Chapter 14:

Once everyone was gathered together, they marched toward the last place they had seen Miku. Since he had not taken the equipment with him this time, it would be far more difficult to track him down. According to Mayuri, the tracking device showed the same location which confirmed that Miku had not taken it to a different place. There was a chance that Miku may return to retrieve the device which was why they were returning to the location by the trees.

Along the way, Ichigo said nothing. He was still peeved by Kenji's earlier questions. He knew it wasn't entirely his fault. Kenji didn't understand that his words were hurtful. He probably didn't understand that words could be hurtful at all. Even so, Ichigo felt angry every time he looked at him.

If only he could make him understand. There must have been a way.

He looked at Kenji who had his head turned the other way. Ichigo got a good view of the back of Kenji's neck. It was covered by a baseball-sized piece of what appeared to be leather which had driven several of its appendages beneath the skin. Ichigo could see tube-like structures just under the skin, which burrowed deep into the spine.

It made him wince, imagining the pain Uryu had gone through when Kenji latched himself to him. Clearly, he could not be removed by force. He was in too deep. Though Ichigo could not see it, he imagined the parts of Kenji which had burrowed into the skin had gone even further and were now fused with the bones and nerves of the body.

The sight also allowed Ichigo to see that the man he had been talking to was just a body. A body Kenji controlled. This was Kenji. Kenji was like a hand operating a puppet and the body everyone had been talking to was the puppet.

The body blinked and spoke and moved, but Kenji allowed the body to do those things. Kenji himself was just a sore on whatever body he was in control of. He made the body speak for him because his true form could not speak. He used the body to do everything for him. Even convey his thoughts and desires.

Ichigo stared for a while, wondering what it must have been like for Kenji to live like this. As a Soul Candy, he never knew anything else. He wasn't a real person. He was just a leech latching onto a body for survival. It was no wonder he had difficulty understanding human beings. Understanding anyone. He wasn't a human. He wasn't a Soul Reaper. He was in a class of his own. He couldn't understand because he couldn't relate. That must have been the problem.

Ichigo looked away. He thought about the Soul Reapers wanting to kill him. He thought about how Kenji viewed the world. Maybe if he was given a chance and learned how to relate to people, the Soul Reapers would be more likely to keep him alive. If that happened, perhaps Kenji could view life a little differently. He wouldn't have to think a person's worth was all that mattered. How a person's talents made them valuable. He could see that every life was important, just as Ichigo did.

Every child that was in danger was someone's loved one. Every woman was someone's sister or mother. Someone's child. If he ignored them, if he looked the other way because he didn't know them personally, someone's loved one would not come home that night. Someone would be devastated.

Ichigo knew what that was like. He didn't want it for anyone.

If someone was in danger, why wouldn't he help them?

Ichigo was a considerate person, but he didn't know if he was born this way or became selfless due to events in his past. Could someone learn how to be kind and considerate? Could someone like Kenji learn how to be selfless?

"Hey, Kenji?"

He turned his head. "Yes?"

"If someone were in danger, and helping them would not harm you in any way, would you help them?" he asked.

Kenji thought a moment. "What would be the point?"

"Just that someone needed help and you helped them."

"How would I benefit?"

Ichigo sighed. "Consider this. If you were in danger, wouldn't you want someone to help you?"

Kenji took less time to think about this scenario. "Yes."

"You would want someone to help you if you needed it?"

"Yes, I would."

"Now that you've put yourself in someone else's shoes…"

"I am unfamiliar with that metaphor."

"It means that you've considered things from another perspective," Ichigo told him quickly. "Anyway… Now that you've seen things from another viewpoint, would you be willing to consider helping others in need because you would want them to do that for you?"

"Like repaying a debt? I should help others because then they would owe me a favor?"

"Not even to gain something in return. Just to help people because it's a kind thing to do."

Kenji stared at him.

He still didn't grasp the concept.

Ichigo sighed. "How about this? If you…"

"I know what you are saying," Kenji interrupted. "I just do not see why I would be obligated. Do you not perform an act of kindness in order to have it reciprocated? If committing an act of kindness while not expecting one in return…" Kenji paused. "I do not understand. Why would one do that?"

"Because it's a kind thing to do."

