I'm updating a day early because I don't think I'll be able to get to a computer tomorrow. So, I hope you enjoy the early chapter. ;)

Renji had noticed a change in Kagami in the past few days. She was quieter and seemed to have a lot on her mind. It was a depressing sight, compared to her usual fire. Kagami often spent her time reading scrolls scattered about Renji's room, or staring at the picture of their academy days. She said she worked with her zanpakuto when Renji was out, but he still didn't know what she was capable of.

"Tousen will be coming soon. Has your captain done anything about it?" Kagami asked, her voice laced with a hint of bitterness.

"An alert is going out today. Hell Butterflies will be making their rounds soon," Renji answered.

"Took 'em long enough. They probably still don't believe it's Tousen."

"Captain Kuchiki probably didn't tell the other captains it was. He probably said it was just some random attacker." Kagami scoffed.

"Like some random soul could kill Shuhei and an entire team from the Ninth Division."

"Let them believe what they want. They'll see Tousen when he comes."

"So long as he doesn't kill them first," she muttered.

"What's with you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You're usually not so pessimistic," Renji answered.

"I'm not usually this pissed off. Shuhei's dead and no one seems to care. No one even blinked when I told the Fourth Division Soul Reapers. Everyone thinks I'm crazy because I know who killed my team and my lieutenant!"

"Don't you think you're jumping to conclusions?"

"Oh? Enlighten me."

"Don't you think Kira would want to help if he knew what was going on?" Renji demanded, and Kagami could only stare at him.

She hadn't given any thought to Kira's feelings on Hisagi's death. Kira and Hisagi had been close friends, and drinking buddies. Kagami had only thought of her own anger, but not the feelings of her friends. It was selfish of her.

"Point taken," she mumbled, taking a seat on the bed. "Have you seen Izuru lately?"

"Not since before your attack. Hisagi was with him."

"How was he then?"

"Same as always. They were having a few drinks with Rangiku." Kagami's brow furrowed slightly and a frown tugged at her lips.

"That was a week before we went to guard the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi. I wish I had gone with him."

"Where were you?" Renji asked.

"Working on the magazine," Kagami answered and glanced away, as though embarrassed.

"What?"

"I was behind on some work. Give me a break. How was I supposed to know Tousen would kill Shuhei the following week?" For that, Renji had no answer. Instead, he watched as Kagami flopped back on his bed with a heavy sigh. "Can I ask for a favor?"

"Depends on the favor," Renji answered.

"Don't be a smartass. I want you to find Izuru, and Momo if you can. Tell them that when you saw me in the Fourth Division, I was doing well, still kicking. Tell them that I'd promised to see them as soon as I was able."

"Why do you need me to play messenger?"

"Because I can't leave your room. I plan to see them again when this is all over, so I want you to tell them for me."

"Might as well, since we're still waiting on your treacherous former captain to try and kill us all."

"Shut up and go tell them," Kagami answered with a laugh.

Renji shrugged and walked out, leaving Kagami alone. As he began in the direction of the Third Division, Renji couldn't help but wonder why Kagami wanted him to pass this message. It wasn't as if she wouldn't be able to see Kira and Hinamori again. Hell, Kagami's request made it sound like she was giving her final goodbyes. Did she expect to die fighting Tousen?

Renji stopped in his tracks once the thought struck him. What if Kagami did think she was going to die? Was that why she'd been so quiet lately, almost depressingly so? Was that why she had asked Renji to pass her message on to Kira and Hinamori? Sure, Renji didn't think she was fit to fight, but he didn't think she'd die. He figured he'd be able to keep her out of the worst of the battle. It wasn't like she'd be executed. All she'd done, as far as Head Captain Yamamoto knew, was sneak out of the Fourth Division. Renji had done it plenty of times, as had almost every Soul Reaper in the Eleventh Division. Hell, they were lucky if a Soul Reaper from the Eleventh Division even went for treatment.

Renji then thought of Kagami's determination and scowled. She had it set in her mind that she had to avenge Hisagi. Kagami would probably find a way to get into the fight and probably try to take down Tousen herself. Renji's hand clenched into a fist at his side from the very thought. Kagami was an idiot if she thought he'd let her go after Tousen, least of all alone. Just as Renji was about to turn around and go back to Kagami, a Hell Butterfly hovered in front of his eyes.

"An attack has been waged at the East Gate. All available Soul Reapers are to report there immediately," the black butterfly conveyed.

"Damn," Renji muttered as he began running to the gate. "Looks like she'll have to wait."

I hope you enjoyed. :) Please R&R.