Author's note: While I love Bleach, I was hoping that Kubo could've done something more in this arc. While some of this will remain loyal to the canon part, the rest of the plotlines will be original, based upon an idea I had. I don't own any of the characters. They belong to Tite Kubo. The original characters belong to me.


Chapter 4: Empire of Hollows

In the endless wastes of Hueco Mundo

Because of a tornado spell cast by Annabelle, Orihime Inoue had been separated from Yasutora Sado, Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsmugiya. As she got up, she found herself lying beside a naked tree, in the endless wastes of Hueco Mundo. The young woman could not tell whether she was tired or not. It was always night in the realm of the Hollows. As she got up, she reached for the object that Urahara had given her and pushed a button.

The object transformed into that of a camera, expect that it had a weird face with lips. The thing began facing Orihime with its peculiar glance, his thick lips forming a smile. The orange-haired woman was already filled with curiosity, as she had never seen anything like this, especially since it was a creation from Urahara.

"I am pleased to be of your acquaintance, Mrs. Orihime Inoue. You may call me Pero!" it introduced itself, while sounding like a gnome speaking.

The young woman only raised an eyebrow at him speaking. "Pero, huh? What kind of invention are you?" she quizzed him, still not sure whether she could fully trust him.

"Who am I?" Pero asked and then stuck out his tongue and blew raspberry at Orihime, who in return was stunned by this childish behavior. "I have been assigned by Master Kisuke to watch over you while making your way through this forsaken land" he answered with confidence in his voice. "As you already know, Hueco Mundo is no place for a Human to be in. Hollows are not known for their hospitality" the flying thing added.

Orihime was unsure of whether she should've taken his words seriously. Shrugging off her concerns, she began wandering through the dunes, much to Pero's surprise and outrage.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going!?" he snapped in outrage.

Orihime turned around to face him with a cute smile. "Where? To the Negal Ruins, silly!" she told him and proceeded to walk on the dunes.

Pero was filled with disbelief and flew quickly, eventually blocking Orihime on her pathway. The young woman stopped in her tracks and only stood there with a confused look.

"You think this as a vacation or something!? Don't you know where you are!?" he asked her with disbelief in his voice. "This is Hueco Mundo, home of the Hollows! You do know what will happen if you stumble upon a Hollow, right?" he added while pointing out a basic fact.

To Pero's surprise, Orihime huffed at him and then walked past him. However, she did stop and looked towards the distance she was heading towards. The winds blew and her hair was swinging.

"You think I don't know that?" Orihime asked the tiny thing, never taking her eyes off the distance. "Apparently, you seem to have underestimated my tenacity. I was a captive in Hueco Mundo once" she explained to Pero, who's eyes were filled with realization.

"Exactly! All the more reason for why you should extra careful in this…" Pero stopped as he could see Orihime turn around and face him, although with a determined look.

Even the young woman's eyes had burning passion within those determined eyes. "But what does that matter!? What happened in the past stays in the past! Right now, we should focus on the present and the challenges that lies ahead of us!" she told him, before facing the distance once again. This time, her eyes were filled with humility. "I may not be a Shinigami, a Quincy, an Arrancar or even a Togabito. And I may as well not have any powers of strength for that matter. At the end of the day, I'm just a simple Human. But despite knowing this, I can no longer sit on the sidelines and let myself be the helpless damsel in distress. No, this time, I WILL enter the fight and I AM willing to take all the pain whatever it costs. Even so, I will be happy, knowing that I am no longer useless to anyone, not even to my friends" she explained with a hint of satisfaction and determination in her voice.

With that said, she began taking a few steps towards the distance, which seemed very empty and desolate. But yet Orihime kept walking, never looking back to the naked tree.

Pero was left stunned by Orihime's speech, but he eventually shook his head and formed a peculiar smile of his own. "Heh, you are one stubborn lady….I LIKE THAT!" he remarked with admiration of Orihime's determination. The small being then proceeded to follow the young woman, helping her guide the long way to the Negal Ruins. Hopefully they would hold on through this harsh way.

"Ichigo" Orihime thought about the young man whom she had slowly begun developing feelings towards. "Wherever you may be, I know that you will be alright. Because you are doing what is best for yourself" the orange-haired woman remarked as she pressed on. "And now, it is time for me to do what I think is right" she concluded and walked towards the distance.


