Thanks to Antex- The Legendary Zoroark and Bubbles975 fore reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Chapter 35: Captured
Yumichika groggily opened his eyes, noticing that he was being carried over someone's shoulder, his hands bound.
This seemed to rouse his attention, bringing more awareness to his being. His vision was filled with white. White walls, white floors…
'All of this white is giving me a headache.'
We have problems.
Yumichika realised that as well. His wrists were bound with seki-seki. Which meant that his spiritual pressure was supressed. He wouldn't be able to fight.
A groan caught his attention. He turned his head to the right, to see someone in a similar position. Someone with pink hair…
'Szayel!'
"Enjoyed your sleep, little Yumi?" a familiar voice taunted.
Yumichika gasped. It would seem that the one that was carrying him was none other than his former killer.
And Szayelapparro was carried by his brother's killer.
Yumichika's head swam when his position was shifted, and he barely managed to adjust when he was suddenly on his feet. Another gasp left his throat when a hand fisted itself in his now long hair.
"Lord Aizen wants to see you," Adesto sneered.
In his peripheral vision, he saw Szayelapporro being adjusted in the same position as he was, a hand also in his hair.
They had no choice but to go with the Sinners.
…
"What the hell happened?!" Nnoitra yelled the moment he joined with the others.
"The Sinners took Yumichika and Szayelapporro," Leva stated.
"Then why didn't you do something?"
She fixed him with a cool eye.
"There are some things that not even we can handle so well," Zeron stated coldly. "We're at home in the darkness. The only one that can handle light in that magnitude is Zaya. But she isn't here, now is she?"
Nnoitra glared at him.
"We have bigger things to worry about," Urahara said. "We need to get all your injuries healed."
His eyes were on Ylfordt, who was clearly suffering from something. He was doubled over, clutching his stomach.
Nagina approached him, and judging from the energy building in her hand, it appeared that she was forming a cero. At the last minute, however, the light faded to reveal an apple.
"Here," she said, giving the apple to Ylfordt, who ate it happily.
"Okay, that's the worst taken care of," Ikkaku said. "Now, let's go and get Yumichika."
"That won't be necessary," Kivara said, letting go of her Resurreccion, a smirk on her face.
"And why not?" Titania asked, also returning to normal.
"Zaya's in Las Noches," Kivara replied. "Now, I have a bone to pick with you."
Nagina and Leva grabbed Kivara by the arms, and Zeron grabbed Kivara around the waist, hoisting her up. The two younger looking girls tried to lunge at each other, shouting curses and insults at each other all the while.
"Three thousand years," Leva said, "and nothing between them changed."
"Actually," Nagina said, "I think they became even more hostile regarding each other."
…
Biarce shuddered.
They were leading their prisoners towards the throne room, but his mind remained on his battle with the little girl.
Actually, little demon would be the correct term. He didn't know what kind of ability she possessed, but he could feel its effects slowly drive him insane. He was fortunate that Arianna had grabbed him when she did. Otherwise, he would still be under the effects of the little girl's ability.
And that reminded him. At some point, they needed to get their comrades that died during the battle. They probably returned to Szayelapporro's lab.
Or, they could just return to their assigned room on their own. Less for them to worry about.
…
Baro extended his hand, stroking the head of a Kushanada. He knew all about what had happened, and he knew Zaya's plan. He couldn't help but feel just a little worried, though. Something told him that something unforeseen would happen. What it was, he couldn't tell. He just knew that he felt oddly worried.
…
Aizen smirked, sipping on a cup of tea. In front of him stood Yumihika Ayasegawa and his former Octava, Szayelapporro Granz. It would seem that the Sinners had a successful mission.
"Welcome, mister Ayasegawa," Aizen said. "And welcome back, Szayelapporro."
The two didn't answer, just defiantly avoided his eyes.
Aizen frowned slightly before he stood from his throne, smirk back in place. He descended the steps until he stood in front of Yumichika, who refused to look at him.
He ran his fingers through Yumichika's longer hair, curious as to how something like that could have happened. He noticed, with some glee, that his action made the Soul Reaper shudder.
"You have quite the ability, mister Ayasegawa," Aizen said. "It would be a shame for it to be put to waste, especially in that squad of yours. I wonder, what would Zaraki say if he knew the true power you possessed?"
Yumichika exhaled sharply.
"I would rather see it 'go to waste' than have it used by the likes of you," Yumichika responded.
