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Nanao looked at her captain as he stood on the balcony outside his office and looked out over the Seireitei.
"It's been months and he is still not back to his normal self"
Half a year had passed since the war against the Quincies and life had started to return to normal for the Soul Reapers.
But ever since the war and the death of not only his mentor and senior but also his best friend, Shunsui had not been himself. He wasn't that cheerful man he was in the past and he barely drank anymore.
Sure, the drinking could be because of his position as head-captain but the cheerfulness had remained after his promotion up until now.
Nanao was now starting to get a bit worried about her uncle since she thought he would get over it eventually.
The doors then opened and Hanatarō stumbled into the room, landing face first on the floor.
"Are you okay, 3rd seat Yamada?"
"I'm fine.
-Don't worry, lieutenant Ise"
"Good.
-But why were you in such a hurry to get here?"
"Oh that's right"
Hanatarō ran out to the balcony and bowed next to Shunsui.
"Head-captain, sir. Captain Kotetsu of the 4th division wants you to come as soon as you have time"
"What does she want?"
"I was just told to tell you that"
"Right"
Shunsui then turned to his lieutenant.
"Nanao can you Okikiba cover work until I get back?"
"Of course"
"I'm off to the 4th division then"
Shunsui walked out of the office and left the 1st division with Hanatarō behind him.
A few quick Flash Steps later, he was standing outside the 4th division.
"You've gotten better at Flash Step, Yamada"
"Oh, thank you, Head-captain"
Shunsui smiled slightly before looking at the doors to the division.
"I wonder why captain Kotetsu wants to see me"
They walked inside just as Isane came down a hallway.
"Ah head-captain, you got my message"
"Yes......
-So why did you want me to come?"
"Walk down this hallway I just came from, turn the first right and go to the third room on the left.
-I'll be there myself soon"
"Okay......"
Shunsui followed Isane's directions and soon reached the right room which for some reason had a barrier in front of it.
"That's strange"
He managed to get past the barrier without destroying it and open the door.
Once he had walked in, he couldn't believe his eyes.
There on the bed, leaning back against some pillows was the person he thought he'd lost half a year ago.
It was none other than Jūshirō.
"Juu......."
Hearing his name made Jūshirō turn his head towards Shunsui and when he saw his best friend, the white-haired man smiled.
"Shun"
Shunsui walked closer to the bed and placed a hand on Jūshirō's shoulder to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"It's me, Shun.
-You're not dreaming or anything"
Jūshirō reached up and placed his own hand on Shunsui's.
"I'm really here"
Hearing those words made Shunsui let go of his friend's shoulder to hug him and Jūshirō returned it. The two friends happy to see each other again.
"How is this possible, Shunsui asked after a while"
"I think I can explain that, Head-captain"
Shunsui turned his eyes to the door and saw Isane.
The two friends let go of each other as the 4th division captain sat down in the chair by the bed.
"After Yhwach was defeated, Rukia returned to the 12th division and with her was two members of the Royal Guard, Ichibē Hyōsube and Tenjirō Kirinji. She thought that since they serve the Soul King, they may know something about Mimihagi.
-I was there so I heard everything they said"
Flashback.
"Is there anything you can do, Rukia asked"
"I'm not sure, Miss Kuchiki, said Ichibē"
"Of course we can Ichibē or have you forgotten that his majesty told us about his right hand and its powers many years ago"
"Ah you're right, Kirinji"
Kirinji then turned to Rukia.
"How long has it been since he called on Mimihagi?"
"I'm not sure"
"A little over an hour"
All three turned around and saw Isane.
"Who are you, Kirinji asked"
"Isane Kotetsu. I'm the lieutenant and current acting-captain of the 4th division"
"An hour huh, mubled Ichibē"
"We still have time so let's get him to my hot-spring"
End Flashback.
"They took captain Ukitake with them to the palace where he was put in Kirinji's care.
-I believe that since he saved captain Kuchiki from the brink of death, Rukia though the same could happen in this case"
"How long was I there exactly?
-You never told me that"
"About a month and a half. Kirinji himself told me that the Royal Guard and especially him as the healer among them were told how to reverse the effects of the Right arm of the Soul King.
-So by using a special form of his healing hot-spring, he managed to restore and heal everything you gave up to Mimihagi along with something more"
"What's that?"
"Haven't you noticed during the time you've been here how strong your breathing is?"
Jūshirō looked at her before placing a hand on his chest and taking a deep breath. There was no raspy breaths and no pain.
