UraIshi AU Ch.19
Title: Unravelling Threads of Fate
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: UraIshi
Summary: AU. Ishida has had a hard life. With the help of some friends, it finally looks like things are going to work out. When he meets a bizarre and cheerful man named Urahara Kisuke, the two are inexplicably drawn to each other. But when Ishida discovers the truth about Urahara's past and its ties to his own, difficulties arise.
Notes: I keep on forgetting to thank kirstian for her quick beta-read every time. XD You rock.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the genius KT. ♥
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18
Urahara sat and stared at the data before him, dark bags underlining his eyes and hands pressed flat against the countertop. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, displaying a time of seven o’clock. If there hadn’t been a window to show the dark night sky, he might have been unsure as to which half of the day it was.
Another week had passed and despite constant research, aided by his mysterious helper who left him test results whenever he had to leave the labs for an extended period of time, there was still no progress. Time was running out - Ishida’s latest blood tests revealed the beginnings of liver failure. Once that passed, there was only respiratory failure and heart failure and inevitably, death.
Closing his eyes, Urahara ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. As far as he could tell, he only had one option left.
No, not yet, he thought. Not yet…
Rising to his feet, he exited the lab, picking up his hat on the way out. He hadn’t visited Ishida ever since he had returned from MOD. Ichigo, Rukia and Orihime had all come to visit earlier in the week, but had had to settle for waving at their friend through the glass, faces lined with worry. Ryuuken had refused to allow them entry for their own safety. Isshin had remained to keep watch on Ishida’s condition, ordered to report any changes to Ryuuken and Urahara. He directed a small wave to Urahara from where he stood by the nurse’s station as the hat-wearing man passed by.
After putting on the full-body gear, Urahara stepped into the room, his breath sounding loud within the confines of the suit. Ishida slowly opened his eyes to look at him, a faint smile touching his lips. He had experienced a severe decrease in muscle mass - another symptom of the virus - leaving him bedridden.
“Kisuke… you look tired.”
Laughing softly, Urahara moved forward to the side of the bed and placed a hand on Ishida’s head. “Don’t worry about me - you’re the one who’s sick.”
“Have you figured it out?” Ishida asked.
Urahara dropped his hand back to his side and shook his head slightly.
“But...” The expression on the man’s face caused a frown to settle on Ishida’s. “Kisuke, what is going on?”
“… Mayuri is behind all of this,” Urahara replied, pulling over a chair. “Uryuu, that virus that spread through the Ishida community when you were young - the cure Ryuuken got for both of you wasn’t really a cure. All it did was suppress the virus until you were vulnerable enough to have it triggered again.”
“So, you’re telling me that that’s what I have right now,” Ishida said. He inhaled slowly when Urahara nodded. “Then what’s going to happen to me? Kisuke, everyone in my family died. Is that-”
“Uryuu,” Urahara said soothingly. “I swear I am not going to let you die. I’ve tried my best to find a cure on my own but I haven’t had any luck, just like the last time there was an epidemic. But…” He paused to take a breath. “Mayuri has proposed a deal in return for the cure.”
“What is it?”
“There are two parts. One is that I give up my claim on MOD.”
“You’ll do it, won’t you?” Ishida asked, an uneasy feeling creeping into his stomach. Mayuri had doubted that Urahara would do such a thing, but Urahara had told him that he no longer wanted the company. Which one was true?
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?!” He felt his chest began to ache at the outburst, but he ignored it. “I can’t believe you actually have to question such a thing. This is my life, Kisuke.”
“You think I don’t understand that?” Urahara said angrily. Too many sleepless nights coupled with constant stress had made his temper short. “To give Mayuri full control of MOD would be a dangerous thing to do.”
“He’s had full control ever since you left,” Ishida replied coldly.
Urahara moved away from the bed to pace back and forth, his lips pressed together tightly. “You don’t understand. Your father would understand.”
“My father? Don’t you dare bring his opinion into this. He has nothing to do with whether you would give up MOD in exchange for my life or not.”
“Listen to me,” Urahara said firmly, stopping his pacing. “MOD used to be my company - the company I created - and for that reason, yes, it means a lot to me. If Mayuri gained complete legal control, he could do whatever he wanted without the fear of me popping by to try and stop him, but I know I told you that I had no desire to have it back.” He turned to gaze at Ishida. “And even though it is much harder to follow through on things when the decision becomes real, I don’t plan on breaking my word about that. If the deal was only that, you would be receiving treatment as we speak.”
“Then what is this other half of the deal that’s making you think twice about my life?” Ishida asked, glaring at the man watching him.
Urahara opened his mouth then closed it with a sigh, his expression growing troubled again. “I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I know if I tell you, you won’t want me to accept the deal.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Ishida said, pausing to cough sharply. The ache in his chest grew stronger, making it difficult for him to breathe.
Urahara frowned over at him. “Uryuu, you have to stay calm.”
