The sun had barely begun to rise across the frozen Seireitei before those headed to Hueco Mundo had begun to gather. It had been decided that the team was consist of Captain Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, Lieutenant Renji Abarai, Lieutenant Momo Hinamori, Tia Harribel and Captain Daisuke Arata. "Is everyone here?" asks Shunsui, looking around. Everyone had thought for sure that Ichigo would have been selected as well...but they'd asked enough of the boy already.

"Daisuke isn't," replies Renji. "I thought that idiot would be the first one here." Tia expands her senses, her Pesquisa widening out in all directions before she finally senses the young man's faint Spiritual Pressure approaching very rapidly. He appears with a soft noise, his Flash-Step bringing him within a few feet of Tia. The Shark Queen arches a brow at what's contained in his arms as does everyone else.

"Bringing me flowers now, Daisuke? I think we should just be friends." The young man flashes a bit of a smile but approaches Tia and holds out the bouquet of flowers.

"Here," Daisuke tells her.

"What do I need flowers for?" questions Tia.

"You said you're going to pay your respects to them while we're in Los Noches. So...here. I hear that in the World of the Living flowers are typically placed on the graves of friends or loved ones. They're for your Fracción." Tia is still for several moments before accepting the bouquet and nodding.

"Thank you."

"Ugh," groans Zaraki. "Are you two just about finished screwing around? I'm getting bored here, you know."

"Are you ready, Daisuke?" He nods and she turns, opening a Garganta with a motion of her fingers. "Follow me, and try not to fall off the path. If you do...then you'll be lost forever..."

- - Hueco Mundo - -

After 'convincing' her to help them to Hueco Mundo, Daisuke had asked Tia all sorts of questions about it. When she had described it as a desert of sorrow and ever lasting night he had been somewhat skeptical...but seeing it for himself he is inclined to agree with her. He turns around slowly as the Garganta closes, taking in endless dunes on nearly all sides...nearly. Standing in the distance is what he assumes to be the fortress of Los Noches.

It's absolutely massive, appearing to be the size of a city rather then a fortress. "You could fit the whole Rukon in there," mutters Daisuke. Tia doesn't say a single word as she stares at the fortress...but Daisuke notices a hand gently press against her lower-stomach where the wound had been when they had first met. The young man steps closer to her.

"Are you alright, Tia?"

"...Fine," replies Tia simply. "We should get moving if we're going to take them by surprise."

"Surprise?" asks Kenpachi. "Hah! I want those Arrancar to know I'm here!"

"With Aizen gone the Arrancar aren't all we have to worry about. No doubt the fighting has already begun again here...so stay on your toes. Only the strongest Hollows wander out of the Menos Forest."

"How strong exactly?" asks Momo.

"Vasto Lorde," replies Daisuke, watching as Tia begins towards Los Noches.

"What makes you say that?" questions Shunsui.

"Simple...Tia told me."

"We're wasting time," interrupts Renji. "Let's just get to Los Noches and finish the Arrancar off before we run into something other then Arrancar out there." All of them nod in agreement and moments later, they're racing across the dunes, Flash-Step carrying them swiftly. Regardless, Tia still leads the pack with her Sonido out-pacing them. But as fast as they're moving and as much ground as they're covering it doesn't seem like they're making much head-way.

The bleak scenery whips past as they move, none of them are exactly interested in seeing the sights. But moving like they are takes it's toll and it isn't long before they have to take a break to avoid exhausting themselves. "Take five, everyone," speaks Shunsui, smiling a bit. Daisuke approaches the Shark Queen, who gazes out silently across the white dunes of Hueco Mundo.

"Something on your mind?" Daisuke asks her. "...Tia?" She blinks and then looks over at him. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Just...thinking about the past," Tia tells him. "I have a lot of memories here in Hueco Mundo."

"Any of them good?"

"Only a handful."

"Want to share any of them, Tia?" The Shark Queen remains silent and he nods. "Sorry. Your past isn't any of my business. Especially considering that I forced you into coming back here. I-"

"Look in that direction." Tia motions to their left, across the white dunes of Hueco Mundo. "You can't see it from here but the Southern Canyon is in that direction. That's where I met Mila Rose."

