Rukia woke up that day and, as usual, wore her Shihakusho and tied Sode no Shirayuki to her waist. Her house was quiet as always, but she felt some different vibrations in the air, the aura was much lighter than usually. It was cold, but she smiled at the stripe of blue sky she could see from her window. With some luck, the sun could make an appearance.
She made her way out, now passing the mansion gardens, the cherry trees bare of flowers and leaves. Soon, the spring would come, and make it an explosion of pink against green, and she would spend her free time here, admiring the flowers with her beloved Nii-sama, or training with one of her friends.
Today, she would train by herself.
Herself and... Sode no Shirayuki.
Rukia remembered the day when she first achieved shikai. She was happy, but at the same time, wasn't . Her sword was considered the most beautiful in all of Soul Society, but was she worthy of that? She didn't think so, at the time. So she trained hard.
Rukia was a survivor. After being abandoned, she had to fend for herself in the worst place of Rukongai. And, after she had found Renji, she learned that friendship was the thing she needed to make though all the hardness of a poor life.
She took her zanpakuto out of its sheath. And the memory of her fisrt night in the human world came to her. After that night, so many things have changed... She had learned so much, made so many friends that her heart swelled to the thought of them. She was happy when they were together, and missed her human friends when she was away.
And, certain orange haired boy, she could say, was one of the best friends one could have. She was so lucky for having him in her life. The moment when he stopped her execution was as sharp and fresh in her memory was it was when it happened.
Then, there was Nii-sama.
Byakuya was always so cold and distant with everyone, but with her he was different. Because he was making an effort to get closer, to be there for her,not only as a force of protection, as he believed he needed to do before, but as someone she could count on when she needed; and could come to when she wanted.
The sun appeared between the clouds, making the show shine in her eyes. But she liked that, the snow was a friend.
And Rukia realized how lucky she was.
For everything she had. For everything she was. For all the friends she had made.
She was grateful.
"Rukia," Byakuya's deep voice called her, "why are you crying?"
Was she? She hadn't realized that. She was so lost in thought...
She felt his very large hand on her shoulder, an odd, buy very Byakuya-like, tentative of comforting her. She looked at him and smiled. She saw his eyes soften, and he smiled to (it was barely visible, but it was a smile). And then, something moved by her feet.
In the mass of white snow, a small, red-eyed white bunny looked at her. More tears surfaced, and Rukia smiled at him again.
"Happy birthday, Rukia"
Without a thought, Rukia lauched herself at him, hugging him thightly. Byakuya stiffed at this, but hugged her back. In the distance, she could her shouts and laughs, and she looked around Byakuya to see all of her friends gathered.
For her birthday.
Rukia grabbed her bunny and ran to her friends, eyes watering and bright smile on her face.
Thank you. Thank you all.