The Adaptive Quincy of Bleach

Sora was ready, this was attempt number 131....don't ask about what happened in attempt number 130...stuff happened, he did not slip on a banana peel.

He crouched low to the ground, his face scrunched up with what seemed to be a lot of determination.

He was laser-focused, his wheel wasn't even present, as around attempt number 80, he figured out that the wheel 9 time out of 10 was the reason he was spotted, you know, even if he is crouching or being sneaky, the wheel will always be floating above his head, which meanwhile he thought he was sneaky, the man would just see a wheel trying to get past him.

Truly a horrible experience.

Now, without the wheel and somehow retaining about 50% of the thing he had with the wheel, he felt ready.

If he trained more, he probably could get to the level where he could once again make Reishi animals, they were cute.

Though his current self, without the adaption, did not have that kind of control over his little body yet.

Step by step, he made his way toward the library door, he carefully avoided every single creaking spot on the floor.

His breathing was slow and controlled.

He knew this time, he wouldn't be caught off guard by the man, around his 20 attempts or so, he began to be able to roughly sense where the man was.

And from that point forward, that vague sense became, less vague and over time started to become precise.

So he knew for a fact the man was not that close by.

This time he was certain, Ryuken wouldn't catch him.

He was so deep in concentration that he didn't notice another presence creeping closer.

"Uh... what are you doing?" a curious voice asked from behind him.

"Wha—!" Sora jumped like a startled cat, yelping as he reflexively kicked off the ground. He clung to the ceiling, wide-eyed, looking down at the young boy who stood there.

Uryu Ishida, all nine years of him, blinked up at Sora with a puzzled expression. "Why are you on the ceiling?"

Sora realizing that he just overreacted, groaned dramatically and then dropped down, he landed with a soft thud.

Uryu could not help but notice the way the boy manipulated the Reishi on the floor in order to slow down his fall, for a second it almost looked like he was floating.

Sora dusted himself off, he then shot Uryu an annoyed look.

"What's the big idea sneaking up on me like that?! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

He may have been a child but his heart was still quite fragile.

Uryu adjusted his glasses, looking quite unimpressed by the boy.

"You're standing right out in the open, next to the library door. If you didn't notice me, that's on you." Uryu added...well he was right but still.

Sora opened his mouth to retort it, to do anything but nothing came out.

He closed his mouth again. He hated to admit it, but the kid had a point.

"Tcth, whatever" he muttered, crossing his arm, he was acting like a toddler, his 9-year-old self was acting like a big child.

Deciding to switch the situation around a bit.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"I live here," Uryu replied flatly as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

.....

Sora's face twitched in annoyance. "Yeah, well, I'm on a mission. And you're messing it up."

Uryu tilted his head curiously. "A mission to do what? Break into the library? You know my father is probably in there, right?" The boy said rather calmly

Sora stiffened a bit, his gaze nervously glancing at the door. "...No, he's not. I've been watching. He hasn't come in or out for hours!"

"You're not very observant," Uryu remarked, his tone annoyingly matter-of-fact.

It was like listening to your friend speaking to you in that nerd's voice....it was incredibly annoying.

Sora practically glared at him. "I will have you know, I am super Observant! And for your information, I have been practicing for a week to sneak in here without getting caught. I have perfected my skills and analyzed every floorboard!"

Uryu raised a brow. "Then why have you failed 130 times?"

....

...

Have you ever wanted to strangle a kid...

..

...

If yes....you and Sora are feeling the same right now.

Also, how the heck did he know that?

"T-That's—because of your dad! He's not normal, okay? It's like he has eyes everywhere!" Sora added stuttering.

"And how did you know I failed 130 times?" He said looking at the boy.

"You were muttering something about attempt number 131"

"You stalking me, creepy"

"You were not discreet"

Sora gritted his teeth but said nothing.

"Also, if you keep failing to get in, why not just ask him for permission, instead of trying to sneak in"

Sora was stunned, he never thought of doing that, it had never even crossed his mind before Uryu had mentioned it now.

"Well..hum...you--"

"You did not even consider it as an option did you know?" Sora felt as if an arrow had been shot in his chest.

Goddam, how was he able to read him so easily?

"What?! Are you crazy?! That's not how missions work!"

Yes, he will try to bs his way out of it, he will not be getting caught lacking like this.

Uryu blinked. "You're weird."

"I'm not weird, you're weird!" Sora shot back, jabbing a finger at him.

Yes...he decided to resort to violence, if he has to he will take the boy's glass and run away, let him chase him then.

Before the argument could escalate further, the door to the library creaked open. Both boys froze.

Ryuken stepped out, his cold gaze falling on the pair. He didn't say a word, just looked between them with an expression of quiet disapproval.

"Uh... hey, mister Ryuken!" Sora stammered, plastering on an unconvincing grin. "Just... taking a walk!"

Ryuken's eyebrow twitched. "At midnight? By the library?"

"...It's for my health?"

The man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Sora, go to bed. Uryu, stop indulging him."

Uryu nodded obediently. "Yes, Father."

Sora groaned as Ryuken turned and walked away, muttering something about needing more patience.

He will come back, he will always come back.