Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!?

Posts : 139 Join date : 2018-08-17

“All will be fine,” came a deep voice, rumbling down the hallway of cells. The steps that followed that voice were solid, and followed by a pair of much lighter and quicker steps. A second voice spoke up, and it sounded like it was repeating itself.
“No it will not be, with all due respect. This is very unorthodox and I don't believe my captain wo-”
“Then Captain Gogatsu is free to come to me with his disagreement. I know this is quite strange, but I promise all will be well.”
The footsteps came to a stop at the star prisoner's cell. The two men looked into the cell, seeing the panicking woman. The larger of the two men looked back to the smaller, with a wide disarming smile.
“You see? Hello, Little One. What has you so flustered?” the larger, booming voice asked Kaminari.

Kaito Toma stooped on the other side of the bars. He was crouched because the ceiling was too low, the walls to close, and because it was easier to see inside. He took up most of the cell's entryway, almost crowding out the obviously confused and flustered Sixth Division member who was in charge of the cells today, and who had most certainly not expected someone like Kaito to turn up unannounced and inform him that he was taking their prisoner away. Kaito had a way of comforting people though, and had made it this far either because of that of simply because the Sixth Division member couldn't figure out how to stop the much larger man. Kaito had simply proceeded into the complex; he knew its layout well enough after being around for so long.

He'd not missed the other visitor that Kaminari had, but since she was still here he figured it didn't matter all that much. Lilith trusted him, so Kaito extended him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. Now though, his attention was on the small woman ahead of him. While everyone was smaller than him, Kaminari proved to be a thin whip of a girl. At the moment she seemed almost manic, though he supposed to could understand why that would be a thing. She was under arrest for treason, after all.

Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!? XXvBaTrW_o

Subject: Re: Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!? Thu Sep 12, 2019 5:38 pm

Kaminari's focus was on herself until she heard two words... Little One. She suddenly darted over to the cell bars like Edward Elric and shouted. "DO NOT CALL ME LI-... Are you crouching?" she asked with a quick shift in attitude. Kaminari took a step back from the bars and took in the appearance of her newest visitor. He. Was. Big. She tried to speak, but was at a loss of words. When they finally came, the only thing she could say was. "Wanna share some of that?"

Kaminari glanced fearfully over to the Sixth Division guard, but the guard seemed just as perplexed at this sudden visit as she was. She turned back to Kaito, trying to figure out who exactly he was. She stepped back up to the bars and stuck her head through. "Isn't that uncomfortable or are you used to it?" she asked, pointing to his stance. Then she remembered that he asked her a question.

"You're the first person to not ask about what I remember..." Kaminari tilted her head. She was curious about this large man, also jealous. "I am trying to accept my inevitable early death. Once the red devil captain finds out that I attacked Captain Arishima, she's gonna squash me for sure. I almost want to be executed faster. It'll be pleasant in comparison to what she'd do to me. Of course, they may throw me at her as a chew toy just because they know it'd be worse!"

Posts : 139 Join date : 2018-08-17

“Yes,” was Kaito's answer to her first question. He gave her a minute to consider, since she seemed to be at a loss for words before she finally spoke up again.
“Alas, I do think I still need it. If I find myself with some to give away though, I will let you know,” he said in near perfect deadpan before giving a small smile. She seemed to take some small solace in the fact that the Sixth Division guard didn't seem to know what was happening either though before she stuck her head out and asked another question. He gave a small shrug.
“A little, but you get used to it. As with all things, there are trade-offs,” he explained. She seemed to shit track and consider his question, but not before betraying that she'd had many visitors come asking her the same question. He could assume that they had been none too kind in their asking.

