It had only been a day since Sajin had been, essentially, forced to recover in squad 4. He didn’t like being cooped up. Daiko had insisted upon it, not wanting to see his dad hurt. If anything, it was admirable. Daiko was resting, his head on his dad’s lap, just like when he was a pup. Daiko had been up all night, mostly because sleeping was difficult. Just nightmares of Tousen killing his dad, stabbing him through the heart. He always woke up panicked. Sleeping where he was, actually brought a lot of comfort. Though, anyone seeing him like this would be humiliating. Sajin just smiled as he rubbed his son’s head. Daiko yawned as he woke up, sitting back up. “Good morning, son.” Sajin said with a smile. “After this, I’m getting out of here. Captain Unohana healed my wounds very well.” Daiko nodded, as he was doing better. “Dad. You remember where we first met Tousen? We should visit there again.” Daiko said, knowing that Kaname’s friend had been buried there. They dead couldn’t speak, but the living could take comfort in them. Sajin returned to his more sad demeanor. “Yes, that’s a good idea, Daiko.” He said as he got out of bed. Daiko helped him up, before informing squad four. The pair headed out to the unmarked grave, thinking about their lost friend. Both wanted to bring Tousen back. He had always been a pillar in their lives, it felt wrong to be without him. As the two thought to themselves, someone else showed up. Shuuhei. It made sense. Kaname had been his captain. “Captain Komamura. What are we going to do? Do you think we can bring Tousen back, or is he lost forever?” Sajin thought for a moment “We will do whatever we must to open Tousen’s eyes. We’ll drag him back if we have to.” Daiko merely gave an affirming nod. He had said much the same. The three spent time recounting times they'd spent with Tousen. Even the time he helped Sajin when he got sick on his first day as captain. Daiko was never going to live that down, even if his dad was smiling as he recounted it. “That reminds me, Shuuhei, how did Yumichika beat you? I know from experience you’re very skilled.” Daiko asked, rather curious. Shuuhei sighed and rubbed his head “He used a trick and took me by surprise. It's rather embarrassing.” He said. As far as Daiko knew, this was true. “I wouldn’t mind getting some payback for you.” Daiko said with a smirk. He was very confident he could beat him. Ikkaku too, though not as easily. Sajin just patted his son’s head “Always remember, do not underestimate your opponent.” He reminded his son. That was precisely what led to Hisagi’s defeat. Sajin and Daiko left, deciding to go out to a restaurant they often got delivery from. Usually by having Iba get it. They got less stares this way. Daiko was a bit worried, as he didn’t know how people would react. Sajin assured him they would leave if things went bad. After all, if they were going to adjust, they needed to be sure. Daiko nodded, agreeing with that reasoning. Despite Daiko’s strength, size, and status, he was clinging to his dad. Hiding behind him like a scared kid. He’d be embarrassed if he weren’t actually worried someone would attack them. As they made their order, Sajin felt eyes on him. He didn’t like it either. He decided to take their food home. Neither felt comfortable around complete strangers. The two went home, with Daiko relaxing with less eyes on him. Sajin and Daiko got inside, and ate together. It was a beef bowl, mixed with chicken. “Thanks dad.” Daiko said as he ate. Sajin smiled and patted Daiko’s head. “Of course, son.” The next day, Daiko wanted to check on the ryoka, specifically the quincy. When they met, Daiko was sure Uryu had no chance to win. Yet, somehow, he won. He wasn’t even sure how Ichigo had beaten two of the best captains in the soul society. All the Ryoka had seemed to go other places. Uryu had stayed near squad 4. Probably a safe bet, as Mayuri would be on his tail. When he found the quincy, he was sewing something. Probably clothes, an odd thing for him to do. He spoke up “Uryu-san” Daiko called, unsure if it was his first or last name, but added the honorific for politeness. Uryu looked slightly annoyed, for any number of reasons. “Only my friends may call me by my first name.” he said as he kept working. “My apologies. You only gave me Uryu.” He said as Uryu let out a sigh. He definitely didn’t want to talk. “It’s Ishida. Now, what do you want, soul reaper.” He asked, that venom still on his tongue. Daiko understood why Uryu didn’t like soul reapers. They had wiped out all the quincy after all. Daiko nodded. “Ishida-san, I want to know how you defeated Captain Kurotsuchi.” This question made Uryu do a double take. “I see, you’re worried I might take out others then? Well, don’t worry, I have no intent to.” He said as he looked back at his work. Daiko looked at him. “It’s less that you don’t want to, and more because you can’t.” He deduced, Uryu’s spiritual power was almost nothing, Uryu looked even more annoyed. “I