Author's Note- Sorry for being late, I had some homework that I needed to get finished over the weekend and I have a new game that I'm addicted to, so I had a little trouble getting things taken care of earlier.
Though I'm going to take a break from this story for a while to work on some other stuff, this chapter marks the beginning of a slow-down period that I plan on taking for some fluff and character development. There will be a minor skirmish in the next one and a couple training battles, but nothing beyond that.
None of the "History" provided in this chapter is canon in any way shape or form. It's just a combination of my own theories of Soul Society's background and a little bit extra (the thing about the vampires) in order to determine where the Bounts figure in.
I also apologize for the brief instance of crude humor at the end of the first part of this chapter. Normally I steer clear of such humor, but I really couldn't help myself. It just seemed like something Senna would say. Please enjoy. =D

Discalimer: Must…play…Elder Scrolls…4…
Kon- *smack* No, you idiot! Chapter first, then Oblivion!
Me- Fine, fine. I don't own Bleach or any of the characters within except for the OCs. Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. Will you tell me where you hid the disc now?
Kon- After you hook me up with some hot, buxom chicks, first!
Me- Why you little…!

Chapter 10: Ancient History and Current Events

"How are Lieutenant Kotetsu and Lieutenant Kotsubaki doing, Captain?" asked Toshiro Hitsugaya, his second and third seat flanking him on either side.

"They're doing much better, Captain Hitsugaya," Head Captain Joshiro Ukitake replied with only the slightest hint of worry in his careworn face, "Thank you for asking."

"It's a good thing that that Ms. Kurosaki was there, or they'd might not have been found in time," Shunsui Kyoraku nodded as the group plodded along, referring to Karin.

"And that Lieutenant Kurosaki was there as well," Nanao Ise added, her normally even voice allowing a hint of the sadness that she felt whenever comrades were killed or came close to it.

"Too true, Nanao-chan. Too true."

The six were moving at a steady pace along the grounds of the Seireitei, on their way to the Squad Twelve barracks and the headquarters for Research and Development. It was two days since the fiasco with the arrancars, and the warm summer sunshine seemed to mock the gloom-filled soldiers of the Gotei 13. Everyone had felt uneasy since the initial, brief attack on the Soul Society several months before, and this newest attack had done nothing to quell the growing anxiety.

Passing by the ill-kept hedgerows that grew outside the walls of Squad Eleven, Captain Ukitake chose to take the conversation in a lighter direction. Seeing even the flamboyant Shunsui looking glum was never a good sign.

"Though Orihime was able to close up their injuries, she was already tired from healing everyone else, so they are still rather sore. I've ordered them to rest." He laughed lightly as he concluded, "And they're so put out by me having to be the one taking care of them, it's really quite funny. When I left, they were actually arguing about who got hurt more."

Everyone grinned at that statement, everyone but Toshiro.

"I wonder what sort of creatures those things were," the ever-calculating teenager wondered, "That the arrancars would go to them for help, and to be able to defeat two lieutenants with just one of their number."

"That's…," Captain Kyoraku paused half a moment before completing his thought. "That's what we're going to Kurotsuchi to find out."

"Well said, old friend," Joshiro nodded. He could sense from Shunsui's words that the two were in agreement. There were just some things that were best not to talk about more often than necessary.

"You're hiding something," Toshiro accused without missing a stride.

"No, we're not," Shunsui replied, continuing to walk even as he looked over his shoulder to face the younger captain and wave a dismissive hand. "That's why we're letting Mayuri explain things."

He now turned towards Joshiro and said, "Old farts like us shouldn't have to bring up old stuff like this, especially if it's unpleasant. Isn't that right, Joshiro?"

"Unpleasant," Joshiro laughed to himself, though it possessed little mirth. "That's a good way to put it."

Hitsugaya opened his mouth as if to say something, but seemed to think better of it. He vented his frustration by scowling at the ground.

They continued on for several minutes in silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they rounded the corner of the Squad Eleven headquarters. They could now see the top of the Research and Development building peering over the walls of its compound.

"So, Rangiku," Shunsui asked all of a sudden, "Got any plans this evening, my voluptuous beauty?"

