Road to Ruin

Chapter 22: The Inferno

A/N: Hello my dear readers! Hope you're having a good time with the story. A bit warning this chapter could be triggering for people with a fear of fire, so if you are sensitive to that you might want to skip some part of it. Trust me you'll know which one. Next chapter will also deal with heavy stuff so I advise you my lovelies thread with caution. Regardless I hope you enjoy and Thanks for reading! 🤗😋

©Bleach and its characters don't belong to me. They belong to Tite Kubo and Shounen Jump. Only Anna, Jeanne, and the Fujiwara family belong to me.

Chapter 22: The Inferno

"All that's left is to do it's test if the Hogyoku's power can be used to break the barrier between species. Should that be done successfully then we'll know it's ready. If not, we must keep trying."

Anna's words troubled him. He was relieved that it was likely their journey would come to an end this soon, but even after all this time, he didn't feel ready.

"I'll take care of the testing. There are a few subjects I have in mind." He told her. "How are the Arrancar?"

"They're like a bunch of hyperactive kids sometimes, but I went yesterday and they seem calm enough. We'll have to expand the territory soon."

"Good. I'll head back to the squad. Stay safe."

Sosuke gave his wife a kiss and headed back. He was careful not to get followed and had activated his shikai before leaving. Anyone else would just think he was at the squad.

"Hello, lieutenant Aizen! We were both waiting for you to get back! Captain Hirako left some paperwork to finish, he has a meeting." Gin and Kaname were the only ones that knew he had left

"I'll get to it now. You can both go back to your duties."

Gin left to deliver some papers, leaving him and Kaname alone in the office.

"There's something about that child that disturbs me. Do you think he wants to turn his sword against us?"

"You do not have to worry Kaname-kun. He's not going to turn his sword on you. That child seems to have a grudge against me."

"Then why would you allow him to join us?"

"It's best to keep your enemies closer. Gin is intelligent, I'd rather keep him as an ally for now. Besides, we all need fear to evolve. The threat of betrayal shall keep us alert."

***
The entire ordeal had been different from what he expected. Sosuke was predictable, a man of intelligence and guile that could fool anyone else with a smile.

Anna and Kaname were another matter entirely.

Kaname was usually quiet and his poetic ramblings did get on his nerves. Still, Gin could tell the man was truly righteous and believed in his goals wholeheartedly.

Anna was the older sister he'd always wanted. She was cool, smart and loved to cook. He hadn't met anyone who actually cared about Rukon kids like him and Rangiku. Which made it all the odder than she'd be so attached to someone like Sosuke.

'Appearances can be deceiving' he reminded himself.

After all, to anyone else he was a sweet little boy, they wouldn't suspect he had blood on his hands.

He waited silently as Anna finished cooking the dumplings.

"You're quiet today. Something wrong?" Anna asked as she passed him the plate full of dumplings.

"No, I'm just tried. I thought being a shinigami would be less work than the worst of Rukon. Guess I was wrong."

Anna sighed. "I'm sorry. It's harsh when you realize that there's not much distinction between Sereitei or Rukon. At least there's food."