The Tragic Sword Fiend! Haineko Cries!
Kanji	悲劇の刀獣！灰猫、号泣！
Romaji	Higeki no tou-jū! Haineko, gōkyū!
Episode Number	262
Manga Chapters	None
Arc	Beast Swords arc
Chronology
Previous Episode	The Person with the Unknown Ability! Orihime is Targeted
Next Episode	Imprisonment?! Senbonzakura & Zabimaru
Airdate
Japanese	March 16, 2010
English	July 15, 2012
Theme Music
Opening	Anima Rossa
Ending	Tabidatsu Kimi e
Episode 262 Screenshots

The Tragic Sword Fiend! Haineko Cries! is the two hundred sixty-second episode of the Bleach anime.

Haineko falls for a Tōjū who is fully aware. However when he loses control, she decides to defeat him herself.

Summary

Haineko goes off on her own to look for Tōjū. She encounters Narunosuke, a Zanpakutō Spirit who claims that the status of Tōjū doesn't apply to him. Haineko intends to kill him at first, but her maternal instincts kick in and she develops a crush on the spirit. She takes and hides him in an abandoned house, and begins stealing food and medical supplies from the 10th Division storage to feed and cure him. She also tries to bring his case up to Rangiku, in order to get his Tōjū status revoked. Rangiku, however, says most Tōjū will eventually lose control and attack. On her way back, Haineko tries to think of how to tell Rangiku but then had a disturbing thought: She would make fun of her liking younger men. Although Narunosuke's wounds have healed, his migraines are worsening, during which he has no control of his hands. When he told her she was special she became giddy and cheerful, even going as far as being polite to Rangiku, who was rather surprised about the strange way she was behaving.

When Captain Hitsugaya asks her about the missing supplies, Rangiku becomes suspicious and decides to follow Haineko. She finds Narunosuke's hideout just in time to witness his transformation into a Tōjū. She intends to fight him, but Haineko blocks her way, protecting her friend. A sudden eruption of energy from Narunosuke throws Rangiku back. She asks Haineko again to stand aside, but Haineko refuses. When Narunosuke's transformation completes and he attacks them, Haineko realizes he is beyond saving and decides to finish him herself. Before his death, Narunosuke has one last moment of sanity in which he thanks Haineko. She hugs him before finally killing him. In the aftermath, Haineko confesses to Rangiku that she fell in love with him, but couldn't tell him or her about it. In the end, Haineko decides not to date younger men anymore.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book

Renji asks Uryū to design a new outfit for Chōjirō Sasakibe, to help him stand out more. Uryū ends up using the theme of a 19th century English gentleman, to Sasakibe's delight and Ichigo's dismay.

Fights

• Haineko vs. Narunosuke (concluded)

Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Rangiku Matsumoto
2. Several Unknown Tenth Division Members
3. Haineko
4. Narunosuke
5. Several Unknown Tōjū
6. Several Unknown Shinigami
7. Tōshirō Hitsugaya
8. Hyōrinmaru
9. Mayuri Kurotsuchi
10. Nemu Kurotsuchi
11. Suzumebachi
12. Tobiume

Powers and Techniques Used

Zanpakutō released

Shikai

• Haineko (灰猫, Ash Cat)

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