Chapter Nineteen:

Ichigo was conscious, barely, floating within some capsule around the outskirts of his Inner World. Parted from Zangetsu, parted from his body. A back-seat passenger, left to watch through someone else's eyes. The Hollow's eyes.

He could see multiple presences arriving on Sôkyoku Hill within minutes of each other. The craggy expanse was a hive of activity as Soi-Fon and her Fukutaichou, Ōmaeda, appeared together. Seconds later Komamura and Iba arrived, followed by Nanao. Then Hitsugaya and Matsumoto. Bringing up the rear, Ikkaku; Yumichika; Kurotsuchi and Nemu appeared at almost the same time. Isane and Unohana appeared just behind Ukitake and Kyōraku. Finally, Kira and Hisagi appeared, both seeming to freeze at the immediate sight of their Taichou in combat with a raging Hollow.

Ichigo winced as he watched his talons cleaving through Tōsen's chest with relentless fury. Angry tail snapping around, slapping Gin in the face.

He felt relieved, seeing the Taichou and Fukutaichou appearing. Aizen couldn't wriggle out of it, everyone could see what was happening. Everyone knew. It was over! Yamamoto was absent, as well as Kenpachi and Yachiru. Though, he was sure he could sense the violent clashing of Kenpachi's reiatsu coming from Division Eleven. He was fighting, so undoubtedly Yachiru would be watching over him.

He saw Byakuya flit across the battle field, carrying Rukia into the waiting arms of Unohana. The woman immediately began checking them both for injuries. He was glad. They were safe. Both of them. Maybe that was enough to make up for him having failed Renji.

The entrapped Third Seat could see his reflection in the drawn swords of the two Taichou his Hollow form was battling. It was horrific as it was breath taking. A combined twist of power and elegant beauty.

Waist length locks of sunset coloured hair whirled with each movement, constrained only at the scalp where it was captured in spiky locks under the terrifying white and black Hollow mask which now concealed his face. Vast, jagged horns reached out from his forehead, casting shadows over his narrowed golden eyes. Blood red tufts of fur coiled around his shoulders like a collar, mimicking the same around his wrists and ankles.

Most of his shihakusho had been torn away by the transformation, a partial sleeve remained intact, as well as his hakama, which was currently missing only the lower part of the left leg. The lack of material revealed pearly white skin which looked as hard as marble, despite the swirling black marks etched across it in tribal markings.

The angry, slapping tail which was not dissimilar to that of a lizard proved to be as much of a weapon as it was a balancing aid. Capable of cleaving flesh from bone with single flicks, as he had already seen it do to Tōsen's right shoulder.

But he had no control. Beyond being permitted to witness what the Hollow was doing, he couldn't speak. Couldn't stop it. Couldn't control it. He was a back seat driver, forced to watch through the eyes of someone far more savage than he had ever been, which was a terrifying thought even in itself.

He had evaluated the battlefield, and assessed that they had been hopelessly outmatched by Aizen alone. Even without the influence of his two conspirators. Gin and Tōsen were just additional pawns in a game Aizen could win alone. Surrendering to the Hollow had been the only course of action, the only thing he could do to provide them with enough time for the other Shinigami to arrive and help.

He was terrified though. He hadn't realised before... Just how powerful he was in this Hollowfied form. He was easily overwhelming Gin and Tōsen even as they fought together, and he didn't have Zangetsu at his side. He was fighting with talons, horns and tail... And a rather devastating penchant for using Cero. Violent blasts of scarlet shot from between the twin horns of his mask, with startling accuracy and speed. Only to be followed up by bone crunching blows with fists and feet.

His Hollow was powerful. Ridiculously powerful. It was manic and insane and death incarnate. But there was a strange distorted beauty within that horrific power. Impulsive and coarse. Amazing. To think he had such a power living within him, to think it had been there for so long and he'd never realised it. Amazing.

He couldn't fathom why Aizen was merely lingering back, watching the battle unfold. Seemingly content to watch as two of his generals were battered and bruised and exhausted to the point of collapse. Even when the other Taichou had appeared, he had remained unmoved. Simply watching. Simply examining.

Ichigo heard a loud purr ringing in his ears, a swell of... Affection? What the-

Tōsen released a stark cry of pain, his body tossed towards the brunet like a lifeless doll, deep wounds stretching across his torso in jagged lines, splashing the dirt with his blood as he crumpled. Unmoving. Not dead, but definitely no longer able to fight.

