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Left Behind But Not Forgotten	By : Polymer Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 5127 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Tite Kubo and Shonen Jump own Bleach, I don't. I make no money from the writing of this fanfiction story.

Chapter List
- 11
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- 13
Tatsuki had finished her assignment on the borrowed laptop at the time Ryuuken finally finished his shift at the hospital. She yawned deeply, realizing that she probably should go either home or something else.
“I should head home,” she murmured.
“I’ll drive you,” he murmured. “Are your parents back from their trip yet?”
“They’ll be back in another week,” Tatsuki said soberly.
“I will expect to make arrangements to invite them to dinner,” Ryuuken said quietly as he adjusted his tie and started packing papers into his briefcase. Tatsuki shivered momentarily, her heart pounding.
“I guess that would be a good idea,” she murmured looking away at the shelves of the bookcase.
“It would avoid a good number of questions,” he said. "Unless you wish to have them invite me?"
Tatsuki spun around and grabbed his hand. “Where are you doing with this Doc?”
“You’ve a high school education to finish. I would assume that you would prefer to do it with as little impropriety as possible,” he said.
Tatsuki seemed floored as Ryuuken said this. “If anyone DOES put their nose in my business I’ll…”
“Your parents deserve to know what has transpired,” said Ryuuken insistently. “I will not have you subjected to public embarrassment on my account.”
“Who says I’m embarrassed to be seen with you?” she asked.
“Do you wish to continue in subterfuge?” Ryuuken asked with a frown on his face.
“I… well…” she mumbled. “It’s just easier not talking about it. Having things stay the same they are.”
“You are NOT a kept woman,” Ryuuken suddenly said as he caught hold of her.
“Enjo kosai is what it is,” Tatsuki said glancing down at his hand clutching hers.
“It is NOT the case and I will not have people thinking inappropriate things about you,” said Ryuuken.
Though her heart pounded fast seeing that look in his eyes she shrugged saying, “If that’s what people think that’s what they think.”
Behind his glasses, Ryuuken’s brow creased with the rest of his face into an angry scowl. He gritted, “That is unacceptable.”
“I know you’ve got a reputation as a director,” she said spinning on him. Still he gripped her hand in his.
“That is only one part of the equation,” Ryuuken said as he suddenly reached into his pocket with his free hand.
Tatsuki’s eyes narrowed in suspicion from the way his hand clenched around something. She warily asked, “Ryuuken, just what are you doing?”
“I will not have you selling yourself short nor presuming that is the extent of my opinion of you,” he said, bending down on one knee. Inside her throat, Tatsuki could feel a huge lump along with a fast rapid pounding of her heart.
Before he could even say another word Tatsuki shook her head and snapped, “Don’t you even DARE ask me idiot.”
Baffled, Ryuuken glanced up at her, holding his hand that clenched a small box poised just out of eyeshot. “Why that tone of voice?”
Trying not to twist her hand out of his she glared down at him, looking much like a trapped animal. “I… I have plans for my life! Don’t just make assumptions without even discussing the possibility first!”
Again, that look of anger creased his confused face. Deep voice rumbling in an icy tone he said, “Surely you knew the hints as they were dropped. I assumed that you were of the same mind. Now you will deny me the honor of asking you the question. Why?”
“I like how things are now,” Tatsuki said. “Is it unreasonable to ask that they stay that way just… to see?”
“And you are satisfied with that?” Ryuuken asked in disbelief, shaking his head. “Tatsuki I…”
“I don’t even want to hear it please… just… just stop!” Tatsuki protested. “Because I’ve got things I want to do. I don’t want to have my hands tied with… well… with some sort of a major THING when what we already have is…”
Ryuuken’s hard gaze softened a bit and he rubbed her hand gently in his grasp. “If you’re uncertain there’s no shame in admitting it. Why is it so wrong for me to even pose the logical question?”
She sighed, squeezing her eyes shut. “I can understand if you’re asking the question out of social obligation. And because you’re the director of a hospital with status and all that. I can also figure it’s because of your Quincy honor.”
“Those are primary reasons with one more, Tatsuki. Please if there is any doubt that I love you Tatsuki, you can be assured it is the first motivator of such an arrangement. The first part of what I wish to ask!” He said, shaking his head.
“It’s just… I’m not the kind of girl who will just be satisfied with settling down once that… happens. And just stay in the damn kitchen or attend socials and tea parties with your big named clients at board meetings and hospital functions!” Tatsuki snapped.
“Now who is making presumptions?” Ryuuken asked, glaring at her.
“You never said anything about this till now,” she mumbled, glancing away.
“I did say I wouldn’t let you go did I not?” Ryuuken countered, holding up the small velvet box.
She still did not respond to him tugging insistently on her hand. “Ryuuken, just stop already!”
A low sigh reached her ears. “Won’t you even look at me, Tatsuki? What is wrong? What are you afraid of?”
“Ryuuken please I’m begging you, just get up off your knee,” Tatsuki said as her voice choked and cracked.
“I implore you, please just look me in the eye, and tell me why you’re being so difficult,” Ryuuken said with a pleading tone in his voice that twisted her in guilt.
“I can’t,” Tatsuki said softly, twisting her hand out of his grasp.
“Can’t or won’t?” Ryuuken then asked.
Tatsuki still kept turned away, her face in shadow. “It’s just too much.”
She loathed the sudden long silence that ensued. Alternatively, the sound of him rising and the rustle of cloth as he put something back into his pocket. He sighed and then said in a much colder tone, “I see. I shall take you home then.”
“There’s nobody there,” Tatsuki mumbled.
“Precisely the point,” Ryuuken said firmly as he stepped away from her.
“What are you saying?”
“You’ve school tomorrow,” he murmured, reaching for his keys.
“Oh great now you’re pissed,” Tatsuki sighed wearily pinching the bridge of her nose. “Look I’m sorry I hurt your Quincy pride but I just…”
He sighed as she touched him. “I accept your apology but it hardly overlooks the fact that you have an issue with the question I was about to ask. I advise you to be reasonable and consider the implications.”
“So I’m just supposed to go home and think about this like a good little girl is that it?” she snapped.
“That would be appropriate,” he said.
“Oh so because you won’t get your way you’re going to pout and be all distant? Thanks a lot but I don’t need this grief. I’ll walk MYSELF home,” she snapped, grabbing up her books and coat before he could stop her.
“Tatsuki!” Ryuuken said sharply.
“Night. See you later. I’ve got school,” Tatsuki said as she rushed out the door. He did not count on her using flash step to put a good deal of distance between them.
“Damn it!” Ryuuken cursed under his breath. His hand closed around the small box that she wouldn’t even look at. Frustrated and angry, he stayed for a moment and looked out the window.
Normally he would have simply let her go, but his sense of honor would not allow it. Question or no question asked he was damned if he would let her walk home this time of night unescorted.
***

