Terms:
I hate the special characters google uses on some words. So I'll be changing some of the "O" sounds to "OU" sounds because that's how it actually sounds when you say it.
Fulmen Coniveo: Literally "Lightning Blink" in Latin. It's Anna's clan's version of a speed movement.
Umbra Obitus: Literally "Ghost Death" The nickname for Adam, Anna's psycho brother.
74,232 yen = About 900 USD.
Ikimashou: Let's go!
Kuso: Fuck/dammit/shit etc...
Kodachi: A Japanese short sword with the blade only about 20 inches long.
Kunai: Watch Naruto...they're the thing that gets thrown around the most that's not a shuriken.
Sai: Ever played Mortal Kombat? Remember Maleena? Yeah, THOSE things.
Sensei: If you only watch Bleach, you'll notice that they only use this term for teachers. However, in Japan, it is not uncommon to call someone who is a doctor sensei. Another word for doctor is: isha. It'd be a little weird to use Ishida-isha, and Ishida-san is a little disrespectful for someone who's a good enough doctor to run a hospital. Jus' sayin'.
Chapter 2
Directly across from the rec center building was the club activities building, and crouched behind an air conditioning unit on the roof, was Uryuu. He had felt, though it was very low key, Ryuuken's reiatsu on campus. He had followed it until he was sure that his father was atop the recreational center building, and then he decided to investigate further. He positioned himself so that he had a clear view of the roof of the rec center. He made certain to make his reiatsu undetectable, and had positioned himself so that he had no chance of being seen.
Ryuuken stood atop the opposite building still wearing his doctor's coat, underneath he wore an expensive white dress shirt, accompanied by a fashionable tie and likewise expensive slacks. His father presented a very clean and tidy appearance. He's obviously waiting for someone, thought Uryuu, but who?
As if on cue, the door to the rec center's roof swung open, and Uryuu felt a jolt of surprise when he saw his father immediately materialize his bow and knock a reishi arrow in one rapid, fluid motion. Ishida Ryuuken said something to the person on the other side of the door, and much to Uryuu's dismay, the new transfer student LaRell Anlanah stepped out into the fading daylight.
Just what in the world is going on? Uryuu wondered. As he watched, the transfer student sauntered towards his father without fear or hesitation of the weapon pointed at her head. He was too far away, and the wind was carrying their voices in the opposite direction, so their words were lost on him. However, simply watching them, he knew they were familiar with each other. Judging by the look of contempt on his father's face, and the taunting demeanor of the British student, she was cat-calling at Ryuuken.
Uryuu's father said something in response, completely non-plussed by her comment. When the woman responded only with a wicked grin, Ryuuken let loose his arrow. To Uryuu's astonishment, the woman vanished, moving far faster that Uryuu's eyes could hope to follow. What was more, the speed in which she moved was on par with any of the other speed movements that he knew of. But it wasn't Hirenkyaku, Shunpō, Sonida, or Bringer Light. No, her technique was different entirely. The foreign student appeared directly behind Ryuuken, just as fast as she had vanished, a kodachi now at Ryuuken's throat.
Uryuu might not have liked his father very much, but he still tense and had to resist the urge to fly to his aid. Uryuu reminded himself that Ryuuken could handle himself, and if it looked like his throat was about to be slit, he would step in. As it was, the woman made no move to execute such a move, nor did she seem to have any killing intent behind her actions. It was….playful.
Uryuu sat with his jaw hanging open slightly as the tall Brit whispered something into Ryuuken's ear, a mysterious smile on her lips. Ryuuken's eyes widened and he turned his head to face her directly.
What Uryuu saw next, made him nearly die from shock. He turned away rapidly, a bright flush of red suddenly rising in his cheeks. His heart pounded against his chest, threatening to explode, or simply to stop all together.
She kissed him?! Why would she kiss him?!
Feeling like he had just witnessed something he shouldn't have, Uryuu slowly inched away from behind the air-conditioning unit and towards the door to the roof. He had seen more than he had needed, given their interaction just now, he didn't think that she was immediately dangerous. However, the circumstances were bizarre to say the very least. Even in spite of the shock he felt, he still knew that the situation was poor.
