Welcome back everybody to the second chapter of BotS:TLN. That is how I'm going to refer to this story from now on. Anywho, we left Ichigo of with Zommari (Really, I actually like the character and his powers but they were underused, I am going to fix that) and Ichigo was brought back to Los Noches. Will Ichigo join the Espada? Will he ever find the lost nachos? Find out in this episode of BotS:TLN!

Ichigo was leaning against a wall outside the door to a larger chamber. To his left was Espada 3, Ulquiorra, Espada 0, Yammy and Espada 6 Zommari. Ichigo had gotten along with both but Ulquiorra was a weird one, always has this monotone voice and the gothic appearance just set the orange haired hollow on edge.

When Sangre said that they had become a Hollow, Ichigo had initially freaked out until Sangre had managed to explain how he as a spirit worked. He was both Hollow and a Shinigami so he had both swords but they were in one blade, it was weird and he preferred not to dwell on it long.

The small group was later joined by the 9th and 8th Espada's, Dordoni and Aaroniero respectively. It was then that the group were called into the chambers, each taking a seat with their number engraved onto it. Ichigo took the unmarked seat at the farthest point from their boss, the current King of Hueco Mundo, Lord Sosuke Aizen. A few moments later they were joined by the 7th Espada, Szayel and the 5th and 4th Espada's, Grimmjow and Nnoitra respectively. Both having an argument about who was the strangest that almost broke into a fight had Aizen not released his reiatsu on the two Espada.

The last to enter the chambers were the two top Espada. Segunda Espada Harribel and Primera Espada Barragan. Both stoic and without expression as they took their seats. Aizen clapped his hands together to start the meeting. Ichigo could feel the thoughtful stares and killing intent from almost everyone in the room aside from Ulquiorra and Zommari. Both not really caring what happened to Ichigo and remaining neutral.

"Today, as I'm sure you are all aware, I brought another Arrancar into the ranks. Why don't you introduce yourself?" Ichigo hesitantly stood up and with a little burst of comforting reiatsu from Sangre, managed to introduce himself as Kurosaki Ichigo, Arrancar 60.

"Why would you demand to have us all here if you are just going to show us another maggot? Don't waste my time Aizen." Aizen merely smiled at the former God-King of Hueco Mundo.

"Patience was never one of your strong suits, Barragan. As I was trying to say is that Ichigo here may just well be Espada material and I think we should do a recount." The hall was in an uproar.

"You can't be serious Lord Aizen." The warm smile never left the shinigami's lips. It wasn't him who responded though.

"Don't use your eyes Nnoitra, use your senses. Kurosaki is holding back almost 70% of his reiatsu. Willing or not is up for debate but if I were to guess, I'd say he is around the strength of the Septima Espada when both are released." Ulquiorra's expression never changed. He wouldn't question a decision from his Lord but would validate it to the trash that surrounded him.

"Careful with your words bat brain. I'll have to find out when I fight the kid myself." Nnoitra leered at Ichigo. The Strawberry, to his credit, was just shifting uncomfortably and not running away. The intent as sharp as a knife he felt at his throat.

"I care little for the maggots you bring into the Espada."

"I'm glad you see things my way Barragan. Now, let's begin. For those who don't know, focus on a place for your rank to form and it will be there, the one without a number will be sent to join the Privaron, or in Ichigo's case, the Numeros." Aizen pulled the same blue orb out of his coat pocket and it's glow surrounded the room and was soon gone. Ichigo opened his white obi and looked down.

"Now that we have that done, let's read off our numbers, from 1 down please." There was some grumbling but Barragan started off the count.

"Primera Espada, Barragan Luisenbarn."

"Segunda Espada, Harribel Tier."

"Tres Espada, Ulquiorra Cifer."

"Cuatro Espada, Nnoitra Gilga."

"Quinta Espada, Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez."

"Sexta Espada, Zommari Rureaux."

"Septima Espada, Kurosaki Ichigo." The orange-haired arrancar smiled at the rank and everyone knew who would be falling out of power. The list continued with Szayel, Aaroniero and Yammy being the final Espada in that order. After Dordoni was cast to the rank of Privaron Espada 107, everyone was released and departed the room.

Ichigo wandered the massive halls of Los Noches in wonder. It was all truly magnificent. He had been briefly acquainted at the end of the Espada meeting with his fellow Espada. He felt bad for Dordoni. Ichigo had just stepped in and forced him out of the Espada. He'll pay the man a visit and see how he's holding up and maybe meet the other Privaron. That should be interesting.

"What's a fresh Espada like you just wandering the halls alone?" A sickeningly sultry voice surrounded Ichigo. He looked down and sighed recognizing the voice.

"Nnoitra, what do you want?" The tall, lean arrancar slipped out from around a corner with his piano key smile shining bright as ever. He held a hand to his chest and slowly moved towards Ichigo.

"Why, I'm hurt, can't I just talk to my fellow Espada without needing a reason?" The gleam in his eyes betrayed his words as Ichigo scowled at the 4th Espada. "I guess it can't be helped, I'm here to make sure you understand the pecking order Strawberry." Ichigo mocked a bow to the lanky Espada.

"I recognize your power and respect your position. Now if you would leave me the hell alone I might be able to get on with my day." Ichigo shoved past Nnoitra as the Espada leaned against the wall, his grin never leaving his face.

"You better watch your back Strawberry, you're going to end up pissing off bigger fish than me with that attitude." Nnoitra's smile faltered at the thought of the Primera. The former God-King of Hueco Mundo. Man was scary but if he didn't kill Ichigo then Nnoitra had no doubts the boy would provide a good fight down the line. Grin returned with the thought he left to go bother the kitty cat.

Ichigo had made his way down to the area of Las Noches that housed the Privaron. Casually walking down the halls with his hands in his pocket he idly chatted with Sangre.

'You think the boss will let us go see our family?' Ichigo shrugged.

'If he doesn't then we bid our time till we're at the top and then force him to let us go.' The teen arrancar had his plan.

'If not then we'll just run away.' Ichigo shook his head. It would do them no good if they went against Aizen at the moment. If he didn't let them go back to the living world then he would wait until Lord Aizen didn't have a choice in the matter. It was simple in his eyes. Ichigo was drawn from his conversation as he felt a couple powerful signatures ahead. They seemed agitated. Worried? Apprehensive? It was strange, what were they scared of? Ichigo walked further down the hall and walked into an open room with a shit ton of pillars.

"Why the fuck do we have a pillar room?" Ichigo was concerned, for what purpose did they have so many pillars? The Espada grinned as he was greeted with Dordoni and all his glory. The former Espada was posing as he greeted Ichigo.

"Oh what a pleasure it is to have an Espada grace us with his radiance. You are the one who forced me out of their ranks and for that you shall pay!" Ichigo knew the natural arrancar had no malice in his words. Both grinning they drew their blades and met in the middle. Ichigo had the speed advantage but Dordoni had experience and swordsmanship to help him out. That would change in resurrection but they wouldn't take it to such extremes. For now they were just enjoying the sweet clash of their blades and the thrill of the fight. The other two basked in the power the current 7th Espada and the former 9th Espada had. Ichigo may not have known it then but just meeting with the Privaron and not belittling them had made him a friend and while it would take time, they would grow to respect him. In their own ways of course.