Karin woke again but this time she was in her inner world, the wind was blowing hard, a reflection of her troubled soul.

"Hello little one, nice of you to visit." Kazeryu said with a hint of humor in her voice, Karin noticed there was a mischievous glint in her ice blue eyes.

"Why am I here?" Karin ask her zanpaktou.

"Well your body is in pretty bad shape right now, so I thought we could train a bit in here while it recovers." the sword spirit answered.

"Ok, maybe we can start on Bankai training." Karin said.

"Karin dear you only know one attack in Shikai, you still have a long way to go before we try for Bankai." Kazeryu answered.

"But there's a war coming, I need Bankai." Karin answered.

"Karin you aren't ready yet, don't worry when the time comes we will work on it, together." The sword answered.

"Ok, but I hope we don't get killed first." Karin answered back.

"We'll just have to make sure you master Shikai as fast as possible." Kazeryu said.

"Let's do it then." Karin answered feeling a bit mischievous herself. With that a sword materialized in Kazeryu's hand, she tossed it to Karin who caught it as if it were a stick. Karin was a little surprised when Kazeryu didn't form a sword for herself but instead sat on the blowing grass.

"How are we going to spar if you don't have a weapon?" Karin ask her sword.

"Oh we aren't sparing, I'm just going to watch." Kazeryu responded and Karin suddenly felt another presence in her inner world.

'No way." Karin said in disbelief as her opponent came in to view.

Toshiro Hitsugaya sat on a rock speaking with Hyorinmaru when a warmness settled into his inner world, for Toshiro it felt a little out of place in his glacial inner world. His sword seemed to pick up on it and without warning he let out a purring growl before he lifted off into the sky and over a mountain ridge disappearing not only from Toshiro's sight but for the first time he could remember Toshiro could not sense his zanpaktou at all. To say that he was unnerved would have been an understatement, his zanpaktou was just gone, and his inner world felt empty. At first Toshiro feared that his spirit energy was going to fade away like Ichigo's had after that battle with Aizen, but then he wouldn't still have an inner world if that happened, so logically something else was going on, but what? Toshiro sat in the ice for what felt like ages, and then the warmth returned and so did Hyorinmaru.

"Where were you?" Toshiro ask his sword, still concerned over such a strange occurrence.

"I was speaking with her." The sword answered his master.

"Who Karin?" Toshiro ask again.

"No not Karin." Hyorinmaru said as he stood again in his dragon form.

"Then who?" Hitsugaya ask again.

"Her." he said and just then a large gust of wind burst through and a green dragon with blue wings flew through the sky.

"Huh, it can't be." Toshiro said as the dragon landed next to him and nuzzled Hyorinmaru.

Karin's shock was replace with joy as Toshiro stepped into view holding his sword in his hand.

"Tosh? " Karin ask still unsure.

"It's me Rin." he said with a rare smile directed at his love.

'How can you be here? Not that I'm not happy to see you but I thought that I was the only one who could enter my inner world." she said not bothering to hide her smile.

"Ask them, I didn't think it was possible either." He said indicating Hyorinmaru and Kazeryu who had both transformed into human form and were setting off with Kazeryu resting in Hyorinmaru's lap his arms around her.

"Well get going you two, time to train. Oh and don't worry you can't really hurt each other in here so don't hold back." Kazeryu said with a hint of playfulness in her voice.

Kiyone sat in her rooms at the thirteenth's barracks, she kept wiping the tears from her eyes, but they wouldn't stop, she couldn't believe what she had done. She had always liked Sentaro, she even hoped that he maybe liked her too, but now she was sure he was avoiding her and she could think of only one reason, he was disgusted by her. Kiyone was sure she had ruined any chance she had with him, and it was all her fault, she was so stupid for getting drunk like that. She couldn't blame him for being disgusted by her, she was disgusted with herself. "I can't believe I did something so stupid, he must think I'm nothing but a drunken whore." Kiyone said to herself as more tears ran down her face.

