Shunsui looked into his cup of sake, feeling more bereft than he ever had in his life.

Juushiro was gone. It still didn't seem real. He'd always known that Juushiro's time was limited. The disease he'd suffered with for so long would kill him, one way or another. But he'd survived over nine hundred years with it. Every time he suffered an attack, Retsu managed to bring him through. How could she fail after all this time? But she could. He knew that all too well, now.

Reaching for a piece of paper, he blinked as his hand hit nothing but desk. Glancing around he saw that his desk was empty, except for a pile of neat papers to one side. Those were the ones he'd already seen to. Standing up with a frown, he went to find his fukutaichou.

"Nanao-chan?" She was at her desk, industriously working away. He smiled sadly at the sight. Some things never changed. "Where's the rest of my work?" There had to be more. It was a never ending struggle, trying to keep his desk even slightly clean. She looked up at him with an odd expression.

"Kyoraku taichou?" She said in a tentative tone, like something was very wrong. He just looked at her, vaguely puzzled. "I delivered all your work this morning." He stared at her for a moment before looking back towards his office. The neat stack of paperwork didn't change.

"…I finished it?" He mused before laughing. It was a soft, sad chuckle. "He would be proud of me…" His eyes suddenly brimmed with tears and he had to reach up to wipe them away. The pain was almost unbearable. Warm arms suddenly went around him and he turned to see Nanao's concerned face.

"Perhaps you should go home, Kyoraku taichou?" She asked gently but that was really the last thing he wanted to do. Go home to an empty house, that still smelled like him… he would feel like Juushiro would be opening the door any moment… "I'll take you." She put a hand on his arm and he smiled at her, a forlorn, bereft expression.

"Thank you Nanao-chan. Perhaps that would be for the best." As painful as it was, he had to go home sooner or later. He couldn't live at his Division. Putting an arm around Nanao, they left together. He was more than willing to take comfort from her.

He needed all the help he could get in this difficult time.

Time dulled the pain, as it always does.

But a thought occurred to Kyoraku Shunsui and it was one he just couldn't shake. Juushiro would be reborn into the Living World. He would live there, grow into an adult and eventually return to Soul Society. Was it possible that they could meet again?

He knew it was stupid. Even if he met the reborn Juushiro there was no guarantee he would recognize him. Anyone would say it was impossible, he would be an entirely new person. But Shunsui didn't believe that, not really. Juushiro's kind personality… the air of peace he created about himself… could that really change? He doubted it. No, Juushiro would be an amazing person as a living man, just as he'd been an amazing shinigami.

Still, for the longest time he resisted acting on it. But when almost twenty years had passed, he couldn't help himself. He began haunting the Living World. Not neglecting his duties but every time he had a chance, he passed through the senkaimon and just wandered, often in a gigai. Hoping, in a forlorn way, that he might wander into his lost love. If anyone in Soul Society realized what he was doing they said nothing about it. Perhaps they pitied him and his hopeless quest. After all, looking for a single soul in the teeming world of the living was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Or rather, a needle in a sea of haystacks. Sighing to himself, he opened the door to a coffee shop –

And was almost knocked down by a young man who was struggling to carry far too many coffee cups at once. He reacted without thinking and caught two of them before they could go down. The young man just barely managed to juggle the other four.

"Oh thank you! I'm so sorry." He said quickly and Shunsui smiled at him gently before setting the two cups in his hands. Although he did raise his eyebrows a bit at the situation.

"Don't they have any cup carriers?" This was clearly too many for the young man to handle. He shook his head, soft black hair drifting slightly with the movement. The smile on his face was achingly sweet but also resigned. The expression was so familiar it took his breath away. Perhaps it was just his mind playing tricks on him but he'd seen Juushiro smile like that so many times, usually when discussing his disease.

"They were out. I'll manage, thank you." He said and Shunsui held open the door for him to go. As he stepped inside, though, he couldn't help but turn to watch the young man go. Could he possibly…?

"Juu?" He whispered, knowing it was insane. He couldn't have stumbled over Juushiro's reincarnation.

But some crazed, half-starved part of himself was dancing for joy.

Of course, going from meeting someone briefly in a coffee shop to actually getting to know them was a bit of a challenge. However, he lucked into a good source of information and quickly, too.

"Jun? He's a very nice boy." The barista, an older woman, looking at him with a trace of suspicion. "You're not some old pervert, are you?" She asked bluntly and Shunsui almost choked. He was old by anyone's standards and pervert… well… yes. He wasn't about to say that to her, though.

"I'm just wondering. He interests me." He said with a charming smile and felt the barista's resistance melting a bit. It helped that he was the only person in the coffee shop at the moment. She had time to chat. "Please, can you tell me more?"

