A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updating. I know I should be writing more, however at the moment I'm in a bit of a block. Thank you to those of you who actually continue to read alone with this, and don't be afraid to review and tell my bitch ass to hurry it up with the chapters. Keep in mind I try to at least make each chapter about 1,500 minimum. Also Check out Mizukiyoru Shiroko's "The Cruise" It's really good and she's working very hard on it. And also because that's my Berry. :) Now onto the story~!
Chapter Eleven: This Never Ending Game of Cat and Mouse
The month went by. There was no light, sound, only his mind playing tricks on the poor orange haired occupant of the room. Ichigo curled up in the blankets as he tried to become the smallest thing in the room so not to be seen. He didn't want to admit it but the silence was getting to him. There was no one to talk to. He couldn't see a damned thing and nightmares plagued him whenever he slept, and because of this, he tried not to.
It was the same dream over and over. His friends betraying him. Their words stuck in his head. It was almost as if, it was a memory and he was looking through his hollow's eyes. He heard every word they all said.
It was like that for a week, whenever he slept that week, he was plagued by that dream. Then on the second week, they started to attack him. Ichigo woke up in a panic quite a lot, so when the lights were slowly starting to brighten so his eyes would adjust he found himself grateful that he knew his hollow was nice enough to allow his eyes to slowly get use to the brightness to not to put a strain on them.
Shirosaki looked at Ichigo. The small hybrid turned arrancar was asleep all curled up under the covers in a little cocoon like bundle. Chuckling, Shirosaki sat down next to Ichigo and stroked beautiful soft orange locks that belonged to his wielder. Said wielder started to stir, Shirosaki grinning as his placed a kiss to Ichigo's head and Ichigo groaned. "hmm? Shirosaki, is that you?" Ichigo asked, the leech could feel his wielder's relief as Shirosaki answer, confirming his question. "Yes Aibou I'm here."
Peaking his head up from the blankets, Ichigo looked over at Shirosaki and scanned the room to see if anyone other than the leech was there. When there was none Ichigo came out of hiding and looked at Shirosaki warily before coming closer. Shirosaki grinned at Ichigo's submission, rewarding the smaller male with a bowl of rice and some curry on top, knowing it was one of Ichigo's favorite. As Ichigo went to take the chopsticks from Shirosaki, he winced as his hand got hit. "Ichigo, let me feed you. You don't have to do something as menial as feeding yourself. Let me." Shirosaki said as he took the chops sticks from Ichigo. Ichigo glared at him and frowned. "Shirosaki I can do it myself! A task so simple isn't that hard!" Ichigo yelled which caused Shirosaki to narrow his eyes. "I was actually just trying to do this the easy way but it seems you don't get it do you? You're right the task itself is simple enough that anyone can do it, but by taking it away, it also takes away part of your freedom." Shirosaki stated. Ichigo continued to glared and scowl at Shirosaki. He didn't like where this was going, not one bit. "By taking away meaningless tasks such as letting you feed yourself without assistance, and either dressing yourself, then soon you'll become dependent on us. I've got four years in my pocket Ichigo. You can not survive four years without food or water, even with all that spiritual pressure and the only way you'll get it is if I myself, or Grimmjow are the ones feeding it to you." Shirosaki explained and Ichigo paled slightly. The thought of four years. Why four years? How could this happen? Wouldn't someone come to save him? Ichigo mentally kicked himself, 'Of course they wouldn't. I'm the one who's suppose to save them.'
"Fine... Just hurry and don't do anything childish and stupid." Ichigo huffed as he accepted his fate. He didn't like it, but he knew there was no way he could get out of it. Shirosaki was a leech, his zanpakuto, he could easily find him even if he did escape, only to bring him right back. "Shirosaki why do this? Why can't I be free? You act like I'm going to do something stupid!" He asked as he looked to up at the hollow. Shirosaki pulled Ichigo into his arms and gave a kiss to Ichigo's forehead as he grinned. "Simple Ichigo. This is a cycle that will never end between us. You or I will die, I'll come back in ten years while it'll take you two hundred, and even then it's always so difficult to tell which world you come to be reborn in. There are so many. I wonder each time if you'll be reborn in the world of the living, here in Hueco mundo, maybe even in hell, some times the soul society, or on the occasion you come home to the royal dimension." Shirosaki states and Ichigo's eyes widen. This was confusing to him. This was so much information for him to handle "We are forever tied into this little game of cat and mouse. I'll chase you and catch you but instead of killing your body I kill your will to leave me. I need you like you need me. I need you to keep me sane while you need me to protect you and love you." He continued as he bit lightly on the lobe of Ichigo's ear. The orangette shuddered slightly and blushed at the touch. Stroking Ichigo's now very long orange locks, Shirosaki went to continue feeding him. Ichigo accepted each bite of food and couldn't help the purr that rumbled from his chest as he felt content with the petting and stroking of his hair.
