There was a long minute where, if you looked at my mind, you would find a big, fat, nothing. While the silhouettes that were the Goatee 13 nodded and hummed in understanding, my brain was short-circuiting. No, not even that, it was fucking vanishing, evaporating into thin air an escaping out of my ears. Because apparently, I'm a Tupperware for a magic 8 ball. Yay me.

It took a minute or two but the tears did start welling up. My eyelashes started to feel heavy, and furiously brushed them away. I just wanna go home, I thought desperately. The tears I wiped off my cheeks were quickly replaced, despite my efforts to keep my face dry. I don't care anymore, I just wanna go home.

"We may be able to use her," a soft voice murmured.

"How?" This voice was judgmental, a scoff following his words.

A pause, before the first man continued. "The Arrancar are being created using the Hyogoku, correct?" He turned to Mayuri, who had taken a seat. The scientist nodded. "It stands to reason that if she can control the it, then she could possibly control the Arrancar with it. And if she can't do that, she could probably still defeat them with it somehow." A majority of the figures seemed to agree on a certain level, except for one who gave a loud snort.

It was the hulk-shadow-dude, who sneered at the prospect. I actually agreed with him. "That squirt? Fight? I doubt she could lift a sword, let alone wield it." Once again, a chorus of voices agreed.

"You can't exactly wield a sword either," someone griped. Laughter met the woman's jibe, whoever she was.

Hulk-man grunted.

My hands clenched into fists on my lap. I didn't know anything about these… Arrancar, whatever they were, but if the way these captains talked about them was any hint, then I would assume they are badass bad guys who would snap me in half like a toothpick. Which of course led me to believe that they had fought them before and failed miserably. Dear God, did they really think I could be a weapon?

Oh sweet baby Jesus, I'm going to die. If they pit me up against these guys, I'm a definite goner. There probably wouldn't even be any ashes to remember me by! I would be a scorch mark on the ground! I speck of blood on a wall! Nothing! Dead! Gone! Nada! Zip! I could see it now… just a tiny tombstone as my grave. Hichigo would turn into a criminal and end up in jail if I wasn't there to keep him in check. Tensa would be okay, though he would suffer from severe depression at my absence. And Ichigo… oh my god he would end up with Orihime! I can't let that- Oh wait, sorry, never mind.

Anyways, I'm a dancer. I don't know what they expect me to do against a bunch of hyped up dead guys. When I do a kick, it's to the beat of a hip-hop song, not to break someone's face. That's the boy's job.

"Her capabilities are only known to her maker," Mayuri stated, sounded a bit put out by that. "I would have known more, but someone interrupted my dissection."

Oh, no he didn't! I gave him my best glower, which he returned with equal force. Fuck you! I thought viciously. Let's dissect you and see what we can figure out, you sick minded creep! My message must have come across just clear, cause he gave me a disgusting leer. I flinched back into my chair, curling up into myself. Okay, he wins the death glare award. My eyes still stayed on his figure, transferring the roiling anger in my belly to my stare.

The earlier sadness and 'what the fuck oh my god' feelings from earlier where quickly being replaced by a familiar tingle of rage.

"Well, what about the others? Why where they taken?"

Good question, smart person.

"That's easy. Just think of what two Kurosaki's could do to the enemy." There was a long pause.

"That's a good point."

"I agree."

"Hm."

Someone, the woman from earlier, I believe (I was starting to get confused with all these voices), stated plainly, "Well, what about the others? Do we even know who they are?"

To my surprise, Toshiro's voice spoke up amongst the babble. "The white-haired one seems to be the alternate realities twin. I think it is safe to presume that he has the same capabilities as Kurosaki." A pause for the words to sink in. "Not to mention that all three have the same reiatsu signature. For that reason we grabbed the dark haired boy as well."

"That's impossible."

"All three having the same reiatsu signature? That's unheard of."

"They would have to be the same person for something like that to happen."

