*SORRY FOR THE UPDATE, HAD TO FIX A SPELLING PROBLEM! THANK YOU, D-CHI!*

First, I wanna point out that I'm at a quarter of a hundred reviews! Oh my god! Sorry, it's rather exciting. I'm hoping, one day, to get to maybe 50. I might even cry. Anyways, here you are. I know it's late, which is why I'm posting two at once. The other one is half-done and fully in my head. Won't be but a moment more!

Also, if you're wondering about the 'mass amount of' updates, I went through and corrected a bunch of errors in earlier chapters. I've noticed that a lot of people never make it to the last few chapters, so I'm hoping that it is merely because of the spelling errors. We'll see, I suppose.


Ichigo paced restlessly, his lower lip receiving the abuse of being chewed on. How in the hell was he supposed to go about this? It made absolutely no sense, and it was killing him. But he couldn't just forget about it, right? Someone had to know...

He forced himself to raise a hand against the door. It was now or never, really... He had to get this over with before morning in the human world. Maybe, by then, he'd know what to do with the traitor-gone-human. Closing his eyes to fortify himself, he knocked briskly on the hard, wooden surface.

"Come in, Kurosaki. Not like your pacing wasn't distracting enough..." Ichigo blinked at the muffled voice, before breaking into a guilty grin. Pushing the door open, he gave the tiny white-haired Captain an apologetic look.

"Sorry, didn't mean to bug you... I just kinda needed to talk, if you've got free time? It's kind of important..."

Toushirou sighed, realizing that, between the members of his Division and the Captains of the others, he was never getting work done. Today seemed to be a day marked with unexpected visitors and annoying guests. At least Kurosaki hadn't asked for food yet... Or called him Toushirou... He stood slowly, his small stature not making much of a difference between sitting and standing, and walked over to a side table where a plain tea set rested. Ever since Rangiku had developed the ability to destroy any paperwork he had with a badly placed tea cup, he'd started keeping it away from his desk.

"So, I just returned from the World of the Living. I've got some interesting news..." He was shifting, as though nervous. Hitsugaya had no idea why the man bothered report to him. He was a Captain. He should be reporting to the old man. Without even bothering to look up, he poured himself a cup of the tea.

"I ran into Ichimaru Gin."

The cup slipped from the young Captain's hand as the words sunk in. He barely registered the shatter, the shards skipping across the floor. Immediately his mind was filled with images of the man, the perpetual grin stretching across his thin, pale face, the cruel, skeletal hands that had killed so many. Most of all, he remembered the blood-curdling scream that had ripped from Rangiku's throat when he had been run through. It was no secret, given his death, that the man had cared for her. And based on her recent behaviour, it could be said that she had felt something for him.

Ichigo chuckled uncomfortably, shifting and rubbing the back of his neck lightly. Well, 'blunt' had not gone well. This posed a bit of a problem for explaining the situation. He glanced at his Soul Pager, noting that he had a few hours to get through to the Captain and get his ass back to the Human World before Gin woke up. He still had to talk to him and his brother... And there lies another problem. He had a brother... How did he explain to one while keeping the other in the dark? Gods, it was all so confusing...

"Listen, I'm sorry to cut off your thoughts and stuff, but I'm on a bit of a timeline... I've gotta get back before they notice I'm gone..."

Toushirou snapped back, turquoise eyes focusing on the tanned man in front of him. "Listen to me, and listen well. I will go with you to report this to Captain General Unohana. You must tell no one else, most especially Matsumoto. She cannot, for any reason, know about this. She has lost enough already." His eyes closed, a frustrated look crossing his face before he sighed. Yes, first thing first, Unohana had to know.

He grabbed his haori, trying not to let Kurosaki see his distress. He would have time to panic later. After everything settled, after the problem was solved. Everything would be fine.

Perhaps that was why, when he stepped out of that office, his body had frozen, his mind had shut off. Everything was not fine. In fact, time had run out.


