Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and will never. :(
Long Summary/Spoiler:
"Why did you accept my brother's offer to join the Kuchiki clan? You know what happens if you do. Why?" she asks.
"Because," he answers.
"To be my brother? Are you only that to me?" She demands.
"You know how I feel," he says.
"It doesn't work for me." Her words linger.
Pairings: HitsuRuki & IchiRuki
AN: I was planning to work on my other HitsuRuki fic, and I finished a good chunk of a chapter…but alas, I got another idea -_-. Please R&R!
Snow or Rain
0.1
Chapter One
You, who made it snow.
Is there a way to turn back the clock?
Would your decision change from now?
Would I be able to face it?
Am I a coward?
I know not…
0.1
It started with the abnormal snow in Soul Society.
She wondered at first, whether she was imagining the white puffs falling from the sky. But as a snowflake fell to the bridge of her nose, she realized it was truly cold, and that chill, instead of warmth, had spread all across her body. With her sleeve, she wiped away the water that had formed on her nose. When she looked at her sleeve, she spotted the wet dampness.
The freezing feeling continued to spread across her body; it was relaxing in a way; she supposed it was because she owned an ice zanpakutou. She shook herself out of her thoughts, gaping at the scene that was unfolding before her violent eyes.
They had long said that snow was impossible in Soul Society. It was simply not suppose to happen. But why then, could she feel the chill of the storm against her body or the smell of frost that refused to disappear? Her neck remained bare against the coldness. She hadn't thought to bring a scarf with her and she doubted that anyone else would have either. She held out her hand at that point, in order to catch the following snow. Perhaps, she thought, if she didn't seize any, she could be convinced that this was a mere dream.
Yet, the flakes of ice continued to fall from the sky, despite the fact that today was to be a raging hot summer day.
Kuchiki Rukia rubbed her hands, the tips of her fingers slightly numb from the ongoing cold. It certainly didn't seem to be brief. As a valiant attempt to warm herself, she breathed into her hands, a white wisp of smoke trailing from her mouth. Her body shivered; her teeth clattered. Confusion clouded her violent eyes; what could possibly have the ability to change the weather?
The snow began to pile on the pavement of Soul Society, but mostly, it seemed to stay near the Kuchiki household. She had severe doubts that it was only snowing near her house; even she was not sick-minded enough to bring upon snow in such a nice summer day. Then she chuckled, forcefully. Perhaps the rumors about her brother's coldness held some validity. Perhaps he was truly "cold" enough to influence the weather.
She shook her head, waving the thoughts away from her mind. It made no sense that the weather would listen to Kuchiki Byakuya just because he was having an off-day.
It made absolutely no sense.
Her sandals walked over the snow, her body taking care to avoid steeping into the fluffy too quickly. While it was true that she was an ice wielder, the normal love for ice did not apply for Kuchiki. She was liked the snow, but was not in love with it. There was simply point when the ice would grow too cold, and it reminded her of the rain.
She hated the rain.
Rukia winced at the frosty texture of the snow as it made contact with her exposed toes. There was no doubt in her mind that they would soon be numb and she would be forced to walk awkwardly. After many painful steps, she managed to walk pass the gates of the household and into the thirteen courts, to only find that there was no ice there.
In fact, it was quite dry.
She went agape, bringing her jaw down before gaining back her composure. What would her brother say if he saw her like that? Her neck twisted back so she could look back her to her house. She sighed; at least she managed to get out before it started snowing too badly. She frowned. Why had it only snowed at her house? Perhaps, it had been her fault after all. She looked down to her belt, where her weapon was attached. Nothing. Her zanpakutou remained in its ordinary form, idle and sleeping.
Frustrated, she took her weapon out of its sheath, examining with extra care. She moved the katana towards her face, examining the metal like a jeweler would to an extravagant jewel.
"Are you expecting arms to grow out of your sword?" It was a short response to her odd tactics.
The sound of the stranger caused Rukia's to flutter. Clumsily, her hands moved and the blade slipped. She closed her eyes and awaited the horrible sound of her sword falling to the ground. Seconds passed, and the sound of metal against cement did not occur.
