The next morning, Rukia didn't show up for her appointment at the 4th Division headquarters. "She's late," Unohana mentioned to her vice-captain.
A few hours later, the 4th Division sent a report to Commander Yamamoto. The commander looked over the report and then gave Soi Fong a frustrated look.
"Find her," he ordered.
"Yes, Sir," Soi Fong answered.
Soi Fong suddenly disappeared and prepared her squad for a search. Shinigami ninjas and 2nd Division Shinigami searched through Seireitei. The annoyed 2nd Division captain walked along the streets with her vice-captain.
"How could she do this, after we cleared her of all charges?" Soi Fong said annoyed.
"Maybe she wants to keep it," vice-captain Marechiyo suggested.
"It's not a decision for her to make," Soi Fong said angrily.
Marechiyo shrugged and tried to keep up with the captain's speed walking. "Can't you keep up, fat ass?" Soi Fong asked him.
"Hey, it's a sign of wealth and good living," Marechiyo said defensively.
"Maybe it is and maybe it's not, but it makes you slow," Soi Fong insulted.
A messenger in royal clothes appeared before Commander Yamamoto. "We have not found any trace of Kuchiki Rukia. She may have found a way to the living world."
"If that's true, then she was helped by someone on the inside. Continue your investigation and bring Captain Hitsugaya here," Yamamoto ordered.
"Sir," the messenger addressed and then sped off.
Moments later, Captain Hitsugaya approached the commander. "Kuchiki Rukia may have escaped to the living world. There, she is more dangerous there than here. Form a squad and bring her back here," Yamamoto ordered.
"For that purpose alone?" Hitsugaya asked.
"You will also be looking for any signs of Aizen in the living world. Collect all the information you can and report back regularly," Yamamoto ordered.
Hitsugaya bowed and headed off to form a squad.
Captain Hitsugaya assembled a crew of mismatched Shinigami to assist him in his mission. Those on the squad were the only ones who volunteered for it. Not surprisingly, they were Ikaku and Yumichika of the 11th Division and Renji with his own personal reasons for joining. And then Captain Hitsugayo's faithful vice-captain, Rangiku, was also present.
"Our mission is to recover Kuchiki Rukia and bring her back to Soul Society," Hitsugaya began.
"What for?" Rangiku asked curiously.
"It's classified," Hitsugaya told her.
"Is it because of the baby?" Rangiku asked excitedly.
Hitsugaya frowned in annoyance. "Yes," he admitted; the rumor was supposed to be secret.
"You said there would be danger and excitement in this mission," Ikaku accused.
"There is. We are also going to track down dangerous Hollows and any strange activity in the living world. We don't know yet what Aizen is planning," Hitsugaya answered.
"I'm ready, captain," Renji stated.
Captain Hitsugaya overlooked his enthusiastic team. "Okay, let's go," he ordered.
Rukia reappeared in Karakura Town and immediately sensed a powerful disturbance. Her senses became heightened as she considered her surroundings. She was a Shinigami once more as her powers had returned.
An explosion ripped through the town causing a plume of smoke in the distance. Rukia stared at the explosion wondering what it meant. She then sensed a familiar force approaching the disturbance. "Ichigo," she realized.
Rukia sped toward the disturbance and then accelerated creating a wind storm in her wake. Once she got there, she found herself at Ichigo's school. The bodies of students were spread over a large distance. She finally found the source of death. They were two Arrancar, one of them was large and muscular while the other one was shorter and slender. The larger Arrancar was doing all the fighting; punching and slamming the body of Ichigo to the ground.
Rukia's eyes widened as she saw Ichigo beat down to the ground; his Bankai was still in his hand. What could she do if Ichigo had failed? She would have to try for his sake. The Arrancar named Yammy kicked Ichigo around for a while and then looked up at Rukia.
"Who the hell are you?" Yammy asked rudely.
The other Arrancar, Ulquiorra, gave her a glance and then dismissed her. "Leave him alone!" Rukia shouted at him.
Yammy laughed at her attempt to act tough and gave Ichigo a good kick before walking over to her. Ichigo moved his head slightly to see Rukia stand before the powerful Arrancar. "Rukia…no," he muttered.
"I'm warning you," Rukia threatened.
