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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
- 40
- 41
- 42
Chapter 41

Using shunpo to make his escape away from Las Noches was the only logical way to go, but Urahara was starting to feel the strain from his condition. The wounds, weary body, and using up even more of his reiatsu to break from the binding spell was wearing him down. He couldn't be sure if Aizen would come after him, but he wasn't going to take the chance by taking it easy on himself. Getting underground was his first priority as he searched for the first opening he could find, but all that was before him was miles of the same desert he had traveled many times before. He moved forward in the hope he could also detect where Isshin and the others were. He knew they would be on the move, and that would make his search much more difficult. He kept Benihime clutched in his hand as he went, her weight comfortable in his grip.
Even in his determination to get further from Las Noches, his concern for Ichigo grew the more distance he gained. Aizen's confession was disturbing in many ways. If the Hogyoku switched to Ichigo as a host, it could possibly be a good thing, but there was no sure way to know how it would affect him. Ichigo had been a honorable young man, always worried about others. It had been his reason for wanting to gain strength. Urahara knew Ichigo wasn't that same young man anymore. He was damaged, the cracks small, but still just under the surface. He had seen the anger in his eyes when he had come to see him in his cell. The Hogyoku could latch onto that anger and fuel Ichigo to do things he would never normally do. The way he looked at it, the exchange between Aizen and Ichigo may not make their job any easier. For Isshin, it would be devastating.
He was so focused on keeping himself moving that he nearly didn't feel the presence behind him. He turned his body in mid-flight and blocked the sword that was aiming for him. He recognized the huge arrancar right away. It was one of the guards that was on watch over him the entire time he had been captive. The brutish looking arrancar was expressionless, but his actions told Urahara all he needed to know. Each time he blocked, he could feel the resonating pain in his wrist and the fresh spill of warm blood running down his forearm.
"Aizen sent you, did he?" Urahara asked, keeping renewed agony from showing in his voice. The arrancar stayed silent, dashing forward very quickly for his size, his sword attacks very precise. Urahara blocked each attack, aware that his body was being pushed back with each blow. From the angles he was attacking with, he was trying to maim him, not kill. Aizen meant to get his prisoner back. "Not much of a talker, I see," he said, jumping back to get some distance, but the arrancar only followed, his attacks not letting up. "Persistent bastard too."
Urahara watched for a opening, continuously moving and deflecting the sword that came at him repeatedly. If this continued, he would get worn down, and he couldn't have that. It seemed he had little choice, but it almost felt like a cheap way to win this. In top form, Urahara knew he could easily beat this determined arrancar, but his hand was being pushed and his strength was waning the longer this went on. He made the decision and let the arrancar get close. The sword came down and Urahara let the blade stab his left shoulder. The pain welled and fresh hot blood spilled over his tattered clothes and on the sands beneath his feet. Teeth gritting as he went to his knees, he looked up at the arrancar to see he was smiling now. It was a ugly smile, full of sharp, yellowed teeth. Urahara grinned back. That seemed to agitate the hulking arrancar and the blade twisted in his flesh, bringing fresh intense pain.
Urahara yelled, gasping as he stabbed the tip of Benihime in the sand before him. "I can't say I feel sorry for you now," Urahara hissed, eyes cold as he stared defiantly back at towering bulk of a man. "Bankai!" Oh, but it had been so very long, and Urahara basked in the power of her as he released his zanpakuto. The unlucky arrancar was throw back by the intensity of it and when he looked upon her beautiful form, tall and protective behind Urahara, his eyes widened. Urahara's wounds began to stitch closed as her hands surrounded his body and he felt pleasure in seeing the arrancar's reaction as he rose to his feet. Like the enemy standing before him, he wasted no words as he attacked with her. The arrancar couldn't know how far her reach went. When he was split open from crotch to sternum, Urahara watched as the man yelled in confusion, shock and pain. "You have a voice after all," he said, his words drowned out by the horrified screams.

