A/N : ByaRen aside, here's a chappie about the lovely Jyuushiro and Shunsui! :3
"No means no, Renji." King Jyuushiro said after a sigh. Our hunk had been begging for permission to accompany Byakuya for a few days in a week.
"But father, he needs me!" Renji begged. He really wanted to go up there and be with Byakuya. Seeing and experiencing all the things that humans do. It's all exciting and thrilling to him, but unfortunately not for his father.
"You don't know that, Renji. You only met him once and you dare say that? He might take advantage of you in the future! I can't have my kingdom under attack!"
"He won't, dad. He's just a lonely person. And I know that he genuinely needs me. I can feel it in my heart." Upon remembering the event that happened the night before, Renji's expression grew soft. He already missed Byakuya's voice.
"You are so very young, Renji. You have to learn that you have to sacrifice something for a bigger cause." King Jyuushiro said. He to, had made a big sacrifice.
"I want to pursue my love, father. I have to! I don't want regrets!" Renji screamed.
"You will have regrets if you don't think about this clearly! You will have regrets when you find out he chases your tail so he can put you in his aquarium. You'll have regrets when he poaches us to sell to aristocrats. You will have regrets knowing he doesn't love you and marry off with someone then having to meet him again to find out he has a son to take care of!" King Jyuushiro was shouting, out of breath and holding back the tears that almost spilled.
"Father…" Renji had never seen his father so mad, so distressed and so hurt. The throne room echoed and the room that was shining so beautifully suddenly felt gray. Maids were peeking, trying to figure out what happened but they didn't dare go in.
"Renji, I am far beyond your years. I know more than you do. I have chosen to part from the one I love for this kingdom. If I didn't, this kingdom would be nothing but history. Your grandfather, Yamamoto, would take no one else to be his heir." Renji grew silent. Sure, he knew everything about sacrificing, but was Byakuya something he should give up on?
"Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to discuss." Chojiro the head advisor interrupted. King Jyuushiro got up and swam away.
"Think about it." The King and Chojiro swam away, leaving Renji alone.
"Well shit." Renji stormed off to find his friends.
King Jyuushiro sighed for the umpteenth time. He was having a hard time to register the things Chojiro said. Something about military, weapons and defense system.
'Who would need those when the kingdom is so peaceful?' He thought to himself. But again, you can't be too careful.
"And so we have a plan to go out and observe the weapons humans make. It would be better if Your Majesty would come to the surface with us." Chojiro said, closing his speech.
"Fine, we shall leave after sunset. Make suitable preparations for the trip. We will stay for a night at Kisuke's inn." Chojiro bowed and swam off. Jyuushiro swam to his chambers to prepare himself.
Truth be told, our king didn't like going to the surface, especially on sunset. The memories haunted him like a never ending nightmare. He just wanted it out of his head, all of it.
"Shunsui…" Even after all these times, saying the name of the man he loved made him shiver. Jyuushiro conjured some magic and turned his crown into a hairpin. He tied his hair up in a ponytail and slipped the pin on. Then he left a message in a bubble for the Jellynger, short for Jelly Messenger, to take to his children, informing his absence. He didn't have time to talk to them, knowing the sun had started to set. Time passed quickly that day.
Children. Even he himself kept wondering how on earth he got so many kids from one man alone. Renji was his youngest, the last son he got from Shunsui. So there were six in total. That showed just how strong the magic of their love was.
2 years after Renji was born, Shunsui had to go travel some place. And while he was gone, Jyuushiro made a song in celebration of Renji's birthday. But when they met, Shunsui was carrying a beautiful little boy, calling him his nephew. He was just a bit older than Renji, with silky black hair. Jyuushiro was happy to take care of the boys while teaching Shunsui the new song. But those happy days stopped when a dark haired woman with glasses suddenly hugged Shunsui and called him 'darling'. Then he found out that the little boy was Shunsui's son.
"I did it because I love you, Jyuushiro!" That was Shunsui's explanation when Jyuushiro confronted him.
"You cheated on me. You had sex with that woman long ago before we had Renji. You had sex with me when the boy's a few months old and now you tell me you did it because you love me?" Jyuushiro laughed bitterly. "What kind of joke is that, Shunsui? Do you take me for a fool because I'm just a creature of fantasy? You thought our children are simple worthless things because they do not need 9 months to develop?"
