At night, Renya lay tucked beneath a single straw-woven quilt. Rukia curled beside him; Renji lay on his other side. In their makeshift shelter, only two quilts existed—one shared by Renji and Rukia, and the other spanning the cramped floor where their younger companions slept.
Renya, at eleven, slept with Rukia without hesitation; in the Rukongai, such arrangements were practical, not social.
Renya stirred in his sleep. Feeling his shudder, Rukia quietly shifted, pressing closer to warm him and gently wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Renya turned slightly and saw her soft gaze.
"Sleep," she whispered.
His cheeks warmed, and though he knew she meant nothing more than protection, her closeness grounded him. He closed his eyes and drifted off.
Three frozen months had passed—the harsh winter in Rukongai was as brutal as in the world of the living. By late February of the second year, subtle warmth crept back—the season of spring approached.
The respite, however, came too late for Shinji, Ichika, and Hiroshi. Their Reiryoku had dwindled severely; the harsh winter had consumed months of training they had accumulated. Survival itself had become tenuous.
These three would someday lie in graves within Inuzuri, victims of the unforgiving trends of low Reiatsu life. Renya recalled their kindness—the time they risked themselves protecting him from the Kusajishi gangs. He felt a solemn weight: though still physically weak himself, when he reached Shin'ō Academy, he would seek out a way to save their fallen souls.
By early March, Renji stood amid them, voice firm.
"Academy entrance registration opens in two days and lasts ten. Rukia and I—we leave the day after tomorrow. Renya, you're coming with us."
Shinji paled. "You're leaving?"
Rukia's eyes flickered with sadness. "Yes—we must."
Ichika lowered his eyes. "Who will protect us when winter returns?"
Renji reached out, touching the trembling child's shoulder.
"We will come back. We'll return with plenty of supplies—no one will starve again."
A flicker of hope lit Ichika's eyes. "Promise?"
Renji nodded. "I promise. In Seireitei, there is abundance. We'll bring it back to you."
Rukia added quietly, "We'll do our best at the Academy. We'll become Soul Reapers—and bring help."
Reluctantly, the younger three nodded. They stayed close over the next two days, trying to soak in every moment with Renji, Rukia, and Renya—knowing they were about to depart into separate worlds.
At dawn, Renji helped Renya and Rukia step beyond the Rukongai boundary. Shinji, Ichika, and Hiroshi followed to the perimeter road, their faces marked by fear and admiration.
Renya's heart pricked—he had only known the older pair for three months, yet their bond was years deep. Rukia and Renji had shared decades of hardship; their separation felt irreparable.
Rukia stepped forward and hugged Hiroshi, gently exhorting him:
"Take care of Ruri," she said, referring to Ichika.
Ichika sniffled and nodded. Shinji clenched his fists.
"Please come back soon."
"We will," Renji whispered.
After one last long look, Renji nodded to Renya. Renya stepped forward with Rukia. At the roadside's exit, Renji turned and raised his hand in a final wave, his eyes red.
"Let's go."
Rukia wiped her tears and nodded. Together, they departed toward Seireitei on the road to become Soul Reapers.
Their journey took them through a landscape of spirits and shadows. The Rukongai layout mirrored Heian-era Kyoto: Seireitei at the center, surrounded by four quadrants of 80 districts each.
Renji, Rukia, and Renya had resided in South Rukongai, the 78th District—Inuzuri, far from the relative safety of nearer districts.
They traveled three days, passing over forty districts before reaching District 32 in East Rukongai—a calmer, more orderly neighborhood. Here, souls wore modest robes rather than rags, and strangers eyed each other warily.
They rested beneath a tree in the growing warmth of spring. The next morning, they resumed their march. The path grew busier with wandering souls heading toward Seireitei—to register at Shin'ō Academy, with hopes of becoming Shinigami.
At midday, they reached District 20, known as Jing'an. As they rested again, a voice called out softly:
"Are you… also heading to the Academy entrance exam?"
Renya looked up and saw a boy in yellow robes. His hair covered one eye; his visible eye glowed pale blue, face calm.
Renya felt a jolt.
He recognized the figure—not from Rukongai, but from the future: the boy who would one day become the Captain, Yukio.