My dog is sitting on my lap as I'm writing this, and he's asleep and breathing really heavily.... and twitching... strange dog

Sliding to a stop at the end of a hall, Ichigo Kurosaki turned to Ichimaru, his eyebrows knitted together in worry.

"It's this way, right?"

The other man nodded slowly, his eyes squinted and still unreadable.

With only a hope that Ichimaru wasn't leading him straight into another trap, the substitute soul reaper turned the corner, beginning to a run down a set of marble white spiral stairs. Ichigo's head pounded in anticipation as he began to feel a dwindling spiritual pressure not far ahead, faint, but familiar. Finally stopping at the start of another hall, he stared wide eyed at the many doors.

The hall was lined with several doors, each white and menacing. Glancing at each and every door in shock, he faced Ichimaru, out of breath but desperate.

"Which one? Where is he?"

Ichimaru's face felt longer in his frown of concentration. "It's that one." He nodded towards the third door on the right. Ichigo began to step forward, only to feel a hand on his arm.

"Kurosaki, listen," The man's seriousness felt odd to Ichigo, but the situation called for it. "Hitsugaya did not kill Rangiku, it was only an illusion of Aizen's doing."

The substitute's eyes widened. "What? Really?"

Ichimaru gave a grim nod. "Yes, but if Hitsugaya learns of this too soon, the shock might hurt him even more. I would say to keep it from him until he's safe back in the Soul Society, but that's not possible in this situation, since I'll need to make sure she gets away as well. If you could, wait a little while and try to ease him into it"

Ichigo calmed down and frowned thoughtfully. "But last time I saw him, he was so shut down I don't think he would let any of his emotions get in the way of anything."

"Don't underestimate him." Was the quiet response. "And don't underestimate Hyourinmaru's ability to communicate with him. I think he just needs a gentle push to get him to understand the situation. The point is, if you intend to rescue him, you'll need to bring him back to his senses."

Stepping back, Ichigo replied in a quiet tone. "Fine then. I'll try."

Ichimaru nodded and stepped away slowly. "I'm going to try and hold up anybody Aizen sent after you. You may want to hurry."

With one last glance, Ichimaru ran through the door behind him, leaving Ichigo to walk into the room the man had pointed out.

Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob and stepped inside hesitantly, glancing around for any signs of enemies or an ambush. The room was lit bluish by the moon through the window, and iron bars reflected its glow across the room, creating an almost beautiful sight. But other than that, the room was depressing. Catching his breath, Ichigo saw the small soul reaper on the other side of the bars, unconscious and breathing harshly.

"Toshiro!" The substitute ignored the door and immediately advanced forward, stopping as he grasped the bars. His eyes wide, he fumbled with Zangetsu for a moment until he found himself releasing its power.

A small blast filled the room as Ichigo sliced through the bars. Without waiting another moment, he stepped through and ran to Toshiro.

"Hey, hey, wake up!" He was out of breath, worrying as he shook the boy. "Toshiro!"

The teenager retracted a little as the boy stirred. Slowly, Toshiro turned his head and his eyes opened, the teal shining with light from the window.

The next movement happened almost too quickly for Ichigo to comprehend. Toshiro's hand shot upwards and landed on the substitute's chest, pushing him away with extreme force. Gasping in shock, Ichigo flew across the room, landing against the opposite wall with a blast.

"Wha- What do you think you're doing!?"

Ichigo stared, wide-eyed, as the boy unsteadily got to his feet, his eyes as empty as before. The boy didn't respond, but Ichigo felt he knew what was going through his head. He was simply doing what he believed Aizen would want him to do. And at the moment, that would be to kill Ichigo.

Closing his eyes and trying to calm his rage at Aizen, Ichigo stood up slowly. "Toshiro, I'm trying to help you."

He stepped forward cautiously as Toshiro stared mercilessly. "I'm here, and others are coming to help you and Hinamori escape."

Ichigo felt himself getting frustrated very quickly. "We're want to bring you back to your home!! Where you're safe! And all your pain can be healed..."

"There is no escaping from Aizen for me." Those words were the only ones Toshiro offered before jumping into action once more. He leaped at Ichigo, using all he could to put spiritual pressure into his blow, though the bonds held it back.

Ichigo prepared himself, and pushed the exhausted soul reaper back, until he had him by the front of his robe against the wall.

"Toshiro!!" Ichigo's eyes where wide with anger. "You can't just hide yourself away like this!! You have to let me help you!! If you shut yourself inside like this, you're only going to make it harder! And eventually, you will completely lose yourself!"

"Do you really think I care about that?" Though in a losing position, Toshiro's eyes were still empty and hopeless, uncaring of anything Ichigo was trying to say to him. "The only thing that matters to me is following Aizen-sama's orders, and that is what I will do."

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?!" He felt his face getting hot with anger as he responded with a yell. "All you care about is that your friend Hinamori stays alive?! You don't care about yourself at all? To any degree!?"

There was no response, Toshiro only glared back at Ichigo.

"Toshiro..." The substitute soul reaper looked down in angst. "There are many people who care about you, and your stubborn refusal to accept any of your feelings, not only to yourself but also your zanpaktou, is only hurting everyone else more. You have to let out your pain, or you'll destroy yourself, and ruin the person who your trying to protect's heart."

