Description: Kurosaki is ready to enter Hueco Mundo with his friends. Rukia, Renji, and Ichigo leave directly from the Soul society. Ichigo goes off alone and gets into a scrape.

Rating: T violence

MewMid: I know I'm skipping over parts and details, but my job here isn't to retell the original story, I'm changing it. So please bear with me. Enjoy!

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Ichigo was on her way to meet with Rukia and Renji, it was the day they were to leave to Hueco Mundo. The senkaimon was ready to be opened, and they had to hurry before the other captains found out. Ichigo approached where the gate was supposed to be opened. She felt ready. She had a Zanpakto now thanks to the captain of the 12th division. He had changed her weapon to the katana so she could be an actual soul reaper. When she transformed, her weapon was now a katana, and she could fire the same attack as her old weapon, but it was more deadly. The katana was a medium length with a red handle.

Renji stood in front of the area where they were supposed to leave from. He stood beside ikkaku and Yumichika. Those two never could mind their own business.

Ichigo smiled at them and approached them. Renji nodded at her,

"You ready?"

The cat girl took a deep breath, "Ready as I'll ever be."

"Good luck kid." Ikkaku said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "You'll need all the luck you can get where you're goin'."

Yumichika smiled at her, "Don't die or anything. It's not a very elegant way to go dying in that place."

Before Ichigo could respond another person approached them, it was Rukia. She had a tan colored sash around her neck, she smiled and waved as she walked over.

"You guys ready?"

Renji chuckled, "Where'd you get that?"

Her cheeks flushed a little pink, "Nii-sama gave it to me…"

Kurosaki, Chad, and Uryu were approaching the palace of Las Noches when they stumbled across Rukia, Ichigo, and Renji. It was a good reunion, but they had too much at stake to sit around and talk. They began their journey into Las Noches. The palace was enormous, and cold inside. The air was still, and there was an aura of danger everywhere. The group ran down the long white corridors, taking as few turns as possible.

Ichigo observed her team mates. She could sense that Kurosaki was indeed the strongest, he was far more powerful than he looked, and he shared her first name. Her eyes fell on Uryu, he was thin, but she saw determination in his eyes, he must have a lot at stake by coming here. Chad seemed the weakest of the group, not because of his power, but because of his heart. Ichigo knew the big guy was a gentle giant, and it would come back to bite him perhaps later on. She knew Rukia and Renji were good fighters, but how they compared to these new enemies she wouldn't know until she witnessed a fight.

Things were different now. It was far more difficult and there was a lot going on all at once. Ichigo hadn't stopped and even given her past life a thought, this is what she lived for now. She wanted to get face to face with the only person she had trusted with her life here, and find out why he would do such a traitorous thing. Her past life seemed like dust settling in a pond, it would soon be forgotten and left down there in the back of her mind forever.

The group reached a large circular room, there were at least 8 doors they could choose from. Ichigo looked over at Kurosaki, he seemed to be the leader of the group.

"What do we do now?"

Kurosaki looked at her, then turned to face the whole group, "I think we should split up."

"Who died and made you king?" Uryu said, a tad bitter that Kurosaki was making all the calls.

Chad shrugged, "If you think that will be best. I think we could cover more ground that way. Better chance of finding Orihime."

Ichigo nodded, as did Rukia, Kurosaki smiled, "All right. Whoever finds her, get out of here as fast as you can. We will know because your spiritual pressure disappeared completely and abruptly. Getting her out of here is the priority, she had nothing to do with this."

The group then agreed and all ran down separate hallways. Ichigo was anxious about going off on her own, but she figured it was necessary in order for her to have time alone with Gin. If she even found him.

Soul Society was in a fuss about Renji, Rukia, and Ichigo leaving to Hueco Mundo. Many of the captains covered for them and said it was for a good cause. Zakuro however, did not think it was for a just cause. She couldn't believe Ichigo had left like that. Ichigo had a job to do, and she was supposed to be here doing it, but she ran out on her duties. Zakuro didn't want to let this happen. Her friend would get herself killed there, she didn't know or appreciate how strong the new enemy was. The wolf girl knew Ichigo stood no chance against an espada.

