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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
- 41
- 42
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Chapter 42

"Uryu?"
He heard her lovely voice, as comforting as the light touch of her hand on his arm. He looked away from his tea that had gotten cold as he thought over what would come next. Gin's death had been a shock. He didn't judge Ichigo for dealing the blow, but questioned it. He saved the man from years of torment, but should he have given him that freedom? A selfish thought maybe, but one he couldn't suppress after the torment he had endured at the hands of Mayuri and Aizen alike.
"Are you okay?" Orihime asked, when he still hadn't answered her.
"I'm sorry." He put his hand over hers. "Just a lot on my mind."
"Want to talk about it?" she asked.
"I'm worried. I try not to, but it's always there. I'm worried about you and the baby. About what Aizen may do next, especially after what we just saw."
"You're thinking about Ichigo too, aren't you?"
"I am." Of course, it always came around to Ichigo. That nightmare he had was still a reminder, as fuzzy as some of the visions were. He remembered enough; the fear, the blood, the death. Today he was given a stark reality as he watched Gin die by his hand. There had been no malice, but Ichigo had been so emotionless as he pulled the blade from the wound and watched his life fade, no more than if he had been stepping on a bug. Everything about his body language, even with Aizen, had seemed dangerous. It was like he was daring him to attack. Uryu wanted Ichigo to fight, but something was amiss.
"What should we do?"
"That's the thing, right?" he answered. "I don't know if we can do anything to make a difference." Hope had been ripped away, again and again. He lowered his eyes, weakness rendering him too ashamed face her. "Also, I can't lie and say Aizen doesn't have me under his thumb."
"Uryu, I know you don't want to tell me about anything that happened, and you don't have to. I just want you to know, I don't think any less of you for doing something you had to do. So please, don't be afraid to look at me." She touched his cheek. "Not anymore, okay?"
He leaned his cheek against the warmth of her hand and felt a little calmer. "Okay, I promise."
"The shinigami have their zanpakuto back. Maybe that will put things in a better direction," she suggested.
"Possibly," he said. He didn't think it changed the odds much, but he wanted to be positive for her sake. The shinigami were far more formidable during the war, so what kind of fight could they achieve now in such dire times? Right now he was more concerned about what Ichigo's next move would be. Maybe he was being hasty, but he wanted to talk to Ichigo's hollow. He had to know something of what Ichigo was thinking. Uryu just wasn't sure how to go about it without Aizen taking notice.
"Orihime, do you trust Grimmjow and Ichigo's hollow?" he asked.
"Mn." She sat silent a moment before she answered. "Grimmjow has never really treated me harshly, not like some of the other arrancar. Ichigo's hollow," she mused. "Well, he did save Ichigo from dying." Her eyes softened. "Then again, he attacked you when you tried to calm him down."
"I remember," he answered and sighed. "There was so much going on. I'd like to think he, or both of them rather, were just enraged in the heat of the moment from the battle with Ulquiorra. It must be a strange feeling, being merged together. I can't imagine what that's like."
"Probably scary, but he made Ichigo stronger to help him win, and to save me." She took his hand in hers. "I guess I do trust him. He cares about Ichigo enough to bring him back from the brink of death."
Uryu nodded slightly. "When you put it that way, I guess so."
"You're going to talk to them?" she asked.
"I have to, yes."
"I'm going with you."
He wanted to tell her no, but he hesitated. He didn't want her in danger if Aizen, or a pair of eyes in the form of a loyal arrancar were to see them. He didn't want to leave her alone either. He was certain he knew where Grimmjow's room was. They would just have to be cautious, and Aizen was probably distracted now. If they were going to this this, there wasn't a better time than now.
"Alright, let's go then."

~~~

No one disturbed him there in the sanctity of his throne room as he meditated. Aizen felt the restless stir within his chest as he placed his hand over it, voicelessly trying to quiet the Hogyoku. He was disturbed when he felt it spin like a top in slow motion. He felt no pain, but his teeth clenched in reflex. He shivered with a chill that wasn't there, aware that for the first time in many years, he felt the cold touch of fear. It was like a fist in his stomach reaching for his throat as the fingers slowly uncurled. He could not allow this defiance to go on. Not from the Hogyoku, not from Ichigo, not from anyone. He opened his eyes and rose to leave the room.
