AN: Wait - wha- what is this? WTF IS THIS? YES - an another update. You wanna know how much time I spent on this one? Yep... yeeeep, oh yeah - 2 hours. TWO HOURS. I am starting to get creeped out by myself, ya know? It's really scary... and I dunno how this is possible - I mean me updating so fast and so much. If you're wondering - each chapter is 3.300 words or more(approximately) and originally I expected this to go a lot slower. But hey - a chapter each day is awesome.

On a side note - I'm going on a small trip tomorrow and I'll be back in 2 days, so no updates till Monday. Sucks, I know.

Aaaaaaaaaand - omg, a possible pairing! Finally! *fangirl scream... and I'm a boy, just so ya know*

Chapter 8 is - Iced Earth, A Gift or a Curse.

Chapter 8

"Divided Attention"

Toshiro

Toshiro slowly walked through the corridors of Imperio Las Noches. His feet felt like they were made out of lead and not spirit particles, although one could say it still felt like he had flesh and bone, which he essentially did. And so – his bones felt weak, his blood cold and his skin white as snow. The boy slowly turned his head to the right, his eyes however darted and the white walls became almost a blur. Instead his eyes concentrated on the man walking beside him, the one who suddenly grabbed his sleeve and pulled his body along with him. Ichimaru Gin – long thought to be a demon, which he was and buried with all needed procedures almost as a hero – at least respect was showed as he fell trying to assassinate Aizen for reasons unknown… but Matsumoto had some theory about it – one Toshiro hardly believed even as he accepted the task of arranging the cremation.

The man now stood before the white-haired Escudo in all his grace, so to speak. His grin was as wide and creepy as it could get and Toshiro felt the killing intent from behind the man's closed eyes. Was Gin going to kill Toshiro? Unlikely.
Finally after about twenty minutes of walking they stopped in a seemingly uninhabited hall and Gin pulled the small man behind the corner. Both of them stopped and Hitsugaya found himself staring into the face of the older Shinigami prodigy, while the latter stared back. The silence between them was almost like physical pressure and it could not go on for much longer. Finally one of them spoke.

Gin: "How's Rangiku?" – the man's grin faded as he began to speak, the corner of his lips down, which was a rare sight. To be completely honest Toshiro did not expect such a question and from Gin too. Sure – he had heard rumors, but… to think that perhaps Gin held the same feelings for Matsumoto was surprising. Toshiro decided not to lie or be sarcastic, nor to keep silent.

Toshiro: "She's… not doing as good as I would want her to. She is having a hard time and she's gone heavier on the drinks after you… died on her hands. But otherwise she's handling herself – she's strong." – Toshiro felt confused and uncomfortable while talking to Gin.

Gin: "I… see, Hitsugaya-kun. Well things haven't exactly gone as I'd wanted 'em to, ya know?" – the man still did not smile, his voice still a bit death-like and lacking the energy he had before. – "Now I ain't tellin' this to ya cuz I feel like it. I just want ya to know – is all. I did it for Rangiku and there ain't a single person who I need ta apologize for it. I just want'chu to know that." – Gin was looking dead-serious and Toshiro had nothing to say to him. He betrayed Soul Society, he almost killed Saguraku Hiyori and many others – all for Matsumoto Rangiku? But… Toshiro himself did some things out of personal revenge, so he was no judge. The boy nodded firmly.

Toshiro: "I will not judge you. But know that doesn't make us friends or comrades."

Gin: "Heh, I didn't expect ya ta like me here." – a smaller version of the man's grin returned to his face. – "And I'll say it once – I am not goin' to be some puppet on strings, I'll find a way outta this… with or without yer help."

Toshiro smirked and extended his hand, proposing a hand shake instead of speaking any further. Ichimaru's skeletal, pale hand shook Toshiro's, and the ex-Captain had to admit that even thought just revived, the man's handshake was firm and strong.
Ichimaru turned around and wanted to walk away, but then stopped, turning his head to the side and grinning at Toshiro.

Gin: "Oyah? I think I fail to remember this here place? Las Noches changed a bit, huh?"

Toshiro sighed. He had to tell his fellow Escudo member of all that happened in these long two years and the fact that this wasn't Las Noches. The white-haired man took three steps placing himself aside from Gin and spoke.

