"What do mean, she resigned?" asks Tia, picking up the piece of paper from the desk and looking it over. Daisuke scrubs both hands over his face and then takes a very deep breath. "I suppose she did..." The young man shakes his head in response. "Daisuke?"
"I don't accept that," replies Daisuke. "If Momo- Lieutenant Hinamori wishes to resign then she can do so face to face. I have absolutely no problems releasing her from her duty if that's what she wants but I will not accept it through a letter." Tia arches a brow in question and he nods firmly. "Come with me, Tia. We're going to find her."
"It's midnight and that's been here since I came in hours ago."
"I read her file, Tia. I think I have an idea of where she's going." The Shark Queen places the book down on the desk and then stands, following the man out of the office and down the hall.
"Where would she go this time of night?"
"Home. Get your cloak..."
The crunch of snow under foot is the only other sound besides the occasional howl of the wind. Tia looks around slowly at the buildings of the Rukon. "This place doesn't seem to have suffered as badly as other place," observes Tia.
"No," replies Daisuke. "The damage is the worst in the North Rukon. Things should be fairly normal here...fairly, anyway." Daisuke walks at a quick pace, a sharp wind whipping his haori left and then right. Tia shudders a bit in response.
"A storm is coming, Daisuke. We should hurry." He nods and then Flash-Step's forward, causing Tia to follow with a Sonido. Her speed FAR exceeds his own but with no idea of where they're heading she follows behind him instead. The scenery passes by in a blur until both come to stop outside of a peaceful home. "Where are we?"
"1st West Rukon...also known as Junrinan." It's peaceful, almost idealic out in the middle of a small forest. Frost and snow cling gently to the surfaces of the bare tree's and shrubs. Both can sense the Spiritual Pressure of Momo within the house and approach slowly. As they draw near, the door opens and Momo peers out at the two of them. "Momo."
"Captain," replies Momo. "What can I do for you?"
"You know why we're here. May we come in?" Momo nods and then opens the door, allowing the two of them to step inside. In the middle of the room beside the fire sits an elderly woman, who makes note of their appearance with a small smile.
"Are these two your friends, Momo?" asks the old woman.
"Yes, grandma. This is Captain Arata and Third Seat Tia Harribel from the Fifth Division."
"Mm? But I thought you planned to retire, dear?"
"I did. I retired earlier today."
"Yes, about that, may I have a word with you, Lieutenant?" asks Daisuke. Momo nods and then leads him into a different room while Tia stands near the entrance to the house in silence. "You should have told me."
"I apologize for any inconvenience I may have-"
"I don't give a damn about that, Momo. If you wanted to retire you could come straight to me and done so face-to-face. I wouldn't have stopped you." He pauses for a moment.
"But...I won't accept your 'retirement' in a letter, Momo. Now...explain to me why you want to retire." The small Lieutenant sighs a bit in response and looks away.
"I'm...tired, Captain."
"Momo?"
"I'm tired of the killing. I'm tired of the violence and bloodshed. War never seems to end, and I don't..." Momo sighs a heavily. "How do you cope with it all, Daisuke? You've been a Shinigami longer then I have, after all."
"I try not to think about it all and...on the good days that usually enough..."
"And when it's not?"
"I meet Renji and Ikkaku at the bar." Momo smiles a bit in response. "I take it that nothing I say will be able to convince you to return, though, am I right?" She responds with a shake of her head. "I didn't think so. Well, I may have only known you for a very short time but I will miss you." He pauses for a moment. "I would ask what you plan to do now but-" He captures her hand and examines the band of gold around her ring finger. "-I suspect that having a family is quite the chore, Momo Hitsugaya."
Momo's cheeks turn bright crimson in response and she withdraws her hand. "I see you noticed."
"Wasn't difficult. From what I gather you and Captain Hitsugaya have always been close. It was safe assumption on my part. When did he propose marriage?"
"After the Winter War."
"Well...I've always believed that one can fall in love anywhere and anytime. I'm glad for you, Momo." The two of them are completely silent for a moment. "Have you told anyone else or...?"
"No. I...I would ask that you keep this a secret for now, Daisuke. We plan to announce our intention to marry in the spring." He nods in understanding.
