I do not own Bleach, but please do not use my original characters. Thanks.

Chapter 10

Rukia had expected the Soul Society to come for her. She knew it was simply a matter of time, but she still hopped to have had a bit more time. Even more, she had hoped that Byakuya wouldn't have been the one to come for her.

There wasn't anything she could do about that now. She'd even gotten Ichigo and Uryu involved in all of this. She wasn't certain that either of them had survived but had to hope they lived.

Rukia's was pulled from her thoughts as the door to the Division 6 prison opened. It didn't make much noise but startled her none the less. She hesitated to turn and see who had entered the room. Her heart pounded at the idea of facing Byakuya or Renji again. It didn't feel like either of their Reiatsu.

Rukia hesitated but turned to find a Soul Reaper she vaguely recognized.

The woman offered a kind smile as she closed the door behind her with some difficulty as she had books and papers filling her arms. While her uniform and hair were neat and tidy, there was something about her eyes that seemed sleepy in a truly endearing way. Nothing about her seemed threatening, but even then, Rukia felt uneasy. She couldn't fathom what another Soul Reaper needed already after she'd confessed.

"Apologies for the intrusion," said the woman. She bowed slightly, before making her way over to the desk at the edge of the room. "I need somewhere quiet to work where I don't have to explain why I didn't sleep last night. I hope you don't mind, Lady Kuchiki."

Rukia moved to speak but couldn't find the words as the woman went about arranging her work. The formality in and of itself was a shock. It took a moment before the woman's eyes darted to Rukia for a moment.

"Have we met," asked Rukia, not sure where else to start. Not wanting to ask important questions.

"No," laughed the woman. "Apologies. It seems my manners slipped. Kei Saito, Third Seat of Division 6. I've delivered papers to Captain Kuchiki's occasionally at his manor, so perhaps you've seen me there."

"Perhaps."

Rukia watched as Kei organized her things on the desk and pulled writing utensils out of the drawers. Her smile had faded as she did this, to a more emotionless face. Her eyes darted around the papers as she worked. There was intelligence and alertness in her eyes.

It took only a moment for Kei's eyes to dart towards Rukia. A slight smile returned to her face.

"I hope you don't think I'm trying to intrude. I end up in here often to work in peace. Not here to watch you or anything like that. You'll forget that I'm here after a while."

"You like working in here?"

"No, but it's quiet and people forget about it. Not much I can say to complain about that."

Rukai could believe her presence would be forgotten. Her Reiatsu was subtle. She could imagine people not noticing her. Kei stated she was a third seat, but nothing about her gave that impression. She could think of dozens of Soul Reapers that presented themselves to be far stronger than the woman in the room with barely any rank compared to Kei.

Kei didn't bother to say more before sitting at her desk and beginning to work. It wasn't long before she was engrossed in her work. Whatever it was, she seemed fascinated. She scribbled in a notebook, her eyes never leaving the pages. Rukia almost wanted to ask what she was working on, but it felt intrusive. Especially for someone who had made a point to be kind and polite given the circumstances.

It wasn't long before Rukia's thoughts wandered back to those she left in the Human World. Wondering what became of those she knew and the friends she had made. She could only hope they would live quiet uneventful lives now. Even thinking of all the things, she saw and learned about the Human World.

"Hey."

Rukia turned to find Renji dressed in his vibrant kimono-like sleepwear. He seemed irritated already.

"How long are you going to sulk, Rukia," he snapped stepping towards the cell bars. "You better eat something, or you won't survive to be executed."

"I'm not sulking," she replied, trying to stay calm. "I'm just not hungry, Mr. Lieutenant."

"Huh!? Does my new rank bother you?" Renji leaned against the bars, his brow twitching as he glared at her.

"Not at all. You must have worked hard to get yourself promoted in the two months I was gone. Very impressive. I'm happy for you Mr. Lieutenant. Good luck, Mr. Lieutenant. You're strong, Mr. Lieutenant. What's with the funky eyebrows, Mr. Lieutenant?"

It felt good to see him growing more and more irritated as he gripped the bars and gritted his teeth.

"You're dead," he yelled. "Step out here!"

Rukia turned away as he shook the cell bars.

"Renji?"

"What!?"

"Am I really going to die?"

She heard him scoff and saw him straighten up out of the corner of her vision.

"Of course you are! You're going to be executed any day!"

"I see…why wouldn't I be?"

She could see his expression soften. He didn't quite look at her for a moment before his eye twitched as he grabbed the bars again.

"C'mon, I'm only kidding," he yelled.

"How do I know!?"

Renji took a deep breath. It was nice to get a rise out of him. Felt familiar and comforting in some way. He turned and leaned against bars, staring at the door.

"Captain Kuchiki is on his way to headquarters. He'll probably request a reduced sentence for you. He's your older brother. He won't stand by and let you be killed."

"You're right. He'll kill me himself. I know very well they kind of person he is. In the forty years since the Kuchiki Family took me in, not once has he even looked at me."

"You're exaggerating."

Rukia turned to scold Renji but froze. Her eyes met Kei's as she looked between the two of them. He kind smile was gone and replaced with a hard line. Kei had been right. Rukia completely forgot that she was sitting there the entire time. Renji hadn't even noticed when he walked into the room.

"Rukia?"

She looked towards him to find him looking at her. He paused before looking towards Kei and startling. She didn't seem phased and leaned back in the chair.

"Morning, Mr. Lieutenant," she said, venom in her tone. "Didn't expect to run into you here."

"What the hell are you stalking in here for," he snapped, stepping towards the desk. "You look like shit."

"I came in here to do some work in peace and not be told how bad I look," she snapped. "What about you and what is all of this?"

Kei gestured vaguely to Rukia. Renji kept looking at her as she glared back.

"I don't see how it's any of your business."

"Really," she snapped, standing up. "Because it seems like you have personal ties to the Kuchiki Clan."

"I only knew Rukia, not that it matters. Drop the attitude, Kei," he warned. "My personal life is none of your business."

"It is when it overlaps with Division business."

"Last time I checked, Rukia isn't in Division Six."

Kei didn't bother to reply as she started to gather up her work. She did so fluidly without any hesitation or signs of irritation. If Rukia hadn't seen her snap at Renji, she wouldn't have been able to guess. She didn't bother to say another word as scooped everything into her arms and made her way out the door.

He watched her leave before letting out a sigh and rubbing the back of his neck.

"Renji?" He glanced at Rukia slightly.

"Don't worry about that. I'll settle things with Kei."

"What a good Mr. Lieutenant." Rukia had hoped he would snap, but only caught his lips twitch as he suppressed a smile.

"I'll be back to check on you soon."

She watched him leave without another word, closing the door behind him.