It had already been a few hours since Hiyori had been taken behind those doors...What the hell was taking so long? She was fine...wasn't she?

"Um...Hirako Shinji-san?" He looked down to find Yuzu.

"Yeah?"

"Hiyori-san's injuries are taken care of. It was nothing too serious, but she's resting right now." Damn, she sounded so professional. "She would like to see you, though. We gave her a few things to relieve the pain, so she's currently not in her normal state of mind. She may not remember much of your visit."

The young girl led him through the doors Hiyori was taken through not too long ago. Is this a real hospital or Kurosaki's house?He wondered as he passed the cots and machines that lined the hall, mentally wondering if he could intensify Ichigo's training because he lived in a hospital.

Yuzu's steps were quick and deliberate, not allowing him much thought as he tried to keep up with her. She paused at the door, glancing back at him before opening it.

Hiyori looked like she could hardly hold her head up, her eyes were slightly glazed over, overall she looked so different. She tried to slightly lift her head, her hand limply reaching out to him. He instinctively rushed over to her, grabbing her hand without much thought.

"Shinji..." she wheezed. He leaned closer, her hand raising to brush against his hair. She closed her eyes, pausing momentarily.

"Yes?" he asked eagerly.

"Shinji...YOU DUMBASS!" Her hand smacked his head as hard as she could manage, which was still enough to cause him pain.

"What the hell did I do?!" he snapped, rubbing the forming lump on the back of his head.

"You let him take me here?! Here of all places! That dickhead will tell the others where we are!!!"

"Well what the hell was I supposed to do?! He just grabbed you before I could do anything!"

"Tch! And to think I actually put my life in your hands! If you can't even stop Ichigo from kidnapping me, you're not nearly strong enough to take on that arrancar!"

"SHUT UP!" he shouted, startling her into silence, "This was completely different! I've fought Grimmjow before and I can easily kick his ass again! Besides..." He looked down, avoiding any eye contact with her.

"Besides what?" she inquired, her tone not demanding but curious and a bit timid (something no one imagined she could ever be capable of).

"...I'd risk my life to save yours..." he mumbled, immediately wishing he'd said nothing. She stayed silent, not really sure what to say. He'd never spoken like this before, especially to her, so the only logical explanation could be...

"ALRIGHT! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH HIRAKO SHINJI!!!" she demanded, grabbing Shinji around his scrawny neck.

"Ack!...I...AM...Shinji...dumbass!" he choked out. She released him, causing him to fall onto the ground, his head hitting the chair behind him.

"Because if you died, I'd have to find a new ass to kick" he added, pulling himself into the chair.

"Yeah right...I totally kick your ass!"

"Shut up! You little liar!"

"YOU shut up, lewd!"

Yuzu and Karin stood behind the door, spying on them.

"It's gonna be a long way to recovery" Karin sighed, watching as the two vaizard began fist-fighting.

"I think they're cute together!" Yuzu whispered, "Like right out of a shoujo manga."

"Oh boy...You're daddy's little girl alright..." She closed the door, giving the vaizard some privacy (while also getting some supplies for Shinji's injuries).