Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Drawn to the Rhythm (The Easiest Thing ) ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer

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

 

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Author's Note(s)

Arigato to my beta, Megami-Kitty… OMFG *bows, head to the floor!*

Big push forward in the plot. Last chapter was intended to satisfy those who wanted more smut; this one is finally moving the story forward for those who feel it's dragging.

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Chapter Edit History

Nothing yet, just wait! Oh, maybe not… I finally got a beta... WOOT!

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Chapter Summary

Orihime meets up with Chizuru, Tatsuki performs a high level Quincy technique without effort or training, Uryuu discovers something liberating about his powers and as a result wonders just how closely tied he is to Tatsuki, Uryuu also figures out what's making Orihime unstable, Shiori and Ryuuken drop by unexpectedly, Turbulent family reunion, and Many secrets of the Quincy cross are revealed

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CHAPTER 15

 

 

…“Ok Hime-chan, Renji is here and Chizuru is here. Who do you want to see first?”

 

 

“Ury-kun, my tummy hurts.” Orihime knew what he was going to say. “I can't make it go away either.” She whined in discomfort.

 

 

`Huh?' Uryuu was a bit taken back as he watched Orihime suddenly wrap her arms around her stomach, and looked up at him with a strained face.

 

 

The buxom princess began to rub circles against her stomach in a futile attempt to lessen the discomfort. “But don't worry Ury-kun, I don't think it was your special Quincy juice.” She smiled sweetly in reassurance. “That was yummy!” Still, her apparent unease clouded her intended enthusiasm.

 

 

Uryuu hitched an eyebrow. `Quincy juice?' Had he not been so concerned by the fact that she had a stomach ache, his male ego would have caused him to smirk proudly at her utterance that she liked the way he tasted.

 

 

“What do you mean Orihime? You can't just heal yourself and fix it?” The Quincy felt a heavy weight in the pit of his stomach as he watched her shake her head. His feeling of unease continued to grow the more he thought about what her seemingly simple `stomach ache' actually meant.

 

 

`If she can't heal herself then that means…' Uryuu really didn't want to admit anything to himself. `Whatever's wrong with her has nothing to do with her human body. She's getting worse!' It was the only thing that made any sense. `She's growing more unstable and I still have no idea how to help her! I don't even know what's wrong.'

 

 

He looked into her soft eyes and cupped her head in the palms of his hands. Uryuu hated that his only options were to ignore the situation or pointlessly discuss it which would only end up upsetting Orihime. Choosing the lesser of two evils, he chose to ignore it until there was a better option. “Hime-chan, I don't know how to fix that.”

 

 

`Maybe seeing people today isn't such a good idea after all.' Uryuu didn't want to chance the possibility of anything upsetting her further, especially since he didn't know what might affect her instability. “You don't have to meet with anyone right now. I can tell them to go away.”

 

 

“I love Ury-kun. Ury-kun takes such good care of me.” Orihime smiled and pensively bit her lip as she looked at her Quincy boy. “No, it's ok. I want to see them.” Even so, the twisted knots of anxiety she felt about taking the next step toward reuniting herself with the day-to-day life she so dearly missed reminded of the first time she rode a roller coaster. “Ury-kun, do you like roller coasters?” She asked as she wrapped her arms around him and drifted into the memory of the first time she'd ridden one.

 

 

`That was a fun day, but Tatsuki-chan was too cranky.' Orihime fondly remembered the day she discovered that she liked dropping out of the sky from high places.

 

 

“I change my mind Tatsuki-chan,” said Orihime shamefully. After two hours of waiting in line out in the hot sun to ride the scariest roller coaster in Japan, fear bested Orihime and she turned to make her final getaway. Much to her disappointment, Orihime didn't get very far before she was yanked back alongside Tatsuki. `Ohhh, nooo! Tatsuki-chan's too clever,' she thought while fumbling with the knot at her waist.

 

 

`Damnit Orihime! Just get on the fucking roller coaster… I know you'll love it!' Tatsuki pulled on the shoelaces she'd daisy chained together in order to tether herself to her best friend, who had a penchant for stopping to look at things without telling anyone and was thus getting left behind all the time. She decided to put an end to the craziness, once and for all. “Like hell you did Orihime! You've changed your mind over a 100 times today, and I'm getting tired of it. Now hurry up and change it again. You've got about a minute to change back into brave Orihime if you want to get on this roller coaster with any dignity!” Orihime had never been on a roller coaster before and her apprehension had been driving Tatsuki nuts all day. But just to make sure there was no possible way for Orihime to misinterpret her meaning, Tatsuki made her intentions perfectly clear. “Otherwise I'm carrying you kicking and screaming!”

 

 

Twelve hours later…

 

 

“Please Orihime, can we leave after this?” Tatsuki desperately wanted to sleep. Orihime had, in her best friend's opinion, abused their friendly tether by jubilantly and mercilessly dragging her through the amusement park all day long. They rode each roller coaster at least twice and the biggest ones three times each. `I've created a monster!' She couldn't help but smile to herself. Orihime was having such a great time. `See Orihime all that worry for nothing!'