Meanwhile, in another place in Hueco Mundo

Yasutora Sado found himself being enclosed in the dark. But beyond this darkness, he could hear someone calling to him. It sounded very familiar in his opinion.

"Hey you…Chad or whatever your name is…wake up!" the distant voice called to him. But the young man was still lost in the dark, his eyes never opening. "Hello! I just told ya to wake up!" the voice came again, this time sounding more impatient than before.

Finding this irritating, Chad's only visible eye began flinching, signaling that he was slowly opening it. The vision he got before him was all blurry, but the young man could spot something beyond the blur. As soon as his eyes got hold of themselves, he was in for a surprise.

"There ya are, pal!" the cheerful voice came from none other than Ganju Shiba, who was leveling his head near Chad's. The strange man only grinned cockily by seeing him awake. "Did you sleep well?" he asked.

Chad immediately snapped in shock and he accidentally managed to bump into Ganju's face, causing the long-haired man to be sent to the dusty ground. That slam had left him an ugly mark and his nose was bleeding. Ganju groaned in pain while covering his bleeding nose.

"Ouch! Just what the hell are you doing, man!?" Ganju angrily demanded while rubbing his nose. "Here I find you lying unconscious and wait for you to get up and this is how you repay me!? Some nerve you have!" he added angrily while covering his nose.

Chad was rubbing his face, as he too had felt the pain, albeit minor in comparison to Ganju's. "But was it necessary of you to be positioning your head right above my face!?" he asked while rubbing his sore face. "I swear, I almost thought that you were a Hollow attempting to devour me!" he added.

Ganju twitched in anger. "Hey! That's just so condescending, especially since I was kind enough to watch over your sleeping ass!" he hit back in return.

"Don't be so harsh on him, Ganju. He's just had a rude awakening. And he's right, it was unwise to be right over him" Chad snapped by seeing Hanataro Yamada approach the two by sitting on his knees. The timid Shinigami looked at Chad and waved his hand at him in a friendly manner. "We're glad to see that you're awake. Me and Ganju found you lying in the middle of the sand and decided to wait until you woke up. Fortunately for us, there was no Hollow in sight" Hanataro spoke up.

Chad could not believe what he was seeing. "You're that medic from Squad 4. The one who assisted Ichigo in freeing Rukia during our first trip to the Soul Society" he uttered out words in realization.

Hanataro chuckled nervously in return. "So, you remember me, huh? Well, that was a long time ago, but it is as you say. I'm Hanataro Yamada, currently the co-3rd seat of Squad 4. Before the promotion, I was the 7th seat of Squad 4" the young Shinigami introduced himself.

"I see…" Chad stammered but suddenly raised his visible eyebrow in question. "So you're actually named after flowers?" he asked.

Hearing this made Hanataro snap in disappointment. "Come on! Even you are critical of my name!?" he asked in disbelief before sighing meekly. "I guess my name really is lame after all" he thought with defeat.

"Hey Hanataro. Mind if you cure this?" Ganju asked while revealing his bleeding nose. This immediately lifted the medic's spirit up.

"Certainly, Ganju!" Hanataro replied with delight.

The young Shinigami drew his Zanpakutou and lifted it in the air before swinging it at Ganju's face. Chad first believed that Hanataro was intending to kill him, but he was wrong. Hanataro beamed with confidence and swung his sword.

"Fulfill, Hisagomaru!" Hanataro called out the name of his Zanpakutou as the blade hit Ganju's nose. But instead of slashing it, the blade healed Ganju's injuries, much to Chad's stunned reaction.

"This Zanpakutou…." Chad thought. "It does not injure…...but heal whatever it touches" he added, not believing what he was seeing.

When Hanataro was finished, all the blood was gone and Ganju's nose seemed just fine. He friendly patted the Shinigami's head in appreciation. "Thanks, little buddy! I owe ya one" he said to Hanataro, who only nodded at him in return.

"Ganju. Hanataro" both turned to face Chad after he called their names. They could see a serious expression forming on his face. "Why are you here in Hueco Mundo? You know what danger lurks in this realm" the tall man asked while reminding them where they were.

