They get bailed out unexpectedly!

Just before Grimmjow could finish releasing his sword, a figure appeared behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Stop, Grimmjow," he stated in a firm tone.

Ichigo froze. "That's... One of the Captains that defected with Aizen," he stated, on guard. Rukia nodded, also afraid.

"Tosen... Get lost," Grimmjow snarled.

The detector shook his head, and replied, his tone brooking no argument, "Lord Aizen is displeased, Grimmjow. You organized an unsanctioned invasion into the world of the living, mobilized five other Arrancar without authorization, and worst of all, got all five killed. We're going back to Hueco Mundo to determine your punishment."

A rift opened to the world of Hollows, and Grimmjow snarled. "Tch, fine." He stormed through it with Tosen, before turning to look at Ichigo and Rukia. "You are both very fortunate, Soul Reapers. Tosen just saved your lives. Better hope you don't ever hear my name again, for if you do, you are both dead! Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez!" He cackled as the portal closed.

Ichigo exhaled a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding. Part of him had wanted to finish the fight, and demand Grimmjow come back, but with Rukia around to protect, he kept his tongue in check. "...we were lucky," Rukia noted as Renji appeared, looking a bit battered, but ultimately fine.

"They're retreating? That's good. You both won," Renji told Ichigo, who shook his head.

"We lost. Even two on one, we didn't stand a chance against them," Ichigo told Renji, who scoffed.

"Don't be ridiculous. You're both alive, so you won," Renji replied.

"You know better than that," Ichigo told Renji. "We were getting our asses kicked. At best, this was a stalemate." Ichigo began to head home, leaving Rukia with Renji for the moment.

"...I'll talk to him," she told him, and Renji nodded.

"Glad you're okay. Was worried you'd get hurt," he told her, and she laughed.

"It was a close call," she admitted, refusing to admit that Grimmjow had given her what would have been a serious wound if she wasn't a genie now. She probably shouldn't even tell Renji even about the genie part. "But Ichigo and I held our own. Now, we better get back to his place," she added, looking towards where Chappy had hidden when Grimmjow had shown up.

"Yes, Lady Rukia! Let's hop to it!" Chappy replied in a giddy tone, jumping out of hiding, and they headed after Ichigo.