While being in thoughts of her new Shikai, she walked around a corner and just could stop, before she bumped into someone.
"Sorry, I was in thoughts.", she said and looked at the person: "Oh, Rukia-san, hello."
"Hello Kohana-san. It's ok. How was your exam?"
"It was good. Captain Ukitake offered me the seventh seat in his squad."
"Hey, that's nice, so we're in the same squad."
"Yes, that's nice, I hope we'll see each other often."
"I think so, if you want, you can visit us sometimes."
"Hmm, I'm not sure, if your brother likes the idea."
"Why shouldn't he?"
"Didn't he tell you what happened?", Kohana asked after a little break while looking at the floor.
"No, he didn't. But I noticed, that he acted different to you. Do you want to tell me?"
"I'm not sure, if it's ok for your brother, if I tell you…", she answered with reservation: "But… maybe you could help me…. Could you try to talk to your brother?", Kohana asked
"I would do it, but then you have to say, what I should say."
"Hmm… What do you think… could you just say, that you noticed that his behavior to me changed, and you want to ask why… and if he says something more, you can ask, what attitude he has now to me… is that ok?"
"Ok, if you really want to know this, I will ask him today evening."
"That would be great! Thank you!"
After she said goodbye to Rukia, she walked towards her old home to pick up her things.
When she came to the Manor she walked through the door and stopped. She looked at the building. Most likely it would be the last time, she could see this building from this perspective, the last time to see this garden, most likely it would be the last time she would see this building from inside… and the last chance to see Byakuya alone and private.
With a sad look on her face she turned to the door and went inside. Slowly she walked towards her old room. Nowhere on her way she heard any sound or voices. With a sad sigh she looked on the floor.
It would have been so great, if she could see him a last time, before she had to move out and never had the chance again, to come as close to him as now.
But was that ok for him, too? Would he talk to her? Would he explain why he reacted like he did? Or would he just send her away like after that kiss? But if she didn't try it, she'll never know. But how should she do it? She didn't know where he was, and she couldn't hear anything, so there was no key, where he could be.
The Manor was too big to search it completely, and she knew, that Byakuya wouldn't be pleased to be disturbed. So the only thing she could do, was to go to her room and hope, that she would met him at the way to or from her room.