First off, I want to express my thanks to darkmachines, "Illyana", and "Guest" for their reviews of the last chapter. In response to some of your comments, I can say that we haven't seen the last of the Sternritters, as I was already considering something similar to what "Illyana" had suggested. As for darkmachines, I had always planned on Soifon getting pregnant- in spite of how much of a continuity hassle Retsu's pregnancy was. Despite some flack I've gotten for how I've written Ggio, the truth is he was just to sweet (in Nova's works) not to love- hence why I made use of him.

TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Chapter LVIII:
"Moving Forward, Part 2"

The Living Realm...
Karakura City, Business District...

Ikumi Unagiya, single mother of one and the successful proprietor of a small business, was dressed in her usual work attire- consisting of a pair of tight denim jeans, a white Shop Unagiya t-shirt, a pair of work gloves, and a brown cap (along with a pair of goggles). Her long black hair was pulled into a ponytail in the back- held in place by a bright red scrunchy.

She was going about her work, almost mechanically, when the front door swung open. She looked up in time to see as a group of people- four of them in total- filed inside.

"What...?" Ikumi started, confused.

The one leading was a girl with long spiky black hair and light gray-brown eyes, with a slim athletic build. Following in-step beside her was a slender, dark-haired young man, with sharp blue eyes behind a pair of glasses. The next was a young woman with fiery red hair and brown eyes, and an ample chest- that rivaled her own! The last was a pale, dark-haired youth with unsettling green eyes.

At first, she didn't recognize any of them, but then, it hit her. "You, you're Ichigo's friends, the same ones who barged in here last year, looking for him!" The older woman exclaimed, visibly annoyed at the sudden intrusion. "What in god's name are you all doing here right now?"

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Soul Society, Division Eleven HQ...

Yumichika Ayasegawa was now the Division's 3rd Seat Officer- a darkly ironic promotion, given the circumstance in which he'd attained it. In the immediate aftermath of the battle against the Brethren in Karakura City, he'd been elevated to the post- following the death of the previous Third Officer.

Ikaku Madarame: The bald-headed Soul Reaper was a rude, vicious, ill-mannered man, with a hair-trigger temper and a penchant for indulging himself in acts of violence... And so too, he also happened to be Yumichika's oldest and most trusted friend...

The elegant Shinigami moved silently down the corridor. His dark purple hair had grown to shoulder-length, and iconic long red and yellow feathers adorned the dark eyebrow and eyelashes of his muted violet eyes. His Zanpakuto, Konpeki no Kujaku, was tucked into the sash around his waste.

Along the way, he passed Yoko Watase, the tattooed female Shinigami who now occupied his former position within the Division. In the moment, their eyes met, and he saw the grave look on the woman's face, as something dangerous and unspoken sparked between them.

Soon, Yumichika arrived at the heart of the Division, where his Captain's Office was located. Stealing himself, he reached out to open the door...

The towering form of his Commander, Zaraki Kenpachi, was seated at the back the room, the small pink-haired figure of his 'Lieutenant' Yachiru Kasajishi was visible, perched on his shoulder. The fact that the tiny girl didn't address him with one of her pet names bespoke how serious things were.

"Captain Kenpachi." Yumichika began, an intent look on his face. "We have to do something about what happened in the Living Realm." His tone was insistent. "We can't just allow these people continue on like on as they have- we're warriors, goddammit, we have to fight!"

"And just what are you proposing?" Kenpachi rumbled at him.

"Simple, if they want a war, then we give them war." He answered. "They put one of us in the hospital, we put two of them in the morgue; they kill one of us, we kill three of them!"

The spiky-haired man was caught off guard by the uncharacteristic outburst from his normally calm and collected Officer... However, he wasn't about to deny the man, considering the loss he'd suffered, the same loss that the entire Division had suffered- each of them, in their own way.

The imposing man exchanged a brief look with the pink-haired girl seated upon his shoulder, then smiled dangerously at the smaller man. "That just leaves us with one more point..." Kenpachi went on, leaning forward to look him in the eyes. "What would you suggest we do about Ichigo Kurosaki?"

