They were on their way in the real world. It was Rai, Renji, Toushirou and Rangiku. Ikkaku and Yumichika were already at the scene. The arrancar had attacked Karakura Town, more specific Orihime Inoue and Kurosaki Ichigo. Orihime's house had been the start of the fire now ravaging the block. When they had made sure that Ichigo and Orihime were OK and that no arrancar were in sight Rai lept off, face showing outright fear, and the others followed. Rai stopped by a house which was burning violently. All the color from her face disappeared as she heard a scream rise from the inside as the house collapsed. They had to hold her to stop her from going into the flaming inferno. Then they saw a person walk out from the burning rubble. It was a woman around 25 and on her chest a severed chain hung. She walked up to Rai.
- Rai-chan, she said, what are you doing here? I've missed you.
To those words the others watched Rai sag to her knees and soon the other woman followed. Rai desperately took her in her arms.
- I'm so sorry, she whispered, barely audible for the others, I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you.
- It's OK, Rai, but I didn't expect to meet you here. Are you dead too?
Rai wept quietly in the other woman's arms, unable to answer. A weeping Rai was something noone of the others had seen and it made them uncomfortable.
- Rai, the woman said, I think I have to go somewhere now...
- I don't want to let you go.
- But if you're dead too, maybe we'll be going to the same place...
Rai pulled herself togheter and placed her zanpaktous seal on the woman's forehead.
- I love you, they whispered in tandem, and then she was gone.
- Who was that, Rangiku asked as Rai got up from her knees, you seemed pretty close.
Rai looked at her with tearstained eyes and cleared her troath.
- She was my lover when I lived here.
- Oh, she said and fell silent.
Everyone was quiet. It had been a long time since any of them had lost someone close, but they knew. Words were so meaningless and useless. Thankfully, it seemed as they would get some distraction that evening. A call from Soul Society came. A horde of Gillian type Menos Grandes had attacked and every shinigami was needed. Rai followed the others, bloodlust burning in her eyes.