Sorry for the wait on this chapter everyone. But luckily, you don't have to wait any longer. I wont delay any further, so lets get right into the chapter!

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.

It was when she was the furthest out on her beat that it happened. Erza, in the middle of her patrol, some forty feet up in the sky, stopped dead in her tracks when she sensed the vibrations of a garganta. The interdimensional tear manifested almost right on top of her, right in her path. Immediately she drew her blade, took a few steps back, and assumed a fighting stance. Soifon had installed new and updated fighting protocols, she knew; within a couple minutes at the most, she would be reinforced. Let them try. Let them throw whatever they wanted at them. Be it another tentative little incursion or a full invasion, Erza was ready for it, almost eager. Her last encounter had left her eager for more. It had, at last, become personal.

But, to her surprise, the figure that stepped out of the portal was no espada. It was a mere arrancar, and although it was powerful, Erza's apprehension changed. If this was it, then she would hardly even need the backup.

The arrancar was a towering, muscular figure with red, bushy hair trailing down the left side of his head.

"Greetings, Erza Scarlet," he rumbled, making no attempt to reach for his own weapon. In fact, he had no weapon at all, his belt quite empty, and his tone sounded surprisingly civil.

"Edrad Liones," spat Erza. "I remember you from our files. Come for revenge for your fallen master?"

"I serve a new master now," said Edrad calmly, "and please, be at ease. I am not here to do battle today."

"Then battle will be brought to you," said Erza aggressively, raising her blade.

"You would strike down an unarmed, weaker opponent?" said Edrad, raising his hands. Erza stopped herself, just before making ready to charge. Her brows furrowed.

"What is your game?" she demanded.

"Master said you wouldn't," said Edrad, with infuriating calm. "He said it is not in your character to harm that which will not fight back. I am glad my trust in him was not misplaced."

"Do not try my patience," said Erza irritably, keeping her guard up. "If you are not here to fight, then what are you here for?"

"To deliver a message," said Edrad, carefully reaching into his jacket. Erza tensed, and Edrad stopped momentarily. "It is only a message, I assure you. I am quite aware of the difference between us, commander."

Tense as a steel wire, Erza watched him pull out a folded piece of paper from his coat. It looked tiny in his huge, beastly hands, but he handled it with surprising care.

"This," he said, extending the piece of paper toward her, "is all I came here to deliver."

Erza, in no mood to take any chances, did not reach out to take it. "Who is your new master?" she demanded.

"I know him as Lanza Valiente," said Edrad slowly, "but I was told that this message was to be given not from a Lanza, but to Erza Scarlet from her old friend and enemy, Jellal Fernandes."

This threw Erza off, and her eyes widened in shock. She had fought him not long ago, that spectre from her past come back to haunt her, and he had seemed to have lost all memory of her.

"What trickery is this?" she said angrily. "Your master lies- last we spoke, he had forgotten that name entirely!"

"It seems that what was lost has been found again," said Edrad with a shrug. "I cannot speculate, as I do not know. Truthfully, I believe my master isn't sure himself. This message is all I have come to deliver. And, as I sense your allies are not far, I must now take my leave."

"As if I'll take that message," Erza spat, on the verge of unleashing her blade after all; the memory had brought back a great anger in her, anger that she hadn't even known was there.

Again, with infuriating calm, Edrad shrugged.

"I cannot force you to take it. As I am running out of time… do as you please with it."

Edrad dropped the folded paper, and it went tumbling down toward the ground, a mild breeze carrying it away from them.

"Now I must take my leave," said Edrad, taking a step back toward the portal. "You can attempt to come after me if you like- or you can chase after the message. Or do neither, I suppose. At any rate, my part has been played."

He stepped into the portal, and Erza, who had been a little stunned up till now, cried, "Wait! You son of a bitch, WAIT-"

But, the portal began to close, and part of Erza wanted to make a mad dash through it. If she acted right now, she could maybe…

But, no. That'd be madness. She looked down toward the paper, almost out of view already. Another couple of seconds, and it would be gone forever. Dismissing the portal closing behind her, she made a mad dash toward the ground, chasing after the message, just barely catching it before it was lost in the winds.

"He just disappeared?"

Soifon stood next to Byakuya at ground level; both captains had rushed to Erza's position. Erza shook her head.

"He must not have expected to run into a captain."

"Clearly not," said Byakuya, "but to turn tail and run without even attempting a fight is cowardly by their standards."

"Perhaps we finally found an arrancar with more sense than ego," said Soifon, giving Erza a look that the commander hoped was not suspicious, "or perhaps he remembered the last time, and thought better of it."

"Maybe they're just testing our reaction time," said Erza, a little proud to have thought of the idea.

"In that case, they will know it took less than two minutes to respond," said Soifon. "One minute, thirty-four seconds to be precise. I believe we can do better."

"We will take pains to improve, then," said Byakuya.

"Enough," said Erza, remembering that she was, in fact, in charge. "Return to your patrol routes. Soifon, I want a full account of this event from whatever our sensors could pick up."

"Yes, commander," said the two captains in unison.

As they walked away, Erza reached into her coat. She waited until they were well out of sight, clutching the paper tightly. The words still burned in her mind, and she felt a feverish need to re-read them. Finally, when she felt sure nobody could see, she urgently brought out the message, opening it up to read it once more, to make it feel real.

Erza, it began, I hope this finds you well.

