Replies to Reviews:

Shunkaida ByaSaJu Yukish: You're welcome. I understand what you feel. I feel happy too when someone writes my name in their fics. I feel special~ XD thanks for reviewing by the way.

Tsukishiro15: You're welcome! Thanks!

NeilHighwind: She'll wake up here in this chapter and there's more to that! Haha… thank you!

teshichan: Oh, haha… for me, Orihime and Renji pairing looks good too… I've read a fic that there's this pairing too. (The marriage of true minds) and I really like the fic. But I planned this even before I've read that so I guess I just felt like it. Thanks for the review though~

ashezo: Waah! I miss your review and I understand if you're busy. Thank you because you still remember to review even though you're busy~ I hope you'll like this chapter. Thanks again!

kiyari817: haha! You're right. Well, in this fic, Orihime is kinda into random men… XD I'm mean ne? no offense to those IchiHime and Orihime fans~

deadpoolhulk: thank you! ^.^

kyurikochan: haha~ yeah~ I think that would be unique~ I want to try something different for the mean time! Thanks for the review!


IchiRuki: The Destined Tale

Tale 8 – The Destined Acceptance


Masaki damped Rukia's face with a clean wet towel to remove the excess dirt in her face. From her wet and dirt-filled uniform, she was in a clean white blouse and long jogging pants. Her quilt covered her body until her chest. Her breathing was evened but she was trembling, Masaki noted. She must be in the heavy rain for who-knows-how many hours.

She continued to wipe her face when her amethyst eyes peeked out. Masaki jumped in surprise. Her eyes looked so… dull.

What happened?

"Where am I?" she asked in a quiet voice without looking at her.

"Rukia, you're in your room in the mansion."

"The… mansion?"

"Yes."

"How did I…"

Masaki smiled. "Ichigo found you at the park. He brought you here."

Rukia's eyes slightly widened. He saved me? In the middle of the storm? But why would he do that? For me even?

"Rukia?"

Rukia regained her composure again and sat up.

"What's wrong?"

"Don't ask. I didn't want to talk about it." She said as she sat on the edge of her bed, across from Masaki, her feet swaying back and forth. Her back in front of her.

Masaki sighed. She knew there was something wrong. This was not the Rukia she knew. The Rukia who was rude who ignores her. The Rukia who was stubborn who will do anything to get her out of the mansion and even her room. But she was not doing any of that right now. And it was weird.

"Rukia, I made a hot chocolate for you. I left it on your desk. Drink it okay? You're still cold. And if you need something, just call me."

No reply came. She really was acting weird.

"If you need someone to talk to, Ichigo and I are here. You can depend on us." she said instead before walking out of her room. The door closed behind her.

Rukia sighed heavily. She noticed that her appearance looks presentable than earlier. Her supposed stepmother probably changed her clothes and took care of her.

"I didn't even say thank you." She whispered to herself.

Wait, am I really breaking up my walls? No way! This is not the time for that! Now that those two evils betrayed me. I will not let anyone in anymore. No one!

Dad is the only one I can turn to right now. But, where is he?

She then remembered what he said to her once about it.

"Rukia… You need to learn to trust someone else other than me, your friend and your boyfriend. We are not the only people here in the world. What if someday we aren't here with you anymore? You need this so you will not be alone in the future. Trust me Rukia. This is for your own good."

Maybe this was that time. It became so sooner. She giggled humorlessly. Gods really have a grudge on me huh? She thought. That's the only reason I can think of why all of these happens.

Mom that never loves her.

Friends whom she thought were great and trustful but traitors.

Reality hurts so much. In the end, I still want to be alone. Maybe for the rest of my life.

She remembered the hot chocolate on her desk. She drank it slowly because of its hotness. She smiled lightly.

This is the first time someone had ever made me a hot chocolate. Not even my own mother. She chuckled darkly.

After a few hours, she was tucked in her bed, almost to sleep.

I never knew… happiness. And I'm sure I won't ever know about it. What it feels like.

Amethyst closed in exhaustion.


"Come in." he said as he heard the knock on his door. He saw his mother's head peeking from behind the door.

