Rukia had decided to call up all of her friends to hang out together in the afternoon and tell them that she had been accepted to work at the Kuchiki manor. It wasn't really much exciting news, but it was what she planned to do for the year, so it was important for her friends to know. Before meeting up with them though, she decided to visit her sister, Hisana. She took the bus and got off in front of a tall and dark gate which led to the entrance of the cemetery, and headed to her sister's grave. She placed some flowers on the stone and lit up the candles that were already there. 'These candles are pretty new... mom and dad must have visited her last night.' she thought to herself as she lit the candles. She said a short prayer while standing in front of the grave, and sat down comfortably on the ground to talk to her sister.
"Hisana nee-san, I really miss you a lot. How long has it been since that day?" Rukia said with sadness, as tears started to prickle her eyes...
Two years ago...
Hisana sat up from the hospital bed and checked the clock on the small table nearest to her. It was that time again, so she looked out of the window from her bed and saw Rukia coming near the main entrance of the hospital. It was once again that time of the day. That time of the day when Rukia comes to visit. She had always been doing that ever since Hisana had been admitted to the hospital. Rukia would always go straight to the hospital after school on weekdays and spend the entire day with Hisana during weekends. It always made Hisana's day.
Rukia went up to Hisana's room in the hospital and let herself in. "Hey nee-san! How are you doing today?!" she would always ask, with energy and excitement.
"I'm still feeling the same Rukia, nothing's really changed." Hisana replied with a soft smile on her face. She had always acted more mature than Rukia even though she was only a year older.
"Ehh... you're always saying that! Can't you see I'm always worrying about you?! Were you having attacks yesterday while I was gone? Did you feel nauseous?" asked Rukia, showing true concern for her sister. She really wanted to know how Hisana was progressing. She has been in the hospital for over a month now with no improvements, so Rukia wanted to make sure that she was not getting worse, even though she really was.
"Well, I've been feeling more tired lately, but it's nothing to worry about at all." Hisana replied, getting concerned about her sister worrying too much. All she really wanted was to get better. She didn't ask for a weak heart, but she was happy that she was given a sister who cared for her.
Rukia stayed with Hisana until late that night, but it was getting too late so she had to get home. "I'll see you again tomorrow Hisana nee-san." said Rukia, as she headed for the door, but before she opened it, she remembered that she had brought Hisana something. "Oh yeah! I forgot to give this to you!" Rukia said as she handed Hisana a stuffed rabbit. "Chappy really missed you, so I decided to bring her so that you guys can hang out for the night!" she exclaimed. Hisana accepted the rabbit and hugged it tightly to herself. "Thank you Rukia... I'll see you tomorrow I guess." replied Hisana, as Rukia headed for the door and smiled to her sister before leaving...
Later that night...
Rukia lay on her bed, unable to sleep. Something was bothering her and her heart felt heavy. The phone suddenly rang but someone else picked it up. Rukia stepped out of her bedroom and went down the stairs. She saw her mother, looking frantic as she held the phone on her hand.
"What's going on?" asked Rukia, really worried that something bad must have happened.
"Your sister... Hisana... we have to go the hospital! She's having a terrible attack! Get your father! We have to get to the hospital soon!!!" Her mother was panicking, and her voice was very shaky. Rukia went to get her dad and they all drove off as fast as they could to get to the hospital, and to the room where Hisana was.
Hisana was lying on the bed with sweat on her face. She was panting heavily, and her eyes were half closed. She looked incredibly tired. As her family entered the room, one of the doctors went up to them to bring bad news. "This might be her last night, so please, if you could, stay with her until that time..." he said with deep sorrow in his voice. Everyone in the room left except for Rukia and her parents, and they all approached Hisana's bed. Thier mom was crying, while their dad was trying to comfort their mom. Rukia knelt down and held her sister's hand. She noticed that Chappy was lying down on Hisana's other side, with Hisana's hand on it. Rukia did not want her sister to die. She loved her so much, and she was her other half. Rukia prayed as she held Hisana's hand. She prayed to God or to whomever was listening, to save her sister. She wanted to speak to her some more, and spend more time with her. She wanted to see her graduate from school and go off to get a good career. It was their plan on moving out together far away from the city, in another place and travel together. Now, none of this was going to happen, because at any time now, Hisana could be taking her last breath...
