Chapter Fifty Four:

Byakuya's breath caught in his throat at the sight of the bleeding orange and vitiligo patches of tanned skin, his eyes widening as gold irises fixed on his face. The sound of Shiro tutting as he pushed himself up out of the chair was terrifying, each click of his tongue against the roof of his mouth seemed to make the hairs on his arms stand on end.

"Is this... What ya wanted, Grimmjow? When ya asked me if it was okay to fuck Kuchiki?" Shiro's eyes never left Byakuya's face, "Was this what ya had planned? Testin' me? Pushin' me? Tryin' to see how easily I. WOULD. BREAK!"

Byakuya skirted back on the bed as he watched the blue haired Arrancar hit the floor as the albino struck him forcefully. Unconscious, not dead. Not yet.

"Now..." The Cero's head tilted from side to side as he roamed the sight of Byakuya's bound wrists and naked torso, "I've never suspected ya to be the type of man to come up with such a manipulative plan... So I'm gonna assume it was his idea. Am I right?"

Balling his hands into fists, the nobleman tried his bed not to appear intimidated, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Wrong answer." A bare foot came to rest on the side of Grimmjow's face, the heel digging into the remnant of his Hollow mask, "Tell me the truth... Or he ends up like Ulquiorra."

There was no lie in his eyes. No hesitation, no fear, no comradery. Shiro felt no loyalty to any of the Espada, it was just as Byakuya had feared. He would kill them all, orders or no orders.

"It was my idea." He said softly, the lie coming easier than he had expected, he refused to break eye contact for even a second, "I... Believed that the jealousy would rouse Ichigo's personality enough for him to take back control. I begged Grimmjow to help me, he didn't want to initially. He was reluctant to deceive you... But I... Convinced him."

"How?"

"I can be very convincing when I have to be." Steel eyes narrowed slightly as he discreetly began tugging at the sash around his wrists, trying to wriggle free from his bonds.

"Mm. I believe you." Shiro's eyes slowly lowered to the unconscious Espada on the floor, he leaned down and grabbed a fistful of his hair, dragging him out of the room without another word.

Byakuya faltered immediately, sliding off the bed in a hurry as he tried to see what the albino was doing. He was stopped in his tracks when Shiro appeared in front of him, his Sonido was so fast... He could barely keep track of him. Taking a step back, the nobleman felt his breath hitch in his chest painfully as he stared up into those intoxicating gold eyes.

"I tried to be fine with it, ya know? I knew... I knew it was a challenge. I knew it was some stupid plan to get me to lose control... I was determined to let ya go through with it. It would have been fun to see how your precious pride coped with betraying him." Shiro's smirk was wide and sly.

"You can barely bring yourself to say his name can you?" Byakuya growled, "You can barely bring yourself to remember the person you should truly be loyal to! His name is Ichigo Kurosaki! You can't pretend he never existed!"

"SHUT... Yer mouth... Kuchiki..." Panting suddenly at the anger evoked, the albino lifted a hand and dragged his index finger down the noble's cheek, sucking in a breath at how soft his skin was. Just how he remembered it.

"This isn't you." The Shinigami tried again, his voice softer this time, "When we first met properly, in his Inner World you wanted to keep Ichigo safe. You wanted to protect him. That's why you took his memories, to keep him safe from his past. That is all you ever wanted. You cannot truly expect me to believe that... Somehow that has changed. You took control to save him from the atrocities of what Ulquiorra did, to save his life... And you have done that. Why can't you let go?"

"I spent... Years servin' a King who was weaker than me, do ya have any idea how frustratin' that is? Lendin' power to someone to stop them gettin' killed by an enemy that by rights... Should have had his head rolling at their feet?" Shiro ran his tongue across his teeth slowly, eyes tracing every inch of the other man's face, "I told him... I warned him... If he wasn't strong enough I'd take the crown and become King myself. Stupid... Pathetic... Weak little Ichigo didn't listen. Didn't believe me. Thought he could tame me with kindness... Makes me sick to think about it."

