Disclaimer: The plot is mine and the characters are borrowed in the work of fan-made fiction off of which no money is made.

Author's note: This plot occurred to me while I was at work and I decided to go ahead and write it. I am well-aware that it's not a "conventional" genre but it makes me happy nonetheless. Also it makes for an AU storyline starting around the time Aizen leaves for Karakura Town. Warnings will be given at a part-by-part basis so please pay close attention to them. As always; comments and criticism are welcome. Happy reading!

Summary: Szayel somehow survives his fight with the captain of Squad 12 and decides that getting away from Hueco Mundo was for the best as long as Aizen held power there. In his escape, he comes across Grimmjow Jaegerjacquez. Despite all that the other Espada believe about things there is a deeper bond between Sexta and Octave which is why Szayel takes him at all.

Aizen's downfall at the hands of one Ichigo Kurosaki would usher in an uneasy alliance between the arrancars and the Soul Society as the rest of Hueco Mundo considered them traitors and abominations for being so much like them. In the midst of trying to figure out what paths that left to forge, Szayel finds himself, despite his unease at Miyuri, spending a lot of time in the Sereitei which brings trouble in the form of a captain who catches his eye and what is left of his heart.

Pairing: Juushiro Ukitake x Szayel (main), Grimmjow x Ichigo, and others along the way.

Forging Bonds

Prologue

How was he here? Hadn't that Soul-reaper plunged his Zanpakuto through his heart? Amber eyes blink slowly as his vision slowly clears giving him the familiar view of Hueco Mundo's vast sandy nothingness. It takes him a few tries before he can manage a kneeling position and bring a shaking hand through his messy hair. Damn that man; Szayel wanted to find him and repay the favor with his own blade.

But perhaps that wasn't the biggest issue to contend with. No, that would be the fact that right now, he was considered a liability as far as anyone here would be concerned. He'd been beaten and that made him a failure. Lord Aizen neither liked nor abided by those types which made him vanishing a necessary evil.

Slow, cautious movements grant him his freet once more and he staggers to the remains of his lab inwardly mourning the inability to take much. What he could manage to procur would at least give him some of a start. A mind like his needed something to focus on or he felt jittery and got bored. And boredom never seemed to end well in his case.

It takes far longer than he'd like to get from there to a distance he deems "safe"enough considering his views of Los Noches told him that Aizen was preparing to take Karakura Town. He had time if he would utilize it properly to vanish into thin air. They could think him dead for all that mattered at the current time.

It would be while he was leavng that he would nearly stumble over a figure half-buried in the sand. Familiar blue hair is what has him crouching to uncover Grimmjow. A sigh escapes him as he gives a cursory glance. There were sure to be hidden caves nearby which would afford some cover. Knowing it was probably a very bad idea; he hefts the other up and continues onward. If nothing else, he'd have company in his exile.

Finding what he sought after a few stumbling steps that nearly have him with a mouthful of sand, he lays down the other to get a better look at him. Obviously he'd way overdone it as was his nature. He sfits through what he had with him and goes to work patching up the Sexta.

it leaves him drained but feeling far more useful and he takes that as a win as he makesa sure the entrance is covered and then settles himself close to the other to rest a while. No need to worry about anyone else at the moment because no doubt they'd be in the World of the Living dealing with whatever attempt the Soul-Reapers would use in defending the humans. Whether or not Aizen got what he sought matters very little to Szayel Aporro Granz at this point. He wouldn't be welcome even if the man suceeded. And by the looks of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez...neither would he.. What that left was the question that follows the Octava into a restless but necessary sleep.

It's a light, at least by comparison of the other not kicking his organs into dust, tapping that has his eyes fluttering open as he looks up at the other. "Wh-wha?' he manages.

"The hell happened to you?"

He rolls onto his side before sitting up. "Captain of a squad. Can't remember his name but it's not important. I'm going to gut him at some point," he answers after stretching, "I see you're in better shape than how I found you. Tch, idiot."

"Hey, don't patronize me! I'm still stronger than you."

Szayel rolls his eyes. "Yes, I am well aware. I still think you're an idiot regardless. Now settle down. Aizen took the others to Karakura Town. With any luck someone will have won by now. I'm not sure what good either of the outcomes does us but at least there will be less to worry about. For the time being I would suggest laying low. We do not need any trouble until we know for sure what the state of Los Noches is. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, yeah. i would like to live long enough to fight Kurosaki again. I owe him beating him to a bloody pulp."

Szayel snorts and settles himself. "Do what you want with the life you still have. Throw it away if you want. But for now shut up and let me rest. What I did have went to you so I'm going to need some time. Try not to draw attention would you?"

