It wasn't far to the Urahara Shop, and Scott was surprised to see it open at such an hour. He wasn't here to ask questions though, and he found the man named Brains easily. He was up a ladder, polishing something, but he came down as Scott – manners forgotten in his need for information – immediately began talking.

'There must be a way for me to get to the Soul Society! Please, tell me. I need to get to Kayo.'

'Actually, I don't think Kayo has gone back there. She would have been executed if she had and Kayo isn't someone who would throw her life away like that.'

Scott thought about Brains' words. The man was right, Kayo was far too pragmatic for that. It released a lot of his tension over not being able to find her, but not all of it.

Brains had turned to the man Kayo had given her powers to and regarded him thoughtfully. So this was the man who had so much spiritual pressure he had taken Tanusha's power entirely. He could feel it even now, as weak as the man was.

'You realise Kayo is trying to protect you?'

'How?'

'She'll try to get her father to spare your life, even though she'll be risking her own.'

'To protect me. Again.'

Brains regarded the man solemnly.

'If I am right and that's what Kayo is indeed doing, she runs a good chance of being killed on the spot. Her father, Kyrano, is quite ruthless.'

Scott blinked. It was like his Mother all over again. But this time he was no child. He swore to himself that he'd not let Kayo go through this alone, and he set off to find her, making his way to the place they had met last time. Running through Auckland, Scott reflected on the rest of Brains' words.

'There are many ways to enter the Soul Society. The favourite portal of the Reapers is nearby.'

Kayo had indeed managed to make contact with her father. She was intent on offering a solution to save both Scott and herself.

'The human's spiritual pressure will attract the Grand Fisher. When it appears, I will exorcize it and redeem myself and please the superiors. You must let him live.

Kyrano regarded his daughter. Once more he felt the surge of pride at all she was willing to do to save the human she had unwittingly condemned. But he still kept it hidden. There were those in the upper echelons of Soul Society who would use such feelings against both himself and his daughter.

'You have a plan.'

Her grin told him everything. He may not have smiled back, but Tanusha knew her father and could tell he was pleased with this outcome. But he needed to be sure.

'You would hazard your life for the sake of this human?'

'I wouldn't!'

'You would disobey my command? Is it that you distrust me? You would defy me to protect him?'

There was no answer from his daughter. Kyrano softened his voice.

'Answer me, Tanusha. Answer me.'

Still she remained silent. Kayo knew better than to throw words at her father, and she understood that he was making it absolutely plain what the superiors would be thinking.

Wayne, who up until now had remained behind his Captain, walked around Kyrano to stand in front of Kayo. Unlike her father, he did not understand and he did not approve of her stance. He smirked at her.

'Just kill the human and come back where you belong, Tanusha. That way you can be pardoned.'

Again Kayo said nothing. She could feel Wayne's anger rising, and while she understood where it was coming from, she did not want it any worse. For Scott or for herself.

'Come on, Tanusha! Kill him! The Grand Fisher is going to devour him anyway – you know that! He's something to be used as bait, that's all. A piece of garbage. Kill him!'

Unseen in the shadows, Scott had listened to everything. He'd seen how Wayne had been, had heard the commands that Kayo had been given. Had seen her, kneeling before both men.

And he had heard enough. He stepped forward and bellowed at them:

'That's enough!'

They all turned to him in shock. He was panting from running, but his determination shone through.

'You just watch and learn!'