"No one will hear it from me, then. I wish you all the best, Momo." She nods in and Daisuke turns back in the direction he'd come from, finding the Shark Queen waiting by the door in silence. "We're done here, Tia."
"Alright," replies Tia. "Goodbye, Momo." Daisuke bows to Momo's grandmother and says a goodbye before leaving the house and Tia pauses. "I wish you and Captain Hitsugaya the best in your marriage and many healthy children." Her face turns bright crimson as a result and the Espada leaves without another word...
Both of them are silent as they sit in Daisuke's office. The scrawling of pen on paper, the sound of a page being turned and the soft howling of the wind outside are the only sounds that break the silence in the room. The young man finishes the last paper regarding Momo's retirement and discharge from the ranks of the Fifth Division and then leans back in his chair with a sigh. "Still surprised?" asks Tia, turning the page of her book.
"A bit," replies Daisuke. "I read the file but...I honestly did not see that coming."
"What did you suspect had happened?"
"Well, to be completely honest, I thought that maybe she might have burnt herself out with all the fighting recently. It was no secret that she was close to that traitor Aizen and then she was forced to fight against him and the Espada in over the Fake Karakura."
"Perhaps it was both."
"Yeah. Anyway, I'm going to need a new Lieutenant..." The Shark Queen looks up from her book. "...Interested?"
"Lieutenant, hm? Alright, I'll take it."
"I'm glad. I have a feeling I'm going to need your help."
"As usual, Daisuke. If I'm not there to look after you or if I take my eyes off of you for even a second..." She closes her book and meets his amber gaze with her sea-green. "...you always end up knee deep in some kind of trouble." He grins from ear to ear in response.
"I must be blessed to be center of such a beautiful woman's attention." Tia only responds by rolling her eyes, even if she does feel a slight flush of heat her to cheeks at his shameless praise. She isn't the only one, either, as his face turns a bit red at his own words. "I, uh...I should probably go to bed now." Daisuke stands and walks around the desk towards the door. "You should get some rest, too, Tia."
"I suppose. After all, I'm sure tomorrow is going to be a long day."
"Isn't that the truth," remarks Daisuke dryly. "I imagine the members of the Division are going hit the roof when they hear about Momo's retirement and your promotion to Lieutenant."
"They'll get over it."
"Let's hope so." He's silent for a moment before glancing over his shoulder at the the Shark Queen, a smirk on his face. "You know, I've been thinking about it and I think I figured out exactly where to take you for dinner." Tia arches a brow in question.
"Where would that be?"
There's a sparkle of mischief in his amber eyes and his smirk grows. "When we get the Division straightened out, then, I'll show you..."
Things went remarkably well as far as Tia is concerned. After announcing that Momo had retired and that she would be taking over as the Lieutenant of the Division she had expected a flood of requests for transfer but not one had found it's way to her desk or Daisuke's for that matter. She would have known, considering that the two of them were now using the same office with desks opposite one another.
He'd stated his reason as, 'You said I get into trouble the moment you take your eyes off of me'. Though she had no doubts he would still manage to get himself into some kind of trouble even with her so close.
"Cheers!" calls Lieutenant Matsumoto, toasting a drink with all the other Lieutenants. Tia sighs a bit in response, looking around the small restaurant with little interest. Daisuke had let her leave early...or rather ordered her to leave early and attend the party the other Lieutenants were throwing for her. Though, she only recognized Isane Kotetsu of the Fourth Division and Renji Abarai, Daisuke's friend.
How Matsumoto had heard about her promotion only a few hours after it had been officially announced was beyond Tia. But she imagined that word had traveled fast considering it was an Arrancar, a former Espada no less, that had been promoted. While everyone else eats and drinks, the Shark Queen sits quietly looking away from the rest of them with her arms crossed.
"Mm? Aren't you hungry, Tia?" She spares Matsumoto a single glance before looking away.
"No," replies Tia simply.
"Oh, come on! You must be hungry. There's no need to be so up-tight! Have a drink and something to eat, Tia. This party is for you after all."
"Rangiku, I don't think this is exactly her kind of thing," replies Isane.
"Huh? But this is much better then sitting around the office all night doing paperwork, Isane! I can't believe Captain Arata let her off early to come here. Hmmm...what kind of person is he?"
"Dependable," replies the Shark Queen.
"Is that all?" asks Izuru. "There must be more to him then that."
