"Do not worry. I will protect you until the end, kaen-hime." –Hitsugaya Toshiro

This chapter was completely rewritten. And, if you didn't notice, there's no mention of rape in any of these chapters. What I changed completely destroyed that part in the fic…

Okay, in case you didn't know, I have rewritten parts of this fanfic. If you're just tuning in to this chapter because it was on your story alert, sorry, but you gotta go back and read from… the very beginning. I AM SO SORRY! (throws self on ground to beg for forgiveness) I was reading back through it, and since I now have a definite plot, I decided to write some things in and erase some chapters and stuff. But it'll hopefully still be fourteen chapters.

Also, much thanks to the people who have faved/reviewed/story alerted mah story. I love ya guys!

One last thing: Sorry this chapter is so incredifreakinlylong, but I wanted to fit a lemon into here. Also, I kept having Toshiro call Sakana princess, and then I started thinking "The princess is in another castle!" lol.

Inspiration: …

Chapter Rating: M

Spoiler Warnings: Spoilers for the Bount Arc and a little bit of the Shusuke Amagai arc.

Chapter Warnings: LEMON! I forced myself into a lemony mood, because I'm so overdue for one. And the next chapter will have one. I feel terrible because there has been a lack of lemon.

"These are normal thoughts."

Note: Some Japanese words may be in italics.

These are thoughts Sakana (and spirit animals) receives. "This is stuff she sends."

"This is one's Zanpakuto."

Chapter 10: The Poison's Twilight

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

"Sakana, what was Hueco Mundo like?"

"………"

Sakana and Amaya were in the 5th Division office together. It had been forever since the two had actually relaxed and chatted idly, ever since Aizen's defection and Amaya's promotion into Aizen's place.

"Well, it's sandy, that's for sure. Nothing but open deserts…"

Amaya could tell that Sakana was being a little stingy with details, but she had to press her.

"And Las Noches?"

Sakana looked away. She knew that Amaya was an empath and telepath as well; that was what her rinji kenpei was. She knew that Amaya could just read her mind, so why was she asking?

"…………"

"…Sakana?"

"…Stone walls, stone floors… the scent of blood… of fear… of death…"

Amaya looked at her old captain and her best friend. Sakana's black hair shadowed her eyes, hiding her expression.

"…feelings of fear… the will to kill… bloodlust… hate… the urge to fight…"

Amaya reached out and touched Sakana's shoulder. The images that were burned into Sakana's memory flowed into Amaya, and she drew her hand away.

"…it's terrible…"

"Amaya, I know Aizen is your father, but this is our fight. It's us he wants." Sakana said. Amaya understood what Sakana was trying to tell her.

This isn't your battle. When the war starts, stay out of it.

"I get it. Now c'mon, the Captain's Retreat is in a few hours! And you have to look nice for Shiro-kun! He won't like it if you're all depressed!" Amaya said cheerfully, pulling at Sakana's arm. Sakana looked at Amaya with surprise in her eyes, and then grinned.

"Neither will Juushiro-kun."

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Sakana shunpo'ed to her house, making sure that Toshiro was nowhere in sight (or thought range). Toshiro usually never went to the Captain's Retreat that occurred around this time of the year. It was a party that all of the captains attended. There was food, and drinking (lots of it), and the captains could relax and have fun for one afternoon. It was also the once chance they had to not wear their Shikakushou and actually wear something else for a change.

The captain went into her bedroom and opened her closet. Hanging there was a beautiful pink kimono that, according to Shunsui, had belonged to her mother. She had only gone to a Captains' Retreat a few times (most other times she was either sick or had so much paperwork Amaya would not let her go), so she never had the opportunity to wear it.

"Kaaaaen-hiiiiiiiiime…"

Sakana squeaked, slammed her closet door shut, and spun around. Toshiro was crouched on the balcony, a mischievous look on his face.

"T-Toshiro! How long were you there for?!"

"Not long. What are you hiding?" Toshiro questioned, looking into Sakana's startled reddish-brown eyes.

"Nothing…"

Toshiro's smile turned into a smirk. "Oh? Something you don't want me to see? Is it what you're wearing to the Captain's Retreat?"

Sakana turned a bright shade of red. "…no comment." Toshiro smirked; he knew it.

"Ah, you want it to be a surprise. I see." He leapt all of the way in through the window, disappearing for a split second. Sakana was bewildered for a split second, until she found herself lying on her bed, staring into Toshiro's aqua eyes. She let out a squeak as Toshiro pressed his lips to hers.

