The Fallen Series: Part I - Victory Falls

by Seth's Kiss

Canon Divergent: 'They made the biggest mistake of their lives. They forgot Aizen always had a back-up plan, with it usually being far worse than the first'. DARK Fic. Rated M (violence, horror, torture, non-con), also has MxM, MxF, FxF and many unstable pairings (for now). Warnings in each chapter for safety. Proceed with caution. BEING EDITED: Chapters may vanish till completion.

13. Part One: Chapter 8

The Fallen Series (a Bleach Fanfiction) by Seth's Kiss:

A/N: Hello everyone! Here is the following update, Chapter 8 (oh, hey, that rhymes)! And, as such, I am happy to announce that the next two chapters will be the very last ones of Part One! Once I realized that I had dealt with the plot of the first part quicker than expected (the 'victory' falling thing), I concluded that it was time to move on... Also, it seems that no one was actually interested in my previous guessing game, so I won't be writing anyone a one-shot apparently (sniffs sadly...Psyche). Anyways, please do all enjoy this chapter and tell me what you think of it (especially for this chapter)!

To Guest 1: Hello and thank you for your review! And you are so very much welcome! I'm honestly glad to know that there are those who are enjoying this fic! It makes me feel happy and less self-conscious, so thank you for sharing your opinion! Enjoy this chapter and see you next time! Bye-Bye!

Rating for this chapter: It is now the beginning of the 'Non-con series', for now that Aizen has his spoils of war, what do you honestly think is going to happen, hm? So expect to find scenes where molestation and harassment will be prominently prevalent. In addition, there's the usual: language, violence, sexual situations, humiliation...etc. Once again, just like before, watch your step.

Part One: Victory Falls:

Chapter 8: Fate For Spoils:

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"What do you think?! We don't know means we don't know!"

"But how can you not know?!"

"How the HELL am I supposed to know that?!"

And that's how it had been for that last five minutes, going back and forth with retorts that turned in circles, between a distressed Keigo Asano and one very exasperated Karin Kurosaki.

Moments after the Hollow invasion, Chad, Uryuu, Tatsuki and Keigo, along with Rikichi and Misaki, had took it upon themselves to search high and low for the Kurosaki family, only to come to nought at every single turn.

However, abruptly, the Quincy noticed the faint presence of Ichigo's little sisters, back at the Kurosaki Clinic, so he and the others rushed there to effectively find them...Or at least, Karin, who was the one that opened the door to them, her eyes bloodshot red and her attitude worse than usual. For what she wanted was for them to leave, but none of them would take the hint, Ichigo's friends especially as they were determined to not leave the lounge - where they were currently seated - until they knew something of what the heck was going on.

Seeing that things were going nowhere, Tatsuki hammered Keigo with a good punch, to keep him quiet for a moment, before turning to Karin with an anxious expression: "Karin-chan, are you sure you don't know where your brother is?"

The tomboy twin stared at her big brother's friend as she worded dryly: "Going at it good cop isn't gonna magically make me know the unknown."

"You have no idea?" inquired Chad incredulously with raised eyebrows "None at all?"

"NO. How many times do I have to say it?" groaned out Karin in utter frustration before repeating what she had already told them "One minute he was here, then we blacked out and, when we woke up, he was...gone."

"What about your sister?"

Now, the Ichigo's sister decided to completely ditch any attempt at 'being nice' and resort to bitter rudeness, as she scowled at Rikichi: "She doesn't know either. Didn't you hear what I've been saying for the past I-don't-know-how-many minutes?"

"I just want to hear her version of the facts" shrugged the 7th Division's lieutenant simply, before he yelped when the black-haired twin's scowl shifted to an absolutely murderous glare.

"Wait, you think I'm lying?!" seethed Karin as she jumped up, fists clenched angrily at her side, while everyone else shied away from the livid aura she was emanating "We're talking about MY brother here! Why would I lie?!"

"I think you've hit your head" declared Keigo as he nodded with extreme seriousness, proud of his own deduction whilst everyone else sweat-dropped "You can't go from knowing to not knowing."

"I didn't even know BEFORE knowing what you all think I knew!" yelled a fed-up Karin before she exhaled loudly as she tried to calm down, a hand to her throbbing head as she felt a headache coming along "Besides, none of you can speak to Yuzu."

Here, Misaki frowned with concern along with the others: "Why not?"

"She's convinced that he got kidnapped again" muttered Karin with a wave of her head, inwardly cursing the fact that the very made-up scenarios her sister feared, actually came true.

"Kidnapped?" echoed the dark-haired tomboy disbelievingly with wide aghast eyes, shared with everyone else "Again?"

"Ah. A crazy story used to counter my dad's..." began the black-haired twin before she made a face "In fact, you're better off not knowing about that. Ever. The point is, she's inconsolable and won't be able to say a word without crying."

"Oh. Well..." uttered Tatsuki wistfully, before offering Ichigo's little sister a small comforting smile as she stood up "We'll come around sometime later to check on you, okay? For the time being, we'll search around for Ichigo again."

"But that's exactly what we've been doing all night and there's still no sign of him" protested Keigo uneasily, causing the others to all lower their eyes for they knew it was true: it was if Ichigo had completely and utterly disappeared within thin air, body and soul.

"Or the Arrancars" mentioned Rikichi abruptly with a deep frown and a hand to his chin "Do you still believe they have nothing to do with his disappearance?"

"We won't point fingers until we're fully certain" stated Chad steadfastly, getting up also and nodding at Karin as a goodbye gesture, before he made his way to the exit "Let's go."

"But you guys are exhausted. You have to rest" pointed out Misaki tenderly as she took in the four humans' tired features after a closer look "Let us take it from here, hm?"

"We won't rest until we find him" declared Tatsuki vehemently, resolve set upon her features.

Whilst Uryuu and Keigo smiled at her in acknowledgement, Chad nodded: "Amen to that."

Frowning faintly, the black-haired twin parted her lips to say something but caught herself right at the last second by biting her lip and staying silent as she stared intently at the floor.

Having seen the little girl's actions, the bespectacled teenager remained seated for a moment while the others headed for the hallway, but when he saw that she wasn't going to say a word, he sighed and got up to leave as well.

As the little black-haired girl ran after the four teenagers and the two shinigami to accompany to them to the door, Tatsuki turned towards her with a soft smile: "Bye, Karin-chan. Stay safe and take care, ok?"

Tucking her arms behind her head and staring at the floor in a semblance of nonchalance, the little girl nodded curtly: "Sure."

Waving them off and shutting the door behind them, Karin exhaled a long and loud breath as she leant against the door and slowly slid to the floor, before burying her face in her knees while wrapping her arms around them.

"Are they gone?" spoke up a small, soft snivelling voice from the other side of the hallway, causing Karin to lift her head up and lock gazes with her sister, eyes even redder than hers.

"Yup..." nodded the black-haired twin with a sniff before she bit her lip again, this time harder "I almost said it, you know."

The brown-haired twin frowned faintly in puzzlement at her sister's words: "Said what?"

"I nearly told them: 'don't bother, you won't ever find him'" she whispered, clenching her eyes closed as Yuzu's crying increased tenfold, this time with Karin joining her, just as loud.

"Something's wrong" muttered Rikichi slowly, a faint frown to his features as he glanced over his shoulder back at the Kurosaki Clinic they were now walking away from.

"You think?" uttered Misaki with a surprised expression, guessing what her boyfriend was talking about "I believe her. She seems really worried, but also truly oblivious."

"I guess... But I still maintain that something doesn't feel right" insisted the 7th Division's lieutenant before his brown eyes darted over to the humans walking in front of them, deep worry and uncertainty within their expressions "And I'm not the only one to think that way."

A mobile phone suddenly went off, causing everyone to halt in their steps and turn to Uryuu who apologized as he shifted through his pockets, before locating it and answering, a frown to his face which deepened with every word said from the person on the other side of the line.

Responding briskly to the caller, the Quincy hung up before glancing towards the others with a contrite expression: "My father called. An emergency apparently. I have to go."

"Ok" accepted Chad easily with a nod "Take care."

"We'll keep you posted!" called out Tatsuki to the other who had already begun walking off.

"Please do!" the bespectacled teen yelled back as he waved at them from the distance.

Once the Quincy had left, Keigo suddenly snapped his head towards the two shinigami lovebirds and inquired totally out of the blue: "By the way, why are you shinigami still here?"

"Want us to leave?" asked Rikichi with an offended expression whilst Misaki laughed tensely.

"Nope, not what I meant" reassured the brown-haired teen by waving his hand before he clarified his question "I thought there was a war going back over there. Shouldn't you be helping them instead of us?"

"We would have but..." the pale blonde girl started softly as she and her boyfriend glanced at each other before they lowered their eyes, looking utterly crestfallen "We can't go back."

Whilst Keigo and Chad raised their eyebrows, Tatsuki frowned in bewilderment: "Why not?"

"The Senkaimon has been destroyed, so it's impossible for us to go back the normal way, and we're not Hollows, hence we can't use a Garganta" explained Rikichi before he carefully reached into his girlfriend's pouch pocket as to retrieve something "As for these teleportation gems Abarai-san gave us, they aren't functioning anymore. According to Rin, they've been shut down or something. Look, they've even lost their brightness."

Leaning in to take a closer look along with Tatsuki and Keigo, Chad then lifted his eyes to the two Shinigami, realization dawning in them: "So, what you're saying is..."

Biting her lip and looking away, the 6th Seat of the 11th Division nodded miserably: "We're stuck here. And there's nothing we can do about it."

Back within the Seireitei, the Head Commander's Office:

Ichigo's eyes slowly fluttered open in confusion, not understanding when he had fallen asleep, before hurriedly squinting them at the bright morning light, letting itself within the room from throughout the open plane to the very far side.

Attempting to adjust to it, the Shinigami Substitute blinked repetitively, his blurred vision falling upon an indistinct figure peering down at him, leading him to realize that he had his head resting upon said person's knees, their hands threading soothingly through his wild hair.

As his eyesight gradually returned to him, he made out a petite girl with black hair and blurted out the first name that his drowsy mind associated with that hazy appearance: "Karin?"

"Rukia" corrected the other softly as she finally became clearly visible to the teenager, Renji at her side, both eyeing him gently with a rueful smiles to their lips "It's me, Ichigo."

Flushing with faint embarrassment at his inaccuracy, he was quick to sit up and look away: "I'm sorry, really."

"No, no, it's ok" reassured Rukia hastily as she kindly patted his tense shoulder, her puffy reddened eyes lowered, having formerly cried - yet again, this time harder - upon knowing what her family went through "It's ok. Don't apologize."

"What happened?" he asked slowly as he furrowed his brow, trying to recall why he was in the Seireitei instead of being back at home. Everything was just...kind of fuzzy.

"You blacked out" supplied the 13th Division's lieutenant helpfully as she withdrew her bound hands and set them upon her laps "You were tired and emotionally strained, I guess."

Upon seeing the Shinigami Substitute still seem totally disoriented, Renji frowned in concern: "Are you alright, Ichigo?"

