Two weeks had passed since the war with the Quincies and all able captains had gathered.

Shunsui looked over the people in the room. Including himself, there were only seven of them gathered. The others were either dead or too injured to stand.

"The reason why I summoned you for this meeting is to first of all say that you all did a great job during the war and you should be proud of yourselves.

-The second thing is that we need to start planning the rebuilding of the Seireitei"

"But were do we even begin, SoiFon asked"

"It's not only rebuilding that's gonna take some time but also finding suitable people to take over the empty captains positions for the 4th, 7th, 8th and 13th, said Byakuya"

The mentioning of that made a few of them get sad expressions on their faces. Mostly because two of the oldest captains in the Soul Society were dead along with the former head-captain. Tetsuzaemon had also told them that Sajin had given his life to defeat his opponent.

"Rebuilding comes first, those divisions have capable lieutenants to lead them until new captains have been chosen, said Shinji"

"I agree with captain Hirako, said Tōshirō"

Two hours later.

The meeting was finally over and the captains left the 1st division. Everyone except Mayuri.

"Why are you still here captain Kurotsuchi? Don't you have experiments or something to do?"

"No reason. But since you are mentioning things involving my lab, there is something there I think you'd want to see Head-captain"

"And that would that be?"

"Come by and see for yourself"

With that, the 12th division captain left.

"I have a bad feeling about this"

Shunsui then turned to his lieutenants.

"Okikiba, can you take care of things for a while?"

"Of course sir"

"Good. Nanao, let's go see what Kurotsuchi wants me to see"

"Right"

The two made their way to the 12th division and due to their quick Flash Step, they arrived just a moment after Mayrui.

"So what did you want me to see Kurotsuchi?"

"Come with me"

Mayuri opened the doors to the research department and led the two to the main lab.

"How are things looking Akon?"

"All signs are stable and growing"

"Good. Show the head-captain here then what we've been working on"

"Of course"

Akon walked over to a panel next to a giant covered tank. He pressed a few keys and the cover started to move back.

Both Shunsui and Nanao couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the 13th division captain inside the tank.

"What have you done Kurotsuchi, Shunsui said with a slight growl in his voice"

"I saved him for your information. I contacted Akon while I was up at the Soul Palace and told him what to do.

-So since he's pretty much in charge of this, I'll let him explain"

Mayuri then walked towards the door that led to his private lab.

"So what's going on here Akon?"

"Well head-captain. Like the captain said, he contacted me and ordered me to use the same method we used on lieutenant Hinamori after the winter war to heal captain Ukitake.

-The fluid he's in is a mix of the captain's Hojiku-Zai serum and a serum that slows down the restoration effects of the Hojiku-Zai"

"Why slowing it down, Nanao asked"

"Because we're not sure how his body will react to the speed of the restoration since only the captain has used the Hojiku-Zai"

"I see"

"So what exatly will happen, Shunsui asked"

"The two serums will slowly but steady restore everything the captain gave up to the right hand of the Soul King"

"What about his lungs?"

"If you're worried about that illness he had, you don't have to. The serums will restore his lungs as strong and healthy instead of weak and sick.

-Once everything has been fully resotred, we will hand him over to the 4th division who will do the rest such as making sure that he recovers from what we're doing"

"How much longer until then?"

"Based on the fact that we've been doing it for two weeks and at the speed we're doing it, I'd say another week and a half"

Shunsui looked at his best friend inside the tank before he tilted his hat over his eyes.

"Akon, please keep me informed on the progress"

"Of course"

"Let's go then Nanao"

"Yes sir"

The captain and lieutenant of the 1st division then left and returned to their own barracks.

One and a half week later.

Nanao entered her captain's office and saw him going through a stack of papers.

"Captain"

"Yes Nanao"

"I just got word from Akon. They're going to transfer captain Ukitake to the 4th division today since they're done"

"I see"

Nanao looked at her captain and the look in his eyes made her make a decision.

"Go down there captain, I can see it in your eyes that you want to be there.

-Okikiba and I can take care of things"

Shunsui smiled and walked over to his lieutenant.

"Thank you Nanao"

He then walked out of his office and out of the 1st division. He Flash Stepped to his friend's home to get something and then to the 12th.

"Head-captain just in time, said Akon

-We were just about to get him out"

Shunsui nodded and watched how the 12th division members got to work.

They removed the serum from the tank before Akon opened it. He and Hiyosu then got into it and removed the tubes attached to Jūshirō.

Once they were done, Akon gestured to Shunsui to come over to them. He did so and when he stood next to Akon, Shunsui knelt down and wrapped the kimono he had brought around Jūshirō before picking him up.

When he felt the slight fear in Jūshirō's spiritual pressure, he let some of his own envelop him and he smiled when he felt his friend relax.

"Everything is going to be okay old friend. You're safe"

Shunsui, Akon and Hiyosu then got out of the tank and the second-in-command of the 12th division picked up a few papers from a table.

"Lieutenant Kotetsu wanted these. They're notes on everything we've done until today"

"I see. I'll give them to her"

"Thank you head-captain"

Shunsui removed his hand from under Jūshirō's knees to take the papers and place them in his uniform. He then lifted up his friend again and left the 12th division.

He Flash Stepped calmly towards the 4th division were Isane waited. She led him to a room were he placed Jūshirō on the bed and Isane covered him with a quilt.

Shunsui then took out the papers from Akon.

