The new term had begun a week ago.

The Principle usually didn't care much for the rude no-shows, but he was making an exception for the Zaraki girl. She had been found by, and received the recommendation of, a Captain, Squad 5's Ichigo Kurosaki, and had proved her own value. She had won a place in the Advanced Class because of her strong spiritual pressure and had scored high in the IQ test. Being a Zaraki meant that she was not expected to know about the history of the Seiretei, but she had known the basic jobs a Soul Reaper performed and understood the basics of a Hollow.

So he had to get her to take up her place.

He put in a request for the 11th Squad's 10th Seat Makizo Aramaki to come to the Academy; there he briefed him on Izumi Kihara.

Aramaki headed for Zaraki and located the secluded glen by homing in on her trace of spiritual energy. He watched from the cover of the trees –about six men were surrounding a girl who matched Kihara's description. They were armed with wooden staffs; she was bare-handed. It hardly looked like a fair fight. He fingered the hilt of his zanpukto.

"You'd better not interrupt Izumi's training," said a voice from behind him. He froze and looked around.

A girl, several years younger than Izumi, was sitting in the branches of a tall tree, dangling her legs down. She had raven hair and dark-blue eyes. The girl continued. "She'll be very unhappy if you do."

Aramaki shivered –this girl looked so different from the crazy pink-haired candy-loving Lieutenant of his Squad, but they were so similar personality-wise that it was scary.

"I am Makizoe Aramaki, of the 11th Squad," he told her.

"And I'm Naomi Kihara," the girl said seriously before grinning like a Cheshire cat and giggling. "Did anyone ever tell you that your name's really funny?"

Aramaki sweat-dropped –this girl really was another Lieutenant Yachiru Kushajishi! It was probably a good thing she didn't know about his nickname if she broke down like this at hearing his full name.

He turned back to the practice in the field. He watched in amazement as Izumi almost effortlessly disarmed and knocked several unconscious with a few well-timed punches and kicks.

As those still conscious nursed their wounds and broken egos, a man who was vividly missing his right hand approached her, bowing as he handed her a mug of liquid. Izumi obviously was someone with a lot of power –they were treating her like she was a noble.

The strange yet familiar girl, Naomi, leapt from her perch and ran towards her sister, laughing as she grabbed Izumi around the waist. Izumi fell backwards onto the grass, pinned by her sister.

"You're getting too big to do this," Izumi complained. But she was secretly pleased -her sister was growing strong from the air and training. She had been skin and bones when they had first met.

"There's a strange man there!" Naomi burst out as she got up and Izumi got back to her feet. Aramaki winced –he had wanted to make an entrance that was a lot more dignified.

"Is there really?" Izumi asked. She was on edge –she didn't want anyone here without her knowledge and say-so. It was unofficial, but Ito had taken on the role as leading bodyguard, and he had put it upon himself to ensure her security at all times. She couldn't believe someone had slipped through his watchful net. She cupped a hand around her mouth and called out. "Come on out, 'funny man'!"

As Aramaki stepped out, he could feel the analyzing gazes of those in the glen. He forced himself to look into the brunette's emerald-like gaze –she was the one he was here to see.

"What's a Soul Reaper doing here?" Izumi asked eventually. Aramaki cleared his thoat.

"I am Makizoe Aramaki, 10th Seat of the 11th Squad," he introduced himself. "I have a message for Izumi Kihara.

"You are required to enter the Spiritual Arts Academy, immediately."

Izumi just looked at him.

Then she spiked her own spiritual pressure. Aramaki gasped as it rose to Third-Seat level, crushing him until he was on his hands and knees before her.

And he wasn't the only one pinned down. All of the men around her were down on their knees, gasping for air. The only one who seemed unaffected was the strange younger girl, although she did seem a little breathless.

At last Izumi let up on her spiritual pressure, allowing Aramaki to gulp for air like a fish out of water. The others gasped in relief.

"Return with this message," she said. "I regret not taking up my position at the Academy, but I have a younger sister to look after as well as an obligation to watch over Zaraki. So I won't be leaving."

Aramaki turned and ran for it. Sweat glistened on his forehead –Izumi was powerful, even untrained. There had been rumours circulating ever since Ichigo had brought the kid into the Seiretei, ever since they had all sensed that unfamiliar Lieutenant/3rd Seat-level spiritual pressure.

And now Aramaki knew first-hand how true the rumours were.

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