"Is she a threat?" Yammy asked his partner.
"No, just trash," Ulquiorra told him.
Yammy grinned and then attempted to slam her with his remaining arm. Rukia dodged the attack and then created a circle with her sword. A pillar of ice rose from the ground and entrapped Yammy's left arm. Yammy struggled to free himself from the ice but was then suddenly sliced across the chest by Rukia's blade. Rukia rose up her left hand and aimed for Yammy's head.
"Sōkatsui!" she shouted.
A blue flame hit Yammy to the face creating smoke in his face. Rukia continued to raise her hand and fired multiple bursts at Yammy. The explosions broke the pillar of ice around Yammy's arm freeing him. However, the spells knocked a stunned Yammy to the ground.
"Damn you!" Yammy screamed as he got back to his feet.
"Sode no Shirayuki" Rukia called out.
Her sword glowed white and became a pure white across the entire length of the sword. Yammy charged Rukia even as her blade became a brilliant white. Rukia dodged his attack with ease and sliced the air with her blade.
"Some no mai, Tsukishiro." The ground underneath them immediately glowed and became ice. Yammy's feet were stuck to the ground as ice began to travel up his legs.
"What is this," he cried out.
Ulquiorra watched with interest as Yammy suddenly became encased in a pillar of ice that reached for the sky. Rukia considered the frozen Yammy and then to the other Arrancar.
"Kuchiki Rukia," Ulquiorra addressed.
"You're going to pay for what you have done to these people," Rukia vowed.
"You are referring to this low-level trash," Ulquiorra wondered.
"Yes, these humans I have sworn to protect," Rukia said angrily.
"I was not sent to kill these humans. I was only sent to kill one, Ichigo Kurosaki," Ulquiorra informed her.
"You can't have him," Rukia gritted her teeth at him.
"Aizen believed the one named Ichigo may be a threat to him. I can see now that this is not the case. As soon as my partner frees himself, we will be departing," Ulquiorra said.
Yammy suddenly broke through the ice thrashing pieces in all directions. "I think you have embarrassed yourself enough, Yammy," Ulquiorra remarked.
"I'll kill her!" Yammy shouted irrationally.
Rukia rose up her left hand and created a glowing orb of blue flames. Ulquiorra watched with interest as she pointed it at Yammy. The large Arrancar took a deep breath and created a cero blast in his mouth. Rukia tensed up as the two blasts hit each other at the same time. There was an explosion that created a trench in the ground. Yammy stumbled back dazed as his attack was nullified. Rukia aimed once more at Yammy with the intent to kill.
"Byakurai" Rukia shouted out.
An electrical current went through the air towards Yammy. Ulquiorra suddenly phased next to Yammy and blocked it with his hand. Yammy gave Ulquiorra a relieved smile but was suddenly punched back in the gut. Yammy fell to the ground with a thud.
"Idiot, the intensity of the spell could have killed you," Ulquiorra lectured to Yammy.
Ulquiorra walked away from the battle and pinched the air. A dimension opened allowing space for him and Yammy to escape to Hueco Mundo.
"Leaving?" Rukia asked.
"Do not consider this a victory. You cannot fight us and keep your comrades alive. I was sent to determine one thing and that purpose has been accomplished. Ichigo is no threat to Aizen, but it seems we have underestimated you, Kuchiki Rukia," Ulquiorra remarked.
Rukia watched helplessly as the two Arrancar disappeared into their dimension. As soon as they were gone, Rukia ran over to the injured Orihime, Chad, and Ichigo. Two figures suddenly phased onto the battlefield: Urahara and Yoruichi.
"Sorry for our lateness," Urahara apologized.
"Can you help them?' Rukia asked.
"I can try," Yoruichi attempted.
Yoruichi came over to Orihime and gave her a pill to heal her injuries. Ichigo was brought to a sitting position and gave Rukia a weak expression. He was bruised up from the fight with Yammy.
"What happened?' Rukia asked him with concern.
"I lost control," Ichigo admitted.
"Lost control of what?" Rukia asked him.
Ichigo looked away. "Is it the Hollow inside you?" Rukia guessed.
"I failed to protect them," Ichigo said referring to the others. "You could have been killed," Ichigo told her.
"I am tougher than I look," Rukia smirked.
