So yes, this is actually my first Fanfic, i really hope you like ^-^

This fic is intended to be slow burning but full of things to keep you interested =D

(And please don't throw a sock at me for my silly attempts at humour XD)

This takes place after the winter war.

Disclaimer: The Bleach universe belongs to Tite Kubo. The story and the OC Morro Belongs to me.


"THIS is my Gigai?"

A deep yet oddly stammered mix of words almost hesitated through the jaws of Sajin Komamura, the usually calm and composed Captain of Squad 7. A bead of sweat fluttered over the light-brown fur that bristled over his wolf-like features as he gawped at the canine body before him.

"That's right, Komamura-san ~!" Urahara piped, "Yoruichi and I went through a lot of trouble to make such a convincing dog gigai for you," he continued, seemingly trying to entice the apparently shell shocked Shinigami into his new fur. Komamura's Eyes shifted needlessly over the dogs hide, its body sprawled over the shop's floor as if it were sleeping peacefully. Indeed it did seem that Urahara had gone through a lot of trouble to make it look like its soon-to-be-host. It was a Japanese Akita with very similar markings to the Captain; A light brown hide with a creamy undercoat starting from its jowls, surrounding it's stomach, continuing to the tip of the under tail which curled up and over the small of its back.

"You do realize Mr Urahara…" Komamura shot a dark stare towards Urahara, who had just that instant flicked his fan out to hide the gaze of his new acquaintance "That I am a WOLF, not a dog." The kickback from the last word curdled a soft growl through his vocal chords as the fan flicked back to reveal the calm face of the shop keep again.

"Well, we couldn't exactly have a wolf roaming around Karakura Town now, could we?" A crude smile slid onto his lips as he watched Komamura roll his eyes back over the Akita again, his low growl slowly falling silent. "- we just thought you'd be happy with something more familiar. Rather than a generic human gigai"

"Besides, think of all the cats you can chase," A feminine voice called gently, as Yoruichi strode into the front of the shop, her feline eyes grazing Komamura's features in a humorous way. She lent her shoulder against the shop door, folding her arms in a laid back fashion. His eyes acknowledged her presence, returning her look with a cold gaze before watching, unfazed, as Yoruichi transformed into a petite black cat; her golden eyes shining at a complete contrast to the darkness of her fur. "Now," Her voice had changed to a deeper, more male voice, with a pleasant aristocratic accent. "Stop complaining and get into your Gigai, you're here for a purpose, you know."

Komamura nodded lightly, a coarse sigh rushing through his breath "Fine." He murmured, his eyes closing lightly as he walked towards his new Gigai. He knew that these superficial things meant nothing if it were to help protect Karakura town, and of course it would be impossible for Urahara to whip up another Gigai for him any time soon.

He silently remembered the task at hand, walking toward his new body for the long night ahead.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2 hours before…)

"Silence!" A beckoning voice boomed through the captains meeting, head captain Yamamoto's robust walking stick beating the meeting room floor below him. This efficiently caused the captains to draw breath, silencing the room for no more than a few seconds. "This is not the time to argue, especially when so many innocent lives are at stake." Yama's voice was as brash as usual, yet an air of anger sparked upon his words which held the captains attentions further. "I am well aware that the Arrancar has the power to hollify both Shinigami and Humans. As you all well know this has resulted in the death of Shuhei Hisagi and the mortal wounding of Rangiku Matsumoto". Toshiro's fists clenched lightly as the name of his injured Lieutenant was spoken. His blood warmed and his face reddened lightly, a slice of anger taken with bated breath toward the one that had nearly slain her. He looked down towards the wooden floor, his white hair falling over his face as he felt the eyes of the room upon him; obviously his discreet outbreak had been noticed by most of the captains.

Kenpatchi on the other hand had more pressing business to discuss, disrupting the midget's anger fest to address the head captain with his previous proposal "So. When do I get t' go down there and turn that Arrancar to dust." A huge, devilish grin pulled against the sides of his face, just the thought of slaughtering that bastard of a hollow made his blood run warmer.