Ichigo watched as his Hollow turned its' full attention onto Gin. Without the aid of the blind Shinigami, the silver haired fox was now struggling under the immense power of the Hollow. Blood splashing the man's shihakusho and skin, wounds and bruises blooming under the seemingly relentless force that was Ichigo's Hollow.

Gin was on his knees, arms shaking as clawed hands pushed the man's Zanpakutō back towards him, the blade carving increasingly closer to his throat. The Hollow was ruthless.

Gasping as he suddenly sensed Kenpachi's reiatsu disappear, he tried to make the Hollow look around. But it was no use. The Hollow didn't obey him, not in this form. But he was sure he could hear Yumichika and Ikkaku exclaiming their disbelief.

Snarling, spit flying from between jagged teeth, black horns tilted downwards. A large crimson Cero charging between the tips as he pointed them straight towards Gin's face. At point blank range, with his Zanpakutō currently pointing towards his own throat, there was nowhere he could run, nowhere he could hide. The Hollow was going to kill him.

The Hollow's body seemed to stiffen suddenly, head jerking upwards and towards the watching crowd of Shinigami with a sound of growled shock breaking free.

A darker scarlet light blasted through the air over the heads of the Shinigami, streaking forwards with unadulterated speed. It hit his body squarely in the chest, throwing him off balance. His own Cero shot meaninglessly into the sky and fizzled into nothingness as his concentration was broken. Ichigo flinched as he heard the screeching Hollowfied roar that came from his mouth as the teeth parted with a crackling bony crunch.

Ichigo caught a brief glimpse of sharp teeth before a hard body slammed into his own, throwing him to the floor with the force of the strike. Hissing and spitting like an angry cat, his Hollow form struggled against the overwhelming power he felt radiating off the body above him. The dust clearing slowly, Ichigo's eyes widened at the wicked feral grin and lazy locks of blue hair.

Grimmjow's hands were easily pinning his Hollow's down above his head, straddled over him with apparent ease and grace, struggling very little to keep the struggling orange haired Hollow down. Ichigo felt their tail slapping angrily against the ground, low snarls escaping as his Hollow continued to strain and struggle. Fighting to get free.

"Grimmjow..." Gin's voice was strained, his teeth clenched as he slowly got to his feet, staring at his Fourth Seat.

"Sup, Taichou?" The blue haired man smirked, eyes narrowed, "Can't handle a fledglin' Vasto Lordes by yourself or somethin'?"

"Tch, he took us by surprise." The silver haired man sneered.

Grimmjow scoffed, looking towards Aizen, "What do you want me to do with him?"

The brunet seemed to consider his options for a moment, reaching up to remove his glasses, "Break his mask." He instructed, his own reiatsu flicking out in an angry tongue to shatter the spectacles he was so tired of wearing.

Raising his free hand, Grimmjow's grin only widened as he charged another Cero in his palm, aiming it straight and true towards the widening golden eyes beneath him, "I'm disappointed, they said you'd be fun to mess with. I guess a fledglin' really can't do anythin' though."

Ichigo felt his Hollow shift, anger roused by the mockery. Yanking more frantically, tail slapping harder, whipping around dangerously. There was panic too, rising trepidation as the Cero grew larger and larger. He had no idea what would happen when it made contact. Would they both die? Would his mask break? Would his Hollow save them at the last moment again?

And Grimmjow... A Hollow?! How?! He was terrible at sensing reiatsu, true enough, but surely someone must have realised! Someone must have sensed it! Unless... Maybe Aizen had constructed some sort of technology to block Hollow reiatsu, to make it seem like it was Shinigami in structure instead... He was smart, it was possible. But then, how long had Grimmjow been in Soul Society? Had he been acting as a spy all along? He'd never known about him! Beyond always getting that uncomfortable sensation that Grimmjow didn't quite belong... Had that been his Hollow's way of trying to warn him?

So many questions. Too many questions! The Cero was fully charged!

He saw Byakuya step forwards, hand on his Zanpakutō but it was too late. The Cero detonated. The ground shook around them, crumbling and crunching. Ichigo heard his Hollow scream. A roar of pain, a broken torrent of rasping screeches as the heat of the blast seared his skin, dug deeply into the structure of his mask. Ichigo could feel the pain too. It was horrific. He found himself crying out too, arms wrapping tightly around himself as his body shook.