should have figured a more experienced soul reaper could tell. Don’t tell the others about this” he said as he calmed down. Daiko was more confused. Why didn’t he tell them? Weren’t they his friends? “Very well, Ishida-san. It’s not my place. I assume your loss of power is connected to how you beat Captain Kurotsuchi then?” He asked, as it was the most reasonable inference. “Well, at least you’re not as dumb as Ichigo. Yes. I used a technique to become much stronger at the cost of my powers.” Uryu said as he glanced at his right hand. “The quincy are no more, but that’s probably a good thing to you.” He said, making a loaded accusation. Daiko sighed at the barb “No. Your eradication brings me no joy. If you hadn’t noticed, I don’t look like a human. Had we been a nuisance, soul reapers would have killed us too.” Daiko stated, not wanting to think such things. “So, take solace in knowing that you have my respect, Ishida-san.” Daiko said as Uryu stopped working and adjusted his glasses. Uryu wasn’t fond of soul reapers, but this one was better than most, in his eyes. “Thank you.” He said as he returned to work. Daiko just nodded, and left. He wanted to meet the ryoka who saved Rukia. Daiko headed to his second least liked squad. Why the orange haired soul reaper hung out here, he had no clue. Maybe he was as crazy as the captain. Given he had invaded just to save one person, it wasn’t unlikely. The first thing that happened when he even showed up, was exactly what he expected. A bunch of unseated members wanted to fight. “You guys really are foolish.” He said with an exasperated sigh “take me to the orange haired soul reaper and I might consider beating you men up.” The men all smirked and took him to the dojo. Ichigo was sparring with Ikkaku. Of course, all the men wanted to fight Daiko. He just sighed and took a wooden blade. “Fine, I’ll take you all at once.” The men were all shocked at this, but smirked. They were gonna put squad seven in its place! They all surrounded him, planning to jump him. As soon as they took their first step, Daiko used flash step and smacked him, then did the same. None of them had a chance to react. “You’re all too slow!” He said, clearly more annoyed. Most of squad 11 weren’t actually all that strong, but they were incredibly boastful. Ikkaku just smirked as he was on a bind with Ichigo. “Ha! Bunch of wimps lost to some dumb teenager!” Ikkaku said as Ichigo pushed Ikkaku back “You’re one to talk. You lost to a teenager too!” Ichigo said as he forced Ikkaku to step back. Ichigo stayed focused on the match. Luckily, Zaraki was still trying to find him. The two kept sparring while Daiko watched. These two really went at it. Ichigo was definitely crazy, though Ikkaku was a great training partner, at least as far as Iba had told him. It took quite awhile, but Ichigo knocked Ikkaku down. It was still impressive, given the lack of years of training.he had to be some kind of super prodigy. Even Captain Hitsugaya had years under his belt. “Ichigo-san. If you don’t mind, I’d like a word.” Daiko requested. Ichigo just looked at him, like he was thinking. “Sorry, who are you?” He asked, having not paid attention to Daiko at the time. Regardless, Daiko looked annoyed. “Daiko Komamura, Third Seat of squad seven!” He responded, rather angrily. Ichigo was rather indifferent to it. “So, you’re about as strong as Ikkaku then?” Ichigo asked, figuring they were the same rank, so it made sense. Daiko looked at Ikkaku. “No. I'd say I’m stronger.” He stated. He knew Ikkaku would be pissed. He was sure of himself though. “There’s no way a brat like you can beat me!” He said, definitely angry. “If you think you’re tougher than me, let’s fight! We’re both warmed up already!” Ikkaku had a rather unsettling grin. Squad eleven did love to fight. “Fine, I’ve got no qualms putting squad eleven in their place!” He said growling. The only squad he disliked more was squad twelve. Both were solely because of their captain. At least Zaraki put value in his squad members. Ikkaku wasted no time jumping at Daiko. He wasn’t very fast, at least compared to Daiko. The large wolf blocked him, and pushed him back. “You’re also slower than me.” Daiko said as he kept all his senses on Ikkaku. Ikkaku was annoyed. The big dog was just a brat compared to him. “Well, at least squad seven isn’t slacking!” He said as he rushed in again, the two kept trading blows. The two were fairly even, though Daiko stayed on the defensive the whole time. Ikkaku was getting tired, swearing to himself. Once he was worn out, Daiko rushed in and smacked him across the midriff. Had this been a real fight, Ikkaku would have been bifurcated. “Damn it! Best two outta three!” Ikkaku demanded. Daiko had a smirk on his face. He loved knowing Ikkaku was upset. He tossed the wooden sword to him. “Maybe another time. I wanted to talk with Ichigo.” He said as he walked over to the orange haired soul reaper. “So, what did you wanna talk about?” Ichigo