The day was hot, heat simmered in the air as I watched the familiar world of Roukongai district 78 pass by. The village was run down, fights occured too frequently to replace the housings- even if a person had that kind of money to spend. Every coin went to food and water, the only things anyone really needed around here.

"What an ugly and desolate place" Yumchika muttered looking around as we walked passed age old buildings, starving children, and thugs who were cooling themselves off in the shade. I mentally thanked the soutaichou that he'd permitted us to wear colored yukatas, instead of our normal black and white would have been boiling! I'd gone to Isane in order to find a yukata that was too big and in no condition to be worn around the Serretti. I'd paid for it, of course, then scrubbed dirt and on wove some of the threads of the sleeves and bottom. It felt terrible having to tear such a nice thing, but what other choice did I have?

"Is it always like this?" Ikkaku asked, rubbing a shoulder as he walked steadily forewords.

"Hai. It always had been." I replied, low enough that only the two men whole walked on either side of me could hear me. "tch. Even 80th district was better than this."

Looking around, I realized that that's why we hadn't been attacked yet. Coming from the most dangerous district, where it was either fight or die, Yumicika and Ikkaku carried themselves like warriors, the sheathed zanpaktos at their waists only added to that effect. Another mental thanks went to the soutaichou. Some thugs eyed us as we walked past and I tried to keep my head up and my shoulders straight. I don't think I so well but at the very least I didn't walk like someone who was trying desperately not to be seen.

"Walk like a victim and that's what you'll be." I hadn't meant to say it outloud but I did, and Ikkaku nodded. At Yumchika's confused look I quickly explained, "It was something someone once told me. A very long time ago" He nodded his understanding and we kept on walking. We walked through different villages of 78th district but came up with nothing. As we rested for the night in the woods, Ikkaku made dinner,consisting mostly of the warm pork buns we'd bought before coming here.

"I understand why we're here, but Ami- why you?" Yumchika asked suddenly. I looked up at him, my eyes momentarily wide from the shock of the rather sudden question. I looked down not wanting to tell them the truth.

-Ikkaku PoV-

Yumichika and I gazed steadily at Ami waiting for an answer.

"Well?" I demanded not liking the fact that she was hiding something from us. And something pretty important by the looks of it.

"Maybe, so that if you two were injured I could heal you" The lie was obvious, and I would have lept at her and demanded the complete truth if it hadn't been of Yumchika, who placed a hand on my wrist. He shook his head and I huffed. Standing I walked off needing to blow some steam. By the time I returned Ami was asleep.

"Why'd you stop me?" I growled glaring at Yumchika

"Hmp." he flicked his hair aside, " Isn't it obvious? We will find out sooner or later."

"Knowing now would be better." I insisted Yumchika sighed, " How unbeautiful of you Ikkaku." He met my glare with am even look, "We all have our secrets" I humphed and sat down.

Morning found us all asleep, and as I lazily opened my eyes and sheilded the from the sun, I sat up. Yumchika was sleeping a frown on his face, probably from sleeping on the ground. I let a low chuckle escape from my lips. Turning I looked at the healer girl, and let out a sigh. She too was frowning and had curled up into a ball.

"Oi, bakas!" I yelled, "Time to move" Tiredly the two scowled at me, "It can wait an hour Ikkaku" Yumichika said. Ami made a resigned face and stood. Tossing her a cold bun I began to walk off, knowing that Yumchika would follow and grumble about how his beauty sleep had been interrupted. Sure enough that's what happened. I don't know when it was but Ami silently began to lead the way. She did know this district better than either of us. "Shouldn't we be heading into town?" Yumchika inquired noting that we were heading deeper into the forest. "He won't be in town." She said quietly. I glanced at the healer and blinked, her face was pale and her hands trembbled. She was scared of this Sakiba guy. My approval of her went up another notch. She never seemed to complain, her healing powers were very good, and now- even though she was frightened Ami continued to push forward.

"Is his rep that bad?" I asked, feeling excited at the prospect of meeting a good opponent out here.

"No." She paused, "He's my father."

Yumchika and I both stopped and stared at her. Silently the girl pressed forwards through the underbrush and nearly disappeared through a cluster of trees. Running to catch up, I stumbled into a clearing. Ami stood silently in front of me, gazing at the ramshackle cabin that must've once been her home. Her long black hair hung just a little below the shoulders, kept in a tight braid, while her pale blue eyes gazed at the unfocused at the clearing.

A loud yell and a crash interrupted the silence. A man stumbled from around the back of the cabin, scowling at the cut on his hand. A gourd hung on his left side, while a sword hung at his right. Sakibe Daairu seemed to sense us and looked up from his bleeding hand. His face was gaunt, his bristles from not having shaved in some time only added to his drawn appearance. But it was his well muscled body, undisturbed by the long years drew my attention. He was strong and at that moment I felt my blood begin to warm. I met his gaze and the cold chill or wariness and excitement went down my spine. He had the eyes of a man who had killed and the trace of madness within those two black eyes showed he could and would kill again. His thin lips parted, in a cold and cruel smile, revealing broken and a few missing teeth.

"Well well, look at who's finally come back."