Strelitzia

I know,
You'll be standing right next to me

For some reason, Shunsui wanted to help me. He could tell my Spirit Energy was low and offered me shelter at the Squad Eight barracks. From what I could tell, he genuinely wanted to help me.

"Um, Mr. Kyōraku?" I asked, as we walked away from the Shishinrō.

"Please child, call me Shunsui." he corrected.

"Okay then, Shunsui, can I ask just one, simple favor, or request?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Depends, what is it?" Shunsui questioned.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. "Lieutenant Abarai." I answered. "I want to see him. To see for myself how he's doing."

"Why would you want that?" Shunsui asked.

"Well, it was my brother that beat him." I informed. "And, I've been kinda worried, since I know he was in a critical state when we left."

Shunsui pulled the tip of his sakkat down over his eyes. "I suppose I could take you to the Squad Six jail, but only for a few short minutes."

"Thank you." I said, smiling.

When we got to the Squad Six barracks, Shunsui snuck me into the prison hall, and we were all alone. I saw Renji laying on a bed in a cell, his Shihakushō uniform neatly folded on a table beside him, along with his sword.

"Why is he handcuffed?" I asked, slipping into the cell.

"Captain Kuchiki's orders." Shunsui answered. "Since he lost to a Ryoka."

I sat on the bedside and looked over Renji. A sheet was up to his chest, which was mostly covered in bandages. His wrists were locked in a wooden stockade.

"I'm sorry Renji." I muttered, slipping my hand into his. "I'm sorry this happened."

I didn't fully understand why my heart was constricting when I looked down at him.

"Zakuro, we should leave." Shunsui said, leaning against the metal bars.

I looked back over my shoulder and nodded. I looked down at Renji once more and smiled. "I hope our paths cross again soon." I whispered. "Maybe we'll be on the same side next time." I planted a kiss on his forehead and squeezed his hand.

I waited for Shunsui outside the cell room, my hand over my chest.

"Come on sweetie, let's go." Shunsui smiled, leading the way to his squad's barracks.

The sun was setting by the time we arrived, and the barracks were almost empty. Shunsui led me to a wide house.

"This is where me and my Lieutenant stay." Shunsui informed. "Follow me."

I nodded and walked right beside him as he led me to a room that I assumed was his office, judging by the layout.

"There's a room off to the side here, and that's where you can stay." Shunsui opened a side panel door and led me into a medium sized room.

"Thank you again." I told him, putting on a smile.

Shunsui smiled back. "I'll bring you some tea." he said. "It'll help get your strength back." he shut the door behind him as he left.

I sat on the bed and exhaled, feeling the events of the day finally taking they're toll on me.

I walked out of the room and sat on the deck, looking out at the Seireitei as the sun had completely set.

"A beautiful sight, isn't it?" Shunsui questioned, sitting down next to me, holding a plate with two glasses and a pot of tea. He poured the tea into the glasses and handed me one.

"Yes, it reminds me a little bit of home." I answered, taking a sip of tea. The warm liquid ran down my throat and I immediately felt calm and relaxed. "Mmm, it's wonderful. Thank you Captain Shunsui."

"Anything for a beautiful young lady." Shunsui replied, winking.

"So, where is your Lieutenant?" I asked, taking another sip of tea.

"I sent her to get a copy of the report on Aizen's murder." he answered. "Nanao should be back soon."

I nodded. "So, this Captain that was murdered, do you really think one of my friends did it?" I questioned.

"I'm not really sure." Shunsui answered, looking over at me. "Do you?"

I shook my head. "No, my friends are the kindest people I've ever met." I said. "Even though one of them is a Quincy, I don't think he'd murder a Soul Reaper Captain."

"You're passionate." Shunsui noted. "For someone as young as you, you seem a bit wise beyond your years. I can tell you're an honorable person. As well as kind and caring."

I smiled. "Well, not to brag but, I am the smartest girl in my class at school." I chuckled. "As for honorable, I just believe in my friends and trust their judgment and character." I added, looking up at the night sky. "And, I guess my kind and caring personality comes from the fact that I have two little sisters at home."

Shunsui gave me a gentle smile. "You're also very brave, having come all the way hereto save Rukia Kuchiki." he added.

