Special thanks to AlliyahaTravelor, Kain101 (who's finally returned after a long sojourn), and RG-Guest (who sent me a lovely message around the time of uploading this chapter) for their feedback. I always enjoy hearing from you guys.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter XLIV:
"The Stuff of Dreams"
Ichigo took a breath, then turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door, revealing a new area- that was only perceptible through the doorway, not beyond it. He'd seen tricks like this, whether on TV or in a book, but he knew that in this case, this was no trick.
He stepped through the doorway, followed by his feline companion, into a large circular chamber. The floor was smooth and cool beneath his shoes, and shined like marble. Heavy red curtains encircled the entire chamber, rising up to adorn the high arches of the domed ceiling. Situated at the pinnacle of the chamber, was a circular art-deco stain-glass window. When Ichigo looked back, seeing the door he'd entered through was gone, replaced by the wall of curtain wall.
"Welcome, Ichigo Kurosaki."
The teen could feel as a chill ran through him. In a sudden moment of recognition, Ichigo was filled with a sense of dread, trembling slightly as he turned into the direction of the voice...
"YOU!" Ichigo exclaimed, his entire body tensing up.
Suddenly, light shown down through the stain-glass portal, flooding the entire chamber with light and revealing a figure in the center of the room. "I must say," the newest arrival began, stepping forward to address the former Soul Reaper. "Seeing you again, after all this time..." The figure continued calmly, running a hand through the wavy locks of his dark brown hair.
"No... this can't be real." Ichigo paled, stepping back. "You can't be real!"
His clothing was almost entirely monochromatic: consisting of a flowing high-necked, pristine white coat that reached down to the floor, worn over a matching tailed jacket (with a vibrant purple sash tied around the waist) that spilled down the voluminous legs of his pleated hakama.
The man came to a halt a few feet before him, hands coming to rest on his hips.
His brown hair was slicked back, except for a single errant which that hung down rakishly against the man's elegant brow. He smiled characteristically, the sight of his handsome patrician features instantly striking a nerve in the mind of the teen as something flickered with his dark brown eyes.
"I'm so glad you could make it." He intoned smoothly. "You've been expected."
"Aizen..." Ichigo murmured, as much to himself as to the man in question. "How is this possible?"
"Just look at you." Aizen gestured to Ichigo. "You're petrified." He added mockingly with a smile, his tone arrogant and cool as he continued. "It's rather flattering to know that, even after all this time, I still have such a profound effect upon you." The former Shinigami remarked. "But as to the matter of your question... The answer depends whether you're speaking as to the means, or the purpose?"
"If it's the former," Aizen continued. "Did you honestly believe that when we fought would be the last you'd ever see of me?" He inquired. "I've existed longer than you could possibly imagine... Our battle, that day, it was but a single part of a scheme, centuries in the works." The man explained. "And while you may have bested me then, do you really think that I hadn't anticipated such an eventuality?"
"W-what are you talking about?" Ichigo asked.
"To not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues. Sun Tzu." Aizen replied with a sly smile. "Everything that transpired- from the very start, all the way to the moment of my apotheosis- all happened as I planned."
"Yeah, but you didn't plan on me." Ichigo countered, starting to regain his composure.
"True," he started. "You were an... anomalous factor." Aizen replied. "However, while I had failed to consider that I might actually be defeated..." The man continued. "I nevertheless have made it a point that there would always be contingencies in play."
"Whatever you are, I'm not interested in your games!" Ichigo replied irritably.
The man only smiled at his defiance. "So you say, Ichigo Kurosaki." Aizen countered. "But the truth of the matter is that you're here because of me, not in spite of me."
"Ahem." Cat spoke up, drawing their attention to him. "Lest you two forget, I'm still here."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society, Division Twelve HQ...
Szayel had continued (subtly) to observe Nemu, watching her as she went about her day- carrying out her duties within the the grounds of the Division. As the day went on, the bespectacled Arrancar began to discern something deeper. Rather than simply being more reserved, he could also see all the telltale signs of the kind of fatigue that came with being sleep-deprived.
And the more he thought on the matter, the more the golden-eyed Hollow concluded that she had been suffering from the effects for some time. Nemu looked pale (at least to him), and there was a weariness visible in her green eyes, in addition to a slowness in her step.
