Chapter 02

Buried Fangs

Now—

He dodged the aggressive attack easily as Ikkaku threw his weight around with brute strength even though they should have known that strength was not enough to beat him. All three Shinigami that fought against him were drenched in blood from the bites and scratches they received from him, despite this, they still kept on going without stop. Ichigo had to deal with the biggest annoyance first if he was going to stay on his paws, leading him to knock Kenpachi unconscious with a simple attack. Unfortunately, for the group that was training, sirens sounded off like crazy, which meant Grimmjow was back for the third time this month.

'Now of all times—?' Before he could finish his thoughts, he was tackled by the creature that infiltrated Seireitei. He only managed to thrash the feline into a nearby tree, 'I don't have… enough energy now.'

"Finally you're weak." Grimmjow hissed when recovering from the impact. "I will devour you today!"

Ichigo snarled viciously in turn, pacing in a circle as did his new opponent until they both lunged at one another—attacking each other like beasts. Ikkaku and Yumichika watched as the canine became violent by grabbing onto the neck of the Hollow and shaking it around as if it were a toy. Grimmjow retorted with his claws and scratched his chest, making him let go almost instantly to give him the chance to attack.

A reddish-brown blur came out of nowhere and jumped on the panther Hollow's back, digging its fangs deep into his back to make him roared in displease. Ichigo stared in disbelief as he watched a companion attack his opponent, only to watch him being thrown off as if shaking of rain. Grimmjow glared at him for having backup that was not in the deal, and so he vanished from Soul Society instantly due to the unfair match against him. The Shinigami watched in mild surprise to see what had happened along with the fact that other dog somehow appeared out of nowhere to help the other, stupidly.

"I—" As the reddish-brown canine half the size of Ichigo spoke, it went terribly wrong.

Ichigo grabbed his best friend by the scruff of his neck and literally began to rip through his fur with his fangs as the other yelped in pain. When covered and drenched in his own blood for interfering with a matter that did not concern him, Ichigo snarled in his face. The abused canine tried to get up—only to be attacked once again until lying on his back as a sign of giving up to the one in charge. He was supposed to either kill or severely wound anyone whom got in his way, and now that he had, he gently nudged at his neck to have him get up. Not want sure if he should accept this, he reverted since there were no females in the area, revealed a bare Abarai Renji with no clothes.

"Why'd you interrupt his fight?" Ikkaku did not expect this. "You know better than that."

Renji looked at him as he stretched his arm out for Ichigo to lick the blood. "Well, you and Yumichika-san weren't jumping in to help, so I thought I would. I'm surprised you two didn't turn into your other forms."
"You know the pack rules, right?" He mused at this. "If Alpha wants you to stay back, you stay back."
There was a long pause as he tried to decide on what to say. "But a pack fights together right?" His arm was nudged, so he put it down and offered the other one. "Besides, we're dogs, not a pack of wolves."
Yumichika covered his mouth, mumbling aloud. "You seem to be more of his bitch though, unfortunately."
Ichigo turned and bared his fangs dangerously at him. "Be quiet or else you're going to be the next one."

Ikkaku understood this, and smirked. "Still, Ichigo, to bloody him up that badly?"

"What would happen if you interfered with Zaraki taichou's fight?" Renji saw him slightly flinch to this, he knew he got the idea. "I know that I interfered when I shouldn't have, and so this is what I get in return for that." He tried to place pressure on his leg to test it, but it seemed that the other had broken it due to the aggressive opponent. "Thanks a lot Ichigo…" Ichigo snorting once at this, making him sigh in return. "Fine, see ya later Ikkaku-san." He turned back into a dog.

The much larger dog then picked him up by the neck as a mother would with a pup, and vanished.

"Who would have thought that Ichigo would train like this though." Yumichika hummed with amusement.
Ikkaku snorted without care. "Smart idea, it restrains our abilities to increase what we are restricted to."
"Are you going to shape shift and follow?" His friend giggled at the thought of him being in his form.
"Tch, when Ichigo's ready to hunt in that form, then I'll change." He smirked. "And then fight him."

"I doubt it, Ichigo threw him around as if he were a flea."

"What do you expect, Ichigo's was pissed off."

