Sorry for the wait, I couldn't sign in at all.
Chapter Twelve
-The Memory Remains-
Even after the Espada had long since vacated the dining room, the servant Arrancars cleaning the room could still feel the thrumming pool of reiatsu that lingered like a red wine stain on white.
Ichigo's energy would lash out uncontrollably causing anyone in his path weaker than him to double over feeling extremely ill.
It wasn't exactly a surprise to Aizen that Ichigo would act this way, in fact he would have been concerned had Ichigo been calm and unbothered. Ichigo had been sent into the very deep part of his own soul when he witnessed the faux creation of his family's murder. Even though it wasn't real, the imprint was there and it would forever haunt Ichigo so long as those responsible were alive.
There was no doubt that the meeting room would be buzzing with speculation about Aizen and Ichigo's relationship together. Out of every subordinate that Aizen had ever created he had never once touched anyone whether it on the shoulder, hand, or anywhere but the way he had taken a hold of Ichigo and then his first name being said aloud.
"Ichigo?" When they were alone behind closed doors, Aizen cupped Ichigo's cheeks bringing him to eye level.
"I'm sorry, Sousuke, I don't know what came over me, is Karin alright?"
"She is fine, Stark took care of her," he said gently, "it is you that I'm worried about."
"I'm fine," Ichigo said but even he wasn't totally convinced. "It was like nothing in the world mattered suddenly except for her death, her pain… I want it but I don't want to do it like that."
Aizen pulled Ichigo down onto the soft white futon in his rooms and curled his arms around the boy's thin waist. "Talk to me, Ichigo," he said soothingly raking his fingers through vivid orange hair and smiling at how it wound around his fingers.
Ichigo's head was lying on Sousuke's thigh and he couldn't get himself to move for any reason. Instead, he clutched the man's knee with his right hand while his left was curled into a fist.
"I want her to suffer but I don't want to do it in such a blood thirsty manner."
"There are other ways to make her suffer," Sousuke said as he ran his hand down Ichigo's and rubbed in soft circles, "you don't have to lower yourself to means of endless torture to get your point across."
"Do you have a suggestion?" Ichigo asked closing his eyes and enjoying the attention.
"I have a few," he said smiling. He could feel Ichigo's body relax under his touch. "Will you be able to attend the meeting, Ichigo?"
"Yah, I'll be fine." Ichigo rose from his position and kissing Sousuke as he did so. The taste of Sousuke's warm lips seemed to be a siphon for the excess energy that he'd been reflexively holding onto because he could feel all of that anger dwindle out slowly with each tender kiss.
Sousuke drew him closer, hands gliding down to hold Ichigo on the small of his back, their chests were pressed together and Ichigo's fingers were unconsciously combing through his brown hair.
Hungrily, Ichigo opened his mouth to Sousuke, their tongues touching and rubbing against in a sexually warm fashion. One of Ichigo's hands dropped to Sousuke's broad shoulder and glided down his chest.
When Ichigo pulled back, he caressed Sousuke's cheek. "Thanks, Sousuke."
Sousuke smiled at him. "Only for you, Ichigo," he said with true affection.
Ichigo walked beside his lover to the meeting room. It was a little more than three hours after Ichigo's episode in the dining hall. Gin opened the doors for them and beamed.
"Ichi-chan! How are you?" he asked and Ichigo saw that look on his face, the one where he was about to strangle him in a hug.
"Fine, Gin," Ichigo murmured as Aizen smiled appreciatively.
Ichigo felt all eyes on him as he crossed the room and took his seat between Stark and Grimmjow.
"Now that we are all calm and settled," Aizen addressed, "let's view how our intruders are doing, shall we?"
"Do you think that wise?" Grimmjow spoke up. "I'm sittin' next to the firecracker Cero ya know!"
Ichigo snorted.
"I think its fine," Aizen assured.
Although, Ichigo's reiatsu bubbled to the surface it didn't spew over like it had earlier. Ichigo kept a tight hold on it.
Soi Fon was in a fight with one of the guardians of the Garganta. Ishida was speeding through, his bow raining bright blue arrows at over a thousand per second. Renji and Rukia were standing back watching them.
"The three are not to be harmed in anyway, they will be central in the future for our plans on Soul Society," Aizen explained. "You see, one of them is a Quincy, Ishida Uryuu, the son of Ryuuken. The other belongs to one of the four greatest noble clans, Kuchiki Rukia, and a Vice Captain of one of the strongest Divisions, Abarai Renji. They along with a select others are crucial to our success.'
