Chapter Sixty Five:

"You of all people should know by now... I don't need a sword to hurt you." Ichigo's sigh was deep as he cracked his knuckles, fists clenched tightly.

"How did ya get out?" Shiro snarled, his tone borderline venomous.

"You seem to forget, it is my Inner World." Came the smooth reply.

"I'll send ya back there before this is over!" The white Hollow roared.

"No." Ichigo said simply, "I'm afraid the only one of us going back there is you. And once you are there, you will remain there until I believe I can trust you again."

Enraged, Shiro summoned his white Zangetsu back to his hand and shot forwards, darting left and right, trying to lose Ichigo's focus as he swung his blade around, aiming straight for the strawberry's neck. He would decapitate him and finish the job Ulquiorra had started. The Cero Espada gasped as his target vanished from his line of sight, eyes widening at the sudden explosion of pain across his back. His head snapping around Shiro saw the briefest flicker of orange before an elbow smashed into his face and threw him to the ground.

Flexing his fist experimentally, Ichigo raised an eyebrow, "Your Hierro is harder out here than it was in there. I'll have to account for that next time."

"W-What the fuck did ya do?" The Cero breathed, scrambling back up onto his feet as he briefly looked at Aizen, the anxiety that the brunet would once again desire Ichigo instead of him only increasing his anger.

"I told you... I accepted myself. Who I am. What I am. What I've done."

"This goes beyond that! What did ya do?!" Shiro swung at him again, screeching as Ichigo stepped just out of range again.

Ichigo swerved to the side as he watched the bleached sword head towards him again, his eyes followed the movement, ducking as it arced towards him, "Awfully paranoid aren't you? You'd be surprised how liberating it is to stop being afraid of yourself."

"I don't believe you! You did something! You... You and Zangetsu... Ya cooked something up inside yer head. Conspirin' against me, trying to take away what always should have been mine!"

"It was never yours." His hand snatched out, fingers wrapping around his Hollow's blade, "My body was never yours. Control was never yours. All that you have, you stole. You clawed at it, coveted it. Waiting for a time when I'd give you the rest willing, when I had no choice."

Flipping nimbly, the strawberry haired Shinigami planted his foot in the Hollow's gut, smashing him into a pile of rubble before arching forwards, slamming his elbow into the albino's breastbone so hard he heard a definitive crunch and a howl of pain.

Shiro howled, flying to his feet, charging at his polychromatic counterpart, sword outstretched, saliva spraying from between clenched teeth as murder wrote itself across his expression. The tip of Zangetsu struck Ichigo in the shoulder, but came to an abrupt stop. A slow and steady crack crept along the thickness of the sword like spider webs, and with a grating crunch the blade snapped in half.

Golden eyes widened in disbelief as he staggered back, looking at the broken sword in his hands, "I... I don't understand..."

Lifting a hand, Ichigo stretched his fingers open, clenching them tightly again almost immediately, "All these years I wasn't using Zangetsu properly. I had the sword I forged after my graduation. I had the metal, the hilt, the power. But there was no Soul. Not really. I've been fighting with an empty blade. Do you understand?"

"No. No I don't fuckin' understand!"

"You were in the way." He said simply, "Zangetsu was so busy trying to contain you, trying to stop you causing too much damage... And I was so devoid of anything and everything that I never stopped to really talk to him. I didn't care about him. I didn't want to learn about him. I never asked him what he wanted. I never asked him what his purpose was."

"So ya what? Had a nice little chat and realised ya got a shit ton in common?" He spat, snorting, "Pathetic."

"Shiro." Ichigo's voice cut through him like steel, "I made a vow to protect my mother no matter what the cost. I made a vow to protect my sisters too. I failed them. But I won't fail my friends. And while I protect them... Zangetsu will protect me. That is the bond we share."

The sunrise haired Shinigami took the broken white blade from Shiro's grasp and crushed it between his hands with ease. The albino released a strangled sound and took a step backwards, glaring in disbelief.

"That is why you couldn't cut me. You can't cut me with my own sword."

Shiro let out a low growl, "Ya failed 'em when ya went to sleep for two months."

The strawberry held a hand out, "I will make you listen Shiro, even if I have to destroy everything you hold dear first." A swirling twist of red energy began to flicker into life in his palm, the Cero growing larger by the second.

