Hello everyone, we are here with another chapter. A huge thank you to everyone who reviewed/commented on the last chapter, in this one we are finally entering Hueco Mundo. I'm not sure how long this part is going to be or whether I'll include the Quincy arc in this part, let me know what y'all think. Anyways, read on and enjoy!

X

Ichigo sipped slowly at the tea Tessai had placed in front of him a few minutes ago, it was warm, and it aided in banishing the lingering chill of the night. Ichigo still felt exhausted, the kind of bone-deep exhaustion of a sleepless night filled only with the sound of his own head trying to self-destruct. But there wasn't time to rest now, and Ichigo was in some ways thankful that they weren't being forced to wait.

The door to the sitting room slid open and Kisuke stepped inside with a faint frown, scrubbing one hand over his jaw he observed Ichigo with narrowed eyes and asked, "You ready?"

Ichigo shook his head, as happy as he was that they weren't being forced to wait another part of him wanted more time to train, to adjust to the new revelation regarding his soul. Also, there was no point in saying he was ready when Ichigo knew he could barely stand against an Espada. The mission would serve as a bit of a trial run Ichigo supposed.

Benihime behind Kisuke shook her head, the long loops of her hair swayed with the motion as she stated, "A leader never shows weakness."

Ichigo rolled his eyes and didn't dignify the statement with a response even though Kisuke was by now well acquainted with Ichigo speaking to thin air. Kisuke sighed and shook his head as he replied, "I don't like this, sending a group of teenagers into enemy territory," when he saw Ichigo's offended expression he added, "Even if you're well trained, you are still as a matter of fact teenagers."

"Orihime's my friend."

Ichigo stated simply but it was encompassing enough to encapsulate why Ichigo was fighting in the first place. Kisuke nodded and settled his hand on Ichigo's shoulder as he said, "I know. Come on your friends have arrived."

He followed Kisuke out of the small room and down the long hallway until they reached the familiar trap door that lead to the underground training area. Ichigo paused staring down at the sea of dusty yellow earth below and turned to Kisuke.

"Protect my sisters."

"With my life."

Kisuke promised staring into Ichigo's eyes, no fan, no shady bucket hat. Ichigo nodded and clambered down the ladder into the large training area, even after sparing there a million times it still took his breath away. He glanced around the barren space until he spotted Chad's broad figure and the smaller and thin figures of Uryu and Tatsuki beside him.

Sucking in a breath Ichigo walked forward until he was standing beside Chad.

"So, we're really doing this huh?"

Tatsuki stated, she still looked pale but she was standing on her feet with her combat gloves and boots and a determined expression that masked any weakness. Ichigo nodded and replied, "Feels different to invading Soul Society."

None of them mentioned that it was the lack of Orihime that made the most difference. Uryu hummed and adjusted the white part of his stupid Quincy outfit and commented, "I suppose so, less invading a hostile government and more open warfare."

If it was a joke it didn't land, but Uryu didn't joke. Ichigo nodded and watched as Kisuke approached with Shinji at his side, the blond was scowling at Kisuke and beside him was Ashido dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a shirt. Ichigo watched the three of them approach with something heavy wrapped around his chest.

"Still going to provide parental supervision?"

Ichigo asked Shinji as the three adults settled in front of them and Kisuke scurried off to adjust one of the machines plopped onto the ground around them in a rough circle. Shinji rolled his eyes and nodded as he replied, "Someone has to keep you brats from harming yourselves. Sides' you'll need a Garganta and I happen to be the best."

"Mashiro's better."

Ichigo countered and Shinji considered it for a moment with a scrunched-up face before he conceded defeat because Mashiro was the best at any of the Hollow techniques; they all choose not to contemplate why that was.

"The others will be launching a distraction sometimes today hopefully."

