Memories of a Broken Soul

Chapter 12: Pride

Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. But you already knew this so why bother.

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

#12#

"Pass me the stack over there."

Ichigo glances up to look at the stack of papers settled on the far end of the table before turning back to look at the raven-head buried deep into paperwork. He's pointing towards the various papers while filling in reports, so he really isn't looking at whatever the hell he's pointing.

"The ones from Central Forty-Six or the ones from the Captain Commander?"

"Both."

The orange-head stands up with a sigh before walking towards the wretched papers and brought them to Ryōtarō's side. He takes the opportunity to move the papers they have already completed to another place, before going back to his own work.

They've both been working on desk duty for the past day, so the division has been oddly quiet. The only noise that disrupted the silence was the sound of scribbling and shuffling paper which was starting to get annoying.

"Are the reports for the Central Forty-Six finished?" asked the raven-head after five minutes of silence.

"Getting there," said Ichigo without looking up from his work.

"What about the new training menus for the squad?"

The orange head's left eyebrow twitched even as he continued scribbling away "Getting there."

"Have the reports of last Saturday been checked?"

"I wasn't here last Saturday, you left it half-way." The Shiba heir growled out.

The raven head turned pensive as he paused his work and tilted his head sideways. He felt there was still something missing but couldn't put his finger on it.

"Oh! How about-?"

"Don't leave all the frickin' work for me!" Ichigo exclaimed "All you do is sign and sign and sign while I read, fill out, sort and organize! Do some of your work too!"

Ryōtarō pouted as he ignored his work. He had never been a fan of paperwork; actually, he only did it when he didn't have a lieutenant. It was too bothersome to even try doing it. The only thing he liked about work, was how he could sit down and stare at it for hours and never feel his annoyance diminish –believe it or not, it's hard to keep angry for a long time and he's been like this for half of his life. So all in all, he was a master at avoiding paperwork.

"Ne, Ichi?"

"What?"Ichigo groaned as he buried his head deeper into his papers.

"Did you know that the big secret to breaking the rules is making it look as though you're following them?"

"Oh, you would know so well, wouldn't you?"

Ryōtarō beamed in a way that made Ichigo sigh and roll his eyes. Why was he cursed with idiotic fathers?

Ichigo swears about his luck and resumes working. He was about to tell the man to shut up and get back to his own, when a knock disturbed their work. The Tenth Squad Captain glanced to look at the door before giving permission for entrance. Once the door flew open, a messenger entered with a pale face and shoulders tense.

It was clear as daylight this guy was a newbie.

"G-good afternoon Ryōtarō-sama, Ichigo-sama; I-I brought an urgent message from the training house back in the 3rd district."