This is pretty much a direct copy of the actual chapter. It will take a while before I get to some new and original stuff. You won't see Kuromaru and company for a while except for maybe some comic outtakes. Anyway, enjoy the rehashing!

Chapter Twenty-five: Visitors

Urahara stood on one of two large wooden sticks protruding from rocky faces of the cliff under his shop.

"In my right hand," he called out. "I hold the stone that connects the borders of worlds. In my left hand, I hold the blade that binds existence. The black-haired shepherd, the seat of the noose, a bank of clouds comes, striking us and the crested abyss." He tapped his cane sword on the shaft, channeling energy into it. A line of energy spanned the two shafts before it widened to reveal the garganta.

"This is the hole the arrancar use to come and go. It is known as the garganta. There is no pathway inside it, just a turbulent flow of spirit particles swirling about. Make a foothold from those and use it to move forward. If you head toward the darkness, you should arrive in Hueco Mundo."

"Understood…Urahara-san?"

Urahara eyed Ichigo expectantly while Ichigo tried to form the words. He was remembering an encounter in school a few days ago…

Flashback

"Ichigoooooooooo! Long time no see-HEE!"

"It really has been a while!" Mizuiro said as he kept one foot on the back of Keigo's head. "What have you been doing? I was really worried. And you weren't answering your phone, either."

"Yeah, sorry. I was really busy," Ichigo shrugged sheepishly.

Mizuiro looked at him oddly before he remembered something. "Oh that's right. I managed to get tickets to the sneak preview of Bad Shield 2 that we were talking about before. Here you go!"

Ichigo held them up and asked "when was this sneak preview again?"

"Huh? Oh it's on December fifth."

"Got it. Thanks. I'll be back by then Mizuiro." Ichigo walked off. Mizuiro started to call after him, but was interrupted by Tatsuki.

"ICHIGO!"

Ichigo turned about slowly. "What is it, Tatsuki?"

"Orihime's not here! Not at her house, not anywhere! Yesterday her presence disappeared. I've been looking everywhere for her since then. Ichigo, you know where Orihime is, don't you?"

Ichigo tried to brush it off. "What the hell?! Why would I know? Besides are you sure she's really gone? Go try looking for her again-" Big mistake.

"DON'T GIVE ME THAT SHIT!!" Tatsuki screamed at him as she grabbed his shirt. "The presence that I've felt from her all along is gone, the presence I fell when she's close! Lately it's been diminished like it's behind a wall or something, but yesterday even that vanished! You know something, don't you! Ichigo!!"

"You don't give up! I told you I don't know anything! Have you gone nuts?! Listen to yourself!!"

"You think I don't know anything, right?" Ichigo's eyes widened. "I saw you in that black kimono, fighting with that srange group. Enough already. Tell me everything that you've been hiding, Ichigo…"

Ichigo looked away. "It's…none of your business-"

DOOF! KREESH! Tatsuki was pulled back by Keigo as Mizuiro ran up to Ichigo.

"What the hell-"

"WHAT AM I TO YOU?! AREN'T I YOUR FRIEND?! AREN'T I YOUR ALLY?!" she howled at him. "I've seen you through so many hard times! I've helpd you so many times! You don't-" she sobbed at him. "you don't hide things from someone like that…"

"You idiot…" Keigo muttered.

"Ichigo-" Misuiro started as Ichigo stood up.

"I'm sorry. Keigo, Mizuiro, take care of Tatsuki. From now on," Ichigo turned away. "don't associate with me."

Flashback end

"…please take care of my family. Tell them something so that they don't worry.

Urahara eyed him before replying. "Alright. And your friends?"

"…I'll apologize to them when I get back."

"Understood."

Ichigo turned his thoughts to the task at hand. "Let's go!" Together, he, Chad and Uryu disappeared into the garganta.

***

Ryuuken opened the door to his training grounds, having been there the whole time. He walked over to where Uryu had left a letter of farewell. "Hmm…"

"Yo. Looks like he got away, Ishida."

Ryuuken turned. "How did you get in here, Kurosaki?"

"Huh? That's the first time you've called me that, isn't it? What kind of change of attitude is this?"

"Answer the question. I'm asking how you got in…that form. Did your powers return?"

"I guess so. Looks great, right?"

"…I'm gonna be sick."

"Thanks for that…not gonna read it? His farewell letter?"

"No point. Even if I don't read it, I know what it says."

"You let him go huh?"

"That's none of your concern. I returned his quincy powers to him. Whether he uses them or kills them is up to him, as well as whether he lives or dies."

"Heh, You're a pretty bad dad," Isshin commented as he sat down against one of the walls.

"Better than you're doing," Ryuuken retorted.

"Yeah, I know that…"

***

A surge of spiritual pressure thundered through Las Noches as Ichigo and company exited the garganta and into Hueco Mundo.

"Hmm, so they're here," Aizen commented idly.

Ichigo looked around. "What the hell? Isn't Hueco Mundo supposed to be messier?"

"Lower your voice Kurosaki. We should hide ourselves immediately-"

"Who the hell are you guys?"

