"He had extensive injuries when you brought him here. I should have been notified earlier."

"Don't worry too much about fixing him. Just make sure he doesn't die."

"…I see. He should be fine now."

"Thanks Unohana-taichou."

The guard made a cursory glance at the cell where the young man was restrained. The white coat immobilizing his arms was the main thing he could see.

"Guard…"

With a confused look the guard leaned in. "What do you want?!"

For a moment Izuru paused. When his voice finally came it was soft but demanding.

"Tell me. Where is he?"

"Who?"

"Where is Captain Ichimaru?"

The man growled with disgust. "He got the hell out of here and left you to die."

"Where is he? I don't want to hear your bullshit anymore."

Taking a step back the guard stared at his prisoner.

This guy…I remember him from when I was in squad three. I never imagined that he was a turncoat. I can't even remember him raising his voice once, he was so kind. I guess you never can tell. He was hiding his true self all along.

"Don't know. Don't care." The guard spat out before walking away. "You'll rot in there before he comes back. You're not something worth dying for."

As he was left alone again the former lieutenant stared at the floor.

It looks as if I've been abandoned.

I know he'll come back for me.

I know it.

But this waiting…it's horrible. Looking back now I had nothing to feel sorry for.

Shuuhei was right. I didn't do anything wrong.

The system was wrong.

This system of guilty until proven innocent – it's corrupt. And then the Seireitei looks down on everyone. How come I never noticed the injustice here before?

Renji-kun, Rukia-san, Hitsugaya-san, Rangiku-san and even you Captain Ichimaru.

They were all from the poorest districts.

Dirt beneath the noble's feet.

No one cared about them until they were useful to the system.

This corrupt system.

I really…really hate it.

Izuru tried to move his arms. Looking up he tried to raise some energy and found it difficult, but not impossible.

They didn't seal my abilities. Those self righteous idiots.

As the night wore on the man silently began his work, rocking gently forward and back under the pale silver moonlight.

The explosion echoed through the night.

Renji stumbled upon the ruins of the jailhouse, looking through the rubble for any signs of life.

Izuru's cell! He'll be trapped!

Searching through the debris he uncovered a man with a scraggly mustache who was lying limp on the ground. The man tried to reach out but his arm fell with a dead thud by his side.

"You….got here …quick."

"HEY!" Renji yelled, kneeling beside him. "Which cell is Kira in? The jail collapsed on you guys."

The guard coughed, red fluid trickling down his mouth. "You're an idiot…he did it."

"You mean….you're telling me that Kira…."

"He managed to get his arms loose. He used a spell to break the door and when I went to stop him he blew me aside. Once he grabbed his zanpakuto he blew it all sky high.

What the hell are you thinking?! Renji cursed, clenching his fists as he stood up.

"What's this?" A young woman from fourth squad yelled. "AHHH! Sir, you're really knocked up!" Looking to Renji the girl smiled.

"I can take care of it sir."

"Good. Because I have something to take care of myself!"

As Renji flew across the buildings he felt other spirits stirring in the night. As he moved faster and faster he followed an ominous trail to the gates of their world.

He's trying to leave soul society and leaving a trail of corpses in his wake! Kira…you've really lost it this time haven't you? Wake up already!

The gate was open when he arrived, the guards staring with unblinking eyes as they lie on the ground. Commanding Zabimaru into its shikai the red-haired lieutenant cautiously stepped through the portal.

"You followed me."

We're in the dangai? They must have noticed and cut off travel to the living world.

"What the hell are you doing Izuru?! Why did you break out of jail and why are you trying to leave Soul Society?!"

Izuru continued to walk, not bothering to answer his friend. Renji flashed in front of him, blocking his path.

"Tell me."

For a moment the escapee lowered his head. "Renji…"

He moved forward, a look of sadness on his face as he approached.

"I'm sorry. I know I've caused everyone a lot of trouble."

"It's time we go back. Back to soul society."

As Izuru reached him the man shook his head, looking right into his friends eyes.

"That…is no longer an option."

As Renji frowned a flash caught his eye and suddenly a bloody mist covered his eyes. He jarred as his knees hit the ground and felt the pain in his shoulder. As he turned to look up at Izuru the other man returned his gaze.

"I'm sorry. I will not return. This is the last time we'll speak, Abarai-kun."

"You….bastard…" Renji hissed, unable to move as Izuru walked away unhurried. From the darkness stepped a form in white.

"Ya shoulda known better Abarai-kun. It's not wise to get between me and Izuru. People die that way."

"So you're going to betray us like he did?"

Izuru turned to glare at him, the anger in his eyes stopping Renji's tirade.

"I…betray? No. I was loyal this entire time. It wasn't me betraying soul society – rather the soul society betrayed me! They cast me as guilty without bothering to check their facts!"

Turning away the young man sighed. "Besides. Now I know that the only loyalty I can have is to my captain. That's the only loyalty I need."

"Don't be an idiot! If you think he actually cares about you you're wrong! He'll turn on you the moment you're useless to him!"

Izuru nodded.

"I know. He'll kill me if I become a burden. That's why I'll do my best to remain useful. And if I fail then our separation would inevitably lead to my death in any case – even if I didn't die by his actions. I see that now after living here without him I was slowly dying inside, powerless to stop it. As a Lieutenant you hold loyal to your Captain. But my devotion goes deeper than that. I will follow Captain Ichimaru to the ends of the world and beyond because for me… my path is a silver colored path."

With a final look, Izuru challenged him with his eyes.

"Anyone who tries to stop me from following Captain Ichimaru is my enemy. And my enemies will die."

As Renji watched his longtime friend stare at him with such resolution he felt a sense of defeat.

If I drag him back like this he'll try to escape again. And if I do manage to keep him here he'll be executed as a traitor. There's no way they'll let him off this time…

He could hear the distant cries of people approaching the gate. If he rose he could hold them until help arrived…

"Izuru…you're more stubborn then I would have though possible. That'll get you killed here. It's too bad I can't fight you and make you see how stupid you're being. I just don't have the power.
Looking at his friend Izuru saw an almost pleading look in Renji's eyes.

He can get up. That strike was no where near his limit.

He's letting me go.

"You're right though." Renji continued. "We won't see each other again. And if we do, we'll be enemies." You better get stronger cause' I plan on dragging your sorry ass all the way back to soul society."

With a smile, Izuru nodded.

I understand. Thank you.

Renji could only watch as his friend followed the silver haired traitor into the darkness until they both vanished from sight.

So…where do we go from here?