measure of a man? Maybe
Ukitake pressed his forehead against his fingers, leaning against his desk, dark brow furrowed tightly. He sat silent, unmoving, thinking hard, deep. Across the way sitting in Saiza Miyako and Kaien awaited. Kaien shifted in the heavy silence, the non action made him nervous, edgy. Miyako on the other hand sat quietly with her hands in her lap and eyes closed. The slow tap of Ukitake's fingers on the two reports sounding like a death beetle lazily hammering out the sentence to each individual awaiting Shinigami.
“sir..” Kaien was instantly silenced with a light 'shh'. He furrowed his brow shifting again. His stomach growled softly at the protest of being kept so long, his knees ached from the lack of use. “Sir.”
“Please Keep your words to yourself Shiba Fuku-Taichou. You may speak when I have given you permission to do so.” Ukitake spoke half paying attention, finger tapping a few more times on the papers he must have read a million times over already.
Kaien gritted his teeth and shuffled again trying to wait pashiantly, a personality quality never quite attributed to the Shiba family.
“It's my Fault Sir.” Miyako spoke up quickly not giving pause in breath for Ukitake to interrupt “I was the one who did my own personal investigation and I was the one who asked Kaien-Dono to come along with me.”
“3rd Seat Fushimi you will also continue to be quiet” Ukitake's voice was heavy and firm.
“I Cannot sir. I'm responsible for-”
“It was my own choice to come along Miyako-san.”
“ENOUGH! Both of you.” Ukitake put a hand to his mouth as he lungs convulsed lightly making him cough.
“We disobeyed orders Sir, we were coming back, we realized the danger we were in and turned around! We were trying to Escape!” Kaien barked back.
“That is not the issue Shiba Fuku-Taichou! orders be damned! You betrayed my TRUST!” Slamming a fist down on the table silence the room one more time so the small coughs sounded heavier then usual.
Kaien and Miyako winced biting down remarks worried as their leader struggled to keep his emotions in check least he start coughing all over again.
“I've read your reports but the matter still remains. You two are the highest ranking officers here while I'm away. Shiba Fuku-taichou we had a long talk in 4th about your behavior regarding responsibilities and what your position requires. 3rd seat Fushimi-san your position is not too different. However when I am away you are Shiba's second in command! Together you are BOTH to watch over the squad....and that in return means YOURSELVES.” He paused to caught the shoulders arching lightly as his lungs shook. He waved a hand up as they both moved to get up to assist. A white hanky wiped some spittle away before he continued in the same authoritative voice. “Shiba Fuku-Taichou, your actions your reckless actions endangered the lives of those around you despite its favorable outcome it did nearly KILL you! Must I repeat what Spiritual energy is to you?”
Kaien scowled like an unruly child “Your life force.”
“Percicly! And it is why when you use it up, you can die. Fighting this... Hollow even 4th seat Kiyone noticed the web's abilities the moment we stepped foot in the forest! She's your Underling! Aspiring and talented as she is she caught that, but neither of you two did!”
“I did notice-”Miyako started.
“But you got too cocky and you failed at following through 3rd seat Fushimi-san! Out of both of you I at least expect you to be sure that order was kept while IW as in recovery!”
“Hey! Its been a tough time for us both Ukitake-Taichou! Its not like this hasn't been the most.....usual of circumstances! Of all people, you should understand what tis like to be cooped up and unable to stretch your legs! Miyako-san's been under a lot, I should know! Between my duties And yours she's been put under a lot of stress!”
“Agian the point is missed! Do you know what Trust is Kaien Shiba? Do you even realize what it means to have it broken?” Juushiro's body gave way a fitful horse coffing racked his body hard enough that he nearly toppled to the ground. This time, where Miyako had a concerned look on her face, Kaien's scowl was hard pressed and never wavering. He waited till Ukitake was able to recompose himself red cheeked and breathless.”perhaps you need some time away to sort yourself out.”
Kaien stood “Then it's apparent sir. If you cannot trust me, then there is no way I can earn that through word alone. I fear my actions have been interpreted differently then their intentions.” Starting for the door he added “perhaps Sir, there are two sides to a tree, even that casted in shadow has some good in it.”
“If you're leaving, you will leave Those behind.” Ukitake gestured to the badge and Kaien's Zanpactou.
With deft fingers the badge was released, a quick fell swoop and both zanpactou and badge were set on the desk in front of the Ill captain.
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
“What choice do you leave me? If Isolation is the best, then it's where I'm forced to. For my family, for my honor for my ...sir. All do respect. Leave me alone. If you are saying that I alone must fix this then it is truly I alone. And the rest of you can abandon me as you see fit!” He turned with a violent gesture and threw open the door and shut it with enough force to break the frame and tear it from it's hinges. Kiyone and Sentaro were left sitting outside with a blank stare.
Ukitake and Miyako sat silent for a moment before Miyako looked up at Her Captain “I think, this is just going a little too far Taichou.”
“Kaien has to find himself again. All we can do is have faith and hope.”
“sir? Who are we to say what is and what isn't right for Kaien.” she scowled looking at her Captain with an honest question “ What is good for once, is sometimes naught but poison fro another.”
“If his heart is true...”
“You've Confused his heart! Can you not see Sir.... he feels as if he's got no one left to turn to. He wouldn't have left Nejibana behind otherwise!” Miyako burrie dher face in her hands “Sir, what have you done!”