A/N: I honestly don't know where this one came from...Really. It's awkward.
Title: Trusted Bond
Pairings/Characters: UkitakexKaien
Rating: PG
Genre: Humor
Disclaimer: Don't own Bleach
Words: 617
Number: #5
Footsteps fell heavily along the floor. Urgent, desperate, alert.
It was these factors that woke the 13th Taichou of the Gotei 13. The silver haired man brushed back the blankets around his body and groped for his lamplight. His finger spun a web in the darkness, blindly, until he found the familiar feel of a chain and yanked gently on it.
The room illuminated instantly. Partly hiding the farthest corners already claimed by darkness unwilling to give up. His area though, shone a circle like barrier, keeping evil at bay.
Brown eyes squinted past all that, eyeing the doorway with interest.
A figure stood in it, one hand on the doorframe, the other at his side.
He was breathing heavily it seemed, almost hesitant to speak having interrupted his captains sleeping time---sleep that was precious. Ukitake could see the man swallow, and upon further inspection, seem a bit nervous.
Ukitake was the first to speak. "Something troubling you Kaien?"
The man nearly flinched before shifting his legs position. When Kaien didn't speak, Ukitake furrowed his brow and rose slowly, gesturing for his vice captain to come in.
Still, he didn't budge a single bit.
Now a bit worried then confused the elder man walked forward, graceful like falling snow and peered intently, "Have you got a cold? Perhaps sick? Or Ha---"
Kaien's face went aflame as he suddenly bowed deeply, arms bunched at his side. "Requesting permission to sleep here Taichou!"
Ukitake did a double take. "Excuse me?"
"Permission to sleep with you sir!"
There was a long tense pause before Ukitake began to digest that bit into his brain. Then chuckled placing a hand on the younger Shinigamis back. "I see now.." Said Ukitake, "One of your crazy dares?"
Kaien flushed further, shaking his head furiously. "No Sir!"
'Ah I see…all newbie vice captains…oh Shunsui you probably spouted that stupid rumor around again didn't you?' Still… No. It would be cruel to do that to his vice captain. He was not like Shunsui. Or, so he told himself.
"Kaien, it's a false rumor if you heard from Shunsui to sleep with your captain. While I'm flattered…you do have your eyes on someone else don't you?" His eyes twinkled merrily when his vice captain began to scratch his head looking sheepish.
"I…I thought so. But still…if I'm to work under you…"
Ukitake got a different thought on that wording and nearly choked on air.
Kaien continued without pausing. "I think I should better understand my captain! Thus I thought quality time was the best way…uh…sir…are you alright?" The sudden coughing that erupted mid way through the sentence calmed.
"Yes, yes. Don't worry…"
The silver haired Taichou brought his hand back from his mouth and grimaced at the reflecting puddle of crimson fluid stuck to his palm and fingers. He made a grim look and looked around for some sort of napkin and was quite surprised when one popped out of nowhere, cleaning his hand.
Ukitake lifted his warm chocolate colored eyes to his vice captain. The young man was staring down, letting his hand linger even when the substance was cleared and eradicated.
Perhaps…a night together would be good Ukitake thought.
"Thank you…Kaien."
The man gave a cheesy grin, saluting with two fingers against his forehead, "your welcome sir!" And the smile that showed the vice-captain was at ease brought Ukitake hope.
Hope that he would survive, despite the growing parasitic disease, and see that smile once again.