Ichigo had no idea where she was, all she sees were white and nothing else but the feeling of being possessed still linger to her soul, something that really made her panic as she did whatever it takes to stop it.

'I can't let it consume me, I can't!'

She remembered her family who still lives in the living world, her twin brothers and her father, then her mother who sacrificed herself for her sake and Aizen who had taught her everything she wanted to know about Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.

"Don't think...!" She burst out her spiritual pressure in full power, "That I'll let you!"

She could feel the something that's consuming her was beginning to shrink. She continue bursting her reiatsu as much as possible and before she knew it she had return to the dark place where she had met Motherglare and fought against it. She felt so drain, her whole body aches too.

'Is it over?' She mentally question. Feeling nothing ordinary, she felt her muscles relax. 'Finally... its over.'

That's when she heard the familiar voice.

"Human"

That widen her eyes in disbelief, it was Motherglare the mother of hollows.

"To think a human to not only defeat me, you are very impressive. Add the fact you have a blood of a quincy."

Feeling even though she could still hear its voice the battle is over. So she decide to question the thing that confused her.

"What is a quincy?"

"The quincy young soul is also known as Monk of Destruction, human mediums that could detect and destroy us hollows. They have this power which they called Reishi, almost same as Reiatsu in Shinigami term. However both side does not get along as the Shinigamis and Quincys are polar opposite of both ideals and ways."

"And your saying... that I'm one of them?"

There was a moment of pause before a giggle was heard, "I see, so you aren't aware of your bloodline power. Now I understand why you felt so pure toward the hollows which I had never seen nor met in the thousand years of my life. I like you human. It will be a pity if I ate you." A sparkling light had shined toward Ichigo, "Take this human, for I, the mother of hollows acknowledge you as the new ruler of hollows. Farewell."

The light had surrounded her and something within her entered but unlike before it was something else that she can't help but close her eyes as the light consumed her ones again.

.

.

.

Few days had pass, Aizen Sosuke in his control room was watching each of the Shinigami's movement when he heard the door opened. From the reiatsu he immediately knew who arrived so he didn't bother facing the new comer until he heard a soft click on his side. Turning that side just to see a hot tea steaming and the aroma its producing was nice and calming. He glanced to the newcomer and smiled.

"Thank you Ichigo." The one who made his tea was Ichigo who smiled back, "It's nothing, I thought you might miss it since I'm usually the one making it for you."

Which was true. Back in Ichigo's training in Kido, Aizen taught her attentively to make sure she does it right. For his reward in Ichigo's part was to make her own version tea for Aizen which he had actually admitted he had come to like it.

Aizen took the cup and slowly sip it. The taste of Ichigo's tea was totally different than Tosen's and he would never admit this to anyone but he had truly miss it.

"So what's their action?" Ichigo questioned as she put the tray down for more teas if Aizen asked on the empty table before approaching him to see the monitor he's currently watching. Aizen chuckled before replying, "Your appearance had done well to put them to trouble so they're more focus on you. They're currently trying to find some way how to fight against your power to control their Zanpakuto."

Ichigo snorted as she crossed her arms to her chest as she sat on the side, "Of course they do and from what I could see the only way is to make sure I won't get their swords."

"They do think that way, so I think the one who's making the solution is Kurotsuchi Mayuri to make it work."

Ichigo sigh, "For some reason they are too predictable."

"Indeed." Aizen took sipped to his tea. Ichigo's eyes shadowed as she remembered them, "My brothers?"

"I do not know. From what I had gathered Yuuzu left while Kairin is missing." Aizen answered before facing her, "You can use your power to know their condition."

"I know but I rather not, I mean they have things to think about and I think prying them would be rude for my brothers."

Aizen smirked knowing well she wouldn't actually say that if they're talking about their enemies.

"For Unohana she's very confuse as to how you could use kido." That made Ichigo pout, "I learned it thanks to you. Does my departure with you didn't give any answer? Or was it the fact I could use it without chanting them? Hey the prodigies like her could so why can't I?"

"I'm sure she already figured that out, but what I'm pointing is you using kido without actually telling its name."

That made Ichigo silent as she began thinking why before shrugging, "No idea, do you?"

"I do but not telling you."

"As expected." Ichigo sigh before asking, "Any more information I should know?"

"Urahara Kisuke is investigating about your brother's death." Aizen informed. That questioned her, "Why?"

"Urahara maybe helping the Seireitei but he's no idiot. He knew something was wrong and the corruption of Central 46 in Soul Society."

"Does that mean there's a chance he could turn to our side?"

