Traitorous Affection

Being a self-made Arrancar, Arturo was far more powerful than Aizen's creation, the Espada. He evolved thousands of years ago and was sealed beneath the Sōkyoku Hill, being captured by the elder Shinigami Taichous at that time. He met Aizen when he was accidentally freed from his confinement when Kurosaki Ichigo rescued Rukia from being executed. When Aizen was being rescued to Hueco Mundo via the Negaccion, Arturo sneaked in and from then on, unification between Aizen and Arturo was forged, though the former was not aware of the other plans Arturo had in mind.

I need to convince that bitch that I am her husband… it's the only way for me to get near to her, gain her trust…and consume her reiatsu… but for now I have to head back to Las Noches… Arturo thought as he was about to open a Garganta in the middle of the forest.

In the Security Control Area in Las Noches…

"Gin, what do you think you're doing?" Tousen asked the former 3rd Division captain who was toying with the security system.

"Ahhh… Tousen-san, betsuni… I'm just lookin' at how our other colleagues play with our guests… I find it rather -- entertainin' ne?" Gin replied, with the usual sly grin never leaving his face.

"I see… make sure that you don't tamper with the system though… Aizen-sama would not like it." Tousen said and left the room.

As Tousen left the room, Gin pushed one of the buttons and on the screen an image of a bedroom appeared. Gin's eyes widened in surprise as he saw a female figure standing before a window. Gin's usual expression changed as he silently watched the woman on the screen and pushed one of the control buttons to be able to see her closer. Her facial expression was solemn with tears glistening on her eyes as she watched the starlit night. Gently as if he was touching her for real, he traced her lips on the monitor and brought his fingers to his lips as if he kissed her. As he saw tears streaming down on her face, he felt remorse as well as sadness upon seeing his beloved suffer for the treachery he committed.

"Rangiku…" he whispered softly. It's no use, there's no turning back now, Ran-chan. And the saddest part is that ya never knew how I feel for ya… how much I love ya. Though we have diff'rent ideals, I jus hope that we won't meet in the battlefield when that time comes. Ya may not believe it Ran, but I don't wanna cross swords wid ya… Gin thought and as he turned off the monitor and pushed a button, he was surprised to see Arturo entering the palace.

Arturo proceeded straight to Aizen's quarters. As he approached, a lesser ranking Arrancar approached him

"To what is your business with the master?" the Arrancar asked

"None of your damn business - move aside!" Arturo said, his palm forming a bala which he threatened to aim at the said Arrancar.

As Arturo swung the door open, he saw Aizen seated at the receiving area, languidly sipping his tea.

"Como estas, Arturo… so are you ready for some action?" Aizen lazily said.

Now is my chance. Arturo thought, "Is there something that I need to do, Aizen-sama?"

"Ahh yes… Gin, Tousen and I will be visiting Karakura town… I would appreciate it if you could create some diversion at Seireitei… would that be alright with you?" Aizen asked.

"I see… well then, when do you plan in visiting Karakura town?" Arturo asked.

"Soon… You'll be advised… for now it would be better if you stay here in Las Noches. Things are getting pretty interesting here… we lost Zommari and Nnoitora recently… a pity…" Aizen replied and left the room.

Arturo then proceeded to the palace's Security Control Area. He locked the door as he entered, and studied the control panel before him; he looked at the various monitors before him and searched for the area leading to the secret passage. As soon as he saw it, he located its control switch and turned it off, and reprogrammed it to monitor another area.

This is where I'll pass through from now on, he thought as he carefully scanned the corridor outside before leaving the room.

Inside the Security Control Area, a lone figure emerged from the shadows, a grin of satisfaction clearly etched on his features. "It seems I'm right all along Arturo, two can play the game" Aizen snickered as he reprogrammed the security system.

In the desert, 4th Division Fukutaichou Isane Kotesu completed healing Rukia and Byakuya, who was also injured during his battle with the 7th Espada, Zommari. It took longer for Rukia to be healed since she was injuries were very deep. Byakuya, Rukia, Isane, and Hanataro were on their way to look for their other friends when they felt a strong reiatsu.

Byakuya stepped forward and said, "I sense Zaraki's and Kurosaki's uncontrollable reiatsu… though Orihime's reiatsu is gone"

"How can that be, Nii-sama?" Rukia wondered.

"I would say that she was abducted – again, by Aizen's henchmen." He said calmly as he surveyed the area. "I have a feeling that they would be going to Kurosaki Ichigo's world" he added.

"Then lets find the others and go back to Urahara's place then Taichou" Isane added

"Certainly, Isane-san, let's not waste time. Rukia, are you alright?" Byakuya asked his sister.

"H-hai Nii-sama… Thank you for rescuing me…" Rukia said

"Thank me later when this battle is over Rukia" He told her gently. The siblings walked together as they proceeded to locate their other colleagues. The four captains regrouped together with the others except for Orihime who suddenly disappeared, when they heard Aizen's ominous voice telling them of his plan in destroying Karakura town and creating the Ouken, with Orihime being held prisoner in the 5th tower of Las Noches. Ichigo was so furious that his reiatsu was spiking and was surprisingly calmed down by the 11th Division captain, Zaraki Kenpachi.

"Have faith in the other Taichous, Kurosaki Ichigo" Byakuya serenely placated the substitute shinigami.

"Kuchiki Taichou is right Ichigo, since we are here then we must rescue Orihime-san and figure out how to open the Garganta" Renji told his friend who nodded silently.

Byakuya silently walked beside Ichigo and Renji and said, "I know how you feel, worrying about your family back home. You must have faith in them, especially in your otōsan." Ichigo looked at Byakuya incredulously when his father was mentioned and his jaw almost dropped when he saw the 6th Division captain's lips curved slightly into a grin and gracefully proceeded to walk ahead with the other captains.

Ichigo looked at Rukia and said, "Y-y-your nii-sama… is sure scary…" Upon hearing Ichigo's remark Renji slapped his own forehead and muttered something that closely resembled to "Baka" and joined Isane and Nemu who were walking ahead of them.

"After fighting with him at par it is only NOW that you tell me you find Nii-sama frightening?!" Rukia bellowed, to which Chad, Uryuu chuckled at the blushing Ichigo.

Byakuya who was silently walking with the other division captains Zaraki, Kurokotschi and Unohana sensed a strong reiatsu and was astounded when he the reiatsu he felt was Michiko's and Shiro's. He looked at the other captains and as if in silent agreement, he proceeded ahead of them to go after his wife and son.

"Nii-sama…" Rukia called after him.

"Stay with the others Rukia, I will deal with this myself" Byakuya calmly said and shunpoed off.

Whoever had the audacity to capture my wife and son will dearly pay for it. Byakuya thought as he tracked his family's agitated reiatsu.

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author's note: hi... i know its been awhile, i apologize deeply for the delay. my son had his finals and tomorrow's his recognition day in school well, yes i'm sort of a stage mom cringes at self guess can't help be proud of your kid when he works hard in school... :) i promise after this activity i'll really be posting more often. again, gomenasai...

and also, thank you so much to those who read and reviewed. ja ne :D