A strong gust whips up a small showering of fresh snow. The flakes dance this way and that at the mercy of the wind before slowly floating earth-bound again only to repeat the process as another strong wind blows. But this is lost on the young Captain, who stares down at a bloody battlefield. The bodies of Shinigami lay buried in the snow, crimson pooling around them and staining the pure snow a vibrant crimson.

He senses the approach of another and glances over sharply at the woman, who stops at his side. "Shouldn't you be down there?" questions the woman, causing him to turn his amber gaze back down to the Shinigami below.

"Captains are forbidden from setting foot on the battlefield, Tia," replies the young Captain. She notices his hands balled tight, so fight that blood drips from his knuckles at his finger-nails cut into his palms. "Central Forty-Six hasn't given the damn order even though we're in the middle of a full blown civil war." The Shark Queen turns her sea-green eyes down to the Shinigami as well. Members of the Fifth Division, her Division, as well as the rebels fight tooth and claw to push each other back.

Though, it's obvious that the training and conditioning both Tia and Daisuke drilled into their Division is going to decide the battle in their favor. Things had gone bad so quickly. It had started as little more then a few small disturbances in the Rukon...and that had escalated into riots against the Shinigami and then into a full blown war against them.

If that weren't bad enough, worse was that no one could figure out who is leading the rebels or where they are acquiring their Zanpakuto. Even if they are just asauchi, it the possibility that one might imprint their soul on the blade is bad. With Captains and Lieutenants being forbidden by Central Forty-Six from setting foot on the battlefield and confined to simply directing their Division it would be disastrous if one of the enemy were to achieve a Shikai, unlikely as it is.

The Shark Queen places a hand on his shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "I understand that you want nothing more then to be down on the field leading those men and women but you cannot. Since becoming Captain of the Fifth Division you've taught them well, Daisuke. Now you have to let them stand on their own feet." He relaxes, a heavy sigh escaping him as he does.

"True. But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

"I don't like it, either. As much as I don't like killing...these rebels are destabilizing the lives of innocent men, women and children in the Rukon districts. Many haven't even recovered fully from the damage of the Winter War."

"And we're becoming weaker by fighting amongst ourselves like this." Sensing the approach of a poorly hidden, weak Spiritual Pressure both glance back at the rebel charging them foolishly. Though Tia follows his every move, the man never sees the young Captain move, only feels his fist drive hard into his stomach. There are no words to describe the level of stupidity involved in rushing an Espada and a Captain without the ability to use even a Shikai.

The man drops face first to the snow, coughing violently from a blow that didn't even involve close to his full strength. The gap in power and experience between the rebel and the young Captain could never hope to be bridged and worse is the gap between the rebel and the Shark Queen. Tia approaches slowly, a strong wind whipping her woolen cloak this way and that along with Daisuke's haori. "As much as I hate to says this...shouldn't we finish him off?"

"No. We've just captured an enemy rebel, so we'll turn him over to the Second Division for interrogation."

"...Is that the word they're using now?"

"I suppose it helps to sleep at night," replies Daisuke grimly. Tia turns her back on the rebel, approaching the edge of the large cliff to look down at the battlefield again. The young Captain kicks aside the rebel's asauchi and binds him with a Kido spell before turning in that direction as well. Still, both keep their senses expanded and their guard raised even knowing the odds of the rebel escaping his binding are extremely low.

"Looks like things are wrapping up down there...I'll turn the rebel over to the Second Division." The Shark Queen turns and approaches the back. Daisuke only hears a loud burst of static that signals her Sonido.

"She really has fallen into the role of Lieutenant well..." With the battle ended, a Flash-Step carries him down to the field and the members of his Division. "Let's get the wounded to the Fourth Division Relief Station."

"Yes, Captain Arata!" call several members of the Division, helping him with the wounded.

"Ren! Kouta!" From the crowd of Shinigami the two appear, ragged and spattered in blood but alive and unhurt. "Ren, help me move less seriously wounded. Kouta, I need you to stabilize those who can't be moved, yet." Both of them nod in understanding and do as ordered. There aren't many dead...but there's enough to make Daisuke angry. Angry at the rebels and angry at Central Forty-Six for not giving the Captains and Lieutenants permission to set foot on the battlefield.

After all, how can a Captain lead his Division if he's standing behind it? Daisuke, Ren and the others load the wounded onto the carts while Kouta stabilizes the more seriously wounded for movement. Those who aren't wounded stand and wait in silence for orders from the young Captain. He can see in their faces...they're tired. They tired of killing their own kind and when the last of the wounded is finally loaded up and the carts departing for the relief station he sighs.