Yumichika glowered at this. "He made his choice. He chose to betray us- from the moment he sided with them, he became our enemy!" The purple-haired Shinigami proclaimed. "As far as I'm concerned, that makes him a traitor," he went on. "And that means he's no different from any other enemy!"

A moment passed between the two of them, then the Captain smiled. "So, I take it, then," the towering Captain started. "That you're committed to this?"

Yumichika leaned in close. "You just give me the word, and I will see to it that these people are made to pay for what they've done to us- to all of us!" He added.

"I'm guessing that you have some kind of plan in mind?" Kenpachi asked. "That is, something beyond us just simply going out and killing them all?"

He nodded. "This can't just be about killing," the Third Seat Officer replied. "We have to be smart in how we play this... The Division's lost too many good people as it is."

"One way or another," Kenpachi began. "It's important that you understand that what you're proposing is going to be a very long, and very messy business." He stated. "So, are you certain?"

"Yes." Yumichika nodded. "I'm certain."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

"What in god's name are you all doing here right now?" Ikumi exclaimed, her eyes wide, looking at the small grouping of young people that had suddenly appeared in her shop.

The dark-haired girl was the first to approach her. "Listen, ma'am... This is all gonna sound crazy, but do you know anything about someone called 'Darkwood'?"

"Darkwood?" The older woman started, visibly surprised. "First off, before I tell you kids anything," Ikumi countered. "I've got some questions for you!" She continued. "To start off with, I need to know more about what the hell's going on- and not just with Ichigo- I mean everything."

Her ultimatum appeared to give them pause, as the four proceeded to exchanged looks- each of them with varying degrees of concern. After a moment, their sporty-looking 'leader' nodded.

"How much do you know about Ichigo?" Tatsuki asked.

Ikumi sighed. "Not as much as I'd like..." She started. "He didn't talk a lot about his personal life, but it was obvious to me that something serious had happened to him." The woman continued, while three of the four youths exchanged uncomfortable looks. "Aside from that, he got jumped- twice, that I know of- by these strange-looking people, dressed up in weird clothes."

"Did he say anything about the clothing?" The busty redhead inquired.

"Yeah, lots of old punk and rock 'n' roll stuff." Ikumi answered. "Ichigo mentioned them wearing things like band t-shirts, leather jackets, camo gear, combat boots, and so on." She elaborated.

At this, she and the young man with the glasses exchanged looks. "Now," Ikumi resumed. "I need you kids to tell me something." She went on. "What happened to Ichigo?"

All four hesitated, until the dark-haired girl spoke up once more. "We... don't know." She replied, an undercurrent of resignation in her voice. "We don't know what exactly happened, or why, just that he... that he disappeared, that he went off... somewhere, with a man calling himself Darkwood."

"What do you mean he disappeared?" Ikumi replied. "Can't you be any more specific?"

"Miss Unagiya," Uryu spoke up. "Just how well do you know Ichigo Kurosaki?"

Ikumi bristled at having the conversation pushed back onto her. "I'm a mother, of a ten year old son, and so I'm not thrown off by the brooding of a moody boy." She continued. "Right away, I could see it was obvious that something was really bothering him." The woman went on. "So, at the very least, I know about the fact that Ichigo was deeply troubled."

"But Ichigo was way worse than someone his age should be." Ikumi added as she regarded the quartet gathered before her. "I'm not some young starry-eyed girl, I've lived long enough to see some thing's in my life..." She paused. "So, tell me, can any of you explain to me why a sixteen year old was behaving like he'd come back from a war?" The older woman inquired.

"Because he was in a war... sort of." The redhead answered. "My name is Orihime Inoue. I was taken away to... another place, and Uryu-san and Ichigo came looking for me." She went on to explain, while motioning to the bespectacled teen as she'd spoken the last part.

"Wait, wait..." Ikumi interjected. "What you're saying, does it have anything to do with all the strange people in the black robes that I keep seeing around the city?" She asked.

This time, all of them- even the moody green-eyed one- reacted with genuine surprise.

