Sitting on Top of the World

[madimpossibledreamer]

Main Points:
Bleach universe optional
Summary: Shunsui doesn't worry about Ukitake--too much.
Word Count: 286
Rating: Gen

            Shunsui can always tell when the Captain of the Thirteenth isn’t feeling well.

            Oh, when he’s too out of it to even be very aware of the pain, it’s obvious to all.  He’ll be in his customary cot in the Fourth Division, usually unconscious and being attended to by Unohana herself.

            Usually, under orders from Retsu, Shunsui will keep an eye on Jūshirō and make sure he’s not trying to do too much while he’s still recovering.  It’ll earn a pout (or worse), but Unohana and Kyōraku are the two that can actually get away with saying such things to the Shinigami.  As much work as it is, it’s the only task that Shunsui will ever complete cheerfully without a hint of laziness or resentment.

            Ukitake could be very sneaky when he wanted to be, especially when he was at his most polite.  Over the years, though, Shunsui had learned to keep an eye out for sudden escapes or plotting.

            Still, there’s a part of his heart that’s gladdened when his fellow captain is at his most devious.  It means that, ailing body or no, Jūshirō’s doing just fine.  Ukitake is one of the few that’s he pretty sure could hold himself together on sheer will alone.

            It’s the other times that scare him more.  When Ukitake doesn’t act as if it’s business as usual.  When he goes and sits on the roof, distractable, watching the passersby and needing the babble of voices just to feel safe enough to fall asleep.

            When he barely has an appetite and his ability to pretend everything is fine is much, much less convincing than usual.  Then Shunsui worries.  But at least it’s never lasted for long.