Nanao hit her captain in the back with the large book that she always carried.

"Sorry, hon," laughed Rangiku behind her hand, "But we've got a Women's Association meeting tonight."

"And anyway," growled Hitsugaya, "She still has a lot of paperwork that she has to finish."

"But Captain…," both of his subordinates whined.

"No to whatever your excuse is, Matsumoto. And Aria, I've told you before; she's the lieutenant, there's a certain amount of responsibility that comes with that rank, and it's long past time for her to learn that. You shouldn't have to keep doing her work for her."

Rangiku grumbled to herself a moment, then brightened as an idea struck her. "And anyway, Kyoraku, I don't date old farts. I'm just not that kind of girl!"

Not even Toshiro Hitsugaya could stop a grin from forming as the wounded senior captain came to a stop to turn and fix the busty lieutenant with hurt, sad puppy-dog eyes.

"Speaking of Squad Ten," Ukitake said once his mirth had passed. He reached inside of his haori sleeves.

"Oh no," Toshiro groaned to himself, trying to take a step back. Grinning towards one another as they did so, Aria Miyamoto and Rangiku Matsumoto each raised an arm behind their captain's back to stop his retreat.

"Just a little gift, no need to thank me," Joshiro grinned as he deposited an overstuffed bag of candy into the junior 'Shiro-chan's' arms.

"Um, Head Captain, I've told you this before," Hitsugaya said, trying to hold the heavy bag up. He briefly wondered if it was filled with rock candy, then mentally groaned at his own joke. "I really don't have much of a sweet tooth, and-,"

"Oh, that's a lie, Captain!" Rangiku interjected. The group had been standing still ever since the lieutenant's verbal sucker punch to Shunsui.

"Every time we work on paperwork, I've always seen you sneak a piece or two from the candy jar on your desk when you think I'm not looking," Aria pointed out.

"W-well it's right there," stammered Hitsugaya, growing increasingly flustered. "If you hadn't put that accursed jar there in the first place-!"

"Oh, please!" Rangiku broke in again, "I've tried to put one there loads of times, but you always made me take it off. It wasn't until Ri-chan came up with it that you agreed to let the candy jar stay."

Cornered, the young captain turned towards his third seat for back-up. When all Aria did was give a pleased grin, Toshiro groaned in his throat and slumped in defeat.

Deciding then to be vindictive, he turned towards his lieutenant and said, "Here, take this. Consider it one of your duties as lieutenant to carry my luggage."

The cheery redhead groaned as she tried to handle the bag, also surprised at its weight. She pouted for a moment, fixing the sack with a contemplative look. Looking up towards the grinning Ukitake and Shunsui and the impassive Nanao, then back towards the smirking Toshiro and silently laughing Aria, Rangiku then fixed her gaze on the bushes behind them and promptly chucked in that direction.

It never reached the ground.

"Get it!"

"Mine!"

Two red and black blurs rocketed out of the hedge before latching firmly onto the bag of sweets.

"Well, well," Shunsui laughed, "So that's who's been following us."

"Insei! Senna!" Toshiro barked, trying to sound angrier than he really was, "What do you two think you're doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" asked Senna, crimson ribbon and violet spikes bobbing as she shoved a handful of starburst shaped candies into her mouth. "We're going to sit in on that thing that you guys are off to the Twelfth Division to see."

"And by 'We,' she means herself," Yamato said once he had swallowed down a mouthful of chocolate covered peanuts. "I was just tagging along to make sure that she didn't get lost or in trouble or anything. And this stuff's really good, Head Captain."

Ukitake grinned broadly at the compliment.

"You're such a stick in the mud, 'Mato," Senna replied in a bored tone, "And a big far liar, in point of fact."

"Bah!" Yamato waved her off, turning his attention back to the candy.

"What you two are going to do," Toshiro growled, restraining himself from yelling with no small amount of effort, "Is march straight back to our barracks and finish the paperwork that we left for you to do while we're out."

"Already done," drawled Senna, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Or if not, then everyone else should be close to it, at any rate," added Yamato in response to his captain's fish-eyed stare. At that pronouncement, Toshiro's eyes almost doubled in size.

