"Brother… Renji…"
Rukia Kuchiki could already feel the powerful Reiatsu pulsing through the air from afar. Her face twisted into a bitter smile.
So fast…
She had known something would happen after yesterday. There was no way the Seireitei would ignore it. Still, she didn't expect them to act this quickly.
And the ones they sent—her brother, of all people.
She knew exactly how Byakuya Kuchiki operated.
Cold. Unyielding. Absolutely impartial.
Even if she was his adopted sister… he would never go easy on her. Not when the laws of Soul Society were at stake.
Almost instinctively, her gaze flicked toward the closet—but then she smiled bitterly.
He's not coming. The door's still closed.
She stood there for a moment, conflicted.
Nanaya was strong—she knew that better than anyone. But against the power of Seireitei? Against her brother?
He couldn't win. And even if he did… what would that change?
They'd just send more captains.
Creak…
The closet door opened quietly.
Rukia sighed, already resigned to her fate. She would leave quietly, go with her brother, and hope not to drag anyone else down.
But then—
"Rukia. Where do you think you're going?"
Nanaya was leaning against the closet frame, arms crossed, dressed and smiling casually.
"Nanaya…? You—"
She stared at him in disbelief.
"Those two are really arrogant," he muttered, stepping out into the dim light of evening. "Releasing their spiritual pressure like that in public. Do they really think I wouldn't notice?"
He spoke with open contempt, clearly referring to Byakuya and Renji.
If it weren't for people like Hirako Shinji who didn't actually betray Soul Society, those two would've been cut to pieces already, he thought.
"Nanaya, don't…" Rukia pleaded gently. "My brother… he's not someone you can just fight. He's not the type to forgive. Please don't get involved."
She tried to reason with him—but Nanaya had already made up his mind.
"Quit worrying." He winked. "Leave it to me."
Then, before she could react, he picked her up and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of rice.
"W-Wait! Nanaya, what are you doing?!"
Rukia flushed red, struggling furiously. "No! If my brother sees this, he'll kill you! You're insulting noble dignity—!"
Her protest was cut short.
"Mm—mmph!!"
He covered her mouth casually.
Under a streetlamp…
Byakuya Kuchiki and Abarai Renji stood side by side, their faces calm but alert—until they sensed something and turned to look down the street.
One glance—and Renji's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Even Byakuya flinched slightly.
"RUKIA?!" Renji shouted. "What—what's with that posture?! Who the hell is carrying you?!"
Rukia's face turned bright red.
No… no no no… this is the worst possible timing…
"Nanaya! Put me down! You can't let them see me like this!" she cried, kicking her legs as Nanaya calmly held her up, completely unfazed.
"Who the hell are you?!" Renji roared, glaring at Nanaya. "What are you doing with Rukia?!"
He looked at Rukia's squirming legs and instantly felt like something in his chest cracked. His pride as a Soul Reaper—and maybe as a man—was taking a direct hit.
Nanaya ignored Renji entirely and instead turned to face Byakuya.
With a cheeky grin, he said:
"Nice to meet you, Brother-in-law. Looking forward to your guidance."
Byakuya: "…"
Renji: "…"
Rukia: "…"
Even the ever-composed Byakuya couldn't stop the corner of his eye from twitching.
Renji pointed at them, his whole body trembling.
"You—you—what are you saying?! Soul Reapers can't date humans! Are you seriously implying—?!"
"That's not what he means!" Rukia shouted, face crimson. She bit Nanaya's shoulder hard. "Don't say weird stuff!"
Nanaya winced and finally put her down.
Rukia stood between them and quickly tried to explain.
"Brother, Renji—this is all a misunderstanding. This is Nanaya. He's just a high school student. Nothing happened between us!"
"Nothing happened?" Nanaya clutched his chest dramatically. "Rukia, how can you say that? After all we've been through… are you really just going to cast me aside?"
"Nanaya, shut up!!" she hissed, dragging him by the sleeve, completely mortified.
Why is he provoking them like this? Does he seriously think he can take on the entire Seireitei alone?!
Byakuya's voice sliced through the tension like a blade.
"Rukia."
He stepped forward slowly.
"I've already confirmed the truth. This boy—Nanaya—took your Shinigami powers."
"No—wait, I can explain—!"
"It doesn't matter whether it's true or not." Byakuya's voice was cold and final. "The fact is, you broke Soul Society law. You abandoned your duty, and you passed your powers to a human."
"You must return with me to Soul Society. You will face judgment for your crimes."
"As a member of the Kuchiki clan, you should understand your duty."Byakuya's voice was cold, composed—like judgment itself. "And that human should be punished accordingly for his transgression."
"Wow, Brother-in-law, you're really that heartless?" Nanaya said with mock surprise, casually ruffling Rukia's hair. "Didn't expect your side of the family to be so… icy. In that case, Rukia—why don't you stay here? Don't go back. Let's raise our child together."
That statement hit harder than any Zanpakutō could.
Even Byakuya's eyes widened slightly, the façade of stoicism cracking for just a second.
Renji looked stunned, his voice trembling as he stared at Rukia's belly."Wait… Rukia… you've only been here for a few months… don't tell me… you're pregnant?!"
His world shattered.
I haven't even confessed to her yet…
And now she's having someone else's kid?!
Renji staggered slightly, the weight of imagined fatherhood crashing down on his shoulders.
"NANAYA! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!" he roared.
Before he could lunge, Rukia turned bright red and charged toward Nanaya herself.
"You absolute idiot!!"
But Nanaya caught her mid-rush and held her close, whispering with a gentle smile,"Shh… don't get so worked up. What if you hurt the baby?"
Rukia froze. "You're making it worse!!" she snapped, but at this point, her words were a mix of frustration and pure disbelief.
"Enough!" Renji growled, eyes bloodshot. "Let Rukia go, you damn bastard!"
"If you really cared about her," he continued angrily, "you never would've done this! You know damn well Shinigami aren't supposed to have relationships with humans!"
He drew his Zanpakutō in a flash, fury radiating from him like fire.
"You seduced Rukia! I'll never forgive you!"
He raised his blade and shouted:
"Roar, Zabimaru!!"
In an instant, his sword transformed with a surge of spiritual power—its segments extending outward like a deadly serpent's spine.
Rukia's eyes widened in panic."No! Renji, don't hurt him!"
Nanaya gave a casual nod. "I know."
Renji blinked. "I know too—wait, what?"
Their eyes locked.
Then Nanaya spoke a single word.
"Tsukuyomi."
To the others, it happened in an instant.
But in Tsukuyomi's world… three days passed.
Three days of psychological torment. Endless illusions. Each more soul-crushing than the last.
When it was over, Renji collapsed to his knees, still gripping his Zanpakutō.
His body was fine—but his eyes were hollow, his breathing erratic.A low groan escaped his lips."Ughhh… aaah…"
Even Byakuya stepped forward, expression tightening.
He hadn't seen what happened—but whatever it was, it had broken Renji's will in seconds.
Nanaya turned to face him, calm and confident, brushing invisible dust from his shoulder.
"What's wrong, Abarai Renji?" he asked, smirking. "You thought Rukia was talking to you this whole time?"
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