In Her Eyes
Chapter Fourteen: Through the Rain
xxxx
This particular Saturday came with great welcome. Rukia spent the last week fully immersed in school work in order to catch up with what she missed during her long absence. She pulled herself up and dragged herself out of bed. Still groggy, she rubbed her eyes as she walked into her bathroom to get ready and dressed.
Downstairs, Byakuya prepared breakfast and eyed Hisana's empty seat. He paused from setting the cutlery and took a deep breath.
"Are you okay Kuchiki-sama?" An older woman called out, one of Hisana's long time servers.
Byakuya simply nodded and continued setting the table.
"Ah, you placed a plate for Hisana," she remarked and watched Byakuya turn away. "She prefers her handkerchief on the right hand side."
Byakuya watched the maid adjusted the setup and check it one last time with a smile.
"Dad, obaa-san!" Rukia raced down the stairs, the memory of the place still stronger than her sight. "Looks good." She smiled.
"Rukia, how many times-"
"It's okay Kuchiki-sama, it brings me comfort to be called that." The old maid smiled and left promptly as the pair sat down for their meal.
"Have you got any plans for today?" Byakuya asked.
"Not really, I'd like to go to the library later this afternoon if that's okay with you." Rukia looked up at her dad while chewing.
"That's fine. But take the car."
Rukia glared. "Father, if you'd like me to gain independence, especially now that I'm sighted, I think it should be okay for me to at least learn how to get to the library on my own."
Byakuya shot Rukia an angry look, and she finished with, "Please?" Her father let out a sigh, and nodded.
Rukia smiled and continued her food merrily.
She stepped out of the mansion in a warm coat and long skirt. She loved the bows that graced the ends of her sleeves and the way the skirt wrapped around her legs comfortably. The wind swept across the streets, and Rukia saw that the sky wasn't the blue that it should be. She pulled her black cardigan tighter over her shoulders.
"It smells like rain," she said to herself. Despite this, Rukia decide to continue with her journey, she knew the library wasn't far and didn't see the need for an umbrella.
A few blocks away from her home, she had left the upper class neighbourhood. The roads were small, and she ran into many dead ends. About an hour later, she concluded that she was lost. The area wasn't familiar to her, for she had never passed the brown apartment complex to her left or ever seen that small plaza to her right. A student passed by her and she politely asked for directions to the library. Heeding the stranger's directions, she walked down three blocks and then made a right turn and down two more. She looked around, still no library.
She rummaged around her bag for her phone and felt panic consume her upon realizing she forgot it at home. Rukia cursed quietly and looked around for a public telephone. Suddenly, she felt a drop of water on her head. She looked up, and in seconds, rain began to pour heavily. She covered her head with her arms and continued walking, changing her goal to finding a telephone.
xxxx
Ichigo was slumped over his desk doing homework. He glanced outside at the grey and realized that he still had to walk Kon for the afternoon. As he stood, he noticed a strange doodle on the corner of his notebook and recognized Rukia's handwriting. It was a depiction of his "ugly scowling face" as the caption explained. He made another mental note to tell her that despite finally being able to see, her drawings were terrible. Ichigo pulled on a pair of jeans and socks, then jogged down the stairs.
"Ichi-nii! You still have to walk Kon!" Yuzu was surprised to see her brother pop out of the staircase. "Oh, there you are. I thought you'd forgotten. Make sure you bring an umbrella!"
Ichigo nodded and opened the glass sliding door. Kon came rushing in, wagging his tail in excitement as his master rummaged through a drawer for his leash.
"Yo, can you pick up some popsicles on the way back?" Karin inquired, watching as Ichigo struggled to keep Kon calm to attach the leash.
"It's not 'yo'. And yeah, fine. Anything you need Yuzu?" Ichigo asked.
"Maybe some ginger. The weather's making me crave congee." She beamed.
Ichigo nodded with a scowl and left the house.
