The next day, Death God residents were out in their respective courts, practicing drills. Ikkaku had ordered that 11th squad be up and ready early the next morning, and he stood at attention next to Yumichika and Miyako. Normally, Miyako would stand opposite them alongside the rest of the Death God residents and receive orders, but because the Captain and the lieutenant were nowhere in sight, Ikkaku had asked for her help in training the others.

"You all look like lazy scum!" Ikkaku yelled at the residents, who had lined up, single file, in ten rows of twenty. "We were all supposed to keep watch over Seireitei, and all you did was loaf around! Not a single Bount was caught! What the hell is wrong with all of you?"

Miyako glanced at Yumichika. He was examining his fingernails. Ikkaku continued to bark at the squad.

"The Captain has gone out to pick up your slack! This is unacceptable! You will drill and spar until you get it through your thick heads that 11th squad does not relent! Now, move!"

The residents scrambled to different areas of the court and started to practice. One section was used to practice kido and another section was used to practice with the soul slayer.

"Ikkaku, do we have to stand around and watch this?" Yumichika asked in a bored tone. "It's so ugly."

"Good speech, Ikkaku," Miyako said with a grin. "You almost sounded like a leader."

Ikkaku sneered. "You think so? Well, I had to say something to get these maggots going. Two weeks now and there hasn't been a damn Bount anywhere. They're getting bored, and I can't have them patrolling Seireitei half-ass."

"The Captain isn't himself," Yumichika said in a low voice. "Why would he waste his time looking for an ugly Bount, anyway?"

Ikkaku shrugged. "I can't say that I'm surprised."

"I saw the Captain last night," Miyako admitted quietly. Ikkaku and Yumichika looked at her in surprise.

"Where?"

"In the northern sprawl, near the woods."

"What were you doing near the woods?" Yumichika curled his lip in disgust. "There's dirt and crickets and spiders…"

"What did you feel out there?" Ikkaku pressed Miyako, interrupting Yumichika. "Something must've attracted the Captain to that spot."

Miyako shrugged. "A tiny fluctuation in spirit force," she replied, "but nothing of importance, it seems."

Ikkaku and Yumichika exchanged glances.

"It was probably some souls from Kusajishi," Miyako suggested. "The stupid bastards are helping the Bount enter Seireitei in the first place…maybe there are a few stragglers around and the Captain decided to follow their reiatsu in order to find the Bount."

Yumichika made a face. "Yuck."

Ikkaku shrugged. "It makes sense. I'm sure the Captain just wants to fight the Bount for a new challenge."

"Or to look for Ichigo," Yumichika pointed out. "The substitute Death God is back in Soul Society to help look for the Bount, and the Captain wants to find him again for some retribution." He crossed his arms. "A very unattractive idea, by the way."

"Ichigo is back?" Miyako asked in surprise. "Why? The Bount don't concern him."

"Ugh," Yumichika curled his lip at a pair as he watched them fight. "That was definitely not a beautiful attack…"

Ikkaku sighed. "It seems as if Ichigo's all up in the business of Death Gods these days," he groaned. "He arrived with three other companions in Rukongai not too long ago."

"One of his friends, a Quincy, was responsible for the portal the Bount traveled through to get here," Yumichika told her. "I suppose he feels halfway responsible." He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Eeehhh, Seireitei allying with the likes of humans," he moaned. "How ugly. We can handle these matters ourselves, but if Ichigo wants to get dirty, he can be my guest."

"What's Ichigo like?" Miyako asked in curiosity.

Ikkaku grinned. "He's an ass. I can't wait to fight him again. I'll put that baka in his place."

"He definitely isn't as beautiful as me," Yumichika crossed his arms.

Miyako chuckled. It was typical 11th squad talk. Two of the strongest Captains of the Gotei 13 had been beaten by Ichigo, yet Ikkaku and Yumichika still talked of him as if he was an amateur. Still, Miyako, like any 11th squad member, had an itch to test Ichigo's skill.

"I haven't had the luxury yet. When he's in the area, will you let me know?"

Ikkaku smacked Miyako's arm. "Yeah, but not before I get a piece of him."

Yumichika rolled his eyes. "Honestly, do you two not have anything better to do?"

"HEY!" Ikkaku bellowed at a subordinate. "ATTACK WITH YOUR SOUL SLAYER, NOT WITH YOUR GOD DAMN HANDS! DO YOU WANT THEM RIPPED OFF???"

"I apologize, sir, I was just thinking, sir –"

"Don't think!" Miyako yelled. "NEVER think! You think, you die! You act and think at the same time in one swift movement; there is NO hesitation!"

"Sir! Yes, sir! I mean ma'am."

Ikkaku spat and shook his head. "I don't know what the professors do down at the academy with the incoming students. I'd have killed myself already."

Yumichika yawned. "I would have re-formed the dress code."

Miyako stared at him and rolled her eyes.

Update 10/15/07: I watched part of the Bount series again and realized that scumbags were gathering in the woods near the Kusajishi district to help the Bount, but not yet in Seireitei. I fixed the minor flaw in my story...sorry about that. Can't expect to get it all right.

Any reviews would be great!!!