Elysium
Chapter 2: First Words
80th District, Rukongai, Soul Society
December 29th, 1862
The initial shock of arriving in this place had yet to wear off, yet Hisana felt there was of little difference in how she lived before when she was alive. It was a strange thought. She was not alive anymore. Yet, her heart ached every time she would see Rukia. Her life in the living world had ended far too soon...all because she was too weak to care for her. Yet, Hisana soon found out life was a bit better in this strange place. She didn't need food, only water. The people also seemed to look out for each other as well. But she was still sick and weak, which hindered her greatly.
Of course, none of this made any difference to her. She would protect and love Rukia all the same. That would not change. That evening, in a small little shack she had found, Hisana removed Rukia from her pouch and sat her in her lap. She smiled gently as she gave Rukia some water to drink. "Feel better?" She smiled. Rukia cooed happily and soon fell asleep against Hisana. Hisana gently petted Rukia's head. "Good night, Rukia. I love you." With that, she fell asleep curled up beside her sister.
Hisana soon found herself unable to sleep. Her chest felt like it was being crushed, and her body started to feel hot and warm. Quietly, she stepped outside and crumpled on the ground in a painful coughing fit.
Half an hour later, she slowly crawled back into the house beside Rukia. Unable to sleep, she tossed and turned, curled up in a small ball.
The next morning, she slowly sat up and saw Rukia was partly awake. Her eyes, tired and hiding the pain she was in, managed to smile at the young baby. Slowly Rukia was picked up and held by her sister. "We're going to town today. I-" She winced slightly at the pain in her chest. "I have to see if I can't find a job so that maybe we can have some money." At this point, the only friend Hisana had made was a young widow, who had lost both her husband and son to sickness, and more often than not, Hisana found herself being helped by her.
As Hisana put Rukia in the small bag she used to carry her in, she fell forward and landed on her knees. Rukia seemed to find it a bit amusing, and laughed. She smiled tiredly. "You're ok, then? I'm sorry, I guess I'm just not feeling well today." But as she tried to pull herself up, she began to cough violently. This seemed to scare Rukia, who let out a few quiet whimpers. "So-sor-ry, Rukia. It looks-" She began to cough again before she stood up.
Today she couldn't take Rukia with her. She would have to leave her with Haru, the young widow whom she had befriended. Faking her way, Hisana left Rukia in the care of Haru for the day as she went to town. It really was too dangerous to take Rukia here anyway, which is why Hisana rarely did so.
Sadly, Hisana was turned down at every place she went. From the fact that she looked to ill, looked too haggard, or to the fact that the people couldn't hire anyone else, she felt herself at a loss at what to do. She let out a small cry of despair and, defeated, sat down and cried. "I'm so sorry, Rukia!" Why did she have to be so ill? Why was she so ugly? Why was her life such a disaster? Right now, she had no strength to put on a brave face.
After calming herself down, she returned back to fetch Rukia. Weakly, she took Rukia in her arms, as she felt the child hug her around the neck. "Wub Nana..." Rukia said quietly. Hisana stared at Rukia, wide-eyed. A smile crossed her face. Rukia had spoken! Her chubby hand patted Hisana's cheek. She felt all her stress and anxiety fade away and was filled with happiness, but expressed it with a gentle smile and hugged Rukia.
"Nana loves you too, Rukia," she whispered as she held her tightly. Together the two of them went home. Hearing her sister say she loved her for the first time gave Hisana all the strength she needed. She would not give up, not on Rukia. Never.