Hey everyone. Thanks so much for the reviews and support. I'm glad most people seemed to like the fluff from last chapter. It can be lethal stuff in too high of doses. (Un)fortunately there isn't nearly as much in this chapter. Just fighting and dialogue for the most part, which hopefully will make everyone else happy. Shout-outs go out to sakuhime27, Lady Nazo, Inverness, Racholasj, SleeplessxB3auty, Rachel, Demonbloodfeeder, Somerlia, SilentRaider52, chuchootrain, Dragunity Gemini, ombre nocturne, nypsy, AbaraiArekushisu, Aline, Iceflame55, b4ndg33k, and war90. Special love and thanks to CrystalDawn and le etoile for beta-reading this.

Mild violence warning for this chapter, but this shouldn't be anything new. Anyway, enjoy the 22nd installment (...damn we're that far already?) of The Bond Between Us.

Chapter 22

Initiative

After being briefed by Kyouraku, all the shinigami, humans, and Vizards were assembled in Urahara's basement, waiting for Urahara to open the Garganta for them. The atmosphere, while serious, was much more hopeful and optimistic than the last time they had encountered Tousen and Ichimaru. Then again, this time they (hopefully) wouldn't have a Vasto Lorde in their ranks.

"Hopefully this will go well," Momo murmured to Hitsugaya.

"They have nowhere to run this time." Hitsugaya adjusted Hyourinmaru, his gaze stern as he watched Urahara continue his preparations. "I don't care if we have to tear apart Las Noches to get to them."

He glanced to his left. Rangiku stood a bit of a ways from him, clutching her arm as she stared thoughtfully at the ground. Though he kept his expression composed, on the inside his heart squeezed. "Matsumoto."

Her eyes lifted up and she smiled. Though it seemed cheery, Hitsugaya had known her long enough to know better. "Yeah?"

There was a lot he wanted to say. Are you going to be all right? and How will you handle this after Ichimaru is arrested? But he wasn't good with those sorts of things, and he didn't want to insult her pride. Instead, he said, "I want you to mainly root out the Arrancar. Allow the ones who want to go free to run, and take out any who resist." In other words, I don't want you to be the one to find Ichimaru and Tousen.

Whatever she felt about his words, she covered up with a nod and a "Yes, sir."

When she turned away, he sighed quietly. His opinion of Ichimaru didn't matter; in the end, he didn't want to see his vice-captain suffer. He wished there was a way to save him, just so Rangiku wouldn't have to bear with the pain of losing him. But Ichimaru made his choice, and he sealed his fate. There's nothing I can do but see it through.

Momo's hand squeezed his shoulder, and he gave her a rare, brief smile. Although Momo didn't like Ichimaru any more than he did, he read the same dread and worry in her eyes that he felt.

"Here we go." Urahara's sing song voice brought their attention back. "The Garganta is ready."

Hitsugaya's smile fell and he composed his expression, resuming his role as a captain leading the charge. "Everyone. Remember our orders. Once Neliel-san gets us inside Las Noches, we'll split up and search the buildings. If you encounter any Arrancar, they are to be given a choice. Neliel-san will be waiting at the entrance for any Arrancar who plan on leaving. If any Arrancar resist or insist on allying with Ichimaru and Tousen, take them out." Hitsugaya paused to take a breath before continuing, "Our priority is Ichimaru and Tousen. Do not fight them alone. If you are with others and encounter them, take them down and arrest them. Try to take them alive. Remember that they are captain-class and will prove to be tough opponents. Be on your guard. Once they are captured, we will rendezvous where we enter Las Noches and return."

He scanned the fighters assembled before him. "Any questions?"

When he was met with silence, Urahara spoke, "A few of you have been through the Garganta before, but since most of you haven't I'll explain how it works. Unlike the Daigon, there are no pathways. You must form one with your own reiatsu, so be careful as you make your way through. Be aware of yourself and the others around you; it's easy to lose your concentration in there."

Hitsugaya moved towards the Garganta. He beckoned at everyone else to follow. With a calming breath, he said, "All right. Everyone, let's go."

He sprang, propelling himself into the Garganta as everyone followed suit.

Hueco Mundo was quiet tonight. Neliel sighed as she sat against a rock, enjoying the peace while it lasted. She stared out at the massive eyesore that was Las Noches, quietly contemplating if its residents had any idea what was about to happen.

"Where are we entering from?" Grimmjow asked as he stepped next to her, his hands in his pockets.

