Chapter Fifty Seven:

Byakuya winced subtly as he shifted in his seat, fingers pinching the book he was reading just a little tighter as a zing of pain shot up his legs and down his back. The thrumming dull ache of his... Encounter with Shiro had lingered despite the hours which had passed since, and the dark purple bruises on his thighs and hips did nothing but exaggerate the severity.

The nobleman sighed heavily, taking a moment to run a hand down his face as his shame momentarily welled up again. The heat, the wash of pleasure, exhilaration. The guilt of betraying Ichigo, of betraying himself too. Everything would be different if the plan had worked, everything would be different if Ichigo had be roused. But, alas...

"We have a massive fuckin' problem!"

Byakuya's head snapped up as Grimmjow's voice howled from the front door, he watched as the blue haired Espada stalked through his private quarters, flanked by Harribel until they found him. He could tell from the looks on their faces that the Sexta had not been exaggerating with his declaration.

"What is it?" He asked, getting to his feet with a slow and deliberate carefulness, "What happened?"

"Cero's off his nut, that's what." Grimmjow ran a hand down his face and swore loudly, "Sit down, I'm getting' a drink before I explain any of this shit."

The nobleman complied. Grimmjow had been rattled ever since waking up after Shiro's... Appearance in his quarters. The Sexta had put two and two together upon seeing the state of the bedroom and the delicate mental state of the Kuchiki heir.

It had not been one of Byakuya's proudest moments, leaving the scalding heat of the shower to face the full fury of Grimmjow Jaegerjaques demanding to know if he was hurt. The Sexta's first assumption had been that Shiro had forced himself on the noble. Byakuya wasn't certain what was more mortifying. Having to correct him and explain it had been consensual, or the momentary belief that the alternative would have been easier to explain.

He was in control of himself now, however. Meditation, relaxation and reading had helped him reclaim at least a little dignity. And Grimmjow had vowed not to speak of it to another living soul. Byakuya believed him implicitly.

The raven haired Shinigami cast an eye over towards Harribel and blinked as he noticed she was carrying Zangetsu. She let out a shaky breath and joined him on the sofa, resting the huge blade on the floor by her feet as she dropped her head into her hands, an usual sign of stress in the taciturn woman.

He was patient, and when Grimmjow returned with a bottle of saké and three cups, he knew it was serious, he had never witnessed any of the Espada drink alcohol no matter what the occasion, it was tea or nothing. Accepting the drink as it was offered, he waited for the two beside him to down theirs before joining them, setting the small cup aside as he waited for one of them to speak.

"He attacked Nnoitra..." Harribel whispered, peeking from between her fingers, expression aghast, "I mean... He attacked him for a good reason but..."

"You are shaken." He noted, seeing her hands quiver faintly.

She gulped and frowned faintly, "He found a missing Espada in the sands, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck... She was my predecessor as Tres Espada, but she disappeared. It turns out Nnoitra maimed her, causing her to revert to a child form. Shiro stumbled across her... Brought her back... Discovered what happened and attacked him..."

He was horrified to hear of the actions of the Quinto, but it wasn't beyond his imagination to believe the lanky Arrancar would behave in such a way, "That isn't what is troubling you though."

"He froze." Grimmjow grunted, "Nnoitra said Nelliel would hate him because of he's so violent, and he froze. Calmed right down, ordered Harribel to take him to the detention centre. And ordered Starrk to take the kid to Szayel in his place, like he couldn't bare to touch her anymore."

Blinking, the noble sat forwards, "I... Apologise but I fail to see the issue. Is it not good that he restrained himself?"

"Good?" Blue eyes narrowed, "That level of crazy doesn't just vanish. Somethin' changed in him, for a fraction of a second."

"One of his eyes turned brown." The blonde woman said quietly, her eyes wide and far away, "It was momentary, when he looked at me, one of them was brown. But it was swallowed again almost instantly."

Heart in his throat the nobleman let out a rare gasp, "Ichigo showed himself?"

"I'm not sure, maybe it was just a fluke, a momentary lapse? It was over so quickly... I don't think we should get our hopes up." She shook her head, "He thinks we all hate him because he is so different to us... I think it is isolating him, making him even more temperamental."

