Reunion

The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the smooth white stone pavement of Seireitei. Liu Hao led Rukia along at a brisk pace, and only when they had left Squad Six's imposing white walls and tightly shut gates far behind did she slow down. She unclenched her fists, which had tightened at some point, leaving shallow crescent marks in her palms.

"The way those people looked at us..." she said quietly, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly. Her violet-gray eyes gazed into the distance, unfocused. "It was just like those self-important 'big shots' in Rukongai. I... hate it."

Liu Hao slowed down as well, walking beside her. He understood how Rukia felt. That undisguised scrutiny, suspicion, and contempt from above were especially painful to souls who had struggled their way up from the bottom.

"At first, they were reasonably businesslike," Liu Hao said calmly. "Their attitude only became obvious after we explained why we were there, especially when we mentioned claiming a family connection. It makes sense, really. In a world with such rigid barriers and strict class divisions, there must be countless people trying to latch onto nobles and take shortcuts every day. Two kids who were obviously from Rukongai suddenly showed up saying one of them might be a noblewoman's sister. It wasn't entirely unfair for them to take us for social climbers."

Rukia turned to look at him, frowning slightly. "If you knew they might see us that way, why did you bring me? Wouldn't it have been better to wait until... until we joined the Gotei 13 through our own strength and became official Soul Reapers, then find a way to meet her? At least then... people wouldn't look at us like that."

Liu Hao fell silent for a moment, gazing at the clouds fading along the horizon. "Time... I'm afraid we might run out." His voice grew low. "I asked around and found indirect confirmation too. Lady Hisana Kuchiki's health really is very poor. It's not ordinary weakness, but... a problem with the very source of her soul. Apparently, neither Seireitei's Research and Development Institute nor the Fourth Division can do anything about it. She might... not have much time left to wait."

He stopped and looked at Rukia earnestly. "I know it was my decision to bring you here so abruptly and expose you to possible humiliation. But compared to a little embarrassment, I'm more afraid that you and your sister might miss your last chance to reunite. That would be... a regret you could never make up for."

Rukia looked away, her voice muffled. "Are you really so sure... that we're sisters? Just because we look alike and have the same name? Rukongai is huge. There might be more than one person named Rukia, and there could be people who look alike too."

"I've seen the portrait the Kuchiki Clan circulated privately years ago when they were looking for someone," Liu Hao said with certainty. "It was an old portrait, and the little girl's features were still very young, but her expression, especially the shape of her eyes and the way she looked at people... really resembled yours.

"Then there's the coincidence of the name... There may be plenty of coincidences in the world, but when so many pile up, it stops being just a coincidence. Besides, even if she isn't your sister, we've made the trip and confirmed it. We can put it to rest, and we haven't lost anything.

"But what if she is? Rukia, in this cold world, wouldn't having another blood relative be something worth trying for, something worth looking forward to?"

"Family..." Rukia turned the word over. A complicated expression appeared on her face: confusion, a faint trace of longing, but even more of an almost instinctive resistance and stubbornness. "Even if she is... so what? She could leave me in Rukongai back then and never care what happened to me, but now that she's sick, she remembers to look for me? A relative like that... I don't need her."

Her voice was quiet, but she sounded like a wounded animal putting on a brave front. Liu Hao could hear the hurt and bewilderment hidden beneath that hard shell.

He sighed softly, his tone growing gentler, carrying an understanding beyond his years. "Rukia, when people make choices, the circumstances they're in are often things outsiders like us can't fully understand.

"Behind the word 'abandonment,' there might be hardships, helplessness, or even sacrifices we don't know about. Especially with family, before you know the whole truth, try to see things from the other person's perspective. You might feel differently.

"Of course," he continued, changing tack, his tone becoming clear and practical, "that kind of understanding and tolerance only applies to people we genuinely care about and who deserve it.

"There's no need to waste your feelings on people who don't matter or are purely malicious. A so-called 'saintly' mindset often just ends up hurting you and the people you care about." (Note: Liu Hao borrowed the concept from the World of the Living here, but expressed it vaguely in a way Rukia could understand.)

"Saintly?" Sure enough, the unfamiliar word caught Rukia's attention, drawing her out of her emotions for the moment.

"Hmm... it roughly means people who like to hold others to extremely high, even unrealistic standards, especially those who invoke things like 'morality,' 'family ties,' or 'the greater good' to pressure others and force them to accept their way of thinking

". Whenever something happens, they urge you to be tolerant, to forgive, to sacrifice, without knowing the rights and wrongs of it, and if you don't, you're the one at fault." Liu Hao did his best to explain it in terms of this world. "It's usually better to stay away from people like that.

