All A/Ns at bottom from here on out. Thanks!
Warnings: some violence, some gore, one nasty Aizen threat
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is bleach nor do I profit from my admiration.
10 months 3 days: Las Noches Throne Room
Gin was waiting for them and he smiled ferally as he saw Renji was still bound.
"Abarai-kun, welcome! I've been so looking forward to this." Gin's voice was bright but Renji couldn't stop the unease that crept up his spine as he picked up the sinister undertone.
Renji was dragged roughly to the far end of the large room and Nanao's binding spell was broken. Still unable to move his injured arm, Renji instinctively tried to lunge at Gin, only to be easily slammed back against the wall. Yanking his arms up, Gin snapped iron manacles hanging from the ceiling around his wrists and adjusted the slack so that Renji was pulled onto his toes. Humming quietly to himself, Gin paused to brush the hair from Renji's eyes and fussed unnecessarily for a few moments with the stubborn strands around his face before Aizen quietly interrupted.
"That's enough Gin."
Smiling, Gin's hand froze for an instance before he gave an affectionately stinging slap to the side of Renji's face. Sighing dramatically, Gin turned and left the room as Renji shifted uneasily, his useless arm aching and his side bleeding again. Trying to calm down a raging Zabimaru, Renji focused on Aizen, watching him intently and willing his aching body to block out any distractions. Aizen gracefully pushed a chair from the large banquet table over to Renji and draped himself onto it, calmly assessing his former subordinate with a thoughtful smile.
"Abarai-san, do you know why I showed a special interest in you?"
When Renji refused to answer Aizen sighed softly and absently studied his fingernails.
"It's because I knew one day you would be the only one that mattered out of you three. You think I sent you to Zaraki because you were insubordinate?" Aizen chuckled pleasantly, the warm sound falsely soothing.
"You already cared for those fools Momo and Izuru, weak as they were. You fell hard for Hisagi…of whom I had high hopes for but in the end was as disappointing as that fool he followed." Aizen's voice had turned thoughtful and it made Renji's blood boil to hear him talk so carelessly about his friends.
"As he was mostly useless, I had to improvise. You were connected to the little Kuchiki and through her I knew you would later connect with Kurosaki and Urahara. All I needed was to get you with Eleventh and you fit in perfectly. You really made it so convenient, for a lowly, ignorant, scrap of trash, you managed to ingratiate yourself into the fabric of Seireitei more than anyone else."
Renji bristled as he followed Aizen's logic. It was true, by getting sent to the Eleventh and befriending Ikkaku and Yumichka, he easily got to know Iba and Matsumoto through their frequent drinking parties. As an eleventh brawler and his obsession to surpass Kuchiki Taichou, Renji had gotten to know the Fourth division pretty well, leaving him without serious ties to only three divisions.
Renji pulled himself from his thoughts as he heard whistling filter down the hall. Gin appeared carrying a body, his nose wrinkled in distaste as he walked over to Renji and tethered the frail man in a similar fashion. Lank, dirty hair covered the man's face and Renji unconsciously pulled back from the stench emanating from his fellow prisoner. Gin unsnapped the suppression collar and the man breathed in deeper as his reiatsu unfurled weakly. Eyes widening, Renji pushed himself forward and nudged the body with his knee, causing the man to momentarily shift enough for Renji to see his face.
"Taichou!"
Byakuya flinched at the sudden shout and his body seemed to sag even more against the restraints.
"Abarai-kun, haven't you always wanted to be stronger than your captain?" Gin asked ingenuously, giving a sharp tug on Byakuya's hair, causing him to cry out softly.
"Not like this you bastard!" Renji snarled, his fists clenching uselessly as he continued to stare at the emaciated man in front of him. His Taichou's slender, lithe body was barely recognizable under the bruises, filth and shredded scraps of clothing. The cold air of arrogance was absent and Renji found himself more afraid of Byakuya's transformation than of anything he had ever experienced before.
"Always so difficult Abarai-kun, never happy with what you have." Gin sighed dramatically, ripping off the shredded material that clung uselessly to Kuchiki's body, leaving him completely exposed and on display. Sickened, Renji turned his head away from the once proud captain to glare ahead, consciously avoiding eye contact with the former captains. Gin pressed his thin lips to Byakuya's temple in a surprisingly gentle kiss before moving back to stand beside Aizen, his smile fading slightly as he continued to gaze at the Kuchiki noble.
