CHAPTER FOUR

I fail.

I saw this chapter in my archive, and thought I wasn't done editing it yet, so I added a bit more and edited some mistakes. 70% through, I realized I had already posted this chapter, right before I went on vacation X( Ah well. The problem was, I usually set up the next chapter in the archives so I'll know my place, but I was rushed to get this out before leaving for vacation and… yea. Well - here's the slightly edited version, anyway. And Chapter five will be coming soon. Sorry, lol. Feel free to just skip this over if you read it already, not too many changes.

ORGINAL DESCRIPTION: I'm going on vacation for two weeks starting tomorrow, so I figured I'd crank this chapter out since I won't be able to work on CPTA during that time. (Wish me luck at having to get up at 3am for my flight…but it's okay cause I love flying :D)

CHANGED DESCRIPTION BEFORE i REALIZED MY STUPID MISTAKE: I went on vacation across country for two weeks over Christmas break, which is why this update took longer than I had planned (originally I wanted to get it out BEFORE I went on vacation, but packing took longer than I expected). I wasn't expecting to do any writing tonight either (still have homework I SHOULD be doing…) but my dad and I were doing our New Year's ritual of dipping strawberries in melted chocolate, which made me think about Bleach (Ichigo = strawberry in Japanese). Anyway, here it is: chapter four of CPTA :D - finally Ichigo & co. Arrive at Hueco Mundo!

Containing:

The Long-Waited Arrival; the Heroes Return!

The Cat and Mouse Go Shopping

Dress-up, Defeats, Division

Cooking Hour with Orihime Inoue … or Not

Grimmjow and Anna … versus Kira?

Ichigo, Ishida, Chad, Renji and Rukia stood on the white sands of Hueco Mundo once more, after a long journey on the back of a purple and slug like, but luckily friendly, hollow. They stared solemnly up at the massive white wall that was, finally, directly before them.

Behind them, said hollow, as well as two goofy-looking smaller hollows and a childlike arrancar girl attempted to mimic their solemn expressions.

"Well," Ichigo said. We're finally here." He lifted the enormous cleaver that he called his zanpakutou off his back, holding it before him. "Let's bust this place! … –AK! The hell, Renji!"

Renji lifted his hand, which had delivered a karate chop to the back of Ichigo's neck. "Idiot. What good will barging in do us? We'll get through quietly so we won't get swarmed with hollows."

"He's right, Kurosaki," Ishida said, pushing up his glasses. "The best way to operate a rescue mission is stealth. Even someone like Abarai can muster that much sense." Ichigo scowled – well, scowled more than usual. "Okay, but are you guys going to beat me up every time I do something wrong?"

Renji grinned. "Of course! It's too much fun–" He paused, and then frowned. "…Hey, wait a minute, you Quincy!"

"…I think … shouting like this defeats the purpose of stealth," Chad said quietly. Everyone froze.

Rukia sighed. "You're ALL idiots. Focus on the task at hand. We have to get though this wall somehow, and it is true that we want to go unnoticed. However, unless anyone has an idea of how we're going to do this quietly, we'll have to resort to Ichigo's method."

A small hand shot up from behind them.

"Nell has an idea!"


~~~~x~~x~~X~~X~~X~~X~~ Karakura Town ~~X~~X~~X~~X~~x~~x~~~~

"Gah. The air is always so stale in the World of the Living."

"Oh, hush," Anna said, peeking around the corner. Grimmjow eyed her disdainfully. "I told you, humans can't see me. Just walk like a normal stupid human would so we can get this 'training exercise' over and go back to Hueco Mundo already." Anna huffed in response, but straightened up and casually strolled around the corner.

She put her right hand around her right ear as if she was holding a small electronic device. "Well, you know, I had to make sure I didn't see anyone I knew that would recognize me, since I've been missing and all."

"What the hell're you doing that for?"

Anna glanced around. They were on a mostly empty street beside a deserted park. "So no one will think I'm a loony talking to themselves," she muttered, as if having to explain something obvious. She sighed.

"It's no use. I have to be closer to people to read their thoughts, at least if they're humans who have weak … ghost senses."

"It's called spirit power," Grimmjow corrected with gritted teeth.

"Right, whatever. Anyway … right now, this isn't very effective traini– oh, wait!" Suddenly, Anna's eyes brightened. "I know! We'll go to the outdoor shopping center!"

Grimmjow gave her a deadpan stare. "…So this really is a vacation, not 'training'. I knew it."

"Don't be silly. There'll be plenty of people there, and I can focus on hearing each one, one at a time, and see if it confuses me … and stuff. C'mon, let's go!"

"Wha- don't pull me, you stupid human!"


