Flashback #1: The Night the Raven Departed The Cherry Tree

(Byakuya's Personal Struggle)

-One Shot Mini Story-

(* These Flashbacks are strictly to gain insight on the character's background, relationships, and mindset. Any information learned in these 'mini-stories' will likely be used/referenced in other chapters. It's also worth noting, these are in no particular order, and are sporadically spread over many different ages in the character's life.*)

Ravana waited anxiously outside the thick door to her older cousin, Byakuya's room. Until a few days ago, he'd shared it with his wife Hisana. Ravana wiped away a tear as she remembered finding Hisana lying on the patio at the back of the mansion. She hadn't been too responsive as Ravana picked her up in one strong scooping motion. Hisana had smiled weakly in what Ravana had thought was a 'thank you', and Ravana had raced through the halls screaming for Byakuya. He'd rushed from his 'thinking' room, and as he saw Hisana lying limp in Ravana's arms his face had contorted in pain and anguish. She'd been sick for a long while, and it looked like this was it. Ravana had handed her over delicately enough and stayed out of the way until Byakuya sent her uncle to tell her that Hisana had expired. She'd cried all over him after he'd informed her. Her initial pain had been for losing a very close friend. The next wave of agony and nausea that washed over her was the idea that Byakuya had lost one of the only people he ever truly cared for. She hated watching him hurt. She clung to her uncle in hysterics. He'd finally managed to calm her down and get her to rest, assuring her that she could be no comfort to her cousin if she couldn't keep her emotions in tight control. She had nodded in exhaustion and fallen asleep quickly all while shouldering the realization that there was nothing she could do. In her dreams she tossed and turned uncomfortably. Hisana had a sister she had abandoned years ago in the Rukaigon, and she'd spent everyday after looking for her. Ravana had joined her simply to help ease her mind. When she'd found Hisana that morning, she had been going to tell her she did find her sister by chance. She was in the academy. Ravana snapped out of her thoughts and after a few seconds more deliberation, she knocked softly on the dark colored wooden door. Stepping back a foot or so, and she waited for an indication of an answer. Soft but sure footsteps resounded against the wooden floors of the Kuchiki Mansion. The heavy door opened easily as Byakuya opened it fully and he stepped into the open space of the doorway. His eyes were bloodshot and bleary. His usually elegant, honey-like voice was now hoarse.

"What?" He said in a shaky whisper looking at her with glazed over eyes. Without another word spoken between the two, they embraced one another tightly. Ravana felt Byakuya's trembling body go lax and he leaned onto her heavily as she felt hot tears touch her shoulder. At the end of the hall, her uncle and his friends began to pass through the hallway. Embarrassed for her cousin, she led him back into the room he shared with Hisana. After a moment, she wondered if that was a smart decision. She chewed her bottom lip nervously and helped Byakuya onto his cushion in the floor. She sat in front of him anxiously as her over jacket slipped down her shoulders. She wasn't sure what to say; she had just thought he'd needed her. He broke the silence, his voice clear now and his eyes holding back a torrent of tears.

"I need to find her sister, Rukia. That's what she asked me to do. She told me to protect the girl and I will. I will be her brother since Hisana never got the chance to be a proper sister." His voice was thick with emotion.

Ravana half-smiled at his resolve to comply with Hisana's wishes.

"Won't your father be upset? I mean, he wasn't happy about-"

Byakuya cut her off short.

"Sometimes, rules and laws are meant to be broken, but I admit-I'm torn. I promised to respect and uphold the law, but family is supposed to stick together and be a stronger force…" He trailed off wistfully.

A tear slid down Ravana's cheek as she hugged him with a steel grip. She buried her face into his neck, discreetly breathing in the scent of cherry blossoms on his scarf.

She began to calm down.

"The girl, Rukia, is enrolled at the academy." Ravana said numbly craning her head back to look at Byakuya's expression. It softened and seemed to brighten.

"Are you sure?" He asked in bewilderment.

Ravana nodded in reply and squeezed his hand. She liked when he was happy.

'Onii-san…'

The word almost escaped her lips. She swallowed them painfully.

She hadn't called Byakuya that as of late, the last time was when he had made Captain of the 6th squad.

She sat back thoughtfully as Byakuya prattled on about his plan to bring the girl back.

"Onii-san, I'm proud of you." She had said casually as he strolled through the courtyard with her one evening. He was checking that the cherry blossoms were in bloom. He had smiled and chuckled.

'It's an honor to be your big brother, Imouto. (Little Sister)' Is what Ravana had waited to hear, but he stayed silent until they had arrived back at the manor.

"Thank you. It's an honor to be a Captain." He had said as they entered their home. Ravana had nodded and smiled parting ways, her heart a little dented by his refusal to acknowledge her in anyway, still treating her like a visiting relative…

"Ravana? Are you okay? You look ill…" He mumbled wincing as she patted his hand. She summoned her courage and began to speak.

"I'm nervous," She started.

"About what?"

"Because I've never had to share you with another sibling before…Onii-san." Ravana said stumbling over her words sullenly touching the cherry blossom tattoo on the back of her neck. It had shown up when she was younger after a few years in the Kuchiki household.