"Truthfully?" replied the orange-haired teen quietly, with a small tense smile to his lips "No."

"Yeah" the red-haired grimaced sympathetically at the other's answer before looking away and shifting within his bonds, whilst wondering how his captain and the other Kuchiki were.

Glancing around him, Ichigo wordlessly takes in everyone else, bound, some asleep, others too on edge to do so...when everything came back to him, hard: the war, the casualties and the sacrifices, the oaths, the torture... Ah, damn it all.

Swallowing at the lump that had formed within his throat upon the realization that it had all been quite painfully real, the orange-haired teen then abruptly noticed that someone was not there, so he asked out aloud in alarm: "Where's Grimmjow?"

"Grimmjow-sama still hasn't been brought back" replied Nelliel in a quiet voice from where she sat huddled against Tia "And Nel's very anxious."

"Will he be alright?" inquired Ichigo worriedly, the tightly tense expressions upon the former Arrancars' features doing very little to comfort him.

"Doubtful" muttered Cirucci through clenched teeth "Especially given how valuable he is to Aizen, and not really in the good sense. I'm not being pessimistic or anything, but given the fact that Grimmjow-sama did rebel against the other and managed to instigate our own revolt alongside his, I'm pretty sure he got on that guy's bad side, like badly."

"But we can hold onto hope" uttered Tia with a reassuring tone as she held tight onto Nelliel, while hoping to quell the others' growing anxieties with her words "It is Jeagerjaques we're talking about after all. He can hold his ground just fine against Aizen. He's used to it."

Her words earned a few nods, some hesitant, others loosely agreeing with her, though the teen stayed slightly sceptic, deciding to feel fully relieved when he'll see for himself that the blue-haired feline was truly alright...whenever and however that may be.

Brown eyes swarming with emotions darted around again idly, as to keep his mind busy, when he realized something: "One of the guards is missing, right?"

"Yep" confirmed Luppi as he jerked his head towards the room's door "Left a moment ago."

"Speaking of the bitch" worded Stark while staring at the entrance that had just opened, as if on cue, with the Fracción in question coming in, a dark glare directed straight at him.

"Ha-ha" let out Loly contemptuously as she closed the door behind her with her heel before striding over to the group of captives, a large box in her arms "Hilarious, mutt."

Reaching them and standing randomly in front of Toshiro, the black-haired Fracción leaned the box onto one arm as she rummaged through it with other, before producing a mid-sized bowl, filled with rice along a pair of chopsticks to the side, and handing it wordlessly towards the young white-haired captain.

Eyeing it suspiciously whilst also, and mostly, not really being in the mood for food, the 10th Division's captain grounded out quietly: "I'm not hungry."

"Not my problem" sneered Loly nastily as she uncaringly flung the bowl on the floor near the other's knees, chopsticks flying out of reach "I was ordered to bring you food and that's what I'm doing. Whether you want to eat or not is fine either way."

Totally unmindful of the glaring she received, the Fracción continued her tactless distribution giving everyone the same treatment as prior, before, upon reaching the orange-haired teen, she delicately took hold of the Shinigami Substitute's bound hands and set the bowl directly within them.

Frowning at the flagrant difference in handling, the teenager lifted confused eyes to hers, as she rushed to explain herself, voice curt: "You, though, don't have an option: you are eating."

Wide brown eyes stared at her in bewilderment: "Uh...Why me specifically?"

"Debt" she drawled out unwillingly, leading Gin to widen his eyes in surprise as he wondered, just how many Arrancars the teen had indebted to him exactly.

Stunned, Ichigo pointed at himself with a hand as the other held onto the bowl: "To me?"

"To your princess" rectified Loly as she stared intently at her nails, the emptied box tossed aside "She healed me twice and I only got to pay her back once. This, is so we'll be even."

The teenager blinked a few times before raising an eyebrow at her in faint incredulity: "Your logic is...kinda confusing. But thanks."

Eyeing him silently for a moment, she then shrugged as she walked away back over to her corner of the room, flipping one of her pigtails over her shoulder as she went: "Whatever."

Regarding the bowls of rice warily and exchanging glances, the captives hesitantly reached for them, their starved stomachs trying to convince them to dig in, with a few ignoring their hunger in favour of picking at the food with their chopsticks, searching for something amiss.

"Apparently, Aizen doesn't want us dead" muttered Kisuke quietly upon closer inspection, whilst Yoruichi sniffed at the bowl with a suspicious frown.

"Obviously, or he would have poisoned this" pointed out Stark offhandedly with his mouth full, as he and the other former Arrancars wolfed down their portions, due to the previous forced physical alteration taking its toll rather nastily upon them.

"No, I meant he wouldn't have had us fed" sweat-dropped the sandy blonde, before his eyes widened when he realized what the other had said "Wait. How do you know it's not...?"

"His nose" reminded Lilynette with a raised eyebrow whilst pointing at her other half's nose.

"Oh, yeah...Forgot. Handy, isn't it?"

Still stuffing his face and mostly focusing on that, Stark shook his head at the other: "Not always."

"Oh?" uttered Kisuke with inquisitive eyes, clearly seeking elaboration which caused the former Arrancar to heavily swallow down his food and sigh, not really in the mood for any chit-chat, but decided to indulge the other anyway. Getting him off his case by replying would be quicker and easier than having to deal with constant nagging. Yeah, let's go with that.

"Well, yeah, I..." started the wolf jadedly before cutting himself off in favour of darting wide eyes towards the door, addressing one of his comrades as he did so "Illfort."

The aforementioned acknowledged by flitting his crimson ruby irises towards Stark: "Hm?"

Grimacing contritely at the pale blonde, the former Primera warned quietly: "Brace yourself."

Instantly recognizing the reason for the word of caution, Illfort went several shades pale as a shiver ran down his spine, wide eyes darting to the door opening again: "Oh fuckin' hell."

"Hello, Brother."

"Szayel" the blonde sibling worded tautly, going significantly rigid as the other drew closer, taking his time, a malignant smile to his thin lips and eyes tuned only on Illfort.

"Oh? Is this how you greet me?" commented the Octavo derisively before he feigned being wounded by his brother's reaction to him "So...unenthusiastically? I'm hurt."

"Generally, when you seek me, it's not out of sheer good will" pointed out Illfort with a sigh, remaining steadfastly tense as his brother kneeled beside him "So, I'm entitled to be on edge."

"Hm...True, all true" nodded Szayel after a pondering pause, readjusting his glasses as his eyes darkened when they locked dead on with the blonde's, deep gold clashing with rubies "Especially for this time."

As the other captives watched on in stressed silence at the exchange, the former Arrancar swallowed nervously: "I can see that. What is it, Szayel?"

"What is it? What is it?" repeated the Espada languidly, rolling his eyes with an air of batty boredom as he leaned into the other's space, whispering lowly "I don't know. You tell me."

Choosing to remain quiet as he really didn't know what this was about, Illfort tensed even further under his brother's invasive touches, the latter's white gloved fingers trailing up his shoulders, then neck, before Szayel finally cupped the other's face in his hands with deceptive gentleness, tracing his thumbs narrowly under the blonde's eyes.

Blinking at the obvious obliviousness in his brother's eyes, Szayel inquired incredulously: "Still don't know what I'm talking about?"

The former Arrancar shook his constricted head slightly: "I still don't."

"Alright then" accepted the Octavo before he opened his mouth widely and fully exposed his tongue, whilst arching an eyebrow "Does this speak to you?"

One glance upon what laid shining upon the other's tongue, immediately clued the former Arrancar as to what all this was about, and there was no real point in playing dumb: "They're one of your inventions, the teleportation gems."

"Excellent answer. Well done, Brother" praised Szayel pleasantly before his expression turned menacingly dark as he brutally seized his brother's shoulders "Now...explain to me, how is it that they mystically disappear from my laboratory for a very long time, only to suddenly reappear and end up, not only in the shinigami's hands mind you, but also in the hands of Inoue Orihime and - because that's not all - of Grimmjow?"

Upon seeing Illfort grimace in pain under the other's vice grip, Tia spoke up authoritatively: "Grantz, leave him be."

"This is a family affair, so don't meddle, Hallibel" retorted the pink-haired Espada without even glancing at her, his narrowed eyes riveted upon his sibling alone "I'm waiting, Brother."

"You wish for the truth?" gritted out Illfort heavily, knowing it futile to attempt to deny the others' words just as it was pointless to try to reason with his brother's unpredictable insanity.

"That would be quite nice, so yes, please."

"They were beneficial for Grimmjow-sama, so I took them for him."

Swiftly relinquishing his hold on the other upon hearing that reply, Szayel stood up and eyed his brother with an air of utter disdain mingled with disgust: "Grimmjow-sama, Grimmjow-sama, Grimmjow-sama, is that the only name you have upon your lips?"

"The only one that matters" admitted Illfort steadfastly, not and never afraid to divulge that.

Regarding the blonde silently for a moment, the Octavo then let out a hefty sigh akin to deep disappointment: "You know, I really hate that he has your unwavering devotion like this."

"What should I say about your loyalty to Aizen?" countered the former Arrancar, frowning.

Golden eyes widened faintly before they narrowed to a threatening degree: "It's Aizen-sama."

Illfort felt it coming before he received it, a harsh unrelenting kick to his side that expelled the air from his lungs and made him double over. But his dear brother didn't stop there.

Overtaken by an unexplainable incensed frenzy that disconcerted all the onlookers, Szayel viciously lashed out kick after kick, letting them rain down upon his sibling's unprotected body, until someone managed to interfere, weaving themselves between the battered brother and the one beating the former, blocking the Octavo's leg with their bound hands.

Crazed golden eyes flashed over to seething brown ones as the latter spoke: "That's enough."

"Mind your own concerns, shinigami" articulated the mad scientist lethally, as he pressed his heel hard into the other's forearm, a blemishing mark beginning to bloom on Ichigo's skin.

Pushing the other's offending limb away, the orange-haired teenager stressed out vehemently: "You're beating the hell out of someone in front of me, so it is my concern."

"Oh, that's right. You're Kurosaki Ichigo, the altruistic human boy who helps everyone" said Szayel scathingly in recognition, now wearing a twisted smile, as he firmly took hold of the Shinigami Substitute's chin, while the former Arrancars swiftly shifted to check on Illfort "And what will you do when you'll be the one in need of help, but no one will be out there for you, hm?"

Tightening her teeth and fists furiously at the Espada's words, Rukia was about to call out to the teen on not listening to them, when Ichigo pronounced words that stunned everyone there: "It doesn't matter."

Stunned golden eyes widened at those of teen's scowling unwaveringly at him: "It doesn't?"

"No, it doesn't" declared the orange-haired teen solidly "What matters, is that I was there when they needed me...because my prime purpose, is to protect. And that's all there is to it."

A thick silence instilled itself over those present, their wide eyes fixated upon the Shinigami Substitute, whilst some were in awe and others were baffled, when suddenly the Octavo let out a barking, mocking, chilling laugh: "You're an utter fool, child. This, is what Grimmjow sacrificed himself for? Pathetic."

