This is a Bleach fanfiction story that I am teaming up with Openminded15 (from fanfiction.net) to write. We do not own anything associated with the Bleach series and/or its characters. However this story is an original idea as some of the characters may seem a bit OC as we have also thrown in some completely OCC characters for this story. Please leave your comments and reviews telling us what you think. Thank you!

Key guide: bold - hollow voice, italic - zanpakuto voice, *mental speech*, "regular speech", 'thinking', bold italics - attacks, (author notes/translations)

Chapter Ten: explinations and another ally

Ichigo awoke up with a splitting headache. He looked around him and saw Unohana by his side. Head Captain Yamamoto laid unconscious in a cot. He no longer had a hollow look to him or an hideous look to him. Ichigo's plan must have worked. Hachigen still had a protective barrier around the Captain just to be safe.

"Ichigo, are you feeling alright?" Unohana questioned.

"As good as I'm going to get." he grumbled, rubbing the back of his head from the pain.

"What is going on with Head Captain Yamamoto? Why did he want to attack you?" Unohana asked as she poured Ichigo some tea to help with his headache.

Ichigo sipped at his tea as he began to fill them in to what was going on. "From what I had heard, Captain Mayuri has done some sort of experimentation. It's gone haywire now and seeks to destroy the entire Seireitei. I think it also knows of my powers and wants me dead as well."

Unohana was silent for a moment, to collect her thoughts on this matter. It was alot to take in. She sipped at her tea, like Ichigo did. He would love nothing more than for Unohana to go back to the prison with him knowing for sure that she would be safe. But going out in the rain was more of a risk than her staying here.

"Also from what I have experienced, Vizards aren't affected by the rain. But as soon as a shinigami touches it, they become a crazed Hollow." Ichigo added.

"So, have you found the other Vizards?" Hachigen asked.

"Only Shinji and Kensei. They are out right now looking for Captain Mayuri just like I was." Ichigo began to think about the others, wondering if they are alright or not. It was possibly luck that they didn't have to go up against the Head Captain like he did. Ichigo looked back at Yamamoto who was still asleep within Hachigen's shield.

Yamamoto started to wake up. He too, had a massive headache from the transformation back to a shinigami. From the way he reacted to his surroundings, he had no recollection of what had happened while he was a crazed hollow.

"What is going on?" Yamamoto asked frantically.

"There is some sort of creature that wants to destroy the entire Seireitei. It makes this white rain that turns shinigami into Hollows. Vizards somehow aren't affected by it." Hachigen summed it right up.

Ichigo should be heading back to the prison right about now. However, he's too weak to go out on his own. If he manages to get out of there. There's no way he could fend off any attacking Hollowfied shinigami. Taking Yamamoto and/or Unohana back with him is too dangerous. Even if they are heavily protected. Hachigen is his only safe bet.

"I need to get back to the prison where the other Vizards are supposed to meet me. I can't make it on my own. Would you come with me?" Ichigo asked Hachigen.

Without hesitation, Hachigen smiled. "Of course I will join you." he stated.

Ichigo turned to Yamamoto and Unohana as he slowly stood up. "You two should stay here until we get all of this sorted out. It's much safer here." He then left with Hachigen following behind him.

High up above the clouds in the Seireitei, Hakurai senses a disturbance in his corruptive powers. He felt his link with Head Captain Yamamoto has disappeared. He has no doubt the Ichigo Kurosaki has had something to do with it.

"Ichigo Kurosaki is much stronger than I had thought previously. Well if he managed to survive my first attack, let's see how he deals with this next one." Hakurai hissed. He ordered his next barrage of hollows to go after Ichigo and his gang. While this happened, he flew to Hueco Mundo to plan his next move.

Back at the prison, Ichigo met back up with Shinji and Kensei. While they were unable to find Mayuri, they did manage to bring back a couple more Vizards to help them. Following them back was Love Aikawa, Hiyori Sarugaki, and Mashiro Kuna.

Rukia had also come back, thank god. Her outfit was drenched but she wasn't hollwofied. She also had no luck finding Mayuri. They all were now at a dead end with no leads as to where Mayuri could have gone.

"So, what now?" Kensei asked.

"Well, we haven't checked any of the districts yet. Maybe he ran off into there?" Shinji stated.

"Well we better get checking then." Love replied resting his hands behind his head.

The presence in the air suddenly shifted. It was strong, just like before. More hollows were on their way to the prison. Ichigo cringed and quickly left the building. He stood out front. This time, he wasn't going to let these Hollows frighten him. They're a lot of them coming. He can feel it. But he refused to back down from them this time.

He watched as they all rushed to him, and formed a circle around him. They didn't attack him but, instead just stood there watching and waiting. It confused Ichigo.

'What were their plans? Did Hakurai tell them to stop?' Ichigo thought to himself.

"Well.... well.... well, look who we have here." That voice coming from within the crowd sounded familiar. "Ichigo Kurosaki. Long time no see."

Ichigo's widened as he saw the blue haired, panther-like Arrancar step out from around the crowd. He remembers the first time they fought each other almost like it was yesterday.

"Grimmjow." Ichigo hissed low and deep. 'Is he working with Hakurai? For what reason?' Ichigo asked himself.

*Careful King, he is far stronger this time then the last times we have fought him.* Shiro stated. Ichigo could also sense his body wanting to shift into the vasto lorde form. Ichigo knew that if he took that form, who knew what he would do to his allies and friends.

*Shiro..... can you feel it as well?* Ichigo asked his inner hollow.

*Yeah.... but it feels different this time. Almost like we have more control over that form.* Shiro replied.

*Lets hope so. I don't think I will be able to stop myself from transforming into that form.* Ichigo stated.