Long had Mikora Kuchiki defied, rebelled and even resented the ways of her noble family. Mikora was born second after her brother Byakuya into the noble Kuchiki family. A noble family whose needs were held above the rest of Soul Society. Since Mikora's birth she held no misguided sense of superiority or entitlement that dictated the ways of her brother and her family. In contrast, the ways of the commoners fascinated Mikora and her natural curiosity lead her to pursue a connection with the people.

From an early age Mikora endeavoured outside the walls of the Kuchiki manor, desperate to see what the manor walls concealed from her. Her earliest exploits were always thwarted by Byakuya much to his and her annoyance. "Bya-Bya, why can't I go where I please, Why can't I see the people!" she would exclaim when her brother caught her in the evening hours attempting to venture into Rukongai. His response was always the same. "Mikora, you are the princess of a noble house, it is not proper for you to associate with the commoners. We are above them, and as such should always appear to be."

As the years went on Mikora's interest and curiosity only grew. This was the same for her natural Shinigami strengths. When entering her pre-teen years Mikora found it easy to elude her brother's watchful and protecting eye. She would escape the manor walls and venture further and further into Rukongai. She would be lost in the complexity of it. The streets, the people, and the noise it was all foreign to Mikora's sheltered life of luxury.

Every time Mikora returned home though she was confronted with a familiar scene. She would be escorted by the guards to the manor's central chamber where she was set in front of the Head of house her grandfather, her parents, her brother and elite members of the house. They would scold her exploits repeatedly. Mikora was branded as reckless, insubordinate and a disgrace. It would always end with Mikora crying herself to sleep. Unlike the remainder of her family, Byakuya sympathised for his sister. On the nights of her scolding's he would often find his way to her side in attempts to comfort her. "Kora, hush now, you know what you did was wrong. What did you expect to happen when you go out into Rukongai?!?!"

Despite Byakuya's cold exterior when in the company of the rest of the Kuchiki clan he cared very deeply for his sister, and could not help but let his childish temper out when around her. She was the only one, besides on occasion when Yoroichi decided to visit that could penetrate and release Byakuya's real personality. In stolen hours away from lessons and noble duties Byakuya and Mikora were inseparable. The siblings both shared the same desire to become Soul Reapers and would practice against each other in all forms of combat. They were both naturally exceedingly skilled at every form of combat, but exclusively Mikora found she was adept at kidou. Despite her brother's greater age, size and ability she was able to become levelwith him when engaging her kidou.

As the years proceeded the constant scoldings could not deter Mikora from her adventures into Rukongai. Years went by and the scoldings were less and less until they ceased. Her family had grown tired of trying to tame Mikora and had left her to fulfil her own desires. She had become an almost outcast within her family, except for with Byakuya who still showed her caring and understanding.

Mikora was now venturing further and further into Rukongai. One day late in fall, Mikora decided she would take a trip during the daylight hours which was against her usual routine. Taking advantage of her families disinterest in her she slipped out after her afternoon philosophy lesson. The daylight was a blessing; it allowed Mikora to soak up more and more of the excitement of Rukongai. She became so excited that the afternoon slipped away and evening found her. She had made it all the way into the 78th district of Rukongai before she knew it. It was the furthest she's ever ventured from home. Despite Mikora's adventurous nature she was extremely naive. She saw the world as one in the same; she was unaware of the atrocities that actually occurred outside the Kuchiki manor walls.

Mikora walked down a dirty little street of the 78th district, aiming to make her way back home. Suddenly two men burst through the thin walls of house that lined the street. Screams of profanity came from the two men as they wrestled on the ground three feet away from Mikora. Blood spurted from one mans head as the others fist made contact. The fight continued as more and more sounds of wailing came from house, as blood was from the now unconscious man stained the street. The unconscious man was still now, not attempting to struggle against the other man anymore. Cries and sobs still exhaled from the house. The prevailing man dropped the other to the ground and kick his lifeless corps. "AHHH!!! Take that you dirty bastard!" he exclaimed as he kicked him again. Then when the man looked up was when he finally realised Mikora was standing just feet away. "Oh what do we have here? A pretty little girl. I'm sorry you had to see that" The man said, with a devilish grin on his lips. "Aww poor little thing you're white as a ghost why don't you come inside with me!" With these words the man lunged himself at Mikora. Instinctively Mikora leapt out of the way and planted a kick right into the stomach of the man.