"I don't think he will. He may not like the Central 46 and the way the Soul Society now but he will never think of putting them to danger. That's just how the man he is."

"He doesn't like it yet he won't let it be destroyed… it's like your telling me he doesn't like the way it is yet doesn't like to make any changes. That's confusing."

That made Aizen chuckle, "In all honesty I have no idea how his mind work, he's a puzzle, someone I would enjoy solving when comes to idea and strategy." His complement toward Urahara kind of surprised Ichigo but let it be, understanding that finding someone equal in terms of something they enjoy gives them satisfactory.

'Now that I think about it… Aizen had that kind of problem… he's too powerful that from what I could see no Shinigami around his age or younger exist could equalize his capability. Old ones aren't really fun like that old man.' Ichigo can't help but glare when she remembered the first division captain. She decided to take a deep breath to calm herself, 'Now is not the time to lose myself over some old man like him. I need to focus.'

Ichigo turned to Aizen who had his eyes fixed in her. She took a deep breath before speaking, "I'm fine." Then she noticed the empty mug in his hand, she smiled, "Want some more?"

.

.

.

Next day Ichigo asked Aizen if they could train again like they used to before.

"Don't you want to test your strength to the other Espadas, so that not only you train yourself but also the rest." Aizen said, busy in the paper in hand. Ichigo sighed, "I know, I already made a schedule for that but still, I still need you to train me."

"Why is that?" Aizen questioned, pausing his work to hear what she's about to say. Ichigo unconsciously got shy but kept herself to where she stood then faced Aizen straight in the eye, "Because I wanted to defeat you."

Aizen studied her to see if there's more reason about it but the fire emitting to her chocolate eyes, the one reflecting her determination to defeat him tells that's the whole reason. Thinking back not ones she was able to defeat him, so now she's growing backbone to say she could beat him now… how interesting.

"Training room in thirty minutes." Aizen finally agreed that made Ichigo jump in excitement, "Yes!"

Soon the two had their mock battle, both of them weren't using their bankai form of their Zanpakuto to see how much the two could reach in Shikai form. Still it's too obvious to that Aizen had an upper hand and Ichigo was struggling but kept herself forward. In the end Aizen won.

"This sucks." Ichigo breath as she caught up with her breathing. Aizen smirked as he returned his sword on the sheath, "You improve than I had expected Ichigo."

"But the fact remains I still have a long way to go." Ichigo sat up and faced Aizen, "Same time tomorrow."

"Do you really wish to become stronger as you are now?" Aizen questioned. Ichigo nodded, "I do and I will one day defeat you."

"How promising." Aizen mocked, Ichigo stick her tongue out as her response. Aizen silently sigh, "I will now return to my work. You better remember what you must do Ichigo."

"Train the Espadas to assure victory right? I know so no worries." Ichigo said before standing up then swing her right long sword, "Beside I need to learn more how to control my Cero. Releasing it from my mouth was kind of little uncomfortable for my part. I wonder if I could use Cero in different kind of ways."

"Hmm… then you better ask Starrk to teach you." Aizen said that made Ichigo tilt her head, "Starrk the Primera Espada, is he your recommendation?"

Aizen nodded as his answer then he turned around and left, leaving Ichigo to the training room.

Soon Ichigo tested each and every single one of the Espadas and she received different kind of reactions. It would be either underestimated, irritated, accepted, ignored or neutral. Ichigo just smiled and forced them to show their skill. In the end most lost badly while the rest were able to handle her well.

Ichigo nodded to herself, registering their current status in power and strength in mind. She announced them she will now personally train them, some gave their protest but Ichigo's Immense Spiritual Pressure was enough to silence and comply her order. After that Ichigo approached Starrk in hope he would teach her about Cero, she was very happy he complied and told they will begin tomorrow.

Now everything became a routine, warming up, breakfast, training with Aizen, lunch, training the Espadas and their Fractions, training under Starrk, dinner, paperwork and sleep. Most found this very incredible for someone like Ichigo to actually able to balance almost everything and never missing a heartbeat like Aizen could while Rin and Rinzo who will use their free time to watch over her were worried for her condition. Rin took the courage to approach Aizen and questioned what she could do for her Ichigo-sama but received nothing.

Now Aizen ones again defeated Ichigo in their training. Ichigo's breathing was really fast due to the use of the extent of her powers. Aizen took this opportunity to check her condition with his sharp observation. The stress in Ichigo's body was building up, if continued she will be defeated by exhaustions. He also noticed something about her every time they trained, a determination not by revenge like he had expected but something else and whatever it was its pointed to him.

