The Forgotten Child

I just HAD to do this story! Right when I was re-reading volume twenty one over again, it came to me that since Byakuya and Hisana were married for at least five years, they just HAD to have a child during the time, right!? Say I'm wrong, I don't care, but I just had to do this story!! Enjoy!!

Part One: Mama

"Ah! I see a head! Lady Hisana, one more push please!"

Mama gave a scream and a final push, and then, from that moment on, I knew it. I had entered a strange world with a great light and great, tall, figures. Giants they were. I opened my eyes and I saw her, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and met for that first moment of my birth; Mama. I don't recall it well, but from what all the servants told me, Mama's face was flushed and her face was tired, but nonetheless happy that she had given birth to her first, and soon what would be, her only child. Me. As the nurses wiped me clean and wrapped a blanket around me they had given me to her and she held me gently and closely. I can still remember Mama's gentle voice as she said my name, "Rin," over and over again as she kissed my forehead.

"Lord Byakuya," she spoke gently, "here is your daughter, Rin." She presented me to my father. As far as I was told, Tou Sama didn't smile. Nor did he frown. Instead, all that he said was:

"She has your eyes, Hisana. She will resemble you. I hope she will make you smile."

"She already has, I simply adore her. Rin…that is her name…Kuchiki Rin."

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Three years then passed, and I had already learned to walk and talk by the tutors that Tou Sama had brought. I was still learning how to read and write during the time, so that in the future years, I may be able to write and recognize my family's name wherever I went. I remember how boring some of the teachings were, and how uninterested I was in them. How I wished that instead of spending so much time in that room I would rather be outside with Mama doing embroidery or ikebana in the garden. Though there were some days when I had no classes and I was able to spend more time with Mama, I never spent time with Tou Sama. I remember asking one of the tutors, Juugo sensei, why. "It's because he's a Shinigami," he replied.

"Shini…gami?" I had repeated. "What's that?"

"You are still too young to know, Rin chan," he replied gruffly, "now go back and recite the poem."

I had groaned when Juugo sensei wouldn't answer me so on that night, I had asked Mama. "Mama, what's a Shinigami?"

"Why do you ask, Rin chan?" she smiled at me when I had asked.

"Juugo sensei said that Tou Sama is a Shinigami. But he didn't say anymore about it." I tugged on Mama's kimono so that she would answer.

"A Shinigami," she began as she picked me up and placed me on her lap, "is one that slays souls and returns it to Seireitei, Soul Society. Also, the carry zanpakutou's in order to fight Hollows that enter the world of the living."

"What's a…Hollow?"

"Hollow, a soul that has strayed from its path and becomes a behemoth that wears a mask. It targets other souls and eats them."

"So Tou Sama fights those creatures? He protects Soul Society? Is that why I don't see Tou Sama often?" To this Mama patted my head and held me in her arms. She gave a smile.

"Rin chan, you're only three years old. You needn't worry of anything." Mama would've said more to assure me, but one of the servants came in and informed her that Tou Sama had come home and was already waiting in his room for her. Mama had asked the servant to take me to bed as she would go over to Tou Sama. If there was one thing I knew back then, Tou Sama had loved Mama very much, but I knew another thing, Mama was always sad. When Mama wasn't smiling, her face was always sad and she looked as if she were going to cry soon. I wondered if Tou Sama ever noticed it…

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A year had soon passed and I was already four. I remember it being spring at the time. The plum tree was full of fruit already. I remember seeing both Tou Sama and Mama in the garden, it was the first time I had seen Tou Sama during the day besides the late afternoons or evenings. Mama had a basket and held it as the servants picked the plums and placed them in there.

"Mama! Tou Sama!" I had called as I ran over to them.

"Rin chan," Mama spoke as I had reached her, "shouldn't you be with the tutor?"

"Lessons are over," I said to her and I looked over at Tou Sama. He wore no smile but had waved his hand over to me. I smiled as I saw the dark colored fruit in his hand, so I walked over to him. "Yes, Tou Sama?"

"Have you been learning well?" he asked.

"I have. I have learned how to write out my name as well as our great family's name; Kuchiki." To this, Tou Sama didn't smile but simply patted my head as he gave me the dark fruit. He then led me towards Mama and told her what I have learned so far. Mama smiled and handed the basket to the servants as she picked me up and held me.

"Well done, Rin chan. Let's go the pond and feed the fish now, alright?"

I nodded, "Alright Mama." She then let me down and I held onto her hand as she walked me over. She looked back at Tou Sama and asked if he would be coming, but Tou Sama shook his hand; his way of saying no. She gave a giggle and handed me small stale crackers to feed the fish with. I tossed crumbs and watched as the giant, slippery looking figures glided along the water and splashed for a chance to devour a piece. "Mama, Mama!" I called to her, "Look at all the fish!"

Mama didn't say much but simply smiled and gave me a pat on the head. As I looked back to feed the fish a little more I could already feel that Mama's smile had faded quickly. And indeed, when I looked back, Mama was sad again.

