A Beginning. (Private: Luna and Wicked)

Soul Society was currently in a more peaceful time than they had been in the recent years. There were no wars to fight, no huge threat.. It was just the same as it always had been, killing hollows, releasing souls, and running everything smoothly. Of course, the majority of this job goes to the captains and vice captains of soul society. They are the true watchmen of the gotei, overseeing all jobs and progress, making sure the entire seireitei doesn't go down in smoke.

But who watches the watchmen? That particular job goes to Tsubine. Tsubine Zarkonheiz. Captain Commander of the Gotei Thirteen.

Before the winter war ever happened, Tsubine had already been chosen to succeed Yamamoto as captain commander if the old man ever disappeared, or was otherwise found dead. The instructions for this switch in power were given to Zero Division, and Tsubine, but no others. It was a delicate matter, and if it weren't for Tsubine's proficiency in all fields, he would not have been chosen.

It was, of course, after the winter war, once Yamamoto had passed on, that the royal family themselves passed the reigns of Captain Commander to Tsubine. He had seen tragedy, war, and peace, both before, and during, his time as Captain Commander. It wasn't easy, living with it, but it had to be done, as per was his job.

Currently, however, Tsubine was on a bit of a mini-mission of his own. He had to see the seventh division captain. Tsubine had somehow misplaced a form, a field report from zero division's assassination squad, and he had recieved word that it had somehow ended up in seventh division's HQ. As Tsubine traversed the long and winding pathways from the captain commander's quarters to the seventh division HQ, he couldn't help but wonder how it had ended up there. Not as if it was majorly important, it was simply a failed mission, but the details on the mission operations were sensitive. If too many people saw that document... No. Best not to dwell on it. Tsubine knew if he focused on the end result as too plausibly horrible, it might turn out that way.

One last turn, and... Here we are. Tsubine looked up, the kanji number seven signifying that he was in the right place. He looked straight ahead at the door that stood in front of him and knocked twice before sliding the door open and taking a step inside, bowing to whoever else might be inside beside himself without looking before proceeding straight towards the captain's quarters. A slight choking sound from behind him signified that the lower ranks were definitely feeling his reiatsu. The massive expanse of it even made the captains worry when he was at full strength. Tsubine slid open the door to the captain's quarters, stepping inside and closing it behind him, slipping his hands into his pockets as he leaned against the door, his six feet, one inch in height almost reaching the door frame. "I understand you found a sensitive document?" Tsubine asked calmly, not wasting any time.

Tsubine nodded towards the woman. The captain of seventh division was, to say the least, attractive. Tsubine had known her for quite a while, as she was, in fact, one of the first captains brought on board after the winter war. However, as captain commander, he would not allow himself to take any irrational action concerning his emotions. He couldn't afford trauma of any kind, so if heartbreak were to befall him, the consequences and effect on his professional life could be severe. However, if Huong approached him, he would have no choice but to accept. He was, of course, infatuated, but he himself could draw no will to make an approach. These matters were best left inside his head, though, dwelling on them would cause no relief.

As the captain passed the document over to him, explaining the nature of it and the mission in question's reprocussions, Tsubine couldn't help but take a seat opposite the woman, bowing his head in silent repentance and folding the document, slipping it into his pocket. His job was tough sometimes, if only because he had to watch scenarios like the slaughter of recruits fly by, and be expected to turn the other way while his dirty work was done for him. It wasn't just, it was immoral. Tsubine sighed, making eye contact with Huong and nodding apologetically. "I am so sorry you suffered losses because of this. I assure you the team in question has been chastised, and a few relieved of duty, for this grave error." Tsubine nodded again, sighing softly and putting a hand to his forehead, rubbing his temples. "The document will be kept safe, I assure you. It will most likely be burned soon anyway, once the report is recorded in the archives." The captain commander looked down at the table, shaking his head regretfully. "Huong, once more, I apologize for your losses. If you need compensation, financial or otherwise, I'll see what I can do to make up for this. I never meant for such a tragedy to be caused by this mission. And I never meant for the team to fail, either." Tsubine grimaced, this was definitely not his shining moment.