"You left the paperwork for the rest of the squad to do!?" the horror in his voice was the only thing to match his anger.

"Duh," Senna answered dryly. "And it's not like it's a big deal or anything. All there is to do is just put your signature down on everything.

"F-forging a captain's signature is a serious offense!" stammered Nanao, as angered and indignant as Hitsugaya. "Ms. Senna, this is a very serious breach of ethical work behavior for-,"

"It's not a big deal Nanao," Shunsui interrupted, his voice smooth and consoling, "And the rest of us will help sift through everything later, isn't that right Joshiro?"

Ukitake just nodded with a smile (knowing that Shunsui would find a way to weasel out of it somehow), and in response Toshiro let out yet another defeated sigh.

"Fine," he said with an exasperated growl, "Just stay in the back and keep quite."

The group continued on for several paces before Senna's eyes lit up with sudden mischief.

"Ya know, 'Mato," she said, sucking some sugar off of her fingers with deliberate slowness. "There's no need to pretend. We all know the real reason for why you follow me around."

Yamato turned around, perplexed. The others listened as well, curious; though some less honest about it to themselves than others.

"Yep," she grinned, twisting the half-empty bag closed and shoving it into her partner's arms. "It's because you secretly enjoy the view from my back. Sure, my bust isn't anything extraordinary, but we both know that my caboose is as hot as your zanpakuto."

The girl of the scarlet ribbons continued onwards with an impish grin as everyone else came to a sudden, shocked halt.

"W-was that supposed to be a double entendre!?" Nanao gasped, blushing with a mixture of embarrassment and guilt at finding the pronouncement funny.

"Could have been," answered Shunsui, eyes pointing straight ahead, "All I know for sure is that she's right, she does have a rather attractive caboose.

Yamato stared, eyes riveted on the swaying ribbons as the girl marched away. His face made his hair look dull by comparison. One half of his brain had died of shock and pleasure, the other was fogged over with pure desire.

"I'm going to marry that girl," he droned, heedless of what was passing through his lips as Captain Kyoraku keeled over with a fist sized lump growing out of his head.

"I still don't understand why I have to be the one who provides these asinine explanations about what's going on whenever there's a crises," Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi complained, glancing around the corner at the assembled captains and lieutenants who were standing about in his laboratory.

"I'm a busy man with many responsibilities, and one who has no desire to get involved in anything that can be accomplished just as well- albeit far more crudely- by people with lesser minds! Any one of you apes can read I presume, and a few have access to the Dairaisho Archives. This is an utter waste of my time and talent!"

"And I don't know why Captain Ukitake asked me to be the one to have to drag you out of your study when anyone in Squad Eleven could have done it just as easily, but you don't see me being a baby about it," Soifon growled, expressing her equal irritation with jaw clenched and single arm set on her hips.

Kurotsuchi took a moment to glance down at the much shorter woman and snarled, "Are you suggesting that any one of those unevolved brutes could stand up to me in battle? Are you proposing then that I have no talent as a fighter? Surely you, of all people, can appreciate the subtle and devastating effects of my Ashisogi Jizo!"

"I appreciate its power, just not the ability of its master."

The clown-visaged scientist gave a fierce snarl at this insult but chose not to let his temper get the better of him. He would not have this puny, cat worshiping one armed assassin have the satisfaction of seeing him lose his temper. After all, he was superior in every way conveyable. He had seen to that personally years ago. However, there was that one small, irritating issue of…

"Not that it's any of my business," Mayuri questioned, "But why have you never gotten that arm of yours replaced?"

"Why?"

"Why? Why!? Because it's something that can easily be fixed, that's why!" In spite of himself, Kurotsuchi could not help but let his growing irritation show. Her face may be straight as she said it, but he was sure that her every word was deliberately calculated to needle him, and he was growing impatient.

"I may not believe in absolute perfection, but seeing such glaring flaws in a being that can be remedied with so little effort is something that makes no sense to me! I could easily make you an arm that's ten times more efficient than the old one could ever have been, or even your entire body for that matter."

"There are three reasons," replied Soifon, as stone faced and impassive as ever, "The first is simply that I neither trust nor like you, and it would sully my honor as an assassin to enhance myself by such reprehensible and unnatural means. The second is to remind myself never to become careless or to underestimate a foe ever again."