Uryuu wasn't so much of an idiot not to notice that the reiatsu from this morning, and the reiatsu he'd felt when LaRell had dodged his father's attack were the same. The new transfer student was showing an interest in Orihime, and Uryuu didn't like that. Before sliding inside the club activities building to exit the roof, Uryuu looked back at his father and LaRell Anlanah, just to make certain that she had not actually opened his throat. Neither one had their weapons drawn any longer and they were standing a comfortable distance apart again. Ryuuken said something to her, and LaRell motioned to the east. Then she was gone again. Shortly after, Ryuuken was gone as well.
For now, thought Uryuu, I will wait. There's a possibility that she means no harm. There's too much circumstantial information now anyway.
But, he seriously doubted that no harm would come.
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As Anna stepped out into the light and her eyes adjusted, she saw Ryuuken, bow drawn, a reishi arrow knocked and aimed directly at her forehead. She smiled mischievously.
"Now, now, Ryuu," she teased. "Is that any way to greet your old friend?" Unperturbed, but with obvious annoyance, Ryuuken kept Anna in his sights.
"Why are you here, Anlanah-san?" He gritted. Anna only smiled widely in response. She noted with amusement as a brief flash of fury and impatience colored Ryuuken's usually cool eyes just before he loosed his arrow at her head. Anlanah used Fulmen Coniveo, what Ryuuken used to call the Trickster's Hirenkyaku to dodge the deadly projectile. She flanked him using the high speed move that rivaled both Shunpō and Sonida, drawing her kodachi. With precision and delicacy, she appeared behind Ryuuken, one arm drawn across his chest, pulling him close, the other with the blade at his neck. She chuckled softly into his ear, feeling the Quincy tense just a tad.
"Touchy, aren't we?" She taunted. "In response to your question, my dear Ryuuken, I am here to exact my revenge." She dropped her voice low, made it into a dangerous whisper, and filled it with venom. Ryuuken's eyes widened. He turned his head abruptly to meet her in the eyes, careful to avoid opening his flesh on her sharp short sword.
Anna grinned like a wolf and immediately took the opportunity to press her lips to Ryuuken's, withdrawing her weapon in unison with her movement. The kiss was plenty chaste, but still enough to make the normally straight and arrow Quincy feel shaken. He shoved her away, his bow vanishing in the disruption of his focus. Anlanah burst into a short gale of impish laughter.
"You are still so much fun!"
Ishida Ryuuken made an audible "tch", and grit his teeth.
"I'm a very busy man with a hospital to run, Anlanah." He hissed." I'll only ask you once more; why are you here?"
Anna immediately narrowed her eyes. The game was over, now it was all business. She shifted her weight to one leg, her curvy hips swung from one side to the other, her arms still hanging loose and relaxed.
"Why do you think I'm here?" She spat. "Or did the years of quiet complacence damage your memory?" Anna paused, watching Ryuuken turn cold again. "Or, maybe, you just wanted to forget about the little mistake you made?" She could feel the angry flux of reiatsu rise at her, but his face never betrayed him. Ryuuken's rage was a cold rage. He ignored her sharp prod into his pride.
"So, the Umbra Obitus escaped from his prison after all, then?" He stated flatly. Ryuuken glanced around cautiously. "We shouldn't have this discussion here."
"I have an apartment to the East of here. Just follow my reiatsu." Anna smiled humorlessly. "It'll be just like old times, again. Playing spiritual hide-and-seek." She used Fulmen Coniveo again to exit the rooftop, leaving Ryuuken with a short laugh.
The elder Ishida uttered a small curse of frustration and took off after her. He followed the reiatsu to a small, one bedroom apartment located less than a mile east of his son's school. He didn't bother to knock, he knew the door would be open and Anna had let out just a flash of her reiatsu to let him know where she was.
"Dammit, Anlanah, I do not have the patience for your games." He hissed at her. Anna rolled her eyes, already barefoot.
"You've always been too serious for your own good, Ryuuken. If you keep on like you do, you'll give yourself an aneurysm." She said in English. "Your precious hospital can wait for a person you haven't seen in 22 years, I assure you, it won't crumble without you." Anna motioned for him to sit at the small table in the living room.