Zakuro wanted to bring Ichigo back herself and show her she was wrong to leave her post like this.

Orihime sat on the edge of her bed, she had cried enough. She was alone here. The fourth espada was her caretaker, and she wasn't afraid of him for some reason. He wasn't out to hurt her. But he did have the potential to really hurt her friends. There were too many powerful people in Las Noches. She hoped and prayed that no one came after her, the last thing she wanted was for her friends to get hurt trying to save her. She felt she was a necessary sacrifice for her friends safety, if the espada had her, her friends had a bit more time to get stronger so they could kill Aizen.

Ulquiorra entered the room, one of his fraction wheeled in a cart and exited after doing so.

"This is for you. You need to eat."

Orihime looked over at him, she wasn't mad with the espada. In fact, she was glad it was her and not anyone else that had been taken. She wouldn't be able to save any of her friends, she just hoped no one tried to save her and got hurt.

"I'm fine. No thank you."

Ulquiorra didn't look amused, "You'll have to eat. You'll get sick if you do not. I will leave this here, if you do not eat by the time I return, I'll tie you down and force it down your throat."

Orihime looked down at the ground, she felt sick. She wasn't hungry, just sick and tired. Her body felt weak. The fourth espada left her alone in the room.

The room ahead of her was quiet. The red head tip toed forward, she could sense someone ahead of her. She then heard an unusual sound, snoring. The cat girl peered around the corner and saw a long hall, the first door on the left was open, its where the sound was coming from. She continued forward and looked inside, the room was large and had one corner completely full of pillows. It was an enormous pile of pillows strewn across the floor in the corner. A man lay sleeping on top of the pillows, he snored loudly. Ichigo blinked and stared at him, he didn't seem like a threat at all. She could walk over and slice his neck if she wanted to.

That wasn't why she was here. Ichigo turned and continued on down the long corridor. She wasn't here to fight needlessly. She came to help Kurosaki rescue his friend and speak to Gin face to face. If she fought anyone it'd be him. The hall split into a T up ahead of her, she had to decide to go left or right. Ichigo heard noises coming from the right, strange noises, she couldn't tell what it was. She turned left and continued down the corridor. The building gave her chills, its halls were wide and ceilings tall. But the place itself wasn't intimidating. It was difficult to sense any reiatsu through the walls.

The hall curved and she followed, she then heard an explosion out in the distance. She flinched and leaned against the wall. Who was that? Was it Kurosaki? Did someone attack one of her friends? Ichigo shook her head, she had to worry about her own safety. This was a dangerous place. This palace had many strong members and she would be killed if she let anyone know of her presence.

The cat girl continued down the hall, she then started aching. A spiritual pressure was near her, she felt it heavy on her body. It was difficult to walk, breathe, or even move. She wasn't sure what was happening, Ichigo felt suddenly exhausted. Did someone know she was there? Or was it this difficult getting close to these enemies?

She slowly turned and put her back against the wall, she leaned back. Whoever it was, was strong. Stronger than anyone she had previously fought. Ichigo covered her mouth, she felt like gasping for air, she sunk to the ground. Footsteps approached her, she felt scared now. This person knew she was here.

When she saw a shadow on her right side, she leaped to her feet and darted down the hall away from the person. This person was far stronger than her and would easily defeat her, not giving her the chance to find Gin. She sprinted as fast as she could without looking back. In a blink of an eye she ran into a body. A tall hard body. Ichigo fell backwards but was caught by the neck and yanked forward. Ichigo tried to let out a scream but instead gasped for air. She was lifted up off the ground and to eye level with her captor.

He was tall and had an eye patch over his left eye, his good eye was narrow with a small purple iris. Ichigo squirmed about in his grasp, he had long hands, they reached completely around her neck.

"And who in the hell might you be?"

His voice was raspy and intimidating, she stared at him for a few moments.

"I-I'm Ichigo."

Nnoitra stared at her in disbelief, he looked her up and down in a curious manner, "You don't look like Ichigo to me."

She writhed about, he chuckled, "Oh I see, you're messing with me. Thats not funny. You should be more careful. I'm not someone who takes kindly to liars."

