They didn't understand, but he would make them understand. He had allowed Grimmjow to lead the way towards his room, neither of them spoke until they were in the safety of the room. "I thought I was a goner."
"Grimmjow, what did he mean?"
"He just thinks he is higher than everyone else here. Hueco Mundo is our place. Yes he in a way saved all of us, but it doesn't give him the right to control all of us." He could tell there was a hint of something in Grimmjow's tone, fear. Grimmjow was terrified of Aizen though he tried to play it down. He would just look pass what was said, that was the right route to go. He would most likely learn what it meant sooner or later. "So Ichigo, why did you just allow him to take ya family away?"
"They need to learn that Aizen isn't the evil one here. It is for their own protection." He honestly believed his words, Aizen wasn't the bad person here. Why did everyone believe that to be true? He sat down on the bed, it was much softer and bigger than his bed back at his old home. Grimmjow just stood awkwardly by the door.
"I might be stepping out of my boundaries, but do you honestly believe that?"
"Of course I do. Aizen saved me as well, he trained me. My own father lied to me, but Aizen he told me the truth. That means a lot to me." He found the clothes that Aizen had told him about, they were the same white with black trimmed clothes that Grimmjow was wearing. Instead of a black sash, he had been provided with a red sash. He noticed a pair of identical black shoes were resting at the foot of the bed.
"Just call my name and I shall come find ya. Later on shall ya want to ever talk, ya the only one I'll allow in my room."
"Thanks Grimmjow. We will spar later on."
"I'll be waiting." Grimmjow excused himself making sure to close the door. He might as well see just how the new uniform fit him. He stripped out of the black Shinigami uniform and began to put on the white outfit. He completed it with the red sash. The same flowing sleeves from the black outfit was present, but somehow overall the top fit him snugger then the other outfit. He didn't mind at all. In fact the longer he looked at the new uniform he noticed how the shirt road up a little bit at certain time, another thing he didn't mind that much. Aside from those small changes and the higher collar, the uniform was almost completely the same just a white copy of the black Shinigami uniform. He pulled on the socks but did not pull on the shoes. He would at least try to relax like Aizen had wanted him to do.
He wondered where Aizen had instructed Ulquiorra to put his family. Was Aizen really serious about being able to bring Rukia here? No, he would have to convince Rukia to come here, he couldn't rely on Aizen for her.
….
"Rukia, why don't you come back to Karakura Town with us" Orihime was offering her a cheerful smile. Ever since Ichigo had reappeared, she had been lost in thought a lot lately. All he had wanted was to take her with him, what had that been about?
"I can't do that Orihime. The Soul Society is where I belong."
"Perhaps it would be better if you come with us, Rukia. Ichigo seems to only appear where you are." Yoruichi had a point.
"No, Rukia is staying here that is settled. If he tries again, I will kill him." Renji had been acting strange ever since Ichigo had saved her from being executed. At least Byakuya would be okay, Ichigo hadn't meant to truly injure him.
"Renji, there is no need to kill him."
"Aren't you the least bit concerned Rukia? He is dangerous."
"Ichigo isn't dangerous. "
"Although he himself may not have been dangerous before, what makes you think he won't be the next time you see him? The man that he willingly went with betrayed the Soul Society. We don't know why he wants you." Renji had a point. Why did Ichigo want her to go with him? He hadn't tried to take anyone else with him, it was just her. Did he feel guilty? No Ichigo would never hurt her. She just wanted to know why he would betray the Soul Society like that. She wondered if Ichigo even knew the truth about Aizen.
"You know what brother is healing quicker now. Maybe a short trip to the World of the Living won't hurt."
"Rukia, going there is what got you in trouble in the first place."
"When Aizen was calling the shots as Central 46. That is what he said. I don't plan to stay there."
"What if Ichigo comes back after you?"
"So. Ichigo isn't dangerous. I am planning on him coming after me. He most likely will be going to see his family anyways, I will just wait for him to appear. Aizen is manipulating him. He most likely doesn't know the truth about Aizen. I will join you after I talk to my Captain." She knew Captain Ukitake would allow her to go, but leaving without permission wouldn't look good on her.
"Fine, but I am coming too."
