The room echoed with the sound of steel on steel and the occasionally steel on flesh. Ichigo rushed around, trying desperately to find Grimmjow while battles raged around him. Ulquiorra, Hichigo, and Nnoitra had already succeeded in destroying half of the Las Noches throne room during their fight, and were currently striving very hard to demolish the remaining structure.

Aizen watched the scene unfold, his mouth curved in a malicious sneer, "Isn't it beautiful, Gin?"

Gin glanced up, "Hm? Oh, yea Aizen-chan…sure."

Aizen frowned, his subordinate looked a little preoccupied, "Gin…?"

Gin looked up, his foxy smile widening, "Yeah?"

Aizen opened his mouth to question his right hand man when his shoulder erupted into pain. Cursing, he whirled around ready to strike dead the imbecile who had ruined his lovely robe. Expecting it to be Ichigo, he was shocked to see furious blue eyes glaring at him and feline teeth barred in a snarl of hatred.

Grimmjow flicked his sword lightly, spraying the white surface with splotches of red, "Yo, fucker…"

Aizen's surprise didn't last long, "Ah, so you haven't broken completely, well, I won't make that mistake again." He drew his sword slowly, almost like he was savoring the feeling, and then attacked viscously, his blade screaming through the air for the Sexta's blood.

"GRIMMJOW!" Came a torn cry from below.

Grimmjow's eyes flickered to the owner of the voice, his expression changing from murderous to slightly wounded, "Ichigo?"

Aizen struck. His blade sung in an arch of pure hatred and re-opened the old scar, gorging deep into the Espada's flesh and tearing his torso open from shoulder to hip.

Grimmjow howled as his old wound re-lit with a scorching fire, making him crumple to his knees, "AGH!"

Aizen smirked and raised his sword, ready to deal the finishing blow.

"NO!" Ichigo screamed, rushing forwards, but it was far too late.

The blade swung with deadly accuracy, a deadly streak of steal ready to take yet another life.

CLANG!

Aizen paused, his composed face morphing into confusion, "What the…?"

His eyes followed the extended sword all the way to its owner's thin hand, "You."

"Me."

Aizen growled, anger blazing in his eyes, "How dare you."

"I dare alright, Aizen-chan."

Blue and chocolate eyes stared in confusion into the smiling face of Gin Ichimaru, and then to his sword, hovering protectively over Grimmjow's exposed neck.

Aizen spat, "You traitor!"

Gin laughed, it was a strange and almost cruel sound, "Me? I'm not tha' one who left, Aizen-chan." His smile turned slightly sinister, "I actually never betrayed no one."

"All this time…" Aizen breathed, his eyes flashing, "everything, a LIE!"

"No!" Gin cried, and the paused, "Wait…" He thought for a second, "Yup. It was all a lie."

Aizen's control snapped. He flew at Gin in a rage that would make any sane person run for their mother. But Gin was far from sane, and he hated his mother.

Blades collided with a flash of sparks, their owner's hatred reflecting on the shimmering sword blades dancing under the light.

Ichigo snapped out of his trance and sprinted up to the throne; he leaped onto the platform and nearly tackled Grimmjow, "GRIMMJOW!"

The startled blue haired Espada backed up a couple steps, his eyes unfocused and unbelieving, "Ichigo…?"

"Yes, yes Grimmjow it's me!" Ichigo cried, stretching his arms out, "Please! I would never leave you or hurt you! Grimmjow!"

Grimmjow stared warily at Ichigo, "They…they told me you where dead." He whispered challengingly, "Stark said it was a lie…but I saw it…"

Ichigo was trembling, "No I'm alive. I'm right here! I never gave up on you!"

Those words seemed to break the spell. Grimmjow's eyes cleared and he leaped forward, crushing the Shinigami into a hug, "Ichigo!"

"Grimmjow!" Ichigo sobbed, clutching Grimmjow jacket desperately.