"I could not be more proud of all of you then I am right now," Daisuke tells them. "You fought well...watched out for each other...supported each other. You fought like a Division is supposed to. My only regret is that I could be on the battlefield to lead a fine group of men and women like all of you. Now...rest. The carts will return soon, all of you get some rest...and I'll watch out for you."

He can see them visibly relaxing in his presence. They trust the young Captain completely to look out for him and with the sun beginning to set it isn't long before the smell of smoke begins to float through the air as fires are sparked to life to keep them warm. It is a long way to the Seireitei and a long way back to the relief station from the battlefield.

Daisuke stands away from the fires and the members of his Division, several yards ahead of them with his senses expanded and searching for any Spiritual Pressure that may come near. Tia, having returned some time ago does much the same, her Pesquisa thrown out in all directions. As such, both easily notice the approach of Ren and Kouta. The two appear on either side of the pair, staring off into the frozen darkness of the winter night. "Are you two alright?" asks Daisuke.

"Fine, Captain Arata," replies Kouta. "Both of us."

"And the others?" questions Tia, arms crossed under her wool cloak.

"Tired, cold and hungry, Lieutenant Harribel."

"The carts will be here shortly and then we'll be on our way back to the relief station." The two nod in understanding and Ren runs his fingers through his hair, accidentally sweeping it back on his head in a manner not at all dissimilar to his father, Sosuke Aizen. With his hair back like that...it would be easy to mistake the two of them.

"We'll go inform the others."

"Fix your hair before you go, Ren." The young Shinigami quickly does so, returning it to it's normally shaggy hair style easily with a swipe of his hand before turning and heading back to the other members of the Division. "At the Second Division I heard that Jushiro and Shunsui met with success as well."

"Good," replies Daisuke. "If we keep winning then hopefully we can end this little civil war quickly." True to Tia's word, the carts arrive only minutes later and the members of the Division begin climbing in for the ride back to the relief station and then to the Seireitei. Tia and Daisuke are the only two who do not climb into the carts and instead walk in front of the first one and behind the last one.

"Everyone get some rest," Daisuke tells them.

"Captain Arata and I will keep watch," adds Tia, walking ahead of the carts. No noise is head from any of the Shinigami as the carts roll forward slowly through the cold night. Snow crunches soft under foot as the walk, senses expanded in all directions to make sure that they aren't caught off guard by an ambush. Clearly, the presence of the Shark Queen and the young Captain does not deter the rebels if the man who attacked them is anything to judge by.

The members of the Division in the carts begin to doze off, one by one, as the carts rock gently back and forth over the uneven terrain and the return to the relief station is one made in silence. Carts pull slowly up to the relief station, filled with wounded and exhausted Shinigami while others arrive empty from the direction of the Seireitei and wounded and others are loaded onto them.

Only the more seriously injured remain behind at the relief station to be stabilized before making the return to the Fourth Division. When the carts stop, the exhausted members of the Fifth Division climb off only to transfer to another set of carts to return to the Seireitei. Daisuke looks around at all the wounded coming in and shakes his head slowly.

"Ren!" calls a voice from the crowd of people. Isane approaches the young Shinigami quickly, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug before she can stop herself. "I was so worried..."

"I'm fine, Isane," whispers Ren, wrapping his arms around her as well. While the two have their moment, Daisuke notices a Hell-Butterfly floating through the crowds towards him. He holds his hand out, allowing the beautiful black butterfly to land on his index finger while it relays it's message. He stiffens as a response and lowers his hand when it fly's off.

"Tia, we're returning to the Seireitei, immediately," speaks Daisuke. "Head Captain Yamamoto needs to speak with us." Tia nods and the two move quickly with Flash Step and Sonido respectively. Normally, it would be Daisuke following behind Tia, her Sonido being far faster then his Flash-Step. However, since she has no idea where they are needed, she follows behind him instead. Several minutes pass before they stop in front of the First Division.

They know the way to Yamamoto's office by memory and if that weren't enough it would be easy to follow his immense Spiritual Pressure to the man. They approach the door to his office and Daisuke reaches up, knocking to announce their arrival. "Enter," calls Yamamoto from within and he pushes the doors open.

The two enter and approaches his desk, the young Captain offering a low bow to him while Tia acknowledges him with a slight bow of the head. "We're here, Head Captain," speaks Daisuke. "What can we do?" Sensing someone approaching Daisuke glances back, hang instinctively going to the white tsuka of Tenshi as he does so. He relaxes only slightly when he notices it's Mayuri.

