Chapter 7

The last vestiges of sun peered over the horizon, painting the sky in deep orange the color of Ichigo's hair. The entire city below the large balcony was cast in a singular shadow, making it appear like a giant black void below them and one that was more inviting than standing before Head-Captain Yamamoto.

They all stood before him with their shoulders back and eyes straight forward, save for Grimmjow and Neliel, whom seemed far more interested in staring at the floor. Grimmjow's foot tapped rapidly against the wood and his arms were tightly crossed as they stood at the back of the sizable group. It was clear he was racked with nerves and all Neliel could do was rub his back and try to ease his mind.

But as much as she wanted to speak, she couldn't as the Head-Captain had garnished all of their attentions.

"Is this everyone involved?" The Head-Captain asked, seated at his desk with the group spread out in front of him.

"Yes, Head-Captain." Byakuya said from the center of the first row, directly in front of the Head-Captain.

"Good. I will begin with addressing Captains Jūshirō Ukitake, Shunsui Kyōraku and Lieutenant Renji Abarai. Step forward." The Head-Captain said with no indication of his mood anywhere to be seen on his aged face.

The three shared quick glances before stepping forward, bringing them front and center of whatever was about to be dished out.

"The three of you took a risk by making the decision to aid in covering for Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Nyruki Sawada." Said the Head-Captain evenly, resting his only hand on top of a closed manila envelope that rested on his desk.

"We felt it was our duty, Sensai." Ukitake said, visibly nervous as he drew in a shaky breath.

"Duty, or not, it was still a risk, whose consequences could have been detrimental to not just you, but the Gotei 13 as a whole." The Head-Captain said.

"We understand." Ukitake nodded.

"With that said, Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyōraku, Central 46 has given me the task of deciding what to do with you, and I have decided not to discipline you for your involvement." Head-Captain Yamamoto said.

"And what of Lieutenant Abarai?" Ukitake asked, glancing at the visibly nervous redhead standing next to him.

"Lieutenant Abarai, you were a bit more complicated to deal with. As you are not a captain, your role in this was on less than stable ground."

Renji gulped.

"Your dedication to your role as Lieutenant, as well as to your Captain has gone above and beyond. Despite being limited in what actions you could take, you still managed to coordinate a plan with two captains and kept up with them when it came time to enact that plan. You showed that there is, indeed, more skill than just combat prowess and as such, I have decided that your involvement was paramount to Central 46's decision." Said the Head-Captain.

Renji exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck, "Thank you, Head-Captain."

"Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, Uryū Ishida and Yasutora Sado... Step forward."

Ukitake, Kyōraku and Renji parted and stepped aside as all that were named stepped forward to take their places. All stood up at their full height and looked straight forward, with their arms hanging motionlessly at their sides, none willing to even open their mouths.

"Central 46 has decided your involvement is inconsequential to the situation. You merely aided in their personal quest to eradicate Overlorde and ensured that they returned in one piece. The four of you are cleared of any wrong doing." The Head-Captain said.

All, save for Ichigo, exhaled their relief.

"Captain Kuchiki and Nyruki Sawada."

Byakuya and Nyruki stepped up and took their places in the crosshairs, the Head-Captain's brows pulling down with each step they took. Nyruki's stomach was on fire with nerves and no amount of breathing was going to help her work through it. The only cure for her raging nerves was to hear what the Head-Captain had to say.

"You two, especially you, Captain Kuchiki, are trying to put me into an early grave with how much stress you have put me through as of late." The Head-Captain said with a firm rasp in his aged voice that conveyed his irritation.

Neither of them spoke.

"You disappear in the dead of night without so much as a word to anyone, with a subordinate whom can enthrall anyone with her Zanpakutō, and you want us to believe that you did so under your own mind." The Head-Captain said with a rise in volume.

"I was under my own mind, Head-Captain." Byakuya said.

"We know that now, but at the time, Central 46 was up in arms that Nyruki Sawada had forced you to accompany her. Do you realize just how close a call this was for you, Captain Kuchiki?"

"I do not." Byakuya said lowly.

"Central 46 had drafted the warrants for your arrests before Captain Ukitake, Captain Kyōraku and Lieutenant Abarai intervened. Those warrants were not just for your arrests, but also held the probability of banishment for you both." Said the Head-Captain.

