"Agreed," Rukia replied with a solemn nod at Jade. It was a risk, she wasn't about to claim otherwise. But it was a risk as well to eliminate an important piece of their potential future, especially given Tear's vision.

Besides, she was still a little worried about what that woman had said about not expecting mercy if they weren't willing to show it themselves.

So be it. Once it seemed that Jade's healing was in the clear, she took a step back, gauging up Palitutu's size...then stooping to take her arms and pull her onto Rukia's back. She was such a little thing that even the vertically-challenged Rukia could probably carry her with little effort.

"Let's return home, and rest."