Zane could be seen standing outside the barraks to the Fifth Division, waiting for Kanade to arrive. Zane had walked out of their Taicho's office with her, but then ran over to the Fifth once they got outside and realized a bit too late she would likely not be able to keep up with him. Well that would be the first mistake of this trip for Zane, what else could go wrong? Zane released a low sigh and propped his body up against a nearby wall as he waited for Kanade or a member of the Fifth to show up.. whichever got there first.

With the soft sound of her feet hitting the ground in rhythm, Kanade approached the Fifth Division. Her eyes tentatively taking in her surroundings, her stomach in her throat. With every fiber of her being, she was hoping she wouldn't run into the Fifth's Taicho. After literally stumbling into Malik's office, she simply couldn't handle another impromptu meeting.

Finally, her slow pace came to a halt a feet behind Zane, her finger interlocked behind her back. "There really wasn't a need to rush ahead like that.."

This was a perfect start to this assignment. She could only hope it couldn't get 'better', so to speak.

A guard patrolling the fortified wall of the fifth division was commonly stalking around his designated perimeter, when his violet eyes locked-on to two unfamiliar Shinigami he never saw before. Scratching the nape of his neck, the youngly masculine adult would advanced toward their position, aforementioned hand now running through his short, reddish-copper hair. "May I help you two?" He inquired, looking quite puzzled as to why they were here; or maybe he had just awoken from a daydream.

The man didn't seem defensive or hostile in anyway, considering these two were no doubtfully his brethren, his comrades. In fact, he met them with a sense of patience. He was tall, lean and pale as milk - rivaling someone of 6'3" height.

Zane chuckled lightly toward Kanade as she arrived where he was standing. Zane couldn't resist a good run and this was a perfect excuse for him to execute one, "Sorry about that. I couldn't help myself.", He replied. Zane then turned to face the guard that approached them, asking if he could "help them". Perhaps he could, but it was unlikely at this very moment. Zane turned completely toward the male, who stood a few inches over the tenth seat and relaxed his position, "I am Zane Grinpiers of the First Division. We have come on orders from the Soutaichou to seek out escorts from your division to accompany us to the Rukongai.", He replied to the Guard.

Kanade's mouth cracked open just a bit as she prepared to respond, though she was interrupted by the young male shingami who made his presence known. Her bright pink orbs simply blinked as the panned up the young male's form. He simply towered over her; point blank. She shook off the shock, but not in time to prevent Zane from responding before she could. She knew she would have to take a more authoritative role, considering she was the higher ranked.

"I'm Miyamoto Kanade, fourth seat to the First Division. No offense, but perhaps your division's Fukutaicho might be of more assistance." That may have been a bit pushy...maybe even rude. She certainly didn't intend to come off that way. Maybe talking such a way would find her in front of the Fifth's Taicho...she could only imagine what she had gotten herself into now.

Nakao Aya knew every nook and cranny of the second division. She knew how to hide from unwanted visitors and how to avoid inspecting captains, though she had become more at ease with Captain Harupia since that day years ago. He was easy-going enough. Of course, that meant that she had to work twice as hard. He was harder to read. Who knew if he was pleased with her work? Aya certainly didn't.

But what Aya was less familiar with were the other divisions, and so when she was asked to deliver some medical paperwork to officials from the fifth division, she found herself wandering aimlessly on the grounds. Direction was innate, and Aya had no such skill. Orientation was lost on her, and she only knew the second division so well because she had made every effort imaginable to learn her workplace and have it's details committed to memory.

And so she found herself there eventually, though some hours had passed. She seemed to be coming up on some kind of meeting at the front of the barracks anyhow. She froze. Who were they? They weren't of the second division. She hadn't seen them in files before. Were they fifth division members? It would have made sense, given their locale, but the female of the two didn't look like she belonged to the battle division. The other might have with his mask, but Aya couldn't tell.

So she did what she did best, approach but stay patiently in the background for someone to approach her.

Non-confrontational is the best policy.

The guard was unphased by Kanade's bluntness and simply remarked, "Neither the Taichou or Fukutaichou are in right now. Feel free to leave a message or come back later."