"Well, I suppose it can't hurt… he works over at one of these buildings around here." She said, waving her hand in a vague gesture that took in all the office buildings surrounding them. This was a very industrial part of town. "He's an intern at a film studio. Hoping to break into the business… poor boy, they work him like a dog over there. He's constantly running around for something. It's gotten better, though. He's learned when to stick up for himself, you know?" She said and Shunsui nodded, remembering Juushiro at the Academy. He'd had a similar problem until he'd learned when to tell the other cadets that he just couldn't help. "He has two little sisters. They had some kind of bring your kids to the studio day and they stopped by here for lunch. Very nice girls, said please and thank you like little ladies. Say, do you want some coffee? I should probably do some work around here…" She said, suddenly noticing that he was lacking a cup. Shunsui chuckled softly before looking over the menu.

"A green tea, please." He ordered and spoke as she was preparing his beverage. "He sounds like a very responsible young man." Another similarity. Although he kept trying to caution himself that he knew nothing. All he had to go on was a smile. The barista spoke over her shoulder.

"Yes, he is. He's a very sweet boy, too. Once I burnt myself back here and he tried to help. I didn't need it but it was nice of him." She said and he nodded, feeling a twist in his heart. That sounded like Juushiro as well. "Here you are. Is there anything else I can get you?"

"No… just… does he come here often?" He let the wistfulness enter his tone and saw her eyes soften a bit. "I think I would like to see him again." She smiled at him before responding.

"Every morning he comes in. Those film people need their coffee. He usually doesn't stay long, though. If you want to talk to him you should come by later, after he's done work. Around five or so, it varies a bit." She offered and he nodded.

"I might do that." He said easily. Although the time he could spend in the Living World was still heavily constrained by his position as a taichou. He wasn't willing to neglect that, not yet.

As tantalizing as this hint was, it was nothing but a hint.

For the next few weeks, Shunsui haunted that little coffee shop.

He could only come by once in a while so it was no surprise that it took a bit for him to truly meet Jun. His work times seemed to be quite irregular and he didn't come by the coffee shop every day after work. Finally, though, he saw the young man at a table. He was sipping a coffee with an absorbed look on his face, his eyes on a book in front of him. Shunsui smiled and made his way over, cup of tea in hand.

"Hello. Do you mind if I sit here?" He asked easily and the young man looked up with a faintly wary expression. It quickly turned into a smile, though, that reached and warmed soft brown eyes.

"Not at all." He said and Shunsui smiled back, examining the young man for a moment.

He didn't really look much like Juushiro, physically. His skin was a much darker shade, darker than his own. His hair was jet black but fine and rather fluffy. It was styled so it fell over one eye, a large silky bunch of bangs. It was cut short in the back, giving a rather adorable look. His face was attractive without being stunning and Shunsui vaguely noticed that he had a scar there, a faint line along his left cheek. Most people wouldn't have noticed, but he wasn't most people and he wondered how the young man had acquired it. What made him truly appealing were his eyes. They were warm and friendly and seemed to hint at the kind, gentle person that lay beneath. Or so he fancied, at least. He didn't know the boy at all yet.

"I'm Kyoraku Shunsui." He introduced himself as the young man smiled again.

"I'm Shimizi Jun." He said before his smile widened, the slightly flash of white teeth against that dark skin. "And you're the 'nice man' who's been asking about me." He said as Shunsui took a sip of his tea and nearly choked. Jun saw the surprise on his face and chuckled softly. "Mari can keep a secret but you have to specify that it is a secret, or she babbles to everyone." He said and Shunsui shook his head with a smile.

"Of course." It should have occurred to him that the chatty barista would tell the target of his interests about him. "Guilty as charged. I hope you'll forgive me but I just thought you looked interesting." He said easily and Jun smiled, sipping his coffee.

"I don't mind. The truth is, I thought you looked interesting too. I was hoping we might meet again." He said lightly and Shunsui smiled thoughtfully. So Jun had felt something too? Although perhaps that was reading too much into things.

For almost an hour, they talked. Shunsui didn't precisely lie, but he dredged up ancient memories, giving Jun a few stories from his Academy days. In return, he learned a bit about the young man. Jun had dreams of breaking into the film industry, just as the barista had said. He hoped to be the next Steven Spielberg but admitted he would probably be settling for something less grand. The prospect didn't seem to bother him. Some of the stories he had of working on the film set were quite hilarious although one thing he said caught Shunsui's attention.

