Konnichiwa minna-san! It took me a little while to get this chapter done. I have several other active fics that I've been working on as well. This chapter is a little shorter than the first two but it works for this chapter. This chapter does have a tiny spoiler in it but only if you haven't read volume twenty-one of the manga or seen episode one hundred eleven of the anime. Aside from that and the tiny bit of swearing in this chapter, I don't have anything else to say about this chapter so enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. There are some minor original characters in this but I'm not sure if they'll be making another appearances.

Happy Reading!

Chapter Three: Hanging in There

Several hours after Uryuu had been admitted to his father's hospital, Isshin entered the room the small boy was resting in. Isshin sighed as his eyes fell on the man sitting in the corner of the room his gazed locked on the dark-haired boy lying motionless in the bed and his head in his hands.

"You look nearly as bad as little Uryuu-kun there Ryuuken," Isshin said.

"Isshin," Ryuuken said as he looked up, "When did you get here?"

"Wow," Isshin said, "No pissed off witty comeback? You must be stressed." He looked at the child in the bed and sighed. Uryuu was quite a bit smaller than most boys his age and right now the child looked almost impossibly small in the hospital bed. Not to mention that the boy's father looked like he aged about twenty years in the past twenty hours. "How is he?"

Ryuuken sighed, "His temperature is forty point one (one hundred four point two)," He said, "His breathing and heart rate are finally back to normal though. Both were much too quick when he was first brought here."

"That's good," Isshin said, "Is there any chance of him slipping into a coma like the last time?"

"The only reason why he slipped into a coma the last time is because the idiot who did the initial treatment for his fever practically dropped him in a bath of ice." Ryuuken said, "He wasn't rushed to my hospital that's for sure. My staff wouldn't make such a mistake."

"That's right," Isshin said, "You don't allow for mistakes of any kind. So is little Uryuu-kun gonna be okay?"

"He should be fine," Ryuuken said, "I still don't know what possessed him to participate in an endurance run in such a condition."

"I still don't know what possessed you to come to work today and leave your sick eleven year old son to attend school." Isshin shot back, "Both of you have made some really dumb decisions today."

"And where are your kids?" Ryuuken asked choosing to ignore Isshin's retort.

"They're waiting in the car," Isshin said proudly.

"And you're getting on my case for mydecisions?" Ryuuken asked, "You are an absolute idiot Kurosaki Isshin."

"I'm just kidding," Isshin said, "They're in the waiting room so I can't stay long. I just wanted to see how Uryuu-kun was doing."

"He should be fine," Ryuuken said, "I'm just a little concerned that he hasn't woken up yet."

"Well, you said his temperature spiked to forty point five (one hundred four point nine) when he got here right?" Isshin asked, "And didn't you tell me yesterday that Uryuu-kun doesn't take well to illness? I mean the kid was on the verge of collapse with just a mid-grade fever last night. His temperature is still dangerously high Ryuuken. I'm sure you'll agree that it's better if he stays asleep right now."

"You're right," Ryuuken said, "If Uryuu was to wake up now he would just cry."

"Yes," Isshin said, "And we all know how much you love crying children. Well I should get going. Take care of little Uryuu-kun and yourself Ryuuken. I remember what happened the last time this happened. Once little Uryuu-kun was finally feeling better you had to take another few days off because you were sick."

"I remember that," Ryuuken said softly, "I've arranged things so that I will be overseeing the pediatric ward while Uryuu's here. The assistant director has also agreed to step in for me until Uryuu recovers."

"If I didn't know any better Ryuuken, I would say that you were actually worried about little Uryuu-kun."

"Don't be ridiculous Isshin," Ryuuken snapped. "What if it was one of your children?" He decided not to add.

"Just remember," Isshin said, "Right now Uryuu-kun needs his father more than he needs a doctor. Comfort him please. I know it's a foreign concept to you but for once, show your son some compassion. Then once he feels better, you can go right back to that block of ice you normally are."

