Hi… so here's chapter 14. I think I won't reach my goal of 200 reviews within 15 chapters but I think it's coz I'm hoping for too much and asking for too much. This is going to be a pretty intriguing part of my story and I'm excited to write it! :)

CORRECTIONS TO REVIEWERS (PLEASE READ):

To Blitch – No, chapter 15 is NOT the last chapter. It's just my target chapter to get 200 reviews. I just need the motivation. No, I HUNGER for the motivation! :)

To Castle Anthrax – sorry for the spelling errors. I type so fast that I don't keep track of technical errors! And I want to update SOON!

I had to shorten Chapter 13 because the rest would be in 14 and 15. All the emotion and drama would be there so, don't worry. You'll get your daily dose! =)

Everyone – sorry for the constant Cliffies. In my opinion, it keeps the interest open and has many hanging for more. And why did I make Hikaru's end so abrupt and the reason so CHEESY? It's because… sshhh!!! can't tell. It'll be a spoiler! Thanks for the love!

Thanks to those who appreciated, read, and reviewed my story and the latest chapters that I posted. I love the love you give me and my work. This chap is for you, who so dedicatedly read and await every chapter of the story of my ideal family torn apart by doubts, fears and false hopes.

Chapter 14

Questions

"Dr. Kurosaki is my father?" Daisuke asked in confusion.

"Yes," Orihime said, too choked up to say anything more.

Further questions from the boy where unheard when the taxi came to an abrupt stop. Orihime looked outside the window. They have arrived.

"Let's go," she said, opening the door and getting out.

It didn't take her too long in the hospital since she summoned Souten Kisshun to patch her up. Daisuke had finally seen two of her powers up close and was convincing her to show the third ability. But she didn't agree.

Because there were another pair of brown eyes in the room openly scrutinizing her and her son from near the doorway.

The rest of her stay was dominated by silence and Daisuke's occasional questions towards Ichigo. Luckily, Ichigo seemed happy to answer. Orihime even assessed a hint of warmth and interest in Ichigo's eyes. It was as if he was back to his old self.

"How come you didn't tell me?" Daisuke asked as they entered the apartment.

Orihime sighed and went to the living room. She stared at Daisuke's somewhat detached expression – the kind he usually wore when he imagined something.

She motioned for Daisuke to sit beside her. She knew this was going to be a long talk. Her son wasn't exactly very young. And he thought like an adult. He would want to know everything.

"What are you thinking?" she asked gently, hugging Daisuke to her side.

"I was wondering why you wouldn't tell me that someone so nice and great was my dad," Daisuke said. "Is this like Mori's situation?"

Orihime smiled sadly as she thought of Daisuke's classmate. Mori's parents were divorced and none of them saw each other again. And his mother won't even mention the father's name, let alone make Mori say his name.

"Kind of," Orihime replied. "But it's not really an argument. More of a decision."

"Decision?"

"You see, Dr. Kurosaki wanted to study in America and become successful," she explained. "Something happened between us before he left and we had a very brief relationship. Do you understand?"

Daisuke nodded.

"Well, he had to go and I didn't know I was pregnant with you yet, so I let him leave," Orihime continued, looking straight into Daisuke's eyes with sadness.

"When you found out, why didn't you tell him?" Daisuke asked.

Orihime knew this was coming. But she was prepared with an answer that maybe her son would accept.

"I don't want to pull him down," Orihime answered.

Daisuke looked at her, befuddled. "I don't think Dr. Kurosaki is like that."

Orihime regarded him with surprise. "What makes you say that?"

"I can tell he's a good person," Daisuke said. "And he seemed to be truly concerned for us. He even took the risk of saving us and bringing us to his hospital."

"Well, Ichigo was always noble and selfless."

"Yes, but I think only to those people he cared for."

Orihime looked at Daisuke questioningly.

"I think he would have come home if you told him about me," the little boy said, standing up.

Orihime felt tears sting her eyes. Her voice cracked, "I'm sorry. I just couldn't take the risk. And I loved him so much that I couldn't let him give up everything he's worked so hard for go to waste because of my failure."

Daisuke turned around and hugged Orihime tightly. "I don't think it was a failure mom."

"Why do you think so?"

"I think you would both have wanted me," Daisuke answered sadly. "If only you told dad."

"I'm sorry Daisuke," Orihime said, kissing her son's cheeks. "I thank your father for giving you to me. You're such a wonderful child."

"And I'm lucky to have two very cool parents," Daisuke said happily.

Orihime laughed. She didn't predict this kind of reaction from Daisuke. She thought he would be angry, or that there would be more pressing questions. But there was none.

But then Daisuke has always been a very considerate kid. Added to the fact that he was very concerned of other people, especially his mother. If there was a topic too sensitive or something that she would rather not talk about, Daisuke wouldn't ask. That was why she never had to answer to questions about his father's identity. Because Daisuke never asked her. Because she didn't want to, and Daisuke got the message a long time ago.

