It was a few years later and the exit exams were fast approaching. Lenne was usually studying or practicing somewhere. She had made a few friends while at the academy. That helped boost her confidence somewhat.
Currently, she was sitting under a tree, studying for an impending exam, when Carla, one of her friends, ran up.
"Lenne! Come on! We have to go!" She grabbed Lenne's slender hand, nearly making her book fall, and pulled her up. "A Captain is coming in to check us all out!"
"What?!" She said, finally standing on trembling feet. "Wait….wait….a Captain? Why? Do they usually do this?" She was in a state of shock as Carla pulled her along.
"Sometimes. Aizen likes to each year, but this time it's a different one. The graduating class has been called to stand in for inspection." Lenne chewed her lower lip as she was pulled along.
When the two girls arrived, it seemed they were the last ones. Everyone was standing with their classes, one student ahead of the rest, except with her class. When she went to stand with Carla, an instructor shook their head and led her to the front. They explained simply. The Captain had requested the top student of each class be singled out from their peers, as he would like to talk to them. She blinked owlishly at the instructor and pointed at herself.
"Me?"
"Absolutely." The instructor patted her shoulder as she stood there at attention, feeling quite nervous. She never would have thought she was top of her class. She took a deep, shaking breath as she watched. A Captain walked into the courtyard with a retinue. He was dark skinned, with braided hair, and had something covering his eyes. She heard the students behind her whisper as he spoke to the first class.
"That's Captain Tosen from squad 9."
"You rarely see him doing something like this…"
"Ooohhh I wonder if his Lieutenant is with him. He's an absolute dream." Lenne's eyes widened. Oh no…She didn't know if she could face the Lieutenant yet, if ever. The students behind her were still gossiping as he finished with the top of class one and walked towards class two. She didn't know if it was terrible or not that she was in class three. She knew that she was in the lowest tier, she nearly bombed her entrance exams. That made her feel that she was in the clear. Who would want to seriously speak to the lowest of the top three (she was still surprised by that) for very long. Didn't most want the best of the best? She chewed her bottom lip, lost in her anxiety riddled thoughts, jumping when she heard someone address her.
"What's your name child?" Wide eyed, she looked directly at the Captain.
"Lenne." She cleared her throat after her voice cracked and tried again. "My name is Lenne, Captain." She thought she saw the faintest hint of a smile crack on his otherwise placid face.
"And you are the top of class three?" He made it sound like a question, but it seemed more a statement.
"Apparently so Captain." She said quietly. He quirked a brow at that.
"You don't think so?"
"I…no Captain…." She mumbled, feeling defeated.
"Sometimes humility is a good thing Lenne." He looked her up and down. "Your Zanpakutou seems garrish." She blushed and looked down to its hilt, which was a deep red, the guard a heart of the same color, all accents were the deepest black. "May I ask you the name?"
"Akano Joou Captain."
"Have you released it?"
"Yes Captain. While learning how."
"On any missions?"
"No Captain. I…I'd rather not."
"May I ask why?" He sounded genuinely interested in her answer. The others in her class either thought she was cocky, thinking she didn't need to, or cowardly.
"I….She isn't a pleasant one. I fear having to draw her, never mind release her." She saw him smile, which made her eyes widen slightly.
"I'll tell you something I told my lieutenant some time ago child. Always remember this…." He shifted into a more comfortable position. "Those who know not fear have no right to stand in battle." His attention went to her hands behind her back. "What do you have in your hands?"
"Books Captain. I was reading when I was alerted to come here." She blushed faintly. He gave her a life lesson, the same that he gave the lieutenant who inspired her to be standing in this very spot. "I…apologize."
"Do not apologize for wanting knowledge Lenne. To strengthen one's body, one must also strengthen their mind. Always challenge yourself, and you will be on to greater things Lenne." He relaxed a bit, crossing his arms, giving her an earnest look. She shifted uncomfortably under the attention, especially knowing everyone's eyes were on her.
"Yes Captain." She mumbled feeling somewhat pathetic.
"Have you given thought to which squad you would like to be a part of upon graduation?" He asked. She blushed an even deeper shade of red, not making eye contact.
"There has only been one squad I've wanted to join. I'm here due to the help of one of the squad members. I…made a promise." She said, a bit more strength in her voice as she spoke. She stood straighter, remembering her place, and she didn't want to disappoint the one she made the promise to.
"Oh? Which one?" He asked, curiosity laced through his words.
"Actually…your squad Captain. 9th squad." She heard surprised murmurs from behind her. Most top prospects wanted 2nd squad, 11th or another specialty squad. She saw him smile and nod.
"I think that can be arranged." He said, nodding. "I feel you would be a good fit. Let's see how your final exams go as to where we will put you." She let out a surprised gasp as he bowed slightly. "It was nice speaking with you Lenne. Good luck with the rest of your schooling." She gave a hurried bow in return and watched as Captain Tosen walked away with his retinue, which thankfully didn't have his lieutenant with it.
After they were dismissed, Lenne let out a relieved sigh. She started heading back to her studying area, before looking back and seeing her two friends rush after her.
"Lenne! Wait up!" Kyouya called out, with Carla running up with him. She couldn't help but smile as she stopped waiting for them to catch up.
"What's up?" She asked when they finally made it over to her.
"I was going to ask you the same thing!" Kyouya said, excitement running through his words. "Captain Tosen talked to you twice as long as he talked to the rest."