"I swear, working with these two bit actors and actresses and our one genuine star… it's like dealing with small children sometimes. Fortunately, I know how to manage them." He said with a smile that was achingly like Juushiro's. "I'm often put on 'star managing' duty because of how sympathetic I am. That's what the owner says, at least. I wish I could pass but I admit, I'm good at it."

"Yes, you always were… I mean, I imagine you would be." Shunsui said as Jun looked momentarily puzzled. Then the young man shrugged slightly.

"Well, I should probably be going." He made to stand and Shunsui reached out, resting a hand over his.

"Would you like to meet again sometime?" He asked, hoping the other man would say yes. "Next week, same time, same place?" He couldn't really come back to the Living World sooner than that. Jun seemed startled for a moment, then smiled.

"I would love to, Kyoraku-san." He said and suddenly, that formality seemed unbearable to him.

"Please, call me Shunsui." He said, meeting warm brown eyes. Then Jun nodded with that heartbreakingly familiar smile.

"And you can call me Jun. But I do need to go, I have to get home." He said before leaving. Shunsui watched him go with a pensive smile. He knew what he was doing was wrong. Well, not yet. But if this continued the way he wanted it to, he would eventually be censured for it.

Somehow, that didn't bother him very much at all.

For the next few months, Shunsui was happier than he'd been for years.

Everyone noticed. Nanao found it quite annoying, as he playfully teased her and badly neglected his paperwork. Everyone else noticed the spring in his step and the bottle of sake in his hand and wondered what had changed. They knew he hadn't found a new love interest. Despite his flirting, his only interactions since Juushiro's death had been casual ones.

Strangely enough, no one seemed to connect his happiness to his frequent visits to the Living World. But then, he was very discreet about his use of the senkaimon. He'd even taken to using the dangai instead, to avoid leaving too many trails. All to visit his new friend.

In some ways, he and Jun had nothing in common. Jun was a young man in the Living World while Shunsui was one of the eldest taichou in Soul Society. But despite that, they clicked very well. And they started sharing things. Nanao was a bit surprised to see the mystery novel on his desk and Jun's little sister was a bit startled by the copy of the Rose Colored Path she found in her brother's room.

Then Jun invited Shunsui to come to his families' home for supper. He gladly accepted, wanting to see the young man's family. He arrived with a bottle of wine in hand and smiled as a young girl opened the door. She looked much like Jun, with black hair and dark brown eyes. If he was any guess, she was ten years old.

"Oh, you must be Shunsui!" She said with a smile and he nodded, returning it. "I'm Mika. Please come in."

"Thank you." He replied as he stepped inside, removing his shoes and adding them to the collection by the door. "How are you Mika?" He asked as he saw another face peeking out from behind a banister, this one quite a bit older but also shyer. "And is that your sister?" He motioned towards the face, which promptly disappeared. Mika laughed.

"I'm fine! And yes, that's Kimio. She's shy." She said and he nodded with a smile. "You should put that on the table. Jun's making supper." That surprised him slightly.

"Oh, your mother and father aren't home?" He asked casually and was surprised when Mika's expression suddenly clouded. "Mika?"

"Oh, Jun didn't tell you? Our mother's dead." She said with sad directness and he stared at her, feeling a touch shocked. Not by the information but by the fact that Jun hadn't mentioned it. "She was murdered last year."

"…Last year?" A recent loss. He shook his head. "No, he didn't mention that." He said softly and she nodded sadly.

"He's pretty cut up about it. Don't worry, hey? Anyway, he's in the kitchen making supper. Dad's out and he doesn't cook anyhow." The way she said it was just slightly contemptuous. "Want me to show you?"

"If you could." Shunsui glanced around as she showed him to the kitchen. This was an older home and kept very clean by someone. There were pictures scattered around and in several of them he saw a woman with very long, straight black hair, dark skin and a warm smile. He was certain that was Jun's mother.

The kitchen was galley style, without much room, so Shunsui just watched with a smile as Jun expertly chopped an onion. He was fast and agile with a knife and Shunsui felt another stab of familiarity. Juushiro had always been an excellent cook. Sensing him there, Jun looked up and then smiled.

"Shunsui! I'm so glad to see you. Please, make yourself at home." He invited and Shunsui smiled as he leaned against a wall. This house was not open concept in any way so if he wanted to talk to Jun, he needed to stay in the kitchen. "I hope you didn't have any trouble finding the place?"

"No, it was quite easy." He said as he watched Jun pulling something out of the oven. "What is that?"

"Macaroni and cheese. My sisters both love it." He said with a slight blush and Shunsui smiled at the adorable image he presented. "I hope you don't mind?"