Her explanation of what she was worried about however, brought a smile to Kaito's face. Then again, that may be because Kaito was one of the few people in the Gotei who did not find Lilith to be the unstoppable and terrifying monster of nightmares. By the end of her description he could hold it no longer, and let out a resounding laugh. He shook his head, and looked Kaminari in the eye.
“Little One, you worry too much. From what I have heard your Captain is most convinced that you did not attack him under your own intention. While he may not quite be able to physically stop Lilith, he is one of a handful whose opinion is enough to stop her. Your fear that she will march down here and assault you is mostly unfounded,” he explained with a smile. He could have made a joke here, but it was evident to Kaito that Kaminari held a genuine fear of Lilith, and so that would not be helpful.

Kaito seemed to reach a decision, giving himself a small nod. He turned to look at the guard.
“It is indeed too cramped in here, and I need air. I do believe it would do Miss Hatakeyama some good as well, so I will escort her outside. You can either open the cell for me, or I will open it myself,” he explained. There was no threatening tone in his voice, no attempt to intimidate. Kaito was simply informing the guard of his options. The guard, for his part, opened his mouth to argue, seemed to consider this, then nodded and pulled out his keys. He unlocked the cell, allowing Kaminari to step out as Kaito stood back up. He led the pair of them out back towards the front.
“If it is okay with you, I would like a chance to talk with you Miss Hatakeyama. Perhaps while we are getting air, we can find some kind of lunch as well; I know I could certainly use something to eat soon. Would you be interested in taking a walk with me?”

There was a hesitation to Kaminari's answer to the question, but when she consented he gave a nod. What followed was, perhaps, startling for her and unexpected. As they walked out of the building Kaito reached down and with no more effort than it would take someone to pick up a flower scooped up Kaminari with his hand. He placed her on his shoulder as he continued to walk, waving over his shoulder to the stunned Sixth Division Guard.
“I shall return her later! You're captain knows,” he called back, his voice booming across the courtyard as he made his way out.
“Apologies for the suddenness of that, but I was quite tired of arguing with the young man. He means well, and he's just doing his job, but it does grow tiresome. Also, I thought you may have had a hard time keeping pace with me. I have...a long stride,” Kaito said after they had exited the courtyard, fancying Kaminari with a small smile and wink.

Subject: Re: Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!? Thu Sep 12, 2019 10:57 pm

For the first time in her life, Kaminari could accept being called little. What person wasn't little to him? He did not call her midget or tiny. He called her "Little One," which felt like a term of endearment. In fact, it was something she often heard Father's call their kids, so it didn't feel like an insult. His demeanor was even similar to how she expected a Father to act. "You think so?" Kaminari asked curiously, head slightly tilted. "I know Captain Arishima trusts that I didn't do this on purpose. I hope I didn't. I can't remember. My conscious self would never attack him, or anyone within my Division. It's hard enough getting them to like me because I'm from the Shojin. I want friends, not enemies."

Suddenly, a change of scenery was being suggested. Wait, was that allowed? Kaminari wasn't confident enough to speak against it. She just kept glancing to the guard, who seemed just as intimidated as she was. When the guard opened the door, she took that as giving her permission and stepped out, following Kaito out of the building toward the front. "I..." Kaminari hesitated again, glancing back to the guard, bu then something clicked. Kaminari suddenly had stars in her eyes and her smile brightened. "I'd love to!" she said and then was unexpectedly picked from her feet and set on his shoulder. She reflexively kicked a couple times before finally calming down and realizing she was stable. "Whoa, high."

His stride comment about her not keeping up caused Kaminari's expression to dull and her lips to curl to a pout. "I can't yell at someone so big..." she muttered under her breath, but he probably heard her anyway. "So, Captain Toma, right?" Kaminari asked him, her smile returned. "Your reputation precedes you. Super tall and super strong. Is it true you're one of the oldest Shinigami around? Cause you barely look it. I heard the same about the red demon of the Eleventh, but she also looks so young... Oh, and what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Posts : 139 Join date : 2018-08-17