"Can we talk?" Masaki asked.

"Sure mom."

Masaki smiled at Ichigo and came in as she closed the door behind her. Ichigo sat up on his bed.

"What's wrong mom?" he asked as he watched her sat on the edge of his bed, facing him.

"Ichigo, what happened to Rukia?"

"Hm?"

"She woke up."

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"

"Yes. But she was acting weird."

Ichigo's interest perked up in this. "Weird?"

"Hm, she answered all my questions except the last part and she didn't push me away like she used to. It's so weird don't you think?" she asked Ichigo.

"Yeah, yeah, it's weird."

Masaki noticed Ichigo's uneasiness and knew that something was bothering him.

"Ichigo?"

"Hai?"

"You know something, are you?"

"Uh…"

"Tell me. I'll see what I can do to help."

"Well you see… this morning…"

Blah blah blah…

"Eh? That's awful!"

"Yeah, really awful."

"Ichigo, you should talk to Rukia now. She needs someone to talk to."

"But she didn't know that I know it."

"You need to wait for her to tell you then." Masaki explained. "Remember, don't pressure her to tell you something. That's not nice."

Ichigo sighed in defeat. "Okay." He stood up from his spot and walked out of his room but not before giving his mother a glance.


Rukia sat on her window sill, knees up, pulling them tightly to her chest as she watched as the heavy rain poured down on her glass window. She hated the rain, because that night it was raining as well. And today, the day where her friends betrayed her, was also raining. The rain made her remember the worst memories she had with the people she thought loved her as much as they loved her but she was wrong. And that truth hurts her like hell.

She sighed heavily.

There's no point in dwelling with the past right now.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on a door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me."

What is he doing here? Do I want to see him? But he saved me, I need to thank him. But I want to be alone right now.

She was fighting with herself that she didn't notice Ichigo peeking in her room.

"Rukia?"

Rukia turned to him. His gazed bored to hers expectantly. And she could tell that he was worried about her.

What the heck? Why would he worry?

"What do you want?" she asked him quietly, turning to the window again.

Ichigo walked inside freely, closing the door behind him. He slowly made his way towards her and sat on her bed, almost near to the window where she was sitting.

"Are you… feeling well now?"

"If you're talking about my physical health, I'm feeling alright." She replied, refusing to tell him anything else.

"I see. That's great."

Silence ensued. Ichigo didn't know what to say. He just wasn't used to this. He didn't know what to do.

I'm pathetic.

"Nee, did you hate the rain?"

Ichigo turned to the girl and looked surprise by her question. "W-Well, not that much."

Rukia smirked. Even though she was facing the window, Ichigo could see her smirk. "I hated it. No, that's not the right term… I despised it."

"Why?" Ichigo asked slowly. He didn't want to push her to say anything but she was talking to him and he was curious so he needed to ask.

"Because… people I love most were taken away from me on under heavy rain." She whispered.

"Eh?" Ichigo couldn't understand. People I love most were taken away from me… his eyes widened in realization. Could she be talking about her mom?

"You said you would wait, right?"

"Huh?"

"Back in the mountain, when you followed me… you told me, you will wait for me to tell it to you. The reason why I became the way I am."

Ichigo remembered. "Yes."

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course."

"How long can you wait?"

"Until forever."

Rukia's amethyst ones widened. "What?"

"I said I can wait until forever. I don't care. I just don't want to force it out of you right now, when you aren't ready. I know it's a deep and painful wound you have and I don't want to ask or for you to tell me without reopening the wounds you endured." Ichigo's eyes gazed in her amethyst intensely and seriously. "So I will wait until you're ready, even if it means that I have to wait forever for it. Just tell me if you want to."

Rukia let a small smile graced her lips. "I didn't expect you of all people to tell me that."

"I don't know where that comes from too actually."

"Eh? You're weird."

"I know you don't have to remind me."

Rukia laughed at him. Ichigo was quite surprised but joined in after a few minutes. They both laughed, forgetting the seriousness a few minutes ago. It was like they don't care about anything. It was just them.