"Hilarious Isshin," Ryuuken said. He could hear at least two children in the process of starting a major shouting match, "Now, I think you had better attend to your children before they turn a hospital waiting room into a battlefield."

"Ah you hear them too?" Isshin asked as he turned for the door.

"I think the entire hospital can hear them," Ryuuken retorted.

"Now remember Ryuuken," Isshin said, "Get eight hours of sleep, eat three balanced meals and take one shower a day."

"I think I know how to take care of myself," Ryuuken said as he followed Isshin out to the waiting room.

"Yeah," Isshin said sarcastically, "I wonder about that sometimes. Need I remind you of what happened the last time Uryuu-kun got this sick, again?"

"No," Ryuuken said bluntly.

"Shinjirarenai!" A young boy with vivid orange hair cried as the two men walked out to the waiting room, "Dad's friend really is a real person!"

Ryuuken glared at Isshin, who immediately started to sweat, "Ichigo doesn't believe things that he can't see," Isshin said sheepishly, "He kept asking if you were a real person. You know how kids are."

"I'm guessing your children don't have very high expectations of you," Ryuuken said as he folded his arms across his chest.

"No, we don't," Karin answered, "Can we go now?"

"Yes," Isshin said, "I'll stop by tomorrow while the kids are in school. Call me when he wakes or if he gets worse. I'll see you later Ryuuken."

"Thank you for stopping by," Ryuuken said.

"Remember to take care of yourself!" Isshin called.

Ryuuken nodded and went back to his son's room to monitor the boy during the night.

Ryuuken sighed as the sun started to rise. He had been up all night monitoring Uryuu. The child's condition hadn't changed much at all. Uryuu's fever had finally dropped below forty (one hundred four), however it was that night that Ryuuken learned that sleeping children do indeed cry. He had watched tears silently stream down the boy's flushed face for several hours.

"Ishida-sensei," One of the nurses called as she walked into the room, "Were you here all night?"

"I was," Ryuuken said as he stood.

"You're such a good parent," The woman said, "Ishida-kun is very lucky. How was he last night?"

"He didn't wake up at all," Ryuuken said.

"Okay," The woman said as she started a quick check-up on the boy, "His fever dropped quite a bit over night. It's thirty-nine point eight (one hundred three point seven) degrees. If he wakes up today are you going to discharge him tomorrow?"

"No," Ryuuken said, "If he wakes up today I'll discharge him in two days. I want him to have an extra day to rest here."

"I see," The woman said, "What time does your shift start today, Ishida-sensei?"

"Midday," Ryuuken responded, "I will be returning to my office so I can get a little bit of sleep. If anything happens to him, come and get me right away. If a man by the name of Kurosaki Isshin stops by tell him to stay here and tell him not to come looking for me."

"I'll see you later then Ishida-sensei," The woman said, "I'll make sure that there is always someone in the room with your son."

"Thank you," Ryuuken said as he left the room.

A few hours later Isshin walked into Uryuu's hospital room.

"Ah Ryuuken's not here huh?" He said to the nurse in the room.

"I believe he's in his office," The woman said, "But I don't think he wants to be disturbed. I think he might be sleeping."

"Good he took my advice," Isshin said, "Do you know what time he went to bed?"

"I believe the head nurse said that he left at five this morning," The woman said.

"Did he say what time his shift starts today?" Isshin asked.

"He said midday," The woman said, "I was also instructed to tell you to stay here and not go looking for him."

"Figures," Isshin said, "At least he's getting some sleep. I'm gonna guess that he stayed up all night."

"He did," The woman said.

Isshin sighed, "So enough about Ryuuken," Isshin said, "How's little Uryuu-kun doing?"

"He's hanging in there," The woman said, "He hasn't woken up since he was brought in yesterday afternoon, however his fever is down to thirty-nine point seven (one hundred three point five) degrees."

"How have you been lowering his fever?" Isshin asked.

"Ishida-sensei gave us instructions to not use fever reducers until Ishida-kun wakes up," The woman said, "We've been using cold compresses changed every twenty minutes and sponge baths every hour."

