You can thank my husband for this Chapter. He inspired me to write on this again. He's been playing Megaman X Command Mission. And awhile back we watched the first 4 seasons of Bleach, so he's gotten into the series. And due to his interest in two of my favorite series, I've gotten a bit of my old inspiration back. Yay!

Chapter Title: "We need social reform, cause we're just so criminal." -20 Percent Cooler, by Ken Ashcorp

In a futuristic plain, of a parallel universe two reploids stared into the field of energy on a recently constructed portal.

"Are you sure this will work?" Axl sounded nervous about the competence of this experimental machine.

"There's only one way to find out. I'll go in and find Zero. You can monitor my location on the computers over there." X pointed to a wall of monitors nearby, numbers and pictures flashed and washed over them, the data they showed was sporadic, and often times lost signal with the destination on the other side of the portal.

"You are staying here." Said Axl. He was a smaller, and younger reploid, less experienced than X. "You hold more influence here. And If something goes wrong we need you here. You know how random and difficult mavericks can be. You need to stay to deal with them. I know you are worried about Zero, but I think he's a big boy, and he can handle his own. I'll go, And I will find him."

"Axl, what if its dangerous over there? We might lose contact." X voiced his concern boldly, hoping to discourage the younger reploid.

"Are you kidding?!" Implored Axl. "I eat danger for breakfast! I'll be fine."

X was reluctant to let him go, but decided it was for the best. The two maverick hunters shook hands, and the older one gave Axl a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

With farewell's out of the way, Axl turned towards the portal of light, he took a deep breath to ready himself. Then without any more hesitation, he stepped into the energy field and off into the distant parallel universe that Zero had most likely ended up in.

00000

"REALLY!?" Zero's whine almost knocked the paper doors of the barracks off their hinges.

"Yes..." muttered Rangiku in a sullen manner.

Everyone who was involved in the dare, and hazing of Zero at the bar the night before had been assembled to the squad 10 barracks. Much to everyone's dismay, they were all being punished for the little stunt. Even vice captain Yachiru Kusajishi. The punishment that had been decided upon by Captians Unohana and Isane, was cleaning and operation of two entire wings of squad 4 for a whole month. The squad 4 members who usually ran those wings would all be given vacation time. And during the time of sentence serving, all reapers operating those wings would receive the same treatment that was often dished upon squad 4 members.

And on top of the menial labor, Zero finally got assigned to a squad. And it was much to Hitsugaya's dismay. Zero was now a proud member of squad ten, and was sentenced to serve this squad as assistant to Hitsugaya until captain Unohana decided they had made up for their crimes.

"Zero is now my responsibility, and any trouble or mischief he causes from this day forward is to refelct upon me, and I will be punished for it." Toshiro was livid inside as he said this. "Zero will not receive an official position in the squads until Unohana has seen a significant improvement in behavior around here."

"I'm gonna be a lowly assistant?" Zero Light threw back his head and groaned. His hope was to be a part of the fighting squads. He wanted to be where the action was, and show of his skills to the ladies. Now he was gonna be stuck in a boring office all day, filling out paperwork with the shrimpy Squad 10 Captain.

"At least that means I get out of any paper related responsibilities for a spell!" Cried Rangiku with joy. Her beautifully blessed chest, bounced up and down with her as she danced happily.

"Just because you get out of paperwork, doesn't mean you get off scotch free, Matsumoto." Clarified her Captain. "you'll be serving your time in Squad 4 just like everyone else here." His lieutenant deflated at this reminder. Toshiro turned to Zero next. "When you get done working in squad 4 during the day, you'll report to my office in the evening. We have paper work that needs attending."

Zero looked like a puppy who had gotten all his toys taken away, and then had been shoved into a small empty room. But none the less, he nodded his understanding. "I accept the consequences of my actions."

"Hmm." Toshiro acknowledged Zero's responsible reply and formality. "I think you will all learn a lesson from this."

"Speak for yourself." Sniped Renji. Reminding Captain Hitsugaya that he was also in trouble for their stunt.

Toshiro just shot a scowl at the Red-head and chose to ignore him.

"My brother is going to be so mad at me when he gets out of the infirmary tonight." Whispered Rukia to no body.