Grimmjow entered the room and Ichigo looked up a bit alert. When Ichigo realized who it was, he relaxed slightly. He didn't know why, but around these two he felt... comfortable. Shirosaki noticed that Ichigo was relaxed and grinned. The leech nuzzled Ichigo neck and Ichigo felt his cheeks heat up for a blush. Grimmjow chuckled at the sight and knelt down to looked at Ichigo. He stroked Ichigo's newly formed Hollow mask. Ichigo shivered to the touch. The mask, it was so sensitive.
The teen hated feeling so weak and submissive, but his instincts were telling him to. He couldn't help it. He fought against them and growled at Grimmjow, instead of whimpering like he wanted to. Shirosaki watched this in interest, already knowing the conflict in Ichigo's head. Knowing Ichigo was fighting instinct with logic. Shirosaki knew that Ichigo also knew even if he was 'raped' the first few times, they would still consider it treason. They would probably even refuse to let Ichigo stay. Oh well. Ichigo is mine. I'll make sure he won't want to leave soon enough. Shirosaki thought as he continued to stroke Ichigo's hair absentmindedly, knowing it would calm his beloved wielded. He would crush the soul society if they even so much as attempted to take his queen from him
Ichigo calmed and Grimmjow looked at Shirosaki. "Well seems like the little berry's all comfortable within your lap." Grimmjow stated in a gruff tone. Shirosaki shot a look at Grimmjow, telling him to shut it, as he didn't want to hear it. Trying to get closer to both of his alphas Ichigo grunted as the chain connect to his collar held him back. "Can you take this off of me? I can't move around and I have to use the bathroom." Ichigo asked a bit annoyed. Shirosaki chuckled and nodded, unlocking the chain from the collar. Shirosaki lead him to the bathroom and allowed the already naked teen to go about his business.
Kisuke Urahara. He was a genius, this was known by everyone who knew his name, at least on the spiritual side of things. Kisuke could tell Ichigo did not heed his warnings and even saw the entire battle that took place between his orange haired student. He ran a hand through his hair as he watched how Ichigo interacted with the two hollows. A frown marred his usual happy smiling face as he took in all the information given to him.
His student, Ichigo was the soul that the king of Hueco mundo; Shirosaki Zangetsu took as a mate every lifetime that, said soul came back from transmigration. Kisuke knew of the time different there, and sighed. He figured it out since while he was recording and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, he was getting much more than he was expecting for a few days. It's like he was get months of surveillance at a time. Then he estimated about 30 days here in the world of the living was equivalent to 365 days in Hueco mundo. Kisuke was nervous, and not because he didn't have faith in Ichigo, but because he was worried that the soul society might consider this treason.
The blond haired shopkeeper just continued to watch as Shirosaki continued to give Ichigo affections, watching his student unconsciously sink deeper and deeper into the albino king's control.
From the beginning when he heard Ichigo call out his zanpakuto's name Kisuke had been wary. The shape of Ichigo's 'Zangetsu' was not the strongest form of it, and he had a feeling that it wasn't really Shirosaki who told him the name.
Kisuke had heard of a rumor, one that was involving Shirosaki his lover's soul. He had found a book on it as well. He read it, wanting to know whether or not the truth of it was real or not. Shirosaki never really made himself known unless his mate had been reincarnated. I'll give you four years with Ichigo. After those four years, I will come, and I will ask Ichigo what it is that he wants. You will respect and honor that decision Shirosaki. The choices are that he can continue to live with you. that he can come to hell to live with the rest of us and you're allowed to tag along. OR that he may be allowed to return to the family he had born to in this life time.
With that being said, as he remembered what it was that the lord of hell had told Shirosaki, Kisuke could only hope that the book was not lying. Looking up, the blond man just hoped and prayed that the soul society wouldn't try and do anything that could irritated either lords.