 

 

That was definitely a fun day! `I wonder if Ury-kun would go with me. I want to hold Ury-kun's hand on a roller coaster.' She thought to herself as the memory came to an end.

 

 

`What an odd question,' he thought as he held her close. “Hai, but I've only been on one, when I was younger.” He kissed the top of her head and idly rubbed her back. Even as he responded, he couldn't stop thinking about her stomach ache. “Why do you ask?”

 

 

“Nothing important Ury-kun.” She nuzzled against his shirt and took solace in his confidence. `Ury-kun loves me. If Ury-kun's not worried about my belly, then I shouldn't worry either.' It was all she needed to convince herself. Orihime let out a deep breath. “Ok, I want to see Chizuru-chan please,” she `Eeeped' in surprise when he smacked her ass lightly on his way to the door.

 

 

“You're the boss Hime-chan.” He looked back at her playfully.

 

 

The moment his hand touched the doorknob, Uryuu's facial expression shifted to its normal look of perpetual annoyance which caused Orihime giggle.

 

 

“Honshoo Chizuru.” He looked at her with disinterest and motioned for both her and Tatsuki to come in before turning his attention to the hippie-clad Renji.

 

 

“Oi Renji, can you come back later?” Uryuu inquired.

 

 

“Nah, I'll just sit out here and take a nap. Does that work?” Renji watched the Quincy nod and disappear once the girls slipped past him. `Hmph! Still has an arrogant stick up his ass. Oh well, so much for Orihime getting him to loosen up!' His face furrowed in thought after his friends disappeared behind the closed door. `Ishida Uryuu, what happened to you man?' He stared at the apartment door for a moment before finally settling to rest. `Arrogant or not, that's not the same guy I went to Las Noches with.'

 

 

Chizuru stood patiently on the front porch waiting for Orihime to finish re-dressing her anti-social beau. She just couldn't get her mind out of the gutter, but then again it wasn't like she was trying too. `I wonder what sex is like between those two. What if it's just lame vanilla-style missionary? Ugh how boring!'

 

 

But somehow she knew that if they probably weren't into the crazy stuff yet, they would be. `Orihime's way too shy and proper in public and those kinds of girls are usually pretty wild behind closed doors. Especially someone as uh… well… special as my Hime.' Chizuru's mind rapidly cycled between visions of Orihime running around naked, visions of the girl jumping all over the furniture while letting her glorious chest bounce freely, and she even had visions of the girl strapping a harness to Uryuu and riding him around like a horse. She could easily loose track of time and entertain herself for hours. It was all to exciting for the renowned pervert.

 

 

“Giddyup!” Chizuru shouted loudly! Though her outburst was unintentional, she still really-really wanted to go play. She turned to waggle her eye brows suggestively at Tatsuki who just flashed a knowing a smile before mouthing the words `insatiable pervert.'

 

 

When Uryuu emerged from the door looking just as friendly and approachable as ever, Chizuru pulled herself away from her yummy large breasted perversions. `Oh yeah, this will be about as fun as getting a bikini wax!' she said while rolling her eyes. Still, Chizuru's heart leapt the instant he said her name. She was giddy and worried all at once. She couldn't wait to see her friend. `Orihime… I've missed you. I hope everything is ok.'

 

 

Chizuru just couldn't wait. She started toward the door but stopped when she felt the unfamiliar sensation of Tatsuki taking her hand to hold her back. The impatient red-head was shocked. `Suki-chan? What's gotten into her… I mean really?' First, it was all that stuff from last night; then there was the amazing kiss this morning, followed by the surprising displays of affection in front of Renji; and now, this. `What if someone sees us? What if Ishida and Hime-chan see us?'

 

 

The red-head looked confusedly at their joined hands. She loved the idea that her spikey-haired girl would actually be serious enough about their relationship to actually show signs of affection in front of Orihime. `Why are you so surprising all of a sudden Suki-chan? Did you hit your head really hard this weekend?' With a pained expression, Chizuru looked up at the beautiful face that haunted her dreams. `Tatsuki-love, I know it's Orihime you really want. Why would you let her see?'

 

 

Tatsuki pulled her girl close to utter a gentle reminder. “Remember Pervy-chan, you can't go after Orihime like you usually do… ever again,” she whispered then nibbled briefly on the other girl's ear. “Uryuu's irrational when it comes to her, and I don't want you to get hurt. Besides, Orihime is a little gun shy around people right now.”

 

 

Chizuru nodded to acknowledge her champ's words, and tried to release their hands. She surprised when Tatsuki wouldn't allow it.

 

 

The red-head understood everything the other girl had said. Despite that, Chizuru grew even more confused about their relationship, feelings which were magnified by Tatsuki's uncommon actions and unreserved body language. `Geez! What the hell is with everyone? Uryuu's apparently some half crazed murderous magical archer samurai thing, Suki-chan is acting so amazing and wonderful I'm afraid one of us will disappear at the stroke of midnight, and for the love of Pockey what the hell is up with Orihime?' She winced a bit when she felt a small headache begin to brew up behind her eyes.

