Chapter 8 :

Quick reminder that this chapter is completely raw, so I'm sorry if anyone has any difficulty in reading it, details at the bottom.


"Harribel-sama?!" Apacci and Mila-rose shouted in unison, their eyes wide with disbelief as they eagerly bounded over to the blonde Vasto Lorde. The woman in question cocked her head to the side, with an expression that was filled with confusion. As Harribel looked to Ichigo for help, he asked her to wait as not everyone had arrived yet.

Ichigo then leaned towards the woman from earlier, the one called Yoruichi and whispered in her ear, resulting in a quick nod from her before disappearing. Ichigo returned his attention back to the two girls in front of him but something was off.

Apacci stood in silent shock, while Mila-rose couldn't believe her eyes, so much that she brought a terribly shaky hand up, reaching out towards her former leader. Ichigo looked on in slight confusion, as being shocked to see and old friend was reasonable, but Mila-roses reaction was quite different. Mila-rose looked as if she saw a ghost though Apacci was calming down and seemed to be quite relieved.

"N-no way this can't be real...W-we thought y-you were dead!" Mila-rose stuttered out, her eyes threatening to pop out of her head at any moment as her mind fought with her eyes to make sense of the situation. That is until a sharp pain erupted on the back of her head which interrupted the internal battle she was having.

Whipping her head quickly to the source of the pain, she discovered A pale white hand, being waved back in forth as if the person was trying to cool it off, bringing her eyes upward she saw a grinning Apacci. Mila-rose's eyebrow began to twitch rapidly, and as calmly as possible she questioned the blue haired tomboy, "Apacci...WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!".

"Whaaat? I was just trying to help." The blue haired Arrancar stated with a innocent yet slightly mischievous expression. Though she couldn't hold it for long as her face quickly contorted into a knowing smirk. "If I had known that your head was that hard I would've held back." Apacci continued as she rubbed her bright red hand, trying to rid herself of the throbbing pain.

Mila-rose began to grind her teeth together as her knuckles began to turn white from clenching her hands, "Apacci...Just what in the world is going on in that pea sized brain of yours that would cause you to smack me?" She questioned with a voice filled with irritation.

Resting her chin on her fingers Apacci drifted into deep thought, though after a few seconds she snapped her fingers in discovery. "Well it worked on Ichigo when we were in bed together, after he woke up from a nightmare." she replied.

Then she quickly shuffled over to Mila-rose, and brought a hand up to the Amazon's ear to prevent any unwanted prying ears to listen in. A wide-eyed Mila-rose laughed off Apaches' absurd fantasy, "oh please, you wouldn't know the first thing to do in that kind of situation."

Ichigo then raised an eyebrow, somewhat confused as to the reactions of his Fraccion Though looking towards Mila-rose, she smiled, and shook her head, and he knew it wasn't a big deal and not to waste time discussing it. Catching a glimpse of the shark-like hollow Ichigo noticed she was still calmly analyzing the situation, and would've mistook her for a statue if he had no knowledge beforehand.

Scratching his cheek Ichigo looked to and from Harribel and his Fraccion, neither of the parties involved had made any attempts at conversation since the beginning. Harribel was the elephant in the room and yet no one wanted to deal with it, Mila-rose taking a wary stance to the newcomer and Apacci seemed to take more of an observer role like himself.

Moving over to Ichigo, "Wonder whose gonna break first." Apacci wondered aloud, though just quiet enough that only he could hear.

Giving off a quizzical look towards his blue haired Fraccion, "What about you, she said she knew you as well." Ichigo asked.

Apacci put a hand on her hip while mimicking Ichigo's cheek scratching, "Eh, there's not much to tell, I mean we were together for a few months but I never really got that close, so...Yeah." she replied

Ichigo deadpanned at the brief and vague reply of Apacci, but shrugged it off, before jerking a thumb in Mila-rose's direction, "So, whats up with her?" he asked.

