~ I just put the first chapter up for my next story, I was getting really into it and just kind of got carried away. It is a Quincy Ichigo story and will be a harem, based on the poll results. If you want to check it out it's called, A Shattered Cross. This isn't going to really change to updates for this story I just needed to work on something else. Figured it would help me get a few more ideas and keep me from getting tired of this story. ~

I know it has been a long time, so I apologize. I've been fairly busy, Christmas happened, and this last few weeks I've just had a hard time writing. I don't know why I haven't really been in the mood, but I'm finally getting back into it. So I'm hoping the I'll get another chapter done soon, and I'll get back into my writing groove. Anyway hope you all enjoy this chapter and let my now your thoughts.

"Normal Talking"

'Ichigo's Thoughts/Talking in his head'

"Alacron Talking"

~ Line Break ~ means I either skipped forward/backward in time, in a different location, a different group of people, or I changed POV and I'll saw what the new POV is

Once Ulquiorra uttered those words, power erupted out of him. Green and black reiatsu started covering his entire body, acting almost like water. Shooting up into the air and slowly circling around him, it suddenly fell to the ground. All of the reiatsu dropped out of the sky and disappeared, showing Ulquiorra's new form.

The white gown he used to wear is now gone, showing his body now half covered in black hair. His legs are completely covered from the hips to his feet, which are now bat like and taloned. A long tail as long as he is tall, protruded out from the base of his spine and circled around him. Looking at his chest his pale skin looked even more so than before. From the bottom of his hollow hole a black mark ran down, looking almost like blood pouring out from it. The same black wings came out of his back but now had some extra fur at the base. His long, skinny, yet toned arms were now covered in the same short black hair as his legs. Reaching down to his fingers which are now more like claws, lastly two long horns shot out of the top of his head.

Stark, Aaroniero and Kisuke were still standing behind him, mostly looking rather interested in his transformation. Kisuke walked up a little closer behind him and started to examine his new form. "It seems you are reverting even further to your original hollow state. This is quite interesting."

Ulquiorrra didn't answer him just kept staring down the Captain Commander. The two of their eyes locked and the atmosphere began to get heavy, and you could almost cut the tension with a knife. Taking one step forward, the sound echoed around the area overtaking all of the other noises.

Taking a step forward as well Yamamoto held his blade up, "You will die here Arrancar; Reduce All Creation to Ash, Ryujin Jakka."

Flames erupted forth from the blade and quickly shot outwards like waves, covering everything in their wake. Slowly subsiding, many of the surrounding buildings were somewhere between charred and heavily burned depending on how close to Yamamoto they were. Now a steady stream of flames were pouring from his blade and circling around him.

Everyone but Ulquiorra and Yamamoto cleared the are once he called upon his Shikai. The group of Shinigami and Arrancars are now standing on the streets below watching the power from the two above. Kisuke took one last glance up and shock his head, "Guess he has a death wish."

This caused Stark to let out a few quick laughs. Recovering from this quickly Stark just walked past Kisuke and looked up, "Ulquiorra has no death wish. If anything Ulquiorra or I are the only ones that could stand a chance against that man besides Ichigo of course."

Overhearing this Byakuya stood dumbstruck for a second before speaking up, "You mean you know Ichigo?" He slowly started walking closer to Stark and just stared at him.

"Yeah I know the guy, he's the best friend I have. He's the reason we are all here, and he's 'pointing up to Ulquiorra' probably the best friend Ichigo has."

"So where is he?"

Walking up even closer, now Byakuya was only a few feet in front of Stark. Kisuke being the man he was quickly jumped in-between the two, "Now now no need to do anything rash."

"I'm not doing anything rash, I want to know where Ichigo is."

"Now why would that be?"

"If the Commander knows you are all with him than he will most likely stop this."

Giving Byakuya a questioning look Stark asked, "Now why on earth would he care if we are with Ichigo or not?"

"That is somewhat hard to say, all I can tell you is he seems to care about him. For what reasons I don't know, but he has ordered everyone here not to attack Ichigo or someone that is with him. So if this is true than I need to see him."

