Guess what's back! That's right! Star Wars Episode 7! 2015! Oh, and this story of course.
To all my readers of B.R and/or S.K.O.M: Allow me to express my deepest apologies. I had a few months of weakness and I gave up on something that I enjoyed doing to make a statement. That was uncalled for, and I apologize. A lot has happened these past two years. I'm 18 now, and I recently graduated High School. Now, as I wait for Basic Training, I've decided that it's time I continue what I started. I am quite happy writing again, to be honest.
As you can see, I am continuing my stories. Both of them. Soon enough, I will begin Chapter 6 of S.K.O.M., so I hope fans of that story have a reason to be excited.
Anyways, let's move on to the Review Corner!
...
Yeah, I apologize. There are something around 100+ reviews that piled up. Most of them express concern and wishing of good fortune to me. To those who reviewed as such, and even went to the trouble of PMing me, I thank you for your concern. FF readers certainly are kind in their own regards.
I seem to not have anything else to say this time around, so, without further to do, after a two year hiatus, WELCOME BACK TO BREAKING ROUTINE
(Las Noches)
"Aizen-sama, I would like to report that, following the most recent meeting, the Primera, Tercera, and Novena Espada, as well as their respective fraccions, have left Las Noches via Garganta." Szayel-Aporro Granz gave this report with both hands clasped behind his back, standing up straight a good ten feet away from Aizen, Gin, and Tosen. He spoke in an even tone, not showing any sign of surprise or panic. "Furthermore, I would like to report Ulquiorra is currently engaging the intruder, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Grimmjow Jaegerjaques."
"Yes, I had expected as much." Aizen replied to the Octava, not in the least bit alarmed. Gin cracked his usual grin.
"Well, you certainly went and spooked them, didn't you?" He said, appearing quite humored.
"They believed themselves to be invincible, slinking in the shadows, thinking as if they had gone undetected. To think such a level of foolishness exists." Tosen said this with a look that was fairly close to that of disgust. "At the first sign that their plans had been uncovered, they disperse chaotically, similar to bugs when their lair is illuminated."
"It is quite amazing what mere words can do, when used properly." Aizen replied, in agreement with Tosen's statement.
"So they have indeed defected, Aizen-sama?" Szayel questioned, frowning. If this was true, then the Espada had been effectively halved, something of an inconvenience, given their war with the Shinigami. Now they had two enemies to fight, on two different fronts. The World of the Living AND the Soul Society.
"That is correct." Aizen answered. Again, he seemed entirely unalarmed by this event.
"I'm going to assume you knew of their intentions before they made their move?" Szayel asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Why, of course." Aizen was amused.
"They were not entirely subtle with their movements, moving in and out of Las Noches as they pleased." Tosen pointed out.
"I had detected an over abundance of Garganta this past month. I merely insinuated that they had been authorized. After all, it is not my place to question." Szayel looked back and forth between the three.
"Rest assured, Szayel. This can only work in our favor." Aizen turned and proceeded down the hall. The other three followed behind him.
"I'm afraid I fail to see the benefits of this event. With all due respect, Aizen-sama, the Espada have been halved. We are outnumbered." Szayel pointed out, frowning deeply.
"Both those statements are correct, Szayel." Aizen looked back at the Octava briefly, before looking forward again. "Of course, there is one crucial detail you overlook." A sliding door opened once a presence was detected, giving entry to a 'security room' of sorts. "The defecting Espada are not allied with the Shinigami."
"Is that so?" Szayel let show a half-smirk. He was beginning to understand.
"The Shinigami know our goal lies within Karakura Town, which the defectors now occupy. If they want to establish a foothold in the battlefield, they will, more than likely, engage the defectors." Aizen calmly pressed a button at two second intervals, changing the view on the monitors to a different feed. The video on the screens showed the current battle between Ichigo, Grimmjow, and Ulquiorra. It appeared that Grimmjow and Ichigo were quickly breaching Ulquiorra's expert defenses. It seemed as though Ulquiorra was being defeated, quite swiftly as well, as Aizen had to switch feeds every time Ulquiorra was forced to retreat a floor higher. "I won't predict the outcome between the Shinigami and the defecting Espada, but both sides will be severely weakened."
Aizen stopped switching the feed. There was no longer a way to view the fight. Ulquiorra's retreat led him above Las Noches, out into Hueco Mundo. Aizen gave a slight smile upon realizing this was Ulquiorra's intention all along.
"They believed what they were doing would save them, but, in the end, they have only damned themselves." Aizen finished, looking back at Szayel, who was unsure whether Aizen was still speaking of the defectors, or Ichigo and Grimmjow.
"Shall I inform the other Espada?" Szayel stood up straight once more, his hands having remained clasped behind his back.
"If you wish to do so, , my orders stand; Do not engage the intruder." Aizen replied. "At least, not yet. I will be relaying new orders shortly. You may inform them to prepare for that."
"Yes, Aizen-sama." Szayel bowed, before turning swiftly to leave the room.
(Outside of Las Noches)
Ichigo and Ulquiorra exchanged sword strokes. The three fighters now fought on Las Noches' massive dome. It provided plenty of room for attack from all parties, a fresh change from the cramped fighting of the tower they had emerged from seconds ago.
Ichigo suddenly charged a Getsuga Tensho mid-swing, using it as extra leverage against Ulquiorra. The attack forced Ulquiorra back several feet, but he managed to keep his footing. With Ulquiorra focused on Ichigo, Grimmjow used this opportunity to attack. He appeared behind Ulquiorra, ready to deliver a vicious kick. Ulquiorra turned and, rather than retreat away, avoided the blow by leaning back just enough to exit Grimmjow's range. He followed through with a quick thrust of his zanpakuto, which Grimmjow was forced to block.
The suddenness of the attack sent Grimmjow several feet into the air, but no damage was done. Ichigo attacked Ulquiorra again with a Getsuga Tensho enhanced swing, which, again, forced Ulquiorra to retreat back to avoid the attack. Ichigo followed through by releasing the Getsuga Tensho at Ulquiorra.
The attack was cut in half by a quick slash of Ulquiorra's zanpakuto. Ichigo was about to attack once more, before-
"Fire in the hole!" Grimmjow shouted with bloodthirsty excitement. He stood in the air a good fifty feet up, his right elbow aimed at Ulquiorra and Ichigo's location. Both fighters barely managed to avoid the following explosion in the concrete dome. Ichigo landed on his feet and watched as Grimmjow continued his attack at Ulquiorra by continually realeasing his Gara de ra Pantera.
Ulquiorra avoided the barrage of shards directed at him with ease using sonido. Where he had been standing exploded loudly and violently, tearing a decent-sized hole in Las Noches. Grimmjow didn't let up however, and cackled with glee at the collateral damage, continuing his attack.
"Stop running, Ulquiorra!" Grimmjow yelled at their fleeing opponent.
"I would advise against getting over confident, Grimmjow." Ulquiorra replied ever so calmly. He sonido'd and appeared in front of Grimmjow, attacking with a slash from his zanpakuto.
Grimmjow met the attack with a slash of his claws. The collision of the two attacks created a slight shockwave that kicked up dust for a good ten feet around them. As Ulquiorra predicted, Grimmjow didn't retreat upon contact with his zanpakuto, but merely stayed in position in an attempt to overpower Ulquiorra with his claws.
