Juri was the first to wake the following morning. Pulling back the sheets, she got out of bed and stretched. Byakuya lifted his head, grey eyes watching as Juri took a shower and got dressed. He stood up and followed Juri out of the room, Hisana following behind. Juri walked into the kitchen and started to make breakfast, the smells of bacon, sausage, and pancakes filling the house. The sounds of thuds and complaining made Juri roll her eyes and laugh.

Daiki and Kaito pushed each other in the hall, trying to get to the kitchen first. The scents and commotion woke up the Kuchiki pack, which raced into the kitchen and sat next to Juri, watching her cook. Daiki ran in and sat in a chair, only to be pushed off it by Kaito. Kaito laughed at Daiki, who scowled. Juri shook her head, wondering if her child-hood friends would ever grow up. She put the plates on the table and sat down.

"How far are we going to ride?" Juri asked, looking at Daiki

"I was planning on going to the lake, let the pack run around. Didn't you say that a pack of feral dogs was spotted close by?" Daiki said, throwing a piece of bacon to Renji.

"That's right. A client told me that he spotted the pack while he was working his dog. Apparently there are seven of them, and three appeared to be pretty young," Juri replied, standing up and cleaning her plate.

"Alright, Lets clean up and go to the stable," Kaito said, finishing his breakfast and helping his friends clean.

Ichigo jumped off Kaya's bed, landing on Kaien who was still sleeping. Kaien jumped up, barking and growling at his younger half-brother. Toushiro lifted his head, glaring at the brothers. Momo crawled out from under the bed, running to get food and running back to keep her pups warm. Zangetsu and Shirayuki watched as their grand-pups glared at each other, only to be knocked to the ground by Rukia. Ichigo groaned, standing up and nipping Rukia. He pricked his ears forward, hearing Daiki whistle.

"Come on! Let's go!" Kaien barked, racing out of the room with Ichigo and Rukia right behind him.

"Have fun," Toushiro and Momo said. Zangetsu and Shirayuki nodded, trotting after Kaien, Ichigo, and Rukia.

Daiki opened the door, letting the pack run outside first. Juri and Kaito grabbed their jackets and put on their riding boots, leaving food and water for Toushiro before walking outside. Daiki locked the door and turned, walking to the stable with his best friends. Byakuya trotted beside Hisana, growling when Renji leapt over him to escape an agitated Tatsuki. Jushiro chatted with Zangetsu, Shirayuki trotting over to join them. Uryu tried to challenge Ichigo, who glared at him and loped over to Rukia. Orihime chased after Uryu, who grinned. Shunsui nipped Nanao's ear playfully, only to receive a glare from his sweet, lovely mate. Kaien watched his younger half-brother with interest, noticing that the orange and black Akita/German Shepherd behaved identical to himself.

Kaito, Juri, and Daiki walked into the tack-room, grabbing halters and lead ropes. The wolf pack lay down by the trees, the dogs doing the same. They knew that they were not allowed in the stable or paddock. Everyone, that is, except Ichigo. Ichigo trotted around to the paddock, crawling under the fence and sitting next to the water trough. Sharp golden eyes watched as the humans whistled, ears pricked forward when he heard a chorus of whinnies.

"Hey boy. How are you doing today? Ready to go for a ride?" Daiki said, patting the neck of a buckskin-colored Mustang stallion.

"Hey girl. I missed you. Let's go for a ride," Juri said sweetly, hugging a blue-roan Thoroughbred mare.

"Hey buddy, let's go for a… Hey! That's not funny! Give that back!" Kaito whined, making Daiki and Juri turn to see the Quarter Horse gelding galloping around the field with the halter in his mouth and Kaito running after him.

"Sora giving you trouble again? Maybe if you visited more often he wouldn't do that," Daiki laughed, leading the stallion to the barn. Juri and Kaito, who finally caught the gelding and put the halter on, right behind him.

"Hey, Daiki. I thought the pack weren't allowed near the paddock," Juri asked, looking towards the fence.

"They aren't. Why?" Daiki asked.

"That's why," Kaito replied, pointing ahead. Daiki turned, spotting Ichigo.

Ichigo stood up and stretched, opening his jaws in a huge yawn. He trotted over, touching noses with each of the horses and loping back to the waiting pack. Kaito whistled, amazed that the large orange and black male semi-feral Akita/German Shepherd had just greeted the horses and returned to the stable. Reaching the barn, they groomed and tacked up the horses. They lead them outside and mounted them.