"Mila Rose?"

"One of my Fracción."

"I can't recall you ever mentioning their names."

"No, I didn't. There was Cyan Sung-sun, Franceska Mila Rose and Emilou Apachi." Both of them are silent for a moment before Tia meets his gaze. "What about you? In the Rukon...you said you've experienced your share of loss. What happened?"

"I lost my little brother."

"You said you don't have any family."

"He wasn't...really my family. At least not by blood." He sighs deeply. "I was a teenager at the time and he was just a kid. I lived in a small little shack in North Rukon the 80th District at the time. It wasn't much, you know, but it was mine. It was home. He...Hayate didn't have a home so he stayed with me and I looked after him."

"What happened?"

"I was out try to scrounge up something for him to eat when Hollows attacked. Hayate had Spiritual Pressure and they sensed it. The place was only rubble when by the time I got to him and those Hollows...they were covered in blood."

"Did you get a good look at them?"

"Yes. The were two of them standing on the rubble. They looked identical, believe it or not." Tia narrows her eyes in response. "I've never found them since that day not once. I would recognize their Spiritual Pressure, both have been burned into my mind, after all. I can only assume that someone else got to them before I did...or another Hollow killed them. Or they may have been returned here to Hueco Mundo and become a Menos."

"What was Hayate like?"

"He was a good kid, you know. I mean, yeah, he was cocky as all hell but he was a good kid. He...heh...he said he wanted to grow up to be just like me. Even went so far as to take the name 'Arata' in place of his own last name. Heh...he'd have made one hell of a Shinigami." Daisuke shakes his head, his small smile fading. "It never should have happened."

"It's not your fault."

"It is. I told him that he was too little to go out that late at night. That home would be the safest place for him. Hayate always believed that no matter what I would be there to keep him safe. He never doubted it for a second. Hayate put his trust in me. He was the closest thing I've ever had to family...and I failed him, Tia. It was my fault that he died." He releases a breath. "After that...I left for the academy, and didn't look back. Wasn't anything left for me, after all."

"I'm sorry, Daisuke."

"Yeah...me, too." He pauses for a moment. "Look, I'd, uh...I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone else about this, Tia." The Shark Queen offers a nod in understanding and Daisuke flashes a smile.

"Hey!" calls Renji. "If you two are ready, then we're going to go."

"Let's move on, then, Renji." Once again they start across the vast expanse of Hueco Mundo. The sands, the dunes pass in a blur of motion as they move towards the fortress of Los Noches. This time they don't stop until they've reached one of the massive walls of the fortress. Shunsui whistles in appreciation.

"Talk about a fortress," comments Shunsui. "Now...how do we get inside?" Tia approaches the wall and presses down on a part of the wall. The stone gives way and a doorway slowly opens before them. "Hm. That's useful." Daisuke narrows his eyes, taking a step towards the door.

"I can sense it, Shunsui," Daisuke tells him.

"Hm?"

"That bastards Spiritual Pressure. He's a dead man..."

"Daisuke-" He's off like a shot the next moment, leaving all of them behind without a second thought. "Haah...I had a feeling this would happen."

"Shouldn't we go after him, Captain?" asks Momo.

"No. That's his own fight. One he's willing to stake his life on...we've got no right to interfere, Momo." Kenpachi grins wildly as he steps towards the door.

"What are we standing around here for?" questions Kenpachi. "It's time to have a little fun...!"

Silence. The silence of an eternal night silences the world, smothering all life below the oppressively dark sky. But this is home. Home to creature that should not...cannot exist in the light. This silence is shattered by a deafening boom, and the shaking of the stone beneath the feet of the Arrancar. Daisuke walks through the small cloud of dust and debris out into the moonlit night. "Good evening," drawls the Arrancar evenly. "The dome of Los Noches offers a grand view, doesn't it?"

"I told you I would find you, Arrancar," replies Daisuke.

