Don't own Bleach

The Captains stood silently opposite each other with the Head Captain overseeing the meeting. Captain Ukitake was still ill and in recovery so Daichi stood in his place. Daichi didn't feel as odd being there as he used to because the Lieutenants of Squads 3,5 and 9 were there in the absence of their Captain. He spotted Captain Kurosutchi standing smugly opposite him, Daichi didn't want to give him the satisfaction of a reaction so he stood unmoved by the obvious antagonizing behaviour.

"Let us begin." Yamamoto said to the Captains, "Firstly, I'd like to congratulate you all on the efficiency of each of your Squads in repairing the Seireitei. Secondly, we are to remain vigilant, there could be another attack we should prepare our defences."

Captain Kyoraku nodded, "Of course, Head Captain. Should we also increase patrols as well?"

Nodding his head, Yamamoto agreed, "You should increase the number of nightly patrols for the foreseeable future."

That didn't sit right with Daichi, with the losses his Squad had suffered, there wouldn't be much time for rest or other work. The Squad is stretched pretty thin as it was, "But Head Captain, with our significant losses, Squad 13 is unlikely to be able to increase our patrols and carry out our duties during the day."

"That is problematic." The Head Captain responded, "You shall have fifty of the graduating class of the Shin'ō Academy. Until they graduate, however, you'll have to persevere."

Graduates? No battle experience, in need of a lot of training. A Giant attack inevitable? Chiba is going to love this , Daichi bit his tongue and nodded his head, "Thank you, Head Captain."

A grunt was heard but no other acknowledgement, "Tell me, Captain Kurosutchi, has there been any progress?" the old man asked.

Kurosutchi stepped forward, "There has, Head Captain." the scientist began in an upbeat tone as he stared at Daichi, "It was tough to begin with, she fought tooth and nail but, as I predicted, she yielded the results I wanted. I proved that she can turn into a Giant when she chooses. That was an interesting experiment, I'll spare you all the gory details. I managed to synthesise her blood and found the compound that allows her to change into a Giant."

Everyone in the room looked round at the scientist while Yamamoto looked completely unmoved by the scientists revelation, "And what of Lieutenant Matsumoto?"

Kurosutchi huffed, "The problem is that she can't control it, she attacks anything in sight. It would be unwise to create more, seeing as we are still unaware of the process that was used, it would be... problematic to use trial and error, especially in times such as these. I shall keep working on her until she yields more results."

He went still with shock. The meeting had taken a turn that he hadn't expected. Daichi cautiously eyed the other Captain's they all had carefully schooled expressions, giving nothing away. Did they expect this to happen? he wondered. That's when he saw Captain Hitsugaya, a frown etched on his face. Maybe he isn't so bad after all Daichi mused as he looked straight ahead again. This meeting had made it clearer that he needed to get Rangiku out of there before it's too late. "What are you suggesting, Captain Kurosutchi?" he asked.

"I'm suggesting that I've only just begun with Lieutenant Matsumoto. There is so much more that needs to be done. I won't finish with her until I have exhausted every avenue."

Knowing that whatever he said now would probably just anger the Head Captain, Daichi simply kept quiet and continued to listen to the Head Captain drone on. Hearing how he has ordered the reconstruction of the Sekkiseki rock wall and the protective membrane that surrounded the Seireitei, Daichi had a gut a feeling that it wouldn't do any good. He was always an optimist, but after seeing the Giants easily destroy the wall and smash their way into the Seireitei, he had a feeling it would be useless to rebuild.

"Dismissed." Yamamoto cracked his staff on the floor signalling an end to the meeting, Everyone began to file out, when the old man spoke again, "Lieutenant Senshi, relay what was said here today to Captain Ukitake immediately."

Daichi forced a smile, "Of course, Head Captain." he felt the muscles on his face begin to ache. the forced smile was beginning to get to him. I should have called Kurosutchi out in front of everyone. No, that would have only pissed the Head Captain off.

