This chapter's horribly short and pretty useless too – I hope you won't be too disappointed. I just liked the scene and wanted to write it..

XI: DOWN THE ROAD

Two months, three weeks and five days ago

Cold wind blowing through town, howling in the streets. The sky, only a black mass, like ink spilled on a sheet of paper.

A Shinigami stood outside a small building, watching and waiting patiently.

But he wasn't there because of an Hollow.

'Although sometimes an Hollow would be preferable….' He thought as his eyes followed a small figure.

He could see her perfectly as she moved around the gym one last time, closing the windows and checking that nothing had been left astray.

Then, the short, black-haired girl walked into a locker room to change out of her white karate-gi.

Sighing, he gave up his position and moved to sit down on the gym steps.

A few minutes later, the lights went out. A door was opened, then closed and locked.

Tatsuki climbed down the short stairs, then, when she reached the bottom, she turned around and looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

The Shinigami-in-disguise got to his feet and walked down the last steps, stopping by her side.

Sighing, the girl turned and headed toward the school gate. The red-head followed.

They walked together across the yard, then through the gate and down the street.

The light of the street lamps cast weird reflections on their faces.

Tatsuki sneaked a glance at the boy walking by her side.

It had been going on for several days – Renji would wait for her after she finished her training with the Karate Club and then walk her all the way home.

At first, they had argued every step of the way, but now they had settled for a companionable silence.

But one evening, as they waited for the bus, Tatsuki cleared her throat and spoke up.

"You don't have to do this, you know."

Renji raised an eyebrow, wrinkling his tattooed forehead. She had said it almost casually, yet he had detected something else in her voice. An undertone of embarrassment, maybe? Or was she simply annoyed?

Her black eyes were staring at him – their expression unreadable.

The Shinigami shrugged. "I know, honey" he replied, relaxed but somewhat bored. "But I want to."

Tatsuki turned her head toward the end of the road, trying to see if the bus was coming. A small smile played on her lips.

Renji felt like kissing her, but he didn't move.

A few seconds later, he was saved from his own secret embarrassment as the bus came to a halt in front of them.

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