Aizen didn't falter, knowing that something like that would come. He didn't expect the third seat to willingly allow his power to be controlled by Aizen. The sword hung at his waist, but being bound by seki-seki, it posed no threat.
"I think we can change that," Aizen said. "How are you handling that Hollow of yours?"
He saw Yumichika swallow nervously.
"We manage just fine," Yumichika said.
"I look forward to seeing that for myself," Aizen said, before he moved towards Szayelapporro. "You know, I'm disappointed in you. I can imagine Nnoitra betraying me, but you?"
Szayelapporro didn't answer, and he still avoided eye contact with Aizen.
"I know of a way for you to make it up to me," Aizen said. "I would like you to open the Gates of Hell once again."
Szayelapporro gasped and looked at Aizen. The former captain smirked in victory. Szayelapporro shook his head.
"No," he whispered. "I won't."
"Adesto," Aizen said, "perhaps we should get Ylfordt."
Szayelapporro's eyes widened, and Aizen chuckled.
"I'll give you one day to decide," Aizen said. "In the meantime, I'll confiscate your Zanpakuto." He turned to Yumichika. "Both of them. Now, I'll have Ulquiorra show you to your room."
Out of the shadows, the fourth Espada made an appearance. He didn't miss the glare that the two prisoners shot toward the stoic Arrancar.
"One more thing…" Aizen said.
…
"I think it's time that we get going," Zeron said, opening a garganta, the squirming Titania still in his arms.
"I think that's a good idea," Leva said. She and Nagina were also still holding onto Kivara.
Zeron nodded his head, and walked through the garganta.
It was only when the garganta disappeared that Kivara seemed to calm down.
"And what are we supposed to do?" Nnoitra demanded.
"You are going to rest," Nagina said, letting go of Kivara. "Right now, there is no threat. You're just going to have to be patient."
…
Szayelapporro and Yumichika walked behind Ulquiorra. The bonds were removed, instead being replaced by a spirit-restraining collar. The two couldn't use the opportunity to escape.
"An interesting fact," Ulquiorra suddenly said, startling the other two, especially Szayelapporro. "Voids have a different spiritual wavelength than any other beings. Something that represses the spiritual pressure of, say, a Soul Reaper wouldn't work on a Void."
He looked over his shoulder to see the shocked expressions of the two captives. He turned his attention back to the front.
"For those that are only part Void," he continued, "in order to be able to fight back, they would have to dig deep and access the part of them that is a Void."
"Why are you telling us this?" Szayelapporro asked.
Ulquiorra sighed.
"The Diablos have a habit of playing with others, including their allies. But while they would occasionally put their allies in danger, they would be especially careful of those that are their own kind. No matter what, a Void is under the protection of the Diablos. Including semi-Voids, such as the three of us."
The gasps of surprise were completely expected. And the rest of the trip down the halls continued in silence.
…
Grimmjow growled.
Szayelapporro had been captured and brought back to Las Noches, along with a Soul Reaper that had caught Aizen's attention. And as far as Grimmjow knew, Ylfordt had not been brought back.
He was worried for his former Fraccion. At least with Szayelapporro, he was guaranteed at least some form of protection for Ylfordt. But now, the elder Granz was with Nnoitra, someone he didn't particularly trust.
Except for that one incident…
He scowled. On one hand, he was thankful that Ylfordt was where he couldn't easily be harmed by Delgato, while on the other hand, he was worried now that Ylfordt didn't have any other protection, unless Nnoitra decided to be merciful.
And besides, he was lonely without any of his Fraccion.
…
"Who exactly was he?" Yumichika asked.
The two prisoners had been given a single room with two beds. There was an outfit set aside for Yumichika, but he refused to touch it.
"Ulquiorra," Szayelapporro sighed. "Fourth Espada. He's stronger than both me and Nnoitra. And he isn't one for small talk. But, as to the link with the Voids…"
"Do you think that he might have been one in another life?" Yumichika asked. "Like Titania."
"That is an interesting question. I'm not sure. But he seemed to know about the two of us being part Void."
"And it almost seemed as though he was giving us a specific message," Yumichika said.
"Ulquiorra's extremely loyal to Aizen. I don't think he would just betray him."
"But what if he had incentive? What if someone even more important to him than Aizen asked him to help us?"
"And who could that be?"
…
Zaya watched from the shadows. She may not have Leva's or Nagina's ability, but she knew how to make herself unnoticeable. She knew how to hide.