It seemed Ulquiorra had planned for this and had already charged a Cero in his free hand, aimed at Grimmjow's midsection. Grimmjow's eyes widened as there was a flash of green, signaling a cero. He quickly sonido'd away to avoid the attack. The cero didn't fire, however. Instead, Ulquiorra merely pointed it to his left at Ichigo, who had shunpo'd next to Ulquiorra in an effort to catch him off-guard, and fired. This forced Ichigo to halt his attack to avoid the green cero that had suddenly been directed at him.
"Stop being so predictable, Grimmjow." Ulquiorra advised, eliciting a growl from Grimmjow. Ichigo rejoined Grimmjow.
"We've got him on the ropes, Kurosaki." Grimmjow said to Ichigo, keeping his eyes fixed on Ulquiorra, waiting for the slightest of movements.
"It's not over yet." Ichigo replied, keeping an equally alert gaze on their opponent. "Something tells me he's got plenty more for us. Why hasn't he used his Resureccion yet?"
"Hell if I know." Grimmjow answered. "Guess he forgot?"
"Shut up, idiot." Ichigo deadpanned.
"We just gotta get him before uses it." Grimmjow smirked, readying another offensive attack. "Back me up!" And with that, Grimmjow rushed in once more, followed by Ichigo.
The two split from each other and came at Ulquiorra from both sides, who glanced back and forth between the two. With a quick flick of his wrists, a bala was sent at each of his attackers. The attacks came dangerously close, but were narrowly avoided, nonetheless. Ichigo suddenly glanced at Grimmjow, who looked over at Ichigo. It seems they shared an unspoken conversation.
Ulquiorra prepared another ranged attack, before he was flanked by Ichigo on his right, whom was already mid swing. Thinking fast, Ulquiorra prepared to block the attack to his right, when he swiftly changed positions and blocked the attack on his left. At the last possible second, Ichigo had shunpo'd to the opposite side of Ulquiorra in an attempt to surprise the Cuarta. It had worked.
Ulquiorra was struck on his right side with a swift kick from Grimmjow. The attack sent Ulquiorra crashing into the pillar. Ichigo smirked. All he had done to alert Grimmjow that plan was a slight gesture. The two seemed near unstoppable together.
"Not bad, Kurosaki." Grimmjow smirked. "Maybe there's hope for you yet."
"That means so much coming from someone whose ass I've kicked twice already." Ichigo replied with a smirk of his own. Grimmjow growled.
"Watch your mouth, you little prick." Grimmjow threatened.
"Or what? You'll get your ass kicked again?" Ichigo challenged right back, to which Grimmjow grabbed Ichigo's shihakusho with a clenched fist.
"Alright, you wanna go, punk?" Grimmjow asked, preparing a fist.
"Bring it, you-."
"You fools bicker as if you have achieved victory." Their antics were cut short as Ulquiorra stood atop the pillar, looking down on them both.
"Haven't we?" Ichigo replied, focusing back on the situation at hand. "I'd say you've been getting your ass beat pretty hard by the two of us." Ulquiorra would have scoffed had he not kept so composed.
"How amusing." He patronized. "I have endured both of your onslaughts with relative ease, despite your best attempts at defeating me. I assume you also believe you have forced me up here." Ichigo narrowed his eyes. Grimmjow prepared as well. "Do you know the rules, Grimmjow? Of course, they don't apply to you. Espada who hold the rank 'Cuarta', or higher, are forbidden from releasing their Resureccion in Las Noches. The reiatsu release would surely collapse the fortress."
"He's going to use Resureccion! Grimmjow, quickly!" Ichigo urged. There was no verbal reply from Grimmjow. They both simply rushed towards Ulquiorra together, preparing to intervene.
"How hopeless." Ulquiorra stated. He held up his zanpakuto.
"Shit! Kurosaki, back up!" Grimmjow shouted to Ichigo, they both halted their advance and used their respective techniques to achieve distance from Ulquiorra.
"Imprison, Murcielago." Almost immiediately, it seemed as if there was an explosion where Ulquiorra had been standing. Black reiatsu flared and filled the area atop the pillar. This lasted a few seconds before the cloud of reiatsu began to fade, giving way to green 'rain drops' of reiatsu that fell down around Ichigo and Grimmjow. When things cleared, there stood Ulquiorra in the same spot, only noticeably different now.
Ulquiorra stood taller now, his height, hair, and fingernails having increased in length. His mask fragment, previously a horn on the side of his head, was no longer fragmented. There was now another horn on his head, parallel to the previous one. The black lines under his eyes were now black, broader, and more triangular. His outfit had become slightly more form-fitting as well. Though, the most noticeable features of his Resureccion were the massive black wings on his back.
Ichigo and Grimmjow both stared at the now released Ulquiorra.
"Kurosaki, you can still use that mask of yours, right?" Grimmjow asked suddenly. Ichigo, not looking away from Ulquiorra, answered with,
"Yeah." Ichigo answered slowly, watching as a green javelin materialized in Ulquiorra's hand.
"Then use it, now!" Grimmjow yelled, getting ready to pounce.
Ulquiorra suddenly appeared in between the two. A flick of his wrist is all it, seemingly, took to send both Ichigo and Grimmjow crashing into one of the surrounding towers. Ulquiorra spread his wings and quickly pursued Ichigo, whom quickly emerged from the new hole in the tower, his Hollow mask adorned. Ichigo leapt out and met Ulquiorra with a swing of Tensa Zangetsu. Ulquiorra merely blocked the attack with his Luz de la Luna. The clash of the two objects sent a good ripple of reiatsu.
"Your reiatsu has increased sharply." Ulquiorra pointed out. "You've gained control of your hollow's mask? Although I did not expect this, it will do little to save you."
"Oh yeah?" Ichigo replied, his voice distorted from the mask. "Let's see!"
Ichigo and Ulquiorra exchanged sword strikes, as they had done before, but Ichigo noticed Ulquiorra's strength had greatly increased. Deciding he would be quickly overpowered, Ichigo slashed out with a Getsuga Tensho. The attack did little to Ulquiorra, as he merely redirected the attack with his weapon. Ichigo used this moment to shunpo behind Ulquiorra. He aimed for Ulquiorra's wing, attempting to sever it. When Tensa Zangetsu struck the wing, rather than slicing right through, it stopped with a loud 'clang'.
Ichigo was surprised momentarily, but had no time to do anything else as the wing flicked outward, striking Ichigo and sending him flying. Both wings suddenly came around and protected Ulquiorra's front from Grimmjow, who thought the Cuarta had left unguarded being focused on Ichigo. Grimmjow's claws were blocked by the wings, but before a follow up attack could be done, the wings opened up to expose Ulquiorra, whom was pointing at Grimmjow. Already Ulquiorra had a Cero charged. He fired at Grimmjow, who had just enough time to guard the attack with his forearms, mitigating damage to his torso and head.
"Getsuga Tensho!" Ulquiorra sonido'd away to avoid the attack. Ichigo rejoined Grimmjow. "You alright?" Ichigo asked, keeping his eyes on Ulquiorra.
"Tch, I'm fine. Bastard caught me by surprise." Grimmjow replied. The armor on his arms were cracked, exposing cuts and burns that the cero had caused. Ulquiorra stared at the two emotionlessly.
"This just got a whole lot tougher." Ichigo stated, gripping Tensa Zangetsu's hilt with both hands.
"No shit?" Grimmjow retorted, readying his claws.
