Tsukimori walked through the streets, having decided to take Renji up on his offer. It had been years since she had been back, trying to stay in the forests away from anyone as much as possible. But even that had proved futile for the most part, her skills as a healer and her role as a protector having forced her to get used to dealing with people again. Luckily, she had Yoshirou's help for the most part when he wasn't travelling throughout the districts on business.

As she wandered through the somewhat familiar surroundings, she began to realize how much she missed it all. She had been so afraid of losing control and hurting someone, even though she was given a limiter. She had never thought about anything or anyone else. And seeing Renji again made her realize even more that perhaps it was time she came out of hiding.

"Hey, you there!"

Tsukimori stopped when she heard someone call out to her, finding a familiar face from the academy approaching her.

"I know you. Tsukimori Gushiken, right? From the academy?"

Tsukimori nodded, bowing to her. "It's good to see you, Lady Rukia."

Rukia smiled. "You don't need to be so formal, Tsukimori." She thought a moment. "Say, what brings you back here? Last I heard you had gone back home to the forest."

"I did, but actually I'm here to see some old friends."

"I see." Rukia looked her over, seeing that she had changed a lot since the academy and even found herself a bit jealous that Tsukimori had filled out when she had not. "Are you here to see Renji?"

"I am. Do you know where I can find him?"

"I do. Why don't I show you the way?"

"I'd like that."

Renji, Izuru, and Momo were sitting together drinking when they noticed a familiar face enter the room.

"Rukia? What are you doing here?"

Rukia smiled. "I brought someone to see you." She stepped aside, revealing the person with her.

Renji smiled while Izuru and Momo stared in surprise at the doorway as Tsukimori stepped through.

"Tsuki!" Momo jumped up and ran to her, throwing her arms around her old friend.

"It's been a long time, Momo." Tsukimori smiled, hugging her friend. She looked up when Izuru came over and she hugged him as well. "Hi, Izuru."

"Tsuki, it's been awhile." Izuru returned her hug, not sure if he was more surprised by her being there or by her hugging him. "How have you been?"

Before she could answer, Renji called them over so they could drink and catch up. Tsukimori thanked Rukia for showing her the way before she left, then followed the others to the table and sat down with them.

"So, Tsuki." Momo leaned forward, eager to hear how her old friend had been. "Tell us everything."

After a few hours, Tsukimori and the others had caught up. Izuru and Momo were pretty drunk, Renji not far behind them. Tsukimori walked them out when they were ready to leave, waving to Izuru and Momo as they headed back to their barracks.

"Bye, Tsuki! We should do this again soon!"

"Sure, Momo!" Tsukimori replied, smiling as she waved. "Be careful going home!"

"You too!"

After a few minutes, Renji turned towards Tsukimori. "Tsuki."

Tsukimori looked up at Renji as she walked with him, her way back home on the way to his barracks. "Yes?"

"Why did you come?"

"After seeing you yesterday, I realized I missed you guys more than I thought. It's been twenty five years and we haven't talked since we all graduated. Which was my fault."

Renji looked at her as they walked.

"I was so scared of losing control and hurting someone, even with the limiter, that I just wanted to hide myself away." Tsukimori continued. "But after awhile, Yoshirou helped me overcome my anxiety around people and I was able to start helping the locals who lived nearby."

"You did seem like you were OK back there."

"To be honest, that was near my limit. I still can't take being in big groups or crowds like that, but I've been working on it."

Nearing where they needed to part ways, they stopped.

"It was good to see you again, Tsuki." Renji said, looking down at her.

"It was good to see you again, too. All of you." Tsukimori hugged him. "Thank you for getting me out here. It made me realize that I miss all of this, all of you."

Renji smiled. "Does that mean you'll come back?"

Tsukimori smiled, shrugging. "I think it means that it's time for me to stop hiding away from it all." She stepped towards her path as Renji headed down his. "I'll see you around, Renji."

"See you around."

"Oh, and Renji?"

Renji stopped and looked back at her.

"Congrats on making lieutenant."

He smiled and watched as she disappeared before heading back towards the barracks to turn in for the night.

Tsukimori reached the edge of town and started to make her way towards the forest she called home when she was approached by a stranger.

"Are you Tsukimori Gushiken?"

"I am, who are you?"

"I apologize for the lateness of this, but I have a message for you."

"From who?"

"From Head Captain Yamamoto."

Tsukimori looked at him, confused. "The Head Captain? What could he want with me?"

"He requests an audience with you tomorrow at your earliest convenience."

'The Head Captain wants an audience with me?' Tsukimori sighed. "Very well. You can tell the Head Captain that I will meet with him as soon as I can."

"Very good. Again, my apologies for the lateness."

Tsukimori watched as the man disappeared and looked back towards the Seireitei. "I wonder what the Head Captain wants."