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 instantaneous 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. 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 5: The King has returned...

"Aww, they trashed the place."

"It'll be fixed soon with a little help." Aizen smirked over at his subordinate. Walking further into the recently desolated fortress, white clad hands clapped together. Lights clicked on showing the real damage of the place. "Hmmm, I wonder..." Walking to a far off wall, he pressed a hidden switch which revealed a secret door. "Follow..."

"You heard him!" Waving his hand, the soulless bodies of the espadas followed...

"So they haven't gotten here! Thank god." Tracing over the long table of their meetings, Gin smiled back at Aizen.

"Yes, that is fortunate." Walking to the head of the table, he sat at the high chair with Gin next to him. "Just like old times." Turning to the re-animated corpses, he extended a hand. "Sit please... You all remember where you belong right?"

Slowly, each body sat down in a chair, head hung and eyes lifeless.

"Hmmm... You never told me who is who... Their bodies are so decayed I can barely tell."

Clapping his hands again, lights came on showing the mass of bodies that decayed over time due to the sands. "Hmm... The broken glass jar is Aaroniero, the faded pink must be Szayel... There goes Nnoitra since he's so tall... Our dear friend Zommari is here and then we have the top of the espadas! Number cero, Yammy."

All looked up at him as their names were called out. Each starting to regenerate at a fast pace.

Grinning widely, Gin watched as bones mended and flesh returned. "Marvelous... And what about Stark, Barrigan, Harribel, and Ulqiorra? Will Tosen also be joining us as well?"

"Those four shall personally be tampered with, especially the segundo and tres espada. As for Tosen… We shall see about him."

Interlocking his fingers, Gin stared at each rejuvenating body with sickening fascination. "This will be great, the whole family will be whole again soon."

"Yes, this new found power is... With it I can take back control of what was lost..."

Saying nothing, a smile just played out on the silverette's lips.

"Tell me Gin..."

"Hmmm?"

"You seem bored, would you care to go and play in the human world later?" Relaxing back in his chair, Aizen glanced over to Gin.

"Mmmm, nah. It's been a while since I got this body back. I want to keep it un-damaged for a while longer ya know? How long has it been? A month and a half?"

"I believe so."

"Yea, it's too soon to be getting cut up ya know? Gotta get prepped before I go into battle... Mind if I go sleep? I'm still weary."

"Not at all my dear friend, I hope you sleep well."

Smiling, he waved the others off before disappearing down the corridors of the hallways.

'Sleep well... You'll be needing it...'Interlinking his fingers, Aizen watched calmly as muscles mended and skin stretched itself over the red flesh. "Perfect. Your comrades will be joining shortly soon..." Getting up, Aizen left the room as the process was slow and steady. Though the bodies may look ready, organs and cell tissues at least need more time to mend and grow back as to function normally. Walking along the dim hallways, the light was only produced by the forever hanging moon in the sky outside. Coming to a doorway, it opened before him leading to a balcony that over looked the desert sands. It did not escape his view of the small pockets of hollows that roamed. 'They will soon be needed...' Taking in the scent, he frowned slightly. "Hmmm, it seems like we have intruders..."

"Jesus this place is scary..."

"Oh relax, it's just a simple mission to destroy hollows here. Nothing to fear you big cry baby."

"I'm not a cry baby Akira! And besides... It seems odd that I see or sense nothing in sight. You would think that since we found those bodies that the hollows would be more active ya know?" The young soul reaper girl shivered as the feeling of dread spread up her spine. The small group of five that accompanied her scanned the area.

"You're worrying too much Izumi, there's nothing to fret..."

A sound of a body dropping alerted the other four soul reapers to turn.

"What the...!"

"Lee!"

"GAH!"

"Ami!"

"Ugh..."

"Rei!"

"Pity, is this all that soul society has?"

Trembling in fear, the blonde cowered under the immense spiritual pressure. Suddenly, a shadow covered her.

"Run Izumi and tell the others!"

"But Akira!"

"Go! Hurry!"

Nodding, the frightened girl ran back into the opened senkaimon and before sealing it behind her she yelled to him. "Hang on! I'll be right back with backup!"

"Aww, defending your girl friend?"

Growling, the violet haired teen drew his sword. "Ring! Gen Yuzu!" Dissolving, the sword became two katars that trailed out with yellow spirt energy.

"Pheh, take your best..." Feeling a scratch on his cheek, Aizen raised his fingers, feeling the slight drip of blood.

"You were saying?" Landing on his feet, Akira had no time to retaliate as he was picked up by his neck.

"You're a feisty one aren't ya?"

"Drop me you filthy bastard!" Protest could be no longer heard as a bala blasted his stomach clear out. A hole remained were flesh was supposed to be, the insides of the reaper slowly starting to seep out and strain the sand beneath with his blood.

"You're coming with me, I have use for you." Not even caring about the blood, Aizen took off with the severely wounded boy.

"Help! Help!" Running through the crowded walk ways, Izumi frantically pushed soul reapers out of her way. Stumbling, she quickly got up and continued to run. "Help!"

"Easy there." Catching the trembling reaper, Hisagi sat her down among the others."Oh god, she's having a panic attack! Someone get somebody from squad four!"

"What happened?" Rangiku knelt in front of the girl with Momo coming up and taking her from Hisagi's arms before hugging her.

"H-He's back..."

"Who?" Shaking the girl lightly, Momo tried to get an answer out of her before she passed out.

"..."

"You got to say something or else."

"Aizen! He's back! Aizen's back!"

And for once in four years, Momo fainted from shock.

A/N: Added content and fixed!