“How can I be calm?! I don’t know how you can hesitate in a case like this, where if you don’t get the treatment, someone you care about will die, nor do I understand what could possibly make me not want you to-”
Ishida suddenly broke off into a fit of coughing, hands pressed against his mouth as he curled up onto his side. Urahara rushed forward and cursed when he caught sight of the blood dribbling between the boy’s fingers onto the sheets and floor. Quickly slamming his hand on the emergency button by the bed, he reached out to steady Ishida, hands pressed against bony shoulders. The monitoring machines in the room screamed their alarm.
“Uryuu, stay calm!” Urahara called out desperately.
Isshin and a group of nurses rushed into the room a few moments later, delayed slightly from having to suit up. Urahara drifted back to let them work, eyes dark as he watched Ishida still cough blood onto the bed. Without another word, he turned and left to remove his suit, pressing his forehead against the wall once the head cover was detached.
Not again, Urahara thought fiercely. Damnit, not again! This is just like before…
Breathing deeply, he straightened and glanced back through the glass-paned doors at the nurses struggling to stabilize Ishida’s condition. In the next instant, the body suit had been removed and Urahara was headed for the stairs - the elevator would take too long. He moved quickly down the flights and out onto the ground level floor, weaving through patients and doctors to step outside. Cell phone already in hand, he pressed the button to dial.
Urahara had had enough. It was far too dangerous to let this go on any further, not when a life was at stake. He had thought about the offer long enough and now was the time to follow through.
The ringing stopped with a click. “Hello?”
“Yoruichi-san, I need you to come here.”
“What? Kisuke, what’s wrong? Did something happen with Ishida?”
Closing his eyes, Urahara replied calmly, “I need you to write up a contract for me.”
~~~
Urahara wandered out from the spare office, leaving Yoruichi to finish the details of the contract.
Upon hearing the requirements set by Mayuri, Yoruichi had tried to change his mind. Urahara had refused. He had assured her that everything would be fine as long as they had the contract completed and signed soon; preferably, that night. He had insisted upon a specific wording for one of the conditions which had elicited a scrutinizing frown from Yoruichi.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” was all she had said after that.
Urahara made his way back towards Ishida’s room and looked up when he arrived to see Isshin waiting by the door. Walking over, he leaned on the wall beside him, turning his head to glance through the window at the figure on the bed.
“How is he?”
“Stable,” said Isshin. He paused then asked, “Are you giving up?”
Urahara had informed him of Mayuri’s deal earlier in the week when the doctor had stopped by the lab.
“I’m not giving up,” Urahara noted. “I’m taking the only option I have.”
“Well, I’ll trust you know what you’re getting into. You always knew how to make things go your way, no matter what the situation.”
“Are you sure about that? I’m not so sure myself,” Urahara said with a smirk.
Slapping a hand on the man’s shoulder, Isshin moved to leave with a wide grin. “Have I ever been wrong?” Nodding his head in the direction of the room, his grin faded. “Ishida was in a lot of pain so we gave him an analgesic. He’ll be extremely drowsy and I don’t expect him to stay awake much longer.”
“Thank you, Isshin.”
“Good luck, Kisuke.”
The suit rustled with every step as Urahara entered the room. The floor had been cleaned, the sheets had been changed, and Ishida now wore an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth. He looked to be asleep but wearily opened his eyes as Urahara approached.
“Kisuke, I’m sorry,” Ishida said softly. He was so tired that he could barely keep his eyes open. “That wasn’t fair of me earlier - you were only trying to help. I’m such a horrible person…”
“No, you’re not,” Urahara murmured. “You were right to be upset.”
“But I never even got a chance to say I was sorry for lying about seeing Mayuri, especially after I got so angry at you for hiding things from me.” He closed his eyes with a sigh. “I’m such a hypocrite.”
“To tell you the truth, I was more worried than angry that you went by yourself.” Urahara paused to continue in a slightly amused tone. “And it seems with good reason.”
Ishida let out a small laugh before opening his eyes, appearing to wake up slightly more. “Oh - I still haven’t given you your birthday present. I think the nurses have been keeping it safe. … I ruined your birthday too, didn’t I?”
Shaking his head, Urahara smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re still alive.”
An odd silence filled the room, twisting Ishida’s stomach with anxiety. Something was wrong but he couldn’t think properly to try and figure out what it was. Fighting to stay awake, he almost didn’t hear Urahara start speaking again.
“… you know, the first time I met you, you seemed so lost and alone even though you were surrounded by people,” Urahara mused quietly. “During our time together, I’ve seen you change. You had your friends before but I’m not sure you ever fully accepted them until a few months into our relationship. I’d like to take credit for it but I think you did it yourself - you just finally realized how important they were. But I do believe I helped give you some confidence.”
Ishida found he couldn’t speak, could only listen, feeling the dread in his stomach build up with every word. Something was terribly wrong.