Kaito let out a booming laugh at her pouty comment. She continued on with another question, to which he gave a simple nod as assent. What followed was a series of question, which kept his smile on his face.
“It is true that there aren't many Shinigami who are anywhere near my height. And yes, I am one of the older Shinigami still in active duty. Never been much of one for sitting around idly and twiddling my thumbs you see. There is too much to do for all that. Lilith is indeed also one of the oldest Shinigami still active, and is in fact older than I am,” he said, cupping a hand and mock-whispering the last part to the little Shinigami on his shoulder. He gave her a small wink and smile after that before considering her last question.
“There is a lot of talk about you right now, not all bad. But it is...soft information. Second or third hand at best. That is no way to know someone, so I thought it better to come and learn about you from yourself. Better that way, don't you agree?” he asked without really expecting an answer.

“Mostly, I wondered why you are here. Those from the Shojin rarely prefer to mingle with those from the Seireitei. So what was it that drew you away from your home?” he asked as he walked. He listened intently, judging Kaminari's character on her answers. To no small degree Kaito was deciding where he stood on the events that were rapidly unfolding around them. He was sure she was unaware of exactly what was happening, and perhaps he would fill her in as time went.

Subject: Re: Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!? Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:35 pm

It was a good thing he wasn't expecting an actual answer because all she did was nod slightly. Unless he was looking at her, he probably didn't see it. "Why I'm here?" she repeated a moment before he explained. "I don't really have a home. I uh... Hm... Well, I had a couple of friends. One, actually. Not a couple. Her name's Kanna" Kaminari reached in her pocket and pulled out a small blue colored charm that looked like half the yin and yang symbol, twiddling with it between her fingers. "She trained me quite a bit, got me ready to come here. She wanted me to stay and help the Mikazuki, but..." Kaminari sighed, her eyes pointed toward the ground, but mostly not focused on anything.

"I'm more interested in exercising hollows." she raised her head more confidently. "They're focused on themselves and their own problems, which is fine for them. It isn't for me. I want to make sure that every soul gets to come to a safer place instead of turning into a hollow because the despair sets in..." Kaminari's hand tightened around the small charm and she put it against her belly. "My Mom refused to move on, kept watching over me... She didn't know she'd turn, but she did and... well, after three months of laying in a hospital, attached only by that heavy chain, I'm here. I don't want that to happen to anyone else."

"My story is a sad one, but that's okay. I'm gonna find my Mom one day and tell her everything is completely forgiven." Kaminari said with a big smile. "So, Captain Toma, what's your story? Is it all sad like mine or is it happy and full of action packed fighting?" Kaminari pat his large shoulder. "Looks like you don't skip a single day at the gym. What does someone like you do for relaxation?"

Posts : 139 Join date : 2018-08-17

Kaito continued to walk with a steady gait, listening and letting his feet lead the way into the maze of alleyways that made up the Toryouseiku as Kaminari spoke. He offered no interruption, looking over when she fished out the charm and inspected it. The way she held and handled it told him it was something new to her, and something prized; he did not pry into this one for now. As she spoke and came to what he found to be the heart of her tale, he studied her out of the corner of his eye. She spoke with what seemed to be sincerity. He was an old hand at discerning lie from truth. Granted, he was an old hand at most things, but that's what happened when he close to three millennia; you get a lot of time to practice. As she came to the end of it and smiled, he returned it.
“You're optimism is admirable, and I wish you the best of luck with your search.”

She changed tact then, turning his question back on himself. He let out a small chuckle at that, and slowed to a stop.
“One moment,” he said, a small warning as he reached up with and with a casual ease lifted Kaminari from his shoulder and placed her sitting on top of the alley wall they had been near. He reached up and lifted himself opposite her, taking a seat. The sun was beaming, and in the alleyway it was warm. Up on the wall though one could feel the breeze.
“Is any story all one or the other? My story is one of all things; I have lived and loved and lost. I have seen more conflict, joy, and sorrow than I could recant if I tried. The heart of it though I can summarize simply; I have spent my life building a place for those that come after me. And in that, I think I have been successful,” he said, looking around them a moment. He looked back to her.
“The short of a long story though; most of my life is spent beyond the Edge, finding the wandering souls in the White Desert and pushing the Hollow-threat back from our borders. I have helped rebuild this place from the ashes of civil war and strife. I've had many friends, and lost many more to time and battle alike. I've even had to come to blows against them. This is the place I call home, and I spend my life protecting it.”

