The following day dawned, but Toshiro Hitsugaya had not slept. He came back from the meeting and had divulged everything to the one staff member he trusted: Rangiku. The woman didn't flinch as he divulged everything that had ben said, and the aftermath of the explosion intended for Zaraki. The two of them sat in silence for some time, listening to the ticking of the office clock.

"Did they mention Gin?" She whispered.

Toshiro shook his head, sitting back in his office chair, and staring into the distance. He was the only one who knew about her past, her relationship with Gin Ichimaru and the scars she carried because of him. He felt a great well of pity rise up for the two of them - her, for Ichimaru, and him, for...

"I'm sorry about Momo."

Hitsugaya sighed, and raised a hand to his eyes, squeezing the bridge of his nose. He felt a headache coming on.

"It's... fine. She made her choice. If there's a chance of rescuing her, I'll take it - but I will not risk the lives of countless innocents because of her. Not again." His voice trembled slightly, and Rangiku averted her eyes, knowing how displays of emotion were embarrassing for him. The best discourse was to continue working - they could accomplish nothing until they knew more about Aizens plan.

"I'm going to the stockroom. Do you need anything while I'm down there?"

Toshiro shook his head, trusting her. She hesitated, then stood, and reached out a hand placing it gently on his shoulder. He looked at her sternly. She returned it with a look full of understanding, and support, before leaving the office and heading down to the bar.

He sighed - he didn't deserve her support. But he was glad she had his back.

Ikkaku Madarame started the day by assembling the men for a brief history lesson.

"Two years ago, a terrible drug plague overtook the city – it was an aerosol based toxin. Clear, tasteless and non-detectable. The drug was designed as a 'mental reality displacer'. Basically, something that could make you believe anything you were told." The squad listened, but he saw a few confused looks - they had lived in the city their whole lives. Why hadn't they heard about this?

Ikkaku sighed. "If you were told you could fly, you would walk off a building. If you were told you were invincible, you would step out into traffic – see where I'm going with this? This was a drug made by a man who wanted total and complete control. This man was Sosuke Aizen."

He looked around to make sure he had the attention of the room – then took a deep breath and continued.

"Aizen was the Captain of 5th Divison - the Chief of Vice for the whole city, the drug control cops – that was how it began. He already had dreams and aspirations of power long before that, but had no desire for a simple city. No, he wanted the country, and our city was merely his guinea pig. He wanted the Mayors seat first, so he used connections such as Gin Ichimaru, the crime Kingpin, and Kaname Tosen from City Power to disperse the drug via street sales and gas distribution. Pretty soon, this thing was everywhere and we didn't even know we were breathing it in."

Ikkaku paused for a moment, clenching his fists as he remembered those times – how foolish they had all been. They had not questioned a mayoral election with Sosuke as the sole candidate. They had not questioned the rumor's circulating about the socialite Kuchiki girl, or that Private investigators like Kurosaki were suddenly outlawed. It had made no sense, but they hadn't questioned it. They'd believed it.

"We started seeing things and hearing things that made no sense. We began to fight each other for no reason. Our own Captain got into a fistfight with Commissioner Komamura and Kaname Tosen – needless to say – he won" Ikkaku grinned menacingly, and the men cheered, punching each other in the shoulders, and grinning 'well, obviously he did' , 'that's our Captain!'

Ikkaku raised his hands to get their attention, and continued on in a more somber tone, "We didn't realize it was the effect of the drug, combined with the inlaid subliminal messaging in all of Aizen's Campaign posters and ads - he was controlling us, conditioning us. We liked him, because his drug made us believe he was a saint." The men growled. They remembered the campaign, it had seemed so long ago, and now that they thought about it - it was strange. Everything from that time seemed... hazy.

"It was Unohana from Seireitei General and Ichigo Kurosaki from Karakura PI who finally uncovered the plot using her medical expertise, and his contact, Urahara Kisuke." Ikkaku continued. Not many of them knew about Ichigo, and he didn't want to be the one to tell them that the man had bested their Captain in a fight. "Together, with the Secretary General - who is our current Governor - and the entire gathered 'Chiefs' who had also been brought in under various circumstances, they accosted Aizen, Ichimaru and Tosen. Aizen had already planned for this and escaped to the Sierra Desert, via a stealth helicopter owned by the Espada. We didn't hear a word about him for nearly four months." Ikkaku also refused to tell his men how Kenpachi had been furious at the mans escape, lashing out at anyone who came near him for weeks.

