Elysium

Chapter 1: A Sisters' Love

Maybe you will never see this, but if you do, know that no words can describe the pain and heartache that I felt when I had to let you go. I loved you as much as any sister could, I hope you know that. Perhaps it was that shame that prevented me from ever choosing to let the truth show itself, but know that it was not shame in you. I am proud of you, for what you will become, and who you will become. I am proud that in the infinite universe, I was chosen to be your sister, Rukia. I love you, my sweet little sister. If I'm not around to tell you, then know that I love you so much, and I will always be watching over you, wherever you are.

~ Kuchiki Hisana

Edo, Japan

December 16, 1862

The cold snow fell around two small bundles huddled together, one larger than the other. Hisana sat up and pushed the ragged blanket away and looked over to her young sister. "Rukia, it's snowing." Rukia was sound asleep in her small little bundled up blanket. Hisana smiled gently. It was only the two of them now, but that didn't matter. As long as they had each other, that's what was most important.

Once Rukia woke up, Hisana slid her into her back pouch which she used to carry Rukia around. As her stomach growled, she couldn't deny that they needed to get some food, and at least be somewhere warm for awhile. Rukia couldn't survive in this cold! In fact, because of this, Hisana decided that in such a busy city, it might be best that she get a job.

As the two of them past a small little shop, Hisana slowly walked in. It was warm and the food smelled heavenly. Inside, several ronin and scraggly, dangerous looking men eyed her with discontent. Feeling nervous and scared, Hisana walked to the back and saw the owner walk out of the kitchen with some food. He looked at her with a surprised look.

Once Hisana managed to get him to listen to her, his looked turned from harsh to one of pity. "So, I beg you, please let me work here! You don't need to pay, just please, allow me and my sister have a little food a day, that is all I ask!" She shut her eyes and bowed slightly. A sigh escaped his lips, but then formed a small smile.

"Very well. There is a small room in the back that's not really used for anything. You and your sister may stay there. I will also feed you, and I'm not in the habit of not paying people who work for me!" He laughed a bit, but then turned serious. "But you need to be careful. Some pretty dangerous people come through here, and most of 'em probably won't treat you well. If you're alright with that, then you can start tomorrow."

At that moment, Hisana didn't care about any danger she would be in. As long as Rukia had a warm, dry place to sleep, and food, that was what mattered most to her. And maybe having some money would be nice for a change, too.

Tears sprang into her eyes. "Thank you, thank you so much!" She cried happily. That evening, Hisana held Rukia as she rocked her to sleep. "We have a home now, Rukia. It might not be the best, but I'm just glad we can be together and have somewhere to stay." Rukia gave a small smile as she saw her sister talking to her.

She could walk a little, but didn't talk yet. Rukia was almost a year old, and Hisana was only 15. To be honest, Hisana felt more like a mother to Rukia than an older sister. They lost their father to one of the many battles that had been raging on, and their mother had died after giving birth to Rukia, but while both were around, they loved their children very much. Hisana was, like her mother, very weak in her constitution and strength. She was more often than not sick, but she would always try to hide it, especially when she had a potential job!

Maybe one day she could marry someone who she could live happily with, and give Rukia the chance to have an actual childhood. Hisana, although she thought of Rukia's well being first and foremost, she did have dreams of her own too. To have a family, a husband, children, see Rukia grow up happily. She didn't think what she wanted was too much to ask from life, right?

She had all the basic house-cleaning skills, knew how to sew and cook as well, but she didn't really find herself...attractive enough for anyone. To add to that, she was usually ill, which made her sort of an invalid. Men wanted attractive, strong women, not plain, weak ones. But such thoughts rarely plauged her mind, as the one thing that mattered most to her in the world now was Rukia.

As the days passed, Hisana settled into her job. Not to say that it was easy dealing with some of the men, but she didn't reply in any negative way. If she did, she might be killed, and what would happen to Rukia? Or she could lose her job, and she and Rukia would starve.

One day, while Hisana was serving the men, she heard Rukia crying from the backroom. She bowed quickly to the man she was serving and ran off to see what was wrong. But nothing seemed to work. Rukia refused to be comforted. She then heard a loud smash come from behind her. "WILL YOU SHUT THAT NOISE UP!" She looked back to see a few men glaring angrily at the baby. "Tch, that thing yours?" Thing? Hisana frowned, but said nothing as she held Rukia tighter against her chest. "If it doesn't shut up, I'll do it for you!" He was obviously very drunk, but-Hisana saw him grab out his sword.

"No! Stop!" She cried as she shut her eyes and held Rukia closer. The noise only made Rukia cry more. A few other men, drunk and annoyed, decided to follow what the other man was doing, and all took out their swords.

Holding Rukia, Hisana pushed passed them and tried to run away before one of them caught her by the collar of what was left of her ragged kimono. "Please, let me go!" She cried, as she struggled free.

One of them grinned. "Kill the brat, and maybe we can sell her to a brothel. If we cleaned her up, she could be a real looker." Refusing to let go of Rukia, Hisana stomped on her captors' foot which allowed her enough time to run away. Sadly, she was caught again, and then thrown off to the side as the men grabbed Rukia away from her.

"Give her back! Please...!" The man took Rukia and was about to toss her onto the ground and stab her, but Hisana quickly jumped and caught her before she could be hurt. A sharp pain erupted through her body as she saw the sword had stabbed her through the stomach. The man grunted and pulled out the sword, to which, using the last of her energy, Hisana ran away as far as she could with Rukia in her arms, blood flowing steadily from her abdomen, and tears flowing silently.

Having lost the men, Hisana slowly sunk down into a heap. "Rukia..." she gently smiled at her sister. "I...I'm so sorry. I can't...I can't do anything...for you any...more..." Tears splattered on the baby's face. "I love you...Rukia...I...wish...I could have...seen you grow...to become..." But she never finished.

Several hours later, a young girl was found, having bled to death, and a young baby was also found dead, held tightly against the girl.