Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Drawn to the Rhythm (The Easiest Thing ) ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: saseko

Disclaimer

I don't own Bleach and I am not making any money off of it. Some other lucky bastard is!

Author's Note(s)

Reviews are always appreciated. I'm curious what people think of the story plot.

Please no flames or debates related to the religious contexts

Chapter Edit History

2/13/2008 edited for grammar and spelling, no relevant content changes

2/13/2008 many grammatical changes aimed at making the character dialog easier to read, some spelling fixed, no relevant content changes

Chapter Summary

Everyone that was going to meet at the Urahara shop to talk about Orihime's odd powers is meeting at the IshiHime household instead.

CHAPTER 8

4:00 PM rolled around, the young couple had just enough time to finish up their shower and get dressed before Urahara and Yoruichi arrived with the beautiful Raien Priestess, Arisawa Shiori, who carried several party trays of food. Trailing behind her was her only daughter, a very distracted and unhappy looking Arisawa Tatsuki who. Much to Orihime's delight, Tatsuki, also had her hands full with food and drink.

While Orihime was happy to see her best friend and the yummy looking tiny mountain of food that she carried, Ishida felt a foreboding sense of bleakness about what the rest of the day had in store for the two of them. He watched his girlfriend's face light up when she saw her Tatsuki-chan. He watched her as she ran over to give her a choking strong hug before helping her carry the load in her arms. Orihime was just so wonderful. He wished it were possible for him to never have to take his eyes off of her. Even the soapy unicorn horn she made out of his bangs in the shower was wonderful.

Ishida noticed that Tatsuki seemed withdrawn and sad, `what is she even doing here anyway and why is her mother here?' He looked intently back and fourth between the two Arisawa women as they worked with Orihime in the modest kitchen, eventually he turned to ask, “Urahara-san, is Arisawa-san the person you needed to consult with? And, is it necessary that Tatsuki be here?” He didn't want idle spectators knowing about Orihime's unique predisposition.

“Hai young Ishida, be patient. She'll explain after she's certain Inoue is properly nourished. She's been fussing at me, worried over the poor girl for weeks now.”

Ishida couldn't argue that. He was grateful to Arisawa-san for her kindness; Orihime was in need of sustenance. He watched the hentai shop keeper stare at Yoruichi's unusually visible line of cleavage as she sauntered toward the other girls to snatch up a plate and grab some food. `What the hell happened to her clothes?'

It was as if the renegade Shinigami heard him, “Soi Fong did that.” He motioned toward Yoruichi. “Yoru-chan thinks she's shrinking her laundry on purpose so she'll be more scantily clad. Isn't it delightful?”

“Hmmm, interesting.” Both hentai took a closer look at the purple haired beauty. Everyone knew Yoruichi was an exhibitionist, she liked the attention. Orihime on the other hand only desired his eyes. Ishida couldn't help but feel grateful. He didn't like the idea of others looking at his Hime-chan the way he did.

Uryuu cocked his eyebrow up as if to say `you didn't' when Urahara told him that he'd already sent a thank you card to Soi Fong for her much appreciated efforts. The violet eyed boy took that remark as his queue to start ignoring creepy old Sandal-Hat.

Through the corner of his eye he caught both Arisawa women starring at him, each one seemed lost in their own thoughts. A small chill ran down his spine. `Thank kami Orihime is here! They're creeping me out!' He walked behind his girlfriend and watched with amusement as the pile of food on her plate grew taller and taller. After briefly surveying her fantastic figure he really had to wonder, `where does she put all of that?'

Everyone found a spot in the small living room to settle into. Until yesterday the small apartment had never accommodated more than a single person. Ishida sat down on the floor and leaned against the couch; Orihime claimed her proprietary throne and dropped down right between his legs. After all, who needs a back rest when you have a comfy boy to lean on anyway? His arms secured themselves possessively around her tiny waist which, after taking a quick inventory of her plate, was about to become intimately acquainted with roughly twenty pounds of salmon rice balls with a rich creamy chocolate pudding dipping sauce and a slice of anchovy pizza with, he leaned over her shoulder to get a better look, `with, is that mustard on her pizza?' He ducked to hide his head behind Orihime; he'd hoped no one saw him as he tried to stifle his laughter. He really had to wonder what kind of meals Orihime's brother cooked for her when she was a kid.

