Disclaimer: Bleach is not mine! T_T
….
"A year has passed already and we've waited anxiously for this moment. I'm glad to say that we have won! Karakura has won thanks to the 36th Squad. Without them we would know be in the jaws of Hueco Mundo. We all give a special thanks to our honorable General Zaraki Kempachi. 5 years ago we lost our beloved former General Byakuya Kuchiki, but back then we still managed to win the battle. 5 years later we won the battle again thanks to General Zaraki Kempachi. I'm proud of our 36th Squad for doing their best for their city. Unfortunately we lost five of our soldiers; among them was the young, well known multimillionaire, Kaien Shiba, the middle-aged veterinarian Sajin Komamura, the winner of the Nobel Prize and one of the best Scientists in the world, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the most wanted bachelor Izuru Kiba, and the best street fighter Madarame Ikkaku. We, along with their families and friends will be grieving over the deaths of these five great men who were willing to risk everything, even their lives, for the future of Karakura and its citizens. I have been informed that a few soldiers have been taking prisoners by the enemies. I hope that they get rescued soon. The remaining soldiers will be going home in the next 24 hours. I will be saying the names of the returning soldiers…"
Rukia's heart was pounding rapidly in her chest. Her nervousness was at an edge, and the news man's slow voice wasn't making it any better. He still hadn't mentioned Ichigo's name yet. A bead of sweat ran down her cheek. She had been reminded of him, her brother. That was the last thing she wanted. A familiar pain shot through her. They had never gotten along, but his death was a shock to her. He was the only one she had concerning her family. Her parents had died in a car crash. Even after his death, she could still remember his harsh words spoken out with his cold voice. Thankfully she had Ichigo there to hug her when her nightmares got the best of her. She had to live through that pain all these years. Now, with Ichigo gone to war, she feared that he wouldn't return.
Rukia's eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Somehow she knew that the past wouldn't repeat itself, but fate has its own way of doing things. She knew that Ichigo, her Ichigo, the father of her twins was coming home. Please.
"…Hitsugaya Toshirou," Please, "Jushiro Ukitake," Please, "Abarai Renji," Please, "Kurosaki Ichigo," Please "Shinsui Kyoraku…" Plea -
Her swollen heart leaped with joy at hearing her husband's name. Happy tears made their way down her cheeks.
"He's coming home, to me, to our children." She whispered, placing her trembling hand over her heart.
She looked over at her twins who watched her with a worried look, obviously not catching what the news man had said. She got up and walked to where they were and hugged them with all she had, silent tears running down her face. Rukia broke the hug at looked at their innocent faces. She smoothed their hair, happy that they were going to see their father again, after a year.
"What's wrong mommy?" Ai asked, confused by her actions.
"I love you, you know that don't you, I love you both so much." The twins nodded, they were happy to hear that from her.
…..
Rukia and her children were having dinner when there was a rather loud knock on the door. Her nervousness returned and looked at her kids who had a confused expression. She hadn't told them yet, that their father was coming home; she wanted it to be a surprise. Guessing who it was, she walked to the door, happy tears threatening to spill. She wanted to see him so bad, a year was too much for her, if it weren't for her twins, she would've broken down, but they unknowingly kept her strong and just a look at their faces gave Rukia hope for a better future, a future with the four of them. Her hand shacked slightly as she turned the knob and opened the large door. What she saw surprised her, she was met with a uniformed chest and due to her size, Rukia had to look up. There he was, General Zaraki Kempachi, looking right back at her with that creepy smirk of his. It wasn't him, it wasn't Ichigo. Fear struck her, something had happened. Her tears spilled destroying her hopes for a brief moment. Her eyes widened in terror when Daisuke and Ai came to see what was taking so long. They hugged her legs and looked up at the General's face. Before she could tell them to go inside, he spoke with that chilling voice he possessed,
"Hello Rukia Kurosaki, you sure have grown since the last time I saw you. I have news for you concerning Ichigo."
In that moment, fearing the most, all she could do was stare at him blankly, until she heard her name coming from a different voice, a voice that she remembered too much, a voice that she had dreamt of all those lonely nights.
"Rukia, honey, I'm back."
