The golden rays of an early morning sun streams through the window and splashes against the wooden floor of the room. The azure sky is light with a myriad of beautiful colors, a fact lost on the rooms only occupant. He practices in silence, having been up to do so before the sun had even begun to peek over the horizon. Over the past week he'd found that many of his duties had involved nothing more then investigating the appearance of Hollows in the Rukon and more often then not, eliminating them.

It wasn't that big of a surprise, actually. He was Tenth Seat and with the increase in his rank had come an increase not only in the number of missions but the danger of each one. He'd been wounded several times, but that it stopped him much. Bandages cover his torso soaking up more sweat then blood now. Still as much as he enjoys combat, a bit of down time wasn't such a bad thing to him, either.

"Don't you ever take a break, Daisuke?" asks a voice from behind. He turns sharply, reacting on instinct to being caught off guard and aims his wooden sword for the man's temple. There's a loud 'clack' as his attack is stopped by Captain Kyoraku. Daisuke's face turns bright red in embarrassment. He'd nearly struck a Captain, a crime that could see him severely punished. "Was it something I said?"

"My apologies, Captain Kyoraku!" exclaims Daisuke, stepping back and bowing sharply.

"Ah...don't worry about it." He looks up at the man who lowers his own wooden sword. "Anyway, practicing all the time isn't good for you, ya know. Why not take a break and have some breakfast?"

"Of course. But...a few more minutes if that's alright, Captain. I'm almost done." He pauses for a moment and then smiles. "Unless you'd care to spar for a few minutes before then, Shunsui." He arches a brow at the use of his first name, but doesn't correct him.

"I don't know. Seems like too much work before breakfast..." Daisuke smirks a bit and then places a hand on his hip.

"Are you scared?" That taunt always worked on Renji or Ikkaku...but Shunsui only laughs a bit in response. "Wha...?"

"Yes, I suppose I am." There's a loud thud as Daisuke strikes the floor. "Something wrong?" He stands quickly, a sweat drop appearing at his temple. He wasn't stupid enough to believe that a captain would actually be scared of him...more likely he was poking fun at him in return.

"You can't be serious."

"Mm...I'm the kinda guy who doesn't really enjoy fighting, especially not comrades, you see."

"Sparring and fighting are two different things. And I'd definitely benefit from it, Shunsui." The Captain sighs and then looks at the wooden sword in his hand for a moment before nodding.

"I suppose a few rounds wouldn't hurt anything. Who knows, I might even learn something."

"I...kind of doubt that." Regardless the two square off evenly with each other, Daisuke gripping the wooden tsuka of the weapon in one hand as he faces Shunsui, who has a slight smile on his face. 'Shunsui wields two Zanpakuto...he's ambidextrous, obviously. I can't see even a single hole in his defense. How do I...?'

"Whenever you're ready, Daisuke, just make the first move." Daisuke grips the weapon tighter and rushes forward. The loud 'clack!' of their weapons colliding is crisp in the cool morning air as the two move this way and that. Shunsui very easily keeps the younger Shinigami on the defense and it's all he can do to stop from getting hit. Going on the offensive isn't an option as Shunsui keeps him firmly on defense.

Minutes pass and sweat absolutely drips off of Daisuke. His breathing is coming in labored gasps and his muscles burn as he attempts to fight off Shunsui. There isn't the slightest bit of exertion evident in Shunsui's face or form. Not a drop of sweat, his breathing is normal and his moves are accurate and focused. Daisuke can't understand it, can't understand why he isn't on equal footing with Kyoraku.

'What the hell is going on...? I've got a Bankai the same as Shunsui...can there really be that much of a difference between myself and a real Captain? Have I really just been fooling myself into thinking I'd become stronger?'

The two continue their turn around the room, the 'clack, clack, clack!' of their weapons striking is beginning to draw a small crowd of Shinigami to them. Daisuke only notices one person in the small crowd. 'Jushiro.' The man watches two of his closest friends sparring silently.

Shunsui, who isn't even taking the match seriously. And Daisuke, who throws his all into every fight, every match he enters. The battle is entirely one sided to everyone watching. That he had sought to challenge a Captain as experienced as Shunsui Kyoraku to a match was an incredibly stupid mistake on his part...but also astonishing that the match hadn't ended already.

It was clear to everyone that he was weakening. Daisuke's reactions are becoming slower and slower and Shunsui's already assured victory closer and closer. His arms feel like they're made of lead, his lungs burn and it feels like his blood has been replaced with molten steel. But Daisuke won't back down from a match he asked for personally. He can almost hear Tenshi's voice in his head, 'Fight!' He does.

Daisuke growls and with effort pushes Shunsui onto the defensive. 'It's been nearly fourty minutes,' Shunsui thinks to himself, watching the exhausted youth in front of him. 'Looks like he's on his last leg. Still, for him to have lasted this long...' The experienced Captain spares his long time friend a single glance. '...I think see why you've placed your confidence in the boy.' He slowly glances back at Daisuke, 'clack, clack, clack!' sounding as their weapons meet again and again.

