Albel flinched at his own petite partner's smack. "They are wonderful creatures of love and softness."

And nagging. But he'd get more of that later.

He looked up as Jade's Shadow appeared, bloody and arrogant. He wanted to be defiant like Rukia; wanted to be angry on Jade's behalf. But the more the Shadow spoke, the more... well, curious Albel was. His head canted, he listened attentively and watched Jade's body language with great interest.