"And here you stand. It would appear that you are a man of your word, Shinigami." He slowly glances over his shoulder, crimson eyes meeting amber. "You're very brave to confront me alone...or very stupid." Daisuke grips the tsuka of Tenshi, causing the Arrancar to chuckle. "Touchy, aren't you? So, you're here to avenge that Shinigami I killed."

Daisuke chuckles for only a moment before it turns into full on laughter. "Killed? No. Jushiro is very much alive and on his way to a swift recovery, Arrancar. I'm here to kill you because you attacked him while he was unable to defend himself and...well, also because I just don't like cowards like you."

"Alive or dead, at the moment it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. He'll be dead soon enough, all of you will." Daisuke narrows his eyes in response. "You Shinigami are nothing but vermin to my brothers and sisters. One that Aizen failed to exterminate but I will not." The young man smiles and then nods firmly.

"I could say that about Hollows as well. Are you sure you want to debate this with me?"

"By all means. It's important to know how your enemy views you after all. It should prove amusing at the least."

"Very well. We Shinigami maintain the delicate balance between souls, living and dead. You Hollows upset that balance by devouring souls with no after-thought for the consequences. You're nothing but creatures driven by your own hunger, and selfish ambitions. I could go so far as to describe you as a pack of wild dogs but that would be a compliment to your kind and insult to canines."

"Shut your mouth, Shinigami!"

"Oh, I apologize. Am I not amusing you anymore, Arrancar?"

"I've had enough talking!" The Arrancar draws his Zanpakuto from it's black saya. "Slither! Nishikihebi!"

"Guess not! Fall from the Heavens! Kurayami no Tenshi...!"

Shunsui pushes up the brim of his hat a bit and glances skyward. "Hmm, seems like Daisuke decided to kick things off already," comments Shunsui. The experienced captain slowly glances down finding himself surrounded by several Arrancar.

"Four of you, huh?" He reaches down to Katen Kyokotsu, gripping the saya's of the two blades gently. "Aren't I popular?" He sighs a bit. "Normally, I'd go out of my way to avoid a fight with you four but I guess that isn't an option this time."

All four rush forward and he reacts, drawing both Zanpakuto from their black saya. Shunsui weaves through the four of them effortlessly, Zanpakuto clashing as he does so. He turns this way and that, moving in a manner that seems almost lazy when compared to their violent attacks. With Zanpakuto moving in two different directions he backs off the four of them with ease before launching onto the offensive.

He steps in close to the nearest, a strike from his wakizashi causing the Arrancar to step back as he follows it up with another from his tachi. His Zanpakuto collides with another inches from the crook of his intended targets neck. Shunsui jerks his head back and then ducks with a bit of a grunt, avoiding their Zanpakuto with ease both times. "Whoa-oh!"

The experienced Captain jumps back a few times before coming to a stop. "Mm...you know this isn't fair. Fighting four against me."

"No one asked you, old man," replies one of them.

"Old? Now, that's just cruel! I may have to punish you for that, you know." The foursome rush the Captain and he moves forward as well. Block, weave or dodge...none of them seem to get close to landing a hit on the man and he seems rather content to stay on the defensive. He ducks a slash and moves forward, passing the Arrancar and cutting him across the back from shoulder to hip with a single stroke.

He turns and cuts another one in half at the waist with a single blow before putting distance between himself and the two remaining Arrancar. "You bastard!"

"I want you to know that I really don't take any pleasure in this. Fighting isn't really my thing, after all."

"We're going to kill you, old man!" Both raise their Zanpakuto, beginning their release...

The Spiritual Pressure's in the distance...Tia recognizes one as belonging to Daisuke. Regardless, the Espada walks calmly through the halls of Los Noches, paying no mind to the two Arrancar following her. She knows the way, she would be able to walk it blind-folded. The Shark Queen turns a corner and comes to a stop in front of a set of large doors. Aizen's former throne room lay behind the doors, but she has no interest in entering.

Instead, she very gently places the bouquet of flowers down in front of the door. It would do as a reminder of what had happened. Tia closes her eyes, wishing fond farewells to her Fracción. When she opens them she crosses her arms. "How long are you planning to lurk around back there?" Tia questions them. She turns to face the two Arrancar, two she had never seen before.