"You can see the Shinigami?" Orihime asked.

"Shinigami?" The woman repeated in her mind.

Ikumi gave a nod of affirmation. "About two years ago, I started noticing these black shapes in the corners of my eyes- like shadows in my peripheral vision." She revealed. "As time went on, especially this last year, I slowly started being able to see them more clearly."

"And I'm guessing from all of your reactions that you guys can see them too?" The dark-haired woman asked, receiving nods- if somewhat reluctantly from each of them. "From the sound of things, I'd guess you've been pretty familiar with them for quite a while now?" Ikumi added.

"It's a long story." The dark-haired girl offered. "And by the way, I'm Tatsuki Arisawa." She continued, addressing the older woman. "I've known Ichigo since we were kids... And you've pretty much got him pegged: something bad did happen to him, he lost part of himself, and it messed him up."

"Funny, I never did give much thought to the old stories you'd hear, growing up, when I used to visit the Shinto Shrines- back in 80s- with my family as a kid." Ikumi added thoughtfully. "So, you're saying that Ichigo has some sort connection with the Shinigami?"

"Had." Orihime politely corrected. "When Tatsuki says that Ichigo 'lost' something... The truth is, it might be more accurate to say that he sacrificed it- to save everyone."

The one named Tatsuki nodded. "It's a long story, and the Shinigami don't really like people knowing too much about them... but I say screw it." She continued. "You seem like a good person, but it would take a long time to properly explain everything... Right now, what I can say is that the simple truth is that most likely none of would be here, if not for Ichigo."

"Speak for yourself." Ulquiorra muttered (only half under his breath) with a roll of his green eyes, this in turn earning him a piercing death glare from Tatsuki.

Ikumi got the feeling that there was entirely another story unto itself behind the exchange, but chose to let it slide in favor of keeping things on topic. "You mentioned Darkwood, though I'm guessing the fact you're here means that you don't know how he figures into what's happened with Ichigo?"

Again, she received nods from them. "I can't tell you much... He gave his name as Edmund Darkwood, and he was an off-and-off customer." Ikumi began. "He claimed he ran a small import-export business, and he hired us to move large packages both to and from the docks."

"How long did this man associate with you?" Uryu asked, gaining her attention.

"Before Ichigo started working for me." Ikumi replied. "...so, a year and a half, maybe two, at most."

This seemed to give them all pause. "The deliveries, how were they made?" Tatsuki spoke up.

"Darkwood and his people brought them here," the woman started. "They also picked up the incoming deliveries, sometimes the same days." Ikumi added. "So, sorry, I never went to his address... Though," she paused. "I have copies of the checks he wrote... so there might be something on those."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

The Ukitake Estate...

"...and that's where we currently stand." Jushiro Ukitake explained.

"How very unfortunate." His wife and fellow Captain, Retsu Ukitake, replied. The woman had just finished breastfeeding little Kiyoshiro, and after closing the front her kimono, she placed the infant on her shoulder- atop a cloth provided by Mitsuki- to burp him.

The Captain of the Thirteenth Division, a cup of tea in hand, sat down- cross-legged- on the cushion situated across from his wife, on the floor. Nearby, Retsu's personal Attendant Mitsuki knelt formally, hands folded in her lap. As usual, the woman wore a white apron over her kimono- which, the white-haired man idly noted was a dull maroon color- and the ruffled hairband of a maid.

The three of them were in one of the many sitting rooms scattered around the Ukitake Estate, with the far end of this one dominated by an artistic backdrop- sporting a stylized image of a sakura tree.

Almost instinctively, Jushiro knew where the two other prominent 'fixtures' of his family's household were presently located: Stark was (unsurprisingly) sleeping in the back garden, while Lillynette was in one of the other rooms- admiring a particular piece of family décor.

"I know that Ikaku Madarame was a very close friend of Ayasegawa-san, so I can only imagine how hard his death must be for him." Retsu remarked, Mitsuki appearing at her side to accept her son, who she then gently deposited into a small portable crib so he could rest.

"Worse yet, considering his relationship with my Lieutenant, given what he's going through, I hesitate to imagine how this must be affecting Isane-san." She added, picking up her own cup.

