Crushes
Disclaimer : I do not own anything from this story. Entertainment purposes only.
Rukia climbed the tallest tree in Rokungai, overlooking the entire districts of Soul Society. Watching the sun set unto the horizon. And yet despite its warm rays, she felt cold inside.
There's a feeling of something missing in her life... A hole inside that she could not explain ever since she returned to Hanging dog without memories of her days inside the wall... Adding to the fact that she had now lost 3 of her childhood friends.
Suddenly Rukia's tears fell from her eyes. Anger, frustration and helplessness overcame her, as she stared at the darken starless night sky.
She had asked Renji to become Shinigami that afternoon, despite her mistrust of them. Because there is no other way... Either they become shinigamis, or die like a dog in this hell hole.
Not long, they were admitted in the academy. Renji was then separated from her, because of his skills in zanjutsu. Rukia was proud of him, but now that she's on her own again... That same loneliness haunted her once more.
She found herself lacking in zanjutsu, which dragged her grades down. While Renji flourished and finally outskilled her.
Rukia tried her best to strengthen her weakness and develop her skills in Kido. But it seems like Renji would be graduating ahead of her. And so, she mostly found herself staring out of the window. Sad.
Her life was kind of boring somehow...
Having no personal destination... A meaningful purpose... Aside from graduating and getting a job as a shinigami just like everyone else.
Shinigamis has a noble profession of defending Soul Society and protecting humans from the hollows... But something felt weird about Shinigamis... About the lies that they were being taught.
The fact that they were instructed to make the human souls believe that Soul Society is a better place... When she knows better... At the Rukongai were the souls were being sent after their death... Is a shit hole.
One afternoon, during her class, Rukia's professor told her that the Kuchiki clan leader and captain of squad 6 wanted to meet her. This news surprised her. Wondering why would the esteemed captain of the Gotie 13 and the Kuchiki clan wanted to meet her of all people.
Not long, she was ushered into the room where the elite guest sat. Rukia paid respect, feeling very self-conscious when suddenly she felt the slight spike of riatsu from the man seating in the middle of the gathering.
She looked at him for a brief moment and felt intimidated at his stature. He was unlike anyone she had met before. Exuding power and aristocracy. With prominent headpieces on his hair, Rukia suspected that he must be the famous Kuchiki Byakuya.
Rukia bowed her head as she greeted the captain and the rest of the guest. Then the old man greeted her back and motioned for her to seat in front of them. Then he began relaying their plans to adopt her to the Kuchiki clan main house. And enumerated the benefits of becoming a Kuchiki, sister to the clan leader.
She was taken aback at their proposal, but hid it as expertly as she could. But the offer was just so shocking that she couldn't even say a word, except nod her head. Feeling paralyzed.
Looking at their faces, Rukia was sure to decline their offer. But they were not just any ordinary people. They are Kuchikis, one of the 4 noble clan of soul society. And who is she to decline.
Throughout the proposal, she remain silent. Listening intently. Feeling out of place and awkward.
Then suddenly Renji barged inside the room, surprising her. She had almost jump on her feet, if it weren't for her insticntual urge to not overreact.
"We await a favorable response, Rukia-sama" the old man said, before they stood up and left the room.
Rukia bowed in respect as they left. Feeling numb except for a little freight caused by Renji's sudden entrance. Though honestly, she felt grateful that the pineapple arrived on time before she could voice her response to their proposal.
And her answer would have sounded rude... Because she doesn't need a clan anymore. She already have a family in Renji.
But the red head disappointed her, the moment he began to push her into accepting the offer. As though she meant nothing to him.
"Arigatou... Renji" she said while removing his hand on her shoulder.
Rukia felt her tears fell as she runaway from the room. Feeling like her world had crumbled upon her.
She is abandoned again...
.
.
The following day, Rukia accepted the proposal and immediately been transferred to the Kuchiki clan.
When she arrived at the manor, she was greeted by the servants and the familiar old man. They ushered her into the house and help her settle inside a very spacious room.
They then informed her that she would be dining with Kuchiki-sama tonight. At this news, Rukia seemed to be shaken out of her numb state. She was about to voice her inquiry but decided against it.
The servants helped Rukia take a bath and clothed her with a beautiful kimono. While she just went along like a lifeless doll. And when they finished, she realized that it was already dark outside. The servant taught her quick instructions on how to behave in front of the clan leader, and tips on how to eat like a noble lady.
