Ukitake walked into the office. "Kiyone, Sentaro, what's wrong?"

"There are things we forgot to tell Ame."

"Like how you like your tea," Kiyone said.

He smiled at them. They were like children. "I think I can tell her that."

Ame walked in and walked past him with a quiet grace. She put an arm around Kiyone and Sentaro and turned them toward the door. "How about you guys make me a list of things I need to know. Bring it to me by the end of the day. We can go over it then."

"Oh. That's a good idea," Sentaro said.

"Yeah," Kiyone agreed. "I get to write it."

"No, I do."

"No me."

Ame watched as they went bickering out the door. "They're like children," she muttered.

Jushiro laughed. "I was thinking the same thing." He smiled at her. "You handled them well." She had wanted to yell at them but she had taken a moment to gather herself. Ame looked at the clock and walked over to her desk.

"I need to go. I am meeting our seated officers today to get to know them." She walked out of the door and headed down to the conference room. She was almost there when she flash stepped back to the office.

"Did you forget something?" Jushiro asked when he saw her.

"Yes." She grabbed his hand and pulled him out to the garden. "Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?" She wrapped her arms around his neck. Jushiro placed his hands on her waist, pulling her closer to him. His lips came down on hers softly and he felt her sigh in content. He closed his eyes and savored the taste of her. It was hard not to get wrapped up in her. He could forget himself and stay here like this all day. It was extremely tempting.

It was Ame that pulled away first. She didn't want to but she knew she had somewhere to be.

"I want to see you again," Jushiro said, trying to catch his breath.

"I'll be back this afternoon," she said coyly.

"I was thinking somewhere more private."

Ame smirked. "My door is always open for you." She kissed him quickly and then walked out of the garden. As Jushiro watched her walk away, he thought he understood Kyoraku's fascination with women.

…

Ame sat in her room, looking over her notes from her meetings. She still wore her shinigami uniform. She was afraid if she changed into her pajamas she'd crawl into her bed and not come out until the morning. Part of her thought that Jushiro would accept her invitation to her quarters. Part of her wondered if she was being too forward. She wanted him. She just wanted to know that he felt the same.

Ame was about ready to give up and call it a night when she heard the quiet knock on her door. She forced herself to walk slowly to the door. She didn't want to seem desperate.

Jushiro wondered if she was still awake. He had fought himself about whether or not to come to her room. He had meant it when he said he wanted to see her privately. He wanted to explore the feelings she was bringing out in him. She was all he thought about.

Ame pulled him into her room and greeted him with a kiss. "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up." She said as she walked over to the kotatsu and sat down. He sat next to her.

"I'm sorry. There were some things I needed to see to. How were your meetings?" He hadn't gotten the chance to ask her when she had returned. Kiyone and Sentaro had been waiting for her.

"They were good. I just finished going through my notes when you showed up."

"You took notes?" he asked.

"Yes. I have to. It's easier for me to remember that way." When he only stared at her she replied, "I have a photographic memory."

"So that's why you scored higher than Haruko on your lecture finals," he realized.

"Yes but she beat me everywhere else. I didn't have two captains train me." Jushiro laughed at her and kissed her temple.

"Captain…"

"Jushiro," he whispered in her ear.

"Jushiro," she purred. Whatever she was going to say didn't matter. He pulled her to him and covered his mouth with hers. The sound of his name from her lips drove all other thoughts out of his head. He wanted to feel her body pressed against his. Ame soon found herself sitting in his lap. Neither wanted to end this moment and together they lost themselves and all concept of time.

As the sun began to stream through her windows, Jushiro looked at Ame. "I'm sorry. I've keep you awake two nights in a row."

"I don't mind." She smiled at him. "It was worth it."

…

"I need some advice," Jushiro said nervously.

"And you're asking me?" Shunsui couldn't remember the last time Jushiro had asked him for advice.

Jushiro ignored his comment. "I'm interested in a woman. I can't stop thinking about her."

Shunsui nearly choked on his lunch. "What?"

"Kyoraku, it's not that hard to believe. Not all of us could afford to act the way you did."

"It's not something I'm proud of," Shunsui admitted. He reflected back on them and was surprised that the only woman he could clearly remember was his wife. "What about your illness?"

"She has it too but it's still latent. I'm afraid if we…. Well you know that it will make hers worse."

"What did Unohana say?" Shunsui knew that his friend would have asked her opinion concerning the medical side of this matter.

"She said there is a slim possibility."

"And what did Ame say about that?"

"I haven't told her yet." Jushiro didn't question how Shunsui had known he had been talking about Ame. He stopped being surprised by the way Shunsui's mind worked long ago.

"You should tell her. It's only fair."

"I know. I want to. I just haven't found the right time yet." He sighed. "I've never been with a woman. I don't know if I know what to do."

Shunsui laughed. "Just go with your instincts."

"That's it? That's your advice?" Jushiro was shocked.

Shunsui shrugged. "You can go the fancy route with flowers and candles and music but when it comes down to it, all of it disappears but her."