She winced as she put the last dressing in place and critically examined her work. Her sensei would be proud she decided. She had put on the bandages correctly, not to tight or to loose, just like she had learned it in class.

Isane sighed anything put proud of this accomplishment. Anybody would be this adept at bandaging if they would get as much training in it as she. She pushed one of her small braids behind her ear and another sigh escaped her mouth as she remembered when she had started to let her hair grow for those braids. Tiredly she rubbed her eyes and looked out of her bedroom window at the moon. For a moment she wished she could be the moon. It would be nice, she mused, being up there and to have no care in the world. Determined she shook her head to dispel that thought. She mustn't think like that she had a responsibility here.

"Just till she graduates and then this nightmare will finally be over," she whispered wistfully.

She clung to this. It was the only thing that helped her through the years. Closing her eyes, she rested her head on the window. Her deep breaths starting to fog the glass and made the outside word seem hazy and unfocused. She was dead tired but the throbbing in her left shoulder and her back wouldn't let her find rest and solace in sleep. The pain killer she took would take some time to alleviate her pain and so Isane could only wait, and hope that he wouldn't come back.

She was 10 when she found out that her family was far from perfect like she always thought, and when her carefree childhood abruptly ended. Red on white. Blue eyes like the sky on a spring morning opened wide in fear. A soft smile on peach colored lips, softly spoken words. Pain and then darkness.

Isane squeezed her eyes tightly shut. Her hearts starts beating rapidly, not even deep breaths seemed to slow it down. She gripped her pajama bottoms with a vice like intensity that would leave her without a doubt with another set of bruises on her thighs, but for her that was the only way she knew to stop herself from remembering things she rather forget. The pain grounded her, it was something she was used to, and on rare occasions, she welcomed the sensation it brought. Welcomed the numbness and tiredness that followed and the knowledge that there would be no recollecting of the past that night.

She took another couple of deep breaths and her heartbeat slowed once again down to its usual rhythm. Isane let go of her thighs and sighed in appreciation at the warm feeling that started spreading through her body. The pain killer finally worked its magic. Now she could rest.

Isane put the unused bandages back into the first aid kit and slowly as to not jar her wounds got off the bed. She walked the short distance to her wardrobe and got on her knees to open the bottom drawer to put the kit in its usual place. Straightening again she had to put a steadying hand on the wood of her closet as not to fall over as she suddenly felt a bone deep weariness. With her last strength she stumbled back to her bed and fell on the cool sheets. She struggled a moment with putting the comforter over her body but in the end succeeded and after closing her eyes she immediately fell in a deep, thankfully, dreamless slumber.

"Are you alright, Isane? You look a little pale."

Isane spun around to face the speaker, whirling her braids left and right, a light blush formed on her face. She lowered her head in embarrassment. The soft and gentle voice of her Sensei always had this effect on her.

"No Sensei everything is alright, I just didn't sleep well last night that's all."

Unohana Retsu watched her favorite pupil with a frown. Isane didn't look her in the eyes, that wasn't something out of the ordinary and cause for worry then Isane, as Retsu knew, was very shy but the way she seemed exceptionally skittish today and the dark bags under her eyes had her concerned.

"You know you can talk with me about anything. You know that right?" Retsu said in her quiet melodic voice.

A small grateful smile formed on Isane's lips but it only lasted a moment. She knew that what her Sensei said was true and that she could rely on her, but there were things she didn't want to burden anyone with, at least her sensei.

"Arigatou, but I am alright. Nothing a good night's sleep couldn't cure."

Retsu watched her for a moment intently then she sighed softly. If Isane didn't want to confine her in she wouldn't force her.

"Okay, then lets finish up here and get something to eat before we go to the hospital. OK?"

Isane nodded her head, glad that her Sensei didn't press the issue. Together they collected the books that were scattered in the lecture room and put them back in the cupboard were they belonged. Retsu watched with a small smile on her face as Isane put the last of the books away and wiped her hands on her jeans. The girl always stayed behind after class to help with this small task and was also otherwise quiet helpful. Retsu remembered quiet fondly their first encounter 2 years ago.

Slowly, as not to get her pile of medical books to topple, Retsu walked through the corridors to the faculty room. The new term had started today and she had just finished her first lecture with the freshmen students. Quiet opposite from what she expected she was looking forward to this term, as it was her first term of teaching. Originally she just wanted to get her medical degree and then work in a hospital but her former sensei convinced her otherwise. He firmly believed that she would make an exceptional teacher because of her gentle nature and great patience and that she would come to like teaching. She would never have said yes if her sensei hadn't worked his connections so she still could do her residency at the local hospital. And now after finishing her first lecture she had to confess she did had fun.

