(Apologies. Having trouble with ffn right now. It wouldn't let me save a new document for some reason and the formatting was all over the place. If you notice any issues please tell me.)

On time (more or less). I hope this was worth the wait and I gotta send my love to all the longtime readers that have been patient with me. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming soon enough.


Part I

Things were going downhill fast.

Or at least that's what Renji thought the Arrancar must be thinking right about now, not that everything was perfect on his end, either.

"Maybe if Renji told Nel what she's looking for," the Hollow on his back huffed, small fist pounding at his neck.

"I'm giving the best I got!" he snapped. "She's a Shinigami in a whole sea of Hollows. Can't you, I dunno, sense her or something?"

"That's not how it works, dum-dum!" She hit his head like she was trying to perform the world's loudest drum solo. "Didn't Renji at least see what door she took?"

"I… no."

She let out a long overdramatic sigh. "Hopeless!"

So, there they were, opening random doors and going in circles because, as Nel had said, "If you don't know where you're going, then it doesn't matter which road you take. Nel read that in a human book!"

Where the hell did she get all these books?

Well, at least they were being left alone. The few Hollows that spotted them were more likely to run then fight them. Even the ones that didn't see them were scurrying around like ants for reasons that, as they continued to walk, were starting to dawn on him.

Ichigo's little stunt hadn't been the only wreck he'd come across. Signs of fighting, of destruction, became more and more common as their search continued. If only the people he were looking for were involved in any of it.

If only Renji was involved in any of it, he thought privately. It may finally get that itch out of his skin, that frustration out of his bones, but no, Ichigo needed Orihime. His friend's very life depended on him not fucking this up and getting distracted, him and the tiny not-child on his shoulders.

"What the hell have I gotten myself into?"

Nel hummed, chin poking into his scalp. "Has anyone ever told Renji that he talks to himself a lot?"

"No." His eyebrow twitched. "And that's a really rude thing to say, you know!"

"Really?!" she gasped. "People say that to Nel all the time! Guess I gotta start knocking some heads."

Renji snorted. "Yeah, sure you knocking heads." She giggled, and despite everything his heart warmed.

Nel had been an interesting presence. She was a Hollow, sure, but was by far the weirdest one he'd ever met. Yeah, she could be annoying, but it was hard to not look at that gap tooth smile and those big doe eyes and not feel something.

A part of him wondered what she was doing out here, how she even came to exist. What on earth would it take for some random kid to become a Hollow (because however much he wracked his brain, that was the only explanation he could come up with). A part of him didn't want to know.

The one thing he knew for sure was that even as they trudged along, he was cooking up a plan to get her out of this hellhole. No kid deserved living in a place like this. No kid deserved whatever it was that cracked her skull open like that.

His ponytail was pulled suddenly, jerking him out of his thoughts.

"What the fu… er, what the heck was that for?" he groaned.

"Shh…" she urged, hands over his ears. "S…somethin's wrong," she said in a small wavering voice."

"What we got company or something?" Renji asked flatly.

"No… Nel doesn't know. W-we should just go somewhere else."

Those words, the waver in her voice, had him pausing. They weren't even anywhere special, just on some random outdoor path. There was a tree, a building that wasn't so far, and that was it.

"Hey," he said in a low voice, "whatever's up there I'm sure I can handle it, but we've got to move forward if we wanna find our friends."

Her face was pressed into the back of his head. She was shaking like a leaf. He was starting to sweat. "That's not it. Nel just thinks we should–"

Suddenly, Renji's blood turned to ice. The hair at the back of his neck stood on end, and for a moment he could hear his heartbeat.

Move!

He dodged left, not having enough time to wince at the sharp pull at his scalp as Nel struggled to not fall off. His stomach dropped when he saw the blade of a giant scythe buried right where they were a second ago.

An equally giant man hefted it out, slinging it over his shoulder. It didn't take a genius to figure out what he or the smaller Hollow next to him really were. An Espada, maybe two. Shit, this wasn't good.

The larger Hollow studied them, one eye roving over the two. He grinned with far too many teeth, and the second his eye settled he cackled. His partner studied them carefully.

