Kuukaku's door man opened the door for Tatsuki as she stepped in from the cool night.
"Thanks." She said as she walked in and took of her shoes.
Kuukaku's home was an old styled Japanese house. Tatsuki was absolutely in love with it.
"She's waiting in the den." Kuukaku's brother Ganju said as he pointed down the hallway.
Tatsuki nodded and began to walk down the candle lit passage. When she reached the end she slid the door open. Kuukaku was sitting down facing the door, she didn't look happy. Tatsuki closed the door.
"Sit there." Kuukaku spoke pointing to a purple pillow on the floor.
Tatsuki sat down as she was told and sighed, "I know it's bad. Kisuke never tells me these things. He always send me too you." Tatsuki explained.
"It's not as bad as the time I had to tell you about your brother." Kuukaku said.
Tatsuki frowned, "Am I getting kicked out of the competition?"
"Don't guess child, you know I'll tell you." Kuukaku said sternly.
They were silent for a minuet, then, Kuukaku spoke, "I want to say, I think the Ryoka title is yours. You have the most skill." Kuukaku said.
Tatsuki was flattered, but anxious to know what needed to be told.
"However, Kisuke, Ichigo, Chad, and I have noticed you're not practicing hard anymore. You'd think someone who wants to honor their House and uphold their brother would have nothing else on her mind." Kuukaku said sarcastically.
Tatsuki was getting agitated. She wanted to know why she was here.
"A source has told us the reason." Kuukaku stopped and then looked at Tatsuki.
"You must stop all contact with Orihime." Kuukaku's words rolled of her tongue, like it didn't even faze her.
"I w-what?" Tatsuki asked. She felt like a truck had landed on her, her head became light as anger built up.
"You will be the Ryoka if you concentrate harder. She is getting in the way." Kuukaku explained.
"Orihime is not!" Tatsuki raised her voice.
"Settle down."
"I will not! There is nothing wrong with me and her. She came with me to practice today!!"
"You left early. You need to forget her for now."
Tatsuki stood up, "I will do no such thing!" Tatsuki growled.
"We just want what's best for you." Kuukaku tried to explain, but nothing was getting through to her now.
Tatsuki grinded her teeth and picked Kuukaku up from off the floor by her shirt collar.
"How is breaking MY HEART the best thing for me!?" she yelled in Kuukaku's face.
Kuukaku put her head down and sighed, "Listen, when the contest is over you can have her back." Kuukaku explained.
"Don't give me fucking permission!" Tatsuki growled. She was basically showing her teeth to Kuukaku like a blood thirsty animal.
"I'd keep her over this damn competition! Screw it!" Tatsuki continued to yell as her hand started shaking.
"If this continued Tatsuki, she'd be hurt!" Kuukaku yelled back.
"W-what?" Tatsuki said shocked as the anger was wiped off of her face.
"Ichimaru's members were going to hurt your relationship worse than this if she continued to stay around. We were worried for her safety."
"So that's why… he was at Hollows today." Tatsuki exclaimed.
"If you want her to be safe, stay away from her." Kuukaku said.
Tatsuki put Kuukaku down and let go of her shirt, "How, do we, know for sure that she would be hurt?"
"Do you want to run the risk?"
Tatsuki was silent.
"Their was a threat on you and her, Kisuke and I are only trying to keep you safe untill the competition." Kuukau explained.
"I understand..." Tatsuki said as tears filled up in her eyes. She looked down so Kuukaku wouldn't notice.
"You may leave then."