Thank you personally to all my reviewers, both anon and not, for reviewing and sticking with this story/finding it and giving it a chance despite my shoddy update times. I dedicate this chapter to you guys. You're my heroes. I applaud you and you have my deepest thanks.

I am now in the double-digit chapters—for the first time. Ecstatic.

Enjoy.

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Chapter 10- Nary an Occasion for Reprieve

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Ichigo

I stared in wide-eyed wonder at the strange—yet content—man before me. His rosy cheeks were lifted with an absent smile and grey hazy eyes blearily crinkled at the corners. "Cat got your tongue? Well, this is will be an incredibly one sided conversation." Unhurriedly, He slowly lowered himself and sat cross-legged upon the surface and shifted until he was perfectly comfortable. He set the jug in the middle of his lap and rested his hands within his long sleeves. The pink and white flowers danced about the surface as gentle ripples pulsed away from him and I, like tinkling laughter.

I couldn't help but blink owlishly at the strange man. I licked my lips nervously, the burn of the liquid bursting upon my taste buds. Now calm, the taste registered on my lips. Alcohol?

Stopping and glancing down at the rippling surface, mind quickly becoming boggled, the man chuckled.

"I can see you've figured out the truth already, hm?"

Looking back at him in bemusement, the man gently shifted—crossed ankles moving the jug into a more precarious angle—causing the alcohol to tinkle with melody as the flowers danced in the tiny little waves once more, he smiled at me. "If you should like, you may drink and I shall show you the absolute truth. Would you care to share a sip with me?"

Slowly starting to deny, my answer was interrupted by the sound of shuffling feet from above. Nel's voice called down frantically. "Ichigo?!"

Shunsui's vaguely vacant eyes dazedly rolled to the ceiling, smile not once faltering. "Mmm? What's this?" His head cocked and watched as little bits of debris fell from above and into the pool below. The sound of crunching and crumbling above grew in intensity. Shunsui frowned a bit, a soft hum escaping him. "It appears a friend of yours is going to—"

The sound of Earth giving way and the whoosh of a body through air echoed before a great splash of sake roared all around, I hurriedly tried to finish climbing out of the earthen bowl. Realizing it was a fool's hope, I braced myself and slammed my eyes shut. A decent sized tidal wave of alcohol slapped against me, and splashed over the rim in a wasteful surge, the soft brushing of disturbed flowers swept against my skin. The sound of gentle music turned into a wreck of disconsonant sound, warbled and explosive. I turned in shock, watching as Shunsui rocked to and fro and spun round wildly with each wave. And as they slowly settled with each lapse, the music settled and Shunsui slowly bobbed back to his original place.

We both turned to watch as a head—shortly followed by a torso—rose above the surface. Eyes burning a hellish red from the sting of alcohol into unprotected eyes, Grimmjow turned directly to me. His hair was flattened to his skull as he waded towards me. Jerking my leg down from the rim, I stepped towards him, rubbing frantically at his damaged eyes, afraid that he would go blind. He showed no cognizant reaction to the alcohol in them and simply stood there.

With each swipe, in between, his eyes would lazily slide open and stare into my own. I soon felt my face heating up in embarrassment quickly, ever conscious of the audience we had. While I was distracted by rubbing at his eyes, the smell of blossoms filled my nose. Glancing behind me, I jumped when I saw that Shunsui was leaning almost directly over my shoulder.

He rubbed his scruffy chin in thought with an absent hum. "Hmmm… I wouldn't worry about his eyes. It would appear they are already repairing themselves. The redness should be gone within a few minutes or so."

I froze in surprise, my gaze shooting directly to my friends. Those vacant blues had not once turned away from me and as I leaned closer, I could see the truth in the strange man's statement. Wonder slackened my hands as I stared into Grimmjow's eyes. They never turned from mine, so close and so captivating. Without thought, my thumb swiped once more at his lashes, the eye closing only to open lazily once more.

