[DISCONTINUED] Strive | Bleach

Chapter Twenty-One: Successful Distress.

Rukia’s POV~

Today was my execution. Today is where my life would be at its end. Today would be the last day where I would see the blue skies above me. Today would be the last day I would breathe this air. Did I have regrets? There are many things that I cannot forgive myself for doing.

I got Ichigo and the others involved in this. Abaron could be killed for her insubordination and traitorism toward the Soul Society for trying to save me. But, knowing her, she wouldn’t care.

I looked over the bridge, staring out over the Seireitei once again. That’s when my heart stopped.

“Renji…” I stepped closer to the edge, searching for him. “Renji! Why, why did you do it?! Renji!” My entire body froze. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone walking my way. I couldn’t hold in my fear any longer.

“Good morning,” he said. “How are you, Rukia, dear?” I began to tremble.

“Gin… Ichimaru.” He wouldn’t stop smiling. It made my skin crawl.

“Such bad manners, Rukia, but I see you’re just the same as you always were—still rude. You know, you must always address me as only ‘Captain Ichimaru’. If you’re not careful, you may get a serious scolding from your brother, Byakuya.”

“I apologize, Captain Ichimaru.” Those words that flowed from my mouth were mixed together with hatred and spite. He seemed to not have noticed, as he was chuckling.

“Oh, no, did you think I was serious?” he asked. “Don’t worry, I’m not about to turn you in. I really don’t even mind, since you and I have known each other for so long.” My eyes narrowed.

“I know that you didn’t come by to make small talk, Captain. Tell me, why are you here?” What was his reason for just suddenly appearing?

“Well,” he hesitated. “I suppose no particular reason, Rukia. I was out taking a walk and I thought I’d visit—just to tease you a bit.”

I never liked this man. The first time we met was before I joined the Thirteen Court Guard Squads with the others, just after my brother was made the Captain of Squad 6 and before Abaron was imprisoned. Gin became the Captain of Squad 3 about the same time, and I remember him talking with Byakuya whenever they happened to meet. It didn’t look like anything more than two Captains exchanging pleasantries. So to an outsider, it would’ve seemed like normal conversation. But it never seemed that way to me.

From the first time I laid eyes on this man, I broke out in a cold sweat all over my body. His fingertips; his lips; the way his eyes never shifted. He reminded me of a snake, and though he was speaking to my brother, I felt as if he had his hands around my neck. I was frozen; afraid even to blink my eyes. I’ve always hated this man. It seemed like he could find the smallest crack in those around him, and seep deep down into you, like venom. That’s the kind of fear he arises.

 I’ve never had any rational reason for feeling this way. But something inside me has always rejected everything about him. Despite the many times we’ve spoken over the years, those feelings have never changed, even now. I still feel that way about him.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, bringing me abruptly from my thoughts. “It seems you fell into a trance there.”

“Sort of,” I said bitterly.

“By the way, it seems he isn’t actually dead yet; Renji, that is.” I stared over the bridge again, in the hopes of locating him.

It’s true. I have to concentrate and search, but I can still sense Renji’s spiritual pressure! But it’s so weak…