"But... But you co-existed for months! You were... Friends! What changed? Why did coming here change that? You cared about him! You cared about his life, his strength, his safety... What changed?" Byakuya felt tears welling in his eyes, his voice turning hoarse with the effort to keep it even.

"What... Changed?" Shiro repeated.

"Yes... Tell me what changed."

A small, manic giggle came free as the albino grinned at him, "I heard the Hōgyoku. Its' voice was so pure and so perfect... I felt like I was finally home. Finally among people like me." Slowly Shiro sighed, running his thumb across Byakuya's lips thoughtfully.

"People who hate and fear you for what you are." Byakuya snarled, "You would steal Ichigo's life from him... To fuel your own sick, twisted fantasy. Playing house while the world burns around you."

Shiro prised the nobleman's mouth open and pushed his thumb inside the warm wet cavern, rolling the digit against his tongue and his teeth as his smile turned into a scowl, "I know they hate me. I know they fear me. I have tried to be their friend, I have tried to show I can be a good leader. But their minds were already made up. I am assumin' ya had a hand in it."

Eyes widening as he felt the albino's fingers tighten around his face, his thumb remaining buried between his lips, Byakuya winced as he was lifted off his feet. His toes barely touched the floor, he lifted his bound hands and tried to get a good grip of the pale wrist in front of him, wincing as the grasp on his face became painful.

"Damn it all." Shiro's voice was croaky, his teeth clenched.

The world seemed to spin as Byakuya found himself on the bed, Shiro hovering just above him, long locks of hair falling around them like a curtain as the Cero's tongue traced a nonsensical pattern against his cheek. His thumb finally retracting, dragging saliva down the noble's chin and chest. The raven haired Shinigami could see the redness seeping into pale cheeks as Shiro pressed their lips together.

A reluctant moan rose from the back of the Kuchiki heir's throat. Shiro's lips felt just like Ichigo's, he tasted just like Ichigo. His heart was racing in his chest as their tongues clashed wickedly, he jerked his hips as he was bitten by sharp teeth, tasting the metallic tang of blood. The albino pulled back by a breadth, kissing down the Shinigami's throat in a taunting mix of puckered lips and snapping teeth.

Byakuya's eyes fluttered as he felt the warm wetness of his tongue brushing the scar on his shoulder, swirling against the crimped skin. Shiro was kissing down his body, further and further... Tongue darting out again to caress the scar on his stomach, the heat and moisture of the muscle was arousing despite every inch of his brain demanding he bring an end to what was happening.

Nails dug into his hips, dragging teasingly against his skin, bringing a moan from his lips that he fought hard to stifle, covering his mouth with his arm. He heard and felt the tugging of his hakama being removed, leaving him completely bare to Shiro's eyes. Byakuya could feel the rolling heat of breath against his skin, fingers wrapping around his shaft, pumping up and down in a teasing motion that seemed to get quicker and quicker only to slow again when he felt he'd lose his mind.

He knew it was wrong. He knew he should stop it. This wasn't Ichigo, regardless of the orange streaks and the patches of tanned skin and the battling black and white of his sclera this was still very much Shiro. It was still the Hollow. Still the Espada. Not his fiancé. But he couldn't help but think that maybe Ichigo would stir if it continued. It felt good, Shiro's touches mimicked Ichigo's in every single way. Maybe through muscle memory Ichigo would find his way to the surface.

His body jerked as he felt Shiro's mouth close around his erection without warning, lips sliding up his length and back down. He could feel himself hitting the back of his throat, he could feel him swallowing around him, moaning, the vibrations of his throat made him melt. Tongue swirling around his heated flesh, teeth dragging teasingly. He was too far gone. He couldn't stop now even if he wanted to.

'By the Soul King, forgive me Ichigo.'

Heart pounding, breath straining, skin shining with sweat and a warm blush that spread across his nose and cheeks without consent, Byakuya let out a cry of pleasure as he felt two slick fingers tease him, slipping inside of his body with very little effort. He had always lived his life knowing there was a first time for everything, but this wasn't what he had expected. He was crowing with pleasure, moans and groans escaping him with every drawn breath as Shiro seemed to find his prostate with very little difficulty, nudging the bundle of nerves relentlessly.

