"Ohhh. Fuck." Shinji groaned once more before raising a hand to his head and slowly opening his eyes to the sickeningly familiar dull white of Las Noches' walls. He was struck with a strange sense of deja vu and wondered, if he had known everything he did now, would he have simply stayed in his bed before and never sought out Aizen.
No, he decided quickly; doing that would have only delayed the inevitable. Aizen was never afraid to give someone a kick in the ass to get things started.
With a soft sigh, Shinji pushed himself into a sitting position, albeit a hunched one, eyes focused on the blankets that had pooled around his waist. He was faced with a rather huge decision that, for once, he wasn't comfortable with making. Either way, his friends would be hurt. Had Aizen intended to put him in such a position? "We'll follow you, obviously!" Ichigo's words rang in his head. If they came, they would fight. If they fought, they ran the high risk of dying or, at the very least, being severely injured. It had taken them fifteen months to get things back together before, and Ichigo would probably take even longer. Could he risk all of that again?
On the other hand, if he avoided their coming to Hueco Mundo, it would be in a way that hurt them that much more. They would see nothing but betrayal in his actions, despite his best attempts only to keep them from harm. Not to mention, he would be acting as a huge hypocrite; he had sacrificed himself to come back just for Hiyori, so who was he to say that they couldn't come back for him?
Hiyori. Shinji's head snapped up and, unsure of how he hadn't noticed the small presence in the room before, took in the girl's angry-eyed gaze with a shocked expression. She had been waiting patiently, allowing him to process his thoughts before saying anything? A small voice in the back of his head told Shinji he would destroy Aizen if he had somehow broken this girl.
"Took ya long enough t' notice me, idiot!"
Shinji was never happier to have his nose nearly broken by a tiny foot.
"Ow! Dammit, Hiyori!" Shinji cursed, placing a hand firmly against his abused face, glaring half-heartedly around his fingers. "That ain't no way t' greet someone in this situation!"
"Like hell," Hiyori bit. "It's the only way to greet you, ever!" Her arms crossed and a glare was shot across the room as she seemed to calm enough for her expression to slacken into a bit of a darker one. "I woke up an' that creepy-faced guy told me everything that had happened," she informed, "but I didn't want to believe him."
"I know," Shinji said with a sigh, slumping back against the wall his bed was pushed against. "It's a huge mess, like always."
"Then we'll just clean it up," she said stubbornly, frowning in his direction. "We can't leave those idiots on their own down there; they'll kill each other with their pea-brained ideas." It was the closest she'd ever come to admitting that she thought Shinji was a good leader.
"Of course we will," he agreed in a tone that suggested such had been his plan all along, "but Aizen's gonna be tricky t' deal with." He slid a long glance over to her. "Did 'e tell ya the same dumbass story 'e told Ichigo?"
"As if," she said, her nose wrinkling in a bit of a scowl. "No one told me anything, except how long I've been here an' what happened after the war."
"Bastard," Shinji growled in frustration and shoved his blankets to the side, rising to his feet. He paused, then, and sent a cautious glance to the girl. "How long've I been out?"
"They brought you back yesterday." She didn't even have to ask why he was suspicious.
"Damn Mayuri," Shinji muttered, rubbing the spot on his arm where the captain's needle had pushed into his skin. "Whatever. I gotta go find Aizen."
She knew it was coming, and yet every muslce in her body protested against letting him go. Whether it was just to keep him away from Aizen, or to keep him nearer for a little bit longer, she wasn't sure. Either way, she knew she couldn't stop him and only called out for him right before he disappeared from her sight. "Baldy!"
"Eh?" Shinji craned his neck over his shoulder, brow furrowing. "Don't try an' stop me, Hiyori. You know I gotta do this."
Her eye twitched. "I wasn't gonna say anything like that!" she insisted, the lightest tinge coloring her cheeks. "I was gonna say somethin' like 'Don't get killed!' but forget it, now!"
The corners of Shinji's lips turned up in a grin. "I'll be back before ya know it."
Aizen certainly wasn't hiding, but Shinji was grateful that the king of Hueco Mundo was alone in his throne room. A little disoriented by not seeing the younger man atop his throne, but instead standing near a large window overlooking an expanse of the monotonous landscape outside, Shinji approached him cautiously.