"I'll make you tell me."

Sakana squirmed, attempting to get away from Toshiro's kisses. Then he began to poke her sides, making her squeak even more.

"(Squeak) S-STOP IT! Uhehehe… H-Hey! S-stop t-t-tickling m-me! (Squeak) Haha haha~!"

Toshiro poked Sakana in the side some more; her number one ticklish spot, besides her feet. Speaking of which… he brushed one hand against the bottom of her foot, and she jumped with another squeak.

"(SQUEAK) C-Cut it out! Gyahahahahaha! S-shiro! D-d-desist!! Ahahahahaha!"

"Well?"

"Cut it o-out a-and I'll show y-y-you! (Squeak)" Sakana squeaked. Toshiro finally stopped torturing his girlfriend, and she flopped back onto the bed, limp.

"Gehehe… Damnit, Toshiro…I sometimes almost want to hate you…" Sakana muttered, waving a hand, "Shoo. I'll change. Come back in an hour or so. I'll finally be ready then."

Toshiro did as he was told, leaving back through the window. Sakana giggled as she managed to push herself up with shaky arms.

"Great. And he was so close to getting the truth out of me… damn it Toshiro…" Sakana snickered as she went to the bathroom to wash her hair.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Aizen and Ulquiorra stood on the sky above the Soul Society. Aizen sighed wistfully; he remembered when he used to go to the Captain's Retreat, getting drunk (That's a funny mental image; a drunk Aizen) and partying with the other captains without a care in the world. He was still plotting to turn against them even then, but he had to admit that he had fun that one night in the year. He could see the festive lights around the first division, and deep deep deep deep deep deep down, he longed to be down there with them, drinking and partying. Aizen shook his head; why was he thinking like that?

"Because, you were one of them once."

Aizen ignored Kyouka Suigetsu, even though the Zanpakuto spirit was sort of telling the truth. That one day of the year, he forgot about his plan to destroy the Soul Society. He relaxed and had fun, not caring about evil plots or dangerous weapons. He sighed again, scratching his head. He really needed to stop living in the past. It had all been a façade; nothing more.

"Aizen-sama?"

Aizen sighed again. "It's nothing, Ulquiorra. Do you have it?"

Ulquiorra nodded, letting out a sharp whistle. At once, a garganta opened, unnoticed and undetected by the Soul Society, and a cage pushed by two arrancar came out.

"Ah, Bount-kun. Nice to see you again."

Inside was a Bount; it was one of the few remaining Bounts after Kariya's failed attack on the Soul Society (besides Koga, that is). The Hogyoku, however, had modified this Bount. The Bount's doll had merged with him, and with that, special powers had been given to him. Not only could he spread a dangerous toxin, he could change his shape at will.

"Can…I… go…out…?"

Aizen nodded to Ulquiorra, who pulled out a key and put it in the lock to the cage.

"Hai, Bount-kun. Go and do what you do best. Where all the festive lights are, go there."

"Hai… I… can finally… see… what's… around…"

Ulquiorra broke the seal on the cage, and the Bount zoomed out, disappearing from view.

"Come, Ulquiorra," Aizen sighed, once again giving the area of festivities a melancholy look, "I do not wish to linger any longer here."

"Hai, Aizen-sama."

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Toshiro would have taken her right there and then.

But one, they were standing in front of about 30 other Soul Reapers from her division.

And two, taking her right now wouldn't be proper. Not before the Captain's Retreat.

"…anou…uh…"

Speechless.

Sakana was wearing the pink kimono. Her hair was done up in a ponytail, as it usually was. For once, she actually wore a little makeup, even though Toshiro said she was beautiful without it. She was wearing silver tabi and black sandals. Her Zanpakuto had a black sheath with a pink and silver sash, and she was wearing a straw hat much like Shunsui's.

"…my god…"

Toshiro felt himself getting excited, and he blushed several shades of red. Sakana giggled at her boyfriend's actions. She knew it wasn't every day that she wore something besides her Shikakushou, but she knew he thought she was stunning.

Toshiro himself was dressed in an ice-blue kimono with a green sash around his waist. He stood there, gaping at his girlfriend with an open mouth like a fish. Finally, he managed to get his brain working again.

"…you are so hot."

Sakana smirked. "I know I am." (LOL PUN)

A few of the other male Soul Reapers looked enviously at the icy captain for having such a beautiful woman as his girlfriend. Only her division as a whole knew that the two were together. Since they mostly kept to themselves within their own division, they never told anyone else. Toshiro offered his arm, and Sakana took it.