"I figured the way Ichigo and his friends came in. The hole should still be there," Nel said, smiling as she recollected the scene (and the noise) Ichigo and Renji made as they tore down the wall. "It's closer from here than the main entrance, anyway."

A moment of silence passed before Nel added, "Do you think any of them will run?"

"If they don't it's their own fault," Grimmjow said with an indifferent shrug. "If the shinigami give them the choice and they resist, they sealed their own fate. Nothing we can do about it."

"True…" Nel said as she frowned. "Still, I want to save as many as possible."

"What for?"

She glanced up at Grimmjow, not at all surprised at his question. "Why not? It seems cruel to let so many die for no purpose."

"They still think they have a purpose," Grimmjow said. "To avenge Aizen or whatever the hell it is they think they're doing. You take Ichimaru and Tousen out, they won't have a purpose or anyone to follow."

"Must we have one?" Nel demanded in a sharp tone, enough to make Grimmjow look at her in surprise. "Is violence and conquest all a Hollow can strive for? We never needed Aizen," Nel added in a sullen tone. "We may be indebted to him for transforming us, but he did nothing else for us but treat us like cannon fodder. Our lives can continue without him." Suddenly, she smiled slyly and said, "Aren't you the king?"

"What?"

"You said we have no one to follow." She got to her feet and stretched out her back. "I remember during your fight with Ichigo you said that you were the king. Of what and over whom I don't know, but perhaps this is your chance to prove yourself."

"Nel-sama, Grimmjow!" Pesshe jumped up and down from the embankment above them. "They're here!"

"Time to go," Nel said as she grabbed her sword. "Get ready, Grimmjow."

He made a dismissive sound to brush her off as they climbed the embankment. Nel peered over the top, and waved to the others as they hopped out of the Garganta. "Down here!"

As they shuffled through the sand towards her, many of them glanced across the distance at Las Noches - some of them in nostalgia, and others for the first time. Hiyori scrunched her nose at it and remarked, "It's ugly as hell."

"I guess not all psychopaths have good taste," Shinji said as his eyes flitted between the numerous towers and structures of Las Noches.

Next to Shinji, Orihime tensed, her gaze slightly hardened. She felt a broad hand on her shoulder. Appreciating the gesture of comfort, she squeezed the hand in her own. "I'm okay."

Ichigo nodded, taking her word for truth. "You're not a prisoner this time," he said.

"Come on, Orihime!" Rukia said brightly, peering from over her other shoulder. "This is our first invasion together!"

Orihime laughed quietly. "Ah, that's right. Either you or I were the prisoners during the two invasions."

"Precisely." Rukia proudly crossed her arms and nodded at Las Noches. "Let's go into this with our hopes and heads held high. Besides, you and I are on the same team. This'll be good."

Everyone had been assorted into teams in order to canvass Las Noches more efficiently. Rukia, Renji, Ichigo and Orihime had been put on the same team. "We're a pretty large team," Orihime commented as they began to make their way down to Las Noches.

"We're the only team assigned with either task," Rukia said as she let herself slide down the embankment; climbing it was too much of a hassle. "Hitsugaya-taichou, Hinamori-fukutaichou and Matsumoto-fukutaichou are going after Ichimaru and Tousen. Everyone else is to find the Arrancar."

"Actually," Ishida said, landing next to Rukia when they reached the bottom, "I'm replacing Matsumoto-san. She was reassigned to help with the Arrancar."

"I see," Rukia said with a thoughtful frown.

When everyone reached the bottom, Nel pulled ahead and beckoned them to follow her. Keeping their reiatsu as suppressed as they could, the invaders shot over the sands, following Nel as she led them across the vast stretch of sandy plain until they reached the gaping hole Renji and Ichigo left in Las Noches' side.

Ichigo and Renji shared a smirk as they approached the hole. "Nostalgic, ain't it?" Renji said.

"You did this?" Orihime asked.

"Renji and I did," Ichigo said. "The proper entrance is a three days' walk from here, so we made our own."

Rukia laughed under her breath, hiding her mouth behind her sleeve as Hitsugaya walked by, muttering something about "letting a pair of idiots loose on a mission."

Nel turned towards the group and said, "Is everyone ready?"

She was met with sixteen nods, a pair of enthusiastic "Yes, Nel-sama!" from her old Fraccion, and a dull glare from Grimmjow. With a smile, she stepped inside, looking around for anyone who might be coming to investigate as the invaders followed behind her.