A body suddenly collided with her, jolting her out of her reverie and before she could fully comprehend what happened she laid on her back with someone on top of her. For a moment she just laid unmoving on the floor and tried to assess the amount of damage done to her body. Her head ached painfully as did her back and the only thing she saw were black dots that danced before her eyes but aside of that she was unharmed. She felt the body on top of her move and she looked down at her assailant. The first thing she saw were lavender colored hair which looked quiet soft to the touch, but before she could test this ascertainment the person the hair belongs to lifted her head and Retsu starred into beautiful light blue-gray colored eyes in which she saw so much compassion that it nearly overwhelmed her. Never before had a pair of eyes captured her and held her captive like the ones now. Retsu thought she could look into this person's soul through them, but then the person closed those orbs and when they were opened again they had a guarded quality to them.

"Are you alright? Gomen I didn't watch were I was walking."

The softly spoken words shattered the trance that Retsu was in and for a moment she wasn't even sure that the words belonged to a human being and not to the wind so quiet were they uttered. The girl, and Retsu knew it was a girl, because how could she not with what there position was, had soft features her lavender colored hair was cut tomboyish short with the exception of some small braids adorned with pearls and feathers, which were currently laying on Retsu's breasts. She also had, to Retsu's surprise, a split lip and a black eye. Why hadn't she noticed this sooner? Was she this captivated by the girl's eyes? Retsu lifted her right hand and with her fingers lightly touched the girls lip.

"I should ask you that question it seems."

The girl flinched and shied away from the touch averting her eyes in the process. No one spoke resulting in an awkward silence. Retsu looked around as much as her current position allowed. They were surrounded by the books she carried prior to the collision. Seeing them brought her back to reality. She couldn't just stay here she had things to do.

"Would you be so kind and let me get back up? I have to be at work soon."

Her assailant looked confused at her again and she wiggled her body a bit to demonstrate that she was trapped. Retsu had to smile at the way the girls face flushed beet red after noticing their compromising situation. She hastily backed away and sprung to her feet, extending her hand to Retsu.

"Oh my god I am so sorry, I didn't notice. Here let me help you."

Retsu took the hand gratefully and with surprising strength was pulled to her feet. Nearly toppling over again hadn't it been for the hand that clasped her arm to steady her.

"It's alright, no harm done. You are pretty strong."

The girl blushed again and let go off her arm. Retsu smiled at that. 'That girl is really painfully shy.' She bent down to start collecting her books, reminding herself that she was in a hurry. At once the girl sprung into action helping her at which Retsu had to smile. Again. 'She seems to be able to do that to me pretty easily.' After stacking the books again the girl effortlessly took the pack and stood up again.

"I will carry them for you. That's the least I could do after the trouble I put you through," she hesitantly said.

Retsu nodded grateful for the help and showed the girl in which direction to go. Wordlessly they started their short trek to the faculty room. Standing before the door Retsu took the books from the silent girl.

"Arigato, that was very nice of you."

To Retsu's amusement the girl blushed again quiet adorably.

"If you don't mind me asking, but are you a student here?"

"Hai, I am a freshman and my name is Kotetsu Isane. My first lecture is today, but I am a bit lost. Could you possible help me find the room in which Unohana Retsu-Sensei teaches?"

Retsu couldn't stop herself from laughing. What were the odds? This adorable girl was one of her students. The girl tilted her head slightly to the right and watched her confused.

"I am sorry I am not laughing at you, Isane-san, but at the situation. You see I am Unohana Retsu and the lecture you spoke off actually ended a short while ago."

Isane had looked at her shocked; her face went completely red from embarrassment which caused Retsu to laugh harder. That was their first meeting but in no way their last.

'I am glad that I asked her out for a coffee as a thank you that day. Befriending Isane was a good thing. For her and also for me.' A hand was waved before her eyes and brought her back to the here and now.

"Are you alright Sensei? I was calling you a couple of times?"

Retsu looked to her left were Isane stood, watching her closely with concerned eyes. Retsu still marveled at those mysterious blue-grey orbs, which always showed Isane's feelings so clear and seemed to subtly change color accordingly to her emotions. She took the girls hand and squeezed it, watching amused at the light blush forming on her face. Isane still got easily flustered but at least she didn't turn as red as a lobster anymore when she touched her. Strange it seemed only she got that reaction.

"Sorry, I was just thinking. Come on lets go eat."

Isane nodded not questioning her Sensei and followed her out of the lecture hall.