Not long, she was ushered into the dining room. The room was empty except for the grand display of various food. In a normal setting, she would be delighted at the sight of delicious foods in front of her, but all she felt at the moment was dread.
She's beginning to regret agreeing to the adoption. Thinking how foolish it had been to have made a crucial decision when she had been too emotional.
Suddenly the squad 6 captain arrived in the room, causing Rukia to awkwardly standup and greet her new Nii-sama. A person she hardly know. Who she would be living with from now on.
"Konbanwa, Nii-sama" she said with as much respect she could muster, bowing politely.
Byakuya was taken aback at his new adopted sister, who was in fact his late wife's sister. And who looks exactly like Hisana, causing his heart to waver. Making it painful to look at her. Reminding him of his loss.
Rukia noticed the slight change in her Nii-sama's riatsu, interpreting it as contempt. Suspecting that she must have made a mistake somehow. This made her tense as well, causing immense awkwardness between them.
They ate in silence, feeling the tension crowding the spacious dining room. During the meal, Rukia tried her best to study Byakuya's eating habits to adopt her new situation, even though it was an unwelcomed change.
And just when she noticed his rigid posture, Rukia looked up at her new Nii-sama's face. She unintentionally catched him looking at her face intently, making her shiver. His grey stormy eyes seemed to pierce right through her soul, making her heart beat like crazy.
Making her recall a feeling of something similar. Like those eyes had stared at her before. But Rukia could swear, she had never met him before they offer her the adoption. And knew that Byakuya never looked at her like this before during the meeting. In fact he seemed to avoid looking at her at all cost.
Which was kind of wierd... For someone who wanted to adopt her as his sister.
The meal ended uneventful, and Rukia bid good night to her Nii-sama, who remained silent throughout the encounter. Which she was grateful for somehow.
The moment Byakuya stepped out of the dining room, he glanced at Rukia one last time. Feeling his heart beat again after it had died with Hisana.
She looked more beautiful than the last time he saw her.
"Rukia" he whispered. His chest contracted, feeling the pain of the irony.
Fate really plays cruel jokes sometimes.
.
.
That night, Byakuya once again fail to get the much needed sleep since he had first saw Rukia again by the window, after a very long time. The girl he couldn't get out of his mind.
He had married Hisana who he had thought was the girl he kissed in Rukongai, because of those initial fateful meeting.
Looking up at the ceiling, he remembered the last time he saw her. Being young and a bit cocky, he stole a kiss from Rukia. She was just too beautiful in his eyes, and he wasn't able to resist kissing her even though there was no future for them.
He still remember her flustered angry face. And yet at those moments, he wished he had never let her go. That fate brought her back to him, the girl he had saved for the first time when he was a very young. A special girl that somehow became the woman of his dreams.
He had waited for her by the wall, but she never came. And despite participating in yu-ino with noble women of Seiretie, she had always been the one in his mind.. Why..
He doesn't know. But somehow, he had decided that she was his soulmate. A childish concept... But something his heart held unto.
And when he found Hisana, his mind convinced his heart that she must be Rukia. And that the reason she had forgotten him was because of the hollow's power. The change of name was a bit trivial to him.
And even though Hisana was not as strong as what he remembered about Rukia, he just convinced himself otherwise. Not knowing that two person could possibly look exactly the same.
And he married Hisana despite all the opposition. He loved her with everything he is. A woman so broken that he needs to heal and protect. Gone was the fierce girl he knew.
But somehow he blamed himself. He should have never let her go back then. Believing that because of that mistake, Hisana was broken beyond repair by something after they separated.
During their marriage, they discovered that Hisana has an incurable disease in her reproductive system. Which meant she could never give him a heir. This fact angered the Elders, as they urged the clan leader to remarry.
But he loved Hisana and fought for her until she died. Living him with nothing but a promise to look for her the baby sister she abandoned in Rukongai. And when she was buried, she took his heart with her.
Looking at Rukia now, he knew... He had made a mistake. Though a mistake he didn't regret. He loved his late wife. Honestly believing that no woman can ever make him love again.
And he was wrong...
He finally found Rukia, a paradox to his existence..
Staring at the wall beside him, he imagined the girl who made his heart beat again.
His adopted sister.
Sister in law.
A promise.
To be continued.