It was nightfall. Miyako was sitting on a rooftop, trying to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Even though the Bount had infiltrated Seireitei earlier, in broad daylight, they hadn't been able to find a damn thing. The Bount were hiding their spirit power, if they had any to detect at all. Two Bount had already been destroyed by Captains Kurotsuchi and Soi Fon. It was believed that a third was killed by the Quincy that had accompanied Ichigo. Miyako had received two hell butterflies since then. Most of the Captains had to attend an emergency meeting, and they were occupied most of the afternoon. Captain Kurotsuchi had retired to the 12th squad research division because he had to "heal" his wounds, and Captain Soi Fon was recovering from her fight. Even an exiled Death God, Ran'Tao, had helped Ichigo so far in trying to catch Kariya – but the details hadn't been confirmed by General Yamamoto, and they all had strict orders to kill any suspected ryoka on sight. Miyako didn't mind those orders. She gritted her teeth and hoped a Bount was headed her way. She had an unbelievable itch to fight.

She had decided to split from Ikkaku and Yumichika, simply because they fought better that way. If Yumichika had to fight, he preferred to do it alone. Miyako liked solitude, simply because she didn't like making conversation. Ikkaku didn't care either way, as long as he got a piece. She had been patrolling on a few rooftops to get a better look, but she mostly noticed Death Gods running about through the abandoned streets. It had been a few hours since dusk, but there hadn't been any activity. She was hoping for another hell butterfly for more news – it hadn't been clear how many Bount invaders there were. Kariya, the leader, wasn't anywhere to be found. Three Bount had been killed. Was there only one left, then? Captain Zaraki had taken care of Maki.

Miyako sighed. "Maki," she whispered. He was finally dead. Captain Zaraki managed to do what she couldn't, which was drive the ultimate rage and fight out of him. She knew that Maki's passion was to defeat the Captain, and if he at least managed to injure him, she knew he put up one hell of a fight. Why hadn't she felt their spirit force? Why hadn't she felt Maki? Miyako glanced at her shoulder. 4th squad had put her to sleep that night so she could rest with the pain easier. She must've slept right through the fight. She wondered how the pulses of reiatsu felt to others that night. It must've been hair-raising.

Ken-ken is happy, the Lieutenant had said. It was rare for that to happen. The last time he was ultimately happy was when he got the chance to fight Ichigo. Maki must have finally dropped his ambition for destroying Seireitei and faced his real goal. Miyako hoped that Captain Zaraki had forced Maki to realize his sense of honor. She knew that he had. If she died fighting the Captain, she'd be satisfied too. She stared up at the sky, sighed again, and smiled. The news of Maki's death didn't bother her as much as she had previously thought it would. Maybe perhaps because she knew that he was finally happy. Maybe it was because the Captain had told her herself. In her eyes, there wasn't a better way to die. Maki had died with honor.

Movement. Miyako snapped to attention and grabbed the hilt of her sword. She heard footsteps, then there was a pause. A swift gush of air and the sound of fabric sweeping behind her made her yank her blade out. In one quick, fluid movement, she swirled around and pressed her blade against the ryoka's neck.

"Fuck, Miyako, it's me!" Renji growled in a low voice. He gripped his soul slayer as well and glared at her.

Miyako let out a breath and sheathed her soul slayer. "God dammit, Renji, why do you always sneak up on me?"

Renji grinned darkly. "I still got it."

Miyako rolled her eyes and leaned against a brick wall that led to a higher tower. She went back to watching the roads.

"How's your shoulder?" he asked gruffly.

Miyako looked back at him. He was hunched over with an elbow on his knee, but he wasn't looking at her. He was watching the roads as well. He looked tired.

"It's fine," she replied shortly. "I'd show you, but I'm busy."

Renji glanced at her and scoffed. "I'd still beat you down."

"I can't concentrate with the both of you talking!" a voice groaned. It was a man's voice, but it was higher-pitched and not quite normal. Miyako turned around again and glared at Renji. She was about to ask him what the hell was going on when a very bizarre, square-looking rabbit purse climbed up on Renji's knee. It had been dangling at his side, but it was desperately trying to scramble up and face the two of them. It looked angry.

"I am trying to detect the Bount," it snapped. "This is a very serious matter!" Its angry expression turned wistful. If stuffed rabbits could cry, it'd be bawling. "Oh, if only I could be with Orihime! I hope that wonderful girl is all right! Instead, I'm stuck with this loud-mouthed brute."

