To begin with, I want to thank Credence, Ophelia, and Sorbet for their feedback...

I'd like to take a moment to address a point that Credence brought up that I very much identify with- this is, the rather inconsistent "Highlander" series. First off, I love the original film, I can pop it in and watch it any time, and still have the same enjoyment- from the acting (particularly from Sean Connery and Clancy Brown), to the wonderful score, to the amazing sword fights sprinkled throughout. As for the first sequel, I can enjoy "The Quickening" as a schlocky sci-fi b-movie, and Sean Connery and Michael Ironside do a lot to elevate the 'fun factor' (even if it's a failure as a proper sequel). But as to the third film "The Final Dimension"... I kinda love it, and I mean that sincerely. While it's not a perfect film, I love the fact that it acknowledges that Conner is older, and provides a proper 'out' to close his story (provided you ignore the show and the third and fourth movies, which I do).

Now, onto the more important point you brought up: the lingering tension between the Shinigami and Hollows, and the potential stigmata that would arise from members of the two groups "fraternizing"... To be honest, that's one of the thing's I've struggled with (another being the isolation of Ichigo from the rest of the cast). While I've done my best to pay at least some lip service to the issue, I'm afraid that my own idealist nature influenced how I depicted the world this story takes place in. And, as to your specific question... Anko's outburst wasn't one of scorn, but rather of the perception that Soifon and Renji are effectively 'shielded' by their ranks within Soul Society

TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Chapter LXIV:
"The Play's The Thing"

The Living Realm, Karakura City...

"Hmm, it looks like we're running low on a few things."

Hearing this, Ulquiorra turned to face the young woman, seeing her nearby, bent over slightly and peering into the fridge. "Anything in particular?"

"Honestly, their not really anything that can't wait till tomorrow." Orihime replied, before shutting the door of the fridge. "Well, that is, except for the curry sauce." She added, looking to him. "We're going to need that for tonight's dinner." The busty redhead replied.

"Do you want me to go to the convenience store?" The black-haired disguised Arrancar asked her, as he set a cooking pot down on the oven top and set it to boil.

She shook her head, smiling. "No, that's alright." Orihime spoke. "I could use the fresh air, I'll just do a quick run to the store, while you stay here and get started on the rest of the meal."

"If you're certain." Ulquiorra replied, while adding the ingredients to the pot, eliciting a cheerful nod and a smile from the the sunset-haired girl.

"It's nothing, I won't be long." Orihime announced, pausing to kiss him on the cheek. With that, she snagged her coat from its hook in the entryway, towards the door.

Ulquiorra thought nothing of it as he returned to the contents of the pot.

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

There was visible bruising and cuts on Yumichika's face, and a gag in his mouth. His head lilted to the side, his eyes dull and the flesh around them heavy and darkened, as he made eye-contact with Szayel.

The Espada stumbled back, eyes wide in a look of horror. "Oh my god!"

Rushing over to him, frantically undoing the gag. "Ase- Yumichika!" Szayel started. "What's happened to you? how is this possible?!" He continued. "Speak to me! How are you here and in Soul Society?!"

"I was... c- captured." The battered man replied weakly. "They... b-brought me here, th- they did things t-t- to me, t-terrible things, a-and re...placed me." The Shinigami added with great effort.

"What have they done to you?" Szayel asked, visibly concerned as he looked him over. In the process, he became keenly aware of a strong sense of sympathy and empathy for the man- something he would have once though alien to his own kind...

So, a conscience after all? He mused bitterly to himself.

"Th-they brought m-me here... th- they br-brought me t-to him..." The haggered man spoke with great effort, struggling to voice his reply. "He... he drugged me, t- tortured me."

"Who? Who did this to you?" The Arrancar asked, an aghast expression on his face.

"It's hard to remember... there's gaps in my memory." He mumbled. "I- I don't... even know how long I've been here... days, weeks, months..." Yumichika rambled on. "Th- they've... k-kept me p-p- pumped up on so much drugs as they've done me over... I'm no good to you."

The Arrancar reached up and turned the man's head to look him in the eyes. "Focus, dammit!" Szayel reprimanded him. "Now, tell me: who, who did all of this to you?"

