memories in the rain2 "the nocturne"

Watching over the unconscious Momo Hinamori, Tōshirō Hitsugaya thanks Rangiku Matsumoto for arriving in time to spare her life, then broods over how much of Aizen's letter was forged and whether the plot to unleash the Sōkyoku is Gin's design. A hell butterfly delivers Central 46's final ruling: Rukia Kuchiki's execution will proceed in twenty-nine hours, with no further change. Hitsugaya sets off at once, telling Rangiku they must stop the sentence if it truly serves Gin's ends.

Reaching Sōkyoku Hill, Renji Abarai homes in on Ichigo Kurosaki's spirit and crashes into the training chamber, asking to join. He reveals the execution has been fixed for noon the next day and, already able to manifest his own sword spirit, sets up to train apart with Zabimaru. When Yoruichi Shihōin doubts Ichigo can master Bankai in time, he refuses to let her surrender on the plan she devised, smashing his blade and declaring he will simply reach Bankai today. Inside her cell, Rukia decides to ask the Gotei 13 to send Ichigo and the others safely home before she dies, and finds she is not sad, owing it to the dream she had of the night she would never forget, cradling a bleeding Kaien Shiba.

Central 46 sets Rukia's execution twenty-nine hours out with no further changes. Hitsugaya commits to halting the execution to thwart Gin. Renji joins Ichigo beneath Sōkyoku Hill and trains separately. Ichigo vows to achieve Bankai the same day, and Rukia begins recalling Kaien Shiba's death.

The chapter belongs to the sixteenth volume, NIGHT OF WIJNRUIT, in the Soul Society arc, and was adapted into Episode 48, Hitsugaya Howls, and Episode 49, Rukia's Nightmare. It opens the memories in the rain sequence that unfolds Rukia's tragic history with her former lieutenant.