Ichigo sat at his desk in the his and Rukia's bedroom, to say he was troubled would be an understatement, after what Nel told them during the meeting. The council of Free Espada had split on the issue of attacking the new threat from los Noches, and though the tie was broken in favor of waiting those who lost decided the breakaway and form their own army, Nel and the Free Espada feared that a new war would start sooner rather then later. The situation was complicated by the fact that the initial attack had damaged or destroyed over half of the Gotai 13 and with their forces at an all time low the Soul Society was in no position to fight a war. Rukia walked into the room but Ichigo was too distracted to notice her she walked over and smacked him up side the head earning a yelp.

"What's with the pathetic face?" Rukia ask fully prepared to beat some sense back into Ichigo.

"I'm just thinking about what Nel told us, if these Espada attack Los Noches I don't think they can win. I mean look what they did to us right here in the heart of the Seireitei, we barely won in our own home, they destroyed over half of our forces in one battle." He said.

"You're worried about Nel aren't you?" Rukia said, and with that she saw a crack form in his shell as she lead him to their bed and sat next to him.

'Yes, I just hope they have some forces left after the battle, we're going to need all the help we can get." He said

"Well don't worry, Nel is a grown Espada and she knows how to take care of herself." Rukia said. Ichigo wrapped his arms around Rukia and fell back on their bed taking her with him. Rukia for her part yelped in surprise then snuggled into her husband's arms. The two lay together in silence, no words were spoken or needed, Ichigo and Rukia were of one mind and one soul as always. Ichigo's fear faded a bit and he knew that Rukia was right, Nel could take care of herself and he realized that if the Thirteen Court Guard Squads weren't strong enough to win then they would just have to get stronger.

"Come on Midget, we have a war to get ready for." Ichigo said as he offered her a hand up. Rukia smiled as she took it, as they walked out of their room she could see the determination in his eyes, the same look he had when he rescued her all those years ago. There's my Ichigo, Rukia thought to herself as they headed to their divisions and for the first time since this whole thing started she was sure they were going to win.

The wind swept over the field and the sounds of battle were raging, Toshiro was sending ice dragons at Karin who dodged and sent a wave of wind at him with enough force to drive him into the ground. Karin had discovered three new attacks in her Shikai form, the wall of wind she smashed Toshiro with was her best defensive/offence move and her other offensive move created a massive wind dragon that could rival Toshiro's ice dragon, the last one created a whirlwind that trapped an enemy within it or could be used to crush them and tear them apart. The battle between the two lovers had been raging for hours and Kazeryu for her part was happy that Karin wasn't holding back, and that Toshiro was using everything short of his Bankai in pushing her to new limits. As the two battled it out in the air over Karin's inner world Kazeryu settled into her lover's arms, she had known Hyorinmaru since well before Karin was born this time, but she had been forced to hide herself in the deep wells of Karin's soul until she was needed, that didn't mean that she couldn't visit Hyorinmaru while her master and his were unaware of each other's existence. Kazeryu still remembered the day Karin met Toshiro, she of course knew that they were soul mates and she could feel the presence of her own soul mate within the boy captain. Her joy became fear after their soccer game was interrupted by that Menos, Karin was just about to be crushed but Toshiro saved her. Kazeryu was just about to pull the girl into her inner world and manifest herself when he saved them. Kazeryu was grateful for that, Karin was nowhere near ready to wield her at that point, of course she never would have been ready if she was killed and eaten by a hollow. Kazeryu knew that the connection between Karin and Toshiro was far deeper than anyone else knew, this was much more than just love or romance, this was a connection that bound their souls throughout time, it went beyond life or death it was a connection that nothing could sever. No matter how many times they lived and died they would always find each other. It was a funny thought to Kazeryu that Karin and Toshiro had lived and died together so many times but only she and Hyorinmaru could remember all of those past lives. Kazeryu wondered what it was about Karin's family that caused them to form such a bond with someone, she knew from her conversations with Zangetsu and Soda No Shirayuki that Ichigo and Rukia were also bound together that way, and if her conversations with Kengetsu were anything to go on then little Yuzu in for a surprise. Few soul reapers were aware that zanpaktou could move and communicate freely with each other, but to bring one's master into another's inner world should have been impossible, and if not for the bond between Karin and Toshiro it would have been impossible. The battle ended and the two combatants had sat down in the grass and were resting in each other's arms as their swords had been doing, all in all a rear peaceful moment for them and their Zanpaktou. Kazeryu had to wonder how long it could last.