Seeing his request for an answer. Ganju sighed in defeat, knowing that he needed to answer. "Look, I know this may sound batshit crazy, but we were actually requested by Head-Captain Kyoraku to accompany you and the others as observes from the Soul Society" he revealed, causing Chad to widen his visible eye in surprise, as he knew who the head-captain was, considering that he had fought him before. "It is true, he appeared at the doorstep of our mansion, requesting a meeting with big sis. Then he told her that he believed how beneficial it would be to the Soul Society if they sent observes who could "gain" the trust of the Imperio de Hierro's leadership" he went on explaining.

"The head-captain believed that the observed had to be composed of one Shinigami serving in the Court Guard and one Soul living outside the Sereitei. And of course, Kukaku Shiba was more than interested" Hanataro explained.

But Ganju muttered out in irritation. "But I was already training for the upcoming battle. Why the hell am I suddenly sent off to Hueco Mundo on a suicide mission!?" he asked in anger while grumbling.

Chad had managed to reflect on what the two had just told him and he seemed very pleased to see that even they were brave enough to enter Hueco Mundo. Standing up on his two feet, he began walking on the dunes of sand, much to the two friends' curiosity.

"Hold on. Where are you going?" Hanataro asked him as he followed Chad.

The tall man stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder to face the small Shinigami. "I am going eastwards, to the Negal Ruins. It is there Urahara is being transported to as we speak" he answered and then proceeded walking. "I insist that you come with me, these parts of Hueco Mundo are dangerous" he added while walking.

"Who said we were gonna walk?" Ganju suddenly interrupted the tall man, as the sound of a giant boar could be heard grunting behind him. Turning around, he saw Ganju's pet boar Bonnie standing proudly (yet angrily) beside her master, while Hanataro tried his best to stay away from the beast. "Walking on our own feet only takes days. But with good, ol' Bonnie here, we'll be there in no time!" Ganju exclaimed with a flashy grin. He had even put on his googles.

Chad's jaw almost fell to the sand. "How…" he uttered out. "How in the world did you manage to bring a boar through a Garganta?" he asked in wonder.

Ganju only shrugged his shoulders. "Meh, no big deal! Nothing can keep this baby out of her path, whether its dirt or interdimensional pathways" he replied, and started to cozy up to the angry boar. "Isn't that right, my sweet, healthy Bonnie?" he asked her while trying to kiss her and all stuff. But Bonnie only swung her head, so that one of her tusks managed to gore Ganju's right cheek. The long-haired man screamed in pain while trying to push the provoked boar away. "ARGH! MY CHEEK'S BLEEDING!" Ganju screamed while losing himself from the boar, while Hanataro drew Hisogamaru to cure his injury once again.

As much as he himself hated to admit it, Chad knew that he could not leave both Ganju and Hanataro alone in these endless wastes. Sighing deeply, the young man fixed a slight smile and approached his friends, hoping that they would help him reach the Negal Ruins. "Well, I just have to stick with them. That is something Ichigo would've done if he was in my shoes" he thought while joining them.


Meanwhile, somewhere near the ruins of Las Noches

Having landed among the ruins of Las Noches, Jinta and Ururu had to their surprise been captured by remnants of the Jagdarmee and held captive. While Ururu managed to use her destructive strength to deal with them, the teenagers were no match for the Quincies' tactics and traps.

The Quincies, feeling utterly humiliated by their defeat at the more advanced legions of the Hoplitas, decided to use the two teenagers as bargaining chips, suspecting that they were in league with the Imperio de Hierro. However, their plan was short-lived as a group of Adjuchas-level Hollows ambushed the Quincies, forcing them to defend themselves.

Amidst this commotion however, Jinta and Ururu used this ambush to their advantage and ran away as quickly as they could. Since Urahara had their weapons, fighting against a pack of Adjuchas was fruitless on their part.

The two teenagers ran away from the ruins of Las Noches and continued doing so from whatever carnage was happening back there. But they both doubted that the Quincies would survive against the Adjuchas, considering that those type of Hollows were strong enough to battle a Shinigami Captain. After running over hill of sand and dunes, the two teenagers stopped and tried to catch their breaths.

"Are…we.…...safe…now?" Ururu asked while panting between her words.

