"Hello, this, is Karakura Hospital this is Nurse Haruka. Whom do I have the pleasure of—oh good morning. What can I—-oh you'll be in a bit later. A house call? Alright. Yes, I understand. I'll email those to you right away. See you soon. Bye."

It was half past eight when Dr. Ishida arrived at Karakura High. Students and faculty were in their respective classes leaving the campus clear. Dr. Ishida walked straight to the office, checked in, and asked for a specific room. The office aide directed him and pointed in that direction. within minutes he stood outside of your room.

"Goodness, I will have to talk with Mr. Keigo," you tsked crossing out a few answers with a red pen.

You had the students' history homework piled neatly to your side to correct before they came. It was a simple assignment but for some…not so much. With this term's final exams approaching you wholeheartedly wanted them to score well. You knew those who and those who might not. You finish his assignment and go to the next one.

Such a thing never changes, you thought solemnly, no matter the setting.

Paperwork…documents it was all the same. Every assignment you saw, Mark, and set aside had remained began shuffling by you robotically. Again and again and again; a heaviness closed your eyes momentarily and when you opened them….

A smooth opal meteorite desk adorned with intricate carvings and gilded details, twice the size of a regular office desk, with documents of the finest parchment paper neatly stacked to your left waiting for your read and seal of approval. You sat behind the desk dressed in the finest fabric draping and fitting your body establishing your title. Your sterling diadem was gently worn with your hair smoothly and carefully braided into an eloquent with intricate precision long and luscious braid reaching the floor curled up under the desk by your bare feet. It was secured with a tasteful and ornate hairpin, embellished with precious stones that matched the jewels woven in. In your hand, you held your hand the Aetos Dios quill the tip covered in s'phynel ink, looming over the document set before you. Here you set in a large and spacious office room, with high ceilings that soar overhead, reminiscent of a cathedral. The walls are adorned with rich tapestries depicting scenes of ...Aeon star with a white silhouette of you in holy and grandiose poises. Provided natural light of the cosmos streamed through tall windows. The office is supported by majestic columns, towering towards the vaulted ceiling, crafted from the finest marble or adorned with exquisite carvings and golden tassels wrapped around. The columns are intricately detailed with ornate motifs, providing opulence, and the vaulted ceilings reach toward the heavens, adding an ethereal quality.

Despite the office's size, mirroring that of a cathedral and the warm light flowing in and hitting every corner and inch...coldness and silence were its inhabitants. The distant sound of merriment and jubilant of others and the lively chatter of accolades reached your ears. Your hand paused above another document to take it in, even if for a moment...even if your heart slowly sank. The moment couldn't last, a knock came on the door across the way and reflectively you go back to signing as the door opened and footsteps calmly approached. It was either...E'mybr or M'yryna delivering extra documents...or...if anymore you might just...

"Miss Bishop," Dr. Ishida's monotone voice sharply spoke.

The sound of his voice and the realization of his presence snapped you back. You found the man stoically like a pole standing in the classroom...before the desk you sat behind meeting your eyes rather moodily despite the reserved presentation. It was a rather surprising expression that you dismissed and instead of arching a brow, your brows pinched together in a hard frown. A hard frown that matched your turned-down lips. You made accommodations to hide your annoyance and stood. Neither you nor he broke eye contact.

"Dr. Ishida," you force out cordially, "what do I owe the pleasure of your presence. Here. At Karakura High. If it is in regards to your son," you noticed out the corner of your eye, without breaking hold, the white folder he had with the tab reading: Adam Bishop, you continued, "and his performance. I can assure you Mr. Uyruu has high marks and is an exceptional student."

Dr. Ishida fixed his glasses, "To you humor you, no." he said sharply and opens the folder, "I've come on behalf of Adam. If I recall, I left you a message not too long ago to schedule a follow-up for Adam. It has come to my attention that you haven't, so, as a concerned doctor I believe a house call was in order."

Your shoulders nearly stiffen, you couldn't have a house call...especially from. Importantly, as you fumed inside wishing simply snap your fingers and...just do away with him, he couldn't come over! If he discovered Rukia living with you...Dr. Ishida patiently with his gaze fixed upon you with unwavering attention until you regained your words.

"Dr. Ishida, I can assure you there is no need, despite how good your intention is, for a house call. Regarding returning your call," your shoulders and spine straightened, elevating yourself and stance, "I apologize. The weekend was quite busy and it simply slipped my memory. To ease this situation, perhaps we can schedule Adam's follow-up appointment."