“As for how I relax? Good food, good friends, and good drink. Friendly bouts, and quiet. All of these can be found in abundance, if you know where to look,” he said, stretching his arms wide as if to encompass the whole of the Seireitei, the realms in general, maybe even all of creation. He looked back to Kaminari.
“You implied you've had many people come and ask you what happened. Do you mind if I ask as well? I am curious what you remember, as well as what you don't,” he asked, being gentle with the inquiry. He did not want to push too hard, but he would if he had to. He was careful to keep any accusation from his question and tone though.

Subject: Re: Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!? Sun Sep 22, 2019 5:23 am

Kaminari quickly came to the conclusion that being picked up like a cat and placed in different places like home decor was near the bottom of things she enjoyed. She dealt with it because he was him. There was a very obvious difference in existence here that Kaminari could not do battle with. So, as she was sat down, she stayed silent and listened to his vague, but also enlightening lifelong tale. "Hm. Interesting." was her reply before he asked his next question.

Kaminari sighed and looked off over what she could see of the Seireitei and thought about it. "What else is there to say? I was walking to the Fourth Division to get this rash checked out, blacked out, and woke up in one of their offices. At first, I thought I made it there and fell asleep, but I was wrong..." Kaminari said, her head lowered in shame. "When I woke, they told me about what I did. I attacked my Division, my Captain. It's not like they would lie about it, right?"

"So, I didn't question it. Every time someone comes to ask," Kaminari looked up again, looking thoughtfully over the city again. "I could piece certain things together. Like when I was asked about the bites a million and three times, I realized that when I was bitten, something implanted a nest of those insects in me and because I came back, they're likely everywhere. Pretty sure they used the itching as a distraction from the nest growing in me. Clever, but gross."

"There is something more that I think I am remembering." Kaminari's expression fell to uncertainty. "I think it was during the blackout. I thought I was dreaming or something. I could hear two voices yelling at me, but this guy's voice was always louder, ya know? I thought I could recognize the woman's voice, but she never came forward and this guy told me to..." Kaminari made air quotes with her fingers, "'Keep it sealed.' I have no idea what it means, but it's bothering me."

"I feel a little bad for not letting anyone know about it. Well, mainly my Captain because he's the only one who instantly had my back... But until an hour ago, I couldn't remember what was being said, and I still can't remember what the voice of the woman was saying." Kaminari punched the wall beneath her out of anger. She instantly regretted it and winced in pain, holding her hand as she waited for the pain to pass. "That was dumb of me... Bet if you do that, the wall breaks."

"Captain Toma..." Kaminari looked up to him with a small smile. "Thanks for breaking me out. Well, I know you're not really breaking me out in the illegal sense. I just appreciate not being stuck in the cell. I wasn't able to rest because of the constant traffic and interrogations. Lieutenant Hayashi says I need to rest because that bug infected me with something that she can't remove yet. She gave me this numbing ointment that makes it where I doesn't itch, but it's still there. I scratched until I bled. It might even leave a scar, and not one I can be proud of."

Posts : 139 Join date : 2018-08-17

Kaito was an old hand at listening (he'd certainly had long enough to become proficient at it), and he sat quietly and listened as Kaminari spoke. He let silence settle in the warm sun between them for a few moments as he rolled around what she'd offered up.
“Not all scars are,” he said at length. “Some scars we have we can be proud of, speaking to battles won and friends protected. Not all scars though. Some are there to remind us instead; of mistakes we must not repeat, of decisions we did not put enough care into, or of twists of fate we had no hand in. While you may not be able to take pride in that scar, you need not view it with regret. Once this is all over, you can decide what it is to mean. What lessons to take away from it. We are each built as much by our failures as our victories.”

