Ichigo frowned. There was no doubt Mayuri had figured out he was in Hueco Mundo. Soul reapers were beginning to appear everywhere, each group containing a familiar presence. One of the groups had caught on to their antics, slowly gaining on them.

A discussion took place on a sandy hill as to whether or not they should leave Hueco Mundo. The only other place they could possibly go to was the World of the Living. The idea didn't sit well with Ichigo, not wanting to involve anymore innocent people in a war that should've been long over, but the more time they spent in there, the less of a chance they would be able to avoid the Soul Society.

Cresting over the last of a series of hills, Ichigo peered down at the strange valley below them. Hueco Mundo wasn't exactly known for having anything other than deserts and underground forests. Small lifeless trees dotted the valley, branches that seemed to split off into hundreds of ends spreading out.

"Watch where you're going with your damn blue hair!"

A small smack was heard behind Ichigo. Then a scream of frustration, followed by a loud punch. Something flew into Ichigo's back, sending him tumbling down into the valley. He stopped, thudding against one of the trees lightly.

Ichigo reared back, seeing the 'trees' close up. They weren't trees at all. Tall, thin, grey figures stood, bulbous heads at attention, black hole eyes gazing back at Ichigo. The branches were actually arms, the split ends each a finger of a hand, and instead of legs was simply a trunk of a body, digging into the sand below.

The group neared Ichigo, Apacci gasping as she hid behind Tier. Grimmjow cackled madly, excited at how wicked looking these unknown beings were. Ichigo brought his hand up, slowly bringing it towards the closest figure. Apacci shook her head violently, shouting, "The curious ones are the always the first to die!"

Mila Rose nodded along, Ichigo choosing to simply ignore the two. As soon as he touched the figure, it screamed, branch-like arms flailing wildly. The figures all over the valley began doing the same, screaming a harmonious song of despair. Everyone covered their ears, until Ichigo finally got annoyed and grabbed Zangetsu. Blue light emanated for a second, before he slashed out, a weaker, but still incredibly stronger Getsuga Tenshou tearing its way through the valley.

They stood in surprise, the figures seemingly absorbing the attack until nothing was left. The figures suddenly stopped their screaming, and returned back to normal. Ichigo looked back at the group, then back at the figures. "Let's… not go that way."

The group began turning around, until they felt a pulse of spiritual energy. It was close, almost feeling as though it was over the hill. Ichigo quickly put as much as a lid as he could on his energy, and told the group to get down. Familiar black uniforms appeared on top of the hill. They hid behind the figures, making sure not to touch a single part of them, watching silently.

Footsteps could be heard now, approaching the hidden group. Ichigo placed has hand on Zangetsu, readying himself to fight. The footsteps stopped. Ichigo leaned closer to a figure, attempting to hear what was being said on the other side.

"-coming from here?"

"Positive, it sounded like an alarm of some sort."

"Hrm, it could've been an automatic defense trigger, in which case anything could have triggered it."

"True, but it's the only lead we've got right now, the sensors can't exactly pinpoint their location."

A sigh. "Do you think he's alright?"

Feet shuffled. "We can only hope so."

"But then why would he do it?"

"We don't know for sure yet if he's with them or not, they could've somehow knocked him out or tricked him."

"And if he isn't?"

"Then… then we've truly entered a whole new hell."

Ichigo's knuckles tightened. He could feel the anger, the sadness, the fear radiating from the people talking on the other side. He knew the people viewed him as a hero, and the news of their hero possibly betraying them was bad enough, let alone having to hunt their hero.

The group waited several moments, the talking from the other side lowered into whispers. Ichigo strained even harder to hear, almost fumbling once as his legs got tangled. The hairs on his neck stood up, a feeling of dread suddenly shooting through him. He glanced backwards, and realized why. Grimmjow and Apacci had been forced to hide behind a figure together, but they were so focused on keeping as hidden as possible, Grimmjow didn't notice his hand slip down Apacci's backside. It only took a surprise squeeze from a grinning Grimmjow to earn a squeek accompanied by a harsh slap, sending him tumbling towards a figure.

Shrieks sounded all around them, Ichigo feeling the soul reapers immediately back off, each one flaring their spiritual energy as they prepared to defend themselves.

"Hey, there's someone within the forest!"

Footsteps rang out against the sand, rushing their way towards Ichigo's party. He turned, and shouted as loud as he possibly could over the shrieking. "Run!"

The group weaved inbetween the figures, trying to elude the opposing force. Tier's senses perked, feeling a gate opening up ahead of them. She waited for the right moment, and then quickly shot herself through a gap in the trees, landing beside Ichigo. "There's a gate opening up ahead of us, we can use that to escape."

Ichigo nodded. "Alright we'll-"

"It'll lead to the World of the Living."

His eyes widened for a split second, but as he looked around at the mostly fearful faces, he knew there was no choice. Tier and Ichigo shared a look, both nodding at once. They split apart, relaying the plan to the rest of the group.

