<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffcc">"I failed to mention her because I can no longer sense her. I know not of her fate, regrettably."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">Starrk said, as Nel handed Jin a cup of coffee.<br/>
<br/>
Nel sat next to Jin, seeming to keep herself composed, but as soon as Starrk left the room, she buried her face into Jin's shoulder, throwing her arms around his neck and cried openly, as if she'd been trying to not cry since being forcibly separated from the one she lo ed but could no longer hide her sadness.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00ff00">"Nelliel ochikomu desu. Watashi yoku watashi no saiai Koichi-Kun!!"</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">she sobbed, almost mincing her words as she spoke. it was obvious how worried she was, but Starrk had paused just out of sight behind the doorway. Even he knew how clingy Nel had become, but he couldn't figure out a way to comfort her.<br/>
<br/>
</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffcc"><i>'Nelliel Tu Oderschvank, you must learn that a small separation such as this is sometimes required. The boy is fighting for your honor, and for your heart. I only pray  you realize this quickly,'</i></span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">Starrk thought. Then he left silently<br/>
<br/>
-----<br/>
<br/>
Harribel held out her right hand, as if offering to be a crutch.<br/>
<br/>
</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#9966ff">"Shinigami-Kun, let me aide you. It seems your attack on Nnoitora's Fraccion injured your side. I'm surprised you're still standing with a gash like that."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">she said, referring to the large spot of blood she saw on Daisuke's shihakushou that seemed to be getting larger. The air also carried the scent of fresh blood.<br/>
<br/>
-----<br/>
<br/>
A young Chinese-looking female entered the room that Gin was in. She had a shirt that had sleeves so long that although she constantly covered her mouth with her right hand, there was still at least a foot of fabric hanging down. She also had three or four red dots trailing down from her right eye. When she spoke, her voice seemed like that of an upperclass woman.<br/>
<br/>
"Ichimaru-Dono, why do you have a Shinigami woman laying there?" Sun-Sun asked. "That is something I'd expect from Tosen-San or Grimmjow-Kun, but not from you..."<br/>
<br/>
Sun-Sun had come to Gin's lab on a whim, and Harribel's orders. Sun-Sun was one of Harribel's three Fraccion, plus she was curious.<br/>
<br/>
-----<br/>
<br/>
Koichi smiled softly.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">"I refuse to take your life because you are a worthy rival and a great fighter. Plus, there aren't any girls in my Division besides our Vice-Captain, and she doesn't really fight anyways. You see, I like to fight strong opponents, and I don't care if my foe is a guy or a girl, Shinigami, Human, or Arrancar. If they can fight, and they want to spar with me, then I'll have fun. I only kill in battle when I am left with no other option, or when the life of someone precious to me is in danger of being lost."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">he said, obviously straining to stay on his feet. <br/>
<br/>
He was suddenly surrounded by black flames, and when they died down again, he'd reverted to his form from before releasing his sword, although his hair was let down, since the ribbon that had held it up had been destroyed by his foe's scythe. With his hair down, and since he'd also acquired the same tribal tattoos of his father upon his face and back, he now seemed a replica of his father, Renji.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff0000">"And I always abhor the idea of harming a woman, even if said woman wants to kill me. And I must say, off the record, you look very pretty right now, Tentou-Chan.</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">Koichi said, using 'chan' with her name for the first time, signifying that he'd come to recognize her as a true warrior.</span>