He heard a definitive crack, his eyes widening as he momentary felt himself being thrusted forwards. Tossing into the front seat of their mind, it was fleeting, he was shoved back almost immediately. Sinking back into that severed little portion of his Inner World. Trapped again.

The dust settled. Ichigo felt his Hollow's body quaking. They were in the pit of a crater created by the force of the Cero. He could see Grimmjow crouched on the outer rim, looking in at them with a predatory gleam to his features, shihakusho ruined and revealing his sweat slicked torso. Ichigo watched the blue haired man turn as if to ask Aizen something, in that moment he caught a flash of a black Gothic number six on his back. What was that?

Their eyes were struggling to stay open, delirium and pain sinking in and becoming an acknowledged defect. Ichigo let out a small gasp as he saw Byakuya appear at the lip of the crater, the nobleman sparing only a second thought before sliding down into the pit, falling to his knees beside their crumpled form.

He could see their reflection in steel eyes. They were still fully Hollowfied, but their skin was badly scorched, bleeding in places and mottled with blisters. He was sure the smell of cooked flesh was making Byakuya's nose crinkle, but the noble seemed to be ignoring it, reaching out as shaky fingers came to rest on the half exposed face.

Their mask was in two notched pieces, one remained securely in place, despite the steam rolling up from its' edges, while the other lay a distance away in fragments, shattered and broken. They were likely still Hollowfied because of that remaining half of mask on his face, he wouldn't revert to his normal body unless the mask completely broke away.

He could see concern on the nobleman's face, and realised that their chest was barely moving with the breaths they were struggling to take. They... They? Why... Why had he started to consider them as 'they'? It was him and the Hollow, they were not one and the same it was... That wasn't right.

"Ichigo?" Byakuya's voice was whispered, fingertips making contact with pearly white skin, it was so pale he could have already been dead.

He wanted desperately to respond, to tell him that he was okay. But he couldn't. He still couldn't make the Hollow do what he wanted! Damn it!

"Huh, I was aimin' for the whole mask." Grimmjow's voice was loud, obnoxious and arrogant, "Guess I'll have to try again."

Byakuya's head snapped around, eyes widening at the sight of the Cero aiming at the semi-conscious creature beside him. In a reflexive response, the raven haired Taichou got swiftly to his feet, planting himself firmly between the blue haired traitor, and his lover.

"You will not touch him again." He drew Senbonzakura in one fluid motion, angling the blade downwards, towards the floor.

"If I have to shoot through you, I will." The blue haired Arrancar smirked, "Makes no difference to me, Shinigami!"

"Then do so, you will be dead before it reaches me." He hissed.

Ichigo's eyes widened in horror, his fingers twitching as he tried to make the Hollow body move. Tried to rouse the Hollow Soul that was in control. Byakuya couldn't do this! He couldn't sacrifice himself like this! He couldn't allow it! He wouldn't allow it!

"Byakuya!" He cried, feeling his heart aching as the words refused to escape the bubble he was contained in.

"Bankai." Byakuya allowed his blade to slip from his grasp, the familiar scene of a dozen or more giant katana blades rising around them brought a seemingly strong sense of calm to the noble, "Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

The Cero in Grimmjow's grasp blasted towards the Division Six Taichou and the Hollowfied strawberry behind him. Ichigo felt himself tense, screaming out for Byakuya to move. But the words, of course, didn't escape.

Denumerable blossoms erupted from the blades around them, swirling around the Cero with a practised determination. Scarlet exploded, scattering the dusty landscape with cerise petals. Grimmjow looked furious, Byakuya looked smug. Petals shifted, circling the inner rim of the crater, ready to leap into action at a moments notice as the Kuchiki heir glowered at the traitor.

It was a stalemate, of sorts. Byakuya couldn't move without putting Ichigo's body at risk. Grimmjow couldn't move without putting himself at risk.

Everything changed in an instant. The sudden whistle of fast movement through the air was accompanied by a flicker of purple, Yoruichi appeared in a spirited spring of Shunpo, her outstretched foot slamming into Grimmjow's face and tossing the Arrancar back. As she landed, grinning over her shoulder at Byakuya, disappearing again.

Ichigo watched as Yoruichi grabbed Byakuya and hoisted him out of the crater, he could hear the man angrily protesting and struggling.

