| Rukia's Nightmare | |
| |
| Kanji | ルキアの悪夢 |
| Romanji | Rukia no akumu |
| Episode Number | 49 |
| Manga Chapters | Chapter 134, Chapter 135, Chapter 136 |
| Arc | Soul Society: The Rescue arc |
| Chronology | |
|---|---|
| Previous Episode | Hitsugaya Howls! |
| Next Episode | The Reviving Lion |
| Airdate | |
| Japanese | September 13, 2005 |
| English | September 15, 2007 |
| Theme Music | |
| Opening | D-tecnoLife |
| Ending | Happypeople |
| Episode 49 Screenshots | |
Rukia's Nightmare is the forty-ninth episode of the Bleach anime.
Rukia Kuchiki recalls her past with Kaien Shiba.
Summary[]
Rukia Kuchiki joins the Thirteenth Division and waits patiently for a commanding officer.
In the past, a younger Rukia Kuchiki enters a waiting room through a pair of sliding doors in the Thirteenth Division as a Shinigami behind her instructs her to wait until their captain arrives shortly. When Rukia requests that the Shinigami address her less formally in the future because she is just an ordinary new division member, the Shinigami claims that he will be more careful in the future and closes the doors, leaving Rukia to look down and sigh with melancholy.
Kaien Shiba introduces himself to Rukia.
In the hallway outside the room, several other Shinigami gossip about Rukia's status as the new pet of the Kuchiki Clan and her exemption from both the graduation and entrance exams, leading them to conclude this is just a game for the noble families and that she has not worked as hard as they have to get here. With a dejected Rukia noting it is the same here after all, 13th Division Lieutenant Kaien Shiba suddenly approaches and berates the other Shinigami for standing around instead of being at their posts before sliding open one of the doors and introducing himself to a surprised Rukia.
Kaien admonishes Rukia for not greeting him properly.
When Rukia meekly greets him in return, an irritated Kaien grabs her head and reminds her that the formal way of responding to her lieutenant's introductory greeting is to state her name and properly greet him in return. Intimidated by this, Rukia tells Kaien her name and formally greets him at his further insistence, which prompts a smiling Kaien to let go of her head and assert that she is alright. As she adjusts her frazzled hair, Rukia notes that this was an ordinary greeting, yelling, and subordinate-superior relationship while Kaien reveals he is generally in charge of things due to their captain being sick often and it is okay to address him as Captain by mistake.
Rukia reports the events of her first day to Byakuya Kuchiki.
A still-frazzled Rukia promises to keep this in mind and observes that this normalcy is exactly what she was looking for. That night, Rukia kneels behind her brother, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, in his personal quarters and reports that her division entrance ceremony concluded without incident. However, upon being asked what seated rank she attained, an apologetic Rukia is forced to admit that her abilities were not enough for her to reach a seated rank on entrance and slides the door closed when Byakuya acknowledges this and tells her that she can leave. Near a stream some time later, Kaien leans over Rukia and questions why she looks so glum.
Kaien shares a drink with Rukia as they sit together.
With Rukia startled by this, an annoyed Kaien questions why she always reacts this way when she sees him and claims that she is going to hurt his feelings before offering Rukia a canned drink and sitting down beside her against a tree. After noting that Rukia probably would not tell him why she is depressed even if he asked, Kaien reminds her that he is on her side as long as she is a member of the Thirteenth Division. However, before a touched Rukia can respond, Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu pop up behind the two of them and begin teasing Kaien for bonding with Rukia like this while visibly intoxicated, prompting Kaien to berate them for getting drunk again.
Kaien purifies a Hollow with a slash through the head.
Addressing Rukia, Sentarō assures her to not be bothered by the other Shinigami because they also gave him a hard time when he joined due to him being from the Rukongai and instructs her to verbally fight back, to Kiyone's amusement. Irritated by Sentarō and Kiyone's antics, Kaien splashes his drink on them so they can sober up, but Kiyone merely claims he is too rough. As she watches Kaien admonish Sentarō and Kiyone for doing this while still on-duty, Rukia smiles and mentally admits she feels comfortable being around Kaien. Later, with several Shinigami having cornered a Hollow in a field, Kaien leaps into the air and cuts through its head with his Zanpakutō.
Miyako Shiba asks Rukia about her wounds.
