Hello hello, hope you all are doing well!

Just wanted to let you know that this chapter contains a flashback and will be noted with "**"

I hope you enjoy this slightly slower-paced chapter and I'll see you in the next one.

Have a wonderful day~

"Hajime!" Kisume called out as he was running through the crowd of students making his way to his homeroom class.

Hajime, who was already seated, looked over at Kisume who was winded from all the running, "What's wrong, Kisume?"

"They-They just posted the internship placements!" Kisume declared as he was catching his breath, "Let's go!" Grabbing on to Hajime's arm, the two ran to the courtyard where a large crowd of students already gathered.

Today was the last day of the schoolyear and the Academy students were eagerly awaiting their internship assignments for the summer. The summer internship lasts for a course of three months, with each month cycling through a new batch of first-year students. Since the special accelerated class received the top marks for their class, they are among the first ones to receive their placements.

Trying to make their way through the crowd, Kisume saw that he will be studying under Captain Soi Fon of Squad 2. Since his goal is to join the Onmitsukido, he couldn't be happier he got his preferred squad. It took Hajime a little longer to find her name since she put 'fill' on her application.

"Squad 9, under direct supervision of Vice-Captain Hisagi Shuuhei…" Hajime whispered to herself as she read from the list.

"Did you find your name, Hajime?" Kisume asked excitedly.

She nodded her head enthusiastically, "I'll be studying under squad 9!"

Cutting her excitement short, Hajime picked up some whispers from behind.

"Hisagi Fukutaichou better watch out," a student whispered, "or else she'll try and to seduce him too."

"I can't believe Kuchiki Taichou fell for her tricks!" Another student whispered loudly.

Ever since Byakuya's and Hajime's date, Hajime's classmates have been more aggressive than usual. Especially since many saw how close they were during the ring toss game. Some of Hajime's classmates took it upon themselves to sabotage her during class to hold her back further such as bumping into her when performing a Kido spell, double teaming her during Hakuda training, and purposefully tripping her during Shunpo classes.

Annoyed for her, Kisume snapped back at his gossiping classmates, "You better watch your mouths, how dare you speak so lowly of the Captains and Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13! If you all were focused on your own studies as much as you are on sabotaging Hajime, maybe you'll be as strong as her!" Holding Kisume back, Hajime explained that they weren't worth their time or their breath. Instead, they should focus on their placements and making a good impression there.

"Say what you want about me," Hajime spoke as she looked to her classmates, "We'll see who gets that recommendation at the end of these internships."

At the end of the summer internships, the Captains and Vice-Captains are encouraged to provide a letter of recommendation for the student or students that have excelled under their supervision. If they were impressed enough with a student's performance, they can offer that student a position in their squad after graduation. Not only are these internships an important training tool to gain valuable experience, it's a highly competitive time for everyone.

. . .

Back at Kuchiki Manor, Hajime packed her things for the start of internships tomorrow. Since she didn't have many belongings, she packed fairly quickly. As she was leaving her room to tend to Akane, she saw Byakuya who was about to knock on her door.

"Kuchiki-Sama…" Hajime greeted. She glanced over to his Zanpakuto and noticed he still had the cherry blossom charm tied to the hilt, she gave a small smile. At least it wasn't a dream, she thought to herself. Since their last encounter at the Year-End Festival, the two have barely spoken since, trying to remain distant as they initially promised.

"Kisumoto-San… I wanted to wish you luck with the internships tomorrow. You're in good hands with Hisagi Shuuhei."

"Thank you…" She smiled gently, "I'm excited to learn from him."

The two shared an awkward silence as Byakuya found himself lost in her smile.

"I should go-" They both stated in unison. Softly chuckling to himself, he looked back at Hajime and said, "Do your best Kisumoto-San… Your presence will be missed."

Her cheeks were turning pink, "I'll be back soon," she said embarrassed.

Saying their goodbyes, Hajime walked to Akane's room with a slight smile on her face. Aggravated with her happiness, Akane threw the teapot against the wall, almost hitting Hajime.

"Wipe that smile off your face," Akane demanded.

"I apologize," Hajime bowed and looked at Akane with a straight face.

"What're you so happy about anyway?" Akihiko asked, glaring at her.

"If you actually care to know… My internships start tomorrow. I told you both about this last week."

"Right…" Akane spoke as she rolled her eyes, "At least I don't have to deal with your incompetency for a month."

Hajime simply smiled, "Shall we continue with our usual routine for today?" She asked through gritted teeth.

"First, fetch us some tea, and make sure you put the elixir in as well," Akane demanded, "And send this to the royal courier, tell them to make sure that gets delivered quickly." Handing over a small envelope secured with a red seal, Hajime made her way to deliver the letter as promised.

"You didn't entertain the fool who dared to send you a love note, did you?" Akihiko asked sternly.

"Don't worry, mother," Akane spoke with a tone of hidden sadness, "I know what my duties are."

** "I managed to secure her future!" A young Akihiko exclaimed to her husband, the head of the Toujiro Clan, Toujiro Kenji.

"She's only a child!" Kenji retorted, "She doesn't need to worry about marriage just yet!"

