It had been decided years ago that a consistent routine was important for maintaining stability in long standing familial relations. The captain of the 10th Division was a known workaholic and had been known to work well beyond the normal hours, in part due to his lieutenant who tended to ignore the tedious but essential paperwork to keep the division running. But after the end of the Quincy War, and after Toshiro Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori married and began planning for a family and future together, things began the slow process of changing.

Toshiro cracked down on Matsumoto's slacking, forcing her to actually do her job. He stopped taking on unnecessary responsibilities that would take up too much time, and he made sure to always end his day at a reasonable time. All of this so that he could spent precious moments with Momo and eventually their family.

It worked out well for the most part. Kokone and Sojiro had always been so excited when their father came home a few hours after she did and no matter how tired he was, he found the energy to play with them, and the enthusiasm to listen to all of their stories from the day. And as they grew older and their interest in their parent's jobs grew, Toshiro and Momo took the time to hold private soul reaper lessons that were quite advanced even for students at the academy. Family dinners were the quiet time all four of them spent together, simply finding joy in the company of those they loved most. But recently, those happy moments had taken a turn.

Kokone and Toshiro wouldn't utter a word to one another. Their identical turquoise eyes glaring with the intensity of warriors facing down an enemy rather than a father and daughter. Momo tried to distract the two from the issue that was causing this animosity but their son, Sojiro was having too much fun setting the two of them off with snide comments that left one or both of the combatant's eyes to twitch in annoyance. It was only a matter of time before Sojiro felt the fallout of his actions and Momo had no idea whose wrath would be worse. Regardless, the battlefield was set and she knew better than to get in the middle unless kido started to fly. She took a moment to glance into the other room where all four zanpakutos were locked up tight behind a kido barrier. Under her breath, she uttered another small incantation to strengthen the barrier just in case.

"Captain Zaraki and Ikakku made a rare appearance today," Sojiro said, smirking as he took a large bite of onigiri, watching his father's glare deepen while his sister simply cocked an eyebrow. "His zanjutsu class was probably the best one all year. I don't think I've seen so many students in the advanced group get taken out so quickly. Koko was the only one who managed to get a hit."

Kokone leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms cockily while Toshiro grit his teeth. "Is that so." He said.

"I did. Lieutenant Madarame was very impressed. Said they needed more fighters with the ironclad will to fight to the very end." Kokone smirked.

"You don't even have a melee type zanpakuto. The 11th would never take you." Toshiro argued.

"That's not even an official rule. And I've known Zaraki and Madarame my whole life. They know I'm good enough."

"Why are you so adamant about the 11th? Why not consider the 10th? Or the 5th for that matter. A division that would be able to utilize your entire skill set."

She rolled her eyes, "Like I'd ever pick the 10th. You'd keep me locked up doing paperwork, and never let me go on actual missions."

"That's not true at all," Toshiro argued. "I wouldn't treat you any different than any other soul reaper under my command."

Kokone cocked her eyebrow, mimicking the arrogant mannerism that her father often used to say "really?" Without ever having to utter a word.

A groan escaped his lips, reading her expression well. "Why not the 5th?"

The teenage girl shrugged, "Gee, I don't know. Maybe because you'd make sure Mom would also keep me on light, low-contact missions and responsibilities?"

"What makes you think your mother would even listen to me?"

Momo hid her smirk behind a cup of tea. One of the reasons their marriage worked so well was the simple fact that she didn't listen to him. Early in their relationship, he had tried to use his authority as a captain to take control of what missions she went on, and how late she was allowed to stay in the office. The result was a long argument that resulted in a short breakup that was torture for them both before they came to the mutual agreement that kept their work and relationship separate.

Kokone shrugged, "Doesn't matter. I don't want to join the 5th. Or the 10th. Or 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, or the 13th."

Sojiro laughed, "That's almost all the divisions, Koko."

She let out an annoyed groan at her younger brother. "Point is, I want to advance by my own merit. No special treatment. I'm already more advanced in kido and zanjutsu because you both have been teaching me since I was little. I mean, I entered the academy already having a shikai because I did an apprenticeship when I was six!" She huffed, pausing to take a breath. Her eyes looked down at her dinner plate, poking at the green peppers on her plate that she never ate. "People talk about us because everyone knows who our parents are, so it's obvious we'll get seats without even trying," She continued. "I know if I asked, you wouldn't treat me differently. Not consciously anyway. But people would still think I got where I am because of you and Mom. It wouldn't be like that in the 11th. Everyone knows you don't have any pull on what Zaraki does. And he's never given me special treatment." Kokone laughed, while Toshiro cringed, both remembering the time when Kokone had 'beat' her father in a spar and got it in her head to try a tougher opponent. She'd picked Zaraki and he'd easily disarmed her before sending her flying into a wall. The incident had resulted in a broken arm, and an intense battle between Toshiro and Zaraki that had to be ended by the Head Captain incapacitating them both.

Momo reached for her daughter's hand, but she pulled away. There were days it still surprised her how much their daughter was like Toshiro; always trying to be strong, and prove their worth. She shared a glance with her husband, feeling guilty and helpless against what their daughter had just revealed to them. Toshiro gave he a small nod, a silent indication that he now finally understood and that the battle that had been going on since the conversation of applications came up the other day was finally over.

"So… you're determined to join the 11th?" Toshiro asked.

Kokone picked her head up and looked at her father, taking a moment to ready herself in case the arguing started again before she answered with a confident, "Yes."

"You understand then that your kido skills will be useless and a spot of contention among your comrades."

"Yes."

"And there is nothing I can do to make you consider the other divisions?"

She shook her head, "No. But I do have the 2nd as a backup."

Toshiro was silent for a moment, considering everything in detail and running through every possible outcome in his mind. He sighed, "Alright then. You can apply to the 11th," her face lit up with a smile but he held up a finger to stop her celebrations as he continued, taking on the authoritative tone he used on his subordinates, "But, I don't want your skills to go to waste just because you're in a division that abhors kido. You'll keep practicing everyday on your own or with your mother when you're home. Is that understood?"

"Yes! Yes! Absolutely!" She stood up so quickly she almost tripped over herself as she zipped around the table and hugged her father tightly. He returned the hug warmly, kissing the top of her head.

Momo smiled at the two, absolutely loving the indescribable bond that seemed exclusive for fathers and daughters. She gave a small glance towards Sojiro who would be the next to have to go through this trial in a few more years, wondering what sort of scheme he'd come up with to drive them insane.