Chapter 115 - 27-28

Chapter 27

They say that the strength of a man could be dictated by the size of his influence, or the means in which he could get a job done. To be strong, either by working around something, or forcibly intervening through physical means.

Aizen Sousuke, was neither of those.

But neither was he pragmatic, nor callous, just analytical in a cold sense.

Everything could be viewed as if on a board; the players, chess pieces to be moved by a careful hand. The opposition to be defeated by a sound strategy, and this sort of ideology had never changed for him.

In fact, it had only grown stronger.

"How amusing," Aizen spoke offhandedly. His eyes were calm, and his disposition emitting a hidden pressure that caused Yoruichi's eyes to narrow.

"You are but one other person that wishes for my defeat, but prey tell how you intend to do so when I already have that which I desire in hand?" He asked.

Rukia's unconscious form swayed with the slightest of his movements. Truly it was quite frail, and perhaps it would deteriorate completely should he unleash the full magnitude of his spiritual pressure. However, that wouldn't serve him any benefit before he could separate her from that which was within her.

Although, it was at least fitting that there was some form of opposition.

His eyes glanced past Yoruichi, and towards the battle occurring in the sky; the fluctuations of spiritual energy hard to ignore when the air itself was already becoming humid.

Truth be told, he wasn't that interested in mere changes of the air, rather, it was the display of abilities he was witnessing all this while.

A deluge of swords and weapons that spontaneously manifested in the sky. That, and the expressions on the faces of the other Captains and seated officers when their very own Zanpakuto were placed opposed to them.

The Irony. Swords meant to cleanse evil spirits pointed at the Shinigami themselves. He almost couldn't stop the twitch in his lip.

What a splendid sight, but his attention would have to go to this woman for now, as again, it wouldn't be interesting without opposition.

Let's see what you've got Kisuke Urahara. 

A smirk came to his face, eyes gleaming as he increased his grip on Rukia, causing a choked gargle to come from her mouth.

"You bastard!" Ichigo yelled while checking on the condition of his friends.

So, the boy spoke, but it was hardly worth paying attention to, instead he goaded Yoruichi.

"Is she not still in my hands Mrs. Shihoin?" He spoke candidly.

The way her face twisted in contempt for his statement was a minor victory, but surely Urahara would have had briefed her on a strategy to deal with one such as himself.

And indeed, Yoruichi composed herself with a breath.

Time ticked slowly, the influx of spiritual energy in the air only growing stronger; the scent of ash wafting throughout the forested region of Sokyoku Hill casting a cloud of grey above.

"Shall we begin then?" He said goadingly before drawing forth his sword. "The stillness of a mirror's surface, or the sereneness of a tranquil pond, all is encaptured by the water's moon and the mirror's flower. Kyoka Suigetsu."

The moment he uttered the name of his Zanpakuto was the moment Yoruichi would lose her chance to do anything significant to him.

From the start, he had already known that she had been wary of attacking him. After all, she wouldn't have had been sure if Kyoka Suigetsu had already been activated or not. If so, how could she be sure if the him before her was truly the him in front of her.

Kyoka Suigetsu had the ability of complete hypnosis. Therefore, it was able to manipulate his enemies to see things that weren't there, hear things that weren't heard, and even feel things that weren't there.

What is it that separates reality from illusion but a thin line? If one thinks something's real, and the world around them reciprocates to these thoughts, then doesn't that world become real? It's a thin line indeed, and more so when he could control everything that his opponent would ever sense. Therefore, the world he could create before their eyes was as real as real could ever be.

Therefore, it came off as a bit of surprise when a blade nearly grazed his face while he was mockingly looking down on this woman.

"Tch," Yoruichi clicked her tongue, but it didn't seem as if she realized she had almost cut him.

He furrowed his brows and took a few steps back to observe.

A coincidence?

Looking at Yoruichi, it didn't seem as if she was able to break out of his illusions, and even then, it would be a difficult endeavor. A battle between Shinigami was a battle between Spiritual Pressures, and his was enough to rival that of Head-Captain Yamamoto. The only way she would get out of an illusion cast by Kyoka Suigestu was if she could overpower his own spiritual energy, or if he allowed her to.

In which case, it was clear that she was incapable of the first option, but he didn't allow the second option of releasing her either. Then how was it possible that she had attacked in his direction?

His lips thinned as he contemplated, watching as Yoruichi reacted to the illusion he had already placed her in.

She was attacking the area around her, her apparent lack of a sword making it appear as if she was shadow boxing.

Yet, it was a dangerous sort of shadow boxing.

Every fist and kick came with a sharpness that was able to cut the air itself, blades of wind creating fissures of splintered wood and gravel.

"Yoruichi?" a voice called out in confusion.

He turned his attention momentarily to Ichigo, the boy who was now standing stupefied while watching the ongoing fight.

Out of everyone in the Seireitei, perhaps the only individuals who weren't affected by Kyoka Suigetsu could be counted on one hand, and Ichigo was included.

Glancing back at Yoruichi one last time, he determined that she was indeed still under Kyouka Suigetsu's effect, and thus sent a mocking stare in Ichigo's direction.

"Well, boy," he said slowly, making his way towards Ichigo. "What will you do?"

Even unconscious, Rukia's body seemed to react to his movements; her hands grasping at his that now held her up by the neck. Her complexion was also growing paler and paler by the second.

Just a little more pressure and he could suffocate her, or perhaps snap the delicate thing entirely. Yet, he wouldn't do so.

"Weren't you going to save her?" He asked, dangling Rukia forward like a doll.

There was a sort of satisfaction that derived itself from his amusement when he noticed the fury rising over Ichigo's face. To think that a boy so weak could even think about opposing him, let alone saving the Kuchiki in his hands.

Veins bulged around Ichigo's face, and a red flush was spreading from the base of his neck. Even his muscles had become tense, his grip around that butcher-like Zanpakuto increasing until his knuckles turned white.

As expected.

Ichigo attacked.

Aizen's expression gave nothing away even though this sequence of events was truly quite predictable. Putting strength into his sword, the thought of even using Kyouka Suigetsu on someone so weak never surfaced.

"Let her go!" Ichigo yelled, cutting forward with his sword.

Ripples formed in the air as the slash descended, but he knew it was time to show this disillusioned child what reality truly was.

A single move, and the fluttering sound of his Haori.

He stepped forward into Ichigo's slash, and even re-sheathed Kyouka Suigetsu in the process.

W-What? 

Ichigo's expression seemed to say.

Truly it was the expression of one who finally understood the exact situation.

Ichigo's sword shook as the boy tried and failed to remove it from his one-handed grip. A futile endeavor as even now he was only using two fingers to keep it lodged in place.

In the next instant, he applied pressure to his hand, and swiftly tossed that butcher-like sword aside and out of Ichigo's grip.

Ichigo stood there blankly, but unexpectedly he quickly grabbed the white cloth secured to Zangetsu's blade before swinging it in Aizen's direction.

It was like a saw blade with how fast it moved, yet even then, nothing changed.

Raising his hand, Aizen once again placed it in front of him to intercept the attack.

Yet he winced in alarm.

"Grh,"

Blood seeped from the arm that had once held Rukia Kuchiki, the red coloured liquid streaming to the ends of his fingers before dripping to the ground.

Swerving left, he dodged Ichigo's attack before glaring impassively behind him.

"You," he spoke in a hard tone.

Yoruichi stood before him, Rukia now in her possession as she smiled coyly.

"Cat got your tongue, Aizen?" She asked while making sure that Rukia was secured in her arms.

Aizen didn't utter a word, instead he vanished.

Yoruichi's senses immediately went on overdrive. Aizen wasn't to be meddled with and his wits and means were nothing to be scoffed at.

Shifting her weight between her feet, she yelled at Ichigo to retreat before she spun away from a sword's edge.

Huffing, she glared at Aizen's impassive face before deciding on the best strategy.

Back and forth she moved in bursts of flash steps, seeming to appear in multiple places at once.

Yoruichi Shihoin, the Flash Queen, said to have had been the fastest Shinigami in the Seireitei.

And this reputation was not undeserved.

Using her speed, it would have had been impossible for anyone to keep track of her, but Aizen was different.

"Damn monster," She pursed her lips as Aizen meticulously intercepted every single one of her blows, his hands seeming to move even before her attacks landed.

"You are still in the illusion," Aizen's voice rang out in her ears, the tone perplexed.

She paid it no mind and only continued to increase her speed to make it difficult for Aizen to pinpoint her.

"It's clear in the way that your attacks are so predictable,"

Aizen's hand got hold of Yoruichi's outstretched leg from a kick and tossed her like a ragdoll.

"Tell me, Ms. Shihoin, what is it that you see?"

Yoruichi eyes were blood shot as she ruthlessly crashed against the ground, Rukia cradled in her arms to avoid hurting her. She blinked hard as the image of Urahara in front of her walked towards her. It wasn't real. It couldn't be. Yet no matter what, a part of her was still holding itself back.

