The woman could tell she had gotten though to him when he looked away with eyes filled with guilt.

She gave the man on the floor a shit-eating smile.

"So, here's what you're gonna do," She sat back on her rock, running her fingers over the skull. "You are going to go to the nearest armoury, and you're going to get me repaired no matter what the cost. You are going to start cleaning me after battles. Take Ikkaku with you."

Zaraki lifted his head.

"Why Ikkaku?" He asked.

"Because if i can't contact you, I know I can contact him."

The large man dropped his head to the ground again.

The corpse-strewn field shimmered before disappearing. The woman smiled, happy they had been replaced with grass and a river, although the river had large patches of blood in it.

"Much better." She sighed, breathing in the fresh air. "Heck, this is great. I haven't breathed this much fresh air since you were born."

Zaraki snorted, rising to his feet.

"What's your name, onna?" He gazed at her.

"Fuck no, I ain't telling you till I'm fixed!" She laughed, the sound cruel. "I'll only tell you then."

Zaraki faded away, and she felt him wake up.

The sword would be fixed.