Hey everyone, we're back with another new chapter. However before I begin, I have some words from my writer Greatkingrat88.

"Alright, first some housekeeping: due to this being the holiday seasons and all, this is the only chapter we're posting this December. Seeya in 2019, folks!

Now, to the meat of the issue. We're heading into the fullbring arc, as you may have picked up on, and trust me when I say we're doing a very different route than canon.

While I think that just about everything following Ulquiorra's death was varying degrees of flaming trainwreck, the fullbring arc holds a special place in my heart… as the single most hated part of bleach, period, even accounting for the obnoxious dogshit ideas Kubo came up with in the last arc. Yes, even including quincy nazis, Mexican wrestlers, killing off Unohana just to give Kenpachi a powerup (although that's close, that was the straw that broke the camel's back and finally made me quit bleach).

Without exaggerating, or being hyperbolic, I am telling you that I think of the fullbring arc as the worst arc of any manga/anime I have ever seen. It's one of the most irredeemably awful pieces of fiction ever produced, and I passionately hate it. Which is why, when we're doing this, you won't see any of the following things:

Ichigo uncriticially accepting the help of a bunch of complete strangers who are extremely shady and obviously have ulterior motives, like a complete idiot.

Cheap deus-ex-machina restorations of power.

Wasting the psychological horror of Tsukishima's brainwashing.

Ichigo generally being the dumbest human being alive.

Cheap, gimmicky, broken powers

That's out. None of that nonsense. We're doing this arc, and we're doing it right. So please, enjoy what's to come."

Um...Yeah. Needless to say this is another area of which we differ in. I don't really love the fullbring arc myself, but I don't hate it. I think its...fine. The final battle was over way to quickly for my tastes (thank you anime for making it cool atleast.) but I can see and understand why people have issues with it.

But rather than just skip the arc outright, or bash the characters in story, I figured it was much better to simply, well, make it better. This arc is going to not only be very different from its cannon counterpart but also be very different from most arc's we've done thus far. I can only hope that you will enjoy our version of this arc.

Also on another note, Erza is finally back to normal again in the sequel! Yay!

But that's enough of me rambling, lets get right to the chapter! Please feel free to leave a review to let us know what you thought of this chapter. It really means a lot to us.

Thanks once again to Greatkingrat88 (for writing) and jcampbellohten (for being our Beta)

Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo and Shounen jump. Fairy tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and weekly shounen magazine. I own NOTHING. This is all just for fun!

"So, this is the place? Really?"

Ichigo had been skeptical from the get-go. He'd been through a lot recently, and with a war looming, the idea of empowered people in hiding set off all kinds of alarm bells. He'd spent the walk from school arguing with himself, one moment telling himself he was getting paranoid, the next arguing he wasn't paranoid enough. But, Chad trusted them, and Ichigo had never pegged him as particularly naïve. Back in the day, long before the business with souls, monsters, and evil overlords, he had been Ichigo's main partner in the business of punk skull-busting. He was savvy enough to the streets, and if he trusted these people… well, it meant something at least.

It helped that Orihime tagged along. Something about her cheery, carefree nature set him at ease, like a natural antidote to the grating tension he'd accumulated the last month. She, for her part, seemed the total opposite of his moody skepticism, cheerily chattering about everything and nothing, seeming excited at the prospect of meeting new people.

"Don't let appearances fool you," said Chad, gesturing at the building before them.

Ichigo had been skeptical to begin with, and these 'fullbringers' having their hideout in a run-down brick building looking like it would collapse any moment didn't help.

"It looks like crap," Ichigo said flatly, "like it's someplace junkies and hobos go to sleep."

"Like I said," said Chad, knocking on a worn door with flaking paint, "don't be fooled."

A hatch opened in the door, and somebody stared out.

"It's me," said Chad.

The hatch shut, and the door opened. In the doorway stood a lean, handsome young man with shoulder-length black hair. He wore a dress shirt and pants with suspenders, giving him a curiously anachronistic look.

Ichigo snorted. "Who's the hipster?"

"Be nice!" Orihime chided him.

"Mr. Tsukishima," said Chad politely.

"Chad," said Tsukishima. "Ginjo will be pleased to see you again. Are these the friends you mentioned before?"

Chad nodded.

"Please, step inside," said Tsukishima.

Ichigo's hand went into his pocket, closing around his substitute badge. He didn't expect to get jumped, but he was not about to get caught unawares. Better to have it and not need it…

"Can do!" said Orihime, and walked inside, heedless of any danger. Chad did much the same.

"Well?" said Tsukishima, looking at Ichigo.

"Whatever," Ichigo muttered, and followed his friends. He steeled himself, as if he'd be attacked, but he came into a rather peaceful scene.

Chad hadn't been kidding: appearances had been deceiving. Whereas the outside walls spoke of an aged building badly in need of renovation, the large room inside was well furnished with chairs, couches, and even a wide-screen TV further in. There was a bar not far from it, where a large man in a suit polished glasses. He had a neatly trimmed moustache, and a band of cloth running over his right eye, contrasting with his polished appearance. Ichigo looked around, impressed despite himself. The room could easily have passed for a high quality bar or club. Somebody had put a lot of effort into making this run-down place a welcoming, liveable space.

As he looked around, he counted six people, including Tsukishima. They all seemed to wear Western clothing, in keeping with the room's aesthetic. This was not a place decorated to seem Japanese, but Ichigo found he didn't dislike it. He saw Orihime had already started to socialize, talking to some girl with pigtails.

"Hey, Chad!"

A seventh person rose from behind the bar. In a simple shirt and jacket, with his hair combed back, he looked familiar. He held two beers, one in each hand, and approached Chad, smiling.

"I heard you were coming. Want something to drink?" he said, offering a beer.

"I am still underaged, Mr. Ginjou."

"Oh, right," said Ginjou with a chuckle. "I keep forgetting. You're so big and serious, I feel like I'm talking to a senior every time. You got the right idea, anyway. These will give you a beer gut, and we wouldn't want to ruin that figure, eh?" He turned to the man at the bar. "Giriko, a soda for our friend!"

"Cola will do," Chad said politely.

"Now," said Ginjou, "I take it your moody friend in the back is Kurosaki Ichigo?"

"I think I remember you," said Ichigo, walking up to stand beside Chad, "from a few weeks ago."

"Oh, yeah. You had a hard time with a hollow, so I think that was me lending a hand there."

