How time has passed, you thought solemnly gazing at the moon holding a steamy cup of tea. It was now reaching two weeks into May, a month and a half since the first term started, and two weeks since Isshin's surprise check-up call. You hadn't expected the call suddenly out of obscurity, you weren't sure why he called, his message was brief; thirty seconds or less it seemed, you guess.
Whatever the reason you hadn't responded, you were quite sure the number was still the same, clearly, your number was.
Besides, you could see they were just fine. Casually you wave your free hand circularly through the vapors and wait. Within seconds the vapors disapparate and on the surface of your tea manifested a familiar residence. The Kurosaki Clinic. You lower your eyes to it and see the clinic was fine. Everything was fine. It looked fine. No sense or sight of any creature. There wasn't anything peculiar you saw from your distance. Everyone in the clinic was fine, you saw Yuzu setting the table for dinner. She resembled her mother in many ways; you moved Karin who nonchalantly sat at the table with a tad of agitation on, you had an idea who it was directed at; adjusting and turning your sight to see father and son. Ichigo managed to punch Isshin sending him to the floor. You looked on bewildered for a moment before shaking your head.
That man, you thought despondently.
Isshin got up with a minor bruise on the cheek, smiling loudly from ear to ear chuckling as he joined his kids for dinner. Before he sat down he scratched the back of his head and glanced up for a moment. You swipe your hand over the cup, tearing your eyes away, and ending it. Your heart was racing, did Isshin…did he…you wondered through your flying thoughts.
No, no he couldn't have…this time…you ensured that.
Your hands trembled slightly, causing the tea to spill slightly over the sides. You ignored it and placed your free hand over your heart, closing your eyes you quickly take a few breaths and regain control. Opening your eyes you lift them back to the moon, it was full again and seemed ever so close. You couldn't resist outstretching a hand towards it only to quickly draw it back and stop the bittersweet memories and echoing voices of the past attached from rising. They came like a tidal wave nearly submerging you in them, but you managed to shove them down.
An aching tremored in your heart, you nearly dropped but kept yourself steady. It burned for a few seconds, but you kept yourself together, you had to. Shutting your eyes again, tightly, inhale, and exhale deeply. Each breath you released held a small tremble that lessened. You needed your center, you needed to find it.
"Breathe, breathe Mistress."
You heard E'mbyr's voice whisper cooly. It helped, your breathing and mind began aligning. It completely aligned after another, old and familiar voice came.
Opening your eyes again, lift them back to the moon. Your lips were about to tremble but you harden the thought and poured out your tea down below. As you did you slowly descend back to the ground below. Your feet, barefooted, are welcomed by the coolness of the backyard grass. It was always a rejuvenation current that tingled throughout your body.
Once you were completely planted you heard a small rustle nearby, alarmed you whip your eyes in that direction with your hand raised outlined with a golden iridescence glow. Slowly you walk over and see a small dark figure crouched in the corner near the fence; you stop when its piercing golden eyes oscillate toward you.
It was that stray, Licorice.
You lower your hand and minutely shake your head. That dang cat. It kept its eyes on you steadily before turning back and continuing what it was doing. Licorice was eating or by now finishing the salmon gyozas you made for dinner tonight. Adam saved a few and put them out here before bed for Licorice. Though you considered it wasteful(sometimes Licorice wouldn't come), it made Adam smile and you allowed it. You watch the stray for another minute before heading back inside. The house was quiet and still as it always was, it was dark too with the exception of near melted candle's flickering flame providing mid glow. The flame was staying strong, but it would go out soon and you'd have to get another one. Possibly this weekend and you needed to visit that place too.
Letting out a yawn you make your way out of the kitchen, to the stairs, and up to your room. Carefully you crept up each stair, ensuring you lighten the pressure so you wouldn't wake Adam. Before going to your room, you stop and peek in on Adam. Through the dark your eyes automatically found Adam sleeping soundlessly. His glasses were carefully nested on his desk which was covered with crayons, papers, and all sorts of art materials. His homework was somewhere there, sighing to yourself you made a mental note to search for it in the morning. Seeing he was alright you get ready to shut the door when you noticed his foot sticking out on the side. Opening the door a little wider you slip in and over to him. With a gentle touch, you tuck it back in and plant a feathered kiss on his head.
His nose wrinkled slightly, you couldn't help but smile and kindly stroke his hair. Your heart swelled warmly before it slowly began sinking when that memory came. Holding yourself together you leave his room, though stop for a moment and gaze around at his drawings decorating his wall. Each one was different, some had those boney heads, some had others had people dressed in black (you think) holding sticks, there was one drawing with people dressed in black with a truffle of brown atop their head and what seemed like glasses, and few others. Your eyes sullenly linger on the boney heads and people; reaching up a hand to one with a boney head hold it for a moment and study it for a moment. Releasing it go you leave and head to your room.
