Hueco Mundo.
Within the endless halls of Los Noches, a teen walked in the heart of it. Tired from a long day of training, he flash-stepped to his destination. He wore a Soul Reaper uniform, and it was tattered and torn up from the previous training and fighting the 6th Espada Grimmjow. He was ordered by Tousen Kaname to see Aizen. He was exhausted and would rather sleep it off despite how much fun he had, he wish he didn't have to go. And, like a little kid he pouted his lips.
"Damn, they just don't give me break, do they?" Ichigo muttered.
After 5 minutes he made it to the place where Aizen calls the "balcony." The crescent moon showed a starless sky, and a breeze blew, making the sweat on Ichigo's skin cooling him down. A single over-sized chair stood.
"You've made it, Kurosaki." Aizen spoke.
"So what did you want me here for?" Ichigo said dully.
Aizen stood up. And he clapped briefly.
"To congratulate you for your hard work and finally achieving Bankai." He announced.
It was true, ever since Ichigo joined his side, he had Tousen and sometimes Gin train him. (Before coming to Aizen he reverted back to his Shikai) He regained his powers after Byakuya cut him down, then saved by Kisuke Urahara. Aizen then appeared in his home and he took on his offer. He had no regrets. Sure his family would miss him, but he personally felt he was better off without them.
"Now that you have your Bankai, we can set our plans into action to invade Karakura Town, starting tomorrow."
"Great. Can't wait to make those bastards pay." Ichigo smirked with a satisfied smile.
"The only thing I ask of you is to follow my orders for just a little longer, then you can go kill whomever you please." Aizen lightly warned, and looked back at the view behind him.
"Yeah, yeah sure. But until then, maybe I might ask Grimmjow or anyone else who's willing to fight me now that I have my Bankai." He held up one fist, he started to feel the adrenaline pump.
"As you wish. Just try not to push yourself and save some of your energy for the invasion." Aizen warned again.
"You may leave now, go to the dining area, I have ordered all the Espada to gather for a celebration party for you."
"Awesome! But..."
Ichigo's face lit up then he frowned. "PLEASE tell me there's gonna be actual food instead of just that shitt tea?" Ichigo whined.
Aizen closed his eyes and chuckled softly.
"Of course, hours earlier I sent some people to fetch some food from the World of the Living. Go see for yourself, you're dismissed."
"Thanks man." Ichigo ran off to his new destination.
He was in a really, really good mood now, he hadn't felt this happy since he came to Los Noches. Here everyone treated him with respect, well most of them. He let them fight him and vent his anger on them, when he fought he felt so alive and let his inner turmoil go. Ichigo laughed to himself, he was so excited. He felt like going to a huge birthday party, in a way, this was a rebirthing to him, he celebrated this new life and left his old one behind to rot. He was free. Free to even KILL if he wanted to. And sometimes, he loved it if his or his opponent's blood got on him and he never felt more powerful.
All the Espada arrived into the Dining Room and took their seats and there awaited a surprise; food was on the white spotless table. Japanese cuisine and sake all set to go. A large, dining table was set close by the throne with the tall staircase. Fraccions stood by for any further assistance.
"Well, I'll be damned. This looks freakin' delicious." Nnoitora cackled.
"I think I'd rather still be asleep than eating." Stark muttered.
"You heard Aizen, orders are orders. We were told to celebrate the kid's achievement." Sayzel said.
Uluquiorra walked in, his face expressionless; he took a seat. "The half-human still looks weak in my eyes, he'd better rise up to our standards if he's going to fight alongside us." He said, not looking at anyone.
Grimmjow was the last one to come in.
"So the punk's got Banka,i eh? Can't wait to see what he shows the next time we cross our swords." The Sixth Espada made a huge grin and took a seat.
Then Harribel, Yammy, Zommari, and Arraneiro finally came in and took their seats, following after them were Gin and Tousen.
"Damn, I'm starving, there'd better be enough or I'll cut down anyone who steals my food." Yammy growled and glared at everyone.
"I'd say the same thing to you "Princess," Grimmjow sassed, "Just don't get in everyone's way trying to get their fill."
"The hell'd you say you bastard?!" Yammy shouted, his voice made the table vibrate.
"Now, now, y'all, no fighting." Said Gin calmly.
Finally Ichigo came in, him in his regular Shinigami uniform but no sword. He didn't need it.
"Well, the main guest is here, welcome, Ichigo." Gin gestured his arm to him and directed him to his seat.
"Sorry, I decided to go back to my room first and wash off instead of coming straight here." He told.
"No worry, you're here and that matters." Said Gin.