Yumichika snickered eerily . "Why... The Doctor of course."

"The Doctor?" The Espada repeated. "What are you talking about, who's 'The Doctor'?"

"Th-that's not important..." The violet-haired man countered. "The reason... I- I'm not the they... they're not here right now... it's b-because th-they're after..." He trailed off.

Szayel jostled him, frantically asking "Who, who or what are they after?!"

Yumichika looked to him again. "They're a-after... they're after Orihime Inoue."

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

Soul Society,
Division Twelve HQ...

"Can I help you?" The Division member at the front desk asked.

"I'm Yumichika Ayasegawa, the Third-Seat of the Eleventh." The man replied. "I'm here to deliver the field reports that Captain Grantz requested."

"Oh!" The young man replied, mortified, pulling his glassed back down. "I'm sorry, Ayasegawa-san," he continued, trying to compose himself. "I'm affraid that Captain Grantz is away right now, but Lieutenant Kurotsuchi is here- I could have them sent to her right way."

He shook his head. "Thank you, but I was instructed to deliver these personally."

A moment passed, as the man considered this, thinking it odd, before ultimately reminding himself that life was simpler just not overthinking things when it came to the orders given by officers. "Of course, you can deliver them to Lieutenant. She's in the upper labs." He explained.

"Just follow the signs, they'll lead you straight to her." The man continued, while gesturing towards a sign on the far wall, very near to the doors of an elevator. "Please, sir, go on ahead."

"Thank you." The pale violet-eyed man with feathers adorning his hair replied congenially with a smile. With that, he gave a nod before he made his way to the elevator at the end of the reception area.

Stepping inside the elevator, he pressed a button the control panel. He watched as the sleek metal doors slid shut, and he began to ascend up through the levels of the Division.

He stepped out, spotting the unmistakable figure of Nemu Kurotsuchi, through the vantage point of the open doors of the lab at the end of the hallway. The Lieutenant had her back to him, and appeared to be thoroughly engrossed in whatever task it was that she was doing at the moment. Smiling to himself, he set the folders down and continued in his advance.

Silently, the purple-haired man began making his way down the hallway...

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

"...What the hell are you talking about?" Ikumi spoke cautiously. "The times and events you're talking about... 'Dunkirk', that was during World War 2, and that was..."

"More than seven decades ago?" Darkwood interjected. "Oh yes, my dear Ikumi," he began almost maniacally. "As you're now no doubt beginning to understand, there's far more to me than you could have guessed." The bearded man replied as as he swiftly rose to his feat. "Or, maybe it would be more to the point to say that I 'I drove a tank and held a General's rank."

Ikumi similarly rose to her feat, eyes narrowing. "Let me guess... You're a 'Man of wealth and taste?'"

"Indeed." The man replied, while looking intently into her eyes. "That's why, deep down, I think core issue of what's really 'troubling you'- any so many others- is, quite simply, 'the nature of my game'."

"Really now, Edmund," Ikumi rebuked. "Please don't presume to know me or my thoughts any better than I know you." The dark-haired woman replied sternly. "The only thing I'm interested in, at the moment, is why you're here- and why now, exactly, of all times?" She continued.

Darkwood smiled. "A fair enough question." He countered. "And, to be perfectly honest, I could waste both our time by spinning some needlessly elaborate deception," the man then paused. "But the simple honest truth is that what I wanted is perspective- in particular, an outsider's perspective on the larger events at play- and it happens, in this case, I've come seeking yours."

She didn't respond at first. "But why me?" Ikumi asked. "What could possibly make my point of view more significant than those of any other person?" The business woman inquired. "Why would you seek me out, when you have access to wiser and more worldly people?"

"On the contrary," Darkwood responded. "Why on earth would I seek out the limited perspectives of the long cloistered the Shinigami, or the Arrancar who've only just begun to break free of the darkness of ignorance, or the Quincy so with vengence that they're blind to the reality of real life?" He offered. "What use are they, when I could just as easily be speaking with someone else, someone who's actually experience real life- that is, in the living realm- where history is being made!"

"That's... well, frankly, a fair point." Ikumi faltered, for the first time. "And so, you think that I of all people- a single mother and a businesswoman- can provide that perspective?"

