AN: Here it is, another one shot about Ishida and his child. Hope you guys out there enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and its characters.

Role of Fathers

"LOOK…look, Ichirin…look at those ducks!" I pointed towards the pond where a few snow white ducks could be seen swimming around.

An innocuous laugh came from Ichirin and he opened and shut his hands like he wanted to grab the ducks. When his hand opened again, I quickly put my index fingers into it. His small palm felt soft. Ichirin laughed yet again and squeezed my finger. I felt like the luckiest man on Earth right that instant. Smiling back at him, I gently shook him and made my way up the grassy knolls of Karakura park to get back on the pedestrian path.

Slightly shifting him, I took a whiff of the baby smell that emanated from Ichirin. The smell of Ichirin is a sweet smell, a mixture of baby powder and Orihime's perfume. It reminds me so much of his mother that smelling him felt like Orihime was right beside me. I took another deep breath letting thefragrant fill all my olfactory senses but the new breath of airsmells different.

'Arghh…air…air…' I gasped, my mind shouted out helplessly.

Ichirin was awfully silent compared to the same personwho was laughing and smiling just now. Easing my finger out of his clutches, I held Ichirin a little distance away from my body and eyed him critically. At this distance, I can feel fresh air entering my body once again. At times like this I really appreciate Mother Nature for her crisp fresh air. Now, I wonder what I should do with Ichirin.

I stood there pondering about it for a while and it suddenly struck me. The answer was so simple, how can I actually miss it?

I took a step back and put Ichirin, who is sucking on his thumb now, on the grass.He looked back at me with his huge doe-like eyes.

"You wait here for Daddy, alright? Daddy is going to find Mommy and will be back real quick," I reassured him and playfully patted his head. Gathering spiritual energy to my feet, I sped back home.

Orihime came out from the kitchen the minute I shut the door. She started, "You guys are fast today, how was…was…"

I quickly went to her side andpulledher to the door.

"Uryuu, where is Ichirin?"

"Hush, I'm taking you to him right now…there has been an accident…" I said, carrying her and concentrating. In a blink of an eye, we are back at the park where I left Ichirin. A crowd has gathered around Ichirin who is crying now.

I put Orihime down and she rushed over to Ichirin. She picked him up and hummed to comfort him.

"What a poor child…how could people abandon him here?" I caught snippets of the crowd's conversations.

'I definitely did not abandon my son…' I thought heatedly to myself. My fists balled up to control my anger.

"Uryuu…"Orihime said, concern in her voice. She eyed me quizzically, "What happened? Ichirin is fine except that his diaper is full…"

By now the crowd has dispersed and I felt at lost of words at how to explain the situation to Orihime.

"Don't tell me that you left him there because he smells…" she stated the obvious all of a sudden. How she knew I have no idea. I could not meet her gaze.

Subduing Ichirin, she walked towards me, her eyes ablaze she said in a steady voice, "Here…"

"You said you wanted a more active role in Ichirin's life last week, right? Could you hold him till we get home…the normal way," she continued after pushing Ichirin into my arms. I wrinkled my nose and accepted my soiled son. It was difficult not to accept the bundle of joy with your beloved wife beaming ever so sweetly at you as Orihime is doing right at the moment.

Two days later

I watched as she fixes the fresh new diapers on Ichirin before pulling on the new jumpsuit that I sewed specially for him. He was smiling the entire time and I cannot help but grin at the sight that unfolded in front of me. Orihime then peppered some baby powder on his limbs and she gave him a peck on his cheeks before announcing, "Uryuu, he's done now!"

I quickly rushed forward to take Ichirin from her as she took him off the nursery bed where she uses it to change him. I clapped my hands and held it out but Orihime kept Ichirin close to her chest, eyeing my outstretched hands in disapproval.

"Uryuu, don't forget our little talk two days ago…" she said suddenly.

I nodded and gave her a peck on her cheek, before finishing her sentence for her, "Don't forget to bring Ichi home especially if it is full…"

She smoothen Ichirin's hair with the grace and poise of a mother hen. Suddenly her eyes harden like agates, "And you know what happens if you do leave him behind this time!"

I gulped and gave her another nod.

Her face softened back to their normal featuresand she let out a giggle, "Ja, have fun at the park!"