Two Weeks Later:

Ryou was giving the twins a bath when they heard Ichigo run in.

He only knew it was her because he could hear her; she was not happy.

"Ryou, where are you?" Ichigo called throughout the house.

"I'm giving the twins a bath, getting them ready to therapy. Then we're going to go to the zoo, park and then have a picnic later!" Ryou called back.

"Can I come in; or would that be too awkward or something?" Ichigo asked through the door.

"No, that's fine; you can come in." Ryou replied calmly.

When she walked in Ryou was just getting finished with washing Kai; Mai was next.

"So what's going on? Why are you so…frustrated?" Ryou asked calmly as he rinsed the soap off of Kai.

"Masaya and Mint…" Ichigo said as calmly as she could.

"Are you ready to get out and get dried off; or do you want to wait until Mai is done? What did they do this time?" Ryou first asked Kai and then Ichigo.

"I want out please." Kai said politely as he lifted his arms. As smart as he may be, he's still too short to get in and out of the tub on his own.

"They won't leave me alone. He keeps saying how sorry he is and how he wants to get back together…how he can date both me and Mint at the same time. And she also keeps saying how sorry she is and how she doesn't want this to ruin our friendship and that she wouldn't mind Masaya dating the both of us at the same time. She's only interested in…umm…personal time." Ichigo explained as Ryou wrapped Kai in a towel and set him on the toilet.

"You mean time to play stupid games, smoke different things and drink?" Kai asked calmly, thinking he knew the answer. As smart as he was, sex was one of the few subjects he didn't know about.

"Yes; that's exactly what she means." Ryou said as he started washing Mai up.

Once Ryou found out that sex was a subject that Kai didn't know about, he immediately wanted to keep it that way until he was much older; both of them. And Ichigo knew that.

It already bothers him that they both know so much about drugs and such.

"Do you need help washing her?" Ichigo asked seriously, noticing that he seemed to be having a difficult time with certain areas.

"Do you mind?" Ryou asked looking at her.

"No; it's better than watching whatever it is I'm watching now. How have you been getting her cleaned these past two weeks?" Ichigo asked.

"Your mother always seemed to pop up at just the right time and she always washed them…" Ryou said calmly. It was now Saturday.

"Jeez. Did you tell her that you are capable of washing them on your own…well rather that you will be capable of washing them on your own?" Ichigo asked teasing him a little.

"I tried…but that woman is very persistent…and scary." Ryou said remembering.

"Yeah…that's what my dad says as well. But I'll talk to her later tonight." Ichigo said as she washed up Mai.

"So what did you say to Masaya and Mint?" Ryou asked calmly.

"I told them that they were crazy and that I didn't or couldn't be friends with them anymore and that I hope they were happy together. Although, I used a lot of different choice words…that I won't say in front of the twins." Ichigo said with a smile.

"Good; they've probably heard too much swearing in their short lives enough as it is already. I try my best not to swear around them." Ryou said calmly.

"But sometime the words slip out?" Ichigo asked smiling.

"Yes…" Ryou admitted dully.

"Anyways, what brings you here? Why didn't you go to one of the girls? I mean I suppose I know why you didn't go to your parents… But why me and not your friends?" Ryou asked confused.

"But you are my friend. And…you were there that day when I found them on their date. Umm…anyways; all done." Ichigo said becoming flustered as she wrapped Mai up and set her on the toilet.

Kai had long since got dressed and went out to read the first Harry Potter book. He had noticed Ichigo reading the fourth book last week and asked what it was about.

Flashback:

"What are you reading?" Kai asked when Ryou dropped him and Mai off at Ichigo's place so he and Keiichiro could run an errand; Ichigo was on the couch reading.

"Hmm? I'm reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I'm reading it for a school book report." Ichigo responded looking at Kai.

"What's it about?" Kai asked curiously.

"It's a fantasy about witches and wizards…mainly one by the name of Harry Potter. But, this is the fourth book in a series of seven; it really wouldn't make since unless you read the first three first." Ichigo explained.

"So I'm guessing you've read those already?" Kai asked looking at her.

"Yes, I have; I had to. I actually have to read all seven for my book report…" Ichigo replied, sighing.

"You no lwike dem?" Mai asked doing her best to climb up next to Ichigo along with Kai.

"No, I do; they're pretty good so far. I just wish I had picked a shorter book series… But I guess…I chose what I chose; the Harry Potter series." Ichigo mumbled.

"So you chose the Harry Potter series; what were the other choices?" Kai asked interested.

"Well the other choices were The Dark Tower series which has eight books in it, The Lord of the Rings series plus The Hobbit and The Silmarillion which is five books total, The Maze Runner series which has five books or The Hunger Games which has only three books." Ichigo explained.

"So…you chose the Harry Potter series? Why didn't you choose one of the others?" Kai asked confused.

"Well…school isn't one of my strong suits. I mean I do enough to pass everything; but I was falling behind in that class. So…I figured I'd do my best to get my grade up and chose Harry Potter. I like fantasy and I like to read; it wasn't eight books and it wasn't too short. Now, thanks to your dad not having the café open I've been able to actually get through a good chunk of these. I'm almost done with this one and will be able to move onto the next book soon. And then I have to write a very large report on them at the end. But it'll be fine; I'll get through them." Ichigo explained and then finished with determination.

"You are so weird." Kai said with a smile.