Just like when Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Ishida and Sado had come to rescue Orihime, they were met with five long hallways that led them deeper into Las Noches. Fortunately, no one was venturing in alone this time. "All right," Hitsugaya began. "Dondochakka and Pesshe, the two of you are waiting here for any Arrancar who wish to leave?"

"Yes, dontcha know?" Dondochakka said.

The captain nodded and continued, "Good. Everyone, split up into your assigned teams and pick a hallway. Neliel is going to lead those of us going for the Arrancar towards where the Arrancar are supposedly residing. Grimmjow…" He glanced at him with a neutral stare. "Do you plan on showing us where Ichimaru and Tousen are?"

The former Sexta grunted, not at all thrilled at the idea, but said, "Fine. I'll lead you and your damn merry men to where they might be. I can't guarantee a thing, though."

"It's all we can ask," Hitsugaya said. "If we're lucky, we'll pick up on their reiatsu. In the meantime," He turned towards Sado, Matsumoto, and the Vizards. "You lot should go for the Arrancar."

"Shouldn't we be looking for those two?" Hiyori said with a glare.

"You're welcome to arrest them if you see them," Hitsugaya said. "We just need more people looking for Arrancar, at least in terms of numbers. You eight don't have any specific orders. I'm merely suggesting."

"Let's tackle whatever comes our way," Hachi said calmly. "Whether it be Arrancar or Ichimaru and Tousen."

Shinji nodded towards one of the paths before them. "We'll head down that way and go from there. Whoever we run into, we run into. End of story."

"I'll be going with you," Nel said. "I'll be leading Sado and Matsumoto. The Numero quarters are down that way."

"Which way?" Hitsugaya said to Grimmjow.

The Hollow nodded at the middle path. "That way's probably best."

Ichigo glanced at the far left hall. "Then we'll try that way."

"Everyone," Hitsugaya said as he clutched Hyourinmaru's hilt. "remember your orders and your priority. Let's go."

In a flash, everyone was off, flash-stepping (with shunpo or sonido) down their respective paths and to whatever lay in store for them.

Las Noches was eerily quiet, Ishida noted. It had been like that the first time he invaded with Ichigo and the others. No alarms, no running and shouting, nothing like what they were met with in Soul Society when they broke in to save Rukia. Although there could be no doubt they knew of their presence, the atmosphere was calm. That didn't mean things would remain that way.

Grimmjow was leading them through corridors Ishida didn't recognize. The Quincy assumed he was taking them to the quarters of the defectors, but he couldn't be sure.

Suddenly the former Espada skidded to a halt. The two shinigami and Quincy stopped as well, keeping their eyes and ears peeled for what made Grimmjow stop. Ishida glanced to a hallway to his right. A bright flash of orange and red rocketed towards them, and as the four of them leapt out of the way, Ishida realized what had made Grimmjow pause.

His spirit bow was out and ready by the time the attacking Arrancar emerged. He gave them a warning shot, but they seemed determined to confront them.

"Take out the invaders!" one of them shouted as they charged down the hall, swords drawn.

"We're not here to exterminate any Arrancar," Hitsugaya said. His words surprised the Arrancar enough to force them to stumble to a halt.

"Eh?" one of the other Arrancar said. "Why are you here then?"

"To arrest Tousen and Ichimaru," the captain said. "If you do not wish to fight us, we will not force you. Two Arrancar wait by an exit that way." He pointed in the direction they had come from. "You'll recognize their reiatsu once you get closer. They're there to take you out of Las Noches."

"And if we resist?" the first Arrancar said, tightening his grip on his sword.

"Then you die, dumbass," Grimmjow said.

Three of the five Arrancar that had charged at them paused and considered Hitsugaya's words. A small female then sheathed her sword. "I'll take your offer."

"What?" the first Arrancar, seemingly the leader, snapped. "How dare you abandon-"

"The only thing we'd be abandoning," another Arrancar said in a low voice, "is a sinking ship. If you want to die a dog's death, then go ahead."

In a flash, the three Arrancar left, leaving two stubbornly loyal Arrancar to handle the invaders. The leader let out a "humph" before taking a fighting stance. "Very well. Then we will fight! I shall never take the coward's way out!"

Hitsugaya sighed as he drew Hyourinmaru. "I suppose it would have been wishful thinking to hope that all you Arrancar had some sense," he said before he swung.

