Ten
Chapter Notes
I know it's been a while, but I hate this chapter and can't seem to fix it. I also will never get this out if I don't post this now, so here we are... Ah, anyway, I hope it's not as bad as I think it is - and it should be noted that this is definitely not the chapter I was excited for in terms of writing, the next few are :p
Also, you've probably noticed that this moved from Grimmichi to gen. this is because I outlined the rest of the story and with the direction I want to take this at the moment I really can't see how to fit in a pairing for Ichigo. If anything changes, of course I'll put that in the tags, but as of now this is gen.
Two weeks had passed since he stepped into the garganta. Two weeks. So much worse than the last time. This also meant that instead of simply being given a punishment in the fourth he was dragged in front of all the lieutenants and captains to apologize for the trouble he'd caused.
And for knocking Renji out and leaving him in a bush.
Although, Ichigo suspected that most of them were more impressed than annoyed with that. Particularly Sui-Feng who looked like the cat that got the canary. The hungry look in her eyes was not appreciated in the least. Especially considering Ichigo had a bad feeling that he knew exactly where she wanted things to go from there. He would do terribly in the second.
Said bad feeling hadn't accounted for the Soutaichou, apparently.
"It seems I was mistaken to entrust Aizen-taichou with imparting the proper dignity and manners on our young charge. He is far too headstrong for such a gentle captain." There was a wave of murmurs throughout the room, and Ichigo froze for a moment at the implications. They would… they would take him away from Aizen? Over this?
Ichigo gritted his teeth, scowling so hard it might as well have been a sneer. He wasn't throwing tantrums. He was trying to stop a war and not get caught in the process. And maybe he was doing it in a more childish ways, but only because he looked like a damn kid and acting any other way would cause suspicion. Now… now, if he acted like a kid would that only cement their decision to take him from Aizen? Or, would acting they he wanted to make them suspicious?
The decision was taken from him.
Unohana's too-pleasant voice rung through the room like a death bell, "I believe taking Ichigo from Aizen-taichou would only exacerbate the issue." Everyone turned to her. "He is a young soul with his memories intact. It isn't unreasonable for him to seek out his parents, and to act out. As old souls who have forgotten our pasts, or never lived in the world of the living, it's all too easy to dismiss the pain in dying."
There was a soft murmur rushing through the room, but Ichigo hardly heard it as he stared, wide- eyed, at Unohana.
"I agree," Byakuya announced. "If it had been two years ago, he would have interrupted already." The message was clear – hold your tongue for now. Although, Ichigo didn't know whether he should feel grateful for Byakuya speaking up or offended… "I'm sure we can all agree that Ichigo was even more disrespectful and unrefined when he first arrived. This is… progress."
Offended. Definitely offended.
"If it's taken this long, then it just proves Soutaichou's point," Sui-feng argued.
"Like you could do any better," Gin said, grin wide but eyes slit open to glare at her.
"He wouldn't have run away, I can tell you that," she hissed.
Gin snorted, but before he could say anything Yachiru spoke up, "If we're trading Ichi-nii, I want him!" She turned to Kenpachi, "Ken-chan, please? I'll take good care of him and everything."
Ichigo blanched at that; it was like she was discussing a pet. And as much as he appreciated that she cared enough to say anything, it didn't align with what he needed.
"I don't think any of you quite understand the situation," Unohana said, her smile so pleasant that it sent a shiver down Ichigo's spine. Unohana folded her hands in the sleeves of her haori. "It has been brought to my attention that Ichigo's home life had not been ideal."
Everyone stilled at that, while Ichigo was just left blinking in confusion. How had his home life not been ideal and when had he talked about it? The only tie he'd even mentioned them was when he'd been caught that first time.
"Explain," the Soutaichou demanded.
"Aizen-taichou informed Kuchiki-taichou and myself of Ichigo's odd reactions to gestures like hugs, as well as his own admittance that his father would attack him."
His blood turned to ice, breath catching sour and acidic in his chest. Because what? He had noticed them acting more cautious. Their exaggerated movements when touching him or reaching for something by him, but he hadn't made the connection. There wasn't even a connection to be made. He was never, what, abused? Was that what they were implying here, or was he simply reading the room wrong…
What had Goat-face done? Sure they'd roughhoused, and sure it got worse after their mom died – more… well, just more. But Ichigo had pulled away too, had distanced himself from his dad and his sisters because that was better than risking him leading them to a hollow. Especially when it took him so long to learn the difference between the living and the dead. It had become a way to interact with his dad that hadn't required real words. Besides, he had given as good as he got. Sure, he hadn't always managed to dodge in the beginning, ended up with bruises and aches but he learned to be faster. Stronger. More aware. And he'd gotten worse in the war, at that. What was a few flying-kicks and shouting compared to almost getting cut in half? Compared to losing part of his soul.
This wasn't right. They couldn't claim something like this. He may want to stay with Aizen, but to villainize Goat-face while trying to – definitely not.
"Keeping him in a stable environment is important for not only his physical but mental health." Unohana continued, "As his physician, I do not support removing him from Aizen's care."
"If that is true, then why would the brat go back home, hm?" Kurotsuchi huffed.
There was a deadly stillness as everyone turned to the twelfth's captain. Ichigo, too, turned to glare, but also took the opportunity for what it was; his chance to say something. "Because it's not true," he ground out, and like whiplash everyone turned to him. "It was just a game."
The silence was longer this time, and he looked at each of them during it. Daring them to say anything against Goat-face again.
"See, the brat's even agreeing with me. All the more reason to give him to me!"
"Not a chance, pervy-clown," he snapped back.
"Ichigo," Aizen said on an exasperated sigh.
"He wants to cut me open."
"He's a captain."
"Still a per-" Ichigo cut himself off as he flinched from the sudden presence behind him, looming and there when it wasn't before. It was instincts born from ages dodging Goat-face and then war that had him twisting away and around. Create distance. Giving himself time to think and strike back. Zangetsu was already half-out of his hilt when a hand wrapped around his wrist, a calming reiatsu washing over him. It took a moment for Ichigo to realize it had been the Soutaichou who had come up behind him, and that it was Aizen holding his wrist.
The Soutaichou seemed unfazed by the reaction, but Ichigo just barely caught the tale end of a frown before he spoke, "I apologize, young man." It was the only thing the man said before taking his seat once more, and Ichigo realized that he had wanted a reaction. Was testing Unohana's comments. "In consideration of this report, I will not remove Ichigo from Aizen-taichou's care." The relief that washed over him was a physical thing. And also completely gone with Yama-ji's next words. "However, should an incident like this happen again, I will not be so lenient."
"Understood," Aizen said, giving a shallow bow and returning to his own place in the line of captains.
"Now, young man, there is also the matter of what you were doing for two weeks."
Ichigo had decided well before this to answer honestly. Let them take from it what they will. "It wasn't two weeks for me. It was only a few hours, Yama-ji."
"That's Soutaichou to you, brat," Sui-feng hissed at him, a fire in her gaze.
Yama-ji himself didn't seem to mind; in fact he didn't comment at all about the nickname. "The dangai is unpredictable to those not trained in navigating it. You are lucky it was only two weeks, young man." Yama-ji ran a hand through his beard, "And how did you manage to open a portal?"
A trickier question to dance around, but this 'lie' was thought up by Aizen and Urahara, so perhaps a bit more reliable. "Shiro told me. He said that's what he does."
Not for the first time, the hall filled with murmurs. Ones of him already figuring out his abilities. Ones of him being a prodigy. Ones of pushing him into the academy early. All of them fell away with a single tap from Yam-ji's sheathed sword against the floor. "Enough. Lieutenants, you are dismissed. Ichigo follow Lieutenant Hinamori back to the fifth."
At that he was shuffled out of the room; a rather abrupt ending but he was grateful for it all the same. Between the apologies and how long it had taken to even get to the point they weren't
yelling over each other it had been at least two hours. It felt good to finally be free.
Except, he had definitely spoken to soon because not even a moment later a hand fell onto his shoulder. "Where do you think you're going, carrot-top?"
Before Ichigo had even turned to look at Rukia, Hinamori had pushed forward, "Back to the fifth."
Rukia looked entirely unimpressed by this answer but is was Rangiku that spoke up. "Nu-huh, little berry is coming with me."
Ichigo's rather exasperated 'don't call me that' went ignored.
"Why would he do that?" Renji snorted, arms crossed as he hovered beside Rukia.
Rangiku weaseled her way around Hinamori and pulled Ichigo closer, pressing him into her stomach, "Because clearly the fifth isn't treating him right if he's always running off."