"R-really?!" he gasped out. "I know I did a number on you, but that's what you look like now? Pathetic!"

Renji was getting more tired of him by the second. "I have no idea what you're on about, pal, but I've never met you. Are you looking for a fight or–"

The Espada was on him in a moment, bony hand wrapped around his throat and squeezing. He was lifted up, kicking uselessly the air.

"Was I talking to you, ya little shitstain?" With a jerk he brought Renji in close, his Reiatsu paralyzing. "I eat humans like you as an afternoon fucking snack, and you think you can talk to me?"

Renji could feel the bones in his neck grating, his throat burning. He could do little but watch as with his free hand the Espada plucked Nel off his back by the hood of her cloak.

"No, I'm talking to you, aren't I?" He shook the girl, and Renji had to say, he was proud of her, not even making a sound despite the fear plain on her face. "How far the great Espada Neliel has fallen, relying on a pathetic human."

His ears buzzed. His legs trembled. He sucked in a breath.

Renji kicked forward with all his might, every one of his spikes jutting out at once. The Espada dropped him as if burned, shaking out his skewered hand. The human darted just out of reach.

"Can't say I care what you think of me," Renji croaked, "but put her down or you'll be sorry."

"Didn't you hear what I said?" the Espada scoffed. He spoke slowly, as if talking to a child, "She's an Espada, your enemy. Run. Fuck off. Be someone else's problem." Then, he brought Nel in close with a curling grin. "I'm only interested in this brat."

So, that was how it was going to be. There was only one option left, then. Palms sweaty, he grabbed the spike on his arm, and with a flick of his wrist released.

It had taken some time (and a few dozen trips to his tattoo guy) to get it right, but boy did it pay off. The Snake separated from his skin one link at a time, rearing its head at their opponent and hissing. The Espada quirked an eyebrow in interest.

The Snake darted forward, jaws open, and it was then that the blonde Arrancar decided to act, blocking it with his Zanpakuto. At first the Hollow stumbled before shoving back, The Snake withdrawing in a snap. Low to the ground, it hissed, circling back to the Espada.

The scythe was in his hands with a jerk of his gangly arm and with a smile he grappled with The Snake. Renji didn't expect the incredible force he shoved back with, snapping one of its fangs clean off. It withdrew back to him, ink regenerating with some concentration.

The Espada whistled. "That's a neat trick, for a human at least."

"Not just any human," Renji huffed out. "Renji Abarai. I'm a Fullbringer."

He barked out a laugh. "I'll pretend to know what that is. I'm Nnoitra Gilga, the fifth."

The Snake shook, hissing again. It was getting impatient. "So, what, we exchange contact info and suddenly it's a real fight?"

Nnoitra grinned. "Don't get ahead of yourself, kid."

He blurred out of sight, Renji immediately on guard. The Snake's hackles were raised, ink vibrating as it waited. Then, in a flash it lurched to the side, jaw snapping. It was smacked aside by the flat of the scythe.

Good thing that weirdo wasn't my target.

It circled wide, plucking Nel from him with its teeth, retracting and placing her safely behind Renji, just a little dizzy. His eyes didn't leave Nnoitra's for a second.

"Hey, you alright?" he asked.

"Uh…" she sounded. "Uh-huh." Her voice was surprisingly steady.

"Do you have any idea what that SOB was talking about? I mean," he scoffed, uncertain, "yeah right, as if you could be an Espada."

"No way!" she exclaimed arms crossed. They dropped. "I mean… I don't… I don't remember."

"Of course, you wouldn't," Nnoitra barked, "not with how I busted your skull open. I'm surprised you can remember how to breathe!"

"Shut up!" Renji yelled. "Nel, you think you can run?"

"What? No way! Nel's not gonna leave you!"

"Tch, how predictable," Nnoitra said, and that was all the warning Renji got before he struck.

He darted in clashing with The Snake. Renji could feel the jerk as it met flesh, but something felt off about it, somehow. With a grin, Nnoitra grabbed it by the base of its skull and jerked it closer, sending Renji stumbling. The next thing he knew Nnoitra was in front of him. After that Renji was on the ground, head spinning.