Unable to resist the urge, he gently pushed the hair draped the back of her neck over to the side, instinctively her head dropped slightly forward to allow him easier access. He fought back a smile that had her name all over it as he placed an innocent kiss on the back of her neck. Softly he whispered a barely audible, “I love you” into her cute little ear.

She smiled demurely down at her plate then turned to kiss his nose. Once she finished swallowing her mouthful she whispered something to the wonderful boy behind. He promptly hopped up and disappeared into the bedroom. A moment later he returned with the small plastic aquarium that housed Cupid and Psyche. She smiled big at their little family. As soon as her Quincy sat back down and she felt his safe arms wrap her, she leaned back into him contently. She had her boy, her best friend, her baby turtles, and lots of food. Orihime was happy.

They tried to be discrete, but the room was silent and all eyes watched them. It wasn't until Yoruichi elbowed Urahara in the ribs for acting like a grade school student that the silence was broken. He'd passed her a note that said, “he's one pussy-whupped little puppy.”

“Ok, let's het started.” All heads turned to the beautiful Arisawa-san. “It's already late in the day.” She looked at the couple sitting on the floor, “Do you two know why I am here?”

They shook their heads no in unison.

“Ok, I guess we'll start there,” she looked tenderly at Orihime. It was easy to see she cared very much for the girl. “Kisuke and Yoruichi have been keeping me up to date on some of your recent power developments Orihime. I'm sure by now you've figured out on your own that your powers are rather unique and quite strong.”

Orihime silently shook her head, Shiori-san was right. The auburn haired girl had known Shiori-san for as long as she could remember. In fact, she knew her even before she knew her Tatsuki-chan. It felt weird to hear Shiori-san talk about her powers. Even Tatsuki-chan didn't know about her powers until two weeks ago. `Why does Shiori-san know?'

Actually, it was her brother Sora who knew the raven haired priestess. When Orihime was younger her brother would take her to the park to play with the other kids. Every time they went Shiori was always there. She remembered how happy her brother was when talking with the woman. It made Orihime happy too, happy that her brother had such a nice friend. Thinking of her deceased brother made Orihime feel sad, she missed him. `I'll have to talk to Uryuu about moving my stuff,' she felt empty without her brother's picture at her side. She loved him dearly; he always did everything he could to make her happy, he watched over her, and kept her safe. He was kind of like her Ury-kun that way.

“Orihime dear, believe me when I say there is literally no one else in this vast universe that is like you. The fact is there is not much about your origin or your powers that is known at all. The little bit that is known is not documented in any book or scroll. The knowledge has been passed down through generations, over many thousands of years, by word of mouth.” The priestess could clearly see that she had both Orihime and Uryuu's undivided attentions.

The woman fidgeted with her necklace. Something about this evening clearly had her on edge. “The group responsible for making sure that this information survives from one generation to the next is known as the Raien. I am part of that group. I am devoted to the practices and the beliefs of the Raien, some might call me a high priestess of the calling.”

Uryuu was curious. “You make this sound religious. Are you implying that generations of Raien have been guarding information about a girl who isn't even out of high school yet? And, why isn't this knowledge documented? Word of mouth has often proven to distort information.” The elder Arisawa woman smiled softly at him. It was odd really. It almost seemed as if she was proud of him.

“I'll answer your last question first. The rest of those questions will eventually be answered, I promise. Now, this information, information related to Orihime, is preserved through word of mouth simply because it is too dangerous to be trusted to anyone not loyal to the Raien cause. I find that is much easier to leave a paper trail, one that can fall into the wrong hands, if there is paper to begin with. Information about something as special and unique as Orihime's vast powers must be protected against those who would choose to try and exploit her.”

