Life and Breath pt. 3 [bleach fanfic]

[missingkitsune]

title: Life and Breath pt 3
author: missingkitsune 
fandom: Bleach
pairing: Shun/Uki
warning: character death, language, M/M situations,
word count: 872
comments: post winter war, the captain commander dies who will take his place?
i do not own the characters of this story. all mistakes are mine alone.

 

Life and Breath

pt 3

 

It took more time to get from Squad Four to Squad Thirteen's barracks than it logically should have. Everyone questioned him about the old man' s passing and what was going to happen in the future of the Gotei 13.

 

He mumbled some replies and got away with some noncommittal shrugs before waving off further questions and proceeding on his way.

 

He saw them coming and sighed deeply, the two third seats came rushing toward him, before they even began what was sure to be another of their ridiculous arguments. He forestall the barrage by placing a hand over each mouth and shaking his head, “Not now,” he murmured quietly.

 

Both nodded their heads, and he let his hands drop to his side. As he entered Jyuushiro's room Kiyone: with an unusually quiet voice said, “I'll go make some tea and bring it to the room.”

 

Shunsui nodded and slid the door closed. Ukitake was sound asleep in a semi-reclining position, one that would help with his breathing. Isane had left the squad thirteen captain in her sister's hands for the night so that the healer could get some much needed and well deserved sleep.

 

He was desperate to hold Jyuushiro, yet terrified that he might inadvertently damage the fragile healing process.

 

Peeling off the outer layers of his uniform he crawled under the thick comforter and stretched out on his back. Honestly just wanted to curl around his lover but really didn't want to disturb him or take the chance of reopening the horrible wound in his chest.

 

Jyuushiro shifted in his sleep, responding the the new warmth at his side. “unnn...Shunsui?” he stretched out a hand to touch the solid body. “Oh Shunsui” he rolled onto his side and buried his face in the soft hair on his lovers broad chest. “Is sensei really...”

 

Shunsui threaded his fingers through the soft, pale hair, “Yeah Jyuu he's gone,” he could feel the thin shoulders trembling, and began to run his hands over Jyuushiro's back, trying to comfort the man who was curling into his embrace. He felt his own tears trail over his cheeks as Ukitake's shoulders shook with grief.

 

When the tears had subsided Ukitake coughed several times then looked up into Shunsui's eyes. “ I should have been there, I should have been there with sensei,”

 

Brushing a few stray tears off Ukitake's face, “It's ok, Retsu was right you wouldn't have been able to handle it.” he pushed up onto his elbows, “The ceremony is in two days, you'll be there even if I have to carry you and have you sit on my lap for the whole thing.”

 

“You would do that wouldn't you?”

 

“Yep, but I always like holding you on my lap so it's not that big of a deal.” Shunsui smiled warmly. Ukitake lightly punched his arm.

 

“Now who's going to lead us? We have to have a leader.”

 

“Hehe,” Shunsui chuckled as he ran a hand down his face. “It's already taken care of.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Don't worry your pretty head about it, you're completely off the hook.”

 

“Oh? ” Ukitake repeated, “I see, so who's the lucky soul? Wait let me guess...Byakuya?” he watched as Shunsui shook his head, “But he's the most likely candidate, since he's a noble,” Shunsui continued to shake his head. “Well that would leave Unohana-san and you.”

 

“Senpai is busy with the fourth.” Shunsui said flatly.

 

“So that means you...” Jyuushiro's eyes widened. “By the gods what were they thinking?”

 

“That's what I sai....OI! Hey, Jyuu-chan that wasn't nice.” he tried to frown, but ultimately failed when he saw the glimmer of humor in Ukitake's eyes. “Tease,” he said grumpily. “You've no idea how happy I am to see you smile again.” he ran a thumb along Jyuushiro's jaw.

 

“What'll you do now?” Jyuushiro pressed his cheek into the hand at his face. “That's a lot of work.”

 

“Apparently Yama-jii left me notes on how to proceed and why I was picked for this lovely new adventure, dammit there are other Captains...”

 

“Yes there are, but would you want them in charge?”

 

Sighing, Shunsui laid back down on the futon and pulled Jyuushiro close, being extra cautious. “No! not really, I, however despise all the responsibilities that goes with being in charge of anything,”

 

“What about the academy? Captain-Commander was in charge of that also.”

 

“Aw hell no.” Shunsui Kyoraku groaned in defeat. “Not that too,”

 

“That is a lot for you to take on Shunsui but nothing insurmountable.”

 

Heaving a deep, heavy sigh, Shunsui shifted, “It's not just Soul Society business that I have care of now Jyuu, it's my family too... I just don't...gods it's too much.”

 

“Shunsui? Tell me what's wrong,” he placed his hands on Shunsui's face, cupping the whisker covered jawline, “Please my dear friend, you know you can tell me anything.”

 

“It's the worst of all situations,” he stared off into space, “I'm now head of the family.”