Hitsugaya Toshiro ended up sleeping solidly for two days. Chopper was of course worried, but talking to Hyorinmaru revealed it was the dragon himself keeping his master asleep so as to fully recover from such a massive loss of Spirit Energy, and his perch atop the small figure let him keep the darkness at bay so as to allow him a peaceful sleep. Other than letting Chopper change the bandages and check the wounds, the dragon did not let anyone near and refused to move, though he did accept snacks brought to him by Chopper. Hyorinmaru was a rather picky eater, naturally fond of meat being a dragon but with a curious love for watermelon.

"My master is fond of it as well." He gave a small hurr as he spoke with the small healer. "He hates sweet things, but he has liked this fruit since before he knew of me."

"Hates sweet things? How come?" As a lover of all things sweet this revelation surprised the reindeer.

The dragon shifted in a way that could only suggest a shrug of his shoulders along with a small snort. Toshiro just didn't like anything sweet, there was no real explanation, just his odd preference. Same as the rare few people who didn't like chocolate, or perhaps those with a dislike for salty snacks.

Hyorinmaru didn't explain much for them besides these random odd tidbits now and then to Chopper, since the reindeer was the only one who could speak to him, so eventually they gave up trying. Things seemed to have calmed down among the Hearts as a couple of them boarded the Sunny, their ship just behind the Sunny as they sailed. Law was one of the few, along with Jean Bart and Bepo. Dextra was sitting with the bear, feeling better but still avoiding her Papa's gaze. Law at least looked rested again, if still more somber than usual.

Somewhere in the afternoon of the second day the door to Chopper's room opened and finally they saw not the reindeer but their white and black haired guest, teal eyes blinking a few times in the light of the sun before rubbing them drowsily. Hyorinmaru was once more perched on his shoulders.

"Hey Shiro, you're up!" Luffy waved to the small figure.

"Don't call me that." Toshiro snapped in a sleepy tone, awake enough to shoot a glare at the pirate.

"Right, right, sorry." The straw hat wearer just laughed.

"You seem to be doing better." Law kept a quieter tone since their guest seemed to be grumpy when first woken. Best not to risk any icicles thrown their way for something as silly as that.

Choosing not to reply at first, Toshiro looked around him, starting to realize they were out at sea and he was on the Sunny, as was Law and his crew. Looking a little more he spotted the submarine. Traveling together? They were allies, he supposed that made sense.

"It's definitely the best sleep I've had in a while." He finally responded, turning back to those below on the grassy deck.

"I would hope so, you slept for two days." Nami snickered.

Teal eyes widened and the Nobody couldn't help a slight drop of his jaw.

"Two… what!?" He was definitely not happy with THAT news. Hyorinmaru gave a rumble in his throat as he spoke only to his master that the rest was necessary, causing Toshiro to look his way accusingly. "Two days is hardly necessary Hyorinmaru!"

"He was just helping, it's alright, plus now your wound is all healed!" Chopper spoke up reassuringly, not wanting the pair to fight.

Curious, Toshiro looked at his bandage free shoulder, scarring over where the puncture had once been.

"You healed up pretty fast."

"Yeah… I did." Even with a Soul Reaper's vitality two days was definitely quick for a wound like that to heal all the way, he wondered if it had sped up in his forced sleep. He glanced at Hyorinmaru, and with a rumbled reply was given the answer he needed, sending a silent thanks back to his companion. "So… I guess we're going to the same place now?"

"Yup, figured it might be fun for a while to see what adventures you'll bring our way." Zoro responded with a confident smirk, already looking ready for the next big Heartless fight. His wounds had already healed as well, but he had less harmful ones anyway since he was fast enough to dodge and wasn't put into the same situation as Toshiro where he was forced to take a hit. It was the same for the others who had participated in a fight as well.

"Being hunted is hardly fun." Toshiro said to the swordsman with a grumble.

"Sure it is, that's half of being a pirate!" Luffy countered with a cheer.

"You're the only one who thinks that way!" Usopp snapped with a hard tap on his fellow pirate's head. Being rubber the harder than normal hit for disciplining someone did pretty much nothing to the young man.

Toshiro could only watch the Straw Hats for a moment as they broke off into their own conversations about Luffy's tendency to jump them all right into the first bit of danger he saw. Sanji took his leave into what the Nobody could only assume was the kitchen when delicious smells hit his nose after the door opened, causing his stomach to rumble much louder than it had before he'd gone to sleep for two days. To his relief, no one heard.