I am uncertain how long we stood like this, sharing each other's breath before the clearing of a throat brought my attention to just how close we were… how intimate. My eyes bulged as I stepped back, silently panicking, and turned my gaze to our forgotten spectator. Shunsui had a knowing smirk cast in our direction.

He tossed a careless hand about him. "Shall I leave you two to it?"

I paled and frantically waved my hands, forming a desperate X with my arms. His eyes widened before a devious smirk grew. "Ooooh? Nnno? Perhaps I read this situation incorrectly?"

I nodded fast. Yes! Yes, you did!

His eyebrows grew higher until they practically touched his hairline, eyes teasing and bright with mischief. He sniffed and took a quick swig of his jug. He glanced between us, before his focus sharpened on Grimmjow. His eyes opened in surprise. "Waaait," he pointed at him. "I recognize you. From years ago…" His finger shifted to me. I stared at it in confusion. "Ah… and you…"

Shunsui stepped closer, hand brushing at my tunic. "…. You must be the young man from before—but all grown up." He chuckled "Well, well, well. Would you look at that."

I stared at him in confusion, head cocked in question. I had no idea of what he was talking about. Damn it, what couldn't I remember!? My brows furrowed deeper—just as the sting of alcohol reached my still open wounds. With a hiss, I finally scrambled out of the earthen bowl, slopping the strong smelling liquid every which direction. Pondering over my lack of memory as I wrung what I could out of my clothes, I heard Grimmjow wade closer and the smell of blossoms not far behind that.

Glancing up, both men were staring at me—Shunsui in a bemused degree of wonder. He stroked at his scruff once more. "Hmmm… judging from your reaction, you don't remember me." He glanced at Grimmjow. "… Or him."

Staring into those oddly wise eyes, I agreed in the negative. Those happy greys darkened with sadness. "Ah.. That is too bad."

"It wasn't his doing…" We both glanced to Grimmjow, his gaze still trained on me as he climbed over the edge of the bowl. "… His village is cursed. Cursed with unknowing."

Shunsui hummed in understanding, those curious eyes once more on my person. "Makes one wonder what you did to piss off whoever did this to you."

I scowled at him as I pulled my boots off, pouring out what liquid had gotten within. Irritating chuckles filled the silence.

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Pesche

I think my heart exploded. No seriously. I don't think I can take much more of this. How many times do I have to watch Ichigo fall until it really does explode?! Gods, I have more grey hairs than an old man and I didn't have any hair!

We all scrambled along the edge of the hole, looking and peering for any sight of the two idiots who fell through.

"Ichigo?! Grimm?!" Nel kept yelling more and more frantic, unable to see a bottom and unable to determine a safe way down. Just as she was getting ready to jump in herself, the giant beast of a man-but-really-in-denial-at-least-half-giant Kenpachi grabbed hold of her shoulder.

"Wait, you moron."

Nel turned around, mouth opened and ready to return fire when he waved her off with a menacing scowl and continued.

"Wait. Let the naked fool work. I doubt he'll let anything harm Ichigo."

She paused and looked thoughtful before nodding and determinedly looking into the hole, waiting impatiently.

My eyes bugged from my head as me and my muddiest buddy shared terrified glances. Anyone or anything that could make Nel stop and think when it came to something like this was truly formidable. We backed away from the man-giant and stuck close to BowaBowa for safety.

Because of course it would be a friggen huge gorilla with anger issues the length of the mountain range that could calm Nel's own insatiable fire.

With that thought, I had traumatizing images of a naked gorilla man-giant and Nel doing things that grown adults do with hot and heavy breaths and moaning and biting, l-licking. Promptly clawing at my eyes and screaming in horror, Dondo—buddy, ol' pal o' mine, gods bless his crunchy soul—patted my back in petrified comfort, and I fell to my knees and writhed.

NO! I RUINED MYSELF! RUINED I SAY!

… Needless to say, suddenly Ichigo and Grimmie-poo's well-being took a backseat to the spectacle above ground.

"Dondo! Do me a favor and kill me! Put my head in a hole and crush it with rocks, life isn't worth living anymore!"

Aahh... Dramatics, my speciality.

