1A/N: A few days longer than expected but here's the next chapter. I don't really have anything useful to say which is usually the norm, so just thanks to those who reviewed and made an effort to let me know their thoughts. Probably no update until after the Fourth of July...lots of things going on until then.
Perpetual Twilight
Chapter 10: Tempted By The Devil
By: Finalitylife
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Bleach or its characters. That's all I got...
Of course the original issue had been where could have Rukia gone considering she could barely move a the moment. That simple fact didn't leave a whole lot of options, and Urahara had really hoped that she had just been in the bathroom or something. Clearly, with this new figure standing in front of him, that probably was not the case. Then again, it was rather impossible for anyone, especially enemies, to have entered the shop without him knowing so that just raised a whole other group of questions that at the moment, probably weren't going to be answered. Enemies usually weren't eager to give away information such as that...well, the dangerous ones at least.
Rukia just really needed to be okay because if there was a single scratch on her, Byakuya would make every effort to slice him into very tiny pieces. It would be rather amazing how fast Urahara would have managed to usurp Ichigo's position on the top of Byakuya's death list if Rukia was in danger, so it was definitely time to start moving...especially considering the continuing rise of energy coming both from the mysterious Arrancar as well as Yoruichi.
"All right you two, stop showing off. This isn't the time for a pissing match."
Both sets of eyes fell upon the smiling Urahara as he waved the ever-present fan in front of his face, the blank expression the Arrancar not changing though Yoruichi did look quite annoyed at him...among other things. Everybody was probably going to be pissed at him when this was all over, though that wasn't really any different than his normal daily life.
"This is not the time to be taking things so lax Kisuke."
Urahara snapped his fan shut with a flick, smiling at Yoruichi as she turned her attention back to the unmoving potential threat.
"I assure you Yoruichi, I am taking this seriously. I'm just trying to break the tension before some one does anything unnecessary that might lead to violence. I have a feeling at the very least, our new friend over there is not here to fight...this time at least."
For the first time, there was a flicker of something within the Arrancar's features, his eyes settling in a way that acknowledged what Urahara had said without him actually saying it. Urahara felt the smallest bit of relief, really not wanting to have to fight an Arrancar on the streets of Karakura. The destruction and casualties would be enormous, and that was still assuming him and Yoruichi won the fight.
"So I imagine you are here for something related to what you've taken from us. So what's the demands to get Rukia back then?"
"I have no demands, only the will of Aizen-sama to carry out. You two are of no relevance. The human boy is the one who will come with me."
Urahara raised his eyebrow though he felt a sense of dread on the inside at the demand of the powerful being in front of him. It would seem that Aizen did know about Ichigo, and as Urahara feared, had taken a rather active interest in him. Also there was the rather unsettling fact as to just how Ichigo might act if Rukia was in trouble again considering just how unstable he and his powers were at the moment. This Arrancar in front of him was dangerous, but more than likely at least stable. The Hollow within Ichigo was nowhere near controlled, and would surely overly complicate an already complex situation.
Yoruichi who had been quickly catching up with the dialogue and what it all actually meant was cursing under her breath at the same thing that had caused the sense of dread in Urahara. Aizen knew about Ichigo and the Hollow and absolutely nothing good could come from that. This situation had to be stopped before it progressed any further but she was unable to see any easy out, knowing that Rukia had some how been captured. Any action she could take would only endanger Rukia's life as well as those civilians within the vicinity.
"Well I really don't know if Ichigo is available right now. How about you just pass along whatever you want to Rukia, and send here back to deliver the message. That will solve everybody's dilemmas in one fell swoop. How about it?"
Urahara grinned at the Arrancar, who again showed no sign of any emotion on his face.
"I have no time for idiots who waste Aizen-sama's time. Where is the boy?"
Urahara's grin washed away as his face became serious in an instant as he felt the new spiritual presence behind him, and he could tell from the violent flaring of it that Ichigo was not happy at all. Not good...not good at all...
"So you're looking for me then. Someone want to tell me why?"
Everyone looked over at Ichigo who was standing stronger than he had in awhile, Zangetsu strapped to his back, and a frightening glare on his face.
"If you want the shinigami girl to remain , you will come with me. Aizen-sama wishes to see you."
Ichigo's spiritual pressure shot up at the Arrancar's words though none of the three there were really bothered by it, the glare on his face becoming even sharper and colder than it had been. However, his words came out empty and hard with absolutely no hesitation in his response when it came to protecting Rukia.