Grimmjow

Grimmjow Jaegerjaques was pissed off.
Well – he was always pissed off lately but today was especially frustrating. First this little shinigami shit joins them, then Ulquiorra gets resurrected and then Grimmjow is made Quatro – QUATRO Espada. It was like some sick pathetic joke that he would have the same number as the current Primera now had. Well… it was definitely an improvement since he was no longer Sexta, but it still pissed him off. Only good thing was that

They didn't revive that shithead Nnoitra – otherwise the blue-haired Espada would kill him right then and there before everyone else.

Right now Grimmjow was walking down the desert of Hueco Mundo, leaving Imperio Las Noches behind him. Just some two hours ago he had his "4" tattoo imprinted on his lower back and now he was on a mission from Aizen. He had to go recruit Hollow… he – Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez! Even the arrancar himself understood that Ulquiorra or Tesla would be a lot better at this shit than him, but to add to his frustration he was paired up with Lilynette Gingerback here… of all the-!

The man side-glanced at the girl walking beside him. Sure – she had grown a lot and changed, but she was still the same somewhere down there, and then man could just tell. There was just more to her than she was before. On this mission she decided to wear a long white coat above her revealing high-collar vest. It's not like he cared much what she was wearing…

The angry male decided to go into his recent memories, seeing as there was absolute silence between the two as they walked. He clenched his hands into fists in the pockets of his hakama as he recalled the events a few hours back and before.

He had been waiting for two years – two years to take revenge on that pathetic little Shinigami kid with orange hair. Grimmjow still refused to admit defeat and needed a rematch, during which he'd humiliate the boy and kill him… finally ending their little argument. While Imperio Las Noches was being built, the Espada trained hard, he waited for Aizen's return since that was going to happen – Szayel did say he would after all and although Grimm disliked the pink-haired arrancar he decided to believe him.
And so – the day finally came. But not before the surviving Arrancar split in two. Tia Harribel and her Fraccion – that little snake-like girl, decided that they no longer wanted to follow Aizen since he was such a bastard and they had Neliel Tu Odelschwanck join them in their cause, aside from quite a few arrancar who wanted the tanned blonde as their new Queen of Hueco Mundo. Grimmjow told them that they could go to hell – all of them and stayed, watching as the traitors walked off. The Tres Espada also wanted to persuade Lilynette to go with them, but the green-haired girl refused without stating a reason. Perhaps she believed Szayel or Aizen could revive Coyote Starrk?

Grimmjow did feel a bit pity for her. Just a little bit.
The man grunted and snapped back to reality, looking around. His pesquisa didn't manage to notice anything unusual or strong enough to attract his attention. Meanwhile Lilynette looked at him, a stern expression on her face.

Lilynette: "Grimmjow – what the hell is your problem? All the way you grunt, sight and tense up? Are you having a fucking problem with me?" – she looked like she wanted to punch him full of holes right now. Not only her eyes showed it, but her voice could barely contain her anger.

Grimmjow: "Listen – I don't give a shit as to who's going with me on this, okay? So just shut up and walk – no need to make a scene here just cuz your brother's dead!" – he returned her the same look she gave him, if not angrier.
The two stopped, Lilynette looked like she was about to explode.

Lilynette: "Ya know what? I'm gonna beat ya into a fucking pulp right here and now, shithead!"

The woman just jumped, too fast for Grimmjow to see and delivered a strong kick into the left side of his head, launching the man flying along the sand, until he hit the nearest sand dune. The man coughed and spit out some sand, but he didn't get to stand up – the girl was already on him, pinning him down. She grabbed his head with one hand and started punching his face with the other one. She did so about four times until her hand stopped. Grimmjow held her fist with his own left hand and shook his head, splattering the blood from his face. The next second he pulled her closer and slammed his forehead into her face, making the girl scream and fall backwards on the sand. With a quick motion he was already on his two legs, while she just set up. A loud growl emitted from his throat as he grabbed her hair and threw her upwards into the air. Then he disappeared, using sonido and appeared right beside her in mid-air – a powerful crescent kick downwards sending her into the sand. The girl hit the white desert floor as if some sort of explosion, sand flying everywhere.
He wiped the still flowing blood out of his face and screamed.