"Lanza Del Relampago" Ulquiorra's voice boomed through the air and then a bright green light shot from his hand and disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Resulting in a long double sided spear like weapon, not as long as a normal spear but looked dangerous. The power it was radiating alone was dangerous.

"Are you still going to defy me, I don't wish to fight in the world of the living but your too much of a threat to let live. Now began" With a quick swipe of his blade a huge wave of fire was sent crashing towards Ulquiorra. The fire wave crashed over several buildings disintegrating them immediately, at the same time increasing the temperature around it.

Getting closer and closer to Ulquoirra he didn't do anything, just kept standing there watching it crash closer and closer. Only a few seconds before the attack hit Ulquiorra disappeared, almost too fast to track. Reappearing all the way across the make shift battle field behind Yamamoto. "You think me so low to be killed by something like that? Nice try."

Quickly turning around Yamamoto only meet the end of Ulquiorra spear as it embedded into his chest, "I'm not some stupid animal, I can be a real threat if need be. Now what is your next move?" Looking down at the spear sticking out from his chest Yamamoto just sighed. He quickly shifted the grip of his blade and brought it rocketing forward for a vertical strike against Ulquiorra.

Without time to dodge Ulquiorra took the full front of the attack, and once it hit flames and smoke engulfed the two.

The reaction from the small group watching was mostly shock, no one expecting this to actually get this carried away so quickly. Stark looked up at his friend with sadness in his eyes, but also knowing there is a chance he made it. "I'm actually somewhat glade Ichigo wasn't here to see this, no telling what he'd do." Kisuke's comment went unnoticed at first but Stark answered once he got what he was saying.

"I know exactly what Ichigo would do Kisuke, the exact same thing he would do for any of us. He would completely destroy whatever it was that was hurting us, I think that's just his way of coping with it."

"I know what you're trying to say Stark, he would definitely end whoever it is. He is just too hard on himself, always thinking he has to be the one on the frontlines doing everything that would put others in harm's way. When he isn't there or when someone gets hurt he always seems to blame himself."

Looking back towards the sky the flames around the two were almost clear. Before it was fully cleared a black sphere bolted out of the prison and stopped once it was fifty feet away. Looking closer, it was definitely Ulquiorra but badly hurt. He was missing his left arm, and most of his right leg. While a large gash ran up his torso to his neck, leaving a heavy gash that was slowly letting off smoke. Lifting his head up to look at Yamamoto he was almost smiling, and you could say he would start laughing any second. "I'm quite unique when it comes to Arrancar." Not a second later his arm and leg both started reforming, and the gash on his chest was almost closed.

Kisuke just looked up in aw, "That is very surprising, to survive even a single strike against Yamamoto is something to brag about. His regeneration though is incredible, I don't think I've seen anything like it."

Aaroniero stated, "The only reason you haven't seen anything like it is because there are only two Arrancar that have that fast and great of a regeneration ability and this is the first time one of them has needed to use it."

"Who would be the other one then?"

"You of all people should know that Kisuke."

"You mean?"

"Exactly, he probably has even better levels of regeneration than Ulquiorra does."

"Damn, Ichigo is just full of even more surprises. I thought he was incredibly strong before but to think he has that kind of regeneration abilities as well is pretty scary."

"I'm one of only two that can regenerate all of their body parts at ultrahigh speeds. Most Arrancar sacrifice this ability for greater power, but power doesn't always have to come from the attack. Let me demonstrate you the power that I poses, Lanza Del Relampago." Again his green spear like weapon formed in his right hand.

"I prefer not to release this at close range, but it appears I don't have a choice. Just stay right where you are, don't move." Pulling the spear up and getting ready to throw it, he released it. Sending it rocketing towards Yamamoto, it went flying past him missing by only a few inches. It kept going another couple hundred yards and eventually made contact. Resulting in an absolutely massive explosion, even bigger than that of a Cero Uscuras.

Green reiatsu went flying in a violent wave, and the shockwave it created destroyed some buildings and crippled others. Yamamoto didn't move just kept standing in the same place keeping his eyes locked onto Ulquiorra. "I missed, no matter it has always been very difficult to control." Forming another one in his right hand he got ready to throw it again.