Jushiro Ukitake the normally soft spoken and kind hearted captain of squad thirteen had had enough, he was tired of his third seats avoiding each other. He decided that if he had to he would drag them both to his office and get to the bottom of this matter, he was used to their arguments and fights but he had never seen them act like this before. They had stopped fighting, stopped talking with each other, and they were avoiding each other. He readied a Hell Butterfly for each of them and then waited in his office to find out what had caused them to act this way. Sentaro came in first and sat down at the table.

"You sent for me captain?" He ask looking worn. If he hadn't known better Ukitake could have sworn he had seen shame and regret in the other man's eyes.

'Yes I did." The white haired captain responded.

'What can I do for captain?" Sentaro ask, his face still downcast and shoulders slumped.

"You can explain why you and Kiyone have been avoiding each other for the past few weeks." He said, Sentaro felt ice water run through his gut, at first he thought about lying to his captain and telling him that he had no idea what he was talking about. So first you take advantage of Kiyone and now you want to lie to your captain about it, how low are you going to sink? Sentaro mentally scolded himself, and taking a deep breath he explained everything to his captain. After Sentaro finished Ukitake sighed, he was sure that Kiyone didn't hate Sentaro, and that he was blowing it out of proportion in his mind. He dismissed Sentaro and told him to take the rest of the day off, Ukitake wanted to talk it over with Kiyone and see her point of view on the matter, though he suspected what it would be.

Kiyone received the Hell butterfly from her captain and a part or her wanted to curl up in a ball and die, she knew what it was about. She knew she would have to explain to her captain what she had done, and then he would know that she was little more then a drunken whore, the shame she felt was overwhelming and now she was going to have to share it with the man she respected more then any other. Kiyone entered her captain's office, and he could see the shame and sorrow in her posture and her eyes. He already knew what had happened and her demeanor confirmed what he suspected, they each shouldered all the blame for what had happened couldn't face the other out of shame.

"You sent for me captain?" She ask and to her credit the shame and fear she felt didn't show in her voice.

"Yes, please have a seat." He said and she did what she was told.

"What can I do for you captain?" she ask, her voice even, but her eyes were filled with dread and shame.

"Explain what happened between you and Sentaro." He said in what he hoped was a warm fatherly tone. Kiyone's heart sank, he knew he already knew, the color drained from her face and for a moment he was afraid she was going to faint. She began by telling him about the reception at Ichigo and Rukia's wedding and how she and Sentaro had ended up in bed, and just like Sentaro she blamed herself for what had happened and just like him she hid in shame. Ukitake for his part told her that she and Sentaro needed to talk it over, and that he didn't think Sentaro was disgusted by her the way she thought he was. He told her to wait in his office while he sent for Sentaro.

Los Noches, Hueco Mundo.

The Army of the Free Espada assembled on a hill overlooking Los Noches, the leaders knew this was going to be a hard battle, but they believed they could win and drive this interloper from Hueco Mundo once and for all. Katara for her part stood over the hill and cursed Nelliel and Grimjoww and the rest of the council as cowards. They were going to regret not listing to the them and after they defeat the interloper then there would be new leaders is Hueco Mundo. Donoca stood next to her and prepared for battle, the enemy was marching out from Los Noches to face them in the open, that would make things that much easer, they wouldn't have to siege the great fortress, they could and would crush the enemy out her in the open. Katara felt a great swell of pride as the section of the army she commanded cheered for her and awaited her orders to attack. Donoca stood in disbelief as he looked out at the enemy lines to find that the interloper was leading his army personally.

Koga couldn't believe his eyes, the remnants of Aizen's army were marching on Los Noches, he had known that a few of Aizen's forces were unaccounted for be he never believed that so many would be left, and they seemed intent of destroying him and his army. Well that would be their final mistake, he would crush them and then he would crush the Soul Society. He stood on the front line of his army and readied for battle. "Attack!" He called out.

"Attack!" Katara called out and Donoca mirrored her order. She watched as her army and Donaca's charged the enemy. The sky was torn with the multiple sword releases of Espada class Arrancar. Katara released her sword and joined the battle, this was going to be a day of glory, she thought as she charged into battle.

Kuchiki Manor, Soul Society.

