Prisoner of War

Chapter 8


"Has he spoken yet?" Tosen asked as he sat across from Aizen.

"No, he's a stubborn one," he said with a soft smirk.

"You don't seem concerned. In fact, you sound pleased."

Aizen sipped wine. "Well, I am enjoying myself. Besides, Nelliel isn't a significant problem. I just think she needs to be captured. I don't like strays running around my domain."

Tosen's head cocked slightly. "Does your toy know his friend is here?"

Aizen raised an eyebrow, and his lips curved into a slight frown. "He is my lover, Tosen, not something so insignificant as a mere toy."

Tosen's lips parted in shock. "Lover?"

"You seem surprised I call him that."

"Yes, Aizen, I am surprised. In the beginning you called him a toy, and Pet all the time. Now you talk as if you two are..." He stopped and sighed soft. "Aizen, I don't understand."

"I'm not obligated to explain myself to you, but I will out of respect for our friendship." Aizen stood and walked to the window to look out across the barren desert. "The moment Ichigo Kurosaki was born, I knew about it. Hard not to with the reiatsu that little bundle had." He looked back and smirked at Tosen. "From that day on, I wanted him."

"A child?" Tosen was aghast.

"Don't think so low of me, Tosen. In the beginning, it wasn't sexual. I'm not that deviant." He chucked and walked over to the bookshelf and took down a book that was bound and locked with Aizen's own energy to keep curious ones away. He sat back at the desk with it cradled in his hands and smiled. "I kept my own journal about the wondrous half human, half shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki."

"I had no idea you had become so involved with the young man," Tosen said softly.

"We all have our own secrets, Tosen. You should feel honored I'm sharing mine with you."

Tosen nodded softly. "I am, Aizen."

He smiled and went on, opening to the pages within. "As I said, at first it was merely an interest in his power. In truth, when I found out Isshin was in the human world and married to a mortal, I was surprised. I had never heard of such a thing. Why a shinigami would leave Seireitei for the human world of all places? It boggles the mind."

"Indeed," Tosen agreed.

Aizen looked over his own elegant handwriting, remembering each time he sat to write an entry. He smiled soft, fingers moving over the words like he was caressing his lover's skin. When he spoke again, his voice was low as if he were afraid anyone else was listening. Tosen listened, trying to recall a time he had ever heard Aizen sound so driven about something. Not even when they has conspired against Soul Society had he heard such determination.

Aizen looked at Tosen. "When he got a bit older, I thought I needed to test his will. In human terms, he was very young at the time. I manipulated a hollow and observed with great scrutiny. Just gave him a bit of a push so he was able to sense the amount of reiatsu coming off of the young human boy. It was pathetically easy to tempt Grand Fisher."

"What if the hollow had killed him?" Tosen asked, watching his friend in his own way.

"I would not have let it happen. Besides, I knew the love of his mother would save him. Poor thing, gave her life for her son." He smirked, hand absently running over the page.

"I see." Tosen said softly. "And Kurosaki knows none of this?"

"Only that I watched him, nothing more. I have no plans on telling him I was part of his mother's death. He already knows I killed his father. I do think that is enough."

He wasn't sure how he should feel about Aizen's confessions, so for now he would just keep listening to his story until it was through. He had to trust in his friend. So far they had enjoyed victory and accomplished everything they had set out to do. Perhaps this thing with Kurosaki was nothing more than a kinky hobby to amuse him from the mundane boredom. Still, Tosen considered the shinigami to be a growing danger to keep around, but he had kept respectfully silent about it.

"I was delighted at how he overcame his sadness, even though he blamed himself for her death for years after. So strong in spirit, that boy."

"It would seem so," Tosen said.

"I won't bore you with the small details. Observing a human family really isn't that exciting," Aizen said with a chuckle. He sat back more in his chair, and the look in his eyes changed. "I watched for years until he turned fifteen. He was strong in human standards, and I knew that if his shinigami power was awakened, he would be greater."

"What did you do, Aizen?" Tosen whispered, getting pulled in by the story the more that was told.

"What needed to be done. Great calculation was a must." He looked at Tosen, eyes cool, his smile matching the icy stare. "It wasn't chance that Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki crossed paths. I had a hand in it all. His change, his transformation with his hollow. All of it so well planned out."

