[Rukia listens without interruption. She's a little surprised that his Moogle found out about that, but it isn't as if her childhood past is some great mystery hidden from the eyes of the world. There's just no need to really bring it up in most social conversations. So she takes another sip of water and continues to listen.]

[When he finishes, her lashes lower, and her smile is sly.]

Oh? And I suppose you expect you should have stuffed socks in your ear that day to prevent something so completely unpreventable?

[Rukia grins, thumping his shoulder playfully with the back of her knuckle. He's such a sweet young man, fretting over something like this. She's not angry at him. Of course she's not! If anything, she's a little flattered that someone took an interest in her, enough that it prompted them to spend the time to read her history. But she understands his feelings on the matter nonetheless.]

[Setting her water down, she smiles, holding lightly to the edge of the bench with her ankles crossed beneath her.]

Remember that I have lived for decades. What happened in my childhood took place many, many years ago. The time for grieving has long since passed, and my memories of the pleasant times we spent together as children are far stronger than my memories of sorrow. There is no need for pity on my behalf.

[Her smile is warm, to indicate that she needs no repentance or requests for forgiveness.]

What of yourself? It sounds like you're still having a difficult time coping with your own loss.