"Then, while we were all training, waiting, hoping he wouldn't return – he showed up with an ARMY. We now know that he was using mercenary's and fighters borrowed from a warlord. Needless to say, they were defeated, but it was a close battle. The Espada are a highly specialized division of mercenaries from the Arrancar core. They have an extremely hierarchical structure, and they take their position very seriously. Three of the Espada were killed in battle. One was captured and put in the psych ward at Seireitei general, and three escaped. We now know there are another 3 members that we didn't encounter the first time around. Tia Halibel was one who escaped - she and her three minions took the helicopter with Aizen and flew to parts unknown. The Governor was unable to track them. As for Yammy Riolga – our Captain and Byakuya Kuchiki – yes, the heir to the Kuchiki fortune – fought, and supposedly killed him. We have recently discovered this is not the case."

Surprised murmurs and shushed whispers as the group absorbed this. Ikkaku coughed into his hand and continued the history lesson.

"Aizen has been lost in an undetermined location - until now. He has returned – right when we were starting to rebuild what had been destroyed. We suspect the remaining seven Espada are now with him. And we are convinced it was his people who attacked Seireitei General two days ago to take Grimmjow." Looks of shock and fear spread amongst the men. This is what Ikkaku had been prepared for - the men were not just hesitant of the imposing hospital, they were terrified of Director Unohana. Most of them visited the hospital at least once a month, and they dreaded running into the woman with the terrifying calmness. There was something beyond the pacifism - and their instincts screamed 'DANGER!' every time.

Ikkaku roared at them "We are the 11th Hour – WE are the first line of defense in this city!"

A shaking voice at the back of the room called out timidly. "But what about the police? Aren't they the first-" He never got to finish his sentence, as a large scarred wooden sword came to rest gently on his shoulder. Zaraki's uncovered eyes stared down at the man.

"We are the 11th Hour. When it comes to fighting – we are the first in line. I don't care what those sniveling weaklings in the Police Departments do with themselves. For us, it will always be 11th Hour FIRST!"

He cast his gaze over the assembled squad, filling them with his strength and purpose. The young man in front of him jumped up quickly, eyes ablaze with fervor. "For Captain Zaraki and the 11th Hour!" He screamed pumping his fists in the air

"FOR CAPTAIN ZARAKI AND THE 11TH HOUR!" Came the resounding reply, as every recruit go to their feet and cheered – suddenly eager to train for the oncoming battle. Teeth flashed as every smile in the room became every bit as predatory and insane as their leaders.

Kenpachi stepped back to the middle of the room, relaxing his arm to hold his sword directly in front of him. He lifted his chin, lips pulling back, and curled a finger at the group of men.

"Now, come at me all at once. And let's see how strong you've gotten."

Principal Kyouraku Shuunsui sat in his office, pretending to fill out staff reviews on his computer. Another war was coming. How many would survive this time? Shadows filled his eyes and his grimaced, running a hand over his mouth.

"Principal?"

He instantly perked up, hiding his unease for the lovely face of his right hand woman. Though she knew him, and the truth of what he was, he always did his best to shield her from his darker side.

"If it isn't my lovely Nanao!"

"Please, sir, let's not involve HR this early in the morning." She replied crisply. Closing the door behind her, she took a seat on the other side of his desk, and allowed her own mask to drop.

"Any news?"

He let his gaze wander out the window, following the fluffy clouds outside. "No." He said simply, not looking at her. He couldn't stand to look at her and discuss this at the same time. Not yet. She was both a great weapon and a great weakness for him, so keeping her safe for as long as possible was the best course of action.

"When we know... what will you tell him? The Governor?" The wording was careful, delicate. She knew how close she danced to the knifes edge when he was like this.

He lowly let his eyes drift to her face, and a terrible feeling weighed in the air.

