The priest's face was pale and solemn as he shook the earth in his hand for a moment before scattering it into the open grave where it pattered gently onto the oak coffin.
"Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust."
I glanced across at Rukia. She was standing with her brother who tried to shelter her from the rain with a black umbrella, but the soft drizzle still mingled with tears that rolled down her face as she leant her head against his shoulder.
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and…"
After the service we all went back to Rukia's house where the good and drinks were laid out on the crisp white tablecloths. We all helped ourselves then wandered about in little groups, offering condolences to the family, talking softly, the noise level barely above a soft hum.
I looked around, after extracting myself out of underneath the arms of a large man, who claimed to be Rukia's uncle's cousin, who felt obliged to make me listen to a hundred stories of his childhood, to find Rukia. I saw her aunt consoling Rukia's dad, her twin cousins softly sobbing, and her uncle's cousin swooping onto a startled looking teen, who gave his mum a look that plainly said "Save me."
Rukia wasn't there and so I walked up the stairs and knocked.
"Come in."
Her room was a tempest of anguish; pictures of her beloved uncle scattered across her desk, and in her small perfect hands, knuckles white with strain, clutched a small locket.
"Hey…" I murmured, "You okay?"
She didn't reply, she sniffed and wiped her eyes.
I reached across her desk and got her a tissue. Offering it to her I sat next to her, fumbling to get the right words out.
"Uhhh… hey Rukia …"
She looked up at me, eyes red, puffy and swollen, searching for a sliver of hope, watching, waiting, wishing for words to comfort her, to let her leave this squall of misery, this all too real night nightmare. There was a pause as our eyes met, and all I could say was,
"You look terrible."
She made a small noise, something in between a hiccup, sob and a giggle, and smiled at me, sighed then rested her head on my shoulder.
"Jeeze… I'm such a mess. Ichigo… I can't believe he died…"
I sighed, relieved, but immediately sobered.
"Mmmm."
Another pause ensued and this time it was broken by her.
"Why did