And all of this concerned Szayel, to enough of an extent that the Octavio Espada was considering going back on his previous resolution, to intervene- if for no other reason- than to spare second-in-command any from suffering any further emotional and/or mental deterioration.
"Nemu." He started, frowning as she flinched visibly. "May I have a moment?"
It took her moment, before giving a nod. "O- Of course, Szayel-sama." Nemu replied, doing her best to compose herself. "Whatever you wish..." She added politely.
With that, the pink-haired Espada gave a slight nod and gestured for his Lieutenant to follow him, the two of them soon finding themselves in his office. Szayel sat down in the plush office chair behind his large desk, wordlessly beckoning for his second-in-command to join him.
Nemu nodded and moved towards the Octavio Espada, gingerly planting herself on his lap- just as she had done so many times before- drawing up her legs demurely. He brought one his gloved hands to the small of her back, with the other one coming to rest upon her knee.
"Nemu, my dear," he started gently, looking into her eyes. "For some time now, I've observed that you seem to be... troubled." Szayel continued. "Because of my respect for you, I normally would have been content to allow you to handle this on your terms." He explained. "However, it would be remiss of me- both as your Captain, and as your Mate- if I allowed you to continue on like this."
The expression that Nemu gave in reaction to this was about as close to 'embarrassed' as the Scientist and Captain had ever seen from the woman. "I- I did not wish to bother you these issues, Szayel-sama." She admitted to the bespectacled Arrancar after a moment.
He brushed a gloved hand against her cheek. "Nemu," Szayel began softly. "I have never thought of you as anything like a burden." The Arrancar spoke. "You are my mate and my partner. And if you are unwell or unhappy, for whatever reason, then it's as much my concern as it is yours." He continued, his hand moving to rest comfortingly upon her arm. "And therefor, it's my duty to try and help you."
After a moment, she nodded. "These past eighteen months..." Nemu started. "I have never known such contentment... such happiness, in all my existence." She replied softly, taking his larger hand in both of hers and resting her face against his palm in an uncommon gesture of affection.
A moment passed, then she released his hand. "I cannot be sure of the exact beginning of all this, but perhaps for the last several weeks or longer..." Nemu began. "While sleeping, I have been experiencing a series of increasingly disturbing imagery, on an intermittent basis." The woman continued. "And, for unknown reasons, I find myself with a lingering sense of fear and unease."
Szayel nodded. "From what you've told me, it sounds like you're describing a... bad dream." He started in an even tone. "Or, more colloquially put, a nightmare." He offered. "Nemu, my dear, dreams- of any sort- are a totally normal part of existence." The Arrancar continued coolly. "And in your case, I would hasten to add, that this is an important event in your development as an fully-realized individual."
"Szayel-sama?" Nemu inquired, perplexed by his sudden smile.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"I think this has gone on long enough." Cat spoke up, stepping forward. "Ichigo," the feline continued, turning to address the teen. "The man, standing before you, is not Aizen." He declared. "Or, it might be more correct to say that he is not THE Aizen."
The man in question crossed his arms, an unreadable look on his face.
Ichigo looked from Cat, to 'Aizen', then back to the creature he went on. "Remember kid, how you defeated the man known as Sosuke Aizen." The feline reminded. "Never forget, it was you who left him devastated, and all that remains of that man is locked away in the deepest depths of the Mukin."
'Aizen' frowned at this. "Must you go spoiling the fun?"
"If what he's saying is true..." Ichigo started, looking back to the man in question. "Then just what the hell are you?!" The orange-haired teen demanded.
"Ichigo, Ichigo," he lamented to the teenager. "Don't forget who you're speaking to... I took Kisuke Urahara's theories regarding the Orb, and made them a reality." Aizen proclaimed. "I raised up an army from the lifeless desert sands of Huecco Mundo, and brought Soul Society to its knees."
"Just think about it for a moment." The brown-haired man continued. "Before you accept the word of a talking cat, consider your past experiences." He cautioned the teen. "Surely you must realize that you'll never truly be rid of me." 'Aizen' was now smiling once more. "I will always be a part of you, in your thoughts, in the back of your mind- forever haunting you, like a ghost."
"I don't think so..." Ichigo countered sternly. "You can't hurt me, not anymore, because you're nothing more than a damned ghost!" He continued defiantly. "You're gone- finished!- and I know you won't be coming back, because I was the one who sent you on your way."
