The dark room around him was like an abyss, smelling of dust and dry stagnant air. A deep breath filled his lungs and a slight smile appeared on his face. The silence was overwhelming, but he felt he had managed to monitor how much time has passed counting away in his head. Aizen leaned his head back as far as he could in the restraints and spoke quietly to himself,

"It's about that time."

...

A lean silver haired man stared out the window of his office, the small stirrings of his Lieutenant behind him were all he could hear. Outside, the sky was grey and clouded, rain was beginning to sprinkle down on the Sereitei. A meek voice spoke up, distracting him from his thoughts,

"Does it feel strange to be back?"

Gin chuckled, thinking back to when he had left the Sereitei with Aizen. It was all for the greater good, to defeat the enemy he knew Aizen would become. If not for Orihime though, he wouldn't be sitting here. The relief was evident on Orihime's face when he opened his eyes to her on that bloody slab of conrete after she revived him. It was a second chance.

The captain turned in his chair and faced Izuru,

"It does. If not for that human girl, I wouldn't be here."

"And the forgiveness of our new Head Captain."

Izuru commented, wearing a sheepish smile on his face. He was so happy Gin was back, it was somewhat overwhelming to him. As strange as Gin was, he was the torch leading his way. He had showed unbelievalbe bravery to get close to Aizen to attempt to defeat him, sacrificing his life to do so.

Gin spoke up again,

"Captain Kyouraku is very forgiving. I think he understood why the cards fell the way they did now that it's all over."

A small knock at the door made them both perk up, Izuru called out to the stranger,

"Come in."

The door opened and in stepped a familiar face, Rangiku. Izuru felt a twinge of anxiety, knowing the relationship between the two now due to the final battle. He stood up, nodded to Gin and walked out immediately. Rangiku was silent as their friend exited the room. Gin sat back in his chair, quiet as she leaned against the now closed door. The two were silent for a few moments before she finally spoke quietly,

"It's been a while."

He nodded slowly, his usual grin was gone and he now wore a serious expression. Rangiku sighed and continued,

"I meant to come see you sooner. I don't know... I'm just... I'm just confused about the entire situation. It's hard to try and come back after everything that has happened. No moment ever felt right to come talk to you."

Gin again nodded, he stood up and made his way around his desk to lean against it to face her fully. He felt guilt looming over him, knowing how she felt already. Nothing she was saying surprised him. She was an emotionally delicate woman, and he knew her well after growing up with her. He finally responded,

"You don't have to talk if ya' don't want to. I can't sit and explain it all away to make ya' feel better."

Rangiku stared at the floor near his feet, deep in thought. Things felt different. He had betrayed her and not said a word to even give her warning. She felt crushed, betrayed, although she still loved him too. The two had grown up together and had been in love. He was her first love. After the mystery and the threats, him directly attacking her even, it was too much to sit back down and pretend nothing had happened.

Their adult lives were so different now. He was so different. The war had changed them. She bit the inside of her lip, feeling like she could cry at any moment at the thought of him leaving. The love felt faded compared to the sharp emotional hurt from the betrayal.

"I feel stupid. I know why you did what you did, but... I just cant get over all the questions I have in my head about what you were doing. I felt abandoned, and like I can't ever trust you again. I put up with you disappearing my whole life, and I can't keep doing it. You always disappear without answer. I don't want to sound ungrateful to you, because you helped save us and I'm eternally grateful... And I still have love for you, but I just..."

"Can't trust me."

He finished her statement, causing her to look up at his face. The two stared at one another for a few moments, and she nodded at him. Gin hated to admit it, but he understood and felt how she felt. Things were different now, and it was time to move on.

...

Their hearts pounded in their chests as they watched in shock as Urahara began to open a Senkaimon. Zakuro even wore a look of surprise as the gate was opened before her eyes to the Soul Society. Only Zakuro, Minto, Ichigo, and Ryou elected to go. Keiichiro remained behind at the cafe to locate the others and update them. Urahara expressed that they may be away for some time for the training, and they had each packed a bag and said their goodbyes.

A nagging thought perched at the back of Ichigo's mind. Masaya had refused her telephone calls, claiming he was studying for exams and too busy to talk. She had tried sending him texts, but to no avail. Him going off to college really had tarnished their relationship till it was only a few calls and texts a week, he didn't have money to visit her often. Her feelings were hurt and she hadn't been able to reach him prior to leaving, but Keiichiro had promised to reach out to him. The thoughts of her dissolving relationship were far at the back of her mind as she witnessed the Senkaimon being opened in front of her.

The gate roared open and lead to a long dark tunnel before them. Urahara turned back towards them, his cane sword was in hand and he pointed at the gate.

"As nervous as you can be, don't worry, the passage will be safe."

Ryou responded,

"Who will be on the other side?"

This earned a chuckle from the green cloaked man,

"There will be a group waiting for you, they will take you to the Head Captain who will make further arrangements."

Minto was trying to hide the fact she was trembling, this was unbelievable. She clung hard to the straps of her white backpack with her hands. She stood someone staggered behind the other three in the group. Zakuro noticed, glancing back to her,

"You all right?"

Minto nodded quickly to her idol, feeling her heart racing in her chest. The violet haired mew nodded back to her,

"It's okay, I'm scared shitless too."

