Here is Chapter Thirteen I am happy to say! As always a massive, massive thanks to everyone who has read, or read and reviewed. I love to hear your thoughts and have loved every second of the conversations I have had with some of my story's most enthusiastic followers and of course, my friends :) I hope to continue hearing from you all and I love your comments ^_^
I would like to quickly point out that… This chapter is in some places distressing, and I actually made myself cry writing some of it. So I apologise if it also affects any of you emotionally. However, I would like to add that I promise there is a very happy ending to this story, so don't worry too much, as everything will get better before long xx
WARNINGS: -Scenes of an upsetting nature
-Scenes which some readers may find disturbing
-Insinuations and instigating of attempted non-consensual sexual
activities
Chapter Thirteen: Spoken Like a True Lover:
Ichigo rushed into the laboratory and ran over to the bed which his Zanpakto soul was laying on, his albino double was sat beside the black haired male.
"Shiro?" Ichigo exclaimed, "What happened? Is he okay? Talk to me!"
"Ichi." Shiro smiled weakly and stood up, hugging him tightly, "Missed ya, King."
"I… I've missed you too… But please tell me what happened to Tensa?"
Shirosaki leaned over and prodded Tensa firmly in the ribs, without a moment of hesitation, the black haired male sat up straight and looked around, "Ichigo!"
"T… Tensa! W… what the hell? You… But Szayel said… But you were…" he shook his head but knelt up on the bed and pulled him into a bone crushing embrace which Tensa happily returned, "I've missed you so much Tensa."
"I have missed you too Ichigo." He murmured softly and stroked his hair comfortingly.
He smiled as he felt Shirosaki's arms around him as well and relaxed more than he had in days, "Is everyone alright?"
"Yeah… Byakuya's been a little roughed up but he'll be fine." Tensa murmured quietly.
"That's good." He nodded, burying his face in his neck.
There were several long minutes of silence and much hugging, before Tensa and Shiro sat with Ichigo on the bed, the ginger sat between them both.
Tensa and Shiro shared a look before the Zanpakto soul swallowed and started brushing the long locks of orange hair again, "Ichigo… The reason I faked fitting was because we really needed to talk to you. It's very importantly that you hear what we have to say."
"Okay… What's up?" he murmured sluggishly.
"Stark was arrested and thrown in the cells at twenty past midnight last night. He told us everything he knew… Which includes what he was too afraid to tell you last night."
"Tha truth is King… Stark was gonna tell you tha' 'e'd see and 'eard somethin' in Aizen's room." Shiro continued, "'E' wann'ed ta tell ya tha'… 'E saw overheard Aizen 'nd… 'Nd Byakuya… before tha meal."
Ichigo swallowed and looked at the albino, "O… Overheard what?" he whispered.
Tensa put an arm around his shoulders comfortingly, "It… Seems as though Byakuya was given an aphrodisiac… And Stark overheard them… In the… Throws of passion… So to speak." He murmured, "Stark couldn't tell you because he was too afraid of hurting you so when he left he was arrested… Aizen had heard the whole conversation and to prevent Stark being a threat he had he tossed in the cells."
Ichigo felt his blood run cold, he stared at Tensa and his eyes welled up; he shook his head and slid off the bed, backing away from them both slowly, "No… I don't believe you… I… He wouldn't… He… He wouldn't do that! W… Why would you… Tell me this… W… Why…"
"We would never make this up Ichigo!" Tensa cried as he stood up, holding his hands out as he slowly walked towards him, "We are only trying to protect you I swear!"
"NO!" he yelled, "It can't be true! It can't be! He… He's been… So… So nice…" he stammered as his eyes spilled over, "He… We've… I've… Oh God… No… Please no…" he started sobbing and covered his face with his hands, falling to the floor but being caught in two pairs of warm arms.
Tensa and Shiro arrived at the same time, both holding Ichigo undeniably close as they sat on the floor opposite one and other, cradling their sobbing berry head between them. Ichigo bawled into someone's shoulder, shaking slightly as he sobbed and half wailed.
After nearly ten whole minutes Ichigo slowly began to breathe properly again; he panted lightly against Tensa's shoulder and gripped Shiro's hands tightly in his own.
