Chapter 8: Return to Hueco Mundo
Once he had left the Soukyouku area, Ryuichi headed straight towards the Senkeimon where he saw the same two guards from earlier.
Since the Senkeimon only led to the World of the Living, he felt that it would be best to go there first and then to the Urahara Shop, now under the management of Urahara's assistant, Tessai. Ryuichi knew Tessai was skilled in kidou and opening portals, so he figured that the older man would be a great help in allowing him to enter Hueco Mundo.
When he approached the guards, they noticed him right away. "Ryuichi-san," one of them said in slightly startled greeting. "You out for a walk?"
Ryuichi knew exactly what he was going to say. "Actually, I was wondering if you could open the gate to the World of the Living?"
The second guard inquired, "Do you have permission?"
Ryuichi furrowed his eyebrows slightly. Sometimes the rules and regulations of the Soul Society were a bother, especially tonight. "I don't have permission. I just need to see my aunts."
"Then we can't allow you to enter the gate. I'm sorry," The first guard said.
"You always allow my parents to come through," Ryuichi argued, slightly frustrated.
The second guard countered, "Yes because of their rank. We can't allow you to come through. Sorry."
Ryuichi tightened his hands into fists and gritted his teeth. How is he supposed to enter?
"And, one other thing, if you're actually planning on going to the World of the Living to find a way to get into Hueco Mundo, then that's also a no as well," The first guard added.
Ryuichi cursed under his breath – so much for the plan. These guys were impossible to pass through. What was he supposed to do now?
That was until a voice intervened. "Actually, I gave him permission."
All three heads turned to face Urahara Kisuke, who had also happened to be going out for a walk that night.
"U-Urahara-san!" Ryuichi stammered in surprise.
Urahara approached the group closer. "I gave him permission as some kind of a reconnaissance mission to go into Hueco Mundo. After all, the kid does have the same determination as his father. Set the gate to Hueco Mundo and open it."
The second guard was shocked. "Urahara-Taichou! You expecting us to –"
"Just open it," Urahara interrupted.
Ryuichi looked at him inquisitively. Urahara noticed the puzzled expression on the younger man's face. "Not too long after the first war with Aizen, Mayuri-san had installed technology into the Senkeimon that would enable us access to Hueco Mundo. Of course, he had learned such technology when he was there, and he knew it would be utilized sometime in the near future."
Ryuichi knew that the explanation made sense. However, his questions weren't finished just yet. "Why are you letting me go?"
Urahara smiled. "You have great determination. In fact, your father had come here before to save Orihime years ago, even though it was a reckless act. Your mother is going to kill me for this." He chuckled as he scratched his head, but then he started to become serious. "But I am letting you go to test your determination. There are many challenges that you would face, and I think it would be a good idea to test your newly released zampakutou."
Ryuichi's eyes widened with a snap. "You...you..."
Before he could answer, Urahara chuckled once again. "I saw you attempt to release it, and I must admit that I'm quite impressed."
Ryuichi nodded in understanding.
"Now then, go. Go and bring us Kurosaki-san back."
Ryuichi nodded again, but this time in determination. "Thank you, Urahara-san."
Urahara grinned. "No problem, Kurosaki-kun. It's what I do after all. Now good luck!"
Ryuichi nodded once again as he ran through the gates that were reluctantly opened by the guards, headed towards the deserted planes of Hueco Mundo.
Rukia sighed as she walked towards her son's room. Today would be the day that she, Renji, Tatsuki, Ruby, Jade, and Hinamori would go to Hueco Mundo to rescue her husband. She felt slightly guilty for deciding to leave her son behind but she knew it was for the best.
"Ryuichi, honey, I'm leaving now," Rukia called from outside her son's door, unbeknownst that he was not there. "I just want to say I'm sorry but there will be times in which you will partake in missions with your father. Please forgive me..."
She did not hear any response from her son's room – maybe he was asleep? "Ryuichi?" She called again.
Thinking that her son could be asleep, she pulled open his door and screamed when she found the empty bed. "Ryuichi?" She panicked as she ran towards his bed. "Ryuichi?" She pulled back the covers in desperation and sure enough, he wasn't there. "RYUICHI!"
She ran out of his room. "RYUICHI! WHERE ARE YOU?"
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Where could her son be? Sure he could not have gone...to Hueco Mundo? Rukia widened her eyes at the thought. He is going to be in so much trouble!