A kick. The bastard got him with a kick of all things. He really was just messing with him.

He could vaguely hear Nel screaming through the pounding in his skull, could feel something sticky clumping his hair together. His sight at least worked well enough to see the arm that The Snake had struck.

It was perfectly fine, not a scratch on it. That's what was off. That was about as far as his brain got before a boot came slamming down onto his chest and everything came back sharply into clarity.

"…You're gonna have to try a lot harder than that to cut me."

Nel was crying loudly in the distance, something ringing in the air that hadn't been before. The boot came down once more, a part of his chest giving. He didn't even have the breath to scream.

"RENJI!"

A gust went over them both, Nnoitra pausing with a frown. The large Hollow took a wary step back, and that was when Renji knew something was off. He left Renji's vision entirely only to be replaced by another, unfamiliar silhouette, a woman. She looked like…

"…Nel?" he croaked.

She grinned, eyes crinkling.

"…How?"

Her voice was smooth as she said, "I'll explain later," long hair falling over her shoulders in waves. Ram's horns, fully formed framed her face, the rags she wore barely covering her…

Renji averted his eyes.

"Hey, stay still," she chided, a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're badly wounded. I should be able to heal you, but first I need to take care of this one." She stopped to smooth his hair, smile warm. "Renji… thank you, and I'm sorry."

She stood tall, walking past him. A breeze sent a momentary shiver through him, her hair moving with it and revealing her back and the number on it.

3

"This will be quick."

She flashed forward, sword gleaming in the artificial sun. Nnoitra's face went from shock to pain as his blood splashed across the sand.

"Shit!" he hissed. He swung his scythe, stumbling as it was deflected with a kick, the steel cumbersome in his grip. "You little–!"

He didn't finish that statement, mouth opened, a five appearing on his tongue right before Renji found himself blinded by the light coming from it.

"Nel!" he cried, struggling to his feet. Damn his shaky legs. He could barely even take a step in her direction before…

She raised a hand, dust kicking up as she stopped the Cero in its tracks. Her mouth opened, fangs flashing as she inhaled the goddamn thing. Nnoitra paled as soon as she did this, and then froze when she opened her mouth again, the Cero releasing with a piercing sound. Renji didn't see Nnoitra in the blast, just that the sand in its path solidified and then cracked.

"Master Nnoitra!" the smaller Arrancar cried, heading straight for it.

Renji was nearly knocked over by his own shock. Then he really was knocked over by Nel barreling into him, almost his height.

"Renji! Renji! Renji!" she cried happily. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"Ease off!" he said, blushing furiously, and for a moment she did, right before grabbing his hands and holding them tightly. She really liked physical contact, didn't she? As a kid it was cute, right now, though…

It's a bit… weird.

"I'm good," he assured, "a little dizzy but nothing I can't walk off." He hoped so, at least.

"Dizzy?" she gasped out. Then she nodded determinedly. "Then I'll just have to carry you this time. I can heal you, then… Wait! I can heal again! We need to go back to your friend!"

He wanted to answer her, would have found the words eventually even with his head spinning so badly, but he was shocked into silence by the figure that flew by them bloodied and battered. The smaller Arrancar groaned in pain. Nel's eyes hardened, her body shifting to protect the human.

Nnoitra stepped out from the dust, horribly burned and looking far too smug for someone that ought to be dead. "What's that look for?" he laughed. "You surprised? You were so sure that signature move of yours would win the day, weren't you? You didn't even stop to think of how much time had passed since you left."

She said nothing, hand moving to her sword as she glared venomously.

"Neliel tu Odelschwanck, you couldn't even begin to imagine the power of the current Espada! I'll show you just how little that number on your back means."

She answered with a strike, coming in close and low. They clashed once, blades sliding past one another, stopping just a hair short of each's destination.

"…Why'd you stop?" Nnoitra growled.

"I could ask you the same," she said pleasantly.

With a yell he swung his blade, Nel vaulting over it, and then landing in perfect form.

"…Bitch. You haven't changed one bit." He lashed out, the woman dodging right. "Pulling the same shit again. You remember that, don't you? You remember what you did?"