"I suppose with your dragon returned I can start trying to figure out how to fix you." Law's voice to his left gave him reason to turn away from the chaos of the young pirates. Like the others, Toshiro could tell immediately the surgeon was not at his best, but after remembering what happened back on the island he could hardly blame him and chose not to push the subject. There was still some suspicion for his interactions with Dextra… he would find time to ask about that soon.

"It will still be difficult… I'd rather you not mess around with Hyorinmaru just to see what happens." Toshiro responded warily. For good reason he kept hostility in his gaze for this conversation; he'd come too close to losing Hyorinmaru forever far too many times on his journey through worlds to blindly trust his Heartless to someone with the ability to rip hearts away.

"I understand, though I've already had some practice during that battle." Law accepted the mistrust and just kept a business-like tone. This wasn't just another Heartless to Toshiro, it was half his soul, he knew from the start he couldn't treat the dragon like any other experiment. "Mes alone won't work, the hearts vanish even if I hold onto them, since the physical body disappears without it."

Hyorinmaru gave an unpleasant rumble and the icy spikes down his back seemed to flare up like an upset cat. Vanishing like that definitely did not sound appealing.

"I've switched souls before as well, you can ask the fools down there, but switching isn't really what you two are looking for, and I don't know if it would even work properly." The surgeon continued, motioning with his head back to the rowdy crew below.

"You've switched them?" Toshiro raised a brow.

"It's a good confusion tactic, finding themselves in different bodies." Law gave a slight smirk. "It was before we became allies, I needed to buy some time so I switched a few of them around. I of course changed them back later, but it did what I needed it to do."

"I see… I agree though, I don't think switching us will change anything. You somehow need to transfer Hyorinmaru back to me."

"Which is going to take some thinking, and if you're willing, some observation."

Toshiro went into thought at the suggestion. Like with hospitals, he wasn't a fan of sitting still to be poked and prodded, especially when the one person he knew that loved doing that would have no problem hurting his dragon to figure things out. However, Law was not Kurotsuchi, he took care of his own and had enough morality to not use himself and Hyorinmaru as personal guinea pigs. Plus, with his unique ability, he had an advantage in figuring this problem out over the face-painted Captain of Squad Twelve. There was still a lot of risk, but until proven otherwise this was his only hope to return to normal and undo the damage Xemnas had done. If he was honest, it was probably the only hope he had to live.

"If it helps and isn't a risk to our already chaotic health, I don't mind." The Nobody finally relented.

The serious conversation was then interrupted as Luffy shot himself up to where they were, an arm hung over each of them with the young man's goofy grin in the middle. Considering the height difference between the two, he held an odd posture, but didn't seem to mind as he spoke cheerfully to the now grumpy pair. Hyorinmaru was the most upset, icy spikes flared up again as his perch was taken by a rubbery arm.

"Hey come on let's go eat! I'm starving!"

"You're always starving." Law grunted in annoyance, managing to shove the arm off his shoulders only for it to pop right back and wrap around.

"Not to mention you don't seem to leave anything for everyone else." Toshiro added. He was more successful removing the offending appendage since Hyorinmaru let out a breath of stinging frost. While the Nobody just dusted some of it out of his hair, Luffy pulled his arm away with a pout, freeing Law as well as he used the other arm to try and unfreeze himself. Hyorinmaru took his perch back with proud head held high, golden eyes daring the rubber man to try again.

"That's not fair, I totally leave some for everybody, there's just a lot of really good food!" Still looking a tad upset about the cold shoulder treatment, Luffy kept a pout as he argued with the two.

"There's no denying you have a good cook, but that's no excuse to treat the whole table as your plate." Law put in his bit, turning away and walking back down to the deck below.

"I do not!" Luffy followed the older man down, leaving a relieved Toshiro up above as they argued their way into the kitchen. That was a lot of energy the Nobody didn't want to deal with, so once by himself he allowed himself to lean over the railing a bit and let out a tired sigh.

He had to consciously ignore his angry, growling stomach as it demanded the food that smelled so delicious down below. Hyorinmaru's reprimand to go eat was promptly ignored as well. He just didn't want to deal with such a rowdy, ill-mannered crew. A headache began to form just thinking about it.

A different thought came to mind, one he'd been worried about for a long while and hadn't gotten around to asking his dragon.

