With Wounds, and a Broken Sword
I do not own Bleach, unfortunately.
Forward, forward... But with wounds, and a broken sword...
Character-death
There are people she loves. Those who have given her their heart and those to whom she has given her heart. Life before this really wasn't life at all. Ever since Renji had sent her packing away to the Kuchiki clan, ever since she stabbed Kaien-dono, ever since Onii-sama gave her one last look and turned away from her eyes forever. And then she became human in a fake body. She smiles slightly in nostalgia as she remembers the strange world she had explored.
It was shockingly easy at how she had gained acceptance among the living. Ichigo with his gruffness, Sado with his silence, Ishida with his reluctance, and Inoue with her smiles. It had been so strong. During her captivity, she had felt it. Their undying companionship rippling over to her in every decrease of reiatsu.
She still feels it.
Before it had been much more difficult to find companionship in the bustling world of the Shinigami. People could be killed by hollows so easily. When she was alone, locked away like a princess, so unbearably alone, she had despaired at her incapability to stop the fighting. The needless blood spilled because she had screwed up and lived as a gigai for far too long.
She's ready. She sees.
She is past the barren emptiness that once consumed her soul. Kaien had given her his heart. She had forgotten that. And now...
You must absolutely
For her friends.
Not die alone, Kuchiki.
For her friends.
Do not fear Inoue... I'll be right... there...!
Her face falls. Her grip relaxes.
The beginning of Chapter 269 has to be the most tragic part out of Bleach. That's my opinion at least. I loved it and in consequence have taken a liking to Rukia. I won't say I used to dislike her, but I was neutral on her existence. Italics are from a scanlation by Maximum 7. I skipped some lines. This is based on the possibility of Rukia dying. Just to make it clear, I've never wanted her to die. She's needed for Ichigo's evolution. I haven't written for her, I never did plan on writing for her, and this was a spur of the moment job. If I screwed her up and don't get her at all (or if you couldn't read it because of grammar errors) send me some constructive criticism. Also, is it just me, or is Rukia more distant from the shinigami outside of her division?