Chapter Seventy Eighty:

"Espada! Stop!" Ichigo roared at the top of his lungs.

He cast a sharp eye over the fake Karakura town, eternally pleased that it was fake and not the real thing. It looked like a bomb had gone off. Or an earthquake had hit. The destruction was on a colossal scale. He could see the blood splashes, the crumbling derelict buildings, the cracked roads, the tattered streets he could probably name if he had to.

He was only grateful that they had arrived before Grimmjow had succeeded in killing Byakuya, and in time to help assist the injured. He could see Aizen, standing across the town, smugly watching over everything that was happening. He could see the Visored, and he was eternally grateful that they had turned up to fight.

Sucking in a breath, he took a few steps forwards, expression darkening as he forced authority into his tone, "I order you... Surrender!"

"Surrender?" Szayel scoffed, wiping blood from his mouth as he glared up at the strawberry, "You do know that we can't surrender, right? I mean... You aren't so stupid that you'd ignore Gin's words, surely?"

"You're right, Szayel. I'm not stupid." Ichigo replied sharply, familiar scowl slipping into place, "But you will kneel down, and you will surrender."

"Says who?" Grimmjow growled, appearing a short distance away with a crackle of Sonido, his lip bleeding from the punch he'd delivered.

"Says me." The Division Six Fukutaichou replied as though it was the simplest thing in the world, lifting his head confidently as his hand curled around the hilt of his Zanpakutō, "I'm going to give you one more chance to do this peacefully. Surrender!"

"Not a chance." The Octavo spat, his remaining wing snapping out towards Mashiro's distracted form.

Ichigo released a snarl of his own, free hand snapping down over his face to summon his Hollow mask, it formed almost instantaneously. Pure black against his skin with two vertical white lines running down between the vast and pointed horns atop of its skull like shape. A Hollowfied roar broke free from his lips, concealed behind the bone structure of his mask.

"I SAID KNEEL!"

His voice was rippling, silvery and Hollow, echoing around the town, vibrating through the reishi in the air. His authority forcing Szayel's body to stiffen, his wing retracting. He could see the pink haired man struggling, the power of the drug in his system conflicting with the orders he was being given. The look of agony on his face was one Ichigo would never forget.

It was in that moment that Minazuki soared upwards, body convulsing like an ugly fish left to boil out of water, its huge maw opening on Unohana's command to release the brewing, rolling plume of purple smoke that had built up within its belly. The smoke billowed across the town, seemingly shooting towards the Espada in tendril like fingers, encasing them, bursting into their bodies through their noses or mouths.

Urahara's cure. He could only hope it worked.

"When your Cero gives you an order... You follow it!" He barked, this would be the test, if they responded... If they followed his orders and suffered no pain for it... They were free.

Silence seemed to ripple across the town like a deathly chill. And then...

One by one, the Espada got down on their knees. Szayel was the first, followed by Grimmjow and Nelliel, then Harribel, and finally Starrk. It took Ichigo a moment to realise that the Visored had also dropped to a knelt position, and he began to wonder just how far his influence stretched over Hollows and Hollowfied souls.

Panting in relief, he saw the pain fade from across the faces of the Espada. Urahara's cure had worked... They had free will back! He could barely believe it, or contain his relief. Ichigo lifted a hand and removed his mask, allowing it to disintegrate in his grasp.

"Thank goodness." He said aloud, eyes slowly turning towards Aizen, narrowing.

The brunet's face couldn't have been more dispassionate, an obvious mask to conceal whatever it was he was actually feeling. Ichigo felt a chill run through him as the man's eyes fixed on him. Purple sclera... Long hair... The Hōgyoku must have begun bolstering Aizen's strength over the last month, transforming him. Making him something new. Something different. Hybrid.

"You bastard..." Grimmjow snarled, glowering slowly at the brunet Shinigami, "Forcing us to fight like this... Taking away out free will! You knew we'd never fight for you otherwise!"

The strawberry tugged Zangetsu free from its bandage sheathe, "And I am truly so sorry I didn't get here before the fighting broke out."

"You make it sound as if your presence will change anything." Aizen said sharply, taking several swift steps towards the strawberry, fingers closing around the sheathe of his sword, "All I have to do it reveal my Shikai to you... And this is all over. A bad dream. Nothing more."