Jushiro nodded sympathetically. "Indeed... Though, this may an instance where having a pair of sisters serving under us might at last prove beneficial." He mused to himself.

"In what way?" Retsu inquired, before taking a sip of tea from the cup held demurely in her hands.

"Well, in this case, one of my Lieutenants happens to be the younger sister of yours." He replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "So, I expect it wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility for me to put a discreet request for her to check on her older sibling." Jushiro offered.

The Captain of the Fourth Division and Matriarch of the Ukitake nodded. "Good thinking."

It was at this point, that Mitsuki looked to the still-closed door, eyes narrowing as her hand started to move to reach for something unseen, inside her kimono, before stopping. "Master Ukitake," the woman began evenly. "It would seem that we have a visitor." She added. "The female half of the Primera."

He nodded, prompting the woman to stand up and move to the door, opening it and revealing the figure of Lillynette Gingerback standing in the doorway. "Hello, Lilly-san."

As usual, the small female Arrancar blushed lightly at being addressed in such a way, and yet offered nothing in the way of rebuffing it. "Shiro-san, Retsu-san?" She started.

"Shhh." The female Shinigami sounded in reply, a finger to her lips.

"Oh, sorry." Lillynette offered softly, before moving to sit down.

"How might we help you, my dear?" Jushiro asked.

"Well... It's just," she started bashfully. "I was wondering if you could maybe tell me about that old suit of armor that's set up in in the room full of scrolls and weapons?"

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Soifon was in a daze, her body effectively on 'autopilot' as she had exited the Fourth, given that her mind was elsewhere- her thoughts occupied with a single thought...

She was pregnant!

Part of the Black-Ops Leader dully wondered how this could even be happening. How was it possible, given the fact that she was a Shinigami and the other party was a Hollow? How could two completely dissimilar species ever possibly conceive? She'd never given any thought to the notion.

Perhaps, not quite so dissimilar, after all...

The fact she hadn't considered this a possibility, Soifon noted on reflection, had perhaps been foolish on her part. Especially, as it had been a major factor in her having unprotected sex! She frowned, mentally kicking herself as she allowed this to sink in... After all, the slender woman wasn't just any Shinigami, she was a Captain- and Captains were supposed to be smarter!

Perhaps, the Shinigami wondered, she'd been so caught up in finally allowing herself to relax and just enjoy what life had to offer for a change that she hadn't been thinking straight. After all, Soifon wasn't accustomed to being able to let her guard down. And, she noted (blushing), that there was also a certain distraction- with gold eyes and a boyish grin- in her life, who hadn't been present just two years earlier!

No, she couldn't pin the blame on a certain stripy individual, not completely...

She knew full well she was just as much to 'blame' for this as Ggio was. After all, for as caught up in the flow of things as she'd become, Soifon could hardly consider herself as passive in how things had ultimately played out between the two of them- that would've been the height of naivety.

No, if Soifon was being perfectly honest with herself, the simple truth of the matter was that at some point along the way, she'd become an active participant in their "courtship". In fact, the Captain would go so far as say it more than that, that she'd become an eager accomplice!

Damn him and his roguish charm and boyish good looks! And damn her luck for being so appealing to the tiger in the first place! And damn that slinky lingerie, that she'd so eagerly donned!

Ironically, while the woman walking beside him was caught up in mentally flagellating herself, Ggio was ecstatic- no, it would be more accurate to say he was over the moon!

A father!

He was going to be a father!

His mind raced at the prospect. And, Ggio thought excitedly, not only was he going to be a father, but his future cub's mother was a female of great power- who commanded the fear and respect of all those around her! Yes, their offspring was surely destined to become something great!

And of course, as a mate and father, he would be there, for both of them!

In that moment, Ggio wanted to dance! No, better yet, he wanted to sing! No, even better than that, he wanted to scoop Soifon up into his arms, carry her off like a princess, and make love to her!

There was just one problem...

