Prisoner of War

Chapter 16


Two weeks of freedom, or the closest thing he could get of it, came to an end for Uryu when Mayuri pounded on Orihime's door. He watched her nervously cross the room and let him in. Keeping to her promise, Nemu provided the rest that Uryu had so desperately needed, but it seemed the former shinigami captain was tired of waiting for his Quincy.

"Um, can I help you?" Orihime asked softly.

"Don't be stupid, girl. I'm here for what belongs to me."

"You don't have to be so rude," she pressed, and backed up with a gasp when he glared at her.

"Leave her alone," Uryu said and stood from the sofa. "You don't have to threaten her, I'll come with you."

Mayuri's eyes swiveled to him, like a creepy, soulless doll's. "Very noble of you, Uryu." He stared, the corner of his mouth lifting into a sickly smirk. "You're looking healthy."

"No thanks to you," Uryu said, crossing his arms.

He was comfortable in slacks and a button down shirt that he had made from the fabric that Orihime had asked for on his behalf. It was refreshing to be clothed in something normal instead of the shabby robes he usually got. He was sure the monster would rectify that once he had him back in his lab. Uryu had readied himself for this moment, knowing that it was coming. Nemu could only convince her father to stay away for so long.

"Come with me," Mayuri snapped and beckoned him with a sharp jerk of his hand.

"Uryu.."

"It's okay, Orihime. Thank you for everything." He gave her a reassuring smile as he moved across the room and stepped through the door that Mayuri held open with impatience.

They passed no one in the halls as they walked toward the lab. Uryu walked slightly ahead, the sound of Mayuri's steps close behind him. His own feet landed silent, his bare feet padding lightly on cold stone. His bravado waned as they closed the distance to that familiar hell hole he was forced to stay in, but he kept his back stiff and his head held high.

"That girl is coddled far too much," Mayuri said with a hiss.

Uryu was surprised after the silence from the man. "What?" he asked.

"Ms. Inoue. Her soft treatment annoys me."

"Why do you care?" Uryu said, his lips forming a deep frown.

"She is an interesting specimen. I could have so much more research if I was allowed to touch her." Uryu's steps froze, fury building in the pit of his stomach. He turned and faced him, eyes filled with a hate that he could not control. "Ah, now that's a expression I remember very well. You've lost that fire, as of late, my little Quincy."

"Don't even think about going near her."

"And what would you be able to do if I did, hm?"

Uryu sneered at the jab, but he was right. What could he do in this position? Ichigo could do something. His head lowered. In the past, he could keep up with Kurosaki when it came to power. In the beginning they rubbed each other the wrong way, but they had become friends through all the bickering. Those days felt like a lifetime ago. It hurt, and Mayuri knew it.

"I can't do anything," he admitted bitterly.

"That's right. Keep that in mind." Mayuri pointed down the hall. "Get moving." Uryu turned and they continued. "No need to worry yourself. I will not touch the girl. Aizen will not allow it, nor Gin."

"What does Gin have to do with it?" Uryu asked.

"Well, that's really none of your concern either."

Uryu sighed and kept his mouth shut the rest of the way. No point in getting into a needless argument. Orihime had been kept safe since they were brought here. He didn't see that changing, or so he hoped. When they got to the lab door, he didn't feel scared like he thought he would. It was more like a numb acceptance. When he stepped through the threshold, he paused, eyes landing on Aizen who was seated across the room. Uryu rarely saw the man, so it was an unusual sight.

"Ah, I see you got your pet back, Mayuri."

"It was well past time," Mayuri said and shoved Uryu into the room more.

Uryu bit the inside of his cheek to keep from retorting in anger as he stumbled and righted himself with as much dignity as he could. He immediately looked for Nemu, but didn't see her. He hadn't seen her for a few days actually. She had been coming to visit and check on him at least once a day while he stayed with Orihime.