"Let's go then."
Ichigo started moving forward past Urahara and Yoruichi who made no move to follow, positive they weren't invited along for this little meeting, confirmed clearly by the Arrancar's next words.
"If anyone else is detected anywhere near our final destination, the girl will be executed and this area will be turned to ash."
Everyone nodded in response to the blunt warning of the Arrancar.
"Follow."
With that, the Arrancar took off to the rooftops, Ichigo moving after him without even looking back. The second the two were gone, Yoruichi snapped her attention back to Kisuke who was still standing there, the only evidence he was worrying at all the was the slight fidgeting of his cane in his hand.
"So what is the plan Kisuke. We can't just let him go alone to meet Aizen. He doesn't stand a chance against him or the Arrancar who took him, especially in his 'condition'."
Urahara did not respond, only continued to fidget with the cane at a slightly quicker rate, something Yoruichi knew to mean that he was no longer worrying, but was thinking, contemplating the situation in a way and on a level that she would always hold envy for. At last the fidgeting stopped, and Kisuke's eyes peered out from beneath his hat.
"Now that you're done thinking, then what's the plan?"
"Well we don't have a whole lot of options at the moment. Actually, let me rephrase that: we have only one option at the moment. We have to contact Soul Society."
Yoruichi's eyes widened at the suggestion.
"What? How can that possibly help the situation?"
"Like I said, there isn't any other option. Our best hope is to tell Soul Society of Aizen's intrusion in this world which I'm sure they are not aware of considering I didn't know. Soul Society will send quite a few powerful shinigami to kill him, and as was shown once before, Aizen will retreat when faced with greater numbers. Hopefully by adding the unexpected, chaotic element to all of this, we ourselves can slip in at the right moment and get Ichigo and Rukia out of there before anything happens. We don't have numbers, but we do have speed on our side, isn't that right Goddess of Flash?"
Yoruichi smiled slightly at hearing her 'Title', though she still couldn't allow herself to completely agree this was their only choice.
"The plan is a huge gamble and riddled with holes Kisuke, but there really isn't any other option is there?"
Of course Yoruichi wasn't even going to comment on the fact that if Soul Society was brought in this, they would want to know why Aizen wanted to meet Ichigo, and the answer to that question would only lead to...Yoruichi didn't even want to think about it. If that were going to execute Rukia for her crime, just imagine what they would do to an incredibly powerful substitute shinigami with a Hollow taking him over. At the moment however, all Yoruichi could do was put her trust in that Kisuke had something planned for this inevitability. To trust Kisuke, such a simple yet difficult task in itself...even for her.
"Nope and not a lot of time either. Let's get moving and hope some one in Soul Society will answer another long distance call from their most famous exile. You..."
Kisuke looked down at the pile of clothes and the now small, black cat in front of him, staring up at him with the same intensive golden eyes Yoruichi had in her human form.
"Since I'm probably the only one who can actually track you while in that form, you just find Ichigo, and I'll relay the general location to Soul Society, arriving myself before they do. This will be tight, but we don't have a choice. Be safe Yoruichi."
The cat nodded and took off after Ichigo's spiritual presence, as Urahara rushed to his lab.
--
It was truly the only moment since this had all started that he had truly felt at peace. Staring into those warm yet determined violet eyes, her hands holding his fiercely, Ichigo did not feel alone. She did not abandon him as he knew she would, did not hate him as she had every right to. Instead she fought against her own fear and weakness to stand by him, and to let him know she trusted him to become stronger that the raging monster within his soul.
Of course the Hollow would never allow such moments of bliss, quickly rising again to push Ichigo back down, demonstrating just how easily it would conquer his soul...that it was only a matter of time before only the Hollow would remain. This time when Ichigo awoke from the edge of darkness, there was no Rukia to be seen, but instead Tessai and the lingering feelings of a binding spell having been placed on him, and an empty spot as to where his memories as to what happened should have been.
Even with missing facts, it was still that moment that Ichigo knew there would never be peace for him again, never moments of bliss and warmth because those moments were only lapses in control that allowed the Hollow to attack. He woke up and couldn't even remember what had happened, still couldn't remember what happened, and though Tessai and Urahara assured him that other than a few violent 'motion' toward them, the Hollow had been unable to inflict any physical damage on anyone. He didn't say it right to their faces, but he knew they were lying right to him. Urahara could lie about anything, anytime perfectly, but Tessai had no such talent. He was open as a book.
