Ichigo stood before the Senkeimon with Soifon diligently at his back.
"You know, I generally help out when there is a crisis."
"There is no crisis, Kurosaki. Now go home."
"Alright, I'm going, but I'm telling you there are some serious problems-"
The doors to his world shook violently and all over the land they felt the ripple of combined spiritual pressure from Sokyoku hill.
"That was...all of them." Ichigo whispered. Soifon had her sword out at once, she turned to him.
"Stay with me."
There was no time for him to even consider how much she was contradicting herself, he just nodded. "I've got your back."
"Let's go."
"TOSHIRO!" Grimmjow stood with the boy when he started laughing. "I have to get him away from here."
Toshiro's laughter stopped abruptly and he looked hard at Grimmjow. "Like you said, Grimmjow," he raised his hand with the restraining bracelet on it, "Predictable."
A tiny hand clamped over his heart, or rather, the place where it ought to be. But instead of a bundle of muscles pumping blood into his body, it was an empty space where Aizen had once found refuge, where the shards of Hyorinmaru and Kyoka Suigetsu had been hidden, had ripped from him. And now that warm palm over the rough scars froze the King of Hueco Mundo where he stood.
Because he realized their mistake.
The Hogyoku's powers flowed into him unhampered. It had calculated everything, and as it flowed into him, he knew its thoughts as much as it knew his.
He hadn't been talking to Aizen at all. He'd been talking to the other half of the Hogyoku housed in Aizen's body. And it had considered every outcome, every reaction, every emotion that would lead to this moment.
It had manipulated Grimmjow into fearing a certain outcome, that the Head Captain then read. It had all made sense. And it got what it really wanted. The only thing holding it back was Hyorinmaru. Now that barrier was gone. But it didn't want Toshiro's body, not one bound by a spiritual bond,no, it wanted this one. In fact, it wanted Grimmjow from the start.
The Soul Reapers had restored their memories, everyone was back the way they used to be, powered by their own emotions, ambitions, loyalties, love. But not Grimmjow. He was practically a blank slate, his desires simple. And because of these simple desires- because there was one person in this world he would die to protect- he did nothing to stop the Hogyoku's powers from flowing into him, because it meant they were leaving his friend.
Brilliant light blinded Toshiro. It felt like his chest was going to explode, and then the feeling passed, he was standing on his own two feet, but before him stood someone he did not recognize.
"You moved into him." He said softly, seeing the golden glint in the espada's eyes. Grimmjow's face broke into a feral grin and he lifted his casted arm. A quick motion and the cast shattered down. He barked out a laugh at the power and stooped to pick up Pantera.
"You are the perfect vessel." He laughed aloud.
Grimmjow had lost sight of the boy before him, of any of it and he found himself trapped deep inside himself, surrounded by a foreign power.
"I controlled you once." He shouted at the raging entity around him.
Because I let you. The voice hissed back. He tried to reach out beyond the barrier, but sharp pain stopped him, Don't make me hurt you, you are my favourite, after all.
"Captain, get back." Rangiku warned, the closest to them. Grimmjow sneered at her before looking at the boy captain.
"If Hyorinmaru were present, I'd rip him a new one for keeping me locked away so long. Did you know how much he protects you, little camptain? So much so you didn't even know I was there." He stooped menacingly to come eye to eye with Toshiro. "You know, I don't think anyone else here has as strong a bond as you do with your zanpakuto. In fact, I don't think they appreciate it. They call you child prodigy, well, you could have done amazing things with that power of yours, Toshiro- that is, if you had lived long enough."
All the Hogyoku did was release his power. One massive flare that shot through the powerless boy before him. No on in Soul Society was able to move fast enough. No one could reach the boy before he fell. Teal eyes went wide. And then they shut. And his body made a quiet thud as it hit the ground. Grimmjow grinned and faced the crowd.
"Toshiro Hitsugaya is dead. Now, who's next?"
There was no sound more anguished than the tears of the 10th division lieutenant. It was the only sound on the hill for several long, wretched moments as she held her captain's body to her chest.
Unoahana raised her sword first, watching the pair at Grimmjow's feet.