"Shit," she cursed herself and the situation she was in.

She already secured Rukia, and she was confident in her ability to escape in one direction. No matter what illusion Aizen made her see, it wouldn't matter so long as she ran off in a straight line while eliminating all obstacles before her. It would then be a contest of speed assuming Aizen would be able to keep up with her at maximum velocity.

Yet she couldn't leave.

Not when Ichigo and the rest would be left at Aizen's mercy.

"Ichigo!" She called hastily, tossing Rukia at him.

"Run, get out of here!" She ordered. "I'll keep Aizen busy."

"Oh, is that so?"

A hand clamped over Yoruichi's face before she felt the cold bite of a blade piercing her skin. Eyes widening, she muffled her scream, and forced away the feeling of pain in her body with her sheer will. Thereafter, her hands wrapped around Aizen's arm and twisted in opposite directions.

The hand holding her was forced open as a result, and she once again began dashing across the area, looking for any openings.

"I-I can't just leave Damn It!" Ichigo protested while holding gently to Rukia. "What about Chad, Orihime, Ishida, Kukaku, and the rest?!"

Yoruichi's expression grew complicated.

"Just make sure Rukia's safe for now," she eventually muttered.

Ichigo was left speechless, unable to decide about what to do.

Aizen however, paid this no attention, instead the entirety of his focus was on Yoruichi. He placed Kyouka Suigetsu by his side, before straightening his back to stand imposingly.

"How?" He eventually asked Yoruichi.

If Urahara had made it possible for others to be unaffected by Kyouka Suigetsu, then there was an immediate need to reconsider certain plans, and if necessary, modify them.

Yoruichi grinned. "Dunno," she said vaguely. "What do you think?"

Aizen didn't rise to the challenge, instead he seemed to come to his own conclusions moments later.

"Instinct?" Aizen mumbled in a sudden epiphany. "Got to say, as expected of someone of your reputation."

Yoruichi's lips thinned, as Aizen was correct. In the entirety of her fight, she trusted nothing. Not the image of Kisuke she was placed against, not the sound of Aizen's approach, nor the obstacles in the world around her. Instead, everything relied on her acute intuition and instinct. If something felt wrong, then she would react accordingly. Allowing her to perceive that which could not be perceived with all her senses confused and receiving a stimulus that wasn't there.

Yet only someone of her mastery may be able to pull such a thing off. It only made it slightly less difficult for her because she was familiar with Aizen's means.

"However, Ms. Shihoin," Aizen spoke slowly. "You should understand that my main strength doesn't come from just my Zanpakuto."

In an instant, Aizen fist landed onto Yoruichi's gut before she could even react.

Yoruichi gagged, dry heaving as all the wind was knocked out of her. Her face contorted as she tried and failed to swipe at Aizen. And it wasn't because she missed, rather, Aizen simply shrugged off her attack, his body immoveable.

"Instincts can only go so far when in the face of true strength," Aizen said callously. "And this is already the extent of your resistance."

Pulling his fist back, Kyouka Suigetsu Swung swiftly through the air as a spray of blood soaked the ground in a deep crimson.

"…Geh," Ichigo coughed out blood, a gaping hole appearing in his side before he collapsed on the ground. Blood then began to pool.

"Ichigo you," Yoruichi's eyes widened.

"A fool is what he is," Aizen spoke off handily before flicking the blood off of his sword in an almost practiced sort of motion.

Ichigo couldn't even respond, the pain coursing through him almost unbearable. Yet still, he forced himself to remain conscious.

"Now then," Aizen said.

Before Yoruichi could even react, she was forced to grit her teeth in pain when Aizen stabbed his sword through her leg.

"Well that settles that problem," he said nonchalantly. "Now why don't you just sit there obediently while I settle some matters."

Finishes speaking, Aizen disregarded both Yoruichi and Ichigo before instantly appearing next to where Ichigo left Rukia sitting with her back supported by a tree.

"Stop!" Ichigo said.

Yet those words would fall on deaf ears.

It was with a quick motion that Ichigo stared in both shock and anger as Aizen raised Rukia off the ground, and stabbed a hand into her chest.

"AAAAGGHH!"

Despite being unconscious, Rukia's eyes flickered open as she screamed in an untold amount of pain; the paleness of her body only becoming paler as she grew deathly still in the next moment.

Of small stature in the first place, that tiny figure only seemed to become less noticeable as her body hunched, propped up by the hand stabbed within her.

"No, NOO!" Ichigo's hands balled into fists before he attempted to force himself to his feet.

Yet even if he did so, it was impossible to make it in time. Blood rushed up into his mouth, and he ended up hacking in a fit of coughs as a result.

Aizen pulled his hand out of Rukia's chest and dropped her like a sack of potatoes against the ground, completely disregarding her for the pearl like jewel he now had in hand.

The Hogyoku, a purple orb said to be able to dissolve the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollow, allowing one race to attain the powers of the other. And with it, an unimaginable surge in power.

"Aizen!" Yoruichi roared, launching herself forward through the air.

Even if one leg was injured, she had multiple techniques to compensate. If she couldn't rely on her legs, then she would use the speed of a sudden burst in spiritual energy to propel herself forward almost like a jet.

A torrent of spiritual energy trailed behind her, and as she neared Aizen, another torrent shifted her trajectory as she lashed out with a spinning kick.

Yet,

"Yoruichi!"

It was too sudden, the sound of the air vibrating drowning out anything else as an azure beam of spiritual energy engulfed Yoruichi entirely. Shadows flashed at that instant before even they were snuffed out by the radiance.

In its wake, a smoking body flew across the air, the scent of charred skin wafting into the surroundings as Ichigo watched dazed while Yoruichi's body tumbled across the ground. It wouldn't be until she crashed back first into the trees that she would stop.

Aizen momentarily paused in his actions of examining the Hogyoku, before resuming with a calmness that was displayed in his actions. He then nodded his head in a certain direction that Ichigo quickly glanced at.

Ichigo's eyes dilated, and mouth going dry, as his breathing grew more ragged from the rapid beating of his heart. His body's will to live was quickly kicking in, but more than that was the fluctuations in his emotions.

The injuries he had already sustained only grew worse with his action, but he could hardly notice despite the pain assailing his mind.

After all, just near the edge of the forest's clearing, the steady sound of footsteps could be heard as Starrk and Lilynette appeared in view.

Lilynette refused to meet Ichigo's gaze as she cast her eyes downward, while Starrk still had a hand outstretched and sizzling with the remnants of the Cero just fired.

Why?

Ichigo's eyes seemed to say in Lilynette's mind, but she knew that answering would get her nowhere. To start with, both she and Starrk already knew Aizen, and knew that Aizen should be a Shinigami that was helping Shirou. Seeing Aizen get attacked, it was only natural for Starrk to fire. Only, the sight both she and Starrk walked into was not something that they expected.

From a distance, Starrk had already been able to sense both Aizen's and Yoruichi's spiritual pressures clashing, and as such intervened hoping that this entire ordeal would be over with. However, buried beneath both Aizen's and Yoruichi's spiritual energy was Ichigo's.

And now, seeing the situation as it was, Starrk drew back his hand, and decided to just watch. From Lilynette's reaction, she probably wouldn't want to go against Ichigo, but neither could Starrk help him either as he owed Aizen a favour for the actions of one of his subordinates, Aaroniero in the human world. At most, Starrk could just save Ichigo's life assuming Aizen didn't go too far. Yet, Starrk could already tell that Aizen had no intention of killing Ichigo. It was evident in how dismissively Aizen was treating him.

This caused Starrk to release a small sigh of relief, at least it would mean less trouble for him.

Then why was Ichigo staring in his direction so glaringly. 

Ichigo's eyes were bloodshot and piercing even though it was clear that the boy was fighting to stay conscious.

Blood only continued to pool more quickly beneath the black robes, making it even crazier when Ichigo suddenly forced himself up onto his feet. The cut Aizen had made on him earlier had nearly bisected him, leaving a glaring hole in his side.

Yet he stood up anyway.

"I-Ichigo," Lilynette called in concern.

Ichigo swayed, his steps unsteady, but he silently clambered onward. Only the sound of his breathing echoed in the area.

A man and his will to move forward. A will that cannot be impeded by even the most grueling of obstacles. For it was one to protect, yet was filled with equal amounts of longing and anguish.

Aizen rose a brow, but only watched now that he already possessed the Hogyoku in hand, Rukia lay unmoving by his side.

Lilynette's expression faltered, unsure of what to do as Ichigo slowly but surely made his way towards her and Starrk.

It was only Starrk himself who realized that Ichigo's attention was not directed at them, but at the person Starrk held in his free arm.

Silent.

Starrk had found her in that cave at the cliff-face of Sokyoku Hill, and many other things which caused him to look at Aizen in a new light. Yet, now wasn't the time.

