Chapter Seventy Four:

Ichigo adjusted his Fukutaichou badge on his arm, making sure it was positioned correctly as he walked behind Byakuya towards the meeting room in Division One. It was to be his first public outing as the new Fukutaichou for Division Six and he was determined not to make a fool of himself or his fiancé, he had even gone through the painstaking trouble of braiding his hair so it looked a little less wild and a little more elegant.

Three days had passed since Gin's tumble into Seireitei, and after Ichigo's brief struggle with the weight of what was coming and the subsequent guidance he had received from Zangetsu and Shiro, the strawberry haired Shinigami had fervently fought to have Gin recognised as an ally instead of the traitor everyone believed him to be. He was certain, by the time his requests were met, that the only reason he had succeeded was because the Kuchiki siblings, Renji and Matsumoto were on his side.

The former Division Three Taichou was being given a memorial service a few hours after the meeting, his body having already dispersed and become part of Soul Society. It seemed that, at long last, Matsumoto had found some peace in knowing the man she had loved all her life had never truly betrayed her.

Sighing softly as he stared at the large doors which stood between him and the meeting room, Ichigo gave his uniform a final brush down, it was unusual for second in commands to be invited to the meetings and he could only assume such a summon had been received because the discussions were going to relate to the oncoming war.

He wasn't entirely sure he could stomach any more talk about Aizen, the Espada or the disgusting measures the man was going to in order to control his subordinates. He already had a headache just thinking about it, and that wasn't being helped at all by his still poor sleep.

"At least in your dreams you are beginning to fight back." Zangetsu's voice was soft.

"For the all the help it does." He responded, eyes shut as he stood behind his Taichou as the meeting began, "I still can't break away from what Ulquiorra did."

"But even now, you no longer quiver when you say his name. You are growing stronger."

Ichigo received a sharp jab to his ribs, his eyes flashing open in an instant. He immediately flushed as he saw the eyes of every Taichou and Fukutaichou on him and soon realised that his reiatsu had given an ugly jolt of tremulous frustration.

"Sorry." He muttered, glaring as he saw Renji smirk at him from across the room, "Zangetsu was... Doesn't matter. My apologies."

"No matter," Kyōraku chuckled with good humour as he adjusted his hat, his body language as relaxed as ever as he sat at the head of the room, "Our Zanpakutō's all give us a headache now and again."

"Thank you, for your understanding." He bowed his head and fell silent, determined not slip up any further.

"Now, as I was saying," the pink clad man began again, "Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi have been working together to find a way to protect Karakura town from the oncoming battle. I am happy to announce that they feel they have come up with the best solution to the issue of Aizen planning to create an Ōken from the population of the town."

Ichigo's ears pricked up at the mention of what used to be his home.

"That... Man and I conceived an unconventional idea, based upon the existence of the Reishi Henkan-Ki. It seemed logical to assume that if such a variation of your standard Senkaimon could be created, why not other variants as well." The blue mane which seemed essential to the scientist's attire stuck out like a sore thumb among the other Shinigami present, "As such, we formulated a new type of Senkaimon. It is called Tenkai Ketchu."

"Please explain to us how it works, Kurotsuchi Taichou." Renji spoke up, no longer the shy man he would have been as a Fukutaichou, he had already begun to adapt well to the new responsibilities of his position.

"Four giant pillars are erected at cardinal points of Karakura town, when activated the Tenkai Ketchu replaces the space within it, with a space from somewhere else." The man complied, explaining quickly, ignoring the looks of confusion he received from the likes of Kenpachi and Hisagi.

"You plan to replace the Karakura town with something else." Unohana murmured.

"Correct."

"Where will Karakura town be moved to?" Byakuya asked, as if sensing Ichigo's concerns.

"The plan is for us to construct a life sized replica of the town in Rukongai, and using the Tenkai Ketchu we will replace it with the real town." Mayuri tapped a finger against his chin, "This means that when Aizen arrives to take the town, he will instead find himself within a fake replacement, while the real town rests safely inside Soul Society, her residents asleep and none the wiser."