Apacci lazily raised up her eyebrow as she looked over Ichigo's shoulder at Mila-rose, "well I'd say that's a pretty normal reaction for what just happened, after all..." she trailed off as she made a half turn to look at Harribel, "she was our supposedly dead leader." she finished. Apacci kept an eye on the shark-like hollow that had, for the most part, stayed relatively quiet since entering the palace. a few seconds of silence followed as Ichigo's mind processed what she had said, and the possible consequences of his actions.

Taking a deep breath Ichigo looked over Apacci a few times trying to judge whether he wanted to travel down the rabbit hole so to speak. though un/fortunately Apacci was willing to offer up an explanation, now fully facing Ichigo she took a deep breath, "It happened a couple months ago."


(Flashback)

Apacci stood just outside the entrance of the cave, sweeping her eyes across the endless sea of sand. closing her eyes once more she let out a quick puff of air escape her nostrils before beginning to pace again. it had been a little over a day and Harribel had still not returned.

Sung sun was curled up in a small ball and true to her appearance she stayed the farthest away from the fire, preferring the cold ground over the warmth of the small flame. the steady rise and fall of her chest made it apparent that she was fast asleep, though with a closer inspection one would notice the occasional flick of her serpentine tongue, tasting the air for anything out of the ordinary. Mila-rose on the other hand kept herself in a position to where she could see and hear anyone coming down the spiral staircase that led to the entrance while simultaneously keeping close to the fire. she loved how the heat rolled over her backside plus the occasional crack kept her alert.

Mila-roses' ear's perked up and towards the stair case as she began to hear multiple clacks rain down from the stairs. though she couldn't see who it was, the sound alone told her it could be only one of two things; an idiotic buffoon who had no common sense, or a wandering hollow looking for shelter. The insistent clacking grew louder as the individual made their way down the spiral staircase, Mila-rose let her head rest back down and closed her eyes. She knew exactly who it was, and considering that there was no need to be alarmed. A few seconds later Mila-rose's assumption was correct as Apacci came into view descending the staircase.

"Is this all you guys do during the day? Lets go out and kill something!" Apacci shouted in irritation as she began to pace back and forth, resulting in numerous and loud clacks upon the floor. A few seconds of silence passed by, which aggravated Apacci to no end that she was being ignored. "HELLLLLLOOOOOOO!?" Apacci yelled.

Mila-rose's brow began to twitch while her muzzle formed a snarl, but her mind was in sorrow, 'Why...WHY can't she just sit still for five damned minutes?!' she pleaded to herself. Wishing for just a few more minutes of silence and rest, something of a treasured rarity being an all female group. Though, for once, Sung-sun came to her rescue as she too could no longer take the doe-like hollows ramblings anymore.

"For once in your life could you please be quiet, your constant complaining will only earn you a pair of fangs in your throat." Sung-sun threatened, despite being extremely calm. Her serpentine tongue dashing in and out from her lips every few seconds, her head perked up sightly. Sung-sun then picked herself up off the cold stone as she looked to her lioness companion. "It seems Miss Harribel has returned." she announced, before making her way to the spiral staircase to begin the trek up to the sandy surface of Hueco Mundo.

Apacci's eyes lit up with excitement as she too heard the foot steps of her leader coming from above, as she followed Sung-sun up. Though she took the few extra seconds to address Mila-rose, "Come on lard ass, get a move on!" she shouted with amusement.

Mila-rose gave an irritated growl before begrudgingly getting up and making her way upstairs. Though only half way up, Mila-rose heard a loud thunderous clap followed by the ground beginning to shake. Instantly she threw herself into overdrive as she rushed up the stairs, and upon reaching the top what she saw was a wall of hollows charging straight for her, all clamoring over themselves trying to be the first to sink their teeth into fresh meat.

She looked to and fro for Sung-sun and Apacci, though when her eye's discovered her companions, it was yet another sight she didn't want to see. As the snake and doe-like hollows were layed in a gruesome fashion in a large crater, a lone dark skinned man with equally dark purple braids. Though a mere glimpse was all she was offered as the man literally disappeared into thin air. "Apacci, Sung-sun!" She called out, hoping that they were still alive.