"Brilliant! I can't wait to test this new project! I would need a very powerful subject, but who to use?" The clowned face Captain of the Twelfth Squad, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, laughed insanely. "Ah… I know who…" He turned to look at his created lieutenant. "Nemu, you worthless thing, be sure to drug Hitsugaya taichou today—drug his tea! Make sure that, tonight, he'll sleep heavily until morning." His plan was in motion.

"Now then, our canine companion will go to Hitsugaya taichou." Shigekuni announced, and the large beast walked over to the small captain to sit behind him. "Again, this will be just for the month only."

The group was dismissed, but Toushirou was the least bit happy about having the creature staying at his side like this. He had a lieutenant that would do the dirty work he needed done, then again… she was pretty damn lazy about it. His attention lifted upwards to see Juushirou stand in front of him with a large happy smile, obviously to tell him things about the dog. There was nothing that he needed to know about it because there was no way in Hell he would bother to pay attention to it.

"Be good to Ichi, Hitsugaya taichou, right Ichi?" Juushirou grinned, throwing a biscuit in the air that was actually filled with meat on the inside; a disguise to others that it was actual food. "He goes to sleep when you do, and he makes a great blanket and pillow too!" Great, the list. "Ichi goes hunting three times a day, so don't be surprised when he just runs off or something. But he's really a good boy! You should be—"

"Sorry, but I'm not thrilled to have this beast at my side." Toushirou interrupted. "He'll sleep outside."
"B-But Hitsugaya taichou! It's nearing winter!" The thought of leaving Ichigo outside in the cold was sad.
"I believe that is what the fur is for. If you don't have anything else to say, I'm leaving." He walked away.
Juushirou did not seem too happy about it, but Ichigo did not seem to mind. "Let him on your back Ichi!"

Ichigo twitched at this, glaring at the tall white-haired captain before following the shortest.

"Oh, Hitsugaya taichou." Juushirou called, having the little one stop in respect to his senior captain. "One last thing, whatever Ichi does, is for your benefit, he really wants to be on your good side—" Ichigo began to growl lowly as a warning, making Juushirou frown at the creature. "Come now, he needed to know it."

Things were a little easier when Juushirou found out that it was him, but despite all of the help he had given to him, there were some things that needed to be left alone. Ichigo nudged Toushirou's arm lightly before walking out of the chamber, which the other surprisingly followed so they could leave without any more troubles. That had been nothing but a dream on the large canine's part as they left towards the administrative offices to be stopped by the redheaded lieutenant. Toushirou watched as the dog at his side began growling at Renji with fair warning that he was not in the mood to see him right now.

Turquoise hues looked to his leg. "You're leg seems broken."
"Ah… I did something stupid earlier." Renji answered. "I'll be fine."
The canine began growling even more so at the obvious lie about it.
"Unohana taichou said it'll be good in a few hours, more importantly—"

Somehow, Renji forgot about his foot and went tumbling forward, almost putting pressure on it, but Ichigo came to him to catch the falling form. There was no way around having to help the idiot who used flash steps to come all the way there, so he let him up on his back. Brown hues turned to turquoise, hoping he would know the silent request as he began to turn towards the opposite direction. It was obvious that the creature, once growling at the man, had wanted to take said man back to the Captain of the Fourth Squad, Unohana Retsu.

"Ikkaku-san wants to go on a hunt, so if you would wanted to go—" Renji spoke quietly, riding on Ichigo who growled lowly in annoyance. "Guess you're gonna rough me up again after this?" He earned a snort in agreement. His attention went to Toushirou. "Hitsugaya taichou, you should really be on his back…"

"No," he replied, walking by their side still.

"It's safer, soutaichou puts him through constant training and throws surprise attacks even if there are others with him." The redhead explained quietly. "Or do you not trust him after all he's done for us."

"And what has this beast done for us besides summoning Hollow and destroying them to clean up his own mess?" Toushirou questioned sternly. "The fact remains that this beast is nothing but a monster that has the power of a Hollow, since when has that been something to trust, Abarai? It's something to kill."

"You bastard—!" Renji almost jumped off to punch him for saying this about their friend, but Ichigo had to shoulder him in order to keep him in place. This angered the redhead. "How can you remain so calm!" Ears folded back against the fur head. "You always do this… even after risking your life for all of us, and especially for Hitsugaya taichou—" Instantly he was thrown off to fall on the ground as Ichigo snarled.

