- - Hueco Mundo - -

The pale face of the low hanging moon cast's it's silvery glow down upon the desert. It stands in a silent vigil in this world of never-ending night, and death. A gentle wind disturbs the sand, blowing it across the dunes, large rocks...and the bodies of dead Hollows, lying in a pile several meters away from a large flat rock. A little girl sits on the edge of this rock, one leg raised to rest her chin on and the other hanging down. Lilynette eyes the pile with a single pink eye.

"Starrk?" asks Lilynette.

"What is it, Lilynette? I'm trying to sleep," complains Starrk. That he had answered her on the first call makes it clear to his other half that he is completely on guard, and very aware of their surroundings.

"I don't like it here." Lilynette shifts to look back at the Primera. He is lying several feet away with the back of one gloved hand covering his eyes from view. Several moments pass before he lifts it with a heavy sigh and then raises himself up on his elbows.

"Then, we'll move to somewhere else. Where do you want to go?"

"I want to go somewhere that isn't so quiet. Somewhere with other people." This is a conversation that they've had a number of times. Lilynette wanted to have friends, and be around other people. While it would be possible for her...simply being in the presence of the Primera is enough to crack the masks, and crush the souls of normal Hollows. It would be difficult if not impossible to find a group capable of withstanding his continued presence.

Where could they go? Where does someone who can kill others simply by being around them belong other then Hueco Mundo? Regardless, Starrk scratches his head and sighs heavily. "Like where, Lilynette?"

"Nel when to the World of the Living...maybe we could go there, too."

"I don't think the Shinigami would appreciate our presence there. Besides..." He motions past her to the large pile of Hollows several meters away. "...those Hollows all died just from getting close to me. What would happen if Humans got close? I really don't feel like fighting anymore, Lilynette. I'd rather just nap the days away."

"C'mon, Starrk! You can sleep anytime! I want to see Nel!" He holds his hands over his ears and sighs heavily.

"Alright, fine! Stop yelling, you're giving me a head-ache." Lilynette stands and approaches quickly.

"Really?! Alright, hurry up, Starrk! Let's go!" The Primera stands and brushes himself off calmly before picking up his sword as well. He slides the saya under his obi at his hip and sighs again.

"Fine, fine." With a simple motion of his hand, a Garganta opens and he tucks his gloved hands into the pockets of his hakama. Lilynette runs inside and he calmly walks forward, pausing only a few steps inside the void. "This isn't going to end well...I can already feel it," Starrk complains to himself as the Garganta closes with a loud screech behind the two of them...

- - The Soul Society - -

The sound of pen scrawling on paper, and the ticking of the clock fill the shared office. The young Captain sighs softly as he stares at the papers stacked high on one side of his desk and then glances across the room at the empty desk. 'I understand that a Lieutenant's meeting is important...but is this what she has to deal with when I'm off having a meeting?' Daisuke asks himself.

'She certainly is taking her sweet time, whelp,' remarks Tenshi, drawing his attention to the blade. His Zanpakuto leans against the edge of his desk but is still well within reach in case something happens. 'Anyway, if that thing really cared then it would be here as soon as possible, wouldn't it?'

'You and I are about to have words, Tenshi.'

'Oh, I'm absolutely terrified.'

'Keep it up. I'll find a nice place to bury you where no one else will ever find you.' A scoff is his response and he sighs heavily before reclining in his seat. 'Not to change the subject, but I'm more concerned about Mayuri then anything else. It's been weeks since those rebels got in here...and Mayuri's stayed shut in his lab ever since. It's all I can do to stop from kicking down his doors.'

'That damn snake is up to something, boy. He couldn't be trusted when you were in the Twelfth and he can't be trusted now. Mind yourself.'

'Don't worry about that. I've already got a plan to figure out what he's up to.'

'Is that so? Well, I suppose I'll just have to leave it up to you, then.' The young Captain nods in understanding, and turns his attention to the sole photo on his desk, taken on Tia's birthday in the World of the Living. All of their friends are gathered around in the mid-day sun, and smiling. 'Mm, your hair was too short then. It looks better long, I think.'