Shaking his head, the Cero Espada took a sudden stepped back, "No. Don't ya dare. Ya can't use Cero! Ya can't control yer reiatsu enough to do that!"

"That was true once... But not anymore."

Ichigo lunged forwards finally on the offensive, his free hand threaded itself in the front of the Hollow's shihakusho before Shiro could even flinch. The strawberry haired male thrust his other hand forwards, letting out a simple and resolute yell as he forced the globe of tempestuous light into Shiro's face mercilessly.

Leaping backwards as the Cero detonated, Ichigo watched as a powerfully destructive arc of crimson shot up and blasted the remaining ceiling outwards. Ichigo skidded slightly across the tiled floor, a single bead of sweat rolling down his cheek as he pushed himself into a standing position.

He shook his hand, noticing the faint scorch marks on his skin, "Damn."

Sensing movement from the dust and smoke, he turned his gaze forwards again just in time to see Shiro totter out of the devastation. The Hollow's chest was heaving for breath, his face was badly burnt and bloodied, wounds no longer healing like they should have been. His golden eyes were wide, disbelieving as he staggered and collapsed onto his hands and knees, shaking.

Ichigo stalked forwards, another Cero already swirling in his palm. He had to end things. He would force Shiro into submission. He had no other choice.

The screech of metal jolted the strawberry and he darted backwards, eyes flicking to the face of his attacker. It was Tōsen. Aizen was getting impatient, there was no other explanation for it. The strawberry ducked another attack and swept his hand around, thrusting the Cero into the black man's chest ruthlessly. He heard him scream out in pain and pushed harder, releasing a roar as the dark red energy exploded and threw the former Taichou back. He heard him collide with several of the counters and worktops with a wheezy moan of pain.

Scowling, he shook his hand. Small blisters were angry in his palm from the heat of the second Cero, he bit his tongue as he began preparing a third but his concentration was lost when a hard body collided with him and threw him to the floor. Grunting and rolling, Ichigo found himself wrestling with Shiro. The Espada had donned his black and white mask, now fully repaired with both horns in place.

Ichigo forced them to roll, pinning his Hollow down with all his might, "Listen to me! Just listen for one minute!"

"Why? So ya can drip poison in my ears and make me turn?"

"No... I want you to listen to you can make your own mind up!" He sucked in a breath, "What I said in my Inner World was true, I won't kill you. I will always accept you! Even after everything you've done... Everything you still want to do... I accept you Shiro! You are a part of me! And I am a part of you! I don't want us to be enemies! I want us to work together... I want us to be better."

"Well I don't accept ya! I won't serve a King that's weaker than me!" The albino spat.

"I'm not weaker than you. Not anymore. We share everything that makes us strong. One and the same. Two sides of the same coin." Ichigo searched the depths of the furious golden eyes beneath him, "Look at Nelliel. LOOK AT HER!"

Shiro's teeth clenched behind his mask, but he allowed his gaze to move to the green haired woman, she was sat against the wall, nursing her arm from where he'd thrown her aside. She was smiling at him, it was a small smile, sad almost. But her eyes held no hatred towards him, there was only the same adoration that there had always been.

"When you found her on the Sands... You wanted to kill her, because she felt strong." The strawberry said quietly, "But you couldn't do it. She reminded you of Karin and Yuzu, I know... I saw it..."

"What of it?" He snapped moodily.

"What will you do if you're ordered to kill her?" Ichigo tilted his head, "Like you were ordered to kill Karin and Yuzu."

"That would never happen. He knows what she means to me."

"And he knew what the twins meant to me!" His teeth clenched painfully, "You think he loves you? He only loves power. Whether its you or me in control the result is the same. He just wants what we can give him. It's never been about anything more than that!"

"Yer wrong!"

"I'm not! Do you really believe for even a second that he didn't know the Espada were planning something? He has eyes all over the palace, you've said that yourself!"

Shiro paused, staring up at Ichigo for a long moment. He... He'd never thought of that. He knew already that Aizen had at least one camera in Grimmjow's room, so why wouldn't he have done something about the Espada's plot? Surely... He would have seen... Would have heard... He must have known... So why didn't he act? Why did he let it get so far? Was it... A test?

