The Alphabet Series

Warnings: Slight shounen-ai, alcohol abuse, general depraved humour of the Kyouraku variety, lengthy chapter despite promises of non-lengthy chapters. -laughs-

Pairing: KyourakuUkitake and possible, barely there, can't even call it a true pairing AizenUrahara

Notes: This is letter C of my series, based upon the relationship between Kyouraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jyuushirou during their academy days. Since there's been little information about these years, I've taken creative liberties but nothing too far fetched. It's assumed that Kyouraku, Ukitake, Aizen and Urahara were in or around each others' academy year, noted by the long sleeves on their white haori. Only the first years, or those within a few centuries of each other, had this distinction. The newer captains, Byakuya, Ichimaru et al, received haoris with the sleeves removed. The reason is never discussed but personally, I assume it to be for simple design sake and ease of movement during battle. That, and why would they need more hot material on in a world where it's always kinda warm and dusty?

“C is for Companionship”

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Though the shinigami academy had only been operating for a few years, a few dozen as far as Shunsui could remember, there had been major renovations already, including the addition of four new dormitories and a training yard. The brunet student chuckled at his fair-haired friend as they padded from their shared quarters to the outdoor arena, watching with bright eyes as Ukitake tripped over his hakama for the third time since putting them on less than an hour prior.

“Naa, Jyuu-chan,” He prodded gently. “What's the matter?”

Tired chocolate orbs peered at the taller man with something akin to contempt as the noble youth hefted the long pants up at the sides and walked more quickly, intent on getting outside before he made a complete fool of himself.

“They're far too long, Shun. The woman who runs the uniform dispensary said she would find me a shorter pair, but after the opening ceremonies, I have to tolerate this until tomorrow at the earliest.”

A long, broad arm wound itself around the younger man's shoulders and he smiled at it, only from the corner of his mouth, so the other man could see it and it would be a secret between them. Other students of their class, all skilled men and women of their own right, meandered across the heavily grass-carpeted field and assembled before the large podium set up under the academy's outdoor shelter. The cobblestone square was used for small performances and general assemblies regarding graduation or the Captain Commander's addresses to the students.

That morning was the induction of new students to the first year course and out of courtesy, all of the elder students gathered to welcome the new recruits. Ukitake took a seat on the warm grass beside Kyouraku and carefully folded his legs, tucking the excess hakama material under himself with a little huff, earning a chuckle from over his left shoulder. He turned to see who it was and he smiled broadly, more so than the tiny grin he had given to Shunsui earlier.

“Sousuke! I didn't expect to see you here! Sit, please!”

He motioned to the empty space on his other side and he turned slightly to speak to the other brunet, pleased that his other long-time companion had decided to join them. The man wore glasses now, a change the white haired man hadn't noticed before, but he still seemed like the same man Ukitake had remembered from their first meeting on the day they were inducted into the academy.

“It's certainly warm today, isn't it?” He asked quietly, nodding to Shunsui when the man gave him a bored look. “Yamamoto Genryuusai-dono picks the warmest of days on purpose, to see who among us is loyal enough to brave the heat and be present for his address.”

At this, Ukitake laughed, a sound that turned heads, most of the other students smiling along with the trio, though more than a few seemed as genuinely bored as Kyouraku was. The Captain Commander, a man whose age was unknown and who had more than likely spoken at more than a thousand gatherings, tended to drone on during the hottest time of the day and eventually petered out when the sun began to dwindle and the cooler air blew into the arena.

“Shunsui and I were asked to come because we're in our final year. What brought you out, Sousuke?”

“Entertainment,” He stated simply. “Kisuke was very adamant about going into Rukongai afterwards for a few drinks. You know how he is when sake is the prize for a good days' work. Would you two care to join us?”

“Yaa, they want to come with us right now, Sou!”

The trio turned their heads to see their blond counterpart walking across the grass in proper uniform, his feet bare instead of in tabi and sandals. He stopped in front of his friends and wriggled his toes in the warm but soft grass, smiling brightly despite his obviously disheveled state.

“Kisuke, where have you been? Sousuke said he came because of you.”

Ukitake, ever vigilant and curious by nature, looked from one man to the other, ignoring Kyouraku as the larger man's hands wound themselves around his waist, attempting to pull him into his lap. He struggled slightly and gave one of the hands a firm little slap, causing the brunet to chuckle and cease his encroachment.

“I was ready to show up, but the temperature changed and I had to leave my socks and shoes behind. I love feeling the grass between my toes when it's nice and warm!”

Two female students in front of the group turned to hush them up, turning back towards the podium as the aged shinigami leader took his place for his welcome speech, each student already in the audience sitting down respectfully. Jyuushirou allowed Shunsui to replace his arms around his middle, shifting slightly to lay back against him as they listened to the elderly swordsman, occasionally turning his head to watch Aizen and Urahara converse. They spoke in hushed tones but most of the conversation was about their plans for later.

The bespectacled student caught him looking once and smiled at him, embarrassing the nobleman, a light blush creeping into his cheeks as he turned away again and rested his head against Kyouraku's chest. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift off, tired from a night of absolutely taboo lovemaking with the larger man. It was still a secret from the high ranking academy members and most of his friends and family, but between the four friends, it was common enough knowledge that he had little to worry about as long as they kept the relationship discreet.

“Oi, Jyuu-chan,” The ponytailed student whispered, giving his lap-warmer a little shake. “Wake up, it's over.”

The brown eyed man groaned and gave a whole body stretch, slowly getting to his feet and perring around him, the field nearly devoid of life, besides themselves.

“Where are Sousuke and Kisuke?”

“Gone to get changed. Sousuke said to do the same and then meet them by the West Gate.”