Watching in astonishment from the ground below while propping herself up on her hand after falling, a scuffed Rukia smiles in happiness as her fellow Shinigami congratulate Kaien on his victory. Afterwards, while sitting apart from the other Shinigami as she examines her light wounds, Rukia is approached by 13th Division 3rd Seat Miyako Shiba, who cleans Rukia's cheek with a damp cloth and inquires if she is alright. When Rukia frantically assumes a formal kneeling position and confirms she does not have any serious injuries, Miyako acknowledges this and states it is good, only for the two of them to be interrupted by Kaien calling out.
Kaien and Miyako talk after Rukia leaves.
When Kaien runs over and admits that he did not know she was here, Miyako asserts that she came here to take care of things in the event that Kaien could not beat the Hollow. After laughing at the idea of being beaten so easily, Kaien asks Rukia to call over Sentarō and Kiyone so they can depart, and after thanking Miyako for her help and having the latter tell her to take care, Rukia runs off. As she stops and looks back at Kaien and Miyako talking from a nearby hill, Rukia details how Miyako was Kaien's wife and the 3rd Seat despite being a woman before walking away while describing Miyako as someone she looked up to due to being intelligent, kind, and beautiful.
Miyako prepares to go on a reconnaissance mission.
Some time later, Miyako is ordered to go on a reconnaissance mission with four other members of the division. Standing with Miyako, the other Shinigami, and Rukia outside the entrance to the Thirteenth Division compound, Kaien explains that they do not know anything about the Hollow that Miyako is tracking down due to none of the Shinigami who have been attacked by it surviving and requests that Miyako be careful, only for a giggling Miyako to note that she never thought Kaien would say such a thing. With Kaien telling her to stop kidding around, Miyako regains her composure and declares that she cannot forgive a Hollow that has disturbed a Soul's peace.
Kaien sits with Jūshirō Ukitake in his quarters.
While Miyako concludes that she will stop their evil deeds as a proud member of the Gotei 13, Rukia is left concerned, but Miyako assures her it is just a reconnaissance mission and she will leave the rest to the combat unit before departing. That evening, as the sun begins to set, Kaien sits with his captain, Jūshirō Ukitake, who coughs repeatedly, in his quarters. When Kaien asks him if he is alright, Ukitake assures the former he is fine as Rukia enters the room with tea. With Rukia kneeling and Kaien taking the tea from her, Ukitake inquires if she has heard any word from the reconnaissance team yet, Rukia denies this and states the team has not yet returned.
Miyako is brought back unconscious but alive.
Suddenly, Sentarō slides open the doors and frantically reveals that something terrible has happened to the reconnaissance team, to the shock of those in the room. Shortly afterward, Rukia, Kaien, and Ukitake are brought to an unconscious Miyako, and as Kaien runs to her side in concern, a Shinigami standing by clarifies that her life is not in danger despite her condition. With the Shinigami revealing that the rest of the reconnaissance team is dead to Ukitake, Rukia approaches Kaien, who looks up with anger in his eyes. That night, while other Shinigami walk around the compound, Miyako suddenly sits up in her room. Outside, three Shinigami discuss the recent tragic event.
Miyako cuts down four Shinigami with her Zanpakutō.
With the moon overhead being obscured by clouds, the Shinigami admit the division cannot do without Miyako, who approaches them. As the Shinigami react to her presence and wonder if she should really be up, Miyako suddenly cuts all three of them down with her Zanpakutō. Hearing the resulting screams, Ukitake and Rukia rush to the site of the attack, where Miyako finishes cutting down a fourth Shinigami as the clouds pass to reveal a spatter of blood on her cheek. While Sentarō and Kiyone join the stunned Rukia and Ukitake, Miyako rushes at Rukia with her Zanpakutō held out, only to be confronted by Kaien, who jumps between them and begs Miyako to stop.
Ukitake and the others find more dead Shinigami.
Miyako's arm stops mid-swing, and after struggling to stop herself, Miyako leaps over the five of them and through the branches of a tree behind the barracks by springing off the porch and roof, where Ukitake and the others are shocked to hear the screams of more Shinigami being cut down as Kaien runs after Miyako. After the group finds two more dead Shinigami at the entrance to the compound, Ukitake questions what exactly is happening, and when Kaien observes Miyako could not have gotten very far, Ukitake tells him to wait and points out how he will be doing exactly what the enemy wants him to do by chasing after Miyako, only for Kaien to claim he must go.