Ishida swore that last statement sounded like a stern warning directed squarely at him. Still he listened intently as the woman continued, “If such a form of exploitation is even possible, the dangers are far greater anyone can imagine.”

He felt Orihime shiver in his arms and tightened his embrace. Uryuu could tell that his special girl didn't like what she was hearing. He knew it scared her.

“Then all of you are Raien?” The Quincy probed? It was a valid question.

“No my boy, not everyone her is devote Raien, just me,” Shiori declared. “Tatsuki has yet to choose her path. And Kisuke and Yoruichi, over the course of many years, have proven themselves both trustworthy and immeasurably valuable to our organization.”

“Ok, so then what do you know about Orihime?” Ishida wanted some answers. He couldn't help Orihime if he didn't know what was going on.

“We know what Orihime is. We know her reason for existing. We know her origin, but we do not know why she is actually here. That is, we know the big picture, but very little detail. Orihime has a unique aura. Since her energy is much more than just spirit energy, it would be incorrect to call her powers and her life force a reiatsu. Now, there are small group of gifted individuals, usually individuals who are offspring to gifted Raien of exceptional spiritual awareness who have an inherent ability, which often remains latent during the younger years of life, to see Orihime's energy. For Orihime, the perms power, energy, and life force are all interchangeable. They are one in the same.”

Orihime and Uryuu both sat up.

“You can see me?” she said.

“What do you mean what Orihime is?” he said.

The priestess nodded, “Yes dear, I've been able to see the full force of your energy, since you were a baby. The woman looked toward her daughter who refused to look at her. Shiori's heart sank. “Tatsuki has always been able to feel your unique energy Orihime dear, but she cannot see you yet. In time she will be able to see you the same way I do. As for your question Uryuu, that's a bit more complicated. I'll explain, but first I apologize I don't mean to patronize either of you. I know that you are both in the top three of your class, but this is important. It's best to make sure we are all on the same page. And please hold your questions till the end.”

“They nodded in unison.”

“This is the basis of the Raien belief system; we like to call it the tale of `The First and The Heart'. I assume your both familiar the general concept of multiple universes. Simply put, there are an infinite number of universes. The Raien believe this basic theory. The Raien are what many would consider an agnostic or pagan group because we do not adhere to the beliefs or teachings of any known dogma, but we do believe that there was a single entity responsible for the creation of this universe and all other universes. We call that entity The First.” She looked back and forth between the two, “you have everything so far?” She watched their affirmative nods.

“Continuing, it is also Raien belief that for each individual universe The First created a single `second in command', so to speak. There is only one `second in command per universe'. This `second in command' is known as both The Right Hand of God and The Heart of the Universe. We prefer The Heart. The reason we choose to call it The Heart is because all the energy of the universe continually flows into and then back out of The Heart, in much the same way a human heart pumps blood. The energy and The Heart are one in the same. The simplest way to describe The Heart is the conscientious sum total of all of the energy that exists in the universe. That energy is directly related to the existence of everything else. The First created the empty universes, but it is The Hearts that built them and constantly maintain them by using their own energy to create and destroy as they wish. The only stipulation is balance. Which is why we are having this meeting in the first place, evenly flowing positive energy is just as important as evenly flowing negative energy. If the balance of energy is disturbed, even the slightest bit, The Heart becomes unstable. If the instability is not corrected, the universe and everything in it, including The Heart will cease to exist and all energy will return to its point of origin, The First.” Shiori could tell her words were causing Orihime discomfort and she could see the whirlwind of questions brewing in Uryuu's eyes.

“So you see The Heart is just as fragile as it is powerful.”

Orihime didn't like any of this, at all. The Raien priestess, the woman she'd loved, trusted, and apparently not known for years was scaring her. She shifted onto her side and wrapped both her arms tightly around Uryuu. Right now, he was the only comfort she had.

Shiori watched the emotions play across the couples faces. Uryuu seemed to want to hurt her for upsetting the sweet girl in his arms, his desire to protect and provide for Orihime pleased her greatly. However, the elder Arisawa in no way enjoyed scaring the sweet girl or even complicating her life, but she had no choice. Orihime's power was not stable, and before the consequences became dire, her balance had to be restored.