“When I bumped into you at the restaurant, I remember being certain that you would be trouble for me - it appears that I was right. But I don’t regret it.” Urahara wandered away from the bedside to sit against the window ledge, the blinds rattling as they were pushed together. “On our first date - do you remember? - I asked about your family and you told me that all your known relatives were dead. I had thought that they had somehow been involved with the epidemic I failed to stop and well, I was close.” He smiled faintly. “And then when we visited the aquarium I noticed that you looked nearly identical to a former employee of mine who had wanted to become vice president. Those should have been my signs to stop and leave you alone before anything serious happened but I was too involved by that point. I don’t think I could have stopped even if I tried.”
Urahara’s face grew somber and he lifted his eyes to Ishida’s which were staring back at him, wide with worry.
“I’m sorry for any unhappiness I’ve caused you: past and present.”
“… and future? What about that, Kisuke?” Ishida asked, his voice strained as he finally found his ability to speak again. “Why are you telling me all this? Why do you sound like this is the end? What is going on?”
“The second part of Mayuri’s deal,” Urahara said quietly. “In exchange for your treatment, along with yielding any claim over MOD, I am expected to return to MOD and work under his direction.”
Ishida felt like his heart had stopped. “No - what? No, Kisuke-”
“I told you you wouldn’t like it.” Urahara offered him an almost apologetic smile.
“Because you’ll be a prisoner!” Ishida cried out softly, struggling to sit up and failing due to the combined effect of his earlier muscle loss and the current painkillers which were making it increasingly difficult to stay conscious. “You’ll end up like the man I saw - Mayuri won’t just let you work in peace, you’ll become one of his experiments.”
“I know that,” Urahara replied. “But it doesn’t matter as long as you get that treatment.”
“No. No. Kisuke, promise me you won’t agree to that deal. I won’t have you dying for me - how am I supposed to live that way? You can find the cure yourself, can’t you…?” Ishida trailed off wearily. “Please, promise me…”
Urahara stood from his window seat and silently walked over to the bed. Without a word, he reached up to remove the head cover of his suit, causing Ishida to frown.
“What are you doing? You’ll get sick…”
“It doesn’t matter any more.”
Carefully pulling away Ishida’s oxygen mask, Urahara leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was gentle, it was sweet, and it was utterly heartbreaking.
It was goodbye.
Urahara stepped back after replacing the mask onto Ishida’s face and stared at him solemnly for a moment before turning to leave.
“Kisuke, no…” Ishida called out softly.
The doors slid shut behind him as he exited the room.
~~~
Urahara sat in the hospital admitting area, waiting for Yoruichi to finish and come down. On his lap sat the box he had picked up from the nurse’s station which held his belated birthday present. He carefully opened it and pushed aside the coloured tissue paper.
Inside sat a carefully crafted bucket hat much like the one he currently wore; only this one was composed of green and white stripes.
A smile curled his lips as he set it onto his head - a perfect fit - to replace the old black one he had worn for over fifteen years.
Yoruichi arrived then, her eyes curving in amusement as she stopped in front of him.
“New hat?”
“A belated present.”
“It’s better than the other one,” she said. Amusement fading, Yoruichi sighed as she looked him over. “Are you ready?”
Urahara stood and flashed a grin at her. “Let’s go.”
~~~
Ryuuken stood outside, cigarette in hand, taking a short break from his duties. He almost scowled when he noticed Isshin walking over to join him, hands stuffed into his pockets.
“Hey there, Ishida-san!”
“Aren’t you supposed to be doing something?” Ryuuken asked flatly.
“I could ask the same thing of you,” Isshin said with a grin. “There’s nothing wrong with taking a break, is there?”
“Hn.” Smoke curled into the air as the other doctor exhaled.
“Smoking’s bad for you, you know. It even says so on the box.” Isshin reached out to snatch the package of cigarette’s from the man’s hand, earning him a startled noise out of the doctor.
“Kurosaki, what do you think you’re-”
“See? Right here! ‘Since smoking might injure your health, let’s be careful not to smoke too much.’ You have to be careful, Ishida-san~!”
“You’re being an idiot. Give those back-” Ryuuken abruptly stopped as he caught sight of Yoruichi and Urahara exiting the hospital.
Isshin followed his gaze and straightened, tossing the box from hand to hand. “He’s going to accept Mayuri’s deal.” With a sly smile, he threw the cigarette box at the other man who caught it by reflex. “Look’s like you won’t have to sneak around the labs doing Kisuke’s work any more. Does this mean I can stop being your lookout? I’m keeping your pager number though.”
With an irritated glare, Ryuuken dropped his cigarette butt and crushed it with the toe of his shoe. “Get back to work,” he snapped before heading inside.
Isshin grinned and sauntered in after him. Ryuuken might have been a stuck-up bastard the majority of the time, but he was a good guy when it mattered.
