Aizen is alone at the moment, mulling over what he's going to do now. Grimmjow, though he's only the Sexta, is one of his most powerful and effective Espada… especially against one of the only threats against his success. He can't risk Ichigo leaving, though he knows Grimmjow isn't too thrilled about the younger staying. The orange haired male strolls past the throne room, Aizen's eyes barely catching him if it weren't for his vibrant hair.

"Kurosaki!" he calls.

"Hmm?" Ichigo wonders as he peeks his head in.

"Please come in, I wish to speak with you."

"… About what?"

"I'm worried about you. You don't seem to be settling well within Los Noches," he smiles kindly. "Do you need to leave?"

"Um… no, I'm okay."

"Ah, that's right," Aizen states carefully. "Now that you've been taken by an Arrancar, the Seireitei is sure to see you as an even bigger threat… I should have known better than to allow you to linger here. They'll wish for your execution for certain."

"… No… I don't…"

"Ah, ah, ah. I was one, remember? They're always quick to execute for the smallest things. Take Rukia, for instance… How her noble brother, who loved her just as much as her sister before her, stood by to watch her murder without thought. Surely they should've known her long enough to know what happened was completely out of character," the brunette says. "I can only imagine what they would do to a substitute Shinigami they don't even consider one of their own when they learn they've been sleeping with the enemy. They might even assume you've leaked some important information during your stay here."

"… They wouldn't…"

"They would. Please don't get me wrong, your safety is one of my top priorities while you're here," Aizen states. "You mean a lot to Grimmjow and I want my Espada to be happy enough to perform adequately. It's just… I want you to understand that not everyone will be as understanding as myself. The Visoreds will only get in more trouble should they hide you away, not to mention you might as well say goodbye to your human life then, and Seireitei will hunt you down relentlessly. I hate to say this, as you cause quite a ruckus around here, but… this might be the only place you're completely safe."

"… I guess," Ichigo says quietly.

"You are welcome to stay, you know. You're one of us now that you belong to Grimmjow."

"Thank you… Can I go now?"

"Of course."

As Ichigo moves out of the room, Aizen grins triumphantly at the worry and contemplation in his eyes. The orangette was uncertain about going home to begin with, but Aizen is right… he used to be a Shinigami and he would know how they would react far better than the teen who's barely lived a tiny portion of Aizen's life. Ichigo sighs miserably, the homesickness he's managed to push to the back of his mind while around Grimmjow clawing at the forefront. He doesn't want to harm the Visoreds, they've been very good to him and they're great friends… but that's his only choice if he's to go home.

"Why does everything have to be so complicated?" he murmurs.

"Problems?"

"Stark! You startled me," Ichigo frowns.

"I apologize," the brunette with shoulder length hair chuckles. "Is there something you'd like to talk about, Ichigo? I'm a rather good listener… as Lilly."

"… Aizen just pointed out exactly what I've been worried about," Ichigo sighs. "I can't go home now that I've been brought here, or Seireitei will kill me."

"And you're listening to Aizen on that," the other frowns. "The guy that wants your power on his call? The one that's been demanding Grimmjow bring you into the fold? The traitor that's been attempting to bring down those he swore loyalty to?"

"Okay, okay, I get it," the orangette snaps. "It's just… I remember when I first met them…"

"How many years has it been since then? People change, Ichigo… look at us."

"I suppose."

"You just need a little reassurance, that's all," he smiles. "I'll get it for you."

"… What do you mean?"

"Don't worry, I have to head to the living world anyhow," Stark waves off. "So it's on my way."

"Stark! Don't do anything stupid!"

"I'm an extremely brilliant person, I never do anything stupid."

"But…"

"See you later, Ichi!"

Ichigo growls as Stark heads outside, grumbling to himself when he sees the other stepping through a Garganta with Lilinette. When the tear seals up, the teen heads inside in search of his mate… or a little privacy to bother Shiro in his mindscape.

Stark stands with Lilinette, the two gazing out upon the living world contemplatively. Lilinette huffs and taps her foot impatiently, glancing at Stark every now and then. It's late, the sun dipping low on the horizon and painting the sky in a myriad of colors. Finally, she can't stand the silence anymore.

"What are we doing here!" she snaps.

"We're supposed to check how many Shinigami are within the living world," he explains. "But I'm going to figure out what they're going to do with Ichigo if he turns up here."