"Don't worry about it. If you want to protect your friends, just get stronger. If you want to control the Hollow inside you, then crush it," Rukia told him.
"It's not that easy,' Ichigo dismissed her.
"Come with me," Rukia said forcing him to stand.
Ichigo regained his body but his wounds still remained. Rukia worked to patch him up. After she was done, his forehead and various parts of his arm and chest were bandaged up. They were at Urahara's shop.
"Thank you, Rukia," Ichigo said in a depressed tone.
"You're welcome," Rukia allowed as she finished the last bandage.
"How are the others?" Ichigo asked.
"They will be fine," Rukia said vaguely.
Ichigo sighed and felt crushed with guilt. "Ichigo, in battle people get hurt, even killed. You need to understand this," Rukia pointed out.
"I can't accept that, I won't put my friends in danger like that again," Ichigo vowed.
"So, you're going to control everyone to keep them safe?" Rukia mocked.
"That's right," Ichigo confirmed.
"Don't be a fool. They went up against the enemy of their own free will," Rukia yelled at him.
"I don't need this. I don't need you pointing out my shortcomings," Ichigo said irritably.
"Your only shortcoming is not in your muscles but in your head," Rukia said pointing her index finger at his forehead.
"Thanks," Ichigo said sarcastically and began to sulk once more.
Rukia realized he was not ready to hear the news of her pregnancy. "Let me tell you about my vice-captain. He was a lot like you," Rukia began.
"What happened to him?" Ichigo asked.
"He died a long time ago. It was a night I will never forget…"
Rukia finished her story to Ichigo. He could only stare at her in amazement. "I didn't know," he said after a long pause.
"It's okay," Rukia allowed.
"I won't die as he did. I will fight for life, not pride," Ichigo promised.
"I know you will," Rukia smiled.
Rukia caressed Ichigo's face affectionately. Suddenly, power surged through Rukia's hand and began healing Ichigo's wounds. Within a few seconds, Ichigo was completely healed.
"I didn't know you were such a healer," Ichigo said stunned.
Rukia pulled her hand away; she had not expected such a reaction. "Now, are you going to keep your town safe? Are you going to slay Hollows?" Rukia challenged.
"Damn straight," Ichigo said with resolve.
Ichigo and Rukia went back to Ichigo's house to talk about what had occurred recently. Rukia was in a new gigai, a courtesy of Urahara for the last stunt he pulled with her last gigai. Rukia beat off Kon, the living stuffed lion, and then looked around inside Ichigo's room.
"I sense something," Rukia said.
The light fixture suddenly fell off revealing four Shinigami in gigai. Renji, Ikaku, Yumichika, and Rangiku fell from the ceiling and landed on the floor. Rukia gave an uncertain look as the four took their spots in the room together. Ichigo was more annoyed than anything else.
"What are you doing here and what did you do to my ceiling?" Ichigo asked outraged.
"We are an assembled team to track Arrancar activity in the living world," Renji began.
Renji then proceeded to explain the three types of Arrancar and their capabilities. Captain Hitsugaya suddenly appeared in the window. He looked like a strange-looking teenager.
"Oh, Captain Hitsugaya has been here the entire time but wouldn't cooperate in entering through the ceiling like the rest of us," Rangiku remarked.
"Toshiro!" Ichigo addressed upon seeing him.
"That's Captain Hitsugaya to you," an irked Hitsugaya replied.
Hitsugaya addressed the group and commanded their respect with his authority. "We have a problem to sort out," Hitsugaya began.
"Rukia has entered the living world, illegally, and a warrant for her arrest has been filed. I have received orders to bring her back to Soul Society," Hitsugaya said.
"What the hell for?" Ichigo asked outraged.
Hitsugaya gave Rukia a look of disbelief. "He doesn't know?" he wondered.
"Know what?" Ichigo became agitated.
Hitsugaya ignored Ichigo's question. "Suffice to say, I suspect that some of you will not assist me with this arrest," Hitsugaya said of his squad.
No one in the group said a word confirming Hitsugaya's suspicion. "In addition, I don't believe Rukia will come, peacefully," Hitsugaya gave her another look. Rukia looked away confirming it.