Shiori knelt down to match Orihime's eye level, tears began to well up in her own eyes when she looked at the young girl she'd happily call daughter. Orihime was silently crying. “Orihime, do you understand what it is that I am trying to tell you?”

Orihime nodded. “I don't like it Shiori-san. I don't want to be The Heart. I just want to be Orihime.”

She wiped her own tears away and then Orihime's, like any loving mother would. “I know dear. It's a lot to handle, but everyone in the room is here to help. I promise, we'll do what ever we can. Your powers aren't stable Orihime, some part of you knows even better than I do what that could mean.”

Shiori was right, some part of Orihime knew who and what she was. She knew her own importance and the catastrophes that could come from not properly handling the energy that flowed through her.

The older woman hugged Orihime, she wished that she could comfort her, but she knew that was not possible. “Orihime-chan, there's more to tell. Please dear, bare with me tonight, I have faith in both you and in Uryuu, let's work to make tonight the worst of it ok?”

A scared girl nodded and wiped her teary eyes and runny nose on the soft inviting t-shirt the boy beneath her wore. She sincerely hoped that tonight would be the worst of it.

Shiori assumed her previous position. She really didn't want to, but she continued. It was necessary. “The Raien serve as a support system for The Heart. We don't know the origin of this next bit of information, this particular part dates back further than human or Shinigami can track, but for some reason the Raien were made to believe that the Heart occasionally takes a physical form, we call that physical form a vessel. Like gigai to Shinigami. We have no idea why The Heart does this and we have no record of it ever happening, but we still took precautions. If The Heart should take a form that we recognize, for example human form like Orihime, we work in the background to try and keep The Heart from harm, we help provide basic necessities, above all we do what we can - without interfering too much - to help ensure that The Heart remains happy. Those truly devoted to the calling of the Raien choose the welfare of The Heart over all else - our families, our friends, even our very lives. We have tried to do all of this for Orihime. Aside from little things here and there, we've played two major roles in Orihime's life. One is funding. Orihime dear, the money you receive every month is not from estranged relatives, it is from us. You do not have any relatives.”

At this point, the money didn't really surprise Orihime all that much, `What does she mean, I don't have any relatives?' “I do, my brother Sora.” A very uneasy feeling crept through her.

Shiori looked toward the far wall of the room searching for her daughter. She really did love her daughter dearly. Tatsuki wasn't even paying attention, but she really didn't need to. The raven haired karate champ heard everything last night. Even though it was tearing Shiori's heart in two, the kind woman couldn't blame her daughter for being angry with her, for feeling betrayed by her. She hoped that someday Tatsuki would understand.

“Orihime, did you know I had three children?” said the priestess. She watched her surprised, no. “Well, I do, all by the same man, all by Tatsuki's father.”

Orihime poked her head up. It was the first time since Shiori-san began talking that she realized she didn't know where her Tatsuki-chan was. She saw her sitting alone against a corner in back of the room. She'd never seen Tatsuki-chan so sad and hurt before. She didn't like it at all. Somehow she had a feeling that her Tatsuki-chan had only recently learned of the existence of her siblings. Orihime interrupted Shiori and squatted down right in front of her best friend. She smiled big, “Tatsuki-chan come sit with me, pleeeeease.” She held out both her hands to help the spikey haired girl up. Tatsuki was never good at denying Orihime things. She took her friend's hand and walked back over to the front of the couch. Orihime dropped down on the floor right between her two favorite people, her special boy and her best friend. She placed her head on Tatsuki's shoulder and tangled the fingers of one hand with the fingers of her favorite boy, and laced the fingers of her other hand with the fingers of her favorite girl. “Ok, I'm done, sorry I interrupted you Shiori-san.”

Something was clearly on Arisawa-san's mind. For nearly a minute she just sat and starred at the young faces in front of her, one face in particular.