"Thank you." Ichigo said with a smile; she's heard worse.

Mai was sitting there, confused, not knowing what was going on.

"So how are you two doing?" Ichigo asked looking at the twins.

"I'm good." Kai said looking more book then Ichigo.

"I can let you borrow my books if you want; so that you can read them." Ichigo said calmly, seriously.

"Really? Thanks; I'd love that! When can I borrow it?" Kai asked excitedly.

"I will get you them when I can find them; I placed them in my closet and they just kind of got misplaced. So as soon as I them I will give them to your dad." Ichigo said calmly.

"Ok; thanks!" Kai said excitedly.

"You're welcome. And what about you Mai?" Ichigo asked looking at Mai, letting her have some time in the spotlight.

"I go-good; I lwike Pooh Bear, Tigger a-and Tink-Tinkerbelle. Bu-but I lwike Tigger most." Mai said stutter her words a little.

"Really now? Let me tell you a secret; I used to really like Tinkerbelle as well and I'm pretty sure I still have a few things with her on them. When I find them I'll get them to you." Ichigo said with a smile.

"Weelee?" Mai asked perking up even more.

"Of course. Now, I just have to figure out something for Kai… Hmmm…maybe I'll just give him my Harry Potter books if he likes them." Ichigo said calmly.

"Awesome! Thank you so much!" Kai exclaimed happily.

"Ta-tank you." Mai said softly.

About an hour later Ryou showed up to pick the twins up.

"Hey, come on in." Sakura said with a smile, inviting Ryou in; Keiichiro was out with Zakuro seeing as they both had time off at the same time.

"Thank you. How are they? How were they? I'm sorry to just drop them off with you guys at last notice." Ryou said walking inside.

"They were perfect; they're sleeping right now. Ichigo, how long have they been asleep?" Sakura asked Ichigo, who was still reading the fourth Harry Potter book.

"They are both in my bed; Mai has been sleeping for about twenty minutes and Kai only fell asleep ten minutes ago. Kai asked what I was reading, so I told him; he is now really interested in reading Harry Potter. So without even thinking to ask you I told him I'd let him have the books… Well actually, I told him he could borrow them and then if he liked them he could keep them. And I only told him he could keep them because I told Mai she could have my old Tinkerbelle things because she said she liked her, Pooh Bear and Tigger; Tigger is her favorite. But, I'm sorry I didn't ask you first." Ichigo said sincerely sorry.

"It's perfectly ok. I've read the harry potter books before; they're not horrible. Not to mention, he's a smart kid and knows about most everything…except sex. And I like to keep it that way." Ryou explained.

"Ok. And yes, I agree." Ichigo said calmly.

"So, how was she? You said she talked to you? Told you kind of what she liked?" Ryou asked looking at Ichigo.

"Yeah; she was good. But she's usually always good." Ichigo said with a smile.

"How was her speech; did she stutter or have troubles speaking?" Ryou asked seriously.

"Yeah actually…I noticed that. What's going on?" Ichigo and Sakura asked looking at Ryou.

"That social service worker that came to check up on us, the house and everything about four days ago; he wanted to talk to the twins alone. I get it, its procedure; I said it was fine. He started with Kai and that went just fine. But when it came to Mai; the interview went ok I guess. But then he let her go on the steps on her own thinking she was just fine. Everything was not fine as she fell down the cement stairs and hit her head at least three times before I was able to get to her. I took her to the ER right away and. They said that she was pretty banged up and could have some minor brain damage which may lead to speech impediments. For the first day and a half she was fine…or well she seemed fine. After that she started stuttering and falling over more." Ryou explained.

"I sowee…" Mai said softly, rubbing her eyes.

"It's not your fault. How did you get downstairs on your own?" Ryou asked picking her up.

"I slide down on my butt." Mai said softly.

"So what happen or what's going to happen to the worker?" Sakura asked.

"Not a whole lot…he will have to pay Mai a fine; but she won't get to access it until she turns eighteen. Also because of this incident, Koji waved social workers having to come and check up on everything for the rest of the time seeing as he approved of everything." Ryou explained sighing.

"What's going to happen to Mai?" Sakura and Ichigo asked concerned.

"Not a whole lot. I'm just supposed to keep an eye and work on her speech. I also have to keep an eye her legs and walking; they recommend weekly theory. Otherwise she's fine." Ryou explained.

"I'm so sorry." Sakura said looking at Ryou.

"It's ok; we'll get through this." Ryou said determined.

"You are such a great father; just like my Shintaro." Sakura said happily.

"Thank you." Ryou said smiling…with a small blush.

"What's going on?" Kai asked coming in.

"Not a whole lot; just talking about Mai. Are you ready to head home?" Ryou asked calmly.

"Yeah." Kai said calmly.

End Flashback:

"So…anyways, I should head out to let you get on with your day." Ichigo said embarrassed.

"Daddy?" Mai asked softly as Ryou dressed her.

"Yes?" Ryou asked calmly.

"Can Ichigo come with?" Mai asked softly with big eyes.

"Ichigo…Mai would like to know if you want to come with us today." Ryou said as he finished dressing Mai.

"Oh…sure; but is that even ok?" Ichigo asked confused.

"Yeah it's fine." Ryou said calmly.

"Then sure; I'll come with." Ichigo said with a smile.

"Yay!" Mai cried happily, throwing her arms up in the air causing Ryou and Ichigo to chuckle a little...