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Prisoner of War	By : horrorgal Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 57808 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, nor the characters. I do not profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 39
- 40
- 41
Chapter 40

Sleep is what he needed, but it eluded Gin as he lay nude on his bed. Ruined clothes were a crumpled heap on the floor. His wound was healed, but he could still feel the cold blade that had penetrated his body. No pain, just fond remembrance. If only the boy had finished him off, perhaps he could have been free of this self loathing. All of it had been for her, but his failure cut deeper than even Kurosaki's blade could. He had not went out into that waste with the intention of dying, but once their battle began, it was like he had been seduced to death's embrace. The cold temptress was calling him even now and he knew he would go to her.
Gin knew his senses were not wrong. He had felt it even as he spoke to Kurosaki outside the door that held all the zanpakuto behind Aizen's seals, but If Kurosaki had noticed it as well, he had not given any indication. Aizen was distracted right now, seemingly oblivious to the weakening of the binding. Kisuke had done well, but his progress had been slow with his imprisonment. Gin was amazed he had even gotten as far as he had. Yet, time was falling away and he could wait no longer.
He rose from the bed and walked to his closet, and slid the door open, ignoring the white clothing that hung there, going to his knees to open the second compartment in the floor. He waved his hand and opened the lock with his reiatsu and pulled open the hidden door. His shihakusho lay inside, along with his Captain haori. He pulled the articles of clothing out and dressed. He did not expect the feeling of nostalgia he got, but it was welcome and calming. As he tied the obi around his waist, his eyes lingered on the one item left in his hiding spot. He reached in and felt the silk against his fingers and pulled out the pink scarf that still had traces of Rangiku's reiatsu and intoxicating perfume on it. It felt like a violation, keeping something of hers like this, but it was the closest he could ever be to her again. Seeing her in that cavern, and the state of dishonor that she had been given along with the rest of them rekindled what he thought he had let weaken long ago; his determination to destroy the man that had caused all of this.
He stood and pressed the silken cloth to his nose for a lingering moment before he tied the scarf onto his obi, like a badge of honor. He turned from the closet and approached where Shinso was placed in the sword stand. He grasped his zanpakuto, one hand on the hilt, the other over the blade as he lowered to sit for meditation. He placed Shinso over his lap and reached into his inner world to commune with his zanpakuto in the only way a shinigami could. It had been long since he talked to his zanpakuto, and it took time to connect with his spirit. When Gin found him, he was pleased to find Shinso happily in wait. He was not judgemental, or angry with the choices Gin had made. Only Shinso could share his anguish, and soon they would share a final sacrifice. It was all he could do to atone for his failure, to get back what Aizen had taken away, not just from Rangiku, but from them all.
Gin opened his eyes, and the mask that he held onto for so long fell away. He rose and left the room, heading for the sealed door and his fate. He was not afraid, but the regret that he would not glimpse Rangiku one last time stung him deeply. He hoped that in his death, she could finally forgive him. Either way, his choices were his to take with him into oblivion. As he approached, the waning seal became apparent, and again he questioned how Aizen could not feel it breaking. Lord Aizen truly was losing his senses, or he had some kind of backup surprise in place. It was too late to worry over it now though. He touched the door, a true happy smile on his lips for the first time in years.

~~~

Urahara ignored the throb in his ankles and the beads of sweat that rolled down his temple as he stood in what used to be Mayuri's lab. Aizen still did not say what he wanted to know, remaining silent as he went from one computer terminal to another. It was about the Hogyoku, yes, but he was not being outright as of yet. He wasn't sure if he was hesitating, or if he was simply being sadistic by making him stand there in pain. The pain he could handle. Having his time wasted was more of a irritation, but he could not help but be curious as well. He leaned on the cane, taking his eyes off Aizen to the area around him. He saw nothing useful, but he didn't have the luxury of searching the lab more thoroughly alone, nor did he expect he would get the chance.
"You can sit," Aizen said, eyes still glued to the screen as he typed on the keyboard.
"Oh, I'm perfectly fine standing here," he answered, even as his ankles screamed at him angrily.
"Really, Kisuke, no need for the brave facade. I do have compassion when it suits me."
"Compassion? You shouldn't lie to yourself, Aizen. It's not healthy."
"Just sit, before I lose my patience."
"That's more like it," he said with his best patronizing smile as he lowered onto the nearest chair, grateful for the slight relief.
"How long will your arrogance last, I wonder?" Aizen said as he rested against the desk to look at him.
"Oh, I don't know. Going to send Uryu to torture me again to test that?" he asked and stared back with just as much raw intensity. Aizen refused to be baited completely, narrowing his eyes slightly. "What is it that you want to know about the Hogyoku, Aizen. Surely you know everything there is to know when it's resting inside your body."
"It's been acting abnormal lately," he said, obviously choosing his words carefully.