"Not at all." He said easily. "I enjoy trying different things." And that was definitely different from what they usually served in the Seireitei. Things didn't change there often and the culinary arts were no exception. "What else are we having?" He asked curiously and Jun was not loathe to answer.

"Brussel sprouts with garlic and chives and steak." He said, pulling the steaks out of the fridge. They were in a bag full of some kind of dark marinade. Jun took them out and laid them on the grill. "Everything should be done in, oh fifteen minutes. That will give the mac and cheese a bit of time to cool." He explained and Shunsui smiled, watching.

"You think of everything." That kind of precision also reminded him of Juushiro. "Would you like any help?" He offered although he wasn't sure what he could do. Jun did have an answer to that, though.

"Could you get Mika to take the dessert out of the other fridge? It needs to warm up a bit." He asked and Shunsui smiled as he went to do that. This was all very pleasant. It reminded him a bit of Juushiro's family at the Ugendo. Although there had been more of them and none of them had been nearly as shy as Kimio. He still had yet to catch a real look at her.

His vague impressions of a very close, loving family shifted, though, as he met Jun's father. After living a thousand years Shunsui fancied he was a fairly good judge of character. He was far from infallible – Aizen had been completely beneath his radar – but he still thought of himself as relatively good. And he didn't like Jun's father. He was a tall man with dark skin and the same brown eyes and black hair as his son and daughters. He had an easy smile but it never touched his eyes and Shunsui was fairly certain there was something unpleasant beneath. He didn't really want to search enough to find out exactly what.

The meal went pleasantly, though. He finally got to see Kimio and saw that she was a slightly gangly, underdeveloped teenager. A quick question told him she was fourteen.

"I told him about mum, Jun. You forgot." Maki said halfway through the meal and Shunsui winced slightly at the surprise followed by deep pain on Jun's face. He took a breath to steady himself smiling. It was that pained, resigned smile that was far too familiar and it hurt his heart to see.

"Oh. Thank you. I… should have mentioned it." He said and Maki just nodded as she ate some more of her mac and cheese. It seemed a bit callous, perhaps, but Shunsui could see why she'd said that. Now Jun wouldn't have to talk about it any further.

"You know, you seem a bit old for my son. What's your age?" Jun's father asked and Shunsui favored him with a smile. He would have appreciated the question more if he'd thought the man actually cared about his answer, but he was relatively sure he didn't. He had the distinct feeling he was saying it just for form's sake, because that was what a father was supposed to do.

"I suppose I am a bit older. I'm thirty-two." He lied easily. Jun's father frowned slightly, eyes narrowing at him as Shunsui met them calmly. He had a feeling the dislike between them was mutual and didn't really regret it.

"Dad, it's fine. I can take care of myself." Jun said pacifyingly as Maki spoke up.

"Yeah dad, older guys dig him all the time. Remember the one he dated for a while? He was older than you!" Jun turned a little pink and Shunsui found his attention diverted as the father of the family grimaced. That sounded like there might be an interesting story involved.

"Rikka-chan says he's an old soul." For the first time of the night Kimio spoke in something other than a mumble and Shunsui was surprised at how melodic her voice was. Really, it was a beautiful sound. He swallowed as the meaning of her words penetrated and made him wonder. Was this Rikka more correct than anyone could guess?

"Rikka is a charlatan. I'm going out. Jun, take care of things." He said before standing and leaving, more than a bit rudely. Shunsui was startled by it but just as glad to see him go. He really had no desire to be around the man. Kimio and Jun both looked appalled as Maki just shrugged and ate a bit more food. They waited until the door had shut before Jun spoke.

"I'm so sorry. He's… a bit difficult sometimes." He said weakly and Shunsui gave him an understanding smile.

"It's fine. We all have difficult relatives." He said easily, thinking of his own. Although they were difficult in an entirely different way. You wouldn't catch any of them being so blatantly rude. Jun smiled warmly at him, appreciating his understanding. Kimio just mumbled something as Maki sighed and hopped off her chair.

"Who wants dessert?" She asked brightly and Shunsui glanced over the table. It was true, the meal had been pretty much demolished. "I'll get it!"

"I'll clean up while you do that." Jun said and began clearing the table. Shunsui helped, letting his hands brush over Jun's for a brief moment. Their eyes met and he felt a shiver along his spine, a sexual connection being made. Jun turned a rather adorable pink before turning his attention back to the plates and dishes.

Soon enough the table was clear and new plates were being brought out as Maki cut the cake. It was actually a cheesecake, covered in whipped cream. Shunsui took his piece with a smile and was quite surprised when he bit into it. It tasted like lemons and limes and was simply delicious. He normally wasn't that fond of cheesecake but found himself devouring it and wondering if he could have a second slice.

