Shunsui sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. Another many years had passed since the battle with the quincys and he visited the younger males grave once more.
"How many years has it been now old friend?" He questioned, almost as if he expected to hear an answer. "40? 50?" He said with a forced chuckle. "I guess I lost count."
He slumped forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as he sipped his sake. "I never imagined that I would be the last one left from all those years ago, especially not without you." He could feel the tears threatening to fall but willed them away. "Things aren't nearly as much fun around here anymore."
He's at there in silence for many moments before continuing to speak. "There were so many things I never got to tell you…" He said softly before closing his eyes as he remembered what the other male had been like when they played together many years ago.
They had met back at the academy during their first year, Juushiro was a boy of barely 15 and he already was more mature than Shunsui who was 2 years his senior.
Memories from the more than 200 years that followed that first meeting flashed through his mind, every one of them had the white haired male.
They had been together so long and for the first time since the two captains had parted Shunsui allowed himself to shed a single tear as his eyes opened.
"It sure is hot out today…" He said with a halfhearted laugh, pretending to wipe it away like sweat, only to find that more began to fall.
Hearing his subordinates talking about who would be the one to disturb the captain-commander he quickly composed himself, wiping away the remaining the
Remaining tears. "Don't bother, I was just finishing up."
He sighed and stood up, placing a hand on the stone. "Sometimes I still wonder what was going through Yama-jiis head when he gave me this position." He said in his usual joking voice. "I'll see you later, Juu-kun…" He lingered for a moment longer before turning and walking back where his subordinates waited.