"Does Uncle Uryuu know who my father is?" Daisuke asked, out of the blue.

"Yes," Orihime confessed. "He was in on the secret. And I think right now, Kurosaki-san is very upset at him."

Daisuke stared out of the window. "I think I understand."

"You do?"

"Friends don't usually keep secrets from each other, especially if it's something big."

"But friends also keep secrets to protect their other friends."

Daisuke looked at her and smiled. "What about Uncle Uryuu?"

"What about him?" Orihime asked in concern.

"Now that I know my dad, then he won't be my dad anymore, like I wanted him to be," Daisuke said.

This answer brought Orihime back to reality like a slap on the face. Daisuke always wanted Uryuu to be his 'dad'. The little boy convinced her on almost half the dates she went out with Uryuu. But now, it was about to change.

In the first place, Orihime didn't intend to marry Uryuu. She was just content that Daisuke had a father figure to look up to. But now, she was uncertain how much of her friend Daisuke would see. She doubted Ichigo would ever allow Daisuke near Uryuu again.

"Do you still want Uncle Uryuu to be your dad?" Orihime asked.

"Not as much as before," Daisuke replied.

Orihime sighed inwardly. She sometimes forgot that Daisuke was still a child, and very prone to a change in opinion when the environment and situation dictated him to.

"You really like Kurosaki-san, don't you?" Orihime asked gently.

Daisuke grinned. "Yep. And I think I'm still getting over the fact that a very famous person is my father."

Orihime laughed. "Since when have you been a fan of fame?"

"Since I met Dr. Kurosaki, I mean – my dad."

"He's really great, isn't he?"

"Yes. Do you still like him, mom?" Daisuke questioned, looking at her very intently.

Orihime was shocked by this question. She didn't know whether to answer it or just laugh it off. As usual, her little boy caught her off guard with another one of his mind-bending questions.

"What do you think?" she asked, trying to get off the subject.

"I think you both still like each other," Daisuke murmured imperceptibly.

This comment didn't go unnoticed by Orihime's ears. Her son was really a big mystery to her. Wherever he gets his ideas, she has no idea.

But do I still like him? She thought to herself.

No. You still love him, her other self contradicted.

She mentally chided herself. Usually, her other self was more correct. And she hated what it was saying now.

"At the beach before the monster attacked us, I was hiding inside a ramen store when, um, dad, blocked my view of you," Daisuke started. "I started complaining that he was blocking my sight and when I looked at him, he was observing you."

"Observing me?" Orihime asked, mildly surprised.

"Yup," Daisuke replied. "Then when I said that you were my mom, he was so surprised that he didn't believe me at first. But I think he did. And I think he already figured out who I was. Maybe it's because I look like him."

Orihime swallowed the bile rising up her throat. Ichigo was observing her?

A knock on the door startled the two.

Tatsuki helped Uryuu up. The dark-haired man straightened his clothing and turned his back to them, descending the stairs in slow footsteps.

"Where are you going?" Tatsuki asked him, carefully tuning out the discomfort in her voice.

"Home."

"You're not going to Orihime's house?" she asked.

"I'm sure Ichigo will be there," Uryuu answered, his cold exterior belying the inner chaos he felt. He felt angry. Did he have the right to feel so? It wasn't hatred for Ichigo that he felt. It was for himself and all of these stupidities.

But I've got to knock some sense to Ichigo before he hurts Orihime, he thought. It's his fault, anyway.

"What makes you say that?" Renji asked with a frown on his face.

"Because he would want to make himself known to his son," Uryuu said.

"Knowing Ichigo, he probably told Orihime to tell Daisuke his identity," Rukia said. "You forget, he has a reputation of being reckless and hasty, especially when it concerns him personally."

"I know," Tatsuki said, looking at Rukia through tired eyes. "I just wish there was something we could do to help Orihime."

"Right now the best thing to do is to keep our mouths shut and let Ichigo cool down," Renji suggested.

"Let's just hope Daisuke's charms can alleviate the tension between the two," Rukia said.

"How'd you think that boy will handle this matter?" Renji asked.

"With as much acceptance as being defeated in karate practice," Tatsuki said confidently.

"What makes you say that?" Renji asked again.

"Because Daisuke is more mature and open-minded than any of us will ever be," Uryuu answered, walking away. "More than his own parents."

Tatsuki nodded. "I wonder what will happen to Ichigo and Orihime."

"Those fools just won't admit that they're still in love with each other," Rukia said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Love? They hate each other!" Renji said.

Rukia and Tatsuki laughed.

"You truly are dense!" Rukia said, laughing her head off as she went down the stairs with Tatsuki, riding back to the latter's house.

"What the fuck is going on?!" Renji grumbled, as he followed the two down the stairs into the road of an uncertain future – for all of them.

End of chapter.

"We don't regret the things that we have done wrong, but the things that we could have done right but chose not to do." – directX07 –

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Tell me :) Thanks!