Kairos

(n.) The perfect, delicate, crucial moment; the fleeting rightness of time and place that creates the opportune atmosphere for actions, words, or movements.

Hello everyone, we are here with chapter 55 and over 400k it feels surreal thinking about it. Thank you, guys, for all your support throughout the years. Anyway, this will be the last chapter of the Winter War Arc (cheering). Next, we'll be moving onto the filler arcs and the movies. Is there anything you guys really want to see in the next arc (which will be comprised of the filler arcs and movies)? Moving on, read on!

Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo

X = Used to indicate change in perspective or timing/scenery.

Zangetsu-Ossan speaking.

Shiro speaking.

X

Ichigo entered the throne room silently and like a wraith, as the Soutaicho sheathed Ryūjin Jakka with an elegant movement, and the hiss of metal meeting scabbard. Fires crackled about the room, lingering but dwindling ever steadily as the scent of ash settled like a winter morning over the occupants. The Captain of the Tenth observed the throne room in careful detail, noting the devastation with a keen eye, the scorch marks lining the walls, the pieces of stone that had been rendered to dust, the ash that collected and billowed about the air like particles of sand, and across from the Soutaicho the charred unrecognizable corpse of the King of Hueco Mundo.

The Soutaicho turned at Ichigo's presence, slowly as if stepping out of the mindset battle, out of the focus on only one's opponent, to observe Ichigo. The myriad of wounds decorating the younger Captain's skin like a warning, or a marking, and after a moment his gaze swept past Ichigo to the First Espada and Lilynette lingering in the hallway. The Soutaicho himself bore a few observable wounds most notably the lack of the old man's left arm; fate had a strange sense of humour Ichigo knew. Starrk, behind the orange-haired Shinigami, observed the destruction of the throne room, where he leaned against the wall, with wide eyes, something close to awe hidden there even as the Espada raised his arms in the universal gesture of peace and surrender.

The Soutaicho narrowed his eyes at the Espada, the fire of a warrior still blazing merrily in those ancient depths before he looked to Ichigo assessing the young Captain. The orange-haired Shinigami understood the question in those eyes, asking if the Espada was trustworthy, asking in part if Ichigo had made the right decision in allowing the Espada to live. Ichigo nodded once, clear and sharp allowing his determination to burn in his own eyes, flickering and growing even as it overcame the exhaustion that seeped into his system, digging cold claws into his thoughts and limbs.

The old man nodded once in response, the trust between the two leaders of Soul Society ringing true and reflecting their many years of companionship. The Soutaicho turned his attention away from the First Espada lingering in the doorway and instead to the still smouldering corpse. Something briefly sorrowful passed over Yammamoto's features before it was gone in the next moment and the silence was only pierced by the crackle of the fires burning out.

The tense and somewhat awkward air that lingered was swept away in one moment, only to return with even greater force when Harribel appeared as if a shadow from one corner of the room. She glided forward still holding every measure of lethality and grace, even if it was apparent she was still injured from her battle against Tōshirō, Kaien, and Ukitake, in the manner of her walk and the tired mantle that clung to her shoulders. Two of her Fracción followed behind her, quiet and diminished as if recognizing the serious aura of the moment that hung in the balance. The future was weighted by everyone's next move.

The Second Espada halted when she reached the centre of the room, keen sea eyes glancing first to Ichigo, and then Starrk who had stepped half out of the shadows at the appearance of his comrade, Lilynette beside the coyote-Espada studied the throne room with obvious interest. After a silent moment of inaudible conversation between the two remaining Espada, Harribel glanced down at the corpse near her feet with obvious distaste, even as it began to crumble to ashes, the last dregs of Barragan's corrosive reaitsu dissipating with the body.

Finally, the female Espada glanced into the eyes of the Soutaicho, firm and silent, open in a way that purposefully betrayed the intentions of the hollow and allowed the Soutaicho to glimpse whatever he needed to see to ascertain the future of Los Noches. The two studied each other in the silence, a lingering sort of dragging silence that weighed on all occupants of the room, as they continued to stare assessing each other in a wordless game of chess. Ichigo shifted slightly in the tense silence as his muscles reminded him of his injuries, and gently he started a healing kido, mind racing to map out all the plausible situations in front of them, and if possible how to prevent the direr of outcomes.