"Aizen."
For a moment, Aizen remained quiet and still, as if he hadn't heard his name called at all. Slowly, though, he turned his body halfway toward the other man, as if including him in the sightseeing, rather than giving him his undivided attention. He smiled faintly as Shinji took the hint and stepped closer, taking in the distraction of an otherwise useless view.
"Are you upset that I've brought you back?" Aizen wondered, once again shifting to stand side-by-side with the shorter man.
Shinji gave the question some serious thought, then finally moved his shoulders in a lame attempt at a shrug. "Nah, not really," he admitted, his tone keeping with the oddly-serene atmosphere that had settled down upon them. "Was it true? What ya told Ichigo?"
"Every word."
Perhaps, Shinji mused, he couldn't recall any of his previous tension or stomach-churning hatred that he usually felt toward Aizen because, for once, the other didn't seem in complete control. For once, he wanted something that required someone else's cooperation; a kind that couldn't be tricked or manipulated out of them. It was the closest Shinji had ever come in over a hundred and fifty years of actually seeing Aizen as an equal. At the very least, a real person.
"Ya know Yamamoto ain't gonna go for it."
Of course that point had been considered. Yamamoto would be a difficult man to persuade, and even the return of two of his most prized allies hadn't swung the odds in Aizen's favor. Hiyori had been his failsafe; if the plan hadn't worked- which it hadn't- then Shinji would return and Aizen would launch another tactic at Yamamoto. His plots and devices were endless, and he was sure one of them would work. It only took patience, which Aizen had never been lacking in.
"He has never understood," Aizen finally decided, "my intentions or wishes." No one really had, but they couldn't all be blamed. After all, he had never spoken of his true goals or, more accurately, the movies behind them.
"An' what's that?" Shinji wondered, frowning a bit. "Everyone sees ya as this big-headed, power-hungry maniac. It's kinda hard not to, considerin' all the shit ya've done." He finally gave up studying the white sands and tilted his head in Aizen's direction. "So whadda ya really want?"
"Did Ichigo not relay my message?" Aizen wondered, breaking the eye contact as soon as it had been made, gesturing out the window. "To remain here, undisturbed, with my children." A smile was shot toward the Vizard. "You and your kind are welcome, as well. You are, after all, my creations, just as the Espada are."
A disgruntled noise rose from the back of Shinji's throat. "We ain't your children an' we ain't your lab experiments," he informed the other man, shortly. And just like that, the small bit of understanding he had been trying to give Aizen dissipated with the other's callous words. "An' we'd die before we ever lived in a place like this with a creep like you."
Aizen made no move to stop the other man from leaving, watching his reflection in the mirror vanish behind a closed door. Despite the rejection, a faint smile graced his lips. Shinji could still be persuaded.
"Why am I always the last one?" Urahara wondered as he quickly slipped into place between Rose and Komamura. Yamamoto had called an abrupt captain's meeting and despite leaving in relative good time, he ended up being greeted by twelve other impatient faces. He didn't miss the condescending look shot to him from the front of his line by a very haughty Soi Fon.
"Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads," Yamamoto addressed in a grave voice, surveying each face as he spoke, "I have summoned you here this evening for a debriefing and tactical meeting."
"Tactical meeting?" Kyouraku muttered, glancing from Urahara to Yamamoto. "Are we at war again, already?"
"As some of you are already aware, last night, Hirako Shinji disappeared from under observation in Squad Twelve's barracks."
"Poof!" Mayuri emphasized, raising his hands in frustration. "Right out from under my nose! I turned my back for five seconds to prepare a little test, and he was gone!"
A moment of silence passed in morbid sympathy for Shinji's fate at the scientist's hands before Yamamoto spoke again.
"Considering his recent involvement in the matters surrounding Aizen Sousuke, we can safely assume that he has been returned to Hueco Mundo." He paused, shifting his steely-eyed gaze to Urahara for a moment. "As he was unconscious at the time, we are to treat his disappearance as an abduction." As soon as he saw the edges of the blonde's lips turn up, he averted his gaze. "Furthermore, it is believed that Sarugaki Hiyori is being held captive in Las Noches, as well."