Renji didn't, and he didn't care, either. He just crouched, eyes searching for the perfect moment to provide backup. His hand when to The Snake.

He was stopped by a blade at his throat. The smaller Arrancar stared at him from the corner of his eye.

"Make one move towards him and I will cut you down where you stand."

Renji gulped, Adam's apple grazing the blade. "Hate to break it to you, but you may be after the wrong person."

"Neliel Tu is a special case," he said with narrowed eyes. "As my master's rival she will be destroyed by his own hand, one way or another, as all obstacles in his way are destined to be."

"You called me a beast!" Nnoitra roared, sparks flying. "You claimed I wasn't on your level!"

They clashed again, Nel not even flinching.

"Tell me, how did it feel to be beaten by that beast! How does it feel now?!"

She said nothing, just took a step back, blade held across her body.

"Wait…"

"I didn't want to have to use this," she said solemnly, "but I'm running out of time…"

"Shit!" Nnoitra panicked, rushed towards her–

"Declare, Gamuza."

The heat was intense, like something exploded right in front of him. He knew why Nnoitra looked so pale; he felt a spike of fear, himself. When the dust cleared, he saw her, a centaur tall and powerful wielding a huge lance. It suited her, he thought. She looked like the heroes from those weird books she couldn't stop talking about.

She heaved the lance back, powerful legs kicking up sand, and with a stomp of her foreleg threw it.

"Lanzador Verde!"

It flew, Nnoitra futilely attempting to block, his blade shattering against the force. He was thrown back into the crystal tree that broke beneath his weight. Even from his distance he could see that Nnoitra was bleeding far too much, and for the first time he noticed fear in his lapdog's eyes.

Nnoitra scrambled to his feet, hand blindly searching for his Zanpakuto. He was kicked down by a hoof, one that settled on his wrist with a crack. He screamed.

"It's the end of the line, Gilga."

"I-I see how it is." he said through bloodied teeth. "You get your revenge. Everyone has a happy ending, huh?"

"No," she said. His face fell. "You're just a beast I need to put down."

Her lance plunged, and with a choked off cry he thrashed once, and then stilled. Nnoitra dissolved.

"Master!" the Arrancar finally screamed. He stumbled forward, hand outstretched. "You… Master… You…" His fist clenched, and his eyes burned as he looked to Nel. "…You'll pay! Crush, Veruga!"

Nel just looked tired as she plucked her lance from the ground. Then, she stumbled. "Wait–" was all she managed to choke out before…

Pop!

A child fell to the ground, confused, eyes wide. "Lapdog" didn't care much. Renji ran straight for her.

He realized the problem immediately, his chest burning something fierce, his legs not quite acting right. None of that mattered, though. She couldn't protect herself like this, so someone… He had to…! He stumbled.

"Getsuga Tenshō."

The Arrancar was cleaved in two, his top half hitting the ground before the rest followed. That attack, though, he recognized it!

He felt guilty for his disappointment at seeing Captain Shiba, Tatsuki trailing behind. He didn't dwell on it, though. He stumbled the rest of the way to Nel, shaking the stars from his eyes.

"You okay?" he asked breathlessly.

"I…" she shook her head. "What happened?"

He sighed loudly, sitting back on his heels. "The bad guys are gone. You did good."

"Really, Renji? That weakling gave you this much trouble?" Tatsuki scoffed.

No, he wanted to say, but when he shook his head, everything tilted.

"Woah, there," Shiba said. Was he holding Renji before? He didn't remember. "You don't look so good, kid."

"I'm fine," he said, both to them and himself, but they didn't respond. They heard him, right?

"Who's this, er, little lady?" Shiba asked awkwardly.

"A low level Arrancar they picked up outside the walls. I'm positive there were at least two others, though."

"Well, aren't you as cute as a button," he cooed, pinching her cheek. She struggled against it with a whine. "That's a nasty scar you got, there, huh?"

It was the first thing Renji thought to say. Maybe it wasn't wise. Maybe it was a stroke of genius. He wasn't sure. "Can they fix it?"

"…Eh?" Shiba asked. Tatsuki quirked a brow.

