Sinner

A/N: Hello lovelies! Thank you for the patience…and the death threats. You’re all so wonderful. This chapter was especially hard to write, but I hope you all enjoy it. To all my reviewers, I love you dearly and please continue to feed me….mmmm delicious reviews. I want to become morbidly obese on them. Help me fulfill my dream? Anyway, love to know what you guys think. Shit is about to seriously hit the fan, just you wait.

Much Love!
TillThatTime

P.S. Thanks to Mulle and Lady_Pippy for going to read my other story JUST because I told them to. *tackles...with LOVE* And to answer Lady_Pippy's question, my second favorite pairing behind the obvious for bleach is Grimmjow/Ulquiorra, but I also love Renji/Ishida, Urahara/Ichigo, Ikkaku/Yumichika, Hisagi/Yumchika, Renji/Byakuya and Shunsui/Ukitake.

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Persuasion

There was no way.

Teal eyes widened slowly as the meaning of Ichimaru’s words slowly sunk into his post coitus mind. With weak arms he pushed at Ichimaru’s shoulders, using the leverage to raise his head and look into Ichimaru’s eyes, trying to gauge if the man was serious or not. The fox only stared back at him, his expression the same as it always had been, gleeful and mysterious. Yet there was something there, something that hadn’t been there before that told Hitsugaya that Ichimaru was in no mood for jokes.

No way…

“Ichimaru, are you…”

“Serious? Let me tell ya something’, Chibi, that word doesn’ even begin ta cover it.”

“But….but…how?”

“Time away from society has really done wonders ta yer verbal skills.”

Any other time he would have been pissed off at the statement, would have had something to say in return, but right now his mind was reeling and he couldn’t find the proper words to even form a coherent thought, let alone sentence. Ichimaru wanted to get them out of here? His captor wanted to escape with him? He wanted to betray Aizen?

“Yer thinkin’ too much.” Ichimaru teased, ducking his head to trace a slick line with his tongue along Hitsugaya’s pulse point. The smaller of the two groaned slightly in irritation and pleasure before latching his fingers in Ichimaru’s hair and pulling his lips away.

“It makes no sense, Ichimaru. Even if you really did want to get out of here, how would we do it with just the two of us?”

“Who said anythin’ about it bein’ jus’ the two o’ us?” Ichimaru replied before he too snaked his fingers into Hitsugaya’s own hair and yanked, grinning when the young captain clenched his teeth and hissed, releasing Ichimaru’s hair in an instant. “Ya need ta play nice.”

Hitsugaya only growled and scooted away from Ichimaru’s body when the man giggled. “Stop fucking around and tell me what you mean by this. It isn’t funny!”

“No, I suppose it isn’t.” Ichimaru stared at him for a moment, as if contemplating the next thing he was about to say, before he reached out and pulled Hitsugaya against him and sealed their lips together. Hitsugaya grunted in surprise, his eyes wide, before he let them drift closed, surrendering himself to the now familiar sensation of Ichimaru’s lips against his own. He was just about to open his mouth and let that sinful tongue enter before the other man was pulling away, and he would swear later that he didn’t almost whimper in disappointment. For a moment Ichimaru just let his forehead rest against Hitsugaya’s own, but then he spoke.

“I’m leavin’ this place. Are ya comin’ with me o’ not?”

For a singular moment Hitsugaya could only stare at him through wide eyes, disbelief stretching them at the corners. How could Ichimaru, after everything, possibly think….

His eyes hardened.

“What the hell do you think?”

Ichimaru let out a bark of laughter before he stood up, giving a blushing Hitsugaya a full view of his naked body before he fished their clothes from the floor, tossing Hitsugaya’s own at him.

“That’s the only answer I woulda accepted. Now git dressed, there’s some people we need ta talk ta.”

They walked quietly down the halls of Las Noches, Ichimaru’s fingers curled around Hitsugaya’s slender wrist as he pulled him along. The white haired boy had no idea what time it was but he had to guess that it was a time when most everyone else was asleep. He felt anxiety tighten uncomfortably around his throat. This was a dangerous game they were playing and he didn’t want to think of the consequences of if they were caught. Death he could handle, it was what came before death that made him uneasy.

“Ichimaru, what if Aizen-” His worried whisper was cut off by Ichimaru’s hushed tone.

“We ain’t gonna git caught. Not yet at least. I’d stake my life on the fact that I know these halls better than Aizen.”

“Only your life?”

