Rukia woke up at the sound of the ninth bell, she opened her eyes quickly and took her time on recognizing the place and surrounding furniture, the heavy, soft and warm bed-cover just like the high quality mattress supporting her aching back made her understand that yesterday events were far from a dream. She had being indeed sold, brought to a great fortress, and locked in his masters bedroom. Rukia steadied herself and sitting up looked around in detail.

"..." Soft murmurs made her crawl out of the covers and see towards the floor, supporting his back against the door a young master was soundly sleeping. He had an orange colored hair, his brows were furrowed like even in his dreams he was troubled and his lips were halfway parted, like a silent invitation for a kiss. Rukia closed her eyes and shook her head, pursing her lips. What am I thinking? Kissing?! HIM?! No way! I just have to get out of here!

Jumping out of the bed as smoothly as she could she moved around the room searching for clothes that could fit her small frame. Not finding any she cursed once her petite figure and thrice her new master's tall one. Freacking giant, who told him to grew up in to lamp post height!. She thought deciding over a pair of silk trousers she could fasten around her hip with some ropes and the smallest wool shirt. After that she quickly scanned the room for a way out, but the windows were locked and there were no trees or vines she could use to climb down, the bathroom window was unlocked but it was too flat for her to pass through. Shit, shit, shit... she cursed trying to open a door besides the bathroom door but it was locked as well. There's no option, I'll have to try and pry the keys out of him

She tried to find herbs or flowers she could use for a sleeping potion but there were none, so she took the lightest yet solid ornament by the nightstand and walked towards her new master. She could easily steal food, money and keys from the pirates pockets, one set of keys should be pretty easy to take from this useless pretty little master... but after 3 unsuccessful attempts she had to sight and bare her teeth, where the fuck are those fucking keys!? but then she felt her new master stir, opening his eyes slowly to stare confused at her. "Ahmm... I..." Rukia felt cold and heavy, like her feet were made of stones, "I..." she felt the iron in her hand and tightened her grip "1, 2..."

"Oh I'm sorry, you must be hungry!" Ichigo said, instantly standing up, what he didn't consider was Rukia's proximity to him, which made it impossible for both bodies to remain in the same place. So startled, Rukia stepped backwards, stepping on the silk trouser and lost completely her balance. Instinctively she brought her hands out trying to hold herself at the only body close to her, Ichigo's. What she not considered was that Ichigo still on his awakening state could not remain balanced with another person pulling him, so both youngsters fell over. One on top of the other.

"Ow!" they cried in one voice. Stunned by the fall Rukia closed her eyes and stood rooted to the floor, Ichigo shrugged the pain off and opened his eyes "Rukia are..." whatever he was about to say was lost, his words stuck in his throat, his mind battling between admiring the young girl in front of him or just directly touch the cool cheek, so close to him, pale and blushing, with the day light she looked ethereal, "Ah, she has grown so beautifully". Ichigo furrowed his brows and supporting his whole weight in one arm raised his right hand to touch slowly Rukia's cheek. It was then when a rattling was heard and the door was open, a young adult entering followed by 3 maids, their reactions were as expected. Blushing maids turned around, the leading youngster put her hands in fits against her waist, "Young Master how could you!?" she cried and Ichigo felt sick to his stomach. Rukia on the other hand felt her head pounding at the base of his nape...

- o -

"Ohhh so this is the lovely lady you saved?" exclaimed with bright gleaming eyes Inoue holding Rukia's hands. "Yes, her name is Rukia," Ichigo said from his place at a far corner of the room, Inoue's way of reproaching him for not behaving appropriately with a lady.

"Rukia, may I present you to Orihime Inoue, she's my dearest friend and as MYSELF, will not harm you in anyway, you can trust her with whatever you need, she's also in charge of this household" he said smiling at Rukia, Rukia looked back at him in silence. How does he know my name? Did Ichimaru told him? Rukia had a nagging sensation in her chest but feeling the cold wind she let it pass, there were more important things to think about.

"Inoue," Ichigo called his voice changing at seeing Rukia's body shivering, "I would appreciate it very much if you could take Rukia to the baths, her journey has being to long and rough on her," Inoue looked at her young master and back at the lady by her side, she was wearing Ichigo's clothes, smears of make up still on her lips and her skin color as her eyes were dull. "Of course, come with me child..."

"Oh! And please call the royal tailor to have her measured, he must bring with him 3 sets of clothes that she can wear while she waits for his job to be done." Ichigo called before Inoue pulled Rukia with her, "Also, call the doctor so we can cure whatever sickness or wound she could have, and while he's working on that, it would be good of him to recommend what's the best meals for her to recover her strength and health." Rukia turned her eyes to her young master and felt tears at the corner of her eyes, she had thought that the pleasured night had lifted the heavy burdens of her body, but the kindness of that young men's words had made her feel them again, while they were one by one lifted finally for real. She dare not to believe in him, she had vowed to always runaway or die to see her dear brother, was it now the end of her suffering? Was it real the caring expression on this young master's eyes?