Hinamori's smile was sickeningly sweet. It sent a shiver down Ichigo's spine, but Matsumoto either didn't notice or wasn't bothered.
"That's why he's coming with me." Rukia's hand clamped down on his arm.
"No! Ichi-nii is mine!" Yachiru exclaimed, wrapping herself around his waist like an octopus.
Hinamori huffed, cheeks puffing out and hands going to her hips, "You heard the Soutaichou, he goes back to the fifth." She took a step forward, but Rukia moved into her way, loosening her hold on Ichigo as she did. And then all at once Ichigo found himself slung onto Rangiku's back, her hair catching in his mouth as he decidedly did not let out a startled yelp. Yachiru's grip released in her surprise and she slid to land on the ground. Ichigo twisted to see if she was fine, but Rangiku was already flashing away.
"Come on, Ichi-berry," she said as the wind whipped her hair into his face, "we'll have some snacks and see if we can't play a game or-."
She was cut off as Ichigo was lifted from her back, finding himself in Renji's arms of all people. He gave Rangiku a smug look before disappearing down an alleyway, "As if I'd let you get snatched up by the tenth, Kuchiki-taichou would kill me." Renji skid around a corner and was promptly tripped by an outstretched leg. Before Ichigo could crash to the ground with him, he was wrapped in Rukia's arms and hauled away.
"Midget," he greeted because he could. Because he hadn't messed around with his friends like this in what felt like a lifetime. Because he still misses them even though they are right here.
"Shrimp."
"Where are you taking me?"
"The thirte-."
A pink blob tackled them out of the sky, and with all the grace of newborn birds they crashed into a pond below. They surfaced to the sight of a laughing Rangiku. Hinamori was there too, a handheld up to cover her stifled giggles, eyes alight with humor. He looked back and Rukia and Yachiru for all of a second before the three of them promptly reached out and dragged the others into the pond.
By the time Renji joined them, they were all thoroughly soaked and he and Yachiru were busy
dunking Rangiku under the water after she'd thrown a fish at them. "Why are you in Kuchiki- taichou's pond?"
It was if the entire universe had conspired against them, for not even a second later the cool wash of Byakuya's reiatsu fell over them. There wasn't a chance the captain hadn't noticed their signatures. Not a chance that he wouldn't come out and see what was happening. They had all of a moment to act. A moment that the took to drag Renji into the water with them.
"What is happening here?" It was a demand not a question and all of them looked to find Byakuya with narrowed eyes and a stone-cold expression.
There was a beat of nothing. A split second where the world stopped and Ichigo swore he could hear his heartbeat. Then Rangiku let out a high-pitched, "Run!" And the world remembered how to move.
Ichigo scrambled for the edge as best he could. Hinamori and Rukia were already out and when it looked like Rukia was going to stay, Rangiku grabbed her and yanked her away. Renji had frozen, eyes so wide they might fall out, but Ichigo didn't stay long enough to see if they would. He slid slightly on the grass with how soaked his shoes were. There was a rustle of fabric somewhere behind him and for a split second he thought he would be caught. Except, he made it over the fence and through the trees and hit the sixth division's training grounds without a problem.
It was only when he was tucked away in an alleyway that he let himself feel the ache in his sides from laughing. Doubling over as he clutched his stomach. One hand stuffed over his face to stifle the rest of his hysterics just in case. It was how Hinamori found him. Clothes plastered to his frame and hair a tangled mess, not that she was much better.
They trudged back to the fifth, and even though they took is slow they were still dripping when they arrived. Ichigo was certain they made quite the sight. Aizen took one look at them before pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh.
Hinamori was already tipping into a bow before Aizen had even opened his eyes again, a soft but clear apology for their tardiness and appearance on her tongue. Ichigo on the other hand, simply crossed his arms. Of course it was an attempt to keep what little warmth he still had, not at all because the idea of bowing to Aizen made the warm bubble in his stomach threaten to wither. Still, Hinamori gave him a pointed look. One he ignored. But that mattered little because she dragged his head down a moment later.
"There's no need for that lieutenant," Aizen said, voice faintly amused. "Why don't you two get cleaned up. Ichigo, I expect you back here when you're done."
Of course he did.
Ichigo wiggled away from Hinamori's hand, which still hadn't left his head, and all but ran out of the room. While it had been fun at the time, his wet clothes have quickly become uncomfortable and cold. Not to mention how nice a warm bath sounded.
All the same, it wasn't long before he found himself seated across from Aizen.
"What happened?" The demand – because it was hardly a question – left Aizen's mouth the second Ichigo sat down.
"Some of the lieutenants kidnapped me and Hinamori tried to get me back but we all ended up Byakuya's pond."
Aizen stared at him for a long moment before sighing – something he seemed to be doing a lot lately. "Why am I not surprised."
He shrugged. Running his finger along the small design inlayed into the edge of Aizen's desk, Ichigo waited for him to continue. It wasn't like Ichigo had planned it, or anything. Still, there was little chance that this was what Aizen actually wanted to talk about.
"You knew about your hollow," Aizen started. Case in point, Ichigo thought with a mental snort. And of course he would go right for that little detail. "And yet you didn't say anything."
"It's not something people should really know, is it?" he shot back, scowl working its way across his face.
"Urahara does."
Urahara was part of the reason he was like this at all. "He figured it out. Besides, what was I supposed to say? By the way my zanpakuto is a hollow ?"
Aizen let out a soft hum. "I've never heard of a zanpakuto spirit manifesting as a hollow… not naturally, at least. I wonder…" It was clearly not meant for him, and he was hardly looking to continue this line of questioning, so he bit his tongue. It took a moment for Aizen to look at him as anything other than a specimen, "You shouldn't tell anyone about Shiro."
"I know," he said with a roll of his eyes; he'd just said that, hadn't he?
"Do you," Aizen said, voice clipped and eyes narrowing. "It's sheer luck you haven't been caught trying to open a garganta before. From now on you'll only attempt it with me there. We don't need you passing out alone." Ichigo opened his mouth to point out that he's clearly been fine so far, but Aizen sharp look had his mouth clicking shut. "If Urahara's assessment is anything to go by then your reiatsu is already strained and we don't know how training with this kind of ability will affect it. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes," he grumbled, scowl only deepening.
"Good." Aizen leaned back slightly, rubbing at his temple as if this entire situation gave him a headache. "I want you studying for the rest of the day, you'll find the book on Soul Society's history that you left unfinished before your little adventure. Finish the next three chapters and write a small report before the end of today."
He feet dragged slightly as he made his way back to his room, eyes already half closed as he slid inside. With a half-stifled yawn he placed Zangetsu by his bed and practically collapsed under the covers. Aizen hadn't let up on his demand even when Ichigo's writing became almost illegible in his exhaustion. At least one part of Urahara's report was proving correct – he was more tired than usual. The fatigue creeping up on him like vines.
He'd only just closed his eyes when something landed on him. With all the dignity a half-asleep ten year out could have he scrambled up and towards his sword. Only, he ended up pointing it at Yoruichi of all people. Or. Of all cats, he supposed, considering her current form.
"You're getting slow, Ichi-berry."
"Don't call me that."
"Make me."
Ichigo scowled, sheathing Zangetsu. "Why are you here?"
"Figured I'd let you know I'll be stalking Gin for a bit. Urahara said you wanted to tell him?"
"He betrayed Aizen in the end."
"So I've been told." Yoruichi gave him a slow blink, "You sure about this, Ichi-berry?"
Ichigo huffed. "I can't stop anything if I don't know what he's doing."
"All right."
"All right?"
"Yeah," she said, lifting a paw to lick at it. "Now, tell me what happened when you got back. Did the Soutaichou throw a fit? Soul King knows that man hates surprises."
"Almost took me away from the fifth," Ichigo revealed as he settled back in his bed.
"What made him change his mind?"
"Aizen spun some story about my dad being abusive," Ichigo said, scowl darkening with his anger. "Apparently he told Unohana and Byakuya about it, too."
Yoruichi just looked at him for a long moment, before saying something he never expected to come out of her mouth; "Did he?"
"What?"
"Did he abuse you?"
"No!" he denied because he hadn't. "Sure he wasn't always there after mom died, and he… he knew about the war and didn't stop me but it's not like he could have."
Yoruichi curled up in his lap, forcing his hands to untangle from the blankets; he hadn't even realized he'd been twisting them. "What else did the Soutaichou say?"
With a sigh he told her about as much of the meeting as he could and about his short conversation with Aizen after. Occasionally she would hum or ask a question or point out Soul Society's stupidity. He didn't know how long he talked for, but he must have fallen asleep at some point because the next time he woke up it was to Hinamori gently shaking his shoulder with an apologetic smile and promises of breakfast.
