#1)

Title: Shock
Characters/Parings: Ukitake Jyuushrio. Mentions of Yamamoto Genryusai, Kyouraku Shunsui, Kurosaki Ichigo, Kukichi Byakuya, Kukichi Rukia and Shiba Kaien. Vague mentions of Ukitake X Shunsui.
Rating: PG
Words: 672
Summary: Ukitake recalls the few shocks of his life.
Warning/s: Just a small spoiler in the Soul Society arc, and about Rukia's past. Other than that, nothing much.
Dedication: To Kubo-san for creating Bleach...?
Author's Note: Well, here's a shot at trying out drabbling. I don't really have any aim to reach personally, just type whenever I'll feel like it. -shrugs- Hope y'all enjoy this. Inspired by the English dubbing of episode 41. And just for kicks, I'll stuff in some lines from a random song sung in any random anime. -coughs-

For one of the few times of his life, Ukitake Jyuushrio, captain of the thirteenth division of the Gotei thirteen, was shocked.

Ukitake had only been shocked for a few times ever since he came to this world. He was of course, shocked about how the afterlife wasn't exactly how he imagined it to be. No people boiling in cauldrons or being drowned in a huge lake of fire. Soul Society was just like another world for the souls of the departed.

He was shocked again when he discovered the existence of Shinigami later on. He really couldn't believe that the term used here was so different to how one would do in the real world. People on the other side treated them like monsters out to simply steal their souls; and here... they were like the high-class people. The elites, living in a pampered life. That was defiantly surprising, no doubt.

His third shock came when Yamamoto-sou-taichou had come with the offer to train him as an official Shinigami along with his newfound friend, Shunsui. It wasn't everyday after all when one of the greatest Shinigami around wouldcome personally to invite you to be one yourself. Of course, he did without hesitation – Shunsui took a bit longer, but both of them eventually ended up attending the Shinigami Academy as one of the first ever students, which was more of a surprise and honor than a shock.

When he was found to be diagnosed with tuberculosis, Ukitake was again shocked. He had no idea that souls could get ill. Neither did Shunsui. But his lax friend had simply comforted the white haired friend he had and assured softly and gently that everything would be fine. And so it did, even if the regular attacks came; Ukitake knew that his friend would always be there to support and protect him.

His fifth shock came when he was the captain of the thirteenth division. It was the shock when Byakuya forced him not to make his sister a seated Shinigami, even though her powers were more than adequate for a placing around the fifth of sixth seating, at the very least. Ukitake had protested, but the Kukichi's stoic face and the resolute finality in his voice had won over. So, grudgingly, he had not placed Kukichi Rukia within any seat placing.

And then his next shock came when he watched the hollow fully take control of his now deceased vice-captain, Shiba Kaien. He was rooted to the spot as Kaien was lost to the world in a moment of needed pride. He shouted in fear when Rukia returned despite his orders, and later when the hollow Kaien stared to chase her, he ordered the young Kukichi member to kill it.

She did.

And he regretted it.

Finally, after all that, Ukitake Jyuushrio thought he couldn't have been shocked any longer.

But he was wrong.

Now, standing in front of the Shrine of Penitence, he looked, shocked for seventh time at the unknown orange-haired Shinigami who stood beside Rukia, scowling towards Byakuya. He was just like Kaien, from the explosive hairstyle to the posture and speech when he argued with the younger Kukichi.

Just like Kaien.

And for a moment, shock turned to small hope.

"Byakuya... what do you know of this man?" he had uttered in surprise.

The Kukichi heir only turned his head slightly to give the thirteenth division captain a cold look that had said everything even before he said it.

He is not related to the one who you are thinking.

And just that, his heart sank like a stone again.

There was no shock, just realization.

But as Jyuushrio would continue to watch the later events go on and continue, he would soon know that there were other things that would shock him. As well as everyone else.

kaze ni omoi wo tsuki ni negai wo
chikara aru kagiri ikiteikunda kyou mo
bokura no omoi mo itsuka dareka no mune ni
hikari tsuzukeyou ano hoshi no you ni

- Asterisk, Bleach OP 1