"But what we're talking about today is between you and a sister who might be related to you by blood. It's different."

Rukia nodded thoughtfully, apparently accepting the explanation. Then she returned to the practical problem. "So... are we still going to see her? We were chased away like that today. They probably won't believe us at all."

Liu Hao rubbed his brow, finding the situation tricky too. "Hmm... let's think of another way. The barriers around noble families really are frighteningly high. If it weren't for this possible blood connection and the chance that you might miss seeing a relative, I wouldn't want you to run into that wall either."

Talking quietly, the two walked back to Shin'ō Academy. The last rays of the setting sun edged the academy's white buildings in warm gold. A few students were still doing extra practice on the training grounds, their faint shouts full of life. The familiar surroundings eased Rukia's taut nerves a little.

They had just reached the road near the dormitories when a fiery red figure came rushing toward them like a gust of wind. It was Renji Abarai. His face was visibly anxious, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

"Where did you two run off to?!" Renji demanded loudly, his voice full of annoyance and worry. "I've been looking everywhere! You weren't at the training grounds, the classrooms, or the dorms! I thought something had happened to you!"

Seeing how worked up he was, Liu Hao asked, "What's wrong? Why were you in such a hurry to find us?"

"Nothing!" Renji caught his breath. "I just suddenly realized both of you were gone, and everyone I asked said they hadn't seen you. I felt a little... uneasy. What were you two doing?" His gaze moved between Liu Hao and Rukia, and he keenly noticed that Rukia seemed a little down.

Liu Hao and Rukia exchanged a look. Liu Hao saw no reason to hide it from Renji, so he explained briefly, "It's nothing serious. I heard that Captain Kuchiki's wife, Hisana Kuchiki, was looking for her long-lost younger sister. I thought Rukia was probably the person she was looking for, so I took her over this afternoon to find out. But... we didn't even get through Squad Six's gates before the Soul Reapers guarding them chased us away."

"What?!" Renji's eyes went wide, and his voice rose several pitches. "A family reunion?! You took Rukia to a noble family to reunite with them?! Liu Hao, why would you do that?!" His reaction was even stronger than Liu Hao had expected, his face full of confusion and a trace of... anger?

Liu Hao frowned. "Renji, calm down. Don't get so worked up."

"How can I not?!" Renji's voice grew even louder, drawing curious looks from several students in the distance. "Liu Hao! Are you trying to 'give' Rukia to those nobles?! I'm telling you, I won't agree to it! Never!" Like a beast protecting its young, he stepped sideways, partly shielding Rukia behind him as he glared at Liu Hao.

Seeing the almost instinctive protectiveness and resistance in Renji's eyes, Liu Hao wasn't angry. Instead, he felt a trace of warmth. He softened his tone and explained clearly:

"Renji, hear me out. First, we struggled our way out of Rukongai together. We're each other's most important companions, and to me, we're like family. If Rukia has other blood relatives in this world, shouldn't we, as her 'family,' help her find out and reunite with them? Having another relative who truly cares about her would be a good thing for all of us."

He paused. Seeing Renji move his lips to object, he raised a hand to stop him and continued, "Second, the reason I'm in such a hurry is that Lady Hisana Kuchiki is in very poor health. She may... not have much time left.

"If they miss this chance, the sisters may never get to meet. As a friend, as family, would you want to see Rukia or her sister left with that kind of lifelong regret? If there were plenty of time, of course I'd want to wait until we were stronger and more confident before going. But the reality is, time waits for no one."

Renji opened his mouth. The anger on his face eased somewhat, though his brows remained tightly knit.

"Third," Liu Hao said firmly, "even if they are confirmed to be sisters, whether Rukia goes back to live with the Kuchiki Clan, whether she accepts noble status and everything that comes with it, the decision will always be hers.

"She can choose to stay at Shin'ō Academy and study and grow alongside us. Of course, if she chooses to go back, they might be able to offer her better resources and surroundings, but none of that is for us to decide for her. What matters is that whatever she chooses, we'll always be her friends and family. That will never change."

