Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ The Night is my Sun ❯ Thoughts ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

DISCLAIMER: BLEACH characters, manga, and anime will never ever be mine. It solely belongs to Mr. Kubo Tite.










Kuchiki Rukia, headstrong at five years old, never, ever placed a seed of doubt in her Nii-sama's actions; although the tone of his cold and clipped voice set her heart and mind at worry this time. Grumbling a set of colorful profanities, she went straight to their garden to clear her head. Sitting on the leafy ground, one of her pet bunnies immediately came to her lap.

I wonder the reason for Nii-sama's request this time. Rukia thought, absent-mindedly stroking the fur of her fluffy white bunny.

“Rukia, come to my room when Shuuhei calls for you this afternoon.”

Rukia bit her lip and tried to remember all the things she had done that week. She must've done something awful to make her older brother talk to her within the confined walls of his room.

No cursing within a 50-meter distance from Nii-sama and Shuuhei.

Check.

No going out of the house without the company of Shuuhei.

Check.

No ridiculous attempts on Shuuhei's life.

Check.

No blood spilling from her pet bunnies.

Check.

No use of her `extra' abilities.

Check.


“What do you think, Chappy?” Rukia asked her pet bunny, “You think I did something wrong to displease Nii-sama?” She looked intently at her pet bunny, the lone survivor of her once numerous pets. Chappy simply stared at its master in mute response.

Rukia knew early on that they were different from people. By `they' she meant herself, her Nii-sama, and her guardian, Shuuhei. There had been several circumstances in which she could affirm that they were slightly off than most normal people.

Their clan, the Kuchiki, composed of high and mighty people she never saw. All she knew was that some were still alive and loosely based on several parts of the world. Oh yes, they were also one of the four noble families. Shuuhei had mentioned it to her once, admiring how they were the purest in the brood. The high and mighty Kuchiki's. Her brother never made a move to contact them. Rukia once asked her brother about them and he merely gave a wave of a hand before diverting her attention to a large Chappy doll.

Her life was a very secured and sheltered one.

Her brother never bothered getting maids and such, considering they lived in what you could call a mansion. Somehow, Shuuhei managed to do chores meant for five to eight people.

Incredible, isn't it? Rukia figured they would save a lot more money if only one servant would do all the chores in the house. She secretly praised her brother for his smart thinking. He had more money to splurge on her willful ways.

She was the only one who ate food in the house. It was a mystery to her why her Nii-sama and Shuuhei didn't eat. Oh yes, perhaps they needed to maintain that sexy skinny figure that might be a popular hit in the years to come.

Come on, she wanted to do that too but Byakuya weakened her resolve by producing Chappy the Bunny candy.

Going outside in broad daylight was strictly prohibited, for them at least. Since Rukia was still too young to go outside by herself, she was forced to remain inside until she saw the remnants of the sun slowly sinking into the night. She had also brought into theory that maybe they just had pale, delicate, porcelain looking skin that they needed to maintain.

Right.

Kids her age can't read Shakespearean books. Her brother thought it was never too early to learn how to read and write. They began with Chappy the Bunny alphabet stories until she eventually became bored and decided to venture in Byakuya's library to read more mature stories as she likes to call it.

That was done in secrecy, of course. Heaven help if her brother found out she grew tired of Chappy the Bunny Alphabet series. Rukia felt a need to collect all of them.

The voices that kept entering her head did nothing much except torture her senseless. It was around the time when Rukia was out on one of her afternoon walks with Shuuhei. She was so bent on the idea of acquiring new friends when she noticed that she was hearing thoughts that certainly weren't hers. Shuuhei had to bring home a screaming, almost half-crazed three year old Rukia. Byakuya was immediately at her side, ordering Shuuhei to leave them alone for a moment. Rukia couldn't remember much what happened afterwards but the image of her nii-sama soothing and calming her upset state was that she could remember. Plus the white rope-like things she saw from her Nii-sama that gently enveloped hers was the last thing she ever saw her brother do that kind of magic.

Or, that was atleast her theory on what her brother could've done.

She had come to a conclusion that she knew nothing going around her. Or she was pretending to ignore that she knew too much and that ignorance is bliss.

Rukia let out a sigh. Shuuhei was right. For a kid her age, her thinking was more in the lines of an adult.

It did help calm her, nevertheless.

It helped her forget for a fraction of a second that her stoic brother wanted to talk to her. Rukia wasn't afraid of her brother. She never was. When it was just the two of them, he was actually playful with her. He would tell stories of far away tales and magical beings of the past. They would draw together Chappy the Happy Bunny and she would squeal in delight at his artistic abilities. Sometimes, he would laugh and smile at her stories that it also made her smile. His laughter held a melodious ring that she absolutely adored. Rukia knew that the two of them shared a bond that couldn't be broken so easily.

Yet again, she had come to a conclusion that her brother was either painfully shy or just a very, very private person.




“My little mistress, the Master wants to see you now.” Shuuhei's voice called out, shaking Rukia out of her reverie. She merely looked up straight at the face of her other guardian. The purple-haired man gave a worried glance to his master's younger sister. It was times like these he wanted to go out in the open and tell her the truth about them.

Although facing the wrath of Kuchiki Byakuya was something he dare not face after a few hundred years.

No, make that a few centuries.

Rukia, as far as he was concerned, seemed to grasp the idea that they were not exactly humans in a very acceptable manner. Something he was both shocked and relieved to find out. After all, it's not everyday you come across a kid with such a strong personality. Even the cold and stoic facade of her brother didn't seem to faze her like it did with him. Her daily conversations with him also threw him off guard.

