Disclaimer: I don't own bleach in any way
Black patterns marked the left part of Ichigo's white body, his hair was swept back with a familiar white horn jutting out of the left side of his head. The white on his left eye was overtaken with black, his brown irises growing to a menacing yellow.
Once his weapon stabilized, he brought it back, the black chain rattling as he swiped his Zanpakuto forward. A tornado of Reiatsu expelled, revealing his sword form, the white edge forming a stark contrast with its black core.
"I've been waiting for this rematch…" Aizen's voice echoed around Ichigo. In the next instant, he appeared right in front of him, sporting a smug smirk on his face.
Reacting instinctively, Ichigo deftly parried Aizen, the collisions force resulting in a shockwave that cleared the area of debris.
"This rematch won't last long if you're planning to disappear at each strike," Ichigo warned, taunting Aizen.
A small chuckle escaped the man's lips. "You're definitely an interesting subject, Kurosaki Ichigo. I'm glad the other Captains can't join this fight."
"Why?" Ichigo frowned.
"I've added a barrier with my Reitasu, to spice up our fight, if I may say so…" he smirked, passing a hand through his hair, a strand of it hanging on his face. "You know how much I hate it when others interfere with my plans,"
Ichigo narrowed his eyes, annoyed with the man's voice.
He raised and outstretched his hand, releasing a massive concentration of yellow energy of a form of a crescent moon, taking the shape of a wave. "Hado 63; Raikoho!"
Ichigo's Kido soared through the battlefield like lightning, striking Aizen dead on as it followed his previous attack, creating a dense cloud of smoke that obscured the bound man.
"Fascinating. You still use Getsuga Tensho and you learned Kido…"
The man's voice came behind him. Ichigo frowned as he felt Aizen's energy building up around him, enveloping him in a black coffin made of dark smoke.
"Kido's going to be useless against him…" he shook his head, thinking how he could defeat him.
"Hado 90: Kurohitsugi,"
A multitude of spears pushed against Ichigo's skin. He raised his hand and smashed the spell with a single slap. The coffin formed from Aizen's Kido shattered into pieces. Ichigo waited until it broke, revealing his stoic looking. Strings of blue shot over his body and erupted across his neck, wrist, and forearms.
"Blut Vene," Aizen cleared his voice. "You are truly a remarkable experiment, Kurosaki Ichigo," Aizen renewed his smirk. "But as you know, I don't have a Zanpakuto anymore and I'd like to try something if you don't mind…"
"Later if you want. I'm in a kind of a hurry," Ichigo hardened his frown.
"I assure you, this will be a good use of your time,"
The two of them faced each other with firm gazes. Ichigo was tightly gripping the hilt of his Zanpakuto but neither of them tried to move.
The sound of a distant explosion briefly shook Ichigo's concentration and caused him to think about his wife. He stared at Aizen, the rush of adrenaline flushed his concern away and renewed his resolve to end this fight rapidly. He had a job to finish for the sake of his family and friends.
Ichigo shot forward like lightning but before it could connect with Aizen's flesh, his sword crashed against an invisible barrier. The air rose and the pressure from the attack blasted away.
"The Hogyoku is protecting me, you cannot do anything about it," Aizen stated with a hint of pride. The next instant, Ichigo pushed forward and forced him backward.
"We'll see that, Aizen," Ichigo retorted.
"Are you doubting my words?" Aizen narrowed his eyes at him.
Ichigo felt an intense pressure on his shoulders that made him grin. He withdrew his Zanpakuto and spun it around. Yellow Flames flowed from his sword. The energy burst out in all directions like a sphere of flames, trying to slash Aizen's torso.
He felt a grip on his left wrist from behind and he opened his eyes wide. In a split second, Ichigo turned around and slid his Zanpakuto forward, trying to cut Aizen's throat. He was forced to lean backward, the tip of his blade narrowly missing his target.
"I shouldn't hold back. He raised a Reiatsu wall and Orihime is strong enough to bear our spiritual energy…" Ichigo thought, concentrating on his Reiryoku. Black flames started to burst out from him and enveloped both his body and his Zanpakuto.
Aizen withdrew before the flames could reach him. "You seem to have better control over your Reiatsu." Aizen smirked. "how's your hand?"