Jinta was sweating and he stroke his forehead before throwing a fit of rage, much to Ururu's surprise. "Argh! This is a load of bullshit! First, we get brought to Hueco Mundo by a group of psycho Arrancars thanks for some grudge that has nothing to do with us. Then, we get sent to a place, get captured by vengeful Quincies, and narrowly manage to escape from a pack of dangerous Adjuchas!" he complained, not even panting between the sentences. "I'm seriously gonna kick the boss' ass when we've reached whatever the heck the Negal Ruins are!" he added while expressing his frustration.

The red-haired boy discovered a large rock, and decided to sit on it to cool off. Ururu joined her friend, as they both felt like needing some relaxation from all the running. Despite all the emptiness, Hueco Mundo's moon was somewhat beautiful. The black-haired girl could see Jinta facing it, not even wanting to wink his eyes. The moonlight was nothing like that in the Human World or the Soul Society.

Feeling somewhat left out by the silence, Ururu decided to speak to Jinta about something they had to deal with back at the shop. "A couple of days ago, I noticed the way you were acting when Yuzu was visiting the shop" she said with a smile. Jinta turned to face her with a moped expression. But Ururu still smiled at him. "There is no point in denying it, Jinta. I know that you really like her " she told him.

As much as Jinta wanted to open his mouth and protest, the young boy didn't feel like it. In fact, he even faced the dusty ground and fixed a somewhat downed look on his face. "I just can't help myself, Ururu. Yuzu is just so…kind…and gentle" he revealed to her. "But I'm not sure myself if…she feels the same way…and of course she has Karin who keeps badmouthing me when I'm not around Yuzu" he added to his revelation.

Ururu giggled by hearing this, and it surprised Jinta, who had never officially heard the meek girl do that before. Maybe it was one of the many changes she had embraced when becoming a teenager. Nevertheless, the red-haired boy could not believe how much they had both grown up recently. The same could also be said for Yuzu and Karin Kurosaki, Ichigo's twin sisters.

"You don't have to be so doubtful of yourself. From the way I see it, Yuzu thinks of you as a nice and friendly guy" the meek girl spoke about her point of view. "In fact, there was a time when I was on shopping with her and Karin. And believe me, she spoke so highly of you, Jinta" the black-haired girl added.

Standing up, Jinta fixed a face of realization. While he was stunned at first, he eventually accepted it and felt more confident about himself. "You know what? If we ever get back from this mess" Jinta said as he faced his partner with a reassuring smile. "I'm gonna suck it up and officially ask Yuzu out!" he added with confidence in his voice.

While the black-haired girl was surprised at this at first, she immediately started hugging him out of happiness, thus cracking Jinta's bones.

"I'm so proud of you, Jinta!" she exclaimed while hugging him tightly, although Jinta felt so much pain by it.

"Ururu…YOU'RE SQUEEZING MY BONES! LET GO!" Jinta tried to make her stop by saying out words. But she would not let go of him. "URURU…CUT IT OUT! MY BONES ARE ALMOST FINISHED!" he added pleadingly.

Unbeknownst to the two teenagers, two remaining members of the Wandenreich's Jagdarmee had managed to survive the ambush of the Adjuchas and were know stalking Jinta and Ururu, hoping to recapture them once again. As they aimed their bows of Reishi called Heilig Bogen at the two friends, they failed to notice a large shadow looming over them. Turning around, they both screamed in fear, but it wasn't loud enough to attract the teenagers' attention.

Whoever killed those Quincies now fixed its eyes upon the two friends, a smug grin forming on the lips by the minute. They were obviously its next targets.

Ururu finally let go of the red-haired boy, as she could hear barking. Dropping Jinta on the dusty ground, Ururu was surprised to discover a Hollow-puppy barking at them. From the looks of it, it seemed very playful and was happy to see them. The young girl decided to sit down and see what it wanted, even going as far as to pet it.

Jinta briefly turned around to see what Ururu was so focused on, his eyes tired by the minute. "Give me a break!" he uttered out lowly and crawled to where Ururu sat. "What kind of Hollow is that?" he asked his partner, who was already getting acquainted to it.

"I don't know. But it seems to be out here on its own" she replied and kept petting it.

While it was calm at first, it seemed to be overjoyed as it barked at something behind the two teenagers. Its tail was already wiggling. While Jinta was confused at first, Ururu immediately snapped in silence, her heart beating faster in the minute. The red-haired boy only raised an eyebrow at her in return.