Their weapons collide and neither of them moves for a moment. They stand nearly toe-to-toe, trying to overpower each other. "Tell me. Why is it that you became a Shingami, Daisuke?" asks Shunsui, adjusting his grass hat with his free hand.

He pushes Shunsui's weapon back a bit. In terms of physical strength, it seems that Daisuke has the upperhand. "Because I have something that I believe in." The two separate and Daisuke pushes Shunsui again, the two turning round and round in the room as their weapons meet again and again.

"Oh, really? Do you mind telling me?"

"Not at all. I believe that those who have power, those who have strength have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves...as someone once did for me, Captain."

Shunsui spares Jushiro another glance, assuming he's referring to his old friend. "Hm. That's definitely something worth believing in." Still the two spar, turning about the room as they do so. "Did this person who protected you teach you that?"

"Yes, he did."

Their weapons collide again and they stand toe-to-toe for a second time. "You became a Shinigami to emulate the person that was your hero...or am I mistaken?"

"My loyalty...my trust in him is absolute, Shunsui. If he asked, I would gladly lay down my life for him." Daisuke shoves hard against Shunsui, despite the burning in his muscles and the two separate. Daisuke knows he won't last a few more minutes and pushes Shunsui hard, pouring the final bit of his strength into a handful of blows. 'Clack! Clack! Clack!' Everyone stares in surprise Shunsui's weapon is knocked from his hands...everyone but Jushiro that is.

Daisuke rushes forward and Shunsui turns in response. A crisp 'smack!' echoes as the Captain slaps the younger Shinigami in the back of the head. He stumbles forward and crashes into one of the walls of the room. Shunsui snatches his wooden sword from the air with his left hand and turns as Daisuke comes rushing back. Both swing and a single piece of wood flies away from them. A length of the now broken weapon lands at Jushiro's feet.

Shunsui presses the wooden sword lightly against Daisuke's neck moments before he falls to his hands and knees grasping for breath. It was a wonder his body didn't give out on him earlier considering just how much it had been pushed...and Shunsui was only sparring with him. He's angry...not at Kyoraku but himself for taking the bait. He hadn't disarmed him, he'd let the wooden sword go to lure him in...and he'd fallen for it. "I get...the feeling," pants Daisuke. "That you weren't...even trying, Captain." The Captain adjusts his grasshat and smiles a bit.

"What makes you say that? That was as exhausting for me as it was for you, ya know." A few beads of sweat roll down his temples under the grasshat. "And that last attack certainly made my hand sting..." The crowd that had gathered slowly disperses as Daisuke catches his breath. His whole body feels weighted down by lead...and the fight wasn't even real.

A hand enters his field of vision and he looks up at Jushiro, smiling a bit. "You did well," Jushiro tells him. The younger Shinigami accepts the offer and stands with a bit of difficulty. "And you too, Shunsui."

"Well, thank you. It's been a while since I've had a work out like that. It might not be a bad thing either considering the war coming up." Daisuke looks at the remains of the broken wooden sword he's still clutching.

"To be so soundly defeated," mutters Daisuke. "I've got a lot to improve upon before I can do any real good..." Jushiro places a hand on his shoulder and smiles.

"You did just fine, Daisuke," insists Jushiro. "Come on. I'm sure you've worked up an appetite. I'll treat you two to breakfast." Shunsui and Jushiro turn away and pause when Daisuke doesn't follow. "What is it?"

"Um...I hate to ask but...could either of you two take me to the Fouth Division? I'd do it myself but...I can't move my legs from this spot."

"That's because you've been practicing for more then three hours..."

The young man hums a tune to himself as he sweeps the walk way, so swept up in it that he doesn't notice the approach of even a Captain until his name is called. "Hanataro!" calls a voice familiar to him. He glances over at Captain Kyoraku and Daisuke. The Captain helps him hobble along slowly. Hanataro bows immediately in response.

"Good morning, Captain Kyoraku," exclaims Hanataro.

"Oh, you know this fella?" Kyoraku asks Daisuke.

"I do," replies Daisuke. "This is Hanataro. He's patched me up more times then I can count, Captain."

"Good. Would you mind seeing him inside, Hanataro? I've got some business elsewhere that I need to attend to." Hanataro bows again, leans the broom against a wall close to him and then steps under his free arm, supporting the weight that Kyoraku eases down.

"Unh," grunts Hanataro. "Come on, Daisuke. Let's, ugh, have you looked at." Daisuke nods and hobbles into the Division, tossing a 'Thank you' over his shoulder to the Captain. "So, nnh, what happened? Were you fighting Hollows in the Rukon again?"

"No. Nothing like that," replies Daisuke. "I, uh...put a little too much effort into my sparring this morning."

"Who were you sparring with?"

"Captain Kyoraku."

"Wha?!" The two wobble and Daisuke braces himself against the wall.

