Two Souls, One Story

Chapter 11

"He's so tall," Rukia whispered to Izuru. "He's so cute!" She knew what his face looked like, having seen it when he was introduced to her by Kaname and Kaien. "You probably don't remember from the manga but OMG!" She gasped, looking up at Izuru. "You can't resist the pets and nose boops!"

Izuru nodded slowly. "I remember vaguely what he looks like." He examined the bucket-like helmet over the man's head. "Was it a fox head or wolf head?"

"Um." Rukia paused, looking up at Izuru.

"What are you two talking about?" Komamura's sudden presence behind the two shinigami made them almost jump into their next reincarnation.

"Rukia described to me what your face looked like, Captain Komamura, at my curiosity and we were curious on if your head is that of a fox or wolf, sir," Izuru said politely, not even looking at Rukia who was impersonating a dying salmon.

"Wh- Hold on!" She finally got a hold of herself, "You just... Excuse me!" She grabbed her hair and shook her head. "Okay, yes! Are you a fox or a wolf, Komamura-san?"

Komamura bristled... or, at least it felt like it. Izuru saw his shoulders tensed and Rukia saw some of his fingers twitch. It's amazing what you can see when the height difference is so diverse!

"I come from a long line of wolves..." Komamura growled with forced patience.

Izuru blinks and smiles that reach his eyes. "May I see your face, Captain Komamura?"

He paused and looked around the area, making sure no one was around. "All right, since Kuchiki has already told you what I look like." Slowly, Komamura removed his helmet, revealing his face.

There was a pause.

"Sir? You are a fox." Izuru put a hand on his hip as if that was the end of his argument.

Rukia nodded in agreement. "Definitely a fox." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Giant fox."

"I am a wolf, not a fox!" Komamura barked out, fur bristling up in a fashion that left Izuru whole-heartedly amused.

Rukia giggled in response. "Awww, the fox is getting grumpy." She cooed, moving to gently boop his nose.

"Rukia... what are you doing?" He made a point to look down at her while pointing up at Komamura's face. "You're literally half his size. Besides I don't think foxes like their noses touched."

"It's called air walking!" She hopped up to stand on a reishi shelf so she stood at equal height and booped the giant man's nose. "I can't resist." She placed her hand on his head and gently scratched behind his ears. "So cute."

Izuru pinched the bridge of his nose. "At least ask for permission before you start petting someone. People can find that creepy."

"Oops." She pulled back. "Sorry..." she hopped down and sheepishly shuffled in place.

Komamura made a gesture that resembled moving his eyebrows. "It is... all right." His ears twitched, and his shiny eyes shifted from one direction to another. Slowly, he leaned forward until he was at a reasonable height to Rukia and Izuru. "You may touch my fur if that was your mission today."

Izuru hesitates, "Excuse me," He reaches up and his hand sinks into Komamura's fur. Once he figured out how deep it went, Izuru started with pets that he knew most canines enjoy. Based on how Komamura closed his eyes slowly, Izuru had to guess that he enjoyed the feeling. 'Oh yeah, I still got it.'

Rukia watched with interest, eyes glittering. She was happy that Komamura was happy at this moment.

"Captain Komamura? You have fox fur." Izuru retracted his hand as the Captain straightened up, fur puffed in agitation. "I'm not saying it in a bad way, sir, forgive me if that's what my tone sounds like. But you... don't meet any of the biological requirements that make a wolf."