"Kuchiki-san, your brother wishes to speak with you. He says that it is important."
Unohana-taichou was not given to tolerating interruptions in her work and her tone was serious, jolting Rukia out of her reverie. The Fourth Division captain's face softened as she approached and Unohana slipped one hand around Rukia's shoulders, leading her over to where her brother was laid out on the ground. Wards had been set around his body at the four points of the compass. Thin streams of kido ran from one to another, encircling him and forming a field of magic that would, for a time at least, keep him alive. Rukia hesitated, but Unohana stepped into the field, drawing the younger woman with her. Once inside, the captain released her hold on Rukia's shoulders.
Byakuya was sleeping. His skin was pale. While many of the wounded had been carried away from the plateau, Unohana had chosen not to move him any further than was completely necessary at this time: a testament to the severity of his injuries.
Rukia knelt down. She wasn't sure what she was meant to do. She hated this man; she always had. And yet his presence had fallen like a shadow over so much of her life that she couldn't imagine an existence without it. Moreover, she had a burning need to understand why, at the end, he had wanted to give his life for hers.
She took his hand. It was quite cold and she held it between both her own, wishing that she could force some of her own warmth into his fingers. His eyes did not open, but his lips formed the outline of her name:
"Rukia."
"I'm here, Nii-sama."
"I'm sorry," he said. His voice was so soft that she had to lean in to hear, and she wondered if he felt her shiver. Those were two words he had never spoken before to her: "Can you forgive me?"
She didn't answer.
For a long time, he was silent. She was unsure if he was even conscious. Then his grip tightened within hers: "Rukia?"
"Yes."
"There's something important you should know." He coughed. Unohana shifted, but knelt back when he caught his breath again. "You never asked me why I adopted you into my family."
"The servants told me, Nii-sama. I look very much like your dead wife. So I know and it's – it's alright. I don't mind."
"I asked my staff to lie to you." His grey eyes opened and, for once, there was no barrier between her and his thoughts. She saw pain and memory and something more. His hold on her hand tightened: "That was not the reason. It was never the reason."
"Then why?" she said.
And he began to explain.
*************************END OF TRACK 3 *******************************************
When the cold in my heart leaves, it comes to an end
And, quietly, I'll go to sleep.
Follow me into the light.
Like ice on a lake of tears, I'll take you through.
Or leave me tonight.
I've gone too far to begin anew.
From "Somewhere in Time," Kamelot
Moonlight, crawling down on me, just like you,
Could not compete with my pride.
From "Moonlight," Kamelot