~~~

Through all the worries and doubts, Urahara had at last accomplished what he had set out to do. Isshin heard the first shout of surprise from the back of the group that traveled as they made their way closer to the underbelly of Las Noches. More voices joined in the confusion, and when he halted their progress to see what was amiss, he found himself smiling broadly when he saw zanpakuto appearing in the hands of their rightful owners. He was sure a few of them would have difficulty in the task, but within minutes of the first shout, everyone had their blades in hand, a excited mummer fluttering through the cavern. Finally, something was going in their favor.
He wandered amidst the shinigami once a sense of calm was established. Most were already in deep meditation. Others stood in small groups, speaking in hurried and hushed tones. He could only imagine what they spoke about, but it was likely about what their next move might be now. They had, in fact, been approaching to surprise their enemy when it was unclear if Urahara would succeed, but now that he had, Isshin wasn't sure if they should proceed or take the side of caution and formulate a better plan of attack. He knew that a lot of them were looking to him as a leader, but it wasn't something he had bargained for. Still, he would lead them if that's what they wanted. If even for just the sake of his children to have some kind of life back that didn't involve running and hiding.
In all the excitement, he hadn't forgotten his friend either. Urahara was in extreme danger the moment he went off on this mission. It was nothing short of a miracle that Aizen hadn't killed him on sight. The returned zanpakuto was evidence of that, but now that he had achieved his goal, Aizen would very likely kill him for his trouble. Urahara had been prepared for the worst when he went off to face Aizen, but a small part of Isshin still hated that he let the fool go. They had lost so many people already because of the war. He wasn't even sure he could call it that anymore. It had been a slaughter, and it was still happening.
Time slipped by as they stayed camped, and it was a luxury they didn't have, but he could not rush their reunions. The connection between a shinigami and zanpakuto was a sacred thing, and it was needed to strengthen their chances in the battle to come. Those that came out of meditation, he asked to stand guard at every point they could be attacked from. He was on edge as he patrolled the perimeter, but he found nothing of concern, not even a wandering hollow. All was calm, for now, though it did little to quell the urgency he felt.
Nel came to him as he made his way back to the center of the camp, hand reaching to take his. "You looked troubled," she said.
"Do I?"
"You do." She stood beside him, keeping watch over the shinigami. "Tell me what it is."
"Too many things," he said. "I'm concerned about Urahara, for one."
"He is strong, and he is smart. Maybe he will be okay," she said.
"He is a sly fox," Isshin said as he held her hand and began to walk with her. "We are lucky we haven't been detected," Isshin said. "We took that risk by coming so close, but luck can run out, and Aizen will realize it soon enough, if he hasn't already. He may suspect in the very least since the zanpakuto disappeared from Las Noches."
"Then we better be ready to fight," she said, looking at him determinedly.
"I am. I just hope they are," he answered.
"We are," Renji said as he approached with Rukia. "This has to end, one way or another, but I intend to win this time, or die trying."
"Eavesdropping on conversations, are we?" Isshin said and turned to look at them.
"One of the many disadvantages of living in such quarters together, but what Renji said is no less true," Rukia said.
Isshin nodded in solemn agreement. "We have a better chance this time if what Grimmjow said is correct, and if Nel trusts his judgement, I'm inclined to trust him too. If a good portion of the arrancar are on our side, we have a greater advantage."
"They will be ready with what has just happened. They will know what our intentions are," Nel said.
"So will Aizen," Isshin warned. "He's one man, but with the power of the Hogyoku he still possesses, this isn't going to be simple. We have to plan, not rush in," he said and looked around to spot his daughters. They sat near Chad along one of the rock formations, curiously watching the shinigami. "And I have to figure out who is staying behind with my girls. They aren't going near that place, but I won't have them alone either. I'm sure Chad will agree to protect them, but he can't do it alone." Isshin looked at Nel.
"You aren't going to leave me behind," Nel said, her expression slightly hurt.
"I would gladly fight alongside you, Nel, but if things go bad, or if something happens to me and I can't make it back to them, I need to know they have someone like you looking out for them. They love you like a sister, they trust you, and if they are left in this world as it is now, you are the best choice to be with them. We've all been here for some time, but you know Hueco Mundo more than anyone else here. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I understand, but..." She looked towards the girls and he could see her struggling with her emotions. She wanted to fight just as much as the rest of them, but no other option was as clear as this. "I will do as you ask," she said as she looked back to him.
