"What a happy-looking family," a voice whispered quietly, the words barely audible as if spoken by a gentle breeze. The childlike tone was filled with longing as its black beady eyes wistfully admired the framed picture a woman, a petite female teenager with short black hair dressed in a school uniform, and a little boy with shaggy short blonde hair, from outside through the window. The figure perched on the window sill by the kitchen sink, hidden by the casting shadows of the tree nearby hidden from view but now from the warm admitting from the photo.

The woman(you) stood proudly with a tender smile behind the teenage girl(Rukia) who though stiff stood with wide eyes, and next to her was the blonde hair boy(Adam) smiling peachy holding the girl's arm with a hand raised he was waving. The picture was lovely and the figure swelled with warmth and a downpour of sadness. Their eyes stay on you and the gentleness of your face, it was beautiful and reminded so much of their mom.

The memory was so strong they lowered their head unaware someone had noticed them.

"Huh, what's this?" You opened the kitchen window finding the cutest white parakeet with red circles on its cheeks perched outside the kitchen window.

This surprised you, considering there were parakeets in the area nor were they native to this area. It had to be someone's pet. However, you wondered why it hung its head.

"Well hello," you greet it with kindness. "Do you want to come in?"

The bird stunned lifts its head finding you standing there holding the window open for it. Its heart leaped at the prospect and you were sure you saw it smile.

"It is warmer inside, and safer. Come I will set you up a nice place to rest." You offered waiting for it to come in.

An emotion came over the bird and the gentle sound of your voice gripped it. It soon found itself lifting one of its tiny feet to take up the offer when a cold chill rushed down its spine. Frightened it squawked and frantically flapped its wings. You slightly withdrew your hand, softly smiled, and scoop up the little bird.

A calmness washed over the bird, from your gentle and reassuring hold. Its wings relaxed and tucked them closer to its small body. You noticed its feathers became less ruffled. Once it completely relaxed you think nothing of it and give a gentle circular motion of your hand. A golden flash happened, it was radiant as it was warm, and you had a plush towel in your hand.

The parakeet's mouth nearly dropped, you seemed to not have noticed and began wrapping the carefully in the towel.

"Would you like hear a story as I write?" You lightly chuckle still wearing your smile, walking over to the breakfast table.

The parakeet remained gaze remained transfixed on you. You reach the table and sit down in the nook, setting the bird down gently. You had your cup in of warm tea, notebook open with a pen resting next to it that you picked up with a feather touch. The parakeet noticed you were dressed in a cool blue robe, as though ready for bed.

You noticed, "It is quite past my bedtime. But I am just waiting for someone to return. Oh, please keep my little 'trick' between us." You say cheekily lightly bobbing the bird's beak.

The bird's gaze remained warmly fixated on you. It even looked like it had a smile when it gave a nod.

"Thank you," you whispered and began writing, "Now I did promise you a story. Did I not?"

They nestled into the towel eagerly waiting. As it wait for you to start it noticed your writing and was perplexed. Your writing was different it was in a language it's never seen.

"Alright," you start getting comfortable, returning the bird's attention back, "ready for your story?"

The parakeet roosted in lamenting silence of the home, it wasn't restless it had been such a while since it had…this warming of safety and joy tingle within. The last time it did, it seemed so…long ago. As you slept in your bed, you had placed it on your nightstand near the window. The fear that gripped the bird was gone, but it returned. As safe it felt here in this, home. It dreaded what dangers it would bring. Broken-hearted by its decision climbed out of its makeshift nest and fluttered over to your door. It was cracked open slightly. Before it squeezed out it turned to you, sadness in its beady eyes left. Quietly, in a hurry, it walked through the hall.

Suddenly a door opened and the bird stopped, Adam stepped out rubbing his eyes.

"You'll like it here," he mumbled sleepily, trying to muster up a smile, "you will. The family's getting bigger. Stay."

The parakeet's mouth nearly dropped, it wanted to say something those evil glowing eyes loomed over and with a polite nod, the parakeet left. Seconds after Rukia opened her door and found Adam standing.

She glanced around and went over, "Adam, what are you doing up?"

Adam yawned and pointed to the empty spot, Rukia looked confused seeing nothing.

He must be sleepwalking, she chalked up smiling quietly.

"Come on, let's get you back to bed," she said guiding him back into his bed.

