Chapter 40 - Interference (1/2)

A blood soaked Renji ran at Ichigo and grabbed Ichigo's shihakusho.

”I never won once...against Captain Kuchiki...ever since Rukia left, I trained everyday but I still failed. Fighting to get Rukia back is nothing but an impossible dream for me. Kurosaki...I'm probably shameless for doing this.” Renji's legs wobbled as he held onto Ichigo's shihakusho a bit longer.

”Please...you have to save Rukia!” Renji exclaimed. Ichigo looked down at Renji who was still grasping his clothes.

”Yeah...you're not the first one to ask me. I'll definitely save her.” Ichigo reassured Renji. Renji looked back up at Ichigo.

”Someone else asked you?” Renji asked, curious about who else would want Rukia saved.

”Before I met you here, I ran into another Lieutenant. Uchiha Itachi. We fought earlier.” Ichigo replied. Renji was surprised upon hearing this.

”You fought Itachi?! There's no way he was fighting you seriously. I've sparred with him dozens of times and haven't won a single time. He never even used shikai against me. It's always been with only Kido or Hakuda. I've never seen his full strength but he's definitely above the rest of the lieutenants…” Renji let go of Ichigo's shihakusho and tried to stand up on his own but ended up falling forward on the ground. 'So even Itachi wants to save Rukia too…' Renji thought to himself. He was happier knowing that Itachi was on their side. He smiled before his consciousness faded.

Shortly after Renji fell, Ichigo also collapsed, with Ganju and Hanataro appearing moments later and recovering Ichigo.

”Damn I can't believe he was able to fight a Lieutenant level opponent and win” Ganju said with a shocked expression.

”Ichigo... what is he?” Hanataro commented, questioning Ichigo's strength.

”I don't know,” Ganju sighed before he picked up Ichigo and carried him away.

-----

Renji was carried back to the lieutenant meeting room. Kira stood over the unconscious Renji as he looked down. He was saddened that he was unable to ȧssist Renji on time.

Hinamori clutched her mouth in shock looking at the giant sword wound across Renji's ċhėst.

”This... ” She had no words to explain her feelings.

”Momo, hurry up and contact the 4th Division, and ask for a higher officials' ȧssistance.” Kira said.

”R..Right!” She nodded. However, before she could contact, a figure suddenly appeared behind her.

”There is no need. Throw him in jail.” A cold voice came from behind.

”Captain Kuchiki!” The both said at the same time.

”He fought the enemy alone, and since he did so, he had no reason to lose. I don't want an idiot in my division who can't understand this.” Byakuya said before leaving the room.

Hinamori was ready to retort before she felt a hand clamp her shoulder.

”I am sorry sir.” Kira said, bowing down.

”How scary.” A voice came from the side.

”Captain Ichimaru!” Momo said.

”Don't worry, I will contact the fourth division.” Gin said before leading Kira away from the room, leaving Hinamori.

Hinamori stood in silence looking down at Renji. However she was suddenly interrupted as a voice came from behind her.

”Wow. How did Abarai get beaten so badly?” It was a shinigami with frosty white hair and white Haori over his shinigami apparel.