So here's chapter 2! It's quite longer than the first. My creative juices were overflowing hehe : ) Thank you Himiko Areess for my first review!

P.S. I re-posted the chapter after correcting some grammatical errors :p

Chapter 2

**Soul Society**

**Ukitake taichou's office**

"Welcome back Kuchiki-san!" Ukitake taichou said.

"Yo, Rukia!" said my tattooed best friend with an unreadable but somewhat happy face.

"Thank you very much Ukitake taichou! I'm happy to be back." Given my taichou's tender nature, he gave me a sympathetic smile as if knowing the turmoil in my heart. I tried to smile back as I reinforced the wall surrounding my heart. I made it my resolve to not let my emotions get the best of me.

I briefed my taichou about Kurosaki Ichigo losing his powers and about the months I was at Karakura town after the Aizen battle. After I was done rambling about the few hollows, soul burials, and other small tasks I performed he asked about the representative badge. Ashamed I told him I forgot it. He gave me an odd look but said it should not be a problem. He said I was free to leave. I bowed and left his office, Renji by my side.

"So Ichigo really lost his powers, huh? He fought so hard it's a shame he had to lose 'em. He could've been a badass Shinigami representative with those crazy powers!...although not as good as me! " Renji said with a smirk as they walked out of the taichou's building.

"Yeah I guess so…so where's nii-sama? I would like to inform him of my arrival." Rukia said trying to change the subject.

"Kuchiki taichou is training with the guys of our division. He's been pushing us hard, heck everyone's been trying to get their divisions stronger after the Aizen battle! The only reason I'm not training now is because he asked me to come to Ukitake taichou's office to see you back. Although it's kind of hard to tell anything that goes through his mind you can tell Kuchiki-taichou has been worried about you. He hasn't seen you since the battle." Renji said.

"Well I'm back for good now and I also plan on getting stronger. It is unfortunate we had to depend on people from the world of the living to help us shinigami." Rukia said with a cold expression.

Renji looked down and noticed the iciness. Being friends for so long allowed him a glimpse into her soul. Even if she could fool everyone else –or try to- she could not fool him.

"Alright Rukia! you can put your front down and tell me how you really feel" Renji said.

"There is nothing to tell. I simply have a stronger resolve in becoming a better shinigami. You of all people should know how it feels to not be strong enough and have to depend on others to protect what you should be protecting yourself!" She raised her stern voice.

Renji was starting to get irritated now and raised his voice a little as well, "Yes, but I also learned that being stubborn can cause you to lose the people you care for. It's ok if you made it your resolve to become stronger, but don't shut people out just because you think friendship and comradery will get in the way!"

"Well if they were of any help Ichigo wouldn't have had to sacrifice himself and lose his powers!" Rukia yelled at Renji. As soon as those words came out she couldn't move, she was in shock and her eyes watery. She couldn't believe she let her guard down.

By now, people were staring at the two shinigami who were standing in the middle of the street in a heated argument. 'God, shinigami can be so freaking nosy', Renji thought as his eyes moved around looking at the interested people. He decided it would be best for them to go somewhere away from the pesky people. The Kuchiki mansion was a few minutes away and he thought it was his best bet. With his taichou busy and away, Rukia would have some much needed time to herself.

"Let's go." He said in a firm voice. She followed. Rukia seemed consumed in her thoughts. Renji glanced at her and decided it was best for them to walk in silence until they got to the mansion. He was a little sad but chose to not let it show. He needed to be there for her.

**Kuchiki Mansion**

"No matter what happens outside of these walls, this place always makes me feel at ease…" Rukia said as both of them sat on a wooden bench surrounded by cherry blossoms. "You know, when I first got adopted into the Kuchiki family I had a really hard time adjusting. I was in no way used to the nobilities that came with being adopted into such a family, but I always loved the garden. I could always get away from everyone and everything here and quiet my mind." She said as she picked up a cherry blossom form the pebbled ground and stared intently down at it.

He remembered that time when she was in the river picking up a flower, sun glistening on her pale skin. Regardless of how tough and tomboyish she could be, she was always so beautiful in his eyes…He repressed his memories.

