Chapter Forty Four:
Byakuya was alone in the laboratory, pacing in a rare display of agitation as he folded his arms across his chest and rubbed his chin. Starrk, Harribel and Szayel had received urgent summons for an Espada meeting nearly an hour ago and had not returned since.
There was no doubt in his mind what the meeting was about, there was no mistaking the low rumbles and echoed explosions he could hear in the distance. There was a war raging inside Las Noches. He had felt Ichigo's reiatsu the moment he'd entered the huge palace, and it had taken his breath away. Joy, relief, concern and worry. It had all flooded over him at once.
If he knew anything about the way Aizen worked, and he believed he knew at least a little, his rescuers would have been forced to split up not long after breaking in. There was no way the former Taichou would run the risk of letting them stay together. Divide and conquer. Simple war tactics.
His focus remained upon the prominent reiatsu of his sister, his Fukutaichou and his fiancé. It wasn't that he was uncaring towards Ichigo's Human and Quincy friends but... He could live his life without them. The loss of those closer however, would ruin him.
Rukia seemed to have been holding her own in her battles, he could feel pride and power churning inside her. She wasn't the shaky student he had adopted into his family anymore, she was powerful; beautiful and determined. She had grown so much and he had barely realised it. He had sensed her win her fight, and made silent vow that if he did ever see Seireitei again he would relinquish the orders preventing Ukitake giving Rukia the seated position she so deserved. He had been blind to her true potential, blinded by fear of letting Hisana down, blinded by fear of losing another person he dared to hold dear.
Feeling Renji unleash his Bankai had felt reminiscent of seeing it inside Ichigo's Inner World. His Fukutaichou had grown strong and confident. He was proud of him, but he could feel him struggling against his foe. Byakuya was glad he'd taken the time to apologise to Renji, he was glad the man had forgiven him. While they were polar opposites he found he now regarded his Fukutaichou as more than a subordinate, he was a friend as well. A loud mouthed, obnoxious, no shit taking friend. A breath of fresh air. He had been blind to his good nature and pure Soul, blinded by tradition and lingering prejudice.
And Ichigo. He had been able to feel his lover's conflict with an Arrancar around the same time that Rukia and Renji had begun battling too. He knew Ichigo had emerged victorious but... The darkness bubbling away within his reiatsu was terrifying. Even from so far away he could almost see the trembling turmoil of Shiro struggling against the instincts of Hueco Mundo. He feared for his fiancé, he feared how long Ichigo could continue without submitting to the addictive feeling of power. It was Ichigo's true nature that he had always seen, eyes wide open, not blinded like he had been towards others. He had always seen the fiery man's growth, latent talent and turmoil.
Sighing, Byakuya scowled at the floor, sucking in a breath and tugged experimentally at the reiatsu suppressant cuffs around his wrists. Starrk had given him something of an upgrade, instead of the tight and chaffing thickness of shackles, the Primera had replaced them with thin bangles, allowing the skin around his wrists to heal and soften again. He was grateful for it, but he still despised the feeling of weakness that continued to swell inside of him at the repression of his powers.
"Yo, Kuchiki."
Spinning on the spot at the sound of the gruff voice, Byakuya found himself met with the sight of bright blue hair and eyes to match. Grimmjow was leaning against the door frame, arms folded lazily over his chest, ankles crossed leisurely, feral grin untameable.
"Grimmjow." He had to subdue a growl, "Shouldn't you be in the meeting with the other Espada?"
"I was." The Arrancar shrugged and strolled forwards, hands shoving deeply into his pockets as he glanced around the laboratory, "Tch, I hate comin' down here. I always feel like Szayel might try and swallow me whole, fuck knows how you've survived at all."
Raising an eyebrow, Byakuya lifted his chin defiantly, "It hasn't been without some close calls, I'm sure. Why are you here, Grimmjow?"
Snorting, the blue haired man came to a stop in front of him, eyes boring down as if gauging him, "I guess it helps havin' the Tres and Primera guardin' you."
"I would hardly call it guarding." He muttered.
A momentary flash of something crossed the Sexta's features before he scowled and looked away, "Tsk, they haven't told you."
"Told me what?" The raven haired Shinigami asked immediately.
Grimmjow seemed to suck in a breath and suddenly his grin was back, "Nothin', it doesn't matter. I'm here to collect you, Kuchiki. Seems that Aizen wants you to join the meetin'."
Tensing, Byakuya released a hiss as he was abruptly manhandled by the Sexta Espada, strongly muscled arms coiling around his body in a not entirely innocent manner, with large hands far too low down his stomach for him to be comfortable, "Unhand me you dog, I am capable of walking!"