SPOILER: Click to show

Court's presence exited as the per the activity rules. [link]

Zane arched a brow at this development. Neither the Taicho or Fukutaicho of the Fifth were available? Not even for a measly two seconds to tell them whether or not they could provide an escort for them? Oh well, it seemed. Zane shrugged toward the guard, "Well. I guess we'll come back later then, won't we, Fourth Seat Miyamoto?" , Zane replied, his gaze shooting toward the woman. Zane then stepped forward, stopping at Kanade's side, "You are free to stay here and chat with them, but I am going to the Rukongai.", he whispered to the woman. Malik was free to get mad at him for this, but they had come to the Fifth and they were busy so the only option left was to continue the mission without an escort. With this thought planted firmly in his head, Zane left the area for the Rukongai, walking slower this time so Kanade could keep up should she choose to follow him.

[Zane Exit]

It was a very busy day he finally was able to get all the supplys and people he needed for the job his taicho had ordered him to take care of. Taisho let out a deep breath as he walked through the halls only to see someone who was not in his division a young woman and a man who seemed to just leave as he got there. He looked at the short lady as most people to the tall man was short. He bows his head a little to the lady and smiled.

"May I help you miss?"

His voice was loud as normal but seemed very happy to have guests of other divisions in his own division...not his own division of course his taicho's division. He looked back at his clip board he had on him to make sure he had all the stuff he needed marked down. Waiting nicely for the little lady to speak.

Kanade sighed heavily as Zane walked off. She prepared to step off before hearing a voice she didn't exactly. As she turned to meet the one the voice emitted from. As turned turned, her head was forced to roll back slightly, having to look up to meet the male's eyes. She turned to alert Zane to halt, but his figure had seemingly disappeared. She could only shake her head lightly before returning to the male.

"Excuse me. I'm Miyamoto Kanade, Fourth Seat to the First Division. I was sent here to request an escort for an assignment to the Rukon. May I ask who are?" As she was speaking, Kanade's eyes fell upon Aya, making slight signs with her hand for her to come closer towards herself and the male.

Go closer to them? Aya couldn't believe that such a thing was even being suggested to her. The man she was speaking to was enormous. Aya was tall, true, but this man was almost seven feet high, and he looked as if he were made out of iron girders instead of flesh.

And yet something inside her willed her feet forwards. Was it a need to obey? She had been ordered to join them. Well, perhaps not ordered, exactly, but the woman, Kanade, had made as if she should come forward, and Aya couldn't bear to leave her request unfulfilled. There was a compulsion to follow directions, to comply.

At least she knew who the mystery woman was, now. Fourth seat in the first division? That made her of relatively significant rank, then. Aya was unseated, unproven. She took her place carefully behind the two and timidly stared at her papers. "Nakao Aya, Unseated, Second Division." She quickly said, trying her best to establish that she was lower in rank and shouldn't be bothered with yet. The rest came slowly and in a stammer, however. "I-I'll wait for you to get done. I j-just have some... some papers to be signed..."

Not a good impression to be making on battle division members or this representative of the first division. No sir.

Taisho stood there and listened to the first division member speak, it seemed the soutaicho wished the fifth division to help out his division. He turned and looked around trying to see if there was any strong men to be found around him. He looked back at the two ladies and smiled.

"I'm sorry, I should of said who I am. Techimaru Taisho Fukutaicho of the fifth division. If you need escort you just found the man who can help you out."

He looked them back over and then back at his clip board, this was an order from the soutaicho...does that mean he would get in trouble for not doing his own taicho's job first. Nah..these ladies seemed to need an escort and the only manly man they could find was himself, and for a fact he is a damn handsome man.

Kanade's lips curved into a smile, nodding lightly to Aya. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aya." Her eyes then blinked several times as her head rose to meet the the eyes of the male as her spoke his name, offering his assistance. A bead of sweat formed on the side of her head before gliding down her cheek. Her head quickly dipped as she bowed deeply, her voice stammering apologetic. "My apologies!! I-I-I didn't m-m-m-mean to be so forward!!!"