A wave of agony crashed into Ichigo as pain erupted from his left wrist, an unneeded distraction that burned across his flesh.
"Burned from your own flames?" Aizen mocked while watching the panic registered on his opponent's face.
Ichigo tried to grip on his sword but he couldn't. He couldn't feel anything from his left hand. He felt a strike at his back, making him lose control of his movements. He looked up and noticed that Aizen disappeared from his sight.
"Come on Aizen. You're worth more than those sneaky attacks!" he yelled, closing his eyes to stop the dizzying as the force of the blow made his world spin.
He tried to move his sword with his left hand but he couldn't. His sword wasn't there anymore. It was missing, along with the hand that held it.
"I could end this fight in a second," Aizen chuckled, "but as you're finally using your Zanpakuto true abilities, I decided to spice up our fight a little more," he continued. "I hope you're not mad. I know you're resourceful…"
"Shit," Ichigo grumbled, clutching at his stump. He clenched his teeth against the pain and frustration. He located his sword and, in a flash, he went to grab it back from the ground below. He fell to his knee, his blood already forming a little pool beneath him. His list of options was rapidly shortening, thinking about which solution was best to kill the fake god he was facing.
"Ichigo," Zangetsu in his mind, "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not," he growled. "I need you to heal my hand,"
"You're sure? That's going to hurt," Zangetsu warned.
"I know, but Orihime's not around and I need my hand back right now,"
"On it,"
That was the stupidest idea he ever had. He stood, relying on his Zanpakuto and preparing himself mentally for what was to come. He pulled back his bleeding wrist into his sleeve, waiting on Zangetsu to start its task.
He could take it. He died two times after all and was brought back… he closed his eyes, starting to feel the pain of his hand sprouting back. He was sure that it was only the beginning... And he was right.
It felt like a thousand hot needles stabbing into his exposed muscle tissue. The feeling only grew as the first bit of bones and nerves sprouted forth.
"Almost done, Ichigo," Zangetsu reassured. His hand was almost done from growing muscle tissue by now and his skin started to form.
"That was my first experiment, Ichigo Kurosaki," Aizen stated, landing on the ground to face him. "So, you can heal yourself now thanks to Blut Vene ability,"
"I've been using my Zanpakuto's abilities since the beginning of this fight, Ichigo,"
Freezing on the spot, Ichigo mentally cursed. "so maybe… I already looked at an illusion when I hit the Reiatsu wall protecting him earlier? I was immune to his illusions, damn it!"
Ichigo stood still. Now, what if he was caught up in one of Aizen's illusions? What if he never lost his hand? He started to scan the area, ignoring Aizen's presence. He had to find out if he was in one of his illusions.
"I kept evolving too, even trapped on a chair…" Aizen spoke calmly. "Are you afraid?"
Not looking at him, Ichigo frowned, a drop of sweat rolling down his forehead. "I'm afraid, Aizen,"
His response made the man widely smirk before Ichigo finished his thought.
"But the fear I feel is not for my own life right now,"
In an instant, he lowered himself and let out another burst of Reiatsu in the form of black and blue flames that surrounded him. The heat of his energy broke Aizen's illusion. He lifted his head and noticed Aizen floating in the air, looking displeased.
"I see. What's your worst nightmare then?"
"I wonder what's yours, Aizen?" Ichigo smiled a little and pointed his gaze at the sky. "But I think I already know the answer. Failing all your plans and end up being trapped on a chair must have been your worst one,"
Ichigo's body was still releasing a large wave of black and blue Reiatsu, gushing from his position to every side.
He swung his Zanpakuto and released a large crossed-shaped blast of energy.
"Getsuga Jujisho!"
"Futile attempt," Aizen spoke from behind him.
As fast as he could, Ichigo turned around and grabbed his opponent's clothes with his free hand. He slashed his torso with the other one, trying to dig his sword deep into his skin. Blood began to drip on the ground, making Ichigo smirk in return.
"As you don't have a sword anymore, I guess the only way to escape your hypnosis was to touch you," Ichigo smirked, swinging his Zanpakuto down, slicing Aizen vertically. Blood spurted from the man as he ripped a deep gash in it. Still gripping his sword, he kept him close to him.