Upon the evocation of the blue-haired feline's name, Ichigo perked up with honest worry: "What about Grimmjow? Where is he? What have you done to him?"

"Aw, are you worried for him?" cooed Szayel sarcastically as he slowly made his way back towards the exit "Don't be, you'll see him soon...when Aizen-sama's fully through with him."

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Coughing slightly as to not disrupt the several broken ribs of his right side further than they were, Grimmjow heaved under slow, shallow, laboured breaths, with his eyes clenched tightly shut beneath a deeply furrowed brow, as he tried to mentally manage the pain his body was in.

Laid on his stomach, and completely stark naked, upon the bed within the white-walled cell he had been locked in, the blue-haired feline had his arms stretched out painfully above him, firmly chained to each separate side of the upper border railing of the bed. And though his legs remained loose which could allow movement, he was too sore to budge, still in agony and in difficulty of breathing due to the position he was in, which caused further pressure upon his broken ribs, whilst leaving his profoundly deep-clawed back exposed. Other than that, the rest of his body was surprisingly bare of any critical injuries, but was full of marks and scratches: there was faint bruising upon his one of his cheeks, neck, wrists, the right side just above his cracked ribs and his hips; deep bite-marks around his throat, shoulders and on his arms; scratches marred his chest, back and legs...amongst other injuries.

He was slightly - only barely - grateful that Aizen didn't go full on out in his frenzy this time. Usually, upon taking his other form, things would be drastically worse, far worse than this. In fact, he had been absurdly indulgent this time, and it made the former Arrancar wonder. Aizen never did anything irrationally. He would occasionally give into caprice, but generally, there also was a reason behind it all. So...why had the lord of the Espada been lenient with him?

Grimmjow's head perked up when he heard, all of a sudden, the door to his cell creak open, his vividly livid blue eyes darting over to lock on the one who profoundly took sadistic pleasure in ruining him, calmly making his way in, an amused dark smirk playing upon his lips, one which caused a low lethal growl to erupt from the feline before he could restrain it, bypassing tightly clenched teeth.

He feared him, that he truly did, but he would never, ever, stop hating him. Further than that, Grimmjow would never stop fighting to keep hold of the blazing fire of his will that the other was attempting to extinguish, merely to obtain nothing but a malleable broken shell of a soul at his disposal. He'd really, readily give anything Aizen wanted and wished to take, but that.

"Ah, my beloved Grimmjow" drawled out the immortal, dark brown eyes tranquilly taking in the damage he had previously inflicted upon the other "Oh dear me. You're in quite a shape."

"Which you should bloody well know since you put me in this fuckin' state" the chained creature countered resentfully, a seething snarl to his lips, which merely drew a chuckle from the child of chaos as the latter sat down on the bed beside other.

"I see you're as uncouth as ever."

"Fuck you" spat Grimmjow hatefully, hissing faintly as the child of chaos brushed his long slender fingers leisurely over the former Arrancar's raw injured back.

"I'd rather be the one to have the honour to do so" taunted Aizen sharply, smirking darkly when the other's response was to let out another angry growl, this one louder than the former "Now then, for the matter at hand - since I did not really get to ask you beforehand - can you explain to me why you're here?"

"You've gotta be fuckin' bullshitting me" deadpanned the blue-haired feline disbelievingly before he seethed out steadily "Who put me here?"

An eerily pleasant smile crossed the immortal's serenely smug features: "I did."

Several wicked throbbing veins popped upon Grimmjow's forehead as he glared blackened daggers at the other: "Then don't fuckin' go asking stupid ass questions, Aizen!"

"Apparently, I haven't been clear" stated the child of chaos with a sigh of feigned aggravation as he dug his nails deep in the other's wounds before leaning low to speak beside his captive's ear "Let me amend to that. What I would like to know, is why you, my beloved Grimmjow, given the fact you had clearly and capably escaped, ended up back within my hands again?"

Gritting his teeth as he clawed at the sheets, the former Arrancar narrowed his eyes insolently: "Bad fuckin' luck."

"Probably" said Aizen indolently with a smile as he chose to play Grimmjow's game, whilst continuing to feel the other's torn and tattered skin, staining his fingers dark red and drawing more pained hisses "Felines are known to drag around misfortune to themselves and those around them. However, I'm not convinced that it is the only motive that pushed you to this."

"What else could it fuckin' be?" grounded out the blue-haired with difficultly, before he opted to flaunt a provocative smirk at the other, knowing his next words were going to strike a nerve "Your freakin' bloody curse to allure and bring others to their knees, maybe?"

They did, immediately causing the immortal's face to darken momentarily, before he resumed his prior expression, albeit less complacently: "You were out of my reach, but you came back. Out of your own will. Why?"

The former Arrancar almost snorted with heavy scepticism: being out of Aizen's reach meant absolutely nothing. If the latter desired something, wanted someone, there was truly nowhere, on earth, within the heavens or hell, worth hiding from him. He'd get to them sooner or later.

However, that wasn't the sole - nor was it the main - reason that motivated the feline to track his way back into the mess he had so munificently left: "I have my reasons."

The blue-haired's vague response intrigued the brown-haired immortal: "Oh? Care to share?"

"No."

"I see" chuckled Aizen deeply, as he carried on to let his hands wander over the other, touches becoming more insidious "Allow me then to elaborate on a theory I came up with concerning your actions. It all resumes to two names in the end: Inoue Orihime and Kurosaki Ichigo. For some reason - that is still a mystery to me - they've both obtained your loyalty, which is the very thing that pushed you to forsake your own freedom in favour of - oh, I don't know exactly - being the shoulder for Ichigo to lean on whenever he'll need it? Or something along those lines, I suppose. I truly wonder how far you'd go for him. Why don't you tell me, hm?"

How far would he go? That was beyond doubt a good question, and he wasn't sure he himself knew how to respond to it. Would he go as far as to die for the teenager? Yes. Why? Because, given the situation, nothing else he'd do, could ever be enough to repay Kurosaki Ichigo. But, coming to think of it, saying 'I'd die for him' wouldn't do any actual good: if Grimmjow accepted to lay down his life to spare the teen's, who'd be there to assure that the immortal didn't overstep his boundaries? Certainly not Inoue Orihime, as she was out of the picture, and he really didn't believe that anyone else had what it took to stand up for someone who unconditionally dedicated himself to the protection of others. So, living for him...Yes, that was better. Besides, even though it would cost him more than he would have wanted, he had long decided to live on to look out for the Shinigami Substitute. What pushed him to even think this way? The horror clouding the teenager's eyes upon realizing how twisted Aizen really was... All in all, strength of will and whatnot, Kurosaki Ichigo stayed a kid, and that was not enough to rival with the immortal. But Grimmjow Jeagerjaques did have what it took - undeniable fear aside - because he no longer had anything to lose.

And totally screw not letting the latter know about his choice: "As far as I'll fuckin' have to."

It was spoken with such steadfast devotion that it completely took the other aback: "That far?"

Staring at the child of chaos out of the corner of his eye, the blue-haired feline uttered bluntly: "You won't understand. It's fuckin' beyond you."

"It's beneath me" stressed out Aizen with a sudden smirk, a double-entendre to his words as he forcefully pinned the other's head firmly to the bed, while the immortal's eyes began to gleam blood red "All these bonds forged upon promises, trust, loyalties and debts..."

"Yeah...No wonder you fuckin' coerce others into them" threw back Grimmjow pointedly, gradually growing tense, along with a freezing sensation flowing throughout his entire being, upon witnessing the immortal's shadow slowly shift form on the wall facing his eyesight.

Ah. He had noticed that Aizen had been too lenient. He should have kept his thoughts shut.

"I told you" declared the child of chaos evenly, his current changed voice chilling the blue-haired feline to the bone with its etherealness "It's beneath me, meaning it's not for me, but yes, I'll make use of them when necessary" long daggered fangs grazed the vein pulsating erratically within Grimmjow's neck, before a tongue darted out to taste the other's trepidation "So...'As far as you'll have to', was it? Let's see to that, shall we?"

"Take your best fuckin' shot" spat the blue-haired feline hatefully as the other held him down harder than before, in order to fully lean into the chained creature.

"Oh, I will" Aizen promised ominously, dark delight echoing in his eerie voice "And as I do so, I'll proffer you two alternatives for what's going to come, which - I'm sure - you know well by now. The choice is yours of course, but let me give you a hint. You'll like neither."

True to that, Grimmjow did not like one bit of either options offered, and yet, one was by a far a lesser evil than the other, so he knew which one to pick...and could only feel genuinely sorry for what awaited a certain person concerned in the malevolent plans of the immoral immortal.

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"Ya know 'ow this will end."

Hovering just above the ground with her pale nude legs crossed one on top of the other, the mismatched blue-eyed witch frowned faintly as those words rang within her head on constant repeat, whilst her eyes remained closed to the darkened room she was occupying, smoke, flashes and sparks of vivid black and dark blue permeating the air as she worked her magic.

And, moments later, upon finishing the enchantment the immortal had requested of her, the witch gradually opened her eyes, worry intensely alight within them, as the other's warning still refused to let her be.

Exhaling heavily, she raised her hands from her knees and conjured a large transparent bluish orb with eerie inscriptions upon it - a looking-glass if you will - before she hesitated, glancing sideways. Peering into the future was something she never did, as she didn't need to, easily able to shy away from danger, but now this...this wasn't for her, so maybe it was alright...no?

Setting her hands upon the orb, one above, one below, the witch set her lips upon it, under the gesture of a kiss, before whispering gently: "Show me, how this will end...for Aizen-sama."

Heeding her command, the orb all of a sudden lit up, illuminating the room as images rotated through it, like an accelerated roll of film, going so fast that it was all nothing but a blur. But she saw them easily. And what she saw, made her want to die there and then in sheer and utter horror, wishing she hadn't seen anything, while cursing the other for triggering her curiosity.

Erratically spinning the orb upon itself in diverse directions, she tried to see where different paths would lead to, but every time, no matter the decision taken, no matter the route chosen, the result was exactly the same, and she shuddered: Aizen was playing with fire, deadly fire.

Warm arms suddenly wrap around her floating form from behind, startling her, for she had been far too absorbed to notice anyone's approach, leading the culprit to chuckle beside her ear: "Well, well. That's new. The great Manter, snuck up upon."

"Aizen-sama" the witch murmured with wide eyes that locked onto the other's calm ones, a dark glint of sadistic satisfaction etched within them, whilst she quickly had her trembling hands make the orb vanish into thin air: if a Witch was mostly advised not to see the future, the Children of Chaos were forbidden from knowing it.

"You seem flustered. No, worse" pointed out the immortal slowly, slight uneasiness upon his features as he saw the orb disappear "What did you see, Manter?"

It took awhile for her to reply, still too shaken to speak: "All being in your favour, as usual."

The unease dissipated as quickly as it came, the child of chaos smirking smugly as it went: "I should have known as much."

"But beware, Aizen-sama: There is death prancing over your paths and should you come to face it, it will be one that even I cannot prevent" warned Manter cautiously, choosing her words with extreme care as to not reveal anything directly...for it wasn't something she could do: her purpose as a Witch serving the Children of Chaos was to guide and protect, hence in no way could she allow herself influence their choices, even if it is with but the intention to spare their lives.

