Invasion

The meeting moved swiftly after Ichigo accepted Yamamoto's invitation. Ichigo proposed that as the Hell dimension had adverse effects on Shinigami-Hollow hybrids, it would probably be best if none of the Vizard accompanied him. Shinji had nodded in acknowledgment of the point, but then couldn't help but ask, "What about you, Ichigo?"

"Cazador and I have been working on that. We didn't have as much trouble as you guys did anyway, and I think that's because of my previous experience with Resurrección and my higher mastery of Hollow powers. But just in case, I'll refrain from Hollow powers as much as I can," Ichigo told him. "If it gets too bad, I'll just get Mom and get out of Hell for a breather, but it shouldn't come to that. If Cazador ends up in control, he'll do the same. That alright with you, Yamamoto?"

Yamamoto nodded. "That is acceptable. Keep us informed while we are in Hell. Shihoin Yoruichi, my orders for the Gotei 13 members stationed in the living world are unchanged – they are to remain here and guard against Togabito attack. However, I will shortly be sending a team trained in capturing a Togabito for study. Unless Kurosaki is willing to share one of his prisoners…?"

Ichigo thought about it for a moment, then sighed and nodded his head. As much as he didn't want to give any sentient being to the mad scientist, he knew that if Kurotsuchi did come up with something it could mean the difference between winning and losing the war against Hell. "If we have a prisoner who truly is on Hell's side, I'll bring him along when I go to Soul Society. Not sure how much good it'll do you, though, since all their chains are cut upon being taken capture as a precaution."

The Quincy in the room stiffened, but kept his face carefully expressionless.

"Hmm, that could pose a problem. Perhaps if you delivered more Togabito, my efforts to create a reliable anti-Togabito measure would proceed more smoothly," Kurotsuchi suggested.

"Don't press your luck," Ichigo growled. "I haven't forgotten what you tried with me, and I'm under no illusions you'll be kinder to the poor bastard I'm delivering to your so-called care."

Kurotsuchi raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine, I'll make do." He smiled broadly. "I don't suppose you've changed your mind about that sample…?"

"No." Ichigo's denial was firm and unyielding. "That answer will not change. Do not ask again, or you'll get your sample of my reiatsu in a more… direct manner."

Kurotsuchi sighed. "Still a selfish plebian, then."

Well, that was as blunt as a Cero to the face, Ishida couldn't help but think, glancing up at Yamamoto. Strangely, the sōtaicho was unfazed by Ichigo's not so subtle threat towards one of his taicho. Then again, if Yamamoto had tried to defend Kurotsuchi, it could have compromised the fledgling relations between Ichigo and the Gotei 13… perhaps he was leaving that matter to be handled by Ichigo?

Or perhaps not. The sōtaicho cleared his throat. "The Togabito Capture team will be sent to Karakura regardless to capture a Togabito with his chain intact," Yamamoto stated firmly. "Kurotsuchi-taicho, do not antagonize Kurosaki, or I may just allow him to do as he wishes with you."

"Yes, sōtaicho," a disgruntled Kurotsuchi acknowledged.

The meeting wrapped up quickly after that, and Ichigo left, presumably to Hueco Mundo in order to pick which prisoner would be delivered to Soul Society and into Kurotsuchi's waiting hands. Ishida didn't really know how to feel about that. Even if it was a truly evil bastard, did anyone really deserve Kurotsuchi's brand of amoral care? Was it right to pay evil unto evil?

Ishida's hands clenched even as his legs carried him through Karakura to his home. He understood the tactical necessity of it – he knew that Kurotsuchi Mayuri would probably be able to make something useful out of the knowledge he would glean from the Togabito. But that didn't make it right. Then again, Ishida knew intellectually that his lust to take bloody vengeance against the orchestrator of his grandfather's death twice over was hardly right either, but he doubted that would stop him if the opportunity arose.

… Did that make him a bad person…? Ishida shook his head. No. At least, he didn't think so. He had every reason to loathe that monster in a man's skin, and his death could be considered a service to humanity. Ishida still remembered his first encounter with Kurotsuchi – the taicho had turned his own men into bombs, and gotten away with it! And that was almost the least of his evils.

