|UBWR|

-Use Bleach When Required-

Jū kyū: Punishment fit for the Crime.

That's just the way it is. Change is inevitable. Instead of resisting it, you're better served simply going with the flow.

- Kyoraku Shunsui

"Igarashi Sanae, former Captain of Division Three. State your intentions for this meeting." Yamamoto ordered as he sat in his large chair at the head of the meeting room. A meeting like this would've normally been held in the Central Forty-Six Compound, but well, seeing as Aizen had murdered them all, the old man was currently in charge of everything in Soul Society.

Sanae stood in the middle of the room, Captains on either side of her. She noticed that Kyoraku and Ukitake were not present, most likely because they were either still getting reprimanded about destroying the Sokyoku or about helping her escape. Even then only the Captains from two, four, seven, ten, eleven and twelve were present. Numbers had never been this low before. What made it worse was the fact that Sanae only recognized Unohana and Yamamoto; all the other Captains were unfamiliar to her. But she knew without a doubt that they had all heard the stories about her. She truly felt like an outsider in her own home.

"Yamamoto-sou-taicho." Sanae held her head up high. Not in cockiness but in respect. "I know that I made a mistake by running away, and I will live with that for the rest of my life. But I am here to atone for my crimes and to also inform you all of the true circumstances that befell the members of my Division Three and myself on that night."

Yamamoto held her gaze tightly; his burgundy eyes didn't waver from her sapphire orbs as he ever so slightly nodded his head once, allowing her to continue. Sanae breathed a sigh of relief as she took a quick glance at the Captains on either side of her.

"Firstly, I want to apologise directly to you, Yamamoto-sama." Sanae said as she bowed lowly and respectfully. "I betrayed your trust and loyalty as one of the Captains of the Gotei Thirteen. I should have come to you and explained myself that night, but I was too fearful of the consequences, something a Captain should never be like. I shouldn't have gotten Ukitake-taicho and Kyoraku-taicho involved either, I played on their emotions for me—forcing them to help me—"

"Don't lie to me, Igarashi." Yamamoto cut her off sternly. He huffed and tapped his cane on the ground. "You and I both know that those two would've willingly helped you either way. Covering for them is noble, but not needed."

Sanae chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "…I understand. I apologise."

"Was Aizen behind your incident?" A voice said from Sanae's left. She didn't recognize the voice as her eyes settled on the smallest Captain present. He looked to be barely in his teenage years, with stark white hair and brilliant turquoise eyes. He looked like he always had a scowl of his face as his arms were crossed over his chest firmly.

Sanae nodded. "He was. But I only found out today."

"Then finish your explanation." Yamamoto ordered, taking Sanae's attention off of Hitsugaya. Sanae cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Two hundred and fifty-six years ago, I received an order from one of my subordinates. I never thought to ask him where the order came from, if I had, maybe this whole thing could have been avoided…anyway—the order was that a Hollow nest had cropped up outside of Rukongai and my Division was instructed to deal with it. I led a team of twenty-four Shinigami to the location." Sanae's brows furrowed as she recalled the memory vividly. "They had arrived first, I came a few minutes after but when I came to the spot all I could see were Hollows. The thought never crossed my mind that they could've been my squad…I just attacked them. I cut them all down easily and when it was all over Aizen appeared and the illusion was broken."

"Kyōka Suigetsu." Unohana spoke softly from beside Hitsugaya. Sanae jerked her head over to the Captain of Division Four. Unohana was staring at her sympathetically. "It is Aizen-san's Shikai ability. He manipulates the fives senses, being able to completely influence a person…a terrible power indeed. It seems you have not been the only one to have suffered under this ability." Unohana's kind navy eyes flicked down to the small Captain at her side for a moment before focusing back on Sanae.

Sanae's own eyes rested on the white haired Captain. Hitsugaya was glaring at the floor angrily, not realizing that Sanae was watching him. Sanae turned back to Yamamoto. "Yes, he said he had used his Shikai ability on me. When he told me I didn't want to believe him at first—I thought that it was some kind of trick or that it was him who had done it instead. But I know in my heart that I was the one who killed them." Sanae clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into the palms of her hands. She hated Aizen for what he had done.

"He called you the 'First Experiment'." A Captain on the right stated. Sanae glanced over at her. She was the dark blue haired Captain. Sanae had her pegged as Division Two's Captain seeing as the Onmitsukidō had followed her orders when she had arrived at the room. "What did he mean by this?" Sui-Fēng continued, her glare evident.