The priestess blushed lightly. “Oh, my, I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to zone out like that. It's been a long day. Ok, where was I? Ah yes, Ryuu, my first born; he passed on not long ago. An accident took him from me.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry Shiori-san, I didn't know. That's horrible.” Orihime's compassion was wholly sincere. She smiled softly at Shiori-san when she was met with a courteous nod of thanks from the gentle woman. “And the other kid?” She genuinely wanted to know. The sweet girl thought it would have been the most wonderful thing to have four Arisawa's in her life because even with though she only had two; she couldn't imagine her life without them. She loved them.

“Yes, the other child.” Everyone could see that Shiori fought back her tears. “He, he is Tatsuki's younger twin brother. He is alive and well, very well.” She choked a bit, “I'm quite proud of him.”

Orihime felt Tatsuki's grip tighten… a lot. Tatsuki was mad! “Why isn't he with you, with Tatsuki?” Orihime was eager to know.

Shiori took a deep breath, why indeed. “Tatsuki's father and I had a disagreement shortly the twins were born. This is not what I wished for my family, for my children.”

A calmly smooth masculine voice caught everyone's attention. “Well that's really putting it too mildly, wouldn't you say Shiori?”

Uryuu knew that voice, he shot to his feet, “Ryuuken, what are doing here!”

“I told you boy, that's no way to address your father. I see you are still crude and unrefined.” Ryuuken scowled and looked as disinterested as always.

“I asked you a question Ryuuken, what are you doing here? If you have no business here then take leave or I'll have you removed.” Ishida hissed at his father. He didn't want to deal with him, not ever and certainly not now!

“Foolish ingrate, I own this building and you are my son, who exactly will be throwing me out?” Ryuuken looked almost amused, “you?”

Uryuu loathed his father. The mere thought of him left a disgusting taste in his mouth. To this day he could never understand why his Sensei always defended him. “Fine, state your business!”

Even though his voice was calm and emotionless, the elder Ishida's gaze seared through the beautiful raven haired priestess, as he smoothly commanded, “Finish your story Shiori. Given recent circumstances, this facade cannot continue.”

Orihime desperately wanted to know what the hell was going on. Tatsuki was silently crying. She wrapped both arms around her friend to calm her. Her special Quincy boy was mad. That alone was enough to make the hairs on the back of her neck stand. Orihime was ready to do battle over him. And Shiori-san, well she still looked on the brink of tears.

Shiori shifted to a more comfortable position in her seat, “Fine Ryuuken,” she softly spat out. The tension between the two was palpable. The woman continued with her story. “My first son followed my path. He dedicated himself to the practices of the Raien. It was his choice. My husband wanted very much for him to live a normal life, a happy simple life, which he could live out in the open safely, without secrets or lies. Instead Ryuu chose the opposite path and was given the most important and honored task a member of the Raien could have. Orihime, dear,” Shiori never thought it would be this hard, “you knew my eldest son as Inoue Sora.”

The room silenced, Orihime's face turned white. She was breathless. Uryuu was worried; he was loosing patience with the guests in his home. Everything Arisawa-san had to say, all of it, it was hurting his Hime-chan. He dropped onto his knees behind Orihime and pulled her in tight, he wanted to say something but what could possibly be said.

Shiori's voice softened, she spoke directly to Orihime. “When you came to us Orihime, you were just a baby. To anyone who could see your energy, you were easy to find. I followed your massive flows and ebbs. It took me two days to get to you. I found in a forested area at the base of Mount Fuji.” Shiori's face held a motherly glow at the special memory. “You were so vulnerable, so cute, so naked, and so alone. The flow of energy around you was undeniable. I knew what you were, so I brought you back to Karakura town. All three of my children adored you. You seemed about the same age as the twins, I named you, I gave you a birthday, an identity, Kisuke forged all your paperwork so the government wouldn't bother us. As far as Japan was concerned you were just another brand new bouncing Japanese orphan who found a nice surrogate home. My son gave you that home. He raised you with the full guidance and support of the Raien.”