"Thank you, Nel. I only ask because it's the best for them."
"Isshin, shouldn't you stay with them? You are their father," Renji interjected.
"He can't," Nel said. "He has to fight, and he must help his son," she answered in his defense.
"I guess I can't argue that, but it's not my place to say otherwise," Renji said. "Besides, I don't know what it is to be a parent, or how you feel knowing what kind of situation your son is in."
"Be glad that you don't know that kind of pain," Isshin said.
A yell from across the cavern reached them and Isshin moved that way in a hurry. It was Kira, calling from his stationed guard post, but it was hard to tell what the commotion was as other voices raised in question. Nel and the others were close behind as he neared the source of the voices. When he heard Urahara mutter something, a huge weight lifted from his shoulder. When he saw him, he looked a little worse for wear, but very much alive and well. Still, it was obvious his friend needed healing. He yelled for Hanataro to come, and the healer was quick to make his way to them.
"No need for the urgency," Urahara said as he leaned against Kira to stay upright, smiling despite his weariness. "The other guy didn't fair as well."
"Lay him down," Isshin said to Kira as he ushered Hanataro over.
"I didn't expect you all to be so close to Las Noches. It took only a few hours to find you once I got rid of my pursuer," Urahara said as he lay back with Kira's help. Hanataro was already getting to work, knelt down beside him. He examined the stitches on his shoulder with timid curiosity. "She does fine work, but her stitching makes me feel like a stuffed teddy bear," Urahara mused as Hanataro began to heal him. His explanation for the sewing job only seemed to confuse the healer further so he turned his attention back to Isshin. "Was everyone able to retrieve their zanpakuto?"
"Yes, and it went smoother than I expected."
"Good." Urahara closed his eyes for a moment, tempted to just fall asleep, but he couldn't just yet. "You can all thank Gin for breaking through the final seal. I was in a situation, and I think he must have known the importance of getting this done." He looked up at Kira. "Where is Rangiku?"
"I'm here." She stepped forward and knelt beside Hanataro.
"While I was escaping, there was a intense fight going on. I could feel it like a hot breeze. It was Aizen and Gin. That's how I know it must have been him that broke though the last of the seals."
"He's dead, isn't he?" Kira asked, point-blank.
"I believe he is, I'm sorry. His reiatsu slowly faded and then disappeared suddenly."
"I see. Thank you for telling us," Kira said solemnly and disappeared through the crowd as tears slipped down Rangiku's cheeks. She squeezed Urahara's hand before she got up to quickly follow him.
"That's fine for now, Hanataro," Urahara said as he sat up.
"But I just started."
"Urahara, let the man heal you," Isshin said and tried to make him lay back again.
"Not right now."
"Stubborn fool, you look exhausted."
"You and I need to talk in private, Isshin, and it can't wait."

~~~

"Zoe, go retrieve the escaped prisoner. You may wound him, but do not kill him, do you understand?!"
"Yes, Lord Aizen."
"Go, and don't come back without him!" The large arrancar hurried off to do as ordered. "Tier, I want Gin's body disposed of, and get a group to start cleaning up this fucking mess!"
Aizen stalked off after that, refusing to even look his way. Ichigo didn't bother to follow, instead he volunteered to help Tier with Gin's body. They wrapped it in a sheet, and he made sure that the scarf stayed with him. They took him outside the walls of Las Noches and further past the shield that went into Hueco Mundo. They didn't speak much as they went about their task, but he felt comfortable around her. It was strange considering very few words had passed between he and the female espada since he had been here. As they walked, he saw three of the sparse trees in a group. It was rare to see more than one in the same spot.
"That looks like a good place," he said and motioned to the trees.
"Very well," she said and they placed the body on the sand.
"I'll dig the grave. Considering I killed him, I should do it." He took the shovel out of the makeshift holder he had put together to carry it with them. He got to work as she sat nearby to watch him. He dug for a while in silence before she spoke, and it was a question he wasn't really expecting.