The ring of steel that came from the man drawing his sword was hidden from Ichigo as a tall figure appeared in front of him in a crackle of Sonido, he looked up in surprise to see wavy brown hair.

"I will never let him see your Shikai! Aizen!" Starrk shouted, lifting his dual pistols and aiming them at the brunet Shinigami, "On my life! He will never fall under your spell!"

"You forget your place, Primera." Aizen breathed.

"My place is right here. Between you... And my Cero."

"As is mine." Harribel declared as she darted up beside him, her fin shaped sword pointed at Aizen.

"There was a time when we ceased to be Human and became beasts. And then in becoming Arrancar, we regained our capacity for reason. One who possesses reason who require a reason to fight." Nelliel spoke softly as she joined the other two in front of Ichigo, "I had no reason to fight here, other than self preservation. I think perhaps, the reason of defending my Cero is a far greater cause!"

"Well, I sure as hell ain't gonna get left out of this." Grimmjow snorted, folding his arms as he stood to the right of Harribel, flashing a wink at Ichigo, "Yo, Strawberry, I'm kinda glad you could make it. Even if you are late! I owe you one."

"I wish I had taken the time to ask Yammy what 'bad luck' means in Spanish... Because we are surely plagued by it." Szayel sighed as he appeared beside his blue haired friend.

"Mala suerte." Grimmjow muttered under his breath.

"Really? I had hoped it would be something more imaginative than that." The pink haired Espada rolled his whiskey coloured eyes.

"I'm sorry." He said softly, resting a gentle but firm hand on Starrk's shoulder, nudging the man aside so he could walk past, "But this time it's my turn to protect you all. That's my job. It's always been my job. From the moment I was born... I was meant to protect the people I care about. The people who mean the most. My mother... My sisters... My friends... I have failed so many times, I've ended up hurting them more than I've saved them. But I can make that right. Today. Right here."

"If you see his Shikai..." Starrk trailed off, his brow furrowing at the determination on Ichigo's face.

"He will never show me his Shikai, not unless he is truly desperate. And I don't think he is. Not yet."

"How do you know that?" Szayel hissed.

"Because the moment he shows me his Shikai, he's lost. He always believed he could keep me in line by brute force alone. If he goes back on that now... He'll feel like he's failed himself." Forcing a scowl to replace his smile, Ichigo raised his blade, "Isn't that right?"

Aizen chuckled softly, tilting his head back so he could look down on them, "You see Ichigo, as you have always seen, more of me than I wish to show. But as you well know, I don't need to use the power of my Kyoka Suigetsu to defeat you."

"Your arrogance is your undoing." The strawberry murmured, "You treat everyone around you like they are disposable assets, tools to do a job and if the tool doesn't work you can cast it aside. You're right, Aizen! I do see you! I see what I've always seen! Raw power. Unbridled. Uncontrollable. Malicious."

"There was a time those were qualities which you too possessed." The brunet half purred, his tone smug.

"And maybe I still do." Ichigo's eyes narrowed, his throat constricting, "But back then... I didn't care who or what I used my power for. That changed! I know exactly what I'm using my power for now! I'm using it to protect my friends from you!"

"I made you!"

"You destroyed me!" Ichigo yelled, taking a sharp step forwards, "I was a happy, loving little kid! I wouldn't have hurt another living soul for anything! For anyone! You robbed me of that! You turned me into a monster! You turned me into a machine! You turned me into one of your special tools that you could use and discard when I'd run out of use!"

"Is that what you think?" Aizen raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable as he slowly walked forwards, "Do you truly think... If you were a simple tool for me to use and abuse that I would have allowed you to live for a second longer when I discovered you had betrayed me?"

His chest was heaving with a mixture of anger and passion, a vile churning in his stomach that refused to lessen for even a moment. He looked down, glowering at a random building that came into view. Ichigo knew that was true enough, he had never understood why Aizen hadn't simply killed him in his quarters the moment he realised the depth of his betrayal, the depth of his returned feelings. It was the one question which had remained unanswered.

