Chapter Sixteen:
Ichigo's head was throbbing as he felt the first touches of awakening tingle around the edges of his consciousness, he had to admit that for such a spindly figure Gin really packed a punch. He released a small groan of discomfort, it was hard to move; his body felt disjointed and awkward.
Slowly lifting his head and allowing his eyes to flitter open, his vision was initially blurry but cleared enough to make out the familiar scenery of Aizen's private quarters. Tension boiled through his body, a single glance down at himself revealed that he had been restrained by Kidō, most likely Sai judging by the way his arms were locked uncomfortably behind his back.
A soft grunt escaped him as he gave his fingers a testing wiggle, ensuring he still had full feeling of his limbs despite the constraints. His legs were sore from being knelt down for so long on the hard wooden floor, but apart from that and his headache he seemed relatively unharmed.
He couldn't believe he had been so utterly foolish, he'd sensed someone watching him for weeks and despite that he had still... It was useless to berate himself now, it was done and his own stupidity had landed him in the direct line of danger he had been trying so hard to avoid.
Stiffening as he heard a door open somewhere behind him, he swallowed back his feelings, knowing that now more than ever he would have to try and convince his captors of his innocence. He wasn't even sure if that was possible anymore, Gin had his modified Gikon, all it would take was some tests to be run and they'd know everything. Maybe they already did.
"Ichigo." Aizen's voice was cold, cutting and crisp through the dimly lit room.
"Aizen Taichou." He answered, impressed that his own tone remained level despite the turmoil in his heart.
The brunet came into view, walking around him in a slow predatory manner, his expression devoid of any telling information, glasses reflecting Ichigo's face back towards him. The strawberry forced himself to maintain eye contact, it was the only chance he had of surviving long enough to weave his silver tongue.
"I cannot even begin to aptly describe how disappointed I am." Aizen breathed, "How long have you been deceiving me for, Ichigo?"
"Deceiving you?" He repeated, cocking an eyebrow in feigned confusion, "I have no idea what you mean, Taichou."
For whatever reason, his reply seemed to amuse the man in front of him, "Is that so?"
"Of course, what is this all about, Taichou?" It was hard to remain level headed when every cell in his body was screaming in rage at the man he had respected for so long, "I think Gin may have jumped to some conclusions about my recent behaviour."
Speaking of Gin, where was that bastard? He could just about sense that he was alone with Aizen, the silver haired fox no where to be seen. Being in the dark made his skin crawl with a reluctant shiver.
"Indeed... He has jumped to many conclusions recently, sadly most of them appear to have been correct." Aizen sighed deeply, "Out of all my trusted subordinates the only one I never expected would betray me... Was you. I am so very disappointed to discover the flaw in my faith."
"Betray you? I haven't betrayed-" Ichigo was cut off by the sudden pounding weight of the other man's reiatsu crushing down on him, knocking the breath from his lungs and forcing him to fall forward, gasping out as pain ricochetted up and down his body.
"To think that you would become bold enough to attempt to lie to my very face. Convincing as you are, you forget that I taught you everything you know." The man's voice was barely above a sharp breath, "Why? Why would you betray me, Ichigo? I gave you everything."
He nearly vomited his breakfast back up as the pressure was suddenly released, his body quivering violently from the assault on his senses; Ichigo glared up at him, unable to pick himself back up from the foetal position he'd been forced into. His teeth clenched painfully tight and he knew, without any hesitation, he wasn't going to be able to talk his way out of this.
The game was over. Aizen knew.
"I asked you a question!" The brunet snapped, fist clumping among the locks of strawberry hair as he pulled Ichigo up to eye level, "Do not make me beat it out of you. Tell me everything now, and I may show mercy later on."
Hissing in pain as his totes scraped the floor, he let out a shuddering breath, forcing his eyes to meet with those chocolate swirls of death, "You... May have given me everything... But you stole everything too. I remember, Aizen, I remember my family."