Aizen waited until she could catch her breath before asking the one that confused him this whole time, "Why are you desperate this much?"

"Huh?" Ichigo didn't seem to expect to be questioned, "Desperate of what?"

"Defeating me." Aizen clarified, "Why are you so determine to defeat me? Using all out in the very beginning and doing everything you could to put me on all-out attack, why?"

Ichigo looked on the side, refusing to make an eye to eye. Aizen waited, he will not pass this opportunity after all. In the end Ichigo sigh in defeat before answering his question.

"To be your equal." Aizen never showed he didn't expect that answer, "Why?"

"Because I don't want you to feel alone, to be sad anymore." Ichigo's answer made Aizen narrowed his eyes, "Pray tell me why you made that conclusion?"

Ichigo looked to his eyes and answered, "I can feel it you know, something missing and that's competitiveness. No one is around to be your equal and for that you became alone, you are lonely. I want to be someone who could be your equal, I want to cure that darkness."

Suddenly something heavy pushed Ichigo down. She knew it was coming from Aizen and from the pressure he looks angry.

"I don't need pity nor anyone to be by my side." Aizen spoke in deep voice, eyes narrowed toward Ichigo. She fought back against the pressure, glaring at Aizen, "I don't pity you Aizen… I just want to help."

"That is not necessary at all." Aizen increased the pressure that made Ichigo fall on the ground. But Ichigo wasn't someone who accepts defeat and decided to use her own spiritual pressure to fight back.

The battle between their pressure was immensely strong that the whole Las Noche felt the heavy feeling of reiatsu. Those who were weak to handle the monstrous pressure had either lost consciousness or began breathing hard to the point it ended their lives while to those strong were put down on their knees like the strong adjushas, Espadas, Gin and Tosen.

Inside the training room, the walls and ground began to crack and it felt like the whole space was becoming disoriented but that didn't faze the two.

"Are you revolting against me?" Aizen asked dangerously. Ichigo answered, eyes glaring indicating she's not someone who could be controlled by fear. "I may had given you my loyalty but that doesn't mean you can manipulate me like the rest Aizen. I follow my own will."

That made Aizen increase more the pressure that made Ichigo began to feel waver, she knew he's far stronger than her but it doesn't mean she will admit defeat so easily.

Having enough, Aizen used his pressure to push Ichigo away, slamming her in the cracked wall in incredible strength that made Ichigo gasp in pain.

"You are gaining too much backbone Ichigo. I may had chosen you to be my ruler-in-arm but remember we are not equal, I am more superior and you are here to further my ambition."

Ichigo twitched, "And if your ambition is achieved then what?" Ichigo glared the man in anger, "Continue to be alone, to be drifted apart until you realized no one will be there for you? To be trap in the endless darkness!? Screw you Aizen! I don't want that to happen to you, why won't you for ones listen to others! You are intelligent, powerful and superior but nothing will change the fact you are alone. YOU WILL MERELY DESTROYING YOUR OWN SELF!"

"Shut up!" Aizen gave a full force that made Ichigo's body dug deeper the wall, gasp as she could feel her bone was breaking from the pressure. "I don't need others to tell me what I must do, I don't need anyone to influence my decision nor my way."

"WHICH IS MORE REASON YOU WILL LEAD YOURSELF TO YOUR OWN DESTRUCTION AIZEN!" Ichigo shouted in the top of her lunges as she infused her Spiritual Pressure with the Soul King's power to reject his power, which widen his eyes because he never expected Ichigo could actually free from his pressure.

Ichigo fall down the ground and began to cough, she even gag few bits of her own blood. Her body was shaking and wanted nothing but to fall but refused to do so, materializing her sword, she used it as her support to stand up although not straightly. She faced Aizen, eyes in tears and sadness.

"Tell me Aizen… just what is wrong… to care and be worried… for you… what's wrong wanting to be close to you… wanting to know you better… I… I want to be someone not as student… or stepping stone for your goal… Aizen but someone… who could be your lending hand… I… being alone is really sad Aizen…"

Ichigo began to cry, it hurts her feelings to know someone you had come to admire and respect actually pushed you away. That's why for her, she understood what Hinamori Momo felt when he betrayed Soul Society but never voiced this out.

Aizen remained silence nor show any emotions that could give what he's thinking. Ichigo knew his high pride and superiority complex which kind of worried her in near future.

"I want to be your friend Aizen." Ichigo continued and her voice was soft, tears still coming and never bothering to hide it. "That's why I worked hard… training as much as possible so one day I could become an equal to you, someone you won't see as tool but to be respected. Someone you could say… your true companion who will be by your side and lead you rightfully until the end."