His mate. Right now, as he looked to Soifon, her face wasn't that of a woman who was excited at the prospect of becoming a mother. Rather, hers was the face of someone who was in some kind of stupor, or worse yet, it was that of someone who was mortified!

Ggio himself knew he wasn't the brightest of individuals. However, when it came to Soifon, he liked to think he understood his mate sufficiently well. And so, to see her like this, well, it wasn't exactly filling him with confidence at the moment... Was she unhappy?

The very thought hurt him, deeply. But then, as he looked at her, he could feel as his insecurities began to creep into his thoughts... After all, Soifon was a Captain, while he was just a Fraccion. And the more he thought about it, he began to worry about the whole situation.

Maybe he was the problem...

"Soifon?" Ggio started. "Do you not want this?"

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Back in the Living Realm, Kisuke Urahara and Isshin Kurosaki were in the back of the former's shop, seated at a folding table that had recently been set up.

"Isshin," Urahara started, looking to his friend. "I know things seem grim right now... But you have to remember, as long as Ichigo is alive, then there's a chance of getting him back."

The other man regarded the man across from him, his distinctive green-and-white striped hat resting atop his unruly mop of light-blonde hair, then nodded. "I... I hope you're right." The dark-haired man replied in a resigned tone. "Losing Misaki nearly killed me... It was only the kids that kept me going." He admitted. "I don't know what I'd do if... if I lost anymore."

"You shouldn't talk like that." Urahara countered. "It's like I said, you can't give up... I certainly have no intention giving up, and neither should you." He reasoned. "And I shouldn't need to remind you that there are still people here- in this world- who need you right now."

Again, the older Kurosaki nodded...

Meanwhile, in the front of the shop, the bell over the door jingled as it swung open. Jinta, who was manning the counter, looked up in surprise as a woman strode inside. She was dressed in tight clothes, with dark-black hair, and wearing a funny cap and goggles combo.

Before the youth could speak up, she turned to him, cutting him off. "Hey, kid, where are they?" The woman asked pointedly, slamming her gloved hands upon the counter.

"Wh-who are you talking about?" Jinta replied nervously.

"You know who I'm talking about, the Shinigami!" She countered forcefully, much to the surprise of the adolescent standing meekly behind the front counter. "I know there's some kind of a link between them and this place, so don't try and bullshit me right now!" The woman declared.

"Unagiya-san." Urahara spoke, an unreadable look on his face. "Normally, I'd ask to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit," he went on. "But from the sound of things, that would be pointless."

"Urahara-san," Ikumi started, looking to him. "Right now, I'm seriously not in the mood to be jerked around- not by you or anyone else!" The woman continued. "I know that you're mixed in all of this, I know that you're involved with the Shinigami, somehow."

The man's friendly smile turned edgy. "More than you realize." The ex-Shinigami replied.

I was at this point, that Isshin stepped forward. "You, you're the person my son worked for." The older man started with a look of surprise. "W- what are you doing here?"

Ikumi glared at him. "What the hell do you think?!" She countered angrily. "You, you're his father!" The woman continued, her tone damning. "This is your son that we're talking about here, goddammit." She went on to say. "I shouldn't be the only one here giving a shit!"

"No, it's not what you think." Isshin tried to offer.

"Isn't it?" She countered pointedly. "You people are supposed to be his friends and family, and yet all of you were passive while Ichigo was suffering." Ikumi continued. "I can't appreciate your perspective as a father, but as the single parent of a boy, my instincts as a mother are that you have to be empathetic and proactive in their lives, and them saying they're 'okay' isn't enough."

This seemed to give Isshin pause. And so, instead, it was Urahara who spoke up. "Were it under any other circumstance, I'd ask just how you know so much..." The shopkeeper replied. "But I don't expect you're in the mood for those sort of questions... So I'll just ask this: how much do you know?"

Ikumi crossed her arms. "Enough." She answered. "Probably more than you'd like."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Division Ten HQ...

Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya was seated on the enclosed patio behind his quarters. Across from him, sat his second-in-command, Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto.