"Since I created it, the Hogyoku has been abnormal. You say I'm arrogant. Well, I was for creating that abomination. I enabled you to do what you've done, making it something even worse."
"I perfected it," Aizen corrected him.
"So much so that it is acting abnormal. Perfection doesn't exist, Aizen. That is a dream men like you came up with."
"Don't mock me." Aizen gripped the front of his tattered shirt and yanked him up.
"There's that compassion again," Urahara said, biting back a hiss of pain as the weight came down on his injured ankles once again. Aizen's hand slide around his throat, squeezing just enough to give him a serious warning. Death was less of a dreary prospect for him in these times, but he had to finish what he came here to do first. "If you wanted me dead, you would have done it already and you know it," he said.
"Keep testing me, and I may change my mind." He sneered as he pushed him back on the chair.
Urahara could still feel the heat from his hand on his neck and wondered just how close he had come to breathing his last. Aizen certainly looked on edge, and it was only getting worse the longer he was in the lab with him. The fact was, until he knew exactly what Aizen was asking him for, they would just be sitting in here throwing barbs back and forth until Aizen decided to just end it with a thrust of his blade.
"You want my opinion on your problem. I can't give it until you tell me exactly what your concern is."
"Fair enough," he said and sat across from him. "The Hogyoku has shown interest in Ichigo."
"Interest? You mean it wants him as it's host?" Urahara mused over the admission a moment, not entirely shocked by it, but it was disturbing news. The Hogyoku was even more aware than he had originally thought.. It was no wonder Aizen was desperate enough to call on him for some kind of help. He could possibly lose the source of power that had gotten him to this point.
"I am fully aware the Hogyoku must be accepted by the host. Ichigo has said he doesn't want it, but recently he has been struggling with his choice. I can see it every time I get close to him, and I can feel and hear the Hogyoku call to him"
"What is it that you expect me to be able to do?" Urahara asked.
"I'm not even sure myself, but I have tried several times to turn it's attention away from him to no avail. You originally created it, so surely you have some ideas."
Urahara never had a chance to say if he did or not. He felt it, the last seal bursting like a cracked dam. Aizen was up from his chair the very moment the sensation hit him, his eyes wild and filled with the deepest fury Urahara had ever seen. Those eyes turned to him and he felt a strong binding spell freeze his body in place. Maybe Aizen would kill him now, whether he needed his help or not.
"Stay here!" Aizen said sharply and rushed from the lab in such a rage that he looked demonic. As soon as the door shut behind him, Urahara called to Benihime, and she came to him without the slightest hesitation, appearing in his right hand that was curved rigidity from the binding. He wasn't sure how long he had, but he started the difficult task of fighting the kido spell. He was rather bored of his stay in Las Noches, and was intent on taking his leave, or die trying.

~~~

Ichigo was comfortable, curled up against Hichigo, half asleep in the afterglow of sex. In the next instant he felt as if all of Las Noches shook for just a moment. He sat up and it became quickly apparent what the burst of power had been. He nearly fell out of the bed, the sheets twisted around his legs. He heard Hichigo say something, but he was too focused and grabbing clothes from the closet to really listen to what he was saying. His stark white hand touched his bare shoulder and clamped down to get his attention.
"Hichigo, not now. I need to get out there."
"Let it go."
"What?"
"It's done, and you have nothing to do with it. Urahara obviously finished what he started, so relax."
"You know I can't just sit back while Aizen has a melt down, and you know he will." He jerked away from his hollow's grip and dressed as hurriedly as he could. "Come with me, or don't. Either way, I'm going." He grabbed Zangetsu and left the room at a full on run to the doors location. Even if he hadn't known where to go, the furious sound of Aizen's voice would have led the way.

~~~

"What have you done, you traitorous fool?" Aizen yelled.
"Come now, you know all about being a traitor, Lord Aizen," Gin answered, still smiling.
"I should have killed you long ago, the snake that you are. I knew you were never on my side, but this, what did you think this would gain you?"
"It will gain me absolutely nothing, but maybe it will be enough to give them all their freedom. Look, they are nearly all gone now," Gin said and motioned with his zanpakuto towards the large gaping hole where the door used to be. "Too late to try sealing them up again, wouldn't you say?"
Several arrancar and espada had gathered with the noise, along with Ishida and Orihime, who stood beside him. Grimmjow was part of the crowd, his eyes keen on Aizen's back. He looked ready to attack. Gin locked eyes with him discreetly, a soft shake of his head to deter him of that idea. The espada caught it and his tense body relaxed, but his deadly expression did not change. Only when Ichigo appeared, with his hollow close behind, did Aizen's attention slightly move away from him.
"Aizen." Ichigo slowed as he moved their way.
"Stay back, Ichigo. This doesn't concern you," Aizen said, focusing back on Gin.