The expected looks and sounds of shock filled the quiet room, but those who had already suspected as much- Urahara, Rose, and Kensei- simply bowed their heads in pensive contemplation.
"So, then," Kyouraku said slowly, "what are your orders?" It was undoubtedly the question on everyone's mind.
Tension dripped from every second that the Captain Commander waited in silent contemplation. He had many options and, finally, looked to Urahara. "Are they here?"
A brief nod was given and a disturbingly wide smile. "Ready and willing~"
A soft grunt of acknowledgment and Yamamoto raised his voice to speak to the group he knew must be waiting right outside his doors. "Enter!"
Slowly, as they always did, the doors parted way for the four remaining Vizard who were neither present nor currently missing. Lead by Love, they entered the meeting room, though lingered near the back.
"Aikawa Love, Yadoumaru Lisa, Kuna Mashiro, Ushouda Hachigen," the Captain Commander announced stiffly, "along with Muguruma Kensei, Outoribashi Roujuurou, Kyouraku Shunsui, and..." he narrowed his eyes only slightly as a fifth figure entered the room, "Kurosaki Ichigo. The eight of you will launch our assault on Las Noches. Your goal is to annihilate Aizen Sousuke, once and for all, and also to recover our captive allies."
"And the rest of us?" Ukitake spoke up, a bit concerned that he wasn't being sent in alongside his old friend, as was usually the case.
"The rest of you will remain here. We cannot rule out the possibility of this being a trap, and you will be charged with protecting Soul Society, should Aizen send his army here."
"And you?" A few glances were shot to Urahara as he addressed Yamamoto, but he doubted anyone could deny wondering what role the Captain Commander would take.
"I will join alongside those marching into Hueco Mundo." His captains had been trapped there once before, unable to assist everyone on the other side. He personally would assure that such a thing did not happen again. "Make your preparations!" he ordered. "Dismissed!"
"Ya wanted t' see me, Lord Aizen?" Gin hovered by the door, his curiosity to blame for arriving so promptly. As far as he was aware, Aizen had no more need for him in this little plan.
"They will come soon," Aizen told him, "and once they do, our worlds will be separated forever. Make your preparations." He was sure Gin knew the intentions behind those words.
"Ya sure 'bout that?" Gin wondered, a light frown touching his lips. "It ain't necessary."
"Perhaps," Aizen mused, "but do so, anyway."
"Yes, sir."
The Tenth Division barracks in Soul Society were quiet. Matsumoto wasn't too sure what her captain was doing, but he had been called away in a hurry and hadn't returned since. It had been hours, so she assumed it was something serious. Then again, with everything that had happened lately, it wouldn't be too surprising if it was to do with Aizen. It had been sixteen months since they had last seen any sight of the traitors, but it still felt too soon to be thrust back into the same sort of situation again.
The female sighed lightly and rested her chin against the palm of her hand, looking down nonchalantly at the work laid out before her. Hitsugaya wouldn't be shocked that she hadn't done a thing in his absence, and she really wasn't in the mood. Like, really. Maybe Hisagi would be up for a round or two of drinks. If he wasn't still chasing after his new captain like a little puppy. Honestly, some people were so obvious.
"Ahh, Rangiku~ Ya sure don't look like you're workin' too hard."
The voice sent a chill down the redhead's spine and every hair on her arms stood on end. Slowly, clear, blue eyes raised from dull paperwork to the face of her uninvited guest. She parted her lips to speak, but her throat tightened so much that she was sure she would be unable to make any sound.
"Gin," she managed out, lower lip quivering from the effort of the man's name. Her brain went into overdrive, telling her to reach for her sword and attack, but her body refused the messages and insisted that she was comfortable right where she was. She wouldn't have to speak to ask why he was here. He would know she couldn't.
Ichimaru let the smile on his lips dampen just a bit into a more apologetic expression. He could be sorry about the things he did, from time to time, and he was sure that one of those things was leaving her behind the way that he did. Especially now, when it all seemed so pointless. He hadn't expected Aizen to retreat or to call off his plans so eagerly. Then again, if Aizen had been honest with his intentions from the start, then perhaps the ex-captain would have been able to predict his erratic movements a bit better. It was too late for that, now, though, and he was stuck with his decisions.