"Oi!" Shinji yelled as an Arrancar repeatedly swung at him. "Didn't ya freakin' hear me? Ya don't have to fight!"

"I will give my life serving Aizen-sama!" the tenacious Arrancar screeched.

"Aizen's dead ya moron!" Shinji retorted as he swung Sakanade, knocking the Arrancar back. "D-e-a-d. Yer fighting for a ghost."

"I fight for his mission!"

"Sweet baby Buddha," Shinji muttered as he met the Arrancar's strikes. "What a dense bunch. Yo, Nel!" he shouted towards the Arrancar standing off to the side (since she refused to fight any of her fellow Arrancar), "Did any of 'em take yer offer?"

"Seven have so far," she answered.

"I guess it's better than nothing."

Riza rested Haguro Tonbo on her shoulders as she walked over towards Nel. "Make that eight. I managed to convince one to leave."

Nel smiled gratefully to her. "Thank you."

"There aren't that many Arrancar," Rose noted as Shinji continued to battle with one. Aside from his fight, he only spotted three other ones, who were currently being dealt with by Sado, Matsumoto and Hiyori.

"Some left after Aizen fell, and that's not counting the ones killed during the war." Nel stared at the wall ahead of her. "There weren't tons to begin with, but yes, some seem to be missing. They may be further up ahead."

"We split up, too," Riza pointed out. "So their numbers will be divided."

"I know." Rose crossed his arms and leaned against the wall next to Nel. "But we're the biggest group. Surely we should have attracted the most attention?"

As the Arrancar Shinji was fighting tumbled across the floor, Shinji narrowed his eyes. "I just thought of something."

Nel glanced over at him. "Hm?"

"Back during the battle, when they brought that Vasto Lorde, the Arrancar seemed pretty loyal to him." Shinji's mouth formed into a hard line. "If that's the case, they're gonna be pretty pissed at Ichigo for killin' him. That might explain where they all went."

"Then we shouldn't be here," Rose said, straightening his back. "They might not be the only ones targeting them, either."

"Damn it," Renji muttered. "We haven't found anyone yet."

Her eye twitching, Rukia suddenly kicked Ichigo in the shins.

"What was that for?" Ichigo hollered as he rubbed the spot where she kicked him.

"You picked this path!" she yelled back, shoving her face into his. "Thanks to you, we've just been running and running! We finally get the chance to do something productive and you send us on a wild goose chase down a damn empty hall!"

"Why you-" Ichigo seethed as he ground his forehead against hers. "You're making it sound like I did it on purpose!"

"Who the hell decided you could pick?"

"You didn't protest!"

"I wanted to take the other path, but you opened your big mouth before I could and sent us down this one!"

Renji shook his head as Orihime stared at her quarreling friend and boyfriend. "U – Um, maybe we could-"

For a moment, everyone went silent as they sensed something. In the next instant, Ichigo and Rukia broke apart and flew back before five Ceros crashed through the wall next to them. The force from the five Ceros not only destroyed the wall, it also crumbled the floor between Rukia and Renji and Ichigo and Orihime.

"Shit!" Ichigo cursed as he grabbed Orihime and leapt back, away from the collapsing hall. He ducked into another hall and waited for the clamor to cease.

Orihime peered around his shoulder when the noise died down. "Do you think Rukia-chan and Renji-kun are okay?"

Ichigo took a step to go back out into the hallway, but his path was suddenly barred by five Arrancar who appeared in front of him. Orihime turned when she heard the distinct buzzing sound of sonido coming from behind them. Sure enough, five more Arrancar emerged from the opposite end of the hall. They were surrounded.

"He's the one," an Arrancar said, pointing to Ichigo. "He's the one who killed Lord Ehru."

Ichigo swallowed, pushing aside the memories the Arrancar's words evoked. "He tried to kill me and Orihime. I couldn't stand by and let him do that."

"We don't care about your reasoning," another Arrancar said, one Ichigo recognized from the battle days ago. "You killed him, and now you'll both pay for it."

Orihime took a step back, her back pressing against Ichigo's. "Should we tell them about Nel-san's offer?"

"I don't think they're going to care about that," Ichigo murmured as the Arrancar drew their swords.

Orihime nodded. "I didn't think so, either."

Ichigo drew Zangetsu and immediately called out his bankai form. He raised Tensa Zangetsu and said, "I know you don't want to hurt anyone. Just hold them off until I'm finished with these guys in front. Can you do that?" Normally he'd try to just take on all ten of them, but given their positions, he knew it wasn't feasible. He also remembered Orihime's words to him last night, about how she wanted to protect him too. As much as it went against his nature, he had to let her.

