Chapter 10 is, at long last, DONE! Seriously, I thought I'd never be done with this one. I had the most horrific writer block ever...brrrr I hope it never happens again. X3 I had a bit of fun with Ichigo here but it's overall a serious chapter.

Thank you in advance for the read and I hope I won't let you down with this update. ENJOY! And please, please review...(puppy eyes)

10

Anxiety gnawed at Ichigo like a pest. If he stopped moving forwards he felt like the ground below him would open up and swallow him into its dark pits. His temple was still throbbing from his encounter with Tatsuki. He knew she would be hard to deal with but he didn't expect to be thrown throw a window.

Then again, he did deserve it. Ichigo swallowed a lump of air when he remembered the look Tatsuki gave him. Like he betrayed her. Like he didn't trust her. It stabbed at his conscience, but he knew that no matter what, he couldn't drag the rest of his friends into this whole Aizen mess. Things were screwed up enough as it was.

If she wanted to hate him then so be it, as long as he could keep her safe. Even if Tatsuki, Keigo and Mizuiro would never know, it was alright with Ichigo. Their safety ranked higher than his hurt feelings.

'So you're really going to do this?'

Ichigo halted in his run. He didn't expect to run into one of the Vizards on his way to Urahara's. Shinji stepped from the shadows of the nearby houses making his presence visible under the light of the moon. He looked tired, though he didn't show it. His steps were just a tiny bit heavier and his smile looked that bit more forced for Ichigo to see past his fake relaxed appearance.

'You do realize that this is a bad idea. I mean walking into Aizen's layer? You might as well slice your head off right now and save him the trouble. You're not ready to face him. Not even close.' The blonde snorted. But though he was saying this, he didn't sound serious. The ex-Shinigami probably realized that trying to stop Ichigo would be a major waste of time. Once his mind was set on something steel chains couldn't hold him down.

'I'm going.'

'On your own? You're going to single handily kill the Espada?'

Ichigo moved his weight from foot to foot. He wasn't insane enough to even think that he was capable of something like that. After all, he couldn't even beat one Arrancar, who only had one arm. He had no hope in hell of even coming close to the ring leader. But Orihime was in trouble and he would die before abandoning her in her time of need. He refused to even entertain the idea that she was a traitor. It just wasn't possible.

'I'm going to save Orihime. I have no idea how but I have to try.' His hazel eyes shone with determination.

'Wouldn't expect any less from you. Well since anything I'm going to say to try and make you see some sense would be a waste of breath I'll give you a piece of advice.' Shinji's smirked, a part of him remembering the old days when he was as hot-headed as the young substitute Shinigami. Young people….. 'Don't fight with Aizen. Under any circumstances. If you see him, run. Run and don't look back.'

'But-'

'No buts. I seriously doubt he'd bother coming after you since he probably thinks you're an insignificant insect, but with him you never know. He was always an unpredictable guy. Use his underestimating of you to your advantage. '

'Won't he just come here though? You're telling me to let him come and destroy Kurakura Town?'

'Yep. You're aim is to save Orihime, right?'

'Yes, but-'

'Concentrate on that. We'll take care of the town. Or did you forget that other Vizards live here? Come on. Give us some credit!' Ichigo returned Shinji's sincere smile. In his desperation to save Orihime he'd forgotten that he had friends. Friends who were just as ready to risk their lives for the safety of the unsuspecting inhabitants of Kurakura town.

'Thanks Shinji.'

'Don't mention it. Now you better get going. Wouldn't want to leave Kisuke waiting.'

'Mister Urahara? He doesn't know I'm coming.'

'Oh he knows. Believe me.' He snickered at Ichigo's confused look. The teen decided not to question it. It wasn't really a surprise that the shop owner would know. In Ichigo's view he always seems a little shady. But who from Soul Society wasn't?

Ichigo turned to leave, when a fresh thought entered his mind. He was going to be gone for a while and there was no doubt that he would need every ounce of power and strength he could pile together. That meant Hollow Ichigo. He dreaded this enormously. Things were just not right with his hollow.