He let his words settle between them for a short bit.
“It will be important for you to get what rest you can, while you can. Things are likely to only get more hectic around here in the coming few weeks if I had to hazard a guess. Things will may get tough for you; many Shinigami have a hard time changing their minds about things. This simpering rivalry between the Seireitei and the Shojin is proof of that. Such things will eventually blow over though. People will learn to see you for who you are. Make sure you listen to your doctor's orders. And if you feel bad about not sharing what you remembered, you are allowed to request an audience if you have something to share. Generally, the Sixth is quite good about honoring those kinds of requests provided they think it will help with what they're looking into.”

Subject: Re: Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!? Wed Oct 09, 2019 6:32 pm

“Lessons learned, I guess?” Kaminari subconsciously covered the wound she had inadvertently given herself. The lesson she learned here would probably be about going to the Fourth Division when she’s told. She was going to have to get over her aversion to hospitals, especially since avoiding them was why she was in this mess in the first place. “Maybe if I make it to your age, I’ll be able to see it different.” Kaminari lowered her head. “I only feel shame… Of course, right now it’s a wound, not a scar. Once it’s actually a scar, who knows?”

Kaminari could feel her eyes getting heavier. It was getting harder for her to stay awake even while talking to someone. She tried her hardest to listen and did hear every word, but whether or not it stuck was questionable. “So… The Sixth.” Kaminari said softly, her exhaustion coming through her voice. Her eyes slowly closed and didn’t open again. Her head fell forward and soon her body came with it. Luckily, she was prevented from falling her large companion and placed comfortably enough to continue getting herself some rest.

A couple of hours later, Kaminari stirred. She woke to the feeling of something cold and wet. She raised her head and looked down to her sleeve. "Oh, darn it. Gross. Why do I do that?" she cursed at herself, wiping a bit of drool from the side of her mouth. She looked around for a moment to figure out where she was before noticing Captain Toma was still present and she was still free from a cell. "You waited while I slept?" she asked as she stood up and stretched, an itch reminding her to quickly reapply some of the cream she had been given.

"So, am I gonna have to go back to jail?"

Posts : 139 Join date : 2018-08-17

“Time gives one the chance to change how they see things,” Kaito offered as his response to her comments about seeing things differently. He could certainly understand her shame to some degree, or at least how she'd draw shame out of this. He could also see the exhaustion creeping into her even before she began to droop; he'd seen it enough. Once she started to droop, he didn't bother to offer any other words and in short order she pitched forward. By then Kaito had leaned forward and held out a hand, casually catching the falling woman with as much effort as one put to catch a falling leaf. He moved with a slow and steady motion, bringing Kamianri over and laying her down on the wall near him. It was wide and flat enough that the girl could get some sleep, and he could afford the time. With little else to do, Kaito stretched and then reached into the bag at his side. He pulled out a small stack of reports and began to go through them.

Eventually the younger Shinigami began to stir. She grumbled about drooling while she slept before she noticed him. He raised an eyebrow at her surprise before giving a smile.
“I saw no reason in waking you up and taking you back, and it was no bother to myself,” he explained as he stowed the reports he'd been reading. She asked her next question as he clasped his bag.
“Unfortunately. While I may be able to leverage my reputation and seniority to some degree to do what I've done thus far, fully removing you from custody would...be improper. However, I am convinced that you did not do what you did intentionally and will pass on as much to the Captain Commander and Captain Gogatsu. They will decide what to do from there. There is also the fact that if I tried to break you out, you would face more issues from your fellow Division members. I imagine this is why your Captain hasn't done that very thing, if he's thought of the fact that he could try in the first place. He does tend to step somewhat carefully where the rules are concerned,” Kaito explained. That said, he seemed in no great hurry to move just yet. Not that he seemed to have a great deal more to say, simply that he was just in no hurry.