"Leave it to Ryuuken to use old fashioned methods," Isshin said, "But Uryuu-kun's fever is down nearly a degree (a degree and a half) since yesterday, I'm guessing it's working."

"Of course it's working," Ryuuken said as he entered the room, "It's best to let a fever fall naturally."

"And yet who sent me to the store to buy his son acetaminophen the other night?" Isshin asked.

"Uryuu was going to cry all night if I didn't give him medicine for his fever," Ryuuken said, "When he wakes up I'll allow for a low dose fever reducer."

"You just don't want him to cry," Isshin said.

"I watched him cry in his sleep for about three hours last night," Ryuuken said as he checked his watch, "My shift is about to start. You can stay here if you want but if you cause any kind of trouble, I will throw you out. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir," Isshin said as he saluted the other man.

Isshin had been watching Uryuu for about three hours when the boy started stirring. He rushed to the bedside and the boy opened his deep blue eyes.

"Hey there kid," Isshin said softly as he stroked Uryuu's warm, sweaty cheek, "How are you feeling?"

"Kurosaki…san…?" Uryuu whispered, "Doko…"

"You're in the hospital," Isshin said, "You got really sick during school yesterday remember?" Uryuu nodded, "Hold on, I'm going to go call for your father."

Isshin walked out of Uryuu's room and spotted Ryuuken at the nurse's station, "Ryuuken," He called.

"I thought I told you to stay in Uryuu's room," Ryuuken said.

"I know you did," Isshin said, "But Uryuu-kun just woke up."

"Why didn't you say that sooner?" Ryuuken said as he rushed off to his son's room.

"I tried," Isshin said as he ran off after Ryuuken, "But you started your pissed off lecture too soon."

"Uryuu," Ryuuken said softly as he knelt down at his son's bedside, "Can you sit up?" Uryuu nodded a bit and attempted to prop himself up a bit. However the child was weak and he ended up falling back against Isshin's arms.

"You can't expect him to be able to sit up just yet Ryuuken," Isshin said as he propped the boy up, "He's been unconscious for an entire day."

"Take a deep breath Uryuu," Ryuuken said as he pressed a stethoscope to Uryuu's chest, "Again…and again." He rolled Uryuu's right sleeve up and took a syringe out of his pocket, "I'm going to give you something for your fever."

Uryuu nodded and shut his eyes, "I want…to go home…" He moaned, "I don't want to stay here…"

"You don't have a choice Uryuu," Ryuuken said, "You're too sick to be discharged. And I'm not about to discharge you before you're ready because that will accomplish absolutely nothing. You'll just end up in the hospital again."

"Go easy on him Ryuuken," Isshin said as Uryuu started to cry, "He's sick. He needs comforting now not whatever you're giving the poor kid."

"How I choose to talk to my son is my decision Isshin," Ryuuken said as he checked Uryuu's temperature, "Good it's gone down again."

"What is it?" Isshin asked as he sponged Uryuu's forehead with a cold cloth.

"Thirty-nine point six (one hundred three point three) degrees," Ryuuken said, "With any luck it will be under thirty-nine and a half (one hundred three) by morning."

"But you have to remember, his fever will probably spike later tonight," Isshin said, "Fevers are always higher at night."

"As a doctor I think I know that," Ryuuken said, "Uryuu, are you hungry?" The boy shook his head, "Get some sleep then. I already know you're not going to sleep well tonight."

Uryuu nodded and shut his eyes.

"Would it kill you to be a little nicer to your son?" Isshin said, "I know you're a huge advocate of the whole no weakness mentality but there's only so far you can push that before your son starts to hate you."

"Let him hate me then," Ryuuken said, "At least I'll know I didn't raise a weak son. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my job."

Isshin sighed as the other man walked from the room, "It's really no wonder your son is the way he is Ryuuken," He said softly as he replaced the cold compress to the boy's forehead.

