Ichigo felt alive, like there was a constant electrical charge coaxing each one of his nerves into action. Energy, like he had never felt before, pulsed in his blood, leaving a constant, comforting hum. It was better than adrenaline. Everything seemed clearer; his ears capable of picking up even the quietest of whispers, his sight able to amplify all of the colors that made a whole, and he could even feel every tiny fiber that made up the hilt of his sword beneath his fingertips. There was also the speed, city lights blurring as he flitted by, almost completely undetectable to the humans he passed. He couldn't ever remember feeling like this. His body felt like it was on fire, but instead of burning his skin, it was just enough warmth to ease away the icy fingers of death that had almost pulled him under.

Grip tightening around the hilt to his sword, honey brown eyes turned towards the man who had caused all of this. Who had taken his life and toyed with it until he'd had his fill and left him for dead. He couldn't remember much from those last, fleeting moments in the sorcerer's grasp, but he did remember Kaien. He remembered the vampire trying to help him, bringing him straight to Shirosaki's doorstep. If it hadn't been for the raven haired vampire, he wouldn't be here.

Aizen's face was a cold, emotionless mask as those dark brown eyes bore into his own, and Ichigo curled his upper lip, letting the sorcerer see what he had become. Ichigo had managed to figure out exactly what Aizen wanted from him, the continuous chatter of disembodied voices inside of his head opening his eyes, and now he was using that to taunt the brunet. Aizen wanted him turned into a vampire, and he'd gotten his wish, but there was no way in hell Ichigo was going to serve that man. A blood lust like no other curled around his still heart, spider-webbing through his veins like liquor that left him drunk with the desire for blood shed.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, Aizen." Ichigo spat, the brunet's name tasting like acid on the tip of his tongue. A slightly condescending smirk curled onto his lips as a dark fire lit in the sorcerer's eyes. He was taunting the man, and he knew the other was very aware of it.

"Easy young one, that man has more tricks up his sleeves."

Gritting his teeth, Ichigo gave a sharp tilt of his head as the voices echoed inside his mind. He knew things were far from over. Aizen was going to be nearly impossible to defeat, but he was determined to make that man pay for what he had done. So many lives had been taken under his name, so many families torn apart. Ochre eyes drifted to gaze at the two vampires who had frozen, along with everyone else, as soon as he'd appeared. Even the soulless creatures had stopped to stare at the young vampire.

Locking gazes with cyan and emerald, he gave the two vampires a reassuring smile before his gaze flitted over to the snowy haired man standing next to him. He longed to reach out to Shirosaki, kiss him stupid, and apologize for how idiotic he had been. He had no one but himself to blame for the predicament he was in and as soon as all of this was over, he was going to show that albino just how much he meant to him.

"I'm just surprised that you lived, is all," Aizen's voice cut through the silence like a sharpened blade, pulling Ichigo's attention back to him, "I have an ultimatum for you if you'd like to hear it."

Ichigo felt the body next to him stiffen, and he moved closer to the albino in order to reassure him. Turning narrowed eyes onto the sorcerer, he grabbed the hilt of his sword with both hands, his eyes erupting with an animalistic fire, "I'd rather get a stake shoved through the heart."

It was almost instantaneous, the icy chill that seemed to seep from the sorcerer, spreading to every corner of the room. The soulless, beady eyed creatures gave off a piercing wail that had shivers sliding along Ichigo's spine as the grip around his sword tightened. From the corner of his eye, the newly formed vampire watched the others spread throughout the room, circling the creatures and preparing for the blood bath sure to ensue.

"Then you shall die with the rest." Aizen's voice was a low hiss as the full force of the anger behind those dark brown eyes burned into Ichigo's very soul. With a quick wave of his hand, the stunned silence was lifted and everything was in motion again. One of the creatures lunged straight for Grimmjow, the bluenet catching it by the throat, sharpened claws digging into the skin as he lifted the thing off its feet. The creature gave off a loud wail, its boney hands clawing at the one latched around its throat, trying to pry itself free. Blue eyes swam like liquid fire as Grimmjow threw it full force into a wall, creating a large crater that cracked the brick up to the ceiling.

Next to the bluenet, Ulquiorra had swung his sword, beheading three of the creatures who were about to pounce on him, spraying their blackened blood into the air as their heads rolled precariously over the cement ground, lifeless eyes staring at nothing in particular. Everyone else had jumped into the fray, weapons drawn and fangs bared, ready to put their lives on the line in order to put a stop to the madness the mayor had created. One of the creatures had latched onto Halibel's back, clawing at her face trying to blind her. The busty blonde let out a deep growl that could rival a lion's before reaching back to grab a fistful of the creature's hair and yanked it forward, slamming it onto the ground before driving sharpened nails up and under the things ribs, grabbing onto its heart and yanking.

