Chapter 1
So much has changed in the last 480 years since mom and dad and uncles had saved the world. Sure, they didn't do it for the fame or glory! But they didn't start out as friendly, or I don't think that even comes close to what they started as.
If you are wondering who I am? Well, let me introduce myself, Aya Taisho, yup mom AKA Kagome mated to Lord Sesshōmaru. Uncle Inuyasha had made mom so mad! And hurt her by going back to Kikyō that dad, the walking stiff! Taught mom to fight, this including sword and hand to hand, plus training her Miko powers.
When they finally came to the last battle, they mated that night after they won, well we got by with just major injuries, uncle wanted to wish for mom to stay with him forever! I snort every time I think about it, well mom didn't wish she just. Um well for some reason when, well as they had mated, and dad marked her she absorbed the stupid jewel! Then she changed into full Inu demoness Miko? Hell, I don't get it either!
Yes, Inuyasha and Shippo oh and Koga are a bad influence you will see eventually, it was finding out mom was now pupped; that Inuyasha disappeared for a couple of months. Mom blessed dad with twins! Yes, I have a twin brother, lucky for me he is the heir! His name is Daichi Taisho, dad said no middle names, well after we were born. Uncle shows up and makes up to everyone! That began our new and increasing pack!
Shippo hasn't found his mate yet, but uncle Inuyasha did mate with Rin, yup and somehow mom was able to turn her into a full Inu demoness also. Uncle Shippo likes to um…. have fun with the ladies, so we have no idea if he has any kits running around! My brother and I are complete opposites, he got lucky and has elf ears! I get cute doggie ears like Inuyasha! Why? Mom or dad couldn't say or wouldn't say! But we are identical with white hair and big bushy tails and golden almost yellow eyes. But Daichi has a stiff pole stuck up his butt just like dad, I am more like mom! Well, not quite but close! What that means is, for some odd reason… the stupid jewel transferred to me when I was born!
So, my childhood was some what fun, okay fine it was funny mom could twist dad around her little finger, so being daddy's little girl, I could too! Well, to a certain extent, anyway after we looked like a teenager we began our training. Well before that I had to begin Miko and demoness power training, dad said his daughter would not be weak like her mother when they met! He was in the dog house for a little while after that! Its still funny to this day!
When we began our sword and hand to hand dad had us new demon swords made, he wanted to combine the same properties as his and uncle's swords. But instead I got him to repair Tōkijin only to use his fang did Tōtōsai agree to make it stronger with a new technique he had worked on. Then mom gave a fang for a sword able to heal and channel my Miko power through. So now I have two swords like dad, and my training was brutal!
Over the years with moms knowing what was going to be coming they managed to help with the north, south, and east to put barriers up for all yōkai to hide and live away from the humans. On top of that we have many investments, companies, and property around the world. Plus, when they went around telling everyone to stop using swords or else! We began using illusion magic and wearing concealment charms. Me? For hiding my stupid ears!
Also, mom gave birth to another set of twins, both boys! And as ornery as Shippo if not worse! Mom thought it funny to name them Fred and George? She said we would find out when we got closer to her time. Dad just shook his head and mumbled ningen, or something like that. Funny thing, when they put up the barriers? There was a great demon hunt! But they never found any except for the weak ones that didn't know to stay hidden.
Right now, me and Shippo are in Karakura town, we have several businesses here. Plus, I know a soul reaper here. Kisuke Urahara, I helped him out with his Vizards or what ever he calls them, I also know he is our grandfather! Yup imagine that! I told mom about him, so we went to visit grandma and got the scoop on what was going on there! She didn't realize who we were at the time, plus mom was so adorable when she was little!
Well after gramps agreed to train me in more combat like soul reaper styles and magic, he found out I was. Um, well he said I was a natural. But, I have yet to say who I am to him, plus on one of our training sessions I got my zanpakutō! I know your going to say! Not possible! Yeah, that is what he said too! So, now I can pop out of my body and use my new sword, or use my demon blades, which I use unless I run across souls that need sent to the soul society. The soul reapers are either slipping? or taking a nap? For as many that I have performed soul burials on! I mentioned it one time. He just shrugged and changed the subject!
Anyway, I am walking the streets and I do this a lot, I can't sit still all the time! So, I come up to a strange situation, some guy is laying face down with one guy standing like dad does with a giant stick up his butt! Then another guy with wow red hair is fighting with a young guy with almost orange hair and its spiky. I am concealing my spiritual and demon energy, well it's more like I am invisible. I can sneak up on gramps all the time!
I get closer and start picking up on their conversation, I guess this must be stuck ups little sister and he is taking her in to be executed?! Wow even my dad isn't that heartless! Ichigo the kid with orange spiky hair is not very well trained, Renji the fire engine red hair that kind of reminds me of knuckles from sonic the hedgehog! He hasn't released his zanpakutō yet and he is still taunting him I get closer until I am next to Rukia? Then they really get going good until stuck up tries to come from behind! Not having it! So, I blur over and grab him from behind and pin his arms behind his back and take his sword!
"How dare you involve yourself in a matter that does not concern you!"
"Uh, captain who are you talking to? I don't see anyone there."
"You have to, someone very strong is holding me and took my sword!"
"Awe did the stuck up jerk lose his sword? You shouldn't try and stab someone in the back! It is very dishonest you have no honor! Jerk!"
"How dare you, show yourself and release me!"
"I have a question, why would you kill your sister? Well I guess since you have no honor! I can see why, with that telephone pole you got stuck up your butt! It's a wonder you can walk!"
The other three cracks up except Renji he is trying to cover it up with a coughing fit, Ichigo being the innocent and save everyone asks who?
"Who little ole me? Well I was just walking by when I saw your little fight and thought I would come and watch! Then the stuck up jerk here went to run you through from behind! Now my daddy always said you can tell a lot by someone from the way they fight! So, what does that say about you? Hmm?"
"I do not answer to you girl! Release me! I will show you how I treat nosy people!"
"Uh captain, if she can see and hear us. Plus, I can't get a read on her, what would that make her?"
"I missed that part, she caught me off guard as well, who are you? Show yourself and we may show mercy."
"Well, its just little ole me there now you can see me, I am Aya nice to meet you, but I will not turn you loose until you give your word not to kill anyone or try and seal his power."
"Fine, we will not kill or seal his power, now turn me loose."