"...Why don't you simply come out and ask me? You want to know how close we've become, correct?" Izuru's cheeks tint a bit in embarrassment and the Espada snorts a bit in response.
"How close are you, exactly?" questions Rangiku.
"That's none of your business."
"Oh, don't be like that! I bet you two are all lovey-dovey, right? It's a story of forbidden love between a Shinigami and an Arrancar. Two lovers who can only meet by moonlight doing all sorts of perverted things for only night only lest their love be torn asunder. Soft whispers of 'Someone might see, Daisuke' and then 'Trust me, Tia'...it's the best kind!" Several of the Lieutenant's face are bright red as images dance through their mind.
'Is this woman mentally deficient?' the Espada questions herself.
"Rangiku, I highly doubt that those two share that kind of relationship," replies Nanao, despite the slight tint to her cheeks.
"And what makes you say that?" asks the Shark Queen, narrowing her eyes in response.
"I knew it!" exclaims Marechiyo, attracting everyone's attention. "He was acting way to friendly with you the first time we met!"
"I remember you now...you're that fat Lieutenant who called me a 'thing' when Daisuke and I were searching for wounded after the Winter War. Marechiyo Omaeda of the Second Division."
"Hey, I'm not fat! I'm plump! It's a sign of wealth!"
"I see. Well, by your logic Byakuya Kuchiki should be ten times your size- What the hell is Daisuke doing?" All heads turn towards the entrance to the bar. The young man peers in, looking first left and then right before motioning someone else. The door swings open and Shunsui steps in, Jushiro following with a hand gently pressed to his lower stomach but showing no outward signs of pain or discomfort as the trio takes a seat at an empty table.
"Captain Unohana is gonna hit the ceiling," snickers Renji. Tia reaches up and rubs her temples with a heavy sigh.
"I can't take my eyes off of that idiot for five seconds..." Renji chuckles a bit in response and pours a drink for himself. "...At least now I know why he was so insistent that I attend this little party. He and Kyoraku were breaking Ukitake out of the hospital."
"They could have at least gone to a different bar," remarks Izuru. "They aren't being very stealthy." Nanao stands and approaches the trio, eyes focused intently upon her own Captain. Tia stands as well and approaches the table. Shunsui and Daisuke look up, apparently not surprised to find them there.
"Evenin'," greets Daisuke, a slight slur to his words. The trio absolutely reek like sake and even Jushiro seems a bit tipsy, his cheeks slightly flushed as he regards the two of them with a smile. "I didn't think th-'hic'-that I'd run into you here Tia!"
"You're drunk," asserts Tia. "All three of you." Daisuke looks at the other time for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Yes, I am!" readily agrees the young man, causing her to rub her temples as a head-ache began to form. Being forced into a position she didn't like only because her 'Captain' had wanted to go get drunk with his friends. Was this what being his Lieutenant would entail?
"This...This is why you sent me here?"
"No. I thought it might be good if you were to get to know others in the Soul Society besides the three of us. And while you were out...Shunsui and I decided it would be good to pay a visit to Jushiro. One thing led to another and before we knew it we were all having drink!"
"Come, have a drink with us," invites Jushiro. "The more merrier, after all." Even from across the bar, Rangiku heard that invitation and was behind Nanao and Tia the next moment with a broad smile.
"Yay!" cheers Rangiku. "Let's all have some drinks!" Tia sighed in response, concluding immediately that Daisuke would be in no shape to begin training the Division the following day...
Tia had been surprised when she came into their office only to find Daisuke sitting behind his desk and even more surprised when he had launched the first day of the Division's new training. Zanjutsu training, hakuda training, Kido and physical training.
He had everything planned out and after Tia had memorized the plan he had split the remaining forces into two groups. One under himself and one under her to allow both of them a change to familiarize themselves with the Division.
Then, the would swap to familiarize themselves with the other half. Simple enough except Kido training would undoubtedly fall to him and hand-to-hand wasn't exactly her area of expertise, either. Hopefully, his training would be sufficient enough to instruct the Division. That said, however...teaching them how to wield a Zanpakuto would be child's play considering her skill.
...Or it should have been. The 'clack, clack, clack!' of wooden swords followed by a sudden yelp of pain causing her to look over at the pair sparring. The younger of the two men shakes his hand and then retrieves the wooden sword from the snow, all the while listening to the insults of his opponent. Her eyes drift across the training grounds to Daisuke, who has noticed as well.