"Hyorinmaru… did you ever find Sora and Riku? Before you regressed?" He asked cautiously.

'I was tracking you first once you vanished from the Dark Realm, but I did notice the two of them escape as well before my mind became chaotic.'

"Really? That's good to know." Toshiro let out a sigh of relief. He hadn't said anything to the others, still not super eager to talk about his companions and past relations, but he had been increasingly worried about the pair of Keyblade Wielders he had left behind. "I suppose I'll need to apologize to them once I fix things here…"

As the Nobody allowed himself to be lost in thought and enjoy the breeze, a head poked out from the kitchen, unnoticed by their guest. Sanji raised a single curly eyebrow at the small figure's refusal to come eat before vanishing back inside. With experienced movements he avoided the chaos inside and managed to make a full plate, keeping Luffy's hands off as he ducked back outside. Not a bit of food spilled and he walked with the grace of a gentleman like he dealt with this every day, which of course he did.

"Hey, you may be dead but that doesn't mean you get to starve." He called out to the silent figure.

Surprised, Toshiro opened his eyes to look at the cook, noticing the plate of food. It still wasn't anything he looked super interested in considering the differences in cuisine where he was from, but damn did it smell good. His sharp teal eyes also spotted a bit of dessert on the side; watermelon. Now THAT he wouldn't mind having right now.

"I can tell you're not exactly a social butterfly but I'm not your waiter, at least come get this. Where you eat doesn't really matter." A bit of gruff annoyance came out in the blonde's tone but Toshiro was honestly glad the pirate bothered at all, considering they probably didn't start off all that well.

Figuring it was rude to leave such a gracious offer waiting, Toshiro jumped down from above, landing lightly on his feet in front of the cook.

"Thank you… I appreciate it." With a slight bow of his head first to go with his words he accepted the plate from the taller man.

"Well you have better manners than the idiots in there, so no problem." Sanji responded with a smirk. "I don't let anyone go hungry if I can help it, and that means even if they don't want to."

He left the conversation at that and went back inside to join his crew and the few Heart Pirates. Once the doors closed, it was blissful silence once more.

Deciding to sit atop a tall dome structure near the back – it seemed to be a bathroom inside – Toshiro enjoyed the breeze once more, as well as the food. Despite it being heavier than normal seafood dishes he ate at home, he ate every bit, and with surprising gusto after his first bite when he became aware just how hungry he was. Hyorinmaru of course got some too and demanded they take the cook with them, to which Toshiro laughed.

"Oh, you can laugh."

Toshiro froze up a bit, having not been paying attention and startled by the voice. Dextra had found his perch and was sitting at the very top of the dome whereas he was at the side, watching. By the feathers still merging back to normal skin, she had only just made her way up there.

"What was so funny?" She asked with a slight smile, nothing but childish curiosity on her face.

"Hyorinmaru and I enjoy the food, and he in particular suggests a kidnapping." Toshiro answered her, motioning for her to sit beside him, as it was a pain to turn around and speak to her. He also wasn't fond of people behind him.

"Sanji's cooking is super amazing, isn't it?" She giggled as she obliged his suggestion and moved to sit next to him, careful not to get too close since she was aware he had a bigger personal space than most.

"It's no wonder his Captain practically shoves half the banquet in his mouth." The Nobody agreed with a small chuckle. "I'm not used to food like this but I couldn't stop eating."

"Well you also haven't eaten in two days or so, anyone would want to eat a lot."

Toshiro took notice to Hyorinmaru flipping himself around so his front end was facing the side Dextra was on, almost blocking his Master's view of the other. The dragon was letting off a 'don't mess with me' aura and it took Toshiro a moment to realize why; Hyorinmaru didn't like that Dextra had attacked him. In response, Dextra scooted away a tad bit more to allow the dragon his own space.

Though reminded of something he still wanted to learn about, Toshiro went to distract his dragon with a piece of watermelon still left. Hyorinmaru snapped his tail at him, a bit insulted, but accepted the bribe and turned away.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask about." He opened up with. Dextra, unaware of his train of thought, tilted her head in question, waiting for his. "Back on the island, with the Heartless fight, you turned into something that was not yourself."

A dark look overtook the girl's expression and she turned away, clearly uncomfortable.

"Has Trafalgar-"

"Papa didn't do anything." Her angry snap cut off his question.

