Chapter 5

It was still only early morning when Renji was ordered by Byakuya to hand over some documents to Juuyon-bantai's captain. The redhead did not want to go. Who would? Especially after the incident at their joint training. And he heard Kuchiki-taichou say that she held grudges for a very long time. Still… He can't just disobey his captain so he went over to the Juuyon-bantai barracks.

The first thing he saw was Hebi with her hair pulled back straight on one side, sparring with a cold sharp-eyed Inu. Now that Renji thought about it, Hebi looked a bit like his taichou with her hair like that. Inu turned her eyes to him sharply and stared. He stumbled, the piercing look disturbing him. 'I'm dropping off some documents for Ookami-taichou.' He said, not even daring to blink.

'Everyone's inside!' Hebi said happily, continuing with her sparring.

Renji walked into the building mentioned and immediately he heard strange loud music emitting from one particular room. He made his way towards it furiously. He knocked on the door with a short breath to calm him. 'Enter.' Kitsune called over the music.

He entered the room and saw Nezumi and Neko dancing to the music while Kitsune did the paperwork with Ookami. The taichou was grinning though even with the brush in her hand. Renji noticed almost all of them had customized shihakushos. He thought those tears in the side of Hebi's sleeves were Inu's attacks. She looked up at Renji, a dumbstruck look on his face. 'Renji Abarai.' She called amused. 'Stop staring at my shinigamis.'

'Ah, gomen.' He mumbled, turning away from the odd sight in shock and thrusting the papers at her. She took them and flipped it with a frown. 'They're just some forms for limiter release, your human world contacts and…' He started to explain.

'Shit!' she swore, cutting him off. Kitsune arched her brow as she rolled her slightly exposed shoulders. 'More paperwork!'

'I'll do it, Ookami!' Neko meowed, bounding over gracefully and snatching the papers. She was very hard-working despite her carefree personality. 'My handwriting's better.' A perfectionist as well.

The captain scowled but didn't deny it. Renji watched with wonder. Then the music changed to something rock and she calmed down immediately, grinning at Nezumi in thanks for changing the song. 'Did you want to borrow one of us for training?' Kitsune asked in a flat voice.

Ookami looked back at him, almost forgetting he was there. 'Oh yeah, take Hebi. She's developed an… appreciation for Byakuya's skills.'

'Uh, no, that's okay.' Renji refused awkwardly. Byakuya was immensely irritated by Hebi's stupid jibes and comments during battle. But… he did say he wouldn't mind having a member of Juuyon-bantai to help out the Sixth Division. 'He… doesn't deal well with her.'

'I don't blame him.' Ookami muttered, giving a side glance at Kitsune discreetly. Her fulutaichou caught it.

'Go yourself, Ookami. I'm not leaving this seat.' She said stubbornly, signing papers without a break in between.

'Lazy bastard.' Ookami growled sourly.

Kitsune allowed a small smile. 'As if you just knew that.'

'Can't I send Inu? I have sparring with the Eleventh Division.' Ookami whined, she promised Zaraki a fight.

'She's being loaned to the Tenth Division. We'll send Hebi in your place. You better not let Byakuya wait.' Kitsune organised quickly. Ookami stood abruptly, grabbing her haori and slipping it on. At least today's one was not illegally customised. But her shihakusho was low cut and her breasts seemed to be competing with Rangiku's.

'That ice cold bishounen won't wait for anyone.' She complained, grabbing her sword. 'You guys finish the paperwork and don't forget to pack, we're going to Karakura Town in two days.'

Renji cursed in his head but so far, Ookami-taichou showed no signs of a grudge. Groans of protest echoed as the two redhead shinigamis left the building. Hebi and Inu paused their fight when Ookami approached. 'Where are you going with the hot tattooed guy, Taichou?' Hebi asked suggestively.

In the next second, she was bending down with her hand over her head, grimacing. Ookami lowered her fist, tick mark obvious. 'Training, Rokuseki-chan. Both of you go inside to get instructions from Kitsune-fukutaichou.'

'Hai.' They echoed, Inu using shunpo to leave. 'Gomen, Ookami. I know you won't cheat on Gin.' She said meekly before following her senior.

'Does it really matter if you're just gonna kill him?'

Renji clamped his hand over his mouth. That wasn't supposed to come out. Ookami gave him a sharp look. 'Does it matter when you don't believe that I can kill him anyway?' She asked back.

'Look, I'm sorry about…' He began frustratedly.

'Stop talking.' She sighed sharply. 'You always seem to say something crappy when you talk. The facts are like this. I love Gin. I'll kill him. He won't be forgiven for what he's done so I'm gonna be the one to end his life. But that doesn't mean it won't hurt like a bitch.' She spat angrily.