A tray now lay between the two Shinigami, an insulated kettle of tea situated upon it. "Rangiku." he started, no longer feeling compelled enough to bother with the pretense of formality that fell between them. "Ran, how are you?" The snowy-haired youth asked, before taking a sip from his cup.

His tone came off somewhat awkwardly as he posed the question, though Rangiku could more than understand this, given everything that had happened. "I've... been better." The buxom blonde managed, before sipping from her own cup of tea. "What about you, Toshiro?"

"It's the same for me." The young Captain replied. Then, after a moment, he set the cup back down on the tray. "Ran, I'm not much for being coy," Toshiro resumed. "I'm not asking you this as your Captain, I'm asking as your... partner." He continued, blushing. "You know you can level with me, right?"

She blushed similarly, then nodded. "I'm... frightened." Rangiku replied, as she set her cup down on the nearby tray. "Ikaku's death, everything else that's happened, it all has me pretty worried."

"Truthfully, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't bothered as well." The young man replied after a moment, as his hand came to rest upon hers comfortingly. Rangiku looked to him, her stormy blue eyes meeting his bright aquamarine ones. "No matter what might happen in the future, what's most important is that we'll be facing it- both of us, Ran- together." He offered.

At last, she relaxed and smiled. "Thank you, Shiro." Rangiku replied. "You always know just what to say to make me feel better." The woman added, as she leaned in to kiss him...

He drew back, his blush darkening. "Uh, well, think nothing of it... I guess."

"Oh Captain, you're so cu-" Rangiku paused, correcting herself. "I mean, you're very handsome."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

"Soifon... Do you not want this?"

The sudden question, as well as the audible fear and uncertainty in his voice, as he'd asked it, was what finally snapped Soifon out of her daze, drawing her back to reality.

Looking to the Arrancar, the lithe female instantly registered genuine doubt in his face, particularly in the penetrating gaze in those golden eyes of his. Suddenly, it was as if all of the fear and doubts she had been feeling up till then were gone- as if somehow assuaged.

And in the process, she realized what it really was that had her twisted in knots. The issue that she'd been dancing around- whether consciously or unconsciously.

A Mother...

She was going to be a Mother...

"Ggio," Soifon started, reaching out and taking his hands in a reassuring gesture. "Please, don't think for a moment that I regret us," she implored intently. "This last year... It's the happiest that I've been a very long time, and being with you is part of this happiness."

"And... to answer your question," Soifon continued, her tone growing softer. "You couldn't be further from the truth." She added, blushing faintly. "It's just, I'm a little scared, that's all... But, now, I'm more sure than ever, that I want this." The Shinigami admitted. "And I know you'll be at my side, right?"

"Of course, Soifon!" The feline Arrancar answered without a moment's hesitation. "I'd do anything for you, and for our future cub that you're carrying!" Ggio added emphatically.

"Our cub." She thought to herself, smiling. "I like the sound of that." Soifon added, blushing at the thought. "I just... I just hope that I'm up to being a Mother..." The woman lamented.

"Soifon, I know what you mean." Ggio started, somewhat hesitantly. "All of my existence before now, it was all just fighting- following orders, or just to survive- but now," he paused. "For the first time, I'm facing something new." He admitted. "Part of me is scared, but I'm also excited."

Soifon felt a warm comforting feeling at this. "You always know just what to say, don't you?"

He smiled. "Not always," the Fraccion replied, pausing to kiss her hands. "But when it comes to you, I like to think that I'm pretty good." Ggio finished, still smiling.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Karakura City...
Mashiba, Residential District...

"You just had to get that last little barb in, didn't you?" Tatsuki remarked, an icy look on her face.

Ulquiorra was unmoved, even at the young woman's withering glare. "Your anger is misplaced," he countered dispassionately. "I was merely speaking the truth."

The dark-haired tomboy fumed at this. "You're so thoughtless!" Tatsuki exclaimed. "Is it really so hard for you to just stop and think about other people's feelings before you say something?"

He regarded her briefly. "I do think about the feelings of others." Ulquiorra began. "What you think of as rude is simply myself being honest." The Arrancar continued. "You take offense because you do not wish to hear what I am saying... However, the sooner you accept reality, the better things will be."