"With nothing to gain in return? Just to do it? By my logic, if everyone did that, there would be no conflict. Everyone would take care of each other for no personal gain."

Ichigo smiled. "Now you're getting it."

"But not everyone thinks that way. Your logic is flawed."

"That's why it means so much when one person does it. Imagine how happy that person would be. I know not everyone is willing to commit a selfless act, so I'll be the one to do it. And if I end up inspiring others to do the same, then it's changing lives for the better."

"For the better?" Kenji spoke slowly this time, processing all the information Ichigo had given him. He still didn't completely understand it, but doing acts of kindness for others while not expecting anything in return did sound very pleasant. He would welcome such a thing, especially if he was on the receiving end. However, doing something for another while not benefiting was something he wasn't inclined to do. He wasn't willing, even if he wouldn't gain or lose anything because of it.

They walked in silence for a while, then Kenji asked another question.

"What is it like to feel happy?"

Ichigo almost stopped walking. "Well, it feels good. I like seeing people smile. That makes me feel happy. For you, I guess achieving something or benefiting in some way would make you happy."

"How does one smile? I know it is an indication of joy, but is it by choice or is it an involuntary response?"

"You don't know how to smile, do you?"

"No, I do not."

Ichigo turned to face him. "Like this." Ichigo grinned.

It was a forced grin because he wasn't feeling happy in the slightest. He didn't know what he looked like, but he hoped it wasn't a mirror image of the face Kenji was making.

He tried to mimic the grin by pulling his lips back as far as they would go while keeping his lips tightly shut. It looked like he was stretching the corners of his mouth to his ears. It looked painful.

It was painful to watch, too.

"No, no, not like that. But good try. Don't pull your lips back that much. It's more subtle."

Kenji tried again, but this time it looked like he was frowning.

"Try thinking of something that makes you happy."

"I am still uncertain what happiness feels like. I do not think I can feel it."

Uryu walked close to them. "What's going on over here?"

"I'm trying to teach Kenji how to smile because he doesn't know how to."

"Is that why you're making faces back here?"

"I am not making faces."

"You looked like you got your foot slammed in a door."

"I was showing him how to smile."

"You call that a smile? It was painful looking."

Ichigo snarled.

"Here's a smile. Hold still." Uryu moved Ichigo's lips into place with his fingers. "A little scary but it's a smile."

Ichigo slapped his hands away. "Be serious."

"And I thought you wanted to smile."

"What's going on over here?" asked Orihime.

"We're showing Kenji how to smile by having Ichigo smile."

"Ohh! Think of puppies and kittens!"

"I am not…"

"I know!" Orihime tried to make silly faces, but it just made Ichigo lean away from her. "What? Silly faces don't do it?"

"That's for babies. I'm not a baby."

"You act like one half the time," said Uryu.

"I do not!"

"Really?" Uryu raised a brow at him. "I had to drag you out of a building because you refused to leave when things didn't go your way."

"You looked childish, dragging me out of there by the ankles."

"You both looked ridiculous," said Orihime, remembering the incident.

"This isn't helping me smile," said Ichigo.

Hearing this, Rukia sneaked behind Ichigo and started tickling his ribs.

"Stop that!"

"I heard you needed to smile so I'm helping."

"Knock it off!"

"Let me try!" Orihime tried to tickle Ichigo as well.

"I said stop!" Ichigo was trying to order them in a commanding tone, but it came out as a whine as he started to laugh. Both girls kept tickling him and he started to laugh harder. "Leave me alone!"

Ichigo ran from them and the girls chased him. He zigzagged around Byakuya and Renji who just kept walking, ignoring the spectacle. When Ichigo tried to use Renji as a shield, the Lieutenant took a swing at his head. When he heard they were all trying to tickle Ichigo, he joined them in the chase.

Uryu chuckled, watching the group run in circles around Byakuya who treated them like they were invisible. His lack of a reaction only made it funnier.

He looked at Kenji who watched with a vacant expression. "Still nothing?"

Kenji looked at him. "He was so serious a moment ago. Now he is laughing which is the result of joy. His mood has changed."

"Yeah."

"Why? Everyone was so serious a moment ago. I can sense the atmosphere has changed as well. Is this what I have heard referred to as a mood swing?"

"Nah, it's a little different than that."

"Then what is this?"

