Chapter 2: Let's Learn About Life

Clouds are forming in the sky. Dark, gray blocking out the light, looming over Ichigo. Throughout the city, a laughter reverberates throughout, mocking Ichigo. Ichigo stares at his evil-looking mirrored self, the pale skin and yellow eyes were never really something Ichigo enjoyed looking at, but he's just glad Zangetsu and Old Man "Zangetsu" have finally shown up again.

"Hahahaha! King! Why are you so sad over the girl? You alwayssaid you were only friends. So, what's the problem?" Zangetsu's smile expands, nearly reaching ear-to-ear while trying to push Ichigo's buttons. Ichigo's scowl deepens, and he is trying to process the words he just heard.

"He's right. Rukia and I have always said that we were just friends, we said it to ourselves, our friends, and to each other. So, what is the problem? We never really talked about our future together or lack of a future together." Ichigo rubs the back of his head and continues to think, not noticing the sky is completely covered by rain clouds.

"Ichigo." Ichigo turns to look at Old Man "Zangetsu" and notices that he's now a lot closer than two seconds ago. "Ichigo, do you remember the first time Zangetsu saved your life?"

"Yeah, I do, why?" Ichigo asks, taken aback.

"It was in your fight against Kenpachi. I helped you have control over your reiatsu and stopped the bleeding, while Zangetsu placed your hollow mask over your heart, preventing Kenpachi from being able to cut through it. However, you only gave me the credit. Zangetsu then protected you again from Byakuya, then tried to help you get stronger when the espadas attacked and resurrected you when Ulquiorra killed you. You never gave him thanks or gave him the credit for it." Old Man "Zangetsu" then shifted behind Zangetsu and continued looking at Ichigo.

"Isn't this a similar situation? Or have you not realized your feelings yet?" both Zangetsus stare at Ichigo, waiting for his answer. Ichigo, as oblivious as ever, starts to think about the situation. Zangetsu is comparing the Ichigo's hostility towards his Hollow self and not thinking about his Quincy side.

"Wait, are you guys saying that I'm ignoring someone and only thinking of Rukia?" Ichigo asks, surprised at how quickly he caught on. Zangetsu's smile grew large, exposing his evil smile once again.

"Oi, do I have to beat your head in so you can understand what the fuck we're talking about? Who sat next to you today? Who have you been thinking about all day? Who has always shown affection towards you?" Zangetsu waits for Ichigo to answer the questions but Ichigo is just making a confused and irritated scowl towards his allies.

Old Man Zangetsu just sighs and rubs his eyes with his hands. "Go back to the real world, Ichigo. Keep our advice in mind." Ichigo just stares at Old Man with an annoyed look, about to interrupt him before hearing Zangetsu laugh.

"Oi, you're so dense, even this faker over there is tired of talking to you! Get the fuck out, King, go grab yourself a princess." After Zangetsu's final words, Ichigo finds himself back in the real world, looking at himself in the mirror. Ichigo then hears a knock on the bathroom door.

"Ichigo-kun, are you okay? You've been in there for a while…" Orihime worriedly asks Ichigo. Ichigo opens the door and looks at Orihime, smiling.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just had to talk with Zangetsu about some… stuff." Ichigo walks out the bathroom and Orihime smiles, following him while trying to decide on a topic to talk about, in hopes of boosting her luck for today.

On the balcony, Rukia is trying to calm herself down and Renji is waiting for her to be in the mood to talk. Rukia looks at Renji, giving a 'What-the-fuck-do-you-want?' face. Renji sighs and pushes himself off the wall.

"Oi, why were you so angry over Ichigo not immediately killing Aaroniero? It's not like the loss of life in this gigantic city was a large portion of the population. So, what's the real problem?" Renji waited for Rukia to explain her actions, not wanting to force it out of her. Rukia sighed and looked at Renji, pain hidden from her face but exposed in her eyes.

"I'm not mad at Ichigo. He did a great job trying to get information from these alleged resurrected espada, he didn't know how desperate this espada could get to make sure he didn't get killed. I'm just mad at the fact that it's possible I didn't kill Aaroniero off and he somehow came into possession into a Hogyoku. Urahara did say that Aizen had prototypes of failed Hogyokus so it's possible that he just used one of those. That's all."

Renji eyed Rukia suspiciously but didn't poke her further. Renji walked up to Rukia who turned her back to Renji and hit her head hard enough to annoy her.

"Idiot. You better go apologize to Ichigo; you know how failing to protect others gets him a little too depressed for my liking. Come on, he's probably still sulking in the bathroom." Renji turned around and opened the balcony door and walked back into the hotel room, Rukia following him.