Locking eyes on each other, Ichigo kept staring at Aizen while he was taking deep breaths.
"The Hogyoku's still generating him…" Ichigo thought bitterly while he noticed a white light covering Aizen's wound. In a matter of seconds, Ichigo withdrew his Zanpakuto and the injured man fully healed.
"You cannot win this Ichigo Kurosaki. You are no match for me anymore as the Hogyoku is inside of me," Aizen lowered his head, watching proudly how the Hoggyoku healed his deep wound.
"We'll see that!" Ichigo yelled and raised his sword again, pouring a large quantity of his Reiryoku until it began to glow.
"The Hogyoku must have its limits too. I have to exhaust his Reiatsu," Ichigo thought.
"Getsuga Tensho!"
The massive wave of energy crushed into Aizen with a raw force. It exploded right into his face, making their bodies enveloped in smoke.
Ichigo scanned the area to locate Aizen. Barely seeing him, he scowled and raised his Zanpakuto again. Restlessly and with a fierce determination, he fired the same attack over, and over again, screaming in rage.
His voice gave out even if he still had enough energy. He wanted to end this fight so badly and get rid of the man who had haunted his life for so long. He was ready to keep blasting Aizen, cut him in pieces, and turn him into ashes.
Behind a thick shadow made of smoke, he noticed dark blood stains over a silhouette and all over the ground. He forced his voice to come out.
"Still alive, Aizen?" he asked hoarsely, raising the blade to rest it on his shoulder.
Gradually, the smokescreen from his attacks cleared, revealing a fully healed Aizen.
"Such a killing machine, Kurosaki Ichigo," Aizen smiled, panting a bit. "Even though you grew up, you're still the same stubborn kid,"
"There must be a way of killing you Aizen, and I'll find it so I can protect everyone," Ichigo's scowl deepened.
Aizen chuckled at his words, "I told you I still had an experiment to try. I was only warming up..." The man raised both hands, summoning a large amount of Reiatsu, "This is over, Kurosaki Ichigo,"
Ichigo narrowed his eyes, ready for another sneaky attack but he blinked when Aizen briefly closed his eyes and burst, throwing shockwaves around him. The man poured all his accumulated energy on Ichigo's shoulders, knocking him to his knees.
Outside Aizen's Reitasu wall
"Do you think it's fair to fight me while I'm already injured? I'm going to die soon," Ainoko mocked. He couldn't regenerate his body, the damage Ichigo caused being too severe and too deep in his flesh. He knew Orihime wanted him dead and he kept running away, waiting for his death to come.
"Did you think you were going to stay hidden until you die?" he heard a double voice invading his mind. His eyes stretched, thinking about how he could get rid of the Arrancar.
Concentrating on his Reiatsu to find him, Orihime watched the Guerilla's leader appear right before her. She opened her eyes wide in surprise, the bright white of the large arrow he shot nearly blinding her. Without blinking, she held it with bare hands, breaking it in pieces. Smoking was smoldering from her burnt flesh and a golden light covered it, rejecting the damage. Orihime smirked and grabbed his clothes in a flash.
Ainoko groaned, his body starting to dissipate. He knew his death was near and he felt his muscles tense.
"Such a shame you won't be the one to end my life…" he mocked. "I had plans for you, I wanted to convert your powers into regenerating pills… If I had those, none of my soldiers would be dead and my plan for saving Aizen would have worked perfectly,"
"Ainoko, it's just…there's no fun if you see it coming…" Orihime spoke into his mind, covering his body into a golden light.
"Huh?" his eyes stretched as he felt his pain disappearing, she was healing him! He released a sharp surge of Reiatsu and stuck his talisman right against her hollow hole to suck her energy.
"That was careless, Orihime!" Kamiko yelled in anger in Orihime's mind.
"Just watch me, Kamiko-san," The woman replied coldly.
Orihime drew more in her Reiatsu and slammed him violently on the ground before vanishing. She hadn't recovered Kamiko's spiritual energy lost in Hueco Mundo and a large part of both of their Reiatsu was drained again.