"Ah! He forgot to bring an umbrella!" Yuzu exclaimed.
"Hold on, hold on." Karin grabbed one of the larger umbrellas and rushed out of the door. "Ichi-nii! You forgot this!"
Ichigo turned and took the umbrella with a thanks. "I'll be back soon."
Karin nodded and returned to the house.
The orange haired teen looked up into the sky and realized Rukia had never seen rain before. He wondered what her reaction would be to the upcoming weather, maybe she'd like it. Her curiosity made everyone around her really take a look at what they had taken for granted. Kon barked at the dark spots appearing on the ground from the rain.
"Do you want to go back home Kon?" Ichigo tugged on the leash, but Kon refused. The teen found it strange, for the retriever was never fond of rain.
Ichigo opened his umbrella and they resumed a casual pace around the neighbourhood. At a fork in the road, the teen led his dog to the right and headed for the grocery store. Their walks usually took about an hour, Isshin insisted the dog run around the park nearby before heading home. With the weather and the errand, however, Ichigo determined that the extra blocks would suffice.
They entered the grocery store and Kon shook himself dry.
"Kon!" Ichigo exclaimed, as he finished placing the closed umbrella with the others at the front. "I'm sorry-"
"No, no, it's fine." An old man from the counter smiled. "I wouldn't want to stay wet either."
Ichigo nodded and tied Kon to a post by the umbrellas.
"This spring rain has been long overdue, doesn't look very forgiving, though." The old man looked out the window, and Ichigo followed his gaze. "You should hurry, boy. I think it's going to get worse from here on out. Your dog won't like the thunder."
As if Kon understood, he lay complacently on the floor.
Ichigo walked quickly through the aisles, picking up the ginger and popsicles as his sisters requested, and a chocolate bar for himself. He placed the items on the counter and dug around his pockets for change. Now with a bag of groceries hanging from the umbrella handle, Ichigo walked out with Kon in hand.
"Thanks." He said, and left promptly.
The rain pelted on his face as Ichigo pushed the umbrella open. Kon still seemed strangely patient despite the precipitation and cold winds, and led Ichigo along the streets towards home. Ichigo wasn't paying much attention as he wiped his face dry when Kon began to whine. He looked up in confusion and saw a small form fall to their knees. He tugged Kon along and was surprised to find Rukia on the ground, soaked to the bone.
"Rukia?" Ichigo dropped the umbrella and Kon's leash, he shook her gently. "Rukia!"
The small girl looked up. "Ichigo." She managed to utter in a small voice, before slipping out of consciousness.
The teen cursed, and closed the umbrella. He tied Kon around his wrist and strung the grocery bag onto his other wrist. He swiftly picked Rukia up and tucked her under an arm. Ichigo raced down the streets, and Kon kept pace excitedly. The wind picked up and thunder boomed from a distance. The rain seemed to be getting worse, its drops becoming larger and heavier. In a few minutes, they arrived at the fork in the road and Kon picked up the pace. The retriever ran ahead and separated from Ichigo, for his leash had come loose.
"Kon!" Ichigo called out. The dog didn't stop, though Ichigo knew that the dog was familiar with how to get home, the dangers of oncoming traffic worried him. He slung Rukia into his arms and carried her bridal style, as he saw his home near.
Yuzu was humming as she chopped garlic, looking up every now and then at the television show Karin was watching. They heard the entrance bell ring and the sound of paws.
"Oh god, Kon!" Karin exclaimed, as the dog shook himself dry, still excited from the race. He hopped up and barked at Karin for his routine treat and she pulled him away. "Yuzu, it's all wet."
"Great. Now I have to clean again." The twin stood by the door, with her hands on her hips. "Bad Kon... hey, where's-"
At this, the bell rang again, and Ichigo raced past them, leaving puddles and his shoes behind.
"Hey! Ichi-nii! You're getting everything wet!" Yuzu nagged as she straightened his shoes and sought out the mop.
