Okay~! Here's the 4th Chapter. Thanks for the awesome reviews, everyone!

Ukitake Juushirou woke up the next morning to the sound of soft pattering on the floorboards.

As he rose, he looked towards the little kitten, exploring his room from corner to corner.

He had retired to bed early the other night, after a bout of coughing up blood. Although he was going to stay up a little late and pay a visit to Shunsui, Rukia had insisted he get some rest, since he was not feeling well after the attack. His lieutenant had convinced him that she would see to all the work, and make sure that Shiro chan had a bowl of milk before she went to bed.

The little cat tottered happily to his side, mewing. Ukitake gently patted the kitten, and lifted it up to face him.

"Would you like to go out and meet Kyoraku san with me today?" He asked the little animal. It responded in its own way by purring and closing its eyes, which made its face look like it was smiling. Ukitake laughed. "Okay, wait till I get ready, okay? We'll have some breakfast before we go."

It was a sunny, lively day in Seireitei. Ukitake could see members of different squads rushing to work, or just meeting by the roads, chatting. He remembered the days when he was young, and he would hang around with his best friend without a care in the world. Now they were both Captains, and of the few oldest ones at that, including the Head Captain and the 4th Squad Captain. Well, it's not like Kyoraku DOES have a care in the world, even though he's a captain, Ukitake thought with a smile.

He was led to the 8th Squad Captain's room by a rather grumpy Ise Nanao, who walked off as soon as announcing Ukitake's arrival to Kyoraku , much to his disappointment. "Aah, Nanao chan has been so mean to me lately…" muttered the obviously drunk Taichou.

"Hello Kyoraku san. Having a nice day, I suppose? In your own way, that is!" Joked Ukitake before he took a seat across the table Shunsui was sitting by. After receiving a groan in response, Ukitake asked; "Come on, Kyoraku, aren't you going to ask me why I came to see you all of a sudden?"

"Mmm? Don't ya always come to talk to me just randomly?" Kyoraku replied.

"Ah… But today's special, you know!" Ukitake flashed a grin.

"Yup… and special things calls for celebration. And what's the best way to celebrate?" Kyoraku placed another huge bottle of sake on the already laden table. "So… what do you say?"

"Ahaha… sorry, Kyoraku, but not today. I'm having a little…company right now."

"Ohh Ukitake, so you finally got a girlfriend?" Shunsui said with glee. "Where is she? Who is she?"

"What… oh no, it's nothing like that, Kyoraku…" Ukitake cradled the up till now unnoticed kitten in his hands. "I got a pet! Isn't it adorable? I call her Shiro chan."

"Aah ah, and here I was hoping you had finally…" Shunsui trailed off. "Hah hah, but it is cute, I suppose."

Ukitake placed the kitten on the low table, allowing it to walk around a bit. After sniffing some of the bottles of sake, Shiro looked questioningly at her master. "No, Shiro. You shouldn't drink sake. I don't think it will be good for you." Ukitake said with concern.

"Oh, come on. The lil' kitty wants some. Here, kitty kitty!" Shunsui placed his shallow plate of sake in front of the small cat.

"Shunsui! You shouldn't do that! What if it harms the little animal?" Ukitake scolded, quickly pulling the cat away from the dish.

"Aww, can't I have a lil' fun, Ukitake? Man, everyone's so cold today…" Shunsui moans.

Ukitake sighs. " Well, seeing you are in a rather bad mood, I guess I'll leave. I'll see you later, hopefully when you are sober." Ukitake cuddled his little pet in his arms, and strode outside.

"Mm hm hmm~" Shunsui hums. "Wait… and I'm the one in a bad mood?"

Did you like it? Was I too harsh on Shunshun? R&R, pls ^^