Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
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9.
It took them four years to break the effect of the hypnosis.
One day it just happened—the world shattered, reformed itself into shades of black and white instead of pastel tones of the world of illusion they had lived in. Rukia stared up at Papa—no, Aizen, the betrayer of Soul Society—and felt utterly violated.
Previously, she had seen the world through rose-tinted glasses. Now the glasses had shattered and Rukia saw the truth. Everything—every smile, every hug, every second—had all been a lie. For what felt like the millionth time, she had been betrayed.
"Well then, little ones, what are you going to do?" Aizen asked calmly, his hand still absentmindedly ruffling Renji's hair.
"Kill you," Ichigo growled, grabbing the nearest thing he could reach—a knife. His voice sounded rough compared to the soft, childlike tenor he and the others had assumed during their age of innocence.
Gin chuckled and wrapped his hands around Rukia's waist. "Now really, Rukia dear, what do you make of all this? Such bad manners!" He whispered silkily into her ear "Haven't we taught you anything all these years? We are your beloved Uncles and Papa, after all."
Rukia felt her body grow cold, and she pushed him away, staring at the white walls around her, and the plain table at which they had sat—and Aizen still did. Uryuu was already at his feet, holding a knife of his own, prepared to strike Tousen.
The table had been mahogany before, and stood in the lavish dining room of their private chambers. There had been an elaborate, rabbit-patterned wallpaper, with a little grey mark where something had struck it long ago. Master hypnosis at work.
Aizen simply smiled, and drew his sword. "This will be an excellent learning opportunity—Kaname, please make note of their behavioral changes up to this moment. Then we can be more prepared, and avoid such minor inconveniences."
Betraying no emotion, Tousen nodded.
Before anyone could move, a flash of light blinded them, obscuring their vision. Rukia felt her memories slipping away, unreality re-asserting itself again, and she noted also the insidious morphing of Aizen and Gin's foreboding chuckles. They were becoming warm, and welcoming…