Dr. Ishida's eyes narrowed for a moment, you sensed he wanted to say something but a change switched in his eyes you couldn't place. He closed the folder, "Understandable." you sighed quietly relieved, and was just about to smile until he added, "It seems your schedule has become full since the first term is ending and the hospital is further from you, the Kurosaki Clinic will do. You can schedule an appointment there." Your stomach dropped like a boulder, he took out a card and handed it to you, "Please do so by the next two weeks, if not I shall have a nurse call to set it up. If you do not go to the appointment then I shall make that house call."

You were to stun to speak or form a word. His words...rang in your ears, they couldn't stop ringing...

"Adam is a developing boy. His care and health are imperative. Routine check-ups are needed, to monitor him. I'm sure you understand," Dr. Ishida said setting the Kurosaki clinic card on your desk. You saw and finally regained your tongue.

Your eyes flicker with minimal rage, but you managed to hold it back from the man. Instead, you obligingly take the card and hold it to your side, "Thank you, doctor. Anything else?" your tone was iron if not icy. Your held gaze with him matched the tone.

"No. That was all," he politely gave you a nod of the head, "have a wonderful day."

With that, he turned around and left.

Later that evening the kitchen was warm and cozy, filled with the aroma of sizzling vegetables and the sound of bubbling sauce. You stand by the stove, your apron tied tightly around your waist. You stir a pot of tomato sauce with a wooden spoon, your brows furrowed in concentration, Dr. Ishida's words continued their inhabitants in your psyche.

The Kurosaki...Clinic...you couldn't...why did that man go that far and...

You sprinkle the seasonings set on the counter into the sauce and continue to stir, lost in your thoughts. Your mind drifts from Dr. Ishida's words to...her then to Adam until both appear side by side in your mind. Your grip on the spoon tightens it began splintering. There she was...Adam was nearly her mirror image, with his blonde hair...those signature blue eyes that remained with every new addition that came(something you cherished), the only thing Adam didn't have was her freckles. Other than that he took after her and many others, but that wasn't all either...what circulated through his veins...circulated through hers. Potent...it was so potent, especially in her...you could sense it as a small ripple from where you resided, the fact it reached you with such length left you beyond stunned. She was so young..she was...

You take out a rectangular dish, grease it slightly, line it with a scoop of sauce, and began laying strips of uncooked lasagna with chopped and cooked meat; cheese with fresh basil leaves, and sauce for the lasagna.

She was, you continue putting the dish in the oven, she had such...talent. You knew exactly where it came from and with Adam...he was also...you weren't blind, as your heart wept, it became rather obvious considering all the incidents that have been occurring with him.

"He's a special little one," said Masaki soothingly.

You pause for a moment to the fridge and turn your gaze to the living, there she was sitting on the couch holding an infant Adam in her lap bouncing him up and down lightly. She gave him the tenderness and cheeky smile that released a babble giggle from him.

That did surprise you back then, her words, then again it considering who she was and what she knew...Isshin too shouldn't have.

Opening the fridge you take out greens(cabbage, hakusai, spinach), carrots, tomatoes, daikon, and cucumbers. You return to the counter, set them down, and take out a cutting board and knife.

The Kurosaki Clinic, your thoughts return back to it and began cutting the vegetables(mincing the daikon), that place...that place was...it was just...

Enough!

You shove the thoughts aside and tear away from those deep thoughts and come back. You had dinner to finish right now, the lasagna was nearly done. The salad finished, you just needed a few more side dishes, the beverage, and to set the table. Adam was doing just fine, he was fine...he didn't need to be seen. He didn't need a check-up! He was fine! You made sure of it!

That Dr. Ishida knew nothing, why couldn't he be kinder like his son? No one designated him as Adam's primary doctor. Last you recalled he was a hospital doctor. If anyone knew Adam well, it was you. Everything was just fine. For eight years everything was fine! You couldn't stress it enough. This life. This place. This town. You didn't arrive here for that! You didn't give...give...It was for...you made sure that...your promised...you promised...suddenly a dizzy spell hits you and the room slowly began spinning and before you knew it a hard cough torn from you, nearly knocking you to your knees if you hadn't grabbed the counter. The cough remained with you for nearly 30 seconds, unknowingly the flame on the candle flickered a bit of blackish green, and with one final cough you were fine. Dizzy but fine. Slowly you pick yourself up and with the counter's assistance kept yourself steady until the room stopped moving. You rest a hand on your chest to calm your breathing, before moving it up to crystal spear...there was no humming.