"Do you want more? We've got lots, especially now that dad left." Maki gave the door a look of flat dislike and Shunsui smiled charmingly at her.

"I would, thank you. It's wonderful." He said honestly and Jun laughed softly. He glanced at the young man and he smiled, gesturing towards Kimio.

"She made it. She's absolutely wonderful at baking." He said warmly and his sister shook her head, letting her hair fall in front of her face. "You should try her cookies sometime. They're so insanely gooey, we all think they're the best things she makes."

"Yeah, Kimio is awesome." Maki said as her sister looked ready to sink under the table. Shunsui couldn't help but smile at the sight. Had he ever known anyone that retiring? Only Hanataro could compare and he wasn't even sure about that.

After the meal, he joined Jun in his room for a bit of private time. Although unfortunately, it wasn't quite private enough.

"Sorry. Dad won't let us have locks on our doors and with my sisters…" Jun said with a small grimace as Shunsui nodded understandingly. He was actually aching to take the young man into his arms, but he could hold back. And there was also the fact that once he took Jun to bed, he really would be crossing a line. Right now, he was just skirting the edge of it. He could still pull back.

"It's alright. I don't mind taking this slowly." He assured the young man, who looked relieved. "And I wish I could take you to my apartment. But my roommate…" He shrugged, wishing he didn't have to lie quite so much. Although he tried to use the truth as much as possible. Jun knew about his seven brothers and sisters, even if he didn't know they were technically all dead. Jun smiled at him and it was heartbreakingly sweet.

"It's fine. If… you want to, we should split the cost and get a hotel room sometime." He said shyly and Shunsui swallowed at the thought. And he could see a warm gleam of anticipation in those beautiful brown eyes.

"Ah, don't tease me." He said, his voice husky with need and saw Jun swallow. Then the young man smiled and changed the subject, to avoid something they wouldn't want his sisters to overhear, no doubt.

"So what did you think of my family?" He asked lightly and Shunsui smiled as he thought of them.

"Your sisters are adorable." He said before hesitating for a brief moment. "Your father is, ah, different." He said as tactfully as possible. Jun smiled, although not happily.

"You don't like him. It's fine, I don't like him much either." He said quietly before sighing softly. "It wasn't too obvious before mother died. I think she was covering for him. But since she left us, we've… learned not to count on him for much." There was a pain in his eyes that made Shunsui want to take him into his arms and soothe the hurt away. For a moment he held back but then wondered why. That thought led to action and he moved beside Jun, pulling the smaller man against him. He was very slender, not emaciated like Juushiro had been but just lightly built.

"It's alright. It's good to see that you're taking care of your sisters." He said softly. Shunsui was certain that was the whole reason Jun was still living at home. He was the man of the house, far more than his father. Jun settled against him with a small sigh.

"Thank you." He said softly and Shunsui smiled at that head of jet black hair. He'd never seen Juushiro's hair when it had been black. He'd bleached to white before he'd joined the Academy. Then he followed another impulse and gently cupped Jun's chin, pulling the smaller man into a kiss.

It was their first kiss and it was a touch awkward, at first. Jun was clearly taken by surprise and uncertain how to react. But Shunsui resolved that for him, gently running a hand through his hair as he took control, deepening the kiss. Jun slowly began to respond, his tongue tentatively moving against his.

For Shunsui, the young man beside him tasted sweet. It was like stepping back into the past, the first time he and Juushiro had kissed. That had been an impulse, much like this. And just like that long ago time, it was wonderful. Shunsui let his hands stray a bit, feeling the wiry muscles under the young man's clothing. Jun might be small but he was hard, fit and in shape.

They finally parted and Shunsui smiled at the slightly shocked look on Jun's face. Although he felt much the same way. Despite all his centuries of experience, he felt high just from that kiss. More than anything he wanted to go further, but the sudden scrape of the door reminded them both of where they were. It didn't open completely, just enough to catch their attention.

"Jun? When you're done can you help me with my homework? I can't get this math problem." Maki's voice came to them and Shunsui pulled away with a sigh as Jun blushed.

"Ah, I suppose not." He murmured and Jun's blush darkened for a moment before he called to his sister.

"Sure! I'll be there soon Maki." He promised before turning his attention back to the man beside him. "Maybe we should get that hotel room soon." He said and Shunsui smiled at the thought.

"Maybe we should." He said, feeling the heat between them again. He knew that once he took that step, there would be no going back. But, did he really care? That was the question. And even if he did care, did he care enough to deny himself this chance?

He wouldn't know until the time came but right now, all the signs pointed to no.