A/N I apologise for the short chapter but it just felt right ending it the way I did. Hopefully the next one will be much longer...

Episode 37: Recovery

LAS NOCHES

Aizen, Tousen and the fox-eyed Shinigami (whom I recently found out his name was Gin Ichimaru) were situated at the head of the long dining table. The Espada were summoned for an assessment report about the recent mission to Soul Society. The Espada were seated according to their rank. Although I was not an Espada I was to sit in for the deceased Adopheles who was the ninth Espada at the time.

The tenth Espada (Szayel) looked at me strangely. He rubbed his hands and mouthed something but I couldn't interperet it. I decided to ignore the weird Arrancar's antics and listen to Aizen's report.

"Good evening to all my Espada, and good evening to Banzai Benendes who is attending this meeting as Adopheles Fraccion." Aizen pointed me out to the others most of whom shared distrustful gazes. Shrieker and Nel Tu smiled comfortingly.

"Before we begin let us share some tea." He instructed a small-framed female Arrancar who brought over a cart with a silver tray. She handed an ivory cup and saucer over to each member of the Espada and myself. I humbly sipped the warm liquid as Aizen resumed his deliberations.

"As you are all aware Gin Ichimaru, Kaname Tousen, Two Arrancar and myself visited Seretei to uncover the Hogyoku." I was disappointed he did not formerly acknowledge me but I suppose I am inferior in comparison to the others. "...The Hogyoku would have allowed us to create perfect Arrncars from the Vasto Lordes of Hueco Mundo. Alas we were only able to obtain a portion of the Hogyoku, this will delay our goal but in the end we will create an army capable of destroying Soul Society."

Tousen cleared his throat and begun his analysis. "Although we lost one of our fellow Espada fortunately there have been significant casualties for Soul Society. Captain Toshiro Hitsuguya and Vice Captain Momo Hinamori have been slain by Lord Aizen; Seretei's Infirmary records also recorded at least 340 confirmed Shinigami deaths during the assault."

Gin contributes "...And since the three of us are no longer part of the Gotei 13 we can confirm that Soul Society is short of four captains. All it will take now is nine Vasto Lordes and Soul Society is at it's knees.

"We must not be too complacent Ichimaru." Aizen responds. "Our army is still developing. As such I have dispatched the Bounts as a brief distraction so we may build our army. Aizen now addresses me. "Banzai will now serve as Shrieker's Fraccion...for now I will send Shrieker, Nel Tu and Nnoitra to search for the Vasto Lordes...Banzai, you are more than welcome to go with them...maybe you can help find the orange haired Vasto Lorde I desire the most."

Orange-haired Vasto Lorde! He's got to be joking right? He is too dangerous for us!

"All Espada are hereby dismissed."

A SHORT TIME LATER

I had rested in my chambers for a few hours until I was disturbed by a knock at the door. It was Nel Tu.

"I'm glad you're okay Banzai...Do you know what happened to Adopheles?"

"Unfortunately I do..." Memories of the crazed Shinigami flood my mind. "I would have died at that Shinigami's hands as well if not for Lord Aizen's intervention."

"Who?"

"Zaraki Kenpachi killed Adopheles...he was an unstoppable killing machine...I was overwhelmed by the sheer spiritual pressure he emitted. I was too scared to even scratch him with my bladed claws."

Nel Tu coked her head. "Arrancar were not designed to feel fear...I think we may require some more training before we take on the Vasto Lordes."

With Soul Society weakened and our army undeveloped we Arrancar must take full advantage of finding the strongest of hollow for our army. However I cannot possibly face up to a Vasto Lorde like Kurosaki Ichigo if I cannot face up to my own anxieties. Will Nel's training be enough to ease my mind? Let's find out in the next exciting chapter!