Flinching as he felt a hand suddenly rest on his chest, his eyes snapped up, coming face to face with the man himself. He felt his breath stutter as Aizen's eyes bored into his own. He was stunned into silence by the serenity of the man's expression, the sudden warmth in his eyes, the heat of his touch.

"Love... Is for children's stories. It has no place in the real world." Aizen said quietly, his head tilting to one side, "But like a moth to a flame, I was drawn to you... And to Shiro. Finding myself drawn closer and closer, into your web. Even at the risk of getting burnt. And I have been burnt by you, by both of you."

Certain that he had stopped breathing completely, Ichigo felt himself still at the other's words. The meaning behind them wasn't lost on him, and in the deepest recess of his Soul he knew he had once longed to hear them, just as Shiro had. To know he was more than a plaything. More than a tool. More than a weapon.

And yet... Even as Aizen's hand slowly trailed up his throat, surprisingly soft finger pads brushing against his jaw and cheek with such tenderness that it was as if receiving a kiss from a butterfly's wings... Aizen wasn't looking at him. Not properly. Their eyes were locked, a perpetual battle of wills preventing them from blinking. But... No...

Aizen was looking through him. Through his eyes, into the depths beyond. Into his very being. What was he looking for?

Ichigo's eyes widened only slightly as the world around him seemed to shimmer and change. A shadow of another time, another place revealing itself to him. A twisted, unreal Karakura town. With skyscrapers of blue and black.

He could see Shiro. The albino Hollow was standing stock still, hands resting on unseen glass as if pining for freedom. And on the other side of that glass... Aizen... Hands resting in the same space as Shiro's. Dark eyes finding their goal. Finding their treasure.

He felt an abrupt chill across his skin, a crawling sensation that made him shudder from the inside out.

"You don't want me." He breathed.

Seemingly surprised, Aizen allowed the battle to end as he blinked lazily, "You always see too much." His voice was almost silent.

Ichigo reached up and coiled his fingers around the brunet's wrist, prising his hand away from his face, "You can't have him. You've hurt him enough for a life time. I'll be dead before I let you take him again."

Aizen released a small huff, his eyes narrowing with a sense of hunger and determination, "If that is what it requires then so be it."

Ichigo let out a shout, throwing his body backwards as he brought his feet up. His heels slammed into Aizen's chest, forcing the brunet back. Ichigo took the opportunity, the brief distance between them to lift Zangetsu, one hand slamming down onto his arm.

"Whatever you do... Do not get in my way!" He shouted to anyone who could hear him, the fear of hurting his loved ones thrumming through him before he roared, "BANKAI!"

It was the end of the line. One last stop. One last fight. That was his hope. His need. Lean muscle and brute force, tied with speed and precision. Tensa Zangetsu clashed against Kyoka Suigetsu with a thunderous force that send reverberations up and down his arms.

Ichigo's teeth were clenched, his eyes narrow, focused, angry. He was pressing into Aizen, trying to force him back by even an inch. Even a small nudge. He'd trained for this. He'd trained and trained and trained.

Their blades were locked. Ichigo ripped his Hollow mask on. In one fluid motion he bowed his head, charged a Cero between his horns and released it. He felt the shock waves of the impact as he was thrown back, skidding as he righted himself, looking left and right as he sensed Aizen flitting around him. A hunter and his prey. But which was which.

Left!

Ichigo turned, lifting his sword. The clang of metal was loud, Aizen's face was singed, part of his collar burned away. They parted, only to charge at each other again. It was elegant. It was purposeful. A dance. Their dance. The dance they'd learned together through years of training and study together. Ichigo felt himself falling into the familiar patterns, the back and forward motions, the pirouettes, the swirls, the ducks and dives and arcs of steel.

His sword grazed Aizen's midsection, it missed the flesh but tore the shihakusho he wore. In retaliation he felt the sting of metal against his arm, shallow but instantly drawing blood.

The ringing of their swords quickened to a rattle, Ichigo twisted and turned, whirling with great movement, almost like he was throwing his entire body into each motion. Which he was. With each passing second, Aizen was pushed back. But then the brunet pushed forwards, Ichigo being forced away. They were too evenly balanced, too perfectly tied. There was no upper hand, no downfall in movement.

They knew each other too well.