Renji thought back to her adult form, to what she did, to what she said. He shook himself out of it.

"Do you think someone could… fix her? Soon."

Tatsuki looked at him with suspicion.

"Unohana did set up a tent nearby," Shiba said carefully, "but I don't think she's the one that needs it."

Renji disagreed. He even tried to get himself on his feet to prove it but found himself back on the ground before he could blink.

"Renji!" he heard Nel cry. Was it another Arrancar? He didn't see one, just a pleasant glow coming from the Captain's hands.

"…Captain?" Tatsuki asked. He'd only heard her speak like that once.

"His ribs are busted. Between that and his neck… Tatsuki, you take the little lady. I'll handle him. We'll get them both patched up in no time."

"H-he'll be okay, right?" Nel stuttered.

"He'll be just fine. Our friend is gonna take good care of you both."

Any protest Renji had left in him was drowned out by the spots that appeared in his eyes when the Captain lifted him.

"Sorry, just hang tight for a bit."

That was all he could do, really. By the time things started to make sense again Tatsuki and Shiba were whispering to each other. About what he didn't know. Nel said something. Shiba laughed.

Renji didn't explain himself, did he? Just saying she needed healing out of nowhere didn't make sense, but he had to make them understand while he was still able to.

"She saved my life," he muttered.

Shiba stopped mid-sentence. "Huh?"

"Her brain's all messed up, but she killed the Espada that did this."

"She… defeated an Espada, that girl?" His eyes widened. "Wait, you're not saying…"

"She's an Espada."

Part II

He barely noticed the twitch in Uryuu's hand, barely caught the second-long glance, but when he did, Chad knew what was coming next. He sent the Quincy a nod and watched as his bow lit up. Uryuu darted forward Chad following without question.

"I sincerely doubt anyone wants to watch you perform," Uryuu sneered.

An arrow zipped through the air, impacting with one of the giant Hollow guards. Chad was on the other shortly after, fist connecting and then tearing through. Hold his arms close he believed that had done the trick.

Its eye swiveled to him, glassy like that of an animal's but very clearly alive. It shifted, and immediately Chad's shield was up. The impact was heavy. It forced him back, sandals dragging across the ground, but he wasted no time brushing it off, readying a counter.

He may have followed through with it had his ally not let out a sudden gasp, rubble flying past Chad's face as he turned. He looked just in time to see a set of tentacles scoop his friend up and swallow him.

"Uryuu!" Before he knew what he was doing, his hands were tearing at the tentacles, shoving through slimy unpleasantness, and nearly ripping one off before finally Uryuu was spat out onto the ground, gasping, but whole. The limb retreated.

"What…" Uryuu panted out, "the hell?!"

"Delicious," Granz purred, tongue darting over his lips. He held out a clawed hand beneath the retracted wing, a tentacle bulging sickeningly before it burst, something solid and wet falling into his grasp. He brought it up closely, inspecting it with a twinkle in his eye.

"A… doll?" Chad asked carefully.

"It looks like me," Uryuu frowned.

"Oh, it more than looks like you," Granz said cheerfully. He caressed its face with gentle claws. "It is you, the new you, anyway. I for one like it much better than the old model." Playfully he flicked the side of its head.

With a yelp Uryuu stumbled, hand going to his hair, blood dripping on the ground. Chad had a steadying hand on his shoulder in a moment, fist ready as he glared at the Espada. He was still playing with the doll, tugging at both ends, and with a mischievous smile he pulled, and it split in two.

Chad's gasp was audible; his hand tightened on Uryuu's shoulder, but… Uryuu stared at him, confused and wary but thankfully not in pieces.

What was this? Chad had never encountered a foe like this, but instinct told him to use caution. He clenched his fist at his side.

"What are you getting so worked up over?" Granz teased. "Did you really think he'd split in two, just like that?" He swirled his finger in the doll's lower half, ceramic pieces clinking against one another. "No, all the fun parts are right here." He withdrew a piece.

He left behind instinct, rushing the Espada, fists flying.

"Aren't you a feisty one?"

His fist was batted away by a wing, but the second would not be so easily deflected. He swung, power humming at his fingertips, only to stop at the last moment when that little ceramic piece was held in front of Granz like a shield.

