Hi guys new chapter is finally up. This one wasn't so difficult to write so I hope everyone enjoys it. I don't know how long I plan on making this story but it is going to be a lot longer than this trust me. There will be many more chapters to come. I hope you enjoy this sad chapter sounds like an oxymora doesn't it. Anyway enjoy!


June 17th the Day of Rain

The day was June 17 it as been seven years since Masaki Kurosaki had passed away. It's also the day that the Kurosaki family makes their yearly visit to her grave. They spend most of the day there since they have to climb the hill, rest, visit the grave, and go down the hill once again. Isshin always got the family together to talk about the plan the night before though it was basically the same every year Yuzu packs a picnic, Karin would pack up any necessities, Kaien would pack up the first aid kit just in case, while people just let Ichigo brood because he took the death of Masaki maybe a bit more personally than anyone else in the family. The death of Masaki affected everyone greatly. Yuzu took up all of her mother's responsibilities trying her hardest to make sure that the house would always smell of her mothers homemade cookies and even set the table like her mother did. Karin toughened up to not let the family worry about her and to make sure nobody would want to take advantage of the grieving girl with a dead mother. Isshin was basically the same idiot, but he never dated and he tried his best to toughen up his sons. Kaien had tried to shadow his grief by smiling all the time and being the class clown. However, Ichigo who had been there when their mother died blamed himself and never smiled and acted rude to everyone.

That morning everyone started up the hill to their mother's grave. Yuzu wore a white sundress with a blue bow in the center, Kaien had gray pants and a football jersey, Karin had a green tank and black shorts, Ichigo had a red shirt and black pants, while Isshin wore jeans and a pink (Masaki favorite color) shirt and carried a bouquet of pink roses. The sky was gray and cloudy just like that time seven years ago. As they make their way up the hill they spot two figures just a few feet ahead of them.

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Elsewhere that day Rukia and Byakuya were getting ready for their very own visit. It had been nine years since that one tragic and ten since the one before. Rukia had decided to were her pale lavender t-shirt, a grey and lavender stripped skirt, and grey knee high socks with lavender converse. She carried three bouquets of white roses Byakuya wore a navy blue suit pants and a powder blue silk buttoned down shirt.

It was early in the morning when they started up the hill to the graves.

"Was this hill this steep nine years ago?" Rukia asked her brother.

"Yes Rukia you probably don't remember too much since you were only seven years old" Byakuya said quietly.

"Oh." Rukia answered. This was the first time she thought about it but Byakuya was basically an adult when everything happened, he had not only more memories with the family but better and was more affected by their deaths than she was. Hisana had died of leukemia ten years ago on June 17th and then a exactly a year later when their parents were coming home from a business trip at Los Angeles to visit their daughter's grave the plane crashed and both of them died.

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"Hey who are they?" Karin asked.

"I don't know." Kaien answered

"Is that….Rukia?" Ichigo asked then he saw the girls face turn to the side a bit and was positive it was Rukia, "Hey Rukia!"

Rukia and Byakuya both turned around. Rukia quickly spotted Ichigo with his bright hair. She also saw Kaien and two little girls who she assumed were their little sisters Yuzu and Karin and a man in his forties who was more than likely their father.

"Ichigo?" Rukia asked, "What are you guys doing here?"

"We could ask you the same thing Rukia." Kaien told her.

"Oh, well…….ahh so are these your little sisters?" Rukia asked changing the subject. Kaien shrugged he figured she wasn't absolutely comfortable about the subject.

"Oh so this is Rukia!" Isshin screamed and startled Rukia by grabbing her hands, "Hi I'm Isshin Kurosaki. You're the girl that Ichigo is head over heels for. I must say my son has good taste in women!" Rukia blushed and Ichigo smacked Isshin on the head.

"What's wrong with you! Obviously she's here to visit someone's grave and your acting like an idiot and saying ridiculous things!" Ichigo yelled at his father.

"Hi I'm Yuzu" Yuzu smiled carrying a picnic basket. "And this is my sister Karin."

"Hey" Karin offered with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, hi I'm Rukia and this is my older brother Byakuya" Rukia answered.

"Hey aren't you the kid that used to volunteer at the clinic twelve years back and you also babysat for me when me and my wife were out" Isshin asked puzzled that the once determined and lively kid seemed so indifferent and apathetic.

"You must be Mr. Kurosaki." Byakuya gave the man a hand shake.

"Wow you changed what happened to that lively boy?" Isshin asked. Rukia looked up at her brother and she did remember the time and place when Byakuya was just as spirited as any other normal individual. "Oh, that's right the accidents. You grieve just like my son do you know that?" Ichigo looked up at Byakuya and decided there was no way in hell he was anything like the long haired loser with a suit. Byakuya looked at the boy with the ridiculous hair and equally preposterous clothing and decided he was way too sophisticated and professional to be compared to that…boy.

"Ummm why don't you guys join us for lunch in the grass by the shade? It looks like it is going to rain some time soon and it would be better to eat now than later." Yuzu offered.

