1-6 Rukia and Kaien: A Sorrowful Reunion

(It can't be... But that voice...)

Lieutenant Shiba?

Good. I can finally relax now.

Sorry, but I simply cannot stand the sunlight out there.

My name is Aaroniero.

Aaroniero Arruruerie, also known as Espada Number Nine.

Lieutenant Shiba?

Please answer me, Kaien!

Is that really... Is that really you, Lieutenant?

(Wait! What am I talking about? Kaien Shiba is dead. He can't be here. I killed him myself that night long ago.)

Heh, yeah. It's been a while.

You're looking well, Rukia.

Ah...

Hey, what's with that puzzled look on your face?

Come on! Aren't you glad that your beloved Kaien Shiba is alive and well?

It is Lieutenant Shiba.

This feeling again, like the warmth of the sun slowly moving over my hand.

It's Lieutenant Shiba's warmth.

Well it looks like you finally believe me now.

You and I have got an awful lot of catching up to do!

That last night, my physical body began to crumble right after the battle and later, when I finished saying my goodbyes to the Shiba home, I disintegrated.

That Hollow was one of Aizen's test subjects. After being destroyed, it returned to Hueco Mundo and regenerated itself. Apparently, that's how it was designed.

The Hollow had fused its body to mine, and when it regenerated, it came back in my physical form. I guess it probably all went according to their master plan.

But for some reason, after the regeneration was completed, my mind was the one in charge of our combined body.

Anyway, that's the story of how I got my body back. I took one of the Espada's places, and I've been waiting ever since for a chance to get my revenge on Aizen.

Hm...

Outside... You saw the blue skies?

Aizen created those blue skies on Las Noches' ceiling, like paint on a canvas.

Everything the light from those blue skies touches is under Aizen's watchful surveillance.

Is that the reason why you brought me inside here?

I'm just glad that it was you who ended up in here.

I've got a plan, and I think you're the only person who can help me pull it off successfully.

Let's move somewhere else. Come, follow me, Rukia.

Okay!

Huh?!

Well, well. You improved a lot more than I thought.

Rukia.

Ngh!

This makes me so happy. Back in the day, that attack would have killed you instantly.

It's very gratifying to see my student grow.

T-Tell me... What's the truth? How much is really true?

All of it. Did you think that I was a fake?

What? Is there something strange about a scenario where I'm trying to kill you?

I am Kaien Shiba. I'm the former lieutenant of Squad 13, here in Hueco Mundo because I was fused with a Hollow.

And you. You're Rukia Kuchiki.

You're the one who took my life.

Ah...

So are you prepared to be killed by me, Rukia?

Uh...

I'm asking if you are prepared...prepared to atone for your crime by dying at the hands of the man that you murdered.

Yes, I am.

However, not right now. I need you to wait.

If killing me can take away the burden and grudge you have against me, I will gladly offer you my life.

But first, I came to Hueco Mundo to bring Orihime back home. I came here to save my friend.

No matter what you say or how I feel, until I've saved Orihime and returned her safely to the world of the living, I can't give you my life.

Heh...

Relax, it was all just a joke!

You deserve to die for killing me, but I'd never think of doing something as silly as killing you for my personal revenge.

I told you...

I have a plan that only you can help with.

Something I can do for you?

Yeah.