Another long pause where there was nothing but general noises of consent or disagreement. I frowned. What was with all the pauses? God dammit, they're pissing me off. I hate them. They bug me and do nothing for dramatic effect but make you want to stab your eyes out with a spoon.

"That aside, they are here now, and as Kenpachi stated, they appear to be competent fighters. However, how do we know that they won't betray us? How do we keep them under control?"

My expression quickly morphed into something of fear as thirteen pairs of eyes graced my form. I gulped.

"We use her."

I was about to explode into a whirlpool of angst and righteous fury (how dare they use me to use my boys!) when something slammed hard against the doors. I jumped in my seat, giving a squeak of surprise. Shouting and periodic thumps accentuated the sudden tension in the air. Captains looked to their commander for their orders, but Yamamoto looked unperturbed. In fact, he looked like he could use some tea. That fucker.

Bringing my knees to my chin, I turned in my seat so I could peer at the heavy double doors over the back of my chair. Was it the arrancars? Fuck! No no no no no, they can't be, everyone would be freaking out and shit. Hang on… they don't expect me to fight, do they? Aw hell no, I'll die! I'll be squished like a bug! Splat! There goes Kaede; she lived a very short life.

Before I could properly cower and plan my funeral (maybe Gran will put me in that purple dress I like) the door busted inwards, banging against the wall. Light streamed in, illuminating the room while simultaneously blinding me. A figure stood in the light, hands on his or her hips.

"Damn, ya'll were hard to find!"

Aw, hell no. I popped out from behind the chair's back, eyes wide (and still leaking those damn tears – no! Get back into my face! Stop it! I'll beat you!) as I took in the familiar figure. Despite my mental protests, the tears erupted into full on sobbing. I shit you know, it was the gross, runny nose, swollen eyes and oh-shit-I-can't-breathe sobs. But despite the tears blurring my vision and the general puffiness of my face, I could still see that stupid head of obnoxiously bright white hair.

Hichigo, the mystery door kicker, eyed me with obvious distaste. Tensa popped up over his shoulder.

"Ah, I thought my crying radar was going off."

A black-cloaked Soul Reaper flew into the room, screaming all the while. He fell to the floor and skidded on the tile before hitting the legs of my chair with a thump. I squeaked as the chair tilted precariously for a moment before settling. I stared at the body for a moment before poking it with a bare toe. Out cold.

"The fuck, Hichigo! Leave me with the clean up, why don't you," Ichigo snarled, walking in. He dusted off his hands and glared daggers at his twin, only to stop short when he saw me. "Ah, shit, she's crying."

"No shit, Sherlock."

"She's so ugly when she cries."

"My shirt will never be the same…"

"Maybe we should come back later."

Oh my God I'm going to shank those morons, I thought fondly. I wiped at my face and opened my mouth to tell them off for not coming sooner only to stop short. Some silent order had sent the lieutenants into motion; over half of them going to surround the boys while the remainders surrounded me. At Rangiku's stern stare I shut up, giving a meep and returning to the safety of my chair.

Captain Commander (whatever the fuck he is) cleared his throat in the newfound silence. "I thought that you had them detained in in your Division, Kenpachi." Maybe it was just me and my wishful thinking, but he seemed a bit amused.

Hulk-man (Ah! Now I know his name!) growled like an animal. "They were."

Hichigo, being the idiot he was, scoffed, and waved a hand through the air dismissively. "After all that boasting, your guys can't handle three kids? Sad, really," he drawled.

He didn't seem concerned with all the sharp, pointy objects. I, however, was. It was a concern that quadrupled when the familiar Red-haired lieutenant gripped my arm and dragged me from my safe haven.

I flailed. "Stop man-handling me!" I wailed. "I don't consent! There is no consent here! This is rape!" His response was a sharp pointy object pressing ominously against my bad. "Okay, just kidding," I laughed nervously. "You can man-handle me all you want. Heh…"

"Let her go," Tensa said, frowning at my rough treatment. Yes! Someone cares! Oh, I could kiss him again!

