Sakura and Snow

Chapter 4--Alone

It was just him, the low fire and this single jar of a healing remedy Shunsui had probably asked someone in Squad 4 to whip up for him. Frowning, he looked back to the note, then to the jar.

"Rub it where it hurts?"He parroted, looking back down to the jar. "Kyoraku…Hmph."

Ukitake began to strip himself of his haori and hakama but kept the top of his shihakusho. Uncorking the jar, he smelt the contents. It had a very clean, mint smell to it and as he scooped a little bit of it on his fingers, it tingled as well.

Slowly he slid onto his stomach, his hips propped up slightly as he reached around. His face reddened as he rubbed just a little around the rim of his entrance where it burned.

Yet, that didn't seem to help a deeper pain.

Scooping a little more, he ran it a little more around his entrance before shyly probing a finger slowly inside. Biting his lip, he let a whine slide from his throat. The ointment tingled more as he moved his finger deeper. As he rubbed the ointment around inside, he felt some relief to the pain but another more pleasurable squeeze that he couldn't reach with one finger.

Bravely, he inserted another ointment coated finger in, pressing much more deeply.

'Kyoraku…'He thought, rolling onto his back. His member had jumped to life with the stimulation and his free hand as the other continued to scissor and wriggle around. 'What have you done to me? I should be grieving…working to fill the hole he's left behind…Why?'

A knock on the door made him snap out of his throes, quickly gathering himself and sliding under his futon. "Come in."He called out.

"Taicho…"Rukia called, sliding the door open and closing it behind her. She politely bowed, looking at him as he lay on his stomach in bed. "Oh. I didn't mean to intrude on your nap, sir."

"No, please Kuchiki-san…You have something you wanted to discuss some time ago?"Ukitake asked as he sat up. The young soul reaper blushed a little at the sight of his sweaty, pale skin exposed in the front.

"Yes…I..I know some time has passed since Kaien-sama's death…but I want you to know I take full responsibility of what happened! I did not think of his pride at all!"She cried, bowing even more lowly. "Please…I'm so sorry…"

"Kuchiki-san…"He said as he smiled softly. "Don't punish yourself. I have forgiven you and Kaien was grateful for what you did…You saved him. You saved all of us. It seems you bear more news than your grief."

Rukia sniffed, rubbing her eyes. "I…was assigned to a District in the living world to protect by my brother and the rest of the squad. I hope to have your blessings before I go."She said as she sat back on her calves.

"The living world? That is a good assignment. I hope that you will find it a good time to find your strengths."He smiled, seeing a flutter of pink just outside the window.

"Thank you, Taicho. I will."She managed to smile, bowing again and rising to her feet. As she turned and slid open the door, she jumped when the Squad 8 captain appeared. Bowing respectfully. "Kyoraku-Taicho."she greeted, walking past him.

"I see you had a guest."Kyoraku said, greeting the young soul reaper before addressing Ukitake. His cool grey eyes fell on the jar. Smirking, he looked up. "Did the Medicine help?"

"It did…somewhat."Ukitake said as he moved down lower so he was buried in blankets and lying back down on his stomach. He heard the footsteps on the tatami and felt the breeze as the futon lifted up. His face reddened and reddened even more when he felt a hand run along his cheeks.

"You didn't use the whole jar did you? Your cheeks are slimy…"Kyoraku asked, looking to the white head of hair.

"No…Just a little. There's still a lot in there."Ukitake answered. "Thank you…"

"Eh? So…you aren't angry with me any more?"The burly captain asked, scratching the side of his head.

"No, I'm still angry!"Ukitake growled, sitting up and looking over at him with a flustered look. He brought the blankets back over him and stared at him seriously. "You're my closest friend, Kyoraku…but I'm so confused right now. Should I be upset, should I be happy? Just what! What is it that---"

Before he could finish, Ukitake felt a painful rise in his throat, coughing up a fit.

"Juu-chan…"Shunsui stared. Removing his pink kimono, he draped it over Ukitake's shoulders, rubbing his back. "I'll go get your medicine."

