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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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[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.]

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[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.

[A small smile] She's always been good at taking charge. Has the most experience out of us at it, too.

I suppose she does. I don't know what we'd do without her.

Ah, I'm sure you'd manage! [there's a certain amount of false optimism in her voice - she knows full well that without one of the senior captains able to handle things, it would be utter chaos]

[She gave Ukitake a steady look and adjusts her glasses.] If we had lost anyone else...I don't think we could have recovered, Ukitake-taichou.

Nonetheless, as it is, we will all do our best.

[Her expression falls just a little, the false cheer vanishing some. Pointless to try putting on a face for Nanao, at least right now. Despite her young age, the woman had always been sharp.]

I know. I will do what I can - though unfortunately that's not much, right now.

Getting better is the most important thing you can do right now, Ma'am--and Kyouraku-taichou, too.

[A small smile.]

I'll do my best. And...you'll likely be allowed to see him before I will.

If I am, I'll give him your regards.

Thank you, Nanao-san. I'd appreciate that.

[Nanao stayed a bit longer to pass on a few details, but then she left. After Retsu checked on Jyuushiko one more time, she turned to send Rukia in, squeezing her friend's shoulder sympathetically on the way out.]

----------

[Rukia came into the room silently. She wasn't wearing her fukutaichou badge, and she was drawn and pale with dark circles under her eyes. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days. Her expression was closely guarded, as good a poker face as Byakuya ever produced.

In sum, she looked eerily as she had in the wake of Kaien's death.]

Taichou.

[It /hurt/ to see Rukia looking so utterly broken once again, deep inside, and she wished desperately that she could do something to ease that hurt - but she knew time would have to do most of that healing. She forced a smile for her fukutaichou, and gestured for her to pull up one of the chairs by the bed.]

Rukia-san.