Sending Renji off with three small children was more fun than it should have been. Rangiku didn't have nearly the experience with the new Lieutenant of the Sixth that she had with all the others. He hadn't even become a lieutenant until the month before she was out on bed rest, so she wasn't an expert at giving him a hard time, but he was so easy to read.

Nanao, Nemu, and Miyako had all come over to test the effectiveness of Nemu and Miyako's barrier, so Renji had to be gotten out of the way. Who knew exactly how cooperative he would be about a not exactly legal pocket dimension. So Rangiku had told him that he would be guarding the children and they needed to go play in the garden. Then she put the baby sling across his chest and made Yukiko comfortable and all his stuttered protests, first that the two lieutenants were supposed to be guarding the entire family at once and he was supposed to be watching Rukia in particular, then his desperate attempts to escape the pink baby sling and diaper bag, were so hilarious that Miyako and Nanao had to cover their mouths to keep from laughing out loud.

Rangiku ended up physically shoving him on his way down the path, telling him it was good practice for the future and not to forget Kin-chan knew shunpo before she finally returned to her friends.

Even Rukia was smiling by the time she hopped up to the porch, and she said, "Renji's such an idiot."

"I wish all of these men would stop worrying that we cannot protect ourselves," Nanao said. "The only reason Rangiku and I did not fight the Arrancar was because the children were too close by. We are both lieutenants and quite as capable as any of the men."

Rangiku had to agree. "If I'd had Haineko with me I would have challenged him," she said, gripping the hilt of the sword she now wore. Gin hadn't liked that. He didn't think she was up to any fighting yet, but that was his tough luck. He wasn't here.

"Certainly the three of us should be adequate to meet any threat, and if we were not I doubt the addition of the inexperienced Lieutenant Abarai would be enough to make any significant difference," Nemu said.

"I am grateful to Renji and Nii-sama both," Rukia said softly. "I do not feel adequate to meet any challenge. I feel very weak and unsure of my abilities. I have been told I have been without my proper reiatsu for half a year, but I cannot remember, at least, I do miss Sode no Shirayuki. I miss--I'm not sure. So many pieces are missing now, my memories, my reiatsu; I feel like I am only part of myself."

Rangiku frowned for a moment considering an idea she did not doubt plenty of people would object to, but in the end she decided she was probably right. " Sode no Shirayuki is here. How would you like to see what you can do with it?"

Rukia turned huge eyes on her. "My zanpakuto is here?"

"Rangiku, I'm not sure that's the best idea," Nanao began.

"Please," Rukia said softly. "I would like to see it."

Rangiku hopped to her feet and hurried from the room. Nanao turned worried eyes on the other women. "Do you think--" she said softly.

"Maybe Rangiku is right," Miyako said. "Rukia needs to remember she is not helpless."

She turned to Rukia. "You were one of the strongest shinigami in the division, you know. Your zanpakuto was the strongest ice type until Hyorinmaru. You should be proud of your strength and skill, even if right now you feel powerless. This is only temporary."

Rukia's eyes dropped. "It is very kind of you to say."

"I'm not just saying it," Miyako answered. "Your brother asked Captain Ukitake not to make you an officer because he thought it would keep you out of the path of danger. Kaien was very annoyed by that. He did not think it fair to keep you from advancing simply to keep you safe. You deserve to advance according to your skill just as anyone else would, otherwise you would not realize your own abilities, and we would have looked after you regardless of your rank. You are very precious to us."

"Because of Hisana," Rukia said softly.

"Maybe at first," Miyako agreed. "But now you are a very dear friend. We all care very much about you. I hope you realize that."

Rangiku reappeared then, holding the sheathed weapon in triumph. "I convinced Byakuya it's nearness might be comforting even if you couldn't use it," she declared. "But I think you should try to, at least try a simpler move, or if you'd like we could do a little sparring. I haven't gotten to use Haineko in months."

"And you're not supposed to for at least another week," Nanao said. "Honestly, Rangiku, do you have any idea how to take it easy at all?"

Miyako had watched Rukia's face pale at Rangiku's suggestion and spoke up, agreeing with Nanao. "You should rest, Rangiku. I know you say you're fine, but Unohana put you on bed rest for a reason. And you know if you hurt yourself your son will be afraid to leave you for a moment. He seems to think anything that happens to you is his responsibility."

"Fine, fine," Rangiku agreed and she set the sword on the table in front of Rukia. "You can touch in at least."

Rukia slid her fingers along the cool black sheath before setting her hand on the zanpakuto's hilt. Her eyes closed as her fingers wrapped around it, timid at first and then tightening suddenly. She opened her eyes and pulled the blade free. "It will take time for me to regain the strength to use you properly, but it is good to have you back, Sode no Shirayuki."

"I understand," Rangiku agreed. "I think I'd feel like I was missing a limb if I didn't have Haineko nearby. Not being able to practice when I'm pregnant just about drives me out of my mind."

"Not everyone is quite as attached to their zanpakuto as you are," Nanao said, coolly.

"Why don't you ever wear your zanpakuto, Nanao?" Rangiku asked, suddenly realizing she'd never seen the other lieutenant with any sort of weapon.

"Some things are none of your business, Rangiku," Nanao answered, in a tone that made it clear the subject needed to be dropped immediately.

Rangiku made a face but she turned back to Rukia. "Well, ready to give it a try?"

Rukia sheathed the silvery blade. "Maybe next time," she said, suddenly sounding timid again, and she forced the blade back into Rangiku's hands. "Thank you, Rangiku-san. Seeing it makes me hopeful that I will not always be like I am now."

Rangiku managed to smile back. "I'll put it up for later. Now Nemu and Miyako are going to have to show off this barrier they've constructed."