Aizen sat up in his chair, glancing between the two captives appraisingly. "I will win this war Abarai, every day I grow more powerful. And here…" Aizen gestured grandly, looking around the room, "power is king." He lifted one hand and beckoned, two figures immediately emerging from the shadows.
Momo ran forward, throwing her arms around Renji's neck. He had seen her attack Hitsugaya from afar, but up close she still looked like the fierce girl who stood down a hollow with him and Kira.
"Renji- kun…please-"
Before she could finish, Gin ripped her away by the arm leaving Renji struggling against his chains with murder in his eyes. Helplessly he saw his friend cower slightly, falling back in line with a twisted Isane, her features permanently altered as the gentle healer had lost to her inner hollow.
A few more figures came to stand beside the two women, a quiet but seething Mayuri and an injured Nemu. Instantly Renji's anger spiked, the fate of his team unknown to him as he felt Zabimaru thrashing in their inner world, desperately fighting against the collar that locked them away.
"You goddamn son of a bitch!" Renji shouted at the mad scientist, angry, violent words tumbling out before Renji could even process what he was saying.
"Gin?"
"Hai taichou!"
Renji stopped thrashing as Gin disappeared into the hall, his anger fading momentarily as he felt familiar reiatsus approaching. Before they emerged, Aizen stood and walked over to the hanging captives, smiling as he stared at Byakuya's trembling body.
"Renji-kun, I need you to buy time against Ukitake and Urahara. You will submit to me, of that there is no doubt. But it is up to you how painful it will be." Aizen stepped back again and sat down as Gin emerged from the hallway.
"Renji!"
Two voices called in unison as Rangiku and Rukia were dragged in roughly by Gin. Aizen gestured for him to let them go and turned to settle his gaze on Rukia as the silver-haired man shunpo'd ahead to position himself behind Byakuya.
"No greeting for your dearly beloved brother Kuchiki-san?" Gin taunted as he cruelly pulled Byakuya's head up by his hair.
Rukia turned swiftly, shock slowly registering in her wide eyes as she took in the hanging body. Rushing to him she moved the hair from his face and desperately looked into his eyes for any recognition or awareness.
"Ni-sama…Ni-sama!"
Renji quietly watched the Kuchiki reunion, his insides twisting as Byakuya failed to acknowledge his sister and her panicked pleas, Gin giggling hideously behind one hand as he moved away from the siblings. Renji felt his skin crawl as the willowy captain pressed up against him from behind, the slender hands freely running up and down his body, caressing and fondling without permission.
Swiftly and silently, Gin unsheathed Shinso in one fluid motion and sliced at Renji's shoulder, severing the tendons and ligaments, stopping just before his blade hit bone. Grunting, Renji immediately shifted weight off of his injured arm and glared at Aizen. Wordlessly, Gin struck again, slicing through Renji's left Achilles tendon, causing his leg to buckle under him. Unable to suppress a cry, Renji immediately bit down on his lip until he tasted blood, mentally willing himself to not give in to Gin's sick pleasure at making him scream.
"Renji. I want you to become a hollow." Aizen said simply.
"Go to hell." Renji gritted out, trying not to focus on his aching body or the life blood slowly seeping out. Summoning his last reserves of strength, he pulled himself upright and smirked cockily at Aizen. Inwardly he braced himself as he saw Aizen's eyes narrow in annoyance and saw him nod slightly. Almost instantly Gin severed the connective tissue behind his standing knee, effectively obliterating any feeling of satisfaction at defying the rat bastard traitor. With both legs collapsed, Renji suppressed the urge to scream as his full weight was now hanging on one, still poisoned, arm.
Horrified, Rukia ran over to him, wrapping her slim arms around his waist and trying to support his weight. Renji focused all of his energy on his sword arm, straining to keep as much weight off of her as he could, beads of sweat and blood running down his face from the effort.
"Kuchiki-san, if you don't let go of him I will cut Byakuya down piece by piece." Aizen said languidly, his gaze set on the limp body. Rukia froze, her eyes meeting Renji's fearfully as she bit her lip in indecision.