Sea-green eyes meet amber and he simply shrugs before looking back at the group of Shinigami before him. It's obvious that he's never given lessons to anyone but even so he patiently corrects any mistakes the members make in stance, foot-work to hand-placement. Tia believes it's best to learn through trial and error...but considering this was the young man's tenth time being disarmed...
"You," speaks Tia, approaching the pair. "What's your name?"
"U-Uh, I-I'm Kouta Ryuu, Lieutenant Harribel," stutters the young man.
"That's the tenth tive you've been disarmed, Kouta Ryuu." His face turns bright red and he apologizes. "Face your opponent."
"Lieutenant-"
"Face your opponent," repeats Tia firmly. He does just that, feeling a bit of a cold sweat break out across him as he does so, gripping the wooden weapon as he normally does. Tia reaches out and adjusts his grip on the wooden tsuka. "You're holding it wrong. Place your hands here and here." Kouta does as asked and then marvels at how much better it feels. "Holding your Zanpakuto like this will allow for a better range of motion, as well as a tighter grip so you can avoid being disarmed easily."
"That feels much better, Lieutenant," replies Kouta. "Thank you." The Shark Queen steps back and crosses her arms.
"Begin." She watches the two of them and does not the improvement from the awkward jerky moves into smoother strikes and parries...but he still ends up being disarmed once again, the weapon landing in the snow beside her. The berating and insulting continues and begins to sound far too much like Nnoitra for her taste. "You. What's your name?" The man stops his insulting as Kouta retrieves the wooden weapon.
"I'm Nori Osamu," replies the man.
Tia nods slowly. "Again."
"L-Lieutenant Harribel, I'm never going to beat him," replies Kouta meekly. "I'm no good at Zanjutsu! Even during the academy I wasn't any good at fighting...now won't be any different!"
"You've got no back bone!" calls Nori. "You're a disgrace to the Fifth Division! How the hell did a- guuraaha!" He skids backwards, the wind being forced from his lungs as he does so. Nori falls to a knee in the snow, gasping for breath and supporting himself with the wooden weapon in his hand. An absolutely perfect blow delivered to the solar plexus was almost more then he could handle...especially when dealt by the Shark Queen.
She lowers her hand slowly. "Kouta Ryuu, did you see where I struck?" Tia asks him calmly. "Considered to be one of the weakest points in the torso it's not wise to allow someone to strike you in the solar plexus. Always be on guard." Daisuke approaches the man and grips his arm, helping him to stand with little effort on his part.
"Starting hakuda training early, Lieutenant?" asks Daisuke, amusement tinting his voice.
"Something like that."
"Mm. Nori Osamu, correct?" The man grunts a bit and then nods. "I've been watching you and...well, perhaps this isn't the right Division for you. The Eleventh seems more your style."
"Unh...yeah," growls Nori. "There aren't any weaklings in the Eleventh."
"Alright, then." Daisuke calls an end to the Zanjutsu training for the day and sends the Division back the barracks to have lunch before beginning hakuda training. Tia remains at his side at he sighs. "You know you can't strike members of the Division, Tia. You could kill someone."
"He was out of line," replies Tia simply. "And more then that he reminds me of that bastard Nnoitra." He chuckles a bit in response and then nods. "Are you going to transfer him out?"
"Yes. He'll go farther in the Eleventh Division then he will here...and it doesn't really hurt us. New recruits from the academy should be arriving over the next few days to replenish the ranks. We're going to be getting a lot busier properly training the new recruits." Tia nods in agreement and motions towards the Division barracks.
"Let's get out of the cold, Daisuke..."
Silence has settled over the barracks and a light burns brightly from inside of a office...which attracts the attention of the only other person awake. The door opens softly and Tia steps in. Her sea-green eyes find the young Captain working diligently behind his desk.
A whole day spent training and he still wasn't ready for rest. "You should get some rest," speaks Tia, causing him to jump a bit in surprise. Daisuke looks up from the pile of files. "You need to rest if you're going to recover."
"Heh. Recover," mutters Daisuke, pinching the bridge of his nose. Fatigue appears on his face and he slowly closes his eyes. "With the way things are going I don't think I'll have much time to do that, Tia." The Shark Queen closes the door behind her and approaches slowly.
