A/N: I don't know if anyone following this story is still interested, but I'm finally posting again and I'm determined to finish this soon. It's been a year since the last update (lol) but there's probably 2-4 chapters left.

Seto's duel disk shook and melted, reforming itself with speed and clouds of musty, thick purple moisture molding itself into the material. Seto could only watch as rings formed around his arm, squeezing it, and the silver disk he once used turned dark grey and pointed all around his forearm, like a weapon. It was heavy like metal, not plastic, and had multiple glowing slots with which to put cards. The card he summoned was there, and it formed into the blue-eyes hologram. It was magnificent no matter how many times Seto saw it. But then it started glitching, the particles fading in and out and becoming discolored. In a panic, he removed the card.

Seto looked at the disk from all angles. It was an entirely new object and very tight. He tried to wrestle it off with his bandaged arm and shook it as hard as he could. He sat down and started forcing it off with his foot.

"Get off!" said Seto, With that, the braces retracted and the disk fell off.

Seto hadn't seen anything like it, but with all the crazy things that were happening around him, he accepted it easily. The new design of his creation had a threatening, sharp image which was suitable to him. Without a second thought, he put making more of them on his to-do list. The list he'd do after he got rid of Tsuki for how they harmed him. And after he found a way to get an ice dragon like Toshiro's Hyorinmaru.

Back at Toshiro's office, Rangiku was filling out papers alongside Toshiro, whose eyebrows were scrunched at a particular page.

"Milk and honey, milk and honey, milk and honey," Seto heard him whisper under his breath.

While he was distracted, Seto stashed his duel disk in a corner. Toshiro didn't need to see it as it was Seto's to deal with until he figured out how it worked and how to fix it. He didn't want to show an incomplete project to anyone.

The disk that Rangiku had retrieved from Japan was still there on the floor, still in its original shape. It was probably because it hadn't been infected with the purple stuff.

Seto didn't know what he was going to do with the new object yet, but he did know that Hyorinmaru was still sealed in the sword on Toshiro's back. That's what he needed. If he could only take it back with him and replicate it.

The clock was ticking as Seto watched for an opportunity to take it. Hours went by, and Rangiku left and came back doing various missions. Death gods stopped by to talk to Toshiro who remained in his seat.

"Captain, is it just me or is it really heavy in here," said Rangiku.

Toshiro broke from his concentrated position.

"You're right, it does feel weird in here. Like an oppressive reaitsu, but I don't recognize it," said Toshiro.

"That death god, Tsuki, it feels similar to them," said Rangiku.

"But not the same," said Toshiro. He sighed, ruffling through his work. "I don't know if I'll be able to figure this out tonight."

Rangiku looked like her brain was about to explode. She eyed Seto.

"C'mon, let's take a walk," said Rangiku.

"I'm fine right here," said Seto.

Rangiku was stronger and pulled him outside with protest. The last bit of light was twinkling out, and it was chilly.

"Quit pushing me around. If we were in Japan, you'd be a mere peasant who'd never get anywhere in life," said Seto.

"Ah, but we're in Soul Society," said Rangiku, smirking.

Seto was fuming, but just crossed his arms.

"What are we doing out here?" said Seto.

Rangiku slowed to a stop. "I need a break from all the chaos and clear my head. I may seem like I don't have a care in the world but even I think deeply about things. And this situation with Tsuki, it's a mess. Captain is stressed out and sometimes it feels like there's nothing I can do to help him. He burdens himself to take care of everything."

"There's nothing wrong with living like that. I retain the responsibility of my company by myself. I test new cards, make creative decisions, and control all my employees to name a few, and it's gotten me a long way," said Seto. "If Toshiro wants to be successful, he's doing well."

"There are battles you have to fight yourself, but it shows a lack of responsibility to the problem if you don't care how well it gets solved and only that you're the one solving it," said Rangiku. "Having support is a good thing."

"Things work out the best for me if I'm the one taking care of them since I'm the only one capable of doing them well," said Seto.

"Wow, tough guy, let's see how well you can drink sake," said Rangiku.

After Rangiku dragged Seto off to drink, he found an opportunity when her attention was off him to sneak back to the office without touching a drop of sake, where Toshiro was asleep.

Seto licked his lips. His chance was finally there. He stepped noiselessly around the stacks of papers and around to Toshiro's side near the window. Up close, he saw he had a small frown, and his hair was extremely thick, almost as much as Yugi's. From his serious expression even during sleep, Seto concluded that he was a trustworthy guy, smart and hardworking, and who even shared his passion for dragons.

Seto reached for Toshiro's zanpakuto on his back. It was cold. He tugged at it, and let go when Toshiro moved his head. A few moments later Seto confirmed he was still asleep.

Slowly, Seto retrieved the entire sword from its pouch. His heart pounded as he left. He found a secluded area somewhere outside and checked that it was empty of death gods.

"Sit upon the frozen heavens, Hyorinmaru!" said Seto, holding it in front of him.

Nothing.

Seto repeated the phrase to no avail. Frustrated, he threw it to the ground. Why would it work for Toshiro and not him? It was the same sentence, but nothing glowed around him while he said it. It must've been magic that unlocked Hyorinmaru's ability. If that were the case, Seto would find out how to use magic no matter the cost.

"A zanpakuto can only be released by its owner. They're specialized," said Toshiro from behind him.

Seto turned.

"How did you find me?" said Seto.

"I woke up the moment you tried to take Hyornimaru. Now I see what you were trying to do. I knew I couldn't trust you," said Toshiro. Pure anger spilled from his glowing eyes.

Seto stepped back. "I had to try it out for myself. This item would prove very useful to me."

"Yeah, you're just a thief," said Toshiro.

Toshiro threw Seto's duel disk at his feet.

"I saw this transform earlier. What are you hiding from me?" said Toshiro.

"It's my property. I decide what happens to it. You don't," said Seto.

"Hypocrite," said Toshiro. "And you're probably working with Tsuki. Milk and honey, huh? Zanpakuto and duel disks. What are you planning?"

"Although I could pull off any scheme I want to, I have no interest in tearing apart Soul Society," said Seto.

Toshiro picked up Hyorinmaru. "I don't believe you."

Seto took his duel disk while Toshiro began to glow blue.

"Sit upon the frozen heavens, Hyorinmaru!"