Summary: As of late, Rangiku has been more and more depressed even though it's been four years since the defeat of Aizen's army. Ichigo has been reclusive of late since their is hardly any hollows to fight since the fall in Hueco Muendo four years ago and rarely finds anything exciting. Friends of both parties have tried everything to cheer them up and yet everythinmg failed. In a last attempt, they bring the two of them together and it's an instantious click. But will forces of the unknown threaten to tear the relationship apart?
A/N: I thank all my reviewers so much! They have given me needed advice and confidence in this story. A little hint on this chapter is that its not going to focus right now on anyone in the human or soul society... But a certain villian we all miss... Have any concerns, just send 'em to me! Critisim is accepted and helpful :3 Now for disclaimers ^ ^! I do not own Bleach! (Though I wish I did) The series and manga belong to the author/creator and the animators who brought it to its existance.
"", ''- Speaking Normally, thoughts
''- Private Thoughts
"" or ''- Hichigo, zanpaktou's, etc speaking
Chapter 2: Pheonix Ashes
The desert sands of Hueco Mundo were silent as the sand shifted and swirled in the never ending phase of darkness. It was here that the battle raged for control to save the fate of the world. Nothing was left in the deserted world except the faded memories of long lost battles. Since the battle ended, Soul Society has opened a link to the waste lands. Little powerful hollows roamed the area alone since most were wiped out and driven into extinction. Those who escaped the wrath of a zanpaktou either died out from battles or formed alliances with the others remaining. Nothing but the remains of a once proud palace was there in the hollow world . That was soon to change...
"..." The sand shifted slightly before falling grain by grain. Soon it began to fall in waves before exploding all over the place. An opaque sphere arose from the depth, not a grain of sand to be seen on its soomth surface.
"Ah... Feels good to see the moon of Las Noches again! The moon is as bright as ever."
"It does, doesn't it?"
"My lord, would you like for us to go and scan the area?" White fabric graced the bottom of the sphere as the owners bowed in the coats.
Turning to face them, brown eyes danced with mirth. "You shall." Holding out their hand, the sphere bended slightly before opening and creating a doorway.
The figures raced out and off into the distance, not knowing that their end was near.
"Your heartless." A grin spead across lips as soon as screaming was heard in the far off distance.
"They deserved it for not following orders when nessecary... You know that.. Gin."
"Ahh, so true." The ex-captain of the thrid squad smiled as he looked out into the distance. Nothing had changed in the four years that everyone thought that he was deceased except for the fact that now his eyes were open and instead of being either red, blue, or violet but a strange golden orange color. Turning back, Gin smiled even wider. "So what now ?"
Flicking his hair back, the leader looked over calmly at his subbordanant. His brown eyes had flecks of gold in them that decorated the rims. "Well first..." Looking over the mass expasion of desert, he lifted his hand and held it up so that the open side of his palm faced the white sands.
"Hmmm?" Tilting his head to the side, Gin watched in interest silently.
"... Arise... My soldiers."
As if on cue, the sands began to shift again under tentative watch watch. Falling in waves again, bodies arose from deep under the white desert. All of them with golden hued irises.
"Ah... You revived them?"
"Only some my dear friend... Others were not even worth the trouble of using my new found power." He smirked as the souless bodies started their trek to their master.
"How many are there?"
"Out of the original nine, only five my dear friend since one is alive and far away..."
"And the other three?"
"They have to be... tampered with. I feel that their not loyal enough to me yet."
"So true, can't have deserters in the posse." Gin manically laughed out loud.
"I agree." Looking over the reanimated puppets, a smirk graced chisled features. "Marvelous... Absolutely marvelous."
"So I guess its time to start rebuilding yes?"
"It is time my dear friend."
"Good, I was waiting for you to say that... Aizen."
A/N: Shortest chapter so far and hardest to write Xux! Hope you guys enjoy it! Let me know if it needs to be fixed in anyway :3.