~~~
It was well past midnight when Urahara returned with a small cooler in his hands. The hospital was mostly empty with a small number of staff around for the overnight shift. He walked past chatting nurses and doctors to the elevators and waited patiently as it rose to the floor with Ishida’s room. The chime rang loudly as the doors opened and Urahara blinked at Ryuuken who leaned against the wall opposite the elevator, waiting.
“So you made your sacrifice,” said Ryuuken, eyes flickering to the cooler.
“I did. I take it Isshin informed you of the circumstances involved with my deal?” Urahara asked, stepping off and turning to move down the hallway.
The hospital director fell into step beside him with an affirmative noise. “Is it worth it?”
“Well, how about you?” Urahara sent him a smirk. “Was it worth it to do all those tests for me?” At Ryuuken’s glare, he laughed. “It wasn’t very hard to guess.”
“See if I’ll ever help you again.”
“In all seriousness, Ryuuken… thank you,” Urahara said quietly.
Ryuuken looked away and pushed up his glasses. “It was like you said: he’s my son.”
Urahara said nothing more to push him; besides, it was more than enough of an answer.
They stopped outside Ishida’s room and Urahara opened the cooler to pull out two IV bags of clear fluid. He held one out to Ryuuken who frowned in confusion.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“It’s for your scientists to examine and to replicate for you, if needed,” Urahara noted simply.
“Me?”
“There’s a chance you might someday get caught in a situation similar to that of Uryuu’s. The administration of antibiotics would set off the virus so you would need this in reserve, just in case. Luckily, I was informed by Mayuri that this secondary form of the virus isn’t contagious and even though I have no reason to believe him,” Urahara shrugged, “I do. So anyone who has had contact with Uryuu should be fine.”
Ryuuken nodded slightly and reached out to take the bag. “Ah, I see. Thank you.”
There was a short moment of silence as Urahara turned his head to peer through the glass and into Ishida’s dimly lit room. “I apologize for leaving after the epidemic, so long ago. If I had known the consequences, I wouldn’t have acted as such.”
“… it’s in the past,” Ryuuken said slowly. “You were not at fault so I have no reason to blame you.” He turned and started to walk away. “Good luck with everything, Urahara.”
Urahara smiled and entered the room. Lamps illuminated the hospital room gently from the bedside tables, the bright halogen lights overhead having been turned off for comfort. The steady succession of beeps that mimicked every heartbeat was almost too loud in the otherwise silent room. Ishida slept, heavily drugged, and breathed evenly though a little laboured within the oxygen mask. Respiratory failure would be inevitable in a few days, if not less.
Urahara let the door slide closed behind him, forgoing the body suit. He knew he didn’t need it any more. He walked forward quietly, taking care not to make too much noise even though it would be difficult to wake Ishida from his nearly comatose sleep. From one hand dangled the clear plastic bag containing what he had failed to create yet again and had to give up so much in return for… but it was well worth it.
Setting down the cooler, he reached up and hooked the bag onto the empty arm of the IV pole, carefully attaching it to the connector of the current intravenous drip. And then he watched. Pulling up a chair, Urahara placed his hat at the foot of the bed and took up a silent vigil.
Hours passed and the drug dripped slowly at the same pace as Ishida’s heartbeat. Little by little, Urahara noticed that Ishida’s breathing grew quieter, calmer. Releasing a deep breath, he smiled faintly at the sleeping form.
“Well, you’re going to be fine, Uryuu,” he said. “Mayuri appears to have upheld his part of the deal and now it’s time for me to fulfill mine.”
Urahara stood and stepped up to the bed, reaching out a hand to gently smooth back Ishida’s hair.
“… I’m sorry I couldn’t make that promise. You may hate me for it but it was the only way.” He sighed a little as he stared down at the boy. “In the time we’ve been together, I haven’t said this to you nearly enough…”
Urahara leaned forward to press a kiss against the sleeping boy’s forehead, brushing a thumb against a pale cheek as he stepped back.
“I love you, Uryuu.”
He picked up the cooler and removed the item sitting at the bottom: his old black hat. Placing it at the foot of the bed, he plucked up the new hat and stepped towards the door. With a final glance at Ishida’s sleeping form, Urahara set the striped hat onto his head and turned to leave.
“Goodbye.”
A/N: :D :D :D I'm sorry, was that angsty? LOL I have been waiting to post that last scene for the longest time. *bounces* Writing angst brings me so much glee. Did you all like it?! XD
In case you're wondering, that warning on the cigarette pack is actually real in Japan - at least, according to TIME, June 25, 2001. lol I found it in my psychology textbook and was highly amused.
I almost considered posting this tomorrow instead, just so it could match with the 1 year anniversary of this fic's existence but I decided to be nice. It's close enough anyway. XD Happy 1 year, 'Unravelling Threads of Fate'! ♥ You're going to be the first multi-chapter fanfic I've ever completed and I couldn't be prouder.
One chapter left, people. :) You'll be getting a surprise present along with it too!
