Echoes of a Distant Memory (Toki)

How long had it been since she'd even considered returning? A decade? maybe more? Honestly she'd lost track. To return to such a place meant revisiting the traumatic past of what was once the mightiest place of justice and rest for souls... reduced to but a shell of its former glory. As she held her right Zanpakuto up she could hear the voices of her Zanpakuto, questioning her if she truly wished to return if it truly was a place of such great pain for her. But she knew that she'd eventually have to return anyway, whether she wanted too or not and, well, it was best to confront these things on conditions that were favorable. With how the world was now-a-days and what had happened prior, war was inevitable and the small respite of peace they'd carved out so far wouldn't last for long... it never did.

She shoved the sword in front of her and turned it, reopening the doors she never thought she'd reopen. With that she stepped through, entering the Dangai and making her way through towards Soul Society. The last thing she truly remembered was the demonic invasion, but even that felt like a distant memory of another age by now. She didn't know how the Gotei would react to her reentry, but she hoped it would be peaceful and not met with weapons drawn. The fact she was being permitted entry however, at least told her that as a Shinigami she was being allowed back in. However it wasn't too surprising that when she was stopped on the other side of the Senkaimon by those in attendance, with her disappearance and sudden re-emergence it'd likely raise some concerns at the very least. So instead she nodded towards those already in attendance and awaited those that were undoubtedly coming to investigate her arrival.

Spoiler:

Fuurinji gave a return bow to the man who greeted her, he didn't introduce himself and got straight to why he was here and why she was being held momentarily. His reasoning made sense, they wanted to ensure they knew who was coming and going and this wasn't something she was unfamiliar with since it was a practice they'd been doing even when she was apart of the Gotei 13. So she nodded to his words of her understanding before answering his questions.

"Of course, I understand, though... you might not have records of my time here. My name is Fuurinji Wakaba, former member of the Gotei 13 and former member of the Seventh Squad led by Komamura Taicho. My purpose here is to check on my family in the Rukongai who have gone a significantly long time without word of my whereabouts or wellbeing." She made sure to state even her former position to help with the records, she wasn't entirely sure how many records from way back when still survived but if any did she presumed they'd want an easy time finding her information should they feel the need to look for it. Additionally, she ensured that her hands were not on her Zanpakuto and were readily visible, hoping to avoid any sort of confrontation in the middle of the Seireitei as that would only end bad for her.

Spoiler:

Fuurinji nodded as he asked her to wait so that he could have someone check the First Division records for any mention of her, it didn't surprise me when he surmised she might already have been marked missing. Truth be told she'd be surprised if she wasn't presumed dead. When he introduced himself at first she simply nodded, but a moment later his last name struck her quite hard "Wait... Did you say Hinamori? As in Fukutaicho Hinamori Momo?" She asked, that was the only Hinamori she knew of though truth be told it wouldn't have surprise her too much.

If this was true, then that meant Momo had likely not only managed to move on from her previous time under Aizen, but must've still been alive and well, and that filled her heart with a certain amount of joy she couldn't well ignore. She hadn't ever really spoken directly with the Fukutaicho directly, but she knew that her and Komamura were close and she'd often notice her around the Nanabantai back during the days of the Gotei 13. Still that did fill her with some amount of hope that the former Taicho's were still around, at least partially, so perhaps the Gotei United stood stronger than she'd first thought. ""Forgive me for asking but, Is she still a Fukutaicho? Or has she finally been promoted to Taicho?"

Spoiler:

She retired? Odd... Though she couldn't say that it's entirely unsurprising. Aizen was a rather key individual in her time at the Gotei, and after everything he'd done. "Ah, I see. Unfortunate that she retired, though I can't say I'd blame her for that decision." With that she gave a brief nod as he said he'd mention that she asked for her.

"Ah, thank you. If you don't mind my prying, what of yourself? I understand the Gotei United... restructured the divisions and their duties, do you intend on pursuing similar goals as her? Or are you intent on forging on your own? "

Sure the Fifth Division hadn't any particular duties, but Momo always struck her as someone who fit better in the Fourth Division rather than the Fifth, so she wondered how her child might fair in an admittedly much different environment than she was in.

Spoiler:

So he was intent on forging his own path, even if it was somewhat similar to the path Hinamori once tread. It was nice to hear that there were at least some Shinigami that desired assurance that previous mistakes were not repeated. "Ah, I see... Well, if you're anything like your Mother I'm sure you'll make a fine Shinigami. "

Some Shinigami desired to be leaders, and some desired to be idols or examples for other Shinigami to follow in their footsteps. Toki, from what she could tell, seemed to not desire either... Though he seemed like one willing to step up to the plate if the chance presented itself. In some ways this reminded her of Komamura.

"What of the other Taicho's? Have they also retired or are they still in service as well?"

Spoiler: