Attack on the Cat! [ Somewhere in Juubantai ]

[Aki Sora]

With a feline-esque grin on her face and extra speed in her movements, Akina moved through the somewhat empty paths in the Juubantai district. She was searching for her blonde seat sister from the division.

"Neko-chaaaaaan~" the dark-skinned shinigami sang as she locked her eyes on the young woman and pounced on her. "Come with mee~"

Without hearing her reply or protest, she grabbed her by her tops and began to drag her away. Akina was bored and she knew that her friend wouldn't mind being snatched away for a bit.

[Bishiglomper]

Katsue's morning was busy. Though she was just the eighth seat of her division, somehow paperwork had been passed on to her. 'probably the work of Rangiku-san, no doubt..' she thought.

She held the fukutaichou in high regard, but she was notorious for shirking her paperwork duties. This particular task was one the fukutaichou was assigned. Cat didn't mind however.. she merely had to pass out notifications to the other seat members, updates or such on things going on within the division. If it were any more important, the papers would have gone the other way, for Hitsugaya-taichou to take care of. She couldn't fathom as to why it had gone all the way to her though... perhaps she was the most responsible?

Katsue was almost finished with passing them out. As soon as this task was finished, she was going to go relax by one of Juubantai's groves. Maybe take a nap. After a few training excercises of course.

Three more people! Ah...wait, what was that? Cat turned around, 'that sounds like-' "ACK! Akina-chan!"

Cat suddenly found herself being dragged away by her shihakusho's collar, her remaining papers falling forgotten to the ground. "Ah, but-but! The Notices! Grove..."

Her 'seat sister' and best friend as it were, was kidnapping her to kami-knows-where. And she was powerless to stop it.

[Aki Sora]

Bolting out of Juubantai's district, Akina kept up her momentum with her blonde friend in tow as she maneuvered through the streets. The only thing on her mind was their destination. Her grin still fully intact, she pressed forward, thinking to herself, Just a bit more, Aki-chan.

Finally, she arrived at the desired place, the local public bath and spring! Since Akina was dismissed early due to her taichou's annoyance with her ( though she had been pestering him all day for assignments ) and since Katsue was such a hard worker and deserved a treat like this, she figured why not!

"Here we are Neko-chan!" the mocha-skinned woman announced imitating a display showgirl. "Come on! Let's go inside! Comeoncomeoncomeon!!"

It was apparent, though not out of the ordinary, that Akina was extremely hyper. Although anyone would know that the rokubantai eighth seat was always this way.

Tugging on Cat's sleeve, the other shinigami pulled her to the entrance and spoke with the attendant. After they were clear for entrance, Akina dragged the blonde in further.

[Bishiglomper]

"Aki! Akiiiii-chan! Put me down~ Please? Akiiiinaaaa...." Cat's pleas went unheard. Akina was a woman on a mission! There wasn't anything this shinigami could do.. so she submitted to her friend's determination and waited to see where in Seireitei she was being dragged off to. Hopefully Akina wouldn't do anything mean.


They arrived at the destination and Cat finally breathed a sigh of relief when she was released. Now WHERE in Seireitei was it so urgent that Akina need drag her off to?

"........the baths?" Cat blinked up at the building. They were going to the baths? She was dragged out of work for this? They could go anytime! Cat sighed. If Taichou found out she was ditching work, he'd be upset. She hated to think she caused her captain any more trouble! ....Well, it was still early in the day. She could get the remainder of her tasks finished in a short time. Perhaps it would be alright.... just this once, to play hooky.

She let herself be pulled into the building, already starting to feel relaxed at the thought of getting to relax. Cat hadn't been to the baths for fun in a long time.

It didn't take them long to get situated in the women's springs. The minute the steam hit Cat's face, she was in bliss. She almost forgot her friend was with her as she slipped beneath the water, letting the warmth melt away any built up tension.

"Ahhh. Thanks Aki-chan. I needed this." She didn't know why Akina was treating her, but she wasn't about to question it. ....Well, maybe later. Now is happy time.

[Aki Sora]

The mocha allowed herself to melt into the steamy warmth of the water surrounding her body. She was able to tell that her friend was relaxing as well. That was a good sign. With Juubantai's fukutaichou frequent workload avoidance, Cat was usually next in line despite being the eight seat. The blonde must have been extremely responsible for that to happen.

"I'm glad that you're enjoying it," Akina nodded without opening her eyes. "It seems like we both needed it. You more than me though."

Her previous hyperactivity mellowed significantly while the soothing bath consumed her entire body. Slipping under until the water just reached the top of her lips, she relaxed more. A soft sigh escaped before she sat fully again.

"Ne, Neko-chan," she began, her voice sounding almost sleepy. "Wanna go for ice cream after we leave here? I've got a slight craving from something cold and sweet... like my taichou!"

Akina spoke of Kuchiki Byakuya as if the taichou was some kind of cold, I-don't-want-to-talk-to-anyone-but-I'll-go-to-Rukongai-to-feed-the-local-orphans, tsundere-type manga character. He seemed that way, but who actually knew?