Sanae sighed in apprehension. She knew she would have to tell them eventually, she just didn't know how. Or even how they would react to the knowledge. She was already unstable in their eyes, if she told them about her Hollow, they'd probably think she was insane. But she had to. There could be no more lies. Not anymore. "The object that Aizen retrieved, it's called the Hōgyoku and I've seen it before—on that night." Sanae averted her eyes to the floor. She didn't want to see their horrified faces when she revealed the Hollow dwelling inside of her. "The whole reason that Aizen concocted his plan on that night was so that he could experiment on me with his Hōgyoku. He required a strong Shinigami whose soul was in turmoil in order to…" Sanae struggled to get the words out. She hadn't yet said them out loud for herself either. "In order to place a Hollow inside of me."

"What did you say?" Hitsugaya growled.

"A Hollow?" Sui-Fēng clarified with her eyebrows raised in apprehension. Sanae tried to draw on her strength, but she could feel the horrified emotions from the Captains around her.

"Yes, I have a Hollow within me. It's a part of my soul but has been sealed away by my Zanpakuto. She is the reason I repressed my memory. She knew that back then I wouldn't win the fight for my soul against the Hollow and I would be completely taken over so she intervened. She wanted to wait until I was ready."

"Did Aizen explain why he had done this?" A new voice said. It was further back so Sanae had to turn her body to see the humongous, wolf-like Captain. His yellow animalistic eyes trailed on her, waiting for her reply.

"He said…he wanted to blur the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollow."

"Like an Arrancar…" Yamamoto sighed wearily.

Hitsugaya turned his attention to the Head Captain. "What's an Arrancar?"

"A Hollow that has acquired Shinigami powers by ripping off their mask." Unohana answered for the young Captain. She looked distraught at the news. "There have only ever been a few naturally occurring Arrancar ever recorded, and even then they never really posed a problem for us. If Aizen-san intends to create his own Arrancar…" Unohana trailed off quietly, letting the rest of the Captains in the room form their own answers.

"He'll intend to use them for a war." Yamamoto finished for her. Sanae averted her eyes to her feet. Was this Aizen's intention then? Use her as a weapon for war? But he had called her a 'failed' experiment, hadn't he? So she was of no use to him.

"Igarashi." Yamamoto called out. Sanae jerked to attention. "You have given us valuable information, but in order to verify all that you have told us you will need to be subjected to Division Twelve's memory extraction."

"I understand." Sanae agreed half-heartedly.

"With that, the remaining Captains and I will discuss a proper punishment for your crimes of murder and defection. We will also take into account the fact that Aizen played a part in this unfortunate circumstance, but only if the memory extraction concurs with what you have told us." Yamamoto waited for her to answer him, but Sanae was numb to everything around her right now. She was obviously trying to process the information. "As of right now you are not recognized as a Captain, and until your memories are verified you shall be treated as a prisoner. Do you have any objections?"

"…None." Sanae whispered sadly. She knew it was going to happen, she just had to be thankful that her punishment wasn't immediate execution.

"Kurotsuchi-taicho." Yamamoto addressed the Captain with the painted black and white face. "You have permission to take Igarashi to your Division. If she resists any of the extraction or tries to escape you have my authority to execute her."

"Thank you, Yamamoto-sou-taicho." Kurotsuchi grinned sadistically at Sanae who still refused to look anyone in the eye.

Sanae emerged from Division Two's barracks, a whole day later, as she rubbed her head tenderly. She looked exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes and her blue hair a limp mess around her. Kurotsuchi had been ruthless with his probing but he had gotten all the verification he needed with her memories and had sent it off to Yamamoto immediately. She had then been transported to Division Two where they placed her in a cell for the night while Yamamoto went over the evidence. He had come by in the morning, sealed her reiatsu away until her trial that would be sometime later and then allowed her to leave.

The Head Captain had granted her a slight freedom, she was allowed to roam the Seireitei but the Onmitsukidō would be tailing her to make sure she didn't disappear again. But this was all until she would have her trial once the Captains had made their decision about what to do with her.

Yes, Aizen had a hand in the killing of her subordinates, but her hands weren't clean either. She had been the puppet and Aizen was the puppeteer. She didn't want to think too much on what her punishment was going to be, it couldn't be worse then the anguish she was feeling right now.

"Sanae-san." Sanae halted suddenly, looking over to her left at the soft voice that had spoken. Unohana stood there with a gentle smile on her kind face. "I hope Kurotsuchi-taicho's extraction wasn't incredibly painful for you?" Sanae had always had a soft spot for Unohana. She was an incredibly kind woman, and was always thinking of others and their wellbeing. She had also patched Sanae up more times then she can count over her course of being in the Gotei Thirteen. Unohana always liked to believe in people, and tried to see the good in them.

