The clash of blades echoed behind the Thirteenth Division barracks. Captain Ukitake stood quietly beneath a sakura tree, his eyes calm as he observed the duel unfolding between Amamiya Miyako and Kuchiki Rukia.
Kiyone Kotetsu came running, her sandals tapping hurriedly against the stones as she spotted her captain in the distance.
"Taichō! What's going on? Why is Amamiya-san fighting Rukia-san?" she asked, wide-eyed with concern.
Ukitake's gaze remained on the sparring pair. He had arrived early—earlier than anyone had realized. From the moment Miyako and Rukia began talking, he had been listening quietly, hidden by the shade of the trees. Originally, he had intended to deliver a stack of written duties to the new recruit, but the situation had taken a different turn.
He chuckled softly. "It's a clash of wills more than swords... a necessary one, I think."
"But Captain," Kiyone frowned, arms folded, "Isn't it a bit much for a newcomer to challenge a senior officer on his first day? Amamiya-san seems way too cocky..."
"Perhaps we were all mistaken," Ukitake said gently.
"Mistaken? About what?"
Ukitake smiled again, this time a bit more wistfully. "I overheard their conversation. Miyako-kun is sharp... He pointed out something important. Rukia has never truly moved on from Kaien-dono's death. We've all treated her too delicately, thinking kindness alone could help her heal. But... maybe what she needs isn't comfort, but a wake-up call."
Kiyone blinked. "...So you're letting them fight?"
"Letting them grow," Ukitake corrected with a knowing smile.
Back in the field, the duel was reaching its peak.
Amamiya Miyako panted softly, brushing a few damp strands of hair from his forehead. His sword, still a nameless Asauchi, glinted in the sunlight. His spiritual pressure had started to fade.
'Tch... my reiryoku's dropping. Guess this is it,' he thought.
Despite the exhaustion, his technique remained sharp. He'd cast several mid-tier Hadō and Bakudō without incantations—a skill rare among even seated officers. Maybe it was the Quincy bloodline that gave him such natural control over reishi, making the spiritual weaving of Kidō feel second nature. But even so, his energy reserves weren't endless.
As the last exchange of blows ended, Miyako landed softly on the ground and slid his blade back into its sheath.
"I yield," he said calmly. "Rukia-senpai, your victory."
Rukia blinked. "Eh? You're stopping? But we haven't settled this yet!"
"My reiryoku's running low. I can't continue at full strength. You win—fair and square."
Rukia lowered her zanpakutō reluctantly. The abrupt end annoyed her a little. She hated unfinished battles.
"But," Miyako added with a small smile, "you'd better watch out. I'll catch up to you soon… and then surpass you. After all, I'm aiming for the vice-captain seat."
That smug tone—delivered with a polite 'senpai'—grated on her nerves just enough to get under her skin. She wasn't sure if it was arrogance or just pure confidence, but she couldn't deny it: Miyako had talent.
Her grip on her sword tightened. 'This guy… he's the real deal. Is this the kind of prodigy who graduates early from the Academy?'
"Rukia-senpai," Miyako called, breaking her thoughts. "Mind if I ask something?"
"Huh? What is it?"
"You've got skills that put you near seated officer level, right? Your Kidō control and Shunpo are both excellent."
Rukia hesitated. "...I'm just a lower-seat officer."
She looked away, her voice unusually quiet. She'd thought about applying for a higher seat before… but every time, Captain Ukitake had gently discouraged her. She'd taken it as a sign she wasn't ready.
'Lower seat… That's all I've ever been. Gomen… Kaien-dono…'
"No, Rukia," a calm voice interrupted. "Your strength is actually quite impressive. You definitely meet the standard to become an upper-seated officer in the Thirteenth Division."
Rukia turned in surprise. "Captain!"
Ukitake Jūshirō stepped forward with his usual gentle expression. "You've already surpassed many others in ability, Rukia. For certain… private reasons, I hoped you would polish yourself further as a seated officer. But in truth, your strength is far beyond that."
Amamiya Miyako, standing a short distance away, silently mulled over Ukitake's words. He understood the hidden meaning. The unspeakable reasons likely referred to Rukia's emotional state… and perhaps pressure from Kuchiki Byakuya, who may have wanted her to remain under the radar.
