Toshiro stood over the sword. He was aware that people were shouting, captains were arguing, their voices echoing down the long hall, but he wasn't paying attention. They'd all been here for much longer, discussing the implications, asking if this meant the Hogyoku was still in existence, rounding up the the four humans to keep them protected. Somewhere in the mayhem Toshiro had stumbled in, still technically on relief until his wounds healed, but unable to stay away when the two teens returned to him with the news.

Now the arguments had turned to what they should do. Should they start testing the Soul Reapers who where there to see if the Hogyoku could have reverted to them? Should they lock down Soul Society and prevent passage between realms? Should they arrest Kisuke Urahara or reinstate him to deal with this new threat? And how would they find Grimmjow? The questions shot back and forth over his head, most going unanswered. Until one caught his attention.

"I truly hate to suggest this," Kyoraku began, "But is there any chance it returned to Captain Hitsugaya?"

The room went silent. Toshiro turned away from the blade on the table and faced the row of captains.

"If you think you have a way to detect it, then go ahead and check." He didn't try to say it challengingly, he just wanted to move on. He hadn't known the first time that it had remained, but he could not come to believe it had returned to him without his knowledge.

"To answer two questions as once," The Head Captain began, "the only Soul Reaper I know capable of detecting the Hogyoku is its creator, Kisuke Urahara. I will have him check Captain Hitsugaya along with everyone else there that day."

"Is Urhara to be reinstated?" Byakuya asked, hand still on a supportive cane.

"That is a matter for another day and for the Central 46 to consider. For now, I would settle with finding him."

"I will, sir." Captain Soifon stepped forward. He nodded and she flashed from the room. "Alright, now..." but that was enough for Toshiro and his focus returned to the blade, and his thoughts to his friend.

A black cat stood guard at the wreck that was the Twelfth Division. The squad had all but been disbanded, captainless and aimless, and now their lab was gone. But something important must have remained in the bowels of churned earth and twisted metal for lady Yoruichi to be on guard. Soifon asked as much when she came out of flashstep. The black cat smiled and stood up as a woman. The petite captain turned away blushing at Yoruichi's nudity but the swarthy woman didn't seem to mind.

"We heard the news. Kisukue is looking for Grimmjow now."

"In there?"

"No. He believes there may still be some equipment left that was running at the time Grimmjow supposedly died. He could take the readings and try to track where he went."

"Well let's go see what he's found."

"He's found everything we need." The voice echoed out of the wreckage and Urahara came out bearing a small monitor, wires dangling out but a picture still clear on the screen. "Here," he handed the monitor to Soifon and began pulling off his haori.

"Grimmjow ceased to exist in this space exactly when we saw him engulfed in the Hogyoku's light." He handed his haori to Yoruchi and continued. "Now, the effect of all that caused a rather large interference in the readings," he explained pointing to a jumble of lines, "but right here" he stabbed his finger into the monitor, "the exact same spiritual pressure reappeared, just a second later."

He swiped a finger across the screen and it zoomed out. Soifon squinted her eyes and Yoruichi moved to look over her shoulder.

"That's..."

"Exactly the opposite side of Soul Society. The Hogyoku must have tried to escape at the very last second and pulled them straight through space to the farthest point in this world."

"So the Hogyoku survived?"

"That, I won't know until we find Grimmjow."

"Here, try to eat something." the bartender passed Grimmjow a bowl, he stared down at the baked beans and picked up his spoon. His hand was still unsteady but he managed. "Good." the man nodded approvingly when he managed to eat most of it. "You're getting better."

Grimmjow nodded and set the dish down and made to stand. He'd been up a few time in the last couple of days, getting his strength back, but once or twice stabbing pain in his chest had caused him to fall and now seemed to be one of those times.

"Easy, son." The barkeep had him, and brought him back down to the bed. "You gotta take it slow."

Grimmjow just sighed and the bartender gave him a long look.

"Can you talk?"

Grimmjow looked at him. "Yeah."

"Good. So tell me what's going on in that head of yours."

Grimmjow shrugged his one good shoulder. "Dunno."

"You remember nothing?" Grimmjow shook his head in affirmation. "Not even how this happened?" Another shake. "Geeze."

