1-1...

Captain Unohana!

Any change in the condition of Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Hinamori?

All I have to report is that they have escaped death. From here on out, their fate is in their own hands.

As for all the others, Isane is handling them.

Byakuya!

Oh, Captain Kuchiki. You were very reckless.

Rukia, come here.

Yes, I'm right here.

There's something that's been weighing heavily on my heart.

An old story, from 50 years ago.

In that year, I lost my wife. Before the first plum blossoms bloomed...

I know. Lady Hisana.

People were always telling me that I looked like your wife.

That's why you took a liking to me and welcomed me into the family as your younger sister.

Yes, Rukia.

I had instructed everyone in the household to tell you that... but it was a lie.

Huh...

Hisana was...your older sister.

Ah?

Hisana told me that she died in the world of the living and was sent with you to Hanging Dog.

Making a life was so very difficult there. Even though you were just a baby, she left you and ran away.

Hisana suffered terribly for that.

Even after she became my wife, she searched for you practically every day.

Byakuya, will you search for my younger sister?

And when you find her, you must not tell her that I'm her older sister. Please, don't let her know the truth. Just promise me you'll protect her with all your strength.

I abandoned my younger sister. I don't deserve to ever hear her call me her older sister.

But I would like her to have someone. So I want her to be able to call you her older brother.

I'm so sorry. I've been such a burden to you. I'm sorry I couldn't repay the love you gave me.

These past five years that we've spent together have been like a wonderful, beautiful dream.

Byakuya...

I found you the following year. I immediately welcomed you into the family.

It was the same as with Hisana.

The household objected, saying to allow someone from the Rukon District into a noble home was against the law and would tarnish the Kuchiki family name.

I didn't care. I defied everyone. I'd given my word and I was willing to sacrifice anything for that.

But it was true that I'd gone against the law. I made a vow in front of my parents' grave in order to admonish myself.

I vowed that this would be the last time I ever broke a law.

From then on, no matter what, I would follow the law.

I was so intent on running away from Hisana's memory that I swore two vows I should not have made.

When you were sentenced to death, I didn't know what to do.

My vow to my parents to protect the law and my promise to Hisana to protect her younger sister, I didn't know which of the vows to keep.

Rukia...

I'm sorry.

Renji! Hey, have you seen Rukia around anywhere lately?

What? You better not have lost Rukia again.

No, no. I just thought you might know where she was.

What are you doing Ichigo? Have your wounds healed?

Well, yeah. And in fact I was just about-

I see. That is good news, because it means you and I...heh, heh, heh...

...can fight again!

I'm never fighting you again!

Hey, Ichigo! Come back here and fight me!!!

Hm?

Ah...

Yeah, what do you want?

Oh, Rukia! It's her, Kukaku!

It's the person this whole thing was all about. She's the one Ichigo came here and risked his life to save.

I know who she is.

Hm?

Rukia Kuchiki, the Soul Reaper who killed our brother, Kaien.

I know who you are. Now what did you come here for?

I'm sorry...

I...I know I should've come sooner.

I wanted to, but I was a coward. I should've apologized to you the first chance I got.

The longer I waited, the harder it seemed to become until... I ran.

I ran and I'm sorry...

Stop. That's enough.

Huh?

What is this? The world's longest apology?

I'm um... I'm so sorry-ouf!

Enough, I said!!!

Oh! I um, uh...

It's alright. I mean it. Anyway, I already heard the whole story from Ukitake.

I know that Kaien's death wasn't your fault.

And I know that ever since that day, you've been carrying more than your share of guilt over it.

So, long ago, I decided in my heart that if you said just one word of apology, I would forgive you.

Thank you.

I'm just so sorry I-hrng!

Enough apologizing!

Um, okay, I'm sorry... Wait, I mean, thank you.

Ah-hah! I thought I'd find you here.

Ichigo...

Sorry to interrupt your little chat.

But right now, we should probably head back and try to get some rest before tomorrow.

In the morning, they're gonna open the gate for us to return to our world, and you're still not back to full health.

Ah... I have to tell you something.

It's only right that you be the first to know.

I've decided, Ichigo, to stay here in the Soul Society.

............

Well, that's fine. Good for you.

Huh?

Well, sounds like you've made up your mind.

So there's not much else to say.

If you've decided that you want to stay here, then that's what you should do.