Then the roar of hundreds if not thousands of hollows reached her ears once more, and their footsteps acted as a small continuous earthquake. Mila-rose's eye's shifted back and forth from her fallen comrades and the oncoming hollow horde. "Why..." She whispered out, "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LEAVE US ALONE!?" She roared out, before planting herself into a battle stance. Her mind turning to mush as she tried to figure out why her kind, Female Hollows, were so hated as they were actively sought out to be killed. Even in the heat of battle between two males, if a female were to seen both would forget their previous encounter to deal with the unlucky female.

Mila-rose hung her head low, "Harribel-sama...I'm sorry" she said aloud, before leveling her head at the oncoming attackers, a fierce scowl set in place. Her leg's tensed as she readied herself for was most likely was her final fight, she shook her head of such depressing thoughts as she charged towards the attackers.

Just as Mila-rose was about to charge into the mass of hollows, a hand came to rest upon her head. "You were not thinking of taking them on by yourself were you?" a very familiar voice asked.

Quickly looking up, her heart soared as her eyes came to bear upon her leader, Harribel. "Harribel-sama!" Mila-rose shouted with glee, but it soon turned sour as she glanced back to her fallen companions.

"Do not worry, they are alive, just unconscious." Harribel said as she noticed where Mila-rose was looking.

Hearing that eased Mila-rose's nerves slightly, only to raise once more as she got a look at her master. Cuts and bruises covered Harribel's body, along with a missing arm. Eyes widening, she voiced her concern, "You're hurt! What happened?!".

Harribel had only one word to utter in response to her followers question, "Barragan." she spoke with such anger as she narrowed her eyes upon the ever so close horde. Turning back to her lioness follower, "Gather the others and flee, I will lead them away and find you all later." she commanded, "NOW!" she added after seeing Mila-rose hesitate.

Nodding quickly, Mila-rose dashed off towards Apacci and Sung-sun, before gathering them upon her back and looking to Harribel one more time. The blond haired Vasto Lorde watching her all the same, with a somewhat of a smile on her face. Turning away as she ran off, trying to create some distant between her and the horde, and her master growing ever so small until all she could see were dunes.


(Flashback end)

Ichigo's eyebrows were scrunched together in thought, her description from Mila-rose's sighting of a dark skinned man with purple hair was strangely close to Tousen, one of Aizen's followers.

"After that, when I came too Mila-rose told me that she had led them away so that we could escape. We waited weeks for her return but she never came back, so we assumed that she didn't make it and soon after we were thrown into that..that fucking hell hole, then you came along and saved us." Apacci explained, her face contorted in pain and distaste upon recalling the hollow pits.

Ichigo's eyes widened and took a glance at Harribel, who was still silently observing him and his Fraccion. Though his time spent as a primal hollow was short, the amount of hollows that had more then kill, eat, and survive on their minds were miniscule. In fact, the only one he could recall that didn't follow this format until coming into contact with Aizen was Nelliel, and with this conclusion Ichigo glanced once more towards the blond haired hollow. From the way she held herself, a calm and elegant air around her, to the way she was content on standing there analyzing the situation reminded him greatly of the green haired woman.

"Amazing" Ichigo commented as he continued to be transfixed on Harribel.

Apacci puffed her chest out while giving it a hard fist pound, as an air of smugness washed over her. You're damned right, she was the best-ah.." her eyes widening and her mouth snapping shut as she realized what she had just said, in front of her Master no less.

"Yea, she's one in a million." Mila-rose agreed, which startled Apacci.

Ichigo turned his attention back to his Fraccion, and noticed Mila-roses solemn expression, which prompted him to voice his concern. Mila-rose looked to him then Harribel and back again, her eyes then failing to meet Ichigo's as if she was scared to answer him.

Taking a deep but shaky breath, "what happens now?" She asked warily.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow, his confusion clear as day when trying to figure out what she meant. Apacci's eyes widened in disbelief as she surprisingly understood what the dark skinned amazon woman was asking. Quickly she wrapped an arm around Mila-rose's and Ichigo's neck as well, and without a hint of doubt or uncertainty, "We're staying with Ichigo of course!" She declared.

