In the darkness of her mind, nothing could be seen... Kai's body was the only thing visible in the darkness and she was laying flat on her back. "Kai..." Ryu's disembodied voice echoed and yearned to awaken her mistress. "Kai..." She tried again, still nothing...not even a stir. "Kaiorin...wake up." the dragon tried one last time and this time, it managed to wake her.

"W- Whaaaa...? What...happened...?" the goth asked and opened her slits slowly, they appeared dazed.

"Your great-grandfather knocked you out... We must speak, it's important..." the beast of a zanpakuto replied in a low and mournful tone. "Please, light up this world...so we can see," her voice sounded serious but...with each word spoken, it seemed as if she was having a hard time breathing.

"Sure," That was all the punk answered with and stood to her feet. She closed her eyes, clenched her fists then sparked her reiatsu. The whole world lit up and it appeared the same as usual except...Ryu... Kai looked around, then saw her sitting up on the ledge as she had before. Her slits widened in shock...she didn't look very good... "H- Hey! The hell's wrong with you, why do you look...-" before she finished, Ryu fell onto her side and grunted. "What the-!" she shouted and used sonido, poofing next to the dragon's side and sitting on her knees. "Hey, what's wrong?!" she was panicking, something was obviously wrong with Ryu and she couldn't understand what it was...

"M- My mistress... This...is why I wanted to speak with you..." the dragon's voice sounded pained; she opened her blazing solid eyes and gazed into slits, her solid ones looked...faded...a little and the flames on her body looked red...but not the lively kind of red. It looked like red flames that were dying, due to the lack of oxygen.

"Just tell me already, stop wasting your breath on words that can wait until you're better!" Kai shouted, her teeth were gritted into view and her eyes appeared wide from devastation.

"Kai...do you remember, when I said fusing is life-risking...? I wasn't just talking about your own life..." she said and shut her eyes again, slowly breathing in and out.

"Wh- What do you..." Again, she got cut off...

"Every time we are to fuse...our mind and body become one... When mastered, our minds will be completely fused...but our bodies... When you take damage, so do I...and when you went to fight again...you fused a second time... I tried so hard to prevent those dark spots from spreading...but I was too much in a weakened state, that it ended up spreading more than before. I...am the one who tries to keep you alive, while we're fused. Though you and I both receive damage, it is equal between us...and now here I am...withering. Please, I beg of you mistress...don't use fusion for a while...the most you can do is use bankai...but even then, I must take it easy during the fight. Please...don't...I will die if you do..." Ryu finished and inched her head on the goth's lap, laying the tip of her mouth on it.

"R- Ryu... Fine, I won't... If it's risking your life too, I won't... I'll let you rest...but when you're healed...I want you to train me again," Her sad, low voice answered and she placed a hand on the side of Ryu's head, holding her.