Kaien, Ukitake, and Rukia run off to find Miyako.
As Kaien declares that the Hollow took control of Miyako and sullied her honor by using her to kill those who cared about her, Ukitake acknowledges this and decides to join Kaien, who is left stunned. After instructing Rukia to come as well and ordering Sentarō and Kiyone to stay behind so they can prepare the battle stations, Ukitake runs off with Kaien and Rukia. Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Metastacia notes that he can smell new prey while devouring Miyako's body. Soon afterward, Kaien, Ukitake, and Rukia find Miyako's shihakushō hanging on an empty tree branch, where Kaien approaches it despite Ukitake and Rukia's warnings against doing so.
Kaien confronts Metastacia alone with Ukitake's permission.
Upon being attacked by Metastacia's tentacles, Kaien leaps away as the tentacles sever the branch and Metastacia himself steps into view. Joining Kaien alongside Ukitake on a tree branch above, Rukia looks down at Metastacia and grips her Zanpakutō while asserting that she will go first, but Kaien steps forward and requests that Ukitake let him confront Metastacia alone as he looks at Miyako's empty shihakushō, shocking Rukia. With Ukitake permitting this, Kaien leaps down to confront Metastacia, who observes that he is the first. As he looks at Miyako's shihakushō once more, Kaien asks Metastacia how many Shinigami he has devoured.
Metastacia taunts Kaien about devouring Miyako from within.
With Metastacia stating that he does not remember the number, Kaien inquires if he has ever regretted doing so even once, and after asserting that this is a silly question because he has a heart just like Kaien does, Metastacia claims that he does not spend a single night without regret after devouring a Shinigami before concluding that right now he regrets not using Miyako more before killing her. When Kaien assumes that Metastacia controlled Miyako and made her kill her comrades, a chuckling Metastacia clarifies that he was inside Miyako at the time and tauntingly bemoans not being able to show Kaien the part where he devoured Miyako from the inside to return to this form.
Kaien cuts off two of Metastacia's left arms.
As an enraged Kaien draws his Zanpakutō and exerts his Reiatsu, creating a shockwave that bursts outward, Metastacia mentally urges him to come forward so he can be eaten, only to be caught off-guard when Kaien appears in front of him with Shunpo and cuts off two of his left arms before leaping on top of Metastacia and grabbing one of his tentacles. Though surprised by Kaien's speed, Metastacia notes the former touched him, and when Kaien attempts to release his Shikai, Nejibana, the blade of his Zanpakutō distorts and shatters, to his shock, prompting Metastacia to reveal any Shinigami who touches his tentacles has their Zanpakutō destroyed.
Ukitake stops Rukia from intervening in the fight.
Metastacia sends Kaien flying with a blow from one of his tentacles, leading Kaien to shield himself while mentally noting that he has never heard of such a power before. Calling out to Kaien, Rukia attempts to draw her Zanpakutō, but Ukitake places his hand on the hilt to stop her. When a confused Rukia question this and asserts that they need to help Kaien, Ukitake asks her what will become of Kaien's honor of they do so. With Rukia stunned, Ukitake elaborates that intervening now will surely kill Kaien's honor forever even if it saves his life, prompting Rukia to demand to know why this matters and what value honor has in comparison to one's life.
Kaien rips off one of Metastacia's tentacles.
Down on the ground, Kaien dodges multiple blows from Metastacia's tentacles before receiving a head wound from one of them, at which point he blasts Metastacia with Hadō #31. Shakkahō, while Ukitake explains that there are two types of battles which the Shinigami must always be aware of the difference between for as long as they fight. Visibly sweating in concern, Ukitake details that there are battles to protect life and battles to protect honor. As Kaien rips off two of Metastacia's tentacles, Ukitake concludes that he is fighting for the honor of his subordinates, himself, and his wife above all others, leading Rukia to slowly remove her hand from her Zanpakutō.
Metastacia's tentacles enter Kaien's wrist.
