The bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a cool, clear light upon the land, and within Seireitei, all was silent.
A man dressed in brocade robes and a jade belt, and a raggedly dressed girl walked side by side, leisurely strolling down the wide avenue.
The patrolling Shinigami noticed this peculiar pair and were about to step forward to investigate.
However, when they clearly saw the man's face, which gradually became distinct under the lamplight, the leading Shinigami immediately stopped his impulsive patrol members.
On the spacious street, Aozaki Reiji watched the young Rukia beside him with great interest.
She feigned composure, yet curiosity shone in her eyes.
It was hard to imagine that this little girl would one day become the Thirteenth Division's adorable yet dignified Captain.
Little Rukia held Aozaki Reiji's hand tightly, looking up at his handsome, almost immortal-like face, and couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Big Brother, are you a god?"
"A god? For now, I'm just an ordinary human."
Aozaki Reiji softly repeated the word 'god' from little Rukia's mouth, a slight smile playing on his lips as he spoke.
He had indeed transcended the dimension of ordinary Souls, but he wasn't so arrogant as to believe he could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Soul King.
At this time, the Soul King was still the supreme being in this world.
Just then, Aozaki Reiji suddenly remembered something, and looking at the young Rukia before him, he asked:
"Are you hungry? How about we go eat again? I know a good place."
After speaking, he gently stroked little Rukia's head.
Little Rukia's face instantly flushed red, seemingly embarrassed, and she quickly shook her head, saying:
"No... not hungry anymore."
She recalled the days when she would go hungry for three days out of nine, sometimes not even eating a single bite of food in a day.
Now, her little belly was full, and this feeling of satiety made her feel incredibly happy and content.
At this moment, she finally believed that the adult beside her was not short on money.
From the moment they entered Seireitei, they had been constantly searching for delicious food, stopping every so often to taste local specialties.
This adult seemed to believe the landlady's words, as if he was worried she would starve to death.
Although she did get hungry easily compared to others, she wasn't a bottomless pit!
She still didn't understand that this hunger wasn't a flaw, but her talent.
Soon after, the two passed through the Noble District and arrived in front of a magnificent mansion.
The mansion was solemn and majestic, exuding an air of nobility and elegance.
"From now on, this will be your home..."
Aozaki Reiji's large hand held little Rukia's slender hand tightly, looking at her gently.
His gaze was full of tenderness, as if he wanted to convey all his warmth to this girl.
"From now on, I will be your family. You can call me... Big Brother. I prefer that title."
Aozaki Reiji said softly, his voice carrying a hint of indulgence.
He knew what a true family meant to little Rukia, who had been an orphan since childhood.
"Big Brother..."
Little Rukia cautiously looked up.
Her clear eyes gazed at Aozaki Reiji beside her, tears glistening in them.
Her voice was very soft and quiet, but it contained endless gratitude.
Ever since she was sold to that tavern, little Rukia had lived in fear every day.
The plump woman's beatings and scoldings made her world dark, and she yearned countless times to escape that terrible place.
This thought persisted for a long time, and she was finally about to make up her mind to leave that place.
And luck descended upon her at that moment.
Someone not only took her away but was also willing to become her family.
"Am I dreaming?"
Little Rukia couldn't believe what was happening before her eyes.
She slowly placed her small hand on Aozaki Reiji's cheek, feeling its warm temperature.
She murmured to herself, afraid that this was just a fleeting beautiful dream.
"Of course, you're not dreaming."
Aozaki Reiji smiled slightly.
He gently pinched little Rukia's small face, feeling her delicate skin.
He ran his fingers through her soft black hair, and said gently:
"From now on, you are my family. I will take good care of you and won't let anyone take advantage of you again."
"Big Brother..."
Little Rukia felt Aozaki Reiji's warm hand, her heart filled with emotion and joy, tears continuously welling up.
"Do I get to have a home...?" she murmured to herself.