Ichigo let out a frustrated roar, rushing forwards with a frenzy of movements. His training with Byakuya seeping into his movements. His training with Shinji seeping into his movements. Shiro's unpredictable rage surged forwards. Everything tied together. Everything rushed up. It was like a tidal wave of experience. He couldn't control it. He didn't want to control it.

"GETSUGA TENSHOU!" He screamed.

Aizen was knocked to one knee, panting harshly as he deflected the blow into a nearby building. There was a thin sheen of sweat across the brunet's brow, his teeth clenched in a smug smirk as he looked up at his protégé.

"I feel his anger. His rage." The brunet breathed, pushing himself to his feet, "The combination reiatsu is delightful. You've grown... Grown stronger than I had ever hoped. There is still time. Time for you to put all this behind you. Release him back to me. Together... We could tear the Soul King's domain apart."

Gasping for breath, Ichigo's fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, "You... You're deluded."

For the first time, Aizen seemed to show a genuine scowl of frustration, his jaw setting in an angry line as his fingers flexed restlessly at his side, "I have offered you both... Everything. Countless times. I had no need to do so. And yet you throw it back in my face... And I am tired of trying to understand why. Is it because you hate me? Is it because he still cares? Or is it because of them?!"

The strawberry flinched as the brunet gestured towards the Espada, the Visored and the Shinigami.

"Do you truly believe for even a second... That they would have spared you if you weren't useful to them?" The man tutted in annoyance, pacing in front of him, "They are using you both. Manipulating you both. Yes, I did the same... But you always benefited from it. You both grew strong, formidable. You could have taken anything you wanted! But them?! They will wash their hands of you as soon as you run out of use! Do you think the Goeti Thirteen will forgive your crimes? It is merely beneficial for them to forget them until such a time as they can no longer ignore it."

Ichigo gulped, his teeth clenching behind his mask. He couldn't deny he feared it... He feared that once Aizen was defeated and the war was over, he would be held accountable for his previous crimes. Even if he found personal atonement for his crimes by defeating his former mentor, former lover... There was no guarantee that Soul Society would do the same.

"I can see the fear in you, Ichigo. The hesitation. The worry." Aizen let out a small sigh, "Even now, when you are staking your life to defend them, you don't entirely trust them."

He hated that he was right. He hated it! He hated the fact that he was hesitating. It was just like Shinji had said... It was just like the blond Visored had feared. Aizen still held all the keys to all the locks. He still lingered in his head, still had a foothold.

"I can help you."

Ichigo's eyes snapped up suddenly, his body turning cold as he watched as Aizen vanished from his sights. His body twisted around, his blood chilling to ice as he heard a scream of pain. His breath knocked from his lungs as he watched Hitsugaya hit the floor, one of his arms severed at the shoulder. Nelliel's back legs were amputated, she released a screech of anguish as she was kicked aside, thrown into Kensei.

The strawberry watched in anguish as Aizen moved too quickly, too swiftly. Sword swinging, arching, twisting, twirling. Severing limbs, impaling organs, flaying flesh from bone with single swipes.

Horror rose as he watched the brunet's attention turn towards the raven haired nobleman who was laying in the street beside Shinji and Unohana. And his body moved. Ichigo plummeted like a bullet from a gun, sword outstretched, the tip aimed for Aizen's heart.

A startled gasp escaped him as Aizen suddenly disappeared again. He couldn't stop. He hit the ground where the brunet had been, skidding across the broken gravel as he rolled, bounced and ultimately ground to a stop as his back bent around a still standing lamppost. The breath was knocked clean out of his lungs as he slumped on the floor, Zangetsu skittering out of his grasp.

Why was Aizen suddenly so much faster? He thought they were evenly matched but... As Ichigo's concentration broke his mask crumbled, his stomach jolting with sudden terror. Aizen had been playing with him. Just like Shiro had played with Ulquiorra.

"N-No..." He breathed, dragging himself up onto his knees he flinched as he found the point of Kyoka Suigetsu brushing the skin between his eyebrows.

"I see you've realised the error of your actions." Aizen's voice was smug, his smirk widening, "You can't fool me... You can't overcome your master. I taught you everything, I taught you how to use Shunpo. I taught you how to move with fluidity. I taught you how to fight without fearing pain. You think you can use those things to defeat me?"