"Gee Ururu, what do you look like someone's who's just felt the presence of an…" Jinta was backing towards something he first believed to be the giant rock, but that was not it. He felt like it was some kind of clothing. "Arrancar…" Jinta said lowly as he knew this was how Ururu always behaved when she sensed the presence of a Hollow, or more specifically Arrancars. Trembling in fear, Jinta looked up along the clothing to see who was standing behind him and Ururu.

They were in for a shock, as there was a tall and muscular Arrancar with red markings running across his cheeks and jawbones as his Hollow-shell. In addition to that, his hole was visible in the center of his muscular chest. He wore a white jacket and black pants. He also carried a Zanpakutou with him.

This man grinned as his brown eyes faced the two teenagers. "Hahaha! First, I find myself some Quincies to crush and now I get to have two brats to play with!? Now that's what I call suerte!" the voice came from none other than the former Cero Espada in Aizen's Arrancar Army: Yammy Llargo. The giant Arrancar with the thin ponytail was filled with satisfaction over stealing the Quincies' prey. "But you two are no ordinary Humans. I can smell it! Hahahaha!" he added while bursting out into laughing like some sadistic bully.

Both teenagers shivered in fear by seeing this, and they could even feel how strong his Spiritual Pressure was. By feeling it, they were unable to even get up on their feet and run.

"That guy sure has an enormous amount of Spiritual Pressure!" Jinta noted while gritting his teeth in frustration.

"This is no ordinary Arrancar…." Ururu remarked as he faced her partner. "I've remember reading some of the boss' hidden files. And one of them was about this Arrancar. This man…he's actually an Espada!" she added to her fears.

The young boy snapped in outrage. "AN ESPADA!?" he howled in fear while feeling his entire body tremble on the dunes. "Shit…we narrowly managed to flee from a pack of Adjuchas, only to be stumble upon an Espada now!? What the hell's going on here!?" he wondered in his head.

Yammy only raised an eyebrow at what the two Humans were saying. "Huh? An Espada, you say?" he asked, before laughing out loud in mockery of the teenagers' words. He even began taking off his white jacket. "Don't insult me by referring to me as something as lame as that, kids! Maybe I should clarify you" the brutish Arrancar said and shrugged off his jacket.

Jinta and Ururu were horrified by what they saw. The tattoos of 10 or 0 were no longer there. The only thing that was left on, as the omega symbol. "That symbol…" Ururu remarked with shock. "It was the same symbol those Arrancar soldiers were having on their shields" she added to her statement.

Yammy beamed with pride and even made a macho pose with his abs. "I'm no longer an Espada! I left that title behind a lifetime ago!" Yammy said while facing them. "I am Yammy Llargo, now a member of the Imperio de Hierro's Legionarios" he declared while facing the kids with bullying intent, although he had perhaps more dangerous things in store for them.

Without even saying a word, Jinta got up on his feet and dragged Ururu along with him, the young boy holding her hand tightly. Yammy only stared at them with an unfazed look.

"Let's get outta here, Ururu! That brute doesn't look that much of a…" his words were interrupted as Yammy appeared before them, having used his Sonido to vanish from his previous spot. "Runner…." Jinta finished his sentence as Yammy only grinned by seeing their despair.

"Going somewhere?" the muscular Arrancar asked them while crossing his arms. But the brutish man took hold of the collar of Ururu's school uniform and held her up to his level. "You know, I could use someone to play with. Especially you, little girl!" he said, never taking off his eyes at her. Ururu remained stunned and didn't move a muscle to free herself.

Jinta gritted his teeth in anger by seeing this and angrily charged towards the giant with his fists. "You leave her alone, you fat, piece of…." Jinta was sent away by a Bala, shot from Yammy's own fist.

"Shut your trap, ya little midget!" Yammy barked and returned his bullying glance at Ururu. "Now then. Care to explain you and that noisy boy are?" he said while firming his grip on Ururu's collar.

Gulping, Ururu decided to give into Yammy's demands, albeit reluctantly. "We are both acquaintances of the Substitute Shinigami: Ichigo Kurosaki" she answered him.

"Ururu, what the hell!?" Jinta wondered as he slowly got up, having managed to withstand the Bala, which was not particularly as strong as a Cero.