"You're right"
"Kirinji has amazing powers.
-I was amazed myself when he told me that he managed to heal the illness from your lungs"
"When was he here, Shunsui asked"
"About five months ago when he and Ichibē brought captain Ukitake back here.
-They told me that I should keep it a secret until I was sure the captain was going to wake up"
"I see"
"Then, about two months ago, captain Ukitake woke up but he was very weak so I decided to wait until he got stronger before telling anyone about this.
-Deep in my heart I wanted to tell at least you sooner, Head-captain but I didn't want to give anyone false hope"
"I understand, captain Kotetsu"
"Since the day I woke up, I've been resting in order to regain my strength and yesterday, I finally felt strong enough to let people know that I'm here.
-So I asked captain Kotetsu to tell you that I was here. I wanted you, my best friend to be the first one to know that I'm alive"
Shunsui was quiet for a moment, letting all the information sink in.
"Is there anyone else who knows?"
"Just me and Hanatarō since I decided to keep it a secret from Kiyone. She might be my sister and lieutenant but she wouldn't be able to be quiet about it.
-You most likely also noticed that I'd put a barrier over the door so only us captains can enter"
"I understand"
Isane smiled and stood up.
"I'll let you two talk alone and if your lieutenants call for you, I'll let you know, Head-captain"
"Thank you"
Isane then left the room and once the door had closed, Shunsui turned to his best friend.
"To think that during these past months, you've been here the whole time"
"I wanted to tell you earlier but like captain Kotetsu said, I was so weak when I woke up that she didn't want to give you false hope that I would recover"
"I understand.
-What about........"
"Once I'm fully recovered I can return to my position as a captain.
-That's what I was going to ask, right?"
"Yeah.
-You know me to well, Juu"
"I guess I do"
"Speaking of you returning.
-Do you know when?"
"About two weeks or so according to captain Kotetsu"
"Right"
The two talked for a while before Shunsui had to return to his work.
"I'll be back when I get time"
"Right. And Shun, don't let me distract you from your duties.
-You have an important job and I don't want you to lose focus just because you know I'm here"
"Don't worry, Juu.
-I think that I actually will be able to work better now"
With that, Shunsui left the 4th and instead of Flash Stepping, he decided to walk back.
Once back at the 1st division, he sat down with his work and Nanao couldn't help but notice that he somehow seemed happier.
"Captain, did something happen why you went to see captain Kotetsu?"
"No not really. She just wanted to about some work related things.
-How come you ask?"
"It's just that you seem happier than you've been for the past months"
"Do I?"
The captain let out a slight chuckle.
"I guess I finally realized that I can't let the dead affect my life and job anymore"
"It feels like he's hiding something but I won't ask him more.
-I'm just glad he's returning to normal"
Days passed and Shunsui returned more and more to his old self for every passing day. At least once a day, he would try to get away from his work for at least an hour to visit Jūshirō in the 4th.
No one knew that he went there except Isane and the 4th division captain knew that this change in the head-captain was because he knew that his best friend was alive.
No one else could figure out what had made him change back until two weeks later.
Isane and Jūshirō stood outside the 1st division barracks and the doors opened, allowing them to enter.
"How does it fell to be able to return today, captain Ukitake?"
"It feels good.
-And Isane, we're both captains so you can call me Jūshirō"
"Okay"
Jūshirō gave her a smile as they kept walking through the division to the head-captain's office.
Right as they got there, Nanao walked out from the room and saw them.
"Captain Kotetsu, are you here to see the head-captain?"
"Yes. He wanted to see us before the meeting"
"Us?"
Nanao looked at Jūshirō who she hadn't noticed at first and couldn't believe her eyes.
"Captain Ukitake is that really you?"
"Yes"
"How?"
"We'll tell you along with the captains at the meeting, Nanao"
The trio turned to the door where Shunsui stood.
"Yes, sir"
The three captains then entered Shunsui's office to talk.
A while later, all captains where gathered in their meeting room.
"Thank you everyone for gathering on such a short notice"
"So what did you call us here for, Kenpachi asked"
Shunsui looked at the other eleven captains before a smirk crossed his face.
"Okikiba let him in"
As the doors slowly opened and the familiar spiritual pressure of his friend floated around them, Shunsui could see surprise on the other captains' faces.
Once the doors were fully opened, Jūshirō stepped inside the room and walked up to the front where he turned around to face the other captains.
"Hello everyone"
"Ukitake how are you here, said Shinji"
Everyone turned their eyes to Mayuri and glared at him.