I shall get right down to business. I have regained my memories. I remember all of who I used to be. It shames me, but I do. I know you have no reason to believe I am a good man- and I am doubtful I am, myself. But for old time's sake, to settle who we both were so long ago, I wish to meet. To meet- only to meet- this evening at midnight, at the centre of Karakura Park. Not as shinigami and hollow, not as enemies, but as the ones we were a long time ago. A boy and a girl, once the best of friends.

I am not Lanza Valiente. I am Jellal Fernandes, the slave-boy mage from Fiore who grew up to become a tyrant the likes of which had once oppressed him. It was not my doing or my wish, but it is my cross to bear. I am sure you wish to put the past behind you as much as I do.

Your friend and enemy,

Jellal Fernandes

Erza stared at the message, reading it over and over, her heart thumping. She had lied to her fellow captains over this, simply because she didn't know what else to do. A whole host of emotions welled up inside her, long buried, and she balled her fist, crumpling the paper in her hand.

Damn him! Why couldn't he have stayed dead?

"It is done, lord," said Edrad, walking into Lanza's chambers.

Lanza, distracted and deep in thought to a point where he had pushed away Loly and Menoly's affectionate ministrations, did not respond immediately. He was staring out into space, sat at the corner of a couch. Although all of his servants were near, lounging in the room as they often did, something about his demeanour, the way he looked entirely lost to whatever passed through his mind, made him seem lonely despite the small crowd around him.

"My lord?" said Edrad, a minute after Lanza had failed to respond.

"Hm? Oh, yes, Edrad, it's you," said Lanza, and although his eyes met Edrad's, he didn't quite seem to be present even now.

"The mission has been carried out to completion, lord," Edrad repeated patiently.

"Oh. Good. Yes, good, that's- yes, that's what I sent you out to do. Good work."

"Sir, are you… alright?" asked Ggio, furrowing his brows.

Lanza shook his head, seeming to finally focus his thoughts.

"I am sound of body, but… not quite of mind," he admitted. "What did she say, Edrad?"

"She threatened to kill me and very nearly attacked."

"I'm not surprised," muttered Lanza. "Did she get the message, though?"

"I saw her dive for it as the gate closed, lord," said Edrad confidently. "If I may speculate, she seemed quite eager to find it."

Lanza nodded.

"What was it?" said Findor. "What could be this important?"

"If I might add," said Ggio, "I question the wisdom of doing this without Lord Aizen's knowledge. He favours you, but he does not tolerate personal ambition if it endangers his own."

"It is a clever, if daring gambit," said Edrad supportively. "With whatever past she has with our lord, she will be drawn out. Isolated, she will make an easier target. If you can bring her head to Lord Aizen-"

"No!" said Lanza suddenly, angrily. "No, Edrad, that will not happen. Not one of you will follow me, not one of you will meddle, and I will not raise my hand against her with ill intent. I'd rather die."

"…Lord?" said Edrad, a little shocked.

"It's hard to explain," Lanza muttered, animated, the idea of killing Erza seeming to have brought him to the present fully, "the way I feel. What's happened between us. But… I wronged her in the past. I owe her a life- or at least a debt of pain for what I did to her."

"Sir," said Findor, wide-eyed, "you cannot be serious! You are a servant of Lord Aizen, and what you say is damn near treason!"

"You shut your mouth!" said Loly energetically. "How dare you accuse him like that!"

"What she said!" Menoly exclaimed angrily.

Lanza shook his head, and silenced the two of them with a gesture.

"You misunderstand my intention, Findor. I will not a raise a hand to her then, when we meet- if she chooses to show up. I am loyal to Lord Aizen. I've been through too much to abandon his vision for some… old sentimentality. But, this is a ghost from my past that I must bury. I must at least beg her forgiveness for what I have done, for what I must do. For what she once was to me. I must march into the future confidently, without any doubts or hesitations holding me back. This, I cannot do with this debt unresolved. If I meet her on the battlefield again, then so be it- but I must do that knowing I tried to set things right with her."

"…I cannot pretend I understand," said Ggio cautiously, "but you have earned our trust- but you're stretching it far, now, sir. I hope you understand that."

"I do," Lanza said with a nod, "and I am grateful it can stretch as far as that."

Edrad sighed. "I understand even less than he does," he said, shaking his head, "but what else is there to it? You are our lord. I have no choice but to trust in you. What do you even hope to find?"

"Closure," said Lanza heavily. "Whatever happens, we will end up as enemies. For Lord Aizen to triumph, she may well need to die. It might be my last chance to speak cordially with her."

"What is she to you?" asked Findor. "An old lover?"

Loly and Menoly flinched, frowning angrily at the suggestion.

"No…" Lanza said, shaking his head. "No. In another life and another time, maybe. A sister, perhaps, an estranged sister whose life I tried to take. That is all."

"Just be careful, alright?" said Loly, concern in her voice. "If they catch you, or if Lord Aizen finds out…"

"I know," said Lanza. "If that happens, I may lose all I've worked for. But, I have to do this. I wouldn't risk it otherwise. It must be, and that is all there is to say about it."

Lanza leaned back, staring out into space. Taking a hint, his servants left him alone again, hoping this meeting would spell an end to his melancholy and his indecision.

He felt the energy in his grasp. It was like trying to hold on to noodles that had been soaked in oil; to control it was almost impossible. But, somehow, he was doing it.

In his meditation, Ichigo was not even conscious of the sweat trailing down his forehead. That damned metaphorical stone had turned over, the energy had been changed into something workable, and now… now he just had to harness it. Focusing, imagining a circle and forcing the energy into it, he made the fuel for the spell obey. It felt less like making water run uphill now, less impossible, but not by a lot.