Oh. Again? Haha, where did that come from…

Either way, that's when this feeling spread through the room. I can't really describe it- it was almost like a pressure, a chill. The people around me whirled around, but I didn't dare move. Sharp pointy object, remember?

There was the screech of a chair as it was pushed back, followed by the familiar click of sandals. With each step the pressure grew, and I watched the havoc that it wreaked on the people around me. Sweat started to trickle down their faces and their limbs started to shake. The metal collar around my neck began to rattle and shake. I gasped as a needle slipped into the skin of my necks, and the familiar pain as fluid was forced into my body.

Bodies began to fall around me, leaving only myself standing. I wrapped my hands around my neck to keep my collar still, eyes wide as the needle didn't retract. It continued to pour formula into my blood. What in the world-?

"What insolence," Yamamoto tutted. He walked past me, his cane tapping the floor. I stood stock still in fear. I could practically see the aura radiating away from him. He was the cause of the pressure…? Is this his reiatsu? I didn't know much about that particular word, except that it was the inner power of all these soul reapers. If this was his power…

Those Arrancar must be some tough shit.

He approached the boys, who where on their hands and knees. They each in turn looked up at him with identical expressions of fear and anger. "Do you think," Yamamoto began, "that you are any match for me?" He stopped before me, and all I could do was stare at his massive back and wince at the pain in my neck. Imagine a never-ending flu shot. Yeah, I know. "You are lucky that I am in a forgiving mood."

I blanched. This was forgiving? My God, this man needs a psychiatrist.

The man continued. "Seeing how our meeting was… interrupted, I shall bring our proposal to you." He held his cane with both hands and stared them down. The pressure did not ease, something that must have been quite annoying to the gasping lieutenants at my feet.

"We are at war. Help us, and we will send you home." I blinked. That sounds pretty good to me, actually. Oh shit, Ichigo's has that look on his face, no, don't say it, no no no no no-

"Nah, not exactly the best offer. How about we go home now and not get involved in your shitfest?" I couldn't help but think fondly of him. What a moron. Me? No, I was talking about him… yeah, okay, maybe both of us.

Yamamoto stared him down for a few moments in a stare that could rival the heat of the sun. However, it was when he turned that stare to me that I realized something. As his gaze then switched to someone behind me, I could only think one thing.

"We use her."

And then something that was not a needle slipped into my throat. My eyes widened as a slash of something hot dripped down the hands that held my collar. I went to take a breath only to realize that I couldn't and suddenly I was drowning. I dropped to my knees, eyes locking with Ichigo's. For the first time in a long time I saw his eyes filled with terror. Terror at what his words had just inspired.

When I couldn't stay up right I fell to my side, where the side of my face and my hair quickly became drenched with blood. My blood. I tried to speak, desperate, terrified, but all that came out was gurgles.

"N…No!"

"Kaede!"

Through glazed eyes I watched as Ichigo lunged to his feet despite the overwhelming pressure. The pretty, black-haired Captain met him, a bloody blade pointed to his chest. Oh… so he's the one who-

And then I either died or passed out. To this day, I'm still not that sure.

Okay, maybe I am sure, seeing how I woke up in the hospital once again. Didn't I tell you that I couldn't handle pointy objects? Mother of all things pure, I must be a magnet or something, cause it seemed like every single damn day I was getting stabbed, cut, probed, or carved like a god damn thanksgiving turkey.

I opened my eyes, the smallest of moans escaping my parched lips. Opening my eyes I discovered that my boys surrounded me on all sides. Ichigo was on his back at the foot of my bed, snoozing quietly. His legs dangled off the side while his arms lay to either side of him, the one closest to me gripping the covers over my thighs. I could see Tensa's dark hair where he was sitting on the floor, also sleeping. I couldn't very well see his face, seeing how it was pressed into Ichigo's calf. Hichigo was resting his head on his arms, my hand held against his cheek like a teddy bear. Being the little shit he was he had stolen the only chair in the room and had dragged it to my bedside.

It would have been nice if he wasn't drooling.

"Ugh," I grumbled to myself, gently prying my hand away from him. I ignored his distressed groan and wiped the saliva on his shirt.