"Sit." She ordered, turning towards the kitchen to dig out a large bottle of sake. "You know, I was hoping that you wouldn't notice me when I came here." She heard a sigh from behind her as the man at her table accepted that he would not be able to get a short answer out of her.
"It's difficult not to notice the Blood Gate opening once you've experienced it before." He replied coolly, switching languages easily.
Anna walked back to the white haired man, sitting down at the table and pouring them both a drink. She smiled slightly, looking him over.
"I like the hair, by the way." She said, taking a sip of the sake. "It gives you an aura of refinement that you didn't have in your youth."
"Anlanah, please, just explain yourself."
"Always the one to press the things I wish to avoid, aren't you?" She sighed, knocked back her drink, and set the empty cup down.
"I need the Inoue girl." She began. "I heard about her abilities from a certain information broker, and I need her to put Adam back into his cage."
Scoffing, Ryuuken replied: "why not just gather your clan and seal him again?"
Anna felt herself stiffen, her brow furrowed in sadness.
"Adam and I are the last, old friend." She said flatly. "I….I didn't feel the seal breaking." She said slowly. "He must have writhed his bloody way out of it without completely destroying it. He killed every last person in the family, except me. Probably wanted to save the best for last, I'm sure."
Ryuuken's expression didn't change and he said nothing. This suited her just fine, Anna had no use for expressions of condolences. She continued.
"If I can lure him back to the site, have Inoue Orihime reverse the wear on the seal to the state it was in when my incantation was disrupted, I can complete it myself."
"So you came to ask for help."
Anna didn't come to ask for help, she came to take it…but she wouldn't be telling him that. No, this little excursion would probably cost the girl her life. But what was one life compared to billions? He watched her closely, waiting for the answer, waiting for a lie.
"Yes, as hard as it is to believe. The great Anlanah LaRell is requesting assistance from a mere child yet again."
"Very well, "Ryuuken hadn't touched the sake, but now, he downed it in one swallow just as she had. "I won't interfere then."
He began to stand from his kneeled position at the table, Anna's hand shot out, quick as a snake's strike, and caught him by the wrist.
"I-I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I'm sure it must have stung, and I made you angry."
Ryuuken's eyes bore into hers, his overly serious face searching hers for any lies, any notions of deception, just as they had as she had told him that she would only be asking for Inoue Orihime's help. She had taught him how to read people, she had taught him strategy, she had taught him calculation. He would never be able to tell if she was lying to him. Of that, she was surer than anything.
There was a long moment of silence as he stared at her, their faces merely inches apart.
"You are still as beautiful as the day I first saw you." He breathed. "You haven't aged a day, have you?"
"Not physically, no." Anna said softly.
Quite suddenly, Ryuuken shifted his hand, so that he grabbed her wrist, and he yanked her towards him, their lips crashing into each other's.
Anna's heart was pounding heavily in her ears. Instinctively, her free hand grabbed his shirt, and she pulled him towards her. The silver-haired man tripped over the table, landing on the other side on top of her. There were no words, and the potentially embarrassing act of tripping was completely ignored as Ryuuken bent down for another kiss. Anna's slim, cool fingers ran through his hair, pulling him in closer, suddenly wishing that she didn't have to breathe.
The older Ishida pulled away, looking down at her, showing her eyes that had only ever been meant for her. As he bent down for another kiss, Anna's finger stopped him, pressed to his lips.
"You, my dear, have a wife to return to." She said quietly.
"No. She passed on many years ago, Anlanah." He said, his face serious, intense.
"Ah, I suppose then, that nothing's stopping us, then, eh?" She replied with a smirk. Her hand grasped his tie and pulled him into another hot, wanton kiss. Fervently her hands started to work at his tie, now loosening it. Once the knot was undone, she tossed his tie off to the side, her fingers moving to the buttons of his shirt next.
Ryuuken's hands slid up her thighs and under her skirt. And as he worked his fingers underneath the band of her panties, Anna's skin suddenly lit up, his hands leaving trails of fire in their wake. He tugged at them, inching them down. Anna arched her hips up, and he slid them down her legs, around her ankles, and tossed them off somewhere. Anna moaned softly, her heartbeat picking up, warmth spreading through her center.