Subject: Re: Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!? Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:30 pm

Kaminari focused on what he said and noticed that he didn't seem in any rush. She figured a guy like him didn't need to rush anywhere. Who'd try and hurry him? With the stories she heard about Captain Toma, the Legendary Fist of the Gotei, she assumed people sort of bowed down to his desire. She would... However, that brought up a certain question. Kaminari took a seat by him again.

"You obviously know the Demon Captain right? What's her name..." Kaminari tried remembering the name, but "she-devil" was the only thing coming to mind. They had been talking about her earlier, so... "The one with red hair that everyone in the realm is terrified of, except my Captain because he's her son... apparently." Kaminari knew that'd help him know who she was talking about. Once she got confirmation, she crossed her arms and swung her legs over the wall.

"So, who else do you know around here that can prevent the she-devil from skinning me alive?" Kaminari held up her hands. "I know you said my Captain won't let her, but... Oh, HO. I have a story. Like... a couple of days ago, when I first met her, right? She decided to call me out for being short AND NO ONE CALLS ME SHORT. Didn't know who she was... So, you know I challenged her to a fight?" Kaminari hopped back to her feet. "Can he stop that?"

"If not, I bet you can. You can be my stand in!" Kaminari put a hand on Kaito's shoulder and gave a big pleading smile. "If she tries to call me on it, will you prevent my death by fighting for me? I promise, I will owe you a huge favor."

Posts : 139 Join date : 2018-08-17

Kaito tilted his head slightly to the side when Kaminari sat down and started her new line of questioning. He raised an eyebrow, and let Kaminari stumble through it a moment before he offered up the name. “You are thinking of Lilith. Lilith Blake.”
With the name given Kaminari continued speaking, asking after who could actually drop Lilith from inflicting physical harm on her. This was not the first time she had implied as much, speaking to the fear he detected back when their conversation began. He idly wondered what descriptions she had heard of Lilith out in the Shojin, and what her reputation was out there. Last he had checked she had not gone out of her way to do much out there. Alas, maybe he had missed something. Her questioning continued, revealing that she had inadvertantly challenged Lilith to a fight. Now that...

She asked first whether Genpaku could stop that, then asked whether he could or would stand in for her. She placed a hand on his shoulder in a pleading way. He placed one much larger hand over her own, and gave her a smile.
“No, I will do no such thing. For two reasons,” he said, holding up one finger to start his first point.
“Firstly, because I need no reason to have a sparring match with Lilith. She is one of the few people I can have a true spar with, and vice-versa. And secondly,” he said, holding up a second finger,” “because it would only make things worse for you in the long run,” he said seriously, giving it a moment to sink in.

“Lilith is someone who values strength and courage. Beneath her hard exterior she has a soft heart. That heart though does not abide weakness nor fear. Especially not from someone like you; you who were chosen by her adopted son. Captain Arishima sees something in you. He is young, talented, but inexperienced by the standards of most captains. That said, I believe he has good instincts, and I think he is right in this case. I think you have great potential that you've yet to tap. You've a good heart, and I've heard you're quite skilled. It will be up to you, however, to prove your captain right or wrong. You hold a piece of his reputation in your hands now. That is why Lilith may be dismissive towards you at first, because she may see you as a danger to her son. Unless you wish to be shadowed by that worry the rest of the time you hold that position, prove her wrong. Prove you are as strong as your Captain believes you are and can be. Do not run from your fears. It is most certainly easier said than done, but that is what proves one has courage. Strength can be gained, courage is harder.”