Estómago it said, and Chad felt himself grow pale. He was swept away in hesitation by a sneaking wing.

If touching them was unpleasant, being wrapped in them was many times worse. They pulsed. They writhed. They stuck to him unnaturally. He could hear muffled voices speaking just outside, though. That was enough to have him struggling all the way.

Whether his struggling helped or not he didn't know, but in no time he was spat out like used tobacco right next to Uryuu. He shook out the buzzing numbness in his limbs and forced himself upright.

"So single minded," Granz tutted. "Shinigami, Humans, Quincy, you're all the same."

Uryuu had curled into himself, arms clamped over his stomach as sweat began to bead on his forehead. The bastard had actually done it. Chad's hand hovered, unsure.

What would Orihime do in a situation like this? In cases of internal bleeding, as rare as they could be, she always said to keep them still, to flag help as soon as possible. Now, how was he going to do that, he wondered.

"Stay with me," he muttered instead.

"N-not planning on leaving," Uryuu said followed quickly by a pained hiss. That turned into a painful retch and then a lurch. He threw up on the ground into an already existing puddle of bile and…

Blood. That's a lot of blood.

"I can only think of one reason for Lord Aizen to want to destroy you all. You're all so damn pathetic." Granz barked out a laugh. "How very Hollow of him."

Chad saw red, and he charged.

The bastard had a second doll in his hand, he noticed. It seemed that was all there was to his power. Good, this would be easier than he thought. He swung, missing as a sharp pain erupted in his back, his left arm suddenly going limp. That wouldn't stop him.

The sudden shifting of rubble at least had him pause, however. Two familiar masks peaked over the edge of a large slab, poking back under before with a triumphant cry Pesche broke through, met eyes with Chad and started running.

The Shinigami took a wide swing with his working arm, nailing Granz in the face, taking more satisfaction in that then he probably should have. The dolls were knocked from his grip, and just in time, Pesche was sliding through the Espada's legs to catch them.

"Strike!" he cheered.

"What?!" Granz gasped.

"Do it now, Dondochakka!"

"Roger!" The Hollow took a wide stance, his jaw completely unhinging, and with an earthshattering burp out sprung a giant worm.

"So that's where it went," Uryuu whispered.

The worm barreled forward, knocking right into Pesche who managed to right himself well enough to grab it by the horns and hitch a ride. "These are the Shinigami that Master Nel has allied herself with, and gosh-darn-it we're going to help them, even against the likes of you, Szayelaporro!"

"Attack, Bawabawa!" Dondochaka cried. The worm sprung forward mouth open wide. Granz did not seem perturbed. With a wave of his hand his guards grappled with it, the first getting bitten through while the second stayed behind it, using its partner's limp body as a shield.

"The 'likes of me?'" Granz asked, eyebrow twitching. "What a way for lowly Fracción such as yourself to…"

Pesche stuck a hand down his loincloth.

"Wh-what are you pulling out of there?!" A light flashed, and suddenly Granz was holding his wounded arm close. Pesche swung his sword with a flourish. Granz's eyes darted back and forth, calculating.

"This? Why this is my blade, Ultima! This truly magnificent piece is made of pure Reiryoku, a blade of light the likes of which you've never seen!" Over his shoulder he stage whispered, "See, Uryuu, just like your, uh, thingy!"

"D-don't call it a…" the Quincy trailed off into a painful cough. They were running out of time.

Dondochakka must have known it too, because next thing Chad knew he was descending upon the guards, club smashing through their heads with ease. Finally, Bawabawa swallowed them. For the first time, Granz looked truly shocked.

"Your first mistake," Pesche yelled, "looking down on us as mere Fracción. Your second," he leapt onto Dondochakka's back, "being a jerk! Now face our Super Special Signature Attack!"

"Cero Sincertico!"

The light was blinding, twin Cero intertwining and then hitting the mark with an explosion of dust and debris. Chad finally rushed back to Uryuu, knees skidding on the ground in his haste.

"A-are you…?" His hands wavered.

