Currently on a plane flying to Arizona, what a more perfect time then to get a little writing done.

I do not own bleach – this is a nonprofit fan fiction.

The faint sound footsteps wakes Josiah from his slumber. At first, he ignores them, favoring the warm embrace of sleep over the prospect of conversation. He recognizes Ichigo's reiatsu, and doesn't bother to rise to greet him. That Is until he feels something within the reiatsu, a whirlwind of emotions ranging from frustration, to deep sadness, to a wild fury. Josiah does not welcome the conversation that is about to ensue, but he sadly understands that it is one he was destined to have. He rises from his cot slowly, rolling his neck to rid himself of the stiffness of sleep. By the time he stands and directs his attention toward the door, Ichigo is standing before it. A coldness surrounds the Head Captain, a stoic cloak masking a slew of raging emotions.

"I think we both know why I am here Josiah." Ichigo's voice is gruff as he attempts to mask his frustration.

Josiah sighs, aiming his sight away from Ichigo as he states, "It was inevitable really, I tried to warn you."

"You're really going to patronize me?"

Josiah tenses slightly, knowing his choice of words were not the best. "That's not what I meant, it's just…" he sighs, deciding to avoid the apology and get right to the point. "How bad?"

Ichigo's balls his fists in rage, his knuckles turning white from the incredible tension. "One Captain down, another MIA, two lieutenants in critical condition, and four members of the scouting corps are dead." Upon finishing the grim report, he looks to see the captive's reaction. His blood begins to boil when he sees Josiah's expression is unchanged. He stares blankly at orange haired Shinigami, as if he was discussing some mundane point. This anger is quickly curved when Ichigo discovers a single notable detail. Josiah may have put up an effective mask, but his eyes tip his hand. Although subtle, the Head Captain can see a sense of knowing in the Titan's eyes. A hint of sadness lingers in his stare, as it becomes clear to Ichigo that Josiah simply can no longer show his empathy. He sees himself in the blank stare coming from the young man, as too lost much of his ability to show feeling after the loss of his mother. These are all thoughts Ichigo keeps to himself, instead choosing to move the conversation forward. "Their wounds were unlike anything I've ever seen. Maybe you could shed some light on what happened?"

"Maybe," Josiah states bluntly, the gears in his mind already beginning to turn.

"It looked as if they were mauled by some…beast," Ichigo began, struggling to find the proper words to relay his thoughts. Before he can continue, a spike of reiatsu stops him in his tracks. He looks up to find Josiah tense as he seemingly relives some past horror. "Josiah…JOSIAH!" Ichigo shouts while bringing his hands against the bars, attempting to shake the Titan from his trance like state.

"Remus…" Josiah growls, his voice low and full of loathing. "Cronus's lapdog, the beast of the Akropoli."

Josiah's tone makes Ichigo uneasy, as he debates whether he truly wants to press further into the Titans dark past. Beads of sweat rush down Ichigo's brow as he ignores the feeling of bloodlust emanating from his captive. There is much he still needs to know, so he continues his expedition deeper into Josiah's warped mind. "I need more Josiah," Ichigo pleads, preparing his body for the possibility of pushing the Titan over the edge. "Tell me everything about this man. What purpose does he serve within the Akropoli? What abilities does he have? How does he think?" Ichigo continues to fish, hoping his hook with dig into some valuable piece of information.

"He is less of a man, and more of a hound. He is driven strictly by instinct, and his need to quench his insatiable hunger. They allow him to patrol the premises around the campground for the sole purpose of avoiding contact as much as possible. He has been known to tear our own to shreds if they wander too deep into his domain. The only one that monster listens to is Cronus himself, and even he has trouble reining in his pet." Josiah pauses for a moment, taking a ragged breath as he tries to suppress the tension ripping through his body. His voice shakes with rage as he continues, topping every word he says with a thick coating of his hatred for the beast. "He has no special abilities, or even a Zanpakuto."

This information stuns Ichigo, but he doesn't interrupt, instead allowing Josiah to continue his explanation.

"He is neither a Shinigami, nor a Titan. He is a beast from a forgotten age, that Cronus stumbled across after his exile. Somehow, he tamed the beast and ordered him to do his bidding…He may look human, but make no mistake, I've seen that monster tear men apart with his bare hands. His strength and speed are unmatched among our ranks, as is his bloodlust. Once he gets a taste of you, there is no escape. He becomes blood drunk, and will chase his victims to the ends of the earth to satisfy his appetite."

Ichigo shudders from the explanation. "When you say satisfy his appetite…"

"It is as it sounds Kurosaki… I've seen it first-hand."

The Head Captain feels his stomach flip from the explanation, as his mind molds over what such an act would look like. He steels himself, wishing to ask just one more question. "I need to send a message to this Cronus, and killing the mutt just may do the trick. I know you warned me before, but I feel like we know what we are up against this time. So, tell me, how would we go about killing Remus?"

Disbelief shoots across the Titans face, "even after you saw what that beast is capable of, you still wish to fight him again?!"

"We cannot let such a defeat go unanswered. Right now, Cronus and his men think of themselves as invincible. My goal is to drag out Cronus's prized dog, and send it back to him as a taxidermy. This will put us on equal footing, and hopefully bring me face to face with the man."

"You want to negotiate with him?!" Josiah exclaims, his face contorting in distain.

"Perhaps, but that's not likely. More or less, I want to judge this man's character. If I can get a feel for how he thinks, then that will allow me to combat him more effectively." Ichigo states this with conviction, a fact that Josiah picks up on.

"…I see…" Josiah states, still unsure about the idea. For a few moments, he mauls over a multitude of thoughts as they come and go. Finally, he settles on a decision. "The best way to take Remus down would be to lead him into a trap of some sort. Use a decoy to get his attention, then have him chance the person until he reaches the kill zone. There, you would have to have multiple Shinigami ready to take him down. With that being said, he is not exactly a dumb creature. If you want to guarantee that you'll catch him by surprise, then you must understand how he thinks. I've seen him in action, I know how he thinks."

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?" Ichigo asks, already knowing the answer.

"Look…" Josiah begins, already struggling to find the proper words to convey sincerity. "I didn't know the people that were hurt in the last attack. But if I can help prevent more senseless death, the I'm gonna do it, whatever it takes. I know you don't trust me, but if you want this operation to be a success, you need me calling the shots. You have to ask yourself, is your lack of trust for me really worth losing lives over?"

The two men stand before each other, both having said their piece. Ichigo takes a few minutes to weight the pro's and con's, but ultimately decides in favor of Josiah. "Fine, you will join the group to take down Remus. But keep in mind, if you do anything suspicious, my men will have the clearance to put you down. Am I clear?"

Josiah smirks slightly, extending his hand through the bar in a sign of agreement, "crystal, sir."

Ichigo accepts the gesture, wrapping his hand around Josiah's tightly. "Be ready, we leave in the morning."

"The sooner the better I suppose."

And with that, Ichigo takes his leave, his body riddled with nerves. The success of tomorrow's mission is essential to the survival of the Soul Society, and Ichigo knows this. He fortifies himself, as he prepares to do what is necessary. For his friends, his comrades, and for Soul Society, Ichigo will go to any length, and he is prepared to do so.