"That's precisely why." Darkwood replied with a wave, before pulling up a nearby chair and sitting down. "You and I, the two of, while having lived very different lives... have never the less experienced what it means to truly be alive." He offered diplomatically. "After all, we've suffered and lost, in ways that those in the other realms could never properly understand."

"Yes, that is true..." Ikumi replied, as she returned to her seat. "But I ask again, why me? What the hell could possibly make any insight I might be able to offer any more important than anyone else?"

"Partly because of Ichigo, because of the bond between the two of you..." Darkwood answered, as he made himself comfortable once more. "And, because, like you, I too- in my own way- also care about Ichigo," the man went on to state. "I'm not using that young man for my own gains. Rather, I'm helping him to become the person he was meant to be... And in the end, I want him to be happy in the long term."

"You say that," the woman started coolly. "And yet, at the same time, you've taken away the one person I've been able trust in a very long time..." Ikumi admitted. "Tell me then, as a man, without children or other familial attachments, can you understand the significance of my position" She went on to ask of him. "And i'm not talking about some vague notion regarding the perspective of a woman..."

"No, I talking about the human level." Ikumi continued. "How do you justify all this? And... how exactly am I supposed to react?"

Darkwood nodded. "Perhaps the true tragedy of all of this, is that that I've created a wedge between the the two of you..." He paused, taking deep breath. "That was not intended, but it remains a fact none the less." He stated. "And that, the fact that I've hurt you, well- that more than anything- is what truly troubles me...my dear Ikumi." He admitted. "Especially, as I've tried to adhere to a simple rule throughout my life."

"And that is...?" Ikumi inquired.

"That, be it physically, emotionally, or mentally," Darkwood started. "That the worst thing a man can do is to cause a woman harm or distress."

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

There was visible bruising- particularly around the cheeks and eyes- as well as cuts on Yumichika's face, and a gag in his mouth. The Shinigami's head lilted to the side, and his eyes dull and darkened with visible lines, as he struggled to make eye-contact with Szayel.

The Espada stumbled back, eyes wide in a look of horror. "Oh my god!"

Rushing over to him, he undid the gag. "Ase- Yumichika!" Szayel corrected. "What's happened to you? how is this possible?!" He continued, golden eyes wide in alarm. "Speak to me, dammit! How are you here and in Soul Society?!"

"I was... c-captured..." The battered man replied weakly. "They... b-brought me here, th-they did things t-to me, a-and re-replaced me." The Shinigami added after a moment.

"What have they done to you?" Szayel asked, visibly concerned as he looked him over.

"B-broke me..." He croaked, the feeble admission both heartbreaking and shocking to the scientist.

"Th-they brought m-me here... th- they br- brought me t-to him..." The haggered man spoke with effort, struggling to speak his reply. "...was tied up. He... he drugged me, t- tortured me." Yumichika stuttered.

"Who? Who did this to you?" The Arrancar asked, an aghast expression on his face.

"It's hard to remember... there's gaps in my memory." He mumbled, becoming more coherent as he went on. "My n-neural chemistry is all fucked up. The t-truth is, I don't... even know how long I've been here... has it been days, or weeks, or even months...?" Yumichika rambled on in a pitiful tone.

The Arrancar reached up and turned the man's head to look him in the eyes. "Focus, man!" Szayel reprimanded him. "Now, tell me: who, who did all of this to you?"

Yumichika snickered eerily . "Why... The Doctor of course."

"The Doctor?" The Espada repeated. "What are you talking about, who's 'The Doctor'?"

"Th-that's not important..." The violet-haired man countered. "The reason... they... they're not here right now... it's b-because the- they're after..." He trailed off.

Szayel jostled him, frantically asking "Who, who or what are they after?!"

Yumichika looked to him again. "I- They're a-after... they're after Orihime Inoue."

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

Shinigami Women's Association...

"As I previously said, the circumstances of this situation aren't fair." Soifon spoke, as she continued to address the assembled women. "All I can do is speak to the fact that... Just as it's not fair that- for whatever the reason- there's this seemingly uneven bias when it comes to us being with the males, as opposed to the men being with the female Arrancar..." She stated. "With, some exceptions of course."