Ichigo continued forward, butcher-like Zanpakuto trailing against the ground attached to a thin white cloth that clung to Ichigo's arm. Not only would such a thing weigh him down, but it only served to further open his wounds. It wouldn't be long before he would pass out from blood loss. Sure enough, he collapsed because of his injuries.

Yet still, those hands continued to fumble forward, looking for purchase before dragging an injured body closer and closer. But even then, it wasn't enough.

Ichigo lay ten meters in front of Starrk and Lilynette, unmoving. Just from appearances alone, it was clear that Ichigo had finally passed out.

"Starrk," Lilynette said uncertainly. She hopped off of Starrk's grip and stared up at Starrk pleadingly.

Starrk only shook his head though, there was nothing that he could do anyway, and Ichigo was still breathing despite passing out. Therefore, he turned his attention to Aizen before yawning, a hand over his mouth.

"If your business is done, I'd much prefer to return now," Starrk spoke while readjusting his grip on Silent. "Though, there is something I want to ask you."

"Oh?" Aizen spoke after pocketing the Hogyoku into his Haori.

"That Captain, the one with the painted face, where is he?"

There was a seriousness in Starrk's tone that caused Lilynette to startle, but her attention was still elsewhere. She tugged on Starrk's sleeve, but Starrk ignored it, his attention on Aizen.

"Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, then," Aizen said slowly. "Indeed, he has been quite absent from this entire matter, hasn't he?" There was a knowing expression on Aizen's face when he spoke

Starrk took note of this.

Therefore, Starrk asked again.

"Where is he?" He asked.

Lilynette's tugging was becoming fiercer, but Starrk still ignored it. Knowing Lilynette it was probably something irrelevant anyway.

Aizen didn't answer right away, instead, his gaze seemed to stare past Starrk with interest.

Starrk furrowed his brows, somewhat frustrated that he was being ignored, and his question put aside. Still, as a sudden wind blew his bangs across his face, it was then that he felt an oppressive Spiritual Pressure emitting from beside him. And only then did he realize that Lilynette had resorted to punching him to gain his attention, the sudden soreness of his stomach causing him to frown in displeasure.

Staring down at Lilynette, he ignored her actions and instead stood bewildered by what he then saw when he shifted his gaze.

A Hollow is a soul born from regrets and longing, along with the degradation of one's soul chain. 

So why then, was a Shinigami emitting the presence of a hollow?

Wisps of dark red and black were stirring around Ichigo in a vortex like storm, the man himself staggering onto his feet.

Bits of white paste formed from thin air, condensing around Ichigo's head before a hollow's howl echoed throughout the area.

"S-Starrk look!" Lilynette spoke excitedly.

Slowly, but visibly, a hollow's mask began appearing over Ichigo's face, his skin shifting to a pale white.

Not only was Lilynette stunned, but a part of her felt euphoric. She actually enjoyed spending her time with Ichigo partly because there was always something to entertain her, but more because of the way he treated her. It made her feel human, a feeling that she didn't think that she would ever be able to understand.

"Starrk, lets take him back to Hueco Mundo," Lilynette spoke excitedly as she tugged Starrk by the scruff of his neck. Yet Starrk would quickly put a stop to it.

"Lilynette," Starrk said, placing a hand over Lilynette's own and removing himself from Lilynette's grip.

Something about Starrk's gaze caused Lilynette to falter and stare up at him confusedly.

"Get back Lilynette," Starrk said, suddenly pushing Lilynette behind him.

The sudden action elicited a shriek of surprise from Lilynettes, but Starrk didn't care.

Instead, both he and Aizen stared silently as a white liquid spurted out from Ichigo's wounds and covered them. Moments later, the substance disappeared to reveal unblemished pale skin.

High speed regeneration, a common trait amongst hollows.

And it appeared in a Shinigami.

Moments later, a pair of black sclera zeroed in on Starrk, faded yellow pupil's screaming of violence and a maniacal gleam.

"How troublesome."

The moments those words were uttered, was the moment, Starrk moved into action.

He hoisted Lilynette over his shoulder and instantly backpedaled as a crater formed where he once was. Seemingly from out of nowhere, a bestial snarl reverberated throughout the surrounding smoke knocked up from the explosion of the attack.

"Starrk, what's h-happening?" Lilynette asked as her gaze darted around.

"Not now Lilynette," Starrk said gruffly before placing a hand on Lilynette's head and pressing her close as he maneuvered away from the rising smoke.

The sound of Lilynette's muffled protest entered Starrk's ears, but he was far from able to even notice them.

This Spiritual Pressure…

Starrk furrowed his brows in thought, face growing increasingly solemn.

It was simply because the spiritual pressure only seemed to be increasing with time. Moreover, just from the feel of it, he knew of its source.

Damn it Lilynette, always causing trouble.

The spiritual energy was unmistakably of the same type as the one Lilynette had infused along with his help when Ichigo was first injured. Starrk was confused before as to how Ichigo could absorb a hollows spiritual energy, but now, he would no longer have to think about such an issue.

Starrk swerved, eyes narrowing as a clawed appendage made to grab at the people he was holding close with his hands. Spiritual Energy was coalescing around it such that it was forming the vague image of a cero.

"It won't be that easy, sorry," Starrk spoke as he twisted his legs and shifted his trajectory using a burst of spiritual energy at his feet to negate the blast about to form from the incoming hand.

"Starrk, let go of me already," Lilynette protested, wiggling her head such that she had enough room to glare up.

Subsequently, her gaze landed on the figure attacking Starrk as the smoke cleared.

It was lizard like.

A hollow with a flowing main of orange hair that stretched all the way down to its clawed feet. Tribal markings much like Shirou's ran across the arms and legs, but the thing was, parts of the hollow still showed human characteristics. The chest for example was still a pale tan, and only one of the arms had fully transformed.

"Ichigo?" Lilynette called out carefully.

Her only response was a roar before Starrk pulled her close again to maneuver away from the rampaging beast.

"Has he lost his mind?" Starrk asked rhetorically as he felt a headache coming. "This was more trouble than it was worth."

Stepping past a kick, Starrk shifted his stance to point the broken half maw of his hollow mask towards Ichigo, and then formed a massive cero that dyed the entire forest blue.

Lilynette's eyes widened seeing Starrk do such an action.

"No! Stop Starrk stop!" She immediately began protesting Starrk's actions to the point where she began beating at his side.

"Damn it Lilynette," Starrk said exasperatedly. "What the hell do you want me to do then? Take a beating? I'd rather not thank you."

Lilynette's expression sank, unable to come up with an answer. Then again, Ichigo wouldn't even give her any time to come with anything.

Attacking once more, the spiritual energy around Ichigo only continued to skyrocket, such that Starrk was beginning to feel a slight tingle over his skin. The sensation was similar to a person walking though a cloud of mist; able to feel the moisture of the water vapour in the air, but the water vapour unable to do anything else.

Unlike water vapour though, the feeling wasn't really refreshing. Instead, there was sort of malevolence within that Starrk and Lilynette knew all to well.

"Adjuchas level," Starrk observed from the growing spiritual energy forming a storm around Ichigo who halted in place and was groaning while grabbing at his head.

Starrk once again furrowed his brows before scratching irritably at his head. The situation just didn't make any sense. Sure, he and Lilynette had given Ichigo a substantial amount of a hollow's spiritual energy, but the amount he could still feel growing from within Ichigo was more than what he remembered giving. It was almost as if Ichigo actually was a hollow. But that didn't make sense. But that didn't make sense.

Lilynette said he was a human. Then he was a Shinigami. And now he was a hollow? What kind of acquaintance did Lilynette make?

Still, with both of his arms holding one person each, Starrk only had his legs and ceros to fend off Ichigo with. But to make matters worse, Lilynette was protesting to him about striking Ichigo with a cero. After all, his strongest ceros were fired from the very half maw of his hollow mask dangling just beneath his collar.

Not to brag, but if he fired a fully charged shot with it, it could probably reduce the entire Seireitei into rubble assuming all of its defences were gone.

Lilynette clearly had a grasp of this fact, as she was vehemently prohibiting its use. However, she still didn't come up with a solution either.

"What a pain," Starrk drawled tiredly. "Hey you," he called to Ichigo.

Ichigo didn't answer through the vortex of energy surrounding him, but Starrk did notice that Ichigo's gaze was on him.

"Why don't you attack him instead?" Starrk pointed to Aizen who had shifted several paces away and was observing the battle quietly. "Why would you attack me when I just got here, hell I didn't even do anything to you. So, would you give me a break please?"

The only response to Starrk's question was a rush attack.

There was no finesse involved, and nothing to truly describe it in words, but the land itself seemed to tear open with every step. The situation only became worse when Ichigo tugged lightly at the white cloth wrapped around his right arm, and that butcher-knife like sword made its reappearance.