The giant Arrancar immediately let go of the young girl, as he was surpried by what Ururu had just told him. "Ichigo Kurosaki, huh? Why does that name ring a bell to me?" Yammy mumbled in deep thought. But he eventually formed a slight grin with this mouth and faced both teenagers. "Oh, that's right! The little punk who managed to beat up Aizen! I haven't seen him in ages! Hahaha! I still owe that little shithead a knuckle sandwich after nipping me!" he exclaimed with bloodlust in his eyes.

Jinta could not believe what Yammy was saying. "So, he's also fought carrot top? Man, Ichigo sure has made many frenemies here in Hueco Mundo, hasn't he?" the red-haired boy added as he stood beside Ururu. But he could see the meek girl nod at him, indicating that she wanted him to go along with her answer.

Both teenagers were caught surprised when Yammy grabbed each of them by their necks and lifted them up. He faced them with killing intent. "Alright! Listen up, brats! Tell me the location of Ichigo Kurosaki if you desperately value your lives!" Yammy barked at them.

While Ururu was feeling very anxious, Jinta realized something. The teenage boy could perhaps use this to his advantage. Therefore, he decided to answer Yammy.

"Oh, you wanna fight Ichigo?" Jinta asked, slightly forming a smug grin. "Well, we got separated from him during a sandstorm, but I heard that he was heading towards the place you call El Dorado" he told him, although he was not telling the truth.

Yammy only raised one of his orange eyebrows at his words. "Huh? But why would he head towards that place? Something doesn't make any sense here!" he asked while sounding very suspicious.

Jinta only faced him smugly, knowing how he could fool someone as dumb as Yammy. "Haven't you heard? Apparently, he was gonna go there and have a rematch with someone. It was that blue-haired dude named Grimmjow" he replied smugly, albeit with lies.

Hearing this immediately made Yammy erupt in anger and he began carrying the two teenagers while running on the sand towards the east. While hanging on him, they could spot the little Hollow-puppy following them. However, Jinta and Ururu faced on another with a smile, indicating that they had just what they needed to find the road to El Dorado.

"GRIMMJOW, YOU ARROGANT, COCKY BASTARD!" Yammy shouted with rage while running. "YOU WON'T BE TAKING MY OPPONENT AWAY FROM ME!" he added while proceeding towards the distance.


At the same time with Chad's group, Hueco Mundo

Riding on Bonnie, Chad, Ganju and Hanataro had travelled over the endless dunes of Hueco Mundo. However, they knew they were heading eastwards, considering that Bonnie managed to pick up the trails of the Hollow-wolves and horses. But there was something unfamiliar, as there was clouds slightly covering the dark sky. It was also how the environment felt foggy.

"We've been riding for hours!" Ganju snapped while Bonnie had begun to move at a slower pace. "How much long is it until we reach these Negal Ruins!?" he asked impatiently.

Before they even knew it, Bonnie almost managed to fall down, had it not been for her remarkable reaction. She immediately backed away and watched with concern at the road ahead of her.

"Bonnie! What's wrong?" Ganju asked the boar while petting her lightly.

"I think she was about to fall" Hanataro remarked, although Ganju did not take his words seriously. He then began looking around the environment. "You know now that I think about it, I never knew that there existed clouds in Hueco Mundo, not to mention fogs" he added while noticing the large chunks of clouds hanging in the black skies above them.

Chad had gotten off Bonnie and was now assessing the situation. His only visible eye was filled with wonder "Guys, you might want take a look at this" he told them and both Ganju and Hanataro did as he said. Even they became stunned as well.

It was apparent that they were now standing by the edge of a cliff, as right before them, they could see a vale filled with canyons, mountains and naked trees and palms. The entire vale had a rugged terrain. But it what was also noticeable was the fact that there were dark clouds floating above those mountains. And inside those clouds, lightning and thunder rumbled down at them.

The three friends were stunned by the view, especially Ganju and Hanataro, who were never used to such high mountains in the Soul Society. The fog had perished and they got a full view, indicating that this landscape was much large than what they had anticipated.

"Woah…..this…is stunning" Ganju noted, his words lowly as his voice.

"I never thought Hueco Mundo was THAT big! I mean, look at the size of those mountains!" Hanataro remarked. "Was Aizen even aware of this place at all?" he added with a question.