"Death?" repeated Aizen with a thoroughly amused laugh "Now that I'm immortal, there's death lurking in my future."

"I rather you did not mock, Aizen-sama" she whispered with pursed lips, her voice utterly void of reprimand and holding only candid concern "You should tread with extreme care from now on as this is something I see as clear as day."

Tranquilly observing the other in her obvious worry, Aizen raised an eyebrow inquisitively: "And what is this ominous threat looming above my life?"

Manter really, truly, wanted to answer him, but could only do so vaguely: "The fact that you are playing with blistering fire, laying your hands upon something that cannot be controlled, that will not be controlled. It will burn you in the end when you least expect it, at the very moment you let your guard down."

Slowly taking in her words and attempting to decipher them, the immortal voiced casually: "I shan't let my guard down then."

Sighing in frustration at his unlimited nonchalance, she raised her mismatched eyes upwards: "It is not that simple."

An elegant thin brown eyebrow rose: "I've never known you to be this anxious, Manter."

"When you are involved, Aizen-sama, I am very anxious" voiced Manter softly, reaching out to caress the immortal's cheek tenderly, trailing her fingers lightly over his soft skin "It is my sworn duty to serve and protect you. Thus, I am entitled to fear for your life, especially when I am not able to guard it."

Taking hold of her hand in his own and placing it to his lips, the child of chaos articulated lightly: "You worry too much."

"You do not worry enough, Aizen-sama" she stated reproachfully, near pouting at the other whilst withdrawing her hand and setting it back upon her knee.

Eyes softening at the witch that raised him as a surrogate mother, Aizen stated smoothly: "That's why I have you."

"Always so imperturbable" she said as she shook her head with an indulgent smile to her lips "I am not the immortal one."

"No" agreed the immortal before raising his eyebrows mischievously "Just the eternal one."

Snorting softly at the other's comeback, she reminded with intent: "Should the Aizen cease to be, my existence will become nought."

"Again, Manter, you worry far too much" said the child of chaos, taking hold of the witch's hand again and clutching at it reassuringly, slowly running a thumb over her knuckles "Death will not touch me, not when I have taken all the necessary precautions against it."

Looking down at their joined hands, she then sighed resignedly as she softly squeezed back: "If Aizen-sama says so..."

Wondering what could have led to the witch to be so apprehensive for him but knowing better than to question further about it, the immortal tugged gently at Manter's hand: "Come."

Perking up at the abrupt change of conversation, the dark-haired woman eyed him curiously: "Where to?"

"We're going to discuss the next phase" the child of chaos smirked, a glint of dark triumph in his eyes that could only make the witch smile back in response.

"I appreciate the offer, but it will be without me, Aizen-sama" she declined politely, as she once again pulled her hand back, chortling light-heartedly at the other when he frowned in confusion, not understanding why he was being denied.

"I'm in need of your opinion, dear Manter."

"My opinion I will give you when we are alone" promised Manter faithfully before she paused, thinking of the best to word her reluctance to follow him "I...greatly overawe your sweet little devotee. Hence, it is best I do not trouble her with my presence."

"Hinamori?" uttered Aizen in surprise before then recalling the interactions between the two were rather tense, though mostly on his cousin's part "It's true that she seems intimidated by you. Does she feel threatened?"

The witch's dark painted lips curved upwards into an amused smile: "Regarding you, Aizen-sama? That she does, very much so. She seemingly misread most of our interactions as something...deeper. Deeper than it should be."

"Silly little thing" laughed the immortal with a shake of his head "I'll speak to her about this."

"No, no, don't. Let her be" uttered the dark-haired woman hurriedly before the child of chaos made up his mind to chide his cousin "It is quite amusing to witness. I shall be the one to inform her...sooner or later."

Smiling widely, Aizen raised his eyebrows at the witch: "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Immensely" she stressed out indolently with a mischievous grin as she titled her head back.

"And then you say I live dangerously" chuckled the amused immortal as he let himself out, oblivious to the profound pained expression that flitted upon the witch's face at his words.

"You do, Aizen-sama" whispered the ethereal being desolately right after the child of chaos had left, bloody tears escaping from her mismatched eyes before she closed them "You do."

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Things were running efficiently, all was going as planned, and Aizen was very pleased by it. Now, it was time to indulge in a little entertainment, and he knew exactly what to indulge in.

Leisurely taking his time to stroll through the 6th Division's barracks, the immortal headed towards where the Kuchiki had been locked up, Ulquiorra oddly choosing to place them all in the very cell in which Byakuya had interrogated Orihime. Talk about the utter irony of fate...

Reaching the confinement cell in question, the child of chaos soundlessly allowed himself in, dark brown eyes slowly taking in its slumbering occupants' one after the other: Majiko, Yaten and Michiru were on the left, Ginrei and Byakuya were in the middle, whilst Hitachi, Nowaki and Sojun were on the right, all of them chained up to the walls in slumped standing positions.

Much to Aizen's great satisfaction, the latter - the nearest to the cell's entrance - was the only Kuchiki awake, regarding the child of chaos with wide anxious eyes, inwardly edging further towards unease as the immortal wordlessly made his way over.

Stopping to stand before the Kuchiki, Aizen tranquilly let his eyes roam over the noble, deeply relishing in latter's tension, before he abruptly leaned in, startling Sojun, and exhaled a long slow breath upon the other's neck, eliciting a series of shivers from the bound Kuchiki.

He then pulled back slightly and took hold of the dark-haired man's chin, speaking against the other's lips with a wide amused smirk: "I must admit that this posture suits you to perfection."

"Sosuke" breathed out Sojun unevenly, knowing exactly what the other's intentions were, as he attempted to pull his face free from the immortal's gentle though unyielding hold "Don't. Not here. Not like this."

Feigning puzzlement, the brown-haired man's eyebrows languidly arched upwards: "Hm?"

"Don't play dumb, you know precisely what I mean" chastised the noble meaningfully before his tone of voice became faintly beseeching as the other drew in even closer "Don't do this."

"Don't do what, Sojun?" whispered Aizen in a voice that made the other's face flush "This?"

"Sto-!" started the Kuchiki, only to have the immortal bluntly drown out the rest of the plea with searing passion when he joined their lips together hotly, hungrily, heatedly, drawing a weak whimper from the noble as his eyes slid closed without realizing it.

The contact of the fervent kiss regrettably jolted memories that Sojun wanted so hard to bury, and he found himself melting along with it in the other's touch, returning the gesture just as ardently, a hint of nostalgia infused with it.

Lips laced together, as their mouths moulded against each other and their tongues traced the same trails in tandem, the Kuchiki doing so submissively to the Aizen's aggressiveness, whilst the latter allowed his hands to deftly drift over the other's body.

Moaning softly, Sojun completely lost himself in the sensations the other was bringing back to life, whilst momentarily forgetting what the man, he had once cherished more than a friend, had currently become. That was until someone harshly brought him back to reality: "HEY!"

Breaking apart at the same time, the two men turned their attention towards a restlessly rigid Byakuya, glaring bloody murder in the immortal's direction, who merely smirked wickedly in response: "Oh? You're awake, Byakuya dear? My apologies, I hadn't noticed."

"Get. Away. From. Him" articulated the Kuchiki Clan's leader angrily, stressing out his words weightily as he glared at the man who had the utter and shameless nerve to molest his father, missing the way the latter's eyes darted away guiltily, as Aizen wasn't the only one to blame.

"All in good time" uttered the child of chaos smoothly, trailing off in order to latch his mouth back onto the Kuchiki's, the latter letting out a muffled gasp of discomfort, due to now having his son's appalled eyes on them.

"Will you leave him alone?!" called out the 6th Division's captain wrathfully, his bindings clanked loudly as he raged in horror at what he was witnessing, sincerely alarmed for his father's safety.

Rolling his eyes at the son's incessant interruptions, the immortal drew away once more from his prey with an exasperated sigh: "Eventually, yes."

"Eventually?!" echoed the Kuchiki Clan's leader in disbelief, anxiety and anger escalating higher "Leave him be this instant, ghastly beast! What worth has my oath, if you go and-?!"

In a blurred rush, Aizen tore off one of Sojun's sleeves and used the cloth to promptly and brutally wedge it between Byakuya's teeth before tying it tightly, effectively gagging him.

Shaking his head and breathing harshly through his nose, the Kuchiki noble was about to glare venomously at the child of chaos when the latter's malevolent smile stilled him with a chill to the core, the immortal's malignly amused tone doing nothing to quell it: "I truly adore your voice, notably when you lose composure, but right now, it's really grating on my focus."

Nimbly tracing his fingers over the young noble's forcefully parted lips, the latter who was far too stunned to even pull away, the brown-haired man then lazily returned back to Sojun's side, smirking slyly once they were face to face yet again: "Now, where were we?"

Swallowing hard with boundless horror given their current audience, the Kuchiki desperately attempted to reason with the Aizen who calmly leaned in once more: "Sosuke, please, st-!"

The child of chaos smiled smugly against the noble's neck as the latter's breath hitched loudly in his throat as the brown-haired immortal expertly cupped him through his robes, making the dark-haired man absolutely silent in sheer shame at the exposure of his responsiveness to the other's evil deeds.

"Ho?" whispered Aizen slowly with deep amusement in his voice, whilst keeping his hand in constant motion upon the other "Enjoying yourself, Sojun?"

"B-Be quiet, Sosuke" stammered the Kuchiki with tightly clenched eyes, straining to maintain composure and utterly failing to do. He shook his head vehemently, hoping it would help: he didn't want Byakuya to him like this, and Sojun didn't even dare check to see if his son had turned his head or not. He really, deeply hoped it was the former.

"Only if you won't be" countered back the immortal smoothly as he worked the other's body against him, going further and letting his hand creep past the white sash at the noble's waist, in order to directly be in contact with the latter's flesh "I want to hear you."

Biting his lip to prevent himself from doing what the child of chaos wanted, Sojun attempted to block out the building pleasure, hands clenched into fists causing the chains to rattle barely: "N-No...Sosuke, stop it."

His repeated request fell upon deaf ears however as the immortal pressed further into him, so they were now closely against each other, and intensified his actions, skilfully moving his hand upon Sojun's erection, whilst lavishing the noble's neck with undivided attention, biting it lightly every now and then.

Attempting to keep quiet was becoming increasingly harder with every fleeting second, and soon, soft gasps abashedly escaped the dark-haired noble, self-loathing smothering him more than anything else amidst the blinding fervour burning up from within him.

And Aizen wasn't making things easier for him, as he murmured melodiously in the other's ear, whilst alternating between licking and nipping at it, all in harmony with each touch down there: "Scream for me, Sojun. Don't hold back. Let go."

"Ha...AH!"

"Yes, go ahead. More" urged the child of chaos with a faintly impassioned purr that had the other feel even hotter than ever before: it had been awhile since he heard Aizen talk that way.

