A/N: I do not own BLEACH
Silence filled the home of Ukitake Juushiro, as he and Shunsui sat at the low table in his dining room with a cup of tea sitting in from of each of them. The only sounds
that could be heard was the sounds of them breathing and the steady ticking of a clock. Juushiro picked up his tea cup and took a sip before glancing at the sheathed
zanpaktou that sat next to his own. That was when Shunsui decided to break the silence.
"Don't worry Juushiro, she's going to be fine." he said "There's nothing to worry about."
"I can't help but worry about my subordinates Shunsui." said Juushiro as he set his cup down "Especially one that was so close to death."
"It's alright Juushiro." said Shunsui as he patted his friend's shoulder "The relief squad will make sure that she will live." The heard the sound of a door opening
"Speaking of the relief squad." A member of the relief squad came walking into the room.
"Ukitake-taichou, Kyoraku-taichou." said the shinigami with a bow "We have stabilized Representative Shinigami Matsuro Masako and treated all of her wounds. It is
recommended that she be kept in bed for at least three days and that she takes it easy for the next few days."
"Understood." said Juushiro "When should she be waking up?"
"That could be anywhere from a few hours to a few days." said the shinigami "She has lost a great deal of blood so it is uncertain when she will wake up."
"Very well." said Juushiro "You may leave." The shinigami bowed before exiting the house with the other three members of her squad. Juushiro sighed softly before
picking up his cup again.
"Well that's a relief." said Shunsui "It would have been a shame to lose her."
"It would have." said Juushiro "But she's still alive and I'm grateful for that."
"Oh, and why's that Juushiro?" asked Shunsui.
"Masako-chan has potential." said Juushiro "If you would have been paying attention Shunsui, you would've noticed that her energy and abilities are on par with a
lieutenant's or just above that level but she still needs more training. She's strong."
"Yes, I've noticed." said Shunsui "I've also noticed that she's quite stubborn."
"So have I." said Juushiro as he set his cup down before standing up.
"Where are you going?" asked Shunsui.
"I'm going to check on Masako-chan." replied Juushiro as he picked up both his zanpaktou and Masako's zanpaktou. Shunsui stood up.
"Well, I should get going too." said Shunsui "My Nanao-chan must be missing me by now. I'll see you around Juushiro."
"Good-bye Shunsui." said Juushiro as Shunsui walked over to the door. Shunsui waved before exiting the house. Juushiro sighed slightly before walking over to the
guest room where Masako was resting. Sliding the door open quietly, he walked into the room and over to the futon Masako was sleeping on. Kneeling down next to
the futon, Juushiro placed her zanpaktou next to her sleeping form and he noticed a small smile form on Masako's face. Setting his own zanpaktou down next to him,
Juushiro reached out and brushed some of Masako's silvery hair out of her face. Her hair was soft and silky and in his opinion, the color of her hair was rather pretty and
it complimented her sun kissed complexion rather well. Masako was rather pretty and he knew that there were quit a few Shinigami in the Seireitei that had their eyes
on her ever since she first came to the Soul Society to rescue Kuchiki Rukia. Juushiro himself was quite surprised when he found out that she was the daughter of his
former fifth seat officer, Matsuro Shinsei. Another thing he had been surprised by was that he had started feeling something for they young shinigami but he wasn't sure
what it was that he felt. He knew that it couldn't be love because there was many male shinigami that were much younger than him who would have a better chance
with Masako. It was most likely a fatherly affection that he felt towards Masako, since Shinsei had been a good friend of his and Masako had told him herself that her
father had never been present in her life and had never even cared about her. Juushiro's hands tightened into fists when he thought about what Masako had told him
about her father. How could anyone do that to someone like Masako? She was such a sweet person, so kind and caring. Sure she could come off as cold sometimes but
she had done alot for some of the Shinigami in the Seireitei, especially the lieutenants of the third and fifth divisions. A faint moan caught his attention and Juushiro
looked at Masako and was surprised to see her stirring. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at Juushiro, her dark red eyes still slightly unfocused.
"C-Captain Ukitake?" she said weakly. Juushiro nodded and noticed that she was trying to get up.
"Easy Masako-chan." he said as he gently pushed her back down "You're still injured and you need to rest. If you try to get up now, you could reopen your injuries."
Masako was too weak to fight back and let him push her back onto the soft futon.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"You're in the Seireitei." said Juushiro "In my home in Division Thirteen."
"What happened to Koga?" asked Masako before coughing slightly.
"Koga?" asked Juushiro.
"The Bount I was fighting." said Masako "His name was Koga."
"He was leaving when we arrived." said Juushiro "He said that he wanted a rematch once you were healed."
"I doubt I'll be able to to fight him again anytime soon." said Masako.
"Don't worry," said Juushiro "You'll be up again in no time." Masako sighed softly as her eyes began to slid closed "Get some rest Masako-chan. You need it." Masako
barely nodded as she drifted back into unconsciousness. Juushiro sighed before glancing out of the window. He saw the forest reflected in the lake that surrounded his
home and his giant koi fish swimming about happily in the lake.
"Summer is ending." he said quietly "Soon it will be fall and after that, it will be winter. A winter that all of us will never forget."
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A faint scratching noise was the first thing Masako heard as she slowly began to gain consciousness. That was followed by the rustling of papers and more scratching.
Then there was a pause and silence for several moments followed by the sound of something being set down before there was more rustling of papers and scratching.
Blood red eyes fluttered open and stared up at the ceiling until her vision focused. Moving her head to the side, Masako saw Juushiro sitting at a desk doing paperwork.
He's been sitting there for almost two days straight.
"I wonder why." thought Masako.
It's obvious that he cares about you. He wouldn't have stayed in the room if he didn't care.
"Captain Ukitake cares about all of his subordinates." thought Masako "The Representative Shinigami are under his jurisdiction, so in essence, we are his subordinates."
What ever you say Masako-chan.
Masako sighed slightly before coughing suddenly, catching Juushiro's attention. He turned to face her and smiled when he saw that she was awake.
"Good morning Masako-chan." he said "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been through hell and back." said Masako as she tried to sit up. Juushiro moved over to her side and helped her sit up before rearranging the pillows behind
her so that she was in a sitting position.
"I'm sure you'll feel better in a few days." said Juushiro "Would you like anything?"
"No thank you." said Masako "I'm fine." Her stomach growled loudly and Masako got a sheepish looked on her face.
"I'll go get you some breakfast." said Juushiro with a smile before standing up. Masako watched as Juushiro left the room before glaring at her zanpaktou, who was
laughing in her mind.
"It's not funny, Koudoutai." she told her zanpaktou.
Well I think it is.
"And why is that?" she asked.
Because you're blushing, Masako-chan. Do you like him?
"Oh, shut up Koudoutai!" snapped Masako.
You do like him! I knew it!
Masako proceed to ignore Koudoutai as she began to think about other things. Like her feelings for a certain white haired captain. She was confused at what she felt for
Ukitake Juushiro ever since she met him. There was just something about him that made her butterflies flutter in her stomach and she wasn't sure what to do about it.
All she could do was hope that everything would play itself out in the end.
Please review or leave a comment. Anything is appreciated.
Until next time this is LegendarywriterZephyrStar signing out! ^^