Author's Note: An update, yay! I want to thank everyone for the continued support it really means a lot. Hope you enjoy the next chapter of Captive!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. All rights are reserved.

Chapter Five

Isshin followed after Captain Unohana. Stepping into the small room after her. His whole body shook with shock. He looked so frail – his palms slowly morphing into fists.

"How is he?" he directed the question to the Captain.

"He is doing well, now. Yoruichi and I did some healing Kido for the most of his physical injuries. We also healed part of his reiryoku, as well seeing how his levels were dangerously low. However, I'm sorry to say that your son will have mental wounds due to his mental and physical strain. He has been through a horrible experience and he will need a lot of time to heal." She finished, while gazing at Ichigo for one last time, before departing from the room. She was a Captain and a healer there were other patients that needed her attention, as well.

Isshin took a step forward towards his sleeping son. It had been two years since the last time he saw him. He remembered the Ichigo he always came kicking good morning to. The irritated, but happy Ichigo that always protected his sisters and friends. Seeing him in this bed, and after hearing Unohana's explanation of his wounds he had appeared with…, just broke at his heart.

He ran his hand through his hair, gently. It surprised him that he leaned into the touch. He smiled. Knowing he wasn't totally broken.

"Ichigo, you're awake? Ichigo open your eyes. You're safe." Isshin expressed showing Ichigo he had nothing to be afraid of anymore.

The next second he opened his eyes – sadness befell him the next moment. To see his child so broken – it struck something within him. It was the parent's duty to protect their child; to protect them from the evil in the world. Isshin could only think how he had utterly failed him, and Ichigo would never forgive him. He was here, however, and he wasn't going anywhere.

"It's alright now. You're here. You're safe and sound." Isshin calmed him down rubbing his back in a calming manner.

He couldn't imagine what he must have gone through with Aizen. The bastard deserved to die. He had scarred his son for the rest of his life. He knew that Ichigo would be holding everything he had experienced in Hueco Mundo within himself: that he would be carrying the burden himself. He wanted to say something…, anything really to assure him that he wouldn't have to do anything more; that he could take it easy and sleep with no fear for what was going to happen next in future days to come.

Isshin sighed, closing his eyes willing some encouragement to say what had to be said, "God, I can't imagine what you went through. It makes me fill with uncontrollable rage every time Aizen's name comes to mind." He could see the reaction from just hearing the bastard's name, but he had to continue. Ichigo needed to hear what he had to say, "I never stopped looking for you, Ichigo. I never stopped believing you would return."

Those were his feelings. He regretted his past behavior towards his son. He wish he could change things and be that loving father, yet he knew that wouldn't have changed anything. In a way, it had strengthened him. He knew his son well. He knew he fought with his whole body and soul. And, he didn't blame Ichigo for anything, how could he?

An opening of a door stilled both Kurosakis'.

Isshin looked up to the door to see a captain walk in. Hair the color of snow – Captain Ukitake stood by the opening – based on the face the captain was making Ukitake had something to say.

"It's really great to see you again, Ichigo. Let me just say that I'm sorry for everything. It must have been terrible. But, what you did for Ms. Inoue was completely selfless." He finished.

Isshin watched Ichigo as Ukitake talked – it seemed like there was some emotion, but what he caught from him was that he was trying to hide what he really felt.

'Damn you Aizen!' he thought. "Captain Ukitake is there anything more?" Whatever the Captain was going to say got lost in his throat when a high level reitsu weighed heavily down on all of them. "What is this demonic reitsu?" Ukitake questioned, Captain Kyraku appeared next to Captain Ukitake the next second - his drunken voice sobered and explained, "Squad 12, has reported a disturbance in the Dangai. There seems to be an unidentified specimen and the specimen has reached inside the seireiti. I'm guessing that's what the demonic reitsu is about."

Shunsui Kyraku took a short glace at Ichigo to notice his face had gone stark white. "Ichigo, are you alright?" Isshin had been distracted by the unknown reitsu to notice Ichigo was acting differently. He was worried, whoever this strange reitsu belonged to it would seem his son knew who it was. He was almost hesitant to ask, but he needed to keep him safe.

"Ichigo, who is it?" Isshin questions.

"Grimmjow?" he answers with a question, as the sixth espada used sonido bypassing all other captains and lieutenants to appear before Ichigo.

"I'm back. Much to my utter disgust. Man, you guys make it hard for an arrancar to sneak into the Soul Society." He yells as he takes a seat next to Ichigo ignoring the Captains in the room and a very pissed off Isshin.

Just why was an espada here? Isshin thought. Ichigo voiced the same question, and was dumb struck with the answer.

"I'm here to watch over you."

Much to Isshin's surprise Ichigo wasn't affected by the arrancar's presence. "Ichigo, how can you be so calm about all of this?!" Isshin voiced.

"He was…" Ichigo started, although stopped when captains and lieutenants stormed his room.