Task 7: Cretan Bull


A/N: The trouble with this one was how very simple it was. Basically he needs to capture a bull, and he does. Hm. I decided to hand things over to the Shinigami Women's Association.


"So I need to get everyone on this list," Shuuhei said.

"Yes," Nanao said. "Those that are outlined are of particular interest so if you could get as many shots of them as possible."

"It's not really a calendar for the Shinigami's Women's Association, is it?" Shuuhei asked. He had been recruited under the put on that it would be within the magazine's area of interest to write an article about the fund raiser and then had agreed to take pictures, and now it seemed he was embroiled in something else entirely.

"Nope, more of a bidding to get pictures of attractive half naked men covered in mud type of thing," admitted Yoruichi.

"You're not going to get anyone to fall for this," he said.

It had been Yoruichi's idea in the first place and she had come well prepared. "Hey!" she yelled to the group of Squad 11 members that were training nearby. "I will give two bottles of sake to whoever can catch that pig," she pointed at the conveniently waiting pig.

That got their interest. "How can we catch him?"

"Only use your body. I mean that too! No making nets with clothes or anything. He's greased up too."

They contemplated the pig, who looked fairly peaceful.


Two hours later and it looked like a small war had broken out. The original challenge had long become lost in individual bets and duels. Sword battles actually kept breaking out as well, which the members of the Shinigami's Women's Association were quick to isolate. Captain Unohana was on hand, as well Isane, so there were no (long lasting) injuries.

"Kira?" Rangiku called on her phone.

"What is going on around you, it's really loud in the background," Kira asked.

"Yeah, I need you to come to Squad 11 real quick."

Nanao looked at her check board and walked over to Shuuhei to chat with him. "We are getting more people into place but we a special person that you need to go out of your way for."

Shuuhei knew who it would be, because that person was looking at the muddy field with disgust.

"I really don't think that you can get Yumichika to chase a pig, end of story," Shuuhei said.

"We will give you 25% of any money we get from pictures of Yumichika."

"How much money is that?"

Nanao showed him the sign ups on her board.

Shuuhei sighed. He shouldn't have even asked, because now he knew he was going to do it and Yumichika wasn't going to be happy about it.


"Hey, Yumichika," Shuuhei said with a grin. "Not getting involved?"

"What a stupid question," Yumichika replied.

"Shit, is Ikkaku ok?" Shuuhei said suddenly, looking behind Yumichika.

"What?" Yumichika asked, turning.

Shuuhei gave his shoulders a quick shove. Yumichika crashed into the ground. FLASH.

Yumichika bolted up. "You did NOT just shove me into mud and take a picture of me did you." His voice was low and dangerous, and his hand rested on the hilt of his zanpakuto.

"Look, no matter what you do now, that picture has been transmitted back to my office," Shuuhei said quickly.

That stopped Yumichika for a moment. "Why?" he asked.

"The Shinigami Women's Association," Shuuhei said simply.

Yumichika cursed as he looked around at the field. "Ok, this is how we're going to do this. IF they are going to get my picture of me covered in mud it will be a beautiful picture not one of my bashing my face in, DO YOU HEAR ME?"

Shuuhei nodded.

"Ok, now take a couple more," Yumichika ordered.

After a couple of minutes Yumichika was satisfied that he had gotten at least one decent picture.

"If it's the women who planned this thing, how come Rangiku is going after the pig?" Yumichika said.

Shuuhei spun around on his heels. "WHERE?"

Yumichika grabbed the camera from his hands and planted a firm foot on his back, shoving him hard into the ground. Shuuhei turned in the mud to glare up angrily at Yumichika: FLASH. "Perfect," Yumichika said.

"Mark Shuuhei down as complete," Nemu told Nanao.


"I'll kill you first," Ikkaku said to Renji.

"You're just saying that because you know that I can catch him first," Renji said with a grin.

The two glared at each other, the pig in between them. Some random lower ranked shinigami ran towards them and Ikkaku put his arm out, clothes lining him.

"Count of three?" suggested Renji.

"Fine," Ikkaku agreed.

"1…2…"

"What's going on?" Kenpachi's voice boomed across the muddy field. Renji and Ikkaku stopped and looked up.

"Kenny!" Yachiru said, jumping to his shoulder. "They're trying to catch the pig with their bare hands, but he's all slippery so they can't!"

"Hm," Kenpachi said. He started marching towards the creatures, his spiritual pressure billowing out from him. "Sounds like it might be fun."

The poor pig, already pretty exhausted, got a good look at Kenpachi and keeled over.

"Did…did you just kill the pig?" Ikkaku asked incredulous.

Yachiru ran over to it. "He's ok. I think it's probably the pig version of 'I surrender'."

It was true; the pig was fine, not even unconscious. He just had his eyes screwed closed and was refusing to move anymore.

"Well, that's disappointing," Kenpachi said, scratching his head.

"Guess we're not getting a picture of Kenpachi," Nanao said.

"Who in the world wanted a picture of Kenpachi?" Shuuhei asked.

"You'd be surprised," Yoruichi replied. "Hey, Kenpachi, want a real challenge?" she asked.

"What would that be?"


"That is one giant bull," Ikkaku had to admit.

"Did someone paint his horns?" Yumichika asked.

"Nope, pretty sure that's blood," Ikkaku replied.

"Fantastic," Kenpachi said with a gleam in his eyes. "Thanks, Yoruichi. What was the bet again?"

"Two minutes," she said.

"Ha, I can't believe you think it'll take that long," Kenpachi said, leaping down into the canyon that the bull was in.

The bull didn't hesitate. No one had ventured into his home for a long time and the second that Kenpachi hit the ground the bull charged at the intruder with a bellowing roar. Kenpachi stood his ground, his haori flapping around him. There was an impact.

Above, the watchers couldn't see what was happening through the dust cloud that surrounded the pair. A breeze came through and they saw Kenpachi griping the bull's horns tightly, forcing them downward. He laughed, and then leaned over, so that his eye was looking directly into the beasts'. "Strong, but not even close," he said to the bull. He leapt onto its back.

"Yay! Can I ride too, Kenny?" Yachiru asked.

"Yup, come on," Kenpachi said.

When they arrived at the rancher's house he didn't seemed too thrilled. In fact, he refused to come out.

"Take him back!" the man shouted through the door.

"I thought you said that this guy wanted the bull caught?" Kenpachi said to Yoruichi.

"He did, I guess he changed his mind," she said with a shrug.

"Fine," Kenpachi got off the bull and gave it a slap. It took off like a train.

"I MEANT BACK TO THE CANYON, NOT HERE!" the terrified rancher said.

"Oh well," Kenpachi laughed. "How much sake do you owe me, Yoruichi?"

"Let's stop by my estate on the way back to the Seireitei so I can pay up," she said.