(The World of the Living/Urahara Shoten)
"They should be back by now." Loly stated, obviously very perturbed and restless. She was pacing back and forth in the underground training room, stopping every few seconds to rubs her arms anxiously.
All of the defecting Arrancar had safely made it to the Urahara Shoten via Garganta. Urahara had expected visitors, and so had prepared. After Ichigo's departure, he had begun to expand the training room, making it larger in all dimensions. The size of the room was now more than enough to accommodate all his guests. He was quite proud of his accomplishment, given the time frame, something he mentioned to the returning Arrancar excitedly, only to be met with unimpressed expressions. Urahara had sulked for a couple minutes, before reverting back to his carefree demeanor.
"Calm down, Loly. You're gonna have an anxiety attack." Apacci told her friend, her brow furrowed in worry.
"He should be back by now." Loly repeated, stopping her pacing to look at Apacci. Apacci raised her hands up defensively.
"Whoa, whoa. Don't get mad at me. I'm just sayin', calm down." She said.
"We're all worried about Ichigo-kun, Loly." Menoly spoke up this time. She was seated on a boulder, alongside Lilynette. Lilynette appeared to be as worried as Loly, but she still kept seated to avoid getting overexcited. Though, she was twiddling her thumbs in her lap. "We just need to give him time."
"Ichigo-sensei is strong. He'll be fine." Lilynette said this. Though, it wasn't apparent whether or not she was talking to herself or Loly.
"Lilynette-san is correct." Sung-sun spoke up this time, her usual sleeve up, covering her mouth. "There is no need for concern."
"Like you're not worried about your crush, Sung-Sun." Apacci elbowed Sung-Sun lightly in the side, a smirk on her face. Sung-Sun closed her eyes, obviously calming herself down to avoid hurting Apacci, before opening them again.
"Shut up, Apacci-san." She ordered calmly.
"Aww, you're so embarrassed. Don't worry, your dreams will come true one day." Apacci teased further. "And I'm sure you know what dreams I'm talking about." Already, killing intent leaked from Sung-Sun. This elicited laughter from Menoly and Lilynette. Loly only watched, slightly amused, but not forgetting the situation.
"Ladies." Harribel's voice was heard, causing Sung-Sun and Apacci to stop their banter. "Please keep yourselves composed."
"Hai, Harribel-sama." Apacci and Sung-Sun said in unison, bowing their heads.
"Kurosaki-san volunteered to stay behind. You should each have faith in his resolve." Harribel said, now speaking to all of the girls present. "At the very least, know that Grimmjow-san is with Kurosaki-san. I imagine those two can handle themselves." Some tension in the area was relieved at Harribel's reassuring words.
Loly stopped pacing. She took a deep breath, before walking over to the boulder Menoly and Lilynette were seated. She sat down against it, bringing her knees to her chest. She quietly waited. Upon their relaxing, Harribel turned and walked away. She rejoined Starrk, Baraggan, Aaroniero, Luppi, and Urahara, whom were seated around a small table. Currently, the five were in mid-conversation.
"So, we have no assistance from the other Shinigami?" Starrk asked Urahara, resting his chin in his hand.
"That is correct." Urahara replied enthusiastically. "The Seireitei has pulled out of Karakura Town. No outside Shinigami presence remains."
"Like we need the assistance of those ants." Baraggan spoke up, scoffing. "We're better off without them."
"I agree." Luppi agreed with Baraggan. "The less Shinigami, the better." He looked at Urahara. "No offense." The shop owner waved his fan.
"None taken."
"Last time I checked, it was bad to be outnumbered three to one by two different enemies." Starrk said, glancing at Baraggan. "But that's just me." Baraggan scoffed again.
"Perhaps this will work in our favor." Aaroniero spoke up. "Aizen now has two enemies to fight."
"If I know that bastard like I think I do, then this is what he was hoping for." Baraggan said, frowning.
"More than likely, Aizen means to have us and the Seireitei deal with each other. That would only make things easier for him." Harribel theorized.
"Hmm, that sounds like something he would hope for." Starrk groaned. Already, their situation didn't seem too fruitful.
"Don't concern yourselves too much over the Seireitei just yet." Urahara waved his fan at them. "I will try my best at repairing relations with them. Besides, we have other allies here that you have yet to meet." Starrk raised an eyebrow, even Harribel and Baraggan seemed interested. Aaroniero stood quietly.
"Oh?" Starrk replied, curious.
"Yep." Urahara nodded. "Though, they may need some persuading, but I believe Kurosaki-kun can accomplish that no problem."
"Speaking of." Harribel began. "Kurosaki-san has yet to return."
"Hmm." Urahara appeared deep in thought, before he shrugged and waved his fan. "I'm sure things are fine."
"It'd be a shame if the ally you speak so highly of were to perish." Baraggan said, directing this at Harribel and Starrk.
"I have faith in Kurosaki-san's abilities." Harribel replied. Baraggan scoffed. He looked as if he was about to give a retort, before the opening of a Garganta gathered their attention.
From the Garganta emerged Ggio, still carrying Orihime. He seemed slightly winded, but unharmed nonetheless, as did Orihime. Ggio set down Orihime, whom seemed quite tuckered out. More than likely from her struggling to be released from Ggio in an attempt to try and not leave Ichigo behind. Urahara, as well as the other Arrancar gathered.
"Ah! Inoue-san!" Urahara exclaimed happily. "I see you have returned unharmed. Mission success!" He declared. "We can all go home now."
"Wait." Apacci said, looking at Ggio. "Where's Ichigo-kun?" Loly, Menoly, Lilynette, and Sung-Sun looked at Ggio expectantly.
"Ichigo-senpai and Grimmjow-sama stayed behind to fight Ulquiorra." Ggio answered, looking between them. Baraggan seemed uninterested, or unnoticing, of the suffix used on Ichigo's name.
"What?" Both Loly and Apacci shouted. "And you just left them there?"
"They had things under control." Ggio replied, getting annoyed. "Ichigo-senpai told me to grab the girl and escape, so I did." Loly and Menoly both looked at Orihime, already glaring daggers at her.
"If they die, it'll be your fault." Loly told Orihime. Orihime seemed shocked, and hurt.
"I didn't want to leave Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime replied, obviously distressed. "I didn't have a choice!" Loly and Menoly didn't seem to calm down.
"Loly-san, Menoly-san, please calm down." Sung-Sun told the two Numeros. "It is evident that the situation was out of both Ggio-san's and Orihime-san's power."
"Why did Ulquiorra have to show up?" Lilynette asked, appearing more distraught than before.
"Ulquiorra?" Urahara questioned, looking at Starrk and Harribel.
"The Cuarta, the fourth." Starrk answered, furrowing his brow. "Grimmjow-san and Kurosaki-san are out of their league." He said calmly.
"I concur. They will not emerge victorious." Baraggan stated, looking at Starrk first, then back to Urahara. If the girls had been distraught before, they were each in near states of panic now.
"If I remember what you told me earlier.." Urahara trailed off in thought, before continuing. "Grimmjow is the sixth strongest Espada, and Ichigo defeated him. By that math, I'm sure the two of them can defeat him together." Urahara said, looking between the three.
"Not to sound conceited, but it's a whole new ball game with ranks Cuarta and higher." Starrk told Urahara. Urahara frowned.
"How so?"