But, despite it all, Kurotsuchi was – and the very idea made Ishida feel as though he needed to shower under scalding water – Kurotsuchi was useful. He could almost understand why the Gotei 13 kept him. Almost. Ishida still felt that his inhumanity outweighed his worth as a scientist, but from Soul Society's point of view, it was a very gray area.

In retrospect, Ishida mused, perhaps he should have expected a confrontation with Hell to raise troubling moral and ethical questions. No wonder Kurosaki had seemed tense about the subject of Zen'i, if Zen'i was truly a manifestation of some aspect of Ichigo.

Arriving home, Ishida sighed and cleaned his glasses before lying down so he could rest for his next shift of Togabito target practice. He just hoped this was all over with soon.

Ichigo stepped out of the Garganta and into Las Noches with a sigh. So much had been resolved, much to his amazement. His mother's safety post-rescue, peaceful relations with Soul Society, how and when they were going to take on Hell… it was astonishing to think that in the span of one meeting, nearly everything that weighed him down had been addressed.

But there was one thing remaining that left a sour taste in his mouth. "Ulquiorra?"

Ulquiorra appeared directly in front of him in a burst of Sonido. "Yes, Kurosaki-sama?"

"… Remind me later to ask you how the hell you're always there, even when I've only just arrived in Hueco Mundo." Ichigo shook his head. "Anyway. We went through the prisoners the other day. Do you remember the ones who are genuinely on Hell's side?"

Ulquiorra's expression didn't change. "Yes. Per your orders, they were separated and imprisoned well away from the other Togabito."

"Fetch the most devoutly loyal of them for me and meet me in the throne room in… thirty minutes."

"Yes, Kurosaki-sama." Ulquiorra vanished in another display of Sonido.

Ichigo took a deep, steadying breath and sighed. He really did not want to do this. He really, really, did not want to give Kurotsuchi a sentient being. It felt too much like sentencing him to a torturous death. But if Kurotsuchi was able to come up with something useful, then… Ichigo shook his head. He'd still feel guilty about it, but he'd be able to justify it better to himself. More so if it actually helped in saving his family.

But first, he had a few things left to do here in Las Noches. Ten minutes later, he finished explaining everything to the Vizard and Nelliel. "…so with any luck, tonight this whole mess will be done with."

Hollow Hiyori grinned fiercely. "We're coming with you, right?"

"Wrong," Ichigo told her firmly. "For one thing, do you know your name?"

Hiyori's grin dropped instantly. "… No," she admitted.

"Remember that the atmosphere in Hell made you, made all the Vizard, into mindless Hollows that were only controlled because I was stronger than you," Ichigo told the Vizards shortly. "So I'm the only Shinigami-Hollow hybrid going in. No Vizard, no Arrancar. We don't want anything going wrong, and we especially don't want the Central 46 to get all stupid about us. The less they know, the better."

"Then what is our role in this?" asked Lisa, who currently was in Shinigami form. "Defense?"

Ichigo nodded at her in appreciation. "Exactly. Hell's sent armies to Hueco Mundo repeatedly. You guys are to stay here and take out the trash. Capture where you can, and make sure Ulquiorra cuts their chains after everything's all over."

Holow Love nodded, hefting his gigantic kanabō. "Right then. You can count on us. Come on, Hiyori, Lisa. We should rest in case Hell does send an army our way." Hiyori and Lisa nodded, the former more reluctantly.

Ichigo sighed in relief. "Thanks." As the Vizard left, he turned to the former Espada, whose expression was difficult to read. "Nel, are you alright?"

"It is simply a bit… sudden," she explained. "I had not anticipated the final battle being so close at hand. But I do understand that whether you go or not, Soul Society is invading Hell, and so this is your best chance to get your mother out." She gave him a sad little smile. "I'd like to fight at your side, Ichigo, but as you've explained, Hell has strange effects on Shinigami-Hollow hybrids."

Ichigo tried to smile at her reassuringly, but the most he could manage was a melancholy smile of his own. "I'd like you to fight at my side too, Nel. You've helped me so much in my short time here… I don't think I could have gotten this far without you. And it doesn't seem right that you can't be there with me."

Nelliel's expression lightened a little, but Ichigo was surprised when she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. "Don't worry about it, Ichigo. I'll see you when you get back."

