Kazui's eyes unexpectedly shot open, his arms and legs were fastened to a gurney. He was confined to the Fourth Division Barracks. As he turned his head to the right a petite body collided with his frail form. Two soft arms embraced his neck as dark red hair entered his line of sight; a beautiful woman, with crimson hair bound in several ponytails in the back and lilac eyes lay atop his broken body.
"Ichika, what are you doing here?" Kazui asked.
"I was worried about you moron; you betray the Gotei 13, establish your own afterlife and invade Soul Society, how do you think I feel?!" Ichika shrieked.
Kazui's eyes closed, he contemplated his response; slowly, his eyes opened, amber eyes gazed into the violet eyes of the Shinigami.
"When I was a child, I was assigned the mission of purifying a hollow near Karakura High School. When I clashed with the hollow, I managed to fracture its mask, but hidden underneath that visor was the face of a human woman. When she had died, her siblings and parents would pray for her soul every day, but as the years passed their prayers ceased and the desire to kill entered her mind. I couldn't purify her soul and I let her escape to Hueco Mundo; it was at that moment I desired to create a world where all souls could reside; Human, Hollow and Demon." Kazui explained.
Ichika's eyes widened, her mind was unable to process what Kazui had said.
"Lieutenant Abarai, this room is restricted" a voice informed the young Shinigami.
Isane Kotetsu, Captain of the Fourth Division stood next to the door ushering Ichika out of the room.
Ichika stood and left the room, gazing into Kazui's eyes as Isane locked the door.
"Please try to relax" Isane said as she approached Kazui.
"I need to tell you something; please listen and try not to panic. You've been in a coma for quite some time. Yes, I know. You'd like to know how long, I'm afraid it's been five years since your battle with your father."
Kazui's eyes widened; as he stared down at his body he noticed how skeletal his limbs were.
"Why was Ichika speaking as if the battle was only yesterday?" Kazui asked worryingly.
Isane's eyes softened as she stared at the young man.
"In Soul Society, time flows at an irregular pace, this is why the residents of Soul Society live for long periods of time. Even the weakest of spirits live for hundreds of human years whilst Shinigami live for thousands due to our Longevity. For her, five years in the material world is akin to five months in Soul Society" Isane informed.
Kazui nodded as he rested his head on his pillow.
"Please leave the room" Kazui requested.
Isane nodded and left the young man alone.
"How was he" Rukia asked her daughter.
Ichika lowered her head, tears threatening to run from her eyes.
"His actions parallel that of Yhwach, the way he speaks, moves and thinks is akin to the Emperor of the Wandenreich" Ichika informed.
Rukia nodded, it would seem that the personality of Yhwach imprinted itself on Kazui. The things he believes, the way he fights, the things he says, is influenced by the Father of the Quincy.