Left Behind but Not Forgotten : 8/? Pairing IshixHime; Tatsuki x Ryuuken Rated PG 13
Title: Left Behind But Not Forgotten.
Thanks to CMC42 for the lovely banner!!! :D
Chapter: 8/?
Pairings: IshixHime, RyuukenxTatsuki
Word Count: Approx 5125
Rating: PG 13 for adult situations
Warnings: Language
Summary: Orihime convinces Ishida to have a face to face talk with his father, hoping Tatsuki will keep him behaving from his usual cold self.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Bleach, Tite Kubo does, as does Shonen Jump. This is a work of fan fiction, which I don’t get any money from writing.
Orihime yawned a bit and turned over hitting her cheek against a flat and smooth surface. Her fingers caressed a slightly raised surface on it and recognized the pattern. Opening her eyes, she saw shadows painted in orange sodium hues. In the distance, the digital clock blinked and changed time to eight PM.
A pair of blue eyes blinked down at her shortsightedly. Orihime bent up to kiss him, catching herself for a moment on her breasts that got in the way. His strong arm wound around her body holding her in place. She smoothed away his straight silky hair before depositing a sprinkle of soft kisses on his face. Once she started touching him, she felt as if she could not get enough, and sensed he must feel the same way.
Uryuu’s head spun a bit with the events of the past few hours. All the time he craved physical contact he now had as much as he could ever want and it did not seem enough. Everything was Orihime and he had plunged headlong into experiencing her with all five senses with a sixth added. Her stomach growled loudly shattering the silence.
“Dinner,” Ishida groaned, sitting up. Covers fell from his back as they both sat up.
Orihime yawned and then smiled up at him. “I’m not hungry…”
“Even if you say you aren’t, if we’re going to continue in any fashion in the throes of passion we need nourishment,” Ishida insisted, pushing aside the covers. He picked up his glasses and put them on again.
“You rhymed just now,” Orihime pointed out cheerfully. Already Ishida stood up sliding a pair of underpants on again. His hand extended down towards her holding a T-shirt. She slipped it over her head then took the hand he offered to help her up. Freshly laundered it smelled a bit of Sora, and now of Ishida. The scent of fabric softener would forever drive her insane with desire because it was one of the smells she often encountered on him.
For a moment Ishida pondered having a discussion with Ryuuken, then dismissed it a second later. He didn’t want Ryuuken ruining his first perfect night of many with Orihime. There would be time later when he formulated what he was going to say. He just hoped the subject would not come up again anytime soon.
They ate cold pasta heated up in a microwave with plenty of extra spices. Uryuu made a pitcher of green iced tea and they hastily devoured their concoctions. When they had eaten their fill, Orihime sighed in pleasure. Ishida also sighed, not minding the sting of the spices on his tongue for a change.
Something nagged at her as they continued to nourish their physical hunger. Ishida sensed that she was preoccupied through a silence only interrupted by the noises in their heads of chewing. He could feel her eyes on him seeking to ask a question but afraid to voice it.
“It’s quite good,” Ishida murmured as he reached for more pasta.
“I’m happy you like it. It’s just well...” she began, her beautiful eyes not meeting his directly. Ishida moved over to her and tipped her chin up so she looked him in the eyes.
“Orihime san?” Ishida wondered, seeing the conflict written across her face.
Blue eyes fringed in dark lashes widned slightly behind his glasses to see her so sad. He caressed her cheek trying to encourage her to speak. Sensing his concern she murmured, “I know this may not be the best time to bring it up but, I’m really worried about Tatsuki. I don’t think we can just let this go.”
Ishida sighed and set down his chopsticks. Quietly he set the dishes together and reached for the ones Orihime had stacked. “She made it quite clear that she has no need for advice.”
“She’s my friend Uryuu kun. I just don’t like leaving things this long without… talking to her. It doesn’t feel right,” she mumbled playing with the end of her T-shirt. She had pulled on a pair of loose baggy sweatpants in the meantime.