"Go." He gritted out softly, urging her to step away as he tried to smile reassuringly. Before she could move, Gin sliced three shallow cuts along Byakuya's ribs, eliciting soft, painful cries from the man as his breathing rattled in his chest. Elegant slivers of red appeared on his left side, the width growing slowly until the ruby liquid spilled out and ran down his gaunt torso. Frozen in place, Rukia's eyes followed the blood until she saw Gin move to the other side. Quickly she backed away from Renji, wrapping her arms tightly around herself as her wide eyes filled with unshed tears, pleading with the former captain as he waited for Aizen's approval.
"Stop it!" Rukia said softly, her whole body trembling violently. "I moved, please don't hurt him anymore!" Rukia stood helplessly between the captives, fear holding her fast between the two most important men in her life.
A long forgotten Matsumoto launched herself at Gin, scratching and biting in an attempt to draw his attention away from the captives. Gin ruthlessly backhanded her hard enough to send her across the room, a frown marring his sharp features. Shocked, Matsumoto touched her split lip and stared heatedly at her former lover. When she moved to launch herself again, she felt Aizen's reiatsu increase to paralyzing intensity. Reduced to a heap on the floor, Matsumoto moaned softly as she struggled to move. After a few more seconds and hearing Renji and Rukia's pained cries as they were battered by Aizen's reiatsu, Matsumoto gave up and played dead, hoping to be forgotten once more so she could attack again.
Gin turned from her and zeroed in on the small shinigami trembling in front of him. As Aizen's pressure faded, Gin's thoughtful smile turned sly.
"Kuchiki-san, choose who will be hollowfied." Gin asked, a smile returning to his face.
"Gin." Aizen said warningly.
"Indulge me taichou?" Gin asked, his voice saccharine sweet. Aizen merely shrugged and looked expectantly at Rukia.
Rukia looked between her brother and Renji helplessly. "I can't," she whispered, fear making her stance rigid. Without warning, Gin sliced Renji's last shoulder, his body sagging to the floor.
Rukia sank to her knees, a ragged sob escaping as she stared at her motionless brother and Renji's glazed eyes, his body already going into shock.
"Me. Take me and leave them alone." Renji rasped, his voice rough with pain.
"You are in no position to bargain Abarai." Aizen said sharply. "You have nothing to give that I can't just take."
"That's not true. Let them go, let them join Ukitake and I promise I will not fight against you. Look at them, they are no threat like this."
"Nor are you Abarai." But Aizen's voice had turned thoughtful. After a moment he said, "I shall let Kuchiki-san decide." Aizen stood up from his throne and walked gracefully to stand above Rukia. Kneeling down, he firmly took her chin in her hands and lifted her face to meet his eyes.
"Either I release your brother from his bondage or I will release you. If Byakuya goes, I will hollowfy Abarai. If you go, I will hollowfy Byakuya. If you don't choose, I will kill Rangiku."
Rukia let out a quiet sob as she looked around the room. Unable to meet Renji's eyes, she whispered, "Let Ni-sama go."
Instantly Byakuya fell as his restraints were released. Renji stared at Rukia before he was cut down, his limbs flapping uselessly as Gin dragged him away. He knew it was the right decision, he knew as soon as the choice was given what the outcome would be, but it still bloody fucking hurt. The last thing Renji remembered was Gin's red eyes peering down at him with unexpected interest.
"Relax Abarai. It will hurt, but it will be over soon and you won't remember the pain. And soon you will have everything you ever wanted."
As Renji's eyes closed and his body shut down, his last coherent thought was that Gin didn't have the first fucking clue as to what he wanted.
Team Four was suffering heavy casualties. Love wiped blood from his eyes as he nodded to Kotsubaki and Kira. The blonde was nearly drained, having tried in vain to resuscitate Iba and exhausting himself in the process. Kuna was also down, the blue haired Espada catching her unguarded as she was coming out of her released form. The kido team was okay so far and a tired Rose walked up with Mashiro's scarf in hand.
"I'm so sorry Love."
Wordlessly Love took the scarf and wrapped it around his neck before he turned to look at his friend. "How are people? Only two casualties?'
"Four actually. One of the younger fourth's and that stranded shinigami Ashido is dead. Nearly took out Grimmjow." Rose straightened his cravat and watched as Tessai tried to heal Kotetsu Kiyone. "Possibly five."
"Well I guess we press forward, no use standing out here waiting for more cockroaches to pick us off. I felt Kensei release awhile ago, and Lisa. Must have run into Mayuri."
