21.
Rukia's ears and eyes focused on the sound of blankets rustling beside her.
She stared blankly at the person in front of her. The last thing she could remember was Aizen and Gin laughing triumphantly…and then dancing with them both. Rukia put a hand to her head, wincing at the headache she found there.
Her eyes began to focus on the smiling man in front of her…Ichimaru. What was he doing beside her, in bed? Why was he even there at all…?
She looked down at herself and noticed her naked body for the first time. A quick, blushing glance showed that Gin was also naked.
"Are you feeling better, Rukia dear?" Ichimaru asked softly, stroking her cheek. His silver hair held a hypnotic glow in the moonlight.
Rukia flinched at his touch for a moment, then, for some reason, she curled up closer to him, her cheeks flushed. She couldn't speak—her mind was still attempting to work out the "hows" and "whys" of the situation.
She suddenly noticed that one of her hands had grasped Ichimaru's hand, and was holding it tightly. She hadn't wanted to do that.
She wasn't in control of her body…
Ichimaru gave a little pout and chucked her under the chin. "Now, Rukia dear, you shouldn't look so down. Unless, of course, you still need…?" He let the sentence hang, running one long, delicate finger along her cheek.
Rukia couldn't move. She felt as though snakes were crawling over her body—the same feeling she had always had around Ichimaru. Without any warning, her mouth opened and answered the question for her:
"Please, Uncle Gin."
UNCLE Gin?! Why did I call him that? Rukia thought, panicked, as Ichimaru smiled and lifted himself up onto his elbows.
Watch and learn, Shirayuki spoke from deep within her. Relax. After he falls asleep, we can make our escape, according to Zangetsu and Zabimaru.
What do you—? Rukia began to ask, but decided instead to focus on what was going on…
And with a shudder, she noted Ichimaru's hands were ice cold.
--
"…And so, that is how I ended up here." Mr. Kuchiki finished, his gaze fierce. "They used my affection for Rukia against me, and so imprisoned me here."
Renji nodded slowly in understanding. "But why use us this way?" He paused. "We've been lied to?" he barked incredulously, surprised at the harshness of his voice.
Izuru piped up "Because they want you to stay. I think…they rather like us." He stared down at his hands. He looked frightened.
"But how can you say that? Why are we acting differently all of a sudden…especially Rukia? How do you know all this, Izuru? What makes you think they like us? Are you sure they're our enemies?"
Izuru looked from Renji to Mr. Kuchiki.
"For some reason, I still have partial control over my mind."