Rain
I hate the rain.
It seems like every time it rains, I have a feeling of loneliness, a feeling of sadness.
It can be unbearable at times.
Renji sat on the banister connected to the back porch of Urahara Shoten, watching the rain fall in almost heavy sheets. It was one of those days where the red- headed shinigami just wanted to be left alone to wallow in the endless sea of mixed emotions he held for the longest amount of time. This time of the night, he was for certain that the rest of the group had fallen asleep, and for quite some time. The rain continued to fall, gently hitting the ground below where he sat. It was the perfect time for him to reflect on the previous times, whether good or bad, that he had in both Soul Society and in the human world.
"I thought you would be here," a familiar voice spoke softly. Renji looked away from the darkness of the cold, rainy night to find Rukia standing at the doorway leading back to the shop.
"What are you doing here?" asked Renji, "I thought you were with Ichigo."
"He said that he had to study for an exam that he has tomorrow," answered Rukia, "I thought that since he had to do that, I would come over and see how you were doing."
The dark- headed woman walked over to the banister where Renji sat and leaned up against it, looking into the night.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked. Renji looked back into the night.
"Maybe to you, it is," he replied, "but to me, it's something totally different."
Rukia looked at Renji.
"What do you mean?"
Renji continued to look into the darkness of the night.
"It just brings back memories I wish I never had."
That was when Renji felt a hand on his leg.
"Maybe," she whispered in a voice just low enough for him to hear, "but I am sure that among those memories, there are some that you are glad happened."
Renji smiled at the dark- haired woman in front of him. She was right. Among the memories of his life as a child on the streets, there were some good memories that came with the rain. All involving her. Renji looked back into the stillness of the night and noticed that the rain had stopped. He smiled again.
I hate the rain.
It's unbearable.
But, somehow, even if it rains, as long as you are near me, everything is alright.
A/N: Characters do not belong to me. I just like to play with them...especially Renji!