My stomach clenched watching Byakuya treat Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki so cruelly; it's genuinely frustrating to see him act so coldly, even if part of me believes he's just playing Muramasa. It was agonizing to witness Rukia, who's always been so strong, look so utterly broken and defenseless. But then Renji instinctively stepping in front of her, ready to protect her, just reaffirmed for me how much he truly cares, despite all their complicated history.