Rose nodded silently, as if the thought of another battle was too much for him to respond to. They were lucky. They hadn't managed to kill either Espada but both were wounded and had retreated back to Las Noches. If they met again soon, Love was confident they'd be able to complete their mission.
Suddenly the sand began shifting and Rose groaned softly. Behind them Hollows emerged like weeds and they prepared for battle again.
"So Ukitake acts as bait to draw Aizen out. Kyouraku will be in position should anything happen, though I doubt Aizen will engage physically. Shinji will be targeting the Hogyoku, which I believe is already embedded in Aizen by now. I will be assisting Shinji. If we can destroy the Hogyoku, it will be easier to take Aizen down. For whatever reason, he will talk to you Ukitake, so keep him engaged as long as possible. He has the advantage against us individually, but if need be a perfectly executed all-out attack could defeat him."
Urahara paused to take a breath as he looked at his peers and smiled. "We're going for broke, so this should work."
Ichigo scowled from the corner. So far all of Urahara's plans had deliberately left him out and he was irritable for it. As if reading his thoughts, always a possibility, Urahara turned to Ichigo.
"Of course, you are our wild card. Should everything go badly, you will have to save the world yet again." Though Urahara smiled, his eyes remained serious. "You must not join the fight until the very last moment. If you cannot deal a fatal blow, save it for the next attack. This is a war, not a single battle and while we aren't planning on coming back, we don't plan on dying the first day either. "
Ichigo's scowl deepened. He understood Urahara loud and clear…that didn't mean he'd have to like it.
"We have one final possibility if all else fails but let us hope it doesn't come to that." Urahara said with renewed enthusiasm and he flapped his fan in front of his face out of sheer habit before quickly tucking it away up his sleeve.
"We will see you later then." Ukitake said earnestly as he and Shunsui moved towards Urahara preparing themselves to leave.
"Wait. This can't be the plan, you two are going to talk to Aizen alone? Are you crazy?" Ichigo finally burst out, looking between the four men in disbelief.
"Kuroskaki-san. Aizen has shown he is willing to talk to me, especially as Soutaichou. I can do nothing further to guide the teams that are already there. All I can do now is give Urahara and Shinji the best chance to destroy the Hogyoku while Aizen isn't watching." Ukitake explained patiently.
"But he just said the Hogyoku is probably within Aizen already!"
"Then all the more reason to keep Aizen's gaze on me."
"So, attack him from behind." Ichigo stuttered in surprise, folding his arms defensively.
"Kurosaki-kun, this is not an equal battlefield. The ends rarely justify the means and I understand that such an attack affronts your honor. Does it not affront you that it will be five attacking one?" Kyouraku asked philosophically.
Ichigo stubbornly held his stance, scowling at the large captain in front of him. "I can't believe you're okay with this! I knew you were a sneaky bastard Urahara-san, but this isn't right!"
Shinji had been silent in the background but he now sighed and quietly cleared his throat.
"Very well Ichigo. We will not attack him from behind. The advantage will be lost and the cost unknown." Shinji looked meaningfully at Urahara before he straightened up and walked over to stand in front of Ichigo.
"Perhaps this is why you are the hero and not the leader. You are free to fight by ideals such as honor and valor. You have never known true betrayal or knowingly and repeatedly sent people who trust you to their death. You are what we all strive to be and what all of us have given up. I admire that about you. But you will come upon a decision of which there is no honor, no self-sacrifice that you can give. There will come a time when you cannot substitute yourself for others. Would you have sent your sisters to their death to save your mother?"
Ichigo unconsciously took a step back from Shinji, his stubborn gaze faltering for an instant before it hardened again and his brow set further in a scowl. Seeing Ichigo's resolve, Shinji narrowed his eyes and turned to draw a line in the ground with his toe, deliberately stepping over it to stand alongside his fellow captains with his back to Ichigo as he looked back over his shoulder.
"Whether you believe me or not, that time will come. And when it does, remember these faces before you and know that you've had the honor of battling alongside the greatest leaders, the greatest minds, the greatest fighters you will ever know in this life or the next."
Ichigo glared at Shinji for a few moments before he slowly relaxed his stance and met the gaze of the other men standing in front of him, his expression genuinely humble as he turned eyes full of Kurosaki guilt to the white-haired captain.
