Of Heaven and Hell

Thunder crashed, and the rain started to pick up harder, but Ichigo paid it no mind. He had failed. His sisters had been taken to Hell.

"No…"he whispered, collapsing to his knees where the Togabito had disappeared, pressing his hand to the ground, reaching for that doorway that they'd taken. "They can't… they can't be…" His efforts became more frantic as he struggled to find an opening, any opening, some trace of something that would grant him access to that damned dimension. "No, no, NO! YUZU! KARIN! GIVE THEM BACK TO ME!"

"Kurosaki…" Kokutō started, but as soon as he finished the single word, Ichigo's hand was clenched around his shirt, lifting him off the ground and glaring with all his might.

"YOU! Who the hell are you? Why do you feel like one of them?" the Vizard demanded.

"So you could tell. Heh. Alright, no point in hiding it. I am a Togabito as well."

"So why did you side with us?" Yoruichi asked coolly, approaching.

"Siding with you? That's not quite correct… It's not so much as siding with you, as it is I really don't like them," Kokutō clarified with a smirk. "I'm tired of them doing whatever they please."

"And that's enough for you to fight them?" Urahara questioned mildly.

"That's the way it is in Hell," Kokutō replied with a careless shrug. "Care to let me down? It's not like I took your sisters. In fact, I'm probably your only way into Hell!"

Ichigo growled, but let him down. He didn't trust Kokutō at all, but the Togabito was right – Ichigo had to rely on him. "Why are you willing to help me?"

"Because you're going to go fight them to get your sisters back, of course. I want them dead, you want them dead… we have the same goals, so it's an alliance of convenience," Kokutō replied flippantly, before his voice turned solemn. "Besides… while everyone condemned to Hell performed grievous sins, there are those who would betray their hearts to darkness for their families."

Ichigo ripped off his mask and narrowed his eyes at the Togabito in front of him. He didn't trust him, but he had helped try to save his sisters, and he could use all the help he could get. "Fine. Gimme a sec to check on something." He pulled out the special orb from his robes and channeled some reiatsu into it.

The image appeared, and what he saw immediately put Ichigo's hackles up. There were two men, and he watched one of them cast a Bakudō on Masaki. "They're going to send her to Hell!"

"Is that so?" Kokutō asked, leaning closer in interest. "Didn't know the Shinigami could do that."

"They're not supposed to know how," Urahara explained. "It's forbidden knowledge. We thought all traces of it were destroyed under Yamamoto-sōtaicho's orders, but apparently someone found it."

Ichigo turned to Kokutō. "I have to go save my mother – the more of my family is in Hell, the harder it'll be to protect them all and get them all out."

Kokutō nodded shortly in understanding. "You're gonna have to make a choice, Ichigo. I can't linger long," Kokutō warned. "I can't stay out of Hell for any extended period of time. Hell has extremely powerful protectors that serve as both the punishment for those in Hell, and for devouring intruders. We call them Hell's Will, since they respond to the needs of Hell's dimension. One of them will detect me outside Hell if I stick around too long, and drag me back anyway, and then I will be drained for quite some time and unable to help. We must either go now, or you will have to find your own way to Hell."

Ichigo was torn with indecision for a moment – he needed to get to his sisters, but he knew that as he was, he could not keep up with the Togabito… their speed was too great for him to match without Bankai, and Zangetsu was in Soul Society. If he could save his mother while he was there, then that was one less person to carry and protect while possibly fighting his way out from the Hell's Will… "Go then. I will meet you there."

Kokutō nodded, and mere seconds later he had disappeared into another portal to Hell.

Ichigo took a deep breath. There were so many things to do, and quickly! He turned to the Goddess of Flash, and looked her straight in the eyes – at that moment he didn't care if she were naked or dressed in the best battle armor Urahara could make. "Yoruichi, will you come with me?"

Yoruichi nodded sharply. "Who all do you have in mind, Ichigo?"

"We're bringing the Vizard, Renji, Rukia, and anyone else I can recruit while I'm back in Soul Society."

