Brown eyes lowered themselves to stare at the tea cup in his hands, and couldn't help but feel a bit tired. He wanted to yawn, but as a noble, however, it was rude. At that precise second, there was a respectful knock on his door before it flew open and a flustered-looking Nanao stomped in, looking quite red in the face. "Cap-tain!" Shunsui chuckled and sipped at his sake like nothing had happened. "Did you need me, my sweet, sweet, Nanao-chan?" He murmured quite cooly, soft grey eyes resting upon her face. "Yes, Captain! You have yet to finish your paperwork-again!" Kyoraku let out a long, heavy sigh and shrugged lazily. "Oh my, my. Have I really? Well, I'll just do it later, then. Work can wait." A dagger-like glare from sapphire eyes told him otherwise, and he offered an apologetic smile to his best friend and his soon-to-be-leiutenant."Well then, I'd better be off. Get well soon, Ukitake. Namikaze." He tipped his hat to both of them and trailed after his leiutenant, getting a heavy book in the face for trying to wrap an arm around her.
Jushiro's chest rose and fell in soft laughter; as to not strain his lungs, but it wasn't enough as his frail body was wracked with a non-bloody coughing fit. "Ah, well..." He didn't exactly have the heart to tell Minato to leave..
Minato smiled the moment someone else entered the room, evident humor in his eyes. He mumbled a farewell to the other captain, then concentrated on his own."Well, you should get some rest,"He suggested as he stood. There was a certain hesitance around him as he stared at the ill man, concern and admiration in his demeanor. Once another moment or so passed, he urged Jushiro to call should he need something and dissapeared out the door.
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"Until I breathe my last breath, I will never stop walking!"
Allowing himself a breath of relief as his underling offered to depart, Jushiro gave a quick nod in response. "Thank you, Minato." Once the man had departed, the invalid gave a small sigh and sank down into his pillow. Tomorrow, he would need to go and collect his guests. Ukitake chewed on his lip. But what about Undertaker? If he was so strong as to overpower Renji, Renji who was a previous member of Squad Eleven, then he himself would stand no match. He would just have to bring along a friend, he decided before closing his warm brown orbs and falling into a light sleep.
-- Edited by Benny on Tuesday 24th of August 2010 06:00:25 PM
As the tortured scream pierced his dreamless slumber, Jushiro awwoke with a start, looking wildly around. What in the world had that been? It had sounded like a child's cry, but what child resided in the Soul Society? Many lived within the walls of the Rukon, but there were few to be named in the less-populated area where the Soul Reapers worked. Could it have been Yachiru? Ukitake swallowed nervously. Could it have been Finnian? His brow began to sweat. Ciel...? His heart fluttered around like a caged bird. No...He had to trust Byakuya to protect them. After all, he was arguably the strongest captain. But what was that scream?
The white-haired captain puzzled about that as he shakily rose from his bed and began the preparations to depart. He washed quickly, put on a clean shihakusho and haori and tidyed up the numerous machines and instruments used in his treatment. After downing a few anti-biotic pills, his thin hand rested upon his soul phone. Whom should he call? Jushiro clicked the first number on the speed dial and waited.
"Hey there, Handsome. What's up?"
"Hello, Shunsui. Listen, I was wondering if you could-"
There was some fuss on the other end of the line and a deep cry of protest before another voice appeared, obviously frusterated.
"I'm sorry, Captain Ukitake, but Captain Kyoraku needs to finish his paper work before he can go on any adventures."
The pager beeped as the call ended, and the sickly captain almost laughed. It was not unusual for his friend to often skip his paper work to visit, and for a moment he felt bad. Oh well. That left only one reliable person, and it was not Sentaru or Kiyone. Silently, he slipped out his door and quickly made his way to Squad Thirteen. If Minato was sleeping, the worst thing he could possibly do was call-the ringer or whatever tone his I.D had might rudely awaken him. Besides. The walking would do him some good. ~+~
Jushiro took an uneasy breath before entering the large double-doors of the Squad Thirteen Barracks. He inclined his head toward Rukia before she bowed and scurried off. Leave it to her to be here fairly early. Picking his way carefully through the large building as to not make so much noise, he offered a warm smile to any and all members who passed him in the hall as he finally came across the lieutenant's door. A sad smile appeared on his lips when the realization came to him. He was not summoning Kaien, nor was Minato a lieutenant yet. And so he made his way back to the sleeping quarters of the lower rank-holders.
"Captain," Minato mumbled in his sleep, "Don't listen to him." He tried to shield him from the pineapple-haired menace, but his superior continued to be drawn toward him. It was as though he were possessed. His opponent laughed, pulled out a ninjato - his ninjato - and stabbed him through the chest with it. "Run," He moaned, but his world turned black. Minato shot upright in bed with a gasp, then turned his head to the sound of his name. He smiled and stood with a breathless chuckle. "I am now." The soon-to-be-Lieutenant dressed and prepared himself at a moderate pace, then bowed to his Captain in respect.
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"Until I breathe my last breath, I will never stop walking!"
Jushiro ~+~ The white-haired captain was taken aback at the command. Don't listen to him? Don't listen to who? It took him another moment to realize that Minato was still asleep. Oh. That's why. It was a dream. Jushiro stood patiently by until his subordinant had fully waken up before bowing in greeting, grin on his face. "Good morning, Leuitenant. Sorry to have woken you, but I was wondering if you could possibly accomany me to the Kuchiki esates." He gave a sad smile. "Well, I think you may know the reason."
Minato straightened up with eyes widened. "Oh. Yes, of course," He said in answer, then smiled and led his superior out into the morning sunshine. He breathed it all in and sighed his contentment. His hand rested on the hilt of his zanpakuto for a moment, and he frowned. I hope I won't need to use this, he thought to himself. Minato motioned for his captain to continue on beside him, all the while running numerous scenarios through his head and the means to counteract them. For a while he was silent, until he remembered something important. "Sorry. I forgot to ask if you were feeling better today."
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"Until I breathe my last breath, I will never stop walking!"