Shinji added with a shrug right as Renji and Rukia descended the ladder. Ichigo nodded and prayed that whatever the distraction was it would be enough for them to get Orihime out safely. Rukia and Renji came to a stop in front of the group and Rukia waved at Ichigo before in her 'soldier' voice as Ichigo thought of it she stated, "Currently the distraction force in Soul Society is mobilised and waiting orders to move out. Captain Hitsugaya sends his regards and wishes us luck."

"Then it looks like the gangs all here."

Shinji stated observing them all with narrowed eyes before his gaze flickered to Ashido who shook his head. Ichigo's heart sunk a little bit even though it was completely stupid to want Ashido to come when Hueco Mundo had been his literal prison for years, he was happy in Karakura and he deserved that.

"Yes, I suppose we are all here."

Kisuke stated popping up from one of the machines with a stack of paper, he handed a crudely drawn map to each of them and nodded at Ashido who stated, "Its easy to get lost in Hueco Mundo, there's no stars and hardly any landmarks, but the moon is a decent indication of direction, and if you see Los Noches you can generally asses your position. It gets cold there and the only food to eat is Hollow which isn't pleasant."

"So, you all get insulated uniforms and packs in case of emergencies. Remember that some of you are still alive."

Kisuke jumped in handing out backpacks that were a dull grey, almost white in colour. Ichigo opened the bag and peered inside at the contents before he tugged out the cloak which sat on top, it was also a grey colour, similar to the sand of Hueco Mundo and Ichigo grinned in realisation. Kisuke nodded with a wink and stepped back as he stated, "If you don't return in a week we'll send in another force, but you all have cellphones with service in Hueco Mundo, don't ask how, contact us as soon as something changes. Good luck."

They all nodded and shuffled the cloaks over the shoulders along with the packs which were light enough that Ichigo wasn't worried about them weighing him down. Shinji grimaced and stepped forward his reaitsu grew heavy on the air bitter and tangy with the scent of blood as he pulled his Vizard mask over his features.

"Be careful Ichigo. Come back home."

Ashido said quietly at his shoulder. Ichigo turned to face the man who had become something like an older brother to him and nodded placing a hand on his shoulder. Ashido nodded with a grim expression and stepped back.

The Garganta ripped through the air with a crack and Shinji bowed them forward with a hand, the eyes of his mask dark. Ichigo stepped forward and knew the others followed as he stepped through the Garganta. Travelling through a Garganta was weird, there was no tangible space around them just the short burst of light at the other end.

Ichigo stepped out onto the sands of Hueco Mundo.

The others followed and Ichigo glanced at the wasteland before him his stomach twisting as his mind drew forth the images of the past, the burn of his legs and the parched throat, the dust in his eyes, and the fear pounding through his veins. The Garganta snapped shut behind them and Chad rested a warm heavy hand on Ichigo's shoulder grounding him to the moment. He wasn't that kid anymore. He was in the present.

"It's so empty."

Rukia stated quietly with wide eyes. Ichigo grimaced and glanced at Shinji who had a sympathetic expression as he replied, "Stupidly symbolic dontcha ya think?"

No one responded, but Ichigo snorted and rolled his eyes as he glanced up at the moon above.

"What do we do now?"

Tatsuki asked staring at the endless sprawl of sand. Ichigo glanced down at the group and replied, "Now we go to Los Noches and find Orihime."

"And where is that exactly?"

Uryu questioned staring at the sand with dubious eyes. Ichigo started walking over the sand and called over his shoulder, "This way, I don't know how far Shinji planted us so this may take a bit."

"Far enough away that we wouldn't trip any proximity detectors."

Shinji replied as the sound of the others dragging their feet over the shifting sound followed. Ichigo nodded, he knew roughly the average distance of accurate detectors even with reaitsu and it wouldn't be the worst walk; a scenic tour of Hueco Mundo he thought half-amused.

And so, they walked. Ichigo almost found it anti-climatic as they traversed the mountainous hills of sand that made up the terrain, the occasional scraggly bush which Ichigo advised Tatsuki not to pull on least the ground give out beneath their feet (which lead to him awkwardly recounting how he found out about the Menos forest and met Ashido).