His hand loosened slightly, "Please, let me go. I'm not here to.. fight." She coughed up the last word, Nnoitra stared at her, quite amused with the girl.

"You beg for your life now? How entertaining."

Ichigo winced as he turned and threw her over his shoulder, holding her ankles with one hand. Ichigo flailed and fought him as he took her to the lord of Las Noches.

Aizen observed as his 5th espada entered his throne chamber with a woman over his shoulder. Gin and Tosen stood beside Aizen, they had been discussing plans about how to deal with the intruders. Gin and Tosen silenced as the lanky espada approached Aizens throne.

"Aizen-sama, I caught this rat sneaking around in the corridors. She wasn't hard to catch."

Nnoitra tossed Ichigo down onto the marble floor like a piece of trash. Aizen observed her,

"I see. Thank you Nnoitra. I'm so sorry miss, we aren't big on hospitality towards shinigami here. But I'm sure he meant you no harm. Ichigo turned and looked up at the three former captains.

Gin's stomach dropped, his heart raced in his chest, it was the first time he had seen her in months. Her hair was a bit longer, and her eyes were just the way he remembered. Ichigo's expression turned from angry to hurt and desperate. Aizen had a small smile on his face, Tosen and Gin remained quiet.

"This girl was in your care back in the Sereitei wasn't she Gin?"

Aizen asked the silver haired man calmly. Gin stared down at her, his smile back on his face,

"That she was Aizen-Taicho, i trained 'er and such. I didn' know she'd be enterin' Hueco Mundo with Kurosaki though."

Tosen scoffed, "She's either very brave, or very stupid."

Aizen waved his hand at the two, "No need to be rude or ask questions now. Welcome to Las Noches Momomiya Ichigo. I'm afraid I have no time to deal with you at the moment, I'll leave you in our 5th espada's care, Nnoitra Jiruga."

The tall espada chuckled and looked down at the girl, Ichigo clambered to her feet before the former captains. She briefly glared at Gin, and then looked to Aizen.

"Aizen, I've-"

A hand clapped over her mouth, Nnoitra's face was then down beside hers,

"Shh now girl, Lord Aizen has nothing to say to a whelp like you."

Ichigo flailed and began struggling against him, Nnoitra grabbed her and flung her over his shoulder and turned to leave the throne room.

"Much appreciated Lord Aizen, I'll take good care of her." He finished the sentence with a chuckle as he entered the main hall.

Gin felt a tug at his heart as she was carried away. He fought it, he knew he couldn't do anything at the moment. He would have to go after her later, he knew of all the espada that could have found her, Nnoitra was probably the worst. Perhaps behind Szayel. Gin turned and grinned at Aizen,

"Ah Sir, that ain't fair, I should have her back. Don'cha think? She was mine a long time ago, its only fair I get her to have as my pet here."

Aizen sighed, "You should have spoken up Gin. She's now with Nnoitra, perhaps you can negotiate with him later."

Ichigo flailed around as Nnoitra entered his chambers. There was a sitting room, and two adjacent bedrooms, and a small kitchen like area that looked spotless. Ichigo fought him as he carried her into the left bedroom and literally dropped her onto the enormous bed. Ichigo's hair was mangled around her face s she whirled around onto her back to face him. Her heart beating quickly in her chest. Nnoitra reached down and grabbed a fistful of hair on the back of her head, he cranked her head back and pulled her upper body towards him just a bit. Only her lower half remained on the bed.

Ichigo winced and fought him, reaching for her katana on her back. Nnoitra grabbed her hand and yanked it away, then grabbing her katana and throwing it out into the main room. The tall espada chuckled and stared as her face dropped from angry to despair.

"You think you stood a chance against me?"

She grabbed at the hand behind her head that held her hair, he leaned in close to her face. Nnoitra dragged his lips across her cheek and across her mouth roughly, she flinched and recoiled from him. He let go of her hair to grab her jaw and his long fingers reached up to her cheeks.

"Let me go… I-I didn't do anything to you." Her tone was weak and her voice quivered as she spoke. The 5th espada scoffed,

"You dipshit, you broke into the palace of Las Noches unprepared. You're far too weak to fight even the weakest espada. You are getting what you asked for girl."