Everything was alright.

You had a task to complete, setting the table. Running your hands across every wrinkle and strand of hair out of place collect yourself together. Walking over to the cupboards you open them and take down three plates, and three cups. You close the cupboards and open a drawer to take everything else out: chopsticks, placemats, etc.

Adam was upstairs, hopefully, doing his homework and not drawing. Though you were sure he was doing the latter, Rukia wasn't home she went to meet up with a friend. The moment the three of you arrived at the house, she received a call, dropped her bag, and ran off. She shouted back it was a friend. There wasn't a name or anything just that it was a friend, this friend she spoke of didn't have a name or description. You shouted after her to make it home before dinner, though you highly doubt she heard you. One thing was sure she could run fast. You hoped she'd stay safe while out there.

You finished setting the table and lift your eyes to the front door, but there was no sign of Rukia coming in. Sighing you walk to the phone, on the way you remembered the lasagna, and with a slight flicker of the hand in direction of the oven. As the oven opened on its own and the lasagna lifted itself out and over to the table, you pick up the phone and start dialing the number Rukia provided for her cellphone. It started ringing, you do the same hand gesture for the rest, the sides hovered over to the table and set themselves down accordingly. Rukia hadn't picked up after the second ring or the third. The last ring came and still nothing. You felt your pulse suddenly quicken at the sound of silence before the hard click came followed by a voicemail.

"Miss Kuchiki, this is Mis Bishop," you calmly speak while taking glances at the living room clock on the wall, "dinner is nearly complete. If you could return as discussed prior to your departure earlier it would be appreciated." For a second silence tampered in, you tried figuring out what else to add while pondering if this was how Master Splinter would handle it(the many times he called you and the group from his cheese phone) with a...teenager, "Should you receive this message please return it. Thank you. Be careful."

With nothing else to say you hang up and call Adam for dinner. Dinner went well, however, Adam seemed hesitant to eat and spent nearly five minutes calling for Rukia. Even go up and down the stairs, looking under things for her. He only stopped when you told him she was going to eat with a friend did he stop and quietly accept it. The meal went by fine, as did the rest of the evening. Rukia didn't return when you and Adam finished. When you began cleaning up there was no presence of her. You weren't sure how many times you took glances at the clock; evening turned to night. You started Adam's bath and laid out his pajamas, white ones with bunnies(he picked them out at the pavilion when shopping for Rukia's clothes). When Adam finished bathing, there was no sign of Rukia yet. You found Adam standing in front of her room door after cleaning up his things from the bathroom with a long face.

"Bedtime, Adam," you tell him walking to his room, "come now. Miss Kuchiki will return soon."

Adam was reluctant to move but after a few more seconds he did and slowly walked to you and the room. Rukia still hadn't returned, even when you finished showering and dressing for bed yourself. You couldn't sense her presence. There was no returned call or a message left when you went to check the phone downstairs, the house...was quiet. You hope she remained safe, and with that, you retired to bed.

About two hours passed and the stillness throughout the house became disrupted. The deadbolt on the front door unlocked with a quiet, loud click. Slowly it opened and Rukia slipped in, carefully she shut and locked the door. She slipped off her shoes and place them in the downstairs closet. Keeping her movements as lumber and light as possible Rukia tiptoed across the floor to the stairs. Gingerly she climbed each step and remained that way until she reached her room. There were no movements or rustling sounds she heard from Adam's room or yours, ease set on her chest. Grabbing the doorknob she gets ready to turn it when her eyes noticed something taped to her door.

A note.

Rukia took it down and through mutters ready it:

"Miss Kuchiki, I hope you remained safe while out with your friend. Please eat well before heading to rest. A full stomach serves one well. You will find tonight's dinner put aside for you on a plate in the refrigerator. All you need to do is heat it up in the microwave or if you would like I can assist you. Just knock on the door. I hope you will join us in the future for dinner next time. Your absence was greatly missed ~Miss Bishop"

She finished. Her eyes lingered on the letter, this was unexpected...she didn't expect this when she returned. The quietness that greeted her when she returned wasn't unfamiliar...but this and...the call...Rukia folded the letter and proceeded back downstairs to the kitchen where indeed was a plate of tonight's dinner set aside for her.