"Shall we go, then?"

"Yep! Food and sake await us!" Sakana cheered. Toshiro gave Sakana a kiss on her cheek before the two captains shunpo'ed away.

If you did not know any better, you would not think they were a group of powerful captains. Shunsui greeted his daughter by tackling her in his favorite way (Sakana accepted the tackle hug, laughing). Juushiro was chatting with Amaya, who wore a stunning orange kimono to match her hair. She was blushing, making her look even more like a giant sunset, as Sakana affectionately said. Soifon and Mayuri were having a drinking contest (Surprisingly, Soifon could out drink even Shunsui), Yamamoto was chatting with Komamura, who was happily munching on some yakitori, and Unohana and Byakuya were playing Shogi (Unohana was winning; slightly infuriating Byakuya, but he did not show it much). Kenpachi was cheering on Soifon in the drinking contest.

Soon, the captains all sat down to eat. Soifon was only slightly drunk, while Mayuri was passed out on the ground (a drunk Mayuri; there's another image). Toshiro was very interested in a watermelon dish; if anyone tried to take a piece, he would growl at them and they would leave him alone. Sakana was laughing at Unohana, who almost lost her hand via Toshiro (Unohana gave Toshiro a very mortified look, which made the situation all the more hilarious). Yamamoto raised his glass and proposed a toast.

"To the Soul Society and our good fortune during the war."

"Hear, hear!" Soifon slurred, the sake finally reaching her brain.

"Sit the hell down, ya drunk!" Kenpachi said, slapping Soifon on the back. Soifon giggled like a high school girl on crack and sat back down. Soifon and Kenpachi were actually great friends… when they were drunk. (Soifon drunk… okay, I'm just going to draw a picture of all of the captains drunk.)

The captains began to eat, cheerily chatting about random things. Sakana looked towards where the third division captain was normally seated and chuckled. It made her think of the two previous captains, Shusuke Amagai and Gin. Shusuke had become the captain right around the time of the last Captain's Retreat. He was so hilarious when he was drunk, considering that even inhaling the scent of sake caused him to be drunk. He was even more of a lightweight than Yoruichi. And Gin… he was just a party animal. She shook her head and took the dish that Amaya offered her.

"Try it! Ikkaku made it for Kenpachi to bring, since Kenpachi can't cook worth shit." Amaya said cheerfully.

Another tradition of the Captain's Retreat was that each captain brought a dish. Normally things from the 11th and 12th divisions were avoided unless they knew who had cooked (or helped with) the dish. Surprisingly, a good number of the captains knew how to cook, and their dishes were well received, such as Unohana's umeboshi (lol, they both start with U). Sakana looked at the questionable-looking dish, but took a small bite.

"Hm… holy crap this is amazing! Despite it LOOKING like shit, it tastes awesome! Toshiro—"

"No. I don't eat questionable food. Remember the last time a captain ate questionable food?" Toshiro said. Sakana snorted. Shunsui had been given a platter for his birthday one year, but when he ate it, he had the shits for about two weeks. He thought that even though it smelled okay and looked like crap, it was fine.

"No, seriously, it's fine!" Sakana said. Toshiro finally gave in and took a bite of the platter.

"…not bad…"

Ukitake and Amaya were both now slightly turning green from whatever Mayuri's dish was. Ukitake saw a fly sinking in it, and tried to throw it an udon noodle, but it was hopelessly sucked under. With shifty eyes, Amaya took the dish and threw it in the trashcan behind her. Nobody would miss that dish.

All the captains were enjoying their meal. Desserts were being served, now. Sakana had "slaved over a hot oven for about four hours" (in reality, it took her about half the time) to make a delicious sake cake. Soifon had let out a disappointed sound after learning that the actual sake was baked out of the cake, leaving it with a delicious sake taste. All the captains favored the cake, and Yamamoto even ordered Sakana to give him the recipe. Sakana chuckled at this.

"Sorry, Yama-jii, but I've been forbidden from sharing this recipe outside my family."

After a few more hours of partying, the captains finally began to go back to their quarters. Sakana picked up her and Toshiro's plates (both were empty) when Toshiro snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I know it's you."

Toshiro picked Sakana up, and she giggled. He had told Sakana earlier that after the festivities were over, the two of them would go to the hot spring Rangiku was always trying to drag her captain to. Toshiro took the dishes and gave them to the servant, who blinked at the couple as they disappeared from the hall.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Both captains were quite relaxed and in bliss from the sake. The onsen was as great as Rangiku had exclaimed to her captain, trying to get the frosty taichou to relax and not be such a workaholic.