Ishida set the dishes in the sink to do later, hating the way Orihime slumped over eyes not meeting his own directly. Though his heart hardened against Ryuuken his concern for Tatsuki’s welfare was paramount and tugged at his Quincy honor. The only reason he had stayed his involvement for so long was out of desire to let things settle because he hated dealing with his father’s harsh judgmental tones. For all the time they had trained together, they had a grudging respect but there was still animosity.
Quickly he focused his sensing powers to determine if his father even allowed his energy to be tracked. He murmured, “Can you feel Tatsuki?”
“She’s… not far away. Don’t you feel it? I know your abilities are better than mine…”
Indeed, he did locate her energy in the vicinity of the hospital. She didn’t bother hiding it. Almost as if she was challenging him. Just a trace enough to lock in on though she had learned how to control it. Sighing he moved over and crouched down next to Orihime. He slid an arm around her shoulders, pressed a soft kiss to her brow, and murmured, “All right. You win. We’ll talk to them.”
“Thank you Uryuu,” she said with a smile on her face, one that melted his heart and convinced him he'd do anything for her even shoot a million hollows if it were to make her happy.
“But I suggest we freshen up quickly and then head over,” he urged, helping her to her feet. A quick glance at the clock revealed it was close to 10 pm.
***
“Orihime,” murmured Tatsuki glancing past her companion at the street below. She could feel her friend almost anywhere just as Orihime could sense her presence. Both of them sat on the sofa in the director's office, simply enjoying one another's company.
“She’s not alone. It seems as if that son of mine wishes to talk after all,” he murmured looking off into the distance through the huge glass window overlooking Karakura Town.
“Good. Then maybe you two can stop beating around the bush and settle this?” Tatsuki said, wrapping an arm around his neck.
“If it were that easy I would have done so already,” the Quincy answered with a sour face. Tatsuki dropped into his lap, taking hold of his tie as she pulled his face towards hers. She kissed the frown from his face slowly and deliberately till he relaxed. Reluctantly he pulled away for air and caressed her cheek.
“Uh huh, that’s usually how it goes,” Tatsuki sighed as she stood up and moved the sofa. He stood up and walked back to the desk to sit down in his chair again.
“Mmm you may either stay or leave,” said Dr. Ishida. “Though I warn you it will get quite tense.”
The Val tudo champion rolled her eyes. “As if that’s unusual. But I’ll remind you that I don’t want Orihime hurt.”
“I trust you can distract her if I request privacy with my son, Tatsuki san?” said Dr. Ishida as he took his companion’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Sure thing, Doc… I mean Ryuuken san,” she murmured, calling him by his first name. He enjoyed hearing it from her lips though loathed it coming from his own son. When alone together he insisted on no more ‘sensei’ or ‘doc’.
Behind his glasses, the Quincy narrowed his dark eyes. “They’re already at the front door and still together. I shouldn’t have been surprised he would insist on not coming alone.”
“Orihime must have convinced him,” Tatsuki mumbled.
Dr. Ishida snorted unimpressed making Tatsuki want to smack him. Instead, she settled for squeezing him on the arm. “Typical. Not confident enough on his own.”
Letting go of her hand he reached for the upper breast pocket of his coat. Tatsuki wrinkled her nose again, steeling herself as he extracted a cigarette and put it between his lips. A glint of mischief in his dark eyes caught her gaze as he lit it and inhaled deeply. However, he blew the smoke well away from her and set the cigarette in the ashtray after he scooted it away from her to the left.
The Val tudo champion scoffed. “Go ahead and take another 7 minutes off your life you annoying pain in the neck.”
“What? I’m deliberately blowing the smoke away from you,” Dr. Ishida mumbled glaring at her.
“That’s NOT the point and you know it,” she shot back after the Quincy gave her his exasperated look. The buzzer from the front desk interrupted their promising banter. Neither would admit it aloud but they loved their little bickering sessions just as much as training together. He leaned over her to press the button.