He didn't like any of it. Ishida looked around the room and all eyes were on Orihime, `SHE'S NOT ON DISPLAY! HER TORMENT IS NOT FOR YOU TO WATCH!' he screamed in his head. He remembered Orihime telling him how she felt about being on display. He lifted her up bridal style. He nuzzled his face against the top of her head, and glared at their now unwelcome house guests, “stay put!” he commanded before he disappeared behind closed door into the bedroom with his Hime-chan. It was his castle, and he was king, that was his order.

Her mind was blank, was her whole life a lie? She felt strong arms lift her up, she knew who they belongs to, `Ury-kun.' She buried her face in his chest. She hated having everyone look at her, she felt frightened, scared and ashamed. `Thank you Ury-kun, thank you' she silently pled as he carried her away from the greedy eyes of the crowd.

He laid her down on their bed, pressed his forehead against hers to stare into her large beautiful eyes, and he tangled his body with hers. “Hime-chan, he loved you didn't he? He didn't have your blood but he adored you as much as you did him, right? How could he not.” He hated to see her like this, it made his own chest hurt. “Do you think you could you have had a better brother?”

Through soft sniffling cries, “but it was a lie Ury-kun.”

The loving Quincy slipped his hand under the back of her shirt and idly traced random soothing patterns with his nails against her soft skin. “Not all of it was. The best parts weren't a lie, were they?”

“No,” it was the voice of a sad girl.

“Do you think you would have grown up to be the wonderfully sweet and happy girl I love if you had always known who and what you were?” Uryuu dropped and sweet innocent kiss on her lips.

“No,” she said with a little more resolve.

“Do you think he loved you like a sister Orihime?” Ishida rubbed the tip of his nose against hers.

“I know he did Ury-kun.” She cried into him. “I miss my brother!” She felt the loving arms tighten around her. He kept her safe while she cried.

After a few minutes he felt her tears start to subside, “You know, this kind of makes Tatsuki your sister too!” Uryuu said with a slight smirk.

Orihime's mild sniffles continued, “I guess…” It was a nice thought, but not enough to cheer her up.

“You know we have to do this Orihime,” he lost him self in the soft skin of her cheek.

“I know, but I don't have to like it.” She smiled to herself when she felt his soft chuckling rumble against his chest.

“So we'll do what we need to do to make everything right, and then we spend the rest of our lives having fun. What do you say?” `She's so beautiful.' He smiled sweetly at the only thing wonderful enough to make him smile. “I'll be with you for all of it. Remember Hime-chan, you're mine. I'm not budging on that. You're the mother of our turtles; I can't let you get away!” He loved the way she sounded when she laughed. Ishida rolled his full body weight on top of her and wiggled around till she laughed at him some more and called him a hentai wannabe. When she got that naughty little glint back in her eye, he kissed her till her little hands started to roam south.

Orihime glared at him and pouted when he jumped off of her and the bed all together.

“You're insatiable!” He grinned wickedly. “And I love it! But, unfortunately we have company.”

They both frowned. “Ready to go back out?” he asked.

Orihime sighed deeply, “under one condition.”

Uryuu's head cocked to the side and one eyebrow shot up, “and that is?”

Orihime stood straight up on the bed and demanded a taxi service back to the living room in the form of a piggyback ride. Her perfect boy complied easily. He was putty in her hands when she waggled her eyebrows at him and said payment for his services would be rendered later.

The boy and his bouncy passenger headed back out to the living room. They immediately missed the mood and atmosphere of their bedroom. The living room was depressing and dead silent. They reclaimed their seats and politely asked Shiori-san to continue.

Everyone in the room was shocked at how happy Orihime seemed, `what the hell happened in there?' more than one mind questioned.

Shiori sat back down, personally she'd had enough for the night, but there was so much more that needed to be said. Arisawa Shiori really was a woman with a wonderfully huge heart, but she dedicated herself to a calling, and sincere dedication to anything can often come with a high price. She paid dearly, the cost was her family. She took a deep breath and continued, she knew she was about to turn someone else's life upside down, and again it was someone she loved.

Before she could begin speaking again Shiori heard Ishida ask, “why tell us all of this now? Really, is all the family stuff necessary to fix Orihime's power instability?”