With a snap of your finger, the light turns on and even though your bed was there welcoming for the night, you held off. Sleep was there but after what happened outside you couldn't bring yourself to partake, instead, you take out your work material and laid it all out. For the next few hours, until the sun rose, you'd complete a few more lesson plans for the upcoming week as you did so, you added a few pop quizzes. Your students disliked them but it was always good to be prepared, besides sometimes a little surprise was always good.
"Before we begin, I want to praise each and every one of you on your high marks on your assignment," you congratulate the class the next day after lunch holding their recently graded art assignment with a joyful smile that caused a few cheeks to turn red, "I am proud of all of you! You are genuinely focused on your education and have a bold desire to learn."
You begin passing out their assignment and giving a sweet comment about it. On their assignment, you had the score at the top with either a star or happy along with words of further praise and what they could improve in. When you came to Orihime, she sat up straight and eagerly with a bashful look awaited your presence.
"Miss Orihime, extraordinary!" you smile handing it to her with a light pat on the shoulder, and move on.
Orihime looked at her paper and beamed touchingly. That warm feeling rose again and your lingering scent of flowers elevated it. Tatsaki who received a good grade snickered at Orihime's reaction but found it enduring. She noticed the note you added and the smiley face you gave, Orihime kept her eyes on it her cheeks warming even more. Trying to keep her eyes on her paper Orihime couldn't help but cast a few sweet looks your way, you were nearly half done and just handed Uyru his. Despite how you felt about his father and that man's constant calls for scheduling check-ups for Adam, you held none towards his son and gave him a light pat on the shoulder, and moved on to the next student.
"Mr. Keigo," you lean in whispering, "you did well. Please keep it up. You have improved grateful from your previous ones."
You shot him a hearty smile before moving on and handing Mizurio who sat next to him, not aware of the basking flush forming on Keigo.
"Thank you, Miss Bishop," Mizurio gave you a clement smile taking his assignment.
He was always respectfully polite, you return the smile and continue. Those who had their assignments began filling the room with murmurs and showing one another their grade. It pleased your ears hearing that, you just have a few more to hand out. Reaching the back you come to Ichigo's workstation.
"Here you are Mr. Chad," you hand him his assignment, and he takes it respectfully. "Wonderful job!"
He gave you a nod, "Thank you. Ah," he paused and turned to Ichigo who kept his eyes on the wall and back to you. You kept your smile on and without a crack of disappointment hand Chad Ichigo's assignment.
"Please tell him, he did wonderful as well," you whisper to Chad and quickly move on to the last few students.
After handing the last student their assignment you return to the front, where you lifted up a smaller stack of papers, the students were still chattering about their grades. Kegio you noticed was hugging his for some reason, you couldn't help but quietly laugh; Mizurio shook his head slightly only stopping when he briefly locked eyes with you and gave a wave. You returned it and looked at another student you didn't see him nudge Keigo. After another minute you clear your throat and project your voice, keeping its tenderness.
"Please set your assignments aside momentarily," you instruct and wait for a moment as they did so and continue, "thank you. Your heightened joy is understandable and you should all be proud of what you have done. I dare this might just be my best class yet."
Orihime's smiled softly dropping her eyes to her paper. You continued.
"We are nearly halfway through our first term. Time has graciously flown by and before we know it the first term will end," you said with a tinge of sadness despite your smile, you pause for a moment reflective, "Let us not think of that moment. After what I have to say, alright?"
All eyes minus Ichigo's remained on you, you continued laying your hand on the pile of papers, "Before this term ends and for the remainder of the school year, I managed to gain the approval of the school's principal that permits you and us as a class to venture outside and off the premises to the markets! Does that not sound thrilling?"
A few students looked on confused by your speech, you realized this and chuckled nervously. Sometimes you forgot your formal tone, quickly clear your throat and say it again, in an understandable way, "Apologizes. I simply meant the principal has allowed us to occasionally take trips to the market for our home economics."
The confusion left the students' faces and lit with understanding. A hand rose, you looked in their direction and gave a nod.
"Are you saying we'll be allowed to go mini field trips?" they asked.
You cheer up, "Yes! Precisely! This shall benefit all of you tremendously. As you age and will soon become adults, you must understand the workings of the world beyond what you know. It is my duty to ensure you are prepared for that." Orihime lends in, "For there will come a time when I will not be present and you must be ready. So this shall provide assistance. Also, there is only so much I can bestow, I mean to teach you. So, here in my arms are permission slips that need to be signed by your guardian or a guardian or parent whichever you prefer, and returned to me Monday at the start of class. Alright?"
Just as you did with their art assignment you began passing out the forms, providing further instructions. Orihime slumped slightly in her seat and stared somberly at the countertop. Her hands remained on her lap clenching her skirt, when you came she lifted her eyes a joyfully took the form thank you. You give her a nod and continue, though slide a quick glance back at her and Tatsaki who reached over a hand to Orihime.
Once you passed out the forms and returned to the front began the lesson.