"You will be doing no such thing, you brainless barbarian." Captain Kurotsuchi tittered, retaliating as usual to the brash outbursts demonstrated by his fellow captain. Kurotsuchi took a pace towards him, his golden eyes twinkling in the usual uncanny fashion. "If you have already forgotten, of which I wouldn't be surprised, this Arrancar can hollify both humans and Shinigami almost instantly! It would be a prime candidate to perform many-"

"Like I care about yer experiments! All the more reason to kill it quickly!" He retorted, taking a step forward to match the distance.

"Well I'm sure that you would care if you undoubtedly became a hollow during the fight, I would love an excuse to crack open that thick skull of yours" he said whimsically, dreaming of the day he could have his own sinister way with the cocky captain of the 11th division.

The rest of the division captions stood silent, watching out of the corners of their eyes, as the two-way argument lasted no more than a couple of minutes before the white haired captain, Toshiro, decided to apex their heated dispute. "I will be the one to destroy the Arrancar" He stated bluntly, wanting to avenge both Hisagi and his beloved Lieutenant. Kurotsuchi and Kempatchi both halted their quarrel, facing the child-like captain.

"Idiocy" The scientist replied, watching him through a devious smile "We wouldn't want to lose both the captain /and/ lieutenant of the 10th division now, would we?" Toshiro sent a demon glare toward Kurotsuchi, his teeth gritted together, but before he could reply, Head Captain Yamamoto boomed his walking stick upon the wooden floor once more, obviously out of patience with his headstrong subordinates.

"Silence! None of you three will be sent to the world of the living." His eyes fell upon the three captains, feuding for the right to be sent. "I have made a decision on who will be taking on this imperative mission, and that person will be Captain Sajin Komamura" The nine captains present all turned their heads in interest, Komamura's body language hesitated at the news, his fur bristling under his captains haori.

"Why does that mutt get t' go" Kenpatchi announced arrogantly, the only captain brave enough to ask such a question, yet asking what was going through everyone minds, including Komamura's; who seemed to be allowing the insult to slide, even though his brow furrowed lightly at being called a 'mutt'.

"Do you really require me to explain my decision, Captain?" Yamamoto replied, his rough voice giving off an easy wave of authority. Kempatchi stood silent, an irritated huff escaping his lips, yet not confirming nor denying the Head Captains proposal. After all, he had to respect his decision; going against it would cause him nothing but grief where the Head Captain was concerned. He backed up to his previous spot in the captain's line, noticing that Kurotsuchi had done so without him noticing, much to his annoyance. The remaining captains however kept their silence and their eyes intent on the Head Captain, their curiosity apparent.

"it seems ol' Yama here is planning a surprise attack" Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of the 8th division mused, deciding to give his outlook on the situation. He tipped his straw hat lightly was he spoke, searching Yama's face for any sign of fault. As he suspected, he was correct. It seemed that a few of the other captains had also figured it out. "Komamura-san has the ability to hide his spiritual pressure very well; even the likes of Kaname Tousen could not sense his presence. From what Matsumoto managed to report back, she and Hisagi where both ambushed by the Arrancar, who also seems to have the ability to mask its spiritual pressure. Without the ability to ambush, it's no more than a sitting duck".

"And by the time I unleash my Shikai, the Arrancar will have no time to react." Komamura added.

"Of course, you will need a decoy to find the Arrancar in the first place" Shunsui replied, watching the wolf-man with a keen eye behind the shadow of his hat.

"A Decoy?"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sajin Komamura stood at the shops entrance looking out into the creamy darkness, watching the nocturnal Karakura town with a keen eye. He was now in his new Gigai – which in secret was slightly enjoyable – trying to get used to the world seen at such a small height. His sense of hearing and smell was not as good as it would have been in his true form, but the difference wasn't entirely noticeable.

"Ready?" His right ear swiveled as Yoruichi prowled out in front of him, stepping onto the cold concrete of the city street. Komamura opened his maw to reply yet all that came out was a stifled croak, his fur bristling with irritation as he found out his canine chords couldn't vocalize like a humans. I hope they both have a decent excuse for this Komamura growled lightly as he looked back to Urahara through the corner of his eye; hearing a restrained snigger from the cat in front of him.