"The Kuchiki Clan elders agreed that this union would serve us both well. She is the heir to our Clan, she needs to understand her role!"

"They are both children! You had no right to-"

"I had every right! You spoil her too much, made her too soft."

As her parents continued to argue, Akane was able to hear them through their open window from her bedroom next door.

"Looks like they're going at it again," Hiro spoke. Hasegawa Hiro was Akane's childhood friend and someone she fell deeply in love with.

"She only wants what's best for me," Akane spoke as she sighed.

"She wants power and she's heartless enough to use her own daughter to get it," Hiro snapped back.

"I have no choice but to listen to her… Father hasn't been doing well…"

"Even if it means signing away your right to find true love? Your father would never wish that for you…"

Looking over to Hiro's burning green eyes, Akane's heart was breaking.

"I am the Lady of the Toujiro Clan. As my mother has always reminded me, it is my duty to carry on the legacy of our Clan. True love was never an option for me…"

Walking closer to her, Hiro put his hand on Akane's cheek. Putting her hand against his, she craved his warmth. Tears were starting to blur her vision. Kneeling to look into her eyes, he spoke softly, "Is my love not enough for you?"

It's everything, she thought to herself.

"How could it be?" She asked coldly, purposefully trying to strain their relationship so he would willingly leave her side, "You have no title—no power. How could I love someone like you?"

"You don't mean that," his voice still gentle.

Unable to bear the silence, Hiro saw the answer in her eyes. The pain, the longing, and the burning passion. The two kissed as tears streamed down her face.

At that moment, with no warning, Akihiko entered Akane's room and saw the two kissing. She was furious. Akane tried to calm her mother down but she wasn't listening; she was blinded by rage. Taking the tea cups off of the tray nearby, Akihiko threw them at Akane. Hiro shielded her with his body; pieces of glass cutting up his arms, back, and head. Seeing the blood stream from his forehead, Akane cried in panic.

"Are you ok?" Hiro asked as he held onto her.

Frightened, Akane gently put her hands on Hiro's face, and looked at him with worry, "You idiot… I'm not the one that's hurt."

Grabbing on to Hiro's arm and dragging him to the courtyard, Akihiko ordered the Manor guards to lash him. Akihiko claimed he took advantage of Akane's naivety and brought shame to the Toujiro Clan. However, the Manor guards were hesitant. Hiro grew up in this Manor and they all knew how much he cared for and loved Akane.. Furious, Akihiko took the whip herself and lashed his back. He fell to his knees in pain. Akane ran over to stop her mother, only for her mother to push her aggressively against the ground.

"Please, mother, please!" Akane yelled out between her tears, her cries echoing through the courtyard, "Please stop! He's done nothing wrong!" Already ten lashes in, Akihiko took out all of her inner anger out on Hiro, "It's my fault! I'll do as you say, just please!" At this point, Hiro was on the ground, bloody and unconscious, "Punish me instead!"

Taking the bait, Akihiko firmly grabbed the whip in her hand and made her way over to Akane, her eyes burning with anger. Preparing herself to get whipped, Kenji stopped his wife from hurting their daughter. Gripping firmly on Akihiko's wrist, she dropped the whip.

"How dare you," he spoke with anger and sadness in his voice, "How dare you raise your hand to our daughter." Looking over to Hiro, Kenji ordered the guards to bring him to the medical room quickly.

"I'll do it," Akane spoke as she wiped her tears, "I'll marry Kuchiki Byakuya. For the sake of our Clan."

Smiling, Akihiko removed her wrist from Kenji's grip and reprimanded him, "It's always been up to me to make her stronger." Looking over to Akane, Akihiko spoke as she was leaving, "Had you listened to me from the beginning, none of this would have happened."

"Akane…" Kenji spoke as he tried to comfort her.

"Don't worry, Father," she looked at him, her eyes cold and empty, "I know what my duties are."

The arranged marriage between Byakuya and Akane was put on hold when Byakuya fought to marry a commoner he met in Rukongai. During that time, Akane's father fell ill and lost his strength to rule. Taking over as the Head of the Toujiro Clan, Akihiko made sure to train her daughter to be the ambitious ruler she's always envisioned for Akane. A year after the passing of Kuchiki Hisana, Byakuya and Akane announced their engagement. **

Returning with the tea, Hajime set it beside Akane and poured it for her. Lost in her thoughts, Hajime called Akane's name multiple times before she came back to her senses. It was at this moment, while it was very brief, Hajime saw the sadness in Akane's eyes for the first time.

"Akane-Sama…"

Realizing that she let her emotions slip, Akane quickly drank her cup of tea and ordered Hajime to start their usual routine.

While performing the acupuncture for Akane and Akihiko, Hajime couldn't help but flash back to the look she saw in Akane's eyes, Was that the real Akane I saw just now?

Internships Begin

It's finally internship day and every squad was bustling with excitement as the interns were making their way to their assigned barracks. At Squad 9's Barracks, Hajime gathered with four other students eager to start their first day.