The only sign that Yoruichi had been there was a few black hairs clinging to his blanket.
Ten to Eleven
Chapter Notes
this is probably slightly out of character, but I am tired. I had like three hours of sleep. I spent all day having to keep up with tiny people and then the rest of it writing several different fics so… have fun with this barely proofread chapter
I would like it known that as I was writing this, it was midnight and I found a bedbug crawling on my keyboard. I then proceeded to go on a four-hour long cleaning spree – I'll need to call someone in the proper morning though. I feel like that represents my life right now. In other words, im blaming all spelling and grammar mistakes on that damn bug.
Entirely surprising to absolutely no one, Ichigo didn't bother heeding the Soutaichou's warning to stay in line and almost immediately started sneaking out to train once more. Only this time it was with the rather determined mindset to at least start understanding his quincy powers. Ossan was helpful in that, at least. He offered small pointers and could name techniques that Ichigo vaguely remembered Ishida remarking on. It was slow and grueling but Ichigo wanted to go back to him mom with the ability to say he'd been trying to learn.
It was on one of those nights of training that Ichigo got the rather distinct feeling he was being watched. While it was subtle enough at first that he thought it might have been an animal, or even a low-level hollow, it had stuck around long enough that… well, Ichigo wouldn't put it past Aizen to stalk him out here just to watch.
Which brought up the question of whether it was better to do anything about it. His first thought was to confront him, but would that give too much away? It hadn't felt malicious from the start, and even now as Ichigo turned his next move into a flash-step towards it, it did nothing more than retreat. A few moments later, when he didn't pursue, it came back. Odd. If it had been a low-level hollow than it most likely would have attacked already. Which left either a higher level one, or one of the Shinigami.
If it was the later, why hadn't they approached him yet? Practically all of seireitei knew about what had happened, so surely they would have dragged him off to Aizen or Yama-ji by now.
Whatever the reason, and whoever it was, Ichigo determined he wouldn't be coming back to this particular clearing anytime soon.
Aizen had taken to setting up playdates for him.
Playdates.
Like he was a child. Like they would keep his mind off training. Off his family and friends. Off gutting him when the time came. Like it would keep him too busy to hunt Aizen and demand
training. Would keep him from attacking whenever the chance arose to try and goad him into a fight. It also took Ichigo off his hands for a few hours or even an entire day. Plenty of time to sneak off and get work done. Not to mention it made him look responsible and caring and concerned about Ichigo.
Forget two birds, Aizen was hitting an entire flock of them with this act.
The only benefit was that most of these playdates were with Yachiru. The girl loved when he came over, and Ichigo could admit he'd started seeing her as something of a little sister – no matter she was older than him. They got on well enough, and Yachiru was mischievous enough that he could twist their games into some kind of training, and she would happily play along. Something he'd been sorely lacking considering Urahara's report, and the mysterious presence managing to crash into every new place he found to train for the past few months. Ichigo had even tried to chase them down. But whenever he so much as gave a hint of knowing they were there, the figure bolted, disappearing into thin air. So, while he resented the fact they were considered playdates, Ichigo could appreciate their practicality.
Today was no different. Or, it wouldn't have been had Yachiru been where they usually met up. It took some searching – under a few bridges, up a few trees – and asking around to be pointed towards Kenpachi's office. He slid inside and was confronted with the rather hilarious sight of a scowling Kenpachi hunched over what for a normal person would be a decent sized desk, but looked comically small for him, with Yachiru leaning against his back and complaining loudly. After a moment she shifted, twisting around so she was on her back and started kicking his.
"Brat," Kenpachi finally snapped, breaking his brush as he twisted, "isn't it time for your playdate with Aizen's brat?"
Ichigo's eye twitched.
Yachiru brightened at that, a blinding grin crossing her face as she twisted and… finally noticed him. "Ichi-nii!" she cried, bright and beamish and threw herself towards him at impossible speeds. If he were anyone else, he would have dropped her. "Come on! Let's go, Ken-chan is all grouchy and won't play." Ichigo blinked down at her, not getting a chance to respond before he was being pulled back outside. "Sorry for making you wait, Ichi-nii, I was trying to annoy Ken-chan into playing with me."
"By leaning on his back?"
"Uh-huh," Yachiru smiled, "he hates it when I do that while he's doing paperwork. It makes his handwriting super sloppy and he has to redo it. It normally works."
Huh. It didn't seem like a bad idea, really.
"What do you want to do today?" he asked.
"Oh, Rukia-chan wanted to play with us too, so we're going to meet with her!"
Ichigo perked up at that; it had been a while since he and Rukia had the chance to hang out. It would be nice to see her again. "All right, let's go find the midget."
"Who you calling a midget, shrimp."
"Rukia-chan!" Yachiru cried out in glee. "We were just coming to find you."
"You two were taking too long," she said with a shrug, hopping down from the roof. "Besides, I'm
not going to be here long. I just need to tell Ichigo to come to the thirteenth next week."
"You needed to make a meeting with Yachiru to tell me that?" Ichigo asked, confusion thick in his voice.
"Taichou asked me to keep it from Aizen."
"Makes sense." Ichigo had to admit that Aizen had been even more controlling lately. These playdates just the latest way to organize Ichigo's time.
"Which means I'll be here to pick you up so don't be late."
Ichigo rolled his eyes, "I won't be."
She nodded, "I'll let you two get back to playing."
"Have fun with your paperwork." He offered a slightly too-wide grin before flashing away.
Yachriu followed him, and soon they fell into a game of tag. One that quickly picked up into dodging kido and then swords. Yachiru was all spit fire and cheer and it made their training that much more fun.
Ichigo twisted around a tree and shot up to the branches in one smooth movement. He'd barely hit the branch before he had to dodge a blur of pink – letting gravity do the work as he dropped back down and flashed away with a laugh. Just before he hit the ground he kicked off with a burst of reiatsu. He would have shot off a kido if he'd trusted himself to not make it explode.
He was skirting around a small stream when the pain hit. It was like he'd been cut in half. His reiatsu cut off with it and he found himself skidding along the ground. Dirt and leaves clung to his clothes and tangled in his hair and he curling into a ball. As if hugging himself would stop the pain. As if it would remind his body that no he wasn't sliced open, that no he was fine. It didn't.
With a gasp Ichigo's vision blurred.
He needed to breath. Just breath. If he could do that-
"Ichi-nii!"
Ichigo tried to answer, he did. But his jaw was clenched too tight, and his throat was too busy swallowing down tears bursting behind his eyes. It hurt. He was being torn apart and it hurt. He hadn't felt this kind of pain since-
Yachiru fell to her knees beside him.
She placed a hand against his shoulder, rocking him slightly and saying something Ichigo couldn't hear because the pain was gone. It went as quickly as if came, leaving behind phantom aches that left his muscles sore.
Uncurling slowly, Ichigo pushed himself to sit up.
"Ichi-nii?"
"I'm- I'm fine," he said with a shake of his head. What was that? Whatever it was, it left him exhausted. Like some great leech had tried sucking him dry of reiatsu.
On only slightly shaking legs, he stood up. Yachiru hovered, even as they walked back to the
eleventh. By the time they made it back, Ichigo all but collapsed into the seat Yachiru herded him to. He thankfully managed to mumble out a request to not tell anyone before he was asleep. There was no way in hell he was telling Aizen about this incident; the man would be even more insufferable than he already was with how he fussed and withheld training like Ichigo couldn't handle a little extra work. And for what? To make sure his little experiment didn't break too soon? Ichigo would scoff at the thought if he could. Would look deeper at the way his heart twisted with it. As it was, he barely had the energy to see Yachiru give a hesitant nod to his request. It was a fitful sleep. He woke up several times, and each one was to Yachiru watching him with concern.
The hours passed quickly like that.
Fortunately, Ichigo managed to force himself awake enough by the time that Aizen came to collect him. Yachiru was giving him a searching look under her cheer and smiles that could make teeth rot, but she didn't say a word about what had happened and Ichigo silently promised to bring her a few sweets next week.
His luck ended there, however. Aizen led them back to his office and handed Ichigo a book on history before settling down to do paperwork. Ichigo eyed him for a moment. His muscles still ached, and it felt like he would fall asleep any second. There was a haze in his mind, and Ichigo will blame that entirely for what he did next.
With less coordination than usual he stumbled to his feet and shuffled over, book in hand. Aizen glanced up at him with a raised brow but didn't say anything, not even as Ichigo slid down to sit behind him and lean against his back. There was a moment where Aizen tensed but Ichigo simply leaned harder back and it soon passed. Quiet permitted again. The soft scrape of a brush against paper, the flip of a page, the occasional sigh. Aizen was a wall of warmth. Steady. All of it started to lend to his exhaustion creeping up once more.
