Rina neatly folded her white academy kosode, placing it on the bench, she straightened the black sleeveless shirt she wore under as she stretched her muscles and warmed up.

The woman pulled her asauchi and performed her katas, considerate of every slow movement, making them quicker and quicker as the time passed. She always thought that something felt wrong wielding a single blade, and the one time she had managed to contact her swords spirit there had been two voices.

She never told the instructor that she had been able to speak with it, after all, it had only lasted a few seconds.

Rina stopped with the asauchi in a guard in front of her and sheeted the weapon with a hasty prayer. She would train her Kidou later that day, she enjoyed that subject, as well as the strange intricate history of Soul Society, although, she knew most of what had happened the last millennia. She had refrained from informing her classmates of her age; after all she didn’t look very old. She drew the asauchi and repeated the pattern with her blade

Garuda, proudly wearing his new vice-captain's badge for the 7th Division, was walking through the academy. Once again, he was lassoed into acting as an instructor, this time for a Kido lecture. It would be a class out of the book, literally, as Garuda will have the students practise their Kido, including incantations, and fire off their attack. The basics would be the ones used: Shakkaho, Soukatsui, Byakurai, for example. As Garuda holds Tatsumaki, his black zanpakuto, by the scabbard, as was his style, the sword vibrates as he passes the practice field. This causes Garuda to look over, noticing one of the students in his Kido classes. It was better he sees her now, versus seeing her in the classroom...

The sight was of pure beauty and elegance. In her kata technique, there was visible apprehension with each stroke of the adauchi. Garuda knew that she must have been hearing the voice of her sealed zanpakuto, or else she would be practising much harder. He walks onto the practice field and begins to approach her slowly, slipping Tatsumaki into his belt in a traditional fashion; he sees how she folded her top as he gets closer.

"Hello," he says, his left hand resting on the hilt of Tatsumaki. "I've noticed that your technique is quite spot-on, but you need to follow through more strongly with your strokes. You need to encourage them to speak to you, so that your Shikai is accelerated. My zanpakuto was speaking to me ever since I touched the sword." Garuda didn't know much else to talk about, except to play the role as teacher and instructor.

Her skin was soft and white and supple, adorned with tattoos that seemed to reanimate with every stroke of her blade. She would definitely be a deadly dancer when she reaches her peak form and strength. Garuda could feel her reiatsu, and it was stronger than his, even with her adauchi in its present state. He was mesmerized by the tone of her skin and the tone of her musculature, from head to toe. Even with the bagginess of her pants, her Hakama, he could see the strength in her calves, thighs and glutes. He tears his eyes off her lower body to look into her bright, vibrant eyes.

“Watarimono-fuku-taichou,” Rina said as she bowed to the seventh division lieutenant. He was one of the instructors in Kidou, and had approached silently, nearly startling her. She wiped the sweat from her forehead as she regarded the man who had approached her, his black zanpakutou in his belt and the Iris-insignia of the seventh division. She saw his eyes taking her body in, and was unsure if she should reproach the man or not, she was a shy woman and a samurai. She had both the asauchi and a kaiken in her obi; she would be able to bite back if things got out of hand, she never let her uncertainty show.

She sheathed the blank sword, “sadly to say, I will not get much stronger than I already am. And I never told anyone that I hear two voices.” She looked at the redhead; he looked younger than she looked, and probably was much younger as well. She pushed a few strands of purplish hair away from her face and sat down on the bench placing the asauchi on her knees.

“I have always heard them, or at least for a very long time, I think they are the reason why I always had troubles with only one blade,” Rina spoke silently as she offered Garuda some water, she sipped the one she had in her right hand thoughtfully. “I perform Jinzen every day, but it seems I still lack something. The sword enjoys movement, and even though something is absent, the sword thrums in my hand.” She met his grey-blue eyes as she draped her shoulders with the kosode, avoiding the chilling air. “I do not fear my sword; I was born a samurai. Bow and blade was a part of my education.”

Garuda holds his hand up politely, kindly refusing her offering of water. With all the work she has been putting into her technique, she needed every drop afforded to her. "Perhaps two voices mean two zanpakuto spirits," he says quite honestly to the older woman; the age explained her extra sense of grace, through experience and wisdom. In no way was she as old as Yamamoto in his prime, but she carried the skill of a warrior with the gentleness of spirit within a dancer. "It would be the logical conclusion, unless the one sword is of two minds and, therefore, two separate abilities. Yumichika was of such a sort, but that was only because he purposely called his Ruri-iro Kujaku by the wrong, and most despised, name." A little lore never hurt anyone; there were rumours that Izuru Kira was seen in the human world, killing Hollow long before a Shinigami or human team could be dispatched.