Ichigo and Orihime walked into the suite at the same time as Rukia and Renji. Both pairs stared at each other. Before anything was said, Isshin cleared his throat as loudly and dramatically as he possibly could.

"Alright children and babies, we need to talk about the fact that an espada having a Hogyoku. Urahara never made another one so that only leaves the possibility of them being made by Aizen before he was defeated. What do we – " but Isshin never got to finish that thought.

Another large spiritual pressure was felt throughout the city. Ichigo immediately got up and was heading out before Ishida grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Kurosaki, the last time you just went out there, quite a bit of people died. Slow down, I recognize this reiatsu. It feels like Szayelaporro Granz. We need to plan a strategy against someone like him, he's just as annoying as Kurosutchi." Ichigo noticed that Renji was agreeing with Ishida and stopped himself.

"Alright, what's the plan then? What were his abilities the last time you fought?" Ichigo stayed, hoping information will help him in this fight, avoiding more casualties.

Rukia opened her soul pager and called the Seireitei.

"Yes, Lieutenant Kuchiki. What is the matter?" said a voice through the pager, loud enough for the now silent room to eavesdrop on.

"We need a soul freeze in the entire area Lieutenant Abarai, and I have been assigned to with Kurosaki Ichigo. The enemies are powerful, and it can kill many humans within the area." Rukia commanded.

"Understood, it will be initiated immediately. We will be giving this report to the Captain Commander, in case he decides to send reinforcements." And the call ended. Rukia smirked at Ichigo and Renji, proud of her superior leadership abilities.

"There, no more human casualties. Now, let's plan against this Szayelaporro."

Szayelaporro looked amongst his surroundings in confusion. He sensed Shinigami, Quincies, and humans but didn't see anyone attacking him. He also sensed that the flow of souls was somehow stopped, making the city seem empty. Curious, Szayelaporro landed onto the city streets. He didn't see the Quincy influence in the architecture that he despised, nor did he see a battle breaking out between the Shinigami and the Quincy that were in very close proximity with each other. He did, however, notice the reiatsu left behind by an arrancar who recently died in battle.

"Hm, how curious. It seems Aaroniero was here… and died in battle against a Shinigami. I guess he remembered the agreement we Espada made and left his memories within his reishi particles." Szayelaporro went to where the largest concentration of Aaroniero's reiatsu was and absorbed them.

Szayelaporro immediately held onto his head in pain, the flash of Aaroniero's memories that led up to his death flashing before his eyes. He saw it all.

Kurosaki Ichigo, the Shinigami, an unknown human with strange powers and abilities, using the Hogyoku for evolution, it not being enough power, Ichigo striking the final blow in anger, pain.

Pain.

Pain.

Pain.

Pain.

Nothing.

Szayelaporro panted, surprised at how different Kurosaki Ichigo seemed to be, yet recognizing the title of Espada and the Hogyoku. Why did he know all about them? And why was he a Shinigami? This situation was all too strange for Szayelaporro and he was unable to open a garganta to go to Hueco Mundo.

"Well, if my theory is correct, that strange human that Aaroniero and I both saw sent us here and blocked us from going back to Hueco Mundo. And that means she must be working with Kurosaki Ichigo, making sure he hunts the last of us down." Smiling, Szayelaporro goes on top of a tall building and creates a protective barrier around him and begins activating his Hogyoku.

"Well, if Aaroniero's reiatsu evolution wasn't enough, maybe I'll just evolve to a higher level than the attack Kurosaki used to kill him." The Hogyoku began to glow pink, lighting up Szayelaporro's crotch, helping him break out into another maniacal smile.

A surge of rising reiatsu caught the attention of Ichigo, Rukia, and the rest of them in the hotel. Even Karin and Yuzu could feel the power. Ichigo's eyes widened, realizing a possibility they could have missed.

"Oi, everyone, back in Las Noches, Ulquiorra told me that Aaroniero was able to communicate with every single espada telepathically…" Ichigo grimaced at the realization.

Ishida rubbed his eyes and finished Ichigo's thought for everyone, "… which means that he could've told any other surviving Espada that Ichigo killed him, how strong he was in battle, and gave them a warning which helped them prepare an evolution that could theoretically match Ichigo in strength."

Ichigo opened the balcony door and looked back at everyone, "We can't wait any longer just to plan. I'm going to fight Szayelaporro. If you guys want to come along, then let's go. Figure out a plan while I keep him busy." Ichigo then flash stepped towards the enemy. Rukia sighed and got up.