"Stop it!" Rukia's voice called out as she ran over. "Both of you!"
"Get back!" Renji demanded, not wanting her to get involved.
Ichigo snapped at him dangerously, warning him for this.
She looked to Toushirou. "What's going on with them!"
"Who knows." The captain answered without care.

Rukia had to find something out to distract the attention of the canine. "Is it about Hinamori fukutaichou!"

As Ichigo was about to pierce the redheaded lieutenant's flesh, his head slowly—dangerously turned to look at her for dare saying this aloud with Toushirou next to her. His body turned to her, approaching her in stalking manner with his hackles up to warn her that she better not say another word about it. As the captain was about to step in front, Rukia began to speak again as she wrapped her arms around the dog.

"There's no reason to force yourself to be with most of the captains, Hinamori fukutaichou already likes you in your real form." She stated quietly, not trying to sound emotional. "You've already done a lot for her all this time, just take it easy. Hitsugaya taichou can take care of her a little longer until you're at her side."

"R-Rukia," Renji tried to get up, but could not. "He can't gain Hitsugaya taichou's trust again like that."
"What do you mean 'again,' idiot? Hitsugaya taichou probably only trusts—hey!" Rukia was nudged.
Ichigo budged her towards the lieutenant who was on the ground, and then nudged the captain to leave.
"Don't shove me you stupid dog—" Toushirou tried to shove back, but his Zanpakutou was taken away.

The sash around the Zanpakutou fit snuggly around Ichigo's neck with the sheath between his shoulder blades before taking a good sprint. Toushirou wanted to kill the dog right now, but settled on getting his Zanpakutou back from the creature so he could kill it. After a minute of playing flash step tag, they found themselves in his administrative office, and watched the dog lower the Zanpakutou on the desk. He then glared at the animal as it then walked about five feet away from the desk and lied down almost innocently.

"You stole it so you could avoid my questioning of your motives to get to me in order to get to Hinamori." Toushirou knew this dog was smart, but to actually plan something like this? He mentally had to praise it.

Things had seemed to go smoothly for the past six hours; Toushirou was able to do his paperwork with no interruptions, and the canine merely 'slept' next to the bookcases. There was a moment where Ichigo left so that he could go eat his lunch over at the first division, and he returned with a bento to give to the busy captain. At one point even, Rangiku came into the office after hearing that it was their turn with their new friend, and asked if she could go outside to play with him. Toushirou had noticed the dog lifting his head as if to ask if that was okay to play, but the dog's head lowered to the ground again once he said no.

For three hours though, it was actually considered peaceful, to the point where he was starting to get used to the idea that the creature was there. Of course, all good things have to come to an end; the little captain almost jumped when the dog's head shot up and tail swaying slowly. As he was about to shake off the canine's weirdness, there was a knock on the door, which Toushirou told the person to enter. It surprised him to see that it was Momo who entered the door, causing him to stand up with some worry.

"Is everything alright Hinamori?" The captain asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," she smiled weakly before coming over to the canine. "I heard you had Ichi, so I had to come see how he was doing." The dog nuzzled at her face, making her giggle. "Have you given him exercise?"
"Exercise? The dog has been lying there all day." He sat back down, watched the dog roll over for her attention. "Have you encountered this beast before Hinamori? He seems to like you quite a lot actually."
"Ukitake taichou came to visit me about two months ago, and that's when I met Ichi!" Momo scratched his belly before he flipped back on his stomach. "Is it okay if I take him to get some exercise Shirou-chan?"
"It's Hitsugaya taichou." He sighed in annoyance, then looked over when hearing the dog snort, but then his attention with to the girl who now smiled bright because of the dog. "I suppose you can take him o—"

"Taichou! I brought you some tea!" Rangiku squealed when entering the office. "It was really crowded—!"

Ichigo had got up on his paws instantly, placed himself in front of Toushirou's desk protectively, and then began snarling at the woman. The three did not know what to do about this since they did not know what Rangiku did to make the creature angry towards her. Momo asked if the canine did not like the busty lieutenant, but Toushirou stated that the dog did not have any problems with her petting him. It made the group wonder why he was suddenly aggressive, but they decided that they needed to figure out why.

Momo thought of an idea. "Rangiku-san, put the tray down and let him smell your hand maybe?"

