Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 1
She saw herself, the little girl with the short black hair and large blue eyes, running, laughing and with a friend.
She was running away from the little boy, with spiky orange hair, in a game of tag. They were happy and content with how things were. They wanted it to remain the same forever. With them having fun, smiling and laughing.
What she saw next was that terrible day, where everything changed.
She was running again, in another game of tag. There was a loud boom. She turned around and found one of the houses on fire. Then came more booms from other parts of the town, along with people screaming, crying and the sounds of more cackling flames. She looked over to her orange-haired friend. His amber eyes were transfixed on the burning house. She felt someone pick her up and she began to get further away from him.
"Ichigo!" she screamed.
He turned to face her, but then he was also picked up and taken elsewhere, away from her.
She saw his mouth open, but she couldn't hear him. Tears started making their way down her cheeks.
She woke up with a jolt of pain in her head and her stomach. She was sweating, her pyjamas stuck to her skin like fur and her breathing was heavy. It was just a nightmare, one that haunted her every week. She pulled the sheets off and made her way slowly to the bathroom. She turned the taps on and splashed her face with the cool water. 'Why can't I just forget?' she thought. Although it had been nearly 11 years, she still couldn't get over that day-neither could her brother. What made her remember it was that it had killed her sister, her step-mother and father, and had separated her best friend from her. All she had left was her older adopted brother, who rarely talked or even looked at her after the incident.
She made her way back to her bed, and collapsed on top of the sheets. Tears started to dwell in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She felt tired. After having no dinner, one would expect to have no energy to move. Slowly, she fell into a troubled sleep, muttering one particular word, 'Ichigo'.
Rukia woke up the next morning to the bright sun light that filtered through the windows. She looked at her clock. 6 am sharp. 'Four hours sleep, new record' she thought and sighed as she made her way to the shower. Something told her that it was going to be one hell of a day.
Byakuya looked at the chief of the town. He had white hair, a white beard and small beady eyes. Expected from someone who is 104 years old.
The two were in the library discussing the fate of their town. Or rather, huge city.
"You understand don't you Kuchiki Byakuya," said the Chief Yamamoto. "She is the one to take on the challenge, and one of the two chosen, who will help us win."
Byakuya nodded, as if understanding. But he really didn't understand at all. What did his little sister have to do with this war? Why was she chosen to lead them all into battle? These questions ran through his mind while he kept a straight, emotionless expression on his face.
"She's been trained for this day, and she needs to know now." Chief Yamamoto said in a grave voice, snapping Byakuya out of his little trance. "Our future depends on her and the other chosen one."
"I understand." Byakuya said. Yet again, this was a complete lie.
The two heard the soft sounds of footsteps heading their way. Appearing at the door was Rukia in a dark blue kimono. She stood there, startled by the presence of the Chief, but quickly regained her composure and bowed.
"Good morning Yamamoto-san, nii-sama."
"Good morning to you Rukia." Said Yamamoto in a completely different tone from what he had just used. Byakuya just gave a nod as to acknowledge her presence in the room.
One of the house maids walked up to her. "Mistress, your breakfast is ready on the table."
Rukia nodded and excused herself from the library.
Yamamoto looked back at Byakuya and said, rather hurriedly, "The second chosen will arrive later this morning. I expect you will treat him with respect." With that he stood up and headed towards the door. "You have to tell her soon. Good day to you." The door was closed behind him, leaving Byakuya to his own thoughts.
Rukia walked down the hallway toward the dining room with one of the house maids. After being out of hearing range from the library, Rukia greeted her friend with a forced grin.
"You look much better this morning Rukia-chan!" Hinamori exclaimed a she returned the grin with a sad kind of smile. "The bags under your eyes aren't that visible today!"
Rukia had noticed the sad smile, but decided not to pursue her. "That's because I got four hours of sleep" said Rukia.
Hinamori is one of Rukia's friends as well as her personal maid. Although she is slightly older than Rukia, Hinamori likes to call her Rukia-chan rather than Rukia-san, but has to call her 'mistress' around her older brother.
They entered the dinning room where mountains of food were placed in a particularly creative and presentable fashion. 'What is going on?' Rukia wondered. She went to reach for a strawberry when Renji, another one of her friends and part of the household security, slapped her hand away.
"Oi, what was that for?" she yelled at him.
He gave her one of his sheepish grins. "That stuff is not for you." He roughly shoved a tray, which had rice, almonds and a cup of milk, at her.
She stared at the tray she was given, and then back at the dining table. "If I can't eat anything form the table, then who is it for?" she angrily asked.
"For some dude coming into town." Renji said.
Rukia shrugged her shoulders and made her way into the 'littler' dining room located on the other side of the hall. Renji and Hinamori followed suite.
"Ano Rukia-chan" spoke a nervous Hinamori.
Rukia looked up at her to show she had her full attention.
"Ano, w-we need to talk to y-you about s-s-something" stuttered a very nervous looking Hinamori.
Rukia cocked her head to one side.
Renji sighed. It looked like he was going to have to tell her. "Listen Rukia, you know we aren't really from this town, Hinamori and I".
Rukia placed a spoonful of rice into her mouth and nodded.
"Well, the thing is…" he had no idea how to break this to her. "Well, we've been told we have to go back and we're not sure when we can return." He waited to see her reaction.
She didn't scream, or yell, or cry. She just sat there and stared at them; with her giant blue eyes. It was Hinamori who started to cry.
"We're so sorry Rukia-chan, but we really don't have much of a choice in this!" she said in between sobs.
"We also have to leave in about 10 minutes" added Renji who was patting Hinamori.
Rukia finally got the message through to her head and stood up. She went to hug Hinamori first, who returned the hug. "Be safe okay?" she whispered into her ear. Rukia then turned to Renji and a smirk was spread across her face.
Renji never did like that look.
Rukia kicked him on his shin, causing him to fall to one knee.
"ARRGHH! What the hell was that for bitch?" he said while rubbing his shin. For a girl, Rukia can sure hit hard.
"I seem to remember the first time we met; you said 'I will never EVER bow down before you!'." She said with an evil grin. "Now just what are you doing Renji-kun?" she asked mockingly in a high-pitched fake voice that was different to her usual husky tone.
Renji had a look that said 'I swear I will get you back for that bitch' but soon dropped it once he realized she was trying to lighten up the mood. It seemed to have worked because Hinamori was giggling.
Rukia added a few pats to his head to emphasise that she was superior to him.
"We must be on our way now Rukia-chan. We'll miss you heaps." Hinamori said with a sad tone of voice.
There was silence.
Renji stood up from his 'kneeling' position and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Take care of yourself Rukia."
"Yeah you two; the both of you" she said.
With that, Renji and Hinamori set off towards the town square. Looking back at the petite figure, they felt sorry to be leaving her all alone. But what were they suppose to do?
Once they were outside, Rukia sat herself next to the window with her head on her knees. The tears are dwelling in her eyes again, and are fighting to escape. But there was no way that Kuchiki Rukia, was going to let a few tears roll down her face.
As Renji and Hinamori rode back to their own village, Rukia is left with the feeling of loneliness. She was alone once again. Her friends are again being taken away from her. Only except this time, she did not cry, and there were no blazing fires.
End of chapter 1
A/N: hope You enjoyed reading this chapter. Review if you want and I will have the next chapter upin hopefully the next two weeks.
