Aimless
Chapter 1
It must be strange for him, to suddenly live with a stranger and call her 'sister'. She does not blame him for his lack of eagerness. She completely understands his indifference. But at the same time, she cannot help but feel disappointed that the first and probably only sibling she'll ever have seems to despise her. He does not even attempt to hide his disdain. Although she has never heard it from his mouth—not that he attempts to converse with her at all—it is evident in his actions and his manner of speaking when he is forced to address her. Her adoptive parents reassure her that he is stoic by nature and that he will eventually warm up to the idea of a new sister. She tries, really she does. But when her so-called brother takes extra means to avoid her, she cannot help but feel offended and somewhat angry at his lack of apathy.
"I'm sorry, Rukia. Your brother had to leave early for a student council meeting."
That's what she said two days ago. And she knew for a fact that student council meetings only occur once a week. Her mother really is too kind.
"That's alright mother," she says with a smile, "I prefer to take my time eating breakfast anyway."
She takes a bite out of her bagel and proceeds to converse with her mother. It's still very strange really. Every morning, she strolls out of her room as if she was still in a dream. She walks with caution, absorbing every detail of the house, the maids, and even her new parents, wondering if they'll disappear in the blink of an eye. But they don't. Despite her doubts and her scrutiny, they stay. The word 'mother' and 'father' feel foreign to her tongue. It's as if her brain is being tickled by the mere thought of it. The concept of a home and parents has always been an unattainable dream. But yet, here she is, eating breakfast with her new mother in her new home, with maids and chauffeurs and twenty different cars in the garage. She must have been a saint in her past life to acquire such a blessing.
"Your father and I are going out of town again dear. I know I really shouldn't leave you. You've only been here for two months. If you want me to stay, I will, just say the word."
Her mother really is too kind. Rukia beams reassuringly at her. "Of course not," she begins, "I'm very well settled in here."
Her mother grabs both her hands, "Are you sure?"
Rukia nods, "Yes, mother."
With a final hug, her mother bids her farewell. And it delights Rukia to feel the slight strain in her chest as she waves goodbye to the car as it turns the corner and disappears from her sight. Never in a million years did she imagine that she would care for someone enough to miss them even before they were gone.
The stares do not stop. Despite it being her fourth day in school, the whispers and the open fixation are still misfortunes she has to go through as she treads through the hallways of Seireitei Point High. Not one single person has approached her. She wonders if it is due to the intimidation of her new name or if it is because of her questionable background. But still, whatever outlandish reason they may conjure, she believes that it does not give them leave to openly shun her like that.
"You're Rukia, right? Byakuya's sister?" she closes her locker in surprise and turns to address the person. Fair skin, deep emerald eyes and a dazzling smile greet her. Rukia takes a moment to stare in awe at her beauty.
"Y-yes," she sputters lamely.
The girl beams and stretches a hand out in front of her.
"For me?" Rukia inquires, confused.
She laughs, and for a moment, Rukia swore she heard the flutter of feathers or the tittering of little sprites somewhere in the vicinity.
"Of course not," she says without malice. "It's for your brother. Can you please give this to him for me?"
"Oh." Realization finally dawns on her. She glances once more at the light pink envelope and takes a whiff of the perfume she assumes was sprayed on it. A love letter.
"I don't know," Rukia states gingerly. "I'm not really very close to him…yet."
"That's right. You were only adopted recently right?"
Rukia cringes at the bluntness of the statement but nods. The girl takes a moment to think. She then shoves the letter into Rukia's hands and beams once more.
"Think of it as a way to finally get closer to your brother. It would give you a reason to start a conversation with him."
"But!" Rukia tries to protest; however, the girl was already a few paces down the hallway and waving her off with a smile. Rukia stares disbelievingly at the innocent letter on her hands, wanting nothing more than to throw it away. But she remembers the sweet smile and the joy of finally having someone speak to her and thinks otherwise. It seems as if it was time to finally initiate conversation with her 'brother'.
"Rukia."
She jumps in her seat and stares with wide eyes at the doorway. The air stills and everything and everyone in the classroom freezes.