"Are you awake nee-chan?" asked Rukia in a whisper, as she held her sister's hand tightly.
"Yeah... but I'm very tired." Hisana replied, barely able to keep her eyes open. "I feel like I'm about to die Rukia... but I don't have any regrets... the only regret I have is not being able to spend more time with you." she added, her voice coarse. "We were inseparable when we were kids, even up to now. I love those memories we had. They were the best. When we were in the orphanage, I remember not wanting to get adopted because I wanted you to be adopted with me. I love you Rukia, and I love mom and dad too. I'm happy that they treated the both of us as if we were their real children. Thank you mom and dad... thank you for giving me and Rukia new life. Please... take care of her... and Rukia... please take care of yourself. I love you very much my little sister..." and Hisana took her last breath. She had a very peaceful look on her face, she seemed very content.
Rukia started crying. She couldn't hold back the tears anymore. "I love you too, Hisana nee-san..."
Rukia let more tears spill as she went through that memory. She really missed Hisana a lot, because it was true that they were inseparable. She lost her other half two years ago, and now she's taking time to rebuild that other half of her for the sake of her sister. She knows that Hisana just wants her to be happy.
"Nee-san, I was thinking back then, that if you were still alive, and you got a boyfriend, I would have hated him a lot. I wouldn't have been able to let go of you. It's because you're the only person I ever truly loved. I was never jealous of you, and I was always so proud of you. It seems odd to say this, but you were my... pride and joy."
At the Kuchiki Manor...
Byakuya sat at his desk in his personal office at the Kuchiki manor just working away. He also pondered about the idea of having a personal maid. He had never had one before, but the elderly people of his house suggested that he needed one since he was always so busy. The little things that needed to be done, he could always let someone else do, and that's why a maid assigned to serve only him was necessary. He had told his elder house members before that he did not need one, and he could just get his assistant, Renji, to run errands for him, and that there were also enough maids running around the manor doing chores. He found that having a personal maid was a nuisance since that person would just get in his way of work and thinking. The elder house members of course opposed him and said that there was no way that Renji could make decent tea, and that all of the maids were already assigned to their own tasks. They had also said that having a personal maid would be easier since she can prepare food for him if he'd like, or clean up files in his library and office. They promised to hire someone young and smart for him, so he just gave in, knowing that they would never stop pestering him about the issue. But to be honest, he didn't really care whether or not he had a personal maid, because it's not like anything would change...
Someone knocked on the door and this awoke Byakuya from his thoughts. He sighed heavily, sounding tired and stressed. "Come in." he said in a deep voice. The door opened and a man with red hair and tattoos on his face came in. "What is it Renji?" Byakuya asked, sounding annoyed as Renji had once again disturbed his thoughts.
"Uh... just to let you know Byakuya-sama, the elders have already hired your personal maid. She should be coming in tomorrow to receive instructions from Unohana-san." replied Renji, acting formal and respectful in front of the Head of the House.
"Is that all?" Byakuya asked, with a stern look and icy glare directed at Renji.
"Well, uh... umm... hehe, I heard she was cute!" Renji replied, feeling nervous. He knew that he didn't have to tell Byakuya-sama of this, but he felt that Byakuya-sama probably needed someone to talk to for the day. He was just locked in his office, working away for the past seven hours without speaking to anyone or even eating for the matter. Renji knew that he was going to get really angry, but at least Byakuya-sama made human contact...
"Renji..." Byakuya started, his glare getting icier at the moment. "Get... out..." he continued, and right away he heard the door close, with no sign of Renji around. That guy really got to his nerves sometimes, and he always bothered him for the littlest of things. At least he's gone... for now...