He's called back from a world of darkness and numbness by the warmth of life. His eyes open as he slowly begins to come to and he stares silently up at a ceiling unfamiliar to him. In fact, as he slowly looks around he finds the room is unfamiliar as well. Daisuke isn't in the Fourth Division like he was expecting to find himself...what had happened?
It comes back in a rush, as though he's been dashed with a bucket of cold water. He leans up and instant regrets it as pain shoots through his stomach and arms. A string of half-formed curses come tumbling out of his mouth as he falls back in pain, a light sheen of sweat now covering his face as a result of holding in his cries. The door to the room opens. "I see you're still quick to wake, Daisuke," calls a familiar voice. He looks over at none other then Kisuke.
The man approaches his futon and has a seat right beside him. "Been a, unh, long time, Captain," replies Daisuke. The shop-keeper arches a brow under his hat in response.
"Well...you must still be feeling a little woozy from blood-loss because as I recall it you never did call me 'Captain' even when I was still a member of the Thirteen Divisions." The younger man smirks a bit in response and with a great effort leans up. Bandages completely cover his torso as well as his arms and fingers. "You really do seem to enjoy getting yourself beaten up, Daisuke. Just like I remember."
"Heh. You still take your time getting places...just like I remember."
"Life is a journey, not a destination."
"Uh-huh." He chuckles a bit. "Same old Kisuke. Always moving as his own pace." Daisuke is silent for a moment, trying to figure out what questions to ask his old mentor and friend. "What happened all those years ago? I mean...you left in the middle of the night without a word to anyone in the Division and the next day I find out that you've been exiled by Central Forty-Six and that psycho Mayuri is put in charge of the Twelfth Division, Kisuke. What in the hell happened?"
"It's complicated, Daisuke."
"Un-complicate it, then." After a moment of silence, Kisuke nods in understanding and begins the whole tale. Aizen's experiments on the souls in the Rukon, exposing the Captains who had previously been labeled traitors to some kind of strange virus of his and then his escape. He spares no details for an old friend and explanation long in coming. When he's done, Daisuke sits in absolute silence absorbing everything he's said. "...You should have told me."
"Told you?"
"Yeah! You should have told me what you were planning to do that night. You're my friend, I'd have had your back like you would have had mine, you know that!" Kisuke shakes his head in response. "No?"
"There was no reason to involve you, too. Then, you'd have been exiled along with us."
"Us?" asks Daisuke, his anger rising with his voice. "What do you 'us', Kisuke?!" The door to the room opens again and he looks over sharply to find a dark skinned man with glasses and a moustache standing there. "Hmph. Tessai Tsukabishi...former Captain of the Kido Corps. That explains your disappearance, I suppose." Daisuke had never met the man in more then passing, but knew that he was a close friend of Kisuke.
"Everything alright in here, boss?" asks Tessai, looking at Daisuke. "Should I restrain him?"
"That won't be necessary, Tessai," replies Kisuke. "I think we actually owe him a debt of thanks for looking after Ururu for us. He did get his hands all burned up protecting her." Daisuke looks down at his bandaged hands and clenches them with a bit of effort and great pain.
"Unh," grunts Daisuke. "Healing Kido ain't your specialty, Kisuke. I really hope it was Tessai who looked after my wounds while I was unconscious." After a moment he looks up. "Speaking of Tessai, I assume you do all the cleaning, am I correct?"
"I do," replies Tessai. "But what makes you say that?"
"Because if Kisuke did the cleaning this place would be a disaster. I remember what his room looked like back in the Twelfth Division and there's no way it was this clean- what the?" Tessai was in front of him faster then he's ever seen anyone move, tears streaming down his face.
"Thank you for your compliment, Daisuke! I work my fingers to the bone keeping everything in the shop spotless."
"Y-Yeah, Tessai. No problem."
"So, are you still a member of the Twelfth Division?" asks Kisuke.
"No. I transferred out to the Thirteenth Division...the following day, actually. Jushiro was happy to have me and I knew there was nothing left for me at the Twelfth Division."