Both Byakuya and Nyruki glanced at each other.

"However, since their inquiry, they now realize that you both were under your own minds and had vanished without a trace simply because of this personal quest. It is this personal quest that caused trouble for you. What in all the realms were you thinking, Captain Kuchiki?" The Head-Captain's hand curled into a fist on top of the envelope.

"Do you wish for the official answer, or the real one?" Byakuya asked, drawing in a deep breath.

"I know the official reason, what I want is the real one."

Byakuya exhaled, "I left because I have... strong feelings for Nyruki. I was unwilling to allow her to go without me where I could not protect her." He said, looking straight over the Head-Captain's head to blindly stare at the wall.

"I suspected as such, but I didn't think you would allow yourself to simply throw your duty to the wayside for those feelings." The Head-Captain said with a huff.

"I did it for a reason I felt worthy and should I be presented with the same opportunity, than I would do it again." Byakuya said firmly as he squared his shoulders.

"Oh, what we would do for love. Your actions were reckless, unbecoming and stupid, all of which are unexpected of you."

"Head-Captain-" Nyruki tried.

"Silence! You two have officially turned what hair I have left gray with your antics. However, with that said, Central 46 has decided to clear you both and let you off with a warning. Should you two decide to vanish again, the consequences will be far more severe, so think twice next time you wish to disappear and go after another Hollow. If there is a next time, approach me first." The Head-Captain said with another huff and a glare at the pair.

"Yes, Head-Captain." Both Nyruki and Byakuya said.

"In addition... Central 46 has decided to pick up where we left off in regards to Nyruki's task. The battle between her and the captains will be held three days from now at noon. If she fails to prove that she was able to train at least one captain to break free of her Zanpakutō's ability, than it will be confiscated and destroyed, and you will be discharged from the Gotei 13. Is that clear?" The Head-Captain asked.

"Yes, Head-Captain." Nyruki said a bit too lowly.

"With that said, that brings me to the last bit of this meeting." The Head-Captain said as he began to open the manila envelope.

Byakuya glanced behind him at Grimmjow and Neliel, whom were looking back with clear worry in their eyes. Grimmjow's arms were crossed and his fingers were digging into his biceps, simply for something to grip and help keep him grounded.

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaques and Neliel Tu Oderscwank. Step forward."

Both Arrancar visibly gulped as they stepped up, coming to stand between Byakuya and Nyruki. Neliel clung to Grimmjow's arm as the latter dared to look the Head-Captain in the eye, but with soft, worried eyes instead of anger.

"Central 46 had a far harder time with you two, specifically Grimmjow, over Neliel. Neliel, you are dismissed, as they have decided that your involvement is equal in standing to Ichigo Kurosaki and the others." Said Head-Captain Yamamoto.

However, Neliel stayed put instead of stepping aside.

"That leaves you, Grimmjow."

Grimmjow gulped again, "What's gonna happen to me? Death?" He asked as a hand wrapped around Neliel's.

"Central 46 has decided that you will return to Karakura town immediately, under the strict supervision of Ichigo Kurosaki." Said Head-Captain Yamamoto.

Grimmjow's brows furrowed, "What does that mean?"

"He is to report once a month on your activity. Should Central 46 deem your actions are of a concern, then Ichigo is under direct order to take you into custody and return you here for pending trial. If you return here without Ichigo, then you will be executed on the spot. If you step out of line whilst under Ichigo's supervision, you will be executed without a trial." The Head-Captain said with zero emotion in his words.

"What the fuck? Why does Aizen get prison time, but I get execution?" Grimmjow barked with the slightest bearing of his teeth.

"Because Aizen is not an Arrancar. This is not negotiable. You will be immediately escorted back to Karakura town by Ichigo and his friends the moment we break from here." Said the Head-Captain.

"That's bullshit! I've been helpin' you fucks for the last six months and this is the thanks I get?" Grimmjow snapped.

"This is all you're going to get." Said The Head-Captain.

"Fuck off, Old Man!" Grimmjow glared before shifting his anger to Byakuya, "What the fuck happened to my pardon, huh? You fuckin' said you would try!" He jabbed a finger into Byakuya's chest.

"It had to wait, Grimmjow. I told you this while we were still in confinement. I had to wait until the inquiry had passed to regain my political clout." Byakuya said softly.