From the sudden wideness of the other man's eyes, he hadn't anticipated that to be the reason, a scowl swiftly followed and his hand moved, coiling around Ichigo's throat, "You have turned on me because of a few spattered memories of a life you can never return to? I saved you."
"Saved me?!" He exclaimed, rasping for breath as the grip tightened, "You destroyed me! You took everything I had! You murdered them and snatched me away like I was yours!"
"You are mine!" Aizen barked, a rare show of temper rising, "I didn't kill your family, Ichigo. Believe me I planned to, after I was finished with them. But I didn't get the chance. They were murdered by a Hollow."
"W-What?" He breathed, vision speckling as his throat constricted.
"You alone survived that night, survived the wrath of the Hollow, so I took you away, brought you to Soul Society." He hissed.
Ichigo blinked to try and focus, his feet kicking slightly as breathing grew harder and harder, "You used the Hōgyoku on me!"
"Yes."
"You abandoned me in Fugai like an animal, and left me to fend for myself! I had no memories, no feelings, no chance of survival!"
"And yet here you are. All these years later, stronger than ever. I left you there because I knew you could survive." He scoffed, "Finding you in Shino was a surprise, maybe even a miracle. Finally I was able to see what you had become, and you were... Beautiful."
He flinched, biting back bile, "Beautiful? You turned me into a monster."
"I turned you into a fierce, powerful, ruthless creature. As beautiful as you are deadly." Aizen relaxed his grip very slightly, allowing the younger man to breathe as he drew in closer, "You became everything I had hoped for Ichigo... And for a time you were content to be just that."
Panting as oxygen began to flow normally again, he felt his expression threaten to turn pained. Aizen wasn't wrong. He'd spent so long being utterly content with whatever the man had asked of him, it didn't matter if it was murder; mayhem; misery or disaster, he'd happily inflicted it upon his enemies. Part of him knew, had always know, that his loyalty extended further than just blind faith, there had been admiration and need there. Maybe even a tinge of love.
It surprised him to admit that to himself, even when he knew that emotions had been an impossible thing for him to feel for the majority of his service to Aizen, looking back at what he'd done for him allowed him to acknowledge that his actions could only have been driven by something as tempestuous and unexpected as that.
"You're right..." He whispered, "I was content."
Lowering his gaze, Ichigo let out a long breath, he stopped struggling against the grip still present around his throat and gulped back the lump in his throat, he wasn't sure if his turmoil was showing on his face at this point but it didn't matter anymore. None of it mattered. He wasn't leaving this room alive no matter what he did.
"How much of our plans did you hand over to Kuchiki?" Aizen asked, merely pleased that for the moment he seemed to be getting somewhere.
"All of them." He answered bluntly, "I gave him everything he asked for."
"I see."
He was dropped suddenly and hit the floor with a crunch, gasping as his leg twisted awkwardly under his weight, he released a small groan and managed to wriggle just enough to take the pressure off the now aching limb, uncertain if he had broken something or simply bruised it.
The strawberry lifted his head to see what his former Taichou was doing, but faltered as he sensed another reiatsu fast approaching their location. There had been a momentary flicker of hope that it was Byakuya, but he soon recognised the smooth and dulcet tone of Tōsen's reiatsu.
"Aizen-sama, I brought him as you requested." The man's voice was calm and collected as always.
"Excellent, bring him over." Aizen barely looked up from what he was doing, rummaging through a drawer near the bedroom.
Ichigo tried to worm his way around to see what was going on, but froze as everything was revealed in front of his very eyes.
"R-Renji..." He croaked, eyes wide as the redheaded Fukutaichou was dumped unceremoniously on the floor in front of him, apparently also restrained by one Kidō or another.
Blood was dripping down the tattooed man's face from a nasty looking gash somewhere in his hairline, his breathing was laboured and Ichigo could see the fresh blossoming of bruises barely hidden by his half shredded uniform.
