Cough 042 - [Video]

[haori]

[Ukitake is sitting in his garden with a blanket draped over his shoulders and his haori in his lap, long, slender fingers pulling the hem closer to his body.  The stitching has come out in some places along the bottom edge and the fabric is wearing thin in others, like the shoulders and hem.  There is a threaded needle held carefully between his lips.

The garment has gone a long time without repair.

Pulling the needle from his lips, Ukitake begins to mend, smiling peacefully as he does so.]

It is never too early to prepare for the future, as some of you have already pointed out, wisely so.

[He goes silent again and quickly stitches up a section of hem that had lost its thread.]

I have delayed far too long on you, my friend.

[Looking at the camera for the first time this entire post, Ukitake smiles.]

Yuki-san, if I may ask your assistance?  It is getting colder and I know that snowdrops commonly flower in late autumn and winter.  If you have or happen to come across any, would you please let me know?

[He studies the material for another moment before noticing another area to fix, then shuts off his PCD.]

Comments

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[haori]

Unohana-taichou forced the illness out of me, at least temporarily.

[He gestured to the other chair at the table.]

Make yourself comfortable. You wanted to talk to me about something.

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[heartofalion]

[He'd just about asked about the manner in which Unohana forced the illness when Ukitake gestured to the other chair and spoke. Nodding, he took the other chair.]

You're..a death god. I assume you take care of people after they die?

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[haori]

[He moved on to one of the sleeves, pulling it inside out to get at the hem easier.]

I do, although I am more warrior than shepherd.

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[heartofalion]

But..what do people do? They're looked after or something by one of you guys?

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[haori]

Soul Society is another plane of existence, like the real world is for me, or Hell. You can't simply walk to it. Once you die, a Shinigami leads your soul to Soul Society and there you have a second life.

[Once the thread is knotted, Ukitake quickly stitches the fabric back together, strengthening the hold.]

If your soul has a strong reiatsu, or spiritual presence, and a Shinigami finds you, you can be taken to the Academy and trained to become one.

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[heartofalion]

[Squall folded his hands together in front of him and leaned forward slightly.]

Interesting. Do Shinigami exist in every world?

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[haori]

[Ukitake looked up, pausing in his work for a moment.]

I don't know. I've never come across another Shinigami that wasn't from my world. However, if you study beliefs and other culture's afterlife theories, a big similarity is that of the afterlife being a place for peace, or rebirth, in some instances.

I may not have seen other Shinigami, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility completely.

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[heartofalion]

[Squall sighed and shook his head with a shrug.]

I really don't know anything about..his world. And it's not even him I'm concerned with..it's..if the person attached to him finds out he dies.

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[haori]

...So you want to reassure this person that everything will be as it should be?

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[heartofalion]

I'm sure you've seen..how attached Yuki is to Zack.

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[haori]

I have noticed a friendship between them, yes.

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[heartofalion]

[Squall shook his head and sighed heavily]

I thought you might have a good explanation as to what happens after death so in case Yuki finds out Zack's fate, he could be reassured somehow.

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[haori]

I see. It's impossible to say anything for sure because I do not know Zack-san's world or beliefs, or the manner in which he died.

...Although I must say, even thinking about a life as vibrant as his being snuffed out is troubling. He seems to bring a ray of sunshine with him wherever he goes, doesn't he?

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[heartofalion]

You could say that.

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[haori]

[Ukitake looked back to his sewing, falling quiet, but it seemed to be more uncomfortable than natural. Finally, after a few stitches, he spoke up.]

He reminds me of a friend I lost.

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[heartofalion]

[Uki rarely talked about himself so this was interesting..]

Oh?

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[haori]

Shiba Kaien, my fukutaichou, or vice-captain, as you might call it. He was one of my best friends, always looking out for others and taking over the division for me when I fell ill.

[He still focused on his sewing, remembering the man he'd only lost a few years ago. The time may have seemed a while for a human, but his bloody body and broken voice that fateful night were fresh images in Ukitake's mind.]

It didn't matter what mood you were in, Kaien could make you smile or laugh, and yet he knew when you needed a friend just to listen.

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[heartofalion]

[Squall thought a minute and lowered his head after nodding. Ya this all sounded like Zack too. He'd fought alongside the taller brunette swordsman a few times now and even though Squall was easily irritated by the carefree nature, it contrasted to his own and it helped at times. Though he'd never ever admit it to Zack.]

They do sound similar then.

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[haori]

I am sorry to hear his life will be cut short.

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[heartofalion]

I was too. But maybe if it's found out, maybe Yuki would feel somewhat better if he knew how some things operated elsewhere.

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[haori]

I understand.

[He sighs.]

Again, I don't know how his world works, but I would assume, and hope, that his next life will be peaceful. Or at least more peaceful than his current life.

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[heartofalion]

[Squall nodded and sighed.]

Me too.

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[haori]

[And he goes back to his sewing.]

I hope I have helped you feel better about everything.

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[heartofalion]

[A shake of the head.]

I'm alright. He dies a hero's death and one couldn't really ask for more than that. It's not for me I was asking the questions for, but I appreciate your time and answers all the same.

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[haori]

A hero's death, I see. They are so often imagined, but rarely happen.

And you are always welcome to take up my time, Arashi, you know that.