"Why?"

"Because Ichigo is important to us and he's really worried about returning. Grimmjow doesn't want to keep him so close to Aizen's grasp, so he's going to bring him back here… But we need to be certain he won't get so stressed from worry that he miscarries the first child born within Hueco Mundo in centuries."

"… Yeah… that would devastate him," she mumbles sadly. "And I really like Ichigo, he's nice to me and plays with me when I'm bored."

"So… let's go make sure he'll be safe."

"Okay!"

Shiro stands beside Ichigo's bed, watching his more serene half snooze happily within Grimmjow's embrace. The Sexta smiling minutely in his sleep as he nuzzles further into Ichigo's orange locks, purring in his sleep as he strokes Ichigo's back. Shiro's gaze softens, running a hand through Ichigo's silken locks and avoiding Grimmjow's so he won't wake the two. He'll do anything to protect his Queen's happiness, which means his next stop is his last. Shiro stops his train of thought and hurries out of the room, a specific destination in mind. He takes the halls as though he's lived here all his life, ignoring any that may have occupants at this ungodly hour before finally stopping upon reaching Aizen's bedchamber. A malicious grin spreads on his face like a plague, a hand quickly covering his mouth to cut the insane cackle that wants to erupt from those sinister lips before it can even get started. He lets himself slip into a Zanpakto spirit state, making certain no one but Ichigo can see him, and then slips into the bedroom Aizen calls his own. The sword that's causing all this trouble is set against the wall next to the bed, Shiro smirking as he glides over soundlessly and quickly nabs the blade before retreating. It's easy enough, but Aizen probably believes everyone is under his hypnosis… which Ichigo is unaffected by. Afterward, taking only a moment to make a rather childish face at the sleeping brunette, he hurries back to Ichigo… soon Aizen will fall.

Stark and Lilinette are still scouting the living world, the two almost giving up on locating a Shinigami to get information from. It's when Lilinette is about to scream in frustration, that a Senkaimon opens outside a small shop to the left. The two hurry over, keeping their presence down to a point it can't be felt. There, stepping up to a blonde in a green and white stripped hat, is the entire Gotei 13.

"Whoa, look how many!" Lilinette whispers.

"Hush, Lilly," Stark reprimands. "We don't want to be found."

She nods, turning her attention back to the Shinigami and Visoreds and humans that have gathered. It takes a while for greetings, no matter how forced, to pass before everyone starts talking. The two Arrancar can't help but be curious how the different species can act so civil toward one another, but chalk it up to Ichigo's strange ability to befriend anyone.

"Tell me you've all come to an agreement," the Quincy sighs in annoyance.

"We have," Yamamoto nods.

"Kurosaki will be taken into custody for his own wellbeing," Soi-Fon states rather bitterly. "He'll be released upon a detailed report given of his stay in Hueco Mundo, but he'll be detained to Seireitei alone."

"And Grimmjow?" Orihime wonders.

"… We will deal with the Arrancar after we go through the report," Byakuya remarks.

"It's impossible to discern the difference between feelings forced by a marking and those that were actually present beforehand," Shinji explains. "After the initial mating those forced feelings are no longer needed since the Beta would belong to the Alpha without chance of running off, so they disperse. Until we can figure out what was going on through Ichigo's mind while he remained in Hueco Mundo unaffected by such a mark we can't take any chances."

"If he's… pregnant?" Chad asks quietly.

"… We'll do as we always do," Unohana says. "I will watch over him and usher the child into Seireitei… dead or alive. Should it be the later, we will decide what to do after speaking with the parents."

"That's as fair as we could get for him," Kisuke sighs. "Which is extremely fair considering their traditional answer to everything. You have to understand, Ichigo is different from everyone here, a completely new breed, and he's a very dangerous threat should he decide to turn against Seireitei. I doubt he would, but there's always that chance. He needs to be watched closely and Central 44 wants to keep him on a short leash."

"That isn't fair!" Uryu snaps.

"I know, but if you knew Seireitei's history with Hollows you would understand," Yorouchi frowns. "They've never been on good terms and many Shinigami have been killed and raped during mating season… one of the reasons the Visoreds were feared so. They were every bit affected by the instincts of Hollow than a regular Hollow is, but Seireitei didn't think they retained their human minds. Now that they're aware of the difference, they're really trying to amend their earlier assumptions."