"We wouldn't want you to surprise any humans of course; dogs aren't known to speak in the world of the living, Komamura-san" He said a nonchalant way, walking back into the confides of his shop, his hand rising in a farewell motion. I suppose I'd be surprised if Goro started speaking to me Komamura thought, thinking back to his pet dog back in the Soul Society; hoping his lieutenant, Iba Tetsuzaemon, had been giving him enough attention.

He let out a fleeting gruff before padding out onto the street, Yoruichi following on his flank. Within a few paces she quickly scaled a nearby wall, trotting along it whilst looking down to Komamura. "I will let out a burst of Reiatsu when I find the Arrancar, just stay close to my spiritual pressure for now. Uryu, Chad and Orihime will meet me there and we will attract as many hollows as possible until the Arrancar shows itself. I will draw him towards a secluded area, away from as many people as possible. You need to kill this thing quickly before more humans are turned into hollows."

She said in the deceptively male voice, Komamura nodded in acceptance as Yoruichi picked up the pace and disappeared over the wall. He picked up her spiritual pressure, tailing her in a slower pace, and waiting for the Arrancar to reveal itself.

A few drops of rain were caught on his muzzle and back, Komamura looking up to see an angry sky looming above the city. Ugh, nothing worse than wet fur He thought as the rain began to get heavier and heavier until the streets where caught in a wet haze.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

An exasperated sigh echoed lightly on the bare shelves as Morro Onomara caught sight of the rain thundering down onto the shop window "Great – and I left my umbrella at home" She spoke to herself in a tired voice, walking over to peer out at the drenched streets ahead, a bag full of leftover breads held by a few fingers. She had recently been promoted to manager of the local bakery, and naturally was always the last one to lock up and leave every evening. But on the bright side, she did get the bread that was left to take home with her. She quickly pulled her long, scarlet-red hair into a high ponytail, pulling her pinafore off and settling it down over the counter. She picked up her bag again before switching off the lights, her bright green eyes adjusting to the light for a few seconds before she stepped out of the bakery, locking the door behind her.

She dashed down the street in an attempt to dodge the rain, her flat was only a few blocks away but the weather made it feel like miles. She looked ahead to see a shop light proving warmth to the rather gray and dark street around it; a panel above the shop providing some shelter until the rain decided to die down. She quickly ran beneath it, feeling the relief as she leant her back against the store wall, panting lightly for breath. "I'll just stay here for a while, I suppose Nimayoko-san won't mind if I'm late home" She said under her breath, hoping her babysitter had no immediate plans for the evening. She looked behind, watching an elderly man eat a sandwich through the shop window, ringing out the wet strands of hair that had fallen from her ponytail with her finger and thumb. Then she swiftly realized "Oh no, the bread!" She dipped her hand into the open bag to find a few of the bread rolls had become sodden and mushy; she whipped her hand out to flick off the ruined food. "Perfect. Wet clothes and soggy bread, what luck." She moaned, looking out along the direction of her flat through the heavy rain, thinking about her daughter, Moshiri. Of course she wouldn't notice if her mother was back late, she was only 3 months old, but over the past week Morro had hardly been home due to the long hours at work, and it made her feel as though she was missing out on the whole mother-daughter bond.

She took a few steps ahead before noticing a large light-brown dog sitting underneath the shelter too; its body rigid and its eyes and ears seemed alert, as if it were concentrating on something of interest. She admired his glossy fur and adorable appearance for a quick moment, trying to find an excuse to avoid the rain. "I guess you hate the rain too, ey boy?" she said gently, looking into the shop window, presuming it belonged to someone inside.

Komamura slanted his eyes to the side to see her briefly, barely acknowledging her presence before snapping back to the task at hand. I didn't want her to notice me, let alone talk to me. I hope she leaves me alone, unlike that irritating child from earlier. He cringed lightly as he remembered the sticky fingers and crippling hold the boy had on his neck. His ears perked lightly as he sensed Uryu's spiritual pressure, along with Chad and Orihime, it seemed they were not fighting any hollows yet.

