It was darkening outside and the words spread that Ichigo had defeated the last bounto. Rai didn't care much, she had never seen any other outcome. Soon they would have to return to the real world and Soul Society would have to start rebuilding the massive damage caused by the fighting. Rai had come back to Soul Society several times during her stay in the real world, but she planned this to be the last time. She was not welcome here with a hollow harboring in her soul.

She didn't doubt one second that Kenpachi wouldn't be at the office and she was surprised to see the place all dark and empty. She entered his office and sloushed down into his chair and decided to wait for him since he was a man who kept his promises. The chair was designed for a man twice her size and she almost disappeared in it. She would wait until morning and then go back to the real world. Rai had never been a sensitive person, but she did admit that if Kenpachi didn't show up this night, it would leave her very, vey disappointed.

Zaraki Kenpachi rushed towards his office with Yachiru clinging to his shoulder. As they arrived he sat her down.

- Yachiru, I want to be alone now. Go play with Ikkaku, ok?

- Okay, Ken-chan, will do.

He watched her run off and looked for a light in the window of his officer or any other sign of Rai being there, but found it all dark. Damn, he thought, it would be a pity if she had decided not to see him tonight, but he wouldn't be surprised if she had skipped out on him. That was how she was, unpredictable and with a mind of her own. He guessed she had something on her mind since she had actually sought him up this time. He knew she had been visiting Soul Society before, but he had never had the time to seek her out before she left again. He slid the doors open and found Rai sitting comfortable in his chair like she owned it. He walked straight over to her, took her by the collar and yanked her up so their faces was on the same level.

- Who the hell do you think you are, he snarled.

Then he realized he held her up by one hand and that she was as light as Yachiru.

- What the hell has happened to you, he continued, it feels like I'm holding a fly.

- Just lost all my muscle mass from lack of fighting, she said and tore free.

- Did you come here only to discuss my appearance, she continued, or did you want something from me?

- Cut that crap already. There's no need to show off anymore.

- I guess you're right, I just don't want to get involved again. I don't want to remember how much I like you. I just came here to say goodbye, this is my last time in Soul Society.

She looked up at him and he looked back. She walked over to him and he took her in his arms.

- If this is the last time you are here, mind playing with me again, he whispered in her ear.

She nodded and soon they were running through Seireitei's back alleys. Rai was on his back with her bankai wings burning brightly. The fire of her bankai fed on reiatsu and that meant that Kenpachi finally could let go of his restraints on his reiatsu. This was their special game and when they came back to the office both of them was exhausted and excited. Kenpachi was laughing loudly as he sat her down, but then looked at her seriously.

- Why did I ever let you go?

- Same reason that you can't make me stay. You cannot own me.

They walked over to his private house.

- Will you stay with me tonight, he asked her.

- I might aswell, she smiled at him.

She lay naked against him, her head on his massive and heavily scarred chest. They reviewed many old memories and they didn't fall asleep until well past dawn. When Kenpachi woke up he found the place Rai had laid on cold. She was long gone from his bed and from Seireitei and only a note was there to tell that she had ever been there.

" Dear Kenpachi.

You know I can't get accepted here with a hollow inside me, so I've gone back to the real world.

You should know that what we had meant something to me."

She hadn't signed it.