"Espada with ranks Cuarta and higher were Vasto Lorde before becoming Arrancars." Starrk answered. Urahara seemed to understand immediately. "If you know what that means, then you know they wouldn't stand a chance against Ulquiorra. Even before becoming an Arrancar, he would have been more than a match for them."
"And a fight like that is sure to attract attention." Luppi stated.
"Well, this is a predicament." Urahara stated calmly. "Then I guess we have no choice..." The girls gathered around them tensed up at what his next words would be. "It looks like someone will have to go assist the two." This surprised the gathered Arrancar.
"I'll go." Uyru made his presence known for the first time.
"Me too." Chad said, standing next to Uryu, towering over the Quincy.
"And you would be?" Starrk asked.
"Uyru Ishida. Quincy." He adjusted his glasses.
"Chad. Human." Chad answered in his usual voice.
"A Quincy, huh?" Starrk asked, somewhat surprised.
"You two would be unable to help in anyway." Harribel said sternly. This seemed to agitate the two, but before any other words couple be spoken by them, they were interrupted.
"I'll go." Starrk volunteered, sighing. He was hoping to not have to return to Las Noches so soon. The gathered Arrancar were surprised at the selfless act from the Primera. Lilynette seemed overjoyed.
"Me too!" She volunteered. Starrk shook his head.
"No."
"But-!" She begged. "Come on, you're not as strong without me!"
"It'll be fine." Starrk waved her off, the same glum look on his face.
"You know what you're doing?" Harribel asked.
"It's me, isn't it?" Starrk replied, shrugging.
"I will accompany you, Primera. I've been meaning to make a statement to that bastard for a good while now." Baraggan said, shouldering his massive axe. His fraccion prepared to accompany them. "Stay here, you lot. You'll get in the way." They seemed disappointed, but didn't question the Segunda.
"Splendid!" Urahara exclaimed. "It seems the rescuer is in need of rescue! How ironic." Loly's eye twitched.
Starrk opened the Garganta and entered, Baraggan following behind him. The Garganta closed shortly after. Harribel sighed.
"I hope Ichigo-kun will be ok." Menoly said quietly.
"Psh, he was in trouble before, now he's definitely going to be ok." Apacci told her, grinning.
"Baraggan-sama's actions surprise me." Sung-Sun remarked to Harribel.
"Indeed. While not as selfless as Starrk-san's, it is still surprising." Harribel replied.
(Hueco Mundo/Above Las Noches)
Ichigo attacked, aiming from Ulquiorra's torso. The attack was easily parried, allowing Ulquiorra to counter with an attack of his own. Mid-attack, one of his wings came up and struck an attacking Grimmjow. Ichigo managed to dodge Ulquiorra's counter, but didn't have an opportunity to attack as he was forced on the defensive. Grimmjow used this moment to try and attack once more.
Rather than using his wings to block to attack, another Luz de la Luna materialized in Ulquiorra's free hand, which was used to block the attack from Grimmjow. Grimmjow followed through his failed attack with a spin kick with the intention of knocking Ulquiorra off-balance. Rather than stay in between the two fighters, Ulquiorra merely sonido'd out of their reach. He did not stay out of their reach for long, as Ulquiorra rushed to the two close-ranged fighters with both javelins still in his hands.
The strength behind Ulquiorra's first swing sent Grimmjow back, who barely managed to block the attack. Ulquiorra pivoted and blocked a downward slash from Ichigo, which left Ichigo's midsection entirely unprotected. Ulquiorra seized this opportunity and thrust forward with his second javelin, fully intent on skewering Ichigo. The suddenness of the attack caught Ichigo off-guard. Ichigo cursed inwardly as things seemed over for him.
Grimmjow suddenly tackled Ulquiorra at an incredibly high-speed, saving Ichigo from a premature death. The two fighters struck into the side of a pillar, kicking up dust and sending blocks of stone flying. Grimmjow dragged Ulquiorra through the concrete, his clawed hand on Ulquiorra's neck, leaving a tear in the pillar behind them. Ulquiorra seemed unaffected however, and, after a couple seconds, grabbed Grimmjow's arm. The two fighters suddenly changed places, with Grimmjow being dragged through the stone pillar.
Grimmjow cursed at his situation. Thinking fast, he elbowed Ulquiorra in the stomach and quickly fired off his Gara de ra Pantera. The point blank attack, and the force behind it, knocked Ulquiorra back a couple feet, causing him to release his grip on Grimmjow. Grimmjow used this to sonido away. The attack had done little damage to Ulquiorra, but it had worked in releasing him.
The moment Grimmjow separated, a bright orange cero hit Ulquiorra. The attack, and its origin, surprised Ulquiorra, who didn't have time to block. The cero hit its mark, causing an explosion and sending Ulquiorra clean through the stone pillar, collapsing it.
"Holy shit, Kurosaki!" Grimmjow shouted in surprise. Ichigo rejoined him. "Didn't know you could do that."
"Thought I'd keep it as a surprise." Ichigo said from behind his mask.
"Bad ass." Grimmjow smirked, panting. When Ulquiorra emerged, he looked noticeably disheveled. There were a few burns on his skin, but they quickly healed themselves, showing his high-speed regeneration for the first time in their fight.
"You continue to surprise me, Kurosaki." Ulquiorra stated calmly. "First, your hollow's mask, then a Cero. I wonder just how much of a hollow you are."
"Bastard. He's got some regeneration. Fast, too." Grimmjow snarled, readying himself once more.
"He regenerates fast, but we can hurt him." Ichigo said, looking on as the last of Ulquiorra's wounds healed. "We just have to dish out a lot of damage, and be fast about it. You been saving anything for last?"
"Yeah, I got a couple things." Grimmjow replied.
"Now's probably the time to hit him with everything we got." Ichigo told Grimmjow, who scoffed.
"No kidding?" Grimmjow slashed the air, causing his signature attack, Desgarron, to appear.
Ichigo shunpo'd to Ulquiorra, attacking again. Ichigo swung wide with Tensa Zangetsu at Ulquiorra's center. With previous times, the attack was blocked. This time, however, Ichigo immediately shunpo'd away. Just in time, too, as Grimmjow's Desgarron attacked Ulquiorra from the front. Ulquiorra's eyes widened slightly, before his wings came out in front and shielded Ulquiorra from the attack. The Desgarron pushed against the wings, in turn, pushing Ulquiorra back, slamming the Espada into what remained of the previous pillar, kicking up debris and dust.
From the dust, a dark mass bolted out, leaving behind a trail of smoke and debris. Ulquiorra flew towards Grimmjow, his Luz de la Luna aimed forward with the intent of spearing the Sexta. Rather than flee, Grimmjow attacked the approaching Ulquiorra with his Desgarron. This time, Ulquiorra avoided the claws by merely changing his flight path. He did this a couple more times, before slashing at Grimmjow, who could only try and block the attack. It was Grimmjow's turn to be sent flying, striking harshly against another surrounding tower.
Another cero from Ichigo was sent at Ulquiorra. Being prepared for Ichigo's cero, Ulquiorra saw it in his peripheral and avoided it with ease. Ulquiorra fired a cero of his own at Ichigo, who could only dodge the attack, allowing it to shoot past him and explode into the dome.
"Desgarron!" Ulquiorra turned just in time to block Grimmjow's claws with his Luz de la Luna, but also just in time to receive Desgarron at point blank range.