Uryu watched Ichigo stand his ground and chase after the girls, turning their game against them. He knew it wouldn't last much longer, but he liked seeing everyone laugh together during an emotional time. It was good to see Ichigo smile again and forget his worry.

"Friends make each other feel better," Uryu told Kenji. "Ichigo's mood improved because his friends were here to cheer him up."

Kenji watched the game come to an end and the laughter dwindled.

Was it the fact that he was being chased while not in danger, or was it because he was in the presence of friends? Comfort came from the familiar. Perhaps Ichigo felt secure around people he was familiar with. That reduced his stress.

He witnessed it, but he still did not understand it.

Soon, the group came upon the gathering of trees and they stopped. This was the last place they had seen Miku. Looking around, there was no sign of him.

"Should we spread out from here or wait?" asked Renji.

"It's possible they might return to this spot," said Byakuya. "I doubt we can pick up any spiritual pressure from them. We could trace them based on that, but I don't know how well it would work."

"It's easier to do that with Soul Reapers and Hollows anyway."

"What if they don't return to this spot, brother?" asked Rukia. "They could have gone in any direction."

Byakuya did not answer her. He was looking off in the distance. "Hide."

Two figures were coming towards them from the horizon. The group quickly hid among the trees and waited for the figures to get closer.

They took their time in coming, but they were carrying extra weight. Yuzu was being carried by the man with the doll. The doll sat on her chest. The man's steps were slow, almost sad. He kept his eyes on the girl in his arms, looking up only to see if Miku was still beside him.

Miku put a hand on the man's shoulder and nodded. "Not too much longer." Miku's arm was wrapped in a bandage. He wasn't moving as slowly as his partner. His wound didn't seem to be bothering him, but he couldn't have been healed yet.

The men stopped before they reached the trees. Miku looked into the branches. He wasn't looking for enemies, but something else. Finding what he had left behind, Miku stepped forward.

As soon as he did, Renji struck. His long sword zipped past Miku's shoulder, slicing the air. Miku jumped back, sliding two knives from his sleeves and into his hands.

"Back so soon?" Miku asked. "I see you've brought reinforcements."

Renji jumped from behind the trees and landed in front of Miku, sword pointed at his chest. "It's the end of the line for you, Miku. Surrender now. If you give Yuzu back, we won't kill you."

"I don't believe you. Besides, I already said I'm not giving her up. Not after all the trouble I went through to get her."

"Then a fight it is."

Renji whipped his Zanpakuto at Miku who blocked with both knives. With lightning speed, he tossed several from his pocket in different directions, trying to hit the others while he battled Renji. Knowing he would aim for a vital spot, they all blocked.

Grinning, Miku transformed himself into Rukia, hoping to throw Renji off. Surely, he wouldn't want to hurt a friend, or someone who looked like a friend. Renji only hesitated a moment, but knowing it wasn't really her, kept fighting.

Miku changed into Byakuya next, spotting him among the others. Renji had already fought Byakuya in the past, so he thought little about having to do it again. He didn't pause, knowing it wasn't his Captain. He swung at Byakuya's image, pretending it was the battle they had some time ago. Since it wasn't really him, it would have a different outcome. That's what he kept telling himself. He could win because he was stronger and it wasn't his real Captain.

However, something was wrong. Miku was just as agile, but his strength seemed to increase. Renji felt his sword being pushed back with more force than before. This shouldn't be. If only his image had changed, why had his strength increased?

Miku spun around and kicked Renji in the stomach, sending him tumbling backwards.

Ichigo took his place, swinging his sword with both hands. Miku, still in the form of Byakuya, collided with him. Ichigo felt the change in Miku as well. He was stronger than before.

"What do you think?" he asked in Byakuya's voice. "Isn't it great? Oh, did you think I could only take on a person's form? No. When I take someone's form, I also take their strength. Surprised? It all makes sense, don't you think? Their body, their abilities."

Ichigo had beaten Byakuya before, he could do it again. Granted, it had taken just about everything he had, but he still managed to do it.

Miku glanced to the side, seeing Uryu and Byakuya attempt to take Yuzu away from the man with the doll. He shifted back into his original form and shoved Ichigo aside. Ichigo grabbed the back of his shirt, but Miku had already made his move. A knife went into Uryu's hand as he tried to grab Yuzu, pinning him to a tree. Byakuya kept going even with a knife in his shoulder.