How do you patiently explain to a kid the mystery of not eating everyday?

Or the immense strength both knew Rukia was developing?

Or why they couldn't go out for morning walks?

Or the mortifying reason why she couldn't hear their heartbeats?

Shaking out of his own reverie, Shuuhei held out his long slender hand, helping the small girl stand up. As her small hand clasps in his, sweet warmth flowed making his body tingle in delight.

Warmth he could never ever give this child at all.

Warmth that his master longed to give his beloved one.

“You seem sad, Shuuhei.” Rukia started, leading Shuuhei out of the garden and into the house. “Mustn't I be the one worried or a bit scared?”

Shuuhei gave small smile, “It would seem that you already are. Be still, that erratic beating heart of yours.”

“You're one to speak, Shuuhei.” Rukia let go of his hand and walked to Byakuya's room alone, her back facing Shuuhei. “You're one to speak."




Rukia was about to knock on Byakuya's door when he opened it.

Nii-sama's sixth sense is up to par today. Rukia thought, bowing before entering his room.

“Take a seat, Rukia.” His voice was so soft, almost a whisper.

Rukia sat at one, facing his bed. Arms on her lap, head slightly bowed down, Rukia looked like a child guilty of stealing sweets at the dead of the night.

She heard the gentle swish of her Nii-sama's clothing, his dark robes moving in rhythm with his body. Despite the cold and stoic features he possessed, Rukia felt safe and secured under his abode.

A heavy sigh. “I do not want you to carry the burden of my resposibilities.” He said it no more loudly than a whisper, making Rukia look up in confusion.

“Nii-sama?” This must be something serious, Rukia thought. His aura was a mixture of negative emotions.

Piercing blue eyes met startling violet orbs.

“I haven't fulfilled my duties to you as a brother.” He averted his gaze from her, “Even now as we speak, I haven't been completely honest with you. The decision I have made might bring you farther away from me. As a brother, I have failed."

Rukia was aghast, “Please don't think like that Nii-sama!” her tone high and incredulous, “No complaint can be said upon my mouth. Please do not think that you are at fault, for you are certainly not.”

He gave a ghost of a smile, “We are different from other people, Rukia. That, I think you already know. Perhaps the next time we meet, you shall be the most loveliest creature that is my pride. ”

Rukia made no move to reply. She gazed in awe at her brother, who looked ethereal, basking in the light the dark night could give. He was just like Shuuhei but so very different at the same time. The way his long black hair seemed to shine against his very pale, luminescent skin. His midnight blue eyes, although sometimes void of emotion, danced in the moonlight. His features, stoic and apathetic, only added to the beauty he possessed.

“I had time on my hands. Each day of every year, I planned and schemed. I tried everything for you not to be chosen. To even defy the elders-” Byakuya did not continue, instead breaking his gaze from the night to Rukia.

“Rukia, you must understand that this is for your own good. I only care for your safety more than anything else. You are very pure in mind, body, and blood."

“Nii-sama” Rukia started, worry etched in her face and voice. “You are tired. Rest, Nii-sama, lay down to rest if not to sleep.”

Good god, the last thing she wanted was a brother talking in absolute riddles, Rukia thought to herself. She'd much prefer an angry, scolding one over the one right before her eyes.

Byakuya was across the room before Rukia could speak another word. He held something in his right hand, a flash of silver catching Rukia's eye. She felt something cold on her neck and surmised that her Nii-sama must've put it on her with his god-like speed. Almost immediately, Rukia felt a bit lightheaded, taking small notice of Byakuya's hands clasp her own.

“This you must take to your heart, Rukia. Trust no one's words and pay heed to your own. Tremendous power will seize you in the years to come. Learn to defend yourself and proudly stand on your own two feet. I shall have Shuuhei guide over you in my place. One day, child, I shall come for you and we will be united as we were meant to be.” He paused, noting the slumber slowly taking over Rukia.

“I hear you, Nii-sama.” Rukia replied, trying to muffle a yawn, “Your words I shall take deep into my heart. I shall not fail you.”

Byakuya carried the slumbering form of Rukia in his arms. She looked content in his arms, not at all disturbed at coldness and hardness his chest was emanating.

You are one of the pureblood child, Rukia. He thought as he went out of his room to proceed downstairs.

You are one of the people the old legends tell.

This is why we need to be away from each other.

I can only protect you from afar.



“The bags are already in the car, Master.” Shuuhei informed, bowing before his master. “They have also arrived, Master. They are waiting for you outside the manor. I have already arranged your things as you have requested.”

“The little one is already fast asleep. Upon reaching Europe, head straight for north of Italy. I have contacted Grandfather about your arrival. The Kuchiki manor there is not known to the Kuchiki clan nor anyone else. The moment she wakes up, she will have no recollection of me nor things related to our kind. Shuuhei, I leave it in your hands to train her. I have concealed her other side so in no circumstances must she take off that necklace.” Byakuya instructed, his voice clipped and cold.

“Yes, Master.” Shuuhei nodded once more, taking the sleeping form of Rukia into his own arms. “Until that time comes, I exist to serve and protect the young mistress.”

Byakuya followed the retreating form of Shuuhei. Outside, there were two black cars. Shuuhei approached the first one and suddenly turned to face Byakuya.

Byakuya took one last look at his sister. He longed to give her a chaste kiss on her porcelain cheek. But no, his adamant self-control was all that he could cling on to refrain himself.

'I shall wait patiently for the day we can truly be at each other's side.'

Shuuhei could've sworn by the moonlight that his master had looked at the little mistress with a tender albeit sad gaze.