Mah eyes…. I had an episode surfing session to better understand the characters before this so that I don't stink up the following chapters… Also I won't lie and say the lack of reviews isn't seriously depressing… falls asleep Zzz…

XXX

Ryuuken sat in his office finishing off the last of the paperwork. Would Uryu be able to find his own way to increasing his power? He believed that every Quincy had to find their own way to power, but up till now, his son had always had help.

Anything from advice to the Sanrei glove, his father had always helped Uryu along the way. But now when it came to standing on his own two feet, would his son be able to succeed?

This was the last hitch in their deal. He knew that Uryu was intelligent, but if he couldn't clear is first important stage on his own, he truly had no talent, and teaching him would be just a waste of time.

Packing up the last of the files, he stood up, adjusted his glasses and went on his way. Locking the door to the office, he wondered how much progress Uryu had made. "If any." He thought.

Descending the stairs to the training room, he glanced at his wristwatch. "8.00 pm." He had been gone for three hours. Entering the training grounds, he saw his son in the exact same spot; high on a pillar in the heart of the room. He saw the point on bow in his hands flashing blue and knew he was about to fire. It was the perfect opportunity to assess his progress.

The materialized spirit particles swirled around the figure, but, instead of forming a solid arrow, faintly, Ryuuken could see them rotating in a fixed path so fast that the arrow seemed solid. "Interesting technique." He thought.

He didn't need to see more, he knew that Uryu had already succeeded. Burying his hands into his pockets, he flashed stepped up the pillars.

High up in the room, Uryu was determined to make this arrow right. His muscles were screaming for air and his face was drenched in sweat. Keeping the arrow steady and the particles in motion, He took aim and fired.

The next instant, the pillar he had been aiming at exploded in a cloud of dust and rubble. The backlash was so strong that it knocked him backwards onto the ground.

Exhausted, he got unsteadily to his feet, panting slightly, as he turned to face the pillar. Judging from the angle at which it had been shattered, the arrow had hit slightly off course. He had succeeded in accomplishing his task, but he still needed to correct his aim. Silently, he thanked the Seele Schneider, for that was where he had gotten the idea from. Also, the fact that a smaller amount of spirit particles was needed to form a normal arrow in this case, it would enable him to keep going for a longer time and further build up his stamina.

After a split second's rest, he felt his father's reiatsu appear behind him. Although exhaustion had hampered his senses, he knew that his father shad seen the shot. Turning to face Ryuuken, his father's stoic face did not come as a surprise. Ishida had not expected nor did he need any sign of approval from Ryuuken.

After a pregnant pause, Ryuuken broke the silence. "Return here tomorrow." Then he turned and walked slowly away.

XXX

Uryu turned to look at the clock. "12 am." If he didn't get some sleep soon he would have a hard time paying attention in school the next day, but sleep was far from his mind. After a long train of thoughts relating to his training, his mind spontaneously drifted to his now, former friends. It was only the first day and they shouldn't get too suspicious yet. But he knew that as time dragged on, a confrontation was imminent. Especially since Kurosaki was already beginning to smell a rat.

School seemed more like ages ago rather than just a few hours ago. He had narrowly avoided encounters with mostly the bright-haired Shinigami all day at school. How long would he be able to keep up the pace? It was Ichigo's damned determination that made it more difficult than it should have been. But he knew. Although on the surface he was cursing them, inside, he was mourning the loss of the friends he had grown to care for and respect. But he had not choice. It was a matter of pride.

Sleep claimed him moments later, just as a ray of moonlight shone through the curtains, illuminating his face in its silvery glow.

XXX

Inspiration pool is in danger of drying up here… I think I'll be dead by the time the chapters hit double digits…