The Dojo echoed with the grunts and gasps of men and women sparring against each other while fighting through fatigue. Kouta was more conscientious of others limits, but it clear Akimoto believed in pushing beyond boundaries. Even the Shihan were having difficulty with keeping up. Perhaps Kouta had become too soft, Akimoto thought a few times to himself. 

The numbers had decreased, and Akimoto noted how the Yukihiro house had removed many of their members from the dojo. Akimoto had heard that many of them died during the mission in the World of the Living but only noticed how devastating the losses were when it affected him. Maybe he was taking out his frustration on the class.

What was even more surprising was the amount of time Kouta needed to be healed. It'd been weeks and he'd yet to hear from his son. Of course, he hadn't the mind to reach out to contact him. He didn't worry for the boy's well-being as the Yukihiro healers were enough to heal most any injury. Akimoto also wished to keep focused on whatever work he could accomplish without Kouta. 

"Captain Akimoto, Sensei." A Yukihiro member of a higher standing addressed him eventually. The man looked familiar, but coming from such a large house and having trained many of them, he couldn't discern who the man might be. Regardless, the man bowed deeply in respect for the Shinigami.

"Yes..." he replied with a similar bow while indicating he'd forgotten the man's name. "Ito," the man said and Akimoto continued through his lesson while sweating with the profuseness of his usual regiments. "Isao-sama seeks your company immediately. He seems impatient to tell you what happened in the World of the Living."

Akimoto actually stopped to look at the man with a full front. This was entirely unusual in itself. Such a disciplined man was taken aback by what the messenger said. "Isao-sama is impatient? What makes him think he knows better than the Research and Information Divisions?" He was clearly offended but his tone remained neutrual, almost light.

"He can wait until I'm done my lesson for the day," he told the man, resuming his workout that others might consider tortuous and inhumane even by seated-Shinigami standards.

This particular session took hours longer than his usual lessons. He was passively punishing the head without directly coming into an aggressive stance or position. It was mid-evening when Akimoto made his way to the House. He didn't bother changing into his Captain's garb as he wished to make this a conversation amongst equals. His bare torso showed light scarring and some structural damage from years of abuse. Still, his body looked as strong and resilient as always. Perhaps he was unconsciously attempting to intimidate Isao.

The guards outside the Yukihiro gate bowed deeply upon his arrival but looked quizzically upon his informal appearance. They knew their Head wished to speak with the man who'd done so much for their house in particular. Hopefully this wouldn't result in a falling-out for they would, most likely, be in the crossfire.

Akimoto made his way through the long corridors and large chambers which made up the castle within which the Yukihiro House resided. He knocked on Isao's office door twice before opening the door himself to reveal his almost exasperated demeanor. "You wished to see me," he said with a slight bite but the tone was light nonetheless. "I hope my son is doing well. Do your medical professionals know when he might be prepared to return to his duties?"