Ishida has a special place in my heart, so it was only a matter of time before I wrote something in which he is protagonist.
Oneshot, perhaps a little angsty.
Ame (Rain)
He gazed into the sky watching the raindrops fall with a cup of steaming tea clasped in his hands. The fragrance and the flavour of the green tea helped soothe his senses and it was into his own world he retreated to whenever there was a drizzle.
Not that he was out of sorts, really. Ishida Uryuu never really succumbed to depression as defined by normal human beings. But on days like this, when the weather reminded him of the script of his name that Kurosaki Ichigo had misread as ame, he always remembered.
Ishida did not particularly want to either. There was nothing worse than being reminded of your failures whenever the sky cried, as if mourning over his incompetence as a Quincy.
He had excelled at everything he had set his mind to accomplish. His schoolwork was exemplary, so much so that he had not relinquished his top spot among the ranks in years. His craftwork was exquisite as evidenced by the accolades he received from his peers in the club each time his fingers birthed a new design in elaborate ruffles. He was always neat, cooked well and had an impeccable home. Yet the single thing he had been so proud of, that he had strove towards, was now lost to him. It had taken everything to defeat Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
What was the point of being a Quincy in name without the powers to go with it? He had disappointed his grandfather. How disgraceful.
He took a sip of hot tea and closed his eyes, reclining against the pristine eggshell wall adjacent to the open window. Droplets of rain splattered onto the floor. In a rare display of slothfulness, he ignored them. He would give his apartment a thorough cleaning later. Thoughts of housekeeping once more gave way to thoughts about his current helpless plight. Surely there was some way of regaining his powers. He felt the possibility deep within him. It was lying dormant akin to a white tiger at rest, waiting for the right moment to wake and pounce.
However, Ishida had no idea when that day would come. It had not when he had desired it most, when his powers refused adamantly to measure up to his resolve. He knew that he would visit the same little alcove he always did in an attempt to revive both his powers and his flagging self-esteem. Try as he might, the spirit particles refused to converge into his bow and arrow. It was a far cry from the power he had wielded previously, even without his grandfather's glove.
The rain was starting to increase in intensity, the splatters on the floor slowly turned into pools. Ishida rose, unable to abide by the sopping mess that was defiling his immaculate floor, and made to close the window. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied the clear garment bag hanging on the peg by the apartment door. Since that day, it had been there, safely protecting the clothes he treasured deeply. It served as a reminder of what he had lost and morbid encouragement for his daily training sessions.
Ishida smoothed the back of his palm along the green sleeve, caressing it. He had no doubt at all that it was his greatest regret. The cry that wrenched itself from his soul then had provided him with little relief and he had since steeled himself against such display of weakness.
He swallowed hard. He had failed not only his sensei, but his beloved as well.
Souma Yoshino.
He missed her fiercely.
Outside, the rain continued to pour and the floor continued to accrue heavenly tears, but Ishida paid no heed, instead rested his forehead against her sleeve and choked back a silent sob.
I think this episode is believable of Ishida. He really did love Yoshino deeply, although one wonders how -- ahem -- legal it was. Xd