A/N: Yay! Another update. Don't worry ThePrincessDragon, I won't let the puppy die!

Puppy, My puppy

I hadn't realized how late it was. Orihime would be back by now. But I couldn't care. All that mattered was the tiny life fading away in my arms. I stumbled up the steps to the apartment with Toshiro right behind me. As he threw open the door, I could tell he was worried. Orihime jumped a bit.

"Oh you're ba-"

Her words died out when she saw the puppy in my arms. I gently set him down on the floor and pointed to Margaret.

"Get alchohol, cut ointment, cotton balls, gauze, and anything else we might need," I instructed. I had to get rid of any emotion I was feeling in order to think clearly. The poor thing was starting to move again, and it's panicked eyes met mine. He screeched in terror and started to thrash around. His cries of terror changed to cries of pain as he reopened his wound.

"Sh,sh,sh," I whispered gently. "Good boy. Good boy...stay still, baby..." I cooed, gazing at him intently. He was mesmerized by my eyes, and I smoothed his fur gently.

Margaret rushed in with medical supplies. I took a deep breath. I could do this. I'd been studying this for years. I could do this!

I grabbed the alchohol and poured a bit on his neck. He shrieked in agony and squirmed. Strong hands held him down.

Ikkaku nodded at me. I smiled slightly.

"It's okay, baby boy," I cooed, "Stay still so you can get better."

I poured a bit more on and he whimpered. I shushed him gently, pressed a cotton ball to his neck, and applied the ointment. I wrapped it tightly to make sure that the bleeding stopped. I turned to the leg. That was a totally different problem. I touched it gently and he whined. I couldn't feel the fractures in the bones, but I knew that was something that couldn't be fixed at home. I looked at Orihime pleadingly.

"Please," I whispered. If we didn't get him to a vet, numerous things could happen: infection could set in, his leg could heal wrong... I think Orihime understood becaue she just nodded.

I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders as we carried the puppy out of the apartment.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. The sound of the clock seemed to magnify in the waiting room. I tapped my foot impatiently. I didn't see why I had to wait outside when everyone else was in the examining room. Suddenly, I felt sick to my stomach. Maybe I didn't want to see what the vet had to say.

It seemed like a lifetime passed before they came out. I sat up straight and looked at them intently. Rangiku smiled widely and gave me a hug. I gasped loudly as Rangiku's boobs smothered me.

"Ran...gi..ku! Mph! Camp...breaf!" I shouted. She let go and I took in a huge mouthful of air.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly.

"So," I said, still shaky from my life vs. boobs experience, "Does that mean that he's okay?"

Toshiro smiled a bit. "See for yourself,"

The vet walked out with the puppy, and I almost screamed (in joy of course). He looked much better and was managing to walk on three legs. He strained towards me on a makeshift leash. I smiled sadly. One day he was going to be a great dog for a lucky family. The vet seemed so happy when she explained how to redress his wounds and how his cast only needed to stay on for two weeks because it was only a slight fracture. I nodded and said my thank you's.

When we got back, Ikakku stopped us all in the living room.

"So what are you gonna name him?"

I started. "Y-you mean... I can keep him?"

"Well isn't it obvious! You saved him after all. It's only natural that you should get to keep him," Toshiro snapped.

My face lit up. "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I cried.

Ikkaku sighed and repeated his question. Which had us all thinking.

"Rover?"

"Buster?"

"Sparrow?"

It went on like that for about an hour. I gazed into his honey colored eyes and saw leaves falling, tall elegant trees with leaves murmuring in the wind. They were so soothing. And in that moment, I knew what to name him.

"Aspen?" I asked him.

He barked and spun around (well as best he could with three legs). Molly rubbed behind his ears.

"Well that settles it," she cooed.

I grinned.

"Aspen..." Ikkaku mused. "Huh. I like it."

"Yes, a very gorgeous name."

"He's soooo cute! Wittle Aspy Waspy!"

"He's such a good puppy!"

One by one everyone approved. A few hours passed, and we decided to call it a night. After all, Orihime still had school tomorrow. The last thing I remember was falling asleep, Aspen's head on my hip.

The sound of barking dogs filled my ears as I walked through the pet store. Aspen had stayed home with everybody because I wasn't sure if he felt comfortable around other dogs. My fingers grazed a red leather collar, and I grinned. I picked that out, along with a short, black, leather lead, a stainless steel bowl, a harness, some toys, and a round dog tag with all of his information on it. I couldn't wait to show him!

I walked into the apartment quietly, and everyone bombarded me. I wished Orihime didn't have school. She was the only one who could tame these people.

"What did you get?" Margaret asked.

I spread out everything. After they saw, I slid on Aspen's leash and dog tag. He looked curiously at them and allowed me to slide it on. He whimpered a bit as it grazed his wound. I smiled and told him what a handsome boy he was. He growled playfully and grabbed a fluffy sheep toy in his jaws. We played for a few minutes, and then I stood up.

"Okay! Doggy Rehab: Commence!"

A/N: Yes Aspen is based off of my dog, Rocko. He's such a sweetie! Also thank you to ThePrincessDragon for your ideas! You've helped me a lot! ;P