"Ichigo..." The man panted, wincing as he looked at him, "What... What's going on?"
"He knows." He swallowed, "He knows about me. I'm sorry... Renji..."
"You've got a nerve, showing such a feeble expression when we're both in the same position." The redhead muttered, "Get a grip of yourself."
Ichigo's eyes flicked upwards towards Aizen, faltering as he saw the man scrutinizing him with an unexplained expression of surprise, he realised quickly what had caused it and gulping hard as the brunet swept forwards gripping his face in his hand with a threatening tightness.
"So, Gin's suspicions were correct. When did you start to feel emotion?" He hissed.
Despite the terror running through his veins, he kept his mouth shut, merely fixing his former commander with a piercing gaze, allowing his contempt to show.
"Gin noticed how different you were when you returned from the World of the Living the second time... After your trip to Fugai." The brunet seemed to grow more annoyed, "The panic I sensed from you that day... It was because you were remembering, Kuchiki... Helped you to remember. You transformed that day, didn't you?"
Holding his head just a nudge higher, Ichigo kept quiet, refusing to give the man the satisfaction of having an answer from him.
Aizen seemed to come to another conclusion during his prolonged silence, one which seemed to anger him far more than any of the previous ones, "You met Kisuke Urahara. He is the only person who would have so successfully modified a Gikon to your specific needs. But... If he willingly helped you that can only mean he sent you back here for a reason..."
The Third Seat twitched slightly, a reluctant agreement with his statement that he instantly regretted.
"He told you where the Hōgyoku is, didn't he?" The Taichou smirked darkly, his grip tightening until Ichigo was sure his jaw would break, "Didn't he?!"
"Yes!" He exclaimed, looking horrified the moment the word left his lips, flinching as he was instantly released, his jaw popping in protest; he slumped forwards and swallowed hard, glancing at Renji with a silent apology.
"You will tell me where it is, and you will tell me now. If you do I will see fit to spare Abarai's life, seeing as he means so much to you." Aizen's fingers ghosted Renji's ponytail as if to exaggerate his threat.
"Don't you dare." The redhead breathed as he glared at his best friend.
Ichigo sucked in a shaky breath, looking from Renji to Aizen and back again before he dropped his gaze to the floor between them, "Go fuck yourself." He muttered.
He received a hard kick to his spine in retaliation for his words, he hadn't even realised that Tōsen was still present. Hitting the floor, he groaned, another strike following swiftly which turned him onto his back. The strawberry spat saliva as an even more brutal punch was delivered to his gut and left him trembling.
"Enough Tōsen. I need him conscious."
Glaring in defiance, Ichigo balled his fists, straining once more under the tight, invisible binds around his arms, if he ever got free he was going to... He was going to what? Probably get crushed by Aizen's reiatsu before he even lifted a finger.
Renji was hoisted up sharply, thrown face first over the desk in the corner of the room with Aizen pinning him in place; Ichigo's stomach did a flip as he caught sight of his friend's expression. There was fear, naturally, but almost in comparison to his own feelings he could see burning resistance.
"You have been working with Kuchiki for quite some time now, Abarai, I suspect your personal sense of pride is almost as great as his at this point. I'm going to tear it apart, if you are still breathing at the end maybe you can convince your foolish, foolish friend to give me what I want." Aizen's voice was calculating, cruel and the purest resemblance of his true self.
"You'll find me hard to break, Traitor, Inuzuri Dogs are notoriously stubborn." The redhead hissed, jaw setting as his hair was yanked on again.
There was that smirk, the one that had always made Ichigo's heart race in anticipation and excitement, but now the organ quivered in silent fear and disgust. Aizen was pleased by Renji's defiance, Ichigo knew that and the man would enjoy getting what he wanted even more.
"Don't do this." He grunted, balling a fist, "Renji has nothing to do with this, he doesn't even know where the Hōgyoku is!"