"So, ya sensed us, eh, Girly?" asks the thinnest of the two. "I guess ya think that makes ya special, eh?"

"Hmph. Obviously, talking to someone like you is a waste of time." He narrows his eyes in response, a growl sounding in his chest.

"That right, bitch? Why don't'cha come over here an say that to my face?" Tia responds by reaching back towards her own Zanpakuto and hooking a finger through one of the loops on the tsuba. She draws the hollow Zanpakuto slowly as she face them and sparks fly as it clears it's wide saya and she grips the tsuka.

"I don't see a point in killing you..." The Arrancar doesn't hear any of this as he rushes forward and she simply turns her shoulder to avoid him. He crashes through the doors into the throne room and Tia reaches up. "...but since I was asked to by him...I guess I should." She slowly unzips her jacket and the larger Arrancar's eyes widen as she takes in her appearance, or to be more exact, the '3' tattooed on the inside of her right breast.

"The Tercera Espada," observes the large Arrancar the opposite end of the hall. "The traitor returns to Los Noches." Tia doesn't respond, she only rushes towards the Arrancar quickly...

Kenpachi walks in silence, making no attempt to hide his Spiritual Pressure as he does so. He wants to attract as many of the Arrancar left here as possible, after all. But so far, none of them seem to taking the powerful Captain up on his offer.

"Nothing but weaklings here," Kenpachi tells himself. He senses the Spiritual Pressure moments before the Arrancar attacks. He turns and catches the Zanpakuto...and a spray of blood runs down his arm as a result. "Well, now...maybe I was a bit hasty..."

The Arrancar jumps back, pulling it's Zanpakuto free as it faces Kenpachi. "What a strange Shinigami," observes the man. "You're not scared of me?"

"Heh! Like hell! You seem strong so I can't wait to fight you!" There are two distinct bursts of static and two deep slashes appear on either one of his sides. The two Arrancar appear behind the thinner Arrancar and Kenpachi grins rather psychotically. "More of you! This might just be worth it after all!" With that the man charges forward into the fight without a second thought...

Renji and Momo can sense the Spiritual Pressures of Captain Kyoraku, Captain Zaraki, Tia and Daisuke. All of them are fighting powerful opponents. "I hope everyone is going to be ok," speaks Momo.

"Of course they'll be fine," replies Renji. "They all know how to handle themselves, Momo." She nods slowly in understanding and Renji glances over at the woman. "You're worried about Daisuke."

"He still hasn't recovered fully from his wounds..."

"Don't worry! One good thing about being as stupid as he is is being tough. He won't give up and die that easily. Alright?" Momo smiles a bit and then nods. "Good. So, don't worry about that idiot."

"Ok, Renji. If you say so."

The two stop in front of a set of large doors and Renji shoves them open. The two step into a large open room with no wall on the other side in sight. "Let's just-"

Both Lieutenants tense under the weight of a powerful Spiritual Pressure and look at the source. An Arrancar steps out from behind a large pillar, arms crossed across his chest as he regards the two Lieutenants.

"It is very rude to enter another's home without permission, Shinigami," the Arrancar tells them simply.

"Heh. Sorry about that," replies Renji sarcastically. "We got a little lost, Arrancar."

"Clearly." Renji growls a bit in response.

"So, how about some directions then smartass?" The Arrancar narrows his eyes and then grips the grips tsuka of his Zanpakuto.

"Tell me, Shinigami, are you as skilled at wielding your Zanpakuto as you are at running your mouth?" Renji draws his Zanpakuto in response and smirks.

"Why don't you find out?! Hihio Zabimaru...!"

Daisuke rushes forward with a loud yell, bringing Kurayami straight down. Zanpakuto meets claws with a loud 'crash!' and both skidding across the dome of Los Noches in opposite directions. "Guh! Fuck!" exclaims Daisuke. There's a soft burst of static and he glances back to find the Arrancar waiting with claws raised. A Flash-Step carries him to safety inches from his claws and the Arrancar turns to in the direction he believes him to be, only to stare out across the dome of Los Noches. "Turn around."

