A/N: Hey guys, I would apologize for not updating sooner but I've been mega busy for a while now, and I suppose life outside of this website comes first, right? But be happy since I took time out of my busy schedule to write an update that really is long overdue! And I promise that I'll update quicker next time, seeing as how I think there may only be 2 or 3, pushing 4 tops, chapters left of this!
"How's Captain Kurosaki?" Someone asked nearby. The voice seemed distant as he came back into conciousness.
"He's not struggling anymore. I'm hoping that's a good sign."
"How was it even possible?"
"Captain Katenashi could still get in his head. We've had the Department of Research and Development put a special barrier around her cell that completely blocks spiritual pressure and hopefully her mind control too." It took a while, but he was able to recognise the calm and nonchelant tone of Captain Kyoraku. The other voice had been more frantic and belonged to Ukitake.
He had a banging headache and his knees where screaming in protest as could feel the position he was in. He was kneeling, on hard painful flooring no less, with a hunched back and his head hung low. He could feel tightness around his chest and he could feel that his arms were pulled behind his back. So he was bound by something that coiled around his entire upper body.
He cracked an eye open and lifted his head somewhat, blinking at the bright light that greeted him. This movement went unnoticed by the conversing captains and so he took the time to look around the room. There were sword gashes in the floor and walls as well as other battle damage. He wad definitely bound by some kind of strong kido, the tightness in his chest was unrelenting and it made him somewhat short of breathe.
A sword slipped under his chin, the cool metal catching him by suprise, as it tipped his head upwards until he was looking none other than Byakuya Kuchiki in the eye. The sixth division captain's eyes were scrutinising as they searched his own.
"I should have known this kido would be your handy work." Ichigo said, finding the older mans gaze somewhat awkward.
His words brought the attention of the eighth and thirteenth captains.
"He is himself again." The Kuchiki's words set them at ease and, from somewhere behind him, he heard the Head Capatin speak.
"Then we shall transfer him to the Department of Research and Development. Something must be done about the traitors presence in his mind. Call the other captains for the escort."
Within 10 minutes, all captains - bar Akane of course - and the punishment squad were assembled. They walked at a quick pace in a formation where Ichigo was at the centre, still bound by kido and rope that Komamura, Zaraki, Renji and Byakuya held the ends of.
The walk was long and Ichigo didn't speak a word on the way. Random shinigami stared as they passed, confused as to why Ichigo was being treat like a prisoner. He understood though. If Akane tried to take control again, there had to be precautions.
"What happens if Captain Kurotsuchi can't do anything?" Renji asked, voicing the question that everyone had been burning to ask.
"That's for Yama-jii to decide." Kyoraku's voice was sombre and his expression was even more so.
After that interaction, silence fell upon the whole group for the last stretch of their journey. Everyone trying to think about what Head Captain Yamamoto would decide. As they entered the research facility, Nemu led the group to the room where Ichigo was to be treated.
Mayuri hurried over to them with a creepy grin, brandishing a needle. "Bring him closer to the bed." The 'bed' he spoke looked more like a slab in a mortuary, situated in a drak room that was only lit by the glare coming off of a number of creens surrounding the treatment surface. "I'm going to have to make your body immobile. Don't want you or that witch causing a commotion now do we?"
Ichigo didn't protest as the scientist slid the needle into the flesh of his neck. The kido was released and the rope was cut as the serum began to take effect instantly. Nemu caught him as he began to fall and half dragged, half carried him to the bed, where she proceeded to lay him down and remove his haori and top half of his shihakusho. Numerous wires were attached to his body to monitor his vital signs and then four wires were attached along his forehead, two in the middle and one on each temple.
While this was done, the Captains slowly began to disperse until only Byakuya remained. The scientist half turned from his computer, "You may leave now, Captain Kuchiki."
"I have to stay. The Head Captain told me to remain with him at all times."
Mayuri made a sound of irritation and didn't respond however, Ichigo felt a moment of relief. If Byakuya was here, Mayuri couldn't conduct and extra experiments.
"You will feel a weird sensation in your mind," Mayuri began to explain, "But that is just my technology. Depending on where she has planted herself, I may have to push your conciousness back, making you fall into your inner world. Do not be alarmed if you are. It is expected."
Without further explanation, Ichigo felt the sensation Mayuri had spoke of. He could barely explain how it felt, it was just...weird. The best description he could come up with was what he would imagine icy fingers tracing lightly ascross his brain would feel like. It felt like they were at it for a long time, the scientist barking out jobs for his assistant every so often as Ichigo tried not to think about the sensation but, eventually he felt his consciousness start to slip.
His body's eyes closed and his souls eyes openned. He felt the rain before he saw it. The sky that had been blue for so long was once again stormy and grey. Rain pelted the horizontal sky scrapers that made up his inner world as he walked forward, looking for Zangetsu or Shirosaki.