The Soutaicho had the chance to recognize the Espada as future allies, or at least a faction of their own power capable of ruling Hueco Mundo and controlling the many Espada, one that would aid in the inevitable return of the Quincy. Ichigo had planted the seeds in all the minds of the Captains, the humanity, and intelligence of many of the Espada, which had only been aided by their own encounters, the lack of death on the battlefield, and the opponents they faced. Ichigo had also spoken, suggested lightly, to the Soutaicho of such peace, but he knew he had no power to command the man who had ruled the Gotei 13 for centuries of tradition, nor could one man sway the traditions and decision of another.

Still, Ichigo half prayed that the old man would not let the past influence this decision, as if the Soutaicho choose to execute or condemn the remaining Espada it would set a precedent for the future of Soul Society, an example for the continued bloodthirsty Gotei 13. And if that decision was made then Ichigo would not simply stand by and let many of the Espada, some who he considered friends, and many who had great potential, be executed a for a simple phobia of those different from the Shinigami and the incessant need to follow those with greater power that ran throughout both societies.

Ichigo had been on the bad side of Soul Society before, a traitor to those he fought for, and he wouldn't throw away his own ideals to protect himself, not when he was capable of tearing out the corrupt roots by his own hand. A part of Ichigo knew that the Soutaicho knew the facets of Ichigo's personality very well, most of the Gotei 13 had come to recognize that above all Ichigo protected his own, and it was unlikely, therefore, that Soutaicho would fall to such drastic actions.

Though it left the Captain of the Tenth wondering if the old man could truly accept the changes to Soul Society it would bring; the idea of Espada entering the Court of Pure Souls and conversing with the enemy that had existed for centuries.

As his ribs twanged in reminder of their more than bruised state, Ichigo let his attention drift to the problems closer at hand. He could sense, as he extended his reaitsu, that Byakuya and Ulquiorra had finished battling, though the result of such a battle Ichigo could not detect beyond the scope that they were both still alive and likely injured. Shinji and Grimmjow were close to finishing their battle, reaitsu erratic and fading in a violent fury, Ichigo knew with little doubt that they would both likely be heavily injured.

The attention of the med barracks would likely be needed in due consequence, the poor healers would likely survive high rates of exhaustion-induced fainting and that wasn't to discount the battle that had occurred outside of Hueco Mundo. A battle which was now quiet where his senses searched, quiet but for the wail of the wounded, and the parting of the dead. As if thinking of the battle had drawn a summons, from the left of the room an Espada entered, disturbing the intense staring match that had continued to draw on as if planning to extend for a century.

Nelliel entered with blood matting her teal hair, and a few cuts peeking out of the white of her uniform, presence loud and blaring like a fallen star. The Fourth Espada observed the damage to the throne room with careful calculating eyes, roving over the gathered Shinigami and Espada before landing on Ichigo with a small smile breaking through the cold ice of her exterior before it disappeared once more as her gaze landed on Harribel and the Soutaicho.

"The forces of Hueco Mundo have surrendered on the battlefield."

The Fourth Espada announced simply, attention straying to meet Harribel as the defacto leader of the Espada, while Starrk was powerful he was no leader and would never want to be one, the Second Espada commanded respect and her mantle was that of respect and honour for all that she was a hollow. Harribel nodded once, expression twisting minutely in displeasure or sadness at the predictable turn of the war before her gaze slid to the Soutaicho and she stated, "The forces of Los Noches surrender and wish for negotiation."

The statement lingered and shifted around the room like the final strike of a battle, as the last of Barragan crumbled to dust, echoing the failing of the past and the promise of rebirth if given chance. The two once more observed each other in silence, and in the dreadful quiet Nelliel glided across the room to stand near Ichigo. Her familiar gaze studied Ichigo and in extension Starrk, a hand reaching out to trace faintly over a cut lining Ichigo's cheek, she nodded once smile soft and sure before she drifted to speak with Lilynette; the two having struck a kinship as the few females within the vast palace.