He'd had more than a hard time, but Ichigo wasn't sure the man's modesty was genuine.

"What's your game?" he said bluntly.

"Um, poker?" said Ginjou. "Or, pool. I'm a bit old-fashioned that way."

"What's your angle," Ichigo said, frowning, "and don't joke around."

"Alright, I won't," Ginjou said with a chuckle, throwing his hands up. "You got me- I'm secretly out to corrupt you all and turn you into gang members."

"That's not funny."

"Ichigo," Chad started, but Ichigo cut him off.

"I'm not going to just… walk into a place like this and take it for granted that they're good people, Chad," he said irritably. "You trust them, and that's all well and good, but we've got a war coming up on us and some secret society of people with powers… well, let's just say I'm suspicious."

"You know," Ginjou said, his tone mild, "I don't remember asking for anything when I saved your bacon back there."

"Could be it was to gain my trust."

Ginjou shook his head. "I like you, kid. I really do. Come on, let's talk this out. Cola?"

"No thanks," said Ichigo sullenly.

"Suit yourself," Ginjou said with a shrug, walking over to a couch, Chad and Ichigo in tow. Ginjou sat down, took a swig, and set his bottle down on the table.

"Look," said Ginjou, leaning forward, looking Ichigo in the eye, "I get it. You're suspicious. I applaud that. A good, healthy dose of paranoia is what kept me and my people alive for this long. I'm not asking you to trust us. Actually, no one's asking you anything. You can leave anytime you want. We'd prefer it if you kept this place to yourself, but we're not going to make you."

"And what if I don't?"

"Wouldn't be the first time we've gone on the run," said Ginjou with a shrug.

"Ichigo, you must not," said Chad, and subtly, there was an eagerness in his voice. "They are good people. They have done much for me."

"Good for you," Ichigo muttered.

"I can see why Chad asked you to come," said Ginjou, having another drink. "You're really wound up, aren't you?"

"What's it to you?"

"None of my business, really. We very firmly believe that, me and my little group of misfits."

"But, you still reached out to Chad."

"See these people here?" said Ginjou, gesturing with a hand to the rest of the room, toward the other people there. "Most of them, I found when they were just kids. Orphans, mostly. Only not just orphans, but ones who had their old folks killed by a hollow. It… awakens something in you. I know how to deal with that. So, when I find somebody who's got that quality, that strength that draws hollows to them like a moth to a flame, I feel I have a responsibility. I can help them, and as far as I know, nobody else can. Our boy Chad, here," he said, pointing proudly at the tall young man, "he handled himself better than almost anyone I've met, but he's still rough. We all need somebody. I saw him from afar. Talked to him."

"I was skeptical as well," Chad admitted, "but he has done nothing but good. He has taught me how to develop my powers, improve them. Gain strength. Without him, I firmly believe I could not stand shoulder to shoulder with you."

"You always could," Ichigo protested. "You're one of my best friends."

"Ichigo," Chad said firmly, "do you honestly believe that I would be close to your equal if I had remained as I were when we ventured into the Soul Society?"

"Power's not everything."

"True, but it does matter."

"So… yeah," Ginjou said with a shrug. "That's his deal. I invited him; he accepted. Told me there were other people like him. Everyone here is here because they want to be. You, Ichigo, you can stay if you want, or leave. I want people to be free. That's it."

"I already have powers," Ichigo said sullenly.

"And how!" Ginjou laughed. "I can sense it, boiling under the surface. You could probably thump anyone here easily. I doubt Chad brought you here for more training. From what I hear, you get more than enough of that already."

"Every day," Ichigo admitted, "and then there's school."

"And lying to your friends, too, eh?" Ginjou nodded.

"Don't try to psychoanalyze me," Ichigo muttered.

"Buddy, I've been there," Ginjou said. "You think you're the first guy with powers he didn't ask for, having to hide it from the people in his life?" He shook his head. "I think that's why Chad brought you here: to show you that you ain't alone. So, you," he said, standing up, "you can hang around, take it easy, or leave. Do as you please. Now, if you'll excuse me… your redhead friend, I believe, actually came here to train a bit, so I've got to go help her set up with the right person. Stick around if you like. There's no closing hour here."

Ichigo watched him leave, then turned to Chad, frowning even more. "So… he just trained you? That's it?"

"Mostly him," Chad said. "He's very direct. Although in fairness, most of the others have contributed, as well."

"Chad," Ichigo said, "what do you think Erza would say if she found this out?"

"She is reasonable," said Chad. "All the same, I believe they have good reasons for not wanting to be found."

Ichigo leaned back, concerned. He should report this. Shouldn't he?

Then again, he wasn't with the Gotei. Their auxiliary status was purely cosmetic. He had no specific loyalty to them, and the war… the war was only his because it had come to his home turf. This wasn't his business. Not his to report.

"I… I guess I'll have a drink," he muttered. "Would feel stupid to come all this way just to turn around, right?"

Chad nodded. "I'm glad you understand."

Momo was warm with effort as she walked away from the store's backyard. Tessai's regimen wasn't usually that demanding, but practical application of kido had, in this instance, left her worked up enough to have her cheeks aflush and the rest of her in need of a shower. Even so, Momo was in high spirits. She was making some progress now, real progress, and under the tutelage of somebody as skilled as Tessai, she could only go up.

"Hey there."

Momo yelped and nearly tripped over herself as she walked through the hall of the store. Embarrassed, she regained her bearings and spun around to look at the one who had called out to her.

"Really, Miss Yoruichi, you shouldn't creep up on people like this!"

"What?" said Yoruichi. "I was just standing here. I can't help it if you're elsewhere in your head."

"Well…" said Momo, realizing that she had been more than a little distracted. "I'm sorry, I was… yeah, I guess I was… elsewhere."

She blushed, and felt happy her cheeks were already red with exercise.

"You look adorable when you're all awkward." Yoruichi chuckled. "I can see what Erza likes about you."

"Th-thanks," said Momo awkwardly, and she couldn't help but smile.

"So, you're working with Tessai now? I can't say I've ever been a fan of all that hard work."

Spoken like someone who's never had to work for anything, thought Momo, like someone who's just good at everything naturally. A pang of envy shot through her. That kind of casual confidence and skill… what wouldn't she give for that?

"It's going forward," she said reservedly, "even if it's not lightning-fast learning."

Yoruichi nodded. "So, anyway…"

"Yeah…"

"Screw it, that's enough small talk," Yoruichi said with a shrug. "I'll admit, I was looking to ambush you just a little."