"You promised me, Pretty Boy. You fuckin' said at the start of this thing that you'd give it a shot and all you've done is sit on your ass." Grimmjow hissed, taking his finger back.

"We had no choice." Byakuya said.

"Fuck your choices. Look what your fuckin' choices got me; Goddamn probation and one slip up and I'm toast. I might as well be back in Hueco Mundo." Grimmjow pursed his lips together as he stared down at the floor, hiding his face.

"Grimmjow-" Byakuya tried.

"Naw, dude. I'm fuckin' out. When can I get my sword back?" Grimmjow asked, looking back to the Head-Captain.

"I'm sorry, but you will not be receiving it back." Said the Head-Captain.

"What? Are you fuckin' serious? That sword is who I am! That's my fuckin' power, Old Man!" Grimmjow yelled, shaking with anger.

"You will not be receiving it back and that's final. Central 46 feels that if they keep the sword, than you are less of a threat." Head-Captain Yamamoto said.

"Fine! I don't need a fuckin' sword to fuck all of you up! Screw you all! At least give me back that mask so Nelly and I can make at least some money to survive off of." Grimmjow hissed through clenched teeth as he held out his hand.

"That will also not be returned."

"I fuckin' knew it. The last six months have been a waste." Before any other words could be said, Grimmjow wheeled around and headed for the door with Neliel close behind. He threw the doors open as he burst through, not even bothering to stop and look behind him that it wasn't just Neliel whom was coming after him, but everyone else as well.

They didn't stop until he reached the street where Neliel grabbed ahold of his arm and held him tightly.

"Please, Grimmy, stop!" Neliel pleaded with tears building in her eyes.

"Nelly, this was a mistake. This whole fuckin' thing was a mistake. We tried trustin' these people and all it got us was that. We have nothing, Nelly. Not a damn thing. What is it about these guys you trust so much?" Grimmjow asked as he yanked his arm free.

"They... They saved my life, Grimmy." Neliel said with the first tear leaping free.

"By what? Taking you back to the place you almost got fuckin' killed at? Yeah, that's helpin'." Grimmjow snarled as his own eyes began to glisten with moisture.

"Grimmy-"

"No, Nelly. We're goin' home. Whether it's to that goddamn apartment, or Hueco Mundo, I haven't decided yet." Grimmjow said.

"B-But... I like it there." Neliel nearly whimpered.

Grimmjow sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, "Nelly... Don't do this... How can you possibly like a hovel like that? You don't deserve that rat's nest. That mask was the last chance I had to give you somethin' better." His eyes began to fill with more tears than they could handle.

"I could live anywhere so long as it's with you." Neliel said as she hugged herself.

Grimmjow sniffled hard as he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. None there needed to see what was happening, as his shoulders bounced from sobs that were consumed by her hair. He held onto her as if she were his lifeline, his sole purpose for being able to stand on his own two feet.

"Grimmjow... You have to give us time. That's all we need." Byakuya said quietly as he drew in a deep breath.

A moment passed before Grimmjow unwound his arms from her and stood up straight, wiping his face on his jacket to rid it of any evidence of his crying.

"You still think you can pull this off, Pretty Boy?" Grimmjow asked with a wet crack in his voice.

"Yes. Renji and Rukia have been compiling a file of all the evidence we need to prove that you are no longer allied with Aizen. We just need to finish it and present it to Central 46." Byakuya said.

Grimmjow wrapped an arm around Neliel's waist and held her to his side, "Fine... Fine. I guess I ain't got any room to say no." He huffed, "Why fight so hard to help me? I tried killin' you, Pretty Boy."

"Because allegiances change and views evolve." Byakuya said, crossing his arms.

Grimmjow huffed a lopsided smile as his watery eyes shifted over to Ichigo, "Leavin' a hell of an impression, Ich."

Ichigo half shrugged, "Somebody had to beat these guys into submission."

"You beat no one into submission, Ichigo Kurosaki." Byakuya glared.

"Oh, yes I did! I beat all you morons!" Ichigo grinned wide as he crossed his arms.

"You've never fought me." Chad said evenly.

"Or me." Orihime said softly.

"Me neither." Nyruki shrugged.

"I don't think we've gotten into a fight." Neliel said, looking up with a finger on her chin as she thought.

"Ok! Ok, I get it! Maybe not all of you." Ichigo grumbled.