After separating from Kaien, a blood-spattered Metastacia confronts him in a clearing and questions if he is not going to ask his comrades for help, Kaien asserts that he can handle Metastacia by himself. Deciding to do the same thing to Kaien that he did to Miyako upon hearing this, Metastacia describes how he will control Kaien from within and use his body to slay his comrades, which he considers amusing, before firing his tentacles at Kaien. With Ukitake and Rukia watching in shock from above, the tentacles enter Kaien's arm at the wrist, which he had raised to shield himself, while the remainder of Metastacia's body crumbles apart and collapses on the ground.
Ukitake intercepts Metastacia before he can attack Rukia.
When an unnerved Rukia calls out to Kaien, Metastacia, now having taken control of Kaien's body, asks her if she is talking to him as he turns to face Rukia with green skin and completely black eyes with orange markings on the skin around them as well as an elongated tongue, frightening her. Upon deducing that Rukia greatly cares about Kaien if she is calling out his name this much, Metastacia leaps up to her and declares that he will devour her first if this is the case. Suddenly, Ukitake appears in front of Rukia and intercepts Metastacia's bite with his Zanpakutō before ordering Rukia to run if she does not want to die, leading Rukia to flee in terror.
Ukitake swiftly cuts through Metastacia's neck.
As she runs away, Rukia tearfully wonders why this had to happen. On the forest floor behind her, Metastacia runs parallel to Ukitake and inquires if the latter is not attacking him because he is trying to figure out a way to drag Metastacia out of Kaien's body, only to reveal that their fusion cannot be undone because both he and Kaien are spiritual beings whose spirits have been united. However, Ukitake's reaction to hearing this is to swiftly cut through the side of Metastacia's neck, resulting in a large spray of blood, and proclaim that he will simply kill Metastacia alongside Kaien's body if he really has no other choice while Metastacia clutches his neck.
Ukitake is impaired when he begins coughing up blood.
With a shocked Metastacia questioning if he would really kill his own subordinate, Ukitake confirms that he will due to his refusal to let the likes of Metastacia possess Kaien's body before slashing Metastacia once more. Suddenly, as Metastacia leaps back, Ukitake coughs up blood and falls to his knees while attempting to pursue him, leading him to curse his affliction impairing him at such a time. Upon seeing Metastacia leaping toward Rukia, who stands in the forest several meters away with her Zanpakutō drawn, Ukitake demands to know why she came back, only for Rukia to mentally admit that she did not even have a plan when she returned.
Kaien apologizes to Rukia for getting her involved.
While Ukitake runs toward them, a terrified Rukia sees a cackling Metastacia falling toward her as tentacles emerge from his left arm, mouth, and right eye, causing her to raise her Zanpakutō, which Metastacia is subsequently impaled on. Blood spatters on Rukia's cheek as rain begins to fall on the forest around them, and after his consciousness is restored, Kaien thanks Ukitake for letting him fight as the latter stands behind him. With a stunned Rukia wondering if he intentionally impaled himself, Kaien apologizes to her for getting her involved in this fight and hugs her while concluding that he can leave his heart here as his arm begins to disintegrate.
Rukia begins crying as Kaien dies in her arms.
When Kaien's hand falls limply off her back, Rukia begins crying and mentally asserts that she has not done a single thing to be thanked for because she only saved herself. In the present, as she lies on the floor in the Shishinrō within Senzaikyū, Rukia concludes that she is detestable and not worth being saved or having blood shed over her. Elsewhere in the Seireitei, Ukitake runs up to Byakuya and attempts to inform him of the change in Rukia's execution date, only for Byakuya to reveal that he has already heard of this. However, while he acknowledges this, Ukitake is stunned when Byakuya inquires why this matters and states that he will obey this new decision.
Ukitake confronts Byakuya over his callous attitude.
Byakuya tells Ukitake to not waste his time with such pointless things and begins to walk away, but Ukitake angrily grabs his shoulder and demands that he stop joking around while pointing out that his sister will be executed tomorrow. With Ukitake suddenly breaking into a coughing fit and backing away, Byakuya instructs him to not shorten his lifespan by getting so excited and points out how Ukitake has already let one of his subordinates die, to Ukitake's further anger, before concluding that Rukia being a member of his clan means that it is none of Ukitake's concern if she dies or is killed. As he walks away, Byakuya requests Ukitake refrain from doing anything rash.