"Tell me about it." Grimmjow slumped back on his pillow, face still pale. He felt sick, all the time. He didn't know if his wound was infected or it was something else. It felt like something else, but he didn't know what.

"I have to go see to the customers, but I'll send the boy in with something to ease the pain, alright?"

Grimmjow nodded. He watched the man go and shut his eyes. He only drifted while he waited for the boy to return.

"Sir?"

His eyes shot open and he took in that round, soft featured face. The boy had been watching him alot, and sometimes when he first woke up, he felt like he knew him and there was a name on the tip of his tongue but then the feeling would wash away like a dream and he felt lost and alone again.

He sat up and took the drink. Alcohol was the best pain reliever around and he was thankful for it. He handed the empty glass back and nodded his thanks before laying down again and waiting for sleep to take hold.

But he heard a glass smash and the boy give a frightened cry and he found himself on his feet before he even realized he'd gotten out of bed. His instincts were on edge, but he didn't even know what his instincts were. Still, they were all he had and he pressed his back into the wall, ignoring the pain in his chest and stood in the shadows, listening to the approaching footsteps.

The door opened. For a moment, the dark concealed him, and he had a chance to look over the intruder.

She had long dark hair braided down her front and pleasant features. On her shoulders hung a white robe that made her stand out in the dark. She didn't really look like much of a threat but he didn't advertise his position. Still, he had no cover but shadows and it only took her a moment to spot him against the wall.

"Grimmjow."

He said nothing. Just because she knew his name didn't make her any less dangerous.

"Don't hurt him!" He heard the boy call and pushed off the wall a few paces to see past the woman into the bar. He saw two more people, also dressed in white robes, one had light blond hair and handsome features, his arm restraining the boy, and the bartender was being held back by a very old, yet still strong looking man, bald, but with a long white beard. Father and son looked as of yet unharmed, though frightened.

"We mean you no harm." Unohana spoke, seeing at once Grimmjow didn't recognize her.

"We just wish to take you home."

"Let them go." He finally spoke.

"We aren't going to hurt them either." She turned and the Head Captain let the bartender reach forward and take his son. But he didn't leave.

"You're Soul Reapers, aren't you." The father asked.

"Yes." Urahara answered.

"He doesn't remember you." The bartender explained.

"So it would seem."

"Are you going to take him back?" the boy asked. Unohana looked between him and Grimmjow, and finally her eyes rested on the barkeep.

"I am a healer. I would like to check Grimmjow over, first, if we could impose."

"Impose? You barge in here and then-" the man stopped himself, remembering how powerful these people were and how far they had travelled to find this man. "Yes of course."

"Thank you." The male Soul Reapers backed out of the room, they seemed to be making a special effort to keep Grimmjow calm. The bartender lead them out to where there was better light. Grimmjow could hear no one out there, they must have cleared the bar.

"It's okay." The woman spoke, "will you come out?"

He continued to size her up for a moment and then nodded and followed her out as steadily as possible.

Urahara had pulled a chair out next to a table and wordlessly, Girmmjow took a seat. He noted the bartender hadn't left, he kept a suspicious eye on the three but was positioned strategically behind the bar, where he could watch but keep busy as well as some distance.

"My name is Captain Unohana." The woman pulled a chair up next to him and began to unwind his bandages to take a look at the damage beneath. "I am the chief healer in the Seireitei."

He said nothing but looked to the wound she uncovered. Rough stitches held his skin together, the wound still weeped and blood stained the dressing.

"You were lucky to receive such treatment," She said kindly, despite the rudimentary nature of his medical care. "Otherwise you very well may have died."

She could see it was mildly infected but nothing to worry about. Grimmjow, however, didn't look to be doing too well, his skin was very pale and features were creased in pain. The wound was clearly causing him alot of discomfort. She pressed her hand over the stitches and whispered something. The pain retreated slightly and he relaxed enough for her to check his back. The exit wound looked about the same.

"Alright," She stepped back. "You've done an excellent job of taking care of him." She complimented the barkeep. He just nodded. "Kisuke, would you mind giving me a hand?"

The blond haired soul reaper seemed to have been waiting for the invitation. He moved over, pulling a small instrument out of his robes and holding it over Grimmjow.