The man with the doll wrapped his arms around Yuzu and tried to run from him.

Miku shifted back into Byakuya and pulled himself from Ichigo's grasp. He wedged himself between Byakuya and the man, his arms out to either side. Byakuya did not care that the man before him was a perfect reflection. He still attacked. Miku moved slightly to one side to avoid being hit by the sword, but he remained between them.

Byakuya saw the man with the doll fleeing the area and attempted to block his path. "Hado 31, Shakaho."

The blast stopped the man in his tracks, holding Yuzu tightly to his chest.

Miku looked to make sure they were unharmed, then looked at Byakuya. Then he looked to the side and grinned. He raised his hand and said, "Hado 31, Shakaho."

To everyone's great surprise, it worked. The blast shot from Miku's palm and went straight for Rukia.

Byakuya turned his head briefly to make sure she got out of the way in time. Rukia barely made it but she did with only some singed clothing.

Then Byakuya felt a stabbing pain in his stomach. Miku had used two knives to injure the Captain. Despite the wound, Byakuya kept fighting.

When Miku tried to stab him again, Ichigo stepped in to blindside him. He shoved Miku into a tree and tried to cut off his arm but he blocked Ichigo's sword. Uryu fired at Miku, keeping him from moving too far from where Ichigo stood.

Miku watched helplessly as Ichigo pressed him into the tree. Ichigo followed his gaze, seeing Byakuya and Uryu both attempt to grab Yuzu from the man. Miku couldn't get away from Ichigo and even if he did, Rukia was right beside him along with Orihime. Renji stood and rushed to offer backup to his Captain and Uryu.

Miku was out muscled and outnumbered. The man with the doll couldn't fight all three men rushing towards him.

Ichigo watched, grateful that it would all be over soon. They did it. His friends were enough to get Yuzu back. These two men wouldn't win this round.

He could feel his joy beginning to rise as Byakuya got closer, reaching for Yuzu with both arms. Renji backed him up, sword in hand in case the man fought back and Uryu was there as additional muscle. He couldn't wait to have her back. He had to see it happen. He wanted to watch the moment she was rescued.

Miku kicked and struggled but Ichigo wouldn't let him go. "It's over," he told Miku. "This time's different."

Miku's eyes widened as he scratched at Ichigo's hands. There was nothing he could do.

The man with the doll saw the trio come closer and curled his body around Yuzu's in a protective manner. He didn't want them to have her.

Byakuya stretched both arms out to grab the small girl. Then suddenly, they were gone. Byakuya's arms were gone.

"What?!"

Byakuya stopped just short of Yuzu, realizing he couldn't pick her up anymore. His foot stepped on something and he looked down. It was one of his arms.

Renji turned, staring at the nubs sticking out of Byakuya's elbows. "How did..?"

The next second, Renji was on the ground screaming. Both legs had been chopped off above the knee.

Uryu saw what had happened and raised his weapon to fire. He fired several arrows, then his own arms were sliced off by a scythe attached to a long flexible tentacle.

Ichigo stared open-mouthed at Kenji who had finished cutting up three of his friends.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Ichigo screamed, forgetting all about Miku. He let him go in order to yell at Kenji. "Why did you do that?"

Kenji looked at the pool of blood growing beneath the men calmly before answering.

"I heard what was said."

Ichigo stared, shaking his head in bewilderment. "What?"

Kenji looked at him. "I heard. Once Yuzu is safe, I will be destroyed." Kenji looked back at the men on the ground. "Because of this, I cannot let you succeed."

Mayuri had told Ichigo that once his sister had been rescued, Kenji would be killed. He was only allowed to live because he served a purpose. He was essential for them to get her back. Once she was safe, there was no longer a reason to keep him alive. Kenji must have heard Mayuri say this.

"While it is true that you, Ichigo, helped me stay alive for this long, the fact of the matter is that I am only here to help you complete a task. If your sibling is safe, then there is no longer a reason for me to be kept alive. You had never come so close to succeeding before, so I did nothing to interfere. If you ever did, I had also decided to take action in order to prolong my life. However, I knew that you would view my action as one of betrayal and therefore, you would not allow me to live either because I would not serve properly. I would sabotage the mission."