"Hey, are you hungry?" Morro said gently, pulling out one of the bread rolls and kneeling next to Komamura. She broke it in half and offered it to him.

I don't want it, go away. He thought, his muzzle tilting in the opposite direction to her offering.

"What's wrong? I've never known a dog to leave food before."

That's because you're offering me, a Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads, a soggy piece of bre –

She gently placed her other hand atop his head and stroking the side of his ear, causing Komamura's thoughts to halt for a second as an overpowering calm settled though his body as she stroked him gently. His head moved into her hand as a happy growl rumbled through his throat. Never in his life had a woman touched his ears – Gigai or no Gigai.

"You're a handsome one aren't you?" She said playfully, running her hands down his neck and back. Komamura hesitated for a moment, actually enjoying the attention. Handsome? Now that's a first he thought, She wouldn't think so if she saw my true – His thoughts crumbled again as she stroked the side of his ear once more.

It was then that he sensed it, his eyes widening as Yoruichi's Reiatsu flared up in that moment. The Arrancar! He thought before launching out of Morro's gentle hands and straight out into the cold, rainy streets. She jumped slightly as he bolted from her arms, standing and looking through the shop window to see if his owner where about to chase him, yet no one moved. She looked back to see Komamura turn a corner and leave her sight. "I guess he was a stray after all. Come to think about it, he didn't have a collar. I hope he doesn't get caught" She spoke to herself, starting to walk towards her route as the rain began to weaken, making a mental note to check with the pound within the next few days.

Komamura could feel the spikes of spiritual pressure from the others, it was obvious that the battle had begun against the hollows that had been created by the Arrancar, and subsequently the Arrancar had been flushed out from wherever it had been hiding. He could feel that Yoruichi was close, guiding the clueless Arrancar to a secluded location with her large spiritual pressure, which didn't seem to be as difficult as they had first thought. The Late night and heavy rain had almost rendered the streets lifeless and deserted. Komamura slowed his pace, waiting for Yoruichi's Reiatsu to settle into one place, but it seemed the 'Flash goddess' was not letting the Arrancar get too close to her. He could feel its spiritual pressure spike then disappear as if it was slipping in and out of existence.

He took a step in Yoruichi's direction before a loud, fearful scream gripped his attention, followed by the pressure of another hollow not too far away. damn it he thought, averting his attention to where the others where. They're all too far away to help, If I don't do something we'll be surrounded. He tactically took his chances, knowing that Yoruichi would be able to fend the Arrancar off for a few moments whilst he dealt with the new hollow, and with that thought he turned tail and sped towards the new spiritual pressure - and the scream, hoping it wasn't too late.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morro's jade eyes where wide, quivering in fear, watching in horror as a passerby was hanging in the air by his leg; struggling to free himself from the unworldly force that throwing him around like a puppet. His body then shot straight down onto the hard concrete, a torrent of blood spanning over the impact before his limp body was again lifted, then seemingly devoured into the air.

Morro couldn't run, she merely watched in a petrified state, cupping her mouth with her hands as her eyes gaped wide in shock, her body shook with stress. She fell to her knees, staring at the crumbled concrete and blood from where the man had fallen. How is this even possible? What on earth is happening.. It was then that the earth began to rumble, and two huge circles of concrete seemed to be crushed under a heavy weight, a huge blur beginning to tower over her. Her skin fell flush and her body seemed to automatically push her back, her mind shouting at her Run! You need to run! Move! She shuffled back before rising to her feet in a panic, tripping once. But before she could gain her balance she felt a huge blow to her side, forcing her body a few feet to the side into the wall of a building. Her eyesight blurred for a moment as the pain surged through her side, falling over in a daze. He looked up, only hearing her heartbeat quicken as a monstrous mask-like face came into focus before slipping back into a blur What… what the fuck is that thing? Her eyes wept in pain as her arm has grabbed out of nowhere, lifting her up of the ground. She screamed in desperation and terror, the grip on her arm was so tight she could feel the blood being squeezed into her hand. "Please! Somebody help!" she cried, looking forward and straight into the eyes of a hollow. Her eyes adjusting to what seemed the last thing she would ever witness, her thought rolling back to the fate of the man before her. No no no… I don't want to die yet, not now! Her eyes stayed wide before closing at the sound of the hollows demon shriek, its breath like a sour gust of wind, making her eyes sting.