Grimmjow stared at the scene, feeling a hopeless wave of déjà vu. Again, he watched Gin get slashed, and again he was sitting on the side lines. When in the hell had he become the pansy? He was supposed to watch over Gin, to fight all the fights for them both. Instead, he did nothing. Absolutely fucking nothing. He ran at the beast, a snarl rising up from his chest. No way would he just sit back this time. Not again. The guilt was too damn much.

As he drew closer, his arm moved back to deliver a savage stab. Sure, he might die. Yeah, the thing would probably rip his arm off. But all in all, it was better than the uselessness that flooded his veins. Damned if he let Gin be the hero again.

As his hand moved forward, he suddenly felt a splash across his face. A foul smell washed over him, causing him to retch. His hand touched his cheek lightly, staring at the blackish blood.

"What the hell...?"

He could feel his body crush to the ground and suddenly he worried that the monster had maybe lived. If so he was, to be blunt, completely fucked. That thing had been huge. He felt a pressure on his shoulder, and he squeezed his eyes shut. What a way to go. Monster chow.

"Ya'll righ', Grimmjow?" His eyes snapped open at the voice. It was so off, somehow. The pitch, timbre, inflections, that was all the same. Then it hit him. It was the accent. It was thicker, heavier. He wanted to lift his head, see if that really WAS his brother. But the force was still holding him, still hurting.

Gin looked down at him, suddenly letting the overlapped memories brush across his mind. Grimmjow. His brother, his younger twin, and an ex-arrancar. He half expected to see the younger version, the one he grew up with. But now he wondered if the tattoo would be there. It was confusing, having these halves battle over what was right and wrong.

He lessened the crushing spiritual force, waiting for his brother to raise his head. There was one more little detail to take care of. When the pale face and confused eyes met Gin's own, he suddenly let the blood-chilling grin slip in place. His sword flashed before Grimmjow could react and he scored his chest deeply. In a moment reminiscent to his old life, he felt the blood splash his face. Good times, really.


The muted dripping surrounded them, pushing even the loudest of their small group into silence. A sharp, metallic scent was far too present, and the rushing waters were tinged red. Even an hour after the attacks, the water still ran with blood. It made one wonder how many had died, or lay dying above their heads. If you listened hard enough over the water, you could hear the screams.

Ichigo sat with his head lowered, an exhausted and hopeless air around him. Rukia, at least, had made it... He allowed his eyes to focus on her, watching as Orihime bent over the frail, weak body. The poison had hit her rather hard, it seemed. She had been lying in a pool of her own blood, gagging as she tried to breathe.

He had blamed it on himself, really.

If he'd have gone to her first, saved her... She wouldn't have been in so much pain. As it was, he'd rushed to get her back, inhaling the deadly gases and feeling his own body trying to break down. None of that mattered. Just her. He promised that he would keep her safe, promised that it would never rain again. So he had brought her, by then barely showing life or even form, to Orihime. Even as people died around him.

He supposed that, even though he'd let countless people die, it had been better in the long run. After all, going to Fourth Company was what allowed so many people to escape the deadly air. General panic had spread across the Gotei and already people were fleeing. For most, it had already been too late. But as Ichigo arrived at Fourth, his dying best friend in his arms, begging Orihime to help him, to stop the rain from falling, Hanatarou had grabbed them and pulled them away.

In a tribute to old times, he'd led him to the old paths below the Seireitei. A place where the gas had not leaked, and where the air, while musty, was safe. After saving them, the boy had accepted no thanks, just running off to find others. He told them that the paths ran everywhere, and that he could bring more people to Orihime. They could be saved.

It was mostly because of Hanatarou that there were so many people crammed in the tiny halls. True, they could have spaced out, had breathing room, but Ichigo had a feeling that no one wanted to be alone anymore. Everyone had lost someone, something. Maybe they had all gotten tired of that pain. Not far away, he could see the emotionless Nemu curled tight against a wall. Whether it was because she had actually been mentally shaken or because of the betrayal she felt she had committed, he wasn't sure.