Hinamori rushed inside the house. "Kurosaki-fukutaichou! I heard screaming inside the house. What's wrong?"
But Rukia could not answer. She was hyperventilating as she tried to fight off her tears.
Hinamori placed her hands on her superior's shoulders. "Kurosaki-fukutaichou, what happened?"
"Ryu...Ryuichi is gone!" Rukia cried as she tried to get a hold of herself. "He's not in his room. He better not have gone to Hueco Mundo...oh my god!"
"Mommy, where is Onii-chan?"
Rukia and Hinamori turned towards Aiko who was standing in the hallway. She was still in her pyjamas and holding her bunny, Chappy, to her chest. A pleading, puzzled look was on her face.
Rukia hid her face from her daughter to not show the distress she was going through.
"Mommy?" Aiko cocked her head to the side. "What's wrong?"
Rukia tried to crack a smile. "It's okay, honey. Your brother is..." She stopped for a while to try to gather her thoughts. What was she going to say? Then a thought suddenly hit her, "out for a while. Hinamori and I are going to look for him."
"And bring Daddy home?" Aiko questioned once more.
Rukia froze. She had mentioned that there was a bit of minor trouble where Ichigo was and because of that, she, Hinamori, Renji, and Tatsuki were setting out to bring him home. "Yes, that too."
"Where am I going to stay?" Aiko inquired.
"Your uncle Byakuya's," Rukia replied, her voice cracking as more tears threatened to surface.
Hinamori had noticed that Rukia was being unsuccessful in trying to hide her distressed face and so she had to do something to try to help. "Kurosaki-Fukutaichou..."
"Rukia," Rukia corrected bluntly. "We're not in the office, so don't call me that when I'm at home."
"Sorry," Hinamori said, "Rukia-san, I can help get Aiko-chan prepared. You go get a glass of water and calm down."
Rukia did not say anything for she kept staring into space, hands balled into fists. "Just go."
Hinamori nodded as she led Aiko towards her room. Aiko turned towards her mother with as much concern as any little girl would have, wondering why her mother would be like this.
Rukia got up from her spot on the couch and walked over to the sink. She got a glass from the nearby cupboard and turned on the tap, letting cold water pour into the glass. When the glass was full, she turned off the tap and sighed as she held the glass to her lips, taking a long drink as she stared into space.
Ryuichi is in big trouble, she thought to himself. How could he be so reckless? I know his heart was set on getting his father back and all, but...I can't believe he would do this! She remembered how Ichigo was the same thing when he was his son's age and sighed once again. Ichigo was the same thing. He never listened to what I had to say, no matter what the circumstance was. Damn it all!
After finishing her glass, she put it in the sink and washed her face, letting the cool water splash across her face in a refreshing manner. It calmed her down slightly.
Once she turned off the tap, Hinamori was standing in the hallway holding Aiko's hand. Aiko's other hand was still clutching her bunny and she was dressed in a pink bunny top and deep blue jeans.
Hinamori smiled at her superior and friend. "Read to go, Rukia-san?"
"Almost," Rukia said. "Let me put on my lieutenant badge and sheath and we'll go."
Hinamori smiled as she let her superior get ready.
Meanwhile, Jade and Ruby were making their preparations as well. They went about their preparations in silence due to the severity of the mission at hand, and they both knew that speaking to each other would make them lose their focus.
However, Ruby's mind was full of thoughts – thoughts about the mission as well as thoughts about Ryuichi and how he treated her the day before. She knew that he was mad at her for what she and her brother had done, and it was understandable that she would be blown off like that. However, she wanted to do anything in her power to make up for what she had done. He may or may not forgive her after this, but she will see how things will go once everything has finished, assuming they make it out alive. Ruby had a strong feeling that they would, regardless of the casualties coming their way.
She turned to Jade who was waiting in the doorway for her with his casual, nonchalant stare. Is power all he is concerned about? She knew that he hadn't cared for anyone but himself every since that horrible night – well maybe sometimes her but mostly for himself. I'll never understand him, she thought to herself as she shook her head. Then she walked over to her brother and together they silently left their house towards the Senkaimon, where they knew the others would be waiting.
It did not take Rukia long to get ready and, picking up Aiko, she and Hinamori left their house and started their silent walk towards the Senkaimon.
Half of the way there, they met up with Renji and Tatsuki. Renji's arms were around Tatsuki's waist as they waiting for their comrades to arrive.
