Shunsui came through the Senkai gate back into Seireitei. It was late but it had been an interesting day. Yama-jii had sent him to check on his old friends Isshin and Urahara. It had been a day filled with stories of old times and sake. Shunsui thought about heading home but someone else was on his mind. Instead, he headed into District One. He wanted to see her. Even while he was with his friends, he was thinking of her. It seemed Sakura always invaded his thoughts and his dreams. Last night's dream had been interesting.

She sat naked on the edge of the bed waiting for him. Shunsui saw her as he walked into his bedroom after his shower. He kissed her and thought that she should have joined him under the spray of water. His hands roamed her body. The towel that hung at Shunsui's hips was soon on the floor. She lay back on the bed and wrapped her legs around him. He slid into her. Shunsui grabbed her legs and held them open as he pumped into her. She moaned with every thrust. She tightened around him and he released himself into her.

Shunsui stopped by one of the shops on his way to Sakura's. He had feelings for her; he just wasn't sure what they were. He didn't want to show up empty handed wanting to see her. Shunsui felt he needed a better reason. He clutched his purchase in his hand and flash stepped to Sakura's home. The sooner he saw her, the better.

…

Sakura wasn't expecting to see Shunsui. He had told her that he had a meeting in the real world and he wasn't sure when he would return. She thought he sounded a little disappointed about it. She knew that she was. She missed him. Sakura stopped what she was doing. The realization that she missed him hit her hard. Sakura smiled. There was something about Shunsui Kyoraku that she liked.

"I love him," Sakura muttered to herself. That was unexpected. She wasn't looking for love. She smiled to herself. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She opened it and found a bouquet of flowers being thrust into her hands. She tried to look at them and at the person who delivered them. He didn't give her a chance. Shunsui caught her face in both his hands and pressed his lips to hers. Sakura felt her heart swell.

'I love you,' she thought as his lips assaulted hers. It wasn't just moments like this when everything blanked but him; it was the way they got along together. He listened to anything she had to say no matter how insignificant. He laughed at her stories of the kids. Sakura knew she was head over heels in love with him. Holding the flowers in one hand, she reached up and placed her other hand behind his neck. Shunsui edged her into the house and closed the door.

"I had to see you," Shunsui breathed into her ear. Sakura smiled. "I couldn't wait." Shunsui felt different around her. He wanted her and only her. There were no second glances at other women. There was only Sakura.

"I'm glad you're here. Thank you for the flowers." Sakura looked at him. She noticed he was dressed in dark pants and an opened white shirt. A pink tie hung around his collar. "You wear those all the time don't you?" Sakura asked as she toyed with the pinwheels in his ponytail. Shunsui chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"There's something I have wanted to do for a long time." Shunsui reached up to her neat bun and pulled the sticks out of it. Her hair tumbled down her back and he ran his hands through it. As Shunsui grabbed a handful of her hair, Sakura let her head fell back. Her neck was exposed to him and he nibbled on it. His mouth found hers again. The flowers fell to the floor as Sakura held onto him. "Sakura, I want you. I wake up wanting you."

She looked up at him. Had anyone ever said those words to her? She couldn't remember. "Shunsui, I…" Sakura felt her cheeks flush. She looked down. Should she tell him that she loved him? Was it enough for her that he wanted her? Sakura wasn't sure if she was ready to take that step.

"I'll wait until you are ready." He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head up. Shunsui kissed her gently. He would wait forever for her if he had to.

…

Sakura arrived earlier than normal to the Hitsugaya home. She wanted to talk to her daughter. Hana was in the kitchen washing up breakfast dishes. Sakura grabbed the towel and began to dry the dishes.

"I got flowers yesterday," Sakura said.

"From your shinigami?" Hana asked, raising a brow at her mother.

Sakura smiled. "Yes. They were hand delivered. He told me that he wanted me." Sakura felt her cheeks flush. "I don't think anyone has ever said they wanted me the way he does." They were silent for a moment. "I love him," Sakura said quietly. Hana smiled and hugged her mother.

"Mom, I'm so happy for you!" Hana exclaimed. "I want details later. I want to know who he is."

"Tonight?"

"I can't tonight. I have hollow training and it's supposed to be all day." Hana thought for a moment. "How about tomorrow morning?"

"Sure."