I apoloise for the ages spent on this but exams, writer's block, starting A-levels and faulty computers have added up to a long time trying to write this chapter, but I do still exist and the story is still being written, I shall eneavor not to abandon it no matter how stubborn my muse is being.

Many thanks to Venas and SilvermistAnimeLover for reviewing, I believe you helped kick my muse into action so have a whole tray of cookies each in thanks.

Now I shalt not ramble and scare you readers away from this new chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 12 – Aizen

Shadows grew slowly, creeping up on the travellers who walked the forest as autumn took hold, patiently chilling the air and lengthening the nights. The sun lowered at its own pace, seemingly in an instant to some, an eternity for others, painting the sky with reds, pinks and purples as it gradually gave way to the night and moon that shined with borrowed light.

Shadowed figures reluctantly halted their constant march, coming to rest in a small glade close to a deer trail in the wood. Tents were pitched; a small fire started, and before long a stew was bubbling happily in the last of the fading light.

There was little discussion by then, anything that needed speaking of had been covered during the day, to break up the monotony. The orange-haired shinigami took one tent, the small child-form of Nel still clinging to his arm. His monochrome twin reluctantly chose the next tent along, refusing to share. The smaller white-head decided to sleep outside leaving the last tent to Lavi, not wanting to be kicked during the night by the red-head. Saeko took her usually place with Aeshma, no need for a tent or blanket when he served as cover from the elements and heater in one. Timcanpy settled happily on the girl's head, snuggling into the wolf demon's thick, black fur that surrounded her.

An illusion of peace settled over the campsite, darkness held at bay by the flickering firelight, all creatures avoiding the area so the only sounds are the crackling wood in the fire and the slight noises the sleeping figures made.

"So you return, child." The hated voice of Aizen washes over the ghostly form I once again take. I turn slowly, looking through my hair to see the contemplative expression he holds. We stay frozen, silently studying each other. Not giving any indication of my intentions I prepare to run, escape from the presence of this man that terrifies me even though, from what I can tell, he can do nothing to me.

Before I can flee, he approaches, pushing any small plan of mine out the proverbial window. I hastily step back from him, at the same time subconsciously turning to face him so i can watch for any indication of what he may do. At my reaction, an amused smile forms on the man's face.

"Now child, when it appears there is nothing I can do to you, why would you seem so afraid?" His mocking tone causes me to stand straighter, letting a defiant glare escape my eyes, not moving as he closes in once more.

Once close enough, Aizen reaches for me, his hand feeling similar to the trees I've gone through as it passes through my shoulder. I shudder at the sensation, a small laugh escaping the other as I do so.

"It seems that the feeling is not comfortable for either of us." I don't reply, staying as silent as during my encounters with the Espada.

"Come now child, surely you have a voice, it can't hurt to speak to me." I ponder his words, keeping my glare fixed on the man watching me. I allow my tongue to loosen, carefully guarding my words.

"Maybe not, but for what reason would I wish to speak with you? Or you with me?" His movements say nothing at my sudden speech, but his eyes, for a brief moment, display a flicker of surprise.

"I am merely curious as to who and what you are, and why you keep appearing around here." I watch carefully as he turns and walks to a fallen log. He sits, gesturing for me to join him, watching me as closely as I did him. I cautiously do as directed, thankfully not falling through afore mentioned log. Aizen's eyes are now more guarded, showing as little as the rest of him.

"My name is Saeko. My reasons for being here are my own and I thought it was rather obvious as to what I am." My tone turns condescending for the last part, covering the untruth I was leading him to believe was true. The same, small smile from before settles on his face.

"Indeed. Well, perhaps you could tell me where here is and maybe even how I came to be here." I adopt a similar smile, thinking of how rare it must be to find Aizen asking for help.

"We are in Daal Van die Elemente, the land of elements. This area is called Nyimak, small fire, as it is at the edge of Trina's domain. As for how you got here, your guess is as good as mine." I keep my voice calm and level, trying not to give away the lie at the end. Aizen seems convinced, opening his mouth, presumably, to ask another question, maybe who Trina is, but he is interrupted by the appearance of Aeshma. He rises from the fallen tree, hand on sword should the demon try anything. I also rise from the log, but walk calmly to the giant wolf, thanking him through our link, there are only so many lies I would be able to tell convincingly.

