az: Something that just popped into my head. What to do but to type it out. I wonder if the title is good enough. Perhaps I'll change the summary when I can fully grasp the whole story one day.
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Disclaimer: Bleach is created by Kubo Tite and copyrighted by it's creator as well as the related companies. I'm only borrowing the fandom for the sake of the fic and the love of it.
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Thicker than BLOOD
Chapter 1: Shiba Kuukaku
by honou-no-izumi alias Izzu alias Izumi Ishtar
o
o
Why did she came to their place now? What business did she want with them? That's what she had wanted to know.
Her tone had been commanding, cold as ice. The young shinigami had looked meek before her; clad in yukata, unlike the time when she had came to give the tidings of their elder brother's death years ago. She ignored Ganjyu's stuttering as she somberly spoke.
"That's what I'm asking. What business do you have here"
Rukia bit her lips. Kuukaku frowned as Rukia bowed towards them.
"I'm sorry..."
Rukia started apologizing profusely as she watched her from the platform. Indeed she had been waiting for this day to come as they finally confronted each other. Kuukaku could barely hear Ganjyu's faint gasp as he was taken aback at how Rukia worded her apologies. As Rukia continued to admonish herself, Kuukaku's eyes softened as she realized that she was content. Indeed, just a word of apology was enough. She started walking towards the young lady as Rukia continued with her apologies.
"I'm sorry. I really am—"
"Enough—"
Rukia gave a cry as Kuukaku repeated herself.
"That's enough. Stop apologizing."
"B-But—"
Kuukaku snapped as she delivered another blow on Rukia's head.
xxx
How could a person be so blunt? Must she repeat everything she said to get her message across?
"Ukitake told me everything already—"
Kaien, you'd be fine with this too... wouldn't you? This decision...
After all, it wasn't entirely her fault. That hollow that took over your wife's body, had killed many of your men. And you had faught it, to regain your honour and Miyako's despite being defeated by the hollow's secret ability and taken in by the enemy.Though it had hurt to bear the news of your death, by slaying you... Kuchiki Rukia has saved your soul.
It's time to set her free from the guilt that she had imposed to herself...
"—therefore, I had already made up my mind long time ago—"
Rukia remained rooted to her spot as she looked up towards the Shiba mistress. Kuukaku turned away as she continued talking.
"—so it's enough."
Kuukaku could hear Rukia catching her breath a little. Perhaps the girl thought that she would unleash her wrath on her for taking their elder brother away.
Kuukaku sighed.
No point anyway to keep grudges any longer. It'll only hurt themselves even more.
Kuukaku perked her ears as she caught Rukia's response. But the moment she sensed that the young shinigami started to apologise, Kuukaku immediately turn around and punched her face before giving her another scolding.
xxx
"I told you to stop already—" said his sister as Rukia stuttered.
At that moment, Ganjyu wondered since when was it that he had ceased hating the shinigami that took the life of their elder brother...
xxx
"Oh... there you are!"
Kuukaku straightened up as she watched Rukia turned towards Kurosaki Ichigo. As the two exchanged words, she couldn't help but notice again how Ichigo had resembled their elder brother Kaien so much; in manner of appearance, as well as personality. She wondered if fate was playing with them. According to Ukitate, Kaien had always been fond of Rukia ever since she had joined the thirteeth division. Kaien had acted like a mentor and a friend to her.
Kuukaku wondered whether it was merely a coincidence. For Kurisaki Ichigo to meet Kuchiki Rukia...
She watched as Ichigo lowered his head and given his approval over Rukia's decision to stay in Soul Society. As both of their eyes meet, it seemed as if a mutual understanding had been achieved between Ichigo and Rukia. Kuukaku sighed. She wondered what would happen to the two of them in the future.
Shiba Kuukaku walked up in between them as she greeted both Orihime and Ichigo.
"Going back so soon... is it?"
Ichigo shrugged.
"Can't help it... we had our own lives as well..."
Kuukaku glanced towards the sky as she shrugged.
"It's late anyway. How about we have dinner together—"
"—ah, no thanks. Kuukaku-sa—"
Ichigo cried aloud suddenly as he grabbed his nose to stop its bleeding. Kuukaku had suddenly punched his face, much to the surprise of Rukia, Orihime and Ganjyu. She scowled.
"DO YOU INTEND TO MAKE ME REPEAT EVERYTHING THAT I SAID?"
Ichigo hesitantly shook his head as the three of them unwillingly joined the Shiba household for dinner.
xxx
Kuukaku's eyes widened as Rukia suddenly rose and jumped in between Ichigo and Ganjyu as they stopped trying to shove food into each others mouth. She gave a small cry of amusement as she watched Rukia and Ichigo quarrelled. She smiled before a slight play in her vision made her see Kaien instead of Ichigo; cheerfully enjoying his banter with Rukia and Ganjyu while enjoying their meal. Kuukaku blinked again as the vision disappeared and Kaien was no more.
"Kuukaku-san, are you all right?"
xxx
Orihime gasped as Shiba Kuukaku turned her head towards her before brushing her concerns away. She frowned as she wondered for a second on why the woman had that faraway look on her eyes. Orihime shrugged to herself before turning her glance towards Ichigo. Immediately, her cheerful demeanor falter as she watched Rukia and Ichigo; earlier commotion already settling down, enjoyed their meals quietly.
"Orihime? What's wrong?"
Orihime jumped as Rukia cocked her head towards her. Ichigo turned towards her as well as she immediately tried to hide her earlier melancholy.
"Ah! It's nothing... Kuchiki-san. Don't worry about me. Err... I kind of accidentally, smallowed a fish bone—" Orihime lied as she pretended to be coughing. Rukia seemed to taken by it as Ichigo shrugged.
"Haa... don't you worry about others. You need to recover yourself, isn't it. So you have to eat—" said Ichigo as he added more dishes on top of Rukia's rice bowl. "After all... it would be better for you to stuff yourself more. You looked so skinny already that you seemed so frail. I won't ask you to try to become like Rangiku-san or Yoruichi-san but really—"
"Hah? You mean to say that my boob's not big? Why you—!"
"A-ah! I didn't mean—!"
"So... that's the type you liked, is it—?"
"No I DIDN'T MEAN THAT—!"
Rukia and Ichigo started fighting again as Orihime could not help laughing at them. Her gaze softened as she smiled.
"Kuchiki-san... indeed you are such an amazing person."
Rukia and Ichigo paused as both of them looked at her. Sitting nearby as she enjoyed her sake, Shiba Kuukaku eyed the trio fondly and thoughtfully. It seemed after she had lost something that was precious, she had gained another in its place.
Shiba Kuukaku smiled bitterly.
o
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az: Finally managed to find the time to catch up with Bleach. As usual when the bunnies pops up... I'll end up writing another fic.