"I didn't do anything"
"Sure you didn't, said Kensei"
"Mayuri is right, he has nothing to do with this, said Jūshirō"
"Then how are you here, SoiFon asked"
"Allow me to explain, said Isane"
Everyone turned to the 4th division captain and she told them everything that had happened.
"That they were actually able to do that, said Tōshirō"
"The important thing is that Ukitake is alive and that his health is stronger thanks to Kirinji, said Byakuya"
"Well then everyone, said Shunsui
-I guess you've all figured out why I gathered all of you. To welcome captain Ukitake back to his position"
Okikiba then entered with an Haori in his hands that Shunsui took and handed to his best friend.
"Welcome back, captain Ukitake"
"Thank you, head-captain"
Jūshirō bowed slightly before he took the Haori and put it on.
"With that, this meeting is over"
The captains started to leave the room and two of them waited outside until Jūshirō came out.
Those two were Byakuya and Tōshirō.
"Welcome back, Ukitake"
"Thank you, Byakuya"
"I'm sure Rukia will be happy to see you"
"That's right, she doesn't know that Kirinji brought me back to the Seireitei"
"Allow me to show you to the 13th then, said Tōshirō
-It's pretty hard to find your way around with all the rebuilding going on"
"I'd appreciate that, Tōshirō"
So the 3 captains left the 1st division.
"I'm glad you're back"
Jūshirō looked down at younger captain as they were making their way down the streets of the Seireitei.
"I mean it.
-The head-captain, Kuchiki and some others have been down since the war because they all though you were gone.
When Tōshirō looked at him, Jūshirō smiled and the younger actually let a smile cross his face as well.
"But soon, the others will be smiling again just like the head-captain"
He then noticed that they weren't far from the 13th.
"Wait here Jūshirō while I'll ask someone to tell Kuchiki to come here"
"Okay"
Tōshirō walked into the area where the barracks were and Sentarō saw him.
"Captain Hitsugaya, can I help you with something sir?"
"Could you get lieutenant Kuchiki out here"
"Of course.
-I'll be right back"
He ran towards a part of the area and came back a moment later with Rukia.
"You wanted to talk to me, captain Hitsugaya"
"I did.
-Or more exactly, I wanted to show you something"
"What's that?"
"Come with me"
Rukia followed Tōshirō to where he had left Jūshirō and she gasped slightly when she saw him.
"Captain"
"Hello Rukia"
When Rukia walked closer to her captain, Tōshirō decided to step back.
He watched how Jūshirō placed his hand on Rukia's head before she actually wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I thought the Zero division wasn't able to save you since we didn't hear anything from them"
"They did save me but I was asleep for a long time.
-I woke up two months ago and I've been resting at the 4th in order to regain my strength"
Rukia let go of her captain and dried her eyes before looking up at him.
"Why didn't captain Kotetsu tell us?
-We're your division after all so we should have been told that you were alive"
"After the Zero division brough me back to the Seireitei, she didn't tell anyone besides 3rd seat Yamada.
-She didn't want to give people false hope since she wasn't sure I would make it, despite Kirinji's help"
"I see"
Jūshirō looked at his lieutenant and could still see in her eyes that she wasn't happy with not being told about him.
"Kuchiki, your captain is here now and he is alive, isn't that the most important, said Tōshirō"
Rukia looked at him and sighed before smiling.
"You're right, captain Hitsugaya"
Tōshirō smirked before turning his back to them.
"I leave it to you to tell your division about this lieutenant Kuchiki.
-I need to get back to my division and see if Rangiku has done her work"
"Right. Thank you for bringing my captain here, captain Hitsugaya"
"Yes. Thank you, Tōshirō"
"No problem.
-See you around, Ukitake"
The young captain then disappeared in a quick Flash Step
"Shall we go captain?"
"Yes. Let's tell the division that I'm back"
"Everyone, stop what you're doing for a moment"
All the members stopped working and gathered around her.
"Do you remember that I told you that the Zero division was taking care of our captain?"
Everyone nodded.
"Well.....then"
Rukia turned her head and looked behind her.
"Come out, captain"
Jūshirō came out from where he had been standing by the gate and walked over to his lieutenant.
"Hello everyone"
The division members couldn't believe their eyes at first but when they realized that it was really their captain that stood there, everyone started to cheer and a lot of them got tears in their eyes.
And so, Jūshirō fully returned to his position as the captain of the 13th division and life in the Seireitei got more and more back to what it used to be.