"Did you really think that stupid device was going to stop me from killing you?" the double voice echoed everywhere around the leader.
Ainoko took a balancing step back, wiping the blood from his head that was dripping on his face.
"I would have brought you from hell if you had died on me," the same voice invaded his mind.
In an instant, he felt a burning sensation at the spot on his chest where she clenched him earlier before crashing him. He opened his white Shihakusho, only to notice his flesh was slowly burning, just like a paper burnt with fire.
He looked at his smoking flesh, the side of his lips twitched in anger only to feel an invisible force collide into him. The blood lust that came with that force caused a drop of sweat to roll down his brow as he noticed he was flying through the air.
"I'm going to kill you and bring you back to life until I decide it's enough…you shouldn't have stolen our Reiatsu,"
"What the …" before he could even turn his head back around, a hand grabbed him and covered the left side of his face.
"You shouldn't have touched my son,"
Fingers dug into his skull, releasing a black golden smoke inside the holes in his scalp. Out of the corner of his left eye, he noticed chains rattling against his flesh, slowly cutting his skin and shackle him.
"I-I can't tell you what Aizen is planning… for that monster you call your child," Ainoko groaned in pain, provoking the woman. He knew he was screwed, so he'd better enjoy his last moments.
The images flashing before her eyes, the anger and pain of seeing her child fall had snapped what little restraint she had left. Black-golden Reiatsu flared more from her.
Pitch black eye slits covered Ainoko's distorted view, a warbled breath escaped along with wisps of white mist. The Guerilla's leader couldn't see anything but the black eye slits which only added to the incredible terror he felt consuming him. Fixing his executioner closer, Orihime's head had turned into a demoniac skull, two sharp horns protruding off the front of its dark skin.
Orihime's head tilted slightly right and her jaws snapped shut, blood stained the front of her face. As if symbolizing the jaws of death closing down on the Guerilla's leader, when Orihime's mouth closed, Ainoko's head came off.
Orihime landed, carrying Ainoko's body with the chains situated on her wrists. Her other hand carried his severed head, dragging it on the scattered ground.
"H-How come I'm still alive?" Ainoko's eyes blinked in confusion, noticing his body was being hung up in chains like a roasted pig before his head. "and y-your human head is back! You're the Hollow I saw in Soul Society when I kidnapped the Ex-Espada!" he whimpered, shaking in fear.
Ignoring him, Orihime was happy that her illusion worked on him. She scanned the area, trying to find Ichigo's location. She raised her hand, feeling a thick invisible barrier blocking her way. The woman froze in place and felt like a cold hand squeezing her insides. For a brief moment, she felt confused. Nobody was around her. Something behind this wall was happening, and it definitely included Ichigo as she felt his powerful Reiatsu and Aizen's crashing against it.
She placed her feet on Ainoko's bloody skull and tilted her head on the right.
"Such a shame, I had plans for you too…" Orihime spoke in the man's mind with a double voice, "but I'm running out of time, my husband needs me,"
"A-Are you going to leave me in this state?" Ainoko shivered as Orihime crept closer to him, smirking.
"You're chained in Hell's chains that's why you're still alive…," her response echoed in Ainoko's drilled head. She gathered a massive amount of Reiatsu in a single arm, making it glow in a black-golden color. Her hair began to float around her as she knelt down before the Guerilla's leader and stuck her finger against his temple.
"I reject," she mumbled, Ainoko's eyes stretching wide, screaming out in pain while his body dissolved in a black-golden smoke.
Orihime stood looking down at her hands. She avenged her son… but Ainoko mentioned Aizen thinking about Kazui… describing him as a monster…
Clenching her fists, Kamiko's hate and enmity welled up in her guts, fury itself burning her up, adding more fuel to her state.
She placed both of her hands on the barrier, feeling it materialize under her touch thanks to her powers. She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath and let it out, feeling Kamiko's excitement deep in her soul. Her eyes snapped open, her body glowing with a swirl of black-golden Reiatsu.
"I reject!"
The energy contained within her body exploded in a wave, creating a large shockwave engulfing the whole area. The wall cracked first then disintegrated, falling like snowflakes made of glass.
"Please be safe, Ichigo…" She looked up at the sky and vanished, rejecting herself to Ichigo's place.