I rubbed at my scar absently as I tried to recall the last thing I remembered. I know that someone had essentially slit my throat open, as my aching throat decided to remind me. I had fallen to my knees, Ichigo pulled a Luke Skywalker, and then… nothing. I frowned at my lack of memories.

"Hey, Tensa," I whispered. If any of them could give me an accurate relay of what happened, it would be him. However, the teenager, despite being the lightest sleeper of our quartet, didn't budge. "Tensa," I said, a little louder. Nothing. I turned to awaken Ichigo, but then I noticed the bags under his eyes. Looking to Hichigo I noticed the same thing, and could only assume that Tensa looked similar. They haven't been sleeping, I realized suddenly.

Without any warning the door slid open. To my surprise Hanataro tiptoed in. He opened his mouth to greet me, but I put a finger to my lips, silencing him. "They're sleeping," I whispered dramatically, giving a small smile. It was only then I realized the quality of my speech was severely lacking. My smile melted off my face.

Hanataro, not noticing my sudden change in attitude, nodded understandingly and came to my bedside. He checked me over without a sound, somehow working around Hichigo's prone form

He finished quickly and left without a sound, a wave and a smile my parting gift. I mimicked his gesture before settling back against my pillows with a sigh. I didn't feel tired – just relaxed… an affect of the boy's presence, I was sure. Seeing them sleeping peacefully for the first time in who knows how long, I could only assume they felt the same.

Wary of the bandages that wrapped around my throat I slid down my bed. The researchers had finally finished the design on the bracelet, I guess, seeing how it was wrapped around my wrist and the familiar weight of my collar had vanished. I reached down with my left hand and intertwined my fingers with Ichigo's silently, smiling when he squeezed it tightly. I turned my face to his twin and sneaked my other hand to back into Hichigo's grip. He accepted the intrusion readily, pulling me slightly as he held it to him. I rested my forehead against his arm and sighed. I wasn't tired… really… I wasn't…

Brown eyes flickered open, watching without expression from the corner of his eyes. She was fast asleep, eyes shifting beneath their lids. The smallest of smiles graced her round face. How could she smile after all that had happened? He didn't know. He looked back up to the ceiling. Focusing on the warmth that radiated from their joined hands, his eyes drifted shut of their own accord. He just didn't know.

Hey guys c: Hope you liked this chapter! Well, the Quartet is reunited, Kaede can't handle pointy objects, and everyone got crushed by an old man. This chapter in a nutshell.

For the next chapter, I'll leave you guys with a bit of a spoiler. Kaede and Co. go to the Human World with the back up crew, and while there, Kaede has a little run in with her father. Dun dun duuuhhh! Anyways...

Chapter Question: What do you imagine Kaede looks like? I may or may not have described her, but I know that often times I imagine characters differently from how they are described. So I'm curious.

Review Responses

skyfire101; thanks! c: I hope you keep reading and I get a longer review from you sometime in the future!

Ninja99; Yes, that long gibberish word you used? That is my life. Hee hee, thank you! You just made my day. I'm so glad you like this story, this is why I am writing it, for you lovely reviewers. I'm curious to hear your answer to the chapter question :o See you next time!

RandomReader; It will come eventually. Kaede is the kind of person to shove everything into a corner and ignore it. And now that she has her boys back, that just kinda double bolts the 'OHEMGEE' doors. So something even more dramatic has to happen to break that damn lol. I love all those ideas, and that is what inspired that little POV swap at the very end. I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to use them - I'll try and see if I can fit them sneaking around Soul Society later. Pleeeaaasseee keep reviewing, you make life worth living you random reader you ;~;

DrAnime203; WE HAVE A NEW REVIEWER, YAY c: All the love ~ Anyway, thank you so much for reviewing my story, it really means a lot to me. And not to spoil it too much, but the next chapter is where a looot of shit goes down. Well, a portion of it.

Thanks for reading guys ;~; you are what keeps me going!

Lotsa love,

~Calloniel