Grimmjow: "Ya had enough, bitch? Maybe now you're gonna calm down?"

The response was just what he expected. A green Cero shot out from within the cloud of dust, making the sand disperse. Lilynette was already on her legs, her head up and her eye locked on Grimmjow. The latter quickly charged up a Bala and threw two of those into the center of the incoming Cero, counter-attacking it and annihilating it in the process. Now it was the girl's turn to growl at him… she vanished. Grimmjow quickly turned around, the sound of sonido in his ears and blocked the incoming strike with his hand and on time too. Lilynette's punch was met with a block from Grimmjow's own hand and she smirked. He knee connected with his stomach, making the male Espada quickly and loudly exhale all the air in his lungs.
The next punch sent him fling downwards, with her following him. As he collided with the ground, both her legs slammed into his back, raising yet another cloud of sand. The girl showed a superior grin and stepped away from him, spitting.

Lilynette: "You're just a show off – you got nothing behind your punches and loud words, asshole." – she turned away and suddenly felt as something took hold of her arm. She quickly turned around; Grimmjow's bloodied face looking straight into her own bruised one. He threw a straight punch into her face, sending the young woman away.

As she got up she faced the man, twenty meters setting them apart. The blue-haired Quatro spoke, while grinning.

Grimmjow: "I got nothin' behind my words and punches? Well how 'bout that one? Don't fuckin underestimate me!" – Lilynette stared into his face as blood trickled from her nose and her face twisted with a smile, and then she started laughing so hard that she fell down, holding her stomach while rolling around in the sand. To say Grimmjow was shocked was saying nothing. – "Wh- What the fuck are you laughin' about? What's so funny?"

It took about a few minutes for the girl to revert back to normal. She was sitting down on the sand, a smile still lingered on her face as she looked at Grimmjow, who sat down as well, their legs crossed as both of them sat. Finally she sighed and started speaking.

Lilynette: "I guess I just needed a let out. I was so frustrated and angry and sad that it made me go crazy. And no one dared to come close since I am that strong, but I guess you aren't afraid of that." – she showed a warmer smile next. – "I'm still the same Lilynette I used to be, just a bit changed. I know we were buddies back before since you were one of the few who actually played with me aside from Starrk. I… just… I felt so sad without him being here. I felt all alone again… and there was no one there for me – no one to cheer me up or help me stand. I guess you're still here, right?" – she shyly looked up at him.
Grimmjow rubbed his nose, turning away.

Grimmjow: "Idiot."

Yeah… he was there for her if she needed someone to watch her back. Maybe they were friends. The man never thought about it, really. He smirked.

Gin

He knocked on the doors. After a brief silence a voice responded, allowing the man to enter. Gin Ichimaru stepped inside the private chambers of the ruler of Imperio Las Noches – Aizen Souske. The usual grin rested on his face, his eyes narrowed to thin slits. He still felt a bit strange after his revival even after half a day passing, and he did not know if it was fatigue or something else. The man also wondered if this feeling was due to his recent revival or him touching the Nuevo Hogyoku. He suspected the latter, but he knew that Souske would never answer his question even if he asked it.
The skeletal-looking man walked towards the nearby table and stopped in front of it. There were two cups of freshly made tea waiting for him there.

From within the adjacent chamber Aizen Souske stepped out, slowly pacing towards the table. The brown-haired man smiled at Gin and stopped near the table as well, slightly touching it's surface with the tips of his fingers.

Aizen: "Please, sit down. It's rude to make people stand while drinking tea and having a conversation." – the two sat down and Aizen took an elegant sip from his cup. Silence ensued as the two men looked at each other. – "Is there something wrong, Gin? Is there a reason why you stay silent? You know… I always liked your company and to be frank I partially did what I did because of that. So why do you neglect me now?"

Gin: "Ya know, Aizen-taicho… I tried to kill ya, didn't I? And now ya bring me back after two years… ya put a chip in my head and ya expect me to be nice with ya? Sure – I'll do just that." – he took a sip from his cup of tea as well. Funny, that what Aizen said just now was true, as weird as it was for Gin to hear that. – "But what should I say Taicho? I dunno if my knowledge is as good as yers. I had Toshiro fill me in somewhat, but I'm still new ta this."

