In Need of A Break

It's been 5 days since the mission on Ibis Island. Five people were sent on that mission... But only three came back, one being half dead. Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of the 6th Squad was still in recovery, but he was now in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery in a few days. The other two had much more luck. 10th Squad Captain Toushiro Hitsugaya and his second lieutenant Vegeta came back relatively unscathed with a few minor injuries here and there. The only major injuries Toushiro had was a chewed up arm from an attack by a raptor and Vegeta's were two deep cuts, one on his leg and the other on his shoulder. But those injuries were minor compared to Byakuya's and they were healed within a day. Now everything was getting back to as normal as it could. The Squad 10 captain was doing some paperwork while Vegeta rested on the sofa. Toushiro was on the ladder looking for a certain book on the bookshelves. As he was searching, Rangiku came in with a letter for her, Toushiro, and Vegeta.

Rangiku: "There's a letter for us, captain."

Toushiro: "Uh-huh."

Toushiro found the book he was looking for and took it out of the shelf. The second he did, he noticed a spider in the corner of the shelf. He shivered. He hated spiders.

Toushiro: "Ugh..."

Rangiku: "What's wrong, captain?"

Toushiro: "There's a spider up here."

Rangiku: "So?"

Toushiro: "I hate spiders. I think they're creepy and disgusting!"

Rangiku: "Oh, captain, it's just a little spider."

Vegeta: "A lot of people don't like spiders. In fact, it is so common, it has a name. Arachnophobia. Toushiro's not alone. Val hates spiders too."

Rangiku: "Are you afraid of spiders, Vegeta?"

Vegeta: "Not really. I don't like them, but I don't particularly hate them either. I hate worms and other smily things, ugh!"

Toushiro: "So that's why you refuse to go outside right after a rain storm!"

Vegeta: "And Kakarot hates needles. You mention anything about taking him to a hospital, be prepared for a long tug-of-war with him."

Toushiro: "Oh I'd love to see that. Vegeta, please get rid of this thing."

While Vegeta was removing the spider, Rangiku couldn't help but make fun.

Rangiku: "I can't believe that the great Captain Toushiro Hitsugaya, who isn't afraid to defy orders from the Head-Captain, is afraid of a little tiny spider!"

Toushiro tried to change the subject.

Toushiro: "I thought I had asked you to clean the office a few days a go?"

Rangiku: "I did!"

Vegeta: "Not enough though."

Rangiku: "Well I was but then I was invited to a party and I didn't want to be rude."

Vegeta: "That's what you said last week!"

Toushiro: *Sigh* "For once I'd like to be able to boast about BOTH of my lieutenants and not just one."

Rangiku: "Am I the one you boast about, captain?"

Toushiro: "Was that a rhetorical question?"

Vegeta: "I'm surprised that you know what rhetorical means, Toushiro!"

Toushiro: "HEY!"

Vegeta: "HA HA! I'm kidding!"

Toushiro just huffed. He then asked about the letter.

Toushiro: "So who's the letter from?"

Rangiku: "Oh, right!"

The busty woman opened the letter.

Rangiku: "It's from Bulma."

At that moment, Vegeta snatched the letter out of Rangiku's hand.

Rangiku: "Vegeta! That's for all of us!"

Vegeta: "Yeah, but she's my wife."

Rangiku: "Ugh! Saiyans!"

Toushiro: "So what's it say?"

Vegeta: (Reading the letter) "Dear Squad 10... Given the recent 'challenges' you have just faced on your last mission, I and many others believe that you deserve a nice peaceful vacation! So we were planning on setting up a holiday trip to a 4 star ski resort if you decide that you do need a restful vacation! So let me know what you think and get back to me. You're more then welcome to invite more. Love Bulma. P.S. When I say YOU, I mean Vegeta and Toushiro."

Rangiku: "Cute, Vegeta!"

Vegeta: "I wasn't being cute, that's what she wrote! HA HA HA!"

Rangiku: "Right! And I'm Ikkaku's girlfriend!"

Vegeta: "The only 'cute' thing I can do is turn into a compy!"

They both heard Toushiro suddenly snort a laugh. He had taken the letter out of Vegeta's hand when he wasn't looking and read it. Now he was laughing pretty hard.

Toushiro: "Ha ha haha hahaha! I love Bulma's sense of humor sometimes!"

Rangiku: "Honestly! Both of you!"

As her captain laughed, Rangiku just snatched the letter from him and read it herself. She suddenly looked like she had a rain cloud over her head.

Vegeta: "So when's your next date with Ikkaku?"

Rangiku: "I could just hit you right now..."

Vegeta: "So whadda say, Toushiro? You wanna go?"

Toushiro: "Why not? I could use a vacation after that whole Dr. Kirk thing."

Rangiku: "I think we all could. The war with Aizen and the Arrancars, the whole Zabar thing, and then the Dr. Kirk, dinosaurs, and 3rd Energy incident! Do you realize that this has all occurred within just two months!? We only just finished cleaning up after the fight with Aizen and his army!"

Vegeta: "Come to think of it, actually... Rangiku's right. We haven't had any real rest and recovery time within these last two months. Hell even I'm starting to feel a little fatigued, and I can outlast Kakarot in the endurance and stamina department."

Toushiro: "Then it's settled! I'll go inform the Head-Captain and once everything is cleared with him, we'll ask if anyone wants to join us!"

Vegeta and Rangiku: "Right!"