"Oh don't worry, sister," he smiled, "I'm not to going to kill a sobbing woman. She's just too pathetic." His eyes flashed over the crowd, as if choosing who to fight. But he smirked and jumped just before the two struck at his back.
"Ichigo Kurosaki." He shot forward and grabbed his robes. "But it's not you I want to fight."
Yellow light flared, Ichigo grabbed his face and cried out. The two broke apart when Soifon swung at Grimmjow. Ichigo hit the ground hard, hands still on his face. Beneath them porcelain shone out brightly and his voice was that hollow echo. "Dammit." He stood up, in Vizard form. A small figure pushed her way past the other Soul Reapers before him.
"Ichigo!"
"I'm okay Rukia." The hollow voice rolled out. He shook his head and the mask dissipated. "But if he'd held on longer he would have called my hollow out."
"Then you can't let him get near you."
Ichigo turned his eyes back to the fight in the sky. "I know."
Soifon took a blow, but Kyoraku was there to counter the next hit. The captains were shooting into the sky, but Ichigo's eyes followed the sobs back to the ground and he watched Rangiku.
"He can't really be gone."
Rukia followed his gaze. "Grimmjow is dead now too. He'll never come back after that, he won't want to."
"I don't want to believe it, but I think you're right." Ichigo breathed. "We have to kill him."
"They can't kill Aizen, even with his powers sealed."
"Then we have to seal his powers. Where do you get one of those bracelets?"
"The only one I know of is around Captain Hitsugaya's wrist."
There wasn't a mark on his body. He was perfect, there was no other word for it. His beautiful snowy hair. His boyish face with that serious scowl that made her laugh more than it made her obey orders. His body so strong yet so delicate. A power so great yet so young.
"You can't be dead." She whispered to the body.
"Lieutenant Matsumoto."
The Head Captain knelt before her. He didn't try to take the boy from her, but reached to his wrist.
"It was my shortsightedness that led to this." He whispered the words and the band fell off. "Take him away from this place."
"Where?" She sobbed out.
"Somewhere cold." His old fingers reached out and touched her cheek. Her face rose with his guidance and she saw a rare kindness in those ancient orbs. "The Hogyoku is right. He shares a bond with Hyorinmaru greater than we understood or appreciated. And I think, maybe the bond between you and your captain is the same way." His other hand came to rest against her captain's neck and her face broke when she realized he was checking for a pulse. "Go, and perhaps those two bonds are strong enough to bring him back."
Her tear stained face was gone from his grasp the moment the words left his mouth. She would not waste one precious moment if there was still a chance.
She ran with all the speed she could muster. She left that hill of carnage without a second glance. And she kept running until her feet touched water and she sank to her knees in the frigid waters of the river far away from the Seireitei. A place her captain had escaped to from time to time. A place he came to speak with Hyorinmaru when the squad was too noisy or the paperwork too high. And as far as she knew, she was the only person he'd brought here as well, to share this one quiet spot in all the chaos.
His body floated in her arms, the teal underside of his haori shimmering just beneath the surface of the water. But his own zanpakuto was no where to be found. She lifted shaking fingers to his neck, feeling for that sign the Head Captain must have felt, but no pulse pushed back against her fingers.
"No, captain. No you can't be dead. You can't leave me. You are my captain, mine! And I love you! I waited for you. All that time. All that long year that I kept the Soul Society going, brought back memories and erased pains, gave orders and took care of everyone- I did it all so that it would be there, waiting for you when you came back! And you did. It was the happiest day of my life. And ever since then it seems there is always something threatening to take you away again. But I won't let it! You hear me, Toshiro Hitsugaya! The universe can't have you because you are needed here! I need you! Momo needs you! And right now, Grimmjow needs you more than he ever has. And if any good came out of that cataclysm, then it was that I spent all those months healing, and I got pretty damn well good at it. So maybe, if there is any good left in this universe, maybe the reason for that, the reason for it all, was so at this very moment I would have the power to save you."
Her arms folded around his body and she gave him everything she had because he was her captain and where he went, she followed. If she died trying to save him, she would simply be fulfilling her duties.
