The next day saw Penny back on the island. Hearing that Scott had almost died after a rescue had thrown the normally very controlled woman, she needed to see for herself that he really was alright. She didn't trust Kayo, for all that she worked with her occasionally. There was just something about the girl that was…off.
Virgil – ever amused by Penny's attention of Scott and his brother's ignorance of her feelings for him – had stirred the plot by playing up how close to death's door Scott really was. Did Penny want to go and see him in the infirmary?
Scott's appearance at the breakfast table quelled that thought, and he threw Virgil a puzzled look, wondering what on earth his brother was playing at. He sat down to eat, studiously ignoring the pointed stares of all his brothers at the bandage that could still be seen around his throat.
Over the next few days Kayo avoided Scott. She didn't know to do for the best. The full moon was coming, and although Scott was healing, she wasn't sure if he would have time for more training. Kayo regretted getting him involved, even though she'd had little choice in reality. If she had not given Scott her powers then Fishbone would have killed her and then him and his brother.
Scott was not himself either. The threat that Kayo's father had issued hung over him, that and the talk with his Dad about his Mom had opened up old wounds, and he withdrew into himself.
He knew his brothers and Penny were concerned, could hear the whispered conversations, but he couldn't bring himself out of his funk.
One night Kayo sat upon the roof of the villa, holding the Hollow-Tracker. She thought back over recent events, recalling her father's instructions. Kill Scott if she needed to, she was to get her powers back at any cost, or it would be her life.
She'd waited too long already. Kayo would not stand by and let Scott sacrifice himself for her! Closing her fist around the tracker, Kayo left.
At the same time, Scott was lying on his bed, thinking over the night he had met Kayo. She had been so determined to save him. He called to her, needing to know.
'Hey, Kayo. That first night, why did you save me? I'm a nobody, yet you gave me your Reaper powers, knowing the trouble it would get you into. That night, we could both easily ended up dead. But you – you risked your own life to save mine. Kayo?'
But Kayo was not there to answer him.
Scott raced out. He knew her usual haunts on the island, but she wasn't anywhere. He stopped to think. Damn, he should have known she'd do something stupid. Something heroic. He needed to get to her, to find Kayo before she…
There was only one person he could think of to turn to, only one person who could possibly know where Scott needed to get to. Grabbing One and clearing take-off with EOS on the flimsiest excuse he could come up with at such short notice, Scott flew over to the mainland, to where he knew the man would be.
Sure enough, Conrad was seated at a table, eating a very late supper. He looked up as Scott came to a halt in front of him. He couldn't hide a small smirk as Scott sat down in front of him.
'Where is it? Where is the Soul Society?'
'Abrupt, aren't you?'
'I can't find Kayo. I think she may have gone back.'
'How would I know?'
'Please, Conrad. Just tell me how to get there!'
'And then what? Are you going to rescue her?'
'What if I did?'
'Interesting!'
Conrad sat back and regarded Scott thoughtfully. Although nominally they were enemies, he had a respect for Scott, for the code the man lived by. "Yes," he decided, "yes, I shall help him."
'The Reaper who attacked you the other day is Wayne Rigby. He's an elite swordsman. Do you think you can take him?'
'Are you going to tell me or not?'
Scott sighed. He knew that already, had already experienced it! But then Conrad settled the matter once and for all.
'I have no idea how to get to the Soul Society.'
'Great! Thanks for nothing!'
Scott got up, about to storm off, when Conrad continued:
'However, I know somebody who does know.'
He turned back. Conrad offered a smile that was half bordering on smug, but Scott didn't care, he needed that information. Conrad continued
'A Reaper who was exiled from Soul Society and now lives here, at the Urahara Shop. He might be able to help you. His name is Brains.'
