I should have taken that left turn

pt 2.

After throwing on some fresh clothes the next morning, and a couple of hours of searching with no results, Ukitake sat down at the counter in the restaurant and sighed dejectedly.

He rested his chin in his cupped hands and closed his eye. Just how hard was it to find one man in this hotel? Of course said man could also be somewhere else entirely. Folding his arms on the counter top he rested his forehead against the back of his hands and sighed again.

A light clinking sound next to his arm startled him slightly, he stared at the cup of coffee like it was going to bite him. "I didn't order anything." he stated flatly.

"On the house," a deep voice replied.

Juushiro's head shot up, expecting that voice to be the one he was looking for. He was a bit disappointed to discover that it wasn't his quarry.

"Tch... you look like you just lost your best friend," the man said, "and someone just kicked your dying puppy."

"Sorry."

"No need to be sorry," the man smiled in a lazy manner. "it's clear I'm not the one you were looking for."

"It's that obvious?" Ukitake groaned.

"Is to me, but I'm the only one here." he motioned to the room.

"You didn't have to buy me coffee though."

"Buy hell, I said it was on the house, that's the way this joint runs." he sipped his own cup. "Not just for the hotel guests either, the whole town's welcome to get some."

Juushiro blinked as he sipped, "Do you work here?"

"Nope! But I am one of the man's strays."

"Do you all call yourselves that?"

"Pretty much, oh by the way, you can call me Starrk."

"My name is..."

"Ukitake," the man named Starrk chuckled when he saw the shock and confusion on Juushiro's face. "We all know who you are."

Juushiro gulped, "All?"

"He had us all scrambling around the countryside looking for you yesterday."

"Really?" he blinked in confusion. "I'm really not that important."

"Look when he says 'roll' we don't question it, we just do it." the slender man gave a casual shrug.

Slowly the rest of the hotel's 'staff' drifted in to get a cup of coffee or tea. One shaggy blond ambled into the kitchen and began to bang things around. Ukitake watched in amazement as the crowd grew larger and larger. It seemed like the entire town was showing up for this morning ritual.

He was so caught up in watching the casually mingling folk that he did not notice when his quarry entered the room until that silky, deep voice called out to him. "Hey! I heard from a little birdie that you were looking for me princess."

"I'm not a princess, stop calling me that." he lashed out without even thinking about it, then blushed deep red when he realized he had said that out loud. Sighing and hanging his head in disappointment with himself for being so easy to goad into such an outburst he buried his face in his arms on the counter and stared at the floor.

"Hey hey now... no need to be like that." A hand patted him firmly on the back.

Raising his head in order to look at the man in question, Ukitake noticed one thing that was very different about it. He couldn't help stare a little.

He was wearing an eye patch.

Instead of saying anything Kyoraku reached out and ruffled the snowy hair. "Oi Ki-chan... what's for breakfast?" he was using that sing-song tone again.

"Same thing that's for breakfast every morning." came the grumpy reply. "Just like you ordered. Pan-freaking-cakes." Everyone in hearing range chuckled good naturedly.

"Don't mind him." the dark skinned girl called out, "He hates waking up early."

Ukitake was still unknowingly staring at that eye patch.

"What's wrong, handsome?" Kyoraku paused playing with Juushiro's hair.

"Y-You...You're wearing an eye patch, did something happen, are you alright?" the words rushed out.

Kyoraku touched the patch of fabric, "Oh this?... I, ummm." he stammered a bit. "I lost the eye in an accident a while ago. Occasionally I have to wear the patch instead."

"Your poor eye." Ukitake whimpered.

"It's nothing, I hardly even notice anymore." He grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. Changing the subject, "So what'd you want to see me about?"

"Um... well that." Ukitake blushed because everyone seemed to be paying attention to the conversation.

Shunsui clasped his arm and tugged gently. "Let's find somewhere quiet to talk." There were chuckles and boos from the gathering. When they reached his office he quietly closed and locked the door.

"Why did you accept some random job to find a wayward lecturer? "

"That's what's bothering you?" Shunsui stifled a chuckle. "I'm a fix it guy. I hire out to do things just like that." He grinned broadly. "I'm a quirky philanthropist after all."

Juushiro scowled. "That's not all." He dropped into one of the plush chairs and Kyoraku leaned against his desk. "Why all this flirting? Do you do that with all your rescuee's?"