A scream pierced the air. Ichigo tensed and the others mimicked the motion eyes searching the horizon for anything. Ichigo materialized Zangetsu and spread his reaitsu out searching for what was possibly a Hollow. At first there was nothing, just the stretch of the sand, then something small and blue began to hurtle towards them. They all tensed, weapons drawn and Ichigo squinted trying to discern what was hurtling towards them with far too much speed to be a low-level Hollow.

Whatever it was it crashed suddenly into Ichigo knocking him off the hill he was standing on and into a crater of sand below. Ichigo groaned and peered at the thing… which was a small child? Ichigo stared at the child, the child stared back, they had blue hair, a Hollow mask on top of their head, and a green rag shaped like a potato sack covering her body; her reaitsu was definitely Hollow what little he could sense of it.

"Huh? What's a child doing in Hueco Mundo?"

Ichigo asked eyes narrowing as he studied the cut in her mask closer, that probably wasn't healthy. Ichigo wasn't an expert on Hollow anatomy though, most of what he knew came from interactions with the Vizard or when Kisuke was feeling particularly like a mad scientist. Ichigo doubted he could heal it if he tried but Orihime's powers would probably be perfect.

The child gawked at him with wide eyes and stuttered, "Nel wants to know what a human is doing here!"

He assumed the child's name was Nel. Ichigo considered how to answer and settled with, "I'm here to save a friend, she was kidnapped by the man who runs Los Noches."

A flash of emotion passed over Nel's face, it was too fast for Ichigo to place before she glanced up the hill where the others were all watching, either with amused expressions or cautiously weary. Nel sniffed and asked, "Are you with the Shinigami?"

Or at least that was what Ichigo presumed she asked, her Japanese was kind of terrible. Ichigo hesitantly shook his head and asked, "Why?"

"Cause they're mean!"

"Not all of them."

He replied and the kid's brow furrowed like she couldn't contemplate the duality of Shinigami.

"Ichigo you dying?"

Tatsuki called out and Ichigo flipped her the middle finger but began to struggle to his feet. Nel glanced between them and then decided that latching her arms around his leg was the best idea in the world. Ichigo glanced down flabbergasted at his leg and tried to shake her off, if possible, she clung even harder and stated, "No I'm with Ichigo now!"

Ichigo looked helplessly up at his friends who were all laughing. Great. So much help, thanks for coming out. Sighing Ichigo swung Nel into his arms and clambered up the hill towards them fixing them all with a menacing glare. Nel stared up at Ichigo with wide eyes the whole time and it reminded him of carrying Yuzu or Karin when they had been young.

When Ichigo got to the top of the hill there were two oddly shaped Hollows, who burst into tears at the sight of Nel and flung their weapons away. Ichigo was confused. He gently set Nel down and she ran forward and collided with the two Hollows in a burst of sand. Ichigo glanced at Rukia who explained, "They're her companions apparently they were playing tag."

She shrugged and Ichigo tried, he really did, to wipe the confused expression off his face as he asked, "So we can go now?"

"And leave her here?"

Renji asked because he had a soft spot for kids apparently. Ichigo glanced at Nel who had appeared victorious from the pile and stated, "Where we're going's not any safer for a kid."

Renji grimaced in agreement, because that was the literal equivalent of dragging a kid into a war and he couldn't with a conscious do that, not like what had been done to him. It didn't matter that she was a Hollow, she had the mindset of a kid, they could find her after when it was safe. Ichigo with a roll of his shoulders stated, "Nel we have to go now."

She turned to stare at him with big hazel eyes which started to well up with tears and suddenly launched herself at him. This time Ichigo was marginally prepared and caught her but the bone of her mask was not at all soft where it lodged itself in his stomach.

"No, Ichigo can't go!"

Nel cried out tears flooding her face as she grasped onto Ichigo's shihakusho with an iron grip, he glanced helplessly at his friends, who were all useless. Why were none of them taking this seriously?

"Guess she's coming with us."