"Ichigo!"

The strawberry heard Byakuya's voice from down the street, the nobleman was fighting Unohana, trying to get to him despite the severity of his wounds. He didn't dare take his eyes away from the man in front of him though, he wasn't sure he'd survive it.

"Jūgeki Byakurai!" Urahara's voice rang out without warning, and Ichigo flinched backwards as a vibrant bolt of scarlet lightening pierced through Aizen's shoulder, drawing the man's ire.

"Kisuke Urahara..." Aizen growled, glaring at the man who was perched on the top corner of a nearby building, pointing his Zanpakutō at them both.

"You aren't seriously telling me you didn't sense that coming? Even with the power of the Hōgyoku fused to you?" The blond's voice was mocking but his expression was deadly serious.

"It is not a fusion, but a subjugation." The brunet replied calmly, his annoyance fading, "And with its power there is no need for me to dodge your attacks."

"Is that so?" Urahara seemed to take it as a personal challenge as his grasp tightened on his Zanpakutō, "Bakudō 61: Rikujōkōrō."

Aizen was slammed by the familiar yellow beams, yet his expression of growing amusement never seemed to change, "It will take more than this to hold me."

"Bakudō 62: Hyapporankan!" The blond fired the white-blue glowing rod towards Aizen, the rods separating abruptly, striking the brunet's chest, arms and legs, throwing him up against the wall, pinning him in place, "Bakudō 30: Shitotsu Sansen!"

Ichigo ducked the crackling yellow energy as it shot forwards, the trio of golden triangles impaling Aizen's form, pinning him even more certainly against the wall behind the strawberry. Ichigo flung himself forwards and grabbed Zangetsu, quickly darting out of the way as he heard Urahara begin another chant.

"Limit of the thousand hands, respectful hands, unable to touch the darkness. Shooting hands unable to reflect the blue sky. The road that basks in light, the wind that ignores the embers, time that gathers when both are together, there is no need to be hesitant, obey my orders. Light bullets, eight bodies, nine items, book of heaven, diseased treasure, great wheel, grey fortress tower. Aim far away, scatter brightly and cleanly when fired." The brilliant and blinding gathering of vibrant pink energy points were already flickering into life, trembling as Urahara spoke, "Hado 91: Senjū Koten Taihō!"

Aizen released a rare growl, amusement gone and replaced once more by annoyance, he began struggling against the bonds, snarling in anger as the ten beams of pink struck his body, exploding the wall and building behind him.

Ichigo threw his hands over his head, protecting himself from the flying debris. He couldn't see Aizen, but a single glance at Urahara told him that the brunet was still alive, still dangerous. Urahara was speaking again, but the thunderous sound of demolition deafened the strawberry to his words until he reached the end.

"Bakudō 79: Kuyō Shibari!" Eight black holes with purple outlines appeared around Aizen's body, a ninth forming in the centre of his chest, immobilising him once again, as Urahara then added, "Fusatsu Kakei!"

Yellow-golden rings appeared around Aizen's wrists as the man appeared from the smoke, Ichigo watched in horror as energy began to build, engulfing Aizen within it, he briefly heard Urahara saying something about 'incineration from the inside out' and he felt his gut churn uncomfortable as he heard Aizen release a long howl of pain.

Several long moments passed, and Ichigo dared to hope. But his hope was crushed as Aizen emerged unscathed, save for a few small smudges of blackness on his arms. The front of his shihakusho was gone, revealing the Hōgyoku's pulsing form embedded in his chest. Ichigo realised that it wasn't the fact that Aizen was unharmed, it was that the Hōgyoku was healing him!

"URAHARA MOVE!" He howled, eyes wide as he looked up at the blond.

The former Taichou heard his warning too late as Aizen appeared in front of him, striking him across the chest with the length of his sword. The blond staggered back, crumpling onto one knee as Aizen towered over him.

Ichigo lurched to his feet, running as fast as he could as he watched Kyoka Suigetsu raise into the air. He couldn't watch another person he loved die. He couldn't. Not when he could stop it!