"Dog? Don't insult me, Kuchiki." His breath was hot on the noble's ear and neck, "It's kinda unfair really, Szayel keepin' you all to himself in here. I mean you ain't perfect, but you're pretty as Shinigami go. I'm sure half the Arrancar in this place would fight for a roll or two with you."
Eyes widening, he felt his momentary panic turn to anger, "If your hand moves even an inch lower, Jaegerjaques, I will sever it from your body."
Laughing lowly against the shell of his ear, the blue haired Espada tightened his grip, "Temptin'. I'd love to see you in a proper fight, Sôkyoku wasn't nearly enough to satisfy my interest, you were practically incapable of doing anythin' with Kurosaki around."
Half snarling, Byakuya slammed his head back, stars blazing in his vision from the contact with the Espada's insanely strong Hierro. Despite that he heard a satisfying hiss of pain from the man and the grip around his waist momentarily lessened in response to the, hopefully, broken nose, "Believe me, the moment I'm free I'll make you regret not having your interests satisfied previously."
Grimmjow wiped the trickle of blood from his face, eyes narrowed for half a second before they widened gleefully, arms tightening around the smaller built male as he sank his teeth into his shoulder, leaving an angry purple mark in his wake.
Refusing to allow the sharp cry of pain to escape the back of his throat at the sudden pain of teeth breaking the surface of his skin, Byakuya scowled venomously as he vowed to murder the swine who dared mark him.
The world seemed to bend around them as Grimmjow moved in a blast of Sonido, the cracking sound of white noise was almost deafening, and it was only thanks to his own superior Shunpo that he was just about able to keep track of their movements and the directions they took.
The noble watched as they approached a large set of white doors, swallowing inconspicuously as they groaned open of their own accord, admitting them entrance to the room beyond. Grimmjow instantly seemed to slow to a walk, the clacking of his sandals on the floor the only sound to be heard as they descended the plain white staircase that led into the room.
Vision adjusting to the meagre lighting of the meeting room, he could have sworn his heart stopped for a moment. His inquisitiveness was greeted by the sight of seven Espada peering back at him. Their gazes seemed to seep into his soul and create a chilly settlement inside.
Szayel caught his attention, familiar whiskey eyes were narrowed in stark jealousy, most likely due to how closely Grimmjow was holding him. It didn't provide much comfort at all. He was becoming desperately hopeful that his days in the laboratory were numbered, Szayel's madness seemed to worsen every day he remained.
Next Byakuya saw an Espada he didn't recognise. A black man with numerous spikes running across his scalp, his yellow cat eyes were a little discourteous in their quick examination of his being. If his knowledge of the Espada was to be trusted, the man was the Séptima Espada.
Grimmjow's seat was empty between the Séptima and Nnoitra. The gangly man was stretched out with his feet on the table and his hands resting behind his head. His single grey eye roamed Byakuya's face before flicking away with a snort.
Ulquiorra's stare froze him more than any other, emerald eyes had never left his face for even a second since he had entered the room. It was as if the Cuatro was transfixed. His expression was as empty as ever, but there was something in his eyes that put Byakuya on edge. And he was certain that for the briefest of moments, Grimmjow's hold on him tightened.
Harribel's gaze was warm, comforting almost. But she didn't dare make eye contact for too long, most likely for fear of upsetting the brunet Shinigami sat at the head of the table. He found Starrk to be the same, though he felt some comfort in knowing they were both there.
Between the Primera and Tres was the Segunda Espada. A large, rotund man with white hair and a bone crown on his head. He reeked of arrogance, and hadn't looked at Byakuya at all, disinterest rolling off him like an odour.
Byakuya hadn't seen Aizen for sometime, something he had been grateful for. But now, as he saw the traitor turn in his seat, chocolate eyes meeting his own steel ones, he felt a frigidity far greater than that of the Espada touch him.
"You have my thanks for retrieving our guest, Grimmjow. Please return to your seat." Aizen's voice was gentle, but there was no room for argument.
The nobleman was almost surprised when Grimmjow immediately released him, Byakuya almost staggered under the weighty oppression of powerful reiatsu in the room. His pride would never allow him to hit the floor in front of so many strong opponents, he managed to remain standing and even forced out a glower that Ichigo would have been proud of.
"Aaroniero still not here?" Grimmjow asked as he sat down, glancing at the two empty chairs at the end of the table.
"It isn't like him to miss a meetin'." Gin said from the far corner of the room, arms folded, "Want me to find him, Aizen Taichou?"