Daiki rode bareback, using a halter and lead rope. The mustang stallion, Kage, pawed at the ground. Kage nickered at the blue-roan Thoroughbred mare, who Juri named Fuyu. Sora, the Quarter Horse gelding, whinnied at the pack. The pack stood up and waited. Juri rode in an English saddle and Kaito used a Western saddle.

Kage is a 9 year old Kiger Mustang stallion. He stands 16 hands. He is a buckskin color with gold eyes. He has a very calm and laid-back personality. Daiki rescued him at the Mustang round-up when he was 6 months old.

Fuyu is a 5 year old Thoroughbred mare. She stands 15.2 hands. She is a blue-roan with light brown eyes. She has a sweet disposition and doesn't spook at anything. Juri bought her when she was an unbroken yearling.

Sora is a 7 year old Quarter Horse gelding. He stands 16 hands. He is silver with blue eyes. He is very playful and energetic. Kaito rescued him when the Police department was called into help with a raid.

Daiki, Juri, and Kaito nudged the horses into a jog. Byakuya and his pack broke into a trot, following the humans and horses. Ichigo flashed past the horses, running ahead to scout the area. Rukia whined, wanting to follow her mate. White-furred Jushiro glanced at Rukia, knowing why she was getting anxious. Hisana nudged her sister before trotting over to Byakuya.

"Don't worry. He will be fine," Kaien said, trotting next to Rukia.

"I know. It's just hard not to worry," Rukia whined, violet eyes searching for Ichigo.

"It is hard. I know. He is just making sure that it is safe. Just like Zangetsu used to," Shirayuki said affectionately, Zangetsu giving his lavender-furred mate a half-hearted glare and making Rukia laugh.

The horses broke into a lope, Byakuya and his pack doing the same. Ichigo raced through the woods, having caught the scent of an elk herd. He knew that the Kuchiki pack was getting hungry. Skidding to a halt, Ichigo spotted the herd. Calculating golden eyes scanned the herd, searching for weakness. He eyes landed on a huge bull, who was old and stiff from arthritis.

Ichigo quietly walked towards the herd, breaking into a run. He chased the herd, waiting for the bull to falter. Ichigo slammed his 130 pound body into the bull, flipping it onto its back. Jumping up, Ichigo latched onto the bull's throat and crushed its neck with his powerful jaws.

"Wow! I have never heard of a dog taking down a bull elk by itself. Even a wolf pack has trouble taking down a bull. He is amazing," Juri said, having reached the clearing just into to see Ichigo slam into the elk. Daiki and Kaito nodded. The pack sat by the horses, watching Ichigo.

"That's nothing. I've watched Ichigo take down a bison by himself," Rukia said, violet eyes staring at her mate lovingly.

"A… A bison? By himself? That's suicide," Renji said, the pack nodding in agreement. Byakuya stared at Ichigo, normally stoic grey eyes going wide.

"Not for Ichigo. He did all the hunting. He patrolled and kept his parents and sisters safe. He takes his name very seriously," Rukia replied, trotting over to Ichigo and licking his muzzle.

A couple hours flew by. The pack lay sprawled on their sides and napping, tired from running around and playing. Daiki, Juri, and Kaito tossed a Frisbee around. Kage, Fuyu, and Sora grazed. Kaien napped in the shade. Ichigo trotted over to the lake to get a drink.

Out of nowhere a large brown and white figure lunged at Ichigo, knocking him to the ground. Snarling, Ichigo jumped up and bit down on the attacker's shoulder. He threw the dog to the ground, only to be attacked by a smaller, red-furred dog. Ichigo threw the other dog off, growling a warning. Daiki heard snarling and turned to see Ichigo towering over two dogs that he never remembered seeing before. The commotion woke up the pack, who pinned their ears back and growled.

"Is… is that Ichi-nii?"

Ichigo froze, ears pricked. Two small bodies crashed into Ichigo, knocking him to the ground. Groaning, Ichigo lifted his head. Golden eyes widened, noticing who it was.

"Yuzu! Karin! Are you ok? I missed you," Ichigo growled, nuzzling his little sisters affectionately. Yuzu and Karin licked his muzzle frantically, tail wagging excitedly.

"Rukia-nee!" Yuzu and Karin barked, running over and jumping on Rukia. Rukia whined happily, nuzzling them and licking their muzzles.