Next Episode Preview[]
When 13th Division 3rd Seat Sentarō Kotsubaki declares that he plans to follow his captain, Jūshirō Ukitake, anywhere, his fellow 3rd Seat Kiyone Kotetsu asserts that this is not fair because she respects Ukitake as well, prompting Sentarō to reveal that he constantly stalks Ukitake. With Kiyone countering by proclaiming that she checks Ukitake's plans and reaches his destinations ahead of him, a shocked Ichigo Kurosaki points out that this is illegal.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Rukia Kuchiki
- Kaien Shiba
- Byakuya Kuchiki
- Kiyone Kotetsu
- Sentarō Kotsubaki
- Miyako Shiba
- Jūshirō Ukitake
- Metastacia
Fights[]
Powers and Techniques Used[]
Hohō Techniques:
- Shunpo (瞬歩, Flash Steps)
Kidō Techniques:
Hollow Techniques:
- Zanpakutō Destruction
- Spirit Body Fusion (霊体融合, Reitai Yūgō)
Music[]
| Timestamp | Track Listing |
| 01:27 | Bleach OST 1 - 11 - Requiem For The Lost Ones |
| 02:19 | Bleach 5th Anniversary Box CD 1 - 16 - BL 92 |
| 03:00 | Bleach 5th Anniversary Box CD 1 - 06 - BL 21 |
| 03:22 | Bleach OST 1 - 22 - Going Home |
| 05:01 | Bleach 5th Anniversary Box CD 1 - 11 - BL 995 |
| 07:02 | Bleach OST 1 - 22 - Going Home |
| 08:26 | No Official Release |
| 08:57 | Bleach 5th Anniversary Box CD 1 - 15 - BL_35 |
| 11:55 | Bleach 5th Anniversary Box CD 1 - 03 - BL_73 |
| 14:09 | Bleach OST 1 - 09 - Enemy Unseen |
| 16:49 | Bleach OST 1 - 08 - Raw Breath Of Danger |
| 18:03 | Bleach OST 1 - 01 - On the Precipice of Defeat |
| 19:23 | Bleach OST 1 - 10 - Will Of The Heart |
| 20:59 | Bleach OST 1 - 13 - Burden of the Past |
Anime Notes[]
- The Shinigami who brings Rukia Kuchiki to the waiting room internally noting that he would never address her informally.
- Rukia noting that the first time she met Kaien Shiba was an ordinary encounter.
- Byakuya Kuchiki responding approvingly to Rukia's report that her entrance ceremony was concluded without incident.
- Kaien declaring that it is time for the next mission after Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu interrupt him and Rukia.
- Jūshirō Ukitake noting that they only know Metastacia is non-migratory and where its nest is, as well as Kaien refusing to sit by until they can assemble a combat unit to confront Metastacia regardless of his abilities.
- Rukia regretting not stopping Kaien from confronting Metastacia alone.
- Kaien acknowledging Metastacia's response to his question about regret prior to unsheathing his Zanpakutō.
- Metastacia's follow-up attack between him slapping Kaien away and Rukia attempting to intervene.
- Metastacia clarifying that his Spirit Body Fusion is not like Human possession and describing how he will spend all night devouring Kaien from the inside out.
- Rukia internally admitting that she only came back because she knew she could not run away and had to save Kaien.
- Ukitake ordering Rukia to kill Metastacia because he is no longer Kaien.
- Rukia internally asserting that she ran away because she was afraid to fight Kaien, came back because she could not stand her cowardice, and used her blade because she could not bear to see him suffer.
- Byakuya mentioning that he was informed of the change in Rukia's execution date by a Jigokuchō.
- Byakuya asserting that it does not matter if Ukitake lets two or three more of his subordinates die.
- Ukitake wondering what Kaien would have done in this situation and concluding that the latter would have chosen the path of greatest peril as usual.
Kaien's body breaking down while he dies as depicted in the manga.
- Neither Miyako's death nor her corpse are shown on-screen, with only crunching sounds being heard when Metastacia emerges from her body.
- Kaien is not outwardly wounded when Metastacia slaps him away with a tentacle, resulting in no blood being spilled.
- Rukia's Zanpakutō is coated in substantially less blood when it impales Metastacia.
- When he hugs Rukia, Kaien's left hand is not rotting apart to expose his bones and instead has small patches of skin flaking off.
[]
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