Byakuya hadn't even noticed Gin, or Tōsen who was stood beside the fox, until he'd spoken. Both men cut imposing figures in their white shihakusho, yet besides that very little seemed to have changed about either men. Gin still seemed progressively sarcastic and teasing, sly and decisive while Tōsen remained stoic and unmoved by anything barring his sense of justice.
"Leave him." Came the stern response, "If he does not arrive with an excuse to pardon his tardiness, I shall have Ulquiorra deal with his punishment."
"It would be a pleasure, Aizen-sama." The emotionless dark haired Espada bowed his head.
"Now, with that dealt with. Let us continue, my dear Espada." Aizen sat back in his seat, apparently ignoring Byakuya's presence entirely for the time being, "Our intruders have been most eloquent in their attack upon our home. Privaron Espada Dordoni has been slain, as has Fracción Yylfordt Granz, Números Luppi Antenor, and Exequias Rudbornn. Privaron Mosqueda was fatally wounded, but has not yet passed away, though the medical staff assure me he will not last long."
"How have they managed to fight so valiantly against our forces without casualties on their own side?" Starrk asked, his question seemed to be more for Byakuya's benefit, an effective way of getting the Taichou the information he likely craved as well.
"It has not been without injury. One of their number was gravely wounded in their fight, we are currently unsure if they will recover." Aizen's gaze flicked to his Primera, "Renji Abarai was gored by Yylfordt's Resurrecciōn form. Despite killing Granz with his Bankai, he collapsed after their conflict and was picked up by our Séptima, Zommari."
Chest tightening at the news, Byakuya stared at the dark skinned Espada, hoping to hear something of Renji's condition from him, however the man remained silent, apparently having nothing to add. Swallowing harshly, he balled his hand into a fist to prevent the obvious shake being seen, not desiring to show weakness while trapped in the viper's den. He couldn't believe Renji would have been struck down by anyone, he was too stubborn. But if it was true, at least he had taken down a bastard Arrancar with him.
"Do you wish to avenge your brother, Szayel?" The brunet asked without skipping a beat.
"No." The pink haired scientist's reply was immediate, "He was a means to an end. Perhaps Grimmjow should take better care of his toys, however."
"Go fuck yourself, Granz." The blue haired man spat, slammed a fist down on the tabletop as he glowered across the table at him.
"I'd much prefer you to do it for me." Szayel smirked.
"Settle down." Tōsen's voice was far from warm as he silenced the pair.
"What of the other intruders?" Harribel asked softly, eyes closed as she listened to the bickering of two of the lesser Espada.
"Rukia Kuchiki defeated Luppi; Sado Yasutora defeated Mosqueda; Uryū and Orihime Ishida defeated Rudbornn." Came the answer, "And Ichigo Kurosaki defeated Privaron Dordoni."
Byakuya's gaze snapped up at the mention of his fiancé, eyes narrowing slightly at the purring tone of Aizen's voice as he spoke, white hot anger coursed through him but he forced it down. He'd be no use to anyone starting a fight in a room full of Aizen's strongest warriors with nothing more than his wits and a single fist to guide him.
"Since then, I have had Kuchiki, Yasutora and the two Ishida's rounded up along with Abarai. My thanks for your swift work on that, Ulquiorra; Nnoitra; Grimmjow; Zommari. I trust they did not put up too much of a fight?"
"Nothing that became unmanageable, Aizen-sama." Ulquiorra replied on their behalf, as the more senior of those mentioned.
"And Ichigo?" Byakuya couldn't hold back the question, taking a step forward despite the multiple sets of eyes that turned to look at him in surprise.
Aizen let out a breath, rising from his seat slowly. The action seemed to silence the entire room, and he approached the noble. One perfect eyebrow raised as he reached out and tangled a few locks of raven hair between his fingers, the brunet stared at Byakuya unflinchingly, "I am not so foolish as to send my Espada after him, Byakuya, I value their lives at least a little more than that."
"I never insinuated that you were stupid, Aizen." He replied firmly, refusing to break eye contact even though he was sure his blood was turning to ice, "But from the sounds of things, you've allowed him to continue wandering freely while the rest of his comrades have been collected. I know his ability to sense reiatsu is abysmal, but even he will realise what you've done."
"And what better way to draw him closer to the heart of Las Noches? His determination was strong while only you were in danger, but the thought of his friends also becoming prisoners... His fear and panic will make him weak, and once he is weak he will-"
The brunet's reply was cut short by a sudden eruption of reiatsu. The energy tainted the air around them with a deeply dark sense of foreboding, the walls shook under the magnitude. There were startled sounds from the Espada.