Kisuke and Byakuya both looked on at Ulquiorra's display looking somewhat shocked and surprised. Kisuke brought his fan up to his face and let out a small chuckle. "That is quite incredible, to think he has the ability to use that attack in such quick succession."

Byaukya just took a step forward to get even closer to the two combatants. "It is definitely incredible, however we need to go and find Ichigo so we can keep them from causing any more damage. Would you please take me to him?"

~ Line Break ~

"Shunsui are you okay?"

Looking back up at his longtime friend Shunsui could almost laugh, "Brings back memories doesn't it."

"What, I don't ever remember you being taken out by an Arrancar so easily before."

"No, not that Ukitake. I'm talking about something else."

"I think I get what you're talking about, we have been through a lot of these situations before haven't we. I'll go and find Unahona, hopefully she can get you patched up quickly."

"Don't take too long Ukitake, I'd like to live for another few hundred years."

Giving one last look back at Shunsui, Ukitake headed back up to where everyone was. Reappearing just above the buildings, he looked around to find a war zone. "How could this much destruction happen in such little time?" Giving one last look he caught glimpse of Unohana, she was standing back away from Ulquiorra and Yamamoto but close enough to see everything that happens.

Vanishing again Ukitake reappeared next to her. She slowly turned and gave him a slight nod of acknowledgement. "Unohana would you please come with me and help Shunsui, his wound was a lot worse than I thought it would be. Nothing I have tried has worked."

"Of course I'll come and help, let's go and see what I can do."

~ Line Break ~

"Ichigo you need to go, the situation is becoming too severe. Once you've finished with all of this I wish to talk to you."

'I know I can feel it, I just hope Ulquiorra is okay. I'll talk with you once we have worked all of this out."

"I know you will Ichigo, now go and stop this."

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself lying in bed. Next to me was Nel still asleep and around the two of us an orangey glow surrounded us. Touching it my hand slipped through, 'This is kind of weird.'

"I'll be back once this is over Nel, I hope you stay asleep until this is over." With that I jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room. In the hall I ran into Harribel and her fraccion, they all seemed somewhat confused as to what's going on, 'I can't blame them either.'

"Ichigo, do you know what's going on?"

"I'm sorry Harribel but I don't have time to explain, can you guys just make sure no one else leaves the house. I don't want anyone else outside, I have no idea how this is going to end."

"Yes we can take of that Ichigo, will you explain what happened once it is dealt with?"

"Of course Harribel, now I really need to get out there." Running past the group and heading outside I saw it mostly destroyed, 'Shit, this really is more serious than I thought.'

"ICHIGO."

Turning to my right I saw Kisuke, Stark, Vincio, Aaronierro and a Captain? 'Okay this really doesn't make sense.'

"Kisuke what's going on?"

"Well that is quite complicated story there Ichigo."

"Don't play with me Kisuke, what the fuck is going on!"

He dropped the fan from his face and started waving it out in front of him, "I'm sorry Ichigo, just trying to lighten the mood a little. Anyway a group of Shinigami came and currently Ulquoirra is fighting with Yamamoto."

"What! You just let Ulquiorra take him on, where are they?"

"Again I'm sorry Ichigo but Ulquiorra was the one that persisted to take him on. They were fighting here earlier, but they sort of went off course and are somewhere in that direction now." Pointing across the field I could catch glimpses of color from the two.

"Fuck" 'Okay I need to stop them from destroying anything else or each other.'

"Kisuke, I need you guys to help Harribel get everyone together and keep them inside. I don't want anyone else out here, I don't know what I'll have to do to stop them. So please just get everyone inside and wait for me to get there."

"Don't worry Ichigo, we will keep everyone away from this little scuffle. Come on everyone."

The captain who has been quite the whole time walked up to me, "So you're Ichigo Kurosaki, I can see why the Head Captain holds you in such regards."

"It's nice to meet you as well, I didn't get your name though."

"I'm Kuchike Byakuya, Captain of the sixth division. Now if there is nothing more we all have things we must do, Kisuke I need to go and find my fellow captains once I do I will join you inside."