~~~~x~~x~~X~~X~~X~~X~~ Urahara's Shop ~~X~~X~~X~~X~~x~~x~~~~

Kuchiki Byakyua, Soi Fon, Hisagi, and Kira stepped through the senkaimon and directly into Urahara's shop. "Ah, you're early!" Urahara said, stuffing his iconic hat onto his head. "So, what's the schedule?"

The sixth division's captain stepped forward. "The time for advance teams is past. We've posing as Karakura's first line of defense, in the event of another surprise invasion."

Urahara frowned. "Just the four of you? And both captains without their respective lieutenants? Although I'm sure Hisagi-san and Kira-san will do excellent work–"

"My lieutenant would just be a bother," Soi Fon said tightly, eyeing the shopkeeper in a way that broadly displayed her distain for the man. "Anyway, we're all without our power limiters, so we can fight full-strength immediately."

"And my lieutenant, as you obviously know… since you were the one who provided his transport," Kuchiki said almost expressionlessly, "is currently in Hueco Mundo, accompanying Kurosaki on a … rescue mission."

"Ah, right, right. It's just that, both the third and the ninth don't have captains to manage it at the moment, so I was wondering why both of you were here," Urahara said looking at Hisagi and Kira. "It won't matter if things go as planned and the Winter War will end up being in the fake Karakura town, since everyone will just come here. But if a sneak attack is made on the Soul Society, won't both your divisions be vulnerable?"

"It's extremely unlikely that Aizen would launch an attack directly into Soul Society," Hisagi explained. "His aim is Karakura town and the Royal Dimension, so why make a detour that would just end up with him vastly outnumbered and in our own territory? Besides, they wouldn't send two more captains, and Captains Kuchiki and Soi Fon shouldn't go alone."

"I suppose they figured that you and Yourichi-san would help out in the occasion of an unexpected attack," Kira suggested. Urahara nodded; "Well, it is our job to protect Karakura…" "Any anyway," Kira continued, "I was in the previous team, so I know the area a bit better. The captain commander wouldn't send his lieutenant, the fourth division's better in soul society, Hinamori is … Actually, I'm not entirely sure, but I heard she's busy with some kind of training," Kira mused.

Hisagi nodded. "She hasn't been around lately, but when I have seen her, she's looked tired. I hope she hasn't been overdoing herself."

"She does have a tendency to do that. Anyway, Kusajishi-san and Kurotsuchi-san won't go anywhere without their captains; Captain Kyoraku didn't want Ise-san sent alone, and I suppose Iba-san is busy with his division. I think he might be training too," Kira finished. "Oh, and Matsumoto-san was also in the last mission and wouldn't go so suddenly on another…" Although it may have something to do with captain … Previous captain Ichimaru suddenly appearing… he thought sadly.

"All right, all right, I was just making small talk," Urahara sighed. "No need for long-winded explanations. So – would you lot like to relax and have some tea? Or –"

"Actually, we're setting out right away," Kuchiki said. "It is an emergency situation, after all."

"Of course. Well, I'll tell Yourichi of your arrival when she returns." He gave a hidden smirk when he saw Soi Fon deflate a little, realizing that her idol wasn't here.

