Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Enjoy!

Two years later…

Everything was going fine and smoothly around Shunsui. He achieved greater success with their family business handed down to him by his father; his mother and him growing closer than before; and Nanao getting along well with him, though sometimes, she couldn't help but give him dirty looks. Habit, perhaps.

Well, he guessed that his mother was actually right. You'll only find happiness when you found out how to accept yourself first.

But then, he wouldn't dare say that he was already complete with life. There was still a part of him inside that was pretty lonely. Given that their butler Chojiro had already filed a resignation to retire, and Yamamoto finally living with his family. Though whenever he felt it washing over him again, he always found himself bringing fresh flowers on top of Ukitake's grave and talk to him about his day as if there was really somebody there.

He remembered the first time he met him wherein he was freaked out, until he found out the reason why was he lurking in his own building and wanders around in the dead of the night. And then ever since he agreed to help him free Ukitake where he thought before he had failed him but it turned out that he was really successful doing so.

Ah, brings back memories.

So now, the President found himself very excited to finish the stack of paper in front of him so that he could visit Ukitake again and bring him another basket of—since it was Wednesday that day and according to his daily schedule it should be Daffodils.

He wondered if he was actually alive and the same generation like him, maybe they could be the best buddies in the world, you know, best of friends who does a lot of stuffs. Yeah, they could be the closest friends… or probably more…

Knock. Knock. Knock. "Sir?"

Nanao came in with some folders and a book in hand as she closed the door of Shunsui's office. "Uhm, can I ask you something, Sir?"

Shunsui looked up from the paper he was currently reading. "What is it, Nanao-chan?"

"Can I get a one week vacation? Err, if you don't want, it's still okay," she said shyly.

Shunsui grinned. It was very rare to saw a sight of his secretary embarrassed. "Nah, it's okay. You deserve it very much."

The secretary's eyes lit up brightly. "Really? Oh, thank you very much, Sir!" She bowed.

"It's nothing."

She turned to leave but stopped mid-step. "Oh, and these are the requisition forms you needed. I'm going to leave them here on your desk. Again, thank you," she stated rather hastily.

Shunsui smiled to himself when he heard the door closed. He very much agreed on her suggestion, even though it meant more work for himself.

When Shunsui went to check the folders she left, he noticed that the book Nanao held along the forms was also left by her. The book seemed newly bought and probably one of the first copies. He was about to move it aside and return it to her when she came back when the title of the book kind of piqued his interest.

"Soul Mate…" he read the cover. It was written by an author named J. Hitsugaya. He opened it and found a quote in the very beginning of the story. "When two people are destined to be together as Soul Mates, no matter the time and the given situation is, Fate will find a way. Even passing through the most trivial thing called death…"

Shunsui quirked an eyebrow. "Now this is something." He wasn't a fan of books, but something tells him that if he didn't read it, he might miss something wonderful.

He took one glance at the stack of paper still staring in front of him.

Well, that could wait.

When Nanao came back, she found her book in the brunette's hands, and the latter seemed pretty absorbed by it. She was supposed to finish reading it while on her vacation. Nanao then just sighed and decided to buy another one. She knew too well that their President never read any book before so that would serve as her gift for him. Seeing him like that was surprising enough, but when Shunsui told her he wanted to know what the author actually look like, that even made her more surprised.

"Uh, I don't know, Sir. He and his younger brother never made a public appearance before."

Shunsui pouted unnoticeably. "That too bad."

The look of disappointment was in his eyes, but Nanao had no idea why. "But there's a book convention this Sunday. Who knows, maybe he's there? I'm planning to go. " she offered convincingly.

And that seemed to lighten him a bit. "Can you tag me along?"

She smiled. "Sure."

And as expected, the convention center was packed with people, and, yes, books. Shunsui and Nanao trying to make their way through the crowd. Though the thing was, it wasn't the type of crowd you see at evacuation centers wherein they were trying to push each other on the way in order to get a donated food first. Yes, the place was full of people, but they were lined neatly on a certain area.

But it wasn't the people Shunsui wanted to observe—it was this author named J. Hitsugaya he wanted to meet.

He waited for Nanao who decided to look around herself for the said person, not that she actually knew how he/she looked like.