The moment her mouth opened to moan, Ryuuken took the opportunity to invade her mouth with his tongue, groaning hoarsely as she welcomed the intrusion. Anna's hands moved frantically to unbutton his shirt, but there were so damn many, that she got frustrated and made motion to just rip it open. He stopped her hands, breaking the kiss, much to her dissatisfaction.
"74,232 yen shirt, Anlanah." He chided roughly. "Judging by your current dwellings, I don't think you could afford to replace it."
Anna smiled and laughed softly.
"Considering our circumstances, we may not live for it to matter." She replied, that impish glint sparkling in her impossibly blue eyes. "Carpe Diem, I always say."
Ryuuken smiled. Anna felt her heart flutter a little for the first time in decades. Such a rare and precious thing that smile was to her. She could count on one hand how many times she'd seen it in the past. As he moved to finish unbuttoning his shirt, Anna set to work on his belt. Her hands trembled slightly as she did, but her movements were deft none-the-less. Jesus Christ, why did he make her feel so young again?
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
It was Ryuuken's pager. They both froze. Anna's mood was instantly killed. She let her arms slide down, turning her face away, a frustrated sigh escaping her.
Damn, she thought.
Ryuuken leaned back on his knees over her, digging into his pocket to retrieve the source of the interruption. He scowled as he looked at the message.
"It's the hospital. There was a critical accident across town." He looked at her unapologetically. "I have to go."
"Yes, yes, I know." Anna waved her hand, unable to hide her obvious anger. She looked at him when he made no move to get up. "Well? Go! It's your duty to save their lives isn't it?"
Ryuuken stared at her with an unfathomable expression, then he stood, refastening the buttons on his shirt quickly. Anna threw his tie at him, and he caught it without looking, threw it around his neck, and tugged it into a knot again. His hands re-did his belt, and once again, he looked the prim-and-proper doctor he should. Except for his hair, which was just slightly ruffled from Anna's hands. She decided not to say anything about it, it was more entertaining that way. Ryuuken grabbed his doctor's coat and put on his shoes at the door.
Anna pulled her skirt down and sat up lazily, reaching to the pack of cigarettes sitting on the bookshelf against the wall. She pulled one out, and lit it, dropping the lit match into her sake cup. It sizzled as the remaining liquid put out the flame. She took a deep drag, then exhaled.
Ryuuken opened the door, stopping for just a moment, he looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting hers at an angle.
"Oh, and Anlanah," He said coldly, with a murderous glint in his eyes as he switched from English to Japanese again. "If you let any harm come to Uryuu over this debacle, I will kill you."
And with that, Ishida Ryuuken was gone.
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Once Orihime has finished her cleaning duties, she brushed the chalk off of her skirt and turned to face Ichigo. His light teasing from earlier still had her just a little flustered. She scolded herself silently for getting so worked up over something so small. Orihime knew her love for Ichigo was unrequited. However, she'd always felt that just being able to have a candid friendship with him was enough. That didn't stop her from letting him get her worked up when he did decide to poke fun at her.
"Ready to go?" Ichigo asked, the faintest of smiles in his eyes.
"Uhn! Ikimashou!" Orihime exclaimed.
As they passed the gate of the school, Orihime halted in her steps. She felt a sudden flash of reiatsu come from the rec center building across campus. It was very brief, so much so that she thought she'd imagined it. Well, she must have imagined it, because it felt like Ryuuken-sensei's reiatsu. But why would Uryuu's father be here?
"Inoue?" Came Ichigo's inquisition. "Did you forget something in the classroom?"
"I-Iie." Orihime stuttered waving her hands in front of her. "I think it's just my imagination running away from me again!"
Ichigo lifted an eyebrow. He had noticed a long time ago that Orihime was almost as good as Uryuu at sensing reiatsu. To Orihime it looked like he was considering whether or not he should just let the subject lie.
"What did your imagination tell you?" He asked slowly.
Orihime hesitated, feeling silly now.
"That Ishida-sensei was just on campus," Orihime laughed nervously. "Totally weird, ne?"
Ichigo was silent for a few moments, watching as Orihime looked back towards the school. It was bothering her. Without thinking, he reached out and gently touched her shoulder, calling her by her last name. She started, her eyes darting to his, meeting them, and a bright blush suddenly colored her cheeks. Almost as if he had been bitten, Ichigo pulled his hand away, an undefined expression on his face.