To Chapter 20
X-posted places
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: UraIshi
Summary: AU. Ishida has had a hard life. With the help of some friends, it finally looks like things are going to work out. When he meets a bizarre and cheerful man named Urahara Kisuke, the two are inexplicably drawn to each other. But when Ishida discovers the truth about Urahara's past and its ties to his own, difficulties arise.
Notes: I keep on forgetting to thank kirstian for her quick beta-read every time. XD You rock.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the genius KT. ♥
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18
Urahara sat and stared at the data before him, dark bags underlining his eyes and hands pressed flat against the countertop. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, displaying a time of seven o’clock. If there hadn’t been a window to show the dark night sky, he might have been unsure as to which half of the day it was.
Another week had passed and despite constant research, aided by his mysterious helper who left him test results whenever he had to leave the labs for an extended period of time, there was still no progress. Time was running out - Ishida’s latest blood tests revealed the beginnings of liver failure. Once that passed, there was only respiratory failure and heart failure and inevitably, death.
Closing his eyes, Urahara ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. As far as he could tell, he only had one option left.
No, not yet, he thought. Not yet…
Rising to his feet, he exited the lab, picking up his hat on the way out. He hadn’t visited Ishida ever since he had returned from MOD. Ichigo, Rukia and Orihime had all come to visit earlier in the week, but had had to settle for waving at their friend through the glass, faces lined with worry. Ryuuken had refused to allow them entry for their own safety. Isshin had remained to keep watch on Ishida’s condition, ordered to report any changes to Ryuuken and Urahara. He directed a small wave to Urahara from where he stood by the nurse’s station as the hat-wearing man passed by.
After putting on the full-body gear, Urahara stepped into the room, his breath sounding loud within the confines of the suit. Ishida slowly opened his eyes to look at him, a faint smile touching his lips. He had experienced a severe decrease in muscle mass - another symptom of the virus - leaving him bedridden.
“Kisuke… you look tired.”
Laughing softly, Urahara moved forward to the side of the bed and placed a hand on Ishida’s head. “Don’t worry about me - you’re the one who’s sick.”
“Have you figured it out?” Ishida asked.
Urahara dropped his hand back to his side and shook his head slightly.
“But...” The expression on the man’s face caused a frown to settle on Ishida’s. “Kisuke, what is going on?”
“… Mayuri is behind all of this,” Urahara replied, pulling over a chair. “Uryuu, that virus that spread through the Ishida community when you were young - the cure Ryuuken got for both of you wasn’t really a cure. All it did was suppress the virus until you were vulnerable enough to have it triggered again.”
“So, you’re telling me that that’s what I have right now,” Ishida said. He inhaled slowly when Urahara nodded. “Then what’s going to happen to me? Kisuke, everyone in my family died. Is that-”
“Uryuu,” Urahara said soothingly. “I swear I am not going to let you die. I’ve tried my best to find a cure on my own but I haven’t had any luck, just like the last time there was an epidemic. But…” He paused to take a breath. “Mayuri has proposed a deal in return for the cure.”
“What is it?”
“There are two parts. One is that I give up my claim on MOD.”
“You’ll do it, won’t you?” Ishida asked, an uneasy feeling creeping into his stomach. Mayuri had doubted that Urahara would do such a thing, but Urahara had told him that he no longer wanted the company. Which one was true?
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?!” He felt his chest began to ache at the outburst, but he ignored it. “I can’t believe you actually have to question such a thing. This is my life, Kisuke.”
“You think I don’t understand that?” Urahara said angrily. Too many sleepless nights coupled with constant stress had made his temper short. “To give Mayuri full control of MOD would be a dangerous thing to do.”
“He’s had full control ever since you left,” Ishida replied coldly.
Urahara moved away from the bed to pace back and forth, his lips pressed together tightly. “You don’t understand. Your father would understand.”
“My father? Don’t you dare bring his opinion into this. He has nothing to do with whether you would give up MOD in exchange for my life or not.”
“Listen to me,” Urahara said firmly, stopping his pacing. “MOD used to be my company - the company I created - and for that reason, yes, it means a lot to me. If Mayuri gained complete legal control, he could do whatever he wanted without the fear of me popping by to try and stop him, but I know I told you that I had no desire to have it back.” He turned to gaze at Ishida. “And even though it is much harder to follow through on things when the decision becomes real, I don’t plan on breaking my word about that. If the deal was only that, you would be receiving treatment as we speak.”
“Then what is this other half of the deal that’s making you think twice about my life?” Ishida asked, glaring at the man watching him.
Urahara opened his mouth then closed it with a sigh, his expression growing troubled again. “I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I know if I tell you, you won’t want me to accept the deal.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Ishida said, pausing to cough sharply. The ache in his chest grew stronger, making it difficult for him to breathe.
Urahara frowned over at him. “Uryuu, you have to stay calm.”