Garuda looks up into the sky, guessing what time it is by its position; clocks were too much of a new invention to trouble him. "Come," he says, standing up. He offers his hand to the woman. "It's time for my Kido instruction. I don't know your name, I'm afraid; would you do me the honour of giving it to me? You know mine, and it would do me great injustice not to know yours before I read it off of a cold attendance record." He watches her, her soft violet hair waving in the breeze, her skin giving rise to goosebumps as the sweat cools from her white skin.

“My name is Saegusa Rina,” accepting his hand up thankfully and bowed her head to Garuda. She placed the asauchi in her belt after tying her kosode in place, she wished that she had some time for a shower, but wishes were futile. “I was unaware that my name had eluded you, after all, your name was known to me,” she teased him very gently as she removed the band from her hair letting it loose.

“I believe that my zanpakutou is of two spirits, or that, as one of the children once said, that I am quite insane.” She smiled as she said this, and was niftily braiding her long hair to keep it in check and out of way. She tied a piece of white string to the end of the braid as she walked next to Garuda. “It is not very common with two spirits though and since I am not sure, I intend to keep silent about it until I am completely sure.” Rina was aware that some sword-spirits were fickle and easily offended, but she was also rather certain that her zanpakutou would not mind the slight. “Have you held classes in Kidou many times?”

"I taught here while as a 3rd seat," Garuda says, tempted to rest his hand upon the small of her back; if he insulted her here, he would beat himself up for a VERY long time. "Rina-san, how is it that you have eluded my sight thus far?" Garuda blushes a little bit at this question as they walk through the corridors; he was thankful that no one was around. He immediately went to her statement about the dual spirits and being crazy. "If crazy works, why change the method?" he says with a chuckle. "Two spirits is an anomaly, and that is a fact. Perhaps your second blade holds the second spirit, even though it is a dagger." They approach the lecture room, which opened into another outdoor training area, set up with targets and with a class of about 10 or 12, not counting Rina-san. He allows her to enter before he does, as he moves to the front of the room.

Garuda waits for Rina-san to sit down before checking the clock; it was his time. He shuts off the fact of how strongly he is attracted to Rina-san and picks up his attendance record from the desk. A few faces he recognized from his zanpakuto lecture; they waved swiftly before lowering their hands in a serious demeanour, which forced a smile to Garuda's face. "Yes yes," he says, bowing shallowly to the class, "I remember some of you too. That just means I don't have to tell you my expectations. But to those of you who I have not seen before, I am Watarimono Garuda of 7th Division, Vice-Captain; yes to those who I've seen already, I was promoted. Anyway, since this is a Kido lesson, focusing on Hado techniques, we have a firing range set up. Here, my only expectation is your discipline NOT to randomly turn towards the academy and try to blow it up! Chances are that you'll be blowing yourself up first." There were a few chuckles from the 'audience', but Garuda didn't mind the added levity. "According to my superiors, we will only be going over the basics. You will be reciting the incantations from memory and aiming for the targets. After you have proven that you know your incantations, you can fire sans incantation. Today will be about Byakurai, Shakkaho and Soukatsui. Who can tell me which numbers they are?" That was an open question, allowing anyone to shout out the answers.

It was difficult to keep his eyes off Rina-san. For her benefit, Garuda would avoid using the suffix -san to protect her age, since she had communicated to him that she would like to avoid revealing her true age. Though her features were soft and delicate, within beat the heart of a wise-woman with experience and strength to spare. Garuda was sure that Rina-san had her share of hearts broken by refusals of marriage in past lives, whether this was her only life or if she was reincarnated many times.

Rina looked up and around her fellow students, none of them seemed to dare speak.
“Byakurai is Hadou nr 4, Shakkahou 31 and soukatsui is 33,” Rina spoke up on the behalf of her class, she knew that some of them were simply shyer and slightly intimidated by Garuda’s power. She met Garuda’s gaze as she answered his open question, his jape about blowing the academy up was meant to be humorous but to her it was frightful. Her control of the Kidou was good, but at the last offivial practice, she had nearly blown herself up, just as he had warned, she had hit the targets, although she had not intended the explosion to envelope them all. She wondered if the instructor had left the hospital yet.

She had trained control on her own, creating the small, lighted balls until they no longer wavered or dissipated. She controlled her reiryuko, not the other way around, she reminded herself of those words as she approached the targets. She knew the incantations by heart; she noted that some of her fellows missed some of the words, to different kind of disastrous results. She also observed that Watarimono-san seemed amused as he corrected the ones that had made faults.

Rina placed her right hand steadying on her left forearm staring down the target, her fellow class moved back when they saw her at the range. She refused to care about it, it would go better now; she had more control.
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hadou nr 31; Shakkahou!"
The red energy that built up in her hand shot away over the range, obliterating her target completely, and no rebound. Rina sighed and smiled with relief as she turned back to her classmates, she bowed her head to Garuda as she sat down next to him.
“I did not send anyone to the infirmary this time.”