He chuckled at this. "Keep telling yourself that, if you like- whatever it takes to convince yourself of your own certainty, I suppose." The man countered coolly. "But know this: things aren't over between us... You know, as well as anyone, that I always have my ways."
Ichigo stood firm before the 'specter'. "No, I'm done." He replied. "This ends, here and now, I'm done being afraid- afraid of my past, myself, the unknown... and especially of you." The youth declared, his tone defiant as he went on. "You're not Aizen, I defeated the thing calling himself by that name. And whatever's left of the- the abomination he became is gone and buried."
Cat smiled as the teen continued. "Aizen is gone, he has no place in my life." Ichigo announced to the man standing before him. "Whatever you are- get the hell out of my way!"
"Very impressive." The 'false' Aizen replied with a smirk. "But as I told you, this is far from over, you haven't seen the last of me, Ichigo Kurosaki." He finished, before seemingly vanishing.
At this, Cat leapt onto Ichigo's shoulders. "I have to say, Ichigo," he started, as his golden feline eyes met the teen's brown ones. "All things considered, you handled yourself pretty well."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Thirteenth Division HQ...
Captain Jushiro Ukitake idly ran a hand through his long main of snowy-white hair, as he wordlessly looked over a document laid out on his desk. Satisfied, he retrieved his pen and meticulously scrawled his signature, then applied his stamp of approval to the front of the file.
Of late, the Shinigami Commander found himself regularly 'commuting' back and fourth between his Division and his ancestral family estate, often multiple times a day. Not that Jushiro minded of course, since he was always eager for an opportunity to visit his wife and newborn son. He'd been with Retsu for ages, and knew her to be a proud woman- and with good cause! She was strong, independent, and respected by both her subordinates and contemporaries.
As such, he could only imagine how it must have feel for her right now- to be 'stuck', cooped up back in their home, and almost certainly feelings like some sort of homebody.
At the same time, he realized the last thing Retsu needed was sympathy. Rather, what his wife needed was an 'outlet', to keep her from becoming too cagey. And not just someone to talk to- she already had plenty of that... Instead, what she needed was a certain type of person, someone who could be totally open with her, a companion who wasn't bound up in the rules and traditions of Soul Society.
Jushiro smiled, a thought beginning to form in his head...
There was in fact an individual that both himself and his wife knew quite well: a certain young woman, with a single visible rose-colored eye and yellowish-green hair, that- by her very nature- bypassed the traditional social conventions, and yet never came across as rude in conversation.
The Captain gave a thoughtful look. He liked where this line of thought was going!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"Nemu my dear, this is a truly momentous occasion for you." Szayel spoke, emphatically addressing the woman presently seated in his lap. "Just think about it, the ability to generate spontaneous creative imagery." He continued, smiling. "That is a fundamental part of the 'human' experience."
"Why, don't you see?" The bespectacled Arrancar went on excitedly. "This is only further evidence of what I've been telling you." Szayel continued. "To dream is proof that you are alive, that you are more than just a mere construct: you are a living being- with thoughts and feelings all your own."
It took her a moment to process this. "Szayel-sama," she began. "Regardless, this does not change the fact that these 'dreams' are adversely affecting me." Nemu reminded him.
"I hadn't forgotten." Szayel responded. "But I promise you, Nemu, you are not alone." He continued, taking her hand in his reassuringly. "And this is something that we will face together."
Nemu still felt some lingering doubts, but his confidence and reassuring manor helped to lessen her lingering unease, at least enough that she was able to relax a bit.
"Now, Nemu my dear, before we continue any further," Szayel resumed. "Tell me, do you happen to recall a particular project of mine, known as the 'Visualizer'?"
She nodded an affirmative. "Yes, Szayel-sama." Nemu answered calmly. "By scanning neural activity, you said it was capable of translating thought processes into visual imagery."
"Yes, very good." Szayel answered with a smile. "It interacts- non-invasively- with the parts of the brain responsible for imagination and creative imagery, including the neocortex and the thalamus." He explained to the woman. "And I'm fully confident that it will work on you."
"During a recent excursion into Huecco Mundo, I had a number of my old projects- from my old labs in Las Noches- salvaged and brought here." He elaborated. "Though, it wasn't until later that I learned that a few of those 'projects' had... er, well, escaped." The Arrancar added after a moment, saying the last bit of information almost offhandedly between muffled coughs.