"Get up Oyaji. You too, Jinta. Mom, Yoruichi, Kisuke, come over here," Ichigo barked.

Daiki was about to call Ichigo when two younger dogs ran into the powerful male Akita/German Shepherd and knocking him to the ground. He was surprised when the large male nuzzled the young dogs, even more so when they ran over to the small black-phase she-wolf in excitement who greeted them happily. A series of barks caught Juri's attention and she turned towards the noise, eyes widening at what she saw.

"Daiki, Kaito. Look," Juri said, pointing at Ichigo. Daiki and Kaito looked in the direction that Juri pointed, Daiki freezing at the sight.

Ichigo stood, ears pricked and head held high. Daiki watched as a Labrador and two German Shepherds approached Ichigo, immediately recognizing the long-furred black and tan German Shepherd. Juri placed a hand on Daiki's shoulder, noticing that her friend was shaking. Kaito looked at the dogs, knowing why Daiki looked shaken. Daiki whipped his eyes, trying to make the tears go away.

"Ichigo, we were so worried about you and Rukia. Yuzu and Karin were really upset," Masaki whined, licking Ichigo's muzzle.

"I missed you. I am glad that you found us. Rukia and I worried about you every day," Ichigo said softly, rubbing his head against his mother's shoulder.

Daiki whistled, causing Masaki and Isshin to turn their heads quickly and look at him. Isshin jumped up and ran over to Daiki, curled tail wagging like crazy. Masaki ran after him, whining. They jumped up, licking Daiki's face and whining excitedly. Daiki crouched down, hugging Isshin and Masaki.

"Isshin! Masaki! I never thought I would see you again. I am so glad you are safe. Let's go home," Daiki said, making Isshin and Masaki bark happily and run over to the pack.

"Daiki, didn't your neighbors own that Labrador and Masaki's littermate? She was called the 'Flash Goddess'?" Juri asked, causing Daiki to nod.

"Yeah. Come on, let's head back. I have to pick up my sisters," Daiki said, mounting Kage. Juri and Kaito mounted their horses and trotted after Daiki.

The pack trotted after them. Yoruichi teased "Little Byakuya", who glared at her and groaned. Uryu raced Orihime, Tatsuki, and Renji. Jushiro chatted with Kisuke. Nanao pranked Shunsui, who started whining and licking her muzzle. Hisana and Shirayuki talked to Masaki. Rukia followed, bringing a huge chunk of elk back for Momo. Yuzu teased Jinta, embarrassing him. Karin asked her grand-sire, Zangetsu, about different things. Isshin lunged at Ichigo and Kaien, who whipped around and beat the hell out of their father.

"I see that Isshin hasn't changed at all. He always tried to jump his father when he was a pup. Zangetsu would just look at him and walk away," Shirayuki said, watching Kaien and Ichigo pin Isshin to the ground and bite him. Zangetsu glanced back and pulled his lips back in a smirk.

"He didn't do that to Ichigo until he turned 6 months. Ichigo beat him every time," Masaki said, laughing.

A half hour passed until Daiki, his friends, and the mixed pack reached the stables. Rukia loped back to the house to give Momo the meat from Ichigo's kill. The horses were un-tacked and turned out in the pasture, eating their dinner. Daiki took Kaito and Kaien home, as they had to be at the Police station first thing in the morning. Kaito left Zangetsu and Shirayuki at Daiki's, as he was getting ready to leave for a Police Dog trial and couldn't take them. Juri fed the pack and drove to her parents to pick up her things, leaving a note saying that she would be back within the hour.

"So, Little Byakuya, are you going to sire a litter this year? If something happens, you won't have any pups to be the leader of the Kuchiki pack. Hisana wants pups, and you are not getting any younger," Yoruichi teased, making Hisana turn her head and blush.

"Shut Up! I hate when you do that. But I bet that I can be you in a race. I am faster than when I was a small-pup. You won't win this time," Byakuya growled. Yoruichi flashed in front of him and disappeared, causing Byakuya's grey eyes to widen.

"Byakuya. You lose!" Yoruichi laughed, standing on the porch.

"Damn you, Yoruichi!" Byakuya growled, running after her.

"My my. Byakuya still has quite a temper," Isshin said, laughing when Byakuya lunged at Yoruichi… and ended up in a bush. The pack laughed, going quiet when the annoyed Byakuya glared at them.