He was brought out of his trance by a sudden surge of energy, the shock of it making him fall onto his back. He blinked, his vision blacked out for a moment, coming back in brief, appalling flashes. He grunted angrily.

"Calm yourself," Byakuya commanded. "Your vision will return. It was simply the shock of the energy."

Ichigo murmured something inaudible and irritable as he clambered to his feet, his vision slowly turning from dancing lights to a blurred outline of the spacious basement where they trained.

"So close," he hissed irritably. "So close! Damn it!"

"What do you mean?" said Byakuya.

"Almost there," muttered Ichigo, disappointed and angry with himself. "I was right there, and then I slipped…"

"You did no such thing. You controlled the energy until it released. There was a spark of kido energy. What did you think blinded you?"

Ichigo blinked, this time not because of the flash.

"You mean… I manifested kido energy?"

"You have done well. In this short time, you have begun to at least grasp the very basic fundament of the demon arts."

Ichigo, staring at the nobleman in disbelief, wondered if he was lying to spare his feelings. No- no, of course he wasn't. He'd never do that. He always told it straight, and he certainly had no reason to treat Ichigo with any special consideration.

"Holy shit…" Ichigo murmured, as the realization begun to settle in. "I did it. I did it!" He made a fist, punching at the sky with exuberant cheer.

"As crudely as you may have put it, yes. Be aware that this is, of course, only the first step on a road that really never ends."

"Yeah, yeah," said Ichigo dismissively, refusing to let his enthusiasm be curbed by reality. He had accomplished something difficult, and he deserved to revel in it for a moment.

"Thank you," he said, turning abruptly to look Byakuya in the eye, "sensei."

The nobleman raised an eyebrow. "Curious."

"What?"

"If I recall correctly, you were most unwilling to even begin learning."

"Yeah, well," Ichigo said, scratching his head awkwardly, "it's not so bad. And if I'm gonna take this whole shinigami shtick seriously, there's no reason not to learn. Can only be helpful to me, right?"

"Indeed," said Byakuya, as reserved as ever.

"Look," said Ichigo, "it's not like I'm asking for a hug or anything. You've actually been helpful to me, and I thanked you. That's it."

"You are aware this was on the explicit command of my superior, yes?"

"Well, if you wanna say this whole thing was just a total pain in the ass to you… then fine."

"It was not… quite something such as that," Byakuya admitted, keeping his cool. "It has been satisfactory to successfully educate the ignorant, at the least."

"Couldn't help but give out a backhanded compliment, huh?" said Ichigo with a grin. "That's fine. I'll take it."

"We are finished for the day," said Byakuya, turning away. "You may take your leave. I shall report your progress to Commander Scarlet."

"You know," said Ichigo, "I used to think you were a total asshole."

Byakuya did not respond, so Ichigo continued.

"But, you're not. You're still a dick, but it's not the worst. I know loads of dicks. They can be pretty tolerable sometimes."

"Mr. Kurosaki," said Byakuya coolly, turning around to face him again, "I know this is your attempt at cordiality, but not only is it less than cordial, but you are overstepping yourself again. We are not equals, and I will not pretend as if we are. You are a child. I am a captain, and the head of a noble clan."

"Yeah, yeah," said Ichigo dismissively. "Better than you, and all that stuff. I get it. But… ask yourself this- how different would it have been if you had gotten over that stuff and worked with me against that white-skinned bastard espada, instead of us getting in each other's way?"

Byakuya tensed, and Ichigo was sure he was on thin ice now.

"I'm not saying I was completely in the right there," he added. "We both could have done better. But, he wasn't so strong we couldn't have taken him if we put our skills together."

"Why does it matter to you, human?" said Byakuya icily.

"Simple," said Ichigo, "he went and made it personal. Came after one of my friends. So, me, I really wanna kick his ass. And you, I know you want that. He hurt your pride, and that's more important to you than your life."

"You presume to know me?"

"No," said Ichigo, "I don't. We're different people with different backgrounds. But, we'd both lay down our lives for what we believe in. For me, it's the people I think of as family. For you it's- what, duty? Pride? I don't know you, like you said, but am I wrong about that?"

"Duty. Pride. Both matter more to me than you can imagine. You have told me so yourself," said Byakuya severely. "That much is true."

"But, that stuff doesn't help a whole lot if the one you're fighting is too strong. Sure, you can refuse to give in and fight till you die, but I think we can agree it's better if you live and win."

"…That is preferable, yes."

"So, here's what I think," said Ichigo quickly, hoping he hadn't offended the nobleman too severely. "If we run into that bastard again, you and I, we work together. No more ego. We both fight for something bigger than ourselves. We're both fighting for our homes. It's both our duty to survive and defeat our enemies. If that means not doing it all by ourselves… is that so bad?"

Byakuya glared at him, but his response was less than hostile.

"That is assuming we both run into him again. That we both happen to be in the same place. That neither of us are otherwise occupied during the battle."

"It's a big if, sure," said Ichigo with a shrug. "Who can say how a battle turns out? But, if that happens… well, I think we'd make a hell of a team."

"I have never asked for anybody's help," said Byakuya firmly. "I have always overcome my enemies by my own strength. I am not about to change that."

"Yeah, well, you're not asking for help- I am," said Ichigo, just as firmly. "I can't beat him. He's too strong. I need help."

"You would humble yourself so?"

"I call it like I see it," said Ichigo with a shrug. "It took five captain-tier fighters to overwhelm him last time. He's a real monster. I got a score to settle, but I can't settle it myself. That's all there is to it."