Rukia said with shit-eating grin as Ichigo dealt with the sobbing kid and awkwardly petted her hair, he glared at everyone just for good measure. Seriously? Chad was even smiling and that ignored Shinji who looked positively delighted. Nel stopped crying and stared up at him and asked, "Nel can go with Ichigo?"

"It's dangerous."

Ichigo cautioned, she shook her head and replied, "Nel ain't scared of anything."

He shook his head and glanced at his friends but they all seemed okay with it so he shrugged, bit down on his protests for the moment, and started walking. The two Hollows, who had really weird names, started talking excitedly to Nel and Ichigo wondered when he had signed up for babysitting.

As they crested the next hill, Los Noches rose in the distance. The sterile white cylinders and walls were achingly familiar and Ichigo forced himself to exhale as he tucked his cloak tighter around his body, the feel of kido faint against his senses.

"So, the plan is just breaking and entering right?"

Renji asked with a bit of a scoff. Ichigo nodded and replied, "Aizen will likely know as soon as we enter. We need to be as fast as possible, locate Orihime and get out. The distraction team should provide a distraction soon."

They crept closer to the building and Ichigo ignored the chill of his skin and the way his hair stood on end as Tatsuki asked, "Anyone see a door?"

"There."

Uryu pointed out in the distance along a long stretch of wall. Ichigo turned to face the group and stated, "If we get divided meet back here remember to use your phones to keep in contact."

The others nodded and even Nel managed to pull a serious expression though she literally had no clue what was going on. Shaking his head Ichigo pressed on the door and it swung open with a gust of dry climate-controlled air and opened onto a long hallway.

Materializing Zangetsu Ichigo glanced down the long hallway as the others filtered in behind him.

"Can you sense her?"

Ichigo asked Uryu as Renji carefully shut the door. Uryu closed his eyes, he was admittedly way better at it than Ichigo. He opened his eyes and with a nod stated, "She's here."

"Well if it isn't some Shinigami."

A voice called out in front of them, and Ichigo turned to face a group of Hollows with a frown as Nel began to yell. With a nod they split up one group going down the hall consisting of Chad, Uryu, and Renji, the other Rukia, Tatsuki, and Shinji. Ichigo stepped forward to deal with the Hollows, he would follow after one of the groups when he was done.

X

Starrk was bored. Bored and tired which was never a pleasant combination when he wasn't allowed to sleep. If he was certain Aizen wouldn't catch him at it he would already be passed out on the table, but apparently it was an 'important' meeting. It wasn't fair, Lilynette didn't have to attend these meetings, she got to sleep, even if she complained about it.

With a yawn, Starrk observed the faces at the table. One was missing he noticed and tried to remember through the half-exhausted fog what had happened to the loud one. Something about loosing an arm if Starrk recalled correctly. Which didn't explain why they were here.

Starrk glanced at the head of the table where the boss sat. By principle Starrk wasn't a huge fan of Shinigami simply because of nature but he had a certain disregard for Aizen who was blatantly using them to fulfil his own goals. But he had stayed true to his promise there were many powerful Hollows here so it was fractionally less lonely.

The door to the meeting room slammed open and a Fracción burst in dripping blood and looking a moment away from passing out. The others regarded the Hollow with narrowed, and somewhat famished eyes, Starrk placed his head on his hand and sighed.

"Sir there are intruders in the buildings."

"Yes, I'm aware. Dismissed."

Aizen replied with a wave of his hand. Starrk tilted his head, was that what this meeting was about?

Their leader rose to his feet, eyes sweeping over the gathered Espada before he stated, "Avoid the intruders unless they enter your domain, that's an order."

Starrk was curious. He tilted his head and searched for the intruders, maybe Shinigami he supposed? Or those humans Aizen had warned about?

Oh.

A wolfish grin spread across Starrk's lips as he recognized one reaitsu presence, blazing as bright as the moon above. So, the kid had returned at last. Starrk supposed he could wait a bit longer.