Urahara arched an eyebrow, but declined to comment on Ichigo's choice of comrades. Gingerly picking up the arm of the giant Togabito that the Vizard had vengefully taken off, he turned to Ichigo. "Then, Ichigo-kun, I now have two samples of the reiatsu needed to create an artificial gateway to Hell. I will begin work on it immediately, but I don't know how long it will take…"

"That's fine. Yoruichi, I need you to go get Renji and Rukia. Urahara can tell you where they are. I'm going to the Vizard, and then straight to Soul Society. I'll meet you back at Urahara's."

"What are you going to do there?" the former leader of Onmitsukidō asked quietly.

Ichigo turned suddenly Hollow eyes at her. "I'm going to do what I have to." And then he vanished with a flicker of Shunpo. Yoruichi kept track of him easily, but did not follow.

Appearing at the Vizard warehouse, Ichigo pushed open the door without bothering to hold back his strength. It slammed open with a bang, making the assembled Vizard jump. "Ichigo?" Shinji asked, surprised.

"Get ready for battle," Ichigo ordered with the weight of authority, his voice demanding compliance. "Meet me at Urahara's. He'll explain the situation when you get there. If you choose not to come with me, that's fine, but I will not teach you the rest of Resurrección. Make your choice."

The Substitute Shinigami ripped open another Garganta and stepped into the void between worlds, making his way back to Soul Society. He knew the way, now.

Reemerging in Soul Society above the West Gate to Seireitei, Ichigo plummeted to the ground and landed softly. "Ichigo?" Jidanbō queried. "Are you ok?"

"No. No I'm not. Let me through, Jidanbō. I'll tell you what happened later."

"Alright, if you're sure." The gatekeeper, still looking uncertain, nevertheless raised the gate, allowing Ichigo passage. Ichigo took a step into Soul Society and began to Shunpo to where he could feel his sword was.

Zangetsu raised his head as he recognized the reiatsu of his wielder coming towards him at high speed. His brow furrowed in mild confusion as he continued to follow the Kuchiki servant to the Berean mansion. Why is Ichigo here? If he needed me, why did he not call?He supposed he would find out soon enough.

A few moments later, Ichigo materialized right next to him, uncaring of the other man standing next to him. "Zangetsu, residents of Hell have taken Yuzu and Karin. Mom's kidnappers no doubt detected my Garganta to leave, and they're already sending her off. We have to stop them!"

"Understood." With a nod, Zangetsu began dissipating into reishi from the bottom up, rejoining with Ichigo. "My investigation has led to the Berean family."

"Got it." Finally addressing the escort as Zangetsu finished returning to his soul, he asked, "Take me to the Berean mansion, and be quick about it."

"Y-Yes sir!"

Shortly thereafter, Ichigo took a good, long look at the mansion, memorizing where it was and what it looked like. Done, Ichigo nodded. "Thank you. Now leave, and don't look back."

The servant scurried off, and Ichigo took another look at the orb, channeling more reiatsu into it. His mouth opened, his heart stopped, as he witnessed his mother unceremoniously tossed into an eye-shaped red portal – he was too late.

Ichigo fell to his knees. His whole family… his whole family except his father… had been taken to Hell? "How?" he whispered. "How can I have all this power… and yet be unable to even protect those closest to me?"

You have not failed them yet, Ichigo. Recall that Yamamoto was the one to issue the order to destroy all traces of how to enter Hell. He will no doubt have retained that knowledge for a case such as this. If he cooperates, you may yet save them from being damned.

Ichigo rose to his feet again, renewed by the hope his Zanpakutō had given him. He vanished in Shunpo, once more heading towards where he felt Yamamoto's reiatsu. Remembering what Isshin and Urahara had said about Shinigami laws concerning Shikai, Ichigo took a few extra moments to focus outside the door to the 1st Division to seal Zangetsu, sheathing him. Funny how easy it is when I really need it.

Striding right past Yamamoto's fukutaicho – Ichigo could never remember his name – the Vizard stepped up to Yamamoto's office and struggled to keep from just ripping the door off and demanding the information he needed. Instead, he knocked.