"I'm sorry," he offered lightly, his ever-waning smile slip just a bit more, "that I didn't tell ya before."
"Tell me?" she repeated, the initial shock having set in and faded to a point where she could, at the very least, carry on a conversation. Her muscles were still out on conference about that whole moving thing. "Tell me what?"
"Why I left an' followed Aizen." By nature, he wasn't too sentimental of a creature, but Ichimaru was sure this was the last time he'd ever speak to the girl. It was the least he could do for her to touch on an emotional side, though perhaps not too much. "It was 'cause of you, ya know."
Somewhere, deep down inside, she had already known that. At the very least, she had known that Ichimaru wasn't a bad person and had his motives, and that they were good ones. Though, in comparison to all that Aizen had done, not too many reasons could be labeled as 'bad'. Still, that knowledge had been buried under years of trying to get over not having him around and too many drinks to count, so to actually hear the words registered a good deal of shock on her face.
"Maybe ya never knew it, but when I found ya on the road that day," she would definitely remember which day, "it was 'cause of him. I wanted revenge for what he'd done to ya." Even if Aizen was spying on him, even if he heard every word, Ichimaru wouldn't be worried. He was sure Aizen knew all of this, anyway, and had kept him around regardless.
"Why are you here?" Matsumoto wondered, surveying the other Shinigami suspiciously. "Why now? Gin, what's happening?"
And the smile was back. He knew he didn't have time to explain everything and answer all the questions he was sure she had, so with one last look to memorize her face, he turned from the lieutenant and said over his shoulder, "Goodbye, Rangiku."
Before she could even call for him to wait, he was gone. Her gaze fell, landed on the paperwork she still had in front of her, and finally, her body reacted. It stood, worked out a few kinks in her neck, and promptly marched out of the office. Shuuhei had better be ready to drink.
Ichimaru was disappointed. Matsumoto had been the main reason for his return, but not the only one. Unfortunately, the other reason was currently occupied with his new captain. He watched carefully as Kira Izuru spoke with his captain about some matter or another. Ichimaru was sure it was something to do with Aizen and Soul Society's plans to attack, but he hadn't been there to spy for information and so it interested him very little. Whatever they threw at the king of Hueco Mundo, it would be thrown right back. Likely, Aizen had planned for it all, anyway.
But Ichimaru would feel unfulfilled if he didn't get to say a few, parting words to his former lieutenant. It would constantly linger on his mind and he didn't need such trivial things keeping him from exploring every method of harassing Ulquiorra in their coming years together. Having no real purpose or goal to move forward toward, life in Las Noches would get dull very quickly and Ichimaru wanted no melodramatic thoughts to reflect back on once even bothering the Espada ceased to amuse him.
Well, it would just have to be quick.
"I understand, sir. Please, be careful, and if there's anything I can do while you're gone, don't hesitate to-"
"Ah, man. I guess I coulda waited for a few more minutes an' ya woulda been alone, huh?"
Rose recognized the voice and immediately spun around, eyes wide and hand flying to the hilt of his sword. So, Aizen knew of their plans already, and had sent his goonies in a preemptive strike? His mind raced to the others and knew that he had to finish things here quickly and aid them.
Ichimaru frowned a bit as the sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath permeated the air. With a single flash step, he darted around the wary captain and behind his stunned lieutenant, situating the sullen blonde between him and his enemy.
"I'm not here for you," Ichimaru informed Rose, his smile returning as Kira slowly turned toward him. "I woulda liked t' say more, but I guess your new captain's a bit jumpier than your last, eh?"
"Kira, what are you doing?" Rose demanded, body tense but unable to attack the intruder with his lieutenant so close. "Get away!"
Every word aimed in his direction seemed a bit muffled and their message to his brain was delayed. Slowly, Kira's awareness caught up with the situation and though he fully realized the position he was in, his hand didn't once move to his sword. How could it? How could he?