X

Ichigo hated Los Noches with a burning passion, hate probably wasn't even strong enough to describe accurately how much he despised the fortress. It was impossible to know where you were going after five minutes amidst the endlessly white hallways, and the pale walls had quickly begun to burn themselves onto his eyes, that wasn't to ignore the absolutely unsettling feeling of being watched constantly.

It didn't help that he was alone, more or less.

He had defeated the Fracción that had stayed to fight easily enough, power was hardly a determining factor when his opponents had lacked basic comprehension and more than a few braincells. However, by the time he had finished the short battle the others had already descended into the maze that Aizen had laid and amidst the powerful sources of reaitsu trying to find any of his friends would be similar to trying to find a particular grain of rice in a bag of said rice.

He was hoping to stumble on Orihime with his luck, or at least find someone who could tell him where she was.

He wasn't wholly alone though. The limpet clinging to his arm as he landed at another dead end was testament to that, though for the most part Nel was silent as if sensing the rather grim situation they were in. When Ichigo prompted though, she was happy to babble about the games she played or daily adventures in Hueco Mundo like any other excitable kid (that seemed to be most of what she knew).

Ichigo stared at the dead end with a heavy frown and crossed his arms over his chest. This wasn't working.

"Ichigo."

Zangetsu's voice rustled through his mind, the turning of the leaves in fall and Ichigo grinned at the unsaid suggestion which had worked in the past. Glancing down at Nel, Ichigo whispered to her, "I think I know how to find Orihime."

"That's your friend, right? Is she pretty?"

Nel asked with big eyes and a leering expression that she had probably learned from her weird Hollow guardians. Ichigo went bright red and hastily replied, "No! Well I mean she's very pretty. But it's not like that, not at all."

The kid stared at him dubiously with squinted eyes for a long moment before she got distracted by Ichigo turning away from the wall. Zangetsu materialized in a drift of wispy smoke and nodded once to Ichigo before he vanished from the hallway.

A few moments later the spirit reappeared and with a nod directed Ichigo forward. Relief curled warm in his chest, brushing aside temporarily the lingering dregs of fear, and memories of the same white hallways indomitably hostile.

Zangetsu led Ichigo through the twisting hallways in silence and Ichigo itched to speak to his spirit but he was all too aware of the tiny audience and the multitude of cameras no doubt embedded in every wall; just walking through the building made his skin itch.

Suddenly Ichigo's phone vibrated. With a raised brow he paused and tugged out his phone and flicked it open, there was a tiny bubble beside the message app and when Ichigo opened it he saw it was from Uryu and stated, "In a science lab, possible confrontation."

Another message appeared from Tatsuki which simply read, "May have encountered Espada, will update if able."

Worry wrapped itself like an iron band around Ichigo's chest and he leaned against the wall for a moment lips pressed into a frown knowing that his friends could be fighting Espada any minute. It didn't matter that there were more of them they had almost died when the Espada had attacked Karakura. Still, he had to believe his friends would be okay, had to believe in them, he wouldn't be able to focus otherwise.

In any case, Ichigo knew that everything was likely to be interrupted soon.

"Are you okay Ichigo?"

Nel asked in her horribly butchered Japanese, and Ichigo glanced down at the kid for a long moment wondering why he had brought her inside the walls of Los Noches, Kami if she died, he wouldn't be able to live with himself. Instead, Ichigo nodded and tucked the kid into his arms and glanced to Zangetsu who was frowning eyes soft where they stared at Ichigo.

He followed his spirit for a moment longer before they stumbled into a wide-open hallway with the walls draped in shadows. In the centre of the room, he could see Orihime, her strawberry blond hair seemingly the only spot of colour along with her pink skirt and soft green sweater. In front of her was the Espada Ulquiorra and Ichigo could see his hand extended towards her.

The moment seemed to crystalize distilled to Orihime and Ulquiorra, then it snapped as Orihime's eyes caught his, afraid so afraid but relieved. Ichigo materialized Zangetsu, both the blade and the spirit, and nodded towards Nel, the kid gawked at his spirit but Ichigo hardly noticed as he shot forward in a burst of shunpo and appeared between Ulquiorra and Orihime.

