A.N.: This is a request by draxon.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Chapter Fourteen
The Next Day…
Squad Thirteen
Ichigo sat next to the window, watching the moon rise in the dark sky, night having fallen upon the Soul Society. His hand would often go to his stomach, feeling the scar left by Aizen's sword. Orihime had healed him but the scar still remained, a reminder of his defeat. His friends slept in their own private rooms provided by Rukia's commanding officer, Captain Ukitake.
Now that Aizen's treachery was exposed, Rukia's death penalty had been lifted, the Head-Captain apologizing to the girl for so blindly following Central 46's orders. Ichigo was grateful that his friends weren't hurt badly. Chad was still a little injured by from his fight with Kyoraku but he'd recover.
Sitting in the dark room, Ichigo continued to stare out at the night. Everything felt so serene…
Everything, except for Ichigo.
Ichigo's thoughts were in turmoil. The most pressing issue was his Inner Hollow. Despite pushing him back down into his subconscious, Ichigo could still feel him deep inside his soul. Every once and a while he could feel a dark shiver course through him, as if the creature would take over at any moment. He felt vulnerable and alone. He couldn't tell his friends and burden him with his problem. Not for the first time, he wished that his mentor was here.
More importantly, Ichigo wanted answers. Aizen's words had shaken him up. It was very clear to Ichigo that he was aware of Ichigo's relationship to Halibel and it made Ichigo question Halibel's motives. She'd told him when they first met that her reasons for training Ichigo were her own but not once did she ever tell him what her own reasons were, which led Ichigo to wonder if Halibel's reasons were actually Aizen's.
"I wish she was here so I could ask her…" Ichigo muttered, wondering if now Halibel was his enemy.
He heard a knock at the door and turned as it opened. "Sitting in the dark? That's not like you," Rukia teased, turning on the light.
"Oh, hey, Rukia. I couldn't sleep."
Rukia sat down on the bed next to him. She wore a kimono supplied by her brother, who'd apologized to Rukia for his actions. The two remained silent for a while before Rukia worked up the courage to ask him something she'd wanted to ask for weeks. "Ichigo, can I ask you something?"
Ichigo turned to see that Rukia had a serious face. "What is it?"
"Who was that woman I saw you with? The night that I was captured by Byakuya and Renji, you were sparring with a Hollow."
Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise. He'd no idea that Rukia had spied on them while they were sparring. Filled with shame at his deceit, Ichigo turned away. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you…"
Rukia put a hand on his arm, giving him a gentle smile. She knew that this was clearly deeply personal to Ichigo but she knew that it was time for the boy to tell the truth for once. "You can tell me now."
Sighing, Ichigo turned back to Rukia and confessed to everything. He told her about the night he met Halibel and how she trained him, letting him get revenge on Grand Fisher and even about their romantic night during the festival. He even apologized for using the sleeping powder on Rukia.
"Well, I had thought that something was up. You were growing too strong for it to be just coincidence. But Ichigo," her smile disappeared and her tone grew more serious. "This is going to be a problem. It'd obvious that she's one of Aizen's soldiers."
Ichigo scowled. He knew how this might look to one of the captains. "Are you going to tell the others?"
Rukia shook her head. "No. I can tell that you trust her, Ichigo. From the way you described her, she doesn't sound like she was trying to brainwash you. So I'll keep quiet for now. But Ichigo," she grew more concerned. "I don't know what will happen if the captains learn of this…"
Sweat dripped down the side of Ichigo's head as more dread filled his heart. Considering their treatment of Rukia just for saving his life, he'd no doubt their punishment for his crime of associating with Halibel would be severe. "I don't know what to do…" he admitted. "I don't think she's my enemy but…"
Silence filled the room again. Rukia didn't know what to tell her friend. She trusted his judgement but this was still a serious matter. "Just remember the next time you meet her: you're enemies now."
Ichigo couldn't help but sigh, knowing deep down that she was right. "I know…"
Rukia could tell this was weighing heavily on his shoulders. Knowing there was no easy answer for him, she patted his shoulder. "Get some rest," she told him as she got up. "You need your rest."
Ichigo watched her leave before lying down in bed. It'd felt good to finally confess to someone about his relationship with Halibel but the doubt still remained in his mind.
Turning over, Ichigo fell into a restless sleep, feeling the call of his Inner Hollow from deep within…
Days later…
Karakura Town; Ichigo's Room
Ichigo lay on his own bed. He'd been through so much that it felt foreign to him. It was hard to go from a life-or-death rescue mission to his normal life, even with his normal Hollow hunting. Though he was disappointed that Rukia did not return with him and his friends, he understood that she was a Soul Reaper and belonged in the Soul Society; Kon was devastated but Ichigo didn't really care.
He was dozing off to sleep when he glanced at the bracelet around his wrist. Yoruichi had given it back, stating that she could wait until Ichigo was ready to tell her what it was, though from the look in her eye Ichigo surmised that she figured out it was a communication device. He was glad that she didn't hand it over to Kisuke at least.
Speaking of Kisuke, Ichigo had grown to be more distrustful of the shopkeeper. Although the man had apologized for all that he put Ichigo and Rukia through, Ichigo had not quite forgiven him for leaving him in the dark about so many things. He wanted to vent his anger at Kisuke at the time but held his tongue since he really just wanted to go home.
The boy went rigid when he saw the jewel in the bracelet turn green. 'She's here!' At once Ichigo felt both elated and fearful. He wanted to see Halibel again but was still full of doubt about her. But he knew that he had to get the truth and that if Halibel was indeed his enemy, he'd be ready for a fight. Grabbing the combat pass Captain Ukitake gave him, he popped out of his Human body and shot through the air towards the mountain that had his training ground.