Ichigo had never seen so much blood spilled in a matter of seconds, a sight that should have made him sick, but the animal inside was begging for more. It wanted to be a part of the battle, to spill blood and defeat the enemy. Ochre eyes flashed gold as Ichigo took a step forward, prepared to drive his sword into the creature that was sneaking up on Kisuke. The blonde had his hands full with five others, unaware of the one sneaking up behind him. Before he could get more than a few feet away, the orange head's path was blocked by Aizen's right-hand man, those milky gray eyes boring into his own. Gritting his teeth, Ichigo lunged forward, intent on plunging his blade into the man's chest, only to have it blocked and a fist jammed into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

"Ichigo!" Shirosaki's cry was a dull murmur against the heated whispers in his head along with the blood pulsing in his brain.

"Kill him!"

"Don't hold back, you know what to do!"

Years of instinct and knowledge from his ancestors swarmed Ichigo's mind, making him blink repeatedly to keep a clear head. It wouldn't do to lose focus now. With a practiced ease that should have taken years to master, Ichigo disappeared from in front of the dark skinned man, making him pause to look around. Reappearing behind the man, Ichigo drove his sword forward, managing to create a deep gash along the other's back before he realized what was happening and spun out of the way. Blood tainted the blade of his sword, the crimson river flowing down to the hilt to stain his fingers.

A dark grin split onto Ichigo's lips as he quickly lunged forward again, managing to nick Tousen's neck before he spun inwards, sweeping his leg and knocking the man off his feet. Driving his sword down, Tousen barely moved out of the way, the tip of the blade piercing into the ground next to his head. The dark-skinned man's fists flew out randomly as if hoping to find purchase on skin. Catching one of the flying fists, Ichigo slammed it down onto the ground, the sound of bones breaking beneath his grip as clear as a twig snapping next to his ear.

"Arrrgh!" Tousen groaned out, blood trickling down the side of his neck as his fingers twitched helplessly.

Leaning down, Ichigo's grip tightened around the other's wrist as he whispered heatedly, "I'm going to enjoy killing you. I've seen what you've done, now and in the past. The lives you've taken for no reason at all."

The other's lips trembled, choking as he tried to speak, only to have the words come out in a murmur too low for even a vampire to hear. Ichigo watched as the man swallowed thickly before he opened his mouth again, "A-Aizen...s-said..."

A frown fell onto Ichigo's lips as Tousen began to cough, his lips and teeth stained with the blood that trickled out of his mouth. The wound in his side wasn't closing like it should, making the dark-skinned man's heart beat rapidly in his chest out of fear. Why wasn't he healing, he was supposed to be immortal?

"You've done your part, Tousen. I have no need for your services anymore." Sightless eyes widened in terror as the sorcerer's voice played through his mind, sounding cold and indifferent. A pained whimper fell from trembling lips, making the orange haired vampire above him furrow his brows. "It's time to join your wife where my brother sent her." Realization hit Tousen like a ton of bricks, his entire body falling limp as Aizen's words replayed over and over again in his mind. It was the brunet's brother all along. He'd joined forces with the enemy. All this time, all the people he'd killed...it had all been for nothing.

Ichigo could only watch in a confused sort of awe as trembling fingers reached up to grip the front of his shirt, twisting tight into the bloody fabric to pull him down closer until his nose almost brushed the man's beneath him. Taking a deep breath through his nostrils, the dark-skinned man opened his mouth to whisper, "D-Do it...end it," before shoving Ichigo back. The orange haired vampire stared down at the other with wide eyes before shaking his head and tugging his sword free from the ground. Slowly standing up, the tip of his blade scraping across the cement, Ichigo stared down at the other for one last brief second before plunging his sword into the man's chest. Blood spurted out of the wound, and Ichigo watched in slight horror as the milky substance clouding the man's eyes dissolved, and he was staring into dark nearly black eyes before they rolled back and his body fell limp with death.

Pulling his sword free from the man's chest, a sympathetic expression flashed over Ichigo's face before a high pitched scream of pain had his head whipping around to find a thatch of sea-foam green hair near one of the far corners, nearly hidden by the large group of creatures that had swarmed the area. If his heart was still beating, it would have stopped dead. He knew that hair color all too well, his body moving into action as another scream pierced the air. Darting forward, he slashed at anything in his way that wasn't a vampire and an ally, dropping numerous bodies at his feet.

About halfway to his destination, Ichigo paused as a blur of black went speeding by him, and he watched Nnoitra reach the large group of creatures, reaching forward to yank them back away from their prey. The raven haired vampire's one good violet eye flashed venomously as he barged his way through, and Ichigo pressed forward to watch the lanky man's back as he tried to rescue Nel. Behind them the battle continued, countless angry yells filling the air, mixing with the clash of swords against bone.