 

 

The red-head let her champ lead her into the apartment. Chizuru cautiously made her way her way past the scary and unpleasant looking boy standing at the threshold who was glaring at her in silent warning. `Ugh! Could this be anymore uncomfortable?'

 

 

She thought briefly about congratulating the Handicrafts King. After all, anyone who can land a girl like Orihime deserved a pat on the back for a job well done, even if they did seem like an arrogant prick. Still, the nagging desire to tease him for landing himself in a situation where Orihime had to pull his pants back up for him was just so much more enticing! In the end, she decided to heed her champ's words about him being a little irrational, so she just decided to keep her mouth shut.

 

 

“CHIZURU-CHAN!!!...” Orihime shouted gleefully. She was truly happy to see her friend, and as much as she wanted to spring forward to give the other girl a hug she still wasn't quite confident enough to leave behind the security she felt when she was bundled up in her Quincy cocoon.

 

 

Orihime leaned back into her boy who had taken his rightful place as her personal back rest by standing behind her. She couldn't help but smile brightly at her friend. `Chizuru-chan's so happy to see me.'

 

 

“HIME-CHAN!!!...” Chizuru returned the infectious welcome and leapt toward her friend full force, only to fall flat on her ass when Tatsuki's secure grip on her hand reeled her back.

 

 

Tatsuki shook her head, she saw it coming. `Sometimes I swear she's just like a puppy - cute, playful, and filled with good intentions but completely unable to restrain herself when she gets excited.' She smiled to herself. `I love my crazy puppy.'

 

 

Orihime giggled at the familiar and oddly comforting scene of her best friend bringing down the clingy Hime-charging-red-head. For the first time since she'd been back Orihime felt like she was home. And, to everyone's surprise Orihime bent down to help the subdued girl up from the floor. “I've missed you Chizuru-chan.” She wrapped her arms around her clingy friend, hugging her so hard the girl's face began to turn blue.

 

 

“Tatsuki-chan and Chizuru-chan… ohhhh it's so wonderful!” Orihime squealed delightfully, missing the confused look on Chizuru's face. “Maybe we can be sisters too like Tatsuki-chan and me are going to be. Ohhh and we can both have lots and lots of little Quincy babies!”

 

 

`Huh?!?...' Chizuru's face went blank and a soft nervous giggle found its way out.

 

 

`Huh?!?...' Tatsuki's face twisted in curiosity as she wondered whether Orihime knew exactly what was required in order to make babies.

 

 

`Hah!'… Uryuu was relieved. `Finally I'm not her target!'

 

 

Oblivious to their reactions, Orihime briefly bit the tip of her thumb as resolve settled in. “But that's only if you want to marry Tatsuki-chan, but I really think you should marry her Chizuru-chan. `Coz Tatsuki-chan's wonderful!” Orihime boisterously declared in spite of a blushing Tatsuki, a near shell-shocked Chizuru, and a wonderfully amused Uryuu.

 

 

“Then we'll be sisters too and we can keep each other company while we talk about them and sew Quincy crosses on all of their clothes.” Three individual eyebrows arched as Uryuu, Tatsuki, and Chizuru tried to wrap their minds around the weird thoughts that came so naturally to Orihime.

 

 

Orihime's words spilled unexpectedly and flowed so fast that there was really no time to think. Chizuru felt fatigued just trying to keep up let alone digest anything Orihime was saying. Giant swirls filled her eyes. At this point it was literally a challenge just trying to recall up from down. In fact, the last time she felt like this was when the dentist was gassing her up to remove her wisdom teeth.

 

 

`WHAT THE HELL ORIHIME!' Chizuru screamed in her head. This was definitely the Orihime she knew and loved, but geez! `Marry… Tatsuki? Quincy babies? Sew… what? Huh, she knows? Orihime knows all about me and Suki-chan?'

 

 

Chizuru took a deep breath. She noticed the amused smirk that Ishida tried to hide before turning to see her Suki-chan blush furiously. `That look… Tatsuki-love?' Her knees gave out on her. `She's not objecting to any of it!' she thought as ground seemed to drop from beneath her.

 

 

The girl with no shame, the one who never got embarrassed or flustered had finally met her bane.

 

 

From behind, Tatsuki watched her girl waiver and begin drop. She moved in to catch her so quickly to catch her that it felt as though Chizuru dropped into her waiting arms in slow motion. `What the hell was that?' Her face betrayed her confusion.

 

 

As if he could read her mind, Uryuu declared “Hirenkyaku,” with a knowing confidence. Tatsuki met his gaze. “That speed, it's a Quincy technique. It's called Hirenkyaku,” he explained once more. Uryuu was impressed, jealous, and intrigued all at once. Few Quincy are able to use Hirenkyaku. It took him years of dedicated training to master the technique himself.

 

 

`Whoa,' thought Tatsuki. `That was pretty damn cool. I wonder what other stuff I can do,' she thought while absent mindedly fiddling with the dangling cross on her wrist. `Quincy eh?'

