A Little Thing Called Fate 01

Inuzuri, 78th District, Rukongai

Renji and Rukia were in their usual sleeping spot in the 78th District of the Rukongai.  They had been with each other for over 10 years – first as children, and now as teenagers – traveling, stealing, playing, and sleeping together.  Now here they were on the verge of the most major change of their lives and things were going to be different forever.  

"Are you sure Renji?" Rukia asked her best friend.

"Yes, it's time," he replied.  

"I'm scared," she told him.  

He placed his arm around her waist and pulled her to him as closely as he could as they lay there together in a spooning position.  

"Don't be," he said.

"Things will never be the same," said Rukia.  

"And that's a bad thing?" Renji asked.  "Look around you.  Look at where we are – hiding in an abandoned building in the Inuzuri sleeping on a dirt floor.  Our friends are dead and we're the only two left.

"What if they don't want me?" Rukia asked.

"Believe me, we both have more than enough spiritual pressure to pass the entrance exams.  You can't get rid of me that easily," Renji replied.  

"I guess you're right.  I'm just going to miss what we have.  I know it's dirty and it's scary.  But it's all I've ever known.  And I have you by my side.  We'll have to stand on our own two feet if we go to the Shino Academy," said Rukia.  "You won't always be with me."

"Rukia, what we have here is crap.  You and I together is the best of it all, but it can't last forever.  I love you more than you'll ever know.  You are like a sister to me – no, that's not it.  You are almost like my wife.  I've never trusted anyone more than I trust you.  You and I know exactly what to expect out of one another.  We should enjoy our final days together in the Rukongai because once we enter that gate, we can be friends and classmates only," said Renji.  

"Friends and classmates.  I guess I can live with that for now," Rukia replied and smiled ever so slightly.  

"But in the meantime….," he started, but never finished.  He gently nipped at her shoulder as he held her closely.

Rukia closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of tenderness and love Renji was sharing with her.  

He was behind her and with his small kisses and large body encompassing hers, she had never felt so safe or secure as she did right at that moment.  

One last time, she thought to herself.  She turned her head so that her violet eyes would meet his reddish brown ones.  He saw her invitation and gently leaned so that his lips would meet hers.  

I am going to miss this, Renji thought.  She is my everything.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Rukia and Renji both entered the Shino Academy soon after that night of love and passion.  They concentrated hard on their studies while there – Renji in the advanced class and Rukia in the lower class.  They knew that they could no longer be together like they were in the Rukongai, but they still spent a lot of time together, supporting each other, as friends.  

Rukia excelled at Kido while Renji was an excellent swordsman.  Rukia aced many of her classes while Renji tended to struggle with the academic portion of his training.  One day, early in their Academy days, Renji ran to Rukia to tell her about an important exam that he had passed.  He barged right into her room only to find her talking with some important-looking people.  She glared at Renji at first.  The visitors sensed that it was time to leave and walked past Renji who could do nothing but bow to the immense spiritual pressure and white haori that had just passed.  

"What was that all about?" Renji asked.

"I'm not sure.  They were representatives of the Kuchiki family.  They say they want to adopt me," she explained.  

Renji's eyes went wide.  "Adopt you?  But you're not a kid anymore."

"Renji, I don't know what to do.  I don't – ," she started, but was quickly cut-off by her friend.

"Rukia, this is your chance.  You should do it.  The Kuchiki family wants you!" interrupted Renji.

"But I - ," started Rukia once again.

He held her to him knowing full-well what it would probably mean if Rukia said "yes" to these people.

"Alright," she finally said having been convinced by her best friend.  

OlOlOlOlOlO

To Rukia's dismay, her life was turned completely upside down when she finally agreed to be an adopted Kuchiki.  She definitely didn't fully understand what it meant – truly what it meant – when she joined the family.  She also didn't quite understand why they had asked in the first place.  As curious as she was, she felt it was probably best if she just held off from asking too many questions.  

One week after the visit from the Kuchiki family, Rukia found herself at their manor signing the official adoption papers.  Everyone was especially nice to her – well, that is, except for Byakuya Kuchiki the captain of the sixth squad.  He just sat there at the formal table overlooking the entire procedure with a frown on his face. arms crossed in front of him, and eyes closed.

"Rukia, dear.  Here is where your final signature is needed," said an older gentleman by the name of Wasaki.  

Rukia signed and Wasaki grouped the papers all together and handed the pile to a servant.  "Please take this to my personal office where I will complete the process."

The servant turned to leave and Wasaki once again faced the newest Kuchiki who was still sitting at the table.  

"Now Rukia, we now must start preparing," said Wasaki.

"What for?" she asked politely.

"My dear girl, there is so much to do!  We must have your belongings retrieved from the Academy and moved here to the manor - ," started Wasaki.

Rukia tried to interrupt, "But I didn't - ."

"You will no longer be a student at the Academy.  Byakuya here has arranged for you to immediately join the thirteen court guard squads," said Wasaki.

He looked over to the captain, who still showed little interest in what was going on.  Byakuya nodded at the old man ever so slightly.

"Finally, you must learn the ways of being a noble," said Wasaki.  "I'm sure being from - .  Well, nevermind.  We have tutors who can teach that sort of thing, you know!"

"Sir, I'm forever grateful for your - ," started Rukia once again.

"Goro!  Come here please!" shouted Wasaki, waving his arm in the air.  

"Yes sir?" a new servant walked up to Wasaki.  

"Please show Miss Rukia to the room we have prepared for her.  I'm sure she would like to freshen up a bit after her long day," said Wasaki.

"Yes sir," replied Goro.

Rukia rose and silently followed Goro to a room at the end of a long corridor.  He indicated she should go inside the dark room.  She did, and he closed the door behind her.  