“Director Ishida, your son is here to see you, with a guest,” said the receptionist.
“Send him up,” said Ryuuken.
“He’s not a client for crying out loud. Why not meet him for coffee or something in the cafeteria?” she said tapping her foot.
"It is personal, and besides one can always send for some," Ryuuken answered.
Tatsuki winced and shook her head yet was thankful he had at least listened to part of what she was implying. Picking up his cigarette Ryuuken took a few puffs on it letting the smoke lazily roll of his tongue. Arms folded across her chest, Tatsuki started pacing around his desk in a tense orbit. Two minutes later Ryuuken finished his cigarette before he finally rose to his feet and extended a hand to her. Tatsuki grabbed it and sat down again.
***
Just when Ishida and Orihime walked towards the elevator the receptionist called, “Excuse me! Just a minute!”
A deep sigh escaped the Quincy’s lips. He turned mumbled, “What is it?”
The receptionist called out, “The Director will meet you in the office.”
Ishida frowned deeply hearing this. Orihime interlaced their fingers together feeling him tense up and whispered, “It’s okay.”
“I know the way,” Ishida said rudely glaring at the receptionist.
“Thank you!” said Orihime waving with a grin on her lips. Hand clenching in hers Ishida urged her after him.
“The office. Ryuuken is being his usual obdurate self,” Ishida mumbled walking her along to a nearby elevator. He let go of her hand to stab the up button violently, stuffing his other in the pocket of his pants. Back and forth on her heels, Orihime rocked waiting for the elevator. Shoulders slightly slumped; Ishida glanced down at the glossy marble floor.
They rode up in silence together. A few tense minutes later led them to a door with brass letters on it marked, “Executive suite.” Ishida opened the door without even knocking followed by a concerned Orihime. She kept a hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Uryuu strode across the thick carpet towards his father’s desk but stopped 10 feet from it. Next to him,
Orihime reached to touch his arm keeping her eyes trained on the same place as her boyfriends. On the sofa behind Dr. Ishida’s desk sat Tatsuki who rose from the sofa to stride over and stand next to the Director’s shoulder. All four occupants of the office were initially silent during the brief staring match that took place.
Orihime first beheld Tatsuki still dressed in her school uniform. Her friends brown eyes twinkled in a serious face stamped with a neutral she recognized as Tatsuki’s ‘alert face’. One she wore when assessing an opponent before a tournament. Seated at the desk Ryuuken’s eyes met hers for a mere instant holding nothing judgmental beyond interest of a doctor for a patient. Perhaps she read judgment but Orihime saw nothing sinister behind them, rather concern.
Ishida’s ramrod stiff post and slightly parted feet contrasted from his slumped one before in the elevator. She felt tension crackling from the initial meeting of gazes steadily building from the moment his eyes deviated to Tatsuki's. Once father and son locked stares all attention focused to a narrow point.
“Hi, we just thought we’d stop by!” Orihime spoke first breaking the silence.
“Hi Orihime, Ishida kun. You guys are out pretty late. You didn’t need to walk me home you know,” Tatsuki answered, mainly looking at her friend.
“Good evening Inoue san, Uryuu,” Dr. Ishida said in a professional but polite tone.
“Evening, Arisawa san…” Ishida answered, bowing his head slightly towards Tatsuki but snapping it up the instant he turned to his father again.
“You rarely visit me here, Uryuu,” said Ryuuuken with slight disappointment in his voice. “What do I owe this pleasure?”
“Necessity. It seems we have a few things to discuss, Ryuuken,” Uryuu answered in a flat clipped tone.
“Here in the presence of two young ladies, or elsewhere?” Ryuuken asked.
“Over tea maybe?” Orihime chimed in.
“Good idea,” Tatsuki agreed, striding around the desk to take Orihime’s hand. “Anyone want anything from downstairs?”