"How are you feeling, Rukia?" Renji asked out of concern.
Trying not to show her true feelings to her daughter, Rukia replied coolly, "Ryuichi snuck out of the house last night..."
Tatsuki gasped and Renji furrowed his eyebrows.
"I specifically told that idiot that he wasn't coming with us," Renji growled.
"Onii-chan is not an idiot!" Aiko exclaimed with a glare and Renji sighed. Sometimes he has to watch what he says around Aiko.
"I can understand his feelings though," Tatsuki said. "I mean, ever since he found out about his father, he wanted to do something about it." She noticed the hard stare in Rukia's eyes. "Don't worry about it, Rukia-san," she assured with a slight smile. "Who knows? Something may not happen to him and when we catch up to him..."
"When we catch up to him, I am going to send him home," Rukia snapped.
Tatsuki and Renji looked at each other for a moment and then turned back to their friend.
"Look," Renji said, "anything could happen while he's," he paused for a moment, remembering that Aiko was there in Rukia's arms, "there. Also, who knows, last night he probably have learned his zampakutou's name."
Rukia, Hinamori, and Tatsuki looked at him, eyes full of slight shock.
There was a moment of silence until Hinamori spoke up. "Then that makes sense. Suppose he did learn his zampakutou's name and learned to release its shikai, then he must have been confident enough to rush ahead of us."
Rukia's eyes softened. She wanted to believe what her subordinate was telling her, but something just was not quite right. The guards would never allow anyone through the Senkaimon unless they had permission. How could Ryuichi have gotten past them?
As they were nearing the Senkaimon, Urahara Kisuke and his wife, Yoruichi, who had been made leader of the Covert Ops once again, were there waiting for them. Since she was expecting a child of her own, however, she had been temporarily relieved from her position, which was replaced by Soi Fon.
"Ah there you guys are," Urahara greeted with a sheepish smile. "Rukia-san, there's something I want to tell you..."
"Ryuichi is gone, I know," Rukia interrupted. Urahara froze for a moment. Rukia noticed the shocked expression in his eyes. "What is your problem, Kisuke-Taichou?" She asked. No response. Rukia gaped as she carefully handed Hinamori Aiko. Then she marched towards Urahara and grabbed his haori violently. "What the fuck did you do this time?" She hissed.
Urahara raised his hands, begging for mercy. "Rukia-san, please go easy..."
"Like hell I'm going to go easy!" Rukia snapped even more harshly. "Now, tell me. What the fuck did you do? Did you let my son go into Hueco Mundo? Did you?"
Yoruichi, who had overheard, glared at her husband. "Urahara, is this true?"
Urahara laughed sheepishly. "If you must know, Rukia-san, I had let him go. After all, I was out for a walk and..."
Rukia tightened her hold abruptly. "And what? Spill it, Kisuke!"
Urahara continued his frantic explanation. "I saw him release his shikai! So to test him, I sent him ahead to Hueco Mundo! I swear on this!"
"You have any idea what you have done? What happened 15 years ago? Why I am strongly opposed to allowing him to go? What if something happens, huh? What if Aizen got a hold of him again? You've got some nerve, Kisuke!" Rukia tightened her hold even further. "If anything happens to my son, it will be on your conscience, Kisuke!"
"I'm sorry, Rukia-san!" Urahara exclaimed. "The kid has great determination to save his father though; after all, he is Ichigo's son!"
Yoruichi placed a hand on Rukia's hand. "Let him go, Rukia. He's got what he deserved. I will make sure he gets the rest of it. Let it go for now."
Rukia sighed harshly as she let go with a slight push. Urahara straightened his haori
Rukia continued on her way towards the Senkaimon. "Come on, guys. Let's go."
Tatsuki, Renji, and Hinamori nodded as they followed their comrade. Aiko was unable to comprehend why her mother was acting like that, but she had seen her mother angry before and she knew in her heart that her mother was upset about something.
They finally arrived at the Senkaimon, where all the captains and lieutenants of the Gotei 13 were waiting for them. Ruby and Jade were also waiting for them.
Hinamori handed Aiko to Byakuya, who took her without hesitation, knowing fully well his sister's reasons.
Rukia softened her eyes when she turned to face her daughter. "Look after her, Nii-Sama."
Byakuya nodded as he adjusted Aiko against his chest. "Don't worry about her, Rukia. She will be kept safe at the manor. I will make sure of that."
