Soft footsteps echoed through the dark halls of the Sixth Division. Quietly, Abarare Renji made his way to Rukia's cell. He gently slid the key in the lock, opening the cell with a small click.
She flinched at the small noise, turning around. Her eyes wandered upwards, making eye contact with Renji.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice echoing through the emptiness.
"Shhhh...I came here to see you" he whispered, walking towards her.
"Why?" she whispered back
"Do I need an excuse to see an old friend?" he asked.
"No, but you do to see a prisoner" she shot back.
"Look, you don't belong here" he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I don't belong anywhere..." she replied.
"Rukia, don't say things like that" he ordered.
"Why did you come to get me?" she demanded.
"Orders" he answered simply, shrugging.
"I mean...why did you and Byakuya-nii-sama" personally come?" she asked.
"I didn't want you to die" he said, kneeling next to her.
"See how that turned out" she retorted.
"This wasn't supposed to happen like this!" he snapped.
"It never is...is it?" she asked. He sighed, looking away. There was a long silence.
They heard footsteps approaching. Renji quickly ducked into the shadows, hiding. Rukia's head went down, as if she was sleeping. The guard froze, looking into the cell.
He finally let out a grunt of satisfaction and continued. When he was too far away to hear, Renji let out a sigh of relief.
"I should have stopped you" he said finally. She looked at him puzzled. "I should've stopped you from entering the Kuchiki clan. It's all my fault" he continued.
"Don't blame yourself for the past. This is all my fault, so I'll pay for my sins with my life. It's only fair" she said.
"You don't deserve to die! Never say anything like that again!" he snapped, grabbing her shoulders.
"Why are you hiding from the truth?" she asked. He slapped her, causing her to cry out in pain. She slowly raised her hand to her face, touching the sore spot.
"I'm sorry" he whispered, placing a large hand over her trembling small hand. He held it tightly, trying to ease both of their fears. He looked out the window, seeing the sun come up.
"You should probably leave" Rukia said, sounding slightly frightened.
"I'm sorry" he repeated, dashing out of the cell.