"Hey, kid! You and me, after this we're gonna fight and you can't say no!" Grimmjow hit the table with his fist.
"Yeah, definitely. After we finish eating we can fight, I made up some new moves along with my Bankai." Ichigo smirked to him.
It was obvious to some of the Espada, Ichigo and Grimmjow were practically a team. Brothers almost. They would spend time fighting almost every day. Not that it mattered to them.
"Is everyone here?"
Ichigo turned and Aizen stood in the entrance to the room.
"Yes my Lord. Everyone is here." Tousen bowed.
"Let's all feast." Aizen raised his arms, giving the signal to begin.
A few minutes later the Espada's were lost in their eating, some making conversations about fighting and battles, Ichigo occasionally listened then got back to eating.
"Ichigo." Aizen called.
"Yeah?" Ichigo said with his mouth full, one side of his cheek stuffed with food.
"I'm going to be giving you a special gift, after we've succeeded in annihilating Karakura."
Ichigo widened his eyes, he quickly swallowed his food down so he could speak.
"What kind of gift?" He asked, and leaned over his plate.
"I can use the Hokuyoku to give you the powers of a Hollow."
"R-really? You can do that? I thought it could only give Arrancars Soul Reaper powers." He said, unsure at first.
"Quite the contrary. It can do both, however the chance if it working is low, I will warn you. Kisuke Urahara tried the method on the Captains I turned into Hollows and tried to reverse it but it failed. If you're too afraid to accept this gift I can understand."
Ichigo thought about it. Then he smiled.
"I'll accept it. You've done a lot for me so why not? It'll be an epic gift!" He told him.
"I see. I'm glad you're willing." Aizen calmly grinned.
"No! Don't do this! If you gain anymore power it could kill you!"
"What the hell?" Ichigo said loudly, some of the Espada gave him looks.
"What's up with you?" Grimmjow asked.
"Who said that!?" Ichigo was getting freaked out now. This voice, sounded like it was coming from his head, and even weirder, this person didn't sound like Zangestu, or anyone else he knew, but himself.
"Sorry, I need a moment." He apologized and got up from his seat and left the dining room. He turned into a dim lit hallway and backed up against a wall.
"Who and what are you? You still there?" He asked, it was so weird talking to himself. Maybe he was sensing it from somewhere else, just couldn't see it?
It was quiet for a moment, it made him think he was going crazy, but then,
"Yes. I am. Please listen to me, but don't freak out-"
He flinched, "How the heck can I not? And how come you show up now of all times?"
"Because all your life you have not awakened your real potential, until moments ago. Ichigo, I am your real power."
"I don't get it, what's that supposed to mean?"
"The reason I appeared now is because in that room, you let doubt fill your heart and I felt it."
"Huh? why would I feel that way?" Ichigo said confused.
"That guy's offer, you felt doubtful about receiving Hollow powers."
"So what? more power means I'll be able to get stronger and I'll be unstoppable." Ichigo made a cocky smile.
"... It seems I can't spell it out to you. But as long as I sense doubt in you, I will appear in your thoughts, the more doubt you have it gives me power as well."
"What?" Ichigo froze, he didn't like the tone of the other one's voice, it sounded..happy.
"Scared? Don't be too scared. I will warn you: the more doubt you feel, the more hesitant you'll be."
Ichigo growled.
"I'm not letting that happen, you freak. As long as I'm with Aizen and the Espada I'll get stronger, they are my family."
"That's a bullshit lie and you know it. Your real family is in Karakura. You'll be killed if you continue fighting with these people."
"Stop it!" Ichigo put one hand on the side of his head; "JUST GO AWAY!" He yelled.
The voice stopped.
He waited for the voice to return, but nothing happened. Suddenly, he felt tired. Looked like no fights with anyone. And he lost his appetite. He was about to head back to his room..
"Don't listen to it."
Ichigo jumped and looked behind himself, expecting someone to be standing there, but there wasn't anyone in sight.
"Listen to me instead, it's what's helped you survive for so long after all, hehehe..."
Ichigo's eyes lit up with a lavender colored glow, he stood motionless, as if possessed. He never heard this voice before, but understood it. It was his instinct to always fight back and obliterate anyone that stood in his way, he always believed it helped. And still he will continue to listen to this reason alone.
Grimmjow wasn't too far off, listening to Ichigo talk to someone. He swore he heard two coherent voices: Ichigo's and a gargled voice.
"Shit kid..., you're more insane than I thought." Grimmjow huffed.
Not that he minded too much; insanity filled opponents made the best allies and he wasn't going to tell his partner to change that.