"Lilynette-"

"NO, don't even think about it," Lilynette was still adamant about not hurting Ichigo. "Just, you know, just pin him down and let me think."

And 'let me think' she said.

Starrk's brows twitched as the cero he wanted to charge dwindled down with Lilynette's words. He was truly feeling frustrated at this moment. He was lazy by his own personality, and Lilynette expected him to take a long approach to subdue Ichigo rather than blast him and hope he was still alive?

This was already too much of a hassle for him to have ever volunteered for, yet he couldn't go against Lilynette's wishes. It wasn't that he couldn't, it was just that she truly did look conflicted. Even if he didn't show it, one of the things he could actually motivate himself to work for was for Lilynette's own happiness.

And this was one of those time.

A cero appeared in his chest before blasting forward and engulfing Ichigo within.

"Starrk!" Lilynette yelled in outrage.

"Relax, I minimized the power," Starrk said gruffly before dashing into the smoke produced.

From the rising spiritual pressure, Starrk could detect Ichigo's position within the smoke clearly. Whereas Ichigo couldn't do the same. After all, Starrk was suppressing his presence.

He was like a bullet, zipping through the air and displacing all in his way.

Ichigo appeared in sight almost instantly, and at the same time Ichigo reacted as Starrk appeared.

Howling, that butcher-knife like sword whirled in a circler motion of death. There was even the sound of the air buzzing as the sword moved as fast as a spinning saw blade.

Starrk's eyes narrowed into slits before he halted his charge by digging his feet into the ground and twisting his ankles to shift his direction.

The whirling butcher-knife like sword sailed past, and at that instant, Starrk made his move.

He dashed directly forward, clashing against Ichigo's body in less than a second before his legs clamped around Ichigo's chest and twisted.

Ichigo roared as he tumbled to the ground face first, but even then, Starrk wasn't going to let the opportunity go. Pressing down a foot over Ichigo's back, Starrk applied pressure and cratered the ground beneath, imprinting Ichigo's image before pinning him there by applying a deluge of spiritual energy.

Lilynette quickly clambered off of Starrk while taking Silent into her arms. Thus, Starrk now had his arms free to further immobilize Ichigo.

Despite Ichigo already being subdued, Starrk's expression wasn't one of victory, instead, it was one of increasing seriousness.

It's still growing. 

The spiritual pressure exuding from Ichigo was finally beginning to have some weight in it, and even presently, Ichigo was furiously hammering at the ground to find purchase.

"Why can't you just stay down for now," Starrk complained.

"Ichigo, hey Ichigo, it's me?" Lilynette tried waving her hand in front of Ichigo's face.

Unexpectedly though, Ichigo actually stopped.

A smug expression appeared on Lilynette's face as she stared gloatingly at Starrk. She then crossed her arms and grinned.

"I told you I could come up with something," Lilynette said.

Starrk only shook his head. "Idiot," he spoke, causing a vein to appear over Lilynette's brow.

"Yeah, well you're a bigger idiot!" Lilynette rebutted.

Starrk only shook his head in exasperation before using a free hand to shift Lilynette's gaze to the left.

"oh," Lilynette said softly, looking at the sight before her.

Ichigo's eyes were transfixed on Silent, the raging spiritual energy rising from within Ichigo suddenly halting.

"Get out, out," Ichigo was muttering as a hand was tearing away at the mask on his face. Yet when the mask wouldn't tear off right away, Ichigo just stared forward motionless.

Thereafter, a mournful howl echoed from Ichigo's mouth while he slowly reached a hand forward to grab onto Silent's hand.

"M-Mom."

The voice that came out was barely a whisper, something that even Starrk and Lilynette couldn't hear despite their close proximity.

But actions were enough.

Both Starrk Lilynette grew quiet staring at the sight before them.

It was a tender sort of moment, the kind only found between close relatives. Tears could be seen pooling from out of a hollow's eyes. A hollow's eyes. Ichigo's. It was the kind of emotion Starrk and Lilynette didn't think that they had ever felt.

Slowly, steadily, Ichigo's hands clasped tightly onto one's that were so familiar, yet not.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry," the voice that came out was weak and brittle, as if the slightest impact could break it. "It was all my fault."

The area lapsed into a calm quiet, the sound of muffled sobs escaping Ichigo's mouth.

Ichigo had once made a vow to never cry anymore. To always remain strong, and protect those who he considers friends and family. It was to the extent that he wanted to live up to his name as the protector.

In memory of the one who protected him. 

He who protects others is one who is the most caring of all.

There is no reason for it. No justification.

But for Ichigo, it wasn't only about himself, it was for redemption, and to live up to the memory of the woman who raised him.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Ichigo repeated again, his grip slackening as he was slowly losing consciousness, but even then, he held on.

Afraid.

Afraid that if he'd closed his eyes, the woman before him would disappear just as she had on that day. Even then, there was still Rukia and the others. He couldn't give up, but he wouldn't allow himself to be controlled either.

Out, get out. I don't need your power. 

His intentions were conveyed within his mind, and a scathing voice was his only reply.

"You're nothing without me."

Gritting his teeth, Ichigo could still feel that malevolent power swirling from within him, but he dared not use it. It would only allow the bastard within him to take control again.

"Ichigo?" Lilynette called.

Ichigo was too tired to even lift his head. Luckily, he didn't have to shift his gaze to much to notice Aizen in the distance.

Bastard, he cursed.

Rukia was now laid prone on the ground along with the rest of his friends. He needed to make sure that they were safe, but in that moment, he caught something flash across his eyes.

"Well isn't this a surprise," Aizen spoke.

"…"

Yoruichi's hands shook just centimetres away from Aizen's face.

Aizen himself was grasping at Yoruichi's arms, preventing her from pulling them back.

"Crawled from the grave I see," Aizen said impassively. "Well, no matter, my purposes hear are done anyway."

A tear ripped itself across the sky as a yellow and square beam of light descended down from the sky.

Yoruichi's eyes widened as she immediately distanced herself from Aizen as the beam of light completely entrapped him within. This was true for both Starrk and Lilynette as well.

Slowly, Aizen began ascending towards the sky, pulled up by the beam of light originating from the Menos Grande peaking their head through the crack above.

Negación, a Menos Grande's unique skill to rescue their comrades. It was a square beams which engulfed the target in a light which completely isolates them from the dimension they are currently in, making it impossible to harm them from the outside of the pillar.

"Until next time Ms. Shihoin," Aizen spoke.

Yoruichi could only grit her teeth in response, the frustration of failure hard to swallow. This was even more so when she considered what Aizen was going to potentially do.

However, her attention was again shifted at the next moment.

"Oi Starrk look!" Lilynette spoke excitedly, her voice carrying in the wind. "Ichigo's coming too!"

Yoruichi's eyes widened when her ears heard those words.

Swerving her head, it was only to see Ichigo floating off the ground while still holding onto Silent's hand.

"Shit," Yoruichi cursed.

It was clear that the Gillians above assumed that Ichigo was a hollow like them. The Spiritual Energy lingering on him was that of a hollow's after all.

Punching the ground, Yoruichi ignored her injuries as she considered what it was that she was going to have to tell Kisuke.

Moreover,

Her gaze landed on Orihime and the others before turning solely onto Karin.

What was she going to tell her? And what would Isshin do as a result?

Just thinking about those question gave her a headache.

"Damn it Ichigo!" She cursed.

Rangiku didn't know what to think when square beams of light began descending from the sky. More so when they began enclosing hollow after hollow within.

Was this battle ending?

The relief she felt was almost enough to weaken her knees. Toshiro was in dire need of medical attention and the situation would have had only gotten worse if this continued. These beams of light suddenly shooting down from the sky, and stopping the hollows was like a God-send. It only took mere moments before every hollow was taken up into the skies and into the crack where the Menos were. Even that King of Hollows and the other Vasto Lordes were no exception.

Baraggan who had been trapped in the flames included.

It was truly a miracle.

Yet, Rangiku's mind-set of the matter shattered the moment one of those beams of light engulfed Gin Ichimaru.

She felt a coldness well from within her at that moment.

W-What was going on. 

Her legs carried her forward, but by the time she reached her destination it was already too late.

"G-Gin!" She called towards the sky.

This couldn't be happening. 

Always, always leaving without a word.

Leaving her behind.

"Gin!" She called out again helplessly.

"Rangiku," Gin shuddered as he heard Rangiku's shouts, yet he didn't move. The constant smile on his face never changing. Although, he would be lying if he said that it wasn't strained at this point in time.

Gin turned to face Rangiku before bowing his head. "I'm sorry," was all that he said before his attention shifted towards the Head-Commander and the other Captains that were staring hard at him. This was the same for Kaname who was in the same boat.

"Gin Ichimaru, Kaname Tousen, what is the meaning of this?" Yamamoto's tone was hard as the flames around him increased in intensity from his anger.

"For justice," Kaname spoke. Yet different from Kaname who voiced this response to Saijin Komamura, Gin had nothing to say.