"Uh, no thanks I don't think it would a good idea for me and Byakuya to interfere plus I'm sure there isn't enough food for the both of us to join" Rukia answered

"Your not interfering at all we do this every year and it gets boring with that idiot that calls himself a doctor. My crybaby sister. My two boring brothers; one that believes he's funny and the other one who pretends to be Mr. Tough-guy." Karin tried to convince her.

"Karin that's mean! Anyway I always pack too much food for us all so why don't you join?" Yuzu asked with hope in her big eyes.

"Uh.. I guess. Byakuya?" Rukia looked up from the three bouquets in her hands to Byakuya.

Byakuya gave out a long sigh "I suppose it's inevitable"

"Great! We will set up right here!" Isshin smiled.

"Rukia can I pull you to the side for a sec?" Ichigo asked

"Uh sure" Rukia handed the roses to Byakuya and Ichigo grabbed her small hand and walked into the forest.

"What is it Ichigo are you okay?" Rukia looked up at the taller boy with concern written all over her large cerulean eyes.

"Uh well… if I tell you will you tell me exactly what your reason is for being here today?" Ichigo asked looking down at Rukia with his ocher eyes.

"Ya sure" She took his other hand and intertwined their fingers as she stepped forward.

Ichigo took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "It happened seven years ago when I was nine. I was walking home from the dojo with my mother. It was the seventeenth of June and it was raining. We were walking across the street when there-there was a drunk driver that day he took a sharp turn and was about to hit me when my mother pushed me out of the way to save me. She was hit and I was there on the sidewalk staring at my mother's crushed body underneath the car of that drunken bastard. I was angry at that drunk but mostly I was angry at myself. I've always blamed myself even though I know it wasn't my fault but still I blame myself."

"Ichigo I'm sorry" Rukia stepped even closer to him and gave him a hug as she nuzzled into his chest.

"It's okay it was a long time ago." Ichigo looked down at her with sad eyes. "What are you here for I saw three bouquets?"

"Ah," Rukia stepped back from the embrace and let go of his hands to sit down on a large rock then she held her arms from the chilly air. Ichigo followed her sat next to her and put his arm around her shoulder assuring her. "Okay well their for my mother, my father, and my sister Hisana."

"Um…" Rukia cleared her throat. "I'm sorry Ichigo I haven't actually said the words out loud for nine years I know it was a long time ago" She sighed.

"It's okay" Ichigo whispered softly in her ears.

"Okay, well anyway eleven years ago when I was five my twin sister Hisana was getting sick and we thought it was just a cold but she was sick for a two in a half weeks when we decided to take her to the doctor. That's when she was diagnosed with leukemia. My parents tried everything but nothing worked. She grew weaker and paler with each passing day. She lost a lot of weight and looked like she was wasting away for a year but then exactly ten years ago to this day she died. I still remembered how much rain was pouring on the hospital's roof. I was devastated she was my sister, my best friend, my twin. Byakuya was extremely sad it was his baby sister and secretly I always thought that she was his favorite out of us two. Mostly my parents grieved they had to bury their six year old daughter." Rukia sighed.

"It's okay you don't have to continue Rukia" He rubbed her arms where goose bumps appeared at. "Sorry didn't bring a jacket didn't know it was going to be so damn cold in the middle of June." Ichigo told her.

"It's okay Ichigo." Rukia gave a faint smile. "Anyway a year late my parents were in Los Angeles for a business meeting. They were returning home for the anniversary of Hisana's death. But then on June 17th they had a plane crash and died. It was raining that year too. They normally wouldn't have flied in that weather if it wasn't the anniversary of Hisana's death. It was the same day Ichigo. How is that fair?" Rukia looked up him

"Life never seems fair." Ichigo told her it sounded a little bit to angry than intended to be. "This has got to be the worst day of the year, sometimes I wish that June 17th would never have existed."

"Ya Ichigo." Rukia laughed. "So after June 16th it will be June 18th that's very logical and chronological." Rukia said sarcastically.

"You know what I mean" Ichigo said getting up and looking down at the ground. "We better to get back, they'll be wondering where we are and my dad will most likely say something perverted and your brother might desire to kill me. Besides Karin will probably eat everything before we get a chance to have a single bite" Ichigo told her still looking at the ground and placing his hands in his pockets.

"Okay" Rukia said with a smile and followed Ichigo once dusting off any dirt from her skirt.

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"So Byakuya your that guy who used to babysit for us. Wow I would have never guessed that you and Rukia were related." Kaien laughed

"Why do you say that?" Byakuya asked lacking all emotion in his voice.

"Oh, well you know I wouldn't have even made that connection at all I guess it really is a small world out there." Kaien answered he felt a little bit uncomfortable with Byakuya which didn't make much sense since he used to be his favorite babysitter but he seemed like a completely different person who made rice much more interesting than ever so he began focusing on eating it.

"I see everyone has grown up." Byakuya stated dryly.

