Silence reigns over the Fourth Division and Daisuke would like nothing else as his wounds are treated. He lays on his stomach, naked from the waist up and arm gently held out to his left so that the severe burns covering it and his left side can be treated. Captain Unohana doesn't say a word as she treats his wounds, not a single word to him.

"How is Captain Ukitake?" ventures Daisuke, amber eyes turning in her direction.

Unohana is silent for several moments before finally meeting his gaze. "He is stable," replies Unohana. "The wound wasn't as serious as it first appeared to be and he's healing nicely."

"Is he-"

"I gave him a sedative and he's sleeping. Even so, he won't be in fighting shape for some time." Daisuke is silent once again. "You, on the other hand should recover in a few days time."

"Why can't I feel it, then, Captain?"

"That's the result of the injection I gave you, Daisuke. The feeling should return in a few hours most likely while you're resting so just relax for now." He rests his chin on top of his right hand and sighs a bit. Hearing soft foot-steps at the door he turns his head to peer over his shoulder at none other then the Shark Queen. The Espada stands in the doorway, sea-green eyes meeting his for a moment before she enters the room. "There. All finished."

Unohana allows him to withdraw his arm from the apparatus she had it lying on and he sits up slowly. He grunts a bit as he attempts to clench and unclench his hand through the numbness, not noticing that Captain Unohana has departed until Tia approaches closer. "How are you feeling?" asks Tia.

"Numb," retorts Daisuke simply. "How about you?"

"I'll live." He looks over at the Shark Queen and then stands."Wha-" She's silenced when he reaches out and pulls her frame against his with a single arm. "I...what are you doing, Daisuke?"

"Thank you, Tia. For earlier, I mean. I...wasn't thinking straight." Tia doesn't respond for several moments, too confused by the whole situation to do anything. She knows that a hug is a sign of friendship, affection even and she should push him away but she can't bring herself to. If he were anyone else in any other place she would definitely have tossed him through the wall...but instead she finds herself gently embracing him as well.

'Have I formed an attachment?' Tia asks herself. 'His kind words and encouragement...have I come to accept that as part of normal life?' Unable to reach an answer she embraces him a bit tighter for several seconds before both hear someone in the doorway. Both heads turn to face Shunsui. The man just smiles at them as they disengage. "What?" challenges Tia, feeling unduly annoyed by his presence.

"Nothing," replies Shunsui. "I was just sent my old man Yama to see if your wounds have been treated. He wants to speak with you, Daisuke." He nods, collects and returns Tenshi to his hip and then follows Shunsui out of the room. "You're getting pretty friendly with Miss Harribel, I see."

"I am," replies Daisuke. "That's not a problem, is it, Shunsui?"

"Not at all. In fact, I support your relationship!" His cheeks flush a bright red as a result. "If an Arrancar and a Shinigami can fall in love then maybe both our kind can find some type of peace one day."

"We don't have a 'relationship' like that, Shunsui."

"But you'd like to."

"I...yeah, I would," admits Daisuke. "She's smart, strong and not at all afraid of a little hard work...Tia's an amazing woman, all around."

"Then go after her, Daisuke. It's better to know where you stand with someone then to spend your life wondering." The young Shinigami chuckles a bit in response and then nods in understanding.

"Yeah. Easier said then done." Daisuke sighs and then shakes his head. "Enough about that. What does Head Captain Yamamoto want with me?"

"Who knows?" asks Shunsui, a small, knowing appearing on his face. "He just asked that I bring you to see him in his office as soon as your wounds have been treated...speaking of that, how's your arm?" He looks down at the bandaged appendage and then shrugs.

"Numb. Captain Unohana says the injection she gave me will wear off soon enough."

"Good. You're already on the road to recovery."

"If I don't set it back as usual." The two men share a small laugh as they wall through the busy halls of the Fourth Division. With wounded still coming in, it was all they could do to keep from getting run over by the members of the Division as they run here and there.

"Let's hurry, huh? I don't think we should keep old man Yama waiting any longer."