"There was hardly anything there for you in the first place. You spent all of your time away from the barracks except when you were handling Division duties." Daisuke chuckles a bit in response.
"I still made time for my mentor, didn't I?"
"You really are woozy, aren't you? You've never called me that before, either."
"I've done a lot of growing up in the past century, Kisuke. I'm not the same person I used to be." Kisuke smiles a bit and Daisuke sighs. "So...where is Captain Shihoin at, exact-" His sentence is ended when an arm closes around his neck from behind. A perfect choke hold, just as he remembers from Captain Shihoin. "Kuh! Long time...no see...Captain Shihoin!"
"It certainly has been a long time, hasn't it, lil' Daisuke?" teases Yoruichi. "My, you've grown since the last time we met...but you're still got a habit of getting yourself all busted up, I see. Oh, and don't call me 'Captain Shihoin', I think 'Yoruichi' will do just fine these days." He reponds with a nod, which is amazing in itself considering just how tightly she's holding him.
"Got it...Captain...Shihoin." The woman sighs and releases him, crawling over to sit beside Kisuke while Daisuke catches his breath.
"You never stop calling me 'Captain Shihoin', will you?"
"No, Captain." Quite frankly, he only calls her by that because he knows it irritates her when he does it. He could never beat her at Flash-Step, or hakuda or with a Zanpakuto...but he could certainly annoy the hell out of her even if it did earn him a beat-down on occasion. Still, he doesn't know her as well as he know's Kisuke and addressing her as Captain is a habit difficult to break even if she isn't one anymore.
"So, why are you here in the World of the Living?" questions Kisuke.
"A mission. I'm here to eliminate any Hollows I run across while Captain Hitsugaya's advance squad fends of any attacks from Arrancar. Captain Ukitake volunteered me for the mission and I accepted it."
"You shouldn't have," counters Tessai. "Judging by the state of the wounds on your body I would say it's been quite some time since you had yourself a proper rest and medical treatment. Am I right?"
"Hey, I just got out of the hospital before I came here."
"You snuck out again, didn't you," accuses Kisuke.
"I'm fine. I slept for three days, after all."
"Sending you out here injured. They must be desperate-"
"No one forced me to take this mission. Jushiro knew that I wanted to come here. How could I refuse, anyway? He placed not only his reputation on the line but he placed his confidence in me. I don't have many friends, and the one's I do have...my loyalty to them is without question." Daisuke is silent for a moment. "Even if it would've cost me my life I'd have completed this mission. You should know that, Kisuke."
Kisuke nods, looking as serious as any of them had seen him. "I know. It's your best trait...and your greatest weakness, Daisuke. Careful you don't allow people to exploit it."
"Yeah. I need to contact the Soul Society for further orders, Kisuke. May I have my things back now?"
"What you need to do is rest."
"I'll be fine."
"You nearly died fighting that Adjuchas. You need rest. Not more work."
"Look...I appreciate you taking me in and healing my wounds, Kisuke. But the fact remains that I don't answer to you. I was given a mission by my Captain and I'm going to see it through no matter the cost...so don't get in my way." The two stare at each other for the longest time before Kisuke sighs. He gently pushes a bundle of dark clothes towards his futon, then stands and leaves the room.
Yoruichi and Tessai aren't long in following, the door sliding closed behind them. Daisuke makes quick work of getting dressed and retrieves Tenshi from the floor beside his futon when he's fully clothed. 'That was rather cold of you, boy. There was a time when you held him in the highest esteem along side Jushrio and Shunsui. He also taught you everything you know...or have you forgotten?'
'...Be quiet, Tenshi.'
'You would really turn your back on him? Your mentor. One of your oldest friends?'
'Friends trust each other, after all...and he didn't even trust me enough to leave a note behind to explain why he was fleeing the Soul Society, or ask for my assistance investigating the disappearances.'
'Maybe he didn't ask because he was afraid of how it would turn out. Like any good friend he was looking out for you. He didn't want to place you in a bad position, Daisuke. Of course, you're too busy feeling slighted to notice that.' Daisuke doesn't respond, only leaves the room in silence and heads to the front door where Kisuke is standing.