Grimmjow winced painfully as his wounds seared agony into his mind, "Ngh, owch, careful."

Ichigo made a strangled sound, "I'm sorry, so sorry about everything!" He hugged him again, but this time much more gentle, "I thought you were gone…"

Grimmjow felt his chest twinge and he sank to the floor, pulling the Shinigami with him, "I'd never leave you."

Their personal world was shattered when Hichigo howled, "KING! GET YOUR ROYAL ASS DOWN HERE AND HELP!"

Grimmjow eyed the hollow distastefully and stood, "Let's end this thing."

Ichigo nodded and stood, his eyes tracing over the wounded and bloodied form of Grimmjow, "Yeah…let's end it."

Grimmjow sprung towards Gin and Aizen's battle while Ichigo ran to help Hichigo and Nnoitra.

Ulquiorra was cut along the chest and his shoulder, none of it too serious, while Nnoitra had a rather large gash on his lower back and Hichigo had a numerous collection of small scratches and shallow wounds on his torso.

Ichigo leapt into battle with new strength, "BANKAI!"

Aizen and Gin whirled and slashed at each other savagely, like some sort of violent tango of death. Grimmjow slipped in almost perfectly, matching Aizen's blows and jabs with equally vicious counter attacks.

Gin laughed as he fought, a crazy, maniac kind of laugh that sent shivers down everyone's spine. He shot Shinso repeatedly, opening long gashes and sprayed scarlet wine everywhere.

Aizen snarled and pressed forward, his sword becoming a blur of gray. He formed another black coffin at his palm and was about to shoot it when Gin pierced him through his palm, dissolving the Hado. Aizen swore profusely and jerked away, cradling his wounded hand to his chest, a clean hole was punched right through it.

Grimmjow took the chance to swipe at him, opening a rather ugly wound on God's right shoulder.

Gin giggled and slashed again, their dance becoming violent and serrated.

Ichigo shot a Getsugatensou at Ulquiorra and felt a fleeting bit shame at three against one until Ulquiorra counter attacked and nearly sliced his arm off. Roaring in pain Ichigo slammed his blade down, opening an abyss in the marble floor.

Hichigo crowed with blood lust and threw Tensan Zangetsu at Ulquiorra, spinning it at the same time with the white chain.

Ulquiorra knocked away the boomerang and was about to impale Hichigo when twin half moon blades intercepted him and forced him back on defense.

Grimmjow felt his fury boil when he heard Ichigo's cry of pain, his eyes flared and he stabbed Aizen in the ribs, sneering as the blood seeped through.

Aizen whirled away and lashed out, kicking Grimmjow squarely in his reopened scar, sending him crashing through the throne.

Grimmjow had barley been able to fight as it was, but as he smashed through the throne he felt a rib snap and puncture his lung. His scream of pain was choked off in a gurgle as blood pooled in his mouth.

Ichigo's head turned automatically, "GRIMMJOW!"

CLANG!

"WATCH IT, KING!" Hichigo snapped, shoving Ichigo aside and dueling with Ulquiorra. His snow white hair was streaked with blood and he looked exhausted and exhilarated at the same time.

Nnoitra had transformed somewhere in the middle of the fight, and his multiple arms and blades whirled mercilessly, nicking Ulquiorra several times.

Ichigo risked one more stare at the shattered throne before turning back to the attack. Ulquiorra was gaining on his two partners and as Ichigo watched Ulquiorra thrust his blade cleanly through Nnoitra's stomach and then ripped it out.

Nnoitra gasped as some of his intestates where pulled out, his eye contorting in fury and pain.

Hichigo leaped in front of Nnoitra and protected him as the one eyed Espada shoved his guts back into his midsection and resumed fighting.

Ichigo placed a clawed hand to his forehead and summoned his mask, willing for the extra power to finish the battle.

And that's when everything went wrong.

Hichigo saw out of the corner of his eye what Ichigo was doing, "NO! STOP—!"

But it was too late.