[Bishiglomper]

Cat let herself slip further into the spring until the water was nearly to her nose. Instead of giving a reply to Akina's thoughtful words Cat merely blew appreciative bubbles. She didn't know if she deserved such a treat, but she sure appreciated it.

Ah, ice cream? Cat didn't remember ever having ice cream since.... Rukongai, was it? A rare treat- only happening once. It was so long ago! She was given some after a kind man had given her the rest of his own dish. It wasn't much but it certainly made an impression on the girl. The cold sweetness, mm... Cat would love to have some again. But...

"Anou..." Cat raised her head to look at her friend with a puzzled expresion. "Where would we get ice cream? I haven't seen anything like that around before.."

She then shook her head in amusement at Akina's comment. "Aki-chan, sometimes I think you joined the wrong devision. It's amazing how Kuchiki-taichou puts up with you! ..I wonder what he would think if he heard you say all the things you do about him?"

She grinned at Akina as she said this. Katsue knew the rokubantai-taichou wasn't as aloof as his reputation proceeded him. He's opened up a bit since the last year. That much Cat knew; not to mention Akina wouldn't let her forget it!

[Aki Sora]

"Hmm... I never thought of where," Akina admitted sheepishly as she lightly tugged lightly on her ear lobe.

She sank back into the water, attempting to remember if she'd come across any ice cream stands in her many travels around Seireitei. So far, she was drawing a blank. Just as she felt she may make a breakthrough in her thoughts, her blonde companion spoke once again. This time on the subject of her favored taichou!

"I was shocked that I was accepted into rokubantai, too! I guess I still haven't gotten over the shock of it really," she grinned widely and scooted closer to Cat. "Kuchiki-taichou is a strong, sturdy, patient man. That's how he puts up with me."

The mocha skinned woman let out a swooning sigh at the thought of her seemingly cold-hearted taichou. Images of her encounters with him flashed in her mind as well as a few others that were much much less than the truth. Actually, they were just downright fantasy. Closing her eyes, Akina squealed softly while hugging herself tightly.

"Anywho," she interrupted her own thoughts before things got out of hand. "You honestly haven't seen any ice cream stands around here? I'm not sure if I remember seeing one, buuuut if we can't find that then we can go for some cake. Whaddya say Neko? Huh? Huh?!"

[Bishiglomper]

Cat smiled as Akina spoke of her beloved taichou, a happy blush tinging her cheeks. Aki-chan really thought highly of Kuchiki-taichou. It was nice... Katsue had a similar feeling for Fukutaichou Matusumoto-san. Ah, it wasn't quite the same, but the admiration and respect was there...

"Anou... I could go for cake. If we can't find ice-cream...."

Truth be told, Katsue's mind was on other things. Akina was so happy in Rokubantai. While Cat's own squad was everything she hoped it to be, she was still envious of her friend's good fortune at being placed in the one squad that made her happiest. Though make no mistake, Cat was happy for her.
She sighed, trying not to dwell on the things that she herself desired. It wasn't as if she could do anything about it...

"You're so lucky Aki-chan. You get to be around Kuchiki-taichou so often..."

Her hands suddenly found themselves covering her mouth in a fit of embarrasment. 'Ahhhh!' Katsue mentally bashed, exasperated with herself. No use thinking about these things! It didn't matter anyway. Cat was just fine where she was; how things were going for her! And she had Akina, she didn't need anyone else to make her happy.

She shook her head, refusing to acknowledge the fact that her train of thinking summoned a blush to her soft features. The steam and temperature of the springs were no help...

She hoped Aki-chan didn't notice her sudden bashfulnes; she'd be curious! Did she? Cat didn't want to explain what crossed her mind. Aki would somehow force it out of her, she knew it!

"Ahh, it- it's getting a bit hot in here! Let's go, I could use something to cool me down. How about that ice cream?" Without even waiting for a reply, Cat waded away toward the edge, making her way to get out.

[Aki Sora]

Noticing from the way her friend spoke, Akina opened her eyes in time to catch the blonde's blushing. A feline grin spread across the woman's features and she became curious as to her friend's thoughts. Before she knew it, however, Cat was attempting to change the subject and escape. She was not going to get away that easy!

"Ah-da-da-da!!" she giggled as she grabbed the fleeing woman's wrist and pulled her back just a bit before meeting her halfway. "What's with thiiiis~? Something on your mind Ne-ko-chan~? Are you thinking of a certain redhead that I also see on a daily basis~?"

Akina knew of Cat's feelings for Rokubantai's fukutaichou. Her blonde friend had told her many times before how lucky she was to be in her squad. Though, Akina was just spazzy that she got to be around Kuchiki Byakuya.

"I'm gonna let you go this once, but when it's just you and I again, you're going to tell me what's going through your mind, 'kay~?" she said to her friend loosening her grip only slightly. She liked when she was able to have girl talk with her best friend. It was even more fun with Rangi-chan ( though Akina was careful not to call her that while on duty ) around, though sometimes the strawberry blonde had an occasional slip of the tongue when she's had some alcohol.

