Aizen had not let Ichigo have a choice when it came to attending the meeting. He was told he had to be there. Ichigo sat on the steps behind Aizen as he listened to what was going on. Aizen had introduced the new Espadas. Ichigo wanted this meeting to be over, luckily it didn't last that long. Grimmjow stopped him as he attempted to leave.

"Ya got a minute?"

Ichigo sighed. "Sure, what is it?" Ichigo followed Grimmjow into the hallway and off to the side.

"I never would have thought you would be on this side. I'm not the only one who noticed something off about you. What happened, I want to know. Why are you hanging around Aizen so much? I have even heard that you come and go out of his room."

Ichigo bit his lip. He hadn't even been here that long. "We share a room. You see I_" he started before Aizen showed up.

"What seems to be the problem? Grimmjow I hope you weren't trying to do anything you weren't supposed to."

"I want to know what kind of hold you have on him. This isn't like the Ichigo I grown to enjoy fighting. "

Aizen smirked. "Personal matters Grimmjow. I also assure you that Ichigo hasn't changed that much, perhaps he is even better. In fact, why don't you come to the training grounds with us?"

Yuzuki and Norio appeared from the room. "So we are ready" Norio asked.

"Of course, Grimmjow would you be joining us?"

"Hell yes, I'll prove to you that I should have been promoted. You promoted Harribel after all. "

Ichigo looked at Grimmjow, sparring would get his mind off of things. "Grimmjow, you make a good sexta." Grimmjow glared at him.

"Fine then I challenge you Ichigo. "

"Wait until you get to the training room" Aizen warned. The group moved on to the training grounds.

….

"This seems like it is taking forever to get there. It didn't take this long last time" Renji complained.

"When ya broke in." Gin started.

Kenpachi looked at Gin. "Why are we going this way? Don't you know how to create a Garganta, traitor."

"That would be Captain Aizen. "

"Why are you even helping us? What is in it for you?" Uryu asked as he stayed at the side of the group.

"I have my reasons."

"Which would be?"

"Ya see." Gin went on ahead.

…..

Byakuya frowned, he had just discovered that both Rukia and Renji were missing. "They went there again. That leaves me no choice."

Ikkaku appeared. "We are coming with you. Don't try to deny us Captain Kuchiki."

"Exactly. Wherever our captain and Ichigo are we need to be there."

"Keep up or I will leave you behind."

….

Ichigo jumped back to dodge a hit from Grimmjow. He used flashstep to land an attack.

"I am done playing. Grind Pantera!"

Ichigo was wondering when Grimmjow would stop 'playing' and start fighting at full power. "Bankai!" Ichigo got out. It seems like it had been forever since he had last entered Bankai. He could remember his reflection when he saw himself in the mirror both here and in the asylum. His hair was back to its normal look, somehow when everything had happened Ichigo had gone back to normal.

As he entered Bankai, his hair grew to shoulder length. Aizen watched very interested. Ichigo had doubled in strength perhaps even tripled, Grimmjow held up for a little bit, but he went down quickly, without Ichigo using his mask at all.

Grimmjow reverted back to his normal form. He groaned "when did you get so strong? I know for sure I didn't get fucking weaker."

"This is interesting "Aizen said. Ichigo gave him a look.

"I remember that hair style. So it seems like it is now included in your Bankai." Ichigo shook his head at the man.

"So how do I look now beside my hair?"

Aizen smirked. "Much different than when we fought. It is like your Bankai got a makeover. White, black and maroon. "

Grimmjow had gotten up and was looking between Ichigo and Aizen. "You and I will fight again soon" Grimmjow said after regaining his ability to talk. He left the room, Ichigo shook his head.

Yuzuki was looking over Ichigo amazed. "So he isn't an Arrancar. I mean I knew you were a Shinigami Lord Aizen, but I really thought he was at least an Arrancar. I was surprised when you didn't say he was the cero Espada."

"He is okay, but Zuki, his power is a lot different than ours. I could have told you that he wasn't an Arrancar. Though he does have a what's that an inner hollow inside of him. How interesting. I would like to have my turn now" Norio said getting up from where he was seated. "Don't you dare leave your Bankai."

He charged at Ichigo. "Destroy Shukketsu Mūn!"

The room filled up with a red light and when it cleared Norio appearance has changed. A visor was covering his eyes, a red crescent moon could be seen at the base of the visor. He seemed to have grown fangs and his clothes had changed to a blood red. Although Ichigo noted that aside from a few small changes Norio didn't look different.

Ichigo raised his zanpakutō to defend himself before he sent a Getsuga Tenshō at him. Aizen watched the fight, a smirk on his lips. Norio looked like he was blood thirsty with each attack he made. Ichigo had made a fantastic choice when choosing Norio. False hope if one knew how the numbers worked for the Espadas. This one was truly dangerous, even more so then any of the other Espadas. Aizen noticed the burns on the floor. Ichigo eventually ended up winning, but the fight had been even more interesting than the fight between Ichigo and Grimmjow.

"I won't lose!" Norio cried out as he attempted to attack Ichigo again.

