The sun shone brightly in the morning and the wind was blowing gently. Trees swayed from the breeze and their leaves fell to the ground, prompting the birds to fly toward the blue sky.
Alas, Rukia could only see these scenery from within her cell through the tiny window, sitting on the chair waiting for her judgement to arrive. She spent all day looking out, watching birds flying past the execution ground at the top of the hill.
"I am bored."
As an active girl, she preferred to move around. But her last few days actually were spent quietly. She was surprised she could last in this place without having her mind affected greatly.
A feat to be proud of before her final moment, she thought as a chuckle escaped her lips.
"Why are you laughing like that?"
When she was lost in her own thoughts, a voice rang from behind. The raspy and brash voice that reminded one of delinquent, the typical voice that sounded angry every time. The sound of heavy metal followed after, and Rukia already knew the source of that voice and sound.
She turned to see Renji, standing at the entrance of her cell. A heavy scowl adorned his face, his expression didn't look any different from usual, but annoyance was clearly present in his voice earlier. His hair tied into a ponytail was also the same.
"I'm not laughing because I'm having fun, I just found something new within me." Rukia answered flatly, not willing to humor him.
Renji only raised his eyebrow in response, prompting the raven haired Shinigami to explain.
"You see, I'm not really the type who likes sitting in one spot without moving around, right?"
The redhead sighed and nodded, reminiscing the past where they were always together. "Yeah, you've always been the one pulling my hand everywhere. I don't know how much you changed lately, but I guess you're still the same, huh?"
A nostalgic feeling washed over his body, and a sad smile formed on his face.
"Right, we've become distant since that time. After I was adopted into the Kuchiki family, you kept your distance from me. Not even greeting me when we passed each other."
Estranged relationship. No longer could be considered friends anymore yet too distant to be called a stranger.
It wasn't even their fault to begin with, everything happened so naturally that both of them never noticed until it was too late. Just like that, and they were now here. One standing behind the bars waiting for execution while one bore the badge of a lieutenant of sixth division.
"That's the past now." Renji shook his head to chase the bad memory and continued with a firm voice. "Rukia, I need to know. What are you to that guy? Why did you give him your power, that guy, Kurosaki Ichigo?"
Rukia turned toward him in silence. Her expression remained impassive, making Renji unable to get a read of her.
"So you're not going to answer." He clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Whatever. If you are also important to him, I bet he will arrive at Soul Society sooner or later."
That managed to get a reaction from Rukia. Her eyes widened in surprise and she jumped from her chair.
"What do you mean by that?"
When she was taken away, Byakuya told Shirou that she would get punished as lightly as possible. She expected the boy to tell Ichigo and the others about that. A house arrest or something at that level. No one in the world of living knew that she would be executed.
What Renji said was confusing to her. Why would Ichigo go to the Soul Society? There wasn't a need to.
"Just exactly what I meant. I have a patrol after this, so see you later."
"Hey, Renji! Stop and explain it!"
Rukia shouted toward him, but Renji ignored her voice and walked out of the building. The door was closed right after his back disappeared from her sight, once again trapping her alone in this tower. Only a small window with her execution ground in sight was visible beside the white walls and black bars keeping her in this place.
Many questions appeared in her small head. Confusion seeped in, then it turned into worries before it became a disgust.
She was disgusted at herself for suddenly gaining a hope to live.
***
At a certain place in the Seireitei, two captains sat facing each other. They were sipping tea and talking to each other in the garden.
Ukitake Juushirou, the captain of Thirteen Division.
Kyouraku Shunsui, the captain of Eighth Division.
Two of the oldest captains of the Gotei 13. Both of them had lived for centuries, watching everything from behind.
With some experience in their own field as well as a good amount of knowledge about the current captain commander, the two were quite confident in their own speculation that some play had been directed from behind the scene.
"What do you think?" Kyouraku asked while pouring sake into his cup, his voice calm like a lake. "About this execution."
"The execution, eh?" Ukitake rubbed his chin with his fingers. His eyes trailed off to the sky, looking for something to base on his decision. He then took his cup of tea and took a sip.
His eyebrows creased, the answer to the question seemed to be quite clear in his head. Even without asking, it was easy to guess what his friend's answer would be.
"The one that was about to be executed is a member of the Kuchiki family as well as my subordinate. Hahaha, if I said I wanted to save her, what would you do?" The white-haired captain laughed in self-mockery.
He knew there's nothing he could do at this rate, not when the order had already been passed. It would be a foolish attempt.
The execution would happen, and his subordinate would be killed in front of everyone to show that Soul Society's rule was absolute.
Kyouraku sipped his sake and smiled mysteriously. He gazed at the flowers and said, "Who knows?"
"You are as incomprehensible as usual. By the way, where's that little girl that's usually with you?"
"You mean, Nanao-chan? She went somewhere, talking about meeting a new acquaintance. You know that a girl has so many things to do, even her. Like a tea party or flower arrangement. Even a noblewoman would need to practice their calligraphy to maintain the culture. And I can't disturb that. Hahahaha..."
"Calligraphy is not really an important skill to learn nowadays." Ukitake chuckled, amused by his long friend's joke. "You are as carefree as always, aren't you?"
"Well, I just think I don't need to worry that much. After all, I am not a worrywart like you, my friend."
"Really, I wish I can be as calm and carefree as you. Maybe everything will change if I can become like you."
In Ukitake's eyes, a longing gaze was present. Sadness and hopelessness mixed with longing and jealousy, his eyes told everything about him.
Noticing it, Kyouraku didn't say anything. He let the silence hang in the air, enjoying the wind and flowers around him. It was a peaceful place, but his friend's mind seemed to not be at peace at all.
"Yama-jii won't like this, will he?" He broke the silence and looked at Ukitake.
The white-haired captain looked back at his friend with a knowing smile.
"He will be mad, for sure." Ukitake chuckled and poured more tea for himself, "Do you want tea? It's better to have tea instead of sake in this weather, don't you think so?"
Kyouraku grinned widely and raised his cup, "I think sake will fit better for me."
*** CH end ***
Preparation is necessary!
Next, we will enter one of the fight arc.
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