Warnings: Het, language

Summary: Rukia has feelings for Renji that she never really noticed before.

Disclaimer: Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I own nothing and am not getting paid to do this. I'm merely doing this for fun.

Rukia sat beside Renji the way she had always sat beside him when they were kids in Rukongai. It felt different today somehow. Something in the air maybe. Rukia couldn't place it, but something had changed between the two of them.

"Heard from Kurosaki lately?" Renji asked as he pulled at a clump of grass by his foot.

Rukia watched him before giving an answer. "Yeah. He sent a hell butterfly to tell me that he and others are doing good. Really good in fact. He's seeing Tatsuki now."

Renji gave a mirthless laugh. "You mean the dark haired girl who could kick some serious ass? Why am I not surprised?"

"He said that Orihime and Uryuu have been working hard on some sewing projects and plan to sell them on the side. Chad is just Chad; quiet and strong as always."

"You don't seem too upset about Ichigo being with someone else though," Renji said, the same bitterness hovering in his voice.

Rukia looked out at the river and shook her head. "No, I'm not upset. He needs someone his own age and in his own world. It wouldn't end good for us if we has pursued our relationship any further. Besides my heart did not belong to him."

"And just who did it belong to?"

"Aren't you just full of questions tonight, Mr. Funny Tattoo Eyebrow Moocher Man." Rukia gave a hearty laugh. The first she had given in a long time and Renji couldn't help but smile inwardly.

He scowled at Rukia and said, "Whatever! I'm just asking a question!"

"I'll tell you when I'm ready. It wouldn't be fun if I told you right at this moment would it?"

Renji groaned. "Man, all you women are the same. You like to play a bunch of mind games. I hope this guy has balls of steel."

Rukia grinned, staring at him from the corner of her eye. She didn't answer as she got up and headed back to the Seireitei. Renji followed her after a few moments, lingering a few steps behind as she led the way.