"Ukitake-taichou!"

Kiyone's eyes grew wide with concern as her beloved Captain was ushered back into his home. It was that season, when end-of-the-year reports were due and deadlines came up faster than expected. On top of that, there had been some unusual Hollow activity in Division Thirteen's sector, and the extra stress was having adverse effects on Ukitake's already weakened body. This wasn't the first time she witnessed him needing help home.

It was also not the first time that help had come from the Sixth Division's own Captain, Kuchiki Byakuya.

She knew she had no right to say anything about the company her Captain kept, and it wasn't that she minded - it was just very unusual to Kiyone, as she'd previously held the opinion the two didn't get along. But undeniably, they had been spending more and more time together lately.

"Ah! Let me get the door for you!" She jumped up and moved towards Ukitake's personal quarters.

"Don't bother," Byakuya said simply. Coldly.

"Oh.. Then I'll get his night clothes."

"Don't. Bother."

Kiyone halted with a whimper, wanting - needing - to be helpful. She couldn't bear to see the man she idolized in such a state.

"It's alright, Kiyone," Ukitake smiled at her. "I just need to rest. You can have the rest of the night off."

"But, Taichou-"

"You're dismissed, Kiyone."

Nothing more was spoken as she silently watched the bedroom door close behind the two men.

"You should take it more easy."

"I know how to handle myself," he smiled at the other man. "I've been sick for a long time."

Byakuya wanted to say more. Wanted to say he wasn't so sure, but didn't have the right. Wanted to say he worried, but couldn't. Instead he just quietly helped the other Captain to his bed, gently guiding him to sit.

"This should pass soon."

"If you need help with the Hollows..."

"We can handle it." Ukitake smiled warmly at Byakuya, then said "You worry too much."

"I do not."

He just chuckled, and Byakuya somehow felt he was being teased. "Well, I'll let you rest then." He turned to leave, but stopped when he felt a tug at his sleeve. "Ukitake."

"I have more strength than you give me credit for."

A moment of silence passed. The truth was, Byakuya gave the other a lot more credit than he let on. How could he not see the strength in someone who worked so hard, and for so long, with an illness like that? Many others would resign themselves to fate and bitterness under such conditions. He himself had lost the greater part of his heart because of an illness. But Ukitake had not allowed a sick body to get him down.

The truth was, Byakuya admired his strength.

Finally he answered with "I know."

He moved to leave again, but the other still had a hold of his sleeve, and he found himself being pulled down until his and Ukitake's faces were mere inches apart.

"I need to thank you, Byakuya-taichou."

Their proximity made the offered token of gratitude perfectly clear, but Byakuya had to pull away. His sleeve slipped from Ukitake's grasp as he stood and took a step back. "I told you before, I can't-"

Ukitake stood, and approached the other man. "I know what you said," he replied, as he gently removed the kenseikan from Byakuya's hair, running his fingers through the black strands, shaking them free of their rigid styling.

It had been so long, too long, since anyone had been so gentle with him. Not since Hisana. Not since she died has anyone touched him like that.

And he said softly "I haven't...been...with anyone.."

"I know," Ukitake said again, a smile playing on his lips as he removed Byakuya's scarf, and then slid the white haori from his shoulders. The hakama pants followed, falling to the floor after they were untied, and the Sixth Division Captain was left standing in only his kimono.

Ukitake's fingers wound themselves back into Byakuya's hair, and pulled his face close. A kiss, soft and chaste, lasting only a moment, but holding a world of promise.

"I seem to have gotten my energy back," he said quietly, playfully, when they parted.

Byakuya's only reply was the removal of his kimono.

Kiyone slowly lifted her head from where it lie on the desk. Despite having been practically ordered to leave the night before, worry held her back, and apparently she'd fallen asleep while she waited for word on Ukitake-taichou's condition.

Ukitake-taichou!

When the recollection hit her, she quickly stood up and hurried over to his personal quarters to check on him. "Taichou..." she called softly as she tapped on the door; she didn't want to wake him if he was asleep, but wanted him to know she was at his service if he was awake.

The door opened suddenly, and she looked up to see grey eyes boring down on her. "Ku-Kuchiki-taichou!? What're you-!" her yelp cut off instantly when he put a silencing finger to his lips. As difficult as it was, she tried to ignore that all he was wearing was a loosely tied kimono that was slipping off one shoulder.

"He's sleeping now," Byakuya answered the unasked question. "But he's...fine."

"Oh... Ok." She hoped he didn't notice how nervous he made her.

"Come back later."

"Yes, sir."

And again she watched the door close.

-end-