"Getsuga Tensho!" From above Ulquiorra, Ichigo slammed his attack down. Once again, Ulquiorra's wings shielded the attack, but could not absorb the force behind it. The combined attack slammed Ulquiorra down into the dome below, going clean through and into Las Noches. Ichigo and Grimmjow breathed out briefly. Things were still for a few seconds.
Ulquiorra burst up from below them. The two barely managed to get into the air to avoid losing their footing. Moving at high speed, Ulquiorra appeared above them, this time surprising the two fighters. Ichigo and Grimmjow were both sent down into the stone below. Ulquiorra pointed his finger in their direction.
"Cero Oscuras." The black cero impacted Grimmjow and Ichigo's location, causing a good-sized explosion, as well as destroying a good portion of the dome below them. Ulquiorra lowered his hand and stared at the carnage passively. He remained emotionless when things cleared up enough to see that Ichigo and Grimmjow were still alive. Though, the attack had damaged them.
Ichigo's shihakusho was missing its upper half, exposing Ichigo's bare torso. Cuts and burns were across his skin. He was holding Tensa Zangetsu in his right hand and panting heavily. His Hollow mask was also missing a small portion. Ichigo brought his hand up and repaired the missing piece.
Grimmjow wasn't much better. Good portions of his armor from his Resurreccion had been destroyed in the blast. He, too, was panting heavily. "That hurt." Grimmjow said simply.
"We can't keep this up. We have to end this soon." Ichigo said.
"You two are hopelessly outmatched. Surrender and your deaths will be painless." Ulquiorra promised them, keeping his emotionless look locked on the two of them. Grimmjow snorted, amused.
"Mercy, huh? Didn't think you had it in you, Ulquiorra!" He shouted to the Cuarta. Ulquiorra did not respond. Instead, he raised his finger again. "Kurosaki, follow my lead!" Ichigo and Grimmjow separated and attacked Ulquiorra again. Ulquiorra met their attack head-on.
Grimmjow prepared his Desgarron, lurching forward to attack Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra quickly closed the distance between them and attacked with his Luz de la Luna. A Getsuga Tensho came at Ulquiorra from his right, prompting the Espada to avoid the attack. Grimmjow set his Desgarron on Ulquiorra once more, forcing him back. Ichigo saw what Grimmjow was doing and quickly followed suit.
Slowly, but surely, Ichigo and Grimmjow pushed Ulquiorra back. Soon enough, they were no longer fighting above Las Noches. Now, their fight had taken them to the dunes of Hueco Mundo. Ichigo swung a Getsuga Tensho at Ulquiorra, which was avoided with relative ease, allowing the Cuarta time to parry an attack from Grimmjow. A quick slash sent Grimmjow away from Ulquiorra. Grimmjow regained his footing and gestured at Ichigo, simultaneously charging a Desgarron. He seemed to be adding more strength behind his attack.
"Getsuga Tensho!" Ichigo attacked Ulquiorra from the front. The attack, as many times before, was halted with Ulquiorra's weapon. Immediately, Ichigo pointed at Ulquiorra. "Cero!" At point blank range, Ulquiorra could only quickly protect himself with his wings. It was at this time Grimmjow fired his Desgarron. When Ulquiorra's wings returned to their normal places, they were in the path of the attack.
The Desgarron slammed into Ulquiorra, throwing him down into the sand of Hueco Mundo. Rather than dissipate, or explode, the Desgarron remained, pinning Ulquiorra into the ground. His wings each had five claws pierced through them from the Desgarron, pinning them into the ground. Ulquiorra regarded this with a half-interested look.
"Kurosaki! Just do what I do!" Grimmjow shouted to Ichigo. Grimmjow suddenly sliced his right palm open with his left claws, spilling blood out from the wound.
"What are you-?" He began to ask.
"Just do it, dammit!" Grimmjow shouted, aiming his bloodied palm at Ulquiorra. Ichigo didn't hesitate and grasped Tensa Zangetsu's blade, before sliding the sword quickly out of his hand, giving Ichigo a sharp cut.
"Gran Rey Cero!" Grimmjow shouted with bloodlust. Reiatsu manifested and mixed with the blood in his palm. Ichigo's blood, having mimicked Grimmjow movements, did the same. Simultaneously, both Gran Rey Ceros fired at Ulquiorra, whose eyes widened slightly. The Ceros, upon nearing each other, seemed to join together, creating a mixture of dark blue and orange. The cero quickly became a dark brown color.
The combined Cero caused a massive explosion when it impacted the ground, originating from Ulquiorra's position. Sand was kicked up hundreds of meters in the air, most of which had glassed over from the attack. Grimmjow smirked.
"There's no way he survived that."
"What makes you so sure?" Ichigo asked.
"There's a reason using that cero inside of Las Noches is forbidden. It's too dangerous to the fortress." Grimmjow answered, his smirk never leaving his face.
The sand, dust, and smoke finally dissipated. The area where the cero had struck had been completely glassed. A few feet inside the glass was Ulquiorra, a look of surprise frozen on his face. It seemed over, allowing Ichigo and Grimmjow to breathe out heavily, as if in heavy relief.
"I'm surprised you managed to do it, Kurosaki. Would've thought a move like would have been too much for you." Grimmjow taunted. His Resureccion slowly reverted back into his zanpakuto. Whether he did himself, or he was too tired to hold it, Ichigo wasn't sure.
"You look like you can barely stand." Ichigo pointed out, his hollow mask vanishing at Ichigo's will. "Want me to carry you back to Karakura Town?"
"You don't look like you could carry yourself there." Grimmjow retorted.
Crack.
The two bickering fighter's attention turned to the glass.
Crash!
Ulquiorra's hand burst through the glass, followed shortly by Ulquiorra's body. His left horn was missing, chipped at the base. His right wing was gone, too. Of course, it was already regenerating at a high rate of speed. The same with his left arm.
"To think…" Ulquiorra stood up straight, looking at Ichigo and Grimmjow with his same emotionless expression. "I had to sever my own wing to avoid the attack." Ichigo and Grimmjow stared in shock at the revived Cuarta. Ulquiorra noticed this. "Your faces express disbelief, bordering on panic."
"How the hell did you survive that?" Grimmjow snarled, readying his zanpakuto again, attempting to gather the strength to release again.
"You believed that attack to kill me? How ignorant." Ulquiorra replied.
"Then we'll put you down for good this time." Ichigo stated, ready to don his mask once more.
"No. I think not." Ulquiorra said calmly. "I am surprised you two managed to hold your own like you did. In the end, it is futile." Black reiatsu began to swirl around Ulquiorra. "You two couldn't defeat me in my Resurreccion. Despite your best efforts, I remain alive and healed. I will show you true despair. Recognize that, in the end, I could have ended this fight at any moment of my choosing."
The air around Ichigo and Grimmjow became thick with reiatsu. An almost overwhelming feeling of dread and despair washed over the two. Ichigo donned his mask once more, with Grimmjow barely managing to release his zanpakuto.
"Resurreccion: Segunda Etapa."
The black reiatsu enveloped Ulquiorra briefly, then slowly dissipated, showing Ulquiorra's second release to Grimmjow and Ichigo. His new release was far more devil-like than his first release. No longer did Ulquiorra have a mask fragment. Now, two horns protruded from Ulquiorra's skull. His wingspan increased, both wings jutting out close to six feet in both directions. Ulquiorra's torso was now exposed, showing his hollow hole. From the hollow hole, it appeared as if a black liquid oozed out, leaving a trail from the hole to his midsection. Ulquiorra's legs were now wrapped in fur, his feet becoming more birdlike in nature. To finish it off, a tail swayed around Ulquiorra.