Ukitake nodded and started back toward the dorms, lifting the hem of his pants again and shiffling quickly to get back to their room, the clothes immediately coming off with a great sigh. He stood in his bedroom with only his underwear, the traditional garment hiding only his front as Shunsui whistled at the view from the doorway. The younger man turned and glared daggers at him, snatching up a comfortable yukata and throwing it around himself, waiting patiently while Kyouraku walked off. He tied the obi securely and found a light pair of sandals to slip into once they stepped out into the corridor.

He stared at his friend's choice of yukata, a light brown that resembled the sand in the streets, and his waraji without socks. Overtop of the gloomy colour he wore a candy pink kimono on his shoulders, its brightly embroidered pattern jumping out at the white haired student. He had never seen such a gaudy colour before and he rolled his eyes, squeaking out loud when the larger man smacked his rump for good measure.

“It was a gift from a girl in the second year class, Jyuu-chan. You don't have to worry about her stealing my heart though. It belongs to you entirely.”

Ukitake blushed again and huffed as he gained the main doorway and stepped out into the dusty street, waving curtly to the other two men already waiting for them. Both were in traditional summer attire, Sousuke in shades of blue and Kisuke in green.

“Grey is a good colour on you, Jyuushirou,” Aizen commented. “It brings out the delicate paleness of your hair and skin.”

The younger man nodded his thanks and they set off, avoiding the menial chatter that they would only break into once well lubricated with sake in less than a few minutes' time. Ukitake was loathe to open anything for small-talk as his health would no doubt be the topic of discussion. He had broken into coughing fits in front of the other three students in weeks past and after extensive tests and visits to the fourth division's captain, the woman had diagnosed the nobleman with tuberculosis, a disease that inveritably killed its host. Due to the lengthened lifespan of those living in Soul Society, Ukitake was never given a timeline as to when he would succumb to its affects, but it would haunt him for the rest of his life regardless.

He had told Shunsui that very day and despite the description Unohana-taichou had given him regarding the end stages of the illness, Kyouraku had agreed to stay by his companion's side right up until the end. They made a promise that night and after consummating the agreement, Ukitake felt better about it. It was still too fresh in his mind to bring up again but due to Aizen's powers of deduction and Urahara's notable curiosity and methods of finding things out that were secret from everyone else, the other two men had heard the gist of it but refrained from bringing it up out of courtesy.

After what seemed like ages to the pale haired student, they passed through the West Gate and arrived at the bar they frequented. They were greeted at the door by the kind gentleman who owned the establishment, his wife cheerfully heading into the back room to prepare sweets for the group. Ukitake especially, had a fondness for anything remotely sweet and during their nights out, he preferred dango and anything gelatinized with a fruit flavour.

They sat at a corner table and the owner turned bartender smiled at them while he sat down four bottles of his best sake and four cups, knowing that before the night was out, they would have finished twice the amount but they liked to pace themselves. His wife returned with a platter filled with handmade treats, offering each man a small plate to rest them on and a brilliant smile that turned into a flustered blush as Kyouraku leaned over to whisper something racy into her ear. The woman giggled and walked away, after catching the sour look Ukitake was giving his occasional lover.

“You're a beast, Shun. I heard what you said to her.”

“Oh?” The larger man shifted his chair so he could sit directly beside the other, winding an arm around him possessively andgiving him a light peck on the cheek, emboldened by the fact that the bar was empty except for their small party. “I told you that my heart belongs to you, Jyuu-chan.”

“'You're the most beautiful flower in this dusty place.'? Sounds like my place has been usurped.”

Kyouraku leaned to the side and poured himself a cup of the sweet sake, downing it in one gulp and grimacing as it cramped his tastebuds, licking his lips before nuzzling into Ukitake's soft hair.

“She's a very beautiful woman, Jyuuchirou, but you're the prettiest man I know. In my world, there's a difference only in how a man loves a man, as opposed to how a man loves a woman.”

Aizen and Urahara kept silent as they listened to the conversation, embarrassing the youngest amongst them because he knew they were being listened to. Kisuke poured drinks for the both of them and sipped his quietly, sitting back in his chair and tipping onto the back legs, rocking enough to make the item creak with each movement. If the night proceeded as usual, he would end up on his backside with a chortling comrade beside him, the other man's foot conveniently propped behind the tipped chair.

“How does it differ, Shun?” The nobleman asked.

“She looks breakable. I know you don't break, Jyuu-chan.”

Ukitake suddenly elbowed the other in the gut playfully but enough to hurt him slightly, shifting his chair away and pouring himself a drink, calmly sipping it while mentally planning revenge on his perverted roommate. The kimono-toting student only chuckled and went about getting drunk as usual, downing the rest of his bottle in a matter of minutes and waving to the owner for another, leaving the other three men in the dust with his drinking skills.

Closing time came and went and after peeling Kyouraku from the tabletop where he had laid his head down for 'just a little nap', Kisuke and Urahara handed him off to Ukitake and wished him a goodnight, heading to their own dorm as the other went inside, half carrying, half dragging his larger counterpart back to their room and depositing him in his bed. Shunsui was undressed and tucked in as lovingly as possible and Ukitake retired to his own room for the night, laying awake for most of the few remaining hours of darkness, listening to his companion's snores to gauge whether or not he was actually sleeping.

After creeping to the window and setting himself up on the long divan he kept for just that purpose, he looked out the window with a tiny smile, the affects of the sake making him sleepy but still keeping him awake enough to actually think properly.

He enjoyed his nights out with his friends. He loved how tight their friendship was. He only wished they could all graduate together and become shinigami alongside each other. As the Captain Commander's first class, they would be strong and valiant.

Regardless of their possible rank in the future, Ukitake wallowed in wishful thinking, hoping that they would remain friends to the end.