Therefore, the only parting sentiments Gin could give was smile impossible to discern. Yet if one looked close enough, they would be able to see the blood Gin was drawing rom his hands due to the intensity of his own grip.

"Kaname, wait!"

"Gin!"

Both Rangiku and Saijin rushed up towards Kaname and Gin unable to accept what was going on. However, nothing they did could breach the light surrounding the two.

"Enough, any attempt to capture them was over the moment the beam of light surrounded them They are already out of our reach." Yamamoto said gruffly. "Gin Ichimaru, Kaname Tousen, do not regret your actions of today."

With that said, Yamamoto sheathed his sword before staring intently at the crack in the sky that was already closing. This King of Hollows, he would be a troublesome enemy indeed. The war with the Quincy's of the old era, this King of Hollows gave him a similar impression of strength as that ruler of Quincies.

Yet now, Yamamoto had already grown old.

Only time will tell what the future may bring, but for now, there was amore pressing question.

"What had happened to the Captain of Squad twelve and Sousuke Aizen?"

Not once had he shown up on the battlefield.

While pondering on this question, Yamamoto began ordering for the cleanup of the area, all the while Rangiku stared blankly up in the sky in a daze.

Toshiro was critically injured, and now even Gin had left her once again.

Falling onto her knees, she hugged herself with her arms as she sobbed silently.

A strong-willed woman who Gin believed would only grow stronger with time.

For her, he would claim back what was stolen even if it meant condemning himself.

When the last of the hollows appeared within Hueco Mundo once more, a cheer resounded in the space as they recalled the state that the Seiretei was in when they left.

This excitement only grew stronger when they recalled the power Shirou had displayed.

Yet for others, it only served to foster more bitterness.

Baraggan was beyond simply frustrated. He had been caged in that damnable fire. No matter how much he'd aged the flames to burn away, new flames continued to burn from the ashes of the old in a never-ending cycle. It was truly too infuriating. Having lived the majority of his life with no life form able to resist his power, he had thought that the sole exception would be a hollow as strong as himself, but to have a Shinigami do the same? It was humiliating.

Baraggan quickly left the area, with his army, unable to bear the humiliation he assumed he would perceive from Shirou's eyes.

Yet contrary to belief, Shirou was not in any way happy. He was actually somewhat mournful. From the number of hollows that had come with him, several dozen would never return. And the weight of that statement would forever remain within him. Not once would he ever forget those who fought alongside him.

Eyes gazing across the crowd of hollows around him, it was to see a commotion occurring around Aizen and two other Captains that were beside him.

Just as Shirou was about to make his way towards Aizen to discuss a few matters about where Silent was, but before he could do that, Starrk suddenly appeared in front of him.

Lilynette was nowhere in sight, but Shirou had grown used to Starrk's habit of ditching Lilynette somewhere safe before finding a spot to relax by himself. Generally, that spot involved a nice plot of sand. Preferably a small dune by Starrk's tastes that he would depress into a bed using his body's weight.

But more to the point, Starrk didn't seem to be looking for such a place to relax. Instead, Starrk was staring straight at him.

"Is there something wrong?" He asked bewildered. The Starrk he knew would have long since been relaxing by now.

"I found Silent," Starrk said. "She's safe, so no need to worry," Starrk spoke out once again before Shirou could voice anything.

Closing his mouth, Shirou gave a sigh of relief. At least Aizen had made good on the deal to get every living hollow out safely from the Seireitei. Speaking of which, he still had to talk with the man.

Starrk noticed his intention.

"If you do go," Starrk said slowly, recalling what he had seen within the cave at Sokyoku Hill.

"Be wary of Aizen Sousuke."

Chapter 28: A Snake Hiding in the Shadows

There were only two things that crossed her mind when Karin first regained consciousness, one was panic, and the other was a sense of dejection. However, it didn't hit her that something was wrong until she noticed the despondent expression on Kukaku and Ganju's faces who were recuperating in a bed near her.

Other than despondence, she couldn't help but shiver when she noticed the cold glare Kukaku was directing towards Byakuya Kuchiki who lay prone on another bed in the medical ward. It was almost as if Kukaku was on the verge of doing something unthinkable.

She herself would probably be in a similar state should she realize what exactly had happened, but for now, she was just relived that her friends were safe. Chad, Orihime, and Ishida were all resting around her with bandages over their wounds as they slept on their own mattresses. As it stood now, she was the first to awaken from her group aside from Kukaku and Ganju.

Groaning, she felt a tightness around her head and realized that it was thoroughly bandaged when she felt it up with her fingers.

Her actions however were clearly noticed by Kukaku who glanced in her direction.

"What happened?" She ventured, seeing that she had Kukaku's attention.

A glimmer of something appeared over Kukaku's face, but she apparently didn't have the heart to answer.

"He's gone," Ganju said. "When we woke up, he was gone."

She furrowed her brows in displeasure. Ganju wasn't making any sense to her. Unless he specified who exactly, was gone, then how was she supposed to know who was missing? Then again, she clearly couldn't see that Kaien fellow in the room. Even Rukia was present, placed to rest on her own bed.

That connection she made was all it took to understand the current situation and just why Kukaku was regarding Byakuya with such animosity. If it weren't for Byakuya attacking everyone, then how could everyone possibly be knocked unconscious?

Truth be told, she too was greatly frustrated at the man, and similarly gave him a harsh glare, the appearance of which resembled Kukaku's to a letter. There really was too much of a resemblance, and even though both Ganju and Kukaku could pick up on it, they weren't in the mood to bring the matter up.

The gentle sound of water trickling down bamboo pipes filtered into her ears as the sliding door of the room creaked open.

A black cat wandered in, and based on the way it sat in front of Byakuya to shield him from Kukaku's glare, it had something to say.

"There's more to this situation than what you believe it to be," Yoruichi spoke. The tone of Yoruichi's voice was flat, the seriousness in it causing Kukaku mouth to curve into a sneer.

"Then what can I take it as?" Kukaku spat venomously. "Kaien was here Yoruichi. He was alive, and if it weren't for this bastard of Captain who couldn't distinguish enemy from ally, then he may still be here!"

The raising of Kukaku's voice was met with Yoruichi's unmoving gaze.

"It wouldn't have mattered if Byakuya attacked you or not, you still wouldn't have been able to keep him," Yoruichi spoke.

Kukaku lost her glare, but the way Kukaku's hands balled into fists were enough indication that Kukaku was nearing a breaking point.

And seeing this, she who had been keeping silent grew nervous while watching the interaction.

"Kaien Shiba is dead. The man you saw is no longer the same Shinigami you called brother. Listen Kukaku, I'm telling this to you as a friend, but he along with Sousuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tousen were enveloped in the light of Negación. He was a hollow."

Kukaku fell silent, the sound of Kukaku's teeth grinding together. Finally, Kukaku spoke.

"I already knew that," Kukaku admitted. "I read it in the reports and heard it first hand from Captain Ukitake's mouth about what happened before Kaien was presumed dead. A hollow had merged with his body and presumably took over his soul. Kaien even admitted that he was no longer the same when I tried to rescue him, revealing that he was already part hollow. But Yoruichi, if his mind was truly corrupted by a hollow, then why then would he willingly offer his life to be forfeit through execution by the Sokyoku?"

A fierceness appeared over Kukaku's face as she stared unflinchingly at Yoruichi. "Why then would he take that Bastard of Captain's blade through the chest just to protect Ganju and myself!? Look around you Yoruichi, Ganju and myself are the least injured here, and it was because he bled for us in the front."

Kukaku paused, Kukaku's brows furrowing in confliction. "You called him a hollow Yoruichi, but hollow or not, the actions he took couldn't have had been an act."

Yoruichi sighed. "If that is truly so, then perhaps he is just another victim of a particular case. I'm sure that you've heard about what happened to the last Captains of several decades ago Kukaku?"

Kukaku nodded.

By now, it almost seemed as if both Yoruichi and Kukaku had forgotten that she and Ganju were in the room. Then again, she wouldn't interrupt because she had no idea about what was being discussed.

"Captains that were banished for their involvement with hollows," Kukaku muttered as Yoruichi finished speaking. "Then if what you said is true Yoruichi, then it means that Kaien may be the same."

Yoruichi nodded. "There is a possibility, but even then, what can we do knowing that? The hollow's Negación should have had mistakenly locked onto Kaien, and because of this, he could be anywhere in Hueco Mundo."

Hearing this, the pipe in Kukaku's left hand shattered from the grief felt at that moment.

Ganju was quick to console. She herself was just about to offer some words, but she froze in her actions when she realized that Yoruichi's gaze landed on her. There was just something about Yoruichi's gaze that caused her to have a bad premonition. As a result, she remained still when Kukaku pushed Ganju aside and hobbled out of the room under the protests of Squad Four's members.

With a small clack, both Ganju and Kukaku had left the room, leaving her behind to deal with Yoruichi.

