," he said, "if you insects have forgotten your master."
He released his reiatsu, causing the hollows to freeze and gasp for air. Soon, a flurry of wings and claws was retreating back outside of the barrier, screeching in terror. But the worst was yet to come.
"When one group of insects leave, a second group replaces them," Aizen sighed. Surrounding them were the captains, with the Vizards next to them.
"Aizen…!" Hirako said with gritted teeth. The murderous intent in his words was reflected in the faces of the Vizards.
"Ichigo!" Chad rushed forward, reaching out.
"Ah. I wouldn't do that if I were you," Aizen cautioned. Two beams of light shot down from a dimensional crack in the sky, encompassing Aizen in one, and Ichigo and Chad in the other.
The captains glanced up at the sky. Staring down at them emotionlessly were the enormous faces of the Menos Grande.
"This scene again…Kurosaki Ichigo! Are you one of Aizen's subordinates now?!" Ukitake demanded. "Have you truly sunken so low?"
Ichigo refused to answer, and stared straight up. He couldn't meet their eyes after what he had done. Truthfully, his mind was a mess at the moment. Was he really one of Aizen's subordinates?
"Hey! Get the hell back down here, Ichigo! Who said you could leave?!" Hirako shouted. "After all we've been through together, you trust Aizen more than us?!"
Hirako's words were like a spear through Ichigo's heart. He squeezed his eyes in pain. What had he done? He was leaving his friends, who had given up their ranks in the Gotei 13 to stand by him, and siding with Aizen?
"Don't listen to them, Kurosaki Ichigo," Aizen soothed. "If you let them shake your resolve, you know what happens."
The cold, hard truth gripped Ichigo. He could not let Inoue die, no matter who he had to side with. Ichigo turned around as another presence appeared next to the captains.
"Ichigo! Chad! What are you doing up there?!" Uryū yelled.
"Uryū! We—" Chad started, but he was cut short as he was swallowed up in the darkness.
The captains all turned to Uryū, and he stared back. He realized then that the odds weren't exactly in his favor. He prepared to bolt away, but a swift knock to the back of his head rendered him unconscious.
"Ah, what a wonderful test subject I've picked up out of this whole mess!" Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri said excitedly, hoisting Uryū over his shoulders. "I shall take him to my lab immediately!"
"You will do no such thing," Unohana stated firmly. "The child shall receive medical attention under my care."
"And what do we gain from healing an intruder, may I ask?" Kurotsuchi asked, irritated.
"We are not barbarians, Kurotsuchi-san. It is below us to use our former allies in such inhumane ways."
"Tch." Kurotsuchi dropped Uryū, and Vice-Captain Isane Kotetsu barely managed to catch him before he fell.
"Nice catch, Isane. Bring him to the barracks," Unohana said.
"Y-yes ma'am!" Isane stuttered, chasing after her captain.
Unohana turned around. "The captains should return to their barracks and rest, too. Standing around won't bring back Kurosaki Ichigo."
After a while, Kyōraku grinned. "She's right. We're going to need our energy if we're going to beat some sense into our dear substitute shinigami. Let's all go back."
Gradually, each captain split up, but not without looking up at the sky one more time, as if Ichigo would just pop back out of the clouds.
Hirako was the last to leave. He stood there, staring at the place where Ichigo had left.
"Damn it, Ichigo," he whispered, before running off to apologize and get scolded by the Captain Commander.
-Hueco Mundo-
Ichigo, Chad, and Aizen floated down in front of Las Noches, Aizen's former headquarters. The Menos Grande, having finished their jobs, re-sealed the dimensional crack and vanished.
"How nostalgic! Truly, nothing beats being at home," Aizen sighed in pleasure. Ichigo and Chad, however, shivered at the sight of the large dome. It was where they had both nearly lost their lives, and where Inoue had been held prisoner. But both remained silent as they followed Aizen over the walls.
Aizen opened the doors to his throne room to a hideous sight. Hollows of all shapes and sizes were kneeling on both sides of the aisle, tentacles, wings, and claws waving. Simultaneously, a multitude of masks whipped around and glared at the newcomers. On the throne sat Tres Espada, Tier Harribel.
Harribel stood up, her brow creased as she observed her guests. The scars that she received from Aizen ached. She gulped, and sweat ran down her neck. She was fully aware that even with her numerous forces, she was no match for him.
"Welcome back, Ai—" she started in an agreeable tone, but a blade at her throat stopped her voice.
"I am truly shocked by the effect a single year can have in the minds of lower beings such as you, Tier Harribel. Under what pretense did you claim the position as ruler of Hueco Mundo and occupy my throne?" Aizen asked sinisterly.
Harribel instinctively lifted her chin away from the point of the blade. "F-forgive me, Aizen-sama. I was merely saving the seat for your return," she gasped.
Aizen was silent. "Out of my sight. All of you." The hollows, having felt their queen's fear, scampered out of the door, passing Ichigo and Chad without so much as a glance. Harribel quickly followed.
The returned king of Hueco Mundo plopped into his throne once more, and sighed. "Now, Kurosaki Ichigo. Back to the issue at hand. You wish to protect Orihime Inoue, yes?"
Ichigo shook out of his stupor, and looked up. "Whatever it takes," he asserted.
Laughter rang throughout the throne room. "And who did you leave her with, when you assaulted Soul Society?"
"Urahura-san. Someone smarter than you'll ever be. And someone who I can trust with her life," Ichigo shot back.
For the first time, Aizen's face displayed some annoyance at Ichigo's insult. But this emotion was replaced by a smooth grin as he lifted himself out of his throne. "And who, Kurosaki Ichigo, is the one that suggested that she be exterminated."