"Hey King." Shirosaki said, appearing behind him, "Looking for me?"
"Kinda, but I'd rather find Zangetsu."
"That's cold. Real cold." The albino smirked, before pointing right. "He's over there."
Ichigo saw the black blur through the rain, standing at the edge of the building. He joined him there, looking himself into the oblivion that was the stormy sky.
"Hey."
"Why does it rain?" Zangetsu asked, never one for simple formalities.
Ichigo squirmed. He wasn't really in the mood for answering that question. He'd could lie to himself and them, saying it was this whole Akane being in his mind business. But Ichigo could tell that Zagetsu knew fine well why it was. He was just wanted to hear Ichigo say it.
"It's coz King is a massive emo."
"Is it hell, Horse."
The hollow laughed, "Well, your offering no explanation so I thought I would."
Ichigo was silent for a while, before he finally said the words. "I want to see Toushiro."
"You do." Zangetsu nodded. "It was Akane that stopped that feeling, made you brood like you did at first."
"Do you think?"
"I know." Was the Zanpakuto's response. "It's in your nature to worry about everyone... and even more so to want to see them as soon as possible."
They stood in silence for a while before Ichigo spoke again.
"Do you think Kurotsuchi can do something?"
"Who knows." Zangetsu sighed.
"I hate the damned rain!" Shiro called, contributing to the conversation as ran his pale hands through his white locks. "It makes my hair such a mess."
Ichigo chuckled, happy for the distraction. "You really worry about shit like that?"
"Somebody has too!" The hollow cried, "You clearly don't. And Mr. I'm-a-high-and-mighty-sword just looks like a tramp with that raggy cloak and long unruly hair."
"That's the most un-hollowish thing I've ever heard. And besides, our hair is exactly the same!"
The hollow scoffed, "I'll have you know that my hair is stylishly messy. Yours is just shit. I tell you what, the minute I get a hold of this body things are gonna change."
"My hair is fine! And I don't know why you're saying when. You'll never get control horse."
Zangetsu smiled a small smile at the exchange. Neither of them had noticed, but the downpour of rain had eased up ever so slightly.
"Why don't you just leave already?" The hollow cried as Ichigo pinned him once again.
"Do you think that I would be hanging around with you if i had a choice?" Ichigo laughed, releasing the hollow who rubbed at his wrist overdramatically.
"I don't like wrestling, I'm not very good at it."
Zangetsu watched from his cross-legged position on the floor. "It's nice to watch Ichigo continuosly dominate you."
"That's dirty, you giant perv." Shirosaki grimaced while Ichigo just chuckled.
Zangetsu chose to keep his dignity and didn't respond.
A weird vibration shook the inner world and the pressure Ichigo had felt keeping him in the inner world relinquished. He looked at the hollow and zapakuto spirit as they merely watched him expectantly. He sent them a mock salute before he closed his eyes and felt himself slip back to the surface.
"Kurosaki?"
Ichigo made a 'hrmph' sound as he fought against the heaviness of his body. The drugs Mayuri had injected earlier were starting to wear off. He cracked his eyes and adjusted to the bright light shining on him, two silhoettes taking the form of Nemu and the clown like captain.
"We were successful and Katenashi's implantation was destroyed. She was planted near the Medulla Oblongata but we found her in the end."
Ichigo nodded as he flexed his hands and feet, quickly regaining his feeling in them. Nemu gently pulled the wires from his forehead and chest, making the heart monitor he had been connected too flatline. He sat up, aided slightly by Nemu as he dragged his legs from the slab and planted his feet on the floor. He pulled his shihakusho back on and stood, locking eyes with Byakuya and nodding at him. Nemu handed him his haori before leaving the room. He eyed Mayuri's back cautiously. "Can I leave now?"
"Yes, yes." Mayuri said, waving his hands in the air. Ichigo swiftly took his leave with the Kuchiki, distinctly hearing the scientist mutter something like "Seeing as how I can't experiment on you."
The pair made their way out of the twelthe division in silence and, when the left the gates leading to the rest of the Seireitei, Byakuya suddenly stopped.
Without looking at Ichigo, he spoke. "You may go, I will make the report to the Head Captain." And before the strawberry could respond, he was gone.
Ichigo shook his head, looking left and right, seeing low level shinigami wandering or working.
He took off himself, walking at a steady pace, and mentally prepared himself to go to the only place that he felt was worth going.
MisaxMisa: Hey Shiro, wanna naked wrestle? ;D
Shirosaki: Don't mind if I do ;)
Ichigo: WTF :O
MisaxMisa: What can I say, he's sexyyyy!
Shirosaki: Oh yeaaaaaaah.