"Take care of your zanpakutou, Kuchiki. You only have one."
She opened her eyes and turned, now fully aware that there was someone behind her. Her eyes caught sight of hair that matched the color of snow. She lowered her eyes and saw the teal eyes staring directly in her violent ones. Hitsugaya Toshiro. Had it been him who had caused it to snow near her house?
He had her blade, holding it by the hilt. He extended his arm. "Here, take it back."
As if free from her trance, she quickly bowed then stood back up to receive her blade. "Sorry, Hitsugaya-taichou. I was—
"It doesn't matter. Just pay attention next time." His words remained curt and distant. It didn't take long for him to turn his back on her as he began to walk towards the Kuchiki household, never caring to notice the beautiful snow that had formed. He stepped on the pile of snow as if it was never there; he never failed to walk at his own specific beat. Rukia continued to stare, wondering what on earth would the captain visit her brother for.
A few possible scenarios passed through her brain.
It was very possible that her brother and Hitsugaya-taichou were very close friends and that they were going to talk about the old times.
She shook her head. What old times?
There was also a chance that they were on captain…business?
She frowned at that as well. If there was indeed business concerning the captains, wouldn't it make more sense to discuss it during the captain meetings? Her brother was not known for hospitality; many knew that he would rather not allow any visitors into his household. Even own his vice-captain had been advised by Byakuya himself to not to bother him unless it was absolutely necessary.
Another howl of the wind sent her dashing away from her home, convinced that whatever reason it was, it probably was not that important. What was more important was that her captain was supposedly passing a message to her today. There were rumors of her promotion that her brother finally allowed her to advance to the next rank.
And so, there was nothing that could possibly spoil her mood toady.
"Are you ready for your transfer, Kuchiki?"
She wasn't sure she understood her captain's words.
"Excuse me sir…transfer?" she repeated those words, wondering when her captain would spring up and laugh at her for believing his joke. Else, the snow must have damaged her brain or ears…because there was no way her captain would transfer her to another division.
"Yes, Kuchiki," Ukitake's face showed no sign of a smile. "It appears that your brother has requested you to transfer into another division."
Her voice was caught in her throat. There was nothing that Rukia could think of to answer that. This division meant the world to her. It was another part of her family. Was this her brother's idea of a sick joke? She surely hoped it was, because none of her wanted to leave this place, ever.
"Why?" As if someone else had asked this question in her place, she felt the voice to be strange and foreign, as if it didn't belong to her. She felt that she wouldn't have been able to ask this question, not with the mental state she was in. Yet, it was her own lips opening, her own mouth asking that one simple word. The world spun around her and it was all she could do to stop from falling by holding her stance.
"Kuchiki-taichou wanted someone that could personally teach you about the element of your zanpakuto," said Ukitake. He sighed, "I personally did not agree with it, but since he is your brother…"
Then it all made sense, despite the fact that her thoughts were incoherent; the answer formed clearly in her mind. That was why Hitsugaya-taichou visited her brother so early in the morning. It didn't explain the snow, but it explained which division she would be transferred to.
She didn't like it.
She felt a burning hatred for both of them, her brother and Hitsugaya. It was their fault; they forced her to move away from her division. But she also knew that the hatred was only temporary, that she would never hate her brother for what he did, not after learning of his past. Hitsugaya, however, was a different story. He could have refused; the two of them barely talked in the past. What made him agree to this stupid deal?
"Which division am I transferring to?" she asked. It was a stupid question, but it was an act of manner and she figured that Ukitake would be expecting her it.
"Division 10. Hitsugaya-taichou will be your new captain for now."
Rukia nodded. For once, she was glad that the two third-seats were nowhere to be found. This message was meant for her alone and she would have hated it if she wasn't able to tell her friends herself that she was leaving this division, not on her own will, but her brother's.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and stiffened.
"Don't worry about it Kuchiki. We won't blame you and you shouldn't blame yourself, or your brother. He and our division only want the best for you."