Said woman placed the tray that had the tea on it, then offered her hand nervously for the dog to sniff, but he was not interested at all. It did not surprise him that they could not smell the toxic scent from the tea; he was used to the scent of the tea that Toushirou liked by now, and there was something wrong with it. He came over and sniffed the cup to try to pick up a scent of who tried to harm the captain, but turned his head to begun sneezing nonstop. It took only a second for the Shinigami to realize that Ichigo was only angry about the tea that was brought it, so Rangiku brought it to her nose to sniff it.

"…it does smell a little funny." She tried to think. "It was crowded in the room like I was saying."
"Let me smell—" Momo was interrupted when the canine gentle scooted her away from the tea.
The captain glared, but knew not to be angry about this. 'Did someone spike the tea for me?'
Rangiku took a sip without Ichigo looking, then tried to identify it. "It doesn't taste like its bad."
'Probably tasteless.' Ichigo then jumped in front of the desk again as she offered it to Toushirou.

She was not getting the message though that he was not going to allow her to give that tea to the little captain on his watch. Ichigo barked loudly to startle the woman into dropping the cup, and then lunged at her to get away from the after effect. The cup shattered and the tea began sizzling as if it were acid—it almost burnt all the way through the wooden flooring too. Momo shrieked when she saw the canine's hind left paw scorched from the tainted beverage, and hurried to his side to check on him. Despite how worried she was about the burnt paw, the canine looked at the captain with serious brown hues, staring at him.

Toushirou needed to thank this creature, but was too proud to admit it.

"Ichi!" Rukia ran to the office that the group was in, almost missing it since the door was open. "Trouble!"

Ichigo jumped up to his paws despite the pain on the back left—he halted, knowing that he had to receive permission from the captain. He turned to look at the white-haired prodigy, earning a nod, allowing him to return the nod grateful before bolting out in a run once Rukia jumped on his back. Curious of what was going on, Rangiku and Momo decided to follow him until Toushirou asked them where they were going. It was a surprise to them that he actually defended the canine, but he said it was a mutual understanding.

"Sounds like you and Ichigo." Rangiku snickered.

Like… Kurosaki Ichigo?

The animal returned sometime a little after dark, but it came to the office limping on his left front paw this time. Toushirou noted how it looked badly out of shape due to fighting an opponent more or less, though there was no point in asking. He watched as the dog slowly lied down in his spot from earlier to tend to his wounds by licking them clean as to not become infected. His turquoise hues then turned away to give his attention to his almost completed paperwork until his eyes shot wide open at the sensation. It was an amount of spiritual particles being engulfed to place against the wounded canine, healing the wounds.

"You're very resilient, aren't you?" Toushirou watched his ear flicker. "You remind me of an idiot I know." Eyes opened slowly with exhaustion. "Although, this idiot is human." This time, there were no reactions. "Well, I suppose you earned yourself one night inside the barracks, but don't get used to it, you smell."

If only Ichigo could laugh.

"I will thank you for one thing though," he continued on his paperwork, not looking at the creature at all. "You gave Hinamori a reason to smile again. To see her as cheerful as she was to see you, however, if I find out that you're using her—" Toushirou watched as the canine sorely got up and came to him, gently biting on his haori to show him. "If you have to go out, take yourself. I have a lot of work to do right now."

'…and they say he's a genius?' Ichigo released him and his ears perked.

There was a knock on the sliding door before opening, "pardon the intrusion, I was just checking to see how everything was going between the two of you." Ichigo came over to Juushirou and tugged on his sleeve. "What is it?" He watched the canine release him and press his front paws against the wall as if frisked. "You want me to do that?" The canine nodded. "Okay, simple enough." He did as asked of him.
Ichigo stood on his hind legs again and used a front leg to keep himself steady against the wall as he barked and patted the insignia on Juushirou's haori. "The marking indicate what squad the taichou—" the dog barked, causing Toushirou to glare at the interruption. "The taichou—" again, the dog barked. "What are you trying to imply with Hinamori and a taichou's haori." He was tired of these games already.
"Ah, he's trying to tell you that someone is working very hard to be accepted as Captain of the Fifth Squad to take care of Hinamori fukutaichou for you!" Juushirou helped out, careful to not say any names in case he said the wrong name. "For a couple months now, someone has been doing their best to become good enough to be her taichou, but she needs to have a good bond in order for them to take the job really."
Toushirou did not seem to be amused in the slightest by this. "Am I to believe that this monstrous sized dog, wants to be a taichou… of Hinamori's squad…?" His head shook in disbelief while the dog went on all four again, and Toushirou almost wanted to laugh at this stupidity. "Do you take me for a fool?" Neither moved when he said this. "As idiotic as he is, I would prefer Kurosaki Ichigo to take care of that squad."
"Oh?" Juushirou snuck a glance at the canine at his side—watching as it glared at him for knowing he planned something now. "I had no idea that you placed so much trust in Ichigo-kun! I bet he would be delighted to hear you say that!" His hands clasped together. "Though… sadly enough he's sick right now."