"It's only ever been about control Shiro... He said himself he'd never planned for you to be in control... He had to change every aspect of his plans to account for you. But if the Espada had a plan to bring me back... That would fix everything right? He didn't have to get involved... He didn't have to make an enemy of you. He could sit back and let them sort everything out for him!"

"No... That's not... He said he'd accepted me..." The albino faltered, his gut churning uncomfortably, "No... No I don't believe ya! Ya would say anythin' to make me betray him!"

"Yes... I would. I would say absolutely anything to make you realise the truth. It's not about betrayal, not anymore. It's about making you see... He's using you. Just like he used me. Like he used Hinamori... And Rukia..." He loosened his grasp on the Cero Espada, relieved when he wasn't struck or stabbed immediately, "I don't want to do this to you! I know what he means to you! But I don't want to see you end up as a puppet!"

"Why? Why are ya so determined to protect me? After everythin' I've done... I don't understand..."

Ichigo offered him a small smile, "Because I've been there too... Remember? I know how hard it is to make that break... To realise the truth... To realise what really matters. But more importantly, whether we want it or not you're a part of me. I want to protect you because you've protected me for so long, and I never really thanked you for it. I figure... It's my turn now."

"I... I... I didn't want to... Hurt Karin and Yuzu..." Shiro said quietly, his mask slowly disintegrating to reveal an agonised expression, "I didn't have a choice... I couldn't say no..."

"I know, and I don't blame you anymore. I know it wasn't your fault, you did what you were ordered to. But you have that choice now. You can say no. You're strong enough!" The strawberry swallowed, "Don't wait until it's too late... Don't wait until you're being ordered to kill someone you care about. Don't wait until it's Nelliel's head on the block."

"Why didn't ya say all of this sooner?" He sat up slowly, glaring at him.

"It is kinda hard to make you listen, you're a bit hard-headed you know?"

"I can't imagine who I got that from." The albino huffed, his shoulders slumping, "Ya mean it? Ya really think... He's been lyin' to me? Ya really think its about control?"

"I give you my word... I wouldn't lie to you about this. Or about anything else. But it's always been about power, hasn't it? About controlling what he wanted? About us..."

"Fuck..." Shiro let out a low groan, holding his head in his hands, "I don't wanna believe it... I really don't wanna... It hurts..."

"I know and I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." Ichigo reached out and touched his cheek softly, "It was painful for me too... When I first realised the truth."

"What do I do now? I thought I'd made a life... I thought I'd found what I wanted... I don't know what to do... Where to go... I'm... Lost..." The Hollow's voice cracked, "I've done so much shit... I've fucked up so bad how can ya want me back... How could ya ever trust me again?"

"Because I forgive you."

Shiro met his gaze suddenly, surprised. The albino seemed to suck in a deep breath, as if making a decision as he got to his feet and looked directly at Aizen.

"Tell me straight! Is he right? Were ya... Were ya just... Usin' me? Lyin' to me? I want the truth!"

Aizen, despite his calm and collected appearance, took a solid minute to respond, simply staring at the pale Hollow before him. The time seemed to stretch for eternity, and for a fleeting moment there appeared to be a crease between his brows, but it was gone in a split second, a flash, and control was restored.

"That... Would depend entirely on your perspective really," the brunet raised an eyebrow, "The Espada's cold shoulder had you feeling isolated, alone, unwanted. It was... Important to ensure you felt like you belonged here."

Shiro let out a choked sound, if possible he seemed to pale further, "So it... It was lies... All of it?!"

"It... Was necessary to play my part, to allow Ichigo the time he needed to heal and recover his strength and will to fight. You had to believe you were wanted, and that you were what I wanted you to be."

"You bastard." Ichigo stood up and scowled, "You really were using him. Like you use everyone! You didn't even know if I was coming back!"

"Of course you were coming back." The admonishment was gentle as Aizen offered a smile, "How could you not? With your friends still imprisoned here, your... Fiancé still imprisoned here. I was aware that my Espada had begun conspiring with Byakuya Kuchiki, trying to work out a way to force you back into control. I allowed it. Watched their progress."

Shiro was quaking, whether it was violent or crumbling was uncertain, "I... Gave you... Everythin' I had... Absolutely... Everythin' and... It meant... Nothing..."