The blade swung downwards so fast it whistled, only to clang against two swords that almost seemed to have appeared from nowhere. Ichigo froze on the spot, choking on his own breath as he watched Grimmjow and Shinji stood side by side, their swords crossed over to stop the force of Kyoka Suigetsu before it could hit Urahara.

Both men were still dealing with their own injuries, but their expressions were steadfast. Determined.

"Your gall in standing against me is noted Grimmjow. And believe me I will make you suffer for it when I am done." Aizen's words were sharp, cutting and malicious, "And you... Hirako Taichou, I wonder how strong your nerve truly is. How many times have you bowed to me before? I can, and will, make you do it again."

Ichigo saw Shinji's expression change, turning shocked and horrified at the same time. They were both aware of what the brunet was suggesting, both knew the lengths he would be willing to go to. He saw Shinji's hands shake and he knew he couldn't hesitate any longer.

He ripped his mask back on and lunged, curling Zangetsu around Aizen's neck while he was distracted, he grabbed the blade in his hand and pulled as hard as he could. It sickened him to try and kill anyone the same way Ulquiorra had tried to kill him but... Desperate measures.

The sunrise haired male felt a single drop of blood splash against his palm before Aizen elbowed him in the gut and escaped his clutches with a well placed kick in Ichigo's thigh. The strawberry grunted, biting his lip as pain blossomed across his stomach. He couldn't believe how strong a single hit had been. Just how strong had the Hōgyoku made Aizen?!

He watched as Grimmjow and Shinji collapsed, he hadn't even seen Aizen strike them and yet the dual gashed across their chests told him otherwise. He grimaced and turned, sensing the brunet behind him.

"With all the good will in the world I can't make you change your mind... It's unfortunate." Aizen muttered, almost to himself it seemed, "I didn't want to have to resort to this... It was the very last thing I ever wanted to do... But you... You have given me no choice."

Ichigo gulped as he watched Aizen's eyes latch onto his own, the seething anger swirling within them froze him to the spot as he watched Kyoka Suigetsu lift lift and point directly at him. He had a horrible feeling he knew exactly what Aizen was about to do, and there was nothing he could do to stop him.

"Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."

Fear struck him in the very core of his chest, his heart flinching as he almost seemed to be able to see the curling wave of energy washing towards him like a vicious current. He was going to lose his ability to see beyond Aizen's illusions. He was going to lose. If he was as blind as everyone else... He had no advantage.

"ICHIGO!"

Byakuya's voice was loud in his ears, it drew his attention, Ichigo's gaze snapped around to meet that of the nobleman. Chestnut and steel clashing for a split second, he was the man's hand stretched out towards him, fingers shaking. Confusion filled him for the briefest of moments before he the torrent of violent pink petals hit him.

The pain was immeasurable as the tiny reflective blades massed around his eyes, cutting and slicing cruelly. He could feel Byakuya's regret and self-loathing. But he understood. He couldn't hold back the cry of pain that had bubbled up in his chest as he doubled over, the feeling of blood running down his cheeks was thick and heavy and the tang of metal hit his senses.

Blind.

He was blind. He couldn't see. He knew his eyes were intact but... The damage done at Byakuya's hand had rendered him completely blind. He knew why he had done it. He was... Proud of him for being brave enough to do it. The only way to protect him against Aizen's Shikai... Was not to be able to see it.

Gasping as his hands hit the floor, his body doubling over as he tried to push the discomfort to the back of his mind, he reached out instead to sense Aizen's reiatsu. He could still fight. Even without his sight he could still fight!

"Pathetic." Aizen's tone was low, disgruntled, disappointed, "Perhaps... Perhaps there is still a chance, if I were to remove you from this messy muddle of 'loved ones' somewhere we could talk in private... I will see you in the real Karakura town, Ichigo. Don't disappoint me again."

He felt the surge of energy as a Senkaimon opened, he let out a roar as he charged forwards, he could feel Aizen retreating. He couldn't let him leave! No! The man's reiatsu disappeared as the shōji doors slammed shut and Ichigo fell to his knees, panting heavily.

Aizen was gone. He was going to Soul Society. He was going to the real Karakura town.

"After all this..." He whispered hoarsely, "I wasn't strong enough."