The twins looked up, their eyes trailing Ichigo's quick steps on the wood floors. Just as quickly, he came racing back down. Kon barked at the hubbub.
"Do you have any extra clothes?" He asked, panting.
His sisters looked at him in confusion. "Why?" They asked simultaneously.
Ichigo hesitated for a moment and then said, "Rukia needs them."
"What?" Karin asked.
Ichigo sighed and ran a hand through his wet hair, slicking it back. "I found her passed out in the rain by the grocery store. She's wet and I think she might have a fever. Can you guys help me out?"
Yuzu and Karin glanced at each other, then nodded. Kon yipped excitedly as he followed the trio up the stairs.
"We'll look for clothes. Here's a towel. You need to get changed too." Yuzu said.
Ichigo nodded and retreated to his room.
There, he stripped his shirt off and dried himself off. He let out a sigh and glanced at Rukia, who was sleeping soundly. He suddenly realized that her shirt was almost see-through. The edges of her bra were visible under the wet, flimsy, white cloth. He took his towel and quickly covered her form, he blushed slightly. He watched her face contort into one of pain, and he found bloody gashes on her knees. Ichigo studied the wounds for a bit, and then turned away to change.
Rukia felt a cloth across her skin. She slowly opened her eyes, and looked around. She didn't recognize the room, and was too groggy to fully react to the situation. She sat up slowly and clutched at her head, a pounding headache had formed. She gathered her wits and realized there was someone changing in the corner of the room by what looked like the closet. She blinked and saw that he had orange hair. The person took off his pants and Rukia flushed. She slammed herself onto the bed with a thump.
Ichigo turned at the sound and saw that Rukia changed position, the makeshift blanket had fallen off her form. He pulled on a dry pair of sweats and then fixed the towel onto Rukia once more. He left the room for a moment and returned with a first aid kit.
Rukia held her breath as Ichigo tended to her. She felt the bed move as he sat and allowed herself to go limp as he took off her slippers. Rukia gritted her teeth as the burn of alcohol touched her open knees. She heard him sigh and flinched when he placed his hand on her forehead, she blushed furiously and felt herself heat up.
Ichigo retreated his hand, she seemed to be feverish. The door clicked open and Yuzu motioned him into the hall.
"Here's some pyjamas." Karin placed the clothes into Ichigo's arms.
"I'll be cooking downstairs, so when she wakes up make sure she eats, okay? Oh, and make sure you dry her well." Yuzu added a towel onto Ichigo's arms.
"Wait, you guys aren't going to do it?" Ichigo asked.
The twins glanced at one another and then left.
"Hey!" He exclaimed. Yuzu shushed him and took Kon by the collar, soon they disappeared down the stairs. Ichigo scowled and returned to his room.
Ichigo arrived at the bed, feeling a bit wrong at the idea of seeing Rukia partially naked without her knowing. He placed the clothes on his chair and sat behind Rukia. He collected her in his arms, and began stripping her slowly, trying his best not to wake her. Much to his surprise, he received a blow to the stomach and he reeled back in agony.
"What the hell, Rukia!" He yelled, letting go of her and bracing his stomach.
"You could at least try and wake me first, fool."
"I was trying to help, I didn't want to wake you." Ichigo glared, scratching the back of his head.
Rukia sighed. "Thank you," she said.
There was an awkward silence as the pair were unsure what to say.
"Why don't you stay for dinner? Yuzu's making congee." Ichigo asked, his arms crossed.
Rukia looked out Ichigo's window and surveyed the heavy downpour. The trees flailed about, the strong winds threatened to bend them. "Alright, I don't have much choice." She frowned.
Ichigo nodded and motioned to the garments on his chair. "These are for you. Bathroom's down the hall."
Rukia smiled, "Thanks." She leapt up and left the room quickly. "I'm sorry about your sheets."
Ichigo shrugged. "I wasn't going to put you in the bathtub."
Rukia laughed, and disappeared from the doorframe.