I push him forward and he crashes into Renji they tumble to the ground I move and heal uh the guy with glasses, then move to Ichigo and begin healing his wounds. The other two finally get up with the jerk slapping Renji's hands away, I smirk as I finish with Ichigo and help him up.
"Now explain how you can see us, you don't look all that impressive, but how did you heal their wounds so quickly without Raichi?"
"You know Renji you would be so hot and irresistible if you would ask nicely. Plus, I really like the tattoos and the spiky ponytail and firetruck red hair is, well I would just like to go somewhere and get to know you."
"Hey, what? Oh. Uh. Um, yeah thanks, you didn't answer my question, would you please tell us how?"
"Well, since you asked nicely magic, and training I am from a family of priestess though out of all my siblings I got the most training!"
"Priestess? You're kidding, right? Just how old are you? You don't look any older than this orange headed kid."
"Hey! I am standing right here you know, and I will not let you take Rukia back to the soul society!"
"Who and the what? Whats with the black uh dresses anyway?"
"These are not dresses! They are official Shinigami uniforms!"
"Really? You wear a dress and call yourself a death god? Wow, I guess you could say. I am about uh Ichigo right? His age almost 16, right?"
"Yeah, how did you know that?"
About that time Renji releases his sword not bankai but the first step I duck as Ichigo deflects it, I scowl as the jerk pulls his out and tries to sneak behind me I turn grab his sword and send electrical current thru his sword and he goes down to his knees. Then I knock him out! Take the sword and watch the fight! I kick the jerk a couple of times! You know just to get even! Sneaky stuck up jerk.
"So, Aya? Why are you kicking by brother?"
"He is a jerk! He tried to stab me in the back, so I am repaying in kind."
"Yeah, you know he will be after you now that you have shown him up? Plus, how did you follow his moves? Even I can't always follow him."
"Eh, I knew he would try something, so I just got lucky, and don't take this the wrong way, but wow how tall are you?"
"Yeah, I am barely five foot, what are you about six feet?"
"Close, I took after dad, I am right at six feet. Mom is just a couple of inches taller than you, and I love your violet eyes! Wow you never see that, so what did you do to piss off the stuck up jerk?"
"I uh got into trouble and made Ichigo a soul reaper when I did he took almost all my power. And its illegal to make a human into one of us, but he was like you. He could see and talk to spirits, so I just gave him a boost and he keeps getting stronger, can you sense spiritual pressure?"
"Yup, so when those things in white masks show up I turn and go the other way, I almost did tonight until I heard the sound of swords clashing. Then, I heard the dull and bored sound of your jerk of a brother."
"I see, well at least I got to meet you before I get sent to my death, I see your healing is impressive, do that a lot working as a priestess? Uyrū is getting up now, he isn't a fan of Shinigami he is Quincy. We thought you might have been like him also at first."
"I have heard of them, but I have never met one before. What are they like a priest?"
"Uh no they are nothing like them, and now its two on one, you going to step in on him too?"
"What, who me? I haven't seen him do anything sneaky yet, and Renji is making them look like kids. I was serious about how good looking he is."
He must have heard me he stumbled and gave the other two an opening and they took it, then Rukia hits me upside the head I pretend to go down and she goes after glasses and he pushes her back. I vanish, and watch as the jerk gets up, and knocks him out, but didn't finish him off! He seals Ichigo's power, but he doesn't get to finish him! As I bind his arms then knock him into Renji! They go flying half a block away. They get up and enter an old style sliding door and vanish, I move over and heal Ichigo then check on Uyrū he just has a bump. I pull out my cell phone.
"Hey Urahara? Well, Ururu tell him that I am coming with Ichigo."
"Oh, okay Aya he just came in see you soon."
"Hey Uyrū, get up, help me get Ichigo to Urahara to check him out."
He looks at me funny and nods we get on each side and walk him to the shop, Jinta and Tessai meet us out front and take him as we follow them in and relay what happened.
"So, you didn't give away your secret? My, aren't we the little minx tonight, flirting with Renji and insulting the stuck up captain and brother to Rukia, I wish I was there to watch!"
"You do realize that Ichigo will want to go rescue Rukia? And to do that you will have to help him get his power back."
"Yes, I am aware Uyrū, are you volunteering to go also?"
"Uh, yes? I am not sure how well I will be looked at while there."
I snorted just as a cat walked in, I have seen this cat many times in the last thirty to fifty years since I have been coming here, how? Well gramps didn't stay at home all the time, he said he had business to attend to, then leave mom and grandma for days. So, I pick the cat up and begin petting it and it looks miffed then starts to purr, I know it isn't a real cat! But I like to play and tease it anyway!
"So, when do I get to meet your real image? Or do I get to keep playing with you as a kitty? I know your not a real cat, you have been around along time, plus your energy says soul reaper."
"How long have you known? You have been coming here…. A lot longer than a human could and still look as young. So, do we get to know the real you also minx?"
"Gross! Don't call me that! And man, you're getting slow in your old age gramps, I have been coming here what 50 years now?"
"Uh right um you got a point, wow has it really been that long?"
"What are you? I can't get a reading from you at all, if I didn't see you I would never know you were sitting here." The jerk with the glasses demanded
"Well, I think before I go spilling my secrets we should wait and see who all will be joining you on your rescue the damsel in distress mission. And before you bring it up, I couldn't stop the jerk in time, but I did stop him from taking the final blow to Ichigo. Plus, if I had killed those two or even knocked them out of commission for several hours, she would still find a way to turn herself in."
"I agree, this way we can go in with some hope of clearing her name, by showing that it wasn't a mistake to turn him earlier."
Shippo comes in and gets the same looks I get for no spiritual energy at all, gramps is used to it! We snicker at Uyrū he crosses his arms and grumbles which only makes us snicker even more. I introduce Shippo as my uncle and I think his eyes were going to knock his glasses off! Gramps lets us have a room for the night, I curl up against Shippo and he wraps his arms around me as we fall asleep.
The next morning, we get up to a hot breakfast, and a scowling Ichigo. I scruff his hair, he swats my hand away! Then realizes I am from last night! He looks like a fish out of water we chuckle at his expression, then a tall dark and handsome guy comes in followed by a girl with, yup I am jealous she has bigger boobs than me! Shippo is right there kissing her hand as he introduces himself, I roll my eyes at him and giggle.
"You will have to excuse Shippo, he likes to chase all the pretty girls, has been for over what? 400 years now?"