 

 

Tatsuki seemed oblivious to the fact that she'd been constantly fondling the holy relic as if it were a sentimental treasure since she put it on the other night. She even did it in her sleep. Chizuru was the only one who seemed to notice this new habit though. The red-head thought it odd that whenever Tatsuki played with her cross it seemed to have a calming effect on her champ. It was weird, almost as though Tatsuki were petting herself.

 

 

`It's not like there are any books about `How to be a Quincy' in the school library that I can check out to help me learn this stuff,' Tatsuki thought. `Hirenkyaku huh?' She felt charged. So much was going on, but she no longer felt alone or out of sorts with her new life, instead she was eager and excited. `I want to know everything about being Quincy!'

 

 

On the other hand, Uryuu was left wondering if something else was behind her unusual display of power. ``That's not normal. How was that so easy for her?'

 

Uryuu had been so wrapped up in Orihime lately that he'd paid little attention to himself. It wasn't until now, until he watched his untrained twin perform Hirenkyaku with such an effortless ease that he realized something very strange happened with his Quincy powers.

 

 

For as long as he could remember, Uryuu had felt a guttural instinct that always gnawed at him to push and train harder to unlock and master the true potential of his power. He realized now that drive was gone, just disappeared. In a poetic reverie he thought to himself, `I've always felt unnatural, like a caged bird with clipped wings. No matter how hard I tried I could never fly. But all of a sudden it's… it's gone?' The thought of boundless Quincy power marinated.

 

 

With equal parts of shock and wonder her silently gasped. `What am I capable of!?!'

 

 

`How is this even possible?' Uryuu felt a strange sense of rightness and freedom wash over him as realization set in. He was no longer the clipped and caged bird straining to achieve what should come naturally. At first he thought Orihime's more powerful consciousness caused such an extreme occurrence until he remembered that he had felt this way once before. He delved though his mind to try and pinpoint exactly where he was and what he was doing the first time he felt so unrestricted.

 

 

When he found it, Uryuu played and replayed the scene in his head. Each time, he remembered the strangeness he felt when Tatsuki put on her cross for the first time. `That can't be right,' he mused `I thought that was just her wild reiatsu I felt or some other odd source of energy. Why would her cross unlock my powers? Are we really that linked?'

 

 

Uryuu began to contemplate this new piece of information but before he could fully absorb it, another thought raced through his mind. `If this is true, if I am, for whatever reason, more capable than I was before then maybe I can help her.' His unclipped freedom spurred a new hope within him. `Orihime...'

 

 

Saving her was all that mattered. Uryuu was desperate for anything that might help him understand what was happening to her. While the girls around him were busy with their reunion, Uryuu concentrated on Orihime. He tried to remember how he felt in the presence of her more powerful self. `I need to remember that feeling. I need to see the energy that lives inside and all around her more clearly… and for more than just a few seconds. Damnit, I need to see something, anything!'

 

 

As if responding to his silent plea, the strange and all-consuming energy that thrashed about her, the energy he had only been able to see during the brief lapses of in her personality slowly began to shift into focus. And what he saw terrified him.

 

 

`Orihime…' She was like a clogged drain. The energy that she was supposed to keep in balance was passing through her at an alarmingly slow rate. Uryuu recalled what his mother had told them about The Heart and came to the conclusion that the longer she was unable to fulfill her primary function as The Heart by maintaining the balance of nature, the more unbalanced the universe became and thus the greater the clogging mass within her grew. `Shiori-san was right. If something's not done and the balance isn't restored, then everything that The Heart has created, including the entire universe, will cease to exist.

 

 

His heart cried out to her in fear. `I can't lose you.' There was no reason to live without his princess. His knees threatened to give out. It was only his will to keep her smiling that kept him upright. `Hime-chan… you're dying.'

 

 

As he stood quietly watching Orihime's apocalyptic forces of energy dance angrily around her, his thoughts brought him back to his earlier realization that he had achieved a new level of sight and awareness. `No endless hours of training and meditation.' Things he once believed difficult now seem like they might be child's play.

 

 

Uryuu's stare dropped from the brewing cataclysm to his hands. The bland expression on his face hid the many thoughts that seemed to avalanche in his head. `This feeling of control over my power feels inherent, as natural as breathing!'

 

 

His eyes shifted to his twin. `I wonder if it's the same for her too. If it is, she wouldn't even know the difference since her wings were never clipped.'

 

 

Suddenly he resented her terribly for obtaining the full force of her abilities from the get-go, effortlessly. `She never had the need to train her Quincy abilities. She has no Quincy pride!'

 

 

For a Quincy with as much pride as Ishida Uryuu, this was unacceptable. `How the hell will she ever know the pride of the Quincy if it's not something she has to work for?!' He clenched his hands spitefully before reminding himself that this, of all things, was a childish grudge to hold. `We're both victims of the same circumstance, just from different sides of the coin. It's not like she could have controlled any of this. Besides, she's not idle. She has been training her whole life, just like I have. She probably has just as much pride in martial arts.