"Grimmjow... I'm asking you; Please go back with Ichigo Kurosaki. Follow Central 46's orders until I can do what I promised. I will contact you with whatever the outcome is." Byakuya said.

Grimmjow tightened his hold on Neliel as he finished drying his eyes and wiped his nose on his sleeve. He scanned the large group that surrounded him, how they all seemed sincere in that what Byakuya was saying was true. They needed time and that is all they were asking of him.

"Alright... Fine. We'll go back without a fuss." Grimmjow huffed as he ran a hand back over his hair.

Byakuya exhaled, "Good. Ichigo Kurosaki, all of you head back as Central 46 ordered. We'll be in touch."

Ichigo nodded, "Alright. We'll see you around, Byakuya. Good luck."

Byakuya just nodded once as Ichigo lead his group away, leaving only the three captains, Renji and Nyruki standing just outside of the Squad 1 barracks. The sky had shifted from blood orange to sapphire blue, and the first of many stars had begun to peer through. It was to be a new moon, so the sky was void of the familiar giant silver orb.

"Renji, did you bring the files from the restricted archives?" Byakuya asked, lowering his arms to his sides.

"They're still in your office, Captain." Renji said, spinning the ring on his right hand with his thumb.

"Bring them to the estate immediately. We have to compile the evidence for presentation to Central 46." Byakuya ordered.

"Aye, Captain." Renji said with a curt nod.

"What do you want us to do?" Asked Kyōraku with his hands hidden in his sleeves.

"Nothing for now. You two have done more than enough. Thank you for everything you've done." Byakuya said with a shallow nod.

"I hate to ask this, but what should we do about training you all to break free of Kibōyūwaku? We're still saddled with that." Nyruki said, wrapping her arms around herself.

"This just keeps getting better and better." Ukitake groaned as he rested a hand on Nyruki's shoulder.

Byakuya sighed, "Nyruki, while Renji and I focus on getting the pardon for Grimmjow, can you concentrate your efforts on training Ukitake and Kyōraku? There just isn't time to resume our training as a group." He said as he studied her face and how certained she looked.

"I can try. You're still the only hope I've got though, Byakuya." Nyruki sighed.

"I know, but the advantage I had before, I fear is gone now." Byakuya said.

"What do you mean?" Ukitake asked, lightly furrowing his brows.

"There was a distinguishable feature between the real Nyruki and the illusion that allowed me to determine which was which, but I no longer have that feature." Byakuya said, crossing his arms.

"What was it?" Kyōraku asked.

"Before, Nyruki never used to call me by name and that was the singular mistake her Zanpakutō made. The Nyruki in the illusion called me by name when the real Nyruki always ever addressed me as Captain. Now, however, she calls me by name. I no longer have that simple difference to tell between the two." Byakuya explained.

"Shit... That sets you back a few squares." Nyruki groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I'm afraid it does, Nyruki. I am sorry." Byakuya said lowly.

"Then we have no time to waste. We should get started immediately." Ukitake said, taking his hand back.

Byakuya nodded once, "Yes. We all have our tasks. Meet at my estate at once."

The hour had grown incredibly late and the sky was so dark and the stars so numerous that it was almost as if they were suspended in space itself. It was a warm night with a gentle breeze that rustled through the gardens, but none were there to experience it, as all were too busy with their tasks in separate rooms of the estate.

Byakuya, Renji and Rukia had held themselves up in one of the many rooms of the Kuchiki manor, surrounded by files and papers that Renji had brought from the Squad 6 barracks. What remained of their supper sat amidst the clutter, having been take out that was cheap and quickly delivered. It was terrible food compared to what was usually eaten at the estate, but there was something wholly soothing when one ate junk food while they worked.

With a heavy sigh, Byakuya pressed his fingers into his eyes to clear away the sting of his exhaustion. He had lost track of how late it had gotten, but judging by Renji's soft snoring, it was late, leaving only he and Rukia.

"Do you need something, Nii-Sama?" Rukia asked softly, sitting next to Renji whom had passed out with the file he had been working on laying on his chest.

"I'm afraid not, Rukia. Perhaps more time, but that is far out of both of our reaches." Byakuya said as he returned to the papers he had been reading.

Rukia nodded and yawned wide.