"Why did you kill him?" she asked.
"I had to." He stayed focused and continued to dig. "What Aizen had planned for him was far worse."
"Lord Aizen does love his toys," she said, watching him closely. "Do you enjoy it?"
"What?" He stopped and looked at her.
"Being his toy."
"I'm not." He went back to digging, working faster.
"Of course you are. We all are."
"What the Hell are you trying to get at?" he said and jammed the shovel in the sand.
"He always meant for you to be his prize, but you probably already know that." He knew, but he couldn't see what difference it made now. She got up from her spot and walked over to him, taking the shovel from his grip. He silently moved back when she started to dig. "He played with some of us, when the urge took him," she said. "Even I was in his bed a few times. I used to admire him so much. A lot of us did. None of us more than Ulquiorra though." She tossed sand out of the deepening hole. "Rumor has it that he would fuck Ulquiorra while watching recordings he had of you, but rumors are just that. No telling if it was actually true. I don't think Ulquiorra possessed any real emotion, but he was very dedicated to Aizen up until he died by your hand."
"That wasn't me. I mean, not completely," Ichigo said, exasperated. It was a battle he remembered clearly. He had won, but not the way he wanted too. Looking back, he understood why Hichigo did what he did to save him, but he still wished it could have went another way. "Why are you telling me all of this anyway?"
"Maybe I want to piss you off enough so you'll really listen to me," she said as she tossed the shovel aside and knelt by Gin. Ichigo moved to help her and they gently lifted him, then lowered his body in the grave. "Aizen is a selfish man, Ichigo Kurosaki. We were and are expendable assets. When our comrades died in battle, Aizen did not mourn any of them. We followed and served him on sweet promises. Looking back, I wonder why. Maybe we were all selfish too."
"A little late for regrets now," Ichigo said harshly as he grabbed up the shovel and began filling the grave.
"I'm sure I am not the only one with regrets," she said. "Do you really love Aizen?"
Ichigo stopped his hurried shoveling to look at her. "I don't know. I've been asking myself that a lot lately," he answered, leaving out the part about the Hogyoku and his suspicions.
"There is a end approaching." She stepped close enough that he could feel the warmth of her body. "Those of us that see Aizen for what he really is, are ready to follow you. Decide soon, and do what you must."
Ichigo's lips parted, but he didn't know what to say as he looked into her crystal blue eyes. She was scorned, but it was more than that. She felt betrayed and used. She stepped back and gave him a slight bow. She turned and began to make her way back towards Las Noches, leaving him to fill the grave. He wondered if she had somehow found out about the Hogyoku's more recent behavior. What she just said suggested as much, but maybe he was reading too much into it. He shoveled and contemplated his choices. Take the Hogyoku, or not.
Decide soon, and do what you must.

AN: Oh, me thinks Tier may have been eavesdropping on Aizen and Urahara, or perhaps even earlier on when he was alone with Ichigo talking. Who's to know? :D
Well, at least this chapter wasn't as long of a wait in between as the last one was. I'm really trying to wrap this up. I started this story back in February of 2010. Far too long to keep a fan fiction going. I feel bad making my reader wait like this. I'm just not as fast of a writer as I used to be back when I started.
Yes, my OC Zoe didn't last very long. I don't do a lot of OC's usually anyway, and hell, he wasn't that important or even fleshed out, not like my sweet Midori, who I haven't even mentioned in ages, but he is still around. :) *looks back in past chapters to see if I killed him off and forgot* No, he's good.
Also, *sobs*, the final chapter of Bleach is coming up this week and it makes me sad. Mostly because most of us know that Kubo was rushed to finish Bleach when he had so much more story he wanted to tell. I could tell something was off all this last year when fights were being done off panel and characters were all but gone and forgotten at times. He did what he could with the time he had, and I hate that fans are blaming him and not Shonen Jump, who are the ones that deserve the blame. They have disrespected Kubo if you ask me.
Anyway, enough of my ranting for now.
Squallfan
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Prisoner of War