Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
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7.
Once, she saw a strange man kneeling before Papa.
He had dark hair, just like hers, and dark eyes. He was hurt—bleeding from his shoulders, his gaze cold and unforgiving at her Papa. He wore a white cloak-like garment and a black kimono. A Soul Reaper.
Nervously, Rukia made her way to her Papa's throne. "Papa, you wanted to see me?" she asked, glancing down at the Soul Reaper.
"Yes," Papa replied with a fond smile. "Here, Rukia, sit on my lap." As Rukia positioned herself comfortably, he said calmly to the shocked Soul Reaper "Do you see, Captain Byakuya? I wasn't bluffing."
Rukia watched as the man—Byakyua—made a strangled noise in his throat and replied cooly "A conjurors' trick, nothing more. Rukia has fought your power before—I can sense it."
Papa simply smiled. "Even if she has, she doesn't remember you. Right, Rukia?" He stared down at her with a caring expression.
Rukia gazed down at the man again, and shook her head, feeling the warm protectiveness of her Papa wash over her. "I've never seen him before, Papa. Who is he?"
Papa shrugged. "Oh, a bad person. He tried to hurt me."
Rukia glared at the man known as Byakuya, feeling hatred course through her veins. "Then he's a horrible man!" she snapped, pointing a finger accusingly at him.
She never saw him again. She didn't want to—even when, in her sleep, that small part of her mind that hated Papa and Uncle Gin would cry out so wretchedly.