It was a good question. Shiori had to wonder what life would be like if the secrets did just continue to build up, even though she was truly tired of them. “I suppose the general answer is simply that I just don't know I just don't know what needs to be done Uryuu. Like I said earlier, we have no prior knowledge or record of The Heart taking a vessel, and given that Orihime has no knowledge that she is a vessel, I have to assume the lack of knowledge is intentional. Regardless, her powers are unstable and dangerous and since we are flying blind I had no choice but to expose her identity in hopes that maybe she could help shed some light on how to fix the problem. It just so happens that the history of her presence here is closely tied to my family.” Shiori paused; she seemed deep in thought for a moment before she continued. “However, I suppose if her powers had remained stable, there would be no reason for explaining anything. All the secrets would remain secrets and she probably would have lived a full life as the wonderful girl we've all grown to love, and all without ever knowing what she really was.”

“Any other questions before I pick up where we left off?” Everything seemed in order to proceed. Shiori made herself comfortable. “When the twins were born it was the same fight between my husband and me. I was, just as I am now, devoted to the purpose of the Raien, and my husband did not want our children to live secret double lives. He did not want the twins to be isolated from the world; he did not want them to live in danger, and to make endless self sacrifices with so little gain. My husband loves all three of our children; he only wanted what he thought was best. He didn't want them to make the same mistakes he thought we made. As a result, we split shortly after the twins first birthday. He took our son and I kept Tatsuki. We agreed to raise them independently. This is why,” she paused briefly, “I know my youngest child only from a distance.” It was clear to everyone in the room that Shiori was forcing herself to finish “the names of my sons are Ishida Ryuu and Ishida Uryuu. Ishida Ryuuken was and still is my husband. We never divorced.”

Ishida's eyes shot open, “What!” He turned to look at his father who was staring avidly at Tatsuki.

“Yes,” the older Quincy said in a tone far too casual for the life changing moment, “and my daughter, Arisawa Tatsuki.” Without lifting his eyes from his estranged daughter he spoke to his estranged son, “Boy, believe it all. Arisawa Shiori is your birth mother and her daughter is your elder fraternal twin sister.”

The speechless Quincy boy shifted his glance toward Tatsuki who was staring at his father, their father, with equal interest.

Tatsuki had never seen Ishida Ryuuken before. She knew of him through the handicrafts king and because the Ishida family hospital sponsored every karate tournament she'd been in, but she had never seen him. Tatsuki wasn't sure if she'd ever forgive her mother, and she had no idea what kind of man her father was, but at least she had the time to find out. Still, no matter what, she would never know her big brother. Tatsuki's attention was diverted from her father to her… twin brother. She turned to look at him but like their father, it was often difficult to determine what Uryuu was thinking or feeling through the expressions on his face.

“You knew?” It was his only question Uryuu had for his new sister, a girl he had gone to school with for literally as far back as he can remember.

“No, no I didn't know. My mother… uh… our mother” it sounded way too weird, “told me late last night.”

Yoruichi and Urahara just watched, occasionally munching on some food. They were a part of this meeting because they were a part of the situation. They were only here for two reasons, one: they needed to know any new developments, and two: Shiori's credibility was better with the kids if they were standing in the corner backing her up. The two of them knew that if they displayed their support, the kids would accept Shiori's words more readily.

The two people Orihime cared about the most had just had their worlds turned upside down. She could feel them, they were hurting. She stood up and latched on to Uryuu's arm with both of hers. She wondered, she hoped, that her close presence calmed him as much as his calmed her.

Orihime watched the closest thing she'd ever had to a mother stare at the boy by her side; she saw longing, love, and so much sadness. Orihime knew Shiori-san did what she thought was best, although she wasn't sure if it was right. Uryuu's words echoed in Orihime's mind, `So we'll do what we need to do to make everything right, and then we spend the rest of our lives having fun, what do you say?' Of everyone in this room Orihime felt that Arisawa-san was hurting the most, had suffered the most, and had lost the most. Unlike Ryuuken, Shiori was a kind, a caring, and a selfless person. She was a devoted, a loving, and a very involved parent. Orihime, apparently, loved all three of Arisawa Shiori's children, each in different and very special ways.