"What…?" Ichigo began, before a devastating realization fell upon him. "No. He wouldn't."
"Ah, wouldn't he? You forget, Urahura Kisuke's first priority is serving under the Soul King, and protecting the balance of Soul Society. Here, why don't we test my little theory," Aizen said, his cold eyes brightening. "I've had hollows watch all of you since your first invasion of the Seireitei, and with their regenerative abilities, these hollows have constantly been sending back recordings of your lives. Let's watch, shall we?"
An image materialized in between Aizen and Ichigo. In the floating image was Inoue, sitting at her bedroom window, talking to Urahura, who was floating outside. Her expression was strained. After some brief static, dialogue flooded the throne room.
"Do you understand the situation, Inoue-san?" Urahura asked. His voice was unusually soft.
Inoue was quiet for a moment, before looking up with resolve. "Yes. I understand," she whispered. "I can't let any more people die because of me."
Ichigo's eyes widened. "No! What are you saying, Inoue?!"
Urahura unsheathed his blade. "Forgive me, Inoue-san. I swear on my life that I'll help your soul find rest afterwards."
"No! No!" Ichigo swung his blade at the image, Zangetsu harmlessly passing through the holograph. Ichigo screamed in pain as Urahura plunged his sword into Inoue's breast, as if the sword had pierced him instead. Ichigo fell to his knees. "This…this can't be…"
Aizen passed by him. "I understand your sorrow, Kurosaki Ichigo. The feeling of losing something at the hands of shinigami. At the hands of Soul Society and its twisted laws," he said. "Feel free to stay and grieve. We can discuss our next course of action after I return from reclaiming my kingdom." Aizen stepped towards the doors.
"Wait," Chad called out, breaking his silence. Aizen turned.
"Yes, Yasutora Sado?"
"If you're messing with us," Chad said in a low, dangerous voice, "I swear upon my friendship with Ichigo that I'll kill you."
Aizen laughed. Chad narrowed his eyes. "What's so funny?"
"When an ant threatens a god," Aizen sneered, "the god cannot help but laugh."
Chad clenched his fists, but Aizen had already exited the dome, disappearing into the night.
-Hueco Mundo Underground Base #22-
A hooded figure sat next to one of the quartz trees of Hueco Mundo. Behind him was the demolished entrance of Underground Base #22, where Ichigo had first broken into Hueco Mundo. The figure glanced up as Aizen blurred into focus.
"Well done, my loyal subordinate. May I see the package?" Aizen asked benevolently.
The hooded man grunted, and tossed forward a squirming bundle wrapped in a cloak.
Aizen smiled. "Excellent. I suppose even Urahura Kisuke could not have foreseen this scenario, blinded by his trust of Kurosaki Ichigo. But that's what happens when you trust others. You grow weak. Isn't that right, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez?"
Grimmjow pulled back his hood, revealing his sky-blue hair. His always-pissed expression glanced around.
"Sorry, Aizen-sama, I'm not in the mood for chatting. I've kept my end of the bargain. Now keep yours: I want to duel with Ichigo. Now."
"Ah, the bargain. I'd forgotten. But you see, Grimmjow," Aizen said, using shunpo to get behind Grimmjow, "my plan requires Kurosaki Ichigo to be in full health."
Grimmjow spun around, but Aizen's blade was already swinging upwards, sinking into Grimmjow's chest and drawing blood.
"Sh..shit…" Grimmjow sputtered, falling to the ground.
"Well, that's that. Now," Aizen announced, turning around and slicing the cloaking around the bundle, "it's your turn, Orihime."
Inoue tumbled out, bound and gagged. She glared up in defiance, but her trembling hands betrayed her fear.
"What's the matter? Such a ferocious expression does not match your pretty face!" Aizen exclaimed, cutting the rope around Inoue's mouth. "You have no idea how much you've helped your dear Kurosaki Ichigo grow."
She keeled over, panting, and after regaining her breath, stood up and looked at Aizen straight in the eyes. "What are you planning to do with Kurosaki-kun?"
"You see, my dear Orihime, Kurosaki Ichigo currently believes you to be dead. A former subordinate of mine once taught me how powerful deceit can be," he explained, rubbing his chest where Ichimaru Gin had once stabbed him. "The boy made the mistake of watching my shikai back in Soul Society. Now, he believes every illusion Kyōka Suigetsu conjurs."
Inoue's face was one of horror. She knew just how powerful Aizen's zanpakuto could be. Ichigo was now a mere puppet, dancing to Aizen's tune.
She grasped at Aizen's cloak. "Please…please, I beg of you. Don't hurt Kurosaki-kun," she pleaded, tears in her eyes.
"Oh, don't cry, Orihime. I wouldn't dream of hurting him. He is my blade, after all."
Inoue let go of his cloak and stepped back. "W-what did you call him?"
"My blade. He will be the weapon I use…to strike Soul Society."
She stepped back, stumbling. "That's impossible. Kurosaki-kun wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't he?" Aizen conjured up an image of his throne room. Ichigo was kneeling, his tear-streaked face blank. But what frightened Inoue the most were Ichigo's eyes. They were growing black, like a hollow's. The first signs of a burning rage.
"Well? Have you reconsidered your opinion?" Aizen teased mockingly.
Inoue turned around and slapped him. Hard. But the strike had the effect of a soft feather.
"Sit." With a single word, Aizen forced Inoue down. "Violence does not befit you, Orihime. So sit there, and be still. And watch," he said, turning to leave.
"Watch as Soul Society falls at Kurosaki Ichigo's hands."
A/N: I know there are a lot of unanswered questions at this point in the plot, but bear with me! They will all be answered in the following chapters! After all, we all know Aizen really loves to talk ;)