Miyako had slept all through the night after drinking a chamomile tea infused with medicinal herbs a 4th squad resident had given her, and the pain from her wounds was nearly gone by early morning. The 4th squad lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, came in to check her bandages, and most of them were allowed to be removed. The last one that still remained was her shoulder patch and sling, but she was now allowed to walk around. Captain Unohana had not yet been by to officially discharge her, so Miyako was restless and bored. She decided to take a stroll through the hospital and go to the outside balconies to get some fresh air.

There was really nothing to look at on the inside; the walls were a soft, minty green, but each room was either singles or bunks without windows. The only view was on the hallway that bordered the outside of the buildings, but the blinds were usually drawn. There were 4th squad residents walking to and fro to tend to ill patients or patients that had been accidentally wounded during training. All types of injuries were treated at the hospital and the influx of patients was normally slow and uneventful, but when Ichigo Kurosaki first invaded, scores of Death Gods had to be sent to the 4th squad court, and they had their hands full.

Miyako slid the wooden door open and stepped outside. She was wearing her shinigami robe again, but the left arm of it flapped loosely near her, since her arm was still tucked into her chest by the sling. The air felt wonderful and she breathed deeply. Her chest rose and fell and her upper left shoulder ached, but it wasn't as sharp as before. She was nearly healed, and she felt renewed again. Nobody was out in the 4th squad courtyard down below, and she was the only one out on the balcony. She rested her hand on the hilt of her soul slayer, which was sheathed at her left side. She longed to grip it in battle again.

You are so hasty, a voice whispered. It was sultry and quiet, menacing yet beautiful. It sounded like the voice of a dangerous woman who tricked her enemies into bed before she killed them. The voice softly rippled with pleasure.

I like it when you're hasty. I want to fight again, too.

Miyako didn't reply.

That shoulder wound better hurry up and heal. Next time, we won't show mercy.

"My shoulder is fine," Miyako murmured.

Ah, but something else is wrong.

"Nothing is wrong."

Like thick, misty smoke appearing into thin air, Miyako's Taiyoukousen emitted a bright, yellow light, and a beautiful woman made of blinding light and orange flames appeared before her. She was at least a foot taller than Miyako. A hot breeze seemed to wrap around Miyako and her hair swirled around her. She turned to face the woman.

The soul of her zanpakuto floated there and watched Miyako with yellow eyes. She was made of flame and light; Miyako had to avert her eyes and squint. Her hair was long and licked around her naked body; her upper half was completely bare but her lower half did not have legs, reminiscent of a long, fiery gown. She floated there as if she were a ghost on fire. Her long, slender arms eventually formed into large, claw-shaped hands. She did not have fingers, but long, thin, bony-shaped blades that formed into sharp points. Even though she was beautiful, she looked deadly. More appropriately, she looked and even acted like a Siren, a beautiful but dangerous mythical goddess.

I don't like it when your heart is full of doubt. I cannot fight to my fullest when you are like this.

"I've learned my lesson," Miyako said flatly. She stared out over the court. "I will not relent against my kin, who's turned into an enemy."

Her soul slayer laughed. It was a beautiful laugh, but it was thorny. Miyako's brow furrowed.

I'm not talking about Maki, Taiyoukousen said in a smiling voice.

"Then what?"

I'm speaking of him. She emphasized the last word, as if it was a scandalous mystery.

Miyako turned her head to stare at her and squinted.

"What?"

What is this new, strange feeling you have, Miyako?

Miyako gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes.

It is unbecoming of you.

"You're speaking of nonsense," Miyako turned back towards the edge of the balcony. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Deny it all you want, girl, but I see through you.

"If you have no useful things to say to me, be gone," Miyako snapped. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I don't like it."

Taiyoukousen smirked. So be it. But you're turning soft, and I can't have you fighting with me half-assedly.

Just as fast as she appeared, the soul slayer disappeared into thin, bright smoke on the wind. There was a soft sigh and for a split second, the air smelled of sweet orchids, and Miyako was left alone again. Suddenly, as if on cue, Captain Unohana appeared around the corner and approached Miyako.

"Miyako Ichinose?" she asked with a soft smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, Captain, thank you."

"I hope there has been sufficient time for you to heal. I'm going to check your shoulder."

Captain Unohana gingerly removed Miyako's arm from the sling and removed the patch and padding. There was a clean scar from where Maki's soul slayer had been, but it was disappearing quickly. Miyako's once shattered collarbone had re-formed nicely, and her shoulder blade looked good as new.

"Bend your elbow," the Captain instructed.

Miyako obeyed. Her arm moved without pain.

"Slowly lift your arm above your head."