"…This is ludicrous," said Byakuya, after a pause. "I will make no such commitment, especially not for something as impossible to predict as a war-torn future."

"Just think about it."

Byakuya gave him an odd look, then turned around and began walking away without another word. Ichigo watched him leave without interfering. The man surrounded himself with walls of ice- but they weren't impenetrable.

Momo smiled to herself, observing the length of her blade. With care she sheathed it, slowly letting the blade slide in. She handled Tobiume gently, like an infant, as she sat down cross-legged and placed the zanpakutou across her lap. She sat up straight, stroked the hilt of the blade, and closed her eyes. She breathed in deeply once, twice, the beat of her heart slowing until she was completely at rest.

Somewhere along the way, the dark of her closed eyes shifted into the same bizarre landscape she had seen so many times before. Tobiume waited for her, floating above her with her alien, unearthly beauty on full display.

"Have you finally understood?" she asked.

"I think I have," said Momo, smiling quietly. "I am ready to be my own. I'll never turn my back on any of the people who matter to me, but I will not depend on them too much, either."

"Not even her?"

"Not even Erza," said Momo with a nod.

Although Momo couldn't quite make out Tobiume's features, as usual, she got a sense that the spirit was smiling back at her.

"Come into my sanctum," said the spirit, gesturing to the centre of the garden. "You are ready to learn."

Momo breathed in sharply. In all the time since she had known the spirit, she had never been permitted to see the very centre of it, surrounded by a fence that it hurt to look at. Her heart now beating quickly, she followed the spirit inside. It wouldn't be easy, but it was within her grasp. No matter what, she'd achieve it. For Erza. For her friends. Most of all, for herself.

Orihime had taken quite some time to work up the courage to do what she intended to do, including not just one but two pep talks, first from Tatsuki and then from Rukia. Both of them had been supportive, and Tatsuki had all but booted Orihime out the door, insisting that she not come back until she had gotten it done. It had seemed a little harsh at the time to Orihime, who felt rather like her insides had turned to jelly, or perhaps as if a family of butterflies had taken permanent residence in her stomach. As fascinating an idea as that was, not even her overactive imagination had been able to distract her.

Once she was out the door, she had felt a little courage. She was going to do it. She was going to walk over to Ichigo's house, tell him what she felt, and get an answer. Today!

She had marched there determinedly, with courage that had only risen- right until she saw his house, at which point it deflated like failed soufflé, and her brisk pace had gradually slowed until it hit a crawl. Even so, she had steeled herself, all but kicked down the door, announced her presence loudly… only for his mother to let her know that actually, Ichigo was still out, god knows when you get to see him these days, teenagers, what a hassle they are…

Both disappointed and relieved, Orihime had settled for waiting in the house until he got back. This was a terrible mistake, it had turned out, since being left alone with her own mind made everything a million times worse. At least during her brisk walk there, Tatsuki and Rukia's encouragement had been fresh in her mind; at least she could keep her focus on the physical activity of the walk itself.

Now, she became increasingly convinced that this was a terrible idea.

So what if she had a crush on Ichigo? People had crushes all the time. They got over them.

But, what if she didn't try to get over it? What if it worked out? It could be so nice. They could be a couple, snuggle up together, kiss, hug, do… other things, in time.

But, if it didn't work out, she could completely ruin their friendship. He'd be disgusted with her selfishness and never want to see her again.

No, that was ridiculous- Ichigo was a good person. He wouldn't do that.

Or, at least the reasonable part of her said as much, but Orihime was being ruled by paranoia, fear, and an intense nervousness the likes of which only a hormonal teenager could suffer through.

When had she started to feel this way?

Quite some time ago, if she was honest. It was just that she hadn't realized it until… quite recently. He'd always been on her mind, ever since they returned from the Soul Society. He had grown to be so strong, so mature… so much like an adult. She had been thrilled to be there for him when that hollow had ravaged his mind, to support him at his weakest. The connection they had shared then, that had been the turning point. That was when she had started to be in denial about it, because to be there for him there and then, to help Ichigo- brave, strong, handsome Ichigo- had touched something deep inside her.

Now she was in love, which was rather a predicament.

Eventually, he did come home. Orihime was surprised it wasn't dark out, mostly because it had felt like an eternity. In actuality it had been just over an hour, which was still too long as far as she was concerned.

"Ichigo!" she called out, as the gangly teenager headed up the stairs. Surprised, he stopped.

"Orihime?" he said. "Is everything okay?"

"Y-yeah," said Orihime, desperately trying to find the confidence that had eroded so quickly before. "I was just, uhm… I mean…"

"I was out training," said Ichigo, "was just gonna take a shower. Can it wait?"

"Actually, it can't!" said Orihime, more loudly than she had intended to. Immediately she shrunk down, and added, "I mean, if that's okay with you…"

Ichigo looked puzzled, but stepped down from the stairs.

"Sure, I guess," he said with a shrug, giving her a strange look. "What's up?"

"Well, you know, um…" she said, trying to find the words choking up at the back of her throat, trying to force them out. I'm in love with you. Will you be my girlfriend? "So, the things is… I mean… lately I've been thinking, and you know how it is, which is to say, er, that there are things happening but also stuff, and…"

He blinked, confused at the non-sentence coming out of her mouth, and Orihime cursed inwardly.

"…Why don't we go take a seat?" she said, gesturing at the living room, in a desperate bid to buy time. It bought her only seconds of course, at which point she was, once more, in the same terrible state.

