Notes: Wow, this was finished ahead of schedule! What can I say, feedback makes me write faster (hint hint ;P) Anyways, I hope that everyone likes chapter 1 of Chicken Soup for a Kuchiki's Soul!
(I know this may be surprising to some, but I don' own Bleach)
Chapter 1:
The first think Rukia noticed when she opened the door was the overwhelming scent of cherry blossom.
Looking around, Rukia instantly realized why. The room was full of them. Bouquets cluttered every available space that wasn't floor, and the window was open, blowing in the smell of the cherry trees, full in bloom. It took Rukia a couple of blinks to get used to the pink glare, and a small coughing fit to try and adjust to the obnoxiously strong smell of flowers. Vaguely, she realized that she'd have to get used to the smell pretty quickly, or she might end up being the sick one.
"Rukia-san?" wiping her streaming eyes, Rukia looked up at the call of her name. Sitting by the bed was a small, tired looking shinigami, the sash over his shoulder a staple of the 4th Division. With a smile, Rukia nodded back. She'd know him anywhere.
"Hanataro-san, what are you doing here? Are you watching over Nii-Sama?" Rukia questioned, ignoring the pink and focussing instead on Hanataro's dark uniform. It was working better for her eyes, even if they were starting to get used to the bright colours. Still, she wondered how Byakuya could stand being trapped in a room that smelled like air-freshener. And not the good sort.
"Well Rukia-san, I've been trying to get Kuchiki-Taichou to take his medicine for the last half an hour. He's been very adamant that he doesn't need it. In fact, I believe he's knocked himself out to escape it," with a tired – and fairly nervous – chuckle, Hanataro held up a large pale blue pill, which Rukia guessed should have been dissolving in Byakuya's stomach by now. Before she knew it, a small chuckle had bubbled up from her throat. Who knew Byakuya would be such a bratty patient?
"Well, Hanataro-san, I'm sure that you'll succeed eventually," Rukia told him, amused smile still on her lips. It was only when Hanataro looked down and giggled nervously, thumbs twiddling, that Rukia realized something was up.
"W-well, Rukia-san, about that," he began, and Rukia felt her smile fall flat. What was the catch this time, she wondered? She'd already agreed to watch over Byakuya for the week. Was she now going to be expected to make sure that he took his medicine? Rukia felt her stomach clench angrily. No freaking way.
"What about it?" she asked, her voice dropping subconsciously. She hadn't meant to frighten the poor shinigami, but Hanataro immediately backed up, hands jumping up in front of him reflexively.
"I-I was instructed to leave once you got here, Rukia-san! It wasn't my decision, it was Unohana-Taichou's, you have to believe me!" mentally, Rukia sighed. Hanataro was too nervous for his own good. She'd have to do something about all the shinigami who picked on him...
On the outside, though, Rukia only nodded, face staying in the same flat expression she'd mastered after years of having to be perfect by the Kuchiki Clan. It wasn't Hanataro's fault, she couldn't be mad at him. He was just following orders, like she was... Rukia repeated this to herself over and over until her hands unclenched, and her face relaxed.
"Alright, Hanataro-san. I will make sure that Nii-Sama gets his medicine. May I ask where he is? I seem to recall you saying he was asleep," she asked calmly, the words 'knocked himself out' hanging on the back of her tongue. No need to bring up Hanataro's unfortunate ordeal.
Blinking in surprise, Hanataro bowed gratefully, glad that Rukia wasn't mad at him. He'd already made himself Kichiki-Taichou's enemy. He didn't need his sister to be mad at him, too. Coming back to reality, Hanataro nodded at the bed beside them.
"He's right where I left him," the medic joked quietly, looking down warily at his patient. Rukia blinked in surprise – she hadn't even noticed the bed there! Now that she did, her eyes immediately flew to the pale form of her Nii-Sama, face relaxed and hair unbound, somehow managing to remain obediently styled, even as he slept. Sometimes, Rukia wondered how hard Byakuya worked to keep his hair in perfect condition all the time. It was a question lots of shinigami wondered, she was sure.
"R-Rukia-san? I must go now. I hope that you'll be ok on your own...," Hanataro told her, bitting his lip, remembering earlier that morning. Who knew Kuchiki-Taichou would be as hard to treat as Zaraki-Taichou! Hanataro sure hadn't, which was probably why, once he got out of the room, he'd probably go and see if any easier patients needed treatment. He wasn't sure if he could deal with anything else difficult at the moment...
"Alright. I'll call if anything happens," Rukia told him, and with a quick bow the healer scampered out the door. Shaking her head slightly, Rukia pulled up the chair he'd been using, placing herself strategically next to Byakuya's bed. This way, she was close enough to give him anything without having to reach too far, but still far enough away that she wouldn't feel too awkward. After all, this was the closest she'd been to Byakuya in a while.
'Well, now all I can do is wait for him to wake up.' she thought, making herself comfortable. She got the feeling she wouldn't be needed very soon, and closed her eyes.
"Rukia?" for a second, Rukia didn't recognize the hoarse, cracking voice. Looking around, she tried to find the individual speaking to her. When she found no one, Rukia felt her breath catch. If there was no one else, that could only mean one thing...
"Nii-Sama?" she asked incredulously, eyes flying to the bed. Sure enough there was Byakuya, sitting up and staring at her flatly. Rukia felt an involuntary shiver run up her spine. He didn't look very thrilled to see her.