"That's right, stay back, boy, unless you want to get caught in the crossfire," Gin said, lifting Shinso before him. "What do you say, Lord Aizen? Shall we end this here and now?"
"It will end, but it won't be quick for you," Aizen said.
Ichigo watched as they clashed, but he knew Gin had no chance of winning this. The man was committing suicide, and joyfully by the expression on his face as their swords met again and again. Aizen was toying with him, purposely holding back. Ichigo could feel it as easily as he felt the weight of Zangetsu in his hand. Chunks of stone flew as a wall crumbled with one swing of Gin's blade. The crowd around them shifted, but refused to leave, focused on the battle before them. Ichigo only saw a slaughter, as Gin bled from several wound, his blood leaving red splashes along the floor when he moved.
"You know you can't win this." Aizen dodged effortlessly, his hand grasping the extended blade that Gin shot out at him. The blade snapped in Aizen's grip so fast that Gin barely had time to react before Aizen spun the broken tip and plunged it through his shoulder.
"Oh, I know," Gin gasped as he went to his knees, blood dripping from his mouth. "It doesn't matter. I would rather die fighting than pretend to be your puppet another moment longer," he continued, eyes heavy, but still alive with hate. "Perhaps you should have killed me sooner, Lord Aizen," he said mockingly.
"No, I told you it won't be quick. I plan on keeping you alive for a very long time, Gin. Years in fact, and you will suffer." Aizen tugged the pink scarf from his obi. "I will bring her here and make her watch your agony, just to spite you, then we will see how long that smile of yours lasts."
The smile was still on his face when Zangetsu pierced his chest. He saw it before he felt the pain. Aizen's smug expression turned to confusion as Ichigo stood there. He had been too quick for his eye to catch, and so precise with his strike. Gin wheezed a laugh and looked up at Ichigo with gratitude and pride.
"What have you done?" Aizen rasped, fist clenching the bloodied pink scarf.
"He's killed me," Gin answered through struggling breath. "Good, Kurosaki. You were able to do it after all." Gin's smile widened as the life in him faded. He fell back against the floor as Ichigo pulled the blade free, his eyes closing before he took one last shuddering breath.
The room remained hushed, and from his expression, Ichigo was expecting Aizen to have a fit of rage for having his new toy taken from him. He was ready for it, even going as far as taking the silk scarf from his tight fist and kneeling to cover Gin's face with it. He wished he would try something, but Aizen made no move to stop him. Even the Hogyoku was silent for once. He noticed Gin was wearing his shihakusho, and he felt a deep longing for the world that was taken away. He wondered how hard it was for him to keep up the charade of being loyal to a man he hated. A true shinigami, something Aizen could never claim to be. When he finally did speak, it wasn't directed at him.
"Tier, Kisuke is in the lab, trapped in a binding spell. I would like you to go collect him for me and bring him here. I suspect he had a part to play in this mess." His voice was strangely calm. "The rest of you, get out of here, except you, Ichigo."
Ichigo expected as much as he stood from his knelt position. He saw Grimmjow ready to argue, and Hichigo stop him before he could even get started. Most left willingly enough, but even Uryu seemed reluctant to go, looking towards Ichigo with concern. Orihime took his hand and urged him to go with the others, looking back with a worried expression.
"Are you proud of this?" he asked when their audience was finally gone.
"If you mean, killing the man so he wouldn't be tortured for years, then yes, I am. There was no purpose in it."
"There was for me."
"I suppose Urahara will take his place now." Ichigo stared back at him.
"Perhaps, but I have a use for him in any case, and he isn't going anywhere. Do you understand?"
Ichigo said nothing and walked over to the hole in the wall to look inside the now empty room. The humming had started again and he wanted space between them. He also noticed that Aizen didn't push him further, but stayed where he stood. The situation was getting more drastic the longer it went on. It wasn't hard to guess that was why Urahara was also so important to keep around now. He had created the first Hogyoku and Aizen had no other options before him.
"Lord Aizen." They both looked to see Tier step into the room with a cane held in her hand. "I went to the lab, but this was all I found."

AN: So sorry for the long wait again. Health hasn't been great. Found out I had gallstones months back, and had surgery on June 16th, only to get an infection and I spent a week in the hospital. Was not fun, and even after I got home took some time to recover, but I am feeling better now.
Also, sorry if this chapter feels short or even rushed. I know the fight wasn't all that exciting (Or lack of a fight), but as I have said before, fight scenes have never been my strong point. Also, I feel in a rush to get this story finished, now that its known the Bleach manga is ending soon. I'd hate for anyone to lose interest, those of you that are still reading anyway. Not got much feedback lately, but it's no issue. I just enjoy writing when I can.
Was going to go to the shinigami getting their zans back this chapter, but decided to just start the next chapter with them instead. I was just happy to end this chapter at the point I did and think it works well that way.
Anyway, as always, hope you all are enjoying the story.
Squallfan
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Prisoner of War