Annoyingly, it also didn't seem to make Aizen any less proficient in his paperwork. Which was Ichigo's main point. If Aizen was going to make him read while he was still aching, then he could suffer redoing some of his work. Something that now proved a fruitless effort.
"Are you reading?" Aizen asked after a few minutes – or maybe an hour, he couldn't really tell.
Ichigo hummed, his eyes closed, and book held loosely open in his lap. Normally he would be. Would actually find it fun to read about history. But he felt far too tired to much more than breathe.
Aizen huffed out a breath that could have been a laugh if it were anyone else.
It was only as he was falling asleep that he realized the ache in his muscles had disappeared. His last thought was a soft whisper wondering why.
A week went by and Ichigo found himself dragged before a gently smiling Juushiro and scrutinizing Shunsui, pushed down onto a cushioned seat and clutching a still warm cup of tea in no short order. Rukia offered him a rather annoying ruffle of hair before retreating. Ichigo scowled at her as she left. He'd get her back for that.
Pleasantries were exchanged, and then he found himself sitting in a stiff silence as he tried to figure out why he was here. He didn't have to wait for long.
"How do you feel about studying dual-wielding, Ichi-berry?" Shunsui asked.
"Don't call me that," he said, automatic and before he could even process what was said. When he did however… He sat up straighter. If this was what he thought it was… "Are you offering to train me?"
Shunsui chuckled, "Well it's not like our offer from before was revoked. And you've grown quite a bit since then."
"I still can't carry Shiro though," he pointed out.
Juushiro waved the worry away, literally, "We'll start with practice swords."
When they put it like that…
"When can we start?"
"Not going to ask your captain first?" Shunsui teased. "I hear your attached at the hip."
Ichigo scowled, "We're not."
"Oh? So he hasn't been hovering like a mother hen?"
"It's not like he needs to know where I am all the time."
That earned him a laugh from them both. "If you say so, Ichi-berry."
"We can start today, if you like, Ichigo," Juushiro said, stopping him from snapping at the captain for calling him that again.
"Well, what are we waiting for." He pushed himself to his feet, energy already abuzz with eagerness for proper training. And from two renowned captains? Both proficient in dual-wielding? He could hardly wait.
They gave each other a look, as if Ichigo couldn't see the amused, knowing, curve to their smiles or the laughter in their eyes.
"All right," Juushiro said, placing his tea down, "but we'll start with light exercises and katas today. Nothing more." The last part was said with a sterner tone and a pointed look. Ichigo merely nodded.
They kept their word, and by the end Ichigo hardly felt winded but they promised another session soon and that more than made up for how little they did. It was probably for the best anyway. He had been planning to head out to another clearing that night and finally make good on catching his mysterious watcher.
Their game of cat and mouse had gone on long enough.
Eleven
Chapter Notes
Welp, this chapter took a bit but it is on the long side, so I hope you all enjoy! Can anyone guess Ichigo's stalker? If you can't then no worries 'cause I'm actually gunna be revealing it next chapter And as always, this has barely been proofread so please let me know if you see any glaring mistakes
It was still early in the night.
The trees he'd sequestered himself among swayed lazily in a sleepy breeze warmed by the coming of spring. Snow still spotted the ground and Ichigo absently poked at a stubborn patch. They days were getting longer, and while he couldn't wait to not freeze his hands off in the middle of the night, he also dreaded the lost hours of training. And the lost hours of tracking down his still- mysterious stalker.
All the same, tonight he would be doing neither of those things.
A rustle of leaves – purposeful because Yoruichi would never do it otherwise – was all his warning before a black cat streaked into the clearing. At a much more sedated pace, Gin followed.
"Oh? So the lil'kitty wasn't lyin'," Gin said by way of greeting, his customary smile spread wide across his face. "Tell me, Ichi-berry, does Aizen know you're out'a bed?"
Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Does it matter?"
"What kind'a uncle would I be if I didn't tell him, hm?"
"Uncle?!" Ichigo sputtered, "What are you talking about?!"
"Well, ya see Ichi-berry, Aizen is practically your dad, so that makes me your uncle."
"He's not my dad," Ichigo said on a scowl.
"Oh? Could'a fooled me."
"I- You-." He cut himself off with an aggrieved sigh, "I didn't ask you to come here to talk about that. I asked you here to tell you the truth."
"The truth?"
He nodded his head, sharp and decisive before turning towards Yoruichi, "I swear, you better have clothes on."
"You're no fun," she said, even as a poof of smoke revealed her, clothes and all.
"My, my Ichi-berry, I didn't know ya had such interestin' friends."
"Yeah, well, it's about to get a hell of a lot more interesting." Ichigo met Gin's eyes head on, his
own sparking with hints of his resolve, "I'm from the future."
After that it- well, it wasn't much anything if Ichigo was being honest. He explained short and to the point because there wasn't any place for flowery words or beating around the bush when it came to the future and war. Yoruichi jumped in occasionally, marking some of the changes in the living world – from contacting the Vizard to training and Urahara working on destroying the death ball. Gin listened to it all, his eyes opening wider with each word.
"That's real interestin' and all, but why ya tellin' me? I'm on Aizen's side, don't ya know."
Ichigo snorted, "And Kurotsuchi isn't a creepy pervert." Before Gin could say anything to that, Ichigo continued, "I know you plan to betray him. And having someone else- someone in Soul Society," he corrected with a roll of his eyes at Yoruichi's obnoxiously loud cough, "would go a long way in slowing down his plans until I have the chance to kill him."
"Why haven't ya yet?"
"What?"
"Killed him?"
"I'm eleven."
"And?"
"I can't even properly lift my shikai."
Gin hummed, "Ya know, this actually explains a lot. The powers, how fast ya learnin' and all." And then his smile disappeared, "That story ya told me, da one 'bout ya losin' your swords. That wasn't just'a dream was it?"
"No," Ichigo said, not letting his voice waver even as a spike of panic shot through him at the memory. His fingers itched to reach for his blade, to make sure- He took a deep breath, "Look, I just need you to keep an eye on what Aizen is up to and let me know."
"Oh, don't worry, Ichi-berry, you'll know soon enough," he snickered. "Aizen's been plannin' ta indoctrinate ya since he picked ya up. Just been waitin' til he thinks you're ready."
"Indoctrinate… you mean he'll bring me to Las Noches?"
"That's da plan, as far as he told us."
"That… could you try and get him to do it sooner?"
"No promises."
"Didn't expect any," Ichigo huffed. A pause, and then; "You're taking all this pretty well."
"How did ya expect me ta react?"
"I don't know, a little more disbelief," he snorted.
Gin's eyes opened once more, sweeping over Ichigo as his smile fell. "No one else knows my plan, ya know. I never told a soul. Da only way ya'd know is mind readin' or time travel, and I figure if we're gunna go after Aizen it'd be good ta have an advantage. A bit more hope, if ya understand."
He had to say he did.
"And ya forget, Ichi-berry," Gin continued as he reached out and ruffled Ichigo's hair before he could duck around the hand, "time travel may be'a new one, but it's not da craziest thing I've seen." And here he continued in a stage-whisper, voice thick with humor and delight, "Ever seen Aizen drunk?"
Ichigo couldn't help but choke out a laugh at that.
"Ah, but that's'a story for 'nother time," Gin said in good cheer. "Ya can tell me 'bout your plans later, too. For now, it's time for certain berries to be in bed."
"I'll stab you."
"Are your sure you're tall enough for that?"
Zangetsu practically sang as he unsheathed the sealed blade, "Hey, Yoruichi, you don't mind hiding a body, right?"
"You know just how to get a girl going, Ichi," Yoruichi leered, smile teasing and eyes alight with humor.
"Ya' really take after your name when you blush like that, Ichi-berry."
"I hate both of you."
A week sped by and Ichigo all but dragged himself everywhere. His muscles strained with each step, eyes heavy-lidded, and mind fuzzy with exhaustion. He couldn't even find the energy to train. Those lessons he had were all but cancelled the second Aizen got a look at him; from his rumpled hair to disheveled clothes and the paleness of his skin.
And then the aches were gone. Replaced by a restless buzz under his skin, and just in time as Aizen swept into his office with news of a mission. Some order for him and Hinamori to check on a patrol's distress signal.
Something about it didn't sound right. Why would they send a captain and lieutenant? Was it so bad? Or was this another one of Aizen's ploys? A plot that he hadn't told Gin or that Gin hadn't been able to tell him about in time? If it was, should he act? His stomach twisted and his leg bounced – too many questions and not enough answers.
