[It's hardly Rukia's fault that since Sephiroth took his long absence of leave after the Battle of Aqures Ixen he'd spent a lot of effort in keeping a low profile. He'd shrug off any and all credit anyone might try to give him, and while he couldn't deny his involvement he could play that down as well. Arrogant as it sometimes might make him sound.

He has to keep his pace quite slow to keep in parallel to Rukia as they continue to walk down the hallway. A couple of others are coming the other way but thankfully weren't quite in earshot when she admits that she didn't know his position...he waits until they are a few paces behind them as well before answering.]

Not at all. For one, I wasn't on duty at the time. For another-

[He stops, unsure of his own thoughts that came into his mind just then. But then quickly recovers.]

Your prior experience certainly provided an insight that others might have lacked.