In a place near Karakura Town, in the forest area, Rukia and two Shinigamis stood facing each other. The one who wore haori, Kuchiki Byakuya, and the red haired man, Abarai Renji.
Both were her brother and childhood friend respectively.
Rukia had expected their arrival and was ready to go back. Her decision had been set in stone and she wouldn't back down from her resolve, not now or in the future.
That's why she went into a secluded area to prevent anyone else from getting involved, to protect those she cherished in the world of living. Even when she was only here for a short time, she still felt that way. Her short stay had made a mark in her heart and mind.
She knew the consequence of her action, breaking a law that Soul Society had imposed on them, but it was something she decided and had to do.
For the sake of the people she had met here, and also for her own sake. She couldn't abandon them when a Hollow was attacking them.
"You have nowhere to go, Rukia. Surrender and come with us quietly." Renji said. "Have you softened up after spending some time in that false form?"
The man she once knew had grown, changed from a loudmouth brat with a temper to someone she could respect, but she didn't regret it. She could see a lieutenant badge on his arms. It was a good change, and it seemed like he still remembered about their past.
"Call him, Rukia. The human who stole your power."
"What are you talking about?"
Rukia narrowed her eyes, putting on a serious expression so the other party couldn't read her, "You can't say that I am in this form because I lost my power. Maybe I just want to spend my time in a Gigai. It's not strange if I do that. There's no rule about a Shinigami not being able to live among humans for some time."
"Rukia, it's better to admit your mistake." Renji interrupted, "I will ask again. Where is he? Giving your power to a human is a serious sin for Shinigami. We'll capture you and the guy who stole your power will die. You know our rules and our duty, don't you? Or have you forgotten it after spending time in this false body?"
Gritting her teeth, Rukia stared straight at the two Shinigami that she was facing, her eyes gleaming in defiance. She couldn't do anything at all.
When she looked at her brother's cold expression, everything felt hopeless. Even if she was to escape from here, her brother would never let her go, not when she broke a law.
She knew that they were serious about killing Ichigo.
There's no other option than surrendering.
"I told you once again, Abarai Renji. No humans stole my power, I just want to spend time with my Gigai." She said with confidence in her voice, trying to sound convincing. Her obsidian eyes stared into his, "I will come with you without resistance, but you have no reason to attack anyone in this town."
"You dare to give an order, Rukia?" Renji growled. His spiritual pressure increased as he unsheathed his sword, "It seems that I need to teach you some manners as a member of the Kuchiki family."
He dashed forward and attacked her. She didn't dodge, accepting the fate of her own mistake, only for someone to catch his blade in time.
Clang!
Shirou stood in front of Rukia with Kanshou and Bakuya on both hands, catching Zabimaru's tip in his crossed blade. His red hair fluttering in the air from his movement, the serious look in his eyes showed that he meant business.
"You?!" Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Attacking an unarmed girl in the middle of the night isn't good at all, Mr. Shinigami. Maybe you don't know about that since you're not from around here." Shirou remarked sarcastically, glaring at him.
He pushed Renji backward, making the red-haired Shinigami jump back.
Landing beside Byakuya, Renji glared at Shirou.
"You... Who the hell are you?"
"Me? Just an average person who happens to pass by and see an armed person attacking a defenseless woman. It's just a normal reaction from anyone who has a decent moral."
Renji scoffed at his answer, "Cut the bullshit, boy. Tell me who you really are and how you can stop my blade."
"You sure have a dirty mouth for a Shinigami." Shirou remarked dryly and turned to Rukia, "Are you alright, Kuchiki-san?"
Rukia couldn't answer him right away. She didn't expect to meet Shirou here, not when she tried so hard to hide her involvement from him and his brother.
"Are you really alright?"
The question caused her to come to her senses. She looked up and saw Shirou staring at her with concern in his eyes.
"I-I am fine, Kurosaki-kun. You shouldn't be here, you have to leave. You're going to die."
"That doesn't sound very nice, Rukia." He smiled sheepishly at her worried expression.
"Kurosaki?" Renji muttered and narrowed his eyes, remembering something, "Are you the one that stole Rukia's spiritual power, you bastard?!"
His shout startled both Shirou and Rukia.
"I am asking the question here so answer me." Renji growled, swinging his sword.
"Hold on, Renji. This guy has nothing to do-"
"Shut up, Rukia." The red haired Shinigami bellowed.
"Stop being so hot-headed." Shirou said calmly. He crossed his arms, the twin swords still firmly in both hands, "I told you that I am just someone who passes by and happens to see you trying to kill her. I am also her classmate, so I can't just ignore her, no?"
Shirou glanced over his shoulder at the small girl, "Kuchiki-san, just stay back for now."
"Hey, listen to me when I'm talking to you. I will-"
"Renji."
Byakuya interrupted him with a sharp glance. Renji stopped and stepped aside. He was the captain and his orders were absolute. They couldn't go against him.
The black-haired Captain stepped forward. He looked at Rukia with his eyes full of disappointment before turning to Shirou.
"You were the one who killed Menos Grande this afternoon." He said, surprising Renji.
Shirou nodded, his expression was still calm despite being in front of two people who might become an enemy.
"You have the wrong person."
Byakuya stared at Shirou and observed him from head to toe.
His sharp grey eyes gleamed dangerously behind the black locks, a gaze that would terrify any weaker person, "I don't feel Rukia's spiritual pressure from you, so you weren't the one who stole it. Stay away from this matter and we shall do nothing to you."
"Is that so?" Shirou hummed, "I don't really care about the matter, but attacking a defenseless person? That's too much for me to ignore, even more if it's a classmate."
"So talking isn't possible."
After saying so in a strangely calm town, Byakuya's hand moved closer to his sword.
Feeling danger, Shirou quickly threw both his swords at him.
But, they weren't able to hit him and were cut in half by Senbonzakura, which was swung with an incredible speed. Following that, the sword blurred toward him.
Shirou quickly traced both twin swords once again and blocked the attack. Spark flew when two blades clashed against each other, their spiritual pressures clashing in a violent storm. They both were pushed back from the impact and landed a small distance apart.
"You have a weird sword." Byakuya noted calmly, not minding that he was forced to retreat. "For a human, you're strong."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Both fighters stared at each other with a considerable range between them. They were concentrating on the battle, not daring to relax even a bit.
"What was that?" Renji said in a low voice. "He parried Captain Kuchiki's attack? That's impossible. A human can't do something like that. What is he, Rukia?"
Rukia was speechless. She knew he was Quincy after his confession, but his prowess in battle was beyond her imagination. She didn't know what kind of weapon he used and how it worked.
'I thought he could only use a bow.' She thought.
Meanwhile, Shirou sighed in resignation. It seemed he wouldn't be able to settle things in a peaceful manner. His plan was to distract both fighters to let Rukia escape but his hand was full with one.
'Did I become too arrogant?' He wondered to himself. He didn't have much time to think though. The opponent wasn't someone who he could take lightly, the captain was far too strong.
To combat him, he could only do what he was best at.
"Trace on."
Five nameless Noble Phantasms appeared around him, floating mid-air while emitting an eerie bluish light. With a simple command, the sword barreled toward Byakuya at speed faster than human eyes could see.
However, Byakuya wasn't someone ordinary either. The haori-clad Shinigami swung his sword in an arc and parried every sword Shirou sent at him.
Then, he muttered,
"Scatter, Senbonzakura."
***Chapter End***
This handsome Shinigami who always spam Bankai! How dare he!
Anyway, first fight! I tried my best writing it and yet I end it at a cliffhanger! Sorry! (I am not sorry at all!)
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