"R-really?"

"Yup. Curious cat that I am, I was wondering how things are going with you and Erza."

"You know? I mean… oh, yeah, you do," Momo murmured, remembering Erza had mentioned it. "Um, just… it's… you're keeping it to yourself, right?"

"Why do you think I'm asking you?"

"Why are you, actually?"

Yoruichi shrugged. "I haven't had a relationship for decades and I haven't gotten laid for months. That leaves living vicariously through others."

"…You really are quite shameless, you know," Momo said, feeling a mixture of offended and impressed at the former captain's boldness.

"I was born without any sense of shame. Tragic handicap, I know," Yoruichi said with a grin. "So, how are things? You don't have to say anything, but… well, to be honest-"

"You aren't already?"

"True," Yoruichi said with a grin, "but the truth is, you're both incompetent at this sort of thing. Someone has to look out for you."

Momo grumbled, well aware that it was actually quite true. "Things are… fine," she said reservedly.

"Define 'fine', please."

"We held hands as we fell asleep the other night," said Momo, feeling warm inside at the memory.

"Holding hands?" Yoruichi snorted. "Hold on there, that's too hot a story even for me. That's almost as lewd as looking into each other's eyes longingly."

"Look, I get that you are just… super experienced and stuff," Momo said, her temper flaring a little, "but it was actually really nice!"

"Sure, sure," said Yoruichi, "but… you want to move beyond that, right?"

"…yeah," Momo admitted. She realized she didn't mind confessing the truth of it- in fact, it felt nice to talk about the issue, even if Yoruichi could have been more courteous.

"So…?"

"Well," Momo said slowly, "I… I don't want to rush her."

"Sensible. Considerate."

"We both want to give it time to grow."

"Man, you're both so reasonable about this."

"Well, shouldn't we be?" said Momo defensively.

"Love isn't reasonable. Never has been, never will be. Say you take it slow for a while and let it grow. Then what?"

"Well… well, I figured she'd eventually make a move. In some way. It's… she's usually pretty forward in most situations. Knows her way around… well, most of everything."

"No, no, no," Yoruichi said, a chuckle turning into a groan. "Yes, she's good at most of everything, but not this. Wait for her to make a first move, and you'll let it grow indefinitely."

"I…" Momo paused, realizing it was most likely true. "Well, what should I do?"

"Have you tried seduction?" Yoruichi said casually. "You have a nice butt. When in doubt, use your assets."

Momo blushed bright red, and there was no way she could ever explain that as the result of an intense training session.

"Actually, on second thought, no," Yoruichi said. "She's totally clueless in that area, too. I guess a length of rope would work?"

"H-hey, take this seriously!" Momo cried.

"I'm very serious about ropes," Yoruichi said with a glimmer in her eye. "They do wonders for enhancing a relationship, let me tell you."

Momo blushed even more brightly. "Wh-whatever," she stuttered. "I have business to attend to, anyway-"

As she started to walk away, Yoruichi put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Alright, I'm sorry," she said with a chuckle. "Look, the main point is the same. Erza's an extremely serious person. She naturally puts in a lot of work into her career and everything surrounding any bigger goals she has. Relationships… well, I don't see her prioritizing them without a bit of help. You're probably going to have to be a bit more proactive, is all I'm saying."

"Proactive, how?"

"Start simple," said Yoruichi. "You're taking it slow? Then, set out for a date. Just a regular, normal date. A nice lunch out with just the two of you."

"But the war-"

"Soifon's happy to take command." Yoruichi scoffed. "Honestly, the woman's a complete workaholic. Besides, you could always stay near. There are lots of nice places around here. Being military doesn't mean giving up having a life, you know. It didn't for me. It doesn't for a lot of captains. Being totally dedicated to only work is a choice, not a requirement."

Momo paused, and thought to herself. This was actually true. She would have to take action. So far, her idea had been to not push Erza away, to let things lie… and then, of course, there had been the latest invasion. But, right now, things were quiet, and there would be some time off. Maybe it was up to her to move this forward.

"A… date, huh?"

"Just a very normal date," Yoruichi said with a nod, "which I expect to hear in detail about, of course."

Momo snorted. "You would."

Yoruichi nodded.

"So… how, um, do I go about… getting there?"

Yoruichi laughed.

"You're already in a kinda-sorta relationship. You've kissed. I'd say just asking her out should be doable. Have some courage, why don't you? The hard part's already done."

"You know what?" Momo said determinedly. "You're right. Thanks, Yoruichi."

"Nectar to my ears," Yoruichi said with a wide grin. "Now, you go out there and get her!"

Momo nodded, blushing again before hurrying away. She still had work to do, but tonight… tonight, she'd try. Erza did need a push, after all. Yoruichi would know.

Aside from a punishingly long report, which Erza had had to repeat directly to the captain-commander via video feed, there had been much more administrative nonsense to do. Accounts of military resources. In-depth information on their foes. Transfer of files of collected battle data taken from the night before, to give the Gotei's analysts something to chew on. Erza rather suspected Urahara was already miles ahead of them. In short, the report had only been the beginning of Erza's headaches.

But, much to her relief, Soifon had come to her aid, and sitting cross-legged on the floor by a small wooden table in the shop, together they had hammered out most of it during the day. The woman worked with a zealous efficiency, and Erza had been happy to let her take the reins. Soifon had spoken only to get clarifications on certain issues, or to hand Erza a paper to sign here and there, and Erza was well aware that she had been overtaken in terms of workloads cleared at least twice. An hour after lunch, they had finished up the formidable mountain of paperwork, and Erza, after being assured the torturous exercise was finally done, took a long breath and leaned back, falling onto her back. She took a minute just to recover, but was interrupted before any more time had passed.

"Commander?"

"Yes, Soifon?" Erza groaned, sitting up again. "Please don't tell me you forgot a stack of papers for us to do…"

"Of course not," said Soifon, sounding quietly offended at the suggestion, "but I rather thought we should take the opportunity to review our combat readiness. There is much to learn from last night."

"Sure," Erza said, grudgingly, "in a minute. Actually… any word on how Aizen jammed our communications?"

"An old signal. A virus of sorts, I suppose you could call it, activated remotely. It has been located, thoroughly purged, and our communications system is now being searched in its entirety to find any other bugs."

"That's… good," Erza said with a nod. "We could have used those reinforcements quicker."