"… Enter." Ichigo did so quickly. "Kurosaki Ichigo, why are you here?"

"I need the information on how to enter Hell."

Yamamoto's eyes opened slightly from the slits he usually kept them at. "Denied."

Ichigo's anger flared, and he struggled to keep it in check. "My sisters," he hissed, "were kidnapped by the Togabito no more than 15 minutes ago. And my mother was sent there not 5 minutes ago! I must know!"

"I will not reveal that information," Yamamoto ruled with a heavy voice. "You are too valuable to risk on a mission to Hell to rescue three souls."

"And how will you keep them from continuing? How many souls am I worth, Yamamoto-sōtaicho?" The Substitute demanded, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. "Twenty? Thirty?"

"They will be unable to repeat their feat – Kurotsuchi-taicho and Urahara Kisuke are working together to develop a way to block the Togabito from returning," Yamamoto stated calmly.

Ichigo took a deep breath to try to dissolve his rage, swallowed his pride – Some things are more important than pride – and then got to his hands and knees, and lowered his head to the floor. "I beg you. Help me to save my family. Protecting them… is the reason I gained Shinigami powers to begin with."

Yamamoto was silent for a time, taking in the unexpected sight of Kurosaki Ichigo literally begging for the information. The sōtaicho reflected for a few moments on how much that must have cost the transcended being, to bow and grovel for what he needed, when the boy had been able to achieve the strength he had through sweat and blood and trial.

He is obviously not mad with power, if he is able to swallow his pride enough to beg from someone that he may be able to simply fight. Yet Yamamoto knew what would happen if Kurosaki entered the Hell dimension. Kurosaki would be extremely prone to the effects that that dimension's air had upon those who entered it. It was too big a risk. Kurosaki entering would only create one more casualty.

"I sympathize with your plight," Yamamoto acknowledged. "It is a terrible thing, what has been done to your family. But I cannot allow you to enter Hell." He was about to explain why, but Kurosaki jumped to his feet with betrayal, sorrow, and rage mingling in his expression.

"Fine. Looks like it's time for Plan B." And with that, Ichigo Shunpo-ed out before Yamamoto could stop him.

Less than a minute later, Ichigo stood in front of the Berean mansion again. He took a deep breath. There was no turning back after he did this. He hoped that his and Zangetsu's investigations were correct, because this was his last chance before having to rely completely on Urahara possibly figuring out how to get there.

Ichigo purposely let his reiatsu slip back to its unevolved state, and flared it as largely as he could. "Tear the sky asunder, Zangetsu." Almost before the blade finished shifting into the magnificent cleaver, Ichigo was speaking once again. "Bankai."

His reiatsu output skyrocketed, and Ichigo decided to take it a step further and drew his Gillian mask. The mansion shook under the weight of his power, and Ichigo channeled his power and began to Shunpo…

… only to be stopped in his tracks as three taicho appeared in front of him with their own bursts of Shunpo, blocking him. "What do you think you're doing, Kurosaki?" Hitsugaya demanded, Zanpakutō drawn. Beside him were Kyōraku, and Ukitake, who had both drawn their weapons and were plainly ready for combat.

"Move. The Berean took my mother and sent her to Hell, and they have a way into Hell that I need in order to save my family. You don't know what's going on, and there's no time to explain it to you. If you don't move RIGHT NOW, I will kill every last one of you," Ichigo warned, bringing Tensa Zangetsu to bear.

"No, you will not." Ichigo paused as Yamamoto appeared in front of them, cane held in one hand in front of him. "Reduce all creation to ash, Ryūjin Jakka." The taicho all took several steps back as Yamamoto's cane burned away to reveal his sword, alight with the flame of Yamamoto's reiatsu.

"Get out of my way, Yamamoto!" Ichigo screamed. "Or you will see firsthand the power I used to kill Aizen!"

"Is this what you have been reduced to, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Yamamoto rebuked. "Using force to achieve your goals?"