'When did you become a hair-dresser, exactly?' His long hair has since been pulled back sharply into a short pony-tail with bangs that frame his face. 'I feel it gets in my way too much this way...still, Tia seems to like.' He stares at the photo, lost in thought until the sound of the office door sliding open draws his attention from it. "Aah, welcome back," Daisuke offers the Shark Queen in greeting. "Everything go well?"

"As well as can be expected with Lieutenant Kusajishi bouncing around the room," Tia tells him simply, closing the door behind her, and then taking a seat at her desk. "I'm fairly sure she lives on sweets. Anyway, I paid a visit to Nelliel on the way back, and ran into Grimmjow as well...it seems like he's fitting right in at the Eleventh Division." She sighs softly. "Still, as long as he isn't causing any trouble..."

"How about Nelliel? Is she getting along alright?"

"Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu are treating her well. Nel can't use healing Kido but she can still treat simple injuries like sprains, and fractures. She's never really liked fighting that much...but she does seem to like helping people. I also found out that Ukitake has been admitted to the Fourth Division."

"I hadn't heard. Is he going to be alright?"

"He's going to be discharged soon, and Nel told me that Unohana is looking after him personally. Still...I do wish him a speedy recovery." Daisuke remains silent in response, and Tia notices him staring. "What?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking that it wasn't that long ago that you weren't very friendly with anyone...myself included."

"Things change."

"They sure do. You seem a lot happier now, too."

"Is there any reason I shouldn't be?" He responds with a small shrug of his shoulders. "Well, not to change the subject...but perhaps you could tell me how the members of our Division managed to slip in the biggest Christmas tree I've ever seen right into the middle of the mess hall without anyone noticing..." A grin splits the face of the young Captain, and a sparkle of amusement appears in the eyes of the Shark Queen. "...although, I imagine that they had help with it."

"Who knows? Like you said, I've been here in the office all day, so it's a mystery to me, too."

"It seems like the whole Division is gathered there...even if it is the evening, I doubt that everyone has finished their Division duties." A shrug is the response she receives. "Well, as long as they aren't burning down the Division there isn't really any reason to deny them their fun...at least, that's your thinking, am I right?" A grin splits Daisuke's face from ear to ear.

"I really am becoming predictable, aren't I?"

"Who knows?" replies Tia. "Although, I do agree...as long as they aren't causing any trouble then it isn't really a problem." She pauses for a moment. "So, while no one is causing trouble how about we finish this paperwork?"

"Fine, fine." A heavy sigh sounds from the young Captain. "And here I was hoping that we could take off for-" He stops when he notices a dainty black and crimson butterfly float into the room. It hovers in front of him for a moment before he raises a hand and allows it to land, and relay it's message. When it has finished it floats off and he lowers his hand. "Another Espada has surfaced in the World of the Living."

The Shark Queen watches him continue with the paperwork in front of him, not making a move towards the door or really reacting to the news in any way at all. "You don't seem too worried."

"That's because you and I weren't the first one's to be put on notice..."

- - The World of the Living - -

The air itself seems to split in two, giving way to a formless black void in the dark sky high above the town. Frigid air rushes in as a young girl rushes out into the moonlight, bursting with energy and apparently immune to the cold. "Wow!" breathes Lilynette, breath whipped away by a rush of wind. She gazes down at the town below, lit up by a great number lights, in wonder. "Starrk! Come and see! Hurry up!"

"Alright, alright," replies Starrk, moving at his own pace as always. He steps free of the black void, and it closes behind him with a loud screech. The Primera reaches up to scratch the back of his head.

"I wonder where Nel is..."

"It shouldn't be too difficult to-" A soft noise from behind draws the attention of the Primera, and he turns sharply. But rather then an attack as he was expecting, he finds a rather familiar face standing several meters away. Starrk reaches up and rubs the back of his neck. "Haah...why do I have such rotten luck?" Lilynette takes notice as well, turning to face the same direction as her lazier half.