This movement was harder; her shoulder was still relatively stiff and it ached as she moved it, but nothing had snapped or popped.

"Raise it out towards the side."

The weight of her arm was only a tiny strain on her shoulder, and she lifted it with ease.

"All right. You're healing nicely, so I guess I'll go ahead and discharge you."

Miyako smiled and felt as if a weight had just been lifted from her. Sitting in a hospital for two days was maniacally depressing for an 11th squad member. She had nothing to do but to think and wait – two things she hated to do for a long amount of time. Even Taiyoukousen paid her a visit, which was rare. It was a warning that she was mulling over things way too much…and Taiyoukousen's puzzling words bothered her a little.

"But," the Captain warned, "I'd rather have you stay for one more day. I'm letting you out early because of the invasion, and your Captain demands that I let you out as soon as possible."

Miyako lifted her eyesbrows in surprise. "Captain Zaraki? He's back?"

Captain Unohana nodded patiently. "Now, go back to your squad. Seireitei needs its best hands right now."

Miyako bowed slightly. The Captain had just given her a compliment, no matter how awful 11th squad acted towards her residents. Miyako also treated her with respect simply because Captain Unohana could crush her with one attack, if she wanted to. The gentle woman was a lot stronger than she looked. She was the type of woman that killed her enemies with kindness first.

"Don't bend that arm backwards," she instructed. "Your collarbone and your shoulder blade will crack under the strain. Don't try too much heavy lifting, but push-ups are okay…just use your common sense."

"Yes, Captain," Miyako replied.

"All right, 4th seat…you are dismissed," the Captain gave her a smile. "Go and try that arm on some of your subordinates."

The Captain had just cracked a joke. Miyako grinned and bowed again. "I will, Captain. Thank you."

…………………………..

Ikkaku grinned when he saw Miyako approaching the 11th squad court. She joined him and Yumichika as they were giving out drill orders to the residents. When some of the members noticed that Miyako had come back, they stared. Her usually tousled hair had been brushed by the 4th squad and she looked as if she were glowing. It was really an aura of freedom – she had never been so happy to see her squad before. Yumichika smiled at her.

"You're looking much more beautiful today, Miyako," he nodded in approval.

"Hell yes, she is," Ikkaku smirked, all teeth. He looked like a rabid dog. "Ready to beat some Bount ass, too. How's that arm?"

Miyako was about to reply when a wolf-whistle emitted from one of the residents. She narrowed her eyes and turned her gaze towards the crowd. The members nervously backed away to reveal a dark-haired man with a stubbly goatee, grinning back at her. She didn't know his name, nor did she care. It was just a random gesture from a random resident, but she decided to test out the strength of her recuperating left arm. Captain Unohana's orders and all.

She strode forward, gripped the resident by the front of his robes, and tossed him through the crowd of scrambling residents. He yelled out in surprise and managed to take out five or six other people like bowling pins before crashing to the ground. She rolled her left shoulder and clenched and unclenched her fist. She turned back to find Ikkaku and Yumichika giving her surprised stares.

Miyako shrugged. "My aim's a little off."

Ikkaku barked out laughter but Yumichika rolled his eyes.

"All right!" Ikkaku yelled. "Formations! It's the usual drills again, ladies. Don't piss me off today."

The squad lined up and practiced kido and soul slayer attacks, and Miyako took on a student to practice fighting to loosen her arm up. Yumichika and Ikkaku paced back and forth, watching as usual.

The subordinate looked wary. He was hesitant with his soul slayer since Miyako just threw a resident across the court, and he didn't want to share the same fate.

"Don't go easy on me," she growled. "Even if I was injured to the point of near death, you should never go easy on me. Understand?"

The subordinate nodded and struck.

She easily stepped out of the way and kicked him in the rear.

"Pitiful," she said in a bored tone. "Try it again."

The residents practiced until they were exhausted, and a few of them had dropped to their knees. Miyako was still sparring with her partner, but he was tired as well. It was too easy for her. She longed to fight against Ikkaku or Yumichika, but they were busy watching over everyone else. Her thoughts traveled to Renji again. Suddenly, the resident was almost on top of her, ready to swing. She wasn't paying attention.

"STOP!" a voice bellowed out.

The residents froze. Everyone sheathed their soul slayers and scrambled to attention. Miyako glanced towards the direction of the voice. It was Captain Zaraki. He was gazing lazily around at his residents with a curled lip. He looked disgusted. Lieutenant Kusajishi popped up from behind his shoulder.

"Baaalllldyyyyy!!!!" She cooed at Ikkaku. "Hiyeeee! How are you?"

"Don't call me that," Ikkaku roared at her.

