Daisuke peered over to Koichi.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#804000">"Heh, Copycat's in for fun.  Jin explained those damn things,"</span>he commented, pointing to the doll.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#804000">"Aren't they supposed to draw out the spirit of your zanpakuto into the real world or something like that?"  <i>It's a good thing she's not using that thing on me,</i></span>he thought.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#804000"> <i>I'm not sure what's going on, but I hear it's pretty tough when they're dragged out with that thing.</i></span><br/><br/>Daisuke paused for a moment, reflecting on the year that's already gone by.  The majority of it was spent training, aside from a short spat at the beginning where he had to keep track of Nel.  She was finally sent back to Hueco Mundo, much of Daisuke's relief.  After that was when he began his training.  Jin began it, teaching him a couple of things, but the rest was mostly Yoruichi-san.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#804000"><i>Let's hope it pays off when we go back,</i></span>Daisuke thought.<br/><br/>-----<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Jin would've been found meditating in his personal quarters.  That is, if he'd allowed it.  He'd explicitly told everyone that he had left, only to sneak back in and lock his door behind him.  Now he found himself seated crosslegged, staring at his sword as it lay stretched out before him.  His breathing was steady as he focused upon the weapon...no, tool he used to keep the peace.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#008000"><i>A weapon is designed to kill.  A tool merely aids in the application of a user's will, regardless of direction.</i></span>This mission to Hueco Mundo was not a mission to kill anyone, even if that happened along the way.  It was a mission to save a lost comrade.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#008000"><i>I only came back with half a team,</i></span>Daisuke thought as he picked himself up.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#008000"><i>I was unable to save one of them, but there is chance for the other.  I will bring Minna back to the Soul Society.</i></span>His breathing steady, he closed his eyes as he recited the pact he'd made with his blade long ago.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#008000">"Forests of old and time forgotten, let us remind these unruly men. When chaos reigns and despoilers appear, make it known for all to hear. To silence the strife, hear my plea."</span>He reopening his eyes, focusing on the sheath of Shuzuka Hayashi as he set a hand lightly upon the side.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#008000">"Be still..."</span>he murmured, picking up the blade as he stood.<br/><br/>After attaching his zanpakuto to his belt, he stepped out, dissappearing as he began moving faster than many of the untrained could track as he used shunpo.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#008000"><i>Koichi and Daisuke should be having their final lesson right about now.  I should go take a look,[/i</i></span><i>] he thought as he headed for the training area he knew Yoruichi would take them.</i>