"I… I'm so sorry…" he whispered, "I… I've been so, so stupid… I'm sorry… Please forgive me…"
"Shh… It's alright Ichigo…" Tensa murmured as he tucked some loose hair behind his ears, "… We'd never blame you… All that matters to us is that you're safe and well. We just want to protect you… You know that."
"I… I wanna go home…" he sniffled, "I feel like a fool… I… I've done stuff… Stuff I regret… I don't want to have to stay… Please… How do we escape?"
"Stark 'ad a plan…" Shirosaki murmured, "'E explained it ta us so we could tell ya'bout it."
"Okay… What is it?" he asked quietly.
"The first thing we really need… Is to get out of these reiatsu suppressing bands." Tensa told him, "Without these we're severely weakened."
"Okay… Well… Let me take them off for you." He murmured, setting to work on pulling at Shirosaki's bands.
Tensa nodded, "Right, when we're done we'll smuggle you down to the holding cells and break the others out. Once that's done… We may as well make a run for it."
Ichigo nodded, "Sounds good." He murmured, snapping Shiro's bands from his wrists suddenly and gasping as he felt his hollow's reiatsu, he instantly turned and started yanking at Tensa's as well; soon after they snapped as well.
The three of them got to their feet and Tensa rested a hand on Ichigo's head, "Ichigo… I want you to know that no one blames you for anything and… We still love you for who you are." He smiled and kissed his forehead.
"T… Tensa…" Ichigo murmured and looked at Shiro with flushed cheeks.
"Wha'? Don't look at meh like tha'!" the albino smiled slightly, "But 'e's right… We'll always love ya fer who ya are." He agreed.
Ichigo's eyes widened slightly, a small smile etched onto his lips as he stroked their cheeks, "I love you both as well."
Their sweet, loving moment was interrupted by the sound of an opening door, the three of them looked around to see the pink haired scientist emerging from his office. Szayel's eyes met theirs, his clever brain already piecing things together.
He shot towards the intercom on the wall to report to Aizen when there was a flash of light followed by the hiss of, "Getusuga Tenshou" From Shirosaki. Ichigo looked at his albino counterpart in surprise; he was already holding Tensa in his Zanpakto, bankai form and had successfully severed the scientists' arm.
Ichigo grabbed Tensa's hand as he turned back into his human form and dragged them both towards the doors, "We have to go! Now!"
"Agreed!" Tensa nodded and grabbed Shirosaki's hand as well, dragging them from the lab and down the corridor.
The three ran as fast as their legs would carry them in the direction of the holding cells, both Shirosaki and Tensa looked nervous and on edge; they were looking left, right, up and down as though they expected to be jumped on at any moment.
"Calm down guys…" Ichigo panted gently, "It'll be okay."
"Is that so." A cool voice echoed abruptly.
The three of them skidded to a stop as Ulquiorra appeared in front of them, Ichigo looked behind them as another figure appeared and swallowed as he saw the brunette hair, classic strand of disobedient hair and practically livid eyes.
"A… Aizen…" Ichigo stammered.
"What the hell is going on Ichigo?" Aizen asked as calmly as he could, despite the random flaring of his reiatsu caused by his temper.
"Uh… We… We were…" he broke off and stood a small step back before yelping as Ulquiorra tore him away from Tensa and Shirosaki.
Aizen walked forwards swiftly, "Tell me what the hell is happening Ichigo!" he half roared at him suddenly.
Ichigo flinched and tried pulling out of Ulquiorra's grasp, "They told me about Byakuya!" he yelled, "How could you? You made me believe that… I don't know… What we were doing was special! You lied to me!"
Aizen narrowed his eyes and stalked forwards, backhanding Ichigo around the face with a very slight pained expression, "Do not speak to me so disrespectfully Ichigo."
Ichigo's eyes widened as his head snapped around and he held his cheek as it reddened after the sharp contact, his eyes welled up slightly and spilled over and he slowly looked back around at Aizen.
Upon seeing his King crying, Shirosaki's mind went totally blank, and without any warning he ran at Aizen and jumped on his back, striking him repeatedly and sinking his teething into his skin like wild animal.
