"It's always nice to see you, Ichigo."
      Nel had gotten to know the young man over the last few weeks. She had been lucky to find the job at the greenhouse when she and Grimmjow first got to Karakura Town. They'd had enough money to get a small apartment and food for a while, but it wasn't going to support them forever. Better to start earning money as soon as they could. After all, Aizen could find them at any moment and then they'd have to run again.
      She was adjusting fairly well to life in Japan. It was very different from her home, but she always loved learning about new places and experiencing different cultures. She was having a much easier time of adjusting than Grimmjow at any rate. They had picked up the language fairly quick, too. Luckily, they were both quick studies.
      Something about working in the greenhouse had called to her. She'd seen a 'Help Wanted' sign in the window and immediately went inside to apply. She loved plants. There were so many different kinds and she loved to just look at them. The greenhouse was rather humid, but she was fine with that. Her new surroundings matched her hair too, which she quietly smiled to herself about whenever she recalled the connection.
      After a couple of weeks there, she had met Ichigo. He was a polite, distant boy. He reminded her of Grimmjow in some ways. He had a surprising shock of orange hair, which she took to be dyed at first, it stuck out so much. Apparently he came here once a year to buy flowers. When she asked about it, he said they were for his mother's grave. After the initial awkwardness, they talked a bit while she got him an arrangement. He had inquired about never seeing her around before and mentioned how he probably would have noticed a girl with her hair walking around. Nel's green hair certainly stuck out, especially in a place like Karakura, but that was part of the point in a way. Aizen wouldn't be looking for someone standing out.
      She'd told him that she had just moved there a few weeks ago with her brother. She didn't share too much, but she'd learned in her years that the best lies were oftentimes the ones closest to the truth. Our home life was...unhealthy. We thought it best to move on and get a fresh start.
      She was glad Ichigo hadn't pressed the issue. She was surprised, however, when he'd offered to help her with locating anything around town. She had smiled and thanked him, talking with him a bit more, but careful to not give too much away. She was a very trusting person, but she couldn't ignore years of near-Pavlovian conditioning. Aizen's lessons were harsh, but effective. She was always careful with what she said, always aware of exactly where anyone in the room was, and very aware of the knife she kept on her person at all times.
      Since that day, he'd come around every so often to check on her and see how she and Grimmjow were settling in. Despite her forced distance, she was glad to have someone to talk to.
      "I'm doing well, but I'm worried about Grimmjow. He hasn't been able to find a job, unfortunately. He has a slight temper." She giggled at the understatement, but there was a tone of quiet sadness beneath her words. It hurt her to see her brother struggle. He was good at what he did. One of Aizen's best. He was used to knowing what he was doing and knowing that it was something he could do. He wasn't used to struggling like this. Something as simple as a job was oddly complicated, in its own way. Or at least that was how Nel viewed it. Grimmjow wasn't one to share his feelings, even with her.
      "I'm really not sure what to do."