"I tried diplomacy, you old bastard! I BEGGED YOU, I GOT ON MY KNEES AND BEGGED! I PROSTRATED myself to you when I have done so to NO ONE! I would have done anything, ANYTHING, and you STILL would not help me save my family, you heartless old man!" He heard Hitsugaya's quiet intake of breath. "Yeah, that's right. My sisters and mother have been taken to Hell by the Togabito! I'm not asking to risk anyone else's lives, I just need the way in and out so I can get them out!" He spat at Yamamoto, and though the liquid evaporated long before it would have reached him, the meaning was clear. "So forgive me if I am a bit less than charitable, since I've met Hollows with more heart than you, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni!"

Though Yamamoto's face remained unchanged, the flames that engulfed Yamamoto's sword grew larger and more intense to reflect his obvious anger. "It seems that you have chosen your path."

"Yes, he has." Kuchiki Byakuya appeared in a flicker of Shunpo next to Ichigo. Drawing his blade almost majestically slow, he addressed the sōtaicho directly. "Have you forgotten, Yamamoto-sōtaicho, that this is a matter between Noble Families? Kurosaki Ichigo is a retainer of the Kuchiki family, as you yourself witnessed and Zangetsu accepted on Kurosaki Ichigo's behalf. Kurosaki Ichigo was investigating the kidnapping of Kurosaki Masaki with the full support of the Kuchiki, and he has evidently come across a commonality between his facets of investigation.

"As you have observed, the fact that the note that we received indicated knowledge of how to send a soul to Hell is extremely informative. To have such forbidden knowledge is not to be underestimated – it is highly likely that they have other measures in place to prevent my being able to catch them with that knowledge. Kurosaki Ichigo is here acting as my representative and bodyguard, and his current state of Bankai and Hollowification is meant to sufficiently paralyze those who would hinder us within the mansion, as well as detect the Sekkiseki holding room that we believe imprisoned Kurosaki Masaki. So follow the laws you uphold, Yamamoto-sōtaicho. Allow me and my retainer to pass unhindered."

Yamamoto audibly growled, but powered down his Shikai, lowering his blade. The other taicho took that as a sign to step aside, and Byakuya nodded regally as he sheathed his sword. "Come, Kurosaki Ichigo. Do not let up on your reiatsu… if fortune is with us, its paralyzing effects will keep us from being disturbed as we find the ones who banished your mother." He purposely allowed his voice to be loud enough to be heard by the other taicho, who now looked at Yamamoto incredulously. "I will attempt to sense where your reiatsu is unable to penetrate. Logic dictates that that is most likely where your mother was held. As large spiritual power leaves a mark on its location, we will be able to confirm that a portal to Hell was opened there, and from there which members had opened it."

Ichigo nodded bitterly, and the two of them began walking purposefully into the mansion.

Meanwhile, outside, Hitsugaya had no idea what to say. Had Yamamoto-sōtaicho really just tried to prevent Ichigo from saving his family? And Kuchiki Byakuya, who had disliked Ichigo since practically day one, had defended him and called him a retainer to the Kuchiki? Had the world gone mad? But he knew one thing for sure: if Yamamoto had attempted to keep him from rescuing Momo from a similar situation, Hitsugaya would have fought with all his power. I suppose we're lucky that Ichigo didn't just decide to slaughter us all and come back for us later.

"Those fools…" Yamamoto breathed. "Those stupid, young fools."

"Yama-jii, why did you try to stop them?" For once, Kyōraku's voice was stern and unrelenting.

Yamamoto made a mental note that Kyōraku was growing into his future position nicely before replying. "It is as Kurosaki said. His sisters have been taken to Hell. But he must not follow – the air in Hell has an effect on all with Hollow powers. It magnifies the Hollow's effects on the mind, and for someone such as Kurosaki, who has bonded so deeply with his Hollow powers, he will likely go insane in short order, and never return. That is why I would not help him. He did not give me time to explain this, but instead came here to take the information from those who hold his mother captive."