"Renji, make sure my brother continues to get better." She was not going to fight with Renji about this, she knew how Renji could get. Renji had always been her friend, they had vowed to become Shinigami together, and they had enrolled in the Academy together. Ichigo was also her friend, she wasn't going to leave him behind. Though Ichigo had kissed her on the check, what was that about? She left the group before Renji could say another word. Her hand went up to her check, Ichigo had kissed her. Sure it was only on the check, but she would have never thought Ichigo would kiss her. It made her think back to what one of Orihime's friends had asked when she had still been pretending to be a normal high school student.
Did she like Ichigo? She thought they were only just friends. She had to wonder what Ichigo was thinking. She knocked on her Captain's door. "Captain Ukitake."
"Aww Rukia come in." She could hear her Captain's voice followed by a cough. It sounded worse than ever. Most likely from the confrontation from before. She slide open the door. He wasn't lying down, that was at least a good sign.
"Captain, may I make a request? I know it is completely out of line, but I feel like I must. Can I return back to the World of the Living? I plan to be back by tomorrow. "
"Rukia come in and have a seat. I would like to ask you some questions about that boy." Why was her Captain interested in Ichigo? She slide the door close behind her and took a seat in front of her Captain.
"What would you like to know, Captain?"
"That was the boy that you lent you power to? He reminded me of Kaien. Do you know if he is related to him?"
"I don't know sir." She wondered if her Captain was going to ask anything else. Talking about Kaien was painful enough. Ichigo did share certain aspect of Kaien's appearance. It had shocked her at first, but she learned that although Ichigo was similar to Kaien, he wasn't Kaien.
"That boy, do you know why he would ally himself with Aizen?"
"Ichigo claimed that Aizen saved him and that he was trying to protect me. I have been wondering that same question myself. That is actually why I wanted to go back to Karakura Town. I figured that he would go back to visit his family, then I could try to talk some sense into him."
"Rukia be careful. He did willingly go with Aizen, he may try to lead you astray. You have good judgement, but be careful." Like that Captain Ukitake allowed her to go. As she closed the door again, she could hear the man coughing. She hoped that one day the man would get better, though the cough seemed to only get worst. As she went back towards the group bound to the World of the Living, she heard Ukitake's warning again. Ichigo might try to lead her astray.
"Okay we are all good to go. "
"Rukia, should you encounter Ichigo. Make sure you can guide him towards Kisuke."
"I'll try to."
….
He pulled on his shoes. He couldn't just stay here and relax, he had to do something. He wasn't going to ask for permission, he had to try to get Rukia again. It was worth getting in trouble with Aizen. He went through the hallways until he found Grimmjow's unique reiatsu. He followed it until he reached the door and knocked on the door. He could hear growling on the other side as the door was pulled open. "What?!"
"Grimmjow, I want you to come with me."
Grimmjow quickly calmed down upon seeing it was him. "Where are we going?"
"World of the Living. I just feel that it is the right place. Are you up for it?" He didn't know if Grimmjow would willingly go with him or not.
"Hell yeah! Finally some action."
"I assume you can get there easier than I can. Care to open the way?"
"Of course I can do that for ya, Ichigo." Grimmjow looked like a small child that had just gotten a reward. He was being quickly led through hallways until they reached a point and Grimmjow opened up a portal. He stepped through, he could feel Grimmjow coming after him.
Upon setting foot into Karakura again, it felt odd. Nothing had changed with the town, but everything had changed about him. "Grimmjow I want you to stand watch. You may get your fight after all. "
...
They had hardly even parted way when she felt the spiritual pressure. Ichigo was here, though he wasn't alone. Who did he had with him? She didn't care, her legs went towards the source of the spiritual pressure. Yoruichi allowed her to go alone. She had agreed to lead Ichigo into a trap. It was for his own good. Why would Ichigo do anything against the Soul Society? That still made no sense. She felt a touch on her arm, she gasp before she could even ready herself. Ichigo was standing next to her, except he looked extremely different than the last time she had seen him.
He was wearing a different uniform then the black uniform that Shinigami wore, instead his was completely white except for black trim and a red sash. She hadn't noticed just how different his zanpakutō was now. "So you were here."
"Yes of course Ichigo. Did you come in order to see your family?"
"No." That was a surprise, what had Aizen done with the real Ichigo? She could remember the boy that had only taken her power so he could protect his family from a hollow. She could sense a hollow here, except the presence felt different than a normal hollow. She had to lure Ichigo towards Kisuke's.
