Author's Note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU.


With No Dowry

Retsu let out a soft sigh as she padded around Jyuu's kitchen in bare feet. It felt both very comfortable and slightly odd. She was very much at home here. Jyuu had always had wonderful taste when it came both to his furniture and tableware. It might not be her own tea set, but it was a familiar one, and the act of making tea always made Retsu feel like she was at home. It was something she needed. She had actually just gotten in. The doctor had taken a late shift at the university hospital.

Upon arriving at her temporary home, Retsu had immediately changed into her nightgown and gone to fix herself tea. It was a long standing ritual of hers to help her unwind after work. As the steam began to rise from her tea, Retsu let out a soft sigh. So far, she'd been at Jyuushiro's place for about three days, and it seemed like her stalker hadn't found her here. That was something of a relief. She was still getting notes and photo at the hospital though. Retsu didn't know if they were still being delivered to her house as well. The police hadn't wanted her anywhere near there.

A soft noise in the hallway made her start.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," Jyuushiro's voice was soft.

He was dressed for bed, but it didn't look like he'd been asleep. Besides, Jyuu had been a night owl as long as she had known him. They used to spend hours chatting late at night and early in the morning when he was confined to the hospital. His best friend, Shunsui Kyoraku, was of the same temperament, but he got kicked out after visiting hours were over, and that had left Jyuu feeling more than a little lonely.

"That's all right," Retsu offered him a smile. "I'm a bit jumpier than normal."

He frowned at that. "The stalker. Why don't you tell me about that?"

Retsu sighed. She had known it would come up sooner or later. "All right. Why don't we find some place to sit down? It's a rather long story so far."