Author's Note: It seems I'm one of the few people to truly hope that the relationship between Renji and Rukia is a romantic one, and such is the inspiration for my first story ever! Two notes on reading: (1) this is meant to be in line with ep. 32 of the anime; and (2) while I realize many seem to interpret the RukiRen relationship as one of antagonism, I was more impressed by how gentle he could be, and was at moments in the manga. Ah, so please bear with me, and thanks for reading: )
It was the perfect day to be outdoors practicing. The warmth of the sun could be seen through the green of the leaves, and the white of the clouds was just enough to accent the vibrant blue above them.
Renji noticed that her skills were improving rapidly. Her speed was one to match his, her maneuvers were more confident, and her aim became more accurate with each hit. Since they had entered Central Spirit Tech, the academy for shinigami, he could sense a new resolve in her. He too shared in this need: to prove himself, to show that his background did not determine his talent, strength and skills. Together, they practiced often in these woods, often joined by Kira and Hinamori.
And yet, today seemed different.
She seemed lost. Her attacks were not nearly as powerful as he knew them to be. Her steps were sluggish and heavy. The air itself around her seemed distant of the surrounding beauty.
What's wrong, he thought.
Though he wanted to ask her such a question, she was not the type to pour her troubles out. She would smile it away and responsively increase her focus for a short while. So, recognizing such futility, he continued on. Hit upon hit. Attack and defended. Clang!
Regardless of her mood, he couldn't get a hit past her. To retreat for a moment, if only to collect his thoughts, he jumped high into the air, among the very branches of the looming trees. He wondered if he should tell her this wasn't practice—she wasn't even trying! It was a waste of time.
A wind rustled near his ear. He turned his gaze to see a few leaves rustling unnaturally. Then he felt the sting.
In his distraction, her sword connected with his face. A small cut on his cheek began to rain drops and rivulets of dark red blood. Taken by surprise, he lost all concentration and fell roughly to the ground.
Laying on his back, with the wind completely taken out of him, he heard above him, "RENJI! YOU IDIOT! YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO FALL!"
She was at his side a moment later. Facing him, leaning over his chest, she removed a small cloth in her pocket as well as a small vial of ointment she kept for occasions like this. (As she was not yet a master of the healing arts, through their skirmishes, she became a master at treating cuts and wounds.)
"Damn you. You're getting better, Rukia," he laughed while she dabbed the ointment on the cloth.
"No, you're just slow, stupid." she replied with a low sigh while with every ounce of gentleness she applied the cloth to his cut. He winced.
In the ensuing moments, they didn't speak. He could feel her weight pressed against his body, and noticed what he shouldn't have. As she leaned over him, the overlapping layer of her student's robe lay just loose enough to grant him a fleeting view of the outline of the shape of her figure. Since the day at the river when they were children, when flowers glowed in her dripping hands, he had never considered her to be anything more than his little sister.
And yet, today, you are different.
Today, this girl beside him was beautiful.
"What were you thinking about up there?" she asked quietly.
Not wanting to sound out of character, he replied with a light air: "I was thinking about how badly you were practicing today. Then you caught me off guard. Cheap shot." He raised an eyebrow and feigned a frown.
She continued to dab his wound. He didn't feel any pain, but he didn't want her to stop. He'd let himself get cut all the time if it meant this kind of treatment.
"I'm sorry, Renji. It's just… hard right now."
"What… is it?" He paused carefully, not wanting to pry too far.
"Oh, you know how it is. School is just hard." She shrugged his gaze off.
"Do you want me to help? I am in the advanced class, after all." He smiled with a smug.
He looked at her, questioning how he should continue. It was obvious that something important troubled her, and yet, he did not know how to open her. He was her protector, but only in body. In mind, it was as though she sat behind a closed window: close enough for him to see her conflict, yet just far enough from his reach.
"I'm fine, Renji. Really, it's just an off day."
He wasn't getting anywhere. He thought for a moment… he should change the subject!
Stepping out of the mold for a moment, and hoping to lighten the mood, he said awkwardly, "You know, I really appreciate what you said yesterday… about how I should keep raising my hand. We are different from the rest of these kids, but we'll be better. I know we will."
She looked down. Not a word found itself. She began to shiver as though a cold breeze had taken her.
Almost inaudibly, she whispered, "Will we?"
He had struck the chord.
In a tone he had never heard before, in broken phrases, and in pained warm tears, she continued: "Renji, we are so far from them. They were raised for this school…this life. But we came here as an escape from our real lives. Who are we, Renji?... Who are we... Why are we here!" she sobbed.
At this, she could hold up no further. She wrapped her thin arms around his neck and let her tears flow unhindered. Thinking and not thinking, confused and torn apart. Her emotions took hold of her. Feeling her world was becoming unhinged, she clung tightly to the one person she felt could bring it to a stop.
Renji, on the other hand, as with most men when confronted with how to comfort a crying woman, did not know what was going on. Instinctively, he placed his arms over her back and shoulders. Then, without thinking, his hold grew stronger and pulled her closer to him. He could feel her warm cheek pressed against his, and her tears on his face. He held her to stop her body from shaking.
For several minutes, they lay together like this, wrapped and wound around one another. Gradually, she began to calm and loosen her hold. He too, sensing this, released her… but only slightly. Just enough so she could lean up and look at him. Seeing her overrun with tears, he placed a hand ever so gently on her face. Keeping his palm to support her, he glided over a tear with his thumb.
With the sun shining in patches all around them, dancing in Rukia's hair, Renji saw her to be beautiful. Until now, he had only seen the boyish nature of her personality, and the roughness of her fists. Perhaps those were all that she allowed him to see. But today, he saw much more. Today, she was different. He was different.
Through her eyes, he saw a vulnerability she allowed him. He could see how much she wanted him to say he would make things okay. And he was touched by this. He continued to stroke her face with his fingers, and she smiled delicately at him.
Looking into one another, they leaned closer, and connected. Ever so lightly, he touched her lips with his. Neither entertained a thought. The sun itself seemed to smile, blush and turn away.
It was a moment that lasted just enough…
Each pulled away, and smiled contentedly.
"You better study harder if you're going to beat me. You're 100 years too early to fight me right now." she said slowly and with a sly smile.
"Ha. I let you hit me. How could I hit a pathetic looking girl like you?" He laughed. "Besides," he added, "I'll always be strong enough for you," matching her smile.
Yes, Rukia, I'll always be strong for you.
la fin!
I would love some feedback on this, as I plan to make this a three-part story, unless I'm told that I'm a horrible writer and should quit writing for the rest of my life. Thanks for reading : ) !
