He was someone she hadn't expected to see again. He wasn't normal after all. Then again, nothing about the day was normal. For one, she'd been sent to the world of the living, on her own. Not that she objected. But her mission wasn't a clear one and she'd had her doubts that it was a mission at all. In fact, it felt more like the Head Captain was trying to get her out of the way. She'd admit that, as of late, she'd been a little distracted. Soi Fon's eyes scanned the world around her. It must be nice, to walk the streets with no idea of the dangers around. The red, Don't Walk, sign flashed and Soi Fon stopped, watching it. Why was she so distracted? It wasn't like her. Even Lady Yoruichi couldn't figure it out and she knew just about everything. The sigh was unbidden but it came anyway. She was hot. That was for sure. The weather was only affecting her mood. But she was almost to her destination. A towering hotel with a café on one of its upper floors so that patrons could enjoy a sky view. It was a few more steps and then an elevator ride. Which gave her ample time to think. Ever since the Forbidden Children incident, Soi Fon had been on a team centered on locating and retrieving the missing Children. Ros had also joined said team, having secured her once lost position. It was because of Ros that Soi Fon was here today instead of the victim of the Hollow that had once been Nami. Apparently, one by one, the Children were abandoning each other when they Hollowfied, which apparently Nami had already been when Father found her. Soi Fon shook thoughts of the past from her head and headed into the hotel, relishing in the A/C. Normally, she wouldn't waste her time in such a place but staying at Urahara's was out of the question. It was much too crowded. Which perfectly described the elevator. Soi Fon slipped in, glad that her gegai matched her usual slim figure and allowed her to fit into the small opening. Even before the doors closed, she regretted it as the idiots in the elevator began thrashing around. One of them, an extremely big guy, caught her off guard, knocking her into the railing. Her hip smacked into it painfully. Slowly, her hands closed into fists and she turned back to punch the guy into submission before he slammed into her again but when she did, she found someone between her and said idiot, his arm outstretched as he shielded her, glaring back at the idiot. Her eyes widened on just who that someone was.

"Watch it," he said to the idiot.

"Hey, little man, chill," the idiot said.

Soi Fon noticed that, despite his nonchalant tone, the man drifted away a bit, as did the entire elevator. Or so it felt. There was certainly more room around her and him. Slowly, his hand lowered and he gave her some more space."Adam," Soi Fon whispered.

He hadn't expected to see her. In fact, when she walked away, that was it for him. But he'd seen her in the elevator and he hadn't liked watching her and that block head, even though it had been the blockhead's fault. Which was why he'd stepped in. And why he was now trying to act nonchalant as he led her to a table. Some unspoken agreement had been made between them. He settled on a table in the back, where it was colder and he took the chair with his back to the café, letting her benefit from the view. She was the same. Well, not the same. She wasn't in her uniform, probably pressured by someone into wearing human clothes but she looked good in the black leggings and white sleeveless dress. Somehow, it suited her.

"What?' she asked, the faint blush across her nose amusing him instantly.

He shrugged.

"Nothing," he lied.

He had questions. But he wasn't going to ask them. She was not so….silent.

'Why are you here?" she demanded.

He smirked."Why are you here?"

Soi Fon glared at him.

"I was ordered here," she replied.

Whoa, he hadn't expected an answer! Impressive. Now it was his turn.

"I'm here, because I've got nowhere else to go," he admitted.

Jophiel had made it clear that there was no place for him left. Which was a nicer way of saying that he was unnecessary. Soi Fon was studying him, checking to see if he was lying. She knew there was more to the story but didn't press.

"Why didn't you go find Yami?" she asked. "She was your sister."

"Was. And that bridge is burnt. Besides, what use could she be?"

"She could help," Soi Fon went on.

"You never liked her this much before," Adam retorted.

"I still don't," she admitted. "But she-"

"Enough," he said, covering his ears.

"You're being childish," she scolded.

He grinned, sticking his tongue at her. Yep, childish. Soi Fon rested her face on her hand, studying him. Something was missing. It took her only a few seconds to guess what it was.

"Your guitar," she began, realization dawning on her.

He didn't speak, mind so obviously somewhere else.

"What happened?"

"I lost it," Adam said.

He was lying but his voice was dark enough that it discouraged her from asking any more questions. Luckily, the barista came over, interrupting the awkward silence. Soi Fon ordered for herself, still thinking of things she could ask him. Their relationship was built on the momentary distress that had hovered over the world of the living. Without that, there really was no reason for them to speak to each other.

"You're looking for the other Children, aren't you?" he asked all of a sudden.

He was treading dangerous waters.

"What do you know?" she asked.

