Ever since that day, Ikkaku and Yumichika were officially together as a couple. So were Shuhei and Izuru, and Yumichika couldn't remember the last time he was this happy.

"Come on Yumi." Ikkaku said. "Or we'll be late meeting up with the Squad."

Yumichika stretched in bed, snuggling up with the warm blankets. "5 more minutes Ikkaku."

"You said that 5 minutes ago." Ikkaku signed. "Honestly, ever since we've been together you've gotten so lazy."

Yumichika sat up. "Yeah. You're right. I'm sorry."

He threw the blankets off of himself and stood, finding his uniform and putting it on. He put his Zanpakuto at his side. "Ready now." he announced, joining Ikkaku outside.

"About time," Ikkaku said, offering his arm. "Let's go."

Yumichika wrapped his arms around Ikkaku's, leaning against him.

"Not so close!" Ikkaku said and when Yumichika looked up, he saw Ikkaku's face was bright red.

Yumichika let go completely. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"Of course not Yumi!" Ikkaku said, his face red. "It's just that..."

Yumichika smiled seductively. "Am I just too good looking, that I turn you on every time I touch you?"

Ikkaku blushed furiously. "No of course not!" Then he realized what he had said. "Wait, no! You are beautiful! That's not what I meant! I mean-"

Yumichika stopped him with a small kiss on the cheek. "Just shut up Ikkaku. I was only teasing you. Now let's go before we get yelled at by the Lieutenant."

After a few more minutes, they arrived at the main room in Squad 11.

"3rd seat Madarame and 5th seat Ayasegawa reporting for duty sir!" Ikkaku said, opening the door.

Yumichika looked inside. No one was there... Except the Captain and Lieutenant.

Yachiru turned around. "You're late baldy!" she announced, jumping onto Ikkaku's head.

Yumichika laughed nervously. "We're so sorry Captain."

Yachiru jumped on Yumichika's shoulders and pulled his hair. "You're late too eyebrows! Kenny! Give them a punishment!"

"Ouch ouch!" Yumichika complained, trying to get her off. "Stop stop!" He whined. "I'm sorry Lieutenant! Really! Now stop!"

Yachiru jumped off Yumichika and onto Captain Zaraki's shoulder, hanging on like she normally does.

"Alright," Zaraki said. "Since you two clowns decided to bail out of the meeting, I'm sending you on an assignment to the world of the living."

"The world of the living?" Yumichika asked. "What for now?"

"Old man Yamamoto asked me to choose 2 people from the Squad I thought could handle the job." He paused. "And I think you two are the only ones capable enough for this job."

"Okay Captain," Ikkaku said. "What's the assignment?"

He pulled a file out of his robe and threw it at Yumichika. "Details are in there."

He left with Yachiru.

Yumichika flipped it opened and began reading. "'Special assignment for Squad 11. Hollows escaped from the Department of Research and Development' That sounds familiar, 'Do NOT kill them. Capture them alive and bring them back to Captain Kurotsuchi. There are 3 total. Send two members capable of such a task to Karakura Town immediately.'"

"We are NOT staying with Mizuho and Keigo again." Ikkaku announced. "Never. No way in hell."

"Funny," Yumichika said. "I was thinking the same thing. Maybe we could convince Ichigo to let us stay there. Or perhaps the Quincy. Or even Orihime or the big guy Chad."

"Yeah. I agree." Ikkaku said. "Now what do these 3 hollows look like?"

Yumichika gave him the file, letting him see for himself.

"Holy shit." Ikkaku said. "They're that big?"

"Apparently." Yumichika said.

"Oh fuck." Ikkaku said. "Why'd Squad 11 get assigned to this? Couldn't Yamamoto send Captain Hitsugaya and Rangiku?"

"Captain Hitsugaya is on leave this week and Rangiku would never agree to this unless her Captain was with her."

"What about the others?" Ikkaku said. "There's got to be another Squad who'd do this instead. Why do we always get stuck with the shitty assignments?"

"Don't ask me Ikkaku." Yumichika said. "And would you stop using that language? It's unsuited for kids."

"Why the fuck should I care?" Ikkaku said. "There aren't any kids present."

Yumichika's cheeks flushed red. "Well..." he began. "You never know...There could be."

"What are you saying idiot?" Ikkaku said. "There's just us here. Unless you're implying that you're magically carrying a baby?"

"Of course not." Yumichika said seriously. "I am not. Besides, how could I? I am a male after all. That whole reproduction thing happens in females last I checked Ikkaku."

"Yeah yeah I know Yumi." Ikkaku said. "Just the way you said it...Ugh! Just.. Never mind."

Yumichika leaned against the wall, sliding down until his was sitting, holding his knees to his chest. He rested his head on his knees and sighed. "Could you imagine it though Ikkaku?"

"I don't know Yumi," Ikkaku said. "But we should get going. It said as soon as possible. We'd better go before we get in trouble with the Head Captain."

"Yeah," Yumichika said, standing. "I suppose you're right."

Ikkaku smiled at him. "Let's go kick some Hollow ass!"

Yumichika grimaced at him. "What did I tell you Ikkaku? Watch your language!"

Ikkaku only laughed and ran out of the barracks. Yumichika chased after him.

Note: Not one of my best chapters :\

I'm sorry. It sucks. I know. Even as I was writing it, I though 'Man. This sucks.' But I decided to roll with it.

The real action begins next chapter though

(And by action I mean fighting hollows, not yaoi yaoi...yet ;)