"Rukia's my friend." I told him. "And I couldn't just stay back home while she was gonna be executed." I sighed. "If it wasn't for her, me and my entire family would be dead." I set the tea glass down and looked up at the starry sky. "She protected my family from a Hollow, but was injured while doing so." I informed, recalling the night I met her. "She offered to share her powers with Ichigo, Momo, and me, so we could protect my father and my sisters. She saved our lives, now it's our turn to save hers." I felt tears fall from my eyes.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck." Shunsui said.

I gasped and looked over at him. He met my eyes and smiled.

I untied my sheath and laid it next to me as I slid under the blankets. "At least Captain Kyōraku's nice." I muttered, pulling my sheath closer to me once I was settled. "After we get a good night's sleep, we'll be ready to find Ichigo and Momo."

Mūndoragon's spiritual manifestation appeared and nodded . "We'll both need our rest if we want to keep up with Momo and Ichigo." she chimed. "Sleep well, Zakuro."

My eyes drifted close. "Sleep well, Mūndoragon." I murmured, as I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

That night, I dreamt of my mother. The first time since her death six years ago. I couldn't remember much when I awoke, but all I could remember was she was there.

I secured my sheath to my Shihakushō and entered Shunsui's office, where I found him sitting on the small sofa.

"Good morning, Captain Kyōraku." I greeted.

"Oh, good morning Zakuro." Shunsui replied, smiling. "How'd ya sleep?"

"Very well." I answered. I bowed respectfully. "Thank you again for letting me stay here in your barracks. But, now I really should get going."

"At least have some breakfast first." Shunsui offered, pointing to a plate on his desk. "A pretty young think like you needs a hardy breakfast to start the day."

I mentally sweat dropped and chuckled. "Whatever you say." I replied. "You know, Shunsui, you remind a bit of my dad. And it's starting to freak me out a little, to be honest."

Just as I was about to leave the Squad Eight barracks, when there was a knock at Shunsui's office door.

"Captain Kyōraku, you wanted to see me?" came a familiar voice on the other side.

Shunsui smiled and opened the door. "Hello there Renji, come on in." he greeted, stepping aside.

I gasped. "Lieutenant." I murmured.

Renji's eyes met mine. "I remember you. You're Ichigo's sister." he pointed to me. "You're also the one who saved me. You stopped the bleeding of my wounds using your own Spirit Energy."

I nodded. "I couldn't let you die." I said, looking down. "I don't think Rukia would forgive me."

"Thank you." Renji told me. "I owe ya one."

I gasped and felt my cheeks warm up just a bit. "You're welcome." I replied, smiling.

Shunsui chuckled. "Here you two, you can leave my barracks through here." he informed, opening a secret panel by the office window. "Be careful"

"Thank you, Captain Kyōraku." Renji said, bowing.

I bowed as well. "Yes, thank you very much." I added.

Renji slipped through the exit first. I looked back over my shoulder, "I am truly grateful, Captain Kyōraku. Thank you so much for showing me kindness, even though I'm a Ryoka."

Shunsui shrugged. "What can I say, cute girls like you are my Kryptonite." he admitted. "Take care of yourself, Zakuro."

"You too, Captain Kyōraku." I replied, winking.

I slipped out the exit and looked up at Renji.

"So now what?" Renji asked.

"I'm going to find my brother." I answered. "Yoruichi took him somewhere to train, saying she was gonna make Ichigo stronger than Byakuya."

"Then, I'm gonna come too." Renji voted.

I raised an eyebrow. "But, Byakuya is your commanding officer."

"He also threw me in jail for loosing to Ichigo." Renji reminded. "Ichigo is no longer my enemy."

I smiled. "Okay, let's go." I suggested.

Renji and I exited the Squad Eight barracks and ran straight into the forest, slipping past the security forces. I focused all of my Spirit Energy into locating my brother, and I sensed him on the outskirts of the forest.

"I'm coming Ichigo. We'll get stronger together!" I thought, running as fast as I could.

I cast a glance over at Renji and could tell his eyes were full of determination. Having him as an ally now made me smile, and I could just sense that he was an honorable man.