Ichigo had played along not pushing the matter, in reality too jumbled to question other's motives and reasoning when he couldn't even comprehend his own reality. The truth was that as fake as it would be, he had been hoping that Rukia would just walk into the room with that arrogant smirk on her face and just tell him to pull it together or she'd kick his ass. He wished that would happen so he could just believe fully in her words, finding the strength to rise up above the Hollow and retake his life because she told him he could.
It was not that simple, nothing put a fleeting dream for one who could barely hang on anymore. Ichigo was finding it harder to believe there was any happy ending in all of this or even one where he could die to protect his friends. He finally understood that fate would not be that merciful on him for reasons he no longer could understand.
He had been sitting alone in the same room where he had awoken so many times, staring intently at Zangetsu, wondering where the hell his human body was considering the only time he asked about it he had been told it wasn't an issue. Those thoughts drifted to Karin and Yuzu to his idiot, oblivious father, before finally settling on his mother...the one who he had lost to a Hollow so long ago. What would she say if she knew her little boy was slowly becoming the same type of monster that had cruelly taken her away from her family? What would she say if she knew he couldn't stop himself from committing acts of unspeakable pain and torment upon those he now cared for so deeply and had always swore to protect? Would his mother's eyes be able to see him as the twisted being he was becoming, or would his mother's eyes see him just as Rukia's eyes did, as someone who was still worthy of trust and love.
Love...there was that word again. It had always been easy to associate such a word with his family, especially his mother, but now for the first time someone outside of his family kept drawing that word into his mind when he thought of her. Rukia...Rukia was...
It had been at that moment that Ichigo finally realized what had been unsettling him even more than the fact that his inner Hollow had become so quiet even after its latest victory. The strange, disturbing feeling that seemed to spring right up from his very soul yet at the same time could not be identified finally became so abundantly clear. Rukia...he could not feel Rukia.
All this time he had spent wallowing in his damn, selfish pity and his pain, his troubles, and he didn't for a second concern himself for the missing presence that he somehow always could feel lately.
This realization drew him out of that room for the first time in a long time, pushed any remaining pain in his body completely down out of his mind. His body moved on its own accord as if leading him somewhere he couldn't quite know but sensed to be the place he needed to go. It was this that brought him out of the shop, finding Urahara and Yoruichi confronting a being who felt familiar yet so horribly alien to him at the same time.
The second his eyes focused on the being with the sword and the broken Hollow mask, Ichigo knew that Rukia was in trouble again, and that no matter the cost, he would bring her back to safety once again. Even if the price was all his blood, all his life, or the destruction of his very soul, Ichigo would not let her suffer anymore. Rukia...he did...for her, he would.
What he sensed as both Hollow and Shinigami didn't even need to speak for Ichigo to know what would happen or what his own actions would be. When asked to follow he followed without question because he knew it would bring him to Rukia, and hopefully, her salvation.
Now here he was, jumping across the rooftops of his home town, following a being that resonated with his own power yet so far different. There was something horribly unsettling about the 'being' he was following, the breeze seemingly having no effect on him even as it ruffled Ichigo's hair and robes, his feet making no sound as they touched the rooftops. It was as if he wasn't even there, only a void of nothingness in the shell of man...a Hollow.
As they continued across the rooftops, Ichigo hoped the white skinned man would say something that would allow him insight into what he was being pulled into or something about the enemies that would be there, but there was only silence, no motion to engage any conversation. Even Byakuya had said more in every one of their encounters and that man was damn near a block of ice, but this being wasn't even that. There was no warmth or chill emanating from his soul. Ichigo knew deep inside that at this moment, if he fought this unassuming monster, he wouldn't last more than a minute. It wasn't the thought of defeat that worried Ichigo, but rather how could he even come close to saving Rukia if he couldn't even match up against the messenger. There was no hope for him, but there was for Rukia...there had to be.
One final leap off of the rooftop of a church, the journey came to an end, Ichigo finding himself in a vacant park that contained the smallest bit of familiarity to it but nothing that made it stand out. Probably just some tiny bit of memory from his youth that couldn't find its way to the surface. In the end, there was no time to dwell on such things as three other figures soon became clearly evident to Ichigo.
"Well done Ulquiorra though I did expect you a tad bit sooner."