Aizen yelled in pain as he felt the albino's surprisingly sharp teeth pierce his skin and gripped his hair in his hand, hurling him over his head and into the wall; in the same heartbeat he had drawn Kyoka Suigetsu and shot forwards, plunging the blade through the hollow's chest and out his back. Aizen's eyes narrowed as he sensed another reiatsu running towards him and flipped his Zanpakto around, stabbing backwards under his arm and feeling it impale the person behind him. He looked around slowly and saw it was the black haired Zanpakto soul.
Ichigo's eyes widened slowly as he watched his beloved Zanpakto and inner hollow fall to the ground bleeding heavily, his mouth slowly fell open before he let out a scream, wrestling against Ulquiorra with a renewed vigour and feeling his eyes spill over afresh.
The Lord of Las Noches winced as he heard Ichigo scream, sheathing his Zanpakto again and looking down at the two on the floor before he cleared his throat and took a breath, "Ulquiorra. Take Ichigo to my room… Make sure he does not do anything stupid."
"Yes, Aizen-sama." The fourth Espada nodded and sonido-ed away, dragging a sobbing orange haired male with him.
Aizen watched them disappear from sight before he sighed and looked down at the two at his feet and growled in anger, knowing he may have just destroyed any hope of having Ichigo fall in love with him. Out of pure anger and raised his foot and stomped on Shirosaki's chest, digging his heel into the bleeding wound before he repeated it with Tensa and kicked them both down the hall, summoning Szayel from his lab.
"A… Aizen-sama. I apologise… I did try to stop them leaving." The pink haired male told him as he appeared, he was feasting upon another of his fraccion and amazingly, his arm regrew.
"I don't care. Take these two with you." He ordered emotionlessly before he flash-stepped away.
Ichigo threw himself down on the bed and sobbed, curling up in a small ball, digging his nails into his scalp and half wailing as his chest constricted and exploded with pain over and over again.
He rolled over and bawled into the mattress, tears streaming down his face as he curled up tighter and hit the bed with his fists, screaming into the white sheets, before suddenly sitting up and gripping two handfuls of his own hair and yanking painfully as he rocked and wailed, sobbing out loudly.
He froze as he heard the bedroom door slide open and felt his anger rise up, he lifted his head slowly and looked at Aizen who was stood in the doorway. His eyes narrowed to mere slits before he flew at him suddenly and began pummelling him with his fists continuously, "YOU BASTARD! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!" he screamed over and over until he no longer had any feeling in his arms and slumped against him sobbing.
Aizen swallowed and looked down at him, his expression unreadable, "Ichigo… I'm… I apologise. I just-" he broke off as Ichigo back handed him around the face and lifted a hand slowly, touching his cheek in surprise.
"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR LIES!" Ichigo exploded, slapping him again.
There was a moment of pure silence between them both before something snapped in Aizen's mind and he grabbed Ichigo by his throat and turned, pinning him up against the wall forcefully, squeezing his windpipe.
Ichigo's eyes widened and he spluttered, choking slightly and scratching at his hand, gasping out for breath as he started getting dizzy from lack of oxygen.
Aizen smirked and leaned in, pressing his lips to Ichigo's forcefully; he pushed his tongue into his mouth and forcing a knee between both of his legs and pressing it between his thighs.
The berry head clawed at Aizen's face in protest, he yelled into his mouth and thrashed against the wall suddenly biting down on his tongue and tasting blood in his mouth.
Aizen pulled back and growled, but he had an insane smirk on his face; he threw Ichigo onto the bed and followed in close pursuit, half jumping on top of the younger male and pinning him down again as he straddled his thighs and pressed against him firmly, leaning in and biting firmly down his neck and throat.
His mouth was soon replaced by his hand and Ichigo's oxygen supply was cut off again.
"This was supposed to go like clockwork…" Aizen growled and squeezed his windpipe dangerously, "… It was only ever going to be a game… But you… You started getting attached… You made it complicated! Now I don't know what is going on! You've made me feel all these stupid little emotions! Emotions I don't want… Emotions I've never felt or wanted!"