"Soul Society consents to a negotiation."

The Soutaicho responded quietly, ancient voice resounding throughout the room, like the ancient war drums calling its soldiers home. Ichigo straightened to attention where he stood, as beside him the Espada mirrored the motion. Harribel looked once more to the old man, eyes swimming with the depths of the seas and all its ancient otherworldly sense and nodded her acceptance. The Soutaicho repeated the motion once respectful and proud before he turned to Ichigo and made a small gesture with his hand beckoning the young Captain forward.

"Before we can begin negotiations, all members of both parties that have engaged in battle should be seen to."

The old man commanded, voice ringing with authority as Ichigo crossed the cracked ornate tiling of the throne room. Nelliel at the mention of battle stepped forward and received a nod of permission from Harribel.

The younger Espada stated, "The battle on the sands of Los Noches has concluded and both sides have retreated to take care of injuries and casualties. The forces of Soul Society are camped outside of the wall of Los Noches, and our legions are currently gathered inside the lower barracks."

The two leaders of the opposing factions nodded, absorbing the information with graceful yet mournful countenances at the thought of the casualties, and the idea of a continued war. The new leader of Hueco Mundo glanced once to the Soutaicho as if to ascertain permission to give orders to her subordinates, the old man beside Ichigo nodded once slowly as if the movement was pulled from him though Ichigo could see the old man was somewhat amused by it all.

"Direct our forces that we have surrendered and are negotiating terms of agreement."

Harribel commanded and received a sharp nod from the Fourth Espada who waved briefly once to Ichigo before she disappeared in a hum of Sonido. In the lingering silence of the command for surrender, Yamamoto turned to face Ichigo, staring into the younger Shinigami's eyes, searching for something unnameable before he commanded, "Ichigo please go and recover Hirako-taicho and Kuchiki-taicho. If," He paused momentarily to glance at Harribel who bowed her head and responded, "Tier Harribel," The Soutaicho nodded at the name and continued, "If Harribel-san is agreeable an Espada may accompany you to recover her allies."

Inherent pleasure sparked in cold eyes at the Soutaicho's command, and the open start to negotiations he provided by placing the two on equal footing. Ichigo bowed slightly and nodded turning to Starrk who rolled his eyes but mimicked the action trading a glance with the shark-like queen of Hueco Mundo who smiled sharp and thin but nodded.

"Ichigo if you have the chance please inform our outside forces of our current status."

The Soutaicho commanded softly, eyes smouldering and sure, placing as always, his trust with the Captain of the Tenth. Ichigo nodded and added the task to his mental checklist and rolled his shoulders, attempting to drag out the last of his energy. The finish of a battle, of a war, was just as tasking as the actual fight if not more so for all the administration, Ichigo knew it heavily from experience.

Ichigo glanced once more at the decrypt throne room of Los Noches and in the centre Tier Harribel silent and strong like a stone statue bearing the weight of the future, and across from the female Espada, the Soutaicho standing ancient and wise a guardian of the past and a sword for the future. Then Ichigo turned and nodded to Starrk and the two exited the throne room through the large ornate doors torn off their hinges, leaving the old man surrounded by the remnants of Hueco Mundo's most powerful.

Starrk turned to Ichigo once they were out of the watchful gaze of the throne room and gestured for the orange-haired Shinigami to lead the way. Ichigo rolled his eyes and murmured about lazy Espada even as his senses searched for the closest pair of fighters, his muscles protesting the thought of yet more Shunpo.

Locking on to Shinji's presence in the east quarter of the vast palace, sated yet tinged with the familiar sense of pain; Ichigo shared a quick glance with Starrk who was murmuring to Lilynette in patient warm tones. The coyote-Espada glanced upwards and nodded, Ichigo took the gesture as acceptance and with a shake of his head and a pull of his reiatsu Ichigo disappeared in a quick burst of Shunpo, moving through near-endless white halls.

