Authors Note: Sorry it took so long to get this up, i know its short but its just a small transition. I got distracted by some later scenes that I had a sudden urge to write so you can look foreward to those.

Two Steps Forward

Ichigo watched as Rukia walked away quickly without speaking a word and went to follow her only to feel a grip on his arm. Captain Soifon had cut him off,

"Ichigo, I expect the Captain-Commander would want to know that you are staying, I'll take you to him," Ichigo wanted to sprint past her and follow Rukia but he thought better of it. The last thing he wanted was to offend Yamamoto who could quickly kill any plans of staying in the soul society.

"Alright," Ichigo responded hesitantly as Rukia grew more distant, he wanted to follow but decided against it.

He had been shown through a series of back alleys, each more winding than the previous. Ichigo was impressed with the captain's knowledge of Seireitei and impeccable sense of direction. Then he made the connection, the Special Forces must know every short cut available, that way they could quickly move about with minimal witnesses and maximum efficiency.

They quickly arrived at what appeared to be the first division's head quarters the chrysanthemum hanging above the entrance. Soifon pointed towards the door,

"Here we are, I highly advice you to be respectful towards the head captain and his men," she said calmly but it was obviously meant to intimidate. Ichigo nodded and proceeded inside. The head quarters where not as stuffy or formal as he expected and several soul reapers where rushing about performing their duties.

Some one noticed Ichigo who stood out from the crowd,

"We've been told you'd be arriving," an elderly soul reaper said warmly, "please let me show you to the Captain-Commander's office," he said motioning Ichigo to follow. Ichigo complied and followed the man up a flight of stairs, finding himself facing an unassuming wooden door at the end of a hall way.

"Yamamoto is expecting you," the man explained while opening the door although Ichigo was unaware as how the message had reached him so quickly.

"Take a seat," the head captain ordered and Ichigo quickly grabbed the seat across from Yamamoto. He glanced around quickly and noticed the office was not exceptional though it had a good view of Seireitei from the balcony. "I understand you did not leave soul society when scheduled," the Captain-commander said pointing out information evident to both of them.

"Yes sir," Ichigo replied respectfully hoping manners would make the old man more lenient and tolerant of his presence. Yamamoto's eyes were half closed his robe wrapped about him it was almost hard to believe he was the most powerful living soul reaper.

"Considering your service I do not want to have to remove you forcefully, however we cannot have outsiders loose in Seireitei," Yamamoto said flatly.

"Then let me serve," Ichigo said quickly, before he was fully aware of what he had suggested. Yamamoto's eyes opened wide and it was apparent he was deep in thought.

"An interesting proposal," Yamamoto said thoughtfully, "you showed a great deal of potential during the war with the traitor Aizen," Yamamoto paused obviously thinking carefully. "Yet I tell you exhausted much of your power," he continued. Interesting young human, he actually wants to stay Yamamoto thought. "Yet considering you recovered your powers after having them destroyed completely I'm confidant you could regain them" Yamamoto concluded leaving Ichigo baffled.

"Is that permission to stay?" Ichigo said abruptly and Yamamoto was slightly surprised by his enthusiasm. Very interesting indeed…

"That is permission to make a decision, nothing more," Yamamoto explained, amused by the look of confusion on the other man's face. Ichigo thought about what the old man had said and finally made a response,

"So I can stay or go?" he asked and watched as Yamamoto nodded. "Thank you sir," he said bowing at the waist.

He could not imagine what hell was like, Hueco Mundo was bad enough. With great difficulty he dragged himself over a sand dune every inch caused unimaginable pain. The plan had failed, Aizen was dead; the Hōgyoku had been destroyed along with the leader of the Arrancar.

At last he could see what he had been searching, Las Noches' familiar shape was growing closer with every step. There he could tend to his wounds, reformulate his plan… and have revenge. It would be a suicide mission but that did not concern him, he had lost already; he would die regardless… but he would make them suffer before he died.

Gin smiled sadistically to himself as he took another labored step towards his destination.