'We do not want an all out slaughter. We want a transition. We want to do this right so that there are fewer shinigami that will become rebellious. I will not make the mistakes Yamamato has made. I want to integrate all of you. The Quincies, humans, Vizards, Arrancar, and shinigami. To abolish prejudice and build a world created as one. Less bloodshed and a better future. Do you all understand?"
"Yes Aizen-sama!" they all chorused together.
Ichigo was leaning up on his elbows, watching the screen and leaving an ear open for Sousuke's words. He watched as the bitch's Zanpakuto stung the Arrancar twice causing it to disappear in a puff reiatsu.
Ishida had already downed his opponent, considering his arrows seemed to be never ending. His speed was even better than the last time, which told Ichigo that Ishida was being affected by the spiritual particles in the air.
"My goal is not the total destruction of Soul Society but to fix it, take out the tainted corruption and keep those who are willing work alongside others. This same want and need extends to you as well. My beautiful Arrancar I want us to be diverse. We need to be to survive."
"How long will it take them to get anywhere near the Las Noches?" Ichigo asked.
"A while," Aizen answered observing Ichigo closely. "Initially, Kisuke-san was to open the Garganta right outside of Las Noches but he obviously pushed it back when this new development arose to give us time to prepare. Once they reach the castle, we'll have them break off and I will personally meet up with her. I do not trust anyone else to keep her unscathed."
Ichigo's teeth snapped together and he fisted his white pants reflexively. He closed his eyes to try and calm the brewing rage. It was like an adrenaline rush, he felt high. When he reopened them, he glared at the shiny white flooring.
When the meeting finally ended, Ichigo remained where he was. They had been all ordered to remain in their rooms and not to go looking for them. Nnoitra was put out by it, muttering about humans and shinigami's.
Stark stifled a yawn. "I'm going to bed."
Grimmjow examined Ichigo. "You look pretty high strung there, Cero." Ichigo nodded but didn't reply to that. "What did the bitch do that was so bad?"
Ichigo sighed. "She was going to assassinate my family on Soul Society's orders."
"Aah," Grimmjow said blinking. If there was one thing that the Sexta had learned about Ichigo, it was that a person should never mess with his family unless they wanted to be torn to pieces. He was violently protective. "I'll see ya Cero, don't let it get ya, you'll get her!" he said grinning wide and brushing out at the pointed look he received from Aizen.
Ichigo stood and prepared to leave the room, knowing that Sousuke had business with Tousen and Gin but he was stopped by an arm possessively sliding around his waist. "Where are we going?" he whispered into Ichigo's ear.
"I was going to find someone to fight with," Ichigo confessed, "before I destroy something by accident."
"Tch, of course Aizen-sama steals my Ichi-chan," Gin said grinning.
Aizen arched an eyebrow. "Steal?" he asked tightening his hold on Ichigo. "He was never yours to begin with, my dear friend."
Tousen cleared his throat. "Aizen-sama-?" he trailed off as he sensed Ichigo very close to his leader.
Aizen smiled slyly. "Ichigo and I will be sparring on the private training grounds, if you need me for an emergency. I will return later."
"Of course Aizen-sama," Tousen said without question.
"Can I play too?" Gin asked hopefully.
"Maybe later, Gin," Aizen said with amusement. "But I think you'd rather play with the rooms."
"Ooh!" Gin's eyes lit up. "You're right, I do have some corridors to rearrange for our guests!"
"He's like a human child on Christmas morning," Tousen commented.
"Of course he is, he's all about fun and games. Makes things less dull," Aizen said.
Ichigo wasn't talking, he agreed but he was too riled up to be happy. He needed a stress reliever and he was glad that Aizen was the one assisting him. He didn't trust his own strength right now.
Ichigo battled with Aizen until every ounce of energy drained out of him. The clashing of the swords shot off sparks and the pillars around them crumbled instantly. Ichigo unleashed it all and Aizen simply held him off, remaining on the defense and refusing to attack back. He could feel the fury rolling off Ichigo just like earlier and he knew that soon he would be carrying his little lover to bed.
The coils of Zangetsu's spell spiraled around Ichigo elegantly, the boy's eyes narrowed and the fire so heavy that if Aizen had been anyone else, they would have cringed, flinched, or doubled over in submission. It was a wondrous sensation. Ichigo looked absolutely astounding with the way he wielded his power. Aizen could see the collaboration of both Ichigo and his Hollow moving together seamlessly.
