Description: It is the day the remaining espada are to infiltrate the world of the living. Ichigo is brought along, and they are greeted in a hostile way by the captains and lieutenants that are not stranded in Hueco Mundo. Ichigo feels ashamed to face Zakuro, because Zakuro won't understand. The fights begin, Ichigo isn't prepared to fight her old teammate.

Rating: T

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Gin stared at the sleeping girl beside him, his heart was heavy. Today was the day they were going to go to the world of the living. It was early in the morning, he knew Aizen would call for him soon. They would be going to open the garganta soon, and Ichigo had to come along. A few captains were still in Hueco Mundo, but Yammy Rialgo was being left behind to deal with them. Ulquiorra was facing off against Ichigo Kurosaki at the moment, but Aizen had no time to wait for them.

The red head was on her side facing him, she breathed slowly. Gin wasn't smiling, he was anxious about the next few days to come. Any one of the days could be the day of his death. Gin stood up, putting his robes on, after that he stood beside the bed. He gently rubbed Ichigo's shoulder, her soft skin felt nice against his cold fingers.

"Ichigo-chan. It's time to go."

Ichigo stirred and looked up at him, she had a sad expression. She knew what day this was, the day she would have to be called a traitor from her old comrades. She stared at Gin for a moment, but he just smiled at her and walked over to the doorway.

"Best be gettin ready Ichigo-chan, Aizen-Taicho is waitin."

The mew frowned and stared at his back as he walked across the room, she knew this day was coming. She was only here for him. Ichigo had betrayed everyone, just to stay with this man. She felt he needed her more than they did, and she had feelings for him. Gin wasn't a bad man, Ichigo knew it in her heart. When he would prove he wasn't evil she wasn't sure. By her staying here, she also would have a clear shot at Aizen if the moment were to arise.

"All right, just one minute."

The sereitei was quiet today. No one was out and about. The wolf girl just stood inside the first division meeting hall. The remaining captains and lieutenants were meeting before they left for the world of the living. Zakuro was in this meeting as well, the captains had vouched for her to come along because she was somewhat powerful. She was just standing there, her body numb. The words of the head captain barely reached her brain, she stared at the ground, no expression on her face.

Zakuro knew she would face Ichigo soon. The cat girl hadn't tried to contact her or come back since she had abandoned her post and not returned. Unless she was dead, there was no excuse. No captain had reported seeing her as well, as far as Zakuro could tell, that was suspicious.

Komamura stood beside the young wolf girl, he could see she was distracted. He knew what she was thinking, he was thinking about the same thing. He was afraid he would have to face off with Tosen, his dear friend. The head captain finished his speech and briefing, and then told the captains to gather their thoughts, have their last meal, and meet to leave in an hour.

Ichigo stared in slight fear as the garganta opened. The Garganta scared her, it was intimidating, like a black hole suddenly opening out of thin air in front of her. She watched as Gin, Aizen, Tosen, and a small blond kid she didn't recognize enter the garganta. Ichigo knew the espada were getting in through by their own means, but it still made her uneasy to be with this particular group. The red head stepped into the garganta, afraid of the outcome, and unprepared for what she would see next.

How she got here was beyond her. One stupid radical decision led to another and things built up. And now here she was, staring in the faces of those she called comrades. They didn't look at her the same way. The captains and lieutenants were intent and in a rather tense mood. Ichigo stood slightly behind Gin, afraid of facing them. She knew they wouldn't understand. Any one of them would be the one to kill her. The fake Karakura was silent as the grave, no people were around, just as Aizen had predicted.

Aizen exchanged words with the head captain for a few tense moments. The espada appeared around them, Starrk, Harribel, and Barragan. They were the remaining three besides Yammy, who was in Hueco Mundo dealing with the remaining captains.

Then she saw her.

Her old teammate was staring right at her. Ichigo took a step back, Zakuro looked deadly. She appeared to wear no expression, but Ichigo knew what those eyes meant to do to her. The wolf mew was going to be after her specifically.

Ichigo noticed four pillars around her, large white stone pillars. She could sense lieutenants guarding them. The second espada, the old man Barragan, sent out his fraction to attack them. Everything started happening so fast. Gin slowly turned and looked at her, he wasn't smiling. Behind him, the head captain grabbed his walking stick, and turned it into a sword. Ichigo's heart leaped into her throat, she opened her mouth to speak, before she could, Gin seized her arm. Ichigo yelped as Gin turned and threw her.

The cat girl flew a few hundred feet below her, crashing onto the top of a building in a cloud of dust. She yanked her head up to look at him, and before she could blink, Aizen, Gin, and Tosen were engulfed in a huge ring of fire. The fire engulfed the four of them completely, she couldn't see any of them. Ichigo stared in disbelief as she stood up, brushing dust off of her.

Before she could turn her head, a sudden kick to her upper back sent her flying across the top of the building. Ichigo coughed and sputtered, the air knocked clean out of her lungs. The cat mew turned around to see who attacked her, even though she already knew. The violet haired girl stood before her glaring at her, her whip out, she had already transformed. Ichigo kept the katana, but Zakuro kept her whip in the transformation.