Sanae rubbed the back of her head and gave Unohana a weary smile. "Ah, you know, what's a few needles here and there? The best part was the suction cap that felt like it was going to rip my head off." Sanae chuckled but apparently Unohana didn't find the humor in her sentence.

"Perhaps a visit to Division Four's healing baths will help you? After everything you've been through it's important to keep your strength up." Unohana offered politely.

Sanae contemplated it for a moment. "Oh—uh, I was actually about to go find…" She froze for a second, she was about to decline the offer until she met Unohana's gaze. The woman was staring at her with her kind gaze, but she could feel the underlying threat behind them. Sanae grinned nervously. "That sounds great, actually!"

Unohana broke out into a smile. "My pleasure, Sanae-san. Let's head there right now." Unohana held her hand out, beckoning Sanae forwards as they walked together in the direction of Division Four.

Ichigo sat on the roof of some building within the Seireitei. He didn't bother to inquire if he was even allowed up there, he had just wanted to sit and stare up at the Sokyoku Hill where everything had in a sense, gone tits up. His brow was furrowed and he had a pensive expression on his face as he kept replaying all the events that had transpired since his arrival into the Soul Society. It had been a whole day since everything had been resolved between himself and the Gotei Thirteen. It had also been a whole day since he had last seen Sanae; he had heard no news from any of his Shinigami acquaintances. He had even asked Ukitake if he could go and find out for him, but the sickly Captain told him that even he and Kyoraku didn't know anything about her fate. The Head Captain had barred them both from being present at the meeting. Ukitake had tried to reassure him by saying that he was positive that the Head Captain wouldn't execute her first without a proper trial, and even then he still doubted she would be considering that Aizen was behind the whole thing. It didn't instill much hope in the orange haired Shinigami.

His friends had also tried to reassure him, but they didn't know the truth as to why she was being held by the Gotei Thirteen. All three of them had been stunned to learn that Sanae was a Shinigami, except Ishida, as he already knew but he was still equally as shocked to learn that she had been of Captain level this whole time. They all assumed that she was probably getting reprimanded for working with them and trying to save Rukia.

Ichigo didn't think it was right to tell them Sanae's truth. Yoruichi had told him out of necessity, and to warn him. If Sanae wanted to tell Orihime, Chad and Ishida then it would be her choice. Ichigo released another heavy sigh. He couldn't get her look of utter defeat out of his head. It was like she had resigned herself to her fate, she knew that there was a chance she may not see another day. Again it reminded him of how Rukia had looked, but the situations were completely different.

For Rukia, she had willingly sacrificed her life for his. He couldn't let her do that for him, she had already saved his life by giving him the power to protect his family and friends.

Sanae had committed a crime that she needed to atone for. Even if he believed her when she said that she hadn't done it. She needed to explain herself to everyone. He still didn't know the full story, but judging by her reaction to Aizen and the things he said, he had to assume that the man was behind it.

Ichigo clenched his fist atop of his leg, his other hand dug into his knee as he ground his teeth together in frustration. He would give it until tomorrow…if he hadn't heard anything about Sanae tomorrow morning he would march right up to that senile old man's office and demand—

"There you are!"

Ichigo's anger dissolved instantly as he whirled his head around to the source of the voice. There was a little laugh as his tawny eyes focused on the figure of Sanae staring up at him, one of her hands shielding her eyes from the sunlight.

Sanae lowered her hand from her forehead as Ichigo continued to stare at her; it was like he was unsure if he was really seeing her. "Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?" Sanae added on with a smirk as she started to climb up the perfectly stacked crates. She reached the roof and clambered up the slanting tiles until she reached where Ichigo was sitting. His dumbfounded look had been replaced with one of befuddlement.

"Hey, wait a second—you should've been able to find me easy enough! It's not like I'm an expert on hiding my reiatsu."

Sanae rolled her eyes and took a seat next to him. "True. But Yamamoto has bound all my reiatsu for the time being. Which means I'm as good as a normal soul right now."

Ichigo looked at her, startled for a moment as he took in her appearance. Honestly the thing that shocked him the most was that her hair was blue. It was a stark contrast to what she had looked like in her Gigai. He took note of how she was wearing a shihakusho but the white haori was missing, and even her Zanpakuto was absent from her side. Their eyes met for a moment, and Ichigo could see the dread in her normally bright eyes. She was worried, no doubt about what he thought of her now.