"He's right, we'll just create a plan without his input, we'll just make sure he's a backup in case the plan fails." Ishida and Renji nodded, Chad and Orihime were hesitating.

"I don't think you all should go. For now, Renji and Ishida should help Ichigo while Rukia stays with Orihime and me, waiting on reserve in case those three aren't able to kill the arrancar." Chad announced, shocking the room. Isshin, however, lost his patience and decided for everyone.

"Alright, as the only person here that was a captain, I order Renji, Ishida, and Orihime to go. Rukia and Chad will stay with us. Understood?" Isshin made sure he left no room for arguments, everyone stared but eventually obeyed. Ishida, Renji, and Orihime left following Ichigo while Rukia and Chad stayed.

"Rukia-chan, trust me, your Bankai is the nuclear button, we'll need you in full health in case that Szaye-whatever has other dirty tricks up his sleeve." Isshin smiled at her but went to the balcony to watch the group, hoping they won't have trouble against an espada like Szayelaporro. It would be for the best to save all their strength in case another espada that relies on brute force also survived.

Szayelaporro emerged from his barrier, more confident in his abilities. He senses Kurosaki Ichigo heading towards him, but is confused when a Quincy, a human, and another Shinigami are also following Ichigo closely, once again not fighting each other. How he wished he was able to access Hueco Mundo, he would be able to activate his surveillance Arrancar Fracciones and be able to spy on his enemies and learn more about them.

Ichigo is the first to arrive and he looks down and sees his enemy. He grabs both of his Zanpakuto, not risking his opponent to get the upper hand.

"Oi, Szayelaporro. How are you still alive? And why are you here?" Ichigo patiently waited for an answer, suppressing his Reiatsu as to not startle his enemy like how he must have when he cornered Aaroniero into desperation.

Szayelaporro's feelers and tail slithered around while he gave Ichigo a confused look on his face. "Is this a different Kurosaki Ichigo? He is wielding Zanpakuto instead of his bow and he thinks I was dead?" Szayelaporro ignored these questions and replied to Ichigo.

"I'm sorry, but you're looks, and presence are just confusing me today. I have never died, Kurosaki Ichigo. That much, I can assure you. Now I ask you, why are you carrying swords? I believed Quincies such as yourself considered them to be barbaric." Szayelaporro noticed Ichigo's "allies" appear but hid themselves amongst some buildings. He thought how strange this situation is and did not like it at all. He wanted to flee but seeing how hostile Ichigo appeared before him, escape was most likely not an option.

Ichigo stayed quiet and stared at Szayelaporro. After a second of hesitating, Ichigo flash stepped to Szayelaporro and lifted his smaller Zanpakuto.

"Getsuga Tenshou." Ichigo didn't wait, he attacked Szayelaporro but he was able to use Sonido to escape.

"Oh. So, he's somehow less chivalrous than he used to be." Szayelaporro said to himself, while dodging the multiple Getsuga Tenshous being launched at him.

Ichigo is getting frustrated that Szayelaporro can dodge the attacks. The Hogyoku evolution must have raised his spiritual pressure to match the amount of strength he used against Aaroniero. He knows Rukia was able to contact Soul Society and have them help make sure no more innocent civilians are killed, but he shouldn't need to rely on others anymore.

"Kurosaki, it seems you are distracted. Would you like to reschedule this fight when you are more in the mood?" Szayelaporro mockingly asked. Before Ichigo could answer, a blue and pink energy started forming around Szayelaporro. The laughter grows, and even Ishida, Inoue, and Renji are confused. It's not like Szayelaporro had the advantage in the fight so far.

"Kurosaki, I just want to let you know a little theory of mine. It seems I am not from this world, since you seem to be a Shinigami. However, you killing Aaroniero is a bit of a problem. We espada need to survive to protect Hueco Mundo from the Quincies trying to exterminate us and the Shinigami trying to purify us. I can't have you going around killing us." Szayelaporro's two feelers pointed at Ichigo together, the blue and pink aura combining.

"Cero."

The energy wave finished fusing together and launched towards Ichigo. Ichigo wanted to dodge out of the way, but the cero would hit the building behind him. Ichigo raised his reiatsu to try to dwarf the cero but was interrupted.

"Santen Kesshun!" Orihime's shield blocked the attack, helping Ichigo out. Renji and Ishida appeared to Szayelaporro's sides, attacking together.

"Howl, Zabimaru!" "Licht Regen!"