Shinji raised an eyebrow at the boy, stopped in mid step and an expression that said he was a thousand miles away. Ichigo's reddening cheeks also raised a few questions. The Vizard waited patiently for the deputy Shinigami to say something. Finally he cleared his throat to attract Ichigo's attention since it didn't look like he was going to talk any time soon of his own accord.

'Ahem. Is there something wrong Ichigo?' Shinji was genuinely worried. To say the boy's behaviour was uncharacteristic was an understatement. Since when did Ichigo have deep thoughts?

'Ah, yeah? Oh! I have a…..a question.' Silence again.

'About?'

'You have a hollow inside right? When you use your mask.'

'Sure…..' Shinji couldn't predict where this conversation was going. Ichigo never talked about his hollow. It was a sort of unspoken taboo, though Shinji didn't know why. It was strange that he wanted to have a heart to heart now of all times.

'Well, did your hollow ever, I don't know. Behave strangely?' This was not going good. Ichigo was beyond mortified of this 'talk'. It sort of reminded him of the time when he was eleven and his father started explaining to him where babies came from. Unfortunately, this time he couldn't weasel his way out by kicking Shinji down the stairs.

'Strange how? I need a bit more info Ichigo. What's going on?'

'Nothing.' Just as he feared he couldn't say it. How could he explain THAT?

'Right…. Well, our hollows are versions of ourselves but they are not us. They have their own separate conscious and personality but don't ever forget that they ARE hollows. Tricky, sly, violent and, above all, heartless. Hope that helps.'

'Yeah. Thanks.'

Ichigo left before he made an even bigger fool of himself. He'd explain the situation some other time, when this whole other mass of crap was done and dusted. That was certainly something to look forwards to…..

'Orihime would you demonstrate your power by healing Grimmjow's left arm?'

Eyes widened and a complete silence fell on the large room. What Lord Aizen was asking was impossible, truly impossible, but nobody dared question their leader. The ex-captain smiled indulgently at the attendants from his elevated throne. He didn't seem to doubt the human girl's ability for a second.

'Yeah right! Thant's crazy, Lord Aizen! Grimmjow's arm? It's gone! Director-general Tosen chopped it off! How can you heal something that's gone? She's not a god!' Luppi's screeching words went unheard. All eyes were focused on the girl.

Grimmjow was as sceptical as the rest of the Espada but he knew that Aizen wouldn't make such a fuss over something that wasn't extraordinary. He already did things previously considered impossible by the inhabitants of Hueco Mundo.

Orihime moved to Grimmjow's side, her steps heavy and with a defeated look on her face. She knew she had no choice. In the second when Aizen met her eyes she felt like all her strength was seeping out of her like free flowing blood from an open wound. Sosuke Aizen was a terrifying enemy.

'Soten Kishun.' Her hair clips flew apart. Grimmjow continued to watch the human with disbelieving intrigue. 'I….I reject.' The shield formed and Orihime's power was activated.

'Hey! Did you hear what I said, girl? If you're trying to save your life with this stupid show, don't!' The current Sexta continued to scream abuse at Orihime, incapable of seeing Grimmjow's arm since it was blocked by the human's frame. However Grimmjow felt it. He felt a strange warmth seep into the veins of his left arm even though it wasn't there. He knew Orihime's 'show' was working even before there was visible proof.

'If it doesn't work, then I'll kill you! If your powers are bogus then there's no reason to keep…..you….alive…..' Luppi's words faded into stunned silence as he finally glimpsed past Orihime. Grimmjow's arm was reassembling like a puzzle where Orihime was fitting all the pieces together.

The bits and pieces drifted together, out of thin air, until the Arrancar's arm was as good as new. There wasn't even a scratch to indicate that it had ever been previously injured. Grimmjow had to lift it and stare at it for a solid minute before he dared believe. His arm was back.