The strange Hollow bowed respectfully to Aizen, though his voice still lacked any true emotion.
"My apologies Aizen-sama, but I feared if I moved too quickly, the human would be unable to keep up."
Ichigo gritted his teeth at the insult, knowing this was not the time to lose his temper even in the slightest, but the only sight that could possibly pull his attention away from Aizen and his minion worked much harder to test his resolve.
Only a few feet away though it truly felt like miles, was the young woman he had come to die for to set free. Her head bowed down with her hands folded rigidly in front of her as if she was afraid to look up to see any of what was going on. Lounging next to her, was someone Ichigo recognized as one of the other traitors to the Gotei 13, the one with the extending sword and the ever smiling face he had met on his first attempt to enter the Gates to Seireitei.
The strange looking former captain looked like he couldn't be any more comfortable and satisfied, his one arm hanging across the back of the bench, almost touching Rukia. He was whispering something happily into Rukia's ear, and Ichigo found himself suppressing a growl at the fact that bastard was so close to her...a growl that truly came from deep within..
As Gin appeared to finish saying whatever he was saying, Rukia's violet eyes shot up right to Ichigo, the expression in her eyes far more unreadable than he used to seeing on her. Ichigo knew he wasn't an expert when it came to Rukia or what she was ever thinking, really who the hell could be, but at this moment, he truly had no idea what was going through her head.
"As you can see she's perfectly fine, just spending some time catching up with old friends. The simple truth is she is irrelevant to me. You are the one I would like to speak to."
The strong voice of Aizen in itself demanded attention, and despite not wanting to break his sight away from Rukia for even a second, Ichigo could not resist the call of voice.
"I'm here like you wanted. If she really is irrelevant to you, then she should be free to go. Right?"
Though there was no smile on Aizen's face, Ichigo could sense amusement radiating off of him.
"In due time. First there are certain matters I wish to discuss with you. I'm sure you will find it most interesting."
Ichigo reached back to grab the hilt of Zangetsu, the familiar connection between him and his zanpakuto comforting him.
"You want to talk? Sorry, but I'm not much of a talker, especially with the likes of you. I'm much more a man of action."
Ichigo brought his sword out completely, pointing in menacingly at Aizen.
"Yes I imagine you are. However, what I wish to discuss with you is very relevant to you. You are interested in controlling that Hollow that is growing inside you, are you not?"
Ichigo's whole body went tense, his hand gripping his sword tightly, his eyes locked on the relaxed face of Aizen.
"You don't know anything about me."
Aizen met Ichigo's fierce stare with one of unwavering confidence.
"I know a great deal boy, more than any of you can possibly fathom. Knowing about your little problem is of no difficulty, especially when you hunt people for sport in these very streets."
Ichigo gritted his teeth, fighting back his more violent urges at the moment, surprised that there was no sick laughter echoing in his head. His eyes glanced over at Rukia, finding a softness in her gaze as she looked at him, though her eyes quickly looked away when she realized he was looking at her. Ichigo snapped his head back toward Aizen, yelling at himself for allowing himself to be distracted so easily considering who exactly was standing in front of him. The truth was this man could bare handed repel his strongest attacks, and even though his best ideas involved just lunging forward at slicing Aizen in two, he knew he needed to be more tactical about all this if for the very simple fact that no matter what, he would get Rukia out of this unharmed. It was what he had come here alone for...to save her even if it killed him.
"You lack control over what dwells inside you, that much is obvious. It is rather pathetic that you are unable to control your own self, but it is easy for me to fix. With the Orb of Distortion, I can merge you and the Hollow completely back together, forming one being instead of two battling each other for dominance. You no longer will have to fear losing yourself, and you will reach a new echelon of power that you couldn't even imagine obtaining through only training. This is what I wish to offer you Ichigo Kurosaki, to be free of the burden crushing down on you at every moment."
Ichigo could feel his eyes widening at the words, his stance faltering the smallest bit at hearing the solution he wanted so desperately put out right in front of him, like a piece of meat dangling in front of a hungry, desperate animal. He couldn't deny the fact that a part of him wanted what this bastard had to offer, but the stronger part of his will knew that he could never accept anything Aizen had to offer.
"For one who claims to know so much, you should already know what the answer would be from me for anything you would offer. I don't make deals with murderers so that they can make me their slaves."
Aizen seemed completely unfazed by Ichigo's stern response as well as the violent intent that had to becoming off in waves from his form.