You should leave, Unknown. This world is not your own and your presence is quickly leading towards some alliances that should never be allowed to exist. Aeshma's rumbling voice washed over us. Aizen briefly shows his surprise at the demon being able to speak, as he did when I first spoke, before his mask falls back into place.

"Maybe if I had any idea as to how I came to be here, I would be able to return to my world." The wolf held the ex-shinigami captain in his gaze, sensing the truth of his words.

I'm not sure how but I brought them here, I need to figure out how to send them back. I speak telepathically to Aeshma, feeling a little guilty even though I hadn't had any control over the actions. The demon nudges me comfortingly, then grabs a sleeve in his jaws gently, tugging me to follow him, away from the man who still holds his battle-ready stance, unknowing of what I told the demon. Aeshma turns for one last golden hued stare at Aizen, eerie red lighting his eyes before he nudges me once more, leading me from the ex-shinigami's sight.

I may know how you transported them. Come, we will move as we speak, we don't need any distractions from others. The low voice rolled around my mind as Aeshma lowered himself for me to climb onto his back. As soon as I settled into the familiar spot from my childhood, the demon rose fluidly, settling into a smooth, loping gait through the trees. We headed south, away from the Millennium Earl and Aizen's encampment.

So, what is it that let me bring them here? Did it have something to do with my five year blindness? I'd always had a huge level of patience, but this was too big for me to hold out for long on. Amusement flickers along my telepathic link with Aeshma, even though I could tell he was trying to hide it. I send him a wave or irritation, pushing him to continue.

This power of yours comes from an item within you, one that wasn't there when I left you. It feels the same as that which the Exorcists use. My eyes widen and my grip loosens as his words sink in, forcing the wolf to slow his run to prevent me from falling. Disbelief and confusion flood my mind slowing all thought processes that may have kept me coherent and unfrozen.

Thankfully for my failing mind, my old doctor made a mysterious appearance, looking as confused at being there as Aeshma and I were. Aeshma let out a wolfen huff, laying down and sliding me from atop his shoulder blades to between his front paws with a practised ease that I remember from childhood.

"Saeko?" I pick myself up from the ground in front of Aeshma, moving forward to hug the man. He relaxed at my touch but still cautiously watched the demon that lay behind me.

"Don't worry, Dr More, Aeshma won't attack you. Where are you?" I step back, waiting for his answer. For a second, he says nothing, trying to process the statement I just made before his eyes flick away from Aeshma and focus back on me.

"Not entirely sure, I don't think 'surrounded by trees' is particularly helpful."The doctor gave a nervous laugh, eyes flickering back to Aeshma for a second. I sigh, briefly taking note of the echo from the demon. I turn to the giant wolf as he relaxes into a lounge, giving an exaggerated yawn and closing his eyes. I give him a half-hearted glare and return my gaze to the only friend I had known during my blindness and suspected insanity.

I can locate him if necessary but it would be best to keep him out of the way given our purpose. A rumbling growl rolled around my mind, the doctor's lack of response showing that he had not heard the demon's voice. I give slight nod, knowing that Aeshma can sense the movement and shifted my attention to Dr More.

Before I have the chance to speak, a quiet rustling alerts us to the approach of someone else. In the back of my mind I notice Aeshma shifting to a more alert stance, probably sensing the area to find out who approaches. The doctor moves closer to me, seemingly unaware that he's also getting closer to Aeshma.

A moment later the bushes part, revealing Ulquiorra. He glances at me, giving a slight nod of acknowledgement before continuing. Grimmjow appears, following the smaller arrancar, but unlike the other he stops, drawing his sword.

Scatter. The one word from Aeshma rolls over the small clearing and I dimly noticed the fading forms of the doctor and demon before blackness consumes my sight and I fade as well.

Saeko wakes suddenly, inky darkness still covering the area. A nudge from Aeshma persuades her to get some more sleep and she sinks once more into unconsciousness, for once free from the strange visions that plague her in sleep.

Please review as said above it kicks my muse into action and gives you cookies.

Your not-dead-but-annoyed-at-cats-for-sitting-on-keyboard author,

Kouseki.