The Espada startled, teal eyes wide where they stared at Ichigo a strange mirror of that day all those years ago. Orihime was a warm presence behind him, the warmth of a spring sun nourishing the blossoming flowers. Ichigo's lips settled into a frown as he said, "I'm taking Orihime and leaving, if you try to stop me, I will fight you."

Ulquiorra stared at Ichigo with narrowed eyes fingers drifting towards the hilt of his sword for a long moment before his fingers paused and he stared past Ichigo's shoulder at Orihime. The silence stretched thick and heavy with tension as Ichigo waited, Zangetsu materialized in his hand and the sound of his breathing filling up his head.

Before either of them could make a move the door behind Ulquiorra slammed open and the blue-haired Espada, Grimmjow, stalked in. His eyes scanned the room in a predatory nature before they sighted Ichigo and a feral grin stretched across the Hollow's lips. Ichigo grimaced cursing his fate, luck, and whatever omnipotent forces hated him because while he had found Orihime, he had also found two Espada at once; or rather they had found him.

Ulquiorra glanced at Grimmjow with an apathetic expression and Ichigo half expected Grimmjow to challenge the other Hollow but instead Ulquiorra glanced once with an unreadable expression at Orihime and Ichigo before he turned and with a burst of Sonido vanished. Grimmjow grinned and stalked forward his unsheathed blade seemed to sing with bloodlust as he taunted, "Ready for a rematch?"

"Orihime go to Nel please."

"I can help you fight Ichigo."

Orihime protested, and he knew she could, her hair pins also had destructive power that was terrifyingly awesome. Ichigo kept one eye on Grimmjow as he pivoted slightly and responded, "I know, but I need someone to look after Nel, she's only a kid."

She stared back at him with pinched lips before she nodded and walked to the corner where Nel was talking animatedly to Zangetsu, who caught Ichigo's eye and dematerialized. Ichigo glanced at Grimmjow and with a cocky grin he wasn't quite feeling he replied, "Prepared to lose this time?"

All he had to do was fight this Espada and then hopefully they could escape or by then their distraction would have arrived. As an afterthought Ichigo unearthed his phone and tossed it to Orihime with a nod, she fumbled but caught it one arm curled gently around Nel.

Grimmjow growled, the sound coming from deep in his chest as he stated, "I'll prove to Aizen that he shouldn't have demoted me. I'll claw my way back to the top."

"I'm leaving here alive."

Ichigo replied the words felt off-script but it seemed enough as the air seemed to finally burst with tension and Grimmjow launched himself forward reaitsu arcing behind him in flares of blue. Zangetsu snapped up and caught the heavy brunt of Grimmjow's blade as he dug his feet into the tiled floor.

With a snap, Ichigo reversed Zangetsu and lashed out towards Grimmjow who slid back before launching forward, the motion low and almost a blur. Ichigo ducked to the side and brought his blade down but the Espada shifted at the last moment and his blade arched towards Ichigo's chest. Zangetsu caught the blade with a screech of metal and a shower of sparks.

Grimmjow growled and pushed Ichigo back before quickly following up by kicking at him. Ichigo attempted to dodge back but was too slow and he cursed as he crashed into the floor in a shower of debris. Ichigo struggled to his feet with a frown as the Hollow stalked towards him. He couldn't afford to hold back, or to waste time.

"Tear the Heavens Asunder Zangetsu!"

Ichigo cried out as Zangetsu split into the dual bladed form of his Shikai, Ichigo wasn't sure if it was just a trick of the light, but the metal of the larger blade seemed darker, like it was swallowing the shadows around them. Ichigo didn't have the time for observations though as Grimmjow slammed his blade into Zangetsu.

