"R...Rukia? Is it really you?" Kayame questions, looking at Rukia.
"Yeah, it's me." Rukia says with a smile.
"What's up? I thought you were supposed to be on earth." Kayame says as she sits up.
"I am. I just wanted to come and...well, I wanted...where's my brother?" Rukia asks, changing the subject.
"Well, last I knew, he had a meeting tonight. Do you want to wait till he gets back?" Kayame asks, looking at Rukia.
"Sure." Rukia says with a smile. Kayame pats her bed next to her, and Rukia sits down.
"So, what happened?" Kayame asks after a while of them sitting there.
"Someone paid me a visit. I need to talk to my brother about what they said." Rukia says, trying to avoid saying who it was in front of Kayame.
"It was Kanashii, wasn't it?" Kayame asks, looking Rukia in the eye. Rukia freezes.
"Um..." At that very moment, Rukia hears someone enter a nearby door. She shoots to her feet, and runs towards the door. "I'll talk to you another time!" Rukia says to Kayame as she runs out the door.
"Okay." Kayame says with a smile. Rukia runs out of the room, and towards the sound of voices. When she reaches them, she sees Byakuya talking to Soi Fon.
"Really. When did he collapse?" Byakuya questions in a worry filled voice.
"About fifteen minutes ago, and I can't find Unohana anywhere." Soi Fon says in a serious sounding voice. Byakuya turns around, and looks towards where Rukia is standing.
"Come on out, Rukia." Byakuya says. She walks out of her hiding place, and over towards where Byakuya and Soi Fon are standing. When she gets there, she inclines her head towards Soi Fon.
"Captain Fon." Rukia says in a sure sounding voice.
"Rukia." Soi Fon says in a kind voice. Rukia turns back to Byakuya.
"Did you need something, Rukia?" Byakuya says, looking at her in confusion.
"Oh yeah! Um...I got a visit from_" She looks at Soi Fon, and stops talking.
"Soi Fon. Can we talk about this later?" Byakuya asks, looking at Soi Fon again.
"I just need to know where Unohana is." Soi Fon says with a shrug.
"I believe she had to go to heal someone in the 11th company's barracks." Byakuya says.
"Thank you." Soi Fon says just before she disappears. Byakuya turns to Rukia.
"Come with me." Byakuya says. He walks down the hall with Rukia following him. When they get to the training room, Byakuya opens the door, and the two of them go inside. "So, what's going on? Who came to visit you?" Byakuya asks as he sits down.
"Kanashii Abarai came to visit me on earth." Rukia says in a completely even voice.
"Guess she must have went there as soon as she left here." Byakuya says.
"She came here as well?" Rukia asks, looking surprised.
"Yeah. She came with a message from Sosuke." Byakuya says.
"Strange." Rukia says in confusion. She sighs, and suddenly both she and Byakuya hear someone. They turn around to see Kanashii.
"Why are you here?" Byakuya questions. Kanashii shuts the door behind her, and turns to look at Byakuya.
"I don't have much time." Kanashii says in a hurried voice.
"Time for what?" Rukia questions, looking between her brother and Kanashii. Kanashii looks at him.
"Kanashii's been giving me some information about Sosuke." Byakuya explains.
"I don't trust her, brother!" Rukia says in a menacing voice as she furrows her eyebrows.
"It doesn't matter what you think. What matters is that I'm giving Byakuya some valuable intel." Kanashii says, turning a glare at Rukia. She glares back at Kanashii.
"And why would you go against Aizen's orders?" Rukia questions.
"..." Kanashii looks away from Rukia. "You wouldn't understand." Kanashii says in an emotionless voice.
"Like hell I wouldn't!" Rukia yells, glaring at Kanashii. Kanashii turns towards Rukia again, and she sees tears flowing down Kanashii's face. *Wait! For Kanashii to be crying...what on earth did Aizen do to her? Soul Reapers are trained not to cry...poor Kanashii...* Rukia mentally says.
"Stop pitying me!" Kanashii yells as her eyes narrow. Rukia's taken aback by what she said.
"Are you reading my mind?" Rukia questions.
"Hahaha!" Kanashii closes her eyes. "Of course not! I've been friends with you for almost a century! I'm pretty sure I can tell little emotions like pity when they cross your face." Kanashii says. She opens her eyes, and looks directly into Rukia's eyes. "You know, Rukia. You should really learn how to hone in on your Soul Reaper skills! If you did, you could probably be really strong." Kanashii says as a sad smile crosses her face for a split second before it disappears again.
"I'm already strong!" Rukia shouts, feeling insulted.
"I didn't mean your Zanpokuto! I mean your skills." Kanashii says as she sighs in exasperation.
"Fuck you!" Rukia yells, glaring at Kanashii. Kanashii holds her hands up, and grins.
"Just saying..." Kanashii says.
"I don't give a damn what you're saying!" Rukia yells. Kanashii's smile grows larger as she looks at Byakuya.
"Anyway, I came to tell you that in order to save the sick one from 2nd company; you must give him the blood of..." Kanashii says.