Masaki was just outside Rukia's door and she smiled gratefully as she heard both of their laughs giving life in the mansion.

That is the first time I've ever heard Rukia laugh.

She smiled widely as she turned away from the door and walking down the hallways.

Thank you, Ichigo.


Rukia woke up the next morning feeling dizzy and hot. She put a hand on her forehead and felt her head very hot indeed. She sat up on her bed tiredly and got the dizzy feeling again. She shook her head to get rid of it and glanced at her alarm clock.

Shit! Time for school.

She slowly crawled out of her bed but when she stood up next to it, dizziness and nausea hit her and she fell on the carpeted floor unconscious but breathing heavily.


Masaki decided to wake up Rukia today. She seemed to be not up still and it was almost time for school. Ichigo was in his room, gathering his homework and securing them in his bag. She knocked on Rukia's door but no reply came.

She must be still sleeping then. She slowly turned the knob and was surprised that it was unlock. She opened the door and peeked in her head. "Rukia-chan…?"

Her eyes widened when she saw her on the floor next to her bed. She opened the door widely and ran to her side.

"Rukia!" She held her face and felt that her temperature was higher than normal.

She thought of an idea.

"Ichigo!" she called out to her son in the across room. Since the door to Rukia's room was wide open, in the instance that Ichigo opened his door, he will saw them on the floor.

"Ichigo!" she called out again.

Ichigo finally opened his door and saw his mother clutching an unconscious Rukia on her lap.

He ran to her side. "What happened?"

"She's very hot. Would you mind carrying her on her bed? I'll call the doctor." Masaki explained in hastily and left Ichigo on his own before he could even answer. Instead, he carried her bridal style and laid her on her bed. He covered her with her quilt up to her neck so her face was the only visible.

She was breathing heavily.

Midget, why do you always have to make me worry? He thought exasperatedly.

He put his palm on her forehead and indeed, she felt hot. He just wished it was just a high fever and not some serious disease that she caught in the rain.


"She's okay. It's just a high fever. Give her medicine three times a day after breakfast, lunch and dinner and rest and she'll be better again." The doctor said as he nodded at Rukia who was sleeping.

"Thank you sensei." Masaki bowed slightly.

"Ichigo, you can go to school now…"

"B-But Mom, I'm already late. I can skip school once in a while."

Masaki thought about it and sighed. "Okay, you can stay home today."

Ichigo smiled slightly. "Thanks."

"I'll be going now Madam."

"I'll take you outside sir." Masaki offered politely.

"Thank you."

Masaki glanced at Rukia and Ichigo for the last time and the two left.

Ichigo sat on the edge of her bed and looked at her. She looked so vulnerable right now. Despite being sick, she looked really tired. She had a lot in her mind, Ichigo knew. But she couldn't even bring herself to tell them believing that we cannot be trusted.

And then he just realized what he had just thought.

That's it! He wasn't accepting him and his mother until now, because there was something in her past that made her do it. Something like she was betrayed, like what happened yesterday, with Renji and Orihime. And those words about 'people I love the most were taken away from me'… was that… her mother? Probably.

He stared at Rukia's sleeping form again. So many questions.

When will you going to answer them, Rukia?


"What? Rukia's sick?"

"Yes. But don't worry; it's just a high fever. Nothing major."

"But Rukia rarely got sick! Something must have happen!"

"Isshin, calm down."

"Masaki, I'm going back now!"

"Eh?"

"I'm going home!"

"A-Are you sure?"

"Of course. See you later." And he hung up.

Masaki stared at the phone that was still beeping. She smiled slightly.

He's worried too. All of us. She turned her gaze upstairs.

Rukia-chan, you need to get well soon.

And then she remembered something. Oh right. She went to the kitchen and started preparing food for the sick.


When Masaki arrived at Rukia's room, she found Ichigo slumped on Rukia's small couch fast asleep. He must have been tired too. She put the tray of food on her table with the water basin on it. She washed the clean towel on the water, folded it properly and put it on Rukia's hot forehead. She had another clean towel and did the same but only to wipe her arms, neck and legs to decrease her high body temperature. After doing so, she got back the quilt on her body and stared at her. She was still holding the towel. She grabbed her hand softly and it still felt so hot so she wiped it with the towel.

