The Espada

Moven pt 2

Some time later Ichigo had fallen asleep in his inner world, his spirits watching over him. When he woke, he was outside when it had begun to rain. The rain, it felt as if it was connected to him sometimes, it always rains when he's upset it seemed. Sighing, Ichigo stood up and shook his head, sending water drops flying. He didn't know what time it was or how long he had been out for, but he had better get a move on before he caught a cold. Shivering, he began to walk back to Kisuke's.

On the way back, Ichigo felt like he was being watch. He scanned the area, seeing nothing out of the ordinary but he still had a bad feeling, and kept walking. The weather began to get worse but he kept his pace as it was, hugging himself to keep what little warmth he had. He shivers becoming worse as time went on.

"Ichigo"

Turning, Ichigo saw a white blade swing at him and Rukia's face before pain bloomed from his chest, blood spilled onto the ground and stained the white sword red. Looking over to Rukia, he watch as she sliced down on him again, making an 'x' on his chest.

"If I were you, I'd stay down."

'Strange,' he thought as his body fell to the muddy ground and his vision darken. He could barely hear a pained cry and thud before blue, green and black came into view. They were talking, one yelling at him, but he heard nothing. The blue one was lifting him up gently when his eyes slid close. He could also hear his spirit yelling at him to stay awake, but he felt tired.

'I always like the color white...'

_--_--_time skip_--_--_

When Ichigo awoke next, he saw that he was back at Kisuke's again, seeing as he has been here many times before for training. Sighing, he tried to sit up when the world around him began to spin, from pain or sickness he wasn't sure. He lay back down with a grown, throwing his arm across his eyes to stop the dizziness and throwing up.

After his stomach settled, let his hand rest on his chest, finding it was covered in bandages from hip to his shoulder. He trace over them as he remembered how Rukia had cut him, wanting him to die and how much it hurt. It's true what they say, the worst kind of back-stab is by a friend.

Hearing the a knock on the door, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. The door slid open and soft footsteps made it way to his bed side. The bed dip slightly and a hand was now holding his. 

"Ichigo-san, you need to wake up. It's been three days" 

Ichigo's eyes snap opened and he shot up from the bed, yelling "It's been three days?!" 

Looking to his right, he saw Aizen and froze, a small blush of embarrassment spreading across his cheeks as the blanket landed on Aizen head. Reaching over, he pulled the blanket off with a sheepish smile. 

"Sorry" He mumered, rubbing the back of his head before groaning in pain and hugged his chest, his activities catching up with him. 

Aizen help him lay back down, frowning when he saw blood begin to stain the white bandages. Ichigo watch as Aizen sighed and pull something out of his pocket, placing them in his hand. Ichigo open his hand and saw that it was Orihime's hair pins and Chad 's necklace. He held the necklace by the chain, watching it shine in the light before putting it on. 

"He was my best friend, you know? We always had each other back," He said, before looking up at the other man "Aizen?"

"Yes?"

"I'd take you up on that offer, to go to Las Noches" Ichigo said, clutching the pins in his hand but stayed determined. Aizen nodded, saying that Kisuka wanted to talk to him about something before leaving. Ichigo sigh, relaxing slightly with relief and with his own thoughts. 

"This is strange, isn't it?" His hollow said, materializing in front of him. 

"Hmm..maybe it's for the best" Ichigo replied, sighing as Shiro heal his wounds. He removed the bandages while asking "What do you think?"

Shiro shrugged "It's ultimately ya' choice, but I say go for it."

"But, what if I have to fight Rukia or Renji? What if I can't? I-I couldn't without going on a rampage, I could hurt someone that didn't need to be-" Shiro had covered his mouth with his hand, a bored but amused look on his face. 

"Ya' think too much, ya'll know what ta' do when tha' time come. Us a little less mind next time and more instinct, ne?" Shiro grinned, Ichigo nodded and he remove his hand. A knock broke the two looked over, Shiro vanishing before the door opened to revile Kisuka. 

"I've heard your decision and I agree wholeheartedly, but if you feel too overwhelmed I want you to talk to Aizen or get in contact with me, ok?" Ichigo nodded in agreement. "Now, that's out of the way, it's best if you head off, I'll take care of you body while your in Las Noches until this catastrophic is over with."

-----flash back end----

Ichigo had gotten rid of his shinigami outfit before they left, saying he didn't want to be like them. Kisuka had given him some special clothing, a dark green hoodie and jeans, to help with the harsh environment of  Hueco Mundo. They had gotten into the building when Ichigo remember something.

"Hay Aizen, who found me when I was injured?" Ichigo ask, earning a chuckle.

"Grimmjow and his mate, Ulquiorra." 

"Wait, mate? As in..ya know" Ichigo said, a small blush covering his cheeks. Aizen hmm, confirming his thoughts. 

"They are both quite fond of you" Ichigo raised a brow but stayed quiet, not really sure what to say. The two made their way down the hallway, bumping into a few lesser hollow on the way. They greeted them with one of the females saying how beautiful Ichigo was, causing him to blush. Aizen guided Ichigo to his room, he told him he could rest for awhile or think. Once he left, Ichigo had flopped down on the surprising soft bed and fell asleep.