Chapter 9
Ukitake
He got up as usual, and went to his office after getting something to eat.
Sitting down on the porch, he noticed Rukia arriving as well. 'Good morning Rukia'
She looked slightly tired, but returned his smile 'Good morning captain Ukitake. How are you today?' 'I'm well, no need to worry. How are you?'
She frowned. 'I'm fine.' He waited, and she got to the point after a short hesitation.
'Captain, I thought about this. I… I believe I will be fine, I talked to Rangiku and she agreed to help me… but there are some people I am worried about.' She did look quite worried.
'Well, the Shinigami that have not reached Shikai can choose to let their memories be erased, or might not notice anything at all. And the rest of us know, so we can be prepared to deal with it in our ways.' he tried to reassure her, though he knew he was failing.
He had thought about the other Captains and lieutenants as well, and… for most of them it was hard to imagine them dealing with this.
'Anyone specific you are worried about?' he asked, noticing her being deep in thought.
She nodded. 'Well, the ones I am closest too I am most worried about, I suppose. Renji. Nii-sama. And you as well, no offense.'
'None taken. Well, I do not know how they will deal with this. Byakuya can be very uptight. I also have considered to try to talk to him, but I believe it might be better not to make him talk. But I know that he values your company, so if you want to help him, just be there.'
She nodded, and he considered for a moment before continuing. 'As for Renji, you two are close, so you might know better than me how to talk to him, but I think he might want to talk. Or you might want to talk to him, do not forget that you are affected yourself. If you need to take time off for them, don't hesitate to ask.'
She gave him a smile. 'Thank you captain.' and she continued looking at him attentively, waiting.
She has a right to know.
He drew a breath, feeling wretched for pushing this on her. 'I also should apologize. As you have guessed I find myself unable to deal with this, and will let Unohana put me in a temporary coma when the time comes. I know that this is not fair on you, and I apologize for my weakness.'
He meant what he said, and did not even try to make excuses. It was his decision, but it was not one he was proud of.
She looked at him. 'Captain, you do not have to apologize. It is obviously hardest on the captains, and this is not a situation anyone could expected to just deal with easily.'
She smiled. 'A this just means that you will understand all of your subordinates when they have problems with this, that's your strength.'
He returned her smile. 'Thank you Rukia, you are very kind.'
She laughed. 'I just tried to imagine what you would say to anyone else in this situation, captain.' And went into the office to start her work, leaving him to finish his breakfast.
Kyouraku
He woke up by a book against his head, 'Captain, it is already past ten. Get up and work' and a familiar angry voice. He smiled. 'Of course dear, I will immediately start.' he said, drawing his hat lower over his face, and not moving otherwise, which got him another hit.
Glad to see everything is normal.
After he had gotten up and worked for some time, he decided to visit Ukitake for lunch. Now, how to best escape… 'Hey, Nanao-chan? You wouldn't mind if I visit Ukitake? Only in my lunch break. You know, I am terribly worried that he might overwork himself if I don't go...' he stopped when she glared at him.
'At least finish some of your work first. And I would like to point out that the lunch break lasts 45 minutes, not three hours, as some people seem to think.'
Well, that was nearly approval, for her. '
Of course I will, dear Nanao-chan.' he answered, smiling at her. She just ignored him and continued working, and he did too after a short time.
He took off, flash stepping out of the office, right after he heard the clocks signaling that it was midday, but then he paused on the way.
He did not like that he was feeling nervous about meeting his best friend, so he took a few breaths, collecting himself. Ukitake did not know, and never would. It was fine.
Now he just had to hope that Ukitake was fine as well.
He took off again, quickly arriving at division thirteen and knocking on the office door. He could sense Ukitake's familiar spiritual pressure, but not Rukia's, so she had probably already left for her break.
'Come in' Ukitake said, and he did.
There was a hint of worry in the others face, but he did return his smile wholeheartedly.
'Escaping from Nanao-san again, Kyouraku-kun?'
Kyouraku sauntered over to his desk, and sat down opposite him.
'I told her I had to make sure that you were taking your break properly, which of course she immediately agreed with. She advised that I just hit you in the head with a book if you refuse to stop working, have any good books here?' he answered partly truthfully.
Ukitake laughed, and carefully put his brush and ink away.
Seemed like everything was fine between them, as it always was.
Kyouraku smiled.
Ukitake
He had been slightly worried that he would be awkward around Kyouraku now, but he should have known that that was not an option. They just knew each other too well.
Ukitake relaxed immediately when he saw Kyouraku's smile, and they went of to have lunch together, lightly talking.
They sat at their favorite meadow, overlooking a valley, and relaxed.