"Drop your shoes over here," Hirame sighed. She wiped the raindrops off her arm and beckoned them to follow. "I'll get you two umbrellas after I feed Rukia."
"Eh?" Rukia raised her head.
"I forgot to say. I have a rabbit named Rukia too. It's a wonderful name, really," Hirame smiled. "Would you like to come see?"
Rukia stood still, watching the purplish shine on the woman's face. "Rabbit? Oh, yes..." Her voice quivered. "I would love to see it."
"Rukia, is something the matter?" Hirame stepped back. "Your eyes seem to be on fire."
"Bunny!" Rukia shouted and jumped on Hirame. "Show me!"
Byakuya pulled her body away and lifted her above his shoulders with her flailing arms bashing his head. "Perhaps we should just leave," Byakuya said. "Rukia is a bit overexcited about bunnies."
"Show meh!"
"Perhaps, Byakuya. I will feel guilty about not letting her see Rukia. I mean, it can't be that bad, right. She's just seeing my rabbit right...?"
Byakuya frowned. "Still." He flicked Rukia's forehead with his finger. "We'll bring you there. Just don't do anything drastic."
"I promise nii-sama! I promise. I mean if I had my own bunny, then I wouldn't be like this!"
"We don't need some animal roaming my mansion and excreting everywhere."
"Then I'll keep it in my room," she squealed.
"You leave your door open everyday," he countered. "Besides, it has no use in the household."
"Um, you guys," Hirame meekly interrupted. "Could we just see my rabbit and then you two can leave?"
Rukia squirmed out of his grasp and grabbed Hirame's hand. They went up the stairs and left Byakuya whose eyes narrowed into slits.
"Here we go," Hirame stated. She put a small carrot to the mouth of the rabbit and it started to chew happily on the piece. Rukia jumped up and down beside her and laughed.
"It's too cute!"
"I got her two months ago. She's just as adorable as when I got her. I think I'll take her out of her cage."
"I!" Rukia started.
"Don't think it's a good idea," Byakuya interloped. "Rukia can't control herself."
"I can..."
"Byakuya, I think Rukia deserves a chance. Besides, my pet needs some time to run around freely anyways." Hirame unlocked the door. The bunny jumped out and circled around their feet. "Rukia, would you like to hold her?"
"M..me?"
"Sure, for fun." Don't do anything drastic now...
Rukia crept up to the rabbit and slowly wrapped her arms around the white fur. It was cuddly, and buried itself into her chest, nuzzling her neck with its nose. Rukia stood stunned and held back a wide grin. "Rukia, good Rukia..." her voice quavered. "Bunny..."
"Are you alright Rukia-chan?"
"Bunnyz!1! shift + 1" Rukia screamed. She squeezed the bunny tightly and laughed, rolling on the floor.
"Rukia! Stop!" Hirame screamed.
"Told you," Byakuya said nonchalantly. "The umbrellas would've been fine."
"Hand over Rukia...Rukia! No wait, don't jump on my bed! No, you knocked down my lamp! Rukia!" Hirame reached for her arm, but failed and got a kick to the face. She dived and pinned Rukia onto the floor. The bunny leaped out of the way and jumped up the the desk and ran out the window, leaving the two girls choking each other on the floor.
"No, Rukia! My rabbit!" Hirame groaned. "Rukia, you..."
"No!" Rukia screamed. She leaped out the window and started chasing the pet in the streets. Hirame buckled down onto the floor and moaned. "This is not happening!"
"I'll get them back."
"Huh?"
Byakuya stepped forward. "I'll retrieve them back. Wait here." He jumped out the window as well.
"Wait!" It was too late; he was already gone. "You need an umbrella! ...And doesn't anyone use the door anymore!" She clutched her head and fell onto her bed. "What should I do? I should go after them; they might need an umbrella. Byakuya said to stay here...but who is he, my father?"
She jumped out of bed and put on her raincoat with an umbrella over her head and two tucked under her arm.
"Really, I could've just gave them umbrellas instead of going through all of this. I must be out of my mind."
A strong wind met her as she stepped outside the door. I think they went to the right.
"Byakuya! Rukia! And other Rukia! Where are you!" She walked along the sidewalk, jumping over puddles and mud piles, looking high and low. And then she felt it. A mighty pressure held her down like never before. She looked up and saw the image of a giant monster, towering over her body.
"What..." A hand swatted her and she slammed against the wall. The umbrellas rolled down the sidewalk and into the streets, empty of life. "No..." She held her hand to her forehead and felt the blood trickle down her face. It mixed in with the rainwater and splashed onto the street.
"What a sweet looking woman, all nice and frail. It's perfect to eat," the monster licked its lips and clutched Hirame's body. "Yes, it's hard to get a decent meal these days. You are good enough."
"No, no! What are you!" The image of the beast became clearer with each passing second. "What are you!"
"A hollow!" It screamed. (A/N: Hungry, hungry hollows! Hungry, hungry hollows!)
Hirame closed her eyes and screamed. She waited for the pain and death, but nothing came. Only a screech was omitted into the dark sky. She opened her eyes to see a figure standing on top of the hollow. A sword was stuck in the skull of the monster and holding it was a petite girl.
"Sorry it took me so long, Hirame," Rukia smiled.
"R..Rukia!" Hirame gasped.
Rukia pulled the sword out and sliced its mask. It cried out in pain, thrashing about in the air. Rukia walked along the arm of the giant and crouched down to tug at Hirame's sleeve.
"Don't worry, help is coming," Rukia told her. "Nii-sama will finish him off in no time."
"Nii-sama? You mean..."
The figure of man showed up instantly. He took one swing of his sword and cut off the arm of the hollow. Rukia caught Hirame and placed her onto the ground. Hirame watched as he disappeared one moment and appeared again in a different place. It was like he was teleporting. The hollow screamed until he drove his sword into the mask, making the hollow disappear along with Hirame's fear.
"Alright, nii-sama!" Rukia cheered. She reached into her uniform and pulled out a soaking wet bunny. "Here, sorry about that."
"I..." Hirame held the shivering rabbit and looked up to see the man that had saved her. He stared down into her eyes with a mixed emotion.
"We'll take you home now."
"T...Thank you, Byakuya..." She felt her eyes droop and her head became light and airy. "...sama." Her head fell in Rukia's arms.