Byakuya continued to stare at Aizen, the brunet hadn't even flinched at the sudden swell of power, but they both seemed to surrender momentarily to the thunderbolt of astonishment that struck them both, "Ichigo."
His reiatsu was unfathomably unfamiliar despite being recognizable at its' very core. Reverberating; thrumming; drumming; pulsing; expanding. It had always been strong, always been soul shaking, but now it had completed morphed into something new. Something heavier. Something bigger.
There was pain. Deep set crippling pain that seemed to echo the agony of his very heart, yet it was tempered by an almost nostalgic sense of calm that ruffled across the entire room. Ichigo was fighting. Byakuya could tell immediately, it was the only reason the turbulence of his soul would quieten so abruptly.
The pungent feeling of two powers clashing followed, bringing some of the Espada to their feet in surprise. Apparently they expected orders to go and intervene, each looking confused when no such orders came.
Aizen smirked faintly, his shock finally wearing away, "After all this time... After all that training... And now he masters it. I wonder if he will ever cease to surprise us."
Byakuya knew exactly what he was talking about. There was only one explanation for such wild and wanton reiatsu spiralling from Ichigo in such a carefree and cardinal way. He wanted to feel proud at the knowledge that Ichigo had finally summoned his long awaited Bankai. But all he could feel was concern. What kind of enemy had he encountered to force Zangetsu into surrendering the secret of his Bankai?
Steel eyes travelled around the room, coming to rest on the two empty chairs at the far end of the table. He suddenly understood. Two chairs, for two missing Espada. The Décimo who had been slain in Karakura town, and the Noveno who had never arrived at the meeting. Ichigo... Was fighting an Espada!
"Impossible!" A sudden shout from Barragan roused Byakuya from his musing, "What manner of creature is free in Las Noches, that is capable of taking down an Espada?"
Aizen tilted his head, momentarily humming in thought, "Confirmation?"
"Aaroniero is dead, Aizen-sama." Szayel announced, one hand touching his ear, "His Cognition Synchronization has just met an abrupt end."
Aizen sucked in a silent breath, fingers finally leaving Byakuya's hair as he returned to his seat and activated a holographic screen in the centre of the table. The nobleman peered towards it, immediately recognising Ichigo by his wild hair, though he had no recollection of the Espada he was fighting.
"BANKAI!"
Ichigo's voice cut through the deathly silence of the room, all eyes on the guttural envelope of power that sealed the strawberry from view until the refined black katana cut through the plumes of smoke and revealed his body once more.
The sight of Aaroniero's Resurrecciōn form recoiling in horror was both as disgusting as it was amusing, the writhing masses of stubby purple tentacles flurrying around in an effort to escape the tattered remains of his ruined palace. But there was no where to run, no where to hide. Ichigo was fast. So fast. Byakuya lost sight of him for a moment when the young Shinigami shot from one side of the room to the other in a blast of Shunpo. He seemed to dart around with all the elegance of a prowling cat.
Byakuya released a small choked sound as he watched Aaroniero take on the form of Ichigo's mother, he could only assume the Espada was a shape shifter of some form or another, but it brought dread to the put of his belly. Did Ichigo know the secret of his past? Did Ichigo finally know what had happened on the night Shiro had been created? It would make sense, it would explain the deep set agony at the very centre of his reiatsu.
He was impressed when he saw that the false form of his mother didn't stop Ichigo's attack, the sickening sound of metal crunching through glass and bone rang through the room as the Noveno Espada was cut down.
The nobleman watched as Aizen sat back, apparently considering the events he had just witnessed in silence. There were quiet mumblings from the Espada, mostly sounding like disbelief that one of their number had been cut down, cut down by a single Shinigami.
"Come out, Shiro." Ichigo's voice was tired as he sat down amidst the chaos.
"Shiro?" Aizen said suddenly, a small frown touching his face before he twisted in his seat and looked at Byakuya, "Ichigo named his Hollow?"
"No." He said stiffly, "Shiro named himself."
"Truly?" Szayel asked suddenly, "Normally we Hollows only gain our own names once we become Adjuchas."
"It is true." Byakuya nodded once to the scientist, "The first time I met him, he introduced himself as Shiro. He even stated that it was what he had decided to call himself."
"Fascinating." The Octavo breathed.
"I can't just forget everything that's been said and done... But... I think in my heart I knew. I always knew. I always knew something drastic must have happened in my past to strip me of my memories, and when my memories started coming back I think... I realised the truth, I just hid from it. I didn't want to face up to it." Ichigo's voice sounded so matter-of-fact despite the heavy hunch of his shoulders.