There's a crash of thunder and a streak of lightning illuminates the world beyond the walls of the shop. Daisuke stops in front of the door, standing side by side with Kisuke, his mentor, his friend. "I never intended for things to happen like they did, Daisuke," Kisuke tells him. "But there are some things in this world that we have no way of foreseeing."
"Ain't that the truth," replies Daisuke, sliding open the door and staring out into the grey night spread out before him.
"Hey, Daisuke," calls Yoruichi from behind. He turns and grunts loudly as she actually stabs him in the stomach with her hand. "You can be such a stubbon little brat sometimes." His vision begins to blur and he steps back, falling to his knees and for the second time in the same day being claimed by the waiting darkness...
With Daisuke awakens, the birds are chirping and sun is streaming through the window of the room. He blinks several times to clear his vision and then sighs heavily. "Damn it," mutters Daisuke. "Captain Shihoin used the ol' medicine trick on me. I swear, she gets me with that every time I'm trying to sneak out of recovery..."
"Are you talking about me?" asks a voice from the doorway. He jumps in surprise and looks at the woman, who approaches the sits by his futon. "I only do it cause you're too hard-headed to know when to back down...and you fall for it every time. You would think that you'd wise up after the first twenty times it happened but you just keep falling for it."
"Yeah, well...when someone calls my name I make it a habit to acknowledge them, Yoruichi."
"Ah! You called me by my name."
"No, I didn't."
"Yes, you did," speaks Kisuke, entering the room. Daisuke pushes himself up as he regards the man. "How are you feeling today, Daisuke?"
"The same as yesterday. I need to contact-"
"Already done. I spoke with Captain Ukitake and he advised me to keep you here until you're fully healed. Seems Yoruichi is the only one who you can't give the slip to when you're supposed to be in recovery." Daisuke grunts and waves him off in response. "Don't worry. Tessai was up all night trying to heal your wounds, so you'll be able to move around without compounding your injuries."
"I noticed. I don't feel any pain in my hands this time." Daisuke clenches and unclenches his hands and few times to be sure. "Uh...listen, Kisuke. About what I said yesterday-"
"Don't worry about it, Daisuke."
"No. I was out of line, Kisuke. You taught me everything I know and I shouldn't have said what I did. I apologize." Kisuke sighs a bit in response.
"You really don't ever change." After a moment of silence both men sigh again. "Are you hungry, Daisuke?"
"I could eat." With a bit of effort he extracts himself from the futon, wearing white sleeping clothes over his bandaged body. Daisuke picks up Tenshi as he, Yoruichi and Kisuke stand to leave the room. They enter the sitting room where the same girl from before and a boy are enjoying breakfast as well. Daisuke takes a seat at the table with them.
"Good morning, Mr. Shinigami," greets Ururu.
"Uh, just call me Daisuke."
"Oh, great, another moocher is here to stay," speaks the red-haired boy.
"I'm not here to stay, boy. I'm just here until my wounds heal enough for Yoruichi to release me...or at least healed enough for me to slip away when she isn't paying attention." This earns a little smirk from her in response.
"Said my name again," Yoruichi tells him.
"Crap. You see what you've done, Kisuke? Now how am I gonna annoy her?"
"Just act like yourself," counters Kisuke.
"Smartass." Kisuke sits down at the table and Tessai begins to serve them both a breakfast.
"When I spoke with Ukitake he mentioned that you'd been promoted to Tenth Seat. You must be pretty happy about it." Daisuke offers him a shrug of the shoulders in response. "Does he know that you can use Shikai?"
"Only you and Yoruichi know that, Kisuke. And I think it'd be best if things stayed that way for now."
"Of course. If there's one thing I can do it's keep a secret."
"Good. Now...when is the soonest I can return to the Soul Society, Tessai?"
"You could return now if you wished," replies Tessai. "However, your wounds aren't fully healed yet so it would be best if you stayed for at least another day in order for me to finish your treatment, Daisuke."
"Alright. One more day..."