“And yers as well, it would seem.” Ichimaru teased, and before Hitsugaya had a chance to respond, they stopped at a door. It looked like all the rest, but it seemed to be the one Ichimaru had been looking for. He didn’t even raise a hand to knock, but rather let his fingers fall around the knob, turning it quietly. Before he could actually get the door open though, it swung open from the other side and Ichimaru was roughly drug inside, Hitsugaya being forced to follow as he was still held onto by a pale hand. Hitsugaya gasped as his captor was slammed up against the wall, and due to the darkness in the room he couldn’t tell whose room exactly they had intruded on. There was tense silence before Ichimaru spoke, amusement heavy in his tone.

“Down kitty.”

A light was lit somewhere behind them, Hitsugaya’s head turned towards it and the first thing he saw was the quatro espada sitting on the bed on the opposite wall, a sheet drawn up around his waist and his face blank as he stared past Hitsugaya to where the commotion was.

Toshiro turned his head in time to see a very recognizable blue haired man holding a grinning Ichimaru up against the white walls. It only took him a second to realize the sexta espada was completely naked.

“Dammit!” He cried out before turning away sharply, his cheeks heating from embarrassment.

“What the fuck are ya doin’ here, ya creepy bastard?!” Grimmjow growled, ignoring the boy Ichimaru held onto, the one who so desperately wanted to be anywhere but in that room at the moment.

“Is that anyway ta talk ta a superior, Grimmy-chan? I only came by ta say hi. Now if ya don’ mind, yer scarin’ the poor ‘ittle taicho.”

“Huh?” Grimmjow cocked his head in confusion, and it was Ulquiorra’s turn to speak up.

“Your clothes, Grimmjow.” He answered, already having slipped into a white yukata. Grimmjow took a moment to stare down at his own nakedness before his eyes fell on the young captain who was beet red at this point. With an annoyed grunt he reluctantly let go of Ichimaru and walked back towards the bed, ripping the sheet off of it and tying it around his waist.

“Sheesh.”

“Why are you here, Ichimaru-sama?” Ulquiorra’s low voice cut through the room, and Hitsugaya turned his attention to Ichimaru, wondering the exact same thing.

“Ya see, Ulqui-chan,” Grimmjow growled at the pet name but Ichimaru simply ignored him. “I have a proposition fer the both o’ ya.”

“Oh? And what the fuck would that be?” Grimmjow sneered, his body bristling as Ichimaru’s grin split his face further.

“Ichimaru, you can’t possibly-” Hitsugaya began, having an odd feeling about where this was all going.

“Shut up, hime.” Hitsugaya found his mouth shutting at the command and he glared when Grimmjow gave him an odd look. “I want ya two ta help me do somethin’.”

“Ichimaru-sama, what exactly do you need our help to do?” Ulquiorra questioned and Hitsugaya noticed upon further examination that Ulquiorra’s shoulders had tensed.

“Commit treason.”

“Excuse me?” Ulquiorra’s eyes had narrowed and he rose slowly from his sitting position on the bed.

“I believe I made myself very clear. I want ya two ta help me commit treason, and o’ course, by doin’ so, commit it yerself.”

“What the fuck are ya talkin’ about?” Grimmjow had moved to stand by his fellow espada, the two of them standing still even as the air in the room became thick with tension.

“Am I going ta have ta keep repeatin’ myself?” Ichimaru made a show of throwing his hands up in mock exasperation.

“I believe you have made a grave mistake, Ichimaru-sama.” Ulquiorra’s words were cold, the threat obvious in them and Hitsugaya felt himself shudder even as he moved to stand by Ichimaru, unsure of what he could actually do to help with no means of defense, but knowing that he needed to be there.

“Mah mah, I don’ believe I actually have. I’m offerin’ ya somethin’ that ya should really think about takin’.”

“Oh yeah, and why is that?” The sexta snarled, his fists clenching at his sides as he took a step forward.

“Because ya either do this now, o’ watch as one or both o’ ya dies later.” Ichimaru’s tone was the same as ever, yet there was something darker creeping around his words and it caused Grimmjow to take a step back in confusion. It was Ulquiorra who broke the silence, for once his voice ringing with emotion. Controlled anger.

“You should hold your tongue, Ichimaru-sama.”

“How very bold o’ ya, Ulquiorra. Does it bother ya ta hear the truth? I can’t say I blame ya really, I know it bothered me.”

“Your reasoning holds no meaning.”

“Naivety is not something that suites ya, Ulquiorra.”

“You speak of betrayal!”

“I speak o’ reality.”

There were no more teasing words, there was no easing into this anymore. Ichimaru was trusting his instincts while playing a deadly game and Hitsugaya could only hope that he knew what he was doing.

