This will probably be a short chapter, not sure where I'm going at the moment. So this chapters just gonna be taking it slow (:

Enjoy. All the rights to bleach go to Tite Kubo.

'Ichigo thinking'

-Shiro thinking-

*Zangetsu thinking*

-Luna Nueva thinking-

"Normal talking"

"Shiro"

"Zangetsu"

"Luna Nueva"

New Understanding

There were too shocked to do anything. Hollows may be mindless beasts but what they'd done was beyond that of a beast. It was that of a monster from hell. Hollows never went for the living, yet they had done so. Chie was probably the most distraught, she hadn't even known any of them but it was proof that she had evolved. They both had but at a price. Around the cavern lay seven bodies, or what remained of them. Most of them had been ripped to shreds, far beyond recognition and one was missing. Rukias. Because she was a spiritual being her body had disappeared when Shiro had eaten her, only blood remained of her now.

-Look there's nothing you could have done about it, it took time for your soul to repair itself.- Said Arrancar called from his mindscape.

'What months?' he roared back at the newly formed Arrancar. Ichigo thought it best to ignore them for a while. Right now he needed to come to terms with had had happened. What he had allowed to happen. He looked at Chie who was currently bent over his sisters' bodies, trying to look for any sign of life. She'd said to him that she'd always loved children. That they always seemed to find a way into her heart and bring her joy. She assumed that when she was human she'd either had children or been a nanny of some sort.

After some time the pale skinned Arrancar got up and materialised a barrier. Using the barrier she scooped up the twins and the others then brought them to where Ichigo stood in front of Orihimes body. She said nothing as they were gently placed in a line next to Orihime. They stared at the corpses for what seemed like a long time. Deep regret made its way in to their hearts, a regret that would never leave them and one they would never live down.

"What now?" Chies shaky voice asked.

"We give them a burial, I will bury my sisters." Ichigo said to her, turning away before she could see the tears that formed in his eyes and ran down his face.

They didn't speak as they dug the graves. The only sound that could be heard was the moving of soil with the spades made from spiritual pressure. Soon the graves were deep enough and they started placing the dead in each of their graves, Rukias was left empty. Before filling them in Ichigo and Chie made headstones, each one had different elaborate designs that Ichigo dictated to Chie as she carved them. Not wanting to leave Rukias grave empty Ichigo threw in a Chappy the rabbit soul candy device. They filled Rukias gave in first, the gentle thud of dirt echoed as the reality hit them. When the grave was filled in the headstone was placed at its head and the same action was repeated for all of them. When it was all done Ichigo sat before his sisters' graves and began talking to them. Apologising for not being able to protect them properly which he then passed on to all the graves before him.

~/~

Chie left him alone. She hadn't known these humans like he had and her input would end up being insensitive. Looking down Chie opened her hand that had been closed since burying the girl Orihime. She didn't know why but something inside her had compelled her to remove the girls hair pins. She had to admit there was a strange power about them, even though their wielder had died. Sighing she hoped that he would be finished soon. Not that he shouldn't morn but now was not the time. Someone was bound to show up soon and Chie had no intention of being unprepared for that fight. When it came down to it Ichigo wasn't at fault for the lives lost today, someone else was and she would avenge those she'd killed. It felt like the right thing to do and a voice inside her agreed. When she'd turned into an Arrancar a voice had called to her, the voice of her now sealed hollow powers. The snake-like female voice had said if she ever needed her power all she had to do was call out "Strike, Culebre!" Chie hadn't heard the voice since but had received a sword that was sheathed in a silver case with a guard that had to symmetrical sides. Both were a starburst black to white and knotted together at the blade of the sword. The design appeared to be of Celtic origin but Chie knew little of what it meant.

Bending down to the rock where she'd stowed her blade Chie picked it up. Just as she did so the boy who was supposed to be Shrio called to her.

"Uh, Chie?" he called from where the graves were.

"Yes?" she walked round the rock in a shy manner, not sure if he was going to yell and rant at her for eating his friends.

"I don't think I properly introduced myself, I'm Ichigo Kurosaki." The still now pink skinned Arrancar said. His eyes were red from the crying but Chie understood, they may have few feelings but the pain of loss still cut the deep like it would any other being.