The brunet paused, eyes flicking back to golden ones, there was that long stagnant pause again, hesitation was foreign in Aizen's vocabulary, "I wouldn't say it meant nothing. After all, you were happy. You said as much yourself. And we were both able to enjoy the time we spent together."

The albino turned slowly, shamefully, his eyes wide and horrified, looking at Nelliel, at the Espada, at Byakuya, "I-I..." His silvery tones were choked, strangled, forced, "I'm... So sorry... For everythin'... I... I will put this right!"

Ichigo flinched as he felt the slightly cooler temperature of Shiro's hand grabbing his own, alabaster and honey mixing in interlocking fingers. Pained, tragic golden eyes fixed onto chestnut ones, brimming with unshed tears, and the albino released a single suffocated sob as he lowered himself onto one knee and bowed his head.

"Shiro... What are you doing?" He asked, concerned about the mental frailty of his Hollow.

His reptilian tones were almost flat, his voice was almost Human, his shoulders were shaking, he was crying, "What I should have done a long time ago... My King."

The strawberry's eyes widened slightly and he gripped Shiro's hand tightly, watching as the albino began to fade from view, disappearing like a hazy mist that had never been there to start with. And then he felt it. His body bending upon impact, his expression one of shock as felt the burning torrent of madness, mania and anger as soon as it hit his Inner World. Threatening to set everything alight, to burn everything down to the ground.

But there was Tensa Zangetsu. A balm. A soothing ointment to the Hollow's insanity. Waiting with little more than acceptance.

He could see them, stood side by side. Things were tense, but acceptance was there. He heard a scream, he didn't realise it was his own. His reiatsu coiling around his body in a violent current of rippling waves, lashing out threateningly at Tōsen. At Aizen. Even smacking against Orihime's barrier.

He could feel the change. He could see black film creeping across his vision, colouring the world with vibrant hues of gold. The searing sensation of a burn on the side of his neck, his teeth gnashing at the pain as his reiatsu rose. He knew what it was. The intricate pattern of a Gothic Zero, marking him as Hollow. Marking him as Espada. Marking him as Cero.

Lurching forwards, hands hitting the floor as he gagged, feeling some of his hair tug backwards above his ear as Byakuya's kenseikan materialised at his temple where it belonged. It was no longer bone, but he still felt dregs of Shiro's reiatsu within it.

In a second his vision snapped clear, black and gold vanishing submissively as the warmth of chestnut returned against a backdrop of white sclera.

Somehow he felt stronger than when Shiro had last been the submissive Soul, was it because it had been willing this time? Was it because they had come to an agreement? He felt as strong as he had after defeating Aaroniero, with the combined strength of Shiro's status as Cero Espada bolstering his reiatsu higher.

As he rose to his feet, he felt the sudden cold snap of black chains winding up his arm, his fingers clenching around the fitted hilt of his black katana. Tensa Zangetsu. His Bankai. He felt restored, finally having the sword back in his grasp.

"Welcome back." The sunrise haired Shinigami said inwardly, smiling faintly to himself when he saw Shiro bow his head in thanks, "Look after each other... You've both been through a lot."

"At long last, you have subjugated your Hollow. I must say, its about time." Aizen's voice cut through his momentary joy.

Ichigo's smile dropped immediately as his gaze flicked to the brunet, "I guess so."

Watching as Aizen finally moved, taking elegant and unconcerned steps towards him, he moved as well. Darting around the room until he put himself between Aizen and the barrier protecting his friends, glad to see that Nelliel was now concealed behind the orange shield too.

"Why do you run from me?" The brunet asked, "You have finally become something akin to what I wanted you to, you are finally ready to take your place at my side. Here in Las Noches. You belong here."

Ichigo's back straightened, his expression setting firmly as his lips thinned into a displeased line, "Maybe that was true once. Maybe I did belong here, belong with you. But not now. I wanted somewhere I could be myself, somewhere I could live without fear of killing people with my power. The truth is that all I ever needed was to believe in myself. To accept who I am. What I am."

"And what are you?" Aizen's expression hadn't changed, and he continued to close the gap between them.

"Strong. Stupidly strong." He felt himself lifting Zangetsu between them, "But I can control it now. I don't need you. I never needed you."

"You will always need me."

"I don't know what's more pathetic," Ichigo clenched his teeth, "The fact that I used to believe that, or the fact that you still do."

