Hey everyone~ sorry for the long wait. Here's the next part... The Soutaichou. =]
The next morning, after breakfast, Ukitake went through his cupboards, searching for something to play with his Shiro chan. He did not remember ever keeping a ball, and Soifon Taichou only mentioned that cats liked to play ball. Ukitake sighed and looked at the kitten, who was sniffing around the room looking bored.
Ukitake looked up at the sound of a knock on the sliding doors. "Ukitake Taichou, may I come in?" Rukia asked.
"Sure." Ukitake answered. Rukia came in and informed him of her acceptance to do some of the paperwork for the 5th Squad for Hinamori Fukutaichou.
"Hmm. That's very kind of you, Rukia san." Ukitake acknowledged. At that moment, Shiro chan dashed at Rukia's feet, seeking for attention. She picked it up, and cuddled the little cat.
"Rukia san, Shiro chan had been rather bored lately. When I asked Soifon Taichou what cats like to play, she said that they like to play ball. But unfortunately, I could not find a ball for her. Do you have any idea what she would like?"
Rukia's eyes widened. "Ah Taichou, I almost forgot… Please wait a while." Rukia went outside. A little while later, she came with something that looked like the tip of a large paintbrush, tied with string.
"This is a cat toy. I brought this along with the kitten, but I've forgotten about it till now." Rukia held the string and waved it in front of the cat. Shiro chan leaped joyfully, and pounced on the toy. She clawed at the white threads, and just as she was about to bite the toy, Rukia pulled it away. The cat started to chase the white brush-like thing, and rolled all over the floor in the process. Ukitake and Rukia stood there laughing at the cat's funny antics, and encouraging it to chase the toy.
"Thank you, Rukia san. I'm sure Shiro chan will have a lot of fun with this." He smiled warmly.
"Ah, it's nothing." Rukia smiled back. "Oh, I have to leave now… I have some work to do. Please excuse me." Rukia waved to the little cat.
"Are you having fun, Shiro chan?" Ukitake asked, waving the soft, white cat toy between himself and the kitten. With a miaow, the cat launched itself at it, and Ukitake managed to catch the cat before it caught the toy. Laughing, Ukitake put the toy away, and lifted Shiro chan to face him.
"Hey, let's go meet Genryuusai Sensei. I haven't told him about you yet, though he should have been the first one to know. I hope no one had told him already, or he might be angry with me. Come on, Shiro chan!" Ukitake stepped outside, and started walking towards the 1st Squad.
The Soutaichou was, surprisingly, having his lunch when Ukitake arrived. "Good Morning, Genryuusai Sensei… Or is it noon already?" Ukitake asked.
"No, I suppose it is not. I am supposed to have a long meeting in half an hour, and I doubt that I will be able to have my lunch in the usual time. Therefore I decided to have lunch earlier than usual." Yamamoto Soutaichou finished his meal, and stood up. "What is your business here, Ukitake? I do not remember sending for you." The Captain Commander walked towards the windows of his office.
"Well, Genryuusai Sensei, I know I should have informed you earlier, but I was a bit careless. You see, on returning from her last mission, Kuchiki Rukia san…"
Before Ukitake could finish his sentence, Shiro chan jumped down from his grasp, and ran over to the Soutaichou. In shock, Ukitake ran after it. But the little animal was faster than him, and before he could call out to it, the little cat pounced on the old man's beard, and hung on tight.
As Ukitake gasped, Yamamoto Soutaichou looked down to see the little animal holding tight to his white beard. To Ukitake's surprise, he bent down and picked the kitten up.
"Oh, a cat I see. And a playful one, too." He exclaimed. "I suppose this is your pet, Ukitake?"
"Y…Yes, Genryuusai Sensei. As I was saying, Rukia san brought her to me from the World of The living." Ukitake can think of nothing else to say. He was still in shock from seeing Shiro chan chase the Soutaichou's beard.
He wondered why Shiro chan would suddenly do that. Then he remembered the toy Rukia had given to the little cat, and almost burst out laughing. As a matter of fact, the toy looked a lot like a white beard, and upon seeing the Soutaichou's beard, Shiro chan must have had an urge to chase it just as she had chased the cat toy.
"Hmm. It's been a while since I saw a cat… But Ukitake, are you sure that it is a good idea to have such animals in Seireitei? They could populate very quickly, you know." Yamamoto Soutaichou inquired, setting the kitten down. Ukitake motioned to it quickly, and it ran back to its master.
"I don't see any problem with it, Genryuusai sensei. I think that this is actually helping me a lot. I feel better when I'm with it. I've been in good health, and I even seem to be able to concentrate on my work better ever since I got this kitten." Ukitake explained.
"How is that possible? Just having a little animal about makes your illness better?" the Captain Commander questioned.
"I have seen that it is the case, Genryuusai dono," Unohana Taichou came in. "When Ukitake Taichou first explained it to me, I found it hard to believe. But now I have confirmed this myself, and I find it safe to say that Ukitake Taichou is right."
"Unohana Taichou… " Ukitake smiled.
" Hm, I see. You may keep it, then. But if I get any report of misconduct from this cat, I will not give another chance, and will have it sent back to the World of the Living immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, Genryuusai Sensei." Ukitake agreed. "I will take full responsibility of this cat, and make sure it behaves."
"Very good, then. I must leave now. My meeting is about to start." Yamamoto Soutaichou exited.
Ukitake sighed, and settled the struggling cat down. Without hesitating, Shiro chan ran towards the 4th Squad captain, and pounced at her neatly braided hair.
Please review. it's not that scary to review, you know X3