"Is that...I recognize him, Starrk! It's that Captain who beat us before!"

"It's been a while, hasn't it, Mr. Espada?" Shunsui asks him, slipping his hands into either sleeve of his kosode and offering the Primera a disarming smile. Starrk narrows his eyes slightly, not allowing himself to be taken off-guard by the relaxed demeanor of his opponent.

"Well, you certainly got here fast, Captain," remarks Starrk rather calmly. "And you don't seem too surprised to see that we're alive...which leads me to believe that you already knew."

"Hm? I don't know what you're talking about-"

"Don't play dumb. It doesn't suit you." Shunsui chuckles a bit in response.

"I suppose you're right. It is rather uncharacteristic of me, isn't it?" The lazy Espada doesn't respond to the his goading he simply stares silently. "Well, you're not being very sociable today, are you?" The experienced Captain gazes back at him from under the brim of his grass-hat. "You already seem to have some idea of the situation, but just to make it perfectly clear...yes, I was made aware that had survived. I have Miss Nelliel to thank for that."

"What did you do to Nel?!" demands Lilynette, attempting to rush around Starrk only to be caught by the collar of her shirt.

"Enough, Lilynette," Starrk tells her firmly. "Stay behind me."

"Stay behind you? Now that's cruel," comments Shunsui. "Just what kind of a man do you take me for, exactly?" He pauses for a moment, meeting Starrk's eyes firmly. "The last time we met...we found ourselves forced into a battle that neither of us wanted. An unfortunate circumstance, wouldn't you agree? I admit that I was surprised...and more a bit relieved to find out that you had survived."

"Not to be rude, Captain, but if there's a point you're trying to make then how about getting to it?"

"Very well, then. You escaped death during the Winter War. Honestly, I never thought we'd cross paths again but now that we have, I guess I really have no choice..." Shunsui removes a hand from his sleeve and Starrk reaches a gloved hand for the yellow tsuka of his sword in response. "...but to offer you a friendly drink!" With that he produces a sake bottle and the Primera blinks in confusion.

"A drink...?"

"As I said, the last time we met you were my enemy but now you aren't. There is no reason for us to continue a fight that we had no interest in, and there's nothing like having a drink in an effort to foster friendship, Starrk."

"You said that Nel told you about us...Nel isn't the type of person to just give information away to anyone who asks. So where is she, exactly?"

"Right now? Probably working at the Fourth Division."

"Really? Forgive me for doubting you, but I find it more then a bit hard to believe that everyone would change their way of thinking so quickly. I can't pretend to know a lot about you, Captain, but you don't strike me as the kind of person to lie...but still why should I believe you?"

"Well, truthfully, it didn't just happen over night. I'm sure you remember Tia Harribel." The Primera responds with a solem nod. "I won't bore you with the details but the short version of it is, one of our own found her here in the World of the Living after her escape from Los Noches and brought her back to the Soul Society."

"Tia's alive, too?" asks Lilynette quickly, actually smiling.

"Not just alive, she's actually a Lieutenant now." He pauses for a brief moment. "Anyway, when Miss Nelliel was found here in the World of the Living, it was decided that she would be afforded the same opportunity as Miss Harribel."

"The same opportunity?" echos Starrk.

"The chance to live in the Soul Society. The chance at a new life...it's the same offer I'm here to give the two of you."

"I'm gonna guess that if we don't agree...then that's the end of the line. Am I right?" Shunsui responds with a simple nod of the head. "It doesn't really sound like we have much of a choice in the matter."

"I'm afraid not. Central Forty Six has made it clear that they won't tolerate any Espada running free." Starrk glances back briefly at Lilynette, and then looks back at the Captain standing across from him.

"Well, I guess if that's the case..."