"S-Sosuke..." panted out the bound man quietly, completely gone and lost within the waves of bliss he was experiencing, a feat which the immortal rewarded with a deep fiery tongued-kiss.

The word 'horrified' didn't even begin to define what ran through the chilled core of Sojun's silenced son, wide entirely disbelieving eyes unable to look away from what he was seeing: his father, was literally putty within the immortal's adept hands, the latter's deft touches effortlessly rendering the pureblood dependent, compliant, submissive, vulnerable, pathetic.

Kuchiki Byakuya wanted to throw up. This...is what his father had been reduced to? In mere moments? So easily? By Aizen Sosuke of all people? Utterly unconceivable. This had to be a nightmare. A terrible thought then came to him: if subjected to a similar treatment - which was evident enough: he was naive in such domains but Aizen's intentions towards him were crystal clear - would he be able to resist the child of chaos? Stand his ground against him? Keep his resolve intact? He wanted to arrogantly say 'yes', but, right now, he was filled with doubt on the subject...especially given the current situation.

Accidently shifting his glance in his son's direction, Sojun's entire face instantly drained of its arising heated colours of passion, leaving room to pallid guilt and ashen shame upon seeing the disappointment, disgust and dread etched within Byakuya's features. And though the latter was solely focused on the immortal - who was provocatively maintaining stares with the Clan's leader, a dark derisive smirk to his lips - the Kuchiki felt as though that look was also directed at him. And that killed him.

"S...So-Sosuke..." Sojun struggled out breathlessly as he tried to rid himself of the clouding sensations by going fully stiff under the other's touch "Stop. That's enough. L...Let me go."

"Already?" articulated Aizen with faint surprise, though not once halting in his movements "But we're having so much fun. It would be such a shame to stop now."

"AH!" cried out Sojun before he had the time to stifle it, his voice caught somewhere between shock and pleasure as the immoral immortal suddenly ground his hips into the other, their hardness each brought together by the gesture.

Chuckling deeply, the child of chaos had his eyes glinting with dark mischief lock with the noble's hazy embarrassed ones: "See? You're still responsive."

"You..." the Kuchiki began with difficulty, his tone insistent as he willed his body to obey his desire to keep control "You have to...to stop."

"I don't have to do anything you ask of me, Sojun. But I'll relent, just this once" notified Aizen complacently as he finally pulled away, raising his hand to lips and leisurely licking away what little white sticky fluid was upon it, causing a flushed, tired Sojun to glance away.

Smirking at the expected reaction from the other, the immortal's darkened lust-filled eyes then flickered towards the young 6th Division's captain, laughing out at the latter's openly aghast and gobsmacked expression, before he taunted scathingly, employing a tone of voice one would use when speaking to a toddler: "Poor Byakuya's confused. Can't understand what there's between dear daddy and bad old me?"

Whilst Byakuya lividly attempted to reduce the child of chaos to ashes with his eyes alone, Sojun tensed significantly, calling out in reprimanding rigid tone: "Sosuke."

Calm dark brown eyes collided with wide dark grey ones: "I didn't mention anything about it before because I left you with the courtesy of informing him. But if you have no intention of telling him anytime soon, I will."

"Byakuya..." started hesitantly the young captain's father after awhile, the immortal's faint threat lingering in the air as he struggled to formulate coherent words "Sosuke and I... We..."

The Kuchiki Clan's leader blinked extremely hard at what he was hearing: Sosuke and I? WE?! That sounded so wrong on so many different levels.

"Just spit it out, Sojun."

"We...We were...We used to be lovers" confessed Sojun awkwardly, instantly looking away upon seeing the blatant horror that arose in his son's eyes "We...had an illicit affair, when we were younger, long before I met your mother."

Scratch whatever it was that had been mentioned before: this, was so very, very, very wrong.

"Illicit affair?" repeated Aizen incredulously with raised eyebrows as he softly caught Sojun's chin to force the latter to lock eyes with him "What happened to 'romantic encounters', hm?"

"It was an illicit affair, notably with you corrupting and dragging Sojun into it" interjected a harsh voice which made Byakuya's father jump guiltily and the immortal roll his eyes irately.

Sighing in irritation, the child of chaos stared darkly over his shoulder, a little beyond where Byakuya was chained: "And of course, you just had to wake up now."

"Get your hands off my son" voiced Ginrei firmly, his glare just as venomous, especially when Aizen just went on and ignored him in favour of kissing Sojun again just to rankle the other.

"Worry not, old man" spoke up the child of chaos as he pulled away unhurriedly, licking at the other's lower lip while doing so, before flashing the old Kuchiki a sinister smile "This was just a final goodbye."

"A...A final goodbye?" echoed Sojun unsurely with a bewildered expression upon his still feverish features, whilst the other two awakened Kuchiki's eyes widened slightly at what the immortal's words could possibly signify "What do you mean, Sosuke?"

The aforementioned faintly softened his eyes indulgently at the other: "I did say that I've forgone any interest in you, haven't I, Sojun? I meant it. You see, your feelings for me have majorly remained unchanged and any degradation bestowed upon you would not cause Ginrei-sama any despair further than the one we've inflicted on him the past" Aizen's eyes then darkened again maliciously "With Byakuya, however..."

With the young captain swiftly understanding that he was going to be harmed just to hurt his family amongst other things, both Sojun and Ginrei looked on absolutely aghast at the child of chaos, the latter Kuchiki forcing out: "You wouldn't..."

"I will" declared Aizen with a chilling smile before he tilted his head to a side with an arched eyebrow "Have you not heard the oath your Clan's leader pronounced to me?"

"You coerced him into it" reminded the old Kuchiki ruthlessly, heart thumping riotously with alarm upon the realization that all the immortal had promised, and probably already readied, for his grandson were close, far too close, to becoming a reality.

"A minor detail" shrugged Aizen uncaringly, smile still in place though now even broader than before "Nevertheless, he's mine now. And that's not going to change any time soon."

Nearing the young gagged noble, Aizen slowly ran the back of his hand upon the Kuchiki's soft pale cheek, chuckling when the noble fiercely wrenched his face away as far as his position allowed it, before glaring murderously at the brown-haired war victor, who merely smirked in response: "Having a little trouble accepting this fate of yours, aren't we? You shall lose your status as untouched, and unclaimed, because the taking is irrevocable."

As visible shivers of revulsion and rage ran through Byakuya's body, Sojun felt completely and terribly powerless, beseeching being his only ability left: "Sosuke...Please. Don't do this to him. Take me instead and please, please, leave Byakuya out of this, I'm begging you."

Entirely ignoring the part where the father willingly offered himself in exchange for his son's non-involvement, the immortal smirked slyly as he staunchly stuck onto one passage within the Kuchiki's pleas: "Would you rather have me to it to someone else then? Rukia perhaps?"

Despite being silenced, Byakuya let out a rather menacing harsh growl of warning which led the immortal to laugh out with morbid amusement: "He doesn't quite seem to agree with that, does he? Worry not about your beloved little sister, as my prime concern for now is you."

Dark brown inhumane eyes flitting over to the eldest Kuchiki awake, the child of chaos spoke slowly, seriously, whilst laying a hand upon the young captain's stiff shoulder: "So tell me, Ginrei-sama, should I taint his blood...or his soul?"

To say that Ginrei looked shocked was an understatement: he appeared totally flabbergasted by the fact that Aizen was actually giving him a choice in the matter. Given the sheer and utter loathing the other had accumulated throughout the years on behalf of their clan, the old man would have assumed that the child of chaos would take the initiative to wreak havoc in both blood and soul, hence causing the inclusive extinction of the Kuchiki name.

Needless to say, both options were hideous in reality, but, to the elderly Kuchiki, one was immensely more important to salvage than the other, regardless of the outcome the latter left...

Slowly glancing towards his grandson with a hint of apology in his features which baffled the one towards whom it was directed to, the old Kuchiki worded ruefully: "Byakuya, I hope you'll one day forgive me" his old, worn yet firm eyes then locked with Aizen's "His soul."

As both Byakuya and Sojun blinked in confusion, not at all grasping what was being said, the child of chaos unexpectedly seemed to be, not really that surprised, but rather unimpressed by the elder's picking: "Really? You'd rather save the pathetic bloodline you might never even have, rather than spare your grandson from the affliction you know he'll come to endure?"

Lowering his eyes, Ginrei spoke clearly, unswervingly: "It's a risk I am willing to take and a sin I am willing to bear for the rest of my life, as well as in death."

"You're incredible" uttered the immortal with incredulous disdain as he shook his head before glancing in Byakuya's direction with raised eyebrows and a sardonic smirk "Do you hear that, my dear? Excluding the oath you already made to me, your own grandfather essentially gave up your body to me to preserve the Kuchiki name. Wonderful of him, isn't it?"

"What's the difference?" inquired Sojun with a puzzled frown which he was sharing with his son over the topic of discussion, whilst his eyes darted between his father and former friend questioningly, apprehensively "Between tainting his blood and tainting his soul?"

When the old Kuchiki didn't answer, the child of chaos did: "Well, for a pureblood, their blood must remain untainted, by anyone other than another pureblood of the opposite sex within the same clan; otherwise their offspring will be anything but pure. So keeping their blood clean is more important to some purebloods than the preservation of the soul. The ruin of a soul, however, is completely independent from the future progeny, but it is damaging, because whilst it can be done gently, it can also be taken by force, and in both cases, it is only done by a person of the same gender as the pureblood in question, no matter if they're purebloods or not."

Realization dawning upon him when he finally understood why his father had been angered, but not alarmed, by his trysts with Aizen in the past, Sojun whispered in dismay: "So, what you're saying is...?"

"Ginrei-sama would rather see dear Byakuya losing his innocence to a man - or men even - than to a woman that isn't of the Kuchiki Clan, in order to keep their noble name alive" articulated the immortal smoothly with a broad smirk, his words causing Byakuya to choke on his breath as his eyes went wide, before they darted edgily in his grandfather's direction, the latter who refused to look back, knowing exactly what he'd see if he did.

Sojun, as well, was staring at his father as though he did not recognize him: he might have frolicked with the child of chaos in the past, but he had never dragged anyone else with him, not like his father had alas done with them all, merely because he had ignored the warnings he had known of, unlike it had been with Sojun, who had neared Aizen out of ignorance. Perhaps that was the reason for his behaviour to be different with him than with the other Kuchiki. But that was only speculation, for he had never been able to fully comprehend Aizen's thoughts.

"But Lady Hisana..." spoke up suddenly Majiko in a quiet voice, causing the four other males to look in her direction, taking in the utter terror in her eyes as she had overheard and realized what her dear cousin was going to endure, though she remained slightly confused given that Byakuya had married Hisana...right?

"...was far too frail for them to consummate their union, meaning that Byakuya is still a pure virgin" completed Aizen effortlessly, smirking as her expression grew even further horrified, before he then gestured at the young captain upon noticing that the others were close to also waking up "Now, if you don't mind, I'm in need of a private talk with your Clan's leader."

