Ichigo laid in his cell, for what may be the last night he'll be alive, awaiting the morning of his execution, but he remained as hopeful as he could. However, the images of his inner Hollow injured from earlier still made a pit in his stomach, perturbing his already anxious mood. Ichigo was told to just wait by Byakuya for any news if the Council 46 or Yamamoto had changed their minds, but the chances of that were slim. He was bothered by so many things, the odd and yet scary changes of himself, the attack, and the execution.

"There's no way I'm gonna sleep tonight." He mumbles.

He wonders if he'll even see his other counterpart again. He figured, how could he..? If the other Ichigo is hiding out while he was here in his place, surely he wouldn't be stupid enough to come back for him.

Ichigo heard footsteps coming near, and automatically sat up from his cot to see who was coming. The familiar shape of a certain captain was by the threshold.

"I've returned."

Ichigo grinned and ignored his still sore body; "Hey, is it time?"

Byukua was already unlocking the cell door, and opened it wide, "Yes. I apologize for the wait, I made certain no one was following me."

"It's fine. Just happy you're letting me do this."

Both walked to unknown territory that was not familiar to Ichigo, past some empty cells and chambers that were vacant, had they had not been used in a long time. The older man leading had some items in his arms: a bath towel and herbal soaps. Both said nothing on the way there, and it was making Ichigo a bit stiff, till he finally spoke up.

"Have you, and the other guys figured out what you'll do yet?"

Byakuya's steps went slower,

"Not yet. I know Captain Kyoraku and Captain Ukitake are arranging something, but I haven't been informed of what."

Ichigo bent his head down, the knot in his stomach tightened by his reply.

"I see."

"But.."

Byakuya turned a glance at him, " I will help you. Even if no one is available to get you out, I will myself."

Ichigo blinked and his brown orbs flashed, listening.

"I trust you. It is not fair to you to be punished for something you're innocent of; while my younger sister's attacker is wandering out there, doing what they please."

He produced the tiniest grin at Ichigo,

"And after we both escape.. I will go after him, and take care of him myself."

Byakuya picked up his pace again, making a nod before turning his face away, "Nearly there."

Ichigo didn't say anything, he for once didn't even know if he should say anything at all. He only could calmly smile while his own heart fluttered with warmth, and the pit in his stomach was beginning to lessen. This was based on the overflowing feeling of hope that he had the chance to live!

"I won't let you down, Byakuya."

The two turned a corridor, and the dirt pathway began to mix with tiled floor. Ichigo could hear water really dripping, and the sound of water burbling in the distance. The captain leading him opened another metal gate, both enter in and a new room appeared; there were a few pools of open water on the ground, white hot steam floating up from the surfaces; they seemed to almost form shapes and even hands, beckoning them to jump right in. Ichigo now forgot all his worry and tension, and breathed in the scent of the room made. He needed this, he thought, just throw out what's been going on for now.

"Pick your spring and here are your things." Byakuya handed Ichigo his towels and soap, and headed back to the entryway.

"Thanks." Ichigo took them and sat on the edge of the hot spring, he dipped one foot in to check the water temperature, which wasn't piping hot or lukewarm and it was perfect.

"I'll be on my way now. I'll be back to fetch you later on."

The black-haired captain turned to leave, Ichigo was about to say thank you again, but both stopped and froze to see a familiar someone in the entryway.

Ichigo stood up, on the defense, "Renji?"

The lieutenant stood there glancing at both men, face stoic. His left hand was at his hip gripping his sword which was sheathed, but didn't move.

"Figured I find you here, Captain."

Byakuya didn't budge either and kept a blank face at his assistant captain and said nothing.

"Renji, what're you doing here?" Ichigo asks, and remained as calm as Byakuya.

"Same thing I wanted to ask you." Renji didn't look at Ichigo, he seemed to pretend he wasn't there and was responding to his captain.

"What's the meaning of this, Captain? Aiding the enemy?" Renji made a mocking tone.

"I'd watch what you say, Renji." Byakuya replies, but still not moving.

"I've seen and been following you. Don't bs me. You and that criminal scum are plotting to escape, aren't you?"

"You have?" Ichigo's face and body tensed up, now he was afraid Renji would snitch and ruin his chance of leaving.

"Well yeah, captain obvious. And in case you're still slow, I still hate you by the way." Renji rolled his eyes at the teenager.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Byakuya secretly put his hand on his own sword, preparing to be on the defense if Renji was about to attack.

Renji looked at both of them and he slowly pulled his hand off his weapon, "Nothing."

Ichigo made a quiet gasp. "You're not-"

"For now." Renj firmly says and raised his voice a little. "I've overheard some conversations between you and the Captain and so yes, I know about your little escape plan. I don't trust you, but I realized that maybe, just maybe you're telling the truth."

Ichigo's eyes flickered at Renji and his body loosened the tension he held. "Thanks."

"Don't thank me, idiot." The red haired Soul Reaper made a scowl, "I still think you're a piece of crap that needs to be eliminated, but if you prove to me you aren't gonna go on a rampage, then I won't get involved." Renji folded his arms and started walking to the entryway.