Two days passed, and over at the Kurosaki clinic, there was minor traffic, which was good. Isshin sat at his desk, and to pass the time he looked through some old photos. Most of them were of his wife and their children younger of course. A couple however were of you and Adam(who was barely two), a tender smile came to Isshin. As he went through them he stopped on one with Masaki and you, it was a favorite of his. He wondered if your hair was still short, of course, he didn't know considering how long it had been. He set that one aside, for now, something told him he might need it.

There was still no call from you, yet. He wasn't quite sure how long he could keep up the ruse with Ryuu regarding you and Adam. Adam in particular, Isshin was surprised how soon it started with him and knew the toll it must be on you. That kid was special, all those incidents that happened at school and the information Ryuu sent over. Isshin was tempted to pick up the phone and call you again but decided against it. Your prior sentiment echoed in his mind, and the ache in his heart resurfaced. If Masaki had heard those words, she wouldn't be happy.

Isshin let out a long sigh and pinched his temples. You are quite a stubborn one. The moment that call comes, he'd be able to worry less.

"Alright everyone line up," Mrs. Eto instructs the class, "or we'll be late. Hurry up now."

The students quickly rose from their seats and scurried to the door, forming a line, all except Adam. He remained in his seat looking up with an absent-minded expression to the ceiling, the other students looked on with odd confusion. Some whispered to others while pointing. Mrs. Eto noticed and withheld her exasperated sigh and went over to Adam.

She cleared her throat, "Adam, come on. Line up or we'll be late."

He didn't respond and kept his eyes fixated. Mrs. Eto remained calm and called to him again. Adam didn't respond, she waved a hand before him, and still nothing. It was as though he was in a trance.

"Mrs. Eto, are we going?" A student asked impatiently.

"Yes. Adam, come now. We have to go," she took him by the hand.

Adam snapped his eyes over to her staring intensely, startling Mrs. Eto. She'd never seen such a look from him, it ran a cold chill down her spine.

"I wonder what's taking Mrs. Eto's class so long," Yuzu wondered with concern sitting outside with her class.

She had a book in her hold, ready to read. Karin sat next to her not the least bit interested, a few other students had books too, their class was picked and paired with Mrs. Eto's class for Rest n Reading. Where older grades get the chance to spend time and read with the little ones for a bit. Yuzu was thrilled and couldn't wait, she had the perfect story.

"Who knows," Karin shrugged, nonchalantly, "this is stupid anyway."

"Karin!" Yuzu gasped offended, "Don't say that. I think it's a good thing. Reading to the little ones, we don't often get time to spend with them. I hope they like the book I brought. Oh, maybe next time I'll bring them some goodies. What kind of cookies do you think they'll like?"

Karin ignored her sister and decided to pass her time. She gazed up at the sky only to be disrupted by a child's wailing screams. All heads and eyes turn to the double doors, where Mrs. Eto's class comes out, and quickly go to Yuzu and Karin's classmates, Karin noticed a few frightened looks on some.

"What the," Karin lifted a brow, and quickly covered her ears as the screaming increased. "Geez! What the hell?! Who's crying?"

Yuzu whined next to her, dropping her book. Karin noticed something briefly, as the screams went on, a few of the school windows began cracking, her heart dropped for a moment. She could only stare in disbelief. When she felt Yuzu tug on her sleeve.

"What?" Karin slightly snapped. To see her sister staring and pointing a surprise finger, not at Mrs. Eto, it was the child she was trying to calm down. Karin's mouth nearly dropped open and before she knew it her heart it jumped and a surge of emotions rushed through her. She got up and ran right over, Yuzu in tow. "Adam! Adam!" she shouted.

Everyone in her class knew Karin was fast, but this fast they were shocked. She didn't care, reaching Adam was important. His cries crept into her heart. "Adam! Hold on, I'm coming!"

Mrs. Eto wasn't sure what happened, one second Adam was screaming his head off and the next he stopped. She could finally hear Karin shouting his name, Adam heard it too. Because suddenly he released himself from Mrs. Eto's grasp, no it felt as though he pushed her away without...even touching with such force, and he threw himself into Karin's arms. She caught him and brought him into a secure hug.

"Cousin!" his voice muffled but still thrilled and his grip tight. "Cousin!"

Karin held him tightly, she was sure her nails were digging in, but neither cared. They held one another, Yuzu arrived and overcome with her own emotions hugged Adam.

Back at the Kurosaki Clinic, the phone rang, Isshin snatched it up and answered, "Kurosaki Clinic, Dr. Kurosaki speakin-" he stopped and listened, "yeah. I'll be there soon. Hang on."

He hung up, threw off his lab coat, grabbed his coat, and hurried to Karakura Elementary.