Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters. I do not make any profit from this writing.

"Don't go out today, Hisa-chan, something doesn't feel right..."

"You know I have to, Chieko-san. I must find her and set things right."

Pausing at the doorframe, Hisana steeled herself against the autumn wind's sting. It was not yet the end of Kannazuki1, but there was already talk of snow on the mountain peaks near Hokutan2; a sure sign of another harsh winter coming. Determined as she was, the young woman was wise enough to heed her friend's warning, the cripple's senses were rarely wrong when it came to danger. Only last month her warning had saved the lives of the duo she lived with – a Hollow tore through ageing building scant moments after she had screeched at everyone to get out. There was still a gaping hole in the timber frame that had to be repaired somehow. Still, Hisana knew that she had to search no matter the danger.

She could never forgive herself for what she had done even if she managed to make amends.

"Well at least take something warmer than that yukata. It's so threadbare you can nearly see through it," Hisana blushed at the thought, "Spend some of that money you've been saving. Buy a decent one. When it warms up, I'll make you one but my leg hurts too much for the markets now…"

The rugged woman had lost part her limb when the roof of her last residence caved in and a beam ruined everything from muscle to bone from the knee down. Healers were expensive, but Chieko was scrupulous in her savings and somehow managed to find one skilled enough to save her life. Twelve years later, it still pained her horribly in cold weather and her crutches left her arms aching. Nevertheless, she forged on, determined to move on with life.

Hisana stepped out of the draught and snagged her faded hanten3 from her pallet. The thing had once been a pleasant shade of green, but too many washes had faded it almost completely to grey. Now it was almost as threadbare as her yukata. Sighing quietly, the young woman slid it over her shoulders; it was better than nothing. A sudden movement caught the corner of her eye and she looked over just in time to see some coins land on her blankets. With a tiny smile, they vanished into Hisana's sleeve.

"Bring me something tasty from one of the market vendors, and watch out for yourself, stubborn girl. I'll get cross if you come back with bruises again."

On her previous venture, the 'stubborn girl' had slipped, twisting her ankle and earning nasty scrapes and bruises on her arms when she had broken her fall. Even as Chieko motherly tended to her wounds, Hisana had received a stern chiding about carelessness. Reminded of the lecture, the young woman blushed faintly as she replied. "I will be careful, Chieko-san, please don't worry about me."

She didn't hear the grumbled 'I always do, child' as she slipped out into the cold morning.

The narrow alley outside was still dark in shadow – the sluggish autumn sun had not yet breached the top of the building and would not do so for almost an hour yet. Rain in the night had made the packed earth somewhat soggy under her straw sandals, but Hisana could not wait for the sun to dry it once more. It would take her a good portion of the morning to reach the other side of Inuzuri4 and there were many alleys to search before the day ended. Despite her early start the woman would hardly be alone in the streets; markets commenced almost as soon as it was light enough to set up stalls. Already, there was a myriad of vendors and potential buyers bustling about on the street ahead.

Ahead, three children chattered animatedly and Hisana felt a tug at her heart. Her sister would be about their age now but the woman dearly hoped that whatever Rukia's situation may be, it was better than the young boys' ahead. She pleaded to the gods that her sister didn't need to steal to have water as the red-headed leader so loudly boasted they could.

These three were known to most around here; constantly in trouble, being chased away by both older children and adult. Like most their age with no guardian to care for them, they were forced to turn to thievery just to get the water they needed to maintain existence. It was a sad truth, but this was the way things were in the lower districts. It was better closer to the great walls that surrounded the inner fortress of Seireitei. There they had the business of the Gotei Thirteen, the legendary shinigami warriors, to boost profits and provide protection from Hollow predation. Inuzuri was too poor for such custom, and too far away for anything but occasional patrols.

Still, it was better than Zaraki5. Only the worst scum lived in that district: murders and thugs all eventually wound up there eventually. It made Inuzuri look like a pleasant refuge despite the poverty. Here, at least, there was little murder; only thievery.

Walking past the small group, Hisana bowed her head to cover the gentle smile on her face and subtly dropped a few coins where the children would notice once they stopped discussing their next heist. It would be only enough to buy clean water for the day, but that was all the woman could spare. She moved on quickly, not wanting to be noticed or pestered for more money.

"Hey, Nee-san! You dropped..." The red-head's voice rang out but then tapered off when he realized Hisana's intention. Slipping around the corner, she swiftly mingled with the flow of people and disappeared out of sight. Kindness was a rare thing in this part of Rukongai, but what little the young woman made had to be saved for when she finally found her lost little sister. Maybe, just maybe, Rukia could forgive her abandonment just that little bit easier for generous deeds.

1 November in the old Japanese calendar
2 Third district of West Rukongai
3 Edo-period haori-style coats worn by the low classes
4 Seventy-eighth district of South Rukongai
5 Eightieth district of North Rukongai