"This is Segunda Etapa." Ulquiorra said calmly. "Among all the Espada, I am the only one able to use it. I don't believe Aizen-sama has even seen it."
"Come on, Grimmjow. We can take him." Ichigo assured his partner.
"Fascinating. Even now you cling to false hope." Ulquiorra suddenly appeared in between the two. His tail had already pierced Grimmjow's stomach. The Sexta spit up blood, growling in both anger and pain. Ichigo's eyes widened in shock. Ulquiorra's tail swiftly removed itself from Grimmjow's stomach, leaving behind a brief blood spurt from the wound. Grimmjow fell down to one knee. Ulquiorra's tail wrapped around Ichigo's neck a half-second later and violently threw him into a sand dune. Ichigo quickly regained his footing and took aim at Ulquiorra, who was already approaching Ichigo.
"Gran Rey Cero!" His reiatsu mixed with his blood to fire again, shooting at a high speed at Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra pointed forward.
"Cero Oscuras." Ulquiorra's pitch-black cero collided with Ichigo's. The Oscuras quickly overpowered Ichigo's Gran Rey Cero, hitting Ichigo. The cero exploded instantly upon connecting with Ichigo. Ulquiorra waited for the smoke and fire to dissipate.
When things finally calmed down enough for sight, Ichigo stood there, barely managing to stand upright, He was leaning on his sword, something quite difficult to do with the sand as his support. His hollow mask had been forced to crumble away, leaving him defenseless. Ulquiorra walked towards Ichigo. His tail was wrapped around Grimmjow's neck, carrying the Sexta.
"Now, do you see?" Ulquiorra asked. "Your efforts were futile. You will both die, and for what? To allow a human girl to escape?" He stopped walking, standing a good ten feet from Ichigo. Grimmjow was brought around, facing Ulquiorra. Grimmjow spat out some blood at Ulquiorra. "How droll." Ulquiorra pointed his finger at Grimmjow's heart and charged a cero.
Ichigo tried to stand to stop him, but found that he couldn't. He could only state as his new ally was about to be executed. Ichigo waited for it, but nothing happened. It almost seemed as if the cero charging in Ulquiorra's hand was slowing down. Things came to a sudden stop. Ichigo blinked in surprise.
Tensa Zangetsu and Ichigo's Hollow flanked Ulquiorra on both sides, looking at Ichigo.
"Well, well, well, king. Got your ass beat again, I see." The Hollow was amused. Tensa Zangetsu said nothing.
"Tensa Zangetsu? What're you guys doing here?"
"Saving your life, punk." Ichigo's hollow laughed. "At least I am. He's here cause... I don't know. He missed you?"
"Be silent, Hollow." Tensa Zangetsu ordered, to which the Hollow scoffed. "Ichigo, your friend is going to die. Then you will." He stated calmly.
"He gonna get fried." The Hollow interjected. Tensa Zangetsu ignored him and remained focused on Ichigo.
"Will you save him?" Tensa Zangetsu asked.
"Of course!" Ichigo answered, determined.
"How?" Tensa Zangetsu asked. Ichigo said nothing. He didn't know how. He was just going to.
"Aye aye aye, just let me get on with it." Ichigo's hollow approached Ichigo, looking down at him. "King, I'm gonna give you a chance here before I completely take over and wreck your shit."
"What are you talking about?" Ichigo blinked in surprise.
"I can give you the power to save your friend there." The Hollow smirked.
"At what cost? My soul?" Ichigo asked. He was then kicked in the head.
"You're a complete dumbass, King." The Hollow said. Ichigo groaned and sat back up. "You see, we have something similar to that prick over there." Ichigo's eyes widened. "Yeah. I can let you access it. I was gonna save it for your sweet sixteen, but Tensa over there just couldn't wait to see your reaction."
"I am not sure if you can handle it though. It may kill you." Tensa Zangetsu warned.
"Other side affects include bloating, rashes, and erectile dysfunction." The Hollow cackled.
"I don't care. I need to save Grimmjow." Ichigo replied, determined. Tensa Zangetsu looked at Ichigo's Hollow, nodding.
"Alright King! I'm gonna guess you can last maybe... ten seconds." The Hollow smirked. "You have one shot here, King. No hesitating. Do or die. All or nothing. Balls to the wall. Got it?" Ichigo nodded. "Then here we go."
The Hollow and Tensa Zangetsu disappeared. Time began to return to normal. Ichigo looked at Ulquiorra, determined.
Ulquiorra stared at Grimmjow plainly. He was about to fire the cero, but then he was nearly floored by reiatsu coming from Ichigo. He looked over at the, previously defeated, Ichigo just in time to be impaled by him. Ulquiorra's eyes widened. He suddenly found himself a great distance away from Grimmjow, Ichigo's zanpakuto still in his stomach. Ichigo sliced to his right, cutting open Ulquiorra. He then grabbed Ulquiorra's tail and swung him down into the sand below, causing an eruption of sand.
Grimmjow dropped to the ground with a thud. He gathered the strength to get himself on one knee to look at what had just happened. He clutched his bleeding side, in pain. He was no longer in Resurreccion he found, but he was more interested in Ichigo. He saw Ichigo, or who he guessed was Ichigo and stared in shock.
Ichigo was now completely hollowfied. His entire head was covered by a Hollow mask, two intimidating horns protruding from either side, pointing forward. His hair was longer, reaching down to his waist. His hands and fleet now produced sharp claws. Overall, Ichigo struck a very menacing figure.
Ulquiorra's wound began healing as it should be. The slash had not cut anything too vital, so he would live. Ulquiorra stood up. He would have stopped to examine his opponent, but Ichigo gave him no time. Ichigo attacked again, grasping Ulquiorra's horns. With a swift flick, they were yanked off violently. Ulquiorra's stomach finished healing, but he didn't remain healed for long. Ulquiorra suddenly found himself missing his left wing, right arm, and left leg.
Ulquiorra sonido'd away, or tried to. He couldn't react fast enough to avoid being pinned to the ground, Ichigo's zanpakuto in his stomach once more. Ichigo aimed his horns at Ulquiorra and began charging a cero. It would be enough to kill Ulquiorra, Ichigo figured. The cero finished charging and was about to fire, only for Ichigo's mask to mask and horns to break. His eyes widened.
The sudden loss of Ichigo's concentration caused the cero to implode, catching both him and Ulquiorra in the explosion. While nowhere near as destructive as it would have been, it still caused quite the shockwave. Grimmjow braced himself and managed to hold his spot without getting blown away.
When things calmed, Ichigo was once again on one knee, panting heavily. Now, Tensa Zangetsu had reverted back to its Shikai form. Ulquiorra lay still on the ground, broken and missing some limbs. Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief. He would have begun figuring out how he was going to leave Hueco Mundo, but his thoughts were interrupted by clapping.
"Bravo, Kurosaki-san. You've exceeded my expectations." Ichigo looked towards the source of the clapping and his eyes widened. It was Aizen clapping. Behind him, Gin and Tosen. Behind him, Nnoitora, Zommari, Szayel, and Yammy.