Renji fell silent. His tightly clenched fists slowly opened, and the hostility in his eyes gradually gave way to complicated thoughts. He looked at Liu Hao's sincere expression, then turned to Rukia, who stood silently beside him. Finally, he muttered awkwardly, "Actually... if Rukia really can go to the Kuchiki Clan, of course that's a good thing. Nobles... they're different from the likes of us who came from Rukongai, after all. It's safer there, and they have better resources..." His voice grew quieter and quieter, carrying an almost imperceptible hint of disappointment and reluctance.

Liu Hao stepped forward and gave Renji a hard pat on the shoulder. "Renji, remember, as real friends and family, what we can do is offer support, help, and our blessings when the other person needs them, not stand in the way of opportunities and happiness they might have in the name of 'doing it for their own good.' I promise you, no matter what the future holds, the three of us will meet again, and we'll be better for it."

He suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, a teasing smile on his face. "Besides, Renji, I think... maybe one day Rukia will be called 'Rukia Abarai.' Will you still be worried about not seeing her then?"

"You... what the hell are you talking about?!!!" Renji's face instantly turned as red as a boiled shrimp, right down to the tips of his ears. He jumped like a cat whose tail had been stepped on and swung a fist at Liu Hao. "You asking for a beating?!!"

Rukia's face turned bright red too, the blush spreading all the way down to her neck. Flustered and angry, she stamped her foot. "Liu Hao! You bastard! Stop saying things like that!!"

"Hahaha!" Liu Hao laughed and nimbly dodged Renji's halfhearted punch, waving his hands as he backed away. "All right, all right, no more jokes! Who knows what the future holds? I just think you two... well, you look good as a married couple! Come on, let's go back and meditate!"

"Liu Hao!!!" "You bastard!!!" Behind him came Renji and Rukia's furious shouts in unison, followed by the sound of a chaotic pursuit. The evening sun stretched the three young figures' shadows long, and their playful commotion temporarily dispelled the earlier gloom.

Back at the dormitory, Liu Hao saw that Renji and Rukia were still blushing and didn't dare look at each other. He laughed inwardly but said no more. Sitting down cross-legged on his own, he soon entered a meditative state. Renji glared sulkily at his back, then sat down to one side and tried to meditate. Before long, however, his breathing grew slow and even—he had fallen asleep again.

Training proceeded as usual the next day. The three changed into their training clothes, arrived at the grounds on time, joined the ranks, and began repeating the tedious but essential basic exercises. The swish of wooden swords through the air, Instructor Itō's roars, and the sound of dripping sweat formed a familiar backdrop.

About halfway through training, a figure quietly appeared at the entrance to the grounds. Rather than a Soul Reaper uniform, he wore a white, high-collared robe that looked more refined and solemn, with a pale violet family crest embroidered on its cuffs and lapels. His bearing was calm, and his eyes were peaceful yet held an unquestionable authority. His arrival caused little commotion, but the teaching assistant on patrol immediately hurried over and exchanged a few quiet words with him.

The assistant then went to Itō Shōta, who was instructing the students, and whispered something in his ear. Itō Shōta frowned, his gaze sweeping over the ranks of students before settling on one spot. He nodded.

Led by the assistant, the man in white walked straight toward the ranks. His pace was unhurried, but he carried an air of authority that made the nearby students slow their movements involuntarily and steal curious glances at him.

The man in white stopped near the row where Liu Hao, Renji, and Rukia stood. His gaze swept calmly over them before settling on Rukia. Though his voice was not loud, everyone heard him clearly. "Excuse me, which of you is the student Rukia?"

Rukia, who had been concentrating on her cutting practice, froze for a moment and stopped her sword. She looked up at the man in white, somewhat bewildered, and answered instinctively, "I... I am. What can I do for you?"

The man in white gave a slight nod, his manner polite but distant. "Sorry for the trouble, but please come with me."

Rukia instinctively turned to Liu Hao and Renji Abarai beside her, a question and a barely perceptible trace of nervousness in her eyes. Liu Hao immediately stepped half a pace forward and asked, equally polite but wary, "May I ask what this is about? Should Renji and I accompany her?" Renji Abarai also tightened his grip on his wooden sword and moved to Rukia's other side.

The man in white's gaze lingered on Liu Hao and Renji for a moment. He seemed a little surprised by their reaction, but showed no anger. He merely said, "If Rukia would like her friends to accompany her, of course they may."

Rukia hardly hesitated. "Liu Hao, Renji, come with me."

Liu Hao and Renji Abarai nodded together.

A short distance away, Itō Shōta stood with his arms folded. He did not intervene, merely nodding to the man in white to indicate that he could take them away.