With that Ichigo left the room.

For Aizen, he remained emotionless as he watched her left. To him he had never really expected for someone to actually said that to him. He created a disguise of personality back in Seireitei, smiling and sharing his knowledge to the young Shinigamis and even lending them a hand for the sake of his ambition to reach the top of everything, never letting anyone to actually get near him, not even Gin and Tosen.

He did the same to Ichigo as well but found it hard due to her ability to detect lies. Even though he showed his true nature, it didn't reach to the point he opened his walls for her to enter. Like she had said, she's a tool for his own ambition and she knew it yet didn't mind then he will soon hear she wanted more than that. She wished to enter him, to be not just a tool but something else… a friend.

"Aizen-Taicho" His thinking was halted when he turned to see Gin who looks around the wall with awe. He turned to him and questioned, "What happened? I saw Ichigo-chan crying and that reiatsu, it caused a lot of trouble to all of us."

Aizen took a deep breath and massaged his temple, "I will return to my quarters. Tell no one shall bother me and fix the damage understood."

"Yes sir."

With that Aizen left and head straightly to his room, not bothering the damage had witnessed on his way or even the fear he had come to meet on the way. Ones he's back to his quarter he took a sigh, Ichigo's words still echo, something he can't get it out from his mind.

"I want to be your friend Aizen."

'And I don't need one.' It's Aizen's response toward her wish. 'If power gives solitude and my own destruction, so be it. I don't need any equal as long as I achieve my goal.'

.

.

.

It was a next day Aizen heard Ichigo didn't come to eat lunch nor dinner or even train the Espadas and the fraction, she even ditched her training under Starrk. He even heard a report from Rinzo that Ichigo locked herself inside her room and refused to come out nor meet anyone, not even Rin nor her friend hollows.

This gave headache toward Aizen even so dismissed it knowing she will come out sooner or later.

Days became weeks and weeks became month. No sign of her coming out and this gravely worried the hollows as they forced the door to open but was locked, sensing a barrier was created and no one could destroy it. They leave her food outside her door in hope she will eat it but she didn't and let it go to waste.

"Still nothing?" Aizen questioned Ulquiorra the fourth Espada whom he had assign to watch over her as he ordered Rin to leave her alone temporarily and focus her own training. Ulquiorra answered, "Yes Aizen-sama, Ichigo-sama never went out the room nor had eaten the food the arrancars had left for her. There's no sign of what she's doing inside either."

"I see… dismiss." The fourth espada complied and left the room. Now alone he can't help but feel irritated toward Ichigo, 'Such ungrateful child.'

"WHICH IS MORE REASON YOU WILL LEAD YOURSELF TO YOUR OWN DESTRUCTION AIZEN!"

Her loudest words echo to his mind and it added his headache. He already given those words an answer yet it won't leave him alone.

'Kurosaki Ichigo' Aizen remembered how she smile so brightly when she was young which never change until now, her bluntness, honesty and a strong will of never giving up, he also witnessed her weakness like her tears, guilt and pain. 'Here I thought I knew her better but never expected something like this… before I knew it she had turned herself into an enigma whom I could not understand.'

He took a sigh before drinking his tea, he mentally scowled because its already lukewarm. Out of the sudden he wished it was Ichigo's tea instead.

'What am I thinking?' He mentally questioned as he slowly shook his head then finally decided. 'That's it, Ichigo you will come out whenever you like it or not.'

With that he finished his tea then stood up and left. It was a minute when he arrived in the entrance of Ichigo's room and thankfully no one was there. He raised his hand to touch the door but instead met something invisible, he knew immediately it was the barrier Ichigo created to make sure no one would bother her.

'Although this barrier can't hold me back.' True to his words, he easily broke the barrier like it's nothing.

He can finally touch the door. Without waiting nor knocking he opened it knowing well when he broke the barrier Ichigo already knew who's coming. What he saw made him awe although he will never admit this to anyone nor even himself.

In the center of the room was Ichigo, her back in front of him and spiritual reiatsu radiantly surrounding her, not in force but in pureness and solemnness. Aizen knew even without confirming it that Ichigo's eyes were closed, meditating and relaxing.

"Took you long enough Aizen." Unexpectedly it was Ichigo who broke the silence but still not facing him. Aizen went in and closed the door so no one would come to bother them. He spoke, "You are ignoring your duties too far Ichigo."