"Yoruichi, release me! He'll kill him!"

"Relax, Little Byakuya." The woman's dulcet tones were relaxing, "I'm not going to leave him defenceless."

"What do you-"

"HOWL, ZABIMARU!"

Ichigo's heart was in his mouth, chest tight with a strangled sob as a flash of red appeared above him. The sight of Renji's extending blade shooting out to coil around Grimmjow's form as the Fukutaichou landed on the lip of the crater, free hand rising to the body sized blade slung over his back.

Renji tossed Zangetsu into the pit, Ichigo saw it clatter to the ground beside his Hollow body and gritted his teeth, snarling as he willed the Hollow to react.

"Wake up, idiot!" Renji's voice was low and moody as he glowered down at him.

Talons twitched in response, hand slowly creeping out as Ichigo clenched his fists in his Inner World, releasing a low snarl as he forced the Hollow body to move. As the clawed hand snapped closed around the hilt of the blade, Ichigo felt his Hollow suddenly rear back into life and the stranglehold on his own being tightened again.

They were on their feet, gold eyes flicking over Renji's form to assess him. There were think red bandages wrapped tightly around his middle, a red smudge leaking through. But there was a determination burning in his eyes. Thank goodness.

The Hollow body released a groan, forcing itself up onto its feet. Ichigo clasped his hands together as he watched from his small capsule. They clambered up out of the crater, coming to stand beside their redheaded friend.

"R-Ren... Renji?" The voice that came from between jagged teeth was off, not quite Ichigo's not quite the Hollows'.

"I know, I know. I look like shit. So do you, for the record." The redhead muttered, unfazed by his best friend's current appearance, "Let's finish this. For Rukia."

There was hesitation, but slowly, the Hollow lifted Zangetsu and pointed it towards Grimmjow. The blue haired man had narrowly managed to escape Zabimaru's choke hold and was now seething as blood splashed down his chest from the ugly wound in his shoulder. He looked even more feral than before, and twice as angry.

Renji lifted Zabimaru as well, the blade snapping back into position as they glowered at their enemy. The two men couldn't have worn two expressions more dissimilar. Renji was solemnly determined, while Ichigo's Hollowfied face bore a manic stretched grin that flashed teeth and gums beyond the ragged teeth of the remaining segment of mask.

As they prepared to attack, Ichigo faltered as he felt his Hollow freeze, body lurching as if touched by some unknown force; his smile vanished in a heartbeat and was replaced by an angry, fearful grimace. Golden eyes nothing more than slits as they slowly flitted across the battlefield, coming to rest on the brunet haired Shinigami who was simply... Watching them.

"What are you doing?! Don't stop now! Move! Move!" Ichigo crowed at his Hollow side, confused about the sudden change.

"C-Can't..."

"I think you've had far more fun than you are used to." Aizen's voice was calm, he began walking forwards slowly, "It is time for you to go back."

"No!" The voice that escaped their lips was completely reptilian this time, Ichigo knew it was the Hollow speaking, "I won't... Not this time! No... You can't make me... You can't... Make me... S-Surrender... S-Stop it!"

"Go. Back."

"No!" The Hollow fired a weak, one horned Cero towards the brunet before his body lurched again, knocking Renji flying by accident.

Aizen's hand rested on Grimmjow's back for a fleeting moment, nodding at the blue haired Arrancar to join Gin. The brunet raised his reiatsu, effectively creating a buffer between himself and the Shinigami Taichou and Fukutaichou present.

Gold eyes peered up into chocolate ones as Aizen came to a stop only a foot away from him.

"You've grown strong since we first met," fingers reached out, brushing the section of Hollow mask which remained in place, "I am impressed by your growth, but now you are being impertinent and I won't stand for it. When I tell you to attack, you attack. When I tell you to stop, you stop. When I tell you to return, you return. Without question. Do you understand me?"

Ichigo slammed his fists against the barrier keeping him restrained, faltering as he heard that same purring sound again. Surely that wasn't... The Hollow was purring at Aizen's touch? Why? Why would he...

"Yes, Aizen-sama." The silvery voice replied, expression torn between indignation and contentment.

A pale hand came up slowly, gripping the single remaining horn on his mask. The hand yanked downwards with a whine, the horn snapping off. The mask shattered. The Hollow sucked in a gasp, eyes squeezing tightly shut as black reiatsu lined with scarlet rippled around his body, a weak cry of pain erupted from his throat.