"He wouldn't have cared." Yamamoto turned to look at the calm but determined face of Hitsugaya Tōshirō. "Kurosaki wouldn't have cared if he would go insane or not. He would have gone anyway. His family means everything to him, and he would risk his very existence to protect them." He turned around and began to follow Kuchiki-taicho and Kurosaki Ichigo.

"Do not enter, Hitsugaya-taicho," Yamamoto ordered grimly, even though he knew what was going to happen.

Hitsugaya paused, then looked over his shoulder. "Kurosaki would do the same for me. I can do no less." And then he disappeared into the mansion.

Ukitake looked between the mansion and Yamamoto-sensei uneasily, before he sighed. He could still hear the defiant, hurt insult that Ichigo had hurled at the sōtaicho.

"I've met Hollows with more heart than you, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni!"

The white-haired taicho feared that with the rash, grief-filled words of a teenager who had lost almost all of his family, the chance of peaceful coexistence had evaporated as quickly as Ichigo's spit had. He didn't want to have to choose who he would side with… Because he honestly didn't know. Ukitake respected his old teacher, even if he didn't always agree with Yamamoto's decisions. But the sickly Shinigami also had to respect Ichigo's heartfelt desire to do whatever he had to in order to protect those he cared for. Wasn't that what I also strived to do? Should I be going with him?

After a few moments' thought, he shook his head. They'll be fine. It's not like every taicho can just up and leave at a moments' notice, and I can do my part by helping out with Shiro-chan's Division.

Kyōraku, however, was having none of it. "Yama-jii, we want the kid on our side. The best way to do that is to help him feel like he already is. That we will, within reason, support what he does. All you're doing right now is alienating him, and giving him yet another reason not to trust us. If he can't trust us to help him protect his family, what do you think he's going to do as soon as he gets back?"

His voice had uncharacteristically risen into a yell as he struggled to make his point. "We had a chance to present the Gotei 13 as something Ichigo could be comfortable serving in before or after his death, and now it's ruined! You've forced him to identify more with Hollows! Think, Yama-jii! He's a Vizard, and the most powerful Arrancar still alive ally themselves with him! Urahara and Yoruichi, two wrongfully banished Shinigami, the founder of the R&D Institute and the Goddess of Flash, are his teachers! Kurosaki Isshin is his father! Are you trying to start a war that we can't win?"

"And what should I have done, Kyōraku Shunsui?" Yamamoto challenged. "Simply given him the forbidden information on how to enter Hell?"

"I don't know, how about not blocking his way to his family?" Kyōraku responded with rare amounts of sarcasm. "He slaughtered Aizen for holding his mother hostage. Imagine what he's going to do to you for trying to permanently condemn almost his entire family to Hell!"

Yamamoto paused – that was potentially a valid point. Perhaps it would be prudent to be on guard for an attack.

Ichigo extended his senses, searching through the mansion for a place where his mother would be kept. He paid no attention to the Berean servants who were on their knees, choking for air as Ichigo's reiatsu pressed upon them, crushing them. He barely registered their existence, in fact. His mind as utterly focused on finding that room.

"I believe I have found it," Byakuya reported a few seconds later. "You may stop releasing your reiatsu now." Ichigo simply crushed his mask and switched his power back into its evolved state, so no one could feel it save himself. It was too much trouble right then to reign in his emotions. Nevertheless, Byakuya nodded in satisfaction. "Follow me." He vanished in Shunpo. The Vizard followed easily.

Moments later, they arrived at the door to the library. Ichigo pushed it open, and they entered. Inside was a large room, filled with scrolls and texts, some appearing ancient, some looking as though they were brand new, yet there was no one there. Byakuya frowned. "This room… it is not large enough."

"What do you mean?"

"The Sekkiseki barrier extends several feet past this wall here." Byakuya raised a palm and rested it against on the bookshelves. "I believe your mother's room may be behind the wall."

"Fine then. I'm going to open it up."

"I would advise against that," Byakuya warned. "There may be traps if the room is opened by force. This requires some finesse, Kurosaki Ichigo. Look in the room for something that does not belong; I will investigate the wall and search for a hidden trigger."