"Fine," the Quincy bit out. "…Had worse. 'Bout you? He got you…"

"It's nothing," he assured. "Lie still. We'll find help."

Uryuu nodded silently, closing his eyes and resting his head against the ground. To see him so compliant, not even offering a cursory argument, worried Chad.

"Y-you're still standing?" A sudden gasp came from Pesche. Chad's eyes darted back to the sight of the explosion.

Granz was still standing. He looked the Fracción in the eye, something wild and unhinged in his smile. "You shouldn't have said you were hers."

Pesche took a step back, fists shaking. If he were capable of paling in shock, Chad was sure he would have.

"What?" Granz bit out. "I knew every single Hollow in this godsdamned place, inside and out. You think I didn't have a guess as to who you two were? Still, I must thank you for confirming it for me."

"Th-that's impossible," Pesche's voice wavered. "Whether you knew us or not an attack that size should have flattened you!"

"Oh, really?" He tossed his hair with a burned hand. "Maybe if you're an imbecile. All I had to do was counter it with my own of the same frequency."

Pesche took another step back.

"Do you see what I mean now?!" he cackled. "You're pathetic! Like ants to a god!" Then in an instant his frown dropped. "But I must say this one is growing bored. I think it's time to put an end to this performance, don't you?

"Let's put an end to everything."

Chad gulped, shifting over Uryuu and thinking of how he would carry the Quincy and run with only one arm. He looked to Pesche, to Dondochakka and knew they were thinking the same thing. They weren't winning this one. They needed to go.

Uryuu let out a noise of distress. Chad's eyes snapped to him immediately, but Uryuu wasn't looking at him. A shadow stretched over them, and warily Chad looked.

Three Shinigami. Chad zeroed in on one.

"Captain Urahara," Chad gasped out. "Reinforcements have come…"

"Dearly needed, from the looks of things," he said with an easy smile. "This guy giving you trouble?"

"Who might you be?" Granz said through grit teeth. "No, don't answer that. I just realized I didn't care."

His wings came at them, Urahara raising a hand and deflecting them with a wordless spell.

"That's rude," he drawled. "But I guess it doesn't matter. I know a thing or two about you, Espada."

He pulled his Zanpakuto, and the true fight began. He flashed close, Granz flinching as his sword stopped inches from his throat.

"Sosuke left some interesting notes on you, ya know?" He grinned. "Seems like you're a sick little bastard."

Tentacles came rushing in from the left. Urahara just barely glanced over, and with an arch of his blade and a spray of red cut through.

"Th-that…" Granz gasped out. "Impossible!"

"You'd be surprised," he laughed, placing a hand on his shoulder. He brought Granz in close and said, "Now try and analyze this. Bankai."

Benihime loomed over them, porcelain joints clacking as she bowed. Her hands reached for a gasping Granz, just as Urahara cut through him.

For a moment he split, and just as quickly Benihime pieced him back together with her stitches. Granz stayed standing, eyes wide in terror, but he didn't so much as breathe. With a twirl of his blade Urahara sheathed his Zanpakuto and laid him down.

One of the out of uniform Shinigami strode towards the fallen Espada, head tilting, fingers probing.

"You did leave his brain intact, didn't you?"

"Of course, I did," Urahara snapped. He looked back to Chad. "Aizen's chief researcher, we were hoping to find him. I'm just glad I managed to save you two while we were at it."

"Let's hope he's well enough to walk with us," the mysterious man sneered. "I'm certainly not carrying him."

It was something about that look, that frown. Chad kicked himself for ever forgetting that oddly painted face. "You're Captain Urahara's old Lieutenant. You were banished."

Kurotsuchi grimaced, gold teeth catching the sunlight. "Why is that all anyone remembers?" He glanced down to Chad's friend, who was completely out of it. "I see the rumors were true. There are some left."

"Should I capture him, sir?" the woman said in monotone.

"Mayuri…" the Captain started with a strained smile. "Touch one hair on his head and you'll be getting the same treatment as poor Granz over here."

Kurotsuchi ignored the threat. "Of course not, you idiot. I will, however, be punishing you later for this oversight!"

"Yes, sir," the woman said.