Encasing them in a kido spell, which made them unseen to the world outside of it whilst they could still see right through their transparent-like surroundings, the child of chaos turned to Byakuya, gently ridding the latter of the gag: "You wish to speak your mind? I'm listening."

Staring warily at the other, notably given the unsettling conversation he had just heard, the young Clan's leader spoke slowly: "I thought you said I couldn't."

"Not lest I give you permission, which is what I'm currently doing" pointed out the immortal casually, shrugging as he carelessly let the piece of cloth fall to the ground.

"How can you...?" began the 6th Division's captain before cutting himself off mid-sentence when the other abruptly raised a hand to his hair, threading those long ebony locks through his fingers.

Byakuya's eyes widened slightly: surely Aizen wasn't going to...? If the other was, the young noble was not ready for it. He wasn't yet an emotional wreck, but he wasn't exactly clear-headed enough either...

"Hm?" pressed the child of chaos with a knowing smile at the other's sudden stillness, as he continued stroking the Kuchiki's hair, as if petting a pet "Go on."

Swallowing hard, the young Kuchiki closed his eyes as to preserve equanimity: "How can you relish in another's suffering? How can you make use of...abuse so easily?"

"You mean sexual abuse" corrected the immortal cruelly, chuckling sharply when the other tensed further, before he then leaned in to whisper in his captive's ear "It's because you're rather naive and inexperienced in this domain that you ask the question. But you'll come to understand, eventually, that sex is power. It is controlling in ways you can't yet comprehend. It can bend and break, it can mould or mend, it can taint or turn, it can heal or hurt, just as it can be sinister or sensual...if you know just the right way to make good - or bad - use of it. Now, as to why I relish in another's suffering...it's simply because it fuels my every lust. I take pleasure in such... diversions."

Turning his gaze sideways to meet the other's eyes, the young Kuchiki noble regarded the other with a glare that was situated between revulsion and dread: "How is it that you take sex and pleasure, and twist them into something...so utterly depraved?"

"Because they can be" smiled Aizen cannily as he lazily pulled back and crossed his arms "You couldn't possibly understand."

Feeling more at ease now the other was at distance, the 6th Division's captain narrowed his eyes distastefully: "You're correct on this. I don't."

"I'm really not that surprised. Pride can't possibly fathom Lust, despite the two for them being sibling sins. Lust, however, can weave its way and bring Pride to its knees."

"That sounds oddly familiar" muttered Byakuya under his breath as he turned his head to the side, as recollections of prior events back out on the bloodied battlefield came back to mind.

Understanding what the young noble was referring to, Aizen shook his head, chuckling: "You believe that I'm mocking, but rather there's a hidden meaning to my words, one out of your grasp."

Still looking away from the immortal, an elegant black eyebrow rose steadily at that: "Isn't that always the case when you speak?"

"True" agreed the child of chaos with a nod, his smile then turning even crueler that it had been ever since he had entered the cell "Now then, my dear Byakuya, I in fact came here for a specific reason. Given the reality that, you will be losing your chastity in the upcoming hours, I have decided to be a little lenient and grant you a choice."

Subtly shuddering at the tranquillity laced within the other's tone despite the immorality of his words, the Kuchiki Clan's leader frowned as he repeated: "A choice?"

"That's it. You have four possibilities as to whom you'll lose it to: my Espada, the captives, those of the Rukongai, or me."

Byakuya finally looked in Aizen's direction, and it was done with wholly wide appalled eyes: "What kind of a choice is that?"

"A very generous one, I believe. Another person would have given you fewer options" pointed out the immortal with a derisive smirk, before he titled his head to the side and began listing off a few other details "Something else you need to be aware of: you will not know who it is until you are in the same room with them. Also, once your choice made, there is no turning back whatsoever, for upon a single step of indecision during the act, and I instantly have a member of your family pay compensation for it. One last thing, if you chose either the Espada or those of the Rukongai, I shall warn you now, it will not be pleasant."

The contents of the conversation were far too surreal for the Kuchiki, but before he could actually consider that in depth, he seethed out incredulously: "Because with you it would be?"

"Believe it or not, it would, for I'm very passionate lover" informed Aizen imperturbably, joining a demonstration to his words by drawing near again in order to languidly lick at the young noble's neck, and Byakuya couldn't help but shiver with anxious aversion and a hint of trepidation, dreading that the child of chaos would go further than that.

Viciously pulling away as far as he could, the 6th Division's captain declared his vehement disagreement, recalling all that has been mentioned on the immortal's behalf on various ends: "That's not something I can believe after what's been hinted about you."

"Oh, is that so?" the child of chaos chuckled, before a wide sadistic smile spread out upon his features and prickled the other's skin "If we're talking about Grimmjow, then yes, I've never been quite gentle with him."

The young noble let out an erratic strained breath, profoundly sickened, with every passing moment under the other's suffocating presence and his vile, dark words: "How can you?"

"It's because I can. Besides, it's hard to resist, tying down to one's whims an unruly beast" confided the immortal, earning another series of shivers form the Kuchiki "Now back to you. Whether I ravish you or simply take you, your first time with me will be pleasurable, that I can assure you. It's the aftermath that you might come to utterly resent because I will have made you endure just as much pain as pleasure. And you'll hate, both me and yourself, for enjoying it."

Having momentarily lost his voice in his horror, the 6th Division's captain finally managed to word out in a tight whisper: "I'll never feel gratification at your hands."

"Oh dear me" laughed out the immortal in a scathingly loud tone of voice "Never say never, Byakuya...not when you'll be utterly incapable of upholding such a bold statement."

"I will uphold it" declared the Kuchiki categorically, resolutely deciding to defy the other on this wicked scheme with everything he had. No matter what the other planned to make him undergo, he would simply not respond with pleasure. Not in the least, if never at all.

"If I got your precious father to scream my name in sheer throes of pleasure, passion and pain, I'll get you to do exactly the same. Or maybe even challenge myself to do more to you than just that" promised Aizen to the aghast young noble, doing so in an ominous murmur directly within the latter's ear "After all, any humanity I have or had for him, I don't have for you."

Byakuya tried to ignore the feeling in his gut as if he had just had the air knocked out of him, whilst attempting to quell the sensation of absolute horrified terror flooding through his veins at the other's sinister words, the depth of them chipping away at his resolve already, notably upon remembering how easily Sojun had given and in responded the immortal's touch...

"So, in the end, I'm being coerced to opt amongst those imprisoned like me, is that it?" asked the Kuchiki noble quietly after awhile, once he regained a little of his bearings.

"You say 'amongst' but remember: you won't know who until you'll be together for the act. It might be someone you can't picture yourself with, or someone you would have never touched intimately under different circumstances" explained the brown-haired immortal meaningfully, before he pulled back to face the Kuchiki and raised an eyebrow at the latter "Are you sure this is the alternative you want?"

Byakuya's emotions kept relentlessly fluctuating between fury and fear, and, now, it was the former: "You're saying that it is better for me to be violated? For that is what those of the Rukongai will be intent on doing, am I right? As well as your Espada, since you mentioned that it would be 'unpleasant'. Isn't that what you said?"

"I'm not saying anything at all, my dear. I told you that I'm giving you a choice" reminded Aizen loftily before smiling in cruel amusement "If you wish for your first sexual experience to be rape, then by all means, be my guest. One more thing: no matter your choice, you will still have to please me sooner or later. When that will be, is of little consequence but I thought you should know. Well? What is it going to be?"

Glancing away as to escape the other's predatorily anticipating stare, the young captain went silent again, while vigilantly weighing his options, but he honestly couldn't envision that one of the choices was safer than the other. But that was the point, wasn't it? The other wished for his severe suffering and wasn't going to make it simple for him.

Aizen wordlessly kept his eyes fixated his eyes noble before him as the latter carefully made up his mind on the matter, and when those dark grey orbs abruptly raised back towards him, the brown-haired immortal witnessed determination...and despair, causing the child of chaos to smirk sinisterly in response as he understood exactly what those two emotions stood for.

This was it. Byakuya chose an option, and he was hoping that he hadn't picked a wrong one.

000000000000000000000000000000000000

This, he did not expect. Not all, not even once. The possibility hadn't even crossed his mind.

After Byakuya had voiced his choice, Aizen hadn't reacted at all, not even a flinch or one of his usual sinister sarcastic smiles, so the Kuchiki was left on edge and at lost on what to think.

Wordlessly moving forward to unchain the noble and warning him not to try anything lest he wished to face dire consequences, the immortal maintained the kido spell and motioned for the young captain to follow, thus leading him out of the cell totally unseen to his family' eyes. Ordinarily, he would have resisted, but the thought of his relatives paying the price was not something he wished to risk, particularly not with Rukia, as he had an inkling that it'd be all taken out on her first and foremost.

Leaving the 6th Division's barracks, the two gradually made their way towards the centre of the Seireitei, passing the riots and ruins that plagued the environment, all of it even worse than before: it basically looked just like hell, with no reason, no restraint, no regulation, just people running around, taking what they wanted, whilst others wandered about like broken bleeding souls right after having lost whatever is was that had been stolen from them.

The Kuchiki noble quickly diverted his eyes from the chaos that surrounded, unable to look any longer. It was beyond any description, and he was the only one it bothered, for the child of chaos seemed to be right at home, not appearing the least perturbed by what was occurring. And that intensely infuriated the young Clan's leader more than he could fathom it.

The 6th Division's captain was about to voice his seething opinion concerning the other's eerie ease at the situation, when they abruptly came to a halt, which led Byakuya's attention to be then drawn to a large circular mass of dark matter there out in front of them, which distinctly looked like a portal. It appeared to be rotating within itself - just like a black hole - when it was still, the only things in motion being crackling sparks of dark blue rimming the circle. In fact, to be honest, it looked no different than a Garganta, with the exception of being much greater in size.

Swiftly taking a firm hold of the noble's arm, the child of chaos had the other follow him through it, a sudden strong smothering sensation assaulting the young Kuchiki upon doing so, which somehow had him struggling to keep hold on reality, his consciousness slowly slipping away from him and a feeling of numbness gnawing at him.

Most of his senses where gone, the only thing he was actually aware of being the tug still present on his arm, before the strange sensation then abruptly left him as suddenly as it came to him, leading his vision to clear again and, much to his absolute astonishment, he found himself gazing upon the sands of the Hueco Mundo and a rather intact looking Las Noches.

When the 6th Division's captain voiced his surprise, the brown-haired immortal ignored him or rather chose to remain silent, intently concentrated upon rejoining his fortress, pulling the other along with him. Once they entered, the child of chaos guided the Kuchiki noble through a long labyrinth of corridors dyed in blinding white, whilst Byakuya allowed his mind wander in order to ease the growing sense of apprehension that was nagging at him.

Though it had been his choice, he distinctly had the feeling that the immortal was leading him towards what he radically considered to be his looming doom, with his initial thoughts being that the child of chaos would seek to diminish him by forcing him with one of the remaining male Shinigami of the Gotei - for the Kuchiki noble had opted to go with Aizen Sosuke's offer of choosing the captives over the other three alternatives - scarring both him and them, particularly if the person was someone he frequently encountered on a daily-basis.

