"Tsuki, you should hurry if you're going to meet with the Head Captain."

Tsukimori sighed, setting down a plate of breakfast for Yoshirou. "I know."

Yoshirou put a hand over hers and smiled. "Whatever he wants, I'm sure it's nothing bad. Just see what he wants to speak with you about."

"I will." Tsukimori leaned down a placed a kiss on his weathered cheek. "Be sure to eat up and I'll be back as soon as I can."

"What about you, dear?"

"I'll eat on the way." She said, showing him her small pack of food. "I'll see you later, Yoshirou."

Tsukimori headed out the door and into the forest, leaving her home behind her as she made her way back to the Seireitei. She was curious and a bit nervous to be meeting with the Head Captain, racking her brain for any reason he may call her in. She wasn't a member of a squad or branch of the other military groups, nor had she done anything wrong.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's really important for him to call me in like this."

A knock sounded at the door and Chojiro answered, finding a young woman with short, wavy smoky blue hair and silvery blue eyes awaiting on the other side.

"I am Tsukimori Gushiken. I received a message that Head Captain Yamamoto wishes to have an audience with me."

"Yes, please come in."

Tsukimori followed the lieutenant of Squad 1 into the office of the Head Captain, stopping in the center of the room.

"Welcome, Tsukimori Gushiken. Thank you for coming."

Tsukimori bowed. "Of course, Head Captain. I am honored that you would speak with me, though I must admit I am rather curious as to why."

"Of course. Please, sit. Chojiro just brewed some tea."

Tsukimori took Yamamoto up on his offer, sitting with him as Chojiro poured tea for them.

"It has been quite some time since you graduated the academy." Yamamoto said, looking at Tsukimori as he took a sip of tea.

"Twenty five years, sir, yes."

"As I recall, you showed great promise, but rejected all offers from the squads."

Tsukimori sipped her tea and looked down at her hands. "Yes, sir."

"May I ask why?"

"Because I was afraid that I would lose control and hurt someone."

"Even with a limiter?"

"Yes, sir."

"And now?"

Tsukimori sighed. "I honestly don't know. After seeing Renji and the others yesterday, seeing all of this again after so long, made me think about a lot of things."

"I read the report from Squad 6 regarding the Hollow attack two days ago. I must say I was very surprised to see that you had come to their aid and helped defeat the Hollow."

Tsukimori smiled a bit at that. "I hope I didn't cause any trouble for them, sir. I had sensed that they were being overwhelmed and I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

"They were lucky to have your assistance. And you proved that your skills have improved much over the years in doing so." Yamamoto said, setting his tea cup down. "Which brings me to why I asked you to meet with me."

Tsukimori looked at him, setting her tea cup down as well.

"I would like to extend an invitation to you to return to the Seireitei and enroll with a squad."

Tsukimori's eyes widened. "Are you serious, sir?"

"I am. You showed great promise at the academy and you have proven in field battle that you are capable as a Soul Reaper."

"I don't know what to say..."

"We can adjust the parameters of your limiter if you'd like to help better control the flow of your spiritual energy. You can start as soon as today or as soon as tomorrow unless you need more time." Yamamoto looked at her, reaching over to place a hand over hers. "Tsukimori, you are ready for this. Trust me."

"Will you give me a day to think it over, sir?"

"Of course. I will send a messenger for your answer tomorrow afternoon."

Tsukimori stood, bowing to him and Chojiro. "Thank you, Head Captain. I should take my leave then."

Yamamoto and Chojiro watched as Tsukimori hurried off, closing the door behind her.

"Sir, are you certain she is ready for this?"

"I am. All necessary precautions and measures will be taken to ensure that she has a safe transition into her new squad should she agree to return to us."

Later that night, Yoshirou had returned from town with supplies and found Tsukimori sitting in front of the fireplace.

"Tsuki?"

Tsukimori looked up and smiled. "Welcome back home, Yoshirou."

"How did it go with the Head Captain?"

"It went well, I suppose."

"What did he want?"

"He invited me to return to the Seireitei and join a squad."

Yoshirou understood at that point why she looked concerned. "You don't usually play with your limiter unless something is on your mind." He sat next to her. "What do you think? Do you want to go back?"

"I don't know." Tsukimori sighed, looking down at her limiter- a simple silver bracelet. "Seeing Renji and the others reminded me of how much I miss it all. That perhaps it was time for me to stop hiding."

"You have improved so much since you graduated, dear. Your anxiety with people has gotten much better, too. I think you're ready to go back if you want."

Tsukimori looked at him. "But what of you? Will you be alright on your own?"

Yoshirou smiled, chuckling as he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. "Of course, sweet girl. Besides, there's still the villagers to keep me company and I'm sure you'll visit as much as you can."

"I would."

"When do you need to let the Head Captain know your answer?"

"He's sending a messenger tomorrow afternoon."

"I would sleep on it and think it over until then." He looked down at her. "No matter what you decide, I support you."

"Thanks, Yoshirou."

The following afternoon, the messenger came and Tsukimori was ready to give her answer.

"I accept."