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Renji

I shifted the ledger away from me, ears tilted to the ceiling. What in the gods names was that sound? Turning to look behind me, confusion was a cloak upon my shoulders.

Mmm.

There! There it was again! A distant concussion… a rumble? Setting down my quill, I rose from my kneeling position. Exiting my office, I stepped out onto my porch. Countless others who had heard or felt the small tremors were outside too, nervous chatter betwixt one another as to what it could be. Defensive arms were crossed over chests compressed with hunched shoulders as many watched the moon rise from its daytime slumber.

"What is it?"

"What could it be?"

"Hasn't enough bad already befallen us? What more can we take?"

"What gods have we angered? What have we done?"

"Daddy… I'm tired of being scared."

"… Me too, son… Me too."

On and on, whispers of fear and terror whipped round and round. I swallowed my anger at the injustice and spied Byakuya in the distance watching the sky suspiciously. He glanced down and caught my gaze, sharing a nod of understanding between us.

"Ah! What is that?!"

Everyone's attention jerked forwards to the sky as what appeared to be a black mist came billowing around the distant mountains, headed our way. Quickly stalking over to the guardsman, I rested a solemn hand on his shoulder. "Have you any idea what that could be?"

He shook his head no, moue hardening. "I have not, however… I doubt it is anything good."

We watched a bit as it slowly grew bigger. His eyes narrowed. "Perhaps we should gather everyone insi—"

"AAAH!"

Screams erupted as people stumbled back, many turning to run and knocking others down. Chaos erupted as my own gaze returned to the skies. Fear flooded my veins as the once far entity was suddenly spilling over the village walls—a dark cloud of abyss. People shoved and screamed as they ran and were swallowed whole.

Byakuya jerked to and began ordering his men to gather and direct the villagers as steadily more and more people were swallowed by the fast moving darkness. Horrified, I ran too. My gods, what was happening?! Leaping over a fallen old man, I hefted him to his feet and drug him along the road. It was with the courthouse in view that I felt the icy darkness engulf us.

Everything became silent and it became dark, not even my own panting breaths were heard. All was quiet and still.

And then the laughter started.

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Szayel

"Brother."

I stopped and glanced at the young male sprite. "What," I snapped.

He flinched and bowed his head. "Forgive me for intruding, however one of our scouts found peculiar activity heading directly through the forest to the human village at its foot. T'was a black cloud of smoke. She was unable to keep up with the speed it moved and returned once she was certain of its direction."

Nodding my understanding, I looked off into the night. Anger—a rage that had been my constant companion for many years now—clouded my judgment. I attempted to beat back the haze with deep breaths and cool, calm thoughts. But insidious memories haunted my mind, ripping the peace from my very soul.

Memories of a painful past that stole my sanity and left me a fraction of the person I once was. I wasn't ignorant to the demons chasing my tail, to the monsters in the dark. All figurative and literal, I was constantly hunted.

Oh, Moira… My dear, sweet Moira.

Shaking my head like a wet beast shakes water from fur, I doggedly dodged all thoughts completely. Let me be blank. Let me be blank.

My gods, let me please be blank…

The sounds of terror called up from the afflicted village, my group much closer than ever before. My men turned to the sound and listened in apathy. My nose twitched with the sickly sweet scent of evil, of nasty spell work.

What was afflicting the little monkeys now? Sniffing with disdain, I turned from the village; my scarred back the answer to their cries for help.

"We move out in five. I wish to sleep this morn and those banshees shall make it impossible."

Agreeing chuckles filled the clearing as I walked away from the horror behind me, allowing the violence to perpetuate indefinitely.

After all, negligence was the better part of valor. Much better than the genocide those monkeys attempted upon us. My fingers gripped so tightly, my knuckles split over too tight skin.

Yesssss…. Negligence was the better part of valor.

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Aizen

It was as I was discussing the village attacks with my men when the darkness swarmed us. Gin had been in the middle of stating going into the forest ourselves, Tousen quick to say that it was forbidden, against direct orders, when we could no longer perceive one another. Freezing in my spot, I slowly lowered my hand to where I knew my sword was at my hip. Closing my eyes and focusing best I could for any slight change, I kept perfectly still.