"You expect me to believe that?" The brunet scoffed, eyes flicking to his.
Ichigo gulped under the attention but persisted, "You said yourself that you were surprised to hear Renji was capable of any sort of brain function... Let's be honest, he isn't. You think Byakuya and I would have trusted him with that kind of information? He has never been able to keep his trap shut for anything or anyone!"
There was a long moment of silence in the room, Ichigo barely dared to breathe in case it changed Aizen's mind in some way; Renji looked furious, uncertain if it was because of the thinly veiled insult on his intelligence or the fact Ichigo was trying to protect him. The strawberry couldn't meet his stare.
"You are probably right," The brunet murmured after what felt like eternity, glancing down at the redhead, "However, he makes for excellent leverage against you. Can you truly sit there and watch me break him, while holding your own tongue?"
The Third Seat growled, eyes narrowing, "You hurt one hair on his head... And I will kill you."
"An interesting threat from someone in your current position." Tōsen's voice was smug from behind him, but only served to feed his anger.
"What's this? Ya just gonna sit there, King?"
Ichigo flinched, looking around the room for the source of the new and unfamiliar voice. He was sure that the only people present were Aizen, Renji, Tōsen and himself... But then where had that voice come from? What did it mean? How could he do anything but sit there? A shiver crept up his spine, that voice roused a deep seated anxiety within the pit of his belly. It was... Dark. Watery. Almost reptilian.
He was jolted from his confusion by the sound of Renji screaming; his gaze snapped towards his childhood friend and faltered at what he saw. The redhead appeared to be looking blankly in his direction, eyes unfocused and unseeing, and yet full of trauma.
What the hell was he seeing?
Renji's screams grew louder, more troubled, like his very soul was being torn in two. Ichigo didn't understand what was happening, Aizen hadn't moved, he was still just stood there holding the Fukutaichou in place. But there was a sadistic smile on his face now.
"W-What are you doing to him?" He demanded, he had a terrible feeling he already knew.
Aizen seemed reluctant to draw his attention from what was happening, but slowly looked over, "Kyōka Suigetsu is a useful tool for such interrogations. With a mere thought... I can make him see his very worst nightmare and he will live it as if it were real."
Wincing as Renji's cries became desperate, he watched his friend's body shake and he felt his eyes sting with tears he refused to shed in front of Aizen. He wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
"Why can't I see what he sees?" He asked, maybe if he distracted Aizen he could help Renji break free of the illusion.
"Simply put... I never showed you my Shikai. An oversight on my part, one which I plan to correct as soon as we are finished here."
Ichigo's eyes widened momentarily at the news, falling silent as he considered this new information. He knew from talking with many of his friends who were Fukutaichou that Aizen had shown them his Shikai, deceiving them into thinking his Zanpakutō was a running water type, rather than a hypnosis type. Which meant his friends were under the influence of the sword's powers. In comparison, Aizen would have had to show his Shikai to the other Taichou when he took the position at Division Five which meant...
Glancing in Tōsen's direction, he understood the implications. He had no doubt in his mind as he came to the conclusion that the only people never to have seen Kyōka Suigetsu's power were Tōsen, Gin and himself. They'd followed him willingly.
He had to do something! There was only one way he could get the strength he needed to try and protect Renji. It wasn't going to be pleasant. He wasn't even sure if it would work but... He needed power. He had to find that at the very core of his being. Somewhere within the medley of memories he hadn't dared to address properly since recovering them. This... This was going to be very painful.
Sucking in a breath, he allowed his eyes to close, sinking into his Inner World as he blocked out Renji's screeching. It was something of a relief to discover that the skyscraper scenery of his Inner World had repaired since his last visit, the buildings stood tall and majestic once more and filled him with a faint sense of comfort. He had never understood why his world looked like it did, the skyscrapers drenched in blue and black, the cloudy sky swirling devilishly above. The floor always looked wet, like it had been raining. Zangetsu hated the rain. Ichigo hated the rain as well.