"Ichigo, don't you want to um go somewhere more private then in the middle of the street?"
"Here is perfectly fine. Unless you want to come with me." Damn it, why was he being like this, he was drawing her closer to him, and she couldn't fight him.
"Ichigo. Listen to me. Aizen isn't who you think he is."
"Right because he is the bad guy here and the Soul Society are the good people. Rukia, remember the Soul Society was the reason you were going to be killed. The Soul Society would have killed me too, Aizen saved me." It was like talking to a brick wall, why was Ichigo not listening to her.
"You don't understand. Aizen was behind it all. He even said so himself. He killed all of Central 46, he harmed several of the members of the Gotel 13."
"They are feeding you lies. Sōsuke would never do a thing like that. Even if he did kill or harm members of the Gotel 13, they had it coming."
"What happened to the Ichigo who fought to protect his friends and family? " If she ran, she might be able to get to Kisuke before Ichigo caught up to her. She tried to back away but Ichigo gripped her tighter.
"Oh I still fight for that. I also fight to make sure the Soul Society doesn't ruin anymore lives. I know the truth, do you?" Ichigo wasn't making any sense, what did Aizen do to him? That was when she saw the smirk cross Ichigo's face. This wasn't the Ichigo she knew. "Hello Uryu, have you come to try to talk some sense into me as well."
She barely saw the arrow coming before a blast of light stopped it. A cero? She could barely stand under the spiritual pressure that this hollow was letting out. "Ichigo, should I take care of this one?"
"Go ahead, Grimmjow. Don't kill him though."
"Come on that is half of the fun. Though I suppose half the fun is better than no fun at all." She reached for her zanpakutō, this wasn't really Ichigo. He would never tell anymore to hurt a friend. Regardless if Ichigo admitted it or not, Uryu was his friend. She could tell.
"You're not Ichigo. There is no way you could be. Ichigo would never hurt a friend."
"When has Uryu ever been my friend? Don't force my hand Rukia, I don't want to hurt you."
"I don't want to hurt you either Ichigo, though you aren't listening to reason. Working with Aizen and hollows, abandoning your friends and your family, that isn't the Ichigo I knew." Maybe that would snap Ichigo out of it. She gasped as pain went around her wrist, Ichigo was gripping onto her wrist, and the bone was threatening to snap on her. This couldn't be Ichigo, there was no way.
"That Ichigo that you claimed to have known no longer exists. I didn't abandon anyone. Grimmjow enough, take her and don't let go" before she knew it he was being shoved into the hollow's arms.
"Finally ya stop playing with ya galfriend and allow me to take a turn."
"Grimmjow, don't." Ichigo was drawing his zanpakutō, his eyes looked serious. She couldn't move no matter how hard she tried. "I suppose you have come to try to knock sense into me as well, didn't you Mr. Hat and Clogs."
"I can't allow you to take Rukia Kuchiki, you know that Ichigo."
"Surely you don't expect me to feel threaten by that. I'm not afraid of you, after all you don't even have a weapon." Kisuke was drawing a sword from the hilt of his cane, so the rumors were true.
"That is where you're wrong Ichigo. I do indeed have a weapon, a zanpakutō at that. Allow me to introduction my zanpakutō, Benihime, the Crimson Princess. You should give up now, just sit down and have a civil talk with me. "
"So what you have a zanpakutō, am I supposed to be afraid of you now? "
"Don't say I didn't warn ya. Awaken Benihime." Kisuke sent an attack towards Ichigo and all she could do was watch. The hollow was not letting go.
"Ichigo!" Ichigo sent a wave of light towards Kisuke that was the same wave of light that he used before.
"That is an impressive attack Ichigo, but not enough to hurt me."
"Let me guess, Bakudo #81 correct."
"Benihime allowed me to defend myself with her shield. Though anyone else may have used that kido. I'm impressed when did you learn kido?"
"Sōsuke is impressive isn't he?" Aizen had taught Ichigo kido? How that was impossible. Surely he wasn't capable of learning kido.
"So what if you know the names of the kidos and what they do. It doesn't mean you can use them." Kisuke had a point. Ichigo had progressed since they had last truly spoken. That look on his face though, she had seen that look of pure determination before.