Ichigo ran a hand through his hair. Rukia was tempting, and he wondered why he didn't insist on the chance to take things a bit further. He considered himself to be a respectful guy, but around her, he felt different. He was always tempted to touch her, to make sure she was real, to finally find out if her skin was really as soft as it looked. The sound of the shower starting pulled him out of his daze, and he began to strip his bedsheets. He walked to his closet and found two spare futons. He removed one and replaced the wet mattress, which he leaned by the wall. As he fitted new covers onto the pillows and futon, he noticed a pyjama on the chair.
Rukia stepped out of the shower, she felt strange being naked in Ichigo's bathroom, and took the sights in. It was a quaint room with deep blue tiles making the white porcelain glow. She wiped away the condensation from the mirror and then proceeded to change. She unraveled the pyjama top and a pair of underwear fell out. She blinked in surprise and realized it was new, its tag still attached, and a note scrawled onto it saying, "Don't worry, these are new!" She smiled and pulled on the black underwear. Rukia made a mental note to thank Ichigo's sisters, once she'd officially met them of course. Despite the circumstances, they were kind. She found a grey t-shirt and pulled it on, it fit her perfectly, its edges stopping slightly above her hips. She passed on the pyjama sweater and looked around for the pants.
Oh no. They weren't there.
Rukia thought about calling Ichigo but considered it a bit embarrassig, due to the risk of being heard by someone else in the household. She wrapped the towel around her waist and picked up the extra clothes. She pulled the door open with a sigh, gathering her courage to walk into the room and admit her mistake.
"Oh." Rukia said aloud, at a golden retriever staring up at her with a wagging tail. "Hello there." She smiled and patted Kon on the head. So this was a real life dog! He was adorable, with a shiny honey coloured coat. Kon's fur felt soft under her fingers as she ran her hand across his abdomen. The dog seemed to light up and rubbed against her legs, he propped against her as he received more petting. "Excuse me, I have to go." She tried to navigate her way around the dog, but it refused to move. Rukia pushed it away slightly and slid past it, the dog took the light shove as a play invitation and bit onto Rukia's towel.
"Hey!" She exclaimed. Kon tugged and began to growl.
Ichigo heard Rukia's voice as if it were a blaring alarm and raced outside the room. He was surprised to see the girl in the hall in her underwear playing tug of war with Kon.
"Kon! Go away!" Ichigo called, he took Rukia's arms and pulled her to let go. The dog raced down the stairs, dragging the towel behind him. "Sorry, he loves to play... uh-" The teen turned away and picked up the clothes on the floor.
Rukia pulled her shirt down in embarrassment, only to force the neckline to plunge, revealing her cleavage. Ichigo turned and saw the scene, he blushed furiously and practically stuffed the pyjama sweater into Rukia's arms. "Your pants are inside. On the chair." He left down the stairs.
Rukia let out a sigh and walked into his room. She headed for the chair but his open notebook caught her eye. His writing was a bit messy, despite his tidy room. She smirked at the doodle she drew earlier in the week as a surprise, and decided to pick up his pencil to draw another. She sat on his chair and worked away at a picture of Kon holding onto one of his shirts.
"I've got food." Ichigo barged in, with a tray in his hands carrying two steaming bowls of congee.
Rukia whipped around, revealing that she was still pantless. She blushed and cleared her throat. "You should knock, " she turned away and put the pencil down. Ichigo placed the tray on top of his dresser and walked over. He blushed slightly.
"What are you doing?" He loomed over her shoulder, aware that he was risking a punch to the face. Ichigo let out a scoff at the awful doodle of Kon. "Your drawings suck, is that supposed to be Kon?"
Rukia turned and punched him in the stomach again. "Let me change!" She exclaimed.
Ichigo smirked, ignoring the pain of her unexpected attack. "You can't kick me out of my own room. If you're going to change, change."
