Kindliness More than Knowledge [Toki, Momo]

To call the current circumstances dire would have, in Toki's view, been an understatement. He worked around the clock to at least try and ease the burden that the people of the Soul Society were suffering right now, but admittedly, his willingness to do all of that was predicated on one simple fact:

His own home, and his mother, were still alright. As he entered the Hinamori family home, loosening his shihakusho and taking a breath to relax, Toki's expression lightened, the familiar atmosphere of home giving him at least some faint degre of peace despite the troubled times. When he spoke up, it was markedly less curt and businesslike than his usual demeanor, and he moved out of the entryway ready to actually enjoy a moment of quiet.

"Home yet, mom?"

He knew she certainly had her own life, of course, and was likely involved in her own matters in the wake of what had happened. But there was little else that gave Toki purpose quite like simply knowing that his mother was still doing alright.

Life had certainly taken an unexpected turn since the attack and Momo had rather unexpectedly found herself garnering more attention then she perhaps was comfortable with. Her own role during the event had been in her own opinion small but those that she’d ended up protecting certainly didn’t feel that way. It felt lovely in a way to be respected by those around her rather than simply thought of as a hermit but she supposed she’d become…unused to it during her retirement. Still, it’d given her confidence an incredible boost and with more students coming to her for help, she found herself rather more busy than usual.

“Just about.” Momo called from the adjacent room, putting away the final few groceries that needed to be dealt with. After all of the chaos, a simple grocery trip had been just what the dark haired woman had needed to help her relax and unwind.

Heading into the living room once she’d finished, her face would brighten at the sight of her son. She knew of course that his life had been more of a rollercoaster than hers and while Momo was naturally worried about her beloved son, she would always be his biggest supporter.

Approaching Toki, she’d wrap her arms around him in a hug, asking simply. “Busy day?”

It had certainly been a while since Toki'd felt anything resembling genuine relaxation, given recent events, but it was a feeling he was perfectly willing to accept as his mother gave him a hug, an embrace he was all too happy to return. Even with the greatest dangers long passed, Toki still occasionally thought about the fact that things might have happened differently. That other people certainly hadn't been quite so fortunate.

"Very. But the reconstruction efforts need someone to help clear things, and the 2nd Division's not going to staff itself, so it's necessary."

He would have liked to help with anything his mother was doing, too, but he knew that would have been irresponsible of him. She didn't need his help, after all, and that meant he'd been away from home far more than usual, spending at least some of his nights wherever they needed help rather than going back home.

"It's good to be home, at least. Are you doing okay here?"

Nodding as he answered her question, Momo took a great deal of pride in just how responsible he was when it came to pitching in. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the mess that remained after the invasion, all of which would have to be dealt with. Was there a small part of the dark haired woman that felt guilty that she wasn’t involved herself? Perhaps in the past but the Gotei was no longer her business and Momo had long come to terms with that. It was family first now and she was perfectly happy with that.

“It’s been busier than normal here but I’m coping alright. I’ve been getting more students coming along lately, all keen and eager to grow their skills after the attack. It’s been a little overwhelming at times meeting so many new people but I feel that it’s definitely been good for me. I just wish that the circumstances for it were better.” She replied honestly, sighing slightly.

After a moment’s pause, she’d add. “There are rumours all over the place already about new organisations coming up to replace the Gotei. Sounds like we could end up with multiple groups at this rate.”

Frankly, it sounded like it could end up becoming another mess in Momo’s opinion.

"That sounds nice. If you ever need any help with teaching, I can try to find some time. I wouldn't want you getting overwhelmed."

Not that Toki necessarily imagined that his mother would actually take him up on that offer, given everything he was already doing. It was the sort of thing that would push him past what might be considered "reasonable" amounts of effort, and while near anyone else would certainly not be concerned about that in these troubled times, this was hardly just anyone.

"I've heard some talk about it. Central 46 has said Lord Kuchiki is the rightful authority, but I think Captain Komamura has attracted more of the people. I don't know if I see it all ending well for everyone else who isn't involved."

It didn't sit well with Toki either, really. He wasn't particularly interested in either group, at the end of the day. Only in maintaining some peace in these parts.

“I appreciate the thought but you’ve got more than enough on your plate already without me adding any more to it.” Momo replied with a kind smile. “It’s good for me to be keeping busy anyhow and while I might complain a little, I rather enjoy teaching those who need my help and seeing their powers grow brings me so much pleasure. I’ll be OK”

Honestly, Momo was more concerned about Toki’s welfare than her own. She knew how hard he was pushing himself in order to aid the 2nd and while Momo knew that he was strong enough to handle the pressure, the dark haired woman couldn’t help but worry. Tiredness seemed to be the one constant with pretty much everyone she spoke to recently. Yuri had looked as though she was going to fall asleep on her feet.

“I feel the same way.” She’d reply as he gave his opinion on the state of play after the Gotei’s dissolution. “I imagine that both groups are going to be rather eager in trying to draw those with ability into their organisations as well and I half expect to have someone ending up coming here too at some point to try and recruit us.”

If his mother said she would be alright, then that was all Toki needed to hear. Not necessarily because it would stop him from worrying, or wanting to help anyway. But he trusted her, and he wasn't going to try and push her on a topic like that.

"I've thought that too, that one of these days I'll have Captain Komamura or Lord Kuchiki coming appearing in front of me and asking me if I've thought about helping them."

Well...Captain Komamura more than Lord Kuchiki. Toki didn't exactly expect anyone from Central 46 to approach him about much. Even if they did, he was inclined to think they'd only be doing so with some ulterior motive. It might have been nice to just return to a quiet life at the flower shop, return to not doing much beyond that and caring for his mother, but...

"I'd like to keep helping, but I'm not so sure about either one of them. I can't really pretend that I have any higher ideals about being a shinigami, after all. I just want to keep this place safe. You, the friends I've made. I have people here I'm not sure I could protect on my own. It's... I don't know. Tiring."

He could have tried to keep rationalizing, explaining, but this was his mother. He didn't need to. He could just be honest.

Musing to herself briefly about the two men Toki mentioned, Momo couldn’t honestly think of two leaders who were more different. Captain Komamura had always been fairly kind to her from her encounters with him all those years ago while Lord Kuchiki had always come across as…brutally cold. If she had to make a choice herself, she’d probably join the former’s group but frankly, what she wanted wasn’t what either group seemed to want. Momo had no desire to be another soldier any longer, she simply wished to protect those she loved.

“I can’t say that either group has me racing out of the door to sign up and I honestly don’t feel as though we need to join one.” Momo answered honestly. “I can understand the appeal that they will no doubt have to all those Shinigami who find themselves without a purpose but…will things be any different or will we just end up with two Gotei lites constantly butting heads? The thought of that doesn’t fill me with much optimism.”

Perhaps she’d be proven wrong and the situation would improve but as it stood, Momo just couldn’t help but feel cynical.

She’d place a hand on her beloved son’s shoulder at that point. “I know that this has all been exhausting for you and I bet it’s going to be rough for all of us for a while but we’ll get through this, as we always do. We Hinamori’s are nothing if not tough.”