"Hey, if you don't like how fast I was healed you can take that up with Captain Unohana." A cold beat of sweat winds it's way down the experienced Captain's neck as a result and he smiles.

"Another day, maybe."

"Uh-huh. Sure, Shunsui."

"Let's go..."

The two men come to a stop in front of the doors and Shunsui doesn't even bother to knock before pushing them open. Daisuke follows him inside, finding Head Captain Yamamoto sitting behind his desk in his very large office. In front of it stands Captain Hitsugaya, which confuses him slightly. If he had done something wrong, he could not recall...well, anything besides disobeying the Head Captain's orders to cease his attack.

Other then that, he couldn't recall offending Captain Hitsugaya. Regardless, he approaches with Shunsui and stops in front of the desk beside Captain Hitsugaya. "Here he is, old man Yama," speaks Shunsui. "Just like you asked."

"Good," speaks Yamamoto. "Do you know why I have called you here, Lieutenant Daisuke Arata?"

"I...have no idea, Head Captain," replies Daisuke honestly.

"I can tell you, then, that this is a very serious matter. I have been observing you closely since you returned from the World of the Living with an Espada in tow. You have a long history here, one in which you have served the Gotei Thirteen faithfully. You graduated from the academy at the bottom of your class and have come so far since then that you now stand as a Lieutenant."

"I was just doing what was asked of me, Head Captain. Nothing more."

"Indeed. During the battle with Aizen's Arrancar, you remained behind here in the Seireitei and led the men assigned to the East gate to a victory against the Hollow forces or so the report would lead me to believe. Is this correct?"

"It was a group effort, Head Captain."

"Come now, don't be so humble," comments Shunsui. "I read the report. You stepped up, took command of the situation and issued orders that saved lives. That's the mark of a born leader, don't you agree, old man Yama?"

"I was just reinforcing the East gate as I was ordered to do." Yamamoto is silent as he stares at the young Shinigami, causing him to sweat a bit as a result. "If...If I may ask, why am I here, Head Captain?"

"It has been decided that you will be taking over as the Captain of the Fifth Division. Effective immediately." Daisuke opens and closes his mouth several times with no sound coming out. He looks at Shunsui then Captain Hitsugaya and back at the Head Captain.

"I...well, I mean...aren't I supposed to take the Captain's Proficiency Exam, Head Captain?"

"Normally, yes," replies Captain Hitsugaya. "But since others have observed you performing Bankai and given the situation here in the Soul Society it's been decided that we'll forgo need for a formal exam."

"Then why...?"

"You're wondering why Hitsugaya and I are here," asserts Shunsui. "Well, that's simple. Turns out that both of us decided to put you up for the exam and since there need to be three Captains over-seeing it, old man Yama decided that we'd be here as witnesses."

"You are dismissed, Captain Daisuke Arata," speaks Yamamoto. Daisuke bows, then turns and leaves the room with Shunsui and Captain Hitsugaya. The doors close behind the trio and the young man simply blinks. Becoming a Captain was something he never thought would ever happen to him.

"So, how do you feel?"

"I...honestly don't know what to say," admits Daisuke.

"Well, you better think of something to say, Daisuke. The Fifth Division is going to be looking for guidance from it's new Captain." Shunsui pats him on the back with a smile on his face. "But before that I'll take you to get fitted for a haori."

"S-Sure. Oh! Thank you, Captain Hitsugaya." He bows to the Captain who sighs a bit in response.

"You don't have to bow to other Captains, Daisuke," replies Toshiro, before Shunsui pulls him in the opposite direction...

'Captain of the Fifth Division,' speaks Tenshi. 'Well, it's about time they recognized our strength, boy. Far over-due, in fact.' Daisuke smirks a bit in response and stares at the ceiling of the Fourth Division, having been forced to return here to continue resting after being fitted for a haori. He flops his head in the direction of his Zanpakuto and the neatly followed white robe lying on a chair next to it.