Rukia hadn't thought about what she could expect from her decision.  Now here she was – alone – in a place that she didn't know and certainly wasn't comfortable in.  What do I do now? She thought to herself.  

Rukia sat down on the luxurious bed.  She stared into space trying to come to terms with the whirlwind that had just occurred.  Suddenly, she toppled over onto the bed and cried.  

OlOlOlOlOlOlO

The next morning, Rukia awoke to a slight tapping at her bedroom door.  

"Y-yes?" she questioned.

"Kuchiki-sama?" said a small voice from behind the door.

"Who is it?" Rukia asked.

"My name is Masumi Nishikori and I have been assigned to be your servant," said the servent girl.

"My servant?" Rukia asked herself.  "Masumi, please come in."

"Oh no, Kuchiki-sama, I can't - ," Masumi attempted to explain her place.

"Masumi, come in," Rukia said more forcefully.  

Once Masumi was inside her room, Rukia started to speak to her.  "My name is Rukia.  Please call me Rukia.  And I will call you Masumi.  Is that alright?"

Masumi nodded.  

"I'm totally new at this," said Rukia.  "Have you worked here long?"

"About two years," said Masumi.  "Though I worked mostly in the kitchen before being assigned to you."

"Then I expect you can explain some things to me.  Will you help me Masumi?" asked Rukia.  "I need a friend, someone I can trust to show me the ropes.  Ok?"

Rukia smiled at the girl.

Masumi smiled back.  "Yes, Miss….yes, Rukia," she said.  

"Great.  So what should I expect today?" Rukia asked her new friend and servant.

"You have been asked to join Kuchiki-taicho at breakfast at his standard time of 8am," said Masumi.

Rukia looked at the clock.  It was 7:30am.  There was still plenty of time.

"Masumi, have my things arrived from my dorm room?" asked Rukia, making her way to the bathroom.  

"Yes, they arrived late last night.  They are sitting in one of the guest bedrooms.  I don't think they wanted to wake you by delivering them here last night."

"While I am at breakfast, can you have someone bring them in here?" asked Rukia.

"I will," answered Masumi.  

Rukia walked over to where her uniform from the day before was laying across a chair.  

"I can't wear this again," she said matter-of-factly.

"There are a few kimonos and other assorted clothes in the dresser and closet for you," said Masumi.  

Rukia walked to the closet and found a beautiful blue kimono in her size.  "This will do until I unpack my uniforms.  Masumi, I'm going to bathe now.  Can you…."

"Oh!  Of course," Masumi answered and left the bedroom straight away.  

Rukia drew herself a bath and slid into it.  I miss you Renji, she thought to herself.  It's only been a day since I last saw you and already I'm in over my head.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Rukia arrived in the dining room and stood there for just a moment.  

"Rukia," said the ominous figure at the head of the table.  "Please sit."

"Y-yes, Kuchiki-taicho," she replied.  

She slid into one of the seats on Byakuya's right side.  She sat there stiff, with both arms at her sides, not really knowing what to do.  For five minutes, they sat there in silence.  Byakuya was reading some papers off to his left while he ate.  He did not acknowledge Rukia's presence in the least.  

Rukia was about to lose it.  What do I do?  Should I say something?  Just when she thought she couldn't take the silence anymore, a servant walked in and placed a plate of food in front of her.  

"Ummm…thank you," Rukia said to the servant.

"You do not thank them," said Byakuya.

Rukia started at the harshness of the statement.  She picked up a piece of bread with her hand.

"Do not eat with your hands," said Byakuya.

Rukia put the bread back down again and didn't move for a minute or two more.  Apparently I don't even know how to eat correctly in this house.

Byakuya finished his meal and dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin.  He still didn't look at Rukia.

He stood up from the table.  "Rukia, you will begin lessons with Akani Tame this morning."

"Lessons?" she looked up at him.  

"Yes, you need to learn how to behave like a noble," he explained.  "I understand that your belongings are in one of the guest rooms."

"I've already asked Masumi to bring them to my bedroom while I am here, Kuchiki-taicho," she replied.

"And about that," he said.  "You may call me Byakuya-sama or nii-sama.  You are now a Kuchiki and do not need to call me Kuchiki-taicho."

"Nii-sama?" she asked.

"You have been adopted by the Kuchiki clan.  The position that has been chosen for you is as a sister to the head of the clan, therefore, you are now my adopted sister."  

Rukia's mouth gaped open.  She had no idea that she was actually going to be assigned to be anything.  If I'm his sister, don't his parents have to adopt me or something?  How do you adopt a sister?  She didn't quite understand how it all worked.  She knew she was now Rukia Kuchiki, but how exactly did she become his sister?

"Close your mouth, Rukia," Byakuya corrected her once again.  

"Y-yes, nii-sama," she quietly replied.  

"Better," he said.  

"You will learn from Akani Tame in the morning and afternoon for the next two weeks.  On the Monday of the third week, you will report to your new assignment in the thirteen court guard squads.  I have asked that you report to Jushiro Ukitake of the thirteenth squad," explained Byakuya.

"Hai, nii-sama," she replied.  

Byakuya then exited the room and Rukia let out an audible exhale as she slumped back into her chair.  He was gone and she could eat in peace.  

OlOlOlOlOlO

Byakuya made his way to another room in the manor, a room where many books and records were kept.  There was a small double-door hutch built into one of the walls.  He grabbed the doors and slowly swung them open.  It revealed a small shrine to his late wife, Hisana.  

Hisana, she's here.  And she's officially now a Kuchiki.  I'm not sure if I'm up to this, but I will try – for you.  Because you said you were not a good sister to her and that I should be the sibling she never had, she is now known as my sister.  I will do my best to make you proud of me, Hisana.  It will be difficult.  She reminds me so much of you.