“Coffee for me, black,” Ryuuken murmured watching both girls leave the office. Uryuu didn’t try to stop either of them, silently thanking Tatsuki for her good sense. Neither Quincy wanted to hold back out of politeness for the two women, preferring to have their discussion in private.
***
“Just what are you doing, Ryuuken?” Uryuu demanded after Tatsuki had left with Orihime temporarily.
“I could demand an answer to that same question. Considering you have avoided most of my attempts to talk at length since you returned. Other then cursory attempts at updates that are most indeed rude,” Dr. Ishida said sniffing. He remained seated but Uryuu strode over and rested both his hands on the desk hunched over it.
“I only speak with you if there is something relevant to discuss. You probably have already determined my reasons.”
“What you choose to do with your powers is of little concern save the fact that it unintentionally helped the Shinigami. The only reasons I see little need to reprimand you is that your actions did benefit the world of the living for a change,” Ryuuken pointed out.
“Would you rather I let my friend perish in the hands of the Arrancar? Quincy honor would demand assistance since she was living.”
“All that aside I see you managed to survive despite putting yourself at great foolish risk. I suppose for that I must give you some credit. Though you found it necessary to steal a good many items that belong to me,” Ryuuken scolded.
“Objects I’ll return to you at my earliest convenient opportunity,” Uryuu informed him.
“Will you persist in using your powers in the fashion you did before?” Ryuuken then inquired.
“You can guess the answer to that, Ryuuken.”
“In that case I suppose if you insist on it I’ll have little choice but to continue your training in the hopes you won’t embarrass yourself further or kill yourself in the process,” Dr. Ishida murmured.
Uryuu rolled his eyes snorting in disgust. “I’ve no desire to have you waste your time out of pity, father. The primary reason I’m here is to determine what your intentions towards Arisawa san are.”
“Arisawa san is hardly your concern is she?” Ryuuken answered quickly. “Since you made it abundantly clear that your relationship is no longer romantic in nature?”
“She is still my classmate and Inoue san’s best friend. That makes it my concern. What also makes it my concern is your insistence to train her and insist she keep it a secret.”
Reaching for a cigarette Ryuuken inserted it between his lips. First, he answered with a click of his lighter and a quick inhale. Smoke drifted past Uryuu’s nose as he said, “That matter is between myself and Arisawa san. It is not your concern or business.”
Uryuu pushed his glasses up and stood up straight. “It becomes my concern if you are engaged in relations of a personal nature with her.”
Ryuuken tapped ash from his cigarette into the glass tray to the right of his cigarette hand. “Since you’ve made it abundantly clear you have no regard for my life or concerns that hardly put you in a position to demand such an answer does it, Uryuu?”
“Whatever affects her affects Inoue. Moreover, that makes it my concern. I cannot sit by and have you toy with her emotions or play games with her life…” Uryuu snapped.
Ryuuken shook his head, taking another drag on his cigarette. “Such concerns ended the moment you decided to engage in a relationship with Inoue san. Your concern for Arisawa san is unnecessary and tiresome. From the standpoint that she is an adult and does not appreciate that attention.”
Through the haze of smoke wreathing his father’s head Uryuu leaned forwards. “So you don’t deny that you are in a relationship with Arisawa san, Ryuuken?”
“Relationships have many interpretations. What sort of ‘relationship’ do you define worth fretting over to this ridiculous extent?”
“Not the relationship of a sensei and a student, but the relationship between someone of your age and station with my classmate of an intimate kind?” Uryuu said, his blue eyes gleaming with challenge.
“What business is it of yours?” Ryuuken asked again. “I should inquire the nature of your relationship with Inoue san. Though I do not because primarily you will not elucidate, and secondarily you have made it clear that you have little regard for my opinions.”
“You would only disapprove of her as you have of everything else in my life,” Uryuu said with a frown.