"Didn't I tell you to shut the fuck up?!" Renji barked. He pulled the strap over his head and tossed the rabbit-sack aside. It landed with an "oomf" and let out a soft moan. "Go sit over there and keep watch, then! You're tired of my loud mouth? Yeah, and I'm tired of your pussy-ass babbling!"

Miyako stared at Renji. He glanced back at her, rolled his eyes, and shook his head.

"What?"

Miyako knew that it was another Bount sensor, like the one she had seen with Ichigo. Even though they were modified souls and were probably useful, they just looked so ridiculous that it was hard not to contain her laughter. Seeing Renji carrying a rabbit-purse was even worse. She bit her lip and tried to keep a straight face.

"No, don't even fuckin' start with me," Renji shook a finger at her. "It wasn't my choice."

Miyako let out a snicker and put a hand over her mouth.

"Miyako, shut the hell up," Renji growled through clenched teeth.

"I'm not laughing!" she laughed heartedly as she said it.

Her laugh made Renji slightly grin, but he shook his head and sighed. "I'm never going to live this down, am I?"

Miyako tried to suppress her giggling and held up her hand. "I'm going to relay this to Ikkaku…Yumichika…" she was listing names off of her fingers, and glared at Renji with narrowed eyes as she did. "Rangiku…Shuhei…Izuru…definitely Lieutenant Kusajishi…"

Renji crossed his arms. "Shit."

They eventually grew silent again as they watched the streets and the Bount sensor sat at the edge of the roof, pouting. Miyako glanced at Renji again.

"You look tired," she pointed out.

"I haven't slept since I dropped you off at the hospital two days ago," Renji replied gruffly.

Miyako raised her eyebrows. "What?"

"Captain Kuchiki had been injured in his fight with Kariya, so I went to go visit him after 4th squad took care of you."

There was something in Renji's tone. Miyako studied him. She remembered that 4th squad had to remove her shinigami robe to treat her wounds. Shuhei and Ikkaku definitely noticed. An embarrassing horror crossed her face and her eyes narrowed as her mouth dropped open.

"How long did you stay in my room?"

Renji glanced at her, surprised. "Why?"

"You watched!!!" Her tone was reproachful.

Renji curled his lip. "I did not! Besides, I wanted to see if you were all right! Shit, what kind of thanks is that? I fuckin' ran all the way through Seireitei carrying your bloody ass!" He snorted. "Next time you get your ass beat, remind me to leave you busted up in the woods by yourself."

Miyako sighed. He was right. She allowed herself to lose to her brother, and Renji was just trying to help. He really should have left her in the woods, like she originally told him to…but…she remembered the story he told her.

"You're right, Renji. I'm sorry," she apologized softly. "Thanks for taking me to the 4th squad."

Renji glanced at her and his angry expression eventually curled into a mischievous grin. "You got a nice rack, by the way."

Miyako glared at him.

The Bount sensor scoffed across the roof. "Definitely not a gentleman."

"Shut yer fuckin' trap!" Renji snapped.

The Bount sensor covered its head with its ears.

"Hey, Bount sensor," Miyako called out to it. "Do you have a name?"

"Don't start warmin' up to it," Renji groaned.

The Bount sensor stood up, turned around, and did a low bow. If rabbits could bow. "My name is Claude, and I'm happy to meet you…miss…?"

"Miyako," she introduced herself.

"Ah, Miyako. What a beautiful name!"

Miyako decided to skip the formalities. "I've met one of you before. Lilin, I think."

"Ah, yes! Lilin!" The delighted rabbit face fell and started to look forlorn again. "I hope she's all right."

"She's with Ichigo," Renji growled. "She's fine."

"Why don't you travel in your true forms?" she asked it.

"It's easier to move around with the Death Gods since we don't have their special abilities," Claude answered. "We're not as fast and we cannot fight as well…however…given the current situation I'm in, I'd more than prefer to be in my handsome state…"

Renji groaned. "Be quiet and just keep a lookout."

Claude pouted again and slumped over on the edge of the roof, crossing his rabbit arms.

There was another long pause.

"Rukia said that you were conducting surveillance last night with Captain Hitsugaya," Miyako said to Renji. "Is that why you were up all night?"

"All night and all day," Renji corrected her. He looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "Rukia came to visit you in the hospital?"

Miyako nodded.

"What did she say?"

"She felt bad about Maki. She felt as if it was her fault. I told her it wasn't."

