Sick Day
"Please Rukia-sama, lie back down!" the maid pleaded. "You are not well enough to-"
"Nonsense! I am perfectly capable of fulfilling my duties as a soul reaper! I will get dressed and head out to the barracks to help Captain Ukitake as soon as possible!" the raven haired girl denied, trying to get out of bed.
"You need your rest and time for your body to recuperate… Please miss, stay home for today. You're even beginning to run a fever!"
"I'm fine!" Rukia insisted. She began to cough, her head pounding each time she did so.
Apparently unable to ignore the ruckus any longer, the noble clan leader, whom was right across the hall, slid open the door to observe the commotion.
"What seems to be the problem?" Byakuya Kuchiki demanded. He'd been trying to have a peaceful morning before having to deal with his captains duties along with his idiotic lieutenant Renji Abarai, but something was standing in the way of that desire.
"Good morning Nii-sama," Rukia greeted instead of answering.
"Kuchiki-sama!" The maid bowed slightly "It's Rukia-sama, she is ill but refuses to stay home and is instead trying to go to work."
He sighed and shut his eyes. "If she is well enough to tend to her duties, allow her to."
"You see? I am perfectly fine," Rukia agreed. "Now if you don't mind…" Rukia sat up and took a step out of bed, still in her Chappy the Rabbit pajamas, but only succeeded in losing her balance and nearly falling over. If it hadn't been for the servant's gasp, Byakuya would have kept his eyes shut and wouldn't have seen this take place.
Before she could hit the floor, he reached for her arm and steadied her.
"What was her temperature?" he questioned, his expression still unreadable and blank.
"39.7 degrees Celsius sir," the young woman answered. "I tried to convince her to go back to sleep but…" she grimaced.
"Rukia," he addressed. "Stay home today."
"But, Nii-sama, I-" before she could even finish the protest, she had to turn away from him and had another coughing fit.
He guided her back to bed. "You are not well enough to leave. If it really bothers you, I will explain to Captain Ukitake; I am sure he will understand."
She frowned in frustration, annoyed with the fact that she'd be wasting a day in bed, unable to get anything done.
"I'll get a cold compress to help with the fever and we'll bring you some breakfast soon Rukia-sama," the maid bowed her head with a small smile. "I am sorry that you can't go out today as you wished, but I'm glad you will get some well needed rest." With that, she left the room, leaving the two Kuchiki's alone.
"Nii-sama, do I really have to stay home all day?" Rukia asked, hoping he'd say no.
"Yes, Rukia, you do," he replied. "What good would you do for your sick captain if you yourself are ill?"
"Fine…" she sighed, grabbing her covers and curling up. "But I'm going tomorrow, whether I am better or not."
Byakuya smirked barely noticeably. She was so childishly stubborn at times, but it was amusing.
Without a word, he began to leave.
"Wait, Nii-sama," Rukia called before he was gone.
He paused. "Hm?"
"Have a good day today," she smiled.
He continued to walk away. "Get well soon, Rukia.