The deep-seated rage that I held within slowly rose to the surface, my blood calling for the absolute destruction of this entity. How dare it continuedly harm what was mine?

My wife.

My men.

These people.

This village.

All of them, everything. It was mine. And it was being destroyed beneath my own nose and it was infuriating. The slight crease in my brows was the only sign of my internal displeasure, a near perfect picture of concentration and poise.

The shifting of air behind me and before whatever it was could even possibly breathe, my sword was slashed back and through it. A gurgled hiss reached my ears and the darkness around me softly faded. My eyes slid open with a burning hate, a serene smile tossed its way as blank eyes and chomping teeth fell to the ground, fading into nothing. Looking behind me to my men, I saw that both also stood at the ready.

Sensing that the darkness had retracted just slightly, they shifted their stances into more relaxed positions. My smile grew softly, pride and rage swelling within me.

"My men," I called sweetly. Both their ears perked and their complete attentions were on me. "How do we fight an enemy that we cannot see?"

Gin scrunched his nose before grinning obscenely, fox-ish features turning sinister. "Oh, I woul' think listenin' woul' be da best way, ne Tousen?"

The darker skinned man hummed in agreement. My eyes crinkled with praise. "Very good. In that case, Tousen."

His sightless eyes shifted to me, visor gleaming with moonlight, the grasps of the darkness billowing and pulling at our clothing. My eyes narrowed in fury, my smile turned pointed. "Slaughter."

He nodded once and without hesitation, leapt into the darkness, blade at the ready and feet silent. Gin and I stood there for a moment before the slighter man turned to me, his smile teasing.

"Mmmm? And what of Momo, captain? We ain't f'rgettin' her, no way, ne?"

My sharp gaze narrowed in on my man, his smile turning strained as he realized he overstepped a line. He backed down and bowed his head in apology. I smiled softly and patted his head in placation. "Oh not to worry, Gin. Momo is where you and I shall go first. She sadly had to run a few errands tonight and was unable to join us directly. She will be in the northern end of the village. We go there and find her and we annihilate this threat."

He nodded once and then his pleased smile returned. "Sounds mighty fine ta me!"

And then we dashed into the darkness once more, running and slashing down what foes that came in our way to my wife. For certain, I would not let another of my villagers die tonight. But were my wife to meet that fate?

… There would be no heaven or hell that would protect the perpetrator from my complete and focused wrath.

I blinked serenely as Gin and I made our way through the village, much like a well-oiled machine. But let's not get ahead of myself; Momo could take care of herself, no need to worry.

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Ichigo

Shunsui eyed the splashed liquid with great humor, eyes all but laughing at my misery. "Would you like to borrow a robe or such? You are positively drenched and I doubt you will enjoy smelling like sake and being sticky throughout the day. I bet everyone you cross will call you an old drunkard, such as me." He chuckled and took another hearty gulp from his jug and sat once more upon the pool's surface.

Glancing to his flowered robe and the odd shoes upon his feet, I shrugged. What could I do? Kenpachi was far too big for me, Pesche and Dondochakka only wore loincloths and Nel was a woman…

Nodding my ascent, he stared at me in surprise before truly smiling. Not a soft smirk or smug grin, but a toothy smile that brightened his eyes and made him more jovial. "Well alright then, one moment. I might have a spare. It'll be a bit big but hey, better than the nude, hmmm?"

He teasingly eyeballed Grimm before turning to me and winking. Turning red with embarrassment I glanced at my blue haired friend then back to where Shunsui had been. Glancing around for him, I jumped in fright when the sounds of soft tinkling music and the light touch from behind my shoulder shocked me. Quickly turning, I stared in horror as Shunsui chuckled merrily, a near identical outfit to the one he wore in hand.

"This is only on lend until you find new clothes. I do wish to have this back at some point."