Aizen saw the last of the energy come and then go, the Vizard mask cracked and he tipped forward as though he were going to land on the ground face first but Aizen slid under him stopping the gravitational pull.
"I think, my love, you are done," Aizen said softly into his ear but he knew Ichigo couldn't hear him. He was out.
-0-0-0-
When Ichigo awoke next, he was completely and utterly alone, which was really rare. He opened his eyes to the darkness that closed in around him. He could smell Sousuke's scent and naturally turned over onto his side burying his face into the pillow. His mind was replaying the fighting he had done and found himself secretly awed at how easily Aizen kept up with him.
That man truly was a powerful being, Ichigo thought. Ichigo wasn't being obnoxious about his own strength but he was a Cero Espada. He even made Urahara nervous when he went too far at times. But Sousuke simply kept his defense up like it was an everyday thing he did.
He brought his knees up to his chest; aware that he was no longer wearing sandals and the top part of his robes were off leaving him in just the typical black t-shirt. He wondered how long he'd been asleep.
His conscious mind must have felt the man nearby because Ichigo heard the quiet opening of the door and a slither of white light from the outside. He shifted back onto his back when Sousuke came over to the bed.
"You're awake," Sousuke observed and Ichigo see the shadow of a smile flashing across his handsome face.
"Mhmm, how long?"
"About three hours," he said, "do you feel better?"
Ichigo shuffled over to make room. "Much better." As Sousuke slid on the bed, Ichigo naturally gravitated toward him and sighed felt body relax against his chest. To be honest, Ichigo could not believe his own action. He wasn't a naturally submissive person at all. That was the last thing he was, he'd fought against Sousuke's affections for months on end only to wind up needing him. He did things before he could stop and think about them more clearly.
He knew it wasn't the man's power or his gorgeous looks. Part of it could be his personality but another very big part was the fact that Sousuke made him feel something peculiar every time he walked into the room. He demanded attention and not in the way that the other Arrancars would. It also helped that the way Sousuke looked at him, it was a way he never looked at anyone else.
Ichigo easily gave into his feelings, letting his pride turn a blind eye to what he was doing. The fear of getting hurt still lingered but Ichigo had never been accused of doing things halfway.
"What are you thinking about?" Sousuke asked bending down to kiss Ichigo on the cheek.
"Nothing much," he said smiling into the dark. "How far are they?"
Sousuke chuckled softly. "They fell into the forest of Menos."
"How long will that take for them to get out?"
"Quite a while. I believe you could waste all your energy three times over before they make it to the front of Las Noches."
"Is that so?" Ichigo smirked. "How'd they fall into that?"
"Gin knows all the details," Sousuke said, "I'm sure he can tell you. They didn't interest me enough to inquire."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "What does interest you, Sousuke?"
"Hm, plenty of things, my Ichigo." He was kissed on the neck, cheek, and lips. "Would you like to hear about them?"
"Maybe later, I can guess most of them." Ichigo shivered when Sousuke's nose brushed his skin.
Sousuke had never been more right. Ichigo had a lot of time left and he used it so that his sisters could play with Lilynette. He was leaning up against the tree with Stark who was snoring randomly before waking himself back up.
"Antsy?" Stark asked cracking an eye.
"Kind of," he said watching Nel being swung around by Lilynette and Karin. One had her feet and the other had her arms.
"You and Aizen-sama seemed to be getting pretty serious."
Ichigo pinked and ducked his head. "Is that so?"
"The whole palace is talking."
"Oh joy," Ichigo said darkly.
"I believe you have a lot of jealous women angry at you."
"Really? I'll take my chances."
"Well your slip up of his given name didn't help you any, Ichigo," Stark mused.
"Yah well, I wasn't thinking. It's hard enough to call him what everyone else does when I do think."
"Eh, I suppose that's inevitable. Calling a man you fall in love with by his last name could be really disconcerting."
Ichigo blinked at Stark's words but didn't allow his mind to dwell on that unless he drive himself insane with inane thoughts.
-0-0-0-
"We should split up," Ishida at once. The cross room they had come too was divided into multiple sections and he wondered if this was a part of the plan to separate them from Soi Fon.
Soi Fon's heartlessness aside, Ishida had never met a more unpleasant person. She literally made his dad look like a humble generous man. She was snotty, cold, and mouthy. But none of this had bothered Ishida. He was used to those types. What really bothered him was the way she would boss them around and twice Ishida had to tell her. "While you're here you are not a Captain and even if you were, your words do not reach me."