 

 

An unusual sense of pride befell him. `Yes, just like me!' Once more, Uryuu had to wonder just how similar his sister and him really were. `Arisawa Tatsuki is a warrior who, like me, has dedicated herself to perfection in battle through strength of body and discipline of mind.'

 

 

His anger had dispelled and was replaced with shear determination. `Hai big sister, it's not your fault that you didn't know what you were. Had things been different, we might have even trained together. But I swear on my own pride that you will also know the pride of the Quincy. I'll see to it personally!'

 

 

The sound of Orihime squealing delightfully pulled him from his silent reflections. Uryuu decided that solving the riddles of Tatsuki would have to wait for another day.

 

 

Oddly enough, he felt slightly comforted after throwing those thoughts around in his head. Perhaps his resolve to help his twin bolstered his confidence that somehow he might be able to do something for Orihime after all. Uryuu felt warmth fill his chest. He vowed, `Orihime I swear… I will find a way to save you!'

 

 

“Chizuru-chan and Tatsuki-chan are so cute.” Orihime hugged herself and wiggled around a bit for emphasis. Maybe it was because Orihime was happy that Tatsuki found someone, or probably it was because Chizuru was the only fru-fru girly friend she had, but for some reason Orihime was thrilled. `Chizuru-chan, thank you for being my roller coaster.'

 

 

“Come Chizuru-chan.” Orihime grabbed the other girl's hand and led her off toward the bedroom. “Tell me about school and then you can tell me all about you and Tatsuki-chan. I want to know everything,” she said with a suggestive wink.

 

 

Tatsuki and Uryuu tilted their heads slightly to the side and watched in both fear and amusement as a jubilant auburn haired girl pulled an utterly flabbergasted red-head into the bedroom and shut the door. In unison the dark haired duo spoke with evident anxiety, “I wonder what they are going to talk about.”

 

 

A pleasant voice off to the side answered their joint rhetorical question. “I think it's apparent don't you? They'll probably talk about the two of you and the sex that neither of you should be having at your age that I can't seem to do anything about.”

 

 

`CRAP CRAP CRAP!' Tatsuki's jaw dropped as she stuttered. “Uh Mom! Heh, uh…, I-I didn't hear you come in.” For a moment she cowered under her mother's blazing glare, then she just froze in place, speechless, as her twin reacted to another presence in the room.

 

 

“You!” Uryuu glared menacingly at his father. `I don't need this right now!' All he wanted to do was to focus on his Hime-chan, and while Shiori-san's knowledge as the Raien Priestess would certainly be useful in his attempt to find some answers, he was certain his father would be anything but. “What do you want Ryuuken?”

 

 

The elder Ishida raised a single eyebrow at his son's insolence. “It's impolite to address me in that manner, Uryuu. You'd be wise to learn some manners.”

 

 

`Ugh, could they be anymore alike!' Shiori just shook her head. She was both proud of and annoyed with at pig headed men in her life.

 

 

“He's here because I asked him to come.” She studied the young faces of her teenaged children. “I went to see him after speaking with you earlier, Uryuu. I needed someone to talk to. Besides, he's your father and he is as much a part of everything that is happening right now as any of us.” Shiori paused momentarily to let her words sink in.

 

 

She then turned to Uryuu. “This is a family matter. He has sacrificed much, and despite your misguided protests, he does deserve your respect.” She waited for her son's snide retort. Somehow, Shiori anticipated that her son would react violently toward her assertions. Though he was too much a man for his age he was still just an angry and naive boy.

 

 

“Is that so Shiori-san? Is that what we are to you? All of us, family?” Clearly Uryuu had little regard for such a word as he spat coldly back at his mother, and all the while he never relinquished the equally icy stare he had on his father.

 

 

“You'll have to forgive me Shiori-san, if I don't share your feelings.” The youngest Quincy was clearly in no mood to put up with anyone as his chilling gaze dropped to his mother. “You would have me show respect in my own home toward those who show none for me?” He paused a moment and gauged. “That doesn't seem right, does it Shiori-san? Or is it respectful to intrude on the personal matters of others and invite unwelcomed guests into someone else's home?”

 

 

Tatsuki stood quietly the through stubborn and scornful exchange. The girl couldn't ever imagine having such a hostile relationship with her mother like the one her brother and estranged father seemed to have. She glanced at her mother and gasped audibly, but no one paid attention. There was such a suffocating sadness in the elder woman's eyes. `Mom's soooo sad! I've never seen her look like that before.'

 

 

Even the energy she saw around her mother seemed to hang low and move slowly. This morning it was vibrant and lively. This morning she was a beautiful array of warm colors, but now her aura made her seem like an entirely different person. Despite her mother's pleasant voice, her reiatsu did not lie. `I love you Mom, please don't be so sad. She can't possibly be this sad just because these guys are fighting. From what I gather, these baka are always like this.'

 

 

Tatsuki heard a creak behind her. The noise in the living room had caused Orihime and Chizuru to curiously crack the bedroom door just wide enough to poke their cute little heads out, one on top of the other. They looked like cautious, wide-eyed little girls plotting to steal the cookie jar. Tatsuki couldn't help but relax a little and smile at them. They were so absolutely adorable!