"Kurosaki-san," Uryuu whispered as he opened his eyes again.

"What is it Uryuu-kun?" Isshin asked softly, "What can I do for you?"

"Can I get something to drink?" Uryuu whispered.

"Sure thing Uryuu-kun," Isshin said, "Just hold on a minute." He walked over to the small refrigerator in the room and took out a water bottle and a straw, "Here you go Uryuu-kun." He held the water bottle up to the small boy.

"Arigatou Kurosaki-san…" Uryuu muttered as he shut his eyes.

"You're welcome kid," Isshin said, "Get some sleep. You're father is right, you need to get some rest."

Uryuu nodded and slipped into a restless sleep.

Around supper one of the nurses walked into Uryuu's room and found that the boy had woken up again.

"Ishida-kun," She greeted, "How are you feeling?" The boy just shrugged a bit, "You're still feeling pretty sick aren't you?" Uryuu nodded a bit, "Well the good thing is your fever has gone down quite a bit. Do you want something to eat?"

"I'm not very hungry," Uryuu responded softly.

"You should try to eat a little something Ishida-kun," The woman said, "You need to keep your strength up."

"Hai…" Uryuu mumbled.

"Alright," She said, "I'll be right back." She left the room and a few minutes later she returned with a tray with plain rice and grape gelatin on it, "There you are Ishida-kun eat what you can okay."

"Hai, itadakimasu," The child muttered as he picked up the chopsticks. After he had eaten less than half of what had been given to him he put the chopsticks down, "Gochisousama."

"Are you all set?" The woman asked. Uryuu nodded and shut his eyes, "Alright, try to get some rest."

"Arigatou," Uryuu mumbled as he slipped back into a restless sleep.

Ryuuken sighed as he watched his son restlessly toss and turn in his sleep. Uryuu's temperature had fallen a little under thirty-nine point five (one hundred three) degrees but around midnight the child's fever had spiked right back up to thirty-nine point seven (on hundred three point five). And once again Ryuuken watched as his son silently cried in his sleep.

"Ishida-sensei," One of the nurses called as she peeked her head in the room, "Can I get you or your son anything?"

"That won't be necessary," Ryuuken said, "Thank you."

"Alright," The woman said, "You know what to do if you need anything."

Ryuuken nodded and went back to watching his son. Then a few minutes later Uryuu stirred and Ryuuken cursed inwardly as he felt the reiatsu of a hollow. "Please stay asleep," Ryuuken thought as Uryuu moaned a bit.

"Otousan…" Uryuu moaned, "There's…a hollow…"

"I know," Ryuuken said, "Damn, it's close…" He thought as he looked out the window and spotted the hollow about three meters (about ten feet) from the hospital room, "It senses Uryuu's weakened reiatsu and it's looking for a quick meal. At this rate I don't have time to wait for the Shinigami but…" He glanced at his son. Uryuu was now awake and crying. He had already told his son that he had long since abandoned his abilities as a Quincy. But when his father, Ishida Souken, had been killed he had regained his once lost powers. The hollow roared and there was a spike in its reiatsu, "Shit…it's going to attack…"

"Get rid of it…" Uryuu sobbed as he clutched his head and curled up, "Please…get rid of it…please sensei…sensei…get rid of it!"

Ryuuken sighed again and summoned his bow, "Uryuu's crying and he doesn't have his glasses on," He thought as he opened the window, "Odds are he won't notice." He summoned an arrow and with deadly accuracy he struck the hollow in the head killing it. He dropped his bow and walked up to his son's bedside.

"Is it gone?" Uryuu whimpered as he started to relax.

"Yes, it's gone," Ryuuken said as he made sure the hollow's wild reiatsu didn't harm the child in any way.

"What was that light?" Uryuu asked.

"It was probably Byakurai or Soukatsui," Ryuuken lied as he readied a syringe.

"What's that?" Uryuu asked as his father injected him with a low dose fever reducer.

"They're Shinigami techniques called Kidou," Ryuuken said, "It's similar to Gintou. Now stop asking questions and get some sleep."

