Adam exploded inside the second you arrived back at the house later. You barely unlocked and opened the door when he rushed in and began pointing to everything on the first floor to Rukia.
Rukia stared and stood stiffly at him. Her eyes cautiously watch him, with an observing intent. Adam hadn't noticed and continued. You lock the door and slip off your shoes. Normally you'd have Adam help you unload the wagon, but decided against it and did it yourself. You take an arm full bags, and head to the kitchen; Rukia jumped slightly when you went by and quickly apologized.
You toss her a temperate smile back and entered the kitchen setting the items down. Rukia remained where she was, even when you came back to gather the rest of the items, her eyes move from Adam and follow you. Watching you simply sweep across the kitchen unpacking and placing everything where it needed to be. Opening cabinets and drawers and refrigerator, she noticed the modest smile you had. It was the same one you gave her back to the shop.
Rukia couldn't believe you were the person Kisuke talked about. The way Kisuke spoke about you…she didn't see it. All Rukia saw was a simple human woman with a child. Nothing much. Though there was this gravitational and luminous about you. Yet, she couldn't deny the kindness you gave, agreeing to Kisuke's request without hesitation. Rukia still remained stunned. You didn't know her or what it was…yet you did so.
Why, she wondered observing you still as you finished putting things.
Feeling eyes on you, you stop and meet Rukia's eyes for a moment before she adverted them away quickly.
She was quite a petite girl, a correction teen. She barely reached under your chest, you couldn't deny her height wasn't precious. It was interesting finding out she was a distant relative of Tessai.
"A cousin fifth cousin, four times removed," Tessai said solidly
There wasn't much resemblance you could find between Rukia and him but shrugged it off thinking little of it. You didn't need any explanation, or understanding it, besides you were the last person to cast judgment.
You put away the last thing and realized something. Rukia needed quite a few things. First, Rukia needed her room done! There were four rooms here two occupied by you and Adam, one was off-limits….leaving the last one next to Adam's room vacant.
Your throat contracted with overwhelming emotions. It was that room.
"It's that nice. She made a whole room for all of you. Now you can stay over!"
Masaki's warm words resurfaced, you heard those phantom words as clear as day. You weren't sure if those words came for a reason or if your mind accidentally let it slip. Either way, the message was quite clear. For a moment you close your eyes and find yourself back in time, to a memory….
Ichigo and sisters, nothing but children running over to you. The twins detour to Adam playing on the floor first, Ichigo however with his arms open wide and a huge smile on his face throws his arms around you tightly. His laughter warmed your heart and his voice cheerfully greeted you.
He would wait until you kneeled to his level and hug him back. You would and his wrapped around your neck, squeezing you tighter; you were gentle with him but still insured your hug was firm. Ichigo released just as his sisters came running over to throw themselves on you; you caught them and steadied your balance while watching Ichigo go over to Adam. As always you scooped the girls just as Masaki and Isshin entered.
"Can we play in the room?" Yuzu asked hopefully.
Karin followed after, "Yeah can we?"
They knew the answer but enjoyed hearing it from you.
"Of course," you always said to their delight. The girls wasted no time and wiggled down and out of your hold.
They hurried away and up the stairs. Karin stopped at the top and yelled down for Ichigo to come up with Adam. Her brother wasted little and with all his might…tried to pick and carry Adam. It didn't work m, but Isshin stepped in to help.
The sound of their laughter and the door shutting faded when your eyes opened. But the ache in your heart was there.
As prominent as the memory was Rukia needed a room. Quickly you regain yourself and focus. When you looked over at the spot Rukia was supposed to be standing, she was gone…and so was Adam.
It took you a minute, standing there confused, to panic. You frantically began searching throughout the first floor, even behind things in each room and outside in the back. Nothing, you found neither of them. You even lifted the cushions off the couch and checked the downstairs closet. Your heart pounded like a drum in your ears and reached your head it was almost hard to think clearly. Darkness crept and began engulfing you. You needed to catch your breathing and focus...to focus...and...
"And this is the bathroom!" Adam's voice zestfully reached your ears, shattering the darkness surrounding you.
Your heart filled with relief and you raced upstairs. Before you set foot on the last step, smoothed out any ruffle and wrinkle, completely composing yourself. Reaching the top, your eyes slide over calmly to Adam and Rukia. They stood in the hall, Adam was standing in the bathroom with Rukia outside watching him, and proudly he showed her the bathroom. Naming everything, as though she hadn't a clue what anything was. You were about to take closer when you noticed the widest smile on Adam. His face lit up like a Christmas tree, one you hadn't seen since...well...this amazed you. Your mouth nearly dropped, but you caught it. An emotion rose in your throat, and you were stunned that it was still there. Not once had the light glowing from Adam stopped, even when his glasses slide off a few times, he just pushed them back on and kept going.
You stare at Rukia for a moment, then back at Adam, and back at her. Her presence did...this...and...and...why did she have an intense attention on her face at everything Adam said. It completely erased her aloof and reserved demeanor. It seemed as though she was taking mental notes of some kind, you noticed as you blinked a few times amused at the scene before you. Quietly you smiled to yourself and chuckled, you hadn't the right to judge. You however understood.