"Forgive me Ukitake-san. I forget that our paths are not the same and that the things I do are made possible by the hard decisions of others. I do not presume to know how to lead, I can only follow what is in my heart."
Nodding with a small smile, Ukitake turned back to Urahara and motioned for him to open the Garganta. "Then Kurosaki-kun, I pray that you and I never walk alongside but rather meet in victory at the destination. See you on the other side."
10 months two weeks: Las Noches
Yoruichi was nervous and that absolutely never happened. Soi Fon could tell by the way she kept looking around, as if relying on sight alone rather than her other sharply honed senses.
"Soi Fon, make sure Ishida stays close." Yoruichi ordered tersely as she disappeared into the bowels of Las Noches. They had been careful not to engage any hollows, doubling back several times to cover their reiatsu and taking precious time to wait for their prey twice along the way, their progress frustratingly slow. It soon became clear that they would have to entrench themselves much further in Aizen's stronghold to get a shot at Ichimaru, their hopes to catch him straying off wishful at best.
Ever alert, Yoruichi went first with Soi Fon bringing up the rear, the Quincy safe between them. If it nettled his pride, he didn't show it, wordlessly following their lead and impressing the hell out of both of them. When they passed the holding cells, Yoruichi could sense Ikkaku, Yumichka and Orihime. She thought the Quincy would protest as they quickly passed the girl's cell but he had merely pushed his glasses up and stared ahead, a true professional. As they moved towards the upper levels of Aizen's stronghold, she felt the first chills of Gin's reiatsu and slowed down to alert the others. They had also picked up on it and followed her lead. Silently they maneuvered their way to the rafters, spreading out and cloaking their reiatsu. Gesturing to Soi Fon, Yoruichi motioned for the Quincy to hang back and wait for a shot, well aware that they wouldn't have any ease in taking Gin down.,
Far below them the silver-haired ex-captain emerged with Aizen quietly shadowing him. Mentally cursing, Yoruichi had hoped the two would be separated, giving them two targets to chase. However Aizen wasn't dumb and keeping Gin close was as much for Gin's protection as it was his. Crouching, she and Soi Fon settled in and got comfortable. The throne room was the hub of activity and Yoruichi strained to hear what the two ex-captains were discussing, something about Abarai Renji and Kuchiki Byakuya. Yoruichi smiled savagely as they confirmed that the Kuchiki brat was still alive in this hell hole, perhaps offering the opportunity to save his arrogant ass while completing her mission and killing Gin. Relaxing a bit, Yoruichi allowed herself a quick cat nap, preparing herself for the long haul. Gin wouldn't always come with Aizen, all they had to do was wait for a shot.
11 months: Las Noches
"Aizen-Taichou. I believe they are on the move."
"Yes Gin. We are prepared for them."
"Mayuri is dead." Gin paced slowly, trying not to get claustrophobic as the teams descended on them.
"Easy Gin. Mayuri served his purpose. He took out that giant kido vizard and injured Mugurama and Tosen's puppy. We only needed him to weaken Ukitake's flank. Grimmjow and Yammy tied up that pitiful team outside and we have the bitch and her friends holed up in the throne room indefinitely."
Aizen slowly twirled a wine goblet in one hand as he slowly drummed his fingers the table.
"They rescued some of the captives."
"I care not. They are in no condition to fight and they will either have to carry them or watch over them, thus reducing their numbers further."
"And Ukitake? What will you do when he comes?"
"Gin…" Aizen sighed quietly before setting the goblet down and folding his hands in front of him. "He is already here. If he shows his face, I will talk to him of course. We will surprise him with the new pets and see if we can't find out where Urahara and Hirako are hiding. Kurosaki as well."
"Are you sure the bitch and her girlfriend are in the throne room?"
"Enough. Do you doubt me Gin?" Aizen's voice was dangerously soft and Gin quickly reined in his paranoia.
"Tch. Course not Taichou, jus' don't wanna see Yoruichi 'til I'm good and ready. We have an old score to settle." Gin recovered quickly.
"You'll have your chance Gin. Just a little longer now."
The fucking bastard fox face lied. The pain was still there, gnawing, expanding, consuming until he could barely remember who and what he was. He was hungry. Hungry for power, hungry for warmth, hungry for souls. Never before had Renji hurt so much he wanted to die a thousand deaths.
