"I'm telling you I'm not cut out for this."

Dante picked up a sake bottle and poured the alcohol into his cup, almost to the point of over flowing. Raising the cup to his lips, he downed the sweet liquor in no time at all, as if he was chugging water.

He was currently in a private room in a rather nice restaurant. A large table was in front of him filled with a rather big feast. However he was in the mood for drinking more than eating.

"You're doing fine Dante. It's only been a couple of weeks."

Across from Dante was captain of the 13th division, Jūshirō Ukitake. Ukitake was also enjoying the pleasure of sake. However unlike Dante he was drinking in a far more mannerly fashion. He held the cup in both hands, one clutching the side, and one holding the bottom. He would then slowly bring the cup up to his lips and take small sips of sake before lowering it back down.

In the incredibly short time that they knew each other, Dante and Ukitake had become really close friends. While Dante only acted relaxed around a few of the captains such as Unohana or Shunsui, he was never more than an acquaintance to them. However one night he was approached by Ukitake for a drink, and the two instantly formed a bond.

Finished chugging, Dante slammed his cup on the table "Well these last few weeks have been telling me how way over my head this captain business is."

"You're rushing things. You cannot build their trust overnight."

"I know that. But I don't know what I can do for them."

"You're doing enough by being there for them. Just give them time and they'll come around."

Dante sighed "I hope so." He then grabbed the sake bottle and started to refill his cup.

"You're helping them more than you realize, especially your lieutenant."

Dante scoffed "She who speaks loudly and carries a big broom? Yeah, I'm doing a lot to help Momo."

"I'm serious. Her friends have asking me to to get through to her, but I can't. Ever since Hitsugaya started to avoid her, she's been less open about how she felt. She pretends to act like she's ok while shutting in her true feelings. You're the only one who she's been truly open with."

"So, my pissing her off is some kind of 12 step program? Hey…" Dante's eyes then widened as he had an epiphany "That gives me the perfect excuse not to do any paperwork!"

Ukitake then sighed "That's not what I meant Dante." before taking another sip of sake. "I have to ask though, are these trust issues the only reason why you were against becoming a captain?"

"I'm not a leader. I've had partners sure, but we always split up and did our own thing. Having people under my wing is something I've never had before."

"It will come with experience."

"Also," Dante tugged at his Haori "I'm not a fan of the threads."

"Really? What don't you like about the outfit?"

"It's a couple hundred years out of date, and a couple thousand miles away from how I usually dressed." Dante sighed "I'm just glad that Unohana convinced old man Yamamoto to allow me to wear some boots and dye the coat red."

"Why did you agree to become a captain if you were so against it?"

Dante brought his cup to his face as he grimaced "Well, Unohana persuaded me to join." He then downed the sake as if he was taking a shot.

A shiver went down Ukitake's spine "Oh… I see." before he took a rather large sip of sake himself.

Both sat in silence for what seemed like ages. An awkward tension filled the air as they imagined that sickly sweet voice and dark smile that Unohana could bring out. Of all the things that Dante has been through, nothing has been as terrifying as seeing Unohana with that smile.

It was during this silence that there was a sharp knock on the door.

Ukitake chimed "Come in."

The door slid open as Dante heard footsteps behind him. Turning to the door his eyes met a short female Shinigami. She had black hair of shoulder length that was parted from her face, leaving only a little strand that was between her purple eyes.

The girl expressed shock when she saw Dante before she turned to Ukitake and gave an apology "Sorry Ukitake-taichou. I didn't know that you were with company."

Ukitake gave a short laugh "Its fine Rukia. You weren't interrupting anything."

Dante turned back to Ukitake "Do you have a meeting or something? Because if so, I can leave."

"It's alright Dante. Oh, I forgot to introduce the two of you." Ukitake pointed to the girl "Dante, this is Rukia Kuchiki, one of my subordinates." Then he pointed to Dante "Rukia, this is Dante, the new captain of division 5."

Dante turned back and looked at the newly Identified Rukia. She in turn bowed graciously at the sight of the new captain.

"Nice to meet you, Dante-taichou." She meekly greeted.

Rukia's eyes widened when she heard a groan from Dante. Looking up she saw that he looked rather annoyed.

"Just call me Dante" Dante groaned "Titles make my skin crawl."

Rukia looked a little frantic as she bowed again "I'm sorry Dante."

"Hey, relax. You're not in trouble or anything." Dante then grabbed his sake bottle and cup before pushing himself up from the futon that he was sitting on. This earned a weird look from Rukia who was just starting to raise her head. While looking at Rukia, Dante motioned to the futon "Take a seat."

"Wha- oh no. I couldn't possibly take your seat."

Dante started to laugh which earned him another weird look from Rukia "If I'm offering it to you its fine." Dante walked to the side of the table before planting himself onto the floor. "See this is what I'm talking about Jūshirō. You get the respectful squad mates, whereas I get the ones that hit me with brooms all day."