Daisuke had opted for a sleeveless style and the pale turquoise of the Fifth Division for the lining. In that moment, Tenshi chose to appear before him. The angelic spirit gazes down at him from the edge of the bed with a rather satisfied smile under her white hood. 'Being named Captain...most people would celebrate but here you lay. Then again, you've always been rather humble.'

'I just do what's asked of me, Tenshi,' replies Daisuke. 'Nothing more and nothing less. I don't see a reason to celebrate doing my job.' She actually laughs, the innocent sound bringing a small smile to his face. 'Aren't you in a good mood.'

'Of course. Not only have you and I been knee deep in those filthy creatures but we actually get honored for slaughtering them. Why shouldn't I be happy, Daisuke? I mean-' She narrows her amber eyes. 'Someone's coming.' Tenshi disappears only moments before the door to his room slides open and Tia steps in. She meets his amber eyes with her sea-green and again feels a rush of awareness.

"You know, most people knock before they enter someone's room," Daisuke tells her. A mischievous gleam appears in his eyes as he leans up. "What if I was naked?"

"I'd have asked why you were naked," counters Tia, ignoring his teasing. "I heard you were promoted to Captain."

"Word has spread, I see."

"Well, from what I gather becoming a Captain is a big deal. It makes sense that that kind of information would circulate quickly." Daisuke nods in agreement and Tia approaches. "I received new orders from Yamamoto. Effective immediately, I'm being reassigned to the Fifth Division as a permanent member under your command, Daisuke." A small smirk appears on his face and he mutters something. "What was that?"

"I said...shouldn't that be 'Captain Arata'?" teases Daisuke.

"Don't push your luck, fool. I imagine I'm still going to be looking out for your well-being, as usual."

"Well, no one asked you to do that, Tia."

"Well, you're too foolish to do it, Daisuke. It's obvious that this-" She motions to his bandaged left arm and torso. "-is the result of me letting you out of my sight for more then a few seconds. Seems every time I turn around you're getting yourself into some kind of trouble." He gives the Shark Queen a rather dirty look, which she completely ignores.

"Maybe you're the reason I get into trouble." Tia snorts in response and uncrosses her arms.

"I'd find that more believable if everyone in the Fourth Division didn't know you by name." The two of them are quiet for a moment before Tia sits on the edge of the bed. "So, when are you going to be allowed out?"

"Whenever Captain Unohana allows me to leave. I was escorted back here by Shunsui, you know." Before Tia can respond Captain Unohana enters the room and she stands slowly. "Well, speak of the devil!" The woman favors him with a small smile as she approaches. "Am I going to be allowed to go now, Captain?"

"You should be fine," replies Unohana. "The feeling has returned in your arm, yes?"

"You bet." He throws his feet over the edge of the bed and stands. "As a matter of fact...I feel good as new."

"I'm glad. You're going to need that energy..."

The two walk in silence. To them, it's strange. Having seen the destruction in the Rukon first hand, they wouldn't believe that anything like that had happened when surrounded by the serenity of the Seireitei. It seems like nothing more then a bad dream. "It...looks good on you," speaks Tia, finally breaking the silence. Daisuke looks over at her in confusion before smiling a bit.

"That sounds suspiciously like a compliment, Tia," teases Daisuke.

"Maybe it is." He chuckles in response. "So, how are you planning to deal with the Division? Obviously they aren't going to be thrilled having an Arrancar as part of their ranks, Daisuke."

"I don't know but it doesn't matter what they think. Even if Head Captain Yamamoto hadn't assigned you to the Fifth Division I'd have asked him to assign you there. After all, I know that you're not going to stab someone in the back like everyone thinks you will...and if they don't like it then they can take it up with the Head Captain." He releases a small sigh. "I only hope that Lieutenant Hinamori will see things that way. I really need her on my side."

"Because they respect her." Daisuke nods in agreement.

"She's been leading the Division since Aizen defected so if-"

"If you can get her on-board with this then the rest will follow. Very clever. Lets hope things go as planned, then." The two round the corner and approach the front of the Fifth Division, making note of a lone figure standing in front of the Division. The woman notices them and approaches.