"Zakuro wait! I can explain!"

The wolf mew shook her head slowly,

"So you can lie to my face too? Abandoning me, your post, and those who trusted you!"

Ichigo frowned, shaking her head, "I didn't do it to hurt any of you! You have to understand-"

"Ribbon Zakuro Spear!"

Ichigo dove to the side, avoiding her attack. Zakuro was so mad with her, but for good reason. The red head understood her anger, if Zakuro up and left her she'd be upset and angry too. Especially if she left with the enemy. She remembered when she saw Zakuro with Kish, how mad the girls all were. Ichigo got it. She knew. There was no getting around fighting them, she wouldn't be able to fully explain herself until after this fight. No one had anything to say to her.

The cat girl drew her sword, it glowed and she transformed into her mew form. Ichigo's uniform was white like the espadas but somewhat resembled her mew form. She held her katana, feeling shaky and afraid to fight her friend. Zakuro flew across the ground, she always was fast, they clashed weapons. Zakuro just glared at her, Ichigo winced, she was strong.

The girls clashed weapons back and forth, each fighting for the upper hand. Lieutenants fought in the distance. The loud rumbling of battle filled all of their ears. The captains slowly began dividing on who was going to fight which espada. The head captain was keeping an eye on the fiery tornado in front of him.

The two girls continued fighting, Ichigo was thrown back onto the edge of the building. Zakuro didn't rush at her again, she stared passed her. An enormous being seemed to rise up from a nearby road from no where. Ichigo turned to see who it was, she heard screams. The wolf girl dashed passed Ichigo, obviously getting good at Shunpo. Ichigo debated for a few moments on what she would do, she decided to follow her opponent. When she arrived, she peered over a building, Zakuro stood beside two men.

The wolf girl was beside Iba and Ikkaku. Ikkaku was being held up by Iba, fussing and yelling about how he could still fight. Zakuro drew her whip, looking up at the enormous arrancar. It was Poww, he was bigger than any building in the city, he slowly took giant steps towards the three.

"Ribbon Zakuro Spear!"

Zakuro launched her attack at the giant creature, Poww reached out and smashed her whip to the ground. Zakuro yanked and pulled at her weapon, it was stuck beneath his huge hand. Poww laughed in a deep bellowing manner,

"Stupid girl, you can't scratch me, you're too puny. This is so annoying."

He complained, Iba began backing away from the arrancar.

"Shit! He's too big, Fujiwara-san come on!"

Zakuro debated for a few moments, then hesitantly released her weapon, she would have to come back for it. She turned and followed Iba as they ran down the cracked street. Zakuro helped Iba drag Ikkaku along with them. Ikkaku complained and cursed at them the entire time, saying it was a cowardly way to go. Poww seemed to clamber after them faster than they expected. Ichigo stood on the edge of the rooftop feeling anxious about Poww going after them.

Ichigo jumped down into the roadway and chased after them, she could see passed Poww's legs, they weren't going to be able to out run him. An enormous fist lifted, and then slowly swung down to crush the three. Ichigo found herself screaming as she ran after them. The fist came to a halt and Poww was in disbelief. Ichigo stopped running and stared, she couldn't believe it.

Komamura gripped the arrancar's huge fist, he then growled and turned. Ichigo's eyes flitted wide as the arrancar was lifted into the air and sent flying over everyone's head. What ridiculous power!

The wolf girl felt her muscles shaking as the arrancar flew over her head, crashing down into some buildings up ahead of them.

"Tetsuzaimon. Fujiwara."

Komamura's voice was calm and stern, the two turned to look at him in utter shock, he continued,

"Don't turn your backs, stay behind me."

Zakuro nodded numbly, in disbelief of his power, Iba nodded as well and yelled in agreement.

Ichigo turned and ran through buildings, the fights began to pass quickly. She ended up standing alongside Lilynette, and she watched in horror as Harribel's fraction were killed. Ichigo was afraid of all the death around her. Komamura defeated the arrancar with an enormous ancient warrior, he totally demolished Poww.

Ichigo then found herself face to face with Zakuro, the wolf mew hell bent on defeating her.

The two girls stood in a small parking lot, each of them exhausted. The wolf girl had an unimaginable fury in her eyes as she glared at her old friend,

"Zakuro! Don't fight me!"

Ichigo pleaded, her whole body tired and achey from the running and fighting. Zakuro shook her head slowly, she clenched her weapon, her arm shivering.

Komamura stared down at the two girls, he felt saddened by their quarrel. The head captains flame ring began to subside, and Komamura felt in his gut it would soon be his turn to fight his close friend. The three former captains began to come into view through the flames. Aizen had a smug smile on his face, he was ready to send his plan into action. He would allow everyone to fight while he watched, when everyone was wore down, he would go to the Sereitei and create the kings key.

Shuuhei used shunpo and appeared beside Komamura, "Komamura-Taicho, are they ready to fight us?"