Garuda watched as the other students took turns, firing off their Hado, whichever one they felt most comfortable with, at each target. A line for each Hado had formed, without Garuda's instruction either. There was the occasional fizzling, forcing that person to the back of the line so they could either go get their words right or to get better control of their spiritual force. It was nice to see that Rina-san had gone right up to the firing line for Shakkaho, one of the more unstable spells if used improperly. Garuda could sense the fear in her as she recited the incantation, smiling as she came to sit down next to him. "You did good, kid," he says, nudging her playfully; the secret of her age was safe with him, although he did not know HOW old she was for sure. "Why not go up and try a more stable one without the incantation? Many are taking the chance." Garuda leans over and whispers. "It's okay if you don't want to. I could see in your eyes that even trying to do it while using the incantation seemed to panic you a bit. The lecture is almost over anyway." Garuda then glances over at the clock; it was supposed to be over five minutes ago.

Forcefully pulling himself from Rina-san's side, Garuda moves to the line, holding one hand out. He fires a picture-perfect Byakurai, Shakkaho and Soukatsui at the corresponding targets before stepping into the range itself. "Lecture's over," he says, clapping his hands. "You all did very well and I suggest you keep practising until you're sharp as the blades you will wield one day. Until then, for those of you that have another lecture, get out of here before you're late. If not, head off to the training dummies and start practising your Hado!" With that said, most of them bow and head out in an orderly fashion; those who are in a hurry are a little less respectful. Garuda ignores it all and walks up to Rina-san. "What's next for you today, Rina-san?" he asks after all the kids are gone.

”I have no more classes until tomorrow, except for Jinzen, but that is not until late this evening Watarimono-fuku-taichou,” Rina said as she rose from her kneeling position. She corrected her outfit and brushed the dust from her knees. She looked at the remaining target and stepped to the line.

“Hadou nr 4 Byakurai!” the target exploded from the blue lightning that struck it and Rina nodded as she turned back to Garuda. “Did the headmaster tell you why a replacement teacher was needed, Watarimono-fuku-taichou? I managed to send him and three of my fellow students to the fourth division during a Kidou lesson. I have fought to reign my reiatsu ever since. It is the reasons why I have not spent enough time with my Jinzen.”

Rina looked the taller man as she walked towards him, her hand on the asauchi, she could find herself enjoying the redheads company, she knew that, he seemed easygoing enough yet serious. In some ways, he reminded her of her brother Kanzou, not in his looks but the easy way he taught. She felt her stomach rumble a little and she knew that the schools’ cafeteria would be brimming with students and teachers and she did not feel like eating with the rest of them. It was messy and loud, even louder than the orphanage. It was the small restaurant just beyond the academy walls, one of her ‘children’ ran it and she was always welcomed there. Jiro was an old man with whitened beard and barely any hair but she still considered him the rascal who had braided her hair with beads and feathers.

“Are you interested in accompanying me to the yakiniku-restaurant outside the school? It is a good place,” Rina asked looking at Garuda, her initial shyness long forgotten.

Garuda didn't like the sound of being called 'wandering vice-captain'. "Rina-san," he says, holding his hand up again, "use my given name: Garuda. I actually have no family name." He was happy to see that her previous timid nature was withdrawn, and she felt more confident around him. She told him about her accident and why he was called in for the Kido lecture, to replace a seriously injured instructor. "I wouldn't worry about it," Garuda says, politely waving it off. "It represents one benefit to that accident, and that is the fact that you must be a powerful woman. Just be sure to stay confident and keep your focus on the spell." He walks up to her and gently rests his hand on her shoulder.

Garuda couldn't get over her elegance of Rina-san, his hand feeling the strength of body while his conversation with her reflected her strength of mind. To truly get to know this graceful beauty would be well worth the time spent, as long as he didn't receive any messages pulling him away. When she offers him a chance to sit down to a meal with her, Garuda has a hard time hiding the beaming smile. "I'd be honoured," he says with a smile, allowing the lovely woman to lead the way. Usually, after any amount of work, Garuda would retreat to the ramen shop where he, Bliss-taichou (since she was promoted to captain) and Parius (a 3rd seat and former student) had eaten. "I haven't had a chance to eat out unless I'm working in the office for 7th Division."

“Garuda-san it is then,” Rina said with a faint smile, she had gotten used to be called by her taken name instead of the family name a long time ago, most of the children had either called her Rina-nee-san or Rina-kaa-san. She glanced over at the redhead; he taller than her but still not tall enough to make her glances too obvious.
“The time of an officer of the Gotei 13 is valuable, but it is good to remember to spend some time on one’s self,” Rina said as they walked through the Academy-grounds. She knew that being a little egoistic at times was necessary to stay sane, especially when came to being a leader for many. Garuda was an interesting person, and she wanted to know him better, question him about being an officer, she was not sure that she would ever be in that position, or even wish for it but she wanted to learn.
“I know that your position as lieutenant is very recent but you enjoy the work? I would guess that it have it’s charms but the attached paperwork must be tedious?”