Ichigo nodded bitterly. It's a library. Libraries are for books and references and things like that. So what would be out of place here? He looked left, right. He could see nothing but desks and more books. His hands clenched into fists and Ichigo turned his gaze upwards, praying for the answer… His eyes widened.

"Byakuya! The ceiling!"

The noble immediately turned around and looked up. Above the two Shinigami, there was a series of torches, all of the lit with Kidō… except one. Byakuya nodded. "Well spotted. Hado 31: Shakkahō."

A perfectly-controlled orb of red fire shot out and lit the torch, and Ichigo heard a very distinct click. The wall in question opened up just in time for the Vizard to see the portal to Hell finish closing. Ichigo's face morphed into a mask of rage as he gripped the two perpetrators – who had apparently been busy closing the portal for the last several minutes – by their necks and started to squeeze. He could feel their reiryoku depleting rapidly as Ichigo's evolved reiatsu began to crush their very existence, but he couldn't have them die. Not yet. He threw them at the wall, watching them crumple to the floor in fear. Ichigo stood over them, towering and glowering as though he were an angry god. And for all it mattered to them, he was.

"You two are coming with me," he growled ferociously. "You are coming to the living world, and you are going to explain how to open that portal to Urahara Kisuke. And you're going to tell Kuchiki Byakuya everything he wants to know, or I will Hollowify…" He purposely let the whites of his eyes darken into Hollow black. "… and eat your souls. And he will watch."

The terror-stricken expressions on their faces were gratifying, but not enough to make Ichigo want to kill them any less. He knocked them both out with a relatively light chop to the back of their necks. Ichigo stepped back and approached his companion. "I need them to share some information with Urahara, but after that, they're all yours."

"Given the current situation, I believe that is an acceptable arrangement," Byakuya granted. "Very well. I assume you will make the appropriate arrangements with Urahara Kisuke?"

"Yeah. I'll get them back to you when everything's over." Ichigo made a forceful effort to return his reiatsu back to its unevolved state, picked up the two men who'd sent his mother to Hell, and hefted them onto his left shoulder. Byakuya began to leave, and Ichigo channeled his reiatsu and ripped open a Garganta.

"Kurosaki!"

Ichigo paused. That was Hitsugaya. "What is it, Tōshirō?"

"I want to come with you, to help rescue your sisters."

The Substitue nodded sharply. "Fine. I'll take all the help I can get right now. Take one of these guys and follow me. We're heading back to the living world."

Hitsugaya nodded determinedly, and they stepped through. Ichigo led the way, creating a mostly solid pathway to walk on, though there were occasional fractures and it wasn't very even. But it was passable enough to work with. It didn't take long before they entered the living world just outside Urahara's shop.

Stepping out and landing softly, Ichigo didn't bother to knock before opening the door and stepping through, followed closely by Hitsugaya. "Ah, Ichigo-kun! I trust your visit to Soul Society was eventful?" Urahara greeted.

Ichigo tossed him the still-unconscious body he'd carried. "This is a member of the Berean family. He and this other guy –" Hitsugaya laid down the one he'd carried nearby, and Ichigo barely restrained the urge to kick him. "– used a spell of some sort to open a portal to Hell. Now my mother's there too. I thought you could pick their brains and hurry things up a bit."

"Of course. The others are in the underground training room if you wish to brief them – I haven't had the time, as I've been rather busy working on a way to get you in and out safely."

Ichigo nodded wearily. "Right. C'mon, Tōshirō."

Hitsugaya didn't bother to respond with his usual demand to call him with a respectful suffix – it was hardly an appropriate time. Instead, he just quietly followed him down through the trap hole.

Ichigo landed and quickly took stock on who all had arrived. Much to his gratification, all the Vizard were there except Hachigen. Yoruichi had managed to get Renji and Rukia there as well, though they were looking a little confused. She probably didn't tell them why they were needed.

"What's going on, Ichigo?" Shinji asked, stepping forward. "Urahara won't tell us anything, but he's working with Tessai and Hachi upstairs on something."

"Yeah, Ichigo, what's happened? I thought you were in Soul Society trying to find your mother?" Rukia queried, confused.

