There was something...different...about Rukia. As many of the other Heroes of Light had access to their crystals and unusual powers, they wouldn't have any problems. But Freelancers or anyone who lost access to those abilities? They wouldn't be able to see her at all. It was one of the simultaneous blessings and detriments of being a shinigami, the class and its powers returned to her after being developed in the lab for so long. Her dark eyes were serious as she stood in the rain, her black shihakusho heavy and damp. Nestled safely in its sheath was her katana, Sode no Shirayuki. In its sealed form, it was simply a sword. But all of them had good reason to believe that there would be a need to draw their weapons before long.

Even so, Rukia still hoped that it wouldn't come down to a fight. The letter had said as much, but she trusted the visions witnessed by her allies far more than this traitor.

She waited, grim and silent, for the Tarutaru to appear.