Two Souls, One Story

Chapter 22

Long before Ichigo and his friends made it to the Rukongai. Before Ichigo learned the name of his Zanpakuto. Rukia sat alone in her cell.

She stared out the small barred window with a long sigh. Lately, she had been doing this... staring out the window as she thought long and hard- What about? She had no idea, mostly how Izuru and Renji were doing. Otherwise, her head was mostly empty with anxiety. Had she fucked up so much that Ichigo will fail to save her? Or will the rescue be sped up? Will her execution day be sooner?

Given her circumstances, Rukia was still treated much like a noble in solitary confinement. Her clothes were made of soft cotton, and a new laundered one was presented every day. The food, though bland, was filling and never left her wanting for more. But this imprisonment was lonely.

A few days after her imprisonment, she got her first visitor.

"I said let me see her!" Rukia could hear an all too familiar voice from the opposite end of the door shout. "I'm the Lieutenant of the 6th Squad and you will let me pass!"

By some sort of miracle, Renji barged his way through the door and froze.

"R... Renji!" Rukia chirped, offering him a cheerful smile. She had almost forgotten how to use her words. "Hi!"

"I heard... I mean I was told- you..." Renji rushed to the bars, cupping her face in his hands. He chewed on his lower lip and scanned her face. It was as if he was finding the answers to the world's secrets found somewhere in her. "It has to be some kind of joke, right?"

"Um..." Rukia mumbled. Her voice was a breathless whisper. "What do you mean?"

"The execution, Rukia. You're going to be killed," Renji said bluntly. "It has to be a joke. Why would you be executed for this? You're... you're the first Soul Reaper to get this punishment in centuries!"

She offered him a crooked smile.

Renji's face twitched. Sclera reddened and Rukia felt the hands holding her face oh-so-tenderly begin to tremble.

"There's a plan, right? Right? Captain Kuchiki wouldn't just... just let you die like that! It's some big prank you two have been planning- and you somehow got Izuru involved? Someone stole the council's seal to make that order, right...? A rival noble? Rukia?" Renji's voice cracked so, so many times. "Rukia, I just got you back."

Rukia paused and sighed. She put her tiny hand atop Renji's. "I... didn't do anything with a plan... well, not this time anyway. I'm... honestly worried."

Renji looked over his shoulder, confirming no one was listening in. He spoke in a lower voice. "We're going to make a plan- Izuru and I. We'll get you out of here. Izuru suggested I work on my bankai and... well," He let go of Rukia to scratch his neck. "Honestly, he wouldn't tell me much besides that. But whatever he plans, I'm game for it. Lot of Soul Reapers aren't happy with the news either- we might have allies."

Rukia blinked up at him. "..." Her frown was deep and a promise of wrinkles. "Tell him... I want to have a word the next chance he gets..."

Renji scratched his cheek. "I'll pass on the message... Captain Ichimaru's been keeping him on the world's shortest leash ever since we brought you back. The non-seated officers have been doing his paperwork deliveries." His eyes widened slightly. "Anything I can bring you? To make things comfortable-ish? Er... well, I guess prison is meant to be uncomfortable. But maybe I can bring you a treat? Or the drawing kit you keep in your closet?"

Rukia's eyes widened. "How did you know I kept my drawing kit in my closet?" She raised a brow and crossed her arms, leaning back on one leg and cocking her hip.