- - The Soul Society - -

The room seems to be a battleground between the two Spiritual Pressure. Sitting at the head of the room, behind a large desk is the Head Captain. The ancient Captain is, like his student, completely unfazed by the power of the Primera who stands several meters away. Lilynette, on the other hand, hides behind her other half in an attempt to stay out of the view of Yamamoto. "Well, I found 'em, old man Yama," calls Shunsui, finally breaking the silence.

"I assume everything was explained to you," ventures Yamamoto, ignoring his old student for the moment.

"He was pretty up-front about the details on the way here," Starrk tells him. "In exchange for fighting for the Soul Society...Lilynette and I get something like a 'pass', right? We'll be monitored, and watched over closely until it's decided that we aren't a threat."

"Someone seems like they're in a hurry," Shunsui remarks, glancing back at Starrk.

"It's late, Captain. I just want to get to bed." The experienced Captain reaches up to scratch the stubble on his chin. "What?"

"Well...therein lies the rub, Starrk. With your Spiritual Pressure being as strong as it is it'd be dangerous to just shove you into the barracks with the unranked officers. After all, just being near you would probably be enough to crush not just their souls but the souls of the citizans in the Rukon Districts as well. On the other hand we can't exactly keep you separate from everyone else now, can we? So with that in mind..." He motions towards the desk of the Head Captain. "...I borrowed something from a good-friend before heading out to meet you."

Starrk approaches the desk, leaving Lilynette standing beside Shunsui in silence. Lying on top of the desk is a what appears to be black and gold eye-patch. After a moment the Primera picks up the eye-patch, and finds upon flipping it over a number of mouths chomping away at the air. "What in the...?"

"That eye-patch was created by the Department of Research and Development to continually devour excess Spirit Energy. While it was originally meant for Captain Zaraki of the Eleventh Division...it should work for you as well."

"So this little thing will devour my Spirit Energy?"

"Not entirely. While it probably won't do all that much it should at the least prevent you from harming anyone who gets close by accident." Without a moment of hesitation, Starrk places the eye-patch over his left eye and binds it there easily. Lilynette, Yamamoto and Shunsui all feel a slight lessening off his Spiritual Pressure. "We can have one made specifically for you but in the mean time it should suffice, Starrk."

"We?" echos Starrk.

"Yes," replies Yamamoto. "You, as well as your other half, are both being assigned to the Eighth Division under Captain Kyoraku." The Primera responds only with a lazy nod.

"With that decided, I guess it's time I show the two of you to the Eighth Division," Shunsui speaks more to himself...

"I see you were serious about that drink," remarks Starrk calmly. Shunsui and Starrk sit across from each other in a small room that seems to the Primera to be a sort of meeting room. The room is brightly lit, several bottles of sake and glasses occupy the table between the two. "I thought you were kidding, Captain."

"I never kid about having a drink with a friend," Shunsui tells him simply. Starrk reaches for a glass on the table, and nearly knocks it over in the process. "I hope the eye-patch isn't too much of a problem." The Primera responds by picking up the glass of sake and knocking it back. "I see you can drink as well as you can fight."

"My depth-perception is a bit off but it's not really a problem." Shunsui knocks back his drink and then sighs.

"Well, that eye-patch wasn't mean to be permanent, it was just something of a temporary measure. It was made specifically for Kenpachi, after all. We'll get it all sorted out tomorrow. But in the mean time..." Shunsui pours himself a drink and smiles. "...I think it's a good time for you and I have have ourselves a chat, Starrk."

"About the Winter War, you mean." The Primera pours himself another drink. "I haven't really thought much about it to be honest...although, I do happen to agree. You and I were forced into a battle that neither of us wanted. Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person to hold a grudge, and I'm really not the kind of person to take revenge. I don't see much point in it, and besides that it's just too much trouble."

"On that, we can agree."

"Captain...I was wondering if you could explain something to me. When we arrived here I sensed one more Spiritual Pressure besides Nel and Tia's..." Shunsui smiles a bit in response realizing where the Primera is heading with this. "...Grimmjow is here as well, isn't he?"