Renji put a fist to his chin and sighed. He chewed the inside of his cheek. "Rukia blames herself for everything. She needs to stop doing that shit."

"What do you mean?"

"She felt that she deserved her execution. She thought it was her fault for turning Ichigo into a substitute Death God."

Miyako didn't reply, but she watched Renji.

"She thought it was her fault that there was a reason her sister left her behind in Rukongai. She even thought she was at fault for her brother's cold shoulder. She thought she had done something to deserve that."

Renji looked angry, but he just continued to chew the inside of his cheek. Miyako bowed her head. It wasn't her place to judge Rukia since she knew that she had been through a lot…but Rukia definitely didn't have a place in 11th squad. She was entirely too soft. As she watched Renji, though, she realized that it didn't matter. Renji still cared for her.

"She even…" Renji trailed off. There was a long pause as he thought about what he was going to say, and he glanced at Miyako. There was a pained look in his eyes.

"What?"

"Your name," Renji continued. "Well…it was the same name of the 3rd seat in Rukia's squad."

Miyako nodded. "Miyako Shiba? Lieutenant Shiba's wife?"

Renji nodded.

Miyako shrugged. "So?"

Renji sighed. "I don't know. It's almost as if Rukia wanted to be closer to you, somehow. I think she looks up to you."

"She hardly knows me."

Renji glanced at Miyako. "Do you remember what happened to Kaien and Miyako Shiba?"

Miyako nodded. "Murdered, along with members of their squad. It was a rogue Hollow."

"A Hollow created by Aizen."

Miyako stared at him in surprise. "What??"

"The Captains have been keeping it quiet," Renji nodded, "but those crazy-assed rogue Hollows were all Aizen's experiments."

"But that was so long ago, Renji! We were still students!"

Renji nodded. "I know."

Miyako had a sinking feeling in her stomach. "What happened to Rukia?"

"Lieutenant Shiba was possessed by the Hollow somehow. He tried to go after Rukia. She defended herself and killed him."

Miyako swallowed and watched Renji. She didn't know what to say. She had known all along that Kaien Shiba and his wife were murdered, but she didn't know that Rukia was right there. Captain Ukitake was vague with the details. Miyako admitted to herself that she had killed before – but all her kills had been Hollows. She had never killed a Death God. The foe should never matter to 11th squad members, but she couldn't even bring herself to kill Maki. She realized that the experience must have been shattering for Rukia.

"Rukia looked up to him. She respected him. She grew very close to him, and she really liked his wife. I think she strived to be just like her." Renji looked at Miyako. "I think she sees her in you. I think, somehow, she looks up to you as she did with Miyako Shiba."

Before Miyako could find her voice, Renji added, "And I know for sure she sees Kaien Shiba in Ichigo."

Ichigo. Now that she thought about it, Ichigo did look like Kaien Shiba. It had been so long, she hadn't noticed before. Miyako couldn't reply. She didn't know what to say. Another long, agonizing pause followed. Claude hadn't moved. Either he was listening in on their conversation, or he was genuinely trying to pick up on a Bount trail.

"Renji…" she spoke up. "Why are you telling me all this?"

Renji stared ahead and finally shrugged. "I don't know. I figure if Rukia likes you…then…"

She narrowed her eyes at him but then realized that he was attempting a compliment. Coming from Renji, it was a lot. It was incredibly hard for him to say. She decided to make it easier on him.

"Not so fast, Renji. When I kick your ass, then you can show me some respect."

Renji's eyes darted to her and he grinned. "That'll never happen," he boasted.

The sound of footsteps made them freeze and grip their soul slayers, but the approaching spirit force made them relax. Death Gods were running through the adjacent street.

"Hey," Renji called out to them, leaning over the rooftop. "Any news?"

"No, Lieutenant Abarai," a resident answered back. "Not since this afternoon. No leads."

Renji sat back and sighed. He glanced over at Claude, but the Bount sensor hadn't moved. Renji shrugged and folded his legs, propping an elbow up on one knee.

Miyako was leaning against the concrete wall. Her eyes darted to Renji. His eyes were dark from lack of sleep, and they were narrowed. His brow was furrowed. He looked like he was thinking.

"Did you find out anything from your surveillance?" she asked.

Renji glanced at her but then focused on the roads again. "Not much," he replied shortly.

Miyako examined him. He was lying.

"I'm not an idiot, Renji, so don't treat me like one."

"You're 4th seat," Renji replied bluntly. "It's not your business."