Tosen listened with growing uncertainty, awed and slightly troubled by Aizen's ambition over Kurosaki. Fifteen years of watching, planning and then doing this so secretly that no one, not even he who was so close to Aizen knew.

"Aizen, why did you do all this? He nearly ruined us in the end, and you know it."

"But he didn't. I told you, calculation. I knew he was growing too strong, so we attacked to claim our victory. We won, as I knew we would, and I got my prize after all the hard work." He smiled, closing the book and binding it with energy once again.

"Your prize..."

"Ichigo is mine, as I wanted. I had to test him one last time though. That night when I took his body the first time, I wasn't sure if he would cut it." He licked his lips as if savoring something sweet. "Again, he was strong, not blubbering or crying after it was all over. No, he said he was going to kill me." Aizen laughed. "It still stokes my fire."

"Dangerous games, Aizen. His power outgrew that collar. Don't you think it can happen again?"

Aizen shook his head. "I'm not worried, because he is becoming accustomed to being mine."

"Accustomed? Aizen, what makes you think he is submitting so deeply?"

"I just know. He has nothing else."

"You sound so certain."

"Certainty is on my side." Aizen got up and went to the locked door he kept protected with the same energy as the journal, but it was significantly greater in power. With a swipe of a hand the energy vanished and he opened the stone door, exposing a large globe that emanated a low pulsing light. "Tosen, my friend, come and look in the way you can."

Tosen stood, a bit confused and joined him, raising his hands over the strange globe to look. His mind saw shapes of buildings and other structures, and life. People going on about their daily lives. "Aizen, what is this?"

"My next goal." Tosen tilted his head as if asking for more explanation. Aizen smirked. "There are other worlds, my friend, and this extraordinary globe shows them to me."

"Where did you get this?"

"Deep in the underground. Right here in Las Noches."

"Why haven't you told Gin and I about this before?"

"It wasn't the time, but now it grows closer."

"What?"

"We will take more worlds as our own. The corruption in some of these places is sickening, Tosen."

Tosen looked Aizen's way. "I understand, Aizen. We will fight alongside you as always."

"I know. I will need your strength." He looked back at the globe and smiled cold. "And Ichigo will be beside me as well. His power will be tremendous."

Tosen's head jerked toward Aizen. "What?"

"The time will come," Aizen said, voiced hushed, but full of feeling. "He will see how right I am in all things. He'll join me, and be by my side as we take these worlds together."

Tosen went still, mouth slightly open, blind eyes wide behind his glasses. It had to be a joke. Aizen wouldn't think something so insane would come to pass. Kurosaki could never conform to Aizen's true wishes. He swallowed and looked back toward the globe as Aizen shut the door on it. Show and tell was over.

"You may go, Tosen. I have some more time with the prisoner soon."

