"Richness is not about having a great deal of wealth; rather richness is richness of the soul"-H
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach and anything related to it.
A/N: Names of places are fictional. I mashed up Kaien's advice, so that it fits the story. Enjoy.
The Hairdresser of the Daughter of a Pharaoh
-OPgirl
Chapter 24: Farewell
"Hey Midget!" Kaien called her.
Rukia looked up from her table, seeing as Kaien is running towards her as she buried herself on the pages of the book. She was trying her best to know everything about what she needs to know inside the palace; Power hierarchy.
"Kaien-dono?" Rukia asked Kaien respectfully.
"What's with the formality, Midget?" Kaien asked, he drill a punch on her head in a friendly way.
Truthfully, if only he is allowed and is not awkward, he would have invited Rukia to a one on one drinking marathon just to see that childish expression again and not the attitude Byakuya drilled on her.
"Have you seen Byakuya?" Rukia asked him suddenly.
'What kind of potion was Byakuya feeding Rukia, so that he would be the only name she uttered all the time?'
Kaien wondered to himself.
"I mean…my Bunny" Rukia corrected herself.
"Rukia" Kaien said seriously.
Rukia look up at him.
"Do you know where your heart is?" Kaien asked seriously.
Is this a rhetorical question?
"Ummm. I think it is in here?" Rukia answered after a while as she pointed on her chest.
"Wrong" Kaien stated.
Rukia look at him weirdly.
"It is in here" Kaien declared as he raised his fist.
Rukia look at him, waiting for an explanation.
"Even if the people you cared, leave you or was far away, as long as you keep your heart holding on fiercely on them, they will always remain a hand span near to you" Kaien finished saying. "Don't die alone, no matter what" he added.
Rukia almost tear up but bravely she prevented herself.
I had so many people abandoning me, leaving me and betraying me. It tore my heart into pieces that I can't even shed anymore tears for them. Will they really remain that near to me, if my heart was on my hand? If I fiercely hold them inside my heart?
Kaien petted her hair in a brotherly way.
"Even if you are just a midget, your soul is so pure and beautiful, just like your sword" Kaien said teasingly.
Rukia let the comment about her height slide and focus on getting herself together.
The Royal escort is coming, I must be presentable just like how the Princess should be.
Rukia released herself from the embrace and stood straight in front of Kaien. She looked at him for a while longer and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for everything you did for me" Rukia said. "Sent my regards to Miyako-donoa" Rukia added.
Masaki prepared Rukia and dressed her using the prettiest and most elegant dress the Kuchiki clan has. The servants bid their farewell at their mistress. She thank every single person on the mansion including the guards.
"Masaki-san" Rukia started to say. Yet she can't bare to bid farewell to Masaki.
Masaki can't say her farewell as well thus they just hug each other for the longest of time. "Take care of yourself Rukia. I wished you all the happiness" She said as she hugged Rukia even more.
"Mother" Rukia called Masaki dearly.
…..flashback
"I don't have any relatives or even parents" Rukia said after she took the comb from Masaki's hand.
Masaki hugged her from the back. She brushed Rukia's flowing hair gently. "You can call me you Mother, if you want" Masaki offered.
Rukia look at the older woman.
She was so beautiful, she might possibly look like a little 3 years older than her.
End of flash…..
"Rukia darling, I will always consider you as my daughter, whenever you like" Masaki uttered as she look at her Mistress, student and daughter.
"Thank you" Rukia said as she turn around and carried the only bag she took with her. The bag she carried when she first entered the mansion. Not a single treasure did she took anything from the house except the letter Byakuya gave her and the cage her bunny was in.
The Kuchiki elders waited outside the house and escorted Rukia towards the gate. Rukia's white Egyptian dress is laced with red and gold beaded lace, up until her neck, in a beautiful necklace style.
"Farewell. Thank you everything" Rukia said as she walked elegantly towards the Royal chariot while being followed by elite guards wearing the emblem of the Egyptian Pharaoh.
"Kuchiki"