...

The Senkaimon opened on the Soul Society side and several bystanders were present. Hitsugaya and Komamura appeared to ensure the safety at a captain level, along with Iba. Nanao had come as well as several members of various squads who simply wanted to bear witness to the new comers.

Hitsugaya grumbled, noting Rangiku's absence. He groaned under his breath beside Komamura,

"Figures she'd forget."

The large captain chuckled to him as the 4 members of the Mews appeared out of the gate. The four collapsed upon entry, practically spit out by the gate. As they got to their feet, there was a few moments of silence as each of the groups eyed one another. Komamura notably drew their attention.

Nanao broke the silence,

"Welcome to the Sereitei. I'm Lieutenant Ise Nanao of the first division and direct subordinate to the Head Captain Kyouraku."

Ryou appeared to get his bearings first as the girls were still in shock around him.

"I'm Ryou Shirogane, I'm the creator of the team."

Minto shifted as introductions were made, feeling her backpack suddenly becoming to tight around her upper body. As she took off her backpack, she noticed Ichigo and Zakuro's ears and tails were out.

"Your ears are sticking out!"

She chirped, catching the attention of the two girls ahead of her. Ichigo felt hers immediately and looked at Ryou. Minto gave a small gasp upon noticing her wings were out. Nanao commented,

"It must be your soul presenting itself in it's purest form."

Nanao lead the team to Kyouraku, who had gathered all of the current Captains and Lieutenants. Each of the girls were introduced to each division. Ryou explained the girls' powers, and it was determined in lieu of the Shinigami Academy, they would attend training for each division and be housed there for a brief period. Ryou was assigned to work with Mayuri to provide intel about Deep Blue and monitor any suspicious activity from Hueco Mundo.

...

-2 months later-

The former alien ruler made his way down a long corridor, accompanied by the Espada he had met previously, Socrates Tholloran. Socrates was identified as the number 1 Espada. Socrates was by Deep Blue's side day and night, assisting him in training and honing his skills to rule Hueco Mundo in Aizen's stead. Deep Blue had begun to reform the Espada and rank them appropriately. However, it was coming time for Aizen's return.

Deep Blue had ruled the palace in Aizen's Stead, but wanted nothing to do with the Soul Realm. It was just a means to an end. The living world and Earth was his goal.

Socrates and Deep Blue made their way into the chamber of the newly appointed number 2 Espada, Munishi Bareer.

Munishi sat cross legged on an enormous black fur rug in a meditative type pose. She had four arms, a lithe and lean build with dark tan skin and long black hair that was pulled into a bun. She opened her eyes lazily upon their entry, a subtle smirk played her face.

"Welcome Master Deep Blue. Socrates."

Deep Blue didn't blink or look away,

"It's time to retrieve Sosuke Aizen."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, practically whispering her response,

"Then it shall be."

...

Deep red hair whipped around her face as she slid across the ground into the side of a building, causing her to halt in a heap against the wall. Ichigo grit her teeth and cursed under her breath, sitting up and blinking a few times at her blond opponent.

Izuru held his zanpakuto out at her, still standing in a defensive position. The cat girl grudgingly got to her feet and tried to pull up the weight of the sword she held with her. It was heavy, excruciatingly heavy. The girl winced and tried to pull it into a defensive position, and she simply dragged the tip across the ground- unable to lift it.

A chuckle echoed out from the shinigami,

"That's my Zanpakuto's ability. Wabisuke. Every strike doubles the weight of whatever I strike with it, until my enemy is bowing their head as if in apology."

Ichigo clenched her jaw harder, knowing she had to show him she could fight. Her body tingled with a familiar heightened energy.

"Ribbon Strawberry Bell!"

The mew's sword glowed a neon pink and immediately raised to point at Izuru. Izuru dodged as a high speed pink beam of energy blasted by him, tearing the ground up in a channel across the ground. Izuru blinked a few times in surprise as he dodged the attack, surprised she was able to overcome the weight of her weapon.

From a nearby patio, Gin stood in observation of the training going on at his barracks. He watched silently as Izuru paid her compliments about her attack. The beam resembled a cero from an Arrancar, but was a different consistency entirely.

Ichigo blushed and dropped her katana on the ground,

"I've never done that attack before! It felt out of control entirely, I've never carried a sword before!"

Izuru chuckled and gave the peppy red head a high five,

"It was a great attack, you just have to hone the ability to aim it properly and track your opponent with it."

Ichigo nodded and as Izuru sheathed his sword, her katana returned to it's normal weight allowing her to pick it up. She laughed,

"Your ability is incredible. If you described it, I wouldn't think anything of it really. But when you use it, it's really effective in a fight."

The two engaged in casual conversation as Gin walked out onto the training field to join them. The silver haired captain carried two wooden boken swords in his right hand. Upon noticing his presence, Izuru nodded his head,

"Captain Ichimaru"

Ichigo immediately turned toward the captain and eyed him briefly, taking note of the two wooden swords in his hand. The captain's haori billowed behind him as he walked between Ichigo and Izuru. Gin smirked at Ichigo who nodded her head in respect as well.

"How about tryin' your hand with me missy?"

...