Adult-FanFiction.org : Bleach

A Cupful of Heartache	By : wolfkin59 Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2746 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I neither own Bleach nor make money for writing this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Title: A Cupful of Heartache
Author: Cuzosu
Rating: M
Pairing: Shunsui and Kisuke
Summary: Shih�in Yoruichi has just died, and Tessai is worried for his long-time friend. Ichigo has been and gone, unable to help the blond because the blond didn't want to be found. So the former leader of the Kid� Corps. resorts to more drastic measures...
A/N: Shunsui gave me hell over this chapter. He didn't want it to be depressing. So I had a bit of a fight on my hands. The result is a chapter with mixed feelings, and a roller coaster in regards to the overall mood of the story itself. Hopefully y'all enjoy it anyway.

Chapter Two:
It was noon before Shunsui woke the next day. He'd been up so late planning what he could...but that Urahara genius is a fucking pain to plan around, the brunette admitted unhappily. Mostly I came to the conclusion that I'm going to have to wing it. Man, this is such a hassle.... If it weren't Kis-kun....
Probably it was convenient that Tessai knocked on his door just then, interrupting his thoughts. Because really, if it weren't Kis-kun....
"Ky�raku-san? Lunch is ready."
Shunsui blinked, startled from his musing. "Food?" He frowned. "Time to find Kis-kun again; I'm sure he's not eating on his own." But when he reached the door, he was surprised again.
Tessai stood in the hall, a respectful distance from his door once it opened, and stated, "He appropriated another bottle of sake last night. I found it on the porch this morning." The moustached man didn't need to tell him it was empty; that went without saying, since the bottle was currently dangling from one of the tall man's hands.
"Drinking under the stars? Sounds like something I'd do." He stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Yes," grunted Tessai, "except that this is Kisuke we're talking about...and he doesn't drink alone."
"Hm...good point," the brunette admitted. Then he sighed and headed for the kitchen to pick up the meals. It was only the second day and already having to track down the elusive blond was proving to be a pain. Kisuke was lucky he had a soft heart, that was all.

This time the blond was in the underground training facility and Shunsui couldn't help but wonder what memories might have brought the younger man here. Where Yoruichi was concerned, certainly most would be pleasant...or at least amusing, right?
He cleared his throat once he reached hearing distance, careful not to startle the ex-captain into a violent reaction. "Lunch," he said, setting the tray down next to the other man.
For a man who chose to wear green and white, his brooding brought a darkness that seemed to suck the light out of all the color around. Dull gray eyes rose slowly to meet brown. Shunsui couldn't help but notice the dark bags under his eyes, the lack of that mischievous green lustre which so often shone through the gray in Kisuke's eyes. He looked like a war had run rampant through his head all night, though which side had won was open for debate.
Shunsui was sneaky, though, so when Kisuke reached to pour himself a cup of sake from the bottle the brunette pulled said bottle away, shaking a finger at the blond. "Uh-uh, my friend, I can't let you do that! It's too early for sake."
Urahara just glared, eyes cold as steel and twice as determined. As if it wasn't all part of his haphazard plan, the brunette capitulated.
"If you can keep a secret, though, I might take this excuse to slip some into the tea," he winked.
The darkness lightened minutely, though those intense eyes watched his every move like a hawk. It seemed the blond wasn't going to take any chances of being sober if he could help it. Giving in with good, somewhat amused - though also sad - grace, Ky�raku Shunsui deftly poured sake into the tea kettle. Really, if J� knew I was resorting to such methods he'd probably give me hell for it. It's for the better he couldn't be here, I think. Dark eyes observed the Urahara behind lazy lids. Kisuke wouldn't react well even to J�'s manners and care, not at this stage.
"Just don't tell J�," Shunsui admonished, half in jest and half earnestly, pouring two cups. "He's in one of those stages again, trying to get me to moderate my drinking." His tone screamed fond annoyance, which made the younger man relax ever so slightly as he accepted a cup and put it to his lips.
Sharp eyes caught the ripple in the sake-laced tea as the blond sipped, though the huff of depressed laughter was inaudible. Every little bit was progress, though, and behind his somber facade Ky�raku Shunsui was grinning happily.
This time the blond even managed to eat half the meal before taking off.
Shunsui shook his head, knowing that even if he could figure out where the other man had vanished to it would be folly to track him down just yet.
Little did he know what was just around the corner. Literally.
Rounding the corner, Shunsui careened into someone coming the other way. The tray and dishes scattered but the brunette took no notice. He was too busy staring at the person he'd just run into.
"J�?" Incredulous, his voice cracked. His only thought was, Ohh shit... If Kisuke catches him here, we're toast and we might as well kiss goodbye to any hope of bringing him back to sanity....
J�shir� frowned; he'd never seen his friend's face so pale. "Shunsui? What -" He didn't even have time to finish the sentence.
Darkness flooded the hall and Shunsui multitasked desperately, trying to simultaneously send his old friend back through the senkaimon and keep an eye out to see when - or rather, where - Kisuke would show up.
"Go!" growled the brunette.
He wasn't used to being treated this brusquely even by Shunsui, and it showed in the way he hesitated, confused. "What -"
"Now, damn it!" he half pleaded, half snarled. Desperation was audible, practically a physical presence in the hallway. "I was starting to get through to him before you got here; if you stay, he'll have a -"
relapse.
Shadows shifted all along the hall, moving sculptures and artwork hither and yon at a whim. Deep in the shadows, a dark green light began to grow. A silhouette moved, revealing white-and-green clothes covered by a black haori, and a blond head tilted just enough to allow the Urahara to watch them through his bangs.
Shunsui cursed upon seeing the crimson gleam in the darkness. He'd never particularly wanted to fight against Kisuke and Benihime; he knew if they ever did need to fight seriously, one of them would die. "Kisuke," he called out, trying not to show relief when the blond paused, however minutely. "I'm trying to get him to go back through the gate!"
There wasn't a nod, as such. More an air of acknowledgement. "Tessai holds the gate," the blond said softly, so, so softly. Then fury overcame him and his reiatsu flared, an immediate and sharp response that was as pointed a demand to leave as a bared blade - aimed at Ukitake J�shir�.
Ukitake's eyes widened just as he found himself pushed backward by the strength of emotion in the released reiatsu, but he caught his balance - and the hint - and turned, bowing his head in Urahara's direction as if to indicate that he would respect the blond's will. As he gathered up his bags again, glanced a brief farewell to Shunsui and nodded goodbye to Tessai, Ukitake J�shir� turned his back to the blond in a silent display of trust.
Trust in the Urahara he had once known...and in the friend who might just be able to bring him back.
As the gate closed behind the white-haired captain, Ky�raku Shunsui heaved a sigh, feeling the darkness fade until they could once again see, however dimly. "Thank you," he rasped, voice rough with tension and fraught with emotions he didn't care to name. "Thank you for trusting me enough to give him a chance."
When he turned around, the blond was gone, but somehow Shunsui had a feeling he'd heard.