Mayuri walked past him to approach one of his computers. Uryu wasn't sure what to do, so he just stood there under Aizen's watchful gaze. He was uncomfortable with the attention. He didn't like the way he was smirking, or the set of his eyes, like he knew a dark secret. Aizen didn't speak as Mayuri went about his business, pressing buttons and humming a tune, adding to the creepiness of the place.

Uryu didn't like the vibe in the room. It was just too off for his taste. He looked toward the table that Mayuri took pleasure in strapping him to and felt that sour feeling in the pit of his stomach. He gave the thing a hateful look before he moves his eyes away.

"Reminiscing, Ishida?" Aizen asked.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Uryu's head jerked his way.

"Come now, must I spell it out, boy?"

Uryu frowned and looked toward Mayuri, but his back remained turned, his fingers busy on the keyboard. Only difference was, he had stopped humming, as if he couldn't give up a chance to listen to Aizen mock him. He looked back to see cold eyes penetrating him. The man's very presence chilled him to the bone, but the way his stare bore into him, like he was stripping his soul down, bit by bit. Uryu couldn't look away, even though he felt the terrible need to do so.

"Perhaps you are thinking of secret conversations, and plans of escape."

"What?" Uryu whispered.

Aizen smirked. "Do you think you will ever leave this place? Do you have this fantasy that Ichigo wants to save all of you? If so, you are very foolish."

"I don't...know what you mean." Uryu said, helpless under his sight. Was it the shinigami he was going on about? He had felt their enormous presence like everyone else in Los Noches. The bands around his wrists couldn't even block out the sheer force of it. He and Orihime had talked for hours about it, and Nemu had.....Nemu.

"Where is Nemu?"

Mayuri moved his head just enough to turn an eye in Uryu's direction. He grinned sickly, long nail tapping on the counter as he began his humming again. Uryu took a step back, telling himself to flee, but he didn't dare move. He wouldn't get far if he tried. There was nothing to run to.

"Do you think I am stupid, boy?" Mayuri spoke the words slowly. "You should know better than to think I don't know what goes on in my own lab."

Uryu couldn't form any words. He just stood there, his body going hot and cold. Waves of nausea nearly brought him to his knees. Was this what total terror felt like? After all he had been through, he'd never felt this completely small. Mayuri tilted his head when he didn't get an answer.

"I believe you have rendered him speechless, Mayuri," Aizen mused, standing from his chair. "It is alright, Ishida," Aizen continued, his voice silky as he walked toward him.

Move! Back away! Run! Do something, but don't just stand here! He could only gasp when Aizen put an arm around his waist and captured both his arms in the process. They were pinned against his body, Aizen's strong arm keeping him in place with no effort.

"You should have thought, boy. Do you not remember that I can see and hear what I want?"

Oh no.

"It's not the cameras my dear daughter should have been worried about while you two talked and schemed. The day I created her, I installed the same kind of specimen in her that I injected into you during that battle between us, back when you and your friends came to save Rukia Kuchiki."

Uryu's feet shuffled as Aizen maneuvered him across the room. It was surreal, like he was floating on a breeze, unable to change direction. He was being taken to a red curtain that he had been too nervous to notice when he entered the lab before. He whimpered when Mayuri walked over to join them.

"Do not fear, Uryu. Nemu is still here...in part anyway," Mayuri said, grabbing a hanging rope that controlled the placement of the curtain.

He didn't want to see. He closed his eyes tightly in protest, finally finding enough of his senses to squirm in Aizen's grip. The arm that held him tightened, then the unwanted touch of intimate lips brushed over his ear. He turned his head away, grinding his teeth when Aizen's free hand yanked back on his hair.

"Open your eyes, Ishida, and see what you are part of," Aizen said, his voice indifferent and cruel. The curtain opened with a swish.

No, don't make me look.

"Open your eyes, or I will peel the lids off," Mayuri said in a way that made Uryu believe him.