Quickly disappearing Byakuya headed off to find his fellow captains, "Okay I'll be back once this is over. I didn't want to say this in front of him, but if Yamamoto won't stand down I'll kill him."

Stark walked over and put a hand on my shoulder, "Just bring the two of you back, if possible bring that old man as well." Before he could move his hand I was already gone, heading towards Ulquiorra as fast as I could.

The entire area around us was mostly destroyed, almost like a scar the two created on the land. Getting close enough to see the two Ulquiorra was in his second release and Yamamoto was in his Shikai. Both seeming to be on fairly even grounds when it comes to power, but Ulquoirra's instant regeneration is giving him the advantage in the injury department.

Yamamoto quickly disappeared and reappeared directly in front of Ulquiorra bringing his blade across in a horizontal strike. Blocking the strike the force behind it still pushed him back several feet, recovering quickly Ulquoirra brought his spear back up. Flying forward in a burst of speed he brought his spear forward and locked blades with Yamamoto. Stopping in a dead lock neither giving much breathing room, they sat there for a while. Until Yamamoto planted his back foot down and put both hands on his blade, pushing with a lot of force he sent Ulquiorra flying backwards.

Quickly getting ready for an attack he brought his sword back building up fire and incredible power. 'If that hit's Ulquiorra it might be over.'

"It might be too much for him to withstand, it might be wise to intervene."

'I know, I guess there isn't much choose is there.'

Reacting as quickly as I could I rushed over in-between Ulquiorra and the attack Yamamoto was about to release. Bringing out one of my swords and gathering a Cero into it, I readied myself. Giving one last look back at Ulquoirra he was looking at me with a mix of emotions across his face. In his eyes he looked happy to see me, and glade that I came. His face was mostly neutral but I could tell he was somewhat ashamed of himself.

'He shouldn't be ashamed, he held his own against the Head Captain. If anything he should be proud, he just had a small mistake at the end.' Glancing back towards Yamamoto he was bringing his sword forwards, and the power behind it was more than I have seen from him before. "Taimatsu!"

The flames of his Taimatsu hurtled towards me, burning everything it touched and increasing the temperature even further. Letting out a deep breath I slowly brought my sword back, and once his attack was only about fifty feet away I brought my sword forward. Sending the energy from my Cero rocketing towards his Taimatsu.

They collided in a big explosion, sending energy from both attacks in every direction. After only a couple of seconds the flames of his Taimatsu broke through the collision and continued its trajectory towards me. 'Fuck.'

"Stay strong Ichigo, don't lose yourself. Look forward and don't turn back. Everything is lost if you turn back now, ready yourself and take this on and overcome it."

Quickly I drew my other blade and brought both of them up in front of me. Planting my right foot behind me, I braced myself. Taking one last breath, the power hit me. Almost all of the air was sucked out of my lungs, and my arms were already being strained. It only took a second for my footing to give way and I fell to my knee. Looking up I was completely engulfed by the flames at this point, almost like it's trying to contain me.

I was already panting heavily and sweating buckets from the heat and the force behind it wasn't helping. 'I need to do something or I'm going to have a lot more than just a few burns.'

"Center yourself, and always look forward Ichigo. If you turn back know everything is lost. Stay strong and you will find the answer you are looking for."

'What do you mean?' He didn't answer though. 'Alarcon! What do you mean?'

Still nothing, 'What should I do?'

"Are you not used to the flames?"

'What are you talking about Alarcon?'

"Are you not used to the heat?"

'Alarcon what are you saying?'

Looking into the fire ahead of my, hoping an answer would come from it. A shadow of a man was starting to come towards me, I couldn't see any details of him though. It just kept getting closer and closer, until it broke through the fire. 'Alarcon?'

He just looked at me, with an expression between disappointed and happy. He walked a little closer and stopped just five feet in front of me.

"You act so unaccustomed to this fire, yet you've known it from the beginning. Maybe not physically, or even mentally, but your soul has known of the fire from the start. So I'll ask you again, are you not accustomed to the flames?"