"Yes they all did. Did you know that Karin doesn't even cry anymore?" Isshin asked. Karin shot his father a glare.

"Wow. She used to cry a lot I think more than Yuzu." Byakuya answered seeing he probably didn't have to be hostile to the family. "I suppose Ichigo was devastated at Masaki's death he was always a momma's boy."

"Ichigo became an emo kid, basically he blamed himself for years and never smiles again." Karin answered bluntly.

"Karin!" Yuzu said.

"What it's true." Karin shrugged.

"What's true?" Ichigo said walking towards them with his hands in his pockets and Rukia following next to him.

"Nothing" Karin smirked at high box of apple juice. Byakuya looked up at them. For some reason he decided he didn't like the orange haired kid despite his previous relationship with him. He had seen with much more of a rebellious look than he had he did run a record label but none of them seemed to have such an influence on Rukia. He saw how she looked at him with infatuation. It pissed him off just a little bit.

After the group's lunch they started towards their graves.

Karin put her palms together and quietly talked to her mother. 'Hi mom how have you've been. Things have changed a lot since last time we visit. This year me and Yuzu will be starting high school with Ichigo and Kaien. I got a boyfriend, don't worry we aren't some mushy lovey dovey couple. His name is Toshiro. Yuzu is dating Urhara's kid Jinta I know lame. Kaien is still with Miyako. And Ichigo I think he's got a thing for that Rukia chick.'

Yuzu began crying. "Yuzu stop crying you're too old we are fourteen now ya know." Karin told her.

"I know I'm not a little baby anymore but I can't help it" Yuzu sobbed. Karin sighed.

"Look, Yuzu its okay." Kaien reassured her. "Now wipe your tears for mom okay I don't think she likes to see you cry she wants to see you happy." 'Anyway mom I really miss you wish you could have met Miyako she really is a sweet girl and very pretty. I've been doing okay in school but you know Ichigo is always been better than me. I'm trying to be the big brother it's a lot but I'm used to it now. Watch dad he's crazier than ever'

Ichigo let out a sigh before preceeding his talk to Masaki. 'Hi mom you know I miss you it pretty much goes without saying but I say it every year. Mom you see that girl there the one with the huge azure eyes and the dark hair, it's weird she is the first girl to really intrigue me. I have never been this inquisitive about a girl before. She makes my heart speed thousands of miles per minute I just hope you'd be happy to meet her I'm working on trying to impress her so maybe she'll go out with me we'll see next year'

About 300 feet away Rukia and Byakukya were at their family's graves all next to each other.

'Hey Hisana know I've haven't seen you in a while, but you know I had to go. Hey I guess you would kind of look like this if you were still alive anyway I wore your favorite color lavender. Mom, Dad I hope you guys are happy with Hisana I got mom's favorite flowers white roses for everyone. Byakukya doesn't let me sing anymore, but you see that hot guy a few feet away, he let me join his band. His name is Ichigo, ha I know Strawberry really cute huh? Anyway I hope you guys are happy.' Rukia told them like they had been together just a week ago.

'Hi Mom, Dad, Hisana how are you guys. I've tried to raise Rukia the best I can. She really is a great girl she's not materialistic, she's smart, she's independent, and she is pretty just like you Mom. I continued with your business in New York until I was sure I would be able to handle it overseas, so that's why were back. Hope you're not too angry with me.' Byakukya told her then everyone heard thunder.

"Uh we better head back down before it starts pouring." Kaien warned everybody. Everybody followed Kaien except Isshin.

"Uh Dad you'll catch a cold if you don't come?" Yuzu asked with concern.

"I'll be there in a little bit don't worry too much about me honey just let me have a few minutes alone." Isshin told his brown haired daughter. Yuzu nodded.

"So Masaki how are? As you can see I'm still the stud I've always been" Isshin laughed and place the pink roses down. "I wore your favorite color, you know dead or alive you're the only woman who ever could make me wear this color." Isshin lighted his cigarette. "Okay the kids have been good" He blew out a smoke. " Kaien has been great and happy, like the usual caring guy. Ichigo has always been a good kid, getting tough too, I think he likes the Kuchkiki girl. Yuzu cries everytime up here but she's fine. She's just like you, you know. She looks like you and cooks like you. Karin is a very tough girl but I think she keeps the pain to herself, but don't worry about her I think she shares that stuff with Toshiro it's better than keeping it to herself." He took another puff of his cigarette. "You know I love you honey and I know you're with me and the kids everyday."

After that it began to rain like it did so very often on June 17th .

Okay so what ya think review and tell me please! (begging on her knees) If you do I will update as soon as possible if you don't I will wait an enternity (laughs evilly with a smirk). Next chapter will intorduce more of your favorite Bleach characters and will be hell of a lot better I promise. Anyway is the Ichigo and Rukia relationship moving too fast or too slow? Review and tell(winks). And a lot of thanks goes to my readers (hands you virtual cookies). Bye until next time (waves).