Chapter 7: Truths And Bonds

After what Ichigo told them, Toshiro immediately went back to Orihime's and contacted the head captain. He was accompanied by everyone else so they could know the truth as well.

"Captain Hitsugaya." The head captain said as he came into clarity on the screen. "I assume this is a report on the increased spirit energy in your area."

"Head captain," Toshiro started hesitantly. "We encountered four arrancar earlier today and engaged them in battle, but we realized too late that their reasoning for attacking us was a distraction."

The head captain raised an eyebrow at this. "What do you mean? A distraction for what?"

Before Toshiro could even say a word, Kisuke stepped up and spoke. "Ichigo was using her comrades as distractions while she convinced her friends to side with her."

"So it would seem that Kurosaki has convinced them with whatever lie Aizen has fed her it seems." The old captain said.

"Ichigo also told us to ask you about the night you let her mother die." Kisuke said in a serious tone.

"What are you talking about Kisuke Urahara?" The head captain asked.

"All those years ago. Ichigo and her mother, Masaki Kurosaki, were walking along the river and were attacked by Grand Fisher. Masaki died that night. Did you have anything to do with it?"Kisuke demanded much to everyone's surprise that he was losing his composure by the second.

The head captain went wide eyed for an instant and placed his hand under his chin. He was trying to remember that night and remembered something Aizen told him. "Yes. I do recall that night, and I also recall Aizen informing me of that situation."

Everyone in the room looked at him in surprise and shock. "Wait a second head captain." Toshiro started frantically. "Are you saying you knew about that and did nothing?"

The old man nodded in response and spoke. "I saw no reason to save the life of a Quincy at the time. Had I known that young Ichigo Kurosaki would turn out this way, that night would have been different."

"So you let an innocent soul die on your watch and could've done something about it long beforehand?" Kisuke asked with clear frustration visible in his demeanor and tone.

"And I did not regret that decision, and I still don't." He said through the monitor.

Before Kisuke could retort, Rukia spoke up. "Wait a minute. Since Aizen told Ichigo this, and she clearly want revenge on you sir, wouldn't that just mean Aizen is using her emotions to his advantage?" She was unsure of herself at hearing her own words, but she also felt that she could probably convince Ichigo with this. Maybe.

Her words did make sense to the others. So far, Ichigo hasn't tried to kill any of them and has even stated that it was indeed the head captains fault for her mothers death. This could possibly be a way to get her on Aizen's side to make his invasion easier for him.

"That isn't the matter at hand right now." Toshiro started in a frustrated tone. "Head captain, you told us all of the code we live and die by. The code to protect all souls from hollows no matter what. A code you came up with, and broke. Why? Quincy or not, she was still just an innocent woman walking with her child who's now our enemy because of your hold on pass events that don't even matter anymore."

"Enough!" The head captain bellowed out, causing everyone to tense up. "My reasons are my own, captain Hitsugaya. You will refrain from my motives this instant and continue your duties in protecting the world of the living. Is that clear?"

Toshiro simply nodded and held his head down in defeat. He knew this would be an argument he would never win.

"Now that this report is finished, you will all return to your posts in Karakura Town and continue to prepare for the Winter War. Dismissed." The head captain disappeared from the screen as it went off and left the group with uneasy answers and assumptions.

Hueco Mundo

After the initial introductions, Orihime, Uryu and Chad were escorted to their new rooms by Menoly and Loly. Ichigo followed them as well. All three rooms were very similar to each other with just a few tweaks to Orihime's room to accompany any female needs. It didn't take long for the three to make themselves comfortable and accustomed to their rooms. Even Uryu was comfortable being in the world of hollows. They all converged in Orihime's room to catch up with one another until Menoly and Loly came back in.

"Ichigo." Menoly started to get Ichigo's attention. "The espada meeting is about to start in a few minutes."

"And Lord Aizen would like for you and your friends to attend this meeting." Loly finished.

"Thanks girls." Ichigo thanked them and both Menoly and Loly left the room. "Well guys, lets go."

The three nodded and followed Ichigo out of the room. After a few turns here and there and Ichigo explaining that it took her forever to figure out the correct paths, they all made it to the meeting room. When they entered, all of the espada were there other than Grimmjow and Yammy. They were being taken care of along with Luppi and Wonderweiss in a medical section of the palace. They sustained injuries when they provided the distraction for Ichigo, and she felt very upset with herself that her comrades were hurt while she barely did anything to help them.

Ichigo walked over to her spot near the front of the long table and sat in her chair. When she did, her friends walked over and stood next to her. The other espada were already in their seats when Aizen walked in and sat in his chair. When he did, both he and Ichigo held each others hand gently and smiled at the other. Aizen looked up to the three standing next to his strawberry princess and smiled.

"I'm glad you all were able to join us for this meeting." Aizen started, then turned to the espada's. "Now that we know just how strong our opponents are and how prepared they are as well, we will all need to grow stronger until the Winter War begins. We'll have a slight edge now that they're most likely disorganized and trying their hardest to prepare. Especially after what happened earlier." He looked over to the three again and this time focused on Orihime. "Miss Inoue, we will need your ability to reject things the most to prepare. I'm glad you willingly decided to join us."

Orihime looked confused, especially when all eyes were on her.

"So, what exactly does this 'Rejecting' power do anyways?" Nnoitra asked first.

Aizen smirked and began to explain what Orihime could do. Aside from Ichigo, everyone else were in shock at Aizen's words of her power and how it restores practically everything even beyond basic injuries.

"Are there any other questions?" Aizen asked them all. When no one answered him, he smiled. "Then we shall all prepare for the Winter War. Go now and train, all of yo you."

The espada nodded and left the room, but before they all did, Ichigo rushed over to Tia and stopped her.

"What can I do for you Ichigo?" Tia asked her friend.

Ichigo smiled at her and pointed her thumb over to her friends. "I'd like for you to train them if that's okay Tia."

Tia smiled under her mask and knew that this would be very interesting. "I'll make sure to make them stronger Ichigo. You have my word on that."

Orihime, Chad and Uryu walked up to the two and stood there as Ichigo introduced them to their new trainer.

"Guys, this is Tia Halibel. The third espada, and my teacher for a time." Ichigo said to them as she introduced Tia. "She may not give herself too much credit, but she's a really good teacher."

Tia scoffed playfully at Ichigo. "I wouldn't call myself a good teacher, but I can help them get stronger. You have my word on that."

With those words, the three followed Tia out of the meeting room to begin training. Ichigo watched them as the door closed and immediately felt the strong arms of her boyfriend wrap around her frame. He turned her around and kissed her on the lips passionately. They parted after several long seconds and smiled at each other.

"Thanks for letting me get to my friends." Ichigo thanked him.

Aizen responded in kind by kissing her forehead. "Anything to make you happy, my strawberry princess."

Hey Guys. That's The End Of This Chapter. I've Been Swamped With Finals Week And That's Why I Haven't Been Posting As Often As I Usually Do. After This Week I'll Be Free Till Next Year.

The Next Chapter Will Be A Bit Different From My Previous Chapters. It'll Be A Bit Of An R&R Chapter For Everyone In Hueco Mundo. There's Gonna Be A Time Skip To Justify The Chapter. I Just Feel Like Killing Time For No Reason And Seeing If I Can Do A Filler That's Pretty Entertaining To You Guys. The Chapter After That Will Be The Start Of The Winter War.

YAY!

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