Renji stepped into the open, his sneakers scuffing against the concrete floor of the warehouse. The faint yellow glow from the flickering overhead light cast his shadow long and thin. Kuroda stood by the entrance, his tall frame cutting an imposing figure in the dimness. His dark coat swayed slightly, the rain dripping from its edges.
Renji squared his shoulders and raised his voice. "Looking for someone?"
Kuroda's eyes locked onto him, sharp and calculating. For a moment, he said nothing, simply observing Renji like a predator sizing up its prey. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "You shouldn't involve yourself in things you don't understand."
Renji shrugged, trying to appear unfazed despite the adrenaline pumping through his veins. "Funny. You're the one following me and my friend. Seems like you're the one getting involved in my business."
Kuroda smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Where is she?"
"She who?" Renji asked, feigning ignorance.
Kuroda took a step forward, his boots echoing against the concrete. "Don't play games. I don't have time for this."
"Neither do I," Renji said, his voice steady. "So why don't you tell me what you want with her? You can't just follow people around and expect no one to question it."
Kuroda's smirk faded. His hand moved to the inside of his coat, and for a moment, Renji's heart skipped. Was he armed?
"Let's not make this messy," Kuroda said. "I just need Kaede to come with me. No one has to get hurt."
"And if she doesn't want to?"
"Then it won't matter what she wants."
Renji's fists clenched at his sides. He didn't know who Kuroda worked for or why Kaede was running, but the man's cold indifference was enough to light a fire in his chest.
"You think you can just decide that for her?" Renji asked, stepping closer.
Kuroda tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "You have guts, I'll give you that. But guts don't change anything."
Renji's mind raced. He wasn't a fighter, not really, but he'd picked up a few tricks over the years—scraps of knowledge from scuffles in back alleys or late-night dares gone wrong. He needed to stall, to buy Kaede time to escape if things went south.
"What's your angle, Kuroda?" Renji asked, circling slowly to the side. "What's so important about her?"
Kuroda's gaze followed him, unblinking. "You think I'll just tell you?"
Renji shrugged. "Worth a shot."
Without warning, Kuroda lunged. His movements were quick, almost inhumanly so. Renji barely had time to react, ducking just as Kuroda's hand reached for him.
"Fast," Renji muttered, dodging to the side.
Kuroda didn't reply, his strikes sharp and precise. Renji was forced to think on his feet, using the crates and debris around them to stay out of reach. He wasn't winning this fight—he was surviving it.
A piece of metal piping caught Renji's eye, half-buried under a pile of scrap. He dove for it, grabbing the cold, damp surface and swinging it in a wide arc. Kuroda blocked it with his forearm, the clang of metal against his coat ringing through the warehouse.
"You're wasting my time," Kuroda growled, his voice laced with irritation.
"Then stop chasing people around like a creep," Renji shot back, swinging again.
Kuroda caught the pipe this time, ripping it from Renji's grip with ease. He tossed it aside and stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.
"Last chance," Kuroda said. "Tell me where she is."
Renji's mind raced. He couldn't overpower this guy, and Kaede was still hiding. He needed to throw Kuroda off his trail.
"She left," Renji blurted. "Through the back exit. You're wasting your time here."
Kuroda narrowed his eyes. "Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"No," Renji said, standing his ground. "But I think she's smarter than you. She's already gone."
For a moment, silence hung heavy between them. Then Kuroda's expression shifted, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stalked toward the back of the warehouse.
Renji exhaled a shaky breath, his legs threatening to give out beneath him. He waited until Kuroda was out of sight before rushing back to the crates where Kaede was hiding.
"Kaede," he whispered, crouching down. "It's clear. Let's go."
Kaede emerged, her face pale but determined. "Renji… thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," he said, grabbing her hand. "We're not safe here."
They slipped out through a side door, the rain still falling relentlessly. Renji led Kaede down another series of narrow streets, his mind spinning.
"Kaede," he said, glancing back at her. "You need to tell me the truth. What's going on? Who is Kuroda, and why is he after you?"
Kaede hesitated, her hand tightening around his. "Renji… it's not just him. There are others. And if they catch me…"
She trailed off, her voice cracking.
Renji stopped and turned to face her. "Then we won't let them catch you," he said firmly.
Kaede stared at him, her amber eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You don't even know what you're getting into."
"Maybe not," Renji admitted. "But I know one thing—you trusted me enough to call. I'm not going to let you face this alone."
Kaede's lips parted, as if she wanted to argue, but instead, she nodded. "Okay. I'll tell you everything. But not here."
Renji nodded, his mind already working on their next move. Whatever trouble Kaede was in, he wasn't going to let her face it alone.