A moment later, he feels the other settle beside him and an arm curls around his waist. There is no moment of tension or panic; just a familiar sense of safety. Szayel rests back against the other. "I'm glad you're alright, Grimmjow."

"I know," comes his quiet reply, "Glad you found me. But rest, okay? I'll make sure to behave."

That brings a low snort from between his lips. "You've never in your life behaved, Sexta. I don't expect you to start now. Just be able to kill whatever comes if you are unsuccessful."

The other gives a fanged grin before repeating, "Rest, Granz. I've got this." And it would really be all it would take to make the pink-haired Espada comfortable enough to go back to sleep.

They'd become uneasy allies at first; Szayel spent most of his time patching the other up while avoiding the more aggressive arrancar's who didn't particularly approve of him considering his preference to study things rather than fight.

Along the way, they'd built up a truce that had blossomed to camaraderie and then a friendship they didn't name so much aloud. But Grimmjow had his back and knew that he'd give him aid if he needed it. And really that was one of the closest things either had truly had to family that they claimed.

Both just seemed to prefer it that way.

Of course it wouldn't last long; the peace. their reasserting reietsu's were far too familiar and tempting in the way it is for hollows to test their strengths. In the vast desert there were few communities that lasted very long because Hollows did not tend to work as units preferring to just kill those weaker and avoid being killed by those stronger. They are easily enough dispatched though it proves tedious to Szayel. Grimmjow no doubt enjoys it; laughing and carrying on. It makes the Octava miss the security of a room where he could be alone with his own thoughts and avoid the mindless cycle that fighting and killing seemed to bring.

He was no pacifist by any means; blood and pain appealed to him somewhat but it didn't fulfill much in the way of needs in him and was thereby not valued so much when there were other things to focus upon.

And it would be a calculated two weeks until they would be discovered; a familiar soured expression in green eyes as Ulquiorra drawls, "And here I was hoping not to have to see you again."

Of course it has Grimmjow bristling and out of reflex, Szayel reaches and grips his shoulder in warning knowing that a fight between them would probably not end well. "Is there something you needed?" he asks conversationally as if this were nothing more than a normal meeting .One did not go into a conversation or any sort of altercation with Ulquiorra without knowing at the beginning to tread as if entering a minefield Each step had to be taken with extreme caution.

"You're both wanted in Los Noches and I would highly consider coming without a fuss."

"Don't really feel like dyin' today, Ulquiorra."

"That is exactly why I am telling you to come without a fuss, Jaegerjaquez."

Szayel takes the brief interactions between the two to study the Quattro Espada. "It has been decided then?"

"It has," he answers bringing his gaze back to him, "You know what happened."

"He was over-confident. He should have accepted his own limitations but such is...the arrogance of one who believes himself a god," he retorts before looking at Grimmjow, "Come along. If nothing else, we know how to get out of there post-haste. Besides, I highly doubt it's going to be Stark running things. He's too fond of his sleep." Which left only two viable choices if either of them survived. One he preferred over the other but that was only because she probably wouldn't execute him on sight.

The other probably deserved the ability to do so but he wasn't about to admit to that. Instead, he focuses on steering Grimmjow back who still loathed the other Espada for whatever reason that grudges ran deep at rivals and he stays between them. Ulquiorra did not see him as a threat and that for the present time was a good thing.

Arriving back sees that reconstruction was already beginning on the destroyed Los Noches palace. And they are ushered into what was obviously a makeshift throne room where sitting on a chair is Harribel. It comes as no surprise to Szayel. "I could have figured you'd have found him," she remarks glancing at him, "You two always did seem to watch each others backs more than most."

He gives an unconcerned shrug. "Choices are what they are. Now is there a reason you sent Ulquiorra to collect us?"

"I needed to collect the remaining Arrancar so of course I would send him to find you. He is competent enough."

"According to…" Szayel doesn't let him finish and squeezes his shoulder hard enough to have him gasping. It draws a low chuckle from the blond woman before them.

"I am well aware of how little you two get along. That is fine. Grimmjow, I need you and Szayel Aporro to do me a favor and go to the Seretei."

Szayel stills. "You want us to go amidst our enemies?"

She shakes her head. "We have an alliance...if not an uneasy one. I need you to go and help with the injured and make yourself useful to them, Granz. Grimmjow is going as someone to look after your well-being."

Amber eyes blink slowly as the pink-haired Espada struggles to figure out what happened in two weeks for this to happen. "I...suppose that there is no point in refusing." It brought him into the same place as that accursed captain who he planned on having a very intimate discussion with that involved torture and a scalpel and…

"Also, Granz, you are not to go near the Captain of Squad Twelve. Whatever happened leave it in the ruins of your old lab." He gives a low dismayed sound at her order and is met with a look of steel. "Do I need to repeat myself, Octava?"