- - The Soul Society - -
A single day of doing absolutely nothing was the longest day that Daisuke could remember in his life. No training, no going for a walk, nothing but sitting around the shop under the watchful eye of Yoruichi while he finished his recovery. Needless to say, when he was allowed to return to the Soul Society he was nearly jumping for joy. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy the company of Kisuke, his mentor or Yoruichi. He simply wasn't used to not having anything to do for a whole day.
When he wasn't on patrol he was training or focused on his Division duties or speaking with Jushiro and Shunsui or getting drunk with Renji and Ikkaku. He was always doing something and he liked it that way. That's why he never stayed to be treated fully by Captain Unohana in the Fourth Division. He didn't like waiting around for his wounds to be healed.
Daisuke stops in front of Captain Ukitake's office door and knocks. "Yes, please, come in," calls Jushiro. He opens the door and steps inside. Jushiro smiles and he smiles in turn. "I see you've returned. Did things go smoothly in the World of the Living? I heard you might have suffered some serious wounds."
"Nothing but scratches," replies Daisuke. "Kisuke has a habit of blowing things out of proportion. At any rate, things went smoothly and I'm fully healed. How about you? How are you feeling?"
"Better then yesterday."
"Jushiro..."
The Captain laughs a bit. "I'm feeling fine, Daisuke."
"I'm glad. Is there anything else for me to do?"
"Nothing that requires the attention of a Seated Officer. Go and enjoy some down time. There won't be much of it to be had soon, you know."
"Some down time, hm?" A smile appears on his face and he nods. "Jushiro, what are you doing later tonight...?"
"Cheers!" exclaim the three men before turning back their drinks. After a moment a collective sigh sounds from the trio of men before they begin digging into the large meal in front of them. Shunsui and Daisuke had successfully talked Jushiro into joining the two of them for a drink at sundown. They had found that the bar in question happened to be one they both frequented, albeit at different times.
"I gotta admit, having a drink after a hard days work really is the best," comments Shunsui. "And it tastes even better when you're enjoying with friends. I'm glad you joined us, Jushiro." The man chuckles.
"You...didn't really give me much choice, Shunsui," replies Jushiro. Truthfully, he really hadn't been talked into coming along so much as Shunsui had drug the man along by his collar to the bar. "But I am enjoying myself. It's nice to unwind now and again."
"Hm. I don't mean to be nosey, but that guy sure is staring at you awfully hard, Daisuke. Do you know him?" Shunsui motions in his direction and Daisuke glances over at a man he doesn't recognize.
"Not that I can recall," replies Daisuke. "Then again...I usually end up really hammered by the time I stumbled outta this place so I couldn't tell you if I've actually met him or not, Jushiro." A sweat drop appears at the man's temple in response to Daisuke's grinning face. "Just ignore it. We're here to have a good time so let's have a good time!"
Several hours and a lot of drinks later and the trio is having a grand time in the bar. Looking at them, one would never think that two of the men were actually Captains. They speak to each other without reservation just like the old friends they are. But all good things come to an end, eventually. "Drink, drink, drink!" chant Shunsui and Daisuke, watching Jushiro empty a jug of sake.
"Bwah!" sighs Jushiro, setting it down. "Whew! I think...I think I've had a bit..." There's a thud moments later and the empty jugs on the table jump an inch or so from the impact. Jushiro is slumped over the table, looking a little worse for wear.
"I think Jushiro's had a bit too much to drink," observes Shunsui, a slight slur accompanying his speaking. Daisuke blinks and looks around as a result. Many empty sake jugs are piled on the table and the surrounding area. They really had drank a lot.
"Haha!" drunkenly laughs Daisuke, turning his sake jug up. "I guess so. We should git go'n, eh? Lemme jus' pay the bill an we'll hit the road, Shun-hic-Shunsui." Daisuke produces from his kosode a rather large amount of money and places it on the table before standing on unsteady legs with Shunsui.