Miyako narrowed her eyes. "But the human, Ichigo Kurosaki, knows all about it, doesn't he?"

Renji looked at her and sighed. "I'm telling you the truth, Miyako. Nothing happened. We chased Kariya around like we were playing a game of goddamn fetch. We didn't catch up with him until it was too late, and he had already passed through the gate."

"It wasn't our fault!" Claude protested.

"No, this time it wasn't," Renji growled. "So shut up."

"Then what happened?" Miyako pressed.

"We got sidetracked," Renji sighed angrily.

Miyako just stared at him. Renji finally met her gaze.

"It was Maki."

Miyako slowly nodded. She had a feeling they'd run into him again. Renji looked uncomfortable.

"He had us locked into some sort of illusion. A strange zanpakuto trick. Our group ended up attacking each other and just standing around, wasting time." Renji's eyes were angry and unforgiving. They moved to Miyako's shoulder and then met her eyes again. "I wanted to fucking kill him," he said quietly. "I wanted to make him pay."

The look in his eyes made her heart pound. They were intense and unrelenting. It was true 11th squad vigor shining through, and when he had glanced at her shoulder like that, it was as if he was playing the night in the woods over again in his mind. She had never seen him so angry before. The only other time he had that look in his eyes was when he was talking about fighting against Captain Kuchiki. For Rukia.

Did he want to fight against Maki for what he did to me?

She immediately shook her thought from her mind. For some reason, Taiyoukousen's words from earlier in the morning started to bother her again. She tore her eyes away from Renji's and watched the roads again.

"Maki's dead, Renji," she said quietly.

Renji nodded. "I know. Captain Zaraki stepped in and interrupted the fight."

"He must have been tracking Maki all this time," Miyako said.

Renji nodded again. "I guess he wanted to see how you'd fare against him first."

Miyako bit her lip and nodded. Captain Zaraki had been out in the woods, following Maki's spirit force as she had. He hadn't chosen to fight him until the night after her defeat.

"He must be really fucking disappointed in me, then," Miyako said softly.

There was a long pause as Renji examined her, then he finally shrugged. "I don't think so," he said. "Besides Captain Zaraki, you're the only one that came close to beating him."

Miyako sighed. "Don't patronize me, Renji. I'm in 11th squad. You know what that means."

Renji glanced at her, then stared back out towards the roads. "Yeah. I know what that means."

The tone in his voice was soft but harsh at the same time as he reminisced about the pain and sacrifice he put himself through to progress through 11th squad. He set his jaw and stared out towards the rooftops of Seireitei. The only reason he had moved up so many ranks was because of 11th squad. He was a rogue and out of place amongst other squads, and often got kicked out of them for picking fights too much. Ever since Rukia had been adopted into the Kuchiki clan, he wanted to strive to be recognized as well and had little reason to hold back, so he deliberately tried to get himself noticed. His aggressive persona ended up being a nuisance, however. When that didn't work in the squads, he took out his anger and frustration on others. Eventually, he came to the 11th squad eager and battle-hungry, and decided to put his original goal into motion. After decades of training, he had left 11th squad stronger and more controlled, even though he still had a loud mouth and a short temper. Miyako looked at him and examined his tattoos. He had them scrawled all across his body as he progressed in rank. When he came to 11th squad, he already had the tattoos on his face. She wondered how many more he got while he was under Captain Zaraki's command.

Renji noticed her looking at him. "What?"

"Your tattoos," she nodded at him. "When did you decide to do that?"

Renji looked back out towards the roads. "I was still a student when I got my first one. It was right before we all graduated and were officially residents. I did my face first, because at the time, I thought it would look badass and intimidating to others, but…" he shrugged and his eyes lost his usual hardness and anger. They looked tired and sullen. "The first person I told was Rukia. I wanted to show her how I was moving up in rank. It was the wrong place at the wrong time, though. It was the day she was told that Captain Kuchiki wanted to adopt her into his noble house. She didn't notice them."

Miyako watched Renji, but his face was blank. She couldn't tell if he was feeling remorse or sadness, or if he was just tired. If he was, he wouldn't dare show it.

"Then what?" Miyako asked. "You just kept getting more?"

Renji's eyes darted to her. "What do you care?"

"You're the only Lieutenant that's moved up more than two ranks at a time, switched squads, and achieved Bankai," Miyako snapped. She was getting defensive, but she didn't like explaining herself. "You're the only one who has dared to go up against Captain Kuchiki and lived, you've fought Ichigo Kurosaki and lived, and you even stood up against Aizen and lived."