“I can hardly disapprove of Inoue san as a girlfriend and possible future wife for you, Uryuu. She is a charming young woman who seems quite devoted to you. One of the few decisions in your life that shows some promise from a string of disappointments,” Ryuuken said mildly.
“I suppose I should be thankful for that small victory? Finding someone who you approve of?” Uryuu asked with a sarcastic laugh. “And you have the gall to judge me when you’re having some liaisons with that girl’s best friend?”
“You are the one who flings such tawdry accusations. I will not repeat myself save to say that the nature of my relationship with Arisawa san is none of your business. Nor should it be of any concern because it is just as any would be for someone of legal age,” snorted Ryuuken.
“Then you admit it…” Uryuu sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. “You have no shame. She’s less than a few months older than I!”
Immediately Ryuuken scolded in a reproving tone, “Have you no shame in worrying me sick as well as your other friends with a cryptic note and no regard for Arisawa san’s feelings nor my own?”
Fists clenching at his sides Uryuu fought for self-control. The very air in the room tingled light blue from the extension of their Quincy reiatsus they normally kept under wraps. All those buttons his father knew how to push so well for so many years. Yet Uryuu could play his game long enough not to lose his temper. He simply said nothing as his father’s slew of accusations continued, “Do you know how much grief you put me through?”
“Considering you’ve cared nothing for my feelings for the last ten years why should I give you the same courtesy? You’ve just shown you would do whatever you wanted. I hope for your sake you don’t hurt Arisawa san or I’ll…”
Into a glass ashtray, Ryuuken crushed his spent cigarette. He calmly replied, “All this fuss and bother for a woman you made it clear was just a classmate is unbecoming. You should focus more on the relationship you have now and that you do not jeopardize it with this foolish rant.”
Uryuu shook his head, signing. “What are your intentions towards her?”
“Honorable,” said Dr. Ishida noticing Uryuu’s sarcastic snicker hid behind one hand.
“Honorable? How old fashioned of you,” Ishida repeated with a short burst of ironic laughter.
To this Ryuuken frowned showing seriousness in his dark eyes. “She is a remarkable young lady. Whom you were foolish enough to disregard. Another mistake to add to your arsenal.”
“You cannot think of any rejoinder without tearing me down? Isn’t that a bit childish of you, Ryuuken? A bit childish? For your sake I hope you are true to your word!”
Picking up a piece of paper Dr. Ishida pretended to pay it more attention than his fuming son pacing around. “For my sake? Is that a challenge I hear in your voice Uryuu?”
Arms twitched from the effort not to point a finger in his father’s direction. Once more, when he thought he gained the upper hand his father had eluded him again. Verbal sparring as well as in a training session he had been trumped. “Make of it what you will. Though if she is hurt in any way you will answer to me, Ryuuken.”
Another burst of laughter came from his father this time, with equal sarcasm to his own minutes before. “An ironic reversal of roles I see. The son presuming to lecture his father in matters he does not fully comprehend. Amusing at best, pathetic at worst.”
“What’s pathetic is how you continue to put yourself above me in experience and wisdom but just like anyone else you have your own needs just like the rest of us,” Uryuu chuckled.
“When you have your own son that you have such a discussion with, the answers will become painfully apparent,” Ryuuken finally answered him.
“For someone hell bent on discontinuing the Quincy line you suddenly show a keen interest in making sure I reproduce,” Uryuu huffed crossing his arms over his chest.
Reaching for another cigarette Ryuuken tapped it on the top of the package. “Anticipating ones grandchildren is hardly something that anyone should deny an individual. It shows the importance of investing one’s energy in the living world. Ensuring that the child in becoming a parent themselves will learn responsibility and self sacrifice as well as living a productive and fulfilling life.”
To this Uryuu raised an eyebrow, smiling sadly. Glancing down at his shoes half buried in the nap of the plush blue carpet the young Quincy murmured, “And if I fail to live up to that expectation you would take whatever steps to make certain a brother or sister would be around as insurance?”