Ichigo let out a small breath, it sounded like an insane idea, ludicrous and barely achievable in the time they had left. And yet, the Division Twelve Taichou seemed so confident, and he couldn't help but speak up, "Should any assistance be required with constructing the fake Karakura town, I would be happy to assist, with the permission of Kuchiki Taichou. After all, I used to live there, I may be of some use."

The raven haired noble glanced at him, his expression utterly neutral as it always was in front of his colleagues, but he nodded, "If Ichigo is needed I am content to release him to you."

"An excellent idea." Kyōraku hummed, "As long as we can be sure you don't plan to whisk the poor boy off for a dissection as soon as he's finished."

"Bah. Willing test subjects are so hard to come across these days." Was the only response they got, one which wasn't so comforting.

The Sou-Taichou dismissed them all only a short while later with a few words of encouragement, Ichigo sighed deeply as he walked beside his fiancé as they left the Division, hearing Renji and Hisagi not far behind them, engaging Hinamori in conversation. The strawberry glanced back and was glad to see them all getting along so well, Hinamori needed stability after the betrayal of Aizen. And Hisagi seemed grateful to have someone to share the work load of Division Nine with.

"Do you think this idea of a fake Karakura town will work?" Ichigo asked Byakuya as they left the barracks.

"Kurotsuchi seems confident." Came the stoic reply before the noble softened to a smile, "I'm sure if nothing more it is worth trying."

"Definitely. If nothing else, it might stall Aizen." He shrugged, scratching the top of his head as he noted the increased security around the area, "What's with all the guards?"

"They never found the assassin who killed Yamamoto and Sasakibe. There are concerns another attack could be imminent, against Kyōraku or the other Taichou." Byakuya sighed softly, "Personally, I doubt it. I think the assassin will either have taken their own life to evade capture, or will be hiding out, awaiting further orders."

"You don't think..."

"That it was Norio?" The Kuchiki heir raised an eyebrow, "The idea crossed my mind initially but... As brilliant as the man is, he doesn't have the power to kill a Shinigami like Yamamoto."

"How do you do that?" Ichigo scoffed, "Sometimes I swear you can read my thoughts."

Byakuya reached out and took his fiancé's hand in his own, pulling him closer and pressing a kiss against the shell of his ear, "My love, from the moment you recovered your emotions you have worn them on your sleeve. It doesn't take a lot for me to see your train of thought."

Cheeks pinking, the strawberry pouted at him, "I thought I'd mastered my emotions quite well, all things considered."

"Oh you have." He mused, "But I can read you like an open book."

Deciding to take it as a compliment, Ichigo fell silent as they made their way back to the Division Six barracks, there were still a few things which needed sorting before Gin's memorial service began. Ichigo parted from his fiancé and entered the office of the Division's Fukutaichou, because both his and Renji's promotions had been so quick the strawberry hadn't had chance to fully move his possessions from the Third Seat's office and quarters, nor had he been able to redecorate.

Casting a brief eye around the office, he was greeted with ageless cream and russet shades, somewhat less ostentatious than Renji's personality, but oddly fitting at the same time. When the war was concluded Ichigo planned to splash the place with touches of gold, red, orange and black. Colours which reflected his personality, as well as Zangetsu's and Shiro's.

Sitting at his desk, he looked at the small pile of paperwork he had left to sift through a smiled, if there was one thing he could confidently say, it was that he was vastly better at his written work than Renji had ever been. In that respect, he had to thank Aizen for having taught him to be such a perfectionist.

As he finished signing off on the last few documents, Ichigo found himself staring out of the window, concentration momentarily broken by the sound of rain splashing against the glass. He sighed. He hated the rain. But it was that time of the year when it was more common, his only joy came from the thought that within a few more weeks the rain would turn to snow and every Shinigami in Soul Society would be being afflicted by festive cheer.

