Ichigo couldn't believe his ears. Nel, as in, the little Arrancar who clung onto him as if her life depended on it, was an ex-Espada? Ridiculous. This spoon headed freak clearly was out of it! Ichigo was tired after his battle with Grimmjow, and frankly he would admit it to anyone that Grimmjow put up one of the toughest fights Ichigo ever fought. But just when Grimmjow was defeated, another black haired longer and taller Espada almost cut him in half, and if Ichigo didn't save Grimmjow just then, the blue haired self-obsessed Espada would've died. And now, Nnoitra was accusing Nel being an Espada? But, the way Ichigo saw it, this freak didn't look like he was lying, but Nel was surely afraid of what was going on.
"This little shit-"Nnoitra pointed to little Nel. "-Is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. An Ex-Espada." Orihime's and Ichigo's eyes widened at the current Espada's remark. "An Ex-Espada?" Orihime repeated, flabbergasted. "Yeah, you thought she wasn't dangerous or something? How stupid are you? She's been fooling you around since the very beginning!" Nnoitra said, smirking like a mad man. And just when he was about to kick Nel in the face, Ichigo rushed forward and protected the child. "Ichigo…I want you to believe me Ichigo…Nel hasn't been trying to fool anyone…" Nel said, her voice trembling and her face smeared with tears. "Of course you haven't! There's no reason for you to trick us, so don't worry." Ichigo smiled reassuringly at her, but he was abruptly kicked in the face by the male Arrancar. "Ichigo!" Nel yelled. And just then, Nnoitra picked Nel up by her mask, and told Ichigo he was the one who broke Nel's mask. Ichigo rushed forward to save her, and slashed the Arrancar across his chest, but shockingly, he seemed unaffected. "Have you forgotten? There's no way for you to cut me with that blade." Nnoitra said, grimly.
Nnoitra kicked Ichigo upwards, and Ichigo was lifted off the ground, and he went flying. "Ichigo!" Orihime yelled. But Ichigo didn't give up, he dashed toward Nnoitra with all he had, but the Espada kicked him to the ground effortlessly. Nnoitra threw Nel aside, and walked toward Ichigo, fully intending to kill Ichigo. Nel yelled her heart out, and her body was trembling with fear, and suddenly the little Arrancar was fully covered with smoke, and out of it emerged a woman, who resembled Nel greatly. She had this look in her eyes, a look of distaste. She was looking at Nnoitra.
Ichigo and Orihime couldn't believe their eyes. Was that woman really Nel? Nnoitra's fraccion Tesla Lindocruz, held on to Orihime and he watched the scene before him. He had already seen Nel before, years ago, when his Master Nnoitra snuck up on her with Szayel and broke her mask. He knew what his master was doing was wrong, but he had no say in it. Nnoitra was his master, and if he ordered Tesla to do something, anything for that matter, Tesla would. "You've returned from that form, Nelliel." Nnoitra said, staring at the female Arrancar. She swiftly snuck him behind Nnoitra and grabbed Ichigo. Ichigo was shocked to be in her arms and said, "Nel?" Nel's eyes widened and she looked at the boy she was holding. "You-You're really Nel?" Ichigo asked. "Yes." Nel breathed. "Thanks to you Ichigo, I returned to this form. Ichigo, its thanks to you that I've come this far. You've protected little me all this way. So, please be a little patient. I'll protect you this time." Nel got back up, and prepared to fight. Ichigo couldn't help but notice, Nel reminded him somewhat, somewhat of Misaki. The will to protect someone. Ichigo smiled to himself, slightly.
Misaki returned from training with a very quiet Hachi. She figured he was tired, since he was the one using Kido the most. Misaki had to dodge and fight physically using her brute force, which wasn't that great. Misaki waved at Lisa, and the girl winked at Misaki. Mashiro patted the seat next to her, and Misaki sat down wondering what the 'meeting' was about. Shinji wasn't around, and Kensei too. Hachi sat next to Rose and Lisa and Love sat next to Hiyori. The group gathered in a circle and Misaki felt Shinji's spiritual pressure from above. He landed behind the girl and she smiled at him. "Shinji! What the hell is this about?" Hiyori yelled. So even she didn't know? Kensei appeared as well, and sighed. "We're gonna have a chat about the Winter Showdown." Misaki's eyes widened at the mention of the Showdown and her heart leapt with anxiousness. "Shinji?" Shinji didn't turn back and said, "Like Kensei said, in this fight, we aren't going to be allies with the Soul Reapers." Misaki's eyes widened and Hiyori spat. "Well, that's obvious." She said but Misaki didn't understand. She stood up but Rose held her hand. She looked to the man, and he shook his head. "This was meant to be from the start, Misa." Misaki thought of Toshiro and Rangiku, and turned to Shinji. "But why?" She whispered. "That's because, no matter how we look at it, we aren't Soul Reapers anymore, Misaki." Kensei said.
