Semina awoke after her confused night. She knew that today was Saturday ! She was determined to find out more about her shinigami side.
Byakuya hurried to the Senkai Gate…He was going to complete his mission no matter what ! That meant taking Semina to the Soul Society with him.
(At the Urahara shop)
" I need something to separate my soul from my body"
"Hmmm I see well. You came to the right place my elite little shinigami !"
Semina narrowed her eyes, she hated being called elite like that!
" You can use Soul Candy my deer!"
Semina looked at him in surprise :
"Like the ones Rukia has?"
"Yes we have Chappies if you want that kind"
Semina laughed :
"Yup I want Chappies thank you!"
"As you wish!"
Semina laughed! Being a shinigami didn't feel so bad after all !
But how would she tell Rukia about last night? She took a deep breath and decided not to think about it for the time being.
She wanted to hurry home and hug her aunt! She felt truly happy for the first time !
"Semina…" A deep stern voice sounded behind her.
Semina knew he'd come! She just wasn't expecting it so soon. She turned slowly with and equally solemn expression on her face. Byakuya looked at the confident girl standing in front of him:
"Come…We have to go to the Seretei"
Semina sighed deeply and followed after Byakuya .
"Um…Do I .."
"You will follow me in silence" Byakuya said coldly
Semina hung her head down and said nothing.
They proceeded into the Senkai Gate and soon they were walking towards the Kuchiki maner.
Semina stared at this strange parallel universe . So different from her modern world !
They finally arrived at the Kuchiki estate . Byakuya turned to Semina:
"Take a soul candy and follow me"
Semina nodded and swallowed the green pill. It tasted of pineapples, but no sooner had she swallowed it ,she felt herself become immensely light! And suddenly there she was! A shinigami with the ancient ruby around her neck! And the zanpakuto at her side .
Byakuya looked at her with his cold aristocratic gray eyes:
"Come"
They passed many rooms and corridors until they arrived infront of a sliding door that lead to the assembly room.
Byakuya turned one last time before entering .
"Wait here until I call you."
Semina nodded reluctantly and waited. Moments later Byakuya slid the door open and motioned for Semina to come in:
(Semina's thoughts)
Why has he brought me here?
"Come in young lady! Don't be afraid" The head elder said kindly .
Semina walked into the room slowly …uneasily …with disbelief !
"You may sit down …"
Semina nodded lightly before gracefully lowering herself to a formal "seiza" position (kneeling position) with her hands neatly resting on her lap.
"You have the grace and charm of a true Kuchiki my dear!" Said one of the elders ,nodding his head approvingly
Semina nodded and spoke softly but clearly:
"I humbly thank you"
The elders nodded among eachother:
"Do you wish to take your place in the Kuchiki clan ?"
Semina lowered her head…This decision would determine the rest of her life…yet she had sworn to find her beloved brother!
"I do!"
"And do you have any objection with that Lord Kuchiki?"
Byakuya spoke coldly without betraying the slightest emotion :
"This is the family's wish! It is my duty as Head of the family to agree!"
Semina instantly felt crushed by this so un brotherly response! Oh Byakuya ! Where is the sweet boy she knew and loved? So many lies! Had they turned him into stone?
The elders addressed Semina:
"From now on you will reside in the Seretei and will andress Lord Kuchiki with the proper courtesy . Welcome back to your true family! Kuchiki Semina!" "You may both take your leave"
(Semina's thoughts)
The false world of aristocracy ! Huh! Pride? Nobility? Courtesy? As false as it gets!
Semina walked back through the corridors behind Byakuya who didn't spare her the tiniest glance.
(Semina's thoughts)
I wander if he treats Rukia this way… Ichigo you were so right!
"Um …Kuchiki-sama…I think I ought to go and get my things from home …"
"You may go then …Semina"
Semina smiled at him and bowed:
"Arigatou Gossaimasu…Nii-sama!" She said quite cheerily and left.
Byakuya gazed after her:
(Byakuya's thoughts)
This girl…is my sister ! It is still almost impossible to believe yet, there is something so intriguing about her. Yes…Now it is done.
(At Semina's house)
Semina walked into the kitchen . Her aunt was in the kitchen sitting at the table wiping her tears:
"Semina…honey I didn't hear you come home…"
Semina sat down facing her aunt sadly. She thought of her sweet young aunt! All these years she had been like a devoted mother to her…no! She was a mother to her. Semina hated herself at that moment ! How could she be so cruel? Abandoning her aunt like this! Yet she thought of the brother she'd longed so hard to find. And now what? Take back that promise?
