New Year's Eve was all right. Nan, Bess, Karin, and Ameil went to Hueco Mundo for the holidays, mostly because Ikkaku needed to be alone for a bit with everything going on; everyone tried to cause as little trouble as possible, but it was still sad.
The first day they all worked on homework since no one felt like celebrating. On New Year's Day, they finally went to see fireworks and Nan was happy her sister was there to help celebrate.
Meanwhile in the World of the Living, it didn't feel like a holiday to anyone; however, it was a very nice one for both Yuzu and Ururu. Rin and Hanataro both came to surprise the girls, offering their condolences and spending the day with them. They had a picnic in the basement and went to see fireworks. Both girls later swore that if Kisuke and Isshin hadn't arrived there at an inopportune moment, they would have gotten their first kiss. Under the amused scrutiny of the adults, the boys said a very shy goodbye and left.
All too soon, school started again. It was a very calm first week and not much happened until Friday during science class, after a painful French lesson.
"You needed me for something, Ikkaku?" Sajin said from the doorway.
"Yes, please stand up here," he said, signaling him to the front of his desk.
"Er, okay," Sajin said, a little confused.
"Now class, who can tell me the difference between a coyote and a fox?" Ikakku asked happily.
"Hey, Ikkaku!" Sajin said a bit angrily, one ear twitching.
"Shhh," he mock-whispered back with a grin. Karin raised her hand.
"Their nose," she answered.
"Correct," Ikkaku said in surprise. Karin usually didn't participate in class that much. Nan was next.
"Their footprints are very different—"
"—and how they travel around is different," Nat finished.
"Very good, guys," Ikkaku said, impressed. This was starting to get both him and his class out of their depression.
"Now," he said, pointing to Sajin's teeth. Sajin looked even more annoyed; he really hated this.
"Notice their sharp teeth," he began just as Sajin snapped the pointer in half with his teeth.
"Hey!"
"Notice my teeth are sharp enough to break wood. Also notice how big my ears are, which can perfectly ear everything, Bess, Orihime," he said pointedly. "If I have to be here, you all have to listen. Now," he said, picking up Ikkaku's desk.
"I am also strong. Which most wolves are," he finished, putting the desk down.
"The last thing you should notice is how nice my coat is. Ikkaku, you don't need me anymore, so goodbye." He left in a huff and Ikkaku dismissed the laughing class for the rest of the day.