As they traversed the ground swiftly, mere afterimages and blurs of colour, through the halls of Los Noches, Ichigo wondered how this would change everything. It was easy to draw out an elaborate plan and try to account for every whim and will of fate, but to actually see things in action was a far different sport. There had simply been no absolute guarantee that Soul Society would accept the Espada for having near human consciousness and intelligence, that the Central 46 wouldn't once more dig their old gnarled claws where they didn't belong, or that some great casualty wouldn't appear.

There still wasn't a whole chance that Soul Society would accept the hollows, at least not for the general souls of the afterlife. But many of the Captains seemed open to the idea, something Ichigo had half hoped for, half orchestrated.

Then there were questions about how everything would change. The Vizard had been slowly accepted in Soul Society after years, even with complaints, nothing had changed, and the powerful Captains and Lieutenants had remained. But to invite Espada; full hollows into Soul Society was unlikely. The young Captain wondered if it would be something like distant associates, acknowledging each other's existence and worth, policing their own forces and relying on one and other only in dire times.

The idea of Soul Society and Hueco Mundo working together to form a semi-cohesive unit was a strange idea, but the bonds forged in fighting weren't easily broken, even those against one's opponent (Ichigo was a connoisseur of that philosophy). And Ichigo knew with no shred of doubt that many of the more bloodthirsty Captains and Espada would enjoy the chance to battle new opponents even in a friendly setting, training in new ways, and preparing, even if they didn't know it, for the Blood War.

It was still all so uncertain, and something about not knowing the future for once was a strange amalgamation of worry and elation mixing in Ichigo's chest. The idea that the future had been changed for the better was fully cemented in the outcome of their negotiations.

Ichigo pulled away from his thoughts as they arrived at one of the larger training areas in the east wing, Starrk startling to a halt behind Ichigo with a muted huff. Shaking out the kinks in his muscles, Ichigo studied the wild ambient reaitsu saturating the place as he walked through the entryway, passing a sort of barrier Szayel had developed to prevent great portents of reaitsu leaking into the rest of the building.

The training area was an utter wreck, marble-like rubble littering the ground in large piles like tiny mountains, with scorch marks, and large gashes adorning them every so often. The area was much like Ichigo and Starrk's own battlefield, though with far greater amounts of damage. Surveying the room once more Ichigo's gaze landed on two figured sprawled on the ground a fair distance away from each other.

Grimmjow's electric blue hair peaked out from the sand on the far right of the large room, where the skies of Hueco Mundo had watched the two combatants. To the left, Ichigo spotted a familiar head of blond and the glint of Sakande resting in the sand. Trading an equally bemused and exasperated glance with Starrk the two split off towards their respective comrades, Lilynette lingering by the doorway with a slightly bemused but more or less annoyed expression.

Shinji was lying on his back, breath leaving his lungs slow and drawn out as if the blond was savouring each breath as proof of living. There were cuts dancing throughout his shihakusho, blood leaking sluggishly from the many wounds, and a cut over Shinji's left brow and across his eyelid forced the blond's left eye closed as he blearily blinked up at Ichigo with mute surprise and exhaustion plain across his features.

"Hey Ichi."

The Captain of the Fifth greeted with a racking cough, even as through the one opened eye Ichigo could see a deep-seated content, the battle had obviously been something close to a draw, though Ichigo found it likely that Shinji had won. When Ichigo had battled Grimmjow those first few times (excluding the first brutal beat down) they had been near equally matched, in skill and power, but Shinji had years of experience and while his Shikai was certainly something he wouldn't employ to the full extent in his battle, Shinji could still whip out a cero as easy as any Espada.

Rolling his eyes at the croaked greeting and the state of his friend, Ichigo's eyes roved around the sands till they landed on Sakande lying innocently in the sand, blood still coating the elegant blade. Observing his friend in careful measuring silence, Ichigo dropped to his knees and careful shouldered Shinji onto his back, the blond groaned and whined the whole time but after a minute Ichigo rose to his feet, Sakande once more sealed and in Shinji's sheath, and the blond hugging Ichigo's back like a koala.