Byakuya shuffled in his seat, it was hard not to be hopeful, "Is he still wearing the kenseikan I gave him?" He asked, he recalled seeing it on his temple during their tryst.

The Espada shared an uncomfortable look before Grimmjow poured them all another drink, "Yeah, he is. But uh... Not by choice."

"What do you mean?" He pressed, downing the drink and wincing at the scorching heat in his chest.

"It's fused to his head." The blue haired man rubbed his forehead, "You know we all have remnants of our Hollow masks, right? Well... Somehow, it's become his. He literally can't take it off."

Blinking, the noble let out a long breath, "I bet that was Ichigo's parting joke, just to provide a constant reminder. It sounds like something he would do."

They fell silent, each mulling over their own thoughts. Byakuya lowered his gaze to his hands, experimentally stretching the fingers of his left limb, watching with some relief as they responded to commands. Orihime Ishida's powers were truly magnificent. Harribel had stolen him into the jails to see her only twice so far and yet his range of movement had improved vastly.

He was still wearing bandages, he would continue to do so to avoid rousing suspicion. And he was now pretending more often than not that he couldn't move the limb. He vowed he would repay the Human woman somehow when they finally escaped Hueco Mundo.

"We have a huge problem!" A panicked voice came from the doorway as it was flung open, revealing Starrk and Szayel side by side, both looking equally appalled.

"Oh good, you too?" Byakuya couldn't contain his sarcasm as the pair rushed into the room, his eyes being drawn to the bundle of green in the Primera's arms.

"What is it?" Harribel was on her feet, hands clenched at her sides, "Did he finish Nnoitra off?"

"No. Nothing like that." Szayel waved a hand dismissively, "It's Nelliel... I can't fix her. He's going to be furious!"

The Shinigami among them got to his feet as he watched a small round face pop up at the mention of her name, big hazel eyes blinking curiously at the new surroundings, "This is Nel?" He asked.

"Where is Shiro?" The girl demanding instantly, fixing them all with a scowl, "Nel wants Shiro!"

"He's busy." The pink haired Arrancar was mercilessly cold towards her, "What am I going to do?! If I can't fix her he's going to have my head on a plate!"

"Why?" Byakuya asked in confusion.

"Because he knows I was indirectly responsible for Nnoitra being able to hurt her!" He squeaked, "What do I do?!"

"What about Orihime?" He suggested, "Perhaps she could help in this case."

"Orihime? Oh, right the Human..." The scientist paced for a moment and nodded to himself, "I suppose it is possible, she can undo the damage, return her to her old form... Then he won't castrate me or whatever else goes on in that deranged brain of his."

Sharing a look, they all opted not to comment on the irony of Szayel describing anyone as deranged when he too was the furthest thing from sane.

"Starrk, come! We are going to see the Human girl!" Came the sudden decision as the scientist swept out of the room like a storm, heading back towards the still open door, only to bump straight into the imposing figure of Barragan.

"We have a problem." Came the rumbling baritone from the Segunda Espada.

Byakuya had to contain the sigh that built in his chest, but it died instantly as he saw the Segunda's single eye find him among the crowd of bodies, the seriousness etched there made his blood chill, "What has happened?" He asked.

Trudging into the room and closing the door behind himself, the large bodied Arrancar stopped just short of the noble, looking down at him with an expression almost close to sympathy, "The Boss has accepted him as he is. He won't be trying to coax the Shinigami back out."

His heart sank at the news, and he took a step back, hitting the back rest of the sofa and slumping against it. He had rested so many of his hopes on the fact that Aizen also desired Ichigo to be the dominant soul of the partnership, without that leverage it would be even harder to restore his strawberry haired lover to his rightful place.

"How do you know this, Barragan?" Starrk asked, frowning deeply as he saw just how troubled Byakuya was.

There was a huff and a pregnant pause of hesitation, most unlike the arrogant Espada, "Vega and Calius saw the Cero heading to the King's Suite. They stayed nearby to eavesdrop. There was an argument, some thuds and shouting. They left just after hearing the Boss say the Cero had proven himself."

Byakuya closed his eyes, teeth clenched as he allowed his head to fall forwards, hands gripping the leather seat behind him. He had feared this. Aizen knew how to play the game, and he knew how to play it better than anyone. He would rather accept Shiro than lose his power altogether. Manipulative bastard that he was. From the moment he had seen Shiro bow before the treacherous Shinigami he knew this was the risk. He had relied on Aizen's interest being solely in Ichigo, to prevent this outcome.