"The captain-commander concurs," said Soifon. "On my counsel, he has ordered that any communications interruption is, from now on, to be treated as a sign of invasion with immediate action to follow. Aizen will not pull the same trick twice."

"Good," Erza said, a little impressed. "I have to say, we came out of that on top. Aizen lost a bunch of fighters, failed to retrieve Grimmjow…"

"I am not so optimistic," said Soifon.

Why am I not surprised? "Yeah?"

"There is always room for improvement. Last night revealed many weaknesses to our position. We must analyze the events from the battle and use it to optimize our defences of this city."

"You know," said Erza, "I sometimes wonder if you shouldn't be in charge instead."

"If I… have overstepped my bounds, I apologize," said Soifon quickly. "I only seek to offer help to the best of my ability."

"Please, don't take it the wrong way," Erza said, making a conciliatory gesture with her hand and smiling. "It's just that you have so many answers and ideas ready I didn't even think of."

Come to think of it, something had changed. Soifon had, for the most part, kept to herself and her team of intelligence operatives. Outside of reports and her other duties, she had worked by herself, rather independently. But now she was actively offering her help to Erza specifically, and it was something Erza couldn't help but appreciate.

"I do my best," said Soifon modestly.

"It's plenty," Erza said reassuringly. "I would initially have thought I would have to lean on Byakuya for field command, but with the way things have turned out, it's clear who should be considered my second-in-command. If anything happens to me, you are to assume command in my stead."

Soifon bowed her head. "You honour me, commander."

"Please, relax," Erza said with a smile. "You don't have to bow to me."

"No… I suppose I don't have to," Soifon said after some deliberation. "Old habits die hard, I suppose. Would you prefer it if I was… less formal?"

"Maybe a little," said Erza. "It helps things flow more easily. But, if formal is what you prefer, then by all means be formal. I may be the one who tells you what to do, but I won't tell you how you have to act."

Soifon nodded. "It is appreciated."

"Good," said Erza. "Now… defense plans?"

"Actually," said Soifon, "before I forget, there is an issue I suppose we ought to discuss."

"Oh?" said Erza. "It must be good to tear you from your beloved defense plans."

Soifon's lips curled up in a way that suggested she had made an effort to smile but not quite gotten there. Erza took it as a good sign- hopefully.

"Actually, it concerns an unknown factor."

"Unknown?"

"Shiba Isshin."

"Isshin…" Erza said confusedly. "What about him?"

"According to intelligence, he has now regained his powers. He drove back the most powerful espada alongside his partner. I am sure you read the report?"

"I remember reading Byakuya and Ichigo fighting him," Erza muttered. "This is news to me."

"It was… struck from the record," said Soifon, "at my request."

"Explain yourself," said Erza, her voice a little sharper, now fully focused.

"I withheld that information, because I wanted to take that to you first," said Soifon. "As you know, his status is… ambiguous. He has, strictly speaking, committed treason by abandoning the Gotei."

"He lost all his powers!" Erza said, increasingly concerned.

"It doesn't matter what you or I think," Soifon said quickly. "It matters what the Gotei's justice system thinks. Which, at the moment, is the captain-commander."

"…Go on," said Erza, a little confused. She had at first thought the stealth force commander had gone through all this trouble just to pin down another traitor, to relentlessly pursue a criminal regardless of circumstance, but thinking about it… she had taken the issue to her first.

"Powerless, Shiba Isshin would be of little concern to the Gotei," Soifon explained, "another soul fallen through the cracks. But, with his strength regained? Raising a family of people potentially as strong as him? The Gotei has never approved of strength gathered outside the confines of its walls. It is routine procedure to hunt down potential enemies getting too strong."

"To kill people just because they might be a threat," Erza said contemptuously, making a face. "Now, that sounds like a good way of making enemies."

"These are rules I have enforced, but not written," said Soifon. "Please, leave your feelings on the issue aside, commander. Right now, the Gotei is in a sore spot. Your presence is proof of this. But when Aizen is dealt with… when the Gotei restores its power fully, it will not forget. Best this be resolved now, while there is still a chance to negotiate to your advantage."

Erza blinked. "Wait. Are you… are you telling me to strike a deal of some kind? Right under Yamamoto's nose?"

"I would never work against the Gotei's interests," said Soifon severely, "but that doesn't mean I have to be unreasonable. Shiba Isshin could be a considerable asset. Negotiate now, and you might get away with a pledge to provide aid during the war. If you live and you garner enough clout doing so, your status would be protection enough."

"So, we have two scenarios, then," Erza said thoughtfully, "one in which we hope things solve themselves, and one in which we take action and do something. Either one could backfire. Yamamoto could say no and demand Isshin return to the Gotei immediately at best, or demand his execution at worst."

"Unlikely, but possible," said Soifon.

"He's good people," said Erza. "They took me in when I had no one, Masaki and he."

"I have no doubt."

"My status is very much in question right now," said Erza thoughtfully. "I've openly protested the Gotei's core values. But you, Soifon… would you put in a good word for me? Argue his value as a strategic resource, or whatever?"

"I would never say a thing I did not believe in," warned Soifon, "and my evaluation of the situation might not be as favourable as you'd like."

"Soifon," said Erza, "you came to me first. You went as far as withholding information. Clearly, you see the value here. Your idea is solid, and I'm grateful you went to this much trouble for me. So, if you went this far… why not go all the way? If it is you making the suggestion, it will mean more than if it is me."

"What would I suggest?"

"The pardon," Erza said quickly, snapping her fingers. "Yes, the pardon. The one offered to me and to the others. Extend it to Isshin as well, under the condition that he offers his service during the war to come. If possible, see him released to be his own from then on. Throw in a condition that he swears not to raise his hand against them, if possible. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes…" Soifon said, nodding. "Yes, that is acceptable."

"Then, you'll speak with the old man?"

"Yes," Soifon agreed, "as a… favour. Entirely within the confines of the Gotei's code of conduct, of course."

"I wouldn't ask for anything else," said Erza with a smile.

"Very well. I will speak with the commander in the morning."

"Thank you, Soifon," said Erza, sincerely. "Thank you for talking to me first. I… I would have been very upset if this had become a problem."

"It is no problem," said Soifon. "A good operative knows when to tread carefully and with consideration."

"A good operative, eh?" said Erza. "As you like. Shall we get to those defense plans, then?"