Ichigo trotted over to Rukia, who ran into the woods. Ichigo ran after her, whining and nuzzling her affectionately. Rukia nibbled his muzzle, turning her hind-end towards him. Ichigo mounted her, thrusting his hips forward and sheathing himself inside her. Rukia groaned as Ichigo mated with her. After twenty minutes Ichigo released inside her, dismounting Rukia and turned, still tied. He carefully pulled out and walked in front of her, licking her muzzle lovingly.

Ichigo and Rukia walked back to the house, curling up beside the fire-place. Isshin watched Ichigo and Rukia, knowing what had happened. Byakuya gave up trying to catch Yoruichi, lying next to a sleeping Hisana and glaring at Ichigo. Zangetsu and Shirayuki lay next to the couch. Yuzu, Jinta, and Karin curled up next to Ichigo. Shunsui lay with his head on Nanao's back. Masaki greeted Daiki and his sisters, who threw their arms around Isshin and Masaki and cried. Renji lay next to Tatsuki, Uryu and Orihime sleeping a dog-length away.

"Alright girls, time for bed," Daiki said. His sisters complained and walked into their room, only to run back out. Barking and growling was heard, waking Ichigo.

"What's going on?" Juri asked, walking into the kitchen, closely followed by a black dog.

"We were going to get in bed when that white Siberian Husky chased us out," Seina said, making Daiki look at her in surprise.

Seina led Daiki and Juri to the room, only to have Toushiro stand in the doorway and growl. Daiki took a step forward, causing Toushiro to do the same. Juri saw Ichigo trot over, and was amazed when Toushiro quickly submitted to the large male. They followed Ichigo into the room, stopping when Ichigo looked under one of the beds. Momo crawled out from under it and nipped Ichigo's shoulder, growling at Daiki. Ichigo glanced at Momo, who whined and walked over to Toushiro. Juri looked under the bed, carefully picking up one of the 2 day old pups.

"I think this is why Toushiro chased your sisters out. He was just protecting his pups. I'd say that Momo whelped them yesterday. She was pregnant when Sai brought her here," Juri said, showing Daiki the whimpering pup.

"She did look a little big. How many did she have?" Daiki asked, walking over to a closet and grabbing a large, thick blanket.

"I counted five. I will help you with them, going to be staying here for a while anyway," Juri said, placing the pup in a basket and reaching under the bed to get the other pups.

Daiki placed the blanket in a spare room. Juri carefully placed the pups on the blanket, moving away when Momo lay on the blanket to nurse her pups. Toushiro lay next to her, head placed protectively on her side. Daiki and Seina followed Juri out of the room, going to bed.

Ichigo trotted back to Rukia, laying next to her and placing his head on her pack. Masaki curled up next to Isshin, her head on his paws. They knew that things were going to change for Ichigo and Rukia, very soon. They also felt that Byakuya would be annoyed too, which would mean a lot of teasing. Yoruichi flicked an ear back, hearing a growl and turning her head.

"How dare you show your face here?" a female dog said, growling at Yoruichi.

"Well, if it isn't Sui Feng. It's been awhile," Yoruichi said, golden eyes softening.

"It's your fault. How could you just leave? I looked up to you, wanted to be like you. But then you disappeared. How could you do that to me?" Sui Feng's growl turned to a whimper.

"I didn't want to leave. It killed me to leave you behind. I worried about you every day, my Little Bee. Your father didn't want to leave you either," Yoruichi said, licking Sui Feng's muzzle.

"I still can't believe that he is my father. I don't act like him at all, mom," Sui Feng said, looking at Kisuke, who was sleeping on a couch with his front paws touching the floor. Yoruichi laughed.

Sui Feng is a 2 year old Labrador Retriever/German Shepherd female, standing 23 inches at the shoulder. She looks like a full-blood German Shepherd. She has black fur and grey eyes. She is very stubborn, protective, and loyal. She adores her mother, Yoruichi and loves/hates her father, Kisuke. She is Juri's dog.

Sui Feng licked Yoruichi's muzzle, tail wagging happily. She trotted into Juri's room to check on her, then trotted back to her mother. Yoruichi lay down a few feet away from Ichigo, Sui Feng curling up next to her and placing her head on her mother's paws. Yoruichi glanced at Kisuke, who stared at her with green eyes and smiled softly. Yoruichi licked the top of Sui Feng's head and placed her head on her daughter's back, falling asleep.