"Good luck…" Urahara sang, turning around and walking back into the depths of his shop.


~~~~x~~x~~X~~X~~X~~X~~ Las Noches' Inner Perimeter ~~X~~X~~X~~X~~x~~x~~~~

"Ah-hmph."

The group of friends, plus Nel and her … siblings, tried to look as hollow-like (or as threatening, in Nel's case) as they possible cold.

Ishida's cape was over his head, and Rukia and Renji's cloaks were covering their uniforms and the hoods shadowed their faces – in addition, Renji had Zabimaru released inside the cloak to make him seem more bulky, and some of the sword's spikes pierced out from the cloak to make it look like he had some sort of hollow-like armor. Chad didn't have much to improvise with, so he merely materialized his attacking arm, and Nel and her brothers stood in front of him to draw away attention. Bawabawa was in the back.

Iceringer and D-roy looked at them skeptically. "I'm having some doubts here. Your reiatsu doesn't feel like a hollow's to me. And you're wearing a soul reaper's outfit, aren't you?" Iceringer pointed to Ichigo, whose only disguise was to wrap Zangetsu's cloth around his arms. "This is … my hollow disguise!" Ichigo said in a hopefully hollow-y growling voice that was actually rather frightening. "Because of my human-like form, I am able to slip in amongst regular shinigamis, so I can get closer to them…" He brought his hands up and wiggled his fingers. "…and EAT them! Yum yum!" He suppressed a twitch – never would he listen to Nel again!

The less-intelligent D-roy didn't seem too concerned about it, but Iceringer wasn't convinced. "All right then. If you're hollows, show me your hollow hole." Ichigo stared at the bird-like arrancar. What should he –

"Okay! Plan B!" Nel shouted. "What the – Nel!" Ichigo yelled, turning around.

Iceringer narrowed his one visible eye. "What's –" But before he could react, Ishida was behind him, bow drawn. A spirit arrow fired –

"Ha! Too show, human!" Iceringer shouted, jumping up high. Ishida smirked at pointed at something behind Iceringer.

Who was promptly swallowed by Bawabawa.

D-roy yelled and lurched forwards, but he was slow, and a few well-aimed punches from Chad dispatched him.

There was a beat of silence.

"NOW RUN!" Nel yelled. The group did so, going down a hallway. "Wait, no one told ME about this 'Plan B'!" Ichigo complained as he jogged. "There really wasn't on," Ishida said. "Just good, spontaneous team work." "But, that was pretty easy, don'cha know," Dondochakka said, panting as he ran.

"Yea… I sure hope all our fights will be that quick," Pesche said, relieved.

"Don't say 'OUR' fights when you didn't do anything," Ishida grumbled.

"We provided moral support! That takes effort!" Pesche protested. "–Shut up!" Ishida barked. "No need to get snappy. I was just–"

"No, wait, seriously!" Ishida said, skidding to a halt. "Don't you guys hear that?"

"Hear what?" Ichigo said suspiciously.

"…Uh-oh," Renji said, looking down.

There was a giant crack in the floor.

Rukia blinked. "When did–"

CRUNCH.

"EH?" She yelled, grabbing onto the nearest thing, which happened to be Chad. Next to them, the two hollow brothers were clinging onto eachother as if for dear life, and Ichigo had grabbed a screaming Nel. That left Renji and Ishida, who were falling side-by-side.

Everyone was tumbling in a different direction.

"Dammit! How far down does this thing go?" yelled Ichigo after a few seconds, trying to see though the darkness. The only illumination was from the hole they had fallen through overhead.

BAM.

There was a beat of silence.

"…That far," said Nel dizzily.

"Ah-ta-ta-ta-taaa," Ichigo groaned, rubbing his head, which he had banged on the floor of … wherever they were. It was still to dark to see. Ichigo got up on his knees. "…Rukia?"

No response.

"Renji? Chad? Ishida?"

"Uwaahh … eberywone got wost!" Nel blubbered, starting to cry.

"I think we're the lost ones," Ichigo muttered. "Erm… there, there…" He groped for a second in the darkness, and found her head to pat awkwardly. "Anyway, let's at least find some light in this place."


~~~~x~~x~~X~~X~~X~~X~~ Orihime's Room, Las Noches ~~X~~X~~X~~X~~x~~x~~~~

"Woman."

Orihime turned around, facing away from the high, barred window at which she had been staring at, standing. Playing the good little pet that, for now, was what she had to be... "…Ulquiorra? What is it? Does Aizen-sama need me for something?"

