**Flashback**

Soft, velvet, and light to the touch; Rukia's fingers brushed along each petal. Her arms were outstretched and her head thrown back so her face was smiling at the sun. On both sides of her were flowers of all various kinds of beauty. The vibrant colors were breathtaking and she was in awe to be in their presence. The aroma of spring brought her solace. She was afraid.

Rukia was betrothed to Ichigo Kurosaki, who she barely knew, and she was in an alien home. She knew no one and had no friends. This man she was to be married to… he was handsome and kind, thank goodness, and yet she was unsure. He had given her this garden - she smiled. She sat by the small pond nearby, dipping her feet into the warm crystal water; the marbled koi swam to her, nibbling on her toes. She giggled.

"I'm in good hands," Rukia reassured herself, puffing her cheeks. It had only been four days since she arrived. Everyone had been kind to her so far, though that of course was certainly bias. Who would have the courage to mistreat the new queen? Immediately the image of white hair and a wide grin made its way into her thoughts. Shirosaki - her brother in law - kissed her. She still hadn't told Ichigo in fear of what might happen. Her heart skipped a beat. Of course she had kissed Ichigo by now, but for some reason, she could still feel Shirosaki on her lips. His action wasn't malicious, but it certainly was not appropriate. "Stop thinking about it, it's not right," Rukia mentally slapped herself.

The only person who should be in her thoughts was Ichigo. Speaking of which, they hadn't even consummated the marriage yet. She felt hot to the cheeks and neck. She was too nervous the first night and perhaps had made it too obvious that Ichigo had feigned tiredness for her sake. She appreciated that. However, the following nights he had fallen ill. Apparently he was prone to sickness a lot, something Rukia didn't mind of course.

Once again, Rukia found herself a little nervous. Tonight might be the night that she would have to offer her body and soul to him. She hoped Ichigo wouldn't be disappointed. Although she was seventeen already, her body still seemed a little… underdeveloped.

"Did a bee find its way down your kimono?"

Rukia glanced up, realizing she had been pulling at the hem of her dress while sneering down at her small chests. "Sh- Shirosaki- I mean… Brother," she stammered, pulling herself up from the grass. Why did he always appear at the worst moments?

Once again she was met with that cheeky grin of his. "I could help you get it out if you'd like?" Shirosaki extended a hand in offer of help.

"N-no it wasn't anything of that sort," Rukia explained, "It was just…" she found her voice was lost as she couldn't think of a good lie. Rukia hoped he'd get the hint and forget what he saw, but the man seemed eager to listen. He was unbelievably intrusive. "My rabbit," she blurted finally. "I was hiding him in my clothing and he had gotten away just now."

Shirosaki quirked a brow. The Queen liked rabbits? His hand dropped to his side. "That's a shame; do you like rabbit stew?"

"No!" Rukia said, not meaning to shout in the process. She loved rabbits. They were so round, fuzzy, and cute with their irresistible nose twitch. Her brother Byakuya never allowed her to have one at home; it was not 'princess-like.' Shirosaki was taken back by her sudden fierceness. He was used to that meek and shy little girl that was so polite to everyone. He liked it. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that Brother. I just… love them," she whispered, embarrassed by her strange trait.

Rukia expected him to make fun of her. Maybe Shirosaki would kill a rabbit and have the chef cook it for her without her knowledge. It definitely seemed like something he would do. She got teary eyed just at the thought.

"That's admirable," Shirosaki simply said.

Rukia was wrong. "Wh-what do you mean? Isn't it strange, or unladylike?"

"This castle is lucky to have a Queen that is compassionate to even a rodent. It shows your kindness to the weak and helpless vermin; the people would love you," Shirosaki noted, fully meaning every word. It's not what Rukia would describe of the villagers or rabbits, but she appreciated his honesty.

"Um… thank you," Rukia smiled shyly.

Shirosaki only stared at her, something in his eyes that hinted of… yearning?

Quickly, before Rukia could react, Shirosaki had drawn the dagger hanging from his waist and aimed it into the bushes. A loud screech was heard. She feared the worst. Had he just killed a rabbit, to spite her? Despite what she had just told him? Rukia was ready to cry. However, she noticed him walk over to the brush, and revealing what was in fact a snake he had killed. In the snakes coil was a rabbit, nearly suffocated by the reptile.

He swooped the white rodent into his hand; it twitched, slowly coming back to life as it gasped for air. "Your rabbit," Shirosaki held the rabbit to Rukia.

Rukia blinked stupidly before quickly scooping up the little creature into her arms. It nestled against her before falling asleep to her gentle strokes. Before she could say anything, Shirosaki had turned around to leave. Her lips curled into a smile. Perhaps she was wrong about him after all.

*End of flashback*

A lingering headache pounded in Rukia's skull. 'Why am I having a dream about that right now?' Rukia wondered. She scoffed to herself. It happened so long ago, she'd almost forgotten there was a time when he was decent to her… almost kind. What a strange feeling it brought to her; she couldn't quite put a name to it - maybe nostalgia?

"Ru… Ruki… Kia… Rukia… Rukia-sama," a voice called to her.

Rukia's eyes fluttered open and she was met with a bright light; nausea overcame her as her nostrils were filled with the overwhelming scent of something atrocious. Her eyes watered and she looked around, seeing the smoke filled room. There were jars hanging on the walls of the small hut filled with strange items - eyeballs, gizzards, eels and other gross parts. She lay in a small straw bed; beside it was a small fire with a pot hanging over it, boiling with something rotten.

" Ahaha! Finally awake; I knew you'd open eyes once I stirred up that toad eye and rat tail potion. It can wake most bears right out of hibernation - potent I tell you."

Rukia looked beside her - "Who are you?" She gasped, stunned that was in his presence. "How did I end up here?"

The man looked like a madman. He donned a striped hat that covered his straw colored messy hair. His stubbled chin hadn't been shaven for weeks and his eyes were heavily covered in dark circles, probably from restless nights of performing mad experiments.

The man let out a cheeky grin, "I'm Urahara, the famous witch doctor!" He threw a handful of dust in the air that somehow lit into small crackers of light. "The fishermen in the village caught you in their net, and what did you know, they had caught the queen!"

Rukia's eyes widened, "You're Dr. Urahara?"