'I don't understand.'

"I should have figured you would actually need some guidance on this. I shouldn't have really expected you to understand something that you don't even fully understand or know yourself."

He slowly walked closer to me and kneeled down in front of me, locking eyes with me, he just stared into mine.

"The flames have always been a part of you, and a part of me. That is what connects us, fire. Your soul burns like an inferno, the power it produces is immense. My soul has always burned as well, but not like yours. Mine was dark, tainted if you will. Everything that my soul touched burned until nothing was left. Yours's is the opposite, everything your soul touches thrives and burns brighter."

He reached out and held his hand to the flames, slowly closing it he brought it back in-between us. Once he opened it there was a small flame burning in his palm.

"I can keep a flame alive, but that's all I can do. I can keep you alive, but that's all I have the power to do. You however have much greater power than I do."

Grabbing hold of my left hand, he brought is to his. "Take it."

Turning his hand the ember fell into my palm, once it touched my skin it erupted. Increasing in size and becoming even hotter. Now it has to be it least five or six inches tall and cover my entire palm.

"This is the difference between us. I have the power to protect and make one thrive. While you have the power to protect and make many more thrive. The flames are all a part of this, neither of us would be here without them. I hope you can forgive me for any harm this is going to cause, but it has to be done for you to have control over what is locked away."

Before I could even say anything Alarcon gripped my wrist tightly and pushed my palm to my face, hitting my mask fragment the flame engulfed the entire left side of me head. My entire mask fragment was burning but my eye was what hurt the most, it felt like multant metal was being poured onto it. I couldn't take it anymore and I started letting it out, screaming louder than I have ever before.

"I'm sorry Ichigo, but this was the only way."

~ Line Break/General POV ~

By now everyone that was still asleep was up and not everyone knew what was actually going on. Kisuke, Aaronierro, Vincio and Stark where having a hard time trying to keep everyone else calm and try and tell them what's going on.

Everyone went quite though when Byakuya walked in with Unohana, Shunshui and Ukitake. Everyone just froze, neither group really knowing what to do. Byakuya was the first to decide to break this silence. "Kisuke it might be a good idea for us to go and help break this up."

"Why do you think that Byakuya?"

"Earlier I saw Ichigo heading that way but the battle seems to be getting really out of hand. It might be too much for him to handle."

Nel was already feeling uneasy about this situation but hearing this it was a bit too much. Finding her way to the front of the group she looked over at Byakuya, "What do you mean he is heading to a battle?"

"He is trying to break up the battle between our Captain Commander and one of yours"

Turning to Kisuke she smacked him, "You didn't tell me he was doing this! Get out there and help him!"

Taking a look around everyone was just staring at the display Nel put on. Quietly she said, "Sorry Kisuke, but please go and help him."

"We should all go, don't worry Nel I know he'll be fine. Now everyone we are going to go and make sure everything is fine. I don't want everyone getting involved if we have to do anything. So only some of us will be the ones to intervene, Stark, Byakuya, Vincio, and I will be the ones to do it if necessary."

"Let's go everyone, we need to get there quickly." With that Stark vanished with Lilynette in tow.

"You all heard him, let's go guys." Once Kisuke said that everyone started leaving the only ones left were Nel, Ggio, Harribel and her fraccion.

"I hate how he is the one that always has to put his life on the line for everything. I just get so stressed out worrying about him."

"I know that it troubles you Nel, but we all know that Ichigo is the only that is able to things like this. Let's go Nel, I'm sure everything is almost over by now anyway."

"I know Harribel, it seems like you're saying that kind of stuff to me all the time now. I'm not the only one that is worried about them either, so sometimes I might seem a bit selfish."

Ggio walked over to Nel and placed her hand on Nel's shoulder, "We all are worried about them, but you have another reason to be worried. One that none of us have. Sometimes I feel I worry about someone like you do, but I don't know if he would ever feel the same. We should probably go though, the faster we get there the sooner you'll know he is okay."

"Thanks Ggio, let's go everyone."