The shinigami struggled violently against his hollowfication, some part of his wild spirit refusing to be chained down and lose its independence. After days of struggling with no food or water, trying to keep the hollow at bay through sheer determination, exhaustion finally took over and the hollow was able to emerge strong enough to lock Renji in their inner world to start the real battle for dominance.
Waking up, Renji saw Zabimaru sitting quietly a distance away from him, the snake tail mercifully quiet. When he tried to speak to his zanpakuto, he realized he couldn't move, his body entirely encased in ice. Slowly, bit by agonizing bit, Renji broke free of the ice that trapped him. His fingers burned and bled as he clawed at the unforgiving prison. When he had finally freed everything but his feet, he stopped to rest, exhaustion threatening to overwhelm him. Renji saw Zabimaru get up and move towards him, the snake moving about excitedly. Before he could say anything the snake tail struck out lightening quick, burying its barbed fangs into Renji's neck and tearing back out. Cursing, Renji swatted furiously at the snake, only to be bit repeatedly. After a half dozen bites, Renji realized Zabimaru wanted him to finish freeing himself from the ice. Working at his feet, Renji nearly cried in frustration, his limbs heavy and his fingers shredded, the snake bites burning and the bone-chilling cold sucking out any bit of warmth he had left. Finally, after what seemed like hours Renji stumbled free, throwing his head back to crow defiantly at his bastard baboon and bitchy snake tail zanpakuto. As soon as his gaze connected with the nue, his body was encased in ice again, any sense of triumph quickly obliterated as the spirit gleefully laughed at him
Frustrated, Renji worked to free himself again, getting motivation from Zabimaru whenever he faltered. Hoping to be fully free, Renji cautiously stepped out of the ice, careful not to celebrate as he glared at his zanpakuto. Breathing heavily, Renji tried to speak, only to be encased in ice yet again. The same process happened over and over until Renji lost count of how many times he freed himself only to be sealed in the frozen prison once more. Exhausted, Renji refused to try again, glaring at Zabimaru and happy for once to be in the ice as the snake hissed in annoyance at the barrier, unable to sink its fucking fangs into his skin. Renji's satisfaction faded as he saw the baboon shake its head once, his expression distinctly disappointed before his zanpakuto disappeared. Renji began to claw at the ice again frantically, freeing himself easily and calling out to his zanpakuto when he felt another, darker presence.
Turning, Renji saw himself standing in the distance, his mirror image lacking color. Startled, Renji instinctively knew he had to fight and defeat the imposter. He tried to remember everything Ichigo had said about his own hollow, wishing he had listened to the kid rather than constantly goading him into fights as he desperately attacked and counterattacked the colorless and cackling Renji. They fought for what seemed like days, neither gaining the upper hand until finally Renji found himself open for an attack. Without thinking, Renji called out to his absent zanpakuto in a desperate attempt to defeat the hollow, instinctively trusting the wild and reckless spirit that fought and bitched at him and generally made his life hell. Feeling Zabimaru materialize in his hands, Renji released his bankai as he watched the hollow's sneer fade. In a single flick of his wrist, Renji sent the disconnected vertebrae flying into his hollow, the hundreds of bone shards slicing through fatally. As the hollow faded, curses spewing from his mouth, Renji emerged from his inner world.
"Easy Red, it's just me."
Renji struggled to surface from his misery to place the vaguely familiar voice, feelings of anger and anticipation surging until he found the energy to open his eyes.
"Grimmjow…." Renji hissed, his body crouching sinuously as he prepared to pounce on the Sexta Espada and tear his throat out.
Grimmjow tensed, knowing that Renji would kill him if he could.
"Red." Grimmjow's harsh voice startled Renji out of his inner world, remembering the painful memories. Growling, Renji glared at the Espada, reflexively stretching as he stood to his full height and paced the length of the cell.
"Aizen's gonna see ya. Don't do anything stupid." Grimmjow muttered as he moved away from the door, stepping closer to the predatory red-head.
Slowly Aizen entered the cell, nodding to Grimmjow as he dismissed him.
"Renji, you remember our deal?" Aizen asked quietly, watching the shinigami pace in front of him, a permanent snarl on his face.
"I will kill you Aizen. One day, I. Will. Kill. You."
Aizen swiftly moved to slam Renji against the wall, pressing his face close enough that his lips brushed Renji's ear.