"Shush you! You will give away my secret, plus you know I love red heads! Too bad you didn't get your moms beautiful hair."
"I am sorry did you say 400 years? How is that possible? Who or what are you two? You can spill those secrets now this is all that will be going."
"Wow talk about bossy, Aya are you sure you want to get involved in this? You know your dad will have something to say about this. And Kagome will rip my tail off if anything were to happen to her only daughter, you know these Shinigami are not very forgiving."
"Did you say Kagome?"
"Yes, grandpa he did, it is nice to finally admit I am your granddaughter, huh I didn't think he would pass out like that."
"You mean hat and clogs is really your grandfather? Wow who knew he had it in him, so how did he or when did he uh meet your grandma?"
"You will have to ask him, and yup he is I watched as he got married and had mom then uncle Souta, mom is threatening to come and bop you on the head gramps for leaving her."
"Well, I was trying to keep her safe was all, does she have a temper like her mother?"
"Are you kidding? She could bend anyone to her will just with a glare! And if you do piss her off? All I can say is run, hide, and come back when she has had a chance to cool off. Well except for Aya here, she just uses her puppy dog eyes and both her mom and dad cave!"
We snicker at the puppy dog eyes, though they don't know that yet.
"Dad still stands firm on most things, like training! I could have beat both last night but that would be showing my hand way to early, I may have anyway with healing those two so fast. Oops and shocking the jerk and taking his sword away!"
"You WHAT? You shocked captain Kuchiki then took his sword? And knocked him out? How? I mean I can guess but he didn't see it coming?"
"Well, no it was rather easy, he was going to stab me in the back like he did to Ichigo. So, I turned and grab his sword send electrical current through his sword then knock him in the head, then I may have kicked him a couple of times, maybe."
Everyone is looking at me with shock and jaws on the floor, I giggle, Shippo must add to it though! It's so funny I have a giggling fit.
"Well what do you expect gramps? When you are fighting her do you ever get the upper hand? Nope, she puts you on the defensive right? Well you can thank our dad, he believes in making sure we could fight before he would let us loose, and yes I am adopted, why Aya calls me her uncle I have no idea."
"I do it for the funny looks, we are the same age give or take ten years, mom thinks its funny too! You know she said to keep my eye on you? You had been around Miroku to much and picked up rude habits from the monk, I miss them he was funny. Oh, where is my little Kirara? Didn't she come with you?"
About that time, she pounced into my lap and I pick her up and hug her she responds by purring, I nuzzle my face in her fur. I hear gasps and an awe it's so cute, I look to the gasping people.
"What? She is sweet and very protective of her pack or pride which ever you want to call us right Kirara?"
"Uh, you know what that is?"
"What is it Uyrū? You look like you saw a ghost, but we all know you are used to seeing those, so what has you spooked? So, it has two tails a diamond on her forehead, so what?" Ichigo asked looking puzzled
"Those haven't been seen in 500 years, it's a fire cat demon, where did you get this one? Are there others?"
"Wow, is he always this demanding? And to answer your question, yes there are more, she just had a litter couple of decades ago, and I have no idea how old she is. All I can say is, it was a good thing she wasn't with me last night when that jerk tried to stab me in the back!"
She growled about that and I told her about what happened well I told everyone, she nods and goes back to purring.
"Did she just nod to agree with your way of dealing with it?"
"Yup! She is smart, its because of small minded morons that went out to slay any demon they could find, if we hadn't of saved all the ones we could find there wouldn't be anymore. But I was just a pup back then, mom and dad and the rest of the pack took steps to prevent it."
"Hold on, how could hat and clogs be your gramps if you're that old?"
"I shall give you the highlights, mom got sent back in time 500 years, fought demons bandits and a bitch Miko and fought dad, off and on for about a year. Then he began training her swords hand to hand and helped to develop her Miko powers, then they defeated a huge demon army then they mated and had me and my twin later. Gramps you think captain Kuchiki has a stick up his butt, he hasn't got anything on dad right brother?"
"This guy is really that stiff?"
"Okay, enough of the fairy tail what are we doing about me getting back my powers, so we can get Rukia?"
"I have a way, which will be quick and painful, are you sure you want to try it? Are you all going? If so you will need to train hard over the next ten days to maybe twenty?"
They all nod we go to the underground training room, I watch as he knocks Ichigo out of his body then chop his soul chain then tossing him into a pit. Meanwhile I get to beat on Chad, tall dark and quiet. I don't hold back either! Orihime gets to work with Jinta most of the time until she must heal Chad.
When Ichigo comes out with a hollow mask I hop out of my body and Shippo guides my body away. After a quick discussion to make sure Ichigo is ready gramps puts him thru his paces, I go back to beating on Chad joined by Shippo he keeps asking how I became a soul reaper. After a couple of days gramps trades off with me, I grin at Ichigo and cut loose on him. He looks shocked that I am trying to kill him I just giggle at him and tell him this is a crash course to break thru to Bankai.
"What? You got Bankai already? When have you been able to train and where? You haven't been drawing attention to yourself, have you?" Gramps asked
"Oh please! She is a master at barriers and concealment spells, she puts up a giant barrier and trains or takes out a hollow. Plus, she has been giving soul burials to any souls she comes across to pick up your slack, and she still won't tell me how she became a soul reaper. Does mom or dad know?"
"You think I could get this past them? Are you nuts? Dad just said to make sure to do the right thing, and to be prepared to train my brothers since we got it from gramps, so its possible they could change also."
When done talking they were all looking like goldfish not the crackers either, I just shrug and call out Bankai my sword gets longer, and the blade widens just like my demon blades, my hands have finger less gloves I am now wearing a purple Kimono and my hair is in twin ponytails. But the biggest issue is now they can see my doggy ears and big fluffy tail, I can hardly wait for the commentary of where that came from? What are you? From the goober with the glasses! He is so demanding I want to kick his ass!
"Uh Aya, what is going on? Why do you have a tail wrapped around you and have uh cute doggy ears?"
Just for that I attack we are training anyway right? He just barely gets his sword up in time I grin and show of my fangs.
"Less talk! more fighting! I haven't had this much fun in years, and Ichigo? You need to work on moving faster! Also, you need to practice your Bakudō and Hadō, it will help you out in a pinch."