Mila-rose on the other hand did not exactly share the same feelings as Apacci, and as a result she quickly removed herself from the blue haired Fraccion's grasp. A look of shock marred her features as she spoke, "How could you say such a thing? After all that she has done for us, you can just drop her...just like that?!".

Apacci quickly countered, "how could I? How dare you...has Ichigo done nothing to deserve our loyalties?" She questioned as she rounded on Mila-rose.

"Now you know I didn't-." Mila-rose began but was cutoff by a very pissed of Apacci.

"NO! Ichigo has done more then anyone ever has for me, if it wasn't for him we wouldn't even be sitting here right now if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have known Harribel-sama was even alive if it wasn't for him I would've never known..." Apacci screamed out, her body shaking slightly from getting so worked up. She would have continued if it wasn't for Ichigo's hand coming to rest upon her shoulder, and a quick glance to him settled Apacci's nerves almost immediately

Ichigo gave Apacci's shoulder a comforting squeeze as he focused upon Mila-rose's face. "Look, you both and Sung-sun mean a lot to me, and I'm damned sure that you all mean just as much to her as she does to you. I never have, nor ever will force you to stay, I want you all to be happy, and it's not like you're leaving we'll still be here in Hueco Mundo." Ichigo explained.

"Now before we make our decisions let's go-" Ichigo began before darkness instantly enveloped his vision and sound became nonexistent.


(Mind-scape)

Darkness soon gave way to beautiful blue sky, and cloud reaching skyscrapers dotting the landscape as silence gave way to whispering winds. Though one little detail was off, a single man stood on the side of the tallest skyscraper, as if gravity did not apply to him.

Examining the area, Ichigo quickly recognized his surroundings but that was not the reason for his confusion. The fact that he was able to return to his mind-scape kept his brain going into overdrive, that is until a resounding "Tsk tsk tsk" came from behind.

Whipping his head to the source, Ichigo's eyes went wide as his met glowing pure white eyes of Hōgyoku. "You!" Ichigo shouted as he quickly relinquished the massive cleaver from its bandage-like prison, crouching low before launching towards the hooded figure at unfathomable speeds.

Though it was for naught as the magnificent blade in his hands instantly slammed into the building below his feet, the weight pushing him too far past his limits. Turning back towards the cause of his sudden stop, his eyebrow raised in confusion and an exhaled "Wha?" flowed from his mouth.

Ichigo yanked on his blade with all his might, but it would not budge and his complete attention was focused solely on what was going on. So it came as a complete surprise when Hōgyoku decided to make himself known once more. "I'm disappointed in you Ichigo, is that anyway to treat the one who seems actually willing to do anything for our family?" Hōgyoku questioned, as he put great emphasis on 'our family', something that Ichigo instantly picked up on.

Eye's narrowing, Ichigo corrected the hooded figure, "Don't fuck with me! It's my family and mine alone, and I'd do anything for them. Lets get that straight...Mother fucker". Rage, a simple but fitting emotion for the current situation, filled Ichigo's very soul. This intruder upon his very being restrains and tortures Zangetsu, the very one who made it possible for his family to even survive the hollow attack.

Hōgyoku, though was undeterred from Ichigo's outburst and shook his head accordingly. "There's no need for such vulgarity. I am only trying to help and seeing how I misjudged you, I took it upon myself to do what is necessary to see them again and to keep them safe." Hōgyoku explained as he closed the gap between himself and Ichigo.

Ichigo's hands left his blade, a snort of distaste leaving his nostrils as he turned fully to Hōgyoku. "Until my body has withered away and its remains blown off into the wind, I will make damned sure no harm will befall my family. I will see them again one day, Aizen-". Ichigo began but was cut off by an irritated roar from Hōgyoku.

Before Ichigo could even react, he found himself flying through the air with pain he had only just realized encompassing his head. His eye's wide with confusion even after crashing through several skyscrapers, his emotion quickly turned to shock as Hōgyoku re-appeared above him.

