Proceeding the incident on the hill, Kai was given a month's punishment of everyone in the division's chore duties along with his Zanpakutou being taken away for harrassing a fellow Shinigami and releasing his blade during a non-war situation. Yuuto couldn't help but feel sorry for him, but wasn't sure what to do as he had his own worries. That night in his room after the fight, he thought about many things. Mainly about the terrifying amount of reiatsu he had produced, but also about his Zanpakutou changing and the voice he heard ordering him to fight. It was like it gave him the strength he showed that day and he wanted to know what or who it was.

A few days later, Yuuto passed by Kai hand washing the barracks floors. He rushed up to him and knelt down.

"Do you want help?" Yuuto asked while attempting a smile.

"No. I don't need your charity. Go play with your new sword or... something." Kai quickly turned around and started to scrub with his head lower to the floor. Yuuto felt his heart sink as he was pushed away. He stood up ready to go back to his room in defeat. Then it dawned on him. He hurried down the hallway.

A saddened grunt escaped Kai's nose, "Good thing. You wouldn't want to associate with a weakling like me..." Kai scrubbed harder. Yuuto came back with a sponge and a bucket of soapy water. He almost tripped and some water splashed on the floor. This caught Kai's attention and he looked behind him. Yuuto jumped down and quickly soaked up the water he had dropped. His face changed to the color of a beet and looked up at Kai embarrassed. He then proceeded to join Kai in his cleaning on his knees.

"I said get away. I'm a bad person... and a weakling." he paused for a second and faced the opposite direction again, "You don't want to be around me."

"That's not true!" responded Yuuto in a slightly cheerful tone, "You're not a weakling. I saw that a few days ago. I don't know what happened, but if it hadn't, I wouldn't be here right now." he stopped scrubbing and wheeled around to look Kai in the face, "And you're not a bad person. Sure... you may come off as a bad guy what with picking on me and all, but..." He looked up and back at Kai, "Not all bad people are all bad."

"Th... that made no sense." Kai looked at him with a puzzled expression. He scrubbed again and then spoke, "Why even be near me? I almost killed you..."

"Because you let go of your shikai instead of continuing... and I think Buingetsu-sempai has more good than he says." Yuuto jumped over to his sponge and continued his scrubbing.

"You... don't get it." Kai's face contorted into a look of desperation, "I couldn't hold it any longer because of that reiatsu you created. And don't call me that anymore. I don't want to pick on you anymore." Kai lowered his head, "Just call me Kai..."

"Alright, Kai-sempai."

"No sempai; just Kai."

"But that is what you are... my, ack!" Kai swirled around and grabbed him by the collar.

"Listen, you little punk! It's just Kai!" Yuuto started to laugh, "Wha? What are you laughing for?! Wanna real taste of me?! I could beat you down even without Kurosumaru!"

"Haha... nothing... hahaha... it's just funny when you get mad! You remind me of a badger!"

"Wh... what is that supposed to mean?! I don't get you at all... damn newbie." Kai resumed scrubbing and Yuuto followed. They continued to work until the job was done.

"Ah... now we're finished!" Yuuto clapped his hands together and turned to Kai hoping for a high five.

"Um... what happened to your usual wimpy mood?"

"Oh... ah... I dunno. When I feel more comfortable around people I kind of lose it. I guess it's a way to let you know I consider you a friend!" Yuuto ran off to his quarters, "Goodnight!" he could hear Kai's voice as he ran.

"H... Huh?! Friend?! No we're not! Get back here! Oi! You left your bucket..." Yuuto couldn't hear anything else as he turned the corner until Kai let out a very loud, "Dammit!" Yuuto chuckled as he reached his bed for the night.

Yuuto stood up and raised his hand.

"S-Sir... I request to be put on the patrol." Yuuto stood in the conference hall in the 8th Division center. A meeting of the 5th-10th seats was being held and the topic was a patrol in the Living World. Having never been on one before, he wanted to try it. He had been down there and even slain a hollow in the final exam for the academy so he felt he was capable of carrying out this mission.

"Oh? And why is this, 8th Seat Aomine-kun?" asked the commander proposing the mission.

"I... I have never been down there. I want a chance!" Yuuto did his best to stand firm as he said this. The exceptionally tall commander scratched his chin.

"Sir! I wish to be put on the patrol as well! Yuuto looked over to see Kai standing up, "If he goes then he will need someone to protect him!"

"Now, now, Buingetsu-kun. I never said Aomine-kun was going on the patrol. Although..." he scratched his chin again, "It would be a good experience and Kai would be excellent at protecting him if things got rough... Okay! 8th Seat Aomine Yuuto! 5th Seat Buingetsu Kai! You are hereby put on patrol duty in the Living World! Your location is Osaka, Japan! The Senkai Gate will be prepped in one hour. You have until then to prepare! Meeting adjourned!" With that, he stepped out of the room. Many other Shinigami looked at Yuuto and started discussing amongst themselves. Most were since remarks about his inevitable death with him being the new guy.

"He is soo dead. Wonder who gets his quarters?"

"But didn't you hear? That kid beat Kai when he was using Kurosumaru fully released! He doesn't even have shikai yet!"

"Really? No way! But he's so mousey."

The chatter didn't faze Yuuto as he walked over to Kai. He put a hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks for volunteering to help me! You really are a friend!" Kai brushed off Yuuto's hand with a snort of disgust.

"You think I'm your friend still? I'm just doing this so you don't get killed. I get to do that myself!" He walked out and to his room. Yuuto did the same and packed up a lunch of onigiri and water, the new volume of his favorite Soul Society manga magazine, and his zanpakutou. In an hour, he met Kai at the Senkai Gate as it was opened for them. Kai looked at Yuuto as if to ask, "You ready?" Yuuto looked back with a nod and they both stepped through.