He dug his feet in and brought his blade back, the two tangled for a moment, Zangetsu sung in his hands, the blood roared through his veins and bled onto his skin as the Espada's blade sliced through his thigh and Ichigo in kind drove the pommel of Zangetsu into the Espada's gut followed by a cut to his arm that barely pierced his Hierro.

Their blades strained against each other and Ichigo could see Orihime in the distance as he gathered his reaitsu and called out, "Getsuga Tensho."

The black reaitsu burst from his blade and slammed into the Espada. Grimmjow grinned but the expression shifted to shock as the attack engulfed him and forced him back, slamming through the wall and into the desert.

Ichigo waited alert for the Espada to rise knowing it wouldn't be enough, he gasped for breath and reached for Zangetsu.

"Two can play at that game kid."

The Hollow's voice cut through the air and the silhouette of the Espada solidified as Grimmjow grinned and thrust his hand out, blood dripping bright and hot against the cool interior as reaitsu began to gather swirling in a deep blue.

"Gran Rey Cero."

Grimmjow called out and it was only Ichigo's instincts that forced him to vanish in a burst of reaitsu as the Cero, one he had never seen that powerful before, tore through the building frying the air. Ichigo cursed and shot forward at the Espada who was laughing, the sound echoing short and choppy.

Their blades crashed and Ichigo drew his trench knife back and sliced at the Espada but it only bounced off the Espada's Hierro. Grimmjow stared at him with the wild eyes of a predator going for the kill as he thrust his hand in Ichigo's face and released another cero.

Ichigo cried out as the attack engulfed him and forced him into the desert. Panting Ichigo dug his blade into the sand and pulled on his blut vein, he was a natural at it (at least according to Sōken) but using the technique was draining. At last the cero faded and Ichigo rose to his feet casting a minor extended healing kido (he and Tessai had worked on it for days) and waited.

Grimmjow appeared in a burst of Sonido and their blades cracked against each other as they traded blows. Ichigo gasped for breath knowing that already the battled was drawing on for too long, they were going to attract attention.

Gathering his reaitsu, Ichigo inhaled and pushed away from the Espada, he tugged at all aspects of his power and called out, "Getsuga Tensho!"

The attack, a mix of blue and black reaitsu, swallowed Grimmjow and Ichigo waited cautiously breath heavy as his fingers grasped at Zangetsu's hilts. The reaitsu died down and Ichigo could see the Hollow, there was a deep gash in his chest, blood was already spilling crimson and staining the sand.

"Is that all you've got. I ain't going to surrender; I will tear through everything to be King. Grind Pantera!"

The Espada ground out and his reaitsu soared as he brought his blade down in an arc. A torrent of reaitsu surrounded Grimmjow and Ichigo took a hasty step back at the sheer weight of the reaitsu as it slammed onto his shoulders. Fuck. This was not good.

And that was an understatement.

The reaitsu cleared with a gust of wind and Ichigo stared at the Espada, his body was covered in a thick white armour, his hair was longer, and there was something wild about the Espada. Grimmjow grinned and snapped forward impossibly fast, Ichigo couldn't see him.

Zangetsu snapped up but Ichigo was powerless as he was flung backwards onto the sand and the Espada surged after him. Ichigo frantically released a Getsuga Tensho, sand blasted into the air as Ichigo waited panting for breath. He would have to use it. He couldn't fight Grimmjow as he was now.

The sand cleared and Grimmjow charged forward Ichigo straightened his shoulders and shot forward to meet him, their blades cracked again and again as Ichigo struggled to match Grimmjow's speed and strength. Reaitsu gathered and Grimmjow's claws glowed as he called out, "Desgarron."

Sharp blades of reaitsu sliced through the air and Ichigo skidded backwards unable to avoid the claws that cut into his side. He cursed and pressed his hand to the wound casting a low-level Shakkahō to at least seal the wound and prevent blood loss, he gritted his teeth through the pain and muffled a scream.

"Zangetsu?"

Ichigo questioned as he raised the dual blades and the Espada hurtled towards him.

"Do it."