"I know and it's not like there's any problem, the Gotei 13 are still preparing and I can see Urahara Kisuke is making some plan for the coming war."

Aizen wasn't surprised knowing she's using her power to know the situation outside. "But that is no excuse for ignoring your duties."

Ichigo took a deep breath as her reiatsu slowly vanished. She turned around to face him, eyes hard and determine. "Do I need reason why I have to ignore this duty when I could simply say because I wanted to?"

Aizen narrowed his eyes, he knew she's challenging him and even if she lost she will still not comply to his demand, that's just how hard her will and determination she had when she decided something that should never be given up no matter what.

So instead of continuing this argument, he gave his sentence. "Entertain me Ichigo." This gave a questioning look from Ichigo.

Aizen questioned, "Why do you want to know about me? Just like I use you, you could use me for the sake of your revenge and even backstab me, yet you decided to know about me. Why? What did you see to feel that way?"

Ichigo processed the questioned for a moment then replied, "I… maybe because of what I sensed before I depart to return to the world of the living three years ago." Ichigo admitted, "The final day we crossed swords, I felt something really… disturbing but not in the bad way. As I ponder what I felt maybe it's actually coming from you."

"From me?"

Ichigo nodded, "It's dark and lonely, that's the emotion I had felt toward you. For that reason, I want it to change, after all I respect you Aizen and knowing you feel that way in your life pains me. So at least I want to become a help, I'm worried."

"In the end it falls to pity."

"I don't really think I could feel pity knowing how you act with others." Ichigo said with haft laugh, "Still I wanted to be your equal and I'm serious for my intention."

"What benefit will you gain knowing me?" Aizen decided to blur out, making Ichigo still but facing him. He clarified, "People have ambitions and knowing a person is part of it. What will you gain knowing me Kurosaki Ichigo?"

Ichigo blinked, never in her mind she will hear Aizen ask him that. "Do I need a benefit to know more about you Aizen?"

"That's how I see everything." Aizen confessed, "Everything had loss and gain, same goes for my ambition to reach the empty throne and for you, your own revenge against Yamamoto. So tell me Ichigo, what would you gain knowing me?"

Ichigo was speechless, not really expecting him to tell her what he actually sees from everything. Because he sees that way he learned how to plan, to achieve the expected result no matter what the cause, a manipulator. As she stared his eyes, she could see his patience, waiting for her respond.

"How come you see that way Aizen?" Ichigo can't help but question this, "I want to know you better and that's all there is."

"Information can be used in anything."

"I do not plan betraying you Aizen." Ichigo said firmly and absolutely that made Aizen shut. "I respect and see you highly Aizen, something those people out there failed to notice something amazing in you. I believe in my own feelings and guts."

'Kurosaki Ichigo' Aizen for the first time wasn't sure how to respond. He had seen many of those, even when he's still part of the Shinigami. They respect and see him highly but only because of the persona he had created, not the real him and none of them noticed it, except Ichigo who can tell the lies he had been making ever since they first met. 'Truly a strange girl.'

Aizen silently huff before walking on the side which Ichigo's eyes follow until he sat on her bed. That's when Aizen began telling about himself which Ichigo listened attentively.

Aizen Sosuke when he was alive actually came from a dark mercenary family who only have gain and lost as their own perspective. The family had a father who's the head, mother the strategist, two older brothers as subordinates for the father and him the youngest on the train. They had done so much illegal things and Aizen as a child through observation had come to learn how to make any negotiation come to a success no matter how dirty it should be but unfortunately authorities had found them and killed each member of the family, he was no exception even through he's a child, fearing because he's trained that he would follow their footstep which was unforgivable. Upon coming to Soul Society he had not met any of his family and didn't question it that much as his focus became how he could survive in this new environment.

Aizen's life story was haft expected by Ichigo. She already guessed about some dark past and she was right about it, what she didn't expect was the ending of his life. To die in such young age who had not done anything, does the world see the sin of the family be pass on the children? Thinking about it made her cry, it was sad and painful just thinking about it.

Her tears questioned Aizen, not knowing what he had told made her cry. There's nothing other than his early death and he didn't really feel trouble or hatred toward to those who killed him and his family, for him because his family had become weak that they had reached to their own doom and he was just caught with it, after all family pulls them together no matter what.

Before the ruler of Las Noche question this the ruler-in-arm suddenly hugged him, crying. Aizen could hardly blink, still confuse. Before he could open his mouth a finger of Ichigo touched his lips, a silent word saying not to say nor question anything for a moment. Aizen accepted and let her cry as she pleases.

I do not own Bleach