The sight before him was much worse than he imagined. The breath caught in his throat as he struggled to comprehend what he was seeing. Nemu, the hollow...no, the monstrosity that he was looking at was not just one or the other. The thing was encased in a large glass tube, much like a oversized beaker with bubbles of air moving in a constant stream through the water. What was Nemu's face was stretched tight across a oversized skull like head, attached to a body that looked reptilian and insect alike, the flesh a sickly green color. But the most disturbing parts of the whole creature, were the engorged breasts and belly.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Mayuri asked, looking at his handiwork. I fused this female hollow and Nemu together into this unique form. It wasn't my first intention, but I found it fitting."

Uryu groaned. "Oh God. You sick son of a bitch!" He kept yelling and cursing, fighting to get out of Aizen's embrace so he could at least land one punch.

"Hm." Mayuri tapped his nail on the glass, studying him with that toothy grin.

His screams were cut off when Aizen raised his hand and gripped his throat, fingers digging into the tender flesh. Fuck, he couldn't breath. He's going to kill me! It wasn't the cruelest fate he could imagine. He looked at the creature through watering eyes. It could be so much worse. Oh God, how could he do that to her? How? He went limp in Aizen's arms, the urge to fight floating away as his chest burned for air and phantom black dots filled his vision. He faintly heard Aizen speak, as if from miles away.

"Do continue, Mayuri. I think he's calm now."

He gasped lungfuls of air in reflex when Aizen released him. He coughed, throat burning and aching with intense pain, and he could taste the coppery tang of blood on his tongue. His vision wavered, but blissful unconsciousness did not take him as he wished. Aizen still had hold of his waist, keeping him upright on legs that were too weak to stand on their own.

"Now then, as I was saying," Mayuri continued, "I was planning to use your sperm to inject into a female hollow, but after I dissected a few, I saw it was completely impossible for a hollow to get impregnated."

"What was your first clue?" Uryu said, his voice a painful rasp.

"Shall I cut your tongue out?" Aizen said, hand slipping up again, continuing over his bruised neck to his chin, lifting his head back.

Uryu met the coldest eyes he had ever looked into up close. Set in a handsome face that was smiling in the most charming way. This man was more twisted than even Mayuri could hope to be. The scientist didn't keep his horrendous work a secret from anyone. Even the way he painted his face showed outright what he was. A madman. Aizen, on the other hand, hid behind good looks and regal pose. He had fooled so many to get to where he was now. Frozen in his gaze, Uryu knew he would indeed cut his tongue out without pause if he said he would do it.

"Well?" he said, his voice seductive and chilling all at once as he ran a thumb over Uryu's tightly closed lips.

No. Uryu grunted soft in response and shook his head no, too suspicious to even open his mouth to answer.

"Then you understand me. That's good." He released his hold on Uryu's chin.

Fuck. Uryu moved his head down quickly once he was able.

"I'm impressed, Aizen. You got him to shut up quicker than I can," Mayuri said.

"You just have to know how to control them," Aizen answered.

The two men kept talking, but Uryu wasn't able to keep track. His head hung down and his eyes burned. A few quiet tears slipped as the realization of what happened to Nemu completely set in. Now he knew without any doubt, she really was trying to help him, and this was her reward for it. Their voices droned on as he made himself look up at the creature floating in the encased glass. Nemu's face, once beautiful, was now a repulsive sight, stretched and deformed over the hard bone of the hollow. He looked at the bloated stomach and saw the flesh jerk. His nausea grew, and he swallowed thickly against his sore throat.

"Are you paying attention, Uryu?" Mayuri asked.

Uryu looked at him. "Yes," he whispered.

"Hm. As I was saying, once again. I decided to merge my dear daughter to this hollow. The organs necessary to carry a child are now in the equation, thus this result you see now." Mayuri looked hard at him. "My daughter had the gall to betray me, but at least she ended up being useful to me in the end."

Uryu balled his hands into fists, his arms still pinned by Aizen. Otherwise, he didn't respond, looking at the disgusting excuse for a man. Mayuri grinned, and he couldn't bear looking at him anymore. He turned back to the Nemu/hollow meshed creature and found it easier to look at than the atrocious man that had created it. Nothing in the creatures eyes showed recognition. Perhaps her mind was completely destroyed during the process of the merge. Every part of him prayed it was so. The curtain was slid across as Mayuri pulled back on the rope to hide his creation.