This caused her to get a little angry and it was her fault that they wound up in the forest of Menos and his quick thinking that got them out. She was a conceited arrogant little child and Ishida only hoped that he would be able to see what Ichigo decided as her fate. It would be fun watching.
"Are you insane?" Soi Fon sneered. "Split up?"
"We have too," Renji said peering around. "It's the only logical way. Separately we have a better chance of getting closer to Inoue and Chad. Let's go."
"I'll take the right," Rukia announced nodding her head toward one of the paths.
"I'll go left."
"I'll take center, Captain Soi Fon pick your poison," Ishida said as the three of them walked off leaving the small Captain to glower.
"That pathetic little Quincy! Ooh when I get out of here…" She narrowed her eyes and stalked down one of the vacant paths.
They were narrow and high walled, pure white. She sniffed indignantly; really, these people weren't worth shit so why did the Captain Commander order her to tag along? He'd mentioned that the girl's power could be dangerous in Aizen's hands but he said nothing about the big boy.
The hall seemed to stretch endlessly and Soi Fon wondered just how big the place was? How long had Aizen been planning to defect from Soul Society?
It was after what seemed to be an age that she came into a clearing, an open white walled room with black and white tiled floors and massive columns. She gasped and nearly staggered back when she looked ahead of her only to come face to face with Aizen.
"Welcome Captain Soi Fon to Las Noches," he purred with a sly smile.
Her heart caught up in her throat. "Aizen!" she snarled defensively. "Do you think you can get away with this?"
"You were always a hot-headed one but you were also so very quick to jump at orders and please your superiors," Aizen said fondly. "I like that in a subordinate. A perfectionist, am I right? Just like Shihoin Yoruichi had trained."
She flushed at the woman's name. She stuttered as he began to walk slowly toward her at the pace of a calm hearted gentleman having a pleasant conversation about the weather. Soi Fon took a step back, hand reaching around to grip the hilt of her sealed Zanpakuto.
"What do you think of my home?" he asked startling her and setting her even more on edge.
"It's white," Soi Fon commented automatically.
"The colors of heaven," Aizen told her, "I have all my angels and you are a welcome guest, Soi Fon."
The way he said her name, it gave her chills. It was so pleasant that it became eerie. He was deceptively charming, much the same man that Soi Fon had always known, except each word he used had an intent to it, a reason for being used. He was so carefree acting, the way he glided along the room looking for the entire world like God himself.
And maybe, very briefly in that moment, Soi Fon had been convinced that he was something higher. Everything about him screamed at her to bow in submission, from his eyes, his smile, and most importantly his voice.
Soi Fon's eyes hardened. "Do you really think you can convert me using pretty little words, Aizen?" she asked through clenched teeth.
"Oh, no," Aizen said coming to stand directly in front of her. "You see, I could never take you as a subordinate, even if you begged and pleaded. You see my dearest Angel would never forgive me."
Soi Fon choked. "Excuse me?"
"My love has been waiting for a chance to speak with you, Soi Fon. It would be very rude of me if I were to say no. You see, I can't say no to him."
What the hell was he on about? Whatever it was, Soi Fon's soul was set on edge, vibrating and humming. She could feel Suzumebachi warming her hand, tingling it as if warning her. She clenched it.
"I don't know what you're talking about, no one could love a monster like you!" she sneered.
"A monster?" Aizen asked grinning. "How could I be a monster? I believe your definition is a little incorrect." He stepped forward making Soi Fon gasp before she moved backwards instinctively. "Why Soi Fon, wouldn't you define a monster that was cold and heartless? So much so that they would harm innocent little children? I believe that's what a true monster is."
What bit of blood Soi Fon had left in her face drained out. How did he know? She knew now that he knew about the Kurosaki's murder.
"What are you talking about?" she hissed.
A projection screen appeared making her jump a foot in the air. Her back hit one of the white columns. Her eyes attached themselves to the the screen came that came to life. It was real footage of the night Soi Fon and Yoruichi attacked the Kurosaki's. What was worse, the two figures standing by watching everything. Aizen had Ichigo in his arms, hand over mouth and they watched the whole scene.
Oh shit! It was the only thing she could come up with. She had to get out of here; she had to warn Yoruichi, for her own safety. Her heart sped in fear, her mind clouded up in turmoil. Once the scene was over, thick unrelenting reiatsu flooded the entire room, Aizen lit up white and Soi Fon actually whimpered as she felt suffocated.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Aizen asked leaning in close and brushing his fingers over one of her flying white braids. "You've sealed your fates. Both you and Yoruichi."
