Rukia felt a little dizzy, just for a moment. Why on earth had she asked him a question like that?? She didn't have any right, to pry into his personal life like that. Even though she had lived in the same house as the man for over forty years, Rukia felt like she hardly knew him.

And yet the pain in his voice broke her heart. She loved him as though he were her real brother, and didn't want to hurt him.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I shouldn't ask such things, but," She swallowed, unconsciously fiddling with the zipper of her jacket. "Was... What was she like?" She must have been mad to ask him something like that, but maybe if she was lucky, he hadn't even heard her over the rumble of the bus' engine.