"It's nothing."

"It's nothing," is the only way you know how to reply. It's as if something in your mind is programmed to automatically reply with that when faced with a question you can't or don't feel like answering. You know it couldn't possibly fool Ukitake, but there doesn't seem to be a reason that you should oblige him either. The things on your mind will always stay there. You were never good at expressing yourself appropriately and you don't intend to start practicing now.

You turn away from both him and the tree and start back inside. You have no need for unpleasant thoughts and even more unpleasant questions that will undoubtedly plague your conscious thought if you stay around him much longer. He's one of those people you don't really understand, one of many nobles that seems to be more in the mood to play than to uphold the things you know need to be done.

"Byakuya?"

You have nothing to say, no one to respond to. You've said all you needed to. "It's grown cold. Shouldn't you go inside?"

Jushirou seems to regard you with concern glittering clearly in his eyes. He smiles softly when he realizes that you aren't going to surrender so easily. "Yes, I suppose I should. Shall we have some tea?"