Renji's attack kept Szayelaporro from being able to run away, the whip-like sword attacking in all directions while Ishida jumped above Szayelaporro and unleashed a storm of arrows. Ichigo turned and smiled at Orihime then flash stepped towards the enemy. Szayelaporro escaped the two-front assault. The extent of the damage was Zabimaru cut deep into his arm and shoulder but Licht Regen seemed to not do a significant amount of damage outside of scratches.

"They really are resistant to Quincy attacks." Ichigo thought to himself. To test it out, Ichigo activated his defensive Blut Vene, making sure Szayelaporro noticed.

"Bala!" The attacked was aimed at Ichigo, Ichigo purposely only blocked with Blut Vene. Once hit, Ichigo's arm was covered in his blood, Blut Vene unable to defend him from a weak Bala at all. Ichigo smiled, deactivated his Blut Vene and appeared behind Szayelaporro.

"Getsuga Jujishou!" the cross slash ripping off both of Szayelaporro's feelers. Ichigo kicked him down to the roof of the nearest building, then flash stepped near Szayelaporro.

Coughing up blood, Szayelaporro made sure his tail made two holes on the roof of the building, waiting for the opportunity to heal and escape. Ichigo walks towards Szayelaporro, both Zangetsus in hand. Orihime, Ishida, and Renji land on the roof and surround Szayelaporro.

"Szayelaporro, why do you and Aaroniero have a Hogyoku? And you said you never died; did you make a clone of yourself somehow?" Ichigo asked, hoping that this will go more smoothly than his talk with Aaroniero did.

"Kurosaki Ichigo. I'll answer your questions, but you must answer mine first. Why are you a Shinigami? The last time I saw you, you had a bow." Szayelaporro waited for Ichigo's answer.

Ichigo hesitated but decided he might as well continue this game of give and take.

"Szayelaporro, I have no idea what you mean. I never used a bow. Hell, I don't even own a normal one for an archery club." Szayelaporro laughed at this answer, startling everyone when blood was spit up in between fits of laughter.

"Well, I guess Aaroniero's idea and my theory are correct. It seems that strange human woman and you were able to pull off the impossible. I wonder, where did you meet that strange human woman? She was rather attractive, even if her smile was fake." Ichigo frowned, not liking where this conversation was going.

"What human woman?" Ichigo asked, hoping that he didn't have to hunt down a human trying to kill him.

Szayelaporro looked at Ichigo and frowned. "She had black hair, wore a gray scarf, and a black suit with an 'X' pin on her chest." Ichigo sighs, realizing that they're going to have to deal with another Fullbringer, probably from Xcution too.

"So, Szayelaporro, wanna tell us about your theory? Because it seems like you have a better grasp on your situation than we do."

"And why would I share my theory with you? You tried to kill me and you're probably going to kill me afterwards."

Ichigo rubbed the back of his head and looked at Szayelaporro. "I don't know, Grimmjow, Nelliel, and Halibel are living peacefully in Hueco Mundo. You could be living here peacefully too, especially if you don't try to kill those three."

"Grimmjow, Halibel, and Nelliel are living in this world? But he didn't say the espada as a whole so that means the rest are dead? This is the last piece of proof I needed." Szayelaporro was even more confused at this new piece of information.

"So, if I cooperate, I'll get to live?" Szayelaporro waited for a hopeful answer that'll let him heal some more.

Ichigo rubbed the back of his head while looking at Ishida, Renji, and Orihime. They didn't seem to disapprove, especially since the espadas weren't technically evil, they were just manipulated by Aizen or tried to survive. Ichigo looked back at Szayelaporro.

"Well, Rukia might kill me but I won't kill you, especially if you're going to join Grimmjow and Halibel in Hueco Mundo. The Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the remaining Espada have been working together peacefully so far so you could help with that."

Shock grew on Szayelaporro's face, but he decided that if he was going to learn more about this world and figure out a way to survive against these four, he has to cooperate in some way.

"Well, Aaroniero first thought of this when he appeared here, and I ended up expanding on it. I believe I am in a parallel world. It makes sense because the architecture in this world aren't that of a Quincy world, a Shinigami is standing next to a Quincy without them trying to kill each other, that human isn't dressed like a Quincy's apprentice, and you are using Zanpakuto like a Shinigami but you still have Quincy abilities. And I believe I was sent to this parallel world by that human woman."