Shunsui scratched his chin a moment, "Well no I don't flirt with everyone. Only the pretty ones." Ukitake's glare deepened. "I flirt with you in particular because I'm very attracted to you. In all honesty I could spend the rest of my life with you."

"That's crazy. We just met."

"Funny isn't it? The moment I saw you on the side of the road I was already half in love with you." He reached out and gently touched the pale face. "I would very much like it if you'd stay here."

"I... I don't know. I'm still obligated to finish my tour."

"Of course. All I ask is that you think it over." With sadness clearly showing on his face, Shunsui held out the rental car keys.

Ukitake hesitantly took the keys from him. "It's a lot to think over."

"I know, and I'm sorry for just dropping it on you like that."

"I'm not use to these kind of feelings." He grabbed the keys; hesitating at the door. "I'll call you later on." He occupied himself with packing his bags, loading the car and driving away with a backward glance in the rear-view mirror.

Peering in the door, 'Kitty' had a sad look on her face, "You okay boss?"

"Yeah I'll live."

"That's not what I asked you doof." She walked to to him and punched his arm, "I know how you felt about him, can you really let him just leave like that?"

"I have to, he has things to do. I can't hold him back from that."

"You're a big softy." She chuckled and spun around, heading out the door. "I hope he realizes what a terrific man you are."

"Flirt!" He called after her.

Later that night the phone rang in his office, on the other end was the voice he wanted to hear. "Hey!" he crowed brightly, "I was hoping you'd call, I miss you."

"I... um... I miss you too." Juushiro's voice sounded tired. "I'm sorry I left like that."

"I understand."

"Do you, do you really?"

"I came on too strong and you got scared, is that about it?" There was a hushed 'yes' reply. "I won't say I'm sorry, because I'm not."

Ukitake could only sigh. They spoke for close to an hour. And the next night. The following night was even longer time spent on the phone. As the weeks past they began to make plans. They grew closer and closer.

"I'll be back in your town in two days." Ukitake blurted out in one conversation. "I hope I can stay at the hotel."

"You'd better, or I'll come looking for you again."

"Maybe my car should break down again." Juushiro teased. "I'd get a ride on that big bike again."

"I thought that scared you out of your wits?"

"It did, but it was fun and exhilarating at the same time."

"Weirdo." Shunsui joked.

"That's my line." They both laughed. "I'll see you in a couple of days."

"Looking forward to it, princess." he hung up before Juushiro could yell at him for calling him 'princess' once more.

Juushiro was driving along that same stretch of road the lead to the fateful meeting. He was in a good mood, the convertible roof was down on the car and the music was cranked up loud. He was happily singing along, enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing through his long silver-white hair.

The car began to stutter and eventually stalled... in nearly the exact same place. Ukitake beat his hands against the steering wheel in frustration. He poked at his cell phone and continued to scowl at the now useless piece of modern machinery, that had let him down again when he was desperately trying to get somewhere. He just gave up and raised the roof in case of rain, locked the doors and laid his head back against the head rest.

Before he realized it he had fallen asleep, only to be woken up but the sound of a motorcycle roaring closer and closer. He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Need a ride sweetheart?"

"Don't call me that."

"Sure, sure." A sparkly pink helmet was handed to him.

"What the hell...?"

"It's a gift from the staff." The scruffy biker chuckled. "You can't turn it down."

Juushiro sighed and slid behind the rider. "Remind me to kick a few butts later." He wrapped his arms around the leather clad waist and hung on for dear life as the bike sped off, at least this time it was a more leisurely pace.

They arrived at the hotel and both swung off the bike. Juushiro was startled, and jumped at the sound of applause that greeted them.

"See everyone missed you."

Juushiro Ukitake was completely over whelmed by the show of affection, he could only stand and stare at the crowd. "How? Why? You people hardly know me."

The tall dark skinned woman stepped forward. "I think I speak for everyone.. You've made a huge impact in our lives, even with your short stay." She strolled close to Kyoraku and rested her arm on his shoulder. "...besides it was fun watching this one all befuddled. By the way, he was a mess the whole time you were gone."

"He was?" Juushiro glanced at Shunsui. The entire crowd was nodding their heads. "You really missed me that much?"

In answer to that question Shunsui swept him up into a huge hug. "I want you to stay here with me forever."

Juushiro's face lit up and he nodded yes; far to overwhelmed to speak.