What happens when Rukia bids a final farewell to SS. I like the RenjixRukia pairing! Standard disclaimers apply.
The Meaning of Now
I. Yesterday
Violent gusts of wind picked up over the plains, swiftly moving clouds shielding the sunset's brilliant vermillion. Light faded, but Kuchiki Rukia merely pushed strands of dark hair away from her eyes, leaning against a rock in the open field. She had sensed the reiatsu behind her for approximately the last ten seconds, but said nothing.
It would be a difficult conversation.
"So when are you gonna invite me to sit down, Kuchiki Rukia?"
The sadness that passed like ghost across her face went unnoticed by him; she didn't turn around.
"We're been friends since forever, you can sit anytime you like," she replied, sounding shriller than she intended to.
The next instant Abarai Renji was beside her, seated too close for comfort. In that moment her instinct was to move aside.
She didn't.
The winds died down to a light breeze. The calm before the storm.
"What's with the glum face?" he asked, looking straight ahead at the billowing clouds.
She could smell his scent in the air, the familiar combination of musk and sweat that reminded her of their childhood days. When everything was fun and nothing really mattered. When friends were people you protected and stayed loyal to. So what was the difference now?
"Nothing."
"You know, if you die tomorrow in some freak accident you're going to regret that you were so unhappy for nothing just your death," Renji mused, throwing his arms back in an exaggerated stretch. "You'll regret all the things you wanted to do but didn't."
Rukia forced a laugh, not bothering to give him the left hook he so deserved.
"I'm just worrying," she said, feeling her shoulder muscles tighten. "You said it before: I worry too much."
"Yeah," he murmured, his tone lowering. "What are you worrying about? You're going back to him in two days' time. It's where you want to be."
"What?" she retorted, turning to glare at Renji in anger. "What the hell does that mean?"
Oh no.
He did it again.
"Uh."
"What exactly are you trying to say?!"
Renji looked away from her incensed face and ran the sentence through in his mind. What did he say wrong?
Why did she always get pissed off at him so easily?
Why did he have to take it?
Wrath exploded somewhere inside, stalling all thought and sending adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"I'm saying that going back to Ichigo should make you happy! Isn't that right?!"
She stood up, gritting her teeth.
"You don't understand, Renji," she muttered.
"No, of course not!" he shouted as she turned away. "It's not like I know what love feels like!"
Watching her storm off, he let out a deep sigh.
I can't seem to enter your world.
It's a pity… I'll never be a part of your future.