Over at Karakura Elementary Adam, having returned back to school from his lengthy absence, had his attention on his math sheet of addition when something black dropped outside the window catching his attention. His eyes shot up to the window, and an elated smile spread across his face. He turned to his classmate next to him, Jun a boy with a quiet yet serious face, dark hair, and green eyes, sat began nudging him.
"Jun! Jun!" Adam whispered loudly, poking the boy until he stopped and turned a snapping glare at Adam.
"Stop it!" he hissed.
Adam paid no mind and pointed to the window, "I saw that lady in black again! Right outside! Did you see it?"
Jun scooted over glaringly, "No! Stop talking about pretend things and do your work!"
"She was right there! I saw her! I really did! Hey, let's go look for her! Com-"
Adam grabbed hold of Jun's wrist, ignoring his protests, and began tugging him out of his seat. The commotion turned a few students' heads, and another student at their table raised her hand flagging down Mrs. Eto. Hearing everything she sharply crossed the room.
Back at Karakura High, your class ended for the day. At the ring of the bell, the students gathered their things, meanwhile, you walked and stood by the door. As you always did, once the first few students walked over, you opened the door and wished them a wonderful weekend. They returned the kind gesture with their goodbyes; a few waved at you or smiled. Chad gave you a slight nod, you noticed Ichigo on his other side trying to hide. He didn't say anything to you, as always. Though it stung, you kept it at bay and kept smiling.
Mizuiro walked out with Keigo, who tried rushing you for a hug but Mizurio stepped before him; blocking his friend(to Keigo's dismay) and presenting you with a genial smile followed by a slight nod of the head. You weren't sure why he did it but accepted it and wished him and Keigo a wonderful weekend. The next to come out, affable as always, Orihime with Tatsaki.
The bubbly teen came out with her smile from ear to ear joyfully waving at you. "Thank you for a wonderful class, Miss Bishop," Orihime beamed, "have a wonderful weekend too!"
"Miss Orihime, could please remain behind for a moment," you requested, a surprise to her and Tatsaki, which you sensed and turned to Tatsaki with reassurance, "it will not be long. Please, Miss Orihime, if you will."
The two girls exchange glances quickly, you waited patiently until Orihime stepped away from Tatsaki and over to you. You escort her back inside and shut the door. Tatsaki waited uncertainly outside, her eyes remained on the door as her mind wondered what could be the reason you wanted to talk with Orihime. It couldn't be her work, Orihime received high marks on it. Was it something else? Was it from the Home Ec class? Tatsaki knew Orihime slightly struggled in it, considering her own cooking abilities, but you were always patient with her and encouraging despite Tatsaki's reprimanding. All the other classes were fine, so what could it really be?
Beginning to feel unnerved, Tatsaki felt an itch in her hand to go and knock on the door, but that would be rude. Maybe it wasn't as drastic as she thought, Tatsaki tried to believe. You seemed as she recalled, completely fine, your usual calm and mirthful self. Nothing was out of place, then again Tatsaki knew from her memory of you, years ago, you always had that presentation. The moment you stepped into the dojo with Masaki to pick up Ichigo, you held yourself as such; Tatsaki couldn't take her eyes off you for a moment. Your presentation, though polished, was rather difficult to read. Even now after all these years.
Feeling time ticking away and her nerves taking over Tatsaki pressed forward and rose a hand to knock on the door. Just as she was about to, the door opened and Orihime came out with you.
"Tatsaki, did you need something?" Orihime asked blinking confusingly at her.
Tatsaki stood frozen as a flush slowly crept across her cheeks, "Ummm...a..." she tried to get out the words. The way your eyes fell on her increased the redness on her cheeks. "I was just..umm..."
"Well, Miss Orihime you and Miss Tatsaki should head to class," you break the silence and hand them both a slip for class, "here you go."
They took the slips, Orihime thanked you, and taking hold of Tatsaki's wrist walked to their next class. You stood at the door and watched until they were out of sight. Once they reached the main building Tatsaki snapped out of it.
"So what happened?" She asked, finally finding her words, "What did Miss Bishop want?"
Orihime opened her mouth then quickly closed it and smiled instead, "Miss Bishop is really...she's really..." her voice filled with soft reverence, matching the shimmering warmth filling her eyes, "Miss Bishop is an amazing woman. She really is. I'm glad she's our teacher."
The look Orihime held glowed with adoration, Tatsaki paused for a moment stunned at the esteem beaming from Orihime. There was this quiet gratefulness hidden in Orihime's eyes that clued Tatsaki into what might have been said. Whatever it was, touched Orihime, the tiny tears formed in the corner of her eyes only to disappear when she blinked and smiled. Quietly Tatsaki sighed relieved, though she had her own words to follow Orihime's she decided against it. Perhaps, Tatsaki thought for a moment continuing with Orihime to class, it wasn't all a front.
Accepting that Tatsaki hooked an arm around Orihime's shoulder and pulled her close.
"Yeah, guess she is," she smirked.
