A/N: So I was listening to this song, and for some reason I just couldn't get the idea out of my head-what if Rukia and Toushiro had met when they were younger? How would've that affected things? But most of all, is a tomato even a friggin vegetable anymore?

Lol. The song is Michael Buble's "Just Haven't Met You Yet." Friggin thing got stuck in my head so I just kinda rolled with it. As it stands this could've been a one-shot, but I thought it fit better in this context. . . sorta like a little jab destiny took at them? I kinda calculated this to happen pre-Renji days.

Anyways, enjoy, and know this:

IT IS CALLED AN INTERLUDE FOR A REASON!

XD


Mon Cœur S'ouvre à Ta Voix

(My heart opens itself to your voice)


(Interlude) I Just Haven't Met You Yet


The market square was busy. Peddlers called out their price, raising their different wares to the sun and arguing heatedly with haggling women, men, anyone willing enough to take them on and talk them down to something reasonable in the many street vendors of Junrinan. The tiny shops offered little relief from the stifling warmth of summer, sweat beading the brow of many and causing tempers to rise with the continuing arc of the sun over the clear blue skies.

There would be no rains today.

A little boy with snowy hair eyed everyone silently from his grandmother's side, curiosity evident even as he frowned grumpily and wiped awkwardly at his forehead.

"Come on, Toushiro, we're almost there." The elderly woman holding his hand said, trying to offer a reassuring smile as she continued calmly.

He didn't reply.

They continued for what seemed an eternity between the throngs of people, Toushiro unsettled by the continuous contact and noise. Even from such a tender age of ten he knew he didn't like people and he had no qualms in glaring others down when they bumped into him or his grandmother or even stomping a toe here or there in retribution before the woman towing him around could yank him persistently away.

From where they were he could just make out the entrance to the familiar vegetable vendor between people and relief coursed through him at the promise of shade—something they hadn't been in possibly for more than two minutes at a time, if that on their errand run.

"HEY!" The angry yell of the man behind the many wooden crates caught their attention first, a few other people that had been milling about turning as well before going back to their own business. It wasn't until he saw between the crowd and noted how the man darted out and literally dove that he realized what was going on.

"My, my, what a lively day it is." His grandmother called with a sigh as they heard more yelling. Calmly they wove between a few groups before coming out to the clearing, Toushiro raising a brow at the sight.

The man was pinning down a tiny girl who continued kicking and struggling even as the vendor yelled and threatened to slap her. A tomato was lying forgotten at her side, violet eyes glimmering dangerously as she cussed, spitting at the man and taking advantage of his surprise with a swift knee to the stomach (which Toushiro had no doubt would've been aimed lower had her height permitted).

Her black hair was filled with dirt from the struggle, kimono torn and ragged and obviously not her priority as she tried to crawl out from under the man before being angrily pinned down again, the force knocking the wind out of her as she closed her eyes, clenching her jaw and preparing for the hit as a hand was raised high.

But it never came.

"Excuse me, sir?" His grandmother called out suddenly. Toushiro looked from one face to the other, noting how the hand hesitated, hovering above the vendor's head. "What seems to have happened?"

Breathing heavily, the man wiped at his moustache with a sweaty hand, the other still pinning down the child by her neck. By now her eyes had opened and they flicked quickly from Toushiro, to his grandmother, to the man, a strange look overtaking her features as she noted the fallen vegetable.

"This little brat was trying to steal from me. Was just gonna teach her a lesson was all."

Toushiro stood quietly then, face emotionless but eyes never leaving the girl with black hair, noting how her chest rose and fell quickly and how her tiny hands were latched onto the man's thick arm like tiny claws, scratch marks marring the skin.

"Child," his grandmother asked as if they were just sitting and having tea, "what is your name?"

Even there, pinned and with nowhere to go there seemed to be no fear in her eyes. Defiance there was plenty of, violet brimming with it as she scowled at him from her position before meeting his grandmother's gaze.

"Rukia."

"I see. Well, Rukia, when was the last time you ate?"

A wince as she struggled slightly under the man's weight. "Three days."

"Ah. Well sir," She said, turning her attention to the vendor, "if you would be so kind, I would appreciate it if you gave her what she needed, and just let me take care of the rest."

Both children's eyes went wide, Toushiro looking up at his grandmother and tugging on her hand for attention. "Gramma! Gramma what are you-"

"Toushiro, be kind enough to help her up, if you will. Granny would but she's old and this back just isn't what it used to be." The warmth and softness of her aged skin released itself from his grasp and she nudged him forward, causing the boy to stumble before coming to stand awkwardly beside the vendor and his victim.

A sigh.

"Are you sure you want to help this delinquent, ma'am?"

A nod was the man's reply as he released the girl, standing slowly before stepping away, glare never leaving the child.

The black haired girl sat up for a moment, rubbing at her neck and wincing at the pain that came with the cautious prod of her fingers.

There would be nice bruises there later.

"Gimme your hand." Violet eyes went from her own tiny hands to the boy standing beside her.

At the look on his face her brow furrowed in annoyance and she jutted her chin out stubbornly, getting up and dusting herself off.

"I'm fine." She muttered at him.

"Well, fine then, get lost! You're causing gramma problems!"

The reaction was immediate, hands curling into tiny fists and for a moment he wondered if she was going to sock him a good one as her eyes narrowed.

"JERK!" She yelled, shoving him hard enough to make him lose his balance and land harshly on his butt. A tiny index finger was jabbed in his direction. "I hope you choke and die!"

Swiveling around, she made a feint to grab something from one of the many vegetable crates before quickly diving out of the way of the vendor's hands, sticking her tongue out and flipping him off before disappearing in the crowd.

A moment of silence between the three, Toushiro getting up and glaring at the ground angrily as his grandmother passed by him and gave her order to the vendor.

"Will that be all, ma'am?"

"Actually, no sir. You might want to add the three carrots that child managed to grab."

The man simply cursed.