All three turned to see a hollow poking his head around the corner. Chad and Uryu ran, grabbing Ichigo as they went.

"Wha?! Why are we running?!"

"Are you stupid, Kurosaki? If we fought back there, what would happen if it collapsed on us?"

"Maybe it wouldn't! There's no signs that-"

"Look around! We're in a long corridor with no windows!"

"…and?"

"And that means we're underground! We need a wider space!"

They reached a large round chamber. "Stairs!" Uryu exclaimed. "I'll check it out and see if it leads-"

He was cut off as a second hollow crashed down in front of him.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Damn it!"

They turned to see the first hollow blocking off the way they came.

"It seems we've been flanked. Very well…"

Chad shoved Ichigo to the side. "Ichigo, let us handle this."

Ichigo stood and watched in blank amazement as Chad and Uryu demolished the two hollows with ease.

"Tell Aizen that it is not the shinigami he should fear, but the Quincy."

"A ha ha ha ha! Let me tell you something, Quincy! We follow Aizen because he has no fear. Those who are fearful are attracted to those who lack it utterly. You have no chance against Aizen-sama!"

The building started to shake, and chunks fell from the walls and ceiling.

"It's collapsing! Get out now!" The three managed to scramble up the stairway before the building finally caved. Ichigo got up and looked around. "This is Hueco Mundo? It sure seems lonely."

"There are plants. But they're withered," Chad commented.

"No," Uryu corrected. "They're made of a quartz-like substance."

"Look over there!" Ichigo and Uryu followed Chad's gaze.

"Holy-!"

"A castle, or a palace? Is this the Las Noches the other guys mentioned?"

"It' friggin' huge!"

"Look! Those quartz trees are like needles!"

"The sense of distance seems weird," Chad stated. "The real thing is probably much larger."

"It's a safe bet that Inoue is inside there somewhere."

"Probably. There doesn't seem to be any other place they could hide her."

"Let's go!"

***

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Espada, we are under attack. But first, shall we have some tea?"

Aizen watched calmly as the Espada drank before turning slightly to Tosen. "Kaname, visuals if you please."

Tosen nodded and flipped a switch. A hole in the table opened up and revealed a standing image of Ichigo, Chad and Uryu running toward Las Noches.

"There are three intruders this time around. They are Ishida Uryu, Sado Yasutora, and Kurosaki Ichigo."

Grimmjow's eyes widened at the last one.

"These are our enemies?" Aaroniero Arrurueire muttered.

"What the?" Barragan exclaimed. "When you said we were under attack, I wondered what kind of people they were. But they're still youngsters."

"They're not the least bit arousing," Szayel sneered.

"Do not take them lightly," Aizen warned with a slight smile. "These are the humans formerly known as "ryoka," who, with just four people, marched into Soul Society and challenged the Gotei Thirteen to battle.

"Four people?" Zommari Leroux commented. "They're short one. Who's missing?"

"Inoue Orihime."

"Heh, so they came to save their friend right?" Nnoitra grinned. "That's great, but they look so weak."

"Did you not hear Aizen-sama?" Halibel looked at him. "I believe he said not to take them lightly."

Grimmjow stood up.

"Grimmjow, where are you going?" Tosen queried.

"To kill them. It's best to crush insects quickly once they've gotten inside right?"

"Aizen-sama hasn't given any orders yet. Go back."

"It's on Aizen-sama's behalf that I'm gonna go crush them!"

"Grimmjow…" Aizen called.

"…yes sir?"

"I am pleased that you would mobilize on my behalf, but I am still in the middle of talking. For now would you please return to your seat?"

Grimmjow stood where he was.

"What's wrong? I can't hear you, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques," Aizen stated as he crushed Grimmjow under his spiritual pressure. "I see you've understood me," he continued as Grimmjow recovered his breath from his position, kneeling on the floor. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Espada, as you can see, there are three enemies. Underestimating them would be foolis, but there is no need to make a fuss either. Each of you return to your chambers and wait for them to come to you. Do not fear. As long as you walk with me, there will be no enemies in our way." Aizen beckoned with his hand and gestured for them to do so. Each left to make preparations for the imminent arrival of their enemies.

***

Sayu walked over to Kuromaru. "Finished!" she chirped.

The other three turned to look at her section of the mess that she had cleaned up. "What the fuck?! Wasn't it a trash pile just twenty minutes ago?" Raiden exclaimed.

The section was literally sparkling, with absolutely no trace of debris and trash. It seemed like an oasis amidst a disaster area.

Enishi looked over at Sayu, who merely shrugged while Kuromaru walked over to the area. "Hey! You are looking at the resident speed demon!"

"While you are indeed fast, the physical aspect apparently doesn't extend upstairs for you," Kuromaru called. He bent down and tugged out a microscopic sliver. The entire quarter-square area collapsed back into the piles of debris.

"You forgot to bind the pieces together," Enishi said. "The captain is right. You are slow."

Kuromaru shook his head as Sayu instantly flattened Enishi, demanding that the "little ice midget" take back what he said.