Cough 057 - [Accidental Video//Forward dated to Midnight]

[taichou_tb]

[When the feed flickers on, it shows a sight that has been showcased a few times recently.

Ukitake, paler than normal and as still as the room he's in, is still dead in the dark.  His hands at his sides do not move and the sheet over his chest does not rise with any of his breath.  It is surreal to still see such a man with such a passion for life

Comments

[mere_shopkeeper]

[Urahara had finally fallen asleep while sitting with the dead man, his head resting next to Ukitake's hand on the bed. It's a sign of how tired he is that the first twitch goes unnoticed, but then it's a sign of how tightly strung together he is that the intake of breath has him jerking awake, eyes darting around the clinic before landing on Ukitake.]

Retsu-san!

[He grabs a nearby container and places it in front of Ukitake, his hands gently gathering the man's long hair out of the way as he quietly tries to do what he can, one hand already glowing with diagnostic kidou.]

[taichou_tb]

[He barely even notices who is with him, but when the bowl is in front of him, he gathers up some strength to grip it himself, taking some of the responsibility from his companion. Ukitake coughs a few more times, blood spattering the bowl, and he closes his eyes, feeling the first bout end. He catches his breath and then spits excess blood from his mouth into the bowl.

That was exhausting.

His head drops back onto the pillow. Slowly, he raises his watery eyes to the person near him and whispers the familiar name.]

Kisuke-san...

[mere_shopkeeper]

[Leaning over Ukitake, Urahara concentrates on making sure that the injuries don't get worse and does what he can to heal them while they wait for Unohana to arrive. His other hand gently brushes white hair out of Ukitake's eyes as he smiles down at him. And this smile finally real and unforced.]

Welcome back, Jyuushirou... You've been missed.

[taichou_tb]

[That simple touch calms Ukitake and he closes his eyes for a moment. He can feel again. He can feel again.]

How long?

[Video]

[hits_then_heals]

[Sakura gives Ukitake little bit before replying, so he can get over his coughing attack. There are people with him to take care of him right now.]

Ukitake-san...

[She knows that he's at the clinic and that Unohana will help him but...she feels like she needs to be there for him. He was her mother for a week, after all. That week only solidified a place for Ukitake as one of her precious people.]

Welcome back. Do you need any help?

Re: [Video]

[taichou_tb]

[Once he does, he takes a few smaller, more steadying breaths and looks at Sakura with tired eyes. He whispers his answer.]

Water?

[Video/Offline]

[hits_then_heals]

Of course. I'll be there as soon as I can.

[And off she goes to the clinic. It will take her a few minutes to get there Uki, so relax and hope you don't get too thirsty until she arrives.]

[When she does arrive, she immediately goes to get Ukitake a glass of water before heading to where he's resting. She knocks gently on the door before opening it and walking in. She goes right to his side and holds the water out for him.]

Here you go.

[Video/Offline]

[taichou_tb]

[As he lays there, he begins to realize just how much pain he's in. Even with the coughing subsided for now, every time he breathes his chest aches. He can feel sharp pains where he was cut before he died.

Still, when Sakura comes back, he puts on a brave face (though she can probably see through it) and quirks his lips a little bit in a smile.]

Thank you.

[Of course, when he reaches for the water, he cringes. His body doesn't seem to be cooperating as fast as his mind.]

[Voice // Private // Unhackable]

[marsfireignite]

Ukitake-san.

[She sounds... small, almost. Far from confident or reassuring. Her voice is hoarse, nearly a whisper.

And full of guilt.]

[Voice // Private // Unhackable]

[taichou_tb]

[He waits until his fit has died down and when he speaks, it's in a whisper. He hasn't regained his strength yet.]

Rei-san.

[Voice // Private // Unhackable]

[marsfireignite]

[What to say, what to say, what to say -- ]

-- do you need help?

[Voice // Private // Unhackable]

[taichou_tb]

Urahara-san is with me.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[mirroredecho]

[There's a long moment where he can't say anything He can only stare and deal with the overwhelming guilt he feels because he wasn't able to stop this from happening in the first place.

But he can't just not say anything. This is his friend. Someone who he would die to protect. He had to speak.]

Ukitake I....

[But it falls short. Oh so short and he can't go on.]

You look terrible.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[taichou_tb]

[So much guilt on everyone's faces. Ukitake just wants to make it all disappear.]

Honestly...I feel it, too.

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[mirroredecho]

I'm sorry.

[You will never, ever, manage to make this guilt fade.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[taichou_tb]

It wasn't your fault.

[bosomyburden]

[ Rangiku isn't paying attention until she hears the cough, now her eyes are glued to the screen. She fights back the small, but still surprising urge to cry tears that were both a mixture of sad and happy. On the one hand he was himself again, but on the other he looked awful. ]

Ukitake-taichou. It's nice to see you again.

[taichou_tb]

[After he gets his coughing under control, Ukitake takes a few breaths before answering.]

I'm glad to be back.

[Even if he is in pain, still.]

[bosomyburden]

I doubt there's much I can do for you at this point, but if you think of anything please let me know.

[taichou_tb]

Thank you, Matsumoto-fukutaichou.