"Hado #31 Shakkaho!" Ichigo barely even aimed at Kisuke. So he did know kido. Kisuke jumped out of the way.
"So tell me Ichigo. What did Aizen tell you?"
"Unimportant."
"So I see, you'll talk eventually. Maybe I should get…"
"My father involved? Good luck with that. You'll see that he isn't there if you go to find him. You aren't much better than he is? At least Sōsuke told me the truth. I understand now, why not tell me my father was a Captain?"
Ichigo's father was a Captain? Was Ichigo related to Kaien somehow after all? She was being transferred to someone, the hollow had willingly let Ichigo take her into his arms. "Ichigo, let me go!"
"You'll learn to accept it." How had Ichigo closed the distance between them so fast? Just what was the power of his zanpakutō? The hollow that Ichigo had called Grimmjow was opening up a gargaunta and before she could do anything, she was being carried through the gargaunta. Ichigo was stronger than she was, she couldn't break through his grip on her.
"Ichigo, I believe I understand why you're the prince. Sure Aizen won't mind this?"
"He never said I couldn't take you out of Los Noches." They were talking like she wasn't even there.
"Why Ichigo?!" She tried to get out of Ichigo's grip.
"You have to be more specific Rukia."
"Why follow Aizen? Why take me?"
"He saved me, I owe him that much. Why take you? So they can't hurt you again."
"Aizen ordered it. He is the one who will hurt…"
"Rukia, you'll like it there. There is no one who will feed you lies." They were stepping out onto solid ground, there was so much white everywhere. Ichigo didn't understand. He was being manipulated and he didn't understand it. Maybe there was still a way to save him.
"Where did ya go, Ichi?" Gin Ichimaru was directly in front of him.
"Why ask stupid questions Gin. "
"Awhh. Ya went to go fetch Rukia. I see ya didn't fail this time. Captain Aizen isn't ta happy about ya leaving with one of his Espadas."
"He'll get over it. Grimmjow why don't you take Rukia to my room, when I go deal with things."
"No Ichigo! I'm staying right here." Ichigo still had her bridal style in his arms that caused a small blush to go over her checks. Had she really said that? "I mean, I'm not going off with that hollow again!"
"I found Ichi" Gin was voicing in a sing song type voice. She really hated that man, every time he was around her, it felt like a snake was circling around her neck. She was being let down, what had she done? Was Ichigo really going to send her away? The doors was being opened in front of them, she could barely make out Aizen sitting on a throne. Ichigo was strolling into the room, he apparently wasn't afraid of Aizen. She stayed by him, not wanting to go with Grimmjow, but not wanting to leave Ichigo's side.
"Didn't I tell you to relax, Ichigo? Why leave Los Noches and with one of my Espadas at that."
"It was a spur of the moment decision. I took care of it."
"What would have happened if you did not? What would have happened if I lost one of my Espadas? What would you propose then Ichigo?" She watched as Ichigo stood his ground and Aizen finally sighed. "At least you got her this time. That means no more behavior that is not acceptable. Grimmjow come here."
"Grimmjow was only following my orders. Please he doesn't need to be punish."
"Well Ichigo, why don't I give you Grimmjow's punishment then." She could hear Ichigo gulp.
"Fine. What is it?"
"You will receive it alone with no witnesses. Report back here as soon as possible, you may go see that Rukia Kuchiki is comfortable." Grimmjow hurried after Ichigo as he guided her out of the room. Surely Ichigo understood what he was dealing with now. They were both silent while they walked through stark white corridors. Grimmjow only spoke once they entered a room.
"Ya didn't have ta do it."
"It was my choice to go back. You only were following me. "
"Ichigo, why would you do something like that? Don't you see Aizen will…"
"Rukia, he won't punish me the same way as anyone else. The man isn't evil, trust me I know this. He didn't have to train me, he did so anyways."
"He trained you so he could use you better. Don't you see that Ichigo. Aizen was a Captain before he betrayed the Soul Society, he excelled in kido. There was always something off about him."
"Rukia you worry too much. Grimmjow make sure she is safe."
"What about her room?"
"Allow her to stay in here. I'm sure she will figure out her sleeping arrangements before I come back. "
"Ichigo, you should be wary of Aizen. His lieutenant was almost killed because of him." That looked in Ichigo's eyes, she knew it. He didn't believe her, however he said nothing as he left the room.
