The sky was darkening gradually, its velvety royal blue fading into a dark shade of navy as scarce clouds swam across its vast dome. Truly, the last embers of light were fading on the endless, perfect canvas that was the sky. And with them, the stars came up, and the lights in the windows of houses lessened in number, one by one they were switched off, letting the dark take their place. And the dark did indeed come, to claim all that belonged to it and softly descend upon the world. Only the thin crescent of the moon that slowly made its way across the blue and black, with specks of stars paving its road, shone brightly no matter what happened underneath it.<br/><br/>In this silence, where only the wind sang its solemn odes, and this darkness, which only the moonlight pierced with its thin rays, reaching towards the ground, a figure stood, for a moment gazing at the night sky through his narrowed eyes. The scarce light has colored him in various shades of dusky blue, even his hair appearing a dark steel-like hue instead of its typical vibrant crimson.<br/>For a while, he watched the clouds pass in thin strips over the sky, casting shadows on the Living World.<br/>But indeed, it was time for Lieutenant Renji Abarai to go back home - to Soul Society.<br/><br/>He waited for the Hell Butterfly that was supposed to appear at any time now (besides for waiting for his colleague, Rukia, who was also supposed to appear at any minute), but for some reason, the winged black insect wasn't coming. It simply wasn't appearing!<br/>No way the entrance would be denied to them. Maybe it was already with Rukia... They did what they had to and they were rightfully returning to Soul Society, back to what was their home. He had no doubts about that... It was as clear as rain, even clearer than the lens of several 'souvenirs' he took his time to bring with him. Captain Kuchiki most likely wouldn't be exactly pleased by those purchases... What he stubbornly refused to perceive and deal with.<br/><br/>The damn butterfly still wasn't coming. Where the heck did that stupid insect get stuck? Did the Kido corps forget about them?<br/>There wasn't a chance that there was still something they needed to do, and there wasn't a single hollow around they'd need to get rid off, either, even though that wasn't really<span style="font-style: italic">their job</span>. What the hell, Kido corps?<br/>He was becoming impatient. Not a rare occurrence in itself, but as he took a step forth, craning his neck towards the sky, and stretched his arms before himself with a quiet crack of his joints, he couldn't help but wonder where exactly was the issue. If it was a prank, someone had a bad sense of humor. But there was no one that could pull a prank on them, the Captain had no sense of humor at-<br/>He shook his head, yawning with his mouth wide agape, and turned on his heel once more to check whether the Jigokucho wasn't on its way yet.<br/><br/>Nothing moved, not even a leaf in the wind.<br/><br/>He released an impatient sigh, gazing blankly at the darkening sky. Did they want them to go through the Dangai, or what? Sick joke, really. Or someone forgot about them... But really, how could they? Just...<br/><br/>His hands clenched around the hilt of Zabimaru briefly, to release the sheathed katana once more from their grip. His impatience was growing, but trying to open the Senkaimon without a Hell Butterfly would be outright stupid. Besides, Rukia wasn't here yet.<br/>A part of his mind reminded him of the patience that he needed. Another part reminded him of the fact that he was tired of feigning patience.<br/>He let his back slide down the lamp post behind him, slowly descending into a casual sitting position under the dimly-glowing streetlight.