28 Chapter 28

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."

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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!

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-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.