Toushiro: "I'll let you come, Rangiku, if YOU AND Vegeta finish these files while I'm gone. I know the difference between both of your handwriting, so don't even think about it."

Rangiku: "I don't do anything like that!"

Rangiku glanced at Vegeta who was giving her his raised eyebrow look. So while Vegeta and Rangiku finished up, Toushiro went to talk to the Head-Captain. Even Yamamoto thought it was a good idea as some Soul Reapers have been taken to Squad 4 due to fatigue within the last few weeks, including a Squad 4 member. After Yamamoto approved, Toushiro headed to West City himself to let Bulma know.

Bulma: "I thought you'd like the idea. The last time I saw you and Vegeta, you both looked like you could sleep for two days straight."

Toushiro: "I wish we could've. But that's the life of a captain."

Bulma: "I already asked Ichigo, Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, and the others and they all liked the idea too."

Toushiro: "Even Goku?"

Bulma: "Actually, it was him who suggested we do something to help you guys rest."

Toushiro: "What did Chi-Chi say to that?"

Bulma: "She was actually the one who told me about Goku's suggestion. Even she liked the idea."

Toushiro: "Are you sure? 'Cause I don't want to be the one she yells at if Gohan 'falls behind on his studies'."

Bulma: "You're not the only one- I double checked with her and she agrees that everyone needs a vacation. Including Gohan."

Toushiro was still a little unsure. The last time they took any kind of 'break' with Gohan involved was right before the winter war with Aizen. Toushiro's ears still had a slight ring in them from the screaming lecture Chi-Chi gave about Gohan's studies being more important than fighting against a man who was going to destroy all of existence. She definitely had priorities, just all in the wrong order.

Toushiro: "Well, if you say so. Just so you know, my ears are still ringing a little from 2 months ago."

Bulma: "Again, you're not the only one."

The following day, Toushiro sent the names of everyone from the Soul Society who wanted to go on the trip to Bulma and she did the rest. They'd be there at the start of the best time of year for the ski resort. Bulma even sent them the guide book of the resort so they could all decide what they wanted to do while they were there. The only problem Vegeta saw was that the ski season started right after the hunting season ended. He didn't like the idea as any unclaimed and lost kills from the hunters could attracted wolves or bears close to the resort full of people. Ukitake said that he was sure that the resort officials would take care of any problems. Little did they know that bears and wolves would be the least of their worries. Up at the mountain resort, the last week of hunting was in progress. Two men, one in the tree post and the sitting by the tent, were waiting for a good trophy to appear. While the one in the tree, Stan, was quiet, the one by the tent, Evan, was angry that he couldn't get the portable stove on.

Evan: "Ah shit! I'm gonna freeze my hands off before I get this damn thing lit!"

Stan: "Evan, ya gotta be smarter than the stove."

Evan: "Ha ha."

Stan peered into his binoculars to see is he could spot anything.

Evan: "When we get back to town, I'm gonna light a fire under that camping store manager's ass."

Stan: "Here."

Stan handed his buddy his lighter just to get him to shut up. Evan got the stove on and he was happy.

Evan: "Sweet. Thanks."

Stan: "Be prepared. And keep your voice down."

Stan continued to look around with the binoculars. He then spotted what he was looking for. A big 7 point buck.

Stan: "Hello Bambi."

Evan looked up and asked for the binoculars to see for himself.

Evan: "Let me see, let me see!"

Stan gave him the binoculars and Evan used them to see the buck as it dug in the snow for food.

Evan: "Oh... He's beautiful."

Stan: "He's gonna be beautiful on my wall."

As Stan prepared his bow, Evan looked through the binoculars again. He saw something else. Stan saw it too. They weren't the only ones hunting the buck.

Evan: "What the hell is that?"

Evan looked at it again with the binoculars. It looked like a giant black spider.

Evan: "That's impossible!"

What's worse, it seemed to have spotted them.

Evan: "What are we gonna do?!"

Stan: "Well we came up here for a trophy. And that, my friend, is a trophy."

Stan prepped his bow again and took aim. Evan watched as the spider made a chirping noise as it took a few steps toward them.

Stan: "Stand still you son of a..."

Stan released his arrow. But the spider dodged it. All of its eyes gazed at the tree line as Stan hurried to get another arrow ready. But the spider started coming towards them.

Evan: "Stan."

Stan: "We'd better get outta here!"

Evan took off and left Stan in the tree. Stan jumped down and hurried to catch up with his pal.

Stan: "Evan! Wait for me!"

Stan ran as fast as he could with the spider closing in. He stopped and took aim once again. But he missed again and started running while the spider's attention was on something else for a second. Both men ran in the woods and soon lost each other.

Evan: "Stan! Stan where are you?!"

With his last arrow, Stan took aim again. He missed.

Stan: "Evan!"

Stan ran deeper into the woods and stopped under some trees to catch his breath. As he looked down at the snow, he saw drops of blood fall from above him. He looked up and saw a hare bleeding in a web!

Stan: "Ah!"

Stan looked around and saw more bundled up animals all around. The whole tree tops were covered in webs.

Evan: "Stan! Stan!"

Stan looked beyond the trees and saw his friend running.

Stan: "Evan!"

And right before his eyes, Stan watched as the spider pounced on Evan!

Stan: "Oh no!"

He watched in horror as his friend stopped screaming within seconds. He then heard something else above him. He looked up just as another spider crashed down on him. Screams echoed across the snow covered forest in the mountains. The Z-Fighters and Soul Reapers had no clue that their snowy vacation was about to turn blood red.