Suddenly, he felt his legs wrap tightly around the lithe pale body above him, at some point Shiro had loosened his hakama enough to free his own erection. Lips and teeth were biting at his ear, a low growl of warning.

"No Espada will ever touch ya again. They can't have what's mine."

A cry broke free as he felt Shiro enter him, his length vastly larger than the fingers that had prepared him, he was sure he would break from how far his spine arched in response to the foreign feeling of fullness. One of Shiro's hands was keeping his own bound ones trapped above his head, while the other hand grabbed at the bedding beside the noble's head. He could see feral need burning in the golden pits of his eyes, wild and unhinged, desperate and needy. Urgent.

It was wild and it was hungry as the Cero Espada started moving, his thrusts deep and long as he moved against the mewling Shinigami beneath him. Byakuya was releasing sounds he didn't even know he could make, his toes curling as his body quaked in response to the violent sparks of delight pulsing through him. He was certain he would feel ashamed later, when it was over, when Shiro had gone, when he was left to explain what the fuck had happened once Grimmjow was awake. He knew his pride would be dented, he knew he might never make it right. It was beyond his control.

He felt Shiro's breath getting heavier against his ear, he could feel the trembling muscles between his thighs as he thrusts became more determined and necessary. A hand came down to wrap around his length again, palming him in time with each thrust, driving him insane at the sensations crashing over him.

Byakuya hit the peak, his eyes widening as his body jerked, spasming without warning as his climax struck him. He let out a sharp wail, tossing his head back as his hips bucked rhythmically against Shiro's, a low growl hitting his ears as the albino suddenly stiffened above him, erection buried deep as the Hollow's orgasm hit.

Whining at the feeling of additional fullness, Byakuya felt his body shaking, his legs sliding down from Shiro's sides as he lost all strength. His face was burning hot, his stomach already beginning to churn even before the momentary afterglow had disappeared.

The nobleman flinched as Shiro pulled back, the albino looked startled, confused, lost. His eyes widened as his brow furrowed, searching blindly for answers to some unasked question. Byakuya sat up slowly as he watched Shiro stumble away from him, eyes darting from side to side as black seemed to win the unseen battle, engulfing his sclera completely once again.

They came eye to eye, staring at one and other in silence. Shiro opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again in a wordless stretch. Byakuya felt his heart sink as he watched orange streaks of hair disappearing amidst the avalanche of white, tanned skin peeling off and disappearing into tiny orbs of reishi.

Ichigo hadn't surfaced. Shiro had regained control.

"This..." Shiro seemed wobbly on his feet, swaying back and forth as he tried to look anywhere but the naked noble on the bed, "This shouldn't have... This... What did ya do to me? What... What did... What do ya do..."

Byakuya watched with a sinking feeling as Shiro adjusted his uniform and lurched towards the bedroom door, disappearing before the nobleman could say anything. Sucking in a shaky breath as he was left alone, the Kuchiki heir felt his shoulders slump, lifting his wrists to his mouth as he managed to tug the sash open with his teeth.

Ignoring the soreness on his skin, the noble grabbed the bedsheets in his shaky grasp and pulled them around his body, covering himself as he clenched his teeth. The urge to cry was overwhelming, he almost wasn't able to stop himself. Nothing about this had gone how they'd planned. He wasn't sure if it had gone better or gone worse, but it definitely hadn't ended how he'd hoped.

For a fleeting moment, he'd seen orange hair and it had given him hope of something good coming out of Grimmjow's insane plan. But that hope was gone now. He groaned in discomfort as he slid off the bed, his back and legs aching as he shuffled towards the bathroom, he barely had the energy to shut the door before his shoulders began to shake.

