I've had this sitting around for a while, and I could have sworn I finished it...but I found it half done, so I re-finished it! ^_^ Prompted by my parents discussions about the merits of bee keeping. Hope you enjoy!

"Bees?" it was a silly question really, they were undeniably bees. Swarming around him, yellow and black stripes, legs fat with pollen. It would be difficult not to recognise them, but Kyouraku still felt that it was a valid question.

Beside him Ukitake beamed. "Yes, bees. They're getting along well."

Kyouraku couldn't tear his eyes away from the buzzing insects as they flew in and out of the hive on their business. "Why have you got bees?"

"For the honey, mainly, also its something to do, the garden rather takes care of itself now."

He raised an eyebrow as he looked at his friend's swollen and bandaged hand. "They don't seem to have taken to you."

Ukitake drew his hand into his sleeve slightly and laughed sheepishly. "They didn't appreciate being moved, but they're quite docile now." he paused, looking thoughtful before continuing. "I'll tell you who isn't though. Soi Fon." he grinned mischievously. "She asked what happened to my hand and I told her I was stung by bees..."

Kyouraku laughed. "You can be quite unkind sometimes."

Holding up his hands the white haired captain shook his head. "I didn't realise until she scowled at me and stormed off. I don't see why its so unbelievable to have bees."

"They are quite rare. Some of the younger ones from Rukongai might never have seen them." Kyouraku paused to swat an inquisitive bee from his coat. "I'm surprised you could find some."

"It was something of a surprise really" Ukitake confided "One of my squad found the hive while practising Shunpo. I hadn't realised how far some of them go out."

"Ahh...to be young." Kyouraku smiled wistfully, not noticing Ukitake moving forward and lifting the top of the wooden hive until the faint buzzing increased in volume. "Woah! What are you doing?"

Carefully Ukitake laid the lid down and reached tentatively into the buzzing mass, pulling out a sticky square seething with movement and shaking it firmly, dislodging the mass if insects. "You still look dubious, Kyouraku."

"Ahh...well..."

"I think this might change your mind." He swiped his finger across the sticky wax and stuck his finger in his mouth, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Try it." When Kyouraku still looked reluctant he held it out expectantly.

With a sigh Kyouraku stuck his finger forward, and then gingerly licked it. There was a surprised silence for a few moments. Finally: "Honey!"

Ukitake laughed. "They've been productive."

"You know." Kyouraku mused, slinging an arm around his slender friend's shoulder once he had replaced the wax frame and steering him indoors. "I think bees could grow on me."

"I thought they might."

I would...as always...love to hear what you think. ^_^