On a limb, several came to mind and whom he deeply hoped weren't the ones to be involved: it could be either Renji Abarai - given the relationship they had at work as captain and lieutenant, it'd make it hideously marked for years to come; Gin Ichimaru, Shinji Hirako or Kensei Muguruma - were fellow captains of the Gotei and that was it; Shunsui Kyoraku - that man was like an uncle, albeit an annoying one, to him, so no, just no; or Toshiro Hitsugaya - now that would be totally and utterly uncalled for, since he was practically a child, age aside.

He then realized that, amongst the captives, the Arrancars - rather, former Arrancars - were also included - because the immortal hadn't actually been specific - and that made him rather nervous. Not only because they were of another race entirely, but he didn't know them, like at all. Then again, perhaps it was better for this to be done with someone he didn't know, rather than with someone whom he was familiar with. But honestly...which of the two was worse?

By the time he'd been brought to the chosen destination - the slab of a door wedged within the umpteenth wall they crossed and finally stopped in front of - he still hadn't found an answer, nor could he fathom who it was that'd be waiting to carry out the venture on the other side.

The child of chaos slowly relinquished his hold upon his captive, causing the latter to glance at him questioningly only to once again not be answered to, when, all of a sudden, footsteps were heard, echoing noisily in the hallways as they steadily made their way towards where the immortal and the noble stood.

An Espada - Nnoitra - then made his appearance, escorting - or rather, forcefully dragging - a person, clearly a male, struggling within his handler's iron grip upon the back of his neck. Clad in Shinigami attire and thus excluding any involvement of the former Arrancars, the peach-skinned male had his hands bound in front of him with seki cuffs, and a thick black mask over his head, rendering his identity unknown, and that made the young Clan's leader subtly roll his eyes: Aizen Sosuke and his fondness for theatrical dramatics.

The unidentified shinigami still fought fiercely to pull away from the one guiding him, when the latter abruptly leaned in to whisper something in the other's ear, which somehow managed to render him absolutely still, before the Quinto brought him over and brutally shoved him forward, leading him to be swiftly caught be the 6th Division's captain by the shoulders so he wouldn't have to collide either with the wall or floor.

Staring down at whomever it was that was against him, the Kuchiki noted that the mystery person was slightly shorter in size to him, yet had a somewhat similar build, lean but muscular enough. But once again, the dark-haired noble had no idea who it could be, only that he was absolutely positive, that it was neither Renji, as there were no tattoos, nor Shunsui, as no excessive hairiness was to be seen, nor Toshiro, as the person present was far older, nor Gin, for there was no paleness in view, nor was it Kensei or Shinji, as they were taller than him.

As the tensed individual in his arms breathed out heavily under the covering, the tall Espada reached forward to rid the other of his mask, after Nnoitra's master motioned for him to do so.

And then, Byakuya had to blink repeatedly in downright disbelief as he came face to face with the very last person he expected to see: "Kurosaki Ichigo?"

"Byakuya!" exclaimed the Shinigami Substitute in surprise, a hint of relief to his features as he saw the black-haired noble in clearly better shape since last time "Are...? Are you alright?"

"Fine" responded the 6th Division's captain automatically with a hasty nod, and he could tell that his reply was not convincing at all for the other just stared at him incredulously.

But the noble quickly brushed it off, diverting Ichigo's focus away from him with an inquiry of his own, as he aided the other to stand up straight: "What of you?"

"I'll live, I guess" mumbled the orange-haired teen as he scowled at the floor and nervously pulled at the bindings around his wrists, before casting an uncertain fleeting glance around, squinting due to all the surrounding whiteness "Why are we...wherever we are exactly?"

Staring at the other, the Kuchiki realized, much to his horror, that the question was sincere: Ichigo had no clue why he...why they were here. Aizen...had had the extreme decency of not telling him. Oh the poor dear boy.

"Hello, Ichigo" spoke up the immortal evenly, making the teenager startle and stare at him in stilled silence, which caused brown-haired to tilt his head with arched eyebrows, expression feigning worry "Aren't you going to greet back?"

"I'd rather keep quiet for now, or I might just say something really offending" confessed the Shinigami Substitute tightly in a quiet tone of voice, his eyes conveying nothing but enmity.

"Oh really? Have it your way then" chuckled the child of chaos in utter amusement, whilst nodding in the Quinto's direction "That will be all Nnoitra."

"Aizen-sama" bowed the tall Espada respectfully before he took his leave, but not without sending a disconcerting leer in Ichigo's direction which drew such a strong shudder from him, that Byakuya saw it, earning the latter's soundless concern.

"Shall we?" uttered Aizen pleasantly as he gestured towards the door that opened as if on cue to his words, leading the other two to glance at each other before complying mutely not a moment later, knowing better than to decline, for it hadn't been an invitation, but a directive.

Uneasily letting themselves in a room even whiter than anything previously seen, they halted merely a step beyond the entrance upon noticing that the child of chaos hadn't followed them, leaning indolently against the doorway's pane instead, watching them closely.

Frowning faintly, the 6th Division's captain looked over his shoulder at the other, wondering what the immortal was up to now, when the orange-haired teen inhaled rather sharply in what sounded to be horror: "Grimmjow?! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!"

As Ichigo furiously riveted his raving rage towards their captor, the Kuchiki noble glanced back towards the inside of the room, in order to catch a glimpse of what had incensed the other so, only to fall upon the former Arrancar laid in a corner of the room, utterly immobile.

Now grasping why the Shinigami Substitute had reacted the way he did, Byakuya's eyes widened faintly: was he...? Given the distance and his own restricted senses, he couldn't tell.

"Don't worry, Ichigo. Grimmjow lives" informed Aizen smoothly, inwardly pleased at his own insight that the blue-haired feline's concern was not one-sided "I merely reminded him of what it was like to be under me and my orders."

Recoiling as if he had been burnt, Ichigo cringed at the way the other formulated his response, before wordlessly glaring in silence at the immortal, causing the latter to smirk sinisterly: "I really do enjoy what burns deep within your eyes for every action I take that riles you. I can't wait to extinguish it and replace it with unrestrained fear instead."

Sensing the teen's indignation escalating dangerously, the noble swiftly reached out to set a steadying hand upon the other's shoulder, acting just in time to prevent the orange-haired from lashing out unthinkingly upon the child of chaos. Realizing thanks to Byakuya that he was being baited and had almost reacted on it, Ichigo attempted to calm down, anxiety slowly creeping back into him as he took in the momentous mistake he had nearly made, before he narrowed his eyes at Aizen: "I hate you."

"I'm acutely aware" replied the immortal with a sly smile prior to sending the 6th Division's captain a chilling stare, which caused the latter to shiver subtly before glaring back defiantly amidst the trepidation the child of chaos had managed to progressively instil within him. Aizen had been instigating Ichigo on purpose for some reason, and Byakuya had just thwarted whatever plans the other had. The young Clan's leader then decided that it was a rather good thing...as long as he paid for it and not his family. In that case, he'd have to have a word with the orange-haired teen for the future, because facing the child of chaos prepared was difficult as it was, but having to face him unprepared, was sheer suicide.

"Now listen up, the both of you" commanded Aizen firmly with a clap of his hands in order to draw the other two's complete attention, as well as usher a warning for the orange-haired to keep still for he had been about to worriedly rush of to the feline's side "I will need to test you in terms of compliance."

"To...test us in terms of compliance?" repeated Ichigo slowly, puzzlement in his tone whilst Byakuya quietly frowned in a similar confused manner.

"That's right. I had the two of you pronounce oaths to me, but they become rather blatantly meaningless if you do not truly understand their depth and magnitude."

"You've rendered us utterly powerless towards you in exchange of the safety of those dear to us" seethed the Kuchiki through clenched teeth, eyes narrowed to a lethal degree "What more is there to understand?"

"Again, you hasten yourself to conclusions without thinking things through" the child of chaos sighed with a patronizing shake of his head, drawing further irk from the noble "This has nothing to do with you becoming powerless, as you already were as such before me. This, is about you - particularly you, Byakuya - getting through your thick skulls that from here on out, that you are to obey me as you now belong to me, body and soul. Defiance is no longer an opportunity you are to allow yourselves as I will not tolerate it in the least. Anything else, I can easily overlook" informed the immortal effortlessly before reinforcing his explanations whilst gesturing in the former Arrancar's direction with chin "Take Grimmjow for example: his loathing for me is no secret, nor is his disrespect. However, when I give him an order, no matter what it may be, he will not challenge it."

As the two captives, both stock still and slightly pale with widened eyes, let that disturbingly unsettling information slowly sink in, Ichigo stuttered out hesitantly: "You mean...we're now your...yours?"

The Shinigami Substitute was going to say 'your pets' but didn't want to give the other any ideas in case he got it wrong. Although, given the immortal's recent words and actions both towards him and the Kuchiki noble, he was sure he wasn't that far from guessing it correctly.

Shrugging nonchalantly, the brown-haired smirked lightly, having caught on without needing to hear it: "Think of yourselves what you wish. It's of very little importance to me, so long that you do understand that you are mine."

The young Clan's leader, who had remained momentarily stunned silent, expressed himself lividly: "I refuse to comply...with this."

"I knew you'd say that" laughed out Aizen, before he moved forwards until he stood face to face with the noble, a baleful smile - which seemed just about ready to promise the worst of pains imaginable - to his lips "So here's a little...incentive for you. The two of you each have your own weaknesses, but that are at least one for each of you that is quite easily exploitable currently" dark brown malevolent eyes glanced sideways "You, Ichigo, have the undying will and desire to protect each and every soul dear to you or that you consider being a friend of yours, sometimes even going further and caring for your foes" those dark brown eyes then darted back to the one they were facing priory "And you, my dear Byakuya, amidst all the consideration you deny to have, you care a lot - and quite blatantly, I might add - for Rukia, and by extension, your remaining family members. Unfortunately for the both of you, I have an unyielding grip over these weaknesses of yours, so disobeying me at any moment for whatever reason, especially given your oaths, will not be in their favour (1)."

Profoundly elated at the intense emotions wavering upon the features of those two - despair, dismay, hatred, and unease - as they finally became severely aware that there was truly no way out of this for them, as Aizen then turned on his heel and unhurriedly walked back out, speaking up calmly, condescendingly: "I do hope we're clear on that" he then swiftly stopped in his tracks in order to glance over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow "I'm not sure I heard."

Instantly comprehending that the other was demanding a compliant confirmation on their part, the orange-haired teenager glared at the floor and muttered under his breath: "Yes...A-Aizen-sama...You...You've been clear."

It took however a moment longer for the dark-haired noble to respond, his livid stare also lowered, and when he did, it was with one silent curt nod.

"We'll have to work on your responses eventually" the immortal chuckled, an undecipherable glint shining within his cruelly apathetic eyes "Now then, do enjoy yourselves."

The noble stared with horrified eyes as the other left with the door slipping closed behind him, while the Shinigami Substitute frowned slightly, having not grasped the immortal's final words: what had he meant by them?

An abrupt soft groan of pain reaching his ears managed to break through his blurred thoughts.