"Please calm down. I have to do this to keep my right as the next heir of my kingdom! When I'm king we can live together and be happy!" Shunsui tried to explain.
"You've been lying to me for almost 3 years, Shunsui. There are ways to solve the heir problem and you chose to have a son with a woman instead? I don't understand you!" Jyuushiro gritted his teeth. Surely there was some other way, right? All those months Shunsui left him for trips halfway across the sea, Jyuushiro kept being faithful, turning down all marriage proposals his father gave him. But what did he get for that? A cheating lover that has a new family to taka care of.
"Fine then, I'll divorce her. Don't be mad at me, please. I'll do anything to have you back…" The tanned man pleaded, but Jyuushiro just shook his head.
"Don't hurt her feelings. Raise your family, Shunsui. Forget about everything we've had."
"No, don't go. Don't leave me, I'm sorry. I'll make things right!"
"Isn't it too late? Goodbye, love." And with that Jyuushiro jumped into the water without looking back at the man he loved so much. If only tears were visible, everyone would know how badly the merman cried. Ever since that sunset, Jyuushiro hated the scenery.
"Your Majesty, it's time to leave." Chojiro's voice brought the king back from memory lane.
"Yes. Let us leave." King Jyuushior rose from his seat and headed off to the shore.
One thing he loved about the surface was the moon and the star spangled sky. He knew that that night would have a full moon, so he decided to go with his advisor and a few men to check on the weaponry. Besides, he wanted to see how his old friend Kisuke was doing.
Once on the beach, they transformed into their human form. Jyuushiro's hair stayed the same, but his white tail turned into a white poet shirt, thin and flowy, with a sleek black pants. They were greeted by the wind and the shining full moon.
"Jyuushiro?" The kind almost jumped when his name was called from afar. A tall figure wearing a dark long tailed coat suddenly came running towards them. Two guards stood in front of the king, ready to face the unknown man.
"Impossible…" Jyuushiro's body shook in disbelief as the memory of that voice came rushing into him. All the men had drawn their swords, even Chojiro whipped out his rapier.
"Jyuushiro, is that you?" Shunsui's voice reminded Jyuushiro of the past. All the times they spent together in each other's arms.
Shunsui knew very well it was Jyuushiro, his white haired angel, the love that left him 20 years ago. It had been so very long, but he couldn't forget his angel.
Jyuushiro tapped the men in front of him and asked them to step aside. Then he faced the man he once or perhaps still loved. His features were illuminated by the moonlight, clearly showing that Shunsui was as handsome as ever. A few years added such maturity that didn't fail to add his charms.
"Shunsui." Jyuushiro managed a curt nod. But Shunsui hugged the other man. The mermen were ready to attack, but Jyuushiro gave them a signal to stay back.
"I've missed you so much. It's been 2 decades! Finally I got another chance to see you again." Shunsui squeezed tighter, but Jyuushiro squirmed and broke away.
"Indeed, it has been long. Now if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend." It was such a pain for Jyuushiro to be able to see him again. He knew he would regret leaving Shunsui again, but seeing him for too long would surely break away all the strong walls he's build around him and had to deal with pain all over again.
"You're still mad at me, aren't you?" Shunsui held the merman's shoulder firmly. He looked deep into his eyes.
"No, I am not mad." Jyuushiro averted his gaze, scared that he would melt from the gaze of his love.
"Then why are you pushing me away? At least… At least let us catch up on each other. Surely a lot has happened in 20 years." Shunsui let go and took a step back. Jyuushiro nodded and asked Chojiro to check the weaponry without him.
"So, how have you been?" Shunsui tried to open up a conversation after quite a long silence. They went straight to Kisuke's in and sat at the bar. Both men had a glass of brandy in their hands, hoping it would loosen up the situation.
"I've been fine. Taking care of a kingdom seems to be quite enjoyable." Jyuushiro brought the glass to his lips and tilted the glass slightly, letting the amber liquid burn down his throat.
"You're king now? That's great then! I am too…" Shunsui drifted off. Bad mistake.
"I know. How is it? Being a king and all."
"I think you know the drill. But yeah, it's enjoyable when your people love you." Shunsui stared at the long fingers around the other brandy glass. Jyuushiro looked paler than the last time they met, and his face looked tired, thinner.
