The Star and the Stray Dog

Stars and the Stray is the thirty-second episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: May 17, 2005
 * English Airdate: May 6, 2007
 * Opening Song: D-tecnoLife
 * Ending Song: Houkiboshi
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 98.
 * Kanji: 星と野良犬
 * Romaji: ""Hoshi to norainu"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

Summary
A flashback to the previous episode of Renji's defeat at Ichigo's hands. He falls to his knees, vision blurring. He envisions Rukia, and has several flashbacks of her. He reaches out and regrets that he didn't go after her when she left. It switches to Rukongai and explains that each district, North, South, East and West, have 80 districts. If children did something adults didn't like, they were in trouble. Renji as a child and one of his friends secretly strap a man's foot to his table, and steal some the water he's selling. They run from the man who loosened the strap, and Rukia comes from nowhere, knocking the man down and leading the kids away. She is a child like them. This appears to be the day they met. Renji gives her some of the candy they have later. Before she can eat some, she sees an older child steal the candy of a younger one. The child wrestles it back, but it spills everywhere and he cries. Rukia boldly approaches the older child and scolds him. She then offers her candy to the child. Outside, Renji finds Rukia sitting in a tree happily.

Back in the streets, the children find a rukshaw and hear some adults talking about someone having become a shinigami. They see the new shinigami get on the rukshaw, but before he leaves, Rukia passes out. The shiniami asks if she's hungy, and she says no. Spirits are not supposed to feel hunger after all. The shinigami confesses that he's hungry too. He gives her some food and leaves. In a back alley, the children practice summoning spirit energy. The other kids say the two should become shinigamis. Rukia says she wants to stay with her friends and never would. Later, the two are hunting for fish unsuccessfully. Flowers float by and Renji finally catches a fish. He turns in triumph to see the others staring at Rukia, clearly love struck. Renji scolds them for it and the scene changes to night as Renji notes that they were like close family back then. Another day, years later, when Rukia and Renji are older. Rukia tries to convince Renji and her to become death gods. The scene pans out and three graves are visible. Their friends can be presumed dead.

Soon, the two were accepted into the academy. Renji excitedly announces that he knows the answer to a question the teacher asked, but the teacher points it it's impractical for him to answer it. The other students mock him for it. After class, Rukia is concerned about him. She tells him to keep being enthusiastic and explains that she's sick of the upper class kids mocking them. Another scene. Renji runs egearly down the hall to Rukia's room, announcing he passed a test. Rukia is in the presence of several higher up figures, including nobility. They leave, announces they expect a response from Rukia about something. Renji is awed by their raietsu. When they leave, Renji unfreezes and asks what happened. Rukia announces they wanted to adopt her into the Kuchiki clan. Renji fakes happiness for her, and Rukia sadly exits the room, a few tears visible. Renji feels determined not to interfere with her happiness.

Back to the present, Renji stands with much effort. He curses his cowardice. He dashes up to Ichigo and announces that he feels responsible for Rukia's condition. He only wanted to make her happy when he encouraged her into the Kuchiki family and never expected this. He begs Ichigo to save Rukia. Ichigo accepts.

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Jirōbō Ikkanzaka.