Her voice told the whole story. Kanade was incredibly uncomfortable in front of others, let alone superior officers. Even a younger shinigami such as Aya could easily read Kanade. Perhaps it stemmed from her imprisonment years ago.

They reacted like twins, it seemed. Aya initially stiffened at Vice-Captain Taisho's bravado, but that only worsened when Kanade reacted exactly as Aya would. Something about it, though, struck Aya as unusual. Kanade had been so authoritative before. She had been the one to draw Aya out from the background to speak.

Perhaps she had reacted that way to show empathy towards Aya. "I... I don't need an escort. I just... just have these papers that need to be signed off." Aya's tone gained strength as she spoke. This was her job. This was an objective that was clear in her mind. Her native environment was ordered and straight-forward, and here was she comfortable. "I believe the vice-captain has the authority I need."

She was suddenly quite different from her previous self. Now, Aya presented herself as aloof, calm, and confident. It wasn't because Kanade had taken the timid route or because Taisho seemed so eager to jump to chivalrous behavior. Aya simply knew what to do. The answers were clear and in sight.

That's not enough, child.

"If I might assist in the escort, though..." Where had that come from? Her Zanpakutou's spirit had spoken through her, it would seem.

[Zane Re-entry]

Zane had gotten somewhat far from where he had left the Fourth Seat of his Division when the roar of Taisho's voice rang through his ears. Zane pivoted on his heels and faced them, noticing Kanade's figure turn, probably to look for him, but her quick turn around made him assume that she couldn't see him. He released a low sigh and then began to stride back toward them, taking his good old time to get back where they were as he really didn't want to deal with the man who was quite big. He easily towered over Zane, who wasn't exactly short in his own right, and easily several times more muscular than him. Muscles and height weren't everything though as a strong mind could easily overcome that. Zane shook his head, this was an ally, no need to dwell on the thoughts of what it would be like fighting the bigger man.

Zane came to a stop at Kanade's right side and nodded his head to the man, "Hello there. I am Grinpiers Zane, Tenth Seat of the First Division. I am here with Fourth Seat Miyamoto and didn't actually catch your name since I had departed. According to the guard, no one in the Fifth Division was available. Do you not communicate with one another?", Zane said as he looked over the man. Zane didn't seem to care that he came off as.. well, rude toward the man, but it was a fact. If they had, the guard wouldn't have told them otherwise and he wouldn't have had to leave and come back. He nodded his head to Aya, not exactly sure what to make of her and then looked down to Kanade, playing off as if he actually cared about her being higher ranked than him, "Apologies for departing from you, Fourth Seat Miyamoto. Won't happen again.", He said, sprinkling his words with a bit of sarcasm he actually hoped she would catch.

Taisho took the papers from Aya and looked them over he then smiled at the young woman quickly placing them on the desk and signing off on them, handing it back to her again he winked happly. "No worry's the both of you. I don't mind helping out fellow shinigami!"

His eyes then turned to Zane as he came up before him and started talking about his division in a some what rude manner he made a slight upset face, making his eye's narrow slightly. "The name is Techimaru..Techimaru Taisho..Fukutaicho of this division. I'm sorry, I have been busy latley so my division has been trying to track me down for days. I'm here and willing to help out."

He crossed his arms standing up fully making sure his muscles stood out to everyone in the room, He didn't like the way Zane spoke to him, a little tenth seat talking to a fukutaicho like that..children these days.

Kanade's eyes glanced over towards Zane, not bothering to even turn her head so much as an inch. Kanade was as far from being a confrontational person, but even she had her limits. The glare she shot at Zane told the whole story; she didn't like how he was speaking to others and this was apparent. "Zane, mind your tongue and your tone." This little attitude had become very old, very fast and she wasn't planning on dealing with this while they had to work together.

She turned her attention back Aya and Taisho, her normal smile once again gracing her face. "We'd be honored if both of you would assist us." This was the first time in years that Kanade had found herself in such a social situation, but by her standards, she passed with flying colors.