"Of course I knew you would be resistant to the idea but to think I would want you as a mere minion is insulting to how highly I view you. To obtain what I offer, all you would have to do is join me, stand by my side as both Gin and Tosen do, far above any of the Hollows who serve beneath me, far above even my powerful Espada. I view you this highly human. You would be no mere minion, but rather one of my generals in my quest to restructure this broken existence. Help me change the world for the better, help me give meaning back to existence once more and at the same time save your own soul."
Ichigo carefully studied Aizen's face, expecting to see some sign of madness in his eyes as he spouted such things, but there was no insanity there. Rather, there was only conviction and strength, signs of someone who truly believed in what he sought to achieve. This was a man who could truly justify anything to get what he wanted, and nothing was more dangerous than a man such as him.
"Tyrants do not change the world the for the better...they never will."
At this comment Aizen actually smirked ever so slightly, though the smile was incredibly unsettling in itself.
"Tyrant? I am no such thing. I am a visionary who understands the failures of the existence we all dwell in, one with the will and power to actually do something about it. Existence as it is will no longer evolve naturally."
"You really have lost touch with reality."
"Have I? You especially I think will understand what I truly seek."
"Me?"
"Of course. You are unique beyond unique. You dwell within the human, shinigami, and Hollow worlds at exactly the same time, something I have never encountered in all my years of searching for a way to bridge the gaps between these worlds...these powers. You are special Kurosaki, and that is why I wish you to join my side."
Ichigo listened to the words, it never really dawning on him that he was torn between three different worlds of existence. Was he truly that unique?
"What is it that you are truly after Aizen? Absolute power?"
"In a way yes, but that is only a small portion of what I seek. The old guard of existence is broken and must be washed away so that existence can evolve. The shinigami are nothing but mindless sheep who follow rules set down eons ago by an absentee ruler, choosing not to think for themselves, labeling any who do as heretics, traitors, and exiles. Humans are foolish creatures who are ignorant to what goes on around them, wasting their time forging relationships with each other that will only be forever shattered in death to be scattered across the vastness of Soul Society. Hollows are pathetic creatures driven by nothing but instinct and the darkest parts of the soul who if given the chance would consume everything, leaving nothing behind like locusts. Neither Shinigami, human, or Hollow are walking down a path that will lead anywhere, and that is why I am needed. I will rise up to the highest level and take control of the will of creation to give guidance to the lost souls of this existence. This is what I seek to do Kurosaki. This is what I seek to become."
Ichigo could feel his hands gripping the hilt of Zangetsu tighter, staring at the vastly powerful ex-shinigami Captain who seemed to suddenly exist so much further than Ichigo's own comprehension.
"You want to become God?"
The words did not roll off Ichigo's lips but rather Rukia's, her voice coming out as nothing but a fearful stutter. Aizen did not even look at her, only continued to start down upon Ichigo.
"If that is what you want to call the final state of my ascension then go ahead. The title means nothing, only the result matters."
Ichigo felt a chill course through his body even as he felt warmth flow into his hands form Zangetsu.
"I won't let you. I won't let you do any of this."
"Kurosaki...I proved back in Soul Society that you can't even touch me with your greatest strength. You will not even be slowing my down for a second if you try, only being destroyed in the process. And what do you think will happen Ichigo if that shinigami form of yours is destroyed, hmm? Well I'll tell you. You won't go to Soul Society or be reborn in the Living world, but instead in the Hollow world. That Hollow that you fear so much will become very, very real, and he will come seeking the power and the opportunity I have to offer...you will come seeking that power. Either you fail to your own weakness and become the Hollow, or I destroy you and you become the Hollow. Your only other option is to accept the offer. It will allow you to maintain control of yourself because I'm sure you can just imagine what would happen if the Hollow had no restraint at all on his actions."
Aizen watched with a smirk as the Ichigo's body started quivering ever so slightly, images of Rukia's bleeding body flashing through Ichigo's mind but also accompanied with horrific images of Orihime, Chad, Tatsuki, as well as his sisters and father. Ichigo knew exactly what that Hollow would do if it ever was fully freed unto this world or any other world.
"Join me Kurosaki. You will have control, power, soldiers beneath your command, and Kuchiki will be set free. If you want you can keep her as a servant, a slave, or even a lover; such things do not matter to me. What matters is the final goal, and you Ichigo can help me reach it with the path of least resistance. Assist me, and I will assist you. It is simple as that."
