Aizen's Kingdom (Bleach Fanfic)

Putting a Plan Into Motion

After Ichimaru told the substitute shinigami the basics of his plan, he headed into the room and found himself smiling at what he saw. His mother was sitting next to Toshiro and was touching the child's head in a calming way, while he slept with his white head of hair in her lap. The boy's cheeks were tear stained and red, but Gin couldn't help but feel a small bit of hope at the idea that something might be fixed.

At that, he moved over to his mother. "Oka-san? I want to try taking Shiro-chan off that medicine we have been giving him. I think if I can get him off this, he might actually get better."

"His body has a major attack the times you and Rangiku have tried before." His mother smiled at him half way. "She said no more, about twenty, thirty years ago. That's one of the reasons she has become so upset with your not getting his medicine on time, because the attack is honestly not like the others."

"I think, if he can get past the major attack, he will begin to recover." Ichimaru stated, watching his mother carefully. "You do understand that I am not going to ask your or Rangiku's permission to do this?"

"If you think this is the right thing to do, then do it." The old woman stated. "I suggest not doing it here, because Ran-chan will be coming home right around the time a major attack will occur. Do also take the medicine with you, in case this doesn't work."

"I completely understand what you are saying." Ichimaru carefully lifted up the sleeping child into his arms. "I was planning on taking him away, particularly since I don't wish for you to see him have a with drawl from the medicine."

The old woman turned her head over to a trunk. "That has some cloth straps in it, that you can tie him to your back."

"I'll get them." Ichigo walked over to the trunk and pulled out the cloth. He then came back to Gin and helped the man to secure the boy onto his back while the old woman watched. Both males then turned to her and bowed, saying their respects before they left.

The two then set out on the path, their steps quick to get to their intended place. They began to walk around the outskirt of the village, and then they headed down the road, once they were out of site of anyone from the village. Ichimaru led the way, while the orange haired teen followed behind, keeping a watch for anyone suspicious.

"Do you know where they are located?" The young man asked, hoping that this wouldn't be a futile journey.

At that, Ichimaru shook his head. "I actually don't know where they are. You know as well as I that they move about and you can't find them. At least, that is the way it is in the living world. That said, there is a pattern that they tend to follow, and there are certain places they don't go. Not to mention they always stay in the first district of the West."

At that, Kurosaki stopped in his tacks. "Why then are we moving before we have a plan?"

Gin suddenly paused himself, his teal eyes looking at the young man. "Because, we need to get a head start on Rangiku to make it harder for her to follow us."

"I see... I think." The young shinigami started up as soon as the man did so.

It was not long after that, that the child on Ichimaru's back suddenly started to stir, burying his face into the man's back. However, after a few minutes, he woke up, blinking the sleep away. "Oto-san?"

"You're awake, Shiro-chan?" Gin suddenly found himself smiling, a good honest smile. This was likely due to the fact that he didn't feel down about everything, and for once had a glimmer of hope in his mind.

"Where are we going?" The boy asked, glancing around, his eyes wide as he took in everything around him.

At that, the silver haired man let out a laugh. "We're going to try something to make you better."

Toshiro suddenly stiffened, his hands holding onto his father's shoulders. "But... we've tried a lot of things before. You know that whatever we are going to do, we'll just end up failing, like always."

"You shouldn't ever give up, particularly in your dreams, little one." The man continued on the path, while the child took in everything.

Suddenly, a small hand darted forward, shaking as it did so. "Look at that house! It has that funny feet sculptures."

"Yeah... we managed to find the place." Ichigo stated firmly, his eyebrow twitching. He continued to follow the man, until they came to the front and were suddenly greeted by the Shiba clan members centuries.

"Hitsugaya-dono, what brings this visit about?" One of the large males piped up.

At that, Ichimaru smiled at them. "You don't need to add that suffix to my family name. I came from the Rukongai. I decided to bring Shiro-chan here for a visit. Can I explain things to the lady of the house, Kukaku-san?"

At that, the two males held out their hands, allowing the silver haired man and orange haired youth to step by, while Kurosaki looked around in confusion. They worked their way down stairs, until they came to a particular room and they were admitted in. The female Shiba looked over the three, then nodded to the side room. "Put the kid in there. For some reason you have something that you wish to say to me that you don't want to worry the boy with."

At that, Gin bowed to the female, and then moved into the other room, lowering the child to a futon left out for the guests, particularly in a case of an emergency. He then moved out to sit in front of the woman. "Can I run something by you?"

"I think that you'll do whatever you are going to do, even if I disagree." The woman tapped her pipe, letting some ash to fall out.

Ichimaru faced her, his face completely serious when he talked to her. "You know full well that my son is taking medicine, because it is supposed to be helping him. I am now wondering if the medicine isn't part of the problem."

"So you brought him here where that wife of yours won't kick your but when you take the kid off?" Kukaku let out a deep breath of frustration. "That isn't exactly the kind of business I want to get messed up in. If I recollect from my eldest brother, the result of you removing Toshiro-kun from the medicine before was rather drastic."

"How drastic is someone's with drawl from a drug?" The man watched her carefully.

The woman stared at the man for a few minutes. "So... you think the reason he ends up the way he does is because of an actual with drawl?" There was another moment of silence and then she waved her head. "Feel free to stay. This is something I am honestly willing to take a chance on. However..." At this, she glanced at Ichigo. "I am also interested in that young man next to you, and I think you know why."