"We cannot fight amongst ourselves while these Arrancar appear. If more than ten of these Vast Lords exist, Soul Society is doomed. We need as many people as we can. After the Arrancar and Aizen have been dealt with, we can then concentrate on Rukia," Hitsugaya reasoned.
"It may take months, several months to sort this entire thing out," Hitsugaya reminded the group and then gave Rukia a comforting smile.
"Any objections?" Hitsugaya asked.
"None, captain," Rangiku chimed in. The rest of the group agreed.
"What the hell is this about?" Ichigo demanded.
"Ichigo, I will explain later," Rukia said softly.
"Squad, move out," Hitsugaya ordered.
Ichigo and Rukia walked down the beach. It was near sunset. "Why the secrecy? What's wrong?" Ichigo asked with a concerned expression.
"Ichigo….there's no easy way to put this," Rukia began.
"Just spit it out," Ichigo insisted.
"I'm pregnant," Rukia said finally and looked away.
Ichigo absorbed the information and felt like he had been hit with a ton of bricks. "You're pregnant?" he questioned.
Rukia nodded. "Rukia! You need to be more careful. You went up against the two Arrancar while you're pregnant!" Ichigo lectured her.
Rukia suddenly felt confused by Ichigo's reaction. "I mean, what happens to the baby when you become a Shinigami?" Ichigo questioned.
"Should you even be fighting and why does Soul Society want to arrest you?" Ichigo continued.
Rukia heard Ichigo's rapid questioning but it didn't sink in. "Ichigo…," she hesitated.
"What?" Ichigo stared at her with his typical look.
"It's yours," she said softly.
Ichigo simply stared at her. His hands began to shudder. "How?" he asked softly.
"When you took my powers, when you became a Shinigami, it created a new spiritual entity inside me," Rukia attempted to explain.
Ichigo sat down on a park bench with Rukia joining him. "Does this happen to Shinigami often, these power transfers…," Ichigo asked.
"No, there has never been a documented instance of a Shinigami ever becoming pregnant. That's why Soul Society wants to arrest me," Rukia told him.
"Why do they want to arrest you?" Ichigo asked confused.
"They believe the baby inside me is a threat. The child inside of me is extremely powerful and is unstable. It could kill me," Rukia explained.
"Is this like last time? Are they going to execute you?" Ichigo asked becoming chocked up.
"No, if I abort the child the charges are dropped," Rukia answered.
"But you won't?" Ichigo asked hopefully.
"I want to keep it. I don't want to abort a life. It's doesn't belong to Soul Society or me. It belongs to us," Rukia told him.
"Rukia, I want you to keep it. We'll find some way to get through this. I will protect you until my last breath," Ichigo vowed.
"I know you will but this is too big of a burden. I should leave, go across the world, and live a quiet life," Rukia told him.
"No, stay with us, stay with friends. There are people here that will help you," Ichigo objected.
"I don't know what will happen," Rukia admitted.
"I don't know either, but we'll get through it together," Ichigo said determinedly.
Ichigo walked Rukia to the front door of his house. His sister Karin answered the door and gave Rukia a strange look.
"Dad, Ichigo brought a girl home," Karin announced.
Rukia blushed red at the remark. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Rukia asked Ichigo.
"This will work out fine," Ichigo assured her.
Isshin Kurosaki came to the door. "Come on in," he greeted them with a smile.
Isshin gave Rukia a cup of tea. "Thank you, Mr. Kurosaki," Rukia said gratefully.
"Call me Isshin," Isshin smiled.
"She needs a place to stay temporarily….her house burned down," Ichigo lied.
"I'm so sorry to hear that," Isshin said sympathetically.
"It was terrible…I barely managed to escape," Rukia became teary-eyed.
"That sounds terrible," Isshin said becoming almost as emotional as her.
"We have to let her stay," Yuzu concluded. Karin rolled her eyes and went upstairs.
"I think there is space enough in Yuzu's room. Is that okay?" Isshin asked his daughter.
"Sure," Yuzu said brightly.
"Thank you so very much," Rukia said graciously.
"Stay as long as you like," Isshin offered.
A new bed was placed in Yuzu's room. "That was a little too easy," Ichigo commented to Rukia.
"Is it so hard to believe I have good acting skills?" Rukia asked.
"It's just because my dad is gullible," Ichigo remarked.