"But Sir, wouldn't it be better to choose from my own wardrobe, it's the finest silks and with quick arrangement they'll fit her perfectly while she waits for the tailor's job to be done," Inoue said taking Rukia by her shoulders to turn her around and face the door, hiding her streaming tears, "As well, if you allow me, I would like to take charge of her meals, I know better than anyone in this castles how to bring the strength and health to a tired body."

Ichigo looked at Rukia's back, his heart thumping so hard, but he held his tongue and nodded, "Do as you believe it's best, I'll ask for results when I come back," he responded moving the tip of his fingers to point at the door and waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, young master" Inoue retreated slowly bowing graciously, when they were close to the door she turned carefully not to reveal Rukia's face.

At the sound of the doors closing Rukia shook, but she never lifted her face, looking straight at the floor she followed the maids held closely by Inoue, Would she do as she said? Wouldn't she prefer to drop her out of her beautiful castle? Another door was opened and close and she looked for a second at the place surrounding her, grand with a high ceiling, dark rich wooden columns, white and light blue tiles with incredible fantasy paintings in every wall. Doesn't she doubt my precedence? My loyalty? What does she really want with me? Confused as she was Rukia let the woman at her side take her clothes off, put a light bathrobe and guide her to the hot water, they gently made her sit and left, leaving her at Inoue's care. Why does he care so much for me?

"Okay, let's start," Inoue said and pulled the bathrobe away, there was a loud gasp which was quickly covered by Inoue's hand, Rukia trembled. At the sight of her back, by her ribs and neck there were scars, marks to prove her imprisonment, the hardest one in the form of a number encircled was the engraved the pirates burned in to each and everyone of their slaves.

"..." Inoue breathed hard and deep, she closed her eyes and placing one hand on Rukia's back with her other she took the water bowl to pour slowly over her. Stop, please stop... Inoue took the washcloth and soap and carefully started her way from the neck to the back down to Rukia's waist. Stop I beg you, don't do this... Inoue hummed slowly a lullaby, I can't... if you do this I'll start to believe all my suffering was a lie... as if all had being nothing more than a nightmare.

"Did you know that a bath is more than just cleaning the body? Perfumed warm water leaks in to the heart warming the soul, the soap as it cleans the skin it takes away the dark memories, the hard paths you had to pass through, they will never disappear but they will never harm you again." Inoue continued on slowly soaping, letting Rukia cry her pain out till there was no more tears and there was only one way to go... forward.

After the bath Rukia was guided in to another room, there a small old men took her measurements always smiling, he asked no questions yet spoke about the qualities of his silks and cuts, the fabric, the threads and buttons he used and the perfect embroidery his wife made. The long process was cheered with light jokes, funny comments from Inoue and rice cakes with tea. With Inoue by her side Rukia smiled from time to time and for a split second she felt the beginning of a laugh, spontaneous and hard, she covered it with her hand and when Inoue laughed merrily she smiled back.

"Don't worry yourself my Lady, 15 days would normally take any tailor to work this out but being me I'll be back in five days, mark my words," the men cried waving his hand and walking away, Rukia thanked him softly with a short bow.

"Now," mused Inoue turning to Rukia her eyes gleaming, "I imagine cakes and tea were not able to appease your hunger," Rukia blushed and shook her head, "No Mam..."

"It's okay, you can call me Inoue, if the useless young master can call me by my name you can do it as well," Inoue beamed and Rukia felt like laughing again.

Following her to the kitchen Inoue went on explaining her morning routine, from waking up the young master to ordering and preparing the meals and daily housework, she told her in detail about the young masters preferences and dislikes, noting on every time she was angry with him she would cook specifically what he disliked. Rukia's eyes were huge admiring the banquet Inoue had prepared for her, she felt her stomach grumble yet only started until Inoue accepted to share the meal with her and the other staff. Breakfast was as well painted with bright words, the food everyone liked, the places they came from, the places they wanted to see, pleasant words, kind people.

After the meal was done Rukia followed Inoue around the gardens, she had not let her help on the cleaning, "You're a guest how could we ask you to help when you're just resting from your long journey!" had said Inoue and so she had just silently obeyed, still, she took note of every place around her, if she stayed she might had to start working there, nothing was ever free. Outside Rukia noted the guards, there were more than the night before when she arrived with the redhead asshole, she furrowed her brows and Inoue smiled in response, she could tell the child looked not at protection but obstacles for her escaping. "Rukia, I have to warn you," she said and Rukia turned to see her apprehensive, "the forest is a dangerous place, pirates lure around so you must never wander around there alone, it wouldn't be good..."