Byakuya tried to resist the sudden urge in the hinge of his jaw, but the yawn was too powerful as it ripped through anyways. He covered his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut, allowing the yawn its due before drawing in a long and tired breath. He knew that he too, was coming close to needing sleep as well.

"I hadn't realized just how busy Ichigo Kurosaki and his ilk have been in recent months. You can clearly see when the Arrancar began helping him. Their kill rate skyrocketed." Byakuya said as he searched through the correct file for the papers in his hand.

"They've certainly been busy. Renji and I found something odd though, Nii-Sama. Most of the bounty requests that Ichigo submitted were submitted twice." Rukia said as she set aside her freshly completed file.

"Really... Did you discover why?" Byakuya asked, lightly furrowing his brows as he picked up his tea for a drink.

"Well, from what we could conclude, the first requests timed out." Rukia said, picking up another folder.

"Timed out? Bounty requests go through the Hollow Department in the Department of Research and Development do they not?" Byakuya asked.

Rukia nodded, "I thought they did."

"Hmm... I wonder if Captain Kurotsuchi might have something to do with it." Byakuya said lowly.

"Do you really think so, Nii-Sama?" Rukia asked as she plucked a piece of cold chicken from her leftover meal.

"It is something to consider." Byakuya said evenly.

Renji suddenly snorted as he choked on his own tongue, which immediately cleared as he smacked his lips together. His soft snoring returned, but Rukia pressed a finger into his cheek to turn his head to the side where his snoring stopped to the blissful relief of them both.

"Thank you, Rukia." Byakuya sighed with another sip of his tea.

"Sure thing, Nii-Sama. He's always snored like this." Rukia softly chuckled.

"I imagine that is a trick you learned whilst growing up." Byakuya said, returning to combing through the files.

Rukia nodded, "Mmhmm. He used to snore louder until he grew into his own tongue. When we were kids, it used to hang out of his mouth when he slept."

Byakuya arced a brow, "I see. That must have been a sight."

"He looked ridiculous. Drool was everywhere, which didn't help since the roof of our little shack leaked." Rukia, again, chuckled at the memory.

"I see." Byakuya sighed.

The room fell silent with the rustling of papers as they worked, managing to complete another file before the door to their room slid open. Byakuya looked over his shoulder as a very exhausted and tired Nyruki stepped inside and closed the door without even making a sound.

"How did it go with Ukitake and Kyōraku?" He asked ultra softly as Nyruki plopped down next to him and rubbed her eyes.

"Long." She sighed, reaching for a take out container, still with the chopsticks sticking out of it.

"Were either successful?" He asked, reaching over and resting a hand on her back.

"No. Papa twitched a couple times, but that was it. I just pulled them out." Nyruki said as she popped a piece of cold beef into her mouth.

"Has it already been five hours?" He asked, taking his hand back to continue his work.

Nyruki nodded, "Yeah. They're asleep now. I hope you don't mind." She said, plucking through the broccoli for another piece of beef.

"Not at all. I imagine they were just as exhausted as we are." He said.

Nyruki took another piece and chewed as she looked across the table at Rukia, whom simply smiled back before returning to her work. Her eyes shifted to Renji whom was splayed out on the floor as if he had simply fallen over, happily asleep with a slow growing puddle of drool stemming from his lips.

"Lightweight." Nyruki snickered as she continued eating.

Byakuya huffed a soft smile, "At least he isn't choking on his own tongue."

Rukia's soft giggle came across the short legged table as she patted a hand down on his chest, "I could always turn his head back up if you want, Nii-Sama."

"No, no, that's perfectly alright. The peace and quiet is enjoyable enough." Byakuya said with an airy laugh.

Rukia giggled a bit more until another yawn tore through her. She covered her face in the crook of her elbow, but no amount of it could hide her exhaustion from the man sitting across from her.

"Why don't you call it a night, Rukia. You are on the verge of passing out right there." Byakuya said, setting his papers down.

"I think I might, Nii-Sama. Shall we resume in the morning?" She asked as she gripped the back of her neck.

"I assume you mean once the sun comes up. It's already morning." Byakuya said with a soft, amused smirk.

"Too complicated. Too tired." Rukia groaned.

"Rest well, Rukia." He said.

Rukia sighed heavily as she rose to her feet and shuffled to the door.