Bright white, razor sharp teeth and narrowed glowing eyes shown through the pitch black darkness of Hōgyoku's hood. He was livid towards the orange haired Arrancar, and began transferring his emotions into actions as he began beating Ichigo with lightning speed.

Whelps were forming upon whelps as Ichigos' face began to turn into a bloody mess. Trying as best he could, Ichigo dodged the blows, though it seemed he was just putting himself in the direct path of yet another fist or foot.

"I TOLD YOU ICHIGO, AIZEN WILL NOT LET YOU LEAVE! GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL THAT ONCE HE'S DONE WITH HIS PLAN, HE WILL CUT YOU DOWN LIKE HE HAS DONE WITH SO MANY OTHERS. I'VE SEEN HIS PAST AND WHAT HE HAS DONE, AND I WILL BE DAMNED IF I'LL LET YOU GET OUR FAMILY KILLED!" Hōgyoku screamed in rage, as his fists continued to rain down upon Ichigo.

Hōgyoku would have continued his onslaught to the point of killing Ichigo, god knows he wanted to. Though what kept him from doing this wasn't him, nor Ichigo, it was a glass shattering roar that came from behind. Hōgyoku allowed Ichigo to continue flying through air, only to be stopped by crashing into another skyscraper, while he turned to see just what had made that noise.

A sudden large source of light obscured his vision, and any chance of discovering the source of the beastly roar. His eyes shut and eyebrows furrowed as he expanded his senses outward, as he searched for any signs of spiritual pressure his mind returned to the source of blinding light. It was intriguing for it to exist in this world, before there was no source of light, yet there was day and light reached every nook and cranny that could be found.

But Hōgyokus mind did not linger on this 'sun' for much longer as he noticed not a concentration of spiritual pressure but a complete lack of it in a small area, and it was coming right for him, fast. So blindingly fast did this thing travel, Hōgyoku wasn't even able to open his eyes to see its approach before a hand clamped over his face, and smashed him into a nearby building.

Though that was not the end as instead it letting go, its grip tightened on Hōgyokus face as it began using his face as a substitute shovel, digging through the structure. Surprise wracked Hōgyokus body, as he opened his eyes, though most of his vision was obscured by the hand he could make out the face of his attacker, something he didn't think he would ever see again, Ichigos hollow.

A short series of coughs and hacks emerged from the orange haired Arrancar as he pulled himself from the rubble of the building that had prevented his body from flying any further. Ichigo put his hands on his shaky knees as he tried to fully stand, though luck would not be on his side here as his strength gave way and he fell down on to all fours. "Dammit!" He cursed through his heavy breathes, closing his eyes Ichigo allowed his body to calm down, before looking up to the skies, searching for Hōgyoku.

Pale blue sky with blotches of dark gray clouds loomed over him, though he couldn't see them he could definitely hear and feel them. Erratic waves of incredible power pulsed from Hōgyoku, though strangely his opponent exuded nothing, no power whatsoever, but as it seemed was having little no no trouble fending off Hōgyokus attacks.

Ichigo hung his head as he bent over to rest his battered and bloodied upper body, then after taking a few shaky breaths he looked skyward with determination. 'Its time to rid myself of this bullshit, and take back Zangetsu!' He declared to himself.

With a shaky push, Ichigo launched himself into the air but maintaining himself in air was already proving to be a challenge. He cursed his weak body as it reminded him of the night he failed to acquitly protect his family, hell if it wasn't for Zangetsu he would've killed them instead of those monsters.

Landing on top of a nearby skyscraper Ichigo watched in stunned silence as the devil like hollow drove the Hōgyoku away with relative ease, raining blows upon him with insane speed. His emotionless mask did no justice to his maniac like fighting techniques. The two titans coming together again and again, until during the exchange of fists, actually it was just Hōgyoku letting loose his fists, which just narrowly missed the hollow each time. Ichigo watched as the hollow rested his hand upon Hōgyoku's chest, all the while dodging his fists expertly, and soon a large explosion erupted between the two.