"Captain Ichimaru," Kira murmured, fully aware now of his actual captain standing behind him. He was sure the guy would think him a terrible subordinate by the end of the day, but he couldn't help himself. It would take someone to lose what he had lost to fully understand, and this guy didn't seem like the most sympathetic in the world.
"Are ya sure ya should be callin' me that?" Ichimaru wondered, darting a look back to the rightful captain's face before looking back to Kira. "Gotta be a good boy, Izuru." A hand raised up to place itself lightly atop the splash of pale blonde hair. "Keep workin' hard, alrigh'?" He paused a moment before leaning in, making every attempt to keep his next words for the other man's ears only. "Ya always made me proud t' have ya."
Despite himself, upon seeing that Ichimaru wasn't there for an assault, Rose let his guard down just a little. What could he do, anyway, while Ichimaru was practically using his lieutenant as a shield? And just as quickly as he had come, the traitor was gone and the two were left alone again. He hadn't heard whatever was whispered, almost attempted not to hear out of respect for his subordinate, but he had heard everything else. Especially the part where Kira still addressed the exile as his superior.
With the influence of Ichimaru's presence gone, Kira's mind jolted him back to reality and told him that he was probably in big trouble. Eyes wide, he immediately spun around to face the older man. "Captain Outoribashi, I-"
"Don't," Rose cut him off, raising a hand. "I can't claim to know what sort of relationship you two had while he was here, but it's more than what we have, right now." How could he be angry? If anything, he was concerned, reminding him constantly that bodily harm had never been their opponent's forte. "I'm not the person to tell you where your loyalties lie. I can only tell you that you should be on whatever side they remain with." Perhaps it wasn't the advice of a good captain, but Rose had yet to be in the position long enough to let duty and responsibility take over his every waking thought, like it seemed to with so many others.
Kira understood the words, but was wary of them. What sort of superior would tell his subordinate to run to the enemy's arms, if that's where he wanted to be? Fortunately, Kira knew where he belonged and it wasn't at Ichimaru's side. As often as he had thought as much, he had come to realize that no one really belonged there for too long. Even if the place was reserved for someone, it would be Matsumoto before it was him.
"Thank you, Captain Outoribashi," Kira murmured, bending into a low bow. "Please, be safe during your trip."
"Can you really mean that?" Rose wondered. After all, a successful venture on their part would surely mean the death of the man that had just intruded upon their brief farewell. He wondered who Kira would really want to survive more. When he received no response, he gave a light sigh and shot a wave over his shoulder. "Don't work too hard while I'm gone."
"I'm surprised to see that you aren't with Hiyori." Surprised, but pleased. It would be much easier to talk to the Vizard without his louder, more violent counterpart around.
Shinji glanced up to see Aizen standing in his doorway and scowled. "What's it to ya?"
"A mere observation," Aizen assured him, keeping his distance. "Are you aware that, currently-"
"Save it," Shinji cut him off in a loud voice. "I already told ya no, an' I ain't gonna change my mind. It don't matter what ya say, so just shaddup."
"Even if I told you that to agree would prevent a second war?" The instant silence he received as a response made him smile.
"What're ya talkin' about?" Shinji asked after a few, cautious moments of determining that the other man wasn't lying. For once.
"Soul Society is mobilizing its greatest forces, inside and outside of its reign of command, to come here." Aizen surveyed his former captain with a curious expression. "For you."
He had expected as much, but he still wasn't pleased to hear it. Shinji knew he had to come back, but he hadn't planned on staying long enough for those below to actually make a plan and carry it out. He hadn't bet on Yamamoto agreeing so quickly or so forcefully. Had he seen all of this coming? It was probably Kisuke's fault.
"Looks like you're shit outta luck, then," Shinji told him with a disinterested air, looking off to the side. Whatever it took to make his rejection obvious.
"You would risk the life of your friends?" Aizen wondered, eyebrows raised every so slightly in a way that suggested he knew better.
"Who's t' say those idiots are my friends?" Shinji shot back. He was under no obligation to claim a single captain or lieutenant as his friend, though he was sure Aizen knew a few of them fell into that category. For the most part, however, he couldn't even keep all the names and faces straight.
