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.
-.-
"Are you sure about this, Young Master?" Katagiri looked on as he locked up his briefcase, her lips thinned with unspoken plea.
Ryuuken readjusted his glasses as he stood up from his desk. Then he handed her the case, which she held close to her. "Yes, I am sure and I will return once my studies are complete."
"You know that there is no need for you to move. You can always take the car to and from the university. And you understand that the Mistress will worry." She followed him with her eyes as he went to his dresser and fastened his watch. The rest of his luggage was packed into the car waiting outside.
He paused and asked without looking at her, "Then would you like to come with me?"
Her throat dried up and her eyes were wide with shock. Somehow, her world seemed to have screeched to an abrupt halt for a moment. "E-Excuse me?"
Ryuuken turned around to fully face her. "Come with me to Tokyo."
Though her heart fluttered in joy, Kanae shook her head in refusal. "I cannot, Ryuuken-sama."
His blue gaze hardened immediately. Though he normally did not push for any explanations, the words left his lips before he could reconsider them. "Why not?"
"It is not appropriate," she answered vaguely as her eyes glanced off to the side. "I am also needed here at the mansion."
"Are you running away from your duties, Katagiri?" he questioned with a step forward, toward her. "And would you have me shirk from my responsibility?"
Her brows furrowed in confusion. While her duty was always to him, first and foremost, she couldn't think of what responsibilities that he had other than to maintaining the pure bloodline of the Ishida and Quincy name and to successfully attain his degree in medicine. Realization struck and she snapped her attention to him. Somehow, it unsettled her—was he only asking because of the conditions of the bet?
"Let me prove to you that it wasn't wrong of you to believe in me," Ryuuken told her firmly as they stand less than an arm's length away from each other. "Come with me and watch from my side."
His earnest words touched that wavering piece of her, but her instincts overwhelmed her. A life outside of the Ishida mansion was foreign and unimaginable. Katagiri took a step back and bowed deeply as she hugged the briefcase tightly to her chest. "Please, let me think about it, Ryuuken-sama."
-.-
AN: Not the best, but it'll have to do. Long week of work ahead.
Much thanks to my wonderful readers and reviewers, especially Isame Kuroda, AnuHit, La Kalaka, Anna Riza Kurosaki, Picaso, Nessie910, and Stresses.