"Alright...it would be wise..." the dragon responded, feeling very appreciative toward the goth for allowing her rest.

~~~Outside of her mind~~~

"Koumetsu...wake up... We missed you..." Ikkaku mumbled with a flush on his cheeks and a dazed look in his eyes. As if on cue, the goth's slits opened slowly and it took a bit for her vision to clear. In a first-person view, Ikkaku's face was just above hers and his eyes widened at seeing the punk waking up. It quickly switched to third and showed him just a few inches from her face. His cheeks got a deeper shade of red on them when he saw her stare deeply into his eyes. She looked dazed, her gaze was narrowed and her lips were apart.

"Ik...ka...ku..." Kai softly spoke, those two stayed like that for who knows how long...until he smiled at her and sat up.

"It's about time you woke up, we were worried sick that your old man hit you too hard and put you in a coma!" he kept that smile plastered and gazed at her features. "It's been a while..." he said and continued. "I heard you got stronger, your great-grandfather over there told us everything," Adding to his words, he backed up and watched the woman taking her time sitting up.

"He even told you about my fusion?" the goth asked and rose a brow, her slits looked pained but she tried to mask it.

"Yeah...it's pretty cool actually, maybe you'd be able to go head to head with our Captain!" he chuckled and kept his eyes on her form. What surprised him was when...Kai just hugged him quickly and let go, sitting back on the bed. Ikkaku was stunned, his face grew red and shock was evident in his eyes.

"I...missed...you guys too..." she mumbled loud enough for them to hear, with a faint flush dusted. A smirk came across his features and Rangiku walked up next to him.

"Aaaaw, you really missed us?! You know, we should celebrate your return! How about we eat out?!" she smiled happily and leaned over the bed, with her hands on the side.

"I can't...not now. I wanna make sure my bro's alright, where is he?" After Kai's question, the room went silent and everyone's expressions went sour. The blonde stood up straight and frowned, she was more worried about her brother at the moment...

"He's...I think being interrogated right now, it wouldn't be wise to intrude," Yumichika stepped up and fiddled with a hair strand, staring at it.

"I asked...where is he...not what he's going through! I know damn well that he's on trial, I knew it was gonna happen! So where is my brother?!" yelled the goth and gritted her teeth, her squinted slits glowed angrily with her veins. "Don't you DARE hide him from me..." she spoke darkly and clenched her fists only to get hugged by the blonde Lieutenant.

"It's alright, it's alright...he'll be fine... We're not hiding him, I'll take you to him but I want you to stay quiet and not interfere," she reassured the goth, let go, and smiled. The half breed's eyes dimmed down, her anger calmed and she took a deep breath.

"Fine...as long as we can see each other, I don't care... My brother is very sensitive when it comes to not being able to see me... He would literally kill if he's prevented from being near me or to see me. I should know, he kidnapped me...cause he didn't want us to be apart," Kai explained and got up, walking around the three who stood near the bed. "Oh, and old man?" she spoke up and earned a questionable gaze from him, while he remained leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Did they approve of you being here...did you even talk with the Head Captain...?" she asked and he shook his head. "Why not...?" questioned the goth and watched the elder close his slits.

"Because I refused to...until you awakened... Only then, would I meet with that Soul Reaper..." he answered and everyone looked over at the elder, Unohana just stayed out of the conversation and listened. She stood close to the door, hands clasped together in front and a pleasant smile evident.

"Hello Koumetsu, I'm happy to see you're awake. The Head Captain would like to see you please, your brother is with him," That got her attention...she peered up at the Captain and ran up to her, desperation clear in her slits.

"Really?! I have to get to him, he'll-" the goth got cut off when Retsu rose a hand and laughed a little.

"Fear not, he is fine. He won't try to kill anyone, I just came from there. Come, I'll show you the way," she gestured towards the door with her hand and walked out, leaving Kai and everyone else there.

"Wait, didn't you say you were gonna show me where Morgus was?" the goth turned to face Rangiku and stared at her quizzically, with a sweatdrop down her head.

"Yeah, looks like Captain Unohana's got this!~ Good luck, girl!" Matsu smiled and giggled, with a wave of her hand. Kai smirked and laughed to herself, feeling as if relief just washed over her and cleaned her of all her worries....well...most of them.

"See ya guys, I'll be back! Oi, Madarame!" Kai shouted with a big grin and narrowed slits, walking over to him all the while.

"What?" With his response, she put him in a hold by the back of his neck with her arm and got close to his face; he was surprised by her sudden action then looked at her.

"Let's go have another eating contest later, all of us! I'll take that offer, celebrating by eating out!" she finished with a risen voice and made him grin just like her, he bumped his forehead against hers with both pairs of eyes staring into each other.

"You're on, Kai....~" the baldy spoke and shocked the goth, her eyes widened at the sudden formality. What really shocked her was...when he kissed the tip of her nose and flash stepped out of sight. Everyone gawked in astonishment, they couldn't believe he just did that... She still remained in that posture, face red, slits wide and a frowning mouth said it all...

"Come Kaiorin...let us not waste any more time..." Dao stated between gritted teeth and pulled on the back of her collar, dragging her along with him. Not once had she said anything, she was too much in shock by that kiss to even think straight... She was all chibified, with big round red eyes, no mouth lining, and all pudgy-looking. With him pulling her along, she was scraping against the ground and the sound of comedically squeaking went across the clean floor.

After those two left, it was only a matter of seconds before the two remaining in the room busted into laughter.

In Yamamoto's office, was Morgus, Dao, and Kai. Setsuen sat in a chair just in front of the head Captain, the punk sat in the second chair next to him in a blushing mess and Dao stood behind both half-breeds with a cautious gaze. "Now, I do believe you know why you're here...Setsuen. Your actions from before, show that you betrayed the Soul Society by joining Sosuke Aizen's side. Punishment will be decided, depending on what you have to say about this. Captain Soi-Feng and quite a few others are infuriated by your betrayal, so state your reasons!" his harsh voice made the said man giggle and smile happily, being glad that his sister was with him.