"Mmm… Rangiku was right, this is great…" Toshiro said, sinking into the water. Sakana snuggled closer to Toshiro. She felt so calm, sitting next to the one she loved. She rarely had any self-control to begin with, but anything she did have was gone. She was happy that everything was calm. They were together; it was the perfect evening. The stars twinkled merrily in the sky as the couple relaxed. Toshiro's wet hair hung loosely around his face, his arms wrapped around her.

The few drinks Toshiro had had made him feel… dare he say it, giddy? All of his self-restraints had left him. He felt so relaxed, like there was no reason to rush the moment. They had only moments before they would be thrust into war, so why not enjoy the quiet time they had together? The air was slightly chilly, but it did not matter to the couple. Only the two occupied the large onsen, which Toshiro was grateful for. He was also surprised that an onsen like this had no other occupants, but he didn't care. He had Sakana, and that was all that mattered.

"…this is perfect."

"Mm."

Sakana yawned, feeling like she had been drugged. All the food and the onsen were making her drowsy. She was about to close her eyes when she felt Toshiro's lips at her neck. She tried to quell the moan that was in her throat, but failed. Toshiro smirked and ran his hands through her silky wet hair. He reached around Sakana's waist, and gently prodded her side, causing her to jump with a squeak. Toshiro snorted; her number one ticklish spot.

"Will you stop that?!"

"Never."

Toshiro pressed his lips to hers in a loving kiss. There was no lust or hunger in it; nevertheless, Sakana could not stop the moan in her throat. Toshiro snickered and broke the kiss, staring deep into Sakana's eyes.

"I love you."

Sakana blushed, looking away from Toshiro.

"I love you, too."

Within the next five minutes, they had left the onsen, and were in his quarters. The entire building was silent, which was perfect. The duo was alone in the building; the servants had left hours ago. Toshiro kissed Sakana's neck gently, causing her to let out a moan.

"Mmmhh… Shiro-kun…"

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-LEMON STARTS HERE! X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Sakana's arms linked around Toshiro's neck as he kissed her collarbone, lust clear in his actions. Her body shuddered, and her eyes flickered closed with a muffled moan. He laid light kisses on her cheeks, forehead, and nose, causing her to wrinkle her nose. Sakana let out another moan, and Toshiro took that opportunity to dip his tongue into her mouth.

As he deepened the kiss, Sakana buried her hands in his snow-white hair. The temperature in the room started to rise above what was considered normal when the fiery princess was around. His hands slid underneath the thin peach yukata she had worn to the onsen, brushing against her sensitive sides. Sakana let out a soft squeak at the tantalizing touch, her hands clenching in his hair, but he did not care. Toshiro left her addicting lips and gazed into her brown-ish red eyes.

Her eyes looked a little more red than brown, and Toshiro briefly wondered if it was because of him. There was no need for words, mentally or physically. The look in each other's eyes conveyed what they felt about each other. Smirking, Toshiro latched onto Sakana's neck, sucking. He gently bit her, leaving a love mark, letting everyone know that this girl, his princess, belonged to him and him alone. Sakana winced a little at her lover's biting, but did not care. She belonged to him now, and no one would take her away from him.

"You belong to the Ice Prince of the Soul Society, now." Toshiro smirked, licking the small bite sensually. Sakana let out a chuckle mixed with a soft moan.

"And the frosty workaholic prince belongs to the fiery princess."

Toshiro ran his hands down the toned stomach, causing Sakana's eyes to flutter close and her breath to hitch. The frosty captain smirked; no matter how many times they had made love (and it was a lot), Sakana was always sensitive to his touch like the first time. He left her neck and moved down to her chest, letting his cold breath flutter across her breasts. When he began to suck on one, Sakana arched to the touch, her nails scratching Toshiro's back. He winced a little bit; her nails were always unusually sharp, but he didn't care as he continued to pleasure the woman he loves. He took one breast in both hands and sucked on it. Sakana moaned from the sensation, a heavy blush on her cheeks. As the nipple grew hard under his mouth, he left it, moving to the other one. As he gently sucked on the nipple, he pushed one finger inside of her, causing her to let out a lust-filled cry.

"Nngh…shiro…!"

Her body clamped around his finger as Toshiro thrust his finger in and out of her, adding another one. Her svelte body writhed at his touch, and he withdrew his fingers, releasing the princess from the mind-numbing torture. Her body collapsed back onto the bed, trembling.