 

 

In an effort to spare her two favorite girls any discomfort by including them in this strained little family reunion, Tatsuki silently urged them to go back into the room. `I wonder if I can sneak out of here and go play with them.' She mumbled to herself before resigning to her fate. `Family first, friends second, fun last…grrr! Can I at least get some popcorn while I watch them fight for the coveted position of alpha male?'

 

 

“Uryuu, your insolence and childish arrogance is astounding.” Ryuuken charged across the small living room and lifted his son, pinning him against the wall by his neck. “Truly remarkable to have such arrogance that it's quite impossible for you to see past your own nose.” His calm voice dripped with scorn.

 

 

Uryuu's feet dangled comfortably as a small self-satisfied grin played across his face. “You've grown slow in your old age, Ryuuken. I could have sewn Orihime's wedding dress before you even reached me.” He taunted his father as he watched the elder man's eyes hold steady. Ryuuken had often expressed a disdain for his son's preferred hobby.

 

 

“How many times will you disappoint me, Uryuu?” It almost sounded as if he had actually cared.

 

 

Ryuuken tightened his grip around his youngest son's neck. “If you hate me so much boy, you should have killed me when you had the chance.” Always playing the part of the stoic bastard, Ryuuken's passion was only betrayed by his eyes and even then it wasn't obvious unless you knew what to look for.

 

 

`When I had the chance?' Uryuu watched as the fire sparked to a blaze behind the calculating eyes that belonged to he man he hated so vehemently. Uryuu huffed as he felt his father's forceful grip grab his chin and yank his sight in the direction of the woman he rudely spoke to.

 

 

“Look at her closely Uryuu.” The elder Quincy pulled his arm back slightly then slammed his son's head into the wall. “Look at the woman behind me. She cries when you hurt and prays for your happiness. For the sake of others she suffers endlessly, selflessly… silently without complaint or regret. You are not worthy to be her son.” His gaze shifted between his two surviving children. “I will permit your naive disrespect, but you both will honor your mother!”

 

 

`…Mom?' Tatsuki couldn't believe the scene that played out before her. `What is he talking about?' She'd never heard anyone speak so passionately about her mother. Come to think of it, she'd never even seen her mother involved in any remotely romantic situation. `I forgot, they're still married!' She gasped. `They both spent all this time, nearly my whole life, married to the one they loved without being near one another?' It was unfathomable. `They chose to remain alone and apart rather than to divorce or date or even try to be with anyone else?' It was the most bittersweet thing Tatsuki had ever imagined. `So romantic. So tragic.'

 

 

`You lost your oldest son and spent all this time hiding yourself from your youngest son.' Tatsuki's heart ached for her mother. Despite everything, the woman always made her feel loved, special, and supported. Tatsuki never felt second best to anyone when it came to her mother, even when they fought. `You were always home every night to cook dinner and eat with me.'

 

 

`How did you do all that? How do you even smile in the morning?' Tatsuki felt her very soul cry out in sorrow and regret for her mother. The girl lunged toward the woman and hugged her fiercely. “I'm so sorry Mom. I never knew.” Tatsuki buried her face into her mother's chest when she felt tears start to falls. “You know I love you, right? Right, you know that?”

 

 

Shiori wrapped her arms around her emotion stricken child and hugged her close. She felt the tiny quakes of her daughter's light sobs against her body. “It's ok Tatsuki-chan. You did nothing wrong, baby. You have nothing to apologize for.” She soothingly pet her daughter's wild hair and spoke with a soft and warm tone. “I know you love me baby. I never doubted it.” She kissed the top of Tatsuki's head. “I couldn't have asked for a better daughter Tatsuki-chan. You're the reason I smile in the morning and the reason I'm home every night is to tuck you in.” The elder woman chuckled a bit and tried to lighten her daughter's mood. “Even if you are too big now to be tucked in by your mommy.”

 

 

Tatsuki looked up to find the beautiful woman she called Mom, smiling at her. Her aura glowed brightly, a perfect frame for her gentle beauty. `Mom… you look like an angel.'

 

 

In the special way that only a mother could, Shiori wiped the last of Tatsuki's tears away.

 

 

Wanting nothing more at that moment than to see her daughter smile, and well… perhaps, weasel her way back into tucking someone in at night, Shiori saw a perfect opportunity for both. A sly little smile played across her face as she continued to gently stoke her daughter's head.

 

 

“Although, I do know someone who might appreciate being tucked in at night. As I understand it, Honshoo Chizuru doesn't have a mother so maybe she'll let me tuck her in since you seem to have out grown me.” She watched her daughter's eyes go wide with shock and her mouth move desperately in search of words. `Hah, speechless! Well, at least she's done crying.' Her chest flooded with love and pride. `You really are a good kid Tatsuki-chan, you've always have been. I couldn't be more proud.'

