Rukia still hadn't sat down. To her credit, the tray she was holding didn't shake. Much. But there it was: Ichimaru was asking her why she had come, and she couldn't very well answer, To save Hanatarou from you.

Glancing at Ichimaru, she said, "I-I came to see Hanatarou. We're, uh, friends, and so..." She made a movement as though she was going to sit down, then stopped. She really didn't want to be there just then. She really, really didn't want to be there.