"Akon said you wanted these"

"I did. Thank you head-captain"

Shunsui nodded before he looked over his shoulder at his friend.

"Keep me updated about his condition"

"Of course"

With a smile towards Isane and a final look at his friend, Shunsui left the 4th division.

A week later.

Okikiba entered the head-captain's office and saw him on the balcony outside.

"Sir"

"Yes Okikiba"

"A message was just delivered from the 4th division asking for you to go there"

Shunsui looked at the man and had a feeling what it was about.

"Take care of things for a while"

"Yes sir"

Shunsui nodded at him and then made his way to the 4th division.

"You wanted to see me lieutenant Kotetsu"

"I did head-captain"

"Is it about Jūshirō?"

"Yes. He has recovered very well and should be waking up. But something keeps him from doing that"

"What do you mean?"

"I believe he needs to hear the voice of someone close to him and the only one I could think about was you"

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Just talk to him about whatever comes to your mind"

"Right"

Shunsui walked past her and into the room were his friend was. He sat down next to the bed, took off his hat and placed it at the foot of the bed before looking down at Jūshirō.

"Hey Juu. I know I haven't been here since the day I brought you here from the 12th but there's a lot of work right now"

He took a deep breath before he kept talking.

"We did it old friend, we won the war. Ichigo defeated Yhwach and the Quincies are gone.

-Everything is going back to normal but we have quite a long way to go to rebuild the Seireitei"

Shunsui looked at Jūshirō's face and could have sworn that he saw his friend's eyelids move.

"Come on Juu, wake up. We need you, your division needs their captain and I... I need my best friend to stay by my side for a few more centuries

-Lieutenant Kotetsu said that you've recovered well so please wake up. I want to see that you're okay and that isn't just some dream"

He looked away but then, he heard a slight groan and looked down again were he saw that Jūshirō's eyes were moving under the tightly closed eyelids and his eyebrows twitched.

Just a moment later, hazel eyes opened.

They seemed unfocused at first but once he had gotten used to the light in the room, Jūshirō looked around until he saw Shunsui there next to him.

"Shun..."

His voice was hoarse from the time without use but it didn't matter to Shunsui. His best friend was okay and awake.

He did his best to hold back his tears of joy but they soon ran down his cheeks and he embraced Jūshirō.

"Welcome back old friend"

Jūshirō smiled and raised an arm to hug his friend back.

Once they released the hug, Shunsui dried the tears from his eyes. He was so happy his friend was okay and that he hadn't followed the same faith as their teacher and senior.

"Shun what happened? How can I be here?"

"It's a long story Juu"

Taking a deep breath before his grey eyes meet Jūshirō's hazel eyes, Shunsui started to tell his friend about what had happened from when Yhwach took Mimihagi.

"After the 12th division were done with that they did, I personally took you here. That was a week ago and lieutenant Kotetsu asked me to come today. She thought that hearing my voice would help you wake up since I was the first person she could think of that's close to you"

"I see"

Then, there was a knock on the door and Nanao entered, holding a sword in her hand.

"Captain I...

-Oh, captain Ukitake. I'm glad to see you're okay"

"Thank you Nanao"

"What brings you here, Shunsui asked"

"Lieutenant Akon came by and asked me to make sure this got to its owner"

She walked over to them as Shunsui helped his friend sit up and handed the sword to Jūshirō.

The white-haired man smiled when he looked at it.

"Sōgyo no Kotowari"

"The 12th division restored it since it disappeared when you were on the brink of death"

"They managed to do that?"

"Yes. Akon said it's exactly the same sword and spirit"

Jūshirō looked at her before stroking his hand across the handle and he smiled when he heard the familiar laughter of the two spirits.

"I'm glad to see you too"

Shunsui smiled when he saw how happy Jūshirō was to see his Zanpakutō.

He then grabbed his hat and stood up.

"I guess we have to get going"

"Yes sir. There are a few things at the office to take care of"

The head-captain nooded at his lieutenant and he then turned to look at his best friend.

"I'll be back"

"I know you will"

The two 1st division officers then left the room and made their way out.

"Nanao, when we get back, send a message to lieutenant Kuchiki. She deserves to know that her captain is alive"

"Yes sir"

A while later: 1st division

Shunsui was doing some paperwork when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in"

The door opened and Rukia entered the room.

"You wanted to see me Head-captain"

"Ah yes. Come in lieutenant"

Rukia walked in and closed the door behind her.

"I know the past weeks haven't been easy on you and the other members of the 13th"

"Yes sir. There is a lot to do and we all grieve our captain's passing"

A smirk appeared on Shunsui's face.

"Well there's no need to grieve"

"What?"

"About two and a half week ago, captain Kurotsuchi wanted me to come down to the department of research and development after a captains' meeting.

-It turns out that while we were busy fighting up at the Soul Palace, he had asked Akon to take Jūshirō to the part of their lab that was still intact and use the same method they used on lieutenant Hinamori back after the war with Aizen"

"You mean that they healed him?"

"Yes.

-He's in the 4th divison right now if you want to visit him"

"Thank you head-captain. This is wonderfull news"

"It sure is.

-Would you mind informing your division for me?"

"Of course"

"Good. Then you may leave"

Rukia got up and bowed before she left the room.

Notes.

Hojiku-Zai: The serum Mayuri always use to restore his arm after using the mechanical one during battle.