"You're right, it's probably nothing. Let's get you home." He said hurriedly, turning again, and starting to walk away.
"U-uhnn…" Orihime replied, confused, and still blushing a little. What in the world was that? Was he upset with her over something? Did she say something weird? Was there something on her face? Why did he pull away from her like that?
Orihime and Ichigo walked away from school in an uncomfortable, awkward silence.
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Kuso! Kuso! Kuso! Ichigo cursed himself. Since his awkward action earlier, the silence between them had simply grown, making it harder and harder to broach a new topic. He had reached out and touched her without even thinking. What should I say? He wondered as the silence became heavier. How should I explain myself?
The earlier subject of Ishida Ryuuken's reiatsu having been on campus had been completely left behind by Ichigo's racing thoughts. He walked in silence with Orihime beside him, brooding to himself, failing to think of a satisfactory way of bringing back their comfortable conversation.
"K-Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime began suddenly, forcing Ichigo to look at her. "A-are you angry with me?" She asked in a small, tremulous voice. Ichigo's eyes widened for a moment. Why would she…-Oh. He kicked himself again. Of course she would think he was angry, he hadn't said a word to her in almost 15 minutes. And given how awkward their last interaction was, was it any wonder she thought he was upset with her?
"No-no, I'm not mad at you, Inoue." Ichigo said slowly. I probably couldn't be mad at you if I tried, he added mentally. Orihime sighed in relief, not broaching the subject further. An inquiry as to what was really wrong would get her nowhere, and she knew that by now. Orihime quickened her step, a visible bounce in it now, and got ahead of Ichigo. She whirled around suddenly, a big smile on her face. Her long auburn hair swirling around her in a halo. Ichigo's heart ached at the sight of her. The evening light made her scarlet hair glow like fire, and made her porcelain skin take on the color of a harvest moon. In that moment, Ichigo thought that she looked like a Goddess descended from the heavens.
"Good! I'm relieved!" She said with a smile like sunshine. "Ne, Kurosaki-kun, Christmas is soon! What would you like?"
You. Ichigo thought, barely able to stop it from coming out of his mouth. He tried to keep his face as normal as possible as he told her not to worry about it, and that if she really wanted to get him something, anything she gave him would be fine. Orihime spun back around on her heel, her skirt lifting with the movement, nearly making Ichigo groan involuntarily. She looked back at him over her shoulder, slowing her pace for him to catch up to her.
"Well," she began, pondering. "I guess it is the thought that counts." She stopped suddenly, a distracted Ichigo nearly bumping directly into her.
"Oh! We're here!" She exclaimed.
Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck, looking down at her while they stood at the foot of the stairs to her small one bedroom apartment.
"Well, I'll be off, then." He said. "See you tomorrow."
"Uhn! Arigatou, Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime chimed. "I'll see you tomorrow!"
Ichigo watched her ascend the stairs and turned his back to head home. As soon as he was sure she wouldn't see, he let a wide smile break onto his face.
Later, in his room, Ichigo went over their last exchange as he tried to fall to sleep. The image of her brilliantly lit by the setting sun replayed over, and over again.
He stopped.
Wait, he thought, sitting upright in bed, rubbing his face. What am I thinking? Inoue is….it's Inoue. There's no way she sees me as anything more than just a very dear friend. Fuck. She probably asked Uryuu and Sado what they wanted for Christmas, too.
He groaned. Why was he feeling like this…..?
The realization struck him like lightning. Instantly, his mind replayed over every moment he'd had with Orihime since they'd rescued Rukia in Soul Society. He went over every feeling he'd had towards her. And the same feeling was there, at the root of everything he had felt towards her.
He felt like his heart would stop.
I love her….He thought wondrously. I'm in love with Inoue.
This was very, very bad.
See? Told you it'd be longer! I'm actually really nervous about this chapter. I needed a cannon character that didn't have a lot of their personality already revealed so I could play with it a little. So….Ryuuken it was! I hope this lives up to your expectations! I've got Chapter 3 in the works already. As always! Please comment! Your feedback is really, really, really welcome!
-Third