"Yes," the stoic espada replied, staring at his charge with a rock-steady gaze. "It seems as though your friends have arrived at Las Noches. Because of this, you are to again train with Sasalia Maki in a safe area away from the part of Las Noches that they have invaded, starting one hour from now."

Orihime stared at him, her expression going from blank to shocked to sad to worried. "They … came here? Why? Why would they come?" Her voice was a whisper. They weren't supposed to be here! She was here to protect them, not put them in danger!

"…We will likely be there until the night, so Aizen-sama has instructed me to prepare you a meal … 'that you would enjoy'. …I cannot cook. You will accompany me to the kitchen and make yourself a meal to bring."

Orihime nodded, then sighed. I'm really feeling too depressed to make anything good. I doubt the kitchen here will have any bean paste.

"We have bought many edible human supplies in preparation. Come."

"Yes."

^^ TWO MINUTES LATER ^^

"Wow! You even have ketchup and chocolate chips and water melon! That gives me a great idea!"

Holding the huge watermelon in both hands and craning back a bit to carry the weight, she asked, "Is there an oven in here?" Ulquiorra paused and then went to the wall, typing something on a keypad which caused a previously blank portion of wall to slide over and reveal a microwave oven. Orihime trotted over and put the watermelon inside while Ulquiorra looked on. His brows were raised half a centimeter higher than usual, which for him was like staring with his jaw dropped to the floor.

Orihime whisked around and asked happily, "Got any sardines?"

Ulquiorra blinked slowly. "…Woman."

"Yes?"

"…You are to stay out of the kitchen."

"Ehh? But– "

"Leave now. Do not come near the kitchen. Do not even look at the kitchen. In fact, use your human imagination to pretend the kitchen does not exist." Orihime blinked in confusion. "Do not come into the kitchen unless the survival of Las Noches is at stake. To be precise, the survival of Las Noches may depend on you not being in the kitchen."

"But I wanted to–"

"Do not worry, I shall prepare your meal. Aizen-sama would be most unpleased if you were to die before he has deemed your presence here unnecessary."

Orihime tilted her head innocently. "What does that have to do with my cooking?"

Ulquiorra glanced back at the oven with the watermelon inside, and the chocolate chips and ketchup on the counter.

"…Please leave now." Was his only response.


~~~~x~~x~~X~~X~~X~~X~~ Karakura Outdoor Shopping Center ~~X~~X~~X~~X~~x~~x~~~~

"…Oh shit. Grimmjow, duck."

Anna pulled the espada behind a stand of jewelry. The espada had (very unwillingly) followed the short girl around the outdoor shopping plaza, bored by the colorful displays of fresh fruit and the assortment of useless clothing and accessories. Anna, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying herself window-shopping and reading other people's thoughts. Once she opened her mind, it was a bit hard to concentrate on a single person, but she was gradually getting better at it. She could effortlessly pick out Grimmjow's mind in the crowd, since she knew him the best. Not that she let him know that she was picking his brain, and having a nice time with it too –

Until she saw a flash of a black kimono and a familiar face in the crowd.

"I know that person," she whispered, trying to ignore the fact that most people around her were staring at the girl crouching behind a stand and apparently whispering to herself. "He was one of the Shinigami people who came to my school."

"What? A soul reaper?" Grimmjow said, shocked.

"Yea. I think his name's Izuru or something."

"Huh. I didn't feel his reiatsu. Must be suppressing it." The blue-haired espada peeked around the stand, eyeing Kira, who was in full spirit form – no gigai. "Suppressing his reiatsu and moving in his spirit body. This guy's expecting a fight." He smirked. "I'm gonna have fun with this."

"…What? Why?" Anna hissed, alarmed.

Grimmjow's smirk turned into a full grin. "'Cause this time, no one's told me not to fight! I'm gonna tear this soul reaper up!"

Anna grabbed his arm, panicked. "Wait, no!"

"Too late! Let's rumble!" With that, he lurched the ground, effortlessly slipping away from Anna's grasp, and shot himself towards Kira.

...And the inevitable fight will soon break out! So, until then, later!

~Kiwi~