Or so she thought. For when she looked up at the stars again, there was Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Matsumoto, Hitsugaya, and who she presumed to be Ikaku and "Pretty boy." They hadn't actually give the one with the fake eyelashes a name other than that, and that was what Ichigo called him.

She started to scream, but Ichigo's hand covered her mouth. "Shh! Is screaming all you can do when something scares you? Good greif…" He pulled his hand away from her mouth, and Livia looked up at them in genuine surprise. It just proved how deep in thought she was if they could've snuck up on her like they did…especially Ichigo. "What…what are you guys doing up here? And what's with the shihakushou? You guys aren't…wait, are you all soul reapers?"

Now it was their turn to be surprised. "Yes, but how did you know what we were?" Ichigo said.

Livia shrugged. "There was one stationed in the town that I lived in, too. Her name escapes me for the moment, but she was around long enough for me to see her, and for her to tell me—briefly, I might add—how to control my powers…" She put a confused look on her face. "Speaking of which, why are there so many of you here in one town?"

Rukia gaped. "So many? You mean that you can't feel the hollow that have been appearing off and on for the entire time that you've been here?"

Livia thought about it. "Well, maybe…but I don't pay that much attention to things that aren't concerning me, most of the time. That's what the soul reaper who had been stationed in my town said when I was really little…let's see, what was her name…she looked really weird, like an ice witch, and she said her name was…was…" She snapped her fingers. "Kootta Kootari, or something like that."

All three took in a deep breath, and looked at one another. "That was the manifestation that we saw the other night. Do you think that she is following Livia around, and teaching her as she needs?" Hitsugaya said.

Renji shook his head. "I don't know, Captain. All that I know is that this girl has to be the reincarnation of our former seventh seat, and that the manifestation of her former sword taught her how to use her spiritual powers." Renji's face crinkled in thought. "Speaking of which, what is your spiritual power?"

Livia sighed. "Do I have to do it now? And it was such a quiet night out, too…"

And she called out to four of the hounds that rarely made an appearance. They were Kudoku, Shinwa, Shouri, and Igen; Bernese mountain dog, Yorkshire terrier, Golden Retriever, and a Basenji respectively. She had to force spiritual pressure in them so that they would be visible to the others around her. Then she made the introductions as the dogs barked at her and surrounded her, trying to keep her safe from an unknown danger. "The big one, the mountain dog, is Kudoku, the yorkie is Shinwa, the golden is Shouri, and Kootta told me that she was an alpha female, oh, and little Igen is the Basenji."

Ikaku looked thoughtful for a moment. Then said, as he pointed to each dog in turn, "Virtue, Myth, Victory, and Dignity, huh? Good names for the dogs…though don't they look kind of like…I don't know…ice?"

Livia shrugged. "They do feel kind of cool, but then they've always felt that way. She called them…what was it again…?" Livia thought for a moment. "Oh! She called them the winning combination from the 20 Hounds of the Ice Queen or something…I don't get the last part of that title, though. Or why she felt the need to name what they were together." Again, Livia shrugged.

Renji sighed, and turned around to face the street. "Well, isn't this just perfect. I remember that certain squad member talking about her 20 hounds of Kootta, and she told us their names only once. However, those names sound strikingly familiar, like as if those are the same names as the ones that were of the original squad member…" he sighed again.

Rukia then put a hand on Livia's shoulder. "You can call them back now, Livia. No need to stress out your spiritual pressure just for show." She glanced up at Ichigo, then at Hitsugaya. "I think that we should include her in our…outings. She should learn more about her powers, and learn how to use them in battle." Rukia turned to look at Ichigo again, and he looked like he was about to have a hernia. "Oh, calm down. We could use all the help that we can get for the final showdown, and you know it. Stop being so overprotective."

She heard some grumbling coming from the direction Ichigo and, strangely enough, Ikakku. However, it was "Pretty Boy's" reaction that nearly made her choke. He swooped down and said, "Oh, my! What lovely animals!" His eyes turned to Livia as she stammered out a, "Thanks…I guess…" He put his hand on her shoulder, forcing Rukia back. "You must let me train with you sometime…out battles would be truly magnificent. Something for the crowds to marvel at the beauty of."

You know the twitch that is in every anime, when a character receives an unexpected blow, or is truly irritated? Well, Livia could feel that twitch coming on in her eyebrow as she said, "Uh-huh, sure…and who are you again?"

1 hour later…

"…and that about wraps it up for today," Hitsugaya said, pushing himself up into a standing position and brushing off his real-world clothing. Livia beamed at all of them, happy to be a part of the conversations and yet not afraid to show that she was happy to be included. She received several smiles, and as they started to file out the door she also stood.

She brushed off her knees for no other reason other than killing time so she would be one of the last one out from the room. As she straightened up, she saw Renji standing there, watching her every move. Blushing slightly, she started to rub the back of her neck. "Um…do you need something?" she asked, starting to blush a little darker as she avoided all eye contact with her former superior officer.

Kootta was mentally scoffing at her reaction to the sudden close quarters with Renji, especially while they were alone in a bedroom. You are crazy, Livia. Just talk to the man and get it over with. Kootta scolded, folding her arms in front of her and raising an eyebrow and tapping the toe of one of her ice gilded shoes on the carpeted floor.

Renji also seemed to finally notice that they were the last one in the room, and that she was blushing. In response, he also started to blush then said, "Well, you see…I was wondering if you wanted to come with me on my rounds tonight. You know, so we can talk about your abilities, and to practice with them if we run across anything."

Livia smiled then, and nodded. "Sure. I've already finished my homework, so I'm free…" {Why does this feel like he just asked me out on a date?} Livia asked Kootta, her eyes shifting to where her manifested sword was still tapping her toe.

Said manifestation was now smirking. Because I think he just did…or was trying to. But, to me, it feels more like he is trying to get to know an old friend again rather than an ex. Kootta started to play with some of her long hair in thought, but then she shrugged. She then noticed that there was still an awkward silence between the two soul reapers, and stomped a foot in frustration. Damn it, just go with him! Lead the way, because he looks too tongue-tied and tied-up to do anything! Kootta then followed her own advice and walked out the door. Sighing, Livia followed, motioning to Renji saying, "Come on…aren't we going to go and patrol the city?"

He looked up, startled, then nodded. "Uh, yea. Sorry, I was just thinking about something." He shoved his hands in his pockets and followed Livia out the door.

Matsumoto was waiting outside, and looked at Renji with a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, Renji, I see that you picked up our resident mouse." She giggled a little, then threw an arm across his shoulders. She leaned closer to him, and whispered loudly in his ear "Remember, these human girls are always so stingy about protection…" which was quickly followed up by a crying Matsumoto hunched on the ground, Renji an intriguing color of red that matched his hair, and an irritated Hitsugaya, his sword manifested and raised at the correct height for where Matsumoto's head had previously been.

"Stop goofing around. Let's get going," Hitsugaya said, his sword disappearing as he started to walk away. Matsumoto pouted, then looked at a glaring Livia. She waved her goodbye, then ran to catch up to Hitsugaya.

Livia shook her head, then started walking, Renji soon catching up and then, taking the lead, directing them towards the Urahara shop.