He nods, and we start again, and I don't hold back, and he gets faster and more precise, less swinging his sword like a noob! He has just learnt how to throw power attacks, so I show him mine and he freaks out, I tell him to keep up listen to his inner voice. He must have taken my advice because now it's getting fun! I open on my spiritual power everyone gasps and go to their knees! Except Shippo and gramps, though he looks a little wobbly.
"What? I am still not up to full power yet, come on its just getting fun Ichigo, push yourself lets go, or do you need a break?"
"How the hell are you able to put out that kind of power? Your tiny! Oh, shit I am sorry I didn't mean it like that!"
"Shut up and fight! Call me tiny? I will kick your ass now!"
I finally get him down and he breaks thru! Yes, now we are talking fun I am getting him for the tiny part I hit him with my needle attack it looks like blue streaks, oh he dodged well then let's see how he does with sword play! I grin as I put some demon power into my strikes he looks scared? Good he needs to think on his feet speaking of I knock his out!
"Let's see how you handle this Bakudō number 4 Hainawa that looks fun are you comfy?"
"Hey how am I supposed to fight all tied up?"
"She has a point Ichigo, if you can't get out of that or avoid it you will be in trouble, could you tone down the pressure? Its kind of hard to breathe Aya! And, before you leave can you show us just how powerful you really are?"
I giggle as Shippo chuckles at him, he walks over and clasps his shoulder and asked "If he was stupid or just being silly?"
Ichigo figures out how to force the binding to break so I use number 61 he glares at me, so I hit him with number 4 also, so I sit in the air and send a couple of shocks to Ichigo. He is getting mad! When he finally breaks free, he still hasn't figured out how to walk above everything? So, I begin explaining how to force his Raichi to his feet to not only speed his movements but to also run above everything. It takes him awhile, but he does figure it out! Now, we are on more even ground!
We train or fight like that for two weeks, I manage to beat him into Bankai! He was looking like a kid in the candy store. We rest up for the last twelve hours, I put a hand on Ichigo before he can get away, and a tell him he needs meditate; train with his zanpakutō to get better.
"Were you still holding back on me? You were, weren't you?"
"Well duh, if I had went all out there would be no more Ichigo, that would be defeating the purpose of training you. Was you being pushed to your limit?"
"Uh yes I thought you were trying to kill me there a couple of times."
"Its because she was, it's the same way we were taught, well not quite. We had been prepared before hand with basic knowledge of what to do."
"Alright I know you want to touch my ears go ahead, this is a free one Orihime. I know you have been wanting to ever since."
She squeals and runs over and begins to rub them I can't help myself I do a doggy version of a purr Ichigo takes his turn, while Orihime plays with my tail I whip it around and smack her with it then brush it against her face she giggles the kids come over and do the same. Chad just touches them then grins blushes then goes to his room, gramps has a little too much fun, I smack his hands and grin.
"If you get the chance you might want to look up a certain captain he looks like a fox or dog walking around like a man, he has always felt like he doesn't belong. He usually hides under a helmet and armor, so no one can see his fur or fox head, just a thought."
"Gramps are you trying to be a match maker? If you are? Quit it! I doubt he would want anything to do with a dog demoness, anything else I should be wary of?"
He begins giving me descriptions of captains and their abilities, and who to avoid three in general. Inuyasha walks in I jump up and hug him he swings me around, then nuzzles my nose.
"What have you gone and got yourself mixed up in now Aya? Your mom and my pain in the ass brother said I had to guard your body? Why can't I go and fight with you? Just like old times when we could beat the crap out of pain in the ass morons!"
"Well, you could since you can keep up with me on fighting, plus you can go full demon now and really we don't want to kill everyone. Just beat the crap out of them till we get what we are after and then leave."
"Crap, that aint no fun! How is your trainee? Is he going to be able to handle it?"
"I can handle it! Are you another dog demon? Where is your ears and tail?"
I bust up laughing along with Shippo I hug my uncle and tell him to behave and ask if he brought my package, he grins and pulls out a bag. I giggle he says there is about 150 in there you will piss a lot of them off if you follow through with my plans, Shippo chuckles and asked if that ever stopped us before? We chuckle as we go and pile up and sleep.
The next thing I know I am being woke up, we eat and head down to the training room, when we get there they give a lengthy speech and the cat talks spooking the others, I just grin and scoop her up. Yes, she sounds like a he, but I know what I smell! She growls but Kirara aint having none of that! She growls right back shutting the soul reaper up. We all chuckle. I put her down and put Orihime on my back, and Kirara adjust for her to ride on her shoulder.
"Good idea Aya, she would slow you down, what about you two? Can you keep up with Ichigo and Aya? Since she worked with him to move faster, Chad? Uyrū?" Gramps asked them.
"I can do the same as you lot, so I have no problem keeping up."
"Hop on Chad the faster we get out of this tunnel thing the better, grab Yoruichi also! Hey, don't growl at me you stupid cat!"
"Uncle are you coming? I know that look, as soon as the door opens you will just run in without saying a word, am I right? Uh huh I thought so, fine I won't stop you from having some fun, Shippo take care of my body, and no funny business! Uncle Inuyasha if the Quincy can't keep up pick him up, would you?"
"Keh, I will if I have to, only because you asked, and you are my favorite niece."
I snorted and grin at him, he knows the look of ornery when he saw it. He grins and checks his sword and mine, yup that was another clue as to what he was up to. Gramps opened the gateway we all take off running me and uncle are way ahead of the other two, we have been running for what feels like hours. When we hear a yell from the other two I don't stop or look I keep going. I hear the cat yelling at Uyrū about not touching it! I swear he does stupid crap and acts like he doesn't understand a word you say, then he demands you tell him everything, I think I will let uncle play with him after!
"What is with that human? Is he stupid or what? He was told before not to touch anything in here, has he been like this the entire time?"
"Yup, and he is getting on my nerves, he demands you tell him something he doesn't ask. He wouldn't last long around dad or you, come to think of it mom has got a short fuse anymore too."
He snorted, and we hear more yelling not to do it we keep going we then hear an explosion, Orihime squeals and says faster! So, I move faster so does uncle he said why are we going so slow? I grin, and we run full speed! We haven't been able to do this forever! we get to a door and it opens we step out to bright sunshine I set Orihime down. We look around Kirara moves back to my shoulder I cast my illusion on us, so nobody will see us.
"Why can't I see myself? Or either of you three?"
"Because my niece cast an illusion spell on us to keep people from seeing us, so keep it down till big mouth gets here."
