Remaining aloof and separate was not a talent Ukitake had by nature. He'd cultivated the ability out of necessity, though he still flagged in his exercise of it quite often. It as one of the things about him that drove Genryuusai-sensei to distraction and amused Kyouraku to no end, but it was also a trait of his that they admired ... and it was a trait that often got him into trouble.
Tonight, he regretted that ability. His greatest regret had come, after all, from removing himself from another's battle. Now, it dogged his steps. He would go to retrieve the packet of medicine he'd left aside while he poured his tea only to find it open and empty, the powder beginning to dissolve in his fresh beverage. A handful of papers he had meant to go through, mostly inquiries and applications for employment or schooling, was suddenly stacked neatly and sorted, ready for review, on the sitting room table when he had been certain he'd left that sam stack in disarray the night before. Last night, he had woken, chilled, and reached for the blankets, only to have them pulled up and tucked gently around his shoulders.
There was a time when such simple acts of care would not have been so horrifying.
Ukitake was so caught up in the footsteps he thought he heard beside him, though he knew there was no one there, that he started when Stahma addressed him. Tired green eyes quickly focused on her, and Ukitake shook off the worst of his daze. "My apologies, Stahma-san. I did not see you." He summoned a weary smile. "I am well enough." He did not want her to worry, but he did not want to lie, either.