Subject: Re: Most Unorthodox, Maybe Illegal!? Sat Nov 02, 2019 5:04 am

The moment he denied her request, Kaminari's shoulders slumped and she looked defeated. "Then I really am dead." she said semi-jokingly, but the worry was clearly still present. She then straightened her back as he explained his reasons. The final is what caught her attention more than any of the others. "It would?" Kaminari raised a curious eyebrow. How could her request make things worse? She tilted her head and listened to him intently. Kaminari considered what he told her. Someone of his status obviously knew what he was talking about so she instantly took it all to heart. Kaito's word was law in Kaminari's mind.

"Strength can be gained, courage is harder." Kaminari brought her hand to her chin as she thought about it all. "So, fight her? If I'm not supposed to run away, the courageous thing to do would be to own up to my challenge and fight her anyway. One wrong punch may send me to an early grave though. I also doubt I'll be allowed to use my zanpakuto, so I can't even subtly level the playing field." Kaminari whined and tugged lightly on a lock of her own hair. "Well, looks like when all of this clears up, I'll be fighting one of the strongest women in the world. Just remember this..." Kaminari looked up to Kaito and held up the little charm she had. "If she kills me, this charm becomes Captain Blake's, okay?"

Kaminari smiled widely and stuck her tongue out at him. "I don't actually expect to die. I doubt it'd be a good thing for her to kill a Lieutenant during a spar, even if that Lieutenant is me, but things do happen." Kaminari said before looking back to the charm. "This represents something between me and an old friend. It's like admitting you were wrong. When I lose, I'ma give it to her. Then she'll have to give it back when I beat her in something. I have no idea what that will be... Doubt it'll be fighting, but I'll do it. I'll beat her at something and when she gives it back, she'll have to acknowledge me and stop calling me short."

Posts : 139 Join date : 2018-08-17

Kaito returned Kaminari's smile after she held up the charm to him. He listened to her explanation, and his smile grew. Then it grew pensive as she finished, and he spoke.
“I would note, I am not saying you must seek her out for her challenge. More, I am saying that when she comes to call you on that challenge, don't let fear bend your back or knees. Meet her challenge, and show her what you're worth. Bravery without foolish bravado will go a long way to impressing her; though granted, if you can back up that bravado, that will also do,” he said with a certain amount of wistfulness.
“I do not think you will have to worry about her calling for your challenge any time soon though, if that eases your mind. Things are to be busy for the Captains I imagine in the coming weeks, and she will have much to do. She also knows her own strength well; unless you do something to earn her ire, she will be willing to wait for a better fight.”

Kaito looked up at the sky and slowly moving sun of the Seireitei, and judged that he was likely beginning to wear his privilege thin. He gave a single nod to himself and looked back at Kaminari.
“Our time grows short, but I did promise something to eat and I am certainly hungry myself at this point. So come, let us find good food and then we should allow the law its due,” he said, hoping down from the wall and holding up a massive hand for Kaminari to step down onto. From there he placed her once more on his shoulder; he kept a hand gently on her as he stepped away from their spot and crossed a great distance with Shunpo. He sought out food and sat with her, speaking on many small things as the giant of a man gently guided the conversation, learning the small but important things that helped one understand a person.

Then alas, he returned her to the confines of the Sixth Division. Better rested, better fed, but returned to a cage all the same. He thanked the young Shinigami for her time, and gave her a reassuring smile and small wave as he made his way back out of the jail. He commended the Shinigami on duty for his work, and left the man considerably less flustered than previously. He made one stop at the office of Captain Gogatsu, offering both an apology for the breach of protocol and his own opinion of the young girl and this situation. He knew of course that Captain Gogatsu would conduct the rest of his investigation all the same, but perhaps another opinion would have been helpful. From there, he left and passed on his opinion to the Captain Commander as well.

All the while the relaxed demeanor of the Captain of the Tenth Division belied a growing knot of concern. It would have been simpler if the girl had been a spy, would have been simpler if she could have just been dealt with as a message to any others with this plan. Alas, Kaito had the feeling that very little of what was to come was going to be simple.