"You must be Captain Arata," speaks Momo. Daisuke nods. "And...you're the new recruit, Tia Harribel."

"And you're Lieutenant Hinamori," states Tia.

"Well, everyone seems to know each other," observes Daisuke. "That's good, it means I don't have to explain to you what's going on then, Lieutenant Hinamori. Now, I would like you to gather the whole Division to the meeting hall."

"Yes, Captain," replies Momo. The Lieutenant gives him a small bow before turning and walking back towards the Division.

"She doesn't like me," speaks Tia.

"She doesn't know you," retorts Daisuke. "I'm sure after she gets to know you that she'll warm up. Now come on." The two approach the Division and have a bit of difficulty locating the meeting hall, but eventually find their way in. Waiting for their arrival is the entire Fifth Division, minus those who were too badly wounded to be released from the Fourth Division. Daisuke approaches Momo at the head of the room. "Is this everyone, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, Captain," replies Momo.

"Good. Thank you very much." He glances over at them, feeling rather nervous with all eyes on him. After a moment he clears his throat. "Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Daisuke Arata. I'm sure some of you know already and for those who don't I'm going to be taking over as the new Captain." He's well aware that he's suddenly being sized up by the men and woman of the Division but only for a second before they look at Tia. "Also, Tia Harribel has been assigned to the Division by the Head Captain." Again he pauses.

"I know this is a bit of a shock but I hope that we can all get along and work together. That being said, feel free to come and speak with me about anything at any time. My door is always open. Are there any questions?" Silence is his response and he nods. "Very well. You're dismissed, then." Many of them offer a small bow before departing, but mostly in the direction of Lieutenant Hinamori. "I hate to ask but...could you show me to my office, Lieutenant? This is the first time I've been to the Fifth Division."

"Of course," replies Momo, motioning towards the door. They part from Tia and the others, walking down a hall in relative silence. To Daisuke the aura around the small Lieutenant seems to be an uneasy one. It takes a minute or so to arrive in front of his office door and Momo motions towards it. "Here, Captain."

"Thank you kindly," speaks Daisuke, opening the door. Momo offers him a small bow and then turns in the opposite direction. "Lieutenant?"

"Yes?"

"I understand if my presence here is upsetting to you...so if you need to speak with me about anything my door IS open." Momo is silent for several moments before nodding in understanding.

"Thank you, Captain. I'll keep that in mind." Momo disappears from his sight and Daisuke steps into the room, looking around slowly. Everything in the room seemed to be so...

"So, this is where the traitor worked out of," speaks a voice from behind. He jumps a bit and looks back sharply at Tia. The Shark Queen moves around him into the room and slowly looks around. "Everything looks...new."

"I noticed that, too." He approaches the desk and rubs a finger across it, not finding any build up of dust like he might expect if the office had been abandoned. "Well...thats fine with me. I wouldn't sit behind the desk of that traitor anyway."

"I thought as much," speaks yet another voice from behind. Both turn to face Shunsui. "So, I had some things delivered while you were recovering. Consider it a congratulation present from an old friend, Daisuke."

"I...well, thank you, Shunsui."

"Don't mention it. I should probably be going now. You've got a lot of work ahead of you." Daisuke nods and watches Shunsui depart from the room. After he's gone he looks at the stack of papers on the side of the desk and moves around behind it.

"Heh...little strange being on this side of the desk." He removes Tenshi from his obi and leans her carefully against the dark wood desk before sitting down in the chair. "Maybe more then a little," mutters Daisuke to himself.

"Are you ok?" asks Tia, approaching.

"Fine. Just...a little weird, that's all. Never really thought I'd be a Captain someday. Heh. I should probably go rub my promotion in the faces of the academy instructors." He picks up several of the forms from his desk and places them in front of him, looking them over. "Guess I should get started familiarizing myself with the Division." While Daisuke beings pouring over reports, and paperwork Tia approaches the bookshelf pressed neatly up against one of the walls.