"Yes, certainly," Soifon said, almost flustered. "In fact, I have thought of at least twenty-two ways we could improve last night's defenses…"

Ginjou sat hunched forward on a slab of concrete deliberately placed outside the near-ruined building to add to its run-down look, and watched the three kids leave. His fingers were clasped, and he had a smile on his face.

"Go on," he said, his voice loud enough to be heard through the door, "let me have it."

"Who says anything about anyone getting it?" said Tsukishima Shuukurou, stepping out from behind the door where he'd been waiting.

"Come on, Shuu," said Ginjou. "I can't bring anyone new without your face twitching like crazy. Go on, get your paranoia out of your system."

"I'm only paranoid because it's the way you taught me," Shuukurou said reservedly, less than appreciative of the affectionate shortening of his name.

"Ever look at something you made and think you succeeded just a little too well?"

"It's sensible," said Shuukurou firmly. "I've seen our enemies. I remember having to run from my home several times. These people…"

"Good kids," said Ginjou firmly.

"It was one thing to bring in the musclebound kid," said Shuukurou, shaking his head, "but the girl? The frowning jerk who you had to convince not to sell us out? They're both directly related to a captain of the Gotei, Ginjou!"

"They're kids," Ginjou said insistently, "kids who need somebody. Somebody like me, you know? Some way of… getting stronger. Not just in the body, but in the head, too. That was you one time, remember?"

"They're a risk," insisted Shuukurou. "That ditzy girl might give us away by accident. That frowning kid might give us away because he's rightly suspicious about it. All it takes is one word, Ginjou, one word, and the shinigami will come looking. And right now, when they've got their own war coming? With several captains right here, in our home city? We should be lying as low as possible, not… inviting security risks in for tea."

"This is what I do, Shuu," Ginjou said stubbornly. "It's what I did for you, and for almost everyone else we got with us. Sure, these kids still have families, for the most part, but they're still nearly lost."

"They have tutors. Strong, skilled tutors," said Shuukurou sharply. "Theydo not need to be saved, Ginjou."

"Maybe," Ginjou said with a nod, "or maybe I know something those fucking black scarecrows don't."

Shuukurou shook his head irritably. "I get wanting to look after people, sure. But you're doing it at the risk of endangering the rest of us at the same time. Why the hell would you reach out to them if it meant Giriko, or Jackie, or Riruka? If it meant Yukio, or Moe? If it meant… me?"

"Shuu-"

"You've told me about them!" Shuu said frustratedly. "Ruthless, heartless bastards who'll kill any potential threat without second thought, right? You told me we'd be lucky to get a clean death. You told me they tried to kill you. That they were dangerous, Ginjou!"

"They are," Ginjou conceded, "and they did."

"So, why are you letting this happen? Say you help these three kids- fine. But, what if it means the rest of us? Would that be worth it? Would all of us put together be worth less than they are?"

"Shuu," Ginjou said, but Shuukurou continued, growing more agitated.

"This is you and your saviour complex again," he said, shaking his head. "Can't walk through town without finding a puppy to save, that's you. But, that's putting us in real danger, and you're too proud to see it."

"Shuu," Ginjou said sharply, "I would never forget my obligations to the kids. Got that? You guys are my life."

"So, let them be. We'll go to another hideout and don't talk to them. At least not until this stupid war is done and those shinigami have left town."

"We'll be fine," Ginjou said stubbornly.

"Damn it, I don't want to lose our home a third time," said Shuukurou bitterly.

"You won't," Ginjou assured him. "I'll make sure of it. I'll die before I let that happen."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"Go back inside," said Ginjou. "I'm keeping tabs on them. If there's trouble, we'll know ahead of time. If we have to run, we'll run. We'll be very careful, but… no, I can't turn my back on 'em. I had no one. If I can be someone to somebody with nobody, I will. That's me. That's all there is to it."

"Fine," Tsukishima said irritably. "It's like talking to a wall…"

"Walls don't wear stylish leather jackets."

"Your jokes are the worst."

"That's the point," said Ginjou with a grin. "Go inside, have a drink, and we'll all talk about it together when we're all nice and calm, okay?"

"…Fine," Shuukurou muttered. "Yeah, whatever. See you inside…"

Ginjou shook his head as the door closed forcefully behind Shuukurou. He was still young, still in need of direction, still impulsive. He had a good head on his shoulders, but… he needed tempering.

Ginjou thought to himself about the risks. He was not nearly as flippant as he pretended to be. There was a real risk. The Gotei had a price for his head, and they would not likely be kind to any associate of Kuugo Ginjou, traitor and criminal. But, contrary to what Shuukurou thought, the risk was not without reward. The closer he got to the Karakura group, the better he could monitor them. His motivations were not nearly as selfless as he claimed. They never could be. The responsibility was too great. There was risk here, and he played a dangerous game, but part of him was tired of hiding, tired of running. He hated the thought of leaving home as much as Shuukurou. This was a run-down building, sure, but it was their run-down building. They'd worked hard to make it something extra. No, he would not turn his back on that. If it meant confronting the Gotei… so be it.

It was well past time he settled the score with them.

"Then what?" demanded Grimmjow, thumping his fist eagerly into the ground. He sat cross-legged on the ground opposite to Erza, a wide, gleeful grin on his face.

"I used most of my reiatsu to charge a lightning blast to stun him. With his guard down, I hammered him hard, taking one arm after another."

"Hell yeah," Grimmjow said, almost beside himself. His voice was practically oozing schadenfreude, and Erza was beginning to wonder whether this had been such a good idea after all. She had come to visit him, for a number of different reasons; to bond with him, to gain his trust, out of concern for him- as bizarre as that was- and sure enough, hearing the tale of how she had pummelled Nnoitra had gotten him excited. He seemed to hate the lanky espada as much as he hated anyone else ranked above him. More, even; Erza would not be surprised if he had some grudge against Nnoitra. He looked at her, eager, genuinely happy, and she was sure he didn't even notice the way he thumped his fist on the ground.

"It exhausted me," Erza continued, "but in the end, I managed to get him on his knees."

"Did ya kill him?" said Grimmjow keenly. "Please tell me you fucking killed him! That useless sack of shit, tell me you ended him. Fucking hell, it'd make my day, my fucking month and year, if you tell me you took his shitty head from his shoulders!"

"He… begged for it, almost," Erza said reservedly, uncomfortable with the joy he displayed at such a gruesome notion. "He was on his knees. Said I should end him. He said it was only right, that I shouldn't look down on him."

