Characters: Juushiro, Shunsui
Summary: Ukitake explains his hair to Shunsui.
Pairings: None
Warnings/Spoilers: None
Timeline: Pre-manga; while Shunsui and Ukitake are in the Academy
Author's Note: Nothing to report.
Word Count: 200
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Thin, fine strands of short white hair blow in the breeze as Juushiro stands with his back pressed against the oak tree, and Shunsui slumps against the trunk, nestled in the giant gnarled roots. The orange and golden autumn leaves flicker past like so many flocks of birds flying south for the winter.
Shunsui shoots a pointed look at his friend's white hair, hands resting comfortably on his knees. "You never told me where you came by the white hair, Juushiro." This is a point of contention with them.
Juushiro's sleepy, pleasant smile never breaks. They've only known each other for three days, but he doesn't take offense to the invasive question. "Is it really all that startling, Shunsui?"
"Yes. Especially considering you've got black eyebrows."
Juushiro shrugs and yawns softly, fanning his mouth with one hand. "I got sick." He behaves as though it is perfectly normal for people to get sick enough to turn their hair color.
His friend is left with a raised eyebrow. "Sick enough to turn your hair white?" Shunsui asks skeptically.
Juushiro shrugs again, still treating it as insignificant. "It happens a lot."
Shunsui leans back into the trunk of the tree, and frowns.