Ichigo spluttered and gasped, gripping his wrist and trying to prise his hand away from his throat. His eyes started to roll back into his head, he pulled his hand back and shoved his palm into his nose, panting and choking as Aizen released his throat and sat back on his lap glaring.
"I DIDN'T ASK FOR YOU TO BRING ME HERE!" Ichigo yelled as his eyes spilled over, his voice breaking slightly, "I DIDN'T WANT TO END UP IN BED WITH YOU! I WATED TO HATE YOU! I WANTED TO FIGHT YOU AND ESCAPE! YOU MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU!" he half screamed before he froze as he realised exactly what he had said.
Aizen seemed a little surprised as well and slowly slid off the bed, there was a crazy; dark glint in his eyes which scared Ichigo slightly. The orange haired man swallowed and rubbed his throat, watching with wide and tear-filled eyes as Aizen rested his face in his hands and started laughing.
Ichigo swallowed and stood up, wobbling slightly before he slowly approached him, and he reached out and pulled the other's hands from his face and half jumped as Aizen let out another bubble in utterly insane laughter. He bit his lip and moved forwards, his eyes streaming saltwater as he let his own hands drop either side of him and let his head rest on Aizen's chest.
Ichigo let his eyes close as he let out a small sob against his clothes before his breath hitched as Aizen gripped his arms tightly, "Ow… You're… You're hurting me…" he spluttered, yelping as he was yanked away from his body and forward to look up at him.
The smaller man swallowed and his eyes widened slightly as Aizen leaned down and breathed over his ear, "Tell me Ichigo…" the Lord of Las Noches murmured darkly, "Why do you love me?" he ran his tongue over the shell of his ear, "Is it because you are my prisoner and feel compelled to show some feelings towards me in self preservation?" he nibbled the lobe of his ear, "Or… Do you believe I love you back?" he purred, pushing his tongue inside his ear, gripping his hips and slowly grinding against him until he felt movement, "Or maybe… You love me because you can believe whatever the hell you want… While I'm fucking your brains out…"
Ichigo whimpered and closed his eyes, shuddering at the attention his ear was receiving and gasping as their hips rubbed. His chest however felt like it was ripping open in pain; his heart was throbbing and twisting painfully as he spoke, "Wh… What… Why… Why are you… Saying these things… Aizen…" he stammered as his eyes welled up afresh, "Aizen… Aizen… St… Stop it… please… Stop…" he cried.
Aizen silenced him with his most forceful kiss yet, pinning his tongue down and rubbing his tongue over the roof of his mouth, moaning freely into his mouth and jerking his hips against the smaller man's.
Ichigo closed his eyes and let go, allowing himself to go limp in his arms and letting him do as he wished. If he could blot it out… He wouldn't have to remember it… He could always just wake up and… Everything would go back to how it used to be… Or he'd be dead; in which case he wouldn't wake up at all.
Noticing the unexpected ceasing of fight from his captive Aizen jolted suddenly and his eyes widened considerably as he pulled back and looked at Ichigo. He felt his hands shaking and he released the berry head from his grasp, staggering back several paces and staring at him as he watched those eyes open again in confusion, but also relief.
"I… Ichigo…" he breathed, feeling his blood run cold, "Ichigo… I… I didn't… I wasn't…"
Ichigo slid down the wall and put his arms over his head as he sobbed brokenly, shaking from head to toe and cowering away from him fearfully.
The brunette looked around, not sure what to do or what to say to make it better. He ran a hand through his head quickly and walked out, disappearing into the kitchen and putting some water onto boil. He stared out of the kitchen window and felt his face fall.
What had he just tried to do? He'd hurt Ichigo that much he was sure… He'd probably scared the living daylights out of him too. He'd messed up. Big time. Ichigo would never trust him again.
He felt his eyes well up and lifted a hand, brushing off a single tear from his cheek he looked at it in confusion before gritting his teeth and forcing his tears back. He balled his fists and took a deep breath.
He would have to find a way to make it up to Ichigo… He had to… He'd come too far to give up now.
He poured the water into the teapot and left it to brew as he pulled out two tea cups and put sugar in them and milk. He carried the tray of tea through into the bedroom, pausing in the doorway as he saw Ichigo had moved from the floor to the bed. The younger man had his head hung and his arms around his legs holding them tightly to his chest.