She pulled the curtain door to the restaurant open and entered, Jiro immediately came to her side giving the older woman a bow and then a hug, smiling all along.
"It has been to long since you visited us Rina-nee-san!"

Garuda walked next to her, his hands behind his back; the arm closest to Rina-san was being held by the wrist from the other hand. How just her presence was enough to evoke strong attraction to her. He had a feeling that she was married in her past life, with one or even no children to speak of. That would explain her elegance and grace; married life adds discipline. The time period of her life may also add to her allure; she didn't feel modern, per se.

"I was playing the role of lieutenant long before I became lieutenant," Garuda says, responding to her questions. "My ex-lieutenant was experiencing Hollowfication and then just disappeared. Ever since then, I've been doing his job. It was about time that I get his job. I still work some sleepless nights in order to catch up with all the work he's left behind. I still enjoy it though, don't get me wrong. The guys and ladies are good people; yes there are a couple women. However, the 3rd Seat position has opened up, and there is still 4th and 5th seats to go. I think you should apply as a lieutenant when you get the right experience: honest opinion."

Garuda looks up to see that they've arrived at the little yakiniku restaurant Rina-san had mentioned. As Rina-san walks in, she is immediately greeted and embraced by an older gentleman, putting a smile on Garuda's face; wow, she's that old? It made Garuda blush a little bit, thinking about how old this woman truly was, but it didn't bother him; age was just a number.

Rina separated from Jiro who indicated a private room to the left and leaving for the kitchens. The restaurant was crowded and noisy, she smiled at the silent notion of the chef as she touched Garuda’s arm ever so slightly and guided him to the backrooms.

”Experienced hollowfication? How horrible, do you know if he ever came in control of the hollow? I know that some in the past managed to control their hollows well enough to become what is known as vizored," Rina said as she sat down at the low tables, the grill was in the middle of the round table and already heated up. She belatedly realized that vizored as well as knowledge about hollowfication might cause bad reactions. She looked at him; suddenly sorry for him, the former lieutenant might have been a friend of the redhead. “Sumimasen, Garuda-san, I spoke without thinking,” she said bowing her head to the officer.

She poured him water from a jar standing in the back of the table, she pulled the sleeve back to avoid getting it near the heat. She was suddenly very aware of the way his eyes followed her motions and only years of training made her able to force the blush away.

“I do not think I am the right person to become an officer, I dislike paperwork, and I fear that I do not lead very well,” the woman said with a smile as she straightened back up. “I would find an office to much alike my previous home.”

"You have no need to apologize, Rina-san," Garuda says; she must have felt the goosebumps on his arm where she touched him. "You were speaking in turn; I have no wrath towards a woman to feel they be subservient. He was not a friend, and I know that that pain is a great one to endure." The Vizards were friends to the Seireitei, due to their efforts against Aizen. After all, they were turned through his dark ambition, planting the seeds within them somehow. It would make Garuda shudder to think that the R&D division were once responsible, only because Aizen corrupted Urahara's experiments.

His eyes were following her, closely, her old pupil or charge reading into wishes that he did not know she had or if it was a misinterpretation on his part. Garuda would keep these thoughts in his head, where they belonged. "It is not primarily about the paperwork," Garuda says. "It is about the leadership qualities and the strength of will and character to be able to lead a group of men and women into battle and victory, helping them cope with defeat; I don't think you can or will be defeated, Rina-san. You're very strong; you have yet to unlock so much."

She could still remember the reason why she had left Rukongai behind that dark winter-day so many years ago, she remembered the tears staining her face and how they had ripped her clothes from her body.

“I have been defeated, I have left it behind me but I was sorely defeated,” she said looking up at him. “When I was konsoed I came to the 79 east district, and it was long before the remodeling of the districts. It was hard to be a young woman and alone in that district. I was not strong that day, nor the following years, it did take time to forget and forgive what happened when I first arrived to Rukongai.”

Rina absently smoothened her hakama as she left the memories where they belonged; in the past. “I am stronger now, maybe as strong as you claim,” she smiled, a bland smile she knew, nevertheless a smile. She was not sure why she had mentioned it to Garuda, but she did know that she trusted the lieutenant, even with the unsaid happening. She wanted to be as truthful as she could to him as well. She looked up at him meeting his eyes again; he made her smile for real and he made her feel at ease.

“I hope that I will live up to your expectation, Garuda-san.”