Tatsuki sensed the presence of hollows nearby and rolled her eyes. This was not what she needed. Flaring her aura around her, she slammed a punch into the mask of the nearest one.
Not far away a blue arrow slammed into one to her left. An orange shield blocked the hollow’s cero to her right giving her the opening she needed to jump kick and flash her fire aura at the one immediately above. She looked up to see a white suited figure aiming his complex spider web shaped bow in her direction.
1200 shots rained perfectly around her missing her entirely but hitting the hollows all around her. Orihime wearing a bathrobe stood near Uryuu in full Quincy garb. Firing two handed and taking out hollows with relative ease.
“Thanks for the save guys,” Tatsuki said as she leapt up and punched the last hollow.
“Are you okay Tatsuki?” asked Orihime hugging her.
“I’m okay,” Tatsuki nodded, glad to see them even though she was still a bit sore still at Ishida. “Even this idiot.”
Ishida pushed up his glasses and said, “I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier… it was simply out of concern…”
“It’s okay,” said Tatsuki quietly as she looked at him. “No hard feelings. You were just being a good friend.”
Surprised Ishida blinked at her and nodded. “Then you are not angry anymore?”
“No idiot,” said Tatsuki playfully punching him on the arm. “Besides, you saved my life. I can hardly fault you for doing your job.”
“Tatsuki it’s late for you to be out,” said Orihime worriedly.
“I know, I just… forget it,” she mumbled.
“I’m surprised that…” Ishida said quietly. “When I sensed your reishi from the hospital Orihime became worried because you were alone and there were hollows. I thought for certain that…”
“I wouldn’t let him bring me home because I didn’t want to see him,” Tatsuki snapped. Ishida blinked at her in confusion.
“But I presumed… that you and he…” Ishida mumbled pushing up his glasses.
“Nothing’s happening between us so you don’t need to worry,” Tatsuki said firmly. “So if you guys don’t mind could you walk me home please?”
“Of course,” Orihime said. Ishida frowned, and nodded. Flanked by her two friends she headed back to her place alone. Although anger filled him, Ishida did sense a familiar presence not far away that was watching them carefully from the shadows.
“Ryuuken,” he murmured quietly, seeing the light flashing off a pair of glasses. “What in hell’s name did you say to her?”

***
Of course, he expected no answer as they headed towards Tatsuki’s house. She invited them all back in for a cup of tea. It was extremely late at that point and Tatsuki’s head buzzed with a nasty headache.
“You guys are welcome to stay here. My parents still aren’t back from their cruise yet,” Tatsuki explained.
“Well we were both going back to my apartment,” explained Orihime. “But if you want me to stay…”
“No you two should enjoy your time alone. Don’t let me come and ruin it,” Tatsuki said with a fake smile.
“We’re your friends,” said Ishida. “Did Ryuuken say something to you that upset you?”

“Yes and no,” Tatsuki said.
“What was it?” asked Ishida, frowning profusely as his teacup shook. He still wore his Quincy outfit complete with the mantle.
“He said he had an important question to ask me. I didn’t want to hear it,” said Tatsuki rubbing her temples as Orihime poured her tea.
“Then why didn’t you let him ask it? How do you know it wasn’t something bad or good?” Orihime asked blinking in confusion. “How could you be upset if he didn’t even…?”
“If she didn’t wish him to ask it, then she shouldn’t have to listen,” said Ishida suddenly, nodding in understanding. “Though it might have been better in the long run if you’d allowed him to ask it.”
“What question?” Orihime wondered.
“The kind that someone gets on one knee to ask,” Tatsuki said as she shook her head. Orihime fell silent while Ishida’s eyes widened in shock.
“I see,” Ishida murmured, his eyes gleaming with anger.
Orihime squeezed Tatsuki’s hand. She murmured, “I think it would have been nice if you had let him ask it. Then he’d at least know the answer.”
“It’s a yes or no question that I’m not in the position to answer,” Tatsuki complained, shakily sipping her tea.
“In other words it’s easier to avoid the question entirely,” said Ishida nodding.
“Sorry you two but I’m beat. I really need to get to sleep,” said Tatsuki. “You’re welcome to stay if you want to. There are futons in the closet… Orihime you know where they are.”
“Sure Tatsuki,” she said and looked concerned at Ishida. He nodded slowly.
“We’ll stay until you’re asleep,” he nodded. Tatsuki smiled at her two friends, and then went upstairs to get to bed.
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- 13
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Left Behind But Not Forgotten