Ichigo frowned at this revelation. There's no way there can be a parallel world, that's only possible in movies. If anything, Aizen would have recruited help from a parallel world if that were the case. To make things worse, that means in this parallel world, the hollows and Hueco Mundo are being hunted down by both Quincies and Shinigami. Which means, they were probably given failed Hogyoku from their world's Aizen, or worse their world's Urahara, to be used in the field to be perfected. Which means that Ichigo with a bow could be Ichigo working with Yhwach. The thought terrified him. He could hear laughter echoing in his head.

"Szayelaporro. The Ichigo in your world… does he work with Yhwach?" Orihime, Ishida, and Renji look to Ichigo, surprised that he is considering that Szayelaporro is telling the truth.

Szayelaporro looked at Ichigo directly in his eyes.

"There is no concrete information on this, but the rumor from information obtained by Shinigami and the bits of pieces picked up in Hueco Mundo from imprisoned Quincies suggest that Yhwach is still the Quincy leader. You, however, are also rumored to be a secret weapon instead of being a pure Quincy. We don't know what you are, but you are terrifying, and you slaughter without a care in the world."

Ichigo winced but asked another question.

"Did you use the Hogyoku to evolve the espadas to resist against all form of Quincy techniques?" Ichigo's tone unnerved his friends, but they didn't dare interrupt, not wanting to be a catalyst to Szayelaporro changing his mind on giving them this information.

"Yeah, we needed Hogyoku to have a fighting chance against the Quincy. Now though, I'll resist you, Shinigami!"

Szayelaporro's tail stabbed through the roof and pierced Szayelaporro, healing him completely and the Hogyoku was activating again, raising his reiatsu. Orihime used Santen Kesshun to block the pushback from the rising reiatsu, Ishida looking at Ichigo and screamed at him.

"Kurosaki! He is going to evolve and be able to resist against Shinigami attacks! What are you going to do?!"

Ichigo turned to Ishida with a melancholy smile and his Reiatsu shifted as well. Soon, he erupted in power as well, a horn protruding Ichigo's head and black marks all over his body. One of his Zanpakuto was white like a hollow mask.

"Gran Rey Getsuga Tenshou," the slash broke the Hogyoku before it finished evolving, splitting Szayelaporro in half. Ichigo's horn then began glowing purple, an energy ball aiming at Szayelaporro.

"Orihime, please use Santen Kesshun to throw him in the air."

Orihime nodded and threw both halves of Szayelaporro in the air, allowing Ichigo to unleash a Gran Rey Cero that made sure no piece of him was left to regenerate. Ichigo then powered down and released a long sigh.

"So, I guess this means that I'm evil in some parallel universe?" Ichigo asked, rubbing the back of his head. Renji kicked his butt.

"You're evil now, being too cheap to buy us all food as a thank you."

Ichigo scowled and was about to yell at Renji, before Orihime's stomach growled. Ichigo chuckled. "Orihime, could you call my sister's then pass me your phone? We gotta ask them what they want."

"Thanks boy, I'll pay you back when you come to the hotel." Isshin hung up the phone and gave it back to Yuzu. Isshin then turned and saw a pouting Rukia and he rubbed the back of his head and walked towards her.

"Lieutenant Kuchiki Rukia." Rukia immediately stood at attention, not wanting to disrespect Isshin, the former 10th division Captain and former head of the Shiba clan. This caused Isshin to sigh again.

"Rukia, you need to change that guilty face of yours. Kaien died long ago, it wasn't your fault either. And you need to stop being so afraid of me, you were sneaking around in my house for months, you know how I am."

Rukia blushes at Isshin's blunt statement of how her sneak level is low. She sits down on the couch, not knowing how to respond to Isshin but he didn't give her much of a choice.

"I know you have some guilt over Kaien. So, before Ichigo comes back, I believe we should have a talk."

"Aura, how is everything going in the Living World?" Tokinada asks, while walking in to his secret room, Hikone walking right behind Tokinada.

"It is going well, Tokinada-sama. Kurosaki Ichigo is busy dealing with his new friends, the Soul Society won't be able to rely on him this time."

Tokinada laughs, then sits down in his chair. "Perfect, then Aura. Go deal with our friends in Karakura Town. I'm going to have a friendly chat with Yoruichi and Byakuya."

Tokinada gets up from his chair and walks out the room, Hikone staying in his spot and waiting for his orders.

"Of course, Tokinada-sama. I'll head over to Karakura town right away." Aura then left the room, following Tokinada out of the mansion.

Hikone sits down on the floor and smiles, thinking to himself, "I hope I get to play with Grimmjow again, it'll be fun!"

Author's note:

Sorry for taking so long, work and stuff. Hopefully, this kind of long chapter will be enjoyable to read. Hope you all like it.