Rukia glared at him, and sighed. She stood and collected the pyjama pants into her arms. Ichigo watched her bare legs glide across the room and blushed at the sight of her tight butt.
"I was kidding." Ichigo said, turning to leave.
"No." Rukia interjected. Ichigo paused. "It's only fair. I saw you change." She said simply. Ichigo turned and was about to say something, only to be interrupted by the sight of Rukia bending over to put on the pyjama pants. Her shirt slid up slightly at the motion, exposing a bit of her back. He quickly turned away, however, he couldn't help but peek as Rukia slipped the garment up her slim legs. She turned and caught his eye, despite his effort to look away quickly. "Sight makes things more tempting." Rukia said lightly, and she slid past him, her chest easily felt by his skin, the thin shirt barely guarded them. "This looks good." She smirked and took a bowl to his desk, sliding past him again.
Ichigo clenched his hands into fists, taking a few breaths as he waited for his heart to calm and picked up his own. He sat on the bed silently, knowing that Rukia had won for the day.
"What were you doing out in the rain?" Ichigo asked
"I was going to the library and I got lost." She replied, shaking her head. "I forgot my phone and decided not to bring an umbrella, it was awful."
Ichigo smirked. "Guess you should have agreed to be taken to the library back when I offered, huh?"
"It wouldn't have helped, idiot. Or maybe it would have, I don't know." Rukia shrugged, she brought the bowl to her lips and tilted its contents into her mouth, the running from earlier made her hungrier than she realized.
Suddenly flashes of light followed by a loud booming sound echoed throughout the neighbourhood. Rukia jumped, she was never used to thunder, as a kid she developed an irrational fear due to being left home alone one stormy night.
"What was that?" Rukia asked, placing her bowl on the desk and crawling towards the window from the bed, ignoring the sting from her freshly bandaged knees.
"Lightning." Ichigo replied, scooping the congee into his mouth quickly. "It's an electrical phenomenon."
"It sounds dangerous." Rukia said, flinching again as another group of flashes came followed by the thunder.
"It kills thousands every year." Ichigo replied, he finished off his congee and placed it on the floor by the bed. He sat closer to Rukia.
"Killed people?" She turned to him with a look of horror. He smirked.
"It mostly targets tall people, in open fields."
Rukia turned back to the window. "Better not go out there, then, Kurosaki. We wouldn't want you to be hit by lightning." Sarcasm dripped heavily from her statement and Ichigo glared.
"I appreciate the concern."
Rukia smirked at him, "What are friends for?"
The proximity was alluring, so Ichigo leaned in and met Rukia's lips. She jumped at the act, but then melted into it. When he finally retreated, he looked away, a light pink tinting his cheeks. Rukia stared up at Ichigo and placed her hand on his.
"Rukia," he started, and then he touched his forehead to hers. "You're burning up." He placed her onto the bed swiftly and pulled the blankets over her shoulders. He added a thicker cover over her and tucked her in.
"I feel fine," Rukia protested, though her eyelids felt heavy.
"Liar." Ichigo said simply, he collected their empty bowls and the tray.
"Ichigo..." Rukia finally felt the sickness weigh her down. "Don't leave. I'm scared of thunder."
He smirked, "This is my house, I'm not going anywhere, idiot." Ichigo returned the tray of bowls to where it originally waited.
"Ichigo," Rukia asked, the dizziness began to set in as well as a headache pounding in time with her heartbeat. "I'm cold."
"Do you want more blankets?" He asked, and he looked through his closet.
"No," she replied nearly quietly. "Join me, it'll be warmer that way."
Ichigo looked at her in surprise. "Is the fever making you delusional?"
Rukia blinked and looked up. "Yes. So don't make this anymore embarrassing than it already is, just humour me."
The teen sighed and climbed into bed with her. She shifted sideways and Ichigo laid beside her. Rukia's small form didn't take up much space, and Ichigo felt huge, using up most of the bed.