And so, under the curious, questioning gazes of the students, Liu Hao, Renji, and Rukia followed the man in white away from the noisy training grounds. He led them through several corridors to a relatively secluded reception room, elegantly decorated without losing its solemn air.

"Please wait a moment." The man in white gestured for them to stop and went inside first to announce them.

Before long, he reappeared and stepped aside from the doorway. "Please, all three of you, come in."

Liu Hao took a deep breath and stepped inside first. Rukia and Renji followed close behind.

The reception room was filled with soft, bright light, its furnishings simple and elegant. Two people sat in the seats facing the entrance.

The man in the place of honor wore a white haori embroidered with the character for "six," with a silver-white windflower scarf bearing the Kuchiki Clan's crest draped over it. His features were incomparably handsome, but his bearing was as cold and austere as snow on an icy mountain, his long black hair meticulously bound behind his head. He simply sat there in silence, yet an air of breathtaking authority and distance naturally surrounded him—he was Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of Squad Six.

A woman sat in the chair beside him. She wore a pale violet kimono, and her features were lovely and gentle, but her complexion was sickly pale, her lips faintly colored, and her figure exceptionally slender and frail.

At that moment, however, her violet-gray eyes, so much like Rukia's, were fixed unblinkingly on the face of the girl who had just entered, as though she wanted to engrave every detail of her in her heart.

Her hands clutched the fabric on her knees, and she leaned slightly forward, trembling with excitement and some immense emotional shock. She was Byakuya Kuchiki's wife, Hisana Kuchiki.

The moment Renji Abarai got a clear look at Hisana Kuchiki's face, he instinctively tugged at Liu Hao's sleeve and whispered, unable to hide his shock, "They really... look alike!"

Liu Hao glanced sideways at him and replied in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Obviously. They're sisters, so how could they not? Why else do you think I insisted on bringing Rukia here? When I saw the portrait, I thought they looked like they'd been cast from the same mold, just different in age and bearing."

Understanding and a trace of shame appeared on Renji's face. He scratched his head and whispered, "All right... I was wrong about you. Yesterday... I'm sorry."

Liu Hao shook his head, indicating that he needn't worry about it, and turned his attention back to the room.

At that moment, Hisana Kuchiki's gaze finally met Rukia's bewildered eyes, which held wariness and a trace of curiosity.

Time seemed to stand still for an instant.

The next moment, Hisana Kuchiki sprang from her chair, stumbling slightly. Byakuya Kuchiki quickly reached out a hand to steady her without quite touching her, but she could no longer concern herself with such things. Tears spilled from her eyes without warning, instantly blurring her vision.

She staggered forward a few steps to Rukia, who stood just as frozen in place. Reaching out with trembling hands, she gently cupped Rukia's cheeks and studied her closely, greedily, as though confirming that a lost treasure had been returned to her.

"Ru... kia... it really is... my Rukia..." Her voice broke with sobs, filled with disbelieving joy and overwhelming guilt. "I'm sorry... your sister is sorry... truly... I'm sorry..." Before she had finished speaking, she pulled the still-dazed Rukia into a tight, forceful embrace, as though she meant to use every ounce of strength she had and never let go again. Warm tears soaked the fabric at Rukia's shoulder.

Rukia's body went completely rigid, her hands hanging helplessly at her sides. The embrace was unfamiliar, yet held a strange warmth. The burning tears, the trembling body, and the murmurs full of remorse and love struck the defenses she had built around her heart like a surging tide.

Her eyes were wide, the ornate ceiling of the hall reflected in their violet-gray depths. They were filled with confusion, helplessness, and a faint stirring she herself had not even noticed.

When Rukia entered, a fleeting, almost imperceptible ripple had passed through the depths of Byakuya Kuchiki's ever-calm eyes as he sat upright in the place of honor. It was surprise, then confirmation, which turned into a deep, complicated emotion.

He quickly returned to his usual cold seriousness, but Liu Hao, who had been watching him all along, caught an indescribable trace of... relief in the slight relaxation of his shoulders and the fleeting softness deep in his eyes.

The pull of blood had crossed the dust of Rukongai and the high walls of Seireitei. After a long separation and search, it finally brought them together again at this moment, amid tears and an embrace.

Liu Hao and Renji, the two boys from Rukongai, stood silently by the door, bearing witness to this historic reunion. No one knew how the future would unfold, but at least in this moment, one regret had been averted, and a new chapter of the story seemed to have begun.