"Y-Yes?" She couldn't help but stammer.

It was only then that she realized that she probably would have had been better off if she had pretended to be asleep. At least then Yoruichi wouldn't be staring at her so intently. In this regard, she even grew a tad jealous at the only other boy around her age unconscious in the room.

This boy had spikey silver hair that flowed over his forehead like thick bangs, and he was completely covered in bandages. Unlike everyone else in the room, this boy was the only one to be showing an expression of pain on his face as he slept.

This gave her second thoughts about even thinking of being in his position. Thus, she steeled herself and stared nervously at Yoruichi, waiting for the cat to speak its mind.

"Kaien Shiba wasn't the only one to be enveloped by Negación," Yoruichi began. "And I know that you may not know what Negación is, but all you need to understand is that it's a method for hollows to rescue each other even in different dimensions."

"Uhm, okay?"

Her answer was disinterested, but she couldn't help it. Her sole reason for coming to the Soul Society was to make sure Ichigo was safe, and to save her mother. Anything else was only a passing concern as the people she had come with were all injured but fine nonetheless.

Her brows twitched in the next moment. Everyone was injured but fine? Her eyes darted across the room, a sinking feeling taking root within her. Where was Ichigo?

"I know one of the reasons you and Ichigo came to the Soul Society isn't just because you wanted to save Rukia Kuchiki, but because you wished to save someone else. Masaki Kurosaki."

Yoruichi said that name as a statement.

Karin's breath hitched as a result.

"You know something!?" She immediately pressed. Why else would Yoruichi bring up such a matter?

A moment passed in which Yoruichi only stared silently at Karin.

"This is going to sound terrible to you, but I'm afraid that this is the truth seen with my own eyes."

Yoruichi moved away from her position near Byakuya and slowly walked onto Karin's bedside.

"Your mother Masaki, and brother Ichigo, were enveloped in the Negación's beams."

When those words entered Karin's ears, she didn't know how to react. Then when she recalled the conversation Yoruichi had with Kukaku earlier and the words Yoruichi had spoken, her expression shifted into hysterics.

On top of her concern, she didn't know how she was going to explain this to Yuzu and her father.

"W-We have to go after them," she stammered out, eyes beginning to moisten with tears.

It was seeing Yoruichi shaking her head though caused them to fall without her knowing.

"Even if we wanted to, where would we look? There's no way that we can find their exact location. Even more concerning is that the Head-Captain still hasn't come to a decision about your forced entry into the Seireitei. Leaving now may have more demerits than benefits."

Karin was a stubborn girl, and when she heard Yoruichi's rebuttals, she paid them no regard.

"I still have to try because Ichigo would do the same for me," she said.

Pulling the bed covers off of her, she intended to push herself out of the bed, but winced from the sudden pain of the action.

"And you intend to go in your state?"

The question unnerved Karin who looked down at her own body. It was battered and bruised, thick blotches of purplish pigmentations running across both her arms and legs. It was then that she realized that she had to be thankful for her father for being such an idiot to attack his own daughter. If not, her constitution wouldn't be as good as it was now.

Regardless, the pain she felt with every movement was already debilitating, and she knew that Yoruichi had picked up on it.

Frowning, but helpless, she could only stare vacantly at Yoruichi.

"I can work something out," Karin muttered, unwilling to back-down.

Yoruichi shook her head.

"You will die with that kind of mentality. More than that Karin Kurosaki, are you strong enough to achieve anything?" Yoruichi said with a raised brow. "What if you yourself become the one that needs to be saved. I don't suppose your father would take the loss of two of his children very well."

It was an understatement and Yoruichi knew it. Isshin had already lost Masaki, there was no telling what the man would do when Kisuke eventually informed him of what happened with Ichigo. To have Karin leave in pursuit, Isshin would come to look for trouble with her and Kisuke before recklessly charging into Hueco Mundo. By then, there was no controlling the ex-Captain of Squad Ten.

Furthermore, even if Kisuke would be willing to open a portal into Hueco Mundo, the hollows Karin would have to face there were beyond just simply strong. They were on an entirely different level. The Vasto of White himself had become something of a celebrity within the Seireitei. He was infamous as the hollow with the highest priority to kill. The extent of the Vasto of White's power could even still be seen and felt.

The wasteland she had seen near the first's barracks were enough of an indication to cause her hairs to stand on end. More so when she considered another aspect of this famed Vasto Lorde.

The injuries he had inflicted on others didn't heal normally. Well, at least for the ones injured with that red spear.

Captain Hitsugaya was a prime example. Even now, the wound over his chest had yet to close. No amount of healing reiatsu would seal it, forcing Captain Unohana to resort to thick bandages in hopes that the wound would mend by itself. The process of which even Unohana had no idea how long it would take.

It was later through analysing the wound that everyone realised that the spear used by the Vasto of White was imbued with a special property like a curse. This was the reason no healing reiatsu would affect the wound.

And Karin wanted to face such a thing as she was?

Looking at Karin's sorry state, it was a miracle in itself that she would even suggest going to Hueco Mundo with the adversaries she would face.

Not even counting the hollows, Yoruichi knew that Aizen was there as well. And Aizen's threat level was placed on a similar scale as the Vasto of White, the supposed King of Hollows.

"Goat Face will be able to understand," Karin said after a long moment. Her heart was pounding in her chest, either form fear or apprehension. Yet regardless, she had already made up her mind. "I can't just leave Ichigo out there in danger. I have to try saving him because I know that he would do so for me."

There was a resoluteness in Karin's eyes that caused Yoruichi's expression to soften. Something glinted over Yoruichi's face, and it was more than enough to unnerve Karin who was under Yoruichi's gaze.

"If you really want to be able to do anything, then you'll have to get stronger. And the first step is unlocking whatever power you may have within you in the time available. It wasn't a coincidence that you and Ichigo could see spirits after all."

Yoruichi closed her eyes in a silent apology to Isshin as she turned around and beckoned Karin to follow in a playful tone of voice.

"Sometimes as a woman, we're going to need some power to control our boys."

For what did he fight for? 

Shifting his weight, Ichigo was just barely able to change his position when the pain set in. It coursed through his body, like snakes traveling up and down his arms. Heart pounding, he muffled the groan that was threatening to escape his mouth and then forced his eyes open to assess the area around him.

The first thing he saw, was a world of white sand and a dark sky illuminated by a pale moon. The cold chill of the air was unnatural, but there was a warmth he could feel securing his head in place.

It was then that he froze, heart beating rapidly within his chest as his pupils dilated. There in front of him was a face he didn't believe he would ever see again.

Soft orange tresses of hair fell over a curious face staring over his. That warm feeling he felt around his head was actually from the lap of the woman he was resting it on.

She who stared back at him with a tenderness on her face that even she didn't know that she was displaying. It only took a single action for him to realize that she was gently brushing back his hair in a similar fashion as she once had in his youth.

"Mom."

His voice barely even came out as a whisper, and he himself hadn't been able to hear it. However, Silent did hear it. The hand she was using to brush over his head abruptly stopped as if she had just realized what she had been doing.

Immediately, she moved to distance herself from him, but he wouldn't let her.

Despite the pain of his body, his hands shot up with unerring swiftness to clasp onto hers with a death-like grip. There was no way that he wanted to let go. He needed to be sure that she was really here, that this wasn't some sort of twisted illusion.

When he felt the heat coming from her hands, and the way her expression soon softened, the urge to cry immediately began to well within him. It had been years since he had let out tears, not since he'd made a promise to himself to never cry again.

Your boy has grown up. 

Swallowing, he forced down the tears he felt forming and looked at the woman before him as if his life depended on it.

"I, I have so much I want to tell you, I-"

Before he could put any other words together, Silent had already wrapped her arms around Ichigo and pulled him into a hug. Her hands finding purchase at the back of his head, she buried his face into the crook of her shoulder.

It was at that moment, caught in a familiar embrace that Ichigo could no longer contain it anymore. The bitterness he had felt, the sorrow, the guilt, it all came gushing out of him as if a damn had been broken. Yet he still restrained himself, not making a sound even as the tears began to seep into the fabric of the clothes Silent was wearing.

Meanwhile, Silent stared hard at the other surrounding hollows near her. It hadn't been Ichigo's fault that he didn't notice them. After staring up at the clouds and noticing the dunes of white sand around him, the first thing Ichigo had seen was Silent. And that alone had taken all of his attention. It was kind of like a child who had seen their mom come to pick them up on their first day in grade-school. Nothing else seemed to matter to them other than returning to that familiar warmth that had always lingered near them.

Ichigo was much the same as a young boy, and maybe more so as he was always hiding behind his mother's back when he was shy around others. Seeking the one-sided protection, a mother often gave, and neglecting everything else.