And when Ulquiorra passed her, he knew to nod. The message had been conveyed. Now, the two traitors had to make their move.
…
Gin was, as always, grinning broadly as he walked down the halls of Las Noches. He had some interesting information stored inside, and he knew just who to share it with.
…
"I think it's time for me to leave as well," Nagina said. "Someone has to raise Hell in Las Noches."
"Another plague?" Leva asked.
"Oh yeah. One that no one would want to approach."
…
Fawkes, Gweedix, Lazaria and Rudolphus grumbled when they finally stepped outside. They had been reborn at the lab, and they were not particularly happy.
"When I get my hands on those Vizards…" Lazaria huffed.
"I see you're upset," Fawkes said. "At least you only have this one time."
"Oh yeah," Rudolphus chuckled. "This is the second time this has happened to you."
Fawkes glared at him, but said nothing.
"That blonde was pure evil," Gweedix huffed. "She poisoned me at the beginning of the battle, and then she played with me to make the poison go through my system faster. And then she did something else that killed me anyway."
"Come on," Lazaria sighed. "I'm sure we'll hear an earful from Adesto."
…
Adesto was lying on his bed, a wide smirk on his face. He finally had his target within his grasp. And now, it was time for them to go on with their goals. They needed to get more of their own out of Hell. Then, they needed to replace the Espada with Sinners. And then, they needed to get Aizen out of the picture.
He frowned, though, when thoughts of the so-called 'Diablos' came to mind. He had never heard of them while in Hell, and he found it just a little hard to believe that they had as much power as suggested they have.
However, thoughts of the battles came to mind. He had seen Gweedix's difficulty with his opponent, who was supposedly a Diablos. Rudolphus also had problems with his opponent. And then there was that one opponent of Wrok, who didn't even react when her neck was almost severed. And then there was that opponent of Atrocitus, who seemed to radiate influence, without even trying.
And then they didn't even meet the most powerful yet.
He was startled, however, when he felt something move across his body. He looked down to see scorpions, an emerald green of colour.
And he screamed in pain when its stinger broke his skin.
…
Zaya smirked when Nagina sidled up next to her. They could hear the various screams through the fortress.
"Nice," Zaya said.
"Thank you," Nagina said. "Wait until you see what effect the scorpions have."
"I'm looking forward to it."
…
To say that he was unhappy would be an understatement. Furious, confused, and generally upset.
Grimmjow stared at Gin, not sure what he was saying. And for a change, Gin didn't have that infuriating smile on his face. And his eyes were open. That was the first hint of danger, according to Grimmjow.
"You're suggesting treason?" Grimmjow repeated. He had to make sure.
"I guess I am," Gin said. "I know what Aizen is planning. He wants to open the Gates of Hell again."
Grimmjow's breath hitched.
"And that's why we need to get Szayelapporro out of here," Gin continued. "He's the only one that knows how that machine of his works. And I would like to get Yumichika out of here as well. First of all, I don't like the fact that he is in the same building as his killer. Secondly, his Zanpakuto has the ability to drain his opponent's spiritual pressure. In the hands of Aizen…"
Grimmjow nodded his head, understanding fully what Gin was saying.
But to betray Aizen… There was a risk that things would not work out so well. In fact, the possibility of ending up dead was extremely high. And he didn't want to know what else Aizen had in store.
But thoughts drifted back to his Fraccion. They were killed because Grimmjow took them on an unauthorized trip to the Human World. Something like treason would more than likely get another punishment.
But a voice at the back of his mind nagged at him that Nnoitra was still fine, even after betraying Aizen and helping out the Soul Reapers.
"One more thing," Gin said. "Aizen made sure that no one would be able to open a garganta within the walls of Las Noches. In other words, we need to go outside before we can get out of Heuco Mundo, and to safety."
Grimmjow sighed.
"Then I guess we need to make sure that we aren't caught."
…
Szayelapporro sat with his head in his hands. He dreaded doing what Aizen wanted him to do. But he feared what Aizen would do if he didn't do what he was told.
'I need to protect him,' Szayelapporro thought. 'I can't let Ylfordt down. Not again.'
"Ylfordt's in danger, isn't he?" Yumichika asked.
Szayelapporro nodded his head.
"We need to get out of here," Yumichika said. "I don't want Ruri'iro Kujaku's power to be used by Aizen."
"And I don't want any more of them to be released," Szayelapporro said. "I wonder, did Ulquiorra have a point? Could we possibly escape by using the part of us that is Void?"
"Only one way to find out."