Gosh, it's been so long friends!

I'm not lying when I tell you I hit major writer's block with this chapter. Even back then when I made a prompt for this fic, I never had Hajime's Zanpakuto figured out and I will say, be warned, it's very "magical girl" haha. My go-to's are always water or ice Zanapkuto's so I tried to aim for something different, I'm just uncreative.

Since I've mainly been staring at this chapter and making no changes, I decided just to post it and even though it's on the shorter side, I hope you enjoy it regardless!

I am very excited to get the next chapters going so hopefully I won't take too long to push those out.

And since it's the holiday season currently, I want to wish you all a happy healthy holiday (if you celebrate them of course) and hopefully one more chapter before the new year but no promises haha.

Thank you all for sticking around and for all you new readers, I really appreciate it!

Until next time~

"Dazzle, Suisho no Tsuki (Google Translate; Crystal Moon)," As Hajime called for the release of her Zanpakuto, a radiant light erupted from her blade. The light finally faded and Hajime's Zanpakuto was revealed. Her Zanpakuto bears a blue and purple-hued crystal blade, a silver inverted diamond guard, and a silver hilt woven with the fabric of the same iridescence as the blade. At the end of the hilt is a lavender ribbon attached with a crystal crescent moon charm and pearls.

"Even with your Zanpakuto," he remarked, "You still think you can win?" Charging at her, he readied his hand to pierce her only to be blocked by her Zanpakuto.

"Crystal Rain," she commanded as her Zanpakuto faintly glistened and crystal projectiles emitted from her blade, cutting Kazuto as he leaped back. Not letting up, Hajime charged toward him and furiously swung her Zanpakuto, firing Crystal Rain with each attack. Using his sonido, Kazuto appeared behind her and attempted to kick her, but she stopped him by using Bakudou #8, Seki.

Quickly gaining their footing, the two swiftly lunged at one another. With Kazuto's arms as hard as steel and his ability to sharpen his nails, the sound of metal clashing echoed through the air. They were both unrelenting as they continued to block each other's attacks.

After dropping off Rei to Hitsugaya, Hisagi took his four interns and quickly returned to Hajime's side, surprised to see her released Zanpakuto, so that's what that rise in spiritual pressure was…

Hiding in the trees and observing their fight, Hisagi hopes this would provide a valuable lesson to his other interns as they watched in suspense.

Continuing their battle, Kazuto fired a close-range cero at Hajime as the two clashed. Using her Zanpakuto to take the brunt of the attack, Hajime was thrown against the playground fence. Taking to the air, Kazuto fired multiple less-powerful ceros at her, creating a large cloud of smoke.

Trying to block with her Zanpakuto and by casting Enkosen back-to-back, Hajime still took the impact of multiple ceros. I don't know how much longer I can hold on, Hajime thought to herself as she was finally feeling the effects of her previous battle.

"How weak!" Kazuto hissed as he laughed maniacally, "even with your shikai, you're nothing!"

Gritting her teeth, she fired Crystal Rain once more through the cloud of smoke and charged toward Kazuto. Despite his speed, Hajime managed to slash his chest, drawing blood.

Moving his feet to the ground, Kazuto touched his wound and licked at the blood on his fingers. With a wide grin and menacing look, he lunged toward Hajime, faster than before. Blocking with her Zanpakuto, she was unable to keep up with him and he was able to slash her face, arm, and side.

Laughing menacingly, he taunted her once more, "Hajime-Chan~," He spoke in a mocking tone, "You're trying so hard to get rid of me… Don't forget, my blood runs through your veins. You're more like me than you think!"

"I will never be like you!" Hajime yelled back. I have to stop him quickly, Hajime thought to herself, it's getting tougher and tougher to keep up with him.

"You already are!" Sharpening his nails, Kazuto used his sonido and prepared for a fatal strike. Swiftly maneuvering her body, she pushed herself into his attack allowing him to stab through her stomach with his hand. Gripping tightly onto him, Hajime cast Bakudou #63: Sajo Sabaku where four chains of light erupted from the palm of her hand and restrained Kazuto's arms to his torso. Forcefully yanking his hand from her body, Hajime dropped to the ground on all fours.

The students hiding in the trees gasped as they saw Hajime drop to her knees.

"Is she… going to die?" A student asked.

"I will never let that happen to any of you," Hisagi reassured him, "Kisumoto still has a lot of fight left in her. In this battle of honor, I will only intervene if necessary."

As Kazuto struggled to free himself from his restraints, Hajime cast Rikujokoro to further hold him in place. Rage overtaking him, Kazuto was able to gain some control of his body back and continued to try and free himself. Shocked at his strength, Hajime cast Hyappo Rankan, pinning him to a nearby building.

Losing her balance after casting such high-level Kido spells back-to-back, Hajime wanted to end this quickly. Covering her wound with one hand, she slowly reached for her Zanpakuto beside her and readied herself to lunge toward him.

"To think you wasted so much energy to keep me pinned… You think I can't fight still?" Kazuto taunted as he readied a cero to fire at Hajime, "Prepare to taste the power of a fully charged cero!"

Hajime tightly grasped onto her katana and used her remaining spiritual power to prepare one last attack, this is for everyone you've hurt, "Crystal Moon Beam!" With all the power concentrated at the tip of her Zanpakuto, a powerful wave of crystals collided with the cero. Their power was so evenly matched, the force of their attacks resulted in an explosion.

The force of the explosion sent Hajime flying backward and Hisagi quickly shunpo-ed to catch her before she hit the fence. As for Kazuto, most of his restraints were removed as the force of the wind almost freed him.