“What are you rambling about now, Uryuu?” Dr. Ishida asked, clicking his lighter again.
“Is that the reason you’re so interested in Arisawa san? Remarkable that it has only taken you the better part of a decade to consider ‘honorable intentions’ toward someone else?”
For a good minute, Dr. Ishida said nothing to this. He simply dropped the lighter he held up without igniting the cigarette. Pulling it out of his mouth, he set it in the ashtray notch. Lines around his nose wrinkled slightly as if he had sucked on a lemon. He murmured, “Now I know you have lost your mind, Uryuu.”
“Have I Ryuuken? Or did I just poke a hole in your inflated ego at long last?” Uryuu asked smugly. He could not resist savoring his father’s look of utter shock so complete that he forgot to light a cancer stick.
***
Before the director could deliver the verbal parry he opened his mouth to deliver, Tatsuki pushed the door open with her hand still poised on the knob. Next to her Orihime carried a cardboard tray with several cups of tea nestled in it like eggs in a crate. Cheerfully she chirped, “We’re back! Coffee would keep us all awake but I thought green tea would be better!”
“Thank you Orihime chan,” said Ishida with a look of triumph his father winced at. Ishida pulled up another chair and sat it down in front of his father’s desk for Orihime.
Glancing around the room Tatsuki took a quick orbit of the desk before sitting down on the corner of it not piled with papers. “I see you still left the furniture standing so you aren’t killing one another. Or are you saving that for later?”
“I deal with the problems of the living,” Dr. Ishida said crisply, taking the tea that Orihime set in front of him. Immediately Uryuu tensed. To the left of Tatsuki she set a cup before handing one to her boyfriend. Orihime then sat down and crossed her legs under her long loose skirt she had put on. She held the tea with one hand and reached over to grasp Ishida’s right hand with her left.
“Helping the dead sometimes can help the living can’t it? I mean if the hollows aren’t stopped, people who are living can get hurt in the damage. All those busted buildings aren’t safe and people could…” Orihime began sipping her tea once she stirred honey and a bit of pepper into it.
Tatsuki picked up her cup and sipped it thoughtfully. Dr. Ishida silently fumed, his tension radiating off in waves. She quickly chimed in, “She's got a point, Doc.”
The director frowned deeply. “Nevertheless, there is no...”
“No profit in it, blah blah, we know,” Tatsuki said as she leaned over and touched the Director's arm's rubbing it. Glancing up at her he didn't stop her but sighed, glaring in Uryuu's direction.
“Ryuuken I think you've belabored that point. I am more than aware of your views. We suffer from a difference in philosophy. My main concern is already been addressed,” Uryuu said, interlacing his fingers with Inoue's.
“Still if you insist on continuing to use your powers, you should come and train, Uryuu,” Dr. Ishida repremanded him. “I'll not have you making a hash of yourself out there.”
“He won't be alone!” Orihime said quietly. “Chad and the others...”
“That's precisely the problem young lady,” Dr. Ishida interrupted her with a less harsh tone in his voice than he'd use for his son. “Involving the living nedelessly...”
“Doc, they know that,” Tatsuki said as she touched the back of the director's hand. “Orihime knows what she's doing and if I and Uryuu kun have anything ot say about it we'll make sure she's protected. We are friends.”
“Becasuse we're his friends we wanted to come and just talk things out,” Orihime insisted. “And maybe clear the air. Please I want to get to know you, Dr. Ishida san...”
“Since it is clear to me you are engaged in a relationship with my son, Inoue san, that is most appropriate. You at least show good sense in your attempts at diplomacy unlike my...” Dr. Ishida began. Yet a sharp pinch on his shoulder and a glare from Tatsuki stopped the words in his throat. Around her wrist was that terrycloth armband Orihime knew she always loved to wear, about the same color blue as Dr. Ishida's shirt. Peering through his fringe of silver hair, the director turned his attention to her fully.