"It will depend on how far Aizen is willing to go."

Unohana Retsu was not a woman who enjoyed sitting still without a purpose. She had known this war was coming - possibly before anyone else had. Her instincts told her to prepare for the worst. The stitches in her head were nothing, but the blow to her pride was painful. Especially since the few people who really knew her had been told.

She had been 'requested' to go home for a day of rest after so much had happened in the past few days. Isane - bless her heart - had been furious with anyone who had doubted her ability to continue. But, the General had been right to send her home. Her spacious bedroom, with its pale blue walls and Japanese aesthetic was calming, and restful. She didn't want calming an restful at that moment - she wanted to sweat. She wanted to remember the feel of being ready for anything that wasn't related to healing.

Taking the remote from her bedside table, she electronically closed all the blinds in her house, leaving the space in near pitch darkness. Pulling her hair free with long, luxurious strokes, she walked without the need for sight, and opened an ornate curio opposite the bed, pulling out a long, sheathed weapon.

In the gloom, her eyes were void of life as she allowed a sinister grin to part her full lips. She whispered in the darkness, and felt nothing but death.

"Minazuki."

Kira Izuru offered a bleak look to his friend and poured two fingers of scotch into a second tumbler. Walking the few steps to the visitors chair, he held out the glass, and leaned a hip against his large desk. Shuuhei accepted with glass with thanks, and took a hefty swallow.

"You know why I'm here?"

Kira knew. It still hurt.

"I do"

"Can we rely on you?" Shuuhei was blunt - but he needed a solid answer. No pretty words or work arounds. Kira didn't hesitate.

"I will do everything in my power to stop them. All of them. Gin included."

Shuuhei read his expression. This was the reason he decided on a face to face visit - words could mean anything, especially when they were discussing his former boss. But there was no disguising the raw fury in Izurus eyes. Shuuhei gulped the last of the scotch and rose, handing back the glass.

"I know you will."

"Ow."

Yachiru tugged on Kenpahi's ear, hard. Dammit, the brat knew exactly where to make him wince. He let her, of course, but it still hurt. Her finger tugged again, and he clenched his jaw. They were having a quiet evening at home, sitting on the back porch and watching the moon. He had a cold beer, while she sipped some sugary concoction that looked noxiously green. His head had been filled with training all day - this was relaxation time. He had showered, and changed into a pair of loose grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips, and an unzippered hoodie that left his chest exposed to the cool air.

Kenpachi was always loathe to wear more than two layers. His body ran hot - hotter than most people could live with - so air conditioning and partial nudity were essentials for him to cope with the summer heat. Yachiru, however was quite comfortable in a full set of eye-smarting fuschia pink pyjamas. He shook his head, dislodging her fingers.

"Yachiru. That's enough. What do ya want?"

"I want to go visit Re-chan!" She said earnestly, those big grey eyes pleading with him.

"Then go? I'm not going to stop you." He took a sip of his beer and kept watching the moon.

"But you should go and check on her too, Kenny!"

He cast her an exaggerated look that said: 'Idiot, why?'

"She got hurt. We should go see if she's better."

"You can do that on your own, brat."

"You like her, Kenny."

Kenpachi choked, staring down at Yachiru in what could only be described as shock horror. Yachiru stared right back at him, then started ticking off her fingers as she continued. "And you like Ichi and Byakki and Shun Shun too. You went to see them when they were hurt."

Kenpachi let out a sigh, relief washing through him. "Yeah, because we fought together. I wanted to see if they were ready to fight again." He scoffed at her, as if this should have been obvious.

"Why don't you go see if Re-Chan wants to fight?"

A chill swept over him. See her fight? Memories bubbled to the surface, he felt his muscles tense and his breathing sped up. Every hair on his body rose like a static charge had hit him. He ruthlessly stamped down the feelings, locking them away. Yachiru waited for his answer, cocking her head.

"Nah. I got better things to do."

Yachiru shrugged her shoulders and continued to sip her drink, gazing at the moon. Her small mind filed away the mans reaction for further thought. There was something between Kenny and Re-Chan - something she didn't understand. But she'd figure it out.