Uryuu's eyes followed Orihime when she left his side. He watched Orihime exchange a few polite words with the Shinigami before Yoruichi gave Orihime a hug and the old friends slipped quietly out of the apartment. His eyes never left her. He was surprised when Orihime went to speak with his father. His mouth nearly fell when he watched his father bow respectfully to her before following the Shinigamis lead and slipping quietly out the door.

Three sets of eyes watched Orihime and her happy smile as she bounded back over to lean into her special boy.

As he wrapped his arms around her warmth, he said what was probably on everyone's mind, “What's going on Orihime?”

“Ury-kun, don't you remember? You said we'll do what we need to do to make everything right, and then we'll spend the rest of our lives having fun. I want to have fun with the people that matter most,” she leaned over to pick up Cupid and Psyche, “and that's everyone in this room.”

A smile tugged at his lips, he didn't always think she had the best ideas, but she was smiling happily and he wanted that to last, “Hai, I remember. So what are we making right?”

Orihime wrapped her arms around him and beamed proudly up at her beautiful boy, curtly and cheerfully she peeped out, “our family! Don't we deserve a happy one?”

The giddy girl turned toward Tatsuki, “and when Ury-kun marries me, we'll be sisters!” Tatsuki and Shiori watched with amusement as both of Uryuu's eyebrows rose in surprise. Despite the tension they had to smile, that's just the effect Orihime had on people.

Finally, Orihime turned to Shiori, “and don't worry, we can fix me later, the universe won't implode that quickly.”

Suddenly Orihime's eyes went wide with bubbly childlike excitement, “ohhh Ury-kun, does this mean that Tatsuki-chan is a Quincy too?”

He thought about that for a minute, “I suppose it does.”

Tatsuki didn't know much about the Quincy. She knew they had powers, they were archers, and they had a penchant for white and blue. She also knew that being a Quincy was something that her long lost twin took insurmountable pride in. Tatsuki looked toward her mother, “is that true?”

Shiori nodded her head, “it is your divine birthright Tatsuki, your brother is right. Though you are untrained, you are a Quincy like your father and both of your brothers. Ryuu denied himself the path of the Quincy in favor of raising Orihime.”

“I'll be right back.” Orihime felt Uryuu kiss the top of her head, she realized he did that every time he had to leave her side, her heart warmed with her small realization, `Ury-kun really does love me so much.' Se couldn't believe how wonderful it felt to feel so secure in such a simple and complete way. She watched him run in the bedroom. A minute later he came out carrying three small elegantly crafted silver boxes. Each decorated proudly with a majestic Quincy cross.

Uryuu took the box on the top and opened it. The inside was lined in the same noble tone of blue as the crosses stitched into all of his clothes. It was the same color and the same type of fabric Uryuu used to make his battle tunics. The name Ishida, U. was sewn into the lining. “When I was five, Sensei, grandfather gave me my Quincy cross,” he pulled his sleeve up to display his cross. “It came in this box. Before he died Sensei gave me these other two boxes and told me to keep them safe. He said they belonged to other Quincy's in the Ishida line. I thought they belonged to relatives that had already passed. The proud Quincy opened the other two boxes and placed them on the table. Each box held a shiny unused Quincy cross. “I think this belongs to you Tatsuki,” he pointed to the box with the name Ishida, T. stitched into it. “If you want, when Orihime is ok, I'd be happy to teach you about your heritage; it is your divine birthright.”

Tears flowed freely down Shiori's face as she watched her children, her precious twins. She never thought this moment would ever possible.

END OF CHAPTER, not the end of the story

Story updates won't always be as fast as they have been. I have had some free time lately.

Thanks to those who continue reading. Please review.Special thanks to JaneDoe01, Marada, and Bastion whose reviewsprovide useful feedbackthat I use to try and improve my creative writing style! You rock!