Ichigo and Aizen
Ichigo blinked in confusion and carefully glanced at his surroundings. Checking his own body, nothing had moved. His Zanpakuto was still in his hand and his Reiryoku's energy was still the same.
"Something must have happened," he puzzled, scanning the area again. Nothing changed and Aizen released an attack. How come nothing changed? Maybe the Hogyoku broke after his attacks?
He should be glad Aizen's attack failed, but he felt unwell. One of the most potent being released a powerful attack, but nothing happened?
Seconds passed as Ichigo tried to calm himself, he would end it and think about what happened later. He stared at Aizen, trying to guess his intentions from his face, but the man was expressionless.
"Let's finish this and go home," he thought, determination filling him.
"I don't know what went wrong, Aizen…", He gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto, he gritted his teeth and raised his blade high, "but I won't show you any mercy!"
"Getsuga Tensho!" He shouted as he poured as much energy as he could into his attack. A gargantuan mass of flames emerged around him and he fired a massively golden light wave, slashing Aizen's chest.
Ichigo cringed as Aizen screeched in agony, causing him to turn away as the man tore his throat with the intensity of his wail. The man's screams died when he tore his vocal cords with the sheer strength of his outcry.
With a grimace, Ichigo forced himself to look at the dying moments of one of his biggest enemies. He noticed a bright light slowly healing him, as the Hogyoku was repairing his flesh and probably restoring his mind.
"This is my mercy, Aizen," Resolutely, Ichigo raised his Zanpakuto.
"Getsuga Jujisho!"
Ichigo caught a glimpse of Aizen's face. He looked delirious even in his final moments until the attack reached his face. He looked towards him and noticed a smile on the man's face before his body exploded into spirit particles.
"Goodbye, Aizen," He sighed. It was finally over.
Turning around, he made a step forward, trying to spot Orihime's Reiatsu. It was time to end this war and return to Karakura. At that moment, he felt all of his strength leave his body and fell on the ground, darkness consuming him.
Echoes… Voices…. Footsteps… A banging on the door.
"Ichigo! Time to wake up!"
Forcefully, he rose from a heavy slumber. He blinked several times, trying to process his environment. He was in a room that seemed to be like his old room at his father's place. He slowly sat up, dragging his feet off the bed, wondering what the heck he was doing here. His body was aching and his muscles felt weak.
"Come on, Ichigo! Don't make me go in there or I'll kick your ass!"
He let out an exasperated sigh, groaning as he rolled off his bed. He tried to support himself on one hand so he could get up but to his surprise, he found himself unable to.
"The fuck!" he exclaimed "I can't stand up!" he glanced down at his chest, only to notice restriction straps.
"Huh?" he blinked. "why am I wearing this?"
He strained against the carpet on the ground with every ounce of strength he had and he still couldn't budge. His back was hurting from the base of his spine to the tail bone. His saliva was pooling in the back on his mouth.
His heart was pounding, ready to explode. His eyes scanned left and right for any sign when the door blasted open.
"Ichigo! You should have called me out, you idiot!"
Ichigo gasped in shock when he recognized the face and voice of the woman.
"T-Tasuki? What are you doing here?"
The woman raised one eyebrow and then shook her head.
"Come on, I just brought you back from the hospital yesterday, don't tell me I already have to give you more medicine …"
Still shocked, Ichigo barely heard the words coming out of the woman's mouth.
"I had to make you wear this straitjacket yesterday evening. You were too violent and you didn't want to go to bed, even after I gave you your medication…" Tatsuki sighed. "I really don't want to bring you back to the hospital… please behave…"
"Hospital? What are you talking about?"
Tatsuki ignored him and brought a wheelchair from the hall. She picked him off the ground and sat him on it. She reached into her pocket and took out a small syringe filled with a translucid substance. She stood behind him and plunged the needle into Ichigo's neck before he tried to resist.
Almost immediately, Ichigo felt drowsy. He growled, desperately clinging to his consciousness.
"W-why… Tat…Tatsuki…"
On the edge of his consciousness, he heard the woman's answer.
"You always ask the same question…I finally managed to bring you back home thanks to a nurse friend of mine, Hanataro Yamada." She spoke, crossing her arms.