Ichigo leant back slightly on his hands and glanced away from her, staring out across the horizon. "Well, the hair is different."

From beside him Sanae tried to suppress her smile. She twirled a strand of long hair around her finger. "It's a bit of a ridiculous colour, isn't it?"

Ichigo scoffed, turning to look down at her again. "If you think yours is ridiculous, you forget that I have orange hair."

"Well, then I guess we're both a bit strange then, aren't we?" Sanae smirked up at him for a brief second before turning her gaze to the hill. It was quiet between them again, the awkward silence as heavy as the proverbial elephant. Sanae fidgeted with her fingers in her lap as she forced herself to not look over at the boy by her side. She didn't want to see the disappointment on his face, or anger—she really hoped he wasn't angry with her. She remembered seeing his face on the Sokyoku hill when he had just rescued Rukia. He had been staring at her with a look that told her that he knew he she was. Yoruichi must've had a part in that.

"Ichigo…" She finally muttered. She was sick of the silence. It was suffocating her.

"—So you're a Captain, huh?" He suddenly spoke.

Sanae sighed remorsefully. "Ex-Captain. I've had my rank stripped from me. I know I should've told you about it sooner but I didn't—"

"That's not what I meant." Ichigo interjected smugly. Sanae frowned and glanced over at him. Their gazes met as sniggered at her. "I just didn't think someone as stupid as you could possibly make it that far up the ranks." He quipped.

Sanae's jaw dropped, as she was completely dumbstruck for a moment. She processed what Ichigo had said to her as she rounded on him. "Stupid? The hell you talking about you good for nothing chew toy? At least I was able to hold my own against the Head Captain in a Gigai! You got thrown about like a ragdoll. I could take you on even in this state." Sanae crossed her arms grumpily. "Idiot." She grumbled.

There was a pregnant pause before Sanae heard a little chuckle coming from Ichigo. She scowled harder, and shot a glare over at him. Ichigo was staring at her from the corner of his eye and from his expression she suddenly realized what he had done. He had riled her up on purpose. Sanae snorted as her scowl fell and she dropped her tightly crossed arms from their position.

"It's weird seeing you so nervous. I don't like it." Ichigo commented as he scratched the back of his head. "Yoruichi told me everything by the way, so you don't need to explain yourself or anything."

Sanae sighed in regret. "I doubt she told you everything. If she did, you wouldn't be so chummy with me."

"She told me about your friends."

Sanae's heart froze for a split second. She felt like her stomach had just dropped out of her ass as she sat completely still. There was a moment where she thought maybe she had imagined him saying it, because there was no way he would be sticking around if he knew that she was a murderer.

"She told me how you were sent out on a mission, and that you couldn't remember much of what happened, only that you woke up and they were dead. Soul Society thought you did it but you had a feeling it wasn't you. That's why you left."

Sanae ran a hand through her long hair and exhaled shakily. She faced Ichigo. "It was me though. Only a few of the Captain's know of this as they questioned me about everything, but I did it. I killed them. Aizen used his Zanpakuto's ability to warp my senses, making me believe that the Hollows I saw were the enemy, when they were really my subordinates. Even though he had a hand in it, I'm still responsible as well." Sanae grit her teeth in shame. "I spent two-hundred years—preaching—that I wasn't capable of killing them. I thought that it must've been someone else because there wasn't a chance in hell that it could be me. In the end it was."

"That's crap!" Ichigo exclaimed, his anger evident. "You can't be held responsible for it. He tricked you!"

"Aizen isn't here to take the blame." Sanae shook her head dismissively. There wasn't any point in getting angry anymore. It was done, she had to accept it and try to move on from it all. "They need to blame someone for it, and that person is me. I understand where they're coming from, I really do."

"Well I don't!" Ichigo huffed. "Aizen tricked you into seeing Hollows so that you would kill your subordinates, but yet you're still getting the blame? That's bullshit and you know it, Sanae."

Sanae smirked to herself, staring down at the tiles on the roof. "Maybe, but, I can't fight it anymore. I came back here to find out the truth, and I did." She raised her gaze to stare up at the clear blue sky. "It might not have been the answer that I needed to hear, but I got what I wanted. And I can't change it, no matter how much I want to." Sanae was even surprised at herself by how calm she sounded. Being around Ukitake again was rubbing off on her. Thinking of Ukitake had her thinking of Kyoraku and in turn that made her sad. She wasn't allowed to see them both for the time being because of everything that had happened. She wished she could ask them for their advice, or even just have them listen to her ranting.