Rukia stared at Dante before awkwardly saying "Thank you." and sitting down on the futon.

"So, Kuchiki huh? You're related to the cherry blossom?"

"Huh?"

Both heard a sigh from Ukitake "Yes Dante, she's Byakuya's sister." Ukitake gave an extra emphasis when he said Byakuya's name. "It's no wonder why he gets annoyed with you."

"Hey, it's just a nickname."

Ukitake sighed before looking at Rukia "Have you heard from your brother about how he went to visit Dante at his office?"

Rukia nodded "I did. Nee-san said quite a few things." She then turned away awkwardly "They were… unflattering."

Dante then laughed as he turned to Ukitake "Momo's friend Renji told her that one of the key words was 'slob'"

Ukitake then gave a chuckle "Well, you don't clean your office."

"This again?" Dante groaned "Why does everyone treat that like it's a big thing?"

"Besides that, you have a rather rare talent for angering Byakuya with your teasing. I ran into him after his visit. I have never seen him so visibly angry since he was a kid."

"Well what can you say? I'm a natural."

Dante loved to make fun of the other captains. While some shrugged it off as the playful banter it was, others took offense to it. The two who received the worse of Dante's teasing was Byakuya and Toshiro, and both were the ones who got the angriest. Dante couldn't help it however. They reminded him too much of a relative.

He then turned to Rukia "So, Rukia, what seat are you?"

Rukia was in a bit of a daze before she responded "Wha- oh sorry, I'm 4th seat."

Ukitake chimed in "She's a lot more powerful than what her rank lets on."

"Oh no, I'm pretty average."

Ukitake ignored her and looked towards Dante "Her shikai is incredibly strong, and I think she will achieve her Bankai soon."

Dante gave a whistle "So that means she'll make captain soon right?"

"Sadly no, since she's a Kuchiki, Byakuya uses his position as head of the household to make sure she won't get a position that puts her in danger."

"Oh I get it. Cherry blossom is over protective so he makes sure she will be safe, even at the cost of her blooming herself."

Ukitake gave a small laugh as he took another sip of sake "That's one way to put it."

"What about lieutenant then?"

"Well actually…" Ukitake turned to Rukia "That's what I wanted to talk about."

Rukia gave a look of confusion to her captain "Ukitake-taichou?"

"Rukia, after all that has happened I think it's time to have a new lieutenant. I want it to be you."

It took all of Dante's being not to laugh at the face Rukia was making. Her eyes were wider than a doe's, and her mouth dropped wide open like a turkey in a rainstorm. She just sat there frozen, with that expression on her face.

Rukia then gave a nervous chuckle "Hahaha, very funny Ukitake-taichou."

"I'm serious Rukia." Ukitake then watched Rukia shift uncomfortably "Are you declining?"

"I don't… know."

"Then what?"

"It's just…I don't feel good about taking Kaien's role."

Ukitake gave a look of worry "Does it still hurt?"

Rukia didn't answer that right away. She simply sat there in silence. Her eyes eyes slumped down to the ground as if she couldn't answer.

"I thought I made peace with with what happened to Kaien after apologizing to Kūkaku. But after seeing that Arrancar Aaroniero take his form, the pain came back. Honestly I don't know if it will ever stop hurting."

"It won't." Both Ukitake's and Rukia's eyes widened as they turned to Dante "You'll think the wounds have healed up, but next thing you now they've reopened. Pain like that never really goes away." Dante then began to stretch "But, that's a good thing."

Rukia's face of shock was replaced by that of anger as she got up from her seat and yelled at Dante "It's a good thing?! It's good that I feel pain?! Just explain to me how there could it possibly be good!"

"Because it shows you still care."

Those words instantly stopped Rukia in her tracks. She just stood there looking at Dante.

Dante started to fill his cup again as he spoke "It shows that all those feelings and memories you have, are still there." He then raised his cup to his face. "It shows that bond that you were given, hasn't gone to waste."

Dante then downed the sake in his cup, before looking at Rukia. She had lumped back down into her seat, in total silence. Her head was slumped down to the floor. Her eyes never lifted off the ground in that time; they just stared at the floor, as if they weren't really looking there to begin with.

Dante took a deep sigh. He was told what happened to Ukitake's former lieutenant. He felt that he could relate to Rukia and her situation. He experienced the exact same type of thing himself. He knew that coming to grips with what happened in that scenario was one of the hardest things to do. In fact for Dante it was the hardest. The pain was a foe tougher than any he ever faced.

Dante gave another sigh before continuing "Sorry, I probably shouldn't be talking about this since I never knew Kaien. But you aren't simply taking his role. You're protecting something that he held dear."

An awkward silence hung in the room. Rukia just sat there neither looking at either one. Dante looked at her eyes, and saw conflict. He knew that she was trying to come to a decision.

For what seemed like forever, Rukia lifted her head and stared at her captain. Her eyes then changed. There was no hint of confliction in them; rather they seemed quite determined.