“Doc, lighten up,” Tatsuki snapped at him. “Stop being so condescending. They're here and didn't you want to talk all along?”
“Young lady, I do believe I was speaking?” Dr. Ishida countered, returning her glare.
Right into his face the martial artist dipped hers, causing the director's eyes to widen discernibly. Orihime stifled a giggle while Ishida gaped in shock. “Yeah, but I know you love to hear yourself talk so let them get in a word okay? Sorry to play referee here, but I think it'd help if you kept the put downs to a minimum!” Tatsuki said.
“I can speak to my son however I chose, young lady,” Dr. Ishida snapped.
“And I can tell you to your face I think you need to lay off your son once in a while,” Tatsuki shouted.
“He's my friend and my best friend's boyfriend got it?”
“Do lower your voice in the hospital, Tatsuki san,” Dr. Ishida mumbled as the pressure on his shoulder increased.
Uncomfortably Uryuu shifted in his seat eyes wandering towards Tatsuki's hand on the Director's shoulder. The elder quincy reached up to rest his hand atop hers in a very blatant sense of personal affection causing Uryuu to swallow a gulp of tea the wrong way. Orihime slugged him hard on the back a few times before Dr. Ishida rose in his chair and lectured, “I wouldn't do that, Inoue san! The Heimlich...”
“Ryuuken... that's... not... necessary,” Ishida coughed glaring up ath is father through a blood darkened face.
“You okay?” Tatsuki asked rushing to his side, followed immediately by Dr. Ishida rounding the desk.
“Ishida kun? Relax,” urged orihime rubbing his shoulders now. He took a few deep breaths until his face returned to its normal color.
“Uryuu?” Dr. Ishida said, bending down in front of his son with a hand almost on his shoulder.
“Stop fussing will you?” Uryuu grumbled, glaring up at them both. “I'm not a child.”
Staring at them both through his glasses the director coughed. “As I was about to say the heimlich maneuver is a the preferred method of dealing with a choking victim, Inoue san. I'd advise you to learn it...”
“Oh stop,” Tatsuki sighed in disgust, grabbing the director's arm. “Do you always have to be right?”
Resting a hand on his hip Dr. Ishida sniffed. “I am a doctor young lady and it's remiss if I don't...”
“How can we forget when you keep reminding us? We're not stupid,” Tatsuki groused, still clutching his arm as he wheeled on her.
Orihime stood up extending her hands to both of them, resting one on Tatsuki's shoulder. She pleaded, “Tatsuki chan, Ishida san, please don't argue. I'm sure you both meant well.”
Ishida rose a hand from where he sat. “In case you both forgot why we're here?”
“My apologies Inoue san,” Dr. Ishida said contritely, letting Tatsuki tug him back towards his desk to sit down. Watching them Uryuu put a hand to his forhead slowly mumbling to himself in some tongue he wished nobody would be able to understand or hear.
“Sorry, got carried away,” Tatsuki added. Across her cheeks and Dr. Ishidas crept the slightest hue of pink.
Slowly rising holding Orihime's hand Ishida interrupted his father. “I shall report to you for training, Ryuuken provided that you and I have an understanding."
“If you will attempt to communicate on a regular basis, Uryuu,” Dr. Ishida replied, fixing him in a stern look.
“I guess you guys are going now?” Tatsuki asked, walking over to the door and opening it. Ishida started a bit at this but stepped well back almost in a daze of confusion. He bent near her, hesitantly.
“It would be foolish to ask if you wish us to walk you home?” he whispered to Tatsuki.
“Uryuu kun, I think it's getting late and we've school,” Orihime interrrupted, pulling on her boyfriend's hand.
“Good evening Inoue san, Uryuu,” the director called from his desk.
“Later,” Tatsuki said hugging Orihime. Murmuring a goodbye Ishida soon led Orihime out of the door and closed it behind him.