Yuzu Kurosaki sat at her dressing table as she fixed her hair, she felt very nervous and she had no idea why, she was just meeting a friend for lunch. So what if Renji was a guy, a very good looking guy and so what if he made her feel special, that doesn't mean she should be nervous, it's not like she likes him or anything. She looked in the mirror and noticed she was blushing.

"Get a hold of yourself Yuzu, even if you do like him it's not as if he likes you like that." She said to herself as she finished getting dressed. Yuzu left for the Sixth Division Offices where she was supposed to meet Renji so they could go to lunch, her mind was racing and she could feel her face grow warmer as she approached . The sight of Renji walking out to meet her made her pulse race and she had to fight hard to act calm. Yeah not like you like him at all, she thought to herself as he walked up and complemented her as they made their way to one of many restaurants in the First District of Rukongai. Renji kept looking at Yuzu, and was fighting to keep his face from turning the color of his hair, come on Renji, you two are just friends and she's Ichigo's little sister. He mentally scolded himself as they walked, but still he couldn't keep his mind off of her, she looked so beautiful, and in spite of everything she suffered she still shows more care for others then herself. Renji couldn't help but feel respect and even admiration for her, add that to her natural beauty and Renji couldn't help but want to be more then just friends. Renji ordered a table for two and they sat and enjoyed a good meal, some pleasant conversation and more then a little shy flirting, and Renji wondered what his captain and Ichigo would do to him if they knew what he was thinking about doing.

Isshin Kurosaki was worried about his daughter, he suspected something was wrong with her, she wasn't healing as fast as she or any other soul with high spirit energy should. To Isshin it seemed as if something was interfering with her body's ability to use spirit energy. Karin had sustained less damage then captain Hitsugaya, but she was healing a slower rate, Hitsugaya had woken the three days before and was already back to work, but Karin was still in a coma and he had no idea why. Masaki had stayed by their daughter's bedside for the past two days and Karin had slipped deeper into this coma. Isshin spent the better part the past two days running tests on her and decided that she needed to be moved to the Fourth Division, he escorted the orderlies from the Fourth into his clinic and they set about getting her ready to be moved. Isshin felt a wave of fear as they moved her. Unohana was one of the best healers the Soul Society had ever known, she would figure out what was wrong and how to fix it, he had lost his daughter once and he would be damned if it ever happened again. Captain Hitsugaya had returned and was holding Karin's hand as they moved her, he couldn't figure out why she had taken a turn for the worse after he woke up, part of him wondered if he had hurt her when they were sparing or when he woke up. He knew she was strong and that she would make it, she had too, if she didn't he wouldn't be able go on without her. The only clue Isshin could find was that her spirit energy felt off and that she couldn't seem to fully use it anymore, it was almost as if she was fading away. As the orderlies finished setting her up in a room he sat beside her still holding her hand. Ichigo and Rukia came in and sat in silence, Isshin, Masaki and Yuzu came in next. They waited to see captain Unohana and find out what was wrong with Karin. The captain herself came in and began running tests on Karin, she told her family it would be some time before they knew anything and they should go home and get some rest, she would send for them when she knew more.

As Karin's family left Toshiro couldn't help feeling guilty, he shouldn't have pushed her so hard in training, he should have waited till she was up before leaving her side, now she may be dying and there is nothing he can do about it. Why can't life just leave use alone for once, he thought as he walked back to the Tenth Division, he didn't wasn't to sleep in their bed tonight if she wasn't there.

The lone Espada surveyed the ruins of Los Noches, she felt a tinge of sadness as she thought of the battle that was fought here, the Army of the Free Espada had set out to destroy the Interloper's army and the Interloper himself. Nel saw the fires still burning and the shear destruction the battle left behind it. The battle had ended with the destruction of both armies and Katara was the only survivor on both sides, she reported the destruction of the Interloper and his forces, but even though she survived the battle it was clear that she was going to die from her injuries. Nel felt Grimjoww walk up beside her and in a rare tender moment he took her hand.

"This kind of destruction was what I was trying to avoid." She said and a wave of guilt washed over her.

"We got lucky, they barely managed to destroy him. If they had failed then we would have been history.' Grimjoww said.

"I guess we better let the Soul Society know he was destroyed along with his army." Nel said and with that she left.