12: Spar
Sakura gasped as Kyouka Suigetsu came rushing toward her face and desperately held Kiriaiseika up in an attempt at a parry. The two blades clashed with a metallic ring, the sound echoing in Sakura's ears. She watched Sousuke intently, contemplating what her next move should be when he suddenly drew his zanpakuto back and slashed at her from the left. Sakura gasped and ducked instinctively, before abandoning her zanpakuto on the ground and launching a tight roundhouse kick at Sousuke. He used shunpo to move out of the way and brought his zanpakuto down once more. The noble girl dove back, barely managing to avoid the blade before aiming a punch at the chestnut-haired lieutenant. He stepped back and held his hands up, motioning for her to stop in her attack.
"I see. Your Hakuda and Hohou skills are most impressive, Kuchiki-chan." He smiled warmly at her and leaned down, picking Kiriaiseika up from the ground where it lay, forgotten. "But do you recall me saying that we were going to develop your Zanjutsu skills, not Hakuda and Hohou?"
Sakura blushed, lowering her head in embarrassment. "Yes, Sensei," she murmured quietly.
"Now, now," Sousuke chided gently, tilting her chin up with his fingers. "Don't be embarrassed. We are all creatures of instinct, and your instinct was telling you to drop your zanpakuto and fight me with something that you excel at. There is nothing wrong with that." He handed Sakura her zanpakuto, and she took it cautiously, slim, childlike fingers wrapping around the pale pink hilt. "But we'll save Hakuda and Hohou for another day. Today, we are focusing on Zanjutsu."
"Yes, Sensei," Sakura murmured again, meeting his eyes. "I understand. I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize," Sousuke said casually, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. "Now let's start again, shall we?"