Right before Ichigo could make his way to Nelliel, a spray of car sized icicles shot forth, almost striking the duo. He knew exactly who those icicles belonged to, and could feel another barrage on its way. Before it could arrive, he snagged Nelliel's hand and sped forth.

The figures finally parted ways, revealing an enormous clearing, the shimmering gate billowing in the middle. "Don't stop, just keep going!" Ichigo spun around as he shouted, drawing Zangetsu and letting go of Nelliel's hand.

A smaller, thinner blade struck, struggling to overpower Ichigo's. Ice blue eyes bore into Ichigo's, anger and confusion present within. Ichigo felt his heart pang, knowing he was the cause of such grief.

"Captain Ichigo Kurosaki, of the Fifth Division, you are under arrest for suspicion of helping enemies of the Soul Society!" Toshiro's voice trembled, trying his hardest to believe Ichigo hadn't raised his blade to defend the arrancar ahead.

Ichigo watched Toshiro slowly lower Hyorinmaru. He glanced up, seeing Matsumoto standing not far off, knuckles white with her grip on her own zanpakuto.

"Why Ichigo? After all you've done for us? Why would you do this?"

Ichigo's eyes returned to Toshiro's. "Didn't I already do this once?"

Toshiro gritted his teeth. "There's a large difference when it comes to defending people that have actually tried to kill innocents!"

The gate cracked, drawing everyone's attention. Ichigo raised Zangetsu once more, steeling his gaze. Turning his head slightly, he growled to his newfound friends, "Go."

Ichigo felt the movement before he saw it, flash stepping to his left and intercepting Matsumoto. He bashed the blunt side of Zangetsu into Haineko, sending her flying to the side, and turned on his heel, once again facing off against Toshiro.

Nelliel looked backwards, watching the spectacle. Ichigo was speeding around, keeping every soul reaper occupied. She waited for the rest of the group to enter the gate. "Ichigo, c'mon, everyone's inside!"

Ichigo appeared in front of Nelliel. She attempted to grab his hand, but instead found herself forced backwards and into the gate. "Wha-?"

The gate closed. Ichigo slowly brought his hand back, facing the soul reapers. "Good, they're safe."

Two blades came from opposite sides of Ichigo, who blocked one with Zangetsu and grabbed the other. "Just give me one reason, one reason why I shouldn't signal the rest?"

"Because they're the same as you dammit! They're misguided, just like the way you guys were, so why is it wrong for me to do the same for them?" Ichigo threw Matsumoto's zanpakuto away, bringing himself to fully face Toshiro.

"They're the reason we exist! They're the reason we have to fight for our own lives, and for other's lives! They're the reason we have to mourn someone each and every single day! They're the reason Momo was hurt!" Toshiro's voice cracked, panting heavily after his outburst.

Ichigo was almost glad he never became adept at sensing others spiritually, finding himself instead able to sense the unsurmountable hurt radiating from his friend. It was true, had it not been for the arrancar, Momo would most likely have not been hurt a second time, just like many others wouldn't have. But was that reason alone enough to not offer a second chance?

Ichigo's eyes widened, jumping away from Toshiro, feeling the impending explosion of spiritual energy. "Bankai!"

He felt his body pulse with power, the fight with Tier freshly imprinted. Despite having been able to fight against the former third Espada with his hands, he knew a fight against one who knew him so well would not be the same, relentless sparring sessions providing many bruises for the two.

"Please Toshiro, just trust me one more time, haven't I at least earned that after all I did?" Ichigo never once used his efforts in helping the Soul Society as a way to reward himself, instead taking a more humble approach, but considering he was facing the Soul Society again, he was not averse to taking such desperate measures against his own morals.

Toshiro hesitated. A voice appeared behind Toshiro, making both reel in surprise. "If it wasn't for those arrancar, Gin would've never had to die!" Both pairs of eyes watched, Matsumoto kneeling on the sand, tears plodding softly below.

Toshiro whipped around, coldly glaring at Ichigo. "I'm sorry Ichigo, but if this is the way it has to be, then I will stop it with all my might."

"I'm sorry too, Toshiro."

Both figures disappeared, the sand around exploding apart as the fight began. Matsumoto dragged herself off the ground, rallying the rest of the squad away from the fight.

"Shiro, stop!"

All eyes turned towards the new voice, Toshiro's face adopting one of complete fear, Ichigo's going downcast, having hoped against all odds that he wouldn't have to face her so soon.


A/N: Whew, I finally got back into writing some stuff for this. Shan't be much longer until I can finally go back to regular updating, and I'm so sorry it's taking me this long to adapt to my schedule, which is still changing, but not to worry, I shall not quit!

Thank you all for the kind reviews, I must admit, the suddenness of the newest one made me feel the need to squeeze this chapter in.