I'll just repost what was said in the news thread because I'm lazy, but we ought to have an actual discussion thread here.

Sofaboy wrote:So what do you all think of the new chapter? NOW I'm starting to think Grimmjow is going to die, considering the fact that Ichigo seems to be struggling with his inner hollow again. I mean he didn't want Grimmjow to take his mask off, and he said he was "having fun". And Inoue seemed to be frightened by looking him in the eyes... though that was probably due to his immense strength, still, I think his hollow is playing a part in this battle... they even have espada audience lol.

Yuzuki wrote:Well, I think Inoue is still just freaked out by that scary hollow mask on her beloved Kurosaki-kun's face.

I hope GJ doesn't die. Well, I suppose he could die, as long as it's a worthy death. This fight must conclude, but it must not conclude lamely.

Ichi seems to have the upper hand, though... I wonder why he can suddenly hold for more than 11 seconds, without any explanation... wait, nix that. It was obviously as a result of whatever those black strandy things were and will be explained in a flashback later. lol.

tutututt.. strandy things? I think it's because his hollow is gradually taking over again... like he's having an inner fight behind the mask... ...or else it could just be because Ichigo's killer instinct... which made him conquer his hollow in his real inner fight... maybe it's his killer instinct combined with his hollow getting stronger and willing to push him over? So he grows in strength... or in this case strength to sustain his mask.. because he really wants to kill Grimmjow and that supresses his hollow... which is also growing because he is actually growing his killer-instinct and "wants" to fight... so Ichigo is actually "becoming" his hollow? What on earth did I just write?

Well, something happened while he was laying there dying... he either met up with Zangetsu or his hollow, and that encounter gave him more control over his hollow... and yeah, I think that his killer instinct or w/e to call it definitely has something to do with it it too. He's finally found Inoue, for one, and he's fighting his longtime (ish) rival GJ full-out, on equal front, for two.

You make it sound like you're a IchiXHime fan.............

I'm not. I don't even like Orihime all that much. But Kubo has been really pushing for Ichihime lately...