"Don't worry," interrupted Rukia smiling, "I don't plan on seeing them again"

"clever girl," Inoue responded turning again to her way in the fields of flowers.

Did she know I was thinking of escaping? Why me? Why everything?

"When I was a child, alone in this world there was only one who came in my rescue. Because there was someone for me I'll be here for you, this are the orders of the young master by all means, but he's never wrong on who to help" She explained as if reading her troubled thoughts. "If you want to leave you're welcome to do so but I'll advise you to wait until the young master tells you, you can do it." Inoue bent down slowly to pick lilies and clematis, "right now is dangerous and you're not ready yet, be patient and I myself will show you the best road"

Rukia stared in silence, when Inoue called it time to go back she took the flower basket and followed her again back in to the fortress. Her heart decided it was fine to believe in Inoue, and that was a start.

When they came back Inoue took the basked and gave it to the closest maid, "let's leave the decorating for another moment, the young master will be arriving at any moment" Rukia nodded at hearing this and thought for a moment she would finally start her job, but instead she was only aloud to help on placing the plates and sit at the honored guest position at the table, Inoue took her time to show her the correct way to sit and the proper use of every utensil in front of her. "If you get confused or dizzy just pick one, no one will say you're wrong. Of course if you want to ask feel free to ask me," Inoue said smiling her warm smile and sat down facing Rukia. Seconds later the doors were open and Ichigo arrived.

"Inoue-san, Rukia-san, how was your day?" asked Ichigo casually, sitting down at his place on the table, Rukia shocked at the way Ichigo addressed her so formally was surprised again by Inoue's casual manner at her young master. "We did lovely! We have ordered a great wardrobe and we picked so many flowers, if you weren't such a cheap-sake I would have had more flowers of course..."

"I told you already is too much for just a simple flower"

"Is not just a simple flower is THE flower," pouted Inoue but Ichigo's lips twitched, "Oh yeah, the maestre informed me that the room is finished," he said and Inoue forgot about her empty stomach. "Really! Perfect! Come Rukia I want to show you your new room!" she cried and standing up she walked to take Rukia's hand and lead her to the third floor and in to Ichigo's room. "But she has barely tasted... her food" Ichigo sighted

Rukia's day was filled with surprises and the night was proving to be filled as well, when her room was not on the servants aisle, but inside the young master's. "The room is connected to the young master's and mine so no matter what you need you can always come to me and ask me, ignore the young master's, he's useless"

"Hey!" Rukia covered her smile and giggled at Ichigo's angry expression.

The room had being airy and cleaned, furnished with a dresser, wardrobe, two bedside tables and a small bureau with a wingback chair. The bed, large and wide was covered with thick layers of wooled fabric. "You will find everything you need here and when your set comes the maids will accommodate it here" Ichigo told her and Rukia looked at his eyes, he instantly looked away and scratched his head, "If anything its of your dislike you can always tell Inoue and she'll change it..."

"Don't worry, Ichigo-sama chose every little thing so you don't have to worry about that," Ichigo's face instantly transformed coloring a dark red and Rukia laughed shortly, "Thank you" there were small tears on her eyes, but this time they were tears of happiness.

"I'll leave, have to do some things..." mumbled Ichigo and left quickly, when the door was closed Rukia turned to Inoue, "Thank you Mam, for everything you have done even thought..."

"You have nothing to worry about," cut her off Inoue taking Rukia's hands in hers, "To me you're a sister of mine, and if you allow me, I would like to take care of you like a big sister"

"Inoue-san..."

"Have this..." Inoue said and placed on her petite hands a small gold necklace, when looking at it she directed her hand to her own piece of cord around her neck, "Give me your precious trinket," she said, slightly worried Rukia untied the chord and gave the shell and ring, it had darkened with time and sea water, "If you have it with just a piece of chord eventually it will fall, with this it'll hold tight and you'll keep it for as many years as you like"

"Thank... you..." choked Rukia between tears and Inoue gently pulled her in a sweet embrace, "Thank you Inoue-Onee-sama..."

Author's note: After so long I only achieved a very sappy chapter, thought I'm not sorry, I hope you like it... The thing is that this chapter is not about Ichigo, is not about Renji or Rukia and Ichigo, like I previously worked it, but for Inoue and Rukia's relationship, something I had not thought about the first time I wrote this. I know I'm making it really dramatic, but in my defense, she has had it so rough, think how many years she had to hide her tears, her fears, everything, trying so hard to be strong, then feeling a ray of hope?, fearing to hold on to it, yet not being able to stop herself. This is a really dramatic chapter, and I'm afraid, is not going to be last one, she must work her way out of so many nightmares and Inoue I think, is the best one to help her on, she doesn't need a lover right now, she needs a friend, a mother, and a teacher, that is, an older sister.