His spirit replied and Ichigo nodded as their blades clashed again and again Ichigo darted away and with a rough inhale tugged on that part of his reaitsu he had always been hesitant to touch, it was dark and wild; it had scared him for the longest time.

With a sharp movement Ichigo tugged the mask over his features.

He was still him.

But Ichigo could feel the desire to give into pure instinct, to fall away. He could feel the power humming beneath his skin. Hefting Zangetsu's blade Ichigo shot forward, the sand blurring beneath his feet as his blades slammed into Grimmjow's. He reversed his trench knife and this time when he stabbed the Espada it pierced his Hierro.

"Finally, a challenge."

The Espada growled as he wiped blood from his lips and his healing factor attempted to seal the wound. Ichigo frowned and grasped Zangetsu's hilts, his breathing was heavy in his ears as he stared at Grimmjow, he could already feel the drain on his reaitsu he had maybe five more minutes before he wouldn't be able to hold the mask.

A final charge then.

Grimmjow seemed to realise Ichigo's intent as his reaitsu roared around him, Ichigo responded in kind and they both charged forward at the same moment. Ichigo felt the moment blur and slow as his blade sliced across the Espada's chest and his blut protected against him losing a hand.

Blood spurted into the air as Ichigo stopped and turned, blood leaking from his arm, the blade had cut to the bone but had been stopped there. Grimmjow was still standing and Ichigo's heart seized in his chest as the sound of the Espada's laughter filled the air.

Then Grimmjow collapsed to his knees and finally onto his black, the sand seemed to be stained black around them.

Ichigo took a cautious step forward as he clasped his hand over his wrist and began a healing kido, his reaitsu was depleted but he would hopefully have enough to survive whatever came next. His fingers trailed blood as he stopped beside the Espada whose eyes were open as he gasped for breath. Ichigo kneeled beside him and ignored the glare as with his other hand he started a basic healing kido.

"The fuck are you doing?"

"Prefer not to kill you if that's agreeable to you?"

Ichigo retorted exhausted and moody as the sound of footsteps sounded across the desert. Grimmjow huffed but only sulked as Ichigo continued to heal him and glanced over his shoulder. It was Orihime, holding Nel in her arms as she ran towards him.

"Ichigo are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Ichigo reassured her as Orihime set Nel down; she immediately started crying and saying that Ichigo was going to die. Ichigo awkwardly reassured Nel even as Orihime frowned and with a roll of her eyes stated, "I know you're lying."

He smiled sheepishly and with a wave of her hands her hair pins began to glow and the healing barrier she had been working on surrounded them (it combined healing and protection). Ichigo released the kido with a breath and sat back on his heels.

"You really came all this way just to rescue her?"

Grimmjow asked and Ichigo glanced slowly at the Espada on the ground as he replied, "Yeah of course. She's my friend."

The Espada huffed again which was very insightful and Ichigo directed his gaze to Los Noches, which now had a large hole; nice. Nel tucked her tiny body against him and Ichigo glanced down and watched the crack in her mask begin to heal. It was nice to have a moment of peace.

"Did you text the others."

"Yep. They seem okay though they're both fighting Espada."

Orihime replied with a bright grin and Ichigo nodded as he registered something approaching. Suddenly, a figure appeared from Los Noches, their reaitsu was huge and Ichigo frowned as he grasped Zangetsu's blade and rose shakily to his feet.

The Espada, for it was an Espada, approached and a few things happened at the same time, Grimmjow growled, "Fucking Nnoitra."

Nel began to glow.

An explosion broke out through Los Noches.

And a Garganta opened onto the blood-stained sand.

X

Thank you all for reading! I hope you enjoyed Ichigo and Grimmjow's battle it was pretty fun to write. Just to let y'all know after this part I'm not going to be covering the Quincy Arc, this part has been dragging on for me and I doubt the Quincy arc would be any better. However, there might be a few one shots in this verse if I get inspired, currently I definitely have one planned. Anyways, reviews/comments are always appreciated, till next time!