She reaches up and runs her finger-tips across the spines of the books before glancing over at Daisuke. The young Shinigami has already completely immersed himself in the work before him. The Shark Queen had come to recognize that as normal for him. When there was work to be done, he'd throw himself fully into it without a second thought. "I see you've acquired some new books."

"You're welcome to them, Tia," replies Daisuke without looking. "Heh. I think the only reading I'm going to be doing is these reports."

"Are they that difficult?"

"Well...not exactly. I'm just not used to this amount of paper-work. I assume that these are the forms that Lieutenant Hinamori couldn't complete when Aizen...well, you know." Tia nods.

"There's a back-log."

"Yeah. You can go get settled in at the barracks. I don't think I'm going to be much for conversation at the moment."

"I'll borrow some of these books, then."

"Sure..." Hours pass as Daisuke pours over the papers in front of him. As well as the back-log of paper-work to be completed he has to familiarize himself to the day to day operation of the Division and as well as review the reports from the recent skirmish which have already found their way onto his desk. Upon doing which he'd found that the number of wounded and killed reduced their number from two-hundred strong to around one hundred.

Obviously, they were in dire need of a new training regimen. So, he continues his work without a break...at least until a knock sounds on his door. He sets down his pen and looks towards the door. "Yes, come in," invites Daisuke. The door opens and in steps Tia. The Shark Queen's sea-green eyes find his amber and she releases a small sigh.

"I knew you would be here," speaks Tia. "When every normal person is in bed you're still working away..."

"You know, no one ever accused me of being normal," teases Daisuke, mischief dancing in his amber eyes. Tia recalls their embrace in the Fourth Division as well as their strange awakening days ago and nods slightly in agreement.

"Isn't that the truth..." She closes the door behind her and approaches, eyeing the large stack of papers at one side of the desk. "So, are you nearly finished with your paper-work?"

"No, but I managed to complete a lot of the back-log." He yawns and then scrubs both palms over his face. "What time is it?"

"Three in the morning."

"That explains why I'm starving and tired. You don't suppose that the Division mess is still open, do you?"

"No."

"Mm...well, I can eat in the morning. You can go on to bed. I've still got work to do." When he picks up a folder, Tia plants her hand firmly on it, pinning it to the desk.

"Something on your mind?"

"Considering that your arm was a lump of coal until Unohana treated it you should get some sleep."

"I've got to read this report and two others before I can move on. I haven't even gotten a peak at the combat reports from the Winter War."

"You can do it after you've gotten some rest. The reports aren't going anywhere."

"And neither am I."

"Quit being so damn stubborn and go." She's silent for a moment before she moves her hand. "Don't make me make you leave this office by force, Daisuke." Even knowing that she was probably more then capable of performing such a feat, a part of him wanted to blurt out, 'I'd like to see you try'...but thankfully his common sense and not his ego won out in that moment. Instead, a rather mischievous smirk appears on his face.

"You know, threatening a Captain is a serious offence."

"Do I seem afraid?" Daisuke laughs and then stands.

"Alright. Fine." The young Shinigami picks up his Zanpakuto and returns her to her rightful place at his hip before stepping around the desk. "You know...I think you're even cuter when you boss people around, Tia." His cheeks tint a bit and he scratches the back of his head. "Erm...uh...ah, hell, I can't explain that one away, eh-heh."

"I...it's...thank you...I suppose."

"Y-Yeah. No problem." The two walk towards the door and Daisuke stops, allowing Tia to go ahead. "Uh, Tia?" The Shark Queen stops and glances over her shoulder at him.

"I...don't suppose that you'd like to have dinner sometime, would you?"

"We have dinner together every night, Daisuke."

"I know. I meant...just the two of us."

"...Alright." The young man releases breath he hasn't realized he was holding. "But...maybe you should get things sorted out before you do something like that."

"Yeah. Good idea."

"Go get some sleep, Daisuke."

"Good night, Tia..."