Tatsuki didn't respond, though her knuckles were white from how tightly she was clenching her fists as she stood before him. "I find your loyalties highly unusual, given that Ichigo Kurosaki is a traitor."

"You don't know that!" She snapped back angrily. "For all we know, he was tricked!"

"Lie to yourself if you must, but I won't allow myself- or Orihime- to by lead to disaster because of some misguided faith." Ulquiorra countered, his tone calm but sharp as he regarded the young woman. "And while I may be a Hollow, I assure you I am not so cold as not grasp concepts such empathy- as you know."

Tatsuki's face flushed crimson. "Th- this isn't about you or me!" She snapped back, recalling the Sternritter attack the previous year.

"Both of you, just stop it!" Orihime cut in, halting any further argument between them.

It had taken a little digging, but they'd managed to trace the information of Darkwood's check, back to an address, located and the residential block the four of them were now walking down.

The quartet soon arrived at their destination. It was one of a number of older housed, a western-style two story home. As they made their way of the drive, Ulquiorra and Uryu exchanged guarded glanced, followed by the bespectacled Quincy and the green-eyed Espada stepping towards the entrance.

Before either of them could make a move to gain entry, the front door swung open!

"I'm afraid you're not going to find what you're looking for here." A figure spoke from the doorway, at first a back-lit silhouette. As their eyes adjusted, they saw that it was a bearded man with shoulder-length dark brown hair, dressed in a pair of black slacks, a matching black waistcoat (over a white dress shirt) a black suit jacket.

Ulquiorra silently took note of the the fact that his concealed shoulder seemed to be radiating some kind of energy...

"Uryu Ishida, Quincy... Ulquiorra Schiffer, Hollow..." He went on casually, his hands in the pockets of his jacket as he looked between the two men. "Tatsuki Arisawa, Human... And you." The man paused, smiling at the redhead among them, stepping forward. "Orihime Inoue, a very special girl."

Ulquiorra stepped protectively between Orihime and the man. "You, you must be-"

"Mr. Darkwood." The man cut in suavely, still smiling. "The one and only... or I'd like to think."

"What have you done with Ichigo?!" Tatsuki demanded.

"I assure you, Ichigo Kurosaki is a alive and well." Darkwood replied. "Though I do regret that I must also inform you that you won't be seeing him for some time." He went on.

"And you expect us to believe that Kurosaki actually left with of his own free will?" Uryu asked.

The man nodded. "I understand that you have no reason to believe me... But it is my hope that, in time, you and everyone else will respect Ichigo's choice."

"W-what did you do to Ichigo?" Orihime implored.

"We haven't done anything, most certainly not to him." Darkwood answered. "All of his choices were of his own free will, at no time was he ever threatened or coerced." He went on. "You should be happy for him, he has clarity and a new sense of purpose... And he's contributing."

"Contributing." Uryu repeated. "To what exactly?"

Darkwood smiled, running a hand through his hair. "I'm afraid, for the moment, my young friends... that the answer to that is something you'll just have to wait and see for yourselves." He replied. "Never the less, rest assured that Ichigo is doing great things."

And with that, he vanished in a flash, right before their eyes!

(- End of Chapter LVIII... -)

And so, this this chapter, we come to the end of the "Second Book" or "Season 2"...

Without spoiling anything, I'd like to say that I came up with the idea of Ichigo siding with the other side quite a while ago. The problem is, my (biggest) mistake was not properly addressing (by way of the other characters) how lonely and alienated Ichigo felt. I mean, I'm 33, but with that said: I can appreciate that with the lack of life experience, a 17 year old "kid" would be more open to doing something that might otherwise seem reckless with the benefit of hindsight.

Anyway, I also wanted to wrap up a few plot points... Including the fact that Ikumi had been aware (on some level) of the supernatural goings on, and make clear that she's the sort of person who takes an active role in the bigger picture. I like her character for multiple reasons, including the fact that (in this story, at least) she brings an outsider's perspective on things. Ikumi won't sugarcoat her views and calls it like she sees it.