They had won the war...though it seems a hollow victory to Daisuke considering all the casualties that resulted from this so called victory. So many Shinigami had lost their lives and so many were still MIA even three days after the assault on the Seireitei. There was no exact number with the toll still climbing but a large chunk of those left behind to defend the Soul Society were dead. Their ranks would need replenishing as soon as possible.
Of those officers returning from the Fake Karakura town, many had suffered injury. Captain Soifon had lost an arm which was thankfully enough restored by Captain Unohana and her impressive healing skills. He'd heard that through the whole ordeal she was as commanding as ever...some things can be counted on to never change, after all. Shunsui had suffered some serious wounds but after a day in the Fourth Division he was released. It was Jushiro who most concerned him as he had yet to be released, even if he was recovering swiftly.
Head Captain Yamamoto's wounds had been the most significant...but he had made a full recovery, as expected and would remain on a light duty as he recovered his strength. While all those who had taken part in the war had been injured most were light. The information given to them by Tia Harribel had been put to good use when exploiting the weaknesses of her former comrades. Things could have been much worse without that information.
At any rate, the real Karakura town had been returned to it's original position in the World of the Living and Ichigo would no doubt be returning as well once his wounds had healed enough for Unohana to release him. The boy was as stubborn as a mule but he wouldn't win out against Unohana...after surviving the Winter War the boy couldn't be foolish enough to throw himself into the line of fight by angering Captain Unohan, right?
And realistically...even he shouldn't be out of recovery with four broken ribs and a fractured ankle but he is anyway. Daisuke practices silently in the Thirteenth Division, not a sound escaping him as he attempts to further hone his skills with his Zanpakuto. "Don't you ever take a break, Daisuke?" asks a voice in the doorway. He glances over quickly at Jushiro, a smile curving his lips as the Captain enters the room.
"Jushiro!" exclaims Daisuke happily. "I thought you were still in recovery. Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, I'm feeling fine now. Unohana only just released me. Seems I've recovered well enough to go on light duty." Daisuke nods and approaches a bit closer. "I heard about what you did here in the Soul Society from Sentaro. All these years you've shown such great potential and now you're proving that you're a natural born leader as well. I couldn't be more proud."
"Thank you, Jushiro. Hearing that from you...it means more then you know."
"Not at all. You've earned it, after all."
"Is there any thing else that I can do?"
"It seems there's no end to the work to be done now. If you'd like you can assist the Fourth Division in searching the Rukon for wounded and...recovering the bodies of those who gave their lives in the defense of the Seireitei." Daisuke nods in the affirmative. It wasn't the best mission in the world but it would keep him occupied. "Oh, before I forget. I'm going to be sending someone else along with you. Please, come in, now."
Into the room steps none other then Tia, arms crossed under her bust as she regards the two of them. "I see. You want me to take Tia with me to search the Rukon, Captain?"
"Yes. The Head Captain as assigned her to assist in the search and if you don't mind I'd like you to take her along with you when you go." Daisuke nods in understanding.
"Very well. Please excuse me." He bows slightly and heads for the door.
"Oh! And be careful, Daisuke. I heard that Captain Zaraki is looking for you. It seems he wants to challenge you because of what you did." Again he nods in understanding. "Of course, if you'd like to fight him..."
"I'm not particularly interested in fighting an ally and I'm not foolish enough to fight someone as strong as he is...so I think it might be best if I avoid him. Let's go, Tia. We've got a lot of work ahead of us." The Espada watches him depart and stands in the doorway for a moment before following...
The two figures approach Lieutenant Kotetsu, who is in charge of coordinating the Fourth Division's efforts in the East Rukon. Fires still burn unchecked in the surrounding buildings as all their energy is put towards recovery of wounded and bodies of those killed by Hollows. As they approach, many eyes fall on Tia. Their gazes are filled with anger and hate for what her kind have done, but none of them seem willing to act on it, thankfully.
"Lieutenant!" calls Daisuke, approaching the tall Lieutenant. She turns to face the man and sighs a bit in exasperation before she stiffens as she gazes at Tia. Obviously she'd heard about Tia being a part of the Divisions now but probably didn't think she would encounter the Arrancar so soon. "We're here to help with the search. Captain Ukitake assigned us to help you." The Lieutenant nods in understanding.
"Very well," replies Isane. "The report says that at it's height the fighting reached the Third Rukon district. So far we've barely managed to clear the first due to a few remaining pockets of Hollows. I'd like you two to head out further...if that's not a problem."
