*gasp* The title tells so much and yet so little!

Ichigo: Who gets kidnapped?

Grimmjow and Vaerin: *stares at Ichigo*

Ichigo: ... C-come on, that's not funny. Who is it?

Grimmjow and Vaerin: *still staring at Ichigo*

Ichigo: You guys suck. *hangs head in misery*

Part 14- Kidnapped

Gin is a sly person, he knows everything that goes on at all times and gets his information from the most reliable sources. He's never trusted Aizen or Yamamoto, so he's been in it for himself for a long time. The fox gargoyle was once a good friend of Rangiku, the second of Toshiro's division, so he told her everything. They've remained close and she keeps him informed of the Shinigami's activities so long as he doesn't tell Aizen… not a difficult feat. For all the power Aizen portrays, he really has no idea who to trust completely. Gin knows Ichigo is with the Shinigami thanks to Rangiku, but also knows the orangette is hiding out in Byakuya's forest… the same forest Yamamoto just sent a horde of men into to locate the wayward teen. Whereas he has no doubts Ichigo is hidden safely, he also wouldn't underestimate the old man's desire to locate him. As it is now, he just managed to sneak in right when those sent started bringing in pickaxes.

"He'll stop at nothing," Gin grumbles. "Looks like I was right in assuming Grimmjow wouldn't get here in time."

He slips down one of the tunnels humming to himself as two Shinigami fall into a deep slumber, his own powers reminiscent to ancient Kitsune. He has no worries about getting caught, those he deems targets fall asleep long before they catch sight of the smiling man. His fluffy silver tail swishes lazily behind him, his icy blue eyes picking up the footprints in the dirt… so many different sizes and shapes, but there's one pair that catch his eye.

"Ah… of course," he grins wider. "Byakuya couldn't resist checking up on his precious boy."

He knows the other took a longer route, but he doesn't have time for a longer route. He sniffs out Ichigo's scent, frowning when it comes from all sides. With a shrug, he sets out determinedly with his eyes on the days old tracks he makes out to be Ichigo's. when they vanish into the wall, he stops in surprise. He would've assumed that was part of Ichigo's power, but Byakuya's do the same and he knows very well what power he has. Placing his hands on the wall, he carefully searches for a way through. When he catches the draft coming from between the overlaying walls, a smirk comes to his lips and he passes through… covering the entrance with a thick illusion before heading to the cavern containing the slumbering female. Ichigo is still out cold, the egg sending off a faint glow to light up the cavern around the small body.

"An egg," Gin murmurs. "Ran never said anything about an egg."

"Mm… Who's there?" Ichigo mumbles as he stirs.

With a gentle wave of one hand, Ichigo is knocked out just like the other Shinigami. Once he's positive the spell took, Gin grabs the satchel that used to contain food and slips the egg in carefully. He lifts Ichigo into his arms, surprised at just how light the small boy is, and hurries out of the caverns… no one the wiser to Ichigo's abduction.

Grimmjow is furious, pacing within the daylight as the Manhattan clan take their stone-sleep. They were helpful, thought up a perfect plan, worked out all the details… and then Rukia gets the message that Ichigo is gone. They were so positive only the three of them knew the tunnels, but it would seem someone was rather adept at locating lost things. Byakuya also told them Yamamoto trespassed onto his land in order to dig out the tunnels and find the orangette, something the noble is less than pleased with. Thankfully, by the time everyone awoke Byakuya had gone to check on Ichigo. Though the orangette was gone, the tunnels were undisturbed.

"Few gargoyles have the ability to put people to sleep," Kisuke muses from his perch on the railing of the mansion. "I wonder who it could've been."

"Not Aizen, not personally," Yorouchi assures. "He never does anything himself."

She's stretched out in the grass, eyes following Grimmjow's every movement. Shinji and Hiyori are in the lawn chairs they brought, Kensei laying on the porch watching Mashiro trade magazines with Lisa. They're not all here, but the others were appointed to watch over Kisuke's territory.

"How are we supposed to find him now!" Grimmjow gripes.

"My, my, I never knew you were such a worrywart," a teasing voice remarks.

"… Nnoitra."

Grimmjow turns quickly, watching Nnoitra and Stark walk up with a few others. Hallibel is Starks mate, though others have attempted to lure her away. Since she's the only female, she's a very in-demand gargoyle… but she only has eyes for Stark. They have a daughter named Lilinette, yet she was created through the conversion process around twelve years ago. Gargoyles should age half the rate of humans, but unless the evolved gargoyles are killed by another evolved gargoyle's sword they don't meet their end. Therefore, they age the same rate. Beside Hallibel is Szayel, a pink haired male with the ability to lay eggs. Ulquiorra is also with them, one of Grimmjow's closest friends among their clan. The raven haired male is very stoic and rarely ever smiles, but he disclosed the fact he, too, could produce eggs to Grimmjow… but threatened him with death should he ever tell. Ulquiorra prides himself on his genius and healing abilities, but also on the fact he's treated far better than most 'females' because no one knows that's what he is… not even Aizen.

"Hello, Grimm," the raven says with a slight nod. "How are you holding up?"

"Terribly!" he snarls. "First you guys try to kill me because Aizen commands it, then the Shinigami take Ichigo away, you start hunting me down for betrayal when I didn't do anything, and now my mate is missing!"

"Nah, he's fine," Gin smiles from behind the group. "I got him before the Shinigami did."

Grimmjow is on him faster than Demona is on one of her enemies, claws ready to tear him limb from limb. The only thing that saves him, aside from the group of Espada tackling the enraged feline, is the fact he might be the only one that knows where his mate is. The Visoreds present grip the hilt of their swords tightly, ready to attack at a moment's notice from their leader… who's watching the altercation with a gleeful grin on his face. They all sweat drop, knowing the command they're awaiting will most likely never come.

"Where's my mate!" Grimmjow hisses from beneath the pile of Espada.

"He's safe," Gin assures. "Aizen don't know where he is and I aim ta keep it that way. He's in the care of a powerful deserter, she'll treat him like her own… especially since she knows ya very well."

Grimmjow thinks on it a moment, trying to figure out who deserted Aizen that would know him… there are so many! Finally shock floods his system, his cyan orbs wide as the plead for Nnoitra and Stark to tell him it's a joke. Their guilty features assure him it's not, nausea swirling in his gut as his head starts to feel light. Nelliel Tu Odershvank, the woman charged with Grimmjow's upbringing when he was first converted. She was the most ruthless of the deserters, and one Aizen feared enough to forget.

Gin is awesome! He's so sneaky, but thanks to him Ichigo got away from Seireitei with his egg! GO GIN! =D