"I only wished for my dear sister here, to be by my side. I feared for our separation after we reunited a while back.~ I also kidnapped her, because Aizen needed her to resurrect lord Daomig'rah here!~ He wanted to capture her himself but I wanted to do it instead; I was afraid he was going to hurt her... The reason why I joined him, was because he promised he would train me and help me become stronger.~" Morgus answered and Kai just watched silently from the side; her brother's expression went from happy-go-lucky, to mourn.

"I was informed by Captain Soi-Feng, that you joined her squad for personal reasons as you put it... Is that why you joined? To get stronger?" he questioned him again and saw the man nod.

"That isn't the only reason... It's also because I wanted to look for someone; after I found my sister and learned that she was the one Aizen needed, I informed him about her. I wasn't expecting to find my dear sister.~ The person I'm looking for, Head Captain...is the murderer of my parents... My sister and I had our little fight, she understood after I told her my reasons... So, she offered to train with me instead, since Aizen didn't do as he promised," he replied with a fake smile and narrowed his brown eyes, he too wore his old shihakusho.

"I see... Tell me, how did you learn of her being the one he needed...? How did you know she was lord Daomig'rah's descendant when you knew nothing about him?" the old man asked and squinted his eyes. Soon, it only showed Setsuen's mouth, that perfect smile plastered and had a finger raise to his lips in the shushing gesture.

"Because...Aizen told me about Daomig'rah having a Descendant," that was his simple answer. Yamamoto just closed his gaze and sighed, then leaned back in his chair. It changed back to show his face, a fake smiling expression was still evident. "He said she would be a useful pawn to him and when he found out he could resurrect lord Daomig'rah, he decided to take her with him.~" after finishing his explanation he faintly giggled to himself.

"Very well... Koumetsu, what is your end of the story?" he opened one eye and looked at her from his angle, seeing the goth just stare up at the ceiling with her arms up behind her head.

"He's right, that's how it all went down. I didn't really like how he kept acting all weird... I can't really say anything about the last part though..." Kai answered and moved her slits down to view the old man, he nodded and sighed once more.

"Alright... Now, lord Daomig'rah...we need to speak....privately. Koumetsu and Setsuen, step out please..." Yama demanded and opened his eyes directly at Dao, making the elder dragon squint his gaze. With that, Kai got up and patted her old man's shoulder on her way by, left with Morgus then leaving the two to talk. "I heard from one of my Captains, that you wanted to make a truce between us..." he continued in his strict voice.

"My great-granddaughter desired for me to do so, not I... I loathe you Soul Reapers...but I shall do anything that Kaiorin wishes... She does not want me to cause conflict or any kind of trouble with you or other Soul Reapers... I do not want her to be harmed, so I shall do exactly that. As long as I am by her side, watching over her...I do not care... Do know...if any of you harm her...I will annihilate you all... I decided to be a father to her and as a parent, I shall watch over her..." he answered and got a harsh stare in return.

"Tell me...what made you despise us Soul Reapers...? I remember back long ago when you slaughtered my soul reapers, Captains, and took in countless souls. As I recall, you were the ruler and you preferred to stay within Hueco Mundo... So, what made you change your mind when you raged about in the world of the living?" he asked seriously and rose slightly rose his voice.

"Because...one of your male comrades, killed my mate and was going to kill my daughter..." Dao pointed out and growled through gritted teeth, he was getting angry at having to remember that horrid past.

"Ryuki...she was killed...? I gave out no order to have someone kill her... She was considered a traitor, but she chose to leave the Soul Society. She informed me about it and left after I gave my approval. She told me she fell in love with you and wanted to be with you, to start a family and such... She abandoned her post as a Captain, so she could make a family with you... She couldn't do that since being a Captain held her down with responsibilities. I will find out, who took Ryuki's life... I do not tolerate underhanded actions from a fellow Soul Reaper! I told her that she is to never return to the Soul Society, that she is banished. She wanted no trouble from us..." explained the Head Captain and grumbled in silence, contemplating on his hidden thoughts with his eyes shut.

"That male...was ordered to kill Ryuki and my daughter, I killed him before he got to even harm my little girl. Before I did, I overheard him speaking over some sort of device. He said he did his job, that Ryuki was dead and he asked if he should kill the child next..." Dao mentioned and saw Yamamoto open one eye at his words, he didn't look pleased...

"So, that is why you rampaged in the world of the living...? Someone killed your wife and almost killed your daughter, you were just trying to protect them... Tell me, who all do you remember coming after Ryuki? How many soul reapers were looking for her?" he asked and saw Dao scowl, his head lowered with shadow masking his gleaming slits.

"Fifty Soul Reapers was the last count I could recall...before I killed them all... When she came home to my volcanic castle, she told me that soul reapers were after her; she looked wounded a bit... I made her hide within my castle while I took care of them. She was pregnant too, she was holding her stomach and crying to me that her water broke....that she was going to give birth at any moment... I was devastated, soul reapers were after my wife, she was going to give birth and I made her hide deep within my castle... I didn't even get to be there, to hold her until our child came..." he explained and clenched his fists tightly, then gritted his teeth in view, two large fangs appeared on either side of his mouth. "After I killed those soul reapers, I went on a rampage! Though when I retreated back home, she was dead and my baby girl was crying for her mother! I WILL FIND WHOEVER ORDERED THAT SOUL REAPER TO DO SUCH A THING...AND MUTILATE THEM!" he raged and screamed out the last sentence, his reiatsu was beginning to rise until...a gentle hand got placed on his shoulder. He looked up and saw the Head Captain staring at him intently, causing him to calm down a bit.

"I will find whoever did this... You can rest easy now, I will have people investigate and search for the culprit. I will not tolerate treason!" Yamma paused and took his arm down, then walked back over to his chair. "I accept this alliance between us...and I will make sure we find out who did it!" he rose his voice then sighed in relief. "Now, go be with your great-granddaughter... All you can do now is wait," added the Head Captain and saw Dao nod, turn to the door, and pace towards it.

Before he left, he looked over his shoulder and...glanced back at the old man one last time. "I appreciate this..." That was all he said and left, leaving the Head Captain in his office alone.

"Who in their right mind would do such a thing...?" Yamma asked himself and closed his eyes in thought, leaning back against his chair once more.

