Meanwhile, Rukia gets back to Ichigo's. As she jumps up through the window, Ichigo goes through the house. When he gets up to the room, he watches as Rukia shuts the window, and locks it.
"What's wrong, Rukia?" Ichigo asks.
"It's nothing." She mutters as she sits on his bed, and they talk for the rest of the night.
Morning comes, and the two of them go to school. When class is about to start, both Ichigo and Rukia see someone whose hair is oddly familiar.
"Hey, Rukia?" Ichigo whispers.
"Yeah?" She whispers back, distracted.
"Why does she look so familiar?" He asks, pointing towards the girl.
"Hm..." Rukia watches the girl as she bows when the teacher walks up to her.
"Can I help you?" The teacher asks the girl.
"Um...I'm a new student." The girl says shyly.
"Name?" He asks, getting into the new student role.
"Um...Nashii Darkfire..." The girl says, glancing around the room at everyone.
"Interesting...well..." The teacher turns towards everyone. He looks around the room before turning his attention back to Nashii. "You can sit next to Tatsuki and Orihime." He says, pointing towards an empty desk in front of the door. Nashii smiles, and walks towards the open desk next to Uryu, in front of Tatsuki.
'A Soul Reaper, huh?' Uryu mentally sneers. He pushes his glasses up on his nose. 'But, who is she?'
"Hm..."
The day goes by, and soon lunch was here. Rukia watches as Nashii walks out of the classroom. She turns to Ichigo as soon as the door closes.
"I'm going to run somewhere. I'll be back in a while." Rukia says as she walks towards the door.
"All right." Ichigo says, not really paying attention. Rukia exits the classroom. She follows Nashii out of the building, and onto the roof, where she sees Nashii standing with her back to Rukia.
"I knew you'd follow me." Nashii says suddenly as the wind blows her hair.
"Where do I know you from?" Rukia asks. Nashii turns around, and Rukia sees her smirking.
"You mean you don't even remember your own friend's name?" Nashii asks, closing her eyes as the wind blows her hair again.
"F...friend!" Rukia stutters. Nashii's smirk grows.
"Yep!" She says laughing.
"You...you can't be! I thought the Soul Society killed you!" Rukia yells in outrage. Nashii shakes her head.
"You honestly expect them to be able to kill me! You of all people!" Nashii says, staring into Rukia's eyes. "What a joke!" Rukia reaches into her pocket, and grabs a hold of her Choppy Soul Replacement pills. "No need for that. I didn't come here to fight you." Nashii says, holding a hand up.
"Then why are you here?" Rukia says, not completely believing her.
"I have an offer for you from Aizen." Nashii says as her shoulders slump. Rukia's jaw drops.
"You still work for him?" Rukia says with sadness in her eyes.
"Don't have a choice." Nashii says while shrugging.
"You always have a choice!" Rukia yells in defiance.
"Not in this case. It's either work for him and live or rebel and get killed." Nashii says, sighing.
"I'd rather die than work for Aizen!" Rukia says holding her head up high.
"You get used to it after a while. You have to remember, I've been working in his company ever since I became a Soul Reaper...which was...what? Forty-eight years ago?" Nashii asks, making a point.
"So, what's your question you have for me?" Rukia asks, remembering what Nashii had said earlier. Nashii smiles.
"Aizen wants you to join us." Nashii says, smiling hugely.
"...Uh...why would I do that?" Rukia asks, completely taken aback.
"Because otherwise he's going to kill that young Soul Reaper you seem to like." Nashii says, no longer smiling.
"I do not!" Rukia shouts in outrage. Nashii's smile returns.
"It's written all over your face." Nashii says, laughing. Rukia glares daggers at her.
"I REFUSE!" Rukia shouts. Nashii shrugs her shoulders, and looks back out over the whole city. Rukia walks over to her, and looks out at the city as well. "Just like when we were young, huh?" She asks.
"Yeah." Nashii sighs. "Oh, how much I wish we could go back to that peaceful time..." Nashii sighs.
"Yeah...a lot has happened, hasn't it?" Rukia asks, closing her eyes as she sighs. Nashii closes her eyes as the wind blows in her face.
"Yeah, it has, and all because of it, we became enemies...but Rukia?" Nashii whispers.
"Huh?" Rukia questions, turning to look at her former best friend.
"Have you seen the others?" Nashii asks.
"Yeah...Sasori came to see me the other day...why?" Rukia asks, watching Nashii carefully.
"How is he?" She asks, looking at Rukia.
"A little beaten up from when Yoruichi attacked him...but other than that...fine." Rukia says, choosing her words carefully. Nashii sighs.
"That's good to know...I was kind of worried when I didn't see him back at the Soul Society." Nashii says, smiling. She suddenly falls to her knees, and grabs her head when she hears Aizen's voice shouting in her head.
