A/N: I'd like to thank my three reviewers: TheSmallestGhost, Ceretis Paribus and Tutti Frutti. You have given me a reason to continue on with this story, which I thought no one would bother to read, seeing as the pairing is odd and not popular.
"Taicho?"
Kotetsu Kiyone and Kotsubaki Sentaro, Ukitake's lieutenants, quietly walked into the bedroom to see if their captain was awake. They quickly noticed something was wrong: their taicho was lying in an odd position. They walked closer to get a better view and saw blood on the sheets and around Ukitake's mouth.
"Taicho!!" The two lieutenants were shocked. Kotsubaki quickly held up his captain to see if he was still alive. "He's still breathing."
"I'll contact my sis!" The female lieutenant rushed out of the room, running to the fourth division.
A rush of fourth division shinigami quickly entered Ukitaki's room. They put him on a stretcher and quickly made their way to their division.
-----
"What happened?" Isane asked her sister.
"I don't know, we just found him like this. Please sister, will he be alright?"
"We'll see. Unohana taicho will know what to do."
-----
Unohana taicho quickly made her way down the long hallway. She had heard that something happened to a captain, but she did not get all the details. She couldn't find her lieutenant, or the lieutenant of the taicho who was brought to the fourth division.
Upon entering the room, Unohana saw her fukotaicho Isane along with Kiyone and Sentaro crowding around the bed that lay on the left side of the room. The fourth division captain quickly understood that it was Ukitake who had been brought.
"What has happened?"
"We found Ukitake taicho in his bed, blood covering the sheets."
Unohana passed a hand over Ukitake's face. "He slipped into a coma."
Quickly, Unohana calmly gave orders to her lieutenant and other fourth division officers. She had to keep herself composed in order to maintain her division. A mask was placed over Ukitake's face and he was hooked up to different tubes and wires. People were rushing around, trying to get their orders done.
The division was in a panic when the news of Ukitake had circulated. Without delay, the news spread over Sereitei as well.
-----
Ise Nanao opened the door to her captain's office. Shunsui sat lazily in his chair with his feet on his desk next to the mountains of untouched paper work. He looked up, surprised at the sudden, yet welcome appearance of his favorite subordinate.
"Taicho! I have bad news!" Nanao said in an exasperated voice. She had learnt of Ukitake's health from another lieutenant on her way to work, so she ran to her division's office as fast as she could to warn her taicho.
"Nanao-chan, calm down. What is the matter," Shunsui answered as lazily as ever, not reacting to her frantic tone. He figured his fukotaicho was being overly dramatic all in effort to get him to do his paper work.
"Ukitake taicho is in the fourth division. He is in a coma," said Nanao, still out of breath.
Shunsui, wide eyed, rose hurriedly out of his chair and shunpoed to the fourth division.
Nanao felt the wind of the shunpo brush on her side. She felt a terrible pain seeing her taicho's expression, an expression that is usually a happy one. Yet, she felt warmth in her heart: seeing her taicho care for someone so strongly.
-----
Shunsui arrived at the fourth division in a flash. He made his way to Unohana's office first.
He opened the office door without so much of a knock as a warning of his presence.
"Unohana-san, where is Jushiro?" Shusui blurted out.
"Kyoraku-san…please follow me." Unohana had a saddened look, afraid of showing him his best friend in such a state of weakness.
They arrived in front of Ukitake's room, but before she opened the door, she said: "I'm sorry Kyoraku-san, there is nothing I can do to help him. He has an unknown disease, and I can't seem to get a hold of his cellular activity…" Unohana trailed off, seeing Shunsui's expression.
Shunsui was only half listening as he pushed the door open himself, eager to see his best friend. Ukitake was lying still in his bed, with a mask over his face. There were tubes inserted in his arms and mouth, feeding the body with liquids that Shunsui did not understand what their use was for. He now stood next to Ukitake's body, gazing at his friend with hurt filled eyes. He took one of Ukitake's ice-cold hands into his warm ones, causing a shiver down his spine. He feels dead…
Shunsui frowned. He needed to help his friend, no matter what. An idea flashed in his mind, filling it with a resolve no one could break. He softly brushed Ukitake's temple and quickly made his way out, heading to the first division.
