Betrayal

The betrayal of the captains was unexpected; although there were suspicions, it was still shocking. I could tell from Isamu's reaction as we watched the betrayers leave that he was angry. Because he had known all along that Aizen was plotting something, and he hadn't bothered voicing his thoughts.

I touched my bandaged stomach with a frown as they disappeared along with the Menos Grande.

As the fourth division was ordered around to begin healing the injured captains, I was approached by a bandaged and healing Renji. I flushed a bit as he looked down at the bandages that adorned my exposed stomach and arms; I had forgotten to take off the half shirt Unohana had given me so that she could have easier access to my wounds. He smiled weakly, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"You got hurt because I forced you to help me." I rolled my eyes at him; what, does my whole world revolve around him or something?

"You know damn well that if I didn't want to help you, I wouldn't have. Just consider yourself lucky you caught me on a good day." I smiled to the best of my ability, although I was feeling much worse for wear. The wound in my stomach still throbbed painfully, but not enough to stop me from moving around. People found that not many wounds would stop a member of the 11th division; even if you hacked off their arms and legs, they'd use the bloody stumps until they were completely obliterated.

I had proved my worth in my battle against Ōmaeda; I had lost, but I had not given in. I had faced what I thought would be a quick death, but instead survived on the account of my father figure. Now all it took was getting stronger, so that one day I would no longer have to accept death. One day, I'd be able to beat it.

"Thanks for helping me, and for being a better friend to me than I was to you." He began to blush, looking around to see if anyone was paying us any mind. Most shinigami were still busy rushing around in an attempt to help the wounded, which meant virtually no one was focusing on our conversation alone. "I mean it."

"I'm a lot more selfish than you think Renji." I crossed my arms and avoided his gaze. "But I learned a lesson in the long run. You're always stronger when you're striving to protect someone rather than just protecting yourself."

"…Yeah." He smiled at me. "For your help though… you and I should go out for drinks sometime. Together. Just us… you know?" He became more flustered as he continued to speak; but I found it hard to keep the smile from my face.

"You got it-"

"Eh~ What's going on over here?" I turned to the side curiously as an arm was lazily draped around my shoulder. "Don't tell me Lieutenant Abarai is asking you on a date?" Renji began to sputter out excuses such as 'I need to check on Rukia and Captain Kuchiki' before he disappeared into the crowd of working shinigami. I let out a frustrated sigh.

"Thanks a lot, Captain Kyōraku." I gave him a pointed glare to prove my annoyance with him suddenly showing up.

"Aw, a few hours ago it was uncle and now it's back to captain."

Ukitake then approached to make matters worse.

"What's wrong?"

"Our little Kumiko is growing up, Jūshirō!" Shunsui pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. "She's got a date!"

"A date?" Ukitake mimicked Shunsui's fake tears, pretending to cry along with his friend. "They grow up so quickly!"

"S-Shut up both of you! You're both annoying old men!"