"What's so bad I need to sit down for it?" asked Ichigo.

"It's not bad," said Orihime quickly. "It's good. I mean, it could be. Or, it could be bad! It's- it's-"

Ichigo just stared at her, confused. God damn it, why can't it be him taking the initiative? She thought frustratedly, I'm the girl here, aren't I? Is he really that dense?!

Damn it!

"Damn it!"

"Um… are you alright?" said Ichigo.

"I'm fine," said Orihime nervously. "Why wouldn't I be fine?"

"If you say so," said Ichigo confusedly, "except I don't think I ever heard you swear before."

"I… said that out loud?" said Orihime, mortified.

"Er, yes," said Ichigo. "Orihime, is- is this about… you know…"

"You know, what?" said Orihime panicking. "I don't know! If there's one thing I know, it's that I don't know at all!"

"You know, back then," Ichigo murmured sheepishly, and Orihime could swear she saw something of a blush creeping onto his face. "When, uh, that time… that time right after Ulquiorra had threatened you, and you came over to my place acting all weird. I mean, it makes sense now that I know what happened to you, but, uh, you know…"

For pity's sake. Now they were both rambling.

But, Orihime recalled, she had done more than talk. She had kissed him, too. Not on the mouth, but still- that had been much more than she had ever done before. Nobody would think twice if she'd done that to Tatsuki, but Ichigo… Ichigo was different.

"Er, well, yes," said Orihime, painfully aware of the blush that was running up her cheeks, "well, you see… yes, I, um, I did what I did back there, so, um…"

"You kissed me."

"Just a little!"

"I thought it was just… you know, you can do crazy stuff when you're scared and all. Didn't think it was… I mean, I didn't think it'd be something more than…"

"Well, you know…" Orihime said, the both of them trailing off into silence, a silence that became awkward almost instantly. It was the kind of awkward silence that other, lesser silences aspired to be like.

Orihime grit her teeth. Tatsuki had been right all along. He was dense. Not only that, he was rambling and stuttering as badly as she was, somehow. It was ridiculous.

A realization hit her, there and then. If this continued, none of them would get anywhere. Nothing would get said, until one of them excused themselves from the conversation, and from then on they'd probably never talk about it again. Things would be super awkward between them for a while, they'd move on, and then they'd forget about it.

She could let that happen, or she could do something about it.

A strange calm came over her, strange and pained with the knowledge that what she was about to do could ruin something great whether she meant to or not.

Orihime took a deep breath, put a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Ichigo, I did kiss you. That's part of what I wanted to talk about."

Although the words came out coherent, reasoned, every last syllable was forced out by sheer force of will, punctuated by terror.

Ichigo just nodded, meaning that she was forced to continue, without respite from the bumbling young man in front of her.

"Lately I've been… feeling things for you. I've been feeling them for a while now. It just took me a bit to figure it out. Just so you don't misunderstand, I do mean it that way. I like you. You're nice. You're a good person. You're admirable, and I really like you."

"Uh. Okay," said Ichigo, a glassy look in his eyes.

"So…"

"So?"

Orihime sighed. She just had to do everything by herself, didn't she?

"Look, Ichigo," she said, not quite believing the words coming out of her mouth, "you can just say 'No, thanks.' Just tell me you're not interested, and we'll… we'll just move on."

"But um, wouldn't that be… kinda rude?"

"Not as rude as saying you're interested without meaning it."

"Y-yeah, I guess that's true," said Ichigo, scratching his head, "but wouldn't it be, like…"

"Super awkward?"

"That."

"We'll make it," said Orihime, "even if it takes a while. It's not going to ruin us. We're still friends. Aren't we?"

"Of course!" said Ichigo, finally speaking clearly and without hesitation. "No matter what, we're friends. I've known you since I was a kid. I'd never let something like this take that away."

Orihime nodded. "Well, there you go. So… if you want an easy way out, just say no."

Ichigo looked at her, stunned and helpless, and the silence that ensued was, surprisingly, less than awkward. Orihime felt a little silly, and a little relieved. She had said it out loud, and known it to be true- this wasn't going to ruin anything. All that was left now was to get rejected, and then it'd be over. It would hurt, but she could start moving forward.

"What… what if," said Ichigo, after at least a minute of silence, "I wasn't not interested?"

Damn it.

Or, um. Yay?

"What do you mean?"

"I- I dunno," said Ichigo, with a shrug. "I mean, I never, um, thought about you that way, but… I mean… you're not bad to look at and you're nice, so… maybe it's worth a try?"

"You really are a smooth talker, huh," said Orihime.

"Hey, give me a break, alright?" said Ichigo frustratedly. "You spring this on me, and I don't know what the hell to make of it, and-"

"It's great," said Orihime. "We'll- we'll go out. Do something together. See where it goes. How about that?"

Ichigo, at a loss for further words, simply nodded.

"Good. Good," said Orihime, the reality of it starting to sink in. He said yes!

Kinda. Sorta.

But, he didn't say no.

"So… I'll get back to you on that, yeah?" she said.

"Yeah."

"And, um… yeah, that's it. See you tomorrow, I guess."

"…See you," said Ichigo.

Orihime quickly went out the door, determined to quit while she was ahead.

It was close to midnight, and Erza approached the park by herself. She was coming up on the meeting spot the note had set out for her. She kept a hand on the hilt of her blade, gripping it tightly to reassure herself.

She had told nobody. This, she was acutely aware, was very foolish. It would be just like Aizen to exploit a weakness like this to take her, to kill her, to capture her…

This wasn't just foolish. It was dangerous, irresponsible, and unsafe; it jeopardized not only her but the entire operation.