Rikichi, his lieutenant, beamed at Renji. "Good luck, Renji! You're the best ever!"
Renji smirked. "That's Abarai-Taichou to you."
Jade rolled his eyes. "Can we get this over with already?"
The guards nodded as they opened the Senkaimon.
Before Rukia and her group could step through, however, Yamamato explained, "As most of you may know, the late Kurotsuchi-Taichou had this gate enhanced to send anyone to Hueco Mundo, should the need of it arrive. For those of you who don't know," he motioned towards Jade and Ruby, "after the first war against Aizen, the previous captain of the 12th Division had learned some techniques in opening a garganta that would lead anyone to Hueco Mundo and back out of there. Using this technology, he enhanced the Senkaimon to allow anyone to access Hueco Mundo, providing they have permission to do so, when necessary. Prior to this, anyone could go to the World of the Living first and then go to Urahara's Shop so that he could create a garganta from there. With all of that said, good luck all of you and bring Kurosaki-Taichou back safely."
Rukia nodded. "We will, Yamamato-Sou-Taichou, and thank you."
"Yeah! Renji!" Rikichi yelled from the background. Renji grimaced in annoyance. "You're the man, Renji! Knock them dead! Whoo!"
In unison, the group of 6 entered the Senkaimon, prepared for their dangerous mission into the eerie atmosphere of Hueco Mundo.
Meanwhile, in Hueco Mundo, Ryuichi was running along the sandy terrain towards the great, white fortress that loomed ahead of him. He cursed to himself as he ran, knowing why it would have been such a hassle to his father when he went through the same event. He seemed to have run for hours and he felt that he could not get anywhere closer to the castle.
A rocky outcrop caught his eye and curiosity caught the better of him when he saw a small light through the cracks. He turned and ran towards the outcrop, wondering if whoever was over there would help him get to the castle, even if he had to force them to do so.
When he got closer towards the light, he saw a couple of people there as well as a worm-like creature and two others that seemed to look like hollows. He narrowed his eyes as he crept through cracks of the outcrop.
Grimmjow noticed the newcomer arrive in the camp and drew his sword immediately. "You there!" He marched towards Ryuichi, who had his hand on his hilt. "What the fuck could a shinigami like you be doing here?"
"That's my line," Ryuichi shot back, borrowing one of his father's common phrases. "I need help getting into that castle." He pointed towards Las Noches.
"You retarded?" Grimmjow spat, tightening his hold onto his zampakutou. "You have any idea of what dangers could await you there. After all, you're just a kid!"
Ryuichi sneered at the response. "A kid? Please... Don't make me laugh! You don't even know me! My father was only a 'kid' when he infiltrated the place...twice! Both times, he got back out fine. Don't you dare think that I am not able to do the same!"
At that moment, Neliel joined the fray. "Your father?" She studied Ryuichi's looks closely and realized that he resembled a great deal like Ichigo. "You must be Ichigo's son." She gasped with shock. "You're Ryuichi!"
Grimmjow eyed his girlfriend in disbelief. "What the fuck are you getting at, Neliel?"
"Grimmjow," Neliel said as she pointed towards Ryuichi. "Take a good look at him and look who he resembles."
Grimmjow squinted as he too examined Ryuichi and an image of Ichigo formed in his mind for a second. He lowered his sword as he continued to stare. "So you're Ichigo's brat."
Ryuichi gritted his teeth. "How the hell do you know my father?"
Neliel smiled. "We're friends of his; well, Grimmjow here was an enemy of his but then he became an ally. Your father saved our lives a number of times." Grimmjow shuddered at the memory. He did not like the thought of being saved from the shinigami, even if that shinigami was an ally. Then Neliel frowned. "We found out what happened to him, and we assume that you are here for that reason."
Ryuichi raised an eyebrow. "You spies for Aizen or something?"
"Along those lines," Neliel replied. "For fifteen years now, ever since we chose to live here as rogues, we have taken turns spying on Aizen and his followers. Grimmjow has this goal in mind to take over Las Noches and he has been training non-stop to try to overthrow Aizen, even though he knew it wouldn't be that easy. However, there's not much to train on but minor hollows that intrude on this camp. Rarely there had been Menos-type hollows that would come here to try to prey on us, but Grimmjow needs more of a challenge."
"Get to the point, Neliel," Grimmjow intervened, glaring at Ryuichi with distrust.