“Ya don’ mean anythin’ ta him. Yer tools, ya got that? Good ‘ittle soldiers used ta win a war and then be discarded o’later as imperfections in his dream world. He never spoke o’ loyalty ta ya, because he holds none.”

“What makes you so sure?”

Ichimaru was silent for a moment, and Hitsugaya knew his next words would be important.

“Do ya know what it’s like ta devote yerself ta somethin’ fer a century? Ta believe in yer own importance ta a cause and then be cast down as if ya were nothin’ with a few words and a wave o’ a hand? Ta be told that everythin’ ya’ve molded yerself inta is unimportant and unneeded?”

And there it was. The reason for all of this. Ichimaru Gin, Aizen’s most loyal servant, had been cast aside as if it were nothing and the pain of it was eating him alive. Hitsugaya knew somewhere in the back of his mind that it was truly what Ichimaru had deserved, but that didn’t stop his heart from clenching as he reached out to tangle his small fingers in Ichimaru’s robes in an attempt to offer some form of comfort. He’d never know exactly what Aizen had said but he knew enough.

“A hundred years o’ dedication made meaningless with a word. If that’s all the loyalty he has fer his longest companion, what do ya think he’s gonna do ta the ’ittle monsters that kneel at his feet?”

Grimmjow sunk unto the bed, his large hands fisting in his blue hair as he growled in anger, trying to comprehend what Ichimaru had just said to him, and struggling to believe the words at all, but it was Ulquiorra who stood perfectly still, his lips drawn in a thin line and Hitsugaya wondered if he was having trouble breathing.

“I was always meant to be used as a tool.” He spoke evenly, though he barely moved a muscle.

“Ulquiorra-”

“Silence, Grimmjow.” He spoke, and for once the larger man did as he was told. “I have no problem dying for his cause.”

Ichimaru’s fingers rose to scratch at his chin as he contemplated Ulquiorra. “See, I believe that’s true, but I do think ya might have a problem watchin’ Grimmjow die fer it.”

Ulquiorra’s eyes widened fractionally and Grimmjow raised his head up, his eyes locking on Ulquiorra.

“You should be weary of the implications in your words, Ichimaru-sama.”

“Please, ya think Aizen doesn’ know about the two o’ ya? Ya think ya’ve got this ‘ittle fuck and be fucked game o’ yers all figured out? Ya think he’s gonna sit back forever and watch as his heartless ‘ittle tools whisper lovingly inta each other’s ears? This is weakness ta him. Disgustin’ weakness that he’ll watch fer amusement until he tires o’ it and then he’ll put a stop ta it.”

Ichimaru stepped forward, his strides steady as he came face to face with the two espada who watched him in silence. His voice was soft when he spoke next and Hitsugaya had to strain to hear him.

“Oh, and he will put a stop ta it. He’ll make ya watch Ulquiorra as his slices Grimmjow all up somethin’ awful, and he’ll do it slowly too. And don’t think ya wont get the same treatment, Grimmjow. As you’re layin’ there bleedin’ on the floor he’ll take yer lover here and fuck him right in front o’ yer eyes. And he’ll smile that smile o’ his the whole time and ensure that this is jus’ what naughty children deserve. And this offer I made ta ya will be the last thing ya think about before ya die listen to Ulquiorra scream. I’ve known him far longer than ya, child, and I know what I say is the truth, and somewhere deep down ya know it is too…Would ya like that, Grimmjow? Ta hear Ulquiorra scream while another man pounds inta his tight ass?”

It all happened so fast Hitsugaya didn’t have time to react. In an instant Grimmjow had abandoned his position on the bed and was on top of Ichimaru, pounding his fists into his face and growling in rage. Hitsugaya wondered in horror why Ichimaru hadn’t stopped him, because Hitsugaya knew his power, he knew he could have easily dodged, so why was he just lying there and taking it!? Despite his best interest Hitsugaya immediately ran to Grimmjow, pulling at his arms and back, anything he could reach as he desperately tried to get Grimmjow off of Ichimaru. His vision went blank temporarily as Grimmjow swung back and hit him in the face, sending him flying against the wall.

Upon seeing this, Ichimaru was no longer immobile, and before even Ulquiorra could comprehend what was happening, Grimmjow was flung across the room and Ichimaru was kneeling in front of his little lover, taking his face in his hands and inspecting for damage.

“I’m-I’m alright.” Hitsugaya struggled to catch his breath back, and he didn’t miss the look of concern in Ichimaru’s eyes, though the man would never admit it. “Aizen could have heard all this-”

“He put a shield around this room as soon as he entered.” Ulquiorra said from behind them, already at Grimmjow’s side and pulling him to his feet. Both Grimmjow and Hitsugaya looked at Ulquiorra in shock. Neither one of them had seen Ichimaru do that. “Calm yourself, Grimmjow. You hurt the child.”