"What is that?" the boy had slipped past his father and stared at the flashing screen. But Kisuke didn't answer, his face creased in concentration.

"It's as we suspected." He said almost to himself. Grimmjow looked between the three and saw their reactions.

"What is?"

"Nothing to be concerned about." Kisuke tried to cover but Grimmjow was already standing.

"Please, don't move, you're wound-" but he pushed Unohana's hand away and distanced himself from them.

"What are you really here for?"

The boy moved back to his father in the sudden tension. The other three watched him carefully.

"I know I'm not like you." he said, glancing down at his hollow hole. "And they say I used to be advocating against you lot, until there was some big fight. So what, am I your prisoner? Did I escape?"

They hesitated too long, their eyes and faces revealed too much. The Barman grabbed his son and ducked behind the bar and that was all the invitation Grimmjow needed to run.

He made it a couple of feet before pain erupted from his chest. It was screaming hot, firing through his body from the hole in his chest. He crashed into a bar stool and hit the floor with a scream.

"It's the Hogyoku!" Urahara began an incantation at once. Yamamoto whispered something and Grimmjow felt his body go rigid despite his muscles' desire to writhe in pain. Unohana's face came into view past the panic welling up in him.

"What are you doing to me?" He managed.

"Shh., don't try to speak. It may not seem like it, but we're trying to help."

His body lurched, bursting through the Head Captain's binding and Grimmjow screamed.

"HOLD HIM!" Yamamoto yelled and dropped opposite Unohana to help her.

"How much longer?" The woman strained as she tried to keep Grimmjow's body from striking the floor. Kisuke was above them, but he was lost in the incantation.

"A few more seconds." Grimmjow lurched again, almost breaking from their hold. His eyes were streaming with tears and his face contorted in agony.

"It's killing him!"

A black light struck the arrancar in their grasp. He went limp. Unohana checked his pulse.

Urahara steadied himself against the bar. "That took more than I thought." He slumped onto a stool.

The Head Captain stood and went to his side. "Is it sealed?"

"Yes, but only because it is severely weakened. But it should be safe now."

"Alright." The Head Captain turned his gaze back to the unconscious espada that, until today, he'd still had trouble believing was alive. "So now that you've seen him, can you explain how he and the Hogyoku are still alive?"

There was a noise on the floor, Grimmjow came awake gasping and clutched at his chest. He looked around at the three and sat up, but he knew he couldn't get away. And part of him knew that they had just saved him.

"What just happened to me?"

Kisuke sighed. "Perhaps all of this could be better explained over a drink."

Three soul reapers, an espada, a man and a boy sat around the table, a mixture of alcohol and tea among them. And Urahara explained as best he could the situation. He did his best to summarize for Grimmjow what had happened before he woke up here, and the rest of the story was guesswork.

"Grimmjow's approach to destroying the Hogyoku was logical, but he was using Aizen's sword, which was not at its full power, nor was it nearly as powerful as Grimmjow's own zanpakuto in his hands. He must have successfully pierced the Hogyoku's weak spot, but since he did not entirely destroy its vessel- himself- neither was it completely destroyed. And what do we know about the last time it was cut in two?"

"It bonded with Aizen and hid within Grimmjow's body." Unohana answered.

"Correct. And Aizen was dying once again, and his zanpakuto was already in Grimmjow's chest." Unohana's eyes went wide and Yamamoto's stoic features twitched.

"Don't worry," the old shopkeeper raised his hands to stop their train of thought, "Aizen is well and truly gone. But yes, the Hogyoku tried to bind with his powers as a way to survive- no, more like an instinct because that's what they had done before. The other possibility is that it did not want Aizen, and when it destroyed his zanpakuto for the second time, he tried to force it to bond with him. In either case, I think it or Grimmjow were trying to avoid that. Whatever the case, the Hogyoku got literally as far away from Aizen as possible, and that was here. Aizen died, the blade disintegrated in Grimmjow and left the wound. He has no heart where other beings would, the wound was not fatal, at least, not with treatment. The Hogyoku's powers are terribly weakened, but given time, they would stitch themselves back together just as would Grimmjow's body. And that's the story, or at least, my story, if anyone has any other suggestions, be my guest." the blonde took a swig of his drink and sat back, rather satisfied with his own explanation.