Most of the Captains had made it, he noted dully. It must have been the high level of reiatsu... Not that it mattered. Even with the amount of people who survived, the death tally was still in the thousands. He pulled himself up, slowly walking past the injured and crying. Everyone was waiting to be cured, wondering if they would be all right. How did a civilization like the Seireitei fall so easily?

"Orihime... I need you... I need you to watch over her..." His eyes were downcast, not meeting hers. He was ashamed. Ashamed that it came to a stupid sacrifice, ashamed that he might have to leave them all behind just as things were getting tough. But, above his own existence, his own worth, was the fact that they did need saving. Who else was more fitting to do it? He, the Ryouka that constantly wormed his way into the inner workings of the rule book, or some other noble or proper Shinigami? It had to be him.

The Captain of Fourth, with deep brown eyes sparkling with worry, looked up at him. "Please, Ichigo-san... Don't leave us all behind again." He still noted the name, the honourific. Ever since the death of the Espada, she had been able to meet his eyes, call him by his first name. It was yet another sign that their Orihime was no more.

He managed to give her a shadow of his old smile. He crouched down, a hand lightly seeking Rukia's. "Just make sure she gets better, okay? I'm gonna try to get word out. We need help."

A few people raised their heads, focusing on the bright orange hair. Soi Fon narrowed her eyes at him. "You think that there is anyone out there that will help? Face it, Captain Kurosaki. We're doomed." Her voice held such a bitter edge that people near-by winced and drew back.

Ichigo closed his eyes. "Maybe. Maybe there really is no one to help. But it's our 'only hope', right? Or are you going to just give up so easily? I don't know about you, but I'm not gonna sit back and die. We beat them once, and we can do it again..."

Casting a look about the room, Ichigo suddenly realized that it wasn't just Soi Fon who was scared for the future. Most people in that tiny, dank hallway had fear in their eyes. They were all worried about the fall of the Soul Society, and thusly the collapse of everything they knew and loved. Truly, it would be the end of the world. Suddenly smiling, he lifted a hand up to his brow. In a mocking rendition of a salute, he waved them off. "Have a little faith, will you?"

Still smiling, Ichigo sprinted off into the dark. Time to have another go at saving the world... He wouldn't let them down.


Hands flew across a scarred chest in a panicked frenzy. He had felt pain and tearing, and Gin... What the hell was wrong with that guy? As his hands and eyes worked at finding the gash he knew to be there, he came across the chain. Blinking in confusion, he took it in both hands and gave an experimental tug.

"What the hell...?"

"So, ya fin'lly woke up, did'ja? Ah've b'n waitin'... Got li'l bored, too. Nice ta see ya 'gain, though." The voice he should have known better than his own was way too different to be comfortable around. The accent was way too heavy, and a strange malice crept through it like a fog. Grimmjow raised his eyes to stare at those of his twin brother. What the hell was going on...?

Gin himself was perched on a roof, staring down at his 'brother' with a bit of a grin. It was by no means as large as he would normally permit, but he didn't feel the situation called for that much 'happiness'. He was a little unsure as to going about the chain-cutting here. If he cut the chain, then Grimmjow might just go full-Hollow. That, he had decided (while the other was out cold), would not be good. He wanted a coherent, humanoid Grimm. Thus lays the problem. Break the chain, kill the brother? No. Let the body and spirit both sit there? Also a no. So... Perhaps he should get help? That was a maybe. He remembered vaguely that one Urahara Kisuke had made his home in this town. All he had to do was find him.

As he mused endlessly, Grimmjow had managed to get to his feet. He did not miss the fact that an exact double lay a few feet away. Nor did he miss the fact that Gin's body was propped against a building. Whole. Where was the wound that the monster had given him? Speaking of... He looked at his own prone body. The lack of blood was startling. The entire scene was off. Brow twitching, he cast a wonderful glare at the 'stranger' on the roof. As his mouth opened to scream at the man, a pale hand flew up.

