Hey~! It's been a while... I've been busy so I didn't have time to write at all.. T^T I actually don't know how often I'll be writing... and I'm so sorry :'c But I'll try my best to keep you all updated BTW! Leave reviews please! Those make me extremely happy!

P.S. I don't own Bleach. All credits go to Tite Kubo.

"See that? I knew she was from a noble family." "Wait but why did she just start to wear the kenseikan?" "I heard the other Noble Houses are getting rid of the kenseikan to blend in more. Only the Kuchiki House and the Kurayami House keep wearing them for some reason." As Haruna entered the academy, people started whispering. She had been gone for an entire week: Kyoraku and Ukitake insisted she should take a break after her mother's memorial ceremony, and Commander Yamomoto had agreed. She had the kenseikan, the symbol of nobility, on her scarlet hair.

"I guess just having the name with them is not enough." "Do they need to seriously show their nobility in the way they dress?" The other students kept whispering.

"Haruna-chan," Kyoraku came from behind. "Why did you come by yourself?"

"We went to your house but your brother told us you had left already," Ukitake said.

"Ah," Haruna said, turning around, "Sorry."

"No need to apologize," Kyoraku said smiling. "Anyways," he put his arm around Haruna's shoulder. "Your new hairstyle suits you really well."

"Thanks," she replied. Then she slowly moved away from Kyoraku's grip and hit his head. "Hurry up or we'll be late and he'll get mad!"

"Gosh she's so strong," Kyoraku said while holding his head, where Haruna had hit him.

"Let's go," Ukitake said, laughing.

"Kids," Commander Yamamoto called his three students. It had been a week since Haruna had come back to train.

"It's too early, Old Man," Kyoraku complained as he yawned.

"Don't," Commander Yamamoto hit Kyoraku's head, "call me an old man. Now, I need you to do something before we go on with our training."

The three students waited for the Commander's next words, but they never came.

"Sensei," Ukitake broke the silence. "What do you need us to do?" It was the question everyone wanted to ask.

"You will know when the time comes. Before that, you don't have to come," Commander Yamamoto said and left the room.

"Huh?" all three students looked at each other in confusion before following their teacher.

"Sensei!" the three of them called.

"What do you mean?" Haruna asked. "You haven't told us what to do!"

"There is nothing more I can teach you now," was all the Commander said.

"But..." Haruna complained.

"You can keep training on your own. You don't need me anymore. At least not yet." And with that, the Commander left.

The three students stood in awe, not knowing what to do or to say.

"We should..." Kyoraku broke the silence. "Leave."

"I'm..." Haruna said, "going back home..."

"Can we go with you?" Ukitake asked.

"Maybe your brother knows what this is all about," Kyoraku said in agreement.

"Sure..."

"Ojou-sama," Midokawa welcomed Haruna. "You are home early."

"Yes," Haruna replied. "Classes were... canceled, I guess..."

"Pardon?" Midokawa seemed confused. Then he saw the equally confused looks on the three young students and decided not to ask anymore.

"Is onii-chan home?" Haruna asked.

"He is tending a group of Shinigami that came back from a mission. He is in the First Room," Midokawa replied politely.

"Thank you," Haruna said and bowed, followed by Kyoraku and Ukitake. Midokawa bowed as the three left.

Kyoraku and Ukitake followed Haruna into the First Room and saw the many injured Shinigami lying on the beds and the countless doctors of the Kurayami House in their white gowns tending to them. Hayato was in the end of the room talking to a familiar female Shinigami.

"Onii-chan," Haruna called. When Hayato turned around, Kyoraku and Ukitake bowed. "Yumi-chan!" Haruna seemed to be excited about seeing her.

"Haruna-chan!" Yumi exclaimed, equally excited. "It's been a long time!"

"Yeah! Did you just come back from your mission?"

"Yeah..." Yumi said with a tired voice. "It was a long mission..."

"At least you didn't get hurt this time," Hayato said in relief.

"That is right," Haruna said, quite surprised.

"Heh heh..." Yumi laughed. "By the way..." she said in a more serious tone. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it last week..."

"It's okay," Haruna said cheerfully. "You were away, and it couldn't be helped."

"Wait," Hayato said, suddenly realizing something. "Shouldn't you guys be in the Academy right now?"