The conversation left a cold pit in Chad's stomach, but he did his best to move past it.

"Captain," he said, "Were any healers brought with the reinforcements?"

Urahara's brow furrowed. He was with them in a few steps, hands glowing as they roved over Uryuu's torso. His frown deepened. "Shit. That guy really did a number on him, huh?"

"Will he be alright?"

"Unohana set up camp not far from here. Go to her quickly." Not a yes or a no. Chad gulped.

"Nemu," Kurotsuchi said distractedly, "take them there."

She started to protest, "But–"

"That was an order," he snapped. "With the nature of our mission, you'll doubtless find a way to screw it up. Go."

She paused, staring at the ground. "Yes."

Chad put Uryuu on his back as best he could with one working arm, resisting the urge to flinch when the Quincy's head fell limply on his shoulder. He looked to the Captain, and back to the woman, the cold pit growing.

Was this really the caliber of ally they kept?

That was not a question for him to ask. He followed the woman quietly, Pesche and Dondochakka giving the Captain and Lieutenant a wide berth as they trailed behind.

"You're sure he'll be what we need?" He heard Urahara ask.

"You forget that Aizen tried to recruit me for this job, once. He'll know more about the Hogyoku then most."

Chad very pointedly ignored Nemu the entire walk.

Part III

Sosuke sat in the surveillance room, staring at the door that Szayelaporro should have walked through nearly half an hour ago. Ulquiorra, standing by, stared back, waiting, but it was Gin, the same brat that hadn't allowed him a moments rest since the day they met, that laid a hand on his chair, smiling daggers into his back.

"How many does that make?" Gin asked pleasantly. "Four? Five if you count how no one's heard from Nnoitra since he stormed out. That's… oh dear, half your main forces!"

He took a steady breath.

"The weaker half," Aizen said, "and I sincerely doubt the likes of Szayel will be missed on the battlefield. If anything, I find it fitting that he went the way of his brother."

Gin barked out a laugh, "Interesting, then that Nnoitra went more the way of Luppi."

"…Excuse me?" He smiled serenely.

"Didn't you hear? A certain duo has been spotted inside the castle. My guess is dear old Nel got her revenge."

"That…"

"…Can't be possible?"

"…Is hardly our problem. If the beasts wish to rip and tear at one another, let them."

He could feel Gin's breath at his neck, could practically hear his smile. "I suppose you're right."

Aizen stood suddenly, face blank. "Walk with me. I believe it's time we moved forward with our plan."

Ulquiorra bowed as they passed, following the two silently. He was truly the perfect servant. Aizen hated him.

They walked down empty corridors, every Hollow they passed bowing in his presence. He glided down those halls, not sparing anyone a glance, until eventually he reached his chamber. Each door was unlocked quickly, but at the last one he paused.

He was certain there was a fifth check on this one. Something seemed off…

No, he'd unlocked it so many times that his mind had simply drifted. He swung it open, giving the Hogyoku's container a gentle nudge, eyes on the window and the full moon outside.

Gin chuckled, then chortled, then laughed so hard he seemed hysterical. Aizen looked down to the case.

His hand nearly trembled as he pressed it into the velvet. It wasn't here. The simmering rage that started the moment Szayel was so much as a second late spiked.

How was that possible?

"Ulqui…" he trailed off, the sound of Gin's laughter still echoing in the room. He glared. Gin stopped with a smile.

There, he'd given that insatiable brat what he wanted. It was good then that his days were numbered.

"Uquiorra, you will gather Yammy and search for this thief. Dispose of them and bring back the Hogyoku at all costs. Gin and I will proceed as planned."

The Espada bowed once, leaving without a word. He hated him.

Aizen pressed a hand to his chest. "Don't think this changes anything."

"Wouldn't dream of it… sir."


Def need some time to get back into the groove. The last chapters of this arc are all long (comparatively at least). Also!

Gotta say my heart was warmed by all of you that said you'd like me to do the last two arcs as well. No promises, but I'll see about working on it. First, though, I gotta write something else before I completely fatigue on this thing. Believe it or not this is not the only story I want to tell, just the longest so far.

Catch you next week Thursday.