Tears were rolling down his cheeks, his head hung low as he found himself in front of the mirror. His face still bore the high blush of fading arousal, pale bruises making themselves known around his jaw, bite marks littering his throat and chest. Byakuya was truly beginning to believe that Ichigo was gone for good, perhaps even his own plan to save his strawberry lover would fail. Perhaps it was better to admit defeat now, to acknowledge that the world had turned monochrome and would remain that way.

The noble turned away from his reflection, flicking the hot water on in the shower. He would be able to think clearer once he had sifted through the turmoil of thoughts stifling his mind.


Shiro was in serious danger of losing it.

A slow bubble of laughter brewed in his throat, escaping mirthfully as he threw his head back, eyes stinging with tears that quickly rolled down his face. His fingers were tapping against his face, nails digging in until small crescents were left dimpled in place, the tremble of his hands had barely subsided since locking himself away in his room.

His toes began to tap against the wooden floors, eyes rolling in his head as he released a long sharp cackle, leaping up without warning as his hands threaded in his hair as the darkness began to pour out. His body weaving around the room in a silent dance to music only he could hear. He'd spent so many hours, so many days trying to blend in with the Espada, trying to contain his madness, trying to befriend them... But that wasn't who he was. He was manic, he was insane, he was crazed.

He sank to the floor as a small sob escaped him, his smile fading in the wake of the weighty guilt that was gnawing at his insides. What had he done? He had been more or less in control when he'd entered Grimmjow's room, he had been in control when he'd sat in that chair and watched the two of them kissing and touching and entwining. And then like a switch being flicked something had snapped inside, deep inside and he could barely remember standing up... He certainly didn't recall hitting Grimmjow or dragging his unconscious dead weight out of the room.

But feeling Byakuya's lips against his own... It had been addictive, irrational and it had filled him with an uncontrollable need to claim what was rightfully his. It made no sense, and it wasn't an urge he could refuse. It was instinct. Absolute instinct.

Slumping forwards, Shiro let his hands spread out on the floor, squeezing his eyes shut tightly. He didn't understand it. It had felt so good, and yet in the moments after he'd felt so very cold. He had betrayed Aizen, broken the rules... Been swayed by the dregs of Ichigo's essence.

The hate in Byakuya's eyes had been tangible, palpable, he could almost taste it on his tongue. And the nobleman was right... The Espada hated him. Feared him. They would never understand him. His heart was thundering in his chest. He needed to do something. Anything. He had to get the burning memory of soft, pale skin writhing beneath him. His room was a danger to him. Devoid of distraction.

Scrambling off the floor, he dashed towards the door. His fingers closed around the handle before he stopped to consider where he might go. His first urge was to seek out Nnoitra and demand another sparring session, but the Quinto was likely training with his Fracción now. Pouting slightly at the thought, he lifted his other hand, dragging his nails absent-mindedly against the wood. There was some momentary solace to be found in the sound of paint chipping and peeling.

Perhaps Szayel would have something interesting for him to look at, some new experiment, some volatile substance to test. The pink haired Espada was as beautiful as he was mad, intelligent and unethical. And yet, what was the use of sharing his madness with someone who found him frightening? Was he that unhinged that even Szayel quivered in his shadow?

His nails dug deeper, leaving thin grooves in the jagged mesh of whorls.

Harribel continued to elude him, it was as if she could smell the crazy and kept her distance as a result. She blamed her duties, her care for the prisoners in the detention centre and her responsibilities to her Fracción and to Aizen. She would undoubtedly refuse to even open the door to him in his current state. Starrk was the same, he didn't like negative behaviours rubbing off on Lilynette, she was his priority.

Tilting his head slowly, his pout twisted downwards into a dark scowl. No one understood him. Not really. They were tolerating him. He could smell it like blood seeping through a stagnant wall, dripping all over his best carpet and leaving a gloopy mess that he'd never be able to clean up. They tolerated him because of his rank and Aizen's favouritism.

That knowledge made him angry. He couldn't quite work out why. Ichigo had always been able to make friends so easily, even when he hadn't wanted them, even when he'd treated them like trash, they'd remained loyal and tried to help him through the darkest times of his life. No one liked him enough to do that. They either feared him, or put up with him because they had to.