This action enraged the man, and he groaned in pain. "I'LL GET YOU FOR THAT YOU LITTLE BITCH!" The man hobbled to his feet and began thundering after Mikora. Mikora mustered all the speed she could and bolted along the dark street. But somehow the man's anger gave him speed and Mikora found it difficult to lose the man. He was strong, despite of Mikora's only partially developed skills she could sense it. Fear was building in Mikora, fear never before felt in her safe little world. She veered around a corner hoping it would lead her away from this man, but Mikora was confronted by a huge dead end. She was trapped between this wall and the man pursuing her. She turned and faced her opponent now, with no other choice than to attack him. The man approached, still adorned with that devilish smile. "I've got you now you little brat!"

Suddenly there was the sound of a collision as the approaching man was flung to the ground in a puff of dirt. Shouts and profanity were exclaimed this time but not only from the man. The sounds of childrens voices made it to Mikora's ears. Then someone grabbed her arm. Mikora looked into the face of a small girl who couldn't have been any older than herself. She was wearing a dirty and dull kimono, that only came to the knee. Her hair was jet black and her eyes a deep violet. "Come on already! We Gotta go!" she urged pulling Mikora along with her. They ran back across the alleyway and past to commotion. "Renji Come On!!!" the new stranger called to the centre of the fight. With her call four other young boys emerged from the fight and followed. The group ran and ran, winding through the dimly light streets. They came to the end of the road and it lead out onto a small grassy field, where a ramshackle little hut stood. As soon as the group passed through the door way the black hair girl dropped Mikora's arm. She turned and face the tallest boy who had vividly red hair, tied back into a ponytail. "Jeez Renji! Couldn't you have been any slower!" She said ferociously. "Ahh cut it out, I got there when I got there, you're so annoying" he replied, much to the others amusement. These two continued to bicker between themselves and completely seemed to forget Mikora's presence.

The two slowly ceased their bickering and became aware of Mikora's silent presence. "Umm are you allright?" enquired the red haired boy while scratching his head. They all began to stare into Mikora's direction. A sudden wave of horror swept through Mikora, as she remembered why she typically only ventured outside the manor walls in the evenings. Even though by noble standards, Mikora's appearance was quite shabby, it still oozed of wealth. Mikora looked down at her attire. She was still wearing her burgundy silk kimono, with gold sash. Her long black hair, although dishevelled was pulled back into a bun and pinned with diamond brooch. Mikora remained silent for a long while contemplating on what they must think about her.

The silence was again broken by the red haired boy. "Hello! I'm talking to you, what's your name?"

"My name?" replied Mikora

"Yeah surely you've got a name" he said

"Umm yes, my name's Mikora Kuch…, I mean Kora, just Kora"

"Just Kora aye, don't you have a surname or something?"

Mikora hesitated as the boys inquisitive eyes stared at her. She couldn't tell them her surname. Her surname was infamous throughout the Soul Society. Her family were somewhat celebrities. Mikora did not want to ruin the only chance she'd ever had to fully connect with outsiders.

"Nup my name's just Kora!" she retorted with a spark of intolerance.

"Allright, so just Kora what were you doing out on the streets at this time of night. Are you stupid or something" he said

"No I am not stupid!" exasped Mikora. She was not accustom to having her actions questions, let alone being called names. " I was just out walking, is that such a big deal" said Mikora

" Well it is if you're out walking in the most dangerous part of town, you're lucky we came when we did or that guy would have killed you!"

" I would have done perfectly fine if you hadn't have come along you know"

"Whatever!" said the red haired boy as he planted himself onto crate. Mikora was infuriated by this red haired boy. She wanted to prove to him there and then that she could have taken care of herself. As she stood there glaring at the boy, the young girl who had pulled Mikora, approached her with a warm friendly smile. "Sorry about him, he's just a jerk. We haven't actually introduced ourselves properly yet. I'm Rukia and that thing over there is Renji" she said while indicating towards the red haired boy.

The night went on as Mikora was welcomed to stay with these kids for the night. The group of kids talked the entire evening about anything and everything. They were excited to have someone new to share their tales with, and Mikora was just as anxious to hear all about them. Even the earlier reluctant Renji was now involved in the nights banter. None of the children bowed or addressed Mikora formally, it was if she were simply one of them. A strong sense of warmth spread through Mikora, a warmth that she knew she must have been looking for everytime she ventured into Rukongai. Of course Mikora lied about her name and came up with an excuse for why she was so extravagantly dress, but for once she felt she was an equal.