Hi everyone! I'm sorry for doing this, I hate ANs as much as everyone, but this is important.

Mijuh and completely love the twists pointed out that they felt the whole capture and turning into an Espada things were a little rushed. I didn't answer Mijuh (sorry, completely love the twists, fanfiction doesn't anonymous reviewers to get replies) right away because I wanted to think about my answers and take another look at the chapter to see if I could have added anything. I found that I couldn't have, and right as I was about to start writing, sparklefreeze sent me another one of their miracle PMs (again, I love you!) and wrote the whole answer for me, with details etc. It's like they read my mind!

So, I posted this, especially considering that it replied mangafox's concern about Ichigo's family being told he'd been captured.

So, without further ado, here's sparklefreeze's awesome analysis of the chapter:

"hey there, I was just scrolling through the reviews and thought I would like to throw in my take as well.

regarding why family was not informed of ichigo's capture, I thought there were many reasons actually. One, ichigo had previously said he would abandon his sisters if it comes down to it. Two, it is mentioned that his sisters were never told about his injuries and only know he's alive when he actually gets home. Three, there is nothing his family can do but worry in this situation and Ichigo, and likewise Byakuya would not burden people like that. Four, Hogwarts is not prepared for the war as yet and knowledge reaching the school via the twins serves no purpose in the plot at this juncture. Five, I would dare to deduce that the author means to portray the increasing isolation of Ichigo from everyone especially now that he becomes a full-blown arrancar.

which brings me to the other critic of how this chapter has been rushed through.. It is true that everything that happens in this chapter could stand alone as another fanfic with quite a few chapters if the author so desires. However, do you want to read maybe 3 or 4 chapters with no mention of Hogwarts? It is a cross-over after all and requires that balance. Also, are readers happy to delve into the minds and reasons of Aizen & the other arrancars and have plot delayed for another chapter? It is a story about Ichigo and Byakuya and Hogwarts first isn't it? I found it quite artful that the author dealt with Grimmjow's reasons with that quick dialogue with Byakuya actually. It answered the 'why' that readers are bound to ask in a manner that is not unlike the arrancar's character; forceful, direct, no nonsense. And the story goes on. It is possible that what Grimmjow saw in Ichigo was their similarities. I find it implied that the arrancar could not bear to see such strength being crushed so dishonorably because Grimmjow saw ichigo as an equal.. And more so now that they are both truly arrancar.

another thing to chew on.. I liked the tone the author used for the chapter - distant, impersonal, almost nonchalant. Notice that the emotional flashbacks and reactions came from others and not ichigo himself. I like to think this tone is reflective of ichigo's own mindset. This is probably how he becomes when faced with war. 'Time flashing by in shades of black and white', not an exact quote but enough to understand why the chapter is 'rushed'. It really isn't, because it is how ichigo experiences it. Anything inconsequential to ichigo himself gets flashed by because it doesn't matter. That's how I interpreted the chapter and came away with a tinge of sadness and ache for this ichigo who cannot spare any emotion for himself in the face of war. That's also perhaps why I really appreciated the beauty that Ichigo had thought of Byakuya in his captivity.. I loved how subtle the reference was.. And so very precious, much like how their love is."

Seriously, sparklefreeze says it all!

I also wanted to thank the people who wrote an explanation to help me edit the mistake in chapter one: Xandre and Tenki-chan (if there were others, sorry, I missed you^^!). Also thanks to ladyyuuki16 who's been reviewing this story since forever, and to all of you awesome guys and girls who review and follow my story... I love you.

On a whole other note, does anyone know Two Steps From Hell? God, I discovered them yesterday, and I've been listening to 'Heart of Courage' over and over again ever since. It's brilliant. More than brilliant. Fan-freaking-tastic! If you don't know them, seriously, listen. It's worth it.

Til next update!

Bye-bye! *Foxy grin*

0-0

05.09.2012: sparklefreeze wrote me again:

"Hi there all,

It's nice to see how many of us are taking time to post our thoughts on the story like this. It kinds of prove that we really really love it enough to put in such effort. I'm just going to add in some random things I may have missed out previously since it was so frustrating typing a review on a Touchpad that I just skimmed through and got it done.

Hmm, I guess first thing was to explain why I said 3 or 4 chapters of Seireitei would be required if the author had went on to let us understand everyone's motives. The author is someone who strikes me as pretty 'anal' in the sense that loads of stuff such as emotion, gestures, looks tend to be described to a very exact detail. Very little is left to doubt or speculate unintentionally. I would think the author has often struggled to phrase sentences or find words to precisely convey what he/she means to say or to explain everything exactly right. Which is why, if character development were to be believable and comprehensive, I believe a mind like Aizen's will take no less than a couple of chapters for our dear author in question to get through. And in a chapter describing war, where doing outweighs thinking, it's just not a good place to begin and halt that momentum in its tracks.

'He left it at that.'

This quote has been in my head for the days after I've read the chapter. It still makes me laugh a little. I sort of thought it was like an appeal to us readers to 'leave it at that' and not ask so much yet.. For there is a reason I suppose, if the author has openly acknowledged that he/she is indeed 'leaving it at that' for now, knowing it is not adequate.

I recall a question about Grimmjow and Starkk's betrayal. I had an answer for the Grimmjow part, saying it was due to his belief in honor as a warrior. Starkk though, I believe he saw himself in this Ichigo.. Someone slowly being consumed by solitude, someone who does not want to but has to fight this war, someone he had perhaps wanted to save from a fate of loneliness like his own. I find that I cannot answer though, why the author uses the words 'heart-wrenching' if Hollows have no hearts as this reviewer points out. Lilinette's tears too suggest an element of empathy that Hollows are supposedly incapable of feeling. Perhaps like the reviewer suggests, becoming half-shinigami has imparted some humanity to these beings. Or perhaps too, the realization that Ichigo can have feelings so strong despite being so much like them in essence has brought up the possibility of it being the other way around. Also, having no hearts does not equate to an inability to feel right? As I remember right for example, Halibel loved her minions enough to want to avenge their deaths. Obsession, loneliness, jealousy, rage, pride, emptiness.. These are all emotions are they not? In any case, I would like to think the author means to portray Ichigo as inspiring the best in every being that he meets.

What else to say? Hmm, I absolutely love Shiro's relationship with Ichigo in this story!I loved Gin's active part in the rescue for a twist.. There's more to it isn't it? Also, to the author.. I think you missed a word here, "Maybe their new found relationship was linked to this strange?". Again to the author, I had forgotten to thank you for the chapter dedication earlier.

That's about it for today. Until next chapter then!"

So, I have an answer about the "heart" thing. To be honest, I didn't really think it would be an issue or anything, it hadn't really crossed my mind, but I have an answer for it anyway.

First and throughout all the anime/manga, the Espada showed various emotions: Grimmjow's bloodlust and anger and hatred, Starrk's loneliness and affection for Lilinette, Nnoitra's hatred for Neliel, Nel's fear when she saw Ichigo dead (she cried for Heaven's sake! What heartless being does that?)... Even Ulquiorra, to some extent, showed a hint of emotion at the very end, when he started to understand the heart. And then, as sparklefreeze pointed out, Harribel.

While Hollows may not have feelings, Arrancars do, otherwise, they would all be Ulquiorra clones, or at least that's what I think. I guess this comes from the fact that they got Shinigami powers, and it's very possible that their return to a human form is symbolic of the return of their feelings and emotions. They still have the hole, but they feel anyway.

And the missing word was "development", I think, but I'm not sure... Sorry, hehe *scratched back of her head sheepishly*.