Sand and dust clouded the air, a head of vibrant orange hair mixing with white sand as the Shinigami tumbled head first into the stark desert. He soon came to a stop, panting as he took in his surroundings. His gaze fell upon his target, running off in the distance with the familiar cry, cursing his luck. Ichigo Kurosaki stood, knocking sand from his person before taking in his current situation. He was currently in Hueco Mundo, stuck after becoming a bit too overzealous about chasing a hollow. He felt far from Las Noches, but he figured it was empty since all of the Espada had been killed off or had just disappeared. Knowing he had to make contact with the Living World somehow, Ichigo sighed and began to walk, heading towards the towering building in the distance. It seemed to constantly remain in the distance, never getting closer.

After what seemed like hours of walking, he fell onto his bottom, panting and tired from the exhaustion. Chocolate eyes looked around in desperation, Ichigo throwing his arms up in desperation. "If I don't get there soon, I'll starve!" He said to himself, head falling forward. "Better let me take over then, King." Came the familiar rumble of his hollow, who he had fondly named Shiro.

"But…" Ichigo began to protest before Shiro interrupted with an explanation.

If you let me take over, I can feed us on hollows instead of having to find food from the Living World, the words echoed in his head. Ichigo bit his lip worriedly, but Shiro had a point. Ichigo was merely uncomfortable relying upon Shiro for too long.

"Okay, but just until we can make it to Las Noches," He conceded, warm cocoa irises brightening to a molten gold as his hollow took over.

Ichigo stretched his body, feeling full and relaxed now that Shiro had fed them. He was making fast time to Las Noches now, shunpo pushing him closer with each step. But he was once again hindered as a small body tackled him coming out of the flash-walk. He grunted, eyes wide as he kept his balance and skidded back from the force. Ichigo narrowed his eyes, bending down into his fighting stance and trying to figure out who his attacker was. "Fucking… Luppi?! I thought you were dead!" He practically screamed, glaring at the effeminate Espada.

The small male giggled, lavender eyes watching Ichigo with something he could only describe as hatred. "Sorry, Ichigo," He sang, clearly not making a serious apology. "I didn't think I'd see you again. But now that I have your attention…" He licked his lips, drawing his zanpakuto; Trepadora.

Ichigo frowned, gold flashing in his eyes as he drew Zangetsu, the metal glowing in the eternal moonlight of the desert. They seemed to size each other up, Luppi making the first move. He dashed forward, jumping up to swing his blade in a downward motion. Ichigo lifted his blade to block, pushed back Luppi, and ran toward him with a simple left swing. Luppi parried it simply, jumping back to get out of the Shinigami's range. Despite Luppi's agility, Ichigo pushed forward, the Arrancar panicking as he tumbled flat onto his back. He rolled to the left, narrowly avoiding a downward stab from the cleaver-like sword, only to hit a rock. "W-wait!" He seemed to be near tears as the substitute Soul Reaper bared down on him, raising his blade over his head to deal the final blow.

Sparks flew as metal met metal, Ichigo surprised by who had stopped him. Luppi's face lit up, happy tears falling from his large violet eyes. Ichigo leapt back from the familiar figure, the bright of green eyes staring him down in a possessive nature. "Ulquiorra… You too?" Ichigo mumbled, stepping back a bit. It was impossible for them all to be alive; it went against all of his logic. He had killed Ulquiorra himself and Luppi had been killed by Grimmjow.

His train of thought was brought to a halt as a monotone voice addressed him. "Kurosaki… I'm curious as to why you're attacking my beta." Beta..? What did he mean?

"I didn't attack anybody! That fucking midget came at me first!" He pointed an accusatory finger, suddenly feeling like a child snitching on another. Ulquiorra stood straight, putting his zonpaktou away. Ichigo reluctantly did the same, watching him warily as he shooed Luppi back to their group.

"Kurosaki, what brings you here to Hueco Mundo?" Ichigo smiled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "I was chasing a hollow from Karakura Town and accidently followed it here. I was heading to Las Noches to see if I could get in contact with Soul Society."

Ulquiorra nodded, looking him over as a few hollow cries sounded in the distance. "Come with me, Kurosaki. Now isn't the best time to be alone. I will lead you to Las Noches after we have rested and I have secured my pack for the time being."

Unsure of what to do, he only nodded and followed the retreating form, hoping he wasn't making a big mistake. Ever-aware of the danger that the Arrancar posed to him, the young Shinigami prayed silently that his judgment did not suffer too much from the heat and endless desert