A/N: I just want to take the time and thank everyone who reviewed/favorited/alerted, and all that. It always manages to brighten up my day. So thank you, guys. And here's another chapter (if it can even be called that). Enjoy!
9: Heal
"Healing Kido is one of the most important arts that a Shinigami can learn. Even if you're not in the fourth division, every person should know how to take care of at least basic injuries." Sousuke stated all of this calmly, while looking the noble girl directly in the eyes. Sakura remembered her burned hands and blushed, knowing that she wasn't able to heal them properly. Thankfully, the swelling had gone down a bit; however, it was still noticeable. Sakura had taken to wearing fingerless gloves to cover up the damage and she shifted slightly, plucking at her gloves uneasily. The action didn't go unnoticed by Sousuke, whose chocolate-brown eyes narrowed slightly. "Kuchiki-san."
Sakura looked down at the tattered gloves covering up her burnt hands, avoiding his shrewd gaze. She really did need to stop picking at them. The cloth was coming undone; the gloves were practically falling apart. "Yes?" She murmured, determinedly looking anywhere but at him.
"Your hands, have they healed?"
"Ah, er… that is…" Sakura stuttered, blushing bright pink. All this time, he had known? After all this time she had spent trying to hide it too… now that was just depressing.
Sousuke smiled slightly as he watched her reaction. "You honestly thought I wouldn't notice? Kuchiki-chan—may I call you that?"
She nodded, flushing a deeper shade of red.
"Kuchiki-chan, I am not a foolish man. I take care of those under me, and I care deeply about my students. I do not want to see you hurt, and while I do appreciate the hard work, there's no need to overexert yourself." He paused. "I am correct in assuming that your wounds were from practicing high-level Kido spells, am I not?"
Sakura nodded again, not knowing what else to say.
The chestnut-haired lieutenant tilted her chin up gently with long, slender fingers. "Do not overexert yourself again, Kuchiki-chan. It does neither of us any good."
The noble girl finally found her voice. "Yes, Sensei. I won't."
Sousuke nodded, pleased. "Excellent. Now, how about I heal those wounds of yours?"