Chapter 9

Hopeless

Legal Blah: I don't own Bleach. CHOCOLATE!!!

Rating Blah: M* CHOCOLATE (and sex and violence)

Author's Death Note Blah: So Aizen-sama currently has me locked away in Hueco Mundo. I wouldn't mind this if Grimmjow looked after me, but alas it is Yammy who I am staying with (But his hollow dog is sooooo cute). After threats of decapitation and dismemberment, I remembered my allergy to sharp pointy objects. The best remedy for this was of course to finish this chapter and give Aizen a juicy role in it. So enjoy!!!

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"Renji! Rukia! You guys came!" Ichigo yelled happily running up to them. He was suddenly stopped when Rukia punched him in the jaw. Renji looked at his now bruised lover, before dragging him into a hug.

"Baka. Why didn't you wait for us at Urahara's? Of course we were coming to help you," said Renji into Ichigo's ear. He noticed Nel and her brother's looking at them.

"Uh…Who are they?" Renji asked pulling away.

"We are the three siblings!"

"Nel and the brothers!"

"The fantastic four!!"

The three siblings and their giant pet, Bawabawa looked at each other, and started bickering over their title.

"They're hollows," explained Ichigo over their shouting. "Well let's get going." They made to walk off when Nel noticed their departure.

"Wait Itsygo!! We can take you on Bawabawa!!!"

A short time later the companions were sitting on the giant pet's head as they made there way to Aizen's strong hold.

Nel clung protectively to Ichigo's arm as she glared back at Rukia.

"Why is she staring at me?" asked Rukia, pointing to Nel.

"What is your wrelationship with Itsygo?" Nel asked Rukia defensivly.

Renji grinned evilly, before pulling Ichigo over and planting a warm kiss on the teen's lips. He broke the kiss and looked down at Nel's incredulous face.

"Boy kid, have you got it backwards. Ichigo's my boyfriend." Said boyfriend blushed deeply.

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The allies looked around the room at the many paths they could choose to go down. Rukia sighed unhappily.

"It looks like there's one for each of us," commented Ishida.

"We'll have to split up," Rukia added.

"No," Ichigo said flatly, looking at Rukia with a glare. Renji sighed and pulled the orange head away from the group.

"Listen, the more ground we cover the better chance we can find Orihime and get the hell out of here," reasoned Renji trying to capture Ichigo's gaze away from the wall.

"No way. If we don't stick together those arrancar will pick us off one by one!" Ichigo's face was contorted in pain and anger at the thought. When Ichigo refused to look at Renji, the older man grabbed the teen's chin and jerked it up to meet his red-eyes. "Remember that promise we made under the tree. We promised we wouldn't die and I intend to keep that promise."

Renji watched as those pain filled eyes bore into him. He could tell Ichigo was trying to convince himself that what Renji said was true. Finally, he gave in and let his head drop in submission. "I just don't want to see you get hurt," he mumbled.

"And I don't want to see you hurt either Ichi." Ichigo bit his lip. "Promise you won't…?" He could not say it out loud, afraid he might jinx it.

"I promise."

"Oi, we have to get going!" yelled Rukia. The two finally moved to the larger group that had been watching them the whole time.

"Wait we should, say something before we go. All hands in!"

"You're kidding?" Rukia raised her eyebrows at her childhood friend.

"No get your hands in." She grumbled as she followed the command.

"We go into this decisive battle, our blades will not shatter, our hearts will not waver, and we all share wills of iron! We will Live and Return to This Place!"

Rukia, Chad and Ishida turned and sprung into their tunnels, but Ichigo caught Renji's hand before he could disappear. He yanked him into his arms, pushing their lips together. This was more than a kiss, this was desperation. Promise or not, both knew this could be their last kiss. They unwillingly broke apart.

"I love you…forever."

"And ever baka."

They turned back to back and took off down the remaining tunnels. They would live. They had to.

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Karin woke up to the sound of dripping. She wearily pulled herself from the cement floor. Her heart hurt slightly and her breathing was labored. She searched for Unidotaihou in her mind, but only managed to make the pain in her chest jump sharply. Karin gritted her teeth against the pain.

She was in a small cell with only one barred window. The door was made of steel with a small slot to peer out of. A lone chair with a thin blanket was in the corner. Karin shivered and pulled the blanket around her.

Karin was in Hueco Mundo. That much she knew for certain, but she didn't know where. Unidotaihou was gone from her waist and her wounds from the her capture left the pain she felt. Her stomach growled hungrily.

A shadow passed the slot in the door, and the steel slid forward to reveal Halibel. A nameless arrancar came in behind her and dropped a tray on the chair. They bowed to Halibel before doing an about face and leaving.

"Eat," commanded Halibel, folding her arms across her front.

"Yeah right. How do I know you didn't drug it?" Karin glowered at her. Halibel ignored her comment.

"I'll take you to see Aizen-sama when you've finished." Halibel walked out, the door slamming shut behind her. It was an hour before she gave into her cramped stomach. Karin angrily tore off a chunk of bread and dipped it into the chicken broth. It had gotten cold and the bread was slightly stale.

She huddled under the blanket until the tray was empty. It wasn't long before the door opened again. The arrancar from before came in again and put a pair of cuffs on her. As soon as they touched her skin she felt her rietsu get drawn into them. The halls were white. Karin vaguely wondered if anyone here missed having color around.

Aizen sat like the pompous son-of-a-bitch he was. If Karin's glare could kill, the villain would have died on the spot.

"What the hell!?" she screamed up at him, straining against the arrancar that held her. His vise like grip bit into her shoulders. Aizen ignored the outburst and sipped from the teacup that was sitting on the arm of his throne.

"Did you know that your brother is here?" Karin growled at him in response. "Since you're not shocked, I'll assume yes. Let me tell you that it would take no more effort for me to kill him than for me to pick up this teacup. If you want your brother and friends to have a fighting chance I suggest you do as I say. Is that understood?"

Karin muttered something under her breath.

"What was that," asked the power-crazy man.

"MY BROTHER WILL KILL YOU!" The arrancar holding her kicked her feet out from under her bringing her to her knees. She heard footsteps move forward until two black clad feet came into view. Karin looked up to see Aizen grin down at her. The girl came to the realization that this man could snap her in half like a tooth pick and not even bat an eye. She attempted not to let a shiver of fear flow through her.

"Do you really believe that? I think you know that Kurosaki would lose if he attempted to fight me. I think you're just a terrified little girl who got in way over her head when she decided to play 'shinigami.'"

"Who said I cared about what you thought?" Aizen smirked again and gestured for the arrancar to take her away.

Back in her cell Karin curled in her blanket. She felt so hopeless. Her own brother didn't even know she was here too. How was she ever going to escape? Karin felt tears sting her eyes. She hadn't cried since mom died, and now the overwhelming urge was building in her chest. Karin defiantly bit back the tears, but not before one could escape down her cheek.