"Why do you care?" Soi Fon spat feeling her knees buckle at the power that wrapped itself around her neck, threatening to strangle her. Not even Yamamato had ever had that much reiatsu to unleash. It was dangerous and volatile, but most of all it was well controlled. "So what if I did that? Why would it affect someone like you?"
Aizen quirked an eyebrow. "Why indeed." All hints of the charming charismatic man had disappeared and it was replaced by a soft lethal tenor. "It is because of this that you will forever suffer a fate worse than death and your little cat woman will follow the same fate. There is no escaping it, no matter what you do."
He walked away from her as though she were nothing more than a careless piece of trash, causing her eyes to narrow. "Don't you dare walk away from me you bas-" she rushed forward ready to unsheathe her sword in fury but she was stopped. Her knees sank to the ground on their own accord and her Zanpakuto clattered from her waist to the floor like a dead piece of weight.
"You reap what you sow, Captain Soi Fon, remember that."
As he disappeared, the entire room began to dissolve rearranging in spirals. She felt sick and clutched her stomach. Her eyes snapped closed and tipped over feeling every last ounce of energy leave her. What happened? How? How could he be so strong? When did he get like this? He never even touched her! Everything that she was felt as though she'd been sucked into a whirlwind of dreams or rather a psychotic nightmare that made her whole body feel as though she weren't there.
What had they done to her?
She attempted to open her eyes when images started to play inside of her mind. It was like a movie and she was the star. It began with singing and carefree laughing. Soi Fon was standing in the middle of Kurosaki's house the night of their murders and although it was a reminiscent of that night there were a few very different things.
In the place of Kurosaki's sisters were tiny young versions of herself and Yoruichi fighting for their lives and the intruders were Ichigo and Aizen, heartlessly ignoring Yoruichi's screaming pleas and Soi Fon's small cries.
It was a scene worth a thousand nightmares making the real Soi Fon back up, hands over ears. She tried to close her eyes but she couldn't. She was forced to watch their murders over and over again, breaking the very strands of Soi Fon's heart and soul as she sobbed every time Yoruichi took her last breath.
"Yoruichi-sama!" Soi Fon cried out as she fell to the ground and drew her legs to her chest. But the only answer she got to her call was a replay of events. The sick twisted sounds of crying, screaming, and pleas haunted her endlessly. A crunching sound of a bone breaking, the gurgle of Yoruichi as Ichigo grabbed her throat and Aizen finished her smaller self.
She rocked back and forth, tears trailing down her cheeks. "I'm sorry!" she said wide eyed. "I'm so sorry, so sorry, so sorry…" But no one was there to listen to her anguish. No one was there to comfort her when in agony. "Yoruichi-sama…"
All of her words meant nothing because she was nothing. She was useless. She couldn't save her most precious person and it meant that she was worthless.
How long would she have to endure this torture? To endure the watching such precious life end before her eyes?
As she choked down the scene, her stomach gave way and she copied the young Yoruichi, losing everything in her stomach all over herself.
It couldn't possibly get any worse than this.
-0-0-0-
Ichigo stood grimly against the white walls of the room and he watched the trembling Soi Fon convulse on the ground. He knew what she was seeing and he knew what she was hearing. He didn't feel a sick pleasure at what she was experiencing nor did he feel guilty. For once, he was rather even in emotion. The ideas of breaking her in half had vanished and was replaced by his watchful expression.
He hoped to God that she never lost that memory. People like her should not exist and he didn't mean that because of what she did to his family, but because of the way her mind worked. There was no fixing people like that, it was worse than blood thirsty hunger filled violent bastards.
But the lack of apathy this person showed; no remorse, no bloodlust, nothing. It was a sickening insult to everything that Ichigo was. To remove a life and not think twice. To Ichigo that meant you didn't have a soul in the first place. Her Zanpakuto's soul be damned.
He'd been watching for hours as she endured the punishment for her actions. He wasn't through with her yet, this was Sousuke's punishment. A gift from him to Ichigo.
Did he for once feel like Tousen? A sense of justice having been brought to the surface? It was strange out of all them, Tousen had been Ichigo's least liked person. But right now, he could back that this is what Tousen felt every day.
To work alongside these sorts of people? Tousen must have been in pain a lot. Never again would Ichigo scoff at Tousen for his ideas of purity and justice.
Ichigo would forever make sure that Soi Fon's memory was never lost on this encounter. He would punish her but he would do it right. He felt no need to hand her a justified reason for the things she had done.
It wouldn't be Ichigo's style. Finally, he turned his back on the sobbing woman and left the room.