Rukia Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida and Yasutora Sado (Chad), the five friends Ichigo had that were kept prisoner, here in Los Noches. Shirosaki walked into the room holding them. A wide grin plastered across his face as he looked at them. Shirosaki made certain that Orihime and Chad were allowed to live, they would prove to be useful. Orihime had incredible healing powers and Shirosaki liked that Chad had Ichigo's back, so he would allow the giant human to be a play mate for his beloved. Rukia and Renji though, Shirosaki would use to have Ichigo completely fall into his arms.
He made sure that even after Ichigo's month of solitary confinement was up, he would still have nightmares about them hurting him, betraying him, watching as he was continuously betrayed by the soul reapers and the soul society. Each time Ichigo would wake up screaming, Shirosaki made sure that it was him, who was there to kiss all the tears away, that it was himself and Grimmjow who were there to comfort him, to protect him. Ichigo would shake and tremble as they would hold him, trying to deny them, saying he could do it himself, that it was only a nightmare and he could get over it. Each time though, Shirosaki notice Ichigo would give in more and more quickly, almost as if he was slowly started to believe that Shirosaki and Grimmjow would indeed protect him, even if it was on a more subconscious level
A week had passed in the world of the living, and three and a half months had passed here in Hueco mundo. He grinned as he saw the five prisoner's in his view, Renji was growling and glaring at him, Rukia was no better than Renji, all glares and growls. Shirosaki laughed at their pathetic attempt to seem frightening. "I'm so scared. Two big bad soul reapers are growling at me behind the bars of a cage I had them put in." Shirosaki mocked as he walked forward. When Renji's blade touched his skin, he didn't bother to pull away, just let him try whatever he thought would work to kill him. Renji stopped when he realized his sword could not even scratch Shirosaki's skin. Said albino walked up to Orihime and Chad. Chad standing in front of her, as if to protect her. "Now, now, don't get all feisty. I'm only here to escort you two to go see your friend. Ichigo's been worried sick about Orihime and you. Though he's quite terrified of Renji and Rukia." Shirosaki explained.
Chad and Orihime looked at the king of Hueco Mundo stunned. Chad stayed quiet, yet Orihime looked at him with her big grey-blue eyes. "Are you really going to take us to go see Ichigo?" She asked and Shirosaki nodded. "After that you and Chad will placed back in the room where Ulquiorra had originally held you in." Shirosaki said as he laid out his hand for the two to take.
Uryuu glared at the hollow with anger in his eyes before he exclaimed it. "There's no way Ichigo would be terrified of Rukia and Renji. I know it's been about three months, but there's no way that you could have done that without messing with his mind! And when he finds out how do you think he'll react?!" Uryuu yelled at him. He saw the hollow's eyes narrow and his grin grow even wider.
"I know each way he may or may no react. I've been playing this game with him for life time after life time. It's a game of cat and mouse really. Only thing is, the mouse doesn't die by the cat. The cat just toys with it's mind, having the mouse constantly see the cat out. Ichigo can live about a million years before his soul breaks down and he's put through the process of transmigration. It takes him two hundred years to come back, with no memories what-so-ever. I can live three times as long as him before I have to go through trans migration and I come back in only ten years, all my memories intact. I am a leech. A hollow type zanpakuto that can choose my wielder. I will only choose Ichigo. However whenever he's not by my side my sanity slips. I go insane trying to seek him out. I do this so he won't leave me. I've got four years to break him. Your friends from the soul society have no idea how time works here and in the world of the living." Shirosaki said as he looked to Orihime and Chad. "Well let's get going. You've only got an hour with him. He needs his rest." Shirosaki added as he lead them out and locked the cage back up. Shirosaki looked up to the corner of the room and grinned as he noticed a little bug in disguise of a camera. Turning back to look at Rukia, Renji and Uryuu he told them one last thing. "When these four years are up, it's not the soul society I'll have to worry about. It's the lord of hell who will come to see what Ichigo truly wants. I may be strong, but I'd rather not have a fight with the Lorde of hell. I like keeping my throne here. I don't want to be dethrone because my mate and wielder doesn't know his place."
The three left in the cage just looked at him with fear in their eyes. They knew Shirosaki was strong. They could feel it, even if they couldn't exactly sense his presence. If there was someone stronger than him, they could all very well be in serious trouble.