"Kurosaki-san." Urahara's voice was gentle beside him, "Your strength was never in question... None of us knew how much the Hōgyoku would change him."

"But if even I can't defeat him... What the fuck do we do?!" He looked up despite his blindness, towards where he sensed the blond to be, "He can't be allowed to make the Ōken! He can't use Karakura town! Orihime... Ishida... Chad... The twins... They're all there! I can't let them die!"

Ichigo felt a pair of arms wrap around him, the smell of blossoms wafting over him as he felt Byakuya's jagged breaths against his neck, the nobleman was shaking, whether from pain or guilt he couldn't tell.

"I'm sorry." The Kuchiki heir whispered, "I'm so sorry... I didn't know what else to do."

"You did the right thing." The strawberry replied softly, his shoulders slumping, "Thank you."

"Please... Please don't thank me for what I did..." Byakuya's voice cracked, "Unohana Taichou can heal you, she can restore your sight, Hachigen can assist if necessary."

"It's alright." He said numbly, he could feel the Division Four Taichou's presence, and the swirl of Kidō she emitted as she began healing him, "How is everyone?"

"Kuchiki-chan, Komamura Taichou, Yumichika-san, Iba Fukutaichou, Matsumoto Fukutaichou, Ukitake Taichou and Soi-Fon Taichou are critically injured. Isane and Hachigen-san are working together with Tessai to heal them. Also, those Aizen injured himself are receiving treatment." Unohana replied, "Byakuya-san is mostly healed, although he requires more attention when I can deliver it."

"I see..." He trailed off and hung his head as he felt the damage done to his eyes being reversed, "There must be a way to stop him..."

"There is." Urahara said, "If there is one thing I was able to learn from the battle, it is that Aizen is being almost entirely protected by the Hōgyoku. If we are able to weaken him enough for the Hōgyoku to realise he is unworthy of being its' master... We may have a chance."

"How in the Soul King's name do we do that?" Byakuya asked.

"By showing it someone stronger." Ichigo said quietly, "The Hōgyoku is a living thing, it has a Soul. It has a will. It has thoughts and feelings... It has pride."

"You are correct." The blond murmured, "If we can break its' pride in Aizen, if we can show it that he is not the strongest person around... Its' loyalty will surely sway."

"But how?" The Division Six Fukutaichou hissed, "We thought I was strong enough... Who else is there?"

"We do not need anyone else, Kurosaki-san. You are strong enough. You have successfully used the Hōgyoku once before, you managed to manipulate the power it emitted the night you met Aizen. That is proof enough that you can do this."

"I can't!" He barked in annoyance, "You saw what he did! I could barely keep up once he got serious! He's too strong and I... I'm not good enough..."

"Ichigo..." The Kuchiki heir rubbed his shoulders, "You must know that's not true."

"No, Byakuya! It's true! Once he got serious I couldn't stand up to him. He was too fast, too strong. He's better than I am... It's as simple as that."

"Ichigo." Urahara's voice was harder this time, "What is the one difference between you and Sōsuke Aizen?"

"What?" He frowned, the first glimmers of sight returning as he was able to see the blurred shape of those around him.

"What is the only thing he has that you do not? And I do not mean the Hōgyoku."

"I don't know!" Ichigo spluttered, growling in annoyance, "I don't know. I-I can only think of the Hōgyoku... I mean... He's older than I am but-"

"Exactly."

"How does that help me?!" He snapped.

"Urahara... You don't mean to..." Byakuya trailed off and Ichigo could hear the strain in his voice, "Do you even know how to..."

Ichigo blinked, clearing his vision as Unohana finished her healing work, his winced as the light hit his eyes but he looked between them two men, now able to see them clearly again, "What's going on?"

Urahara had never looked more serious, or more solemn, "The Dangai... The precipice world that lies between the World of the Living and Soul Society, the space between Senkaimon." The blond folded his arms slowly, "It is not a method I would usually suggest using however... We are desperate."

"Whatever you're thinking... Will it help?" The strawberry asked urgently.

"I... Believe so."

Ichigo sucked in a breath and forced himself to his feet, clenching his fists as he stared at the blond, "Then tell me. Tell me what to do!"

