I first met Kuchiki Byakuya when he adopted me. It was also the first time I remember being alive. That's not to say I don't have memories before him. Those days just feel like dreams.
There was a pain in my stomach. It came back once and a while, which I greeted by opening my eyes with a "good morning." Before my fingertips dashed to the dirty cloth over my abdomen, there appeared before me the most groomed fingers I had ever seen. My own flashed before my mind as I realized the stories were true. This was the hand of a nobleman. I didn't know it at the time, but I choked nonetheless. They were so beautiful. And as my eyes wandered up, I met a serious face. I thought I saw a sadness linger there, but he gracefully stood, leaving me to stare at the memory of his hand. I sucked in air and looked up. To this day, I'm not sure why I was so scared, if I even was. Something was happening. I didn't really know what. Maybe, as an orphan, hope was welling up in me. Well, I'm told I'm an orphan. Like I said, it's all pretty hazy.
Before I could think about what was going on, he said, "Today you are Kuchiki Rukia."
I stared up in awe. His hair was adorned with silver in a way I didn't even know imaginable!
I think I was smiling.