“How can I be calm?! I don’t know how you can hesitate in a case like this, where if you don’t get the treatment, someone you care about will die, nor do I understand what could possibly make me not want you to-”
Ishida suddenly broke off into a fit of coughing, hands pressed against his mouth as he curled up onto his side. Urahara rushed forward and cursed when he caught sight of the blood dribbling between the boy’s fingers onto the sheets and floor. Quickly slamming his hand on the emergency button by the bed, he reached out to steady Ishida, hands pressed against bony shoulders. The monitoring machines in the room screamed their alarm.
“Uryuu, stay calm!” Urahara called out desperately.
Isshin and a group of nurses rushed into the room a few moments later, delayed slightly from having to suit up. Urahara drifted back to let them work, eyes dark as he watched Ishida still cough blood onto the bed. Without another word, he turned and left to remove his suit, pressing his forehead against the wall once the head cover was detached.
Not again, Urahara thought fiercely. Damnit, not again! This is just like before…
Breathing deeply, he straightened and glanced back through the glass-paned doors at the nurses struggling to stabilize Ishida’s condition. In the next instant, the body suit had been removed and Urahara was headed for the stairs - the elevator would take too long. He moved quickly down the flights and out onto the ground level floor, weaving through patients and doctors to step outside. Cell phone already in hand, he pressed the button to dial.
Urahara had had enough. It was far too dangerous to let this go on any further, not when a life was at stake. He had thought about the offer long enough and now was the time to follow through.
The ringing stopped with a click. “Hello?”
“Yoruichi-san, I need you to come here.”
“What? Kisuke, what’s wrong? Did something happen with Ishida?”
Closing his eyes, Urahara replied calmly, “I need you to write up a contract for me.”
~~~
Urahara wandered out from the spare office, leaving Yoruichi to finish the details of the contract.
Upon hearing the requirements set by Mayuri, Yoruichi had tried to change his mind. Urahara had refused. He had assured her that everything would be fine as long as they had the contract completed and signed soon; preferably, that night. He had insisted upon a specific wording for one of the conditions which had elicited a scrutinizing frown from Yoruichi.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” was all she had said after that.
Urahara made his way back towards Ishida’s room and looked up when he arrived to see Isshin waiting by the door. Walking over, he leaned on the wall beside him, turning his head to glance through the window at the figure on the bed.
“How is he?”
“Stable,” said Isshin. He paused then asked, “Are you giving up?”
Urahara had informed him of Mayuri’s deal earlier in the week when the doctor had stopped by the lab.
“I’m not giving up,” Urahara noted. “I’m taking the only option I have.”
“Well, I’ll trust you know what you’re getting into. You always knew how to make things go your way, no matter what the situation.”
“Are you sure about that? I’m not so sure myself,” Urahara said with a smirk.
Slapping a hand on the man’s shoulder, Isshin moved to leave with a wide grin. “Have I ever been wrong?” Nodding his head in the direction of the room, his grin faded. “Ishida was in a lot of pain so we gave him an analgesic. He’ll be extremely drowsy and I don’t expect him to stay awake much longer.”
“Thank you, Isshin.”
“Good luck, Kisuke.”
The suit rustled with every step as Urahara entered the room. The floor had been cleaned, the sheets had been changed, and Ishida now wore an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth. He looked to be asleep but wearily opened his eyes as Urahara approached.
“Kisuke, I’m sorry,” Ishida said softly. He was so tired that he could barely keep his eyes open. “That wasn’t fair of me earlier - you were only trying to help. I’m such a horrible person…”
“No, you’re not,” Urahara murmured. “You were right to be upset.”
“But I never even got a chance to say I was sorry for lying about seeing Mayuri, especially after I got so angry at you for hiding things from me.” He closed his eyes with a sigh. “I’m such a hypocrite.”
“To tell you the truth, I was more worried than angry that you went by yourself.” Urahara paused to continue in a slightly amused tone. “And it seems with good reason.”
Ishida let out a small laugh before opening his eyes, appearing to wake up slightly more. “Oh - I still haven’t given you your birthday present. I think the nurses have been keeping it safe. … I ruined your birthday too, didn’t I?”
Shaking his head, Urahara smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re still alive.”
An odd silence filled the room, twisting Ishida’s stomach with anxiety. Something was wrong but he couldn’t think properly to try and figure out what it was. Fighting to stay awake, he almost didn’t hear Urahara start speaking again.
“… you know, the first time I met you, you seemed so lost and alone even though you were surrounded by people,” Urahara mused quietly. “During our time together, I’ve seen you change. You had your friends before but I’m not sure you ever fully accepted them until a few months into our relationship. I’d like to take credit for it but I think you did it yourself - you just finally realized how important they were. But I do believe I helped give you some confidence.”
Ishida found he couldn’t speak, could only listen, feeling the dread in his stomach build up with every word. Something was terribly wrong.
