CHAPTER 21:

Once again, Grimmjow found himself sneaking out of Hueco Mundo to report to his new ally. It was so regular that by now, Tessai and the rest of Urahara's employees knew to open up the doors to the hidden tunnel for him. The Sexta had once wondered whether they knew exactly who they were letting in all these times but he found he didn't much care.

'I guess everyone's gonna have to find out eventually...' the bluenette frowned. He hated it but he knew that Ichigo was going to find out sooner or later. Of course, Grimmjow had been hoping that he'd never find out but the Espada knew that was impossible. A small part of him was somewhat looking forward to that moment when the Shinigami realized that the kitten he had been caring for was none other than the Sexta Espada. A much, MUCH bigger part of him was dreading the moment when Ichigo realized that he had confided his deepest fears and secrets to his enemy. Either way, there was only one thing the teal-haired man was positive about.

'Berry's gonna flip when he finds out.'

Grimmjow sighed and pushed those thoughts out of his head as he turned back to his Arrancar form. He grunted as a greeting to the blonde ex-captain.

"So? How'd it go, Grimmjow-kun? Didja find her?"

Electrical sapphire eyes narrowed at the smug tone and fan that was covering a what surely had to be a confident smirk. As a smug sneer took over the bluenette's face, Grimmjow laughed in his most cocky manner.

" 'Course I did."

A yellow eyebrow rose. "Really now? And? Is she willing to join our noble cause?"

The Espada snorted. "Of course."

Urahara hummed impressedly. "Looks like I didn't send the wrong man for this job," chuckling when Grimmjow scowled. "Great! We have another powerful ally-slash-spy on our side, things are looking up."

A bit of the Sexta's cockiness deflated at that. Clearing his throat, his blue eyes couldn't meet the analytical green ones. "Uh... yeah. About that... we've got a bit of a problem."

The blonde former-taichou sighed when the blue-eyed man finished explaining the situation. "I feared something like this would happen. Someone so strong wouldn't stay away for so long if they didn't have something to fear or hide."

"Hey, look. She's still incredibly strong, ya know. It's just that she can't be that strong for long," the teal-haired Arrancar argued in defense of Neliel. "Besides, with the way she looks right now, no one's gonna suspect shit about her. She's perfect as a spy!"

A pensive look settled on Urahara's face. He nodded slowly in acquiescence. "Yes, that's true. You do make a good point..."

Grimmjow smirked. "What can I say? Looks and brains, I've got the whole package."

Chuckles escaped the shopkeeper. "Yes, what ever would we do without you?"

Wide gray eyes watched the panting black-clad orange head standing over his now defeated oppponent. Ichigo kneeled on one knee next to the unconcious Arrancar, both steadying his breath and checking Dordoni's wounds.

The green-haired girl had to admit that she had first been worried when they were attacked by Dordoni. It had vaguely occured to her that had she not left Las Noches, she would be a Privaron Espada just like him. That's why she knew that while the man was much weaker than any of the current Arrancar, he was still a formidable opponent. Not to mention that Ichigo's stubborness was dragging out the battle and most likely gathering more attention from their enemies.

However, the moment the strawberry blonde pulled on his Hollow mask, Nel found herself speechless. For one thing, she had never heard of Shinigami's being able to use the powers of Hollows. Second of all, if she thought Ichigo's reiatsu was impressive before, this changed everything. The former-Trecero felt as though she was being washed away in a massive tidal wave of swirling energy, the fierce and oppressive raw power rendering her speechless, drowning her. Yet the warm protective aura wrapping around her in a gentle embrace and holding her together like an anchor.

"Nel."

The little Arrancar was stirred from her thoughts. "Yeth?"

Ichigo stood, orange bangs hiding the amber eyes laid on his defeated opponent. He spoke silently. "Do you think you could...heal him?"

Neliel smiled. "Sure, Itsygo."

There was no doubt in her mind that Dordoni would not just accept his kindness quietly. He would just attack them again when she was finished healing him. The Shinigami was reckless and rash but she had nothing to worry about. The boy would be fine.

"Man, even though one of yer own subordinates was beaten, ya seem like yer really happy fer some reason." Sarcastic mirth was laced in the words of the man using his smile as a mask. He had to smile in front of Aizen, otherwise his disgust would come through. Never could the mask slip or the past century he spent on his betrayal would go to waste. It was because of the difficulty of the scheme that the fox-like man could not believe that Grimmjow was attempting the same thing as him, the original spy.

Gin's voice came from behind the former captain sitting in front of a large screen that projected images of an orange-haired Shinigami and replayed his battle. Slicked back brown hair turned to reveal cold, emotionless brown eyes. Aizen looked back at the silver haired man that had spoken.

"Is that how I look?"

Slitted eyes and a wide curved mouth formed a perpetual grin. "Am I wrong?" Gin smiled. "The fact that those children 're winning 'nd drawing ever closer here makes fer something pretty fun." His eyes opened for a rare moment, revealing icy blues. Very rarely did he open his eyes, especially in front of Aizen, for fear that if the eyes truly are the windows to the soul, his plan would be revealed to the brunette. "That's the kinda face I see."

With his back turned to his fellow ex-captain, Aizen answered. " 'Fun', you say? I wonder why."

Another image projected onto a corner of the screen to the right over the current one. Scenes of Grimmjow sneaking back into Hueco Mundo and closing his Garganta came into view right next to projections of Ichigo and Nel running through the hallways after defeating Dordoni. And of course, there was also the man right behind him... An unfeeling smile with less warmth than glaciers settled on the brunette's face when he thought of the three incredibly entertaining individuals, so different yet so alike in their foolishness. It was more amusing than anything else for the former taichou of sqaud five that the three believed they could both somehow stop him. He chuckled maliciously at the thought of the clueless orange-haired human, impudent teal-haired rebel, and unaware silver-haired spy. As long as he had Kyouka Suigetsu, all the spies and rebels in the worlds could not stop him.

"Certainly, I do feel something similar to that emotion." A nefarious glint in his brown eyes, he turned to the former captain of squad three with a sadistic smile. "Do you think that's strange, Gin?"

Pale blue irises once again hidden, Gin smiled at Aizen.

"Not a bit. Strangely enough, I too, feel exactly the same way."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hahahaha! What? You didn't think it would really be that easy, did you? Psh, nooooooo. Aizen knows everything. Props to Lenighma for figuring that out early on and actually leaving that in a review. Yeah, you're not getting any AizenxGin here.

Sorry for the slow updates people. I got an internship so yayyy! :) Still renovating the new place so still busy with moving. I'll try to publish more though. I'm probably gonna end this soon 'cause there's only a few more scenes I want to do before I do an epilogue... REVIEW PLEASE! :)