Aya actually found herself smiling back at the trio of her Shinigami compatriots, though not in the friendly manner of one pleased with the way that things were going but instead in the aloof way a lioness regards an antelope. It was condescending and laced with a vigor very much unlike her demeanor before.

Shaking her head, however, her expression returned to one of fretful composure. Keep it together. Steady now. You've agreed to an escort to the Rukongai?

Aya made it a point to avoid the Rukongai, partly because of an unfamiliarity and a tendency to lose her way in new places, but mostly because she was afraid of having to interact with others there. She often daydreamed of drinks with her compatriots in the bars, but the woman of just over 200 years had never even taken a sip of alcohol.

"I... I will help in whatever way I can," she said. It was best just to shut up and behave. At least this way, she would maintain a good reputation with the other three as compliant and not boisterous like this Zane fellow. He was rude to a superior officer, even one of another division. It was a breach of rank! A violation of respect! It made Aya angry, internally.

Soon.

Zane raised his right hand to his lips and coughed into it as he, not only was scolded, but came to learn the man was the Fukutaicho of the Fifth Division. Zane lowered his hand once again and bowed his head to the man, "Ahh, Techimaru-Fukutaicho. My apologies. I was not aware of your identity until just now and I was not meaning to come so rude. I can understand that you are a busy man." , Zane said, pouring as much as he could into his false apologies toward the man. He lifted his head out of the bow and smiled briefly before releasing it as he realized that no one would see it beneath his mask. Zane nodded lightly in response to Kanade and offered the kindest face he could toward Aya before he relaxed his position once more. Zane was beginning to hate this mission more and more as time passed, but he held it on the inside.

Taisho looked at Zane and slightly raised his left eye brow, He didn't buy any word what left the tenth seat's mouth. Taisho would look over the three of them and smile slightly. "Just lead the way Kanade. I'll make sure if anything happens they'll have to go through me first my dear." He only really cared about the young ladies care. He at the moment did not care what happened to the other male in the room.

Placing his left hand on his sword hilt at his hip he nodded his head to Aya and Kanade, he quickly looked over at Zane and put his right hand forward making the jester of get your ass moving to were you need to be brought. He really wondered why Tanaka-sama would even bother with someone like this in there division. "Off we go then. Shall we, lead the way young ladies." He of course he was talking to all three of them even to Zane.

Kanade's lips curved rather warm smile as she looked to both Taisho and Aya. Her bright expression fled her face as her eyes fell upon Zane. She simply couldn't comprehend how someone could be so rude to other they barely even knew. "You know, thanks to people like you sometimes I wish I....nevermind." Kanade planning on mentioning her past solitude, but quickly dismissed the thought. Even the slight idea of such a thing still sent chills up her spine.

She turned from the group, taking a heavy breath before stepping off for the Rukon. "Shall we take leave then? Zane, secure the rear." While she wasn't naturally the authoritative type, she had no choice as Zane continued to push. She said to mind her limits..or else.

"Interesting...perhaps I'll finally get to have some fun."

Aya had decided that she liked Kanade. The girl seemed to put up with her compatriot's nonsense, but Aya could tell that the relationship was a shaky one. Kanade seemed as if she were struggling past some kind of unconfident streak, and she maintained her authoritative face well, though she did tire of it visibly.

Aya wasn't so much the sort to be concerned with confidence. She was afraid, not unconfident. She knew her abilities were well-recieved. Harupia had shown her that much, but at the same time, she was constantly concerned about pleasing her superiors, which came off often as a lack of confidence. "I will follow, then," she said, smiling at Taisho and Kanade. She made an attempt to quell her anger at Zane as well and made to smile at him.

"I would much rather see a harmonious relationship between we four, anyway," Aya added. "It makes functioning so much more smooth."

Admittedly, she also wanted to escape still, but she maintained her composure. There was a mission to be secured here.

