Chapter 2: Connected

The sun is about to show itself once again in the world of souls. Raine and Airen are preparing their selves for the long day of work ahead. They are about to go to their office when Raine decided to invite her sister to visit a place. She brought her in the dark woods just near the Ryuka ruins.

"Nee-sama, where are you taking me?" asked Airen.

"Just wait and see. You'll love it!" Raine replied with a smile.

Soon, the darkness was eaten by light and Airen's eyes widened when she saw the view. She never expected that a place like this exists in Soul Society. In the end of the woods was a lake that shimmers when the sun light touches its skin. Before the lake was a huge sakura tree which seemed to live for ages. The tree was radiating its beauty due to the blooming of its flowers. The two walked and stopped beside the sakura tree.

"Airen… My dear sister, I want you to treasure this place. This place is where our father and mother's relationship started. Whenever you are stressed or down and I am not there for you, just drop by in this place and you'll feel peace," Raine said and she put her arms around her sister.

The sisterly moment of the two was interrupted by the presence of a reiatsu. A red haired man appeared in the darkness of the wood.

"Ah… Uhmm… I'm sorry! I guess I'll leave now. I thought the presence I felt belongs to an enemy," he said with a uneasy face.

Raine let go of her sister and said, "It's okay. I know that the both of you have a lot of catching up to do. Besides, I am not prohibiting my sister to have social relationship. Airen, be back at the office before lunch time."

Airen nodded and Renji was startled with her reply. He never expected this kind of reply coming from a cold person.

Raine walked her way to the office when she felt a presence approaching in front of her. She tried to analyse who owns the reiatsu that was fast approaching her. The figure becomes clearer and clearer as it began to unravel itself from the distance. The figure belongs to a tall person with long ebony hair that was locked on an ivory hairpiece. She was stunned with the peaceful aura emanating from him and it began to conquer her whole being.

The man opened his eyes and looked at the person in front of him. Their eyes began to lock and measure each other. Raine was surprised with the irony she felt from him. The peace was slowly being replaced by sadness. It is slowly taking her away from the world she lives in. The man in front of him furrowed his eyebrows as he began to be annoyed with the woman staring at him.

Raine was only saved by the appearance of another presence. She was brought to her senses when she felt a reiatsu coming towards her. She easily recognized that it belong to a small woman from the thirteenth division.

The woman stopped in front of her catching her breath, "Ryuka-taichou… Ha… Ha… Ha… Ukitake-taichou… He is down on his futon again."

Raine's eyes widened upon hearing these words. The cold expression in her eyes came back and she grabbed Rukia's hand and invited her to immediately go to the thirteenth squad.

"Nii-sama, if you may we have to leave immediately," Rukia asked his brother humbly.

Raine slightly bowed her head to show some respect then they ran to the thirteenth squad. Worry starts building up in Raine's eyes. She hates it when her brother becomes ill because it is breaking her heart.

When they reached the captain's room, Raine quickly ran and sit to his side and checked his temperature. She asked the two third seats to bring her a bowl of water and a towel. She quickly put the wet towel in the man's forehead and then she sighed.

Ukitake extended his hand toward the worried woman, "I'll be fine. Wipe that expression on your face."

Raine took the man's hand and firmly hold it close to her chest. The worries written on her face deepen as her humanly side began to unravel.

"Our clan's healing spell may heal the worst injury or it may recover a vast amount of reiatsu. However, it cannot cure illness. I swear. I'll find a way to cure you, Ukitake nii-san!" Raine said with conviction.

Ukitake retrieved his hand and put it on the woman's cheek. He smiled and said, "You don't have to worry about me. You have your own issues to deal upon. I can take care of myself."

Raine let out a deep sigh in desperation. A man who was leaning on the walls near her suddenly spoke up.

"It's best to let him rest, Raine-chan. Besides, we have a lot to do Raine-chan. He'll be fine." The teasing voice made her calmed down a bit.

"Kyoraku nii-chan, I don't want to leave him until he's fine," Raine said with worries.

Kyoraku put his hand on her shoulders to reassure his words. He urged her to leave the thirteenth captain's room already. Raine sighed once again, stood up and prepared to leave the room. Before they leave, she asked the two third-seated officers to immediately inform her if something happened to Ukitake or if he has already recovered fully.

Rukia followed the two captains and quietly walked with them. Kyoraku sensed that the young girl is meaning to say something important to the female captain. He took another way to go to his squad to give the two their privacy.

When they are about to enter the barracks of the fourteenth squad, a tall man with short white hair approached them.

"How are ye doin', Ryuka-taichou and Rukia-chan?" greeted the man.

Raine knew that Rukia hated seeing this man in front of them and she began to feel the discomfort in the environment. She also saw the detesting expression from her face. She put her hand on her shoulder to calm the girl.

"Ichimaru-taichou, we have a lot of important things to do so if you may we have to leave now," replied by the assertive captain.

"How rude!" the white haired captain silently said then he grinned and left.

"Ryuka-taichou, I need to say something to you," Rukia said as she shyly approached the captain's desk.

The captain who was fervently doing her paper works suddenly stopped and went toward the smaller woman. She led her to the sofa near the desk and they sat as she starts to give her sisterly treatment. Rukia is hesitant to say a word until Raine breaks the awkward silent.

"Before you tell me anything else, let me remind you that you can address me informally. You can call me Raine nee-chan." Raine put her hand on Rukia's head and the latter gave a slight blush.

"After one month, I will be going to the Living World to guard Karakura Town, the town that was assigned to me. I will be staying there for a month." Rukia shyly explained.

"With your personality and power, I know you can successfully finish that mission. However, does your brother know this already?" Raine asked with encouragement.

"Ukitake-taichou will tell him soon." Rukia said.

"Then have no worries. Everything is settled."

"Thanks, Ryuu… Raine nee-chan."

Raine smiled to cheer her up and to give her more confidence.