~ Line Break ~

The whole group had made it close enough to the battle to see what was going on. Ichigo had just gotten between Ulquiorra and Yamamoto, and it didn't look like he even noticed any of them. All the group could do was watch as Yamamoto released his Taimatsu and Ichigo readied an attack to counter.

Lilynette asked, "Do you think Ichigo can stop that Stark?"

"Of course Ichigo is strong enough to stop that attack, he shouldn't have much problem with it."

"You really think so Stark?"

"Of course I do, why ask."

"Haven't you felt the reiatsu behind that attack yet?"

"No…Shit!"

"Yeah, I know it's Ichigo but still that's really strong."

"Kisuke, we need to get him out of there. I doubt he'll be willing to use the power necessary to block that attack, even if he doesn't know were here Ulquoirra is still too close to it."

"I know Stark, if Ichigo countered it with enough power to stop it then it might just make an even bigger explosion. I just hope he uses enough power to keep himself from getting hurt too bad, we'll just have to watch."

Looking back up at the pair Ichigo released his attack before the flames could get any closer. The two collided and created an explosion that sent energy from both attacks flying. After just a few seconds Yamamoto's attack proved to be stronger and brock through Ichigo's Cero, continuing its way towards Ichigo.

"No, Ichigo!" Nel tried to sonido towards him but Harribel and Ggio grabbed onto her before she could. "No."

Quickly Ichigo brought up his second blade and got himself ready to block off the assault of flames. It didn't work that well though, sending him to a knee the flames engulfed him. Crashing into the front of Ichigo and wrapping themselves around him the flames quickly built up a thick sphere. Completely blocking any view of him, and encasing him inside.

"We need to help him, please let me go."

"Nel we can't do anything, it's up to Ichigo to break his way out of this. Hopefully he'll do something quickly. For now we should go and see to Ulquoirra, and Byakuya would you go and talk with Yamamoto."

Glancing over at Kisuke, Byakuya disappeared reappearing next to Yamamoto. "Now let's go and get Ulquoirra."

Before anyone moved a bloodcurdling scream ripped through the air, looking up it was coming from within the ball of flames. Being slightly muffled by the denseness it was still incredibly loud. Getting louder and louder, until it just stopped.

"What just happened Kisuke?"

"I don't know Nel."

The ball of flames was rotating around Ichigo at this point. Slowly picking up more and more speed, until it was a violent rotation that seemed out of control. Without warning it crashed into itself, and created a large cloud of fire and smoke.

"Is this part of his attack?"

Ukitake walked past everyone and looked up at the display, "No it isn't, and I've never seen this happen before."

"So this is Ichigo then?"

"It could be Nel, we need to go and check." Turning back the smoke was slowly clearing and all of the fire was gone. "Let's go everyone."

Kisuke, Nel, Stark, Aaronierro, Vincio, Ukitake, and Lilynette all left right away, heading right up to where Ichigo was engulfed.

"Should we join them Harribel?"

"We probably should Szayel, let's go girls."

Reappearing near the edge of the smoke they just looked around for any signs of movement. Byakuya and Yamamoto appeared to the right of the group, both looking somewhat uneasy. Yamamoto walked up towards everyone and said, "I did not realize who you were at first, for that I'm sorry. I couldn't take the chance though, so I did what I had to. Now with this I don't fully understand what is going on. Once the attack hit Ichigo I was unable to control the flames any longer. That has never happened before so I'm certain it was something he did, but I'm not entirely sure what."

A flash of green could be seen and the next second Ulquiorra was standing in front of Yamamoto with one of his spears right up against his throat. "Ulquiorra calm down."

"No Stark, what he did to Ichigo is unacceptable. I'm going to make you pay for what you did to him."

Bringing his spear back Ulquoirra stopped once another cry of pain ripped through the smoke. Turning towards the source of the scream, the smoke cleared enough to see the silhouette of a person. Kneeling down Ichigo was grasping the left side of his face with one of his hands and using the other to keep himself from falling over. Once it completely cleared there was a perfect view of the damage he suffered.

Most of his outfit was burnt and some small embers still burned on it. His two swords lying next to him, both having a different look to them. The red handles now have a black cross pattern to them, while the center of the blades are now hollow and the edge has a reddish tint to them. Lastly the sheaths on his hips gained the black cross patterns like the handles.