"Captain… then why?" Rukia asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Why did you always stop me from challenging an upper seat? I just… I want to prove I'm worthy of being a true Shinigami…"
Before Ukitake could answer, Miyako raised a hand and spoke calmly.
"Rukia-senpai, um… I've been trying to communicate with my Zanpakutō lately."
"Communicate with your Zanpakutō?" Rukia blinked. "What do you mean by that?"
Ukitake smiled, though there was a trace of guilt behind it. Even Miyako noticed… I really haven't been doing my job as a captain properly.
"Rukia," Ukitake asked quietly, "when was the last time you actually heard the voice of your Zanpakutō?"
"Eh…?" Rukia faltered. She looked down, her expression dimming. After that incident with Kaien, her connection with her Zanpakutō had… dulled. Even when she called out, there was only silence.
"After Kaien's death, your heart closed itself off," Ukitake said gently, but firmly. "I suspect you haven't heard a single word from your Zanpakutō since that day."
Rukia's silence was confirmation enough.
"Kaien-dono protected his dignity as a Shinigami until the very end," Ukitake continued. "When he let himself be impaled by your blade, it wasn't just for pride… he wanted to entrust his will to you. But we—myself included—were too gentle, and let your grief grow stagnant."
Rukia clenched her fists, her head bowed in shame.
"Rukia!" Ukitake's voice turned stern, cutting through the air. "Your regret… your sorrow… they dishonor the memory of Kaien-dono. He entrusted you with his resolve. Don't let his will be wasted!"
"Captain… I…" Rukia's voice cracked, her eyes welling with tears.
Miyako stepped forward, hands in his pockets. "Rukia-senpai, how about we have a little contest?"
Rukia turned to him, surprised. "Contest…?"
He grinned. "Let's see who becomes the official Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Division first."
Rukia's breath hitched. She blinked, stunned. A challenge? From a newbie?
But something stirred inside her. A long-forgotten spark.
If I stay like this… I'll never catch up to Kaien-fukutaichō.
Just as she was about to reply—
"You brat! Don't get cocky!" a loud voice boomed. "I'm the acting Vice-Captain right now, you know!"
It was Kiyone Kotetsu, who came marching over with flailing arms and fury written all over her face.
"Hey, don't leave me out," said Sentarō Kotsubaki, stepping in from the other side. "I'm also the acting Vice-Captain. And I should be the one who gets the title officially!"
The two of them glared at each other, sparks practically flying between their eyes.
"Yare yare…" Miyako sighed, scratching his head.
But Rukia stepped forward, her voice resolute. "Miyako-kun… you're right. I've been running away for too long."
She turned to Ukitake and bowed deeply.
"Captain, thank you. I'll move forward now."
Ukitake's expression softened. "That's good to hear, Rukia."
Miyako allowed himself a small smile. He'd achieved what he set out to do—and their sparring match had given him a better sense of his own strength as well.
With that, he turned to head back toward the barracks. His reiryoku was low, and he needed to rest before training again.
But just as he neared the gate—
"Amamiya Miyako! Wait!"
He turned and saw Rukia jogging over, slightly out of breath.
"Geez, do you always move around with Shunpo? You're so fast it's unfair!" she complained, catching up.
Miyako tilted his head. "Something else, senpai?"
"This is from the Captain," she said, holding out a thick handbook. "It lists all the rules and responsibilities of the Thirteenth Division. You're expected to memorize it."
He took it, nodding. "Got it. Thanks."
Rukia fidgeted, then looked away awkwardly. "And also…"
Miyako raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"
"T-Thank you… for today." Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her ears were bright red.
Miyako blinked. "Eh?"
It was a casual gesture on his part, mostly just to test himself. But seeing the serious expression on Rukia's face, he couldn't resist teasing her a little.
"Ehh? Rukia-senpai, are you blushing? Don't tell me you've fallen for me!" he said with a grin, leaning in playfully.
"Wha—!?" Rukia's eye twitched. "You absolute idiot!"
With a swift motion, she smacked him on the head.
Thwack!
"Ow ow ow! That hurt, senpai!"
"Hmph! That's what you get. Learn to take a thank-you seriously!" she huffed and stomped off.
Miyako crouched down, rubbing his head. "Man, she hits hard…"
But as he watched her retreating figure, a small smile crept onto his lips.