Seemingly ignoring the jibe, Aizen raised a hand, sweeping the air and collecting dense fragments of black and red reiatsu on his fingertips, "This is your reiatsu now? It's changed. Become heavier, thicker. Stronger. How splendid. Everything has gone almost exactly as I wanted."

"You don't expect me to believe you planned this."

"You know that my goal has always been for you to become what you were born to be. Powerful, beautiful, my strongest warrior, my perfect lover," the brunet allowed the tendrils of reiatsu to break free, watching as they seeped away into the air around them, "I knew that bringing you to Hueco Mundo would re-awaken Shiro's need for domination over your soul, and that each subsequent battle would bring him closer to the surface, forcing you to the point of having to fight to remain in control."

Bristling, Ichigo's fingers clenched the hilt of his sword until his knuckles paled, "And did you plan for Ulquiorra?"

"No." Aizen admitted reluctantly, "I must confess his... Bitterness towards you was an oversight. He very nearly ruined everything."

"Because it meant Shiro had to take control, otherwise we would both have died. You had to change your entire strategy to account for him taking over. You never expected that I'd surrender willingly." Ichigo shook his head slowly, "He loves you... Even now, while it hurts and he realises that he barely meant anything to you... He would have willingly served you till the very end."

"And for his service... I am truly grateful. Though, I would correct you on one notion. He meant more to me than either of you realise. However, I work with what I am given and..." There was a smugness in his voice now, "It was a simple case of knowing that Byakuya Kuchiki would never rest until he either drew you back out, or killed your Hollow."

"Of course, because he keeps his word. No matter how hard that might be for him to do. At the very least, you were both right. I had lost myself for a while, allowed shame to chain me down. But I'd never give up while I've got so much left to fight for. And my precious friends... Are worth fighting for."

"You left us for twenty six years, Kurosaki-kun. You don't get to disappear again." The sound of Orihime's voice was accompanied by the shattering of her barrier as she came to stand at his side, smiling up at him, "We'll never give up on you."

"We are your friends, Ichigo," Rukia approached him as well, looking up at him affectionately, "You've struggled by yourself for long enough."

"You had us worried for a while." Renji's hand clapped firmly on his shoulder as Zabimaru was unsheathed, "But we never lost hope."

"You never have to fight alone, you simply need to reach out to your friends... And we will answer." Byakuya retrieved Senbonzakura from where the blade had been discarded, the majority of his wounds had been healed by Orihime, though he still looked pale.

Ishida and Chad stepped up as well. Bows were summoned. Demonic arms were lifted. And Ichigo felt heat rising in his chest. Despite everything, they were still willing to stand beside him. He couldn't have asked for more.

"We are leaving, Aizen." Ichigo lifted Zangetsu again, eyes narrowed as he glared at the man.

"Do you think that you have what it takes to break out of Las Noches... Just because of some warm fuzzy feelings being shared between you and your friends?" The brunet released a rare sigh, "Disappointing."

Ichigo tensed as he heard the ring of steel, the sight of Aizen drawing Kyoka Suigetsu from the sheath at his side. The look in those eyes made a shiver run down the strawberry's spine and he was certain he was about to lose the privilege of being one of the few people never to have seen Aizen's Shikai.

The strawberry flinched at the sudden crackle of Sonido from behind him and he watched in disbelief as Barragan appeared in front of Aizen, sword drawn, clashing with him violently.

"What are you doing?!" He yelled, taking a step forward only for feel a painfully hard grasp on his shoulder yanking him back, his gaze flicked up to the sight of blue hair, "Grimmjow... What are you-"

The Sexta Espada stared down at him for a long moment, his usual grin was gone and there was a seriousness in his gaze that seemed more violent than his destructive personality, "The right thing. Get out of here. All of you!"

"Grimmjow no! Stop! He'll kill you!" Byakuya snatched a hand out as he watched the blue haired Arrancar draw his sword.

"With all due respect... He's gonna kill us anyway." Grimmjow offered the nobleman a smile, "It's be a pleasure Byakuya Kuchiki, but now you gotta go. Grind, Pantera!"

Ichigo stared as Grimmjow pounced forwards, blocking Gin from attacking Barragan from behind with the blades on his arms.