~~~Outside~~~

"Hey old man, how'd it go?" the goth stood to her feet and walked up to him, her expression looked bored. She stuffed her hands in her pockets, gazed in his slits, and heard nothing but silence.

"It went well...he accepted the truce. There is, however, something I should tell you..." he answered and shut his eyes, he was still wearing those white hakama pants and the necklace.

"What's up...?" That was all she asked only to get pulled into a hug. He used a hand and pulled her head forward, into his embrace.

"Yamamoto said, that he was not aware of the Soul Reaper killing Ryuki... He was infuriated that underhanded work went on, behind his back. So he has decided to have some people investigate and search for the culprit. In the meantime, you...are going to be my daughter. I may be your great-grandfather, but I shall also be your father..." he answered; Kai's eyes widened at those words, she was NOT expecting him to take her under his wing like a parent. "I have grown protective of you...Kaiorin... An attachment that I feel is a blessing from my wife... A second chance... Will you allow me to be your father...?" he added and put his other hand on her shoulder, with his slits still closed.

Her slits grew thin at his question, tears filled her eyes and her lower face couldn't be seen. She never knew what having a parent was like...and to have someone older offer her the position of being a daughter to them, made her heartthrob... Deep down, she always wanted a mother and father to care for her...unlike the ones who abandoned her on the streets of the Rukongai... Quietness wafted around the air and so had time, yet he still waited.

She couldn't say anything, all she could do...was nod and sob. Her eyes closed and she rubbed her face in his arms, nodding. With her response, Dao smiled softly and held her tighter, this time with his arms around her frame. "Very well..."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter!~ Don't forget to leave a comment, I'm always happy to hear from my readers! \o/