Nnoitora long and lanky form was crouched down, his forearms resting on his knees. He was looking at Ichigo with a grin that shouldn't be possible. Behind him, in the sand, rested a large weapon, shaped like a figure '8'. Szayel stood nearby, watching ever so calculatingly, sporting a small smile. His hands were clasped behind his back. Yammy towered over them all, his arms crossed. He looked arrogant as ever.
The only one he recognized was Yammy, who was present when Orihime was kidnapped. Aizen lowered his hands. "To think you could achieve this level of Hollowfication. I am quite impressed." He patronized. Grimmjow stumbled up alongside Ichigo, staring at the gathered Espada.
"Did we win?" Grimmjow joked, still clutching his side.
"Aah, Grimmjow. You remain alive." Aizen adjusted his gaze to look at the Sexta. "This day is just full of surprises."
Ulquiorra stood up, fully regenerated. He was no longer in his Segunda Etapa state, or his Resurreccion, but he was still alive and well, all the same. He dusted his shoulder off casually, regarding Ichigo without emotion.
"Ulquiorra-san, I'm glad to see you are alive." Aizen stated. "I was not aware of your true abilities, Ulquiorra-san. To think I put you as my Cuarta."
"Apologies, Aizen-sama." Ulquiorra replied.
"Oh no, it is quite alright." Aizen looked back at Ichigo. "As entertaining as this was, Kurosaki-san, I'm afraid it's over now." He looked at the remaining Espada. "Kill him."
Ichigo cursed. He had expended all his energy. All his aces. Everything. He had fought as hard as he could and still couldn't come out on top. He looked at Grimmjow. "You should have left Las Noches sooner. I could have held him." He said, weakly. Grimmjow snorted.
"And let you have all the fun? Come on, let's show these bastards." The statement was more for show. They both knew they had expended all their energy. "Come on, asswipes. I'll take you all on." Nnoitora's grin widened.
"Be seeing you, Grimmjow." He said, readying his weapon.
"Sorry, can't let you do that." Starrk was suddenly in front of Nnoitora, standing in between him and Ichigo and Grimmjow. Nnoitora's eyes widened in surprise.
"What?" A cero suddenly fired from Starrk's chest, whom made no movements, his hands resting at his side. Nnoitora was thrown back away from the downed fighters.
"Respira."
The area suddenly filled with what appeared to be purple gas, surrounding Ichigo, Grimmjow, and Starrk. The Espada, as well as Gin, Tosen, and Aizen moved back quickly to avoid being eaten by the attack. They all knew what it would do to them if it touched them.
There stood Baraggan, fully released. He kept up his attack, flooding the area around them with the Respira. Starrk opened a Garganta.
"Time to go everyone." He urged calmly. Grimmjow and Ichigo both gathered their strength and managed to stand on their feet. They proceeded forward into the Garganta.
Suddenly, Ulquiorra appeared next to Ichigo, whom was taken completely off-guard. Ulquiorra was no longer released, back to his regular form, but it still proved too fast for Ichigo. He pierced forward with his blade and, if Ichigo hadn't moved out of reflex, it would have skewered his heart. Starrk appeared next to Ulquiorra. A lightning quick punch, followed by a vicious knee, sent the Cuarta retreating, his current hierro no match for the Primera's strength.
Grimmjow cursed and shouldered Ichigo. "This is a one time deal, punk." With that, he and Ichigo retreated into the Garganta, followed by Starrk. Baraggan halted his attack. The Respira began to clear enough for him to spot Aizen, whom was looking at him with his usual smile. Baraggan growled and fired off one last Respira in Aizen's direction, before leaving through the Garganta.
The attack posed no threat to Aizen, who merely walked out of its path.
"They got away, Aizen-sama." Tosen reported.
"Of course." Aizen replied simply. And with that, he turned and proceeded back to the noticeably damaged Las Noches.
(The World of The Living/Urahara Shoten)
Harribel's brow was furrowed, and she appeared to be deep in thought. Today's events were certainly not expected. She didn't think too highly of their current situation. After all, Aizen had made the first move. The thought of that didn't sit too well with the Tercera. All the same, she was glad that no one, as of yet, had been lost. For that, they were extremely lucky. She fully believed that, if Aizen had wanted to, he could have easily killed them all. That, too, didn't appeal to her very much.
"I'm sure they're fine." Urahara said from beside her, his usual carefree tone surfacing.
"It is not that." Harribel replied, closing her eyes. She opened them. "I am merely contemplating our predicament."
"Like I said, it's nothing to worry too much over." He waved her off.
"You seem incredibly laid-back." Harribel pointed out.
"Why wouldn't I be? I'm just a lowly, but handsome, merchant whom is accommodating potential customers." Urahara said, half his face covered by his fan. Harribel decided to ignore the man until he went away.
"So, when you gonna do it, huh?" Apacci asked Sung-Sun.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." Sung-Sun replied, annoyed at having unsuccessfully avoided Apacci.
"Bust a move, of course." Apacci teased. Loly, Menoly, and Lilynette were seated nearby, watching them. "You have to do it sometime, you know."
"Go away." Sung-Sun unceremoniously said. "I'd hate for harm to befall you."
"You threatening me?" Apacci asked Sung-Sun, a tick mark on her forehead.
"Threaten? Oh my, of course not. How barbaric." Sung-Sun remarked. "To threaten someone, they must first be intelligent enough to understand danger and safety." She hid a smirk behind her sleeve.
"Why, you-." Apacci growled, an evil smile on her face. Mila-Rose laughed from the side. "Shut up, cow! If she insults my intelligence, then she's insulting yours, too. I'm smarter than you." As expected it got a rise out of Mila-Rose.
"What's that, flatty?" She asked evilly.
"Shut. Up." Apacci warned, tired of that jab.
"Or what?" Mila-Rose challenged.
"Don't think too much, you too. It'll only hurt your primitive brains." Sung-Sun said quietly.
"Shut up, Sung-Sun!" Both Apacci and Mila-Rose yelled at their third sister. The entire time, Loly, Menoly, and Lilynette watched the exchange, amused.
"They're all morons." Luppi remarked to Ggio, both of which had been watching the exchange from even further away. "It's so entertaining to watch them bicker."
"I'll say. Kinda makes you feel better about yourself and your own insecurities." Ggio replied.
"We can hear you!" Apacci and Mila-Rose yelled at the two. Before an argument started, everyone turned upon sensing a Garganta opening.
"They're back!" Lilynette exclaimed, jumping up in excitement. Loly and Menoly stood up, too, eager to see Ichigo. Apacci and Sung-Sun followed as well, eager for the same reason.
From the Garganta emerged Starrk. He nodded over at Harribel, who nodded in return. Grimmjow came out next, quickly too. The girls waiting gasped upon seeing Ichigo on his shoulder.
"Ichigo-kun!" Loly shouted out in worry.
"Where's that woman at?" Grimmjow asked, looking around. He set Ichigo down at his feet, lying him down on his back. "Someone get what's-her-face!" Grimmjow shouted.
Ichigo looked pretty banged up. He was bleeding from cuts and burns on his arms and torso, the most noticeable being the hole in his chest from Ulquiorra's final attack. He was panting heavily, trying to stay awake. Loly, Menoly, Lilynette, and Apacci quickly surrounded him, getting down on their knees. Sung-Sun remained standing next to Apacci.
"Ichigo-kun." Loly grabbed his arm to get his attention. He appeared to be unconscious, as he didn't respond to her touch or voice.