Except...

Slamming his palm against the door, he clenched his teeth. Byakuya had always tried. He stood by him and accepted him, madness and all. He had forgiven him for his past, accepted him for who and what he was. He'd never asked him to change. Never shied away. Never shown fear.

Teeth grinding almost painfully, Shiro released a low hiss and turned away from the door, a small huff escaping him as he instead stalked out onto the balcony, glancing around at the black skies of Hueco Mundo. He couldn't stay. He needed a breather. He needed space. Needed to do something to clear his mind.

He climbed over the railing and dropped down. The smallest of grunts passed his lips as he hit the silky white sands, but he shrugged it off and started walking. He didn't know where he was going, he didn't particularly care either. He just wanted to get away. Get away from people that didn't care and pretended they did. And away from someone who did care... He wished they didn't.

Shiro kicked a pebble across the sand, grunting with distaste as it bounced once. Twice. Three times. Dead.

Aizen had promised to give him a chance to settle in, in Ichigo's stead, but he had a feeling that no one else was willing to give him that chance. Not really. They were pretending. Who would want some manic loose cannon ball leading them anyway? He was still sure that Byakuya had done something, said something to convince the Espada not to give him a chance. Surely they hadn't decided not to trust him just based on what they'd seen him do to Ulquiorra.

He kicked another pebble and watched as it bounced once. Twice. Three times. Four times. Dead.

Coming to a stop and glancing back towards the immense palace, he held a hand up, trying to see if he was far enough away to make the building disappear. He was still too close. His fingers dropped limply to his side and he his gaze turned skywards, pulling a face as he glared up at the half moon hovering above him.

It was so white. So pure. So shiny. And yet only half of what it should have been. It's light would be fuller if all of it was there. If it was complete.

"If it was complete. Fuck that." He spat, stomping onwards again.

He'd spent so many years with that second voice to keep him company. That little flare of conscience that could keep him from totally losing it. His mind seemed to empty without it. So distant and detached. He would never have fucked anyone behind Aizen's back with that little voice keeping him restrained.

It was Ichigo's fault, he decided harshly, he'd been selfish, always keeping control. Never letting him breathe properly. Letting him out for short walks on a leash to try and help a life threatening situation only to reel him back in at the end of it. Caging him like a dog. He wasn't a dog. He wasn't a dog! He wasn't anyone's dog!

"I'M NOT A DOG!" He shouted suddenly, hand flying to his mouth to contain the words that had spilled out, "Fuck, I said that out loud didn't I? Fuck. Stupid. Stupid. Worth it... I'm the Cero Espada... I ain't no one's fuckin' dog. It's time for him to live on a leash... Let him see how it feels to be kept as a pet... I DON'T care..."

Resting his hands on his hips and glowering angrily into nothingness, the Espada closed his eyes. Getting that wound up wasn't worth the trouble he'd get into if he decimated a community of Hollows, he decided. Eyes flashed open. Decimating a community of Hollows was more than worth the trouble, he decided.

His Pesquisa told him there was a small village of weak Hollows to the North, not far from his current position. He could tell they were all pretty pathetic, nothing there to challenge him. But he wasn't entirely concerned with challenges at the present moment, he was more interested in just killing something.

Making a move towards the huddle of miniscule life forms, he decided not to use Zangetsu, there was no need really. He could kill them just as easily with his own hands. His fingers were over-flexed from thinking about it, thinking about coiling them around slender necks and snapping in two. The thought alone brought a thundering skip to his heartbeat, exciting him and drawing him in.

He was frozen in place quite suddenly, when his Pesquisa picked up another entity, a little further away but ten times stronger than his current targets. His body almost seemed to sway by itself towards the new presence, his footsteps hastening as a lust for conflict took over, his hand stretching up of its own accord to prise Zangetsu from his sheath.