"Oh yeah, about that..." Haruna turned around and looked at Kyoraku and Ukitake, who were standing behind her. "We need to ask you something..."

Yumi and Hayato listened to what the three students had to say. When Haruna finished telling them what happened, Ukitake asked, "Do you know what he might be talking about?"

"Well..." Hayato said. He looked at Yumi, and she nodded. "I'm pretty sure that's what he means..."

"Yeah..." Yumi agreed with him.

"What is?" Haruna asked.

"This is something you guys need to figure out yourselves," Hayato replied.

"What?" the three young ones exclaimed.

"But," Yumi said, "the Commander is right. There is nothing he can teach you guys anymore. At least not now."

"Huh?" the three exclaimed again.

"But it will be worth it," Hayato said, and Yumi nodded in agreement. Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Haruna just looked at each other confused.

"So what should we do now then...?" Kyoraku asked.

"You could..." Hayato tried to think of a solution. "It's... uhh... Hard to tell... You just have to work on increasing you reiatsu and controlling it."

"I'll just..." Haruna said, "help with the work here until I figure it out."

"I'll come and help whenever I can," Kyoraku said.

"Me too," Ukitake said.

"Actually," Hayato said, looking at Ukitake, "I would like you to stay here for a few days, if you don't mind."

"Huh?" Ukitake looked at Hayato for clarification.

"I would like to do some more studies on your condition," he replied. "I asked your father, and he said it's okay as long as you're fine with it."

"Oh," Ukitake looked at Haruna. She returned with a concerned look.

"Actually," Haruna spoke, "I'll be doing the studies..." She sounded determined.

Ukitake thought for a few minutes before slightly nodding his head.

"Are you sure?" Hayato asked.

"Yes," Ukitake replied, this time firmly.

"Can you lay down here?" Haruna pointed at a lone bed in a bright room.

"Where is this?" Ukitake asked.

"It's a special room we use for the patients who ask for a room of their own," Haruna explained. "I want to do the studies here, since it's more private."

"I see," Ukitake said. He looked at the petite red-haired girl standing in front of her. When she turned around, he smiled.

"Get on the bed," she said. "I'll be back."

"Yes," he said and he lay down.

A few minutes later, Haruna came back with some scrolls and nothing else.

"Is that all you need?" Ukitake asked. He wondered if that was really all she needed.

"Yeah," Haruna said confidently. "I'm sorry if it looks suspicious."

"No no no," Ukitake said urgently. "It's not suspicious."

"You don't have to lie," Haruna said. "I'm quite used to people doubting my studies." She looked at him and laughed. She then showed him the scroll. "This is a sacred scroll that is handed down in the Kurayami House. This was supposed to be for my brother, but..."

"But our Father and the Council decided that she was more fit to use the scroll," Hayato came in and finished the sentence.

"Hayato-san," Ukitake called in surprise. Then he saw Haruna, and she was looking at the floor, with an apologetic look on her face.

"See," Hayato started explaining, "my little sister here, ever since she was little, has been able to detect diseases that even our Father would miss sometimes. When she found out about her ability, she asked our Father to train her in medicine." Then he patted Haruna's head and continued speaking. "She said she wanted to help as many people as possible. That's why we decided that the sacred scroll will be used at its full potential if it is in her hands." He had a proud look in his face as he said this.

"Onii-chan..." Haruna called his name softly, thanking him for how proud he was of her.

"What does the scroll do?" Ukitake asked.

"Let's just say that it helps her do a thorough analysis of anyone," Hayato said. "Anyways, I just came to ask if you needed any help, but since you brought him to this room and you brought the scroll, I'm guessing you don't want any help."

"Yeah..." Haruna replied shortly. "But still, thanks."

"Yup," Hayato said and smiled. "Remember though, I am here for you. Call me if you need any help."

"I will, don't worry."

Then Hayato left the room.

For a few minutes, Ukitake and Haruna stayed quiet. It was more like an understanding silence rather than an awkward silence.

"Let's start then," Haruna finally broke the silence.

"Yeah," Ukitake replied. "What do I have to do?"

"Nothing," she said. "Just lay there and breathe."

"Okay."

Haruna stood next to the bed Ukitake was on and she opened the scroll.

So that is it for Chapter 11! I'm really sorry to keep you waiting for so long! (For those who were actually waiting, if there are any...)

Thanks a lot 3