"So it's over then... We're done for." Grimmjow threw himself back in his seat, "What can we do if Aizen's accepted him... We've got no chance..."

Byakuya was certain he wasn't alone in almost being crushed by the sudden eruptions of reiatsu coming from the King's Suite. The loud, voluptuous, sensual vibrations of power coiling around one another. The nobleman made a small choked sound from the back of his throat, his chest tightening painfully.

"They're... Together..."

Someone whispered it, he didn't know who. He turned his back on them, fists clenched as the dull throbbing in his legs and buttocks returned with a vengeance as he realised the depth of the entangling reiatsu. Shiro and Aizen. The King had his consort.

Did this mean Ichigo was gone for good? That there was truly no chance of getting him back? Had he lost him? Was there no going back?

He felt the tears on his face before he realised they were falling, silencing the whine that threatened to reveal him to the Espada behind him, he discreetly wiped at his face, cursing himself for such Human sentiments.

"I don't know why you're getting so upset, Byakuya." Szayel's tone was scathing, a smug leer on his face as he peered over at him from behind his glasses, "Only hours ago Grimmjow was bragging about how he was going to bed you. It's no use acting like you didn't move on first."

"Shut up you stupid fuck." Grimmjow's voice was murderous.

The Kuchiki heir twisted on the spot, scowling at the pink haired scientist furiously, "Do you truly believe that after everything I have done to try and find a way to bring Ichigo back... I would betray him for a fuck with Grimmjow? While I am completely confident that he would make a perfectly satisfactory lover, you couldn't be more wrong in your assessment of my morals."

"But... Grimmjow said to Shiro..."

"It was bait!" The Sexta barked, "I baited him... Into thinkin' we were gonna fuck so he'd get jealous. I... I thought the jealousy would make Kurosaki wake up. It didn't work. But Byakuya and I... We didn't do anythin'. So fuckin' apologise you inconsiderate dick."

Byakuya felt his heart warm only slightly as Grimmjow defended his honour, all the while concealing their pact to do 'whatever' it took to get the reaction they needed. He watched as Szayel seemed to falter and shrink under the ire of the blue haired Espada.

"I... I apologise. I... Didn't know the full story." The Octavo mumbled.

"It's fine." The nobleman breathed, looking at the floor, "We're all tense at the moment."

If Ichigo was truly gone, then there was to be no rescue. He, his sister, his Fukutaichou and the Humans that had tried to help were trapped there for the rest of their days. Soul Society wouldn't wage a war they didn't believe they could win. They wouldn't risk innocent lives when duty dictated they continue to look after the souls of those who passed on from the World of the Living.

The best he could hope for was to beg for the release of those who had come to save him, to get down on his knees and dispel his pride. Allow it to be crushed in order to protect those dearest to him, to allow Rukia and Renji to return home, for them to continue their lives together, to date and fall in love as they had so desired. He could prostrate himself in front of Aizen for them, to plea for their release.

But what of the Espada? They would be trapped here with him as well, just as stuck as he was. Entrapped forever more with a crazed Cero Espada and his Shinigami master. They would be a destructive pair, capable of destroying cities on a whim. He wondered if they could even pierce the heavens, steal themselves into the Royal Palace and slaughter the Soul King. Those were his fears. Where they truly that powerful? He believed they were.

Which left him with only one option. If he couldn't restore Ichigo to his senses, he couldn't leave a crazed cannon like Shiro with Aizen, lending him power beyond the imagination. He owed it to Ichigo's memory to prevent Shiro destroying everything he cared about. His duty was to put an end to it. To preserve his memory of warm sunset coloured hair and sun-kissed skin.

Swallowing thickly, he couldn't remember a time when he had been more in turmoil, even with the death of his father he had found a serene calmness that had been of comfort. The death of Hisana, while heartbreaking at the time, had only solidified the controlled mask he was so well known for. But now his mask was cracking, fragmented and crumbled around him, he knew Ichigo's wishes. They had spoken briefly of them while incarcerated in the hospital together.