They fell into a long, awkward silence. Both afraid to neither utter a word nor make any single move. Shunsui kept looking at Jyuushiro's face, making him uncomfortable because of the sharp stare. Slowly Shunsui looked down and gulped his brandy.
"How's the children?" Jyuushiro flinched at the sudden topic.
"They're good. They've grown into fine people. Soi Fon is the top fighter under the 7 Seas while Uryuu is the smartest. Kaien is doing well. He seems to be excited to be the next king. Unfortunately Hanatarou recently fell ill, but Isane took care of him." He gave a small smile as he remembered all his children, including Renji too. But he didn't know what to say about him.
"How about Renji?" All Shunsui remembered was his red hair and fiery personality.
"He's… having troubles lately. Said that he's in love with a human prince." Jyuushiro just realized how awkward it was to talk to the father of all his children.
"Hmm, that sounds like a familiar story." Shunsui gave a chuckle but Jyuushiro stayed silent. Shunsui coughed and gulped his brandy. "They turned out great. Our children." Jyuushiro's eyes stung. Their children. Was it so painful for him that he forgot they were all the result of their love?
"Why are you here? You're supposed to be on the other side of the sea." Jyuushiro croaked out. He didn't want to be there at all, at least that's what he thought.
"Kenpachi is holding a party. His daughter is getting married. He insisted that I should come. I snuck out to see the beach and found you instead." Shunsui finally held Jyuushiro's hand. How he missed the softness of his skin. Jyuushiro almost pulled away but Shunsui held him steady.
"Your wife won't be happy with you touching me." Jyuushiro spat out.
"We separated long ago." Jyuushiro gasped. He was constructing words to shout at Shunsui but the man continued. "She left me."
"Why? Did you treat her badly? How could you?" Shunsui chuckled and traced circles Jyuushirou's palm.
"Yes, I guess I did. She said I didn't love her at all. And all I do was either drown myself in work or lock myself in my library. She said I never once looked at her, as if I've lost my will to live. But what she doesn't know, it wasn't the will to live that I've lost, it's someone I love."
"Are you blaming me for the fact that your wife left you?" Jyuushiro accused.
"No, I blame myself for hurting her, hurting you, and losing you too." Shunsui kissed the pale fingers. "I couldn't forget you, Shiro. My love for you never stopped even for a second."
"But then why did you leave me? Why did you come to me bringing your son?" The pain, the longing, the love. Emotions were overflowing as Jyuushiro brought Shunsui's hand to his cheeks.
"To introduce you to the child you will live with. If I am a king, I'd take you and our children to my kingdom and have no one to object about the matter. Besides, I never recall upon leaving you. I'm not the one who left his lover standing alone on the beach." Shunsui caressed the soft cheek and smiled. "I love you, Jyuushiro. Do you still love me?" Jyuushiro closed his eyes and nuzzled Shunsui's palm.
"You have given me great pain, Shunsui. If only you had told me about the whole thing, I'd understand. 20 years I've had you in the back of my head, haunting me. It is not fair that now you tell me that you love me and demands me to answer."
"I'm sorry. I was stupid, love. But what do you say?"
"Yes, I love you." Shunsui tilted Jyuushiro's shin and kissed him lovingly. Both smiled into the kiss, getting the happiness they've missed.
"Hey! Need a room? I'll give a discount for you lovebirds." Kisuke just had to interrupt while grinning like always. Both men couldn't help laughing.
"Yes, I think we do." Jyuushiro hugged Shunsui's arm and let a big smile spread on his face. Even kings need love, right?
A/N : So? So? Hmm? R&R yeah please? :3
Renji : I want my story, hurry up and write it.
Jyuushiro : Patience, young man.
Renji : Dad, I wanna see Byakuya...
Kaien : Dad, help me with my studies? I got something I wanna ask.
Uryuu : Dad, help me too!
Soi Fon : Dad, let's spar! I need some training.
Hanatarou : *cough* Dad, what medicine will heal me faster?
Isane : Dad, do I need to make some medicine for Hanatarou?
All the children : Dad! Daaad! DAD!
Jyuushiro : x_x *mutters* Why and how on earth did I make so many kids...
Shunsui : Because we love each other so very much and the magic is just too strong?
Jyuushiro : ... Un. *smiles*
All their lovely children : DAD! HELP US!
Jyuushiro : ... *facepalm*