Ichigo's hollow mask was on and ready, new energy and strength flowed into him, he laughed, until he saw what he had caused.

Hichigo's strength failed him immediately, he crumpled to the floor and screeched in outrage as Ulquiorra plunged his sword deep into his side and swiped upwards, creating a horrible jagged gash.

Nnoitra fended off Ulquiorra to give Hichigo time to recover, but he was too injured himself to do much.

Ulquiorra slammed his blade down and deflected the others without too much hindrance.

Hichigo struggled to sit up and his arms gave way, he slumped to the floor with a snarl of fury, "KING! PUT AWAY THE FUCKING MASK!"

Ichigo hurriedly ripped it off, letting it dissolve, but the damage had already been done.

Hichigo coughed violently and blood glistened on his white lips, his golden eyes burned with agony and fury. He staggered to his feet, using his sword to support himself.

Nnoitra backed up to the hollow's side, his torso bleeding everywhere, and some intestine hanging out. He looked awful, his skin the color of parchment and his eye dull with pain.

Ichigo joined them and felt his old tiredness seep into him, he snarled and raised his blade higher.

Gin and Aizen where still fighting recklessly, they both had acuminated a number of injuries, ranging from pathetic to life threatening.

Aizen had several cuts around his torso and arms, but his major artery in his left thigh had been severed and he limped painfully.

Gin looked like he had been attacked by a really mad hamster. His face and body where covered in small and rather annoying scratches, much like paper cuts. However his left shoulder had bared the wrath of one of Aizen's Hados and now had an ugly burn that rendered that arm useless.

Grimmjow had dug himself out of the ruble and was concentrating on not suffocating in his own blood. He barfed a couple times before standing up straight and narrowing his eyes. This was not looking good…He caught sight of Ichigo's battle and all other thoughts raced from his head. Ichigo was hurt. Ichigo need help. NOW. The Sexta Espada leaped off the throne platform and brought his sword down on the bone mask of Ulquiorra. A rather sickening crack was heard around the room as the skull mask split in two, a jagged and twisted scar in the otherwise perfect bone.

Ulquiorra whirled around and shot a Cero at him.

The green light filled his vision as he quickly fired his own Cero at the green light.

Cero met Cero and what was left of the once magnificent throne room was destroyed completely.

Aizen and Gin dove behind the shattered remains of the throne as the Cero leveled the remaining pillars. The King of Hueco Mundo immediately stabbed at Gin's face, opening a rather large cut across his cheekbone.

"Ah, playin' dirty, Aizen-chan?" Gin mused, licking away a trail of blood by his mouth.

"Don't act so innocent." Aizen hissed, brushing ruble from his hair, "Damn it! This'll take weeks to wash out!"

Gin swiped down at him, "Have you tried conditioner?"

Aizen blocked and stabbed at his chest, "No, what does it do?"

Gin knocked the blade away and tossed his own hair, "Sleek and shiny."

Whirling around and going on offense, Aizen pondered, "Hmm, that would be a nice look…"

Ulquiorra lowered his finger and sighed, "You are like a cockroach."

Grimmjow sneered at him, "Well at least I don't look like I'm constipated 24/7."

Nnoitra snickered and hauled Hichigo to his feet, the albino swooned from blood loss and staggered backwards, leaning against a broken pillar.

Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief and then smashed his blade down.

Ulquiorra blocked easily, his owl eyes trained on Grimmjow the entire time, "Trash, do you know how long I've waited to kill you?"

Grimmjow spat out blood and laughed, his white and red teeth glistening horribly in the moonlight, "Not as long as I have!"

Ulquiorra examined the Sexta Espada's battered body, his eyes resting on the well toned chest now covered in blood and heaving slightly. "Ah, but contraire," he spun elegantly and swung down with his sword, "I know how to kill you." He kicked upwards so swiftly that if you blinked you'd miss it, and his foot connected square in Grimmjow's chest, snapping his collar bone and shoving the already broken rib further into the blue haired man's lung.