"Just think, Quincy. You may become a Daddy soon."

Uryu felt sure he would vomit, and he gagged, gasping to try to keep himself from it. Aizen chuckled, but kept a hold of him, his arm more gentle now that he had lost the energy to struggle. Uryu managed to fight the waves of nausea as he panted harshly through dry lips. He felt feverish and cold at the same time. I must be in shock. This is all I need.

"He is adorable, Mayuri."

"And a brat. He gives me more trouble than you know."

"I see. Well, perhaps you will give me the use of him. I did miss out on some time with Ichigo today for this meeting."

"Oh?" Mayuri looked over.

What?! Uryu swallowed and looked up at Aizen.

"I just got him back, but I am preoccupied with work," Mayuri said. "Of course, Aizen. You may take him."

"No...no..nommmnnnn!" Aizen's hand clammed over his mouth to muffle his protest.

"It didn't take long for him to get his voice back."

"Told you."

"Do you have a ball gag to stuff in his mouth, and a sheet I can borrow before I go?"

"Ah." Mayuri nodded and walked off to get them.

Uryu tried to arch in the arm that tightened back up again to keep him still. He couldn't open his mouth to bite the palm of his hand, Aizen was putting too much pressure against his mouth for him to try. He wildly threw his head about, but nothing would dislodge the man's hold. His muffled cries were ignored as Mayuri neared with a red ball gag. He hated those fucking things. The aching jaws, and the all around uncomfortable feeling they caused. Aizen moved his hand and Uryu tightly put his lips together and turned away as soon as he did.

"Lets not be difficult, Uryu," Mayuri said, holding the device in his hands.

"Enough," Aizen growled when Uryu refused to abide and grabbed his chin with rough fingers and squeezed until Uryu gave in with a yell and opened his mouth wide.

The cold, hard ball pressed down on his tongue and filled his mouth. He tried to close his jaws, but only got resistance. Mayuri's quick hands were already strapping the buckles behind his head to keep it tightly in place. Uryu groaned, lifting a leg to kick, but Mayuri was already out of range to get the sheet. Aizen's lips touched his ear.

"You really need to relax, Ishida," he whispered. "Your body is surely accustomed to pleasure and pain of the flesh." Uryu listened with wide eyes and hectic breath. He tried to speak in denial and it sounded like a pitiful, muffled whimper against the ball. "Can you blame me? I just wouldn't feel satisfied unless I taught you a lesson myself for talking treason with Nemu." Uryu shook his head wildly and yelped when his hair was yanked to stop him. "Ichigo will not learn of this day. Do you understand?" Uryu whimpered, heart beating rapidly. "Because if you speak a word to him, I will make you beg for death." Uryu screamed against the gag, and his world went black as the cold sheet was pushed forcefully around him.


~*~


Tosen stood on the sand and felt outward, searching for Grimmjow's reiatsu. In moments he could feel the faint traces of it, along with the other arrancar he traveled with. He followed. Depending on their rate of travel, he could possibly reach them by the end of the day. If they felt his own reiatsu nearing, they may more faster if Grimmjow suspected. Aizen was sure that was the case. He was certain there would be a battle between them. He was more than ready for that. Aizen had been very specific.

Kill the others, but bring Grimmjow in alive. Maim him if you must. I'll leave that for you to decide.

As you wish, Aizen. What about the shinigami?

I will worry about that. Now go.

Tosen continued on, taking to the air to move with more speed. He would follow his orders as he always had. Still, a part of him nagged and questioned. What was Aizen's plan for the future, and were he and Gin still going to be a part of it?


~*~


Grimmjow halted and looked at Gantenbainne. He gave him a slight nod. Yes, he felt it too. Aizen had finally sent one of his dogs after them. He was more surprised it had taken this long.

"What do we do?" Gantenbainne asked?

"Pick up the pace, and if he catches up, we fight. Simple." He waved his hand and they moved on across the desert.

It finally begins....