"You will do no such thing. Make one mistake, one hesitation and I will tear her apart a thousand times. I will heal her and do it again and again and again. And when I tire of her, I will give her to Gin, and Grimmjow and then Yammy. Her body would survive but her soul would not. You do anything against me and I will use her until she begs me to kill her. And then I will do the same to Orihime, and Rangiku, and Byakuya."
At the last name Renji paused, the sclera that had turned black during Aizen's threat fading slowly to white in his confusion.
"I lied Abarai." Aizen paused and slowly licked the outer part of Renji's ear before biting down savagely. Grunting Renji tried to buck the traitor off but Aizen merely slammed him back against the wall, one hand gripping his throat like a vise. "I was never going to let Byakuya go. I've waited too long to get my hands on him, why would I just let him go?"
Aizen stepped back and grabbed a fistful of crimson hair to brutally yank Renji's head forward to sink his teeth into the full lower lip, hard enough to draw blood. Possessively, Aizen shoved his tongue into Renji's mouth, withdrawing and licking at the trickle of blood that stained his lips. Whispering against his mouth, Aizen closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, as if trying to suck Renji's very breath from him.
"Everyone has a weakness Abarai, everyone loves someone more than themselves or their duty or their honor. Through you, I can reach everyone in Soul Society, that is what Ukitake and Yamamoto never understood. Honor only breeds weakness. You are weak for the people you care about, a single thread that unravels the entire tapestry."
Abruptly Aizen released Renji, moving swiftly to the door and looking back at the former shinigami fukutaichou, smiling as he wiped the merest hint of blood from the corner of his mouth. "You can save your friends. There's always a choice Renji, don't forget that."
Stepping out, Aizesn hauled two adjuchas in before closing the door. The whispers of Renji's hollow echoed in his ears as he tried not to look at the creatures in front of him, their reiatsu tantalizingly strong. Struggling, Renji fought against the hunger growing, tried to remember Hiyori and Lisa and how they resisted the urge to feed their insatiable needs. As the hollow inside him taunted and demanded, moaned and seduced, Renji finally did the only thing he could think of to shut the hollow up. Turning, Renji pressed his hands against the wall, took a deep breath and smashed his head against the stone as forcefully as he physically could. Falling, Renji smiled victoriously as the hollow stared at him in their inner world, his mouth screaming but no sound coming out. Smirking, Renji drifted into the darkness, half hoping the two adjuchas he saved would feast on him in his sleep.
Ishida's legs were beginning to cramp. He shifted minutely to relieve the pressure off his right knee. He couldn't see or even sense the two women and while he didn't care much for the Stealth force and what it did, he couldn't deny the impressive skills of its leaders.
Ishida thought back to the night Urahara appeared on his father's doorstep. He was in uniform and his hat was absent. Ishida sensed him and came downstairs to see his father speaking to the shopkeeper in low, angry tones. Puzzled, Ishida had stayed silent, hoping to overhear the conversation when his father had called out sharply, "Uryu, go upstairs."
Though his father was a stern man, Ishida had never heard him so forceful, an undercurrent of tightly restrained rage tingeing his voice. As Ishida was turning he heard Urahara call out just as commandingly.
"Ishida-san, please stay. I must speak with you, even if your father does not wish it." Uryu turned back to look at his father, wondering how he would react to the shinigami's strange request.
"Ryuuken, he is needed. You know I would not ask if I didn't believe it absolutely necessary."
The last Quincy was silent, his lips compressed tightly as he adjusted his frameless glasses. "Kisuke-san, you yourself nearly died. He's my only son. I never wanted this life for him."
"And yet it is the life he has. We turned our backs on the path we walked and look how it has found us again. It is only a request, he can choose to decline."
Ryuuken gave a small, bitter laugh. "You know as well as I do that you wouldn't ask if you don't already know the answer. Promise me one thing. Keep him away from that murderer. Keep him safe, I cannot bear this title anymore."
Ishida tried to make sense of what was being said. Did his father really just call Urahara by name? What path did they turn from? How did they know each other? Startled, Uryu realized that Urahara had walked into their home, his father following behind, scowling and rigid.
"Ishida-san. You are aware that we are at war. You have not been to Soul Society so you couldn't possibly know, but Ukitake Soutaichou is launching an offensive against Aizen. I have reclaimed my past and shed the gigai and persona you know. It is finally time to join the fight and we could use your help."