"I'll be back soon," Aizen said, breaking him from his thoughts. "Continue your work and-."
A knock interrupted.
"Come in."
"Aizen-taichou, I have some paperwork from Juushiro-taichou," Rukia said with as much of a bow as the, frankly massive, stack of files in her arms would allow. Ichigo took absolutely no small amount of glee in watching resignation flit across Aizen's face at the sight. Served him right. If he was going to play the nice captain and fool everyone while plotting to overthrow the three realms and instate himself as Soul King then ungodly amounts of paperwork was the least of his
punishments.
"Ah, thank you, please set it on the table over there," Aizen instructed. "I don't believe I'll be able to get it back to him today, however. I have to see to a patrol."
"I'll be sure to let him know, Aizen-taichou," Rukia said with another bow, and then her gaze – no longer blocked by a tower of papers – caught sight of him and she blinked. "Oh, hi, Ichigo."
"Midget," he greeted.
Her eyebrow twitched.
Aizen let out a long-suffering sigh. "Ichigo."
"Hi, Rukia."
A pointed look.
"She's my friend."
"How many times have we talked about this?"
"Rank means nothing," he said with a roll of his eyes. "Just because someone's given a fancy title doesn't mean they've earned my respect. Besides," he huffed, arms crossing, "she has my respect and like I said, she's my friend."
There was a snicker and both him and Aizen's attention snapped back to Rukia where she was poorly covering up her building laughter, "Sorry, Aizen-taichou. It's just-." She waved a hand towards Ichigo and continued to laugh.
In turn, Ichigo scowled at her, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing," she said around her laughter.
Aizen pinched the bridge of his nose, "We'll talk about this later, Ichigo, just focus on your work. Rukia, thank you for bringing the papers."
"Of course, Aizen-taichou." Another bow. "If- I mean, if it's not too much trouble, I could stay and watch Ichigo while you're out? I'll make sure he gets all his work done."
Aizen gave a soft – fake – smile at the offer, and for a moment Ichigo thought he would turn it down, but, "Only if it's no inconvenience. Now, I really must be going." He swept from the room with only the slightest hint of the dramatic bastard he would one day reveal himself to be. Ichigo watched him go with a frown. He still didn't have any answers to his questions, and now with Rukia here there wasn't a chance he'd be able to follow behind and find out.
Although, Ichigo thought as his friend plopped down to sit across from him, perhaps it was fine to let whatever Aizen was planning slide this once.
"So, shrimp, what does he have you doing?"
Ichigo slid the paper over, "Math. It's easy, though. Just busy work."
Rukia scanned the page with a raised brow. "Trigonometry is easy?" Incredulousness had her voice pitching high, "You're ten."
"Eleven," he huffed. And what did that matter?
"I didn't even learn this until third year in the academy!"
Ichigo crossed his arms, "Yeah, well, you didn't have Aizen looking after you, either."
Rukia shook her head, "You really are a prodigy." The words were more for herself than him, but he heard them all the same. "Renji and I even had study sessions together and I'd have to draw everything out for him."
"Draw?" Ichigo snorted, "Your drawings probably made him more confused."
"Hey! My drawings are perfect!"
"Perfectly bad."
"I will strangle you, shrimp!"
"From all the way down there? I doubt it, midget."
"You're shorter than me."
"Not for long."
"Oh please, not for another hundred years at least."
Ichigo snorted, "Try four."
"Four- what?! In your dreams! Humans may grow that fast, but Shinigami don't you idiot," she said with a rather overdramatic roll of her eyes.
"You want to bet?"
With an all too self-assured smirk she met his gaze, "You're on."
"When I win you owe me a favor."
"That's it?"
"Yeah. One favor."
"Fine, but when I win, you admit that my drawings are the best, and-."
"And?!" Ichigo interrupted with a scowl, "You can't ask for more than one thing!"
"Who said!?"
"That's just how it works!"
"Like I care," she huffed. "And you need to call Aizen dad for a whole day."
Ichigo flinched back, eyes going wide and jaw dropping, "What?! No way!"
"Oh? You chicken? Not so sure now?"
"No- I just- He's not my dad. I have a dad!"
Rukia opened her mouth the respond but paused at that, "Right. Right, I forgot you remembered."
Ichigo scowled, "Yeah, and Aizen is nothing like my dad." His dad may not have been the best. May not have been there after his mom died and left Ichigo scrambling with the twins for a good few years. May have lied about being a Shinigami and let Ichigo go to war. Let Ichigo lose- he shook the thought away. His dad may have been and done all that but… but, well he was still his dad. And, besides, he wasn't a mastermind hell-bent on taking over Soul Society and ousting the Soul King to satiate an over-inflated ego.
Rukia pursed her lips for a moment, eyes thoughtful before she shook her head. "I stand by it. He may not be your dad, but you two sure act like it."
"We do not."
Rukia's eyes gleamed, "What about the other day when he carried you back from the fourth because you fell asleep-"
"Unohana gave me some weird medicine!"
"-and the day before that when he brought you to the informal captains and lieutenants meeting and bragged about how you already finished the academy's first year reading list."
"That wasn't bragging, he was trying to prove-."
"Oh! And what about how you hid behind him when Kurotsuchi-taichou tried to pat you on the head!"
"Pervy-clown was trying to steal a hair sample for his pervy experiments and Aizen was the most convenient-."
"What about a week ago? You lit up when Aizen came to get you from my brother!"
"I did not!"
"All right, then what about Aizen dragging you shopping yesterday for brother's party!"
"That-." Ichigo choked back a growl of frustration. How had she even heard of that?
"Hmm, you two definitely act like it."
"Do not!"
"Do too."
"Do not."
"Do too."
"Do-," Ichigo cut himself off. It didn't matter anyway. Let this Rukia believe what she wanted, she wasn't- Ichigo sucked in a breath, she wasn't really his. His Rukia said goodbye to him. His Rukia promised to look over him. Promised that whatever battle he couldn't fight, she would, that whatever sorrow he couldn't shoulder, she would. She was his best friend. She was one of the only ones he didn't doubt kept her word and visited even when he couldn't see her.
And this Rukia didn't know of Aizen's schemes. Not yet.
"Ichigo?" Rukia's hand fell on his shoulder and he blinked back memories to find her looking at him with concerned eyes. Concern that was, all the same, hidden behind a playful scowl and teasing words, "Are you even listening to me, carrot-top?"
He smiled, "Not at all."
This Rukia may not be exactly the same as his Rukia, but she was still Rukia and Ichigo was more than happy to be by her side for that fact alone. More than happy to help protect her. More than happy to be her friend.
A fist came down to smack him on the head – hardly strong enough to hurt. "Where do you get the arrogance to ignore your elders, brat?!"
"I'm terribly sorry, Granny, it won't happen again."
There was a long moment of pause where even the wind seemed to still in anticipation.
"Run."
He ran.
He even made it pretty far; he slid into a training ground and spun just in time to block a rather vicious, yet still restrained, kick before falling back further with laugh.
"I'm going to burry you in the ground like the carrot you are!"
"I'd like to see you try," he shot back, dodging her next strike and then the next and the next. After another few seconds of being on the defensive he dropped low and swung his foot out to sweep her legs, but she jumped easily and shot down binding cables. It barely took him any effort to dodge, but that brought him right into her next kido strike which skimmed his arm enough to tingle.
They sparred for a good hour before the restlessness that he'd finally regained dwindled into nothing but a small cinder and he found himself swaying on his feet.
Rukia took one look at him and marched him back to Aizen's office. She muttered the whole way about how he should have told her and how Aizen would surely see her punished for this. To which, he scoffed, "It's fine. I'm fine. Besides, it was fun."
"That's not the point, you dumb carrot!" She pushed him none too gently into his seat with an imperious look. "Here," she shoved a pile of paper into his hands, "don't worry about your math. Draw something, maybe for Aizen, and relax, I'll go cook us something to eat."
She had already swept out of the room by the time he realized what she said. "Hey! I'm not drawing him anything!" He glared at the papers before shoving them away and dragging his math work closer. There was still a lot to be done and Aizen would be back soon enough – it wouldn't do to make him think he'd done nothing while he was gone.
Except…
Except, Rukia came back in with a pile of food, and a particularly harsh scolding when she saw him doing work. Except, another hour passed and Aizen hadn't returned. And then another and another and it was already well into the night.
"I'm sure he's fine," Rukia told him for the hundredth time as his eyes unconsciously skittered towards the door.
"I'm not worried," he said, because he wasn't. It was Aizen. Of course the bastard wouldn't be this easy to get out of the way.
"It's okay to-."
