I do not own Bleach, but please do not use my original characters. Thanks.

Chapter 4

The Soul Reaper Academy had a very specific fighting technique that they taught. Most Soul Reapers never deviated or developed any unique style at all. Those who had Shikai were often the only exception.

And then there was Kei.

She nearly failed at the academy because of how she used her sword. The instructors were fed up with her technique and berated her for it near constantly. She assumed they only allowed her to pass to get her out of their hair.

It always felt unnatural to her. The way they made her hold her sword and move. There were not enough options for her to use Kidō. She always hesitated often, not sure how to use her ambidextrous nature. No one really willingly worked to help her develop those skills.

Division 11 seemed to have different opinions.

Whatever made you stronger was what they wanted to see. Combat and being a strong opponent came before anything else. Even proper form and technique.

Not to say they weren't strict.

Kei's whole body ached after training. Renji pushed and taunted her, never giving her any leeway. He ran her through drills that pushed her to her limit and didn't accept excuses or comments saying she couldn't do something. He adapted to her strengths though, making sure to ask about why she did things and the improvements showed. Ikkaku having seen this also forced her to spar, seeing her improvements.

She still hadn't been able to show Shikai from this. And now Ginrei had announced his retirement.

That hadn't stopped Division 11 from training with her. She was ready to give up, but Renji kept pushing her to train. He practically dragged her to the training grounds the day she came to tell him she was giving up.

Hence why she laid sprawled out on the training grounds behind Division 11's barracks.

"Are you planning to sleep here?"

Kei tilted her head back to look at Renji. He hadn't moved since she'd laid down and told him she was done for today. He didn't argue or push her. Just waited for her to move or do something.

"No. Just trying to will myself to teleport to Division 6."

Renji snorted as Kei looked away. Reluctantly, she moved against the protest of her joints.

"I feel like you should have awakened Shikai by now."

Kei glanced at Renji as he stood up.

"You and everyone else," sighed Kei, shrugging. "Still, I think I've gotten stronger and that's fine with me."

"You don't qualify for Lieutenant now and I'm guessing that's what you wanted."

"Seems to be what everyone thinks."

Kei didn't look at him as she struggled to stretch the knots out of her back. He was so far the only person brave enough to mention the Lieutenant position.

"I thought you'd be more upset."

Kei shrugged a little and stared off into space, her vision not focusing on anything.

"Which do you think is better: training strengths or weaknesses?"

"It depends, I guess."

"Well, I guess I gave up on my weaknesses way before this. The fact that there's any improvement is fine with me."

Kei turned towards Renji as he let out a huff before standing up. He stepped closer to her.

"That's stupid," he warned. "If you want to give up on your Zanpakuto, then why the hell are you here?"

"Not swordsmanship all together. Just Shikai."

"You'll be better off with Shikai. You're fighting style is-"

"Bad," interrupted Kei. Renji paused before glaring at her. "I know it is. It's just better for me to give up on it. I can do great with Kido, so-"

"Stop trying to quit," snapped Renji. "It makes you look pathetic."

"What if I want to?"

"Look pathetic? I'm not letting you," he said. "You're not done with me until you have Shikai."

Kei just shrugged, not really sure what to say. No one was this insistent before. Not even Toshiro pushed her like this, let alone Captain Kuchiki.

"Why do you care?"

"Why don't you?"

Kei didn't have an answer to that. She just shrugged and rested her hand on the hilt of her sword. Eventually, she would stop this, but his determination was endearing.

"You'll get use to it," she mocked, moving to walk away. "I'll see you later, Renji."

"You don't get to be a third seat by not caring."

"No. You get to third seat by being spiteful. And you stay there by realizing it ridiculous to get worked up over it."

Kei didn't turn to Renji and waved. She could hear him muttering about her, venting his own frustrations. Not that she could blame him. He was driven and pushing to go farther than anyone expected. She was content and didn't feel the need to prove people wrong.

She felt it was pointless.