Zane snorted rather loudly as not only Taisho, but Kanade opened their mouths to make comments at him. How naive they were, talking down on him simply because they were ranked higher in seats. They knew nothing of him and their insults are what caused Zane's initial snort. He could be seen visibly rolling his eyes at the both of them as he shifted his figure to flank behind the group as those were his orders. His gaze fell on Kanade as he decided to address her half-assed comment, "People like me what? Anger you? Annoy you? Turn you into an overgrown chicken shit who can't finish a sentence?", He replied. Zane simply shook his head, "Should've abandoned this damned operation when I had the chance, but noooo. Stay with the Gotei, I thought. It'll do me some good, I thought" , He grumbled to himself, confident none of them were paying him any mind. His grumbles were then interrupted by an inner voice telling him, "Just gotta make everything difficult, don't you? Why can't you ever get along with anyone, Zane?"

Taisho looked at Kanade then zane, His eyes semi narrowed but returned to cool and calm in a manner of speaking He smiled at Zane and moved his hand to jester for him to start on his way. "Enough of this random talking back and fourth. I rather get this mission going. I wouldn't want your Taicho to be upset with either of you. So let's get moving shall we?" He didn't like the manner of way Zane was speaking to a higher seat then him. But perhaps that was just how the man was, a rude selfish ass of a man. Who knows he really didn't want to know to much more.

He would walk beside Kanade and Aya once they got moving making sure he was doing his job protecting them on there way. If anything were to happen he was pretty sure that's why Tanaka-soutaicho asked one of the fifth division to come with. For muscle and looking at the two first division members they lacked strength and perhaps skill with a blade.

Kanade's feet stopped dead in their tracks as Zane's words rang through her ears. Her turned to the side sharply, enabling her glaze to reach Zane. Her fingers curled and clenched as her reiatsu sparked, while brief, to a level that was noticeable to only those in her immediate area. Kanade was beginning to lose control of her emotions. She had to think of something quick, for the simple thought of losing control was scaring her which could lead to an even bigger lose of control.

She glanced towards Aya and Taisho before retuning her visibly angry glare back to Zane. "A better idea comes to mind. Move forward Zane. Secure the Rukon for our arrival. I tire of your tongue flapping about, absent direction. Now, go." With that she turned walked off. Everything from her voice to her posture had changed. It was as if she was a completely different person, like someone had taken her place. She breathed deeply as she strode off, awaiting Zane's figure to zoom by. Kanade knew she was being watched, caution had to be taken no matter what.

{Exit}

"Aww, and here I was almost out. No matter. You can't keep my locked away forever.."

Aya wrung her hands until they were red and raw. The tension between the two first division members was so thick that Aya could barely breathe in it. She felt a momentary urge to lash out, to expell her anger towards the remaining two of her companions, but she quelled the notion. It would do her no good to become angered. That was what Wani wanted. That was not how she was raised. Aya had been raised to be polite and respectful.

"I uhh..." Aya started before hurrying after Kanade. The one person who had made her the most comfortable had shown the most distress at the sudden outburst from her comrade, and, with signed papers still in hand but forgotten, she attempted to catch the person she hoped she might call friend in an attempt to fix what had gone wrong.

She liked Taisho, though he was definitely intimidating.

[Exit]

Zane visibly rolled his eyes once again, but he soon found himself with some happy news! He would now find himself away from the shy girl with nothing to say, the uppity gorilla that somehow made his way to being the Fifth's second-in-command and the living contradiction that was the Fourth Seat of his Division. He nodded toward Kanade as she gave him his instructions, "With Pleasure!", Zane replied before using a quick Shunpo to maneuver himself in front of the group before he took off running toward the Rukongai. Anything was better than standing here with this group of mutes lead by a neanderthal with an undeserved sense of self-satisfaction. How obnoxious their 'guard' had turned out to be.

[Zane Re-exit]

Taisho looked at the two ladies then back at Zane as Kanade gave Zane a order to take the lead, nothing really to comment he kept his mouth closed as he just walked beside the two ladies as he was doing his job why butt into something when it was none of his concern. On the bright side he wouldn't have to deal with Zane's rude ness.

[Exit]

SPOILER: Click to show

Thread ended, point distro as follows.

Zane - 7

Kanade - 7

Aya - 6

Taisho - 6

Points to be added shortly.