Almost abruptly the hollows grip faded, she opened her eyes to see the monster crumbling to ash before her, a large flash of light pouring from the center of its face. She blinked in disbelief as she was caught from the fall, the pain in her side and arm apparently bearable after what she had just seen. She looked up to her savior, but she could not focus upon his face, general details wavering as she tried to adjust her eyes.

Komamura looked down at the woman, rather glad that she couldn't readily see spirits. The last thing he wanted was to be branded as a monster after just saving her. He placed her gently down before pacing back over to his Gigai, taking a glance back to see the bloodied concrete. "It seems I was not quick enough. Please forgive me" He said to her, Morro's eyes opening through the shock, watching the blurry figure. Her lips parted to reply, but before the words escaped a huge boom of spiritual pressure surrounded them.

Komamura braced, watching in anticipation as dozens of hollows appeared over fences and walls, perched and ready to attack, their eyes like flares in the darkness. I must have given off too much spiritual pressure whilst slaying that hollow. He paced over to where Morro was, unsheathing his Zanpakuto once more.

"W-what /are/ th-those things?" Morro whispered as Komamura stood in front of her, her green eyes wide as she scanned their hazy 'faces', the spiritual pressure emitted from the hollows was beginning to tear away at the barrier of her human mind.

"Hollows. They are human souls that have not crossed over, and have become corrupt. They feed on the souls of the living and the dead."

"H-Hollows." She repeated. Her eyes latched on them like a leech, sucking in every detail. "Then who or what are you?" She said, looking up at Komamura's tall frame before gasping lightly as she saw his outline. Ears? She looked to the side to see his Gigai lying lifeless upon the concrete, trying to piece it together in her distressed mind. is he, was he… that dog from earlier?

"I am a Soul Reaper, we defend the world of the living against Hollows." He said in the simplest way possible, his eyes focused upon the hollows who where yet to make their move.

A relived sigh passed through Morro's lips before Yoruichi, now in her true form, shunpoed into the street. Her stance ready and her eyes focused on Komamura "Well, this adds an interesting twist to our strategy" She said light heartedly, looking over to Morro, then onto the blooded concrete. She narrowed her eyes before one of the hollows rose up, letting out a loud roar into the night's sky. Suddenly they all pounced forward, Yoruichi and Komamura lunging in turn to make quick work out of the hollows.

There was nowhere to run, and so Morro sat in awe watching the blurry battle run it's coarse. It wasn't until a tall guy with a bulky mass around his fist and arm, and also a more slender one with a white outfit turned up that she started to stand. It seemed they were fighting together to defeat the hollows which relived her to no end. She lent her back against the wall, taking in her first deep breath since the whole ordeal started. She looked to the side, catching a glance at an orange haired woman entering the fray.

"Orihime!" Morro shouted, her mouth gawping at the sight of her co-worker from the bakery.

"Morro-San!" Orihime replied, her face full of worry as she dashed over, gently placing her hand on her arm "Are you hurt?"

"No, no, I'm sure I'll be fine." Morro said faintly, her left hand clutching the top of her right arm as if she knew it was already broken, yet the physical pain was incomparable to the shock of everything. "What are you doing here? Do you realize how dangerous this is?"

Orihime waved her hands in front of her face trying to calm her down "Don't worry about me, Morro-San, I'll be ok" She replied, facing the ensuing battle ahead, wondering whether her powers were better off being used to protect her co-worker rather than getting in the way between the battle.

Yet it was clear that tactics was not going to be a resounding issue as a haunting laugh bellowed out, catching everyone's ear.


Sorry but i love to beat up my OC's XD

Next chapter will be up soon and it will all come together, sorry if it all seems a bit messy at the mo.

Thank you for reading, please please Review and let me know what you think =3

btw. Sorry if my grammar is a bit out in some places =)

And sorry for the lack of Ichigo, ive placed the fic upon the time he loses his powers, but he will be in future chapters.