Tsukimori continued her lessons with Shuhei for several weeks, her skills growing quickly and exceeding expectations.

One day while they took a break, Tsukimori noticed that Shuhei was a bit distracted.

"Shu?"

Shuhei looked down at her as she came to his side, taking the drink she offered him.

"Is everything OK?" Tsukimori asked, looking up at him.

"Ya, everything's fine." He took a sip. "Why do you ask?"

"You seem distracted today, like your mind is elsewhere." She thought a moment, then recalled what was coming up. "Are you worried about the upcoming class trip to the World of the Living?"

Shuhei nodded. "It should be routine, but something troubles me."

"What is it?"

Shuhei shook his head. "I don't know, just a bad feeling I have." He looked at her and smiled. "Don't be so worried." He ruffled her hair, his smile growing.

Tsukimori blushed, looking down.

"It's your class coming on the trip, isn't it?"

Tsukimori looked back up at him, nodding.

Shuhei smiled. "You'll do just fine."

Throughout the rest of the week, Shuhei and Tsukimori continued their training before Shuhei needed to take some time to prepare for the trip to the World of the Living, while Tsukimori prepared with Momo, Renji, and Izuru as they and the rest of their class readied themselves for the trip.

The day of the trip, Shuhei and two of his classmates, Kanisawa and Aoga who were also assigned to lead the field lesson on performing the Konsō with Freshman Class One, gave instructions on what to do once they reached the other side of the Senkaimon. Once on the other side, they issued further instructions about the lesson, broke everyone into groups and all was going well. That is until the end of the lesson.

Tsukimori was trying to find Shuhei and the others to inform them they were finished with the exercise when she sensed something wrong. She looked around, searching for the source when a group of huge Hollows took everyone by surprise. Tsukimori heard shouting and ran towards it, turning the corner as both Kanisawa and Aoga were killed.

Shuhei ordered all of the freshmen to run, staying behind to try to fend off the hollows himself until help arrived. Tsukimori didn't want to leave him and hurried back with Momo, Renji, and Izuru to help. They arrived just in time as Shuhei was quickly overpowered, a large wound over his right eye. They fended off the hollows as best they could and fortunately, Captain Sōsuke Aizen and Lieutenant Gin Ichimaru arrived in time to save them all.

Izuru mentioned that Shuhei had failed the entrance exam for the academy twice, but his talent allowed him to become a seated officer in the Gotei 13 without having to pass additional tests in the end. He even commented to Tsukimori that she was lucky to have Shuhei as a tutor, but Tsukimori didn't pay him much mind and hurried to Shuhei to heal his wounds.

"I told you all to run." Shuhei said, wincing as she healed the wound over his eye.

Tsukimori sighed, one hand hovering over the wound while the other rested on his cheek to keep him steady. "We couldn't leave you alone." She looked from his wound to meet his gaze, blushing a little. "I couldn't leave you."

Shuhei looked at her, surprised. "Tsuki..."

They sat there for a moment, eyes locked, until someone came over to let them know the Senkaimon back home was ready. Tsukimori stood, helping Shuhei to his feet.

"Can you walk?"

Shuhei nodded, wanting to say something. But before he could, Tsukimori hurried off. He sighed, following after her and the rest of the students who survived the attack as they made the return journey to the Soul Society.

Tsukimori finished her private lessons with her instructors, her training with Shuhei coming to an end as he readied to finish his school year before joining the Gotei 13. Tsukimori was disappointed, having grown fond of Shuhei and enjoying the time spent with him, but she understood it was his final year at the academy and his seat in Squad 9 was secured. And she had her own things to focus on.

One night before the finals, Tsukimori left the dorms to walk the campus grounds. She was having a hard time sleeping, finding quite a lot on her mind. She stopped at the clearing where she and Shuhei trained together, looking up at the moonlight.

"Tsukimori."

Tsukimori smiled. "Yumi." She saw the spectral image of Tentai no yumi shimmering before her.

"You have become stronger. The time draws near when you will summon me."

"How can I summon you?"

"You will need to find the command that will release me to my true form."

"Your command?"

"Do not rush, there is still time. Be patient and it will come to you."

The image of the kirin faded and Tsukimori sighed.

"Tsuki?"

Tsukimori turned, finding Shuhei standing in the clearing with her. "Shu, what are you doing here?"

Shuhei shrugged, rubbing his neck. "I couldn't sleep. You?"

"Same. I seem to have a lot on my mind."

"Want to talk about it?" Shuhei asked, wondering if perhaps he was intruding. "It's alright if you don't."

Tsukimori looked at him. "Actually, I'd like that."

Shuhei smiled. "Why don't we take a walk?"

Tsukimori nodded, following after Shuhei through the woods.

"So what's on your mind?"

"I'm just anxious over the coming finals I suppose."

"You're close to being ready to release your zanpakuto, aren't you?"

Tsukimori nodded. "But I don't know the command to release him."

"You know his name at least?"

Tsukimori nodded. "I do."

"Then finding the release command should be easy." Shuhei noticed she still looked worried. "There's something else."

Tsukimori sighed and stopped, looking down at her hands. "Before coming to the academy, I lived alone with Yoshirou. He had found me alone in the forest when I was very young, took me in and raised me as his own. He taught me everything I needed to know before coming here. But he couldn't prepare me for the anxiety I felt around other people."

Shuhei looked down at Tsukimori, listening as she finally spoke out.

"I don't do well around other people. It's difficult having lunch with Momo, Renji, and Izuru. I've tried to overcome that, but it's been difficult. Even with the recommendations I've already received, I just don't think I can be in a squad or apart of any group without feeling as though everything is closing in around me." Tsukimori sighed. "You're the only person I feel calm around. My mind is still, my body stops shaking."

"Are you worried you won't be able to overcome this?"

Tsukimori nodded. "You're leaving to join Squad 9, Shu. I'm not sure I can do it without you."

Shuhei smiled softly, lifting her chin up. "Hey, look at me."

Tsukimori met his gaze, blushing a bit.

"You are an amazing girl. You're excelling in your studies, you've exceeded my expectations and that of the instructors, you're incredibly gifted." Shuhei tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You shouldn't be so quick to doubt yourself, Tsuki. Believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything."

"Shu..."

"It's late." Shuhei's smile grew. "Come on, let's get you back to the dorms."