0000

That evening Zero reported to Captain Hitsugaya's office as he was supposed to. The other reapers had all taken off to the local bar to vent some steam after a whole days labor in squad 4. But not Zero... He was in extra special trouble.

Stupid Hitsugaya. This was his idea. And stupid Renji and friends, this is all your fault.

Deep down Zero knew he was the one to blame. He could have chosen to wimp out, and be a weeny, as opposed to giving into peer pressure. And he was the one who physically spiked the tea afterall. Damn it.

"Captain" Zero called at the sliding doors to the Tenth Squad office. "Zero, reporting for the evening duties."

"Come in." Came the captains calm reply.

Zero slide the door open, and was surprised to see the interior of the office. It was much different then the 6th squad office. It looked very comfortable. At the wall farthest from the door was a bookshelf filled with all kinds of texts. And the Captain's desk, which was piled with papers. Off to the side was a smaller and messier desk. Which Zero concluded must be Rangiku's. There was a rather comfy lounge couch, and several chairs in the room. And on the left side of the room closest to the window, there was an old fashioned wooden table with a couple empty bottles of sake on it.

"You can start at Rangiku's desk." Informed the Captain. "She is the farthest behind when it comes to paperwork." Hitsugaya motioned to the smaller desk with his hand, and held out a quill and ink for Zero to use.

The former reploid nodded politely and took the writing instrument, before settling in behind the desk and subsequent wall of work. When his face was decently hidden behind all the paper, he let out a sigh or exasperation, and tried to set the papers on fire with a passionate glower.

"By the way," started Hitsugaya from the blue. "The captain of Squad 4, Isane Kotetsu, had a message sent to you this afternoon. Its ont he desk, and its addressed to you. I left it there for you."

Zero fumbled through the pages of paper on the desk, trying to locate the message, and finally happened upon a small enveloped that bore his name in a rather girly font. It was even sealed with a cutesy little butterfly sticker. Zero was about to use the letter opener from the desk drawer to open the message when he noticed that it had already been opened.

"Did you read it already?" Asked the blonde.

Hitsugaya shot him a confused look. "Of course not, It isn't mine. So why would I?"

"I dunno. Its just that the seal on the letter is already open."

The short white-haired Captain shot him a sympathetic look. "My second in command, Matsumoto must have already gotten her hands on it. My apologies for her behavior. She tends to be a bit noisy."

Zero nodded, and proceeded to pull the message out of the envelope and read it. It was from Isane herself.

My Dear Zero Light,

I hope the events that have transpired this day have not colored your opinion of us captains.

I take my work seriously, you must know. While I found your little stunt to be quite amusing, as a captain I cannot condone such behavior. Especially towards a respected gentleman such as Captain Kuchiki. He holds a lot of standing both in social and military here in the Soul Society.

On a different note, It will be my pleasure to work with you in Squad 4 during the days to come. And I hope you become pleasantly accustomed to the Soul Society and the 13 Court Guard Squads.

I do hope the next time we see each other its under more pleasurable circumstances.

Sincerely, Isane Kotetsu

Zero couldn't help but to notice that she'd signed the letter with her name only. There were no honorifics, or even the use of "Captain." Thus drawing him to the conclusion that this letter held no military meaning, and personal letter from Isane herself. A smug smile crawled over his face at the thought. Since he would be spending so much time in squad 4, he should probably pay the good captain a visit. She was rather pretty after all. Maybe he could ask her out on a date.

"Let's not spend the whole evening fawning over a letter from the 4th Squad captian." Hitsugaya broke the silence when he saw that Zero had failed to start work. "you can swoon over her letter when you are finished."

"I-I-I was not swooning!" Defended Zero. Suddenly embarrassed.

"More work, less excuses." Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow at his new subordinate. giving him a look that he knew all too well what Zero was doing.

"Aye, Captain.." answered Zero glumly. He picked up the quill pen, and dipped it in the ink bottle, then began filling out one of the papers in front of him. It was going to be a long night.

I hope this chapter was up to par. Poor Zero and Hitsugaya, stuck doing paperwork together. Please R&R and tell me what you think. It helps me get inspired to write more. I write in my off time when I'm not busy, so without inspiration, I might very well choose to play video games in my off time rather than write fanfic chapters.