Body convulsing, skin darkening, long hair blowing away in the breeze and turning to orbs of reiatsu, leaving only his normal short spikes. Old and fresh wounds began opening up across his body and bled afresh. Finally, the black slipped back and revealed whiteness, gold orbs turning chestnut as the last of the Hollow's grasp released.

Ichigo flinched, suddenly finding himself in the front seat again, gulping in air. He was shaking from head to toe, panting harshly as he met Aizen's gaze.

"There you are." Aizen's smile was almost warm, almost impressed, almost forgiving.

"A-Aizen... Taichou..." Ichigo winced, his body felt so cold as blood began spilling free again.

"Your decisions of late are disappointing Ichigo, I had such plans for you..." The man trailed off, glancing skywards as the first rays of sunlight began to shoot over the horizon, "I am truly going to miss that sunrise."

Black spots were flickering in his vision, they had nothing to do with his Hollow's influence now, the Hollow was quiet. Obedient. Subdued. He felt faint, his knees beginning to buckle.

"You will not be able to subdue the Hollow forever, you know that don't you?" Aizen said suddenly, "Only I can do that."

"I-I know." He gasped out, glaring at him as he used Zangetsu as a crutch to stay standing, "Why does he listen to you though?"

"He knows the voice of his creator." There was a casual shrug as he spoke, lifting the Hōgyoku between them as he allowed the ball to roll between his fingers, "Come with me... And I'll tell you everything you wish to know."

"I'm staying here." He grunted.

"You don't belong here, Ichigo." Aizen reached out, brushing some strands of orange hair out of chestnut eyes, "You belong with me, at my side."

"Maybe... That's true. Maybe... It's not. But I've made... My choice."

"I see."

The Third Seat glanced around sharply, certain he'd heard a tinge of jealousy enter his former superior's tone, that couldn't be right though.

"Aizen Taichou?" He found himself wheezing out.

"Yes?"

"Did my family... S-Suffer that night?" He wasn't sure why he was asking, he expected a coy answer, nothing concrete and nothing that would put his heart at rest, but the question had bubbled to the surface without permission.

Aizen appraised him for what felt like eternity, stepping closer and leaning down slightly, allowing his lips to brush Ichigo's ear, "It was over in the blink of an eye."

His back stiffened at the contact but he made no move to pull away, his lips turning downwards as his eyes stung, he felt like a small weight had been lifted and allowed him to breathe again, "Thank you."

"Don't thank me, Ichigo. I wasn't the one who killed them."

It wasn't the first time he'd said as much, but Ichigo wasn't sure if he believed him or not. It was hard to imagine anyone else having done it. All the evidence pointed to Aizen, but the man had rarely lied to his face.

Coldness washed over him and he frowned faintly as his legs finally gave out. He fell to his knees, slumping forwards as he saw just how much blood he was loosing. The wound in his chest, the wound Gin had given him, was the worst. He could feel his heart struggling against the penetrative wound in it. It was a wonder he'd remained standing so long.

He fell back, hitting the ground with a resounding thud as Zangetsu clattered to the floor beside him. His view of the morning sun was blotted out by the sight of the sky tearing open, dozens of large fingers clawing to get out, revealing the haunting faces of seven huge Gillian class Menos Grande.

Aizen's reiatsu lowered considerably, back to its usual confines, as the Gillians captured him, Gin, Tōsen and Grimmjow within their Negacíon lights. No one on Sôkyoku Hill dared to move until the Garganta had sealed shut once again, but as soon as it had, the Hill was alive with activity.

It was a race to see who reached Ichigo first, Renji and Byakuya were close to arriving at the same time, while Unohana appeared seconds later, Rukia hovered a few metres away with some of the other Fukutaichou who had tried to rush to help.

Ichigo was wheezing, chest barely moving as he stared up at the sky, his gaze was clouded and unfocused and his skin was turning pale, although not as pale as his Hollow form. He was dying, and he knew it. It had always been the risk he'd chosen to take. Part of him had hoped his Hollow side would heal his wounds, and he had while he had been in control, but once that mastery was relinquished everything had come undone again.

"Ichigo, don't you dare fall asleep. Don't you dare give in. Do you hear me?" Byakuya clenched his teeth as he grabbed one of his hands tightly, pulling it close to his chest as he watched Unohana pushing her healing reiatsu through the younger man's body.