"Kisumoto! Oi, Kisumoto!" Hisagi called out as he applied pressure on Hajime's wound.

Through the smoke, a harrowing roar was heard, and Hajime was quickly brought back to her senses as she looked over to where Kazuto was pinned, No way… Did I lose?

Trying to get up and releasing another ferocious roar, Kazuto's mask was starting to disintegrate, and the gates of Hell appeared behind him.

"That's…" Hajime tried to speak but was in too much pain to continue.

"The gates of Hell," Hisagi explained, "when a soul had done particularly heinous acts when they were a human, their soul gets dragged to the depths of Hell." Looking over to the exhausted Hajime, Hisagi praised her, "You've done well, Kisumoto. Nice job."

Giving a relieved smile, Hajime gave in to her injuries and lost consciousness.

. . .

At Squad Six's Barracks, a messenger from Squad Four came and passed along the news about Hajime's condition to Renji, who she placed as her emergency contact within the Academy. Immediately rushing off after hearing the news, Byakuya stopped him.

"Renji. What is it?" Seeing Renji's expression, Byakuya was worried something happened with Rukia.

Frantic, Renji quickly tried to explain, "Taichou, it's Hajime-"

His heart dropped at the sound of her name, "Go." He ordered without having to hear more, "Quickly."

Finally reaching Squad Four's Barracks, Renji met up with Hisagi who was just returning to Hajime's room.

"W-What happened?" Renji asked as he observed Hajime in the hospital bed covered in bandages and multiple needles attached to her.

"She's used up almost all of her spiritual energy," Hisagi explained, "Unohana Taichou currently has her on a special treatment to get her spiritual pressure flowing again."

"Internship training couldn't have done this to her," Renji looked over to Hisagi who closed his eyes in contemplation.

Hisagi explained everything to Renji; the mission in the World of the Living, the overabundance of Hollow, and their encounter with a Vasto Lorde who claimed to be Hajime's father.

Renji's eyes widened at the news, "Her father…he became a Vasto Lorde?"

"It appears so," Hisagi spoke as Hajime's look of determination flashed in his mind, "I couldn't deny her request…" Hisagi's eyes stood resolute, certain he made the right decision, "I knew she used a lot of energy fighting against a Hollow beforehand but that look in her eyes-"

"She already made up her mind," Renji stated, finishing Hisagi's thoughts, "She was going to do it whether or not she had your permission." Looking back at Hajime, Renji asked, "When will she wake up?"

"There's no telling," Hisagi explained, "Unohana Taichou doesn't expect her to be fully conscious anytime soon."

"And what about the internships?"

Hisagi gave a soft chuckle, "Don't worry," he said cheerfully as he patted Renji's shoulder, "After she sent him straight to the depths of Hell, she has my recommendation for this month. Her absences will be excused."

"S-she won?"

"You thought she lost?" Hisagi teased, surprised Renji doubted her, "She even released her shikai," he proudly explained.

Relishing in her victory, Renji looked over at Hajime with a large smile.

"Mom… Akashi…" Hajime whispered while unconscious, "I did it… I've…avenged…you…" As a tear fell down her face, Renji gripped on to Hajime's arm with both his hands and tried to fight the tears that were forming in his eyes.

You idiot, he thought to himself, even after all this time?

. . .

W-Where am I? Finally gaining consciousness, Hajime looked at her surroundings and realized she was in Squad Four's treatment room.

"It seems you're finally awake," every day since Hajime has been hospitalized, Renji and Rukia have come to check on Hajime's condition. Since Rukia was busy leading today's internship training session, Renji popped in by himself.

"R-Renji… What happened?"

"You don't remember?"

Trying to comb through her memories, the events of that night played through her mind and she remembered everything. Jumping up from the realization of what happened in the World of the Living, she grabbed onto Renji's arm and teared up.

"I know you don't remember… but back then, my father was the one who-"

"I know," Renji cut her off, "Akashi told me everything I needed to know before those memories resealed. I know what your father did, and I don't blame you."

"I didn't think it would be possible, but… I hope my defeating him makes up for what happened."

Putting his hand over hers, he gave her a smile, "I'm just happy that you're finally free from him." Hajime gave a smile in return and thought she could finally put her past behind her. "I'll go get Unohana Taichou, she'll be happy to hear that you woke up."

"Everything looks stable here," Unohana explained, "Some of your wounds are still healing but otherwise, you are welcome to return to your studies. I understand there are a few days left of the internships, I wouldn't miss them if I were you," she said with a smile.

Checking out of the treatment room, Hajime had no time to waste and she quickly made her way to Squad Nine's Barracks.

"All right everyone, let's get in our pairs and-" Noticing the distracted Hisagi, the other interns looked over and saw Hajime walking over to join them. She simply looked at her classmates and gave a small smile. She was worried that since she missed most of the internships, Hisagi was upset with her. However, to her disbelief, the other interns quickly surrounded her with excited expressions and bombarded her with various questions. Looking past them and over to Hisagi, she saw the smile on his face and felt relieved, thank goodness, she thought to herself, he doesn't look too upset with me.

As there were only a few days left of the internships, Hisagi prepared a final test for his interns and they all passed with flying colors. Having already made up his mind on who gets his recommendation for this month's internship, there were no objections from the other interns. Relishing in her strength and bearing witness to her battle, they all believed Hajime deserved the recommendation the most out of their group. Feeling proud of her accomplishments and proving herself to her group, the internships came to an end and Hajime secured a letter of recommendation to join Squad Nine after graduation.

Internships End