It was a lovely Thursday afternoon in the 13th division. Captain Kurosaki Ichigo sat at his desk, sorting through paperwork with his chin propped in his hand, leaning against the desk as he worked quietly.

Some distance away, Rukia sat with her legs folded on the floor of her living room in a relaxed manner, looking at her phone in one hand, the other holding their 2 week old daughter, bundled and asleep in a pink baby blanket and hat.

"Here, Rukia-nee," Yuzu had returned from the kitchen, holding a tiny bottle in her hand, which she held out to her before sitting down in the gap between Rukia and Karin, who was playing a game on her phone in boredom.

Next to Rukia, Momo watched as Rukia took the bottle, murmuring her thanks. Momo leaned closer to Rukia's ear before whispering, "Rukia, don't let Rangiku-san take her, I haven't gotten to hold her yet-"

"Hey!" Rangiku exclaimed from her seat on the couch, "I only got to hold her for a few minutes!"

"You had her for like half an hour!"

"Not true!"

"I haven't held her yet, either. Neither has Soifon!" Yoruichi jabbed her thumb in Soifon's direction, who stood a little behind her. "Ah Yoruchi-sama, I-I don't-"

"Nonsense! A captain should be experienced in many things, Soifon. Lets have her here!"

Momo sat upright at this, "W-Wait, I haven't-"

"A line, a line! I'M going first, who wants to go after?" Rangiku called out, only to have glares shot at her.

"No you already held her, Hinamori can go first, then me and then Soifon."

"I-I really don't mind not having a turn-"

Nanao pushed her glasses up her nose slightly, "I also haven't gotten a chance to hold the-" she glanced at the pink bundle in Rukia's arms, a slight blush crossing her own face, "-precious little one yet, and Rangiku-san HAs been hogging her."

"Hey!"

"Me, neither," Inoue called out as she returned into the room after having put her 5 month old son to sleep in the guest room across the hall. She sat down on the couch next to Rangiku and Tatsuki, "I'd like to hold her, she's so sweet!"

"M-Me, as well please!" Isane waved her hand from her seat on the floor across from Rukia.

"I," everyone fell quiet when Nemu, who had been standing silently next to the couch Rangiku sat on, spoke suddenly, "Would also like to experience holding the infant."

"Okay, then," Kiyone clapped her hands, "Let's see- Hinamori-san, then Inoue-san, Yoruichi-san, Nanao-san, Nee-san, Nemu-san, Soifon-taicho, and THEN Rangiku-san!"

"Hey, that's not fair, why am I last?! I only got to hold her for 10 minutes!"

Rukia, who had been watching silently as the fate of her tiny daughter was being decided, shrugged and passed the sleeping infant to Hinamori, who eagerly took her and gasped, "She's so light! Look at the way she grimaces, oh, Rukia!"

"She has my husband's expressions," Rukia commented as she stood, stretching lightly, "I'll be back in a few minutes okay?" she nodded to Yuzu and Karin, who nodded back while Karin gave her a thumbs up while still playing on her phone.

"Wait, Rukia," Momo looked up at her from her place on the floor, still cradling the infant in her arms, "I think- she's waking up,"

Indeed, the baby's sweet little indigo eyes were squinting and blinking in an attempt to wake up as she fussed lightly and made little baby noises. Rukia swept her hair behind her shoulder, "Just rock her and she'll go back to sleep, otherwise she'll cry. Don't worry, she'll sleep as long as someone's holding her, she's addicted to being cradled and held." she walked over to the door, murmuring in amusement more to herself than the girls, "Ichigo never puts her down," before walking out of the room.

Kuukaku, who had come to see her neice and also to indulge in Isshin's request to be present, chuckled, "The poor thing can't have a break."


Meanwhile, Rukia had flashstepped to the 13th division, walking into Ichigo's office hurriedly, "Ichigo?"

"Hey, sorry for bothering you right now.." he paused, "Where's-"

"She's fine, I left her at home, she's with the rest of the girls." when Ichigo opened his mouth to speak, she quickly added, "And your sisters, if that's not enough for you. Sorry, I know you want to have her glued to you but it just isn't possible," she said teasingly as she walked inside, closing the door behind her.

Ichigo pouted but nodded as Rukia hopped up onto his desk and reached out, pinching his cheek affectionately, "So what is it?"

"Did you," he leaned on his elbow propped on the desk, tapping her thigh absently, "happen to get a call from Renji a few minutes ago?"

"No.." Rukia paused, "Why?"

"He sent me a text message saying.." his voice trailed off as he turned his phone on, continuing, "EMERGENCY, HELP, COME RIGHT AWAY," Ichigo read off his phone before looking back up at his wife, "I don't know why."

"Call him," Rukia suggested, pushing the phone towards his direction. Ichigo picked up the phone, dialing Renji's number and hearing it pick up after a single ring. "Renji?"

Rukia pressed the speakerphone button in time as Renji responded, "ICHIGO! Thank god you've responded- aghhhh!"

"What?" Ichigo exchanged a concerned look with Rukia before looking back to the phone, "Renji, what's wrong?"

"I need your help! I burned my foot, I can't walk and I need you to help me before taicho-"

"Wait hold on, Renji," Rukia chimed in now, "It's me, Rukia- what did you say happened?"

"I was cooking on my mini grill and I accidentally stepped on it and burned my foot, and I need you to come help me go to the 4th division before taicho comes!"

"You- burned- your foot?" Ichigo pursed his lips, trying not to laugh, "On your portable grill?"

"YES!" Renji screamed, "I was grilling the meat and I accidentally stepped on it and it clamped on my foot!" Renji's voice wavered as if he were in great pain, "I need to go to the 4th!"

"Renji why do you want Ichigo to come? can't you ask one of your own officers?"

"Everyone's gone, its after work hours, taicho will be here any minute to see if I've completed the work I've been putting off!"

"What about your girlfriend?" Ichigo questioned, "Didn't you say you went out with someone last weekend?"

"That was all made up."

The married duo exchanged amused looks with each other.

"Renji, can't you just.. hop?" Rukia questioned innocently, glancing over at her husband who had now placed both hands on his face and plopped his head into her lap to keep from laughing aloud.

"No I can't hop, RUKIA!" Renji screeched, "I already tried hopping and I bumped my elbow against the wall, and now my elbow has a protuberance!- WOAH WOAH WOAAAAAAAAAAH!" there was a large crashing sound in the background, and Renji screamed, "Oh, GODDDDDD!"

"Renji?- Okay you know what, Ichigo is coming there okay?" Rukia replied, pushing her hair behind her ear, "Ichigo is going to come and help you so just stop screaming and wait for him."

"Please!- wait Rukia, can't you come too!?"

Rukia paused, "Why?"

"Just come here with him!"

Rukia raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ichigo, who shrugged, before continuing, "Tell me before I come."

"I need you to rub butter on my foot." Renji's voice was strained, and slightly desperate, "Please? Its country croc."

"NO."