Renji kept quiet the remainder of the way. He learned something. One, he sucked at talking and two, Ookami has a violent and quick temper. Nevertheless, Byakuya was calmly surprised to see her in such a foul mood so early in the day. He welcomed her at the entrance though. Just not in a good way. 'Isn't it a bit early for someone to have provoked you, Ookami-taichou? Apparently not.' He answered himself, catching Renji's guilty look.

Ookami narrowed her dark eyes at the noble. She was not in the mood for this. 'If you haven't noticed, Byakuya, there seems to be a fairly large stick stuck up your ass.'

Said arrogant man frowned but drew his sword to begin the battle. She drew her own. 'Bankai.' They chorused. Needless to say the sixth division ground would need extensive repairs.

PART TWO

Meanwhile, Inu has just arrived at the tenth division. Toshiro greeted her politely enough but it was spoilt by the words of the surrounding shinigami. Matsumoto immediately tried to gesture for them to shut up but to no avail.

'She's so cute!'

'Like Taichou's twin!'

'What a chibi!'

It a flash, her sword was drawn. 'Who called me a chibi?' She demanded quietly, her voice holding immense fury. The short captain blinked in surprise. Everyone fell silent. She turned back to Toshiro with a satisfied expression. 'Let's spar.'

So they did. The entire tenth division came to watch and cheer. Within the first minute, the two activated bankai. 'Kawaii!' the crowd complimented Inu largely, taking in her furry tail and dog ears. 'No wonder Komamura-taichou likes her!' Toshiro stared for a moment too. It was strange to see… but not intimidating in the slightest.

Inu's cheeks adopted a slight pink tinge but her stoic face showed no expression. 'Shiro, stop staring.' She requested, slashing her sword at him. He blocked the wall of ice with his own and the combined freezing reiatsu had caused it to start snowing.

'I'm merely getting used to… your bankai… and it's Hitsugaya-taichou.' He excused while reminding her.

'That's a pervert's excuse.' She accused flatly, forcing him to blush slightly and scowl at her.

'Taichou's not usually a pervert but you're very cute now, Inu-sanseki~' Matsumoto called out cheerily, dreaming of future relations between her taichou and Inu.

Inu did not take that well. 'I'm well aware this form is not in the least bit imposing, Shiro. But don't take me lightly!' She growled, releasing her power onto him. The nearby shinigami were forced to step back or risk getting hypothermia.

Toshiro cursed his fukutaichou's terrible choice of words. But then again, Juuyon-bantai was a division of very defensive people.

PART THREE (two days later)

A knock sounded on the door Sunday morning in the living residence of Juuyon-bantai. It was a cute house that Rukia had picked out for them and everyone was unpacking and cleaning undert the stern direction of Ookami, Inu and Hebi. They hated dirt. Nezumi went to the door and opened it. 'Ohayo!' She answered cheerily, her orange yellow hair tied up into a small rabbit's bob.

'Ohayo, Nezumi-san.' Orihime greeted brightly while Sado smiled beside her 'We came to see if you needed help.'

'Really? Thanks a lot, Hime-chan!' Nezumi squeaked, pulling the gentle human into the room and standing aside to let Chad in as well.

'Hello.' Ookami greeted with a grin, yanking a lazy Kitsune to her feet and shoving her towards an irritated Inu. 'We could use the help, Kitsune and Neko are… Neko, don't!' she cut off, reaching towards the vase the slipped out of the cat shinigami's hand.

Hebi bounced it up and away from the ground just in time and it flew through the air to be caught by Chand who handed it to Nezumi. 'Thanks!' She squeaked again, placing it on the table and sticking some fresh flowers in it.

'Ridiculous.' Inu muttered, while Kitsune groaned, moping the floor.

Ano… I could do that for you, Kitsune-san.' Orihime stepped up shyly to the siver haired girl. Kitsune smiled genuinely and let her take the mop but before she could flop on the couch again, Inu grabbed her.

'Forget it, you can help Chad to…' BEEP BEEP

Neko dug out her Soul Pager and whooped happily. 'It's a Menos!' She cheered. Inu scoffed and let Kitsune go. Then Neko frowned. 'Uh… Taichou, there's a lot of Menos… I think we have a problem.'

Kitsune took the Soul Pager and narrowed her eyes at it. 'Maybe our reiatsu has attracted them.'

The six immediately shifted out of their gigais, leaving them on the floor carelessly. Hebi beamed back at Chad and Orihime. 'Coming?' They nodded instantly.

'Let's go then!' Ookami cajoled. They all jumped out of the nearest window towards the horde of Menos.

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