Dust and smoke obscuring any attempts for Ichigo to figure out what the hell had just happened. Until suddenly Hōgyoku flew out from the smoke, so fast Ichigo had trouble keeping up with him, but he noticed that where the hollow's hand had been before the explosion was now a smoldering hole in Hōgyoku's chest.

Letting out a breath he did not know that he was holding, Ichigo collapsed on all fours as he rapidly took in deep breaths. Relishing in the new air that found its way into his lungs, Ichigo soon calmed down, but a soft tap on the concrete roof brought his guard back up.

Looking up revealed his savior, the devil-like hollow, as the lanky figure gazed down at him. Truly a horrifying situation, as Ichigo searched the endless black pits the figure had for eyes, it felt like dread was slowly overcoming him.

Hoping to rectify the situation, Ichigo was about to speak when a large bone white hand wrapped itself around his throat and squeezing it with ungodly strength before lifting Ichigo high into the air. Eyes shooting open Ichigo grasped at the figures hand as he thrashed about with his legs, determined to escape.

Try as he might, the hollow did not ease up on its death grip, gasping for air Ichigo continued to pull at the hand around his throat, all the while his movements becoming slower and less intense. Darkness soon began enveloping his vision.

Ichigo's own fingers found themselves come into contact with the surprisingly skin-like white coverings of the devil-like hollows throat. He planted his feet on the hollows thighs, and pushed with what he had left to escape.

'No, no, NO!' Ichigo mentally screamed redoubling his efforts, his eyes coming to bear on the figure with a nasty snarl upon his lips. Suddenly the pressure upon his throat vanished, causing him to crash back to the ground gasping for air once more.

A few less than soft slaps on the back caused Ichigo's eyes to shoot upwards, staring back at him was the one who had just tried to kill him. Though confusion overtook anger slightly as the hollow offered its hand.

Shrugging off the attempt to help, Ichigo pulled himself up all the while keeping an eye on the hollow, who never attempted to move from his position. After Ichigo gathered himself up, the hollow turned on its heel and began walking away.

"Hey don't you run away!" Ichigo shouted out as he hunched over slightly, surprising him of how little strength he had left. Then darkness set in once more as his vision went black and sound disappeared.


(Present)

Black, In every direction he looked was darkness, his brain shifting into overdrive as he processed just what happened. 'I was pulled into my mind-scape, Hōgyoku talked of Aizens soon to be betrayal, and soon attacked me, then this demonic looking hollow protected me from Hōgyoku only for him to begin choking me...then darkness.' Ichigos eyebrows shot up in realization, he had been killed by his very savior and now he was floating in some kind of limbo realm.

He tried to shout out, maybe he wasn't alone, yet no matter how much he tried his voice never came. suddenly his arms stiffened and locked into place, soon after his legs and head soon followed. panic began to set in, even more so that the fact that he was dead and would no longer see or be able to protect his family anymore.

His screams intensified as he tried to move something...anything, but all of a sudden sound entered his ears, but what he heard was something he could have lived without. blood curdling screams, which he easily recognized that they were not his own. then a dim light was shown before him, as the seconds ticked by the light grew, not only in brightness but in size as well. Ichigo slowly but surely began relaxing his body, which was still locked into position, as the light gave him an odd sense of relief despite the screaming.

'what the hell is going on' Ichigo thought, but didn't have time to ponder that any longer as the bright light intensified so much that Ichigo had to tightly shut his eyes. though it seemed his efforts were for naught as his eyelids did very little to block out the blinding light, but it wasn't all that bad as the screaming ceased and he had regained slight control of his arms.

Soon the light dimmed to a reasonable level and for that Ichigo was thankful for, but the scene before him was almost exactly like his nightmare. Yoruichi and Harribel were both lying face down on the floor surrounded in their blood, "STOP ICHIGO!" was shouted from his side. turning his head towards the source he saw Mila-rose gripping his arm back as she stared in complete shock at him.