"He is."

"If that's the case, then your next target would be Ulquiorra." The experienced Captain offers a nod. "I thought as much. Well...for what it's worth, when that time comes, Captain, I'll lend you a hand if you need it."

"I'd appreciate that." Shunsui sips at his drink and then meets the Primera's gaze. "But...there's something that's been bothering me." Starrk arches a brow in question. "Ulquiorra Cifer. The offical report says that he and Ichigo fought it out on top of Los Noches, and it was there he was killed. In fact, it's reported that his body was reduced to ash as a result of the battle."

"Ulquiorra was- IS unique among Arrancar," explains Starrk, only pausing to knock back his drink and then pour himself another. "When we transformed from Hollow to Arrancar all of us cast aside our regenative abilities in exchange for even greater strength."

"But he didn't."

"No, he didn't. Among all the Arrancar in Los Noches, Ulquiorra's healing abilities were second to none. He once told me that he could regenerate anything but vital organs...but after seeing him in the flesh I believe that to be a lie on his part. It's a clever one, too, at that. There's nothing like having an ace in the hole." Starrk reaches up and slowly rubs the back of his neck.

"That's definitely a unique ability to say the least, and one that would let you get the drop on your opponent when they think they've won. We'll all have to be on our toes when contacting him."

"Let's hope everything goes smoothly when the time comes, Captain..."

Loud, drunken snoring fills the room entirely two men sleep off their drinks. A great number of bottles cover the table between them, and several more lie beside either of the two. The door to the room slides open softly, and a beam of light cuts through the shadows for a brief moment while someone quietly slips into the room. Blond hair seems to glow in the bright sunlight as the girl creeps in, a grin splitting her young face as she stares at the prone form of the Primera.

Her movements are slow, deliberate and silent...not that it matters much with both men passed out so completely. Then, without warning she surges forward and leaps into the air. "WAAAAKKKKEEE UP, STARRK!" roars the girl, flipping through the air several times before dropping down and driving both feet into his gut with the full strength of her tiny frame.

"BBUUGH?!" grunts the Primera, coming awake in an instant and finding his other half sitting on his lower stomach very much amused by her actions. "Lilynette- Aahah." He raises a gloved hand to his aching head and shuts his uncovered eye tightly to avoid the painfully bright sunlight streaming into the room. "It's too early to be acting like this."

"It's noon, actually," offers a voice familiar to the Primera. Starrk glances in the direction of the voice, and the two familiar Spiritual Pressure's. Standing in the doorway is Nel and Tia. Lilynette jumps up and smiles brightly at the two of them.

"Still too early, Nel," Starrk counters, rubbing his temple. He glances at his other half, and doesn't appear at all phased to find she's wearing a Shihakusho under a warm winter cloak.

"What's all the noise?" questions Shunsui, leaning up now as well. "Oh. Good afternoon, Lieutenant Harribel, Miss Odelschwanck." He glances past the two at the third person who's appeared and smiles. "Afternoon to you, too, Daisuke." Starrk looks past the two Espada standing in the door at the dark haired man wearing a smile and a haori behind them.

"Looks like you had a fun night, Shunsui," replies Daisuke, carefully brushing past Nelliel and Tia. "And you must be Coyote." Starrk watches him approach with, a small box in his right hand until he stops beside the prone Primera. "These are for you." After a moment of hesitation he reaches out and takes the box.

"That was awfully fast."

"You said it had to be done quick, so Kisuke worked on them all night." Starrk opens the box and finds a pair of gloves that look identical to his own inside. "Those should help make sure that you don't hurt anyone accidently." He nods in understanding, and removes his old gloves to don the new ones. The drop in his Spiritual Pressure is very noticeably to everyone gathered.

They eye-patch follows only seconds later and the Primera sighs. "Much better," mutters Starrk before lying back, the box falling to the floor beside him. "I'm going back to sleep now. This hang-over is killing me..."

