AN:
I'm back! I'm feeling a lot like writing for quite some time, so you guys are lucky, the updates are really quick. This chapter is another flashback, hope that's not too annoying. Please, enjoy :)

Chapter 3 Change

Flashback

They sat at Kisukes basement, nursing their wounds, and trying to relax a little before storming off to the battlefield again. The mood was tense, and they rarely spoke a word with each other, only minding their own thoughts. It had been a rough week, since they were the only ones left. Everyone else died, or fell for Aizens mind games and false words. They were mourning over their recent loss of Yoruichi, especially Kisuke.

But that wasn't all Kisuke had in mind. He felt terribly sorry for Ichigo. He'd always thought that it was his entire fault, that he had dragged everyone into this mess, only because he made a terrible mistake. Now this young man had to bring everything in order, just because he wasn't able to do anything about it anymore. Ever since Ichigo had been 15, he was into the Shinigami business, and not even by choice. He was meant to live a normal life, until he died of old age, but now this was never possible. Ichigo was 23 now, an adult, grown up. He didn't had the chance to enjoy his youth, go to parties, have a relationship and doing what normal people of his age did.

Kisuke felt like blowing everything up, because he forced everything on his young friend.

Ichigo himself was clueless about how to go on at all. During the war, he'd lost everything, everyone he held dear. It felt like it wasn't worth it anymore. He glanced at his only friend left, an all he felt was happiness. He was glad to have him by his side; otherwise he'd lost his sanity long ago, and gave in to Aizen without thinking twice. After seeing an understanding smile on the old exiles face, he couldn't stop himself, but crack a little smile as well. He felt confident now, they could do it!

After relaxing for a few more minutes, now with a little friendlier atmosphere between the two warriors, they decided to go upstairs again.

"So, guess it starts again, huh? " Ichigo asked causally. Kisuke looked at him with a serious face and said: "Ichigo, we have to be double careful now, are you aware of that? Do not take this likely, I do not wish to lose you anytime soon…" he trailed off.

Ichigo placed his hand on Kisukes shoulder, and tried to look as happy as he could these days, as he answered "We'll make it. I know that somehow. I can't lose, or everything would be a waste, and you know that my pride won't let me do such a thing, and my inner Hollow wouldn't either" Kisuke had to smirk at Ichigos retort; it was rare for him to joke around a bit, and not seem traumatized or depressed.

As they finally reached the shop, Ichigo had a horrible feeling in his gut, and his gut never lied to him. Therefore his body was on alert. Kisuke seemed to notice that too, as his hand went to the hilt of Benihime, as they suddenly felt a giant wave of violent Reiatsu crash forcefully down on them. While Ichigo had a little trouble breathing, Kisuke seemed to be worse off, and they both knew whom this Reiatsu belonged to. Aizen.

With a loud explosion nearly half of the shop was blown away. Ichigo and Kisuke barely managed to dodge the attack, but they managed. Standing in midair, with his ever calm face, and the smug grin plastered on his face stood Aizen, looking down on them, lying under dirt and parts of the shop.

It was true that Aizen had lost possession of the Hogyoku, but that didn't mean he lost. Ichigo had the Hogyoku, and by fact was stronger than Aizen, but Ichigo didn't even think about using it, since he was afraid of it. And second, Aizen had an army, an army of mindless killing machines, consisting of old friends and Shinigamis, as well as hundreds of Arrancar.

As assumed, Aizen didn't come alone. In a matter of seconds Ichigo and Kisuke were surrounded by a huge amount of enemies. Without hesitation they stormed to the enemies and started to fight. They knew it was useless to fight Aizen first, since they'd only be distracted by all the others.

Fighting was the only thing they had in mind, slashing, stabbing and dodging. They were mercilessly slaying whoever came in their way, without looking at their faces. Ichigo and Kisuke had stopped to look at their enemies long ago, because whoever they were fighting, they weren't acting like themselves anymore. At first Ichigo had hesitated, as he stood before the tall frame of Abarai Renji, who had been brainwashed by Aizen, but that was the past.

They fought for hours, without much effort, since fighting against literal zombies wasn't that much of an effort. But at some time Aizen had decided to join the game, instead of merely watching.

He shunpoed behind Ichigo, wanting to slash him across his back, and if it wasn't for Kisuke and his Blood Mist Shield he would have succeeded so far. Ichigo used his chance and tried to side stab Aizen with incredible speed, but it seemed that Aizen predicted this, and blocked the blow.

This went on for a few minutes, without any side succeeding so far. But then something terrible happened.

Instead of their usual pattern, someone dodging, the other trying to attack somehow, Aizen simply ignored Ichigos sideway slash aimed for his hip. The blow hit Aizen straight below his rip case, and tugged deep into the flash, causing a nasty wound. Ichigo felt triumphant, and glanced at Kisuke. Just then the noticed that his friend had to struggle, his shield was breaking. Aizen had planned this, and they felt for it. Ichigo felt horrible, and pure shock was written on his face, he quickly pulled his sword out of Aizen, who didn't seem to even notice the sword sticking in his body, to aid his friend, but it was too late.

Everything happened in a matter of seconds; Kisukes shield broke, Aizen slashed. Blood spayed on Ichigos face, and he forgot how to breathe. Kisuke immediately fell down and crashed into the floor. Not caring what'll happen, Ichigo rushed towards his friend, but it was too late. Sick, Ichigo turned away from the corpse, when something finally clicked in his head, and rage started to well up inside of his body. Reiatsu convulsed violently around Ichigo, as he started to gather every power he had. The bastard Aizen just killed his only companion he had left, and was still smiling like a Cheshire cat.

He didn't notice that a little object, hidden in his Hamaka, started to absorb the violently flowing Reiatsu, and started to glow.

All of sudden Ichigo felt a strange sensation, and a warm power washed over him, calming him until he was at ease. His eyes closed, he took in a deep breath. A little voice seemed to echo through his head. At first he didn't understand it, but after a few seconds it became clear:

"What is your greatest desire?" Ichigo didn't question what that was, he didn't care. There was just one thing that could answer that question. Everything he wanted was that all this crap just didn't happen. Nothing at all, he just wanted peace, no matter what it costs.

…that's when he started to scream.

End Flashback

So, this flashback turned out a lot longer that i had imagined, so i decided to upload it as a chapter... i'm sorry for that, cuz i know that these flashbacks aren't that what you guys want to read, but i promise, that it'll stop soon! :)

The next chapter is already in work! i'll update soon! than it'll go on with the actual story :)

Please leave a review, would you? :