"What are those?"
"These are all the new recruits who applied for the Fifth Division...or their files to be exact." Tia picks up the file in front of him.
"Ren Kazuki," reads Tia. She flips through it, reading reports written by the instructors at the academy. It seems every other page is a report written regarding a fight with other students or belligerent behavior directed at the instructors themselves. "It looks like he's got a temper..."
"And exceptional skill in Zanjutsu, Tia. He was ranked third out of all the students in the academy."
"And all these reports suggest he knows it. Are you going to accept him?"
"Of course."
"...Can you handle him?" A smile appears on his face, wiping away all fatigue as he opens his eyes.
"I think I can set him on the right path."
"Speaking of the right path, I think you've now thoroughly convinced the entire Division that you're a complete hard-ass." Daisuke arches a brow in question. "Their words, not mine. Everyone is on their toes around you because of your harsh training. But...there's an opportunity because of it. Continue to act as a hard-ass and I can play the part of the understanding Lieutenant." The young Captain chuckles a bit in response.
"You really are a devious woman...but I like it. I'll play my part and you play yours, Tia. Hopefully we'll come out better for it in the eyes of the Division." A smirk appears on his face. "Or at least one of us will."
"Would you like to switch places, then, Daisuke? I think I could strike some fear into the Division members."
"Mm...no. No, I'm happy with the way things are going." Tia nods in understanding and then drops the file back onto the desk in front of him.
"You should go get some rest while you can. I imagine things aren't going to get easier when the new recruits show up." After a moment Daisuke nods in agreement and then stands. He picks up his Zanpakuto and tucks it through his obi at his left hip.
"Good point..."
Rest...such a simple word but such an amazing thing. Especially when one is recovering from nearly being killed. The young Captain sleeps soundly, his slumber uninterrupted by members of the Division, or a pressing war.
Daisuke's eyes open slightly and he stares up at the ceiling of his room. The cool air of the early morning and the gentle chirping of the birds outside relax him. Yes, the peace of the Fifth Division allows for complete- 'Crash! Clatter, clatter, clatter! Crash!'
The young Captain opens a single amber eye as the sounds of violence and general chaos sounds through the Division. "What in the hell...?" mutters Daisuke in question, leaning up as he does so. He stands and picks up Tenshi as he leaves his room in search of the disturbance. It isn't difficult to find considering the damage and the yelling coming from down the hall.
Daisuke approaches the mess hall and peers in for only a moment before leaning back. A man is tossed out of the door into the hall and the young Captain chuckles a bit before looking back in. A young man with brown hair is hefting a table over head with ease.
"I said...get lost!" exclaims the man, tossing the table at the group of men. The men flinch and miss his movement. The table splits in half before it connects, a half flying in either direction and missing the group of men.
"C-Captain!" exclaims Kouta.
"It's bit too early to be this lively, Ren Kazuki," drawls Daisuke, releasing his grip on the white tsuka of Tenshi. "Maybe after everyone has had breakfast." Ren growls a bit in response.
"So, you're Captain Arata, huh?" asks Ren.
"That's me."
"There are rumors about you in the academy. They say that you tamed an Espada...if that's even remotely true then that would make you one hell of a strong fighter." Ren grins from ear to ear as he cracks his knuckles.
"...'Tamed an Espada'...?" He chuckles. "I don't know what kind of things you've been hearing but they're not true."
"So the Captain of this Division is a weakling?! Kuh, shoulda-" Ren's head is jerked back and he follows the motion to the floor with a loud grunt, staring up at Daisuke kneeling beside him with the end of his Tenshi's black saya inches from his face.
Despite that fact, an orange blade appears at the tip, hovering dangerously above his left eye. It was a technique that Kisuke had used on him once before and one he had picked up as a result but had no real use for...at least until this moment.
"If I'm a weakling then it's a good thing we've got a former Espada as our Divisions Lieutenant, isn't it, Ren...?" The blade disappears and Daisuke stands. "Kouta?"
"Y-Yes, Captain?" asks Kouta.
"Make sure that everyone who's hurt gets themselves patched up before training." Ren stands with a loud growl and Daisuke looks around. "And have Ren clean up this mess, he's the one who made it after all..."