Shunsui sighed. It wasn't as though he would show up. Why did he want to know him again? Oh yes, he thought that maybe they had the same experience.

His secretary came back later after an hour while he was busying himself by looking at other books displayed, just in case another might caught his interest. Apparently, none.

"We could head back if you want. Sorry for wasting your time accompanying me here."

"It's okay, Sir." I think I'm the one who should be apologizing here. "Uh, if you don't mind, may I leave you again for a minute? I'm going to the comfort room."

The brunette settled himself on a bench while waiting for the girl to come back. He noticed that there were still a lot of people around. They didn't decrease, in fact, they increased. Even though of their favorite writers never showed up even once in a blue moon, fans were always full of support.

Straying his eyes away for a while, Shunsui noticed a fountain pen rolling towards his right foot, making him lean forward to get it when another pale and slender hand went to grab it, becoming a reason for to different hands to bump gently against each other. The brunette looked up to find out who it was.

And when he did, steel gray eyes met chocolate orbs. Again, for the second time in his life.

"Ah, I'm sorry. This is mine. It's just that my hands are kinda clumsy," the stranger who unbelievably resembles Ukitake very much said as he taken it. Not only he looked like him, the hair color and the voice and the way he moved were the same too! Though, the difference was that this man was very much alive and real.

Not that Shunsui was complaining, though.

"Uh, Mister? Are you alright? You're spacing out," he asked when he thought Shunsui was staring at him abnormally longer.

When he was brought back to Earth, Shunsui blinked a dew times. "Eh? Uh, yes, yes." He frowned. "Have we met before?"

"I think I should be the one saying that. You look kind of familiar…" The guy smiled shyly. He took notice of the black book Shunsui was holding and suddenly felt proud. "You're reading that?"

"Yes, my first time to read one, actually. I went here to look for the author. Sadly, he didn't show up. Too bad."

The white braided hair guy chuckled softly. "Well, if you must know J. Hitsugaya is very pleased to know that; and no, he's here, just blending with the crowd. In fact, he's currently talking to you right now," he punctuated with a giggle.

If Shunsui had something in his mouth that time, he would choke with it. That said, he did choke with his saliva. "Murrr?!" When he finally recovered, he said. "Don't tell me that the letter 'J' means Jushiro?"

He stared at him incredulously. "Wow, never did I met somebody for the first time before who managed to guess my name. But still, it isn't accurate enough."

"How so?"

"You have to drop the letter 'r'. As in, Jushio."

This time, it was Shunsui's turn to look at him incredulously. "You know, not only you really resemble someone I know, but both of your names sound the same too. I wonder what kind of sorcery is this."

"I'm probably his reincarnation," he joked.

"How did you—"

Somebody cleared a throat in the background. "If you will excuse us, we have to go home now." An over- protective younger brother came in and scowled at Shunsui, interrupting the two on their conversation, which he mistaken as flirting.

"But, Toshiro, he's a friend," Jushiro, err, Jushio retorted a bit.

"What kind of friend?"

Jushio sighed dejectedly. "Shunsui, it's nice talking to you, but I guess I really have to go." His eyes brightened. "Oh, I know." He reached for a pen and a small paper in his pocket and wrote something on it, tore it off, and gave it to the brunette. "This will do."

Shunsui was about to read what was written when Jushio leaned forward unexpectedly which made him almost lost his stupor. Then, Jushio winked him good bye.

Did he just kiss me on my cheek? Shunsui thought slightly pink-faced. When he look again on the small paper again, another shade of pink crossed his face again.

The note read:

474-00-74 Call me of you could. ;)

Nice meeting you. Maybe we could hang out sometimes. 3 3 3

Love, Jushio

P.S.: I'm single. :*

Shunsui tucked it inside his coat, trying to process everything in his brain.

Then he grinned widely as he could.

"I guess I'm lucky today. Hehe."

If you're still confused, the guy named Jushio is Toshiro's comatosed brother a few chapters back. And yes, he is still alive. Let's just say a miracle happened because he's Ukitake's reincarnation or something like that. You though he's already dead, don't you?

Thanks to everyone who supported this fic, though I know everything wasn't what you're hoping for. Still, thank you. I know it isn't romantic enough. Don't worry, I'll include a kissing scene on my next ShunUki fic. Again, thanks to everyone.