Yet, on she went. She wasn't sure why, against all human reason, she did it. Jellal Fernandes had been an evil man, had died an evil man, and the admirable little boy she had looked up to all those years ago had been long gone by the time she had first died. She owed him absolutely nothing. Yet, she couldn't resist it, couldn't resist the possibility of facing him once more. To tell him what she wished she'd had time to tell him before she died, before that fateful night at the tower…

Jellal Fernandes. Her link to the past. The chain tugging at her mind, sapping her will. She had to deal with that, directly. Not in an interrogation cell, but face to face, without compulsion. He had been at the back of her mind ever since she had found out he was alive; it had eaten at her ever since. It had been good fortune that she'd had so very much to occupy her mind; god knows how it might have burned at her mind, otherwise.

She came up on the meeting spot, at the centre of the park, just by a clearing. She held her hand on her blade, almost halfway drawn, ready to jump into action at any moment. If this was an ambush, she'd trigger the kido rune she'd had Momo inscribe on her arm, setting off an alarm. She was foolish, but that didn't mean she hadn't taken precautions. If this was an ambush, let him try it.

She paced through the clearing, and what started as a professional inspection of potentially hostile territory turned into an impatient pacing back and forth, as she started to wonder just where the bastard was. This couldn't just be a joke, could it? There was no way-

"My apologies."

The voice was quiet, carried by a night breeze through the forest, just audible in the silence. Erza tensed, immediately turning to face where it had come from, drawing her blade. Gritting her teeth, she saw him; a figure wreathed in shadow stepping out from the darkness of the treeline and into the moonlit clearing. The night was clear, and as he stepped into the light, her heart skipped a beat. The blue of his hair looked black in the dark, and his skin looked pale in the light of the moon, but it was him. Jellal Fernandes, the same face that she had seen before, thought dead so long, hated and resented. Clad in the white of Aizen's servants now, a bony mask fragment on his face and a sword at his side, he looked as menacing and predatory as ever.

"I wasn't sure you would come," he said gently. "Please, let me assure you there is no danger. I have not come to deceive or ambush you. Lower the blade, please."

"Then throw your damned blade aside," Erza sneered. There was no patience in her for any nonsense at this point, and no ground she was willing to give.

"Would you do the same?"

"No," Erza said bluntly. "You throw yours aside, and I might consider sheathing mine. That's the deal you get."

"You must understand that puts me at a disadvantage," said Jellal mildly. "Is there no compromise?"

"Between the two of us, the one that's more likely to keep their word sure as hell isn't you," said Erza darkly. "Drop it. Now."

Jellal paused, appearing to think about it for a second, then cautiously reached for the sheath of his blade. He unfastened it from his belt, and with a decisive movement, he flung the weapon aside to the edge of the clearing. He threw up his arms to show them as empty. "Well, there you go. I am unarmed. I certainly couldn't beat you last time. The advantage is yours, Erza."

He sat down on a boulder behind him, staring her down. Erza gave him a long, suspicious glare, looking left and right for a potential attack. None came. Nothing could be seen or sensed. Slowly, she sheathed her blade, although she kept a hand on it still.

"You called on me," she said bluntly, "so talk."

Jellal appeared caught off guard, but he looked her in the eye, and a small smile came across his lips. "You haven't changed much, have you?"

"The hell would you know about that?" said Erza angrily. She hated the sight of him, and his calm demeanour only angered her more. She had died because of him. A whole life stolen from her, ripped from her family prematurely. He had paid the same price, but he had deserved it. She hadn't.

"I guess I wouldn't know too much," said Jellal, and his face turned severe, "but… well, I suppose there is one thing I must say first of all."

He got off the rock he sat on, fell to one knee, and bowed deeply.

"Erza," he said sincerely, "I am so sorry for all the pain and agony I've caused you. I am sorry I turned your friends against you. I am sorry I had you taken back in chains, and I am sorry I cost you your life. Nothing I say or do can make up for how I've wronged you, but all the same, I beg your forgiveness."

With eyes turned toward the ground, he spoke slowly and sincerely, earnestly.

Erza's eye twitched as she listened in disbelief.

"…Is this some kind of sick joke to you?" she said, clenching her fists. "You're sorry? You're sorry for the awful things you did, you son of a bitch? You have the gall to even take the words in your mouth? You don't know what sorry means, you vile little psychopath!"

"I know you find it hard to believe, but I've changed-"

"The hell you have," Erza snarled, surging forward, grabbing him by the hem of his shirt, forcefully pulling him level with her. "You're the homicidal, insane cult-puppet mage who'd have thrown the world in disarray if he could. You went on to become a hollow, a creature of pain, regret, and murder. You serve Aizen Sousuke, of all people, and you expect me to believe you've changed?"

She raised a fist, and only the firm belief that hurting what wouldn't fight back was wrong stopped her from using it. Even so, it was tempting- deeply tempting. To let that armoured fist come down, to avenge herself on this monster in a display of righteous savagery…

"I did change!" said Jellal, a mixture of fear and anger creeping into his voice, his palms raised in surrender. "You have no idea what I went through- but it changed me, Erza!"

"Liar!"

"Damn it, I was used!" he cried angrily, his voice shaking. "Zeref- whatever it was, my mind was possessed, twisted. I never had a choice in any of it. I never wanted what they made me, Erza! I never wanted for you to die, or to reawaken Zeref, or to cast a shadow on the world! I never wanted any of it, and I'm sorry!"

