🌸 Kindness without greed, without want, was still a foreign concept. She still could not believe there were people like this that existed. First Byakuya and now Ukitake…she felt undeserving of such treatment. After all, the marriage had been based on a sham, was it not ? The only reason it occurred..was due to Byakuya’s compassion and pity. Without him, she would not have lived as long as she thus had, she would not have the opportunity to tirelessly search for her sister..Because she would have been dead.
Why Byakuya went through all that trouble..and still to do this day, stretch himself thin to ensure her well-being..it perplexed her. Hisana was not certain if she could ever repay the overwhelming debt and gratitude she owed him. And for some inexplicable reason, perhaps due to their bond with her husband, others..were showing the same courtesy and respect that she knew existed within Byakuya.
”You are so certain of this, Ukitake-sama..As much as I would love to believe that..I do not think many would be as gentle or helpful as you…At least..not –mh.”
Hisana paused. That bright, amiable, benevolent expression had her holding her tongue. There was no need to sully this day..with such a somber conversation. Ukitake-sama had opted to take her out for some fresh air and she did not wish to return the favour by being ill-mannered.
“Hm?”
Hisana slowly blinked at the request. Exhausted she may be, but there was something comforting about the male’s approach. Even the question held promise of something more than just worries, concerns and dreaded thoughts. It was an offer of distraction and more than being bound to this illness and endless guilt, sorrow and self loathing.Could she ? Should she ?
Hisana did not wish to worry him but..there actually was a glimmer within her that needed this. Desperately. Just..a small break from everything. At least..for a moment. Was it wrong to just..want a moment of reprieve ?
“Ah..I should..” Ukitake had a sudden air of mischief. Were other Captains like this ? When she thought of her husband, she essentially envisioned others similarly. Stern. Responsible. Thorough. Organized. And yet...”…what do you have in mind ? If it is not too much trouble, I..do not see the need to return too hastily.”
--- “I am,” his response was spoken without hesitation. Of course, it would be entirely naive of him to believe that everyone was as such. That the world was nothing more than bright and cheerful and pleasant, when rather, there were many who were the exact opposite of. “There is as much good as there is bad, you simply need only open your heart as well as your eyes to see it,”. Still, the way in which she had silenced herself was quite telling. A wish to not upset, perhaps? Or simply because such conversation would fall into something likely darker or dangerous.
And for but a moment, he would cast nowt but a curious glance down upon the woman. A prompt to continue? Perhaps. But push he would not. After all, were it truly something she would wish to discuss, then that may well be a topic of discussion later, right?
But there were those words again. I should. Words that seemed to be tied up in obligation than anything more. Were she to still wish to return home then, of course, he would push the matter no further. There would be some disappointment, sure. That was always going the case when an offer was refused. Yet when you have lived a life as long as he, you had come to experience your fair share of disappointments and while sometimes, yes, one could act as a petulant child – albeit only when the mood called for it – it was often better to act with some tact… With a level of decorum.
Of course, he could see the exhaustion etched upon her very person. He knew that feeling well. A quiet day, that was what was promised. A day of tea, of pleasant conversation. Of much needed fresh air and the warmth of the sun on their skin. For the healing qualities of such were well noted, at least to he anyway. After all, there would always be those times where you simply only needed to relax.
And it was always quite amazing just how good you could feel if you just let things go every once in a while!
Yet smile would grow when she uttered her acquiescence. Seeming to have set aside her sense of obligation, at least for the moment. “Excellent!” his excitement was palpable. He hadn’t had a wish to end their time so soon. It wasn’t often that he could spend time with someone in so similar a boat as he, after all. “Why to do exactly as we have been,” the words stated simply, “To talk, to feel the sun on our backs and the air in our lungs,” to live. Naturally, he would give pause, the air of mischief never once dissipating, “I daresay we could even walk, should you be feeling up to it,”
For as much as he may have been feeling fit that day, he would always take into account the ability and condition of the one whom he stood next to. It would not be a good idea to push too far and cause the woman to be bedridden – not to mention a certain other captain may have a few choice words for him should that happen.