"That's not true! You all are Soul Reapers! Ichigo is just like you, but he's a Soul Reaper as well! Why can't you be both?" Misaki asked, her face worried. "Be both? Are you even listening to yourself? They tried to kill us!" Hiyori yelled. Misaki flinched. "They ordered Soul Reapers to kill us stating we're hollows! For a crime we didn't commit!" Lisa said, her gaze bore on Misaki's face. "Face it Misa, its best this way." Misaki sighed. "Just tell me…" Misaki said, softly. Lisa and the others looked at the girl. "Tell me…honestly that you didn't enjoy your life there, in the Soul Society. Tell me you didn't love the time when you all were Soul Reapers." Misaki said, looking to the ground. "We did, that's why this is the best way." Shinji spoke finally.
Misaki looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. She quickly wiped them away and before she could ask, "Let me ask you this Misaki, when they took away your brother, what did you feel?" Shinji asked. Misaki didn't want to remember the feeling, but she knew it was bitter and it was probably the worst feeling ever. Before she can answer, Shinji spoke again. "That was the exact feeling I felt when I saw my lietenant betray me. That was the exact feeling I felt when I heard Kisuke Urahara was banished to the Living World and we were ordered to be killed." His gaze hardened as he continued. "That is what I'll feel when I go and look into their eyes. Their eyes which once held the intent to kill me. I hope you understand Misaki." Misaki's eyes widened and she gasped. Rose placed a hand on her shoulder, and sighed. "I…understand. I'm sorry Shinji…I'm sorry everyone. I shouldn't have asked." Misaki felt downtrodden. "Hey, it's fine. We don't mind it if you knew." Love assured her.
Misaki walked to her room after dinner and she sighed sadly. She felt terrible for the Vizards, and when Shinji spoke to her like that, she didn't know how to react. How could something so terrible happen to someone so kind? They were all kind. Hiyori was rash, but once you got to know her, she was a sweet child. Lisa was a pervert, but she was a strong willed woman, who Misaki adored. Hachi was the gentlest person she's ever come across. Mashiro was the funniest person Misaki ever saw. Kensei was the elder brother figure to her. Rose was a very nice person, and Love was the most daring. Each of them unique in their own way, and Misaki loved them all. Hachi waited till Misaki was asleep so he could tell them the reason he was quiet.
"What's up Hachi?" Love asked, wondering about the second meeting. "It's about Misaki." Hachi said, grabbing the attention of the Vizards. "What about her?" Shinji was the most attentive. "Her powers. At first I thought they were strong only with barrier spells and healing, but I was wrong. She excels more in…Sealing spells." "Sealing?" Lisa asked, not completely understanding. "It is when she uses her Magic that we can completely notice. I failed to see it until today, but I am glad I did. She seals spiritual pressure inside the closure of her own. It is…incredibly rare to find a Mage with such an ability. I also mentioned this to Kisuke Urahara and he was thoughtful. He wanted her to definitely join us in battle. But there is another catch to this." Hachi's expression became worried. "What is it Hachi?" Mashiro asked. Shinji listened on. "Her powers are life exhaustible." The Vizard warehouse grew quiet after that.
Ichigo was bleeding from his mouth, and he disliked the taste of sand and blood. He spat out the blood and he sensed another spiritual pressure from nearby. Someone interfered. That someone was-"Kenpachi?" Ichigo was shocked to see the sadistic fight lover here, in Hueco Mundo. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Dyin' over here." Kenpachi said. "It's really… you really Kenpachi?" Ichigo asked, shock written all over his face. "Eh? Of course it is. Did they kick you so hard that you lost your damn mind?" Kenpachi spat. Then, Kenpachi swiftly finished off Tesla's released form and headed for Nnoitra. Ichigo gulped and watched the battle, as two strong spiritual pressures faced off to a battle to the death.
The fight was long, wearisome, destructive and gory. After Nnoitra released his true form, the battle got more intense. Kenpachi had to even change his Kendo, and one slash was all it took to officially end the battle. Nnoitra spit on fraternity, lusted after power, and finally kissed the ground. As Nnoitra collapsed on the ground, Nel looked up to see him, and their eyes met. That was probably the last thing Nnoitra ever saw. Nel's green eyes.