Renji crossed his arms but seemed to appreciate the praise.

"My point is," Miyako continued, "I would just like to see how many you have. I admired your resolve to fight, Renji. I deeply respect that. I know that you started tattooing yourself as a reminder to keep moving up. I don't think I've ever known another Death God like you. I always thought of you as a belligerent idiot, but I realize that I was completely wrong."

Claude chuckled, his bunny back still turned.

Renji curled his lip and narrowed his eyes at her, ignoring Claude. "I suppose that's a compliment?"

Miyako shrugged. "It's the best one I can come up with."

Renji rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks for your bleeding fuckin' heart."

"So can I see them?"

Renji snorted. "No."

"How many did you get?"

"I lost count."

Miyako sighed and stared out over Seireitei. Renji wasn't going to cooperate.

"I got the last one after I was promoted to Lieutenant of Captain Kuchiki's squad."

Miyako glanced at him.

"Why not get any more?"

"I got the tattoos for the sole purpose of reaching Captain Kuchiki's level. But…after the shit hit the fan with Rukia…and all that crap with Aizen…I guess I don't need to surpass him anymore. He's my Captain now."

Miyako swallowed and nodded. The tired look in Renji's eyes disappeared, however, and started to sparkle with that familiar angry and impish look.

"That don't mean I don't have a goal, though," he grinned slightly. "I've got someone else to surpass now, and I'm never going to let that shit go until I do."

Miyako's lips curled into a tiny grin and she realized he was talking about Ichigo. He was everyone's new challenge.

"There's not an 11th squad member in all Seireitei that doesn't want to fight Ichigo," Miyako admitted.

Renji looked at her. "I'm not in 11th squad anymore."

Miyako shrugged. "You'll always be in 11th squad, Renji."

She stared nonchalantly over the roads, but Renji was watching her. He felt relieved that she still felt that way. 11th squad was home. 6th squad was just duty. She hadn't known it, but she had just given Renji the ultimate compliment.

He sighed and stood up. "Fine. You wanna look? I'll let you see 'em."

Miyako looked up at him, surprised. "It's not that big of a deal."

"Move it or lose it, gimpy. You bugged the hell out of me, so here it is, observe the merchandise."

Renji was smiling now, obviously showing off, and Miyako narrowed her eyes at him.

"Gimpy? Just what the hell do you mean by that?"

"You've got a bad shoulder."

"I do not! It's healed, you fuck! I'll show you how well I can use it, if you'll let me."

Renji rolled his eyes. "Do you want to see the tattoos or don't you?"

Miyako was about to tell him to go screw himself, but her curiosity was getting the better of her. In all honesty, she was dying to see how many tattoos he had gotten. She wanted to see how much he had fought and bled for, how many ranks he had moved up, just for the sole purpose to reach Captain Kuchiki's level. There were many reasons why she wanted to see, but the main ones were because she was curious to see how much someone would actually have to level up to achieve the rank he did. She was in 4th seat, but her rank essentially meant nothing at all since Yumichika and Ikkaku could still beat her single-handedly. She would not get a promotion anytime soon because of her defeat with Maki, and she knew that she had to work incredibly hard just to move up one more rank. Renji had skyrocketed up ranks and was now a Lieutenant; all that was achieved in a very short amount of time, and he must have worked himself to near death in order to reach his goal. He had even learned Bankai. Miyako had never heard of anything like it. That amount of power and that amount of hard work was incredibly admirable, and his drive to fight was nothing short of the 11th squad's system. She looked up to him and she respected him deeply, something she never would have done before if she hadn't known about his past.

Reluctantly, she stood up and put her hands on her hips.

"So, what's the request? Want me to bare all?" Renji said with a sadistic grin.

Miyako rolled her eyes. "Please." She stepped up to him and crossed her arms. "So you started with your face?"

Renji traced his finger over both sides of his temples. "Here and here," he said.

Miyako stepped in closer to get a better look. She pointed a finger at his neck.

"Then you just went further down?"

Renji grinned a wide grin. "How far you talkin' about?"

"That's not what I meant, Renji," she growled. "If you're going to be a fucking pervert, forget it."

Renji chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I did the eyebrow thing and then just went down to the neck, then the torso."

