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.
-.-
"I hope that I did not embarrass you tonight, Ryuuken-sama," Katagiri spoke up as they walked to the train station. There were people and bright lights among them, but they were all background noise to her.
Ryuuken stuffed his hands into his coat pocket as a particularly cold wind blew past. "I should be thanking you for joining me tonight. It must have been uncomfortable."
The dinner was at the professor's home and few other selected classmates and their guests also attended. There were times when Kanae found answers hard to come by, especially during the introductions before they were seated for dinner. But she flushed happily as she remembered how Ryuuken stepped in and presented her as his girlfriend. The term was still hard to grasp, their now complicated relationship even more so.
She smiled fondly at him. "No, thank you for bringing me. I really enjoyed it, Young Master."
Suddenly, Ryuuken stopped walking and turned around to face her, which forced her to stop just steps away from him. He was frowning down at her and she wondered if she said something wrong. "Is there something the matter, Young Master?"
He turned his head to the side, breaking their locked gazes. "There is no need for you to address me like that when it is only the two of us."
Kanae stared at him, befuddled by his request. Then what was she supposed to call him? Certainly, he couldn't be serious about her dropping the honorifics completely. She was technically still a part of the Ishida household staff. "Then, Ryuuken-sama…?"
She saw a twinge of annoyance on his face, but he quickly dismissed the topic. "That's fine for now. Let's get home."
-.-
AN: Ryuuken is talking a lot more than I ever envisioned... Sorry for the shortness.
Thank you my dear readers and reviewers, especially to Stresses, Isame Kuroda, Amulet Misty, Nessie910, Artemis2013, and DrkSpphrGT.