"Ah…Shiro…?"

Toshiro then pulled off the yukata he was wearing before pulling off her peach yukata, opening her fully to his touch. He felt his member grow hard.

"You're so beautiful, hime."

Sakana's face turned another shade of red as she bit her lip. She looked at Toshiro, and almost had to do a double take.

Was it just her?

It almost looked like Toshiro had blue dragon wings like before when they escaped from Hueco Mundo. She blinked again, but her eyes soon squeezed shut at Toshiro's icy breath at her opening. Her brain couldn't function properly anymore as she let out a wanton cry as Toshiro licked her opening. Her breath hitched and she grabbed Toshiro's head, wanting more of the sensation. Toshiro left her hot opening and moved back up to her lips, kissing them lightly. Suddenly, Toshiro found himself on his back, Sakana straddling him. She was breathing heavily, a mischievous expression gracing her features. He raised his head, about to ask what she was doing, but his head quickly slammed back into the pillow.

"W-wha… Aagh!"

Toshiro bit his lip, his hands clutching the sheets as Sakana's hot breath ghosted over his erection. She took hold of him, her hands moving deftly up and down his shaft. He squeezed his eyes shut; the way her hands moved over him was driving him crazy. He wanted to take her, to feel her heat surround him, but he was trapped. He tried his hardest not to moan, but it because harder for him not to when Sakana began to lick the shaft, her head bobbing up and down. He felt his entire body shudder from pleasure, but as soon as he felt himself about to come, she stopped.

Taking advantage of her brief pause, he kissed her, causing his princess to collapse on the bed, him on top of her. He thrust three fingers into her, sucking on her breasts, feeling her cunt clutch the digits inside of her. Sakana moaned, her body writhing, her panting heavy. He wanted to see how far he could push her before she came. The fiery princess bit her lip, knowing what he intended to do.

"S…shiro…mm…"

Toshiro smirked at his lover underneath him, begging for release, for that feeling inside of her. Not wanting to deprive his princess of her wishes, he thrust into her, causing her to cry out in pleasure. He felt her cunt surround him, and he sighed, enjoying the feeling. It felt so damn good, to be inside the hot cavern. He began to rock her body, thrusting deep into her. Sakana pulled his head down and kissed him, her tongue touching his. She was wetter and hotter now, and he began to plunge into her, hitting the special spot that made her scream his name.

"Ah! To-Toshiro…! Oh, god…"

She wrapped her legs around him, meeting his hips with every thrust. Unable to hold back, Sakana sank her teeth into Toshiro's shoulder, letting out another lustful cry. Toshiro thrust faster and deeper into her, her cunt convulsing around his length.

"I..I'm close…To…shiro…"

"AH…Sakana…I'm gonna…"

Sakana was thrashing as her prince thrust into her. Neither was able to speak coherently as the sensations they were getting from each other drowned out any other thoughts in their minds. Sakana felt her climax coming, and knew that Toshiro was reaching his as well. Her moans had turned into lust-filled screams as she begged for her release. He lapped at the love-bite he gave her as he thrust deep into her, slamming against that special spot.

"AAH! S-Shiro! Oh, god…!"

Finally, Toshiro could no longer hold out. As her cunt clamped down on his length, he came, screaming his princess's name to the stars. Sakana came soon after, her teeth digging into his shoulder as she screamed in torturous pleasure, her body shuddering from the force of the orgasm.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-LEMON ENDS HERE! X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Toshiro withdrew from his princess, flopping down next to her. At once, she snuggled to his chest, one arm draped over him. He gently kissed Sakana's forehead, dripping with sweat. Both were quite sticky and wet, but did not want to move from the comfort of each other's warmth. He rubbed her back, and she melted into his touch.

"I love you."

"mm, yuki-ouji… I love you, too…"

Sakana was already falling asleep, thoroughly exhausted. Toshiro pushed himself up with limp arms, pushing the two wet yukata onto the floor. He would deal with them later. He pulled the blanket over them, allowing the fatigued princess to once again snuggle against him. He wrapped his arms lovingly and protectively around her, kissing her on the top of her head.

"Oyasumi, kaen-hime."

Sakana snuggled against Toshiro, flush against him, a small smile on her face.

"…best Captain's Retreat ever."

Toshiro chuckled, his eyes fluttering closed as he began to fall asleep. Briefly, he looked at the princess in his arms, and his eyes widened a little bit.