'Whap!'

"Great kick," mumble Shunsui and Daisuke in unison.

The Primera arches in the opposite direction of the kick. "Yeow!" Starrk yelps. "Lilynette! Knock it off!" A sweat drop appears at Daisuke's temple as he watches Lilynette accost Starrk without mercy.

"Is that, uh, normal?" Daisuke questions Tia, and receives a nod from the Shark Queen in response. "I see. Well...I mean, the important thing is that they get along, right? I mean, they're close enough not to get upset with each other."

"I didn't hear you come in last night," remarks Tia, giving the young Captain pause.

"Well...honestly, that's because I didn't. Kisuke must have finished around three or four in the morning so he offered me the guest room. Why?" A sparkle of mischief gleams in his amber eyes. "Don't tell me you couldn't sleep without me there."

"I slept fine."

"Ouch."

"So you stayed at his shop...that doesn't explain why you look so stiff."

"Oh. While I was waiting Yoruichi asked if I wanted to kill some time with a little sparring, and I was stupid enough to agree." He rolls his shoulders, wincing slightly at he does so. "So, she took me downstairs to the training area and then proceeded beat me into the dirt. It really wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done." The Shark Queen shakes her head slowly. "Anyway, after getting my brains beaten in I had a chance to do some Christmas shopping. I wasn't exactly sure what to get a little kid, though, so-"

'Whap!'

"Great kick," mumble Starrk and Shunsui in unison.

The box clatters to the floor in two pieces on either side of the young Captain, and moments later a lump forms on his temple from the impact. "Who are you calling a 'little kid'?!" demands Lilynette, watching as Daisuke crouches down, holding his head in pain.

"Lilynette," sighs Tia.

"That's not nice," Nel gently chastises the girl. "You shouldn't throw things at people. Someone could get hurt." After a few moments he stands, still pressing a hand to his temple.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Daisuke tells her. "I've certainly been hit a lot harder. Still, I wish someone would have warned me, Lieutenant."

"Must have slipped my mind." He appears less then amused but doesn't say anything to her about it. "Lilynette, you cannot attack Captains. It can get you into trouble, understand?" Lilynette mumbles under her breath but nods regardless...and immediately stiffens when her stomach growls loudly. Nel, Shunsui and Daisuke all laugh as her face turns bright crimson. "I guess we did skip breakfast."

"Same here. Who else is hungry? Nelliel? Coyote, Shunsui?" The face's of both men tint green at that suggestion and they quickly shake their heads. "Alright, suit yourselves." Lilynette grabs both Nelliel and Tia by the hand and pulls them towards the door. Daisuke starts to follow as well, and stops when someone calls out for him.

"Hey, Captain," calls Starrk, stopping the young Captain in his tracks.

"Hm? What is it?"

"In the future, just call me Starrk. Everyone does."

"Alright, then." He turns and pauses once more. "Oh! Just so you know, Lieutenant Ise is looking all over for you, Shunsui." His green face loses a bit of color at that realization and he offers a nod as the young Captain leaves the room.

"Who's Lieutenant Ise?" Before Shunsui can respond, a shadow darkens the doorway and both men glance in it's direction. The woman in question adjusts her glasses as she stares at the two men.

"Good afternoon, Captain Kyoraku," Nanao greets him pleasently.

'Smack! Smack!'

"Yeah, right!" Both Shunsui and Starrk lie face down on the floor of the room, a large knot forming on the back of either of their heads respectively. Nanao stands between the two powerful men with a large fan gripped in her hand. Both twitch slightly before finally pushing themselves up. "You think I'd greet you with a smile after you've spent all night drinking?!"

"Why exactly did I get hit?" Starrk mutters to himself in question, head throbbing even harder now.

"Because you're just as guilty as he is," replies Nanao simply. She pauses for a moment to adjust her glasses while Starrk slumps down to lie on his stomach, chin resting on his hands. "You should strive to set a good example for-" A soft snore interrupts her and she looks down at the Primera in response.