"Hang on... Ya hear tha'? Wings... 'S a Butterfly..." The confusion was apparent on his face. As a hand reached out to the dark night, Grimmjow could make out the vague outline of a black butterfly. Gin seemed to study it for a moment, before his eyes opened enough to actually become discernable at a distance. Casting the butterfly off, he leapt down.

"We go' problems. Now, Ah'm gonna do som'thin' y'ain' gonna like, so Ah suggest ya duck down an' keep quiet..." Without preamble, he threw a large amount of reiatsu over the town. He was pretty sure that any being with enough sense and Spiritual force would come running. He felt a grin slip into place as he saw a tiny black cat, remembering the strange abundance of them around town.

"So it was you, huh? Ah neva' though' it'd be you followin' me 'round." Crouching, he daintily took one paw between two of his fingers, perhaps trying to emulate a hand-shake. "Real nice ta see ya, Ms. Yoruichi. 'R is it 'Mrs. Urahara' now? Ah don' see 'ny li'l kitt'ns runnin' 'bout..." His attempts at a polite greeting were met with a quick swipe across his nose. Unperturbed, he stood and faced Grimmjow, blood coursing down the lower half of his face. "Ah'll be righ' back, try not ta get eat'n, all righ'?"

Grimmjow's mouth opened once more, this time in indignation, before the man and cat both vanished.

"Seriously... What the fuck?"


Kisuke suddenly stood up, causing a shocked Ulquiorra to spill tea on himself. Could that man do anything without scaring and/or causing a general panic in others? Ah, other than explain things. No, that caused an immediate urge to kill within the explainee. Giving the man a scathing look, he crept for the phone. Now that his attention was diverted, he could give his poor mother a call. He'd been gone for half the day! She was probably a hair from calling the cops...

A sharp pain, caused by a fan that Kisuke had apparently hidden somewhere in that ridiculous outfit, caused Ulquiorra to recoil. He couldn't quite help the hiss that escaped his lungs. He held his hand, giving the man a dark look. Bastard...

"Now now, as charming a woman as your mother is, it would be disastrous should she appear now. I wouldn't want her to die tonight." Green eyes flew up to darkened greys as the men stared each other down. For the first time since meeting him, Ulquiorra realized that this man was not just a playful fool. He felt the first stirrings of fear. Suddenly the illusion shattered as the man gave him such a silly smile that the younger had to refrain himself from punching him. He was so infuriating!

"See, I told you that the others would be along! My dear Yoruichi brings us one now! Isn't this exciting?" His jovial laugh sounded stupid and carefree. If Ulquiorra were any less cautious, he may have already pushed back the stare-down that had happened not thirty seconds ago.

Gin crashed into the yard, sword out and at ready. He wasn't quite sure how he would be received, but better safe than sorry. Upon seeing meeting eyes, both men stared, sizing the other up. Simultaneously, both men broke out into equally false grins.

"Why h'llo there, Kisuke-han! Neva' though' ta see ya 'gain! 'Specially aft'r th' li'l 'vent with those Soul Reapers. Real pity, huh? What'cha call em, Vizards!" The cruel jibes in his voice were not missed.

"Ahh, and my dear Gin! Who would have thought to see you here? And alive, at that! How magnificent. Pity Aizen tried to kill you, hmm?"

Both men had steely gazes and false smiles. With two quick leaps, both also had scratched, bloody faces. The cat paced to the centre, glancing once at each man. Her gaze stayed on Ulquiorra longest, hoping that he would be okay with this. As of yet, he knew the least out of the three revived men. Although, Grimmjow was indeed in second place. The man was always sleeping...