Why was that?
Looking around, there was no sign of the grim Zanpakutō spirit, maybe even Zangetsu knew he needed time alone and in silence. If that was the case, he was grateful.
He sat down on the pavement, crossing his legs and resting his hands in his lap, sucking in deep breaths and puffing them back out with a stammering slowness which made him dizzy at first. Concentrating, concentrating so hard it was almost on the verge of painful. He had to do this. He had to face it. He had to go back there.
It was raining, the sound of heavy droplets splashing against the umbrella over his head and under his boots was the second loudest sound he could currently hear. The loudest, easily drowning out everything else, was the warm echoes of his mother's voice.
His small hand was clasped in her larger one, her palm was soft like silk and warm around his chilled grasp. Her smile was enormous as she praised his hard work at school, there were promises of his favourite dinner in celebration of his good grades and behaviour.
Ichigo gasped, eyes opening in a flash as sickness churned in his gut, he was shaking like a leaf, looking around he saw he was still within his Inner World, the sky above him had turned an ominous shade of grey, clouds were rolling and peaking, threatening a storm. It was tremulous as it was baleful, but he knew he had no choice but to push through it. He had to feel it for himself. He had to unleash that rage.
Kicking a football lazily against the garden fence, hoping dinner wouldn't be long, it was still pouring with rain but he'd insisted on playing outside while his mother cooked, on the promise that he would shower and dry before eating.
He grew distracted as a black butterfly fluttered past his vision, wings crested with a vibrant pink wave that almost seemed to glow. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, except for his mother's smile. That had pride of place.
The butterfly flew around his head a few times before disappearing towards the gate; he ran to follow it, curious about where it was going. Rushing forwards, he threw the gate open and darted out onto the path outside, looking around urgently.
It was gone. But to his right was the tall figure of a man, just stood there watching him with a peculiar expression on his face. Chocolate brown eyes were half hidden behind square glasses.
Groaning, he felt the wall behind him shaking violently, he could see the flash of lightening even with his eyes shut tightly, he didn't dare look up as he heard a ripple of thunder from somewhere in the distance. Fat rain drops spattered against his prone form as he pushed himself there again. He was close. He had to see it for himself. Had to feel that pain.
"Who are you, Mister?" He asked, blinking at his strange clothing, it looked very traditional.
"You can see me?" The brown eyed man asked, looking mildly surprised.
"Well... Yeah. You're stood right there." He laughed, looking back towards his house as he heard his name being called, "Oh, I have to go! Are you going to be alright? You'll get sick standing around in this rain for too long."
The man moved closer and crouched down in front of him, smiling warmly, "How kind of you to worry about a stranger. What is your name?"
"Ichigo." He smiled brightly.
"To protect one thing... An interesting name indeed."
"Huh? People don't normally know what it means." Rubbing the back of his neck shyly, he faltered as his name was shouted again, "I really do have to go. Unless... My father runs a clinic, maybe he could check you over so you don't get sick."
There was surprise there again, "That would be very kind, but I wouldn't wish to impose."
"You wouldn't be! I'd feel terrible if you got sick and we could have helped. Come on, Mister!" He reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the house.
He was retching, sweat rolling down his face. He could feel water swelling around him, already touching up to his ankles. Was his Inner World flooding? No, he couldn't let himself be distracted. He had no choice. He had no other options. It was this or let Aizen win. Even if it killed him... He had to see it through. He had to remember! He had to remember the fear!
"I-Ichigo... Get away from him now!" His mother exclaimed, dropping the bowl of food she had been holding.
The bowl shattered as it made contact with the floor, chicken noodles splashing over the wood and echoing far more than it probably should have. Thundering footsteps came from upstairs and Ichigo saw his father rushing towards him, only to freeze on the spot as he saw their guest.