"That is enough, you have proven yourself. " Aizen had to speak up. Norio slightly bowed his head and sheathed his sword so that his resurrección was broken.

"Zuki, your turn." Norio smirked at the girl who nodded.

"Will Ichi still be my opponent?"

Ichigo nodded. "I will."

She smiled. "Good because I don't think I could fight Nori. I mean I would if I had to, but I would rather see how I am against you."

She unlike Norio didn't enter her release form upon entering the fight. It wasn't until halfway through the battle that she called out her release command. "Reflect Muto!"

Her silver hair extended, her mask fragment extend to form a crow like piece that extend to the base of her neck. Two tiny tuffs of hair stood up and looked a lot like two ears. Ichigo guarded against her attack that was when he noticed the cherry blossom falling to the ground in front of him. One single one, it had barely hit him, but it felt like a full blow hitting him in the arm where the cherry blossom had fallen against him. Ichigo had at first thought Byakuya had randomly appeared and was attacking him with Senbonzakura.

"Stop, I have seen enough" Aizen said, he had not moved from his place. Yuzuki smiled at him as she sheathed her zanpakutō. "That was fun, we should fight again, Ichi. This was a fantastic idea, Lord Aizen. Thank you for including me and Norio. May I leave though?" Aizen nodded and Yuzuki left the room with Norio trailing behind her. Aizen approached Ichigo who had left his Bankai.

"So she reminds me of Gin and Byakuya" Ichigo blurted out when he knew the girl had left the hallway.

Aizen chuckled. "A fox that deals with cherry blossoms. I stopped the battle because I could tell that more blossoms would come. You did well picking them. I did enjoy what aspect you gave Norio. Though I could see why you gave him that one, he is amusing."

….

Byakuya looked at the man with a look that made it clear he was not amused.

"Very well Captain Kuchiki, this way. You just missed them, but I am sure you should be able to catch up with them quick enough. Maybe even before they land in Hueco Mundo." Byakuya didn't say anything as he jumped into the Garganta. Ikkaku and Yumichika quickly followed him so they wouldn't get left behind.

…

The opening was so close ahead. Just a little longer. Rukia was about to jump out of the other end of the Garganta but a hand grabbed her. Everyone else was silent.

"It took you two long enough" Kenpachi broke the silence as he looked at his two squad members.

"Brother, you didn't have to come" Rukia got out.

"Captain Kuchiki, it isn't how it looks like" Renji didn't know what was going to happen. Kenpachi jumped out of the Garganta first.

"It seems like I interrupted something. Though we should hurry up before we are sealed inside this Garganta."

The group jumped out.

Momo looked at the faces of the new group and then at the closing Garganta. "Um did anyone think how we are going to get back?"

Gin was the one who answered. "Central command, we can create a Garganta there. Though first we must reach Los Noches."

Byakuya sighed. "This feels faintly familiar." Rukia stayed next to her brother, she had a feeling that she was in trouble. "You are not in trouble. I came on my own, the head captain hasn't figured out we are gone. Though it is only a matter of time. "

"Then we better start finding Ichigo" Kenpachi said and took off running.

"That way Kenny!" Yachiru squealed out.

"Captain, wait for us" Ikkaku called out as he ran after Kenpachi and Yachiru. Yumichika was right behind Ikkaku.

"Gin, why are you with us?" Byakuya asked the same question that had been asked by the others.

"Old times sake. Setting things right, ya know those kind of things" Gin said.

Uryu frowned. "I think Ichigo was better company here then you."

"I could always leave ya alone, but sure ya can find ya way back to Los Noches. Not to mention the guardian won't let ya in unless ya with me. Or we could always sneak in the back."

"Start talking, what do you know" Byakuya had his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Orihime sighed. "I hope Ichigo is okay."

…

Aizen had drew Kyōka Suigetsu and was walking towards Ichigo. "Do you have another round in you? It is a friendly spar, nothing else."

Ichigo couldn't help the small smirk. "Of course. "

Aizen looked towards the doorway. Ulquiorra stood at the doorway. "Lord Aizen" he got out.

"Go ahead."

"We have visitors. What should I do?"

"Don't do anything. If they do make it in, bring them to the throne room."

Ulquiorra bowed and disappeared. Ichigo looked at Aizen. "So does this mean that our spar is called off?"

"Rain check. Come now we need to take a peek at these visitors."

"You knew."

"It was just a matter of time." Aizen had sheathed his sword again, Ichigo placed his' back on his back. He followed Aizen until he came to a control room. Aizen pressed a few buttons an image appeared on the screen.

"Kenpachi? Ikkaku? Yumichika? Yachiru? Why is squad eleven coming to see me?"

"To see where your loyalties lies and to fight you. Kenpachi Zaraki only cares about the battle. I have a feeling there is another group out there, but I can't find them anyways in Hueco Mundo."

"Could they already be in Los Noches?"

"No that would be impossible. Unless…"

"Hello Captain Aizen, Ichigo."

"I see you're still alive." Aizen was calm as he faced Gin, though Ichigo had been around the man long enough to tell that he was hiding surprise.