"I don't think so, Hanataro" Chad replied lowly. "Whatever that immense fog was, it managed to camouflage this entire area. As such, Aizen would have no knowledge of its existence" he went on and then began looking down and noticed how high they actually were. Looking down made Chad feel uncomfortable. "It's a good thing that we rode on Bonnie, who managed to feel the edge of this cliff. Otherwise, we would've fallen to our deaths" he concluded.

Both Ganju and Hanataro felt incredibly scared by hearing the tall man say this. "Eh…...that sounds pretty grim in the way you're putting it, don't you think?" the timid Shinigami asked him while sweating.

"Anyway, if this is our destination, then how the hell do we get down from here?" Ganju asked while looking around. "Attempting to just climb down is definitely a bad idea" he added, not wishing to look down.

The three friends decided to search the cliff side for any potential roads that lead them to the vale, and eventually, Chad discovered a large but hidden path that was leading them to walk by the edge of the cliff. They could see that they were still high above ground.

"Such monstrous winds" Hanataro noted while feeling uncomfortable. "And these clouds keep raining lighting upon the mountains. They never stop" he added while looking at the environment.

"I know. In fact, I think I remember reading something like this when I was just a little kid" Ganju revealed.

Chad stared at him questionably. "You actually read as a young boy?" he asked while sounding confused.

Ganju only shrugged his shoulders in return. "Sure, I did! Don't forget that the Shiba clan was once part of the Five Great Noble Families of the Soul Society…...or used to be" he pointed out while sounding bitter at the end of his sentence. "Anyways, being born into the Shiba clan had its benefits, which also included having exclusive access to literature that was forbidden to read, considering how Central 46 had outlawed them" he went on explaining.

"Wow! If you your family had access to such, then you sure are fortunate, Ganju!" Hanataro remarked with admiration of his friend.

"How old were you when you read it?" Chad asked the long-haired man.

Ganju faced down the road they were riding on with Bonnie. "Actually, it was my sister-in-law Miyako who read this to me. I still remember it, even to this day" he said with a slight smile. But the long-haired man faced the skies with lighting and recalled what he had been told. "It was from a scroll that was written in poetry. It sounded like this:

In the realm of the lost and despaired

Lies a sanctuary that can be repaired

But while lighting and thunder falls

The Hollows answer their calls

By wandering through the endless wastes

No matter how deceitful and horrible it tastes

They will see the land of mountains and thunder

But their previous lives will be torn asunder

For what lies for them in eternity

Is the eternal Valle de La Salvaciòn

That is all I remember. But even as I've grown up, I still can't figure out what it means" Ganju remarked as he thought about the poem.

"The Valle de La Salvaciòn. The Negal Ruins. El Dorado" Chad wondered. "Maybe this valley is where Urahara is being held, as is the place where this Imperio de Hierro has their headquarters" the tall man added to his thoughts.

But the three friends stopped Bonnie, as they could notice something with the winds and the dust before them. It was beginning to form something. Eventually they were in for a surprise as a giant hand was blocking the way before them. It was made out of winds. But that was not all.

"Guys…." Hanataro stammered as he faced sideways. "I think we got company!" he added while sounding paranoid.

By facing sideways, Ganju and Chad could see where the giant hand came from. Floating in the air alongside their road was a giant winged woman, made by wind. However, there existed a giant hole on her belly, indicating that this was a Hollow. Her face was barely visible, with only two azure blue eyes being the only one they could see.

"What kind of Hollow is this!?" Chad asked in disbelief while facing it.

"I don't know, but it sure doesn't look happy to see us!" Ganju said while gulping.

The giant windy Hollow lowered her face to eye the three friends and the boar with her dangerous eyes. "I am Àirde, Guardian of the Valle de La Salvaciòn. And none may enter the valley without my consent!" she spoke up, her voice as loud as the winds themselves.

The three friends got off Bonnie and decided to see if she was willing to talk with them. Hanataro was too scared to even open his mouth, but Chad and Ganju still had some courage left inside. One of them had to try and speak with this "Àirde".

In fact, Ganju decided to put on his tough guy image and speak up. "Yeah, I hate to be rude and all, ma'am, but you're blocking our only way! So will you do us a favor and…" before Ganju could continue, Àirde's blue eyes glowed and out of nowhere, Hollow-ravens began swirling around the trio. They began picking on them.