Byakuya let go of his own sword, eyes closed. He too started to follow his assistant captain. "I'll return shortly."

After both were gone Ichigo could breathe easy again. He looked around to make sure no one else was in the room and took off his robe; then picked up the towel provided and wrapped it around his waist to cover his lower half. He still didn't feel right being completely exposed even when no one else was here with him. He stepped in and let his body adjust to the water slowly so as not to burn himself. After taking a moment to soak in the soothing water, Ichigo took his soap and smaller towel to scrub and wash his hair. After finishing he just sat there, his thoughts directed at his family, his friends; wondering what they were doing in his world. Eventually his eyes became heavy and drifted off.

Unknowingly he didn't see or feel the streak of blood fall from his nose.

Inner World

"How're you feeling?"

Zangestu glances at Ichigo's Hollow, wondering to himself if the creature in front of him was holding up. His black cloak moved warily from the unsourced breeze.

"Better. But bored to all hell again."

The white clothed creature sat on the glass building, too tired to stand and going easy since the bizarre attack from earlier. Hollow still didn't like that an enemy got the better of him, and even more so that a woman-Soul Reaper entered his home, despite she had healed and saved his life. It chewed him greatly. He wouldn't or never admit that he was glad Ichigo heard him and brought help, at least anyways.

"By the way, old man, I gotta ask."

"Hmm?"

The Hollow turned around, but still sat in his pretzel position, "Where the hell were ya when I got my ass handed to me? Just wondering."

Zangetsu only stared, silent.

"Well?" Hollow tilted his head, waiting.

"I cannot answer that myself. It'd be complicated to explain."

Eyes rolling Hollow made a "Tch" and looked at the sky. "Some buddy you are, then."

"Something was wrong yes, but I had difficulty trying to understand what it was before you were injured."

"Like that helps my curiosity."

The Hollow looked at his hand, his skin was becoming more human toned, it had slowly encroached past his wrist and the tingling feeling had gotten a little more intense.

"King should be executed out there soon, shouldn't we be figuring out how to stop it?"

"We could, but with that seal on us it'd be near impossible."

"Well aren't you a big help, more than usual," Hollow sat up a little more straight, "I say we just kill them before they get us.. and bust out with what strength we have."

Hollow smelled a new odd odor from out of nowhere, but he didn't think anything of it at first, telling his brain that it reminded him of rust, "Okay that's weird." He mutters but low in a volume that Zangetsu couldn't hear.

"Oh right, how do you like that idea?"

Zangetsu didn't reply this time, he took notice that the sword spirit had become rigid and bent over just a little bit.

"Hey, old man? I said-"

Zangetsu slumped over forward and fell on the glass pane.

"Zangetsu?" Hollow flinched and finally saw a new figure that was standing behind his companion. Hollows eyes went wide with horror.

"Miss me?"

The bloody Ichigo gazed face to face with him, smirking a psychotic mug.

"You!? What're you doing-"!

"Shhh." The bloody Ichigo put a finger to his lips, "Don't want to wake Ichigo up, now do we? Didn't I say I'd be back?" He cackles darkly.

"What have you done to Zan-!"

Hollow was unable to finish his question. His voice was dead in his throat. He put his hand on his neck with the one hand that was changing color; his heart began to race in panic. He tried to think of what or how to attack but his own body wouldn't listen to him and he stood on the spot immobilized. Hollows hands trembled and the tingling intensified even more than before, seeing both of them turn into human skin color.

What am I gonna do now?! He screamed in his head.

"Finally, it's time."

The "Ichigo" lifted his hands at the blue voids above and it began to darken to grey, then black, red liquid made itself visible, the Hollow now recognizes the smell from a minute ago, it was blood. Hollow tried to move as hard as he could to escape but it was fruitless.

All he could see before himself was black.

Ichogo, sitting in the water was still asleep, until he opened his eyes...they had transformed into bright red.

...

"Captain, just what the hell are you thinking?"

"You want me to tell the truth, or tell a lie?"

Renji was leaning against the wall in the hallways of the Nest, not far from where he and Byakuya were before, and he needed to get far enough so Ichigo couldn't hear them.
Byukuya had taken a seat on an old chair. It was late at night and he was tired so he couldn't stand for too long. The older captain's stoic expression directed into Renji's eyes.

"Because of how you've acted lately, I don't think you're smart enough to realize what's at stake, or like what I'm going to say."

"W-What?" Renji was exasperated.

"That young man in there..he is innocent. So I want to free him."

Renji laughs, slapping a hand on his forehead, "Are you serious? Do you even know what that means? If you do, you the biggest Noble of the Four Clans would be banished!"

"I'm aware, fool." Byakuya said coolly.

Renji continues to chuckle and took a deep breath. "So, tell me how you will 'save him?'"

The Captain only stared him down, then finally replies; "Two of our comrades will be coming here shortly to tell me how. If not, I will take him myself."

