He could feel everyone's eyes on him. It made him feel uncomfortable. "I see, then you are no better than him. Scatter Senbonzakura" Byakuya said raising his zanpakutō.

Ichigo was about to enter Bankai until Yuzuki jumped in front of him. "Reflect Muto" she said and countered Senbonzakura.

"I know you don't need protecting Ichigo, but Lord Aizen would not be happy if we let you get hurt."

Norio smirked as he dropped by Yuzuki. "Exactly, and now that they attacked you, I don't have to hold back." The male looked happy, he was worst then Grimmjow.

Nel stood back, she was looking at the people who she didn't want to fight.

"Why Ichigo?!" Rukia got out.

"I knew I would be deemed a traitor if anyone found out. I appreciate that you all came to 'rescue' me but I don't need it. I'm surprised any of you thought I needed it the first place. It is nice to have had you as my friends." He was trying to mask the hurt by using no emotions. He was not good at it like Aizen was though. He could not truly remain calm.

Orihime was shaking her head. "No, it can't be."

"I'm sorry Orihime, it is true. I'm sorry I never realized you had feelings for me, Aizen had to tell me. I don't know how much of what he said was true in that category, but I know now that you did. I'm so sorry."

Rukia hit him, her zanpakutō still in its sheath. "You really are an idiot. For everything. We don't truly want to hurt you."

"Leave me alone then, leave me here. I don't … belong in the Soul Society anymore." Ichigo flinched away from Rukia's touch this time. "I don't want to fight any one of you. Though I am not going back with you."

"Oh but you will be fighting. Ichigo you still owe me that fight" Kenpachi had finally made it.

"How did you make it here before us" Yumichika got out.

"Secret passage" Renji was the one who was forced to answer.

Nel dropped down to land beside Ichigo. "Don't you see Ichigo doesn't want to fight any of you. Stop making him have to choose. Don't you see that he is in pain? You are just making him feel worst" she got out.

Renji jaw dropped. "No way, you're here too" he got out.

Nel nodded. "All of this is making him feel worst."

"Thanks Nel, but reason no longer matters. I have gone through worst. I have bene preparing myself for this, because I knew that I couldn't keep my friends and my family if I went with Aizen."

Gin had appeared with Aizen. Norio and Yuzuki bowed their heads slightly when they realized Aizen was here. "The thing you have to understand about Ichigo is he doesn't give up easily."

Renji was the one who charged at Aizen. "You bastard" Aizen didn't even lift a finger to stop Renji. "You can't just leave anyone alone, can you?"

Gin smiled wider. "You planned all of this" Rukia got out. "You had us trust you only to betray us."

"Gin, are you the same one who helped me" Ichigo got out looking up at the silver haired man. Gin nodded. "You are going to answer my questions, I have many. Though right now, I guess I am glad to see you." Ichigo could feel Rukia glaring at him. Ichigo sighed and went to join Aizen and Gin. "As much as I wish this was a nightmare, it is real. " He risked a glance at Aizen who nodded. "Just don't hurt them" he got out as he moved to walk away.

"You heard him, don't hurt them. Keep them alive, we will imprison them."

"Is that okay, Ichigo" Gin called out to Ichigo.

"Sure I don't care anymore." He was happy that no one could see his face anymore, because it showed how he was really feeling. As Yuzuki and Norio was about to work together that was when Ichigo collapsed onto the sand.

"Ichigo!" Rukia got out.

Orihime was running towards him. "No Ichigo."

Aizen looked at Ichigo. "We need to get him to safety rather than here. It's happening again."

Byakuya looked at Aizen. "What is" he said ready to use Senbonzakura again.

Aizen sighed. "He most likely told you the story of the asylum. His mind is going back there."

Gin nodded. "He is on a loop. He simply spent too much time here. "

Aizen looked at Gin "how did you get out?"

Gin smiled widen. "A secret."

"Can you go back? As much as I hate to have to trust you with his life, you seemed to have done a good job with it so far. "

Gin nodded. "I need to be in the room alone with Ichigo." Gin flashstepped over to Ichigo and picked him up. "We'll be in my room."

Aizen frowned, though he said nothing. He knew no one would dare try to go into Gin's room. "I will be making routine checkups" Aizen called out.