Toshiro frowned at the interruption, but chose to approach the topic differently.

"Why did you attack me?"

When she turned back towards him with shocked confusion, he already had a little more insight into her odd form; she didn't remember what happened.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know I attacked you… I guess that explains the feeling I got that Hyorinmaru was mad at me. He was scary…" Her apology was at least sincere, meaning her attack was instinctual and not by her actual will.

"Dragons don't like it when someone else comes after what's theirs." Toshiro explained.

"Neither do eagles; I probably didn't like another Heartless so close by. That ship is my home, so I only hope I didn't hurt you."

"Thankfully no, but it was close, and a bit startling."

There was a bit of an awkward silence.

"I know you think my Papa is the reason I do that, but he's not. He HATES it." Dextra was the one to continue, her tone holding a bit of hostility as if daring him to accuse her adopted father again.

"Then why is it necessary?" Starting to understand he had the wrong perspective, Toshiro kept his tone neutral, curious. "You turned into his pet."

"Papa would never treat me as a pet!" Had she been in eagle form her posture would suggest she was ruffling her feathers in anger. "He only gives me commands so I don't do something I shouldn't, he's trying to help me stop it altogether."

"I see… but then, how did it start? Who would call you princess?"

"Someone else…" Seeing as the eagle girl was becoming extremely uncomfortable, a feeling he was all too familiar with, he sighed.

"Well, it's at least good to know I was right the first time, that he takes care of you and the others well." The Nobody offered instead. "If you don't want to tell me you don't have to, I believe you. I also have things I would rather not say. May I at least know how to avoid it?"

"I only turn that way when there's a direct threat to my family." Dextra responded in a small voice. She was grateful he backed off the topic, terrible memories returning and plaguing her thoughts. "Though I guess with you having a lot of darkness I might not remember you're with us."

"That's unfortunate, you have very sharp claws." Though he was being serious, his tone held just enough sarcasm Dextra couldn't help but let out a short, unexpected laugh. "You backed off to Hyorinmaru though so I think I'll be fine, and I won't let him eat you."

'Not a fan of feathers anyway.' Hyorinmaru tried to add, still munching on the watermelon piece, stalling on purpose so his Master could talk like he wanted to.

'You need to quit being so aggressive anyway.' Toshiro shot back. Hyorinmaru's Heartless self was a lot quicker to react with a snarl of teeth and a fight than he used to, which Toshiro wasn't fond of. The dragon himself however just looked confused, wondering how else he was supposed to act, unaware his behavior was incorrect. The contrast between this primal Heartless and the once wise and powerful dragon was hard for Toshiro to get used to, feeling like he had to keep a leash on his companion rather than look to him for help.

"I could probably get away from him just fine." Dextra attempted to lift her head with a proud look but still had a slightly sad expression.

"I suppose I haven't seen you at your best, so perhaps, but I also know Hyorinmaru is very fast." Toshiro continued this path of conversation to continue getting away from their previous darker one.

"Well sure, but I bet a harpy eagle like me is faster." Dextra took the bait gladly and managed a smirk.

"Call me biased but I'm pretty sure you're not."

"I'll race him then!" As she stood up defiantly on the edge of the roof, Hyorinmaru glanced over at her curiously.

'But I just ate.' The dragon complained, the rest of the watermelon piece taking up most of his mouth as if to prove his point.

At the whiny response to Dextra's racing challenge, Toshiro couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Hey, what did he say!?" Stomping her foot like a child, Dextra pouted at the odd pair.

"He-He's full." The Nobody managed to get out between breaths of laughter. He was able to calm down fairly quickly even as Dextra started giggling but it felt good to laugh again, it had been quite some time since he felt he could.

Down below, Nami was outside to do a weather check and heard the two voices laughing, looking up with some surprise at the pair on the roof of the bath house. Dextra was a quiet individual, and what little she knew of Toshiro made him out to be very reserved and serious, so seeing them both laughing was a bit odd. She smiled, however, glad that they had found something to enjoy. The weather had a nice, refreshing chill in it as well, which hadn't been there before, and since there were no other signs of a cold front or possible storm she could only assume it was their strange guest that caused it. Interested, she took a seat outside for a bit of sun bathing and just observed the weather and by extension the small Reaper that changed it with his mood.

She had full expectations that things were going to get interesting from now on, she needed her relaxation time while she still had it.