"Heal him."

It was said simply enough. A short command. No room for mistakes.

"W-what are you saying…?"

The sound of swords echoed across the barren landscape. Clangs of steel rang out, dulling on the nearby walls of Las Noches. The cackling laughs of a shinigami captain and arrancar espada enjoying a fight too much.

The orange haired shinigami pointed to the body lying on the ground. Blood pooled around the espada's locks of blue hair. His eyes stared vacantly.

"There's no time to argue. Heal him," Ichigo barked again. Resolve burned in his eyes.

Orihime continued to tremble

"B-but he tried to kill you! You tried to kill each other! Why do you want me to-"

Ichigo gently grabbed her hand.

"Trust me."

"Ku ku ku ku… How amusing."

"I don't see what there is to be laughing about, shinigami."

The two men were a sight to behold. One, Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, whose body was modified outlandishly, resembled a pharoh. The other, Ochenta Espada Szayel Apporro Granz, with released zanpakto to resemble a demonic butterfly.

"Why, it is simply droll that you think you can put up a fight. Such belligerence! How unfitting for a research subject. Very well, I'll simply have to break you a bit."

Unsheathing his sword, he added, "Rip, Ashisogi Jizo."

"Well, now, I don't think you'll find much help there, shinigami," The espada sighed, "Fornicaras is more than enough for the likes of you."

"H..his…w-wings…" the injured Quincy sputtered, futilely pointing toward the espada.

"Please do not move, Quincy," Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi replied softly.

"Nemu! How many times have I told you not to interrupt my research! No matter, your punishment will have to wait."

With a flash the captain disappeared from the arrancar's sight.

Shunpo…? How predicatble

The espada's wings shot out, enveloping Kurotsuchi as he reappeared behind Szayel.

"H-how could you have-!"

"Foolish shinigami, I am the master of research and development of Las Noches. Did you think Lord Aizen would not have- Aaarrrgh!"

The espada's gloating was cut off along with two of his wings. Cackling filled the air as the shinigami retreated back a few yard with a flashstep, tossing several organic grenades in the process.

Tch! That bastard shinigamiHe'll suffer with this!

Szayel pulled a doll from his remaining wings. With a quick laugh his right hand plunged through the doll's stomach.

Slowly, the slash was healing back to nothing. Ichigo watched intently as Orihime continued to heal the fallen Sexta Espada, quickly glancing back at the fight raging between Kenpachi and Nnoitra.

Damn, he's going toe to toe with him, Ichigo thought, entranced by the two seemingly invincible men.

Looking up, Orihime marveled at Ichigo's recover. Having been on the verge of death, she had healed him wounds. Though he had been thankful, though as always a bit brusque, he had surprised her with her request to heal Grimmjow.

He did break me out of Las Noches… she thought, trying hard to rationalize her actions.

"Done…"

The blue haired arrancar sat up, eyes narrowing.

"What the fuck, Kurosaki?"

"Shut up," Ichigo barked back. "You want to be king, prove it. It's big talk coming from a guy with five other arrancar ahead of him- urgh!"

Grimmjow punched Ichigo in the jaw, knocking him a few feet back.

"So ya think that I owe ya one just 'cause you gone and got the woman to heal me, right?" Grimmjow growled, pointing his thumb at Orihime. "Alright, soul reaper, I'll show you who the toughest arrancar is."

Exhaling, Ichigo stood up. In an instant he had his sword up, blocking Grimmjow's.

"But don't you fucken forget," Grimmjow seethed, "I swear I'll kill you before this is over."