Rukia opened her eyes at the cold but nice feeling. She turned to her left to see her mother-in-law taking care of her.

"Rukia, you're awake. Are you alright now?"

She didn't reply, instead she sat up and leaned on the headboard of her bed.

She saw Ichigo sleeping on the couch and the towel in Masaki's hands. It dawned on her.

They were worried about me.

"Why?" she whispered.

"Hm?"

"Why are you taking care of me?" she asked fully. "After all everything I've done to you. I ignored you, became rude to you and to your son, and yet, you are here, taking care of me? Why? I don't understand."

Masaki gave her a smile. "You know Rukia, I don't care about that at all. I even forget all of it. You are my daughter now and I want you to feel that. I want to take care of you."

"Out of pity."

"No." Masaki held her hand in hers and rubbed circles with her thumb on her knuckles. "It's because I like you." She smiled warmly at her making amethyst orbs widened.

"You…" Rukia swallowed the lump formed in her throat. "I… I didn't expect to hear that…"

"Rukia, please don't be so hard on yourself." She then proceeded to run her fingers on her silky raven hair affectionately, like a mother would to her daughter. Rukia closed her eyes and felt it. It was a nice feeling. This was the first time she ever felt like this. And she had to admit that she liked it.

I want to stay like this… forever…

"Masaki-san?"

Masaki seemed surprise when she called out her name but she smiled at her. "Yes?"

"I hope it's not that too late but… can I…" she took a deep breath to encourage herself. "… can I still call you, mom?"

Masaki smiled widely and gripped her both of her hands closed to her chest. "Of course, it's not too late. You can call me your mom, Rukia-chan."

Rukia didn't have to hide anymore. She let the tears fall on her cheeks. She couldn't suppress the overwhelming feelings any longer. She couldn't explain the feeling but she knew it was a positive one. She would give herself a chance. That was what she decided.

I need to give them a chance. As well as myself. To be happy.

Masaki pulled her close to her and wrapped her arms around her. She soothed her back as she kissed her forehead. "You don't know how long I waited for you to call me 'Mom', Rukia-chan." She whispered softly as she caressed her.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for all of the mean things I've done." She apologized desperately.

Masaki shook her head. "Don't be. I understand. Forget it now. The most important thing right now is that you finally accepted me in your life."

Rukia nodded her head with a smile. She felt so warm. And she was so kind. How could I be so blind? How could I not see that she was nice from the start? I've been so blind that I didn't see it and now…

I'm an idiot.

Tears of happiness continued to stream down her face as she snuggled in Masaki's embrace. It was as if she waited for this for a long time and Masaki knew it. She longed for a touch of a mother.

I will give it to her. A care from a mother.

I wonder what they will think of me if they knew… Rukia sighed. There's no reason now to hide it. She knew she had to tell them soon. And this is the right time.

"Mom?"

Masaki smiled upon hearing it. She sounded like an innocent child needing her mother's advice or something and she sounded kind of cute.

"Hm?"

"You want to know right? What happened to me all those years ago, with my late mother…?"

"Rukia-chan," Masaki pulled away and stared at her. "You don't have to tell me if you aren't ready. I can wait—"

Rukia shook her head. "I'm ready. There's no reason to hide now. Because I have you right?"

Masaki smiled. "If that's what you want. I'll support you."

"Thank you." Rukia smiled back. "But I think if I'm going to tell you about it, Dad and Ichigo have to hear it too. I don't want to repeat saying it." She said in a small voice.

"Sure. Let's wait for Ichigo to wake up and your Dad to come home."

"But Dad will be home next week right?"

Masaki smiled. "Nope, he'll be here any minute now."

"Eh?" Rukia was shocked.

"I told him you're sick and he said he'll come home. He's worried about you."

"Stupid Dad." She murmured with a gentle smile.

I guess the people who love me are just here but I couldn't see them because I was blinded of my past. I need to let go of it to be able to start all over again. I want to be happy. And this time, I have a feeling that I will be.