"N-no, Lady Harribel," he acquiesces reluctantly. She was serious and he could tell so he'd just have to let it go.

"I understand your desire for revenge but it's not what is needed. Go and forge bonds we may need in the future." She'd always been good at strategy and he had to admit that he did see what an alliance could do for those of them here in Los Noches. There'd be enough backlash from any Hollows who resented their abilities. He glances at Grimmjow.

"Sounds like we're getting punished," he mutters.

"Well, if nothing else, you can always go and see if Squad Eleven's Captain wants to lay you out like he did Nnoitra," Harribel says bemusedly.

Szayel watches him blanch and finds himself snickering. "I take it that's a 'no' then?"

"Wait 'til you meet the guy," Grimmjow mutters sourly, "Then you'll understand."

Szayel focuses on Harribel. "Do they know we are coming?"

"Absolutely. You will both be staying close to Squad Thirteen. It's captain was generous to say he'd look after you two so be considerate of him."

Szayel goes over the information Aizen had given them and recalls that the captain for Thirteen was Juushiro Ukitake; one of the few with dual blades and often had bad spells. He could only wonder why he of all of them would agree though he supposes that the man had his reasons. "I see...well, we'll be at least tolerable in that case. Might as well not make his condition flare up." He meant it in a flippant way not as a jibe at the man himself but the look he gets has him immediately murmuring, "That was not at all acceptable. My apologies."

Finding themselves in the Seretei makes Szayel feel even more unsure of things but he was great at hiding that. "I was hoping she was kidding," Ichigo's voice has Szayel watching Grimmjow's expression grow dark.

"Wanna make something of it, Kurosaki?"

"Grimmjow," Szayel says quietly, "Right now is not the time for that. Prioritize please." Honestly, the man wanted to fight at the drop of a hat. He hears him grumble but feels his reitsu calm somewhat. "I'm Szayel Aporro Granz. This is Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. And as much as my companion does not particularly like the thought, Ichigo Kurosaki, we come in peace."

At this Ichigo snickers and then starts laughing and Szayel sighs and pushes his mask further up his nose. This was going swimmingly, he could just see it. "What do you...Oh, never mind I doubt I'd get a reasonable answer asking you that."

"What do you mean?" Grimmjow demands, "And why do I think you're insultin' me?!"

Szayel rolls his eyes and mutters, "Really? You're asking stupid questions now?" It earns him a sharp swat to the back of his head that sends him stumbling forward before he straightens and glares at the smirking blue-haired Sexta. "You…"

"Not my fault a strong wind'll blow you over. Should really work on gainin' some weight, Granz."

Fingers tightening into fists and lips pursing, he wonders again why he thought it was a good idea to save this idiot from his own stupidity. "Ichigo, you're not harassing our allies are you?" a masculine voice calls which takes his attention from Grimmjow to give him his first personal look at Juushiro Ukitake. The white-haired captain is flanked by two other soul-reapers who Szayel guesses are his two third-seats. Aizen often remarked about how they were nearly attached to the man.

"No, apparently Grimmjow does it all by himself," Ichigo says cheerfully.

"Watch yourself, Kurosaki, or I'm clawin' your eyes out."

Szayel decides that he was just going to let them bicker and takes a few steps in the direction of the Captain. "Szayel Aporro Granz," he says extending his hand, "You must be Captain Ukitake."

With an easy motion, his fingers would be taken by the other. "Juushiro Ukitake," the other says, "Help would be greatly appreciated."

"Yeah, since it was thanks to your boss," Ichigo remarks. Szayel feels himself tense though he doesn't jerk away like his instincts screamed at him to do. Though the flash of concern he sees in the brown eyes of the captain tells him he'd definitely noticed his reaction.

"Harribel wasn't too specific...just that you needed some help?" he asks focusing on the job at hand and not the biting commentary. If they all thought living with Aizen was easy then they knew very little. He just had no intention of ever educating them. There were enough nightmares to go around.

"She stated that you, while enjoying more the scientific studies, were still good with medical issues and we could use more help in that area."

Szayel nods his head. "I've practically kept most of the Espada in one piece that is true enough. None of them can possibly do it themselves; they'd just keep fighting until they fell apart."

"I've known a few Soul-reapers like that," Juushiro remarks chuckling, "Definitely not easy to deal with and somewhat harder to care for."

"I can imagine," he answers finding his earlier tension draining while speaking with Juushiro. He wondered if the man knew how charismatic he was and finds himself doubting it. He seemed to genuinely easygoing. "Well, if it's help you need then point me in the direction and I'll take it from there." And hopefully this entire insane situation would make some sense at some point because he still wasn't sure what was going on.