There was still silence. Toshiro's eyes didn't change a bit, he was unmoved by Ichigo's words, determined as ever to stay destitute.

"I won't-" The refusing words of response were cut off as Toshiro's eyes grew wide. Taken back by the sudden change, Ichigo let go of the boy's robe, and Toshiro crumpled to the floor, shaking with shock.

"No... no, no, no, no.... Hyourinmaru... please, don't... don't make me..."

I've got you.

Within the blackness inside Toshiro's inner world. Hyourinmaru gave an exhausted but triumphant grin. At the end of his arm that was outstretched in the darkness, the human form of Toshiro's zanpaktou held the collar of the soul reaper uniform belonging to his master.

The words Ichigo Kurosaki had spoken to the boy had barely made a difference in Toshiro's demeanor. He didn't allow anything the teenager said to bring out his emotions, the desire to not feel his pain was enough to block out everything. But that didn't mean there wasn't the tiniest bit of hesitation. The few second thoughts that tried to understand what Ichigo was telling him. That was enough for Hyourinmaru. If Toshiro wouldn't let himself feel emotion, Hyourinmaru would force him to.

The blackness in Toshiro's inner world had subsided just barely, but it was enough for Hyourinmaru to give it his most powerful dig yet. And at long last, he finally grabbed hold of the feelings his master had hidden so well.

"No... Hyourinmaru, please, please, I'm begging you, don't make me feel it..."

The boy had turned his head, looking at his zanpaktou in desperation, his eyes shimmering as he pleaded. Without a word, Hyourinmaru pulled Toshiro through the darkness, until he could wrap both arms around the boy tightly, refusing to let go.

It'll be okay, we can take it.

"No... it hurts so much, please don't make me go through it.."

Toshiro buried his face in his zanpaktou's shoulder, trembling as Hyourinmaru hugged him closer.

I'll be here, and everyone who's coming to help you, between all of us, we'll be able to help you through it.

"But... Momo..."

Don't worry about it.

Toshiro fell further and further into Hyourinmaru, the comfort his zanpaktou was showing him inviting. With his heart heavy and pounding much too fast, the only things Toshiro could think of were how to live through the hurt. The excruiation was beyond human limits, that much the boy knew. Then there was what Hyourinmaru had said. If he allowed others to help him, would it not hurt as much? Was that true? Toshiro had never tried that before, he was always to afraid to. BUt if what Hyourinmaru was right, could it be possible for him to bear that pain?

"Toshiro?"

Toshiro snapped out of his inner world to see the orange-haired soul reaper squatting in front of him, concerned.

"Ichigo...."

A million thoughts came rushing through Toshiro's head. Worries, doubts, and fears. His mind was so stressed he felt as though it would explode.

The muscles in his face ached as his eyes widened. "I can't to it, Ichigo! I can't escape, Aizen... He'll... he'll kill Momo... I can't lose her..."

Ichigo gave a small chuckle. "You're really impossible, aren't you, Toshiro?"

"Wha-?"

The substitute smiled softly. "We'll handle it. All you need to do is let me take care of you until the other catch up with us. You don't have to worry about Momo, or Aizen, or anything. We'll figure something out."

"But, Ichigo-!"

"No." Ichigo's face turned stern. "You're not going to complain. For once in your life, I expect you to totally and completely trust your friends. I swear we won't let Aizen kill Momo, or you."

"I... I..."

"The correct answer is yes. Or okay, or fine, or affirmative." Ichigo stood and held out his hand. "Come on, we have to go, can you walk on your own?"

Hesitating a bit, Toshiro glanced upwards, but finally reached out and grabbed the substitute's hand. Pulling him up, Ichigo quickly cut off the chains on his wrists and neck, then finally his ankles.

The inflow of spiritual pressure suddenly caught Toshiro off guard. He took a small step forward, but then the room spun in a blur.

The substitute soul reaper saw Toshiro stumble just in time, and caught the boy gently before he hit the hard floor.

"I'm sorry, Ichigo...I just... I'm so tired..." Through all the emotions, Toshiro had forgotten just how worn out he was. With one last apology, he caved in to his heavy eyelids, and slid into sleep.

That took... three full hours to write. Ooooohhhh.... Toshiro's all back again, hooray for him! I still have no idea how Ichigo intends to protect Momo while Momo is being held in Aizen's evil little claws at the moment. Goooddd luck with that, Ichigo. I suppose he'll "figure something out." Lol …

I hope everyone had a good easter holiday! My school is off for two whole weeks, so I am HAPPY!! But I'm also kinda hungry right now, so I'm gonna go eat lunch, in the meantime, YES I DO READ ALL MY REVIEW AND YES I DO KNOW THAT I HAVE TWO HUNDRED FORTY-SOME, BUT I WANT MORE!! ahem... I mean, well, (big puppy dog eyes) There's no such thing as too much reviews :) and really, I like to now what people think of what I am writing, REALLY REALLY LIKE TO KNOW

but don't yell at me if Gin is out of character, cuz I know, AND IT IS DRIVING ME INSANE AS WELL.