"It shouldn't be a problem," replies Tia calmly. "Let's just get this done already." Daisuke nods and the two of them start in the direction of the outer Rukon. The walk is long and one that he is familiar with. Time passes as they walk and they've soon left behind the main force of the search, venturing out into the destroyed neighborhoods of the Second Rukon. Tia's eyes slowly scan their surroundings, taking in the burnt out and still burning buildings. "The battle took it's toll I see."
"Don't they all," replies Daisuke somberly. "In the future, you should show more respect to a Lieutenant if you're going to be a part of the Thirteen Divisions. Insubordination is a serious matter."
"This coming from the man who addresses his own commander by his first name."
"What I do isn't any of your concern, Tia. Now, let's just start searching." The streets are quiet, no souls daring to venture out from whatever hiding places they might have found to weather the war. Daisuke could remember when the place was as lively as ever with people coming and going all hours of the day and well into the night. But it now stands silent, desolate and seemingly devoid of all life. "...Look at this place."
"What's your rank in the Division, exactly?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"If I'm going to be working with the Soul Society then it would stand to reason that I might need some understanding of the ranking within the Division. I understand that the Captain's and Lieutenant's give the orders, but I would like to know more." There is a moment of silence and Daisuke sighs.
"I'm the Tenth Seat of the Thirteenth Division. It's an...intermediate rank, I suppose. There are twenty-five seated positions. The lower the number, the better you're expected to perform. Realistically, those Shinigami who are unable to perform Shikai should aspire to become Third Seat one day."
"And if they should attain a Shikai?"
"Then the Captain may promote them to Lieutenant, if there is a vacancy."
"I see. From what I've heard Captain's are those who are able to wield a Bankai." Daisuke nods in the affirmative. "If thats the case, when why haven't you attempted to become a Captain...you do possess a Bankai and Captain-level strength, after all."
Daisuke chuckles a bit and glances over at her. "You know...that sounds suspiciously like a compliment, Tia."
"It's just an observation," replies Tia calmly. "Nothing more."
"Mm, whatever. I really never aspired to become a Captain, Tia. That wasn't why I joined the Thirteen Divisions."
In the empty streets, leaning against a building he spots a Shinigami with his head lowered and moves quickly towards the man, leaving the calmly walking Tia behind. Daisuke draws close and it's immediately obvious that the man is dead, a wound spanning his torso from shoulder to hip and deep enough to nearly cut him in half. He kneels beside the body and sighs heavily. "Damn..."
Tia approaches as well, coming to a stop several feet away. She gazes down at the body of the Shinigami for a moment before sighing a bit. "It appears to have been quick. At the least, you can be thankful for that."
"Yeah. Well, thank you for small favors." Daisuke reaches forward and turns back the hem of his kosode to reveal a Division number. "Looks like Second Division," his voice trails off as he withdraws his hand. "Oh, well. I guess-" Sensing someone approaching he grips Tenshi and turns to face the person, only finding Lieutenant Omaeda and a small group of Second Division members. Daisuke stands and turns to face the approaching unit. "Speak of the devil..."
"Members of the Thirteenth Division?"
"No. That's Lieutenant Marechiyo Omaeda of the Second Division." Tia spares them only a single glance as they approach closer. "Good morning, Lieutenant Omaeda." The large large Lieutenant gazes down at the man and then flicks his gaze to Tia, stiffening a bit as he does so.
"An-An Arrancar? Here?" asks Lieutenant Omaeda.
"Surely you've heard, Lieutenant. She's going to assist in the search for wounded and recovering the bodies of our fallen comrades."
"Hey! We don't need that thing helping us! It'll be more likely to get someone killed!"
"What was that?" asks Tia, now turning to face the man. Daisuke casts an arm out between the two. It's not much of a deterrent to an Arrancar, and Espada who could kill all of them as easily as swatting a fly...but it seems to have some effect as she glances over at him.
"If you have a problem with it, lieutenant, then I'm sure you know where to find the Head Captain," replies Daisuke. The word 'Lieutenant' leaves a bad taste in his mouth when applied to this man, but he doesn't voice his distaste. "I'm sure he'll happy to hear your argument. But first I would suggest taking your dead-" Daisuke motions to the body with his free hand. "-back to the Second Division for proper identification, Lieutenant."
A single word from the Lieutenant and they collect the body, making sure to wide circle the irritated Tia as they head back in the direction they've come from. Only Omaeda remains behind, looking down at the two of them for a few moments before turning and following. Daisuke lowers his arm and sighs. "You shouldn't have interfered in something that doesn't concern you."