His left arm reached over and pulled the neck of his shinigami robe aside. He leaned his head to the right and exposed the left side of his neck. His neck was tight and muscular when it met the upper shoulder, which bulged with muscle and was covered in more black tattoos. The tattoos, which appeared jagged when they first started out, eventually formed an elaborate pattern; half squares that locked into each other, almost as if he were forming links in a chain. Each link was a promotion.

"You said you lost count?" Miyako asked.

"Yeah. It didn't matter how many I got. It mattered how many I had left to go."

Miyako reached out and touched his shinigami robe. She gently tugged the left side open with her right hand and it slid off his shoulder, but it stopped short. The left arm was securely held in place by the Lieutenant patch that was tied there, so the robe didn't slide off completely. Renji didn't object, but he watched her out of the corner of his eye. She stared at his left side at all the tattoos, intrigued. They circled around his chest, covered his shoulders and arms, and curved towards his backside. Some tattoos resembled slash marks. Miyako followed the chain of tattoos and slowly walked around his left side until she was behind him. Renji's head turned and he followed her out of his peripheral vision, but he didn't move. Miyako had been counting the links. So far, she had reached up to twenty. Raising both arms, she slowly gripped the shinigami robe by the neck and peeled it open, making it slide down his right arm slowly, opening the back.

His back was tight and muscular, and there were more tattoos that seemed to hug his skin and moved whenever the muscles moved. Miyako observed in quiet surprise. It was simply amazing. Thirty. Thirty-five. Forty. Renji was relentless. He never stopped. The tattoos just kept going. It was an incredible, unyielding, almost insane will that Renji had possessed to push himself this far. Miyako could only imagine, but could never physically do, the things that he had achieved. She slowly circled him, counting the links, not believing her eyes. When she walked towards his right backside, where the shinigami robe was staggered and was sliding off his right side more than his left, she unconsciously reached out and put her hand on his shoulder blade, tracing the tattoos. Renji stiffened but didn't move or make a sound.

She circled his right shoulder and ran her hand along his arm and upper shoulder, counting the links. Renji's head turned to watch her, and he kept his gaze on her eyes. She was ultimately overwhelmed by his resolve, and her eyes reflected disbelief and a genuine splendor about the whole thing. Her eyes darted all around his torso, examining the work, and when her hand moved across his chest and up to his neck, his heart pounded. He moved his head aside so she could see the right side of his neck, but he craned it to keep his gaze on her. She seemed hypnotized. He wanted to know what she was thinking. She had remained silent the entire time. Her eyes were sparking with 11th squad fight, it was obvious, but there was something else. He couldn't place it.

Miyako stared up at his neck and her eyes traveled to his right temple, where the tattoos had started. Renji lowered his head and stared back, directly into her eyes. His look was dark and his eyes had completely lost the mischievous and angry glow they usually had; instead they were replaced by a strange softness. Half-lidded, as if he were extremely tired, but his gaze said otherwise. He never stopped staring at her; it was an unashamed, hungry look. Miyako had never been looked at like that in her entire life. It was enough to make her heart pound. Her stomach turned. They watched each other for only a split second, and Miyako realized what she had done.

Her hand lingered there for too long. She pulled it back suddenly, as if his skin had seared her. She was suddenly ashamed. She had crossed the line. Renji's shinigami robe was half open and hung down past his shoulders, revealing his tight muscles and part of his stomach, and she swallowed hard. He continued to stare at her, still as a statue, not quite grasping what had just happened. If another Death God had caught them, particularly a Captain or another Lieutenant, both of them would be in enormous trouble. There wasn't any excuse that they could provide that would explain an action such as this. Claude had his back turned the entire time; either he hadn't noticed, he was asleep, or he had finally decided to leave Renji alone.

Miyako couldn't believe what she had done. She took two steps back and did a low bow before Renji. He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Please, forgive me, Lieutenant Abarai," she said. She meant it.

Renji didn't know how to respond. He stared at her in utter shock. She was bowing before him. She had addressed him as Lieutenant. She never did that, unless she was joking with him. He felt completely numb. His shinigami robe still hung loose. He hadn't attempted to fix it.

Before Renji could react, Miyako turned and jumped off the roof. She landed hard on the street and began running. She didn't know where she was going, but she had to get away from him. The embarrassment was too much. She would be banned from Seireitei for sure. She had dishonored a Lieutenant. Renji was going to get back at her, she knew. He was going to arrest her. She didn't care about being arrested. She'd fight to defend herself. She'd die defending herself. None of that mattered, though. The thing that bothered her most was that as she ran, all she could think about was the look in Renji's eyes.