3rd Person POV

Zero Two is crying as Zero passes out. Zero Two holds Zero in her arms.

Zero Two: If you're my darling from my childhood...what have I done?

Ichigo comes running in.

Ichigo: Zero? Zero?

Ichigo sees the state Zero is in and gets furious. She pulls Zero from Zero Two's arms and tries to revive him.

Ichigo: Zero? Come on, Zero, speak to me!

Zero Two: I can help.

Ichigo: STAY AWAY FROM HIM!

Zero Two slowly takes steps back.

Ichigo: STAY AWAY FROM HIM! YOU HEAR ME?

Zero is then taken into a hospital to be worked on. Zero Two waits outside the infirmary. The rest of Squad 13 is close by. Ichigo has an arm in cast.

Zero Two: I need to see him. He needs me.

Ichigo steps in front of Zero Two.

Ichigo: No you don't! It's your fault that he is this way! How could you? He trusted you and yet you attacked him? He was never your darling was he? You can't see him anymore!

Goro/Miku: Calm down, Ichigo.

Ichigo: No! I won't! He attacked someone from our squad! That's unforgivable!

Zero Two: I said that I was sorry. Now get out of my way!

Ichigo: I won't let you! Only team members can see him and you're no longer a team member! I honestly thought that we were. I guess I was wrong.

Later, Zero wakes up and is surrounded by Squad 13.

Ichigo: You're awake! How do you feel?

Zero: I've been better. Where is Zero Two?

Ichigo: I stopped her from seeing you.

Zero: Why?

Ichigo: To protect you. We're all here to protect you.

Squad 13 begins to leave.

Zero: Hiro?

Hiro: Yeah?

Zero: She didn't do this on purpose. She's just like me. I'm a monster like her.

Hiro: Shut up.

Zero: What?

Hiro: I SAID SHUT UP! YOU'RE NO MONSTER!

Zero: Then explain the horns.

Hiro: You're no monster. Do you know how helpless I feel? If she had grabbed me, I would've died. I should've stopped her. I noticed her change in behavior and did nothing. I could've prevented this.

Zero is silent.

Hiro: Listen to Ichigo. Stay away from Zero Two.

Zero: I can't do that. I have something to tell her.

Guards enter Zero's room as Hiro leaves.

Guard: How are you feeling?

Zero: How do you think? What's going on?

Guard: More Klaxosaurs. Squad 13 is scheduled to help out with the 9's.

Zero: I need to get out there.

Guard: I'm afraid that I can't let you do that.

Zero: Why not?

Guard: You got a decision to make. Either you or Zero Two has to go. Papa wants Zero Two to leave but he is leaving the choice to you.

Guard: If I leave, where do I go?

Guard: You'll be removed from Squad 13. Zero Two will remain. You will then join the 9's. They are under Papa's command.

Zero: How long do I have to decide?

Guard: Until tomorrow morning. I'll leave now to let you decide.

Meanwhile...

Nana: Okay, Squad 13, suit up. This will be your most difficult mission yet.

Ichigo: Zero Two must be removed from this squad. If not, then we will not help.

Nana: Very well.

Zero Two: How can you say that? You need me! You don't have darling! You'll need all the help you can get.

Squad 13 is silent.

Zero Two: Hiro, please understand.

Hiro is silent. Meanwhile, Zero is in his room and tries to leave. Miku is outside guarding his room.

Miku: What are you doing?

Zero: I need to talk to Zero Two.

Miku: I won't let you. I am standing guard here. I can't let you leave.

Zero: Come on, Miku.

Miku: No.

Zero: Miku...

Miku: I SAID NO!

Meanwhile, Zero Two has been sent to a different room. It is being guarded by Futoshi and Zorome.

Zero Two: Out of my way! I need to see my darling!

Futoshi: Absolutely not.

Zorome: We'll stop you.

Zero Two: You really think so?

Ichigo heads into Zero's room with apple slices.

Ichigo: Hey, brought you something.

Zero: Thanks.

Ichigo hands Zero the apple slices.

Zero: They remind me of her horns.

Ichigo: Stay away from her.

Zero: Ichigo...

Ichigo: I hate her. Don't leave this room. Promise me that you won't.

Zero: I promise.

Ichigo: Good. I have to leave now.

Ichigo leaves.

Zero: I'm sorry, Ichigo, but this is important.

Zero leaves his room. Zero Two breaks out of her room and enters the hallway where Squad 13 faces her. Ichigo steps in front of Zero Two.

Zero Two: Out of my way!

Ichigo: Why? You'll just hurt him some more!

Goro: You should let them see each other, Ichigo.

Kokoro: I agree. It's sad seeing them apart.

Goro: She can see him but we'll be there too.

Squad 13 leads Zero Two to Zero's room but it is empty. Zero Two becomes furious.

Zero Two: YOU TRICKED ME! HOW DARE YOU!

Zero reaches Zero Two's room.

Zero: Darling, we need to talk.

Silence.

Zero: Darling, it's important.

Silence. Zero sighs and heads back to his room. In the hallway, he finds Squad 13 unconscious and Zero Two strangling Ichigo.

Zero Two: Darling! At last we're united! Let's have a chat!

Ichigo: (Weakly) Zero...run.

Zero Two drops Ichigo.

Zero: Who are you? You're not my darling.

Zero walks away.

Zero Two: What have I done? I guess this is my punishment.

In the morning, Squad 13 is awake and in their meeting room.

Ichigo: Where is Zero?

Hiro: I don't know. I didn't see him this morning.

Zero Two enters.

Ichigo: What are you still doing here?

Nana appears.

Ichigo: Where is Zero?

Nana: Zero is being transferred.

Zero Two: What?

Ichigo: What about Zero Two?

Nana: She will remain her but will not be allowed to interact with Squad 13.

Ichigo: Where is Zero?

Nana: He's leaving as we speak.

Zero Two and Ichigo run outside to see Zero being lead away by guards.

Ichigo: Zero, what are you doing?

Zero: I had to make a choice. Either Zero Two or I had to leave.

Ichigo: Why did you choose yourself?

Zero: You need Zero Two. That's why. I was planning on leaving anyway. I guess this works.

Ichigo: No...I won't let you!

Zero Two: Darling, you said that you'd stay with me!

Zero: I'm sorry but this how it has to be. This is goodbye.

Zero is lead away. Ichigo and Zero Two try to run to Zero but guards hold them back.

Ichigo: ZERO, GET BACK HERE! ZERO, THIS ISN'T FAIR!

Zero Two: COME BACK TO ME, DARLING! PLEASE STAY! I SHOULD LEAVE! NOT YOU!

Ichigo: ZERO! ZERO! ZERO!

Zero Two: DARLING!

Zero Two/Ichigo: I LOVE YOU! PLEASE STAY!

The guards tackle Ichigo and Zero Two the ground. Zero is lead away. Ichigo and Zero Two continue to scream his name and tell him stay. Zero prepares to step upon his ship.

Zero: (Whispers) I'm sorry.

Zero boards the ship and it flies away. Zero Two and Ichigo see the ship fly away and scream Zero's name. The ship goes out of view. Ichigo and Zero Two break down in tears.