Looking up to his face there was still smoke coming from behind his hand, and you couldn't see his mask fragment. He let out a deep breath and then his whole body started shaking, to the point he could barely keep himself from falling over. Nel was the first to do anything, she ran right over to him, "Ichigo." Once she made it to him she dropped down and wrapped him in her arms, "Ichigo."

Ichigo laid his head against hers and slowly stopped shaking and his breathing became easier. "Are you okay Ichigo." What Nel said went completely unheard by Ichigo, he was barely conscious at this point. Looking over at the group Ichigo's gaze stopped at Ulquoirra who had dropped his resurrections. They both just starred at each other for a second, until Ichigo's hand went limp. Falling and revealing the left side of his face, a second later his head fell limp as he fell into unconsciousness.

Kisuke pulled out his fan and brought it up to his face, "I think we are done here for now. Why don't we all go back to my shop and we can discuss things?"

"That might be best, we could all take some time to calm down first. We also need Ichigo to wake up first."

"That is true Stark, but there is something I want to talk to all of you about before he wakes up."

"What would you want to talk to us about that he can't know about?"

"It isn't something he can't know about, he definitely already does. You all saw the change in his mask fragment, which can only mean one thing. He must have finally learned the power behind his eye, and it definitely takes a toll on him."

"That's why his mask changed?"

"Yes, it's the only thing that would make sense. For now let's get him back to the shop and have Unohana take a look at him. Come on Nel, we are getting ready to leave."

She didn't move, or even react to his words. She just kept sitting there holding onto Ichigo as tightly as she could.

~ Line Break/Ichigo's POV ~

The pain the suddenly stopped, I couldn't even feel anything. 'Is it over yet?'

"I'm sorry Ichigo, it is almost over though. Your body just has to adapt itself to the change, hopefully it won't be too painful."

'Why would my body have to adapt to a change, and what change are you talking about?'

"I'll explain a little more when we have a bit more time, but for now just know your physical appearance is going to change somewhat."

'Okay I guess I can go with it for now, but tell me this. Does this have to do with my Eye?'

"Yes it does, you'll learn more about its powers and how to use it when we do some training. For now just get ready for this change and you will learn about everything soon."

My face started burning again but in a different way, it didn't feel the same as before. Now it felt almost like it was melting my skin and it was reforming. The pain became just as much if not more, and I started screaming yet again. Gripping my hollow mask it felt almost like liquid, and was running over my face. It definitely wasn't the same solid mass it had always been.

The harder I pushed the more it numbed the pain I was feeling, so I kept pushing my hand into what used to be my mask fragment. Slowly spots of the liquid started to clump together and form into a solid. 'Why does it hurt so much Alarcon?'

"The amount of stress it takes on the soul to reforge a mask is immense, it shows itself in different forms for different people. Like I said before though the fire has always been a part of your soul, so it just makes sense your pain would come in the form of that. As for the reason it hurts only where your mask fragment is, that is because the mask transforms per say. Yours' obviously turned into a mutant liquid of some kind. I've only seen one other go through this transformation and they felt like sparks of electricity was digging into their skin, so lightning must have been a part of their soul from the start. That's how this process works Ichigo, the element of your soul determines the pain, process and final result of the forging of your eye."

'So it's almost over?'

"Yes it's starting to solidify itself, so it will be over soon. I can't say what the new look of this fragment will be but it should resemble you. Well more so than your old one did, it might resemble the element of your soul, resurrection, or even your aspect of death, I can't say for now. Just now this new fragment will represent who you are more so than anything else. It is forged from your very soul after all, one of only three things that your soul has ever created."

By now the pain was slowly fading away, it didn't feel like it was burning anymore. I was still shaking somewhat and having a hard time holding myself up, but I wasn't in as much pain.

"Seems you have some company, but you probably won't be conscious for much longer. When you do slip into unconsciousness we'll talk, I'll tell you everything that you want to know. We'll even start some training, you'll want to fully understand this new power and how it works. Every advantage we can get against Aizen is invaluable. Goodbye for now Ichigo, I'll see you soon."

