"I heard there were intruders at the west gate," Rukia inquired. "I heard that they were strong enough to defeat Jidanbou. I also heard you were there, out of position. Why would you put so much extra effort, if it wasn't anything out of the ordinary?"
"I told you," Renji repeated, repeating a lie. "It was only a coincidence that I was there. The intruder was too dangerous, so I was forced to get rid of him myself, where Jidanbou failed. I had to break the rules, to protect the peace of Soul Society."
"And this intruder?"
"I got rid of him already. There's no need to worry."
"I heard there was someone else with him."
"I never told you the intruder was a guy. There was no other intruder. You don't have to worry about anything. I have to patrol."
Rukia knew Renji was hiding something from her, so she decided to follow him on his patrol. She didn't like the feeling, of hiding and spying on someone whom she trusted and received trust from, but she had to know, if the reason why he wouldn't tell her anything, was because maybe, just maybe, Ichigo had come for her. It was a foolish thing to believe, that Ichigo would rescue her like a knight from a fairy tale, but she wanted to believe it, and make sure Renji didn't harm him. She was almost disgusted at herself for her behaviour. She wondered if Renji felt the same, because he didn't show it.
She observed something impossible, and quickly concealed herself behind a wall to convince herself that it truly was impossible and she hadn't seen what she had seen. She observed again something impossible: Renji associating with Grand Fisher.
"Why aren't you using your disguise?" Renji demanded angrily. "If you're seen, it's all over!"
"I know that well," he countered. "You're in no position to order me around; you still haven't filled your part of the bargain. I let myself be captured by that boy just as you wanted, and selected your answer to the monthly trivia to ensure you would be the next guess. I pulled... strings to ensure that she wouldn't be punished. I hold her fate. If you don't repay your debt to me, I can get her into trouble, or you into an even worse situation. I assume you wouldn't want that. How many deaths now, have I organized under your commands?"
"Circumstances have changed. I didn't expect for him to actually come here. I'll give you what you want. Just search everywhere for the other intruder. There was a girl accompanying him, but she entered before he did."
"She's a human, correct? I presume that if I find her, I can expect a good meal that I havn't enjoyed in such a long time as a delicious reward."
"Do whatever you want. Just don't let Rukia find out."
"Renji, what are you getting yourself into," she cried silently.