"If we survive that long." He muttered to himself with a huff, looking back down at the paperwork he had completed. His eyes felt heavy all of a sudden, an unexpected weariness wrapping him up in its warmth, his skin flushing with the heat.

Rising from his seat slowly, he felt himself lurch uncertainly, swaying on the spot as that heat continued to creep deeper and further beneath his uniform, his body searing as a sheen of sweat began to streak his skin.

Turning towards the small sink in the back of the office, he staggered forwards, reaching out in hopes of getting a glass of water, but his knees buckled before he had even moved more than a few steps and he hit the floor with a thud.

The moment his skull cracked off the wooden floor he was thrown back into his Inner World, letting out a sharp cry of surprise as he fell from the edge of one of the skyscrapers, tumbling towards the street below with no control of his body.

He was grabbed, less than a foot from the ground by a pair of strong arms and he released a sharp inhalation, eyes widening as he came face to face with Ulquiorra. He struggled free, dropping to the ground as he put as much distance between them as he could, watching as that predatory look returned to the former Cuatro Espada's eyes.

His chest tightened anxiously, his Inner World hadn't changed. There was no sand. No red pillars. No false sky. Just skyscrapers. This was new. This hadn't happened before. Why could he see Ulquiorra while his Inner World remained unchanged? What was going on?

Swallowing hard, Ichigo forced himself to stop moving. Fists balling at his sides as he watched Ulquiorra's eyes narrow as he began prowling towards him. That intent to kill was still so strong. So overpowering. Odious. Abominable. Palpable. Wretched.

"Why won't you leave me in peace?" He asked aloud, he'd meant to bite his tongue, "Wasn't it enough to break me once? Why do you have to keep trying?"

Ichigo wasn't sure what he was expecting. But he wasn't willing to go through this torment any longer. He was done being the plaything of a horrific memory. He was done being Ulquiorra's victim. He was done!

"You don't belong here! This is my Inner World! My sanctuary! My Soul! You weren't welcome inside my body, you are not welcome here either!"

"Not welcome?" Ulquiorra's voice took him by surprise, "Being welcome has nothing to do with it. I forced my way into your body, just as I have forced my way into your mind. Even if you are no longer a leech sucking at Aizen-sama's offerings you still pose a threat. Ichigo Kurosaki."

His resolve cracked immediately, he took a step back as he let out a shaky breath, "Forced your way... Into my mind? What are you talking about?! These were just memories! Just horrid memories!"

"Foolish trash."

"F-Foolish?" Ichigo repeated half heartedly, "What are you talking about?"

Ulquiorra lifted his head, his fingertips were scarlet, stained with blood, "Humans... You're just so malleable."

As if a bucket of ice water had been thrown over him, Ichigo shivered from head to toe. He remembered Ulquiorra's hands looking like that. After the Cuatro had pinned him down, fingers digging into his hips like talons, drawing blood. Tasting it. Smelling it. Detecting his Humanity. His weakness.

Shiro... Shiro had told him that the dark haired Espada had laced his wounds with his own reiatsu, preventing the albino Hollow helping him. Keeping him caged.

He'd never stopped to ask if Shiro had flushed that reiatsu out when he'd taken control. The strawberry's hands rose to his throat slowly, fingers coming to rest on the unnaturally hot puckered flesh of his scar. How many of his wounds had been laced? How many of his wounds had been violated by the malevolent reiatsu of his rapist?

"Ah, I see you are beginning to understand." Ulquiorra's smirk was unnatural, unbefitting a face that was usually devoid of everything, "I have always dealt in ideals, but never forgotten the possibilities. It was ideal to remove you from the world, to remove you from Aizen-sama's sights, to remove you from existence. But it was always a possibility that your pesky Hollow would get in the way. That I would fail. That I would die, or suffer."

"Did you... Somehow... Put part of your conscience inside me? With your reiatsu?" He gasped out, "When you... When you raped me... You left a piece of yourself in my body, in my mind! You fucking bastard! That's why... That's why you've haunted me here! Why I can't rest! You're torturing me!"

