The song lyrics from last chapter:
You Are The Only One by Elaine- featured in the Kdrama on Netflix " My Holo Love." :)
...
Look at your heart
Look at your heart's pain within
There is no way
To say you're sorry again
Today was the day.
Rukia was dressed in the most beautiful kimono.
It was a pure white kimono with black lace trimming and red dark butterflies surrounding it.
The kimono was a soft silky material. The belt around her was pure black.
Her once shoulder length hair was now cut in a long bob.
She ran her hands through it and thought back to the day she cut it.
Flashback
She had just got picked up from Karakura Town train station by her older brother Byakuya.
The ride home was slow and torturing for Rukia.
She did not need a speech about her behavior when her heart felt like it was being ripped into two.
Finally, after a 6 hour drive, they pulled into the Kuchiki Mansion.
One of the butlers made his way to open her car door when Byakuya spoke.
"Rukia." he simply said.
"I know" Rukia simply replied.
She was assisted out and she headed straight to his study room with him following her behind.
He closed the door shut and made his way to his chair. He sat and closed his eyes.
Sighing, he asked " What were you thinking?"
" I'm sorry Ni sama. I acted without thinking. I know now that it was a mistake."
"Who is he?" Byakuya suddenly asked.
" Excuse me?"
" Who is that boy."
" I don't know what you're referring to Ni sama. "
"You know that you do Rukia."
" There is no boy Ni sama."
Glaring at her, he stood and straightened out his scarf he wore, " Very well."
Rukia gulped. She knew he meant business with those words.
" You leave me no choice but to deny your grant for college Rukia. You have disobeyed the clan's rules too many times. I can not keep the Elders in the dark about all the rules you keep breaking. "
"You can't do that to me Ni sama! " Rukia was starting to panic.
Forever stuck in this boring little town, this boring little life. She couldn't. She wouldn't.
" Rukia. Lower your voice."
" No Ni-sama I will not! You can't keep me here! I need to get out of here!
"Rukia. As long as The Kuchiki Clan are guardians of the Temple, you are not to complain about your duties."
" Ni sama, I.. I.. am grateful. But THIS is not me. " Rukia held her head down.
" Rukia.. It took me a great deal to get you adopted. I cannot disobey the Elders anymore."
"Because you married Hisana right? Was that a deal? They let you do that and adopt me and you HAVE to do as they say?"
"What about your happiness as well Ni sama?"
"You and Hisana are my happiness, I promised her to always take care of you."
Rukia felt like a child. She wanted to run into his arms and cry for her sister. But she wouldn't.
" I understand Ni sama. I am sorry for causing you trouble. Please forgive me." She gave him a slight bow.
" Ruki-"
"May I be excused please?"
"Yes."
"Thank you".
She hurried to her room.
She felt the room getting smaller.
She felt trapped.
She had no control over her life it seemed.
She stood in the mirror looking at herself..
Was she really here?
She wanted to close her eyes and imagine herself in Ichigo's body.
No worries, no duties.
Free like he was.
But, today.. he didn't know her.
She was Rukia right? The same Rukia his soul possessed.
"UAHH!" she yelled. She grabbed her hair. " Dammit!"
Her life never felt so out of control.
Holding on to her hair, she had an idea.
There was something she could control.
Her hair.
She would be a new Rukia...
Rukia smiled. Of course the Elders disapproved of the shorter hairdo.
She didn't care. If she was to obey all their stupid rules then she was gonna do it with style.
She just hoped all her friends would like it.
And maybe Ichigo..
She felt an ache in her heart.
No.
She will not think about him...
" Knock Knock! I'm coming in"
That was Momo.
"Come in. " Rukia said.
Rukia turned around and faced Momo.
" Kyaaa!" " I LOVE it! You look so cute Rukia!" Momo excitedly rushed towards her examining her, " it fits your face so well."
" Thanks Momo, I was hoping you liked it. "
" Anything looks great on you, Which that kimono looks gorgeous by the way." " Are you ready for the ceremony?"
" As ready as I'll ever be. "
"Let's go then." Mom said wrapping her arms around Rukia's shoulders.
...
The whole downtown area was decorated with Senbonzakuras.
Citizens were seen wearing their traditional kimonos and children out running around and playing.
There were lots of vendors out selling their merchandise.
Rukia was walking along side her brother.
The Kuchiki Elders were ahead of them, dressed in beautiful gold and red kimonos.
They were surrounded by the Stealth Force, the clan's personal guards in other words.
The Stealth Force was established many years ago. They were professional body guards specializing in ninja techniques.
Rukia had grew a huge interest in them and the Commander in Chief , Lady Yoruichi even gave her lessons in combat.
She absolutely loved it until her brother found out of course.
" Rukia , pay attention. " Her brother suddenly said.
She didn't realize they had already reached the main downtown area where the ceremony was to be preformed.
" Sorry." she muttered.
He simply sighed.
There was a sudden bell ring.
" DIIINNNNGGGGGG "
The Mayor of the town, An Elder, announced that the ceremony was to begin.
I Saw You In The Forest
Oh Almighty god
Dancing There Unseen
I Heard Your Breath Of Life,
As You Tickled Leaf And Blade.
I Banish Smog And Poisons,
Evil And Demons.
