Chapter 29: Passages
Aizen fingered the Hogyoku lovingly in his hand. "Feeling a bit tired, Kurosaki-kun?" asked Aizen, watching Ichigo, who was still breathing hard. "You see, I did a few experiments with the Hogyoku. I discovered that it can create Vizard, of course. I also discovered that the Hogyoku can be used to manipulate Vizard, to wear them down. Weaken them."
"For her," he continued, glancing at Rukia, who still lay silently where she had fallen, "it's been a wonderful tool to keep her contained. But she hasn't yet gained control over her hollow. Your mastery of your hollow presented me with more of a challenge."
Aizen now rubbed the Hogyoku, and Ichigo felt a wave of dizziness so intense that he had to lean on Zangetsu to remain standing.
"Focus, Kurosaki," Ichigo told himself, "you're stronger than this."
"You know, Aizen, I'm getting really sick of listening to your bullshit," growled Ichigo. "Your zanpakuto won't work on me."
"Ichigo-kun," said Aizen, ignoring Ichigo's outburst, "it is time to open the gate."
"If you open the gate without permission, you will destroy the Soul Society along with every soul that lives in it," said Ichigo.
Aizen smiled at Ichigo. "Before the King created his realm, before the Seireitei was established, there was no distinction between Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society. If I open the gate, the walls that surround and divide the two will be destroyed, and Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society will be reunited. That reunited world will need a king."
"You bastard," said Ichigo in a low voice. He was struggling to maintain his hollow form, and bits of his mask were crumbling as he spoke. He felt so tired. He knew now this was because of the Hogyoku, but he did not know how to combat its effects.
Aizen glanced over his shoulder at Gin. In a flash, Gin was holding Rukia's limp body, his zanpakuto pressed to her heart.
"Let her go," snarled Ichigo.
"I don't think so, Kurosaki Ichigo," said Gin, smirking.
Ichigo moved quickly using shunpo and, with the speed of his bankai, was able to extract Rukia from Gin's grasp. That move, however, used up most of Ichigo's remaining reiatsu. What was left of Ichigo's hollow mask crumbled and then completely disappeared. Aizen's right hand touched the hilt of his zanpakuto.
Ichigo realized immediately that he let himself fall into Aizen's trap. He had allowed himself to be distracted by his concern for Rukia's safety, just as Aizen knew he would. He was completely immobilized. Then, the world around him went white, and he fell to his knees, Rukia's body falling out of his arms and softly to the ground beside him.
Smiling broadly, Aizen drew his zanpakuto and, his eyes full of triumph, plunged it directly into Ichigo's heart. The ground shook slightly, and the air crackled with electricity.
The gate had begun to open.
Author's Note: Please stay tuned for the final chapter and epilogue of my first fan fic! I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. Thanks to all you readers for your support and encouragement. Special thanks to the Old Narcissistic Hags (you rule, ladies!) and my own personal beta reader, Bob Malkin. I couldn't have done it without you! -Lex