Ichigo was perched on the edge of his bed, legs folded up into his chest, arms hugging them tightly as he seemed to stare off into nothingness, "Byakuya... Never let me turn back." He said softly, eyes focusing on the nobleman, "I never want to feel so out of control and trapped as I did when I realised what that man was truly like."

"You have my word. If even a moment of temptation crosses your mind, you will find it swiftly beaten back by my own hand." He replied, smiling faintly, "I won't let you stray."

"That's not what I mean." Ichigo seemed to clear, so determined, suddenly very aware and very real, "If I lose control... If my Hollow takes over..." He bit his lip, "If you can't get me back you have to... You have to..."

"What?" Byakuya frowned faintly, his heart doing somersaults with the tension he felt boiling beneath the surface.

"If Shiro takes over and you can't get me back I need you to be the one... I need you to kill me. I don't want to hurt people anymore, I don't want to hurt the people I care about! Please, promise me you'll do it."

It had been a very brief conversation, it had brought him pain to see the desperation in those warm chestnut eyes. The seriousness. He had agreed. But he'd never believed he would have to uphold his vow. Not like this.

He would continue with his original plan, he would try once more to bring Ichigo back and if it didn't work... He would slay the beast his lover had become. He would not allow his memory to be tarnished by Shiro's lunacy. But he would have to keep his vow a secret, he couldn't imagine the Espada agreeing to outright kill their Cero. He doubted they were even strong enough to do so. But he could do it, Shiro would never suspect him of it. A moment of hesitation... That is all he would need.

But... He would require Senbonzakura. Eyes narrowing decisively as he set his mind to work, he turned to face the Espada who remained in Grimmjow's quarters, they had stumbled into awkward conversations in the wake of Barragan's news, but they were not so distracted that his return went ignored.

"I will continue as planned," he said sternly, his expression moulded tightly into an uncommunicative mask, "Aizen's involvement changes nothing. Shiro is a menace, and he is dangerous. As long as he remains in control not only all of Las Noches, but Soul Society too is in danger."

"You're joking, right?" Starrk groaned, "We can't directly defy Aizen, it would be a death sentence for us all."

Byakuya appraised the Primera for a long moment and lifted his head, sharp features cutting an imposing expression, "You won't be the ones defying him. All I ask is that you clear the way for me to make my move. Make it accidental, make it appear that you had no idea of my plans. I can take care of the rest."

Grimmjow let out a low growl of frustration and got to his feet, stalking towards the nobleman and standing in front of him, his azure eyes were fixed in an expression of anger mixed with sympathy, "I ain't lettin' you do this alone."

"Aizen will kill you, Grimmjow." Szayel hissed, "Think before you speak for once in your life."

Byakuya saw the throb of annoyance run through the Sexta, who promptly fired a deathly glare at the Octavo, "Listen here, you pink haired, four-eyed fucker. You never gave a shit about Yylfordt, you never cared that he died defending this place. But I did. I cared about him. Did Aizen even flinch when he was reported dead? Did he even seem fuckin' bothered for one minute? No. He didn't give a damn."

"I fail to see the relevance of your argument. Yylfordt was weak, dimwitted, annoying and he was-"

"A thief, yeah I know, we've had this conversation before, asshole." The Sexta spat, growling under his breath.

"Regardless, you are making a scene for no reason." Szayel sniffed.

"Did Aizen seem bothered when Dordoni died? When Mosqueda was reported fatally wounded? When Rudbornn met his end? Has he ever shown anythin' other than amusement?! Eh?! Their deaths entertained him!" Grimmjow persisted and took a step towards the scientist, anger flaring full force, "Did he flinch when Ulquiorra reported Yammy's death? No. He blinked once, raised an eyebrow and dismissed him as weak. Did he seem bothered when Aaroniero died? No! He re-watched the footage, the only thing he was surprised about was Ichigo Kurosaki namin' his fuckin' Hollow!"

Szayel took several steps forwards as well, pressing his index finger against the Sexta's bare chest, a look of disdain on his face, "I'd stop overthinking right about now Grimmjow, it doesn't suit you to act like you have more than a single brain cell."

The blue haired man was seething at the contact, teeth flashing behind an angry grimace, "Aizen let him de-mask the Cuatro without so much as a word. He barely even tried to stop him attacking Ulquiorra, one word from the Cero and he let him do as he wished."