"I heard Aizen say something about an experiment, he was talking about you, wasn't he?" Ichigo inquired. His previous anger was gone, replaced by his normally calm voice.

Sanae thought on what to say. She was ashamed of the Hollow. It made the Gotei Thirteen Captains weary of her so she didn't even want to think about the reaction that Ichigo would have to her if she told him. Instead, she played dumb. "I dunno. I guess not everything came back to me about that night." She played it off coolly but as met Ichigo's stare, she could tell that he knew she was hiding something. He didn't press her about it, instead he looked out over the Seireitei.

"I didn't tell the others about what happened. Thought maybe it was something you wanted to do yourself…that is unless they've heard from other Shinigami."

"I doubt it." Sanae shrugged offhandedly. "It would've only been contained to the Captains. I don't think I'm ready for the others to know yet, maybe one day. If I had it my way you wouldn't have found out either, I still need to chew Yoruichi out for that—ouch!" Sanae yelped and shielded her head from Ichigo. The Substitute Shinigami held his fist out as he glared down at her. "What was that for?" Sanae exclaimed.

"For not telling me that the mangy feline is in fact a friggin' woman!"

Sanae leered at him. "It's not something that crops up in general conversation you moron!" Sanae rubbed her head as Ichigo huffed and faced away from her. "And she's been in that form for so long that even I forget sometimes!"

Ichigo suddenly tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Oh yeah, that reminds me. How old are you actually? Byakuya said that he never met you before, but you know Ukitake and the other guy—the one with the pink cape."

"Kimono. And it's Kyoraku." Sanae remarked bitterly.

"You also know Urahara and Yoruichi, so you must be around their age right? So what's that, like, two hundred?" Sanae snorted and then laughed boisterously. She held onto her stomach as Ichigo gave her a very unimpressed look. He looked like he wanted to bonk her head again as she laughed.

"What's so funny?" He grumbled.

Sanae grinned over at him. "Nothing…it's just—try seven-hundred and fifty." Ichigo's jaw dropped and his eyes bugged out of his head. "Give or take a few decades," Sanae waved her hand dismissively. "You sort of loose track after a couple hundred years."

Ichigo's finger was pointed in her direction. "Se…se…seven—what!?" He shrieked. "How can you be seven hundred years old?" He continued, holding his head like it was about to explode. "You look like you belong in high school—wait, you did go to my high school!"

Sanae ignored his sudden crisis and continued grinning. "Well, it's really more eight-hundred then seven, but whose really counting, ne?"

"I can't believe this…" Ichigo muttered under his breath.

Sanae laughed at his expression for a little while longer before someone appeared in front of the pair. Sanae's expression dropped as she saw a member of the Onmitsukidō before her. Probably one of the Shinigami that were tasked with following her around to make sure she didn't escape again.

"Igarashi Sanae." His voice was deep. The only thing she could see where his dull green eyes. The rest of him was covered in the black outfit that they all wore. Ichigo had straightened up and was listening intently. "You have been summoned by Yamamoto-sou-taicho for your trial. He requests your presence immediately."

Sanae nodded to him. "Thank you, I'll head there now." He disappeared as quickly as he arrived as Sanae sighed dramatically. "Well, guess we'll find out what my punishment is now."

Ichigo stood up on the roof; he extended his hand down for her. "I'll go with you, if you want." Sanae examined his hand for a moment before taking it as he pulled her up onto her feet.

"You wouldn't be allowed in anyway. Don't worry about me, I'm ready to take whatever punishment they see fit." Sanae realized that she was still holding onto his hand as she pulled it away and hid it behind her back.

"You gonna be alright getting down off the roof, Grandma? Wouldn't want you to put a hip out or anything—oof!" Ichigo spluttered and clutched his stomach in pain as Sanae retracted her elbow from his gut.

"Who you calling Grandma? I'll put you on your ass in a second, you friggin' fruitcake."

Ichigo coughed and fell to his knees on the roof. He could hear Sanae's footsteps getting further away. He managed to lift his head to see her walking down the long road of the Seireitei. She paused before she got to the corner and glanced back over at him hunched over of the roof. She smirked at him cheekily, as he returned it with one of his own as she disappeared around the corner.

X

Sanae arrived at Division One barracks. It had taken her a little longer to get back seeing as she couldn't use her Shunpō to get around. It was quiet as she marched down the hallway. Her nerves were starting to get the best of her as she started going over all the scenarios in her head that could happen. It was not making her feel any better, so she tried to think of something else.