Neliel nodded at him in reply and then she turned back to Ryuichi. "We were hoping that Ichigo's friends and/or family would come here for assistance because we would use our knowledge of Aizen and Las Noches to help them."
"That is why I'm here anyway," Ryuichi said. "I'm hoping if I could get some help to get to Las Noches."
"Let me guess," Neliel said, "you have been running for what seemed like hours and you seem to not be getting anywhere."
"Yea, something like that," Ryuichi nodded. "So will you help me out?"
Neliel nodded as she turned towards the "hollows" and the worm-like creature. "Dondochakka, Pesche, Bawabawa," she called, "come over here."
The gigantic worm crawled towards the group, followed by its hollow companions.
"What's up, Neliel-sama?" Pesche inquired. Then he noticed Ryuichi in front of him. "You must be...uh...what's-his-name's son because you look a great deal like Ichigo's friend!"
Ryuichi raised an eyebrow. "Um...I am Ichigo's son. What are you talking about?"
Neliel chuckled with amusement. "Pesche always seems to get Ichigo and the Quincy, Ishida's names mixed up."
"Oh," Ryuichi said with disinterest.
Dondochakka jumped right front of Ryuichi, forcing him to step back in a startled movement. "And I'm Dondochakka, don'tcha know!"
"What the fuck do you think you're doing? You nearly gave me a heart attack! God damn it!" Ryuichi cursed as Dondochakka was taken aback.
"You're not so nice, don'tcha know!" Dondochakka exclaimed – his tears streaming down like waterfalls from his large, bulbous eyes.
Ryuichi scowled and rolled his eyes. "You're acting like idiots. Why shouldn't I be 'not so nice'? Besides, the more I spend time here, the more time I waste."
Grimmjow spoke up. "I know how he feels. So let's hop on this thing and go to Las Noches."
Ryuichi turned to him with questioning eyes. Neliel noticed the younger man's expression. "Grimmjow and I will come with you to make sure your access into Las Noches is easier, as there are many Arrancar guards that walk about." She turned on her heels to walk towards Bawabawa, where, on his back, Grimmjow was already waiting with Dondochakka and Pesche. With slight hesitation, Ryuichi followed, feeling that he could probably trust these two despite them being arrancar.
The trip towards the castle did not seem very long and Ryuichi was relieved to find that he had some kind of transport. He made some conversation with Neliel, who had been asking him questions about what his parents had been doing and what his life as a shinigami was like. Since there was plenty of thoughts weighing on the younger Kurosaki's mind, he did not speak up very much.
Once they arrived at the castle, Grimmjow, Neliel, and Ryuichi jumped off Bawabawa's back. Neliel turned to Dondochakka and Pesche. "Both of you go to where it's safe and watch for anyone else who might be coming for Ichigo."
"Will ya be okay, Neliel?" Pesche asked with slight concern.
Neliel grinned with confidence. "Don't worry about me, Pesche. A few arrancar aren't strong enough to hold off the two of us." She turned to Grimmjow with her confident smile and he smirked in return.
"Good luck, don'tcha know!" Dondochakka exclaimed as Bawabawa carried them away from the castle.
Ryuichi turned to Neliel and Grimmjow. "So, any advice or something?"
"Aizen has a number of arrancar guarding throughout the castle," Grimmjow advised. "Don't worry about them attacking you for Neliel and I have that part. How are you at sensing reiatsu?"
"I was told that I sense reiatsu very well, even better than my dad," Ryuichi replied. "In fact, I could probably sense Aizen's reiatsu in there...or some very powerful reiatsu anyway. It's kind of suffocating in a way."
"Just wait until you're up close and personal with the guy," Grimmjow trailed off but Ryuichi was not phased in the slightest. All what mattered what getting his father back and nothing else.
Neliel smiled. "Then let's go."
Within seconds, the three dashed towards the front entrance.
As expected, several guards spotted them and charged towards them head on. Neliel and Grimmjow smirked at one another as they drew their swords. Then they separated, slashing through the screaming arrancar as they tried to stand their ground. Ryuichi used this moment to continue running into the castle; Grimmjow and Neliel followed.