Ishida frowned at the memory. Of course it hadn't been a choice. Begrudgingly, he knew he would continue to work with the shinigami until his soul passed on to the next world. What shocked him was when Urahara asked his father if he would like to come and avenge his father. Ryuuken had considered it before declining.
"I'm afraid my bitterness runs too deeply still. I would only be a hindrance."
His father had briefly placed a hand on his shoulder before he turned to walk away, leaving Ishida alone to follow Urahara to Soul Society and the chaos and destruction there.
Suddenly Ishida sensed an incoming reiatsu and forced his body to stay still. They had been waiting for weeks now and there hadn't been a hint of movement. As the reiatsu came closer, Ishida recognized Yammy's raw energy.
Appearing suddenly, Yammy emerged from a hidden door with Orihime. Ishida tensed as the huge Espada snarled "I know yer up there. Come out and fight!"
They had agreed that they wouldn't move until Gin appeared alone, their sole objective being to take him out. However, Ishida's blood boiled as he saw Yammy throw Orihime to the ground, her pained cry wrenching at his resolve as he heard the distinctive sound of bones breaking. Snarling, Yammy grabbed the sobbing girl, tearing at her clothes and crushing more bones in the process.
The Espada moved one large hand down to grab himself as Orhime screamed, her pain seeming to arouse him. Palming himself roughly, Yammy snapped Orihime's arm and moaned, his movements quickening with each tearful cry.
"Ishida!" Yoruichi shouted angrily as the Quincy broke rank and leaped into the air, arrow aimed for the giant Arrancar's groin. Too late he saw a blur of white and felt a burst of reiatsu before he felt something solid slam into him. As if in slow motion, he saw Yammy disappear in a burst of sonido, Orihime slung over his shoulder as a petite girl with a hollow mask moved past him, her zanpakuto dripping crimson.
Looking down he saw SoiFon, her eyes glazing over as blood seeped from a gaping wound. Ishida froze holding the tiny woman, vaguely aware of Yoruichi battling nearby, her reiatsu unsteady as she released into Shunko.
"Yoruichi-san! Help!" Ishida shouted frantically as the body in his arms grew heavier. In an instant Yoruichi returned, kneeling in front of him and tearing the limp body from his arms and hugging it to herself.
"SoiFon…SoiFon…" Rocking back and forth, Ishida saw the woman whispering brokenly. SoiFon had been sliced from above her right ear across her face and down her throat. At first the surface wound didn't look serious until he saw that the zanpakuto had split the crown of her skull and severed her lower jaw. Ishida looked around, wary of the new reiatsu that approached them. Yoruichi had quieted but she still gripped SoiFon's body to her.
"We have to relocate." Yoruichi's voice was shaky but her legs steady as she lifted SoiFon in her arms. The tiny captain was barely conscious and could only be saved by Tessai. Ishida followed her wordlessly as she shunpo'd through the maze of halls. Coming to an abrupt halt, Yoruichi turned to face Uryu.
"Take her to Tessai. I will not leave her here in this place."
Yoruichi's gold eyes were still wet but they held no anger, no accusation.
"How will I find you again?" Uryu asked quietly after studying her for a minute.
Gently Yoruichi placed SoiFon in Uryu's arms and tenderly brushed her cheek. "You won't. Stay with Tessai and wait for Kisuke."
Preview: Gin and Byakuya past (whaaa?), Renji and Rukia, maybe end of war (but probably the chapter after)
A/N: Got a little distracted with plot stuff...I've made up my mind after this to try to do stories 5 chapters or shorter, so if anyone read Endurance, there will probably be at least one more chapter coming. Also, when this is done, I am playing around with doing a couple of one shots and zero plot with pairings that were referenced in earlier chapters.
(K): Orihime's journal reference is actually in the manga, Chapter 237 and in the anime I believe, though the riddle is not (just the answer to it!). I try to weave a ton of references back to the manga and/or anime throughout the story...it amuses me greatly to plant little seeds here and there, especially when people catch them.
(K): thank you for pointing out the Kensei/Kenpachi typo in the previous chapter! If I can fix it I will...which leads to...
Help! can I go and correct typos in the published stories/replace chapters without setting off new chapter alerts?
ShockoWheat: thanks!
All alerts/favs/reviews: eternally and humbly grateful for your time.
-m.