"Yes, Rukia. What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice evening out slightly. Even if it was still hoarse, Rukia was glad it was at least even. She didn't need any images of a teenaged, crackly-voiced Byakuya making her laugh. Too late. Rukia put up a hand, coughing quietly do disguise a giggle.
"I've been assigned to watch over you while you are sick, Nii-Sama," she told him, managing to keep a straight face. The image of teenaged Byakuya wouldn't get out of her head, and Rukia was quite sure that she'd need to get out soon, just to let it all out. Lying in back in bed Byakuya nodded, closing his eyes.
"Very well," he said curtly, and for a second Rukia was sure he was dismissing her. But, when he put a hand over his mouth and leaned over the other side of the bed, Rukia couldn't help but let out a little gasp. Having grown up in Rukongai, Rukia was no stranger to illness. Even so, seeing Byakuya sick...it was strange.
"Nii...Sama?" she asked quietly, once his shoulders had stopped shaking. Seeing him so weak, so vulnerable, made her feel panicked. Worried, even.
"Water," he rasped, and this time Rukia recognized the command. Jumping up, she searched until she located the water pitcher, on the bedside table cluttered with bouquets of Byakuya's favourite flower. Grabbing the glass she poured it half-way full, handing it to her Nii-Sama who had heaved himself back into place, face shiny with sweat.
Without any form of a 'thank you', Byakuya raised the glass to his lips, taking a huge gulp. Rukia felt herself frowning. Didn't he know that drinking so fast would make him sick all over again? Apparently not, she decided, when he followed the first gulp with an even larger one. Rukia's frown deepened. Why was he being so ignorant? When he raised the glass for a third swig, Rukia decided to step in.
"Nii-Sama, that is not a good idea," she told him softly. Glass poised at his lips, Byakuya's eyes flickered to meet her's. Rukia felt herself flinch. That look...it never changed.
"I mean, you'll make yourself sick all over again by taking too large drinks. Try sipping. It will make you feel better," Rukia told him, face flushing. He was going to think she was an idiot, that was guaranteed. But, to her surprise, Byakuya only nodded, slowing to tiny sips. Rukia watched him, feeling confused. Since when did he listen to her? Since when did he listen to anybody?
Thankfully, Rukia didn't have much time left to ponder the matter, as soon enough, the glass was being shoved back into her hands as her Nii-Sama leaned over again, retching. With a small sigh, Rukia put down the glass. Quietly, she stood up and walked around the bed, trying not to look at Byakuya's face, buried in a bucket placed smartly at the edge of his bed.
Watching him, Rukia clenched her fist nervously. She wanted to help...but would he let her? Drawing closer with tiny steps, Rukia reached out a hand hesitantly, placing it softly on her Nii-Sama's back.
At first, Byakuya tensed up completely, and panicked, Rukia almost drew back. But, as she began rubbing her hand in circles, wrinkling his nightshirt, Rukia felt him slowly start to relax. Soon enough, Rukia was so comfortable just rubbing her Nii-Sama's back, she almost didn't notice when he started to lift himself back up. Looking down, Rukia suddenly felt nervous. What would Byakuya say? Would he think she'd been unorthodox? Would he be mad?
"I'll go empty this," she announced, picking up the bucket and not looking up at Byakuya's face. She was slightly afraid of what she'd find there. Hearing the short grunt of approval, Rukia busied herself in almost sprinting to the bathroom, dumping the bucket down the toilet and trying not to think too hard about what would happen when she got back. The Kuchiki elders would hear about this, Rukia was sure.
Bracing herself, Rukia rinsed out the bucket quickly, before racing back to her Nii-Sama's room. On top of the trouble she was probably already in, Rukia didn't need him throwing up all over the floor, now did she?
When she returned however, Byakuya didn't say anything. Quietly - timidly, even - Rukia put the bucket back down, before crossing back to her place on the chair. As she did, Rukia noticed her Nii-Sama's eyes on her. When she'd gotten back into place, she looked up at him hesitantly.
"Why?" he asked, and Rukia understood what he meant. Why had she done that? Rukia was wondering herself. It couldn't be that she'd wanted to be closer to him, since she'd been terrified. Could it be that she'd actually wanted to help him? With a small shake, Rukia looked up.
"That is what you do for sick individuals. It helps them," she explained, still feeling a little shocked that Byakuya didn't know something as basic as that. Still, she remembered, Byakuya hadn't grown up taking care of three other people. Nodding, Byakuya layed back, closing his eyes. Letting out the breath she realized she'd been holding, Rukia relaxed. Now, she just needed to survive the week.
"I will take that pill now. Give it to me," the sudden command made Rukia jump. She'd been sure her Nii-Sama was asleep!
"Alright, Nii-Sama. I'll get you some water to swallow it with," she told him, still surprised. Hadn't Hanataro told her that Byakuya had been sure he didn't need it? Why was he deciding to cooperate now? Could it be that he was thankful for her help, and wanted to return the favour by being a good patient?
Pouring the water, Rukia sighed quietly. As if Byakuya cared enough to think like that! Turning back around, she handed him the pill and the water. Without another word, Byakuya swallowed the pill, and Rukia waited until he was done. Soon enough he was asleep again, chest rising and falling rhythmically. Watching him, Rukia felt her own eyes drooping. Laying back in her chair, she stifled a yawn.
Byakuya would wake her up when he needed her.
And so ends chapter 1 - tell me what you think please! Reviews give me inspiration, and encourage me to continue! If all goes well, chapter 2 should be up by at least the end of the week.
Bye-bye for now,
StarsAndSparks44