Ichigo carefully adjusted the weight of his friend on his back and let healing kido surge through his fingers where they gripped Shinji as he moved towards the entrance. After another moment, Starrk appeared from behind a mountain of sand, the panther-Espada slung across his back, knocked out cold, which was a small mercy.

"We should bring them back to the main throne room and then search for the others."

The Captain of the Tenth suggested softly, as his gaze observed the training area once more. Starrk nodded expression calm yet possessing a measure of gravity, he looked to Lilynette murmuring something in a low voice even before he straightened and nodded once more. With a burst of Sonido and Shunpo, the three disappeared from the training room, moving once more through the mirroring halls of Los Noches.

When they arrived at the throne room, Harribel and the Soutaicho were sitting across from each other on the few remaining chairs in the room, silently speaking in whispers. They paused when Ichigo and Starrk arrived, observing the injured Captain and Espada respectively with slightly concerned eyes. Ichigo gingerly set Shinji down in a corner of the room to the blond's mild protest, as Starrk mimed the action setting Grimmjow a careful distance away. Lilynette studied the two knocked out opponents with a frown before she plopped down between the two.

Ichigo raised a questioning brow at the First Espada who shrugged nonchalantly in answer. The Shinigami assumed she was watching over the two in case they decided to wake up, or that their injuries became critical.

Glancing briefly to the Soutaicho Ichigo nodded in respect and acknowledgement before he let his reaitsu reach out returning to Byakuya and Ulquiorra. Starrk shifted on his feet beside Ichigo and wordlessly the two departed from the throne room in a blur of shunpo.

The ever-watching moon of Hueco Mundo hovered over Ichigo's shoulder as he landed in the sands on the outskirts of Los Noches. The desert around them was a pock-marked mess of crystallized glass and deep trenches almost biting into the marrow of the land. As Ichigo observed the scenery, Starrk whistled in surprise behind the Captain and murmured, "It's always the quiet ones."

Ichigo chuckled at the comment even as his heart palpitated with familiar worry as he spotted the gleam of Kenseikan in the moonlight, Kenseikan he knew better than his own haori. Sharing a brief nod with Starrk, Ichigo skimmed swiftly over the sands and alighted beside Byakuya collapsed in the sand staring at the sky idly with a somewhat serene expression.

The Kuchiki head blinked slowly at the younger Captain's presence before his gaze centred on Ichigo and a smile broke the cold indifference of the Kuchiki mask. Rolling his eyes in fondness Ichigo rested a warm palm on his partner's cheek and observed the myriad of cuts decorating his partner. At first glance nothing seemed critical, all the wounds regulated to cuts sluggishly bleeding, but as Ichigo inspected Byakuya's torso he noticed a large gash.

"Who's the reckless idiot now?"

Ichigo questioned as he shifted aside Byakuya's shihakusho and began a rough healing kido to stop the bleeding, it was of course completely logical that Shinji and Grimmjow would suffer only the critical injury of major blood loss, and Byakuya would have a scar that near mirrored the one Ichigo had received in one of his own battles against the Fourth Espada (and luckily not the battle where he rose from the dead).

Byakuya laughed weakly before it broke into a hacking cough painting his lips with blood, Ichigo painted his partner with a pointed stare even as he contemplated the safest way to return the injured Captain to the throne room. As if sensing Ichigo's train of thought, very likely with how similar a wavelength they resided on, Byakuya rolled his eyes and shifted so that his arms circled around Ichigo's neck.

"Spoiled noble."

The older Captain teased lightly as he carefully lifted Byakuya into his arms, the Kuchiki scoffed at the insult and replied weak but fond, "Insufferable Shiba."

Ichigo scoffed at the insult with a warm smile even as the Captain of the Sixth attempted to maintain a stoic façade, failing as to be expected. Ichigo chuckled silently and earned a small mutinous glare from his partner, as if blaming Ichigo for his situation, Ichigo just winked and turned to face Los Noches, the monstrous stone beast shining in the moonlight.