Not too long after that, more guards ambushed them. Several blasted cero and bala while others charged with their swords drawn. Neliel dodged the reiatsu blasts and Grimmjow parried them off with his blade, and then they continued charging at them. The arrancar continued to fight, shooting bala and cero and slashing their swords. However, their efforts were futile as Grimmjow and Neliel were much more powerful since they were both former espada. Grimmjow slashed one guard across the chest and another through the throat. Neliel stabbed one guard through the chest and sliced through another's neck, severing his head from his body. Blood splashed everywhere as the guards met their doom.
Ryuichi continued to run, ignoring the fighting and focusing on the task at hand, until an arrancar guard blocked his way. "Yer mine, shinigami!" he shouted as he drew his blade.
Before Ryuichi could do anything, a blade sliced the arrancar in half, spraying his blood in all directions. Standing above the carnage was Grimmjow. "And so are you, bastard," he spat. Then he averted his eyes towards Ryuichi, who was standing still in his spot. "What the hell are you waiting for?" he shouted. "Go NOW!"
Ryuichi nodded as he regained his train of thought and continued on his way, heading towards the throne room where Aizen was probably expecting him.
Meanwhile, Aizen sat in his throne and smirked. He had sensed the approaching boy's reiatsu and was waiting in anticipation to see him again after 15 years.
"What do you want us to do, Aizen-sama?" Aaronierro asked in his lower voice.
"We wait of course," Aizen replied. "He should be here any moment."
As if on cue, a fiery scythe ripped through the walls of the throne room, catching the espada by surprise. Aizen and Gin turned towards the wreckage to see Ryuichi standing there, his zampakutou released. Within seconds, the flaming scythe boomeranged and landed neatly in the young Kurosaki's left hand. He pointed his scythe towards Aizen with a deathly glare in his eyes. "You must be Aizen," he said coolly as he slowly stepped out of the rubble.
Gin whistled. "His zampakutou's got a pretty scary vibe to it. He's impressive! After all, that's to be expected from Kurosaki's kid."
Aizen stood from his throne. "Welcome, Ryuichi. I am indeed Aizen. We may not have met, but I surely remember you."
"I know you do," Ryuichi snapped. "I have heard what you had intended to do 15 years ago. Now, I'm doing the same thing that my father did; I've come for him! Where is he?"
Aizen chuckled. "You really want to know?"
"Spit it out, Aizen," Ryuichi demanded. "Tell me where my father is or I will be forced to attack with everything I've got."
The espada laughed out loud and Gin's smile grew wider.
Aizen continued to smirk. "He's locked up and had just undergone some experimenting, so he's pretty drugged up right now. However," he chuckled darkly, "you probably would not like what you see when you see him."
Ryuichi started to seethe in rage and tightened his holds on his zampakutou and scythe. "You...BASTARD!" With full strength, he flung his scythe at the evil lord who immediately caught it with his artificial hand.
Aizen chuckled as he examined the flaming scythe. "My, my, what an interesting weapon. It's too bad you act out of anger. Didn't daddy tell you not to lash out?" He chuckled once again as he finished the taunt. Ryuichi growled as he tried to tug on the chain, but the scythe did not leave Aizen's grip.
Then wisps of smoke rose from Aizen's hand. He glanced at his arm in shock when he noticed that it was gradually turning red and smoking as though it were being made at a blacksmith's shop. He shrieked and threw down on the ground, giving Ryuichi the chance to retract his weapon.
Aizen turned sharply towards his enemy's son – eyes full of fury. "You little brat!" He hissed. "What the fuck is with your zampakutou?"
After inspecting his zampakutou for a second, Ryuichi figured out the answer to that. "When someone but me touches it, it burns them. The heat must be pretty intense after what it had done to your arm." Then he smirked. "That gives me some kind of advantage. I'll fight all of you and then get my father back."
"SIEZE HIM!" Aizen screamed.
The espada charged at Ryuichi at once with their swords drawn and surrounded him.
Ryuichi looked around at the espada surrounding him. "You're not going to kill me? What a pity."
"I'll answer that question for you," Szayel said, giving a villainous smile. "You're more valuable to Aizen alive than you are dead. In fact, if you come with us, you will get to see your father again before we completely change him."
Ryuichi gaped once again. He rushed towards Szayel, swinging his sword at him. Szayel blocked the attack, holding off his opponent with shear force. Sensing Yammy attacking from behind, Ryuichi flung his scythe at him. Yammy dodged and Stark parried the blade with his sword. Ryuichi retracted his scythe and went back to his opponent, who was trying to break free from their stalemate.