Ichigo grit her teeth, this is exactly what she wanted to avoid. Movement from behind Nnoitra caught her eye.

"Nnoitra-sama."

The blond man stood behind him, Nnoitra cursed, "Tesla! What in the fuck are you doing here? I'm a little busy."

Tesla nodded, "I'm sorry Nnoitra-Sama, I didn't mean to interfere. Its just, Szayel Aporro Granz requires your presence."

The tall espada seethed and leaned in close to Ichigo's face, she winced, his long fingers hurt her jaw. Nnoitra waved Tesla away, "Get lost. I'll go shortly."

Tesla complied, and he felt pity for the girl, he knew she had no chance now. He turned on his heel, he always obeyed the will of his master.

Nnoitra pressed his mouth against hers, his long tongue slid into her mouth. Ichigo bit him instinctively and kicked him in the chest. Nnoitra threw her down onto the floor angrily. He spat blood onto the floor next to her.

"That's the last mistake you'll ever make." He reached down and grabbed her by the hair, lifting her up. Ichigo let out a shrill scream, someone had to hear her. Nnoitra clenched down onto her throat, squeezing her windpipe. She gasped for air and writhed like a fish out of water. He tore the top of her shihakusho exposing her upper half. Ichigo whimpered, her head started to spin from the lack of oxygen. Nnoitra ran his free hand over the front of her body, he sneered and pulled her close to his face as she gasped for air.

"You are shit without me here. I'll do as I please and I swear I'll tear you limb from limb if you dare fight me."

The tall espada watched as her eyes started to close, he threw her back into the wall and watched her crumple to the ground unconscious. He then turned and slammed the door behind him, yelling for Tesla to get moving, they were to go to Szayel.

Ichigo woke up slowly, she was on a bed in a white robe now. She sat up quickly and looked around the dark room. Her head pounded, she winced.

"Slow down Ichigo-chan, yer looking a lil pale."

The cat girl knew that voice. She whipped her head up and saw none other than Gin standing at the foot of her bed. Ichigo's heart leapt into her throat, she jumped up and grabbed the front of his robe, angrily shaking him. She wasn't sure what brought on this sudden wave of anger, but she felt there was nothing to lose on her part.

"You jerk you just left me! I trusted you the most out of anyone! I even started to have feelings for you and then you betrayed us all! How could you! You heartless snake!"

Gin's smile faded and he grabbed her small wrists to pull her hands off of him, she struggled around despite her pounding headache. The silver haired man grabbed her wrists and tried his best to hold her still,

"Listen to me Ichigo-chan, What I been doin wasn't exactly right by ya I know! But I need ya to calm down and listen to ol' Ichimaru for jus' a moment."

Ichigo felt her eyes water as she lost the urge to fight him, she stared up at his face, she was so mad with him.

"What?"

She said, her voice cracking. Gin smiled sheepishly and slowly released her hands.

"I jus' brought ya from ol' Nnoitra's quarters. I figured he'd a'been doin terrible things to ya so I felt obligated to stop him. I can't tell ya' what happened or is happenin'. But I need to ask ya to trus' me again. Honestly, I ne'er meant for ya to get hurt, I care so much for ye. I got a soft spot in meh heart for ya. Its causin' me pain ya know. So I want ya to stay here for a bit and relax, yer safe here. No espada dare be messin about in my room or Tosen's. Trus' me."

Ichigo sat in silence, just taking in what he said. She looked up at his face again, she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Tears boiled up in her eyes, she swallowed hard, her throat wrenching tight. Gin reached out and stroked her hair, his touch was comforting to her. She took a few steps toward him and got close to his face,

"You mean that?"

Gin grinned and nodded, "Ya o' course I do! I wouldn' have saved ya if I didn'"

The cat girl accepted this, he was telling the truth, why save her and get her to safety if he didn't mean it? Ichigo turned and sat back down onto the bed, taking a shaky breath. Gin walked towards the door,

"I'll be back in a bit. I best be goin' to explain myself to Aizen-Taicho, or he'll be a tad upset with me."

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MewMid: And now all the fighting begins, and then some tasty drama.. mhmmm. ;) Keep Reading and Enjoy!