"Starrk will get you to the Sands, beyond that... Someone is coming for you in a Garganta. Make sure you do not miss their arrival." Harribel cupped the strawberry's cheek for a moment before drawing her blade from the sheath on her back, "Destroy, Tiburōn!"

"No..." He gasped out, he could already see blood splattering Grimmjow and Barragan's white uniforms.

"Do as she says!" Nnoitra barged past him, almost knocking him over as he swung his scythe around, "Pray, Santa Teresa!"

"Suppress, Brujería!"

He watched as Nnoitra and Zommari joined the onslaught, he could barely see Aizen, Gin or Tōsen amidst the throng of Espada causing as much havoc as they possibly could. Dust was beginning to fall from above, the weight of the Tres and Segunda's reiatsu was beginning to toll on the palace.

"Take care of Shiro." Nelliel smiled sweetly, kissing his cheek, "He means a lot to me. Declare, Gamuza!"

Ichigo's instinct was to grab her and stop her, but a much stronger grip caught his arm and he found himself looking up at Starrk, "I can't leave them..."

"Listen to me, the only priority right now is to get you out of Hueco Mundo. Do you understand me?" The Primera grumbled.

"He'll kill you all!" He cursed, ducking as Zommari went flying overhead and crashed through a wall.

"We knew the risks when we agreed to help Byakuya." Szayel looked down at him with folded arms, "I just hope you were worth the effort and the risks it took to bring you back."

"Why are you going this far?" He asked, wincing when he heard a cry of pain from somewhere within the laboratory.

Szayel seemed to huff, as if calculating whether or not he had time to explain properly, cool fingers brushed long strands of orange hair aside before tugging at the collar of his shihakusho, "Because, even amidst the tattoos of your Clan, that zero will never fade. Shiro is a part of you, as is his power and position. You are our Cero Espada, Ichigo Kurosaki and that is why... We will make sure you get away from here. Byakuya... Made us realise that we have a say in how we live, and you made us see that there is more to strength than just killing people. Strength can be about saving them too."

Ichigo swallowed. He didn't need a mirror to see the zero on his neck, it weighed heavily against his skin, woven into the whorls and swirls of blackness that covered the side of his neck. He could feel Shiro's fondness for the scientist, he could tell it had never been expressed properly.

"Thank you." He said quietly.

The Octavo offered what was probably one of his more genuine smiles before he too drew his sword, "Starrk... Make sure they get out."

"You don't need to tell me that." The Primera muttered as he grabbed Lilynette's hand in his own, looking down at Ichigo, "Come."

Ichigo hesitated for only a moment longer, hearing Szayel release his Resurrecciōn form and join the fray, he grabbed Byakuya's hand in his own, dragging him towards the exit to the laboratory. They moved close together, Sonido, Shunpo and Hirenkyaku shooting them through the hallways. Ichigo was pleased to have Starrk with them, navigating their surroundings with ease. The sounds and feelings of the battle going on behind them rippled through the entire palace, shaking the walls and the floors. Off shoots of reiatsu reached them, allowing them to feel the violence, the desperation, the determination.

They burst out, Ichigo sucked in a deep gasp of air as he felt the coolness of the Hueco Mundo sands reach his lungs, his body quivering at the sudden feeling of freedom that enveloped him at the sight of the darkened sky. But there was no time to enjoy the moment as Starrk ushered them on.

Running blind, the group ran further and further away from the palace, but even still they could feel the clashing reiatsu they were leaving behind. Ichigo was certain he recognised their destination, it looked like the very same place they had dropped out onto just two months previously.

They were all panting when they finally came to a stop, Starrk looked around urgently, as if assessing their location. Ichigo finally released Byakuya's hand long enough to hold his gut as he recovered from their sprint. Despite his increased power, he felt weary after moving so quickly so soon.

"I think it would be an understatement to say I am very disappointed." Aizen's voice rang around them without warning, without the sound of approach.

Ichigo spun on the spot, staring at the brunet with wide eyes. He was stalking towards them, sword in hand dripping blood all over the sand. His white uniform had several tears in the fabric, but he seemed unharmed. None of the blood caking his clothes was his own.

"Shit." He lifted Zangetsu immediately, pushing Byakuya behind his body.