Erza paused, trembling. "Possessed."

"I swear on my life, Erza!"

"It's an excuse," she spat, "an excuse for what you became. Isn't it? Maybe you did change. Maybe you took a long, hard look at what you became and regretted it, but you're still the man who killed me."

"I am," he said, "and I can't take that back. But, if you won't believe me, then kill me now- or turn me over to the Gotei."

"I should!"

"Do it, then!"

Erza breathed in and out frantically, and lowered her fist, letting go of his shirt, shoving him down onto the ground.

"I really should," she muttered. "I shouldn't even be here."

"So, why are you, then?"

"Because- because-"

"You wanted closure. So did I," said Jellal, standing up and dusting himself off. "I can't make you believe me, but I had to at least say it."

"Suppose I believed you for a second," Erza said sharply, staring him down. "Suppose I believed all of it. What difference does it make? We'd still be enemies. We'd still be on the opposite side of a war."

Jellal nodded. "We would."

"So, why?"

"I told you: Closure. I didn't want to go into battle facing you without having spoken to you cordially at least once. I wanted you to know I'm not a monster. Not anymore. And… I wanted to see what kind of person you became."

"Well, take a good damned look, then," Erza said, angrily spreading her arms. "I'm a captain to an organization I don't believe in. I'm trying to make a difference, but it's hard, and all the things I'm good at can't help me there. I'm still me. I still love my friends. I still wear my armour. I've remained myself, or at least I hope I have. That is me now, Jellal- does that satisfy you?"

"It does," Jellal said with a smile. "You've landed on your feet even after what I did to you, and it gladdens me."

"Shut up," muttered Erza. "You have no damn right to be happy about me or where I wound up."

"But, I still am."

Erza grit her teeth. "What happened to you, then? Did you one day wake up and think, 'well, being a homicidal monster isn't the best', or what?"

"My death freed me of the influence swaying my mind, but not from regret," said Jellal with a sigh, "and so I became a hollow. I spent… whole lifetimes just surviving, mindlessly. I was a monster then, Erza. But… through companionship, I regained my sense of self. Through caring for others beside myself- the ones who are now my fracciones- I became myself again. Or rather, who I should have been all along."

"And, who is that?"

"A better man," said Jellal sincerely, "one who wants his own to be safe and secure. Somebody who has seen enough violence to want it ended for good."

"Is that what Aizen has promised you?" asked Erza, realizing, to her surprise, that she was starting to believe him.

"He has," Jellal said with a nod. "Once the war is won, he will reform the Gotei and bring peace to both shinigami and hollow. The senseless killing will end. There will be peace, Erza."

Erza sighed. He spoke with conviction, with fervour, like a man who truly believed.

"Jellal, listen," she said sharply, "and don't think I have forgotten or forgiven, because I haven't- but Aizen will not give you what he promised. He offered me the world, too, but the moment I wanted out, he threw me to the dogs. He is a liar and a manipulator. He always tell you just the right thing you want to hear, the kind of thing you want to believe in, and he sells it so well. He's a masterful actor. He offers you sweet honey, but it's poison. He'll use you, too, Jellal, and throw you aside when you're no longer necessary."

Jellal's expression stiffened as she spoke. "You don't know our lord like I do."

"I know him better than you ever will," Erza said bitterly. "Trust me. I've seen the true side of him, the one he doesn't want any of you to see. The shark. The cold, ruthless killer that will destroy anything in his way."

She cared. That was the absurd part. For some reason, it felt… important that he know the truth.

"Listen, Jellal," Erza implored, "you say you're a changed man. Want to prove it? Give yourself over to us. Work with us, against Aizen. I'll keep you and your friends safe. You have my word. If I can stomach Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, I can stand you, too. If you want a better path, I'll offer it to you here and now."

"Erza," said Jellal solemnly, "no. I can't."

"Yes, you can!" barked Erza. "You could do it, right now, just like that!"

"I can't," said Jellal, shaking his head. "Erza, when I said you have no idea what I've gone through, I meant it."

"I know what it's like for a hollow," said Erza. "I know them as well as any shinigami could. I know there's pain. I know you're also human. I know-"

"Do you know what it's like to fight for your life, constantly?" asked Jellal severely. "Do you know what it's like to lose a limb? Two limbs? To have to feed off bottom scraps until you can regrow them? Do you know what it's like to pounce on something weaker than you, sink your teeth into it and ignore its squeals of pain and fear because you're hungry and you need to eat? Do you know what it's like to see your packmates ripped to shreds before your very eyes? Do you know what it's like to live every moment of your existence in fear, always on alert, always knowing you may have to do something terrible to somebody else just to stay alive? Do you know what it's like to be a monster in a world of monsters? To be made into a psychopath because the world is mad?"

"I-"

"You don't. You can't. Nobody can who hasn't climbed the ladder," said Jellal sombrely, shaking his head. "I've lived through absolute hell, Erza. A hell forced upon me and everyone else, a cycle of violence that isn't even necessary, just endlessly enforced by itself. That is hell, Erza, and it's been my life for long enough that I'd rather die than let it go on. Even if Lord Aizen did deceive us- which he is not doing- then any amount of peace would be preferable to the alternative. You don't understand. Not until you've walked a hundred miles in my shoes."

"Peace? It's a tyrant's peace he offers. It's peace at the cost of freedom, if he even allows you to live!"

"Compared to constant agony, a lack of freedom is still better," said Jellal resignedly.

Erza sighed irritably. "Then there's nothing left to say, is there?"