Rukia looked over the bed in Yuzu's room. "It's a definite improvement over the closet," Rukia joked.
Isshin Kurosaki busied himself with a cigarette a few blocks away from his house with his Shinigami robes on. Urahara calmly walked up to him as he continued to smoke.
"Isshin Kurosaki, a nice night to smoke," Urahara commented.
"I only smoke when I am thinking about her," Isshin said referring to his deceased wife.
"Oh, and why now?" Urahara asked curiously.
"I finally saw her today," Isshin said referring to Rukia.
Urahara gave a knowing look. "You have seen her before, haven't you?" Urahara asked.
"Yes, but this was the first time she introduced herself to me as a normal woman," Isshin noted.
Urahara nodded. "What will you do?" he asked.
"A part of me wants to reward Ichigo for getting together with a much older and sophisticated woman. But a part of me also wants to punish him for allowing this to happen," Isshin said taking another smoke.
"You shouldn't be too hard on the boy. Imagine what he must be feeling right now," Urahara noted.
"That's true. When I found out we were pregnant with Ichigo, I dropped everything. My whole world changed," Isshin said.
"I remember," Urahara recalled.
"So, why are you so interested in this?" Isshin asked.
"I also remember the past, and I do not wish to repeat it," Urahara said with a grave look.
Ulquiorra and Yammy appeared before the throne of Aizen in Hueco Mundo. "Go ahead, show us what you saw and felt in the human world," Aizen requested.
"As you wish," Ulquiorra submitted.
Ulquiorra grabbed a hold of his right eye and then popped it out of its socket. He then proceeded to crush it so that it turned into dust.
"Please, look carefully," Ulquiorra requested. Aizen closed his eyes and experienced the images.
"I see. So that's why you decided it wasn't worth killing him," Aizen considered.
"Yes, Sir," Ulquiorra replied loyally.
"That's weak. If I were there, I would have killed them all with a single attack," Grimmjow commented.
"And Yammy, look how you got beat up," Grimmjow ridiculed.
"Hey, Grimmjow, didn't you watch? I got beat up by the woman, not the kid," Yammy said irritably.
"You really don't get it. I would have killed them all with one attack," Grimmjow boasted.
"Enough. Our problem is not the kid's current state, but his potential strength is quite strong. He could destroy himself or become one of our pawns," Ulquiorra pointed out.
"That's what I am saying is weak. What if he becomes too powerful and then becomes a problem for us," Grimmjow argued.
"Then, I will finish him off," Ulquiorra promised.
"Apart from what your brothers may say, I am impressed with your work, Ulquiorra," Aizen stepped in. Grimmjow became silent upon Aizen's praise.
"It is true that the boy's potential is of interest, but I am more interested in the woman," Aizen said.
"Kuchiki Rukia, she is not even a seated officer in Soul Society," Ulquiorra pointed out.
"Nor is the boy. I have seen Rukia's level of skill. She has improved dramatically in a short time. Find out how," Aizen ordered.
"It shall be done," Ulquiorra bowed.
A Few Hours Later
Ichigo grabbed a hold of Deirio's hand and kept it from piercing Chad's body. Ichigo threw off the Arrancar's hand. The Arrancar withdrew creating space between them. Rukia ran onto the scene joining Chad and Ichigo.
"Rukia, what are you doing here?" Ichigo asked concernedly.
"I am still a Shinigami," Rukia reminded him.
"You shouldn't be here," Ichigo argued.
"I have every right to be here," Rukia yelled back.
"It's not all about you," Ichigo shot back.
Chad and the Arrancar simply stared as the two fought. "I don't care what you are fighting about, but I will kill you all," Deirio promised.
"Chad, keep Rukia safe," Ichigo ordered.
Rukia popped a pill in her mouth and became a Shinigami. Ichigo glared at her; the argument was finished. "I guess I will have to finish this quickly then," Ichigo said annoyed.
"You won't be finishing anything at all," Deirei told him.
"Step aside, Ichigo, I will handle this," Rukia said confidently.
"Chad, keep her gigai safe," Ichigo ordered.
"Right…," Chad attempted to control the whacky gigai.
Deiroi attacked with his outstretched fingers again. Rukia blocked the attack with her blade. The Arrancar swiped at her nearly slicing her neck. Rukia sailed into the sky to avoid the attack.
