Standard disclaimers apply to the fictional characters of BLEACH used in this story. They are the property of the esteemed Kubo Tite-sensei, and I have no claim over them. Please don't sue.

-.-

The minute she stepped into the room, she could feel how tense the atmosphere was. It didn't take her long to realize exactly why the Mistress looked cross and the Master was mystified. On the cherry wood coffee table was a white sheet of paper titled "Future Plans" and the Young Master's name was neatly written on top.

The Mistress looked at her and told her sharply, "You may leave Katagiri!"

But Ryuuken spoke up immediately and halted the young woman from leaving the room. "Katagiri stays."

Ishida Souken looked calmly at his son, who stared back firmly, so he set a hand on his wife's knee. "Why don't we let Ryuuken explain his choice? Sooner or later, the others in the house will hear of it anyway."

Kanae was slightly startled when the Master's eyes flickered over to her briefly as she strayed over to stand behind the chair in which Ryuuken sat.

"Very well," the mother said in irritation as she looked at her child. "Well, Ryuuken? Why do you want to become a doctor? What made you reject the idea of inheriting the company?"

Ryuuken sat up straight as he answered, "I've never had an interest in architecture, so it wouldn't benefit the company if I took over. A leader who is not serious will only bring failure."

"And you were interested in medicine before?" Souken asked as he leaned back into the couch. The Ishida own a landscaping company in the city, where other employees were primarily Quincy.

"I've started looking into it since the last term and I have been studying for the required exams." He stared sincerely at his parents with his hands fisted on his lap. "Please let me prove it to you that I am serious about my decision."

"Then what will happen to our company?" His mother stressed as she thought of the company's future. "It has always been the child of the Ishida family who takes over. If you choose to be a doctor, who will take over once your father steps down?"

"You can always have someone else to take over, it doesn't have to be me," Ryuuken argued. "There are many other employees who I am sure are more competent that I am."

"Suppose we do that, and the company continues to operate as usual. But what about you? Being a doctor is not easy. The weight of another person's life depends on the decisions you make, the prescriptions you write, and the way you prioritize. While you may have the passion, you must also understand the risks. Are you confident enough to make a wager on your success?" His father asked testily. His son sat there in silence as he stewed for an appropriate answer.

"Master, Mistress, if I may say a few words?" Kanae interrupted with composure though she was sure her heart would burst from racing.

Sternly, the Mistress gazed at her. "You may."

"If the Young Master permits it, I would like to make the wager on his behalf." She turned her eyes down to her charge since her youth. But she pushed forth, not waiting for his consent. "If the Young Master does not succeed, I will take leave of my position from the Ishida mansion permanently."

"Katagiri!" Ryuuken stood up immediately with a fire in his eyes. He gripped onto her wrist as if to hold her back.

The parents shared a look and the Master prompted, "Why should you be taking the fall for his faults, Katagiri?"

"Master and Mistress are very kind for accepting me into the Ishida family. You gave me the honor of serving the Young Master, and should the Young Master not succeed, then that only means that I have failed in my duties as his attendant. I should have no right to serve the Young Master after that." Kanae concluded without faltering.

She hid a wince when she felt Ryuuken's grip on her wrist tightened considerably. Together, they held their breaths as the two adults discussed her offer in low tones.

"We have made our decision," Souken said gravely. "We accept the wager you suggested, Katagiri. Ryuuken must successfully pass all his exams, and you must keep him on track if you wish to stay."

"I will do that, Master," replied Katagiri as she bowed lowly.

"Do not make us regret our choice, Ryuuken," his wife warned while looking at her son with unflinching eyes.

Ryuuken squeezed his hands in relief, in particularly the one still wrapped about Kanae's wrist. "I won't disappoint you, Father, Mother."

-.-

AN: Maybe I should change the genre to 'Drama' because there's certain a lot of it…

Thank you to my wonderful reviewers Isame Kuroda, Nessie910, picaso, and AaviyanTage!