All of this was lost on Ichigo as Nnoitra finally managed to push his way through, revealing Nel huddled as close to the wall as she could manage, her clothes torn and countless scratches littering the visible skin, staining it with blood. Trembling, watery chocolate brown eyes lifted to stare up at the lanky man hovering over her, and without hesitation, she flung herself at the man, letting him shield her from anymore harm.

With Nel safe, Ichigo turned to face the rest of the battle, surprised to find that the number of those gray skinned creatures had lessened to only a few dozen that were quickly falling beneath the fury of the vampires. He watched as Yourichi jumped into the air, flipping to bring her foot down hard on one of the thing's heads, smashing it face first into the ground before landing and darting off to help Kisuke take down a few more. It amazed him to be able to see each movement made even though they were moving at a speed that a human would never be able to follow.

In a matter of minutes, the last of the creatures had fallen at the hands of Ulquiorra who had grabbed onto its throat, using his bare hands to yank its head clear off its shoulders before tossing the head onto the ground. With a moment to catch a breather, everyone regrouped, facing the brown haired sorcerer who hadn't moved during the entire fight. Dark brown eyes burned with hatred as he surveyed the group of beaten, cut, and bloody vampires that had him in their sights.

"It's over Aizen!" Ichigo exclaimed, making the sorcerer turn his gaze directly on him. The orange head didn't like the demonic smirk that curled onto the mayor's lips as he reached a hand into the sleeve of his robe.

"On the contrary, fledgling," Aizen muttered coldly, "It's only just begun." With that said, the sorcerer withdrew his hand, his mother's gold chain hanging from the man's long fingers. Anger burned in Ichigo's blood, making him take a step forward.

"Careful, don't get too close! He's goading you!"

"He wants you to come to him, stay back!"

Even though he longed to drive his sword into the sorcerer's gut, Ichigo stayed back, baring his fangs as his eyes flashed. He knew what that man was capable of, and he never wanted to go through it again.

"You're completely outnumbered! Give in now and we'll make sure your death isn't too painful." Shirosaki barked, moving to stand next to Ichigo. The two shared a look as pale fingers curled with his own.

Aizen didn't say a word, and Ichigo stiffened as fire erupted from his fingertips, snaking down to the chain where it turned the gold to liquid that dropped down onto the ground at his feet. Honey brown eyes went completely black as he watched the last piece he had left of his mother be destroyed in front of him. There was no stopping him anymore, that was the last straw.

Lunging forward, dodging Shirosaki's arm that reached out for him, Ichigo disappeared from view. Everyone was silent as they scanned the room before he reappeared in front of Aizen, his hand latching around the sorcerer's throat. Sharp nails dug into the skin, his other hand reaching up to block as the other swung at him.

"You bastard!" Ichigo snarled, his grip tightening until he was in danger of crushing the sorcerer's windpipe. Blinded by anger, Ichigo didn't notice Aizen's other hand digging into his robes, until something sharp pierced his side, and he glanced down to find a small dagger sticking out of his stomach.

"Ichigo, no!" Shirosaki's cry filled his ears as he dropped the sorcerer to fall into a heap on the ground, taking a staggering step back as he reached a trembling hand up to curl around the blade. Pulling it out, a pained cry fell from his lips. His body felt like it was burning, his insides turning to liquid lava as he fell to his knees. The blade clattered across the ground as he hunched forward, nails digging into the cement. A cold, heartless laugh surround him, and he lifted his head to stare at the sorcerer slowly getting to his feet.

"You feel it don't you? No one can defeat my magic, you'll be dead soon enough." The words were spoken loud enough for everyone to hear, and Ichigo could practically feel the anger pouring off of Shirosaki, the low growl from the pale vampire rumbling throughout the room. Cold brown eyes bore down into his own as Ichigo could feel himself slipping away, only to have his eyes widen as something flitted into view right behind the sorcerer.

"Not if I have somethin' to say about it."

Emerald eyes stared down at Ichigo before snapping to the brunet as he turned around. Ichigo watched as the sorcerer stiffened before bellowing, "How is this possible? You're supposed to be dead!"

A cruel smirk curled onto Kaien's lips, one hand holding a blood gash in his arm as he glared at the brunet. "Yeah, maybe you should have stuck around to make sure." He growled out, watching the sorcerer through narrowed eyes as the man began to step backwards.

Not even thinking, Ichigo reached forward, grabbing the hilt of the small dagger and pulled it close to him where he waited. As soon as Aizen got close enough, he reached up as far as he could, stabbing the brunet in the back just as Kaien lunged forward to dig his nails through the man's chest. Aizen let out a howl of pain as a large black cloud erupted around him. Twisting into the dense fog, he disappeared, leaving both Ichigo and Kaien to fall forward into each other.