"Ever since your mother died in an accident when you were eight, you went insane… and you were placed into Karakura's psychiatric institution for mentally ill people, until yesterday morning,"
Ichigo stared at Tatsuki with an unfocused sight, his dizzy and slightly disoriented mind unable to form a coherent thought. A quiet groan escaped his lips.
"Urgg…"
As soon as his voice came out of his mouth, a sharp pain throbbed within his skull and caused him to grimace. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to relax his body and mind. Trying to lift his head and keep it still, he tried to remember what his last memory was.
Vivid images flashed before his eyes; he was fighting a man with brown hair, a scattered ground, a beautiful orange-haired girl smiling at him, his hand holding his kid's, his father, sisters and friends...
Moments later, he opened his eyes and kept breathing steadily to calm himself.
"A psychiatric institution? What kind of sick joke is that?" he asked himself out loud in a disbelieving tone. "At least I'm not wearing that straitjacket anymore,"
He shifted his sight and noticed he was in the middle of his father's living room.
"Finally, you woke up! I turned on the television so you take your mind off things," Tatsuki came in, her hands full of snacks and a bowl of popcorn as she sat on the couch just beside Ichigo.
The orange-haired man was in his wheelchair with a blanket on his knees. He glanced at the television, feeling like his face was inches away from the flickering screen. He grimaced again from the throbbing pain in his head.
"That's probably the side effect of what she used on me earlier…"
He closed his eyes again. This can't be. Was it a nightmare? He wasn't that stupid to believe her. He knew his head was clear, he wasn't mad. He just had to think to figure this out. He sighed again, calming his breath.
"I remember everyone and everything, Tatsuki,"
"I don't have time for your bullshit, Ichigo," Tatsuki growled, frowning at him. "Shhh now, my show has started!"
Staring confusedly at the woman who was eating popcorn, Ichigo turned back to the television, still thinking about how he ended up in this situation and how he could make it out.
"Good evening everyone! Welcome to Yumichika Ayasegawa's talk show, live special from France! Tonight, we have a very special guest. She's one of the most famous actresses in Japan and she was nominated in the best drama category in Cannes' festival. Known as Japan's Idol, the country's pride, please welcome her warmly, Orihime Inoue!"
Hearing the name, Ichigo focused back on the screen and blinked several times.
And when she walked into the studio, Ichigo felt like his whole world slowed down. He looked up and laid his eyes on the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life.
Perfect auburn hair that rested right above her shoulders and hazel brown eyes that could swallow galaxies. Her perfect skin looked so fragile yet so soft. Her cheeks seemed to have the color of pink roses and her eyelashes were longer than anyone's he had ever seen. Her body caught his attention, a small waist hidden under a strapless emerald silky dress that showed her curvy hips. This was the girl that changed his life, she was his wife. But what was she doing on a talk show?
There was a shyness to her, hesitation in her body movements, and a softness in her voice as she waved to the crowd screaming her name.
"I'm such a big fan of her! She could have been the perfect sister to me…" Tatsuki sighed. "we both like combat sports for example,"
"T-Tasuki…."
"Shhh, let's hear what she's going to say!" Tatsuki threw popcorn at his face, turning up the television's volume.
"Nice to meet you, everyone!" Orihime waved at the crowd, blushing from all the attention she was having.
"So, I'm going to ask you some questions about your career and personal life," Yumichika, the host, stared at the camera, smirking while the crowd went crazier. "By the way, I like your outfit and you know that I don't compliment anyone, especially since this interview is live on TV worldwide,"
Orihime laughed in embarrassment, "Thank you for your compliment and for this invitation, Yumichika-san!" she blushed, hiding her smile behind her hand. "I'm so happy to represent our country in such a famous movie festival. But as you all know, I always have too many ideas that come at once in my mind, it's probably the little blue men and aliens work but I got used to it! As I don't like to talk much about myself, let's start with that then I'd be-"
"Fine! First question!" Yumichika interrupted as passed a hand in his black hair, his face zoomed in by the camera. "Tell me a little about your husband, you never talk about him,"
"As you all know, he doesn't like attention, that's why I want to respect his wish, so my fans don't bother him. He's very caring, intelligent, and of course, he's the most handsome man I've ever met." Orihime cleared her voice, blushing even more.