It took him a moment, but Ichigo returned the hug. "Right. See you soon, Nel."

A few hours later, Ichigo stood in the main hall of the 1st Division, standing amongst half the taicho of the Gotei 13. Hitsugaya and Tōsen were apparently still in the living world. Unohana had explained after a quiet inquiry that Gin was apparently in a medically-induced coma to recover from a compounded reiryoku injury, a concept that was completely beyond Ichigo's understanding. Amagai was missing, a fact which Ichigo heard also puzzled Ukitake and Kyōraku, judging from their quiet conversation. Kurotsuchi was busy with the Togabito Ichigo had brought.

Finally, Yamamoto silenced the room with a single echoing tap of his cane. "We are here to plan our attack on Hell. Soifon-taicho, describe the terrain and the dangers."

"Hai. Hell is divided into several layers. The uppermost level is made of crisscrossing roads and buildings and is – or was –" Soifon shot a look at Kurosaki. "– a popular hunting ground for the Kushanāda, as a large number of weak Togabito reside there. In order to progress to the next level, you have to find a dead end with a pit and jump down.

"The second level is largely made of water, though there are stone islands present. The Togabito Kokutō stated that the islands have skeletons of Kushanāda, and remaining on that level too long will cause the Kushanāda to awaken and be reborn.

"The third level can only be accessed by diving deeply into the water from the second level. It appears to be a volcanic area. I cannot say much, merely that it leads to a cliff that allows one to move forward to the fourth level.

"The fourth level is an open desert, its sands ground from the bones of Togabito who have lost all hope and died permanently in Hell. As Kokutō told it, the sand may retain some degree of malicious awareness. On this level, there is a pool of lava from which Shūren was able to resurrect other Togabito."

"That pool is guarded by four of Hell's lieutenants now," Ichigo interjected. When the eyes of several taicho fell upon him, he shrugged. "What? There's no way she would have known that, and you probably needed to know."

"What can you tell us about the lieutenants, Kurosaki?" Yamamoto asked.

"They're somewhat weak to sneak attacks," Ichigo responded instantly. "But they're well-versed in team tactics. Their most troublesome guy is that Quincy, Ishida Haken. But at the same time…" He hesitated, not sure how to word it. "He ended up letting me go. He was the one who told me about the Quincy contract, and asked me to save his descendants. He seems… I dunno, trapped. He might work with us, but he might not."

"What about the skill levels of the others?" Ukitake asked curiously.

"They specialize in melee combat. One on one they're not so difficult – I'd say Ikkaku or Renji could handle them individually. But like I said, they work as a team, covering for each other," Ichigo explained. "If you've got a few fukutaicho working together, they could handle it." He paused. "Then again, there's that one guy…"

"That one guy?" Soifon echoed derisively.

"Well, I didn't exactly bother to learn his name after I cut him in half," Ichigo defended himself. "He was the target of my sneak attack. Kinda hard to know what he's good at since I didn't give him a chance to show his stuff. I'm sure you know what I mean, assassin."

The 2nd Division taicho snorted, but said nothing.

Yamamoto tapped the ground with his cane, bringing attention back to himself. "Is there anything else to add, Soifon-taicho? Kurosaki?" When neither appeared to have anything more to say, he nodded. "Very well. Zaraki-taicho, Komamura-taicho, Soifon-taicho… you are to accompany myself and Kurosaki Ichigo to Hell. You may bring anyone of fukutaicho-class or higher that you wish. Kyōraku-taicho, I believe you have something to give Kurosaki?"

The normally jovial man nodded, his expression turning deadly serious as he approached the Vizard. "Ichigo, what I am about to give you is perhaps the most terrible weapon ever created by Soul Society." He reached into his haori and pulled out an ornately handled dagger and its sheath. Slowly, he unsheathed the dagger, revealing its wickedly jagged edge. "This dagger is imbued with a spell designed by the Kidō Corps. That spell should shatter Hell's soul as the Reiō once did. Be aware that the spell is purely theoretical, untried, untested. It may work, or it may not, but I feel it may be our best chance." He sheathed the dagger and offered it to Ichigo, who took it carefully. "To use the spell, you must charge the dagger with your reiryoku and then penetrate Hell's body with the blade."