"Grimmjow! You're hurt! Let me just-." Orihime was interrupted.
"Kurosaki first, quickly." He barked out at her. He pointed the direction for her before sitting down from exhaustion. Orihime gasped and ran in the direction Grimmjow had showed. It didn't take long for Orihime to reach him.
"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime cried out, approaching him quickly. Harribel motioned for the girls to move away to let Orihime do her work. Urahara had told her the reason Aizen was interested in the human girl. She was hoping to see her healing first-hand, and if it was as effective as it was made out to be. Menoly, Apacci, Lilynette and Sung-Sun hesitated, before leaving Ichigo's side. Loly remained.
"Loly-chan, please move real quick. I need to-." Orihime started, addressing Loly.
"Shut up! This is your fault! Don't come near him!" Loly shouted at her, hate in her eyes. Orihime stopped, her eyes widening. "I hope you die! You think your so high and mighty, but all you did was-!" Loly soon found herself apprehended by Ggio, who forced her to move away from Ichigo. She tried to struggle and cry out, and but he kept his grip on her strong, as well as her mouth covered.
Orihime wasted no time and immediately started her work. "Soten Kisshun: I reject." Her hairpins sprung to life, enveloping Ichigo in their healing aura. In no time at all, Ichigo's wounds began disappearing. The wound that took the longest the hole in his chest, but even that soon mended itself. Loly only watched in amazement, no longer struggling. The others seemed equally amazed at the sight before them.
After a minute, Ichigo regained consciousness and sprung up. Of course, the sudden movement caused him to slam into the Soten Kisshun, hitting his head sharply. He cursed loudly and grasped his forehead. Orihime stopped her technique, seeing Ichigo fully healed, including that most recent bruise. She would have asked him how he felt, but she quickly left to go see to Grimmjow.
Ichigo sat up, slightly slower this time around. He blinked in surprise, now aware of his surroundings. He was in the training room under Urahara Shoten. He quickly scanned all the faces around him. It wasn't much longer before he was glomped by Loly, Menoly, Apacci, and Lilynette. Loly and Menoly hugged him from the front, Apacci and Lilynette from behind. Ichigo let out an "oof" in surprise, but quickly gained composure.
"Hey guys." He said warmly.
"Baka." Loly replied quickly, before giving him a swift kiss, which Ichigo returned all too willingly. Menoly and Apacci both seemed disappointed, as they wanted to be the first to do that. They both decided to wait for their chances later.
"Never doubted you for a second, Ichigo-sensei!" Lilynette said enthusiastically. "I wish everyone else was more like me. They all thought you were going to die."
"Shut up, twerp." Apacci growled out, a tick mark on her forehead.
"Loly-chan, Menoly-chan." Ichigo greeted the two hugging him from the front. "Apacci-chan, Lily-chan." He looked back behind him. He then looked forward at Sung-Sun, who was standing above him a couple feet away. "Sun-chan." He greeted her. She was slightly surprised by the new suffix, but did not complain. She nodded at him, hiding a smile. "Sorry if I made you guys worry." He apologized sheepishly. He then stopped and tried to stand up, something hard to do with all the bodies on him. "Where's Grimmjow? He still alive?"
"Don't insult me, punk." Grimmjow said, now fully healed. He walked forward with Orihime at his side. He smirked dangerously. "Takes more than that weak shit to do me in." Ichigo smirked back.
"I beg to differ." He retorted, to which Grimmjow 'tched'.
"Kurosaki-san!" Urahara greeted enthusiastically. "Glad to see you're alive! I had the utmost faith in you."
"Yeah, thanks." This time, Ichigo did stand up, the girls releasing their grips on him. Loly held one of his hands in hers, however. She looked at Orihime, who looked back at her. Loly quickly mouthed a, "Thank you." Orihime smiled at Loly.
"Mission success?" Ichigo asked Urahara.
"It would appear so." Urahara nodded.
"How was my time?" Ichigo asked Uyru, who stood behind Urahara alongside Chad.
"Slow." Uyru replied, adjusting his glasses. Ichigo deadpanned.
Off to the side, Starrk rejoined Harribel. He had the same bored look on his face.
"Tercera." He greeted casually.
"Starrk-san." Harribel nodded. "I would assume there were no complications?" Starrk seemed deep in thought.
"Nothing worth mentioning."
"What did you find upon entering Hueco Mundo again?" Harribel asked, interested on any details of the bout between Ichigo, Grimmjow, and Ulquiorra. Starrk, again, appeared deep in thought.
"Sand." He said after a few seconds.
Harribel sighed in annoyance. She closed her eyes to keep calm. Baraggan approached the two. He gave no acknowledgement to them, at first, but as he passed, he said, "Faith, huh?" And that was all he said as he walked past the two, his zanpakuto shouldered. Harribel said nothing and continued looking forward.
"So, what happens now?" Grimmjow asked, getting impatient. It wasn't exactly directed at anyone in particular.
"Now, we all prepare." Urahara answered, quite enthusiastically. He flipped his fan open and held it in front of his face as he peered at the gathered fighters around him. "We have so much to plan for, don't we? I think it's going to be rather exciting."
(Chapter End/Author's Note)
And there we go. I do hope my writing hasn't decreased in quality after my two years hiatus. If so, I apologize. I will perform seppuku to make up for it, you have my word.
I have nothing witty to say at the moment, that and I just want to get this note done so I can upload this chapter. So, here's the annual;
Musical Inspiration for this Chapter:
Band:Emmure
Song:Chicago's Finest
But I chose my path nine years ago... and there's no turning back. No, there's no turning back. There's no. Turning. Back!
And then an awesome breakdown. Now, here's the part I'm sure you have all been waiting for.
Beta's Rant:
Well, here we are again after nearly two years. Cripes that's a long time. Ah well, Nexus is back, and so am I, so that means it's time for another Beta Rant!
So, question here. Why the hell are there so many damn wimpy male leads in anime and such nowadays? I get that they're supposed to be the kind-hearted and lovable goofball, but some of their actions or lack-thereof piss me off eight ways to Sunday. Yes, I understand that you like the girl, but if she's gonna beat you over the head for a mistake and does so often, then she's not worth your time. You are NOT a good guy for sitting there and taking it. You're a doormat, and nobody likes a doormat. What's that, you keep on winding up in bad situations that usually end in a major headache for you? Than man the fuck up and say something, dammit! If you have to keep winding up in those bad situations just to please a girl for five minutes, after which she'll go back to treating you like an idiot, then tell the bitch "no" and wash your hands of her! Seriously! Backbone, motherfucker, you need one!
And all of you can say what you want about me for saying this, but I have no problem decking a girl. I will let the first hit go, IF I deserved it, but only so long as it's none-debilitating. Not if it's going to cause serious harm to me. But if the girl insists on trying to hit me afterwards, or she has no reason to hit me, I WILL defend myself. I won't beat on her, so back-off me there. I usually follow the code of The Gentleman, but that only applies for when I'm with a lady. If it's a bitch, then all bets are off. I have a spine, I can stand up for myself, and I can easily say that there's at least one girl in every series that needs a good-old helping of Backhand to the Face. This is Lazruth, and fuck being a doormat!
Seriously, shoutout to this guy. I disappear for two years, come back, and he's still willing to beta for me. Anyways,
Well, I hope you liked it. Please read and review. Constructive Criticism is welcome, but flamers will be hunted down and beaten up by me personally, I assure you.