"Hey uncle? Do you think Miroku or Sango are still here? Or grandpa or your mom? Think we could sniff them out later if they are?"
"I don't know, maybe we could but how long do they live here?"
"Gramps said human souls aren't immortal, but they are extended to about half of what a demon is or maybe less since I wouldn't give him an exact life span, he was a little miffed since I wouldn't."
"Keh, figures he seemed the nosey type, must be where you and your mom get it, Ow! Hey careful that was my nipple, how your brothers ever get away with teasing you I will never know."
"They don't, they learned to not play or make fun of my ears, I still want an answer why I have puppy ears and they don't! Not that I have anything against them, Shippo likes to nuzzle them. Is it my imagination or did they lay down and take a nap?"
"Keh, I think so. There is a nice tree over there how about we sit in the shade?"
So, we go over and I drag Orihime along once we get there we climb up and relax, well try to! Getting all the nervous energy from Orihime was getting to us, so I let her sit on the ground. We were dozing, when she squeaked, and I look to see them all tumble out the opening, we chuckle at them all tangled up together. We watch them fight a giant then shoved back out the door, I make my way back over and reattach the giants arm and heal him I nod to him he nods back.
"So how long before he remembers he can run on air?"
"Keh, I say tomorrow tops, we could just ditch them go grab the girl and be back before they know."
"Well where is the fun in that uncle? I figure they make lots of noise get them stirred up and have some fun then, but I still want to sniff around before we leave, everything smells so much better here!"
"You got that right, since the humans have advanced everything stinks, it was a major shock to the nose when I came back with your mom a few times, god I about wretched my guts out the first time."
"And yet your love of ramen has never left you."
I snicker at his mm sound, we follow the group to bar type thing? We sit outside, I lift most of the illusion from us. Then some weird guys come riding up on huge boars, they must think riding them is like riding hogs get it? Uncle smirked at my joke then Ichigo come barreling out with one fighting.
"Hey, we got a free show, where is the snacks?"
I go inside and cook us some grub while everyone is watching the fight, I take our plates and drinks out and sit by uncle and eat I had a plate for Kirara too she was enjoying it also. When the plates are clean, uncle ran them back in to hide the fact we had ate anything, when an awful racket went off! The guys rode off saying he would be back tomorrow to finish the fight, from the looks of it Ichigo needs a nap!
"So, what is the plan stan? How are we getting in? where did cat girl go?"
"Cat girl? Are you sure? And how the hell did you beat us here so fast? We looked up and you were gone."
"Simple, we didn't stop to touch the sticky goo like we were told not to! Orihime yelled faster so we went full speed, and when we go fast we don't mess around. I thought my niece showed you in your training?"
"Nope, she was holding back on me, but I can see why she beat the crap out of me the entire two weeks, which was with me getting healed constantly. Why? Just how strong are you two?"
"Keh, we will soon find out, we don't have many fights any more, but we like to stay in top form, but if she was holding back still? Then you got more training to go to beat her."
"Dang how long till we get in there? Yoruichi said something about resting tonight then trying to get over the wall and thru the barrier."
"Well, come on uncle lets scope out this place and sniff out if any of our family could be here, we will be back after while Ichigo!"
We get up Kirara jumps to my shoulder I recast my illusion on us and we take off to the sky we get a good look to see how big it is, its massive so we go closer to the ground and run a grid pattern we do pick up a few demon scents. We are about to turn around when I catch an almost familiar scent, we move in closer and we find a community of Inu.
"Could we get that lucky uncle?"
"I doubt it, when have we ever got that lucky Aya? Plus, I am not sure what the western dog demon looks like. Plus, if like you said they age slower how old would my mother be?"
I finally ask if there was Inu no Taisho around they looked shocked I would be asking finally they point us to several rows over we go sniffing around. Inuyasha stops I look to where he is looking, to see a woman tackle him and he chokes out mom? I grin at them and giggle; she looks at me I drop the illusion covering my ears and tail and grin.
"Mom, this is my niece, my pain in the ass brother stole my girl and had pups two sets of twins, she is from the first set Aya this is my mom."
"My, aren't you beautiful, so any prospects for a mate for either of you?"
"Hardly, we are all now setup in our own regions now, the humans have spread so far and advanced till we have to stay hidden. Plus, I doubt I would get as lucky as my mom when they mated she became full demon like Rin did with uncle Inuyasha. Is grandpa around? I thought for sure he would be a soul reaper."
"Oh, he is around, he thought about joining but he was sick of fighting and we are just happy to be together again. Oh, that's right neither of you know what he looks like, well come along we will fix dinner and change that okay?"
We follow her to their house I see toys? Huh I had to ask if they could still have kids when their you know dead? She just laughed and yes of course me and Inuyasha look at each other we shrug, and I help fix dinner. Soon we hear some kids and a man come barging in three kids from about ten to late teens and a very good looking man like dad. She introduces us, he picks me up hugging me and swings me around. I squeal like a little girl, yeah sue me!
Inuyasha gives a one arm man hug but that wasn't cutting it for grandpa he gave him a bear hug, or dog hug. Anyway, we sit down and enjoy our meal, I get to meet three more uncles and I am older than two of them! We talk about how things are back in the living world, Inuyasha shows pictures of his pups and of the rest of us.
"Your mother is beautiful, with blue eyes before she was changed, it's a shame you didn't get them or her hair. But we always have white to silver hair, you could find you a mate here we put up a barrier to keep the hollows out. And as you can see? Most of us have our zanpakutō already! Though with the barrier they don't feel us unless they come into the barrier with us."
"Yeah, I noticed that there are some crappy living areas, its worse or close to the era I was born in, only more crowded. I got mine by accident, mom has a dad ex soul reaper. I guess you can actually pass it down to the next generation, among other things!"
"Yeah, let's not talk about that! My sweet little niece, I don't want to deal with that issue ever again. You think after our rescue mission is over we could bring the family to meet everyone?"
"I doubt it, they say the living are not supposed to know about this place! Or soul reapers or hollows. Just more secrets and lies and power hungry assholes controlling everything, like usual."
"Well, I am glad to see I am rubbing off on you, I bet your mom loves it!"
We laugh and talk about our screwed up lives over the past 500 years, we meet more relatives I finally ask why I ended up with puppy ears and my brothers didn't. I didn't like my answer, girls get them to make them look more desirable to the boys! Yeah right like they are that picky! They aren't looking that high up! Hell, they can't even make it up to your eyes most of the time. He cracked up when I voiced my opinion, and said I was funny and to never change, I grin and say wasn't planning on it.