Uryuu nodded and shut his eyes.

Ryuuken sighed as he returned to the chair he had been sitting in. Staying up to monitor his son for three nights in a row was starting to take its toll on him. He was exhausted and he knew that the next time he would be able to get some sleep wouldn't come until three in the afternoon, but that was only if he was lucky.

"Otousan…" Uryuu moaned.

"What is it?" Ryuuken asked.

"My stomach…" The child whimpered as he clutched his stomach, "I think…I'm gonna…be sick…"

Ryuuken sighed as he rushed to the boy's bed and grabbed the small basin that was on the table. He attempted to get it to the boy in time but was unsuccessful, "Hold on Uryuu," Ryuuken said as the child coughed and dry heaved. He walked out of the room and to the nurse's station.

"Ishida-sensei," One of the women sitting at the desk, "What can I do for you?"

"My son just vomited all over himself and the bed," Ryuuken said, "I'm going to need some assistance."

"Alright," The woman said, "We'll be right there."

Ryuuken walked back into his son's room and took a spare pair of pajamas and clean sheets out of a small cabinet in the room. He walked up to Uryuu and removed the soiled shirt from the now sobbing child and placed the clean one on, "Relax Uryuu," he said as he lifted the boy from the bed, "You're going to make yourself feel sicker if you don't calm down." The two women walked into the room.

"Is he alright, Ishida-sensei?" One of the women stripped the soiled sheets from the bed.

"He'll be fine," Ryuuken said, "I know he was awake around supper, was he given anything to eat?"

"Yes he was," The other woman said, "He ate some of the rice and gelatin that he was given. Why do you ask?"

"He has trouble keeping food down when he's this ill," Ryuuken said.

"Should we hold off on giving him food until his fever falls?" The woman asked.

"No," Ryuuken said, "But from now on, only give him food if he asks for it. Don't force him to eat."

"Alright, I'll make sure to add that to his charts." The woman said as she finished changing the sheets, "We're all set Ishida-sensei."

"Thank you," Ryuuken said as he carefully placed Uryuu's sleeping form in the bed, "With any luck he'll stay asleep for the rest of the night.

"Let us know if you need anything else," One of the women called.

"I will," Ryuuken responded. He then sighed as placed a cold cloth on his son's forehead and he returned to the chair where he would spend the rest of the night.

Both Uryuu and Ryuuken have it pretty rough in this chapter. Ryuuken's less than stellar sleeping habits are catching up with him and little Uryuu's still sick. Isshin, as usual, provides the much needed comic relief but I think that's also his main role in the manga for the time being. I know that in the manga Ryuuken doesn't reveal that he still has his Quincy powers until Uryuu is about to be killed by two hollows but that doesn't mean that he didn't have them for a while before then. And, thanks to Isshin, there's a good chance that Ryuuken does know something about the Kidou.

Japanese Translations and culture notes:

Minna-san: Everyone.

Shinjirarenai: I don't believe it!

Ishida-sensei: Doctor Ishida

Doko: Where

Arigatou: Thank you

Hai: Yes

Itadakimasu: Said before every meal usually translates to "I am about to eat."

Gochisousama: Said after each meal, roughly translates to "Thank you for the meal."

Otousan: Father

Shinigami: Japanese for "Death God." In Bleach it translates to "Soul Reaper."

Sensei: Sensei has a number of meanings. In the original Japanese version of Bleach Uryuu almost always calls his grandfather, Ishida Souken, Sensei translated to Master.

Byakurai: Hadou (Way of Destruction) number four. Translates as "Pale Lightning."

Soukatsui: Hadou number thirty-three. Translates as "Blue Fire, Crash Down."

Kidou: The term for the spells the Shinigami use. Translated as "Demon Arts."

I hoped you liked this chapter! The next chapter will be up in the next few weeks or so, so just hang tight for a bit! Until next time! Ja ne (see ya!)

Ex-Shark-V-005