Shiro jumped over the sand dune that stood between him and his prey, lifting his sword high as he readied to cut them down, his body stiffening as the sight that met his eyes was quite unlike what he had expected and his entire form convulsed momentarily in shock.

Laying face down in the sand, small hands covering her head was a tiny child shaped Hollow. She had a tatty green dress on that slipped down over her feet, but it did nothing to hide the shock of green coloured hair that sprouted wildly from under the Hollow mask on the crown of her head.

His sword slipped from his fingers and landed with a dull thud in the sand as he stared down at her quivering form, she had such strong reiatsu for a child so small. He found himself confused. Instincts clawing at each other. The urge to kill and the urge to protect. They were clashing in a furious tango inside his head.

She looked little more than a Human child with a mask, smaller than Lilynette, 'I remember when Karin and Yuzu were that size. More energy than any of us could cope with and next to no need for sleep...'

A sharp intake of breath made his blood boil, slapping himself around the head as the thought crept up without permission. That wasn't his memory. That wasn't his life. Damn Ichigo to Hell. He swept down to grab Zangetsu, he wasn't going to let some kid scare him off doing what he wanted.

He stopped before his fingertips grazed the hilt as he was fixed with wide hazel eyes. His breath caught in his throat at the sight and his mouth went dry as he saw the damage to her Hollow mask. There was an ugly gouge running through it and some teeth were missing from the jawline, he could see a large scar caressing her nose and cheek.

She looked afraid. And he found himself sitting down opposite her, hands in his lap as he watched her slowly sit up and mirror his posture. They were silent for what felt like hours, he could see streaks of recent tears on her face. He couldn't see a Zanpakutō and yet she was obviously an Arrancar. It confused him.

"Do ya got a name?" He asked finally.

"N-Nel Tu." Even her voice was child-like, high pitched and uncertain.

"Nice to meet ya, Nel." He found himself extending a hand towards her, "My name is Shiro."

"Shiro?" She repeated, she grabbed his index and middle fingers in her small grasp and shook gently, "Have you seen my brothers?"

Tilting his head, he reached out with his Pesquisa, trying to sense any nearby reiatsu that might have resonated with her own, "No, I haven't seen 'em. Ya lost?"

"Mm." She hung her head and sniffled as her small fingers plucked at the hem of her dress, "They went to find food... But... They didn't come back... I tried to find them... But I got lost... And then I found you."

He sucked in a breath, not wanting to suggest that her brothers might be dead, he swallowed and glanced around, while he was sure she was strong enough to ward of a lot of unwanted attention, she was also defenceless. Any truly hungry Hollow would find her to be an easy meal.

On his feet in a heartbeat, his hands wrapped around her tiny frame and he scooped her up, balancing her on his hip as he slung Zangetsu back over his shoulder, "I dunno where ya brothers are but ya can't stay here on ya own. Its dangerous."

He had expected her to struggle, so when she flung her arms around his neck and snuggled closer he was taken by surprise, golden eyes widening as she nuzzled into him affectionately. No one had ever been that comfortable with him before.

"Where we going?" She asked as he started walking.

"Las Noches, my home." He pointed to the palace, "I can keep ya safe there."

"L-Las Noches?!" She exclaimed, pulling back to stare at him, her mouth hanging open, "B-But that is... Where Aizen-sama lives! And all the scary Espada! They will gobble Nel up they will!"

"No they won't, I won't allow it." He said confidently, "No one is gonna hurt ya again."

He glanced at the scar on her head again, he could only imagine that a sword had done that, but he couldn't fathom why anyone would attack a child and then just leave. Shiro sighed contentedly as she flung herself against him again, her face burrowing into the dip where his neck and shoulder met.

"Is you strong?" She asked, playing with his hair.

"Yeah." He grinned, "If anyone wants to hurt ya, they gotta get through me first. And they don't stand a chance!"

She released a small sound, "Is you an Espada?"

"Yeah." He nodded once, turning slightly so she could see the number printed on his neck, "But don't worry, I won't gobble ya up unless ya misbehave."

