A/N: Two fics in one night? This must be a new record for me, unless you wanna get all technical and say that this fic was posted in the morning but whatever…..
A short companion piece to Inexcusable which I feel is my best work on the page. This can be seen as either a prologue almost or can be read on its own. Feel free to leave a comment, I enjoy feedback :)
Face, arms and chest adorned with lacerations, Rukia Kuchiki's body felt heavy as she drew her zanpakuto once more. The useless sword was all she had to present to the spirit that once inhabited the zanpakuto of her brother.
Senbon Zakura would show no mercy, much like his former master, Byakuya Kuchiki. Rukia just wanted this battle over with. But was it honorable to die by the hand of her brother's zanpakuto?
The masked samurai went on the offense. Rukia closed her eyes and raised her blade in vain hopes of defending herself. She heard the sounds of Senbon Zakura closing in and she waited for the final impact that never came.
Instead, casting a shadow in the moonlight, Byakuya Kuchiki stood between Rukia and the being that once inhabited his zanpakuto. It was surprising how much rage and anger Byakuya conveyed in his stoic face.
"You have every right to attack me," Byakuya said coldly. "But you have absolutely no business attacking my sister."
Rukia's eyes went wide, "N-Nii-sama?"
But Byakuya did nothing to acknowledge his bleeding sister. Senbon Zakura remained stoic.
"I no longer follow your orders, Byakuya Kuchiki," he said raising his sword. Byakuya's eyes narrowed.
"It is as I said," Byakuya said with a hint of anger in his voice. "Attack me as you will for I have failed as your master; but do not attack my sister. She has done nothing to you; it is unacceptable."
"Senbon Zakura," Sode no Shirayuki, the spirit of Rukia's Zanpakuto stepped between Byakuya and Senbon Zakura. She turned to the latter, face compossed. "It is time, let us go"
Byakuya let them leave, the battle would commence another time. Instead he turned his attention to Rukia who was watching the entire scene with wide eyes. She was shivering due to cold and blood loss.
Byakuya slid the white captain's haori off his back and wrapped it around his sister. It was thin but would hopefully help her retain some body heat. He picked her up into his arms and pushed off the ground sensing for any member of Division Four.