He knew Zoe would not be returning with Kisuke; had been expecting it in fact when he ordered the arrancar to retrieve him. What Aizen wanted was a trail to follow, and reiatsu was always strongest during and just after a battle. Finding that trail was his intention, and he would begin to renew his control over what was his. Zanpakuto or not, he meant to show the shinigami not to oppose him, then force Kisuke to return. Taming the Hogyoku was most important, above all else. He had played at the idea of allowing Ichigo to claim it, but he knew he could never do that. The Hogyoku was his and always shall be, just as Ichigo was his to claim.
"Ichigo must be made to understand," he muttered absently. The Hogyoku reacted fiercely to the sound of his name. "Shit," Aizen cursed, hand grasping at his chest as he slouched over. Pain like molten fire come from within. His eyes widened as he leaned against the wall, trying in desperation to stay on his feet. "Enough of this!" he yelled, mouth filled with the taste of copper. Blood spilled over his lips and onto the floor. "I am your Master! Obey me!" Clenching his teeth, his eyes darted up and down the halls, paranoid of someone seeing him in such a humiliating position. He saw no one, and was too engaged in his struggle to regain control to worry any more than that.
The intense pain receded, but so very slowly. He wiped his mouth with the back of a trembling hand. He didn't question why this was happening, and he would not let the Hogyoku deter him from keeping his place as ruler. Only the weak questioned. The strong produced results. He was being tested. So be it. He calmly took a cloth from his pocket and cleaned the spilled blood, quick and efficient. The Hogyoku grew stagnant as he went about the task. Everything would be as it should be, and he was going to make sure it stayed that way. Aizen folded the cloth neatly and slipped it back into his pocket, regaining his composure as if nothing had happened. As far as he was concerned, nothing had. He continued on his way, the grin on his lips the expression of a insane man.
Uryu let his breath out only when Aizen was no longer in sight. Orihime was pressed against him, her whole body trembling, hand still clasped over her mouth. Uryu wasn't exactly sure what they had just witnessed, but it looked like Aizen was cracking, not that he thought the man wasn't already dangerous, but what they just saw terrified him. How he didn't sense them behind the pillar where they hid was a miracle, or just plain stupid luck. The only thing he was absolutely certain of was that they would be dead otherwise. His arms were wrapped around her as she clung to him.
"Come on, we have to get moving," he whispered in her ear. She nodded, not making a sound. He took her hand and moved with more urgency. He felt exposed the entire way, constantly expecting Aizen to appear with that maniacal smile.

~~~

Grimmjow wasn't sure what to make of the pair that stood outside the door. They were both shaken by something, and he didn't have time to even ask before the Quincy made a impatient sound and pushed past him to get inside, pulling the woman along with him. He would have been annoyed with the intrusion if the two of them didn't look so distressed. He grunted and took a glance outside the door and saw no one else, nor did he sense a presence.
"Not to be pushy, but could you shut the door?" Uryu said from behind him.
"Pushy is right." Regardless, he shut it. "What's got you riled up? Can't be Gin's dirt nap," he said, folding his arms. "You should be fucking ecstatic over that." He glanced over at Orihime who was timidly approaching Hichigo. The hollow was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, trying to converse with Ichigo.
"No, it's not about Gin."
"Then what? You ain't here for tea." He looked at the woman again as she was reaching to touch Hichigo's arm. Hesitant, she changed her mind and retracted her hand as if he were made of fire. "He won't bite you," he snapped.
"Orihime." Uryu went to her.
"I'm sorry," she said, looking at Grimmjow. "I'm not afraid of him. It's just so surreal, how he looks just like Ichigo."
"You get used to it," he said and sighed. "Well, sit down. Might as well after you barged in."
"Thank you." Uryu took Orihime to the other sofa and sat with her. He watched the espada sit beside the hollow and touch his face, like that of a lover. The hollow opened his strange eyes and smiled to Grimmjow before he looked over at their unexpected guests. Uryu observed their obvious closeness, but it was really none of his concern what went on between them. "I apologize for the intrusion."