"Yeah," she whispered, giving his free hand a squeeze.

He only had time to squeeze back before the Arrancar charged from both sides. The quicker the enemy went down the better, so Ichigo immediately unleashed a Getsuga Tenshou at them. Most of them were quick enough to dodge, but he managed to take out one in the process.

Orihime threw up her shield in front of her. Calling on her training with Hachi, she drew on her powers and expanded the shield's size. She almost wished Hachi could have been there to see it as the normally small shield managed to repel five attacks at once.

Ichigo refused to move from his spot, not wanting to leave Orihime's back unguarded. He held his ground as he repelled sword swings coming in all directions. During the flurry of attacks, he managed to slide Zangetsu in between and stab one of the Arrancar through the chest. He sliced horizontally, sending the Hollow to the floor and managing to nick another in the process.

One of the Arrancar coming at Orihime went around her shield and tried to strike her from the side. In a rather creative maneuver, Orihime called out Shun-o and Ayame and had them form their shield over the Arrancar's arm. Having remembered that Tatsuki and Hiyori had been repelled backwards when they tried to break out of the shield, she hoped it would work the same way. To her luck, the Soten Kisshun held the Arrancar's arm in place, preventing her from moving.

"Damn it!" she screeched as she tried freeing her arm. "What did you do?"

Leaving her to try to free herself, Orihime glanced over her shoulder and found Ichigo struggling. She sent out Tsubaki and aimed him in between the Arrancar. Though he didn't actually cut anyone, he did manage to break up the group, giving Ichigo the advantage which he pressed by repeatedly striking at the nearest Arrancar.

She turned back to find two of the Arrancar flash-stepping around the shield and coming at her. Orihime was forced to duck and roll out of the way. The Arrancar swung just as she hit the ground. Instead of cutting her, they managed to slice each other. The wounds they received weren't lethal, but enough to make them stagger back.

Orihime quickly got to her feet and threw up the Santen Kesshun when the remaining two Arrancar who weren't trapped or injured tried to attack her again.

Meanwhile, Ichigo was battling the two remaining Arrancar on his side, after having managed to defeat the third one. He tried working his way back to Orihime, uneasy at her being separated from him. However, since he was primarily on the defensive, he couldn't make his way over there without the Arrancar forcing him back.

Just as Ichigo pulled on his Hollow mask to dispatch them more quickly and as Orihime continued to defend herself from the Arrancar, the one she had trapped in the Soten Kisshun managed to break the shield from the outside. The shield shattered and Shun-o and Ayame were forced back to Orihime's hairpins.

By the time Orihime realized what had happened, the female Arrancar she had trapped flash-stepped behind her and rammed her sword into Orihime's back. It didn't penetrate, for it hit her spine and thus halted its forward movement. Unable to help it, as the pain was unbearable, Orihime screamed as the sword dug into her back.

Ichigo's blood ran cold as Orihime's scream echoed through the hall. Even his Hollow seemed riveted to the spot. He jerked his head towards her, only to find the culprit pull her sword out of Orihime's back and shove her with her foot to the ground.

Ichigo didn't think, he just moved. In an instant his body was shielding Orihime as it protected her from the next blow. The sharp pain in his shoulder from the female Arrancar's sword barely registered with him. "Orihime," he said, his voice laced with panic as he tried to get his arms around her to pick her up. "Orihime!"

The air suddenly became frigid as a pillar of ice shot out and struck the female Arrancar. She was frozen in place briefly, her eyes wide in shock before the ice pillar broke, destroying her and her sword with it.

"Rukia!" Ichigo said in relief as she ran towards them.

She ducked as she slid towards him and Orihime. Ichigo understood why when in the next moment, Zabimaru lashed out and struck any Arrancar unlucky enough to be in its range.

"Is she badly wounded?" Rukia said as she helped Ichigo lift Orihime up.

They both grimaced as blood dripped from Orihime's back. "I gotta get her someplace where she can heal herself," Ichigo said as he gently began to lift her up. He kept a hand pressed against her wound to keep it from bleeding out. "She's breathing okay but…"

Everyone started when they heard more voices drift down from the other end of the hall. "Damn it," Renji said. "More are coming. I guess I spoke too soon."

"They're coming for you two," Rukia said as she looked at Ichigo. "You're the one who killed their Vasto Lorde, and she's the reason why you did. You both need to get out of here."