 

 

Tatsuki tried hard to find the words but she really didn't even know where to start or what she wanted to say. The words her mother spoke and the look in the elder woman's face made it difficult. `Is she serious? She's amused by this? I'm amusing her? She can't be serious.' Finally Tatsuki gave up. “You're serious, Mom?”

 

 

Shiori nodded and watched a whole myriad of emotions run across her daughter's face. It was like reading a funny book. “And she's welcome to use the front door, unless she prefers to continue breaking in and entering through the fire escape and your bedroom window.” Shiori could see a thousand questions bursting behind her daughter's eyes.

 

 

“Yes, Tatsuki-chan of course I know.” She shook her head as if to say, `do you really think you're that clever to hide something so big right under my nose?' “I am the Raien Elite; did you think I would not be able to feel her presence in our apartment? Even if I weren't able to see and feel her energy, just how blind did you think I am, kiddo?” Shiori couldn't resist, she pinched her daughter's nose and ruffled her wild hair. “We'll talk about this some more later, ok?”

 

 

Tatsuki gave her mother a big smile and another emotion racked hug. “Thank you, thank you! You can tuck us in Mom, every night. You can pet me too Mom. I swear I'll never swat your hand ever away again.” She gave her mother one last tight squeeze. “I just want you to be happy Mom, like you've always made me.” Tatsuki had never been more sincere as she dropped her hug and took her mother's hand. “I honestly can't think of anyone more deserving.”

 

 

Ryuuken listened intently but did not turn to watch the emotional exchange between his wife and the daughter he only knew from a distance. Instead, he kept his dangling son firmly against the wall and forced him to continue looking in the direction of his mother and sister. He watched Uryuu intently, the curves of his face as solid and emotionless as a mannequin despite the angry reiatsu that poured out from him, growing more potent by the second.

 

 

Soon, his reiatsu reeked with such disgusting and deep seeded hatred that both women seemed to be thinking the same thing as they turned their attention once again in his direction. `Uryuu, why are you so angry?'

 

 

The angry Quincy wanted them to understand just how unwelcome his father's presence was. `How different would everything have been if she had raised me?' He would never say such a thing to any of them out loud. The arrogant pride that had sustained him all these years would never allow it. He refused to entertain the notion that he really might be just an angry little boy who had gotten the short end of the stick. It was easier just to blame all of his unhappiness on his father.

 

 

“Tell me boy…” Ryuuken watched his son's attention snap back in his direction as he released the choking grasp he'd held. He leaned in so close, that they practically shared the same breath, and spoke in a barely audible voice. “What have you done to earn the esteemed respect you so childishly demand?”

 

 

“Unlike your sister, you do not know the meaning of the word respect.” The elder Quincy took a step back and held his hand out a short distance, palm side up. “Uryuu…” His eyes penetrated right through to his son's very soul “… today I will break you.”

 

 

A terrifying chill shot through Uryuu's body. His father had wished death and suffering upon him before. The man had rejoiced in his pain. But he had never, ever, caused chills of terror to ripple through him like this before. `What does he mean? What is he going to do?' In the end, he admitted to himself that his bravado toward his father had always been false. Deep within him, Uryuu had always feared his father. He'd never been able to beat him.

 

 

Blue particles of energy begin to gather in the palm of the senior Quincy as he watched the shocked expressions form on his the faces of his children. “You should not be so surprised,” he said as he placed his own Quincy cross on top of the twin crosses that had suddenly materialized and now rested securely in his grasp.

 

 

Uryuu and Tatsuki felt vulnerable. Instinctively and in complete disbelief, they rubbed at their naked left wrists. `My cross!'

 

 

Tatsuki took a few steps closer and gasped audibly while Uryuu simply held his breath. Instantly, they began to mourn the absence of their respective crosses and with it the strange yet calming second heart beat that they felt when joined with their holy relics. This peculiar pulse was something Uryuu had gotten accustomed to since he had received his Quincy powers. He was sure that no Quincy could fathom being separated from their cross. The artifact felt almost like a soul mate. As a matter of fact, if one were to cast a doubt on the veracity of his theories, then a single glance at his twin would be enough for it to be dispelled. Uryuu was certain that Tatsuki mirrored his own anguish.

 

 

“Who do you think made your Quincy crosses? You may be their master but I am their creator.” Their mouths gapped in sickening disbelief as they watched Ryuuken snap his own Quincy cross in half. Confusion and disgust etched the twin's faces while they studied the broken relic and watched it cry tiny droplets of blood and energy. For the first time they realized, the crosses were alive. They watched in morbid fascination as their father's cross wept while its life was slowly forfeit. They could each feel its excruciating pain and sorrow.

 

 

`ASSHOLE! Sorry excuse for a Quincy!' Uryuu raged silently. `What kind of Quincy would snap his own cross like a cracker?' he thought as his stomach wretched. `Ryuuken you sick bastard! You don't even have the decency to show remorse.'

 

 

“Each Quincy cross is crafted only for the individual it is bound to.” Ryuuken's emotionless tone steadfastly held the attention of his children. He could feel the angry heat radiating from both of them. “Do you know what lives inside a Quincy's cross, boy?” He gnarled toward Uryuu.