"Rukia!" Ichigo yelled alarmed.
Rukia jumped off a telephone pole and rocketed toward the Arrancar. The two met in the air and collided. The two broke off from their attack and landed back on the ground. Rukia took her sword and whirled it into place.
"Sode no Shirayuki," Rukia called out her sword.
The Arrancar watched as her sword and hilt became a brilliant light. Ichigo and Chad became amazed at the intense power of the sword's glow. Rukia phased next to the Arrancar and made a circular motion with her sword. The ground became a glowing white and suddenly the ground turned to ice. The Arrancar escaped from the ice and jumped into the air. Rukia watched patiently as the air within the circle turned to ice pinning the Arrancar in mid-air. The frozen body of the Arrancar suddenly exploded into thousands of pieces of flesh and ice shards.
Rukia strolled back to Ichigo and Chad who were busy wrestling down Rukia's gigai. "Did you take care of that guy?" Ichigo asked.
"Of course, I wouldn't be back if it weren't the case," Rukia said proudly.
"Your sword?" Ichigo wondered.
"It's one of the most beautiful zanpakutous in Soul Society. A weapon that is bound to the ice and snow family of zanpakutous," Rukia explained.
"I wasn't able to move up the ranks or even received a seated position despite my skill," Rukia commented.
"Why not?" Ichigo asked.
"It was my brother. He didn't want me to face combat. It was for my safety," Rukia said bitterly.
Ichigo realized what Rukia meant and realized he had tried to do the same thing Byakuya had done. "Oh," Ichigo remarked.
Suddenly, a powerful spiritual pressure hit them; an overwhelming power. Ichigo, Chad, and Rukia looked up and saw a figure in the sky. He had a pale complexion, blue eyes, and blue hair. He had a hole in his chest and wore a white uniform like Deiroi.
"I'm Grimmjow," he introduced with a laugh. Grimmjow dropped down and landed on the ground and then calmly walked up to the three.
"Now which one of you is the strongest?" he asked.
The three simply stared as his presence overwhelmed them. Suddenly, Grimmjow sped toward Rukia for a finishing blow. Chad got in front of Rukia at the exact moment and absorbed the attack.
"Not you!" Grimmjow realized as he destroyed Chad's armored arm.
Rukia stared at Chad in shock as he fell at her feet. Grimmjow was about to turn on her when Ichigo sped towards him for an attack. Turning away from Rukia, Grimmjow grinned at Ichigo's attempt. Ichigo and Grimmjow clashed in the air and then disappeared in the sky. Rukia couldn't see Ichigo visibly anymore, but she could feel the shockwaves when they hit. Rukia looked over at Chad; his arm had been shredded like before.
"Don't worry about me. Help Ichigo," Chad said weakly.
Rukia nodded and sped off toward the fight.
Moments later, Ichigo swung his sword blasting Grimmjow with full force. The beam slashed Grimmjow's chest and arms in an explosion of spiritual energy. When the smoke faded, Grimmjow laughed at the attempt.
"Not bad Shinigami. You're worth killing now," Grimmjow said elatedly.
Ichigo gave an exhausted look. His face was bloody and he was starting to lose control of his mind. Grimmjow grinned and took out his sword as if to attack. Rukia suddenly phased onto the scene at Ichigo's side.
"What are you doing here?" he asked angrily.
"Shut up and calm yourself," Rukia scolded.
Grimmjow took out his sword and pointed it at Rukia. "This is our fight, Shinigami. Get out of the way or I will kill you, too," Grimmjow threatened.
Rukia's eyes glowed light blue while a white aura flowed around her. The light became so intense Grimmjow could not longer see Rukia or Ichigo. Rukia calmly raised her hand and aimed for Grimmjow.
"What is this?" Grimmjow cried out in surprise.
"Begone!" Rukia shouted.
A beam of light hit Grimmjow stunning him. The Arrancar put his hands in front of him to block the beam but was thrown high into the air. Grimmjow cursed and screamed as his body was thrown miles away from the city. As soon as it came, Rukia's brilliant aura faded returning her to normal. Ichigo collapsed on the ground, devastated by his wounds. Rukia gave him a pitying look. Ichigo's eyes went back to normal and then he fainted.