"Taichou!" Rangiku's voice was heard, coming inside from behind the visiting captain. "You should go to bed already!" The dog growled at her for smelling of sake. "Oh shut up, I didn't do anything to you Ichi!"

That was a mistake she was going to regret as he turned to the bookshelf against the right wall, he placed his front paws up in order to reach for a specific book on the top shelf where the little captain could not reach. Rangiku was flirting with the other captain that was trying desperately to keep her off himself so she could not sexually harass him in any shape or form, but already he knew that he would be receiving many nightmares soon. Ichigo brought the book on Toushirou's desk while the woman was distracted, and opened it to reveal a key that he thought he lost; as the little captain held it, Ichigo nudged at the desk drawer that it was supposed to open up. In all honesty, no one knew about this perverted woman's secret stash, but he had known about it for some time now that was finally revealed to her superior who twitched angrily at the many photographs of him along with the many vulgar magazines of boys together.

"…Matsumoto…" His reiatsu made the room twenty degrees colder, and Ichigo was happy to have a fur coat right now as Toushirou slammed the boy-on-boy magazine on the desk. "What is this doing here!"

Rangiku looked though could not see, so she came all the way to the desk, and suddenly was not as drunk as when she first came in. Not even a second later did that woman disappear without a trance, screaming bloody murder with a bottle of sake in hand. Ichigo snorted in victory as he came over to grab the book in order to put it back, but Juushirou decided to help him with the trouble. There was an obvious bond between the man and dog; it was something that Toushirou somewhat hoped to not receive with it.

Toushirou had supposedly fallen asleep a little over an hour ago while Ichigo was very much wide-awake in the large closet. The captain said he could sleep in tonight that gave him the advantage to watch over him—and good thing too as the entrance to the barracks opened quietly. It stirred Toushirou out of his slumber though stayed in place since the canine had no reaction, but he recognized the reiatsu.

"It took longer for him to get here to sleep with that cup of poison, but he should be knocked out at least until midday tomorrow." Mayuri's voice stated. "Now then," he brought out a syringe, "let's test you, yes?"

Just as Toushirou was about to open his eyes and tell him to back off, the canine jumped out of the closet to begin mauling the clown-faced captain. It caught him by surprise that he could not avoid the biting and tearing from the teeth and fangs, so he stabbed him with the syringe—injecting the liquid into him. The dog yiped in pain, nearly collapsing over Toushirou's body as blood dripped from his fangs while panting in pain. As much as his body surged with pain and numbness, he kept himself in attack position while protecting the small captain who was now sitting up to watch everything. Not caring about the pain, Ichigo took a step towards him slowly in order to get a better angle to attack him, and licked his fangs greedily.

"I'll kill you for trying to touch him." Ichigo snarled, not caring if he was heard.
The clown-face cocked his head. "Oh, so the beast talks. I'm surprised you can move."
He could not deny the pain. "What was in the syringe you bastard?" He was feeling ill now.
"That's none of your concern," his shoulders shrugged. "Now I have to fix up a new batch next time."

Ichigo lunged at him, ripping one of his arms off as he vanished with a flash step, and he was going to chase after him. However, after taking just one-step, his body felt like lead that forced him to collapse on the floor with a loud thud to boot. Toushirou came over to inspect the large creature where he there liquid was injected into him, but it only harmed the canine when touched.

"Still… think… I can't manage… being… a… taichou?" The canine saw a glimpse of concern from the captain, and so he tried to get up, but failed miserably. "Don't you Shinigami lock your doors at night?"

A/N: I have a lot of stories to catch up on right now, so I don't know when the next update will be.