He sat down and slowly poured them both a cup of tea, "Ichigo… I'm so sorry… I… I don't know what to say. I… I am really, really sorry… I don't know what came over me… I didn't want to hurt you I swear to you… I'm sorry…" he murmured, his voice full of remorse that he truly felt.
Ichigo merely made a small grunting noise of affirmation and too the teacup as he was passed one. He kept his eyes away from him and fixed on the rumpled bed sheets as he sipped the drink.
Aizen faltered as he was all but ignored and slumped slightly, looking down into the translucent brown liquid, "Ichigo… Tensa and Shirosaki are being treated in the Laboratory… I… I am certain they will both be fine…" he told him.
"That's good." Ichigo mumbled croakily.
Aizen winced and felt a slight stabbing pain in his chest. He sighed and sat forwards slowly, reaching out and touching his cheek. He faltered as Ichigo flinched but brushed his knuckles over his skin softly, "I'm sorry for frightening you like I did. I swear to you it will never happen again."
Ichigo nodded weakly and twiddled his thumbs.
"Ichigo… I am… Unused to feeling emotion. It is not something I can plan for or… Control. It… Frightens me." He said almost inaudibly, "Since you came here… I have started to feel more and more and… It scares me. I can't control it, I can't control what I want to do to you or feel for you."
"You think it doesn't scare the shit out of me?" Ichigo snapped suddenly, looking at him coldly, "We are ENEMIES! You have my friends PRISONER in your cells! And on top of that… YOU'RE A MAN!" he yelled, "I WASN'T GAY BEFORE I CAME HERE! I… I wasn't anything before I came here! I wasn't interest in sex! Or… or relationships… Or anything like that! But… But since you drugged my tea… I've had Grimmjow force himself on me! I've had your top Espada fall in love with me! I… I've had my Zanpakto and inner hollow tell me that they love me! And… and there's you! YOU! Of all people! You decided you want to love me too! I'M FUCKING TERRIFIED!"
Aizen let him scream and shout, sighing softly and looking down, "I'm sorry. I don't know what else I can possibly say. I did not intend for this to happen when I had you kidnapped… But you know there is nothing wrong with being gay?"
"YES I KNOW!" he bellowed, "I'm not a homophobic for God's sake! I… I knew I leaned more towards guys but I wasn't ready to put theory into practice!" he slumped and looked down, "And… Now I'm so confused… I can't remember what's up or down…"
The brunette leaned over slowly, cupping his cheek and pressing his forehead against his, "Please forgive me." He breathed before leaning in and kissing him chastely, stroking his cheek with his thumb.
In the Laboratory, Tensa and Shiro were laid unconscious; their beds had been pushed together as Szayel had concluded that their reiatsu and soul resonance would help them heal. They both had breathing tubes down their throats to help them breathe.
However, in their inner world they were alive and well, and they were able to communicate with ease.
'Tensa…' Shirosaki murmured as he put his arms tightly around the black haired Zanpakto soul, 'Are ya okay?'
'Yeah I'm fine… You?' he replied as he rubbed the albino's back gently.
'Yeah… I think so…' he nodded, 'I… I'm worried 'bout Ichigo.'
'I know… So am I… I can sense his reiatsu from in here… he's upset. Very upset… but I think… I think Aizen's trying to comfort him…'
'Tha' slimy bastard… I'm gonna look forward ta killin' him…'
Tensa merely sighed and sat down with Shirosaki on his lap, 'I know… But we need to focus on getting healed first. Getting strong enough so we can get Ichigo. He needs us… More than he knows.'
Shirosaki looked up at his black haired, blue eyed lover sadly and rested his head on his chest, 'Course 'e does… 'E always has…'
'Agreed.'
A/N: So here is the end of another chapter, I hope you have enjoyed the roller coaster of emotions displayed by our characters. As mentioned in the author's note at the start I would love to hear your opinions on this chapter the same as the others before it. But please don't flame me for the contents! I know I was evil! I know I was! I feel terrible! It won't be this bad again! I swear!
Please continue to enjoy this story, I love to write it and love love love getting your reviews and reading your wonderful comments.
Until next time x