"Aunt Ohatsu…I've come to say goodbye…"Semina's voice was shaking ! She didn't have the heart…
Ohatsu looked up:
"My Semina! They already told you did they? Well it's your choice I suppose…"
Semina looked at the tall dark-haired woman…She couldn't say anything to her . She reached out and hugged her tightly:
"I'm not mad at you ! It wasn't your fault ! I'll always think of you as a mother…I'll miss you so much!"
Ohatsu hugged her back tight :
"Oh my little princess…Is this what you want? Then I'm happy too"
Just then a bright flash of light appeared…a Senkai Gate !
Semina turned to her aunt, her bags at her feet :
"I guess I got to go now"
She stepped halfway inside and waved to her aunt .Then she left for her new home.
She found herself once again in the Seretei …once again walking by the side of a silent Byakuya who was gazing at her from time to time…
(Byakuya's thoughts)
Her eyes are damp…she was crying, she doesn't look like she wishes to be here, yet she seemed so eager…
Once they arrived at the Kuchiki house Byakuya turned to one of the older maids who was standing near them:
"Akana…show Semina to her room"
The maid bowed politely:
"Right away master Kuchiki" "Please follow me Lady Semina"
Semina followed somewhat uncomfortable… being addressed as "Lady Semina"
They past several hallways of mysterious rooms in which no person could enter and tightly shut doors that no hands could slide open . Semina looked around keeping a sharp eye, drawing every detail in her brilliant mind. She wandered…how many secrets is she yet to find out in this vast labyrinth of hallways and doors?
They finally reached a door with tiny water lilies panted on it :
"This will be your room Lady Semina, it is right next to Lady Rukia's room so you won't be lonely ." Said the maid smiling.
Semina nodded thankfully :
"Thank you very much Miss Akana"
"Oh you are such a polite child! Just like Lady Yuki was! You show so much kindness and respect!"
Semina's eyes widened:
"You knew my mother?"
"Oh ! Only too well ,I helped her give birth to you and your brother and then I was your nanny . Then of course I was much younger. But you have become as beautiful as your mother child! You have her eyes and hair as well as her personality. She was so determined and yet so kind and just ! But I admit she was a bit of a rebel. Why I remember a time when I was a young lady, new servant to the Kuchiki household ,it was a sunny spring day. Your mother had gotten into so much trouble that day ! She had climbed a sakura tree in the gardens and had fallen down and bruised her knee. She tore her best kimono ! And the master was so angry !He beat her so much for ruining that kimono! I can just hear her words now" :
(Akana's Flashback)
"Yuki ! Have I taught you nothing? A Lady does not climb trees and get bruised like a street urchin! It's disgusting ! You sicken me with your behavior !"
"I don't want to be a Lady father ! I want to be a strong shinigami so I can protect others ! And most of all I want to be free! Beating me will change nothing!"
Ginrei's expression darkens:
"Disrespectful ,ignorant little brat! I will teach you the meaning of the word respect now !"
"Master I beg of you ! Don't beat Lady Yuki anymore ! She learned her lesson!"
"But Akana!"
"Mistress Yuki please !..."
"Hmm...If I ever hear of this happening again! I swear to God I'll…"
"Darling …I'm sure Yuki has learned her lesson"
"Hitomi! Your health! Why aren't you in bed?"
"I wanted to stop this darling…I…Ahhh!"
"Hitomi!"
"I'm fine Ginrei…It's nothing really"
"Come …you need some rest"
"Mother? Is everything alright ?"
"Let it go Yuki!"
"Nii-sama?"
"Master Kaname!"
The dark haired boy shook his head :
"Yuki ! You will never learn! Never! You sadden me!"
"Ah! My deepest apologies Nii-sama! I didn't mean to sadden you …I just wanted to have some fun!"
"Hmm…your such a funny girl!"
Yuki runs to Kaname:
"I love you Kaname!"
"I love you too Yuki!"
(End of Flashback)
Semina sat there amazed…
"My mother was like that?"
Akana smiled:
"Even worse! You should have seen how she treated her little sister Ohatsu! Always getting into trouble! Then again..that day was the last day they saw their mother …"
"Did she?..."
"Mistress Hitomi was a very sick woman…But she died in childbirth…to Lady Ohatsu !"
"Uh! Aunt Ohatsu!"
"Indeed that child was always alone and sad…She never knew her mother".
Semina lowered her eyes, the story of her family was filed with tears and pain! Even her brother's own wife died! Somewhat…Semina felt she was here to support him.
"Well then" Akana said cheerily "Go see inside your room!"
Semina nodded and walked inside.