Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the Bleach characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo: the genius behind the captivating manga that started it all. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
Hatred Revised
From the beginning, he'd hated her.
For the longest time, a period of at least seven years, she'd done nothing but follow him around like a lost puppy. He detested this, watching her wide eyes as they lingered on him, that childish smile stuck to her face. Had he not known better, Renji would have said that someone had thrown a big sticker over her mouth. Unfortunately, he didn't have such luck. If he had, then she wouldn't have been able to pester him into letting her join in the games that he played with his friends at the foot of the mountain.
She wasn't a bad person from what he could tell, just annoying.
Still, he could remember the day that the villagers had found her, a tiny little bundle in the tall grass of the fields. She'd been wrapped in a little blue blanket, bawling her eyes out until someone came and found her. On that day, he'd been three, playing in the dirt outside his family's home as small boys often did. He'd built up the most amazing structure his mind could conjure at the time, only to be completely ignored as everyone went running to see the new baby.
His mother had taken her in, telling Renji that he now had a new friend to play with. As he had been used to being an only child, he hadn't been the least bit thrilled about the news, having decided that he'd put her outside to sleep with the cat. His father had found out, and had given him a stern talking-to as to how and why babies were different from cats.
Renji had ignored every word.
Now, seven years later, she was still following him around their dusty little town, pleading to join in the game. He was seriously considering it as she looked up at him with angry eyes, now demanding that she get to play. His father had warned him about this recently. He'd told Renji that it would be best to let Rukia play with him and his friends, as she might be bigger and stronger than him one day. And, being a rather prideful child, the last thing Renji wanted was to be beaten up by a girl.
He hung his head, mumbling a rather sour "okay" that sent Rukia bounding towards the ball that lay in the middle of their makeshift soccer field.
As the leader of this little gang, Renji had to be strong and fair. At least, that's what he wanted his friends to think. It wouldn't do if they found out he was afraid of a girl kicking his butt.