Sakana had red dragon wings poking out from underneath the blanket. Carefully he reached out and stroked it, and she mumbled something incoherent, shifting her position a little bit. The ice prince felt his eyes getting heavier, and made a mental note to ask Sakana what exactly was going on before he fell into a deep slumber, his lover against him.

Unfortunately, a mere three hours later, the duo was awakened by a hell butterfly. It landed on Sakana's nose, and she sneezed, her eyes fluttering open to see black. Something itchy was on her nose…

"AAGHWTFBBQZOMFG!" Sakana shouted, jolting awake as the hell butterfly floated off her nose and hovered in front of her. Toshiro groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"…what's going on?"

Sakana looked at the clock. It was almost two in the morning; what could they possibly want? With a muddled brain, she held out her finger, and the hell butterfly gingerly landed on it.

Satoshi-taichou, Hitsugaya-taichou, please come to the fourth division. This matter is extremely urgent.

Sakana and Toshiro looked at each other in horror. "Shit…" Sakana muttered, knowing the three hours of sleep they got was all they were going to get.. Then she got a good look at Toshiro.

"What the…"

"What's the matter?" Toshiro asked, concerned. Sakana reached out and brushed her hand against one of Toshiro's blue dragon wings.

"That's what's the matter. What the hell is this?" she asked, confused.

"You've got them, too."

Sakana looked at herself; indeed she did have red dragon wings and a red dragon tail. She stretched, spreading the wings as well.

"…rinji kenpei?"

"Well, we don't have time to worry about that now! We have to go!" Toshiro said, getting out of bed and wincing. Sakana grabbed his arm and began to drag him to the bathroom.

"W-what are you doing?"

"If we take a shower at the same time, we'll get there faster. Let's go." Sakana said. Toshiro then allowed himself to be taken to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready in five minutes.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

The duo was surprised upon arriving at the fourth division. They weren't sure what to expect when they got there, but what they saw surely wasn't what they expected.

"R-Retsu…? What the…"

Unohana was lying in a bed, a flustered Isane by her side. Unohana's eyes were shut and she seemed to have trouble breathing. Ukitake and Amaya were standing next to the bed, a worried expression on both of their faces.

"Okay, what the hell happened here?" Toshiro asked Ukitake.

"It seems one of the dishes was laced with poison. Kurotsuchi-fukutaichou is doing an analysis from all of the dishes, so we do not know which one it was but all of the captains are at risk." Ukitake said.

"You two seem to be fine, and so do we. Unohana, Mayuri, Shunsui, Soifon, Komamura, and Byakuya are all in the same state."

Sakana heard a wail, but it only reached her ears. "Poor Hana…" she muttered just as Nemu rushed in.

"Ukitake-taichou, Higashi-taichou, I have the results. There were traces of poison in a yakitori dish." Nemu said. Sakana scratched her head.

"There was an yakitori dish?"

"I didn't see it." Amaya said.

Sakana thought about it a little more. Ukitake and Amaya had been sitting near the end of the table with them and Yamamoto. Mayuri had been sitting next to Soifon once he woke up, Shunsui had been sitting next to Unohana and Byakuya, and Komamura was next to Soifon.

"Who brought the dish?" Toshiro asked Ukitake. Ukitake shrugged.

"I looked at the list. No one brought a yakitori dish."

The five looked at each other.

"A work of Aizen?"

"It's a possibility." Ukitake mused, "However, we must concentrate on them getting well before the war. It could start any day now, and we cannot afford to have captains out of action when the day comes."

Sakana looked thoughtful. "Come to think of it, Aizen always brought a yakitori dish for the Retreat. He may be a traitor, but damn it he was a good cook." Sakana chucked dryly.

There was a groan from the direction of the bed, and all eyes turned to the fourth division captain, who looked very pale and shaky as she sat up.

"There… might be… a solution…"

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Anou: err…

Yakitori: grilled chicken.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

And thus ends the longest chapter I have ever written in ever.

Okay, I will tell you guys one thing: the 12th and 13th chapters are the Winter War. xD I'll let you figure out what the next chapter and the 14th chapter are!

And also, a little information for you; because of the mark Sakana and Toshiro have left on each other, they can freely access their rinji kenpei. It tends to show itself when they need it the most, or when their reiryoku combines. After about ten minutes, if they don't use it or don't want others to see it, it fades away.

The next chapter may have the last lemon before the Winter War. No promises, though! xD my brain is totally fried from ACT and PSAE testing in the SAME WEEK, and then writing this, so… I dunno. If I recover from the mental trauma I endured from testing, you may get a lemon! Love ya guys! xD

--MattsyKun_TEFA