Chapter 8

It would be an understatement to say that the entire Seireitei was in a state of mass chaos and panic, because somewhere between the first five to ten minutes, the entire society had nearly torn itself apart with the running feet that pounded ruthlessly into the ground. In the middle of it all, a shell shocked Renji sat, holding a cup of tea, staring down into the now cold liquid, memorizing his reflection. His usually lively brown eyes were blank and empty, the pain echoing through a hollow heart.

Yumichika and Ikkaku had returned to the 11th division barracks to get some rest after informing their Taicho and fukutaicho. Yumichika had given him a slight pat on the shoulder and a nod to convey his concern. Ikkaku had just been himself and told Renji to suck it up and go chop some heads off.

Brown eyes squeezed shut as the next scene replayed in his mind. Rukia had been the hardest hit. It was her Nii-sama, in some ways, her idol, who had abandoned her and left her as the new head of the Kuchiki clan. When they had arrived back, she had received the paper while the elders were in a ring waiting for her. She had broken down, crying, sobbing, screaming; reaching everywhere calling for Byakuya. Ichigo had scooped her up and taken her to the 4th division where he was now too, sitting outside her door, waiting for news, anything. Her face when she had turned to him for a split second was lost, empty, deranged. Her mind was shutting down for her entire world in one day had crashed.

Ichigo emerged from behind the white door, face pale and eyes shut. Renji watched as he ran to the bathroom and promptly heard the sound of retching followed by running water. When he emerged, Ichigo looked as haunted as a dead spirit.

"How is she?" Like he even had to ask, ran through the red head's mind. The berry head shook his head, clutching his arms and leaning against the door post for support.

"I don't understand." Ichigo whispered.

"Understand what?" The orange hair was covering the eyes of the boy while his hands were visibly trembling. Silence reigned over the two men before the substitute shinigami exploded.

"HOW COULD HE DO THIS?! HOW COULD HE, OF ALL PEOPLE DO THIS?!" Renji just stared back down at his tea, closing his eyes as he listened to the rant that was to come.

"She's in there, and she's there. But all she does now is whispered Nii-sama, where is her Nii-sama. "If you open the door, she will jerk to look at you, eyes glowing in hopes of seeing him," Ichigo spat on the ground; fists clenching at his sides, ignoring the blood that was now dripped out from his palms. "She simply asks where her Nii-sama is. I CAN'T ANSWER THAT!!"

Renji heard a thump and knew that the other had collapsed onto the floor. He looked up and saw the younger man with his buried in his knees, curling against the wall in a feeble position as he whispered between sobs.

"I can't do anything to help her this time. I can't do anything. I'm useless."

"Ichigo," Renji stood and kneeled in front of the orange head that annoyed the crap out of him. "You can't think you're supposed to everything."

"And you, what are you supposed to do?" Auburn met brown and the comprehension was there.

"Tell Rukia see her soon." Renji stood and began to walk away.

"Renji." Footsteps paused in their progress and the pair stared each other down once more.

"Good luck."

"We could ask Ikkaku do his dance to confirm that."

"Shut up."

Things would change, some for the better, others for the worse. But that's just the way life goes. An old chapter is finished, a new chapter must begin. Renji walked out of the 4th division barracks, and into the disorganized, chaotic sixth.

"LET'S GO YOU LAZY APES!! WE HAVE WORK TO DO!!"

"YES SIR!"