"I'm not worried," he pushed himself to his feet as he said it. Aizen wasn't back yet, which meant that whatever was happening with the patrol was probably one of his schemes. Nothing more to it… but… what if it wasn't. What if Ichigo coming back affected more than he knew and-
He moved to Aizen's desk without another thought. If it was something strange than there should be some record of it. Something to tell him why the patrol was sent there.
"Ichigo," Rukia hissed, coming up to the desk and grabbing his hands before they could leaf through the first set of documents, "what do you think you're doing?"
"If it's taking this long then something big happened," he explained, "I just want to find why the patrol was sent there is all."
"You can't just go through his desk! These documents are for captains and lieutenants only!"
"But-."
"No buts! Look, I'll go ask Juushiro-taichou if he knows anything, okay?" She pulled the documents from his hands and put them back down neatly. "Just wait here and don't do anything stupid."
"All right."
She nodded, and then she was gone.
Ichigo only let himself feel bad for lying to her for a moment before diving back in and pulling up report after report. There was nothing about Aizen's own movements, but Ichigo didn't expect to find anything. The man was too committed and meticulous for a mistake like that, arrogant of his abilities and mask or not. Still, it gave him news of hollow activity in the west and a decrease in the east near where he trained. It caught his eye, but he moved on – now was not the time to look for more clues of his mysterious stalker.
He was half-way through when a soft knock came and before he could even drop the papers, the door opened to reveal Juushiro. The captain offered a gentle smile even as he took in the scene, "Still getting up to mischief this late at night?"
"I-," the papers crinkled slightly as his grip tightened, "-was looking for the report about the patrol he went to help."
Juushiro's smile remained in place, but Ichigo had long since learned not to trust it – not after the substitute-shinigami lies and the war. He walked further into the room, until he came to stand before Ichigo. "Rukia mentioned you were worried."
"I'm not worried."
"Of course," Juushiro offered, eyes crinkling slightly. "How about we get you tucked into bed?"
Ichigo scowled, "I'm not tired."
"Then how about a walk?"
"I-," he looked down at the papers.
"Ichigo," Juushiro started as he took the papers from his grip and placed them onto the desk, "Aizen is a captain. He'll be back. Now, if you aren't tired or interested in a walk, I'm sure there is a reading or practice you can do."
"Math," he said before he could think better of it, fists clenching at his side. If he'd had some more time… but it didn't matter, did it. If this patrol was part of Aizen's plans then there wasn't a guarantee that it would be in the pile or reports.
"Would you like some help with it?"
He should his head, "It's easy."
Juushiro nodded, "Okay, but if it's all right with you, I'd like to stay until Aizen-taichou returns. I'm sure he'd be upset to learn his ward was left alone."
There wasn't a way he could refuse so he just nodded, fighting back the way his jaw wanted to crack into a yawn as he slumped down to get started once more on his practice work. It was tedious if simple work. It was a wonder why Aizen felt he needed to learn this. Ichigo hadn't shown a single interest in science and… well, Gin had mentioned that Aizen has been indoctrinating him since the start, this was surely a part of that.
Aizen though, was hardly the only problem he needed to watch out for. From his mysterious stalker to the fatigue from his soul adjusting and even the pains he felt with Yachiru those weeks ago. It all tripped over itself to make his goal that much harder to reach.
Really, he thought as his eyes started to flutter shut, hand growing lose around his brush, he couldn't catch a break.
The next thing he knew was the gentle lull of voices. Soft. Quiet. Ichigo hardly had the mind to catch a handful of sentences; something about a patrol and there being nothing to worry about and then-
Rukia.
That had Ichigo's attention, but even still he could hardly fight his exhaustion enough to listen in, let alone move or open his eyes.
"-mentioned Ichigo being worried about how long the mission was taking. I told her to take a rest and that I'd talk to him."
"I'm sorry for the trouble."
"It was no trouble at all. He's a good boy, you've done well with him."
"I fear I haven't done well enough with all the trouble he's caused."
"A boy his age should be causing trouble," the voice laughed a soft laugh. "And, causing trouble or not, this was hardly that. He simply wanted to wait for you to come home." Juushiro, his fuzzy mind finally supplied, that was Juushiro. Which meant the other was…
"Still, thank you for looking after him," Aizen said.
"Any time. Although I believe Rukia would rather take up that offer."
"I'll keep it in mind."
"Ah, well, I don't wish to keep you up any longer. Goodnight, Aizen-taichou."
"Goodnight."
The soft click of the door heralded Juushiro's exit. Ichigo still didn't move, trapped between sleep and wakefulness and not sure which way he wanted the scale to tip. Not even when Aizen came to stand over him, or when he was picked up. Rukia's hour of training had been harsh, for all that he'd had worse before. The fact it was Aizen carrying him to bed, and that he trusted him to do so… well, Ichigo wasn't about to touch that particular hornet's nest.
It wasn't long before he felt his bed under him. The covers drawn up. There was a soft huff of breath above him and then a pause long enough that Ichigo almost though he missed Aizen leaving.
"Hopefully you didn't mix up my papers too badly," the man finally said. Oh, so he noticed. Of course he did. And of all the things Ichigo expected, he hadn't been prepared for the feeling of fingers brushing through his hair. The odd familial gesture was immediately ruined by what the man said next. "It took two years to get you to start trusting me." The fingers stilled, "Stubborn. Reckless. You better be worth all the trouble." The fingers withdrew completely. There was a shift of fabric and then the soft sound of footsteps across the floor before the door shut. Aizen had left.
Ichigo buried himself further into his blankets, gritting his teeth. So all of this… everything, had been an act. He couldn't say he was surprised. Hell, he'd been saying it from the start! Yet the ache in his chest and the tightness of his throat… why the hell would he be hurt by something he already knew. By Aizen not caring. By Aizen just showing his true colors.
Why did it feel so much like a betrayal?
Ichigo didn't let himself hesitate. He'd always known what Aizen was like, always known that he saw Ichigo as nothing but an experiment, always known any so-called care he showed was just that; a show. There was no point in letting this get to him. No point in feeling vindictive. No point in the punched-out soreness not letting him breathe properly or the clench of his throat around nothing.
He held his head high as he marched to Aizen's office.
"Good morning, Ichigo," Aizen greeted, as he always did. Fake smile snugly in place.
"Morning," he offered, sinking into his usual seat, Aizen already seated across from him.
"Tired?"
Ichigo wanted nothing more than to glare at the bastard but kept his eyes locked on the table instead. The poor lump of wood seemed to wither under him, "No." It was a lie. A blatant one too.
Aizen hummed, "Is it from growing or from staying up too late, I wonder."
What was it that Juushiro said he'd been doing? "I was waiting."
Aizen sighed, "Be that as it may, what have I said about going through my papers?"
"I just wanted-."
"What have I said?"
Ichigo scowled, jaw clenching. Coming back in time like this, being forced into his younger body and being treated so much like a child had him losing his mind. For all that being this young and underestimated gave him an advantage it also meant being talked at like this, and Ichigo… well, after last night, he really wasn't in the mood. "I wanted to look for the patrol," he snapped out.
Another sigh, "Ichigo, I'm a captain. I'm not going to be hurt by a few hollows, there's no need for this much concern. And what were you going to do if you found the file? Come help? You're far too young for that."
Ichigo bit his tongue. There wasn't anything he could say.
There was a shift of fabric and then a hand came to rest briefly in his hair making him freeze like a deer caught in headlights. Only, this car was going to kill him slow rather than fast. "Thank you for worrying, but you should focus on your studies."
He gave a jerky nod of his head. Anything to escape this moment.
Aizen was only around long enough after that to eat breakfast with him and tell him that he'd be out for the day but back in time to pick him up for the party that night. Ichigo couldn't be more thankful. After whatever it was that happened last night with his mess of emotions and that odd tight feeling in his chest, he didn't want to be around Aizen any more than he had to.
He didn't even want to be in Soul Society.
Wanted more than anything to go see Hat-and-clogs and his parents and sisters.
Instead, he dragged himself out to his clearing. He needed to get his mind off Aizen, and the best way he could think of was to throw himself into hunting down his stalker. While they'd only shown up at night before, that didn't mean it was the only time they'd be around. And with how Ichigo hadn't been back since telling Gin, his stalker was probably eager to get back to observing him.
He'd only just made it past the tree line when a sword nearly took his head off. With more speed than he'd been able to manage since coming back, he ducked down under and then flash-stepped several feet away. "What the hell?!" he demanded as he spun around to find Shiro standing there, sword resting against his shoulders.
"Ya lost sight of what we're doin' here, Kingy."
"I have not!"