Mayuri rolled his eyes far back into his head at this honor-bound tripe.

A sudden small grin briefly crossed the fighter's lips as she concluded, whilst rounding the corner to join her fellow officers, "And the third is because I enjoy how much it bugs you."

The clownish scientist nearly screamed in fury at this final, impudent pronouncement, but his lieutenant chose that moment to speak up.

"Master Mayuri, the captains are growing restless."

"I know, I know, Nemu!" he spat back, "I can sense it, and I don't really care. But if it'll get them to go away and leave me alone- Come, Nemu!"

Those who had been selected to aid in the presentation scrambled about to their stations as their fearsome captain waded into their midst in front of the other leaders of the Gotei 13, his artificially created lieutenant following obediently at his heels.

"Now then," Mayuri growled, rounding upon his peers and their subordinates, "I've been asked to explain to you imbeciles something about the current situation of our enemies."

Several of those gathered scowled back at the insult, while others looked towards Soifon with some curiosity. The assassin leader herself allowed a rare chuckle that only her lieutenant, Tatsuki Arisawa, could hear.

"Concerning these new arrancar," Kurotsuchi went on, "All we know thus far is that, based upon the numbers that they themselves have reported, there are at least seven of them, though only five of these have been encountered thus far. We also know that they refer to themselves as "Time Capsule Arrancars," and that they possess unique abilities outside of the standard resurrección."

Holographic images of Givos, Daki, Francisco Victor, and Don Domingo hovered above Kurotsuchi's head as he spoke, each one with a number hovering beneath their corresponding arrancar: One, three four, five, and seven respectively.

"Beyond that, we know nothing except that there is some sort of "Period of Development," that they are currently undergoing, presumably some sort of artificial puberty that allows them an unusual increase in strength from devouring souls that will end prematurely if they attempt to use their full power. I currently know nothing more, so I will kindly ask that you fools stop pestering me about it!"

Somewhere in the back, Shunsui grinned a bit before wincing in pain. Nanao just glanced at her captain and adjusted her glasses with an unrepentant glare while the former held a hand gingerly to his injury.

"Concerning these Bount creatures, however, I can shed some light." The scientist's voice grew a bit calmer, now that he had had a chance to vent some of his frustration.

The lights dimmed as the holographic slideshow changed to a series of archaic brush paintings that corresponded with the Twelfth Division captain's narration, the illustrations becoming progressively more modern in style and appearance as the story progressed.

"In order to accurately describe these creatures and their relevance to current circumstances, we must first look back to the most ancient of times. This is neither my area of expertise nor one of great interest of me but," Kurotsuchi spared an irritated glance towards the head captain, "But since I was asked so politely to provide an explanation…

"Tens of millennia ago, the three levels of the cosmos- The World of the Living, the Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo- were controlled primarily by three races: Humans, the reishi giants, and the demons, respectively. Hell did not then exist. For those of you unfamiliar with them, the reishi giants are an ancient race of spiritual beings who were the original caretakers of the dead and discoverers of the zanpakuto and kido. They are, in essence, the original soul reapers. They are now mostly extinct, and only four tribes exist, each one in charge of providing a gatekeeper for the Seireitei. Demons, of course, are beings of pure malevolence who devour souls while simultaneously putting them through excruciating torment. It is believed by some scholars that it was the demons who first caused humans to turn into hollows.

"Over the millennia, the souls of humans- and occasionally still-living souls- have participated in the reishi giants' wars with the demons. It was about ten thousand years ago when the wars essentially came to an end when the most powerful kido practicioners of the reishi giants banded together to create a new dimension into which the majority of the demons were promptly banished, nearly driving the reishi giants to extinction in the process."

Mayuri paused a moment to contemplate to himself, "Which is quite sad, really, because this has made any sort of research into their biology heavily frowned upon due to their low numbers, and as such-,"

Byakuya Kuchiki made a small noise in his throat. The sound was not loud, but it was enough to throw Kurotsuchi off. When the second president of Research and Development turned to glare at the other, Byakuya met his gaze with a dispassionate but sharp glare of his own. Mayuri was the first to break off.