The two collect Jushiro, draping an arm across each of their shoulders and lifting him to his feet. "S...Sorry to be such a downer," slurs Jushiro. Shunsui and Daisuke laugh a bit as they carry Jushiro towards the door of the bar. Their exit is blocked by a large, bald man with a scowl on his face. For a moment Daisuke almost blurts out 'Ikkaku!' before getting a better look at the man.
"Whoa, easy! The money 's on the table, like always."
"You don't recognize me?" asks the man.
"Should I?" Daisuke stares at the man's bruised face for a moment before smirking. "Ohhh! I remember! You were that guy who Renji was kickin' around the last time we were here!"
"Uh-oh," mutters Shunsui, noticing the men closing in from behind. "I don't suppose you fellas would be persuaded to walk away, would you?" The large man smirks and crackes his knuckles. "No, didn't think so. Jushiro, we need you to wake-hic-wake up, now. There's a bit of a problem." Jushiro opens his eyes and looks at the man in front and then men behind.
They set him down on his feet and Daisuke sighs. "Yeah, so, listen. 'bout what happened las' time, uh..." A sucker punch from Daisuke straight to the man's jaw kicks off the bar fight immediately. Tables topple and break as the small number of men are thrown around by the trio of drunken Shinigami. Even drunk Shunsui shows exactly how proficient in hand-to-hand he is...but it's more like drunken street-fighting then actual hakuda.
It's the same for Jushiro who had been passed out only a moment before. The drunk Captain quickly subdues one of the men only for several more of them to join. It's shaping up to be a hell of a bar fight. It's one that unfortunately none of them will remember the following morning even if they have the bruises and hang-over to show for it. Daisuke ducks the largest man's punch and grasps him by the front of his shirt.
"Sorry, pal! We're all full!" He pulls him forward, spins him in a circle and then throws him through the window of the bar out into the street with a loud crash...but being drunk isn't great for one's balance and he stumbles and falls in the opposite direction, toppling a table as he does so. "Omph! Guh...what the...?" He picks up a jug of sake and then turns it up, taking a long pull from it. Someone smacks the jug from his hands. "Hey- oh, no!"
The man he'd just thrown out the door picks him up by the front of his kosode and slams him against the wall twice before throwing him across the bar. He lands on another table with a loud crash and groans in response. "Ahhh! My back!" Feeling rather sober, Daisuke rolls onto his stomach and stands. The young Shinigami faces the large man and moves forward.
He blocks his punch and then throws his full weight into one, smashing the man in the nose. He stumbles backwards from the impact, eventually leaning against the wall as he gently cradles his crooked, bruised nose. Daisuke rushes towards the man. "I said...we're full!" He leaps up and plants both feet in his chest, throwing him through the wall out into the street a second time.
The young Shinigami lands flat on his back with a loud grunt and then stands. "Heads up, Daisuke!" exclaims Shunsui, moments before two men are thrown out the hole as well. Jushiro and Shunsui step up beside him. Aside from a few bruises, none of them were any the worse for wear...at least until Jushiro starts coughing, blood streaming through the cracks in his fingers.
Shunsui catches the man before he falls, supporting his weight. "Jushiro!"
"We need to take him to the Fourth Division."
"Right!" The two waste no time in rushing their friend back to the Seireitei and more importantly the Fourth Division and Unohana. Shunsui is slightly surprised that Daisuke can keep up the pace while helping to carry Jushiro. The moments it takes the two fast moving Shinigami to reach the Fourth Division feels like an eternity but when they arrive, Daisuke actually kicks the doors to the infirmary in.
A sweat-drop appears at Shunsui's temple in response, but he doesn't address the rash action. It's quick to attract some attention not just from members of the staff but Unohana herself. "A little help!" demands Daisuke moments before Jushiro is taken from their arms and hurried off to be treated by Captain Unohana. When the younger Shinigami starts to follow Shunsui grasps him by the wrist. "Shunsui-"
"Unohana is looking after him now. If you go then you'll just be in the way...go get some sleep, Daisuke. You can see him in the morning." After a moment he nods and the two turn back towards the now wide open front door, slipping out before Captain Unohana can punish either of them for it's destruction...