"I'm going to check on the rest of the place." Ichigo used that as his excuse. His mind had started to spin again. Yuzuki came running towards him after he had left the control room. Nel was shortly behind her.

"Ichigo, Norio has found one of the intruders." Yuzuki got out.

Ichigo looked at her "lead me there."

"Of course."

Nel smiled at him. "Ichigo it is nice to see you again."

"Yes it is, Nel."

Yuzuki lead Ichigo to a room with artificial sunlight and sand. This room looked familiar. He saw Renji fighting against Norio. "Don't hurt them." Yuzuki nodded and Nel of course already understood.

"Ichigo be careful."

Ichigo used flashstep to stop Renji's blade. He could feel many eyes on him. "Stand back" Ichigo said to Norio.

"Hell no, I am not going to easily let them pass."

"I told you to stand back. Go back to Yuzuki." Norio glared at him and then glared at Yuzuki as he went towards her.

"Ichigo, is that really you" Rukia got out.

"I had a feeling you would be like this, traitor. "

Ichigo blocked Byakuya's blade, at least he hadn't released it.

Ichigo didn't know what to say to the people who stood in front of him. Orihime looked at him. "Ichigo, you didn't actually follow him here, like Rukia said. Please tell me it was a misunderstanding."

"Orihime, he is an idiot." Uryu said pushing up his glasses. "Though he is our friend, so we should at least listen to what he has to say before we treat him like an enemy."

Chad simply nodded.

"It is nice to see you again, but not like this. You have to think of things like me. I was imprisoned."

"You escaped along with Aizen." Byakuya added.

"That is complicated to explain, plus you wouldn't believe me if I tried. "

"Why don't you try us, we are very understanding" Rukia said.

Renji nodded. "That is what friends do, right. Understand even in the worst times. Ichigo, Central 46 deemed you dangerous because you sided with Aizen."

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "At least you are the same as always and not like that other you. I don't think I could handle that."

Renji raised his eyebrow at him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Sure you can handle it" Ichigo said.

"What is wrong with you? What did Aizen do to you" Rukia got out.

Orihime was looking at him with eyes that were trying hard not to cry. "He has saved me and kept me from dying. He has been nothing but truthful to me. "

"He is lying straight to your face. Just like he did to everyone else in the Soul Society" Byakuya was the one who had spoken.

That was when Ichigo finally noticed the new addition to the group. Momo was there. His eyes went wide. "Did Captain Aizen really save you and keep you from dying? He is a good man."

Ichigo didn't know how to handle Momo. He simply nodded. "I did go with him willingly, but think of it my way. What would have happened if I had stayed in the Soul Society? Do you know why Aizen willingly left the prison? He was trying to save me."

Orihime looked at him. "What happened to you, Ichigo. "

Ichigo bit his lip. "There was this other reality. Everyone was there, but everyone was so very different. Well I never saw you there Byakuya. Though you were mentioned. My mom was actually alive" he got out. Rukia looked like she was about to speak but Ichigo continued. "Byakuya you left Rukia and Renji was there too. God Renji you were different. "

"I would never leave Rukia, Ichigo Kurosaki and you know it."

"This was a different reality. We were all in Karakura Town at some asylum. That I am pretty sure does not exist normally. Aizen was the head doctor, Gin was there too. Kisuke was a doctor as well. You two were patents." He pointed at Renji and Rukia. Then he pointed to Momo. "You tried to kill me because Aizen spent so much time with me. "

Momo looked at him. "I'm sorry, I would never do anything like that."

Ichigo nodded. It made him feel a little bit safer around the girl. "How was I different" Renji started.

Ichigo smirked. "I am pretty sure you was in love with Byakuya. You kept telling me I was in love with Aizen too." Ichigo didn't know how he was going to go about this. It was hard for him to not call Aizen by his first name, but he had to for now."

Byakuya looked at Renji. "I'm not, I promise you Captain Kuchiki" Renji got out.

"Well to explain the reason why I was hurt." He had a hunch, well he might as well use that hunch, it was most likely true. "First of all I kept going between the two realities. Aizen was the one who told me the Soul Society deemed me a traitor and threw me in a cell with him. Well I was hit from behind by Kisuke in the other reality. Kisuke kept trying to killing me, Aizen was good and Kisuke was not. Aizen was trying to use a healing kido on me in the cell, but he couldn't find a wound. That was when the same imposter Kisuke came and set Aizen free. He took me to the only place he thought was safe."

"It sounds like you actually need to go to a mental asylum" Uryu said.

"It happened, all of it did. I promise. Ask Gin. He was there, it is the same person."

"I believe him" Momo said.

Renji looked at Momo. "You do?"

"Yes" she said.

Byakuya looked at Ichigo. "You are making up stories just to save your life. You still haven't explained why you willingly came with him. You wouldn't go with him just because he saved your life, or so you claimed. "

"Did he threaten the people you cared about again" Rukia got out.

Ichigo shook his head. He looked at Orihime and remembered what Aizen had told him. "He understands the position I was put in. I willingly went him because I am" Ichigo started. He bit his lip, he had to say it. "I'm in love with him."