"Is there anything I can help you with, Byakuya?" her English teacher asks, breaking the silence that came with his arrival.
He glances at her before addressing the teacher with a curt nod.
"I apologize for disrupting your class. I came to deliver a message to my sister."
Rukia stands up, pushing her chair back with a loud screech. She winces at the sound, wanting nothing more than to melt into where she stood. The entire class diverts their attention to her, but before she could say anything the teacher snaps at her.
"Sit down Ms. Rukia." He diverts his attention to Byakuya. "You will soon learn that having a distinguished name and a position of relevance does not declare you to be above the immaculate rules and regulations of this constitution. If Mr. Kuchiki wishes to deliver a message, he may do so in his own time."
She could feel everyone in the room stiffen with the exchange. Rukia takes another look at Byakuya, anticipating a severe retort. But to her surprise, Byakuya simply takes out a note from his pocket and hands it to the teacher.
"Again, I apologize for disrupting your class," he says calmly, nothing but indifference on his serene face. "Rukia is excused for the rest of this period for a check-up at the nurse's insistence."
The teacher says nothing, defeat and shame evident on his face. Rukia slowly walks up to the class and excuses herself. She could feel the signs of cold sweat that came with being under her brother's presence. She does not look at him. Instead, she plants her gaze firmly on the ground, relying instead on her peripherals. From the corner of her eye she could see her brother turn towards the door, ready to exit. However, before he could take the last step outside he stops.
"By the way sir, you spelled inconspicuous incorrectly."
Rukia glances at the board and attempts to stifle a giggle. Byakuya was right. Beneath all the intelligent and profound quotes plastered on the board, she finds the shameful error and could not help but laugh at her teacher's bristling face. However, her good humor eventually dies down as she realizes her predicament. In the empty hallway, there is only her and him. Rukia strokes the letter in her pocket, wondering if this was the perfect moment to deliver the girl's message. She angles her head slightly, high enough to see his broad shoulders and tall stature. And right then, she decides that it was impossible after all. She would be mad to initiate conversation with him. But she remembers the girl's hopeful face and scolds herself for her weakness against the request.
"Brother," she hears herself say, quiet and timid, so very unlike her. "Actually, I have something of yours."
Byakuya doesn't say anything, but he takes smaller steps, waiting for her to catch up. Rukia reveals the slightly crumpled letter and stretches her hand out to him hesitantly.
"What is this?" he inquires, looking at it with disinterest.
"Um, it's a letter. This girl came up to me in the hallway and asked me to deliver this to you."
Rukia watches disdain grow on his face and cringes. Pulling the letter back to her side, she anticipates a reply.
"Rukia," he finally says, his face back to the same cold indifference. "Do not ever accept anything from anyone. Not when it concerns me. I do not have the time nor the patience to address every petty letter meant for me."
Without another glance at her, Byakuya begins to walk away, unaware of the sentiment his statement provoked.
"Are you serious?"
Byakuya halts and turns to face her.
"You won't even read it? She probably spent hours writing and re-writing this damn letter and you won't even acknowledge it?"
She waits for him. She waits for the scolding, the cold and cutting rebuttal but in the end, nothing. He simply stands there, frigid and uncaring, stoic as the day she met him.
"I am not entitled to read or respond to any of these letters. I have more important matters to attend to."
Rukia opens her mouth to respond, but Byakuya was already a few paces ahead. She tries to pacify the tremor of her breath, but the blood rushing through her veins could only ignite and even bigger fire within her. His severe and dispassionate demeanor, his arrogance and his complete disregard for the feelings of others. Every thought of him ignites a bitterness in her that she has never experienced before. Never has she encountered a man so off-putting. His existence and his presence was a stain to her dream. Her new home, her new parents, and her entire lifestyle was stunted by the sheer thought of him. She would rather not have a brother at all than to have one who readily despised her.
I would appreciate constructive criticism and feedback. And seeing as this fanfic has no direction...yet, I would like to hear suggestions too.
Review and PM to your heart's content. Thanks!
(sorry about any errors on my part. I'll be sure to correct them)
-Rose