Kenpachi walked toward Ichigo and kicked him in the stomach. "Now what you freaking psychopath?" Ichigo yelled in pain. "Grab your sword. Get the girl and haul off, you're shift is over here. Let us handle the overtime." Ichigo was infuriated. "Get the hell outa here! I came here to-""Know your place substitute. Your first priority is that town of yours. Am I wrong?" Ichigo's eyes widened. "The broad's outa harm's way. You're done here. If you follow what I'm saying, hurry up and scram. Besides, I ain't letting you hog any more battles. You greedy prick…" Kenpachi said. "Woman!" Orihime jerked at the sound of Kenpachi's voice. "Patch me up real nice." "Yes sir!" She walked toward the sadist captain, and just right in front of her, an Arrancar appeared. "Forgive me, truth be told, I abhor such tactics. But I'm afraid I don't have much of a say in the matter. Buckle your safety belts." The brown haired Arrancar said, with a bored expression. Kenpachi and Ichigo both rushed forward, but it was too late. The Arrancar grabbed Orihime and vanished.
"Welcome back. Orihime." Sosuke Aizen said, from the top, near his throne. "What's the matter? Why the sour face?" The man suddenly appeared right in front of her, his hand grazing her cheek. "A girl like you should smile more often. Overcast skies blot out the sun, and that always brings people's spirits down. So why not let the sun shine? For the time being anyway?" Orihime shivered. "You needn't worry. We'll return shortly. As soon as we destroy Karakura town." Orihime's eyes widened and she couldn't speak. "D-Destroy Karakura town?" She muttered. "That's right." Aizen said. "We shall destroy Karakura town and create the Ouken." Aizen said, before speaking to the Soul Reapers in Hueco Mundo using Tentei Kura and stepping into the Garganta. Orihime was left behind, filled with fear.
"Huh. Looks like we made it in time." The Head Captain said, as Aizen stepped into the Human World. "In time? Where on earth do you have proof to say such a thing?" Aizen asked, amused at the Head Captain's statement. "I know what we have here is not Karakura town. But it won't be a threat to me anyways." Aizen further stated. "Starrk, Barragan, Harribel, come here." Three Garganta opened and emerged several Arrancars. "Since Karakura town is in Soul Society, I'll destroy all of you here and create the Ouken in the Soul Society. It's that simple." Aizen said. "Before that, I just leave Las Noches for you a little while…Ulquiorra."
Ulquiorra asked Orihime if she felt fear. She didn't. "Nonsense, you feel no fear because your friends are here for you? Are you seriously saying that to me?" Ulquiorra questioned. "Yes." She replied. "When I first heard they came to rescue me, I was at first happy. But mostly sad. I came here to protect everyone, so why did they come for me? Why wouldn't they just accept it and move on? I thought. But, I felt Rukia fall and I watched Ichigo fight and how I felt doesn't matter anymore. I just didn't want Ichigo to get hurt. I just wanted everyone to be alright. When I thought that, I realized something. That must be what they're feeling too. I know that, if any one of them disappeared like it did, without a doubt I would've done the same thing. I'm sure of it now-"Orihime smiled slightly. "-That's what it means for hearts to beat as one." "Heart?" Ulquiorra asked. It was as if he never had heard the word before in his life. "You humans speak such words so easily. It's like something you can hold in your hands. This eye of mine is all seeing, there is nothing I cannot perceive. That which I cannot see, does not exist. I have fought this far knowing that. What is a heart? Will I find it if I rip your chest apart? If I crack open your skull will it be there?" Ulquiorra's words must've made Orihime afraid, but she stood there, unwavering. She wasn't afraid. Not only because her friends were there, something told her that Ulquiorra wouldn't kill her.
Misaki was summoned by Kensei stating there was another meeting. "Shinji?" She said, as she looked at the Vizards who were now staring at her. "Misaki, the Showdown's begun." Misaki's eyes widened. "The fight hasn't started yet, but Aizen arrived at the Human World." Misaki frowned. "What are we doing here then?" "Let's take our time, Kisuke anyway has to open another Garganta. We'll give them our own special entrance." Shinji said, his voice more aloof than before, and it made Misaki smile. "Sure." She said. "You sure you wanna go through this Misaki? You can back out now if you want to, we'll save Mina-""No. I'm gonna fight alongside you all. That's what I've been training for." Misaki said, silencing the blonde. Shinji smirked, 'You are one tough cookie, Misaki.' He thought to himself.
Something in the shadows watched Orihime being bullied by those lowly Arrancars as Ichigo and Ulquiorra fought. The mysterious person frowned, and turned to notice Yammy arrive. He frowned harder and muttered, "Pests." And continued watching, lurking only in the shadows.