Adam grinned.

"Not much. Except where they are."

He hadn't cared much about his "siblings". In fact, he didn't even want to know where they were. But he did. Of course, that didn't explain why he had told Soi Fon. Or even why he was following behind her, like a lost puppy, into the bowels of what was probably a den full of Hollows. After all, with the exception of himself, Yami and Ros, the other Children were either regular souls or Hollows. Didn't make any difference to him. He wasn't.

"I think I see them," Soi Fon reported.

Her hand was on Suzemebachi as she leaned forward a bit. She'd returned to her uniform, a fact Adam found more comfortable. Dresses didn't suit her. He joined her at her side, following her gaze. Sure enough, Kotaro was lying away from the others, already looking like he was very close being a Hollow.

"I almost want to go in," Adam remarked.

He caught her eye.

"Almost."

Soi Fon rolled her eyes, preparing to jump when he caught her upper arm.

"You're probably jumping into a pit of Hollows," he pointed out.

"It's my job," Soi Fon retorted.

She couldn't help her annoyance at him. She also couldn't explain it. It didn't come from the fact that he dared touch her. It was the puzzlement in her actions, as if he couldn't believe she was about to plunge into the unknown. Okay, not so much that. It was the feeling of him not believing enough in her to trust her to come out of said unknown. Adam slowly released her arm and then she was gone, leaping into the cavern. Afterwards, he didn't move. Not because he couldn't but because he was confused as to which way to go. If he left, if she didn't make it out, no one would know he had led her here. Hell, even if she made it back, he'd be so far gone at this point, no one would ever find him. Slowly, he stood. He wasn't a coward, he merely looked out for himself. Despite even his best reasoning, he couldn't leave. Instead, he stared into the abyss before giving a ragged sigh and leaping in.

She'd underestimated them. Kotaro was transitioning but the others were full-blown Hollows. They were so far gone, she didn't know which was which. All she knew was they were attacking and she started fighting. But there was only so much she could do despite all the advantages she had. One advantage they had over her was their obvious ability to see in the dark. But she wasn't the captain of the Punishment Force for nothing. As one of the Hollows went to swallow her, Soi Fon dodged, leaping on its head. Perhaps she could save herself the effort and use them to take each other out. It was working so far, she guessed, as she leapt off the first Hollow only to hear and half see another crush it. So far so good, she decided. Her own cockiness was probably where she went wrong. She was feeling so sure of herself, she failed to pay attention to Kotaro who seized her from behind. Somewhere in that moment, she dropped Suzemebachi. Nothing for her to panic over. The panic came when she realized she couldn't break the hold Kotaro had on her. And his former siblings were getting closer. Soi Fon clenched her teeth, going over a mental list of her options. Somehow, there was a way out of this hold. Just as she was beginning to grow a dear of the dark, the light came on. Literally. Light poured into the cavern, sending the Hollows reeling back into the shadows. Kotaro released her, scrambling into his own shadow.

"I just can't leave you alone, can I?"

Her head flew up as she stared at Adam who was slowly coming towards her. The light was emitting from him, she realized. His feet stirred up dust in the cavern as he landed beside her.

"How-" she began.

He held up one hand to silence her.

"Long story but it all began with my dream to be the world's first human flashlight."

His sarcasm was what drew her attention back to the fight at hand.

"You owe me an explanation," she said.

"Later," he sighed, letting her know it was a conversation he was not looking forward to.

She had no time for that though. Instead, she retrieved Suzumebachi, going after the nearest Hollows. It was much easier now that she could see them and now that they didn't retaliate for fear of exposing their eyes to the light. Within minutes, the two of them managed to eliminate them all. Now came the task of getting out of the cavern. Adam watched her as she puzzled over said task. It was an easy jump in. Not so easy getting out, so long as one didn't mind stabbing themselves on the large rocks jutting from the ceiling of the cavern.

"Do you have any idea how to get out?" she asked him.

"I have one," he admitted, his face telling her he wasn't proud.

"Well then what are you waiting for?" Soi Fon asked.

Adam shrugged, as if he had nothing to lose, before walking over and lifting her into his arms.

"What are you doing!?" Soi Fon cried in protest.

"What you told me to," he retorted, leaping into the air.

She expected them to fall back to the ground or even hit the rocks above as they swooped out. Instead, they flew out of the cave, rising into the sky above Karakura town. Her eyes went to the world below them before finding his face. His eyes were on her, the slate of them drawing her in. Without knowing why, she leaned close, pressing her lips to his. His surprise was evident because at that moment, he dropped her.

A/N:This is what I do at one in the morning. Instead of working on already started stories, I start new ones.