Bonded. They were bonded together in friendship, at least that's what her uncle had said.

She held his hand to her cheek and sighed. Byakuya's thin eyebrows shot up in surprise as he pulled his hand away from her and held her at arm's length. His voice was perfectly clear when he spoke.

"I am NOT your brother." His voice had no emotion. "Ravana, when will you grow up? We are not children anymore! I've had too; I have taken care of you for so long! Please learn how to stand on your own! I've devoted much of my time to you, now it's someone else's turn…Besides, I don't want to be your brother."

Byakuya's tone was stern, yet strained.

Ravana's jaw clenched and her fists were forming by her sides.

"I guess having the title of my big brother would be problematic. Is it because you think I'm tainted by the Quincy blood in my veins? Is it because I'm no longer noble in your eyes, that I'm less than you Byakuya?!" Her anger exploded.

"Well, I've learned how to harness the soul reaper in me, and I'm just as noble and aristocratic as you are, not because I'm wealthy, but because my attitude is to treat everyone with understanding and respect, something I've done for too long with you!" Ravana turned away from him quickly to hide the pain on her face. He grew silent and then reached for her arm. She stepped away and opened the door.

"Of course, I understand." She mumbled as she exited the room, via the patio. She slipped into the courtyard and began to walk through the gardens. They were so lovely when they were in bloom-they were late this year. She heard Byakuya calling for her and she ran behind some full shrubbery. She peaked around the corner to watch.

"Ravana! Ravana! Please! Don't be so angry with me!" He looked around for a sign of her and found none. He sank down onto the carved bench behind him and placed his head in his hands. Ravana felt a surge of guilt as she creeped from around the shrub. She gently sat next to him.

"I heard you calling for me, I didn't want to come back-but something made me."

Byakuya looked at her incredulously, a muffled sob rocked him gently as he buried his head in her chest and hugged her waist. He was distraught, and that scared Ravana.

"I'm so unsure of myself even now! What if I make the wrong decision, what if I disgrace the Kuchiki name?! I broke the rules once and I'm about to do it again-what if this goes badly?! Who do I keep a promise to?"

Ravana patted him on the back and put her arm around him.

"It's okay Byakuya. I understand." She cooed matronly. He looked up at her and she wiped a stray tear away from his face. After she wiped her hand off she took his head in her hands, angled it down, and kissed him on the forehead gently.

"You come from a long line of noble Captains. You'll learn how to become the Captain you should be with time and patience. Rules are sometimes meant to be broken-dedication to one's family is noble enough as well. Remember that." She said, her voice warm and thoughtful.

Byakuya nodded and stood helping her up.

"Thank you Imouto-chan. I've forgotten how wise you really are." He said smiling and taking her by the arm. It made her feel good to see him smile for the first time in days.

"What made you come back?" He asked conversely. Ravana hugged his arm.

"I could never be mad at my Byakuya-kun for long. I admire you too much to stay angry." She said plainly. He wouldn't meet her eyes, but she could tell he was pleased by her answer. He stopped and pulled her in front him suddenly.

"You know that I don't think you're less than noble, don't you? Quincy blood or not, you are still partially a Kuchiki. I've never thought any different, and I never will." Ravana nodded pensively and looked away. Byakuya sighed.

"…and the real reason I'm not your brother is because I can't always promise I'll be there to protect you, or have all the answers you'll need. I can't promise to always be strong or reliable-and you deserve a big brother that can do those things."

Ravana sighed and nodded.

"I understand, but that's not what made you my big brother."

Byakuya looked at her suspiciously.

"Then what does?"

Ravana smiled and dragged him onto the patio.

"Well, you do take care of me. You taught me lots of things and you accept me for all my flaws and shortcomings. You never have to promise me anything more than that you care about me. I can find my own answers. I can protect you too because I can be strong for both of us sometimes if I have to! Byakuya, you're the greatest big brother anyone could ask for! Rukia is going to be very lucky." She smiled as him and he hugged her tightly picking her up off the floor for a moment. She giggled, and began to walk away when she felt a stab of pain.

"..But I think you were right. I need to learn how to stand on my own. I'm leaving now to strike out on my own and make something of myself."

Ravana sighed deeply and smiled through her tears. Byakuya nodded.

"I understand. If you want to come home, please, come home again. I won't stop you. Go. Live your life how you see fit. No matter what, you're my Imouto-chan." He said warmly. Ravana loved basking in his favor, but it couldn't last forever.

"So the Raven will depart from the Cherry Tree?" Byakuya asked remorsefully.

"I think so, yes."

He sighed and leaned against a pillar watching her.

"I'll miss you. Be careful."

She bowed her head.

"I'll miss you too."

As she began to descend the steps to leave Kuchiki manor she heard someone coming down the stairs behind her. She turned and ran into Byakuya. He stumbled backward and caught his balance.

"I only have one more thing to say, I promise." He said breathlessly helping her open the gate.

"What's that?" She asked pausing in front of the iron barrier.

"It's an honor being your Onii-san." He said with a blush as he pushed the gate open.

Ravana hugged him one last time before leaving the property and moving onto a phase in life. She didn't know where her adventures would take her, but she knew she'd see her onii-san again one day, and when she did, she'd be closer to being his equal.