Close by, Yachiru Kusajishi gave a small cheer from the shoulder of a silently snoozing (yet still standing) Kenpachi.

"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, the demons have continued to plague the Soul Society for much of what is now referred to as its Pre-Modern Era, in the form of those who had escaped the initial sealing, and of those who would manage to escape from time-to-time. It was also during this period that human souls took over the control of the Seireitei, the time when the Soul King rose to power, and that we saw a vast increase in living humans with spiritual abilities participating in these battles. Such humans are sometimes known as shamans, and they often formed powerful priest castes in ancient human civilization."

The scientist stopped a moment to allow this information to sink in before a cruel sneer crossed his painted lips.

"It was also at some point in the midst of this time," the mad scientist announced dramatically as the manuscript image of a fanged human with bat wings and a forked tail appeared above his head. Though in some ways the strange creature reminded two of the onlookers horribly of a certain powerful Espada, the thing before them possessed no hollow hole. "That the vampires first appeared."

The tension in the room grew heavy and tangible, and Kurotsuchi allowed himself a brief mental grin of victory. Now they were paying attention!

"Though the exact details of their birth are still unknown to us," Mayuri continued with his oration, "It is believed that they were initially the result of a massive crossbreeding experiment between humans, captured soul reapers, certain unique hollows, and the demons themselves. My research indicates that they were created to serve as a sort of heavy footsoldier to supplement the ranks of ordinary hollows during the various demon wars, right up to the time of the Great Desctruction; in which the last of the demon forces, allied with the vasto lordes, nearly succeeded in destroying the Soul Society some twenty-two hundred years ago."

The faces of Captains Ukitake, Kyoraku, and Unohana all became very grave at the mention of this. The three remembered that terrible, chaotic time, though they had been unable to participate in any of the fighting. Had it not been for the bravery and prowess of Master Genryusai and Ginrei Kuchiki…

"Once that crises was over and the modern era began," Kurotsuchi went on without missing a beat, reveling in the attention, "Demons outside of hell ceased to exist, though vampires continued to live on, albeit in greatly reduced numbers.

"As many of you may be aware of, non-first generational vampires devour blood and souls from humans, possess amazing strength and speed, and possess a wide variety of transformative abilities. They drink blood in order to survive, and eat souls- or rather a large portions of a soul- in order to create more of their kind, and lose nearly all of their power when exposed to sunlight or the aroma of certain kinds of herbs, such as garlic. Some of you may also know that they have been a nuisance to the Soul Society ever since they were created, especially in the living world's…seventeen hundreds, I believe?"

"Ugh, don't remind me," groaned Shunsui. Everyone turned to face the lay-about captain with a look of either amusement or curiosity. In Kurotsuchi's case, it was far more akin to a death glare; regardless, Captain Kyoraku carried on, "I remember Old Man Yama dragging me and Joshiro's butts all over Eastern Europe trying to hunt those suckers down."

There was a ripple of laughter at the intended pun.

"Having to kill real vampires, occasionally saving some poor human sap from getting his heart cut out after being accused of being a one," he droned in a half-bored voice, "Then there were the hollows! All the living were digging up all the dead's graves to hunt for vampires, and so the ghosts of those people became so outraged that they turned into hollows. We probably killed at least a dozen or more of them for every vampire that we found, isn't that right, Joshiro?"

The white haired head captain couldn't help but smile, but managed to speak instead of laugh. "Um, Shunsui. I think we should let Captain Kurotsuchi finish. We did pull him away from his research to do this, after all."

"My point exactly, Head Captain!" the clown in question barked, "So with all due respect Captain Kyoraku," though the way he emphasized Shunsui's title seemed to indicate that he did not believe that there was much respect due, "Shut up and let me finish!"

After a moment of angry throat clearing, Kurotsuchi began again, though at a much faster clip and in a far more stressed tone of voice. In the background, those manning the overhead holographic projectors began to tap furiously at their consoles to keep up with the new pace.

"At some point in the 15th century, a number of vampires began to discover that they could interbreed with both soul reapers and humans, and several of the more ambitious ones began to have the results of these unions- forced as they often times were- to mate with one another in experiments not unlike those performed by their own creators. These, of course, were the bounts."