Kyoko smiled shyly as the Captain spared a quick glance to her. "I honestly don't know if it's a matter of us both being women, or the fact that Mila made our relationship public knowledge."

"Oh yes, I heard about that little incident." Anko idly commented with a smile. "From the bits that I've heard, it certainly sounds like it caused quite a stir in the mess hall." She added slyly.

Momo grinned at this. "If you think about it," the slight woman spoke. "Some girls wait their whole lives hoping for a glant prince- or, in your case, for a princess- to come to their rescue and sweep them off their feet."

"She's right..." Kumiko chimed in, blushing. "Knowing you're wanted, and seen as desirable, it's an incredible feeling."

"Why is it that when a man does some sexually risque, it's somehow 'commendable'," Kumiko spoke up in an annoyed tone. "Yet, when a woman does the exact same thing, she's considered 'loose'?"

Multiple voices perked up, sounding their agreement with the assertion.

Soifon nodded. "It's the same kind of cultural double standards as when it comes to passing judgment on the actions of one's sisters and daughters, as opposed to the judgment of brothers and sons." The black-ops Commander lamented to the others. "But then, if the views of a people are unjust, than the final responsibility falls upon the members of those people- as a society- to change views to reflect what is just."

"Captain Soifon, if I may?" Momo spoke up, receiving a nod from the other woman. "Listening to you speak just now," the brunet continued with a smile. "Hearing you talking, it sounded like more than just the words of a Captain... And, more like that of a historian or a philosopher."

This time, it was Soifon's turn to blush, while all of the rest of the women smiled...

"Captain, what you're saying is valid." Anko insisted. "People, men and women, shouldn't have to change themselves to fit in to a society, it's the society that should evolve to accept its people for who they are."

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

Nemu paused in her movements, her eyes flitting to a nearby monitor- the reflection of the approaching figure reflected in it as they moved silently towards her.

No one would just casually waltz into this, totally unannounced and with no preamble...

Without saying a word, she slipped her hand under her black outer kimono...

...And turned around, hurling a phial at the approaching form. It struck him dead-on, center mass, and shattered against his chest. Instantly, as soon as the vessel broke and the contents within it were loosed, the chemicals- now exposed to the air- morphing into a thick cloud of gas. Almost instantly, it rapidly began to expand outward- quickly encompassing him within it!

He gasped, inhaling only the poison of the cloud around him. Nemu looked on, completely unmoved and totally unfazed, watching as he choked and gagged on the toxins right before her eyes.

Nemu wasted no time in running over the entrance and slamming her small hand against a small panel of thin glass, breaking it and revealing a large red button- which she immediately pressed. With that, as the room began to fill up with with the noxious fumes, heavy doors slammed shut.

That done with, she then turned and looked back at the figure of the man, to 'Yumichika'.

He was presently doubled over, gasping frantically for breath as he floundered for purchase- his eyes already blood red and his throat burning. He fell to his knees as the cloud of pallid yellowish-green gas overwhelmed him, both within and without. The whole time, the figure of Nemu stood there silent, betraying nothing in her expression as she watched him die...

Because of her unique nature, she was able to stand- unprotected- amidst the fumes, now a sickly fog filled the entirety of the room. The violet-haired woman approached her assailant, all the while with an impassive look on her face as she regarded him, watching as the last vestiges of his life ebbed away.

And then, he collapsed completely, lurching forward and then slumping onto his side. In the process of this, he rolled over, his dying gaze meeting her own green eyes. The normally reserved and unimposing woman towered over him, casting a shadow over him like some ghastly specter.

"Your fatal mistake was in trying to kill me." Nemu remarked coldly, as his violet eyes turned almost gray shade as they glossed over. "That's why I am alive and you are soon to be dead."

Nemu then returned to the front of the room, opening a hatch to reveal an control panel. She pressed a code into a number pad, causing the screen to light up.

The text "Environmental Control Voice Interface – Status: Active" was visible across the small screen. Bellow that, a second line read "Status: WARNING! Toxins detected... Awaiting input_?"

"This is Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi, clearance: Alpha Sigma One Seven Seven Three." She spoke. "Begin venting protocol."