"All right everybody!" A familiar voice called out as the doors were beginning to open, "I'm Hisagi Shuuhei, Vice-Captain of Squad 9 and I will be supervising you for the duration of this internship. Come inside, we'll get the tour started right away!"

The students quickly bustled inside and the members of squad 9 greeted them warmly; the students were in awe of the spiritual pressure that was emanating from the place. After about two hours of giving an in-depth tour of Squad 9's Barracks, the students were shown to their rooms and were told to meet in the training field in half an hour.

Hajime was the first to finish as she quickly settled in and made her way to the training field where Hisagi was already waiting.

"Yo. I remember you, Kisumoto, right?"

Hajime bowed, "Yes, I'm Kisumoto Hajime. It's so great to see you again Hisagi Fukutaichou! It's an honor to study under you!"

Hisagi chuckled, "Well, since you're the first one out here, why don't we do some warm-ups?"

"Warm-ups?" Before Hajime was even able to finish her thought, Hisagi lunged at her. Hajime managed to block with her Asauchi.

"Ha, you got good reflexes," Hisagi noted as he lunged backwards.

"Of all the students here," Hajime spoke, "I'm certain my Zanjutsu is the weakest."

Shunpo-ing behind her and slashing his Zanpakuto, Hajime managed to bend and duck, with the sharpness of the blade cutting off a strand of her hair.

"There are some skills," Hisagi stated as he quickly shunpo-ed again while Hajime was ducking, "that can't be taught in a classroom," His Zanpakuto was coming straight at her.

"Bakudou #8: Seki!" A small blue shield formed on the back of Hajime's hand and she was able to change the trajectory of Hisagi's attack. Trying to catch the upper hand, she shunpo-ed behind him and swung, though, he managed to easily block and pushed Hajime back.

Sheathing his Zanpakuto, he looked to Hajime and said, "When you're out fighting, it isn't about who's stronger or who's weaker. It's about finding the strength to protect those you care about. The Academy provides you with the basic skills to fight but once you've actually experienced a battle of life and death, you'll realize just how truly strong you can be."

His words resonated in her heart and she was glad she made the the decision to become a Shinigami. While she was too late to protect the people she cared about, she found the strength within herself to protect the new people she's grown to love.

Seeing the determination in Hajime's eyes, Hisagi smiled.

Marking the end of their warm-up, the other four interns made their way to the training field; excitement was oozing from every muscle.

"Okay everyone, for today's first task, you'll all be teaming up to fight against.." Hisagi's eyes were scanning the crowd and ultimately pointed at Hajime, "her." Hajime looked at him wide-eyed as the other interns had large smiles on their faces, "State your name for everybody."

"Kisumoto Hajime."

"Kisumoto, your goal is to survive in a one-vs-four match up against these other guys here. If you manage to evade and dodge their attacks, you'll be excused from tonight's dinner preparations. However, if any of these guys land a hit, you'll be prepping in the kitchen by yourself. Everyone understand?"

The students all agreed in unison as they reached for their Asauchis.

"Begin!" Hisagi yelled out. The four students quickly unsheathed their Asauchis and lunged at Hajime who was able to dodge with shunpo.

Let's see how long you last against these four, Kisumoto, Hisagi thought to himself as he observed the five interns.

. . .

At Squad 6's Barracks, Byakuya and Renji greeted their excited interns and gave them the full tour of the barracks. Showing the students to their rooms, Byakuya told them to settle in and meet them at the dining hall where a welcome banquet was prepared.

"Ah, there you are Byakuya-Sama," Akihiko spoke as she barged into the hall.

"Mother-in-law," Byakuya spoke, surprised, "What brings you here?"

The students started making their way into the hall, bustling with excitement as they were talking about how cool Byakuya and Renji's bankais are.

"I know you're busy with internships," Akihiko whispered away from the group of students, "It's just that Kisumoto girl is also on internship and we really need a replacement for her while she's gone. Do you have anyone you can spare?"

Eavesdropping on the conversation, one of the students butted in before Byakuya could answer, "I will happily take on the role of Akane-Sama's personal attendant!" Her name was Hatsutori Miku. As a student of the special accelerated classes, her goal is to join the Gotei 13.

"My, what a thoughtful offer, what do you say, Byakuya-Sama?" Akihiko batted her eyelashes.

Byakuya turned to Miku, "Student. What is your name?"

"How rude of me!" She quickly bowed as if she was a 90-degree angle, "My name is Hatsutori Miku, it's a pleasure to be working under you this summer, Kuchiki Taichou!"

"With my wife's demanding schedule and our internship courses, you will barely have a free moment in the day. Are you sure you would volunteer yourself for this position?"

"It's not a problem at all!" Miku exclaimed with a smile.

"Perfect, then it's settled!" Akihiko exclaimed excitedly, "When your training is done for today, we'll meet you at Kuchiki Manor!"

Saying her goodbyes, Akihiko returned to the Manor and Miku took her seat at the table, excited to eat all of the delicious food prepared.

I'll make sure to uncover every dirty secret you're hiding, Kisumoto Hajime, Akihiko thought to herself as she left Squad 6's Barracks, no one dares get in the way of my daughter's success.