"If I was unable to complete my goal physically, the least I could do it complete it mentally." The green eyes monster looked around the city streets with distaste, "Perhaps if I remove Aizen-sama's biggest threat he will reward me by restoring my mask."

"He'd never do that."

"And you know him so well." Ulquiorra's voice was venomous, "You know him so well that you were shocked to discover he had manipulated Hirako Shinji just like he manipulated you. You were surprised that he'd tortured the remaining Espada. Surprised that he'd kill someone who'd been at his side since the very beginning... Oh yes, you know him so well."

Ichigo felt a sickened twist in his belly, gulping as Ulquiorra moved suddenly, appearing right in front of him, their noses almost touching. He felt a whimper rise, he forced it back down, "So every time I've remembered what you did... Was it a memory? Or were you doing it all over again?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Came the sharp response as the green eyed beast leaned in closer, daring to come within kissing distance of the strawberry's lips.

He felt frozen, his legs weren't cooperating. His body wasn't cooperating. His mind was cooperating. This wasn't a memory. It wasn't a post-traumatic torment. It was real. It was current. It was fresh. It was happening right now.

Ichigo let out a pained grunt as his back hit a nearby wall, Ulquiorra pinning him in place with one hand, he struggled violently, kicking out as terror bit into his very Soul and made his eyes sting with fear. He'd survived Ulquiorra's touch once, but he didn't know if he had the strength to do it a second time.

Strong fingers fisted in his hair, swinging him around until his hands and knees were scuffing on the tarmac, his face forced down against the curb as Ulquiorra overpowered his unresponsive form. His eyes were wide, staring down the street as he felt the other man tearing at his shihakusho, teeth tormenting the scar on his shoulder, the bite mark left from last time.

He could feel fingers yanking at his hakama. History was repeating itself. He wasn't strong enough to fight back. He wasn't powerful enough to overcome Ulquiorra's strength.

'No.' Ichigo thought suddenly, eyes regaining life as his teeth clenched painfully, 'That's not true... I'm not weak! I'm not letting history repeat itself! Hueco Mundo was his playground... But this is mine!'

He was angry. Enraged. Furious. Boiling. Overflowing. Erupting. Rage bursting forth as he released an ear-bleeding screech. He heard the volcanic shattering of glass from the skyscrapers around them as his reiatsu gushed out of his body, throwing Ulquiorra away with enough force to demolish an entire building.

Ichigo was on his feet, breath coming in short sharp gasps as he turned, murderous gaze finding the former Cuatro Espada. He wasn't a toy. He wasn't a plaything. He wasn't a bug to be crushed by an Espada. Ulquiorra had only ever been the Cuatro. But he... He was the Cero Espada.

"You will never touch me again." He said slowly, back straightening as his shihakusho reformed across his chest at will, "You will not touch me in my Inner World. You will not touch me in Hueco Mundo. You will not touch me!"

His fingers tightened as he felt the hilt of Zangetsu form in his hands, the body sized blade lifting high above his head despite his eyes never once leaving Ulquiorra's face, "You've tormented me for long enough. My waking and sleeping hours. My life is not yours to destroy. My body is not yours to violate! You're nothing! Nobody! You're not even an Espada anymore! But even if you were... You'd have no right to me. No right to my body or Soul!"

The ground was shaking beneath his feet as brilliant blue energy engulfed him, wrapping around his sword like a coiling snake ready to strike. He was done being weak. He was done being frightened. He was Ichigo Kurosaki. He was the Head of the Shiba Clan. He was Division Six's Fukutaichou. He was going to be Byakuya Kuchiki's husband!

"I CAST YOU OUT!" He roared as he brought his sword down with a flourish, screaming at the top of his lungs as he pushed every inch of his power behind the blow.