"Yes, Aizen," he whispered, unable to say anything he was thinking. So he said nothing. Nothing at all.


~~~


Uryu lay strapped to the table, as he was most hours of this thing that wasn't much of a life. Mayuri stood over him with a thin metal rod that looked like a kabob skewer with wires hooked to machinery on one end. This was a new device he hadn't seen before, but it was sure to cause pain. He stopped begging long ago. Funny how he used to be so strong in the beginning when they were first captured, then lowered to begging. Now he was prone to just not reacting at all, because strength and weakness were both ignored. Now all he did was expect torture, and prepared himself for the agony as best as he could. Unfortunately, he could never quite stop the screaming.

"Now, I'm going to put this through your wrist and take your limiter off to get some readings," Mayuri said with his usual twisted grin. After all this time, he still had a endless supply of amusement for what he put him through. What else could be expected of a mad scientist?

"Can we get through this without the commentary? Just do what you're going to do," Uryu whispered. Nemu was behind Mayuri with a chart in her hands. Her expression was void of emotion as she stood ready to take notes. It was creepy how she went about her business so calmly, even when he yelled himself hoarse through most of their sessions.

"Well, you're the smart ass, Uryu. Are we finding reserves in our bravery tanks today?"

Uryu sighed and looked up at him. "I don't know. Is this bravery?"

Mayuri grinned and chuckled. "Perhaps not." The needle in his hand started to descend to the tender flesh of his right wrist. Someone knocked on the lab door before he could begin to puncture. He frowned. "What is it?!"

Thank you. Uryu took advantage of the slight reprieve and closed his eyes.

"Grumpy mood today, Mayuri?"

"Oh, sorry, Gin. I wasn't expecting you today."

"Aizen has decided to get your assistance."

"Ah." Mayuri chuckled. "I see. I have many devices that may be of use."

Uryu kept his eyes closed as he listened with slight interest. As down as he was, even he still believed in Ichigo. He would listen and take in as much information as he could, unable to do much more to help the effort. He got bits here and there, but so far it wasn't very productive. They were always careful in his presence when they spoke about anything, and would leave if they needed to discuss something in private.

"Looks like you get a break for today, Uryu." He kept his eyes closed as Mayuri spoke. When his cold fingers touched his cheek, he flinched his head away with disgust. "Stop being a prude and open your eyes before I cut the lids off."

"What?" Uryu said, opening his eyes before he made good on his threat.

Mayuri grinned. "Laying there like a possum is pathetic. Trying to hear anything is pointless, so stop."

"Can't get anything past you," Uryu sighed.

"Nemu, keep him strapped down until I get back. We'll continue then."

"Yes, Sir."

"How long are you going to be gone?" Uryu asked, body pushing against the straps. Not being able to move was worse than the pain at times.

"Seconds, minutes, hours. Nemu, play if you wish." Uryu watched Mayuri put tools in a bag that he had used on him before personally, and prayed for the sorry soul who would have to feel that excruciating pain. He turned his head to see Gin grinning at him and he cursed inwardly. God, he hated them all, and he hated feeling helpless and weak. "Until later, my little Quincy."

"Asshole," Uryu muttered, only after they were gone. He sighed again and looked over at Nemu who was staring at him. He wasn't concerned she would do anything. Mayuri had told her on many occasions that she could use him, but she never took him up on the offer thus far. Usually she would just write things down, or press buttons, or simply clean up to keep busy, and she rarely spoke to him. He didn't find her to be a threat like the others. He could clearly remember her helping him more than once during battles before and during the war. He closed his eyes. She was nothing more than a puppet of Mayuri's really.

He flinched when he felt something probe at his lips, and he opened his eyes to see she was offering to give him a drink of water, the straw innocently against his mouth. He opened and took a few sips, just enough to sooth his dry throat. He watched her put the glass aside on a table covered with instruments that Mayuri had used on him several time. He couldn't suppress the shudders. So long he had been testing and using him, in and out, over and over. How many more tests and experiments could the bastard possibly do before he was satisfied? Easy answer. Until he died from the shock, or of old age. The latter was not the preferable choice. In truth, he wanted to live. Maybe it was the stubbornness of a Quincy, or just the self preservation that most humans had embedded in them. Either way, he wanted Mayuri dead.

Nemu was staring again, and he looked back with a caution one might display in the presence of a mental patient. Her head titled slightly and her expression had more emotion than usual, almost that of a curious child. Uryu still wasn't sure what to make of her. She was something that Mayuri had created, so he didn't know if she was even truly shinigami. Yes, she had a zanpakuto and even had the fighting style for the part, but something was always a bit off with her, more so since this nightmare began.

"Uryu."

He blinked. "...Yes?" She climbed up and straddled him so quick it took him a few seconds to react. "What are you doing?!" His arms pulled to push her off, and his mind took another few seconds to remember he was strapped down and helpless. In turn, he realized that the years of confinement had dulled his mind and especially his physical prowess to the point of being pathetic. She leaned over him, staying straddle, legs tight against his sides, and he jerked his head away when her lips come close to his ear.

"That's good. Keep struggling," she said, sliding a hand in his hair to grab hold of it.

"Get off me, Nemu!"

Her lips pressed to his ear. "He has cameras and bugs all through the lab," she whispered.

"What?" His movements slowed.

"Keep struggling and listen." She nipped at his ear with sharp teeth and he yelped in surprise and fought helplessly and pointlessly against the bonds. "He always checks the feed later, so we have to make this good," she continued against his ear.

What has gotten into her?! She swayed her hips to grind against him and his eyes widened. "Stop!"

"Your friend Chad is locked away in the dungeons," she whispered soft.

Chad! Panting hard, he finally realized what she was doing, so he kept struggling for the cameras and making distraught sounds to put on a good show.

"Ichigo isn't aware of it yet either. It is because he has a limiter on just as you both do. He is the one being tortured."

"No!"

"I'm afraid so," she whispered with what sounded like sympathy. It was odd to hear.

God, not Chad.

"I can't explain everything now." She tugged his hair hard and he opened his mouth to curse again, but it got muffled by her lips and tongue. He was so shocked he went rock still in the moment, eyes as big as saucers. When she finally pulled back, she smirked at his expression, then leaned in and licked crudely over his neck, back to his ear. "Please trust me. I will try to explain later when I don't have to worry about being heard by my father."

Why do I trust her? He gave a slight nod that looked more like an attempt to get away from her nuzzling.

"Good," she said soft, easing the tight hold on his hair. Her hips gave a jerk, making him gasp soft. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to follow through here to make this believable. Don't worry, I'll go easy."

She wouldn't. He looked at her questioningly as she sat back up and shifted around, ripping open his robes enough to get to his cock that he was shocked to notice was getting hard. She was already straddling back over him and before he could breath a word she sat and slide over onto his erection. She's not wearing panties?! Of all things, that what his mind screamed. Nothing about questioning trust in her, nothing about disgust for what she was doing.

"Ah!" Her head fell back and she gyrated above his bound body, showing more emotion than he had even seen her show the entire time he had known her.

What is going on? Mindful of what she had said, he made at attempting to struggle again, and found himself wishing he could thrust his hips to help her along. God, but it felt so good, and he wasn't repulsed by her, even as he played the part of the victim for the cameras. For once it didn't hurt. For once there wasn't something being shoved up his ass or in his mouth. And a big plus, it wasn't that freakish bastard Mayuri.

