Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU and draws inspiration from The West Wing. Some of the dialogue is almost directly quoted from the show.
A Growing Storm
Jyuushiro tried not to show his worry as he and the president headed towards the Oval Office.
"This is crap. It's been three days. This is amateur hour."
He tried to sooth the man some. "Tessai and Hachigen have to revise the response scenario, so that they speak to State--"
Urahara cut him off. "Tessai and Hachigen are dragging their feet. Tessai and Hachigen are trying to make me look like a clown. And State should concern itself with what I damn well tell them to be concerned with!"
"It doesn't work like that," Jyuushiro replied.
"So I've discovered."
"Good morning, Mr. President," one of the aides greeted him as the entered the Oval Office.
"Good morning."
"Moreover you know that's not the way it works. The Chiefs are working as swiftly as they can," Jyuushiro continued, "even though, frankly, time isn't a factor."
Ms. Tsumugiya was waiting for them and handed Urahara a piece of paper. "Good morning, Mr. President."
"Good morning."
Jyuu almost had the feeling that he was being ignored. "And not to pile on, but Tessai and Hachigen have a point with respect to the Security Council."
Urahara had moved back behind his desk. "Uh, Ms. Tsumugiya, I can't seem to find my glasses anywhere. Can you please do whatever it is you do when I can't find my glasses?"
"Certainly, sir."
The woman was out of the room before Urahara went off again.
"It's been seventy-two hours, Jyuushiro. That's more than three days since they blew him out of the sky. And I'm tired of waiting damn it! This is candy ass! We are going to draw up a response scenario today. I'm going to give the order today. We're going to strike back today."
This was one of the times, Jyuu hated his job, but somebody needed to do it.
"I wish you wouldn't say 'him', Mr. President."
Urahara looked startled. "What?"
"'Three days since they blew him out of the sky,'" Jyuu quoted. "Of course, that's fine while it's just you and me, sir, but in there with Kensei and the Chiefs, I hope you say 'it' or 'the airplane' not 'him'."
"You think I'm taking this personally," Urahara accused.
"I think--"
Urahara cut him off. "Why the hell shouldn't I take this personally?"
Now just how to approach this? Jyuushiro could only do his best.
"I think the fact that Shiba was on the plane--"
"Americans were on that plane," Urahara insisted.
"Mr. President--"
Urahara hadn't finished speaking. "I met Kaien four or five times. Let's not do this like he was my son."
"Yes, sir."
"Ms. Tsumugiya!" Urahara yelled.
"Mr. President, I still think we need to talk about," Jyuu started, but he trailed off when the president's secretary entered the room.
"I can't fine my glasses anywhere."
"Yes, sir, we're on it," the woman assured him.
"Thank you."
"The director is waiting," she reminded him of his next appointment.
Urahara frowned at his watch.
"Uh, yeah, let's have him." Once she had left, he turned back to Jyuushiro. "What did you want to say?"
"Nothing." It wasn't true, but Jyuu needed more time than Urahara had right now to deal with it.
"You sure?"
"Yes." Jyuu nodded. "I've got staff."
"All right, I'll see you in an hour."
"Thank you, sir."
As Jyuushiro headed to his own office, he couldn't help noticing Urahara squinting at the file in his hands, trying to read it. He really hoped they found the man's reading glasses soon. They didn't need anything else contributing to the man's bad mood today.
