There was something odd about this situation. The more Rukia listened, the more questions sprang up in her mind. What was a child doing out here in the middle of a desolate forest? Even with a Moogle at his side, she couldn't fathom how he got here, or why he'd persist living here. Were he an adult, she might not question a hermit's nature, but there was definitely something unusual here.

"Who are you?" she asked abruptly, her expression serious. "No human child would dwell in these woods alone."

Perhaps it was a rude accusation to make, but it was simply too strange to ignore for the sake of politeness.