Perhaps urged by whatever maternal instinct Silent was feeling, there was something in her gaze that was warning all the others hollows around her to stay away despite their curiosity. To be honest, Silent wasn't sure what she was feeling herself. These conflicting emotions began from the moment she entered the Human World and began exploring the quiet town of Karakura. It was there that she first saw Ichigo and the rest of his family while she observed them from afar.

And it was also there that led to all these troublesome circumstances.

When she had first woken up, she had been in a daze as she stared at Ichigo's unconscious body. Thereafter, her body had moved subconsciously to cradle him in her arms. While doing so, Starrk had arrived and informed her of exactly what had happened. She felt terrible as a result, yet was also feeling a sense of belonging she didn't believe that she would have had been able to experience. After all, every hollow had willingly come to her aid, some even perishing as a result. And still, no one blamed her, rather, like Starrk, they inquired about her condition instead.

This was probably the case with the hollows around her even at this very moment. Therefore, she felt cared for in much the same way she felt when she knew Shirou was looking out for her. Even still, towards those hollows at the moment, her gaze was unrelenting, making it uncomfortable for the other hollows to approach. Content that the other hollows wouldn't be approaching any time soon, she glanced down at Ichigo. She had the tiniest inkling of suspicion that Ichigo was somehow related to one of her life's regrets and the formation of her hollow hole. Why else would she do the things she had without even thinking of any consequences?

Shifting her weight, she made herself comfortable as she waited for Ichigo to regain his composure. And when he did, the first words out of his mouth surprised her.

"We have to get out of here," he said swiftly while tugging on her arm.

To Ichigo, nothing mattered more than bringing Silent out to reunite her with his family. He could already picture how Yuzu and Karin would react when they see her, let alone his own father. They wouldn't be able to believe it until they felt her warmth for themselves, just as he had.

Except, it was then that Ichigo noticed the other hollows nearby and paled when he sensed the spiritual energy they were exuding. Furthermore, when he noticed Silent shake her head, a sinking feeling began to take root within him. Especially when she opened her mouth to speak by instinct, and nothing came out.

"Y-Your voice," Ichigo said horrified.

Silent shook her head again with a ruefulness on her face as if indicating that it didn't matter.

Ichigo fell quiet, but the grip he had on Silent conveyed his true thoughts.

"We have to get out of here," Ichigo spoke wearily.

Again, Silent shook her head.

Thinking for a moment, she eventually gestured to the hollows nearby and watched as they soon left one by one. Only a couple remained to approach.

Seeing the hollows approaching, Ichigo's spiritual energy began flaring, only for him to startle when he realized that it was no longer the pure blue of before. Rather, it was tinted with red and black, the use of his power seeming to form a hollow mask over his face. Immediately, he stopped drawing forth his energy; a cold sweat traveling down his back as he could literally feel that white version of himself smiling from within him.

Damn it. 

He cursed while feeling helpless.

However, another gesture from Silent caused the approaching hollows to hesitate before ultimately leaving when Silent began to glare.

Ichigo was stupefied as he stared at his mother.

He didn't know how strong Silent was as she wasn't exuding very much spiritual pressure, but how was it possible that she was able to ward off so many hollows with just a few gestures and a glare?

It didn't matter. Shaking his head, he just grew more determined to get her out of here before anything out of control could happen.

"We have to leave," he insisted again.

And once again Silent shook her head.

Not being able to speak, this was as much as Silent could do. However, it was then that she thought of something.

Taking out one of her fingers, she began to write on the sand.

"Home." 

Was written in fine and elegant print.

When Ichigo read it, he didn't know how to respond other than to deny it.

"No," Ichigo insisted, crossing off the word written in the sand before crossing his arms. "This isn't home."

Silent stared back curiously, her expression one of confusion.

"Home is with Karin, Yuzu, and Dad," Ichigo said without any doubts. However, when all he got in return was that same curious look, his expression grew heavy.

"Karin and Yuzu, you remember them right," Ichigo pressed, feeling stifled when not a change appeared on Silent's face. However, he was able to catch a glint of recognition in her eyes that seemed to fade quickly.

However, it was enough to grant him hope that this was indeed his mother. Why else would her actions be the same as the ones she had done in the past. The care and devotion she had shown were more than enough indications. Just that it appeared that her memoires weren't exactly intact.

Therefore, Ichigo had to bring her back. It was the only way he could think of to get her memories back. By staying in a familiar environment, there was always the chance.

"Please," Ichigo said softly.

There was something in Ichigo's expression that caused Silent to hesitate.

Standing up on her feet, she put away all that had happened to her at the back of her mind. Who it was that took her out of that lab, and who it was that knocked her out in that cave, it all didn't seem to matter at the moment. Instead, she raised a tentative hand out towards Ichigo's outstretched one.

Yet.

"Oi Ichigo you're awake!"

A bundle of joy smashed directly over the teen in question.

A foot met a face, and Ichigo was suddenly eating a mouthful of refined white sand.

He spat it out almost immediately, a vein popping over his head as he recognized from the voice just who exactly had run into him.

Lilynette stood standing with a smug grin on her face. "You should have told me you were a hollow Ichigo!" She immediately expressed her mind. "To think I always treated you like a human."

Grunting, Ichigo immediately exploded on her face.

"That's because I am one!" He yelled back, his head butting against hers.

Lilynette staggered in response before her face contorted. "As if, you were attacking Starrk like one of the bloodiest hollows I'd ever scene. In fact, you were more of a hollow than some other hollows I know."

"…" Ichigo had no words.

"Speaking of which, why'd you attack us?" Lilynette asked, plopping herself on the ground in a cross-legged position. Rocking back and forth with her hands on her ankles, she waited for a response.

However, Ichigo had none to give as even he could barely remember what it was that had happened. All he saw was Silent in Starrk's arms, and then his mind blanked out as he met the white version of himself for the first time. And it was this completely white version of himself who had been in control of his body at the time.

Scowling, Ichigo turned his gaze away before composing himself. He then pointed at Silent.

"You had her unconscious in your arms," he accused.

Lilynette looked at Ichigo as if he was stupid.

"Are you secretly an idiot?" She retorted, her hands falling onto her hips in her exasperation. "The only reason so many hollows and myself invaded the Soul Society was to save her. Of course, we would secure her to make sure she was safe. What else did you think we were doing?"

Ichigo faltered upon hearing such information. All those hollows attacking the soul society, and they had done so with the purpose of saving his mother?

Lilynette crossed her arms and snorted. "If you didn't know already, the Soul Society was going to kill her if we didn't go save her."

"One for all, and all for one after all?" Lilynette seemed to fumble with her words as if she wasn't used to them or didn't understand them. This observation was proven true when she shrugged then after. "I'm not really sure what it means, but Shirou said it one time before."

Lilynette nodded her head in triumph.

"Shirou?" Ichigo inquired, and when he did, he noticed both Lilynette and Silent's eyes brighten. Liynette more from eagerness while Silent simply wished to convey her thanks.

"Yeah, he's the best. Second only to Starrk, but Starrk can be an ass sometimes," Lilynette grumbled. "He said I couldn't meet with Shirou right now because he was talking with some Shinigami or whatever."

"And so, you went and found me," Ichigo said with a twitch on his brow.

Lilynette nodded.

"Now that you're here, it'll probably be more entertaining in Hueco Mundo. There's nothing much to do in the sand which is why I thought it would be more fun if I went to the Human World," Lilynette said.

It was as if lightning suddenly struck Ichigo at that moment. He had long ago forgotten about his injuries and was already numb to the pain.

"Y-You can go to the Human World?" Ichigo asked.

"Of course. This Lilynette only needs a single wave of a hand to open up a Garganta."

Looking at Lilynett's boastful appearance, Silent was amused at the sight. Yet to Ichigo, it was like he suddenly saw water in a blazing desert.

"We should go right now," Ichigo insisted. "There's a lot of other things I haven't shown you yet in the human world. Did you know they give free toys at the local fast food restaurant?"

"Toys?" Lilynette froze. "You mean those things people play with? That gun like thing that shoots 'darts' that stick onto people?"

Ichigo's brow twitched as he was fairly certain about which toy Lilynette was talking about. Clearly though, that kind of toy wouldn't be given out in a child's happy meal, but he steeled his expression and lied.

"Of course, and it comes with burgers and fries too," he said lying through his teeth. "We just need to go right now."

Lilynette furrowed her brows on the verge of being swayed. However, she seemed to think of something at that moment, a light bulb lighting above her head. "Not yet," she said. "It'll be even more fun if we get Shirou to come!"

"!"

Ichigo's expression stiffened as Lilynette began to pull on his arm, ultimately dragging him in a certain direction. Silent followed behind.

"T-This Shirou, who is he exactly?" Ichigo inquired nervously, getting a bad premonition as he struggled out of Lilynette's grip.

Lilynette paused and placed a finger on her lip while she thought about her next words. It was then that she remembered the name most hollows knew Shirou by.

"Oh, Shirou's the Vasto of White," Lilynette said smilingly.