"Mom?" said a hoarse voice clearly from sleep. Both of the girls turned to the couch to find a sleepily Ichigo rubbing his eyes.

"Hello Ichigo."

"Hey Mom."

Ichigo then processed the scene before him. His mother was… embracing Rukia? And Rukia seemed to be enjoying it. What happened while he was out?

"W-What happened between you two?" he asked curiously looking from his mother to Rukia.

Rukia stood up from the bed and walked in front of Ichigo. He stared at her weirdly. "What is it?"

"Um…"

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry!" she said as she bowed down.

"E-Eh?" Ichigo was surprised. He only slept for who-knows how long in her room and then she was apologizing to him.

I should've done that in the first place… he thought.

"I'm so sorry for what I've done to you, for teasing and annoying you and for being rude to you and to your mother. I'm very sorry. I hope you can still forgive me." She whispered the last sentence with uncertainty.

Ichigo turned to his mother who smiled and nodded. He smiled back at her before looking to Rukia.

"Hey, straight up." he said softly.

Rukia straightened up but refused to meet his amber eyes.

"Apology accepted."

Just two words but those words meant a lot for Rukia. It was relieving.

"Thank you."

Ichigo stood up and patted her head. "You're welcome." Rukia smiled. "Midget."

Her smile faded and she finally met his eyes with a glare. "I'm not a midget. I'm just petite."

"Yeah right."

For them, before it was a full out war, now for them it was just a playful bickering among them. Somehow, it made them feel nice because it felt like they have a mutual understanding.

Is that even natural in stepsiblings? He thought in wonder.

"Now that's done, Rukia-chan, let's get downstairs. You need to eat."

"B-But…" as if on cue, her stomach growled loudly. She flushed in embarrassment as Ichigo tried to control himself not to laugh out loud but failed miserably.

"Hahahahahahahaha~ that's funny midget!"

"Shut up strawberry!"

"I told you my name doesn't mean the fruit! It's one who protects!"

Rukia snorted at him.

"Guys guys. That's enough." She interrupted as she held onto the tray with the cold food she had cooked earlier. "I need to warm this up." Masaki whispered to herself.

"I'll help!" Rukia offered.

The two looked at her in surprise. "Really?" Masaki asked hopefully.

"Seriously?" Ichigo asked incredulously.

"Hai!" Rukia replied with a wide smile ignoring Ichigo.

Masaki grinned. "Come on."

The two walked out of the room with Rukia still ignoring Ichigo. "Hey midget! You just apologized to me and now you're ignoring me again! Hey wait up!" he said as he followed them downstairs.


The two ladies cooked for lunch. The maids were quite surprised seeing their mistress and her stepmother together.

The mistress had been so cold towards her stepmother so it was unusual and surprising to see them cooking together. Ichigo was at the kitchen table, watching them but just sitting down and doing nothing. There was still the occasional bickering of the teens but Masaki felt as if everything was natural. Not only her, for Ichigo and Rukia too. And it was a wonderful feeling especially for Rukia. She then realized that family was really a great thing.

Lunch came and they were all sitting on their respective seats but this time, Ichigo and Rukia changed places, to Ichigo's surprise. The two ladies were talking to each other making Ichigo quite out of place. He ate quietly while watching the two ladies. He smiled slightly seeing that Rukia was kind of happy. That was the first time he saw her smile like that. It was unusual.

And then, someone barged through the door. "Tadaima!"

Rukia knew that voice. "Dad?"

Isshin saw all of them eating lunch and was surprised to see Rukia with Masaki and Ichigo.

"Rukia?" she met him halfway. "I thought you're sick." Isshin looked at Masaki and then patted Rukia's head. Rukia nodded.

"Yeah, I am but I'm okay now. Thanks to them." She said as she smiled at the mother and son especially to Masaki which didn't go unnoticed by Isshin.

"Did… something happen here?"

"The truth is… Dad… I…" Rukia seemed to hesitate what she wanted to say but she saw her stepmother smiled at her in encouragement. She nodded with a gentle smile and turned to her father again.