Looking over at Alarcon he started to disappear, giving me a quick smile before he was completely gone. 'Bye for now.'

"Ichigo."

I slowly turned my head to where I heard it come from and Nel was running towards me. 'They all came, why would they though?' Before I could ask anything Nel was already wrapping me in her arms, 'Nel.'

Looking over at the group of everyone gathered, I finally say Ulquoirra. 'Good, I'm glad he's alright.' Offering the biggest smile I could, which wasn't even really noticeable. I just looked over at everyone for a few seconds until, I could barely keep my eyes open. I rested my head against Nel's and closed my eyes and let out one last breath. My arm fell limp and went back down to my side, and then I was out.

~ General POV ~

Ulquoirra helped Nel get Ichigo inside and they took him to one of the rooms. Unohana went with them and went to work on examining him. Everyone else was sitting around in the common room, getting ready to discuss things. Kisuke was sitting at the head of the circle and had his fan to his face. "Everyone, let's get this started shall we?"

Once everyone was all situated and quite Kisuke started. "We had a bit of a misunderstanding at first, so now it's time to talk like we wanted. Yamamoto this group of Arrancar are the ones that came here with Ichigo Kurosaki, they're the ones that are going against Aizen."

Sitting at the other end of the circle, Yamamoto looked over all of the Arracnar present. "I know they are Kisuke, that's why I'm willing to sit here with them. When we first got here I didn't know who you were or why you were here, so I did what I had to. Now that we have learned who each other is I wish to talk about you decision on coming here."

Kisuke looked over at Stark who got the gesture. "Aizen learned of our plans and we couldn't stay in Hueco Mundo any longer. A while ago Ichigo learned about Kisuke and we decided that trying to get aid from him would be the best option. For the little time we were in Hueco Mundo we lost one of our own, and that was what finally pushed us to come."

"So you are all standing against Aizen?"

Stark just sighed, "Of course we are, if we weren't then we wouldn't be here."

"I don't need any arrogance, I wish to hear it from all of you."

"Lilynette and myself are standing against Aizen, and are supporting our friends here."

"Very well."

Harribel just shook her head, "My girls and I are standing against his rule and wishing for another's."

Aaronierro looked over the group and said, "I'm standing against that man, and in the process standing behind a far greater one."

Szayel simple said, "I do not wish to aid that man in any way, my place is not under him. I have found my place, and it is with the people I call my friends."

Vincio was the last to speak, "I have never had any reason to fight with the man. I have only one person that I follow and I will follow his rule for my life."

"It's my understanding that Ichigo is this man you all seem to be talking about."

"That is right Yamamoto, they all seem to be more than willing to follow Ichigo through anything. That's one of the reason's I think all of them are far different from normal Arrancar or Hollows. Never before have there been so many that are willing to work together or become so close with one another. They really are something special Yamamoto."

"I fully understand what you're trying to say Kisuke, it is quite different for Hollows to behave in such a way. For this reason I'm willing to come to an agreement. You may all come back to Soul Society with us, from there we will come up with our plans. I can't say everyone will be accepting at first, but I can say your protection will be guaranteed."

"Yamamoto I appreciate the offer but I'm not the one that makes these kind of decisions. It is either Ichigo or Ulquiorra, so this will have to wait until one of them is willing or able to talk."

"Very well, that can wait until then. For now didn't you have something that needed our attention Kisuke?"

"Yes I did. It might not be anything really big but it could be. What just happened with Yamamoto's attack solidified this for me. I think Ichigo's Hollow Eye might have the power to either alter or absorb reishi in some manner."

Thanks for reading everyone, I know this one was a little shorter than normal but I already talked about why. I'm not sure how much longer this story is going to be, but I still have several ideas I want to put in. So I hope you're all still enjoying this story and let me know if there is anything I need to improve on. I still have the poll up on my profile for my next story as well, so if you're interested go and vote. Thanks for reading, the favorites and follows, and reviewing I really appreciate all of them. Bye for now, and again sorry about the long delay on this chapter.