Birdseed
Marumae

She slid as close as she could to the window, never allowing her skin to touch the sunlight. Her staying in the shadows symbolized her feeling of her lack of worth.

A rustle of wings and a twittering bird landed on the platform beside her. Gingerly she reached a hand out for it, careful not to startle.

"Hello there." She whispered her voice hoarse.

The bird jumped, shocked by her bold movements. It paused, before it leapt in her hand. It's beak pricking her palm for food she did not possess. She waited for it to leave, finding no food; yet she saw it didn‘t.

To the far side of the room, on the other side of the bars he slid to a halt. Out of breath, jagged tattooed eyebrows sweat covered. She motioned to speak, yet she did found no words for him at first. Finally, she did.

"Why did you come back?" She asked.

He said nothing for a moment, before he crouched down on the other side of the bars. "You should know." He said harshly.

“No, Renji actually I don’t.” She said in response.

He pulled back, hurt. “I came to give you some birdseed.”

“Mm.”

They said nothing, before she reluctantly set the bird on the platform and crawled over to him. Taking the bowl of seeds from him. Their fingers brushed gently through the bars. She crawled back, leaning against the far wall, scattering seeds for the bird. Still pecking for food. She waited for him to leave, but he didn’t. After a moment. He spoke, standing up.

“Rukia...”

“Hm?”

“You’re worth it you know.”

She froze.

“I think you’re worth it. Saving, I’m just glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.”

“Renji?” She asked.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

He smiled and left.