Author's note: this chapter is absolutely lame. I'm really sorry, especially for those people who wished for more action, but… that' really the best I could do.

VIII: ONE TO ONEThree months, one week and three days ago

Renji knew it would happen sooner or later.

He cringed inwardly.

'Still, that doesn't mean that I have to like this…'

The truth was that he was awfully unprepared. The red-haired shinigami had never been one for planning anyway, but this time he hadn't done it because he kept on hanging on the feeble hope that maybe – just maybe – if he didn't think about it, then it would never happen.

Needless to say, it hadn't worked.

And now there he was, standing in the middle of the empty and dusky gym and facing a grimly determined Arisawa Tatsuki. Who had just made the most outrageous proposition.

"What?" he said, just to make sure he had heard correctly.

The short-haired girl crossed her arms on her chest. "I said I want to fight you."

'Great! Now, how can I back out of this gracefully?'

He shrugged. "And kick my ass again? No thanks, I do treasure the few shreds of pride I've left."

"I want to fight you for real."

He felt cold sweat running down his brows – even if gigais didn't sweat! Or maybe Urahara's did? – "If you weren't fighting me for real last time, then I…"

"Don't play dumb with me." she hissed. "You were the one who wasn't fighting for real."

Renji sighed. 'No use in playing games.'

"Listen, Arisawa, you'll just get hurt."

Tatsuki shook her shoulder. "As if I had never fought before!"

"Arisawa…"

He never finished, for he had to jump back to dodge a kick. Then a couple of punches and another kick.

"Stop it."

"No."

He avoided another blow – only barely – and threw her a pointed glance. "Remember you asked for it, honey."

She didn't lower her guard. "Come on, Abapin. I'm waiting."

Renji shrugged off his gigai as if it had been an old coat – and so the true fight began.

This time, there was no acid banter, no trading of cutting remarks, no spiteful words. Just silence – so unlike them, so unlike their previous fights at all.

It almost looked unreal – but it wasn't.

It was damn serious.

His spiritual pressure startled her and weighed down on her like a heavy fog. His speed was astonishing – her eyes almost couldn't follow. He was skilled – even if she wasn't familiar with that particular fighting style, she could tell he was great.

He was strong – stronger than she had anticipated. But that didn't stop her from fighting back with all her might.

Tatsuki knew she couldn't win, but she couldn't give up. That just wasn't her style.

Silently, almost unwillingly, Renji developed a new kind of respect for her – and also a sort of understanding.

'We are more similar than I thought…'

The dangerous dance continued, but not for long. Tatsuki held her ground pretty well, but even her karate training wasn't enough in the end.

He didn't want to hurt her, so he changed slightly the last movement: instead of beheading her – which was the main purpose of that technique and the whole basis of Hollow hunting – with perfect control Renji simply placed his sword on her neck.

"This is the end." he whispered.

The black-haired girl couldn't nod, so she was forced to answer directly. "Yes, it is."

He stepped back and sheathed his sword. As he did so, Tatsuki turned around to face him and bowed without taking her eyes off of him – the kind of bows they used in martial arts.

Renji was suddenly glad that he hadn't gone back to his gigai yet – his blush would have been clearly visible.

No words were exchanged as she walked to the Girls Locker Room, nor as they tidied up the gym.

They had just walked out of the school gates when she surprised him again.

Tatsuki stopped and smiled. "Thank you."

Then she walked away without waiting for a reply – maybe because she was expecting none.

The stunned Shinigami just stared at her, gaping – and standing in front of the school gate like an idiot.

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