"It's about time you and your Arrancar got here!" exclaims Mayuri, entering the room as well. Tia eyes narrow in response and she uncrosses her arms. She never did like the man, finding him to be as unhinged as Szayel Aporro. "We have an emergency! You two are going to the World of the Living to-"

"We don't take orders from you, Mayuri," interrupts Tia.

"Mayuri's equipment has detected Arrancar in the World of the Living," Yamamoto tells them. "An Espada class Arrancar to be exact."

"I weren't all of Aizen's Espada eliminated during the Winter War, Head Captain?" asks Daisuke before sparing Tia a glance. "Well, almost all of them. Could this be a mistake?"

"My equipment doesn't make 'mistakes', you moron," replies Mayuri quickly. "I designed it after all! There is no doubt that an Espada-level Arrancar is wandering around the World of the Living."

"And you want us to eliminate it," assumes Tia. The ancient Captain nods in agreement. The Shark Queen looks over at the young Captain who nods in agreement as well. "We'll take care of it, Yamamoto..."

- - World of the Living - -

"Forbidden to take part in one fight...and ordered to take part in another," mutters Daisuke, kneeling down on top of a large snow-covered building. The Shark Queen crosses her arms, and eyes closed as the young Captain gazes out across Karakul Town. Tia expands her Pesquisa thrown out in all directions as she searches for a Spiritual Pressure similar to her own.

Daisuke does much the same, expanding his senses out as he attempts to locate the Arrancar. "I don't sense anything," remarks Tia, sea-green eyes slowly opening.

"Me, either. That psychotic excuse for a Captain wouldn't know a decent piece of equipment if it slapped him in the face." Tia looks down at the young Captain who is growling a bit.

"Is something bothering you, Daisuke?"

"Is something bothering me?" echoes Daisuke. "Of course something is bothering me. We're in the middle of a civil war, members of our Division are dying, the officers are forbidden from taking the battlefield, we're still weak because suitable candidates for the two open Captain positions haven't been found and we're off here in the World of the Living on a wild goose chase."

"Worrying about it won't do you any good. Relax." He releases a heavy sigh several moments later and then stands, offering her a smile as he does so.

"You're right...as usual, Tia. Worrying about it isn't going to help things."

"Good. Then, let's keep looking. If we haven't found anything soon we'll return to the-" Tia's eyes widen slightly and she turns sharply only moments before a soft burst of static sounds behind them. Daisuke does as well, finding himself facing a woman with bright green hair, a strange mask-fragment on top of her head like a hat.

What little bit of her well-hidden Spiritual Pressure Daisuke can sense is easily at the level of an Espada. Though, her face has a stoic expression as she regards the two of them...and she doesn't make a move for the tsuka of her Zanpakuto as she stands in silence. "Nelliel," speaks Tia, attracting her attention.

"Who?" asks Daisuke, now a bit confused by the inaction taken by Tia.

"Tia?" asks Nelliel, eyes opening wide in surprise. Daisuke doesn't see the Arrancar move as she nearly tackles the Shark Queen with an apparently tight hug, squealing happily as she does so. "Tia, I thought that you got killed!"

"No, I'm alive," replies Tia, prying the apparently over-active Arrancar off of her only moments before both she and Daisuke sense someone else approaching. A soft sound signals a Flash-Step as none other then Ichigo appears.

"Nel, you can't just-" begins Ichigo, stopping as he notices the white uniform of Tia and the grip she has on both of Nel's wrists to keep her from hugging her again. "Let her go!"

He reaches back towards his massive Zanpakuto quickly and Daisuke is between them in an instant, hand gripping the white tsuka of Tenshi lightly as he stares at Ichigo. "What in the hell do you think you're doing, Ichigo?" questions Daisuke. "We're on the same side!" The boy notices the Lieutenant badge bound tightly to her left bicep and relaxes slightly then relaxes further as he regards the young Captain. He releases the tsuka of his Zanpakuto as Ichigo does for his own.

"Daisuke...you became a Captain?"

"Yeah. A lot has changed since the Winter War, you know. But I guess no one told you that Tia is the Lieutenant of the Fifth Division...my Lieutenant." He responds with a shake of his head.

"What are you two doing here?"

"That psychotic Captain Mayuri detected an Espada level Arrancar here in the World of the Living, boy," replies Tia, not liking him already. A vein pulses in his temple at being called 'boy' by her not liking her already. "I never expected we'd run into Nelliel. But I guess it makes sense...she always did have a soft spot for Humans." Her cheeks tint slightly in response but she doesn't say anything.

