Renji's Perspective:

It was a bit after I hugged Rukia that we parted. I promised I would meet up with her after dark, by then I would have a plan. I thought about it while my group tried to find a place to practice, but nothing came to mind. Maybe if I thought about it later…

Today was the first day of practice so I thought we should practice controlling our spiritual energy and remembering the main ways to handle your zanpakuto (some people havn't fought in a while). There wasn't much for me to do, so I lay down in the grass and closed my eyes.

I thought about Rukia; her dazzling smile, the sound she makes when she laughs, the way my heart speeds up whenever I see her. But what if that'll never happen again? What if I never see her again? What if her dead corpse is all that's left after the Winter War? No! I won't let that happen! I must protect Rukia! But, how?

…I got it!

"Rukia! Rukia!" I called, running toward her room. She opened the door and I could see the 'I'm Byakuya's sister' on her face.

"Shh! Can't you be quiet, you're going to cause a scene!"

I laughed and ignored her comment. I caught her in a bear-hug and went inside.

"So what's this brilliant plan of yours?" She asked.

"You have to tell me something first, Rukia," I told her, "you have to promise me that, no matter what happens to me, you'll keep yourself alive."

I could tell she didn't like the 'no matter what happens to me' part, but she nodded. She also tried to lighten the mood by smiling, but it didn't reach her eyes.

I continued and answered her question, "I will do anything, even risk my life, to see you alive during the Winter War. I will make my group strong enough so that they can fight without me; and I may see you." I was going to continue but Rukia was shaking her head in disagreement.

"Renji, you're group needs you, you're their leader. Don't sacrifice them like that. I can leave my group and-"

"No." I didn't want her passing through other fights, what if something happened to her?

Rukia closed her eyes, she sighed, and said: "Maybe… Maybe it's just too big of a risk for us to see each other…"

Don't forget to comment! Btw, i'll either drag the story or just not update for a while until i figure out a good way to explain people fighting. still need that fanfic!