Renji stared back, not expecting him to sound serious. "Alright, I'm listening."

"If Captain Kyoraku And Ukitake aren't here by the time Ichigo is done and not back at his holding cell, we're leaving as soon as possible."

"Oh..I see." Renji looks away, now in deep thought.

"If you intend to stop me, I won't hesitate to draw my sword." Byakuya warns, "This isn't about just Ichigo, it's about Rukia."

"Rukia?" Renji whipped his head back, baffled.

"If we succeed in escaping, I will pursue the one who struck her down and kill him."

Renji grunted but said nothing. He wanted to say something but seeing how his leader has made his choice, he knew he couldn't do much to convince him otherwise.

"I understand, sir." Renji sighs, even though he actually didn't understand entirely. "If you believe he's innocent, then fine. I won't stop you."

Byakuya didn't feel like having a huge confrontation right now and it'd be an inconvenience. He needed to get this accomplished as soon as possible. He stood up and walked past Renji not making any more eye contact.

"I'm going to get him. You're free to go or stay, whichever you wish."

Renji watched Byakuya disappear into the dark hallway, the dim lights dying from illuminating his figure. He hoped his captain was right in his decision, even if it was crazy.

Ichigo got out of the water, towel still wrapped around, he grinned and couldn't stop chuckling and he didn't know why. He felt so good. It wasn't because of a simple bath, no..he felt like ripping something apart. His back faced away from Byakuya who had just come back, not knowing what Ichigo was thinking.

"Are you finished? We should be going back now."

"Hmmm.. no not yet."

Ichigo cracked his knuckles and fingers, getting a feel for his body, making him twitch in excitement. He glanced at the captain behind him.

The man who had helped him was going to respond..

THWIK!

Byakuya felt something hit his chest, but he didn't see what it was, his brain didn't fully process it..it was so fast..his chest started to throb..Byakuya looked down, and saw a small knife was forced in him..being supported up by Ichigo's hand..he looked at the teen, whose expression only contained a psychotic grin that reached almost to the rest of his face, and blood red eyes..

"Sorry I kept you waiting, Captain...to die."

Ichigo pulled out the knife, immediately releasing the captain's blood. Byakuya grimaced from the pain and finally the shock was kicking in. He looked at Ichigo, now pained from the attack.

Ichigo's mouth uttered a mocking gasp, "Oh, I'm so sorry. Did you hurt yourself?" Ichigo smacked a hand to his lips, "Here, let me help!"

This time Byakuya drew his sword and blocked Ichigo from his knife, but a second later he could see it wasn't the knife from before, it was razor sharp talons. The talons had hit his blade and it scratched against the metal, Ichigo forcing them to dig into the surface.

"What are you? Why-?!" Byakuya didn't finish, he had blood seep out from his mouth and gagged.

"Who the shit cares? All that matters is that I make a nice little pool of your own blood on the floor!" Ichigo's voice was changing to two different voices, from his own to a dark and evil tone.

Ichigo jumped back and ran at him again, this time making contact not on Byakuya's body, but his face, then the rest of him. Blood splattered everywhere, a yelp rang to the rest of the room, and he falls head first onto the ground, still clutching his sword, but still alive.

"COME on! is that all you have...all you have…? Hehuehhahahhahahaha!"

Ichigo couldn't contain his laughter at the sight before him, it felt marvelous. He felt no remorse for the poor man he cut up and lay dying. His laughter rang like a maniacal siren.

"Hey, what is going on-!...oh my god."

Renji had heard the commotion and had a feeling something was up, but he didnt expect his precious comrade to be on the floor, bleeding like a wet washcloth.

"Oh, hi Renji! Remember me?"

Renji slowly made a gaze to Ichigo…

Ichigo tucked one hand behind himself and waved the other back and forth like a giddy child, his eyes still red and began bleeding, even his nose was dripping from blood. Renji took only a mere second, which felt like hours...piecing what happened. And for the first time in a few days, his pent up rage, his animosity he already contained for Ichigo came swirling back into his chest like a storm..

Renji didn't hear himself scream at the top of his lungs...pulled out his sword to murder the life out of the teen who only stood and braced for his attack; Ichigo continues smiling and laughing like a maniac. It was all a game to him, watching these two suffer and write in agony. He caught Renjis blade with his bare hand which grew armor somehow and his talons provided gripping and stopping it in its tracks.

Ichigo felt a tug. A pull in his chest; he blinked once, his red orbs had gone back to brown. He was confused, and couldn't remember where he was…

A fist met his cheekbone and he fell to the ground hard. Now his focus returned at Renji, seething, enraged and a disgusted face at him.

"R-Renji. What happened?"

"DON'T FUCKING PULL that crap on me, you bastard!" He seethes and yelled.

It all suddenly happened quickly, dozens of men in black appear behind Ichigo and Renji, cutting off the entryway. He didn't have the moment to see Captain Soi Fon come up from behind and give a hard hit to Ichigo's head, and all he saw was black.


Imma end it there! My adhd is really bad and I can't go any further lol next one is up soon!