"You're here to investigate...what are you going to do with Nel?"

"We were sent to eliminate the Espada class Arrancar by Yamamoto."

"You mean...you're here to eliminate Nelliel?" The Shark Queen nods in the affirmative and Ichigo growls. "She hasn't done anything wrong! Nel hasn't hurt anyone since coming here to the World of the Living!" When Tia makes no move to release her Ichigo widens his stance slightly. "What if I don't let you?" Tia narrows her eyes in response.

"Think you can stop me, boy?"

"Ichigo," speaks Daisuke. "You give me your word that she hasn't harmed a single Human or devoured a Soul since coming here to the World of the Living?"

"Hell, yes," replies Ichigo simply. "Nel would never hurt anyone." The young Captain looks back at Nelliel and then Tia, meeting her sea-green eyes with his amber as he does so. After a moment she nods in agreement.

"Very well. We'll take her to Soul Society and plead her case to Head Captain Yamamoto and Central Forty-Six. If she truly hasn't hurt anyone...then there's a chance they'll allow her to stay within the Soul Society under close watch." His eyes widen a bit in surprise.

"You'd do that?"

"You have my word, Ichigo. I did it for Tia and I'll do it for Miss Nelliel. If she truly hasn't harmed anyone...then I believe that there's no point to ending her life needlessly."

"Do you think it'll work?"

"Look at it this way...it can only be 'yes' or 'no', right?" asks Tia, echoing Daisuke's words from months ago and causing him to smile. "So, she has a fifty-fifty shot, boy."

"Stop calling me 'boy' like I'm some kind of child! My name is Ichigo, damn it!"

"You are a boy. One who gets himself a nose bleed of seeing a woman naked," Tia teases him, causing Ichigo's face to turn bright crimson in response as he recalls the incident.

"Oh, Yoruichi told me everything."

"Sh-Shut-up! She's the one who transformed in front of me!"

"Ok, enough," Daisuke tells her, barely surpressing a smile. "Stop teasing him." The Shark Queen nods and finally releases Nel's wrists. "I'll do everything I can, Ichigo, no matter what the cost."

"Thank you."

"What are friends for, huh?" He draws his Zanpakuto and then stabs it forward into the air before turning it like a key. A Senkaimon appears in the fridged air, bathing them all in a gentle light as the doors slide open and three Hell-Butterfly's come fluttering out. Nel grins from ear to ear at seeing the dainty black butterflies and in fact that seem attracted to the green haired Arrancar, landing on almost immediately.

Daisuke returns Tenshi to her glossy black saya at his hip. The young Captain leads Nel in...and only Tia remains behind. "Ichigo...I heard that you were the one who killed that bastard Aizen," comments Tia. Ichigo's eyes narrow for a moment before nods firmly. "...Thank you. He had a lot to own up to and I'm glad to see he got what was coming to him." Without another word, Tia steps into the Senkaimon and it disappears...

- - The Soul Society - -

Yamamoto would have been surprised...if he hadn't expected this in some way. Daisuke Arata seems to constantly make a habit of surprising not just the ancient Head Captain but the others. And usually in a good way. In the same room stands Shunsui, Jushiro and Unohana the oldest Captains other then Yamamoto himself as well as Mayuri...not that either Tia or Daisuke want to acknowledge him in the slightest.

"...I send you out for milk and you come back with a woman?" jokes Shunsui, adjusting his grasshat a bit. "Not that I'm complaining, but that's big difference, don't you think?" Daisuke can't help but grin in response.

"Why have you brought this Hollow here to the Soul Society?!" demands Mayuri. "Your orders were to eliminate her!" Nelliel's cheery demeanor had iced over when it had ceased to be just Tia and Daisuke and upon being called 'Hollow' her eyes ice over further. It's a look Daisuke recognizes Tia giving anyone who called her as such.

"I wasn't aware that we took orders from you!" barks Daisuke, Spiritual Pressure flaring as he glares at the psychotic Captain. In his time as a Captain he had come to know a little bit about his peers. In fact, he would say that he likes most of them except for Byakuya who's never spoken more then one or two words to him. All of them but Mayuri who he has never managed to get along with. "Kisuke isn't here to save you from me again, so you'd better mind your mouth, Mayuri!"

"What did you just say?!" demands Mayuri, stepping in his direction and gripping the tsuka of his Zanpakuto. Daisuke mimics his action, gripping the white tsuka of Tenshi as he meets his eyes.