"Szayel-sama?" Nemu asked, confused.
"Oh no, it's nothing." The pink-haired Espada insisted with a wave of his white-gloved hand, quickly pushing images of a woman with twin-tails and a whip from his mind as he changed the subject.
"Now, I think it's time that I got started setting up the equipment..."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Ichigo was seated in the grass, near the bank of a stream. The teen was looking out across the grassy field past the other bank, to the clear blue horizon.
He smiled thoughtfully, enjoying the scenery. Behind him, Cat emerged from a nearby cluster of trees to join the teen at his side. "You've made a lot of progress." The black-furred feline commented idly to Ichigo, taking a moment survey the verdant landscape. "I must say, I'm impressed."
"Thanks, I guess." He answered, somewhat awkwardly.
"Look at all of this, do you see it- I mean, really see it?" Cat asked him. "At first glance, it might look like nothing more than some picturesque landscape... Ant yet, it's so much more." The feline continued, glancing to Ichigo as he continued. "It's, as Coleridge put it, a Miracle of Rare Device."
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked, genuinely curious.
"All of this, is a creation of the mind." Cat replied. "You perceive this now, because all of this existed in you- inside your mind." He continued thoughtfully. "It's infinitely complex, because it's a creation of the exquisite inner-machinery that comprises your mind, Ichigo."
"I don't know about that..." The teen countered, almost bashfully.
"You're being too modest." Cat replied. "You've been holding back for too long... But now, well, you have the rest of your life ahead of you now." He explained. "Once a person is able to free themselves of whatever emotional or psychological burdens that held them back, they can accomplish a great deal."
The orange-haired teenager nodded at the assertion. "It feels like forever, since I came here..." Ichigo remarked, after a few moments. "And yet, what happens now?"
He smiled. "That's for you to decide, Ichigo." Cat replied. "But whatever your future might hold, you won't learn anything hanging around here." The feline added. "The answers to your questions are back in your world, in your reality- waiting for you go find them."
"Then I just need to... wake up?" He asked.
"That's a matter of perspective." Cat replied. "After all you've been through, what makes you think all of this is a dream?" He asked him, giving an appropriately feline smile. "And even if this was a 'dream', whose to say that it's yours?" The feline continued. "But to answer your question... If you're ready to go back to your reality, then it's a matter of thinking the right sort of thoughts."
Ichigo looked to the black-furred animal. "Tell me something... what happens to you?" The teen asked the midnight-colored animal beside him. "I mean," he paused. "Will you still exist? And, if so, will you still be the you that I've been talking to this whole time?"
"I'll always be me." Cat replied with a smile. "Just as you'll always be you, Ichigo." He continued, his golden eyes meeting the young man's brown ones. "Do you remember when I mentioned Descartes?" He asked, getting a nod from the teen. "Like you: I think, therefor I am."
"Cogito ergo sung?" Ichigo replied with a smile.
The feline nodded. "Precisely." Cat replied, smiling. "The path ahead of you is a long and varied one, so it's entirely possible that we'll cross paths again- some day, down that path of yours."
Ichigo chuckled faintly. "No doubt."
"That's the spirit, Ichigo!" Cat replied, his tone upbeat. "Just keep up this health new positive attitude of yours, and you'll surely have bright future ahead of you."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
In one of the many labs operating within the Twelfth, Nemu was reclining in a technological-looking examination bed, while Szayel fluidly moved about the room. At the behest of the Arrancar, the woman had taken her seat, waiting silently as her Captain went about attaching monitoring devices to her...
Including an obvious blood-pressure/heart-rate cuff on her arm.
"These will monitor your various readings." He'd explained to her. "After I assumed command of the Twelfth, I made it a point of thoroughly studying all of the data on you." The bespectacled Hollow had gone on to inform the purple-haired woman. "And I'm certain that you're sufficiently sophisticated that the visualizer should recognize you as no different from any other being."
"Case in-point, your limbic system." Szayel continued with a smile, bringing the palm of his gloved hand to rest on her head. "Inside of this lovely head of yours, is a complex system of nerves, a network, responsible for regulating the brain's most primordial drives- fear, rage, pleasure, desire, compassion, hunger, longing, even the compulsion to nurture- to name but a few."