asked, as he had to look up at Daiko. Being nearly 8 feet tall did that. “I wanted to ask. Why did you risk so much, just for one person? You and your friends could have, and probably would have, died if the heavy hitters had gotten involved.” Daiko stated. Jushiro, Shunsui, and Yamamoto specifically. No way he could beat even one of them. Ichigo just looked at him as if that was the dumbest thing he heard. “Why? Because Rukia saved my life. She changed my destiny.” He explained. It was that realization that made Daiko think. Would he risk his life for someone? When he thought about it, the answer was yes. He would gladly risk his life for Yamamoto, and especially his dad. Though, he couldn’t help but think one thing. How would they feel if he died saving them? His dad would be devastated, and go on a rampage. Yamamoto would likely annihilate the responsible party. Honestly, Daiko would do the same. No force could stop him from destroying what stood in his way. “I see. Thank you, Ichigo.” He said, bowing respectfully. He still had much to learn. If this young man could attain bankai, Daiko would as well, especially if Renji had. Ichigo just shrugged, feeling it wasn’t something that deserved thanks. “Well then, seeing you beat Ikkaku, how about we spar?” Ichigo asked as he was already in position. Daiko just nodded and readied himself, waiting for Ichigo’s first strike. It wasn’t a long wait, as Ichigo rushed in and swung upwards, going for his torso. Daiko swiftly blocked it. “You’re quite fast. Though you’d have to be, to beat Captain Kuchiki.” Ichigo smirked and stepped back. “Not bad.” He said with a smirk before slashing at his front. Daiko blocked every attack, but Ichigo didn’t leave many openings for counterattacks. Perhaps blocking wouldn’t be effective here. This time, after Ichigo stepped back, Daiko swung over head at him. Ichigo blocked with both hands “that’s better. Come at me with everything you’ve got!” He said as he pushed Daiko back. Daiko was taken aback by his display of strength. “Very well, no holding back then.” He said as he rushed him, and attacked in a flurry of powerful blows. Despite his speed, Ichigo blocked them. Daiko’s ears twitched, as on his last swing, his training sword snapped in half. Ichigo had his sword poking Daiko after that “Well, looks like you were swingin too hard.” He said as Ichigo's training sword had cracks in it from how hard Daiko had hit. Daiko just nodded, accepting defeat. Just being able to block him was impressive, but blocking powerful and quick strikes was astonishing. “Thank you, Ichigo. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Daiko said as he left. He had someone he wanted to go visit. Before he went to squad four, he returned home. He wanted to grab something. An old drawing from when he was in the academy. He couldn’t help but smile. “A handsome samurai? I wonder what she’d say now.” He said as he took the drawing, and went to see Momo. Lieutenant Hinamori was hooked up to some machines, as she was essentially in a coma. Daiko sat near her, “Lieutenant Hinamori. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you, though I doubt I’d be much help.” He saud as he sat her drawing down in a table nearby. “Hopefully, when you wake up, you can appreciate the irony of the picture, now that I’ve decided to live without hiding. I’m certainly no handsome samurai.” He said as his words reflected his fear that people would turn away from him now. Having the support of so many made him feel much better. He stayed with her for a bit, before heading home. On his way, he bumped into Shuuhei,who was carrying…something. “Oh, Daiko, just the guy I was looking for.” He said as he held the thing to him. “What…is it?” Daiko asked as Shuuhei put it in his hand. It was oddly shaped and had tight strings. Some kind of weapon? Hisagi chuckled at Daiko’s reaction. “It’s a guitar. I saw a store in the human world that had some in a store. Luckily, I found a store here too. I figured watching a big guy like you play this might be cool,” he said, watching as Daiko plucked a string, making a sound he liked. Daiko just smiled “Thank you, Shuuhei.” He said, unsure if he’d ever actively use this. It sounded nice at least, so he’d try. “You’re welcome, Third Seat Komamura” he said, teasing him a bit. This was a gift for his promotion after all. Shuuhei smiled as he left. Daiko couldn’t help but smile as he went home. He had time to think to himself, going over it all. What he would do differently. Maybe he could have convinced Yamamoto to pardon Rukia. Though, that could only be done through the central 46, which couldn’t have happened. All these what if’s weren’t helping. Tomorrow, the ryoka headed home to the human world. He always wanted to see the human world. As the day arrived, Daiko went with his dad to see them all off. Ichigo had even been officially recognized as a substitute soul reaper. He was very sure they’d meet again. Hopefully not anytime soon though.