We say our goodnight and would try to see them again before we leave, we take off again, I catch a scent and I dive for her, I find Ichigo's mom! She is living on the street? So, I scoop her up and plan on delivering her. She squeaks as we take off again we come back to the um, bar? Or whatever it is.
"Hey Ichigo? I found somebody you might like to see."
"Why are you singing like you know something I don't? did you find cat girl? Mom? How did she find you? Do you remember me? I am sorry I got you killed can you ever forgive me?"
We walk away from the reunion and climb the tree I snuggle into uncle Inuyasha arms and doze off lightly, still aware of what was going on.
When we hear the plan the next morning? I couldn't help but bust up laughing! Uncle just asked if they were stupid. I show running up the wall and look back down, I hear Ichigo ask why they didn't think of that? I snort at them and hop down and grab Orihime, Uncle grabs Chad and stick Mr. grump with Ichigo.
I cast illusion and shield to pass thru the barrier with ease and not set off any alarms, we get to the other side and we book it across the maze of buildings.
"Uh guys I think we have been discovered, how did they we are invisible right?"
"Yes, and I didn't keep us shielded so your broadcasting your massive power as we fly over these buildings so anyone can follow us and see there is nothing. That will be your next homework assignment to suppress your energy to as low as you can and still function,"
"With the group following. We also have your friend from yesterday, they just shot into the air and broke thru the barrier. So, we will have to fight soon either way."
"I say we keep going they know we are going to Rukia, so let's just go straight on, that way we can trip them up and change direction when you guys sense a trap coming."
We agree and take off again we get halfway there, and I stop us, and we go left several blocks then I shield us then we resume our course. I must have really thrown them off because they all went in the direction we were going.
"Man, how big is this district? And if this is all soul reapers? Why are they slacking in doing their jobs?"
"I couldn't agree more, how many have you taken care of when you got into town Aya?" Ichigo asked looking puzzled.
"I lost count around 150 and that was in three weeks' time, which was on the west side up to the north so half of the city that you hardly ever get to. How they expect a high school student to do a fulltime job is beyond me!"
"I agree, oh guys we got that trap coming I see quite the crowd, should we split up?"
"If you would like, we follow your orders boss."
"You are enjoying this to much, fine Orihime and Chad then Inuyasha with Uyrū then Aya you're with me!"
"You forgot cat girl, and good luck everyone! Uncle try not to kill the demanding twerp, beat the crap out of him if you think he needs it."
"Keh, I aint making any kind of promises, be careful Aya, wait what am I talking about? Your more than likely to pick up the good fights! I say we split into two, I go with you two, and the other three can stick together, they know how each other fights."
Ichigo sighs and agrees so we split up we come across a bald guy, I can already hear uncle teasing him about it, then we hear several fights in three different directions. I sit and watch Ichigo fight! The seated soul reaper is having difficulty landing any kind of hit, he finally gives in and goes to Bankai! Ichigo doesn't even bother and beats cue ball into the ground.
"How the hell did you get so damned strong!"
"See the hot girl with the doggy ears and fluffy white tail? She beat the crap out of me for two weeks straight and still held back. That is how, she pushed me beyond my limits many, many times."
"You're lucky carrot top! Did she get you to Bankai at least?"
"Yup couple days ago! See ya cue ball!"
We chuckle as we walk up, I bend down and heal his injuries, then vanish hearing him scream to get back and train him too damnit! We get away from him only to bump into a freaky looking crazy guy! With hair that looked like several giant star fish stuck to his head? Oh yes, this guy is nuts! I sit in the shade and fire a lightning bolt at him every now and then. He enjoyed it then a little girl with pink hair jumped up and started playing with my ears!
"Ooh your pretty! Are you a puppy or kitty? Are you watching Kenny or the orange guy?"
"Both and I am a dog girl so careful they are real, and I would like to keep them where they are at. So, Kenny likes to fight huh?"
"Oh yes he has all kinds of fun looking for the best fighters, I can't believe that Ichigo is lasting this long, did you train him?"
"Yup, someone had to, he was waving his sword around like a noob when I first saw him fight, it was funny."
We watch as Ichigo finally had to go to Bankai surprising Kenny, just for a second and a wild glint in his eye. Yup he is nuts, uncle laughs when they knock each other out! So, we gather him up, wave by to the little pink haired girl. She yelled that she can't wait for us to play again! Cute kid! I was half way tempted to keep her! We get a good distance away when Renji shows up, well he must do a double take when he saw me then Inuyasha, yup I can hear the insults forming now.
"So, what are you? I have to say I like the cute ears and fluffy white tail, who is your boyfriend?"
"Why thank you! I am glad you like the look it has been with me for 500 years, and this is my uncle Inuyasha he isn't a soul reaper, but neither am I officially anyway. So, who would you like to fight? I can wake Ichigo up if you like? You would have a better chance with him, than me or my uncle. He gets carried away like Kenny who Ichigo just knocked out!"
"WHAT? How the hell did he knock him out? Well now I got to see for myself wake him up!"
He just got growled at by us both! He jumped a little, I heal Ichigo then wake him up, he looks around then sees Renji standing there! He jumps, and they begin the insults! I holler when he tries to include me! So, I shoot him with a lightning bolt; he jumped to see my scowl, and Inuyasha laughing his ass off.
"You can talk trash all you want, but you include me I will retaliate! Either shoot you or tackle and punch you into the ground, now if you were just lightly teasing I would just tease you back, got it!"
"Uh yeah got it, wow where did you get that temper?"
"She got it from both sides, and she acts on what she feels is right, kind of like how this execution is totally bogus and stupid."
"I agree but if we question the laws then, where will we be?"
"Uncle there are 30 heading this way you want to play that game we would do to irritate and embarrass the assholes?"
"Now your talking Aya, how long?"
"Oh, two minutes tops shall we be invisible for this or let them see us coming?"
He grins we stand up and wait for them Ichigo and Renji begin fighting again, they come around the corner, surround the two of us, while trying to watch the fight! We look at each other and smirk, then we are off! We remove their swords, then all clothes except undies unless they were going commando! There were a few that did! Eww gross they need to man scape that stuff!