There was a heavy mechanical sound, followed by large vents opening up in the ceiling. Nemu looked up, watching as unseen machinery whirred to life, drawing the toxic gas into them- at first slowly, then more quickly as the ventilation system picked up steam as the process continued.

Minutes passed, until the screen showed a new message: "Systems: Nominal... Environment: Nominal... Awaiting input_?"

"Release fire-wall seals, open doors." Nemu replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

Just then, she noticed that the light on the com-link to her Captain and Partner was blinking. Picking it up, brought the microphone to her mouth. "Szayel-sama, this is Nemu."

"Nemu, the situation in the Living Realm is critical." Came the Espada's voice. "I have discovered Officer Ayasegawa here." He continued. "The individual presently in Soul Society is an impostor- you must take actions immediately to deal with this." He continued urgently.

"Szayel-sama, the impostor just attempted to assassinate me... I've dealt with him." She replied, before going on to elaborate and the details of what had happened.

He didn't respond immediately. "I- I'm glad that you're alright."

Nemu noted that he sounded conflicted, but made no comment as he continued.

"Nemu, use the special authorization that I provided you with, in case of an emergency, to request an Alpha-Level Security detachment for the body." He went on state. "Nothing, NOTHING, must be allowed to happen to it, as I intend to to performing a detailed forensic autopsy on it."

"Understood." She replied smartly. "Szayel-sama, do you have further instructions?"

"Yes," the Arrancar answered back. "Contact the other ranking officers right away and alert them that Orihime is in grave danger." He explained "It turns out she's been targeted by the Brethren's Operatives, so a team MUST be dispatched to the Living Realm- ASAP!"

"Whatever their interest in her might be, it can't be good- not for her, and certainly not for us." Szayel continued through the line of the com-link. "Nemu my darling, I cannot stress enough how imperative it is that the urgency of the situation not be underestimated- you need to relay this to them."

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

"Of course, Szayel-sama, I'll see it personally."

Szayel nodded to himself, hearing Nemu's reply over the com-link. "Good. I'm going to attempt to get back in contact with my team and see that Ayasegawa is extracted, before-"

The Arrancar was unable to finish, halting mid-sentence when he was suddenly struck in the neck by a mysterious dart-like projectile. He made a hissing sound, grasping at the back of his neck.

Yumichika was left to watch in confusion an horror, as Szayel went stiff, then fell limply to the floor. This was followed by the arrival of a black-clad form in the room. They held a strange device- resembling some kind of gun- in their hand. Their form was hidden entirely beneath a long black coat, along with a black cowl and a pair of gloves. They wore a wide-brimmed black hat and their face was totally concealed behind a cowl and a beaked, white porcelain mask- like the skull of some great bird- and his form was cloaked in black.

"Sz-Szayel!" Yumichika stuttered out uneasily, fear visible in his eyes.

"And now, as to you..." The Doctor started in a low ominous voice, tucking the gun away inside the depths of his dark garb as he turned toward Yumichika. "As you have now served your purpose," he continued. "You are nothing more than a loose-end, and it is high time you were dealt with."

The purple-haired Shinigami recoiled away from him in horror, flinching back into his chair. Instinct driving him to struggle futilely against his restraints. "No! Oh god, no- stay back!" He screamed.

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around the man from behind, halting him in his tracks. "What?!" The man exclaimed in surprise. "Y-you? How, h- how are you alive?" The Doctor continued in confusion, as the Arrancar locked his arm around his neck. "The potency of the toxin was supposed to have been strong enough to kill any Hollow- even an Espada!"

"Simple, I'm no ordinary Hollow." Szayel countered, smiling maniacally. "Did you really believe that neuro-toxin cocktail of yours would kill me?" The Arrancar continued. "And, did you honestly believe you're the first person to ever try to assassinate me?" He asked in a dark tone.

He followed the question up by jabbing something sharp into his neck, before releasing him and letting him stumble forward and drop down onto his knees. "Well you're not, I'm afraid..." Szayel continued as he now loomed over him, a maniacal smile gracing his face.

The dull light glinted off of the lenses of his mask fragment, the rest of him shrouded darkness, back lit by the window behind him. "You see, for me, death is nothing more than an occupational hazard."