"What's wrong? Mum? Dad?" He looked between them in bewilderment, "I found him outside, Mister's gonna get sick so I thought we could treat him in the clinic."
"Get away from him, come here now!" Masaki's voice was shaking, her hand extended towards her son pressingly.
He stumbled over to her numbly, confused as to why she sounded so angry, he took her hand and blinked towards the man he'd met outside, he seemed utterly calm and undeterred by the hostility of his hosts.
"What are you doing here, Aizen?!" Isshin demanded, fists clenched.
"I doubt you would believe me if I said I was in the neighbourhood..." The brown eyed man chuckled softly, "It's been a long time, Isshin. I didn't realise you were still alive."
"I won't ask you again. What are you doing here?!" His father growled.
The other man, Aizen, merely laughed again, hands disappearing into the pockets of his strange outfit, "I sensed a strong reiatsu in the town while I was on a mission, it seemed oddly powerful for a Human to possess, so I wished to see what was creating it. But now I see."
Ichigo swallowed softly as the man's eyes seemed to linger on him. He had no idea what 'reiatsu' was or why it was important to the man's mission, but he no longer felt entirely comfortable in his presence. There was something less than friendly in his eyes now.
"You will not touch my son." Isshin moved again, putting himself between Aizen and his wife and son.
"I shouldn't be surprised really..." The man murmured, "It seems perfectly reasonable that any child of yours would be immensely powerful, especially given your choice of wife."
"Get out of my house!"
Ichigo had never heard his father raise his voice before, he clung to his mother's side just a little tighter before his gaze was drawn by the sound of his two sisters stumbling into the room, clearly curious about what was going on.
Aizen's eyes seemed to follow his and a calculating smile appeared on his face, "Huh, not one but three? You have been busy."
"Get out!"
"No." It was a simple answer for sure, but it held all the pressure of a tsunami behind it.
Hand flying out of his pocket, Aizen held up a small spherical ball of glimmering, swirling light. Apparently a reflex, Masaki grabbed her husbands' arm and pulled him back towards her, trying to shove him behind her body much to his yelling and refusal.
Ichigo couldn't hear it anymore though, his eyes were trained on that ball of light, it was so very pretty. And consuming.
Spears of illumination shot out suddenly in all directions, cutting through furniture and walls like they were nothing; Ichigo let out a yell as one headed straight for his mother and before he could even think... His body moved by itself and he put himself between the oncoming danger and her.
He threw up, rolling onto his knees and letting out a cry of pain, eyes still scrunched tightly shut as he felt chilly water up around his waist. This was it.
Everything was a blur, from the moment the light hit his chest to the second he collapsed. All he knew was that when he was finally able to focus his vision again, blood splashed every surface around him. He was drenched in it. Wide eyes peered around the room, looking at the macabre scene of violence.
They were all dead. His sisters lay together, almost in pieces near the dining table, Karin was laying over Yuzu like she had tried to protect her from whatever had done the damage, but it hadn't been enough to stop it. His father was just a foot away from him, bloody and contorted in ways he couldn't imagine him having managed while alive.
His gaze dropped down as he felt something squishy under his fingers and he found his hands buried in his mother's cardigan. She looked like she had been ravaged by a wild animal, eyes wide and unfocused, expression aghast. He screamed.
Ichigo roared, eyes flashing open as he found himself back in Aizen's office. His own bellow drowned out Renji's screams as his reiatsu rocketed skywards in density, staggering to his feet as his face twisted into a horrific mirror of his own rage; he strained, strained so hard he thought his body would break.
But it didn't. The only thing which broke was the Kidō holding him in place, invisible bonds shattering under his strength.
Aizen flinched at the abrupt sound and pressure building in the room; his gaze snapping to Ichigo and widening at the sight that met him. Watching as Tōsen was thrown clean through the window by Ichigo's flying fist.
His blood ran cold as the strawberry haired Shinigami turned to face him, chocolate eyes being greeted by glittering gold.