"I see. I am Chie. So where is the Shiro I previously knew?" She asked, staring into brown eyes that were too warm for a hollow. Ones that had been such a cruel yellow only moments ago.

"He's around," He paused. "I suppose you could see him if you want, I need to talk to him and the others anyway."

"It would be nice to say goodbye to him." Ichigo gave her a questioning look, "Well you're in charge now aren't you? So he'd unlikely to be appearing anytime soon."

"I suppose you're right," he shut his eyes momentarily in concentration, "Okay guys out you come."

Gently spirit particles started from the ground and began building upwards three different bodies. One was that of a zanpakuto, and old man clad in black and wearing sun glasses. The other Chie sensed was a resurrection, he was young and had white hair with a body clad in white and black fur at the wrists just like Shiro did. The last figure was one Chie recognised instantly. It was Shiro. He was a reverse double of Ichigo. His hair was long and white and he wore a white shihakusho. The one thing that had changed was the eyes. No longer were they a cruel yellow on black but were now warm rubies that were currently burning with sorrow and remorse. But when she looked at all the spirits, she noticed the same thing. Their master may seem unfazed but they all voiced the pain and loss he felt.

"Chie this is Zangetsu," he indicated to the man in black, "Shiro you already know," Shrio gave her a nervous grin, "and Luna Nueva. But we call him Shingetsu most of the time." Ichigo indicated to the young white-haired man.

"So you have three spirits inside you? Must get noisy."

"It sure does, they just never shut up." Ichigo said faking anger at said spirits.

"Come on kingy, we aren't that bad." Shiro said in defence before addressing Chie, "Yo, Chie."

"Hey Shrioooo." She yelled at him before she pounced, slapping him and then pulling him into a crushing hug.

"What was that for?"Shrio scowled while he patted her awkwardly on the back.

"For bringing us here you idiot. Look what you caused." She screamed at him.

"I know." Was all the albino had to say, his head hung in shame.

"Do not worry. We have been through this with him. He was a beast and also under the influence of someone we need to rid this world of." Wise words made their way from the young boy, his smooth voice ridding the air of its tension. Chie let go of Shiros shoulders then gazed at Ichigo. The orange-haired boy knew what was coming and slowly began to back away.

"Don't run away Ichigo! I only want to give you a hug!" Chie called as she chased him round the training room.

"That's why I'm running!" The terrified Ichigo screamed, "You almost crushed Shrio, no way am I having that done too!"

Ichigos three spirits could only watch in amusement as their master, (one of the strongest Shinigami/Arrancar ever) a man who'd faced down an army of Arrancar and the whole soul society run from a woman. The very idea was ludicrous, but here it was happening right in front of them. And while it did the weight of sorrow was lifted from their shoulders because Ichigo was moving forwards. They knew he wouldn't forget and that he would never heal from the mental wounds. But there was hope that he would overcome it all.

"GOT YOU!" Chie squealed as she appeared in front of the spirits clutching a struggling Ichigo.

"Gahh!" Was all Ichigo could voice before Chie game him a crushing hug for no apparent reason.

"Don't worry Ichigo, I'll look after you. You won't be alone, ever." Chie whispered in his ear before she continued crushing him.

'Thanks guys. Just because she's a girl doesn't mean you can't lend me a hand.'

Unable to contain their laughter anymore the three spirits bust into hysterics, only upsetting their master more. Today the newly reformed Shiro and Chie had gained an understanding of morality. Their minds were now clear from the overbearing hungry that had possessed them as Vasto Lordes and they wanted to know how it had gotten so out of control. Vasto Lordes regardless of them being hollow had a certain degree of principles that separated them from the others. But that seemed to have left them the moment they had met. Perhaps someone had planted a suggestion long before that or someone had planted it when they met. It didn't matter when only who and Ichigo had an idea of who it may have been, even if he had been asleep.

Well there we go, a slowish chapter. I didn't go into much with the mourning as my mind fails at those things :L

Hope you guys enjoyed it, here are some notes:

Culebre - a Spanish version of a dragon

Culebre is Hebi in Japanese which just means snake.

If you're interested, the design I was on about for Chies guard was Brigids flame pendant or something, one of the things it means I that Brigids fire is the spark of life… humm maybe her sword could be referred to as that…

Thanks for reading

Next time: Unexpected Interruptions