One moment passed.

Then another as sweat broke out over Ichigo's face.

No

No

NO!

-Sometimes the man you see before you, isn't truly the man you believed him to be.

All things considered, Shirou was on guard when he entered the small cavern Aizen, Gin, and Tousen were using as a temporary shelter. Despite Kyouka's faith in Aizen, he couldn't help but feel that there was something more about the man than just the calm exterior.

It made him question what he thought was correct about the man, before having to promptly revise such opinions.

Of course, Kyouka could sense his thoughts on Aizen and was far from happy. However, it was because of her vouching that he didn't think too badly of Aizen. The man probably had his reasons.

As he stepped deeper into the cavern, the light of the moon outside began to dwindle into nothing more than fleeting rays of silver light that refracted along the walls. The resulting lighting was a mixture of dim greys and shadows that stretched far over the ground.

It didn't take more than a couple more steps before he noticed the three Captains on the other side. Aizen was at the center in the middle of discussing certain matters that weren't very important to Shirou. However, Shirou still decided to note down what he had heard with his enhanced hearing.

Anyways, they soon noticed him and all signs of talking vanished. The other two ex-Captains, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tousen regarded him with an air of caution. Admittedly his performance in the Seiretei was an eye opener of sorts. This was the same for all Captains who had decided to undergo rigorous training after the ordeal. Lucky for those Captains, they didn't have to deal with the infamous Vasto of White as quickly as Gin and Tousen.

Among the three Captains in front of him, it was only Aizen who looked at him as if an equal. This was admittedly more comfortable for him as he didn't like the feeling of looking down or pressuring others.

"That was quite a performance," Aizen complimented. "I'm sure that by now the Seireitei is still in an uproar, and you the new enemy to unite against."

"Regardless of what I think," Shirou said shaking his head grudgingly. "You still have my thanks for saving one of my own. I am in your debt."

Those hollows living in his 'supposed' territory had become something of a family to him. Each one a hollow he could call as one of his own as he just had.

Aizen seemed surprised with his sudden thanks; Aizen's mouth curving upwards into a thoughtful smile that only emphasized his high-cheek bones.

"Well, it's only natural that one keeps his end of a bargain," Aizen replied. Thereafter, Aizen fumbled for something in his clothes. "You must be wondering why I went to all that trouble in the Seireitei, and the answer to that is of benefit to both yourself and I, no; to all hollows in Hueco Mundo."

Finished speaking, Aizen pulled out a clear pearl-like object. A transparent mist of sorts seemed to dance from within it.

"This is the Hogyoku, and I hope to get your cooperation in using it," Aizen explained.

When Shirou first laid eyes on the Hogyoku, for a moment, the image of a Holy Grail appeared in his mind before vanishing. There was just something about the Hogyoku that gave him a familiar feeling.

He shook his head to rid it of such thoughts, and then stared past the Hogyoku to question Aizen of his intentions.

"The Hogyoku eliminates the boundary that separates a hollow from a Shinigami, but I won't bore you on the specifics. Instead it can be regarded as a tool to raise one's power and invoke one's hidden potential," Aizen said.

Not a change appeared over Shirou's face; not even the raising of a brow could be seen. After all, if there was one thing Harribel and the other Vasto Lordes knew, it was that Shirou never sought out for more power. Aizen's words would never move Shirou into action simply because he felt nothing of them. It was because of this, that Shirou was truly respected.

How strong must a hollow be to not want to achieve further heights? 

No one ever looked down on Shirou for this attitude for none truly knew the depths of his strength.

Seeing that his words had little response, Aizen didn't waist a moment. Aizen was smart not just because of his mind, but because he was good at observing things. In the time he had spent observing Shirou, the Vasto of White, he learned something vital. There was only one method that would be able to move him into action.

So long as the reason was to help or save others. That was enough of a motive for the lofty King of Hollows to act.

Aizen swiftly shifted his approach, his mind articulating a grand scheme.

"It's not just power they would gain." Aizen moved his body to the side to reveal what he was hiding behind him. And the sight was able to garner a reaction from Shirou.

Both of Shirou's brows rose in genuine surprise, his mouth opening without his notice.

There in front of him appeared a hollow whose mask was broken, leaving behind only a panther's jaw on the right side of his cheek. Other than that, he was entirely human, yet multiple injuries and scars travelled down his body, evident from a fight that nearly cost it its life.

This hollow had cropped blue hair and was fully naked, the shadows at least able to hide his modesty. By this hollow's side was what looked like a Shinigami's Zanpakuto.

And from it, Shirou was able to confirm what he already knew.

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez stared back at him with what looked like respect before snorting and leaving without another word.

"Quite an interesting Vasto Lorde," Aizen commented. "I found him in a pitiful state in the Menos forest, but even still Grimmjow was able to survive off of the hollows that tried to consume him. Commendable do you think not?"

Shirou didn't answer, instead he was more focused on another aspect. And this aspect was how human Grimmjow looked; even the anger and malevolence that normally surrounded hollows was gone. For example, if Grimmjow was still as he was before, Shirou had no doubts that Grimmjow would have had attacked him in revenge. Instead, what he saw in Grimmjow now was respect for a rival.

"What was that?" He ended up asking.

Aizen paced back and forth.

"You see Shirou, the Hogyoku not only increases the strength of a hollow, but it also brings them closer to what we would call human. By breaking the boundary between Hollow and Shinigami, the purifying properties of a Shinigami are integrated into the malevolence of a hollow. In a way, it brings them closer to who they truly were before becoming hollows," Aizen said.

Thereafter, both Aizen and Tousen moved to excuse themselves from the cavern, seeming to have something important to do.

"As such," Aizen continued without turning around. "The Hogyoku can alleviate the negativity one feels as a hollow. Or perhaps the better way of putting it, is that it heals the emptiness and hunger every hollow can feel. Are you not the same?"

Saying that, Aizen left the cavern with Tousen. However, the words Aizen spoke rung true in Shirou's mind for even he as a hollow had an emptiness within him. That goes to show that every other hollow did as well, and if it could be healed, isn't that something worth doing?

He was conflicted, and perhaps this was what Aizen wanted, but either way, he had to focus on something else at the moment.

Staring at Gin Ichimaru, the only Captain who chose to remain in the cavern, his expression grew grim not out of surprise, but out of pity.

Gin noticed his gaze, yet didn't pay it any mind as the man seemed lost in thought.

Shirou was debating just leaving, but he couldn't allow himself to after staring at the figure next to Gin.

It didn't matter what reasons Gin had for betraying the Seireitei, but the pleading of Gin's Zanpakuto on behalf of its wielder was enough to instigate Shirou into action.

Shinso. The blade that strikes under the blink of an eye.

The spear that fells Gods.

And the spirit of it was bowing in his direction without moving a single muscle. It had been that way throughout the entire discussion with Aizen after it had realized that it could be seen. Stemming from Gin's blade, the Zanpakuto spirit formed was vague, yet still, its sentiments were able to be conveyed.

Zanpakutos to a Shinigami were reflections of their very soul, and behind Gin's grinning visage, was a soul so heavily burdened that all one could do was smile to alleviate the pain.

Shinso's posture was a plea for help. Even if it was impossible. 

He sighed helplessly looking at Shinso and eventually nodded, the action causing Gin's eyes to shift onto him. However, this was all for the best.

Ignoring Gin's probing eyes and ever-present grin, he listened silently as Shinso spoke of its master's plight and troubles. And by the end of it, the pity he felt for Gin had already shifted into empathy. For it was something he felt he would do as well for another he cared about.

Lips thinning, he stared hard at Gin who stared silently back, ignorant of Shinso's actions.

After all, for some reason or another, Zanpakuto spirits had a natural trust in Shirou, and in that regard, at least he whose soul was a world of blades would comply.

Smiling ruefully, he really had to reconsider what it was that he was going to do.

But then again, a thought resounded in his mind along with a memory of a boy walking through flames.

You don't need a reason to save others. 

Opening his mouth, he steeled himself to say the words that he knew Gin needed to hear; the reflection of Gin's own inner thoughts conveyed by the spirit of his sword.

"If you were to turn into a snake tomorrow and begin devouring humans," he began slowly, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "And from the same mouth you started devouring humans, you cried out to me 'I love you,' would I still be able to say "I love you" the same way I do today?"

It was a pin drop silence, the kind accompanied by the widening of pale blue eyes.

And in the next moment, a blade was pressed beneath Shirou's neck in an instant.

From the trembling of the sword, it was clear that Gin himself was not the one to stop it. It was Shinso.

Pulling back from the blade's edge, Shirou stared at the murderous expression on Gin's face, before turning around to leave as if nothing had ever happened.

Consider your choice wisely, for the woman on whose tears you vowed to rectify, may be brought to tears again by your own hands. 

He exited the cavern without another word.

And Gin's eyes never left his form even as he left.

A snake hiding in the shadows.