"Don't do that unless you want to carry me to the room! Jeez." Hanataro helps support his weight again and they continue down the hall. "Anyway, I'm as surprised as you are, too. I still can't believe he agreed to spar with me."

"Did you win?"

"...Do you really need me to answer that question, Hanataro?" He smiles a bit in response. "It ain't funny."

"Whatever you say, Daisuke." After a few moments Hanataro sighs. "So, he beat you pretty badly?"

"No. No, I managed to avoid that...but it took everything I had in me just to stay on the defensive. We must've got around for an hour before he quit playing around and beat me."

"So only your pride and your ego are hurt." Daisuke sighs a bit in response.

"Look, I experienced it first-hand, you don't have to rub it in, Hanataro." He shows him to an empty room. Daisuke removes Tenshi from his obi and sits down on the edge of the bed there. Regardless of the fact that he's within the Fourth Division, he doesn't turn the weapon loose. "Alright." Daisuke shrugs off his kosode and shitagi to expose his chest. "Let's get this done-"

"Oh, my, back again, I see," speaks a voice from behind Hanataro. Both men jump in surprise, which causes Unohana to blink in question. "What is it?"

"N-Nothing, Captain Unohana!" exclaim the two in unison.

"Excuse me!" exclaims Hanataro. "I have sweeping to finish!" With that he's gone nearly immediately and Daisuke blinks several times. Hanataro had moved with such speed he was sure that he'd have out-ran Captain Kuchiki in that moment.

"What's gotten in him, I wonder?" questions Unohana before looking down at Daisuke, who immediately breaks out in a cold sweat under her gentle gaze. "How are you feeling, Daisuke Arata?"

"F-Fine, Captain!" exclaims Daisuke, sitting up straight. Unohana blinks in confusion.

"Then why are you here?"

"Uh...uh, I mean, I'm not fine per-say-"

"Do you require medical treatment?"

"Yes!" He sits up straighter, if at all possible. Captain Unohana reaches down and with very little effort helps him to his feet. He's resorted to using his own Zanpakuto as a sort of cane for the moment.

"Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere, Captain. I pushed myself too hard sparring with Captain Kyoraku."

"I see. And your other wounds?" Daisuke places his free hand against the bandages on his stomach, which are stained by a few drops of crimson.

"Healing." He instantly regrets this smartass answer and began to sweat again. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to pay it any mind as she focuses on his wounds and he releases a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Everything alright?"

"Yes. Isane, come in here, please." Lieutenant Kotetsu enters a moment later and Daisuke pulls his shitagi and kosode back over his shoulders. "Help me take him to recovery." Daisuke had seen Lieutenant Kotetsu several times before and the first time it had sort of surprised him that there was a woman who could actually look him in the eyes. Not so much anymore. She actually smiles a bit at him.

"Back again, I see," comments Isane.

"I know, I know," replies Daisuke, smiling. She replaces Captain Unohana and they head out the door and down the hall. "Have you, unh, spoken with your sister lately, Lieutenant?"

"No. I haven't had much time thanks to a certain someone."

"I know. As much time as I spend here I should probably consider a transfer to the Fourth Division. Captain Unohana-"

"Here we are," interrupts Unohana, motioning to a door. "Please, go inside and strip down."

"Is that that healing spring you had me in when I was nearly killed, Captain?"

"The same."

"Alright, then. This should be relaxing." He disengages from Isane and enters the room. He stops for a moment in the doorway. "Anyone want to wash my back for me?"

"Be careful not to slip and further injure yourself, Daisuke Arata. That would be most unfortunate." A cold sweat breaks out across him and he nods, closing the door behind him. He disrobes and folds everything neatly before entering the healing spring. It was just as he remembered...minus the excruciating pain, of course. He steps down into the spring, and slowly lowers himself into the healing waters.

He leaves Tenshi within reach, hand resting upon the top of the black saya. The hot water immediately starts soothing his muscles and he sinks up to his chin in the water, closing his eyes as he does so. 'Enjoying yourself, I see.'

'Oh, not now, Tenshi. Any other time but, please, not now. I feel like I've been run over by a hoard of Hollows.'

'You've pushed yourself too hard, too fast. This is the result.' He simply grunts in response. '...I am proud of you, Daisuke. You squared off with a Captain as experienced as Kyoraku and you held your own for close to an hour.'

'He was just screwing with me, Tenshi. That's how much of a difference there is in our level our experience. I fight Shunsui seriously...and he barely breaks a sweat fending me off.'

'But he did sweat, Daisuke. You're being far too hard on yourself. Shunsui Kyoraku is a man who's spent centuries honing his skills in combat. He is one of the oldest, my experienced Captains in the Soul Society...and you made him break a sweat. Someone with less then half of his experience. Be should be more proud of yourself...but then again, you've always been rather humble.'

'Well...one of us is already arrogant. Someone has to balance it out.'

'I'm a reflection of your soul, boy. Remember that.' A smile appears on his young face a moment later.

'Yeah...'