Mai was extremely taken with the Soul Society. Kei believed she really didn't remember much of it seeing as how she must have been really young when she left. Mai also knew the difference between the world of the living and the world of spirits. They could still sense her spirit energy, but she had lessened it what seemed naturally.

"You live here?" she asked with a large smile on her face.

Kei looked around the Soul Society and suddenly realized she no longer did. This wasn't her home anymore. Although her life was spared at the moment she didn't know how long that would last. She could be sentenced to death at any point or exiled. Kei didn't answer Mai, but they walked into her barracks.

The shinigami in the corridors stopped and stared at their former Captain. Some saluted her with great honor while others shied away from her gaze. But Kei didn't falter or shy away from them. She walked down that corridor like she had done so many times before as a Captain.

But now as she walked down the corridor it wasn't pride or honor that kept her head high, but numbness. She knew before she would have avoided all of them, but she no longer cared anymore what any of them thought.

Her past was full of holes and confused her more than what lived her inside of her. Who were they to judge what she had become? Who were they to judge what she had gone through? They didn't know. NONE OF THEM KNOW! They don't understand us, Mistress. A sinister voice inside of her head began to talk and she could feel the rage building inside of her.

"Don't let her get to you…" she heard a childish voice in her ear. Kei turned her head to see Mai smiling widely at her. And instantly Kei's inner hollow had disappeared. She suddenly felt an overwhelming feeling of calmness wash over her and she smiled at the young girl on her shoulder. There's obviously something more to Mai…a lot more.

"Captain Reiykuu!!" Izuru came sprinting down the corridor and immediately bowed in front of her.

Kei smiled warmly and placed a hand on the man's shoulder, "There's no need to bow Izuru. I'm no longer your Captain. As of right now I am relieving myself of duty and you are now acting Captain of Squad 3."

"But Captain…I mean Kei…"

"No more Izuru. You are now in charge. I have no place to direct you orders. Take care of Squad 3 for me."

"Yes! Of course!" he almost shouted.

"Can you do me one last favor, Izuru?" she asked.

"Anything!"

"Can you have my things taken from my quarters in this barracks and placed in my former room in the barracks of Squad 11?"

He nodded quickly and dispatched two nearly shinigami to collect her things.

"Kei…" started Soifon, "General Yamamoto will want to see you now."

Kei nodded and they headed in the direction of the Captain's office and quarters. He was sitting behind his massive desk his hands resting comfortably on his staff. He smiled calmly as Kei entered with the others.

"If you have brought Mai back I am guessing than you had a talk with Master Ko?"

Kei nodded, "I did."

"What would you like to know about your father?"

"Was he loved?"

"Extremely well loved, Kei just as you are."

Kei nodded with a smile, "What has the council decided?" her tone turned serious.

"Your life will be spared. I told them all that occurred and they have agreed you can not be found guilty of something you did not will upon yourself, but…" he paused, "You are no longer a Captain…"

"I have already relieved myself of the title…"

He nodded, "You are to be a shinigami representative though. And you are allowed to live here in the Soul Society. I'm sure Captain Zaraki has already offered you your old room back," he looked to the massive Captain who smiled widely, "I am correct."

General Yamamoto stood and by now Mai was standing next to Kei with one hand clutching Kei's haori tightly.

"Now Mai," he looked down at the young girl, "That was an interesting trick of yours that you managed to pull not too long ago."

Mai smiled widely at him.

"General, what exactly is so special about Mai? Master Ko just told me she had unusually powerful spirit energy for such a young child."

"I guess he left the rest of the explaining up to me," he sighed, "Mai here is an extremely gifted young girl. Her spirit energy is indeed way above normal making her extremely powerful, but she is not exactly aware of how to control it," he looked down at Mai, "She was staying with a local family here when she ventured very easily through the gate into the world of the living."

General Yamamoto looked to Kei, "Tell me did she sense when your inner hollow was coming out?"

Kei nodded in surprise.

"Another talent of hers I'm guessing. She's very perceptual to others persons inner spirit energy."

"Excuse me?" asked Kei.

"All shinigami have spirit reserves that we call upon when in desperate situations. Yours has now manifested itself with your inner hollow. Mai here acts as a calming affect to that. She's the foil to your hollow be thankful you have her. She will help you control that monster inside of you."

"Excuse me General Yamamoto, but Mai has a strong resemblance to the arrancar Nel," stated Renji, "Not necessarily in spirit energy, but in other ways…"

"I've heard of this Nel before," the old man paused, "She's actually a full grown woman who resorts back to a child when intimidated or frightened?"

"Something along those lines…" he replied.

"Hmm….that's interesting. We were having both Mayuri and Retsu looking at Mai and they both found her very intriguing, and they both said there was something about Mai here they just couldn't put their finger on," he laid a massive hand on her head, "She disappeared before we could figure it out."

Mai laughed and hid behind Kei playfully, "You and Mai are both special in your own different ways and I'm sure as time goes on we'll figure out Mai's past and all her little mysteries, but in the mean time I know she will help you a great deal with your inner hollow."

Kei looked down at Mai and smiled widely, "Just think Kei she may even save your ass one day," laughed Ikkaku before Kei kicked him in the face leaving him stunned and with blood pouring out of his nose.

"Shut it, idiot…" she muttered.

"Ha…ha…ha I was just kidding!" he cried cupping his face.