"You heard me."

"That's enough!" orders Yamamoto. "Fighting amongst ourselves will solve nothing! Daisuke Arata...your orders were deal with the Espada class Arrancar in the World of the Living. Instead, you brought her here. Why?"

"We were approached by Miss Nelliel and Substitute Shinigami Ichigo Kurosaki. He informed us that since coming to the World of the Living, Miss Nelliel had done no harm to a single Human and not devoured any Souls. Ichigo is many things...but not a liar, Head Captain Yamamoto. He gave me his word and I'm inclined to believe him."

"The boy is a good judge of character, old man Yama," comments Shunsui.

"And he was right about Tia," adds Jushiro, in support of both his long time friends.

"If Ichigo and Daisuke give their word then I believe them," Unohana tells them all simply. "Truthfully, I've known Daisuke longer then Ichigo but neither of them would lie about something like that."

"Unohana has a point. When we arrived in the World of the Living to assist him with Tia Harribel, he immediately informed us of her where-about's and then tried to convince us of her value to the Soul Society." Yamamoto stares at the green haired Arrancar who begins to sweat slightly under his intense gaze. She is nervous enough but his stare is making her even more so.

"What is your name?" asks Yamamoto.

"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck," replies Nel. "Who are you?"

"I am Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Head Captain Thirteen Divisions."

"Do you know why you were brought here?"

"Daisuke told me it's to see if you'll allow me to stay here in the Soul Society...or kill me." Yamamoto looks at the young Captain who returns his gaze evenly, having come along way since he was first made Captain.

"I saw a potential ally in Miss Odelschwanck, Head Captain," Daisuke tells him. "In this time of strife and civil war it's important to collect as many powerful ally's as possible." Nel looks over at him in response.

"Oh, you want the others, too?"

"Others?"

"I don't know about Grimmjow but...I think Starrk and Lilynette may come to help. They don't really like fighting all that much, after all." Shunsui's eyes widen in response.

"There are other Espada alive?" asks Tia.

"Yeah, Tia! You and me aren't the only one's, you know." In some ways...Shunsui feels a small bit of relief wash over him. He hadn't wanted to kill Starrk during the Winter War and he wasn't sure that Starrk wanted to kill him, either. He saw himself in the Primera in some ways.

"Where?"

"Hiding from the Shinigami like I was, Tia. They don't want to fight with all of you anymore. It was Aizen who was pushing them to do it...well, some of them. Most were too consumed with their own power and bloodlust."

"You're sure, Miss Odelschwanck?" asks Shunsui, receiving a nod in return. "Well...what should we do now, old man Yama?"

"If they're not going to fight then there's no point in pursuing them, is there?" questions Jushiro. "In fact...they could turn out to be valuable ally's for the Soul Society like Tia is."

"If what Miss Odelschwanck says is the truth then it could not be counted out," agrees Unohana. "But certainly there is a difference between Tia, who did not take part in the Winter War, and the others who were defeated and assumed dead during the battle. It is a very real possibility that they hold a grudge against all of us."

"I'm sure that Starrk will join the Soul Society," assures Nel. "He's a really nice person."

"Whatever we say...it's ultimately the decision of Yamamoto and Central Forty-Six," Tia tells her. The ancient Captain is silent for several long moments that feel like an eternity to everyone within the room before he stands behind his desk.

"Very well," speaks Yamamoto. "As with former Espada Tia Harribel, we shall accept you into our ranks under a very close watch. However...you will not be allow to leave whatever Division you are assigned to after night falls across the Seireitei and you are forbidden from viewing or obtaining any material that might be harmful to the Soul Society in the wrong hands. Do you accept this?"

"Yes, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto."

"I think just 'Head Captain' or 'Yamamoto', Nel," Tia tells her and Nel nods in understanding.

"Alright."

"You will be assigned to the Fourth Division under Captain Retsu Unohana, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck."

"Ahh, but I wanted to be in Tia's Division," pouts Nel.

"Oh, my, is there something wrong with the Fourth Division?" asks Unohana, causing the men in the room to stand up straighter as a result. Even Yamamoto straights a bit under at her voice and Nel starts to sweat a bit.

"N...No. I'm sure it's a perfectly wonderful Division, Captain Unohana. Sorry." Jushiro, Shunsui and Daisuke feel sorry for Nel...but self-preservation wins out as they opt to keep their mouths closed. After a few moments Jushiro clears his throat, the sickly Captain succeeding in drawing the attention away from the scared Arrancar girl.