The last, and the most crucial, piece of equipment was a special 'headset' that Szayel had placed on her, explaining how it would monitor her mental-activity. This, in turn, would translate that information into visual data, that would then be displayed on nearby integrated monitor. With that, the Espada sat down in a chair near to her, while machinery and equipment hummed in the background.
"That headset is a link, between yourself and these machines." He explained to her, rotating around in his chair, to the controls of another machine. "This stimulates a condition akin to a lucid dream state in the wearer, but while awake- inducing a state between alpha and theta wave activity." Szayel continued, gesturing to another. "Now, this device monitors the output from you brainwaves, generating that data into a visual approximation on this monitor, while you're in this near-dream state."
Nemu silently watched the Arrancar as he moved about his equipment, with an air of both professional pride and controlled excitement. This genuine enthusiasm- not just for his work or research, but simply science itself- was one of the countless things that had first drawn her to him. This, combined with his natural dynamism (in her eyes at least), made the Octavio Espada irresistible.
He turned back to her, and she felt her cheeks warm slightly as he spoke. "Just another a moment or so, and I expect we'll be ready to go forward with this."
"Now, Nemu," the Espada continued gently, turning the monitoring device on. "If you would, please go ahead and describe the most recent occurrence you can recall."
"Of course, Szayel-sama." She nodded, then began describing the dream she'd had the night before, as the Arrancar listened intently to her account.
"I was in a dark forest, it looked like night... There was a thin fog covering the ground, and I recall feeling cold... The next thing that I was aware of was the presence of some kind of creature..."
"I must say," the bespectacled Arrancar started. "To be able to see it for myself, with my own eyes..." Szayel paused, adjusting his glasses. "I can sympathize with your unease." He offered, as he brushed the fingertips of his gloved hand against the screen before him...
His golden eyes narrowed as he drew back, folding his arms across his chest as he looked at the image on the monitor: a tall shadowy figure (over two meters tall), with glowing red eyes, and what appeared to be a pair of massive wings. But there was something else, something off. Unfolding his arms, Szayel leaned in once more, in order to take a another look at the creature.
"The edges..." Szayel mused aloud. "The edges are rough... no, rather, they're undefined- almost like blurred ink on a piece of paper." Th Arrancar continued. "...Most unsettling."
"This reminds of something..." He spoke as he looked to his Lieutenant. "The more I think about it, I can't help but be struck by a sense of recall." Szayel revealed. "Nemu my dear, I'm certain now that I've come across something like this... this creature, from your nightmares, before."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm, Karakura...
Ichigo's brown eyes abruptly snapped open, his hands gripping his chair as he suddenly awoke- half in a daze- and immediately began to look about the room...
The teen soon registered that he was back in the same room where he had first started out in, inside of Darkwood's home. While looking around, he recognized the figure of the man himself- standing in the doorway, with a slight smile on his face. Brushing a hand through his collar-length dark brown locks, he moved to take his place in the chair situated across from him.
"Ichigo," Darkwood started. "Tell me, how are you feeling?" He asked tentatively, a look of concern visible in his brown eyes as he appeared to make himself comfortable.
"I'm not sure..." The young man started. "I'm not even sure what happened..." Ichigo confessed to the man across from him. "I saw things- impossible things- and places, even people..." The teen continued excitedly. "It felt like I was there, in that strange place, for weeks- even months- but at the same time, I know that's impossible... that I couldn't have been gone long enough to be missed."
"That's hardly unusual in these sort of experiences." Darkwood offered. "Perception is relative- even when it comes to how we perceive the passage of time." He went on. "It's the same as when two people perceive the same color- am I seeing the same shade of blue as the blue that you're seeing?"
Ichigo then closed his eyes, running his hands through his head of spiky orange locks, and leaned back in the arm chair. "I still don't know what to make of it all, but..."
"But what?" Darkwood spoke, prompting him to continue.
"I feel... at peace." He answered. "For the first time, in a long time... I feel at peace."
The older man smiled. "I'm glad to hear, Ichigo." He replied. "Especially... as, from here on out, you're going to need a clear mind for what lies ahead of you."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Second Division HQ...
Sungsun was seated on the cart that Hanataro was currently porting around. "Sorry for burdening you with the extra weight." She offered the young man amiably.
"Not at all." Hanataro replied, still smiling. "In fact, I have to say that you're as light as a feather."
"Flatterer." The Arrancar replied with a wave of her hand, returning the smile.
