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Standard disclaimer : I do not own Bleach.
Turning right, turning left
Chapter 7 : Once Upon A Tree
"Good morning, nii-sama," I bow slightly to greet my brother. Brother is meditating as usual on the porch before he goes off to serve as a shinigami captain. I'm about to leave the porch quietly because I know he doesn't like anyone to disturb him during his meditation.
"Rukia..."
"Yes, nii-sama. Anything?" I'm surprise that brother actually calls for me. Usually he will just nod with his eyes closed when I greet him.
"Is there anything troubling you?" his question makes me even more surprise and I'm speechless for a moment. Did he found out anything about yesterday? I begin to panic at the mere thought of it.
He opens his eyes slowly and gets up from his meditation position. Those deep eyes are forcing me to look back and I simply can't escape from them.
"Nothing, nii-sama. Everything is fine," I try my best to hide the tremble in my voice.
He knits his elegant eyebrows slightly. Then he walks towards me and places one hand on my shoulder. I can feel the weight on my shoulder, so immense like it almost sinks me into the floor.
"If you say so, Rukia." he pauses a while before he continues, "You're my sister. As long as you are, I'm here as a brother for you if anything."
I stare up to my brother's angular face in utter shock, only to find understanding in his eyes. He had never revealed any feelings for me. He has always been the strong, emotionless captain Kuchiki. But I know, deep down, somewhere hidden in his heart, he does care for me. If not, he wouldn't have risk his life to save me from Captain Ichimaru's sword. But it's still too much to hear it from him now. So great was the shock that I almost swoon and I have to fight to keep a hold on my senses to listen to his words.
"You should get going now or you'll be late," he reminds me as he walks out without a backward glance. Tears that are threatening finally escape and roll down my cheeks as I watch him disappearing from my sight. But this time it's the tears of joy.
Thank you, nii-sama.
I didn't report myself at 13th divisions headquarter this morning. Instead I walked out from the gate of Seiretei and wandered further and further away into Rukongai. Time and distance soon pass out of my reckoning. By the time I realize it, I had gone very far. I'm all alone in the woods now. This is all I need, to be alone in a quiet place where no one can find me.
I climb onto a big, shady tree and sit there with my legs dangling over the branch. I have always loved to climb trees ever since I was a child. I can climb faster and higher than most boys, including Renji. And I'm still proud of it although I climb trees less often than I used to be now, especially not in Seiretei where everyone acknowledges me in the name of "Kuchiki".
I chuckle when I think back how this ability had saved me numerous times from the pursuit of those furious and cursing adults when I stole their water in Rukongai. I was a wild girl then. No one was there to teach me proper values such as modesty and courtesy. My only instinct was to survive each day in the harsh world.
Renji never quite understands my fascination with tree-climbing and he had always called me a weirdo. Maybe I'm a weirdo but it doesn't change my love for it. I simply love climbing trees because it makes me feel like I'm on top of the world and no one can reaches me there. I can spend hours of doing nothing except sitting on a tree and enjoying the quiet, solitary moment alone like now.
Many bittersweet memories start flowing back to me as the wind gently blows on my face. Those long, forgotten years that I spend my childhood in Rukongai, those years being adopted by brother and those few months which ultimately changed my life forever... I couldn't be more thankful of what life has offered me – sorrow and joy, tears and laughter which evidence a full life.
Ichigo...
I find myself whispering his name again. For once in decades, I allow myself to indulge in my reminiscence and think of him all I want. Just one last time. I really miss him, more than I ever admit. I miss his forever knitted brows, I miss his determined brown eyes, I miss his bright orange hair, I miss his unique scent...
And I miss sleeping in his closet, stealing his sister's pajamas and dresses, walking to school with him, hitting him to unconsciousness with the Sanrei gloves, riding on his back as he rushed towards the area where the Hollow was, watching him fighting the hollows and winning...
I wonder what he is doing now. Maybe he is slashing some hollows now. If that's so, I need not worry for him because he can handle any hollow thrown at him now. Or maybe he's attending classes in the university now. Or maybe he's seeing her. I guess it doesn't matters what he's doing now as long as he is happy.
And all of these only remind me once more that I'm not a part of his life any more. I sigh and get down from the tree. It's time to leave those memories behind and learn to live and appreciate the present life. For instance, I have a home to go home to. I smile as I recall what my brother said to me this morning. The warmth of his words still lingers in my chest. Perhaps I should hug him when I'm home afterwards. With that, I hasten my pace and head back to Seireitei without glancing back.
However, as I reach home, I immediately notice something is wrong. Everyone is rushing around anxiously. Suddenly I hear my name being called from the back.
"Rukia, where were you? We are looking for you everywhere." I turn and find Ukitake taichou standing behind me. His face is constricted as he fought the urge to cough.
"Ukitake taichou," I gasp. "What happened?"
"No time to explain now. Come with me." He grasps my wrist gently and starts walking with a steady but swift pace.
"Rukia, you have to stay calm of what I'm going to tell you. Your brother..." he has to pause at mid sentence and turn his face away to cough.
My heart drops when I hear him mentioning about brother. Nii-sama! Did something happen to him?
After a while, he finally regains his breath and continues, "Sorry about that... Your brother, he's being attacked by a mass number of Arankaru today. He's now at the intensive care unit of 4th division." He finally breaks the terrible news to me as we leave the house.
I halt abruptly to his words and stare in horror.
Oh God, we just talked this morning and he's is still well and fine then. But now... he is lying in the intensive care unit!
I wrench my wrist away from Ukitake taichou's grasp and run as fast as I can towards the 4th division. But he soon catches up.
"Where is nii-sama? Show me the way, please." I ask frantically when I reach the 4th division hospital.
"This way." Ukitake taichou leads me to brother's ward swiftly. I swing the door open and hurry into the room. I have to cup my mouth to prevent myself from crying out loud when I see the sight of my brother. Tears begin to stream down my cheeks and my body begins shaking uncontrollably as I approach his bed.
There he is, shutting his eyes tight and lying in stillness on the white bed sheet. I have never once seen him so pale and lifeless before.
"Nii-sama..." I hear my voice trembling. "Please don't die."
Author's note: Please don't hate me for letting Byakuya lying in coma. It's a painful decision for me to make as I like him very much. But this is an important twist to the story, so I have to force myself to do it. You'll see what I meant when you read the following chapter.
YL :
This comes a bit late but thanks anyway for R&R. I had to laugh when I read your review. About Inoue and Renji, I thought it will only be fair if I write from their perspectives. From this chapter onwards, the story will focus on Rukia and Ichigo all the way, as you wish. About the reiatsu, it's good that you point it out to me. It really slipped my mind when I wrote the first 2 chapters : P
amwong88:
Thanks for reviewing again and I think I have said it many times but I still meant it. Yeah, I know how much you root for Ichigo and Rukia. Don't worry, just sit back and enjoy the story.
rukiaprincess :
First of all, I really have no intentions to fool anyone about who Ichigo should be with. Hee...hee... but we shall see.
ruukii :
Thanks for your continuous support! I'll update as soon as I can.
Cagalli Yula Athha Fangirl :
Your name is really unique. Thanks for reading and enjoying my story. I'll definitely keep it up.