Aizen was explaining what the girl's power meant, but Grimmjow didn't care to listen. The return of his limb changed everything. He no longer had a handicap. He was as powerful as before and he could regain his title among the Espada.

'Hey…girl. Heal one more thing.' He pointed over his shoulder to his lower back. Orihime hurried to do as she was asked. The same alien warmth washed over his burned skin and he felt the scar vanish. His number tattoo was a luxury he hadn't expected to have again. It felt damn good to be back.

'What do you think you're doing Grimmjow?' Luppi tried to hide it under a mask of outrage, but fear seeped into his words. Grimmjow could practically smell the stench. How long had he waited to rip the annoying brat to pieces?

'Huh?' Grimmjow didn't give the brunette a chance to retaliate. Before anyone could blink his newly restored arm was buried elbow deep into Luppi's abdomen. Blood coated his hand and fingers and the Espada couldn't be happier. He'd missed this sensation. The feel of ripped flesh and broken bones, gashing blood and dying breaths. What could be better?

'G-Grimmjow…you…. 'Luppi couldn't breathe properly and his mouth was full of blood. It rolled off of his sluggish tongue in copious amounts and down his chin.

'Just this. Bye-bye number six.' Grimmjow had a gleam in his eyes so deprived of morality it would put any serial killer's to shame.

His right hand charged the red light until the Doom Cero was complete. The ray blazed, giving the whole room a fiery glow. When it diminished there was nothing left of Luppi from his waist up, not even ashes. The topless legs fell to the floor and the remaining blood rushed out, forming a large puddle, in perfect contrast with the spotless white tiles.

He was back and stronger than ever. Grimmjow couldn't believe his luck nor could he contain his mad glee. A crazed laugh erupted out of him and echoed around the empty place making it sound even more twisted and demented.

'It's back! My power's back! I am the Sexta! The Sexta Espada! Grimmjow!' The Arrancar claimed his title under the approving eyes of Aizen and the fearful round eyes of Orihime.

Now nobody could stop him. He was the cat once more and this time he was going to make sure to eat his mouse.

Tatsuki looked at the spot where Ichigo had been a second ago before the glowing doorway closed around him and enveloped her classmate. Beside her, Keigo and Mizuiro were exchanging glances. All of them knew things were not right in their town. They all knew that Ichigo was something more than human even if they pretended to be ignorant. He thought they were fools and blind.

But she knew he was just trying to protect them. Ichigo was always doing selfish things like these. Shouldering the entire burden and keeping everything to himself completely oblivious that he was hurting those who cared for him through his silence more than any supernatural creature ever could.

Urahara's coat flopped in the breeze making itself known, as if annoyed that she wasn't giving it the necessary attention. Tatsuki met the shop owner's eyes for a moment. He was a strange person but she felt his strength. Behind that smiling, joker face was a real demon.

'Well then.' He turned his back on the three students. 'I have my own work to do.'

'They're here.'

The walls trembled and the floor quaked. Lesser hollows would feel the impact of the spiritual pressure like a severe beating. Though Aizen didn't show it, he was a tiny bit surprised. It seemed that in the short time he had last seen the young Shinigami he had raised in class. From an ant to a cockroach. A pesky insect that just refused to die.

Well he had no problem with that. He was a bit intrigued by the human even if he was a lesser being. He idly wondered what tricks Ichigo Kurosaki would pull out of his magic hat now. How much stronger was he capable of becoming when faced with an imminent threat on one of his friends? It was all in vein though. No matter how much Ichigo struggled, in the end he was going to crush him like the rest of his friends.

Why? Because he could.

Grimmjow grinned from ear to ear as he recognised the spiritual pressure. The human came much faster than he dared hope. His fingers twitched with anticipation at the thought of another clash with the hot-headed Shinigami.

This was going to be the best fight he'd had for a very long time. Finally he was going to go all out. Finally his prey was strong enough to put up a decent fight. He was really glad he had decided to spare the boy's life, twice.

Third's time's the charm.

Thank you for reading so far! I hope you liked... OoO

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