~.X.~ ~.X.~ ~.X.~ (Uryuu's POV)

"Get out."

Inwardly, he grinned, hearing how calm and collected his voice sounded even as he glared at Rukia, who was sitting in their living room, drinking whatever she'd forced Ryuuken to get her. It was sickening.

This was a Quincy home. No Shinigami allowed.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Uryuu wavered at the thought, knowing that Rukia had nothing to do with this incident before Ryuuken's words from before returned to the front of his mind. He had said that Rukia hadn't hurt him 'intentionally', which implied that she still had something to do with his entire ordeal. She had known. She had probably known all along, at that. The idea hurt, but more than anything, it caused anger to well up within him. She had pretended to be his friend while still protecting Ichigo. She had pretended to care, just like everybody else.

Shinigami were horrible creatures.

"Uryuu...?"

Just the sound of her voice made him feel ill, and he didn't want to have to deal with looking at a traitor's face when he could be using his time to train. With somewhat of a snarl, he leaped from the couch, watching with a small amount of giddiness as Rukia's eyes widened and she shifted backward.

"I said get out, and never come back!"

He watched as Rukia glanced at Ryuuken, and had to fight off a grin when he swore he noticed a ghosting of a smirk flash across his father's face. He had never seen an expression like it, but he knew instantly that his father was proud of him for kicking the Shinigami out. After all, the only reason he had allowed her in was because she had been Uryuu's 'friend'. At least, up until now. But now...? Well, now she was just another one of those traitors, like all before her. Like Ichigo.

Eventually she lowered her head in the shame of being called out for what she was, and without another word, made her way toward the door. He waited, holding his breath in silence until he heard the door open and close, and with her exit came a rush of relief that sent him backward, back into the couch. His eyes closed for a few seconds, but when they reopened, Ryuuken was standing over him, watching him carefully.

Oh. Right. Exhaustion can be considered a form of weakness. Taking a deep breath, Uryuu sat up straight again, and gave Ryuuken a small smile.

"Now that the Shinigami's gone, I'd like to train now."

~.X.~ ~.X.~ ~.X.~

By the end of the day, Uryuu was in a horrible mood. He'd done good by kicking the Shinigami out of the house, right? So why... why was his father avoiding training him? He had proved he was strong enough to handle it, and that he wanted to, right? If so, then why was he being forced to sit in Ryuuken's library, pretending to read a book he wasn't even the slightest bit interested in? It made no sense!

When he had first asked, Ryuuken had gotten this weird look on his face before telling him they would after Uryuu got some real food in him. So like a good son, he'd accepted the deal, made breakfast for both him and his father, and sat down and ate together like a family. But then the dishes needed to be done before anything happened, so he dutifully washed and put them away. And then Ryuuken suggested he study since so much school had been missed, and still, like a perfect son, he diligently set about what homework had accrued in two and a half weeks, and gotten through it all in three hours. Then it was lunch time. Cook, eat, wash dishes, put away.

By then he was already becoming agitated, but there shouldn't have been anything else for him to do, so the mood had passed quickly. At least, until Ryuuken had handed him two large, leather bound books and asked him to read them. Cover to cover. Problem was, he didn't care what was on the covers, much less what was written within; he wanted Ryuuken to stop avoiding him and train him already! Frustratedly, he slammed the book closed, knowing anything he had been reading had already been forgotten, so there was no point in even continuing, especially when he could be doing something much more productive.

You're not strong enough.

Uryuu's hands gripped at his hair as he sat in the chair, trying to stave of a headache. The words rang true, even though he didn't want to believe them, and his father had shown him nothing else. But how could he not be strong enough? He had kicked the Shinigami out; he had survived long after he had wanted to die at Ichigo's hands... he had even dutifully returned to a regular life at his father's command. What more did he want?!

He wants you to stand up to him.

The words caught him off guard, and he turned a startled gaze on the closed door of the library. He'd never remembered Ryuuken taking such an active role in his life before, telling him what to do at every point in the day. Was he really waiting on Uryuu to stand up for himself and put his foot down about the training? The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like it was actually the truth. Strength came from being able to stand up for yourself against others; physically and mentally. Maybe he had proven his physical strength to his father already... maybe it was just the mental strength his father was waiting for.

Yes, that was it. Uryuu shot out of the chair fast enough to give him a head rush, but the sensation didn't keep him from running around the desk toward the door, and throwing it wide in his wake. It took him only a few moments to find his father seated on the living room couch, with a book open in his hands. As Uryuu came storming into the room, he noticed his father glance up, over the book, and fix him with an arched eyebrow.

A challenge.

He would win the challenge.

"I'm done with all these trivial things. Train me. Now."

He was pleased with how strong his voice sounded, and he was certain his father was as well when he sat the book down on his lap and fixed Uryuu with this searching stare. His words next, however, deflated that pride.

"It's getting late in the day, though. Perhaps we should wait until tomorrow."

He's testing you.

Right, it was just a test; one he could win. He crossed his arms, trying to make his posture look as intimidating as Ryuuken could, and answered in kind,

"No. I'll train all night if I have to. We're doing this now."

Several moments of silence fell between them, but Uryuu didn't allow himself to give in; rather, they stared at each other for a long time before Ryuuken finally sighed, and closed the book in his lap. Trying to keep the hope from his eyes, Uryuu watched with a breathtaking giddiness as Ryuuken stood and dusted himself off. Had he really won...?

"Grab whatever you need, then. There's a training ground underneath my hospital."

Resisting the urge to jump for joy, Uryuu nodded his head and rushed toward the stairs, unaware of his father's searching gaze on his back.

~.X.~ ~.X.~ ~.X.~ (Ichigo's POV)

With every step came a new thought, each one just as or more disturbing than the last. He wasn't sure where he was anymore; probably no where near Karakura Town, but that wouldn't stop the Soul Society from finding him and killing him. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to stop them from finding and killing him, either. It was just all so confusing.

Heaving a heavy sigh, he finally lifted his gaze from the sidewalk, glancing around at his unfamiliar surroundings, but for all he cared, he could have wandered into a desert. He hadn't eaten, hadn't drank anything, and it was starting to take its toll on his body. Vaguely, he wondered what would kill him first: the Soul Society, Uryuu's father, or himself. Right now... the odds weren't really tipping in anyone's favor. Sighing again, he veered off the sidewalk to his right, where a small park stood in abandon, most of the equipment old and rusted out, a few of the swings broken and the slide falling apart.

It looked like he felt; broken. Sitting down and leaning against the shattered slide, he felt a sort of kinship; of belonging here. It had served its purpose, and so had he, but now... now they were just something to be taken down and forgotten.

He fell asleep with those thoughts in mind.

A/N: Hey guys! Not the longest chapter, but I just kind of felt like these were good spots to end on in this chapter. Next chapter, look forward to Ryuuken's thoughts on this chapter's happenings, and also Uryuu training! Many thanks again to all of my viewers and reviewers: Gleca, Isame Kuroda, LadyGinoza, Doggyband, RenkaSan, Baerbelhaddrell, and both Guests! (And of course, a shout out to the ever elusive Axelkin! Haha) Seeing how large this story has become... it amazes me. My longest story I've ever posted to fanfiction was only 12 chapters long, and now, Fragility officially has 30 chapters under its belt. It's all thanks to all of you guys! So give yourselves a pat on the back before anything else, because I'm glad that together, we've created a living, breathing, REALLY long story that's captured the hearts of many (Myself included)!