Urahara took a deep breath, feeling Byakuya's glare as he met Ichigo's urgent gaze, "It is dangerous, it can be fatal..."

"Please... Tell me." Ichigo whispered.

"The Dangai, the precipice world between Senkaimon... It is an isolated space which is surrounded and made up of numerous stacked up layers of time's current. Resulting in a place where the density of time within it is extremely high compared to other exterior dimensions such as Seireitei or the World of the Living. To be exact... It is precisely two thousand times denser. Meaning that when one hour passes on the outside world, an equivalent of two thousand hours pass inside the Dangai." The blond tensed and let out a long breath, "Your father discovered a way to hold back the current for an extended period of time. He never exploited that technique, but he did tell me about it."

"I don't understand... What are you telling me? What does my dad have to do with this?" Ichigo asked, confusion colouring his features.

"Urahara is proposing to hold back the current of time within the Dangai, to create a cavity where you can train." Byakuya said quietly, his voice was heavy, angry, "Even though it could kill you."

"Is that... True?" The strawberry looked at his Godfather, tilting his head.

"Yes." He sighed, "In times of extreme need, a method known as Kaikyō Kotei can be used to halt the movement of the time current, creating a space where you can linger. Normally it would require several Shinigami of low levels of reiatsu to employ such a method, however... One of higher levels of reiatsu would be able to hold it back alone, or in fewer numbers."

"So... You want me to go into the Dangai and train there so that I... Age?" Ichigo asked.

"Not exactly. This is where my plan differs from what Byakuya-san believes it to be." Urahara straightened his back and released a long breath, "Isshin's Zanpakutō also gave him the power of Getsuga Tenshou. And within the wisdom of his blade was one more ultimate technique. Isshin never managed to complete the training for it, his Zanpakutō wouldn't allow him to. But there is another type of Getsuga Tenshou, stronger, vastly stronger."

The younger man swallowed, fists tight at his sides, he could feel Tensa's rage at the conversation that was taking place, "Another... Getsuga Tenshou..."

"I don't know what it is, he never told me. However, undoubtedly Zangetsu contains the same ability. I am proposing that we go into the Dangai, and give you the time to unlock that ability in hopes that it will be strong enough to shake the Hōgyoku's will."

"You could kill him!" Byakuya shouted suddenly, his teeth clenched tightly, "You don't even know if Isshin's technique is certain to work! You don't even know if you are strong enough to hold back the current! There are too many variables... To many chances for it to go wrong... I can't allow you to-"

"It's my choice!" Ichigo barked, looking at Byakuya with wide eyes, "I love you! And I know you want me to be safe! But this is my choice to make! If Aizen succeeds in making the Ōken then we will all die regardless! I'd rather die trying to do something than sitting around waiting for the inevitable to happen!"

"Ichigo... Please..." The nobleman faltered.

"It is my choice." He said again, "I want to try."

"There is nothing... Nothing I can do to change your mind. Is there?" Byakuya asked.

"No." Ichigo's voice grew stronger and more certain, "I must... Do this."

"Then... I accept your decision." The Kuchiki heir said quietly, "I don't have the reiatsu left to come with you and help hold back the current... So I will have to see you afterwards, when you've won."

The strawberry smiled slowly, reaching out to touch the nobleman's cheek, "I will win."

"Urahara-san." Starrk appeared before them, inclining his head to the blond, "Will this Dangai permit a Hollow within it?"

"Yes." The blond replied.

"Then permit me... I wish to accompany you. I will help you to hold back the current!" The Primera said firmly, looking at Ichigo, "To help the Cero, to help Ichigo and Shiro, to help Karakura town. Allow me to come with you."

Urahara seemed to hesitate but then nodded once, "Your reiatsu is significant. You will be able to help a lot."

"Starrk... Thank you." The strawberry smiled small at him.

"There isn't a moment to lose," Urahara drew his sword, opening the Senkaimon, "We must go now."

Ichigo nodded and swallowed back his fear, looking around at Byakuya as he forced a bold smile in the place of his anxiety, "I will see you soon. I love you."

"I love you too." The nobleman said quietly, watching as the three men disappeared inside the Senkaimon, the shōji doors snapping shut behind them.