“When I bumped into you at the restaurant, I remember being certain that you would be trouble for me - it appears that I was right. But I don’t regret it.” Urahara wandered away from the bedside to sit against the window ledge, the blinds rattling as they were pushed together. “On our first date - do you remember? - I asked about your family and you told me that all your known relatives were dead. I had thought that they had somehow been involved with the epidemic I failed to stop and well, I was close.” He smiled faintly. “And then when we visited the aquarium I noticed that you looked nearly identical to a former employee of mine who had wanted to become vice president. Those should have been my signs to stop and leave you alone before anything serious happened but I was too involved by that point. I don’t think I could have stopped even if I tried.”
Urahara’s face grew somber and he lifted his eyes to Ishida’s which were staring back at him, wide with worry.
“I’m sorry for any unhappiness I’ve caused you: past and present.”
“… and future? What about that, Kisuke?” Ishida asked, his voice strained as he finally found his ability to speak again. “Why are you telling me all this? Why do you sound like this is the end? What is going on?”
“The second part of Mayuri’s deal,” Urahara said quietly. “In exchange for your treatment, along with yielding any claim over MOD, I am expected to return to MOD and work under his direction.”
Ishida felt like his heart had stopped. “No - what? No, Kisuke-”
“I told you you wouldn’t like it.” Urahara offered him an almost apologetic smile.
“Because you’ll be a prisoner!” Ishida cried out softly, struggling to sit up and failing due to the combined effect of his earlier muscle loss and the current painkillers which were making it increasingly difficult to stay conscious. “You’ll end up like the man I saw - Mayuri won’t just let you work in peace, you’ll become one of his experiments.”
“I know that,” Urahara replied. “But it doesn’t matter as long as you get that treatment.”
“No. No. Kisuke, promise me you won’t agree to that deal. I won’t have you dying for me - how am I supposed to live that way? You can find the cure yourself, can’t you…?” Ishida trailed off wearily. “Please, promise me…”
Urahara stood from his window seat and silently walked over to the bed. Without a word, he reached up to remove the head cover of his suit, causing Ishida to frown.
“What are you doing? You’ll get sick…”
“It doesn’t matter any more.”
Carefully pulling away Ishida’s oxygen mask, Urahara leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was gentle, it was sweet, and it was utterly heartbreaking.
It was goodbye.
Urahara stepped back after replacing the mask onto Ishida’s face and stared at him solemnly for a moment before turning to leave.
“Kisuke, no…” Ishida called out softly.
The doors slid shut behind him as he exited the room.
~~~
Urahara sat in the hospital admitting area, waiting for Yoruichi to finish and come down. On his lap sat the box he had picked up from the nurse’s station which held his belated birthday present. He carefully opened it and pushed aside the coloured tissue paper.
Inside sat a carefully crafted bucket hat much like the one he currently wore; only this one was composed of green and white stripes.
A smile curled his lips as he set it onto his head - a perfect fit - to replace the old black one he had worn for over fifteen years.
Yoruichi arrived then, her eyes curving in amusement as she stopped in front of him.
“New hat?”
“A belated present.”
“It’s better than the other one,” she said. Amusement fading, Yoruichi sighed as she looked him over. “Are you ready?”
Urahara stood and flashed a grin at her. “Let’s go.”
~~~
Ryuuken stood outside, cigarette in hand, taking a short break from his duties. He almost scowled when he noticed Isshin walking over to join him, hands stuffed into his pockets.
“Hey there, Ishida-san!”
“Aren’t you supposed to be doing something?” Ryuuken asked flatly.
“I could ask the same thing of you,” Isshin said with a grin. “There’s nothing wrong with taking a break, is there?”
“Hn.” Smoke curled into the air as the other doctor exhaled.
“Smoking’s bad for you, you know. It even says so on the box.” Isshin reached out to snatch the package of cigarette’s from the man’s hand, earning him a startled noise out of the doctor.
“Kurosaki, what do you think you’re-”
“See? Right here! ‘Since smoking might injure your health, let’s be careful not to smoke too much.’ You have to be careful, Ishida-san~!”
“You’re being an idiot. Give those back-” Ryuuken abruptly stopped as he caught sight of Yoruichi and Urahara exiting the hospital.
Isshin followed his gaze and straightened, tossing the box from hand to hand. “He’s going to accept Mayuri’s deal.” With a sly smile, he threw the cigarette box at the other man who caught it by reflex. “Look’s like you won’t have to sneak around the labs doing Kisuke’s work any more. Does this mean I can stop being your lookout? I’m keeping your pager number though.”
With an irritated glare, Ryuuken dropped his cigarette butt and crushed it with the toe of his shoe. “Get back to work,” he snapped before heading inside.
Isshin grinned and sauntered in after him. Ryuuken might have been a stuck-up bastard the majority of the time, but he was a good guy when it mattered.