"Dad… I now accept them as a family." She said with a soft voice. She saw her father's eyes widened shortly but grinned at her. "Rukia…"

"Dad, I'm sorry. I know I should've thought about you and not only myself. I'm sorry for being selfish." She bowed her head in shame.

Isshin ruffled her hair causing Rukia to look at him. "Don't apologize. I'm happy that you finally realized it, Rukia."

"Hai. They're great. I've been blind all this time."

"Forget it. The most important thing is that we are family now. And that's all that matters."

Rukia smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

"Well then, have you eaten yet dear?" Masaki asked her fiancé.

"Actually, not yet."

"You eat with us, Dad. I helped at cooking!"

Isshin looked shocked. "Really?"

"Yup!"

"But you never cook…"

"But now I really cook now sit down!" Rukia pushed her father on his seat and sat on her own. The maid gave him a plate and they started to eat.

For Rukia, this was the very first time she had been fun at just eating lunch.


"Rukia, are you sure about this?" Isshin asked seriously. They were in Rukia's room. After lunch, Rukia declared to them what she had told Masaki earlier before lunch. She will tell them her past, all of those happened about her late mother. Isshin sat next to Rukia on her bed. Masaki sat on her other side, making Rukia sitting in between them. Ichigo stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed against his chest as he waited. He wanted to know about it too but of course, if only she was ready to tell. Ichigo knew that his stepfather was thinking the same thing.

Rukia smiled. "Of course. I want to tell you because I want to let go of the past. This is the only way I can move on with you guys… and besides, I'm ready. There's hardly any reason to dwell on the past now, right?" she said.

Isshin nodded. "You're right but… wasn't it traumatic to you?"

"It was… but… I know I'm ready. At least I know it. So Dad, don't worry, 'kay?" Rukia smiled.

Isshin sighed in defeat. "Okay."

"Don't interrupt me alright? And I want to tell it just once so listen intently."

Once they all nodded, she took a deep breath and started the story.

"I was seven back then… Dad started to went on business trips and not be back for at least weeks or months. That was the reason why I only have my mom." She bit her lip and breathed. "Mom… she was… beating me up…" she whispered but they clearly heard it.

Isshin's eyes widened as he tightened his grip on her hand. Rukia noticed this and put her free hand on his big ones and squeezed it. Isshin seemed to relax a bit but he was still tense, she could tell.

Ichigo was shocked. To think that her own mother was beating her up. It was just too much for a seven year old little girl.

Masaki now understand why she refused her in the first place. She was afraid that her new stepmother will hurt her like her late mother. She thought that all mothers were like that. But she will never do that to her. Never.

Rukia sighed as she continued on.

"Every single day… she would always… do that… she would kick me, punch me, throw me to the hard wall… it all hurts me a lot. I couldn't tell Dad because she threatened me that she will beat me more and worst if I tell him or to anyone. As a young 7 years old, I was afraid. I just want it to stop but I guess it didn't help much. I stayed quiet for 4 years…" Rukia took a deep breath again. "Until that night… that everything got out of control…"

"She died…" Isshin mumbled. Rukia nodded.

"Hai, but not because of the reason you know." Isshin gave her a confused gaze. "What do you mean?"

"Actually, that night… I was sleeping. She came home late that night and barged in my room. She was… drunk. I was much more afraid than before because I saw something she was holding…"

Ichigo could tell where this was going. And he didn't like it one bit.

"… She was holding a knife."

~Flashback – Rukia's room: 5 years ago~

"M-Mom… w-why are you holding a-a k-knife?" she asked courageously. It was raining hard outside and it was late at night. She saw her mother walked towards her on her bed and pinned her down, much to Rukia's fear.

"Don't struggle. I want to try this knife to you. You know, I just finished sharpening it…" she said with a maniacal laugh.

Rukia's fears intensified. "M-Mom… please… don't do this anymore…"

Rukia's cries were all ignored as her mother drew lines in the skin of her arms by the use of the knife. She struggled but her mother was stronger than her even though she was drunk. Besides, it hurts more when she struggle. The knife buried in her skin making her scream. Her tears ran down her face frantically.