 

 

Uryuu looked up and shook his head once.

 

 

Despite the twins nagging desire to be reunited with their crosses and their hankering want to reproach their father for his deplorable actions, they couldn't. Instead they both stood on guard ready to attack should Ryuuken attempt to do the same with what was theirs. Uryuu couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn about the cross. And Tatsuki decided it was best just to follow her brother's lead. Besides, everything that was happening seemed to have nearly frozen them in place. They were mesmerized despite his father's morbid acts.

 

 

The mysteries of the Quincy cross had always fascinated Uryuu; it was somewhat of an obsession that he could never feed.

 

 

“The cross is a living creature with its own soul that changes over time, just as its master does. Though the cross is not the source of a Quincy's power, as many believe it to be, the powers of all Quincy will remain dormant until the cross and its master are physically united for the first time.” As he spoke, Ryuuken watched the blood droplets and spirit energy that bled from his cross trickle downward absorbed by the other two crosses that rested in his palm.

 

 

“Inside each cross lives the truth of its master. That is why it is always changing.” The elder Quincy watched his cross finally disappear. Only his wife knew him well enough to recognize the anguish his sacrifice was causing him while he watched a part of himself fade away.

 

 

Ryuuken turned impassively toward his bewildered daughter. His gaze made Tatsuki feel like an ant blistering under a magnifying glass. “The bond between master and relic is a strong one. Therefore, Arisawa Tatsuki, a Quincy's cross will change even if its master does not wear it.” Even as he directed this explanation to Tatsuki he saw the confusion on both of their young faces.

 

 

“The cross is alive and has a soul of its own,” he reiterated. “The spirit energy of that soul is bound to the spirit energy of its Quincy master from the very moment its young master is conceived. Because of the deep connection between the spirit of the master and the spirit of the cross, together they are referred to as the twin spirits. The physical cross a Quincy wears is merely a metal casing with a blessing placed on it. It's a vessel where the spirit of the cross can dwell; a holy house so to speak, that allows the spirit of the Quincy master and the spirit of the cross to bind together as one.” He motioned for his daughter to come closer before he turned toward the silent woman in the background.

 

 

Shiori quietly nodded. A single tear rolled down her face as she gave him her blessing to continue. Solemnly she dropped her head and closed her eyes, just briefly, in silent lament for her husband's sacrifices, his offerings. Another tear fell, this time for her sadness, for her sacrifice. `This can't be helped. There is no other way.' She looked at her estranged husband. `He hurts… Ken-kun.'

 

 

Shiori willed herself back to the task at hand and moved to stand between her children. She took their hands in hers.

 

 

“Mom?”… Tatsuki inquired. “You're scaring me.”

 

 

Uryuu remained silent. Though unintentional, his sister had spoken for them both.

 

 

“Forgive us.” Shiori's voice was quiet and shaken as she seemed to loose herself in her husband's eyes. `Aishiteru wa… Ken-kun.'

 

 

“Only your crosses know the truths of who you are.” Before the twins could react, andbefore the last syllable left Ryuuken's mouth, he pressed his palms firmly into the foreheads of his children, paralyzing them in place while holding their respective Quincy crosses securely between his hand and their heads.

 

 

In unison, Shiori and Ryuuken chanted, “Twin spirits of these two twins, spirits of twin masters and spirits of twin crosses, obey your creators!”

 

 

Blinding rays of blue light burst forth from the young Quincies foreheads and shone brightly through the cracks of Ryuuken's hand, like visible rays of sunlight that penetrate the fissures of a cloudy sky.

 

 

The light seeped through the cracks of all the windows and all the doors. Not a moment later, three faces looked at the sight before them in fascination and horror.

 

 

“TATSUKI!” Chizuru lunged forward on instinct, but was held back by both Renji and Orihime. Still, she struggled to free herself. “What the hell are you two doing? LET GO OF ME!” She didn't know what was going on. “We need to do something!”

 

 

Orihime desperately wanted to wrap herself around her boy. She somehow knew that this was something that was supposed to happen, and yet she wanted to be with him, and be near him always or for as long as she could. She never wanted him to feel alone.

 

 

Amidst Chizuru's panicked frenzy, she heard a quiet and timid voice behind her.

 

 

“Chizuru-chan, don't be afraid. See, Shiori-san is with them. Shiori-san would never be a part of anything that would hurt Ury-kun and Tatsuki-chan.” She managed a slight smile in an effort to calm her friend who wasn't used to seeing these types of things. “Besides, Chizuru-chan, everything's blue.” Her voice perked up. “They're just being Quincies.”

 

 

Chizuru still felt a burning desire to run toward Tatsuki. It was only when she felt Orihime take her hand that she calmed enough to just stand back and watch.

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END OF CHAPTER, not the end of the story

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Updates seem to be running at 1-2 weeks these days. It depends mostly on work.

 

Thanks to those who continue reading. Please review, I really do rely on the reviews for valuable insight. I fix things and they help me determine certain undefined and future aspects of the story.