"Shouldn't you be giving this to your resident assassin?" Ichigo asked carefully, giving Soifon a sideways glance.

"My name is Soifon," the taicho in question corrected irritably.

"I only bother to remember the names of people who deserve it," Ichigo retorted coldly. "All you've ever been to me is Soul Society's assassin. So that's all you are to me. Your name is meaningless."

Kyōraku glanced between the cold expression on Ichigo's face, and the quiet fury that twisted Soifon's features, before sighing and straightening up. "Any problems you two have need to be set aside while you're in this room," he told them both sternly. "We are all on the same side. Cease sniping at each other, or you will not like the consequences."

Soifon's face cleared into an emotionless mask in seconds. "Yes, Kyōraku-taicho."

Ichigo took a breath and sighed, releasing the tension in his shoulders. "Yes, Kyōraku-taicho," he echoed.

Kyōraku nodded. "Now then, in response to your question. I would give the dagger to Soifon-taicho, but the Kidō Corps is uncertain whether the spell could be affected by a reiryoku's state of evolution. You have a better chance of affecting Hell than she does, so the dagger goes to you."

Understanding, Ichigo nodded acknowledgment and carefully stashed the dagger away. He was feeling more and more confident about their chances, now, even though the idea of carrying a weapon capable of that was more than a little chilling. He met Soifon's eyes, and though her expression was carefully blank, Ichigo thought he could see suspicion reflected in her eyes.

The Vizard's eyes narrowed slightly. He doubted he would ever get along with Soifon, despite sharing a mentor in Yoruichi. From the beginning, nearly every interaction he'd ever had with Soifon had been hostile…

"…if Yamamoto-sōtaicho ever suggests you need to be eliminated, I will be the FIRST to line up for the job."

No. They would never be friends. Soifon would only ever be, at most, a reluctant ally. She'd made that abundantly clear. Ichigo was simply glad that Yamamoto had sworn to protect his family – Soifon wouldn't dare go against that.

Soifon hadn't been entirely sure what to make of the last several hours. So much had changed in so short a time. In a single unexpected move from Yamamoto-sōtaicho, Kurosaki Ichigo was now firmly an ally of Soul Society, and what had seemed to be an inevitable conflict had been avoided altogether. It had caught her flatfooted, to say the least. She had fully expected Yamamoto to end up declaring war on him once Hell was defeated, or at least supporting the Central 46's decision to do the same. It had been so easy to look at Kurosaki as an enemy. It was only a matter of time, she had thought… yet now they were on the same side, presumably permanently.

Well… it wasn't like they had to be friends. Most of the taicho were extremely wary of Kurotsuchi-taicho. Kuchiki-taicho and Zaraki not-so-privately hated each other's guts, but they were professional – Well, that's exaggerating a bit for Zaraki – and usually tended to ignore each other unless they were given a shared assignment, which was rare. There was no reason she and Kurosaki couldn't do the same. Kyōraku-taicho's rebuke had been 100% spot on, and that it had been needed at all filled her with shame. They would have to work together for the mission in Hell, but presumably that would be the end of it. Kurosaki would go back to the living world, and if she was lucky she wouldn't so much as see him for a few decades.

Even so, Soifon watched Kyōraku-taicho give Kurosaki the enchanted dagger, doing her best to hide her resentment and suspicion. They were giving that? To him? Instead of someone who had spent her whole life training to be the fastest, the stealthiest, the most efficient in the art of dealing death?

Kurosaki met her eyes, narrowing his own, and she repressed a chill that ran down her spine. Was he considering using the dagger on her first, as a test run? Kyōraku-taicho had said it was untried… and if she was honest, Soifon had to admit that of all the taicho in the room, she was the one he had the most reason to kill.

"…If you ever come after me or my friends, you will need Yamamoto Genryūsai himself at your side to save you, because I swear I will come at you with all of my power!"

She met Kurosaki's eyes steadily, refusing to betray her nervousness. Soifon knew she stood no chance if Kurosaki chose to attack her. She, who had been unable to pierce Aizen's skin, was almost certainly incapable of harming Kurosaki directly. But she would not lie down and die, either. Would the other taicho attempt to stop him? Soifon wasn't sure – they did tolerate Kurotsuchi, after all, and from a purely value-oriented perspective, Kurosaki was more valuable than she was.

