1982, 25 years later...
The sound of a Hollow's call echoed through the forest. A group of Soul Reapers doing their usual rounds sensed the Hollow's presence and hurried to the forest to hunt it down. As they neared the Hollow's location, they heard screaming and were beginning to fear the worst.
"We have to hurry!"
The call of a Hollow sounded and was soon followed by screams. A local resident of the area heard the noise and immediately sprang into action, sensing that there were Soul Reapers nearby. Hurrying towards the swelling of spiritual pressure exerted by the Hollow, the resident could hear the sounds of battle and sensed that the Soul Reapers were quickly getting overwhelmed. She hurried to reach them and aid them before it was too late.
The Soul Reapers could hear the sounds of battle and reached the clearing, finding a young woman battling the Hollow.
"You three, get the children out of here! The rest of you, surround the Hollow and destroy it!"
The Soul Reapers sprang into action, following their orders. But while the three of them were able to get the children to safety, the rest soon realized that they were up against more than they could handle.
One of them released his shikai and tried to protect his weaker comrades, but even then it was proving to be quite the challenge.
"Lieutenant, we can't hold on much longer!"
The lieutenant, who had released his shikai, growled to himself. He made to attack again, but the Hollow shot a Cero at them. He raised his zanpakuto, ready to try and deflect the blast of energy, but when nothing came at him he looked up to find a young woman in the air above him- her blade drawn and blocking the attack. He watched as she threw the Cero back at the Hollow before landing in front of him.
"Thanks." He said, not recognizing her yet.
"It's recharging. Be ready."
The lieutenant looked at her, her face hidden from him. 'That voice...'
The young woman readied herself for the next Cero, releasing her shikai. "Rain down from the heavens, Tentai no Yumi!"
The lieutenant watched as her zanpakuto transformed into a a bow and a quiver appeared at her back. 'That name...' He watched as she drew the Hollow's attention away from him and his men, dodging the Cero before notching an arrow and calling out, "Suisei danmaku!" The arrow flew, separating into a barrage of what appeared to be dozens of comets that crashed into the Hollow's mask, shattering it. As the Hollow faded away and the young woman rejoined the others on the ground, the lieutenant's eyes widened when she turned towards him.
"Tsuki?"
The young woman was Tsukimori Gushiken, one of his former classmates and a good friend that he hadn't seen in a quarter century. She offered a smile, then caught the children as they came running back into the clearing.
"Tsuki!"
"Are you alright? Did anyone get hurt?"
The children clung to her, still clearly scared and shaken. One of them had been scratched by the Hollow, but beyond that no one had been hurt.
Tsukimori looked up at the others, asking them the same question. A few had cuts, one had broken their wrist. Tsukimori looked at Renji. "Their wounds need to be treated quickly. I can treat them if you would like, otherwise I suggest that you hurry back to the Seireitei."
Renji was still surprised to see her after so many years, but he followed after his men as they agreed to go with Tsukimori to her home nearby. He walked in silence with his men, watching Tsukimori smiling and holding the hands of the children while the others walked with her or slightly ahead of her as they talked about what had happened.
Tsukimori led them to her cabin, treating the child first then making quick work of healing the broken wrist and treating the other Soul Reapers' wounds. She offered them something to eat or drink before they returned to their barracks, but they declined knowing they needed to hurry back and report in. She walked them out of her cabin, sending off the children before turning to the Soul Reapers and wishing them a safe journey back home.
Renji watched as she healed his men, noticing that she had really changed over the years. She still had incredibly fair skin, dainty freckles, and silvery blue eyes but her petite build had changed as she grew older and she had filled out significantly- having added a few extra curves that were very distracting- and her smoky blue hair that had once cascaded down her back in a high pony tail adorned with tiny braids was shorter and wavy. She was still stunning, almost ethereally so, even after all this time. When it came time for them to depart, he turned to Tsukimori as his men went on ahead a bit.
"Tsuki, I..."
Tsukimori looked up at Renji, seeing that he had gotten taller and his hair had gotten longer, his tattoos having expanded their coverage as well. "Renji, you don't have to say anything. It was good to see you again."
Renji sighed, rubbing his neck. "It was good to see you again, too." He hesitated for a moment, then pulled her into his arms and hugged her. "I've missed you, Tsuki... we all have..."
Tsukimori was surprised, but she smiled and returned his hug. "I know, Renji. I've missed you, too."
"I wish you had joined a squad, or at least stayed in the Seireitei. It's been so dull without you."
Tsukimori stepped away at that. "You know why I didn't, Renji."
"I know, but..." Renji stopped, knowing that he wouldn't be able to change her mind at all. "Look, a few of us are going out tomorrow night. You're welcome to join us. For old times' sake."
"I'll think about it." Tsukimori noticed that Renji's men had stopped and were calling to him. "You should go." She started turning back towards her cabin, only stopping at the door to add, "Say hello to the others for me."
"I will." Renji replied, watching as she hurried inside and closed the door. He turned to join his men, lost in thought as his men talked about Tsukimori's skill and how they couldn't believe she wasn't in a squad.
Upon returning to their barracks, Renji sent his men off to rest while he wrote up the report. When he took it to his captain, he wasn't surprised when Byakuya asked about Tsukimori.
"She was a classmate of mine back at the academy, sir." Renji explained. "She was very skilled, but turned down every offer she received from the squad captains."
"I recall that it was because she did not trust in herself and was afraid of hurting someone, even with a limiter."
Renji sighed. "Ya. The only person that could help her stay calm and make her feel safe was Shuhei Hisagi. But after he graduated the academy, she had a difficult time adjusting."
"And what is your impression of her now?"
"She seems to be doing much better. Her control has improved from the last time I saw her and she's more willing to be around people. She is still as skilled as ever."
"I see. Thank you, Renji. That is all."
Renji nodded, bowing to his captain before leaving the office. He hoped that Tsukimori would take him up on his offer to join him, Izuru, and Momo tomorrow night, but it had been so long he wondered if she would.