The Head Captain rose from the place where Rangiku and Toshiro had just been, fingers gripping the slender band and eyes turning upward to the battle.
"You must keep your distance, Ichigo Kurosaki." he said, acknowledging the teen who had approached, Rukia just behind him.
"What was that right now? Is there a chance he's still alive?"
"If he'd been killed, his body would have disappeared before us, you know that. It is up to Rangiku Matsumoto to save him now. But you and I have to focus on him." His eyes were locked on the impossibly fast espada tearing through the captains above.
"How do we get the band on him?"
"You cannot. He will try to bring out your inner hollow any chance he gets. But you could distract him."
"Fair enough."
Rukia watched Ichigo go, wishing she would be more of a help than a hindrance.
"Rukia Kuchki."
"Yes Head Captain."
"Take this to your brother." She took the slender band in surprise to be entrusted with such a responsibility. "I believe he may possess the speed required for such a task.
"Yes sir."
She disappeared. Yamamoto didn't track her, she wouldn't even touch the Hogyoku's radar she posed so little threat, so the band would no doubt be safe in her care. He heard another wail from Ichigo's hollow and knew it was time he join the battle.
"You killed him." Grimmjow could see nothing past the blaze of power all around him. But despite being blocked off from the real world, the Hogyoku's words and his glee told him all he needed to know. "YOU KILLED HIM!" He screamed in rage and despair and threw himself into the boiling power. It shoved him back into his prison at the centre of it's fury and he collapsed in empty space to his knees.
You have no reason to fight me anymore. Your sole purpose for living is gone.
Grimmjow raised his head. The Hogyoku had no face or form but the raging power around him but he looked up as if he was looking it right in the eye. And then he smiled.
"Exactly." And he hurled himself into the raging power once more.
Ichigo gasped as the mask faded away again. His heart raced, he'd been on the verge of panic for a moment when he thought maybe the balance had tipped too far. But when he look up, he saw his opponent hesitate and sort of flinch, as if he'd been injured. But as of yet, Grimmjow was untouched. Still, as Ichigo watched, Grimmjow landed back on solid ground and grabbed his chest.
"Damn you." The Hogyoku hissed through borrowed lips.
"Grimmjow!" Ichigo shot down next to him. "Hey Grimmjow, fight it!"
"Oh don't be so naive." The dark voice snarled. "He can't get out, he's just being annoying."
He swung again but whatever struggle Grimmjow was putting up slowed the Hogyoku's movements and Soifon's sword managed to slide across his back. He growled and turned faster than she'd expected, catching her with the back of his hand and following up with a sweep of his sword. Twin blades shot out just in time to knock Pantera sideways and save Soifon.
Grimmjow glowered and aimed a cero at Ukitake. Ichigo went for his back again but had to dodge when the other moved faster than he thought, releasing his cero and reaching for Ichigo again.
"What's the matter?" He taunted, rolling with Ichigo and getting his hand around his neck. "Afraid of what I can make you into? I can make you so much stronger. And I would love to kick his ass for thinking he could use me."
This time Ichigo really did think his hollow would escape, maybe even return in espada form, but a ring of fire sprung up around them and flames shot out at Grimmjow. He flashed away, leaving Ichigo the only victim of their heat but they quickly retreated when the Head Captain himself appeared.
"Ah, the real showdown." Grimmjow smiled and Ichigo was reminded so much of their battle in Hueco Mundo, the madness in him that day. Yamamoto and Grimmjow clashed swords. Ichigo hovered, not sure he could get past the flames on his own and not sure what he should be doing. He saw no sign of the black band but the Head Captain must have a plan.
It didn't take long. They traded blows for only a few moments before orange flame turned to pink blossoms of death and Ichigo had no where to run when the two collided in a deadly combination.
He came out unscathed, however, he was not the target. Flames and blades converged on Grimmjow, forcing him in one direction. And that was where Byakuya was waiting. Perhaps the fastest of the captains, he held the black band in one hand, his sword hilt in the other, and drove Grimmjow into his oncoming force.
