Chapter 15

"ABARAI-TAICHO!!" a sergeant yelled, startling the two figures as they screeched to a halt and looked to where the finger was pointing. Out of the never ending dunes rose one large white tower.

"There it is." Ichigo whistled at the height of it but Renji had already gritted his teeth and was rocketing towards the structure.

'Kuchiki-Taicho,' Renji pushed even more energy, nearly leaving a huffing Ichigo behind him. 'We're coming, whether you want us or not.'

"Renji."

"Kurosaki, if there is a fight, will you be ready?" Ichigo visibly blanched at the though of facing Senbonzakura again but, he knew that he would be up to it if it were to happen.

"Ah, but you might want to get there without running into the wall."

"TEME!!"

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The hand stretched out to him again. Red hair, faceless, voiceless, mouthing to him with a soft smile. A small girl at his side, pure wide blue eyes, no lips, looking at him, admiringly. Was he even worthy of such a look now? They were reaching to him. Should he take their offer? This time, how many times have they come to him? He was reaching, reach for them; reach for their oblivion.

He was safe now, in his dark little corner. There was quiet, even though there was noise outside now. He let his eyes slide closed. They would be there in his dreams.

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It was the same thing as it was with Yumichika. A heavy reiatsu gate followed by a series of insignificant door holding disgusting significant secrets. The entire crew of fourth division along with all the other helps and Kurosaki were scouring the prison. They had yet to find a set of heavy white doors like the ones trapping in Yumichika but there were 14 levels to go through and time was of the essence.

"RENJI!!" Renji bolted to where he had heard Ichigo's voice shouting up to him.

"Take a look at this." A letter was thrust into his hands, and the hand writing on top of it, was obviously Aizen's.

"It's addressed to you." The red head's eyes widened as he took the letter, hands shaking so baldy that the

first time he tried to open the seal, he nearly dropped it. Fumbling with the ribbon and the wooden scroll segments, Renji opened the rolled parchment, eyes widening with every line he read. The page dropped rapidly to the floor and the last thing that was seen was a flash of red hair and the tail of a haori before the figure disappeared out the door and up floors.

If you are reading this, then congratulations I have failed and you have won the war. I will give you a prize that I believe you will be most pleased with, a perfect toy for any occasion. Of course, it won't be new though. It was just too much of a temptation to allow it to remain in the box with wrapping paper in tact. The floor you are looking for is 13, and at the very end of the hall, there is a barrier. I suspect by now you would be able to break through it. There is a black door but be careful how you open it. I'd suggest having that Kurosaki boy with you because otherwise, it will kill you.

Signed dearly,

Sosuke Aizen

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There was noise now. It was getting closer. But he didn't feel them. He felt warmth. It was warm. And it was coming to him. Why, why was it warm? It might just be another mind trick. Don't be warm. Please don't be warm. But it kept getting closer till it was nearly scorching him through his veins. Stop being warm. He wanted to reach for the warmth, but he knew not to by now. It was not worth the after course. The warm was staying, the warm was staying. He doesn't want it to be warm.

'No more games please,' but the whisper died on his lips as he shrank back into the corner against the scorching warmth.