Nemu met the others for lunch. Rangiku had 101 shopping bags, Yachiru was too busy munching on a chocolate bar to pay attention, Soi Fon had gotten herself some more cat dolls and had visited the Urahara Shoten, Isane had just recently arrived, Kiyone had gotten into a fight with Sentaro on the phone for two hours, and Nanao was looking at her new bikini that Rangiku had bought for her against Nanao's will. They all looked somewhat happy. That is, except for Nemu.

She couldn't get her mind off the Quincy who had stopped her regular way of thinking so many times. He didn't care what he said about her father, but she could tell that he cared. She also knew, however, that he was most likely in love with Orihime. How could he not be? She sighed. Isane looked at her.

"What's wrong, Lieutenant Kurotsuchi?" she asked. Nemu smiled lightly, refusing to tell them what had happened.

"Nothing," she replied quietly.

"I bet it's that Quincy that you think about so much," Rangiku said knowingly. Nemu stiffened a bit, but said nothing.

"It's vacation, you guys! We should be having fun!" Kiyone reminded them. They all nodded and headed off to a restaurant for lunch.

"Yummy!" Yachiru squealed, delighted with the noodles. Nanao pushed up her glasses, about ready to say something. Then she remembered that they were in fact on vacation, and should just loosen up. They found a table to sit in.

Nemu ate quietly. She turned her head when the door opened and Ichigo and his friends walked in. Her eyes widened slightly when Uryu walked in with them, looking a bit upset. She turned around, hoping that they hadn't seen her. She kept a close eye on them, though.

"Listen, Uryu, I don't know what's got you so upset, but I'm starving after killin' that Hollow," Ichigo said. Rukia and Orhime nodded. Chad gave his casual grunt. Nemu could hear them, and knew her face was getting redder by the moment.

"Yeah, Ishida-kun," Orihime agreed. Uryu smiled lightly and followed them. Nemu felt a bit angry. Had she said something like that, he probably wouldn't have cared, but when Orihime says it, the whole world must just turn around to listen. She sighed again. Nemu tried to finish her lunch as quickly as possible. She didn't want to have to talk to him. When she got up to leave, she ran straight into him. Just her luck... "Nemu-san!" Uryu exclaimed, helping her off the floor. "Look, I'm sorry about what I said... I shouldn't have said that about your father..." Uryu apologized.

Nemu felt her cheeks get redder. She looked up at him. Don't make eye contact, Nemu... she tried to remind herself. To no avail. She stared straight into his blue eyes. His eyes match the whole "Quincy" look... she thought. "You shouldn't worry about it."

"Yes. I should. I was wrong. Maybe your dad would care if you blew up," he argued. Perhaps he shouldn't have said "Maybe" or "blew up."

"Oh. So he would only care if I blew up?" she asked, a bit offended.

"No. What I meant was, maybe he is a good dad," Uryu said.

"No. I should be the sorry one. You were just trying to help," she said, changing the subject.

"No. It was my fault."

"No. My fault."

"My. Fault."

"MY. FAULT."

"My fault!"

"MY FAULT!"

Eventually, they were fighting over who was wrong. Finally Uryu spoke. "Okay, it was your fault," he gave in, hoping it would help.

"So now it's my fault?"

"No. I just thought that you wanted it to be your fault..."

"Maybe it's your fault."

"I tried saying it was my fault."

"Not hard enough, apparently."

They both stared at each other for a while. Neither of them said anything. Ichigo's group and Yachiru's group watched in complete silence. Finally, Orihime stood up. "We should all just get along, guys!" she smiled kindly. Nemu looked over at Uryu. He had a light blush. Nemu cold feel her blood boil slightly.

"I'm leaving," she announced, walking out.

"Nemu-san!" Uryu tried calling after her.

Nemu walked quickly, tears stinging in her eyes. Why was she always the one walking the way? She knew that her father was cruel, but she couldn't stand someone telling her that. She knew that she loved him, but he loved Orihime. It was obvious. She couldn't run anymore. She knew he'd never forgive her, she didn't blame him. But she wouldn't let this be their last meeting.

Uryu walked home. He only tried to help, but he had said something stupid. He always did, which caused him and many others heartache. He couldn't do anything right, especially to help others. How could she forgive him? She wouldn't. He hoped that that would be their last encounter. He couldn't hurt her anymore.