Ukitake was getting very annoyed by his two fellow assassins following him. He turned around in the busy street, glaring at the brunet and his assistant.

"Why are you following me?" the white-haired man's voice was harsh, hating the imminent threat he was sure was coming.

The brunet smiled lazily as he stepped forward, his assistant remaining where she was. "Just doing what I was asked, of course. Yama-jii would hate for something to happen to you, I'm sure."

"I don't need your help!" Ukitake spat, offended greatly by the mere idea that he was being underestimated; he may have been sick, but he wasn't helpless – he could take care of himself. "Leave me alone."

"No can do, Jyuu-chan. You may as well just let us follow you."

Ukitake snarled, his hand disappearing into the inside of his white haori. It resurfaced with his katana, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "I asked you to leave me alone."

The stubbled man raised his hands, his smirk widening in amusement. "No need for violence, Jyuu-chan."

The black-haired assistant moved in front of her superior, standing in a protective stance. Her hand slipped into the inside of her sleeve, grasping something unknown. The brunet just laughed merrily and placed his hand on the woman's shoulder, pulling her back to his side.

"Now, now, Nanao-chan," the taller male said, "there is no need for any of this. I am quite capable of taking care of myself as you know."

"But sir-!" The raven-haired woman was cut off.

"Nanao-chan, it is fine." The man smiled brightly at her before he turned back to Ukitake. "How about we stay behind you, Jyuu-chan? Is that acceptable?"

"No, it's not. Leave me alone."

"Such a temper." The brunet laughed cheerfully. "I wouldn't hurt you, Jyuu-chan. Honest."

The white-haired man knew there was no point arguing any further so, with a loud huff, he turned around and continued walking back to his home. He ignored the two behind him that conversed loudly and, when he finally walked through his front door just an hour later, he was sure to slam it as hard as he could behind him, wanting to leave not even the slightest invitation of entering to the brunet.

Ukitake walked into the living room on his left, sitting down on the black couch awaiting him. He sighed and grabbed the book that was sitting on the coffee table in front of him, hoping to take his mind off the day's events. He was able to recall that the brunet's name was Shunsui Kyōraku and the woman with him was his assistant, Nanao Ise. However, he didn't know anything more than that, apart from Kyōraku also being a Captain.

"This is ridiculous..." Ukitake sighed as he closed the book and placed it back down on the coffee table. He had only been trying to read for several seconds but it was already apparent that he would be unable to focus; his mind was so full of unwelcome thoughts about Kyōraku and they were making him uncomfortable; he felt as if he would be hurt if he allowed these vivid pictures to run rampant through his mind, as if Kyōraku would know what he was thinking about and take matters into his own hands. He didn't want to have thoughts such as getting close to someone in mind; he just wanted to be alone where he would be free from pain.

The sickly male had learnt from a young age that pain was inflicted worst by people closest to you, so in an effort to avoid that pain, he had blocked out everyone around him. He rarely even allowed the man who had adopted him into his life past his barriers, unable to trust him enough.

"This is ridiculous..." With a sigh, Ukitake stood up and made his way to the kitchen, deciding that a hot cup of tea would be perfect before he took a nap. However, one thing he wasn't counting on was for dreams of the brunet to enter his mind, far too intimate for his own liking. It was when he would wake up that he would realise his feelings for Kyōraku ran deeper than he had realised.

~~A few days later~~

One thing that had surprised Ukitake was how persistent Kyōraku was in attempting to socialise with him. So far he had been forced to kick the brunet off his property four times, shake off the taller male's pursuit as he walked through the busy streets and even confront him two times when the older would not be swayed.

Ukitake was really getting sick of this game and the negative influences it had on his mind, confusing him more and more about how he felt towards a stranger. He knew that something had to be done, that the brunet couldn't be allowed to get away with the internal conflict he was causing. He knew the next time he saw the stubbled male, he would put an end to his games for good.

The white-haired man wasn't sure if it was a good or a bad thing but, as soon as he had made his resolution, his doorbell rang, accompanied by the now-familiar calling of "Jyuu-chan~".

Getting up from his seat on the couch, Ukitake walked to the front door and opened it, glaring at the unwelcome guest on the other side.

"I've told you time and again to leave me alone!" Ukitake hissed, stepping out of his house and shoving the stronger man away. He paid no heed to the familiar scratching in his throat, too worked up to notice it. "I've had enough! I don't want you to -!"

Kyōraku's eyes widened as the slighter man dropped to his knees with panicked eyes, a hand reaching up to grasp at his throat as if he wanted to tear it out. He knelt down and reached out to put a hand on the younger's shoulder, not understanding what was happening. "Hey... Jyuu-chan...? You okay?"

Ragged coughs and splutters laced with bloody droplets sprayed out of Ukitake's mouth, gurgled sounds accompanying the slap to Kyōraku's hand that told the brunet the frail man didn't want to be touched.

Kyōraku looked around, hoping there would be someone around who would know what to do, but the fit soon ended as soon as it had started. Grey eyes met green, the two staring at each other for several seconds before Ukitake got to his feet and stormed back into his house, slamming the door behind him.

Kyōraku stared at the hardwood door for a few seconds before he sighed and left, knowing he couldn't do anything today.

Ukitake, however, entered his bedroom and threw himself down onto the futon, staring up at the ceiling. He wiped blood away from his mouth with the sleeve of his haori, his eyebrows creased as he frowned.

Why did it hurt to think that, after that, Kyōraku may not return? Did he... actually want the brunet around, or... was he just... lonely...?

Rolling over onto his side, Ukitake closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep, not wanting to think more on the subject today.