"I don't see why not..." His cheeks tint a slight red in response. "Uh, you know what I mean."
"Those men are obviously going to tell others how you openly supported me, an Arrancar...and not only that but I can take care of myself. I don't need you to look out for me, Daisuke."
"I'm not saying you can't. But since Captain Ukitake tasked us to helping recover the wounded that makes us partners for now. So, of course I'm going to look out for you...and I hope that you would do the same."
"Partners?"
"Look...just watch my back and I'll watch yours, alright?" She doesn't respond and Daisuke sighs. "Whatever." The two move on from the area, the destruction to the buildings not changing as they do so. The fighting had definitely taken it's toll on the Rukon and it would be some time before things were returned to their proper state outside of the Seireitei. Tia walks beside the man in silence, sea-green eyes focused on the path ahead.
He gives her a once over, spying no mask-fragments or Hollow-hole on her body as he had on the Arrancar he'd fought in the War and those when she'd shown up in the World of the Living. Then again, she is wearing a high collared jacket...and that is what he finds the most strange. Because he cannot see her mask-fragments, because he can't see her Hollow-hole the harder he finds it is to make the connection to Arrancar.
The longer he stares...the more she appears like a normal woman in his eyes. Even having fought and been wounded by Arrancar he doesn't hold a grudge against them. They fight for what they believe is right the same as him. Daisuke finds it hard to fault them for simply following their heart or following the orders given by their commander. Realizing he's stared far too long he looks away from Tia, focusing on the path laid out in front of them.
He doesn't notice Tia sizing him up as well. For the part of the now rogue Shark Queen, she finds him difficult to understand. He doesn't seem to curse her or regard her coldly as the other Shinigami seem to. And he'd come to her cell late at night what appeared to her as a hand extended in friendship...that was the part she least understood. At that point, she is was nothing but a source of information to the Head Captain.
Yet, Daisuke had offered only kind words and apology's for the loss of her Fracción's lives; people he didn't know and who were considered enemies of the Soul Society. Such things were unheard of Hueco Mundo, in Los Noches. 'What a strange Shinigami,' Tia tells herself once again.
Sensing a Hollow in the distance he moves at a quicker pace...and it's then she notices the way he doesn't put his weight fully on his right foot. It was obviously an injury sustained from the War days ago, one left untreated it seems. Tia follows and the two round the corner, finding several Hollows trying their best to break into a home that both could sense faint Spiritual Pressure's in. Daisuke grips the tsuka of his Zanpakuto, but Tia beats him to it.
The burst of static causes him to glance back and miss her first attack. 'Damn, she's fast!' Daisuke has no doubt that Tia could very easily out-maneuver him if she so wishes. He glances sharply in the direction of the Hollows as she falls upon the second Hollow, killing it with a single blow that splits it's masked head in half from temple to bottom jaw. Two down and two to go. She turns her shoulder as the next Hollow attacks and cuts it upward. The arm falls off at the elbow and the head follows moments later.
Daisuke watches in amazement as she flows towards the final Hollow, blocking it's claws with her hollow-bodies Zanpakuto. She delivers a single powerful blow to it's masked face that nearly tears it's head off as a result. The Hollow sails backwards, smashes through the burnt-out remains of a building and remains motionless in the ash. "That was-" He notices the Hollow on the roof and rushes forward, ignoring the now sharp pain in his ankle. "-Look out, Tia!"
The Espada reacts immediately, stepping back as it descends. It's claws rake across her stomach, snagging and ripping her jacket with it. Before he even reaches them, Tia kills the Hollow with a bright yellow Cero, fired at point-blank range. It completely obliterates not only the Hollow but several burnt-out buildings as well. Regardless of the damage, Daisuke moves to her side. "Just hold still, let me-"
"I'm fine," interrupts Tia, glancing over. It's then he gets his first look at her mask-fragments...and rather then the shock she was expecting from the man he doesn't seem to mind. He looks over the area where the claws had connected, finding no damage to her cocoa colored skin and then glances up, making not of the number '3' tattooed on the inside of her right breast. He'd heard that Arrancar ranks were based on number. The lower the number, the more powerful the Arrancar.
She was the tercera Espada. He slowly glances up, ignoring the grim smile staring back at him from her mask-fragments. "You're the Tercera Espada."
"I am...does that bother you?"