Rukia then formally said "I accept the position, Ukitake-taichou"

Ukitake then gave a warm smile "I'm glad to hear it lieutenant."

Rukia gave a small smile of her own before turning to Dante and bowing "I'm sorry for yelling at you Dante."

Dante then waved her off "No biggie. At least you didn't hit me with a broom. Although…" Dante then turned to Ukitake "I wonder how your kids are going to take this."

Ukitake then gave a confused look "Kids? I don't have any children Dante."

"I'm talking about your third seats."

"Sentaro and Kiyone? They aren't children."

"Are you kidding me?" Dante chuckled "They're like two brats that try to hog the affection of their mother. I know I have experience there."

"Well I can't really argu…" Ukitake stopped in his tracks as he gave Dante an accusing look "Are you trying to say I'm like their mother?"

"Well, you have that… Maternal instinct."

"Maternal instinct? Dante I'm a man. I couldn't possibly have those characteristics of a mother."

"Are you kidding me?" Dante hollered "You'd make the perfect housewife! I know Shunsui's sad that you don't have breasts."

"What are you-"

Ukitake was cut off by thunderous laughter. Both he and Dante turned around to saw Rukia in complete hysterics. She was rolling on the floor clutching both her sides. Her laughter was like that of a hyena. Tears were in her eyes from the constant laughter.

Ukitake smiled at the scene before he gave a short laugh "Dante, your jokes are terrible."

"Your lieutenant thinks otherwise."

"She's only humoring you."

"I doubt that."

"Well actually…" Dante turned to see Rukia wiping her eyes before she continued "I was humoring you."

"HEY!"

Dante then hear laughter behind him. Turning he saw Ukitake now laughing up a storm, before it turned fit of coughs.

Dante shook his head "Everybody picks one me, I swear." Suddenly there was a ringing from the inside of Dante's Haori. Reaching into it he pulled out one of the only modern things the soul society had, a cellphone. Dante looked at the screen before a grimace crept on his face and he muttered "Shit."

Ukitake got over his coughing fit and asked "Whats wrong?"

Dante grabbed the sake bottle and propped himself up "Well it's been fun Jūshirō but it's getting close to that time where Momo wonders where I ran off to and hunts me down with a broom."

Ukitake gave a short laugh "Oh, I see. We'll meet up again later?"

"Yeah." Dante walked to the door before he suddenly stopped and turned back to Ukitake "Hey Jūshirō"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for everything today."

"No problem Dante. We're friends."

Dante turned back to the door and slid it open. He then stopped and made a waving signal behind his back, before he finally walked out and closed the door.

Both Rukia and Ukitake then sat down in silence. However it wasn't an awkward silence like earlier. It was much more peaceful and serene. Ukitake then went for another sip of sake, before he realized that his cup was finally empty.

Ukitake then decided to speak "So Rukia, What did you think of Dante?"

Rukia shrugged "He seemed nice although odd."

"I can't argue with that."

"Can I ask something Ukitake-taichou?"

"Sure"

"What were you two talking about before I walked in?"

Ukitake chuckled before he grabbed the sake bottle and started to fill his cup "Oh nothing. Dante doesn't feel like he's suited to be a captain."

"He doesn't?"

"Nope and to be honest," Ukitake grabbed his cup and took a big swig "I can't really blame him for feeling like that. He has had a rough start with his division, and I know that some of the other captains are suspicious of him considering how he and his powers are one big mystery."

Rukia nodded. She knew of how the other captains were suspicious of Dante. Her older brother Byakuya was especially keeping an eye on him.

Ukitake continued "But, he is better off than he realizes."

Rukia seemed a little confused "What do you mean taichou?"

"It takes more than some strange power for Yamamoto to personally inaugurate you as a captain; it takes even more for him to respect you."

"Respect?"

"Both Yamamoto and Unohana, the two oldest captains of the soul society, hold Dante in high regards."

"You think so?" Rukia seemed a little doubtful "He's only been here for a month, and they respect him that much?"

Ukitake turned directly to Rukia "Rukia this between me and you only. Understand?"

Rukia looked at her captain. She was a little taken back but quickly nodded "I understand."

"With the exception of Unohana, Yamamoto looks down on the rest of the captains as children."

"Even you, taichou?"

Ukitake laughed "Especially me. Both Shunsui and I are considered his sons. But it's different with Dante. With the high amount of trust and respect that he has for Dante, I truly believe that Yamamoto looks at him as an equal."

Rukia's eyes almost bulged out of her head "Dante? An equal?!"

"Yes, and after seeing how he just consulted you, I know that Yamamoto's trust is well founded." Ukitake then took another swig before chuckling "Dante is perfectly suited for being a captain. Maybe after Yamamoto dies he'll become captain commander."

Rukia didn't say anything. She just stared at Ukitake before turning and staring at the door that Dante left through moments ago.

Finally Rukia spoke "Well whatever the case, he does come off as a big goofball."

Ukitake chuckled "He really is."

Authors note: Shit chapter.