Rukia's POV

That morning, when I woke up, I was hit with all the emotions I had tried to hide. I was full of anxiety, curiosity and fear. I was anxious about beginning my training with Captain Hitsugaya. I was curious to see how he would train me. And I was scared about doing terrible during training. I hope he sees I'm strong and worth his time.

All morning, I could only concentrate on one thing. That thing was Captain Hitsugaya. I wasn't just curious about how he would train me anymore.

When I came to the 13th squad's barracks, I started to think about him. I barely knew anything about him. It made me think of him as mysterious. He usually keeps to himself and that's something I admire about him. Then again, that's pretty much all I know about him.

I wonder why he's so quiet. When I think about it, it's actually a really attractive trait. And his short temper is so childish that it's cute. And he's so young and powerful. It's admirable. The way he runs his squad is amazing. The thought of him giving orders to his subordinates, who are all older than him, makes him dreamy…

What am I saying?! He's my superior! I can't think of him like that! I have no idea what came over me. I've never thought of anyone like that! Well, anyone except for… Ichigo.

No! No, no, no, no, no! I am not going to get all depressed again over him! I won't, not again. I am too busy to waste my time thinking about Ichigo. I have to concentrate on training. I have to concentrate on becoming a better shinigami. A stronger shinigami!

I erased him from my mind and got back to work. After five seconds, I stopped and sighed. I can't just forget about him! He's such an important part of my life! He showed me that my life did have meaning! He saved my life. He did in more ways than one. He made me laugh, smile. He showed me how to have fun and… live!

I sighed. Stupid Ichigo. Why do I have to feel this way?!

I sat down and looked out the window. This morning when I woke up, it was sunny. Now the sun is hidden behind dark clouds. It's dark and gloomy outside. I laughed to myself. It's funny. The way it looks outside matches how I feel on the inside. Geez, sometimes I wish I never…

There was a knock at the door. I didn't bother to ask who it was. I just told them to come in. someone entered. They didn't speak for a while.

"Kuchiki, why do you look depressed?"

I immediately snapped out of my sadness and stood up. I bowed. "I'm sorry, Captain Hitsugaya. I didn't know it as you."

"Never mind that, Kuchiki. Why do you look sad?"

I decided to play dumb. "Sad? I don't know what you're talking about, Sir! I'm perfectly fine!"

"Don't give me that, Kuchiki. I'm not stupid."

"I didn't mean to offend you, Sir. But I am fine."

He sighed. "Ukitake told me something was upsetting you. Anyway, I know how it feels like to feel depressed. I also know how it feels when people try to pry the reason out of you. So, I won't ask again. But, I want you to know something. I like to keep to myself. I don't like to talk about myself or other people's lives. But, this changes when I am training someone. I like to know about the person. It helps me understand what I'm working with. If you don't want to share, that's fine. Just know that, when you want to talk, I'll be there."

His words shocked me. I thought he would keep to himself. I thought he would be cold, not so compassionate. His kindness… it intrigues me. It makes me admire him more. It makes me… like him.

"Do you understand, Kuchiki?"

"Y-Yes, Sir, I do."

"All right, let's go."

"Go?"

"We're starting your training now. Come on."

We had left the 13th's barracks. Captain Hitsugaya led me to a secluded area in the forest. There was a huge clearing there. It was perfect for training.

Captain Hitsugaya took me to the center of the clearing and sat down. He looked up at me and gestured for me to sit down. I did, but I tried not to sit too close.

"Kuchiki, tell me about yourself."

"What? You want me to tell you about… me?"

"Yes. That's part of the training. I want to know everything. Even the personal things, at some point. To make it easier, I'll start. I grew up in an orphanage in Junrinan. I was raised by my grandmother."

"I was-"

"Speak louder."

"Yes, Sir. I grew up in Inuzuri-"

I heard something similar to a gasp escape him. He was surprised. Everyone is when I tell them that. They all think I was born a noble.

"I grew up in Inuzuri. I as abandoned by my sister when I was a baby. I grew up with Renji. He's my closest friend."

"I grew up with Hinamori."

What should I tell him next? I don't want to mention my sister anymore. "Nii-sama adopted me into the Kuchiki clan when I was still in the academy. He did so because… Never mind."

He looked at me. Then he said, "I became a shinigami to control my powers. They were getting out of hand and I was endangering the life of someone close and dear to me."

"I became a shinigami because of my friends from Inuzuri."

We continued this for a while. I talked about Renji mostly. There was nothing else I really wanted to share about.

Finally, he said we'd start the real training.

"Today we'll start with sword skills. I want to see how well you wield and fight with your zanpakuto," he said. He unsheathed his zanpakuto and took his stance. I did the same. Then, without warning, he came at me. The impact was powerful. It almost made me lose my grip on my zanpakuto.

Despite wanting to prove myself to him, I didn't try to fight back much. I didn't feel like it. I was in my own world, thinking of Ichigo.

My thoughts were interrupted my Captain Hitsugaya. "What's this, Kuchiki? Are you not trying or are you seriously this weak?" His voice was cruel and cold. "Captain Ukitake said so many good things about you. He said you were skilled at kido, wielding a sword and so many other things. I guess he was wrong!"

His next blow sent me back a few feet. He was aggravating me. But it wasn't enough to make me start trying.

"I thought growing up in a place like Inuzuri would make someone like you tough. But, from what I'm seeing, you are as fragile and weak as you look!"

His comments started to inflict pain on my heart and pride.

"I thought you were trying to prove yourself to Renji. You said so. I get the feeling it's not just him you want to prove yourself to. Am I right? But right now, you're not doing such a good job!"

How did he know that?

His strikes and blows were becoming more powerful and fast. With my current effort, it was getting hard to block all of them successfully.

"Kuchiki, is this all you can do? If it is, then you became a shinigami for nothing! If I were one of the friends that you clamed you became a shinigami for, I'd be disappointed."

He was getting so annoying. I stated to try more, but not that much.

For a moment, he stopped talking. He was concentrating more on fighting me. His blows were stronger, he was faster. He got faster and faster by the second. His next blow sent me flying. I landed on my butt. I got up and struck back. I still didn't try though. He struck again and sent me back again. I tried a little hard because of this.

He seemed to be getting aggravated. His next blow knocked my zanpakuto out of my hand and sent me to the ground. He looked down at me.

"This is disappointing, Kuchiki. I expected more. Looks like being adopted into a noble family has made you soft."

This made me angrier than I already was. Despite this, I stayed on the ground.

He sighed. "Byakuya has made you soft. He has spoiled you."

I looked up at him. He raised his sword and brought it down at me. My anger made me take action. I quickly got to my knees and caught his blade in between the palms of my hands. I twisted it so he would lose his grip. I swiped his legs from under him and he fell. I pointed his sword at him.

"No one, not even you, insults Nii-sama. I won't let them. He is so important to me, more than anyone knows. He gave me a name! He gave me a home! He gave me a purpose to live! Because of this, I won't let anyone speak about him like that!"

The next thing I did was help him up. I gave him back his zanpakuto then bowed.

"I'm sorry, Sir." I partially meant it. "I was out of line to speak like that to you."

"No. I understand how you feel. Byakuya is someone you care much for. But, in order to get you to fight, I had to say something like that. It worked though. You are very skilled with a sword, and fighting unarmed. I also saw that you mostly have control over your powers. I thought that would be enough to get you to lose control. Anyway, we're done for today."

"Really, we're done?"

"Yes. I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, he left.

Wow, he really is admirable.