"Your...blade...is quite interesting," Szayel grunted as he struggled. "Reminds me of...fire."
"It's a fire-type, dumbass!" Ryuichi shouted as he kicked the mad scientist away. Then he blocked an incoming attack courtesy of Aaronierro. With his scythe, he managed to make a shallow gash in the espada's stomach. "DAMN YOU!" His high voice screamed.
Using his sword, Ryuichi sliced upward, splitting the tall mask in two.
Within a matter of seconds, Aaronierro shifted his appearance to that of Kaien Shiba, the former lieutenant whom Rukia had idolized so much. He rotated his zampakutou with one hand and shouted, "Rankle the seas and skies, Nejibana!" The zampakutou changed to a long, 3-pronged spear.
Ryuichi gasped in shock. He remembered his mother telling him that she fought an espada that could take the form of her mentor and that ended up in a draw, with both of them defeated by one another. At first he was confused to how this espada was still standing, but then he also remembered that he was revived by Orihime Inoue and her rejection powers, as what his mother had told him before.
"I guess your mother told you about me, huh?" Aaronierro said with a wide and evil grin. "After all, the shock is in your face. But don't worry," he twirled the spear before readying it for battle, "everything will end now."
Ryuichi relaxed his face and went into a fighting stance. He flung the scythe at the espada, who dodged it and then countered with a stab of his spear. Ryuichi dodged the attack and countered with a slash of his sword, catching his scythe as it flew back to his hand.
From the corner of his eye, Stark and Szayel attempted to make their surprise attack. However, that was intercepted by a slash of Ryuichi's scythe. He spun around and blocked another attack from Aaronierro, panting from the overwhelming attacks that had repeatedly been laid on him. He knew that he would not hold his ground forever. After all, there were too many opponents attacking him at once.
Suddenly, two flashes zipped past Ryuichi, stunning him in his place for a moment. Before he knew it, two blades pressed against his neck on either side. He was about to attack the new attackers with his scythe and blade, but a blunt force courtesy of Yammy disarmed him.
Ryuichi fell to his knees after the impact, wondering what happened to him. He averted his eyes to see who had stunned him and had found out that they were two arrancar: a tall man with long blonde hair and another man with a feminine appearance and short black hair. They were Barragan's fraccion – Findor and Ggio – and both of them were smirking evilly.
"You lost, kid," Findor announced as he pressed his blade harder against Ryuichi's throat. "It's over." Then he turned to Szayel. "He's all yours, Szayel-sama."
Szayel's grin grew wider as he grabbed the young man by the arm. Ryuichi tried to fight him off, but Szayel grabbed the other arm and twisted it behind his back with force, causing him to hiss in pain. "Your father has been co-operative lately," Szayel whispered in Ryuichi's ear. "So I'll take you to him." Ryuichi growled as he was pulled away from the throne room, towards the cell where his father was locked inside.
Above the throne room, Neliel and Grimmjow had watched the entire situation. While Grimmjow's face was nonchalant and cold, Neliel's was full of horror. It did not take long for Grimmjow to narrow his eyes and snarl, "It begins now."
Neliel turned to face her boyfriend in question. Without looking at her, Grimmjow closed his eyes. "They're coming...and they will be here soon."
The scene switched to Rukia, Renji, Tatsuki, Ruby, Hinamori, and Jade as they ran across the desert towards Las Noches; desperation filled Rukia's eyes as she ran with the others.
Next time on Incomplete Sorrows...
"You don't want to see me like this, Ryuichi," Ichigo whispered – a whisper full of defeat and depression.
Ryuichi knelt to his knees in front of his father. "Please, Dad."
Ichigo sighed as he swallowed his pride. He knew he had to show his son the horrors that were partially forced out during his experimental tortures. Slowly, he stood up. Ryuichi noticed that his father's robes were torn from the abuse that was inflicted on him. When he stood fully upright, Ichigo opened his eyes, revealing yellow on black.
Ryuichi stood up as well so that he could see his father clearly in the moonlight and gasped in horror at what he saw. "Dad...what...did they do to you?"
Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to write this as I was very busy preparing for the holidays. I also had writer's block so it was really tough to write this chapter. However, the next chapter is going to be easier to write as I had been planning what to write there. And yes, you will find out the horrible truth that Ichigo had been keeping from his son all his life. Most of you may know already what that is, but it will help a lot with the angst of this story.
Hope you all enjoyed, and please review!
Take care!