"There is no time to fight! Ichimaru, you received notice from the Soul Society, did you not? We have received word as well... It seems as though we are needed. I wish to know if you are willing to help us?" Her gold eyes flicked over the three men. As expected, Ulquiorra was beyond shocked. The other two, however, had had the shame to lower their heads at the reprimand in her voice. Kisuke even rubbed the back of his head, muttering a quick 'Sorry, Yoruichi' that he didn't entirely mean.

Gin frowned, worry creasing his brow. "Ya rea'ly thin' tha' the Soul Soci'ty got invaded? Seems a tad far-fetch'd, wha' with th' Deathberry bein' there..."

Kisuke sighed now, his playful side hiding again. "Let us fetch that brother of yours, and I'll explain everything that I can."


As it were, Grimmjow did not seem too happy at being left behind. When Gin had returned with Urahara in tow, the man had cursed until his face matched his hair. Getting him back to the shop, detached from his body as he was, was a little difficult. One (Kisuke) had to guide the soul, while Gin carried his brother's body. He was kinda glad that he'd remembered some basic healing spells, since he'd kind of cut his chest open. It had helped the both of them, really. Gin hadn't been too well off after getting hacked (yet again) by the Hollow.

In the end, the man was calmed and the five sat around a kotatsu, watching the enigmatic man fan himself with bliss. He had served them tea, and then left them to wait for him to, as he put it, 'enlighten' them.

As the time slipped by, the three began to shift. Grimmjow had been forced back into his body with a small bit of help from the black cat herself. After a significant amount of extra-loud shuffling, Kisuke finally snapped his fan closed. His face, having been hidden from the fan, was now displayed. Gone was the cheerfulness and carefree air. He was completely serious now.

"So... I have gathered you all here for the telling of this little story. You see, the reason for your existence... Is all my doing. But, even before I can explain this, perhaps I should grant you understanding?" He had a glint in his eyes, obviously debating. Finally, he stood. "Yoruichi, my dear, keep an eye on our dear Gin. I'm going to borrow these two. Also, perhaps you should get a hold of the beautiful Ms. Cipher. She will want to know where her dear son is." As he opened a door and ushered Grimmjow and Ulquiorra through, he looked back at her. "She may also wish to know how he died."


For Gin, the next three days or so passed with little events. Basically, he sat about and chatted with the beautiful model that called herself a mother. Really, she looked far too young to have such a role. At least, that was what Gin repeatedly reminded her. Wherever he could score points, the better. Had he any idea what was happening to his brother, he may not have been so focused on getting the woman to wear his designs.

In the mean time, Grimmjow was indeed going through hell. After the childhood in which he grew up, he was determined never to go hungry again. Somehow, however, this man had forced his in a hole and denied him food! It seemed the pale little prissy in there with him was suffering more than he was. Little brat was the rich son of a famous woman. He'd probably never even seen an empty cupboard.

The only other thing that worried him was the dangling chain attached to his chest. That dick Urahara had knocked him out, and he woke up like this. Last time he saw the chain, it had been, for starters, whole. It had also been attached to his body. This left the question of where said body was. Knowing that creep of a guy peering down at him, he'd probably sold it on eBay or something...

His eyes widened as the gnawing pain began, leading his eyes down the chain. He could see the last link gnashing and writhing. In a final burst of pain, it freed itself and snapped off. That was thirteen now... He could hear the kid beside him groan in pain, causing him to glance over. The boy's chain was shorter than his own... He glanced again at the leering face. That man knew something...

"Do you know how long you've been down there? Any idea?" He was smiling widely. This prompted the kid – Ulquiorra – to send one hell of a glare in his direction. Grimmjow felt a touch of respect for him. Suddenly the kid screamed, sending chills down his spine. Looking over, he saw the chain going nuts. The whole thing had kicked in, devouring away at itself. The kid had hit the dirt, maybe trying to crush it. Instead, he threw himself back, revealing a pale chest that had been chewed by the vicious thing. The smell of blood was pretty strong, overpowering his other senses.