"But, with this many…" Ichigo said, glancing around at the Arrancar Renji had knocked down, some of who were getting back up on their feet. He was torn as to what to do. "What should I…"

Renji turned towards their opponents and said, "There's no question about it. Take her away."

"Wha-"

"Don't just stand there. Take her away now!" Renji kept his back to him as he held out Zabimaru. "That's your job. Protect her with your life."

Renji was right, as much as Ichigo hated to admit it. He had to trust his friends' strength and get Orihime out of harm's way. "Tch." Ichigo lifted Orihime up and held her close. "Dumbass. Don't use my own words against me." However, he nodded to Renji before flash-stepping out of there with Orihime in tow.

As the Arrancar approached, Renji grinned. "Feels like we've come full circle or something."

"I guess we have, in a way," Rukia said as she readied Shirayuki. "Besides, one day he has to realize that sometimes he'll have to do the running."

Renji laughed before shouting, "All right! Let's go, you asswipes!" He flung Zabimaru out at the onslaught, his grin never fading.

Ichigo dashed through the halls of Las Noches, navigating the corridors as best as he could with his limited knowledge. He wasn't sure exactly where he was going, but he knew he had to get Orihime somewhere (relatively) safe so she could heal.

He finally came to a corridor that was deserted and far away from the fighting. He knelt down on the ground and nudged Orihime. "Hey."

She opened her eyes hesitantly, her face still pinched in pain. "Mm?"

"We're safe. Heal yourself," he said as he started to gently set her down on the ground. "I'll keep watch until-" He paused. His brow furrowed, he looked behind him, though there was nothing but empty black space. "Did you hear something?"

"It sounded like footsteps," she said as they both listened.

Two silhouettes emerged from further down the corridor after a minute. When Ichigo recognized their shapes, he immediately lifted up Orihime and held her close as he got into a defensive stance.

"Ara, ara," Ichimaru said as he and Tousen slowly approached the couple. "Look at what we found." His fox-like smile widened.

Ichigo glared at him through his partially broken Hollow mask. He held Orihime close, his mind reeling at the danger they had suddenly landed in.

Tousen reached for his zanpakutou, his face devoid of emotion. He said to Gin, with hesitancy in his voice, "Cornering them may be dangerous. Remember our last encounter with them."

Ichimaru nodded, appearing almost thoughtful for a moment. "Ah yeah. Who could forget?" He pulled out Shinsou, and his smile returned as he continued, "Well, we better just kill 'em before anything happens."

"Put me down," Orihime said to Ichigo. "I'll be fine. We have to fight."

Ichigo couldn't believe how calm Orihime sounded, even though they were probably in greater peril than they had been when they were surrounded by the Arrancar. "I don't know if I can hold them both off at the same time," he murmured into her ear as he slowly began backing up. "And I can't leave you on your own while you heal."

Tousen flash-stepped and reappeared a few meters behind Ichigo. "You cannot escape," he said as he unsheathed his sword. "You mercilessly destroyed our comrade. For this, justice must be delivered."

"Like you considered him your comrade," Ichigo said with a sneer. "That's just an excuse to kill me."

"You and your little woman there," Ichimaru said. "Yer just too dangerous with her around, but just killin' her would be no fun. So we'll take ya both out." He held out Shinsou, aiming it directly at Orihime's head.

Ichigo could see but one option. Closing his eyes, he recalled what he did in training yesterday. If he could just bring out his full Hollow form, it might be enough to defeat Ichimaru and Tousen or at least scare them away. He remembered that emptiness he had felt and tried letting it expand again. Like yesterday, he felt the hole form in his chest. His legs began to shake from the effort, but he persisted, trying to keep the transformation going. His hair began to lengthen, and the fur around his wrists and ankles began to emerge as well.

But it proved to be too much. His strength failed as the hole closed up and he collapsed, panting heavily as he continued to hang onto Orihime with what energy he had left.

"Ichigo-kun!" Orihime said.

"Looks like ya can't call on that form easily," Ichimaru said. "That woulda been a problem if you did. But now ya got nothing left."

Ichigo sensed Tousen shift behind him. Damn you, he said to his Hollow. Help me! How do I do this?

"I could have fucking done it, but now you went and blew all our power!" Shirosaki snapped as Ichigo's mask broke.

In an instant, Shinsou shot out towards them while Tousen called out his shikai, "Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihiko!" The shikai attack sent the dangerous spikes hurtling at them.