He touched his neck. "W-what have you done to me?" The voice that came from behind the mask was uncharacteristic of the individual. Gone was the menace it held, now only worry.

"What an interesting question." Szayel replied with a smile. "What have I done, you ask?"

"The answer to that, plane and simple," he continued, still smiling, all while he held up an usual device of his own in his hand. Just from the look of it, it was clearly designed for injections. "Why, if you're half the scientist you claim to be, then you realize... that I've killed you, of course!"

The bespectacled Arrancar watched, a pleased expression on his face, as the masked man was left to helplessly topple over onto the floor, his downfall capped off by a final gasping sound as it escaped his muffled lips beneath the mask and cowl of his ensemble.

"And now," Szayel resumed, habitually adjusting his glasses. "I really should see to you." he went to add as he looked back to the seated figure of Yumichika.

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

Nemu looked up, just in time to watch as the heavy doors slid open...

From through the entrance, multiple figures emerged, their faces covered behind full-face hazardous material gas-masks. "Lieutenant Kurotsuchi," the foremost one started. "Operations detected a massive bio-hazard breach within this room." The man recounted. "Are you alright?"

"Officer Akon," the purple-haired woman began calmly. "I assure you, the situation is under control." Nemu informed the man. "I already carried out the purging sequence."

"What happened?" He asked in his usual weary tone, after lifting the mask up off his face.

The female Shinigami nodded. "The breach was no accident, it's the direct result of a chemical agent I utilized- against that man." Nemu pointed to the prone figure on the floor.

"Is that... Yumichika Ayasegawa?" Akon asked with a look of disbelief.

Nemu shook her head. "No, it's an impostor." She answered. "Officer Ayasegawa is in the Living Realm, held captive by our enemies." The woman went on you explain. "Officer Akon, please see to it that the remains are transferred immediately to cold storage for preservation. This is a top priority."

"Y-yes, of course, Lieutenant." The dour-looking man answered after a slight hesitation, managing to compose himself. "I'll personally see to it right away."

"Good, then I'll leave it to you." Nemu responded. "In the mean time, see to any important matters with the Division in my absence." She went on to inform him. "I have urgent business with the members of the Gotei Council- I have to speak with them right away." The Lieutenant finished.

He nodded, and with that, watched as she made her way out of the room.

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

Huecco Mundo...

The tall Arrancar looked around his immediate surrounds, the growing locks of his bright blue hair- which had for some time been pulled into a loose ponytail in the back- fluttered in the breeze while he stood under the eternal night sky, as he finally arrived at his intended destination.

Seated on a rock, near the foot of a winding path that ran the length of a tall rocky bluff, was a female Arrancar with brown eyes and a long wavy brown hair. Her eyes were complemented by lustrous lashes and her lips were an inviting rosy shade. The female was clad in a long gown that clung to her curvy figure, as well as exposing the valley of her cleavage, with a feather boa draped over her shoulders.

"Grimmjow?" She inquired, suddenly perking up. "So you finally decided to take me up on my offer and show yourself at last, after all the times I said– "

"That I should 'come up and see you some time'." He finished for her. "I know, hello Mei."

Rising to her feet- expertly balancing on the high heels of her footwear- she approached, effectively throwing herself at him with a big smile. Her arms draped around his shoulders, the female grinned and gave a lascivious look, her ample breast pressing against his broad chest. "Now, I hope you're going to say that one of the reasons for coming here was me... Because I'm always happy to see you."

Unmoved, Grimmjow gave her an implacable look. "Mei Westward," he cautioned, calmly but firmly removing her arms from his frame. "I'm in no mood for you throwing yourself at me..." The Arrancar paused, looking into her eyes. "That is, at leas... right now."

Just as he smiled at her as he'd spoke the last the part, so did she. "Well then," she resumed smoothly, before sitting down on her rock and leaning back invitingly, the deep valley of her exposed cleavage a tempting sight, even for the powerful Espada. "For now, what brings you here?"

Were it any other time, the blue-haired Arrancar would have promptly had this brunet minx bent over the nearest surface and screaming his name as he fucked her! But now...?

"I'm looking for Cyrus Vaux." The Sexta Espada replied matter-of-factly, while tucking his hands into the pockets of his long coat. "There's... some things I'd like to speak with him about."