As he noted the intense pain, he suddenly heard a snarling voice echoing in his head. The chain was eating itself towards his chest, bringing tears to his eyes. But even as the last few links broke, he suddenly felt... nothing. Everything was white, almost blindingly so. He could feel another presence, one that was almost as crushing as Gin's. Looking about, he spied the giant cat creature.

Padding over on delicate silent paws, the cat stood before him. Its muzzle was only inches away from his face. Having this beast so close, every muscle in his body was screaming for him to run. And yet, after looking into those impassive eyes, he couldn't. They were familiar, like he was meeting a friend after a very long time.

"Do you know me, Human?" The voice shook his very core. So focused on this beautiful creature, he barely noticed the crumbling world. Something deep inside his heart pulled at the sight, the voice... He remembered...

"...Pantera..."

The beast gave a grin that could match Grimmjow's easily. "So, you've chosen a new path, have you? Very well... Grab hold of the hilt, Shinigami!"

Kisuke peered into the hole, rather hoping this would work. Sure, Ichigo had pulled it off, but that kid had been a hybrid. These two... Were they really all that special? He could only hope. It would not be very good if, after all the work he put into this project, they became Hollows. He would have no choice but to kill them after that.

The blast of Spiritual Pressure sent him tumbling back, only to be stopped by a well-placed foot. Turning his head, he was greeted by a (pleasantly so) naked Yoruichi. Really, the woman had no shame. Amusingly enough, the silver-haired man behind her was looking away in embarrassment. Grabbing her offered hand, he pulled himself up.

"Well, here's to hoping that all goes well!" He whipped out his fan, hoping to hide the frown on his face. He owed it to the two of them. If things did not work out... It was better that he had never told Orihime. To raise her hopes with the knowledge, only to have her get crushed by his death... Again, better he never told her. That way, that scenario would never be the case.

He was rather amused to see two bolts of light shoot from the hole. It was so very similar to Ichigo's awakening. 'Please, let the outcome be the same..."

The two landed not ten feet away, covered with the same dust and creating the same worry. Gin moved forward, a nervous look on his face. Memories returned or not, that was still his brother, dammit! As the dust cleared, the three prepared themselves. Better safe than sorry...

Grimmjow cleared the dust first, grinning magnificently. "Hey, were you really that worried?" He was clothed in the traditional black shihakusho, causing the group to sigh with relief. Ulquiorra stepped beside him, giving a quick glare when the former neatly cut him off. With memories returned, the vague animosity was back as well.

Kisuke looked between the two, allowing a brief, loud laugh. "Welcome, to the both of you. And I must say, I AM-" The sentence was abruptly cut off as Grimmjow's fist was shoved into his gut.

"You're gonna shut up with the pleasantries and explain everything to us, yeah? Like, maybe, why I'm related to that sick fuck?" Gin pretended to look offended.

"Now now, Ah don' see why ya gotta make fun o' ME... Ah'm a nice guy, through an' through." The grin was back in place, hiding any fears he had previously had. He really had been worried. Looking back. He should have relaxed. Grimmjow was far too stubborn to just let himself die.

Ulquiorra stepped forward, grabbing the scruffy man by the collar of his shirt. With a startled squeak, Kisuke found himself eye-to-eye with the bright emerald greens. "You told me that the Onna was waiting for me. I wish to know more, and as quickly as possible. Please."

Kisuke stared back, suddenly allowing a quick smile to flit across his face. Not a mocking one, not this time. It was a true smile, caused by the relief that flooded through his heart. The three of them had survived the trials, and they had changed for the better. It was time to start phase three.

"Now, let us go upstairs. I have my story to tell."


Okay, next chapter is being uploaded right after this one. Hope I get some reviews! Please! With a cherry and extra chocolate and sprinkles!

Anyways, I hope this flies well with you guys. If you wanna criticize, please don't be afraid to. Also, I personally love flames. They're fun to read. So, if you wanna drop a word, good or bad, please don't be shy!

P.S.: Longest chapter yet! Over 5000 words!