"Rukia... Take the red pineapple with you, if you could." Byakuya said, pointing to Renji whom had returned to his soft, airy snoring.

"Right... I knew I forgot something." Rukia tiredly laughed as she turned around.

"I'll help." Nyruki said.

The two women each gripped an arm and began to drag Renji along, still making no move to wake up from his dead sleep. Byakuya opened the door for them as they dragged Renji through and slowly shook his head as he watched them head down the hall. Renji never once opened an eye.

He returned to his spot and sat back down to continue his work with his only company that of the sound of his rustling papers. He was currently working on the file for three months ago, and it had been a very active month for the human boy and his friends. They had eradicated scores of small fry, all while managing to kill ten Hollow whom all had bounties on their heads. They had amassed a collection of $50,000, but according to what his tired eyes were reading, only half of that had been paid out for that month.

He sighed again as Nyruki returned and knelt down behind him to gently massage his shoulders. He softly groaned with relief as her hands worked the meat of his shoulders, and he dropped his head to his chest to give her the most amount of room to work.

"Thank the gods." He breathed, keeping his eyes open out of fear, that if he closed them, he wouldn't be able to open them again.

"Like that?" Nyruki asked in just above a whisper, pressing a bit harder into a knot that had formed at the base of his neck.

"Very much so, my dear. I think that, perhaps, I am at my limit." He sighed, having long forgotten about the papers in his hands.

"I reached mine hours ago. I'm running on sheer stubbornness at this point." She said with a tired laugh.

Byakuya's throat rumbled with a low laugh as he turned and wrapped his arms around her middle, yanking her down to lay across his lap. She chuckled and managed to keep her yelp from getting too loud before he captured her lips with his.

Nyruki sucked in a long breath as she placed a hand against his cheek, smiling against his lips while his fingers laced themselves through her hair.

Their motionless kiss only lasted a moment before Byakuya sat up, still cradling her in his arms as he tiredly looked into her equally tired eyes.

"Would you like to retire for the night?" He asked, brushing his hand back across her cheek.

"Yeah. I think so." She nodded with her eyes half lidded from her exhaustion.

"Then I will walk you to your room." Byakuya said as he released her.

Nyruki sat up and climbed to her feet, offering Byakuya a hand that he took, but didn't use to get to his own. He smiled down at her, keeping her hand clutched, as he lead her through the door and out into the dark garden. They stopped to admire the sky overhead, how the billions of tiny lights twinkled like gems beneath a lamp. There were so many that it made it impossible to count them all, just like it was impossible to count the billions of blades of Senbonzakura.

Byakuya sighed after a moment he started for her room on the other side, still clutching her hand softly, but she didn't move, stopping him at their arms' extension.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, still holding onto her hand.

"I don't think I wanna sleep in there tonight." She said, almost in a whine as she rubbed an eye.

"You make to sleep all the way back at your barracks?" He asked, furrowing his brows.

Nyruki glared.

It didn't take a second for his brain to click with what she actually meant, as it wasn't the spare room, nor her barracks she was considering, but his own bed.

"Ah... My apologies." He said, softly smiling at her as he pulled her to him.

"Is it ok?" She asked in a whisper.

"My bed is open to you, Nyruki." He said just as quietly.

"It sounds nice." She said, leaning into him.

"I will admit, however, that I do not have the energy to do much else, other than sleep." He said, lazily closing his eyes and opening them again.

Nyruki exhaled a laugh, "I'm not looking for anything other than that. Just the company of a warm body... preferably yours."

Byakuya wrapped her up in his arms as he placed a gentle kiss to her forehead, "It will always be mine, so long as you wish it."

"You don't need to worry about me not wishing it." She hugged him and pressed her ear to his chest.

"Then shall we?" He asked as he unwrapped his arms from around her took her hand once more.

Nyruki, with just a smile, nodded as her grip tightened on his hand. She wanted to feel that safety, that warmth of being wrapped up in his arms while they slept. She had become addicted to it, that sensation of having him pressed against her, keeping her back so awash with warmth that laying in front of a fire could not produce more. She wanted it more, and more with each passing day and with her battle with the captains quickly approaching, and with the task of somehow managing to garnish a pardon for Grimmjow looming overhead, having the reprieve of laying her head in the same place he did was far more than welcomed.

With her smile growing, Nyruki and Byakuya stepped into the master bedroom.