Unohana Retsu blinked, startled to see her patient back so soon. He had been so intent on going and helping! Why, then, was he back now, not even an hour after leaving?
Setting his bags down and giving the healer a rueful smile, J�shir� said, "So much for helping. I think I messed it up further just by going."
Not wanting to say anything offensive, Retsu merely raised one eyebrow and waited.
"Urahara...took exception to my presence."
Pondering this, the healer mused, "Has his residence become a haven for him?"
Ukitake sighed. "I don't know. But he seemed to be okay with Shunsui there, so.... I think he'd be able to handle shinigami passing through on duty, or returning to Seireitei. But...he doesn't appear to want anyone trying to get involved with him."
She considered this seriously for a moment. "... Then perhaps Ky�raku was the best choice we could have made, and sending him will work in our favor."
J�shir� sighed and nodded. Though I'm hoping it works in Shunsui's favor....

Tessai rolled his shoulders to release some of the tension as the gate closed behind Thirteenth's captain. "That was close," he grunted. "Glad he listened to you."
Shunsui huffed, just as relieved. "What would you have done if he hadn't?"
"Trusted Ukitake to defend himself and you to come to his aid. Best way to calm the Boss down this time was to get rid of the one whose presence he wouldn't tolerate. That meant opening the gate, and my methods were least likely to set him further on edge."
There was logic in that, however much it made Shunsui's head hurt. "Right," he said, not sure whether he was agreeing or just acknowledging the bigger man's words. "I think I'll give Kisuke time to calm down," he sighed. "I'll be on the roof if you need me."
He didn't stay long enough even to catch Tessai's nod.

Urahara Kisuke was depressed. In the back of his mind, he knew that. But without Yoruichi....
He blinked back tears as heartfelt hurt washed over him anew at the thought of her name.
...Yoruichi was gone. She wasn't there to push him headlong into things he needed to do but didn't want to. She couldn't ask him warily if he was sure his latest plan was the best method, not from the next life. And he needed that. He needed that...that kick in the ass when he strayed off target, needed someone questioning him so he could be sure.
Without it, he was lost.

A/N: Well? What do you think? Am I horrible for tormenting Kisuke? (I say yes, but it's just so fun!)
Actually, that last scene made me tear up, too. :( I feel bad now....
- 1
- 2
- 3
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

A Cupful of Heartache