"If I may ask, Miss Odelschwanck," speaks Jushiro. "Could you tell us who survived the Winter War?"

"Oh, that's simple. There's Grimmjow, Starrk and Lilynette, me and even Ulquiorra."

"I thought that Ichigo killed Cuatro Espada Ulquiorra Cifer during their battle on the dome of Los Noches," comments Daisuke, slightly confused.

"I thought he was dead, too! But when I returned from that fake town with Starrk in Lilynette he was standing right beside Grimmjow like the two of them had never fought in the first place. After I healed Starrk, Lilynette and Grimmjow everyone went their own ways. I stayed in Hueco Mundo for a while but decided to head to the World of the Living to see Ichigo, again."

"I see," mutters Shunsui. "So, then, you have no idea where we might find them all?"

"I'm sorry that I can't be of help."

"It's fine. I'm sure it won't be a problem for Mayuri to locate them with his equipment, right?" The psychotic Captain snorts in response to Shunsui's words.

"Of course it won't!" exclaims Mayuri. "Just who do you take me for, you simpleton? My equipment is the best! If this Arrancar is telling the truth then it will be no problem locating them."

"You won't have look hard to find Grimmjow," Tia tells the man, causing all of them to look at her. "I read the report from the Winter War as well as the invasion of Los Noches. That boy, Ichigo, fought against Grimmjow but didn't finish him off...Grimmjow isn't the type of person to let a defeat go like that. I have no doubt he'll show up soon looking for a rematch against him."

"So, it's just a matter of time, then," comments Daisuke.

"I don't like waiting...but at the least it'll give us a chance to get ready for any damage he'll cause."

"Is it going to be that bad?" asks Shunsui, having never met the Sexta Espada before.

"With Grimmjow involved...? Absolutely. He doesn't care who gets caught in the middle or who get's killed so long as he can fight with whoever he is after. If...when he makes an appearance in the World of the Living we should cut him off quickly."

"She has a point, old man Yama. We don't want innocent people getting caught in the middle of a battle."

"We will deploy a small force to the World of the Living on stand-by for the former Sexta Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez," speaks Yamamoto, who turns his gaze upon the young Captain when he steps forward.

"I volunteer my Lieutenant, Tia Harribel, to lead them," speaks Daisuke. "Seeing how she is the former Tercera Espada, if he does appear in the World of the Living then she will be more then a match for him, Head Captain Yamamoto." Jushiro, Shunsui even Unohana all nod in agreement.

"Very well. In light of her strength as the fomer Tercera Espada, Tia Harribel will return to the World of the Living and remain on stand-by until further notice! Dismissed!" They all bow respectfully to Yamamoto, even Mayuri, before leaving the ancient Captain's office. The doors close behind them and Tia and Daisuke turn down the hall, passing Mayuri as they walk away from the office.

The young Captain stops beside the psychotic Captain of the Twelfth. "Looks like you've developed a soft spot for Hollows," mutters Mayuri, only speaking loud enough for Daisuke to hear.

"Arrancar," corrects Daisuke. "I thought that a scientist like yourself would see a distinction between the two...but seeing as you were always second best to Kisuke I suppose I can understand your ineptitude, Mayuri. Regardless...accepting and working side-by-side with Arrancar to eliminate a greater evil is the first step in bringing about peace in the world."

Mayuri growls in response and glares at the young Captain out of the corner of his eye. "One of these days...your precious friends aren't going to be around to protect you,

Daisuke." He smirks in response.

"I'd welcome the chance to finally kill you, Mayuri. Remember that." He follows after the Shark Queen with even steps. Their exchange hasn't gone unnoticed by Shunsui who walks in the same direction, grasshat slightly lowered to hide his eyes and hands tucked into the sleeves of his kosode.

"You should be careful with that kind of talk, Mayuri," Shunsui tells him. "A lot of people are going to point the finger at you if something happens to the boy...and I don't think that Jushiro and I will be able to stop Tia..." He pauses for a moment, a smirk appearing on his face. "...or if we'll even want to try. Have a nice day, friend." The others pass the man by in silence.

Nel pauses and when she's sure that her new Captain isn't looking, sticks her tongue out at the man before following after them quickly. To say that he is less then pleased would be an understatement...but he makes no comment as he walks in the opposite direction. He should have expected Daisuke to come back with an Arrancar in tow but the man always seems to surprise him...it must be a trait he acquired during his training with Kisuke.

Regardless, he decides it's time to inform them of what has happened...