"Tell me about it, after we came back from the battle with Aizen there has been such a gloomy feeling here at soul society. There is a strong feeling of distrust that sickens many divisions. If it wasn't for the strong bonds I have with my friends and my taichou I would be going crazy like them too since I don't have a nice little garden like this to go to!" Renji said smiling but his attempt to lighten the mood fell flat and unsuccessful.

"Renji, do you think we did all we could to help Karakura Town?" She said quietly.

"What do you mean? Aizen was defeated and peace returned to the world of the living and for us as well. Granted, soul society and everyone from the world of the living went through a lot but everyone still managed to pull it together at the end."

"Then why is it that I feel so sad even though we won….he shouldn't have had to sacrifice himself for us…"

"Rukia! Ichigo didn't sacrifice himself, he wanted to protect everyone! ...And he didn't lose anything! His family, his friends, his town, and he himself are alive and he can go back to living a normal life!"

When Renji said that last sentence Rukia couldn't keep it in any longer. She covered her face with her hands and started crying. Renji didn't know what to do. He was her closest friend and yet at this moment felt so far away. He had never seen Rukia cry like this. He knew the reason she was like this was because she became too attached to Ichigo. He wasn't sure about the true nature of their relationship, but deep in his heart he knew the truth. She might have fallen for him, just like she did with Kaien…always being the wrong guy, the wrong situation, the wrong time.

"Rukia, you don't need to explain to me why you are feeling this way, just know that there are many people here that care for you and I will always be there for you-" She didn't let him finish his sentence,

"I'm so selfish! I shouldn't be feeling this way! How can I feel anything but happy even though everyone is fine and the fight is over…" She said feeling embarrassed of her feelings, still unwilling to look at her friend.

"Rukia" he said holding her wrists as he removed her hands from her face. "You are FAR from selfish. You gave that little punk your powers so he could defend his family when he needed it the most even though you knew the consequences of it. Things might not have happened the way you thought they would ever in a million years, but because of the way things happened everyone is still alive!" As he spoke he noticed he was still holding her wrists. He blushed, but luckily for him she was looking away and didn't notice. He then let go of her wrists and said, "You are Kuchiki Rukia, you know better than to let these things get the best of you!" He smiled and said, "Remember where you came from. Back in Rukongai you were the second strongest in our group, and you're a girl!" He said with a cocky smile

"Second? I was stronger than you!" She said in a livelier tone.

"Well I guess it doesn't matter anyway since I'm stronger now, which proves I was stronger then" He said smiling and putting his hands on his waist. She punched his arm and they both started laughing.

"Thank you Renji. I'm so happy to always have your friendship and support." She said sincerely staring into his eyes. He smiled back happy to know their bond was still strong enough to cheer her. A few minutes passed as they enjoyed the tranquility of the garden.

"So what are you planning on doing now that you're back? Ukitake taichou is giving you quite a bit of time off from missions outside of soul society since you've been away these past months."

"Like you said, I need to get stronger instead of feeling sorry for myself. I'm going to train hard so that the next time something happens we can depend on ourselves and not outsiders, and then I'm going to surpass you and kick your butt, baka!" Before Renji could retort, a messenger came informing him that he needed to return to his division. Renji got up from the bench and said, "Well, I guess I should get going. If you need help training from a stronger shinigami you know where to find him" He said puffing up his chest.

"Sure thing, I will be sure to ask nii-sama for help" She said crossing her arms, arching her eyebrow and smiling.

"Yea, yea…see you Rukia" He said as he turned and walked away.

"Bye Renji"

She saw him leave with the messenger as they walked through the pebbled path surrounded by the beautiful pink trees. She wanted to get up and do something productive but opted to stay and quiet her thoughts. Much to her dislike, even if she did get up there wouldn't be anything for her to do. She had the whole day off. Sadly, even after Renji's chat she knew it wasn't going to be easy coming back to where she belonged…

I hope the new chapter didn't disappoint. I don't start school until the end of August so I have plenty of time to update! I'm so excited to be writing my first story so I hope it shows : ). Also, don't forget to let me know if you like it so that I can keep going!