Walking through the forest up to the spot, Ichigo's heart pounded in his chest. He'd so many questions for her. Was she really his friend? Was she training him on Aizen's orders? How much did the man know about them? And most importantly: what was Ichigo to her?
The feelings of anxiety and fear reached a crescendo when he reached the spot. There, sitting on a stump with her back to him, was Halibel.
The woman's ears perked when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, the woman smiled behind her mask to see Ichigo alive and well. "You came back," she said softly as she walked towards him.
"I promise, didn't I?" Ichigo couldn't help but grinned. Before Halibel could get too close, Ichigo held up a hand to stop her. "Wait."
Halibel stopped and saw the determined expression on Ichigo's face. She nodded, knowing what was on Ichigo's mind. "I suppose everything has become much more complicated, hasn't it?" she said coyly. "You and I stand on opposite sides of a growing war."
"Halibel, be straight with me. Do you work for Aizen?"
"I do," Halibel replied, much to Ichigo's dismay. "He is my master. I serve as one of his elite warriors. It was he who saved me and my friends and turned us into Arrancars to give us greater power."
The boy could feel his heart sink at her words. He'd hoped that Halibel had nothing to do with Aizen. Looking at the ground, Ichigo sighed. "Halibel, tell me: why did you train me? Was it because of Aizen?"
"No," Halibel answered adamantly. "I swear to you, Ichigo, Aizen has nothing to do with this. With us."
"Then how does he know about us? He practically shouted it to me on the Sokyoku Hill," he pointed out.
Halibel hesitated, looking away. 'I…I don't know. Aizen visits Hueco Mundo in secret but I've told him nothing about you. I'd no idea he knew about us until…"
Ichigo saw the sad look in her eyes. "What happened?"
"After he returned to Hueco Mundo, he called for me…"
Halibel's heels clicked against the black-tiled floor as she entered the throne room. She was surprised to see how empty it was. Usually there was a score of newly created Arrancars gathered whenever Halibel arrived. Though it would be inaccurate to say that the throne room was completely empty…
Sitting on the throne was Souske Aizen. He'd shed his Haori for a white overcoat and had discarded his glasses, showing off a bolder image that suited his charismatic personality. "Good evening, Halibel," Aizen greeted as Halibel took a knee. "I see you've been training hard."
"Yes, my lord," Halibel replied. "My Fraccións and I have been working diligently every day in preparation."
"That is quite good to hear." Aizen rested his head on his hand and gave her a knowing smile. "And what of Ichigo? He has benefited well from your training, has he not?"
"Yes, he-" Halibel's eyes widened in horror when she realized just what Aizen had said. She looked up and saw the smile on Aizen's face, knowing her secret was out. "My lord, I…I don't-"
"Don't what?" Aizen asked. "Know what I'm talking about? Perhaps this will refresh your memory…" he snapped his fingers and an image formed on one of the walls below his throne.
Halibel stared in disbelief at the sight of her and Ichigo having sex. She knew that she'd been busted in the worst of ways. 'My lord!" she dropped to her knee again and prayed that Aizen wouldn't kill her then and there for treachery. "I can explain!"
"There's no need," Aizen said. 'I'm not mad. In fact, I'm rather impressed. Under two months of your tutelage Ichigo Kurosaki has grown quite remarkably. Imagine his growth if he was here where you could train him properly."
The Espada blinked. "My lord?'
Aizen stood up and smiled down at Halibel, his eyes a mystery. "When you next meet him, bring him to me. You have his trust. Failing that, bring him by force. I will…persuade him into joining our cause," he said, his malicious intent clear.
"Yes…Lord Aizen…" Halibel said before quickly leaving, her mind filled with terror.
Ichigo listened to Halibel's story, stunned at the knowledge that Aizen knew how intimate they were. He also noticed that Halibel's hands were trembling. "What are you going to do?" he asked, his hand twitching, ready to grab for Zangetsu if Halibel decided to carry out Aizen's orders.
Walking away from Ichigo, Halibel stood next to a stump, her hand tracing the rings. "I don't want to…" she admitted. "I do not want to think of what Lord Aizen has planned for you." She turned back to Ichigo with sadness in her eyes. "You asked me once why I wanted to train you, did you not?"
"Yeah…"
Turning back to the stump, Halibel continued to trace the rings, her thoughts clouded with her own insecurities. "I am strong. There are those who are stronger than me but I detest them. I wanted someone who could walk beside me, who could be my friend and perhaps more…" she turned back to Ichigo. Even though her face was covered, he knew she was smiling lovingly at him. "I found you." She finally shook her head. "I will not bring you to Lord Aizen. Even if we are enemies, I cannot let you fall into his hands. What he's done to my fellow Hollows…" she shivered as she remembered some of Aizen's experiments.
"What are you going to do?" Ichigo asked. He was relieved to hear that Halibel wouldn't drag him to Aizen but he was afraid of what would happen if she showed up in Hueco Mundo empty handed. As Halibel sat down on the stump he noticed that she was trembling again. "Halibel, what's wrong?"
Despite being so calm and levelheaded Halibel couldn't hide her fear. "Something has happened. I do not know how it happened but…"
Ichigo walked over to Halibel and crouched down, taking hold of Halibel's trembling hand. He'd never seen her so scared before. "Halibel, what is it? If you can't go back to Hueco Mundo you can stay here."
"No, that is not why I am terrified…"
"Then what is it?"
The blonde Arrancar was silent, staring off in the distance for a moment before turning back again to face Ichigo. She then said three words; just three worlds that would forever change Ichigo's world.
"Ichigo, I'm pregnant."
To be continued