Orihime threw up her shield behind Ichigo, and Ichigo tried pulling out his arm clutching Zangetsu to parry Shinsou as best as he could. When it wouldn't budge and he feared the worst, he suddenly saw Shinsou being swung away from him as someone came from the side and struck the sword. Another barrier then came down just in front of Orihime's shield, effectively blocking Suzumushi's spikes.

The Vizards appeared in eight flashes, forming a semi-circle around Ichigo and Orihime. Shinji, Love and Riza had their zanpakutou pressed against Shinsou, keeping it away from Ichigo and Orihime. Hachi stepped next to Ichigo and Orihime while Hiyori planted herself right in front of the couple, standing just behind Shinji. Rose was almost back to back with Ichigo as he faced down Tousen with Mashiro and Kensei behind Hachi's barrier.

"You were right, Rose," Hiyori said with her arms crossed. "They were gonna come after them."

Shinji sighed. "I knew the Arrancar would, but I wasn't sure if these two would. Glad we listened to Rose and went after Ichigo and Orihime-chan."

"Are you all right?" Hachi asked the pair as he knelt down next to them.

"Orihime's injured," Ichigo said. "I brought her here to heal, but then..." He shook his head. "How did you guys-"

"It's not like you're hard to find," Love said drolly. "And with the way you were taking off, we figured something happened."

Suddenly, Tousen stepped towards the barrier. "Move," he said to Kensei and Mashiro. "This is not your battle."

"Battle?" Kensei raised his brow. "One of them is injured and the other one looks ready to collapse. You call that a fair fight?"

"He cannot be allowed to exist." Tousen aimed the tip of Suzumushi at Ichigo. "The world is already a chaotic and dangerous place. A creature such as he threatens what little peace could ever be maintained." He took a step towards him. "Even you cannot-"

"Make another step towards them," Kensei said, his voice dangerously low, "and I'll cut your head off." To emphasize his point, he brought Tachikaze and pointed it at Tousen.

The blind ex-captain froze in surprise, though it wasn't because Kensei drew his weapon at him. "You would protect that beast, after what he did and especially how he did it?"

Shinji frowned at Tousen as he looked over his shoulder. "Ichigo's family," he said. "And so's Orihime-chan."

"They're one of us!" Mashiro said, her weapon drawn. "So you gotta get past us if you wanna get them!" she added, sticking out her tongue at Tousen.

"Guys…" Ichigo's eyes widened at their words, at a loss as to what to say further.

"Was there ever any doubt?" Hachi said with an amused smile.

"Well…" Ichigo lowered his gaze to the ground. "I never really knew what you thought of me to be honest. I kind of figured I was a pest."

"You are," Hiyori said. "But it's like I told you, baldy. We decide whether you become one of us or not." She gave him a hard stare, though it lacked its usual ferocity. "So take it for what it is and shuddap."

Hachi clapped his hands and formed a square barrier around the couple and himself.

"Keep 'em in there, Hachi," Shinji said as he moved towards Ichimaru. "Hiyori, you stay with 'em and keep a look-out for any Arrancar."

She mumbled under her breath, but for once didn't argue as she leaned back against the barrier. "Whatever. I guess three on each of them is enough."

Tousen got into a fighting stance. "And you call that fair?"

"No," Kensei said with a shrug. "But we never claimed to be."

Before anyone could argue further, Mashiro dashed towards Tousen and struck at him with her sword. He parried, and thus the fight began. Kensei came up from behind him, calling out his shikai. The air blades whirled around Tousen, lashing out at him and striking him at random moments. For the most part, he was able to dodge them, though a few of them sliced his arms.

On the other side of the hall, Shinsou was swerving around Sakanade's strikes. Shinji was forced to repeatedly dodge and parry Shinsou as the blade curved around again and again to come at him. Riza raised Haguro Tonbo and brought it down on Shinsou, sending it crashing to the ground and giving Shinji a chance to go for Ichimaru. Love fired Tengumaru's Hifuki no Kozuichi ability at Ichimaru, using it as a sort of smokescreen.

Ichimaru wasn't fooled; he immediately used shunpo to get out of the way. He retracted Shinsou and brought it up to block Shinji's strike as he came from behind.