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And then finally, when I was five, Mama died. It was spring. The plum tree hadn't blossomed. When I was told that Mama was dying, that early morning, I remember rushing over to Mama and Tou Sama's room. I felt the hot tears spill from my eyes, but I didn't muffle out any cries. Finally, when I had reached their door, I remember feeling scared to see the truth. I didn't want to see Mama's dying body. I wanted to pretend that maybe it was all a lie and Mama was just very sleepy and still sick. I waited a bit and thought it over. Finally, I carefully slid open the door and through that tiny gap, I could see and hear both Tou Sama and Mama.

"I'm sorry I cannot repay the love you gave me…the five years I spent with you were like a beautiful dream, Lord Byakuya." Mama spoke. Her voice was so weak and I thought I would begin to cry. "Please, also, take care of Rin. I fear that she will carry this with her as well…Lord Byakuya…please take care of her. She is also a part of me I leave behind." After speaking those words, Mama spoke no more. I could see that her arm in Tou Sama's looked limp and that his head was down. I went on my feet and open the door. Tou Sama looked up at me, his face didn't show any sign of unhappiness, but I knew he was greatly sad.

"Tou…Sama…" I began as I felt my eyes fill with tears, "Mama…Mama is…?"

Tou Sama's head went down again and he quietly said, "Yes."

At that point I let out a scream and rushed over to Mama's body. Her face was still beautiful and I couldn't help but cry harder. Why did she have that expression? Why couldn't she have continued to live? Why did she remain sick for a long time? For the first time, I felt mad at Mama. Even though I was sad.

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Even though a year had passed since Mama had died, I was still sad. I was already six and learning of my family's noble history. As I learned about how all the great Kuchiki's before Tou Sama and Mama that had lived and died, I learned that their bodies and ashes were placed in special graves for our family only. Then I remembered about Mama's ashes, I remembered that they weren't placed in the graves. When I had asked Juugo sensei why Mama's ashes weren't in the graves, he did not answer me. When Juugo sensei didn't answer, I asked every servant why but they dismissed that question as well. Not too long ago, Tou Sama had become Taichou of Sixth Company and everyday I would walk around Soul Society with him. Finally I had remembered my question and when I asked Tou Sama, he said:

"Rin, you are too young to understand."

The next day, when lessons were over I had sat alone in the garden. Tou Sama had left for Soul Society already that morning but I could care less. Life felt empty without Mama and it felt meaningless. I wanted to escape from the house and run to the mountains and drown myself into the river. I wanted to be with Mama! But during my planning, idle chatter from the servants had driven me out and I had learned of new information; Tou Sama was bringing and outsider into the family! I had stood up and ran toward the servants and questioned them about it. "What?! Why is Tou Sama bringing in an outsider?"

"Well um, I am not so sure about the details, Rin san, but she is believed to look like your mother."

"Look like Mama? That is ridiculous! No one else can look like Mama! One day, I will grow up to be like her and only then will someone look like her! I must see this woman soon!"

"Rin san, please refrain from anger," the servants had begged me, "she does not arrive until a few days. You will see her then."

But I couldn't wait. That evening I had rushed to Tou Sama's room and bursted through the doors. "Tou Sama! Tou Sama!" I had called to him, "Why, Tou Sama? Why bring in an outsider?"

To this, Tou Sama looked at me, his eyes were stern and he had simply said, "Rin, you are too young to understand. So you are not allowed to have a say in this."

I couldn't help but cry to this, and in a flash, I had spilled out my true thoughts. "Tou Sama, have you already forgotten about Mama?!" and before I could be chastised, I had left the room and ran into mine. I soon began to have bitter feelings toward Tou Sama and the thoughts of him betraying his love for Mama. I soon began having wild thoughts that if I had died, Tou Sama would marry that woman and have another child to replace me in his life. Just like how he was replacing Mama. Stupid Tou Sama! I had cried so much that night that I soon fell asleep.

Four days later, I waited in front of the Kuchiki house along with all the servants as Tou Sama came home with the girl. As soon as I first saw her, I saw no resemblance. She had no ounce of lady behavior. She had a boyish voice and didn't know our customs. But to my relief, she called Tou Sama "Nii Sama," . Though, not too long after, Tou Sama would always have her walk along with him around Soul Society instead of me. Tou Sama no longer spent time with me and soon, it felt I had died. After a week of her arrival I ran away.

Kuchiki Rin slowly opened her eyes and looked at the sky after reminiscing on her memories. Slowly getting up and looking behind her, the mountains of trees that stood past her, she gave a sigh and resumed walking.

Okay, if you all didn't understand, all the stuff in italic was her memories. Stuff that happened before. Because if you all remember, Byakuya and Hisana were married for five years and Byakuya found Rukia a year after Hisana's death. So, if you understand, good. If you don't, this is about Byakuya and Hisana's child, Rin. If there is or was any confusion, send me a message and I will reply to it. R&R and I hope you enjoyed it. Part Two coming up! Look forward to it!