Muttering to himself as Ichigo's arms berated him for the extended work Ichigo returned to Starrk who was waiting by one of the entrances to Los Noches, a familiar apathetic Espada slung across his back.

Starrk raised a brow at the sight of Ichigo carrying the Captain of the sixth in his arms, and the older Captain half expected the coyote to whistle again. But the sloth-like Espada just shrugged and turned away after sharing a nod and a wink with Ichigo.

Once more the two arrived in the throne room, and Ichigo spared a brief glance with the Soutaicho as he gently set Byakuya down beside Shinji, using the Kuchiki's haori as a sheet. Semi-content with the state of the two Captains Ichigo straightened and announced clearly, "I'm going to report the news of surrender to our forces and fetch a healer."

Receiving nods of agreement Ichigo pivoted on his heel, flashed Starrk a smile, eyes holding some desperate promise to watch their lives, and disappeared in a burst of Shunpo. Silently Ichigo wanted the long day to draw to a close, but he knew the negotiations would likely continue long into the night, and that wasn't to discount the continuation of negotiations that would occur in Soul Society afterwards among all members of each party. He could already feel the coming headache, not to mention the paperwork it would all bring no matter what decision was reached.

Landing in the middle of the newer camp, perched on the outskirts of Los Noches' towering walls, Ichigo ignored the hush whispers of the Shinigami surrounding him, eyes sweeping over the myriad of wounded soldiers being attended to by the Fourth division members, his senses searched for Kensei and Renji, the actual leaders with some semblance of sanity, as opposed to the ever insane Kenpachi.

Ichigo cut through the camp an imposing figure, with haste ushering his steps, and exhaustion lining his brow and hooding his eyes. Distantly he acknowledged he was likely a grim figure, but the thought was swept aside as Ichigo spotted the command tent.

Through the open flaps of the tent, Ichigo spotted Renji leaning over a map, Kensei beside the red-head, the two sharing equally serious looks. Striding into the tent without pause Ichigo nodded briefly to the Shinigami stationed on the outside even as he flared his presence drawing the attention of the two-pseudo generals.

"Ichigo!"

They greeted in unison, worry and a mixture of other emotions caught in the syllables of his name. The Captain of the Tenth nodded briefly in greeting something warm in his gaze before it was gone in the face of duty and he replied, "The forces of Hueco Mundo have surrendered. For now, focus on healing the wounded, and preparing for a return to Soul Society. Currently, the Soutaicho is negotiating with Tier Harribel, the new ruler of Hueco Mundo."

The two remained in stunned silence for a moment, before grim determination steeled their features and they nodded. Renji made an aborted movement to leave the tent but before he could move Ichigo placed a hand on his shoulder, halting the motion and said in a somewhat kinder tone, "I'm going back to Los Noches and will be returning with a healer. When you feel you can spare one of you, feel free to check in, we will be in in the throne room. The negotiations could very well take all night."

"Best of luck then Ichigo."

Renji replied to the news with a wry twist of his lips and a serious glint to his eyes as he patted Ichigo on the shoulder and swept out of the tent, all the bearing of a Captain hanging off of his shoulders. Kensei nodded once at Ichigo, conveying his understanding without words, and dismissing the orange-haired Captain to continue on his mission.

Ichigo bowed and darted out of the camp reaitsu sweeping out to search for a semi-familiar presence; he knew Isane would likely still be busy with the majority of vastly critical wounds the Shinigami on the field had suffered. But Ichigo was certain he and another healer could manage to stabilize the Captains and Espada in a decent fashion.

The Captain moved swiftly around the camp, following a trail of reaitsu, even as he left after images like a ghost of his passing. Ichigo only slowed when he found the Shinigami he was looking for, hunched over one of the Shinigami of the Seventh division. The Fourth division member was wrapping a wound and applying a light healing kido, all the while lecturing the Shinigami in front of him to stop being a baby.

"Hanatarō."

Ichigo greeted softly, still surprising the always jumpy Shinigami as the healer spun around with wide eyes, only to settle when he saw Ichigo. The healer studied the Captain with an admonishing look at the many wounds visible all over Ichigo's body even as the Captain ignored the demanding gaze and asked, "Hanatarō can you come with me? Hirako-taicho and Kuchiki-taicho need healing."