The Shinigami and Ryoku gathered on top of a tall building to assess the situation. Orihime was busy healing the wounded. After Chad, she went to heal Ichigo, but he asked her to heal the others first. The Shinigami had won this round but barely. Five Arrancar had been destroyed, but it required that their restrictions be lifted to beat them. The only ones that weren't hurt were Rukia and Yumichika who didn't fight.
"I lost," Ichigo said of the fight.
"Don't be stupid. You're alive, so you won," Rukia scolded.
"I couldn't keep the others safe," Ichigo said of the other wounded.
"You were fighting the most powerful of the Arrancar. Don't be hard on yourself," Rukia told him.
Ichigo sighed and nodded. "I am going to take a walk," Ichigo said and then left.
Grimmjow appeared before Aizen's throne as a bloody mess; Tousen was with him.
"Welcome home, Grimmjow," Aizen greeted with amusement.
"Well, is there anything you have to say for yourself," Tousen asked.
"Not a damn thing," Grimmjow said defiantly.
"Allow me to execute this man!" Tousen requested holding Grimjow's collar.
"You just have a personal grudge against me," Grimmjow accused. "Just those who sow discord," Tousen replied. Grimmjow laughed rudely at him.
"You're good at hoisting up that great cause of yours," Grimmjow mocked.
"Yes, justice without a great cause is simply slaughter. That same slaughter in pursuit of that great cause….is justice," Tousen declared as he sliced off Grimmjow's arm. Tousen immediately used a fire spell to incinerate Grimmjow's arm.
"Fuck!" Grimmjow screamed as he felt the pain of losing his arm. Giving Tousen a vengeful look, Grimmjow reached for his sword against Tousen.
"I'll kill you," he screamed.
"Grimmjow, stop. If you were to attack Tousen here, I would no longer have a reason to pardon you," Aizen reminded him. Grimmjow pulled back from Tousen and stood before Aizen, not out of obedience but fear.
"Tell me about the woman?" Aizen asked.
"What about her?" Grimmjow asked disrespectfully.
"Did she give you those wounds?" Aizen asked.
"The one on my chest is from the kid, the others are from hers," Grimmjow admitted.
"So, the boy is becoming stronger, even within a short amount of time. And the woman, Kuchiki Rukia, doesn't seem to have a limit," Aizen marveled.
"It was a cheap shot, nothing more," Grimmjow said irritably.
"You may go, Grimmjow," Aizen said dismissively. Grimmjow walked off in a huff. Tousen also went on his way. Aizen descended from his throne and found Gin close by.
"Playing with your subordinate? That's not a nice thing to do," Gin teased.
"So, you saw?" Aizen wondered.
"Rukia sure has changed," Gin grinned.
"The last time I felt any kind of pain was a long time ago, but when I reached inside her to grab the Hogyoku, I felt a searing pain in my hand," Aizen revealed.
"Perhaps the Hogyoku has some special power?" Gin considered.
"Not likely. I have experimented with it many times and never felt the slightest pain," Aizen rejected.
"Then, it is her," Gin understood.
"More interesting than the boy's growing potential is her newfound strength. From all the records I have seen, there is no way Rukia could be a match against Grimmjow," Aizen said with a serious expression.
"Is she a threat?" Gin frowned.
"No, there is nothing that can get in our way," Aizen said confidently
The next day, Rukia went into Urahara's Shop seeking answers. "Hello, Rukia," Urahara greeted.
"I have some questions," Rukia requested.
"I will answer what I can," Urahara agreed.
"My spiritual pressure is out of whack. Sometimes it's weak and then it becomes unstable within seconds. I don't know if I can control it," Rukia confessed.
Urahara gave Rukia a sympathetic look. "The child growing inside you is very powerful. I can't even measure it. You are subconsciously drawing power from your child," Urahara explained.
"What can I do?" Rukia asked.
"You can learn to suppress your child's reiatsu or you can learn to channel it," Urahara suggested.
"You mean, use my child's reiatsu to fight?" Rukia asked, not liking that idea.
"As I see it, you both have an interest in your survival. I know a little about this kind of thing," Urahara told her.
"You do?" Rukia wondered.
"It happened a long time ago," Urahara recalled.