"I... I hear ya..." His voice was barely audible between his gasps for breath, head lolling slightly so he could see the noble's face, "R-Rukia... Is she..."

"She's fine." He swallowed, "She's completely fine. Shaken, of course, but... Unharmed. Thanks to you."

"Didn't do a-anything." Ichigo muttered, closing his eyes for a long moment before forcing them back open.

"You're joking, right?" Renji demanded from his other side, his flaring temper acting as a poor shield for his worry, "You took on two Taichou single handedly, you nearly killed Tōsen by the looks of things and you would have had Gin if..."

"Grimmjow..." The strawberry frowned, "Didn't... Didn't know about him... Always gave me... The creeps..."

"None of us realised, it's not your fault." Byakuya sucked in a breath at just how frail he looked, "You fought admirably. I... I'm proud of you."

"Wasn't me." He shook his head weakly, "I couldn't... Have done it... Was the H-Hollow..."

"The Hollow is a part of you. Which means you had a hand in it as well. You don't get to shirk the responsibility after all this time." Steel eyes were stinging, "It's going to be alright."

He seemed to go quiet, eyes turning upwards again, "I'm... Scared. What if... It's too late?"

"Too late for what?"

"Too late... For me to... T-To make amends." He winced and started coughing harshly, blood splashing his chin, "I've done... So many bad things... Hurt so many... People... What if... It's too late? D-Didn't make up... For it all in time..."

"Don't talk like that." Byakuya snapped, leaning down and stroking his hair back off his face, shuddering at how clammy his skin was, "You're not going to die. You're going to be fine. And when you get out of the hospital, I'll look after you, it is the least I can do to thank you for saving Rukia, and for saving me."

Ichigo forced a small smile and looked at him, eyes seeming to gain some clarity, "You don't... Need to thank me... B-Byakuya. It... It's me who should be thanking... You." He sucked in a shallow breath, "I was so... Detached from everything... S-So cold... And unfeeling. I was willing to do whatever Aizen asked... For so long... And you made me realise... I... I didn't have to be like that. You made me feel again. And above all... Y-You made me remember that... I... I am a person... Not a weapon..."

Byakuya laughed weakly and brushed a few stray tears off Ichigo's cheeks, "Oh, well when you put it like that... You're welcome."

Smile widening, his breathing became more laboured, "Heh... I said... I could never do it... But I lied... I lied so... Completely..."

"What did you lie about?" The noble asked, his voice cracking.

Reaching up shakily, Ichigo brushed his fingers through the noble's hair, "I told you... I didn't think... I could love you... But I guess... You saved me in more ways... Than one..."

Byakuya's eyes widened momentarily before his chest tightened, and despite of the countless people around them, he leaned forwards and captured Ichigo's lips with his own, the taste of blood was prominent, but beneath it was the taste that could only be described as Ichigo. Pulling back slowly, he faltered as he watched the strawberry's hand drop limply at his side.

His ears were ringing, and he heard screaming; he didn't realise until much later that it had been his own voice he could hear. Strong arms grabbed him from behind and pulled him away, letting Unohana work frantically to do her best, he struggled against the hold, clawing and scratching at the arms which had captured him, his throat was dry as he felt tears run down his cheeks.

The smell of saké swirled around his senses and somewhere in the back of his mind, he briefly registered that he was being restrained by Shunsui Kyōraku. He could see through a blur of tears as Ukitake restrained Renji and tried to drag the enraged redhead away – Rukia ran to help, her sobs echoing in his ears as he saw her trying to comfort her childhood friend.

He gave out under the strain, as shock and grief set in, making his body seem far heavier than it really was. The world seemed to turn in a hazy swell that he couldn't quite concentrate on, but as he felt himself being placed on a bed, he allowed himself to lay back in silence.

He was in Division Four, he knew that without having to check, the bed was far too lumpy to be his own. He forced his tears away, embarrassment daring to rear its head. If he grandfather could see him now he was sure he'd have received a stern telling off for allowing his emotions to cloud him so completely, it was unbefitting behaviour for the head of the Kuchiki household.

Stomach flipping as he glanced at his hands, seeing blood that wasn't his he felt the tears return, and in an unusual sentiment for him, he decided to bugger what the family would think, and let them flow free.