"And your point is?"

"God I thought you were meant to be smart, Szayel."

"Hard to believe they used to sleep together, isn't it?" Harribel said under her breath as she moved closer to Byakuya's side.

"Wait what?" That caught Byakuya completely off guard, but Szayel's sudden show of jealousy made sense, "I thought Szayel said that it was rare for Hollows to feel love."

She scoffed and her eyes crinkled as if she was smiling, "Does anything about this look like 'love' to you?"

He glanced back at the bickering pair, in his honest opinion it seemed their relationship closely resembled Ichigo and Renji's friendship and he knew there was a lot of love between them. Platonic, almost brotherly, but love none the less. Was this what they could have ended up like if Renji hadn't been obsessed with Rukia?

"What happened? You said they 'used' to sleep together." The noble looked at her.

The Tres Espada sighed, "You heard the jibe about Yylfordt being a thief, yes? As far as I am aware, when Grimmjow chose his Fracción he selected Adjuchas whom he had befriended while hunting across the sands. Yylfordt was among them, and it appeared as though Grimmjow had a soft spot for him. When he became an Arrancar that soft spot grew and Grimmjow distanced himself from Szayel. Yylfordt never returned Grimmjow's... Affection, but Szayel blamed him even still."

"Tch," the noble snorted, "I'd wager love is more common among you all than you like the believe."

"My point, Szayel," Grimmjow's shout cut through them all as he clasped the Octavo's face between his hands, it was firm but not a painful grasp, "Is that we are all expendable. Everyone except the Cero. One day... He'll kill me anyway. I might as well go out in a blaze of glory, gettin' one over on the bastard."

The pink haired scientist stared at him, his entire palm now resting on the other's chest as his mouth fell open at the statement, his brows furrowed behind his glasses and he released a short, sharp huff, "I hate it when you're right."

"That's why it doesn't happen often." The blue haired man's expression softened slightly before he glanced back at Byakuya, "I'm helpin' ya, no arguments."

"I... Will also continue to play my part." Szayel murmured, whiskey coloured eyes fixed on Grimmjow before they slid towards the nobleman, "Grimmjow... Is right. Aizen has always treated us as expendable, one day any one of us might do the wrong thing and sign our own death warrants. Shiro's influence will only make it worse."

The Shinigami sighed, "My thanks. But I don't wish for you to put yourselves in danger. Aizen is a perceptive man... One wrong movement, one wrong response..."

"It's a risk I'm willin' to take." Grimmjow snapped, "You don't get to dictate what I do, or what I choose to do. Besides... I reckon I'd be safer sparrin' with Kurosaki than Shiro."

There was a reluctant sight and Harribel ran her fingers through her hair, "I... Will also continue to assist."

"As will I." Starrk's baritone was a welcome warmth.

Barragan's vast arms were folded over his chest, "Aizen took my crown and my palace. Taking something precious from him seems like a fitting repayment."

"Zommari's thoughts will not be any different." Harribel was certain, "Nor will Nnoitra's. However I will make sure they are both updated on the situation."

"My thanks." He said quietly, he clasped his hands together and licked his lips, "Has there been any developments on where my Zanpakutō is being kept?"

"Not yet," the Tres rested a hand on his arm, "But I will keep searching. I believe Gin might know, I have been attempting to... What is the term... Sweet talk him."

A simple nod was given in response before Byakuya let out a slow breath, "Considering the recent development... It seems clear to me that we need to act sooner rather than later. How soon can you sneak me in to see Orihime again? She said one more treatment would render my arm completely restored."

The blonde smiled, or at least the crinkle around her eyes suggested as much, "We can go now. Aizen-sama is... Clearly distracted at the moment." Her voice was tense, not desiring to remind him of what was happening within the King's Suite.

"Lead the way." He murmured, mind and emotions currently closed to anything other than the plan.

That was how he had to be. It was the only way he could survive. If he gave too much thought to Shiro and Aizen becoming the most dangerous couple to have ever cursed all three worlds he would crumble. Sentiment was a dangerous encumbrance now. One which he could not afford to be weighted down by. The lives of his sister, his Fukutaichou and Ichigo's Human friends depended upon it.