"Oh my God, Grimmjow!" cried out the teenager distraughtly as he saw the other was still in a inert heap, before hastily running over and kneeling beside him, and then gently setting his hands upon the other, mindful of any injuries and relieved to see none "Grimmjow!"

"You're too fuckin' loud" grumbled the former Arrancar slowly with a hoarse voice as he shifted with great difficulty, before glaring at the other out from the corner of his eye "I can hear you just fine."

As Ichigo helped the feline into a sitting position, the Kuchiki noble felt his mouth run dry with growing anxiety: it wouldn't be just him and the Shinigami Substitute apparently, and Byakuya truly wondered what else the child of chaos had chose not to mention for this...event.

As the former Arrancar hissed out in sudden pain, the teen asked worriedly: "Are you ok?"

Vivid blue eyes narrowing, Grimmjow callously pushed the other's steadying hands away, a snarl to his lips: "Peachy."

Befuddled and slightly piqued by the feline's reaction to him, Ichigo huffed tetchily: "Excuse me for caring."

"I already fuckin' told you not to" whispered the former Arrancar meaningfully, drawing a look of dawning realization from the teen's eyes: the blue-haired had previously warned him that any concern Ichigo would show for him would only be used against them both in the end.

Upon recalling that, the Shinigami Substitute, whilst inwardly wincing due to the fact that he actually had already done exactly that only moments before, hurriedly stood up and scowled harshly as to, hopefully, cover his worry: "Fine. Be that way."

As the blue-haired feline smirked subtly at the other's quick insight, the 6th Division's captain stared meticulously at their surroundings in an attempt to calm his nerves: it was a rather large and vacant four white-walled room (even the tiled-floor and ceiling were white), without any windows or doors, the entrance through which he and Kurosaki Ichigo had walked through, no longer there, as it never existed in the first place. One could only compare this place either to an asylum cell or a living nightmare for every single claustrophobic.

Vaguely wondering in which part of Las Noches they were, Byakuya spoke up inquiringly: "What is this place?"

"A fuckin' room" deadpanned Grimmjow, leading the noble to level him with a severe look.

"I can see that" drawled out Byakuya with a displeased expression "I'm not blind, Arrancar."

"You must be if you're asking" countered the blue-haired with a roll of his eyes before smirking provocatively, yet mirthlessly, at the Kuchiki "That or you're just a fuckin' idiot."

"Let's just...not fight, ok?" suggested Ichigo tentatively, when he took note that Byakuya was getting even tenser by the minute, staring down at the former Arrancar as if contemplating on firing a quick kido spell at him "So...any idea why the three of us are here?"

The other two then stared wide-eyed at the utterly and painfully oblivious teenager, before the Kuchiki noble closed his eyes and the former Arrancar groaned quietly, both wondering how on earth they were going to explain their...predicament to the other.

After awhile, the blue-haired decided to go at it slow and easy with the clarifications, whilst standing up with difficulty: "I have my little idea. I'm just hoping we can fuckin' figure a way to avoid this by faking..."

"Grimmjow!" cried out Ichigo when he witnessed, along with Byakuya, the feline suddenly letting out a sharp cry as he went completely rigid, as if electrified, before dropping forwards onto his hands as to not meet the ground face first.

"Apparently fuckin' not" grounded out the blue-haired heavily, eyes wide and breathing hard as his body shook with spasms.

Standing still and silent at first, the orange-haired teen then decided the total heck with it and voiced his concern: "Are you alright, Grimmjow? What happened?"

Tugging furiously at the black leather collar around his neck - which the other two other only noticed then - the former Arrancar raged: "This bloody thing is also a fuckin' shock collar."

"What?!" exclaimed the orange-haired teenager with his hands flying up to his neck in alarm, only to be relieved to find nothing there, before he frowned "What for?"

"For whatever I do that isn't the way Aizen fuckin' wants it. He's watching" informed the blue-haired feline irately before the collar went off again, much to his frustration, causing him to seethe and direct his words at their audience "I wasn't going to keep quiet about it, fucker."

"He's watching us?" echoed the noble with a disconcerted frown as he glanced around, whilst unconsciously running his fingers over the collar that still hadn't left his neck "He's going to...watch this?"

Brow furrowed, the Shinigami Substitute's eyes darted between the other two, catching onto the fact that they knew something he was missing: "Can one of you tell me what the hell's going on?"

"Aizen wants us to get down" Grimmjow stated straightforwardly, knowing that turning in circles on the matter was senseless at this point, before he arched his eyebrows at Ichigo's naively confused expression "You know? To fuck."

The teenager's first reaction was to blink in repetition, as he attempted to process what he had just been told, and then go deathly pale, before flushing red: "You've got to be kidding me."

"Wish I was" the former Arrancar sighed, totally understanding the teen's reaction "Look, I know what I'm talking about. We won't leave this room until we do it."

"The voice of past experience?" inquired the noble inquisitively with a raised eyebrow, whilst taking in the blue-haired's expression: it was flickering between anger, annoyance, anxiety and apathy, and Byakuya didn't know what to make out of the odd combination they made.

"You have no fuckin' idea" muttered Grimmjow with a huff, whilst fully curious as to why the other, though clearly revolted and rather on edge, didn't seem that taken aback, more bothered by the fact that there were going to be watching eyes on them the whole time "You don't seem too shocked. You were told before, that it?"

"Unfortunately" nodded the Kuchiki tensely "I merely wasn't told...with whom it'd be done."

"Ah" uttered the former Arrancar in understanding, before tilting his head in the teenager's direction with a raised eyebrow "But he didn't know, about any of this. That right, kid?"

"No. No. No, I didn't" admitted Ichigo tautly before he shivered, glancing at the two other males awkwardly "And what...What if we...don't?"

"Hell if I know. He'll probably get more...personal people involved, adding them to this mess as if it already wasn't fuckin' bad as it is" muttered the blue-haired prior to abruptly hissing out loudly as the collar went off yet again, before he glared at nowhere in particular, gritting out lividly "Shit! I'm allowed to have a fuckin' opinion!"

Biting his lower lip guiltily at how angry the former Arrancar sounded, for it was easy to tell that the immortal wasn't the only one getting on his nerves, the Shinigami Substitute fidgeted uncomfortably where he was, before he cast a discomfited glance towards the 6th Division's captain: "So...um..."

In response, the Kuchiki's eyes widened briefly, before he closed them and shook his head in apparent ruefulness, confessing: "Do not look at me, Kurosaki Ichigo. I'm just as clueless as you are."

"Wow, ok" uttered the stunned orange-haired teen, admiring the way the other could actually call out on his inexperience so openly, before nervously shifting his gaze towards the feline and flinching under those vivid blue eyes, already trained and ruthlessly glaring at him "Uh...Um...G-Grimmjow?"

The reply came as instantly as a blistering burn: "Fuck you."

The hostility in the former Arrancar's tone and demeanour completely took the Kuchiki noble aback, thinking of it to be rather unwarranted given the situation, but the teenager understood it effortlessly. Despite knowing that Aizen would come after him regardless of what he would do, Grimmjow had warned him, repeatedly, insistently, to not get involved, to stay back at home, to run and hide, and every single time, Ichigo stubbornly didn't listen.

"Look, Grimmjow, I'm sorry, I really, really am" apologized Ichigo beseechingly as the other gradually forced himself to stand despite the stinging stain in his entire being "So please. This is already hard enough as it, just don't..."

"I don't want to fuckin' hear it, kid. Really not in the mood" cut off Grimmjow brusquely along with a snarl for good measure, causing the teen to wince, a feat which succeeded in making the feline feel worse about was going to come than he already did "Look, I want to get this fuckin' over with as much, if not more, than you both. I mean, so far, I'm the only one getting fuckin' shocks here. So the quicker we start, the sooner it'll end."

"Yeah, I guess" mumbled Ichigo softly after a tense moment of silence, before his eyes once again darted between Byakuya and Grimmjow uneasily "And...Uh...How are we doing this?"

"Nice and slow" worded the former Arrancar simply as he slowly, carefully made his way over to the other two, both who grew further apprehensive with each step taken towards them.

"I'm not... I... I, uh..." stammered the teenager weakly, a dark blush to his cheeks as he cursed himself at his sudden inability to convey his utter incapability when it came to anything remotely sexual. He knew the basics - like most did - but that was it. He just...really never had the time for it, what with school, Hollow-hunting and all...though school was becoming scarcely attended to as of late.

The utter unease the orange-haired was experiencing managed to dull, if not completely mellow out, the unreasonable irritation the former Arrancar had towards Ichigo. True, the latter had been obstinate about taking cover, but this situation was far from being his fault.

"I know. I swear I'll go easy on you, ki...Kurosaki" promised the blue-haired feline, a soft reassuring smile directed at the other, a far-cry from the face-splitting grin that was usually placed upon his features. Inwardly however, Grimmjow really, really, wanted to slap himself, grateful he had been quick enough to correct his slip of tongue: calling the other 'kid' only served to remind how amorally wrong this all was. Ah. If Hime were to see them now...After all she had tried to carry out to avoid this sort of thing.

"I know that" stressed out the Shinigami Substitute with a frustrated huff, still set on honestly trusting the other "But that's not what I meant. I just...don't know...what to do. I mean...I do know. It's just...I've never..."

The former Arrancar promptly cut off the other's restless rambling by firmly placing a hand over Ichigo's trembling lips, a sincere expression to the feline's serious features: "All you have to do...is let me. Ok with that?"

"O...k" uttered the teenager hesitantly as the other retrieved his hand to set it upon Ichigo's slightly shaking shoulder, before resolutely whispering words meant only for the one in front of him to hear "I trust you."

Exhaling softly as he leisurely drew closer to the orange-haired teenager, Grimmjow lightly reprimanded Ichigo: "Please stop fuckin' saying that."

The former Arrancar then continued to lean in, but was swift to stop when he saw the teen's expression, like he was a deer caught in headlights: "Kurosaki?"

"I'm fine" blurted out the Shinigami Substitute hastily, far too hastily for it to be genuine and it was obvious to everyone, before he glanced sideways awkwardly "Just...Just get on with it."

Not convinced but reminding himself that none of them had a choice in the matter and stalling would only make the outcome far worse, Grimmjow shifted his hand from the teen's shoulder to cup the peach-skinned cheek delicately, as if dealing with something particularly fragile, before closing in again and, finally, laying his lips upon Ichigo's.

To be continued…

I'm so, so sorry, but I give you a cliff-hanger...and I'll be reporting the previously mentioned threesome for next chapter. Sorry but, I am actually a lot more affected by it than I let on when readers don't read or don't acknowledge the author's notes I leave. It makes me feel like I'm adding those for nothing and I'm already quite self-conscious as it is, guys, especially when I'm counting on feedback on your part to know what I'm doing right or wrong... Ah, well, enough rambling. Does anyone have any particular expectations for next chapter? Do let me know, ok? See you soon I hope. Bye, everyone.

Next Chapter: Taking It In:

(1) Every time I use the word 'favour', it has me thinking of the Hunger Games. Odd, I know.