[Bishiglomper]

Before she could get away, Cat was caught, kept in place by Akina's grip. Katsue sputtered at the comment about a certain red-head. Was she so easy to read? She supposed she should give Aki-chan credit... she did know her more than anyone. But still! Did she have to tease her with the fact this early in the day? Cat couldn't help she had a childish crush on rokubantai's fukutaichou...

Katsue refused to meet her friend's gaze, still looking longingly at the exit. She was still blushing profusely. Well, at least she'd wait to pry her thoughts from her until later. If she's lucky, Aki-chan might forget altogether! ...she didn't get her hopes up.

Her head dropped in defeat. "Hai, hai..."

Perhaps she could manage to avoid being alone with her friend today...

After being released Cat waded a bit slower to the edge of the spring. It really was time to leave; she was getting pruny. Cat climbed out, wrapping a towl around herself and unpinning her hair. Her blonde curls cascaded down her shoulders. Ah, they were a little damp. They would dry shortly. Cat handed Akina a towel after climbing out of the springs herself.

[Toboe]

The two women would soon hear the sliding door open and close. The poor soul who was directed in the wrong direction happened to be Higashiyama Shihei. The normally easy going, can take everything thrown at him, personality was instantly and effectively dismantled as soon as the fourth seat turned around. In normal circumstances women made him nervous and unsure, but in their current state, it turned his mind unto goo.

"I... I...I.I.I.I.I..." He couldn't speak, well, not anything understandable other than the word "I." His intention was to apologize but he couldn't bring himself to say much more than that heavily stuttered syllable and some gibberish.

Shihei spun back around to hurry back inside, before he could face any repercussions, but his face soon became rather intimate with the door frame. The dull smack would be loud enough for Katsue and Akina to hear, but his resulting nosebleed would be the least of their worries.

In his absent minded haste to cover his nose to prevent the blood from dripping all over the place, his only form of covering fell to the ground in gentle and elegant flutter; coming to a rest as his feet. He just stood there, frozen in terror and disbelief at how bad his luck had gotten. To him, this was the doomsday scenario, it couldn't get much worse than this.

[Aki Sora]

Akina pulled herself from the warmth of the spring and stood next to her friend, hearing a male voice stutter profusely followed by a loud thwack. Looking in the direction of the sounds, she saw the Juusantai sprawled out near the door with a nasty little nosebleed. Seems like the poor guy found himself in the wrong place and tried to make a hasty retreat. Well, anyone who noticed him there would see how well that went.

Despite his being there obviously being an accident, some of the other women inside didn't see it as so and reacted in the cliche run-scream-cover-yourself-and-call-the-guy-all-kinds-of-perverts way. Sighing and shaking her head, Akina tossed her towel over her shoulder instead of wrapping it around her body and went over to the fallen man.

"Oi," she started, nudging him with her foot. "Shihei-kun from Juusantai, right? How'd you get in here anyways?"

[Bishiglomper]

Cat spun around upon hearing the sputtered gibberish. Seeing that the intruder was male and thus a very unexpected guest, her previous blush returned full force. Nevermind finding out why a man had come into the girl's baths; She was half naked! A squeak escaped her. In her attempt to hide behind Akina and cover herself a bit better she slid on a wet patch that had appeared from the climb out of the springs.

Having nothing to grab onto, Cat fell backwards back into the springs. Her towel, abandoned in the fall, fluttered ironically over the water to land above her head where she would resurface in a splashing, sputtering panic.

Her modesty forgotten, Katsue merely floated in her spot. Her mind was just as dazed as her spiraly eyes let on. This was not shaping up to be a good day.

[Toboe]

Shihei took one look at the naked woman and jumped up, quickly covering himself and backing away, stumbling several times. "Y...yes, that is I."

It wouldn't be possible to look anymore nervous than what he already was. He turned his red face away from Akina, wishing she'd cover up. "I... I was accidentally sent in the wro..wrong direction. I'm v.v.very ssorry!"

It should have been obvious to anyone there that it was an accident, but that didn't stop the other women from calling him a pervert, something that bothered him. Shihei however said nothing to them, not wanting to look in their direction, he just wanted to get out of there. "Please forgive me..." He bowed to Akina and headed towards the door. Sliding it open, the door had jammed quarter of the way, making him drop his towel once again as he fought to open it. "GAAAH! Why me!?"

[Aki Sora]

Tilting her head and finally realizing that her nudity wasn't making the man less frantic, Akina secured the fluffy towel around her torso and went to his aid. Nudging Shihei out of the way, the woman jiggled the door before opening it fully, but standing in his way.

"How'd you even get over this way?" she asked trying to get him to meet her gaze, but seeing that he wasn't going to look. "Oi... I'm talking to you, shakey."

It was none of her business really, but did that stop the mocha from asking questions anyway. She shushed the other women in the spring that were still calling the poor guy a pervert and stepped outside, pulling Shihei along to save him further embarrassment... not that he wasn't already embarrassed as hell already.

"Someone play a joke on you?" she asked after peeking back inside to see her blonde companion dazed in the water. "It happens often around here."