A/N: SORRY FOR NO UPDATES IN A LONG TIME!

"I saw what you did back there… Not bad, Rukia. You've improved," he smirked, rubbing her head.

"Oh, shut up! I've defeated an Espada and the Exequias after I left from the under-under world!" she beamed, smiling enthusiastically.

"Oh, really? Which one?" he asked, fully interested.

"The Novena Espada, Aaroniero Arrurrurie." She gloated proudly.

Ashido turned his head a little. "Arrurrurie, eh? He's quite the manipulator, isn't he?" Ashido said flatly.

Rukia stepped back a little, quite surprised at the negative energy Ashido showed when she mentioned the Novena's name. How did he know him?

"So, Ashido… How do you know Aaroniero?" Rukia asked, trying to take some of a seemingly heavy burden off of his shoulders.

"Oh, I was here when Kaien Shiba's hollow was here. Arrurrurie pretended he was lost or something, and asked where the exit was. It turns out he was looking for some sort of mind-absorbing Hollow or something. He wasn't even an Espada yet… He did have a funny shape to his head."

Rukia nodded. She felt a little regret even mentioning the Kaien impersonator.

"Anyhow, I'm amazed you actually came back for me, Kuchiki. I thought you'd just forget about me." Ashido smiled warmly, trying to quickly change the subject.

"W-What? Why would I? I would never leave behind! I promised I'd bring you back, and I'm going to keep that promise!" Rukia said loudly, slightly offended.

"Woah, no need to get so defensive!... I just thought you were like the others, who wouldn't even think about returning to such a horrid place!" Ashido replied defensively.

"Well, have you ever asked for help?" she asked, quickly recomposing herself.

Ashido looked at the ground and shrugged. "No."

Rukia frowned. "Then why would you say they would come back?"

"It's obvious, Rukia. If anyone did care, they would have returned instead of leaving me."

Rukia was shocked. "Well, it's obvious I care, because I'm here, aren't I?"

Ashido glanced at Rukia, and shifted an eyebrow. He didn't say anything more.

A few moments passed, and nothing happened between the two. They just stood there, looking different directions, not interested in starting a conversation. Ashido was entertaining himself by drawing circles in the sand with his shoe, while Rukia was on the watch for a sign of some interesting Hollow to fight.

"So, I guess we should get going…" Ashido said finally.