Adam came out of the bathroom and moved to the closed door of the room that would be transformed into Rukia's. "This is your room," he pointed proudly with giddiness, "Do you want to see?"
He reaches for the knob, you make your presence known, "Adam, not yet." you said with a small hitch in your voice.
Rukia whipped around surprised by your presence, you walk over and stand before the room. Adam looked at you, and your smile remained, "I need to prepare it. Apologies, Miss Kuchiki. The lodgings...I mean the room will be ready momentarily. To counteract...I mean if you could please wait until the proper preparations have been made, that would be wonderful."
The way you spoke, was clean, proper, and refined, Rukia was taken back. Then again you were a teacher, from what Kisuke said and it made sense. But to this degree...the class behind it and the way you stood...it wasn't forceful but poised with calming authority. Even your smile held it, despite its gentleness. Rukia felt herself stiffen with familiar fear and her eyes almost downcasted shamefully.
Sensing this oncoming inferiorness emitting from her, you tilt your head slightly and the hanging look in her eyes struck something in you. First, why did such a look grip her, just a moment ago she had this cute confidence, and now...glancing at yourself see the stance you took. Could that be it? You relax your shoulders a bit to see, Rukia noticed and her eyes lifted to you stunned for a moment.
"Let me try again," your voice softer and tender, matching the look held in your eyes, "I meant to say, please allow me to complete these lodgings. In the meantime, please enjoy yourself with Adam and the house."
Ease swept over Rukia briefly, "Umm, yes. Thank you." she said politely, while her eyes searched your eyes for sincerity.
The distrust you noticed in her eyes, honestly was heartbreaking. Adam broke the hold and took Rukia's hand, to her surprise, he smiled lively at her, "Do you like to draw?" he asked
Something delightful sparked in her eyes at his words, replacing that face she had moments ago. It was as though the whole world vanished. Rukia's response was ready to blurt out, but she caught herself and instead(with hints of red cheeks) nodded.
Adam squeezed her hand and began taking her to his room, "I like drawing too! I have a lot of colors. Crayons. Markers. Not paint yet. That is too messy. But soon. Come one we draw together!"
You watch the two go into his room when you realized you need something for Rukia, "Miss Kuchiki!" you call after her, and she stops and looks at you, "What do you like?"
Rukia paused at your question, and even though she had her answer, her eyes again search you. "Umm...rabbits," she muttered modestly.
"Alright, rabbits," you cheerfully replay, "thank you."
With that Adam pulls her into his room. Once his door shuts slightly, you wait a moment before opening the door and walking into the room. You shut the door behind you and lock it. You stood in the darkness filling it, though the light switch was right there on the wall, you didn't turn it on. There was no reason. Old feelings began crawling and clawing at you, Ichigo and sister's voices and laughter swirled around you. You listen for a moment, before pushing them aside and focus. You stood silently, with a hand holding your crystal spear on your chocker, knowing well what you were about to do and what the ramifications. Regardless this was your responsibility and Rukia needed things.
It was a good thing you lived on the corner. Still gripping the spear and with a sweep of your free hand provide Rukia the room. Instantly merciless cough exploded from you, it nearly dropped you to your knees. You hadn't expected that much...you made sure it wasn't...too much. Perhaps you miscalculated. You took a moment until the coughs subsided and you were...fine. You remain standing despite the feebleness you felt, you just be stretching yourself thin. Masaki's voice, ready to chastise you, almost came if you hadn't left the room.
The room needed a bit of time before it was ready, until then you made your way downstairs to get dinner started. Now that you had three mouths to feed instead of two. Just as you entered the kitchen you noticed a blinking light on your answering machine. Your heart stopped...was Isshin? You froze at the thought, if it was him then...
Or it could be Dr. Ishida and if it was and you hadn't listened...that man you grunted, breaking from your momentary stiffness, and press the button.
"Good morning, Miss Bishop, Dr. Ishida."
It was him of all people. The message continued. "When you receive this message please call back. I'd like to schedule Adam's upcoming appointment. Thank you. Have a nice day."
Straight. Simple. To the point. You made a mental note to call on Monday. You thought that was all, to find there was another one and who it was surprised you.
"Hi, Miss Bishop! It's Orihime Inuoe! I-I hope you...I mean...you gave me your number and...ah calm down Orihime." She flustered, muttering to herself, you snickered slightly, she continued, "Miss Bishop..." her voice tapered with a bit of shyness, but there was slight boldness, "...I wanted to say...thank you. For what you did. So...thank you. Bye."
With that, she hung up and the messages ended.
You couldn't believe she called you for that...it wasn't quite necessary. It needed to be done, so you did it. Thanks weren't needed. She requested it and...well again it was necessary to do. So you did it. You just did it. It was your duty, you informed her of this.
Turning back to what you came to do, think of what to make for dinner. Maybe dumplings, you thought, as a small itch scratched at you.
