Arg! Stupid boys! Why do they have to be so mean? I was sitting there eating my lunch quietly by myself and a few of the young male shinigami of the squad came over. They teased about how I should go home to mommy, or I should get a bottle and pacifier. He reached out to ruffle my hair and be all patronizing. I was so furious. So furious that I bound their "leader" with kido. I don't remember ever being this angry.

Yet I did forget that there were other people in the room. Of course one of them had to be Yadamaru fukutaicho. She came up to our spectacle with a stern look on her face. She looked at the young men, and looked at me holding my large book. She looked down at me and evenly commanded, "Come with me."

I was so afraid of what was going to happen. Was I going to be reprimanded with chores? That was the most likely, or could I be arrested? I didn't think so. But that didn't keep me from all the things that could happen, like losing my position and never able to get stronger.

When we were in one of the quiet gardens of 8th division, Yadamaru fukutaicho stopped and sat at the base of the biggest tree.

"Come here." She commanded me. Still, that voice demanded no doubt to her order. So I went over.

"Sit." She pointed next to her. So I sat. "You're Ise Nanao, right?" She turned a bit to look at me.

"Hai, Yadamaru fukutaicho," At this point my head was held lower than usual. I felt like I should be ashamed of my actions.

"You have potential. I like you, Nanao-san." She smiled a tiny bit.

"Really?" I was so surprised that I wasn't being reprimanded.

"Yup. But don't let it get to your head. You've got a good one on your shoulders, so don't waste it."

"I won't I promise!" That is the last thing I'd like to do. Between Saimitsu, Kyouraku taicho and now Yadamaru, there are so many people that have hopes for my future.

"Ok, now let me see that book you're holding there." This time there was more softness to her voice, but it still was as strong as usual. So I handed my book to her and when she asked "Adventure stories?" I felt I needed to give her a bit of an explanation. Usually I'm reading manuals or doing research, but today I took a break and the other division members saw and made fun of me. He was telling me that I should go home and that I was too young for fighting. And I proved him otherwise.

At this, Yadamaru fukutaicho laughed a rough and low laugh. "You've got spunk Ise. Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with adventure stories and proving your point. But I see you're pretty talented in kido. That was a pretty high level binding spell for recent academy graduates."

I was proud hearing that.

"Without the incantation, right?" I nodded. "Well then, y'know what I'm going to do? I'll read to you. And you can sit here."

After she read a few chapters she told me she enjoyed our little reading together and that we should do this again. But unfortunately our captain doesn't do much paperwork, so the only real free time she has is on the first of the month. She also said that she'd like to see kido book I'm currently on and that she might be able to give some pointers. I was excited and would love read with her again so I told her so.

I'm can't wait to read with Yadamaru fukutaicho again.