"Should it?" counters Daisuke, arching a brow in question. Tia doesn't reply and he looks over her mask-fragments, his curiosity satisfied. The display of her superior strength and discovery of her rank helped put things into perspective for Daisuke...she could kill him. Plain and simple. And he probably wouldn't be able to fight her off, even with his Bankai. 'Definitely not a normal woman.' A part of him cries out 'She's an exceptional woman'.
"How long are you planning to stare? If you have something to ask the come out and ask it."
"Sorry. It's just..." A mischievous smile splits his face. "...I guess I won't be able to treat you to a meal after we're done with this, will I?" Her sea-green eyes narrow in anger as she regards the man.
"That's not funny, Daisuke."
"Well, I thought it was." She takes a step towards him and he holds up his hands in a gesture of surrender, not at all willing to fight with the apparently angry Shark Queen. "Easy, easy. I'm just kidding, Tia." After a few long moments, she relaxes and he makes a mental note not to tease her...well, often. "Shall we?" They turn towards the home and Daisuke winces in pain with each step on his right foot, something Tia notices again and again.
He stops in front of the door and knocks loudly. "Hello! The Hollows are gone!" After several long moments he pounds on the door again. "Hello! I said-" The door is thrown open and several souls peer out at him, and then Tia. They don't seem all that phased by her presence, probably assuming she's just one very strange Shinigami. Then again, they wouldn't know about Arrancar.
"Are they...gone?" asks one of the men.
"They are. But, unfortunately, we haven't finished sweeping the area and it won't be safe until we do. If you have any family away from here, I would suggest taking this time to visit them." Not needing to be told twice, the souls gather what supplies they have and hurry away from the two of them without another word. Tia and Daisuke watch them go and when they have disappeared from sight he sighs.
"Now that that is done..." There's a small 'click' from her Zanpakuto as she returns it to the large sheath sitting horizontally across her back. "...you should return to have your ankle treated."
"What are you talking about?"
"You haven't been putting your full weight on your right ankle. It's obviously injured." Daisuke actually scoffs in response to her accusation. "Prove me wrong then. Let me see you put your weight fully on your right ankle."
"Not that it's any of your business but it's only a fracture. It'll heal on it's own eventually and I'd rather not return to the Fourth Division and take up their time with such a minor injury."
"Even a minor injury can result in your death if it effects how quickly you can move." There was truth to her words, though Daisuke wouldn't dare admit it out-loud.
"Then, I guess you'll just have to watch my back a bit closer, won't you?" Tia gives him a glare that would have caused the blood of any normal Shinigami to freeze over, but Daisuke just ignores...having seen the true face of terror that is Captain Unohana. Compared to that, her glare fell far short by comparison. Still, it was intimidating enough to cause a small shiver to run through his frame. "What?"
"Go. Now. I'd rather not report your death to your Captain because you were too proud to admit that you were injured and too foolish to have someone administer proper care." Daisuke snorts a bit.
"Why do you care, Tia?"
"I'm not going to spend the whole day looking after you just because you're too foolish to know what's good for you, Daisuke. So I will make you go by force if I have to." To anyone else he would have dared them to try...but knowing that it was an Espada he would be daring he wasn't quite as inclined to challenge her as he would have been someone else.
"Fine...we'll finish searching this area and then go back for treatment."
"Very well. Let's just finish this quickly, then..."
Daisuke lays in his room silently, ankle bandaged up and feeling much better. He owes that much to Hanataro...boy, he'd nearly freaked when he'd seen Tia's mask fragments for the first time and that was enough to make him burst out laughing. But the more he thinks about it, the more his thoughts start drifting back to Tia. The Tercera Espada was strong and competent.
Not to mention rather sharp. Tia had seen his injury easily enough, despite his rather impressive ability at hiding such things. Daisuke wasn't the type to complain about injuries or pain. Those were things that came with the job...but just occasionally he did get rather annoyed with things. His fractured and now swollen ankle as well as his broken ribs that didn't allow him to breath too deeply.
A smile comes to his face as he remembers is just how much fun it had been to tease her during the time Hanataro spent treating his wound. It was even MORE fun then teasing Yoruichi, and that was saying something. Still, she was a woman of few words it seemed like...and tomorrow, both of them were expected to head out and continue the search for the wounded and the dead. Not that they would come across any wounded this long after the war.
Anyone they found would not doubt be long gone...but still, it was a lie to motivate everyone to search harder and longer. 'If Tia would lighten up a bit things might actually be a little easier. Woman of few words doesn't have to mean woman with no sense of humor.'