She stared at the face of her supposedly mother. The mother whom must take care of her and love her not this kind of mother. Blood streamed down staining the white sheets of her bed.

A few minutes were spent for that and finally, her mother let her go. Still holding the knife, she stood next to her bed, staring at her. She laughed mockingly. "You look like a trash!"

Rukia tried to sit up and forced her arms to move. Her mother became unsteady and she let go of the knife. It clanked on the floor. Rukia ran out of her bed and grabbed for the knife without thinking twice. All she could think of was as long as the knife was with her, her mother wouldn't be able to hurt her more. And she will be safe.

"Hey! Give that back!" she heard her mother said.

"I-I don't want to! You'll hurt me again!"

"I said give it back!" she walked towards her as Rukia took a step back.

"No!"

Her mother lunged at her but Rukia slipped upside down and she landed on the floor with her back flat on the floor. She opened her eyes and realized that her mother was on her. "M-Mom…" and then she felt it. Liquid pouring at her hands. She moved her mother out of her body and stared wide eyes.

Her mother was on the floor, eyes open, and blood on her chest. She looked at her trembling hands. She saw red. Blood. On her hands. And she was gripping the knife. With blood. Her mother's blood.

Just then she realized what she had just done. She killed her mother, with her own hands.

She breathed heavily as fresh tears ran down her cheeks. "I-I…"

Her mind only registered one word.

To screamed.

And scream she did.

~End of Flashback~

All of them stared at her in shock. Rukia expected this. But now, she was afraid that they might hate her for what she just did. Hello? She just killed her mother. There was a possibility that she could kill her stepmother too. She was afraid that they might not accept what happened. But, she was a child back then. She didn't even remember how she did it. It just happened.

"I… I killed her. Up until now, I didn't know what to think of it. I… I'm lost." She whispered miserably.

Isshin didn't know what to do or what to say. He didn't know that his late wife was beating up their daughter. And he didn't know that said daughter accidently killed her. He looked at Rukia. She was able to hide this from him for years. He admired her strength to be able to live on with the guilt. He knew she was suffering from guilt and it was eating her alive.

He pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Rukia was surprised at the sudden embrace.

"Rukia…" he whispered. "Don't be so hard on yourself. It was an accident."

Rukia's eyes prickled with tears but she refused to let them fall. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I know how much you love mom. But I… I took her away from you." She let out a shaky sigh.

Isshin shook his head. "No, it's not your fault. It's my fault for not knowing. I've been a fool. I didn't know she was hurting you…"

"No, dad, it wasn't your fault."

He pulled away from her and stared in her amethyst eyes. "Rukia, remember this… I am not mad at you or I am not going to blame you for what happened in the past. You are my daughter and what happened in the past didn't change that. I still love you as my daughter."

Rukia's amethyst eyes widened as tears rolled down her cheeks. "D-Dad…" Isshin smiled reassuringly.

Rukia turned to Masaki causing the latter to smile at her. "Rukia-chan, I will be your mother. I will always take care of you, I promise you that." She smiled warmly after that.

"M-mom… thank you for accepting me…" Masaki trapped Rukia in her arms and soothed her back affectionately. Rukia took in her warmth.

She pulled away with a smile and gazed at the last person in the room. Ichigo.

He didn't say anything. He just… smiled gently with a nod.

That smile… this is the first time I saw it. Not the smirk I always see… it's a true smile.

Amber stared at Amethyst. For them it was enough. They could understand each other by just that.

Rukia grinned widely despite her fresh tears. "Thank you."

Ichigo nodded at her, his gentle smile still in place.

She looked at all of them one more time and grinned. "Thank you so much to all of you. I'm glad."

They all nodded with a toothily true smile.

I'm not lost anymore. I finally found where I belong. The place where I could find happiness.


Author: Wew! Done. Rukia's past was finally revealed. I hope it make sense though. *shrugs*

Please Read and Review! Thank you!

~Mari Kia Resha Aishiteru~