"And his memories?" Unohana asked.

Urhara turned serious. "Toshiro was traumatized by cutting the Hogyoku in half before him. Grimmjow cut it in half inside of himself. It may not have had Aizen's power to effect another cataclysm and wipe our memories- but agony like that- I don't know, it's more your area, but I would say this has more to do with trauma. And he betrayed the Hogyoku. There's no telling was sort of revenge it will plan, just like what it did to Hitsugaya."

"But it managed to get over that to control him."

"It still caused him as much pain as possible, as I understand it."

She nodded. The Head Captain had remained silent but now spoke.

"Will Orihime Inoue be able to destroy it this time?"

"Destroy it? I honestly am not certain. Based on the principals of her power, than yes, she should be able to, but then, the Hogyoku's powers are beyond even my understanding. So, I am not sure. What she can do, I am certain, is reject it from Grimmjow's body. That is why it was so determined to kill her when it was in Toshiro- because she was the only one who could removed it from its vessel. We can hope that once outside of Grimmjow, it will simply die."

Grimmjow and the father and son just stared at the soul reapers. The espada was already confused, but this complex story had not helped him understand at all what these people were trying to do with him, and the man and his son couldn't begin to unravel this half told tale.

"We should return." Yamamoto said but Kisuke waved a hand.

"I used up too much doing that binding, and Grimmjow shouldn't really be moved until Retsu heals up that wound a little better. I suggest we rest for the night, and head out in the morning."

"If you have confidence your binding will hold."

"It will."

"Alright then."

Almost two weeks since the battle, Orihme was still in the Fourth Division. Ichigo's wound had been slow to heal, but he was up and about now, and could easily have gone home, but he was not going to leave without her. And she had been awaiting the arrival of a very special patient.

So the four humans waited in an empty room for Unohana to call her down. They weren't, however, the only ones anxiously awaiting the procedure. Toshiro Hitsugaya stood with his lieutenant beyond the one-way glass of Grimmjow's room where he was being prepared for the procedure. The Captain of the Tenth had not seen him yet, nor was he permitted to until after. The Head Captain had given strict orders. Now Toshiro and Rangiku watched as Grimmjow just nodded while Unohana explained what was going to happen and Kisuke fidgeted with a bunch of instruments.

"He's so quiet." Rangiku commented. "Captain Unohana said he's hardly even spoken to them since they found him."

"I was like that." Toshiro said softly and Rangiku turned to look down at him. He didn't often speak of that time in his life. She couldn't imagine how terrible it must have been for him, trapped, alone in the Gillion Forest without his zanpakuto or his memories. No wonder Grimmjow had been such a hero to him.

"I don't think I spoke more than once or twice that whole time in that forest. And when Girmmjow found me, he had lots to say, like he'd been waiting for someone to come along that could actually understand him. When he finally asked me if I could speak, there was a moment where I was afraid I had forgotten how. My voice sounded strange to me when I began to use it again."

"It's so difficult for me to imagine you there, all alone and not remembering us."

"Those memories are still clear, but now that I do remember, I sometimes feel like it was long ago, or like it happened to someone else."

They saw Unohana inject Grimmjow with something and ease him back onto the bed. Urahara rolled something out on a trolley next to him.

"What is that?" Rangiku asked.

"It's a container for the Hogyoku. The captains and central 46 decided it was too dangerous to just hope the Hogyoku would be destroyed once it was forced outside its vessel. So Urahara designed a trap for it. In fact, it is much like it's original form. Without contact with a spiritual being, it is almost helpless."

"Almost?"

Toshiro looked up at her. "Its powers are mysterious, but Grimmjow did not just happen to find it in the sand that day. Even though it was sheared in two, it managed to make itself be found."

"I hate it. I can't wait until it is destroyed. So this box will trap it?"

"Yes. I am not exactly sure what kido he used, but since he designed the Hogyoku I guess we have to trust he knows what he is doing. He believes that in desperation to survive, it will go there, and whatever he has done has made it compatible or appealing to it. Then we can deal with the issue of destroying it."

"Such a powerful object...no, a soul really."