He left the meeting hall and started to walk to where Captain Ukitake was recovering from his latest bout of illness. He was caught unaware when a hand grabbed his shoulder, Daichi startled and turned around quickly only to find a Captain Kyoraku with a cocky smile on his face.

The Captain held up his hands in apology, "Whoa, sorry there Daichi." he said with a chuckle, the tone of voice suggesting he wasn't at all sorry, "You heading to see Jushiro? I'll walk with you."

Not that you gave me a chance to answer. The Captain of Squad 8 was someone Daichi looked up to since he joined Squad 13. The way he was with Captain Ukitake was something he envied. No use in thinking that now, better find out what the man wants, "I know what this is about." he cast a sideways glance at Kyoraku as they as they walked down the streets matching strides, "It's about the Sake. I know I owe you a bottle and I will get it to you, I promise."

Kyoraku laughed, "Now that you mention it, you do owe me a drink but, by my reckoning, it's more like two." the two laughed at the banter between them, before Kyoraku sobered, "Although, that's not what this is about."

"Oh" Daichi said surprised, "What is it about then Captain, because I'm all out of ideas."

"Don't play dumb, Daichi. It doesn't suit you." Kyoraku began as they turned and exited the district. They came to a long set of stares leading down to the lower level of the Seireitei, "It's about you. More specifically, what is going on with you."

"Me?" Daichi questioned as he carefully took the steps one at a time, "I don't know what you're talking about. I made a mistake but that's all behind me now."

Chuckling, Kyoraku rubbed the back of his neck. The sweat was dripping from him in the summer heat, "Be sure that it is." he told the Lieutenant, "You know how Jushiro is. I know these are trying times Giants are invading," another chuckle escapes Kyoraku's lips as a smirk takes its place, "just saying it sounds insane. Jushiro is going to need you more now than he ever as before."

"I know and I'll be there. He won't need to worry about a thing." Daichi reassured his Captain's best friend.

Nodding his head as they come to the bottom of the white steps, "I know you will," he agreed, "but Jushiro has always been a worrier. It's ingrained into him to worry about his friends and loved ones, it's who he is. I need to know that you won't do anything reckless like a get yourself locked up in the Nest of Maggots again."

It clicked for Daichi that it was Kyoraku who put in a good for him to the Head Captain, "It was you. You were the one who told the Head Captain to let me go."

Kyoraku shrugged, "Me?" he asked innocently, "No, I just suggested that it would be a good idea to have all our soldiers available should the need arise. No one tells the old man what to do." he said with a smirk.

"Well, thanks all the same." Daichi said a grateful smile on his face, "Can I ask you something?" he asked as they rounded yet another corner down a street that had many Shinigami buzzing around, putting finishing touches on their repairs before they move on.

Shrugging with one shoulder casually, "I have a feeling that you'll ask me anyway."

Daichi laughed lightly at the laid back attitude of the Captain, "How do you think Rangiku is doing?"

Patting the younger man on the back, Kyoraku saw the look in Daichi's eyes as he asked the question as if he was afraid of the answer. What happened between the two of them to get him to act like this? The Captain wondered, as they kept walking, dodging all the wandering Shinigami. He didn't know how to answer, should he sugar coat it and act like she'll come out perfectly fine or should he answer based on what he knows about Kurosutchi, "I'm sure she'll get through it. Lieutenant Matsumoto is a tough one. The woman can drink most men under the table." he said, hoping to lighten the mood.

"That didn't really answer my question." Daichi said with a small smile playing at his lips as they come to the entrance to the 13th District. The tall wooden gates with the Squad insignia, a snowdrop, signifying hope. I need that more than anything else I think Daichi told himself, "But thanks any Captain."

"Any time, Daichi." Kyoraku said with, surprising to Daichi, a sincere tone before they walked together to see Captain Ukitake and check up on their dear friend.