"Rukia do you have room?" He asked in a near whisper. "Rukia?"
Ichigo turned his head and saw she had fallen fast asleep. He watched her, wondering if he should leave her to rest. However, Rukia shivered and snuggled closer to him. Ichigo sighed, then slipped an arm underneath her head and brought her into his bare chest. He pulled the blankets over her shoulders, and held her close. Rukia fidgeted a little, and eventually settled into his arms, and eventually her expression lightened. He moved a few stray hairs out of her face and blushed slightly, it seemed that the more he saw her face, the more beautiful she became.
xxxx
Byakuya sat in his office, waiting for his break to end. He decided to allow himself one because lately he found it difficult to concentrate. He stood and walked through an open door into the master bedroom, he stared blankly at the empty bed. He had become so used to Hisana laying there, and smiling up at him the moment he entered, that the emptiness of the room was unsettling. He glanced outside the large windows and saw the seemingly unending rain, the atmosphere took him back to the day he saw her waiting outside the hospital, her falling into his arms, soaked to the bone.
Byakuya sat on his side of the bed, and felt a wave of sorrow come over him. The past few weeks were the hardest he ever experienced. The house held so many painful memories, memories that Rukia found joyful but tore at his heart. He stared at her dresser, she was never fond of cosmetics, but did enjoy scented oils and lotions. He walked over and picked up an opaque white bottle, unmarked, for Byakuya and Hisana ordered its concoction specially from Greece. Byakuya sprayed it into the air and the lavender scent knocked him onto his knees with nostalgia. He nearly dropped the bottle upon his descent, and from the floor, he slid it back onto the dresser without a word. Byakuya began to cry. He shook his head, cursing at his weakness and pulled himself to stand. He wandered down the halls and to her shrine in the den.
Byakuya looked up at her photo and wiped his tears away. He lit a candle and closed his eyes.
I don't know if I'm strong enough to stay warm now that you're gone. Byakuya's eyes fell on her diary. He picked up the small book bound in white leather, his first present to her. Gently, he opened it then sat down on an armchair across the shrine and began to read.
A few hours later, Hanataro was doing some tidying in Rukia's room when he happened upon her cell phone. He ran downstairs into the den, panting as he held up Rukia's phone to Byakuya. The aura around him darkened and he placed Hisana's diary back to its home.
"Did she call at all?" Byakuya asked as he took the keys hanging by the front door.
"No, Kuchiki-sama," Hanataro replied.
"Call Ichigo Kurosaki. Let him know that I am on my way."
Hanataro nodded and looked through Rukia's contacts as Byakuya shut the door behind him.
xxxx
The Kurosaki residence was still as Isshin entered the home that night.
"I'm home my wonderful offsprings!" He called out, only to receive no reply. He glanced at his watch, it read 10 P.M. exactly. "Probably in bed." He surmised as he closed his umbrella and hung his wet coat.
He dropped his keys into the tray and looked through his mail. He recently returned from a medical conference, and expected a letter confirming his attendance. Isshin loosened his tie and climbed up the stairs.
First, he checked on his eldest, and opened the door slightly. A look of surprise appeared on his face as he walked closer to the bed, and saw that Rukia was curled in Ichigo's arms. He smirked in pride, and patted Kon on the head upon leaving the room. Isshin stepped into the twins' room and found Karin sprawled out as usual and Yuzu clutching tightly onto her teddy bear. He smiled fondly as he pulled the covers over Karin, and picked up a toy that had fallen onto the floor to return it to Yuzu's side.
Suddenly the telephone rang. The twins shuffled in the bed at the noise, but soon returned to sleeping peacefully. Isshin tiptoed out of the room and closed the door. In quick steps, he ran to receive the call.
"Hello?"
"Is this the Kurosaki residence?"
"Yes it is, who is this?" Isshin asked.
"This is Hanataro, Rukia's butler, I was wondering if I could speak to Ichigo?"
"They're both asleep right now, maybe you can call in the morning."