That's when he felt the same pulling on his other arm, and upon finding Apacci gripping all the same as Mila-rose, he knew something horrible had happened.

His knees buckled under the instant pressure as his eyes came to bare upon Yoruichi and Harribel lying face down in pools of which he assumed to be their own blood. w-w-what t-the hell h-happened here? Ichigo barely managed to chock out as he tried to comprehend the situation.

Both Apacci and Mila-rose released his arms, and offering confused glances towards each other before turning back to Ichigo. Mila-rose scratched the back of her head as she searched for a delicate way to break the news, but Apacci didn't wait around for her explanation. "what the fuck are you talkin about...you did this!" Apacci shouted.

"I-I did this?!" Ichigo gasped out as his lungs struggled to gain air upon this shocking news, his eyes floating down to his hands to find them shaking. though while staring at his hands he noticed his cleaver lying at his feet covered in blood, and his legs finally gave out causing his knees to slam into to ground with a resounding crack.

Apacci quickly kneeled at his side, though wary of what he might do she still reached out to his shoulder which resulted in him jumping up slightly and his head whipping towards her. the look of pure horror and confusion that marred his face stopped her from even making a peep. "Do you not remember doing this?" She asked slowly as she tried to be as calm as possible, who knows he might go crazy and attack her this time, and was promptly met with a blank stare.

It suddenly donned on her how calm she actually was considering what had just happened, was there some other force at work that could keep her in this state despite the fact that her current leader had possibly killed her previous idol. Apacci turned to Mila-rose who had backed up quite far away, with her face taking on a similar look, much like Ichigo.

Ichigo noticed this as well when he turned his attention from his hands to Apacci. His mind raced as he looked at Mila-rose, his hand shook as he reached out towards her, praying that she would help him in his time of need. Though his prayers went unanswered as Mila-roses eyes instantly locked onto his movements, especially his outstretched hand and quickly darted backwards only to bump into a wall.

Ichigo's hand flinched in sync with his face, before hanging his head in shame. His time of need, what a load of bullshit, looking back down to Harribel and Yoruichi he slammed his fist into the ground, making Apacci jump slightly from the outburst. Though she was startled, Apacci refused to move from Ichigo's side, then confusion began to sink in as Ichigo wedged his arms underneath the two unconscious women on the ground.

"What are you doing?" Apacci asked, to which Ichigo turned to her and what she saw was the same look she witnessed when he saved her, Mila-rose and Sung-sun from the pit, determination.

"I'm going to save them." He declared, as he hoisted Yoruichi and Harribel upon his shoulders, before opening the front door.

"Wait!" Apacci shouted, to which Ichigo turned back towards her with an eyebrow raised. The blue-haired Arrancar took a quick glance at her dark-skinned friend, and upon seeing the woman in question still pressed up against the wall looking fearfully towards Ichigo, she snorted in disgust. "I'm coming with you." Apacci declared as she bounded over to Ichigo while her eyes came to rest upon Ichigo's face once more.

Ichigo returned her gaze with incredulous and surprise, but seeing the determination in her eyes, gave him hope. Seriousness took over as he motioned Apacci to follow him, but not before giving one last almost pleading look to Mila-rose. Though it wasn't to be as she shrunk into herself and turned her head away, breaking any chance of eye contact with Ichigo. Frowning, not at her but at himself for betraying her to such an extent, Ichigo blasted out to the dunes of Hueco Mundo with a slightly irritated Apacci in tow.


Authors Notes: Ok, so there's another chapter I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did writing it! Sorry about the long wait, I must seem like a broken record at this point, but my beta left me out to dry so if anyone is interested in being this stories beta it would be greatly appreciated.

I had a lot of trouble tying the end of this chapter up, as I couldn't find a point that I really liked to end it on and not have it be a insane cliffhanger (Sorry about the past, they're just too juicy to pass up.) As for the rest of the story, it's going to take a while, updates will be few and relatively far between (Like maybe a couple of months from chapter to chapter.) but I hope the length for each will make up for it.

Anyways, thank you all for reading my story.

Until next time,

Desuse