A grainy image of the white haired man named Kariya and his two companions appeared, floating eerily above the even more eerie captain's head.

"The bounts, thankfully, have never been very numerous. Like their vampire kin, bounts are immortal, but cannot reproduce themselves. They can also live off of human blood, but what little research I've been able to put into the subject points that their most preferred food is human souls, which makes them just as much of a problem for the balance of the world as hollows or quincies. They also seem to have inherited a trait from their soul reaper ancestors in the form of a bizarre variation of the zanpakuto, which they call dolls. The dolls, however, are less like weapons than personal bodyguards. They can wield as wide a variety of powers and abilities as a real zanpakuto, but their destruction will inevitably lead to the death of their masters.

"Most of the bounts were hunted down and killed both before and after the Quincy Wars; but whereas vampires are now merely exceedingly rare, bounts no longer exist at all. Or so we had thought. Now, any questions?"

This last statement was tossed out rhetorically with an angry snarl, and so Senna and Orihime were completely ignored when the two attempted to raise their hands.

"Good! Now get out of my laboratory!"

"Well that was an…interesting presentation," Senna said once she and her squad mates had made it back to the barracks. "Is he always like that?"

"Pretty much," Captain Hitsugaya replied, irritably, scribbling his signature absently on a document he had just finished reading over. "Now if you don't mind Senna, please get back to work and help the rest of us fix this mess that you made."

"Okaaaaaay," she huffed in a tired voice, though she remained precisely where she was.

The entire top-ranked half of Squad Ten's cabinet of ranked officers was crowded into their captain's office, every available place to sit taken up and those without tables or desks to write on were making do with drawing pads or squares of wood, and all busily brushing away to fix the mess of errors caused by Senna and Yamato's previous time saving efforts by spreading the whole load to everyone in the squad. Joshiro and Nanao (with Shunsui nowhere in sight of the paperwork) had already taken what they could and left.

Everyone was hard at work; that is, except for Senna herself. The violet haired girl was slumped over backwards atop the head of one of the overstuffed sofas and looking as bored as anyone could be. Aria and another guy, the seventh seat, she thought, were moved apart so that her head could rest on the cushion.

One of Hitsugaya's eyebrows twitched. She was even worse than Rangiku! Then he took a moment to calm himself, thinking, 'Don't worry, at least she's not drunk half the ti- wait a second!'

"Where's Rangiku!?" the young captain demanded suddenly, his icy emerald glare quickly finding the subject of his enquiry. The busty lieutenant was, like everyone else, hard at work, but not in the same manner. Rather, she had been working hard to slip out the door without being seen, though clearly this had failed.

"Get back to the paperwork, Rangiku! NOW!"

The white haired captain's patience was wearing very thin.

"Damn it, we wouldn't be in this mess if-," Histsugaya growled, but was interrupted by a small voice.

"Um, actually, Captain, since we're going back over everything to correct stuff, this really isn't any different than if we had just left it sitting here in the first place; except with more people helping of course." Aria pointed out, moving aside to let Rangiku in.

Meanwhile, Senna lifted up her head to allow her friend and lieutenant to sit down, then replaced it on Rangiku's shoulder. Both women gave loud, simultaneous sullen sighs.

"Yes, well, I just wanted it done anyway," Toshiro replied, allowing some of his anger to melt away with a touch of embarassment. Then it returned in a heartbeat when he saw Senna.

"Why aren't you working!?" he bellowed like a man who had just sat on a nest of bees.

"I'm waiting," was her reply.

"Waiting for what!?" he demanded as everyone else in the room began to shiver from a sudden drop in room temperature.

"'Mato's waiting too," was her reply, aware that she wasn't answering the question, "In fact, he's reading manga right now. That's why he's sitting with his back to you."

The red head in question jumped with a howl as his secret was revealed and the captain's antarctic glare turned upon him. Sure enough, a copy of Soul Jump (Soul Society's Shonen Jump) fell to the ground with a plop from where it had been tossed into the air.

"I'll deal with you…both…," the captain was now so frustrated that he was sputtering, "W-what do you mean by waiting!?"