-----
"General Yamamoto, I wish to speak with you." Shunsui had entered the first division's office, bowing as he spoke to his sensei.
"What is it Shunsui?" General Yamamoto already knew what was wrong. He had heard of Ukitake's health, so he had not doubt that Shunsui was here for that reason.
"I want permission to bring Jushiro to the real world…to Urahara-san."
General Yamamoto was surprised at the request. "Why would you need to bring him to Urahara?"
"Jushiro told me the other day that he went to see Urahara-san concerning his health. He told me that the man had done some tests on him. If Unohana-san hasn't got a clue what to do with Jushiro, I must take him to Urahara-san. He might be able to help."
"And risk another incident like what happened to Kuchiki Rukia? I will not allow it. The man has been banished from Soul Society for a reason. You must understand that the rules in Soul Society must be followed. I'm sure Unohana will be able to cure Jushiro. You must have patience Shunsui."
Anger filled every vain in Shunsui. Flames danced in his eyes as he looked at his sensei. "Are you willing to risk losing your student because of a silly rule?" Shunsui spat.
"Calm down Shunsui. Anger will solve nothing. As I have said before, Urahara has broken many laws and has put people in danger. How can we trust the man with one of our captains?"
"But what if he can help Jushiro?"
"Whatever Urahara finds, I am sure Unohana can find herself. That is all"
"NO! I'm bringing Jushiro to Urahara. I don't care of the consequences. I must help my friend, no matter what. Do you really think it would be worth it to lose two more captains, General Yamamoto?"
Yamamoto stared at his student. He understood the strong bond between his two favorite students and knew that he would not be able to separate them. The Gotei 13 had three divisions without captains: Aizen, Gin and Tousen betraying Soul Society not long ago. He knew he could not afford to lose two more captains in effort to maintain the laws of Soul Society. Two captains that he has personally trained to become powerful leaders. Their twin swords were also unique to Soul Society and it would be unwise to lose their power.
"I will grant you permission to bring Jushiro to Urahara, but on one condition."
Shunsui, excited that the General has changed his mind, nodded his head wanting to hear his condition.
"You must return back to Soul Society after you have brought Jushiro to Urahara. I cannot afford for you to leave your division at such a crucial time. Aizen may attack at any moment and I need you in Soul Society."
"Yes, of course." Shunsui bowed and made his way to the door, but stopped and looked over his shoulder to face the general. "Thank you sensei." Shunsui's tone was sincere.
The general nodded and watched his student walk out. A sigh escaped his lips as he gazed out the window, lost in thought.
-----
Shunsui did not lose anytime. He carefully took Ukitake from his bed - Unohana at his side making sure Shunsui did not break anything – and made his way to a portal connecting to the real world.
As he made his way to Urahara's, he kept checking his limp friend in his arms. Ukitake was still unconscious and it pained him to see him like that. Please Urahara, I hope you can help him.
-----
Urahara was sitting outside, enjoying the beautiful sunny weather. The temperature was warm, but not suffocating. There was a peaceful breeze that flowed, carrying the sent of flowers. He thought it best to take a break from his research, his eyes feeling tired from the lack of rest. It was a perfect day to take a break after all.
Footsteps in the distance caught his attention. He saw something pink coming towards him, but could not see who it was.
"Urahara-san." The owner of the voice was now closer and Urahara realized that it was Shunsui, holding a very lifeless Ukitake in his arms. There was a pained and pleading expression in Shunsui's face. Urahara felt a jolt to his heart, not wanting to hear what happened, but his mouth opened automatically to ask.
"What happened?"
TBC
A/N: I can't wait to write the next chapters! I'm so excited about this story!!!