A/N: I don't know what inspired this fic, I don't really remember XD. That happens sometimes. At any rate, this is ShunUki set sometimes shortly after Kaien's death. Review please!
Lifting the Blame
Finally, a nice day... Shunsui thought lazily as he made his way through Seireitei. The unusually persistent rain of the past week had stopped and the sun was finally showing itself. It made the white walls of th fortress seem that much purer. Shunsui would have liked nothing better that to lay on the roof and doze the day away. But Shunsui had another mission today. He was going to visit Juushiro at Ugendou. Kaien had recently died and Shunsui was determined to help his lover through it.
Shunsui strolled down the walkway that led over the lake to the Thirteenth Division captain's home. He could see Juushiro from here, a figure all in white sitting on the edge of the dock next to the small, white-washed house. Shunsui stopped for a moment to admire the view. He loved the way the figure's hair sparkled silver when the sun hit it just right. Juushiro always said he wished his hair wasn't white. He thought it made him look like an old man. Whenever Juushiro said this, Shunsui told him that age implied wisdom. This never failed to make Juushiro smile gratefully.
Shunsui continued to walk toward the figure, quickening his pace as he recognized the man's depressed, tense posture. Juushiro didn't look up even when Shunsui was standing beside him. Shunsui sat down next to the other captain. Juushiro's hands were knotted in his lap, head bent over them as he fought with himself. Shunsui rested his hand on Juushiro's shoulder. He finally looked up, eyes conveying the broken thoughts inside. Despite that, Juushiro smiled wanly. Shunsui sighed.
"You don't have to do that with me, Shiro," he said, a tinge of sadness hardening his warm voice, "I know when something's bothering you."
Juushiro looked at his hands again. The knuckles were white with the force being exerted on them.
"I... I always thought I was strong enough," he began, "To save lives and protect people. I was wrong, I see that now. It's all my fault, all of it. How strong can I really be if I can't even save one life? Tell me that, Shunsui." Juushiro's voice was hollow, a faint ghost of his former energy. "I'm noy worthy of anyone's trust. Not after all I've failed to do."
Shunsui pulled Juushiro against him. The troubled man rested his head on Shunsui's collarbone. Tears fell from his eyes without restraint as Shunsui held him, stroking his hair soothingly. Juushiro clutched the front of Shunsui's robe as the silent sobs shook themselves free of him. The guilt and grief he felt were slowly replaced by Shunsui's comforting warmth and scent. After what seemed like hours, Shunsui finally spoke.
"You did everything you could. In the end, there was nothing you could do and that's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for all the ills that befall everyone." Juushiro nodded into his chest. They stayed like that for a long time, neither wanting to move from the other's safe arms.