Aozaki Reiji looked at the fragile yet strong little girl before him.
He gently wiped away the tears from little Rukia's eyes, comforting her gently:
"Don't cry. From now on, this is your home. With me by your side, you won't be lonely anymore."
Saying that, he picked up little Rukia.
He gently patted her back, bringing her a sense of solace.
Little Rukia heard Aozaki Reiji's words and felt the warmth of his embrace, and her mood gradually calmed down.
She quietly lay in Aozaki Reiji's arms, enjoying this hard-won tenderness.
Before long, she fell into a deep sleep.
Aozaki Reiji looked at the sleeping little Rukia in his arms, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
He carefully carried her into the room, placed her on the bed, and covered her with a blanket.
...
In the early morning, a warm ray of sunlight streamed through the window onto the futon, and its soft, brilliant glow gradually awakened the black-haired girl on the bed.
Rukia seemed to feel this bright sunlight as well, and while enjoying a good time in her dream, her expression suddenly changed, and she instinctively sat up.
"Oh no, I slept so soundly."
She hastily opened her eyes, saying with a hint of urgency.
"The landlady is definitely going to throw a fit again."
Having endured hardships in Rukongai, she was now exceptionally clever and sensible.
In the past, whenever she woke up late like this, that fierce woman would certainly whip her with thin bamboo sticks.
Thin bamboo sticks hurt the most.
Using thick ones, although the injuries were severe and looked scary, the pain was bearable.
But a single strike from a thin bamboo stick really hurt badly, as if it reached into her bones.
However, the surroundings were unusually quiet at this time, and Rukia couldn't help but feel suspicious.
By all accounts, she should have heard the landlady's curses by now.
But why was there no sound today?
She felt very strange.
But soon, the memories of yesterday flooded her mind.
That generous Noble Lord had become her Big Brother...
Recalling everything, Rukia's expression suddenly changed, and she immediately began to survey her surroundings.
The luxurious and elegant beams and furniture explained everything.
This place was far better than the dilapidated shack she had lived in before.
And the soft futon she was sleeping on now was simply incomparable to a pile of straw or broken wooden boards.
However...
Looking around her surroundings, Rukia anxiously peered around with her nimble eyes, seemingly searching for something.
She wanted to find someone...
However, after not finding what she was looking for.
Rukia quickly put on her shoes and then rushed out the door impatiently.
"Oh, Rukia, you slept so late yesterday? Aren't you going to sleep a bit more today?"
A gentle voice came from the courtyard, causing Rukia to stop in her tracks.
------
Regarding Rukia and the timeline.
I'll briefly explain it based on the manga, anime, and official novel plot.
Kurosaki ichigo appears at fifteen years old, and Rukia says she is ten times his age, which is around one hundred and fifty years old.
So she should have been born in the mid-19th century.
And the timeline of this book has already entered the 20th century.
When Rukia met the protagonist, she was at least seventy or eighty years old.
Next, let's talk about the timeline.
In the original work, the story of Hisana and Byakuya takes place fifty-five years before the main storyline.
After they lived together for five years, Hisana passed away.
The year after Hisana's death, Byakuya found Rukia at the Central Spirit Arts Academy.
Before entering the Central Spirit Arts Academy, Rukia and Abarai Renji had already met and lived together for ten years.
So the original timeline should be:
Mid-19th century, Rukia was born, and her elder sister Hisana abandoned her.
Early 20th century, Kuchiki Byakuya graduated from the Central Spirit Arts Academy and joined the Sixth Division.
(He was in the same cohort as Shiba Kaien and Ichimaru Gin. Aizen, who was the Fifth Division Vice-Captain at the time, wanted to recruit him, but he had to return to inherit his family's business, so he reluctantly gave up.)
Mid-20th century, Rukia and Abarai Renji met.
Four years later, Hisana and Kuchiki Byakuya met and married in Rukongai.
Five years later, Hisana passed away.
One year later, Byakuya found Rukia.