"Thank god, she's still my wife even in this place," Ichigo sighed in relief, still watching the television.
"Oh, I can feel the love you have for him from my seat!" Yumichika winked at the camera. "He also started to get famous himself thanks to his work,"
Orihime nodded, "Indeed! He has the greatest brain and it shows in his hands!"
Yumichika laughed out loud with the crowd and winked a second time at the camera with exaggeration.
"Come on Orihime! This isn't a midnight show to talk about those private things!"
Ichigo's lips lightly lifted. God, he missed her so bad.
"huh?" Orihime blinked several times in confusion before turning as red as the seat she was sitting on. She shook her head many times, blurting, "N-No I didn't mean it that way!"
Yumichika smirked. "your innocence will kill us one day, but we love you for that!"
Orihime softly smiled, "What I meant is that my husband, is getting famous thanks to his hands and talent. He can be considered as an artist too since he saves lives. You know, being a renowned cardiac surgeon, Ishida is…-"
In an instant, the television went dark and fell down, the living room's table crushing it to pieces.
"Why? Damn you, Ichigo! it started to get interesting!" Tatsuki yelled, "I shouldn't have taken off your straitjacket!"
At that moment, his eyes were down and he clenched his fist, digging his nails into his palms so hard they turned white.
"She's mine! She's my wife!" he shouted back, "I would have killed that four eyes if he had ever laid a finger on her!"
"Y-Your what?" Tatsuki raised an eyebrow before laughing out loud. "and what's next? You're going to tell me you have a kid with her?"
"Ichigo, I told you that you just got out of the psychiatric hospital yesterday," She continued. "All your family died after your placement in the institution. I'm your only friend that's left and I don't think I can put up with your bullshit much longer,"
Ichigo closed his eyes, trying to control his breathing. "Alright. I remember everyone. Orihime, Kazui, Dad, Yuzu, Karin, Rukia, Renji, Chad, Ishida… the Shinigami, the Arrancar, the Quincy… they're not the product of my imagination." He thought to himself.
"Should I give you another shot, Ichigo?" Tatsuki tapped her foot against the ground, getting impatient. "seeing your state, no wonder why Yuzu killed herself in despair…"
For a brief moment, he opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.
"This illusion is crazy. How is it possible to create such a twisted reality… wait… an illusion…" he ignored Tatsuki's questions, blinking when his disturbing thoughts crossed his mind.
"Could this be Aizen's doing? I remember killing him… is this the power of his Zanpakuto fused with the Hogyoku? He's surely manipulating me…. How can I get out of this?" he muttered quietly, narrowing his eyes.
"That's it, I'm calling the doctor. This is your last chance before I take your ass back to the hospital!" Tatsuki left the living room, leaving Ichigo all alone.
Lost in his mind, Ichigo didn't even hear her words. He looked out the window, drops of heavy rain getting his attention. At that moment, he realized something. It was quiet. Not only in the house, but in his mind too.
"Zangetsu?" He called, closing his eyes and waiting a few seconds. He called for his Zanpakuto spirit again, his voice a bit louder.
"Zangetsu!"
He yelled again, but no response. No answer. Just a void. He gulped, a cold feeling ran across his spine. This quietness scared him more than anything. He concentrated, trying to get a hold of his spiritual energy.
Nothing. He felt nothing.
He stretched his eyes, the realization hitting him in the face and knocking him out. He was all alone. He felt the energy disappearing from his body, feeling like an empty shell. Briefly, the flame of his resolve flickered like a candle in a cold breeze. His fingers twitched, feeling something within his soul tugging at him, causing him to clench his fists again.
"So, this is your plan, Aizen? Isolating me from everyone just as Soul Society did to you?" he thought.
"You want me to be scared, huh?" he yelled at the top of his lungs, crushing his fist against the wall. "Let me get out of this illusion!"
Before he could muse any further, the living room's door screeched open and Tatsuki walked inside, wearing a forced smile as her face was pale.