~~~


Big, childlike eyes looked at the glowing firelight before moving to one of the men sitting on the other side of the flickering flames. He looked deep in thought, so Nel didn't disturb him. She looked to the other who poked and stirred the fire before adding another piece of wood to keep their small shelter warm for the night. They never stayed in one spot for very long, even though they hid their reiatsu from those that were sent out to search. Of course, Aizen probably thought it was only her they were searching for now that Chad was already in their grasp.

The first man sighed soft and she looked back to him again, then crawled around to climb up on his lap to give some kind of comfort. She missed her Itsygo, so she could understand why he looked so sad. She looked to the two huddled ones sleeping nearby. They missed their Itsygo too. She had heard the girls talking many times about it. Nel looked up at the man and he gave her a little smile of reassurance before he put his attention on the other man.

"Did we make a mistake letting him go, Urahara?"

"Chad wanted to be caught to get on the inside. We talked long and hard about it, remember?"

"I know, but you can imagine what they may be doing to him, if they even let him live."

"He said he was willing to take that risk."

"I know, dammit, I know. I just feel like we should be doing something. More than three years that bastard has had my son!" Karin and Yuzu stirred in their sleep, and Isshin winced, lowering his voice. "Not to mention Orihime, Uryu and the others they kept alive."

"I know, Isshin." Urahara's eyes were soft. "I know the guilt you are feeling. I thought I had trained Ichigo enough."

"He's my son. I should have trained him. Instead I wanted to hide it from him, thinking it was best." He sighed, looking into the fire.

"Well, I guess we all have our demons," Urahara said softly.

Isshin looked at him. "Yeah." He shook his head and chuckled soft. "If Ryuken were still alive, he would blame us for everything."

"Of course, we're shinigami." Urahara smiled softly.

"I owe it to him to get his son out of this mess too. Shinigami or Quincy, it never mattered. He was a good friend."

"I know. We're working on it, Isshin."

"We need to work faster." Isshin sighed soft and looked down at the little bundle that had finally fallen asleep on his lap. He smiled soft, then watched as her small body grew into a shapely woman, her head tucked snugly where her whole body was just seconds before. He had to chuckle. "It's amazing how she does this."

"It's been happening more often. Maybe it's coming to a point of leveling itself out."

"Maybe everything is," Isshin said soft with hope and looked deep into the flames, his mind on Ichigo and the other prisoners of Hueco Mundo.