I nodded my understanding once more as I quickly changed before them both. Though it was incredibly awkward, both pairs of eyes watched my every movement. I caught the moment Shunsui took note of my scars, brows tightening just slightly, though his smile stayed in place.

The tension was broken when he finally spoke. "So, what brings you both out my way once more? Very few head out this way." He motioned to the hole in the roof of the cave. "See? Same hole you all fell in last time." His eyes narrowed in amusement. "Though… it seems to have grown bigger since then." His greys flashed to me laughingly, before turning back to us completely.

"Needless to say, no one else has fallen in since you two previously. Not surprising really, but unexpected."

I glanced to Grimmjow who still had not looked away from me once. He answered without acknowledging Shunsui. "… We are hunting down the shadow."

Shunsui's gaze darkened drastically, it was terrifying honestly. "Oh? You hunt the terror itself?"

His hand rubbed at his chin as he paced along the solid ground, feet never once leaving the huge puddle of sake upon it. "True that it has become more quiet since the damned thing grew in power. So few drink in merriment anymore, I am left with many who wallow in pity and sorrow… It is quite lonely."

Blinking at him in confusion, I scratched at my tacky, pungent hair. Shunsui laughed quietly as he nodded to me. "I will explain later."

He suddenly sunk into the puddle and—following the sound of the tinkling music—popped back up in the huge earthen bowl behind me. Swiftly turning, I gazed at him. Gazing about his cave, he smiled back at us. "Should you have need of me, I am more than willing to help."

He sat down at the bowl's edge, chin resting in a palm. "I might not be any good at fighting, however wherever drinks are flowing, I will be there. And with it, the truth always flows too. Good thing even the evil drink, hmm?"

Tilting my head in question, I wondered what he meant. Was he confined by the very liquid he was sitting upon? If so, how could he help us?

Spying my confusion he chuckled and removed his jug from his lap. Popping the cork from the top, he dipped it below the surface and filled it to overflowing. Placing the top back within, liquor ran down the sides and he held it aloft to me. As I reached forward to take it, he smiled.

"Should you ever have questions, fill a cup with the sake within this jug. I will be able to speak to you through it. But be warned, use it sparingly… I only have the one jug and once it's gone, it's gone unless you return here or happen to find another source of alcohol."

He shrugged noncommittally. "But again, that is your decision, not mine. Use it how you will, but please treat it kindly. It is very dear to me."

I nodded gravely, and placed the jug within a deep strap beneath the floral robe he gave me. Smiling, he sighed and leaned back. "Well then, don't let me hold you up. Go, go. Enjoy your merry chase through thick and thin. I will keep my eyes and ears open for any news or word from the shadow's side." His eyes darkened for a moment before softening in a haze once more. "After a nap, of course."

He laid back and yawned loudly, arms beneath head and legs crossed. "I wish you best of luck," he murmured sleepily before sinking beneath the surface with the tinkling of the floating flowers.

Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I turned to Grimmjow and jerked my chin up towards the giant hole. He glanced to it and nodded once, before hefting me off my feet. I yelped and beat at his shoulders as he raised me through the earth and tossed me up.

Bouncing up onto solid ground, I was tackled by strong arms and a pillowy chest. Nel was yelling unintelligibly into my ear, tears wetting my new outfit.

I could barely hear the sounds of Grimm climbing up himself, before the wet splat of soaked, stinking clothes and my packs hit the ground beside us. Nel finally allowed me to move as she stared in surprise at my new look.

Blinking owlishly, she glanced to Grimmjow as she discretely covered her sensitive nose while her fingers gently lifted and pulled at the strange robe. "What on earth happened?"

Grimmjow glanced to me before at last looking away to Nel. "… We made an ally."

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Yes. Aizen is a "good guy." Yes. He is terrifying. Welcome to my Aizen headcannon, if a bit altered for the AU. A lot sociopathic, and a bit psychotic. 100% possessive. A "good guy" but still dark. As you will find most the people in this story are, there are few distinctions of people who are strictly good and strictly bad. Many are in the grey area and are only interested in their own personal gain/retribution.

All good fun, yeah?