Remember When Prologue

Summary-Rukia and Ichigo, along with their three kids, reminice over all the imporant events in their lives.

Disclaimer-The only thing I own is my imagination, along with my created characters.

Remember When Prologue

Rukia Kurosaki sighed with relief as she exited her barix. It had been a long hard day in the office. Captain Ukitake had fallen ill, so she was forced to finish his paperwork as well as hers.

Though he had apologized, and she had excepted, it had still been a lot to do. She wanted to get home quickly, and considered using shunpo, but she felt too drained to even do that. Passing Squad 10, she spotted her longtime friend Rangiku Hitsugaya.

She stood with her back to the street so that she was unable to see Rukia. "Hey Ran," Rukia called. She spun around. Her 2-year-old pink-haired daughter Akane was in her arms, and both smiled at Rukia.

"Hi Kia." "How are you guys?" Rukia asked. "We're fine, aren't we Kana," Rangiku said tickling the girl. She giggled and her grin grew wider. "So where's Toshiro?" "Oh, you know him," Rangiku said sighing. "Still working."

"As usual," Rukia quipped. "Well I better get going, it was nice to see you guys." "Same here, tell Ichi and the kids I said hi," Rangiku told her as she waved. "Will do." Rangiku and Toshiro had gotten married 4 years ago. They would have had kids sooner, but Rangiku was against the idea because of what it would do to her body. Toshiro had continued to plead with her for a year, and then finally she gave in.

Rukia smiled thinking about them. Though she was a mother, Rangiku hadn't changed much. She was still pretty much carefree and bubbly, although she did drink less nowadays. On the other hand, Toshiro had softened considerably after they had gotten together. Rangiku had changed him to the point where he didn't care if his close friends called him by his first name instead of his tittle.

Rukia herself had married Ichigo seven years ago, and it had arguably been the best day of her life. A year later, she had given birth to triplets; two girls and a boy. They were now six years old. Ichigo had become the Captain of Squad 5, while she had stayed the Lieutenant of Squad 13. Although she had a feeling that soon she would be Captain.

She was so lost in thought, that she barely realized she was standing in front of her house. With the passage of time, her brother and husband had become kind of like friends. Well, they were civil towards each other. But they drew the line at living together, no matter how big the Kuchiki mansion was. Byakuya had wanted to keep them close, so he could keep an eye on them, but Ichigo wanted to be far away. They had compromised; a moderate sized house was built next door to the mansion, and both men sort of got their wish.

Anticipation flooded through Rukia as she opened the door, she couldn't wait to see her family. "Mommy," shouted a tiny voice. Rukia barely had enough time to lock the door, spin around, and open her arms to catch the blurry mass of limbs that launched itself at her. Rukia knew who it was even before she looked down to spot light-orange hair done in two pigtails. "Hikari, you shouldn't run like that, you'll hurt yourself," Rukia admonished gently. "I know but I missed you Mommy," Hikari said tightening her hold around Rukia's neck. "I missed you too," Rukia replied with a soft smile. The youngest of the triplets with curly light-orange hair and bright violet eyes, Hikari was a ball of energy.

"Where is everybody?" Rukia asked setting the girl down. "In the living room." They were there in no time. Ichigo sat on the couch, absently flicking through Tv channels, while her son and daughter sat at his feet drawing. "Hi Kiseki, Hoshi," she greeted. "Hello mother," Kiseki responded, coming over to hug her. The oldest of the triplets with long wavy ebony black hair down to her waist and warm brown eyes, Kiseki was a very sweet and polite girl, who also had a rather large vocabulary for someone her age.

"Hey mom," Hoshi said looking up from his doodle. The middle triplet with muddy brown hair and cinnamon colored eyes, Hoshi was a very thoughtful boy, and very protective of his sisters. After squeezing Kiseki, and ruffling Hoshi's hair, Rukia sat down next to her husband. His arm snaked around her instinctively, and she leaned closer to him. All three kids knew to look away as their lips collided for a brief, but passionate kiss. "Hello, my Tsuki." Ichigo said huskily, lightly kissing her neck. "Hello, my Taiyo," she replied, her tone matching his as she ran her fingers threw his hair. They smiled coyly at each other, for a moment lost in their own world. Rukia cocked her eyebrows in a silent question. Ichigo winked at her slyly in answer before allowing her to turn back to their kids.

"So how was school?" Rukia asked her children. All three attended a special school made especially for the children of Soulreepers. It started the training at a young age so that they would become more developed and powerful Soulreepers. They had started school a month ago, and were still getting use to it. "It was great," Hikari piped up. "Auntie Karin said I'm the bestest at Hakuda." Karin was now a Soulreeper who was apart of the 2nd Squad, though she tought at the new mini Soulreeper Academy as well. Yuzu had gone on to join Squad Four. "Kari she said that you were very good, not the best," Kiseki spoke up. "Same thing," Hikari said pouting.

"That's great Hikari," Ichigo remarked, pulling one of her pigtails affectionately. Hikari beamed. "What about you, Kiseki," Rukia inquired. "Well, I was told by Mrs. Kyoraku that I excel in Kido," she answered. Nanao had married Shunsui, and now tought in her free time. "That's wonderful Seki," Rukia praised, full of pride that her daughter was following in her footsteps. "And you, Hoshi?" Ichigo asked.

The boy had been quiet, intent on his work. Unlike Rukia, he had a real talent for drawing, although Rukia still claimed that he got it from her. "Oh, it was fine," he said distractedly. "One of the teachers told me that I have a knack for Zanjutsu." "Just like me," Ichigo proclaimed. "I can see it now, you'll fit right in in my squad." "And you girls will join me," Rukia added. All five shared a smile. They were silent for a moment, the only sound being the droning of the TV. "Mommy, Daddy can I ask something," Hikari said breaking the silence. "Sure sweetie, ask anything," Rukia said. "Are you dumbies," she asked with a straight face. "Hikari, that's not polite," Kiseki shrieked. Hoshi's mouth was open in surprise.

"That's what Auntie Karin said," Hikari defended. "She told me that Mommy and Daddy took a zillion years to say I love you because their dumbies." "Hikari, we are not dumbies and we did not take a zillion years to confess to each other," Ichigo told her trying not to get upset. He was going to kill Karin. "Yeah, we just took our relationship at our own pace," Rukia said jumping in. "Wait a minute, why was Karin talking to you about our relationship?" "She was tryna tell me how you got together," Hikari answered. "Oh really, what did she say?" Kiseki asked, her curiosity piqued. "Yeah, what's their story?" Hoshi joined in setting aside his sketchbook. The two children leaned eagerly towards Hikari.

Dread at what Karin might have said filled Ichigo and Rukia. "Hold on," Rukia commanded, her voice stern. All three kids looked up, their eyes wide. "If you want to know the real story, we could tell you?" "That would be magnificent." Kiseki remarked. "I wanna hear a story," Hikari said excitedly. "Yes, tell us," Hoshi pleaded. Rukia and Ichigo shared a glance and a smile. "Alright, then we'll tell you," Ichigo told them. "We'll tell you about all the happy things that happened, all of the important and meaningful events," Rukia agreed. The three children settled down; Kiseki in front of Rukia, Hoshi in the middle, and Hikari in front of Ichigo. Clasping their hands, their gazes locking, Rukia and Ichigo began their tale.

Translations

Tsuki-Moon

Taiyo-Sun

Kiseki-Miracle

Hoshi-Star

Hikari-Light

Akane-Scarlet