Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU.
Tidings of Home
Shunsui stood there, uncertain if his ears were working properly. "What?"
His friend laughed. "Honestly, Genji. King Yamamoto of Seireitei is dead. Just last week. Some sort of illness."
He went through the proper motions and words for Genji Sakurauchi while in the back of his mind, Shunsui was dealing with just what this meant. He could go home now. His Nanao-chan had just lost her father. Nanao couldn't be crowned queen yet. His princess was in danger, and he needed to get home.
Shunsui closed the shop early for the first time in years. It could be left to his servants. They could probably run it better than he could. He headed up to his rooms and started packing in a daze. There really wasn't much to take with him which was a good thing. Shunsui wanted to get home as soon as possible. He didn't know enough about the situation in Seireitei right now, but he could guess that his princess would need some backup. Nanao had always been extremely intelligent and responsible. She would do a fine job if the Royal Council would let her. With her coronation two years away, Nanao would have to fight the council for control of things. He wouldn't let her face that alone.
His bags packed, Shunsui let out a sigh. He wouldn't be able to leave tonight unfortunately. It would have to be first thing tomorrow. If he bought another horse, he should be able to make to the capitol by the end of a fortnight. Hopefully, Jyuushiro and the others would have things well in hand until then. Shunsui set out his futon and tried to get some sleep. He had a feeling it was going to be a long journey, and he would need to be alert and wary the entire way. He hadn't forgotten that someone had tried to have him killed on his way to Karakura, and he wasn't going to risk getting killed before he got home. His princess was waiting, and he wasn't going to disappoint her.