"Yes. It may have started off as a tool, but it became its own entity with its own will, far more dangerous than an object. We just have to hope it is not immortal."

Urahara stepped out of the room and spotted them. "Time to leave." He instructed, and with a last glance in on Grimmjow, Captain Hitsugaya and his lieutenant followed.

They found Ichigo, Uryu and Chad already outside as well as anyone from the Fourth Division.

"The whole building is being cleared." Toshiro explained as he joined the three. "The Captains are going to lock it down while Orihime carries out the procedure."

"Is it safe?" Ichigo demanded.

"The Head Captain and Captain Unohana will be with her. She will be fine, Ichigo. Now, I must join the other captains."
Despite the fact that one arm was still in a sling and he wasn't quite back to full power, he leaped into the sky and into formation. Shortly after everyone felt the barrier and then all they could do was wait.

"So you are clear on how to proceed?" Unohana asked one last time before allowing Orhime to begin.

"Yes, I will reject in the direction of the box, and if anything goes wrong I will protect myself with my shield."

"Good. And we will be right here with you."

"Alright, I'm ready to begin."

Orhime raised her hands over Grimmjow. He was restrained on the bed, eyes shut, breathing steady, there was no reason for him to be conscious during this, though Unohana wasn't sure the sedatives would keep him under if the Hogyoku really wanted him to wake up. But there was nothing more she could do so she just watched the young woman perform a task no Soul Reaper could hope to accomplish with all their powers.

And just like that, the human girl finished her task. She had felt the resistance, but Kisuke's kido spell had kept the Hogyoku docile and bound. It was just a ball of golden light, barely discernible from Orihme's own rejection field and for a moment the question fluttered through Unohana's mind if this girls' unbelievable power could in some way be connected to the Hogyoku. But the thought passed when she saw the girl flinch and her eyes widen.

"What is it?" Unohana asked in concern.

"It's alive." the girl whispered. "I can feel it. It's desire to live."

"Let it go, Orihime. Drop your field."

"If I do, it might die."

"it would be for the best." the healer tried to reason.

"You must let it go." the Head Captain said more sternly. "Unless you want to risk it harming your friend or yourself once more."

"It just feels wrong."

"I promise you, it is not." Unohana whispered. "Let it go. It may still go to the container."

"Okay." Orhime ceased her powers, though her shield formed before her to prevent the Hogyoku from touching her in anyway, and she stepped back. "I'm sorry" she said, but it did not fade away as she thought. Instead it drifted to the golden box Kisuke had created. There was a bright shimmer, and the container lurched on the table but then was still. The Head Captain brushed by her at once to examine the box and Unohana took Orihime's hand and pulled her back a step or two.

"That was astounding, Orihime. You did very well."

"Thank you." She whispered. "Is Grimmjow okay?"
Both woman moved to his side. Unohana placed a hand on his head and looked at the monitor next to the bed. "He's just fine."

"I'm glad. Is it all over now?"

Unohana looked at the box, knowing they still faced the problem of destroying it, and guessing that now that the girl felt it was alive it may be more difficult to convince her to attempt to destroy it, but for now, finally, all imminent danger had passed. "Yes, Orihime. Thank you."

Grimmjow sat on the edge of his bed while Unohana wrapped up his chest again. He had woken feeling fine after the extraction of the Hogyoku and his wound had even closed over more. He watched her work in silence. Just as she finished, the door opened and the Head Capain entered.

"Sir?" Unohana asked when she could see he had something to say.

"I have been to see the Central 46."

"About Grimmjow?"

"Yes. To update them on recent events, and his involvement. They have amended their decision."

"They have? To what?"
"Grimmjow has been deemed an ally to Soul Society. Simply put, he is free to do as he chooses, much like Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends."

Unohana decided not to express her deep pleasure at this announcement and just nodded, turning back to Grimmjow. "I know you don't remember everything that happened before but-"

"So where do I go?"

She glanced back at the Head Captain.

"I imagined you would like to go back to Hueco Mundo." He said.

Grimmjow pushed off the table. "Okay."

"Head Captain, are we not going to discus his memories?"

Grimmjow's eyes flashed but his expression was unreadable.

