A/N: GOOD GOD! This was the hardest chapter I have ever had to write! But it's done! And if you haven't read History Repeats, the one-shot, I recommend you do so before reading this chapter! You'll see why! Enjoy!

It's quiet when I enter the clinic. On a good night, it usually is. It makes it easier to find him since on nights like these, he's in his office. As I make my way over to him, I can feel his reiatsu, and I know he can feel mine, but when I stand in the doorway, he doesn't bother to be surprised. He remains at his desk, filling out forms, his eyes never straying up.

"I'm going to marry her."

It doesn't come out in anger or defiance like I thought I might have said it, nor does it come out as defensive or combative; the words and the tone come out in the only way that it can: matter of fact with no doubt, with no room for argument or disagreement. To me, the statement is absolute and obvious, but more than that, to say it to him, to the person who did not approve of my relationship, saying those words are a great relief.

His hand stills before he places his pen to the side. He glances at me before he stands up in silence, and he passes me silently. I did not know what to expect when I told him, but this, this complete disregard of me is not something I could have imagined.

Instead of leaving, I walk over to his desk, picking up the picture frame of mom, wishing that she were here. Wishing that she would just enter this room with a big smile as she pinched dad's ear, getting him to follow her. Wishing that she would call him an idiot before letting him go and rushing to give me a hug of acceptance and understanding.

I sigh as I place her photo down, turning to leave when I see my dad in the doorway. He tosses me something, and by instinct, I catch it.

I feel the blue velvet of the small box before opening it.

I can feel the scowl form just as suddenly as I can feel the burn in my eyes.

"Use it. She would have wanted you to."

My eyes follow his movements as he walks to his chair to sit. All the questions I have are being unasked. All the preconceived notions I had are being unformed. All my emotions I'm having are being unraveled. As I stare at him, I can't get one word out because I'm too hopeful to hear words of approval and to pessimistic to not. Stuck in between, I'm silent.

When he smiles, he seems his age for the first time. Wistful and sad and wearied.

"Being with her will always feel like heaven. It'll be the happiest time of your life. You lived before her, but with her, you will really live," he says as he picks up the same picture I had just placed down. "And because of that, because of her, you won't ever really be complete without her. Not anymore. You see that, right?"

Oh. I did see. I finally see.

All I could hear that night she confessed was disapproval. I could not hear his warning. I could not hear his wisdom. I could not hear his concern, and because I could not hear it, because I refused to hear it, I had scorned him. I vilified him. I resented him. Unjustly so.

Apologies would not be enough to express my regret.

"She smiled, you know." He abruptly says.

"Who?" I ask as I take the seat across from him.

"Orihime," he continues while he sets the picture down. "On that day she lost everything, she looked at me, and she thanked me. She didn't want to, I could tell, and it hurt her to do it, but she smiled. Covered in blood, tears running down her face, she smiled as she thanked me for helping even though I couldn't. Even though her brother…" he trails off. He leans back in his chair, his eyes moving to stare at the ceiling. "I have seen many people die in my time when I was a Shinigami. I had even lost people as a doctor, but in all my years I have lived, I have never felt as…as helpless as I did then. To this day, it still haunts me."

I try to repress the chuckle so I wouldn't interrupt his train of thought, but I fail. He stares at me, taken aback.

"Sorry. It's just…every once in a while, it hits me that we are so much alike," I explain, recalling that I had said the same thing when Orihime and I had our first date.

He gives a small sigh.

"That is what I'm afraid of, my boy. I'm afraid that we are just too damn similar," he admits while he reaches into his drawer and pulls out two glasses and a bottle of liquor. He pours some liquor in both glasses before he hands me one.

"I'm just so afraid that history will repeat," he confesses. At this, he downs his glass before pouring himself another.

I look into the liquid, swirling it in thought.

"Would it be so bad if it did?"

His expression changes into shock.

"I mean, I'll love her like you loved mom. I'll do my best to make her happy. I'll be the devoted, stupidly doting husband that you are. I'll help her have the family she's always wanted, and I'll be the irritating, dependable father that you are. I'll be the man you taught me to be. Is that…would it really be that bad?"

He raises the glass to his lips, and he drinks the liquor in one gulp before he uses his arm to rub his eyes.

"When you put it like that, how can I argue?"

I snort.

He pours himself another glass and sighs.

"Masaki, our baby boy is all grown! I couldn't be prouder!"

I roll my eyes as I set my drink down.

"Oh, come on! Have a drink with your father!"

"I'm underage."

"You are such a stickler! One drink won't kill you! Besides, we are celebrating! My boy's getting married!"

I wrinkle my nose before picking up the glass and taking a swig. It stings as it goes down. I do my best to not grimace.

He laughs.

"Maybe we are less alike than I thought," he jests.

"Make up your mind, old man. Are we alike or not?"

"Alright, then." He nods to himself. "Be like me, Ichigo, but be better. Don't let history repeat too much. Protect her with all you got. And if you have to go against Fate to do it, then do it. Just don't let your sun be taken away. Got it?"

"Who do you think you are talking to?" I ask with a smirk.

He holds out his glass, and I clink mine against his.

"That's my boy."