Grimmjow howled and was thrown backwards again, crashing into a blackened wall and slumping to the floor in a bloodied mess.

"NO!" Ichigo screamed, and while Ulquiorra was turning back around, he plunged his sword into the pale Espada's torso, stopping him short.

Ulquiorra's eyes flew open and a small trickle of blood seeped from his mouth, "…impossible…"

Ichigo growled and yanked the sword out, advancing as the green eyed Espada staggered back.

Ulquiorra's eyes flew open as the giant blade swung down for the kill, his eyes huge and horrified, until the smallest of smirks crossed his face, "Fool…"

A scream of pain echoed across the carnivorous room, as a pale hand was thrust into an orange haired man's chest, leaving a perfect hole.

Ichigo collapsed to the ground with a cry of agony and across the hall his hollow did likewise, "AGH!"

Hichigo fell to the ground as an unimaginable fire raced through his body, blood was streaming everywhere, he heard Nnoitra shout but his vision was fading. His eyes flickered and rested on a large sword beside him. A pale hand with black nails reached for it and seized hold desperately. Summoning what little strength he had left, Hichigo struggled into a sitting position and hurled his sword at Ulquiorra, sending it clean through his stomach.

A gaping hole replaced Ulquiorra's midsection, he looked down in confusion before releasing a small sigh, "To think, I was defeated by such trash…" his watched as his hand slowly disintegrated into shadows, followed by his arm, shoulder, chest, and lastly his mind, closing into a black oblivion of peace.

Nnoitra watched the Quarto Espada vanished before turning his attention to Hichigo, "Hey man, nice shot."

Hichigo laughed weakly, his lips glistening with scarlet, "Listen, help King…"

"King?"

"Ichigo…" Hichigo wheezed, "Dying…"

Nnoitra turned around and glared with his good eye, the battle between Aizen and Gin still raged on, growing more and more violent every second, Grimmjow had hauled himself to his knees and was trying to find Ichigo, while Ichigo was trying to find Grimmjow while bleeding out his life.

Nnoitra snorted and stood, walking briskly over to Grimmjow, keeping a hand clamped over his guts, "Need a hand?"

Grimmjow snarled something incoherent that the tall Espada took for a yes. Leaning down he wrapped one thin arm around the bloody waist and, careful of his own injuries, helped the blue haired man stand. "Where to?"

"Ichigo…!" Grimmjow panted, spitting out blood.

Nnoitra shrugged and half carried half dragged Grimmjow over to the dying Shinigami.

Grimmjow yanked himself away from Nnoitra and fell to his knees next to Ichigo, gathering him up in his arms, "No…no please…Ichigo…"

Ichigo smiled weakly his chocolate eyes shining oddly bright, "Grimm...jow…" he coughed, splattering blood over the two of them, "Your…hurt…"

Grimmjow made a strangled sound in the back of his throat, his pain shoved to the back of his mind, "Shh, don't talk…"

"Hichigo…" Ichigo breathed, "not true…" He shuddered violently, "I don't love him…just friends…"

Hichigo snorted in amusement but it turned into a hacking cough, his body convulsed violently, "Dammit…"

Grimmjow nodded quickly, "I know, I know!" He winced as pain shot through his body, "Ichigo…"

The teen seemed to struggle to form words, "Never…answered…you…"

"Doesn't matter." Grimmjow soothed, "Just rest, don't move, please."

Ichigo shook his head, his eyes dull, "Grimmjow." He coughed and then said in a strong voice, "I love you too."

Grimmjow felt his eyes burn and it took him a moment to realize he was crying, "I love you so much." He moaned, holding Ichigo closer, "Hold on, please Ichigo…"

Ichigo smiled and felt the pain ebb, his mind going blank and his body becoming lax, "Love…you…" and then he died.

"Ichigo! ICHIGO!" Grimmjow cried, "NOOOOOOOOOO!"