We hide their stuff, I toss a permanent marker to Inuyasha, and we doodle mustaches, glasses, make some look like Groucho Marx! Then others we write lude messages on their foreheads chest and back. I then use a trick I learned from both Shippo and Miroku I draw out an illusion sutra only it will not stop until they can wash off the ink. With this set of illusions, they will look like incredibly beautiful women, or who they are thinking of or desire most, its where the fun is at! They will keep changing! I get the naked ones and a few others that look like pervs.
"What just happened? Where is all our stuff? And why are we naked, no why did I just change into Sui Fēng? She will kill me if she sees me like I can only picture her naked."
Said person comes around the corner they all look and there are 30 naked women all of her she chases them away threatening bodily harm when she gets them! We bust up laughing I am leaning on Inuyasha, I look over the other two are in the same situation. When we finally catch our breath, they begin fighting only for Ichigo to get the upper hand, and lay Renji out the last thing he whispered is save Rukia. Awe he loves her, well so much for flirting and getting serious with him! I walk over and begin healing when another group comes, Ichigo and Inuyasha takeoff I change my appearance to look like a human.
"You there! Which way did they go? Why are you not giving chase?"
"I stopped to heal Renji? Before going after them, but they went that way to the right."
"Right? Well then you two help her get him to the relief station! The rest follow me!"
We, well they put him on a stretcher and we speed off to barracks! 6th? We get there, and guess who is there? Stuck up jerk! I pull my emotions in and ignore him acting like a recruit. He tells them to put him in jail! he should be ashamed to let a pathetic weakling get the best of him! A guy by the name of Gin? Tells them he will contact squad 4 to meet us at the jail. Just as he is about to leave, he asked what division I was from? Oops. Think fast 13th or 7th court guard I will go with 7th, yup.
"I am new to the 7th court squad sir, I got separated when I came up to the last of the fight and moved in to heal uh him sir!"
"Throw her in with him also, you should always pursue your enemy!"
"What about looking out for our own? Shouldn't we at least make them stable enough to wait for the 4th squad? Sir."
"Hm, I will let you slide on this since your new, but never question my word ever again! But, yes I see your reasoning and it has merit. Very good but you will wait out in jail, I feel you would be in the way otherwise."
He speeds off and the others look disturbed, so I sow seeds of doubt, just a little hehe!
"Your captain doesn't seem concerned with any of your lives, why is that? You would think he would be happy someone was in time to save uh Renji was it?"
"Yeah, we are beginning to see this as well, first he goes after his sister to arrest her! Then he acts like he could careless about Renji? They have known each other for years! What a jerk, well come on we must take you to jail, at least you will be safe from his lordship the pain in the ass!"
They grumble all the way, and I hear several say its time for a transfer, they like and follow Renji just fine! But his stuck up jerk captain? Nope! We get there as they leave I try to sneak out when a huge paw grabs my shoulder, oh crap!
"I understand you claim to be in my squad? Funny, I don't remember you, when did you get transferred?"
"Uh, sorry captain but they pulled me out of the academy this morning to help chase these intruders, they gave me a choice which one, so I picked 7th squad I heard he was a great leader and didn't treat us as vermin! Unlike the 6th was apparently was true, sir!"
"Well, there is something about you, but I am afraid I can't go against captain Kuchiki or his orders, without just cause. Question, you good at healing? If you are? Why not go with division 4 the healing squads?"
"Oh, that? Well, uh they don't get to keep up with their fighting skills, being sidelined and all, so I figured I could keep my fighting skills up and still help heal others when I can. I would have finished Renji sir, but they stopped me, I just got him stable right then."
"Hm, well welcome to my squad uh what was your name again?"
"Isa Swan, sir! Sorry for causing trouble so early."
"Think nothing of it, he was impressed that you spoke up in defense of, not only healing Renji, but also pointing out we shouldn't leave anyone behind, he was miffed with you questioning him in front of his men."
He chuckles as he speeds off, wow he is fast! I wonder if he is as fast as me or a demon in general? They put me in the same cell I look around wow sparse and concrete slabs to sleep on? Wow the home cave all we need is some furs and a fire pit!
I go over and heal Renji fully, and restore his energy at the same time, then I sit on my slab, I see his zanpakutō is broke. I turn to see he is looking at me I grin he seems shocked to see me grin.
"I must say your captain is an insufferable jackass! Just because I stop to heal your wounds instead of chasing after them? Like a recruit would be any good if a second seat can't even beat them!"
"Healer coming in! stand back!"
He comes in and looks at me then moves to Renji and checks him over, and storms over, and yells; why did he waste his time coming here he is fine!
"Sorry, but maybe she did it, she was in the process of healing him when a squad showed up and took them both to captain Kuchiki. He said throw them both in jail for not fulfilling their duties."
"Well, what squad is she in? with talent like hers she should be in 4th squad with us."
"Nope, she just got pulled today and was assigned to 7th squad to help fill the search teams."
He grumbled as he left, I wait till they both are gone, and I snicker and look at Renji and smile, he smiles back a little hesitant. I guess I can play while I am in here hehe.
"So, what is a hot guy like you doing in here? Come here often?"
"Uh, no sorry what was your name again? You seem familiar somehow, like we have met somewhere."
"Keh, we probably did, this is a big place, I am Isa Swan just assigned to 7th squad this morning pulled early to help search. Then I ran up just as your fight ended they ran off I stopped to check your wounds. Then I began to heal you, I guess your squad came up and escorted us both to your jerk of a captain! He said I should have left you for dead and kept on with the chase, said if you lost to such trash you deserved to die."
"I am sorry he is harsh at times, but he is clear headed most of the time.'
"I snorted and said if he did that to all his men he wouldn't have no one left, that if you don't help to at least stabilize them for the 4th squad to show up, then why spend all this time training them? If you're not going to help them get better? Well something along those lines, so are you going to fix your zanpakutō?"
"I feel underserved of him, I failed! I don't see how he could get that powerful so quickly? Plus, he has sword skills better than mine, how did that happen? Who trained this kid? I want them to train me to!"
"Do you want training just to beat this kid? Or to better understand your zanpakutō? If power is all you're after your just as bad as Kenny."
"Wait, Kenny? I know someone else who called him that here today, but you look nothing like her, unless? Are you Aya? You have the same feeling of not being there, sorry I just want to beat my captain now, he will not do anything to save Rukia. Proof of it needed at the time and the fact he can do the job is clear enough! He always judges everyone before getting the whole picture, I hate that!"
"Do you want me to train you? I can train you like I did Ichigo, but you must listen to your inner voice, the voice of him."
