A/N: To all my reviewers :) I love you! You totally keep me going. I realize that my Ryuuken is a bit more mellow than the Ryuuken portrayed in the manga and anime, but to me he doesn't seem very human at all to me. I think it more believable that he is a tormented poor soul that doesn't know to cope when life throws him a losing hand. Despite his achievements in his work life as a doctor and director of a hospital, he seems very unfortunate in everything else. But that's just my opinion - feel free to object.
Anyways, here's the next chapter :) I hope you like it.

Withering 9

Isshin yawned and looked around, considering his options for sleeping arrangements. He couldn't just leave Ryuuken to fend for himself during the night - especially now that he was without oxygen again.

At least he was off the blood clotting drugs, that reassured him quite a bit. They were extremely dangerous and he's been careful to put him on a minimum dose.

Isshin decided for dragging a mattress down in the room. That would enable him to check on Ryuuken regularly through the night.

Isshin's sleep was disturbed countless times during the night by Ryuuken's harsh coughs. Strangely enough the other man didn't seem to be too much disturbed by these himself.

The antibiotics had knocked down the fever surprisingly quickly. Maybe Ryuuken was right about the Quincies being quick healers. Right or not though, he had definitely worked himself too hard.

Isshin finally slipped into a deep dreamless sleep and he didn't wake until he was woken by one of his assistents.

"Kurosaki-sama, wake up," her gentle words made him sit up with a start, "-did you sleep here?"

Isshin just groaned an rubbed his eyes.

"yes, I had to keep an eye on…," Isshin he answered tiredly and gestured the sick bed… which was empty. "Where the hell is he?"

"Ishida-sama?" she asked confused.

"Yes," Isshin roared a bit annoyed and stormed out the door with his young assistant hot on his heels.

"He's drinking tea with us in the personnel room," she added casually

Ryuuken was fully dressed in his flawless suit, his shirt was quite crinkled though after having slept in it on Isshin's couch the day before. He looked better now with the fever down and after well more than a good night's sleep.

Isshin's young receptionist was clearly flirting with him and he was trying to handle it as gracefully as possible, hiding his discreet smirk in his tea cup.

"You're up," Isshin established dumbfound

"So are you," Ryuuken replied with a rough voice.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well I've slept for God knows how long," Ryuuken began and took another sip of the tea, "-I couldn't sleep any longer. I figured I might be able to help out a bit in your little clinic here, as you're probably behind because of me."

Isshin sat down heavily besides the other doctor.

"Seriously?" Isshin started, "-your fever just broke from a double sided multi resistant strain of pneumonia and you figured you'd come and help me out." He sighed dramatically. "-if you want to help out, then do so a couple of days next week. Right now you're going nowhere but home to rest some more."

"I have a hard time doing nothing," Ryuuken admitted hesitantly.

"I know. You can come here when you're better."

"But what do I do until I'm better?"

"Relax, watch television, read a book… whatever you like… just don't smoke too much," Isshin anwered, shrugging his shoulders, "we could say that you can come in and take consultations Tuesday and Thursday next week, if you're feeling up to it."

Ryuuken nodded and got up slowly. He still felt quite weak, even though he was feeling dramatically better because of the antibiotics cocktail.

"Do you mind calling me a cab?" he politely asked the receptionist that kept staring and smiling at him. She nodded eagerly and disappeared into the office.

"You don't have to go right this moment," Isshin said, suddenly feeling like he was kicking Ryuuken out.

"No no, I should get going." Ryuuken gave half a smile, "-it was nice to meet you both."

Outside Ryuuken's hands were fidgeting with the urge to produce a cigarette from his pocket. However, he knew better than to do so while he was still at Isshin's and fortunately the nicotine patch was still effective. The patch didn't activate his hands though - he felt quite awkward, not knowing what to do with them.

"Make sure you get something to eat," Isshin immediately began fuzzing when he came out. Last week that would have earned him a nasty remark from Ryuuken, but he was feeling better and he felt his patience level rising a bit.

"I'm sure I can get Mitsumi to cook something." He replied softly.

"Who ?"

"My house keeper."

"Oh yeah, some us can afford such luxuries," Isshin commented dryly.

"I'm hardly ever home. How would I be able to keep such a large house?"

"Hmm… perhaps you should consider moving to a smaller one. Maybe even an apartment." Isshin had never understood why he continued to live in that big house all alone. He supposed he secretly wished that at least Uryuu would come home some time.

"Make sure to stop by the pharmacy," Isshin chanted. He closed his eyes an faced the sun, allowing it's rays to warm face. Ryuuken followed his example. It was really starting to get warmer here in May.

"I will," Ryuuken sighed, "-anything else would be stupid," he added, a tad annoyed.

"Of course," Isshin answered and smiled at the sun, not opening his eyes, "-and don't start writing job applications just yet. Allow yourself some freedom."

"Freedom is in the eye of he beholder."