"I'll be back! Revenge will be mine!"

As those words rang through the room, Kaien reached forward to pull the orange haired vampire into his lap. Staring down into dazed brown orbs, he let out a forced smile, marred by the cut on the left side of his face. He was so happy to see Ichigo alive and well, but he knew that time was short to keep it that way. Glancing up, he locked gazes with the gold on black eyes of his brother. He knew Shirosaki probably didn't trust him, but he hoped they could put that aside just for now.

"He needs help. Aizen poisoned him." Kaien explained, surprised when Shirosaki knelt down next to him, reach a black nailed hand up to brush Ichigo's bangs out of his eyes.

"What do we have to do?" Shirosaki questioned, biting onto his lower lip as he watched Ichigo's eyes flutter closed.

"He needs your blood."

Shirosaki sighed heavily as he took a seat in the high backed chair next to his bed. Liquid gold on black eyes drifted to the body laying in the middle of his bed, orange spikes contrasting against the dark sheets. It had been two days since the battle down in the tunnels, and everyone's wounds had healed already. There had been no sighting of Aizen since then, even the news reported the mayor missing. There was no trace of him left anywhere, something Shirosaki was thankful for, but there was something missing. He needed his orange head there by his side, not laying in this bed looking so much like death.

Closing his eyes, Shirosaki ran a hand through his hair. He had tried so hard to keep Ichigo away from this, away from danger, but it had backfired. Leaving the orange head had been the stupidest decision of his immortal life, and he wished he could go back in time to change everything that had happened. It was his fault the human had been pushed this far. No one should be forced through the change. They should have a choice. Maybe he'd been selfish turning Ichigo like that.

"Nnn...S-Shiro...?"

Shirosaki jolted, eyes snapping open as that strained voice hit his ears. Nearly launching out of the chair, he moved to sit on the side of his bed, black nailed fingers lifting to brush against a pale cheek. A small, pained smile touched pink lips as Ichigo nuzzled into the touch.

"Hey there sleepy head. How are you feeling?" Shirosaki questioned softly, leaning down to press his lips against the other's forehead before nuzzling into orange locks.

"Mmm...stiff and thirsty. Don't suppose you have some blood on hand for times like this?" Ichigo questioned, his voice cracking slightly. Shirosaki chuckled as he moved to brush noses with the orange head.

"Don't worry abou' tha'." The pale vampire muttered, looping an arm underneath the other's shoulders, helping him to sit up. Pale fingers threaded through soft orange hair as he pulled Ichigo towards him. A slight shiver tingled against his spine, making the fine hairs at the back of his neck stand on end as warm breath wafted over the sensitive skin at his collar. Stroking the young vampire's hair, he whispered a command, "Drink."

He half expected Ichigo to fight him to some degree, completely unprepared for the fangs that plunged into his throat. Tan arms lifted off the bed to wrap around his body, hugging him close as Ichigo dug deeper. It had been a long time since Shirosaki had last been bitten, and from what he remembered, it hurt like hell, but this, this was different. Pleasure like no other spread through his body, his inner animal purring in content to be marked by the one he chose as his mate.

A soft moan rumbled in Ichigo's throat as he bit harder, pulling Shirosaki impossibly close as the pale vampire's hand gripped tighter in his hair. "F-Fuck, Ichi.." Shirosaki gasped, his head lulling back, eyelids fluttering as the orange head let his fangs receded, flicking his slick tongue over the two puncture wounds.

Lifting his head, Ichigo stared up into the gold on black eyes he'd missed so much, shivering when the other's tongue came out to lick the blood that still stained his lips. Parting them, he sucked the tongue into his mouth, groaning as Shirosaki's taste flooded his body. God he'd missed this, missed the man in front of him. Long, tan fingers delved into snowy white hair as he pulled Shirosaki closer, deepening the kiss. Pale lips slanted over his own as Shirosaki leaned forward, forcing his back gently back down onto the mattress. Tongues tangled leisurely, memorizing everything anew. There was no need to rush, they had all the time in the world.

When they finally broke apart, lips still so very close, Ichigo gave the other a playful glare, "I swear to God if you leave me again, I will hunt you down and kill you."

Smirking, Shirosaki captured pink lips in a sweet kiss before bumping their foreheads together. "I wouldn't dream of it." He whispered against Ichigo's lips.

"Good," Ichigo stated with a slight chuckle, "I love you."

A warmth like no other touched Shirosaki's heart, spreading to the tips of his toes to the top of his head. "I love you too." He murmured before taking the other's mouth in another heated kiss, pouring all of his emotions into that one lip lock.

This was where he was meant to be. Where they were happy.