The week came and went with only a few distractions. As Ichigo's power level drained, the Hollows began to shrink down to a much smaller group, but they didn't stop. Days and nights drew longer for the spiritually aware, but as the clock struck down, Ichigo's powers ran out. The scene showed the Urahara Shoten the night after Ichigo's powers dissolved.
"Ahh, Ishida-kun~ How are you?"
"Stop messing around, Urahara-san. Why did you call me here?"
"Soul Society is looking past you now, but if your Hollow count shoots up…"
"What are you trying to say?"
"You need to stay low for now, Ishida-kun. I can defeat most of the Hollows until we find a way to restore Kurosaki-kun's powers. I know that you don't like to destroy Hollows, but I also know that you don't like to let Hollows destroy people. I'll come whenever I feel a Hollow, no matter what level. Will that arrangement be fine?"
"That will be okay for now. Please update me on the situation at hand."
"Of course."
It was a Saturday. A rainy autumn Saturday. As Uryu walked home, he held an umbrella high above his head to shield himself from the rain. Most people hated the rain, but to Uryu, it was his salvation.
The sun always brought bad memories.
The sun brought death. The rain brought life. He was born during a November rain, his mom said that his eyes reflected that rain.
"It was like God captured the beauty of the rain and put it all into your eyes. I love your eyes, Uryu."
"I think your eyes are prettier, mommy!"
"But they pale in comparison to yours."
Katagiri was a beautiful woman. Pale blue eyes fitting nicely with her jet black hair, a skinny, but supple, body. Ryuken is a fairly attractive man. Navy eyes contrasting with white hair, a fit and fairly muscled body. Uryu is a beautiful boy. A replica of his father, but having all the features of his mother. More like a woman, but obviously a man.
The only two people that he had ever loved died on supposedly "happy" days. During autumn Uryu Ishida preferred the rain, but stayed silent when the sun would peak out. He could still see the life fade out of his mother's eyes. He could still smell the blood drying on crisp leaves. He could still feel the tears falling down his cheeks. He could still hear Ryukens voice telling him…
"You're such a disgrace of a son. People die, Uryu. That's just the way of life."
He doesn't cry. He used to cry, but he stopped that awhile ago. It's not hard to hold the tears in. It's not hard to drown the tears out. He arrived home at the first sound of thunder.
But then again, God has also ruined the rain for me.
He held in a cough, the first sign that he was beginning to develop another cold. Prone to heat and the cold, hating all seasons, but despising one.
Autumn...
"I have him enclosed. Do it, Urahara-san."
Benihime swung down upon the Hollow with a final scream of triumph. The Hollow's own wail faded away as he transformed into a beautiful, black and purple, Hell butterfly.
"Well, I think that may be the last one tonight…"
"I hope so. Their going to start interfering with my work if they keep coming in these mobs…"
"If you need to study, I can keep watch on the town, Ishida-kun."
"No, Urahara-san, I'm fine for know… but…"
"What is it?"
"Can you keep watch Thursday, alone?"
"Okay then, see you around~"
"Thank you."
Turning around, Uryu disappeared into the night with the use of hirenkyaku. Urahara was dumbstruck, as the tear he knew he saw hit the paved road. He convinced himself that it was only the first buds of rain, because soon came a downpour, and then there was him. Standing alone in the rain wondering what he might have just witnessed.
"Boys don't cry, Uryu."
He felt like such an idiot. Why did he let that tear slip? He didn't even have enough time to wipe it away before it hit the road beneath his feet. He knew there was no way for the shop keeper to tell the difference between his tear and the rain, but he felt as if he knew. It scared him. Urahara knew everything about him. Urahara knew everything he didn't want him to know.
"Hello there, Ishida-kun!"
"Hello, Ririchi-san. Let me help you with that…"
"Oh? Thank you."
The young Quincy took the bags from his elderly neighbors hands. She took out her apartment keys and opened the door. Uryu went inside to be greeted by the scent of chocolate that always seemed to be enveloping the house.
"You can place those over here."
He moved over, placed the bags on the dinning table and began to unpack them, putting them into their correct places.
"Oh, I don't know what I would do without you, Ishida-kun! You're so helpful, especially when you take care of Sofia, she really seems to like you."
"I don't know why you say she's a demon-cat, she's the sweetest thing with me."
"Exactly! She scratches and hisses at anyone who even dares to look her way, but with you… it's like you're a better person than anyone she knows, but I suppose that's true."
"You're too kind, Ririchi-san. I have some homework to finish up, so if that is all…"
"Thank you for the help! Here take these."
The teen stared down at the plate full of Christmas themed cookies, cupcakes and brownies. He took notice of the ones shaped like crosses among the many snowflakes and trees.
"Thank you, Ririchi-san."
"No, thank you, Ishida-kun. Don't study too hard, goodbye!"
"Goodbye."
He closed her apartment door and opened his. He loved Ririchi-san like a grandmother, for she reminded him of his grandfather. Strangely, she had many moments where he could swear that she is related to Inoue-chan. Closing the door he looked down at the sweets.
Chocolate brownies with red bean paste. Red velvet cupcakes with leak spread. Vanilla cookies with banana cream. Yep... just like Inoue-chan.
"RIING RIING"
"RIING Cilck"
"Hello?"
"Hello, Ishida-kun! Are you going to Asano-kun's party tonight?"
"No, I have an essay to write."
"Aww, please? You only have the essay, right? That's due in a week, can you come to this party, please? Pretty, pretty, please?"
The young archer could literally see the puppy dog eyes through her voice. What could he do? I mean, it's Orihime Inoue, the sweetest person on earth!
"I guess I could come for a little..."
"Yay! Me and Tatsuki will pick you up at seven. See you soon, Ishida-kun!"
Before he could say anything else, the over-exited red-head hung up. He turned to the alarm clock; 6:32pm. Less than thirty minutes until Inoue-chan will show up. Less than thirty minutes to get ready. Getting to his bedroom, Uryu began to undress from his school uniform and pull on a pair of white skinny jeans and a light blue, 3/4 sleeved, shirt.