Chestnut eyes narrowed to slits as he watched Ulquiorra's body disappear within the righteous blue flames of the Getsuga Tenshou, seemingly ripped in every direction before he could even speak. As the energy cloud faded and dispersed, Ichigo felt a sudden weightlessness. A lightness he hadn't felt ever since Ulquiorra's original attack.

He felt dizzy. Light headed. Whole. He felt the chains of humiliation finally snapping. He felt free.

But in that moment of clarity he felt something else, something far more uncertain and alien. He could recall the Hōgyoku, its thrum of power, its swirling cascades of energy. It's Soul. He could recall Shiro's fascination, his feeling of belonging. Of being drawn into it.

"Aibou!" Shiro's voice came from his right and Ichigo watched as the albino version of himself sprinted down the street towards him.

"Shiro? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine... I sensed Ulquiorra... I sensed the fight... Ya beat him?" Golden eyes seemed surprised as they appraised the ruined section of buildings.

"I... I did. He's gone. I... I finally beat him." He couldn't help but let a small smile stretch across his lips, that weightless feeling of elation lifting his spirits.

"I'm glad, I really am, but... Listen... I know what ya know from yer talk. There was some of his reiatsu still in here. It must have been blockin' some kind of memory or connection because as soon as he was gone..." The albino spoke so quickly he almost seemed to trip over his words.

"What is it?" The strawberry rested a hand on his shoulder.

"I heard the Hōgyoku once Ulquiorra's presence was gone and... It's Aizen! He's accelerated his plans! He doesn't need to wait, he's ready! Ya gotta warn Byakuya! Ya gotta make the Shinigami ready! If he succeeds in makin' the Ōken... Soul Society will fall!" Shiro gasped out, "He's going to move in three days!"

"Three days?!" He exclaimed, "Shit!"

He fled his Inner World with an inelegant jolt, back smashed against the wall of his office, causing his head to bow uncomfortable as he slumped and hit the floor for a second time, gasping harshly as he recalled every detail of what had happened inside his Inner World. The strawberry leapt to his feet, sprinting from his office without so much as locking the door.

Despite his rush, he could feel the change in himself. His scars no longer prickled or burned. They no longer itched like something was trapped beneath them. He'd cleansed himself. Cleansed himself of Ulquiorra's reiatsu and the shame he'd carried as a result of his attack. He was free. He felt strong. He felt ready to fight. Truly ready.

Bounding further up the hill towards Byakuya's office, he threw the door open and almost fell into the room, panting harshly as he stared at the raven haired man who was sat behind his desk. Byakuya looked ready to scold him for his impolite entrance, but whatever words had been on the tip of his tongue died as he saw Ichigo's expression.

"What has happened?" The Taichou asked immediately, standing up sharply.

"It's Aizen!" The strawberry exclaimed, "We only have three days!"

"What?!" The usually composed man hissed, eyes widening.

"He's going to attack Karakura town in three days!" He said again, "We have to tell the others, they have to finish the Tenkai Ketchu before then!"

"How do you know this?" Byakuya asked, striding around his desk swiftly and resting his hands on the strawberry's arms, "An update from Shiro's memories?"

"Sort of... Not entirely..." He paused, swallowing hard, "My dreams about Ulquiorra... They weren't just dreams. They were real. When Ulquiorra raped me he imbued my wounds with his own reiatsu. An insurance policy in case he died or was injured. He sealed part of himself in my body. He's been using it to torment me... I... I defeated him, at last. And instantly Shiro was able to tell me... He heard the Hōgyoku, and Aizen's plans."

"Ulquiorra did what?" The nobleman looked horrified as he pulled the sunrise haired man into his embrace, holding him close, "I'm so very proud of you for defeating him. That's... Incredible news. Are you certain Shiro is telling the truth though?"

"I believe him. Implicitly." He said with certainty, "I know it sounds crazy, but please believe me. Aizen will attack Karakura town in three days!"