"Oh, man," Grimmjow said, shaking his head. "That lean fucker's always hated women, and now him on his knees? Begging for death? Fuck me, this is too good!"

"He didn't die," said Erza.

"Oh, come on!" Grimmjow growled. "You went soft on him? He's even worse than me! At least I don't discriminate whose guts I rip out, yeah?"

"I was all but spent. Before I could end him, Tier Halibel appeared and rescued him, dragging him back to Las Noches by his collar. There was nothing I could do to stop it."

Grimmjow burst into a long, howling, mad fit of laughter, echoing across the wide space of Urahara's cellar. His chest heaved, and he slammed his fist into the ground even harder, shattering the ground under him.

"Fuck!" he said, struggling to breathe. "Holy fuck, that's even better!"

He kept on laughing until he ran out of breath, and there were tears trailing from his eyes. Erza felt disturbed, twice over. Not only was it distasteful to see somebody take so much pleasure in the near-death and humiliation of an enemy, but this was the purest joy she had ever seen him express. In his sadistic glee, he seemed the most human he had ever been.

Clutching his gut, rasping for breath, he said, "Oh, man… beaten by a woman, then dragged away and saved by one. Oh, he'll be sore. He'll never forget that one, the hateful fucker!"

"I'm… glad you enjoyed the story," Erza said reservedly.

"Hah!" Grimmjow said, letting out another fit of laughter. "First I get to see that shitty goody-two-shoes Neliel get fucked sideways by that shopkeeper guy and his girlfriend, and now this? Fuck, I needed that. I ain't felt this good about nothing since before I lost my arm. Good job, red!"

Erza nodded. "My… pleasure," she said.

"What?" said Grimmjow, suddenly composed. "Sick to your stomach all of a sudden?"

He grinned widely, obviously still cheery.

"I am fine."

"Hah! You look at me right now and you feel revolted. I don't mind! I'm a damned hollow. The shit I like makes your kind sick. I get it. Ain't my fault you're all weak, and I don't mind knowing it, either."

"Weakness, huh?" said Erza.

"For damned sure."

Erza shook her head. "I honestly feel sorry for anyone who thinks that."

"Sorry?" Grimmjow snorted. "Keep your pity. I like what I am. I know what I am, and I'm content with it. How many shinigami can say that? You all have to think, have to figure out who you are and what your place in everything is. You got doubt. I know."

"I've seen Hueco Mundo," Erza said quietly. "It's a hellish, dry outback of constant violence. In part, I can't blame you for being the way you are. I can only imagine the kind of madness it takes to endure a place like that. I can only imagine the kind of pain you've had to endure."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," said Grimmjow. "It made me strong. Made me good at what I do. Made me see the world for what it is."

And look where it's taken you, Erza thought to herself.

"Halibel would disagree. So, I think, would most espada of her calibre."

"Hypocrites," Grimmjow snorted dismissively. "They know the world they live in, but they don't know who they are. They wrap themselves up in fantasies, like Aizen's dumbass ideas."

"But, they're all stronger than you- even at your best."

"So?" Grimmjow said defensively.

"What if you grew strong, and discovered something new in the process?" said Erza. "What if you discovered there was more to life than this… ladder of yours? That maybe violence isn't the only way? What if the price for reaching their level wasn't just pain and struggle, but realizing something new about yourself?"

"I'd rather die than become that stupid," Grimmjow scoffed. "Fucking kill me if that happens. Violence, raw force, that's what we are. It's what made me. It's what made them, too, even if they forgot."

He spoke fervently, with a passion even, and Erza believed him when he said it. It was the conviction of a man fully certain, and totally opposed to everything she stood for.

But, she also remembered what Orihime said, and she believed that, too.

He's lonely. He misses his friends.

"Your goal is to be 'king', right? To stand at the top?"

"Hell yeah," said Grimmjow, "and when I get my arm back, that's right where I'm headed. That or dying. There's nothing else."

"And the people you lost on the way?"

"What about them?" said Grimmjow, and it seemed like the wind went out of his sails a little. He didn't want to be reminded, she was sure of it.

"The ones you led here, to their death. You don't care about them at all?"

"Sure, I care," said Grimmjow with a shrug. "I care that these useless fuckers got themselves killed. I put time and effort whipping them into shape, and they just up and die on me? Fucking assholes. Hell, I'm glad they died. I got no need for weaklings in my ranks."

"You can be as strong as ever, make no mistakes, and still die," said Erza quietly. "The world doesn't care if you try or not. Sometimes, there's just a bigger fish. Was it their fault they ran into one?"

"A good hollow knows not to take a bad fight," said Grimmjow with a shrug.

"As you say."

"I do so say, red."

Erza sat quiet for a little while.

"There is this human custom. We shinigami do it, too. I'm sure you'd find it stupid."

"Probably, yeah."

He frowned when she didn't respond.

"What? What is it, then?"

"Oh, nothing," said Erza. "It's just that we tend to recover the bodies of our dead and bury them. Someplace quiet and all to themselves."

"I know that." Grimmjow scoffed. "Don't get it though. What's the point?"

"We honour those who have left us," said Erza. "We honour their memory. I knew that kind of pain once. Several times over, actually. I watched good friends die. I… still go to their graves when I have the time."

"What the hell for?" said Grimmjow, snorting, and Erza had to restrain herself. He doesn't know any better, she told herself. "When you're gone, you're gone. Some dumb piece of rock with letters on it don't change that. Who cares?"

"It's not for the dead, but for the living. I go there to remember them. To reflect on my own life, and where it's going. To make sure I am reminded of their sacrifice, and what they meant to me."

"What for?"

"Because we are who we are because of the people around us."

"That's the problem, then," Grimmjow said dismissively. "You need others. I don't. I don't need idiots telling me I'm good, because I know I am."

"So, why'd you put effort into your servants, then?"

"A king needs followers. Goes without saying," Grimmjow said irritably. "Keep up, will ya? I only cared in case they made me look bad. I don't miss 'em. I ain't like you dumbass shinigami."

"Tell me," said Erza, staring him in the eye, "there are no bodies left, but… would you like to go see where they died?"

"The fuck would I want to do that for?"

Erza shrugged. "Closure, perhaps. You may pride yourself on your lack of humanity, but I believe it might be useful to you all the same."

Grimmjow gave her a curious glance, furrowing her brows. Under the frown, she saw something like confusion.

