Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 307
A Kiss for Shelter
Reassurance
After this outburst, Hanatarou turned bright red and withdrew- embarrassed by his boldness as much as by the exchanged smiles of the two women.
Isane nodded approvingly and took the stethoscope the boy held out, "Well done." She turned to the expectant mother with a smile, "Captain Unohana has already put in a request for a more modern device that might measure the child's heart rate and more easily enable you to hear it as well." She paused flushing slightly, "As of now we are slightly unprepared- our equipment is a little out-of-date, but we hope to remedy that soon."
Xochitl bobbed her head in understanding and refolded the hospital's yukata as she sat up.
"If you'll- pl-please excuse me- I have to assist Unohana-Taichou in- in surgery." Hanatarou bowed, keeping his nervous gaze on the floor. Before the patient could offer a word of gratitude for his attendance the young medic scurried away.
Silence was left in his wake until the lieutenant cleared her throat softly.
"He is always so timid? It's nothing I've done?" Xochitl wondered glancing from the shoji of the private exam room to the woman at her bedside.
"Oh no," Isane gave a light chuckle, "Hanatarou is quite a shy fellow… Though he does seem a bit more so than usual."
Watching the young woman frown Isane inwardly scolded herself and amended quickly, "But I imagine it's simply because this situation is so rare- I mean- hardly any of us in the Fourth have experience with- umm…" She was desperately trying not to make the division sound incapable, yet the truth of the matter was- no one but the captain had any firsthand know-how.
After a few moments of awkward quiet, Xochitl offered, "I'm sure you will do your best."
With a sigh of relief Isane smiled gratefully, "We will. I promise."