As I Offer This Scared Offering,
I Release All Pain And Suffering.
Your Gifts Of Joy And Bounty,
Peace And Love , Are Welcomed At This Place.
Bring Blessings To Each Season.
We Ask You This.
Oh Almighty god !
He spoke powerfully , every citizen listening with their eyes closed.
There was a bell that rung loudly in the now quiet town. Every citizen was there, to witness this traditional ceremony.
Rukia slowly walked towards the center of the stage like set up.
Senbozakuras adorned the stage beautifully, gold , red and black drapes lapped over the trees.
Rukia held her left arm up graciously. In her right arm, she held up her very own blade, Sode no Shirayuki.
She twisted the blade around, almost like she was writing in the air.
Finally, she turned Sode no Shirayuki towards her wrist.
" To Thee I Offer Scarlet ! "
She sliced her wrist. She internally hissed but kept her face calm.
There were gasps in the crowd.
Her blood slowly dripped towards the ground, and just like a performance, a beautiful decorated vase appeared from beneath the stage, catching her virgin blood.
It was a scene from a movie.
As the sun was setting, her blood glistered in the sunlight.
There were loud claps and awes from the citizens.
Some of her maids rushed to her aid, pressing a silk cloth to her wrist to stop the blood.
Rukia smiled at the gesture and made her way back down to stand by her brother.
DINGGGGGGGG !
The loud bell rung again. It was now time to walk to the Temple and place the vase there.
The Elders lead the walk there. It was here where the citizens were not allowed to follow. Being that only the Kuchiki Clan could enter.
Upon arriving, Rukia placed the vase carefully down inside the Temple. It was old stone but beautifully kept up with.
" It is done. We'll see if they accept your blood, Rukia. " One of the Elders said with a hint of disgust.
Rukia simply bowed.
...
Rukia rushed to met Momo and Renji outside the temple limits.
"Sorry that you had to wait for me. "
" No problem at all " Momo said, grabbing a hold of her hand. " Always here".
" Your hair .. "
" What? You don't like it Renji? How rude. " Momo slapped his arm.
" What ! No I didn't say that! " Renji shouted. " It looks nice Rukia, he blushed.
" Uh thanks Renji." Rukia felt a little awkward.
" I'll see you on the hill for the meteor Rukia !" Momo suddenly said, she turned her around and hurriedly rushed off.
It was just Rukia and Renji now.
Renji rubbed the back of his neck. Clearing his throat, " So you wanna go get a turkey leg?"
She knew she was going have to let her best friend down eventually. " Yeah let's go."
They made their way back into town where all the food and games vendors were.
Rukia felt like a little girl again with her best friend. They played games and ate lots of food. They shared alot of laughs and Rukia knew in her heart that Renji would always be her dear best friend.
It was nearing 10:00 PM which is when the meteor shower was going to start.
"We should head up to the hill to look for Momo now " Rukia said. She was munching on cotton candy.
" Well Rukia I wanted to ask you something. " Renji nervously said.
They were nearing the edge of the festival, all the lights glistering in the background.
" Rukia.. I ... Will.. "
Rukia sighed. It's now or never.
" Wait Renji, I know what you're gonna say. I.. love you very much. You'll always be apart of my heart. But you know that you've always been one of my best friends. "
" How do you know you don't love me as something else though Rukia" There was a hint of pain in his voice.
" I .. "
" Exactly! You don't ! You don't know what love is. Give me a chance to show you! " he grabbed her hand. " Let me show you. "
Rukia pulled her hand away. " You don't know everything about me! I have loved and it hurts! That's what I don't want you to feel ! The feeling of rejection!" she shouted.
Renji stared at her. " You.. loved? Who ? When the hell did this happen?"
Rukia shook her head. " Just.. please Renji. Please let us stay like this. Please. " Rukia begged.
" You never beg.. " Renji sighed. " I'm going for a walk , I'll catch up to you and Momo later. "
"Renji .. I..
" I'll see you later Rukia. "
Rukia felt like such a bitch. Dammit ! she thought. Why is love so complicated ?!
She suddenly saw a flash across the sky. The Meteor !
She ran towards the hill where Momo was waiting.
" Finally! " Momo yelled as soon as she saw Rukia running towards her.
"Sorry Momo. " Rukia wheezed out. " You will not believe how hard it was to stop Renji's confession."
" Rukia ! Poor Renji !"
" Poor Renji ?! Poor me ! , I feel awful enough. "
" Wait , look Rukia ! " Momo shouted pointing at the sky.
The sky had suddenly went pitch black. Everything went pitch black.
Looking up at the sky, she couldn't wait to see the meteor shower begin.
Running her hands through her now short black hair, she sighed.
What was Ichigo doing ? Was he also looking at the meteor shower that made an appearance once every 100 years?
A flare of light and there it was!
" Look! " She said breathlessly.
A reflection of the showers could be seen in her violet piercing eyes.
She smiled. " Can you see it Ichigo? It's beautiful " she whispered.
As the showers neared, Rukia felt her heart quicken, she closed her eyes, she felt warm.
" Rukia... " she suddenly heard Momo's worried voice, " Rukia ! Run ! "
Rukia Kuchiki never got to run..