Seeming to consider his words for a long moment, the raven haired Shinigami let out a small sigh, "I believe you. I want you to go and find Renji and Rukia, tell them what you told me. In the meantime I will go and see Kyōraku and Ukitake and relay the information to them. They can see to informing the others. With any luck, the Tenkai Ketchu can be put in place before we run out of time, but the recreation of a false Karakura town might have to be a rush job."

Ichigo nodded, grateful that his fiancé believed him and was willing to act on the new information, "Thank you! Thank you! I'll go now. I'll meet you back here before we go to Gin's memorial."


Sôkyoku Hill was packed with people, the entirety of Division Three had turned out to pay respects to its fallen Taichou while scatterings from the other Divisions stood near their respective superiors. The atmosphere was tense, not only because of the nature of the gathering but because of the wild fire news which had spread through Seireitei.

Ichigo's information had been believed and as a result Kurotsuchi and Nemu, along with the rest of Division Twelve were absent from the memorial, having to dedicate their time to constructing the fake Karakura town with the small amount of time they had left.

The strawberry haired Shinigami himself was stood beside Byakuya, currently listening to Kyōraku's eulogy as a large pyre was set alight behind the man, commemorating a life which could only be described as sneaky and crude. That description drew a few chuckles from the crowd, especially from Matsumoto and Kira.

Smiling slightly, Ichigo could still remember the first time he had met Gin. It had been the end of his third year at Shino, around the same time Aizen had begun to let him in on his plans.

Standing inside the Taichou's office in Division Five, he had not long finished the tour of the Division he had been promised a place at after his graduation. It was impressive and the Shinigami were polite and diligent, if not immaculate and well behaved. It seemed that Aizen was something of a strict leader in and out of the bedroom.

Folding his arms as he leaned against one of the many bookshelves, he allowed his eyes to wander across the many spines and many titles that leapt out to meet him. None really took his interest, but it was at least mildly entertaining to see what Aizen liked.

Standing abruptly straight as he heard the door open, the strawberry peeked around, a short sting of excitement seeping into him as he saw the brunet haired Shinigami sweep into the office, followed closely by a silver haired man with a perpetual smile on his face.

"Aizen Taichou." Ichigo greeted.

"Ichigo, a pleasure to see you. I trust you enjoyed the tour?" Came the smooth reply as the man took a seat behind his desk.

"It was... Interesting." He answered with a half shrug, still eyeing the silver haired man, he noted the haori instantly, "You must be Ichimaru Taichou, from Division Three."

"Good eyes, kid." The man replied, never opening his eyes, "Is this him, Aizen Taichou?"

"Yes, Gin." Aizen sighed, "Gin is one of my subordinates, Ichigo, and is an ally to our cause. However... He is a pervert so do not be afraid to strike him if he tries anything untoward with you."

"Ne, Aizen Taichou, don't go puttin' him off before I've even had a chance to say hello properly!" An exasperated sigh escaped the silver haired man as he strode forwards and slung an arm around the younger man's shoulders, "Ichigo huh? A cute little strawberry... I think I'm gonna call ya Ichi-Berry!"

Opening his eyes, Ichigo smiled a little brighter at the memory. He'd found the nickname distasteful but it had stuck, and he had almost always been 'Ichi-Berry' to Gin. Looking back on it, he kind of appreciated the man's quirks. He'd miss that nickname. He'd miss the not so subtle innuendos. He'd miss that creepy smile that had followed him around rooms before.

He glanced around, watching as those present clasped their hands together condensing small portions of their reiatsu into glimmering orbs, used to represent the soul of the person they were mourning. With a soft breath escaping him, Ichigo joined them and released his globe of glowing reiatsu in unison with the other Shinigami present, Ichigo cast his eyes skywards, watching the beautiful sight of thousands of glowing spheres floating away, reminiscent of a Shinigami's Soul being absorbed by Soul Society after death.

"I'm going to get him Gin. For you, for mum and dad, Karin and Yuzu, and everyone else he hurt. I'll end this. I promise... No matter what it takes." Ichigo made his vow silently, heart thundering with the weight of the words.

He meant it.