"I guess not," said Jellal. "Truly, Erza, I am glad for this opportunity. I am grateful you would listen to me at all. But, we are still enemies, at the end of the day. I hope you'll live through this. I hope Lord Aizen will let you see the full extent of his vision."

"And that, I'd rather die than let happen," said Erza firmly.

"Then all has been said that can be said," Jellal said with a shrug. "Thank you, Erza. You've become a good person. I wish you the best of luck, truly."

"This is mad," Erza muttered. "Mad."

"Maybe."

"A few minutes ago, I would have gladly killed you. And now…"

"Yes?"

"I… I wish you some luck, too, Jellal. If you have changed, you deserve a chance to make the world a better place. I hope… you'll live to make that change."

"Thank you, Erza," said Jellal, his voice not quite stable. "I will."

"You had better go," said Erza. "We're not going to agree, and I might change my mind about taking you in. The next time I see you…"

"…We'll be enemies. To the death, if needed," said Jellal with a nod. "It is what it is. Until then, Erza."

He retrieved his blade from the ground, and without another word, he opened a portal back to Las Noches, back to his home.

"Damn you," Erza hissed under her breath. "Damn you, Jellal!"

She had hated him. Part of her still did. But, another part of her now pitied him, felt for him, because just like she once had been, he was a lost soul under the sway of a serpent, and he would never know it until it was too late.

SORTA CANONICAL OMAKE TIME!

Momo walked out in a huff. This wasn't how she'd planned on ending her day. Grimmjow had been allowed another one of his outings, but he was running late, and with Erza out, the task of retrieving him had fallen on her. She had been directed to the bar he was supposed to frequent, and it hadn't taken Momo long to find him. He was splayed out on a leathery couch in his gigai, wearing a pair of tight-fitting pants, a leather jacket, and no shirt whatsoever. He was surrounded by a crowd of admirers, at least half a dozen young women- and, Momo noted, one young man.

"…and that's when I decided to abandon my life of crime for love," Grimmjow said dramatically, a smirk on his face. The crowd was hanging on his every word, and the two prettiest girls were leaning on him, squeezing his muscles. Grimmjow had a way of looking indecent even when fully clothed, and the scene before Momo was, despite the fact that everyone was technically clothed, positively lewd. A blush crept up her face as she mustered the courage to walk up, put her foot down, and drag the insufferable hollow back.

"Wow," said one of the women, giving him an entranced look of pure lust. "You defied your boss for one woman?"

"I did," said Grimmjow, putting on an obviously fake air of melodramatic regret, "but much to my regret, he had his vengeance and took her life. I killed him in my anger, and for my sins, I was sent to prison. I swore then that I'd walk the narrow path and leave my life of crime and danger behind."

"Grimmy, what if somebody tried to hurt me?" the girl at his left insisted, rubbing his muscled abdomen.

"For you, Yukiko, I'd do anything… even if it meant breaking the promise I made to my dead wife," Grimmjow said, giving her an intense stare. "I'm sorry. I'm just that weak of a man."

"Don't say that, Grimmy!" insisted the girl on his right. "You're the strongest, most handsome man I've ever seen!"

"You're too kind," said Grimmjow dramatically, "but I'm just one man, weak as any other. I can only ever do my best."

"Your best goes a long way," a third girl chuckled, her tone rife with insinuation.

"Mr. Jaegerjaquez," said Momo firmly, stepping up, "you are running out of time. You are coming back with me to the… to the…"

"Buzz off!" said Yukiko defensively. "We saw him first."

The girls all shot Momo hostile glares, but Grimmjow made a calming gesture with his hand.

"Relax, gals," he said smoothly. "She's my, uh, parole officer. Don't you worry about her trying to get with me- she prefers tacos to sausages, if you know what I mean."

"Mr. Jaegerjaquez," said Momo furiously, "you will come with me right now, or the commander will be very cross with you!"

This was met with a series of jeers and boos, but Grimmjow stood up, making some apologies to his crowd of admirers.

"Sorry gals. Another time."

"But, you didn't even finish the story!" one of the girls said.

"And, we didn't even get to… you know…"

"Next time," said Grimmjow with a cocky grin.

Momo all but dragged the self-assured hollow away, gritting her teeth in anger. "You are an animal, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez."

"Aww. Thank you, ya little nerd."

"You're a disgusting, lewd creature."

"There's no need for this much flattery."

"You know one of the people staring at you that lustfully was a guy, right?" Momo muttered, pulling him out of the bar.

"Huh," said Grimmjow. "Didn't notice." He paused, appearing to think about it, and for a second Momo hoped she had managed to unsettle him. Then he shrugged. "Well, a hole's a hole, right?"

Momo made a face. "You're disgusting."

"Wow, Momo," said Grimmjow with a snigger, "I had no idea you were such a homophobe. Ease off the bigotry, will ya?"

"You- you-" Momo said, pointing angrily at him, her irate words escaping her before they could even take form, "you are- just the worst!"

"I try," said Grimmjow humbly.

Huffing angrily, he laughed as Momo dragged him back home.

And thus ends another chapter. I've been meaning to have another encounter with Erza and Jellal for a while now, and I hope that it turned out well. Orihime has finally told Ichigo how she feels, and we'll be seeing how that plays out a bit more in the future. For now however, we're beginning to move to the next phase of the story. The arrancar conflict is about to enter its next stage. I eagerly await to show you all what we have planned.

That's all we have for this chapter. Please leave us your thoughts in the form of a review. It would mean a lot.