"I expected nothing less, Captain Aizen" Gin said as he disappeared from sight.

Aizen looked at the rest of the visitors.

"What did you do to him" Renji asked.

"You aren't bright are you? You are trouble, and that was the reason why I gave you off to another squad. Ichigo should be fine." He looked at Orihime "though I'll need you to come with me."

Orihime nodded. "Does he really love you" she asked surprising herself.

Aizen actually let her see him smile. "He does."

"Lead the way" she got out. She was still afraid of the man, but she was willingly to give him a chance if Ichigo really did have feelings for the man.

"Nelliel, I am trusting you with the task of making sure Ichigo's 'friends' behave. Take them to the room, make sure they are treated well." Yuzuki looked at Aizen.

"May I go with her, Lord Aizen?"

"Yes" Aizen said and led Orihime away from the group.

Yuzuki sheathed her sword, so she dropped out of her release. Norio frowned. "I'll just guard the door so no one goes in or out without my permission" he said as he moved to the back.

Byakuya looked at the Yuzuki. "What is your name and rank?"

She smiled at him "I'm the ninth Espada Yuzuki Sakuramo. He is the seventh Espada Norio Tsukino. We were both selected by Ichigo. "

Renji looked at them "How are you only the seventh and ninth Espadas."

Yuzuki giggled. "Only the best can be Espadas. Now come this way, I would hate to have to force you. Ichigo is such a nice person, I would hate to see him mad at me."

Rukia rolled her eyes at that comment. "Why do you care so much about him?"

Yuzuki turned to face her and smiled. "Because Ichigo has only been nice to us. Plus he means so much to Lord Aizen. Now follow me, I do not wish to hurt any of you. You are after all Ichigo's friends."

Nel nodded. "I wouldn't want to hurt any of you either, since we shared some times together before. "

Byakuya sheathed Senbonzakura, but he kept his hand on the hilt. "Only until we hear the whole story" he said.

The group moved forward.

…

Gin had taken Ichigo to his room and laid the unconscious boy on the bed. "I hope I am not too late" he got out. He was about to close the door when Aizen stopped the door.

"We will be joining you" Aizen said moving into the room so Gin could see Orihime. Gin nodded and Orihime quickly followed Aizen into the room.

"He is okay, right?" Orihime's voice was soft as she spoke.

Aizen nodded. "For the time being, think of him right now as simply being asleep." He took a seat on Gin's bed.

Gin took his position on the opposite side of the bed. "Just be quiet, I promise I will make sure the boy is okay. I've done a good job so far."

"That is up for debate. Keep in mind he almost died. "

"He was never in any danger before, but now he may be." Gin leaned against one of the pillows that did not have Ichigo's head resting on it. It didn't take long before Gin was in the same state of being that Ichigo was in.

"Orihime, go close the door. We don't need anyone else coming into this room." Orihime nodded and moved to close the door. She stayed standing.

"I don't understand what is going on. I followed you because if Ichigo trusts you and if he l….l…loves you then I should at least try to trust you. I mean you didn't hurt me before, so that helps a little bit."

Aizen sighed. "There are still little things that aren't making sense. Ichigo keeps pointing them out. Perhaps he will figure out the meaning. I hate the fact that I am so" Aizen paused. "Helpless. I hate that I have to depend on him" he said gesturing towards Gin.

"Would you help Ichigo if you could?"

Aizen nodded. "I never planned to fall in love with him. I planned so many things in my life, but the events that have happened recently I did not plan for. Ichigo actually caught me off guard. He is very special."

Orihime nodded, she was trying not to look at Aizen. She was playing with her hands.

"You hate me don't you?"

"No. Hate is such a strong emotion. I am just disappointed I guess. I have always wanted Ichigo to be happy. I won't deny that I do have feelings for him, but if he is happy with you, I should be happy. I sound so selfish. Don't mind me" she said trying to put on a smile. She sat in the chair towards the corner of the room.

….++++…

Author's Note:

So many things went on in this chapter. This will be the last chapter that only focuses outside the asylum reality. The next chapter will once again include the asylum. Answers will be given more so in the chapters that follow.