She nodded numbly, not trusting herself to speak just yet. Her heart knew truthfully what was the best for her and this option certainly wasn't the best. But, that same heart knew that it would be impolite and impossible for her to refuse her brother's offer.
She bit her bottom lip, glancing back to her captain. She spoke with a soft voice, as if she was that weak little girl again, the one that had arrived at this division her very first day. "When will I be…?" She found she couldn't end the sentence.
"Soon. Your brother and Hitsugaya-taichou should be discussing this issue now. I won't be surprised if you moved…the next day." Then her captain smiled, "Don't worry, Kuchiki. You can always visit us. You'll always be welcome in this division."
"…Thanks!" Rukia bowed deeply, holding her hands together. Her hair covered her face, and it was only that she stood up straight that she could see clearly again.
Her captain laughed, nodding. He understood.
So she didn't want to leave, but was going to anyways.
Perhaps this wasn't such a nice day after all.
So much for the promotion.
All the goodbyes had been said.
Rukia slowly dragged her feet along the ground. She didn't want to go home that quickly.
Instead, she walked around the streets at Gotei 13. They weren't as lively or large as the ones at Rukongai, but at least, she could think here. The air here was not as suffocating as it had been inside her division, with its fake laughter and smiles.
Climbing to a nearby river bank, she sat down, folding the bottom of her uniform. It was the same place that Kaien and her division had hung out many years before. She placed her hands under her legs and her head on her hands, staring out into the river. Her thoughts wandered away from the fact that she was to be moved soon and slowly, she found herself.
"Kuchiki."
Her eyes widened and she turned to the source of sound, nearly twisting her neck. She caught a view of white hair and immediately tensed.
"Hitsugaya-taichou." She bowed, in acknowledgment to his higher rank in authority. He was sitting as well, which made it harder. She doubted he would be able to notice.
Her face faced the ground, so he couldn't have seen her emotions. But finally, the curiosity could be contained no longer. She tilted her head, so that she could see part of the captain's face. He wasn't looking at her. Instead, his eyes were clouded as he stared out into the river. Then he turned, and stared straight into her eyes. The gaze was so powerful that Rukia could not look away.
"Hitsugaya-taichou…" Her voice lingered in the air, prompting the ice captain to speak.
He continued his stare as if she had never once said a word. Rukia felt her body stiffen. She tried her best to not to blink away from his gaze, not wanting to look weak.
"What is your answer?"
He had asked that, but she had no idea what he was saying.
"Excuse me? I'm sorry, but I must have missed the previous question. Could you repeat it again?"
Again, she was surprised at how normal and calm her voice sounded. Hadn't she expressed her anger at this same person hours ago?
"Are you satisfied with joining my division?"
She blinked, uncertain as to how Hitsugaya wanted her to answer this question. It wasn't as if she had a choice in deciding whether she would join or not. Did it matter, her opinion?
"Truthfully, no, sir. I-It's not that Division Ten is bad, but I am fine with my current division," she said it softly, shuffling her legs beneath her. The river gurgled loudly behind them.
"I see." He said nothing more. He stood up, as to leave; but he didn't. He continued to stand idly.
"Excuse me, sir…" Rukia got up from her spot, dusting her robes slightly. She waited for him to respond, but when it became clear that he comment further, she spoke up again, "Was there any particularly reason why you decided that I was to be in your division?"
"No." The answer came swift and without hesitation. In an odd way, Rukia felt she had been blasted by a wave of cold ice.
He turned to her to face her, a towering figure that she would have expected to be able to stand so tall. She didn't like it. It was as if he had won once again, even in the simplest of things.
Then almost, in a tired voice, he lifted the corners of his lips, "Try not to worry too much."
"I'm certainly not worried," she retorted in a voice she used for Ichigo or Renji. The accusation had come unexpectedly, and so she responded too naturally to a near stranger. "A-Ah, I'm sorry for that outburst."
She blinked.
He was gone already.
Rukia saw him again the next morning, but that was when she found out that Hitsugaya was officially joining the Kuchiki family. As her step-brother.