“He ain’t no kid.” Grimmjow growled, and despite how fucked up this situation was, Hitsugaya suddenly felt thankful to the man for acknowledging that. “He’s a little brat, but he ain’t no kid.”

Scratch that.

Hitsugaya’s mind replayed the events of the last few moments, trying to understand exactly what had just happened. He remembered the awful things Ichimaru had said right before Grimmjow had attacked him. it seemed despite everything, despite the way Ichimaru treated him now, he was still a very cruel man.

“You shouldn’t have said those things.” He grumbled as Ichimaru used his thumb to wipe the blood away from Hitsugaya’s bruised lower lip.

“The truth is an awful thing, yeah?” The silver haired man replied and Hitsugaya took the time to take in Ichimaru’s appearance, wincing when he noticed the blood around his left ear and the bruising that was forming on his face. Grimmjow had done some damage but he had been sloppy and inaccurate, especially for an espada, but then again, Hitsugaya supposed that that was what blind rage did to people.

He reached his own shaking hand out, ignoring the dull pain in his body as he cupped his fingers along Ichimaru’s pointed jaw, trying to add some comfort. He drew in a sharp breath when Ichimaru’s head turned slightly and he brushed his lips against the inside of Hitsugaya’s palm. It took him a moment to remember that they weren’t exactly alone.

“Gross.”

Oh, that’s right.

Immediately he withdrew his hand from Ichimaru and turned his attention to the two arrancar on the opposite side of the room. Grimmjow still appeared to be fuming but he seemed to have calmed himself, if only slightly. It was Ulquiorra however, whose eyes stayed trained on Ichimaru, cold and narrowed, though Hitsugaya wasn’t sure if it was exactly in anger.

“Are you truly proposing that we abandon the allegiances that we have made in order to help you escape?” Ulquiorra said slowly, not even blinking as he and Ichimaru stared each other down.

“And ta escape with me, Ulqui-chan, yes.”

“Why us?” Grimmjow chose that time to pipe in, his voice gruff as he folded his arms across his chest.

Ichimaru chuckled flat out at that, but then held his hands up in mock surrender when Grimmjow hissed at him. “Why not? Ya two have the most ta gain by leavin’ here and the most ta lose by stayin’. And no body else’s loyalty is as thin.”

“My loyalty is unwavering.” Ulquiorra hissed out, surprising everybody but Ichimaru with the sudden venom his words held.

With a smile that would have seemed almost kind if it had been anybody else, Ichimaru rose to his feet, uncaring and unnoticing of any damage that may have been done to his body, and walked slowly to where Ulquiorra stood, holding up a hand to stop Grimmjow when the blue haired man tensed as if ready to attack.

“Oh no no no, quatro espada, I don’t think yer bein’ honest. See, I’ve spent my entire life learnin’ ta read people, and despite all yer efforts and guises I can read ya as well. I think it gets weaker every night. I think yer devotion, yer adoration and yer loyalty wavers with every single thrust.”

“Enough.” There were warning signs going off in Ulquiorra’s voice and even Grimmjow took a step back even as his eyes widened at Ichimaru’s words.

“It’s gettin’ harder and harder ta play the good ‘ittle soldier, right? Especially when all that reverence ya held fer yer God is now suddenly bein’ transferred ta someone else.”

“Ulquiorra-” Grimmjow began, his voice sounding worried.

“Enough, I said.”

“It scares ya doesn’ it? Big, bad Ulquiorra is terrified because he doesn’t understand what’s goin’ on. Because his heart’s s' fuckin’ knotted in his chest that even the thought o' somethin’ happenin’ ta kitty-chan makes him want ta renounce every single thing he’s devoted himself ta.”

Hitsugaya could only watch on, even as he felt the stabbing in his gut that told him that Ichimaru was no longer just speaking about Ulquiorra.

“Everythin’ I said was true, ya know. Either ya leave here with me, throw away yer loyalty o’ ya watch him die before yer eyes. The decision is up ta ya, Ulquiorra. He’s already made up his mind.” Ulquiorra’s eyes cut to Grimmjow in question, who looked away, refusing to meet his gaze and in turn giving away his answer. “But he ain’t leaving with out ya.”

There was silence in the room. No one dared to speak and Hitsugaya felt his blood pounding viciously in his ears as he waited. After what seemed like eternity, Ulquiorra’s fists clenched at his sides and for one sick moment he thought the espada was going to attack, but then that black head of hair slowly raised up and emerald eyes connected with crimson.

“We’ll do it.”