He whirls around to face Daisuke, a snarl tearing from it's throat as it does. "You've gotten faster since we last met, I see," observes the Arrancar. "Is that because you were made a Captain?"

"I think you're confused. Becoming a Captain isn't the same as becoming an Arrancar. There's no increase in strength or Spiritual Pressure." He snarls and rushes Daisuke. The young man reaches back, drawing his Zanpakuto and meeting claws with steel. The two recoil slightly before appearing high above the dome. Sparks fly in every direction from the their attacks.

Daisuke dodges the Arrancar's claws and rushes forward, smashing his fist into it's masked face. It goes skidding backwards, smashing into one of the already destroyed pillars on the dome of Los Noches and he follows. "Rend!"

The wave of golden energy collides and smashes through the pillar leveling the remains of it and kicking up a large cloud of dust and debris. He clenches and unclenches his hand trying to rid himself of the pain and blood streams down from every split knuckle. "Kuh...damn Heirro. Huh?"

He Flash-Steps to safety moments before a crimson Cero tears through the place he'd been standing. The dust clears to reveal the unharmed Arrancar. There is only a small scratch on it's chest from the impact of his attack. "You bastard...I'll kill you!"

"Hmph. I guess using that attack just doesn't quite cut it..." The Arrancar's Sonido brings him within inches of Daisuke and he jerks his head back, avoiding an upward slash but not the second that lays open his shoulder. He casts himself backwards, planting both feet firmly into the Arrancar's chest as he does so. Both are thrown in opposite directions and the young Shinigaim follows the backwards motion into a flip.

The Arrancar appears behind him again and he turns, Zanpakuto meeting claws. "You're not strong enough to fight me, Shini- Unh!" A powerful kicked to it's masked face silences the Arrancar and opens Daisuke up to another bite from his claws. Both are thrown opposite directions. The Arrancar sails skyward while Daisuke impacts the dome of Los Noches hard enough to make a crater. "I have had-"

"Rend!" The wave of golden energy strikes him in the chest and sends him straight backwards, further into the sky. "Just shut-up. I have had enough of your talking already, Arrancar." Daisuke glances down at the prayer-beads on his wrist. They glow a bright golden, each one packed with energy and ready to release it. "Hmph...game over, Arrancar."

It rushes forward without a second thought as Daisuke widens his stance and grips the black tsuka with both hands now.

"Shinigami...!"

The young man raises his Zanpakuto and growls. "Hikari no Yari!" His world explodes into nothing but gold and he sails skywards, the spear of powerful energy tearing away at his Heirro with ease. Beyond the gold he can see Daisuke standing firm...and beyond him the vision of an angel, clad in white. A ragged scream tears from his throat as he tumbles across the dome of Los Noches, smashing into the rubble of one of the towers that once stood proud.

The prayer beads lose their glow and Daisuke falls to a knee, panting heavily. Sweat and blood roll off of him and he immediately seals away his Bankai. Hikari no Yari...a technique he's only used once in practice and nearly brought down the cave he was training in on top of him as a result.

He'd still only come so far as a single shot with it and it required a combined effort from Tenshi and himself to use it...but the results were devastating, as the deep, wide scar in the dome of Los Noches proves.

"Got'cha...prick," growls Daisuke, using Tenshi to support himself. "Wha...?"

"Kuh...unhah...guh!" grunts the Arrancar, tossing pieces of rubble off of his body. "I'm...still alive...Shinigami! You're nothing...but a fool!"

'On your feet, boy! Now! Right now!' demands Tenshi.

He growls and pushes himself to his feet, blood streaming from the deep cuts on his body. The Arrancar casts off the final bit of rubble and stands. It's right arm is gone at the shoulder and a huge chunk of it's right flank is gone as well exposing organs better left unseen...and still it walks towards him, eyes filled with hatred.

"Oh, for...what the fuck are you made of?!" asks Daisuke, struggling to his feet.

'Focus! Here he comes...!'