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Fate is a creature of dark, twisted humor. One time, it grants his experiment the chance to backfire, to cut him in half with a moon-slashing strike. Another time, it compels that same experiment to cry out his name as he is being cut down.
As the pitch-black Reiatsu of the Almighty crushes Aizen's body with tremendous force, he can still hear Ichigo Kurosaki's voice ringing in his ears. The boy screamed his name instinctively, calling out to him as though they weren't strangers and former enemies.
It comes out of nowhere, as though the boy is genuinely concerned for Aizen's well-being, even though he should know better than to fall under the false impression that Aizen could be harmed. Aizen's consciousness anchors itself to his voice as the blackness swallows him whole and the Reiatsu tears his flesh apart. Now, it is only the Hōgyoku's regenerative powers racing against Yhwach's destructive potential. Unpleasant as this is, it's nothing Aizen can't come back from. Yet the Ryoka boy sounds worried, disturbed. He sounds as though he wants to extend his compulsive protectiveness to Aizen—to shield him, to save him. How utterly odd.
The way Ichigo called his name leaves a strange impression, lingering uncomfortably at the core of Aizen's being. It feels wrong because concern for his safety implies that Aizen is weak. It means the boy thinks he is stronger and that it is therefore his responsibility to help and protect him. Which is ridiculous, of course. Aizen needs none of that. Even overpowered by the Quincy King, his predicament is only temporary. And even if Ichigo Kurosaki is the stronger of the two, worrying about the weaker person is an unnecessary burden.
Still, it doesn't fuel Aizen's anger because the whole thing is too absurd and too unfamiliar. He has never experienced being the recipient of someone else's protective instinct. There had never been anyone stronger to offer him that. And this... this feels... fine. Confusing, yes, but not humiliating. It feels like having someone who could walk beside him and, for once, keep up.
Of course, he will never admit to anyone that this one moment had such an impact on him. But deep down, he clings to that feeling while drifting through the ocean of ink-black Reiatsu, fighting against the crushing pressure and trying to regain his form.
Fate is indeed a twisted little creature, meddling with his mind and beliefs like this. He had always thought he was destined for greatness, destined to stand alone at the top. But then the human boy came and surpassed him, and now that same boy is even willing to protect him like everyone else.
What an elaborate way to mock Sōsuke Aizen. He couldn't have planned it better himself.