There seemed to be an explosion of pink and then the power was gone. Byakuya and Gimmjow both hung in the air for a long moment, and no one could really see what happened. Then a deep curse dropped from Grimmjow's lips and everyone's heart leapt in hope.
"Dammit. That was close."
Byakuya tilted to one side and the damage became clear. Grimmjow shook Pantera and slid it free from the captain's body, letting him drop unceremoniously to the ground. Grimmjow dropped too, landing on his feet but torso slick with countless wounds from the miniature blades and the scorching flames.
"Go to sleep, Grimmjow." Ichigo just barely heard the Hogyoku whisper. After a moment he jolted and stood up straight, that smile was plastered over his face once more. "That's better." It seemed any hope of help from Grimmjow was now gone.
The possessed espada surveyed the remaining Soul Reapers, he still had a battle on his hands and his body was soaked in blood. He looked at Pantera and frowned slightly. "Enough work for one day. Let's get this over with." He slid the blade into its sheath and flashed his pearly grin. "It's a good night for a reunion, don't you think?"
Before anyone could react he was gone. There was an explosion near the centre of the hill and when they all saw the gaping hole they knew where he'd gone.
"You have finally returned to me." Aizen gloated when he saw Grimmjow land in the darkness before him. But it was the Hogyoku and not his espada who smiled back.
"Aizen, I am surprised my other half let's you speak. Or was it playing games with you too? Did it not tell you our plans?"
The man strapped in the chair before him did not frown or smile but glared at his former power source. "You have travelled a long way to be reunited inside of me. All you have to do is break this seal."
"He didn't! Oh dear, how upsetting for you, Aizen. No, this seal, I think it can stay exactly where it is. I will just be taking back the rest of my soul."
"What? Ridiculous. You would never chose a weaker form."
"I didn't want to be controlled, Aizen. You know that I'm not loyal like that. I only fused with you for the power. But your will was too demanding, to controlling. I want my own vessel, and this one was pretty easy to void. Grimmjow was practically empty, and because you chose to hide in him he's also compatible. You're creation became my perfect host. So thanks, pops, for the new ride, enjoy eternity without me."
His palm came up to Aizen's chest. The body in the chair lurched. All that Aizen had left was sucked out of him, inglorious, an ugly feat really. Brown locks fell into cold eyes. He looked up, breath uneven, a look of rare confusion on his face as he stared into the eyes of the most powerful being in the universe.
"By choosing him, you chose death. You can only achieve immortality with me." The Shinigami traitor argued between laboured breaths.
"Tell you what, just in case you're right, I'll let you live."
Grimmjow's aura was completely gone now. His body was practically glowing, his eyes so brilliant they were nearly blinding. He flashed a grin and burst onto the world above.
He saw everything. The beings around him moved so slowly to his eyes. He waltzed among them, their god, their lives in his hands. But he stopped before the ancient commander and drew his blade.
"You once tried to kill Grimmjow. Consider this payback."
Rukia knelt over her brother's body, trying to stop the bleeding, but he was more concerned about pressing the small bracelet into her hand.
"Take it, Rukia. Forget about me, take it to a captain."
"Brother-" But then she felt the explosion of power, twin forces reuniting into one, awesome, whole. She didn't even see Grimmjow until he was in front of the Head captain, and by then she knew something was terribly wrong. The Head Captain slumped forward and Grimmjow caught him in a false embrace, his voice echoing out for all to hear over the Hill.
"For all your power and all your soul reapers and all your promises, you die at hollow hands. Rest in peace you bastard."
Grimmjow let the commander slide to the ground, hands trying to hold together a wound in his stomach that threatened to let go and spill organs all around. Blood soaked into the earth and others tried to move to help him but a flare of power sent them flat and the beast before them would not let them near.
"Watch him die, and know you can do nothing. You are helpless. You are weak. And you are now under my control."
Rukia gasped out, one hand closed over the black ring, the other still trying to cover her brother's wound. "If the Head Captain dies..." She swallowed and looked over the crowd. "Who is going to stop him?"
Thanks for the reviews, the battle continues next chapter!
Riza