Author's Note:

This is my first fanfic so constructive criticism is welcome. I'm not saying go easy on me but please don't just tell me this is terrible and leave it at that. Tell me why you say so. Anyway sorry this AN is going to be a bit long but just some things I need to clear up as well as give a better summary of the story (curse you 255 char limit). So this fic takes place about 30 years after Aizen's defeat and is about a new enemy emerging and threatening Soul Society. The main character is an OC (not the Shadow Reaper but he's an OC too) but he's not the only character I'll be focusing on. I also use a few Japanese terms like taicho, fukutaicho, shinigami ect. because I simply can't imagine Bleach without them. Also the OC's name is Kugaro Shuzaku and I'll be reffering to him as Kugaro most of the time but some characters will refer to him as Shuzaku so don't get confused, it's the same person. Sorry for the long AN but I just had to get that off my chest.

Disclaimer:

I don't own Bleach and don't profit from this in any way. I'm simply writing this for my own (and hopefully your) entertainment.

Chapter 1: Shadows in the sand

Sand. It was everywhere you looked in Heuco Mundo and it's gray colour complimented the Hollow world's equally bleak sky. A figure lay sprawled on the sand, staring at the sky so infinitely devoid of stars or any sign of hope. His fingers scraped over the sand slowly. Sand. It was everywhere. In his hair, mouth, nose, every inch of clothing he wore. Soon the sand would completely cover his body and hide him from the cold gaze of the moon.

Grimmjow had no idea how long he had been lying here in this spot, both his pride and body mortally wounded. Sand mixed with the blood dripping from his wounds as well as the dried up puddles already staining the ground. The blue haired Arrancar coughed from the sand crawling down his throat. 'Not long now.' he thought. He wracked his mind trying to remember what happened that had landed him in this pitiful position. He's lost to his ultimate rival Kurosaki. He'd been betrayed by one of his fellow Espada and left to die in this miserable world. Grimmjow didn't care however. He had lost and no longer possessed the will to live. His soul was already dead and now he was just waiting for his body to follow.

Sand washed over him, filling his nostrils, mouth, ears and eyes. He coughed and those sharp blue orbs blinked defiantly one last time, trying to fight the will of the mighty desert. In his last moments of conscious thought Grimmjow could barely make out a thin shadowy figure reaching out a hand to him. Whether to wrench him back from the jaws of death or to push him torward it, he did not know.

The recently made Captain of the 9th Division, Shuuhei Hisagi, swore loudly. He'd just been officially promoted to Captain yesterday and naturally his squad had thrown him one hell of a party. Matsumoto-san and Kyouraku-taicho had also joined in along with a few other Capatins and Lieutenants and pretty soon they'd all gotten quite tanked. The party had lasted until the early hours of the morning and most participants were still in bed recovering from their respective hangovers. Hisagi however had been woken up at dawn when he felt a disturbing reiatsu coming from the forest surrounding the east side of the 9th Division barracks. Ignoring the throbbing in his head, he leapt out of bed, grabbed his zanpakuto and hurried over to the disturbance. He rushed past the barracks and as he closed in on his destination he recognised the unmistakable reiatsu of a Hollow along with...

"Shuzaku!" he called to his 4th Seat and protege. The young man stood with his sword drawn, emerald eyes scanning the trees surrounding them. He turned slightly upon hearing his Capatian and mentor's voice.

"Hisagi-sensei. You're up? Watch out it's a sneaky one. Really fast and likes to hide."

Hisagi nodded and drew his own sword. He tried to hine in on the Hollow's reiatsu but found it to be somewhat difficult with the constant throbbing in his head. He was grateful for his young squadmember's presence. The brown haired shinigami had been one of the few not to partake in yesterday's festivities.

Kugaro stood back to back with his Captain as they watched the trees for any sign of movement. Kugaro knew that his sensei was probably still suffering from a hangover much like everybody else so he had come out here to deal with the hollow himself. But Hisagi-sensei had still shown up despite his condition. 'That's so like him. Always ready to protect others.' Kugaro thought as a smile formed on his lips. A sudden movement caught the shinigami's eye and and both turned to see a large winged creature leaping at them. Kugaro leapt to the side. Hisagi brought his blade down onto the Hollow's arm, slicing it clean off. The Hollow let out a high pitched wail and shot into the air. It hovered there for a while, its yellow eyes bearing down on the Shinigami.

All of a sudden nearly two dozen more like it swarmed the area, effectively surrounding Kugaro and Hisagi. With a quick muttered, "Reap Kazeshini", Hisagi unleashed his zanpakuto's true form, two black schythes attached to a long chain. Kugaro gripped his katana tightly and leapt up at one of the Hollows. He brought it down in a vertical arc and cut the Hollow in half. Hisagi whirled his weapon at a group of five or so Hollow and the blade cleaved through them easily. Kugaro brought down two more with a few quick, precise swings.

"Hadou 31 Shakkaho!" A burst of red fire shot from Hisagi's palm and succesfully knocked down a Hollow behind Kugaro. Hisagi spun Kazeshini a few more times and took down the remaining Hollow. When there was only one left, the original who was still hovering in the air, the young 4th Seat ran up a nearby tree. Stopping halfway up, he used the trunk as leverage and launched himself at the enemy. His green hilted katana pierced the Hollow's skull, killing it instantly. Kugaro dropped back down to the ground and seathed his zanpakuto.

"Nice work Shuzaku." the 9th Division Captain said, seathing his own zanpakuto. "Oh my head." he put a hand up to his forehead. Kugaro's smile at his mentor's comment faded and was replaced with a look of concern.

"Are you okay Hisagi-sensei? Maybe you should lie down." he offered.

Hisagi shook his head and replied, "No it's okay. I'll just get something from Unohana-taicho. I expect half the Gotei 13 is probably already at the Fourth for the very same problem."

Kugaro nodded and they began wlking back torwards the barracks. "Why are you up so early anyway Shuzaku?"

"I was actually still sleeping when I noticed the Hollow. I figured I'd just take it out myself because everybody is still recovering from last night's party."

Hisagi was momentarily stunned that the kid had noticed the Hollow before he did. Then again, considering the fact that he had a killer hangover it probably wasn't that surprising. Shuzaku was a pretty sharp kid after all.

Back in Hueco Mundo, Grimmjow slowly opened his eyes, still crusted with sand, and took in his surroundings. Not that there was much to take in. He was completely surrounded in darkness. "Grimmjow." a voice called him. It didn't seem to be coming from any direction in particular. "Grimmjow." it called again. The Arrancar only coughed, his throat too sore and dry to speak. "Grimmjow I am the Shadow Reaper. I have given you a second chance at life. If you take it you must obey me and become part of my army. I wish to bring death upon those who have wronged me and I require your help. If you prove yourself usefull I will grant you unimaginable power. So what do you say Grimmjow, do you wish to become the first Shadow Arrancar?"

Grimmjow's mind was racing. Here he was being given a second chance at life, a second chance to exact revenge on those he hated. He was not ususally the obiedient type but this Shadow Reaper seemed powerful. Just like Aizen had seemed poweful enough to follow. 'Yes' Grimmjow decided. 'I will follow you as long as I can become stronger. As long as I am able to hunt down and kill every last person who doubts my power.'

"Well Grimmjow? What is your answer?"

"Yes." the teal haired Espada replied, a sinister smirk plastered on his face.

So there you have it. My first piece of posted literature. Sorry it's short but I just wanted to see what people's reaction to this will be. I promise that future chapters will be longer. The next update will be very soon so please review and tell me what you think.