"Oh, my baby!"
Hisa and the Shinigami returned to the village, the woman leaping to her feet from Kohana's arms and rushing forward to hold her precious child. Hisa stood watch as the mother looked over the girl.
"Will she be alright?" the woman asked Ikkaku. Her face was red with sorrow, her violet eyes swollen and puffy.
"She'll be out for awhile, but she will be okay," Ikkaku answered, his men falling into place behind him. It was clear to Hisa that 3rd Seat Madarame demanded respect, more, his men were more than willing to give him that without hesitation.
"Thank you so much, Soul Reaper, for saving my daughter."
Ikkaku held up his hand. "We got rid of the Hollow, but if you're looking for the person who saved your daughter, this is the woman." Ikkaku pointed to Hisa.
The woman nodded to Ikkaku and to Hisa, not quite understanding, but trying despite her shock. "Is that my daughter's necklace?" she asked at last.
Hisa remembered that she wore a pendant for safe-keeping. "It likely is," Hisa admitted, removing the jewelry from her throat. "I found it a mile or so away from here."
"South, right?" the woman asked. "Yes, Lily enjoys that spot. She says it's peaceful." The woman's eyes filled with tears as she spoke. "I cannot thank you enough, young lady, for what you've done for my daughter."
Blood began to rush to Hisa's cheeks. "Just keep her safe and one day she'll appreciate all that you've done for her," Hisa responded. After an offer or two for further thanks, Hisa and Kohana left the village, the Shinigami remaining close as they all headed back to District One.
"You didn't tell that woman that you saved her daughter," Hisa noted to Ikkaku. "You're either incredibly humble or incredibly stupid. I don't see you as someone who would be humble, so you must be stupid."
Ikkaku grimaced down at Hisa before his expression softened. "Lucky for you, I'm not stupid. I'm not one to take someone else's credit. We defeated the Hollow, however you put yourself between the Hollow and the girl, even between the fight and the girl. Takes guts. Either you're really brave, or you're really stupid."
Hisa shrugged. "Unfortunately for you, I'm not stupid."
With that, the Shinigami used Shunpo, leaving Hisa and Kohana in the dust. Not that Hisa minded all that much, wandering with her best friend seemed to be a favored pastime. The sun was beginning to set, the clouds turning a vivid and violent red, followed closely by an orange tint. Neither minded that the other didn't speak for some time; filling the air with mindless babble wasn't always necessary. Fallen leaves crunched beneath the women's feet, their muscles growing heavy from the day behind them.
"Hit a soft spot, didn't it?" Kohana wondered softly. The air hung with her words as her friend considered them.
"Kids usually do," Hisa admitted.
"That's not what I'm talking about," Kohana clarified. "But I won't pry. Each to her own."
"Best thing you've said all day."