Just then his zanpakutō formed of a baboon and waddles over and pokes him in the chest and has a heated argument, he stops by me and says beat the crap out of him like Ichigo maybe then he will learn!
"Why did he just tell you to beat the crap out of me like you did Ichigo?"
"Simple, I did just that for almost two whole weeks, only stopping for him to heal then I went back to beating him to a pulp. But I had to hold back a lot still at the end, but he improved vastly, as you saw. I am Aya. I didn't want to give my real name just yet, only to a select few. Plus, I knew your captain would try to kill me on the spot, again judging before the facts, almost like my dad but he has softened a bit over 500 years."
"500 years? Who or what are you? Wait dog ears and tail the tattoos on your face and arms, and you can hide everything about you! I thought your kind had been wiped out?"
"No, just the lower ones that were basically animals, unlike Kirara here. Hey sweetie no I am fine just chilling with Renji."
"She can understand you and you her? Wow there are so much we don't know about your kind, we thought you all killed humans and ate them."
"Yuck that's so gross! Yes, there were some that did, no if we kill one its because they are trying to invade our property or take our children when they see them if they see them. We guard them like the most expensive gem in the world. It takes us 100 years to reach our teen years, then our aging slows to almost nothing. In human terms I am right around 17 give or take a year."
"So, how did you get so good at fighting then?"
"Simple, my father is the western lord and he would not let us grow up without knowing how to fight! And use all our powers to suit his expectations, so what I did to Ichigo pales to our training."
"I have no way to top that, so shall we go find a good spot to train? I know of one underground."
"Crap, Ichigo just met your captain, well shall we go see if we need to pull his but out of the fire?"
He grins, and I open the door just pull and it broke, I grin he looks amazed we sneak out past anyone and make a beeline for Ichigo. What Renji didn't see was a duplicate of us laying on our back looking at the ceiling. Hey what can I say? I have good teachers!
We get there in time to see his move he tried on me but Ichigo blocked it then slashed his shirt completely surprising the stuck up captain! We snicker, Inuyasha comes over and raises an eyebrow, I shrug my shoulders and explain what the jerk did and said. Well that got him ready to fight the jerk too. There seems to be a line forming, four so far, I bet I can add a few more to the list before long, like grandpa! He would be irate with the captain, you don't leave a man behind! Ichigo got several good hits in even though he isn't in Bankai yet, but I know he will have issues with the jerks Bankai. How to defend against a million tiny blades that you couldn't block all of them? Without a strong shield that is, hmm I might get him down on his knees again yet.
"You know if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never had believed he could advance that quickly. So, after this we go train?"
"Yup, I think Ichigo might need to work on his some more, I felt Kenny rage at being beat by a no body after we left him. I know he wears that eyepatch to limit his power, plus he switches to holding the sword correctly which also gives him more control, so yes he could do with some extra work."
"Oh, look they finally released their zanpakutō ooh pretty pink flowers! Before that question comes out of your mouth? Mine is an electrical dragon with also a massive fire attack."
"Wow I had no idea you had advanced that far to know more special attacks, are they finishing moves?"
"Let me put it to you this way, if she is using it run far away because it will be getting to hot to stick around. I am proud of my niece she can now put her dad on his ass without trying, he just chuckles at her then they hug and go have tea."
"I hope to see some of these attacks someday, so were you serious about going out sometime?"
"Sure, but only as friends, sorry but I can see where your heart rests, and when we get her out of here? I will smack her till she quits looking at Ichigo, when Orihime is looking at him the same way."
"That would make sense and you are right, I should try to get her to see me we have known each other since we were kids."
"Well time to step in, or I will kill your captain if he tries to kill Ichigo again!"
We all move forward Renji blocks his attack and begins his fight while I heal Ichigo, its not as bad I had thought, he is just tired is all. When I finish Yoruichi comes and drags him away and said to follow when Renji is beat, I grin, yup she knows how it will end too.
It doesn't take long to break his sword, I still find it hard to believe he hasn't hit Bankai yet, I move and knock the captain out add a couple kicks to the ole groin and to the ribs, good enough I haul Rengi away with his sword. I follow the scent to a trap door. I open and vanish inside, I then begin healing his wounds. Then I let him rest for a little bit to find out the game plan.
"So, miss kitty or would you rather I call you Sango?"
"You knew? How did you? When did you figure it out? I have missed you guys so much, how has my family done over the centuries?"
"They did great, except for starting the Quincy line, we stayed away after that but watched from a distance, your blood kin the one with the glasses? I want to punch sometimes. But everyone is good! Mom still misses you, but I always knew why Kirara wanted to come when I went to see gramps."
"I still can't believe it, I mean it didn't even register when he got married and used your last name. you will see Miroku also he almost made it to captain just as quickly as I did. But he went back to his flirting ways, so I said its over, he agreed to just be friends and that was that."
"So Ichigo is working with his zanpakutō? Good he needs it I will help Renji with his. Oh, he is awake! Good! I get to beat on someone else for a change!"
I walk away laughing, she chuckles as I get Renji away from everyone. And I explain why he hasn't reached Bankai, that is when he appears and agreed with what I said.
"I will not go easy on you, remember what Ichigo said? That fighting you was like nothing? Well you get to find out why get ready we only have a day if that to get you up to power."
"You think they will raise the execution to an earlier time?"
"I know they will, it's what I would do to pull us right into a trap."
I start off with Bankai he freaks out I tell him to listen to his Zanpakutō he will guide you to when your ready. Then it was full on fight, well he had to think that, we go for several hours I then call uncle over, two on one he agreed excitedly. After that he was able to summon his Bankai, I grin alright now its fun! We begin throwing energy waves and Hadō and Bakudō I even separated his sword in different shields and attacked him till he had to call his sword back and moved back into Bankai I grin and tell him good thinking.
"Why am I the only one sweating like a fat man at gym?"
"Why? Because we pushed you past your limits, its also why you should work out and run several miles every day, to build up your stamina. Then like right now? I want you to meditate! Go to your inner world and train with him. He will then be able to better improve your skills than trying to listen during combat, okay?"
"Thanks, I see why and how you could get him to Bankai so quickly, so our little secret? Good don't want everyone trying to kill each other."
We laugh as me and Inuyasha walk away for a nap, damn no trees so I curl up by some rocks Inuyasha holds me to his chest while I catch up on some sleep!