"Ya're sad 'bout Aizen not caring," Shiro sneered.
"That doesn't matter," Ichigo shot back, "I'm still going to kill him."
"Are ya sure 'bout that, Kingy?"
Ichigo growled, "What are you trying to say?"
"He's trying to say he's worried, Ichigo," Ossan said from his side, sending Ichigo a foot in the air from the sudden appearance. "I'm concerned as well."
"Couldn't you two have done this in my inner world? Coming out like this…" Ichigo shook his head, eyes scanning the trees, "If anyone sees…"
"The only one near is our stalker, and they're some ways off," Ossan revealed. "If they wanted to tell anyone about what you've been doing here, they would have. This is hardly the most shocking thing you've done."
"Still," he huffed, falling to sit in the grass.
"Ichigo," Ossan started, his shadow falling over his prone form, "are you sure you'll be able to kill Aizen when the time come?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You forget, we are you. Your inner most soul. Your thoughts and feelings and desires are things we share, and recently you have started to grow fond of him." Ossan continued before Ichigo could refute that, "Denying it won't do you any good."
"Fond or not, he's the enemy."
Shiro and Ossan shared a look, "Whatever path you choose, we will be here. Just remember Ichigo, abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop-."
"-You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate. I know."
Ossan hummed, "You're not alone in this battle."
"Yea', King! You have us!"
"And while you wish to protect everyone else, we only wish to protect you."
Ichigo pushed himself up, looking from Ossan to Shiro and back before a smile bloomed across his face, "You know, that 'everyone else' includes you two."
"Who says I need protecting!?" Shiro said, bloodthirsty grin splitting his face.
A hand came down to rest in his hair and Ichigo had peer up through his fringe to see the way Ossan's lips had tipped into the hesitant start of a warm smile. "I am proud to call you my master."
"Master," Ichigo scoffed with a shake of his head. "How many times do I have to tell you, you and Shiro… you're my friends. My family."
"An honor," Ossan hummed, as he always did.
"Oi, King, don't go gettin' all sappy," Shiro said, but his voice cracked slightly with the protest.
Ichigo snorted, "Killing Aizen may be my goal, and I may be protecting everyone while doing that, but I'm not losing either of you again. I'll protect you both with everything I have. That is my resolve."
There was a pause and then Shiro plopped down onto the grass beside him, dragging Ichigo along with hardly a care for the indignant squawk he let out. "Get some rest, King. Ya talkin' all this talk but ya're almost fallin' asleep on your feet. Ossan and I'll watch out for the stalker."
Ichigo opened his mouth the protest, to say that he should be training or meditating or working on bettering himself but Ossan sat down on his other side with a pointed look. He was tired still.
Exhausted really. Which was more concerning than it had any right to be. Even with the extra training he squeezed in at night, he shouldn't be this bad.
He didn't let himself think about how he might be getting worse.
With a sigh he closed his eyes. He wouldn't sleep, but meditating would help stave off the fatigue.
An hour passed, and then another and another and Ichigo lost track of time as he let himself explore the edges of his reiatsu. Slowly but surely he moved in towards his core. Aizen had mentioned that doing this would help increase his control. Something about understanding his own signature and powers. Ichigo just found it soothing.
It also let him feel the strain. The odd tensions like knotted muscles that made his reiatsu sluggish in some places. He let himself run over them, but didn't touch. The last time he'd done that he'd passed out and had to rush back to his room before Aizen found out he was missing.
By the time his eyes snapped open it was well past noon and Shiro was blasting across the clearing and Ossan was standing tall and steady in front of him. "What-."
"The stalker."
"Which way?" he demanded as he rushed to his feet, hand on his sword.
"Let Shiro handle it for now," Ossan said, "I have a feeling that we won't be fighting them today."
"They're running again?" Ichigo grumbled under his breath.
"That's one way ta put it," Shiro said as he skidded back into the clearing. "I barely gotta glimpse of the bastard. Tall guy. Brown hair, white and purple clothes."
"That's- practically nothing!" he threw his arms into the air. Although, the stalker dropped by much sooner than he'd been expecting. Ichigo had always thought that they came by at night because Ichigo was here and that was the only time he showed up. If he was watching the area, that meant he'd made camp somewhere nearby. There was little chance Soul Society would set someone up in this area just to watch for hollows…
"That report," Ichigo started, eyes going wide, "it said there was less hollow activity in this area."
"They're probably the cause," Ossan agreed.
"I didn't get'a sense their reiatsu too much, ya know, but it had a bit'a hollow in it."
"A powerful hollow moving in to the are without Soul Society noticing… possible. But why? It can't be just to keep an eye on me."
"Perhaps Aizen has a lab nearby," Ossan said. "A guard-dog and a scape-goat."
It was a neat solution, but… it didn't feel right. "I don't remember Aizen having any hollows with brown hair that wore purple."
"We can't assume the ones we met were all he ever had."
They'd find out soon enough anyway. There wasn't a chance that Aizen wouldn't be told about Shiro and Ossan if this was really one of Aizen's lackies. Which meant Aizen would find out about him knowing bankai.
Damn it.
Ichigo has been turned into a doll.
Unohana and Hinamori's doll to be exact. He wondered if this was how Kon felt when his sisters got ahold of the plush lion.
"Stay still," Unohana ordered, tugging at his sash a bit more harshly.
"I'm done with his hair, but do you think we should add a clip to it? It's grown a bit long…" Hinamori said over his head. Ichigo attempted to reach a hand up and touch his hair, but Unohana grabbed it to stop him.
"He'll just lose it," Unohana sighed. "You know how rough children can play and Yachiru is going to be there."
"But it's Kuchiki-taichou's house," Hinamori argued. "I doubt Aizen will let him run around."
Unohana hummed, tapping a finger to her chin as she leaned back and took in their – what felt like – hours of work. "You're right, but not a clip. Flowers."
Hinamori gasped in enlightened glee.
Ichigo held back a groan.
They'd already dressed him up in a rather extravagant kimono that Aizen had commissioned on their last shopping trip – a sky-blue silk monstrosity with just the tiniest hint of green just shy of enough to call it teal. A silver half-moon was sewn into the back and Ichigo knew Aizen had requested that specifically. Darker blue stitching at the bottom swirled up in a pattern that Ichigo thought was meant to represent the ocean. It was less grand than some of the kimonos he was at festivals in the living world, but it was still more than he'd ever worn.
And now Unohana was tucking a delight blue flower-clip in beside his ear with an indulgent and soft smile. Ichigo could hardly tell her no.
"All done," Unohana and Hinamori cheered with shining eyes.
"Oh, you look like a little prince!" Hinamori added, all smiles and clasped hands. "Come on, we need to go meet up with Aizen-taichou!"
"Thank you, Unohana," he said as Hinamori bowed.
"It was a pleasure," Unohana said, "if you ever need to dress up again, please come by."
"Of course." Not.
"Off you two go then."
Hinamori grabbed his hand and tugged him out of the fourth. Aizen was waiting for them, the picture of a dutiful, humble, kind captain in his own blue robes – thankfully several shades darker than Ichigo's own. He doesn't think he'd be able to survive the night if he had to walk around in matching robes with Aizen.
"You and Unohana-taichou did a wonderful job," Aizen said by way of greeting.
"You think do?" Hinamori beamed, glancing once more at Ichigo with pride.
"I do. Now, let's get going, no need to be late."
Oh the horror of the perfect Aizen being late for something, Ichigo mentally huffed. Maybe he should try that one day. Make the man late for one of his precious self-imposed missions or meetings with his hollow army just to watch his kind façade drop with each minute. But that was a plan for another time.
Tonight he just had to make it through the party.
"Welcome, Aizen-taichou, Hinamori-fukutaichou, Ichigo," Rukia greeted them with a smile and a bow. "Please come in, brother is speaking with Yamamoto-soutaichou right now."
"Thank you, Rukia, the party looks lovely," Aizen said.
"We're glad you think so." Rukia turned to him as Aizen walked past, Hinamori in tow. "You look cute, carrot-top."
"Shut up, midget," he growled back without any heat, tugging slightly at his sleeve.
She covered her mouth as she snickered, "Really, Ichigo. You look good."
He's gaze softened, "You too, Rukia."
"Ichigo," Aizen called back before either of them could say anymore.
Ichigo had to grit hit teeth to stop himself from snapping back.
"Go," Rukia said with a nod towards the party. "Have fun, we can talk after dinner."
"See you, Rukia."
And then he was sweeping into the room, stuck between Aizen and Hinamori as they made the rounds to greet everyone. It wasn't until Gin drew Aizen into a conversation that he was able to slip away, ignoring the dozens of eyes that followed him he looked for a safe place to bunk down until either dinner or one of his friends found him.