Her thoughts drifted back to talking with Ichigo. To them laughing together. It had put some of her anxiety to rest with him accepting her and her flaws. She just needed to focus on that for the time being. She arrived at the large doors as they opened slowly and loudly.

She could see Yamamoto sitting in his chair, waiting for her. There were no other Captains in the room with him. She didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified at that. Was it a good sign or a bad sign that he was all alone? Sanae stepped into the room hesitantly; she swallowed thickly and then steeled herself. She was prepared for any type of punishment.

"Igarashi Sanae, you will now face your punishment…"

Ichigo was pacing. He was pacing in the courtyard. He would stop for a moment and stare up at the tall towers above him, and then continue pacing again for another couple of minutes before repeating it all over again. It had been a long time since he had seen or heard from Sanae. It had been almost twelve hours. They were due to leave Soul Society in a few hours themselves and return home, but he couldn't leave until he heard what had happened with her trial.

Ichigo had just finished another round of pacing when a voice called out to him. "Oi, Ichigo!" The orange haired Shinigami turned. He was surprised to see Renji approaching him. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready to go home?"

Ichigo focused on Renji for a moment before he latched onto Renji's collar and pulled him closer. "Renji! You're a Lieutenant!"

"Uh, yeah?" Renji replied with a deadpan tone. The Lieutenant brushed Ichigo's hand off of him and stepped back.

"Did you hear what happened with Sanae's trial? She hasn't come out yet."

"You mean that former Captain?" Renji questioned. He rubbed at his chin and looked away nervously. Ichigo's stomach dropped. "Kuchiki-taicho told me the outcome, but I'm not supposed to say anything to anyone…"

"Renji, please!" Ichigo exclaimed. "She's my friend. Have they locked her up? Is she going to be executed? Renji!"

The redhead rolled his head and groaned. He shook his head. "No, she hasn't been locked up." He saw Ichigo's grief stricken face and then held his hands up quickly. "She hasn't been executed either!"

"Then where is she?" Ichigo growled.

Renji sighed. Of course it had to be him that broke the news to him. "She's…been banished, Ichigo. She's already gone."

Helloooo! yay they finally talked with one another! I hope you can all love me again for finally letting Sanae and Ichigo have a little moment! It felt so good to write them in the same scene for the first time in forever. And dun dun she's been banished..i mean a few of you might have guessed that it was going to happen. But it's what happens in the human world that really starts to get the ball moving for these two! I have a few more bonding moments between these two . and dont worry I haven't forgotten that Sanae hasn't told him about her Hollow, she will soon.

Also, next chapter Sanae will be having a lil conversation with Isshin. I can't wait to write that!

Also, I had a really good constructive review on the direction I'm taking with the story in regards to Sanae having a Hollow. I know it is pretty overdone but I have my reasons for this. I don't know if I've ever mentioned it but I do plan on changing the ending of the Blood war arc, and for that I need Sanae to be a little special. No more on that as I don't want to spoil anything. But also, Sanae isn't a Vizard. They were created differently from her, but again-it will be explained later on.

Anyway, again thank you anonymicx for the review! It definitely made me think over a few things going forwards with the story!

REPLIES

Maryam Clarus - I've felt sorry for her for the longest time seeing as i've known about all of this since i planned the story out lol. but yeah, it sucks for her...but she will learn from this pain. Her Hollow will come in a bit more in the coming chapters as well as the appearance of the Arrancars! I'm excited to get Grimmjow into the picture soon! The scene I have planned for Isshin and Sanae will hopefully be very wholesome! But yes, Sanae was a bit of a lazy bitch back then, but again, she's learning from the experience. Thank you so much! take care! x

xXThatRandomKidXx - I hope you enjoyed this long overdue scene with Ichigo and Sanae! I was thinking about you as i wrote it xD Thank you so much for your words! And yes I will get around to explaining Sanae's Hollow soon! We just need a few things to happen first :D

FriendlyNeighbourhoodHufflepuff - hahahahha i can just picture that in the shaggy voice so clearly it's scary! xD I wonder if you'll find one for this chapter lol

hi again x2 - Well hi! hope you enjoyed this chapter! I loved writing it!

AnimeObsessionGirl4ever - Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! x

anonymicx - I pm'd you personally a few hours ago as I wanted to thank you for the constructive criticism! But again thank you and I've taken a few things on board! :D x

Thank you everyone! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Lemme know what you thought if you feel like it! See you next time!