"He's away." Mei replied, lounging her original seat. "But he'll be back." She offered, bringing up a long pipe to her lips, lighting the end with reiki from her other hand. "But more to the point, I've heard you've been spending a great deal of time with the former Tercera."

Grimmjow smiled, folding his arms across his chest. "So then, are you jealous?"

Contrary to what he might have have been expecting, she smiled and shook her her head. "Not at all," Mei answered. "Contrary to what you might expect... I'd be more than happy to accept the former Lady Third into our numbers, to embrace her as one of us." The Arrancar admitted.

"And you, no doubt, Grimmjow, have made overtures towards her." Mei went on. "With all of that said, please do feel free in inviting her into the fold, as I would be happy to welcome her- even in bed."

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

Orihime was making her way down a street, returning home from the neighborhood convenience store, the redhead walking under the darkening blue evening sky.

However, she came to an abrupt halt when the flickering flash of light occurred directly in front of her, followed by the sight of a glowing energy barrier taking form and obstructing her path. Orihime at first reacted with an expression of surprise, then one of annoyance as she turned around.

"You!" She exclaimed irately, her brow furrowing.

The young woman immediately recognized the figure of the man with long reddish-brown hair and dressed in long black coat and dark glasses as that of the person who'd seemingly been in charge (of the others) during her previous run-in with these people- when they had tried to capture her!

The brown-haired guy with all the piercings was there as well. A folded up bandanna was tied across his brow, and he was dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a leather vest over a white t-shirt. He was carrying his old guitar just like she remembered. His female 'companion', along with her spiky blonde 'punk' hair, was present at his side, once more with her arm draped over his shoulder.

There were others present, people she didn't recognize: including one man wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt and a baseball cap, and another man in an old Stooges t-shirt and a pare of camouflage pants with the legs tucked into combat boots. He was also branding an aluminum bat in his hand.

"So..." She started, looking from person to person. "What is it this time?" Orihime spoke irritably, still tightly clutching onto the grips of the plastic bag in her hand.

At this, an unusual-looking woman stepped forward. "Orihime, sweetheart..." She implored.

She was tall, fair-skinned, with sharp green eyes. The sides of her head were buzzed, while the rest of her reddish-purple hair was pulled into a ponytail in the back. She had multiple ring and stud piercings adorning her ears and eyebrows. She was dressed in form-fitting black leather pants and tightly laced boots, with a tight black vest that was cinched up on the sides.

Most of her visible flesh- which included both of her arms and shoulders, as well as the sides of her neck, and even her temples and the area around her eyes- were decorated in tattoos.

"I'm called Jinx." She resumed with a smile. "Now, I know that you've had some rather unpleasant encounters with some of our other members in the past," the woman continued. "Still, I hope that you won't hold that against us as a group." She entreated, holding her open hands up.

As she was speaking this, Sid stepped forward, casually strumming Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar."

"You? You're the one who attacked Chad-san!" The redhead countered.

"Attacked?" She replied. "Oh no, on the contrary, Chad and I were just having some... fun." The purple-haired woman offered her with a jovial wave of her hands. "Fun in battle, fun in bed." Jinx added salaciously as she continued her overture to the other other woman.

"Never the less, I want you to know that we only have the best of intentions." Jinx offered the fiery-haired young woman. "You see, the real reason why we're so interested in you is because you're a very special young lady." She continued. "And there's someone amongst us that would very much like to speak with you.' She explained. "And that's why we're here, we just want to bring you to them."

Rather unsurprisingly, Orihime was visibly unmoved by the woman's offer. "Sorry, Jinx, you make a pretty good sell, but at this point, I think I'll just have to give a pass to your kind offer."

"I was hoping you'd say that." A man- dressed entirely in black, with long stringy dark hair- spoke up from amidst the others. "Ever since my first run in with your boyfriend, I've been gunning for a chance to finally have a re-match with him." He added, before the tattooed woman shushed him.

"Ronnie!" Jinx sniped resting her hands on her leather-clad hips. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this... But, I can't say I'm at all that surprised." She remarked with a shake of her head. "To be perfectly honest, if I was in your place, right now, I wouldn't come with us either- it just makes no sense."