"Who is to say that it is only the Shinigami that will come?"
Shinji's body tensed, but he still refused eye contact. Of course he'd expected the others to come. In fact, he'd only expected them to come. Perhaps the forces that Aizen spoke of were only Kensei and Rose, and they had gone against Yamamoto's orders to stay put and joined the rest to follow Ichigo to Las Noches. That was probably it. The Vizard scoffed.
"An' I'm s'pposed t' trust that ya won't lay a finger on 'em if I say I'll stay with you?" He asked the question in a way that told the other he was much, much smarter than to believe that. Even if Aizen could vouch for himself, he wouldn't be the only one under assault and he doubted many others there would show such restraint.
"You are supposed to believe that you have the capabilities to convince them that this is a fruitless venture, and to return home without engaging in a losing battle."
Somehow, Shinji was even less convinced than if Aizen had said he'd keep Grimmjow on a short leash and his friends could waltz in and out of there, unharmed. He sat up from his lounged position on the bed and leaned forward, face contorted into a snarl.
"You're a goddamn coward, after all," he growled. "A losin' battle? They'd kick your ass an' ya know it! Ya ran away last time an' now ya ain't even got half the man power ya did back then! You're tryin' t' convince me t' tell 'em t' turn around when we all know they ain't got a damn reason to do it!"
Aizen frowned lightly for a moment, but soon covered it with an amused smirk. "You have always been such a perceptive man, Shinji."
"Save the compliments," the blonde spat, "I ain't talkin' peace treaties for ya."
"Will you allow me to convince you otherwise?"
After a moment, Shinji sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Go ahead. Ya might as well get used t' fightin' losin' battles."
Aizen's smile only grew.
"Everyone ready?" Ichigo asked, surveying his group. They were still waiting for Yamamoto to hand out orders to be followed in his absence, but that was all.
"Are you sure you are?" Kyouraku wondered, eyeing the substitute carefully. They had all been made aware of the situation and though a few had tried to deter Ichigo from going, or to wait a bit longer to become stable again, he refused. He insisted that, despite the volatile levels of his power, which were coming out in spurts ranging from normal human to super strength much like a light bulb with bad wiring, he wanted to go. He owed Shinji as much as the rest of them.
"Of course I'm sure," Ichigo told him with a look that said the other was crazy for even asking such a thing.
"I guess the only thing left to do is wait, then," Kensei muttered.
Mashiro let out a light giggle and leaned against her former captain, grinning up at him. "Did you kiss your boyfriend goodbye before you left?" she asked.
The man's face immediately tinged a dark shade of pink and he scowled down at the girl. "What the hell are you talking about, idiot? Don't say things like that without even knowing what they mean!"
"She knows what they mean," Lisa informed him, matter-of-factly. "I told her."
"Told her what?"
"That I saw how close you and your lieutenant have gotten."
Every eye was trained intently on Kensei's face.
Obviously flustered, Kensei scowled and crossed his arms over his chest, avoiding eye contact with every single member of the rescue party. "You're delusional. And stop spying on us!"
"My, my~" Kyouraku murmured, not even bothering to hide the amusement in his voice. "Of all the people."
"What are you all muttering about, now?" an aged voice asked with the edge of impatience.
Always ready to clue someone in on the situation, Mashiro jumped to attention. "We were talking about Kens-"
Lisa's hand promptly covered the other girl's mouth and she leaned down to whisper in her friend's ear. "Remember, the Captain Commander doesn't approve of superior-subordinate relationships." Any relationships, really. For some reason, she and Kyouraku had always received those warnings; they were told time and time again that emotions would only get in the way of duty.
Yamamoto surveyed the group for a long minute before clearing his throat and drawing everyone's attention. "If you are done gossiping like teenagers, let us go." He gave a brief nod to the waiting Urahara, who quickly nodded his understanding and began murmuring an incantation under his breath. The makeshift Keikaigi gate before the group began glowing with energy and, as the scientist finished his spell, opened to provide them passage through.
"Hueco Mundo awaits us on the other side!" Yamamoto informed the others, strictly. "Do not forget your purpose!"
With those few words, nine forms disappeared, one by one, into the glowing abyss.
