Supernova

By Willow Athena

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach…but Rien is definitely mine

Author's Note: I would just like to thank my wonderful reviewers whose encouragement has inspired me to update really soon. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter, and its really nice to know I'm not just rambling to myself by posting this story. Your reviews made me so happy, so again, "Thank you!"

Summary:

Setting – Soul Society has been under strict military watch following Aizen's victory, where he distracted everyone and stole the real 'Kings Key' while everyone was engaged in meaningless battles to stop him from making one. Aizen has retreated and is attempting to figure out how to use the key. Ichigo is about to turn 21, so everyone has known eachother for about 6 years, I guess.

Story – For the last three weeks, Rien has been imprisoned and 'interrogated' by Kurotsuchi taichou to investigate if she was a threat to Soul Society, and how she got into one of the most restricted parts of Seireitei. Byakuya is the first thing Rien can remember, and she cares for him, but he ignores her presence. None of her new friends have been allowed to see her, but Ukitake taichou has tried to help in that regard.

Chapter 6 – A light at the end of my tunnel

Rien's POV

Ishida, Ichigo, Renji, and Rukia came to visit me on the afternoon of Ukitake taichou's visit. My heart leapt at the sight of them. They had so many questions I did not want to answer – about how I've been, and what Mayuri had been doing with me. I had not had to lie yet, and I did not trust myself to do it convincingly enough to fool them, but the truth would cause them sadness. I didn't not want them to be sad, not today.

"I feel so much better now that you're all here." I attempted to beam at them, having forgotten what the expression felt like on my face.

"Ukitake tried…" Ichigo began, but I interrupted him.

"I've really missed you Ichi," I said, throwing my arms around him and stopping him from exposing Ukitake.

"We're being recorded." I whispered in his ear, wondering how this fact could of escaped his notice. "I think she likes you," I added, noting Rukia's dismayed expression behind him.

"I think he really likes you." Ichigo smugly added looking in Ishida's direction.

"Of course he likes me, we're friends," I said as I pulled away from him, and sat back down with Ichigo's help. Ichigo made a muted disbelieving 'Hmph' at the word 'friends'. It was not until that moment that I noticed the vapid grey colour of my skin against Ichigo's tan. The previous gold lustre of my skin had been scyfened away by the weeks of torture, now all my skin looked like was death. I cringed at the sight I must of reflected to Byakuya and Ukitake this morning.

Now with all my bruises healed and wounds repaired by Isane, there was no trace, not even a scar left, to prove any of what I had endured these past three weeks. Mayuri had planned it this way – I knew him well enough to know this for certain.

"There's just no privacy here," I added in to placate their curiosity. "Nemu watches me at all times – when I amble here, when I eat, when I sleep, and even when I shower…It's like she's a machine, she never sleeps." It was nice to be able to talk to real people again.

"She is a machine," Ishida flatly offered. I laughed, so did they. I could not remember the sound of my laughter before this moment – but now that they were with me, I could go on, endure anything.

They came every afternoon that week. We would only have an hour together every afternoon, but it was enough to renew my resolve to stay alive the next day.

On the sixth day, they came a little too early. Isane had been busy and had not come to heal my daily injuries yet. My left shoulder had been dislocated that afternoon, so I used my working right hand to cover myself with my thin blanket. Mayuri made sure that my face never became injured, so that at least was a blessing. I used my long hair to cover any bruising on my neck. Everyone said 'Hi' and sat down to tell me that Ichigo and Ishida would have to leave for the real world tomorrow. I tried to hide my sadness at this news. It was so selfish of me to want them to stay so I could see them for this brief hour everyday, they had real lives that did not include me. I tried to control my expression as Ichigo explained that they would still try to figure out some way to help my predicament.

Ishida didn't sit down, didn't relax, he stood at the door of the glass cell and stared intently at me. After a while, he walked towards me and knelt down in front of me. His hand trembled as he gently removed the layers of clothing over my dislocated shoulder.

"Ishida! What are you doing?" Ichigo demanded of him, as the others looked shocked at his actions.

He ignored them.

As he revealed my blue shoulder, they all gasped. Ishida did not ask any stupid questions like 'how it had happened', or 'when'. He became calm, and looked me straight in my now panic filled eyes. His eyes were the beautiful blue of a deep pond on a sunny day – the perfect balance of warmth and coolness.

"I'm a doctor." He calmly said to me as he gently placed his beautiful soft hand on my aching shoulder.

"You shoulder is dislocated. I need to set it now before its too late, or it will heal wrong." He paused. "Prepare yourself. This is going to hurt." He held me securely against his chest with his left arm, his right hand still on my shoulder. " I'm going to count to three and then do it." He whispered in my ear now, his breath sending shivers down my spine from its warmth and closeness. "One…" He pushed it back into place at 'one' – it surprised me, but I was able to suppress the yell, not the anguished look on face though.

He gently covered my shoulder once more. "Renji, can I have your white head tie." Ishida commanded rather than asked. Renji handed it over. Ishida carefully put my arm into a sling, saying nothing more. I could no longer see his eyes through the mirroring glare from his glasses, but I could feel anger surge within him.

Everyone was quiet that day, sad except for the anger, I wished they would be happier. This would be our last day together after all.

"Renji, may I have your hair band as well?" I asked after a long period of silence. He didn't even ask what I wanted it for – he just took it off and silently gave it to me. Man, I must look really pathetic.

As Renji handed me the hair band, and his long red locks fell to frame his face – I saw for the first time, how truly beautiful he was, and how much he tried to hide his beauty. It was as if he felt strength and beauty were opposites, unable to peacefully co-exist in him.

"Renji, your beautiful." I gazed into his eyes. At once, I felt his soul echo my intuition. "The most beautiful flower is often also the most deadly," I added. "Is Byakuya not proof of at least that, fukutaichou Abarai?" I somehow knew that this would resonate with him.

I saw a flicker of something in Rukia's expression, but she was quick to hide it before I deciphered it completely. Could she really have feelings for them both? Renji's feelings for her were obvious, to me at least, but until now, I had thought she cared for Ichigo alone. I could see now that her feelings were more complicated than that, but I could not understand their complexity with the throbbing pain in my shoulder.

Then Isane came, and Nemu kicked them out. Ishida lingered at the door with determination and fury reflected in his beautiful eyes. "See you soon, Rien." He said threateningly as his glasses gleamed over and Nemu pushed him through the door.

Author's Note

I don't really have much to say this time, in terms of an author's note, since I updated yesterday, but I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. The next chapter is Byakuya heavy, so for all Bya fans, I hope I don't disappont you.