After dinner, it was an enjoyable evening again. Though Karin and Bobby were grounded for the night, the kids still had fun. Bess gave up on sewing and went back to knitting, which she enjoyed. Nan attempted to knit as well but the yarn kept getting tangled and she constantly dropped stitches. Ameil, being severely bored, decided he too wanted to learn to knit.

"Look Nan, I'm better then you!" he said with a laugh. Nan scowled in response. "Boys aren't supposed to knit except for Tessai. What guy do you know that knits?"

"Well, Uryu and Ichigo just started," he said after thinking. "Hey, where's Nat?"

"Ameil, do keep up, Nat was here for the day," Gin told his nephew. "By the way, we're going to the World of the Living to buy you some new clothes tomorrow," he added.

"Awww, do we have to? I hate clothes shopping, why can't I just order them like Bess?" he complained.

"Because I want to go shopping. Besides, we can spend time together."

Nan proceeded to issue another complaint. "I can't believe Nat wants us to learn the whole Twelve Days Of Christmas song! I also can't believe we still don't know anything about the lady. Oh well, we will go back soon and I will definitely find something out."

"And I will teach Koga how to read," Bess added.

"Don't push him, Bess, he may not want to learn to read," Gin cautioned.

"But how can anyone go through life without knowing how to read? I don't understand," she said in puzzlement. She had been seriously thinking about that all weekend, and Ameil hid a chuckle.

"So, what are you two up to?" Bess asked, turning to the younger girls. After a few seconds of staring, Gin laughed. Ururu and Yuzu had fallen asleep without warning, peacefully snoozing where they had previously been chatting.

The following day was rainy so the kids were forced to stay inside. All too soon, it was time to get back to school. Back at Plumfield, the kids instantly busied themselves; it was nice to be home. Nan immediately visited the mysterious lady, who was sitting up in bed.

"Are you Nan, my young nurse?" she asked pleasantly. "Yes," Nan said with a very big smile. "What's your name?"

"Emily Brook," she answered, and asked anxiously, "Is my baby all right?"

Ikkaku walked in just as she was talking, and responded, "Yes, Unohana said everything was just fine."

Emily visibly relaxed. "When did she wake up?"

"This afternoon. Oh, and guess what, your husband will be here to pick you up tomorrow!" he said happily.

"Oh," she said very quietly.

"Nan," Bobby called, running to the room. "You have a visitor!"

Nan walked into the living room in confusion, Ikkaku following. Who would be visiting her?

"Dad!" she said, surprised. Her father was very busy and she hadn't seen him since she injured her ankle.

"Nan, how are you?" Mayuri said, hugging her tightly.

"Why are you here?" Nan asked. "NAN!" Ikkaku whispered in rebuke.

"Well, I was working in my lab today when it hit me that I missed you and wanted to see you," he said with a smile.

"Oh," Nan said, still confused. "Well, it's nice to see you too, but I just got back from Hueco Mundo and I am busy." Ikkaku did not stop her from saying this; after all, he deserved it. Nan proceeded to leave the room rather coldly, and Ikkaku explained, "She did miss you but you were always busy."

"I know, but-" Mayuri began.

"No buts, she is your daughter and you never visit. I don't know who I have seen more of in this school, you or Ryuuken," he said in exasperation.

"Ikkaku!" Tessai whispered sharply while bringing in a tray of tea.

"I can't stay long, I'm very busy," Mayuri said. He did not seem hurt or fazed in the least by Ikkaku's comments nor by Nan's behavior. On his way out, he passed Ryuuken.

"I see that all the rare ones are visiting today," he said wryly. Ryuuken gave him a slight smile in response.

"What are you doing here?" Ikkaku asked, even more surprised. Just then, Uryu came down the stairs, meaning to fetch a cup of water. He stopped in his tracks at the sight of his rarely-seen father.

"Ryuuken, why are you here?" he asked rather rudely. Ikkaku sighed; he really needed to go over his manners again.

"You forgot your book over break so I brought it to you," he said whiled handing the book to Uryu.

"Would you like to stay for tea?" Tessai asked. He had made enough for three people and didn't want to waste any.

"No, I have to go home," he said, turning to leave. Ikkaku followed him to the porch.

"Thanks for sponsoring Chad."

"It was no problem," Ryuuken answered.

"You know, you could visit more. You may not get along very well with Uryu but he is quite happy when you visit," Ikkaku suggested gently.

After a pause, Ryuuken merely said "I'll be here for the Christmas pageant," and left. Ikkaku smiled.