Nel stared for a minute before she released a loud burst of laughter, her expression breaking into a brilliant and dazzling smile that took his breath away. He found his own expression softening and he reached up, gently brushing some of her hair back out of her face. Her eyes were so big and round, just like Yuzu's. Shiro tensed at the thought but it didn't freak him out as much as before. He was making a simple observation, it didn't mean anything.

He found himself laughing along with her as they strode through the entrance of Las Noches, his usual manic tones reduced to ringing peels of bell like giggles. He mellowed very slightly as he carried her up the many staircases, passing Grimmjow's room in reluctant silence. As awkward and guilty as he felt, there was no one else he could take her to... Aizen at least might know something about her condition.

As he approached the King's Suite, he sensed Aizen and Gin inside, knocking curtly on the door he nudged it open with his free hand and stepped inside. Gold eyes swept around and he quickly saw Gin leaning against the far wall, while Aizen was sat behind his desk making notes again. It seemed like that was almost all the man did.

"Shiro-kun~" Gin's voice reached his ears and made him cringe inwardly, "Whatcha got there?"

Rolling his eyes as the silver haired fox bounded over to him, he shifted slightly so the man could see the child bundled in his arms, "Found her out on the sands."

The man's eyes opened slightly in surprise as he peered at the small girl, "Oh my... Aizen Taichou, ya might wanna see this."

There was a non-committal sound from the brunet but the sound of his chair being pushed back made Shiro glance up, he swallowed as Aizen approached and for some reason his arms tightened just a little around Nel, holding her protectively against his chest.

"She was all alone. I couldn't leave her there, anythin' could have happened."

Aizen nudged Gin aside, casting his eyes over the mass of green in his Cero's arms before his eyes widening just a little, "Nelliel?"

"Ya know her?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

The current lord of Las Noches murmured, reaching out and brushing his fingers over her broken mask, "She went missing a few years ago, we were unable to find any trace of her."

Nel peered up at them, her eyes big and uncertain, she flinched as her mask was touched, a whimper escaping her lips at the discomforting throb the contact gave off, "Nel has been with her brothers, we were playing games."

"Did you find them with her?" Aizen asked, looking at Shiro directly.

"No sign." He swallowed hard under his scrutiny, rubbing her back soothingly, "Who is she?"

"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, my original Tres Espada." He cupped the child's face softly, his thumb pad roaming over the obvious scar, "She disappeared one night and we were unable to trace her or her Fracción."

"An Espada?" Shiro looked down at the girl and tilted his head, that explained the impressive reiatsu he'd detected from her, "I'm... Guessin' she didn't always look like this?"

"You are quite correct. She was beautiful."

If he didn't know better, he'd think Aizen almost looked sad, he scowled faintly and tightened his fingers in the soft material of her dress, "I'm gonna look after her."

The brunet Shinigami seemed to consider it for a moment before nodding once, "Very well, if you require anything for her care let me know, we shall have it prepared. It might be possible to reverse this... Damage. Perhaps a visit to Szayel is in order?"

The albino didn't bother to hide the look of relief, he felt quite attached to Nel in a way he'd never felt towards any other living creature, he instead offered a grateful smile and lifted the girl onto his shoulders. He chuckled softly as he felt her fingers clasp some of his unruly locks of hair as he supported her by the ankles.

"Thanks. I'll take her to see him now, even if he can't fix her... Maybe he can stop her mask hurtin'."

"I shall join you, I'm interested in what my Octavo has to say about her. Gin we will conclude our business later." Aizen was already heading towards the door, holding it open for his Cero Espada.

Shiro hesitated for a moment, the thought of being almost alone with the man made his gut twist in painful knots, the overwhelming feeling of needing to confess rose up in his chest. He swallowed it down, deciding that Nel was his priority for the moment. Once she was safe and settled... Then he could address the other issue.

He hurried forwards, smiling brightly as he felt her tugging on his hair affectionately, he slipped past the brunet and sighed inwardly at the warm musky scent that washed over his senses all to briefly, "Alright, hold on Nel!"