Byakuya felt his heart sink, Ichigo truly did know the truth about his past, the entirety of it. He felt a great swell of guilt rise up, he shouldn't have been such a coward when they'd woken in Division Four, he should have told him the truth. At least then he wouldn't have been alone... He would have had support... Maybe it would have spared him some pain, or... Maybe it would have caused more.
He watched as the pair finished off Aaroniero together, cooperating better than he had ever pictured them doing. Although the gurgle of manic laughter Ichigo released when they merged back together was a little concerning. How much was Shiro struggling to keep his insanity under control in Hueco Mundo?
"Is it normal for these... Inner Hollows to be so cooperative?" Harribel asked.
"No, normally a battle of dominance would have to take place to create such a bond." Aizen's eyes flicked to Byakuya again, "Has that happened?"
Byakuya raised his eyebrows, a smug answer tumbling from him before he could contain himself, "Oh, you are deferring to me again? Goodness Aizen, it must be such a strain not to know what has been going on in his life since you ceased being part of it."
If Aizen was angry by his attitude it didn't show, or rather he didn't have time to show it as Byakuya received a jaw breaking slap around the face. His ears were ringing as he looked around, seeing Ulquiorra standing in front of him with his hand still raised, he could taste blood in his mouth as well as the scorch of his skin that was undoubtedly already reddening. He hadn't even seen the man move!
"Return to your seat, Ulquiorra." Aizen's voice was calm, but low, "Our guest was merely making an observation, there's no need to exact punishment for it.
"Temper, temper." Byakuya wasn't sure where his courage was coming from, but he refused to break eye contact with the Cuatro until the man had returned to his seat.
"I feel I can admit that not knowing how Ichigo has been progressing, has been something of a downside to leaving Soul Society." The brunet Shinigami fixed the Kuchiki heir with a cool look, "Did he have a battle for dominance with... Shiro?"
"No." He said simply, "They're working together because they both want to."
"I see. Thank you for your insight."
Swallowing as Aizen's attention finally left him again, Byakuya noticed how some of the Espada were looking at the holographic image of his fiancé. Barbaric expressions of desire were prevalent on Grimmjow and Nnoitra's faces, according to Harribel the pair of them were the most blood thirsty Hollows inside and outside of Las Noches, he was beginning to believe they would rival even Kenpachi's desire for battle. What concerned him more was Ulquiorra. Those usually apathetic eyes were watching Ichigo with something resembling fascination, as well as deep set loathing. Pure unadulterated hatred.
Apparently blind to the look on his Cuatro's face, Aizen rose to his feet and glanced in the direction of the passive male, "I want you to go and observe his movements, keep an eye on him and report back if he starts to get close to the main palace. Under no circumstances are you to engage with him unless he senses you first. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Aizen-sama." The dark haired male stood and bowed swiftly before sweeping out of the room, emerald eyes fixing Byakuya with a strange look as he passed, one which chilled the noble's insides and made them burn at the same time. He didn't trust the Cuatro, not one bit.
"In the mean time... Grimmjow," chocolate eyes turned to azure ones, "You will be taking over the care of our guest."
"What?" Szayel's voice was almost whiny, not that he'd ever allow himself the discourtesy of going that far, "But Byakuya-san has been in my care the longest so far, I have kept him in good health after Ulquiorra's mistreatment. You trust this brute over me?"
The force of Aizen's reiatsu was as sure as it was bruising, the room shaking with it and drawing beads of sweat even as far up the food chain as Starrk. While Byakuya, who had none of his own reiatsu to act as a buffer was planted firmly on his hands and knees, gasping for breath under the magnanimous threat and riveting promise of pain. He was almost certain he was going to be sick, much to his humiliation, if the pressure didn't release soon.
"My dear Szayel, you appear to be under the impression that I require your permission to decide who takes care of our guest." His voice barely seemed to contain the flare of moodiness drawn out by the pink haired Espada's protests.
Grimmjow forced himself to his feet despite the torrent of power pressing down on them all and strode towards Byakuya meaningfully, snatching one lithe wrist in his hand and pulling him up straight, "We'll be in my private quarters if anyone needs us." Was all he said before he half dragged the noble from the room.
Casting a fleeting look back towards the table, Byakuya was surprised to see that Starrk and Harribel didn't look concerned by the turn of events. If anything, they both seemed to offer a subtle nod that everything was fine.
As far as Byakuya was concerned, things were far from fine.