~~~
It was well past midnight when Urahara returned with a small cooler in his hands. The hospital was mostly empty with a small number of staff around for the overnight shift. He walked past chatting nurses and doctors to the elevators and waited patiently as it rose to the floor with Ishida’s room. The chime rang loudly as the doors opened and Urahara blinked at Ryuuken who leaned against the wall opposite the elevator, waiting.
“So you made your sacrifice,” said Ryuuken, eyes flickering to the cooler.
“I did. I take it Isshin informed you of the circumstances involved with my deal?” Urahara asked, stepping off and turning to move down the hallway.
The hospital director fell into step beside him with an affirmative noise. “Is it worth it?”
“Well, how about you?” Urahara sent him a smirk. “Was it worth it to do all those tests for me?” At Ryuuken’s glare, he laughed. “It wasn’t very hard to guess.”
“See if I’ll ever help you again.”
“In all seriousness, Ryuuken… thank you,” Urahara said quietly.
Ryuuken looked away and pushed up his glasses. “It was like you said: he’s my son.”
Urahara said nothing more to push him; besides, it was more than enough of an answer.
They stopped outside Ishida’s room and Urahara opened the cooler to pull out two IV bags of clear fluid. He held one out to Ryuuken who frowned in confusion.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“It’s for your scientists to examine and to replicate for you, if needed,” Urahara noted simply.
“Me?”
“There’s a chance you might someday get caught in a situation similar to that of Uryuu’s. The administration of antibiotics would set off the virus so you would need this in reserve, just in case. Luckily, I was informed by Mayuri that this secondary form of the virus isn’t contagious and even though I have no reason to believe him,” Urahara shrugged, “I do. So anyone who has had contact with Uryuu should be fine.”
Ryuuken nodded slightly and reached out to take the bag. “Ah, I see. Thank you.”
There was a short moment of silence as Urahara turned his head to peer through the glass and into Ishida’s dimly lit room. “I apologize for leaving after the epidemic, so long ago. If I had known the consequences, I wouldn’t have acted as such.”
“… it’s in the past,” Ryuuken said slowly. “You were not at fault so I have no reason to blame you.” He turned and started to walk away. “Good luck with everything, Urahara.”
Urahara smiled and entered the room. Lamps illuminated the hospital room gently from the bedside tables, the bright halogen lights overhead having been turned off for comfort. The steady succession of beeps that mimicked every heartbeat was almost too loud in the otherwise silent room. Ishida slept, heavily drugged, and breathed evenly though a little laboured within the oxygen mask. Respiratory failure would be inevitable in a few days, if not less.
Urahara let the door slide closed behind him, forgoing the body suit. He knew he didn’t need it any more. He walked forward quietly, taking care not to make too much noise even though it would be difficult to wake Ishida from his nearly comatose sleep. From one hand dangled the clear plastic bag containing what he had failed to create yet again and had to give up so much in return for… but it was well worth it.
Setting down the cooler, he reached up and hooked the bag onto the empty arm of the IV pole, carefully attaching it to the connector of the current intravenous drip. And then he watched. Pulling up a chair, Urahara placed his hat at the foot of the bed and took up a silent vigil.
Hours passed and the drug dripped slowly at the same pace as Ishida’s heartbeat. Little by little, Urahara noticed that Ishida’s breathing grew quieter, calmer. Releasing a deep breath, he smiled faintly at the sleeping form.
“Well, you’re going to be fine, Uryuu,” he said. “Mayuri appears to have upheld his part of the deal and now it’s time for me to fulfill mine.”
Urahara stood and stepped up to the bed, reaching out a hand to gently smooth back Ishida’s hair.
“… I’m sorry I couldn’t make that promise. You may hate me for it but it was the only way.” He sighed a little as he stared down at the boy. “In the time we’ve been together, I haven’t said this to you nearly enough…”
Urahara leaned forward to press a kiss against the sleeping boy’s forehead, brushing a thumb against a pale cheek as he stepped back.
“I love you, Uryuu.”
He picked up the cooler and removed the item sitting at the bottom: his old black hat. Placing it at the foot of the bed, he plucked up the new hat and stepped towards the door. With a final glance at Ishida’s sleeping form, Urahara set the striped hat onto his head and turned to leave.
“Goodbye.”
A/N: :D :D :D I'm sorry, was that angsty? LOL I have been waiting to post that last scene for the longest time. *bounces* Writing angst brings me so much glee. Did you all like it?! XD
In case you're wondering, that warning on the cigarette pack is actually real in Japan - at least, according to TIME, June 25, 2001. lol I found it in my psychology textbook and was highly amused.
I almost considered posting this tomorrow instead, just so it could match with the 1 year anniversary of this fic's existence but I decided to be nice. It's close enough anyway. XD Happy 1 year, 'Unravelling Threads of Fate'! ♥ You're going to be the first multi-chapter fanfic I've ever completed and I couldn't be prouder.
One chapter left, people. :) You'll be getting a surprise present along with it too!
To Chapter 20
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