After a moment, she reached over and picked up one of the books and opened it. "What's this... this 'Hippo-whatsit?'" The Fraccion asked him.
"The Hippocratic Oath." Hanataro replied. "It's a special pledge- an oath to do no harm- that's sworn by every healer." He explained to the female Hollow. "It reads: I swear, to the best of my ability and judgment, that I will respect the hard-wonscientific gains of those in whose steps I walk." He recounted. "...I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required."
Sungsun looked back to the page. "I will remember there is no art to medicine and science, and that... warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or chemist's drug..." She read, periodically glancing his way as she spoke the words. "I will... respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not... disclosed to me, so that the world may know."
She turned to him, a look of confusion. "Doctor-patient confidentiality." He replied, still smiling as he ferried the cart down the hall. "It also says... I will remember that I do not treat a fever, nor growth, but a sick living being... In other words, not a diagnosis, but a person." The Shinigami explained.
She nodded, looking back to the page. "I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow living beings, both those of sound mind and body as well as the infirm... May I always act to preserve the finest traditions of my calling..." She continued. "...And may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help." Sungsun finished with a smile.
"It's an admirable sentiment..." The Fraccion spoke, setting the book down. "And, it would seem, we Arrancar still have a lot to learn from you Shinigami."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"You've seen something like this before?" Nemu had asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes." Szayel had replied, getting to his feat. "I remember now... It's the Mothman."
"The... 'Mothman'?" Nemu repeated, confused. "The creature from twentieth century folklore?" She elaborated, looking into his eyes. "I... I don't understand."
"Nemu..." He moved in close, taking her hand in his. "'The Mothman' is just a name, one of many... a label for the embodiment of the fear and uncertainty of the unknown." Szayel continued. "For you, this isn't some random boogieman, it's a analogue- a representation your own fears." He explained, pulling his chair up to the side of the examination bed.
"My fears?" She replied incredulously, rising up onto her elbows. "But I'm not afraid, not anymore." Nemu insisted. "Not now... that I have you in my life."
He smiled at this. "Oh Nemu..." Szayel started, caressing her cheek. "My dear sweet butterfly... fear is hardly exclusive to threats or imminent danger." He continued. "Right now, you're coming to grips with your own fears- fear of the unknown, of what the future might hold."
Szayel wrapped both of his hands around her smaller one. "Nemu," he started. "You are the dreamer of your world of dreams... And it has no other cause, nor ever will." The Hollow continued. "And in your dream world, you are free to become the butterfly I believe you truly are."
Both Szayel and Nemu failed notice the sound of the door opening...
"And Zhuang Zhou wrote: I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke." They looked to the doorway, seeing Lieutenant Shenkai. "And Zhuang said: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?"
On his brow, set above his dark eyes, was a green headband- with the characters 中尉 inscribed upon the protective plate that adorned the head-ware. The sleeves his black Shinigami robes were tucked into a pair of armored kote-style arm/hand-guards, while the legs of his black hakama were similarly tucked into a matching pair of armored suneate greaves.
"Forgive my intrusion." Shenkai offered with a polite bow of his head. "But I was instructed by my Sīlìng, Captain Soifon, to ensure that these documents were delivered directly to you." The Shinigami explained, his tone clipped but polite. "The seal will open only for you."
"Of course, Lieutenant Zhaoshi, thank you." Szayel replied, accepting the document.
With that, he saluted and turned, intending to leave.
"Wait." Szayel called, stopping the man in his tracks. "A moment, if you would..." He added, adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat. "Zhōngwèi, qǐng zhuǎndá wǒ de wènhòu."
He regarded the Espada with a look of mild surprise in his face, prompting Szayel to smile.
After a moment, the Lieutenant gave a rare smile and nodded. "Zhè shì wǒ de róngxìng." With that, he departed the room, leaving the two alone once more.
"You... speak Chinese?" Nemu inquired.
"A bit." Szayel answered with a smile, looking back to Nemu. "Oh, you'd be surprised, my dear, the things that you can learn in your spare time."
(- End of Chapter XLIV... -)
I hope I got the Chinese language correct- I do go a bit of trouble to try and get it right. Anyway, I also really enjoyed writing the scenes in the surreal "Inner World", and the interplay between Ichigo and Cat. Those were all a lot of fun to write.