"That, is up to him. Though as I understand it, he may experience difficultly such as Captain Hitsugaya suffered."

She looked to Grimmjow. For a moment they just regarded one another, she couldn't read his emotions, and he wasn't offering any thoughts on the matter. Finally she put a hand on his shoulder.

"Perhaps a decision doesn't need to be made right away. You should stay at least until that wound is fully healed. I don't mind keeping him here, Head Captain."

"As you wish." The commander left them in private.

"Grimmjow, do you want your memories back?"

"I was told I refused to have them back before."

"Yes, but with control, I believe I could restore only the time since the Cataclysm."

"Is it worth it? The Head Captain seems eager to get me out of here as I am right now."

"He has his reasons. It would simply be easier for him if you were no longer a part of a certain captain's life, but don't let that stop you from choosing to have yours memories back."

She waited but when he didn't respond she stepped to the door. "Take some time to think about it. In the mean time, it would be good for you to get some fresh air. Another captain will show you around." She stood in the door, inviting him out. He just followed after her and met the pair outside.

"You don't mind do you, Captain Hitsugaya?"

"Not at all," his lieutenant answered for him.

"He's a captain?" Grimmjow took in the frosty haired child and his buxom lieutenant. They were certainly an odd match.

"Take it slow, your own wounds haven't completely healed." Unohana said to Toshiro and left.

The three walked slowly over the hills of the Seireitei in silence. Grimmjow wasn't very talkative anyway and Toshiro was finding it difficult to find the right words. He couldn't help feeling a little disappointed that Grimmjow didn't show the slightest hint of recognizing him. But then he thought about how he had not remembered Rangiku and felt ashamed. It was her, in the end, who spoke first.

"So, Grimmjow, you don't remember anything?"

He shook his head no.

"Huh. But they can heal your memories, right?"

He just shrugged.

"Well don't you want them back?" She sounded a bit exasperated now and Hitsuagaya raised a hand to stop her from going further.

"But Captain-"

"Enough Rangiku."

Grimmjow glanced between the pair. "Yes." He said. "I want to remember."

"Alright it's settled then." Rangiku smiled but Grimmjow looked like he'd just admitted to something awful.

"No. Because I know I was a prisoner here. I can feel my instincts. I know I would fight, but for some reason, it sounds like I didn't. It's not right. And I don't want to risk regaining whatever made me weak like that."

Rangiku stopped in her tracks. Toshiro even seemed a little off put by the statement, but Grimmjow just looked to her evenly. "You telling me if you woke up in Hueco Mundo knowing you'd been perfectly happy there, you would want that?"

"Grimmjow-"

"No, just stop."

"He's right Rangiku." Toshiro said. "Leave him be. Perhaps it's time we go back now."

They took him back. Unohana was waiting. Once she got Grimmjow settled again she joined Toshiro and Rangiku in the tearoom where she had asked them to wait. There was no mistaking their mood.

"It's alright to feel like this." She began. "Rangiku and I are very experienced, I'm afraid."

"It's fine. This is for the best."

"Captain, how can you say that?" Rangiku gasped out, knowing how desperate she had been to regain him and many others.

"Rangiku, he was so unhappy those weeks he stayed at our division. I know his powers were sealed, but think about it even now, if he has total freedom, what is he supposed to chose? If goes back to Hueco Mundo he would miss our friendship. If he stayed here for friendship he would still have no purpose and be surrounded by people who aren't like him. At least there he has something- he is the most powerful, he can rule the other hollows, it would probably be best for us anyway- and he won't miss anything because he won't remember it."

"I see." his lieutenant said tight lipped.

"What? Rangiku, what else am I supposed to do?"

"Honour the friendship you two have. Don't let him throw it away."

"You aren't looking at this logically."

"You are looking at it too logically."

Unohana frowned, but her eyes softened. "Your Captain is choosing what he believes is the kindest thing for his friend."

"But..." Rangiku prompted.

"But nothing, Rangiku. There is no black and white answer."

Rangiku rose and excused herself. Toshiro watched her go, face stiff, but then turned to Unohana. "What would you do?"

"I would leave it up to Grimmjow." He nodded.

"Thank you. Good night."

I think I can wrap it up in just one more chapter, just warning you, lol!

Riza