"Bakudō 9: Hōrin!" Rukia cast her hands out abruptly, entangling Aizen in the tendrils of yellow energy, "Bakudō 4: Hainawa!" She added to the binds, thrusting thick ropes around the brunet as her hands remained clasped together.

"Bakudō 61: Rikujōkōrō." Byakuya followed suit, encasing the former Division Five Taichou with the six yellow beams of light, immobilising him, at least temporarily, "Bakudō 73: Tozanshō!"

Ichigo watched as his fiancé sealed Aizen inside the blue pyramid, Aizen seemed amused more than annoyed, perhaps aware that such binds couldn't hold him for long. Gin appeared at that moment, bloodied and bruised, and apparently amused by the sight of the Kidō restraints.

"Well... This is all very amusin'." The silver haired fox chuckled, "Ya alright in there, Aizen Taichou?"

"Perfectly." Aizen already appeared to be snapping the bonds around him.

"Did ya think Kidō would be enough to restrain him?" Gin snorted, eyes opening just a little as he appraised the group.

"Kick about, Los Lobos!" Starrk's deep baritone came from behind and the force of his reiatsu as he and Lilynette merged was far beyond what Ichigo had come to expect.

The sight of the Primera stalking forwards, grey fur coat and chaps, bone-like eye patch, dual guns in hand was something of a marvel. He knew from Shiro's feelings that Coyote Starrk wasn't a man to fight unless he had no other choice. The fact he was willing to use his Resurrecciōn form at a time like this made Ichigo's heart swell with pride.

Aizen broke free from his prison, shattering it with ease before shaking the fragments of Kidō glass from his clothes, he began walking towards Ichigo and his friends again, apparently unconcerned by Starrk's change.

The Primera shot forwards with a burst of Sonido crackling around him, at the same time Gin passed him in a snap of Shunpo, grabbing Ichigo by the collar of his shihakusho. The strawberry flinched and immediately lifted Zangetsu to force the man back, but froze as he saw the look on his face.

"Listen to me, Ichi-Berry, I don't have long to tell ya this," Gin's eyes were wide open now, serious as could be, "Aizen Taichou isn't feared because he can use the power of Kyoka Suigetsu. Yes Kyoka Suigetsu's power is terrifyin'. But that alone wouldn't be enough to subdue those who would rather die than obey... There was only one reason why all those powerful Espada were able to function as a group, despite their personal motives and differences. Because he's strong. Aizen Taichou's abilities are far beyond anyone else's."

"I know that." He hissed.

"Do ya? Do ya really know? Look at him, all those Espada and there ain't a mark on him. His clothes yeah, but his skin? None of 'em were able to cut him." Gin let out a breath, "You're gonna take precautions against his Kyoka Suigetsu? Your plans ain't good enough. You're going to take precautions against everythin' else? Your plans still aren't good enough. Even if you gather your minds, and take precautions against unfortunate events like the sky fallin', or the earth splittin', Aizen Taichou's abilities are far beyond your plans."

Ichigo swallowed. He knew that. He'd always known it. Through all the years of training under the man, of feeling his reiatsu increase time and time again, seemingly without end. He knew Aizen was vastly stronger than any Shinigami he had ever met, and that he would ever meet again, "Why are you telling me this?"

The silver haired fox smiled faintly, "Because... Aizen Taichou's been fascinated with ya since ya were a kid. Ya have somethin' no one else has. Somethin' even Aizen Taichou lacks."

"What?"

"Limitless potential." He breathed, "Ya can keep growing. Keep changing. Keep evolving. Yer the only one who can stop him, Ichi-Berry. The only one with the potential to become strong enough to stand toe to toe with him. Go... Evolve... Get stronger... And when the time is right..."

Ichigo turned as he heard several startled cries, his eyes widening as he saw several small Garganta tear open, unseen arms reaching out to snatch people back into the darkness before they sealed shut again. Rukia, Renji, Chad and Orihime were gone first. Then Ishida, and Byakuya.

"Ichigo."

The strawberry looked up at Gin, "What?"

"Tell Rangiku... I'm sorry."

He had a thousand questions to ask, but not time to ask them. He felt a strong pair of arms wrap around him from behind and as he was yanked backwards into the final Garganta he watched as Gin turned on the spot and aimed Shinsō towards Starrk and Aizen.