"Wait, his mother's in Soul Society?" Lisa questioned incredulously. "I thought she was eaten by a Hollow?"

The Substitute Shinigami was beginning to get a headache. "Shut up!" he yelled, flaring his reiatsu. There was instantly silence. "You're here because my sisters were kidnapped by residents of Hell known as the Togabito. Also, one of the noble families in Soul Society, called the Berean, kidnapped my mother and tried to use her as leverage against me. But in the end, she too was sent to Hell. Urahara now has the servants who sent her off, so he can re-engineer a way to get us in, and out, safely.

"There are only five Togabito that we know of right now, and one of them is friendly. His name is Kokutō, and he is waiting to aid us in Hell. I don't know who or what else is there waiting for us. I don't know how strong their forces are. I don't care about any of that."

Ichigo eyes glowed bright blue with determination. "We will get my family back, but I want more than that. I want those bastards to realize they never should have come here like this. We're going to invade Hell and make it burn. I want them to be so terrified of my very name that they will shit themselves every time they hear it," Ichigo swore.

Renji shivered. He'd seen what his friend could do firsthand, and if anything Ichigo sounded even more enraged and vindictive than he'd been against Aizen. Looks like Ichigo's going to earn that nickname of his, Hell's Nightmare. But he couldn't just let Ichigo fight alone.

Rukia, on the other hand, couldn't help but stare – she'd never seen Ichigo like this, ever. But then again, his family wasn't involved before. Now it's personal. Just like with me and that Kaien-impersonator. She couldn't deny that the idea of going to Hell terrified her; it was forbidden to Shinigami, and completely unknown territory. But she would follow Ichigo anywhere.

"If you want to back out, now's the time," Ichigo cautioned. "Because as soon as Urahara's done, we're going in."

"We're with you," Renji and Rukia told him together without hesitation.

"So are we," Shinji spoke for the Vizard. "We won't let one of our own do this alone. You're one of us, Ichigo. What they do to one, they do to us all."

Ichigo's expression softened a little. "Thanks."

"Ichigo," Yoruichi called, getting his attention. "Inoue-chan, Ishida-kun and Sado-kun are on their way back. I didn't have time to tell them much, only that they were needed to protect Karakura again."

The transcendent being nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright everyone, try to get some rest, because we need to be at one hundred percent."

"Is there room for one more?" a voice from the corner of the room spoke up, a voice that made Ichigo tense and narrow his eyes before turning around. Soifon stepped forward. "Kurosaki Ichigo. I failed to protect your sisters when that was my task. Allow me the chance to recover my pride by coming with you to rescue them. Besides…" Her eyes met Ichigo's willfully, "you know the power of my Bankai. Maybe this time, I can use it with pride."

Ichigo's memory was a bit fuzzy of the occasion – he'd been temporarily insane at the time, and hyped up on Hollow power to boot. She said it was a long-range type… and I remember something about a big explosion… Nevertheless, he nodded after a few seconds. She'd be crazy to pull one over on us while in Hell. She's probably being honest. "Yeah, you can come."

"I'm glad to hear it," Urahara's voice echoed in the training room as he slowly approached, carrying something that Ichigo thought looked like a bracelet. "We'll be able to open the portal shortly. This device will signal us to reopen the portal when you're done – it's a trans-dimensional transponder designed to react to pressing this button three times in five seconds." He pointed at the small red button on the side. "It's designed that way to prevent accidental activation during any fighting you may have. Once Tessai and I receive the signal, we'll open the way back, attempting to home in on the transponder. However, due to the lack of testing, we can't guarantee where the portal will open in Hell, so keep your senses about."

He then turned and gave the bracelet transponder to Yoruichi, who accepted it solemnly and snapped it into place around her wrist. That done, Urahara stood in front of everyone and began to chant under his breath. It took only a few moments, and then Ichigo felt it – the feel of Hell. Almost as soon as he thought that, a large eye-shaped portal opened in front of him and the group.

"Let's go," Ichigo commanded, jumping in. Everyone else followed without a word.