"Yumi-yumi," she grinned over at Yumichika.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I missed you, peacock-face!" Lieutenant Kusajishi giggled.

Yumichika rolled his eyes and sighed.

"You call this shit sparring?" Captain Zaraki yelled out to the residents.

There was dead silence that rolled through the 11th squad court. Captain Zaraki glared at all of them. Ikkaku was about to step up and give a report when a loud clopping sound echoed throughout Seireitei.

Clop, clop, clop, clop, clop, clop, clop…

It was the alarm. It was wood loudly banging against wood, signaling to the others that something was wrong. The entrance to Seireitei had been breached. A voice echoed throughout the courts.

The ryoka are attempting to enter Seireitei from the north! Repeat: Invaders are infiltrating Seireitei from the north! Proceed to the north gate immediately!

The residents stared dumbly at Captain Zaraki. He narrowed his eyes at the sound of the alarm and glanced back at the squad.

"Well? What the fuck're you waiting for? Go kill those bastards!" he bellowed.

The squad echoed out a loud response in return and began to run out of the court. Ikkaku and Yumichika exchanged glances, and Miyako trotted over to Ikkaku.

"I told you that they were going to try to get in from the northern sprawl," she hissed at him. "Why aren't there reinforcements there already?"

Ikkaku stared at her. "What's the fun in that? We want them to spread out so we can fight 'em one on one."

"Ikkaku," Miyako gritted her teeth. "There should be squads already at that gate blowing those bastards apart! The Bount leader…this Kariya…went up against Captain Kuchiki and Ichigo at the same time! How is he still alive?"

Ikkaku curled his lip and scoffed. "He ran like a coward. That's how."

Miyako decided not to argue. The mere sight of Renji and Ichigo caused Maki to run as well.

"Madarame," Captain Zaraki's voice barked at Ikkaku. "You and Ayasegawa patrol Seireitei. Take a few squad members of your choice and annihilate the ryoka."

Ikkaku and Yumichika nodded. Captain Zaraki's gaze turned towards Miyako. Without warning, he took a lightning-fast step towards her and grabbed the front of her shinigami robe. Miyako let out a stunned gasp and he lifted her off of her feet.

Lieutenant Kusajishi emitted a surprised squeak and Ikkaku and Yumichika watched, the expressions on their faces blank.

"You were daydreaming," Captain Zaraki growled at her. "A resident nearly thirty ranks below you almost split your skull in two."

Miyako swallowed but accepted her mistake and bravely faced Captain Zaraki without flinching. Zaraki examined her for a minute with clenched teeth.

"If that's how you want to die, you're not fit to run as 4th seat. Pull any more of that shit again, I'll kick your ass right out of my squad. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

Zaraki glared hard at her for a long moment, and the Lieutenant, Ikkaku, and Yumichika just stood by and watched. Zaraki's hard frown, however, eventually turned into a sadistic grin. His eyes darted to her left shoulder.

"Heh. I heard Maki did a number on you. Too bad you didn't kill him."

Miyako clenched her jaw but didn't reply. If he knew about Maki, he knew that she lost. She was ready to face punishment.

Without warning, Zaraki dropped her back onto her feet. She landed with a grunt, took two steps back, and glanced up at him. He started to laugh.

"It's over, Ichinose. Erase your brother from your mind. He was weak. He couldn't kill you, and he sure as hell didn't kill me. His zanpakuto attacks went everywhere but to the vital spots."

Miyako's throat went dry and she stared at Captain Zaraki with wide eyes. He pulled the right shoulder of his shinigami robe aside to reveal a large shoulder patch. That's why Captain Unohana knew that he was back. He had visited the hospital himself. Maki had given him a shoulder wound. She knew that Captain Zaraki had responded to him in kind. Maki was dead.

She swallowed but tried to keep her expression neutral. There wasn't anything she could do now. She glanced over at Lieutenant Kusajishi. She looked solemn, but nodded.

"We're sorry, Miya-ya."

"The fuck we are!" Zaraki barked. "I'm sorry I wasted my energy on that runt."

"He fought Maki with all his strength," the Lieutenant continued, ignoring him. "Ken-ken is happy."

Miyako glanced back at Captain Zaraki. He gave Lieutenant Kusajishi a mean glance and then eyed Miyako. His expression softened, but only slightly. Only 11th squad members would easily be able to distinguish between the Captain's mood swings. Miyako caught a feeling of sympathy from him, but it was fleeting, and it was gone in seconds.

"Get the hell out of here," he groaned. "Get to patrolling. Go."

Miyako bowed and followed Ikkaku and Yumichika out of the 11th squad courts.