there's an extra layer of tragedy to the idea that renji thought byakuya would get rukia out of her execution. renji is a cynic. he knows how the city works. we see it when he talks about shin'ou being full of aristocratic snobs. when he says "he's your older brother, he won't stand by and let you be killed," maybe it means that he thinks byakuya loves her, but he sure as shit is saying it because the rich and powerful don't have to follow the rules. the thing renji is really counting on to save rukia is byakuya being corrupt. and. well.













