Two Souls, One Story

Chapter 24

Today was the day. Rukia's execution was barely an hour away. Four Kido Corp members prepared Rukia. Along with dressing her in new white robes, they placed a sealing necklace around her, with long orange tubes resting in each of their hands. Like any day in the Seireitei, the sky was carelessly bright and clear.

Which made the smiling captain chilling on the suspension bridge stand out all the more.

"Beautiful day, isn't it?" Gin asked cheerfully, looking up at the blue sky. "What a perfect day for such a sad occasion."

Rukia didn't understand why seeing the man brought chills down her spine. Frowning a bit, she peeked at him through her hair as she kept her head down. "Where is Izuru?" She asked, knowing the captain was rarely without his assistant. Especially nowadays.

"Oh, Izuru..." Gin looked over his shoulder, and for once, the smile dropped. He rummaged through his sleeves for something. "I came all tis way ta see ya. Ya go ahead, and remind me that I will be a very busy man soon. Funerals are not fun, ya know."

Rukia's heart dropped. She simultaneously felt as though someone had lit her on fire and then doused her with a bucket of ice water.

"Ta paperwork and arrangements. I have ta remember ta not include yer name, considering yer gonna be... well, dead," Gin pulled out a little handkerchief. Rukia recognizes it as one Izuru picked as a New Year's present for Gin many, many years ago.

"Y-you're not planning my funeral..." She stammered out. "So who's...?"

"Since yer dyin' and all that. You wouldn't mind doing a grieving captain a favor," Gin said as he unfolded the handkerchief. "Do you have any recommendations for a new lieutenant?"

Blond hair soaked in fresh blood rested innocently against the silk.

Rukia's heart stopped. Her eyes widened and welled with tears. "No.... No... No no no no no!" She shouted. "It can't be!"

Gin shrugged, "Ya see, this mornin' I found things in Izuru's room. Plans. Why, he was planning on murderin' Captain Yamamoto with ta help of others today! I was so shocked that Izuru had such a wicked mind. I tried to tell him to stop, beg him to tell me who was helpin' but he came at me..." He let out a long, sad sigh. Folding up the handkerchief and tucking it back away. "I had no choice."

"You're lying!" She cried. Sobs wracking her body. "Izuru would never!" She knew deep down that her best friend had a grudge against the head captain. He was never one for forgiveness.

"Poor thing," Gin added. Only this time, he was talking about her. "You have no idea how much he loved you. Willin' to create anarchy and kill so many just to keep you alive. I shall take his betrayal to the grave. A Hollow took him, is what I'll say to ta others. I'll place his name next to his parents."

Rukia's sobbing settled down, and she shot her gaze upward to meet his own closed eyes. "I'll take you out myself!" She snapped, "Just you wait..." She no longer had a connection to this world. Not really. It suddenly felt like she was in a fever dream. The world felt hot and cold all at once. It wouldn't be until later that she realized it was her own spirit energy welling up inside behind the seal.

Gin had that snake-like grin again. "What can a dead girl do, hmmmm? Not just a dead girl, an erased girl. I'll keep an eye open for Izuru's next life... lived without yer influence. Well, no matter. Goodbye, Kuchiki Rukia."

And he watched as the Kido Corp dragged Rukia away. The feeling of being pleased washed over his body.

"Oh, she is so gullible."

(linebreak)

Byakuya, head bowed, said his prayers before Hisana's shrine. He made a promise to her on her deathbed to find and protect her little sister. A promise is a promise. But... the laws are also... the laws. If they decided the same girl he took under his care all those years ago was now to be executed... Byakuya swore a vow to honor the law.