The demure Shinigami glanced back at the division Shinigami, watching the scene play out with wide eyes before he turned once more to face Ichigo, raising a brow in insinuation at Ichigo's own state even as he rose and nodded.

Ichigo grinned small and a bit brittle, but a grin nonetheless, Hanatarō under the careful guidance of Unohana had grown a spine and developed as a healer, learning to use what power he held to his full capability, and his role on the battlefield had only strengthened that skill. He would never be as powerful or precise as Unohana or Isane, but he was skilled.

Hanatarō sighed and with a pointed glance at his former patient locked onto Ichigo's arm, already well-familiar with the orange-haired Captain. Shaking his head Ichigo gently tugged Hanatarō with him into the shunpo as the land blurred around him, merging into the white of Los Noches, and a near second later the throne room.

The young healer swayed on his feet for a moment, sending a small timid glare at Ichigo for the fast and somewhat dizzying travel before his attention fell to the patients and the healer was off on a mission. Sparing the Soutaicho and Harribel a brief glance, still locked in conversation, Ichigo drifted towards Grimmjow, breath still light and airy, barely enough force to move a feather and settled beside the hyperactive Espada.

Ichigo lost himself in the healing kido, healing only the major wounds to the best of his ability, even as Hanatarō tossed him a roll of gauze and mechanically Ichigo wrapped the panther-Espada's wounds almost in a near trance before repeating the process with Ulquiorra.

After an extended period of silence filled only by the hum of Zangetsu and his own mind, Ichigo tipped back onto the balls of his feet, and cracked his neck, observing his handiwork with a critical eye before he nodded assured his patients would survive the night. Slowly Ichigo rose to his feet, attention drifting to Byakuya assessing his state as he glided towards the Soutaicho.

The old man glanced up as Ichigo settled gingerly on the floor beside him, something warm in the Soutaicho's gaze full of pride and maybe fondness as the Soutaicho leaned over and stated quietly, "We have agreed to a cessation of hostilities, and will be convening upon future meetings to work out the details but have defined that the Espada will stay out of the mortal realm. They will be allowed access to Soul Society with given permission from a Captain, so also does that apply to a Captain visiting Los Noches. Harribel-san will hold the position of ruler and will continue to guide the forces of Hueco Mundo."

The Soutaicho finished with a rumble, voice quiet and gentle in the lingering silence of the throne room. Ichigo nodded, expression brightening at the news as he glanced briefly, from under the mess of his fringe, up at Harribel who smiled, something less predator and more genuine; obviously happy with the negotiations so far, and the equal playing field.

Leaning against the chair Ichigo listened to the Soutaicho and Harribel continue to talk, discussing members of either faction allowed in either dimension at any one time. Peacefully Ichigo let his senses drift to his comrades, assessing his partner's health before he turned his attention inwards and began a healing kido of his own, his hope for the future something nourished and growing as the world moved on around him.

X

The vast hall that served as the room for the Captains meetings lingered and pulsed with an invisible tension, draped over each occupant of the room, as an endless sea of eyes watched everyone's movement. One whisper of a sword against sheath, one hint of agitation in the reaitsu swelling an filling the room like the essence of space, would snap that precious tension and give way to something all the more furious.

Wordlessly Ichigo shifted attempting to displace the tension that clung to his shoulders as his gaze surveyed the room. Opposite Ichigo was a line of Espada, those who were not injured or dead, standing silent and alert in the territory of their greatest enemy. Starrk across from Ichigo was a silent statue, posture betraying the fear and worry that crept like a predator between both forces. Gathered on Ichigo's side was the Shinigami, watching their opponents with the same concerned worry and awareness.

There were only nine Shinigami facing the seven Espada, a few of the Captains still in the caring presence of the Fourth as both sides recovered from the war. But it was perhaps for the best that both sides weren't at full power.

