Chapter 36:
Betrayal
The captain led the two women through the Seijōtōkyorin where the members of Central Forty-Six resided. "Why have you brought us here, Captain Ichimaru?" Hinamori asked. "Why don't you ask your all knowing friend?" Ichimaru smirked evilly. "We're not friends!" the lieutenant declared. "What she said." Emily added. "Pity," the captain remarked, "There's someone I want you both to meet. But I'm afraid only one of you shall be surprised." The blonde-haired woman looked more than displeased. She knew exactly what was to happen. Hinamori, however, gave her superior a look of puzzlement. "Go on, look behind you." Ichimaru invited. "Behind…me?" the lieutenant squeaked before turning to look. Emily had not bothered, she knew who it was. The shorter woman stuttered, "Ca—captain Ai—zen?"
"How have you been, Momo?" the supposed dead captain inquired kindly. "Is it…really you, Captain Aizen?" Hinamori asked and went on, "I thought you were dead." Emily grumbled and was about to turn around to end the reunion when Ichimaru restrained her and covered her mouth. "I'm alive, as you can see." Aizen stated comfortingly. The young woman struggled against the captain to no avail. Hinamori was still transfixed, "Ca—captain Aizen…Captain Aizen…I—I—" The lieutenant grabbed Aizen's haori as their eyes locked. "I'm sorry." the brown-haired man apologized, "You must've been heartbroken." Hinamori embraced Aizen and began to sob uncontrollably. He returned the embrace, "You've lost weight, poor child. I'm so sorry. I had no idea I'd hurt you so badly. But I want you to know, it had to be you. There's something I must do and I had to stay hidden to do it. That's why I faked my death and had you—" The black-haired woman cut him off, her tears dissipating, "It's alright. It's alright. Just knowing that you're alive is enough for me." Emily managed to bite Ichimaru's hand. The captain cried out and removed his hand, "Ow! That hurt!" Still in a daze, Hinamori heard none of the commotion. "Thank you, Momo." Aizen spoke sincerely, "Our time together was a joy to me. Thank you, Momo. Thank you very much—" The blonde-haired woman yelled, "Momo, no!" "—Goodbye." as the words left the captain's mouth, he stabbed the lieutenant in the chest.
Aizen released his hold on Hinamori and she fell to the ground. Ichimaru finally released Emily and she ran to the fallen officer's side. The two captains watched as the young woman tried to help her comrade. Emily rolled the lieutenant onto her back, getting blood on most of her own clothes. She panicked but paused, only to look up at Aizen and give him the dirtiest look. "It's pointless, you know." the captain remarked. "Fuck you!" Emily spat at the man in rage. "My, my, making such a fuss." Ichimaru smirked. Aizen added, "You're more troublesome than I thought." "Good!" the blonde-haired woman hollered as she stood up, "I'm glad I'm a pain in your ass!" The man with the glasses gave the other captain a look. "Oh, right." Ichimaru quickly restrained Emily once more. "Let go of me, you son of a—" she fought but before she could finish her curse she was gagged. "Much better. Let's go, Gin." Aizen commented before turning to leave. Emily was forced along, she gave Hinamori one last look before she was out of sight.
The captains led their captive into another part of the building. They stopped, however, when Hitsugaya appeared. "Gin," the white-haired captain gasped, "and—" Aizen greeted his fellow captain in a friendly manner, "Hello, Tōshirō." Hitsugaya gawked, "What? Aizen? But how? It's really you…" "Of course. In the flesh, as you can see. But never mind." the brown-haired captain turned to Ichimaru, "Captain Hitsugaya is back sooner than expected." "I'm sorry," Ichimaru replied, "Izuru must've failed." The young boy interjected, "What? What are you talking about?" "Haven't you guessed? Tactics of course. Divide and conquer—the most basic way of weakening an enemy." Aizen explained. Hitsugaya affirmed, "'Enemy'? But…where's Momo?" Emily yelled through her gag and motioned behind her and the two men. "That's enough." Ichimaru tightened his grip on her. The white-haired captain somehow understood and used Shunpo to appear behind them. He stood over Hinamori's body.
Hitsugaya stammered, "Mo—mo…Oh, Momo…" "How unfortunate." Aizen tutted, "You found her. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to find out like this. I should've chopped her up and hidden the pieces." Emily's eyes bugged out and a muffled curse could be heard from under the gag. The two captors looked at her in question. "Aizen…Gin…why?" the white-haired boy broke the silence, "How long have you two been conspiring?" "From the beginning." Aizen replied smugly. Hitsugaya inquired somberly, "Since before you faked your death, Aizen?" "You catch on slowly. From the beginning." the man with the glasses spoke to his fellow captain in a belittling way, "Since I became a captain. I never considered anyone to be my lieutenant but Gin." The shorter captain responded softly but his sentence ended in a shout as he looked over his shoulder, "Then this whole time you were…Momo…me…the other Soul Reapers under you…you were deceiving us all!" Aizen explained, "I never thought of it that way. The truth is none of you recognized my true identity." "You blame us?" Hitsugaya turned around as his anger began to grow, "How could you be so cruel? You knew Momo joined the Court Guard because of you. She worked so hard just so she could serve at your side." "Yes, that's true." Aizen stated, "Which made her quite easy to manipulate. That's why I requested her for my squad." "What?" Hitsugaya looked at the man in disbelief. The captain went on, "It was too good to pass up. Remember, Tōshirō, adoration is the state furthest from understanding." In a fit of rage, the white-haired boy drew his Zanpakutō and released a massive amount of spiritual energy.