"Renji....where's Renji?" Rukia whispered from her sick bed. There was a huge hollow attacking the human world and she could do nothing to stop it. Ichigo had been nearly murdered by Grimmjow, so he was still in his wounded state as well.

"He is on the battle field." said a gentle Unohana, gliding over to the little, wounded woman.

"Oh, no." was all Rukia managed to whisper, before submitting to sleep.

*******

"Dammit!" Renji yelled out as the humungous hollow swiped at him with its talons, grazing his cheek, but still leaving a deep gash. Renji lunged away from the monster. Thinking of a plan as he dodged the hollow's attacks. Then, out of no where Renji is knocked forward into the building in front of him, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth.He quickly regained focus and whipped around to see not only one, but two enormous hollows. They were closing in on him. He knew what he had to do. No matter if it killed him.

(3 days ago)

"Renji, you must take it easy with your bankai." Urahara said. Renji had come to him saying that he was having reiatsu problems. He could neither conceal his nor could he find others.

"But, I have to train it order to surpass Captain Kuchiki!" Renji nearly yelled at the wiser shinigami. Urahara chuckled, but then his face turned grave.

" Renji, if you continue to use your bankai in such a manner it WILL kill you."

*******

Remebering Urahara's words caused a sharp pain in Renji's heart. If he was gone what would happen? If he died, Rukia would still have Ichigo. Kira, Momo, and Shuuhei could find another friend. Worst of all, he would never surpass Byakuya Kuchiki. He had nothing to gain if he died, but he had everything to gain if he didn't. That just meant he would have to destroy these hollows and make it out.

The first hollow looked like a tyradactal and it had been trying to attack his head at first, but it was now trying to rip out his organs. The secong holllow was like a beast with a giant build and huge fists. This hollow was trying to smash Renji to pieces. He dodged their attacks.

"Bankai! Hihio Zabimaru!" The giant snake emerged, mighty and ready to destroy all in its path.He launched the snake forward into the beast hollow, sending it flying into the other hollow. They came crashing down in a heap. The bird hollow flew up and began circling its prey, but not taking attack just yet. This was a smart move because before the other hollow even stood up, the gigantic snake had clamped its teeth into the hollow's head and ripped it clean off. The hollow's body disappeared along with its decapitated head.Renji scanned the sky for the other hollow. It had landed on the telephone pole. Renji smirked as the hollow began to ready itself to charge.

"You're dead!" As the hollow charged, he threw the snake at it. The hollow dodged, but then the snake imploded into a reishi explosion. The hollow's wings, body, head, and feet lay seperated from each other all across the battle field. Renji collapsed and his bankai disappeared.He laid there with body limp, unable to move.

"Dammit, I was supposed to live." He uttered these last words before drifting into a world of darkness.

*******

Rukia sat next to Renji's limp body in the sick bay. He hadn't awakened for days, but she still had hope for him to wake up. Flowers were set by his bed. His friends had come to visit him every day. Even Ichigo had come to see him. Byakuya had not been by though and Rukia knew why. Byakuya felt guilty because he thought that it was the drive to become as strong as him that put Renji in the coma.

"Dammit....." Renji whispered. Rukia's eyes filled with tears as Renji's eyes opened. "What the hell-?"

Rukia embraced Renji with her tiny arms. He reached up and hugged her tightly to him.

"Oh Renji. Why did you scare me like that?" She exclaimed through tears. It sounded to him as if she was scolding him. He chuckled. Then he noticed that she was smaller than he remembered.

"Rukia, have you been eating?" He said, letting go as she pulled away. She looked away from him.

" I was so worried when Captain Unohana told me you had gone to fight that hollow. And then there was a report of two in the same area you were in. I just...I just didn't want to leave your side. Ever. I wanted you to know that I.....I love you and I didn't want to miss that oppurtunity."

"Dammit, Rukia!" She shuddered. He smiled. "I was supposed to be the one to say 'I love you' first." She kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Oh, Renji."