"Really? I didn't even notice." She replied, biting her lower lip.
"Did he really ask you which squad you wanted?" Carla asked, giving her a bright smile. "And what did you tell him?"
"You know what I told him. I've told you both the story." She said, turning and continuing on her walk.
"Well, yeah…" Kyouya said, walking up on one side of her as Carla came up to her other side. "Did you really tell him why you wanted to be in his squad?"
"And you never even told us who this shinigami was. Do you know? Did he know?" Lenne sighed. Her friends could be so exhausting. She knew it was an exciting thing, but she was mentally drained at the moment.
"I know who the shinigami was. Do you guys think I wouldn't ask who it was? And no he does not. I didn't tell him either. I don't think anyone needs to know that." She explained for the millionth time since meeting them.
"What did he say about you wanting 9th squad?" Kyouya asked, crossing his arms. "I don't know many who strive to be put into that one. They don't do too many excursions into the living world after all. Not many Konso, or even dealing with Hollows. Seems kind of boring. And with her royal highness over there, you'd be more suited for one of the squad that get thrown into battle."
"Oh yeah Kyouya. Can you imagine Lenne in 11th squad?" Carla said with a laugh.
"Oh gee…thanks for the support." Lenne said, rolling her eyes, then sighed. "I have to get back to my studying. I want to pass the finals that are coming up."
"So boring!" Carla said, sticking her tongue out.
"No, Lenne is right. If we want to get out of the academy, we all should probably start studying." With that, the three friends bid their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
A month later, Lenne walked out into the courtyard with the rest of her class. It was time, the exams were over and everyone in the courtyard had passed. All were being collected by their new squads. She bit her lip and leaned against a wall, waiting patiently. She frowned a bit, seeing she was the only one left, then blinked as a Shinigami ran up next to her. He bowed quickly.
"Apologies! You must be Lenne. The Captain had asked Lieutenant Hisagi to come get you himself, but he had an emergency Lieutenant's meeting. Please this way." She blinked a few times then smiled to herself.
"No…no one told me which squad I was placed in. I'm actually in 9th squad?" She asked, smiling even more when the man nodded.
"Yes ma'am. Word around the squad is that the Captain was quite pleased with your talk and pulled a few strings. You're seated as well."
"Um….excuse me?" She asked, disbelief in her voice. She followed him through the Seireitei.
"Yes Ma'am. I'm 8th seat. And they said you're sixth?" He said helpfully. She just blinked a few times, unable to process what was going on.
"Isn't that…I don't know…weird?" She said as they walked up to a barracks with the poppy of the 9th squad on the sign.
"It can happen if someone of influence gets their hands in it. I mean, I have no doubt that you're capable." He motioned to a door and gave her a smile. "Here's your room. Your uniform is inside as well as anything else you may need. Also, the Captain said something along the lines of, you didn't seem a normal cadet so, he had your uniform modified." The 8th seat walked off leaving her in front of her door. She took a deep breath and opened it. Walking in, she noticed a bookcase full of books, most of her things from her dorm room, a highly modified uniform, and a note. Closing the door, she walked over to her bed, picking up the note.
"Something has come up and I apologize I cannot be there to welcome you to 9th squad myself Lenne. The uniform is a gift from me to welcome you and thank you for wanting to be a part of our squad. Relax and someone will retrieve you once we can meet and discuss your duties.
-Capatin Kaname Tosen"
Lenne smiled a bit as she set the note on a desk, then looked at the uniform. It did look much better than the usual uniform. There were no sleeves, she had fingerless gloves that were the same shade of red as her sword and they ran over her elbows. Instead of the hakama, it was a skirt that looked like it would fall about mid thigh, and the white belt was missing, in it's place was a red and black braided belt that looked like would hold her zanpakutou. While she waited, she decided she would change into her new uniform.
A few hours later, Lenne was laying on her bed, reading one of the books that were left in her room, when there was a knock on the door. She sat up, setting her book down.
"Come in" She called, standing. The door cracked open, and the 8th seat person poked his head in.
"The Captain has returned and asked for you to come to his office." He said, opening the door further as she walked towards it.
"Thank you…ah….maybe we should introduce ourselves. We've spent a lot of time together today already." She waited so the gentleman could lead the way. "I mean, you know my name."
"Right yeah….my name is Takehiko." He said as they walked. "The whole squad has been talking about you all day." He let out a sigh, hanging his head. "I'm actually pretty tired of answering questions…."
"Eh…" She blinked a few times as she stopped for a moment before hurrying to catch up. "Why would they be talking about me?" She asked, feeling slightly confused.
"Seems the Captain has taken an interest in you. That's always something. And it was overheard that you reminded him of himself and the lieutenant." He shrugged a bit. "Mere rumor though. I guess you'll find out in a minute." He stopped near a door with the squad insignia on it.
"I…ah….guess so…" She said quietly, staring at the door. "Ah…" Takehiko grinned a bit and nodded in understanding.
"Right. First time is always scary." He rapped his knuckles on the door, and when they heard a voice, he spoke. "It's 8th seat Takehiko. I brought the new recruit as per orders."
"Have her come in." A voice said. Oh good gracious. That wasn't Captain Tosen….
"You heard the man." Takehiko said, and patted her shoulder on his way by. "Don't worry. They're harmless…. for us anyway." She nodded and swallowed a lump in her throat before heading through the most intimidating door of her life.