"Er... both?"
Isshin blinked in surprise, "You mean you didn't know that Rukia-chan was here?"
"No, in fact, Kuchiki-sama is on the-"
A knock on the door interrupted Isshin's attention on the call. "Looks like he's here, thank you for calling Hanataro." Isshin returned the phone to its cradle.
Isshin swung the door open and saw Byakuya looking at him with a cold gaze.
"I have reason to believe that my daughter is with your son." Byakuya explained simply.
"You believed right!" Isshin replied. "Come in, come in."
Byakuya stepped inside, removed his shoes and hung his jacket. "I don't plan to stay for long, I'm just here to get her."
"Of course." Isshin replied, and led him upstairs. "But please be quiet, my daughters are sleeping."
Byakuya nodded as they arrived in front of Ichigo's room.
"They're asleep as well." Isshin whispered, and he pushed the door open.
Byakuya felt anger form inside his chest, but he still walked casually towards the pair. He reached out to wake Ichigo but hesitated when he saw Rukia put her arm around his abdomen. The orange-haired teen responded by pulling her closer and resting his cheek on her head. Byakuya stepped back and sighed.
"Would you like some tea?" Isshin whispered.
Byakuya followed the man outside and after a pause, nodded.
Isshin sat Byakuya down in the living room and returned with a bottle of sake and two small cups.
"That doesn't look like tea." The man said.
Isshin grinned, "Well, we're out of tea." He filled the cups and slid one towards Byakuya.
A silence filled the room, broken every now and then by the sound of thunder and the howls of the wind against the windows.
"See that portrait?" Isshin motioned towards a ceiling to floor picture of a woman with strawberry blonde hair, smiling at the men. "That's my wife, Misaki. She died when Ichigo was 8 or 9."
"I'm sorry." Byakuya replied.
"Oh no, don't be. She saved Ichigo's life." He smiled fondly. "He had fallen into the river during a storm like today's, she drowned saving him."
Byakuya kept his gaze low, he stared at the cup of sake in his hand.
"Hisana's gift was incredible. Now your daughter can experience a full life." Isshin said. Byakuya drank his cup and then stood, uncomfortable with the topic.
"Thank you for your time, I will collect Rukia in the morning."
"When Misaki died, it was like all the light in my life had disappeared." Isshin said, ignoring his attempt to leave. Byakuya gazed down at the older man. "She was like the sun. We revolved around her. Ever since her death, it was as if the children were thrust years ahead of their time, and I felt out of place."
Byakuya sat down slowly and poured himself another cup.
"Rukia's strong. Nothing like Ichigo." Isshin smirked. "She's still bright, that girl. I'm afraid Ichigo closed himself off since. But it seems that your daughter is changing that." Isshin watched as Byakuya downed the sake in one gulp.
"Like her mother." He replied. "Hisana had a way of opening people up. She welcomed them wholly, she was kind."
Isshin nodded. "I remember being scared, not knowing how to raise three kids on my own. Before I realized it, they raised themselves."
Byakuya glanced up the stairs. "Fathers aren't nearly as important as mothers."
Isshin laughed out loud. "But fathers set the rules! The boundaries! We are the challenge. We push the kids, mothers encourage them." He swallowed his cup of sake and poured more for the both of them. "Stubborn, headstrong kids have strong beliefs. They need that."
Isshin raised his glass in a form of toast to Byakuya, who lifted his in reply. They downed their drinks.
"Your boy. Is he reliable?" Byakuya asked, meeting Isshin's entertained gaze.
"He seems so." Kurosaki replied seriously.
Byakuya nodded, then stood. "Take care of Rukia. Let her know I'll be back in a few days."
"Isn't that a bit rude?" Isshin asked, dragging himself up and following Byakuya to the door. "Then again, you're not much of a talker are you?" He laughed and patted the younger father on the back.
xxxx
A/N: Karin's right. Isshin is an old man.