Explaining how the diseased cat that had just died on the kitchen table had miraculously come back to life wasn't easy, but it was far from the hardest thing Edward had to deal with. He knew little of the attacks his captain and lieutenant had been investigating, but the culprits had taken a large interest in him. Edward was walking by the river alone after school, with his school bag shouldered awkwardly as he avoided his neckline. He'd been in another fight with a Hollow during school, and thankfully the cat (who had taken to calling himself Shujinku, being a bit of a narcissist) had arrived just in the nick of time.

"I don't think a cat was the best idea. How is he going to find me if I'm in trouble? I can't take a cat to school! I suppose I could hide him in my school bag…"

"Yeah, your school bag! That's a pretty cool idea! Might not work though, after all: cats need food!"

Edward flinched and spun around quickly, spotting a woman sitting cross legged on the ground. She was happily eating a rice ball, and smiling smugly. She was dressed in laboratory clothing and had strange glasses that glowed with a purple light.

"Afternoon! How are you? Care to join me?" she said, offering up a second rice ball.

"Who are you?!" Edward shouted, getting into a more ready stance. He was unsure if he should attempt Kido yet, since so far he'd only been able to do it in his soul form.

"Oh, excuse me! I hadn't introduced myself! Misao Natsume, at your service! Well, not at your service. I'm taken, you see!" she showed off a large diamond ring which glinted prettily in the sunlight, and glowed with a purple hue as well.

"And you're a scientist?" Edward asked, slowly sitting down with caution.

"Oh, no! I'm just the assistant! My husband's the brains in the relationship, I just provide… other skills." she cracked her knuckles proudly and adjusted her shirt slightly to reveal more of her ample cleavage.

"So why are you here? I doubt it's to offer me food, and how could you read my mind?! Or did I say that out loud…?" The woman giggled cutely, and began to answer the questions:

"No, I'm not here to offer you food- although, I make pretty good rice balls- yes, I can read your mind and you didn't say it out loud!" she answered, tapping her glowing purple glasses "Impressive, huh? My husband made them, he's a smart one!"

"You're not finished! Why are you here?" Edward said, munching on a rice ball (which in truth, were pretty good!).

"Oh yeah, of course. I'm here on a recruitment drive! For you specifically, though. In fact, only you, so the first bit was probably unnecessary. Oh, I'm rambling, aren't I?" she said with an embarrassed chuckle "You haven't met the rest of us, but we want you anyway! We think you're brilliant, if not misguided. I mean, you didn't get your powers normally, did you? No schooling, no death, you just popped up one day with them! Bit weird, isn't it? If this were a story, you'd been the writer were just lazy one!"

"You're rambling…" Edward mumbled, thinking over what she'd said. She was right, Edward's powers were strange, but he never gave it much thought.

"Confusing, isn't it? See, we're a good bunch, we are! We could easily help you find out where your power's came from. Maybe even why you have them! So, whaddya say? C'mon and join us; I'll make you more rice balls!"

"I still don't know who you are yet!" Edward cried, secretly considering the proposal. He was about to reply, when a cry was heard.

"Edward, get away from her! She's with the attackers!" Hitsugaya ran to fight Misao, as Matsumoto slapped Edward out of his body.

"Wait, you're behind the attacks; why didn't you say?!"

"Confidentiality, dear! Got to keep some secrets, haven't I?" she replied calmly, stepping up. Her hand reached behind her back "So Edward, your answer?"

"Hell no! I'd never join with criminals like you!"

"Oh, how righteous." She smirked. Misao suddenly bought her hand out, launching three tiny darts. Hitsugaya and Matsumoto managed to dodge them, but Edward was hit by two of them. As he faded in and out of consciousness, he saw the woman disappear and the Soul Reapers attempt to give chase.

He woke up in a tranquil garden, with a trickling pond and a small bench. Kneelt next to me was his Zanpakuto's spirit, smiling prettily.

"Hello Edward, it's been a while since we last spoke."

"Hello? Why am I here?" Edward asked, wearily pulling himself up
"Oh, you passed out. I thought it'd be a perfect time for us to speak!"

"How considerate… What d' you want to talk about, exactly?"

"The woman, the one you just met, she's trouble, and so are the rest of her group"

"Are you warning me?" Edward asked, following her to the seat by the pond

"Yes, it's inevitable that you'll meet again. It's my job to look after you!" she said with a chuckle, brushing a fallen bit of hair.

"You're a sword! It's your job to… cut things, I suppose!" Edward said rather rudely, not being one to enjoy being 'protected'

"Oh, I'm much more than that, Edward! If only you'd take the time to learn my name, I could show you my potential…"

"Then why don't you just tell me?"

"I have, Edward, I have. If only you'd listen!" Edward hesitated, before speaking again.

"What did she mean, the girl, when she said my power weren't normal?" The spirit's smile faltered, as if she were deep in thought.

"You're not… ready; at least, not yet. Don't worry, you're time will come. But first, try to learn my name, OK?" Edward tried to speak again, but felt himself being pulled away.

He awoke back home in bed, with a raging headache. Shujinku was sitting on the desk next to him, licking his paw nonchalantly.

"Oh, you're awake. Took you long enough; I had to deal with your sister! You owe me something for that!"

"Oh shut it, cat!" Edward snapped, rubbing his head in pain

"I've told you enough times, it's Shujinku!"

"Whatever, what happened to Tosh and Rangiku?"

"Oh, they dropped you and your body here and then left. Didn't even wave! Got a lovely view of Matsumoto though, very nice!"

"Oh, you pervert! And them! They left again!" Edward cried "Maybe Misao was right…"

From a distance, Misao was standing with Alexander on a rooftop.

"You did well, Natsume. He'll come around soon enough."

"Thank you, Alex, sir!"

"Oh please, don't call me sir!" Alexander said with a huff

"Shush now, no need to get angry. What now?"

"For now, we continue with the plan."

"And what about Edward?"

"Keep an eye on him, track his movements. We'll visit again when the time is right…"