Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Warning: Contains spoilers from recent chapter! Don't like, don't read.

Author's note: Rukia's a lieutenant now! How cool is that! I always wondered whether she'd be one day, because hellooooo ... it was the 13th Division's second seat that was vacant the whole time, hint hint. Yet it was surprising, and I'm so happy! This is how it could've happened. Enjoy.

Lieutenant

Her eyes as wide as saucers, she watched Captain Ukitake Jūshirō slightly bow his head with a smile, then she was dismissed.

Like in a haze she felt herself stand up from her kneeling position, the badge in her hands trembling as she returned the greeting, respectful despite her confusion, and made her way out of the 13th Division's quarters.

Outside, she closed the door behind her and then threw herself against the wall next to it.

She just could not believe it. How could she possibly believe something as incredible as that?

Less than one and a half years ago, she had not even been a seated officer in the Gotei 13. And everyone had known why. Not that she had bothered, though. She was not the kind of person to strive for obtaining as much as possible. And she was not like those people who had all kinds of goals. She had been satisfied with her position, knowing that with her brother having adopted her into the Kuchiki family, she already had more than most other people had. And she was not greedy.

And now this?

She breathed heavily as she stared at the bright blue sky above the Seireitei, too busy with her own thoughts to notice the steps coming closer.

"Rukia? Are you okay?"

She slowly turned her head towards Renji, who wore an expression that could only be described as worried. "Are you okay?" he repeated and reached out for her, but before he could touch her face, she shoved the badge in her hand towards him without saying a word.

Renji looked confused for a moment as he tried to identify what she was holding, but then a broad grin spread over his face. "Ah! That's what this is about, huh?"

Rukia only stared at him. Did he not know what this meant, she asked herself, deeply puzzled. "He … he said I'm a lieutenant now, Renji," she said tonelessly while her wide eyes never left the face of her friend. "He said … I'm a lieutenant."

"Seems like he finally got to tell poor Kiyone and Sentarō. They must be devastated now. Did you see them?"

"What?" she blurted out incredulously. "Does that mean … you knew this?"

Renji grinned. "Course I did. I'm a lieutenant, you know."

"You … you …" she stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

"Finally," he said, and his face softened as he looked at her. "Finally they got the right one." He reached out once again to caress her cheek, but he never got to do it. Before he could blink, his own cheek made the acquaintance of a fierce little hand. "OUCH!" he yelled, holding the bruise. "What the heck was that for?"

Still breathing heavily, Rukia stared at him from below, her fist raised and clenched and her face furious. "Why didn't you tell me!"

"Why! Because I wasn't allowed to, baka!"

She glared at him for a moment longer before fully getting hit by realisation.

She was a lieutenant now. A real lieutenant.

"Is this real?" she breathed, looking at the badge in her hand before looking at Renji again. "Is this really happening?"

"Course it is, baka," he answered, but there was a certain tenderness to it which softened the words. "Guess I should congratulate you now. Come here." He opened his arms with his typical grin, and took her into a hard embrace.

Rukia breathed in as she felt his strong arms around her, and leaned into his form. Her dazedness vanished until there was nothing left of it, because she knew this was real. Being here, being with him assured her that yes, this was reality. She felt him kiss her on her forehead and smiled.

"Congratulations, Lieutenant Kuchiki." He let go of her and took her hand instead. "Let's go tell everyone."

"Yes," she said quietly and smiled at the ground. "Sorry I hit you."

"No biggie," he laughed. "I'm sorry, but I have to report this to the Captain Commander, though."

"What!" she yelled and stopped while he still held her hand.

"Just kidding," Renji chuckled and then ran away from her wrath.