Kuchiki Family Wing

"Asking":

Rukia had received a note from her brother at lunch saying that he would be returning to the estate for the evening meal. It had been a while since they had communicated like that, him speaking about his plans in a way to include her if that was her wish. He always left the decision to reply or join him up to her. Sometimes, Rukia wondered if he would ever ask her in a simple way, but she didn’t know how to change that. It would be easier for her, but she didn’t want to make things difficult for her brother.

She tried not to miss any of these evenings and subsequent mornings with him. The two of them didn’t hold loud conversations like she would with her friends, but she’d grown to appreciate the quiet moments and small talk between them. He’d noticed her smile when she came back from the Rukongai too. She wished she could make him smile but her being happier seemed to help him, too.

This time, Rukia finished work early so she wouldn’t forget and arrived at the estate before her brother. The staff told her that dinner wasn't prepared yet and her personal maid asked if she wanted any help getting ready. Rukia tried keep herself from making a face when she politely declined. She couldn’t get used to someone hovering over her.

At least her brother didn’t seem to like that either. 

Rukia changed into a periwinkle yukata with cherry blossoms on it and pinned her hair up with a simple bamboo hairpin to keep it out of her eyes. Maybe she’d cut it again. It was starting to get long, getting to her shoulders again. She hadn't had time to worry about, but perhaps next week, she’d go on an outing with Naomi. She’d want something done about it before the Women’s Association started up again.

Rukia shrugged and left her room, halting in the hallway as she nearly ran into her brother coming down the opposite way. “My apologies, Nii-sama, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”