The wolf headed man looked down at the beaten and bleeding lieutenant,

"Hisagi, They will attack us soon, I'm sure. I need to get to Kaname."

"I will fight Tosen-Taicho."

Shuuhei's words were bitter, but not directed to Komamura. The seventh division captain took a deep breath, he stared at the black haired man beside him. The ninth division lieutenant looked up, an all too familiar face appeared close to them. Komamura frowned as he looked up to the man who was once his dear friend.

"Kaname." He said softly under his breath, staring up in remorse.

Her eyes slowly opened, the sky was dark and ominous. Ichigo slowly leaned up, there were bits of rock on her that fell to the ground as she sat up. She was leaning against some rubble from a nearby building, how she got there was beyond her. She faintly remembered an attack from Zakuro hitting her in the ribcage and she didn't remember anything after that.

Ichigo heard rumbling, the ground shook. The red head jumped to her feet and ran toward the nearest spiritual pressures. She turned a corner and saw a captain's haori laying in a pile of rock. After pausing to stare for a moment, she decided to go check who it was. When she crawled up the rock beside the person, she saw it was the captain of the 13th division.

Ukitake's eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling slowly, Ichigo felt a jolt run up her spine. Blood was dripping from the corner of his mouth, Ichigo slowly put her hand on his head.

"Ukitake-Taicho…"

A loud rumble boomed, Ichigo flinched and stood up. She ran towards the more concentrated spiritual pressures. She came to an opening, she saw Aizen facing off with the Head captain, a man with a white and green hat, a large black haired man, and a thin woman with a violet ponytail. Ichigo shook her head, she used shunpo to get to the top of a nearby building. She saw Gin, she rushed over to him,

"Ichimaru-Taicho! Whats happening?"

Gin looked over at her, the wide smile still on his face, "Oh hey there Ichigo-chan, saw ya got knocked out by yer ol friend."

"I-I'm fine, I'm just trying to figure out where everyone is."

Gin chuckled and made a motion with his arm as if to show her the town, "Everyone is spread out, 'fraid Kurosaki is on his way here. Aizen-Taicho and I are going to the Sereitei soon."

The cat girl frowned, her tail flicked in dismay. Everyone was struggling to fight, and many were hurt or dying. She felt discouraged, she wanted to find Zakuro. Ichigo felt furious with Zakuro, but at the same time she felt bad for everything. Ichigo thanked Gin and told him to be careful,

"I'm going to find Zakuro. Be…safe…"

The red head darted off toward where she sensed Zakuro's spiritual pressure, she peered over the edge of a small building. She stared down at the sad scene before her. The captain of the seventh division was leaning down over his old friend. Zakuro and Shuuhei were beside the tall wolf headed captain, the former captain of the ninth division laying on the ground before them. Ichigo leaped down slowly and silently making her way toward the solemn group. Ichigo then paused when a sudden explosion occurred in front of the three kneeling individuals. Blood and bits of flesh flew all over the three of the kneeling fighters. Ichigos hands flew over her mouth, her eyes wide in surprise and disgust.

Komamura stood up and let out a roaring yell, "Aizennn!"

Zakuro jumped to her feet and grabbed Komamura's haori as he made a movement upwards to attack Aizen. The brown haired man smiling down at the scene before him. Shuuhei didn't move a muscle, he stared at the remains of his former captain in horror. Zakuro's grip was lost when Komamura used shunpo and appeared up on Aizen's level. Zakuro used shunpo and appeared in front of Komamura,

"Sajin No! Don't! You can't fight him in your condition!"

The wolf girl screamed to him, her hands flying to the front of his Haori. Komamura glared at Aizen over her head, he tried to ignore the girl holding his haori. Aizen froze when the sky behind him cracked open, an orange haired boy flew out at a ridiculous speed. A sword swung towards Aizen and missed when Aizen appeared a few hundred feet away from them. Kuroasaki motioned for Komamura to stay back,

"I've got this Komamura-taicho! Stay back!"

Zakuro pleaded to him, "Please Sajin listen to him! You're injured, you can't fight him in your condition!"

Komamura frowned, and looked down at the girl begging him to stop. He grabbed her hands and smiled weakly at her,

"Thank you Zakuro."

They both paused when a red haired girl flew passed them. Ichigo had made a split second decision once she was on top of the building, she saw Harribel was bleeding to death, Starrk was injured but still fighting, and many others were hurt. She knew who to get. But she had one shot to do so.

She flew into the Garganta, passing a woman with long black hair. Ichigo flew through the darkness, towards the small light at the end of the tunnel. She had to get that orange haired girl, Orihime Inoue. That girl was the only one who could save the espada.

Gin felt his heart race as he watched the girl disappear into the rip in space. His stomach knotted itself as she disappeared into the blackness, he wasn't sure what she would do or when she could get back, but he was scared for her to be out of his sight.

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Please R and R if you've read this far! I wont keep updating if no one reads it and lets me know how I'm doing! Thanks guys!

-MewMid