Tsubine grinned a bit internally. Refusal to accept financial compensation? Strong-willed, and unafraid to give an honest opinion, even if it was a bit degrading, to the captain commander? He liked this woman's style. No wonder she had been chosen for captaincy. This woman was qualified, to say the least.

Huong was certainly right on her next point. Tsubine figured he could trust the small team he had selected, but it had been a mistake to be so naive. The ambush that followed showed the consequences of Tsubine's error in judgement. To the point where a lot of innocent people died. Tsubine wasn't sure if he ever would forgive himself... and he wasn't sure if he ever should, either...

Her next point.. was also valid. Sulking.. and dwelling on his mistakes.. wasn't going to fix anything. The best solution was, as always, to move on. To learn from the mistakes you've made, and then let them go.. Wise words from a captain considerably younger than himself. He had forgotten what it was like not to be completely stressed and over your head all the time. He smiled a bit, chuckling to himself, and nodding at the captain's words.

Tsubine looked up, his eyes widening a bit at the offer. How long.. how long had it been since he had just sit down and talked to someone? How long since he had even thought of relaxing? Far.. far too long. Tsubine nodded, smiling, "I would love some, thank you."

Tsubine watched, a curious glint in his eye and an amused smile on his face, as the captain enlisted the help of a recruit, along with her own skills, to prepare the tea, and deliver it to the table. Tsubine almost wanted to clap at the speed and precise timing of the preparation, but that was best saved for another time, while the girl was out here, it might frighten her.

As the captain filled the teacups, Tsubine took his in hand, sipping the sweet beverage, inhaling the scent of it before placing the cup back on the table, listening to the captain's birds sing and sighing a bit, rubbing his temples before answering her statement. "Oh no, not at all. In times of peace such as these, you have no idea how boring it gets to be captain commander." Tsubine chuckled. "It is.. admittedly.. a lonely life." Tsubine gave a sad smile, "I've had my eye on someone since they were recruited, but with the risks of my job I doubt they'd be interested in one such as myself." Tsubine laughed coldly. Facing his head towards the table, he watched as the steam from the tea rose into the air, the hot wispy steam raising towards the ceiling before vanishing into nothing. It was one of those interesting sights.. Much like the captain sitting in front of him.. No, no.. best not to venture down that thought train..

Tsubine nodded slowly at her speech, taking a sip of tea every few seconds to punctuate the silence. His long and arduous experience in the world of being a loner was extensive. Not as if that mattered, really.. His only relationships so far had been with a human woman and a shinigami that had turned out to be crazy in the end.. Was there any end to this? Well... He did have.. the one shot...

Tsubine leaned forward in his chair. "It's not about my subordinates... The real issue is.. what to do if you've fallen for the captain of a division? Most notably.. the seventh division." Tsubine looked from the table to her eyes, making contact and smiling a bit, taking another sip of his tea before leaning back again. "It's not a matter of captain and subordinate... and... if I drop all pretense.. I find you fascinating.. cultured.. wise.. and beautiful.." Tsubine smiled a bit, a small blush on his cheeks from her "cute" comment, placing his hands on the small table in front of them and nodding. "If.. if you want me to, I'll go back to my office and pretend this never happened, Huong-taicho." He shook his head a bit, leaning back and rubbing his temples. Hoo'boy.. what'd he get himself into..

Tsubine was absolutely elated, to say the very least. He had come here on business, but it looked like he was leaving on a bit of a date.. This.. was different for him. He had been on many business trips, and few dates, but none before that ended up being both.. A strange event.. but not at all an unpleasant one. The woman he had been, for lack of a better term, swooning over, for the past few years, not only liked his character, but called his confession a "positive surprise". That had to be good, right?

Tsubine stood from his chair, extending a hand to help Huong stand up before leading the way out of the building, turning a sharp right and heading down the pathway he knew so well, taking a few steps back to make sure he stayed standing next to Huong, slipping his hands in his pockets and smiling at her. "Anywhere in particular that you'd like to go? Or is it just a world-is-your-oyster, scenario?" He chuckled, shaking some dust off of his arm before continuing.