[Rukia's quiet, a tight zing of pain in her gut. She's been through a very similar situation. Three times, and with the same person every time. So she can understand where he's coming from, a little.]

I know there is little I can say to convince you otherwise. All I can give is my opinion.

[She sits down next to him and leaves his face alone.]

It's not a matter of weakness or strength. It's just part of having a heart, and caring for other people. It manifests in different ways, and none of those ways are wrong. They're simply different.

[Her hands rest on her knees as she looks down at the coffee table.]

I think it might be best that you weren't able to fight him. If you had...if you'd managed to strike him down...it would have left a deep scar on your heart and a terrible guilt that never truly fades. That isn't the kind of experience I would wish on anyone, especially for one as kind as you.