"As a woman, I can appreciate the insanity of willingly allowing yourself to become caught up in this chaos, with nothing more than the assurances of strangers." Jinx offered. "But the truth of the matter is that," she continued, glancing briefly off to the side. "That we just don't have the option of letting you to go off on your merry way." She stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

At this, Orihime looked off to the side, just as a figure stepped out of the shadows.

"Hello again, Miss Inoue." The hooded man started, flashing her a knowing smile. His red hair was obscured by the black Misfits hoodie he was wearing, but the red stubble of his face was visible.

Miss Inoue. The same way he'd addressed her when they'd first met. In fact, this deceptively charming, personable man was the only person to ever greet her in this way.

"Y-you?!" Orihime stammered out again, genuinely surprised this time. Her six-point Shun Shun Rikka hair pins flared with power as soon as she'd seen him. The energy radiating from her hair pins expanded outwards around the buxom woman, creating a golden aura that glowed faintly.

"Oh yes, it has been a while hasn't it?" Dario commented jovially. "In fact, it's been more than a year now, since our first meeting, that fateful day in your residence- hasn't it?" He inquired. "Please, tell me, if I recall correctly... What of your pets, are your finches doing well?"

She didn't respond, only fixing him with a harsh gaze as he continued undaunted. "As a principle, death isn't something I savor, people or animals, and their deaths seemed so tragic and empty."

She glared at him "Ulqui-kun and Hime-chan are alive and well, in spite of you!"

He nodded. "I'm glad... And don't worry, I understand your ire at the moment." The man went on tell her as he spoke. "That was my one true regret in all the chaos." Dario admitted to busty young woman standing before him. "But enough commiserating about the past... I'm far more interested in the present. You see, I've been told some rather interesting stories about this new little trick of yours."

"But to see it for myself, no less," Dario paused, while silently looking her over. "Well now, I must say, after witnessing it, that it's even more impressive than I had imagined."

The sunset-haired girl tensed up, just as the glow of the aura surrounding her flared up in reaction to his proximity to her. However, Dario's only reaction to this was a soft chuckle.

"Now, now, Miss Inoue." Dario entreated with a wave of his hands. "There really is no need for this," he went on. "As my friend said, we just want to talk with you- that's all, I promise."

"Just, try and look at things from our perspective for moment..." Dario offered her, his tone perfectly reasonable, taking a step forward. In that instant, his blue eyes met her brown ones.

The different members of the brethren all exchanged looks amongst themselves, before one of them- the man called 'Hawke', if she recalled correctly- wordlessly stepped forward, a cellphone held aloft in his hand. As soon as he emerged, a song began to play- the distinctive sound of Earth, Wind & Fire.

The sound of pure unfiltered 1970s funk filled the air...

Orihime was completely at a loss- as the song continued to play- as to how to possibly process all of this, so next when Dario himself advanced towards her, she fixed him with a look that said it all...

What. The. Fuck?

Not that a lady such as Orihime would ever think to give voice to such a vulgar expression, but the truth was that the fiery-haired girl was feeling those words more than anything else in that moment, all while striving to maintain her grip on her sanity in the face the growing craziness!

"This is insane!" The redhead exclaimed in shock, stiffening as she turned her gaze once more to the hooded man now before her. "What in god's name is going on?!"

For his part, Dario just grinned crazily as the music play on, holding up one hand near his head and give give a waggle, while extending the other towards her. "Oh come now, my dear." The scruffy-faced man proclaimed. "Isn't it obvious?" The man went on to ask the young woman.

"No, don't come any closer!" Orihime cried frantically.

"Now, now, now," Dario continued as he swaggered his way towards her. "There's no need for you to be scared, just... relax." He went on, his smile widening. "Please now, I am offering to take you away, my dear," the blue-eyed man stated smoothly. "To take you away... to a Boogie Wonderland!" He proclaimed, dropping the name of the song currently playing as he moved in.

"What, what are you-"

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

"What are you doing?" Orihime asked, only to suddenly find herself standing in an unfamiliar place, suddenly finding herself standing inside the living-room of a home.

"W-where am I?" She asked herself, her heart racing.

(- End of Chapter LXIV... -)