'She isn't a 'woman', whelp. She's an Arrancar. Don't you dare lower your guard around her.' Daisuke closes his eyes and releases a long sigh.
'If she wanted to kill me she could have done it when my back was turned to her today, Tenshi. And she certainly looks and sounds like a woman to me. Would you prefer I use the term 'female' instead?'
'How about 'it'? That sounds much better to me, boy.' He shakes his head in response and slowly opens his amber eyes to stare up at the ceiling. Even if she was a bit rigid, he had no doubt that she would relax eventually...and those conversations he'd had with her through the day had been somewhat enjoyable. And the more he thought about her mask fragments the more he had to know.
'I wonder what she looks like under her mask?' The door to his room opens and he looks over at no one other then Tia. "Heh. I see you've managed to find a replacement for your shredded jacket." She ignores him, approaching and holding something out to him. Daisuke looks at the book and then smiles. "I guess you weren't interested in it, huh?"
"Did I say that?" asks Tia. "I found it to be rather interesting. At the least, it kept my mind busy while I was waiting to be released." Daisuke nods and then stands, keeping his weight supported on his left leg and hobbling over to his small dresser to place the book on top of it. After a moment he notices her staring and arches a brow. "...Anything else I should read?"
"Well...lets see here." She approaches and looks at the small stack of books on top of the dresser. "Shunsui gave me this the other day. Even went through the trouble of signing it personally. You could take a whack at it if you want." Tia nods and accepts the book from him. "I could still treat you to that meal now, if you haven't eaten. It's about dinner time so the whole Division should be there. It'll give you a chance to meet them."
"It seems like a waste of time."
"Then don't go. But I'm going to get something to eat...I'm starving." He hobbles towards the door and moments later Tia follows with a slight sigh.
'I suppose meeting those I will be working with could be useful,' Tia tells herself, following Daisuke to the mess-hall. It's a large structure, filled with the smell of good and the sounds of laughter and conversation. But a lot of it dies off the moment the two enter the room. After getting them both a trey of food Daisuke selects an empty table and sits down at it across from Tia. "So? Who's who?"
"Let's see," begins Daisuke. "That-" He motions towards a man sitting across the room, with a strange hair-cut and a small rope tied around his head like a bandanna. "-is Lieutenant Kotsubaki. And that-" Again he motions across the room, this time to a young blond woman. "-is Lieutenant Kotetsu."
"There are two Lieutenants?"
"Well...techniqucally they are, Tia. Because Captain Ukitake is often sick and recovering he hasn't named a new Lieutenant for the Division. So, Third Seat Kotetsu and Third Seat Kotsubaki are acting Lieutenants until the position is actually filled."
"If that's the case, then why don't you take the position, Daisuke?"
"Simple. Because I'm not interested."
"From what I can gather, you seem to know not only your commander well enough to refer to him by his first name but also the Captain of another Division. You have history with them."
"I do. A long one."
"You respect them." Daisuke nods firmly. "But from what I've heard you were forced to stay behind here in the Soul Society during the fight with the Espada. If you wish to be of help to them, wouldn't it make sense to rise through the ranks so that you can assist them in battles that low ranking officers are banned from fighting in?"
"I suppose. But promotions are earned not given freely." A gentle hand is placed on his shoulder and he looks back at none other then Jushiro. "Captain Ukitake."
"There you are, Daisuke," speaks Jushiro. "I've been looking for you. Oh, good evening, Tia. I don't mean to interrupt, but could I have a few moments of your time in my office, Daisuke? There's something important I need to speak with you about." With confusion marring his features he spares a glance to Tia and then stands, following Jushiro out of the mess-hall and back to his office.
Jushiro takes a seat behind his desk and smiles at Daisuke. "Is everything alright, Jushiro?"
"Yes. Everything is fine." He takes a calm breath as he regards Daisuke. "I've reviewed the reports about the fighting here in the Seireitei. It said that you killed a number of high level Hollows and even an Arrancar by yourself and rallied the men behind you at the North gate. That's quite impressive if I do say so myself."
"I was just doing what was asked of me, Jushiro."
He laughs a bit in response. "As humble as ever, I see. That's good. Because after much consideration, I've decided..." He pauses to reach into a drawer of his desk and then produces a Lieutenants Badage. "...that you should be the new Lieutenant. If you want the position, that is."
"I...I have...no idea what to say," stutters Daisuke. Jushiro laughs again.
"You don't say anything at all, Daisuke. You earned the promotion, after all..."