"Ichigo has forced many changes in Seireitei," Kisuke grins. "Eons of tradition had to be rethought upon his presence, which has forced Central 44 and the Gotei 13 to rewrite the rule books quite a few times. He's opened their eyes… and mine as well when it comes to some things."

Stark smiles minutely at that, taking the back of Lilinette's jacket and pulling her along with him. He's heard enough, Ichigo should be safe enough returning here. He hurries away to head back to Los Noches, opening and closing the Garganta before they're even noticed.

"So… when he arrives, how will we send a message out without freaking him out?" Yorouchi asks. "You know how prone to temper and panic he is."

"Ah… yes… About that," Kisuke grins. "I've taken care of that problem myself."

Grimmjow wakes Ichigo early the next morning, the small Beta stretching and giving his Alpha a happy smile. White clothes are laid out for him, just like they have been since the day he arrived, and he gets dressed before heading out without Grimmjow beside him. The two trust the others enough to keep Ichigo occupied and away from Aizen, so the orangette is allowed to roam the halls on occasion. Stark hurries up to Ichigo once he sees the teen heading for some breakfast, Lilinette right beside him.

"Hey guys, how did your mission go?" Ichigo asks to be nice.

"It was boring!" Lilinette huffs. "I would've had more fun watching Stark sleep for an hour!"

"Awe, I'm sorry you had such a bad time, Lily," the orangette chuckles. "Perhaps your next mission will be a bit better."

"I hope so!"

"On a brighter note," Stark says quietly. "I came across a meeting about what they intend to do with you should you arrive."

"… You did?"

"I did. They hold you no ill will, Ichigo. You'll be safe going back there, they won't harm you."

"… You're sure? I mean… who said it, exactly?"

"They were all there, the entire Gotei 13. Along with a blond shopkeeper and his violet haired friend, the Visoreds, and your human friends."

Ichigo seems to calm at that, sighing in reassurance as Stark and Lilinette head off to eat their own food. Grimmjow is just walking in, having heard of Aizen's attempt at manipulating his mate into joining them. Ichigo is in danger here… something has to be done and he can only think of one thing. After breakfast, he ushers Ichigo down the hall hurriedly.

"Where are we going?" the Beta wonders almost panicked.

"I need to get you out of here, Kitten. You're not safe anymore."

"But… I don't want to leave!"

"Don't worry," Grimmjow assures him. "You're safer in the living world, those Visored friends of yours will know how to care for you when I'm gone."

"O-okay," Ichigo stammers.

He gives Ichigo a wide grin, more soft and affectionate than feral, and then opens a Garganta to the world of the living. Ichigo, still in his white clothes, follows Grimmjow hesitantly. He was trapped in his human body this whole time, but never felt uncomfortable and therefore forgot about it… it's as though his body accommodated to the new atmosphere automatically.

*It did, Ichi-bitch, * Shiro pipes up. *We're evolved, remember? It ain't necessary ta pop out a yer body anymore, we're of all worlds. *

*Shiro… you'll take care of me, won't you? * Ichigo asks nervously at the sudden presence of his ex-Hollow. *I'm pregnant now, what if… what if they try to execute me for betrayal? I didn't betray anyone, Shiro, I swear I didn't! *

*Ya don't have ta tell me, * he scoffs. *I was there. Don't worry so much, Ichi, I'll take care a ya. No one will hurt ya as long as yer mine. *

*But… aren't I Grimmjow's? *

*You'll always be mine, Ichi, * Shiro laughs. *Grimmjow might leave ya someday, might give his life fer ya if need be… but I'll never leave, I'll always be right here. *

Ichigo watches Grimmjow's broad back as he walks ahead of him, blinking a couple times before punching the other in the side. The teal haired Sexta gasps in surprise mixed with pain, turning to look back at a fuming little Beta. He brushes it off, sighing in exasperation… these mood swings were gonna be the death of him. He walks out into the sunlight of the living world, Ichigo close behind him, and gasps when the Garganta is suddenly sealed behind his mate. The entire area is heavy with the feeling of a barrier, something powerful and different he can't break through. Looking down, Grimmjow gasps at the sight of the blonde with the green and white hat and entirety of the Gotei 13.

"Shit," he grumbles.