Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Bleach nor any of its characters.

Note: Thank you all who've been with me until now. We are nearing the point where chapters aren't yet written.
There are still some chapters to go, but might be updates take a bit longer.
I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 18:

Renji's head felt like being wrapped in cotton. He drowned a glass of water to remove the dry feeling in his mouth. Moving felt a little uncomfortable, but he had had worse hangovers.

At least he had been able to sleep undisturbed.

Renji looked down himself and realized he had forgotten to change out of his uniform. He went in search for a fresh set of clothing. He was half through showering when he realized that it was weekend and he needn't go to the office today. The recruits had free time and he had already finished half the work due for next week, yesterday.

Thus he shrugged on a dark blue kimono instead and while brushing his hair considered dropping by Rukia.

She was already up and about when he knocked at her room's door.

Her face seemed paler than usual and her eyes were even redder than yesterday. She gave him a small sad smile and gestured for him to come in.

"Yo, Renji", she said, subdued. "Care for tea?"

"Why not", he said and flopped down at her small table.

Renji hissed when he burned his tongue, having choked down too much of the hot liquid.

"Any news?", he asked.

"Nii-sama hasn't been at home", answered Rukia. "But I bumped into Shihana's father in the evening and he said all was unchanged." She sighed heavily.

"We'll go over again, today", said Renji. "And this time, taichou can't get me to leave, no matter how."

He felt Rukia's small hand covering his and pressing it.

"You know, Renji", she said. "Being around you helps a great deal."

She smiled at him again and he remembered the fierce feeling of loss the day she was adopted. He remembered her panicked face in the Living World, when they had come to kill Kurosaki Ichigo. He also remembered her empty look during her imprisonment. He felt bad seeing her now in sorrow.

They didn't talk while they walked towards the 4th squad barracks. Both were trying to muster up the strength for what might await them, whether the development was good or bad or none at all.

Byakuya looked up, when they entered the room.

There was a bed that had been slept in, but it didn't look like he had been the one to rest.

Renji was shocked to see the dark circles under his taichou's eyes and the look of sorrow that seemed to flit over his face for the blink of a moment.

"What happened, Nii-sama?", said Rukia immediately.

Byakuya almost smiled. She had gotten so good at reading his expression however good he tried to hide it.

"She has woken up during the night."

But before he could recount the events of said night, Shihana sat up straight, her eyes flying open.

Everyone stood rooted to the spot, holding their breaths.

Her eyes fell on Renji, who was halfway through crossing the room.

"Oh no", she whispered and covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes filling with tears.

"Have you come back to haunt me?"

Renji quickly looked around him looking for the source of her distress.

"Who, me?", he finally ventured.

"I'm so sorry", cried Shihana. "You shouldn't have come. You should never have come."

Still staring at him, she began clawing at her bandages, ripping them off one by one.

Byakuya caught her arms. "Rukia, get Unohana-taichou", he commanded. "Renji, stop staring and help me."

Rukia darted out of the room and Renji was by his side in an instant, holding Shihana down.

"So much red", she sobbed. "There is so much red."

Renji glanced at his captain helplessly. Should I leave?, his gaze seemed to say.

Byakuya stared back calmly. Don't you dare leave now, Abarai Renji.

It seemed like hours until the door banged open and a stream of healers, Unohana-taichou in front, hurried in.

"You can let go now", said Unohana while she established a glowing field above Shihana. Her patient immediately closed her eyes and started breathing more evenly. Her face was still streaked with tears.

"I told you the waking periods would increase", Unohana said to Byakuya.

"And I also told you", her voice didn't change, yet the threat was unmistakeably there, "that confronting her right now would not be advisable."

"I...", began Byakuya.

"She just happened to wake up the moment we came in. Kuchiki-taichou didn't have the slightest chance to do anything", jumped in Renji. He imagined seeing his taichou throw him a grateful look.

"Now could you tell me what this all has to do with me?"

Byakuya took them with him to the next room. They sat silently until Unohana-taichou entered.

"Shihana seems to believe to have witnessed your death, Abarai", said Byakuya.

"My...death?", asked Renji, blanching. "How...?"

"We all know that this can't have passed", stated Unohana-taichou, "for you are here, alive and well and never went to Hueco Mundo."

"And what are we to do about it?", demanded Renji.

"We must know the details to convince her of what is real and what is not. This will be quite painful to her mind. There is a chance it might break her entirely."

"Is there an alternative?", asked Byakuya.

"Waiting", was the answer. "But it could take an enormous amount of time and there might still be no progression."

"Then we take the risk", proclaimed Renji, standing up. His jaw was set and his eyes gleaming.

Byakuya suddenly felt very tired. "I agree", he said. "But I ask Rukia not to witness the process."

"No, Nii-sama", protested Rukia. She did not know from where she took the strength to speak up. "I need to see this. I need to know."

"I will prepare everything", said Unohana-taichou. "We will do this today, in the evening. You should rest now, Kuchiki Byakuya. I am sure, Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji will sit watch in your stead. This is my advice as a healer."

Byakuya did catch the tone in her voice that indicated that he wasn't to argue. Without a further word, he stood up, nodded at the three of them and left the room.

"I have cast a stasis kido", Unohana informed Rukia and Renji. "She should remain in her current condition. If something changes withal, call for me immediately."

I know, I know, things aren't looking good right now. I promise things will lighten up in due time.
Until then, tell me how you like it. Hope to see you for the next chapter!