Note: This story assumes that Hisana does not exist because I just don't feel like dealing with the entire Byakuya getting over the death of his beloved wife and falling in love with his wife's sister that looks uncannily like her... because I've already done it in When the Snow Falls and that's enough for me. Also, this story is an AU and will probably not go along with the entire Bleach storyline. I also will not, probably, be writing the compilation of stories in order or from the same POV. It will likely stay within Byakuya's and Rukia's POV, but who knows? As mentioned earlier, THIS IS A COMPILATION OF STORIES, NOT A SERIES! Basically, that means each story should stand-alone on its own, but instead of releasing them all as oneshots and having you find them in my profile and on I'm going to put them into one entry and make it easier to find. Anyway, they will all tie together in the end.
Addendum: This story came about from the positive responses from Another Long Day, and you can consider this story the younger, longer winded sibling of that oneshot.
Reviews: If you do review, let me say this, I SINCERELY SINCERELY appreciate it and that's my way of knowing who is reading, even if you don't say much of anything. Because 100 people can click on my story and maybe only 10 actually read it and if you review it, I'll know who is actually reading it. I tend to update stories that get reviewed often more, just because I feel guilty that people are reading and I haven't been writing OR because, heck, if you're interested, it must be worthwhile to write and hell, I'm interested in writing more because someone likes it!
SPRING RAIN WASHED OVER THE SUN
by Yih
||||| Alone in Rukongai |||||
Her existence meant nothing to anyone but herself.
She was alone in the world, no friends or family, only a few kind strangers that would occasionally shelter a weak, little girl. Early on, though, Rukia knew she was different from the others in the 78th district. She had a need to eat and a certain sharpness that they were lacking.
She didn't know how old she was when she first knew she had spiritual pressure, or as the shinigami called it, reiatsu, but she was young. It began when she alone in an alleyway, spooked by the constant darkness that she had imagined some kind light that could chase away the shadows, even briefly. That was the first time she conjured the blue ball of light that she used consistently at night, especially in winter when it got darker and colder faster.
Too bad, she thought as she huddled against a bush, that the blue orb glowing in her hand didn't produce any warmth. The bush that she was crouched against provided some protection from the howling wind, but it was nothing compared to the solidness of wooden walls. What she wouldn't give to be inside with a warm fire to erase the cold numbness.
Rukia stared listlessly at the blue ball in her hands, the only source of comfort, of something in her life. It flickered unsteadily as her body shivered from the brutal winds that cut through the thin fabric of her tattered clothes. If only this light was like a fire, if only she had some kind of flint to start a fire… but all she had was her useless reiatsu. What good would such a thing do for her right now?
Eventually, perhaps, if she survived through this harsh life, maybe, she could become a shinigami.
But at this time, she was far too young and she was already puny-looking enough with her thin, short build. Rukia wouldn't call herself petite, that signified someone that was refined and she was hardly anything so elegant. If only, she wasn't a young girl. If only, she wasn't so weak. Then she wouldn't stray at the edge of the district, far from the alleyways teeming with homeless misfits like herself.
She was afraid to be near those men, the ones that would try to touch her whether she was awake or asleep – none of that mattered. Rukia had made that mistake once and she would never make it again, not if she could help it. She would rather die here in the cold than to be violated, at least this way she wouldn't be ashamed of herself.
And she couldn't sleep. She would die if she slept. That's why she stared into the blue light in her hands, why she concentrated on making the color deeper, brighter than it ever had before. It was the only way to occupy her mind, the only way to keep herself awake. She had stayed alive for too many years to give up.
She wanted to wear those black robes. She wanted to be someone! Most of all, she didn't want to be cold and alone anymore.
Rukia felt her eyes growing heavy, saw the blue light flicker in and out of existence, blurring in front of her, and she no longer felt the harsh biting in her limbs any more. This was it, she thought, this was the end. So long… she had tried so hard to the bitter end.
That was something, wasn't it?
"Child," the voice was stern, sharp in quality and masculine.
Rukia tried to open her eyes, but it was impossible.
"Hopeless," he said and that was the last thing she heard before oblivion hit.
Please review!
A/N: I will try to make this a good, interesting read and different from When the Snow Falls. I will also attempt to the best of my ability to keep this in character, because I think the mold of Rukia and Byakuya is fascinating. And yes, Rukia is spunky and tough and not your typical female character and that's why I like her. And I realize that Byakuya is a cold, intractable guy that does have a good heart underneath all that chilly exterior. He's a man of utmost control and Rukia is a girl that has spirit in spite of everything thrown at her. I want to maintain that and perhaps the characters will grow in their own fashion in these stories like they did in my other story, When the Snow Falls. Please enjoy the ride!
Released on November 6, 2009.