He doesn't understand, she thought, but underneath it he's human still. I'm sure of it. Stunted and evil, but human.

"Yeah, whatever," he said, standing up suddenly. "You wanna take me outta this place for a bit? Hell yeah. Getting sick and tired of seeing the same fuckin' thing all the time. Go on."

Erza nodded. "An hour, I should be able to manage. I'll just check out with Soifon first."

Grimmjow shrugged, and stared up at the artificial sky of the basement.

After getting Soifon's approval, which proved surprisingly easy, Erza took Grimmjow out from the basement. She didn't bother restraining him; the kido-powered mark on his neck would be control enough, and even without it, he would be too weak to escape her no matter what. She did not think much of him, but she was sure he would at least be smart enough to not make matters worse for himself.

They walked through the city in silence together, taking their time. An hour would be plenty of time, and there was no need to run. Grimmjow flexed his body, stretching his muscles, looking quite excited to see the outside world again. He was like a caged animal, finally free to roam. The sun was low in the sky, and sunset was only hours away.

However, Grimmjow's cheer seemed to diminish a little as they came closer to one of the battlegrounds, his spirits dampened.

"We're not far now," said Erza, halting. "Which would you like to see first? I remember from the reports where each one was slain."

"I don't fuckin' care."

"Then we'll go back."

"Yeah, fine," Grimmjow muttered. "Ylfordt. Let's see where that stupid bastard croaked."

Erza nodded. "Ylfordt it is."

She took him a little further into the city, pausing a few times to remember. Finally, they came upon a street crossing. Some recent repairs to the asphalt spoke of a battle settled not long ago.

"This is it?" said Grimmjow.

Erza pointed. "I believe his final moments happened toward the end of that street," she said.

"Before one of your asshole mates purged him."

"Correct."

"Yeah, whatever…" Grimmjow said, twitching irritably.

Erza looked at him. The elation he had displayed earlier, the relief of being outside and having a change of pace from his imprisonment, it was all gone. He stared forward stubbornly, but by his body language, Erza felt as if he didn't want to be there. A shoulder angling away, as if he was about to turn around and walk away.

"What's this for, anyway?" Grimmjow snarled, staring at Erza. "Is it some kinda sick shinigami joke? Rub it in good and proper? 'We beat you and this is where we killed your buddies?' That it?"

Erza shook her head. "I'd never do that to you, or anyone else. I kill my enemies if I have to, but I never go out of my way to humiliate them."

He spat at the ground. "Yeah, fuckin' fine. You fuckin' bastard shinigami…"

His voice had started angry, full of fire, and Erza had expected a long, profane rant about how fucked up their entire system was, and but her surprise, his voice died out weakly, trailing off into nothing, his voice becoming a whisper before falling silent.

"You may walk down the street," said Erza, "alone, if you like. I don't know exactly where it happened, but it's as close to a grave as your servant ever would have gotten."

"You're fuckin' weird," he muttered under his breath. "Your whole dumb fuckin' race is weird. The fuck's this supposed to accomplish?"

"Take your time," said Erza simply.

"Just… walk down the street?" Grimmjow said, shaking his head. "Then what?"

"That will be up to you."

He growled, and forcefully, he marched down the street, as if he had to convince his body to move at all.

Grimmjow didn't like not knowing himself. The purity of the painful, violent experience of the ladder of Hueco Mundo had given him that exactly. He had come to know himself, a beast, and embrace his own monstrosity. He had killed, killed, and killed, taken wounds and returned them tenfold, and he had come to enjoy it. It was his purpose for being as a hollow. Up until now, he had been sure he knew exactly what he was, that he was in control of every part of himself.

But, as he walked down the street, a calamitous sea of emotion stirred inside him, one he didn't understand at all. He reached the end of the street and it became all the worse; standing still, with no basic task like motion to occupy him, the emotions intensified.

He realized he had been fooling himself. He remembered his humiliation in Hueco Mundo, the breakdown he'd had in his room after losing his arm, his mind fully occupied with the loss of his servants.

A lot had occupied his mind since. Revenge against Aizen. Bitterness and anger, first at Aizen and then at the ingratitude of the shinigami. That weird, stupid captain and her weirder, stupider daughter. A lot of it had been there, pushing away in his mind something that had never gone away, something he knew deep down was always there.

Staring out across the street, he remembered Ylfordt Granz; his cocky, youthful face, framed by blond hair, his self-confident swagger, his smooth words, his loyalty and devotion. As he remembered it, there was an ache in his chest, one he didn't understand any more than the tumultuous emotions he felt thus far. But, it was painful, in a way that truly hurt. This was pain of a kind he had no understanding of.

"Who the fuck gave you the right, huh?" He snarled, imagining Ylfordt standing in front of him in the street. "Who the fuck said you could die?"

Everyone dies, the imaginary Ylfordt said, and I'm not the first of your followers to do so. What did you expect?

"You belonged to me!" Grimmjow said angrily, lashing out with his arm against a lamp post. It buckled under the pressure of his fist, bending slightly.

"You all belonged to me! You were all mine! You were my fracciones, and I say when you can die! Me and no one else!"

He realized he was screaming out loud. He looked to his right; the lamp post had bent over entirely, ruined under multiple hard blows he hadn't even noticed himself making.

"It ain't fair!" he said. "I was supposed to be king, you stupid bastard! I was supposed to be king, and you lot was supposed to be my goddamn servants! My vassals! Hueco Mundo was supposed to be mine- ours!"

We don't always get what we want.

"Shut the fuck up!" Grimmjow snarled, aware on some level that what he screamed at was imaginary, but unable to care all the same. "You shut the fuck up, you asshole! This is your fault! You should be here with me, not… not elsewhere, you bastard!"

We're gone now. That can't change.

Grimmjow's face twisted with an incomparable fury, and he sunk to his knees, pulverizing a piece of the sidewalk with his fist.

"Come back!" he barked. "You come right back, you hear?"

You know that won't happen.

"Come back, damn you!"

We wish we could.

"Come back! Come back!"

Even in imagination, Ylfordt fell silent.

"Don't leave me alone. I am your king, damn it! I ain't supposed to be alone!"

Then there was silence.

Grimmjow realized he was trembling. What the hell was this? What was wrong with him? Was it some kinda shinigami voodoo? Did that bitch captain play with his head somehow? That cunt! He'd been just fine before she took him here, and now he was… he was…

You weren't fine.