"Unworthy! You will kneel before addressing the great Àirde!" the mysterious Hollow demanded, eventually forcing the ravens to take off. With them gone, the three friends quickly sat on their knees, hoping to not provoke this angry woman further. "Tread carefully, outsiders! One does simply not demand passage to the valley, unless you are citizens of the Imperio de Hierro!" she advised them sternly.

Chad knew that they would have to get past her if they were ever gonna reach the Negal Ruins. But to do so, they would have to be respectful towards Àirde. Standing up, he faced the Hollow with formal nod. "I apologize for my friend's rudeness, great Àirde. He lacks the necessary manners which I possess" Chad said, much to Ganju's outrage.

"Oh, you are so…" Ganju had his mouth covered by Hanataro, the medic desperately trying to keep his friend's mouth shut.

Chad cleared his throat before continuing speaking. "Now then. We humbly request that you give us safe passage. You see, we were told by the Dechados to pass this test of survival. By that I mean reaching the Negal Ruins on foot" the tall man explained but he was not finished speaking. "The ones who gave this this test to us are Diablo Gallante and Annabelle Luisenbarn. They asked us to walk this long road to El Dorado" he went on, telling.

Ganju and Hanataro both hoped that Chad's formality would lessen the giant Hollow's anger. To their surprises, she began chuckling lightly. "Yasutora Sado. I am pleased to see what a gentleman you really are" she said, much to Chad's own surprise. She then looked at his friends. "I expected no less from ignorant citizens of the Soul Society" she commented while facing them with open disdain in her voice. To their surprises however, she slowly began vanishing from their sights, thereby being dragged by the winds. "Have fun visiting El Dorado, outsiders! But remember, do not provoke or disrespect the old one!" she reminded them and was about to disappear.

"One more thing, Lady Àirde!" Chad called out, even kneeling before her once again. The giant Hollow faced him down and gave him her attention. "I would like to ask you a favor. Would you please give free passage to Orihime Inoue, Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsmugiya? They are also in league with us" he requested, much to his friends' outrage.

"Chad! Oh crud! We're all dead now!" Hanatara was screaming within himself.

"What is that moron thinking!?" Ganju wondered in his head.

Àirde regarded him for a moment before replying. "Very well. So shall it be. But mark my words, Fullbringer. I am only granting your request because of your manners and reverence. His Highness himself will not be as easy to sway, that I can assure you. You all take care now, allies of the empire" she told them before finally vanishing into thin air.

Ganju breathed out a sigh of relief. "Woah…..that was a close shave. I almost thought she was gonna pummel us due to that request you made!" he said while angrily facing Chad, yet the Fullbringer paid no heed to him.

Hanataro got confused. "His Highness? Who is she talking about?" the small Shinigami asked.

"I don't know. But I have a feeling that he well be getting answers soon" Chad answered and pointed his finger towards some ruins standing alongside the wall of one of the many mountains. He could see that in the distance.

The three friends mounted on Bonnie and then proceeded towards the valley. "Hey Chad. Be honest, why did you come up with that request?" Ganju suddenly asked the tall man.

Sighing deeply, Chad knew he had to answer. "Because I know that they are not able to defend themselves against the likes of Àirde. In my mind, they don't deserve to experience more terror. They already have many things to worry about" he answered as honest as he could.

Both Ganju and Hanataro smiled by hearing his answer. "Well, I guess it was a right thing to do. For their sakes, that is. You're a terrific friend, Chad. I can see why you and Ichigo gets along just fine" the timid Shinigami pointed out, forcing Chad to smile by being given this compliment.

To be continued…..


Author's note: Now there went chapter 4! I will get back to where the others are up to, and maybe dig a little in on both the Soul Society and the Wandenreich, especially the Wandenreich. And by the way, hoped you liked Yammy's return. His stupidity is what made bring him back. And let us see the new term that has been added to the list.

Valle de La Salvaciòn – Spanish for "Valley of Salvation": This hidden place has a different landscape from what most people know Hueco Mundo for. It has rugged mountains, canyons and even clouds. The name suggests that it was a place where Hollows could come to, whenever they felt lost or succumbed to despair. But is there any more truth of this place?