Ichigo hid a minute shudder at the thought of the Fourth, he had managed to avoid it for the most part, but he would have to visit Byakuya soon, the poor Kuchiki Captain still trapped as he recovered from his battle with Ulquiorra. It was only through impressive luck and wit that he had evaded Unohana's hawk-eyed search so far.

At the end of the impressive line of ascendant forces of catastrophic power, the Soutaicho and Harribel stood, opposite one another in a complete silence. A sheet of paper settled between the two on a simple wooden table that Chōjirō had brought in at the start of the meeting.

The paper held an air about it, for all that it held little power as of yet, the ink printed onto the long sheet of rice paper glinting in the oil lamp's light. The treaty was that similar to a peace treaty, listing the following terms of agreement between the forces of Hueco Mundo and Soul Society. It declared a state of peace between the upper echelon of Hueco Mundo and the Gotei 13 while acknowledging that hollows would continue to exist and follow instinct regardless of who led them and that the Shinigami would still patrol the human world and Rungokai to dispatch such creatures.

It also set rules and regulations (paperwork) for when an Espada was permitted to visit Soul Society; in times of great war as an aid, at the request of a Captain, and in case of a severe emergency, and how it applied to the Shinigami in the same manner.

The general idea behind the treaty was the strengthening of both sides and the idea of strengthening the bond of kinship between the Shinigami and the Espada. Soul Society did not crave war, as much as Hueco Mundo did not crave the extermination of their upper echelon, which was plausible under such a threat. The treaty provided a means of peace between the two forces, and though most did not acknowledge or know it, it had the capability of being the basis upon which the two forces would be united when the Quincy appeared once more threatening the lives of all living, or not living in the stranger sense.

For now, the two forces would attempt to recover from the war, rebuild their infrastructure (where it existed), train in preparation, heal, and recover. All the while Soul Society would descend once more into a flurry of commotion with the vacuum the war had left, seen as an opening to many. Ichigo resisted the urge to run a hand over his face as he attempted to sort his memories into a cohesive timeline of attempt after attempt to fell the Shinigami.

In some ways, he was equal parts dreading and hopeful about the coming attacks. For some, it would open their eyes to the imperfection of Soul Society, and their own desperate need to improve. In other ways it was a pure nuisance; the endless horde of different opponents attempting to break into Soul Society, all with a thousand different problems and revenge problems.

Ichigo shook aside thoughts of the near future and the heavy weight that settled behind his chest at the thought of how close it all was, time flying on swift winds that took his feet from beneath him and refocused on the Soutaicho.

The two had spent the past half an hour in muted silence, conversing over the terms of agreement, making absolutely sure everything was as fair as possible with as few loopholes as possible. The first draft of the treaty had been drawn up after the last battle when Renji had appeared sometime in the early morning with paper and exhaustion dragging his heels, he hadn't been the only tired soul in the room. This was if Ichigo recalled correctly the fifth draft, after more than a few meetings in the wreck of Los Noches or the same meeting hall they all presided over.

The half an hour spent in discussion had lingered with a weighted intense silence and Ichigo couldn't wait for the long meeting to be over. There were many things he would be rather wasting his time with, such as aiding in the repair efforts, managing his division, and subtly preparing Tōshirō.

Soundlessly, as if at a frequency all in the room could hear, the Captains and Espada straightened as the wizened form of the Soutaicho, still ever the pillars of the Gotei 13, leaned over and signed the sheet. After a moment Harribel repeated the action, there was no great ripple of the treaty being signed, nor Kami descending from above to cement it in the fabric of the universe, but regardless a collective exhale of relief shuddered through the souls present as the peace became official.

Ichigo took a breath even as a small honest smile slipped onto his features, something like hope bursting free at the face of it all, Starrk across from Ichigo grinned, a wolfish happy grin. Beside Ichigo, Ukitake smiled warmly, and Ichigo knew there would be celebrations for hours, even as the sun heralded the start of a change, a tangible change as supposed to the endless tails of change, people living others dying, that had moulded the future.

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Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapters and interactions between the characters and the end of the Winter War arc. Reviews/comments are always appreciated till next time!