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[Retsu was tired.

No. That wasn't true. Retsu was utterly, bone-wearily exhausted.

It has been a week since Aizen fell. One of the worst weeks Retsu ever remembered in her long, long life. Yamamoto-soutaichou had fallen, along with three other captains, and several others were still in critical condition. She was one of the only people still capable of leading, yet she was also desperately needed in the healing ward.

She wasn't sure anymore how many days it had been since she slept. Shinigami were capable of going much longer without sleep than ordinary souls or mortals, but she was still reaching her limit. She glanced around and leaned against a doorpost for a moment, closing her eyes before she went into Jyuushiko's room.

It had taken all Retsu's considerable skill to save Jyuushiko. The blond arrancar had put a hole right through her chest, and there had been complications...Retsu still wasn't sure how fully her friend would recover. And Kyouraku Shunsui was still in critical condition in the room across the hall.

She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, passing through the kido barrier and going to Jyuushiko's bedside to see how she was doing.]

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Better, I think--especially if you go by recovering a sense of humor.

[A small, weak chuckle.]

It's good to feel a little more clearheaded.

[She nodded sympathetically as she reached out with her power to run a diagnostic.]

If you feel up to it, there are a few people who would like to visit you.

There have also been quite a few get-well bouquets delivered but ah...Kiyone-san and Kotsubaki-san had something of a competition to not only send larger bouquets than each other, but also than any other well-wisher.

It got slightly out of hand, I'm afraid, so I felt it was best to remove them for the time being.

[Her vitals were stable - low energy, and it was clear she'd be short of breath without the extra oxygen, but stable. She sighed, the sound both half-amused and half-embarassed. Trust her thirds to make it a competition.]

I can imagine. And...I think I could handle it, today.

[She smiled lightly. At least their competition had provided flowers for most of the hospital rooms in Fourth. That was something.]

I'll keep their visit brief.

Nanao-san would like to visit as well, and [hesitating a moment] I think it would be best if Rukia-san visited as well.

[She didn't want to strain Ukitake, but she was worried about Rukia. The girl had barely spoken since she heard that Kuchiki-taichou died.]

[She nodded slightly, as their conversation from the day before came back to her.]

How...is she, right now?

Not well. She seems...withdrawn. It's hard to be sure, but I suspect she considers Kuchiki-taichou's death her fault.

And there is some...difficulty with the family. [glint of anger in her eyes] Several elders would like to rescind her adoption.

[Her fists tighten visibly in the sheets.]

Stone-hearted bastards. Of course they are. [The judgement is harsher and more blunt than she'd normally voice aloud, but even with the rest, she's at the end of her rope and doesn't much mind if Retsu hears that particular opinion.]

I'll do what I can. [both for Rukia now, and in terms of...handling the Kuchiki elders]

[nod] I've been doing what I can through my own connections, as well. [Officially speaking, she was not a clan leader--she'd given that up to become Yamamoto's student. Nonetheless, she had considerably influence in her family.]

[She nodded, brushing her hand lightly over Jyuushiko's shoulder.] I'll send in Kiyone-san and Kotsubaki-san first.

[A brief nod]

Thank you. [Kiyone and Sentarou would be a good start to this day - even if they were overbearing, their enthusiasm and good nature was unstoppable]

[She stepped out and sent the two third seats in with an admonition to behave themselves.]

-----------

[Kiyone and Sentaro were, as always, audible long before they were visible.]

We have to be quiet so we don't wear taichou out!

I am being quiet you stinkbomb!

Are not, you big ape!

I'm being way way quieter than you!

Are not!

Are too!

[The two of them burst in the door and tumble in.]

CAPTAIN! I have been sick with worry for you since you went away!

[shoving Sentaro aside] You weren't half as worried as me! I was so worried I couldn't even eat!

[She can't help but grin a little at their antics, though she shushs them gently.]

You don't want to make Unohana-taichou angry by being too loud, do you? But it's good to see you both.

[Miraculously, the mention of Unohana being angry shuts them up for a minute. She got really angry about the flowers--and angry captains were scary!]

I missed you so much too, captain! I visited every day!

I did my best to run things in your absence!

I did all the real work, buttface!

I'm sure you both did your best while Kuchiki-san and I were gone.

WE CERTAINLY DID, TAICHOU!

[They glare at each other venomously.]

[A weak chuckle, accompanied by a few painful coughs.]

I know I can trust you two. Thank you.

[OOC: Cut their conversation here? I can change it if you'd like to keep going with them.]

[Retsu removes the two enthusiastic third seats after a few more minutes, checks on Jyuushiko's vitals and then sends in Nanao.]

-------

[Nanao looks worn out and worried sick but she manages a smile for Ukitake.] Hello, Ukitake-taichou. It's good to see you're feeling better.

[The smile she gives Nanao in return is a little softer than the one for her third seats]

Thank you - are you holding together alright?

Trying, Ukitake-taichou.

[She was used to handling most of the paperwork herself, but this was an entirely different level. And she wasn't sure--Unohana wasn't sure--if Kyouraku was going to recover.]

I know you're trying your best. I'm sorry we can't do more to help. ['We' being all three of the senior captains remaining]

Yes, Ma'am.

I'm just...worried about Kyouraku-taichou.

[A small nod]

I am, too. I trust Unohana-taichou's expertise, though.

Yes--though I'd be happier if we could see him at least.

[Another nod of agreement]

I know the risk is too great but it's still...frustrating. [among other frustrating things in her life right now.]

[nod, and then she changes the subject] Things are still chaotic, but Unohana-taichou has been holding the Gotei 13 together despite everything.