Rukia watched the scene and before her, gripping her knees with her hands tightly just to try and stop her legs from uncontrollably shaking. She could feel it, feel Ichigo's temptation from Aizen's offer. Ichigo was terrified of losing control, terrified of the Hollow taking over and hurting anyone else he cared about, and it was the fear that made it easy to manipulate even someone like Ichigo.
Rukia herself was afraid, afraid that Ichigo would exactly accept the offer, prove that the young man she cared for so much was only an illusion, never allowing her to ever look at him the same again. Thankfully, the part of her that doubted Ichigo was just as small as the part of Ichigo that was tempted by Aizen's offer.
In a flash, Ichigo shot forward, his eyes glowing blue with power, Zangetsu becoming bankai in an instant. In his vision was Aizen's smirking face, and he would end all of this before it could even get any further. It was his only hope no matter how impossible his victory was.
Of course that was just it...it was impossible. Rather than blocking with his hand, Aizen actually pulled out his sword, effortlessly holding back the weight of Ichigo's attack, never breaking eye contact from Ichigo.
"Now that I think about it, you've never seen my zanpakuto released have you?"
Before Ichigo could even blink, or Rukia could yell for him to close his eyes, Aizen muttered words that Ichigo couldn't even catch before Aizen's sword dissolved away just as Aizen's smirking figure did. The area around Ichigo remained exactly the same except that he could no longer see Aizen, Gin, or Rukia. Ichigo's first instinct was to lash out with his sword and his power, but a mocking voice stopped him in an instant.
"Now I would be careful now because who knows what you might be attacking. You might accidently hit someone you care about."
Ichigo could feel both his hands clinch in frustration as he realized that Aizen was right, that he would be unable to distinguish Rukia's position on the battlefield. He could not forgive himself if again his recklessness resulted in Rukia being harmed...he wouldn't forgive himself. His eyes carefully scanned his surroundings looking for the slightest hint of the enemies presence, but it quickly was becoming obvious that the illusion was flawless, truly a devastating technique.
Ichigo could start to feel beads of sweat forming on his hand as his eyes started to become more frantic in their search for the attack he knew would be coming, but instead was surprised when the three other inhabitants of this parks shimmered back into existence before him. Aizen's attention seemed to be pulled away from Ichigo as he sheathed his sword, gazing off into the distance with a knowing yet contemplative look on his face.
"Well I guess our meeting here is over considering several powerful members of Soul Society are rapidly approaching our position. I do wonder how they found us."
It was at that moment of distraction that a flash only distinguishable to Aizen shot across and in an instant, Rukia was gone from her place by the bench, though no visible reactions to the sudden event appeared on either Aizen or Gin's face.
"It would seem the 'Goddess of Flash' is as fast as ever. No matter...the girl's use at the moment was at an end anyways."
Ichigo was trying to quickly catch up with what was going on when suddenly felt, though far less clearly, the spiritual presences that must have distracted Aizen who again seemed unfazed by everything, not even the sudden appearance of Urahara next to Ichigo, his zanpakuto released.
"Well now that Rukia is out of the way, I guess I can make my appearance. Everything okay here Ichigo?"
Ichigo didn't even know how to respond to the rather jovial voice of Urahara, and Aizen didn't even given the green clad man a glance of interest, instead only again focusing on Ichigo.
"At this time, I am in no rush so I will give you some time to truly think over my offer. I believe the passing of time as well as the continuing strengthening of your Hollow will reveal the correct choice. I wish for you to serve me willingly Kurosaki, to look inside yourself and see that my path is the right one. I advise you to discover this inescapable truth because though I wish you to serve me willingly, I have no qualms about resorting to other methods if need be."
With a final dark threat, reality opened up before Aizen as Gin and Ulquiorra had made his way next to their leader, with at the same time several shinigami appearing around Ichigo and the traitors, some he quickly recognized as Renji and Byakuya, and others he only had passing memory of.
"My time is plentiful boy, but yours is not. Keep that in mind as you choose."
Aizen's final words as he disappeared into the Hollow's world almost silently caused Ichigo to flinch slightly, again being reminded of what would inevitably happen to him because of his weakness. The doorway to Hueco Mondo closed up immediately behind them leaving Ichigo with troubling thoughts as well as many high level slightly angry shinigami who were looking for answers to questions that not only he couldn't begin to answer, he truly feared to.