Kurosaki finally shifted his gaze, and Soifon slowly breathed out through her nose, allowing her body to relax a fraction. His eyes had not reflected any bloodlust or even any malicious intent… just an assessment. Perhaps he was attempting to determine if she would attack him first?

The thought almost made Soifon want to laugh. Like she would give him the satisfaction of being able to use self-defense as an excuse to kill her! No, she was not so foolish as to attack him directly. Nor would she attack his family, nor his friends – that was obviously a one-way ticket to death, either by Kurosaki's hands or by Yamamoto-sōtaicho's, and it would serve no purpose in any case. No. As much as she despised Kurosaki, she could and would work with him. The only question that remained now was, would he work with her?

The meeting was over shortly afterwards, with each member of the invasion force naming whom they would want to bring along. Komamura had elected to bring along Iba Tetsuzaemon, his fukutaicho. Kenpachi had brought along Madarame Ikkaku. Yamamoto and Soifon had each decided to leave their fukutaicho behind. Ichigo had thought to bring along Yamada Hanatarō, the timid 4th Division member who had helped him so much while trying to save Rukia from execution, but when he asked Yamamoto about it, the sōtaicho vetoed it.

"It is not a poor idea to bring a healer, especially one of such potential," Yamamoto told him quietly, but firmly. "However, that is what he has right now – potential. According to Unohana-taicho, he suffers from poor confidence, and is generally unable to defend himself effectively. As the number of enemies is effectively infinite, he is unsuited to this mission."

Ichigo nodded understanding, inwardly marveling that Yamamoto was actually bothering to explain his reasons. It was a refreshing change. "What about one of the higher ranked healers, then? Unohana's fukutaicho…" He paused, trying to recall the name.

"Kotetsu Isane," Yamamoto supplied. "She is a wiser choice. Highly skilled in medical Kidō, and not unversed in the other branches. She may accompany us."

In just under an hour, everyone who was going to invade Hell was standing outside the Senkaimon. Kurotsuchi Nemu arrived shortly thereafter and bowed deeply to Yamamoto. "Sōtaicho, I bring equipment from Kurotsuchi-taicho."

"Explain their purpose."

"Yes, sōtaicho. Each of these are tracking devices, meant to aid in mapping Hell. They also serve as health monitors." She passed out a set of simple black wristbands to everyone, before holding up an ear bud. "These are interdimensional communicators. Kurotsuchi-taicho does not anticipate them to work for long – the power requirements for the continuous connection are too large. They will be remotely activated when you enter Hell."

"And why does Kurotsuchi-taicho believe we need these equipment?" Yamamoto asked calmly.

Nemu bowed once more. "I believe it has two purposes – the communicators and trackers in conjunction will allow me to guide Kotetsu-fukutaicho to your locations, so as to prioritize healing appropriately. It also allows for a continuous stream of auditory information, with which Kurotsuchi-taicho may be able devise further research in the event of this mission's failure."

"Very well." Yamamoto placed the band on his wrist, and put the ear bud into his ear swiftly. The others quickly did the same. Then the sōtaicho turned. "Open the Senkaimon!"

Chad's head shot up as he sensed not one, not two, but many Togabito entering Karakura. "Inoue…"

"I sense it too, Sado-kun." Inoue's face was grave, without a trace of a smile.

"It seems Hell has detected our efforts at negating his reishi's influence," Yoruichi's voice commented calmly through their communicators. "We must be doing something right."

"How many?" Chad asked calmly, getting to his feet. "And where?"

"Enough to warrant bringing out the reserves, and all over Karakura. You know what to do, so get moving!"

Indeed they did, having discussed it with Yoruichi and Urahara earlier in case such an event happened. They looked at each other for only a moment more. Then Chad flashed away with his specialized high speed movement. Inoue hopped up and without a word materialized her Santen Kesshun, landing and kneeling on it. "Take me higher."

She rose higher and higher, until she could see Karakura in its entirety. A flicker of Shunpo, and Hachigen materialized in front of her. He offered her a tiny smile. "Are you ready, Inoue Orihime?"

"Yes."