The only place he could see was already occupied, however.
"Why are you in the corner, Toshiro?"
"Toshiro-taichou," said captain snapped back with a sharp gaze. "I don't like crowds. Matsumoto dragged me here."
"To avoid paperwork or for the free drinks and food?"
"All of them, and the gossip no doubt."
Ichigo snorted a soft laugh. Although he would have to wish her luck with the drinking part of that; he doubted Byakuya would serve too much alcohol. At least, not as much as she'd want.
"Someone has to make sure she doesn't dishonor the tenth."
"It's not like every doesn't know thought, right?" Ichigo asked. "They've met her before."
Toshiro glanced at him. "You'd be surprised. Not many seated officers interact with the lieutenants from other divisions, even if they gossip incessantly about them."
"Oh," Ichigo said, frowning. It seemed a bit odd, but if everyone was as busy as the fifth's officers were then he could see why.
"Why are you back here?" Toshiro asked then. "I know for a fact several of them want to talk with you."
Ichigo crossed his arms and scanned over the crowd. A few with giving him hopeful glances and others were outright staring. He'd been used to being the center of attention when he was in his future – everyone in Soul Society having heard of his daring rescue of Rukia and looking at him like a puzzle they couldn't solve. And then the war, and everyone looked to him for an answer. For the power to stop it. For help. For protection.
For a savior.
He held in a sigh. Most of the people here, if he bothered to talk with them, would treat him like a kid. That was to say; dumb. Ichigo didn't feel like dealing with it. For obvious reasons he couldn't tell Toshiro that, but he could say something close. "I'd rather not be talked down to."
Toshiro gave him a searching look before a slow nod, "Understandable."
"You know," Ichigo started with a wry smile, "Aizen wanted to set up a playdate," he spat the word like a curse, "between us."
"I know," Toshiro said, eyes darkening and air growing frosty, "I almost froze off his- I almost froze him when he suggested it."
A choked off laugh tore through him. "Care to do it again?"
"Freeze Aizen-taichou?"
"Better yet, freeze Kurotsuchi. Perverted clown," Ichigo muttered as he caught the captain staring at him hungrily from across the room. Great. He'd have to bathe after this.
"Kurotsuchi-taichou," Toshiro corrected with a snap and icy glare. "I assumed Aizen-taichou gave you the right to call him so casually, but I doubt Kurotsuchi-taichou has."
"Aizen's been trying to get me to use titles since I arrived. I'm not about to start now."
"You really think it's wise to show such disre-."
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before. Dishonor. Disrespect. Smearing the fifth's good name." He rolled his eyes, "I'm not a fan of titles, especially for people I don't think deserve them."
"That's not your decision to make."
Ichigo shrugged, "But it's my decision whether to use them or not."
"Brat," Toshiro said after a moment, but didn't argue.
A pause, and then, "Do you like Shakespeare?"
Dinner was served an hour later. All of the dishes were artfully presented in the most pretentious way possible. Of course, they were also mouthwatering. Grilled eel, boiled watercress, salted fish decorated with shallots, crab, egg rolls, lotus roots and mushrooms, dumplings, takoyaki, string beans and so, so, so much more that Ichigo was hardly sure where to start.
Of course, none of it looked nearly as good as Yuzu's cooking.
Ichigo was sat right between Aizen and Hinamori. And as they were seated by division number and then rank he just so happened to be seated across from Renji. Renji who he hasn't seen since apologizing for knocking him out. Renji who had once been one of his closest friends. Not that it mattered anymore. Renji only spared him the occasional glance. Too focused on the food and the conversations around them. Conversations that were slowly getting louder and bolder as they drank more and cared less about who was listening or consequences. Ichigo caught only the tail end of most topics. From hollow activity, to bragging about a fight that was more exaggeration than anything, all mixed in with gossip of who broke up with who and the new recruits from the academy.
Of all the things, it was the last line of conversation that brought attention onto him. He'd been listening with only half-an-ear since he'd eaten his fill. More focused on not falling asleep than anything else and not particularly bothered with making small talk.
And then his name was mentioned.
"I swear the graduate get worse every year," Kurotsuchi was huffing about because of course it would be him that'd set it all off. "The last ones couldn't even hold their lunch after a peak in my lab!"
"I'm more scared they'll stab themselves," Shunsui hummed. "I had one who didn't even hold their sword properly."
"Oh," Sui-Feng snorted, "you think you lot have it bad? Mine can't even sneak past a blind and deaf squirrel let alone a hollow."
"Useless bunch of brats," Sui-Feng's lieutenant agreed with a toast of their alcohol laced tea.
"Not for long though," Kurotsuchi giggled his evil, ear-grating, mind-numbing, hellish giggle. "Aizen's brat will be joining us soon enough."
"Ah, but will the mother-hen let his little chick go?" Shunsui snorted, eyes gleaming with humor and joy. Laughter rang out up and down the table.
Ichigo bristled.
Aizen, for his part simple took a sip of tea before responding, "What division he goes to is his decision."
Laughter again. Ichigo didn't really see what was so funny.
"Ichi-berry, you'll join the eighth, right? I could use a cute little berry like you. It'll boost morale.
I'll even give you the third-seat!"
"Hey!" who Ichigo assumed was Shunsui's third-seat protested.
"Now, now," Shunsui said, "wouldn't you want to give up your seat if it means having such a cute little Shinigami in our division?"
They hesitated. Hesitated! "With all due respect, Captain. No."
"Clearly, Ichigo will be joining the sixth," Byakuya spoke up, loud enough for all to hear and gaze a mask of impassivity. "I've been training him into the fourth-seat since he came under my wing."
"You-!" Sui-Feng hissed, a fist slamming into the table, "Sneaky, Kuchiki. Real sneaky!"
"Now, now, don't forget it's Ichigo's choice," Juushiro placated. "I'm sure he'll make the best decision for himself and join the thirteenth."
"Of course he will," Rukia agreed, all teeth and pointed expectation as she smiled at him. "Won't you Ichigo? You'll join your best friend's division."
"Hey! Yachiru is Ichi-nii's best friend!"
High-ranking Shinigami. They were all high-ranking Shinigami, he reminded himself as the entire table devolved into arguing. Ichigo watched it all with wide eyes and laughter bubbling up in his chest the longer it went on. Laughter because if not that than anger and rage at being treated like a piece of meat once more. Laughter because watching Rukia attempt to pull Yachiru into a nuggy was the best thing he'd seen all week. A glance towards Hinamori said she was boiling with her own desire to join the fight, but Aizen's words earlier had her holding her tongue.
And then one of Kurotsuchi's creepy lackies snatched him from behind, with a cry that whoever could hold onto him the longest would clearly be the division to get him. Or, they would have if Aizen's own hand hadn't shot out and grab the offender by the wrist. His other hand had Ichigo by the back of his shirt, dragging him away and consequently into his lap. Ichigo froze, eyes wide as he stared up at an unsmiling face.
His mask cracked, Ichigo thought. His mask cracked in front of the other captains.
"Are you alright, Ichigo?" Aizen asked.
He nodded numbly.
"That's enough," Yama-ji spoke up, voice quiet but stilling everyone in the room. "Young Ichigo will decide for himself, as Aizen-taichou has already said."
A chorus of agreements went around. Not even Kurotsuchi willing to speak against the soutaichou. The room settled into a tense hush of whispered conversations for a few minutes before the alcohol and company loosened them all again.
By then, whatever energy and adrenalin had kept him going throughout the night had worn thin. His eyes drooped shut more often than not and by the time most of the plates had been cleared, Ichigo didn't bother opening them again. Between his stint in the clearing early that day to hunt down his stalker and his late night, and now with Aizen's warmth and the steady thrum of reiatsu around him that soothed an ache Ichigo didn't even realize he had, he couldn't help but give into the urge to sleep.
Ichigo had enough mind to realize Aizen was making excuses to leave and picking him up not long after. Had enough mind to be embarrassed by how often Aizen seemed to be carrying him around. Had enough mind to wait until they were half-way to the fifth to mumble out what he knew was true, "You planned that."
"Planned what, Ichigo?"
"Planned on me getting tired so you could leave early," he said into Aizen's shoulder, eyes slitting open just enough to catch the sharp edge of Aizen's smile. "Why?"
"You always manage to exceed my expectations," Aizen said, which wasn't any kind of answer as to why, but it was a confirmation.
Ichigo let his eyes slip shut again.
It didn't matter anyway.
None of it mattered.
Aizen would be dead within a few years and his plans would fall to dust at his feet.
Ichigo would make sure of it.