Kenji saw Orihime and Rukia standing nearby, but did nothing. He saw Miku inch away from Ichigo and did nothing about it.

"I have considered my options," Kenji went on. "While you were able to convince the Soul Reapers not to kill me, your words no longer carry any weight. After what I have done, no one would allow me to live. Even if I did not commit this act, I would still be killed. I am only living now because I serve a purpose. Once your sibling is rescued, I have no purpose. Not to the Soul Reapers. However, though those two did willingly leave me behind, they never attempted to kill me and they have no reason to. I have concluded that between the two groups, I am more likely to live longer alongside Miku and the other man."

"You're switching sides?" asked Orihime, shocked.

"To be clear, I was never on anyone's side. I merely chose the group and path that would benefit me most. Now that group has changed." Kenji walked closer to the man with the doll.

"You can't do this!" Ichigo screamed at him. "Why would you-"

"I have already explained. This seemed most logical. It is nothing personal."

"Nothing personal? We were this close to bringing her back and you blew our chance!" Ichigo took a step forward. "Don't you know how this makes me feel? To have come so close and then you..?"

Kenji stopped momentarily. Turning his head slightly to one side, he said, "She was never any of my concern. I still do not understand why you care."

Ichigo could not form words if he tried. I couldn't even take into consideration that Kenji was not a normal person. He didn't care. He didn't care about any of it.

Seeing what Kenji had done to his friends and how he had prevented all of them from finally saving Yuzu sent Ichigo into a blind rage. To his mind, Kenji was the reason his sister was still in danger. Kenji needed to be eliminated. He had to pay for this.

Roaring, Ichigo picked up his sword and ran behind Kenji, ready to cut him in two.

How could he betray them? Ichigo actually thought they could have been friends. That Kenji was finally making progress but it was all a lie. Kenji still only cared about himself. He could not change.

Ichigo actually thought he could, and maybe that was why his betrayal bothered him so much. It wasn't just about what he had done to his friends and sister. It was because he trusted and believed in him.

He really thought they had a chance. Not just a chance to save Yuzu but a chance for Kenji to…

A blade cut into Ichigo from the side, drawing a line across his stomach and out the front.

It was not Kenji's blade, but Miku's.

Miku stabbed Ichigo's wrists, forcing the sword out of his hands. He kicked Ichigo's wound, knocking him down. From there, he lifted Ichigo's Zanpakuto and plunged it into his chest.

In his fury, Ichigo had lost his sense of hearing. All he could hear was this high-pitched ringing in his ears. He knew he must have been crying out in pain but he couldn't hear himself. He saw his friends coming to help but he couldn't hear them.

He saw Miku dash away and Orihime rush to heal him. He saw Rukia pull the sword from his chest and lay it beside him. Then she ran out of his sight.

Ichigo turned his head, watching Miku and the man carry his sister away while Rukia went after them. He saw her try to stop Kenji, but he separated her hands from her arms with a sickle from his spine. He watched her drop and Kenji slip the blade beneath his skin.

He saw Kenji stop just once to look at him. Kenji's face held no remorse, but something had made him stop. Perhaps it was only to make sure there was no one left to threaten him.

After he locked eyes with Ichigo for several seconds, he turned and walked away.

Ichigo watched his back get smaller and smaller as he followed Miku's group into the horizon.

Ichigo turned his head away, shutting his eyes tightly. He looked at the sky tinted orange by Orihime's healing light and lamented ever helping Kenji in the first place. Ever feeling sorry for him and even that he ever cared about him.

It was in his nature to be helpful. What good did it do him now? The one he was trying to help not only betrayed him, he also helped the enemy. He helped them win again, he helped them escape, and there was no doubt in Ichigo's mind that he would help them fight from this point on.

Why?

Why did he do this to them?

Why did they still have Yuzu?

Why couldn't they get her back?

Why was it this hard?

Why did he ever believe in him?

Why did he ever trust him?

All he could do was scream. In that moment, Ichigo left like he had hit rock bottom. He felt as if he would never win again. He felt like this battle was hopeless.

How much stronger would Miku's group be now that they had Kenji on their side again?

Was this the last time he would ever see Yuzu again?

Why was this battle going this way? Why weren't they strong enough? Why couldn't he win?

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