Chad was not having an easy time. He'd gone as quickly as he could to the school, to protect its inhabitants, but it seemed that he had somehow become the lone defender against a siege of Togabito.

Chad grunted as one of the Togabito he was fighting landed another hard blow to his right arm. He counterattacked with his Brazo Izquierda del Diablo. "La Muerte!"

The Togabito in question practically disintegrated from the devastating hit, but there was no time to think about that as Chad flashed away, narrowly avoiding a debilitating strike from a mace before delivering a deadly punch with his left arm, knocking the Togabito's head from his shoulders.

It had been like that for a few minutes, but there was no rest. Even now, more portals were appearing nearby, some to take the corpses, some to deliver more Togabito. Sensing one just a few feet behind him, Chad leapt back, preparing himself.

From this portal, another two Togabito came through, though these two were very familiar.

"Huh. Didn't think I'd see you again."

"Please, step aside. Don't make us kill you."

It was Hana and Kieru, the Togabito whom had questioned Chad, Ishida and Inoue several days ago. Chad didn't move from his spot. "Hell means to assimilate the living world," he said simply. "I have no choice."

"Neither do we."

They stared at each other for a long moment.

"Well, if you won't surrender, then I wish you luck," Hana offered.

"You'll forgive me if I don't wish you the same," Chad replied dryly.

Hana snorted. "Funny." And then she leapt into action, Kieru only a step behind her.

Chad fell into a fighting stance. He wouldn't let them through without a fight!

"Licht Regen!"

Hana was forced to grab her partner and flash away in a high speed technique to keep from being skewered by an onslaught of arrows.

"Two on one's a bit unfair, don't you think?" Ishida landed next to Chad.

Hana merely smirked. "This area is worth two fighters of the living world? I wonder what area of Karakura is going unprotected…"

"None," Chad replied simply.

"Can't you feel it?" Ishida asked derisively. "Failing that, can't you hear it?"

As if his words were a trigger, a Hollow roar suddenly echoed loudly in the distance.

Ishida used a single finger to shift his glasses further up his nose as he allowed himself a small smirk. He had timed that perfectly. "Did you really think us short on capable defenders? Kurosaki is not the only Shinigami-Hollow hybrid that resides here."

"Do you really think that killing us will end anything?" Hana demanded. "Don't you know the real purpose behind the invasions?"

"Of course we do. Spiritual resonance, I believe Urahara-san called it. And as it happens, we already have someone on it."

"What person could possibly handle this much of Hell's reishi?" Kieru asked disbelievingly. "What power could undo the changes?"

Chad merely pointed upwards, and to both Togabito's astonished disbelief, a golden dome replaced the sky for several seconds before becoming transparent, though all of them could still sense its presence.

When Kieru and Hana had recovered enough to look back at their opponents, both Chad and Ishida were in battle-ready positions. Ishida raised his bow and aimed. "Surrender, or I'll use these Quincy powers of mine to send you back to Hell!"

"Ayame! Shun'ō! Sōten Kisshun! I reject!"

The two fairies sped off to opposite sides of Karakura. For a brief moment, Inoue wasn't sure it would work, but then a golden dome appeared over the city. Inoue closed her eyes and concentrated. She didn't want to prevent anything from leaving or entering. She wanted the dome to be transparent. When she opened her eyes, it was as she desired.

"Nicely done," Hachi complimented. "How is the drain?"

"Not bad, not when I'm not doing anything." She smiled at the Vizard. "Thanks for being here."

Hachi smiled back. "Restoring reiryoku is no trouble at all. I'm merely glad I can help. Are you ready for the hard part?"

Inoue nodded and closed her eyes again. She raised her arms, palms down towards the giant invisible shield she'd conjured. She focused on all the reishi of Karakura, and she could feel it slowly begin to change under the continuous onslaught of more and more portals to Hell opening and closing. That was something she could not allow. "I… reject!"

Her Sōten Kisshun shuddered for a moment, and Inoue's face tightened with strain. But she could feel it begin to make a difference, could feel the reishi of the living world revert to how it should be.

Inoue felt warmth of healing Kidō spread from the top of her head down to the rest of her body and smiled, relieved as she immediately began to feel better. Hachi had her back. With his help, she would protect the living world!