Ukitake remained sitting up, coughing and clearing his lungs. Shunsui brought over his medicine, served in a tea cup which he drank down quickly to avoid the actual taste. Clearing his throat, he looked to his long time friend and smiled.

"I…think we're even now…"He breathed, lying back down as Kyoraku placed a cold rag on his forehead.

"Even?"

"You scared me…Now I got to scare you…We're even, Shun-kun."Ukitake smiled weakly, bringing his hand up to the rough beard.

"I see…So you're no longer angry but we're also even. I like the sound of that. How about when you're up on your feet again, we go fill our bellies? Warm food, new start."Kyoraku smiled, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

"Agreed."Juushiro smiled, snuggling back down and wrapping the kimono about him.

That night, Ukitake felt well enough to get up and walk around. Unohana had given him the okay and explained that it was from getting to excited. Kyoraku waited for him outside the Squad 13's compound, smiling cheesily as Ukitake walked out with his pink kimono over his arm.

"I had one of my assistants wash it…With care of course."He smiled as he whipped it out and draped it over Kyoraku's shoulders.

The other captain gave it a whiff, a spread his smile around. "It smells like you…of medicine and lotus flowers. Were you snuggling with it much?"He teased, Ukitake lightly smacking his arm.

"Oye…M-maybe…Let's start walking, I told them I wouldn't be out too long."The white haired Taicho sighed.

"Right…your siblings."Shunsui smiled.

"And my subordinates…and maybe my Koi."Juushiro blushed, sliding his arms into his haori sleeves. "Where are we eating?"

"Oh just a little place tucked out of the seireitei. I found it when taking a break and they had the most delicious fish and dango…He also makes this Manchuu and serve your favorite tea there too. When I told him about it, he laughed and told me to bring you along next time."Shun chuckled.

"Really…"Juu chuckled.

Kyoraku smirked, patting the shorter male's shoulder and leading him towards the gate. They walked out, the area outside of the seireitei teeming with life and vendors. Kyoraku lead him through a maze of allies which Nanao must have chased him through on a couple of occasions.

They stopped a shoji screen entrance, Kyoraku sliding it open and ducking while removing his hat. "Oojii-san, I've brought a friend."

An elderly soul shuffled out onto the foyer area where people lined up their get and zori. "Welcome back Kyoraku-Taicho…Is this Ukitake-san?"He asked, a wrinkled smile coming to his face. "Welcome. I'll take you to a seat. The usual sake?"

"Yes, can you bring your most best? Ukitake's here just recovered and needs a good filling.

"Of course."The old man smiled, Ukitake and Kyoraku walking back to a single room with a table and sitting down across from each other. For the rest of the night, they ate and laughed, ignoring the troubles they had in the past week.

Or was it two?

Either way, they both stumbled into the alleyway in chuckles, leaning on each other as they headed back to the seireitei. Flopping down on Ukitake's futon, Kyoraku lay there playfully, swaying his feet back and forth. Both were in a good mood, Ukitake fixing his medicine for the evening.

"Juu…"Kyoraku slurred.

"Yes?"Ukitake asked, pouring a hot cup of tea and slipping the packet into his drink. He stirred it a little, bringing it to his lips and drinking it down. Licking his upper lip, he looked to the drowsy captain on his bed, raising an eyebrow.

He was smiling stupidly at him again. "Nuffin'…You've got a pretty neck…"He chuckled, Ukitake bringing a hand up to his shoulder and running it up the side.

"Oh really…"Juushiro chuckled, crawling over to the bed and sitting on it with him. He was too lazy, too drunk and too tired to ask someone to retrieve a second one for them. While Kyoraku lay on his stomach, he helped the drunken captain to remove his hoary and kimono while also untying his owaraji that they had bother bumbled into the room with still on.

"Jyuu…"Kyoraku sighed, rolling onto his back to look at the white-haired captain. He brought a hand to Ukitake's clammy cheek, the other leaning into it with a long sigh. "Jyuushiro…"

"Shunsui…"Jyuushiro smiled softly, his chocolate eyes closing as he leaned down. Their lips connected, the softness of their lips brushing against one another.

"I love you."