"I didn't do much, Yue-chan," he started. The honorific was unusually warm but his tone remained cold. He'd known her for quite a while and knew that she felt a level of comfort by the name. He didn't call her this often, but he hoped it would calm her nerves. He needed her to be alert. "I merely helped with killing those Hollow. You did your job well. I, however," he started, turning his head slightly to where he'd placed the bodies.

"They'll find us soon, sensei, I'm sure of it." She murmured apologetically, her voice barely audible and while she didn't quite catch it at first, his chosen honorific made her give him a curious look, followed by a sweet smile. 

She could almost see it happening back in the Academy - the panicked students, the frantic teacher running for reinforcements and then her own father, with his customary disapproving demeanor ordering a group of Shinigami back to the Human world.

"They have to, Yue-chan," he said again. "You get some rest, now. I'll keep on patrol."

He didn't look at her as she settled into some hay and even slightly digging herself deeper into the warm dead grass. He only mediated intently on his surroundings. He couldn't be bothered by the cold, but it was clear that Yue wasn't enough to control her Reiryoku enough so it wouldn't effect her own body temperature. It also had to do with the fact that she hadn't become used to her own Reiryoku, which would come with time. She was young.

Hours passed and Kouta couldn't sense anything within his fog. He coudln't even feel animals with their trace amounts of spiritual energy and there weren't any Hollows that seemed to be attracted by the obvious cloud of strong Reiatsu. This made him more cautious of his surroundings than if they were constantly ambushed by Hollows.

Eventually the sun rose behind a hazy morning sky, but with Kouta's mist, it was yet to be seen by the Shinigami. Animals began to near the fog and then quickly retreat, which was a positive sign. Having had his Shikai released the entire night, his Reiryoku was significantly lowered and he quickly released it, allowing what sun passed through the trees to enter through the cracks of the barn. In a new light, it was clearly abandoned.

He remained in a meditative state until she awoke. "I suggest we remain here until they find us. If it takes more than a few days, we'll have to go searching for food. I have gigai should we require them."

His voice was low and heavy, not much unlike his usual tone, but it was clearly taxed in some way.