Tousen sent out Suzumushi's spikes again at his opponents, forcing them to scatter and dodge as the spikes went everywhere. As they slid back, Tousen held up his sword and said, "Ban-"

Rose was having none of it. He called out Kishihara and struck out at Tousen. The whip snapped against the hand holding his zanpakutou, forcing him to drop it and abandon summoning his bankai. Kensei took advantage of the opening and sent some of Tachikaze's air blades at Tousen. Mashiro swerved around Tachikaze's blades and kicked Tousen behind the kneecaps. Tousen buckled from the blow, and seconds later the air blades tore through him.

Ichimaru was having considerably more luck. A more versatile shikai made it easier for him to handle more opponents. He also started having Shinsou tear into one of the walls and leaving the Vizards guessing from where it would emerge from again. He managed to cut them a couple times when Shinsou would come out from somewhere unexpectedly and catch them off guard.

"Gloves are off," Shinji muttered as he held up Sakanade. "Fall, Sakanade!"

Riza and Love immediately halted, keeping their weapons still as Sakanade's ability with into effect. As Shinsou came tearing out of the wall, Sakanade's ability reversed its direction and had it tearing into Gin's back instead of slicing through Riza, who was in front of him.

Ichimaru immediately retracted Shinsou as blood dripped down his side. "Interestin' ability you got there."

Shinji grinned before swinging to the left and striking Ichimaru from the right.

Kensei charged at Tousen, but his former fifth seat, though considerably injured, wasn't done yet. "Hadou #54: Haien!"

Kensei was forced to leap out of the way before the kidou spell could incinerate him. Tousen took advantage of the opportunity and rolled over towards his sword. He felt it under his shoulder and grabbed it. When he got to his feet, he leapt back and said, "Hadou #73: Soren Sokatsui!" The two jets of blue fire shot out, aiming straight for Kensei and company.

"Bakudou #81: Danku!"

The rectangular shield appeared in front of Kensei and Mashiro, who were the closest to Tousen. It stopped Tousen's spell instantly. Its caster appeared from behind Tousen not even two seconds later and said, "Snap, Tobiume!" The fireball slammed into Tousen, sending him stumbling forward.

"All right, enough fucking around," Kensei said. "Rose, Mashiro, let's go."

Rose sped ahead, snapping Kishihara out and wrapping it around Tousen's leg. He yanked him forward, just as Mashiro came up and brought her knee up into Tousen's stomach, sending him up into the air. Kensei guided the air blades towards Tousen, and just as he began falling back to the ground, sent them through his shoulders and legs.

On top of the injuries he had already received, the latest wounds proved too much for Tousen. He fell to the ground, and immobile, he couldn't prevent Momo from casting a binding kidou spell on him, keeping him in place.

With Tousen captured, that left just Ichimaru. Since he had been a prodigy as a child, Ichimaru was clever enough to figure out Sakanade's ability relatively quickly. Still, the constant conscious attention he had to pay to his attacks slowed him down a bit, giving Shinji, Love and Riza more chances to attack.

Ichimaru leapt back, putting some distance between him and his attackers. He reached his arm back to send Shinsou at them when a Quincy arrow tore through it, making him drop his sword.

Hitsugaya appeared behind him following the shot and struck him from behind. Gin was able to dodge, but confined to the narrow hallway, the only way he had to go was back towards Shinji and the other Vizards.

Ishida ran up next to Hitsugaya and fired a volley of arrows at Ichimaru, driving him back further. Riza came tearing up behind Ichimaru and swung Haguro Tonbo at his backside. Love followed up with a swing from Tengumaru at Gin's side. Ishida fired another arrow, this time sending it through his shoulder. They continued to swing and shoot at Ichimaru until he was battered and beaten.

Hitsugaya held out his hand and chanted the incantation for the sixty-third Bakudou, Sajo Sabaku. He then fired it at Ichimaru, and the spirit ropes entangled him, making him immobile.

From behind Hachi's barrier, Ichigo and Orihime watched in awe. "They got them," Ichigo said in surprise.

Hitsugaya sheathed his sword. "Ichimaru Gin and Tousen Kaname," he began as he walked towards them. "You're both under arrest. Finally," he said, the last part muttered under his breath.

A/N: Phew, they're finally captured! And in case anyone was wondering, the part when Renji "used Ichigo's words against him" is a reference to Chapter 152 of the manga, when Ichigo threw Rukia towards Renji and he told her to take her out of there. Remember? Anyway, next chapter will be the conclusion of this entire post-war aftermath and the move towards the beginning of the last stretch/arc/whathaveyou of TBBU. 'Til next time :)