Vertigo

AN: As always, thanks for all reviews!

Into the late afternoon they waited. Isshin didn't urge his son to go home even as the day dragged by without news, and for that Ichigo was grateful. Ishida had urged Orihime to go get something to eat, as she had neglected her lunch in the worry for her friend. He had dragged her to the cafeteria.

Isshin had gone to drop the twins off at home. They both were concerned about their brother's childhood friend, but the tension of a hospital waiting room was too much for girls their age.

Tatsuki's parents had finally just arrived after taking the fastest route back from America. Their second honeymoon was long forgotten.

"Excuse me? I have news for the Tatsuki Ariwisa party?" They all stood to face the nurse that had spoken. She looked a little surprised by the number of people.

The poor thing was immediately battered by questions. This girl should count her lucky stars, being so loved, the nurse mused with amusement.

"Tatsuki broke her collarbone and her femur, both cleanly. We had to insert a total of three pins. One in her collarbone, two in her leg. The pins will help the bone heal in place, and will not be removed. She has a shiner, from hitting her head on the dash. But she'll be fine. She needs to be in a wheelchair for about 6 months, and maybe even get some physical therapy. But we don't foresee any permanent damage."

"Can we see her?" her mother asked.

"This way please." The nurse led them down the hall to visit their daughter.

"How on Earth will they get her to willingly use a wheelchair?" Ichigo laughed.

"I'm so glad that she's alright!" Orihime cried. Ishida was next to her, his hand protective and resting around her shoulders.

"Excuse me." A foreign voice interrupted smoothly. Five heads rose to look at the new arrival.

"I'm Officer Yasotoma. I have a few questions about the accident."

"Yes. I called you awhile ago." Chad murmured.

"Why didn't you call me immediately after the accident?" Officer Yasotoma asked, "You called your friends here didn't you?" He gestured at the curious eyes around them.

"My phone is in the car. I couldn't find it. I called them on the hospital phone when I got here." Chad looked away.

"How did you get here? The site of the accident was 16 miles from here."

"I picked her up and carried her." Chad replied simply. The officer blinked, as if dubious of this claim, but after looking at the giant that was Chad he had no more doubts. It was certainly possible that he had carried her so far.

"Good for you kid. Could you describe the accident to me?"

"We were going to a gig. We were going 60 on the freeway. We were in the left lane. Another car came at us from the right lane, but going faster, and to the side."

"How fast would you say they were going? If you had to guess." The official sat next to Chad.

"At least 90."

"Holy shit." laughed Ishida nervously.

Rukia and Ichigo nodded in agreement.

"And we got hit. From the right," Chad continued," We flipped about twice. Maybe more than that. I'm not sure how many times we flipped. When we landed, she was out." Orihime winced at hearing this, prompting Uryu to tighten his comforting hold on her shoulders. Rukia observed this tiny gesture and smiled despite herself.

"And you got her out and carried her to the hospital? Then called the police, then her parents, and finally your friends?" Officer Yasotoma concluded.

"Yes." Chad affirmed softly.

"Mr. Sado, we have already spoken to the other driver. His name is Haruki Yasumi. He was driving back from a party in Ebisu. He was drunk, so the accident is his fault."

"Is he injured?" Asked Rukia.

"He was missing his two front teeth, but he claims that it was from an altercation a few days ago in a museum gift shop" The officer looked at Ichigo and Rukia whose eyes were both wide open.

"I punched him." Ichigo said bluntly.

"After you heard about the accident? asked Officer Yasotoma in confusion.

"No! I punched him two days ago in the gift shop of the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum. He was flirting with Rukia, and he grabbed her wrist and called her a bitch when she ignored him. I thought he was going to hit her. I panicked." Ichigo blushed at having admitted this.

"See?" Rukia showed the friendly police officer the bruise on her wrist.

"I see." The officer replied. "In that case Mr. Yasumi can now add assault to his list of charges. I'll need to contact you later, Mr. Sado. You too Miss…."

"Kutchki."

"Thanks. And we'll see to those charges. Assault, driving under the influence, and vehicular endangerment. Mr. Yasumi has a bit of explaining to do." The officer winked, and gave Chad his card, and walked off.

"Well it's a small world, isn't it?" laughed Rukia.

"Is your wrist okay, Rukia?" asked Orihime sweetly.

"It's alright." Rukia replied softly. Ichigo had begun to tenderly rub the offende area, having been reminded of its unfortunate existence once more.

Tatsukis' parents emerged, and they went to talk to Officer Yasotoma. The group was allowed to visit her.

Tatsuki looked drowsy and her bandaged leg was propped up. She had a cast on her neck.

She was grinning.

"I never do anything with subtly do I?" Tatsuki laughed.

"Tatsuki! How are you feeling?" Orihime perched on a chair beside her.

"Well, as good as it can be expected, I guess. Hope you weren't too worried." The tomboy went to scratch the back of her neck like she tended to do when she was feeling a bit sheepish, but her neck brace rudely interrupted her. Ichigo snickered and she rewarded him with an evil grin.

"Me! No, I wasn't worried! Oh, well I was, but not too much!" Orihime babbled.

Tatsuki turned to Uryu.

'Don't let her fool you. She was very worried." The Quincy said. Orihime pouted at him for outing her, but let him put his arm around her once more. Tatsuki noted this immediately.

"You two an item now? Let me tell you something Uryuu…" She let her voice drift off threateningly.

"If I hurt Hime, you will do something to me that will be both painful and humiliating." Ishida said calmly.

"So you understand." Tatsuki nodded, pleased that her message had been received properly.

'Tatsuki."

"Chad. Thanks for calling my parents. You aren't hurt are you?"

"No." The burly Mexican had found sudden and intense interest in his shoes.

"Doesn't surprise me, a giant like you." Tatsuki murmured. "Did she just blush?" whispered Rukia to Ichigo.

"Yup." Ichigo affirmed quietly, but with glee. The gentle giant and the hotheaded athlete? His two friends would make for a very entertaining couple.

After the visit ended, Ishida walked Orihime home. They walked hand in hand. Ichigo called his dad to come get him and Rukia. Chad was staying the night at the hospital, with Tatsuki and her parents. They were very grateful that he had helped their daughter, and would likely approve if they ended up dating.

"I'm so glad that everything has worked out." Rukia muttered. Ichigo sat beside her. It was good to be waiting for dad to come pick them up, rather than wait anxiously for news like they had earlier.

"Me too." He supplied, giving her a smirk.

" We should kiss now that I'm your girl." Rukia pointed out, her tone one of pure logic, and her eyes to the brim with mischief.

"That would make sense wouldn't it?" He leaned forward and she met him. Rukia felt her eyes flutter shut.

Being as possesive a person as he was, she had expected a kiss whose purpose was to claim her. She had expected a devouring kiss because they were both such passionate people.

But the gentle but firm brushing of his lips against hers had nothing to prove but his fondness of her. It was polite, but not timid. Gentle but anything but clumsy.

It was bliss.

AN: There! Happy to have the fluff return? :]