"Must be important, otherwise, why would you bother?" Grimmjow said.
"I'm concerned about Ichigo." It was the simplest way he could put it. He didn't want to sound like a misguided idiot, talking about dreams like they were premonitions. He wasn't even sure he believed in it, but it didn't change how real it had felt to him.
"Few years late, aren't you?" Grimmjow asked.
"Don't tease him, Grimmjow. The Quincy looks as pale in the face as I do," the hollow said, his voice an odd pitch that was a mimic of Ichigo's. He looked directly at Uryu. "Did something happen?"
"Yes, actually." He decided to reveal the more immediate threat. "I think Aizen is becoming unstable," he said as he went on to describe what they encountered in as much detail as he could remember. "I know he would have cut us down without hesitation. He looked crazy."
"Fuck," Grimmjow said, fangs prominent as he sneered. "He's already trouble enough, now he's snapping."
"I'm not entirely certain," Uryu added, "but I think he was leaving Las Noches. I can only make assumptions on where he was going."
Grimmjow looked at Hichigo. "Is Ichigo on his way back yet?"
"No."
"Then what the hell is he doing?" Grimmjow asked.
Hichigo's eyes went hazy a moment, head slightly tilted. "Still meditating by Gin's grave," he said.
"Tell him to get back here. If Aizen really is losing his mind, we need to be ready for it."
Hichigo gave a slight nod and closed his eyes.
"He can talk to Ichigo in his mind?" Orihime asked, looking curiously at the pale twin.
"Somehow, yes." Grimmjow left it at that, unable to explain their connection when he still didn't fully understand it himself. He watched him and waited for a response. Hichigo's face held little expression except for slight twitches one might make while asleep.
"He said he can't come back yet."
"Why?" Grimmjow asked. "There isn't time for him to mess around out there."
"He says he's going after Aizen."
"What? Did he see him?"
"No, but he can feel the Hogyoku. He said he's decided to take it," he muttered softly.
Uryu felt cold all over. "Tell him he can't do that. Do you hear me, hollow?!"
"Calm down." Grimmjow stood to stop Uryu when he got up to approach. "Why did you really come here?" he asked.
"I saw it in a dream. If Ichigo takes that thing, it will corrupt he and the hollow both. Call me crazy if you want, but he cannot do this. Do you understand me?! Even you have to know it's not wise."
"You might be crazy, but I'm not going to risk not listening to you either." Grimmjow looked back at Hichigo and knelt before him, hand clasping one of his. He didn't really want that thing inside Ichigo either, even without the Quincy's warning. "Hey, you tell him to get his ass back here and we'll figure something else out. You hear me?"
"I'm sorry." Hichigo opened his eyes and looked at Uryu and Orihime before he leaned and kissed Grimmjow, fingers brushing the bone along his cheek. "He figured it out. He's calling me back." Grimmjow couldn't understand the sadness he was seeing in his eyes until he began to lose solid form. "I'll do what I can to talk him out of it."
"What the fuck is happening?!" Grimmjow's hands slipped through his transparent body as he tried to keep hold of what was no longer there.
"Ichigo needs his true zanpakuto," he said with pride and smiled before he faded away completely.

AN: It's been about 5 months since I have updated. Sorry all, I had life happen. Medical problems, lost a pet recently. You know, the shit life likes to pile on top of you now and then. Basically 2016 was a fucked up year. Hoping 2017 is an improvement, but we shall see. If this chapter seems rushed and a little short, I apologize. I just think I need to wrap this story up, and as I end up saying every year, I want to get it finished. I have ideas for other stories, but I don't dare start another multi chapter fic until I finish this. Maybe a one-shot sprinkled here and there, but I need to stay focused. I will assume people are still reading. If so, hope you are still enjoying.
PS: Don't worry, I will be getting to Ichigo in the next chapter. I was going to add a bit with him in the end part, but thought it was fine to wait for him altogether until the next chapter, which I am going to make myself get to work on.
PPS: I debated on even doing the whole story of who the real Zangetsu was, this being a alternate timeline fic, but fuck it. I loved finding that out while reading the manga.
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Prisoner of War