"Waiting for you to notice and send us out." Senna's voice was placid and even.

"And why would I-!?"

"You may have already gone past it."

Brought up short on his next reply and quite puzzled, Toshiro began shuffling back through his neatly stacked pile of completed documents for anything out of the ordinary. Sure enough, there was something in there that he had missed before, and already approved by himself.

"Wh-what the hell!? Training leave!? You put me through all of this and you expect me to agree to this!?"

"You already have."

"Th-that doesn't count, I-, How did you know that I'd-, what, who wrote-?!"

"I-it was my fault, Captain," Aria spoke up again, giving him a weak smile. "I thought it wouldn't hurt after that last battle, so when Senna asked me, I-,"

Toshiro waved his third seat's explanation away as he put a hand to his throbbing head with a tired groan.

"Just go. All of you."

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the gathered officers were rushing to the door, none anxious to be anywhere near their leader's ice cold temper any longer. On her way out, Senna made a detour to snatch the approved document out of Toshiro's hand before skipping out. Yamato just gave a sheepish, apologetic grin before leaving himself.

"So, uh, aspirin?" Aria questioned after several long moments of uncomfortable silence with her overstressed captain.

"Yes, thank you," he groaned, leaning on his desk with his elbows and running his hands over his face.

As the third seat stepped softly towards the door, he added, "And check the label. I don't want to wind up sleeping for half a day with nightmares.

Aria nearly fell over at the quip and scowled before stalking out, muttering something about how authority figures shouldn't pick on their subordinates.

At last, Toshiro allowed himself a grin, feeling some of his headache slip away.

At least he still had one person he could count on.

To Be Continued…

*

*

Preview:
Orihime- Won't it be nice just to hang around and relax?
Tatuski- Definitely. I vacation to the Living World will do everyone some good!
Ichigo- Yeah! Fun in the sun! Where're we going again? A beach? An amusement park? A-
Toshiro- Sorry Ichigo, but you have to stay behind to train my subordinates.
Ichigo- What!? But that's not fair! I-
Tatsuki & Orihime- Have fun Ichigo! We'll bring back a souvenir for you!
Ichigo- No! Wait! Come back! I wanna have fun too!

*

*

Omake:

"Now, any questions?" demanded Mayuri Kurotsuchi, almost immediately following up with the demand of, "Good! Now get out of my laboratory!"

As Kurotsuchi was ranting, he missed an upraised thumbs-up by Renji, as well as the nod of confirmation that Research and Development scientist Rin Tsubokura replied with from his computer station. A moment later, he and his fellows began typing commands madly into their consoles with wicked grins on their faces.

A moment later the image of the bounts was replaced by the phrase, "Raise your hand if you are not gay."

With barely suppressed laughter, nearly everyone in the assembly promptly raised their hands (including Byakuya). The only exceptions were Toshiro, who had not done so merely on the grounds that he refused to play such childish games, but who's arm was promptly forced into the air by Rangiku and Aria; and the still snoozing Kenpachi, though Yachiru made sure that her foster-father's arm was in the air as well. Even the scientists at the terminals had their hands raised.

"What! What are you all doing still doing here!? Don't tell me that you all have a question!" Mayuri demanded, his hand not raised for he had yet to notice the change in the projection.

"Um, Master Mayuri-," Nemu began, also with arm raised.

"Not now, Nemu! I'm trying to figure out what the apes want!"

"But sir," she insisted, now pointing.

Giving his creation a strange look, Kurotsuchi reluctantly looked up, just as the message overhead changed to say "Jackass," with a neon-red arrow pointing down at himself. A pair of overlarge, holographic donkey ears were also positioned above his head as well.

Everyone but Nemu, the sleeping Kenpachi, Toshiro and Byakuya let out half-constrained snickers, though the stoic head of the Kuchiki clan did allow himself a small grin. Kurotsuchi, however, was flat out furious.

"BANKAI!!"

"RUN!!" cried Rin as the enormous, infant headed caterpillar Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo tore the building apart with its sudden materialization, spewing clouds of poison in every direction, "RUN FOR YOUR LIVESSSS!!"