Just in case any of you were wondering, this story is taking place after the Winter War, a few days after Ichigo lost all his reiatsu. And since the 3rd, 5th and 9th Squads do not have a Taichou, I will bring in Kira, Hinamori and Shuuhei. I might bring in the other Fukutaichous too, depending on the reader's requests.
And yeah, I ship RenRuki, so they'll kinda appear in this chapter.
Ukitake was in his office, completing his paperwork, when he heard a knock on the door.
"Excuse me, Taichou. It's me, Rukia."
"Come in."
Rukia stepped in. Walking over to the desk, she asked, "How are you feeling today, Taichou?"
"Ah… I'm doing very well, thank you. I don't remember ever feeling this strong before, actually!" He laughed.
"I noticed, Taichou. Your face has a little more colour now, and the amount of paperwork you leave for me to do are lessening." Rukia smiled.
"It's all thanks to you, Rukia san. I believe that the improvement in my health is caused by the lovely gift you presented to me." At that moment, Shiro ran over to Rukia and rubbed against her legs.
"It that so, Taichou? I'm glad, then." Rukia lifted the cat up. "Oooh, you look so much like Chappy! If only your ears were longer…" She cooed softly.
"Hm?" Ukitake asked.
"Uh.. oh, nothing, Sir. Are you sure you don't need my help?" she looked at the papers on his desk.
"It's okay, Rukia san. You should go hang around with Renji kun… And your friends."
Rukia blushed. "Uh… mm. Thank you, Taichou."
Ukitake smiled as his Lieutenant dashed out of the room, face as red as the previously mentioned man's hair.
"Is Ukitake Taichou in?" He heard Hinamori Momo ask Rukia.
"He is."
"Come in, Hinamori san." Ukitake said.
"Uh… Hai, Taichou,"
"It's been a while, Hinamori san. Are you doing well?" Ukitake asked kindly.
"Yes, Taichou. I'm-"
"NO! I'm the one who's responsible for feeding Shiro chan tonight! Out of my way, monkey man!"
"YOU get out of MY way, booger girl!"
Ukitake facepalmed. Kiyone and Sentarou had gotten into another argument again.
"Ukitake Taichou! I have prepared a warm bowl of milk for Shiro chan!" Kiyone shouted.
"Ukitake Taichou! I have prepared an EVEN WARMER bowl of milk for Shiro chan!" Sentarou bellowed.
"Both of you please calm down! Can you not see that I have a guest here? Ukitake sighed.
"My apologies, Ukitake Taichou! Please punish me for my misdeed!" Kiyone yelled.
"No, Taichou! Punish me!" Sentaro yelled even louder.
"Please, both of you step outside for a minute. I will talk to you when Hinamori san leaves." Ukitake said, exasperated.
"At once, Taichou!"
"Ah… I swear, with the both of them around, this Squad will never be peaceful…"
"Shi… Shiro chan? Why would they have to feed Shiro chan?" Hinamori looked confused and amused at the same time.
"Huh? Why ever not? Shiro chan belongs to me, you know, and as my Third seats…" Ukitake trailed off, seeing the look of horror in Hinamori's eyes.
"Ahahaha! I'm sorry, Hinamori san! I have yet to introduce my pet to you, right?" Ukitake picked up the little kitten. "This is my cat. I named her Shiro because her fur is absolutely white. Am I wrong?"
Hinamori started laughing. "Oh… I thought you were talking about…" She couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing again.
"About who, Hinamori san?" Ukitake looked puzzled.
"Oh, it's just that… that's the nickname I gave to Toushiro kun- I mean Hitsugaya Taichou when we were young." Hinamori said, her eyes glowing with laughter.
"Oh, it that so?" Ukitake laughed with her.
Hinamori wiped her eyes. "I haven't laughed this much since… since Aizen Taichou…" Hinamori became quiet again.
"Don't talk about it anymore, Hinamori san. Here, would you like to hold my Shiro chan?" Ukitake handed the little cat to her.
She smiled again. "What a coincidence! You named your kitten Shiro chan!" Shiro nuzzled against Hinamori's neck. "Aww… you're so sweet!"
"So, Hinamori san, what brought you here today?" Ukitake said, walking back to his desk.
"It's just that… lately, I have been really busy with my Squad. Before the Winter War, Hitsugaya kun used to do our Squad's paperwork for me. But he is away a lot now. I heard Matsumoto san say that he's training very hard. And I shouldn't bother him when he's so busy. I wanted to ask you if… if you could take over some of my Squad's paperwork for me. But only… only if you can…"
"Of course, Hinamori san. Actually, Rukia san was just telling me how I hardly leave any paperwork for her to do. You should talk to Rukia san. Since I alone could handle my Squads paperwork now, she is quite free, and I'm sure she will help you with it." Ukitake smiled.
"Thank you, Ukitake Taichou! That will be a great help for me." Hinamori said, gratefully.
"My pleasure, Hinamori san."
Hitsugaya Toushiro couldn't help wondering what happened to revert Hinamori back to her jolly humor lately. He was even more confused why Hinamori couldn't stop laughing everytime she accidentally (or intentionally?) called him 'Shiro chan'.
How was it? Please review. =3