"Please behave Ichigo, I really don't want to make you wear your straitjacket…" she approached him gently, "I called the doctor, he's coming to check on you,"
"I don't need it," Ichigo frowned, crossing his arms. "Are you afraid of me?"
"I-I'm not!" her voice shook as she tried to show a serious face. "Are you sure you're ok?" Tatsuki pointed her finger on the hole he made on the wall.
Ichigo raised an eyebrow and kept silent. He sat back in his wheelchair, only for Tatsuki to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Ichigo. It hurts me to see you hurt, you know that you're like a brother to me," She sighed. "You always seem to forget the substance the hospital gave me is very strong. It's going to make you sick later…" she shook her head.
"You shouldn't have knocked me out this that shitty product then,"
"The straitjacket can be ineffective sometimes with your strength… so they used sedatives for horses to deal with you when you had an episode, just like earlier… and I don't want to say that your doctor is right about you,"
"And what did they say?" he held his head, a throbbing pain attacking his skull again.
"That you have a monster within…"
Ichigo forced the urge to throw his wheelchair by the window and punch her in the face even if it meant hitting his oldest friend, or maybe just a copy of her… but he needed to keep his mind clear so he can escape. He better behaves before she knocks him out again with that poison.
Tatsuki pushed his wheelchair, slowly maneuvering to the other side of the living-room, stopping it by the window.
"I know you like rain. Maybe the sound will help you calm down," she spoke. "be right back, the door bell's ringing"
"Are you fucking kidding me? Me, liking the rain?" he groaned. "what if I have to kill Tatsuki to get out? Or maybe… I have to kill myself?" he frowned more, "I feel like I've been here for ages…I'm not crazy, damn it!"
He noticed a kid holding a woman's hand, both of them protected by an umbrella. The kid stopped his tracks, lifted his head, and smiled towards him, waving his hand.
Ichigo's eyes stretched and he opened the window in haste.
"Kazui!"
"What are you doing here? you don't belong to this place!" the kid grinned at him and followed his mom that kept moving.
"Ichigo! The doctor's here!" Tatsuki stepped in the living room, "And close that damn window before you catch a cold!" she hit him on the back of his head and closed it.
"Hello, Kurosaki Ichigo,"
Ichigo blinked at the familiar voice. He was sure he had already heard it before. He slightly turned his head. In a moment, he froze, just as if a lightning struck him right in his place.
Standing in front of him in a long white coat, his doctor gazed at him. A man with brown hair, glasses, and a kind smile. He knew that face.
"A-Aizen?"
"Kurosaki Ichigo… how many times did I ask you to call me Doctor Aizen?" the man posed his suitcase by the door, "I didn't think we'd see each other that fast,"
"I'm quite displeased with your attitude and behavior after what Miss Arisawa told me. After all the progress you made in the institute and Miss Arisawa's efforts to bring you back home… I don't know what happened, but I hope you're not turning back to your old self, "Aizen stated with a frown.
"But have no fear, for I'll heal your mind, for Miss Arisawa's sake and yours. I promise-"
The doctor wasn't able to finish his sentence when Ichigo jumped out of his wheelchair, placing his fingers around the man's neck and squeezed.
"I'll fucking kill you right here! dispel this illusion or I'll fucking blow this place up!"
"Doctor!" Tatsuki yelled in fear.
Staring into Aizen's eyes, Ichigo noticed that his victim started to lose his color. Ichigo suddenly felt a heavy hitting on the back of his head and lost the grip on the man's neck. His vision spun around and he felt a needle plunging in his neck again.
Before losing consciousness, he took out the needle, noticing half of the liquid was still in it. He stood as he lifted Aizen's head by grabbing his hair mercilessly and he dived the rest of the liquid into his neck.
Ichigo started to feel dizzy as his vision began to fade away. He looked around him, only to notice the house was slowly disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Before he fainted, he heard a familiar voice.
"I reject!"
A/N: Thank you for reading and for your support! I hope you enjoyed this one. I loved writing this chapter especially the second part :)
*I was so happy to see all your recent reviews! so thank you for each one of you for taking the time to do so :) same goes to the follows/fav.
*Shout out to my Beta ScepticalOne for his help with the corrections.
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See you soon and take care! ++