'Smack!'

"Yeow!" The strict Lieutenant glares down at the lazy Primera, a knot forming on the top his head this time. "What is it? I'm trying to sleep." She responds by reaching up towards her glasses. Her eye twitches slightly in anger as she begins to slowly remove them.

"Is that so? Well, I'm sorry to bother you but allow me to explain the rules the Eighth Division to you, Mr. Primera." He looks up at her, blue eyes slowly widening in fear as he does so...

"Nnnh. Little lower," mutters Daisuke, eyes half-lidded. "Aah, right there. Now a bit more- ohh, right there. That's absolutely perfect." A soft smile curves his lips, and a sigh of pleasure escapes him. "You're amazing, Tia, have I ever told you that?" The Shark Queen rolls her eyes in response. She continues to press firmly but gently into the muscles of his broad back, trying to relieve the aches and pains.

"Well, I hope you enjoy this," Tia tells him. "Because next time you get yourself beaten up, I'm not going to give you a massage. If I do, then you won't learn anything." Daisuke chuckles softly in response.

"There's a lesson to learn from Yoruichi giving me a beat-down?"

"There is." He glances over his shoulder at her, and arches a brow in question. "Don't accept an invitation to spar from someone like Yoruichi. She fought Aizen with just Hakuda in the World of the Living, remember?" The young Captain nods and then grunts when Tia presses a bit harder to release a knot in his muscles. "You need to think things through."

"Yoruichi wasn't going to hurt me...well, seriously, anyway. Besides, you and I have been sparring for about a year now. If there is one thing I've learned, it's how to take a hit." The Shark Queen shakes her head slowly.

"You still need to think things through."

"Yes, mother," drones Daisuke sarcastically. "Yeow!" She grinds her elbow hard between his shoulders. "Ok, ok! I get it! I'm sorry!" After a few moments she finally relents and he sighs. "Jeez. I thought this was supposed to help me relax. If I wanted someone to beat me up, I'd go see Yoruichi."

"Want me to do it again?" A cold bead of sweat winds it's way down his neck and he responds with a shake of his head. "So, what exactly did you do while you were there? Besides getting your brains beaten in, I mean."

"Like I said, I picked up a few things." He motions towards a small number of bags sitting in the corner of the room. "And don't try getting a peek, either. I left your gift in the World of the Living at Kisuke's shop." She rolls her eyes in response. "I still need to pick something up for Lilynette, though. I'll need you or Coyote- sorry, Starrk- to help with that."

"I doubt Starrk will be able to help, so I'll take care of it."

"Yeah, I heard what happened. I tried to warn the two of 'em but I guess it didn't really matter in the end. After all, it doesn't matter how well you're hidden if someone knows where to find you...does it?"

Tia offers a shrug of her shoulders in response. "She asked if I knew where Shunsui was, and I told her. If she hadn't asked I wouldn't have told her." The Shark Queen pauses for a moment. "You had to have sensed her coming down the hall. You could have distracted her."

"Ha! I'm not fallin' on THAT sword for anyone. That would be almost as stupid as trying to distract Captain Unohana."

"Seems like something you would do." Daisuke rolls his eyes. "As for going to the World of the Living...if Starrk is unable to then I'll come with you. But to be honest, I get the feeling that we're going to be seeing a lot of Lilynette and Starrk."

"I got that same feeling, Tia. He and Shunsui already look to be the best of friends." A chuckle escapes the young Captain. "Lieutenant Ise and Lilynette are going to have their hands full looking after the two of them."

"I'm not sure who I should really feel sorry for." Several minutes pass in a comfortable silence before Tia finally gives him a pat on the back. "Alright. That's it...and don't think for a moment that this is going to be regular thing every time you get hurt. I don't have that kind of energy." He glances over his shoulder and offers a rather charming smile.

"Want me to do you now?" The Shark Queen crosses her arms under her bust and stares down at him in consideration for several long moments.

"Well..."