Aizen(chuckling): "Gin – I know we had some disagreement in the past, but it need not linger. You did what you did for the one you loved. I saw Matsumoto-san when you drew your last breath, as she cried over you, trying to keep you alive. And I am sorry for what I have done, but it was a necessity. So how about we do this – I will make sure no harm comes to Matsumoto-san… ever… and you go back to being my Second in Command?"

Gin: "We… have a deal, Aizen-taicho. It's good ta see ya again." – the man showed his usual smirk and leaned back on the back of his chair.

All was going as planned. Funny that.

Szayel

His ears were constantly being assaulted by the clicking and beeping of his apparatus. That was simply because Szayel was in his own laboratory, so it was natural for such sounds to be present here. And these irritating sounds were the sweetest music to Szayel's ears, aside from someone screaming out their lungs because of pain. The man had been inside his laboratory for many hours now and was getting a bit tired from working this much – even for his own sake. He had to take a break sooner or later…
Szayel Aporro Granz leaned back onto the back of his high chair, which was made out of bone, unlike many chairs in this place. His flexile hands reached over to levers, pulling them. His slender sensual fingers pressed buttons and the buzzing and clicking stopped. It sounded as if the machine had exhaled deeply and it's life came to a still.

The scientist smirked and grabbed a stack of papers from one of the nearby tables, flipping them over and making marks here and there with his pen. He had heard the sound of soft footsteps long ago, and glanced at the display that was connected to the camera above the door to his chambers, which was his lab as well. He could see a tall, black-haired man standing at his door, his hands in the pockets of his hakama. Then one of the hands was pulled out and the man used it to knock on the door. Surely – Ulquiorra knew Szayel could see him, but knocked anyway. The pink-haired Espada sighed and spun around on his chair.

Szayel: "Come in."

The door opened and the new Primera Espada walked in, a stone mask for a face and the same hollow eyes that he always had. He had come too fast… but it was not like Szayel could tell him something more or something new, other than what the arrancar already heard from Aizen. Ulquiorra made a few steps closer and stopped, looking at the man on the chair before him.

Ulquiorra: "Szayel – is there a way to see what happened after I lost my arm in that battle?" – the Tercera knew that this would be the first question.

Szayel: "I am afraid it's impossible. Your body seemed to dissolve and there were no cameras to witness the battle on the roof of Las Noches. So I cannot help you there, Ulquiorra-kun." – the scientist shrugged and continued. – "I also know of no one who witnessed your battle aside Inoue Orihime and Uryuu Ishida, which were present when Kurosaki… transformed. And I know this because I have… seen it myself. Through your eyes, so to speak. You must understand what I am talking about, yes?" – Ulquiorra nodded.

Ulquiorra: "I suspect you used some device to extract the memory from my limb or myself, when I was here 9 hours ago. Am I correct?" – the pink-haired Espada nodded. Ulquiorra continued. – "There is one last thing I want to know. Is Aizen-sama planning to send us into the human world soon?"
Szayel raised a brow. Now that was something he did not expect to hear. The man replied without much pause, not letting the green-eyed Espada suspect anything.

Szayel: "Alas I have no such information at my disposal. It is possible that Aizen-sama will send someone out there, but I believe it shall be either Hitsugaya Toshiro or Tesla. Or both… or someone else – I am not sure." – naturally Szayel knew the answer to that question, but decided not to give it.

Ulquiorra nodded and turned around, making his way out the door. The Tercera Espada – Szayel Aporro Granz grinned as the door closed. He knew a lot more than anyone thought he did, and he would do his best to show Aizen-sama that he was his most useful and loyal subordinate. Szayel turned back to one of the screens, turning it on.

Szayel: "Resistencia, huh? Kukukukukuku."

AN: So this chappie was a split-view one. Shame Gin's part was so small. *frowns* Anywho - I love Grimmjow and he's my fav char in all of Bleach. Yaaaay - this is gonna be awesome! READ AND REVIEW... or I'mma hang myself. Joke! It's not THAT bad, but do review.

You - yes you, I'm talking to you specifically. Read it? Now Review please. I need positive/negative enouragement. Negative being someone showing me my mistakes or whatever. It's not like I write this for fun... err... actually I do but still... *takes a potato chip - AND EATS IT*

Oh and if anyone's wonderin - Escudo is spanish for Shield.