This is the 2nd chapter. Hope you liked the first part... )

Chapter 2 – The Encounter

Chapter 2 – The Encounter

Kyouraku… Urahara… where are you? Joshirou thought. He had been searching for hours, forgetting to take his cough syrup. His body was shaking with continuous spasms by the endless coughing he had. He even forgot his handkerchief and his blue and white robe were splattered with blood.

Ukitake walked further, his heavy feet leading him to the Shrine. He needed to find the two because their assignment for Yama-jii's class was due tomorrow and of course, Ukitake's two irresponsible group mates went out to drink sake and flirt with girls instead of finishing the matter at hand.

"Kyouraku… Urahara…" he gasped, putting a hand on a tree and resting for a while. "Where… are you?"

He began coughing uncontrollably again, this time, with more blood. He realized that his vision was failing and grasped the tree trunk harder for support. As he involuntarily lay down, he saw a girl with compelling dark eyes and shiny dark hair run gracefully towards him. In that state, Ukitake could not distinguish who the beautiful lady was. The last thing he saw was a goddess-like face so close to his own – a face full of concern. He also felt sudden warmth when he realized she put her hand on her chest to ease the coughing. And there was a gentle voice like music, "I think you pushed too hard this time, Ukitake-sama."

Darkness…

The next day…

Ukitake woke up the following morning finding Kyouraku and a 4th squad officer sitting at the side of his bed talking.

"He could have died if he was not given medication in time," the officer said.

"Yes. I found a medicine bottle beside him when I found him there. I know him, and it's likely he forgot to bring and drink his usual medicine. I thought someone might have seen him and I was right. The lady was beside him and told me about the incident. Apparently, the poor fellow was looking for me and Kisuke," Kyouraku explained.

A lady… yes. He remembered now. The lovely face bent towards his. She saved him. But who was she? Certainly, she was one of the many girls in the academy, but apparently, she was quite different from the others.

"Kyouraku-kun," Ukitake said. The two people in his room turned and asked if he was alright. He nodded and said, "The lady you were talking about, who is she?"

"I don't know," Kyouraku replied, scratching his stubbled chin thoughtfully. "She wasn't that hot but beautiful in an elegant way and soft-spoken… seems like she knows a lot about curatives."

"Oh… I want to see her," he said, getting up and donning his robes.

"Are you sure you are already fine?" the 4th squad Shinigami asked.

"Yes. Strong as an ox, thanks to that lady," he replied. Kyouraku and Ukitake thanked the officer and left for class. All day, Ukitake had been wondering who the mysterious lady was. He wanted to thank her for saving his life. And more importantly, he wanted to see that beautiful face close to his again…

I wonder if Ukitake-san is fine now, Unohana thought. She found herself distracted the whole day and decided to meditate in the shrine once again. She had been thinking about what she saw yesterday - the weak and suffering body of a young man that everybody admired. I'm glad I know how to make curatives out of the herbs found here at the shrine, she thought and smiled, that's why I love this place.

Unohana also remembered helping Shunsui-sama bring Ukitake-san back to his room. After tidying him up, she studied the tired features of his handsome face and the silvery-white hair. He looked exactly like what the girls say, even with the exaggeration. He really looked like an angel.

After putting him on his bed, she informed Kyouraku Shunsui about what happened. Shunsui cursed himself and explained that he was partying with some girls with Urahara Kisuke. When Kyouraku asked her name she just smiled and said that her identity did not matter and what was important was that Joshirou-san was fine.

Unohana smiled to herself, thoughts unusually plastered to Ukitake. She hastily shook the thoughts away and proceeded to the library and decided to borrow some philosophical books written by Yamamoto-dono himself.

She reached the darkest part of the library where the oldest books were kept. She brought a lamp with her and searched the dusty shelves. Then, after a few minutes of searching, she found the book and decided to leave.

She sighed inwardly when she lost balance and lost grip of the lamp. That certain part of the library went pitch black and Unohana was unsure of what to do. She gently and carefully groped her way out, wincing slightly whenever parts of her body found contact with hard and misplaced books and the big shelves. God, I hope I find the way out, she thought.

Ukitake entered the school library, looking for a book about extraordinary Death gods with unique abilities and reiatsu. He decided to go to the Library's innermost confines for more information.

As he walked down the dark corridor with his lamp, he heard a woman's voice muttering, "Please… get me out of this now…" with a sort of voice filled with effort.

He decided to help and went to the direction of the voice. Then, with a gasp, he fell on his buttocks. Eyes widening, he put the lamp in front of him and saw that the reason he fell was that a girl was crawling and groping around the dark room. Judging from the shard of glass on the floor at the far end of the corridor, he realized that the girl must have dropped her own lamp and was determined to get out on her own fast.

He saw the surprised and flustered expression on her face. Her face was only a few inches away from his when he fell. The girl continually stared at him, stunned by his sudden appearance. Ukitake looked at her and recognized in a jolt of excitement and joy.

My savior… he thought.

He recognized the face. The disarming black eyes, the equally dark hair, and the soft, porcelain skin around an inviting, rosy mouth. He almost wanted to kiss her and felt a sudden attraction. He mentally slapped himself for thinking such thoughts about his savior.

"Oh…" she said, shocked to see Ukitake Joshirou. "Thank you."

"That was nothing. I didn't even know you were here in the first place. Your presence was truly unexpected…" he said, smiling broadly, "...but much appreciated."

The last phrase was said with so much emphasis that Retsu had a feeling he knew that she was the one who helped him last night. She hastily warded off the silly thoughts and regained her composure.

But her coolness crumbled once more when she saw something. Heavens, the smile was breathtaking, she thought. He looked as perfect as ever. What? What are you thinking? Get out of here right now, she thought wildly.

"I'm sorry," she hastily said, getting to her feet. "Thank you very much."

She picked up her book and managed to give him a small smile in return for his unexpected help. When she left, Ukitake was still dazzled by her presence and instantly thought that he liked her.

"My savior…" he whispered to himself and smiled once more. He proceeded to look for his book. What is your name? Ukitake thought. Someday, I'll know you better.

Unohana's walk became faster as she rushed out of the library. She really needed to meditate, to rid her thoughts of Ukitake.

She went outside and proceeded to the Shrine, carrying the book. She sat on the wooden bench under the shade of the holly tree and read the first parts.

The silence relaxed her and she looked at the beautiful lake. She removed her sandals and tied the end of her uniform. She sat at the edge of it and dipped her legs in the cool water. The cold relaxed her more, intoxicating her senses. What a beautiful place, she sighed.

She withdrew her feet and lied down the soft grass. Then, with a sigh of relief, she closed her eyes and dozed off.