"SHUT UP!" Grimmjow shouted, grabbing a piece of rubble and hurling it across the street. It made a dent in a wall of the building on the opposite side of the street, but nothing else happened.

Grimmjow took a deep breath, remembering a technique he'd employed back in the old days, when he'd been grievously wounded. You took long, deep breaths to stabilize your body, to calm, to let it fix itself. You focused, accepted the pain, and waited.

It helped, if only a little. He stopped trembling. The pain didn't go away at all, but he was slowly regaining control of himself. After some time, he stood up, gritting his teeth. It was still there, like an oppressive, dark cloud of resentment. He could see them now, each one, almost as if they were right there in front of him. Ylfordt. D-Roy. Nakeem. Shawlong. Edrad. All of them looking down on him.

Edrad. The bastard was still alive, wasn't he? And the last he'd seen of him was when he'd kicked his ass to the curb for being weak…

"The fuck're you looking at?" he said. "You're all worthless and weak."

Angrily, he marched back up the street, where the red-headed bitch was still waiting.

Erza saw him coming, marching like he had a grudge with the ground. His face twisted with anger, he stopped in front of her.

"There is still some time," she began. "We could still visit another-"

"Ylfordt was a stupid bastard," Grimmjow said flatly, his words rapid, spat out like a curse. "I'm glad he's dead. I don't give a fuck about anyone else either. This stupid fuckin' trip's done."

Erza looked past him, to the demolished section of the street where she'd seen him sink to his knees.

"It doesn't hurt less, even with time," she said softly, "but it does get easier. You learn to handle it."

"I don't have a fuckin' clue what you're talking about."

"Sure."

"Don't you 'Sure' me, you stuck-up bitch!" he rebutted. "I'll fucking rip your throat out one of these days, and when I do, the last thing you'll see will be my laughin' fuckin' face! Bitch!"

Erza simply nodded. "Let's go back as you said, then."

"Finally," he said angrily. "I thought I'd have to beg like a good dog."

Erza sighed. She wasn't sure if this had been the right call. Maybe she had just made things worse by bringing him here, but her gut told her it had been worth a try. As she followed Grimmjow, who had begun walking back in long, angry strides, well ahead of her, she found herself wishing the best for him. He was a monster still, but she had seen his pain, and it had been familiar to her.

It was late night when Erza headed home. The last of the reports from the recent invasion had been handled, and after a conference with Yamamoto, she had at last wrapped up the last of her duties and headed home. After some quick tea and sandwiches with Momo, they both headed up to sleep. Erza was in the midst of switching into her sleepwear, sitting half-dazed on her bed, when a nervous, fidgety Momo spoke up.

"So, um…"

Erza didn't respond, a bit too tired. She figured if Momo had something to say, she'd say it. There was a pause, enough that Erza was changed and ready to lie down, when Momo began again.

"So…"

"So?" Erza said, yawning.

"S-so we're in a… thing. Together. Um, as, uh… more than friends."

"Uh-huh," said Erza, willing to concede that this much was true.

"Like a couple."

"Umm… yeah," Erza said with a nod, "a couple. It's… it's taking some getting used to, but yeah."

She shook her dizziness away for a second, realizing Momo had something specific on her mind. She was not normally wise to these things, and even less so when she was just coming back from a hard day's work, but she ought to try to pay attention all the same.

"So…" Momo said, fidgeting nervously with her fingers, "I… I thought maybe, er, we should try and do some… couple stuff?"

"Like what?" Erza murmured, suppressing a yawn.

"If-if it's not too much!" her kinda-sorta-maybe-girlfriend added quickly.

"You can at least make a suggestion," Erza said with a tired smile. "I'll hear you out."

"Well, er… how about… I mean, if there's time, and if you feel like it, and really there's no pressure-"

"Momo," Erza said firmly.

"Yes?"

Momo practically squeaked. It was kind of cute, actually.

"You had something to say, so say it."

"Well… I was thinking this weekend, if there's free time in our schedule… maybe we could… go out? Er, together? Just the two of us?"

Erza blinked.

"If there's time," Momo repeated. "We're soldiers. Duty first, of course. And, if there's anything wrong, we'll call it off immediately. And, you don't have to say yes. You don't have to answer, actually. You can think about it. But, um, I wish you didn't because the suspense is killing me. Oh, um, forget that last part…"

"Sure," said Erza simply, and shrugged.

"R-really?" said Momo hopefully.

"I'm not joking around," said Erza. "Too tired for that. A date, right?"

"Yes!" Momo said eagerly.

Erza yawned, unable to suppress it this time. "Yeah, sure. I'll have a look on our schedule. If there's no immediate threat going on… yeah, we could do that. Can't be all work and no play, right?"

Momo made a high-pitched noise that Erza assumed to be happy, because it would be really strange for her to sound utterly terrified.

"Thank you!" said Momo happily, all but tackling Erza on the bed. Erza looked down on her vice-captain and smiled, putting a hand on her head, ruffling her hair lightly.

"'S okay," Erza said wearily. "To be honest, I had almost… not forgotten about this, but pushed it aside. It's good you reminded me. I gotta give this a fair shot, right?"

Momo leaned in close, and gave Erza a quick kiss on the cheek. In return, Erza put a hand on Momo's shoulder and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. Momo blushed.

"That's all we get to do tonight, mmmkay?" Erza said. "'Cause I'm beat, you know?"

"O-of course," Momo said, still bubbling with happiness. "Yes, of course."

Erza lay down. "I'll get back to you on the schedule thing," she muttered, closing her eyes as she pulled the covers over her, "but right now…"

"Yeah…" Momo agreed happily, lying herself down close to Erza.

Soon, sleep had caught them both, although Momo lay awake a little longer, too excited to sleep right away.

A real date. Just the two of them!

To this jubilant thought, she finally closed her eyes and let the dreams come.

Awww, look at that. Momo and Erza are finally getting ready to move things forward. Thanks Yoruichi.

I have to say, im really proud of the scene with Grimmjow, I hope it hit you all in the feels, because it sure did for me! Needless to say we have a lot planned for u favorite arrancar.

As for the fullbringers, so much I want to say...but I cant. Im afraid saying anything at all may potentially spoil whats ahead. All I can say however is this. Take what you know about the fullbringers in cannon and throw it out. We're only keeping a few things the same, like some of their powers and the basic of their personality's. But beyond that? This arc will be quite different I promise you.

If you've liked what we've done thus far, please let us know in a review. Im eager to hear what you all think thus far.